Reactions And Resolutions
Chapter 8
by DQiscool
Iolaus and Hercules were pushing hard, they were so close to Amphipolis, Hercules could almost smell it. He suddenly began to wonder what Xena’s mother would look like. Would she look like Xena? Would she be muscular or weak? Would she be tall or short? So many comparisons. What would she be like? Would she blame him as he did for her daughter’s death? Would Gabrielle be there? He shook his head dismissing the thoughts. His mind turned, just focusing on the dirt path before him. He noticed each rock, each speck of dirt. Everything was picked up by his extra keen senses. He started to think of Xena but stopped himself. Concentrate on the road, he told himself. He looked at Iolaus, studying his friend. Iolaus’s gaze was fixated on the road before them, the distant horizon merely a line across their road. Hercules knew that Iolaus was having conflicting thoughts. He suddenly felt ashamed for not thinking about Iolaus. He had been so wrapped up in Xena, and himself. Actually just himself, so that he hadn’t thought about how Iolaus must feel until yesterday in that tavern. "Iolaus?" Hercules asked.
"Yes?" Iolaus replied, turning to face his friend and slowing his pace a little.
"Are you all right with this whole Xena thing? I should have asked sooner but.." Hercules trailed off.
"You weren’t in any frame of mind to ask, Hercules. I don’t blame you for that. And to answer your question, yes I’m fine. I wasn’t at first, but I understand why now. All that matters is that you love her. That’s good enough for me," Iolaus replied smiling slightly.
"Thank you," Hercules said quietly. Both men grinned and then Iolaus stopped and pointed at something. Hercules squinted and shielded his eyes from the sun. Then, he spotted what his friend was pointing at. In the horizon he could make out roof tops. Amphipolis was right there. Both men started to jog towards the city. They stopped at the village outlook and were shocked at what they saw. The village was exactly normal. Nothing different; houses, animals, people. Neither man could believe that the Warrior Princess came from the simple village. They exchanged confused glances, shrugged and started down to inquire about where to find Xena’s mother. People ran away at first, but one boy pointed towards a tavern.
"She runs the place," He added. Hercules thanked the boy and Iolaus handed over five dinars. They entered the tavern and people grew quiet.
"We’re looking for Xena’s mother," Hercules said simply. Now, the people became dead silent.
"I’m her mother," A woman replied. "I’m Cyrene," She added. "What do you want?" She asked.
"We came to see her," Iolaus replied.
"Well, in case the two of you didn’t know, she’s off traveling somewhere with Gabrielle," Cyrene said annoyed.
"Good riddance!" Someone called out. A low growl escaped Hercules throat and he started towards the man and hefted him up into the air by his collar. Iolaus placed a calming hand on his shoulder.
"Hercules, let him down," He said.
"But," Hercules began.
"He doesn’t know her the way you do," Iolaus said. Hercules sighed and let the man down who began to rub his throat. The people began to talk and back away from the man
"What does Hercules want with my daughter?" Cyrene asked worriedly.
"You haven’t heard?" Hercules asked.
"Hasn’t Gabrielle gotten here yet?" Iolaus asked confused.
"They’re on their way here?" Cyrene exclaimed.
"Well, in a way," Iolaus replied.
"Cyrene, Xena is dead," Hercules said. The room went dead silent.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle woke to find herself in a soft warm bed. She rolled over and smiled, looking at the sun through the window. She stood up slowly and stretched. She must have slept late since the sun was already at it’s peak in the sky. She yawned and then brushed her hair before going downstairs. She found Alcmene alone in the house sitting at a table drinking tea. "Would you like some?" She asked the bard.
"Yes thanks," Gabrielle said. Alcmene noticed Gabrielle’s eyes dart about searching for something.
"She’s not here," Alcmene said. "She slept on the wall," She said shaking her head. "I really don’t know why. Then she came in, said good morning and told me to tell you that she’d be back later," Alcmene said.
"She slept on the wall!" Gabrielle exclaimed.
"Yes," Alcmene said almost laughing. "That’s a strange girl my boy’s in love with," She added.
"They’re both different," Gabrielle said.
"Yes, but my boy is the way he is for a different reason. Xena has had it much harder," Alcmene admitted. Gabrielle wanted to defend Hercules but let it go. They had both had it hard. Suddenly, the door burst open and Xena stood at the open door. The wind blowing her hair wildly, her eyes lit after exercise. Gabrielle could tell that her friend was rejuvenated.
"Hello," Xena said closing the door.
"Do you always make such an entrance?" Alcmene asked.
"No," Xena replied. Gabrielle couldn’t help laughing for a moment and then cleared her throat. "Gabrielle we have to go," Xena said.
"Please, have some lunch then go," Alcmene offered. Xena looked at Gabrielle and seemed to debate the idea.
"We can’t," Xena replied. "Sorry, once I find your stubborn son, we’ll come back," Xena promised. "And I’ll hold you to that lunch," She added. Gabrielle smiled and said her good-byes to Alcmene. Xena practically dragged her outside. Xena mounted her horse, flipping up, Alcmene suddenly noticed something that Xena had been hiding. On her shoulder, something was there that wasn’t right. Xena seemed to wince as she helped Gabrielle up onto the horse. Alcmene couldn’t remember the gash before. But there it was, Gabrielle didn’t seem to notice it, even though her head rested near it as she was drawn up onto the horse behind Xena. It wasn’t a large cut, but there was something wrong with it. It was the wrong color. But, before she could say anything, the two waved and were off. Alcmene mustered a smile and waved, hoping that they would be all right. She shook her head, her son had chosen a wild one. She then went back to the house and watched them disappear into the horizon before closing her door.
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