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. Special thanks to my readers; everyone of you who takes time out to indulge my muse. Also a shout out to my Beta, Jinxie 2013. Keep reading. :-)

The Conqueror & Ri,

A Twist of Destiny,

By, Ahkiken

Chapter 27: Aggressors

Knocking on the door of Joxer and Virgil's apartment, Ri cogitated on the information she received from the Corinthian Guard, Avios.

'The gem glowed while I was having the vision. It was glowing after the first one as well. Helios' light had nothing to do with it like Joxer presumed.' Ri fiddled with the pendent, connected to the platinum chain, until the door opened.

"Afternoon, Ri." Virgil was excited to see her. "Come in."

Entering the home, she hugged the teen once he closed the door.

"Hello, Virgil. Is your father here?"

"Nope." He responded tersely. "There's a banquet this evening and he's preparing for his role to make people laugh at him."

Ri decided to pry. "Are you and your father still at odds about him being the court's jester?"

"Not really." Virgil sat on the couch, smiling. "He signed up for warrior training. He's waiting for a trainer to teach him sword practice."

"That's wonderful." Ri settled beside him.

"It is." Virgil frowned a little. "I'm not interested in seeing him later during his act, though."

"He has to make a living for you two." Ri avowed. "And he loves what he does. So did your mother, Meg."

"He told me that." Virgil said tartly. "That doesn't change how I feel. It'll never change."

Not wanting to make Virgil upset, Ri vacillated, "Joxer the warrior has a nice ring to it."

Virgil giggled, ending his ire. "Yeah. I'm proud of him for taking a step in the right direction to gain respect."

Ri gazed at Virgil sadly. She disliked how he viewed his father. Joxer was an awesome friend, a funny, caring man, and great parent. Why his son chose not to see that baffled her.

"What did you need to talk to him about?" Virgil queried.

Virgil's question provoked Ri's reasoning. "It's serious, but I'll share it with him before I leave for Athens."

"I've forgotten. You will be leaving soon, won't you?"

"Tomorrow morning." Ri answered.

"Wow." Virgil appeared glum. "I'm gonna miss you. Will you ever come back? At least to visit, I mean."

"Sure I will." Ri pulled him close. "Corinth is my home."

Virgil leaned on the strawberry blonde, wishing to the gods that he had courage to kiss the older woman. He'd liked Ri for a long Cronus and wanted to tell her badly. Nevertheless, he was terrified of rejection and the fact many others desired to court her, too.

"You can talk to me." Virgil offered. "Perhaps I can help."

Ri squeezed Virgil's arm in affection for trying to be helpful. "Thanks, but it's private. I'd already burdened your father. I don't want to impose on your conscience also."

"It won't be an encumbrance." Virgil disagreed.

Ri thought on the matter more, choosing he could aid her. "Alright. Can you un-clasp my necklace?"

Virgil eyed Ri strangely. He hoped to be of use by lending his ear, not doing something trivial, like taking off the shining necklace. Nonetheless, he couldn't deny her.

"Okay." Virgil assented.

Ri parted her long hair so he could begin removing the gift her Lord had given to her. Significant moments passed and Virgil hadn't removed it. The next sound was Virgil's grunts from straining with the chain.

"I can't part it. It's stuck."

"That's alright, Virgil. You can stop." Ri affirmed.

As Virgil became relieved to forfeit his efforts, Ri remembered the day she'd tried to yank the jewelry from her neck, just to be met with the same result. She felt certain the ornament was the cause of the visions.

'Not the necklace itself. It's this.' Ri mused, looking at the jade gemstone. 'This is the shard I must have referred to when I wrote it down on the parchment in the presage.'

Other nagging thoughts crossed Ri's mind. Did the Conqueror know? If she did, why would she bestow a present that'll cause Ri to suffer from its power of prediction? Does the Lord of the Realm want her to discover how to harness it?

Ri knew what she had to do. 'There is only one way to find out.'

Virgil studied Ri's features, curious what was going on in her wonderment. "Are you all right?"

"Yes." Ri grinned. "I have to go."

"Hold on." Virgil expressed. "You'll be leaving for Athens in the morning. I got to be at my next class in less than a candle-mark. Can you have lunch with me?"

Ri did skip out on her lunch and was hungry. She could eat with him and take care of what she needed afterwards.

"That would be great, Virgil."

{C&R}

Inside the War Room, the Chancellor, Prince Lyceus, their Generals, and Lieutenant Tessa, were all seated for their meeting.

"This conference will be brief and to the point." Meleager declared. "Starting with minor circumstances; for the Banquet Hall planned this evening, I want Queen Boadicea, King Antigonus II, and King Leonidas stationed at the royal table with me as well as the Prince. Cassander, Alexander II, and Ming Tien will be grouped together at another table near-by."

Everybody nodded in agreement.

"Regarding the affairs of the armies, I don't care to know how many troops been recruited. Just continue getting it done. I will be expecting an assessment in three days. Also, General Draco and General Darnelle, make preparations for your armies by then. You both will be given a mission of utmost importance."

"Yes, Chancellor." Darnelle was exultant to finally be utilized for anything other than sitting on his hands in peaceful Corinth.

Glancing over at his Lieutenant, he could discern she was contented too. The General of the Second Army didn't have the similitude of his compatriots. Being in the darkness anent to Ansem's plans, and with the Amazons wanting to participate in the Tribute ceremony, Draco's eager curiosity had to be sated.

'I can't leave Corinth now.' He ruminated. 'There's too much happening here. And what of-'

"The Amazons?" General Palaemon inquired, ceasing Draco's cognition on the same subject. "Will they be joining us?"

"We will get to that." Meleager assured. "General Draco, do you accept your charge?"

"Of course, Chancellor." Draco concurred, hoping the future objective coincided with the warrior women. "The Realm's will shall be done."

"Good. As for the Amazons, the Tribute will be held off till the Conqueror's return. She will make the decision on whether they'll be invited to partake in it or not." The Regent explained.

Draco was thoroughly disappointed.

"That's your final conclusion on the situation?" Palaemon asked, discontented. "We should run them out of Greece. They are troublemakers. I'm positive they have malicious intent. If we don't do something, they might-"

"Silence." Meleager hushed the General of the Third Army. "I know my mood hasn't been the best lately, but if you insist on admonishing me for the choice I've made, you'll rue voicing an argument that isn't noted. Do you understand?"

"Yes, Chancellor." Palaemon recanted.

"That is all." Meleager stood and everyone else followed suit. "Meeting adjourned."

{C&R}

Finished eating with Virgil, Ri trekked her way to Meleager's temporary residence. Her mind remained on the sparkling necklace that wouldn't come off. If the Conqueror didn't have any knowledge of its effects, was Ri cursed? She did make a false promise to be truthful and honest, deducing the gods could be punishing her for breaking that oath? It was a plausibility. Ri knew of the gods' vengeful tactics. Her tales consisted of more than one unlucky person to suffer their wrath.

'But the foretelling dreams started before I swore to the gods of my honesty.' Ri challenged. 'What is causing the shard to glow? Is it possible there are two, instead of one?'

Ri scrutinized the subject further, focusing on possibilities far beyond comprehension. A couple of women resembled herself and the Conqueror. The Conqueror's twin's name was Xena. Ri's doppleganger's name was unknown, but she existed. Could she be wearing the same jade jewel as well?

'In my vision, I did write 'shards', meaning more than one. Maybe she has an accessory on too, that has the exact gem like mine.'

The storyteller brought up glimpses of the similar, yet muscular, petite woman in her memory, trying to ascertain if she wore any jewelry, only able to recall a choker around her neck that had three pearls on it, but nothing more. She remembered the cropped blonde in the few scenarios of her first vision. The scenes when she threatened an auburn-haired woman with a sword, fought Xena, and made love to her on a cot. Ri felt a tinge of disesteem. She presumed it was her and the Lord of the Grecian Empire making love. To her chagrin, although she knew the younger look-alike wasn't the Conqueror at all, Ri wanted it to be her who enjoyed the passion that was being created.

'I don't even know Xena.' Ri chided, coming up to the Conqueror's chambers. 'She may have the appearance of Milady, but she's not her. Why am I so willing to be in another's arms? I nearly gave my virginity to Tessa and feel terrible about it. Now I want to do the same with Xena? How can I be amorous for more than a singular person? My heart belongs to Milady and I will prove it this very moment.'

Before she could rap on the door, Akemi opened it with a tray of used dishes balanced in her hand, preparing to go to the kitchen.

The Japian servant was a tad startled. "Ri. What an unpleasant surprise."

Ri didn't want to quarrel. "Not today, Akemi. I'm here to see the Chancellor. Is he in?"

"Yes. He's in the bed chamber, titivating for this evening's banquet. You may come in." The Chambermaid moved aside for Ri to cross the threshold. "I don't want to argue either. There's wonderful news all around."

"And what's that?" Ri took the bait.

"Your departure for Athens tomorrow. You have no idea how jubilant I am." Akemi professed. "For you, of course."

"Of course." Ri mocked, faking a smile.

Akemi returned one of her own. Next, she walked towards the closed bed room door.

"Chancellor, you have a guest that awaits your presence." Akemi announced.

"I'll be out in a moment." The muffled voice replied.

Akemi turned on her feet and left the antechamber to carry out her duty without saying another word to Ri, signaling a sign of disrespect to her. Ri quashed her irritation for Akemi's rude mannerism and sat on the divan in front of the fireplace. Missing her chance to view the chamber when she was summoned days ago to receive her punishment, Ri surveyed the entire room, loving the new look, and the addition of a third couch really filled the space nicely.

Meleager exited the bed chamber, adorned in a beige tunic with dark-brownish leather armor covering it, brown trousers, and black boots. Once he seen Ri seated on the divan, his movements paused.

"Ri."

Aqua irises glanced at him, then Ri rose to give him an embrace. Meleager held her tightly, reveling in his niece's hug.

"I'm so sorry for my-"

"No." Meleager interrupted, kissing her forehead. "You don't have to apologize or thank me. The fault was my own. I should've listened to you. Eramus is useless. He doesn't deserve the title of master."

"You know?" Ri asked.

"Yes. I had spoken to him earlier. You don't have to write, nor say anything to him. He will be writing you an apology instead." The Chancellor elucidated, holding onto Ri. "Do you forgive an old man for his foolish, hasty actions?"

"Yes, Uncle. I do."

Meleager beamed happily, tugging on Ri to sit back on the sable couch with him.

When they were reclined, Meleager queried, "I take it that Enya informed you of your reinstatement?"

"She did, thank you. I have to admit, I was puzzled by her pronouncement." Ri asserted.

"I told you, you don't have to be thankful. I'm deeply sorry for punishing you Ri, but that's behind us. You can continue onwards to obtain your goals as an apprentice of Aristotle and earn your own status as a master bard." Meleager praised.

"Actually." Ri seized his hand. "Don't be agitated with me when I say this. Please."

Meleager's disquietude soared while he stared into Ri's eyes.

"I'm not going to Athens." Ri averred. "I'm staying in Corinth until Milady returns."

"What!" Meleager detached his appendage from Ri's grip, angrily arising from the divan. "The Conqueror has granted this amazing opportunity to you! Why are you spoiling it?"

"Please, don't yell at me, Chancellor." Ri became wary. "It's imperative that I speak with her. It takes precedence over my studies in the Academy."

"You'd lost your privilege to go, only to regain it, and now you're choosing to dwell in Corinth?" Shaking his head, Meleager controlled his anger. "Whatever it is, you can discuss it with her in Athens. She'll visit you there."

"No. We must have a discussion immediately when she gets here. Not Athens."

"Is this concerning your delusions of the Conqueror's love for you?" The Chancellor questioned.

Ri let the retort pass. She had firm belief in the knowledge that her Lord's admission of beginning a relationship in Minerva's temple was real.

"It's not that. However, it is equally on par." Ri clarified.

"Enough!" Meleager's malcontent surfaced with a vengeance. "You will go to Athens, and that's final! The Conqueror decreed it!"

"I can't. And I won't." Ri protested. "Punish me again if you are inclined to, but I cannot leave Corinth without speaking to our Lord of the Realm."

Noting the obdurate look on Ri's face, Meleager glared at her, not understanding his niece any longer. Ri seemed obligated to remain in the castle and wouldn't be coaxed into dissuasion.

'What happened to the obeisance Ri use to incorporate? She never refuted me or anyone.' Suddenly, his brown orbs softened. "Why do you have to be complicated, Ri? Is it me? Did I make you this way?"

Ri lunged in his arms, encircling him with hers. "No, Uncle. I don't mean to be complex and dispute with you. I have to do this. I need for you to understand."

"Tell me what troubles you. We can solve it together."

"If I did, you wouldn't believe me." Ri said. "Milady will know what to do."

"So you discount me?" Meleager inquired.

"That's not what I'm implying." Ri corrected. "It's just, she'll be able to fix it."

"What's broken?"

"Please, Uncle. Trust me."

Meleager ceased his insistence. "Fine. Your leave is delayed till our Lord comes back."

"Thank you, Chancellor." Fear of Draco caused Ri to ask, "Can you make an announcement, telling the Generals and others of my postponement?"

"All right." Averse to acceding to the strange request, he ended their closeness. "A dinner for Corinth's visitors is taking place this evening. I'll deliver the news there. Will you come?"

"I'd love to." She agreed. "Can I share a story or two? I miss telling them."

Meleager was given a reminder of the wrongful punitive he had obtruded on Ri, making him feel chary. "Sure."

"See you at the Banquet Hall." Hugging Meleager and kissing his cheek, Ri started for the exit.

"Don't forget, Ri." The Chancellor began, halting the strawberry blonde. "That trust you spoke of, it goes both ways."

Bowing, Ri smiled at him and departed the chamber.

{C&R}

Apollo had already carried Helios out of the sky and the god of dusk, Astraeus, was finishing his task, allowing nightfall to take its place. An average sized ship traveled the Cretan Sea, a half mile away from the docks of Dia. The Conqueror rested on the side railings, listening to the woman with her tresses in a pony-tail complain.

"Vercinix's long hair is okay. It's his usual custom from Gaul and I can't picture him with it being cropped, but Darnelle's has to go."

"Did you apprise him of how you feel?" The Conqueror queried.

"Yes." Glaphyra answered. "He still won't cut it. You must remind him of the standards for male soldiers in the Imperial Army, especially since he's a general."

An eyebrow raised. "I must do what?"

The General of the Sixth Army recognized her mistake. "I meant, can you remind him."

The Conqueror smirked. "I like Darnelle's locks. He does also. I'd be wrong for enforcing him to snip it."

"No you wouldn't."

"Sorry, Glaphyra. It's out of my hands. You're gonna have to come up with creative ways for Darnelle to yield to your suggestion."

"Guess so." Glaphyra rolled her eyes playfully.

"We'll be coming into port soon." The raven and silver-haired ruler avouched. "Are your troops ready?"

"Yes, my Liege. We are prepared for battle if necessary." Glaphyra proclaimed. "I pray we don't, though. Tomorrow kicks off the moon of Junius. Hopefully we can have peaceful negotiations and get back to Corinth for the Tribute."

"We will."

Glaphyra grinned at her Lord. "And you can finally lay claim to whoever it is that has your amative attentions."

The Conqueror's joyful expression from Glaphyra's comment gave her away. She couldn't wait to get to Corinth and endure the Tribute. Getting that out-of-the-way, she would make quick arrangements for her journey to Ri in Athens, after updating the Chancellor on the progress of whatever outcome her visitation to Brutus and Cassius evoked.

The Conqueror became jovial from her musings of the former Handmaiden. 'I might greet Ri with a kiss when I see her.'

"There you go again." Glaphyra teased, walking to the other side of the ship. "I'll give you some privacy, so you can dream about your secret lover."

Blue orbs lit up in shyness, causing the smile to falter from the Conqueror's lips. However, her rumination of the petite storyteller hadn't ceased and it brought a big toothy grin on her face. The Lord of the Realm was too enticed by her emotions that she almost did not notice Turel staring at her in awe. The Conqueror couldn't fathom what was running through his brain if he overheard his General's quip at her. She'd noticed throughout their voyage, Turel would gaze at her fondly. She didn't want him thinking he was the reason for her joyous mood, so she turned her head from Turel's sight to concentrate on the night and the infinite trees that made up Dia's expansive forest.

The vessel drifted slowly towards its destination and the Conqueror couldn't be happier that her mission was nearing its end. Impetuously, her acute senses spotted something amiss. She continued to espy the area in question, catching the slightest movement of leaves and branches that alerted her.

'The breeze isn't strong to ruffle the trees.' The Conqueror deduced. "Glaphyra, come here."

Acknowledging her Lord's stern tonality, the purple armored woman approached the Conqueror in haste. "Yes."

"Bring me a bow and arrows." She pronounced.

Glaphyra walked with quicken steps to carry out the Conqueror's order. Grabbing the weapon and projectiles that were required, the long-haired blonde handed them to her. Setting the unused arrows down on the wooden rails, the Conqueror placed an arrow between her index and middle fingers, pulling it back on the bowstring.

"I am the Conqueror and ruler of these Greek lands!" She warned. "Whomever is out there, and I know it's a lot of you, show yourselves!"

Closing her left eye, a few moments passed and the Conqueror felt it was more than adequate amount of Cronus for the probable aggressors to reveal themselves. Taking aim, she fired in the dark, hitting the hidden man, causing him to yell out as he fell down. Seeing that he was a soldier of Rome, armed with a bow, the Conqueror realized the engendered danger.

"Take cover!" The Lord of the Realm shouted, while numerous, Roman arrowheads descended on her and the warriors of the Sixth Army.

To Be Continued...