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. This marks the end of the first phase of The Conqueror & Ri: A Twist of Destiny. The second phase starts in the next chapter. I would like to seriously thank my editor, Jinxie 2013, who take time out her busy schedule to ensure I don't write a mess. Also, my amazing readers and Luckdog, whom I'm starting to suspect is reading my mind as far as my tales are concerned. ;-) Enjoy!
The Conqueror & Ri,
A Twist of Destiny,
By, Ahkiken
Chapter 30: Armistice
The immense Banquet Hall resonated with soft melodies played by musicians, coaxing numerous people to couple up and sway to its rhythm. Shutting his eyelids, the Chancellor listened to the lovely music sounding in his ears when a gentle tap on his shoulder evaporated the reverie he was enjoying. Peering upwards, Meleager saw Antigonus II standing behind him, decked in a grey tunic with a decorative belt circling his waist.
"My apology for interrupting you, Chancellor. Is there any chance we could talk privately?" He asked.
Expelling a sigh, Meleager forced a grin, acceding to the long, brown-haired King of Babylon. "Why not."
Glancing at Lyceus, Meleager could see that the Prince was indulging Leonidas before rising from his seat. Next, he led Antigonus outside the entrance to the Hall.
"What's on your mind?" Meleager prompted.
A huge smile lit Antigonus' face. "Quite recently, me and my wife had a son. His name is Demetrius."
"Congratulations." Meleager offered his felicitation.
"Thank you, Chancellor. To commemorate this wonderful blessing, I have constrained that high walkways, staircases, and pillars be created, surrounding my Babylonian palace. I will plant trees, including other vegetation to bloom upon them. Also, I'm working on an irrigation system to support the plant's life. I'll call it the Hanging Gardens."
Meleager's awe began to dimmer. "Such splendor will be costly. Is it money you wish to borrow from the Realm?"
"Money isn't the issue." Antigonus stated. "There has been skirmishes in Kish, not far from Babylon. These attacks of pillaging are disrupting my slaves from getting the resources I need to complete the work on my grand creation."
"Do you know who's hindering your progress?"
"Governor Cassander." Was the response.
Meleager became amazed by the allegation. "I assume you have proof that he's involved?"
"I don't... Not yet." Antigonus said, reluctantly. "However, I'm certain it's him. I petition for you to send me aid; hopefully the presence of the Realm's army will deter them. Or demand Cassander to cease his tactics."
"I cannot do anything until you find out it's the Macedonian for sure." Meleager objected. "Are the belligerents from Macedon?"
"No." Antigonus huffed. "They are Goths, but Cassander could easily employ them as mercenaries."
"Even if Cassander was wise to rent men for hire, why would he attack you?" The Chancellor inquired.
Antigonus II looked at Meleager like he was cursed by the Erinyes. "Because of the wars of Diadochi."
The fifty-six-year-old man was reminded of the constant battles that broke out after the death of Alexander the Great. At first, all of his generals sought to carve his empire into pieces to share between them, but then everyone wanted more than what was proffered. War was the only suitable outcome for the cupidities of men, and the main reason Meleager deserted the army once the King of Macedonia died, settling in Amphipolis.
Ptolemy would acquire Egypt, the one-eyed Antigonus I got Babylon, and Antipater had Macedon till he mysteriously passed away. Suddenly, Cassander conveniently became the leader of Macedon. Meleager wasn't foolish to denounce foul play was not involved.
The Chancellor avowed, "You need facts, King Antigonus. Without that, I can't do anything."
"Are you blind? Cassander is malicious. You fought side-by-side with my father and him when you were a general in King Alexander's great army. My father warned me of him, saying he's always had a talent for furtiveness." Antigonus explained. "If you don't do something, I will. I won't sit back and let my kingdom be plundered by anyone."
Meleager had to abate his agitation. 'Do I have to make every king and queen, who's here, remember that by the Conqueror's mercy they are vassals? Of course, the Lord of the Grecian Empire isn't entirely altruistic for the motive of doing it. Nevertheless, she runs the show.'
"Is that what I have to do, Chancellor?" Antigonus threatened. "'Cause I will. I'll declare war on Macedonia as soon as the Tribute ceremony is over."
"Calm yourself, boy." Meleager nearly bellowed to the younger man. "Babylon and Macedon are part of the Realm. We will not have dissension and infighting. Halt production on your Hanging Gardens and retreat from Kish for now. After I settle the disputes that are happening in other regions of this Empire, I'll send an army to Babylon."
Ready to debate the Regent's decree, Antigonus thought better of it. "At your behest, I'll do what you have commanded, Chancellor. I only insist you don't take too long."
Allowing Antigonus II to have the final word, they both returned inside the Banquet Hall. Sitting down in his chair again, Meleager held up his empty goblet for water, contemplating having it filled with wine, but he didn't want to break years of sobriety. Akemi poured the clear liquid in the cup and he turned to his temporary Chambermaid, espying she was still at his side during the late Cronus of night.
"Akemi, if you want, you can retire for tonight or take in the festivities. There are many castle servants here to assist me."
"Thank you." Akemi curtsied to him. "My place is by your side though, Chancellor. You are the Regent in our Lord Conqueror's stead. Unless I am dismissed, I'll continue serving you just like I serve her."
Meleager accepted Akemi's reply while Queen Boadicea leaned sideways, whispering to him, "If only my servants were as dutiful."
Letting a grin curl his lips, the Chancellor closed his eyes once more to lose himself in the music. Meanwhile, on the spacious floor, two friends danced together, along with other men and women.
"You aren't gabby tonight, are ya?" Tessa queried.
Ri gazed into her dark-green orbs, feeling a mixture of comfort and unease in the Lieutenant's embrace. "I'm enjoying the moment."
"Is that all?"
Ri nodded, resting her head beneath Tessa's chin. There was so much she wanted to say, but the storyteller didn't have the courage to voice anything. Being in the brunette's arms, caused her to recall their brief night of passion. How exciting it was to be kissed ardently, the sensation of a tongue caressing her erect nipple, and the touch of a finger sliding between the apex of her thighs.
'To hear someone affirming their love.' Ri cogitated.
And that's what haunted her the most. Tessa told Ri she was in love with her, confessing something the Conqueror did not. Lyceus had done the same thing in the beginning of May, however, his affirmation left no mark on the petite, strawberry blonde. Maybe she wasn't attracted to men and was sapphic; solely finding attraction in women like the famous poet, Sappho. Either way, the Prince couldn't measure up to his sister or Tessa, but neither could the Lieutenant of the Fifth Army equal up to the Conqueror.
The Lord of the Realm had some sort of spell on Ri and she relished it more, now that they actually have an opportunity to be with one another. Closing her greenish blue irises, she resented what took place in her chamber, not understanding why she'd allowed herself to almost surrender her virginity to Tessa to begin with. The answer to that question eluded her. One thing she knew without a doubt was that the brunette warrior did not compare to her savior, and when her Lord came back to Corinth, Ri would make it known.
Tessa decided to tackle the subject. "Do you want to speak about what we did?"
Ri's eyes shot open. "Um... I'm unsure what to say. I mean, you were darn near my first."
Swaying to the musicians' melody, Tessa asked, "Would you be upset if I was your lover?"
"Yes." Ri was adamant, until she noticed Tessa's tenseness. "Let me rephrase that. You were magnificent. Your gentleness astounded and incited me to give myself to you. Nonetheless, I'm for Milady."
Tessa grasped Ri's jaw tenderly to connect their eyes. "Does she love you?"
"Do you?" She countered, finally asking the query she wanted to, "Am I a conquest to you or-"
"I meant it." Tessa honestly replied. "We both know I'm promiscuous, but I can't think of anybody else. You've consumed me, Ri. I'm in love with you."
A teardrop fell down Ri's cheek. Tessa's amorous statement deeply touched her, but she couldn't reciprocate it. Tessa was able to penetrate her heart, but the Conqueror pierced her soul.
"I'm so sorry, Tessa. I can't give you what you seek." She wiped the tear away, clutching the sparkling necklace in her hand. "I'm in love with Milady. I'm not positive she's in love with me, but I am assured she wants to court me."
Tessa felt disheartened by Ri's pronouncement. She truly loved the aspiring bard and was willing to end her miscellaneous liaisons. Learning she wouldn't ever have the pretty woman she was embracing, left her heartbroken.
'So this is what unrequited love feels like.' Tessa ruminated, guiding Ri's appendages down to her hips. "It's alright. At least I have this moment with you."
"You're not disappointed at me for leading you on or anything?" Ri questioned.
"By the gods, no. You didn't lead me anywhere. I was lucky to get acquainted with you, then I got acquisitive. So I'm not mad." The Lieutenant began to joke, "Although if you'd informed me of my kisses being horrible, I might get angry over that."
"Oh, no." Ri blurted. "They aren't at all."
"You really liked them?"
"Your osculation is very enjoyable." Ri admitted, staring at Tessa. "Makes me feel excitement."
"Ardor?" Tessa inquired, looking at Ri's rosy mouth.
"Yes." Ri clearly remembered the kiss they'd shared, holding herself back from going for a repeat performance. "If Milady and I do not become involved romantically, I'll gladly be yours. I don't want to give you false hope, but I am being truthful."
Tessa beamed with that knowledge. "I'll await the outcome. Don't hold it against me if I'm praying for you both not to involute."
Grinning, Ri averred, "I won't. I will take it as a compliment of you wanting me for yourself."
Throughout Ri and Tessa's entire conversation, Lyceus watched them with rapt fascination. The looks they were giving each other were steeped in profound affection, and the Prince of the Realm couldn't believe it. Drowning his wine in a few swallows, Lyceus stopped listening to the King of Sparta as he wallowed in anger.
"We have a rigorous training for strict discipline and education at the Agoge. You think you'd be able to handle that, Prince?" Leonidas queried.
"Wine." Lyceus called out.
While Akemi refilled the Prince's cup, Leonidas could discern his table-mate became disconcerted, he just didn't know what or who had caused it. "Are you okay?"
"I'm fine." Lyceus lied, snatching the amphora from Akemi's grasp. "I'll hold onto this, that way I won't have to call on you anymore."
Leonidas understood Lyceus' diminishing amicable demeanor would vanish altogether after partaking in an abundance of spirits. "Prince, whatever is bothering you, I don't advise losing yourself in wine. It won't ameliorate your disposition."
"Thanks, King Leonidas." Lyceus downed his cup, refilling it again. "But I'm a grown man, I can handle my intake."
Leonidas chose to leave the Prince of the Realm alone while Meleager became aware of Lyceus' intemperance. "Hey, that's enough of that."
Lyceus didn't care for being told what to do. Not wanting to engage in an argument with the Chancellor, he decided to put an immediate end to Tessa's possible coquetry after gulping down his drink.
Standing on his feet, Lyceus loudly tapped his silver utensil on his golden goblet, bringing the music to a sudden stop while gaining everyone's consideration inside the Banquet Hall. "Ladies and gentlemen, may I have your attention, please! Our Chancellor, the Regent of Corinth, has an important announcement to make!"
Finishing his declaration, the cropped blonde Prince sat back in his chair, content that Ri and Tessa were no longer embraced together.
His actions perplexed Meleager. "What are you doing, Lyceus?"
"You do have something to tell the people of Corinth, do you not?" He started pouring more wine. "It's getting rather late, I presumed you would like to inform them before they retired for the night."
The Chancellor glowered at Lyceus, but didn't want to make a public scene. He would deal with the Prince later.
Arising out his seat, Meleager's oration begun, "Denizens, nobles, warriors of the Realm, and guests, a spectacle of talent has been planned for you all by our very own storyteller, Ri!"
Thunderous applauds were garnered in Ri's direction, causing her to blush. Tessa's unexpected hug made her more flustered.
"Tell a tale of love and adventure for me." The Lieutenant of the Fifth Army whispered in her ear, detaching from Ri.
"Most, if not all of you know, Ri was granted an apprenticeship under Aristotle and supposed to be departing for Athens tomorrow! However, worry not, for this will not be Ri's last bardic display for us! Her departure for Athens is delayed until the Conqueror's return!" Meleager divulged.
Various gasps of shock were heard from different men and women that inhabited the Hall. Joxer and Minya were equally astonished. The court Jester would've trekked towards her if not for the strong grip Minya had on his arm. Even Tessa was visibly surprised as her green eyes widened at the news. Ri gave a shy smile to her almost-lover in advance of glimpsing Akemi's priceless, alarmed appearance.
'Akemi can be miserable all she wants. Besides, this decision isn't on account of her.' Ri mused, fingering the pendent the green shard was connected to. 'This is about me, Milady, and this jewelry.'
Next, cheers dissipated the quietness for Ri's continual stay in the castle. Nobody wished to block her elevation, yet they didn't really want to see her leave Corinth either.
Once the praises receded, Meleager blared, "Ri will not be staying here indefinitely, but till then, she'll be entertaining you all! Please, if everyone could take your seats and give Ri the floor, so she can dazzle us with yarns of wonder!"
After everybody dispersed, leaving only the sole performer preparing to begin, Meleager reclaimed his chair, too. Ri was agog to entrance her listeners with her story. Closing her eyes, she slowly breathed in and out, shedding her nervous deportment. Surging with invigoration, she raised her eyelids and walked forward to the middle of the floor.
"Thank you all, especially you, Chancellor!" Ri inclined her gratitude. "In respect to Corinth's royal guest, King Leonidas, I will recite the history of a demigod who the Spartans descended from! He was the son of Jupiter, the King of the gods, also a hero for mankind, using his herculean brawn to slay monsters and protect the innocent!"
Ri smiled, immersing herself in her storytelling, ascertaining she had the crowds' ear like Master Eramus always reiterated to her.
'When you have the crowds' ear, you must have the finesse to maintain it.'
Moving her hands in tandem with her voice, Ri asserted, "However, I'm going to retell one of his journeys to expiate the crime of murdering his wife and children; coerced from being driven insane by his step-mother, Juno! Originally ten labors were set upon him, but his archenemy, King Eurystheus, discounted two of them, adding a couple more, making the totality of his trials to become twelve! I sing the song of Heracles' and his ninth quest to obtain the girdle of Hippolyta, the Queen of the Amazons!"
{C&R}
The crimson armor, including its cape that was covered in blood and gore, lay on the floorboards in the second room of the Conqueror's commodious cabin whist she relaxed in a makeshift tub. The Lord of the Realm's sable and silver-streaked tresses was untied, draped around her wet shoulders as she indolently swirled the lukewarm water with her fingertips. Cerulean eyes were shut and she reminisced of the Cronus when she'd just received her Lion blade from the villagers of Amphipolis. While they were cheering her new moniker, her young orbs sighted the dark-skinned man she wanted to spend the rest of her life with.
The memory was dispelled by a knock on the Conqueror's door from outside her anteroom. "Yes!"
"My Liege, I've come to give my report." Glaphyra responded.
"In a moment!" Opening her eyes, the ruler of the Realm stepped out of the wooden, expedient tub. "I'm getting dressed, General!"
She used a towel to dry her weary body and dampen her soaked hair before donning a silk, black robe with intricate designs of gold woven into it. The garment was made in Chin and its arms' sleeves hung loosely, keeping her hands from being visible. Picking up the item she felt she'd need with her right hand, the Conqueror left the bedroom, meeting her long-haired blonde General in the other. Glaphyra stood in the center of the cabin, watching the Lord of the Grecian Empire repose at her desk.
"Your assessment, General." She ordered.
"Tanis and his scouts retrieved your chakram." Glaphyra began, setting the circular weapon on the table in front of her Lord. "A safety perimeter is effectively put in place. Our dead and wounded were collected off the battlefield. We have twenty-seven casualties and thirty injured, most are non life-threatening. It's your choice whether we take the deceased men and women with us to Corinth or burn their bodies here."
'Transporting them back home could pose a health problem if they start to decompose. Still, returning all one hundred forty-nine of my soldiers to the Corinthian castle is what I want.' The Conqueror thought. "We bring everyone back with us. Our return trip to Corinth won't be extensive. We'll arrive there quicker than the Cronus it took us to reach here."
"As you command, Lord Conqueror." Glaphyra accepted.
"Is that all?" The blue-eyed older woman inquired.
"Brutus is awaiting your confabulation with him. A lot of the troops are uneasy because the Romans outnumber us exponentially. Although no Roman legion has been seen, they are surmising this is a trap and we should sail now."
The Conqueror's retention shifted to what she fabricated to Brutus.
'If I don't start on my travel back to Corinth's castle soon, I won't be able to intercept the fleet of ships my Chancellor appointed to find me.'
'Brutus has proven he can be dumb, but I doubt he'll risk the remainder of his and Cassius' legions by attacking me and chance the wrath of my Chancellor.' She rationalized. "Relay to the Sixth Army, they must remain vigilant to ensure all will be well. We'll be sailing for Corinth shortly."
"It will be done, my Lord." Glaphyra conceded.
"Show Brutus in and give us privacy." The Conqueror conveyed. "I want you returned here in fifteen candle-drips, unless we are attacked."
The General of the Sixth Army saluted her Lord, exiting the cabin while the Conqueror lifted the chakram with her left hand, studying it.
"One of these days, I'm gonna lose this. I should've learned how to make it rebound back to me." She vituperated herself for not practicing harder when Lao 'Ma apprised her to.
After her mental reprehension, the door to her cabin opened and Glaphyra, along with Brutus crossed its threshold.
"Welcome aboard, Brutus." The Conqueror professed, dropping her chakram.
"We could have easily spoken in the area where you slaughtered two of my legions." He complained, sheltering his fear, thinking coming to her vessel by himself was a terrible idea. "I don't see why we had to meet on your ship."
"Because I was lonely." The Conqueror jived, salaciously.
The purple armored General chuckled, closing the door as she exited the room.
Alone with the dangerous warrior, Brutus calmed his nerves and tried to make peace. "Tonight has bestowed nothing but souls for Pluto from both our armies. It's best we try to limit such situations from ever happening again."
The Conqueror smirked. "You're offering a truce?"
"That's what I wanted from the beginning. We have to concentrate on our real enemies."
"Marcus Antonius and Octavian."
Nodding, Brutus continued, "They are a peril to not only Rome, but Greece as well. Antonius and Octavian will fight each other. All we have to do is wait for that day, then crush them both once they've exhausted themselves and their resources."
"Hmm, that's a nice plan. Nevertheless, how can I trust you?" The Conqueror questioned.
"You trusted me during our conspiracy to assassinate Caesar." Brutus refuted.
"Ah, but you weren't exiled then, were you?" She retorted.
"Self-imposed exile." The former Senator stated.
The Conqueror laughed in mirth. "Impelled, imposed; it's still exile. It's difficult to depend on someone in that crisis."
Brutus felt the Conqueror's alliance with him and his brother-in-law was slipping away. "What can I do to show you can have faith in me?"
"Leave this island."
"Huh?" Brutus was baffled. "You want me and my men to go to another part of Crete, or-"
"Not just Crete." The Conqueror interjected. "You must leave all the Grecian Realm's land."
Brutus became confounded with ire coursing through him. If the Conqueror really wanted to be allies, why couldn't he and his Romans stay in Greek territory? Where else could they go?
"What game are you trying to concoct? Do you perceive me to be an idiot?"
The Conqueror sensed she had struck a nerve with Brutus. Though she could simply kill him, gather her soldiers and disembark Dia, the Lord of Greece wanted him alive for her plot to delicately unfold.
She arose to her tall stature, speaking in a sensuous register, "You do want my help, right?"
The sight of the Conqueror adorned in a lavish robe, which hugged her figure snuggly, with her damp hair dangling on the sides of her face and between her sapphire irises, enraptured Brutus. Her alto tone becoming that of a seductive tenor boosted the effect also. Brutus couldn't contain himself from gazing at the cleavage of her breasts, noting the rings on her nipples.
'Proceed with caution.' He warned, halting his libido. 'She's tempting me purposely. I will not succumb to her charms.'
"You do want to be my ally, don't you, Brutus?" She reaffirmed.
Walking from behind the desk, the Conqueror strolled casually to Brutus while he retreated, keeping his distance. "You know I do."
"Profligate from my domain, Brutus." Dripping sex appeal, the Conqueror pressed her charge. "Once you do. There'll be no prospect or evidence of our unity. This will serve us better in case Octavian and Antonius join together. They'd be at our mercy and we'll truly destroy them."
Back-pedaling onto the wall of the cabin, Brutus nervously verbalized, "We are Rome's enemy. Where can Cassius and I go?"
"Markus Aemilius Lepidus has gotten himself propelled from the second Triumvirate. He is in the same predicament as you; stripped of all his titles and offices." The sexy Lord of the Realm uttered.
"But he's retained Pontifex Maximus." Brutus protested, hardly able to control his erratic breathing being in close proximity to the Conqueror. "He has a tinge of power."
"Master of the Horse?" The Conqueror asked, erotically. "How, when he's far from Rome? You don't have to be an Oracle to predict neither Marcus Antonius or Gaius Octavian will share any kind of power with him."
Brutus assented to her sentence. "What do you suggest?"
Leaning closer to Brutus, their mouths barely touching, the Conqueror answered, "Lepidus has nothing, meaning... Africa has no master."
With his heart beating faster, Brutus scrutinized the Conqueror's lips, pondering if they were as soft as they appeared. His scrutiny caused him, for he didn't notice the manipulative woman raise her right arm. Pretending to caress his licentious features, the sleeve on her robe gave way to reveal the gleam of her dagger she had concealed beneath it. Instantly, the small knife was on Brutus' neck, depressing into his skin.
"What in Tartarus!" He yelled, startled.
"You have a single day..." Her vocals resumed its normal tonality, cutting his flesh slightly with the sharp blade. "Then you Romans will be leaving Dia."
'I'm stupid for letting my guard drop!' Brutus berated himself. "I take it, we don't have a truce?"
"We will when you agree to travelling to Africa."
"Okay." He acceded, askance. "We'll go to Africa."
"Glad we are in concurrence." A lop-sided grin formed on the Conqueror's countenance, removing the dagger to assuage Brutus. "You Romans better not be here nor any other parcel of my Empire, or I'll send an armada to obliterate y'all like vermin."
"We could have discussed this like normal people. That fake pretense of eroticism was unnecessary." Drawing his digits to the sting on his neck, Brutus felt the tiny specks of blood on his fingers. "You didn't have to make me bleed either."
"Oh, quit your bitching Brutus, it's just a scratch."
The Conqueror spun her back to Brutus, taking some steps from him. The Roman began to move off the wall, until a bare foot pushed him against it once more.
"Now what is this?" He was discerning the Conqueror had split personalities or something. "If you're devising to kill me, Cassius will-"
"Shut the fuck up!" The Conqueror shouted. "You came to my Realm uninvited! Brought uproar to my native lands that had prosperity for three years! Tried to kill me! And lastly, you made me lose troops!"
"I've lost men, too! I had loss more than you have!" Brutus rebutted, aiming to remove the Conqueror's foot off of his body.
The older woman's powerful leg shoved him forcefully onto the wall again, firmly restraining Brutus. "I'm journeying back to Corinth with a tattered army. You have grieved me this night, just like you have aggrieved the families of the men and women who lives were taken by your battalions. For us to have an unbreakable alliance, this is the admission..."
Hastily, the Conqueror's leg retracted from Brutus' chest to thrust his windpipe. The proficient warrior compressed her foot against his throat, halting the Roman from getting air into his lungs and brain.
Making croaking sounds, Brutus flailed uselessly to get the muscular appendage off of his neck, while hearing the Conqueror aver, "Don't worry, I'm only putting you to sleep, you're not going to die. But, if you keep fighting it, you might persuade me to snuff your life."
Brutus' struggles started to dwindle due to lack of oxygen. His vision became cloudy as enervation superseded his efforts. Next, the Roman's eyes fluttered closed and the Conqueror used her foot to painstakingly guide him gently onto the floorboards.
'Ah, peaceful silence.' The Conqueror ruminated, reclining behind her desk again.
A candle-drip later, Glaphyra reentered the cabin, not phased from seeing an unconscious Brutus on the floor. "No Centurions or Legionnaires are spotted yet. Do I even want to know what happened in here, my Liege?"
"We reached an armistice." She purported. "Make haste and start gathering our warriors. Once everyone is on board, toss Brutus on the seaside of Dia's port."
"Right away, Conqueror." Glaphyra's fist fell over her heart, saluting her superior.
Observing her General dragging Brutus out the cabin door, the Conqueror slouched in her chair, a big smile gracing her face.
'I'll see you soon, Ri.' She internally radiated with glee. 'I'm coming home.'
{C&R}
"Milady..." Ri jolted out of a blissful dream, disrupted by the banging on her chamber door. 'Who would be visiting me this late?'
After Ri's dreary retelling of Heracles' travels to Themiscyra to get Hippolyta's belt that the god of war, Mars, had given to her, the conclusion of the story brought a lot of people to her, making requests and inquiries, lasting for candle-marks. Once all the questions ended, Ri felt dizzy, retiring to her chamber. Now she was awaken by somebody who seem intent on being seen as the incessant knocking went on.
The disheveled, shift-clad, strawberry-blonde wearily expressed, "I'm coming... I'm coming..."
Opening the door without inquiring who it was, Ri went wide-eyed at descrying the Prince of the Realm.
"May I... Can I... Come in?" He questioned.
"Prince Lyceus..." Ri rubbed her sleepy orbs. "It's really late and you woke me from my-"
"I liked the tale you told about Heracles." Lyceus interrupted. "It... It was... It was brilliant."
Noticing the slurring, Ri glanced at Lyceus' more intently, it was discernible he was intoxicated; he looked unsteady, like a summer breeze could blow him to the ground, his usual immaculate state of attire was sloven, and his dark blue eyes were glassy and red-rimmed.
"Prince Lyceus, you're drunk." Ri announced.
"I'm... not..." The Prince chortled. "Okay, I am. Are you going to let me in, Ri. I want to... Tell you what I enjoyed about that... Fab... Fabulous story you told."
"I think you should sleep your drunkenness off. Good night, Prince Lyceus." Ri was ready to shut her door when he prevented it from closing.
"That's discourteous... Ri... Ri... Don't be rude to your Prince."
The storyteller waived her dismay. "What do you want from me, Prince Lyceus?"
"Why... How come you don't... You don't talk to me. We use to chat... And... And, talk... And speak... Speak pleasantly to one another..." He driveled. "What is happening with us?"
"Please, Prince Lyceus. I want to go to bed. Go to your room. Sleep this off."
"You're always calling me Prince now... Why?" Lyceus inquired.
"You're not in the right balance of mind at this moment." Ri commented. "We'll talk when you are sober."
"I want to know now."
Ri impeded her indignation. "I'm not having a discussion with you like this."
"Tell me... I'm demanding for you to tell me now!"
Ri's resolve shattered. "You know what you did. Even if you didn't inform Milady of my departure to Athens, you still managed to cause me and Tessa to almost break off our friendship. That was unfair and wrong."
"Forget Tessa." Lyceus laughed hysterically. "She's... She is a whore... Just a stupid... Dumb... Slut."
Rage urged Ri to smack Lyceus, but she didn't. He was the Prince and she would be drastically overstepping her bounds.
"Good night, Prince Lyceus." Ri tried shutting her door again.
Utilizing the full strength at his disposal, Lyceus barged through the door, pushing Ri backwards. "You! You would... Disrespect me for that harlot?!"
"You are being uncivil." Ri scolded.
"It's you!" Lyceus screamed, stumbling towards the frightened female. "You accused me of betraying your confidence after I've repeatedly told you I didn't! You think I'd betrayed you similar to how Heracles thought Hippolyta was deceiving him with her Amazons!"
Gazing at Lyceus' anguished visage, Ri decided to appease him. "Fine... What is it? What did you like about my tale?"
"No... Tell me something, bard." Lyceus grabbed her forearms. "Why are you obsessed with my sister?"
Ri bristled from his query, stuttering, "I... I... Where did you... What make you think I'm obsessing over Milady?"
"Don't toy with me, Ri!" Lyceus' vice-grip made her wince. "Akemi informed me of everything!"
"What?" Ri became confused.
"She told me you begged the Conqueror not to leave Corinth whilst y'all was inside Minerva's temple... You implored her... You begged her to give you that necklace encircling your neck... And to visit you in Athens... Also, you impulsively kissed her."
Memories of her taunting Akemi surfaced in Ri's mind. "Akemi is lying... She twisted my words."
Relief flooded into the Prince. "So... You didn't kiss my sister? You aren't in love with her?"
Ri's eyes were downcast, torn between hiding how she felt and not wanting to hurt Lyceus, especially now with him under the influence of alcohol. She did not know what he would do to her, but the petite woman did not want to lie anymore about her feelings.
"We did kiss at the temple and it was mutual." Ri was veracious, ending her prevarication to Lyceus' chagrin. "I am in love with her."
"How can you be in love with her?" Lyceus extricated Ri's arms. "How? I mean... You spent more... Much more Cronus around me... Heck... Even Tessa hung out with you more in this moon alone than the Conqueror ever did."
"True." Ri yielded. "But Milady is my conservator... I love her and she cares about me."
"Hero-worshipping foolery." Lyceus alleged, as he caressed her face. "How can I win your affections? I... I love you sooooo much. My sister... She doesn't love you the way I do... You don't know anything about her."
"I do." Ri challenged, strangely feeling her energy becoming sapped.
Laughing, Lyceus joked, "Knowing how she likes her... Her clothes folded... That doesn't count, Ri."
On the edge of fussing, Ri pleaded, "Please, leave my chamber, Prince Lyceus."
Lyceus ignored her. "You have no clue about her past. You... You're possibly unaware what her mission consisted of, too. You don't know where she's at."
Ri was on the verge of tears from Lyceus' pestering.
"You don't even know her name."
"Her name's Xena!" Ri exclaimed.
"What? What did you say?" The Prince's amusement ebbed away.
"Her name is-"
Ceasing his laughter, Lyceus became serious, seizing her by the throat, causing Ri to panic from the pressure on her neck.
"How did you come by that information?" He sneered, his drunken breath assaulting her nose. "No one is privy to that intel, other than myself and Meleager. Who... Who shared this with you?"
"I've... Dreamt it..." Ri struggled to articulate. "Let me... Go, please... It's hard to... Breathe..."
"Are you a prophet?" Regaining the wit he still retained, Lyceus loosened his clutch. "Dreams or not, you... You better never speak of my sister's name in public. She is known as the Conqueror. Don't. Ever. Forget it."
Releasing Ri, the inebriated Prince departed her chamber. Shaking with fright, she was quick to slam her door close, locking it to prevent Lyceus from entering inside if he decided to come back. The storyteller knew the younger brother of the Conqueror was drunk, but she wasn't sure if she'll ever forgive him for his cruelty. Discovering that Akemi was instrumental in delivering Lyceus lies, only made Ri's annoyance with the Chambermaid soar.
'Akemi, you harpy!' Ri's cognition cursed the Japian servant, blaming the woman for her and Lyceus' confrontation. 'When I get my hands on you, I'm gonna-'
Ri's mental threat was halted by sudden acuteness of fatigue pervading through her. Stopping herself from colliding with the floor and laggardly making her way to the bed, Ri fell prone onto its soft furs. Not bothering to cover up, Ri dwelled on one thing Lyceus inadvertently clarified tonight; the Conqueror had the same name as the raven-haired warrior from the other world.
"Xena..." She murmured, before her eyes closed while the shard on her necklace glowed, cocooning Ri's whole frame in a blinding, ominous, greenish aura of light.
To Be Continued...