Disclaimer: I don't own these characters, but I enjoy writing about them.
Subtext: Definitely
Violence: Yep
Language: Occasionally
Sex: Eventually
"Oh Hades! Now what have I gotten myself into? I can't be an Amazon Princess. I don't know anything about being an Amazon. Xena is not going to be happy about this." Gabrielle thought to herself as she examined her new Amazon outfit in the mirror.
Along with her new title she also received a new set of dark brown mid-calf boots, russet deer hide pants and a forest green sleeveless tunic held closed by a black leather belt.
Still studying her reflection, Gabrielle sees a flash of light behind her in the mirror.
With a look of surprise, she turns to see two goddesses giving her looks of stark appraisal.
"What do you think, Artemis? Will she not make a fine queen one day?" Athena asks the woman next to her.
"She has potential." Artemis replied thoughtfully.
Athena turns to Gabrielle, who is still looking surprised and confused, and says, "Hello my child, we need to talk."
"Um, okay. What would you like to talk about? I'm good at talking, I talk all the time, just ask Xena." She says, wondering what in hades two goddesses could possibly want with her?
"We have much to discuss. Please come with us so we will not be interrupted." Athena says, with a gentle expression and raises her hand for Gabrielle to take.
"But, Xena will wonder where I am. She'll be back soon. I should wait for her to return." Gabrielle says, worried about what Xena would say to her going off with the goddesses alone.
"Don't worry, no one will even know you were gone" Artemis replies, looking displeased with her hesitancy.
"Please Gabrielle, this is very important." Athena says, with a quiet sincerity that surprises and intrigues Gabrielle, who with a slight nod and a serious expression takes Athena's hand. In a flash of light they were gone.
Xena approached the site of the ambush looking for clues to who attacked them. Walking over to the area where Gabrielle and Terreis were, she stands there with her hands on her hips and pivots around toward the direction the arrows came from and heads that way examining everything in her path. She stops suddenly, as if finding something interesting. Then she says "I know you're there, you can come out now." A slim, curly haired blonde amazon dropped out of the tree landing lightly next to her.
Xena studied the amazon briefly, "Ephiny, right?"
The amazon raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise. "Yes, how did you know?
Xena shrugged, "Good ears. I heard someone call you that when we were walking earlier."
Ephiny thought about that for a moment, then nodded. "So, find anything?" She asked Xena, gesturing to the surrounding area.
"Yeah, I picked up their trail. It heads off that way." Xena said, pointing off into the woods.
Then she turned and walked off following the trail, with Ephiny close behind.
"So, what's with the kid? You get stuck babysitting or something? Ephiny asked, curiously.
Xena gave her a look and said, "She's not a kid. She's my friend."
"You have friends?" Ephiny asked, surprised.
Xena gave her another look.
"Okay. Sorry." Ephiny said apologetically.
Xena stopped suddenly holding a hand up gesturing for Ephiny to be quiet. Then she took to the trees moving silently from branch to branch. Ephiny followed the warriors path through the trees, stopping when Xena did and peering around the warrior to see what had caught her eye.
In the distance, they could see a small army camped in a clearing, soldiers moving around, attending to their equipment and preparing for battle.
As she surveyed the camp, she spotted the command tent and patiently watched to see who was leading this army.
Finally, after what seemed like candle marks, Xena saw movement. Peering closely, she cursed. "Krycus! That son of a bachae! Figures. I wonder what he's up to?"
Ephiny gave Xena a curious look. "You know him?
"Yeah, I've had dealings with him in the past. He's a two bit hack, always looking for an angle. Xena said, her mind already formulating a plan.
A few moments later and a quick scan of the camp, Xena grinned.
Ephiny watched her, wondering what the warrior was thinking.
"We need a diversion. See those barrels over there in the supply wagons?" Xena asked Ephiny, pointing to the wagons on the far side of the camp.
"Yeah." Ephiny replied, studying the wagons and the area around them.
"Those barrels are full of oil. Think you can make your way over there and set them on fire?" Xena asked, with a grin and a raised eyebrow.
Ephiny thought for a moment, then said, "No problem. What are you gonna be doing?"
Xena chuckled, "After you set the fire, all hades is gonna break loose. I'll come in from behind and make my way to the command tent. I'll grab Krycus and meet you back here. Then we can find out what he's up to and stop it."
Ephiny gave her a grin and a nod. "See you soon. Good luck!" Then turned and made her way through the trees toward her goal. Leaving Xena to start off around the camp. She moved quickly through the trees, finding a good spot to settle in and wait for Ephiny's signal.
Meanwhile, Ephiny made her way over to the tree line next to the wagons. Then dropped quietly to the ground, pausing a moment to make sure she wasn't spotted. She crouched down in the tall grass and slowly made her way to the wagons. Once there, she glanced around to check for enemies close by. When she didn't see anyone she examined the barrels, and took one down setting it on the ground under the wagon. She pulled the cork out and poured, forming a large pool under the wagon. Taking out her flint and striker she shot a few sparks toward the oil pool and it burst into flame. Moving quickly, Ephiny dived for the tall grass and made her way back to the trees. Following the same route, she headed back to the place where Xena said to meet.
Watching from her hiding spot, Xena saw the wagon burst into flames and soldiers running for water to put it out. She moved in toward the command tent, watching to make sure Krycus didn't leave it. She made her way inside the tent and saw Krycus standing over a table studying some parchments spread across it. She came up behind him, grabbed his shoulder, swung him around and punched him. She caught him as he started to fall, out cold from her hit. She slung him over her shoulder and checked to make sure everyone was still busy, and headed back the way she came.
Moving stealthily through the trees, Xena spotted Ephiny where they had agreed to meet. She made her way to the tree and signaled to her. Ephiny joined her on the ground and they started back toward the village.