DISCLAIMER: Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, etc. are
©copyright MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. I don’t own them, I just play
with them for a while and, like the good girl I am, I put them back when I’m
done…okay, they get a little worn, but hey…I play hard! Absolutely no Copyright
infringement was intended in the writing of this fiction. It’s intended as flattery
toward the creators, writers, and actors of the characters. All other characters that
appear are ©copyright Devlin@xenafan.com. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in
any way. Copies may be made for private use only and I’d appreciate if you included
all copyright notices and this disclaimer.
VIOLENCE WARNING: There is violence (come on
it’s the Conqueror). The nature of the story is not nearly as dark as some Conqueror
fiction, but it’s essence is still the slave / master relationship that exists
between Xena & Gabrielle.
TIMELINE: My own making. Xena is the Lord,
Conqueror of Greece, but she is almost forty-five years old when she meets the slave,
Gabrielle. Many of Xena’s evil ways have been sedated, but not all. I call this Xena
the “thinking woman’s” Conqueror. She is a woman who wants to try to do the
right thing, but doesn’t always know how.
SEX: Yes, I’ll have some, thank you. Ooops! I mean, yes there is. It is our favorite
two Soulmates, after all. It’s not gratuitous, but it is quite explicit when it gets
going. This story shows consensual as well as non-consenting love (master/slave), sex and
yes, even some light bdsm between two adult females.
HIGH ANGST WARNING: I was threatened within an
inch of my life if I didn’t start putting this disclaimer on some (all?) of my work.
I will henceforth rate the angst content with sad faces, one being the lowest and four
being the highest. This story earns: L L
(2 sad faces for those without TT Fonts)
UNDERAGE WARNING: Hey, the Supreme Court said in Reno v. American Civil Liberties Union (1997) that
laws against making available, online, certain “indecent” materials for those
under 18 was unconstitutional…look it up! Besides, this is perfectly
“decent.” J
I only know
how others feel about my stories from feedback. Let me know what you think...homophobes
need not apply, however. I’m at: Devlin@xenafan.com
**Special thanks to Jim Kuntz for his permission in using any Lion of Amphipolis references.
The Conqueror Series
Tale One: Journey’s End
By LJ Maas
For the
first time in ten seasons, Sylla did not rouse me in the morning, and for the first time
in as many seasons; I did not awaken before dawn. When I finally shook away the slumber
that held me in its tenuous grasp, I lay, staring up at the high ceiling above. Even
though the tapestries still covered the windows, I could see by the light peering in
through the edges of the heavy drapery, that it was late in the morning. The next thing I
felt was the heartbeat, which I could feel pulsing against my chest. It wasn’t my own
heartbeat, rather the small blonde, whose body was draped across my own. What a downright
pleasurable way to wake up, I thought to myself.
I smiled, a
broad, lazy kind of grin as I listened to the gentle snores coming from Gabrielle as she
slept. Gods, whoever thought that I might possibly find something like that endearing? My
young slave slept heavily, something she didn’t normally do, but I’m sure the
circumstances of last evening, and morning, were the cause. I gently extricated myself and
rolled Gabrielle to her side, a soft murmur of protest escaping her as she slept. I rose
and pushed the still warm pillow my head so recently rested on, into her arms. Again, a
soft moan, but this time the words were audible and they stole my breath away.
“Mmmm,
Xena,” she whispered faintly.
I kissed her
forehead and quickly pulled the same clothes on from yesterday. Running long fingers
through my hair, I assumed I was at least presentable enough to wander down to the
kitchens. I was actually hungry for once, but I was more concerned over why Sylla
hadn’t been there this morning to wake me.
I dodged a
few scullery maids, their arms overloaded with dishes, and when I held the door open for
the smallest of the three, she looked up at me as though I were an apparition. Hades, a
look like that could really take the wind out of one’s sails.
“It’s
all right, girl, go on.” I forced myself to say gently.
“Many
thanks, Lord Conqueror,” she returned, rushing backwards through the door. Her eyes
never left mine. I couldn’t tell if she was in such a hurry because of the load in
her arms or if she just wanted to be away from me.
I realized
that although I hadn’t assaulted a woman in almost five seasons, my reputation still
went before me. It probably didn’t help that I became such a monarch, that I not only
never visited certain portions of the castle, but that I rarely recognized whether someone
worked for me or not. I barely knew a soul in my own home. The thought made me determined
to change that. I wasn’t sure how, but I would try. I would ask Gabrielle. Now
that’s a thought that simply slipped out. Asking my slave for advice on how to rule?
No, I answered my own question; ask her how to learn about people. Gabrielle seemed to
know a lot about people, seemed to understand them, and the feelings that drove them.
Walking into
the small, private kitchen that was Delia’s domain, I was happy to see the older
woman, hard at work kneading dough on a large stone slab.
“Well,
well, good morning, Lord Conqueror, how are you today.” She said to me, brushing a
stray lock of hair away from her face with her forearm, her hands covered in flour.
“Is
Sylla Ill?” I asked quickly.
She looked
at me with a tired smile and shook her head back and forth.
“Good
morning, Delia, I’m right as rain, and yourself?” The woman said, talking to the
air.
I
couldn’t keep from grinning, like a child who’d been caught stealing an extra
sweet cake from the tray. “Sorry. Good morning, Delia. I’m fine, thanks.”
“Wonderful
to hear.” She continued on with her kneading, slapping the mixture with more flour.
“I take it you’ve finally come down because you’re hungry?”
“Yes,
as a matter of fact. Why didn’t Sylla wake me? Is she all right?”
“Sylla’s
fine, no need to worry.” She answered.
“Gods,
I didn’t forget her birthday or something, did I?” I suddenly searched my brain
and though Sylla celebrated something closer to the summer solstice.
“No,
she is not ill, nor did you forget her birthday. I told her not to wake you this
morning.”
“You?”
I replied in confusion. “I don’t understand.”
“Sylla
came down as usual for your breakfast and said you were still asleep. She also said
something about the cute picture you made--”
“Tell
me my maid didn’t call me cute.” I simply glared.
“No,”
Delia laughed, “I threw that part in.”
“That
much is believable…go on, after the cute part.” I admonished.
“Well,
she thought it odd that you were still sound asleep after the sun was up, then one of the
guards told her the candles were blazing in your rooms till the sun rose. I was the one
that told her to leave you be. Figure you and your Gabrielle must have had a long
night.” She turned and winked at me.
The look on
my face must have told her something, for she furrowed her brow in concern.
“Sit
down, Xena, you look more than tired.” She said, pushing me onto the high stool that
always sat next to the fire. “Are you ill yourself? Is Gabrielle all right?”
“I’m
not sure we are. I know for certain I’m not all right.” I answered.
Delia rinsed
her hands and poured me a cup of tea, wrapping my fingers around the mug, seating herself
in front of me. “Drink this, it will make you feel better.” Something about that
gesture was very mother-like and I could feel myself responding to the affection.
I enjoyed
the mint taste to the beverage and soon found myself relating everything that happened the
previous evening. It all came tumbling out in such a jumbled mess, what actually happened,
interspersed with the feelings I had for my young slave, that by the time I was finished,
I was sure Delia wouldn’t have a clue, as to what was going on.
When I
looked up from my mug, I saw her smiling.
“Xena,”
she said softly, “there’s no need to make so much of it. You’re in love,
that’s all.”
I just
stared at her.
Was that the
confirmation I was waiting for or the fact I was desperately trying to deny? I ran my
fingers through my hair, rising and pacing in an agitated state.
“Delia,
masters don’t fall in love with their slaves.” I said flatly.
“Well,
you do have a point there. That is easily fixed however.” She reasoned.
I refused to
answer, even though I could literally feel the weight of her stare, waiting expectantly
for an answer. I continued my pacing until I heard her sigh.
“You do
plan on fixing that, don’t you, Xena?”
To hear
Delia use my given name, well it always seemed to level the sparring field a little bit
more between us. Actually, it more than leveled it. The older woman only used it on
occasion, but she seemed older than the ten summers she had over me. I suppose it was
always her motherly manner that caused me to feel this way. Now, more than ever, I saw the
elder in her come out. She was asking me if I planned to give Gabrielle her freedom. I
could no more hide the truth from Delia than I could from myself.
“If I
free her…she’ll leave.” I said hesitantly.
“Why
would you think that?” She responded.
“Why?”
I repeated, resuming my pacing again, a burning sensation building in the pit of my
stomach. “Even you wouldn’t stay with someone like me if you had a choice, no
woman would.” I shouted.
“I
would if I was in love with you.” She replied softly. “Gabrielle is just as in
love with you, as you are with her.”
I stopped
all movement and kept asking myself the same thing. With my back to the older woman,
I’m sure I sounded like a small, frightened child; Gods know I certainly felt like
one.
“Do you
really believe that, Delia?” I asked.
“Xena,
sit down here.” She motioned me back onto the stool. “Now look me in the eye and
tell me you don’t feel it. Blessed Athena, you sleep with the woman. When she touches
you, doesn’t it feel different than any other’s touch that you’ve ever
experienced?”
“For me,
but how do I know Gabrielle feels the same?”
“I
thought you said that you told her and she told you?” Delia threw back at me. I could
see that I was confusing the woman.
“Well…we
kind of did…in a way…”
Xena, did
you or did you not, tell the girl you loved her?”
“I…well…not
in those exact words…”
“In
what words…exactly?” Delia asked, now crossing her arms across her chest.
“Well…I
told her that I felt…more.” I replied. I was beginning to feel like that idiotic
schoolboy again.
“More
of what?”
“Just…more.”
I finished without meeting her eyes.
“And
what did she say to that?” Delia asked. I’m sure at this point; she was amazed
that I’d been taking care of myself for forty-four seasons so far without incident.
“She
said she felt more, too.”
Delia put
her head in her hands and I couldn’t tell if she was laughing or crying. I jumped up
from the stool to resume my agitated motion. I was embarrassed and aggravated at trying to
make the woman understand.
“I
can’t do any better than that!” I nearly shouted. “I--” Stopping in
mid sentence, I honestly thought I might start crying out of frustration. Oh sure, now
the tears come! I lowered my head, my hands on my hips, and in a broken voice, tried to
continue. “I can’t…I don’t know…”
“You
don’t know how…what to say to her?” Delia asked in an understanding voice.
I returned
to my seat and sunk down heavily. All I could do was nod my head in response. “I
should know.” I eventually answered.
Delia did
something I never expected from the older woman. She took my hands in her own small, plump
ones and squeezed them gently until I lifted my face to meet her eyes.
“Xena,
how could you be expected to know? You’ve never felt this way before, never had
anyone to teach you, or tell you. You’re too hard on yourself. It’s
understandable that when you have no one around to teach you how to love, you’re not
going to get the example and the education that most do.” She finished.
“That’s
my own doing too. I spent my whole life--”
“Do not
even go there, my friend.” Delia chastised. “Do you really want to play the pity
game? Okay, you spent your whole life what? Let’s see, murdering, raping, beating,
stealing…right?”
I looked up
at her with a wry grin. I swear, that only Delia and Gabrielle have the ability
to make me feel this way.
“Yes,
thank you, I feel so much better.” I answered.
Delia
chuckled and squeezed my hands lightly. “Xena, telling Gabrielle that you love her
can be the easiest thing in the world. All you have to do is quit analyzing everything so
much and look inside your heart. Look there and tell her what you feel, what you see
between the two of you.”
“When I
try to do that my brain freezes up and my tongue feels the size of a small boulder.”
I admitted. “I’ll sound like an idiot.”
“True,
it may sound a little strange to your ears, and you may stammer a bit, but I assure you,
when you pledge your love, it may sound like Xena the Conqueror speaking to you,
but Gabrielle will hear only the lyric love poetry of Ibycus.” Delia reassured me.
“And if
she doesn’t feel the same way as I?” I asked at last.
“Therein
lies the question that has driven more lovers mad than all else. All I can tell you there,
Xena, is that the truth of love can be a powerful weapon. You above all others should know
the value in a good weapon. It has the power to save or destroy; it all depends upon how
you wield it. Occasionally, a rare few of us get to a place in our lives where we find
something worth risking everything for. You alone decide; whether loving Gabrielle will be
the object, you roll the dice for.
“And if
she asks that I free her?” I asked, already knowing, in my heart, Delia’s
answer.
“That,
Lord Conqueror, will be a decision that you will have to make alone. I’ll only add
that you can’t really start an equal relationship, based on an inequality. Can
you?”
I smiled
sadly, now thinking of all Gabrielle and I had to talk of. My thoughts of Gabrielle pulled
me in another direction.
“Hades!”
I stood up quickly. “I was supposed to bring breakfast back up for Gabrielle.”
“Good
Gods, with the way that girl eats and you haven’t fed her yet? Better make it
lunch.” Delia replied, suddenly bustling around the small room, loading a tray with
food.
As I was
leaving the kitchen, my arms laden with a silver tray, stacked with food and drink, I
paused and turned back.
“Thank
you, my friend. I wonder if Galen ever knew how lucky of a man he was, to have found
you.” I said to Delia.
“You
are quite welcome, Lord Conqueror.” She said, turning her back on me to face the
fire. “I miss that old soldier.” She added softly as I left through the door.
*********************
I tried to
get through the door to my outer chamber quietly, with little success, one of the silver
plates crashing loudly to the floor.
Gabrielle
jumped up from the cushions she sat upon by the open balcony door.
“Hi, I
thought you might be as hungry as me, so I brought back lunch.” I explained, grinning
awkwardly at my own clumsiness.
“I
thought…” Gabrielle trailed the thought off and I heard the note of apprehension
in her voice, taking in the strained expression on her face.
“Oh,
Gabrielle, no…I just went to get us some food.” I clarified, setting the tray on
the table.
I pulled her
into an embrace and held her, resting my chin on the top of her head. I tilted her face
until I could see the sparkling, emerald eyes, and reached down to kiss her. I tried to
ease her fears and convince her I was sincere with that kiss.
“Believe
me?” I asked, pulling away to look down on her.
Her flushed
cheeks caused me to smile and she nodded her head.
“Hungry?”
She nodded
her head even more enthusiastically and we pulled apart to sit at the table.
We ate in
odd periods of silence. One of us would say something mindless, such as commenting on the
weather, and then we would make a few remarks about said topic, eventually graduating to a
awkward silence once again. I could only guess that we both had the same things on our
minds. We finally finished our meal, and I could make no other excuses, could no longer
put off the inevitable. It was time for me to do something that I avoided like swamp
fever, for nearly forty-five seasons. I was about to open my heart and speak.
“Gabrielle…”
“My
Lord…”
We each said
in unison.
“Gabrielle,
I would think, given our circumstances, that you might want to call me Xena, all of the
time. I mean, at least while we’re alone. It probably wouldn’t look good
outside…” I quickly added the last, not quite ready to be called that in front
of my men.
“I
didn’t know if you…are you sure?” she asked.
“Yes,
I’m sure.” I answered with a nervous smile. “Did you have something you
wanted to say?”
“Please,
you go first.” She replied.
“Huh?”
I was caught a little off guard, thinking I might formulate my thoughts while Gabrielle
spoke. Now, the lamplight was shining brightly on me.
“You
said you had something to say?” Gabrielle gently prodded.
“Yes…yes
I did.” My palms began to sweat and I wondered why someone, somewhere, never came up
with a plan to create an army of young women like this. They take your breath, your
thoughts, and all physical movement, and make it nearly impossible for you to perform any
of the aforementioned activities. They would be unstoppable, and I was making a mental
note to ask someone about this plan, when Gabrielle brought me out of my nonsensical
thoughts.
“Xena?”
“Oh,
yes…well I…Gabrielle I--” I was reprieved by a knock on the outer door.
“I’ll just see who that is,” I said, rising quickly and crossing the room.
It turned
out to be Sylla, come for the dirty dishes. The girl was faster than I thought she would
be and moments later I was pacing the room, determined to at least give Gabrielle an
inkling of what I felt for her.
“Gabrielle…”
I started again, for perhaps the fifth time, slowly backing myself up until I felt the
wall against my back.
Gabrielle
sat, very patiently, I might add, a perplexed sort of expression on her face. I began
nervously fingering that same tapestry, hanging on the wall. Gods, the thing was going to
be threadbare before winter if I kept on like this. I nearly slapped my own hand to stop
the fidgety gesture of pulling on the loose threads.
“Gabrielle…I
have something to tell you. It’s…well, it about the way I--” A louder
pounding at the door this time.
“Hera’s
tits!” I exclaimed and Gabrielle released a small giggle.
“I’ll
get it this time.” She said.
When
Gabrielle returned, my guard, Nicos, was with her.
“Forgive
the intrusion, Lord Conqueror, but you said that I should report to you immediately upon
my return. I have the information you requested.” Nicos said, standing at attention
the entire time.
“Did
you bring them with you?” I asked cryptically.
“Aye,
Lord Conqueror.” Nicos replied with a sly smile. “Captain Atrius is with them at
this moment. He awaits your orders.”
“Outstanding,
Nicos, good man. Tell the Captain I’ll be down directly, then go get yourself some
food and rest.” I clapped the soldier’s one arm within my own warrior’s
embrace, and could feel the man stand a little taller, pride having been in short
commodity for him the last few seasons.
After Nicos
left, I entered my bedchamber. I flipped open the chest and drew my weapons from their
customary place, fixing them in the appropriate places. Looking up, I suddenly saw
Gabrielle, studying me in quiet contemplation. Hades, I forgot something, didn’t
I?
“Gabrielle,
I do have something important to talk with you about, but this is something that must be
handled immediately. Do you understand?”
She smiled
and I felt instantaneous relief.
“Yes,
Xena, I understand perfectly.”
“I have
no earthly idea when I’ll be through. You don’t have to stay here and wait,
though.” I put my arm about her shoulders, as she slipped her own around my waist,
and we walked to the door. The gesture was completely involuntary and seemed so
effortless.
“Perhaps
I’ll go to see Anya, then.” She said.
I kissed her
lips, and felt her smile against my skin, finding myself smiling the same way. When I, at
last, left the room and walked down the lamp lit corridor, I found my fingers reaching up
to brush across my lips. I knew I was grinning like an idiot, but it was such an odd
physical feeling. My lips literally tingled after having kissed Gabrielle. I knew that no
matter how long this next bit of nastiness lasted; I would find Gabrielle and tell her
that I was truly in love with her.
*********************
“Well,
well…Kassandros, I should have known.” I said immediately upon entering the
small room Atrius held the prisoners in.
Held in
chains, the six men looked ragged and unkempt. If one didn’t know better, they might
think them peasants or simple travelers. I, however, knew much better. Callius, the
Captain of my fleet gave me their names, each and every one of them, as his own blood
drained from him, to spill across my hands. He gave them up with a dying whisper, not even
bothering to take their names to Hades with him.
When I first
learned of the treachery, I ordered Atrius not to arrest my headman, Demetri. I knew if he
thought he wasn’t implicated in the illegal slave trade fiasco, once I killed
Callius, he would eventually take over the Captain’s role of masterminding the
scheme. I dispatched Nicos and two squads of men to quietly arrest the other players. I
let Demetri continue to think that I was unaware of his activities, until I had all of his
associates firmly within my grasp.
It never
even surprised me when Kassandros’ name was the first to escape the dying
Captain’s lips. He was one of my elected Governor’s, set up in one of the
provinces of upper Macedon. I think it was a nostalgic moment that caused me to select him
in the first place, either that, or guilt. I killed the man’s father, Antipater, a
regent of Macedon also. Once I killed Alexander, his regent, Antipater was no problem.
After that campaign, I seized control of Macedon, and began outwardly expanding the areas
I conquered, until most of the foreign Empires surrounding the Aegean were under my
control.
It seems
that Kassandros had teams of mercenaries, kidnapping young girls and selling them to
Amphipolis, Abdera, and Potidaea. The girls were daughters of free men, but that
didn’t matter to any of the slave traders. Much to my recent abhorrence, the majority
of the slaves eventually made their way to Corinth, and the many auction blocks in the
great city.
It took a
great deal of patience, understanding, and time, for the story to be garnered; from the
young girls I rescued that day on the docks. I asked Delia to help out, and the girls soon
overcame their trauma enough to confide in the caring older woman. Now, the men
responsible before me, I wanted nothing more than to see them beheaded or even crucified
out in my palace courtyard. There weren’t too many punishments my dark mind could
dream up that would sufficiently make the men pay, however. What they have done over Gods
know how many seasons as I ruled, could never be repaired, even with their deaths. For the
girls, the women, and their families, at least it would be a start.
I walked
around to face the condemned men. “Now, who would care to share their secrets with
me?”
I smiled, an
altogether unpleasant smile, the kind that I haven’t used in quite some time. Three
of the four men, seated and chained before me, began talking so fast; the beast within me
was a bit disappointed that it would not be allowed its freedom. The fourth man, sitting
there, silent and sneering, was Kassandros.
I finally
heard all that I needed. Frankly, I was a bit surprised. I never took Demetri for having
the jewels for this sort of scheme, but I could only assume that was why he surrounded
himself with an exceedingly rough group of characters. It was evident, from this lot
especially, Demetri was the brains, and they were the brawn. Kassandros never said a word,
as he and I stared hard at one another. I silenced the others with a baleful glance,
positioning myself in front of the former Governor. I suppose he didn’t care much for
my superior smile, because his lips pulled back in a sneer, and he proceeded to spit upon
my boots.
“Oh,
yea…that hurt.” I responded in a mocking tone.
“Don’t
think I’ll give you the satisfaction of hearing me spill my guts like these fools.
Let me free of these chains and I’ll show you what a real warrior is made of, you
self-righteous bitch!” he shouted.
I simply
smiled again. Looking up, I pointed out two guards. “Find Demetri and arrest him.
Bring him here…better yet, bring them all to the jail. I think my former headman
should start getting to know the rabble he associates with, on a more personal
level.”
I turned to
go when Kassandros’ voice met me once again.
“I knew
you were getting too soft to take me up on my challenge.” He shouted out, but I
ignored him, making my way to the door.
“You
always were all show with the big sword and all, bet you ain’t much without weapons.
It’s all over Greece how the Conqueror bitch’s bedmate is a dirty whore!”
I stopped
all movement, feeling as though I was just hit between the shoulder blades with a brick.
The feeling wasn’t even one that I could consciously remember dredging up. The words
he spoke about Gabrielle caused a faint stirring, somewhere deep inside, and within the
depths of my very soul, I felt the beast claw to the surface.
“Lord
Conqueror…” Atrius was by my side, but I stood staring at the door, unmoving.
“Get
these others down to a cell, leave him here.” I finished.
A few more
guards hustled the rest of the prisoners down to the palace dungeons.
“The
rest of you…out!” I commanded and men scurried from the room.
I went about
removing my sword belt and the chakram that hung on the opposite hip. I carefully wrapped
the package of weapons up and turned to hand them to Atrius.
“Remove
his chains, then leave.” I said flatly, realizing I was very close to losing control
of the darkness that began to settle all through me.
“Lord
Conqueror, this is foolishness. The man will die in the morning.” My Captain tried to
persuade me from this reckless path, but I was past having either the ability to hear or
care.
“Now.”
I repeated.
I heard the
door click as Atrius reluctantly closed it, then I turned to face the man who stood no
taller than I. “Now,” I began, “show me what a real warrior is made
of.” I growled.
I felt
possessed, once I made the conscious decision to relinquish the last of my remaining
control to the beast.
*********************
“Get a
couple of men to drag him to a jail cell.” I said to Atrius as I walked past him to a
low barrel of water. I rinsed the blood from my hands and winced in pain when I bent my
fingers. Gods, his jaw was hard. I rinsed my mouth of blood and fingered my jaw
tentatively, checking for loose teeth. I gave a lot better than I got, but I didn’t
leave the room completely unscathed.
Atrius
handed me a dry cloth, the expression on his face displaying his displeasure with my
actions. I accepted my weapons and strapped them around my waist.
“Lord
Conqueror, I can understand why you felt the desire to beat the Tartarus out of him, what
I don’t understand is why you actually put yourself in jeopardy that way, and went
through with it.” Atrius was in his mother hen mode and I couldn’t blame
him…much.
“I
imagined you, of all people, would know why I had to.” I answered, tossing the rag
away.
That crooked
smile and a grunt, of which I took to be agreement, was all that came from the Captain.
“Lord
Conqueror…” A young lieutenant rushed up to the two of us. “Someone must
have warned Lord Demetri…he’s gone. I have two squads of men searching the
palace, another four combing the city.”
“Ares
balls,” I muttered under my breath, “can’t anything ever go easy around
here? All right, he’s probably fled the city by now, but keep your men looking just
in case.”
“Aye,
Lord Conqueror.” He responded, rushing away just as quickly.
“Gods,
they’re making them younger every day. I’m starting to feel my age.” I
complained to Atrius.
The
expression on my Captain’s face fell. “Speaking of age, Lord Conqueror…you
are rather promised to a certain group of officers in training.”
“And
just how in Hades did that happen?” I growled. Those training classes were always
filled with a dozen young soldiers all looking to be the first to best me with a sword.
“Actually,
Lord Conqueror, you promised you would meet with them this morning. I was told by your
personal maid that you were rather…indisposed, this morning.” Atrius said, that
damned amusement sparkling in his eye.
“Since
you think it’s so entertaining, you can come along and protect my back.” I
grinned.
“Yes,
Lord Conqueror.” He muttered.
I paused
before continuing on out of the palace. A feeling slid up my spine, that I could neither
put my finger on, nor brush off. “You don’t think Demetri’s stupid enough
to hide here, do you?”
“If
he’s smart, he’ll be headed for Athens by now.” Atrius answered.
“Well,
I’d never accuse him of overt intelligence, but it’s what most sane men would
do.” I responded with a sigh. “All right…to the training field.”
My Captain
and I walked off, headed outside, to show some of the young pups what kind of bite two old
warriors still had. My last words about Demetri were meant as something of a jest, but one
thing was true, fleeing the palace is what a sane man would do. Unfortunately, at this
moment, my headman was currently doing a balancing act between sanity and madness.
As I strode
to the training field, I never even thought that my Gabrielle might be somewhere, about to
walk into harm’s way.
To be continued in Chapter 15: Because I Could Not Stop For Death