"Ares,I know your here." Xena said as she walked around Ares' temple.Suddenly she whirled around to find Ares before her."Why is it your the only mortal that can do that?" Ares asked her, his right hand resting lightly on the hilt of his sword."Just unlucky I guess." Ares' eyebrows rose a fraction. "Alright ,cut to the chase Xena. Why are you here? Your not the one to pay social calls." "Well, it has to do with the City of Atlantis and the Star of Poseidon." "And what does this have to do with me?"Ares asked."Oh ,didn't you know you stole it?" She replied. Ares clapped sarcastically. "Oh,very good Xena,but for once your a slightly off. See I know who stole it, but I didn't do it. " Xena rolled her eyes disbeleivingly. "Don't play innocent with me Ares. You' ve always had an insatiable lust for power. " Ares smiled rougishly "And other things as well." Suddenly a man stepped out of no where. "Actually Xena, he's telling the truth. He didn't do a thing. And stole is such a harsh word when borrowed is so much better." The unknown man grinned. "Who are you?" Xena asked incredulously. All of a sudden there was a clatter as a pot fell over and Gabrielle stepped sheepishly out of the door way."That's for me to know and you to find out." He said as he grabbed Gabrielle and disappeared.
Ares swore and looked at Xena. "I knew I wasn't imagining the feeling of being watched!" Xena ignored him for the moment. "Who was that?" She asked as she leveled her icy glare at him. "That was Ascelious. A lesser greek god." "And???" "And he's always resented that fact. He's never had many worshipers. Most people haven't even heard of him." Ares shrugged. "I imagine he's hoping for a little more recognition and power." Xena nodded, and looked pensive. "That makes sense, but why would he tell me he did it? Why not let me go on believing it was you?" "Maybe he wants to insure he is known as the god who stole The Poseidon's Star. " Ares paused and glanced at the spot where Gabrielle once stood. "Or maybe he wants to be known as the god who stole The Star and defeated The Warrior Princess?" Xena raised an eyebrow at that but didn't deny the truth in his words. She abruptly switched topics to something Ares had said earlier.
"Why would Ascelious be watching you?" Ares hesitated and looked down at the ring on his left hand. "This is The Ring of Tauras. It has many interesting uses and abilities." Ares glanced at Xena to gauge her reaction. She looked up from the red glitter of the ring with a hard look in her eye. Ares smiled slightly at this. "I know your not happy about the ring being in my possession, but isn't it safer with me than with him? I don't have any immediate plans for it." Xena continued to stare at him. "We'll see."
Just then Iolaus, Salmoneus, Joxer, Hercules, and Autolycus walked in. "Where's Gabrielle?" Iolaus asked. "A god named Ascelious took her." Xena said, then added. "And I thought I told you to stay at the inn?" "Gabrielle snuck out and we knew she'd most likely come here, so we followed her." Autolycus supplied. Hercules glared at his half brother. "Does Ares have a part in this?" "Not this time little brother. As a matter of fact I was trying to help." Ares glanced at Xena as if seeking confirmation. Hercules sneered at him. "Enough!" Xena intervened before they could start anything. "We need to work on finding Gabrielle." Xena looked at Ares, "Do you know where he might have taken her and The Poseidon's Star?" "I have a pretty good idea. Ascelious only has one temple. As a matter of fact it used to be mine. Long story. You should recongnize it though Xena." He stared at her intently. "Is it far from here?" Xena questioned him. "It's 2 miles east of Corinth." Ares answered with a sigh, when she showed no reaction. "Good luck." He added before disapearing in his usual showy way. Xena turned to face her friends. "Can we really trust him?" Iolaus asked her. "We'll have to for now. I'll explain everything on the way. Let's go." She headed for the door with the others not far behind her. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
CHAPTER TWO
"We need you to find some gourds Joxer.I think you can atleast do that." Xena snapped at him. She had experienced quite enough of his ineptness after over an hour of watching him bumble after them. "Sure Xena!" "Salmoneus, you and Joxer are going set the gourds on fire once we stuff them with explosives and then you'll throw them at the castle. Alright?" "Ok!" "Good, now we need someone to go in and pose as a king for part of the distraction." "I will!"Autolycus volunteered."No I need you to come with me and pick any locks that might stand in my way. I guess that leaves you Iolaus."
