"What took you so long?" she growled to Karrellie, the nominal head of the group.
"Well gee, Xena," muttered the scout testily, "It's good to see you too." They had not had an easy journey and Argo had been uncooperative to say the least.
The warrior frowned fiercely at Karrellie having clearly heard her comment. She knew that the scout was not one of her greatest fans, but was staunchly loyal to Gabrielle .. that was the only thing that saved her from being dumped in the water trough.
"Xena," called a voice from the recently vacated kitchen stoop, "I hope you're not baiting my Amazons .. especially after they just did us a favour," warned the bard, although there was a smile plastered over her face. The Warrior Princess muttered something darkly before adding a grumpy, "Thanks," and then nodded towards the stable, "There's plenty of room and feed in there for your horses and you can get something to eat in the inn."
The scout grunted her acceptance of the offer as she slid out of the saddle motioning the others to follow suit. As Xena hurried past the Amazons towards her horse she ruffled Lasca's blonde hair and muttered, "Good to see ya Sprout," and offered an almost friendly grin at Jade before throwing her arms around the golden mare's neck and whispering, "Did ya miss me girl?"
The warhorse 'whuffled' her greeting and lipped at the warrior's shoulder affectionately, sharing an almost silent communion with the human she shared a bond of affection and loyalty. The horse was not happy that she had been left by her human for so long, but she could tell by Xena's demeanor that it hadn't been her idea .. and then there was a strange red mark around her friend's neck that hadn't been there when she left and seemed to speak of pain and suffering.
Gabrielle watched the reunion with a gentle smile. She knew that she held Xena's soul, but part of the warrior's heart would belong to her noble steed forever. She couldn't begrudge Argo her place in her dark friend's affections because she knew that the warhorse had been the Warrior Princess' only friend and confidant long before the bard had arrived to claim a part of the raven haired woman. What did occasionally irk her, was the fact that Xena would often spend more time talking to the horse than her human companion!
- Still it's good to have Argo back, - she readily conceded. The warrior had been on edge waiting for her horse. - Of course that hasn't been helped by the attitude of Tomas and his cronies .. I really am surprised that Xena's avoided pounding them flat! - she mused as she watched the Amazons lead their mounts into the stable to tend to their needs before their own.
The bard watched with growing amusement as her warrior friend debated with herself whether she could get away with a quick ride on her horse. The blonde knew that the warrior's restless nature had felt stilted for too long, what with her captivity, the enforced bed rest on the trip home and then the wait for Argo to be returned to her. She could almost see the craving for solitude and the peculiar freedom that she only achieved racing the wind in tandem with the warhorse.
"Why don't you take her for a run," she suggested innocently.
Xena shot her a wry look, "Am I that easy to read?" But her eyes twinkled happily as she patted her faithful steed's glossy neck.
"Only to me, my warrior," laughed Gabrielle gently, "I know you too well."
"Tell Mother I'll be back before the noon meal," assured Xena as she leapt readily into her saddle and urged the horse into an easy canter as soon as they cleared the gate leading to the meadow behind the inn.
The bard shook her head as she heard the triumphant whoop of joy come from the direction her friend had taken and could see in her mind's eye the pair easing into a gallop that she could only describe as a wild form of poetic motion, warrior and beast become one as they melded together in the pursuit of speed. - I'll see if I can scrounge Argo an apple or two for when they get back .. she deserves them for bringing a sparkle to Xena's eyes. -
It wasn't long before Karrellie and her three cohorts appeared from the stable and she motioned them over before leading them into the inn through the kitchen. Seeing Cyrene showing Mattin around the cupboards and larders, the bard stopped a moment and explained, "Xena and Argo have gone for a ride."
The innkeeper snorted, "To let off some of that pent-up restlessness, more like," she answered knowing her daughter all too well.
Gabrielle grinned, acknowledging the older woman's insight, "Yeah, well she said he'd be back for the noon meal .. that's only a couple of candlemarks away, so she shouldn't get into any trouble."
"That child of mine could find trouble in an empty room," admonished Cyrene but with a laugh in her voice that told the bard it was only partly serious.
"No arguments there," smiled the blonde.
"Of course, since she met a certain young bard from Potidaea she seems to find more trouble than ever!" laughed the older woman with a twinkle sparkling in her gray eyes.
"I'd argue the point with you," smirked Gabrielle, "but I have a feeling I'd lose that one," she chuckled along with Cyrene. "Any chance of some food for four hungry Amazons?" she asked, knowing the answer before she asked.
"Of course. Get them settled in the common room and I'll have Tryphena bring them some venison stew and fresh bread that came out of the oven not a candlemark ago," the innkeeper told her.
The bard turned around to see three of the four Amazons with eager expressions of anticipation on their faces. The fourth, and youngest member of the newly arrived group, Lasca, was gazing with undisguised interest at the new apprentice cook, Mattin. As Gabrielle looked between the two, she could see that the young warrior's intent gaze was being reciprocated by the boy, whose neck and ears turned a startling crimson colour as he became aware of the attention they were getting from the others in the room who had also turned to see what was interesting the bard.
With a cough, the boy scurried off to the walk in pantry and gained some respite from the looks that naturally turned to Lasca, who now found herself blushing deeply under the scrutiny of her elders.
"What?" she demanded guiltily.
"Just how old are you, Lasca?" questioned Gabrielle.
"Going on fifteen winters," returned the girl promptly, puffing out her chest and attempting to stand higher than her 5'6" frame.
"Uh huh," smirked the bard, throwing a look at Cyrene. The innkeeper inclined her head to acknowledge her understanding and as the honey blonde ushered her warriors out into the inn's common room she drew Lasca to one side and told her, "I have a job for you, young warrior .. one that I think you are really suited for ...."
With the warriors settled and Xena our terrorising the local wildlife from horseback, the bard decided it was time to catch up with her thoughts over the last few days. When in Rome, she had taken to recording important happenings and her own impressions in a journal that Ephiny had acquired for her in one of the market places. She had been quite taken with the parchment bound between a cover of thick leather that could be secured with a small lock when she had finished with it.
On the ship she had had plenty of time to keep it up to date and suspected that when she came to make a story out of the events that had taken place, - If I can ever turn this into a story, - she amended in her mind, then the notes she had made in the journal would be an invaluable aid to her. However, since they had arrived in Amphipolis she had not found the time to spend to work on it ... she was determined to make that time now. Unlocking the clasp, the bard tucked the key away inside a small pouch which she returned to a pocket in her skirt, opened the journal and quickly scanned over the last things she had written. Uncapping her ink bottle that stood before her on the table and picking up her quill she began to write:
| So much has happened since we arrived home in Amphipolis .. although many of the people here have made it clear that this can no longer be considered to be Xena's home. She is tolerated here .. nothing more, and even that just barely. Amphipolis has not yet forgiven its infamous daughter .. maybe it never will. Trouble started almost as soon as the ship docked at the town's wharf. The militia had been called out to make certain that the Amazons were not going to cause any trouble, although what thirty ill trained men thought they would be able to do against one hundred fully armed and highly skilled warriors was anyone's guess! As it turned out it, was Toris who actually managed to diffuse the situation, although he did require a little muscle in the form of Xena and Hercules to back him up. We thought that would be the end of the matter, especially as the Amazons, or most of them were leaving immediately .. but Xena's past continues to come back and haunt her. For the past eight days, while we have been waiting for Argo to be brought here, she has been forced to undergo a series of slights and provocations, all instigated by the new Headman, Tomas, and designed to force a situation where he will be able to either have her arrested or at least driven from the town. He's playing with fire and doesn't realise just how lucky he is not to have been stuffed head first into a water butt at the very least! On several occasions I have watched her fight the urge to crack heads. I'm proud of the fact that she resisted the impulse, but it has been at the cost of her temper which has been foul most of the time we have been here. Xena has tried to keep busy and out of the townsfolk's way. She has spent a great deal of time hunting and fishing in her old childhood haunts and I don't think Cyrene's larder's have ever been so well stocked! Our friends, who gathered so gallantly to come to our rescue have gradually left to go about their own business. The first to go was Ephiny and the majority of the Amazons. They took with them all of the girls that were rescued from slavery and certain death at Caesar's hands in retribution for Xena's escape. The girls will be allowed to find a true place within Themiscyran society and, over time they will discover whether they are more suited to a warrior's life or perhaps become artisans, cooks, farmers, or healers. Whatever they become at least they will be free. I can see little Kendra becoming a warrior and maybe Milly will become a healer. I think she has the ability if she can overcome her shyness. Ephiny will have a lot of hard work to settle down Tarelle's faction. Her group was already making noises about protesting their treatment to the council when they returned to Nation land. I don't envy Eph the problems that she has on that front, but she's a strong ruler and she should be able to keep the dissidents in line. As for the Amazons who have remained in Amphipolis, well the two guards give no trouble .. they're merely here to protect Eponin and Sheraya, and I suspect to keep a wary eye on my safety, as if having the best warrior in Greece as a personal bodyguard wasn't enough! Eponin is making fine progress in her recovery. That's an easy diagnosis to make and can be recognised by the prolonged shouting matches that keep erupting from her room. She's almost as bad a patient as Xena is .. and my warrior isn't helping the situation by winding Poni up every chance she gets. She spends a couple of candlemarks a day in with my Weapons Master, ostensibly playing chess with her .. but it's noticeable that after each visit that Eponin gets more fidgety and determined to be out of her bed before Sheraya thinks it's advisable. It's gotten so bad that Xena's been banned from the room for the last two days, and that's just made Ep's moodiness even worse! I think that Sheraya intends to remain in Amphipolis until it's time to remove Joxer's splints and then maybe a day or two after to ensure that all is well with him. That will give her time to get Eponin started on a programme of light exercise before they head for the Nation, and also make sure that Joxer doesn't overdo things with those exercises that Hercules showed him ... it also means that Xena and I can leave here with guilt free consciences, knowing that Joxer is in capable hands. The hostility and relevant inactivity is really grating on her now and she's eager to be away from here. In regard to Hercules, well he left three days ago along with Iolaus and Salmoneus. They offered their help to Nebula to crew 'Wave Dancer' down the coast to Pagasae to pick up a new bunch of potential pirates! She's managed to attract very few men from Amphipolis and those she has, have the look of rogues about them, so I suppose they'll make good pirates! Hercules will help keep them in line until they reach Pagasae where Nebula should be able to pick up some good seamen to bolster the scourings that she's bound to get as well. Both Xena and I gave her our profound thanks for all that she had done to help us. She reminded us that she was getting paid for the trip in good gold, but as Xena said the payment didn't include all of the help she gave in Rome and that if she ever had need of a beat up ex-warlord all she had to do was yell. I think that kinda took the wind out of Nebula's sails for a heartbeat or two, but she recovered quickly and turned on that impressive smile of hers .. the one that makes me think of sharks .. and responded lightly, "Seems I'm collecting favours ... what with Hercules and Iolaus owing me and now the famed Warrior Princess." Xena gave her a long hard look, but there was a glint in her eye too, and she told the pirate in that low growl of hers, "Yeah, well just don't make a big deal of it." Then she offered Nebula her arm in a warrior's clasp and I could see the mutual respect between the two of them as they looked each other in the eye. Saying, "Goodbye," to Salmoneus is always a relief tinged with sadness. The man has the heart of ... well I don't know, but I'm sure if we opened him up it would look like a dinar! He also has the bravery of a chicken, but despite that he's been there for us almost as often as we've had to haul him back from the brink of death. Despite his short comings, of which he has many, I have to admit to liking him ... I'm just glad we don't bump into him too often! He shipped out with Nebula because she was heading to Pagasae. Apparently, that's where Aphrodite found him, just as he was about to make a fortune in his latest scheme to misappropriate dinars from the local populace. He'd told us all about the tricks that the goddess pulled on him to mess up his deal, but she'd promised to erase the memories from the locals, so Salmoneus thought he might as well go back and fleece the suc ... um, sell to the customer base there. Farewells to Hercules and Iolaus are another kettle of fish entirely. I wish I'd had more time to spend with Iolaus on this trip. I still feel a deep connection to him and I'm certain that he returns my affection. Sometimes I wonder if he's been my tree in the forest all along. I think that over the years we have been so afraid to test those waters that it has put a wall between us. The rocks in that wall are made of so many different things. He thinks he's too old for me, I worry about abandoning Xena .. again. He worries about not being there for Hercules. I'm concerned that my love life is truly jinxed. It's painful to admit but nearly everyone I fall for winds up dead! I'd hate to think that I was responsible for Iolaus' demise ... of course he has already died before so maybe that would let him escape my curse. I can only hope that the fates will be kind to us and if our union is meant to be, then hopefully it will happen in good time. In the meantime I seem to be acquiring other would be suitors! I really should find a way to let Joxer know that although he's very dear to my heart, he'll never be more to me than a brother The trouble is that every time I try to tell him he misunderstands my intentions. Then again, he always manages to be there for us when we need him. As a warrior he may be incompetent, but he's loyal and would defend both Xena and I with his last breath, as he has proven that in the past and on this adventure. I don't want to hurt him ...I want him to have the chance to find love and happiness .. but he's never going to find that while he chases after me! Then of course there's Toris. He's been very discreet, but I've seen the looks he gives me when he thinks he's unobserved. I have to admit he's handsome and he's changed a lot since I first met him when we stumbled across Cortese. If I ever decided to give up the life I lead with Xena, I could do worse than settling down here with Toris. Hmmm ... well that just got me totally off track, didn't it? So where was I? Oh yeah, saying "Goodbye" to Iolaus and Hercules. I said my farewells to Iolaus and had a really warm hug with him and exchanged a soft kiss that turned into something a little more passion filled ... I don't think I'll be writing that into a story any time soon, I'd like to keep some things private! Anyway, the kiss left me a little shaky, so being enfolded into the big guy's arms was kind of like finding a port in a storm! It's almost the safest place in the world .. well it's a toss up between his hugs and Xena's .. I mean, you can't get much safer than the two greatest heroes in Greece, now can you? Xena and Iolaus are really funny together .. even after all this time. They tend to tread around each other like they're on eggshells or something. Xena has this guilt complex about what she did to Iolaus and he's still torn between infatuation (which most of the men in the known world suffer from) and feeling hurt by what she did. Yet despite this they have forged a friendship and like each other. Maybe one day everything else will be forgotten. Anyway, they took their leave of each other with a warrior's clasp, that was less tentative than those I've seen in the past. However, the big guy enfolded Xena in a bear hug that seemed to go on forever and then they shared one of the most scorching kisses that I have ever been privileged to witness .. it made me go all weak at the knees again and so I was glad of Iolaus' steadying arm around my waist. Xena and Herc are an almost total match for each other, but I think that's the reason why they will never finally join. He's too used to being the strongest guy around and, although he seldom flaunts his power he's used to being listened to and obeyed. And Xena? Well .. she was the most feared warlord alive and commanded huge armies where her word was law. The power struggle in such a match would not be pretty. So, anyway. Our friends left, leaving us with just Autolycus to keep us company while we waited for Argo. He's been strange ever since his falling out with Hercules on the ship. I thought he would have been one of the first to leave .. you know, temples to rob, the wealthy to pillage, but surprisingly he's still here. He's seldom actually with us .. just for meals, and occasionally he'll sit in and listen to the stories I tell in the evening to Cyrene's customers, so what he does during the day I don't know, although I'm beginning to have some suspicions. As I've already noted, Xena's been really moody .. but once or twice I've come across her around the inn, with this really odd smile on her face and as soon as she saw me it would disappear and her hands would disappear behind her back. She's also started collecting flowers for her room! I mean this is Xena we're talking about. Asking her to stop and smell the flowers is like asking the sea's tide to come back later because it's gonna spoil the sandcastle I'm building! Besides, she's barely been out of the inn, other than to hunt or fish and she didn't bring any flowers back with her then! ... so .... Guess that's another case of wait and see what happens. Patroclese left yesterday with two of the boys. They were heading for the hospice that Hippocrates has set up at Pella. It will take them some time to walk there, but it gives the boys a chance to start learning from him and learn about being free. Three more of the boys will be taken in by Tyldus' centaurs. Ephiny sent word that he'd agreed to foster the boys and so they will wait until Eponin is fit to travel and go back with the Amazons. Cyrene has taken in Fersan and Mattin, as Xena suspected she would. The boys seem to be settling into their new home and routine. They're both good boys, hard working and eager to learn. They'll get a chance to make a home and a life for themselves here .. something that just a few moons ago, neither would have thought possible. Well that more or less brings me up to date. Argo and her Amazon escort have just arrived, which has made Xena happy and she's taken off on a reunion ride with Argo. I guess we'll be leaving tomorrow .. or maybe the day after. I think she's itching to get our lives back to some kind of normalcy .. well at least what passes for normal for us! The only other thing to note at the moment is that Lasca (one of the Amazons who returned Argo to us) and Mattin, seem to attracted to each other. Normally I wouldn't worry about such a thing, but both of them are so young, and being Queen of the Amazons does make Lasca my responsibility ... and I don't want any trouble for Cyrene either in regard to Mattin. So I have taken steps to avoid trouble .. I hope! Lasca definitely did not like it, but being Queen does have some advantages, so on a direct order from me, she's now Sheraya's assistant until they get back to Themiscyra ... that should keep her out of trouble! Ahhh! I do believe I hear the sound of hoof beats coming into the stable yard. Time to end this and see how Xena and Argo got on. |
Lunch had been somewhat strained as Cyrene had attempted to hide her sadness and disappointment over the fact that both the bard and her daughter were leaving the next day. Xena had spent some time alone with her mother explaining that it was time for her to move on again, before Amphipolis attracted the unwelcome attentions of her legion of enemies.
Cyrene had disappeared to her room for a while after the talk and Xena was uncommunicative and glum, her look saying quite plainly, "If you want to live, don't talk to me." Everyone wisely left her alone.
The tenseness of the meal, gradually eased towards the end, and by the time desert had been finished, everyone was beginning to relax a little. Xena wanted her last day at home to be enjoyable for her mother's sake, while Cyrene wanted to make the most of having her family around her while she could. So by silent consensus, they allowed thoughts of the coming parting to fade well to the backs of their minds and attempted to let the day continue as normally as possible.
When the gathering broke up, after the meal was finished, Xena excused herself from her family, Gabrielle, Cyrene and Toris, and her friend, Autolycus, "Argo needs a good rub down and brush. I need to check her hooves and make certain that she'll be ready for ...," she shied away from that subject, "well anyway, I'll be busy in the stable for a couple of candlemarks." She looked at her mother, "Maybe we can take a walk down along the river path when I get through? Just you and me?"
"I'd like that, little one," accepted Cyrene with a forced little smile that she used to try and hide her unhappiness.
"Good," the warrior answered with a cheerfulness she didn't particularly feel. "I'll be back as soon as I can."
Heading out through the kitchen, Xena knew that her retreat to the stable was just that .. a retreat. She knew that she wasn't good at handling emotional issues and leaving here, leaving her mother, was shaping up to be one ... and she felt guilty about it! Spending time with Argo allowed her to think through her problems and get a rein on the rampant emotions that she wasn't equipped to deal with. The routine of brushing out the golden mare, with rhythmic, soothing strokes, worked wonders for her, as did being able to talk her concerns through to her faithful steed, who offered no opinions or arguments that could further confuse the warrior.
As she swung open the door to the stable, she stiffened almost imperceptibly .. aware that there were others within the confines of the building's walls. Heightened senses reached out to assess and prepare for danger but, without hesitation, the tall woman advanced into the shadow hung space and moved confidently down the line of stalls to where Argo waited. As she moved, she examined and eliminated all potential hiding places for the intruders, finally .. in the matter of mere heartbeats .. narrowing down the location to the hayloft.
A wry grin quirked her lips as she identified not one, but two personages up there. A soft rustle, a wisp of chaff falling, a nervous breath ... these things, subtle though they were, told the warrior that she had nothing to fear from her hidden companions. She was pretty certain who was hiding up there, and was content to leave them be ... at least for a while.
Reaching Argo's stall, she allowed the grin to broaden into a fully fledged, rare smile as she tenderly rubbed behind the mare's ears, getting a 'whuffle' of appreciation. Speaking softly enough for only the horse to hear she said, "They been up there long, girl?"
Argo snorted and stamped her hooves with dull thumps on the muffling straw of the stall, then bobbed her golden head up and down as if answering her mistress in the affirmative.
"That long, huh?" responded Xena. "Gabrielle's not going to like that ... they're young, but they're old enough to want to know and experiment ... we just have to make sure that things don't go too far .. right girl?"
The mare snorted her approval and lipped at the dark warrior's hair making soft, nickering noises before butting the tall woman with her head, inducing the required response when Xena scratched her long nose affectionately.
"Yeah, yeah ... I know. I missed you too," she told the horse giving her a pat on the neck before reaching for the curry comb and starting the familiar process of giving the warhorse a well deserved grooming. It was a task that she found soothing and gave her the time and peace to think.
She had almost finished her task, when a slight noise caught her attention, and she looked up sharply towards the door that led into the small forge room. As she watched the door slowly and silently opened giving her a glimpse of a familiar figure. Holding a finger to her lips, she pointed up at the hayloft and then held up two more fingers to indicate that she was not alone. The figure nodded once before it slipped through into the shadows.
Satisfied that the visitor was safely hidden, Xena turned her attention to the two youngsters, deciding that it was time that they were made aware that their presence was known and that they should get back to their respective tasks, before anyone came looking for them.
Silently placing the comb on the stall divider, the Warrior Princess moved out of Argo's box and sank into a crouch before using her powerful muscles to spring upward in a graceful flip that landed her soundlessly behind where the two youngsters had settled back into a nest of hay to enjoy some fevered kissing and inexpert groping.
"I think it's time you two got back to the inn," she said in a low purr as she leaned lazily against a support beam.
Lasca and Mattin jumped up as though scalded and turned to face the warrior who had successfully surprised them in their youthful assignation where they thought they had been clever enough and quiet enough to fool even the famed Warrior Princess!
