"Ah Pompey. So good of you to come to do me honour .. and so kind of you to bring such an exotic and alluring woman. Who is she?" Caesar smarmed annoyingly.

Ignoring the comments about Ephiny, the blonde Roman let a sour grimace, that could just possibly pass for a smile, grace his expression and replied acidly, "Ah Caesar .. I see you managed to insinuate yourself into Veranius' hard won victory. Such a shame that you can't win your own laurels .. or get a woman to stay with you ... except in chains, of course!" A barbed reference to Xena.

"You never did understand the importance of symbols, Pompey," growled his enemy.

"I thought the only symbols you were interested in were the graphic, public executions of both friends and foes alike," the blonde purred, beginning to enjoy himself. "I'm sure that Crassus would have understood your use of symbol .. he may not have appreciated it particularly, but I'm certain he understood and, who knows, he may even have forgiven you for the particular symbol you made of him." He grinned as he saw the colour drain from his enemy's face anger and resentment plain in his expression. "I really was surprised that you didn't make a symbol of Xena's death," he twisted the metaphorical knife.

Struggling to control his temper, Caesar took a calming sip of wine from the goblet he held before answering Pompey, "Oh she is a symbol, Pompey. A symbol of what happens to anyone who crosses me. Right now I'm sure she'd rather be hanging from a cross with the certainty of death close to hand. She has caused me far to many .. aggravations .. to allow her such an easy death. Besides which her current situation has certain benefits for me .. not least of which is the pleasure I get through tormenting her." He took another sip from his goblet and returned to his original topic as his rival did the same, "Now what of this .. Amazon Queen? I believe she has been your guest for some days?"

Glancing over his shoulder, Pompey saw Ephiny politely laugh at some sally from the soldier she was conversing with. "That's Ephiny .. a charming woman for a barbarian." He threw a shrewd look at Caesar who's eyes were rivetted to the vivacious blonde queen in the exotic clothing, "I doubt if even you much vaunted prowess with women could breach her defences," he breathed tauntingly, "See that hulking brute over in the corner with those Amazon guards?" He saw Caesar incline his head slightly in acknowledgement, "Well that's Heston .. her concubine. He's a deaf mute and apparently services all of her needs."

"Ah!" breathed the arrogant Roman slowly, "So she has spurned you attempts at a .. closer friendship, then." was the accurate guess. "I can see where you would try to dissuade another from attempting something you failed at .. after all, another person might succeed and leave you looking .. second best. But that's nothing new for you is it?"

It was Pompey's turn to feel the slow burn of anger as his abilities were called into question and found wanting by this man that he hated so much, "It would amuse me to watch you try and fail," he responded tartly.

"Pompey, if I so desired, that woman will be warming my bed, as and when I want. She'll be begging to stay with me rather than return to the hovel that she undoubtedly lives in," came the impulsive boast.

Striving to keep his excitement from showing on his face or in his voice, Pompey proposed lightly, "A challenge then. The Amazon Queen to grace your bed before she returns to her homeland. If you lose, you cede to me the XIVth Legion."

"And if I win, I want the IXth from you," responded Caesar.

Pompey grimaced at that thought .. the IXth were important to his plans. He held out his hand and grasped Caesar's in a warrior's handshake as their wager was made.

She had no real idea how long she had been sitting there, the torches high in the wall sconces burned bright and true and would for some time, so she couldn't judge from that, nor were there any windows from which to judge the sun's position. She doubted that it had been any great length of time, but never-the-less she felt somewhat revived by the period of rest.

The sound of laughter and chattering voices had attracted her attention. She guessed that the feast was about to begin and sought to gather her mental resources to shield her in the coming ordeal. She hated crowded, noisy, confined, spaces and avoided them whenever possible, enduring them only when she had no option, and here she definitely had no option.

The large double doors at the opposite end of the hall swung open and Rome's finest began to troop into the banquet hall guided to their allotted places by a host of slaves who appeared as if by magic. Harps started to play in soft melodious tones, as musicians added background to the noisy chattering.

Xena studied the revellers through half slitted eyes as they entered the hall and recognised her. Some of the laughter grew louder as the men pointed at the chained and humbled Warrior Princess. She ignored them, they weren't worthy of her ire.

When all of the lower tables were filled, the most important of the guests began to enter the hall. Xena recognised many from the party at Caesar's when he had shown off Verchinex. She ignored these too .. they meant nothing to her.

Then, she stiffened. Moving through the doorway, accompanied by Pompey, she saw the unmistakable form of Ephiny! - How in the name of Artemis did she get here! - her mind crackled with speculation, but almost immediately her eyes were drawn to the towering figure, dressed scantily in a loin cloth and silver ownership bands. - Zeus's balls and lightning strikes! - she swore silently as her eyes locked with those of Hercules. An energy seemed to spark between them, and somewhere within the depths of her being she felt the flame of hope fanned into glowing life. - He's come to help us! - she acknowledged to herself, - So has Ephiny, - her mind prodded, - Gods, but if they can just free Gabrielle and the others there may just be a chance .. for me. -

She watched them covertly as they approached the dias, seeing the nervous anger and tension rolling off the demi-god in heated waves. It was so obvious to her that she was surprised that everyone else in the room couldn't see it. She lost sight of them as they passed beyond the table, but she could hear Ephiny conversing with Pompey and she knew that they were seated just behind her close to where Caesar would be ensconced.

Then he was there at the door, Veranius at his elbow, the High Priest of Jupiter with them. The Admiral walked up the right hand side of the feast hall, while the High Priest took the left, leaving Caesar with the opportunity to parade up the centre of the room, to the loud cheering and evident delight of the majority of the guests.

When he reached the dias he stood for a moment regarding Xena with a burning stare. Slowly, almost gently, he reached out a possessive hand and brushed her cheek claiming her in front of everyone in the hall, letting them know that she belonged to him.

Xena jerked her head away, venom almost spitting from intense blue eyes.

With a casual flick of his good left hand he slapped her lightly, almost insultingly across the face and announced to the quietly watching gathering, "The best slaves are the ones with spirit .. once it's been tamed! And she is going to make one of the most magnificent."

He smiled with proprietary superiority as she struggled with her desire to retaliate, knowing that such a reaction would lead to yet another beating, but more importantly, might just push Hercules into attempting something rash. With a great effort of will she pushed down the dark wolf that threatened to take control of her soul and actions, but allowed the pure malevolent hatred to burn in her eyes, making Caesar take an involuntary step back.

However, consummate showman that he was, he turned the motion into a mocking bow in her direction and announced, "Behold how the mighty Warrior Princess is fallen. Chained and abased before Rome as will be all of our fair homeland's enemies." With a mocking smile, he walked along to the right hand side of the dias, mounted it and made his way to his seat behind where Xena was held.

The feast was long and noisy. Hercules knelt silently behind Ephiny's seat, accepting the occasional tidbit that she handed him like some favourite pet. It was part of their assumed guise, but it still rankled him to be treated in such a manner, even if it was by a friend and for the best reason in the world .. namely to help another friend.

>From his place on his knees, Hercules could occasionally manage to get a glance under the table and the covering cloths, to see how Xena was holding up. Each time he looked he could see his friend was employing full Warrior Princess mode to sit proud and haughty in front of her enemies, enduring the taunts thrown at her along with the scraps of food from their plates. He could tell that she had blocked them out from her existence. She was enduring this humiliation by retreating into herself and refusing to accept the relevance of her surroundings.

He knew she had a strong inner core that she retreated into and sealed herself safely away from outside torments with practically indestructible walls. He had seen her employ the method many times during the years that he had known her and, although he sometimes hated it when she shut everyone and everything out, in this particular situation he was happy that she could do so.

What he wasn't happy about was the blood soaked shirt that gave mute evidence to the fragile state of her lacerated back. Obviously the thrashing she had taken on the steps of the temple had reopened the barely healed wounds that had been inflicted during the voyage to Rome.

Although she presented an outward facade of strength and fortitude, to Hercules, who knew her well, it was evident that she was drawing heavily on depleted reserves to maintain an illusion for the Roman congregation. - Gods! We need to get her away from him .. and soon! - His thoughts railed at him.

Ephiny had plenty of time to study Caesar. She prided herself on being a fair judge of character and what she saw in him she didn't like. Vain conceit seemed to mark his every action. Pride emanated from him in flowing waves, - But, - she was forced to admit to herself, - he does exert such a powerful aura of attraction. He seems to seduce all around him with his supreme confidence, almost a certainty, that he has a divine right to leadership. - She shook her head, trying to clear away the subtle and insidious allure that pulled at her. She KNEW what he was and was not about to fall into that particular trap.

>From her place at the table she could see only the back of Xena's head and her shoulders. The warrior's hair looked lank and dirty, and there was evidence of blood crusted into it in several places. The shirt covering her shoulders was thick with blood, showing both the rusty brown of the dried variety and the newer crimson of a fresh flow.

The Regent maintained a conversation with Pompey, who sat to her right, and the respected elder senator, Graccus, who sat to her left. She found the plump, cherubic looking senator to have a rather dry sense of humour and a very sharp wit. She would have been hard pressed to say why, but she didn't think this much respected man was very impressed with Caesar. She filed away the thought just in case it might prove useful at some point.

After interminable courses of savoury and sweet delicacies, mixed liberally with strong wines, things were becoming distinctly rowdy in the hall. Ephiny and Graccus were engaged in conversation about the possibility of doing some trade in Amazon crafts with Rome, when a commanding voice cut across their negotiations.

"I hear, your man is making something of a name for himself in the fighting pits?" Caesar announced.

Smiling an apology to Graccus, Ephiny turned and looked past Pompey into Caesar's intense brown eyes, "Heston is a redoubtable fighter. None of your Roman gladiators have been able to match him as of yet," returned the Regent her own hazel eyes sparking in challenge.

"I'd very much like to see him fight," smiled Caesar seductively, "I'd offer to match him against my slave," he gestured to where Xena sat immobile listening to every word that was being exchanged between the two, "Only she's not really in any condition to compete at the moment, and may not be for some time. She has a rebellious nature, and I think I'd like to take the time and effort to crush that before I fight her again."

"That's a pity," returned Ephiny with a sigh, "We Amazon's know well the Warrior Princess. In fact there is a warrant outstanding in Themiscyra for her arrest on charges of crimes against our nation. You wouldn't consider selling her to me so that I could take her back for trial?" she asked.

Caesar allowed her a smile in return, "Unfortunately, that would not be possible. Xena has been condemned for capital crimes against Rome. In my mercy I commuted her death sentences to life in perpetual slavery. I could not allow her to escape Roman justice when she has only just begun to serve her sentence."

"That truly is a pity, but perhaps we can indulge the conquering hero today, if we can find a match for my Heston, and then maybe, if you can get your slave," she added a sneer to her tone expressing contempt for the Warrior Princess, "fit in time, maybe we can match them before I have to return home."

Caesar smiled pleasantly, leaned his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his fist, "I doubt that will be possible. The slave has much to learn, and is but a slow student."

He gave the woman a long appraising look. He really doubted whether some little queen of a barbarian, backward nation would be able to wager the sums that made fighting Xena worthwhile. However, she really was very attractive, not really a match for the stunning beauty of his captive, but more than just pretty and had that dangerous edge that was so lacking in the high bred ladies of Rome. "How long are you staying with us?" he asked politely.

Ephiny answered him in a languorous purr, "Probably for another moon, then I really must return to my people. The delights and luxuries of Rome will be sorely missed however," she smiled encouragingly at him.

"Excellent!" he declared, "So I will have the chance to entertain the Amazon Queen in my own humble dwelling?"

"Of course, Lord Caesar," Ephiny accepted graciously, "It would be my great pleasure to accept an invitation from you."

"The feast has just about run it's course," Caesar gestured with his hand at the empty dishes and wine jugs, "High Priest Arrestes maintains an excellent pit on the premises. If we can just find a challenger for your man, then maybe we can retire there for some entertainment," he suggested.

"I didn't realise that the priesthood were interested in such matches," remarked Ephiny, although she was not really surprised to hear it.

"All true Romans are interested in the arts of warfare and battle," Caesar explained, "It is part of who and what we are."

Ephiny looked around the chamber and could see that the majority of the guests were either very drunk, or getting there. Most of the guests on the high table had partaken sparingly of the wine, and some few on the lower tables had maintained their control. The crowd watching the fight wouldn't be too large and it might prove to be the bait to hook Caesar.

Making up her mind, the blonde Regent ran a hand through her unruly curls before turning and answering, "If a suitable opponent can be found, I'll be happy to stand Heston against him ..as long as my wager of five hundred thousand dinars can be matched."

Caesar's dark eyes took on a gleam as he re-assessed the wealth of the Amazon, - If she is happy to risk that sort of money on a spur of the moment bout, then how much would she be willing to risk on an arranged fight with Xena. Whatever the amount, it will be mine, for there is no one to beat my Warrior Princess when she is fit. -

Turning to a slave who stood at his shoulder, Caesar whispered the boy an instruction and sent him on his way. He watched as the lad moved down to one of the lower tables and spoke with one of the fairly sober guests there. The man looked at Caesar and nodded, then gestured to his own man who scurried from the hall.

Pompey looked at Caesar, "Lucius seems eager to match his Ethiopian." The blonde man's looks became predatory, "How much will you wager on this bout, Caesar?"

"You know I only bet on my own property, Pompey," came the bored reply, "I'm just going to be an interested observer."

"That's all very well, gentlemen," put in Ephiny, "but just who's going to cover my stake?"

Chuckling, Caesar allowed his mirth to shine in his normally cold, calculating eyes, "Oh, don't worry my dear. I'm sure the wager will be covered by many eager men. You see the Ethiopian has never been beaten."