Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter five of "Running Around." I decided to resume this fic after a nineteen-month hiatus. This chapter has a little of Eric/Snow White. The group will be assisting in helping the war victims in the next chapter or so. Stay tuned for chapter six.

XXXXX

Chapter 5: Going Forward

The group reached a less dense part of the forest forty-five minutes later. It listened to the sounds of distant explosions, braying, and bleating. Kiki, Lina, Moses, Argo, and Amber whinnied somewhat fearfully. Eric, Snow White, William, Xena, and Gabrielle patted their necks gently. This calmed the horses down. Belach gripped Argo's saddle horn tightly. He looked down at Solan, who turned to him.

"So, do you enjoy life on the road?" Belach wondered.

"I do. I feel alive going from one place to the next," Solan admitted with a smile. "The best part is catching my own food."

"When did you start gathering food on your own?" Belach commented and rubbed his neck.

"I was seven when I did that for the first time. I felt so good about it, especially when I killed my first rabbit. Dad wanted me to be self-sufficient in case anything happened to him," Solan explained.

Belach frowned. "I heard Ben died from a lung infection. I am really sorry."

"Thank you. I am sure you have many scars from—well, you know," Solan said, moving his hand in a circle.

"I have some. The physical beatings weren't too bad most of the time. At least I could heal from them. Being emotionally beaten was another matter. I was called stupid, ugly, hopeless, lazy, and a host of other things by many masters. I began to believe them myself," Belach said, sighing heavily.

"Did you emotionally guard yourself from the kind masters?" Solan asked, his eyes full of curiosity.

"In the beginning, I did. After I found they were not going to treat me like crap, I opened up to them. They treated me like I was part of their family," Belach said.

"Friends are often like family," Solan said, a small smile forming on his face.

"That is true. It is said you should keep your friends close and your enemies closer," Belach said honestly.

Solan snorted. "I learned betrayal never came from the unfriendly. It came from those who acted the friendliest."

Belach opened his waterskin and took a long sip of water. He offered it to Solan, who took it. Solan mouthed 'Thank you' to him before sipping some water. He handed it back to him. Belach closed it before inhaling deeply and exhaling slowly.

"What was my real father like to you?" Solan wondered.

"He was a ruthless commander toward his troops, but he was very caring to Mom and me. He acted in a very similar manner to Xena, who often babysat me. I enjoyed being in her presence, despite she could be rather mean to her troops. I didn't like it when she and Dad were ruthless toward villagers. Neither did Mom," Belach explained.

"It is hard to turn from such a dark path. Many people have to try to get away from it many times before they succeed," Solan commented in amazement.

"I know," Belach agreed. "Monsters usually aren't born. They are made. I suspected almost all my cruel masters were treated very badly by their families as children."

"Some people turn cold after a very traumatizing event. It helps them mask their pain," Solan murmured, sadness showing in his voice.

"We should never force anyone to share that pain. They will do it if they ever feel ready," Belach pointed out truthfully.

"Right," Solan agreed.

As Belach and Solan continued talking, Xena looked toward them. She watched them carefully. She turned to Gabrielle, who tightened her grip on Amber's reins.

"It is nice to see Belach and Solan getting along well," Xena said with a smile.

"Who would've thought the two brothers would meet like they did?" Gabrielle asked, giving a shrug.

"I know, right?" Xena responded and chuckled to herself. "It warms my heart Belach grew up into a strong young man. It sucks he had to live the life of a slave."

"I would be where he was if it hadn't been for you stopping those bandits," Gabrielle pointed out.

"You kept begging to come with me. I wasn't really down for a traveling companion. After a series of events, I finally agreed to take you with me. You grew from a naïve farm girl to a fierce warrior," Xena commented, putting her arm around her shoulder and giving her a hug.

"It wasn't easy learning to be a warrior, but it was very satisfying," Gabrielle said, proudness lining her voice.

"You never stop learning anything," Xena murmured while releasing her hold on her. "Some people have an insatiable thirst for knowledge."

"Yeah," Gabrielle agreed. "They continue to gather information on various things, even if it seems they have learned everything they need to know."

"Knowledge is power," Xena said, seriousness lining her voice. "You wouldn't be able to get far in life without it."

Xena and Gabrielle tugged on Argo and Amber's reins. Eric, Snow White, and William followed suit with Kiki, Lina, and Moses. The horses picked up their pace a tiny bit. They emitted soft snorts.

"I hope we get out of this forest soon. I am anxious to get away from the battlefield," Snow White whispered and swallowed hard.

"Aye," Eric agreed. "Solan is right. The forest does feel like it goes on forever."

"Sometimes, you go from one forest into another," Snow White commented and chuckled humorlessly. "It's like the number is endless."

"Some forests are magical like the Dark Forest and the Sanctuary. They may shift at any given moment," Eric said, looking around.

Snow White shuddered badly. "Danger is around every corner. You never know who or what you might run into."

"Like how you ran into me," Eric said, holding out his hand.

"Exactly," Snow White agreed and took it into hers. She gave it a gentle squeeze. "I was scared and didn't want to trust you at first, but something told me to do so."

Eric smiled. "Look where we are now."

Argo, Amber, Lina, Kiki, and Moses whinnied alarmingly. They came to a stop and swiveled their ears. They dug their hooves through the soil. They planted them firmly there. William formed a confused expression on his face. He tightened his grip on his horse's reins.

"What's going on?" William wondered, his body beginning to shake.

"The horses have sensed someone nearby," Xena said, her eyes narrowing.

"Someone needs to go investigate," Gabrielle suggested.

"Good idea, Gabrielle," Xena agreed with a nod. She looked toward Eric, who turned to her after letting go of his wife. "Eric, why don't you come with me and find out who is nearby?"

"Are you sure you should—" Eric started.

"Eric, don't argue with Xena. It's not worth it," Snow White insisted softly.

"Okay," Eric said, eyeing her.

"Stay here, everyone," Xena commanded in a stern voice. "We will be right back."

Xena handed Argo's reins to Solan after he came to her side. Eric mimicked her movements with Kiki regarding Snow White. They walked quickly away from the group. They spotted a large bush. They made their way to it, their hearts skipping two beats. They looked through the branches to see fifty-year-old Chase surrounded by battle-weary men.

Chase ran his tongue all over the inside of his mouth. He was as tall as Eric was. He was somewhat muscular. He was light-skinned and had no hair on his head whatsoever. His brown eyes contained bags underneath them. Wrinkles decorated his face. A scar could be seen on his left cheek. It happened to be horizontal. He emitted a determined chuckle.

"I am telling you that victory is near, my men. We have fought so long for Kiforth's freedom. These Passilian scum will soon feel the boots of justice kicking them in their asses," Chase growled fiercely while putting his hand on his butt.

"I am so ready to deliver that to them, General Chase!" a young man blurted out in much delight.

"Don't forget me," a middle-aged man added. "I want a chance to slaughter and kick them in their asses."

"May the Kiforthians win this war and have fulfilling lives forever!" Chase shouted as he unsheathed his sword. "Come on."

Chase raced to Oliver as his men went their separate ways. Oliver was black all over with the exception of white sock markings extending just past his ankles. His eyes were blue. His left cheek contained a tiny scar, as did his left hindquarter. Chase mounted him and grabbed the reins to give them a jerk to the left. Oliver proceeded to gallop away. Eric and Xena looked at each other, smirks showing on their faces.

"You ready to teach that general a lesson?" Eric wondered.

"I am so ready, but let's tell the others first," Xena responded.

He blinked. "Of course."

Eric and Xena headed back to the group quickly. Snow White let go of Lina and Kiki's reins. She went to her husband, taking hold of his hand and squeezing it hard.

"What did you see?" Snow White wondered.

"You won't believe this, but we saw General Chase of the Kiforthian army. He has been slaughtering innocent Passilians for quite some time," Eric answered gravely.

Belach gasped shockingly. "That was the man who stabbed me!"

"Gabrielle, I want you to take everyone else to a safe place. Eric and I are going to take care of business," Xena said firmly.

"Okay," Gabrielle said as Solan came to her side. She gave him Argo's reins, seeing him pat her nose.

"Be careful, Mother," Solan warned.

Xena smiled. "I will, son. Come on, Eric."

Eric and Xena left as William took hold of Kiki's reins. Snow White returned to Lina, taking hers. Gabrielle tugged on Amber's reins and started heading southeast. Snow White, William, and Solan followed suit with Lina, Kiki, Moses, and Argo.