It was a couple of days later as Xena and Gabrielle continued their travel on the road to Athens. A trip that was taking a little longer than Xena had anticipated due to Gabrielle's sore ankle, along with a bout of bad weather that had brought their venture to a stop when heavy rains forced the two to take shelter from the downpour. But with Gabrielle's ankle feeling better and the sun shining bright overhead, it now looked to be smooth sailing ahead. Or, for the most part, at least, as Xena had noticed that something about Gabrielle seemed a little off. Something that she couldn't quite put her finger on, and wasn't sure how or if she should even bring it up. After all, Gabrielle was the more talkative and open one of the two of them. So Xena figured if there truly was something bothering the young woman, she'd undoubtedly hear about it sooner rather than later. So, instead of bringing up a potentially unpleasant conversation, the warrior decided to just keep any conversation she made casual.

XENA

How's that ankle feeling? It's not sore or swollen, is it?

Hearing Xena's voice interrupt the quiet daydreaming she'd fallen into but not catching what she had said, Gabrielle looked toward the taller woman who was walking beside her.

GABRIELLE

Huh?

XENA

Your ankle, Gabrielle. How's it feeling?

GABRIELLE

Oh.

Gabrielle raised her previously injured ankle out in front of her and rotated it.

GABRIELLE

Much better actually.

XENA

You sure? Because when I asked after you first got hurt...

Gabrielle put her foot down and turned to face the dark-haired woman.

GABRIELLE

Look, I know I tried to hide that I was hurt before, but I really am fine now.

The blonde picked up her other foot to stand just on the ankle that had been hurt.

GABRIELLE

See?

Xena studied Gabrielle for any indication that she was experiencing discomfort and was silently relieved to not see any before the other woman returned to standing normally.

GABRIELLE

I'm fine. Now will you stop worrying?

Convinced that Gabrielle's ankle was indeed okay, Xena decided to let the discussion about it go.

XENA

Fine.

The two continued walking with Argo not far behind as Gabrielle tried to keep the conversation going with the typically quiet warrior woman and changed topics

GABRIELLE

So about how much further do you think we have 'til we get to Athens?

XENA

Shouldn't be too long. Maybe a day and a half. Two if we run into more trouble or bad weather.

Gabrielle let out a small, sarcastic huff.

GABRIELLE

(Joking tone) Well given that it's us, I wouldn't be surprised if we run into enough problems that it takes us another week before we get there.

Then suddenly, as if on cue, just as the words left Gabrielle's lips several voices came from the distance that caught both her and the warrior's attention.

GABRIELLE

What's that?

Xena looked toward the source of the sound.

XENA

Not sure but it sounds like there's a pretty big group coming our way.

Motioning for the younger woman to stay put, Xena stepped forward several feet as she focused her hearing on the unknown noise heading their direction.

GABRIELLE

Xena?

Gabrielle watched as Xena crouched down and placed her hand flat to the ground and saw a scowl appear on the woman's face.

GABRIELLE

What is it?

XENA

Trouble.

Quickly standing up, Xena reached over her shoulder and drew her sword before turning her attention to Gabrielle and grabbing Argo's reins.

XENA

Quick, into the bushes.

GABRIELLE

What? Why?

Xena began moving with the mare into the nearby trees and bushes to get out of sight, and was about to say something when both she and Gabrielle heard a man's voice shouting, telling Gabrielle the reasoning for the sudden heightened alertness that Xena had taken on, causing the blonde to hastily follow the other woman without any further questions.

SOLDIER

This way. Kill 'em!

Under cover of the trees, both women stood silently; each pressed up against a large truck as a large group of armed soldiers came from up ahead and marched through the area. It was obvious that they were on the move for battle. Something that, despite her lack of firsthand experience on such things, it was just as clear to Gabrielle as it was to a battle-tested warrior like, Xena what was happening as the two waited several long minutes in silence for the soldiers to pass and move out of the immediate area.

GABRIELLE

Maybe we should take the southern route.

Once the coast was clear, both women moved out from hiding, and Gabrielle walked over to where Xena stood with Argo as the younger woman looked in the direction that the soldiers had gone.

XENA

This is the shortest route to Athens.

GABRIELLE

Yeah, but if there's a war going on here, I'm not sure how much faster it can be if we have to keep dodging two armies.

Gabrielle shook her head in sadness.

GABRIELLE

War, it's just so senseless.

Knowing from the time they had now been together on the road how much things like this bothered her friend, Xena placed a comforting hand on Gabrielle's shoulder.

XENA

This one's more senseless than most. It's a civil war; brother against brother.

GABRIELLE

But why? What's so important here that's worth fighting and killing their own people?

XENA

Same reason we're here. This forest is the only way between Thessaly and Mitoa. So whoever controls it, controls...

A sudden noise cut Xena off as she held her sword ready and moved toward another group of bushes to investigate as Gabrielle followed. Then motioning for the younger woman to stay quiet, Xena cautiously reached out and pushed aside the plant life to find a shocking sight that neither she nor Gabrielle would have expected to find in the middle of the war-torn area.

GABRIELLE

Ephiny?

Surprised to find her Amazon friend in the area, Gabrielle looked around for signs of any other of her Amazonian sisters but quickly realized that Ephiny had clearly come alone; otherwise, there would surely be someone with her.

XENA

That's a pretty nasty gash. Fortunately, it's not life-threatening.

The warrior sheathed her weapon as she moved to crouch beside the Amazon to examine her condition as concern fell over the warrior after having easily taken notice of Ephiny's drastically enlarged belly from the last time they had met.

XENA

Your baby, it's just about due.

EPHINY

The pains started not long ago.

While letting Xena continue her examination, Gabrielle knelt beside the curly-haired Amazon.

GABRIELLE

What are you doing here so far outside of Amazon territory?

Ephiny took a breath as she fought through a bout of sharp labor pain and waited a moment for it to pass before answering.

EPHINY

Phantes and I were on our way to Athens. We wanted the baby to be born there.

Hearing the Centaur's name and realizing he was nowhere to be seen, Xena questioned the Amazon woman about his whereabouts.

EPHINY

He was trying to find a safe way around the battle. But he...

Ephiny paused for a moment as both Xena and Gabrielle could see a look of grief fall over the Amazon's face.

EPHINY

(sad tone) ...was captured and killed by Mitoan's. I've been hiding here since. I think for two or three days. I'm not sure. He was killed trying to protect me.

The woman looked down as she fought the tears building from her heartbreak and guilt.

GABRIELLE

It's not your fault, there's nothing you could've done like this.

Gabrielle took her friend's hand to offer what small comfort she could.

GABRIELLE

Plus, why would they even attack you or Phantes in the first place?

XENA

It's war, Gabrielle. And Phantes got in the way.

Gabrielle shook her head in disgust before looking over to the dark-haired warrior.

GABRIELLE

(Slightly angry tone) Well, someone has to stop it. How many innocent people need to suffer because of this madness?

XENA

You're right Gabrielle. Something does need to be done.

With a look of determination, Xena stood and moved to retrieve Argo.

XENA

Stay here with Ephiny.

Not liking where she thought Xena's mind was going, Gabrielle quickly reached out to take Xena's arm causing the warrior to stop and look back at her.

GABRIELLE

Wait, where are you going?

XENA

I'm gonna find a safe place for Ephiny to have her baby. And then I'm gonna stop this war.

Gabrielle looked at the older woman in disbelief as she let go of her..

GABRIELLE

Xena, you can't be serious. I get that you're capable of doing things that no one else can, but even you can't stop a war single-handedly.

Turning away from Gabrielle, Xena looked over her shoulder and uttered three simple words to the young woman before turning her attention ahead and walking off with a purpose in her steps.

XENA

Just watch me.

TO BE CONTINUED...