*Where are you, My Love?* Green eyes regarded the flickering stars, *I so wish you were here, if only you were here...* She knew her partner often agonised over the gods interfering with their lives, and wished for the bard's sake that it weren't the case. But Gabrielle really didn't mind these encounters that much, since some of them were harmless enough and most made very good stories. And the bard had faith that they would prevail over the immortals' powers. If only they were not apart...
Of course there was also the possibility that her partner was so completely devastated over Iona's deceit that she simply blocked out any memory of the bard's existent. But if Gabrielle accepted this theory, she would then have to deal with the barrage of related issues... Some of which would surely destroy her at that instant...
*Oh gods! She really thought I betrayed her!* The bard comprehended, mortified. Eyelids squeezed tight in torment, *It all makes perfect sense now...!*
Part of her was upset that her Regent didn't tell her about what Xena thought she saw. She wished she had known... But then she was also grateful that Ephiny had left it out the night before. No matter how much it pained and angered her because of Xena's doubt, it would hurt her much, much more to know what her partner must have been feeling. And she wasn't sure how she could have handled all of it then.
*I'm so sorry I got mad at you,* she felt guilty for her anger at her partner. And she still blamed herself for not being honest with Xena, and for not suspecting the Amazon's ploy. No matter who the true culprit was, Gabrielle knew she would never forgive herself if anything had happened to her warrior.
Nevertheless, in a strange way, she was pleased that Xena had reacted so strongly, as the Warrior Princess never seemed to care too much about anything or anyone. Sometimes Gabrielle wondered if some of the things she did in the earlier part of their relationship weren't partially to see how much the warrior cared...
*I just wish I were there to convince you it was all a lie,* she sighed, thinking back what Alethea had told her, remembering how distraught the young woman was at her disloyalty towards the queen, and her own betrayal by Iona.
*Poor girl...* Somehow Gabrielle couldn't help but felt responsible for the young woman's suffering, and she wished she had given her better advices. But the bard had meant what she told Alethea, and she still believed in what she said.
*I would have done anything for you, Xena. Would have done anything to get you to love me, and to keep your love for me,* she thought, recalling the days when she was unsure of her warrior's affection. Remembering her own insecurities about her inexperience, her ignorance... There were times when Gabrielle still wondered what the worldly Warrior Princess saw in her. But she tried not to dwell on those thoughts anymore.
*I'm just glad she loved me as I do her.* The corner of her lips curled up fondly as she remembered their many fireside chats, and the exasperated lift of her warrior's eyebrows at some of her sillier questions. *Gods, it seemed only yesterday that we declared our love for each other...*
*Please Artemis, please help me get her back,* she beseeched her god, mindful her current plight. It was only just the day before that her partner disappeared, but to the bard, the separation was longer than an eternity.
*Please, my goddess, if you will hear me,* Gabrielle continued, *Please protect Xena, and keep her safe. Please help us. Help me.* She prayed, looking through blurred vision at where the moon would have been.
Gazing at the darkened sky, lit only by starlights, Gabrielle remembered the night of the last Solstice. That was the very first time the Warrior Princess truly allowed herself to believe that the bard really did love her and intended to stay by her. Without doubts, without hesitation. And the bard recalled how very much like the stars she thought her partner's blue eyes were, as she looked up to them. As the brilliant orbs shone down upon her as they made love on the terrace outside their room at the inn.
The warrior' love, their love, had warmed her in that cold night. And Gabrielle allowed an echo of that warmth envelop her like a shroud, as pale green eyes finally ran out of tears. As she drifted off to Hypnos' realm, still feeling the golden links about her wrist wrapped firmly around her heart.
CHAPTER 19
Ephiny looked up to the bright, cloudless sky, the position of the sun above told her they had been wandering around the forest for at least half a morning. Wiping the sweat and fatigue off her brows with the back of her hand, she wondered for the umpteenth time how Gabrielle could seem so energetic still.
*Must have been all that running about with the Warrior Princess,* the Regent mused. *Or maybe I'm just getting old.* She shook her head, while maintaining the same pace with her queen, and keeping up.
Gabrielle had shown up at her hut before dawn, in her travelling clothes, with her staff in hand and their food packed in her saddle bag. Ephiny was more than surprised, and she had considered talking the bard out of joining the search. However, the determined look on the young face told her any such attempts would be futile.
Moreover, by then, most in the village knew the warrior and the priestess had disappeared. And the council of elders had requested a special meeting be held at midday and had required the Queen's attendance. Much to Ephiny's astonishment and dismay, Gabrielle simply left word that she would not be there.
"Protocols be damned," Gabrielle had countered. "You can stay and attend the meeting for me if you like, but I'm going to go find my warrior," she had said. There was no way the Regent would stay behind, and she fought her consternation for her friend's safety. Finally, Ephiny rationalised that the bard would look very bad if she simply stuck around, when her betrothed had disappeared. That was especially true, as rumours had begun spreading as to the reason behind the warrior's disappearance. And wanting to protect Alethea's privacy, Gabrielle had requested Iona's scheme be kept undisclosed.
*For now, anyway,* Ephiny decided. *It's absurd, but I'm almost glad the priestess had disappeared as well, so officially, this whole thing was just a prejoining ritual gone awry,* she secretly thought, hoping things would turn out all right. The Regent was also relieved that Alethea could be a witness to the visiting warrior's treachery if necessary. Otherwise, there was no telling what kind of wrath would befall the Queen, if the Amazons believed in her faithlessness.
While the rest of the scouts focused on other unsearched areas of the forest, Gabrielle insisted on returning to where the young Amazon was found the day before. Just as Ephiny had expected, they hadn't made any new discovery yet; she didn't think they would, as her warriors were thorough in their investigation.
"Hey, Ephiny, what's this?" The bard called out, interrupting her thoughts. The blonde Amazon went over to where her friend was crouching.
"Well, I'll be!" They were small indentations which looked like Amazon arrow marks, except they were near the bottom of the tree truck. Their placements were peculiar, *What was the hunter trying to shoot? Squirrels climbing up a tree? No Amazon is such a bad shot.* It was also strange that the scouts didn't see them when they were here, as the nicks looked quite aged. *Or maybe they did and decided it wasn't a clue; afterall, we should be looking for new marks.* The Regent was about to mention just that when the bard called again.
"Hey, Ephiny, here's another group," Gabrielle motioned for her friend to join her at another tree about twenty paces away. It was another cluster of arrow marks, placed similarly, except somehow it seemed to point at a direction which would lead them deeper into the forest.
*That can't be,* the Regent shook her head. Upon a second look, the dents appeared random once more. But then the bard captured her attention again; the younger woman had discovered yet another marker paces away, where the tree growth increased.
"Gabrielle!!" She called out, suddenly seized by a stark sense of foreboding. "STOP! Wait up!!" The queen paused for a split instant, then continued on. Ephiny followed. At first, she stooped to check out each sign, but soon she focused only on keeping up with her friend. Her advice about the markers being old and not very useful in solving their current problem went unheeded.
It must have been almost a candle mark later when they stopped, the Amazon couldn't tell, as the sun was no longer visible overhead. Only a scattering of bright rays filtered through the tall trees. Directly before them, enclosed by wild vegetation was a small indentation which appeared to be the opening of a cave.
*This is strange, I don't remember anything about a cave here... Although I'm not sure when's the last time anybody visited these parts,* the Regent thought. Her Amazons preferred to hunt closer to the village, unless games were scarce. They opted leaving much uninhabited areas of their land to the Goddess' creatures.
"Gabrielle, I think we should head back, I don't think anyone's been here for ages," Ephiny advised. *At least until we can come back with reinforcements,* she thought. *This place gives me the creeps.*
The Queen was about to answer when a quiet rustle arrested her attention. She turned around at the sound of her friend's small gasp, and froze at the sight before her.
Ephiny was pressed up against a tall dark figure, with the blade of a long sword at her throat. A trickle of blood oozed from the thin slash on her neck below the jaw bone. The fright in her friend's eyes reminded Gabrielle of a trapped doe. And the bard would have staggered in horror had she not been paralysed by her own raging emotions.
The wild dark hair, the leather vambraces, the calf length boots and the sharp sword were the only things that told Gabrielle the menacing form before her was her partner. Gone were the warrior's armour and battle dress, instead she had on a pair of smooth black leather pants and a matching vest which looked masculine and vaguely familiar. Underneath, she wore a deep blue laced up shirt which brought out the colour of her eyes. Except, the familiar love and adoration in the bright blues orbs had been replaced by rancour and fierce cruelty.
The bard had never seen the Warrior Princess like this. The look of cold calculation on Xena when they were fighting the Horde had scared Gabrielle. That was possibly the only time she had a true glimpse of the former Destroyer of Nations in action. Part of her feared for their safety then, but she was more frightened that her friend would return to the darkness.
*But this Xena...,* Gabrielle observed, her heart pumping. *Gods!* For the very first time, the bard was fearful of her warrior. Terrified of what she might do to them.
"Amazon," came the dangerous low growl. "Today's your lucky day, my Lord wants you alive. For now," she added, with a feral chortle.
"Come, Little Girl," the warrior motioned for Gabrielle to walk ahead of them. "Don't try anything, or your friend here dies," and gave Ephiny a rough jostle to prove her purpose. The Regent inhaled audibly as the sharp blade cut further into her throat. "I'm sure my Lord would gladly indulge my folly of skinning the Amazon sooner," the dark woman sneered.
Afraid for their safety, the bard obliged and led their way deeper into the cavern.
CHAPTER 20
As the trio moved steadily further into the grotto, Gabrielle noticed the various ancient carvings on the walls on either side. She pondered briefly about the cave's original function, and decided that it must have been a temple.
*A temple on Amazon land? I wonder...* She didn't dwell too much on that, however, as her thoughts were focused mainly on the Warrior Princess... her best friend, her partner, her betrothed...
For a fleeting moment, the bard considered the idea that Xena was simply pretending, merely trying to convince this "Lord" of her loyalty and waiting for the perfect moment to escape. However, recalling the warrior's cruel gaze and listening to Ephiny's tortured gasps behind her, Gabrielle gave up any hope for that. And she wondered if Xena's distress over losing her had once again brought the Warrior Princess back in Ares' dominion. It certainly appeared that way to the bard.
*Oh, gods, I'm so, so sorry, Love,* she berated herself again over her role in her partner's reversion. And she questioned how she could remove the warrior from the God of War's influence, *Gods, I'm no Son of Zeus here...*
*And how do I get us out of this?* Gabrielle worried. *I shouldn't have let Ephiny come with me, should have ordered her to stay,* she regretted asking her friend, even though she knew Ephiny would have insisted on accompanying her. It wasn't her own safety the Queen was concerned about, she had nothing more to lose and she didn't care; but she felt responsible for getting her friend into their present predicament.
The bard had awoken that morning with an intense feeling that she should return to the place where Alethea was found the day before. She couldn't explain it, but she knew that was where she should look. Similarly, she had heard the Regent's advice about the aged markings, and even agreed with the Amazon. However, her intuition told her that those markers were clues to her warrior. And indeed they were, just not to what she had expected.
*Oh, Xena, how do I get you back?* Gabrielle was disheartened that the warrior had obviously no memory of her at all, *Please don't let me find you only to lose you again.* She implored. But then she realised they had one thing that Hercules or any other person didn't: their love. The same connection which brought the Warrior Princess back from Tartarus to her side. The same one which joined them beyond death.
The bard refused then to believe that Xena could so easily forget what they meant to each other. And she promised she would make her partner remember, or at least die trying, *I won't give up on you Xena; and I won't give up on us. I won't.*
"Hey, you, keep walking," the dark warrior's deep snarl halted her steps. Gabrielle swung about just in time to see her Regent took another shove and a blow to her back.
"Xena?" The bard stammered.
"Be silent!" The warrior barked coldly in response, "Turn around and keep going." Gabrielle winced at the frosty tone, and had to remind herself that this was not her Xena, not the same person who loved her. She did as the Warrior Princess bid, and kept a steady gait. After going through a particularly narrow stretch of tunnel, and reaching the end, the bard was surprised to find herself in a columned chamber.
Ephiny blinked. She recalled at that moment the legend she heard when she was young, about an abandoned temple of Artemis deep in the forest. It wasn't intentionally deserted, but that, for whatever reason, the goddess had made it impossible for her people to find it. Through the ages, Amazons would attempt to locate the structure; but no matter how skilled or worthy or otherwise prepared they were, none would make it back.
*This must be the temple,* she thought, wishing she could tell Gabrielle her discovery. *Why are we led here? And what is the Goddess doing with Xena? Did Artemis change her? Is this part of the prejoining trials? And what's my part in this?* The Regent wondered, as multitude of questions came tumbling forth. Her wildest imagination would not have prepared her for the answer.
She grasped her neck wound instinctively as the Warrior Princess gave her hard push, propelling her further into the room. Her Queen was instantly upon her, preventing her from completely crashing onto the marbled floor. Before either of them could regain their composure, an all too familiar manic laughter assailed their ears.
*No, it can't be,* the two fair women looked up to the source of the harrowing sound. "Velasca!" They exclaimed in unison.
"Shut up! How dare you address my Lord by her name," Xena growled, brandishing her swords before them. "Remain on your knees," she ordered, kicking Ephiny at the shin, causing her to stumble forward.
Gabrielle was frantic as she knelt by her friend, helping the warrior regain her balance. She had expected Ares, and was prepared to somehow reason with him. She didn't expect Velasca; she had hoped the mad-Amazon-turned-god would stay in the lava pit.
"Hello, Gabrielle," the god drawled. "How kind of you to visit me. Ephiny, did you have a nice trip?" She asked, with wicked glee, enjoying the joke at the Regent's expense.
The bard was overwrought when, responding to Velasca's silent command, the Warrior Princess approached where the deity was lounging and sat by her side like a docile puppy.
"Oh, Gabrielle, how do you like the new Xena?" She asked, running her fingers through the warrior's dark hair, "She is beautiful, isn't she? And yummy." Velasca reached out to cup the warrior's head, bringing her in. Dark brows furrowed for the briefest instant, the Warrior Princess then eased into the kiss.
The bard squeezed shut her eyelids, unable to watch the exchange before her. She wanted to rush up to the throne and wrench the two apart, but her reason kept her from acting. Gabrielle didn't think she had any tears left from the night before, as green orbs mist over again. But she willed them back, unwilling to show weakness before her enemy. Another string of manic laughter brought her eyes opened once more.
"As they say, revenge is sweet," Velasca continued, stroking the warrior possessively. "This certainly is the sweetest."
*No, no, no! This is not happening!* Gabrielle tried desperately to hold her heart together, to wipe the offending image from her mind. And she wished that Zeus' lightning bolt would strike her deaf so she wouldn't have to listen to the mad god's mirth.
Before the bard could regain her equilibrium, her rival spoke again, "Xena, my pet, lock them up, will you? I have plans for them later."
"Yes, my Lord," the Warrior Princess responded, jumping off her perch and marching over to where her prisoners were. With a sword pointed at Gabrielle, she directed them away from the chamber.
As they walked down another corridor, the bard could feel her Regent trembling with rage beside her. And she wished again that this were all part of a bad dream, and that she would wake up and find herself nestled in the loving warmth of her warrior's arms. Soon.
CHAPTER 21
"Don't you recognise me, Xena?" The bard asked, as soon as they reached the inner sanctuary, where they were to be locked up. The place was dark, lit only by a few torches. The amber light cast an eery glow upon the crevices and shadows, and the room looked to Ephiny like a sacrificial chamber.
"You are Gabrielle, my Lord's enemy," grey blue eyes narrowed, and the Warrior Princess answered coolly.
"Look at me, Xena," she pleaded, daring to take hold of the warrior's arm. "I'm Gabrielle, your bard, your best friend..."
"Mine? You must be joking," she scoffed, wiping off the bard's hand as if the contact was revolting. "My allegiance is with my Lord.
"But Xena..." The younger woman bit back tears and attempted to continue. The Warrior Princess sheathed her sword in displeasure, the scrape of sharp metal against the scabbard hanging at her waist grated on the Amazons' nerves.
"Look, Little Girl," she spoke low, hooking her finger cruelly under the tender chin. "You're annoying me."
"I'm not a little girl," the bard asserted with spirit. "I'm the Queen of the Amazons!"
"You? Queen of the Amazons?" The warrior mocked, incredulous. "Don't make me laugh, Little Girl."
"Xena, I am their queen and you are my betrothed!" She declared, grabbing the warrior by the collar and pulling her forward. The Warrior Princess, incensed, gripped the slight woman by her shoulders and jerked her off the ground.
"How dare you suggest such an insult?" She threatened dangerously, "Me, engaged to an Amazon? I despise Amazons!"
"No, Xena!" Before Gabrielle could act to defend herself, Ephiny stepped up and interfered. The Regent was afraid of what the irate Warrior Princess might do to her queen. The warrior released her handle on the bard, who dropped to the marble floor in a heap.
"You are my Lord's nemesis, Amazon," she turned, and glowered at the blonde warrior. "And I hate you, all of you!" The indignant Regent moved to attack the dark form, and received a fierce jab at the solar plexus for her trouble. Ephiny quickly straightened up and readied for another strike.
"You want more, Amazon?" Without waiting for a reply, the Warrior Princess back fisted Ephiny across the face, added quick punches to the already bruised ribs, and followed with a series of hard knee kicks to the abdomen. Finally, with a side sweep and quick pull, the Regent went flying half across the room like an abused rag doll. Before the "thud" which resounded throughout the grotto subsided, the dark warrior was already towering over the fallen figure, ready to continue her assault.
"No, please, Xena, STOP!" Gabrielle threw herself in front of her friend's prone form, prepared to take any ensuing blows.
The warrior stilled, surprised by the small woman's move.
Gazing into her partner's eyes, those cold blue eyes, the bard remembered it was only a few days ago that they had captured her with such deep passions. Had, with such a wondrous look, told Gabrielle that the same flame of mutual love burnt in her as well. She stifled her sighs, not daring to ask for the warrior's pity.
"I haven't committed any crime," the bard began to quietly speak, as the Warrior Princess remained motionless. "Don't condemn me, Xena, just because I love you."
Encouraged by her partner's silence, she continued, holding out her wrists, "Look, Xena, this is from you, and this is a part of each of us, binding us together." The warrior simply stared impassively.
"But if you still don't believe me, if you want," she took hold of the warrior's hand and pressed it to her chest. "Here, cut open my heart, and you'll have the proof that I adore you. I can see the hatred in your eyes, but at least tell me with your lips. Tell me, and I promise I won't ask for anything more."
"I... I...!" Xena started, snatching her hand back. She extended her palm, as if ready to strike.
Gabrielle closed her eyes tight, and prepared herself for the blow to come, for the impact which would no doubt send her sailing across the chamber.
But it never came.
Instead, Xena retracted the motion. A slight look of confusion fleeted past blue eyes as she pushed back her dark hair. For whatever reason, she couldn't bring herself to hit the woman.
"You're raving, Amazon whore," she spat roughly, then spun on her heels and left, slamming the door shut behind her.
*Gods, she has fled from me in disdain!* To Gabrielle, the warrior's words struck just as brutally as any physical blow would. *What have I ever done to deserve this scorn? I thought when I saw her again, I would die of love and happiness, but now grief is the only thing that's killing me.* She wiped off the moisture on her face with her hand, inhaled deeply and swallowed, "But my heart will always be true to you, Xena, no matter what." She pledged.
The bard had only managed to help her friend into a sitting position against the wall, when a small huddled form at the far corner of the room spoke.
"You, it's all your fault!" The woman accused.
"I'm sorry?" The bard replied, puzzled. She hadn't noticed that there was anyone else in the room with them until then. Green eyes regarded the figure, who, in the dimmed light, appeared to be about her age. And the young woman's attire told Gabrielle she was an Amazon.
"It's all your fault, I hate you!" The Amazon repeated.
"What have I done to you?" The bard asked. "I'm afraid I don't recall meeting you," and explained sincerely.
"You've stolen from me my bond mate! If it's not for you, I won't be locked up like this!" The young woman ranted. "I don't know where she is. I've been here for over a week, and my hopes are fading," she continued, almost hysterical. "Who will restore my warrior to me?"
"What's your name?" The queen asked gently, realisation beginning to dawn on her.
"What's it to you?" Came the terse retort.
With Ephiny's consent, Gabrielle moved over to the corner where the young woman was, and spoke to her softly, "Come on, you saw what just happened. I know exactly the anguish you feel. It's despair, but it's also love, which makes your heart ache. I suffer from it too."
"Zoe," the young Amazon responded, after a brief moment of hesitation.
"Tell me your story, Zoe?" The bard encouraged, while bracing herself for a tale which she suspected she didn't want to know. One she hoped, but beginning to lose faith, that there be a happy ending.
"She grew distant since you visited us," the young woman began, in a small voice. "She said she likes you and that you'd provide with her what she needs." Looking down and avoiding Gabrielle's gaze, the Amazon explained, "She's always had a lot of ambition, and she thought if she captured your heart, she'd rule your tribe here in Thessaly. She wants to reunite the Nation someday, even if it means conquering the other tribes."
*That's what Velasca wanted too, before she became a god,* Gabrielle reflected. She touched the woman's arm gently, and urged her to continue.
"I pleaded with her, reminded her of what we had. But she only grew colder each passing day," Zoe wept. "Then she started disappearing at night. And I followed her, but I never saw anything except that she just vanished into thin air," the woman looked up, questioning with her hazel eyes. The young queen shrugged. She didn't want to distress the Amazon further then by telling her of the immortal's involvement.
"Then our Queen sent us to attend your joining... Actually, she sent me. And Iona volunteered, and pretended she wanted to come to be with me. I even believed her..." She shook her head ruefully.
"Anyway, one night, during our travel, I just suddenly found myself here. She came to see me once, and told me to her Lord is going to help her get what she wanted... She said I'd never leave here again..." Hazel gaze captured green ones, forlorn, "You know what's so stupid about all of this? I still love her! Still wish she'd change her mind and come back to me!" The Amazon declared wistfully, and broke into racking sobs.
Gabrielle tried her best to console the young woman, while struggling to keep back her own tears, *How many hearts must break because of a power hungry warrior? How many people will suffer because of a mad God's lust for revenge? And how many Amazons will lose their lives if they succeeded?*
*Artemis, if you'll please listen... I don't care what happens to me, but please grant me the strength to set things right for the Amazons?* She prayed.
*Xena, I hope someday you'll see me as your love again,* she spoke to her warrior, still unwilling to give up, but preparing for the worst. *You'll always have my heart and my soul, no matter where you go. Please know that I don't blame you for what you had done, and I forgive you for whatever you might do.*
CHAPTER 22
Halfway down the corridor, the Warrior Princess stood silently against the wall, confused. Ever since she found the young blonde and her friend at the entrance to the temple, she had not been at peace. Her soul had felt utterly unsatisfied; it was as if there were an empty pit at her stomach gnawing at her. And she couldn't for the love of her Lord figured out why.
*Then there is Velasca, my Lord, my God.* Xena had believed this woman was her liege in every way, and that she had belonged to her Lord for a very long time. But when the woman kissed her earlier, the warrior became cognizant that she had no memory of the lips upon hers nor the cold hand against her cheek. She was more than shocked.
*Who is this fair woman who claims to love me?* Xena wondered, thinking back to events which just transpired, trying to determine if they had known each other from the past, *Who had seemed so willing to die under my hands?*
The young woman's presence had unnerved the Warrior Princess since the very beginning, even though she would never admit it. And the profound sadness which dulled the green orbs had somehow touched the dark warrior deeply. Even now, she found herself imagining those beautiful eyes smiling, bright with joy and laughter. And she longed to have a chance to see them that way.
Xena also admired the blonde's quiet strength, and her boldness. As she realised not too many people would dare stand up to the Warrior Princess. The ones that did knew they would never live to see another day. Yet this woman did just that, fearlessly sacrificing herself for her friend.
*I wish I had such a friend...* She mused regrettingly, painfully aware that even her family had disowned her. The warrior didn't blame them, however, as she doubted anyone would want to have anything to do with the Destroyer of Nations.
*Why couldn't I bring myself to strike her when I had so easily beaten up the Amazon?* Xena questioned. This was one mystery which baffled her the most, *Why? And why don't I feel any enjoyment in pulverizing the warrior? I'm supposed to hate Amazons, yet I can't even feel the usual exhilaration from a fight...*
The Warrior Princess hung her dark head and pondered her queries, while trying to still her tumultuous thoughts. She was completely taken by surprise when a figure appeared before her, the woman's approach undetected by her sharp senses.
"Hello, Xena," the sage drawled.
"You! I thought..." The Warrior Princess somehow managed.
"Heaven and earth last forever, Xena, because they are unborn," the woman replied, smiling kindly at the warrior.
Overjoyed by her friend's presence, Xena stepped forward, intending to embrace her. But the woman thrust the taller form effortlessly away, with an energy force created by a casual wave of the arm.
"You've been dishonest with yourself, Xena," she spoke sternly, as if reprimanding a rebellious child. "Have you forgotten everything I taught you?"
"Duty..." Dark brows furrowed, nevertheless, the warrior continued, "Love..."
"What else?" The woman asked, patiently awaiting her reply.
"Compassion... Selflessness..." Xena muttered.
"You're hesitating, stop trying so hard," she guided gently.
"Virtue..." The voice dropped, and faltered. "Humiliation..." The dark warrior added, and stiffened. Smiling compassionately once again, the woman reached into her sleeve and drew out a dagger. It had an elaborately decorated hilt which looked vaguely familiar to the warrior.
She held it out and spoke, "Take this weapon of truth, Xena, and if you still don't remember your lessons..."
Recollection and realisation hit the Warrior Princess the instant she held the dagger in her hand. At the same time, the sage from her past transformed into the old priestess.
"Calandra!" The warrior exclaimed in astonishment, and asked, "Where is she? Where is my teacher?"
"Since you had no memory of the Amazons, I had to assume her form to set you free," the priestess answered, for once in plain language.
"How did you...?" Xena thought better, and dismissed her question with a shake of the head. There were more pressing concerns demanding her attention.
"Gabrielle!" She remembered her altercation with the visiting Amazon, and the incident at the tent. She recalled what Alethea was trying to tell her the morning before, after she got the young woman away from the wild boar, that her partner was faultless. And could recollect too vividly what she had just said and done to the bard.
*Oh, Gabrielle,* the warrior lamented. *Would you ever forgive me? How could I even dare ask for your forgiveness?* The sad green eyes which disturbed her only moments ago haunted her now. And the warrior's heart constricted with the pain that her bard had felt. She wished she could wipe away that sorrow, and take back everything she did.
*Oh, gods!* Visions of Ephiny's battered body flashed before her. And Xena looked at her hands guiltily, seeing her friend's blood on them. Part of her wanted to flee from all of this, another part urged her to return to the chamber. She turned around and was about to take off when the priestess stopped her.
"Xena, go find Velasca," Calandra ordered. "You can only harm her with this," she advised, indicating the dagger still in the warrior's hand.
"No, I need to go back, I must talk to Gabrielle," the warrior protested.
"No, Xena, there's no time," the priestess insisted, "I'll go gather Gabrielle and Ephiny, and make sure they're safe. And I'll explain to them that you're yourself again. Then I'll come help you." Very reluctantly, the warrior obliged.