It had taken an uneventful half-moon to sail 'Wave Dancer' from Acanthus to Rome. During that time the pirate captain had been entertained by Amazon weapons training as Eponin put her warriors through their paces on the main deck at scheduled periods throughout the day. The training was gruelling and woe betide any Amazon who didn't match up to the Weapon Master's exacting standards and, Nebula had been surprised to note, that included the Regent herself.

She took a careful check on her bearings as she navigated the busy River Tiber, heading for the upper wharves that were reserved for the use of the higher echelon of Roman dignitaries and visiting officials from other states.

They had passed the lower port of Ostia, down at the mouth of the River about three candlemarks after dawn. Nebula had been conscious of the watch towers that flanked the river entrance and tried to memorize details of the port's defences, keeping very much in the background. This allowed Ephiny to deal with the harbour master's assistant, who had been ferried out to the ship to inspect their papers and inquire about their business. When the man realised that it was the expected embassy from the Amazons, he fell over himself in his eagerness to please.

They were cleared to pass and given instruction on where to berth the ship when they reached the upper harbour within the city itself. The pirate had listened closely to the directions, but kept carefully in the background. She didn't think it likely that anyone would recognise her here, but the situation was complicated and dangerous enough without that little twist being added to the mix.

With a clear passage ahead of her, Nebula allowed her gaze to drift towards Hercules who stood at the bow dressed in his loin cloth and ownership bands, having clothed himself in them, once more, when they had reached the entrance to the river.

- The man is more than impressive, - she grinned to herself, appreciating the way his muscles rippled under his smooth golden skin, - I wonder if he realises just what effect he's going to have on the matrons of Rome? - she almost laughed out loud at the thought.

She had been grateful for all of his help on the voyage as well. Being the only experienced sailor, other than herself, aboard the vessel, had meant that the two of them had had to share the responsibility of captaining the ship, - He makes a damn fine first officer, - she grinned, - Pity he's got those scruples. Being a pirate might suit him. -

With her and Hercules to instruct the Amazon's and give the necessary orders and guidance, the voyage had passed quickly without any major troubles to deal with. She had noted that there was a small dissident element amongst the women .. about eight of the Amazons kept entirely to themselves when not actively engaged in ships duties .. and most of the other warriors tended to keep a wary eye on them. Something was obviously amiss in that area, but equally obvious was the fact that it was a domestic matter, and she doubted anyone would appreciate her interference. She shrugged to herself, barked an order for the topmen to shorten sail as they neared their destination, and decided that so long as it didn't cause a problem with the smooth running of the ship, it really wasn't any of her business.

As 'Wave Dancer' slowly glided into position on the mooring spot she had selected, Nebula noticed that both Ephiny and Eponin had ducked below decks, - No doubt gone to prepare themselves for the Roman public, - she thought wryly, knowing that the initial plan was to stun the jaded pallets of the Roman elite with a taste of the exotic, barbarian splendour of the Amazon nation, - While everyone is chattering about superficial appearances, it might deflect anyone from getting too curious about what exactly we're doing here in the first place. Trade negotiations might wear a bit thin, although it's the only convincing cover story we could come up with, - acknowledged the pirate. - Well it stands a chance of working. I'm sure they'll have something else in mind if they need to cover themselves ... I hope! -

As soon as the ship stopped moving, those designated to handle the side ropes, leapt over the rails and secured 'Wave Dancer' to the mooring stakes. Nebula noticed that Hercules had also gone below deck, and wasn't surprised when she saw two Amazons in full ceremonial dress, complete with masks, make their way over to the rail, one of them clutching a scroll.

The moment the gangplank was run out, the two were down it and heading for the Legionaries who were approaching the ship from the wharf master's building. A quick exchange took place, and the group stood waiting as a man was sent off on some errand. Within a short while the soldier returned, mounted with five others and two spare horses for the Amazons. Once the women were in the saddle, the group made their way away from the wharves to deliver their greeting and announce the arrival of the Amazon Queen to whomever would be receiving them.

Nebula concerned herself with the hundred and one things that were required of her: she had to allow a customs inspection, sign many forms as well as making sure that the ship was correctly secured, she didn't want to incur any fines for breaking Roman port regulations.

After about a half candlemark, the two Amazon's returned with their escort, boarded the ship and disappeared below. Nebula kept an eye on the traffic around the wharf, alert to any signs of danger to her ship, but could detect nothing overt from the Romans. Everything seemed to be progressing as planned, and the Amazon visit seemed to be accepted at face value.

The waiting continued as Nebula continued to work at the myriad things that always needed seeing to on a ship. She had arranged, with Ephiny, to retain the services of six of the Amazons, basically as a skeleton crew for the vessel and for running messages to wherever the Amazon embassy ended up staying. The pirate captain would keep an ear open in any of the taverns for gossip concerning the people they were looking for and send any information along to the Regent.

In a remarkably short space of time (which suggested that the relevant authorities had been alerted to their imminent arrival), there was a blasting fanfare of trumpets as a Legion Cohort marched it's way down to the wharf burnished breastplates gleaming in the mid-afternoon sunshine. At their head, on a magnificent black stallion rode a tall, well built, man with short cropped blonde hair and an air of authority about him that almost seemed tangible.

As the sound of the trumpets resonated through the air, Amazons dressed in their ceremonial garb began to assemble on the deck of the ship, before flowing down to the wharf, drawing themselves up in colourfully exotic ranks that rivalled even the splendour of the Roman soldiers.

As the Romans drew up opposite the ship, Ephiny, wearing the mask and full attire of the Amazon Queen, stepped out onto the deck. She was followed by a subservient Hercules, who knelt by her feet and then both were quickly flanked by Eponin and Malonda, resplendent in the finery of court advisors, both of these women carried warstaffs and in unison they rapped them three times upon the deck of the ship, the heavy sounds echoing through the heavy planking.

When the vibration halted, Eponin stepped forward, "Harken, harken ye Gods and Mortals all. Ephiny, by the grace of Artemis, her Regent and Queen of the Amazons, Lioness of Themiscyra, Daughter of the Moon, stands amongst you." At that point the Amazon guard turned as one to face the ship.

"Pay homage to her and welcome her coming," commanded Eponin.

Together the Amazons knelt and bowed their heads. Ephiny moved forward, followed by Hercules, who had risen, unnoticed, to his feet, and both Malonda and Eponin. When they reached the stone of the wharf, the Amazon guard stood and turned back to face the Romans, who had remained at attention through the ceremony. Standing a little in front of her entourage, Ephiny waited for the man on the black horse to make himself known to her.

Nebula stood proud on the bridge of her ship watching the pageant before her. Her mouth was pursed in consideration as she watched the reactions of the Romans to the Amazon display .. especially the Roman leader. She had been briefed about Eponin's role and knew that the ritual greeting had been shortened and subtly altered due to the fact that Ephiny was the Regent and not the Queen.

The Romans couldn't know this, and the effect of the proclamation was to leave them rather bemused and impressed by the menacing, women in their exotic and more than slightly erotic combination of leather and feathers. Here was something to spark the interest of even these world wise soldiers who, up until that day, believed that they had seen and done everything.

Looking at the blonde Roman leader, Nebula got the impression that he wasn't as taken by surprise as had been his men, not that he hadn't been ... impressed, just that he seemed to have recovered his poise far quicker than could have been reasonably expected. She watched closely as he swung down off of his horse, waited while a soldier stepped forward to take the reins, and for two of his officers to join him, before he stepped forward to greet his Royal guest.

Eschewing all ceremony and formality, he announced for himself, "In the name of Rome I, Pompey the Magnus, greet and welcome Queen Ephiny and the representatives of the Amazon nation." He struck and held his right hand to his left breast as he made a slight bow towards the regent, "I would be honoured if you would allow me to extend to you, and your retainers, the humble comforts of my home for the duration of your stay in our fair city."

- That's a surprise! - thought Nebula as she arched an eyebrow at the announcement. - The great Pompey deigning to greet a barbarian queen personally .. and offering his own hospitality. Seems that the Magnus has plans of his own afoot. -

Stepping forward, Ephiny slowly raised her ceremonial mask revealing the luxuriant blonde curls and intelligent brown eyes that fastened on the Roman's grey ones, "I thank you for your gracious greeting and offer, Great Pompey. My Amazon sisters and I would be grateful to accept your generous offer of hospitality."

And so it was settled with a far greater ease than Nebula had expected. Ephiny and Hercules had wanted to form an early connection with Pompey knowing that this man was the only real rival to Caesar's power and could, they hoped, be brought around to aid them in their quest to recover their friends. This personal greeting at the harbour had accomplished that and also given them access to him through guest-right at his home.

Unlike many of her sisters, Ephiny had travelled and knew something about the splendours of modern architecture. She had, after all, seen Athens and a few other Greek cities whilst she had been in semi-exile during her marriage to Phantes and after his death and the birth of her son Xenan, - But Rome, I have to admit, is truly magnificent! - she conceded to herself.

She was glad that she had resumed the coverage of her mask, and that her sisters had remained masked, throughout the procession to Pompey's palace. It allowed them to stare in open eyed wonder at such sites as the Circus Maximus, off the Forum Boarim, the Capitol above the Roman Forum and in the distance the towering Coliseum.

They passed through the Servian Walls, the ancient fortifications that were the original boundaries of the city and north into one of the newer quarters of Rome where Pompey had erected his imposing palace. By the end of the procession, the Amazon's felt oppressed by the opulent magnificence that was everywhere to behold, and knew they were truly a world away from the rustic simplicity of their towns and forests ... their home.

While Ephiny with Hercules, Eponin and Malonda were shown lavishly furnished and luxuriously appointed apartments in the palace, the Amazon guard were given a barracks within the grounds of the building. It was large, spacious and had access to bathing facilities the likes of which the women had never before experienced. The only thing wrong with the arrangement was that the warriors were effectively separated from their leaders. However, Eponin came up with a partial answer by assigning extra guards, not only to Ephiny, but also to herself and Malonda as well, which gave them some sixteen warriors to guard the wing of the building that had been assigned as theirs for the duration of their visit.

Once Pompey had departed, after issuing them with an invitation to join him for dinner and making sure that they had no complaints as to their accommodations, the group made shift to settle in. Hercules, who had remained silently in the background whilst everything happened around him, slumped onto Ephiny's bed feeling a nervous exhaustion garnered from the tenseness he felt at the situation. "This is not going to be easy to get used to," he said quietly.

"You're doing fine Hercules," encouraged Ephiny, "Hardly anyone looked at you more than once. They've accepted you at face value for now, which is what is important."

"You know Eph," broke in Eponin as she looked appreciatively at Hercules again , - I might not be able to touch, but no one had said anything about not looking. - she smirked quietly. She heard Hercules groan at her glance and allowed the smirk to crease her features into a grin as she continued, "I don't think anyone has heard, muscles speak. If he could just play dumb around the Romans it might just prove useful."

"What makes you say that Poni?" questioned the Regent trying hard to keep the grin of her face at the stricken looks Hercules was giving her at Eponin's continuing predatory looks.

Eponin moved over to the bed and sat down about a body's width away from the demi-god, noting that his muscles twitched with the urge to move further away from the Weapons Master, only strength of will and the need to not further embarrass himself kept him there. Ephiny coughed to get some attention and raised an eyebrow in suggestion that her friend answer her question, "Um, well. I think Pompey might just have a hidden agenda of his own. At some point he's likely to try and get you alone for 'discussions', and it might be useful if you had Hercules available to protect your interests. I don't think there would be a problem, but an extra pair of ears listening, especially if Pompey believes them deaf ears, might just get us an inside edge."

"It's an interesting idea," agreed Ephiny thoughtfully before turning her attention on her 'concubine', "Could you do it? Maintain the fiction throughout our stay here?" she asked him.

Hercules rested his arms on his knees as he thought about it, "I don't see why not. I've got a pretty good hold on my reactions ..." he broke off as his body flinched away from the light touch of Eponin's trailing fingers, "cut that out, Eponin," he growled mortified by the involuntary reaction, "At least normally I do," he glared at the smug Weapon's Master.

"Poni!" snapped Ephiny, trying to be stern and failing miserably as she struggled to keep from creasing up, "I told you he was mine. Just keep your hands off of him."

"Aw, Eph! You take all the fun out of everything." groaned Eponin in very mock contrition.

"Come on we've got plans to make," the Regent tried to be firm, "Do the warriors know what to do?"

Malonda from her self imposed position at the door nodded and affirmed, "They're going to mix with Pompey's soldiers and see what rumours they can pick up from them. They ought to be a good source of information, and the girls are looking to have some fun with them"

"What kind of fun?" questioned Ephiny tensely, "I don't want them to start anything that's going to put us in a compromising position."

"Don't worry, Eph," Eponin tried to assure her friend, "nothing to bad, just a few drinking games and maybe an offer to spar, you know, normal ... stuff!"

- Oh no! - thought the Regent anxiously, - Nothing to worry about. How's it going to look when my Amazon guard drinks half his troops under the table and then whups the rest at sparring practice! - "Eponin!" she growled dangerously.

"It's okay, Eph, honest," the Weapon's Master repeated her assurance, "The girls know not to go over the top, and I think it could save an awful lot of time in gathering information."

Seeing that Ephiny was far from convinced, Hercules attempted to sooth the situation, "I'm sure it will be fine, Ephiny. Your guards are all responsible women, I'm sure that there's very little that they could hurt."

She turned her glare on him, and it was his turn to try an hide the grin that kept wanting to force itself onto his face, "Have you ever attended any Amazon drinking parties or contests?" she asked him pointedly.

"Ah, no," he conceded, "I've never been invited."

"Just be thankful for small mercies," she assured him. She returned her mallet like gaze to Eponin, "Poni, I forbid you to get involved with any of the frivolities. I need you with a clear head in the mornings."

"But Eph ...." the Weapons Master began to protest.

"No buts," snapped the Regent sternly, "That's a royal command."

Eponin stood, accepting the order with a dark look, she ducked her head in a slight bow and replied, "If your majesty so commands."

"My majesty does," Ephiny assured her with a grin. "Come on, we've got to get cleaned up for dinner."

"Oh my," came Hercules's voice from the bed, "And me with nothing new to wear!"

Giggling as they left for their rooms, they failed to notice the demi-god fall back onto the bed in exasperation at the thought of the continuing charade.

Pompey spared no expense at the banquet he threw for the visiting Amazons. The meal was started with the delicacies of pork stuffed dormice and milk fed snails. The next course was of fish: tunny, hake and sea bream proliferated, along with oysters, mussels and other shell fish. Next came the fowl: Duck, goose and swan jostled with the more exotic plover crane and stork. This was followed by suckling pig, veal, hams and goat, before the tables were decked in cheeses and the sweet sticky things that could always be made room for; sweet wine cakes, stuffed dates and honey cakes were all great favourites. Finally, when everyone had eaten far more than they had ever thought possible, the remnants of the meal were cleared away and great amphoras of wine were brought in.

>From his place, kneeling behind Ephiny's chair, Hercules had had to rely upon, his 'mistress' to pass him the occasional tid-bit of food to satisfy his hunger. No one took any notice of him, other than when Pompey had asked a couple of pointed questions about his function in the Regent's retinue. Ephiny had explained in forthright terms that he was her 'concubine' along for her pleasure, and had manage to drop into the conversation that he was both deaf and mute.

After giving the big man a vaguely curious glance, Pompey had ignored him, which suited Hercules fine. He just wished that he didn't have to be in attendance on Ephiny at this function. Feasts and big gatherings appealed to him about as much as they did to Xena.

That stray thought encouraged a dozen others about the Warrior Princess and their friends. He was so totally absorbed in his own memories that he almost spoke when he felt Ephiny's hand on his shoulder, catching himself only at the last minute. He looked up into her eyes as she motioned for him to follow her. The feast had obviously ended for the guest of honour and her host, and Pompey wanted some private words with the Queen of the Amazons.

Following the Regent and Pompey out of the banqueting hall, he padded along silently as the Roman led the Amazon into a side chamber. Once the trio were within, the sentry who stood outside swung the door closed behind them. Pompey motioned Ephiny to a seat and took one opposite her. Hercules, sank down on his haunches by the doorway.

After a prolonged length of silence, the Roman leaned forward and said in the most casual tone he could manage, "I know why you're here." When Ephiny remained silent he continued, "You want to take the Warrior Princess back to Greece," he saw her eyes harden before he added, "and you want to rescue the true Queen of the Amazons, the bard, Gabrielle." He sat back and waited to hear how she would respond.