The days had grown a good deal shorter with the sunlight nearly fading from the evening sky as a loud thud came from the Conqueror's study from a fist slamming onto her desk as she stood up from her seat and addressed the man standing before her.
XENA
(Angry tone) What do you mean you don't have any information?
MESSAGER
Forgive me, my lord. But it seems that due to the recent change in the weather, it's made tracking Draco's movements much more difficult.
XENA
(Angry tone) You realize that the snow would make it more difficult for him and his army to move around as well. So don't you even try using that as a pathetic excuse for you or your team's incompetence.
MESSAGER
Then what would you have us do differently? We've been running ourselves into the ground for nearly a month now. Ever since you decided that finding Draco was out sole focus, my men and several other battalions have been going nearly nonstop to locate him and his army. We're exhausted and moral is down. And now that the cold and snow has begun to settle in, I'm afraid that sentiments among the soldiers aren't getting any better. So if I may, I think it would be wise to perhaps ease up on our efforts to locate Draco for the time being. At least until the spring anyway.
XENA
(Angry tone) Your men?
The Conqueror scowled, not happy with the way of which she was being spoken to by her subordinate.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) It seems that you've somehow forgotten who it is that's in charge around here.
The solider stood stiff as he could practically feel the Conqueror's anger radiating off of her as she almost casually walked out from behind her desk and made her way over to the man while she continued to speak.
XENA
(Cold tone) You're soldiers. It's not your job to wine and complain about the orders you're given. Your job is to go out there and fight for the kingdom that you swore to serve.
The soldier remained unmoving as Xena walked around him before stopping right behind him as she spoke menacingly into his ear.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) "My" kingdom. Meaning you do as I fucking say and keep your mouth shut and your worthless opinions to yourself.
SOLDIER
Then what are we supposed to do? Because what we're doing now clearly isn't working and I... ak!..
Feeling his airway suddenly cut off, the soldier himself unable to continue making his case as he felt the Conqueror's hand tightly gripping around his throat as she applied a great deal of pressure against the man's windpipe.
XENA
(Cold tone) You already know full well what I expect from you. But you don't seem to wanna listen.
Keeping her grip tight on his throat, Xena took her boot and pressed it into the back of the soldier's knee and forced him into a kneeling position as she continued to talk.
XENA
(Cold tone) But perhaps now I have your attention?
Unable to breathe, thus vocalize his reply, the soldier nodded as he began to try and pull Xena's hand from his neck. However, he soon found himself shoved forward with the Conqueror's knee in his back as his arms were pinned beneath both of their full weight and unable to move as his struggle to breathe continued.
XENA
(Cold tone) Good. Then maybe you'll remember your place and keep in mind that if you don't like how I'm doing things, I can easily relieve you of your duties in a very permanent way. Do I make myself clear?
The soldier nodded as he felt his vision beginning to fade and tried to move but was unable as Xena put more of her weight down on the suffocating man when she leaned down closer to his face that was crazed back from her hold on his neck.
XENA
(Menacing tone) What was that? I'm afraid I couldn't quite hear you.
The soldier gasped as he frantically tried to push out any kind of vocal response from his restricted airway before he was lost to the darkness that threatened to claim his consciousness and then likely his very life and finally somehow managed to barely get out a single, small word that he desperately hoped would be enough to release him from this tortured fate.
SOLDIER
(Gasping) Y-es.
Satisfied with the man's reply, Xena released her grip on his throat and heard a loud gasp from the soldier who was once again allowed to breathe as she stood up from kneeling on his back and casually walked back to her seat behind her desk. The man coughed as he got back to his feet and rubbed his throat as he began to regulate his breathing after taking several deep inhales of oxygen.
XENA
(Stern tone) Now get back to the barracks. We're done here.
SOLDIER
(Breathing heavily) Yes, my lord.
Remaining in her seat, Xena watched with an unfeeling expression on her face as the shaken soldier did his best to get out of the room as fast as he could without making it obvious but failed miserably as he opened the door and was nearly knocked to the floor when he ran into Leonidas who just happened to be entering the room at the same time. The lieutenant looked at the young man who was visibly shaking up as he excused himself and hurried out the door and down the stairs from the Conqueror's study.
LEONIDAS
Based on the way that young men just bolted out of here as though he were being chased by the hound of Hades, Cerberus himself, I take it that you've already received the latest update from the field.
Xena made an irritated grumble that Leonidas translated to being a yes as he walked up and stood in front of her desk as Xena began looking over a few papers that were laid out on her desk.
LEONIDAS
If I may, can I ask you a question my lord?
XENA
What?
LEONIDAS
Why the sudden increased interest in locating Draco?
Xena lifted her eyes from the paper as she glared at her lieutenant.
XENA
(Slightly Irritated tone) There's nothing sudden about it Leonidas. You know that I've been trying to pin down his movements since our last meeting.
LEONIDAS
Yes but he's been silent for quite a few moons now, so why the more focused effort now?
XENA
(Irritated tone) He's our enemy. And if you'll remember the reason I'm gonna have a good-sized scar in the middle of my chest that I have every intention of paying him back for.
LEONIDAS
Well yes, but it just seems like interesting timing that you've decided to place more efforts into your war against Draco shortly after the complicated way things were left with the Amazon's when they departed a few weeks ago.
XENA
(Irritated tone) So what.
LEONIDAS
Well it just seems interesting that you would increase your interest in fighting Draco when you turned queen Melosa away without your help after the disagreement the two of you had over where the little one belongs.
The Conqueror narrowed her eyes in suspicion.
XENA
(Quiet irritated tone) What exactly are you getting at here?
Leonidas could tell that the Conqueror's mood had suddenly gotten worse as he realized that he had unintentionally brought up a what appeared to be a surprisingly touchy subject, and decided that weither he was right or not In the Conqueror's reasoning for her refocusing on Draco that it was probably best for him to keep such thoughts to himself as he didn't want to be on the receiving end of Xena's already foul mood.
LEONIDAS
Nothing. I just thought it seemed odd that you would seemingly assist the Amazons when you're currently at odds with their leader.
XENA
Well this has nothing to do with Melosa or any of the rest of them. I was already at war with Draco before those women came here. I couldn't care less what happens in their conflict with him. All I want is for that bastard and Ares to pay for all the damned trouble they've caused me.
A small, evil smirk appeared on Xena's face.
XENA
And if Draco's too busy dealing with the Amazons, that gives me just the opportunity that I need to take him off guard and finally finish what he started.
Her smile got slightly bigger as a nefarious idea crossed the Conqueror's mind.
XENA
And who knows, maybe when I'm done with Draco I'll be able to pick up a bit more land that was previously unavailable due to that now worthless treaty.
LEONIDAS
My lord, you don't actually intend to go after the Amazons after you deal with Draco, do you?
XENA
I'm thinking about it.
LEONIDAS
Don't you think that this is a bit of an overreaction to the disagreement you had with queen Melosa?
XENA
She's the one who made the choice to break our treaty, so no. No treaty means that there isn't anything stopping me from doing what I should've done long ago by bringing those lands under my control.
(Sinister tone) And if Melosa or any of the rest of those people dare to stand In my way, I'll put a brutal and painful end to all of them.
And with those words, the Conqueror walked passed Leonidas as she left the room, leaving her lieutenant somewhat stunned by the sudden coldness being shown to the people who for some time now had been one of their greatest allies, as he silently questioned the drastic shift in the Conqueror's priorities while watching Xena disappear from view as she went about whatever business she had in mind to do.
EPHINY
Here we are Gabrielle. Sorry it took so long to get you completely situated due to dealing with Terreis's funeral and giving Melosa and everyone else time to grieve.
Gabrielle stepped into the small hut that Ephiny held the door open to.
GABRIELLE
It's okay, really. I know that I'm officially going to be brought into the tribe and next in line for queen in just a little while, but you really don't have to treat me any differently than anyone else. And given everything with Terreis, I completely understand that things around here haven't really been normal since we got back here.
EPHINY
But that's how things are done here Gabrielle.
The Amazon shut the door behind them and walked further into the hut that was larger than the rooms that Gabrielle had both at the keep and in the room she shared with her sister back in Potidea.
EPHINY
Remember you're not just another person here. You're not only an Amazon now, but the next in line to become the leader of our people.
Gabrielle walked over to a set of chairs that sat with a small table as she looked at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
I know. But as much as I don't wanna admit it, the Conqueror was right about my not knowing what I'm doing.
Gabrielle lowered her eyes sadly as she thought about Terreis.
GABRIELLE
I mean Terreis was my friend, and she was dying. I just wanted to make her happy and to not worry about whatever this rite of caste stuff means.
EPHINY
You know having second thoughts about such a big decision is normal Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
It's not just that, what if Terreis made a mistake and I can't do what's expected of me?
EPHINY
Well, you'll be giving a proper introduction into your role later, but in short beingprincess means that you're gonna be taking on a lot of responsibilities once you've officially been brought into the tribe.
She looked back up at Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
What if I made the wrong choice in accepting this?
EPHINY
It's a bit late to be thinking about that isn't it?
Gabrielle sighed.
GABRIELLE
Yeah, I guess it is.
There was a bit of silence between them as Ephiny decided to take that as a good time to leave.
EPHINY
Well I know that this has all been a lot for you, so I'll let you get some rest. Tomorrow's gonna be a busy day with your offical initiation ceremony.
Ephiny walked over to the door of Gabrielle's temporary hut and looked back at the new member of the tribe.
EPHINY
Someone will be in in a little bit to bring you in some clothes for the ceremony in the morning. In the meantime feel free to let me or anyone else know if there's anything you need.
GABRIELLE
I'm okay. Thanks Ephiny.
EPHINY
Alright. Well don't be afraid to speak up if you do. And someone will come get you when it's time for the ceremony in the morning. Good night Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Night.
With that Ephiny left the small hut as Gabrielle sat there in thought for a bit as everything about this new, unexpected life began to sink in as she stood up to answer the door to receive a set of new, Amazon style clothing had been set out for her and after looking at the beautiful outfit for a moment, Gabrielle took a breath as she decided what she wanted to do and hung up the outfit for the next day before returning to sitting on her new bed as she thought back to Terreis' funeral that had taken place several days prior. It was a somber ceremony as an Amazonian song rang out as the flame was lit to send Terreis's spirit into the Amazon afterlife and Gabrielle stood among the crowd before watching a number of the women take part in a traditional dance that though she didn't fully understand, figured it was one of the many traditions and rituals that she would soon be learning after she took her new place among these people and their way of life. But as the ceremony ended and the preparations for Gabrielle to become part of the tribe would soon begin, there was an unexpected danger that lingered in the shadows of the village. A danger that if Gabrielle had known lurked just around the corner, she may have thought twice about taking on this new life. A life that though miles away, Xena would soon uncover was in grave danger as she would soon uncover a pivotal clue to whothe culprits behind Terreis's murder were. But with the Amazon's village being a fair distance away from the keep, would the Conqueror's discovery come too late? And would she even care to do anything about it? Or had Gabrielle already sealed her fate when she chose to come to the village and become the next in line for the Amazon throne. Of which blood had already been spilled for, and that those responsible were fully prepared to do again in order to get rid of anyone who stood in their way. A list that had several names on it. Of which due to her soon-to-be new offical position among the tribe, now included Gabrielle.
TO BE CONTINUED...