With an injured Clover seated in front of Xena and Aurora riding with Gabrielle, the four hastily moved toward the secret village. Fortunately, despite being gone for a bit, Xena and Gabrielle had been traveling at a fairly leisurely pace so they actually hadn't gotten all that far from the village. So if they kept up a good pace and didn't run into trouble along the way, Xena estimated that they would be able to make it back to the village in a little over a week. Though based on what Clover had told them, even going at the much faster speed, both Xena and Gabrielle just hoped that they wouldn't be too late.
AMARICE
Allllmost. Allllmost.
An annoyed sigh came from behind her and she lowered her bow as she looked over her shoulder.
AMARICE
You're not helping.
EPHINY
As interim queen, this is not my job Amarice.
AMARICE
Then why agree to help me in the first place?
EPHINY
I've been asking myself that same question for the past two hours.
AMARICE
Fine, I'll take this last shot and we'll be done.
EPHINY
Fine.
Amarice returned her attention forward and readied her bow as she pulled back on the string and took aim at the tree she'd been practicing on.
EPHINY
(Muttering to herself) Finally.
AMARICE
I heard that.
Just as Amarice finished speaking she released the bowstring and sent the arrow flying into the tree.
AMARICE
Yes! Right on target.
EPHINY
You know if you're trying to get better at hunting using a tree isn't exactly the best thing to practice on.
AMARICE
I told you before my hunting skills are fine. It's this new bow that's the problem. It's different from the kind I'm used to.
EPHINY
So go back to the other one.
AMARICE
This one's supposed to be better for taking down bigger game.
EPHINY
If you say so.
The two retrieved the scattered arrows and were walking towards where they had tied their horses. Though from a different tribe, Amarice had decided to stay with Ephiny's for a while instead of traveling all the way back to hers. Plus she figured that she could pick up some different skills and the like to bring back to her tribe when she did eventually return. Which had been why she was with Ephiny and Valassca originally when they had run into Xena and Gabrielle before going with them to the secret village. Once all set Amarice got on her horse and was ready to go when she saw Ephiny looking off into the distance.
AMARICE
What?
EPHINY
There's a couple horses coming this way. And they're coming fast.
AMARICE
You don't think they're coming for us?
EPHINY
I doubt it, but you know how people can be towards Amazons. I'd rather avoid any unnecessary hassle if we can. Come on let's get out of sight until they pass.
Ephiny turned her horse to ride off as Amarice focused on the oncoming figures to try and see what they might be dealing with. As they got closer and came into focus Amarice was surprised by what she saw.
EPHINY
Amarice come on. What are you doing?
AMARICE
Ephiny, look.
Ephiny returned her attention to the approaching horses to see what Amarice was trying to point out.
AMARICE
Is it just me or does that look like...
As they got closer Ephiny and Amarice recognized the two riders and were fairly surprised by what they saw.
EPHINY
Gabrielle, Xena. Wait... who's that with them?
AMARICE
I'm gonna take a guess and say you're not talking about Aurora.
EPHINY
No. Come on let's go see if they need help.
The two rode towards the oncoming Xena and Gabrielle who spotted them heading their way.
GABRIELLE
Xena look up ahead. Is that Ephiny?
XENA
Yeah. Looks like Amarice is with her. They must've been in the area and spotted us.
It wasn't long until the two groups met up and stopped for a moment.
AMARICE
Xena, Gabrielle, everything okay?
Finally getting a good look at the addition to Xena and Gabrielle's group, both Ephiny and Amarice were shocked by who they saw.
EPHINY
Wait a minute is that Clover? What's she doing here?
XENA
We don't fully know ourselves.
Xena quickly explained what Clover had told them and that they were now heading back to the secret village to see what they could do to help.
AMARICE
In that case, we should come too. If it's that serious we can't just walk away from this.
EPHINY
Good point. Xena?
XENA
Well based on what we saw when we found Clover, I think the village might be in serious danger. So given that we don't know what we're dealing with I'm sure we can use all the help we can get.
GABRIELLE
I agree.
EPHINY
Well, Gabrielle, it looks like you might be needing your title as queen back for a bit.
GABRIELLE
Looks that way. I just wish it didn't have to be for something like this.
With Ephiny and Amarice joining them the group resumed their journey back to the secret village. It was a day later when a couple of travelers headed along a row of trees.
WILLOW
Are you sure about this Cora? I don't mean to question your ability but I just don't get why they would tell you to do this.
CORA
I don't understand why either. But what I do know is that they told me that I needed to get you and come out here.
WILLOW
And do what, just sit around and wait for who knows what to show up?
CORA
Essentially.
Willow sighed as she walked around the area as Cora sat cross-legged on the ground with her eyes closed waiting for a sign for what they should do next.
WILLOW
Are you sure you didn't I don't know, hear your spirits wrong or just have a weird dream or something.
CORA
(Slightly annoyed tone) First of all, they're not my spirits, you know I hate it when you say stuff like that. And no, I didn't just "hear them wrong".
Cora opened her eyes and looked up at Willow.
CORA
The spirit that came to me seemed very restless and frightened. Something's wrong Willow and I have a feeling that whatever it is going to get a lot worse.
WILLOW
And your spirit friends think we can do something about it?
Cora ignored Willow's wording involving her relationship with the spirits as she felt it was more important to move the conversation forward.
CORA
They're not sure. But the feeling they gave me made it seem like whatever it is will have an unbelievable impact on everything we know if we don't manage to stop what's happening.
WILLOW
The way you say it makes it sound like we have to stop the world from ending.
CORA
Because in a manner of speaking that might very well be the case.
The two rode for a bit longer before Cora stopped causing Willow to come to a halt as well.
CORA
They're coming.
WILLOW
What, who? Where?
CORA
Behind us.
Willow looked back at the empty road for a moment.
WILLOW
I don't see anything.
CORA
They'll be here in a moment.
Willow looked at Cora.
WILLOW
Let me guess you're spirits told you that too.
CORA
Yes actually.
Willow groaned in annoyance as Cora turned her horse around the meet the travelers face to face. With Willow following suit. After a moment Willow noticed Cora smile.
WILLOW
What?
CORA
I see now. Of course, that's what brought us here. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.
WILLOW
What are you talking about now? What are you saying brought us here besides you and your ever-mysterious spirits?
Cora motioned ahead just as a small group came riding into view.
CORA
Them.
Willow looked and then sighed when she noticed just who it was that the group consisted of.
WILLOW
Damn if we're running into those two and the rest of 'em again that means you're probably right about there being some serious trouble coming.
CORA
Let's meet up with them. I'm sure they'll fill us in on whatever's happening.
So Cora and Willow rode up and met with the other travelers who stopped when they saw them approaching.
GABRIELLE
Willow, Cora what are you doing here?
Willow pointed to Cora.
WILLOW
Ask this one's spirits, they're the ones that sent us out here.
After giving Willow an annoyed look, Cora quickly explained what she had told Willow about the spirits warning.
XENA
The way you say it makes it sound like the whole world is about to end.
WILLOW
That's exactly what I said.
CORA
Hey, I'm just telling you what I felt from the spirits.
XENA
Well either way we have to get back to the village fast. And since you were apparently sent here by those spirits I'm gonna assume that you two are coming back with us.
WILLOW
It sure seems that way.
CORA
Hey is Clover gonna be okay?
The injured Clover smiled from her spot in front of Xena.
CLOVER
(Weak tone/ Joking) Oh yeah, this is... just a scratch. Honestly, I've never... felt better.
XENA
(Joking) Yeah as you can see she's holding up just fine.
Xena patted Clover's shoulder firmly as she spoke to her.
XENA
(Joking) And sure keep talking big smart ass and you can walk back to the village.
Xena looked at the now larger group as she moved Argo ahead of the others.
XENA
Well now that we have Cora and Willow, what do you say we get back and get the whole gang back together to defend that village?
GABRIELLE
Let's go.
So with with everyone who had left the village not long ago reunited, they along with the injured Clover moved onward towards the secret village. But as the group rode towards their destination, none of them, including Xena, Gabrielle, or even Cora herself knew the true magnitude of the warning she had received from the spirits. Because the events that would soon take place in the shortcoming days would drastically alter all of their lives and possibly the entire known world forever.
TO BE CONTINUED...