The morning sun found the warrior and the bard high in a oak tree on a small rise overlooking the Hun camp below. Xena touched Gabrielle’s lips with her finger and then pointed down between the trees. After a moment, Gabrielle picked up the movement of Hun guards and nodded. For quite awhile, Xena continued to stare at the camp below. It was very orderly with three main clusters of tents, a central tent and eating area. The horses were kept to one side and were well guarded.

Xena motioned for Gabrielle to stay and silently slipped down from her high perch to the ground. She noiselessly glided through the trees. It was almost impossible for Gabrielle to follow her path as she
moved between the guards. Finally, she lost sight of her altogether. After what seemed like years, a rustle
at the bottom of the tree alerted Gabrielle that the warrior had returned. Xena motioned to her to come
down and the two quietly slipped away from the Hun camp.

"Well?" Gabrielle asked with her eyes wide with concern.

Xena glanced around and decided they had traveled far enough from the Huns to speak freely. She knelt down, drew her dagger and began to draw a map in the soft dirt. "The Huns are holding a csata tomorrow and plan to break camp the next day. That doesn’t give us much time."

Gabrielle knelt down next to the warrior and looked at her with shinning eyes. "You have a plan."

"Ahuh."

The bard ginned openly. Xena’s supreme confidence was infectious. "So?"

"Gabrielle, we’re going to have to split up." Before the bard could protest, the warrior continued. "Look at this map I’ve drawn. The Huns are here and a day’s ride to the southeast lies Amazon territory and the Centaur village across the river. The most direct route into the central valley and our home villages is through Amazon country and over the pass between the mountains. Your job is to get to the Amazons and Centaurs and lay a trap for the Huns. Then you must travel over the pass and warn my home village of Amphipolis and your village of Poteidaia in case the Amazons and Centaurs are defeated. You’ll have to help the villagers set up defenses and get them to hide the old people and the children."

"And while I’m doing all of this, just what are you up to?"

"I must stall the Huns for a few weeks to give you time. Then I’ve got to get them to divide their forces so that only a third or so actually attack the Amazon village and the rest head up into the narrow pass. If you divide the Amazons and Centaurs, half for the village and the rest for the pass, we may be able to defeat the whole Hun army.

"Xena, just how are you going to delay the Huns and get them to attack the way you want?" Gabrielle looked at her friend’s sparkling blue eyes and then shook her head. Xena was actually enjoying all of this. "I know, I know. You have many skills."

Gabrielle gave her friend an exasperated stare. "So just how are the Amazons and Centaurs suppose to trap the Huns?"

"Remember what I said about the Hun’s strength? They charge into villages on horseback. So, you should have a few Amazons on the ground as decoys and the rest in the trees with cross bows and spears. Tell Ephiny to dip the arrow heads in Amazon poison. It is a very lethal brew that kills on contact. It defuses through the skin, so you don’t even need to have a direct hit.

"Why haven’t I heard about the Amazons using this poison before?" Gabrielle asked with a puzzled look on her face.

"No one really likes to use it since it is so deadly. The archers have to wear protection on their hands and the clean up afterwards is tough. You really need to pay attention or you can wipe out your own people."

Xena continued with a thoughtful look on her face. "Have the centaurs take out the Hun rear guard and press the Hun forces from the back. The Amazons should be able to cut them down and the Centaurs can take care of the rest. At the pass, have the same deployment; Amazons in the trees and behind rocks high up on the canyon walls and Centaurs to the rear."

"What’s to keep the Huns from just riding over the pass and into the valley and villages below?"

"Dig an Amazon death pit in the front. The Huns won’t be able to get over it and the Centaurs can press from the rear. It should be easy for the Amazons in the trees and on sides of the high canyon to pick apart the Hun army. Make sure that nobody tries to take on the Huns on the ground with swords. Kill them from a distance."

"Gabrielle, you are the queen of the Amazons and they will obey you. The Centaurs will listen to you as well. But please understand, you are risking your people to a terrible battle and possible death. This plan may not work. You must decide if you are willing to sacrifice Amazons to stop the Huns. There is a good chance that if I don’t steer the Huns towards the Amazon village, they will escape detection and harm."

Xena continued her thoughts. "This is really not their fight but we have the best chance of stopping the Huns by using their warrior skills. What do you think? This is your decision to make. If you think its wrong, then we’ll have to come up with something else." Xena piercing blue eyes met the bard’s green. She knew she was asking the bard to take lives, something the bard morally abhorred.

Gabrielle pulled her eyes from the face of her soul mate and starred out at the forest land that surrounded them. How peaceful the country side looked. How deceiving looks could be. She knew that Xena was under playing her role and the dangers she would face. She dreaded being separated from her best friend at this most desperate hour. Finally, she hated asking the Amazons to give their lives in this terrible struggle. Yet she saw the value of their skills and the cleverness of Xena’s plan.

"Xena, I understand how desperate our situation is and I’ll do as you say. However, I’ll give the Amazons a choice in the matter."

"Gabrielle, you don’t understand. Once you leave here, the plan goes into effect and there will be no choice. I will either be successful and the Amazons will be attacked or I will fail. Then the Huns will sweep over the pass and destroy all the villages in the valley below. If the Amazons are not attacked, you will know I have failed and am probably dead. Stay with them for that will be the safest place you can be. It will be too late to help our home villages and the people in the valley." Xena’s eyes pleaded with her soul mate to be brave.

There was a silence between the two friends as Gabrielle searched her conscious. Finally, she replied, "You’re right. As the queen, this is my decision to make and I agree to your plan. It’s the only choice we have to save the people and their homes." Gabrielle looked up at the face of the warrior with determined clear eyes.

Xena smiled proudly at her best friend’s resolve and grabbed for her. She held her in a close embrace, perhaps their last in this world. "One more thing, after the Amazons are ready and you warn the villages in the valley, stay in Poteidaia. You will not be able to make it back in time to the Amazons. You should be with your family at a time like this. If the Amazons are successful, then you will be safe. If they are not, then the chances of any of the villagers stopping the Huns are almost non-existent. Perhaps you can get them to hide in the caves until the Huns are gone. They will need you to think for them and plan how to survive."

"And you?"

"If the Amazon trap fails, then I’ll have to try desperate measures to stop the advance. Gabrielle, I won’t lie to you. My chances will be about zero. So let’s not think of that. The Amazon trap has to work. It’s up to you to see to it. I know you can do it." The warrior smiled at her friend and held her a moment longer.

"Ready? Cut through the forest and go as fast as you can."

Gabrielle looked long into her friend’s face memorizing the firm lips, high cheek bones and clear piercing blue eyes. "I love you, Xena."

The warrior placed her hands on the shoulder’s of the young bard and whispered softly, "I love you."

Gabrielle turned, ran lightly between the trees and was immediately gone from view. Xena starred a long moment after her and then whispered to herself, "If any of you gods are listening, keep her safe from harm."

Xena turned and back tracked to where she had left Argo and the dead Hun tied to his horse. She mounted and turned towards the Hun camp. She glanced back in the direction Gabrielle had taken. She knew the chances she would ever see the bard again were slim at best. As long as she was safe, the warrior could face anything.

Xena’s eyes grew even more piercing and steely. Time to focus. In order for this plan to work, she would have to be at her very best, the most skilled and evil warrior ever to walk the earth. She knew she was the only one who could pull this off and the challenge thrilled her to the core. She rode into the face of death fearlessly and determined. She gave one last thought to Gabrielle and then put her bard out of her mind. There was no place for compromise, ethics or even love now. She was riding into Tartarus on earth. The warrior was ready.

Xena walked Argo boldly towards the Hun’s camp leading the horse with the dead body of the Hun guard draped across its back. She sensed the presence of guards on either side of her but ignored them and moved forward. As she came to the edge of the trees with the clearing that housed the Huns beyond, she smiled slightly and called to the guards in their language. "I am here to see your leader and to return a brave Hun to his comrades. Let me pass, I mean you no harm."

"That may be but we don’t have to return the favor," replied one of the guards as he stepped out from behind a bush.

Xena starred coldly at the guard. "I have information your leader can use and demand to see him. We can fight it out now or later as you wish."

The other guards moved out from behind the trees and Xena found herself surrounded by a fairly large force. She let a sinister smile curl her lips as she moved forward, daring the guards to attack. They closed and looked to their captain for his orders. "Well disciplined," Xena thought and nodded with approval.

The captain smiled slightly and motioned Xena to follow him. He led her down into the camp and by clusters of tents. He stopped her in front of the large colorful tent set up by the cooking area and ducked inside. Xena slipped off Argo’s back and took a step forward. At that moment, the tent cover was pulled back and a tall muscular swarthy man stepped out. He had sharp brown eyes and a quick smile which showed gleaming white teeth.

"I am told you wish to speak to me," he said in a rich deep baritone.

"If you are the vez`er, then yes, I do. I am Xena and you’re in my territory." Xena made this statement with a challenge in her voice and a harsh glare in her icy blue eyes.

"I am Gaza, the vez`er. You speak our language very well. I have heard stories of a Greek warrioress who rode with Emre some years back. Was that you?"

Xena nodded slowly. "I warned Emre to stay out of my lands when I left him."

The Hun leader smiled widely but his dark brown eyes never lost their piercing quality. "I killed Emre and massed this army. I don’t heed such warnings."

Xena never flinched at the news of the loss of the leader she admired. She continued to stare coldly at the Hun. "Well, since you have decided to pay me a visit, perhaps we can make a deal that will benefit both of us."

The Hun laughed outright at the boldness of this woman and nodded. His eyes flickered back to the horses behind the warrior and he noted his dead guard. "I suppose you are responsible for this loss."

"He was a good fighter and did his job as your rear guard." Xena inclined her head back to the guard and let respect be heard in her voice.

Gaza waved his hand and motioned. The horse with the body was led away. "Come inside and let’s talk further. Your horse will be cared for." He deliberately turned his back on the warrior and went into the large tent. Xena followed without comment.

Once inside, he motioned Xena to a mat and he sat down as well. A soldier came in and offered fruit, bread and wine which Xena took readily. "You are either very brave or very foolish to ride in here after killing one of my soldiers."

"He challenged me and gave me no choice. Gaza, I am not here to fight you. My proposal is simple. I am in between armies right now and I know the countryside. I could show you the best routes and villages to raid. In return for my scouting services and fighting at your side, I will accept half the spoils."

Gaza laughed. "Half, you don’t want much. Why should I trust you?"

Xena grinned back. "You shouldn’t, not anymore than I would trust you. However, I once rode with the Huns and we made a good team. I have many skills."

"Tomorrow we hold a csata. Since you have killed one of our soldiers, it is only fair that his comrades have a chance to kill you. The winner of each event will fight you to the death. If you survive, you will have the right to challenge one of my three generals for leadership of their division. Defeat my general and you can take his place at my side. This is a true warrior’s test. Do you agree?"

Xena nodded without hesitation. "I accept the challenge of the csata. However, if I win, I still expect half the spoils of our victories." Xena starred openly at the man before her. The dominating presence of this Hun was amazing. His darkly attractive good looks, black curly hair and flashing smile complimented his muscular lean body. He even smelled of raw power and masculinity. This was a man to be reckoned with and Xena felt an animal attraction stir within her. She sensed he was truly a great leader.

Gaza returned her complimentary gaze with one of his own. He felt her power and strength as he was attracted by her beauty. "What a great team we would make,’ he thought, "If she is as good as she brags. Otherwise, she will die."

"You can only challenge one general at the csata, so that is a third of my army. Why won’t you settle for a third?"

Xena replied softly. "If I win, then I will demand another csata the following week as is my right and challenge another of your generals. Then perhaps you will see the value of giving me half."

Gaza threw back his head and roared at the audacity of this woman warrior in front of him. "Once you beat all my generals, will you challenge me?"

Xena eyed him coldly and let her silence speak for her.

"Very well Xena, we are agreed. We’ll see what the faiths have to say about the outcome. Spend the night with me," he pleaded softly.

"Not tonight, Gaza. To make love to me, you will have to defeat me in a csata." Xena uttered this challenge with a sneer.

The Hun leader smiled sadly. "I will have a tent put up next to mine. Stay there till first morning’s light when the csata begins. Try to leave during the night and my guards will kill you."

Xena rose and turned towards the opening in the tent. She looked back over her shoulder and with a parting grin said, "I have no attention of leaving." She left the tent and took a quick walk around the camp.

Gods, it felt more like home being here than in her own village. The camp was set up perfectly, with orderly structure and guards posted in all the correct places. The soldiers were busy practicing their skills, taking care of their equipment or doing camp chores. They gave her hostile glances as she strolled by but no one challenged her. Their discipline was clearly in place. The officers instructed and gave clear orders and the men followed them without question. "Yes," the warrior thought, "It is just like what any military camp should be and seldom is." She checked on Argo and then made her waay back to the small tent putup for her use. She crawled into it and stretched out. Tomorrow was going to be one tough day.