Back and forth, back and forth. Strife was restless. More like excited, really- deliriously happy if you will, as he was torn about what to do with the newly discovered information. A gem, that's what it was, a diamond in the rough that he could cut and polish however he saw fit in order to turn it into an impressive value for him-maybe even a higher position into the Olympian hierarchy ….
''So many options…so many options….Oh! This will be fuuuuun! Where do I begin?! Option no 1 – go to unc'Ares and say something like "I know something about your precious Xena that might interest you …But such an important information comes with a price ….""he started, rubbing his hands while picturing the whole scene, only to suddenly freeze the moment he imagined the War God's reaction to such a shameless blackmail attempt. He could virtually feel a left hook hitting hard under his chin and sending him flying a few painful yards away from where he was standing.
''Maybe I should rephrase that …''Hey uncle Ares, what's up? How's life treating you these days ? How's your dark haired bomb in bed? I have some useful information about her….'' No! scratch that ! He'd kill me …''How's your Warrior Hottie doing? Speaking of whom…I know something you don't…'' Definitely better! '' he concluded, pleased with himself.
Option no 2- keep the info for myself and use it in my own advantage. I could go to Zeus with it and get that long awaited promotion that uncle Ares has been refusing to give – The jerk !- maybe even a throne on Olympus! My own, beautiful, golden throne! A dream come true! Well deserved too! '' he debated with himself while clapping hysterically that final thought.
Option no 3- go to Athena herself and blackmail her into giving me a temple of my own – she does have so many she has lost count. And I could also ask her to serve me for the rest of her life. She could be my private advisor. I will become the smartest god that Greece has ever known! People will love me! Bards will sing endless odes about my wisdom! My name will be on everyone's lips AND it will be recorded in the annals of histoy- Strife the Wise / Strife the ….the…..Enlightened…./ Strife the…..something having to do with being outrageously smart, anyway.
And last but not least, option no 4- go to the Sexy Warrior herself and ask her to be my personal sex slave for a few days in exchange of the information that will save her life ultimately…..'' he mused, an idea that tempted him tremendously . He would have definitely liked that…..
''Too much thinking for one single day! ! This is a tough decision to make! I guess I'd better sleep on it! ''
For his IQ, it was indeed a bit too much….
XXX
Back at the War God's temple, things were not getting any better, on the contrary, the situation was about to escalate with the bizarre arrival of a young soldier, ardently praying for the presence of the God of War in the altar room.
''Lord Ares, I'm begging you, we are lost without your godly advice! Please receive this humble offering on behalf of my village and grace me with your divine presence!'' he asked in a soft, slightly trembling voice.
Having heard footsteps just as she was walking down the hallway towards her chamber, the Warrior Princess changed direction towards the source of the noise instead. Who could have visited the temple in the middle of the night? It was definitely unusual!
And there he was, a gorgeous young man, not yet in his twenties-judging by his childlike visage- on his knees before the statue of her patron god, begging for his help in winning some battle against a common enemy-as he put it.
As ridiculous as she found his plea, Xena had to admit it- he was a gift from the gods, an unexpected present received right in the nick of time- an opportunity she just knew she wouldn't miss for the world ….
'' He's not into fruit and he hates white wine. He's also busy overseeing some wars as we speak, so ….how may I help?'' the dark-haired Chosen of War inquired, taking a few languid steps his way while carefully analyzing the young man's face. He was surprised, yes, but there was something else she could read in his eyes, something important enough to make her offer him a mysterious, sexy smile as she walked towards him- lust . He was unmistakably fascinated with her.
''Who're you ? A priestess or something?''
''Something like that….'' she answered, stifling a laugh, amused by the fact that he had mistaken her for a priestess in the first place.
''Well I would like to talk to Lord Ares. ''
''As I said, he's not here. What can I do you for?'' she inquired, in a low, lecherous voice that made the young man gulp noisily. This must have been his lucky day.
'' Unfortunately, I don't think you can …This requires the attention of…'' he began to explain, while staring blankly at the marble statue dominating the altar but was cut off by Xena's hasty comeback.
''You'd be surprised. I have many skills..'' she let him know, smiling wide and batting her eyelashes coquettishly.
''I'm sure you do. '' he replied, forgetting for a brief moment all about his reason of being there.
'' I do know a thing or two about war and warfare if that's what you're worried about…." she cattishly informed, kneeling by his side and "accidentally " touching his hand as she did it, making him wince in surprise.
''Can you offer strategic advice? ''
''Among other things, yes, that would be my domain of expertise'' she retorted, biting her lower lip, a gesture that didn't pass unnoticed of course. The visitor unconsciously licked his lips in response, thirsty to have a taste of that sinful mouth of hers.
''I had no clue priestesses had any kind of knowledge about war !''
''Yeah well…apparently there's a lot you don't know about us .''
'' My village, Monemvasia, is being brutally attacked by a small but very efficient group of Athenian archers…We're peasants-we don't even have the right weapons to fight them. We stand no chance against them….And there is no other reason behind their attack except for the fact that we have been loyal to the God of War for generations- so I figured that asking him for help might just save us all….''
''That's a terrible idea….'' Xena mumbled under her breath but before she could offer a louder reply, the young men was already caressing her hair , hypnotized by her beauty.
''So…how did you decide to become the priestess of War ?''
''It's a long story …..'' she murmured, her fingers entwining with his while meaning to push his hand slightly away.
''She's not a priestess actually. ''Ares's dark velvety voice could be heard right before he flashed into the room, only a few steps behind them. ''She's my Chosen. Maybe you'd like to share that story, Sweetheart.''
Within the blink of an eye, in a moment of maximum confusion, the young man was up on his feet and then straight on his knees again, his forehead touching the ground in utter and complete submission.
''Lord Ares! Please forgive my ignorance! I have only heard stories about the extraordinary Warrior Princess of Amphipolis, I have never seen her myself! I didn't know ….My Lady….I'm begging for your mercy!''
''Stop apologizing , you did nothing wrong!'' she tried to calm him down- to no avail though since he kept trembling like a leaf, reluctant to make eye contact again, either with her or with Ares.
''What is your name, boy?'' the War God demanded to know, successfully managing to control the anger that was boiling almost visibly underneath his skin.
''Erastus, my Lord!'' came the prompt, sufficient answer.
''You do understand that every action has its consequences, don't you?''
''I do.''
''And you are familiar with the Olympian law, right?''
''I am, my Lord.''
''So what are you willing to give up on? The hand that touched my Chosen or your life?''
Whereas the Warrior Princess froze in place for a moment, the instant her brain decoded the actual implications of such question, unable to find the right words to express her outrage, the young man seemed to have accepted his fate from the moment the identity of the one standing before him was revealed to him.
'' My hand. ''
It was again a short, manly answer and Ares was unable to detect an ounce of fear in it.
''He's just kidding.'' Xena finally blurted out, trying to sketch a nervous smile. ''You're kidding right?'' she asked her patron god- who refused to return her gaze.
''Please allow me to offer my left hand though. I still need my right one to hold the sword properly. I need to protect my people and fight for your glory!''
''Fair enough!'' Ares agreed, signaling him to rise his hand.
The instant the blade swung in the air though, ready to strike full force, Xena instinctively grabbed his wrist in an overly farfetched attempt to stop that madness.
''Ares what are you doing?''
''What do you mean?''
''He's just a boy! Plus, how could he have known my identity?''she pleaded, hoping to magically do the impossible and convince the Olympian to overlook the unfortunate incident. She had only wanted to flirt a bit with the visitor, enough as to attract the god's attention, but not for one minute had she imagined that things would escalate to that extent…
''Well…you should have told him…''
''My point's exactly! Don't punish him for my mistake!''
''Oh don't worry. You're not off the hook either! Now please be a doll and step back!'' Ares coldly said while gently pushing her out of his way.
The Warrior Princess was too stubborn though to drop a plan that easily.
'' I have an idea! Given that it was my fault, why don't you grant me the chance to save him ?''
''Excuse me ?!''
He couldn't believe his ears…Why did she even care about the wretched destiny of some worthless peasant she had just met?
''My Lady…it's ok . I am the only one to be blamed for this whole in incident and I take full responsibility for my actions. I should have behaved in a more honorable way. ''
''I challenge you to a fair fight- no goldy powers! If I win, he walks back to his village in one piece. ''
''And if I win, you both lose your left hand…'' the War God grimly announced- really pissed by now- but still, his dark eyes betrayed a spark of enthusiasm. ''Pick our weapons, boy!''
''Trident and net ? On horseback ? '' he hesitated, hoping from the bottom of his heart to have made the right choice, much to Ares's amusement who burst into laughter as soon as the terms of their confrontation had been announced.
''Perfect!''
''Trident and net?! Are you crazy ?!'' Xena barked, glaring daggers at him. She just couldn't help herself. "Would it have killed you to pick a bloody sword?!"
"Well I figured that's a bit too common. Maybe he doesn't know how to even use a trident! That way at least we stand a chance!'' he almost whispered that last part!
''He is the God of War! He can turn anything into a weapon you idiot! Of course he knows how to wield a trident!'' she retorted in a low but very angry voice.
''Well if you two are done arguing, I guess we can as well get this show on the road After you my Lady !'' he invited, gently touching Xena's waist and as their eyes met, the Warrior Princess was surprised to discover that they held no resentment and no anger as she would have expected. But he was going to teach her a lesson, that much she was sure of.
