February 2009
“Xena, are you gonna die?”
“It’s not about me. It’s about these people. That’s why we’re
here. People like this used to be my victims. I keep that in mind
every time we come up against a warlord like
Talmadeus. It’s the greater good.
Remember that.”
The
tall man they’d passed, haggling with a merchant, looked like a typical
farmer. The one in uniform lounging
outside the door could be any warrior waiting or looking for trouble. That big guy at the bar? Not much notable about him except the
assortment of knives at his waist.
Maybe a bounty hunter?
“Gabrielle.”
What
was their story? Why were they
here? Did they all really have one
thing in common?
“Are
you trying to start a fight?”
“Huh?”
“If
so, keep staring at `im. If not, at
least pretend more interest in what I’m saying.”
“Saying?” Gabrielle tore her eyes away from her
target. “Oh, sorry.” She grinned sheepishly. “I … um … missed that last part. Something about a fight?” She scanned the room for potential
perpetrators. “Where? Which one?”
“Short
redhead. Long nose.”
“Yeah?” Gabrielle did another scan. “I don’t see ….” She turned to discover herself the object of scrutiny. “What?
You don’t mean me?!”
“Curiosity’s
one thing. You’ve been giving everybody the once-over. Like they’ll turn into Ares or
somethin’. Keep it up, maybe they
will.”
“Hey,
they started it. Haven’t you
noticed?” Gabrielle cut her eyes at her
latest quarry. “Big guy at the bar? A couple others we passed on our way here?”
“You
referring to the ones minding their own business?”
“Ha.” Gabrielle leaned toward the warrior. “More like trying to mind yours,” she said
in a low voice. “You don’t find it
strange? Like maybe they expect you’ll
turn into Ares?”
Xena
took a swig of her ale. “Not
particularly. Don’t know why you
do. You’ve seen it often enough.”
“Well,
yeah. But that was before …. Um
….” Gabrielle pushed down emotions
she’d resolved not to burden her friend with.
“Before … I had more experience.
I mean, you are kind of imposing.”
She grinned. “Striking.”
“And
now?” Xena raised a brow. “Knowing I really could turn into Ares?”
“Xeeenaaa.” Gabrielle rolled her eyes. “I know now you could have a history with
them. I’m simply curious. You know – about their motivations.”
“Mm.” Xena relaxed back in her chair. “I suppose staring at `em’s one way to find
out.”
“Tsk
tsk. Must you go to extremes? I bet if I went over there, started a
friendly conversation, he’d – .”
“Not
necessary.” Xena crossed her arms. “Going to that extreme.”
“See? You always pick the hard way. What’s wrong with – .”
“Already
got his attention. He’s on his way
over.”
“He
is?” Gabrielle’s jaw dropped. “Curses.
You don’t really think he’ll – .”
“You
Xena?”
“Yup.”
“Thought
so. Haven’t changed much.” The man appraised the warrior. “Filled out pretty good.” At her silence, he added, “Prob’ly don’t
recognize me with the beard.” He
snorted. “Mustache was only a few stray
hairs.”
“Mm. Filled out pretty good yourself.” The corner of Xena’s mouth twitched. “Your … ‘baby fat’ … got distributed over
more height.”
“Size
didn’t help me much then.”
“You
planning on testin’ that now?”
The
man chuckled. “Yep, same ol’
Xena.”
“Um,
sir?” Gabrielle glanced between the man
and Xena. Neither gave clues about what
might happen next. “I’m Gabrielle. And you would be?”
“Bellos,”
he answered, without taking his eyes off Xena.
“Grew up with the Warrior Princess.”
He snickered. “Of course, back
then, young bucks like me had other names for `er.” He folded his arms. “She
had a habit of interfering in our … business.”
“Business?”
Bellos
finally addressed Gabrielle.
“Weaklings.” He smirked. “Seems her yen for `em hasn’t changed
either.”
“Excuse
me?” Gabrielle gaped at Bellos. “Surely you’re not referring to … to me?! I’ll have you know – .”
“Down,
Gabrielle. Save your fire until we know
it’s needed.” Xena cocked her
head. “He hasn’t answered that yet.”
Bellos
locked eyes with his childhood nemesis, before leaning against the table behind
him. “Nah. Found a new career. You
were right. A waste tryin’ ta beat
manhood into weaklings. More
satisfaction – and profit – picking on somebody with a bounty on their head.”
“Aha!” Gabrielle’s pique diffused into smug,
“Thought so!”
Xena
chuckled at Bellos’ puzzlement. “My
friend here likes making up stories about people.” She sucked in her cheeks.
“Bully to bounty hunter? Better
ending than I would’ve guessed.”
“Least
I know who – or what – I am. Yours took
a few turns I wouldn’t’ve guessed either.”
Bellos stroked his beard. “Me
and my boys were wimps, compared to the great protector turned Destroyer of
Nations. Your little friend predict yet
how you’ll end up?”
Xena
shrugged. “A work in progress. For both of us.”
Bellos
nodded. “Honest enough. Always respected that.” He straightened. “I bump into some of the old gang from time to time. The usual curiosity about a kid who left
home for fame and fortune. If it’s true
she’s back to sticking up for weaklings.”
He smirked. “I can say the
Warrior Princess is still everything else we called her. And then some.” He started to walk away, but first gave Gabrielle a mock
bow. “If pickier about the strays she
takes in.”
½½½½½
“`Weakling.’ `Stray.’
The nerve! Big dummy. Has no idea how lucky he is, growing up with
Xena. I gave him some slack for
that. If he’d been a stranger …. Well, you know how ugly I can get, dontcha,
girl. Oooo, speaking of which …. Little too much time on this spot, huh? Sorry about that.” Gabrielle interrupted her monologue long enough to move to Argo’s
other side.
“I’m
supposed to be pampering you. Can’t let
my irritation with him ruin our quality time together. How’s this?
Forgive me? Eeewww. Not the mouth, okay? We gotta work on a less juicy way of
communication. But thanks. Coming from you, it’s a compliment. And guess what? When I’m done with this, you’ll get another reward. Here’s a hint – it’s red, firm and just the
way you like it. Juicy. Now, if only you could help me with another
issue ….”
Xena
put away her sharpening stone and relaxed against the log at her back, wryly
observing Gabrielle’s animated grooming of Argo. She couldn’t remember the young woman spending that much time
with the Palomino before, let alone engaging in such an apparently
heart-to-heart … conversation. As
entertaining as it was, the warrior also found poignancy in the chosen
“listener.”
A lot
had happened the past few days.
Experiences neither wanted to dwell on, but were bound to be on their
minds nonetheless. Death was something
Xena had lived with for some time. She
might brush off nearly succumbing to it because of a poison dart, but realized
that might have been harder for Gabrielle.
Not to mention the girl’s having to literally step into Xena’s boots and
trick Talmadeus into believing the Warrior Princess healthy enough to kick
butt.
And
there was still the mystery around the who and why of that dart. Xena suspected it explained her usually
friendly companion’s recent scrutiny of anyone who gave the warrior a second
look. On one hand, Xena wanted to
reassure Gabrielle they probably needn’t worry too much about folks like that. On the other, Gabrielle might not view the
reason as reassuring.
“Well,
I think Her Highness is pleased.”
Gabrielle stowed Argo’s brush in a saddlebag. “Maybe she’ll take that into consideration next time, before she
tosses me on my butt.”
“Glad
you’re bonding so well.” Xena
smirked. “That ‘be nice’ stuff must
work after all.”
“Humpf.” Gabrielle paused in spreading out her
bedroll. “More like being forced into
it, when we weren’t being so nice.”
She plopped down, her face brightening.
“You know, I really had doubts about pulling that off. But once I put on your leathers? Strapped on your weapons? I felt I could take on the world!” She grinned. “Well, with a little help from a friend.”
Xena
chuckled. “That ‘yell thingy?’ Scare `em out of their pants?”
“Nooo.
Well, yes, I did manage a decent likeness.
I meant my four-legged friend over there.” Gabrielle glanced fondly at Argo. “Talk about a ‘sidekick.’
Heh, those hooves came in mighty handy.
Saved my life, once Talmadeus realized I wasn’t you.”
“Yup. Still got my arms and legs, thanks to
her. Talmadeus picked the wrong horse
to rip `em off.” Smiling at her beloved
steed, Xena moved to stoke the campfire.
She frowned. “He knew by then
you weren’t me. When’re you talking
about?”
Gabrielle
winced. “Um …. That second time? When you had me toss fire bombs into his camp?”
“I
told you to get in and get out.”
“Xena,
I had to make it look good.” Gabrielle
ducked her head. “Guess I got a little
carried away.”
Xena
began laying out her sleeping furs.
“You could’ve been killed,” she muttered. “I never should’ve – .”
“Expected
me to fill your boots?”
“Put
so much on your shoulders.” Sighing,
Xena dropped down on the furs. “It was
an iffy proposition – even with me at full strength – persuading Talmadeus not
to attack. I was so focused on fighting
the poison …. Not knowing for sure how
long it would take …. I hoped you could
stall him until ….”
“Until
what? Your super powers prevailed? You sprang up from death’s door to ride to
the rescue?”
Xena
snorted. “Somethin` like that. Not because I didn’t have confidence in
you. You filled my boots pretty
convincingly.” She smirked. “My breastplates too, I might add.”
Gabrielle
allowed a small smile. “Yeah, it was a
funny at first. Even fun, pretending I
was you. But I believed it too, Xena –
that you would spring up. The Warrior
Princess once more. When I came back,
and they showed me that litter ….” She
swallowed. “It was the hardest thing
I’ve ever done. Pulling that blanket
back. Seeing it was really you
underneath. So pale. And still.
Leaving only me. Inside your
battledress, except … except I couldn’t pretend anymore.”
Xena
squeezed Gabrielle’s shoulder. “It’s
never been ‘pretend’ for you. It’s who
you are.”
“The
greater good?” Gabrielle snorted softly. “I would’ve preferred you. Alive and well. I had the confidence at first because of you. Because you put the village ahead of
yourself. Because I believed you’d be
there with me. When I thought you …
gone, it was still you. Giving me the
strength. I couldn’t let your wishes,
your life, be in vain.”
Xena
gazed into the fire. “I said helping
those people wasn’t about me. But in a
way it is. A personal debt from my
past. I put that on your shoulders,
whether I wanted to or not. It’s a
consequence of being with me.” She
sighed. “Is that right? Letting you share the sadness and
pain?” She smiled ruefully at
Gabrielle. “Knowing it’s in you to do –
for me, for others who need it – is why I can anyway.”
Gabrielle
searched Xena’s face, not so much to find what was there, as to reassure
herself there was nothing she had missed.
She scooted next to the warrior and rested her head against a strong
shoulder. “It feels right, Xena. Being a part of the greater good. Nothing warms my heart more. Touching it in you?” She slid her arm through Xena’s. “Feels even better.”
“You
did fine on your own. Without the
physical me.”
Gabrielle
suppressed a shiver at visions that contradicted Xena’s words. Of helplessness to do more than caress one
last time strands of dark hair gone limp, lips that would never tease
again. The coldness of a future without
the warrior’s passion. Grief hot with
rage, directed at a tree lest it consume focus on the legacy that should
comfort instead. So much taken for granted
spinning beyond control. Demanding a
heart more metal than human. Survivable
maybe, but not exactly “fine.”
“I
guess, all things considered. You know
– my first time experiencing a loss like that.”
“What
about your pony? Pretty traumatic for a
kid.”
“Xeenaa. There’s no comparison.” Gabrielle swatted Xena’s arm. “What I’m trying to say is, my ideals were
easy, before I understood the true cost.
Now that I do ….”
“What? You’ll chuck `em for the dark side?”
“Noooo. But if another day comes? Having to choose between keeping you around,
or losing you to the greater good? I’m
not so sure anymore.”
They
sat in silence a moment. Gabrielle
grappling with the impact of possibly loving someone more than making the world
a better place. Xena realizing it was
still about her, but in a way that involved another – more important –
life.
Xena
gave Gabrielle a sympathetic pat on the arm and began removing her armor. “I’m going to get hurt, Gabrielle. Maybe killed. You can’t let that cloud your thinking. Won’t do either of us any good.”
“I
know,” Gabrielle said, focusing again on smoothing out her bedroll. She grinned. “Just me being my usually chatty ‘what deep stuff can I bore Xena
with tonight’ self.”
“Mm. No more looking over your shoulder? Worrying which of numerous folks we pass
might be out to get me?”
“Huh?”
“I’m
curious about that dart too. But not so
much it interferes with eating or sleeping.”
Gabrielle
stared at the warrior, as usual caught when she least expected. “Fine.
So maybe I am a little more cautious.”
“Try
paranoid.”
“Humph. I learned from the master.” Gabrielle scowled at Xena. “What about that farmer? How do you know he wasn’t from some village
you … visited … when you were … less good?”
“Took
skill hitting a moving target from that distance. Not something you pick up in between sun up to sun down
chores. Whatever his interest, I doubt
he expected to see me. Once he did, if
I’d wronged him, more likely he’d rush me with a pitchfork.”
“That
warrior could’ve had the skill. Maybe
another ‘I’m the man who got Xena.’”
“No
witnesses? No proof I was dead? Besides, he’d’ve been bragging and buying
drinks – not lounging outside like just another unemployed stiff.”
“How
better to disguise he’s really an assassin?
A cold-blooded professional, biding his time until he finishes the
job? You’ve gone up against lots of
folks who’d hire him. Warlords wanting
revenge. Tyrants who don’t want you
interfering.”
“Nah. They’re basically businessmen. What’s past is past. No sense shelling out blood money unless I’m
actually a threat.” Xena shrugged. “They usually know when I am.”
“Xena,
somebody shot you. We didn’t imagine
it.” Gabrielle stretched out, propped
on her side. “I gather you don’t suspect
Bellos. You’ve eliminated most other
possibilities that make sense. You
truly have no idea?”
Finished
with her preparations for sleep, Xena lay on her back. She had ideas all right – far more
disturbing than Gabrielle’s. Beyond
anything she’d encountered before, though obviously she and her mystery
assailant had crossed paths. This was
personal. Very personal. Worth hours of planning and practice. Studying her behavior, tracking her
moves. Not simply to kill her, but to
make her suffer. Disable her both
physically and with troublesome questions.
And to some extent had already succeeded. She did wonder – of everything she’d done – which might have
created a mind as twisted as her own had been? So obsessed with a single victim?
Yes,
this certainly had the feel of a private affair, with everyone else simply
background or minor details to enhance the main attraction. Whoever it was no doubt knew she’d
survived. Would strike again. With any means necessary. And in the preoccupation with her, would
probably not be concerned about any other bodies that happened to fall as
well.
“It’s
someone with a grudge. Someone who
doesn’t fit the pattern of 99 of 100 folks we’ll meet.” Xena ruffled Gabrielle’s hair. “No sense losing sleep over a needle in a
haystack. My gut says it’ll pop out on
its own soon enough.”
½½½½½
The
next couple days passed uneventfully.
When they decided to stop at an open-air market along the road,
Gabrielle took a more relaxed approach to the various peasants, traveling
merchants and warrior types.
“How
about these? They look pretty
good. Robust. Less blemishes.”
“Gabrielle,
it’s not a beauty contest. Whichever
you pick will do.”
“I
swear, you have no appreciation for the finer points of a champion potato. Compare that one with – .”
“Xena!”
The
two women whirled to see a burly man a few stalls down, holding a sword. Onlookers nearby glanced between him and the
tall warrior in his sights. Some
appeared to recognize the name he’d called out. Others merely seemed curious.
“Do
you know him?”
“Not
yet. Stay here.” Xena strolled toward the man. “Let’s not make a scene, shall we?” she said
to him quietly, pointing her chin toward a clear area nearby.
The
man seemed surprised, but complied.
Most of the other shoppers turned their attention away from what hadn’t
yet shown signs of interesting trouble.
“You
have business with me?”
“You
came to my village a few weeks ago.” At
Xena’s continued scrutiny, he added, “Remember Lotia?”
“Uh
huh.” Xena cocked her head, brow raised
at the sword dangling from his hand.
“Oh,
this? Merchant over there’s lettin’ me
try it out.” The man nodded at
Xena. “Because of you.”
“Everything
okay?” Gabrielle had eased up beside
the warrior in time to hear the man’s last remark.
“So
far. He’s from Lotia.”
“Greetings. Gabrielle, right? Was just tellin’ Xena she’s why I’m here, lookin’ at
weapons.”
“Because
….”
“Left
up to us, our daughters would be slaves.
You two showed we don’t have to take crap, if we stand up for
ourselves. Have to start
somewhere. Figured might as well be
me. Name’s Thepedes.” He grinned.
“Meant to say thanks, not scare you.”
Xena
sucked in her cheeks. “No problem. Appreciate the update.”
“Glad
I ran into you.” Thepedes started to bid
farewell. “Hey, since I did, mind
givin’ me your opinion on this sword?”
“Sure.” Xena inspected the weapon and gave it a
practice run. “Decent quality,” she
said, handing it back. “Weight should
work with your size. I wouldn’t
recommend strapping it on too soon.”
She cut her eyes at Gabrielle.
“Not until you learn how to use it.”
“Old
military guy back home’s gonna teach us.”
Thepedes raised his fist. “Visit
us again, maybe we won’t be runnin’ `round with our tails between our legs.”
“Whew.” Gabrielle watched Thepedes walk away. “One down, another appointment to go.”
“Say
again?”
Gabrielle
crooked her head toward a handful of men wearing armor, posted near the produce
stand. “They wouldn’t give any
particulars.”
“Peachy.”
As
Xena closed in on the men, one stepped forward. She stopped in front of him and crossed her arms. “If you’re lookin’ for advice, my friend’s
who you should talk to.”
“What?”
“Potatoes. That’s what we’re here for. Anything else better be quick.”
The
man snickered. “Got a sense of
humor. Nobody told us about that.”
“Tick
tock, tick tock.”
“Okay,
okay. The girl there said you really
are the Warrior Princess.”
“So?”
“No
need scraping the barrel,” the man said, sneering in Thepedes’ direction, “with
veterans like us available.”
“Um,
excuse me? What makes you think Xena’s
conducting job interviews?”
The
man would’ve ignored Gabrielle’s question, except Xena gave no indication he
should. “Some guys returnin’ from
Corinth. Reported the Warrior Princess
is back in business. Said her new
army’s been … active … near there. With
her strollin’ around here, we figure she’s lookin’ to expand.”
“Step
back, soldier.”
“What?”
“Fall
in. All of you.”
The
men got the message. They quickly lined
up and stood at attention. Xena paused
in front of each, as if a commander reviewing troops.
“Head
north toward Thermopylae. When you get
to the main road, take the east fork through the forest. About a day’s ride will bring you to a large
rock formation. Behind it is a small
fort where Athenian guards were stationed years ago. Tell the sentry Xena sent you.
The code word is ‘Caesar.’” Xena
stepped back. “Sooner you’re taught
properly, better the chance you’ll be in position for the next operation. Now go.”
The
men exchanged grins. In unison, they
saluted and said, “Yes, sir!” before loping toward their horses.
“That
was weird.”
“No
weirder than rumors I gave up warlording.
Especially to men like that.”
Xena shrugged. “I did make quite
an impression in Corinth awhile back.
Not that surprising if it’s still marking my reputation.” She thumped Gabrielle’s carry bag. “You manage to get those ‘champion’
potatoes, in between recruiting for my army?”
“Ha
ha. As a matter of fact ….” Gabrielle grabbed five from the top, tossed
them in her bag and paid the vendor.
“We’re good to go.” She ignored
Xena’s snicker, instead heading for the road and commanding, “Fall in, soldier. March!”
Once the warrior joined her, she asked, “How come you played along with
those guys? Won’t they find out? When they reach that abandoned fort?”
“First,
they weren’t worth it. Whether they
believed me or not, either way might’ve meant too much trouble. As to your second question, who said
anything about ‘abandoned?’ Far as I
know, it’s still a guard post.”
Gabrielle
chuckled. “Nice to know they’ll get the
reception they deserve.”
“Exactly.”
“Guess
you were right about the 99 of 100 people.
The upside is, at least nobody we met today tried to kill you.”
“Mm. Not to mention much easier building an
army. If I wanted to.”
“On
the other hand …. Remember what you
taught me about catching arrows aimed you?
The downside is, the one you miss counts most.”
“Oh,
so now you’ve become the cynic among us?”
“Nuh
uh. Still 99 parts optimist.” Gabrielle smirked. “I’m simply reserving one for paranoia.”
½½½½½
It was
a beautiful morning. When the two
travelers reached the crest of a hill, they paused to appreciate nature’s
gifts, captured in a majestic oak brimming with birds, its branches caressing
the sky, feet planted in a carpet of purple and green. At least, that’s how Gabrielle described
it. Xena couldn’t disagree. And so both women scowled at an unwelcome
addition to the scene – riders with swords, bearing down on a collection of
huts.
“Grrrr.”
“Uh
huh. I couldn’t have expressed it
better myself.” Gabrielle watched Xena
resignedly mount Argo. She reached up. “I’m going with you.”
“Yeah?” Xena tilted her chin at the rather steep
slope. “Not your usual cup of tea.”
“My
tastes got expanded lately.” Gabrielle
allowed a wry smile. “Besides, I can
enjoy this with my eyes closed.”
Chuckling,
Xena pulled Gabrielle up. “Guess I
don’t need to tell you to hang on while you’re at it.”
“You’ll
have to pry me off when we get there.”
Her head and arms securely in place, Gabrielle took a deep breath. “Okay, let `er rip! Eyeyiyiyiyi!”
“Yah,
Argo! Eeyaaah!”
The
Palomino had nearly reached level ground before her hooves began to register on
figures in her path. Marauders and
their victims alike froze at sight of the golden steed bearing down on
them. Their faces reflected
astonishment, until one of the uniformed men’s eyes showed recognition.
“It’s
Xena!”
The
warrior reigned Argo to a halt.
Gabrielle peered around the body she clung to. The farmers had gathered near the huts, nervously holding on to
loved ones or murmuring with their neighbors.
The marauders had regrouped with weapons at the ready. All staring at the new arrivals.
“What
are they doing?”
“Waiting
for me.” Xena snorted. “Whichever ‘me’ they’ve got.” She dismounted and helped Gabrielle
down. “You take the villagers. I’ll see about the boys over there.”
Gabrielle
assumed her most innocent expression and walked up to a cluster of families. “Hi there.
We’re here to – .”
“Is
that really the Warrior Princess?” a man asked softly, eyes glued to the
dark-haired woman sauntering up to the marauders.
“Uh
huh. We saw those men and figured we
should – .”
“Are
you her … slave?” An older woman
squinted at Gabrielle. “She send you
over here with instructions for us?”
She drew herself up. “Well, I’m
not for it. Been there before. With Petracus and his gang. I’d rather die first.”
“Mother!” A young woman put her arm around the older
one’s shoulders. “Don’t make matters
worse.” She looked appealingly at
Gabrielle. “Please. Tell us what you want, so no one gets hurt.”
“Um
….” Gabrielle let out a long
breath. “Tell you what. For now, don’t do anything. Let Xena finish her business first. You’ll know after that.”
Xena
now stood in front of the armed men.
She folded her arms and cocked her head at them. They stared back. Finally one rolled his eyes at his comrades and edged forward.
“You
really Xena?”
Xena
nodded.
“So
what you want?”
“The
usual.”
“The …
usual?”
She
nodded again.
Frowning,
the man turned to the others. They
shrugged, as if to say, “Whatever happens happens.”
“We’ll
cut you in, if that’s what you want.”
Xena
raised a brow.
“You
…. You want it all?”
Xena
said nothing. Some of the men began
grumbling. They quieted when she rested
her hand on the round weapon at her waist.
“Didn’t
know you had a claim here.” The
spokesman stuck out his chin. “Shoulda
left some guards or somethin’.”
“I’m
here.” Xena sucked in her cheeks. “Oughtta be enough.”
“Uh,
yeah, well … uh ….” The spokesman
decided to let little enough alone. He
scanned the area. “Don’t see your army,
is all.” At Xena’s silence, he
ventured, “Scoutin’ for more? We’re
here. No reason we couldn’t – .”
“I’ve
got this under control. If you’re
interested ….” Xena gave them
directions to the Athenian fort near Thermopylae. “Better hurry. Ya got
competition already there. Figure
they’ll see some action real soon.”
“Gotcha!” The spokesman led his fellows in a sloppy
salute before they hi-tailed it to their horses and thundered away.
Xena
ambled toward Gabrielle’s group.
“So. How’re things over here?”
The
older woman tore away from her daughter’s grasp. “Your little slave didn’t tell us much. She didn’t have to.” The
woman sneered. “Whatever orders you
gave your goons, bet they’ll be back with more tomorrow.” She glared at Xena for confirmation. Receiving no response, she got in the
warrior’s face and declared, “I already told her, I’m not havin’ it. Try taking my place, I’ll fight you to my
last gray hair!”
“First
of all,” Gabrielle huffed, coming up beside Xena, “I’m her friend. And partner.” She scowled at the older woman.
“Second of all, she just saved you.
Without any bloodshed. If she
meant to harm you, or let those men harm you, no amount of gray hair could stop
her.”
“Why
did they obey her? If they’re not her
men?”
“The
same reason you haven’t made a move.
She’s the Warrior Princess.
Whatever that means to you, it carries more weight than who she really
is.”
“And
who exactly is that?”
Xena
lay a hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder.
“S’okay. We’re done here.” She whistled for Argo, mounted and pulled
Gabrielle up behind her. Before
trotting off, she smiled thinly at the older woman. “Like my friend here said, the answer’s up to you.”
½½½½½
“You
have to admit, Xena, this is stranger than usual. Almost like a pattern of some sort.”
“Yeah?” Xena did agree but glanced over her shoulder
and asked anyway, “How so?”
Gabrielle
poked a finger in the warrior’s back.
“You know what I mean. How’d you
get so famous all of a sudden? Being
legendary’s one thing. Everybody acting
like they’ve met you personally? That’s
not normal. Especially since you’re not
following your old pattern either.”
“So
I’m alone.” Xena snorted. “No army anyway. Saving instead of pillaging.
Doesn’t change what they’ve heard.
Isn’t that what legends do? Live
bigger, longer than the actual person?”
“I
suppose so.”
Gabrielle
tried to put her finger on what had changed.
She was used to ordinary folks getting wide-eyed, once they learned the
warrior’s identity. But most had no
actual experience with her. Many didn’t
recognize the name. Even those who did
appreciated her help regardless of her reputation.
As for
the bad guys, their rumor mill apparently worked pretty well. They might be perplexed anyone would disdain
the fruits of successful warlording, but they certainly were aware Xena was
trying to do so. Yet lately both innocent
and criminal types assumed the Warrior Princess was up to no good. The slate that had been relatively clean for
most of their journeys so far now bore marks that would make Xena’s quest even
harder.
“Let’s
not jump to conclusions yet,” Xena said, correctly interpreting Gabrielle’s
silence. “Could be that imagination of
yours working overtime.” In truth, the
warrior had maintained their present course precisely because it seemed to be
taking them closer to whatever was “off.”
“We
headed someplace special?” Despite
Xena’s casualness, Gabrielle sensed purpose in their direction beyond the usual
“go where the road takes us.”
“Little
town a few miles up. Same as the
rest. I could use a decent port.” Xena threw a grin over her shoulder. “No doubt you could use a decent meal.”
“Maybe
pick up morsels of information while we’re at it?”
Xena
shrugged. “Way things’ve been going,
who knows? Whatever they’re serving, I
wouldn’t mind a little peace and quiet for the appetizer.”
Not
long after, Gabrielle chatted with the proprietor of the town’s inn, ostensibly
to check on the menu, but mainly in case there was gossip to be had as
well. Xena sat sipping her port. A man dropped down next to her.
“Innkeeper, please – wine!”
Xena
noted the man’s obvious distress. She
pushed her drink toward him. “You look like you could use that more than
me. You all right?”
“No,
but thank you for your kindness. My
name is Melas.”
She
looked him over before offering her hand.
“Xena.”
“Xena?
The Warrior Princess?”
“Some
people call me that.”
Suddenly
Melas attacked. Xena subdued him,
keeping her sword on him as he sprawled against the table.
“Go
ahead. Murder me. Just like you murdered my son.”
“What
are you saying?”
“I
found a woman from my village lying half-dead in the road. She said you and your army murdered everyone
but her – even my 6-yr-old son!”
“That’s
a lie.”
“Then
why does every traveler between here and Corinth have a story about an army led
by Xena?”
½½½½½
The
sun barely favored the western horizon on the still beautiful day, it’s golden
highlights reflecting off the water’s surface and tiny darting wings. A scene worth contemplating if not for
thoughts drawn somewhere else.
Gabrielle absently plucked the petals off a dandelion. Xena scraped at debris wedged under Argo’s
shoe. Neither seemed to appreciate her
surroundings as more than a rest stop before reaching a destination more
memorable. And darker.
“Melas
was so sure. And some of the
others. Where did they think you’d
stowed your army? Why would you be
sitting there – in a public place – caring about how someone felt, if you’d
just mowed down an entire village?”
Gabrielle studied the shorn stem in her hand. “One simple act of kindness, and suddenly the whole place turns
on you.”
“Mm.” Finished with Argo’s hoof, Xena patted the
Palomino’s flank. “Gotta be more
careful.”
Gabrielle
looked up at the warrior.
“Careful?” She glanced at Argo’s
foot. “About … taking less rocky
shortcuts?”
“About
offering drinks to strangers.”
“Xeenaa.” Gabrielle got up and handed her friend a
water skin. “It was strange enough
before. At least it could’ve been that
legend thing. What Melas said? About an attack only a few days ago? His grief was real. How is it possible?” She leaned against a tree. “We hoped to learn something. Instead, it makes less sense than
ever.”
“Not
entirely.” Xena took another swig from
the water skin. “We learned it’s a
woman. That makes sense.”
“You
know of someone? A female warlord?”
“None
like this.” Xena propped herself on
Argo, eyes distant. “That poison
dart? It didn’t fit the men I’ve gone
up against. Too complicated. No profit in it. The patience and cunning.
But a woman ….”
“You
think they’re working together? One, more
like an assassin? The other, a leader
of a gang? Maybe a wannabe Warrior
Princess?”
“It’s
possible.” Xena snorted. “Any or all of that.” She put away the water skin. “We won’t solve it here,” she said,
preparing to leave.
“Xena?” Gabrielle put her hand on the warrior’s
arm. “I have a bad feeling about
this. It’s like everything’s turning
upside down.”
“What
are you saying?”
Gabrielle
blew out a breath. “You’ve been
attacked or hurt before, trying to help people. I accept that’s a price of your quest.”
“Heh. You know what I say about that.”
“`No
good deed goes unpunished.’ Yes,
Warrior Sunnyside. Especially since you
act like you deserve that. This is
different. It’s like somebody following
in your footsteps. Reshaping or erasing
them. Trying to kill either you or your
new reputation. Both, if they can.”
Xena
gave her friend’s shoulder a squeeze before heading out. “We’ve done okay so far. Gods, Titans, enemy troops. Whoever it is – however many – how bad could
they be, compared to the rest?”
“Well,
I’m sorry, but I take back what I said.
About being paranoid. Even kids
won’t get a free pass if they look at you funny.”
Xena
halted. “That’s not funny. I don’t want you losing your trust because
of this. Because you fear for me or my
quest. That’s a punishment you don’t
deserve and I can’t accept.”
“I’ll
try.” Gabrielle slipped her arm through
Xena’s as they walked along. “Who
knows? If it’s a wannabe, maybe we can
‘turn’ her. Get her to see the error of
her ways? Follow your example?”
“Ah,
there’s the Gabrielle I’m used to and love.”
Xena snorted. “Gives another
slant to punishment.”
Gabrielle
narrowed her eyes. “Excuse me?”
“Rescuing
you from Poteidaia?” Xena tweaked her
companion’s nose. “Unintended as it was,
that’s one good deed I’m rewarded for every single day.”
Gabrielle: “I’m glad you
saved Callisto.”
Xena: “It was the right
thing to do.
Callisto: “The right
thing to do. That’s what they think.”
– The conclusion of CALLISTO
THE
END
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