With their weapons drawn, Xena, Willow and Iris stood close to one another as they were surrounded by multiple unknown figures that remained hidden in the shadows of the forest.
IRIS
(Whisper) What should we do Xena?
WILLOW
(Whisper) I bet they're what have been killing the Amazon's from here. So I say we get them before they can get us.
Willow was about to start attacking when Xena put her arm in front of her.
XENA
No wait.
Willow stopped as she gave Xena a questioning look. Xena didn't say anything as she lowered her sword and motioned for Iris and Willow to do the same. Though still feeling uneasy about the situation, both Willow and Iris lowered their weapons but stayed on alert just incase they needed to fight. They watched as Xena sheathed her blade and held up her hands in the Amazonian symbol of peace. After a moment the figures in the shadows appeared to have a brief exchange of words before they stepped out into the light.
WILLOW
(Whisper) Oh they're Amazon's.
Willow and Iris stood a little behind Xena as several women emerged from the shadows.
?
Apologies for the cold reception. We don't get many friendly visitors around this area. And even less so recently due to the attacks. So we can't be too careful when strangers enter our lands.
XENA
Given what I read in the letter your cautiousness is completely understandable.
?
Ah you must be queen Gabrielle.
The small group of women bowed to one knee.
?
I'm Amelia, it's an honor to finally meet you my queen.
Xena couldn't help but smirk to herself as she thought of how at one time she would have loved the sight of having these women bowing before her. Or really anyone for that matter. But that seemed like so long ago. As if it were another lifetime. Then again in alot of ways it was. Xena was a completely different person now from the woman she was then. And now seeing people bow before her only gave her an uncomfortable feeling. Even though she knew it was Amazonian custom to bow to their queen, it still didn't sit right with Xena that anyone should bow to her. Especially the Amazon's. Plus theses women were still unaware of the whole situation regarding Gabrielle and that Xena wasn't her. Xena cleared her throat as she made an attempt to end the awkward situation.
XENA
That's really not necessary. I'm not really into the whole formal thing. So you don't need to do any of that bowing or "my queen" stuff.
Amelia and the others with her stood. The woman smiled.
AMELIA
If that's what you wish, then that's fine with me. But regardless it's still an honor to meet you Gabrielle.
XENA
Actually the names Xena.
Amelia gave Xena a questioning look.
AMELIA
Are you not who we've been waiting for?
XENA
We are.
AMELIA
I'm afraid I'm confused here.
Xena sighed.
XENA
(Sad tone) It's kind of a long story, but Gabrielle isn't queen anymore. I am.
Everyone there could hear the sadness in Xena's voice. Even the people who had just met Xena could sense her pain. Not wanting to pry Amelia pushed the conversation forward.
AMELIA
Well it's an honor to meet you queen Xena.
XENA
Just Xena is fine.
AMELIA
Very well.
The conversation was brought to an abrupt stop when the group heard an unfamiliar sound. Everyone held their weapons ready.
AMELIA
(Talking quietly) We should leave this area.
XENA
(Talking quietly) Just what are exactly we up against here?
AMELIA
(Talking quietly) It's not safe here. Follow me to our hideout and I'll explain.
Xena nodded as she, Iris and Willow followed Amelia and the rest of her group to where they were camped.
AMELIA
Welcome to our defensive team.
Xena looked at the small group.
XENA
Not very many of you here.
AMELIA
We started out with a fairly good sized group, but you can probably guess what happened to the ones who aren't here.
Xena didn't say anything as she looked around the small camp.
AMELIA
Anyway come, I'll introduce you to the others.
XENA
Who were the others that were already with you?
AMELIA
They were just a few scouts who came to check on us. They're going to be heading back to the village.
It was getting dark as two women sat around the campfire when Amelia lead Xena and the others over to the group. One of the women looked up when she heard the sound of someone approaching.
?1
Oh Amelia it's just you. We were beginning to think the worst might've happened.
AMELIA
Sorry we ran into some people wondering around out here.
The woman looked at Xena, Iris and Willow, noticing the unfamiliar faces.
?1
I can see that.
AMELIA
Well my friends it seems like we can rest a little easier now. Help has arrived.
The woman frowned.
? 2
There's only three of them. How are three more people going to make any difference?
AMELIA
Good question. I'm assuming there are more on the way.
Amelia looked over at Xena.
AMELIA
Right?
XENA
Nope it's just us.
Amelia let out a small nervous laugh as she looked back at the others from her group.
AMELIA
Well I guess some help is better than none right?
The rest of her group mumbled and groaned in disapproval.
?1
Well we're doomed.
?3
Hey now at least Amelia tried to get help, unlike you two.
The first two women looked behind them to see another woman walking up behind them as she emerged from the bushes. One of the seated women spoke to her as she walked over to the campfire.
?1
Did you find anything Naomi?
The woman called Naomi shook her head.
NAOMI
No. It was the same as always. Not even a trace.
?2
(Sad tone) So that means the four of us are all that's left of the team.
NAOMI
That's not true Mia. At least now that we have these three joining us.
?1
(Irritated tone) I don't see how you can be so light hearted about this Naomi.
NAOMI
Because Aria if we give up hope now then none of us has any chance of survival.
ARIA
If you say so.
After finishing her chat with her group Naomi approached Xena, Iris and Willow.
NAOMI
Am I to assume that one of you is the queen?
XENA
That would be me. And you can do away with the formalities. I'm not much for titles.
NAOMI
Works for me.
Xena extended her hand as she and Naomi gripped each other's wrists in the warrior's handshake. The woman smiled.
NAOMI
I had a feeling you were a warrior.
XENA
I tend to give off that vibe.
The two let go of the others arm as Naomi motioned for Xena and the others to join them.
NAOMI
Come, sit. I'll introduce you to the rest our team.
Everyone sat around the campfire as the sky grew darker.
NAOMI
I think formal introductions are in order here. As I've said I'm Naomi. I'm the leader of our village.
Naomi had long brown hair that she wore down and wore a small chainmail top and skirt. The top was simple, only barely covering her chest, tying behind her back and neck. Her skirt was short, about the same length as Xena's and came down to multiple points going all the way around. Her black leather boots came up past her knees, matching her wrists guards that came up just below her elbows. Xena noticed that she had a simple spear resting against the rock next to her. Making it obvious that it was her weapon.
NAOMI
You've met Amelia.
Naomi motioned to Amelia who sat to her right. Amelia had long reddish-brown hair which was in multiple braids and pinned back. She wore maroon leather armor which consisted of a simple top which came down to her stomach. A skirt that other than the color was fairly similar to the one Xena normally wore. Her boots came halfway up her calf and had straps that wrapped around her legs. Based on the bow and quiver of arrows next to her it was obvious that she was an archeror. Though her appearance seemed a bit odd to Xena as Amelia's style of clothing didn't look very "Amazonian", infact Xena thought that it looked suspiciously Roman. But she thought that it was probably just her own distain for Romans that made Xena think that. But Xena couldn't help but ask about it anyway.
XENA
I have. And if you don't mind me saying you're attire doesn't exactly say Amazon.
Amelia looked down at her outfit for a moment.
AMELIA
Oh yeah. A while back I was enslaved by a Roman noble. A few of years ago I ended up escaping and came back to my home here.
XENA
I'm sorry. I have my own history with the Roman's. Which was the reason for my mentioning it. I didn't mean to bring up any bad memories.
Amelia smiled.
AMELIA
It's okay. It's behind me now.
Xena gave a small smile and decided to leave the subject alone.
NAOMI
Moving on, this is Mia.
Mia nodded, greeting Xena and the others. She had shoulder length red hair. A simple, black top that had thin shoulder straps which tied in the front and came down to just under her chest. She wore a brown fur wrap around skirt with a thick, black strip of some other material around the top which had string running through it, tying the skirt closed, though just barely as a slit ran most of the way up it. Her boots and arm guards were simple. Both were dark brown. Her boots came almost to her knees and her arm guards were dark brown and came up past her elbows on the outside but were shorter on the inside of her arms to allow easy movement. She wore a simple necklace with a round pendant and carried a spear as her chosen weapon. Xena gave a quick nod to greet Mia.
NAOMI
And finally this is Aria.
XENA
Hey.
ARIA
A pleasure to meet you.
The last of the four new women had long brown hair that she had in a braid and wore a thin black leather circlet around her forehead. Her top that was also black leather as was everything else she wore, came just below her chest and had thin straps on her shoulders. She had a rather decorative tight necklace with several large circular pieces hanging from it. Her skirt was again a similar style to the one Xena normally had with multiple straps of leather going around the full thing. She had guards on her forearms that covered the backs of her hands and came two thirds of the way up the tops of her forearms with only a couple straps to secure them on the inside of her arms. The outfit was completed with her almost knee high boots. Xena noted the sword on her hip and wooden shield leaning against the rock beside her and figured she was a sword and shield fighter. Xena then introduced Iris and Willow to the rest of the group.
AMELIA
Good now that introductions are out of the way, why don't you three come take a seat and have some dinner. I can fill you in on our situation while we eat.
IRIS
Given the recent attacks are you sure we're safe just staying out in the open like this?
AMELIA
Not even a little but there really isn't much we can do about it if we're gonna stop what's been killing our people.
WILLOW
(Sarcasm) Oh that's comforting.
AMELIA
Don't worry we set up traps around the perimeter that'll make noise if they're tripped.
XENA
Good. Now let's go sit down and get to the point of why we're here.
Amelia smirked.
AMELIA
Straight to the point I see. I think I'm gonna like you Xena.
So the whole group sat around the campfire and ate as Xena and the others with her were about to learn the true danger they were about to face. More so for Xena once their new companions would discover exactly who she used to be.
TO BE CONTINUED...