Sitting on the bed, Xena and Gabrielle looked at the small box that Alexia had given them. The container itself didn't appear to be anything special. It was just a simple, wooden box that was small enough to fit in one hand.
XENA
Guess we should open it and see what's inside.
After removing the lid, Xena placed it on the table near the bed and looked inside. In the box were a few pieces of paper that were either rolled or folded up neatly. Xena and Gabrielle exchanged curious looks before Xena took the few items from the box and set the container on the stand as she layed the items in front of Gabrielle and herself. At random Gabrielle curiously picked up one of the pieces of paper and opened it.
XENA
What is it.
Gabrielle scanned the page for a few moments as she got the gist of what was written.
GABRIELLE
It looks like it's a bunch of notes on Bacchus.
XENA
Anything useful?
GABRIELLE
No, this is all stuff we already knew. What he was the god of, basic information about Bacchae, stuff like that.
Gabrielle rolled the paper back up and set it aside, as Xena picked up another paper and unfolded it.
XENA
A map.
GABRIELLE
Of where?
After making room Xena spread the map on the bed as she and Gabrielle looked it over.
XENA
I'm not sure. Maybe there's something else in the box that'll tell us what we're looking at.
Gabrielle picked up one of the remaining two pieces of paper. She opened it and glanced at it before putting it to the side for the moment, as it didn't seem to have anything to do with the map. Opening the last folded paper, Gabrielle saw various symbols and writing and determined that it must've been the map's key.
GABRIELLE
Got it.
Gabrielle layed out the smaller paper next to the map as Xena looked them both over. On the map there were several squares scattered in various locations. Some of which had X's over them. Xena looked at the map key as she deciphered what the various symbols ment.
GABRIELLE
What is all of this.
Xena studied the paper for another moment before she spoke.
XENA
Temple locations.
GABRIELLE
Temples? To Bacchus?
XENA
It doesn't say. But I don't see how temples dedicated to Bacchus would do any good, so I don't think that's who they're for.
Gabrielle grabbed another piece of paper.
GABRIELLE
Maybe this will tell us.
Gabrielle unfolded the paper and read it.
GABRIELLE
Interesting.
XENA
What does it say?
GABRIELLE
You're right Xena, these aren't locations for temples to Bacchus. They're for another god. Demeter.
XENA
Whose Demeter? I've never heard of him.
GABRIELLE
Neither have I. But according to this, "she's" the goddess of presiding over crops, grains, agriculture, food in general, and the harvest.
XENA
Okay, what does that have to do with finding a Bacchae cure?
Gabrielle kept reading and was surprised at what she read next.
GABRIELLE
Well, Alexia seems to think that Demeter might be the perfect answer to doing that.
XENA
Why?
Gabrielle lowered the paper and Xena saw the surprise on her face.
GABRIELLE
Because Demeter is Bacchus' sister.
XENA
So what. Most of the Olympian gods are related.
GABRIELLE
True but according to this Bacchus was an outcast amung most of them. Except for really his sister Demeter.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Poor thing. He was just so charming I can't imagine why no one would like him.
Though most of the gods are terrible, so I wonder what Bacchus could've done to earn his status as a pariah among the rest of 'em.
GABRIELLE
Let's see if this says anything.
Gabrielle read on.
GABRIELLE
Okay this says that Bacchus was one of the twelve Olympian gods and the last one born of all of them.
XENA
Youngest of those gods huh. Could explain the rift between him and the others.
GABRIELLE
It could be part of it, but if what's written here is true, I think there's another explanation.
XENA
Go on.
GABRIELLE
Okay this goes on to say that Bacchus' father was Zeus obviously and his mother was...
Gabrielle looked up from the paper.
GABRIELLE
A mortal woman.
Xena arched her eyebrows in surprise.
XENA
Interesting. So Bacchus wasn't a full god. That could've been the reason for him not getting along with the other gods.
GABRIELLE
It would make sense. Though, I'm surprised that the others still let him become one of the Olympians.
XENA
Go figure. You know, half of what those gods do doesn't make sense anyway. It was probably Zues who had final say it the matter anyway. Does it say who his mother was?
Gabrielle looked back at the paper for a moment.
GABRIELLE
Umm, a Theban princess named Semele.
XENA
(Sighing) Well given that she was mortal, I doubt she's still alive. So looking her isn't gonna help. Does it say anything else?
GABRIELLE
Nope, that's basically it. It doesn't seem like much to go on.
Xena became thoughtful for a moment.
XENA
Actually I think there's more here than we realize.
GABRIELLE
Meaning?
XENA
Based on the information here, and the marks on the map, it looks like Alexia has been looking for Demeter. Figuring that due to her close ties to Bacchus, the goddess might have some answers for dealing with Bacchus and possibly knowing a cure for being a Bacchae.
GABRIELLE
I could see that. But this says that she's typically reclusive from humans and rarely ever shows herself.
XENA
I guess that would explain why Alexia hasn't actually come in contact with her yet. But given that we seem to attract attention from the god's, as much as I hate to admit it, that might actually work in our favor for once.
GABRIELLE
Xena if Bacchus and Demeter were actually close, I sincerely doubt that Demeter would get involved in her brother's business. And I even less likely that she'd help us. We killed Bacchus. Honestly, I wouldn't be surprised if she tried to kill us out of revenge.
Xena picked up the map and looked at the few marked locations that didn't have an X over it as she determined that they must've been the temples to Demeter that Alexia hadn't visited.
XENA
Then we'll just have to "convince" her otherwise.
Xena lowered the map and looked at Gabrielle, who had an odd expression on her face.
XENA
What's wrong?
Gabrielle sighed.
GABRIELLE
Nothing. It's just that this is the first real lead we've gotten since all this started. I don't wanna get my hopes up, but I can't help but feel like we might finally be heading in the right direction in at least finding some answers.
Xena smiled a little.
XENA
It is nice to finally have something to go on, isn't it?
Gabrielle smiled back.
GABRIELLE
It really is.
The two put the papers back in the box and Xena got up and stored it in her pack. As she closed up her bag, Xena felt Gabrielle come up behind and lean against her back as she wrapped her arms around Xena's midsection.
GABRIELLE
Thanks for never giving up. Even when I wanted to, and it didn't seem like we would ever find a way out of this.
Xena moved Gabrielle's arms from around her as she turned and held Gabrielle in return.
XENA
I promised that I would never stop searching for a way to change us back and I ment it. And even if this doesn't go anywhere, I'll keep looking until we find something that works.
GABRIELLE
I know you will. I love you, Xena.
XENA
I love you.
Xena lightly lifted Gabrielle's face and kissed her softly. Gabrielle returned the favor as the kiss deepened. Slowly, Xena let her hands roam across Gabrielle's back as she pulled her closer. They shared several more passionate kisses before Xena pulled her lips from Gabrielle's. She looked at Gabrielle as they caught their breath and knew the familiar expression she received. The unspoken look of desire came into Gabrielle's eyes. The same look that was reflected in Xena's.
XENA
Don't move.
Xena pulled out of their embrace and grabbed the key from the nightstand as she went over and locked the door to their room. Returning quickly, she tossed the key back on the stand and swept Gabrielle off her feet who laughed a little as she was carried to the bed. After being playfully tossed on the bed, Gabrielle quickly found Xena pouncing over her and looking down at her while on hands and knees. The two met for a few more deep caresses of their lips before Xena pulled back and remained on her knees as she began to glide her hands across Gabrielle's exposed stomach. As Xena worked her way up Gabrielle's torso, she lightly let her nails tease Gabrielle's skin before reaching the small green top that Gabrielle always wore. Xena's hands continued upward over the shirt as they soon covered Gabrielle's still clothed breasts. Applying a bit of pressure, Xena proceeded to smooth her hands over Gabrielle's chest and got a pleasurable sigh in response. Xena continued to mold Gabrielle's bust in her firm yet gentle grip as she leaned forward, and the two locked into a deep, fiery kiss. Xena's tongue passed into Gabrielle's mouth, and the two allowed the body parts to dance for several moments before the need for uninhibited access to oxygen forced them apart. As both breathed heavily, Xena rose to her knees and pulled the string that tied Gabrielle's top closed. Once the string was undone, Xena quickly pulled at the ties as she opened Gabrielle's shirt to reveal her bosoms. Once exposed, Gabrielle felt Xena's hands return to her boobs. She let out a soft sigh as she felt Xena's hands directly on her flesh. Slowly Xena rolled her hands over the peaks and Gabrielle arched slightly into Xena's touch. As Xena molded Gabrielle's breasts, Gabrielle moved her hands over Xena's and breathe deeply as she felt the familiar stirring of desire between her legs. After a few moments of kneading Gabrielle's chest, Xena lowered herself toward Gabrielle's lips and kissed her before using her lips to mark a trail down Gabrielle's neck, between her breasts and down her stomach. Gabrielle jerked slightly and giggled as Xena teased and tickled her belly button with her tongue. Getting the exact response she expected, Xena smiled as she moved back up Gabrielle's torso and had Gabrielle sit up slightly to get her top off and tossed it aside. With the shirt out of the way, Xena brought her lips to Gabrielle's chest. She kissed each breast a few times before tracing the tip of her tongue over one of Gabrielle's nipples. Gabrielle closed her eyes in response and softly moaned as Xena took the nipple into her mouth and began to suck. Xena heard Gabrielle whisper her name and felt Gabrielles fingers entangle themselves into her long raven locks as she pressed Xena further against her. Xena continued her suction on Gabrielle's chest and brought a hand down to Gabrielle's skirt. Without removing her mouth from its activity, Xena moved Gabrielle's skirt up and then began rubbing her hand over Gabrielle's underwear against her femininity. This got a slightly bigger moan from Gabrielle as she felt Xena moving over her center. After a few strokes up and down, Xena began to work small circles on Gabrielle's covered nether region. Gabrielle moaned as it didn't take long until Xena could feel the dampness of Gabrielle's arousal through the underclothing. There was a slightly disappointed sigh as Xena took her mouth and hand away and got up to her knees. She then pulled off Gabrielle's boots and undid the button that kept Gabrielle's skirt up. After it was loosened, Xena took hold of the waist of the skirt, along with Gabrielle's underwear and with Gabrielle lifting her hips slightly, Xena slipped the clothing down and off, dropping them on the floor. When done Xena stood and removed her own armor, boots, leathers and undergarments before climbing back on the bed fully nude, Xena laid on her back and took Gabrielle's hand to guide her where she wanted. Once situated, Gabrielle was on her knees straddling Xena's head. Xena brought her hands to Gabrielle's backside and lightly molded it in her grasp for a moment before guiding Gabrielle down to her mouth. Once in reach, Xena pressed her tongue into Gabrielle's sex and slowly brought it up the entirety of her center. Gabrielle let out a delighted, audible inhale as she felt Xena's tongue touch her. Once completing the motion, Xena repeated the action and heard Gabrielle's pleasure fueled response as she continued the pattern and few more times before pausing momentarily to press her tongue further into Gabrielle several times before returning to sweeping it up and down Gabrielle's womanhood. Gabrielle could feel the blissful sensation within her slowly building as Xena continued to burrow her tongue within her. As the pleasure built, Gabrielle reached back and brought her hand between Xena's legs. She then began to run her fingers against Xena's nether region. Xena instantly reacted with a moan into Gabrielle as she moved a leg to give Gabrielle better access. Feeling Xena's continued lapping of her center, Gabrielle knew that it wouldn't be long until she hit her pinnacle. Still, she continued to run her hand up and down Xena's womanhood for a few moments before embedding a couple fingers into Xena's depths. Feeling herself being suddenly filled, Xena groaned approvingly against Gabrielle, who felt the sudden vibration Xena's moan created against her and enjoyed it immensely. Slowly, Gabrielle began weaving her fingers in and out of Xena's core as Xena continued gliding her tongue everywhere it would reach within Gabrielle's feminine treasure. After a few more moments, Xena could hear the change in the pitch of Gabrielle's voice that always went higher when she was nearing an orgasm. As her climax edged closer, Gabrielle began rocking her hips against Xena's continuously probing tongue. And as a direct result of Gabrielle's movements, the speed and force of which her fingers penetrated Xena's opening increased. Feeling this only fueled Xena further, as she pulled Gabrielle tighter against her and moved her tongue with more vigor. Gabrielle thrust herself against Xena as she found herself unable to keep her attention on Xena's needs for the, moment as everything within her was focused on the rapacious sensation that was mere moments from overtaking her. She ground herself against Xena while moving her hand from Xena's core to gripping the headboard of the bed and loudly crying out for Xena not to stop. As she felt her climax just on the horizon, Gabrielle's eyes slightly shifted into the Bacchae yellow and all of her senses became heightened as every slight movement against her skin sent Gabrielle further towards euphoria. The incredible sensation building within her depths. The sound of Xena's muffled moans and increased breathing. The aroma of the room. Everything drove Gabrielle towards her apex, until with a final thrust, Gabrielle felt her core spasm in a rapacious orgasm. She let out a euphoric cry as her body jerked slightly as each wave of her climax hit. She moved against Xena's tongue in sharp, quick motions as she rode out the earth shaking spasms that her high sent surging through her core. When a couple of moments had passed, Gabrielle's orgasm began to fade as her eyes and senses returned to normal. Catching her breath, Gabrielle moved back until she straddled Xena's stomach. Xena smiled up at her as she reached and brushed a bit of hair from Gabrielle's face. Smiling, Gabrielle leaned in and kissed Xena passionately. Afterward Gabrielle lightly brushed her lips against Xena's before moving to lay next to her. Then Gabrielle began slowly tracing her hand down Xena's stomach until she reached her destination between Xena's legs. Xena took a breath as she felt Gabrielle moving her fingers along her entrance. Her need made obvious by how wet Gabrielle could feel she was. Still, Gabrielle leisurely traced her hand along Xena's femininity as she heard Xena's breathing steadily increasing. But as Gabrielle teased, Xena felt herself practically aching for release and reached between her legs and guided Gabrielle to enter her with a small pleasurable gasp. Once getting Gabrielle to her area of need, Xena took her hand away, knowing that Gabrielle got the hint to get straight to business. With her fingers pressed inside of Xena's opening, Gabrielle began to slowly work her digits in and out of Xena's womanhood. Each stroke sinking deep into Xena's depths. Xena panted in delight as she felt Gabrielle's continued probing of her wanting center. With each thrust that Gabrielle made, she could feel Xena's body reacting in a pleasurable response. As she continued to move her hand, Gabrielle leaned over and took Xena's nipple into her mouth and began to suck. Xena groaned approvingly as she closed her eyes in bliss and brought a hand to her other breast and began groping herself. Gabrielle continued plunging her fingers into Xena for a bit longer as Xena felt herself nearing her release. Then Gabrielle paused in her repeated insertion into Xena's core as, without removing herself from within Xena, Gabrielle took her mouth from Xena's breast and moved herself to settle between Xena's legs. She laid on her stomach and with her fingers still inserted inside of Xena's womanhood, Gabrielle brought her tongue to graze against Xena's clit and got a delighted shutter and groan in response. Smiling, Gabrielle resumed working her digits in and out of Xena's core as her tongue began to dance over and around Xena's little bundle of nerves. The feeling of being pressed into and having direct attention given to her most sensitive area was nearly too much, as Xena could already feel her climax drawing near. She groaned Gabrielle's name as she felt the continued impassioned actions of Gabrielle propelling her ever closer to finding her euphoric paradise. Xena's toes dug into and her hands clutched the blanket beneath her as Gabrielle continued pressing into Xena while working her tongue over her clit. Feeling her orgasm about to hit, Xena pleaded for Gabrielle not to stop and in response felt Gabrielle thrust into her faster and take her nub into her mouth and fiercely proceeded to suck the sensitive bud. It was only seconds later when Xena let out a rapacious cry of ecstasy as a powerful orgasm swept through her. Gabrielle could feel Xena twitching from within as she took her mouth from Xena's clit and slowed her hands movements but didn't stop as she watched each time she pressed into Xena, her body was jump slightly in response as it would send another jolt of Xena's release pulsing through her. Once several moments passed and Xena began to calm down, Gabrielle withdrew her fingers from within Xena and crawled up to lay beside her. Once catching her breath, Xena drew Gabrielle close and held her as they shared several passionate kisses and "I love you's" before snuggling up together and settling down as Xena used her foot to reach a light blanket at the end of the bed and kicked it up to her hand as she spread it over them and got as smile and shake of the head from Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
(Joking) Show off.
XENA
Would you rather have to had moved?
Gabrielle kissed Xena as she layed her head back down on Xena's chest where it had been resting.
GABRIELLE
Not really. I'm very comfortable right where I am.
Xena smiled.
XENA
That's what I thought.
The rest of the day passed with Xena and Gabrielle primary spending it in bed. They decided to take full advantage of the rare opportunity of being somewhere comfortable and safe for once. Which honestly was something that the both of them desperately needed as of late, with the additional stress of living as Bacchae had provided on top of their already rather difficult lives of near constant travel and trouble cropping up seemingly everywhere they went. But these were the lives they chose, and neither Xena nor Gabrielle could really picture it any other way. Well aside from being Bacchae of course. That was something Xena was definitely determined to change. So as the day turned to night and the next morning came, Gabrielle followed Xena down from their room.
ALEXIA
I take it from the bags that you're leaving.
GABRIELLE
Yeah. We're gonna try checking some of the temples of Demeter to see what we can come up with.
ALEXIA
Well hopefully you'll have better luck then I did. I only wish I could've given you more to go on.
GABRIELLE
No you've already done so much. Before we came here, we didn't have anything at all. And now thanks to you, we finally have something real to follow.
ALEXIA
I don't wanna be a downer, but Demeter hasn't been seen by mortals in a very long time. I tried so many times to get her to appear and never could. So while I'm happy to have given you hope that you and Xena can put an end to your nightmare, just don't get too excited that this will solve everything. Honestly, if you do find her I'm not even sure if she'll help you.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry, we're already prepared for that possibility. But still, we have to try. And while finding Demeter might be tricky, I don't think convincing her to help us will be too hard.
ALEXIA
Why's that?
Gabrielle glanced at Xena for a moment and smiled.
GABRIELLE
Because I know a certain someone that can be very good at getting what she wants when she needs to be.
ALEXIA
Well given what I saw when you two first got here, I don't doubt that for a second. I hope you find her.
Gabrielle and Alexia hugged.
ALEXIA
Good luck and stay safe okay.
GABRIELLE
We will. And thank you, Alexia.
The two separated as the innkeeper looked at Xena.
ALEXIA
I'd offer you a hug goodbye too, but something tells me aside from Gabrielle and others close to you, that's not really your style.
Xena smirked.
XENA
Kinda.
ALEXIA
Don't worry about it.
Alexia held out her hand and Xena grasped it for a moment.
ALEXIA
Take care of yourself Xena.
XENA
You too. And thanks for everything.
ALEXIA
Of course. And remember, you're both more than welcome back here anytime you're in the area. So I hope you'll stop by again. Hopefully with good news.
XENA
We will.
Xena let go of the innkeeper's hand and carried her and Gabrielle's things towards the door with a smile and a wave.
XENA
See you around.
GABRIELLE
Bye Alexia. We'll come back and visit sometime.
ALEXIA
I look forward to it, Gabrielle.
The innkeeper gave a smile and quick wave as Gabrielle caught up with Xena who was holding open the front door letting in the early morning sun. The two locked back at the kind woman who had given them a renewed sense of optimism that they could find a way out of the circumstances that had plagued them for some time now. With one more smile from each of them, Gabrielle walked outside, with Xena right behind as she shut the door behind her. As not long after, the two trotted across the countryside on Argo as their search for Demeter began. And though it seemed as though some light had finally begun to shine onto Xena and Gabrielle's otherwise dreary situation, they had no way of knowing that the new path they were on would soon turn far darker than they ever could have expected.
TO BE CONTINUED...