Disclaimer
Violence ~ Now we're getting to the point where there's some violence and it'll pick up.
Sex/Subtext ~ Not much sex to write of but subtext is an always.
Copyright ~ Repeat after me, Universal and MCA always own Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, Toris, Amarice, Ephiny and yadda yadda, we know. However, Torqueo, Teresa, Joan, and several others plus the story line are all mine.
Any feedback can be sent to me at... Red_Hope@yahoo.com
Started:
Series One: The Binding of the Soulmates of Time Story: Ten
______________________________________________________________________________________
The
Darkness: Protection
By
Red Hope
Section 5
~*Part 10*~
Amarice wiped the snowflakes from her cheek. She looked to her third in command. "How is Lesia?"
Teresa shook her head. "She's making it."
The Princess glanced back at the Amazon being carried on the make-shift carry pallet that they'd made. She then studied the two Amazons that carried the pallet. "When did those two Amazons last have a break?" she inquired quietly.
"About three candlemarks."
"Hades," grumbled the Princess. She slowed down her walk and went to the front pallet carrier. "Here, switch," she ordered.
The Amazon gave a small smile and carefully traded the pallet to her Princess.
Teresa saw what happened, and she quickly slowed her walking and came up beside the rear pallet carrier. "Trade," she commanded.
The rear pallet carrier carefully switched her position with Teresa.
Teresa looked down at Lesia lying on the pallet. She then gazed up ahead towards the white horizon that was misted in snowflakes. She knew it wouldn't be until sunset that they would make it to Mairead's village. She could only hope that Lesia would make it in time. "Let's push it, Amazons!" she suddenly called out, determination flowing through her body and mind.
The Princess nodded her agreement. "Let's make it to Mairead's before nightfall. Lesia can't hold out through the winter's night."
The Amazons all started trudging harder; pressing through the deep ankle high snow.
~*~*~*~
"I want the facts!" roared out the regent.
"Ephiny, we can't find out anything until Karena or Janelle are revived from the poison in their system." Solari paused then added in, "That is if they can even fight the poison."
"We can't do anything until then," whispered Eponin quietly to her angry friend.
Ephiny stomped up to her two Amazons. "Are you telling me, Gabrielle's Amazons cannot do anything for her?" Her eyes flickering between the two Amazon, fire flaming through her amber eyes.
"Ephiny," softly called Masika, "I think the thing to do now is call upon our sisters for help."
The regent's eyes stayed pinned on her two Amazons but slowly she looked to the Head Council Member. Her shoulders lowered and a heavy sigh escaped her. "You're right, Masika."
Masika nodded and whispered, "We'll need every village's help… every Amazon. I fear this enemy is bigger than just Gabrielle's Amazons here in this village."
"And you're rather right, ladies."
Everybody turned their head to the pink sprinkles fluttering in the air and the sudden materialization of Aphrodite.
"Aphrodite?" whispered Ephiny.
"Yup, that's me," partially teased the goddess but she went rather serious. "But no time for jokes, ladies." She studied all the worried looks on her new Amazons' faces. She came closest to Ephiny and grasped her shoulder gently. Her soft eyes studied the regent.
Ephiny felt her body finally relax since the fiasco last night. Her mind cleared of the growing anger and for once she saw what she needed to do as the regent.
"Gabrielle and Xena will be safe," whispered the goddess of love with complete reassurance. "I will see to that… but neither Artemis nor I can stop their own destiny or the destiny of the Amazons." She moved her head in closer to Ephiny and whispered words only the regent could hear. "Only the Amazons can choice their own destiny." She closed her eyes with a sudden disappearance from thin air.
Solari, the weapons master, and Masika stared at their regent, in waiting orders for action.
Ephiny slowly gazed upon her friends and
Amazons. "Masika, write a letter too our queens, telling them of our two
~*~*~*~
There was nothing but blackness around her, a click followed by three others, and cold metallic items around her wrists and ankles. She groaned and tried opening her eyes but it was so hard. Her entire body ached, and she was chilled to the bone by the frozen floor. She'd never felt so weak in her entire life, and she wasn't sure what was the cause of it.
After a minute, she tried again to open her eyes when she heard what she thought was a jail door closing. Her eyes only opened to slits, and she vaguely made out the faces of Renotta and Kate behind jail bars. "Renotta," she mumbled faintly, her head rolled to her right with her eyes shutting.
She heard two low laughs and footsteps echoing down a stone hallway. Once again, she forced her eyes open but the light hurt so much. Yet she tried anyway and into the neighboring cell she saw another body shackled up to the stone wall. Staring for several seconds, she came to realize exactly who that form was next to her.
Her right hand reached out until the metal wrist shackle halted it so her hand fell to the ground, her fingertips resting in the space that divided the two of them. Yet she felt something rather warm touching her two fingertips that she'd come to miss these past ten days. Her eyes closed again after too much strain. "Xena," she whispered before the poison in her system took her again.
~*~*~*~
Teresa hastily walked harder through the snow to Amarice. "Amarice?"
The Princess looked to her third in command as she led the group of Amazons to the southeast. "Teresa?"
The third in command came up beside the Princess. "I think we should send somebody ahead to let Mairead know we're coming."
Amarice gave a nod of agreement. "Alright." She looked back at the five Amazon that followed behind and the two Amazons that carried Lesia. "Talon," she called.
The large, strong Amazon came pushing through the snow up to her Princess. "Yes, Amarice?"
"I need you to go ahead of us and get to Mairead's village. Let her know about Lesia's condition and tell her to have a healer waiting. We'll be there in two candlemarks."
Talon nodded briskly. "I'll be quick."
"Thank you," replied Amarice, she received another nod from Talon before she race off in a jog towards Mairead's village.
Teresa peered at Amarice for a second then back at snow-white trees.
"Don't even think it," stated Amarice in a low tone.
"I'm not," replied the third in command.
The Princess sighed heavily. "She'll make it." But even she had her doubts about those two stabs that Lesia took during the battle between the bandits near Jacob's farmhouse. They were clean cut stabs that clearly drew out exceeding amounts of life from the small Amazon.
The group of Amazons drove hard through the thick snow. Their hearts set on making Mairead's village before sunset. The wind blew hard, pressing them more and the snow hit them even more as the temperature was dropping in the late afternoon. They kept two heavy blankets on Lesia, constantly checking her forehead and occasionally changing her dressings on her wounds. But the short winter day didn't give too much hope so they had to dig beyond the winter into their own strength for hope. Just maybe they would make it.
And when the sun breached the horizon and there were only rays of red sunlight left, hope started to fade. The Princess was at a lost as to whether to keep fighting the elements or make camp. Had Talon even made it to the village or gotten lost in the winter's maze? She was as worried about Talon as she was worried about Lesia. She couldn't help feeling she was putting two Amazons to their deaths and it would rest all on her if she had done the wrong decisions.
"Amarice?" whispered Teresa; she got no response from the Princess and she knew Amarice was in deep thought. "Amarice?" This time she touched Amarice's freezing fingers.
The Princess quickly came around and her focus turned on the third in command.
"We have to make camp." Teresa shook her head. "We can't make Mairead's village until tomorrow."
Amarice peered at her friend as she tossed the ideas in her head and the risks at hand. She then tried to think what her Queen and Xena would have done in this case. And she knew exactly what they would have done if they were here. Slowly, she came to a stop and moved her head closer into Teresa and whispered, "We will not make camp, we will make it to Mairead's village. If we make camp, Lesia will definitely die from her wounds if not freeze up first." Slowly she gazed at her Amazons that followed her loyally and trustingly. "We will not rest until we make it to Mairead's village."
The Amazons all exchanged looks of worry, their eyes heavy, and their bodies half frozen. The strain from constantly walking through the thick snow wore on them and they were beyond tired and hungry.
"I know how you all feel but we have to make it to the village. Lesia is depending on us to get her there." Amarice marched over to the front carrier of the pallet, and she took her position.
Teresa admired the Princess for her determination and love for her own Amazons. She quickly took the rear carrier's spot and nodded at Amarice when Amarice smiled to her.
"Let's keep moving," commanded the Princess sternly.
The Amazon group pushed on in the last few red rays and the icing snow. That's when the wind grew stronger, and the temperature plummeted as the snow started shifting into sheer coats of ice. With each step an Amazon took, they had to smash their feet down to break the icy snow. Their only form of company in the night was the almost full moon that shined and shimmered off the white of winter. Another candlemark quietly moved on and the shaking Amazons started to become numb in some spots such as their faces, hands, and feet. Lips cracked, eyes soar, and heavy breathing was every Amazon's condition at that point.
But then one Amazon in the front came to a halt. "What is that?" she said aloud.
The others stopped and gazed through the forest ahead.
Amarice squinted her aching eyes and saw a yellow light flickering through the woods and a black form holding up the light. Then she realized there was a second light with another form. "Amazons, draw your swords just in case."
"They're on horseback," reported Teresa.
The other six Amazon stood in front of Teresa and Amarice, guarding them from these new people.
The sound of horse beats filled the air around them as the riders neared and the yellow light grew stronger.
"I hope its Talon," mumbled an Amazon.
A few others nodded their agreement.
Finally the two forms came in earshot but not close enough to see. The two riders stopped their horses and dismounted with a poof of snow in the air about them.
"Who goes?" called Amarice.
"It's Talon!" replied a rider.
The six Amazons in the group all cheered and quickly sheathed their swords. Amarice felt a huge smile take her lips as the two riders walked up with their horses and torches. "Thank the gods," she whispered only to herself.
The other rider Amarice noticed was an Amazon of Mairead's that for once she was grateful to see before her.
Talon came up to her friends and went to
Amarice. "This is
Talon took it then spoke to Amarice again. "She's going to take Lesia and ride back. Its only a twenty minute ride."
"So about a candlemark walk," finished the Princess.
Talon nodded. "Yeah."
"Plus," cut in
All the Amazons suddenly smiled and relief of knowing something warm would be in their system now.
"Let's get Lesia out of here," ordered Amarice.
Carefully, Amarice and Teresa lowered the pallet
into the hard snow. Together with Talon's help, they lifted the small Amazon up
to
Mairead's Amazon took the small Amazon and settled her in the front of the saddle, her one arm around Lesia.
Teresa handed a blanket to
Once the blanket was on
"Thank you," replied the Princess. "Hurry, please." She took the two skins off the saddlebags.
"She'll be fine."
Amarice handed a warm skin to Teresa and turned to her Amazons. "Here's the plan, we'll continue until we get to the village. I want everybody to take turns riding Talon's horse so we can have a break. Whoever is on the horse, needs to carry one torch. Is that clear?"
The Amazons nodded and one of them mounted the mare and took a torch from Talon. Talon kept the other one and smiled at herself from making it to her friends.
The group then continued to trek onwards to the village knowing it wasn't far off.
~*~*~*~
"Ephiny, the messengers have been sent out." Solari stood in the in front of the closed door. She pushed her hood back.
The regent looked from her desk and at her lover. "Thank you, Solari."
The second in command sighed deeply and came over to her Amazon. "Eph, relax please?" She rested her hands on her lover's shoulders and began massaging them.
The regent let out a slight groan and relaxed back into Solari's touch. "Are the Amazons prepared?"
"Yes," answered the second in command.
"Mmmmm." Ephiny closed her eyes as her shoulder muscles began to untense.
"Gabrielle and Xena will be okay." Solari thought for a moment. "Whoever these people are went through a lot to get them. They're not about to kill them."
Ephiny nodded her agreement and whispered, "But they sure are asking for their death."
"Agreed," stated Solari, who was about as angry as Ephiny about the imposters and these new enemies. "Who do you think they are?"
"I'm not sure honestly." The regent licked her lips. "It could be anybody."
"I know." Solari started massaging her lover's neck.
"How are Janelle and Karena doing?"
"Better," answered the second in command. "Karena came to earlier but not for very long." She then lowered her head close to Ephiny. "Let's go to bed, Eph. Its been a rough day."
"Its not going to get any better anytime soon," countered the regent.
"True… so all the more reason you'll need a good night's rest."
Ephiny opened her eyes and found brown ones looking back down at her with brown hair curtained around her. "Okay." She got out of her chair with Solari's help.
The two Amazons stripped of their clothing and climbed into their bed. For several minutes neither said a word before a goodnight came out with an I love you. Curled up together, they slept together but with worries of how the other soul mates were doing tonight.
~*~*~*~
Amarice gradually shut the door after checking on the last Amazon of hers for the night. She's stopped in each Amazon's hut to check on their condition from the long trek plus a thank you for heir hard work. She'd been told that three Amazons had ended up with frostbite from the cold and freezing winds. All the rest suffered from chapped lips, which was quickly taken care of by the healer.
Right now though, the Princess was headed over to healer's hut to visit Lesia. She had yet to check on Lesia since she arrived in Mairead's village. Mairead had told her that the healer asked no one to bother Lesia for awhile. Entering into the hut, Amarice scanned around while closing the door behind.
"Princess," greeted the healer.
"Hi," replied the Princess as she smiled at the healer. "I'm Amarice… not Princess," she faintly teased.
"Yes of course." The healer reflected the smile. "I'm Susan… you might know my mother…?"
Amarice took Susan's arm in a strong shake once she released arms, she asked, "Which Amazon?"
"She's in Queen Gabrielle's tribe… she's one of the council members."
Amarice furrowed her eyebrows.
Susan suddenly had a tiny grin. "She's a rather talkative one, when she has a point she makes it."
"Oooh." The Princess chuckled a bit and said, "Phyl."
The healer gave a small laugh herself. "That's her."
"I can see the resemblance now," teased the Princess.
Susan shook her head. "Let's not go there."
Amarice grinned but then her expression went serious. "How is Lesia?"
Susan let out a big sigh and said, "Follow me." She led the Princess into a side room where Lesia rested on a pallet. "The winter is what really did her in."
Amarice studied the small Amazon. "What of her wounds?"
"They're clean, dressed, and now starting to heal." The healer folder her arms, studying the Amazon. "It’s the flu that she needs to get through tonight."
"Its bad?"
Susan peered up at the taller Amazon. "Afraid so. Being in the weather's elements didn't help her but… that was your only choice." She pressed her lips together and quietly added, "If she makes it through this fever tonight then she'll be fine. Otherwise…"
Amarice felt her eyes stinging, and she looked away from Lesia for a moment. "I'll stay with her tonight," she stated.
Susan did nothing at first but then gradually nodded.
"Do I need to do anything to help her?"
"Just keep her forehead cool." The healer sighed a bit. "She may wake a few times but try to keep her comfortable and asleep. Sleep is the best thing for her right now."
"Alright."
Susan grasped Amarice's arm for a moment. "Let me know if you need anything or anything happens. I'm right next door."
"I will… thank you, Susan."
The healer felt a sad smile touch her lips then she lowered her head and silently left the hut. When she came outside, another Amazon came up to the hut.
"Excuse me, are you the healer?"
"Yes, what's wrong?"
The Amazon shook her head. "I was just wondering if you've seen Amarice…?"
"She's inside," replied the healer.
"Thank you." The Amazon hurried up the steps and went into the hut.
Susan listened to the door closing before she went to her hut next door.
"Amarice?" called Talon with a quiet voice, worried she'd disturb Lesia.
"I'm in here, Talon," answered the Princess, her head poked around the corner.
Talon came up through the hall and stood beside Amarice, whom was sitting down. "How you doing?"
"I'm okay." The Princess looked away from the larger Amazon and glanced at Lesia.
"How's she doing?" Talon nodded at Lesia.
Amarice sighed and rested back into her chair, her arms against her chest. "She has a serious fever. If she doesn't break it by tomorrow then…"
"Mmmm." Talon leaned against the wall and studied the sleeping Amazon.
Amarice stood up and walked over to a small table where a cloth, water basin, and lit candle rested. She took the cloth then placed it in the basin, ringing it out once it was wet enough. She came over to Lesia and carefully damped her forehead several times.
Talon watched Amarice carefully; she'd remembered when Amarice first came to the village. She knew the younger Amazon had grown quite a bit since her first arrival. Talon, herself, had grown to respect the Princess from the large changes she'd made over the past three years.
Amarice sighed and walked back over to the water basin and dropped the cloth beside the water basin. Coming back to her chair, she quietly sat down and her eyes never left Lesia.
"You're worried huh?" whispered Talon.
"Yeah," mumbled Amarice, her voice hitting fragments of upset.
Talon walked to the other side of the room and picked up another wood chair. She carried it over to the Princess and settled it down. She slowly sat down beside the Princess. "Ssso…"
Amarice turned her attention to Talon. "So?"
Talon faintly revealed a grin at Amarice. "So, how do you like being the Princess?"
Amarice huffed and folded her arms tightly together. "I'm ready to retire."
The other Amazon laughed deeply and relaxed back into her chair. She pulled her cloak closer into her body and then asked, "Can't be that bad…?"
"Its stressful," countered the new Princess.
"Mmmm," muttered Talon, she crossed one leg over the other. "But there are perks."
"Such as?" questioned the Princess.
Talon dropped her head to one side and came up with an answer. "You get more attention."
"Yeah… the wrong kind," grumbled the younger Amazon.
Talon chuckled to herself before flashing a devilish grin. "Oh but all the Amazons notice you more now."
"Yeah?" Amarice's expression suddenly went surprised and happy.
"Uh huh." Talon reached up brushing back a few long strands of dirty blond hair behind her ear. "Especially me."
The Princess had a brief grin yet returned to her serious side. "That would probably be the only perk… and one I wouldn't have time for." She leaned forward, her elbows now on her knees and her chin in her hands. She kept silent while watching over Lesia.
"Lesia will be fine," reassured the Amazon. "She's small but a strong one inside," she promised.
"But I still worry," whispered the Princess. "Something can always go wrong." She thought for several moments, thinking back to her adventures with Xena and Gabrielle. "It’s a natural thing for things to always go wrong."
Talon reached out and touched her friend's shoulder. "And sometimes it’s a natural thing for things to go right."
Amarice peered up at Talon, her head turned slightly. "True," she agreed quietly.
Talon took a long breath and asked, "Why don't you get some rest?"
The Princess shook while sitting up again. "I can't… too worried about Lesia." Yet she dropped her head back and slowly her eyes closed.
"I can tell the stress got to you," whispered Talon.
Amarice shrugged it off, her eyes still closed. "Comes with the job." She then finally looked at the other Amazon. "You headed back to your hut?"
Talon shook her head. "No, rather keep you company."
Amarice revealed a sad smile at her friend's words. "Thanks." She lowered her gaze and stared at the floor. "Thank you again for going ahead of the group."
"You don't have to thank me, Amarice." Talon laced her hands together in her lap. "I'd do anything for my sisters."
"I know," whispered the young Princess. She licked her chapped lips and quietly added, "I was worried about you." She slowly turned her head towards Talon. "I was scared you hadn't made it and gotten lost… maybe even killed."
Talon remained silent for many seconds as she thought over the Princess's words.
Amarice lowered her head again, her eyes closed this time, and her throat now burned.
Talon's focus went to the younger Amazon and she saw a tear roll down Amarice's cheek. "Hey its okay, Amarice." She reached over and pulled the Amazon closer to her body.
The Princess quickly hugged the larger Amazon and rested her head on Talon's chest.
Talon let out a heavy sigh and whispered, "I was fine, nothing happened huh?"
"I know." Amarice opened her eyes gradually. "There's just a lot of pressure to being a Princess… I'm worn out."
Talon had a small smile on her lips as she replied, "You'll get the hang of it after a bit. Then it'll be a cake walk, just give yourself some time because you haven't been a Princess for very long."
Suddenly, Amarice had a small bit of a grin in place. "I've always been thee Princess."
Talon laughed with a shake of her head. "Now that is very true."
The Princess then found herself yawning, her right hand covering her mouth.
"Come on, lay down," suggested Talon.
"No, that's okay." The young Amazon started releasing the larger one but she quickly figured out Talon wasn't going to let her. "Tal-"
"Lay down," ordered the older Amazon.
"Are you ordering the Princess?" taunted the smaller Amazon.
Talon's frame shook with a small laugh. "Yes."
"Oh, how dare you," joked the Princess.
Talon rolled her eyes and countered, "Respect your elders."
Amarice laughed a little at that one but decided that just maybe a little rest wouldn't hurt. She lowered her head down onto Talon's chest again and tightened her arms around the larger body.
Talon smiled to herself and brought her right arm around Amarice. "I'll wake you if Lesia has any changes," she promised in a soft voice.
"Thanks," came the muffled reply of the Princess.
Talon dropped her head back against the wall and closed her eyes, however her other senses stayed alert.
~*~*~*~
Mairead opened her door and was greeted by one
of her Amazons, Virginia. "What's wrong,
"Two of Gabrielle's Amazons just rode in and requested to speak with you."
Mairead's eyes narrowed. "At this time of night?"
"Yes, my queen."
The queen nodded and responded, "Bring them in, alright?"
"Yes, my queen."
Queen Mairead watched her go for a moment then went back inside of her hut. After a few minutes, she heard a knock at her door and let in the two riders. "Come in," she ordered them. "Go by the fire to warm up."
Gabrielle's two Amazons entered and went straight to the fire. They sat down in the two chairs that were provided by the queen.
One rider looked to the queen and said, "Thank you, queen Mairead."
The southern queen nodded before asking, "Why are you both here?"
The first rider sighed and answered, "I am here to deliver a message to you."
"And I'm here to find Princess Amarice," cut in the second rider.
The queen glanced back to the first rider and asked, "Is something wrong in the Nation?"
"I'm afraid so…" The first rider stood up and reached back into her cloak, she produced the message scroll and handed it to the queen. "Queen Gabrielle and Xena have been kidnapped."
Mairead had taken the scroll but she didn't move after hearing this astonishing news. "By the gods, when?"
"Last night," reported the second rider.
"By who?" further inquired the queen.
"We don't know yet," went on the first rider, "But we know that it has to do with your Amazon Renotta and another Amazon that we are not sure of."
Mairead was shaking her head as she opened up the scroll to read over.
The two riders glanced between each other and then back to the queen.
Queen Mairead finished the scroll and was rolling it back up as she spoke to the second rider. "Princess Amarice and her group are back from the farm house they were in search of. Unfortunately one of their Amazons was badly wounded."
"Who was that?" questioned the second rider.
"Lesia…. From what I understood, they were attacked by several bandits but the strange part was they seemed intent on killing Lesia." Mairead sat down on the foot of her bed and continued with her information. "Luckily, one of Amarice's Amazons was able to stop the bandit that was about to kill Lesia."
"Where is the Princess, now?"
"I reckon in her hut," the queen
replied to the second rider. "If you find
The rider nodded and thanked the queen as she left the hut in search for the Princess.
Mairead then turned her attention to the first rider. "The regent requests our presence in the central village?"
"Yes and I am to escort you there."
Mairead nodded briskly. "I will round up several of my Amazons at sunrise." She folded her arms. "It is too late to begin now. We will leave tomorrow."
The rider stood up. "Ephiny will need your help… the Queen especially."
The southern queen moved her head in agreement and said, "I'll show you to a hut to stay for the night."
"Thank you, queen Mairead," responded the rider, as she followed the queen out of the hut.
"This way."
Talon heard the hut's door open and she quickly lifted her head. She carefully shook Amarice and whispered, "Amarice, wake up."
The Princess opened her eyes and sat up
straight. She then hastily stood up, as did Talon. "
Taylor, the second rider, bowed her head. "My Princess."
Amarice chuckled for a moment yet stopped and queried, "What are you doing here?"
"Ephiny requested me to come find you and bring you back to the village."
The Princess furrowed her eyebrows and noticed the stressed look masking the rider's expression. "What's happened?"
Finally Amarice spoke up. "What happened? By who, when?" Her tone was picking up bits of anger.
"Two of Gabrielle's Amazons?" cut in Talon.
"Yes, and one was Renotta… we are not sure who the other was just yet." The rider studied the other three Amazons momentarily. "That was just yesterday and the regent requested that you return back to the village," explained the Amazon to the Princess.
"We will immediately."
"What about Lesia?" asked Talon.
The Princess turned her head sidelong towards Lesia. "She will have to stay here until she is well."
Amarice thought about a plan then said,
"We'll leave tomorrow at first light and I'll let the Amazons know now.
"Yes of course."
The Princess turned to Talon when the others left the hut. "I'm going to take care of the others then come back here."
"I'll come with you," instantly stated the older Amazon.
Amarice smiled softly at her friend's words. "Thank you." She briefly touched Talon's arm before walking over to the wash basin and soaked the cloth. She then moistened Lesia's forehead. "We'll be back soon, Lesia," she whispered quietly and after ridding herself of the cloth, she left the hut with Talon.
~*Part 11*~
Ephiny felt her back being rubbed gently by her lover. She closed her eyes slowly as she remained sitting up in bed, the morning sun shining over her. She gave out a long sigh while she continued thinking about her day.
Solari kept silent, just studying her regent's profile and hoping the rhythmic motion of her hand helped relax Ephiny.
"We need to find out who this other Amazon is," finally said the regent.
The second in command started nodding her agreement.
Ephiny turned her head to her lover. "We'll talk to the council today, plan on a route of attack." Gradually she turned her head away. "Maybe we'll hear something from the kidnappers."
"Hopefully Amarice will return," mentioned Solari.
The regent nodded her agreement then after a minute, she climbed out of bed and began dressing, and Solari joined her. Once dressed, the pair left the hut for a quick breakfast then off to the healer's hut.
"Eilis, how are they?"
The healer looked up from her desk and stood up at seeing the regent and Solari enter the hut. "They are much better."
For the first time since Gabrielle's departure, the regent had a smile. "Good to hear. Can we speak with them?"
"Of course, they just woke up."
"Thank you." Ephiny went into the room where Janelle and Karena have been resting. Her smile soon returned when she saw both Janelle and Karena smiling at her in greeting. "How are you both?"
"Just lovely," replied Karena with a small chuckle.
Solari shook her head and stated, "Always being a smartass even during a crisis." She smirked at the Amazon. "Typical kiwi Amazon."
Karena chuckled a bit herself. "Its what keeps me smiling sometimes."
Ephiny grinned at that yet went lost it at the thought of the 'crisis' at hand. "What happened?"
Karena looked to Janelle and Janelle looked to Karena.
Janelle sighed and turned her focus to the regent and Solari. "Gabrielle was leaving the Nation and we were on patrol duty. We spotted her and-"
"We?" cut in the second command.
Karena nodded and explained, "Janelle, myself, Renotta, and Kate."
"Kate?" whispered Ephiny, her eyebrows knitted together.
"Never heard of her." Solari was looking at her lover.
"Neither have I." The regent sighed and said, "Go on, Janelle."
"Well like I said, we spotted Gabrielle and asked her if she'd like us to escort her to the border. She agreed to it and Renotta and Kate led the way. Karena and I though were walking behind beside the Queen." Janelle paused and collected her thoughts from her memories. "Gabrielle told Karena and I that Kate wasn't an Amazon."
"How'd she know?" inquired the second in command.
"No feathers," answered Karena.
Both, Ephiny and Solari exchanged looks briefly.
"After that," continued Karena for Janelle, "we came to the border and the three of us were about to jump Renotta and Kate but we were caught off guard. Renotta had spun around and threw some kind of…?" She looked to Janelle for help on what weapons Renotta used.
"Like arrow heads," resolved Janelle, "but in a star shape and the poison knocked us out almost instantly."
"Almost? So that was the last thing your remember… or…?"
"No," started Karena to Solari, "there were a few men, who came out of the trees behind Gabrielle. One had jumped on her back and after that and if I remember right, she had gone unconscious."
"And that's all?" Ephiny leaned to her right foot, arms crossed against her chest.
"Yeah," answered Janelle.
"Could you tell who was in control by any chance?" Solari pressed her lips together momentarily before adding, "Was Renotta in command or Kate or the men?"
"I'm not sure," answered Janelle, she glanced at Karena for her response.
Karena shook her head but her mind wasn't doing so-well as she considered her memories of last night. "To me, it seemed like either Kate or Renotta was in-charge." She started to nod as she became more certain of her answer.
"Okay… well that's something to go on," pointed out the regent quietly. "Thank you."
"You're welcome," replied Janelle.
"Try to get some rest," ordered Solari.
"Oh yeah, to get back out on patrol duty," half teased Karena with a grin.
"You got it," taunted the second in command.
Ephiny chuckled a bit herself and said, "Get some rest you two. Thanks again." She headed for the door with Solari following.
Solari headed out and gave a brief wave to the two Amazons.
When the second in command and Ephiny came outside of the hut, Ephiny turned to her lover. "I don't like this one bit," she whispered hotly.
Solari wholly agreed with a signal of her head. "An intruder in our village, it shouldn't happen."
"No," agreed the regent. She gazed about the village and Amazons around her before setting her focus back on Solari. "Go order the council to assemble, I will be there soon. I'm going to go find Eponin."
"Okay, I'll take care of it."
"Great." Ephiny went in her direction while the second in command went the other way. Ephiny went directly to the training fields and found Eponin there in a weapons hut. "Ep?"
Eponin turned around, a scroll and quill in either hand; she was doing inventory of the weapons hut. "What do you need?"
"Do you know anything about a Kate?"
"Kate?" The weapons master considered over several seconds then finally replied, "No."
"You didn't put a Kate on patrol last night with Karena, Janelle, and Renotta?"
"No." Eponin's eyebrows were furrowed. "Karena, Janelle, and Renotta were the only three I put together in that patrol unit. I've never heard of Kate in Gabrielle's village."
Ephiny folded her arms and raised an eyebrow up very high.
"Why?"
"She was an intruder, Ep," final explained the regent.
The weapons master gave out a huge sigh and grumbled, "Centaur crap. But how could she have gotten an Amazon uniform or weapons for that matter? Nobody can reproduce our work."
Ephiny was shaking her head and suggested, "Maybe Renotta stole them for her."
"No." The weapons master was shaking her head. "There are no weapons or uniforms missing, she couldn't have. You know how well we keep track of those things."
"True." Ephiny stared at the gravel floor in thought. "We're missing a piece."
Eponin tossed a few possible ideas in her head as well but couldn't come up with an explanation. "I'm sure somebody knows."
"Mmmmm," agreed the regent. "Look, we're having a meeting with the council to bring them up to date."
"You need me there?"
"I'd like that," replied Ephiny.
Together, they left the hut after Eponin put her scroll and quill away. They went directly to the council hut where they found all the members just starting to sit down. The last one in was Masika with Solari at her side.
Masika sat down at one end of the head of the table.
Ephiny, Solari, and the weapons master however stood at the other end of the table, none of them allowed to sit in the Queen's chair.
"We've come to find out that there was an intruder in our mists," reported Ephiny to the council.
There was a moment of silence then all the elders began talking at once.
Ephiny shook her head at one question thrown at her. "No, we don't know who yet."
"How'd this happen?"
"We're not sure," answered the regent.
"What? You have no clue how this happened?"
"Yes, this is outrageous," called a member, "Who was in charge of patrol duty?"
"Did we know about this sooner?"
"Does she have something to do with Renotta?"
"Hold on!" yelled Ephiny with her hands coming up briefly. "One question at a time." After a sigh, she lowered her hands back down. "So far, we know that Renotta is apart of it and that she had a partner. We're not sure who Renotta's partner was yet but we have some ideas; her name was Kate though."
"And we don't know of any Kate in this tribe?" questioned a council member.
"Afraid not," answered Solari. "Nobody within this village at least knows of a Kate."
"So how did she get in here undetected?" brought up Masika.
"We believe she was wearing Amazon attire."
Masika shook her head in a bit of confusion before stating, "There's no way she could have obtained an Amazon uniform or the exact weapons."
"We think she was an insider," countered the weapons master.
"There's been some rumours," spoke up the only silent council member.
Everybody turn their attention to the council member.
Phyllis sat up in her chair and continued telling her own knowledge of the rumours. "Supposedly there has been an Amazon amongst us, and I mean all the Greek tribes, that has no feathers. I believe she is this Kate."
Everybody in the room fell silent for a bit.
"Phyllis, where did you hear this?" finally spoke up the regent.
The council member thought for a moment then answered, "Well… Maired and I noticed this Amazon without the feathers not too long ago. So I asked around, I asked… Lesia before she left with the Princess about the Amazon."
"What did she say, Phyl?" persisted Masika.
"Well she was in a rush because she had to go with the Princess. She just told me she was a southern Amazon, from the same tribe she came from."
"Lesia came from Mairead's tribe," mentioned Solari aloud.
"As much as we would all like to know who this mystery Amazon is," cut in Masika, "our concern is Queen Gabrielle and Xena. I'm sure we'll find out who this Amazon is later on."
"Masika is right," agreed the regent. "We need to figure out a plan."
"Have you sent out the messages to the other queens?" Masika raised an eyebrow at the regent.
"Yes, I requested they come here with as many Amazons as they can spare. I also sent out a messenger to find the Princess and Teresa."
Masika nodded before saying, "The only thing we can do as of now is organize the Amazons. We have yet to hear any word from the Queen's capturers. Until we do, we're sitting ducks."
"Hopefully when Princess Amarice returns, she can shed some light on whom Renotta is," added in Eponin.
All the council members nodded and they continued talking of several ideas on how to handle the situation as it progressed. They still needed to hear the demands of their enemies.
~*~*~*~
Amarice entered the queen's hut. "Everybody is ready, Queen Mairead."
The queen hefted a sack onto her back and coming over to the door. "Good, I believe we should be on our way."
The Princess nodded and opened the door again. She felt her back tingle a little; she'd never liked Mairead especially after the final contest fight between Mairead and Gabrielle. After Mairead came out of the hut, she faced her. "I am going to stop at the healer's hut for a moment. I want to check on Lesia before we leave."
"Of course, we'll wait for you." Mairead then walked past the Princess with no other regard.
Amarice watched her briefly then shook her head. Making her way to the healer's hut, she went inside to find Susan carefully wetting Lesia's forehead. "How is she?"
"She's a lot better," confirmed the healer. "Her fever has almost broken."
Amarice sighed in relief at the healer's words. "That's good to hear."
"Yes it is," agreed Susan with a warm smile. She took the cloth off the Amazon's forehead and placed it in the washbasin. "You are leaving?"
"Yes, we need to return to Gabrielle's tribe."
"I heard what happened." Susan came closer to the Princess. "It’s a shame they weren't stopped sooner. Mairead should have done something about it sooner."
"They?"
Susan nodded then explained. "Renotta and Kyle… they left this tribe not too long ago. Renotta went to Queen Gabrielle's tribe with Lesia."
"Happened with Kyle?"
"Nobody was sure but she's easy to pick out because she has no feathers," stated Susan. "The pair of them are nothing but trouble." She shook her head while crossing her arms. "I'll bet my feathers that they are responsible for the Queen's kidnapping."
"Hmmm," muttered the Princess. She came out of her thoughts and said, "I have to head off. Thank you for all your help, Sue."
"You're welcome." Susan revealed another warm smile. "Lesia will be fine; she'll just need some time to recover."
"I know, thank you again."
Susan simply nodded this time and watched the Amazon leave the hut.
Amarice hurried to the center of the town to see all of Mairead's Amazons prepared to leave. "I'm here," she called to the queen.
Mairead gave acknowledgement to Amarice's arrival and looked to her Amazons. "Let's go, sisters." She gave a quick wave of her hand and began marching out of the village with her warriors.
Amarice caught up with her group of Amazons and asked, "Everybody here?"
"Yup," answered Teresa. "We're ready."
"Let's go, ladies. Time to head home." After her words, she noted all the small smiles forming on her Amazon's lips.
The large group of Amazons traveled to the north to Gabrielle's tribe in hopes to make it there by nightfall. However, between the snow and snowfall, they were not so sure they'd make it there by the sunset. Luckily, Mairead knew of numerous caves along the way that they could take shelter in if it happened they couldn't make it in time.
"How was Lesia?" whispered Talon as she came up to Amarice's side.
"She is better," replied the Princess.
Talon smiled at her friend's words. "Susan said she'd make it?"
Amarice nodded and folded her arms against her chest to stay warmer. "Yes, her fever will break soon."
The Amazon's shoulders fell a bit in relief. "That's real good to hear."
"Uh huh." Amarice then grinned at her friend. "And you were worried?"
"Of course." Talon was silent for a moment but yawned, her hand covered her mouth.
The Princess glanced at Talon briefly. "Not enough sleep last night?"
Talon shook her head while gazing ahead. "No… never sleep well when I'm in a strange place."
"Mmmm," agreed Amarice.
"Did you get any sleep last night?" quietly asked the Amazon.
"None," stated the Princess. "Well other than those few minutes in your lap."
Talon chuckled a bit and shook her head. "The jobs of royalty."
Amarice huffed and muttered, "I could pass on it."
"So why didn't you?" partially taunted Talon.
The Princess laughed quietly to herself. "Hades if I know." She shrugged a bit then answered in a saucy tone, "It sounded like fun at the start."
The older Amazon laughed quietly with a shake of her head.
"No," started the Princess in a serious voice, "I knew Gabrielle wanted me as the Princess."
Talon agreed with that, it was the true explanation. "You'll handle the position fine." She grinned as she folded her arms against her chest. "Otherwise the Queen would have never picked you."
"You just don't think she was desperate?" joked Amarice.
"Nope… she has many good Amazons," reminded Talon. "You happened to be the one to fit the Princess perfectly." She smiled afterwards.
Amarice said nothing back but just gave a warm smile in return. Slowly her thoughts shifted to her friends, whom were now captured. She was worried… more than worried but she didn't know which emotion was stronger, her worry or her anger. She wanted to be one of the Amazons to seek out the Queen and Xena and kill the ones responsible. She knew she wouldn't be the only one in that line, every Amazon dedicated their life to Gabrielle… with the exception of Mairead.
"What you thinking about?" suddenly cut in Talon's voice.
The Princess at first made no response but then looked at her friend. "Sorry… just thinking about the Queen now."
"Mmmm." Talon moved closer to her Princess while traveling through the forest. "They should be okay."
"I hope so," whispered Amarice, "otherwise there will be a heavy darkness following over the Nation."
Talon dropped her head, watching her boots mash the snow down. Slowly she gazed up and studied the white blanketed forest for several seconds. "We'll get them back… alive." Her determined gazed turned to Amarice. "They won't die over something like this… not if we can help it along with Artemis."
That made Amarice smile slightly but it soon fell as her anger came back.
~*~*~*~
"Ephiny, two tribes have just arrived."
The regent turned from where she was standing, next to her desk. "Which two, Solari?"
"Queen Laetus and queen Parvulus… they traveled together."
"Okay good." Ephiny came over to the door. "Are the camps outside of the gates still in good enough conditions for them?"
"Yes, they're already starting to settle in."
"Wonderful… let's go find the queens." Ephiny left her hut with Solari at her side.
They quickly went outside of the gates into the camps that were created back during the competition between the queens. Once outside the gates, they quickly spotted the queens watching over the Amazons to see them organizing them into their huts.
"Queen Parvulus and queen Laetus," greeted Ephiny.
The two queens quickly faced the regent and shook arms with her.
"Thank you both for making it and with your Amazons."
"When our chosen's life is at stake then we must use all everything we have to stop our enemy," stated Queen Laetus.
"Yes and we're grateful for the help."
"And have you heard of any news of them, Queen Ephiny?" inquired queen Parvulus.
The regent instinctively narrowed her eyes. "I am not the Queen," she corrected.
"Yes, but in her absence you-"
"I do not take her position as the Queen," half growled the regent. "She is the Queen and I am her regent."
Queen Parvulus said nothing more while fiery amber eyes stared her down.
Solari placed a gentle hand on Ephiny's shoulder, and she sensed her lover's shoulder relaxing some. She then removed her hand knowing Ephiny was calm again.
"And no, we have not heard anything from their capturers." The regent crossed her arms. "As of now, we can only rank the Amazons until the battle begins."
"Or invasion," added queen Laetus.
"If it comes to that," agreed Ephiny. "As of now, we do have suspects as to who are the kidnappers. There was a new Amazon here named Renotta, whom we're rather suspicious about."
"Who is the second suspect?" questioned queen Laetus.
"We're not sure yet… but they managed to masquerade as an Amazon in our village."
Both of the queens instantly had surprised looks.
Solari sighed inwardly at that, she knew this wouldn't be lived down for a long time.
"I take it she has not been identified?"
"No, not yet," replied the regent.
"Ephiny!" the weapons master jogged up to the regent. "Two other queens are arriving now."
"Which ones, Ep?"
"Queen Eilee and Nyx." The weapons master stood beside her friend. "They're just coming into the border now."
Ephiny nodded and looked to Solari. "Help the queens get settled in."
"Sure, Eph." The second in command turned to the queens. "Follow me."
Ephiny switched her focus back to Eponin. "Lead the way?"
Eponin nodded to her right and spun around on her boots. She escorted the regent in the direction of where the two new arrivals were coming.
"Amarice hasn't returned?"
The weapons master shook her head "Not yet."
"Mmmm." Ephiny was pressing her lips together.
"They might not arrive here till tomorrow morning," mentioned the weapons master, "with all of this weather."
"That's what I'm worried about." The regent sighed with her head drooping over some. "They've been in this snowy weather for awhile now."
"It has to be wearying on them." Eponin chewed on her lower lip. "Knowing Amarice, they're okay… she's too determined to let something like weather slow her."
Ephiny chuckled very quietly but added, "Too stubborn, you mean?"
Eponin shot a grin at her friend. "No wonder Gabrielle chose her."
Ephiny retuned the grin but hers more devilish. "Why are all the royalty stubborn?"
"I don't know…" Eponin had an inquisitive look. "It is a lot of stubbornness in the royalty though. Let's see there's Xena and Gabrielle… Amarice…" she then peered at her friend. "You."
"What?" the regent snarled. "I'm not has as stubborn as Xena."
"No… just three fourths as stubborn as Gabrielle."
"Centaur crap… nobody is even three quarters stubborn as Gabrielle."
The pair laughed together momentarily but went silent once they noted the huge group of Amazons ahead.
Ephiny sighed and muttered, "I want a vacation after this."
Eponin just smirked to herself before suddenly forcing a half smile on her lips.
~*~*~*~
"Still no sign of Amarice," mentioned Solari to Ephiny.
Ephiny shook her head and glanced at the setting sun. "I hope they're okay." She lifted her hand to the door of her hut and opened it. "Have you stopped in to see Karena and Janelle?"
"Not yet." Solari stood in front of the open door while her lover went in the hut. "Headed over there now."
The regent nodded while leaning against the doorframe. "I think I'll check on them before dinner."
"Get a little rest, love," whispered the second in command.
The regent dropped her head against the wood. "I think I'll have a quick nap before dinner."
Solari smiled faintly at that. "I'll be in after I check on those two."
"Okay." The regent straightened up and briefly kissed her lover before watching her go. She then silently closed her door and glanced at her fire place. With a sigh, she went over to throw a few pieces of wood in before it went out. Taking off her cloak, she tossed it on her desk chair and then placed her face in her hands. A heavy groan filtered out between her lips and her fingers combed through her thick hair. "Gods damn."
"Don't use the Gods names in vain," cut in a rich, sweet voice.
Ephiny spun around with her hands now up and her knees slightly bent. "Oh gods," she sighed. "Aphrodite."
"Sorry, babes… didn't mean to scare you." The goddess stepped closer to the Amazon. "How's it going?"
Ephiny lifted an eyebrow. "Well if our goddesses cared to drop in, maybe they'd know how its going."
"Ouch, way harsh." Aphrodite shook her head and put her hands on her hips. "Don't you think Arty and I watch after you feather heads?"
"Mmmm," grumbled the regent, "Sometimes I do wonder."
"Hey, I was just here to help out." Aphrodite threw up her arms. "But if you don't need any, that's cool. Toodles!"
"Wait, wait."
Aphrodite dropped her right hand as the couple sparks of pink fell to the ground.
"Why are you here?"
The goddess shook her head as her hands went back to her hips. "I just told you, to help… well as best as I can."
"As best as you can?" Ephiny had lifted another eyebrow at those words; she sat on the foot of her bed.
"Look… as much as Artemis and I would like to help out, we can't." The goddess dropped her hands with a light sigh. "It’s a test."
"The kidnappers… a test?" The Amazon's eyes were wide in surprise. "By whom? You and Artemis?"
"As if, I wouldn't do this to my Soulmates if I had it my way." The goddess of love moved over to the bed and sat down beside her Amazon. "It’s the Fates."
"The Fates?" whispered Ephiny. "For what and why? This is ridiculous."
"The Fates want to see if the Amazon Nation is… expendable… along with my Soulmates." Aphrodite bit her lower lip, waiting to see how the regent would react.
"What?" roared Ephiny has she sprung up onto her feet. "How can they do that? When… when… they made them our chosen! This is the biggest piece of centaur shit I have heard yet!"
"Babe…" Aphrodite stood up and grabbed the Amazon's shoulders. "There's nothing anybody can do… the Fates are it. Nobody is more powerful than the Fates, not even Zeus himself." She released her hold and quietly continued. "The only thing you can do at this point is save them and prove your worth. If the Amazons do then the Fates will grant you immortality."
"Immortality… that's a hard one to swallow," huffed out the regent.
"Its not the same as you're thinkin', babes." Aphrodite started to smile. "Its immortality for the Amazon Nation and for your souls… every Amazon's soul. This is the dream that Gabrielle wants for her Amazons and the entire reasoning to her becoming the Queen."
Ephiny licked her lips and thought; slowly she said, "If the Amazon Nation saves Gabrielle and Xena then we have the Fates' blessing for eternity?"
"Yes," whispered Aphrodite with a smile. "But I'm afraid Xena and Gabrielle will not have the blessing as easily."
The Amazon tilted her head to one side in confusion.
"They have to suffer a much worse test than a simple kidnapping… this is only the beginning." The goddess had a sad look as if she knew what would happen to her Soulmates later on.
"And there's nothing you can do?"
The goddess released a faint sigh. "Afraid not, feather…. Its apart of their binding as Soulmates, it’s the last step they must take. If they make this one then not even the Fates cannot stop them."
"What happens if they don't make the last test?"
Aphrodite shook her head and took a step back. "Not even I can say it, babe." She lifted her right hand over her head as sparkles fell from her fingertips. "Save them, Ephiny… we'll be looking after our Amazons." She then disappeared in the pink glitter.
Ephiny stood there, staring at the spot where the goddess just stood but she turned her head to the door when Solari entered in. "Aphrodite just left."
"What happened?" whispered the second in command.
"The Fates are deciding the Amazon Nation's destiny."
Solari said nothing and stood in wonderment, only imagining what this could mean to the Nation.
~*~*~*~
Eponin hurried out of the gates while throwing her cloak on. "Follow me!" she ordered to an Amazon at the gate.
The Amazon hefted a torch from the gate wall and rushed after the weapons master into the woods.
The weapons master kept at a job towards the bordered where she'd heard word of new arriving Amazons. She knew she'd be up all night greeting the tribes into the Nation. And as she came to the border, she spotted torches flickering in the night and the three Amazons on patrol duty. She came directly up to the patrol. "Which tribe?"
"Its Queen Mairead, Eponin," reported one Amazon.
Eponin's eyes widened in hopes that maybe Amarice had made it back as well. She quickly moved through the patrol Amazons looking for the Princess. "Amarice?" she called.
"Eponin?" yelled back a saucy voice.
Eponin instantly spotted the Princess with her warm fire hair glistening in the torch light. "Reece." She rushed over to her friend and grabbed her up in a hug. "Its good to see you."
The Princess laughed and hugged the weapons master back just as tightly. "Didn't think anybody missed me."
Eponin grinned as she released her friend. "We've been pretty worried."
Teresa then came out of the shadows of the woods next to the Princess. "Ep."
Eponin huffed and taunted, "What's with the Ep formal crap, huh?" She then pulled Teresa into a loving hug and kissing her on her forehead.
The Princess smiled at the reunion of the lovers.
The weapons master slowly released her third in command. "Glad you back… you can do all of this third in command centaur crap."
Teresa snickered at her lover's words. "Figured you wouldn't like it."
Eponin grunted in response. She then turned her focus back to the Princess. "Everybody make it back okay?"
"Yes, except for Lesia."
"What happened?" questioned Eponin instantly.
"We sort of got ambushed and Lesia got hurt in the process. She's back in the South tribe being tended to by the healer. She should be okay and back here in a week or so."
Eponin nodded at Amarice's explanation. She was about to say something else but then heard a deep voice cut into the conversation.
"My Amazons need to get out of this cold," half growled queen Mairead. "Can you please get us into some huts?"
The weapons master raised an eyebrow at the queen and replied, "Of course. I'll lead the way."
"Fine." Queen Mairead turned to her Amazons and called out, "Follow me, Amazons." She stayed along Eponin as she was led into Gabrielle's nation.
Princess Amarice shook her head at Mairead's demeanor but decided to not say anything. She waved her hand towards the village. "Come on, ladies. I'm sure dinner has started."
Amarice's Amazons all gave a quiet cheer and quickly pursued Amarice and Teresa into the village.
Ephiny and Solari entered into the food hut, neither of them in the mood to eat tonight. As they got into the food line, they picked up plates and utensils then picked out what they wanted for dinner.
Amarice went directly into the food hut and pulled her hood off. The other Amazons came in behind her, all hungry feathers. The Princess entered into the food line beside Solari and asked, "So, what's good tonight?"
Solari and the regent immediately turned their heads to Amarice.
"Amarice!" exclaimed Solari with a huge smile. She half dropped her plate onto the table and practically jumped on Amarice for a hug.
Ephiny laughed quietly at the scene. She gave her friend a hug as well after Solari moved out of the way.
"Come on, you're backing up the line," taunted Teresa with a grin.
Solari and Ephiny smiled together and hugged their third in command.
Amarice was smiling to herself as she decided to make her way down the food table, collecting a nice platter of food.
After the four royal Amazons organized their dinner, they sat down at a table together catching up on what had happened the past week.
"So what happened?" first started Solari.
"You want to tell?" inquired Amarice to Teresa.
Teresa shook her head straight away. "Oh no, you're the Princess. I've done enough of my own reports."
The Princess sighed yet was grinning as she turned her focus back to Ephiny and the second in command. "Well, we found out Renotta was married to a farmer."
"Thought so," grunted Solari with a huff. She then shoved several peas into her mouth.
"What'd he have to say?" asked the regent.
"Well, that he met Renotta in a near by town several years back. He told us that Renotta's family wasn't very stable and that her parents were heavy drinkers and tended to beat her." Amarice paused for a second to take a drink from her mug. After she put it back down, she continued. "Her husband, Jacob, mentioned that Renotta begged him to take her as his wife and so he did, they have a few children."
"Sweet ones at that," commented Teresa.
Amarice waited a moment then said, "Jacob only said after that, that Renotta left him for adventure and… women." She shrugged. "Nothing much else."
"Hmmm." The regent looked to her second in command. "Doesn't sound good at all."
Solari nodded her agreement then looked back to Amarice. "Where is Lesia?"
The Princess chewed on her lower lip momentarily but answered, "She was hurt… right now she's staying with the healer in Mairead's village."
"She is okay?" questioned the regent.
"Yes, she'll be fine according to the healer."
"Good to hear." Ephiny then paused before asking, "Did you hear anything about a Kate? Or an Amazon without feathers?"
Suddenly Amarice brightened up and replied, "Yes as a matter of fact. Susan, the healer there, said that Renotta is in love with an Amazons named Kyle and that she has no feathers."
"Bingo," stated Solari. "We've got our imposter."
"Imposter?" cut in Teresa.
"Yes, we've had an Amazon here under the name Kate with no feathers. She went unnoticed except by a council member and Priestess Maired," explained the regent. "Now we know our imposter, makes things easier to understand."
"Have we heard anything from the kidnappers? Or know its Kate… Kyle and Renotta for sure?"
"No for both." Ephiny shook her head while pushing her fork into the piece of chicken. "I expect we'll hear something tomorrow."
Amarice nodded a few times and continued eating her asparagus on her plate.
"How many tribes are here now?" Teresa looked up after asking.
"There are four so far," replied Solari.
"Mairead just came in too," mentioned Amarice quietly.
"That makes it five then," corrected the second in command.
The Princess was considering about something to say aloud and just decided to say it out right. "I hate that queen."
The other three Amazons switched their focus directly to Amarice.
Amarice looked up. "She's a real bi-"
"Amarice," cut off Talon's voice.
Princess Amarice looked up about to give her friend a glare for cutting her off but then she noticed why. Queen Mairead was in the food line and definitely in ear shot. She then glanced back at Talon. "Thanks."
Talon winked and asked, "Can I sit?"
"Yeah sure." Amarice scooted a little closer to Teresa as Talon sat beside her.
"I do have to agree though," finally said Solari. "She down right… mmmmed in the mmmm back in the fall."
Ephiny half laughed at her lover's words. "Solar, you are never going to let that go."
"Eph, have you?"
The regent considered then gave an annoyed smile. "No not really, I'll admit."
"Exactly my point. She mmmed in the mmmm. Gabrielle should have taken her mmmm from her and make somebody else the queen down there."
"It won't matter soon," cut in Ephiny, "soon Gabrielle will reorganize the Nation and she'll loose her… mmmm."
"I hope so," stated Amarice.
Teresa shook her head. "Don't be so hard. She is an Amazon, remember?"
"She sure doesn't seem like one at times," countered the second in command.
Talon lifted her fork, pointing it at the other Amazons. "One day, you all might eat your own words. She might come threw one day." Talon lowered her fork and added, "If it's anything I've learned, its that all Amazons are dedicated to the Nation no matter their attitude… or system."
Amarice's shoulders dropped realizing it was true; she'd been one of the more annoying Amazons at the beginning.
"Let's hope so," stated Solari. "We could use her strength."
"Hi, ladies," greeted Eponin with a smile.
"Sit," ordered Ephiny as she patted the spot beside her.
"Thanks." The weapons master took the seat with her plate settling down onto the table. "Well, queen Mairead is settled in."
"Yeah we saw her and some of her Amazons come in," mentioned Teresa.
"Yeah, thankfully they're a pretty organized bunch," stated Eponin, "Mairead keeps them under control, keeps a tight shift."
"Southern style," commented Teresa. "Expecting anymore tribes in tonight?"
"Doubt it," answered Ephiny. "Not in the winter."
"True," agreed Teresa.
The group of Amazons continued talking through the evening at the dinner table, far past the time they finished their food. Once they realized how let it was getting, they thought it was best to go to their separate huts.
Amarice was the first out and into her hut. She
sighed at seeing her own bed and stuff once again. She didn't know how Xena or
Gabrielle could take traveling around
Tossing her pack onto the end of the bed, she sat down on one side and just rested for a minute. But it wasn't too long before a knock came to her door. With a heavy sigh, she called, "Come in."
The door creaked opened and Talon's head poked in. "Its alright to come in?"
Amarice gave a tired smiled and waved her in. "Come on."
Talon hurried in and closed the door. "Need some candles lit, Amarice."
"Yeah… was getting to that," muttered the Princess. It was rather dark in her hut but the torch lights from around the village gave light.
"Just stay there, I'll take care of it," insisted Talon. "Can tell you're zapped."
Amarice had to admit she was, and she just closed her eyes while listening to Talon move through her hut.
Talon lit several large candles that hung from the walls. She then decided to start a fire in the fireplace since it was pretty chilly in the hut. In not time, she had a good size fire roaring in the fireplace and the hut felt livelier from her efforts. When she gazed over at the Princess, she saw Amarice hunched over with her face in her hands. After licking her lips, Talon came over to her friend quietly. "How you doing?" she whispered while bending down to her knees in front of the younger woman.
"Very tired," came the muffled reply.
Talon gave a heavy sighed and said, "Me too."
Amarice slowly lifted her head, her eyes half closed and weary. "Thanks for taking care of the fire."
"Welcome." Talon gave a warm smile, hoping she'd get one back from Amarice.
The Princess tried returning one but it was a rather tired one. "I need to get to bed, Talon. Was there anything you needed?"
"No… not really." Talon lifted her hands to rest on Amarice's knees. "Just wanted to see how you were doing after everything."
"I'll be fine after some rest." Amarice sat up straight with her hands resting on the edge of the bed. "You need to get some rest too."
Talon gave her agreement with a nod at the hint and stood up. "I'll let you get some sleep." She tugged her cloak closer and went to the door.
Amarice studied the older Amazon for a moment then said, "Stay," right as Talon's hand took the door handle.
Talon half turned towards the Princess. "No thanks, its okay."
Amarice shook her head. "No its not. Its warm in here and its cold out there."
The older Amazon raised an eyebrow at her friend. "My hut isn't that far."
"It'll seem further in that cold." The Princess patted her bed. "Come on… Princess's orders." She gave a small smirk.
Talon shook her head as a grin spread across her lips. "Thank you." She took her cloak off slowly.
Amarice stood up and had a clear view of Talon's body for the first time, she realized this was the first time Talon hadn't worn her cloak. She slightly stumbled to her right as she was distracted by Talon revealing her body from under the cloak. She laughed at herself and said, "Gods, I must be tired. Stumbling and crap," she muttered as she started taking her own cloak off.
Talon felt a chuckle bubble up inside of herself as she gained an amused smile. She sat on the foot of the bed and started taking her boots off.
The Princess unhooked her sword and sheath from her back and settled it onto her desk. Talon came up along side and placed hers down next to Amarice's. Talon flashed a gentle smile to Amarice before going over to the bed and climbing in on one side.
Amarice shook her head and bent down to untie her boots and take them off.
Talon curled up a bit and waited for the bed sheets to warm up.
The younger Amazon soon got out of her boots then slowly climbed into her bed on the opposite side of Talon. She faced her friend and gave a half smile.
Talon chuckled at the tired, worn look on Amarice's face. "Go to sleep."
"Is that an ordered?" taunted the Princess.
"Yessss," teased back the older Amazon. "Young ones like yourself need it more than us older ones."
Amarice huffed and curled her body up like Talon and closed her eyes. "At least I'm not an old fart," she muttered.
"I heard that," growled Talon but a small laugh could be heard from her. She reached forward and slightly ruffled Amarice's curly red hair before settling in to go to sleep herself.
"Night, Talon," mumbled Amarice in her dreamy state.
"Goodnight, Amarice."
It didn't take long for the pair of friends to drift into a heavy sleep. Neither one wanting to know what the next days would bring to them or their Nation.
~*Continue to Section 6*~