DISCLAIMER: The characters from Xena, Warrior Princess belong to MCA and Renaissance. I have only borrowed them for fun and not for profit. The Tenth Muse is an historical figure, but I don't believe she's ever been characterized quite like this before.

Sex: Although not explicit, this is a story about two women in love, and the most famous Lesbian of all. If this type of story offends you, please choose another (but you'll be missing a lot of fun)!

Drugs: There is reference to liquor, partying and other drugs in this story. This author does not condone the use of mind altering substances, but she has nothing against a good time.

Rock 'n Roll: This story uses various songs and poems taken from many authors. Please see the notes at the end of the last chapter for a little more detail.

Kudos: A big thank you to Maria for putting up with me while I wrote this, and to Bunni Rowlett for helping me to make this story so much better than it ever would have been.

And now: LET THE SHOW BEGIN!

Chapter I

Gabrielle placed her right foot very tentatively in front of her. She felt carefully ahead with the tip of her boot and, encountering no obstructions, took one step forward with a sigh of relief.

"There, that was easy!" She announced triumphantly, while adjusting the scarf she had tied over her eyes.

"Gabrielle! You are going to hurt yourself!" Xena chided from behind. Argo snorted in agreement. Xena shook her head as she watched the bard walk slowly down the trail, one careful step at a time.

"Watch out for that root......" Xena began, but Gabrielle's foot had managed to find the only protruding tree root on the path. She stubbed her toe hard and tripped forward, cursing at both the surprise and the pain. Her exclamations were as colorful as any Xena had ever heard.

Xena covered her eyes and she winced in sympathetic pain, but couldn't resist a peek. Her hand slipped down to cover her mouth in an attempt to suppress a laugh, but didn't succeed. Argo snorted in agreement.

"It's not funny!" Gabrielle cried, rubbing her toe. She stamped her foot back down to the ground, "I want to know what it's like to be blind." She felt the air in front of her, just in case an errant tree happened to jump into her path unexpectedly.

"Trust me Gabrielle, you don't want to know." Xena followed slowly, watching the ground in front of Gabrielle for any other obstacles. After all, she really didn't want her to fall and get hurt.

Gabrielle turned her back to Xena and continued down the trail. She lifted her head a bit, and secretly adjusted the scarf so she could peek out of the bottom, just a little. Her steps became more confident and she walked a bit faster down the road.

"There, you see!" she exclaimed, peeking at the road ahead from under the blue, silk mask, "This isn't so hard. You've just got to listen, be aware with your other senses." She waved her arms around, "I can feel the air, smell the road, you know, listen for obstacles with my amazon sense!"

Xena took the opportunity to quietly sneak up behind the bard.

"And it also helps to peek!" Xena pulled the scarf down to completely cover Gabrielle's eyes and twirled her around in a circle by the shoulders.

"Hey!" Gabrielle cried, searching for the warrior with extended hands.

"Now let's see you find your way!" Xena laughed and scooted out of the bard's reach. Gabrielle stood in the middle of the road not knowing which way to turn.

"No fair! Now my direction is all mixed up!"

Xena walked back to her friend and put her hands gently on her shoulders. Gabrielle jumped at the touch and Xena smiled at the reaction. "That's what it's like to be blind." She said softly into Gabrielle's ear, and tightened the scarf's knot, "there is no way to know what direction you're facing, and there's no way to peek either." She turned Gabrielle and gave her a gentle shove in the right direction. "It was very frightening."

Gabrielle continued to walk, slowly feeling the air in front of her, "How did you do it, Xena? I mean, get all the way to the castle, past the guards, into the crematorium, find me in the casket! Arrgghh, I can still smell the fumes." A shiver ran down her spine. She stopped and turned to the warrior.

Xena gave her another spin and pushed her back along the road, "I was a woman on a mission," she explained, following carefully behind Gabrielle, "I didn't have time to think or worry about being blind. Beside, Palimon was my eyes. Thank the Gods he led me to you in time." She frowned at the possible consequences. She owed Palimon - big time. She stopped following Gabrielle, and watched her walk away down the road alone. Xena's frown turned to a warm smile. The bard continued the conversation, not realizing she was now talking to herself.

"Please, I don't even want to think about it!" Gabrielle prodded slowly away from the warrior, "I can't believe I was married to a corpse! Zeus, can you imagine my honeymoon! I think I'd rather be burned alive! Cold hands, warm heart wouldn't apply in this instance........." Gabrielle rambled on and on, getting further and further away from the warrior. Xena swallowed a mischievous chuckle and hushed at Argo to be still. They watched in amusement as Gabrielle got farther and farther away, her chattering voice disappearing in the distance.

"Ahhh, peace at last!" Xena sighed to Argo. Argo snorted in agreement.

"Hey," they heard Gabrielle suddenly yell, "Where are you! Xena!" Her yell got louder and a little more anxious, "XENA! This is not funny!" Gabrielle fumbled at the scarf, but couldn't immediately untie Xena's tight knot. "HEY, THIS IS REALLY NOT FUNNY!!"

Xena felt a little guilty at the panic in Gabrielle's voice. "Take it easy, Gabrielle," she yelled and moved to help her, "I'm right here."

At that moment, Xena heard the screaming. The screams were coming from the path behind them and headed in their immediate direction. It was a lot of people; so many that they filled up the road. They were yelling and screaming as if they were running for their lives; but from what, Xena could not tell. She drew her sword out of instinct, and looked for Gabrielle in a panic. Gabrielle was too far away down the road, and her blindfold was still in place. Xena flipped her sword back in its sheath and headed for Gabrielle at a dead run. She looked over her shoulder and saw the mob of people gaining on her. The human stampede was almost upon them.

"Xena, what's going on!" Gabrielle screamed and reached around for her friend. She thought about running for a moment, and would have run right into a tree if Xena had not reached her in time.

"Gabrielle don't move!" Xena yelled and intercepted the bard. Gabrielle grunted as Xena wrapped her arms around Gabrielle's waist and lifted her off the ground , carrying her to the side of the road just in time. The screaming mob kicked up the dirt and dust as they passed, not even acknowledging the presence of anyone else on the road. They ran by Xena and Gabrielle like a stampede of wild horses, and then disappeared around a bend. The screams faded in the distance.

The dirt and dust settled, as Xena stared after the mob in disbelief. She held onto Gabrielle and waited breathlessly for whatever had been chasing them. She was expecting the worst. Her eyes watched the path behind intently, but there was nothing coming.

"What in Hades Blazes was that!" Gabrielle tore at the scarf covering her eyes. She ripped the mask off and swatted at the dust that greeted her nose. Xena held onto Gabrielle and looked cautiously down the road. After a moment, she released Gabrielle from her safe embrace and took a hesitant step onto the path to get a better look at what might be heading their way. There was still nothing coming.

"Xena?" Gabrielle took a step forward.

"Stay back Gabrielle!" Xena held her hand up, motioning for Gabrielle to stay in her place. Gabrielle paused and looked in the same direction as Xena. There was still nothing coming.

Argo had meandered off of the trail and was calmly munching on a bit a grass on the side of the road. Other than that, it was as if the mob had never passed.

"What's going on?" Gabrielle walked over to Xena and put her hand gently on her arm.

"I wish I knew." Xena turned to Gabrielle and grabbed the scarf out of her hand. "That's enough of that!" she said, no longer amused by the game. Xena looked for a spot to put the scarf, but there was no pockets anywhere on her armor. She begin to stuff the scarf between her breasts. Gabrielle snatched it back from her.

"Give me that!" Gabrielle stuffed it into her scroll bag, "You've got enough stuffing."

"Very funny," Xena narrowed her eyes at her friend and then smiled, "Come on, let's get moving" She whistled for Argo, who snorted but did not move in Xena's direction. Instead, the horse stood at attention on the side of the road, looking up with her ears twitching.

"Uh Oh!" Gabrielle groaned, "here comes some more!"

They both backed up to the side of the road and watched a second group of people rush towards them. This group was a little more controlled, but they were in a hurry nonetheless. There were several horse drawn carts which bounced along almost out of control due to the speed at which the entire group was traveling. These carts were filled with people who were cheering and urging the drivers to go even faster.

"What in the known world....." Gabrielle began, looking to Xena for an explanation. Xena only shrugged and turned back to watch this second group as they careened down the path. There were perhaps fifty people on foot - not counting those in the carts, and the carts were full. They were in a hurry to get somewhere and very excited about it. The screams, Xena now recognized, were screams and yells of delight. They were not running from something in terror, but were heading toward something in frenzied excitement.

"What's all the hubbub about?" Gabrielle asked again, watching as the first of the runners to reach them flew by. They were simple villagers and farmers. Some were mothers carrying children , some were fathers pulling along families. Others were boyfriend and girlfriend, holding hands and skipping down the road. Still others were younger. In the carts were the elderly, being driven towards their happy destination by man or woman; it mattered not. They were all headed in the same direction. It was a baffling picture. Xena hated puzzles.

She stared as the villagers passed by them with her eyes in a scowl and her lips in a tight frown. Gabrielle looked to her impatiently and tugged at her arm, "Well, don't just stand there! Ask somebody?"

"What?" Xena's thoughts about hating puzzles were interrupted by Gabrielle's simple and logical suggestion.

She turned her head to the bard. "Well, ask someone!" Gabrielle grunted and then stepped out into the road.

She motioned to a young man as he ran by, "Excuse me!" He ignored her and continued down the road.

Gabrielle moved into the path of a young woman headed in her direction.

"Ah, excuse me!" she said a little louder, but the woman just ran around her. Gabrielle looked back at Xena and shrugged. Xena motioned impatiently for her to try again. There was now a little boy coming close to Gabrielle, so she bent down and put out her arms to stop the young lad.

"Excuse me! Can you tell me what's going on!" Gabrielle tried to stop the boy in her arms, but he kicked her in the shin and kept on running, "OWWWW!" was all she could yell as she watched him run away.

Xena had now completely lost her patience. She stepped into the road and put out a muscled arm, grabbing the first shirt that ran by her. It was a young man with long blond hair. She grabbed him by the front of his shirt and pulled him to her. He gulped in surprise and stared into the deadly blue eyes of a very irritated warrior woman. Xena waited for the young man to catch his breath and then released him; her eyes kept him standing in place.

"What's the hurry?" she asked calmly. The deepness of her voice communicated to the young man that he better stay put and answer the question. Gabrielle rubbed her shin and walked over to hear the answer.

"We're going to Avlon", he replied glancing at Gabrielle nervously.

"So, what's the hurry?" Xena repeated, shifting her weight impatiently.

"Well," he looked confused, thinking he had already answered that question and that she understood, "we want to be sure we can get a good place to stand, of course! It's going to be very crowded!" he answered excitedly and started to run off. Xena grabbed him by the collar and pulled him back.

"Whooa! Not so fast," Xena pulled him back in front of her. "What are you talking about. What's going on in Avlon?"

"You mean you don't know?" The young boy asked incredulously, looking from Xena to Gabrielle. Gabrielle shook her head; Xena raised an eyebrow.

"The Tenth Muse is going to play tonight at sunset! The entire region will be in Avlon to hear the show!" He explained, suddenly getting anxious that this conversation was delaying him too long. Gabrielle gasped in understanding. Xena regarded her briefly.

"What is a Tenth Muse?" Xena began, but Gabrielle interrupted, "Let him go Xena. I'll explain."

Xena released his shirt and fixed the front, which had bunched up in her fist. "Sorry." she said, smiling sheepishly. "Thanks for the info."

"You're welcome." He smiled and bowed briefly, and then took off at full speed down the road.

"Nice kid," Gabrielle commented, "Good manners." She watched with appreciation as the young man ran away.

"Not your type." Xena mumbled, turning away with a grin.

"What did you say?" Gabrielle whirled around.

Xena bit back a sly smile and whistled for Argo, "I said, let me get Argo."

Gabrielle narrowed her eyes, "Right."

The horse trotted over and Xena grabbed the reins, deciding to change the subject.

"So what's this all about. What is this Tenth Muse? I thought there were only nine. Why would one of the Muses be performing in this little village?"

So many questions from the Warrior Princess at one time that Gabrielle could hardly believe it. She decided to let her friend's sly comment go (for now), and fell in beside the warrior. She so much enjoyed being able to tell Xena something she didn't already know. These moments came so far and few between,

that she savored each and every question. The dramatic pause before her reply was more than Xena could bear.

"Come on, Gabrielle. Do you know what's going on or not!" Xena knew that making her wait was giving Gabrielle a great amount of pleasure. Too much pleasure, she decided. She stopped in her tracks and gave Gabrielle her meanest, fiercest warrior look.

Gabrielle laughed. Xena found it difficult to hold the look.

"OK!" Xena smiled warmly and continued walking, "Out with the story. You know you can't wait to tell it."

Gabrielle grabbed her arm and walked along, "Well, the Tenth Muse isn't one of the gods. Just mortal, like you and me. Well, maybe just like me." Gabrielle smiled looking up at the warrior. Xena rolled her eyes.

"They call her the Tenth Muse because she is the greatest poet that Greece has ever known. Did I mention she was a woman?"

Xena shook her head and interrupted, "You mean all this commotion is over a bard?"

Now it was Gabrielle's turn to roll her eyes, "Oh no, no, no, Xena. She is not a bard. A bard tells stories. The Tenth Muse is a poet. Not just any poet, either. Most bards and poets tell stories or write verses of epic adventures, stories of gods and heroes and such. Like the ones you've heard me tell."

"Yeah, and tell and tell and tell." Xena kidded. Gabrielle slapped her arm, but laughed.

"The Tenth Muse has taken it to another level altogether. I've heard her verses have a certain rhythm that's never been done before with words. And it's not only that. What she sings is not about gods or heroes or adventures at all. Her verses are very personal and very moving.

"What do you mean, personal? Have you ever heard her perform?"

"No. I haven't. But the King of Athens is said to have taken up the lyre just so he could learn to recite one of her famous poems. It is said 'he wanted to learn it and die.'" Gabrielle sighed dreamily to the sky.

"What could she possibly sing about that would make him 'want to die'?" Xena repeated sarcastically.

Gabrielle chuckled and squeezed her arm, "Why, she sings about 'love' of course. Most of her work is about love. What else would be worth dying for?"

Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other and smiled. Xena had to admit, Gabrielle was right. But she had never heard any bard or poet sing about something so personal and simple as love. Usually it was all mixed up in some adventure of epic proportions. She said as much to Gabrielle.

"I know," Gabrielle agreed, "It is very controversial. Some people think she will anger the Gods by leaving them out of her verses. It's been known that they burn her writings in some places in fear of the gods' wrath."

"I would think there would be worse things to fear in this world than a simple poem about love." Xena's attitude about life always leaned towards the practical.

"Well, poetry can really influence people." Gabrielle argued.

"Nonsense." Xena retorted.

"What do you mean, nonsense!" Gabrielle was appalled. "A story or a verse can affect you very deeply. A really good poet can make it seem as though the poem was written especially for you, make you see yourself in the poem and identify with it. Haven't you ever experienced that?"

"Nope." Xena said flatly, stretching her head for a better look around the bend. She knew they would be approaching a ridge that would give them a good view of Avlon, the village ahead.

"Now I know you're lying!" Gabrielle pulled on Xena's arm.

Xena looked at the bard with exaggerated innocence, "Who me?"

"What about that song you sing? You say you only sing it when you are moved!" Gabrielle felt she had trapped Xena in her white lie, and smiled triumphantly.

"That's different. I wrote that song, so of course it moves me."

"Oh." Gabrielle lost the smile and thought for a moment. "What about my stories, aren't you ever moved by the stories I tell?" Gabrielle looked darkly at Xena with eyes warning her that she better be careful how she answered.

"Oh, yeah!" Xena admitted with a wicked grin. "They move me all right. Move me to run right down the road!"

"Hey!" Gabrielle punched Xena's arm, a little harder than she expected.

"Ow!" Xena rubbed her muscle and looked down in surprise.

"Ooops! Sorry." Gabrielle bit back a grin, then shook her finger at the warrior. "That'll teach ya! Never insult a bard about their art!"

"No, I'm sorry Gabrielle." Xena stopped at the ridge and placed her hand on the proud bard's shoulder, "Your stories always touch me. Like no one else can."

Gabrielle smiled at the compliment. "Well, if my stories touch you, wait until you hear the Tenth Muse!

I hear she can make a thousand men cry ten thousand tears!"

They both looked out over the ridge and down at Avlon. What they saw was incredible enough to stop even Gabrielle from talking. It took a few moments before Gabrielle could muster a comment.

"Make that ten thousand men crying one million tears!"

The town of Avlon was jam-packed and crawling with people. The village center was completely full. The crowd spilled out of the center walls and filled the surrounding streets. From their height on the ridge, the village looked like a piece of nutbread being devoured by a million ants. People were everywhere.

"No way." Xena mumbled under her breath staring at the swarming throngs.

"Oh, Xena!" Gabrielle turned and grabbed onto Xena's arm and began to implore in earnest, "Oh, Xena please!"

"Here we go!" Xena rolled her eyes.

"Xena. Xena. Oh, please! I've never seen her perform!" Gabrielle pleaded, pulling on Xena's arm.

"No way!" Xena ignored the bard's pleas and pulled her arm out of the bard's reach. "There is no way we are going into that village!"

"Xena!" Gabrielle began to stomp like a child.

Xena ignored the tirade and turned, pulling Argo down the road in the opposite direction. Gabrielle decided she needed to change tactics.

"This is really important to me Xena. I may never get this chance again. This poet is a living legend. I could learn so much. It means so much to me." Gabrielle implored in her sweetest and most innocent voice to Xena's back. Xena paused in stride. Gabrielle smiled knowing Xena could never resist her when she spoke to her like this. "I promise never to ask you to do anything like this again. Well, maybe not ever, but a least not for a very long time. And I promise not to get into any trouble. We'll just watch the sunset show, and then leave!"

Gabrielle paused and held her breath, waiting for the inevitable. Xena stood with her back to her and sighed. She knew she could never deny Gabrielle anything.

"It's really that important to you?" Xena asked turning around to face Gabrielle.

Gabrielle nodded and smiled her warmest smile. Xena narrowed her eyes suspecting that she was being manipulated. There was no denying it; Gabrielle knew just how to do it.

"OK. But you better stay out of trouble!" Xena pointed a finger at the bard's nose.

Gabrielle clapped her hands in triumph and jumped up, stealing a kiss from the warrior's cheek.

"Thank you! Thank you!" She grabbed Argo's reigns from Xena's hands and started to pull the horse down the road, "Come on! Let's get going. We want to get a good place to stand!" And she happily pulled Argo away down the road.

Xena touched the cheek that Gabrielle had kissed and shook her head in wonder.

"You're getting soft, warrior." She said to herself, and followed the bard towards the village with a smile.

A BARD DAY'S NIGHT

By DJWP

Chapter II

It took the travelers more than an hour to wind their way down from the ridge and into the outskirts of the town. Then it took nearly two more hours to find a stable for Argo. The festivities had simply packed the town beyond capacity, and it seemed as though all available stables were full. Finally, Gabrielle sweet talked a farmer into letting them keep Argo in his grain barn, for a slight fee of course. 'Why not take advantage of a money making opportunity?' she had argued and won. With Argo settled, they headed towards the town square. There were only a few hours before the sun would set and the performance would begin. Gabrielle beamed at Xena.

"Did I thank you for letting us come here?" Gabrielle smiled at her companion.

"Yes, many times." Xena smirked, "You're lucky you found a place for Argo or we wouldn't be staying."

Gabrielle grunted, 'As though I really would have let that happen!' she thought to herself, but grabbed Xena's hand and pulled her along, "Look Xena! There's the stage!"

Just beyond an archway, they were able to see into the village's center. There was a gigantic stage set up made of wood planks and stone at the far west wall. It was already laden with drums and various other musical instruments. The crowd was filling up the village square. The warrior and the bard squeezed their way around an endless number of people and finally passed under the arch and into the town center. The air was electric with excitement. Xena pulled Gabrielle's arm.

"Stay close." she admonished, "Don't get separated from me."

They wove their way through the throngs of people, entering at the farthest point away from the stage. It was not as crowded in this area. Gabrielle grabbed onto a piece of Xena's backplate and allowed the warrior to lead their way through the crowd. The bard stopped her as she spotted some booths and various other vendors.

"Let's go over there!" Gabrielle took Xena's hand again and led her over to the vendors. The warrior scowled as a passerby bumped her. She hated crowds, and swore under her breath that if anyone pinched her, they were going to get a black eye. She looked down at Gabrielle. If anyone pinched Gabrielle, they would die.

"Wow! It's crowded." Gabrielle wiped her brow as they approached the first of the booths. She started examining the wares on the tables. They were all Tenth Muse souvenirs.

"I hope you're happy." Xena glared as someone else bumped into her. "So who is this Tenth Muse? You haven't told me this wonderful poet woman's real name."

Gabrielle held up a shirt. She turned the back of the shirt to Xena. It was poorly painted with the words: "Tenth Muse - Known World Tour DCXXXIV B.C." and it listed a countless number of cities down the back of it. Then Gabrielle flipped it to the front, which had a hand- painted picture of a very interesting, unusual looking woman holding an incredible 21 string lyre. Her name was painted in bold letters underneath: Sappho.

A young girl was skipping by as she noticed Gabrielle holding up the shirt. She screamed and snatched the shirt out of Gabrielle's hands. "Hey!" Gabrielle looked over, very annoyed.

"Oh, I thought they were all out! Thanks!" She pushed between Gabrielle and Xena and handed the merchant some dinars, then skipped away. Gabrielle scowled as she watched the girl leave.

"Did you want that?" Xena asked about to take off after the girl.

"Oh no, no." Gabrielle grabbed Xena before she could leave. She didn't want Xena strangling some poor, innocent girl over a souvenir. "It was ugly anyway, don't cha think?"

"I'll say." Xena glanced around, watching the movement of the crowd. Maybe there was a booth with some food, or even better a nice, cold mug of mead!

Gabrielle shuffled through some other souvenirs. It was junk mostly. A plaster bust in Sappho's image, more than likely, a horrible rendition. Little coral lyre earrings; very ugly. Feathered quills with a sign that read: ' Touched by Sappho, Certificate of Authenticity provided.' There were plates that Sappho had eaten from; mugs that Sappho had drunk from; Gabrielle half expected to see rags that Sappho had used for........

"I'm surprised they don't have Sappho's toilet rags here!" Xena commented looking over Gabrielle's shoulder at all of the junk on the table. Gabrielle burst out into laughter, then she saw something that caught her eye.

"Look at this!" Gabrielle motioned Xena over to the side of the table. She picked up a golden coin and turned it over in her hand. It really was quite beautiful. One side had an image of the poet, and the other had an image of an island. The coin was well minted and sparkled in the sun as Gabrielle turned it in her hand.

"Very popular item!" The merchant said with an insincere smile, "All the Kings and Queens are buying them these days! Heard they might even replace the dinar as the coin of trade!" Gabrielle's eyes twinkled as she turned the coin in the sunlight.

"How much?" the warrior asked, noticing how entranced Gabrielle was with the item.

"10 dinars!"

Xena grabbed the coin out of the bard's hand and slammed it back on the table.

"Thief!" she mumbled and pulled Gabrielle along to the next booth.

"But!" Gabrielle protested, "it was beautiful."

"It was a half dinar's worth of metal for 10!" Xena expected Gabrielle to protest further, but the bard had her attention somewhere else.

"Look!" she said, taking control and pulling the warrior along. "Scrolls!" she said reverently as she took a piece of the papyrus from a wicker basket on the table and unrolled it. There was verse written on it and Gabrielle gasped in awe.

"Look Xena, a scroll! A verse written by the hand of Sappho!" Her sea green eyes danced over words and she sighed. "How beautiful!"

Xena grabbed the scroll out of the bard's hand and pointed to a sign. It read "Genuine Copy".

"A verse written by the hand of the merchant is more like it!" she grunted and threw the scroll down back into the basket.

"What's that!" Gabrielle cried in excitement and ran around to the back of another booth.

"You know," a merchant came up to Xena and smiled. It was an old woman. "They may be copies, but they are verse which she has sung. I know. I heard them myself and scribed them word for word. Here!" The old woman shuffled through the basket. Picking out a small scroll, she handed it to Xena, "Here's one I think you will like."

Xena stared at the old woman, wanting to leave, but the woman's sincerity made her stay and she slowly opened the scroll and read it.

Xena's normally cold blue eyes warmed, and she smiled at the old woman, whose eyes twinkled back in amusement.

"How much." Xena whispered.

"For you, one dinar." The old woman smiled. Xena handed the old woman the dinar, and looked around for Gabrielle. Seeing that the bard was busy elsewhere, Xena rolled up the small scroll and carefully hid it in her gauntlet.

The warm, old eyes regarded her in amused silence.

"What!" Xena was suddenly embarrassed under her gaze, "It's a gift." she explained, trying to sound nonchalant. Xena avoided her eyes and walked away to find Gabrielle.

"Warriors." the old woman shook her head smiling, and moved to the next customer.

Xena innocently strolled around the booth to Gabrielle, who was sorting through some small renditions of Sappho's lyre and various other cheap, inconsequential items. Shopping was not Xena's forte; she was beginning to get impatient. Suddenly a breeze brought the unmistakable scent of food cooking over an open flame. Her stomach voiced its desire.

Gabrielle looked up from the wares, "Hungry?" she asked, patting Xena just under the breast plate.

"Yeah!" Xena grabbed Gabrielle's shoulders, pulled her away from the booth and then pushed her along in front, "Follow your nose!"

Gabrielle sniffed and smiled, "Hhhmmm! Right this way!" They made their way through the crowds and towards the food booths.

Xena grabbed the lamb sandwich from Gabrielle just as she was about to sink her teeth in for a big, delicious bite. Xena took the bite instead and rolled her eyes in ecstasy. She turned and moved away.

"Hey!" Gabrielle complained and then took the next sandwich from the vendor's outstretched hands and passed him two dinars. Gabrielle muttered a 'thank you' to the vendor and followed Xena, stretching her own mouth over her sandwich as well. They walked in silence for a while, munching the food with hungry chomps and watching the endless parade of people pass by. Xena had honestly never seen anything quite like this. It had the air of a festival, but it wasn't a festival. There were jugglers, magicians, and performers of all types attracting crowds within and around the square. There was every kind of person here: rich and poor, young and old. Yes, it was like a festival, the difference being that this crowd had gathered for one reason only: to see one poet perform. The last time she saw this many people in a village square was when her army had attacked Corinth. Pushing out the unpleasant thought, Xena looked to the sun. Sure enough, it was almost at the end of its journey and about to set down in the west.

Xena stuffed the last piece of sandwich into her mouth and mumbled to Gabrielle, "We bedda mak r way doda stagg."

"Don't talk with your mouth full." Gabrielle daintily finished the last of her sandwich. Somehow, she always managed to eat everything in sight, but avoided over stuffing her mouth. How she managed to eat so quickly and with such good manners, Xena could not understand. 'Practice makes perfect.' Xena thought to herself, and unceremoniously gulped her food down so she could talk.

"I said, we better make our way to the stage. It's going to start soon." They moved from the perimeter of the square, where they had been meandering, and headed into the heart of the crowd, towards the stage. It was not going to be easy to get close.

They were soon surrounded by a mass of people, all intent on getting as close to the stage as they could. Xena became concerned and pulled Gabrielle in front of her. They surged forward, but could get no closer. Xena could see the stage, but she looked down to Gabrielle who was straining her neck, trying to look over the heads of those in front of her. Problem was, everyone was taller than she.

"Can you see?" Xena asked down to her friend.

Gabrielle looked up with pitiful disappointment in her eyes and shook her head. That was all Xena needed to see.

"Hang on to me!" Xena moved around Gabrielle and had the bard hold onto her hips.

Xena tapped on the shoulder of a man directly in front of her. He turned around to stare into two of the most deadly, most dangerous blue eyes he had ever seen. He gulped and stepped to the side immediately. They moved forward.

Xena cleared her throat, and the next man turned in annoyance. His expression changed to fear and he stepped out of the way. They moved forward.

A large man next to Xena tried to crowd her out of this new position. With a quick movement of her left hand, he was doubled over and pushed aside. Slowly a bubble of space appeared around the warrior and the bard as those close by began to notice just who it was they were standing next to.

Xena tried to move forward again, but two well muscled, young men turned and crossed their arms, refusing to get out of the way. Gabrielle's eyes followed first the flight of one and then the other , as Xena tossed them over their heads into the arms of the crowd behind. They heard cheers and laughter as the crowd kept them both above their heads, passing them around like two balls in the air. Their furious objections faded into the distance. And they moved forward.

The next obstacle was a group of soldiers perhaps brought in to keep the crowd under control, but now they appeared to only be waiting for the show to begin. Xena started to pull her sword out of its sheath. Gabrielle gulped and put a hand on her arm to stop her; this was going too far. But Xena only wanted the sound to attract the attention of the soldier. It worked. He heard the unmistakable scrape of steel and whirled around to find himself eye to eye with the Warrior Princess. He recognized her immediately.

"Xena!" he hissed in amazement and reached for his sword. Ice cold eyes of blue steel froze him still. He pictured himself a dead man.

Then she smiled.

"Do you think we could get by?" She raised an eyebrow, with a smile on her lips, but a warning in her eyes, daring him to refuse.

"S-s-sure." the soldier stammered, happy to live another day.

"Make way!" he turned to his companions and ordered. They whirled in surprise, but followed his orders and moved the crowd aside, forming a path to the front. Xena walked proudly through with the bard in tow. Gabrielle inclined her head and politely thanked each soldier as they passed by.

Xena had wormed their way as far forward as they could go. She turned and smiled at Gabrielle, who still couldn't see a thing beyond the warrior. Xena gently put her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders and moved her in front. To her surprise, Gabrielle discovered one more step would put her on the stage itself. Xena now stood behind Gabrielle and kept the surging crowds back, providing a protective envelope around the two of them. Gabrielle reached back and gave Xena a hug.

"I'll never forget this!" Gabrielle smiled, her eyes twinkling with excitement. Xena smiled back. It didn't take much to make Gabrielle happy. They didn't have much either. Mile after endless mile, sleeping on the cold ground, often out of food and always low on dinars, there wasn't much Xena could give her. If something as simple as a clear view to a poet was all that Gabrielle needed to make her smile, then Xena would have cleared out the entire square without a moment's hesitation.

The color of the sky began to change. The breeze made a slight shift in direction and the air changed from afternoon to evening. The mood of the crowd shifted with the air. The undercurrent of excitement became more vocal as the audience grew tired of waiting.

Xena inspected the stage with an curious eye. She hadn't expected to see so many instruments there. Gabrielle had told her that Sappho was a poet and played the lyre. Thinking of Orpheus, she had anticipated only that, and really wasn't looking forward to listening to a woman recite poetry and play the lyre for hours. Now it appeared as though the show would be more unusual. There were very large drums off to the left. There also appeared to be several flutes and reed instruments, as well. In addition, there was an area built for a chorus, similar to what was usually seen in theater, off to the right.

"I thought a chorus was only used in theater?" Xena asked Gabrielle, figuring she would know.

"Me, too." Gabrielle answered, "Maybe she's going to do a play?"

"That would be odd." Xena said, half aloud, half thinking to herself. What was this show going to be about? Now, even Xena was looking forward to the performance. The sky directly behind the stage began to change color. This was a beautiful setting, Xena thought to herself. Maybe she would enjoy this after all.

Xena realized that the stage had been constructed directly in front of a tavern. The entrance to the tavern was blocked off and surrounded by some type of guard. They weren't mercenaries and they weren't soldiers, and they certainly weren't professionals, but they were trying to keep the general public away from the entrance. Sappho must be in there. Xena watched with interest. With so many people, this could actually be dangerous for her. Xena's thoughts wandered to the strategy and she didn't like what she saw. This entire crowd could get out of hand, Xena suddenly realized and pulled Gabrielle in a little closer. The bard was too busy watching the stage door to notice.

The sun began to stain the sky above the stage red, and suddenly there was movement from the tavern door. The crowd's attention was riveted, and a unified howl filled the air. The show was definitely about to begin.

Two beautiful young men emerged from the door and walked slowly onto the stage. They were dressed in bright, white tunics and wore garlands in their hair. The crowd whistled their approval as they crossed the stage and took their places behind the large drums. Once behind the drums, they lifted mallets, paused for a moment and then, nodding in unison, began to play. An intoxicating rhythm filled the square. The crowd went wild.

Next out of the door were two incredible looking women. They were tall, blond and draped in gorgeous gowns of white linen. They floated across the stage, picking up the flute and bagpipe and began to play, filling in a melody to compliment the rhythm. The screams of the audience almost drowned the music from the stage.

As if a secret cue had been sounded, a nine member chorus walked onto the stage in single file. They walked in rhythm to the music as though the walk was a dance and the dance was the music. They moved to their places, each beginning to sing as they turned to the crowd. As each voice joined in the chorus, their words became clearer and clearer as they repeated a phrase over and over:

"Ah me! I cannot sleep at night!

The crowd erupted into a frenzy as they recognized the lyrics. Gabrielle jumped in excitement, surprising the hades out of Xena, who had been watching so intently she had almost forgotten that her hands were on the bard's shoulders.

"I know this!" Gabrielle clapped in delight, "I can't believe she's going to mix poetry and music with chorus, and even rhythm! This is incredible!"

"Yeah." was all Xena could answer. She was surprised that she actually recognized the words a bit herself. She thought she could remember her soldiers singing it around camp fires when the road had been particularly long and grueling. It had always lifted their spirits. She had no idea that Sappho had written it.

Xena's thoughts were distracted as she heard the crowd suddenly begin to join in the chant. They were singing with the chorus and clapping to the rhythm; the incredible volume of voice and hand clapping shook the walls of the tiny town to the core. Xena turned her eyes to the stage door, imagining that Sappho would make her grand entrance at any moment.

She was totally taken by surprise as the chorus parted to reveal Sappho at the center, with an incredible 21 string lyre in her arms. Even Xena hadn't noticed her behind the chorus line as they entered. To say the crowd went ballistic would be an understatement, but they quieted considerably as Sappho shifted the instrument in her hands.

Though the music and rhythm continued, and the crowd chanted with the chorus, Xena could hear the voice of Sappho sing even above the din. She clearly had the most incredible singing voice that Xena ever heard:

"Ah me! I cannot sleep at night;

I cannot banish from my sight

Xena laughed, now remembering the song. Yes, her men used to love to sing this around the fire and she realized she was going to enjoy this show very much. If she had any good memories of her warlords days, those nights around the campfire would fill them all.

"O, siren, with the mocking tongue!

Sappho motioned for the audience to finish the chorus, which they did gladly. She played her lyre and skipped along the stage in delight, reveling in her song being sung back at her. The audience reveled in her pleasure. Like a master bard, she had manipulated them all into the palm of her hand.

Xena looked down in amazement at the top of Gabrielle's head. The bard was singing along at the top of her lungs. Xena had never heard Gabrielle sing aloud.

"Stick to barding." Xena whispered in her ear. Gabrielle poked her in the ribs.

The song was over and Sappho paced, waiting for the applause and the screaming to die down. Gabrielle looked her over closely. They were to the right of the stage, and Sappho was more to the left, but Gabrielle regarded her profile in earnest, wanting to examine what kind of woman could have so much talent and command so much presence.

She was like Xena in a way, in that by just walking in, she could fill a room.; but she was small, smaller than Gabrielle. She had Xena's coloring though, dark skin and blue eyes; but they were not the intense blue of Xena's eyes. They were gray, almost silver. And then there was her hair. Her hair was hard to describe; it was very different. It was black and flowing, hanging in an arrangement of long, thin braids. The braids were riddled with beads and stone. There were also long, loose strands of hair, as though she hadn't taken the time to braid all of her hair. The entire effect of her hair made her look wild and untamable. This impression was reinforced by the wildest, widest, whitest smile that Gabrielle had ever seen. There was no doubt, when Sappho smiled, the known world would light up and smile back. She flashed this most incredible feature, and the audience roared.

She spoke. "Avlon, let me look upon you." The crowd hushed to listen. "You are all so beautiful!" She said, gracing the audience with another brilliant smile. They loved it and screamed their approval.

"I am moved to write a verse for you!" (more screams) "Let me see....."

She looked through the audience and her eyes fell upon a young couple, wrapped in one another's arms. Sappho smiled. She had found her mark.

"A verse for lovers, of course!" (she motioned to the couple, who blushed in embarrassment while the

audience applauded). She strummed the lyre, apparently composing the melody impromptu:

"Because you love me

stand with me face to face

and unveil the softness in your eyes....

But remember

draw the shutters close

Before your father hears our cries!"

The audience erupted into laughter. The young couple blushed. Sappho smiled her brilliant smile and asked "Another?" The audience howled their approval.

A group of young women began to scream uncontrollably just to the left of Gabrielle and Xena. Sappho was heading across the stage in their direction, searching for her next victims. As she walked close, the women reached with outstretched arms just to try to touch the Tenth Muse. Suddenly, one toga top and then another flew into the air and onto the stage. Sappho caught one and twirled it in the air, with a twinkle in her eye. The audience howled as she whipped it around and sent it flying back out into the crowd; desperate hands reached to catch it and a brief struggle erupted where the toga landed.

Gabrielle laughed as her eyes followed the flight of the toga into the crowd. Suddenly, her vision was blocked completely and she could not see at all. The second toga caught a breeze and had landed right on her head. She fumbled hopelessly trying to disentangle herself from the garment. Xena was laughing but made no effort to help.

Gabrielle pulled the toga from her face and shot the warrior an angry look. Xena snatched the top from her hands and threw it back at the girls. Gabrielle's eyes widened in surprise as she noticed that several of them were now toga topless. Xena laughed even louder.

Sappho smiled down at the toga topless women and reached her hand out. The women moaned in ecstasy as their outstretched hands were just barely able to touch the poet's fingertips. Sappho flashed her incredible smile again and the women screamed. Then she moved in the direction of Xena and Gabrielle; she was going to pass right in front of them. Gabrielle gulped in nervousness for she knew one thing about Xena that could never be denied; Xena stood out in a crowd. There was no way Sappho was not going to notice her.

Sappho scanned the crowd and, sure enough, her eyes rested on the Warrior Princess. Her bright smile faded and Gabrielle's heart sank. 'Please, don't let there be something from Xena's past....' she began to pray as Sappho halted in front of them. The poet was outwardly staring at Xena now; the warrior had her complete attention. She shifted her lyre, and actually kneeled down to speak to them. Gabrielle thought she was going to faint. She looked back to Xena, who had the same incredulous expression on her face.

Sappho reached out a hand as if to try to touch Xena, but Xena was just out of her reach.

"Y-y-your armor....." Sappho stammered, "The design.....w-w-h-e-r-ee... did you get it.....??"

The entire crowd had hushed to a dead silence.

It was only because of the silence that Xena was able to hear the unmistakable sound of an arrow cutting through the air, heading directly towards them. She instinctively pulled Gabrielle into her arms and ducked. The arrow was not meant for them, however. It sliced through the air just over their heads and hit Sappho squarely in the chest. The force sent her flying back onto the stage. A second arrow flew by, missing Sappho, who had fallen, but hitting a musician in the leg. She screamed in agony.

The crowd erupted into screams of panic.

Xena jumped onto the stage and drew her sword. She hovered protectively in front of Sappho and waited. A third and fourth arrow flew towards her. She blocked one with her sword, and caught the other in her hand inches from Sappho's head. She had been trying to sit up.

"Stay down!" Xena ordered, pushing her back. Sappho obeyed. The crowd was getting very dangerous. The people were panicking and running in all directions trying to get away from the stage. Gabrielle began to get pulled along in a crush of screaming bodies trying to move in two different directions.

"Gabrielle!" Xena yelled and extended her hand from the stage. Gabrielle reached up and grabbed it, allowing Xena to pull her up.

"Get behind me. Help her!" Xena pulled Gabrielle, then she turned and yelled to the other performers.

"Get off the stage!" Her command prompted them out of stunned silence and into action. The musician who had taken the arrow in the leg was writhing in pain on the floor.

"Help her off!" Xena barked at the two drummers, who were pushing their way off in a panic. They hesitated not wanting to delay their exit. "Pick her up now!" Xena commanded. They lifted her by the shoulders and helped her off.

Xena stood on the stage in her battle stance. There were no other arrows. The crowd was still in motion, but the screams were fading. One of the soldiers who had helped Xena get to the front rushed over.

"Did you see where they came from?" The soldier asked, wanting to try to catch the culprit.

"From the wall." Xena pointed to the village arch, and the soldier ran off. 'Whoever it was is long gone' Xena thought to herself.

A heavy , long haired man was trying to make his way onto the stage.

"STAY BACK!" Xena ordered, "We'll bring her down." The man nodded and stepped back. Xena stayed in her stance and called to the bard, "Gabrielle, can you move her?"

Gabrielle was carefully removing the lyre, and draping Sappho's arm around her shoulder. She nodded, but realized Xena could not really see her; she was still watching for an attack. "Xena, I'm moving her now!" Xena acknowledged the statement with a nod. "When I say so!" Xena commanded. "Ready."

"Yes." Gabrielle looked to Sappho, who was very much in pain, "We'll have to move when she says go, OK?" Sappho gulped and nodded and grabbed firmly onto Gabrielle.

"Right! NOW!"

Xena continued to shield them from attack as they moved from the stage. Gabrielle assisted Sappho down the stairs and into the tavern, with Xena guarding her back all the way.

"Show's over." Xena muttered to herself and, with once last look around, entered the tavern and closed the door.