Disclaimer: This story contains explicit sexual scenes involving two adult women who happen to be in love. If this sort of thing bothers you, then read no further.
What Price Redemption
Part 9
by Dr. Bob
jag1742@usl.edu
Chapter 9: When Threads Intertwine
Gabrielle smiled as she watched the happy reunion between the children and their parents who'd gathered in Keleian's banquet hall. She placed an arm around Xena's waist, looking up at the older woman.
Xena returned the bard's warm smile, knowing how she felt. She looked up as Keleian and his wife walked over.
The Prince bowed before them slightly. "We would like to thank you, both of you, for what you've done. I realize you had told Parmax that you were leaving, but we..."
Xena found herself wondering if he were referring to he and his wife or was considering himself in the plural sense. "Actually, Gabrielle and I have decided to stay, for a couple of a days."
"Excellent. We'll be holding a banquet tomorrow night and both of you will be the guests of honor."
"And Ian, right?" Gabrielle asked.
Keleian took a deep breath. "And Ian, of course. Well, it's late. We should really be turning in. If you should need anything, the servants will see to it." He and his wife nodded before turning and walking down one of the hallways.
Gabrielle grinned as one of the kids ran up and hugged her around the waist before leaving with his parents. "I think I could get used to this," she said with a grin as she waved back at another of the children.
"It passes," Xena replied, placing an arm across the bard's shoulders. She smiled as Parmax came closer.
"I don't suppose there's any way I can talk the two of you into staying?" he asked with an arched brow.
"I guess we'll stay, since you asked so nicely," Gabrielle said with a wide grin.
Xena glanced around the hall. "Parmax, have you seen Ian?"
"Yeah, he was here a minute ago. He didn't look so good, so I told him to go get some sleep."
"Well, we're gonna turn in, too. We'll see you tomorrow."
"Not too early," Gabrielle added. She followed Xena as the woman hurried to the hallway leading to their room. "Hey, what's the hurry?"
"I want to talk to Ian."
"About what?"
Xena looked down at Gabrielle as they turned into another corridor. "I want to...apologize for the way I acted before."
"This I gotta see," the bard said with a grin. She glanced down the long corridor and spotted him a few dozen feet ahead. "There he is."
Xena looked up and spotted Ian down the hallway as well. She cocked her head a bit as she realized he was walking funny. Leading Gabrielle down the corridor, she called out to him quietly, not wanting to wake anyone in the nearby rooms.
Ian took a deep breath as he rolled his eyes. "NOW WHAT!?" he thought to himself. Straightening slowly, he managed to suppress most of a groan. Brushing his hair aside and forcing a smile, he turned as Xena and Gabrielle walked closer.
"Are you okay?" Xena asked.
"Yeah, I'm just tired. Was there something you needed?"
"Well, I wanted to apologize for..."
"You're forgiven. Good night," Ian said as he turned back down the corridor. He grunted suddenly, having spun too quickly, and braced himself against the wall.
Xena took a step closer. "What is it?"
"Nothing. I'm okay. I think I just need to..."
Xena stepped in front of him, arms crossed, with an arched brow.
"It's my back. I think I..pulled something," he said with a sigh.
Gabrielle smirked at him. "I thought I heard a pop when he lifted that cage in the dungeon."
"A good night's sleep and I'll be fine. If someone would let me get to my room," he added as he stared at Xena.
"Let me see," Xena stated as she walked behind him.
Ian turned and started to protest. "Xena, this really isn't neces..."
"Shhh," she said as she spun him back around.
Ian grunted again as he faced the wall. As Xena slid her hand under his shirt, he smiled back at her. "You keep doing this and people will start talking." Ian grunted a third time as Xena's fingers pressed against his lower back.
Xena smirked at him. "You've thrown a discus."
"Once or twice. What the bloody hell has that got to do with my back?" he asked irritably.
"That's not what I meant. You feel this?" she asked as she pressed down on the small bump along his spine.
"Yeah."
"In between the bones of your spine are these discus shaped cushions. One of yours has slipped out. I need to push it back in."
"Well, do it," he said with a sigh.
"No, you need to be lying down."
"My room's over towards the end of the corridor. Just give me hand..."
"Ours is right over here," Xena said, pointing to the door across the hall. "We can go in there."
"Look Xena, I can make.."
"I WILL carry you if I have to," Xena interrupted as she placed her hands on her hips.
"She'll do it, too," Gabrielle said with a grin.
"Fine, let's just get it over with." He allowed Gabrielle to take his sword and backpack as Xena placed his arm across her shoulders.
As they walked into the room, Gabrielle went over and drew the shutter back from the large oil lamp. Xena helped Ian ease down onto the bed they hadn't been using. Removing her sword and chakram, she placed them against the large dresser against the wall. Walking back over to the bed, she sat down next to Ian who was lying on his stomach. Turning, she began pulling off the his split-toed boots.
"What are you doing?"
"Taking off your boots. You're going to get the bed all dirty," she said with a smirk. Tossing them onto the floor near the foot of the bed, she turned back and pulled his shirt up a bit. "Alright, this might hurt," she said as she pushed down on the small bump. She watched as Ian jerked slightly. "Sorry."
"Great bedside manner you got there," he said sarcastically.
As she pushed a bit harder, she felt the disc slip back into place. "Okay, it's in."
He looked back at her as he started to rise. "Good, I can go now?"
"No," she replied, pushing him back down. "The muscles are still tight and inflamed. If you go to sleep with them like that, the pain'll be three times as worse when you wake up." She began massaging the corded muscles to either side of his spine, feeling the knots there.
Ian reached up and grabbed one of the pillows, laying his head on it as he felt Xena's strong fingers working against his back. Sliding his arms under the pillow, he took a deep breath.
Xena continued to knead the muscles, noticing them start to loosen. She looked over at the other bed and Gabrielle, seeing the mysterious smile on the bard's face. "What?" she mouthed the word silently, smirking as Gabrielle's smile widened.
Ian let out a long sigh. "Xena, I take back what I said. You have the touch of a Goddess." He closed his eyes and took another deep breath.
"Well, I'm glad I can be of help. By the way Atlas, next time you want to impress us with a feat of strength, keep in mind that you're of no use to anyone if you can't walk."
Ian laughed softly. "Just what a man longs to hear from a woman. Gee, you're so big and...useful."
Xena grinned as she heard Gabrielle giggling from the other bed. After a few more minutes, the muscles seemed to have relaxed "Does that feel any better?" she asked. She looked up towards him when he didn't answer. "Ian?" She grinned as she realized he was asleep. Lowering his shirt, she rose and pulled a sheet up over him. She leaned down and used a finger to lightly pull his hair back behind his ear, noticing how peaceful he looked.
Gabrielle kicked off her boots as Xena walked back over to the bed. As the woman sat down and began removing her own boots, Gabrielle reached behind her and undid the buckle holding her cuirass in place. She then undid the clips for her shoulder pads. Pulling off the breastplate, she placed it on the bed as she knelt in front of Xena and began removing the warrior's shinguards. Smiling up at the woman, she lightly ran her fingers up the backs of Xena's calves. She picked up her things and carried them over to the dresser. "I guess we'll wash in the morning," she whispered as she went back to the bed, smiling as she saw that Xena was already lying on her side with the sheets pulled back in invitation. Closing the shutter of the lantern so that only a very faint glow bathed the room, she climbed into bed next to the warrior.
Xena, head propped up on her hand, smiled as Gabrielle settled in beside her. "You sleepy?" she asked softly.
"Kinda," Gabrielle replied. "Just as well. It's not like we could've done anything." She looked over at Ian, asleep in the other bed a few paces away.
"Yeah, I guess you're right," Xena replied with a grin.
Gabrielle's head whipped up as she suddenly felt Xena's hand on the inside of her thigh. "Xena, what are you doing?"
"I think you know," Xena said teasingly as she slid her hand under the bard's skirt, cupping it between her legs over her underwear.
Gabrielle jerked slightly at the feel of Xena's fingers. "Xena, we can't do this," she said as she looked back over at Ian.
"Yes we can. He's asleep. You just have to be quiet." She slid her hand into the woman's underwear, running her fingers through the patch of soft hairs. Xena smiled as she watched Gabrielle's eyes close and felt the woman's hips rise slightly to meet her hand. She lightly traced a finger along Gabrielle's folds, feeling that the woman was slightly wet already, probably from watching her and Ian. "The little voyeur," Xena thought to herself. Her brow furrowed as she continued to run her finger around the top of Gabrielle's vulva, not feeling what she was searching for. "Hmmm, being shy, are we?"
"Huh?" Gabrielle asked as her breathing began to quicken. She let out a soft sigh as Xena leaned down and kissed her, feeling the woman's tongue gently pass between her lips.
As their tongues continued to sensually dance together, Xena soon felt Gabrielle's small clitoris begin to emerge. Smiling, she pulled back slowly. "There it is," she said softly as she began to rub the tip of a finger back and forth across it.
Gabrielle bit her lip as she stared up at her lover, feeling the friction against her most sensitive feature. Her heartbeat also quickened as Xena continued the strategic fondling for several minutes. She panted out the woman's name as she looked up into her beautiful face. Her hips began to squirm as the exquisite torture became nearly unbearable. She moaned again, a little more loudly.
"Shhhh," Xena said with a grin as she leaned closer. She could tell Gabrielle was nearing release. The bard's breathing was much more labored and her eyes were starting to glaze over. As she began moving her finger faster, she watched as the younger woman's head rolled backward.
"Xena, pl..please," Gabrielle groaned softly. Rolling over to Xena, she kept her right knee raised as she buried her face into the side of the woman's neck. She moaned the woman's name once more as she felt the impending climax draw closer. As the unrelenting stroking of Xena's finger continued, Gabrielle whimpered softly against the woman's skin as her body started to quiver.
Xena felt Gabrielle's arm grip her tightly as she came, her body shaking. She continued to softly tickle the sensitive nubbin. Lowering her fingers, she passed them lightly over the woman's soaked labia. Pulling her hand out, she brought the wet fingers to her lips, sucking on them delicately. "Mmmm, midnight snack," she said with a giggle.
Gabrielle's eyes finally opened as she lay back, allowing her breathing to slow somewhat. Smiling, she reached a hand up behind Xena's head, pulling the woman closer into a kiss, savoring her own taste on the warrior's lips. After a few minutes, she pulled away slowly. She took a deep breath as she beheld the tender expression on Xena's face. "I love you," she whispered.
Xena lowered herself for another quick kiss. "I love you, too," she replied as she settled in next to Gabrielle, draping an arm protectively across the bard's chest.
Gabrielle sighed contentedly as she closed her eyes and quickly fell asleep.
***
Xena awoke as she heard the sound of soft knocking. Looking over to the light coming in through the window, she suspected that it was probably late morning. She looked down and saw that Gabrielle was still asleep, as was Ian in the other bed. Hearing the knock again, she hopped up and headed to the door. Opening it, she smiled as she looked down and saw Cassandra.
"Good morning. Have you seen Ian?"
"He's in here." She opened the door wider. "You can come in, but be quiet. Ian and Gabrielle are still asleep," she whispered.
Cassandra walked up between the beds and looked down at Ian. "Why did he sleep in here?"
"He hurt his back last night. While I was helping him, he fell asleep on the bed. We decided not to wake him up," she said as she sat on the side of her own bed. She looked back down as she felt Gabrielle stir, grinning as she watched Cassandra hop up onto the bed next to her.
Gabrielle smiled as she blinked her eyes open and saw Cassandra. "Hey."
"Morning Gabrielle," she said with a big grin.
"Good morning. What are you doing here?" she asked softly.
"I was looking for Ian. Most everybody's already eaten breakfast. I started to get worried about him. And ya'll too," she added with a cute smile up at Xena.
Well, I'm hungry," Gabrielle replied.
"There's news," Xena said with a smirk.
"Let's go eat," Cassandra suggested.
"Okay. Let us clean up a bit first," Xena said as she walked over and filled the small basin with clean water from one of the large amphoras. After they'd washed their faces and Xena had put on the rest of her armor, they followed Cassandra to the door.
"What about Ian?" Gabrielle asked.
Xena looked down at him and then to Cassandra. "I guess we should let him sleep. He'll wake up when he gets hungry enough."
Cassandra nodded and the three walked out into the hallway, shutting the door behind them as they headed for the banquet hall.
***
"Hey!?" Gabrielle hollered as Cassandra and Xena both splashed water at her. "Okay, okay. I give up," she hastily added.
Xena grinned as Cassandra sat next to her, smiling triumphantly. Their plan on taking a nice hot bath in their room had changed when they saw that Ian was still asleep. Xena has started to worry until Cassandra had assured her that he did that from time to time whenever he went several days with little or no sleep. So, they had accepted Keleian's offer of using one of the keep's private baths. They'd also taken Cassandra along at the girl's insistence.
Gabrielle watched as Xena looked over towards the door for at least the sixth time. "Xena, relax. They said they'd bring your armor back after they were finished with it." They'd also allowed the servants to clean their things for them.
"You know I don't like anyone else messing with my stuff."
"They work for a Prince. They obviously know what they're doing," Gabrielle replied with a smirk. She watched Cassandra as the girl walked closer.
"Tell me another story," she asked as she smiled up at her.
"I've told you three stories since we've been in here. Why don't you tell us a story?"
Cassandra's brow furrowed as she looked down at nothing in particular, thinking. "I don't know any stories, but I know a joke I can tell you."
"Okay. Go ahead," Gabrielle said.
"Well, I don't know if I should. It's kind of...dirty."
Gabrielle arched a brow as she looked over at Xena. "Uhm...I'm sure Xena and I can handle it."
"Cassandra, who told you this dirty joke?" Xena asked.
"Ian," she answered with a giggle.
"It figures," Gabrielle commented. "Okay, what's the joke?"
Cassandra looked over at Xena and then back to Gabrielle. "The white horse fell in the mud."
As the girl laughed hysterically, the other two exchanged grins.
"Cassandra, that's an OLD joke," Gabrielle stated "It's even older than Xena."
"Hey!?" the warrior protested, splashing Gabrielle.
The three hollered and laughed as they began splashing each other once again.
***
Gabrielle brushed her finger over the cup of Xena's breastplate, amazed at how shiny it was.
"Hey, cut it out," Xena said.
"Admit it. They did a good job."
"They did an....okay job," she said with a smirk as they turned into the corridor leading to their rooms.
"Hah, I can't remember the last time your armor looked that clean. Cassandra, what do you think?"
"I guess, but I've only seen it....IAN," she said excitedly as she ran down the corridor towards the man walking their way.
Xena saw that he was still dressed in his black outfit and his arms were full of food.
"Hey little one. Where have you been?" he asked the girl as she fell in step beside him.
"Bathing with Xena and Gabrielle."
"Lucky you," Ian thought to himself. He looked up and smiled at the two of them as they came closer.
"Glad to see you're still alive," Xena commented as she looked down at the fruit, sausages, and the large bread roll. "What did you do, raid the kitchen?"
"No. They kicked me out of the banquet hall. Said they were getting it ready for tonight."
"How's your back?" Gabrielle asked.
"Feels great. Can I ask you a favor. I have to go get cleaned up. You mind keeping an eye on her for a little while longer?"
"I guess," Gabrielle replied with an exaggerated sigh, smiling as the girl stuck her tongue out at her.
Cassandra looked back up to Ian. "Don't I get a kiss?"
Ian took a deep breath and sighed as he leaned down, surprised when Cassandra plucked a large apple from out his arms and ran over behind Gabrielle, giggling. "Uh huh," Ian said with a smirk as he straightened. "I'll remember that." He turned and continued on to his room."
Gabrielle grinned as she watched the girl take a large bite out of the apple and smile up at the two of them.
***
Cassandra sighed as she looked down at the two outfits laid out on the bed. "Ian, what do you think I should wear?" she called out to the man shaving at the mirror.
"Uhm...clothes?" he said with a grin.
"Very funny. I meant...should I wear my blue and tan outfit or my green and red one?"
Ian smirked as he rinsed his face. "A female is a female," he thought to himself. "What's wrong with what you're wearing now?"
Cassandra turned and looked at Ian as if he'd just spoken a foreign language. "I've been wearing it all day."
"So?"
"So, people have seen me in it."
"So?"
Cassandra grunted in frustration as she went back to studying her fashion options.
Ian laughed as he cleaned and dried his dagger. Hearing a knock at the door, he grabbed a towel and dried his face, tossing it over his shoulder as he crossed the room. He opened the door and smiled as he saw Parmax. He saw that the man had two large bundles and a small sack. "How's it going?"
"Just fine. Everybody's getting ready for the banquet. May I come in?"
"Yeah, sure." Ian moved aside and let him in. "Have a seat," he offered, pointing to the table in the center of the spacious room.
"Hi Parmax," Cassandra called out cheerily.
"Hello Cassandra. What are you doing?"
"I'm trying to decide what to wear tonight and Ian's not being much help."
"Well, before you decide, why don't you have a look at this," Parmax said, holding up one of the bundles.
"What is it?" she asked excitedly as she hurried over.
"Open it and see," Parmax said with a wide smile.
Ian watched curiously as the girl unwrapped the cloth, revealing a bright red dress. He smiled as he watched her face light up.
"It's beautiful. Is..this for me?" she asked.
"Uh-huh. Saraya and I figured you might like something new to wear to the banquet. She also got something for you," he said to Ian as he handed him the other bundle. "She knew the sizes would be right because she measured your things the last time she washed them."
"Thank you, Parmax. She didn't have to do this," Ian said as he sat and unwrapped the outfit.
"Thanks Parmax," Cassandra said as she hopped up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. She picked up the dress and walked over to the full-length mirror, holding it up in front of her.
Parmax handed Ian the small sack. "This is for you, too."
Ian took the sack, knowing what it was as soon as he held it. "I thought we agreed that my salary was gonna pay for Panteras and his men."
"They've been paid. That's for you. I know it's not much..."
"You can say that again," Ian mumbled as he looked inside. He laughed as he looked up and saw the expression on the man's face. "I'm joking, Parmax. This is more than generous," he said as he closed the sack and placed it back on the table.
"Well, you've earned every dinar of it. Listen, while you're in such a good mood, let me ask you something. I don't know what you and Cassandra's plans are," he stated, smiling down at the girl who'd walked back over with the dress. "But, how would you like to come and work for me on a permanent basis?" As Ian took a deep breath and started to shake his head, Parmax pushed his pitch. "You can decide on the position, get a place for you and Cassandra in town, choose..."
"Whoa Parmax," Ian said, holding up his hands. "I appreciate the offer, really. But we'll be leaving tomorrow." He watched as Cassandra's smile quickly faded. The girl turned and walked back over to the bed. He hadn't been looking forward to that moment. He looked back at the man across from him. "It's dangerous for me to stay in one place for too long. It has to do with that group that I was with."
"Well look, you can stay on as caravan master. I can have you heading all over Greece, if you'd like."
"It would still be too much of a risk. But I really do thank you for the offer..and everything else," he said sincerely as he extended his hand.
Parmax sighed loudly as he shook it. "Well, I had to try." he rose and pushed his chair in. "I'll let the two of you finish getting ready. Don't be too long. It'll start in about an hour."
Ian followed him to the door. "We'll see you there. And thanks again, Parmax." As the man nodded and headed back down the hallway, Ian closed the door. Looking back at Cassandra seated on the side of her bed, he took a deep breath. Walking over, he sat down next to her. "Hey, what's wrong?" he asked, already knowing the answer.
"Nothing," she replied softly, staring down at the floor.
"You're upset because we have to leave." He looked at her thoughtfully as she gave a slight nod.
"I thought maybe...we could stay with Gabrielle and Xena and the others for a while."
"Cassandra, Xena and Gabrielle aren't staying in Illyris, either. They'll probably be leaving in a few days, too. I know you're gonna miss them and Temanon, Helaena, and all the others, but you know that we can't stay in one place for too long." Ian smirked as he also looked down at the floor, knowing that wasn't completely true, not for Cassandra.
Turning to face her, he took one of her hands. "Cassandra, if you would rather stay, I would understand."
"What do you mean?"
"I don't want you to ever feel that you HAVE to stay with me. I know you deserve better than this. You should have a family, a home, other children to be around."
Cassandra rose up onto her knees and hugged Ian tightly. "I have a family. You're my family. I want to stay with you," she said with a sniffle as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I love you."
Ian smiled as he hugged her. "I love you, too," he said softly as his own eyes watered slightly. Pulling back, he kissed her on top of the head and gently wiped her cheeks. "We'd better finish getting ready. I don't think they'll hold the banquet up just for us."
"Okay," she replied with a smile.
***
"Gabrielle!? What's gotten into you?" Xena asked her quietly as she pushed the bard's hand away for the fifth time since they'd gotten to the banquet hall.
"We didn't get to finish what we started," Gabrielle replied as she casually slid her hand back under Xena's leather skirt. Their afternoon love play had been interrupted when a servant came by and said they were needed by the Prince in the banquet hall.
"Not now, Gabrielle," Xena said with a grin. "They're about to start serving the food."
"I guess if it gets too bad, we could always crawl under one of the tables," she said with a wink. She looked over as a servant announced yet another set of guests who'd arrived.
The tables had been rearranged to allow the center of the hall clear for dancing. The minstrels were already playing a light melody as more guests continued to trickle in.
"Master Ian and Lady Cassandra!"
Xena and Gabrielle both turned as they heard the servant announce the names, surprised at how different the two looked. Cassandra was wearing a bright red dress that complimented her long blond hair. Ian wore tan trousers and a loose fitting white shirt with the sleeves rolled up midway down the forearm. He also had a dark green vest which Xena figured probably matched his eyes. His light brown hair hung loose onto his shoulders. She grinned as she noticed the look Ian had given the man who'd announced them. "Let's go say hello."
Gabrielle smiled as Cassandra and Ian walked over to meet them. "That's a nice dress. Where did you get it?"
"Parmax and Saraya got it for me. You like it?"
"It's very pretty," Gabrielle replied.
Xena leaned closer to Ian. "Wow, you clean up real nice," she said with a grin.
"I'm useful, too," he countered with a wink.
"Excuse me, would you please take your seats," one of the servants asked as he passed by.
"I guess it's time to eat," Ian said as he watched most of the people finding seats at the tables. "Do we have to sit anywhere in particular?"
"Oh yeah," Xena replied. "We're the guests of honor. We get to sit at the front table."
"Wonderful," Ian said with a smirk as they followed her and Gabrielle to the prince's table. As a servant showed them to their seats, Ian noticed that there were only three chairs. He turned back to the man. "Excuse me, we'll need one more chair."
The man lifted his nose slightly. "This end of the table is always reserved only for the guests of honor."
"Well, I'm sure we could make an exception in this case," Ian said with a smile.
"That would be....highly irregular. Perhaps the girl could sit someplace else," the man said as he clasped his hands behind his back, looking down at her.
"She's sitting with us," Gabrielle stated flatly. "Why don't you just get another chair?"
"As I said, that would be highly irregular."
They watched as Ian leaned closer and whispered something into the man's ear. The servant's eyes went wide for a few seconds before he quickly regained his composure. "I shall...find....something," he said with a slight bow.
"Good man," Ian said as he pat him on the shoulder. As he sat down in his chair, he pulled Cassandra up onto his leg.
"What did you tell him?" Gabrielle asked as she leaned closer.
"I just said `please.' It always pays to be polite, right?" he asked Cassandra.
"Right," the girl replied with a smile and a nod.
The servant returned with a short high-backed stool that they placed between Ian and Gabrielle. "Will that be satisfactory?" the man asked.
"I think so," Ian said as he watched Cassandra settle onto the stool. "What do you say?"
"Thank you," she replied, smiling back at the servant.
Ian grinned as the man walked off grumbling. He noticed Parmax and his family seated at the end of one of the tables. As some of them waved to him, he tapped Cassandra on the arm, grinning as the girl smiled and waved back. He looked over to his left as Keleian, four chairs down, called for everyone's attention.
Raising his hands, Keleian waited for everyone to quieten. "My friends, I know you're anxious for the food to be served. But before we do that, I'd like to give a short speech that I've prepared concerning my future plans for Illyris."
As Ian turned back to his right and made a comical grimace, Xena and Gabrielle managed to suppress their laughter. Cassandra made no such attempt as she giggled loudly.
"Shhh," Ian said with a grin as he leaned closer and kissed her on the forehead.
Xena's smile vanished as she suddenly felt Gabrielle's hand on her leg. She looked aside at the bard who was apparently absorbed with her fork.
"We'll just wait a few moments for the last of the guests to arrive," Keleian stated before he sat back down.
Sighing, Ian looked around, smiling politely at the large elderly woman seated next to him.
"Hello," she said.
"Hi," Ian replied. He started to turn away before the woman decided to strike up a....
"My name's Apellena. I'm the wife of Prince Keleian's deputy advisor. I certainly love these types of occasions. Of course, it's mainly just an excuse for us to wear our best and see who's out of fashion. I'm partial to the food, myself. And certainly I'm always interested to catch up on the latest gossip." She looked at Ian closely. "You MUST be related to Olipius, the magistrate in Antipartia, right?"
"Gods, kill me now," Ian thought to himself. A slow smile soon spread over his face. "Why yes. Yes I am."
"I just knew it. I can see the family resemblance. So, how is he doing these days?"
Ian took a deep breath and sighed as he shook his head. "I'm afraid he hasn't been the same since...the incident."
"The incident?"
Looking around, Ian then leaned closer. "I'm sure I can trust you to keep this to yourself. You DO remember the pony he'd gotten for his daughter's last birthday. Well, was his wife ever shocked when she walked into their stables and found him...."
***
Xena smirked as she spotted Ian outside, seated on the rim of the large fountain. She navigated her way through several of the other guests, desperately trying to avoid anymore boring conversations with people wanting to be seen talking to one of the guests of honor. The extravagant feast had at least made up for Keleian's coma-inducing speech. She spotted Gabrielle still dancing with Parmax. The bard's advances through-out the evening had become increasingly difficult to fend off. Not that she hadn't enjoyed them or the look of frustration on Gabrielle's face.
Ian smiled up at Xena as she came over and sat beside him.
"So, this is where you've been hiding? I've been ducking out of one conversation after another all night," she said with a grin.
"Hey, you have to learn how to avoid them before they start. Be observant. If you see someone recognize you and start moving towards you, run like the wind. I've got it down to an art," he stated before taking a drink from his cup.
"Where's Cassandra?"
"Playing inside with Temanon and the other children."
Xena looked around at the other guests, more of whom were filtering outside as the temperature rose in the banquet hall. She smirked as another of Keleian's relatives smiled and walked towards them. "I've been trying to avoid this guy..." she stopped as she suddenly realized Ian was no longer sitting beside her. Looking around, she smirked as she spotted him, waving at her with a big smile right before he went inside.
"Ah Xena, I thought I saw Ian out here, Well, you don't mind if I join you, do you?" the man asked as he sat down.
Xena rose and started to back away. "Uh, actually, Prince Keleian had wanted to see me about a certain matter and..." she stopped as she bumped into someone. "Excuse me," she said as she started to turn around, smiling as she saw that it was Gabrielle.
"Here. Wipe off your mouth," Gabrielle said with a mysterious smile as she pushed a cloth into Xena's hand.
Xena cocked her head slightly as she watched the bard walk off. Raising the cloth to her mouth, a familiar scent suddenly filled her nostrils. Looking down, her eyes went wide as she suddenly saw that she was holding Gabrielle's underwear. Glancing around, she chuckled as she spotted Gabrielle disappear into the shrub maze at the end of the garden path.
***
Gabrielle peered around the leafy corner. "Where is she?" she thought to herself. She'd seen Xena head after her. "What's taking her so...HEY!?" she hollered as she felt two strong hands latch onto her hips. Spinning around, she grinned as she looked up at Xena. "How did you get behind me?"
Xena just let out a low laugh as she held up Gabrielle's underwear. "I believe you belong to these." After handing them to the bard, she quickly crouched down and pulled up the woman's skirt.
"Xena!?"
Xena's eyes narrowed as she brought her mouth up between Gabrielle's legs, allowing the skirt to fall back down behind her.
Gabrielle gasped as she felt Xena's mouth working against her. "Xe...Xena, we can't do...OH GODS.....we ca..can't do this here. Why donnn...Uhhhhh...let's go back to the room." She heard the warrior issue a short laugh before she felt Xena's tongue slide into her. "Xeeeeena," she moaned, looking around to make sure no one else was around. She placed a hand on Xena's shoulder for support as her legs began to wobble. "By...the...Godssss."
***
Allowing her bare feet to swish around in the fountain, Gabrielle yawned as she looked up into the cloudless night sky, studying the constellations. Most of the people had already left the banquet. The minstrels had stopped playing a few hours before.
"I got some," Cassandra said happily as she walked up and handed Gabrielle a plate with a couple of the glazed pastries from inside.
She watched as the girl started to hop up. "No wait. Take off your sandals first. I don't want them to accidentally fall in." Putting the plate down on the ledge, she reached back and picked Cassandra up, placing her on the ledge beside her. As she turned to get the plate, she felt Cassandra pulling at her hair. "What are you doing?"
"You have...some leaves in your hair," the girl replied as she pulled out a few. "How did that happen?"
Gabrielle handed her one of the desserts and shrugged. "I don't know. Weird, huh?" She looked back up into the sky as she took a bite of the pastry. "So, do you know what that one is?" she asked, pointing to the constellation of the bear, or the dipper, as Xena called it.
"No," the girl said softly.
Gabrielle turned and looked down at her, noticing she wasn't even looking up at the sky. "Hey, what's wrong?"
Cassandra sighed and took a nibble of her pastry. "We're leaving tomorrow."
Gabrielle sighed as well. "I know, we're leaving too. You're gonna miss Temanon and the other children, huh?"
"Yeah. But I think I'm going to miss you and Xena most," she said with a half smile as she lay her head against Gabrielle's arm.
Gabrielle grinned as she placed her arm around the girl. "I'm gonna miss you and Ian, too."
Cassandra placed her arm around Gabrielle's waist as she sighed again. "Where are you and Xena going?"
"I don't know. Nowhere in particular." She took another bite of her pastry. "How about ya'll?"
"I don't know either. Ian said that since we have a good bit of money, we don't need to worry about finding any work."
Gabrielle nodded. "Yeah, I guess the same thing goes for Xena and I." Suddenly getting an idea, she smiled down at the girl.
"What?" Cassandra asked, seeing the excited expression on the bard's face.
"I have an idea. We need to go find Ian and Xena." Spinning on the ledge, she stood up and helped Cassandra climb down. She picked up one of the napkins lying nearby and began drying off her feet.
As she slipped on her sandals, Cassandra looked over at Gabrielle. "Why do we have to find Xena and Ian?"
Smiling, Gabrielle filled her in on her ingeniously simple plan.
***
The servants, working remarkably fast, had already begun the process of cleaning the keep. They'd managed to clean most of the banquet hall. The tables were all cleared except for one end of the Prince's table where two people still remained.
Reclining back in their chairs, feet up on the table, drinks in hand, Xena and Ian had been taking turns giving the servants dirty looks whenever any came too close.
"Good one," Ian said as he watched a nervous looking man scamper away. He took a sip of his wine. "So, I guess you'll be leaving tomorrow?"
Xena turned her head to the side as she yawned. "Yeah. You?"
"Yeah. I suppose," he said with a slight sigh.
Xena watched as they began carrying the left over food into the kitchen. "Heading anywhere in particular?"
"I thought maybe we'd head to Thermopylae. Cassandra's never seen the chariot races."
Xena nodded. "I'm sure she'd like that." She looked over as she spotted Panteras walking over to them.
Ian smiled up at the man. "You still up? I would've thought it was past your bedtime."
"I'm heading back to the room in a second. I just thought I'd let you know that tomorrow morning Keleian's calling a war council," saying the last as he rolled his eyes.
"Well, I'll be leaving tomorrow morning," Ian stated before taking a sip of his wine.
"I really doubt he was going to ask you. You're not his favorite person since you turned down his...request."
Ian looked up at him with a smirk. "Stop it, Panteras. You're going to make me cry. Seriously, can I give you some advice? Don't get involved in this little war of his. Go back to Corinth and ask your brother if you can owe him the rest for that partership."
Panteras sighed and leaned closer. "The Prince has agreed to pay me four thousand dinars once Tetramon's castle is taken. I'll keep Keleian's ambition in check. I won't let him throw away men's lives needlesly. Hey, even Rexian, Dercleas, and some of the others have asked to join my company."
"I know. I talked with them a while ago. Do me a favor and take care of them. They're good men," Ian said with a smile as he extended his hand.
Panteras grasped his arm in a warrior's handshake. "I will. You and Cassandra take care as well. If you're ever near Corinth, stop by. I'd like for you to meet my family."
"I'll do that."
Panteras turned to Xena and likewise shook her hand. "Take care, Xena."
"You too, Panteras," she offered back.
As they watched him head into one of the hallways, Ian took a drink from his goblet. "I just hope he lives long enough to see Corinth again." He took a deep breath and looked over at Xena. "So, where are you and Gabrielle headed?" he asked as he leaned forward and plucked a few grapes from a dish on the table.
"I thought we might head to Dodona. Gabrielle had mentioned she'd like to see the new amphitheater there."
"Yeah, I'd heard that thing was huge," he said as he popped a grape into his mouth. "That might be something to see."
Xena took a sip of her own wine and then nodded. "Then again, they'd probably be having some of the best races right now with it being summer and all." She smirked as she looked across the hall. "Oh-oh."
What?" Ian asked. He followed her gaze and spotted Cassandra and Gabrielle walking towards them, hand in hand with matching ear-to-ear grins on their faces. "Xena, why are the hairs on the back of my neck standing up?"
Xena grinned. "Be afraid. Be very afraid."
Gabrielle took a deep breath as she looked across the table at the both of them and then cleared her throat slightly. "The two of us, Cassandra and I," she elaborated, smiling down at the girl beside her, "have decided that we'll be traveling to Antigonia tomorrow. If one, or both, of you would like to join us, we would be more than happy to have you along, right?"
"Right," Cassandra replied with a nod.
"Well, if you'll excuse us, we're going to go start packing."
Ian and Xena watched as the two of them, still smiling, walked out of the banquet hall and into the corridor heading to their rooms. They both turned and watched as the servants began sliding the tables back into place.
Ian took a deep breath and popped another grape into his mouth. "So, I hear Antigonia's nice this time of year."
Xena grinned. "Funny, I hear the same thing."
Ian watched one of the servants non-chalantly polishing his way down the table towards them. "Who's turn is it, mine or yours?"
"Be my guest," Xena replied. She laughed as Ian leaned forward and started barking loudly.
***
Cassandra turned and waved one last time at Parmax and the others. They'd stopped in town to say goodbye before heading South. "We'll come back and visit, right?" she asked.
"I'm sure we will," Gabrielle replied, smiling as Cassandra took her hand. Her smile broadened as she saw the grin on Xena's face.
"Not that I'm complaining or anything," Ian stated. "I realize that Xena and I are along for the ride and all. But is there any particular reason we're going to Antigonia?" he asked Gabrielle and Cassandra.
"Well, seeing as how we have money now, we thought it would be nice to spend some of it. And the merchant's bazaar in Antigonia seems like a great place to start, right?" she asked, squeezing Cassandra's hand lightly.
"Yeah, we thought we'd spend some of our money," she replied with a nod.
"WE?" Ian asked with an arched brow. "Do you have a rich mouse in your pocket? Because I don't know what other money you're talking about."
"I saw the money that Parmax gave you," she said with a smirk.
"Ah-ha. `Me' being the important thing here. I tell you what; after I get some new shoes for the horse, I'll see about letting you get something? How's that?"
"I'll let you have some of MY money," Gabrielle said with a wink to the girl beside her.
Ian gave a smirk of his own as Cassandra turned and stuck out her tongue at him.
Gabrielle looked over to the man and the large stallion. "The `horse?' When are you going to give that poor thing a name?"
"Whenever I get around to it. Neither of us are in a hurry."
"How about...Beauty?" the bard asked.
"Beauty!? Gabrielle, it's a he," Ian stated.
"So, I think it's a nice name."
"Me too," Cassandra chimed in.
Ian smirked as he looked aside to the black horse, reaching over and scratching it on the side of the neck. "Well, what do you think? Beauty?"
The animal snorted softly as Ian rubbed its muzzle.
"Yeah, I know. I think it's stupid, too." He smiled as he looked down and saw the expressions on Gabrielle and Cassandra's faces, He looked over to Xena, leading Argo. "You think we'll reach Antigonia by nightfall?"
"I imagine so, provided we can keep these two out of trouble until then," she replied, nodding towards the bard and the girl.
Cassandra looked up at Gabrielle. "Piggy-back?"
"Okay."
Ian watched as Xena leaned down and picked Cassandra up, placing her on Gabrielle's shoulders. "Good, you can be the donkey for a while."
"Hey, don't call her a donkey," Xena stated.
"Thanks Xena."
"She's more like an ass," the warrior said with a chuckle, smiling at the look the bard gave her.
"Uh...Cassandra? I can't see with your hands over my eyes." Gabrielle smirked as she heard the girl giggle.
As the sun began to burn away the morning fog, the four continued down the road toward Antigonia and whatever lay beyond.