Naomi, Amalia, Aria and Iris stood baffled by Mia's sudden outburst against Xena who was trying to save the injured Willow.
NAOMI
(Stern tone) What do you think you're doing Mia? How could you dare raise your weapon to our queen?
Mia scoffed.
MIA
(Angry tone) So she says.
IRIS
It's true Xena IS queen. Gabrielle gave Xena her right of caste.
MIA
(Angry tone) While I don't particularly believe that story, even if it is true I don't care. To willingly give up her queenhood to her Gabrielle must not have been in her right mind, been fooled like all of you or she's just plain stupid.
While Xena wasn't typically bothered by people saying whatever they wanted about her, she never did like people saying things about Gabrielle that weren't true. Even more so now given everything.
XENA
(Angry tone) You had better watch what you say about her.
MIA
(Angry tone) Or what Xena? Are you gonna let your true colors show? That's right, it took me a bit to remember but from the moment I saw you, you seemed so familiar. I knew that I had seen you somewhere before.
IRIS
Xena you two know each other?
Xena searched her memory for a moment but nothing came to mind.
XENA
No not that I recall.
MAI
(Angry tone) I'm not surprised you don't remember me. But then again why would you? After all I'm you've lost track of just how many of my people you're responsible for the deaths of. Isn't that right "queen"? Or would you prefer to be called by one of your other titles? But which one? Conquerer? Or Destroyer Of Nations? Or instead how about just plain murderer?
Hearing her former titles of the Conquerer and Destroyer were spoken by Mia Xena's memory was sparked of that of a time long past. She remembered her evil conquest against the Amazon's. All the horrific things she did in the name of obtaining power. Her dealings with the evil sorceress Alti. The blood of so many Amazon's that would never be cleaned from her hands. The others saw the expression on Xena's face change from anger and confusion to sadness as she heard Mia speak.
IRIS
I don't know what you're talking about, but you must have Xena continued with someone else. I've known Xena for a while now and I know that she's a good person.
MIA
Then like our true queen, you've obviously been fooled by her too. I don't know what she's after by doing this, but whatever it is I won't allow her to cause any more harm to our people. I guess there are two monsters here that we have to deal with but it's hard to tell which one is the bigger threat.
IRIS
Xena?
Willow gasped as everyone's attention returned to her. Including Xena who went back to trying to save her.
MIA
I said don't move.
XENA
We don't have time for this right now. If we don't act fast Willow will die.
MIA
(Angry Sarcasm) And I'm sure that she'll be safe in your hands.
Finally after accessing the situation for long enough Naomi decided to speak up.
NAOMI
That's enough Mia.
Mia looked at Naomi.
MIA
(Angry tone) Don't tell me that you actually still trust her. After all you didn't hear her deny any of it.
NAOMI
You're right and I can't blame you for being angry. But now isn't the time for this. We have an injured woman here and unless you have some medical training that I'm not aware of, Xena is the only one here who stands a chance of stopping that damned creature from taking another victim. So I say we let Xena work and we can sort out the rest of this afterwards.
MIA
But the things she's done. How can we trust her? She shouldn't be allowed to call herself queen or even an Amazon for that matter. Much less be allowed to live.
NAOMI
You may be right, but we don't have much of a choice right now. Like I said right now she's the only one of us who can possibly stop another one our people from dying. So for now just leave her be.
MIA
Is that an order Naomi?
NAOMI
If it needs to be.
MIA
Fine.
Mia lowered her weapon as she walked around Xena and stood a few feet in front of her as she kept her spear drawn.
MIA
But I'm keeping my eye on you. If I see anything funny you'll be dead before you even know what happened.
Xena didn't respond as she went back to her efforts to save Willow. As she worked Xena glanced up at Naomi.
XENA
Thanks.
NAOMI
I wouldn't thank me just yet Xena. Do what you can for her. We'll talk afterwards.
Naomi turned away as she addressed the others.
NAOMI
Given our current situation I think it would be best if we let Xena work while we find a spot nearby to set up camp. If our friend here survives traveling isn't going to be very easy. So now that we have that among other things to consider we need to regroup and figure out what our next move is gonna be. So spread out and find somewhere we can stay for the night. Just remember not to go far and keep yourselves on alert. We already had one person getting attacked today. I'd rather not add to that number.
Naomi looked at Iris.
NAOMI
You and Willow are friends right?
IRIS
Yes.
NAOMI
Then you can stay here with her if you want.
IRIS
Okay.
Xena glanced up at Naomi for a moment as she worked. Unsure of whether she told Iris to stay because of the fact that they were friends. Or because Naomi no longer trusted Xena after learning about her past crimes against the Amazonian people. Though Xena summized that it was most likely a combination of both. And at the moment Xena didn't have time to argue her case that Willow wasn't in any danger from being left with her. Not that she could blame Naomi's new found skepticism of her giving the reveal of who she used to be.
NAOMI
We'll be sure not to go far and be back soon. So just yell if you need anything.
IRIS
I will.
NAOMI
Good.
Naomi turned to everyone else.
NAOMI
Now let's get moving people. I want a decent camping spot with everything set up before dark.
As the others left, Iris sat quietly as she watched Xena work on Willow. Occasionally handing Xena something that she would ask for. Xena couldn't tell what she was thinking and didn't have time to ask as for the time being her focus was on saving Iris.
NAOMI
How is she?
Xena finished washing her hands as she turned to face Naomi. She looked over at Willow who now layed on a blanket in the groups camp. By the time Xena had finished stitching up Willow's multiple wounds a couple of the others returned and helped carry the injured woman to the camp that had been set up as Xena and Iris followed.
XENA
She should be okay. She's gonna be really sore for a while but she'll live.
NAOMI
That's good to hear. At least we stopped that thing from taking another person from us.
XENA
I'm guessing that your only reason for coming over here wasn't just to see how Willow was doing.
NAOMI
You're just as observant as I figured you'd be.
XENA
Look about what Mia was saying...
Naomi held up her hand signaling for Xena to stop talking. Which she did.
NAOMI
I'm sure you have plenty to say right now. And honestly I have some things I'd like to tell you too. Now why don't we go for a little walk so we can talk in private.
XENA
Is that really wise given the fact that there's some blood thirsty creature roaming around out here?
NAOMI
Don't worry I'm sure that the two of us can handle ourselves.
Naomi smirked.
NAOMI
(Joking) And besides if things go south I can always throw you to the proverbial wolves while I get out of there.
Xena smirked as well, sensing that Naomi didn't appear serious about her last statement. At least she hoped she wasn't anyway.
XENA
(Joking) You're welcome to try.
NAOMI
Good let's go. I've already told the others that we'd be leaving camp for a bit.
Naomi walked passed Xena and disappeared into the darkness and trees. After momentarily looking around camp to make sure everyone else was there and she wasn't about to walk into an ambush, Xena followed Naomi through the trees. She made sure to keep her weapons with her as she was uncertain of just where her meeting with Naomi alone would lead. Or how she was going to not only remain queen but regain the other women's trust after learning about her dark past. And not only from those who were with Xena on this mission. But what would everyone back at the village think if they return. Surely Iris and Willow would tell the others about who they learned Xena used to be. What would they do to her? Other then reject her as queen, would they stop Xena from returning home? Stop her from seeing Gabrielle and Aurora? Kill her? But what Xena was more concerned with was what might happen to Gabrielle if they learned that she knew about alot of Xena's evil deeds. That was to say if Gabrielle were even still alive when word made it to the village. Far too many uncertainties raced through Xena's mind as Naomi stopped and faced her.
NAOMI
I think this spot is as good as any.
Xena watched as Naomi leaned back against a tree and held her spear at her side.
NAOMI
Now let's hear what you've got to say for yourself Xena. And if I were you I'd be very careful about choosing the next words that come out of your mouth. Because they may very well be your last.
TO BE CONTINUED...