Wealth of Life

Xena and Gabrielle walked in the pale sunlight that bathed the world in its golden glow. Gabrielle seemed to be listening to something, not paying attention to anything, because she kept stumbling. Xena turned her head as she heard a faint whispering, but she decided it was just the wind in the trees. "Gabrielle, what do you think about me and Ares, as a couple?" Xena questioned testing to see if her companion was on this planet. "I prefer chicken myself." Gabrielle answered glancing around her. Xena stopped in her tracks and looked at her in an amused way. "Gabrielle, we were talking about chicken and rabbit about an hour ago! You haven't been listening to a word I've said have you?" Xena turned her attention to a spider crawling on her boot. Gabrielle hadn't answered and when Xena looked up from shaking the spider away, she was quite away in front of her, stumbling through the trees, off the path completely. "Look! Gabrielle, what's wrong with you?" Xena called catching up with her and steering her back onto the mud path. Gabrielle opened her mouth and was about to reply when a faint clang and a distinct 'ouch!' was heard behind them. Xena turned, her sword loose in its sheath, ready to attack. Then Joxer walked backwards out of the undergrowth rubbing his head. "Joxer?" questioned Xena confused. "What are you doing here?" "I had to bring you this important message from… from… let me see the scroll again." Joxer held up the scroll and squinted at it "Handwriting is terrible! From… from King Telemachus." "Who's he?" Gabrielle pondered, still in a dream world. "He Gabrielle, is a very wealthy man, and one of his most important gems has been stolen. The Elixir of life gem" Xena snatched the scroll from Joxer and scanned it quickly, her ice blue eyes stormy. "This sounds like something that… no, it cant be." Xena trailed off, trying to figure the puzzle out. "What's happened?" Gabrielle questioned, back to her normal self. "Well, the Elixir of Life gem has been stolen, and it says here, that the tactics used were very much like those the king of thieves would use." "Autolycus! But he, he will be old. It can't be, Can it?" Gabrielle said, finishing triumphantly. "I wouldn't be so sure Gabrielle, but one thing is for sure we are headed for Tyre." The next day, Xena and Gabrielle walked up the stone steps to Telemachus's palace. Once inside, King Telemachus showed them the scene where the gem had been stolen. "I don't know who has taken it, no-one should know about its powers." "What powers?" Gabrielle questioned "And what business is it of yours?" Telemachus demanded harshly. "If you want us to help you Telemachus, then you should give us as much information as possible!" Xena said, her voice low and throaty, but dangerously loud. "Well I, I didn't want to offend, of course you should know of the powers, but not when there are ears all around." Telemachus turned to the guards and the servant who was sweeping the floor. "Leave us, all of you. NOW!" Telemachus bellowed. The guards and the servant scuttled away, disappearing round the corner. "Well..." Telemachus began, walking them through the corridors to what they guessed was a throne room. "The stone has some very special magical powers. Not many know of them, I would guess only about ten people in the world." He sank down onto a high backed comfy chair and gestured for them to sit down on the two other stools. Gabrielle nodded quickly and settled down legs crossed, waiting for more information. Xena declined and lent against a stone pillar watching him coolly. "Tell us about the powers Telemachus." Xena said impatiently. The King gulped and started again nervously "The powers will restore anyone, anything back to its former youth, but these powers can only be used four times. It has already been used once." Gabrielle sighed and looked at Xena. She instantly knew Xena was thinking about something. "Excuse me, Telemachus, could you tell me where the toilet is in the palace, its just we have travelled far, and… well, you know what I mean." Gabrielle stated, giving her and Xena a chance to slip away and confer. "Take the first left, then straight along the corridor, then take two rights, and there you have it." Telemachus answered dryly. Gabrielle stood up and began to walk hastily to the exit, holding her breath, seeing if Xena had caught on. "Maybe I'll go with her." Xena said softly and hurried to catch up with her friend. They walked swiftly down the corridor until they saw a small alcove in the wall, hidden by shadows. They both stood in it and started to talk quietly. "What are you thinking?" Gabrielle said, her voice low in case she was overheard. "Autolycus. It has to be. Being the king of thieves he will know about the gems powers." "Lets go back now Gabrielle, Telemachus might get suspicious." Xena whispered. They were just about to leave when Gabrielle saw a shadow pass underneath a lit torch. She pointed and Xena understood, together they crept after the shadow. When they were just a few steps away from the figure, Xena pounced, landing on the persons back, one hand over their mouth. She put the pinch on them, then proceeded to throw the figure against the wall and held it up by the neck with one hand, the other ripped of the cloak. "Autolycus?" Xena and Gabrielle questioned together confused. Xena let go of him and he slid down the wall clutching his neck. "Xena! Take the pinch of him quick!" Gabrielle cried urgently. Xena jabbed him in the neck again, so the blood could flow freely to his brain. She held out her hand and pulled him up, dusting himself off, an old Autolycus glowered at her. "Xena, Gabrielle? It can't be, they died a long time ago. Anyhow Gabrielle does not look like that. Your hair is way to short." Autolycus growled. "It's us Autolycus, I had my hair cut." Gabrielle soothed. "But, your hair was just above waist length." Autolycus replied shyly. "Where have you hidden the stone Autolycus, give it back." Xena said, trying to convince him. "No way! I'm going to restore myself." He replied defiantly. "Look, The guards are onto you. How long is it before your going to get caught? Days, weeks, months, years, but you will never live in peace if you keep it." Gabrielle hushed, trying to be reasonable. "I intend to give them it back, once I have used it." Autolycus said. "Look Gabrielle, it's no use trying to get him to give it up. He's far too stubborn. Once stubborn always stubborn, age won't change him." Xena glanced at him to see how her words were having effect. "We've got to get out of here un-noticed." Gabrielle whispered to Xena. "Come on, follow me girls, I know the way!" Autolycus boasted. "Wait just one moment, Salmoneus, come out, we've been found." Autolycus called. Xena glanced around waiting for something to happen, but only a tall figure swept out in front of her. Without question, the four turned and fled down the corridors lead by Autolycus, out into the open bright warm sunshine. They ran a little way down the slope, and jumped over a little stream. They ran all the way up another hill into a glade. In the shade the four collapsed tired form the sprint to the shade and trees. When Gabrielle recovered and got her breath back she chanced a look at the fourth person he had drawn the hood form his cape back. Gabrielle couldn't believe her eyes. The man, who was sitting next to Autolycus with a beaming smile all over his face, was almost an exact copy of Autolycus when he was young. She drew a sharp breath and her hand fluttered up to her mouth. Autolycus looked at her and knew what she was thinking. "Gabrielle, this is my son, Salmoneus, He looks a lot like me doesn't he?" Autolycus patted his son on the back, proud as anything. "I am training to be a thief, just like me. He accompanied me on this project." Gabrielle smiled a warm smile and looked at her friend, seeing how she was taking it. Xena's eyes were light, but Gabrielle could see the strain behind them. Gabrielle stood up and walked over to join her. "What's your trouble?" Gabrielle questioned, her voice worried. Xena looked at father and son, how fond they were of each other. "When Autolycus became a thief, he had a reason, his brother had been murdered, but for Salmoneus, it's different. It's unfair for Autolycus to expect him to be a thief, he would make a good husband, father or even farmer. If he becomes a thief, he will be hunted down, like Autolycus was. He will never, be able to sleep at peace." Xena finished a little out of breath. This was unusual for her and Gabrielle noticed, but didn't say. Gabrielle strolled over to the pair and spoke to them. Xena was stood against the tree and her head was splitting with pain. She put her hand up to her forehead and tried to stop the pounding in her ears. Suddenly she felt a flash of light around her and she felt as if she was travelling at high speed, suddenly she came to a full stop. She turned her head and saw Gabrielle, but she was an angel once again flapping and flexing her wings. She felt an immense heat around her and she instinctively shut her eyes. When she opened them again, fire was all around her, and through the flames she could see Gabrielle fighting with someone. She tried to get to her but the flames stopped her. She turned and saw a demon towering over her. In its sword she could see a reflection of her… she was an angel too. She drew her sword and was about to strike when she felt herself being shaken, and she rushed backwards through the light and felt a rush of fresh air. When she opened her eyes Gabrielle was kneeling over her, looking pale and tense. "Xena! I was so scared! You just collapsed…" Her voice trailed back and she struggled to stop herself crying. "I've only just got you back, and I thought you had been snatched from me again. I won't loose you, not again!" Xena sat up and held her close, "You won't loose me." She promised her. But inside Xena wasn't so sure, what was that? Gabrielle sat with Xena, not wanting to let her out of her sight for a moment. Xena was even more worried about Autolycus and Salmoneus when she learned that Salmoneus had a girlfriend, and that they had been together for two years. Later when it was Autolycus's turn to catch dinner, Xena made her move. Autolycus got up and walked into the trees he was trying to find some nice pheasant for them. She hurried after him and began to strike up conversation. "What is your son's relationship like?" Xena asked in a light and airy voice. Autolycus grinned a little grin and replied "You can't separate them for love nor money. She is beautiful." "What is she called?" Xena questioned, striving to sound totally absorbed. "Isyphus. She is called Isyphus." Autolycus breathed, glancing around in search of a pheasant. Xena spied a pheasant in the distance, and she pointed it out to him. They crept towards it, and Xena threw her Chakram. She hit it and Autolycus picked it up, swinging it by its legs as they searched for another. "Don't you think Salmoneus would make a good father?" Xena asked, trying to sound innocent. "Yes he will..." Autolycus replied, "Someday." He added hastily. "Don't you think you are restricting him by making him be a thief?" Xena said cautiously. Autolycus's face fell, and he looked so sad, Xena felt as if she was going to cry. "I suppose I am, But I... I just wanted to have a part in his life. To be a real father, I miss the days where I would take him to the meadow and teach him how to fly a kite and things like that. Bonding things" Xena patted him on the back and replied, "He loves you." Then they made their way back, happy in each other's company. When they arrived back at the camp, they had a surprise. There sat Joxer and his son, Virgil. Gabrielle and Virgil were sitting on a log that had been dragged to form seating. On one of the other logs Joxer sat, a space for Xena beside him. And then a large log had been dragged for Autolycus, Salmoneus and a young woman who Xena supposed was Isyphus. Xena dropped down next to Joxer. She looked over at Gabrielle and Virgil who were smiling happily. She smiled at Gabrielle but she didn't notice her and continued talking to Virgil. "This my friend, is my soon to be wife, Isyphus!" Salmoneus smiled. Isyphus noticed everyone's eyes on her, she smiled, then turned away embarrassed. They sat around the roasting rabbit eating the already cooked one. Gabrielle kept looking at Xena, trying to get her to tell her the progress. Xena mouthed to her that they would have to leave soon, to take back the stone, and she would tell her all then. Gabrielle seemed satisfied because she turned her attention to Isyphus again. Joxer stood up to make a speech and everyone fell quiet, waiting for him to speak. "I'm, Joxer the mighty, And this, is my son, Virgil the bard." "Here we go." Autolycus said sarcastically. " I would like to tell him how proud I am of him, because I am leaving now, to get rest and recharge. Virgil has everything I had, looks, brains, the heart of a lion, as Xena once put it, and he has one more thing. Something I dreamed about for years. Gabrielle's heart." Gabrielle looked over to Xena and smiled while shaking her head trying not to laugh. "I would also like to thank Autolycus, Salmoneus, Isyphus, Xena and Gabrielle, for being wonderful company tonight. I am glad I had the pleasure. I wish Salmoneus and Isyphus all the luck in the world. See ya all around. I will be back." Joxer smiled around and walked to his son. Virgil stood up and replied, "Dad, me and Gabrielle are close but..." "I'm not jealous you know guys, I am happy." Joxer hugged them all and disappeared into the night. They all watched as he zoomed away like a bird, until he vanished. Gabrielle had a completely bemused expression on her face, thinking about Joxer's words. When they turned around they got a huge shock. Autolycus was young again, he held in his palm the gem, it was glowing purple, pink, blue, yellow, green, orange, all colours. Gabrielle gasped and Xena stood, staring at the young Autolycus, the one she had known. All the colours got sucked inwards o the jewel again, and it returned to just clear and plain. Autolycus flipped into the air and landed on his feet, testing its powers. "Wow! Look at me, I am young again, this is better, it is SO much better!" He shouted, spinning on one foot, happy at the least. He dropped the stone and it fell, forgotten on the grass. Swiftly Xena picked it up and slipped it in her belt. Salmoneus stood up with Isyphus and watched his dad. "Dad, I need to tell you something. Me and Isyphus are leaving tomorrow on a boat, bound towards the distant land of Japa." Autolycus grinned and hugged him, "you don't need to tell me son, I heard you talking about it." Xena walked over to the group and said, "Me and Gabrielle are leaving. We need to get this back to the palace." Autolycus nodded and replied. "Okay. I suppose I'll not see you for a while then." Gabrielle nodded and patted him on the shoulder. "We'll see. We'll see." She said softly. Xena and Gabrielle turned to leave and Virgil called "Come see me sometime, father will show you the way!" Gabrielle smiled and nodded slowly. Without further ado, they turned and walked into the woods. A few days later after returning the gem, Xena and Gabrielle strolled down a path beside the river. "I'm Glad we helped the king, and Autolycus" Gabrielle said. "Yeah well, this reward money will come in handy I bet!" Xena replied cheerfully. "Where are we headed?" Gabrielle questioned Xena. "Do we ever know?" Xena replied dryly. Gabrielle supposed that they didn't. "What was on your mind all those days ago, before all this began?" Xena remembered suddenly. "I was thinking about Michael, you know Arch Angel Michael. I don't know why." Xena thought of her visions but stayed quiet. They were silent for a few minutes but then Gabrielle piped up "And by the way, you and Ares? He is still bad for you." Xena laughed and slipped her arm loosely round her friend's shoulder. And they walked away, across the grassy plains of Greece, laughing and joking all the way. Wealth of Life by Siân copywrite Siân 2002©

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