Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is a companion with, Xena & Gabrielle: A Turn of Fate. If you haven't read both story's chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. My beta is awesome, oh yea... Shout out to the fans of my tales, hope to keep on amusing you all. Enjoy! :-)

The Conqueror & Ri,

A Twist of Destiny,

By, Ahkiken

Chapter 24: Shards

Thunderous knocking resonated on Joxer's apartment door, causing him to answer it with rapt awareness. Opening it, he was surprised to see the petite blonde.

"RiRi, what are you doing here?"

Ri brushed past him, entering the apartment in a rush. "It wasn't a dream."

"Ooookay." Joxer became perplexed, shutting his door and giving Ri his full attention.

"It's real, Joxer." Ri continued hysterically. "It is real. Just like the dream I'd divulged to you, I had-"

"Father, what's going on?" Virgil asked, walking out of his room.

Seeing Ri, Virgil was slightly taken aback by her sudden appearance in their home. Although he was jovial to see the pretty woman, Virgil looked at his father quizzically.

Joxer mimicked his son's expression. "We have an unexpected visitor."

"Indeed we do." Virgil retorted, giving their guest a hug. "Hey, Ri. I heard you were going to be busy today with your test and assisting Minya in the kitchen."

"I apologize for imposing on y'all, but I really have to speak to Joxer, Virgil. It's highly imperative."

Joxer noticed Ri's anxiety. "Virgil, why don't you go give Minya a hand in the kitchen, so Ri and I can talk."

"Okay, Father." He agreed. "So long, Ri."

Ri gave a small nod as Virgil left.

Next, Joxer moved closer to her, gazing at Ri's outward aspect. "You look like you've performed in the Olympics."

"Listen to me, Joxer." Ri responded. "Remember the dream I told you some days ago?"

The Jester walked into the bathroom to get a wet towel. "The one concerning you and the Conqueror? Yeah, I do."

Coming back to Ri, Joxer began wiping the sweat off Ri's face while displaying a cheeky grin. "I think the sex scene would be my favorite part of the entire story if you'd shed more light on it."

Ri gripped him strongly. "This is serious. I had another one when I was in Master Eramus' class."

"You dreamt about sex again?"

"No, Joxer!" She shouted in exasperation. "I had a vision of the young Conqueror and I was in it, standing beside her on an enormous vessel. I watched her fight and die."

"So." Joxer frowned. "No lovemaking in this one?"

"Ahh!" Ri grunted, walking away from him to exit.

"RiRi?" Joxer quickly stopped her from leaving. "I thought we were in agreement that it was just a dream you had."

"We were wrong. It's more than that." Ri reprimanded. "It's different from the vision before. This was more profound. I could smell the ocean breeze, I could feel the motion of the ship and it made me nauseated, but something prevented my regurgitation."

"RiRi, it isn't real." Joxer said.

"It is. When did you have a dream that bestowed such vividness similar to what I'd described?" Ri asserted. "I didn't fall asleep in Master Eramus' classroom. I looked forward to passing that stupid test, then out of nowhere I passed out."

"You are studying and working hard. Perhaps you've exhausted yourself."

"I'm not. I could feel physically and mentally. I felt her powerful touch. I've never been so afraid in my life as she fought against the enemies that slaughtered half the ship's crew and I haven't ever had such fear grasp me after watching her die." Ri explained.

"Who died? The Conqueror?" Joxer inquired dubiously.

'Xena.' Ri mused. 'That's what I screamed out when the last arrow penetrated her chest. Could that be her as well as Milady's true name? Other than their age, the resemblance is uncanny.'

"Either way, its surely isn't reality. Nobody can kill our Lord of the Realm." Joxer was becoming worried for his friend. "You really believe these dreams are-"

"Presage." Ri interrupted. "Yes, I'm certain of it."

"Careful, RiRi." Joxer grew wary. "If you claim to be an oracle, it could turn into a terrible outcome for you."

The storyteller remembered the grisly fate of those that were suspected of having foresight without godly intervention. These men and woman were accosted, then either burned, stoned, or crucified upside down.

"I'm scared, Joxer." She began to cry. "Something is gonna happen to me."

The brown-eyed man pulled Ri in an embrace. "Shh, you live in this world, not the one you possibly envisioned. Nothing's going to happen, RiRi. I can assure you."

"You can't, though. My visions are real. I've seen the blue armored warrior." Ri replied.

'Blue armor? A man dressed in blue...' Joxer jogged his memory. "Oh, yea. The guy with the stick who engaged the Conqueror on the deck."

"It was a metal pole, Joxer." Ri went on. "I saw him without his helmet. He had dark hair that cascaded around his light green eyes and was handsome. A man I can't associate with glimpsing a day in my life."

Ri glanced upwards to peer into Joxer's orbs. "I saw another man adorned in armor too. It was a shade of yellow and he reminded me of General Draco, but I don't have recollection of talking to him. However, I had discernment of how intensely I felt for every one I'd seen."

Joxer had to admit, he never chanced a dream like what Ri depicted. Even the ones about Meg weren't as potent.

"Especially when I was in Xena's presence."

"Xena?" Joxer repeated.

"That is the younger Conqueror's name. Xena." Ri avowed.

"Did your necklace glow?" Joxer questioned.

"I don't know. I wasn't thinking about it when I departed Eramus' room."

"You recalled having intense emotions. Do you recall anything else?" Joxer queried.

Ri ruminated on the bald monk who knocked on her door, the dark-haired warrior she bumped into on the stairs, the yellow armored man with cropped black hair that lost his head during the outbreak of the battle, and the blue-eyed Xena, whom created conflicting feelings tantamount to her Lord. Also, there was something Ri vaguely could bring forth, something pricking her mind. A sentence she'd written; a word of importance.

"Shards." Ri affirmed. "Before exiting my room, I remember writing that."

"Do you know what it meant?"

"No. It's difficult to memorize that with clarity." Ri professed.

"Well, sit down." Joxer was ready to indulge Ri further. "We're going to get to the bottom of this by dissecting every part of your vision until we come up with an answer to why this is occurring and expel it."

"How do you suppose we do that?" Ri asked with a hopeful grin.

"I have no idea, RiRi." Joxer dried her tears. "I'm only trying to sound wise."

{C&R}

Meleager sat at the desk of the Conqueror, gazing at the castle's servants while they brought in a new sable divan, setting it in front of the fireplace. The ruler of the Grecian Empire rarely altered anything, now a trio of divans set in the Conqueror's spacious antechamber and he couldn't wait to see her face once she'd viewed the change.

'She'll love it.' Meleager cogitated. "Heck, if she doesn't, I know I will. I should have my chambers rearranged like this.'

His ratiocination turned to Ri. His beautiful niece was changing as well, more and more with each passing day. Since being granted that luxurious jewelry which encircled her neck, Ri's attitude became inconsistent. In all his Cronus with the strawberry blonde, Meleager hadn't seen her act despondent towards anyone. Now, he hadn't spent any quality moments with the aspiring bard, besides speaking about personal matters including Ri's trip to Athens, and dreaded that they were drifting apart.

'Maybe I'll send for her.' Meleager smiled sadly. 'We'll chat about fun stuff in front of the fire. No drama or professional topics.'

"We're finished, Chancellor." A servant proclaimed.

"Praise Vesta. Praise Vesta." Meleager cheered. "Thank you all."

The servants bowed before exiting the chambers and Meleager abandoned the desk chair to take a seat on the fresh couch.

'All I need is a cold drink and I'll be in the Elysian Fields.'

Akemi trekked to the gleeful Regent. "Chancellor, a scroll is directed to you and Lieutenant Batius has a message too. Do you want me to show him in?"

Meleager accepted the rolled parchment. "Thanks, and yes, you may allow him in. Can you bring me a cup of orange juice also?"

"As you command, Chancellor." Akemi was inclined to do his bidding.

Meleager took the chair at the desk to receive the Lieutenant of the Third Army. Moments later, Batius stood before him.

"Lieutenant, what is your denotation?"

Batius saluted. "Chancellor of the Realm, I'm here to relay that Master Eramus wishes to apprise you of an important subject. He awaits your arrival inside the Throne room with General Palaemon."

Meleager was baffled by Batius' announcement. "I will be there in a quarter candle-mark."

Saluting again, Lieutenant Batius left the chambers while Meleager unrolled the scroll and began reading its contents. When the Chambermaid returned with the Chancellor's drink, she looked on in puzzlement as Meleager dropped the scroll with a dark glum expression.

"Chancellor, are you alright?" She queried, putting the cup down on the table.

"Akemi, your services won't be required for the remainder of the day." Meleager made known in a sadden tone.

"Yes, Chancellor." Akemi conceded, walking out the antechamber.

Meleager's heart was full of gloom as he replayed the doomed sentences indicated on the scroll.

"Cicero." He voiced with sadness. "Oh, Cicero."

{C&R}

Ri, along with Joxer, strolled to the kitchens together. After spending candle-marks discussing what transpired with the vision and reaching an inconclusive decision anent to how's it possible to be having them in the first place, Ri chose to go back to her chamber, but Joxer coerced her into keeping the promise she made to Minya. Though they haven't discovered where the foreshadowing dreams originated from, they both believed it to be real, choosing to only speak of it in private and not share it with anyone else.

Throughout their walk, Ri was dumbfounded when Joxer suggested they'd arrive at the kitchen by going to the Banquet Hall, making her unprepared for a sudden burst of shouts as they entered it.

"SURPRISE!"

Ri knew she was on the edge of going deaf, particularly from Joxer yelling the word in proximity of her ear. Still, she was veritably shocked by the secret celebration while looking at the musicians, plus the smiling faces of her friends and associates. Minya, Iona, Virgil, Tessa, Oris, Darnelle, even Dex, and of course Joxer, beamed at her.

"Wow." Ri was speechless.

"That's all the chatty future bard has to say?" Oris' accented vocal playfully questioned.

Everyone laughed and Ri joined in.

"I could be mad. I was deceived into believing that Minya was understaffed. Instead, it was a trick to lure me here." Ri pretended to pout, then smiled again. "Thanks."

"Come on. Let's eat and celebrate." Joxer declared, wrapping his arm around Ri, bringing the petite woman towards the people whom planned to honor her.

{C&R}

The Chancellor was stewing in anger and disappointment. His mood was already disgruntled when he received news of what occurred in Rome, now he had to deal with another concern.

Approaching his temporary chambers, he sighted Draco standing outside the door.

"Chancellor." He placed his right fist over his chest. "I wanted to inform you of the tally for the newest members of the Second Army."

"Not now, General." Meleager stated.

"Is there a problem to the Realm?" Draco inquired.

"No." Meleager tried to compose himself. "No. I have a personal situation that must be corrected."

"How may I be of service?" Draco offered.

"I can handle it." Meleager replied. "Thank you."

The Chancellor opened the door to his chambers, altering his mind. "On second thought, find Ri, General Draco. Bring her to me."

{C&R}

A candle-mark barely went by and Ri sat down, listening to the excitement that surrounded her. General Darnelle couldn't stay too long, taking his leave after giving his congratulations to Ri. Everybody else ate and drank while having conversations. In the beginning, Ri participated in everything, but slowly she started to disengage from the celebration.

Knowing that it was for her caused Ri to be happy, nevertheless she had distressing cogitations hindering it. Ri was terrified of what she felt was a glimpse of her future. Not only that, but she had seen glimpses of her twin's life as well. It was simple logic to ascertain that the cropped blonde and Xena were lovers from the first vision. Recalling her feelings in the recent foretelling, Ri couldn't come to terms with the loving emotions she had for Xena. How could she possibly love someone equally, if not more when it came to the Conqueror? She had an emotional conflict in the foresight; the storyteller became indecisive on wanting to come back to her world after solving the problem of Japa in Xena's world.

'Japa?' Ri ruminated. 'That's where we were travelling to. I have to concentrate and try to remember all my thoughts from the premonition.'

"Hey, you wanna dance, love?" Lieutenant Oris intruded.

"No, thanks." Ri answered. "I got a lot going on that I have to sort out."

"Come on. It is your party. You should let loose and enjoy yourself." Oris responded.

Glancing over at Iona dancing with Joxer, it coaxed awkwardness within Ri for Oris and her spirit sister's relationship. "Earlier, Iona told me how much she'd enjoyed her date with you. I know this is my party, but perhaps you should focus on her, not me."

Oris followed Ri's gaze and began viewing the young blonde. "Blamey. You're absolutely right, dear. I'll talk to ya later, yah?"

"Yea." Ri expressed.

Once he was gone, Ri surveyed everybody dancing together. Iona was now with Oris. Minya started getting a little too close to Joxer, which he tried to discreetly pull away. Dex danced with one of the female musicians. And Virgil was alone. Ri didn't want the young teen to be lonesome, so she started to rise and go to him, but Tessa blocked her path.

"What's up with you tonight, Ri?" She queried. "You don't seem like your talkative self."

"I'm thinking of all the people I am going to miss when I'm gone." Ri said ambiguously.

"I understand." Tessa concurred. "However, this is your party and you should be enjoying it to the fullest. Come and dance with me."

Ri made a counter offer. "How about I dance with Virgil, then I'll dance with you?"

"The Fool's son? Nah, I'll dance with him." Tessa whispered in Ri's ear, "You can save all your energy for me."

Tessa's tonality made Ri shiver as she readily acceded. Tessa gave a seductive smirk while she sauntered to Virgil. The two began dancing and Ri observed them, pondering if Tessa really was attracted to her. She continued observing all the couples as they got lost in each other. Ri's observation ceased with someone grabbing her wrist. Startled, she turned to see Draco.

"The Chancellor demands your presence." He glared. "Now."

{C&R}

Meleager was sitting at the desk, awaiting the arrival of Ri when the antechamber's door opened. General Draco held Ri by the arm, practically dragging her in front of the table. Meleager wasn't fond of the General's treatment, but his ire deemed his silence.

"Chancellor, the Lady Ri." Draco pronounced, letting the petite woman free.

Ri steadied herself with Draco standing closely beside her. "Chancellor."

"Ri, I've heard troubling accounts on your behalf from Master Eramus. He tells me you acted indecorous; denying to finish his test after falling asleep in his class." Meleager elucidated.

Ri concealed her outrage. "I didn't go to sleep in his-"

"I'm still talking." Meleager interjected. "Eramus gave a declaration to spare Aristotle from your disobedient manners by not only remitting your apprenticeship, but to prolong your studies with him once you've given a formal oral and written apology."

Ri was stupefied. "I will not."

"What!?" Meleager blared.

Ri never incurred her uncle's wrath and it shook her to the core. "Master Eramus... He's a... A... He's giving the same lessons tediously like he has nothing relevant to teach me. I'm starting to think he deliberately aims to prevent me from progressing."

"Did you sleep in his class during a test today?" Meleager queried.

Ri had chosen a half truth. "I passed out, yes."

"He asked what was wrong and you didn't give a reply. So, your passing out must have come from boredom I assume. Eramus said you wander off in wonderment while he's lecturing."

"I was fatigued. I've been studious in my exertion to become an amazing bard. Master Eramus doesn't see this, cause he avoids seeing my-"

"If you were so devoted to your learnings, why did you refuse to take the test and disrespected him in the process?" Meleager was becoming incensed.

Ri could sense Meleager's growing aggression and she began to fumble her words. "I... I wasn't in a... My mind was... I... I..."

"ENOUGH!" Meleager lost it. "Your prattle is rattling my nerves. Since the Conqueror went on progress, you have acted out. Master Eramus attested that your peculiar deportment constituted with her leave and I consent. It's not a coincidence, Ri. Does our Lord hold preponderance over you to keep you in line? If so, you are deluding yourself with thinking that the Conqueror's absence gives you justifiable reasoning to be pugnacious and sway from being devoir."

Ri was thoroughly admonished, not understanding why Meleager was chastising her cruelly in the company of General Draco, instead of privately. Peeking at the dark-skinned General of the Second Army, Ri noted his smug look. She wanted to cry, but denied giving the man, who called her a whore, the satisfaction.

"As of this moment, your arrangements for the Academy of Performing Bards in Athens are suspended." Meleager pressed on. "You will confer with Eramus when he dictates it and present your oral apology. In the meanwhile, you will remain in your chamber to write your written one. Once you've finished, you will bring it to me and I will assert if it's worthy or not to grace Master Eramus' eyes. If you take it upon yourself to be contempt and choose not to write anything, you will stay in your chamber till you do. You're dismissed, Ri."

Ri's legs wouldn't move her. "May I speak, Chancellor?"

Meleager ignored her and Draco decided to make Ri exit the antechamber by seizing her arm.

"Your audience with the Regent of the Realm has ended." He growled, forcing her to give way.

Ri tried unsuccessfully to break his grip, but Draco's strength held firm.

"Chancellor, may I speak?" She inquired again, struggling to wriggle free. "Please, Chancellor- Ow!"

Draco was squeezing her arm tightly, causing Ri pain.

"Uncle!" Ri cried.

Finally, Meleager acknowledged her. "General, let her go."

Draco did as ordered and Ri yanked her appendage from his loosen grasp. "May I speak in private, please?"

Meleager waved his hand to Draco and the General heeded the signal, exiting the chamber. Ri was a nervous wreck while gathering her words.

"I did fuss at my tutor after he threaten me, but I'd never intended any disrespect to you, nor the Realm. Every chance he's gotten, Master Eramus has constantly treated me like an obscure bard. He rarely listens to me and the few moments he did, he'd always take what I said as an insult to his knowledge. He's holding me back, Uncle Meleager. Milady has incredible expectations of me. I don't want to let her down." A tear escaped Ri's greenish blue orbs. "Please, don't leave me to Master Eramus' devices."

"You aren't a bard yet, and he is a master, Ri." Meleager averred. "He knows better than you and saying otherwise is to challenge his wisdom. The punishment for your actions will stand. You'll be deprived of further storytelling and visitation till your notice of forgiveness is written. You are dismissed."

Ri's morosely curtsied to the Chancellor and laggardly walked out of his chambers to her own. With each step, the concept of not going to the Academy and gaining enlightenment by Aristotle hounded her. She didn't fathom on not being able to talk with Joxer about the vision dilemma. All her friends threw her a lovely party that she couldn't go back to, although the celebration was void now.

'Milady is going to be mad at me.' Ri allowed the tears to stream freely once she was in range of her chamber.

Within reach of opening the door, Ri was grabbed from behind and shoved forcefully onto the wall of the corridor, making her cry out. A dark hand atop her mouth muffled the rest of Ri's screams.

"Shut it, bitch." Draco gibed. "The depth of your offense is stifling. You're a peasant, a nobody, and you derive from imaginary sources that it's okay to be arduous with people above your rank."

Draco unsheathed his dagger and traced it lightly over Ri's face without drawing blood. "If you ever offend the Realm by becoming argumentative again, I'll do worse than those slavers. You comprehend me, little girl?"

Ri's heart was beating in her throat as she found the will to nod her head. Draco released the fearful strawberry blonde and walked off while Ri slowly slid to the stone floor, sobbing her fright into the palms of her small hands.

{C&R}

The Conqueror's sapphire eyes shot open as she gazed at the sea. Inside her, she knew something was wrong, but she couldn't place it. There wasn't any imminent danger, yet the dark and silver-haired ruler's brain dwelled on Ri. With every candle-mark that dripped by, the Conqueror regretted not saying how much she cared for her former Handmaiden in person, realizing it was unfounded to have doubts of Ri's love for her. It was the Conqueror's own distrust in herself, but that's over now. After she journeyed back to Corinth, Ri will be hers, insecurities be damned.

'I should've told you I love you.' The Conqueror mused.

Still, the Conqueror felt uneasy and had no clue why. Looking at her irritable General, the elder warrior strolled her way. Glaphyra stared at the water, swearing it was endless and somewhere underneath it all, Neptune laughed at her misfortune.

"What's bothering you?" The Conqueror teased.

"Oh, nothing. Just the sea." Glaphyra was warming up to her complaints. "Let's not forget the ocean, the gulfs, rivers, ponds, streams, creeks, and water itself. I can't take it anymore. It's madness I tell you. Pure zany, madness."

The Conqueror arrested her laughter and the General of the Sixth Army calmed down.

Running her fingers through long blonde hair, Glaphyra asked, "Where's our next destination, my Lord?"

"Crete."

"You're kidding me." Glaphyra dared to hope that her Liege wasn't joking.

"Yea, I am." The Conqueror chuckled from seeing Glaphyra's somber face. "We're going to the island of Dia to be exact."

"Yes!" Glaphyra jumped up and down jubilantly.

The men in her army was confused by their usually composed leader.

"When you're done hopping, raise my banner on the mast." The Conqueror ordained. "I'm going to my cabin."

"Aye, Conqueror!" Glaphyra assented excitedly before instructing a soldier. "Turel, put up the banner of the Realm and inform the captain of our wonderful news."

Turel waited for her to convey what it was, then questioned. "General, what's the wonderful news?"

"No more touring to secure the borders of Greece." Getting much contentment from the Sixth Army's loud cheers, the woman in purple armor confirmed happily, "We're going to Dia."

To Be Continued...