A Warrior By Any Other Name

by Melissa Good
Melissa Good

The standard disclaimer. The characters of Xena and Gabrielle belong in their entirety to Universal and Renessaince, and to their writers and whoever else owns the property. No copyright infringement was intended, and this is all in fun. The other characters in the story erupted from my twisted brain, and are not taken from any literary source or any other source whatsoever. No one gets the blame for them except for me.

No R rated warning is needed for this story - but subtext is there, and if you all can't deal with it, mouse clicks are cheap. Real cheap.

All he knew was darkness, now. Dimly, in a very small portion of what remained of his consciousness, he remembered light. Light that tied itself to a name he would never speak, a voice he would never hear, and eyes that would never again return his gaze. A part of his life, his soul, gone forever. ..

All around him was fear, and hatred, and anger - he felt the dull ache as stones hit him, and sticks poked into his battered sides, but kept his eyes closed against the yelling crowd. It didn't really matter - he could not last much longer. He felt his life force ebbing - taking him further into the darkness and away from the hot sun and dusty street of this small village. The angry cries faded from his hearing, save one last familiar sound,- the brisk tattoo of a horses hooves, then even that slid away from him.

In the late afternoon sunshine, two women and one horse walked steadily down a dirt road.

"Xena" Gabrielle looked up at her companion. "Are we making for Athens any time soon?" The bard asked with studied casualness, while examining the ornate end cap on her staff to avoid the raised -eyebrow stare she knew she was getting.

The tall warrior studied her traveling companion in some small amusement. "Well, I was thinking of it. " she finally answered. "Why? Did we leave something there or..." She slid around in front of Gabrielle and gained eye contact, surprising the bard. "or..do you have some other reason?"

Gabrielle opened her mouth to come up with some slick diversion, but found she couldn't - not with Xena's ice blue eyes locked with hers. .She sighed inwardly. Lying to Xena was nearly impossible. She always had the feeling that the tall warrior saw right into her thoughts with the negligent ease that she did everything else with. Left with no recourse, Gabrielle stuck out her tongue, which got a grin from the usually dour Xena.

"I've caught her speechless." Xena chuckled. Then she swung back around and continued to walk by Argo's patient side. "Ok, your secret. " She scanned the countryside, noting the beginnings of what was probably a small village not far ahead. " We can stop up ahead and grab some dinner, if you like."

Gabrielle sighed in minor relief. She'd been caught..but Xena wasn't pushing, which meant she probably thought whatever Gabrielle had up her sleeve was harmless. "Dinner sounds great." She commented, turning to glance at her companion "You're in a good mood today." Which wasn't as uncommon as it used to be, Gabrielle mused. She wasn't sure when that had changed...well, yes she was, actually, but preferred not to think about it.

Xena took a drink out of one of their water bags draped over Argo's back and passed Gabrielle the water. "Well what do you know? I think I am." she answered back, the reached over and gave the water bag a powerful squeeze just as Gabrielle brought it up to her face.

"Yahh!!!" Gabrielle sputtered, as water exploded out of the bag all over her. Swinging wildly, she squirted the remaining water around in as wide an arc as possble, using her free hand to wipe the water out of her eyes. She heard the water stream hit something, but by the startled snort, she knew it to be Argo. She peered at the horse, who, sure enough, had a dark streak mid withers where the water had hit her. Xena, completely dry, was on the other side of the mare, laughing.

"I'll GET you for that. " Gabrielle growled, pushing the damp hair out of her eyes. "You are SNEAKY". Still chuckling, Xena rummaged through a side pack, and walked over to where Gab was dripping, holding out a folded cloth.

"Here." she said, "I didn't think that much water would come out. " Sighing, Gabrielle took the cloth and wiped down her face. She was about to make a scathing comment when Xena's attitude abruptly changed. She stiffened, and stood taller, searching the horizon, her features going grim.

This sudden transformation always intrigued Gabrielle. This duality that made her friend both a joke playing companion, and deadly fighter. A woman of profound contradictions whose hands could gently groom Argo or take a life with equal skill, equal grace. Complex in ways unlike any one else Gabrielle had ever known and an endless source of fascination to the bard.

Xena's tensed features turned towards Gabrielle, and she gestured towards the nearing village. "Someone is getting beaten." She swung up on Argo, and glanced down at the bard. "Coming?" She proffered a forearm.

"Oh. " Gabrielle blurted, surprised. " You mean I don't have to stay here?" This was a change. Also not unwelcome.

Xena raised an eyebrow and looked off towards the village again. "Only if you want to."

Gabrielle didn't have to be asked twice, even if it meant riding Argo. She grasped Xena's arm, and before she could jump, was lifted up to saddle level and swung across Argo's haunches. She settled quickly. swinging her staff down and out of Xena and Argo's way. "I forget sometimes. " she muttered "just how strong you are. " She felt rather than heard Xena's low chuckle in response, as she grabbed a secure hold on the warrior's waist with one arm.

The pain was beginning to fade out now, much to his relief. He knew it wasn't going to be much longer. Sounds came sharper, clearer - the brisk hoofbeats had now turned into a powerful gallop. He loved horses - missed his beautiful Eris so much..muzzily he thought he would like his last sight to be this galloping animal that was coming towards him, but the effort to open his eyes was so great..a crack only, and the glare of sunlight almost made him shut them tight again. But the horse...determinedly, he forced his one good eye open further, fighting with all his will to clear his vision this one last time. Closest to him were his tormentors. Village men, boys, women, all with rocks, or sticks, one with a yoke pole. Their angry, frightened faces made a solid ring of roiling noise in front of him. He couldn't raise his head to see over them..he couldn't..ah. There.

The horse...beautiful. Prettier even than his Eris, he had to admit. A stunning golden color, with wheaten mane flying in the wind. Where was she running? She seemed to be coming straight for him..oh, it was worth opening his eye for this, yes it was. The setting sun broke out, unnecessarily gilding the golden horse, and setting fire to the armor of her rider.

The villagers hadn't heard the hoofbeats. How could they be so deaf? He wondered. They still pelted him with their stones, the man with the yoke pole slammed it across his ribs with enough force to break them. He didn't even feel it..Instead, he watched the horse - coming ever closer, and now he could see the grinning face of her rider. And knew he would spend his last moments in delighted surprise. A woman warrior..and beautiful as her horse, at that, but dark where the horse was golden. Ohh…he was sorry he wouldn't get to meet her!…His last fading sight was the sun off the sword in her hand as they plowed through the circle of startled and terrified villagers before him. Then..there was only darkness.

Gabrielle held on tight - and tried to get a glimpse of who the crowd was beating. All she could see was a scaffold, and the hands and large muscular arms of the prisoner.

Xena was loosening the sword in her scabbard, and leaning forward, urging Argo on. As they closed in, she drew the sword, and grinned. Oh, she wouldn't kill any of them. Just scare them so bad they'd think twice about stoning anyone next time. "Hang on!" she shouted to Gabrielle, who responded by tightening her arm around Xena and shifting forward towards the horse's momentum.

With a wild yell, she kneed Argo through the circle of suddenly shocked villagers,kicking out at several of the bigger ones. Gabrielle expertly swung her staff around, taking out two women with thorny branches and a stocky younger man holding two stones.

"Nice." Xena commented. swinging the butt of her sword down on someone's head, and using one well muscled leg to kick someone else halfway across the village.

"Thanks." Gabrielle replied, whacking a tall herdsman right in the chest. The villagers scattered, running in all directions. Gabrielle took advantage of that to swing down off of Argo's very high hindquarters and move towards the scaffold, but stopped dead in her tracks when she saw what it held, and just stared. Behind her, Xena also slid off Argo's back, and finished discouraging the last of the captive's tormentors before she joined her friend at the edge of the scaffold and looked at what they saved.

The man hanging from the wooden platform was huge - at least a head taller than Xena, and massively built, with a thick covering of light golden body hair. His head was covered with the same color hair that cascaded down his neck, and formed a sort of collar. His face, beaten and disfigured, one eye closed and covered with blood, had odd proportions, a massive jaw, and a somewhat rounded tooth line, with flattened nose, also hair covered. His remaining good eye was closed, and from the slackness in his body, and the strain on the ropes holding him, Gabrielle guessed he was unconscious. Or dead. No, as she got closer, she saw very faint motions of his broad furry chest.

"What is he?" Gabrielle turned to Xena, bewildered. "Is he a man, or...?" For once, the warrior didn't have a ready answer.

"You're the history expert, oh bard of mine. " Xena shook her head. "I have no idea. But we'd better get him out of here, or you won't get the chance to ask him."

By this time, the villagers had gotten the idea that Xena wasn't going to kill all of them, and were creeping back. But not too close. The village headman cleared his throat nervously. "Ah..is he, I mean..is he a well, friend of yours, warrior?" He edged around to get a good look at the both of them. Gabrielle strode over, holding out her hand. "Hi. I'm Gabrielle. " The headman jerked back, looking anxiously at her staff.. "Oh, don't worry. " She said, brightly. "I only hit people when they're doing something bad to someone else. " She held out her hand again, and this time the headman took it, gingerly. So this is what it's like to be feared. Gabrielle mused,Interesting. while making small talk with the headman to distract him from what Xena was doing up on the scaffold. "Why were you beating him to death?:" she asked, looking the man in the eye. " What did he do to this village?" She stood up, and made a graceful circle with her body, inspecting. "Looks pretty intact. " She turned and leveled her mist green gaze at him.

"Oh, well.." the headman stammered, darting nervous glances at Xena, who had cut the prisoner loose from his bonds, and carefully lowered his bulk to the ground. "I mean, he didn't DO anything to us, exactly..but.." He turned and gestured at the prone figure. " Look at him. How could we let such as him live in proximity to our village, to our wives, and children, who would be defenseless against him? He is a wild and terrible fighter."

"You know." Gabrielle said, conversationally, as she knelt down so that her head was on a level with the headman's, who was standing on the ground. "You really should give your wives more credit than that. Women aren't always defenseless." She smiled sweetly at him. "And did he actually threaten you, or were you just assuming he'd come into the village and eat you for lunch?" He had the grace to flush at her sarcastic tone. She held his gaze for a moment longer, then turned her head to watch Xena and the captive. The headman peered towards them as well. "Ohh...uh..um. Dear. That's isn't er.. Xena, by any chance is it.? " He glanced at Gabrielle, who patted his cheek, and nodded. "You got it."

Xena studied the enigma lying in front of her, having no idea in the world what he was. Never in her long travels had she seen anything like this - like a cross between a man, and a desert cat, more than anything. Could he be part sphinx? She glanced over at Gabrielle, who was occupying the headman so that she could collect her thoughts and assess the situation. A smile etched itself briefly across her face, then she turned her attention back to the prisoner.

His thick chest rose and fell very shallowly, and Xena thought probably he was dying. She leaned over him to study the head wounds he had suffered - they were bloody, but not very deep, except for the one around his eye socket. She winced in reflex at the amount of abuse. Well, perhaps he wouldn't die, but she had to get him out of this village. Even Xena, not usually affected by atmosphere, sensed the fear and hatred that the people surrounding the platform were directing towards this creature, or man, or whatever he was. And probably at me, too, she amended, sardonically. We share that, at least.

She straightened and rose in one fluid motion, and walked over to where the headman and the bard were standing. Gabrielle had turned to watch her approach, and their eyes met in a swift exchange of understanding.

"So." Xena said, grasping the headman by the shirt, and lifting him completely off his feet so that he'd have to look her straight in the eye. The man looked shocked. "I think 'm going to take responsibility for our furry friend there. Do you mind?" . Xena radiated menace, something she was really good at. Gabrielle was privately convinced that Xena practiced for countless hours in still pools and mirrors, that LOOK she gave people. "I think you're going to find some brave souls here to help me load him onto my horse. And I'll be nice..." she paused for a smile. 'and take him off your hands."

The headman swallowed heavily. He glanced at Gabrielle, who leaned casually on her staff and nodded. "It's a good idea to do what she says. She really hates it when people piss her off. " She paused for bardic effect. "They usually end up dead."

"O..O..Ok." He finally answered, and sighed as Xena let him down and released his shirt front. "You'll be sorry, though. He really is wild." He glanced up at Xena's glacier eyes. "Or maybe he'll be sorry. "

He ran off to get some burly villagers to help lift the creature. Xena raised an eyebrow at Gabrielle 'End up dead?" She chuckled as she shook her arm out - the strain of holding the headman off his feet that long had been agonizing. "The things you say sometimes."

The bard grinned back, and leaned on her staff. "Well, if I don't make sure your reputation is kept up, who will?" She leaned forward and touched foreheads with Xena, getting eye to eye with her. "and besides, they usually DO end up dead. Or missing parts. Important parts."

Xena scowled, then gave Gabrielle a push towards Argo. "C'mon we've got to get poor Argo ready to carry our friend there."

Argo was not pleased to be carrying this weirdly smelling load. She kept bowing her neck around to get a good sniff of what was on her back, and snorting. Xena kept a tight hold on her bridle, keeping her moving forward. The creature was still out cold, breathing faintly. They had bound up the worst of his wounds before they loaded him, but some were breaking open due to Argo's movement Xena studied the land's layout, spotting a small stand of trees near a stream where they could make camp. She motioned Gabrielle towards it, and followed leading the still reluctant Argo.

"Xena" the bard turned towards her. "Why did we take him? I mean, I know he was being beaten, and all..but you said he's probably dying.." she furrowed her brow "We could have stayed there and made them help us take care of him, I mean..." She stopped talking at the look on Xena's face. "What's wrong?" The blue eyes had a faraway gaze to them, as though she was seeing something Gabrielle couldn't. She turned her focus back on her companion.

"Truth?" She said, reaching out and brushing the hair out of Gabrielle's eyes. "I don't know. Sometimes, Gabrielle..sometimes you do things just because you feel they're the right thing to do, Even if it doesn't make sense when you think about it logically." She moved forward and started taking off Argo's loads, so they could, somehow, lower her main burden to the ground.

"Oh." Gabrielle whispered to herself, mulling that one over for a while. Then she got the blankets they had commandeered from the village spread out, and moved, uncertainly, towards Argo. "He's pretty heavy." She commented, "How are we going to lift him down?"

Xena was standing next to the horse, studying Argo's burden thoughtfully. Finally, she gently took both the creature's arms, and crossed them over her shoulders. "Back, Argo." The horse, reluctantly, started to back off, shaking her head in protest. "Back!" Xena repeated, gritting her teeth as the weight of the unconscious form came onto her muscular shoulders. She leaned forward to balance the load, and moved away from Argo, towards the blankets. Gabrielle got out of the way, and just watched the path under Xena's feet for rocks and branches that might trip her. Once she was over the blankets, Xena carefully lowered herself to one knee and rolled her burden off her shoulders and on to the ground.

Gabrielle kneeled next to him and arranged his limbs in a more comfortable manner. She glanced up at Xena, who was taking a moment to catch her breath before arranging the herbal kit on the blanket next to him. "I'll get some water, and start a fire."

Blue eyes lifted up briefly to meet her own. "Good idea. Gabrielle. Thanks." The bard stood and walked around the blankets, heading towards their supplies.

It took a long time to get all the creature's wounds cleaned and dressed, since Xena had to cut patches of his furry coat away matted with blood. The fur felt coarse, but not as coarse as a dogs coat. More like very thick human hair than anything else, Xena thought. She looked down. "He wears clothes" She gestured at the remains of trousers on his lower limbs. "and he wears jewelry. " She pointed out the small bracelet almost hidden in the fur of his arms.

Gabrielle looked on, fascinated, as she was by learning anything new. "So, you think he's a man, then." She surveyed his massive form, which even in his sad condition promised an enormous amount of strength. " Do you think the headman was right? If he gets better, will he try to attack us, or them?" she cocked her head and looked questioningly at Xena. "He looks like he'd be pretty dangerous when he's up and around."

"So am I." Xena commented wryly. "I guess it's all a matter of perspective." She glanced down at the creature, who chose that moment to open his one good eye and stare up at them.

Gabrielle gasped..."oh..how pretty!" at the sight of his eye, which was a liquid golden color, with faint sparkles hidden in it's depths. The eye, startled, shifted to her face, then back to Xena's. Faintly, as though under great strain, the corner's of his oddly shaped mouth twitched upward. His jaw parted, revealing human incisors combined with very real curved canines. Intently, the golden eye watched Xena's face for a reaction, but the warrior maintained her stolid composure, and she went back to cleaning the wound near his other eye.

The creature moved his tongue, then managed a whisper. "Thank you.' Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other.

"So." Gabrielle commented. "You were right. Again. As always. " She shook her head, and went for a cup of water for their patient. Xena smiled at her retreating form, and the smile stayed on her face as she looked back down at the creature.

"You're welcome." She looked steadily at him. "You are pretty badly beat up." She glanced up as Gabrielle returned with the water. "I'll do what I can for your eye, here. But you're going to be a few days recovering."

Gabrielle gave her a long, measured look at that, but knelt down and offered the water to the injured..man, she thought now, no longer a creature. Xena lifted him up so he could drink, and he glanced at her in faint surprise. She settled him back down, and finished putting away the herbal kit. She glanced up at him. "Do you have a name?"

The eye searched hers for a very long moment. Then the lips twitched faintly again, and he managed another whisper. "Jessan." He looked steadily at her.

"Xena." she said, and gestured across his body. His eye followed, and rested on Gabrielle's face. "Gabrielle."

Something, then, some hint of recognition showed in his expression.. He nodded, and murmured softly. "thought so.." and drifted into sleep.

Xena was more than even usually silent as they cleaned up the campsite after cooking dinner. Their patient slept soundly, without snoring, much to both of their surprise, given his dentition and jaw structure.

"You going to take a swim?" Gabrielle asked, pulling out fresh clothes. She glanced up at Xena, who was staring into the fire, with a absorbed expression. She was about to repeat the question, when Xena finally sighed, and glanced her way.

"Yeah." she rubbed her neck and stretched. "I am. It's been a long day." Gabrielle moved up behind her, and undid the straps and buckles on her armor, which Xena removed, along with bracers, grieves and boots.

"Do you think he can stay here OK for a few minutes? " Gabrielle asked, resting her chin on Xena's seated shoulder. "I think I'd like to take a swim too." Xena slid an amused but indulgent look towards her.

"Oh, you would, would you?": She stood up and grabbed a fresh linen shirt, and tossed one towards Gabrielle. "And here I thought you would have had enough water this afternoon."

"Hey!" the bard yelped. "that's right! I OWE you for that..." she advanced menacingly towards Xena, who was standing with her arms crossed, and giving her that "dare you' look. Gabrielle squinted her eyes in mock anger, and growled "you're going to get yours..."

"Ha. You have to catch me first." Xena replied, and took off for the stream.

Cursing, Gabrielle pelted after her, knowing perfectly well that she couldn't catch the taller woman if she tried, but trying anyway. She was running so hard, she didn't' realize the stream doubled back on itself, and she was in the air over a stretch of water before she knew what was happening as she ran right off the bank. "Oh Hades." she muttered, and closed her eyes, waiting for the icy rush of the stream. She figured she was about to hit the water when she was snatched out of mid air and landed on a grassy bank instead. "Ugh." she wheezed, and opened her eyes to Xena's sardonic grin lying next to her in the grass.

"Gabrielle, don't you ever watch where you're going? Or must you always rush headlong into things!." the warrior was propped up on one elbow, with a smile playing around the corners of her mouth that softened any implied criticism.

"No' Gabrielle gasped, out of breath. "I always rush headlong into things. And look where it's gotten me." She reached out and touched Xena on the tip of her nose, and watched the warrior smile.

"Where, indeed?" Xena chuckled.

The pain was sharper now, Jessan noticed. The numbness he had felt seemed to be wearing off, which could be considered a good sign, he supposed.. He had slept for quite some time, and was only fuzzily aware of his surroundings. He sensed heat from a fire, to his right, and his one good eye told him there was also light from that direction.

So that was Xena, his mind muzzily contemplated. Being what he was, he had heard of the Warrior Princess, oh yes. They kept track, the People did, of fighters that rose above the ordinary, who might pose a danger to his kind. Xena had posed such a danger. His people had developed a very useful trait in avoiding her kind - an awareness of life, he supposed you could think of it as. He could, normally, sense the living beings about him, the green immenseness of the forest, the small flitting creatures, the breathing of the earth itself. People like Xena stood out in that peace like ugly dead things, all dark and unpleasant. Avoiding them was usually easy, he never had to wonder if one of her kind meant him harm or good, he just had to Look, and then fade away into the impenetrable green of his home forest...But these villagers, who he had done no harm to, had done something to his head and now he could sense nothing. It frightened him more than anything he had ever known in all his life. He would have to make decisions about these two people based on his instinct alone, and that was not enough. How could he trust them? Trust Xena? Impossible. The woman destroyed villages, killed innocent children. What would she do with him? Sure, she cleaned his wounds. Probably so she could extract every last bit of information out of him before killing him. No, that made no sense. Maybe she wanted to exhibit him as a animal. He knew others of his kind that fell to that fate. He could hear faint scraping sounds, and concluded that they were probably nearby. He'd better take a look, and begin to plan how to escape. Perhaps…an idea! Maybe he could even kill her…what a bonus for his people, to never have to worry about the Warrior Princess finding them! His father would be very proud.

At first the low flames made him blink and tear, and kept him from seeing anything else around the fire. He waited patiently, and the shadows slowly became clearer and clearer. A well laid out camp. A warriors camp. He felt better at once. He spotted the dim golden form of the horse not far away, heard the crisp sounds of her cropping the grass. Movement...his eye flickered to his left, and met the gaze of Xena, who was reclining against a nearby rock, working on an armor piece. She was lying, linen shirt clad, on what looked like a thick black, fur rug, bare legs extended and crossed, and providing a shoulder cushion for the fair haired younger woman, who was sound asleep.

They regarded each other silently for a moment, as two powerful animals in the forest might, to determine friend or foe. Xena held no illusions about what he was capable of, anyone with eyes could see he was no farmer. But his eye was intelligent, there was thought behind the glance, not the blind fury of a beast. Xena had a feeling he could be reasoned with. At least she hoped so. She really didn't want to have to hurt him further.

They never mentioned. Jessan thought, vaguely amused. that she was also beautiful, for one of her kind The fine field generalship, yes, that they mentioned. The lack of mercy, the cruelties, the disregard for life. All that he knew about. And he had heard, as had they all, that she had given up warlord's ways and turned to wandering the countryside, assisting people when she could. Though they had not believed it , surely no one as blood thirsty as she could just change so suddenly. Could she just stop when she knew, body and soul, what his People also knew; the exhilaration of battle, the incomparable fire in the heart that comes at the kill? The fierce exultation of blood combat that coursed through ones veins like strong wine? Ares' gift! He knew it. He knew she did; it was written in her eyes, for such as him to read. No, they hadn't believed it.

Now his life depended on him finding out if it was really true, and he had only his physical senses and reasoning to do it with. Not fair. It should have been so easy…just a closing of his eyes, and a gentle extension of his awareness, to see her Pattern. Now, all he could do is look with his inadequate vision, and see a dark haired woman, younger than he had imagined her, cleaning an armor piece by a well made fire. Argh. Well, she was alone, except for the bard. That much of the story was true. What about the rest? How could he hope to know? The bard is stirring, ah, she has dark dreams. He watched as Xena's regard left him, and focused instead on Gabrielle, and now he could read the emotion on her face as she wrapped a arm around the girl and soothed her from her nightmare. Ah. He felt much better all of a sudden. Perhaps it was true. Tomorrow he would try to find out. For now, at least, he seemed safe.

Waking next morning, Jessan knew that he would probably live. His cuts were mending, and he felt none of the unhealthy heat of fever around them. The bruises hurt, and his head especially pounded, but he was more alert, and his thoughts were coherent and sane. He opened his eye as footsteps approached him, focusing somewhat blearily on the fair haired young bard, who was kneeling next to him with some much needed water. Gabrielle's eyes met his own without fear, as she helped him to drink.

"Good morning." she said, cheerfully. "Please drink all of this. You need it."

Jessan complied, then searched her pretty face with interest. "You aren't afraid." he commented, watching her brow rise at the question in his raspy voice.

"No." Gabrielle answered, offering more water.

"You should be." Jessan growled, lifting his lips with effort to show his canines. "Even now, I could kill you faster than even Xena could stop me."

"I doubt it." a low, sibilant voice whispered into his other ear. He felt cold steel on his neck, and froze. His golden eye rolled around to meet Xena's blue ones not six inches from his face. Ares! How had she gotten so close! His heart pounded, until he realized the steel he felt was merely the small knife she used to clean wounds and she now continued to do just that around his swollen eye.

Gabrielle chuckled. "It's ok. You wouldn't have anyway." She offered him some grilled meat. "After a while, you sort of get this..I don't know...kind of a feeling about people when they intend to kill you, or beat you up, or something like that. I thought you were pretty much OK." She handed him another piece of meat, since he was absently chewing on the first and doing his best to not think about Xena kneeling with a knife blade to his temple. "And, well, we kind of have to go through this a lot, because lots of people want to kill us, or beat us up, or things like that, you know?" She laid a hand on his arm, and caught his gaze. "I'm really sorry those people hurt you." He stopped chewing, and just stared at her. After a lifetime of hatred from her kind, this was almost too much for him to bear. She patted his arm, and stood up, heading towards the cooking fire.

Bewildered, he turned his gaze to Xena, who was finishing up with his head wound. She gave him a small grin in return. "She sees good in everyone."

He contemplated that. It could be true. Maybe.."She obviously saw it in you." he said aloud, gaining a small victory at the startled look in her eyes. Ah..he was right. He felt better. "I hadn't believed you had stopped killing.": He watched her eyes, mirrors of the soul even in her. "Now I do." He raised himself up on one elbow, and pulled his aching body up so that he could half recline, and talk to her. This opportunity he was not going to miss. He gathered his thoughts, knowing he would have to give some information before he got any. He realized, as he opened his mouth to speak, that he had decided to trust them, at least for now. It was frightening, as though he had jumped off a high cliff with no guarantee of a survivable landing.

"I am" he stated, darting a glance at Gabrielle who had returned and now seated herself next to Xena. "a child of Ares." This grand pronouncement did not get usual response of awe from his audience, however.

Gabrielle snorted. "Boy, does he ever get around"

Xena just rolled her eyes. "It figures." she muttered. "I should have known."

Jessan glanced from one to the other in puzzlement. Could it be true, then? "You speak as though you know Ares." he said, making his growly voice raise in question.

Xena sighed. "You mean, you don't?" She leaned back against a tree stump behind her, and stretched her long legs out. "Inconsiderate of him.. Not that it surprises me." She gazed down at him. "I used to be one of his Chosen." He maintained eye contact with her, daring her to tell the rest. "until one day I decided to break our contract." Involuntarily, her gaze drifted towards Gabrielle, who quirked a grin in response. "but I've never heard of your kind before. What are you, anyway?"

Jessan remained silent a moment, reviewing what he had learned. She had defied Ares. So the rumors were true. "Ares decided he' was tired of mortals, and wanted to make an army of immortal warriors that would be loyal to him." he cleared his throat a bit, and Gabrielle leaned over to hand him the waterskin. "Thank you." he responded gruffly. "He made us by mixing the blood of a lion with that of a man, and mingled our two kinds into one." He took a long draw on the water. "We are stronger than your kind, and fierce as lions, and we live for battle and death." He jutted his chin out, and gave them his best ruthless warrior look.

Xena's mouth twitched. "Ah. I see." she commented. "So, what happened?"

The big warrior sighed. "Aphrodite."

"Ohhh...." came from both Xena and Gabrielle, knowingly.

"She came upon him while he was finishing up. He made the mistake of leaving her with our forefathers for only a moment." He gazed out at the morning sunlight. "She gave us mortality. She gave us souls, and the will to know them. And..." he stopped here, grief taking his throat in hand and stopping his speech. He looked down, and after a moment back up at their grave, but attentive faces. "And she gave us the ability to love." Ah...Devon. His heart cried out. Taking a deep breath, he forced his memories away, and cleared his throat. "Six years ago, not far from here, your kind surrounded three of us, and shot my Devon to death with coward's arrows." Fiercely, defiantly, he raised his eye to meet theirs, expecting, he knew not what. "She was carrying my son." Now anger colored his words, "We had done NOTHING…to your kind." Gabrielle looked at him, horrified. She reached out and grasped his arm in sympathy.

Xena was shaking her head, and sighed deeply. " I'm sorry " She studied the man carefully, noting the clenching and unclenching of his large fists "That was cruel of Aphrodite."

Jessan looked up at her. "Cruel? How so?" he asked, curiously. "How much crueler than your own people were, to shoot her down in cold blood?"

"We live in a cruel world, Jessan. " Xena answered. "The biggest risk you can take is loving someone." Her face was expressionless. "I can't take responsibility for all the deeds, good or bad, of my people, but I am sorry, for you, and for your Devon." She abruptly stood up, and walked towards Argo.

"Did you ever regret falling in love, Jessan?" Gabrielle asked, quietly. She searched his face, while he deliberated his answer. He really wasn't so gruesome to look at, once you got used to him. His face, though battered, had a certain nobility to it. That probably also came from Aphrodite, she thought, I'm sure Ares wouldn't have made them cute. The fangs, now, they were vintage Ares. The snub nose, on the other hand, definitely Aphrodite.

"No, Gabrielle, I never did, and I don't now." he finally answered, as though the answer surprised him a little. "I mean, Xena's right, you know. We live by the sword, and we always know this could happen. We are what we are, after all." He sighed. "No, it was worth every minute." This seemed to comfort him, for he looked back up at her with a more peaceful expression. "Thank you for reminding me of that."

She smiled at him, and stood. "Excuse me for a minute."

With a sigh, he lay back down, and blinked. That certainly was a surprise conversation. he thought. There's more going on there than I know. He stretched his limbs, feeling the ache in them. He closed his eyes and tried again to extend his awareness,. No. As though a sack was tied over his head. He sighed. Was he sure about them? No..but he couldn't find it in his heart to hate them, either, as he should hate the people who killed his Devon. These two were not those villagers. He knew that. Should he follow his heart? No, too dangerous, both for himself, and his people. Better there weren't Warrior Princesses around.

Xena walked away from them, her mind in turmoil. What she had told the man was the truth. Gabrielle still had nightmares about her death; what she had put her friend through! What right had she to do that? I should have taken my own advice, she thought grimly. Too late. . She sat down on a rock to collect her scattered thoughts, then quickly picked up an armor piece as she heard the bard approaching. She glanced up at Gabrielle, who sat down next to her.

"You OK?" the bard asked, quietly, studying her face.

"Yeah." she answered, polishing the bit of armor.

Gabrielle leaned closer, and whispered in her ear. "You're lying."

This got a half smile. "Yeah." Xena blew out a held breath. "Reminded me that I know what dying feels like."

"Oh.:" Gabrielle said, in a small voice.

Xena glanced up at her. "Sorry you asked?"

"No." the bard smiled.. "glad you answered.". She leaned her head on Xena's shoulder. "So. what are we going to do with him?"

"Hmm." the tall warrior mused. "Depends on what he wants to do, doesn't it? He's pretty far from home. Wonder how he got all the way out here."

Gabrielle shrugged. "I guess we'll have to ask him, won't we?" She gazed across the camp. "I like him. I mean, I know he's pretty scary to look at, and he's probably dangerous, but there's something kind of sweet about him, too."

"Yeah." Xena answered briefly. "Something."

That night, their large patient joined them for dinner around the fire. He healed remarkably fast, a legacy of Ares, Xena suspected. If you're going to spend your life fighting, best you be a good healer, eh? She grinned privately. It sure has helped me, now and again. She finished her fish, and looked over at Jessan, staring pensively at the fire. "So." She said., He looked up at her voice. "You heading home?"

Jessan sighed. "Home is the northwest coast." He smiled grimly. "I don't think I'll make it. There are too many settlements, with too many scared people between here and there." He stared down at the ground. " You are a cruel and foolish kind, did you know that? Our people have never attacked yours, but we live in the shadows, hoping you won't spy us, for when you do, you hunt and hunt and hunt until you kill every one of us you find."

"Fear is a big motivator." Xena responded, her voice cool. "I can see where people would see you - Jessan, you have to admit you are pretty ferocious looking - and would not imagine that you would not attack them if you could." She played idly with a small pebble near her boot. "Having not met you, I would have made that assumption."

Jessan digested this. "And attacked me at once." He glanced at Gabrielle, who was keeping silent, but watching their faces in turn as they spoke.

Xena gave him one of her slow, fierce grins. "Well, once I might have. Now, I probably would have waited for you to attack me first." She flicked a glance at the bard. "I try not to start trouble." Gabrielle snorted, then giggled, eliciting a chuckle from both Jessan and Xena. "Well, " the dark haired woman admitted. "most of the time, anyway." She straightened up, and stretched, catching Gabrielle's eye and raising her own eyebrow. Gabrielle nodded in assent, they having discussed contingencies prior to dinner. "Jessan, we'll be glad to go with you to the northwest border - take you home to your people, if you won't mind traveling with us." She gave another lazy grin. "I think I can keep your skin whole until then."

Could you.? Jessan mused. Could you, Xena? I wonder. Are you as good as your reputation says you are? I doubt it...no one ever is. Oh, yes, I believe you were a brilliant general, but you have no army now. Can you prove your skills on the bodies of your enemies? I wonder. He studied her, as they waited patiently for his answer. All muscle, that was certain. He could see it in the way she moved. Wrists were swordsman's wrists, no question of that, either. That was not a decorative sword, and it was functional armor. Perhaps, perhaps not. A risk he'd have to take. At any rate, it was better than going on alone..and...he forced himself to admit it, despite what they were, his heart refused to bow to his brain. He liked these two. "I would be honored to accept your offer." He said, quietly.

"I'm glad." Gabrielle smiled, and patted him on the arm. "We'll make it through just fine."

Jessan gave his toothy grin. "I would like to get hold of some weapons, though. I feel..." He cast about in his mind for a description.

"Naked." Xena stated, flatly. She raised a sardonic eyebrow at him, but had a small smile playing around her lips. She met his gaze with an understanding twinkle that, Ares…could have been one of his own kind.

"Yeah" He answered, with a sheepish shrug. "Exactly."

"Warriors." Gabrielle sighed, theatrically. "Give em a sword and some raw meat and they're happy." She rolled her eyes at both of them.

"Raw meat?" they chorused in unison, not even looking at each other. "Yuck."

Jessan was strong enough to do some limited traveling the next day, though Xena insisted on a slow pace to keep damage to his healing injuries to a minimum. They passed two small villages, but were not spotted, and had the luck to come upon an old battlefield later in the day. Jessan and Xena spent some time digging patiently in the debris until Xena finally found what she was looking for.

"Ah. Here we go." She lifted her find up, a muck and grime encrusted relic, perhaps three quarters the length of her long body. "Unexpected. Usually they comb the battlefields for usable metal pretty thoroughly. I can't believe they missed this." She looked around where she stood. "Oh. Must have been piled under corpses." A thighbone rattled down the pile she was looking into, she glanced at it briefly. How much time have I spent combing through dead remains? She sighed to herself.Too much.

"What *is* that?" Gabrielle inquired, from the sidelines where she had been reclining in the shade, working on one of her scrolls. She got to her feet and dusted herself off before walking over to where Jessan and Xena were standing, gravely examining whatever it was. Jessan took the find from Xena, and smacked it smartly against the tree next to where he was standing. Grime, dust and rust scales fell off of it in a shower, revealing the general outlines of a large two handed sword. He repeated the sharp smack, dislodging more grime and scales, until they could see the bold outline of a hilt take form.

"Ah. That's more like it." Jessan commented, and grasped the hilt firmly. Xena grabbed the rotted scabbard, and both of them pulled in opposite directions. The results surprised them all.

"Wow." Gabrielle breathed, eyes wide.

Xena raised one eyebrow, and gave a low whistle.

"Ohhhhh" Jessan gasped, as he turned the blade, which, impossibly, was clean edged and had not one dent or ding in it. The cold metal gleamed sharp and deadly. in the dusty late afternoon sunlight. He grinned in delight. "And it's just my size, too." He hefted the weapon gleefully. "Will you do the honor of sparring with me later, Xena?" He bared his canines at her in mock challenge. "It would make for a great story to tell back home." Will she do it? It will give me a chance to kill her, surely she knows that. Will she trust me? Would I trust her?

Xena treated him to an equally feral grin. "We'll see." But the glint in her eyes told him she probably would. He carefully wrapped the sword in some cloth Gabrielle lent him, intending to craft it a suitable scabbard at the first opportunity.

"You really aren't going to fight with one another, are you?" Gabrielle asked Xena in a low voice, as they continued walking down a forest path heavily overhung with trees. She shot her companion a worried look. "I mean..I know..well, that is you..I mean he's.."

Xena clasped her shoulder comfortingly. "Relax, Gabrielle. If he's as good as I think he is, it will be the safest sparring match I've ever had." She chuckled a little at Gabrielle's bewildered look. "It's ok, really." The bard remained silent, and didn't meet Xena's eyes.

The tall warrior considered her for a moment, then shifted her hand from Gabrielle's shoulder to the bard's chin, and turned her face to make eye contact. "Gabrielle?" .She kept her voice low. "We're not going to hurt each other. That's not what this is about."

Gabrielle studied her companion for a long moment before replying. "I know. I'm sorry. It's just that I like him a lot, and you….Xena, accidents happen." She sighed. "I know, I'm being silly, right?"

"No." Xena murmured. "You're not." Unexpectedly, she wrapped an arm around Gabrielle and gave her a hug. "We'll be very careful, I promise. "

Jessan was watching them interestedly from the corner of his working eye. He was too far away to hear their conversation, and truth to tell, he might have moved further if he could have heard them. The People were like that, they valued their privacy, and expected others to value it as well. Useful trait, that.

But what was this? The red haired bard seemed upset about something. What, he mused could it be? It was not his presence, he felt sure. Anyone could put on a good act, but the warmth he felt from young Gabrielle was as real and as tangible as any he had ever felt, even from his own kind. She was not afraid of him, and she was not afraid of Xena. What then?

Ah..what he was learning! She fears..he suddenly could feel it. Ah…at last. Very faint, very unfocused, but it was there, a pale grayness where there was only dark before. He realized that it was because her emotions were so strong, they were breaking through the suffocating barrier his injuries had raised. Fear? What was she…ah…he could See it now. She fears us fighting. Silly bard. She fears harm, to Xena, and…he stopped in amazement. to me as well. Ares. But there, Xena has explained it. Better now.

He couldn't read thoughts. What he sensed was washes of strong emotion, which he had learned by long practice to interpret. Gabrielle's emotions were sharp and very strong - surprising him with their intensity. Xena…the warrior, on the other hand held hers back with excellent control. He sensed almost nothing from her, except just a bit here... Hmm. Very interesting, and unexpected

Jessan's open eye mirrored a momentary amazement. Pah. I'm just a common sneak peep. He scowled at himself, and moved ahead a few paces. He would have been slapped silly at home for eavesdropping in such a manner. He supposed he could use the defense that his life was in danger, but…he knew it wasn't, and there was no excuse for it. Mama would be ashamed of him.

"Come here, Jessan." Xena said, that night after dinner. "Let me get that bandage off your other eye, and we'll see how it's doing." Nervously, Jessan edged over to her, and sat down on the log so his head was within her reach. What if I can't see? His fear gnawed at him. What if she deliberately blinded me? As the thought crossed his mind, he glanced quickly at her, the blue intent gaze fixed on his injury, hands working quickly, but with gentleness. No. This close he was certain. This was no dark and evil thing sitting next to him.

Xena carefully cut away the bandage covering his other eye and examined her handiwork. "Ok, open it." She commanded, shielding his vision from the brightness of the fire.

Heart pounding, he slowly opened the lid of his injured eye, and blinked, sighing in relief as the world came into focus. He almost hugged her in relief as his full range of vision was restored.

"Well." Xena stepped back, with a satisfied look. "That's much better."

Gabrielle grinned, leaning on her staff, and moved a step closer to get a better look at what was now a pair of golden eyes, which reflected the last rays of the sun and the first glow of their campfire. "Hey." She poked him with the staff. "Want to go for a swim with us?"

"Uhhh.." Jessan stammered, panicked. "swim?" He shifted his newly liberated gaze towards the nearby spring, complete with waterfall that Xena had chosen to camp by. "We, er…well, we don't swim much." He tried a gruff scowl at them. "I'll pass."

"You're afraid." Gabrielle stated, flatly. "I don't believe it."

"I am NOT!" Jessan barked, stung. "I just don't like…swimming. That's all!"

"I bet you've never been." The bard commented. "I bet you don't know how." Mischief sparkled in her green eyes. "C'mon, Jessan..we'll teach you." She knelt down in front of him. "It's a really useful skill. Honest." She darted a glance at Xena. "Maybe Xena'll teach you how to catch fish with your bare hands."

Jessan's eyebrows drew together in a deep scowl. He was busted. She knew the truth - he had no idea how to swim. Could they teach him? He tried to keep his defenses up by imagining this as a ploy to get him drowned, but his heart laughed at him in derision. Was it even remotely possible that these two daughters of the greatest enemy of his kind were beginning to fill in the darkness left by Devon's passing? No. Impossible. But…he sighed. Damn. He was going to have to learn how to swim. Wait…catch fish with her bare hands???? No way. That much he did know. "Well, maybe just for a little..uh..swim." He grudgingly assented.

They walked down to the spring's edge, he, hesitantly, they, with a gentle yet inexorable grasp on both his big arms. The water was warmer than he expected, he grunted in surprise.

"Warm spring upstream a bit." Xena commented, correctly interpreting the grunt. "Not too warm, but better than ice cold." She had stripped down to just leathers for the lesson, and was a few steps ahead of him in the water. Are we nuts? She mused, thoughtfully. Teaching him to swim. What was Gabrielle thinking of? She had gone along because, well, because sometimes Gabrielle's instincts on this kind of thing were far truer than her own, that's why. Not that she'd ever admit it.

They got him in up to his waist, then he balked as the surface under his feet dipped more steeply. He shot a glance at them, and found patient expressions, not disgust there. Slowly, he continued in, until he was up to his neck in water, but still standing on the bottom. It felt nice, actually. Xena and Gabrielle tred water just in front of him, waiting. He watched them, it seemed pretty easy. Xena demonstrated a swimming stroke, ah, yes - he could see the mechanics of it. He tried it - wow…his arms pulled him along with far more ease than he had reason to expect. Gabrielle clapped and cheered. "Way to go, Jessan! See? It's not hard."

He flipped over on his back and paddled around with his arms a bit. No, it wasn't, really. And the feeling of the water, the presence of the world all around him, was intoxicating. The brief flashes of his inner sense he had been feeling were getting more tangible, and now that the water was surrounding him, it spoke to him with whispering little chuckles. Gabrielle was now a solid warm presence. Xena, like quicksilver danced in and out of his View. Against his better judgment, he felt his heart warming to them, and was powerless to stop it. Ares! What was he going to do? These were his enemies…and the enemies of his people. It wasn't fair…

Xena dove down, disappearing from site all of a sudden. Jessan glanced at the ripples left by her dive, then up at Gabrielle's face, to see if there was any need for concern. Apparently not. The red haired girl was impishly smiling.

"Yahhhh!!!' He yelped, jumping half out of the water, as something nibbled on his leg. He whirled around, as Xena popped up, with a devilish grin, holding an enormous trout in both hands. "Dinner." She chuckled, and tossed the fish high up the embankment.

Jessan spluttered in indignation, then did what he would have done with his sister Eldwin, unthinking. He dove at her, forgetting the water, and splashed in over his head. Panic overcame him, but before he could breathe in the water, or do something else foolish, strong hands grabbed him and lifted his head up out of the whispering stream.

He coughed, in reflex, and gave Xena, who was holding him, a sideways glare. It should have scared her, maybe it was the fact that she was cradling him like a cub that spoiled the effect. With this much physical contact, he could almost sense warmth from her as well..no..wait. yes. Yes, he could. Buried inside those hard shields was a person capable of deep emotions. She liked him. He couldn't help it. He liked her too. He smiled and returned the warmth, though he knew she could not sense it. . "Thanks." He rasped, softly., though she would have no idea what he was thanking her for. He felt a momentary deep pity for humans. Living only half alive...maybe that's why they killed everything else they encountered..wow..that was profound..maybe they did it because they had no way of feeling the pain they were causing..huh..I wonder....

"Tch tch tch.' Gabrielle clucked, as she paddled in on the other side of him. "Don't try to catch her in the water. Lost cause. I should know." She rested an elbow on his chest. "Did you say something about dinner? I'm starved."

The next day's travel brought the trouble that Jessan had long anticipated. Just after lunch, a band of fairly well armored foot soldiers came upon them. Xena moved to the fore, putting herself between Gabrielle and Jessan, and the soldiers. Gabrielle shifted her staff in her hands and waited. She glanced at Jessan, who was watching both the warrior and the soldiers with careful attention. He looked over at her in question "Let's see what Xena has in mind." She whispered to him. "There's only 8 of them." She grinned at his startled look.

"Shouldn't we help?" He asked, reaching a hand for his sword.

She grasped his arm to stop him "It's ok, I think - usually if I interrupt if there's less than a dozen of them, she just gets ticked off." He didn't believe her. Gabrielle sighed to herself. No one ever did. Not that she blamed them., since it had taken her a really long time to realize that Xena actually enjoyed fighting. Really. Just like she enjoyed storytelling. That had been a pretty steep learning curve, and had almost caused her to consider leaving their travels together before she finally figured it all out. Not that she ever really figured Xena out, of course.

"What do you have there?" The leader of the soldier band asked, looking Jessan up and down. His men formed a wary circle around his back, watching Jessan, but also watching Xena.

"He's a friend." Xena commented, shortly. "We don't want trouble." Her words were conciliatory, but Gabrielle, from long experience, could read the tension in Xena's tall frame, saw the movement of the armor plates across her shoulders that meant she was hair triggered, and waiting for an expected attack.

"A friend?." The man laughed in derision. "You'd should learn to pick your friends better, lady." He moved briskly towards her. "Move aside. We'll take him off your hands, and bring him to town." He motioned his men forward.

"I pick my friends very carefully, thanks." Xena answered, standing her ground, and grasping the hilt of her sword in warning. "I said I didn't want any trouble. I didn't say I wasn't capable of starting any."

"Decent amount of warning" Gabrielle muttered, ignoring Jessan's look. "She's getting better at that."

He moved forward, straight towards Xena. Jessan felt his breathing quicken, saw Gabrielle shift her grip on the staff she held. The man was right in front of Xena, and now reached out to push her out of the way. "Don't make me angry, woman. Just let me do my job." He said, in some exasperation. This woman playing at being a soldier irritated him.

"What an idiot." Gabrielle breathed. "He's toast." Jessan was about to move, when there was a sudden, short popping sound, then a solid thunk. He watched as Xena first nailed the man right in the groin, then kicked him back into his circle of followers.

With a shout, the rest of the soldiers ran towards the waiting Xena, who went into a blur of motion almost too fast for the eye to see. Jessan was never really sure what she did to which soldier, after she let out a wild battle yell, and pulled the sword from it's sheath on her back, and let loose.

At one point, she catapulted into the air, launching herself into a somersault high over the heads of the hapless soldiers. She landed in back of them, and took out one with the flat of her sword, then grabbed two more and cracked their heads together. Jessan felt his jaw drop. When the dust settled, there was one heap of dusty unconscious soldiers, and a muttering Xena, who strolled back towards them as though she'd been out for a walk. Ares! They hadn't so much as touched her!

"Pathetic." She sighed. "C'mon." She grabbed Argo's reins and tugged her forward, then noticed Jessan's glassy expression. "What? Did you get hit?" She glanced at Gabrielle, who was smirking. "What??"

The bard acquired her smuggest expression. "Oh, no. He just saw the Warrior Princess in action." She smothered a giggle at Xena's glare, and poked her friend in the ribs. "And you were dazzling, as always."

"Gabrielle.." Xena growled, warningly, which just got more giggles from her companion., and another poke.

"C'mon, Xena - you know you love doing that." The bard warmed up to her subject. "Whirling through them with the greatest of ease.." She finally stopped when she saw the still, set look on Xena's face.

Jessan finally shook himself, and started to move forward, following Argo. And I was wondering if she could live up to her reputation. He mentally slapped himself.Whoa, boy. He snorted quietly. "Thank you again, by the way." he said, softly.

"Well.' Xena commented, "After all, I do have a deadly reputation to maintain." And managed to keep a straight face as the other two spun and stared at her in startlement. "You know a trail of blood is the only way to do it." She raised an eyebrow at them, a completely serious expression on her face that even reached her eyes. She put on what she knew was an icy glare, and pinned them both with it. They exchanged uneasy glances with each other, Gabrielle swallowing hard, once. Xena let them stew a moment longer, then moved past them, and continued up the trail, leading Argo, in silence. I really shouldn't be so sensitive to teasing. She sighed to herself. And I shouldn't have done that to Gabrielle.

Jessan blew out his breath in obvious relief. "Whoa." He slung an arm over Argo. "wow, Argo..I don't ever want her mad with me." He whispered to the mare, who flicked an ear back towards him in sympathy. He put his head down and kept moving.

Gabrielle was silent for a long time after that, just walking alongside Xena, who was pretty quiet herself. Not that Xena was particularly talkative at the best of times, of course, Gabrielle thought, her stomach still in turmoil after that 'look'. She cursed silently to herself. Stupid, very stupid Gabrielle. When are you going to learn she has a limited tolerance for teasing? She glanced up at her silent partner. "I guess I deserved that" she finally said, as Xena turned her head and peered down at her with amused fondness, a look which Gabrielle missed entirely.

"What do you mean?" Xena asked, knowing perfectly well what.

"You know me - always trying to get a laugh out of a situation. Sometimes I forget..I mean, I think I have a right to…and I don't, and I know you got mad, and I still kept on and..." This was going badly. Mentally, she screamed at herself for not being able to articulate the simplest of sentences when she was under stress and around Xena. Some bard.

"Gabrielle." The low voice was warm. Xena clasped her nearer shoulder. They stopped walking and just looked at each other for a moment. "You do have the right."Do you understand what I'm telling you, my friend? Most of our communication is not done with words. I"m not good with them.

"Do I?" the bard asked, seriously.

"You do.' Xena affirmed. "besides, how many other people do you know who could poke me in the ribs and not get a broken hand?" She waited for an answering smile from her companion, then moved ahead to catch up with Jessan and Argo, pulling the bard with her. "C'mon." Wow. Could I have actually handled that right, for a change? Gabrielle had relaxed and was still smiling. I think maybe I did.

Jessan surveyed the surrounding countryside that evening... "Not far, now - I think two more days and we'll be pretty close to home." He finished his bread and meat with a great deal of satisfaction, and made a slight bow in Gabrielle's direction. "I will miss your cooking, though. Don't tell her, but it's better than my mother's" He watched the bard blush, and grinned. He glanced up at Xena, leaning casually against a nearby tree, also grinning.

"I've been telling her that for months, now. I think she thinks I just say that because I don't have a choice.'' The warrior commented, watching her companion flush again, this time to the roots of her fair hair. "I'm glad I got a second opinion. Now maybe she'll believe me." Then she looked over at Jessan. "So, are you ready for that sparring match you asked for?"

The big downy warrior grinned toothily. "Yeah." He stretched. "We have to work off this excellent dinner somehow, and I can't think of a better way." He trotted over to his pack, and drew his sword out, almost bouncing in his eagerness. His thick body hair glimmered in the sun, and rippled over his muscular body like water. He was the very essence of a primal nature, and he exulted in the feel of warm late sun on his back, and firm earth under his powerful legs. He lifted his blade towards the sun, and turned his face up, soaking in the warmth. She's going to do it! Does she trust me? Can I trust her? Oh Father! I could avenge so many deaths with this one moment, she is everything you hate in them. My name would live in our village forever…but papa, oh papa…I look into my heart, and I can't, I can't…she has defeated me already. He smiled sadly to himself. She had been so right. Love was the greater danger.

Xena laughed, watching him, then walked towards a small clearing nearby, turned, and waited. They had stopped a little early, so the very late afternoon sun still provided a good light. Jessan drew his blade, and as he came towards the clearing and faced her, he saluted her with the flat of it. She inclined her head in response, and waited for him to make the first pass, still with her own weapon sheathed. I hope I know what I'm doing here. She debated, as she watched him walk closer. Ipromised Gabrielle..but I certainly hope I'm as good as I think I am, otherwise this could get bloody. She considered the possibility that he would use this opportunity to rid his people of a dangerous enemy, then shrugged. As she had said, life was dangerous, and if she was at her best, it wouldn't matter anyway. Her heart began to pound.

Ah..don't be overconfident, Xena… Jessan sang to himself, feeling the joy of battle rise in him. I know you are good, but so am I…He swung his arms a little, to loosen up, and moved forward. His golden eyes fastened on her blue ones, watching her for small motions that might indicate her plans, might telegraph her motions. Would she give herself away? No, the eyes were intent on his, the head rock steady. No luck there. He feinted forward, swinging his sword arm back across his body motion, intending to give her a light slap with the flat to teach her respect for his skills. Expecting the light sting of contact, he was startled when it didn't happen, instead, she stepped inside his guard with a lithe, liquid grace, gave him a buffet on the cheek, then was back outside his range before he could so much as react. He blinked. Ares, the woman was touched by Hermes, with that speed. He took a steadying breath and got himself in order.

An impish smile, then she drew her weapon, and waited for him, again.

Fascinated, Gabrielle sat on a tree stump just outside the glade, and watched them.

A solid sword pass, then, from Jessan, neatly turned by Xena, and followed up on with a circular meeting of both blades, sending a primal hissing sound across the clearing. Another pass, another deflection, faster and faster, until the metal was blurring before their eyes, and motions were too fast to see. Jessan found his heart pounding, hoping his skills were up to this. She was better than he had imagined, and if either of them made a mistake, it was going to hurt. Might be fatal, because neither of them were pulling any blows. But adrenaline drove him, the pumping fire in his blood kept him in the match, as a wild grin crossed his face. His arms swung in the precise, defined, disciplined arcs of a master swordsman, looking for gaps in her defenses, a weakness in her technique. He had been practicing for this since he was old enough to lift a blade, when his father took him in back of their snug tcapa, and folded his child's small hands around the hilts, and swung…countless hours of fighting since. He was counted among the best of his kind, and, now, in this glade in the dying sun of a long day, he had met his match and better.

Xena let her body act and react without conscious thought, which would have been far too slow for this bout. The burly warrior was as good as she thought he was - and this sparring match was bringing her own skills out for a good test run, something which didn't happen nearly often enough. She could go full out with him, and not fear his life, or hers - and a fierce smile that matched his own formed on her face. Oh, this was fun. This was fun in a way that she could never explain to anyone who didn't live by the sword, and not even to most of them who did. They swung around in a circle, surging forward, then back, then forward again. He was very good..possibly the best she'd ever fought, and she'd fought a lot of them in the long years since her village had been taken. She had an edge in speed, he an edge in strength. But slowly, she began to see tiny flaws in his technique, and drove for them.

I see what she meant. Gabrielle thought, enlightened. They're both so good, they can spar together and not hurt each other. She watched the two of them, for the first time seeing the artistry of it, beyond the sheer fright she often felt when Xena was crossing swords with the legions of people out there they fought. She had always regarded with some awe Xena's fighting ability, which seemed levels above the average based on the ease with which she defeated most of her opponents, but this was something else again.

Jessan towered over her, but now, even Gab could see that the Xena was driving her bigger opponent back, her sword forcing his behind his body at every swing from the sheer strength of the blows. Finally, in a grand flourish, she captured his weapon on the edge of her hilt, and with one tremendously powerful swing, disarmed him and send the sword flying through the air. Before it could land and embed itself in the earth, she vaulted forward and caught the blade at the hilts, then vaulted all the way over Jessan's head, and slapped him in the seat of the pants with his own sword. She then inclined her head to him again, and handed him the sword, hilt first, as he whirled around to face her.

Jessan took the sword, staring at her, committing every detail to his memory. The sound of his labored breathing, and hers much less so. The flush of blood darkening both their skins, The brilliant, wild sparkle in her very blue eyes, the admiration he knew was shining in his. Her smile. His own. It was glorious.

She let out one big breath, then sheathed her sword. "Well, I needed that." She gave him a lazy grin. " Been a long time since I've had an opponent as good as you. " She stepped closer to him, and let their eyes meet for a long moment. "Thanks..we'll have to do that again." She reached out and patted his arm, and he melted in her regard. No longer could he think of her as an enemy.

"Xena." He breathed, finally. "You are a sister of my heart." He took another breath and sheathed the sword carefully. "Shall we go listen to your bard's newest story?" They walked back towards the fire together, and Jessan trotted towards the creek for a drink of water. Xena continued on to where Gabrielle was sitting.

"Hey!" she growled, kneeling next to the bard. "What's that look for? I promised you, didn't I? Not a scratch?"

Gabrielle shook her fair head slightly, and cleared her throat. "You kept your promise… Xena, that was pretty amazing."

The warrior shrugged diffidently. "You've seen me fight before."

"Yeah," Gabrielle said. "but not like that. That was.."

"Showing off?" Xena interjected, quietly. Sardonically.

"No, Beautiful." Gabrielle finished her own sentence, ignoring the interruption. "And I never thought Id think that about something so violent" Well…she kept that thought to herself, and smiled inwardly. She had silenced Xena, who had no idea how to respond to this startling admission. Gabrielle would have giggled, but knew this would just get Xena mad. And that's not what she wanted to do right now. Now, she'd have to make a light comment, to diffuse the tension. "So, what story did you have in mind?" She raised a questioning eyebrow at her friend, who was sitting there, looking vaguely like she had been Got, but not really sure how or why. She privately enjoyed an all too rare feeling of having Xena off balance.

"Uhm.." Xena scrambled around for a title. She was still trying to figure out what that last conversation was about. "I don't know, ask Jessan. He said you had a new one, do you?" There, that gave her a moment's breathing space. She was aware of the twinkle in Gabrielle's eyes which meant the bard knew she had gotten to her, but wasn't going to push her advantage.

"Oh yeah." Gabrielle allowed herself to be sidetracked. "It's the one where you..

Xena held up her hand. "Uh uh. Please, Gabrielle, not one about me tonight, ok?" She grinned. "You have a new one of Herc's, that you got off of Iolaus, I know - I heard you rehearsing it last week."

Still the twinkle. "Well, I might be persuaded not to tell one about you, but what's in it for me?" Gabrielle couldn't resist tweaking her just a little. She knew where the chinks in that oh so solid armor were.

"Gabrielle..' Xena's warning rumble, but with a smile "Ok, I won't pick you up while you're sleeping tonight and dump you in the creek. How about that?"

One last tweak. "Hmm. I might enjoy that." And Gabrielle was off and trotting across the camp before Xena could answer. Not, she thought to herself. That I would know in the least what to have said to THAT. What got into her? She shook her head, and stood, dusting off her leathers. Maybe she got some weird mushrooms in that stew they'd had for dinner. Whatever. Sometimes she thought she had Gabrielle figured out, but that notion never lasted long. From a simple village girl, to a talented bard, to an Amazon princess. Gabrielle continued to amaze her. The time was coming, Xena knew, that Gabrielle would have to stand on her own, and make her mark in the world. She wasn't intended to follow around a half crazed ex warlord with bad table manners. Yeah, and she might even convince herself it would be the best thing for both of them, if she worked hard enough at it. It would be the best thing for Gabrielle, though, even she wasn't blind enough not to see that. She sighed and walked over to where Jessan was settling by the fire.

"I have an idea." Gabrielle said, as she seated herself. "I think Jessan owes us a story, this time. " She grinned at the startled warrior.

Xena raised an intrigued eyebrow. "Hmm. You know, you've got a point there, Gab." She settled back on the large black sleeping fur, and leaned against a low log, watching his twitching face. "We hardly know anything about your people. You must have some stories."

The shadowy light from the fire cast weird reflections off his oddly shaped profile, as he sat there and thought. "Well." He finally said. "I'll try, but I'm not a bard." Here, he nodded his head at Gabrielle, who gave him a sweet smile in return. She slid over to where Xena was sitting, and relaxed against the same log so that they were side by side, facing him. How different they were, he mused, collecting his thoughts for a moment. Like darkness and light itself. He closed his eyes and hoped, and as though a god had touched him, his inner sense returned to him fully. Almost afraid, he extended himself gently, and Looked. Ah..his spirit eased within him. He had been right, after all. Gabrielle was a familiar golden warmth, but the woman next to her, clear his senses at last, was a burnished silver core. He could see the bond between them, and wondered if they knew…no, probably not. Their kind was insensitive to it. Pity. But..well, maybe..hey…

"I will tell you the story of Lestan and Wennid" He said, finally, with a small private grin. "And of the bonding which happens between two of our kind, when we are very lucky" He launched into the story, which told of two of the People, from different tribes, who met one late evening in a moonlit glade in the depths of dark wood.

As he told of their meeting, which started in a fight, and ended in a begrudging liking, he watched their faces. Would they see what he was trying to show them? Probably not. He sighed. "Their two tribes were not friends. They came of different worlds. His tribe was warlike, and wanted to challenge your kind when they came to the forest. And her's was a gentle kind, who slipped into the shadows when humans approached. " He told them of their unwilling courtship, of two worlds which naturally repelled each other being bound together by a force too powerful to resist. Lestan and Wennid, beyond expectation, were bonded to each other, their souls had made a connection that ignored their history, their conscious minds, even their better judgment.

:"So, they fell in love?" Gabrielle asked, entranced with the story.

" The bonding is more than love, Gabrielle." Jessan answered softly, intently. "it's a connection between two souls that goes beyond our knowledge, beyond our understanding, some say beyond death itself." That got a reaction from both of them, that he was unprepared for. It was quickly masked, but he saw it, in both sets of eyes. What did I say? He thought to himself, bewildered. I think I'm missing something here. He cleared his throat and continued the story. "It doesn't happen often. " He told them of the long struggle between the two, to reconcile their respective tribes, with little success. "Then, one night,a large band of your kind found her village, deep in our woods, where we thought none of you ever came." His hands were shaking, he couldn't help it. "They ran them down in the forest, spearing them."

Xena's jaw tightened in anger, and she felt Gabrielle stir in distress next to her. They exchanged glances.

"Lestan had been out hunting, and heard the riders." Here, as always, his blood stirred in pride. " He turned his Garan towards her village, and rode like a god through the woods." He had captured their attention completely, he knew. "Wennid had taken a stand, against a fallen tree, protecting her mother, and three young ones. She was no warrior, but she did what she could, with a stick, against them. Lestan had been teaching her, a little, and to humor him, she let herself learn some of the arts of battle." His voice grew more intense. "Two of them rode her down, with long spears. She saw her death coming, but spread her arms wide, to protect the others, and take the blows herself." Now, the hair was standing up on his neck, so vivid was his recollection. "They came at her, and just as the spears would have pierced her body, Lestan and Garan leaped the fallen tree, and crashed into them, driving them back. " He saw their looks of astonished relief. "And then,he drew his sword, and as though the sprit of Ares was in him, drove them all back. But there were so many. " Here, his throat thickened. "He fought until all of them were dead, or scattered out of the forest, until his body ran red with his own blood, and the ground was steeped in it."

"Did he die?" Gabrielle asked, softly, in agony, not looking at the dark haired woman sitting so close to her.

Jessan gazed at her. "No, he did not." He smiled, a little. "But the toll on him was great, and he lost the use of one arm." He took a deep breath. "And, after that, the two tribes decided to combine, because they saw that there was merit in both their ways. Lestan and Wennid were chosen to be the leaders of the new village."

"Were they happy?" Xena asked, breaking her silence for the first time since he started the story.

"Yes." Jessan answered, a rather odd question, he thought.

"You sound pretty sure." The warrior commented, raising an eyebrow at him.

A mischievous grin crossed his leonine face. "They're my parents." He chuckled at their faces. "So, yeah, I'm sure." Hah! I got them!!! he chortled to himself, pleased with his story, and their reactions. Maybe they even got what I was showing them…no, I'm sure they didn't. Humans were so blind. He rose, and stretched, yawning. "I need some water.." he commented, and moved back towards the stream.

"Well." Gabrielle said, sighing. "I did ask him for a story, didn't I." She gave Xena an impish grin.

The taller woman crossed her arms, and studied Gabrielle's face. "Yes, you did." She said, thoughtfully. "You should be careful of what you ask for in life, Gabrielle. The gods sometimes give it to you." her mouth quirked in a grin.

The bard gazed at her. "If you could ask for one thing, Xena, and have it be granted, just like that, what would it be?" Not fair, Gabrielle…her mind chided her. Not fair…you shouldn't have asked that. You may not want to know the answer to that..it probably involves avoiding certain small villages...

Xena snorted, and laid her head back against the log. What, indeed? Her village, Cirra, Caesar, Marcos, Callisto…M'lila, change any of those, and she would not be the person she was.. She didn't like who she was most of the time, but would she have liked any other path better? The gods had shown her an alternate path once, and she had rejected it. Finally, she sighed, and rolled her head towards Gabrielle. "Nothing."

The bard looked startled. "Nothing?" her brow creased. "What do you mean, nothing?" Instinct was telling her to shut up, to stop pushing, but she couldn't. "You mean there's nothing you'd change?" She twisted around, and stared intently at Xena. "Nothing?"

"Nope." Xena said, knowing she was making Gabrielle mad. Time to cool her off. "Just about anything I'd change would mean I would have been someplace else other than a small clearing outside of Potadiea two years ago. " She quietly enjoyed the stunned look on Gabrielle's face. "And I wouldn't want to have missed that." Ah..you weren't expecting that answer, were you, my friend? "What about you? What would you change if you could?" She asked, more to distract the bard than anything else. She was pretty sure there were a lot of things Gabrielle would like to see differently. Perdicus, for one.

Gabrielle chewed her lip in silence, caught in her own trap. Would she change things? Well, sure there was always little things, annoyances, in both Xena and herself that she often tired of dealing with. She wished Xena talked more, though she'd been positively chatty during this little journey. But change things? She sighed inwardly. "I would.." she reached up and clasped her companions arm firmly. "I would ..take away your pain, Xena." It was not exactly what she wanted to say, but it was close enough. And it got her a long hug, long enough for her to fall asleep in it, in all that peace.

Jessan, curled on his own blankets on the far side of the fire, smiled to himself as sleep claimed him.

Two days later, they looked over a wide stream, to a heavily wooded area that spread to the horizon. Xena and Gabrielle looked questioningly at Jessan, who smiled his assent. "Home' he stated, with a satisfied smile. "I never thought I'd cross this stream again."

He turned to them. "There aren't words enough for me to use to say thank you with. " He hugged Gabrielle first, lifting her off her feet and squeezing hard. She giggled. a vibration in his arms, and squeezed back, as best she could. He let her down gently, then turned to Xena, who gave him a cool look, before breaking down and grinning. He hugged her harder, because he knew he wouldn't hurt her. "I'm going to do this, because I can." He whispered to her, then lifted her up off her feet and spun around with her in his arms. He felt her soft laughter in his ear. He finally set her down and they smiled at each other. "Someday, after I've gotten them used to the idea, you will come and meet my people." He said, seriously. "But you both will always be family to me."

"And you to us, Jessan" Xena answered, clasping his arm. Gabrielle just nodded. They watched him turn, and bound towards the stream. As he crossed, Xena could just make out the beginnings of dark forms emerging from the tree line to meet him. As he got to the first of these, he turned and waved. They waved back.

"I'll miss him." Gabrielle commented, leaning on her staff.

"Mm." Xena agreed, turning Argo away from the long stretch of trees. "but somehow, I get the feeling we'll be seeing him again."

Continue to Part2

Return to my Fan Fiction Page

A Warrior by any other Name - Part II

by Melissa Good
Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

"Who were they, Jess?" Deggis growled, as he met his cousin crossing the stream. "This is not a good time for strangers to know where our homeland is." The shorter man darted his eyes left and right and he and Jessan strode down the path towards the village.

Jessan looked at his cousin in some annoyance. "Relax." He sighed. "They helped me to escape from the humans, and brought me home. Isn'tt that enough?" He glanced behind him. "As to WHO they arethat is best left for my father to hear first." Oh yeah, sure, and by the way, Deggis, that was Xena back there..you know, the warlord who slaughtered women and children in the next valley? Right. "Why, whats going on?" He finally asked, realizing what Deggis had said.

His cousin sighed. "The local human prince, Hectator, spotted some of us out hunting." He answered, grimly. "Theyre massing for an all out assault on the forest." He glanced at Jessans back. "Hey! Whered you get the sword?" He whistled. "Nice one..."

"Long, long story." Jessan answered, peering ahead towards his family home. "Now that I think about it, its a shame I didnt ask my new friends home. We could probably use their help."

Deggis looked at him like he was crazy. Humans? Friends? What the heck had happened him out there? "What?" He shook his head. "What could humans do for us?"

Jessan ignored him, and ran the last few steps into his home. As he expected, his father and mother were there, around the big table, surrounded by his fathers best battle leaders. They turned to look at him in surprise as he walked through the door.

"Jess!" Wennid gasped, shocked. "We'd..." she glanced at Lestan in some confusion. "We'd heard you had been captured."

Lestan allowed a look of relief to cross his scarred features. "Glad to see it wasn't true." He grunted, casting an aside look at several of the older warriors, who had brought him the story. They stared back at him in bewilderment. They knew what they had seen.

"I was." Jessan said, oh, quite calmly. This wasn't the venue he'd hoped for his story, but... "I was captured, and tied to a scaffolding, and was in the process of being beaten to death, actually." Augh. Shouldn't have done that to mother, look at the flinch. Jessan, you are an idiot sometime. He crossed over to her, and fit his big body into her opening arms for a hug. Strange, this need for physical touch, in so warlike a people, he thought. Real, nonetheless.

"You escaped." Lestan said, drawing the statement out slowly. His brow furrowed. "Obviously." He looked at his son, seeing now in the light the newly healed wounds about his head and shoulders.

Jessan looked over his mother's shoulder and met his father's eyes. "No." He closed his eyes and savored the moment, hearing the thunder of hoofbeats. "No, I was rescued." He smiled his feral smile. "By a human." He felt his mother stiffen in his arms. "Two of them, in fact." He looked down at her puzzled face. "And a horse."

He realized, looking around, that he was being stared at by everyone. Lestan hesitated, then gestured to the rest of the people in the room.. "Leave us." He put the battle plans down on the table. "I know we have little time, but I need to speak with my son."

The quiet was deafening after they all filed out. Jessan released his mother, and took a seat at the table, putting his chin on his cupped hands. "A human." Wennid repeated, busying herself with a pitcher and glass on the opposite side of the table. Her hands shook.

"Two of them." Jessan answered, quietly, watching his father's face out of the corner of his eyes. Lestan was scowling. "And a horse." he added.

"Don't get funny." Lestan growled, seating himself on the corner of the table. "Just how did they rescue you?" He leaned forward. "And what did it cost?"

Ouch. Jessan winced. "They scattered the villagers, cut me down and got me out of there. " He paused and touched his head gently. "Then dressed my wounds, and cared for me until I could travel." He glanced up at them. This was going about like I expected it would. "As to what it cost..." My anger? my desperation? my desire to die, and join my beloved? A piece of my heart is what I left with them. Cheap at the price. "They asked me for nothing. " And I would give them...anything.

"You left them alive?" Lestan asked, horror beginning to dawn in his eyes. "You led them here and left them LIVE???" He slammed his good fist down on the table, jarring the pitcher and spilling water on the surface. "I can't believe it!" He stood up and paced to the doorway, and back, and forth again.

Jessan sighed softly. "Oh yes." That last hug. "Very much alive." He smiled quietly to himself. Papa...how could you understand? Who had to leave the forest red with their blood? Even mama, who has peace in her heart cannot stand the thought of them. But ..they are not so different than we. Not so different at all.

Wennid watched her son's face in silence. Something had happened to him, all right, but she was not certain of what. Jessan had left the home forest...haunted..his eyes shadowed with Devon's death. She hadn't seen a smile cross his rugged face more than a few times since she died. He had grown inward, his sunny good nature clouded, lost. This man who had returned to her was more like the son she remembered. The soft smile played around the corners of his mouth, mirroring the faint smile in his eyes. She could sense a peace about him long absent. But how could humans have given him that gift? Why would they have helped Jessan, anyway? She had heard of the occasional one of them who, against the majority, seemed to to break free of their almost incomprehensible narrow mindedness, but...and yet, something had happened to her son. Troubled ,she glanced at Lestan, who showed signs of losing his temper.

Lestan crossed to the table, and grabbed his son's jaw, forcing eye contact. "Who were they?" he asked, his voice flat. As if we don't have enough trouble right now, that I have to send rangers out after these two. His mind raged. How could Jessan do this to his people? He knew what the stakes were. Idiot child.

Jessan stood, shaking off his father's grasp, and rose to his full height, a few inches taller than Lestan. He used that to his advantage, squaring his broad shoulders, and taking a breath. This was the part he had dreaded. "Father.." He moistened his lips nervously. "They won't harm us. You don't, you can't understand.." He paced towards the wall, back again. "I...they're family to me" He ignored his mother's gasp. "If you harm them, I bleed also..I can't...I.." He swallowed hard. "I'm sorry...I know how you hate them, mama, papa...but..." A sharp crack as Lestan backhanded him across the face with his good arm. He didn't flinch, and had the satisfaction of seeing the momentary startled look in Lestan's eyes.

"Hate them." His father growled, hideously low. "Fool! You have no idea how inadequate that word is for how I feel. " He grabbed the side of Jessan's neck, and shoved him against the wall. "I have the blood of thousands of our people that I have to walk over out in that forest every day of my life because of the human's inability to live in peace." He swallowed hard, shoving Jessan against the wall again. "How could you betray us like this?" He pushed his face closer. "WHO WAS IT??"

"I can't. I won't. " Was his son's answer, quiet, gentle, inflexible as granite. "They risked their skins to save mine. They cared for me. They offered me their friendship. They brought me home. " He grasped his father's hand and removed it from his neck. "And you would have me give them up for your anger? They have done nothing but good for me, are we as bad as they are? To return harm for none?. No. " He spared a glance at his mother's stricken face. "No I will not. Jessan looked back into his father's angry eyes. "I will not."

Silence in the room. Wennid crossed the floor to her son's side. "Let me See your heart. " she said, placing a hand flat on his chest. She looked up into Jessan's gold flecked eyes, sensing..ah. She closed her own, in deep pain. What manner of humans were these, to make him feel so? She delved deeper now, catching barest glimpses of the images passing through his minds eye, as she could do only with her son, and with her lifebonded. A sunset. Water. A crimson haired human with sea green eyes, laughing. Water again, this time over his head. Wennid gasped, had they tried to drown her son? No..strong hands, arms, lifting him up and out of the water. Another human. Dark hair, and piercing blue eyes. . She felt the warmth exchanged between them, saw the human smile at her son, knew that it was real.

Knew that she recognized the second human, had seen her standing bloody handed over a pillaged community in the next valley, and again leading a band of raiders against herdsman to their east.

"Oh Jessan.' Wennid cried softly, tangling her fingers in the fur of his chest. "Tell me I"m wrong." She looked up into his eyes, heartsick. Tell me what I saw her do in that valley, to those people wasn't true. Ah..but you can't, can you my noble son. Because I saw her. I, myself. You cannot convince me the person who did that is worth your...Oh Jessan...No.

Mama, no...don't tell him, pleasepleaseplease...oh, please..no..Jessan's mind howled. His mother was the one factor he knew he had no control over. He searched her pale eyes, pleading. She had more reason than most to hate Xena's kind, and now she knew the face of his rescuer. There weren't many female fighters, and Wennid had seen her, at least once. Xena's looks were not soon forgotten. He watched Wennid wrestle with her dilemma, holding his breath. At last, she sighed, and reached her hand up to gently stroke her son's face. In apology? Acceptance? He shuddered to think.

"Lestan..my love." She turned her head and made eye contact with her mate. Their bond made even that casual glance something more intimate, as their souls touched, and she felt herself floating in his mahogany gaze. "what he feels is...true." She pursed her lips. "I believe...they are no danger to us." she smiled up at her son, who closed his eyes in exhausted relief. "But Jessan...you must tell your father who this person was." She gently touched his cheek. "He must know. For if you are wrong about them, they are a dire, dire enemy for our people."

He looked down at her, in puzzlement. Didn't she understand? He thought she had..."and expose her to his retribution?" he asked softly. "Mama, I can't. "

"She??" Lestan interrupted, for the first time in what felt like hours and hours. Some of the wild anger was gone from his voice, siphoned off by Wennid's gaze. "Her??" His brow furrowed as he gazed at his son. "Ares, son - what are you telling me, that a human woman saved you?" His brow furrowed in annoyance. He didn't believe in killing women, even human ones, they were as defenseless as cubs. "All right, all right....you can tell me. You know how I feel about that." He scowled, and propped his chin up on his good hand. Wennid crossed in back of him, and leaned over his neck, enclosing him in her arms.

Jessan took a deep breath. "It was Xena." Then he screwed his eyes closed, and waited for the explosion. When it didn't come, he cracked one eyelid and peeked at his father. Lestan was staring at him with an odd mixture of shock, disbelief, and most curiously, intrigue. "She's really nice." Jessan added cautiously. "Remember we heard she'd stopped marauding...now she just wanders around helping people....it's true." He looked anxiously at his mother, who pursed her lips, grimly.

"Nice." Lastan drawled out. "Jessan, there are a lot of terms I've used heard to describe Xena. Nice, hasn't been among them." He drummed his fingers on the table, intrigued despite himself.. "I can hardly believe it. Yet...here you are." He tried to hide his sudden curiosity. "Xena, huh?" Jessan had a sudden suspicion that his father was not half as disapproving of his new friend than he had thought he would be. Must be the warrior thing, he grinned privately to himself.

Wennid lifted her face towards her son. "I"I've seen the nightmares that human has caused. Now you expect me to believe she's become some kind of hero? Jessan, you've deluded yourself." She rested her cheek against Lestan's hair and continued. "Surely you see how impossible it is."

:"Mama...." Jessan hesitated. "I didn't think so at first either.." Then he stopped and examined his memory. "No. That's not true." A curious smile shaped his mouth. "My heart knew the minute I saw her she was no danger to me. But it took some time for my mind to agree with that. I didn't have my Sight to rely on..when you meet her, you'll see." He held up his hands at their startled looks. "Oh..not right now...but someday, I'll bring her here. I want you to see for yourselves...but let me tell you the whole story, "

"So." Gabrielle queried. "Now where to?" She glanced ahead, to where the road seemed to be getting wider and better defined in the grass.

Xena studied the horizon thoughtfully. "Well, we could pay a visit to Hectator. I hear his new capital is pretty large." She slid a glance towards her companion, and gave her a sly grin. "I hear the shoppings pretty good, too." She cocked her head on one side, and studied the bard for a moment. A thought occurred to her. "Yeah, as a matter of fact, lets do that."

Gabrielle crooked an eyebrow at her. "Soundsgreat, actually." What was Xena up to now? She had that little grin on her face when she was planning somethingoh well, I guess I'll find out soon enough. She was about to continue plodding forward, when Xena launched herself up into Argos saddle, and extended her arm.

"Come on." Xena urged. "Id like to hit the capital before dusk."

Gabrielle's brow furrowed in puzzlement, but she shrugged and walked forward to take the proffered forearm. Xena hauled Gabrielle up behind her, and urged Argo forward with a quick knee nudge.

Sighing, the bard looped the thong of her staff over her shoulder, and held on to Xenas middle with both arms. Gods, I hate riding, but at least riding double I have something solid to hold on to. She quirked a small grin. Argo settled into a cantering rhythm, and after a little while, lulled by the rhythm and by the sun, Gabrielle nodded off against Xena's back.

"Thats a first." Xena muttered to herself, amused. She clasped one arm against the two the bard had wrapped around her, to keep her from slipping off, and chuckled.I can have fun with this later.

Xena waited until they were approaching the city before she slowed Argo to a walk, and turned her head to look over her shoulder. "HeyPrincess." She called to her companion, and felt Gabrielle start as she woke up.

"What" she looked around her in puzzlement. "Where..how long have I been asleep?" She asked, catching Xenas amused grin. The sun was setting over the city spires.Dont tell me I fell asleep on this darn horse, and have been sleeping for hours, Xena, please.

"Couple of hours." The dark haired woman confirmed cheerfully, laughing gently at Gabrielles chagrined expression. "And here I thought you werent comfortable on horses."

Gabrielle sighed, and let her head fall against Xenas back. How could I have done that? Must have been the sun. Suddenly she was aware that she was still hugging the taller woman, and that her arms were being held firmly.. Poor Xena - shed even had to keep me from falling off. Gabrielle berated herself, disgusted. "Sorry about that." She muttered, shifting and letting go her strangle hold . "I dont know what came over me."

Xena peered back over her shoulder once more. "Dont worry about it. You looked like you could use the sleep, and Ive suffered through worse." She let Argo trot a few more paces, then glanced at Gabrielle's face, still closed and silent. "Gabrielle" she said, gently, half turning in the saddle. "It's all right. It's no big deal; so you fell asleep on Argo. So what?"

"I"m sorry." Gabrielle muttered, scowling. "I don't ever see you just taking naps for no reason."

Xena snorted. "Well, no, but one of us on a hair trigger all the time is more than enough, don't you think?" She studied the now looming city gates. "Looks like a lot of activity."

The bard peered around Xenas tall shoulder, and examined the gate. Activity, yes. Men and horses were pouring in and out with a purposeful air. "Looks like.."

"Trouble" Xena finished grimly, with a heartfelt sigh. "Cant we just go somewhere, sometime when something isnt happening?" Shaking her dark head, she kicked Argo back into a canter, causing Gabrielle to resume her clutch.

They trotted through the gates, dodging running soldiers and moving battle carts. No question as to what the activity was - war preparations were self evident. All around were soldiers gearing up, sharpening weapons, repairing armor. They hardly spared a glance towards the purposefully trotting golden mare and her unusual riders. Eventually, Xena spotted someone she knew. "Ho, Alaran.." She slid off Argo, motioning Gabrielle to stay up.

The grizzled soldier looked up in surprise. "Xena!" he snorted. "Well, Ill be" He stepped forward and clasped her arm. "Its been forever. What brings you to these parts? Good timing though.." He held her at arms distance. "you look great." He grinned. "a sight for sore eyes."

Xena laughed, and patted him on the belly. "You look like you havent been working much." She gestured to the busy courtyard. "Whats going on?"

"Ah." Alaran grunted. "weve found a nest of..I dont know, creatures, I guess youd call em. Half human, half I dont know what, and mean as all get out. Hectator is putting together a large force to root them out." He looked up, noticing at last the expression on Xenas face. "What? Whats the matter?"

"I have to go see Hectator." Xena growled. "Hes about to make a big mistake." She pulled herself back up onto Argo, and turned her head towards the castle, kneeing her forward. "Nice seeing you, Alaran." she called back over her shoulder.

"Not half so nice as it is to see you, Xena." The veteran shouted after her, shaking his head. Zeus, that was one beautiful but dangerous woman. He wondered what she was up to.

Gabrielle cleared her throat. "I didnt realize you had any old friends that were that glad to see you." she said, grinning, before she realized how that must sound. "uhm..I mean, well, thats not what I meant"

Xena snorted. "Yes it was." She patted Gabrielles leg. "But thats OK, its usually true. Alaran was an exception. He and I go way back. " She sighed. "I doubt Hectator will be as friendly." She directed Argo towards the castle portcullis. "I hope I can convince him to put a stop to this."

She pulled the mare to a halt, and slid off, reaching up and catching Gabrielle as she followed suit. The bard was about to protest that she was capable of dismounting a horse when she reached the ground and would have collapsed if Xena hadn't been hanging on to her.

"Ow." Gabrielle winced, . "thanks." She took a moment to stretch her aching legs, then nodded up at Xena. "Im OK." she said, as the warrior released her grasp and gave her a little pat on the back.

The castle was medium sized, but well made, and the gate was guarded. Xena stopped in front of the gate guard, and waited for his attention. After a moment, he glanced up, and jerked back in surprise. He hadnt expected to see a woman warrior, who topped him by several inches, standing at his gate, thats for sure. Xena thought. "I need to see Hectator." She kept her voice at its lowest, most imposing register.

The guard swallowed. "Hes busy." He ventured. "Hes very busy."

"Hes going to be a lot busier if you dont let me in to see him." Xena rumbled, adding a dose of the look to the demand, and moving a step closer,. Cmon, buddy, just let me in. Dont make me knock you senseless, OK? Its been a long day. She muttered to herself. Just this once? Please?

The guard looked her up and down, lifted his hands, and shook his head. "Lady, Im smart enough to know I cant stop you, so go ahead. But I hope you really need to see him. Were in the middle of war preparations here."

Xena cast her eyes up and gave thanks to whoever had been listening,. "Dont worry. I wont tell anyone you let me in." She passed through the gates, followed by a silently laughing Gabrielle. Xena tried to muster a dark glower, but failed, and twisted the attempt into a wry grin. "Glad I could provide you with some amusement." she commented.

Finding Hectator was easy. Getting his attention was a bit more difficult. Battle leaders were moving all about his conference room, dragging maps and battle plans. Hectator himself, a tall, well made man with dark hair and eyes, was striding from one group to another, issuing orders.

After several attempts at interruption, Xena finally lost patience and decided on drastic action. She picked up one end of the huge conference table, and hurled the entire thing over, causing maps and battle leaders, and debris to go flying everywhere. Along with the horrendous crash as the table toppled over. Silence followed. Xena stepped to the now cleared center of the room, and crossed her arms. "Hello, Hectator. " She drawled.. "We need to talk. "

I think she enjoys this. Gabrielle considered, as she watched the reaction. I think she really likes standing there, in the center of this room full of armed men, knowing shes the most dangerous thing here, and knowing that they all know that. She grinned to herself. And I think I enjoy watching it. That's terrible, isn't it? But it's true.

"Uhm. Will you allexcuse usplease?" Hectator cleared his throat and said. "Hello, Xena. I didnt see you come in." He gestured towards his men, who hurried out of the room, leaving the two of them standing, facing each other. There was wary respect in his eyes as he regarded his unexpected guest. "I suppose you heard of our little problemdid you want to assist?" he raised a questioning eyebrow at her. "Wed welcome the help, of course"

Xena walked towards him, grasped his arm, and steered him to a nearby seat. "Sit down." She seated herself on the table next to him. "Gabrielle, come over here." The bard crossed the room, and settled on a bench. "Listen. Youre making a big mistake." She gazed into his eyes. "Those monsters youre going to do battle with are not monsters." Gabrielle is always after me to try talking it out first. Ok. So, I'll try.

Hectator snorted. "Cmon Xena. Ive seen them. You cant tell me they arent dangerous." He crossed his arms over his chest, and gave his head a little shake.

"Dangerous? " Xena raised one eyebrow. "Of course theyre dangerous. Youre dangerous. Im dangerous." She pinned him with her cool gaze. "In fact, Im a lot more dangerous than they are." She laid a hand on his sleeve. "Look, I know them. Theyre just fine if you leave them alone. Have they done anything to you? Killed anyone? "

Hectator surged to his feet, and strode back and forth in agitation. "I dont know what your purpose is here, Xena - you cant expect me to leave dangerous animals on my borders, not even if they were farmers, and not warriors, which they most evidently are. Now, if youre not going to help out, please let me finish doing what I need to do." He scowled at her. "And stay out of my way."

Xena sighed, and turned to Gabrielle. "You know, I really did want this talking it out thing to work. I'm tired, its been a long day, and I thought maybe, just this once, I'd give it a try." She pushed herself to her feet, in time to meet Hectator as he paced closer to her. With one hand, she reached out and gripped his collar. Her other hand closed into a fist, and connected with a loud crack against the side of his jaw. He sagged bonelessly in her grasp without a further sound. "Guess my timing was off."

Shaking her head, Xena reached down and grabbed his jacket and belt, lifting him up in one powerful surge and throwing him over her shoulders. "Cmon." she said, motioning Gabrielle to go before her. "It's going to be a long night."

"Where are we taking him? " Gabrielle asked, curiously.

"Jessan's village." Xena answered, shifting Hectator to a more comfortable carrying position. "Maybe I can get him and Lestan to talk things out. If nothing else, maybe I can get Hectator to realize they're not dumb animals on his borders."

"Hmm." Gabrielle commented. "What if they decide just to rid the world of three more humans?" Her voice was light, but she couldn't keep a note of concern out of the question.

Xena glanced at her, a small smile touching the corners of her mouth. "You worried?"

"Yeah." The bard answered, honestly. "Jessan was really anxious about us being near his people's territory."

"Well, Gabrielle." Xena muttered, as they made their way down the stairway, keeping to the dark shadows now fallen over the castle. "Hectator I'm not that concerned about. But.." she paused and grinned, "To get to you, they'd have to go through me."

Gabrielle felt her breath catch in her throat momentarily. "OK. I feel better now." she said, a trifle hoarsely. "I'm sure it will be fine." She darted a sideways glance at Xena, who was watching her reaction with a slight grin. What a weird mix of reactions. I mean..it's true. I know it. And I wonder if she realizes just how much that scares me. Or why?

The bard followed Xena and her burden back to the courtyard, glad now that shed had the chance to sleep earlier. Four hour excuse for a hug was more like it. She laughed at herself, in reflex. Poor Xena. Physical contact had been a very important part of Gabrielle's family life. .at home there was never too little an excuse for a hug between all of them. It came as naturally as breathing to her. Unfortunately, Xena had a very different attitude towards it - she liked distance, and really didn't like people getting in her personal space, much less touching her. It made her very jumpy, and people with hair trigger reflexes and lots of sharp weapons are nobody you want nervous around you.

Gabrielle respected that, but it was impossible to remember all the time, especially after she had been traveling with Xena for a while, and had become more comfortable with both the warrior, and her surroundings. - and at least Xena had long since now stopped flinching or tensing up when she forgot and used a touch to make a point, or just casually. Her brow creased in sudden thought. Actually, she realized with a start, she had begun to forget not to do it. And lately, the bard realized in some amusement, lately Xena had let down her guard a bit and allowed herself to make casual contact in return, a pat on the back, or a shoulder clasp, or a gentle hug when Gabrielle most needed it. Not that she'd dare to mention it, of course. Oh no. A grin tugged at her mouth.

They dodged the scurrying guards in the castle courtyard, the darkness hiding what Xena was carrying over her shoulder. Argo whickered when she spotted them, and obligingly trotted over at the soft whistle. Xena loaded Hectator unceremoniously onto the mare's back, covering him with a fold of blanket, and they were through the gate and started down the long track back to the forest before anyone could think to stop them. Or realize what the mare carried.

Hectator was tied at his hands and feet, and when he came to, he was not pleasant. He cursed for some minutes. "Xena, you are not going to get away with this. What do you think youre doing? My men will find us in the morning, and Ill have you in chains!" He twisted angrily in his bonds, glaring at her half seen profile in the darkness.

Xena yawned. "Youll have to stand in line. Theres at least one god and countless more dangerous men than you that have made that particular threat. " She chuckled wearily. "As for what Im doing, Im trying to make you see reason, and keep innocent lives from being lost so give me a break, will you?" she glanced at him, amused. "You wont get hurt. I just want you to talk to them. "

Hectator was silent for a moment. "You really think they're going to let me out of that warren alive.." Sarcasm dripped from his voice. "You've gone soft in the head, Xena."

Xena rolled her eyes at him. "You'd be better off worrying if I've gone soft every place else. " She eyed him, amused. "Hectator, I won't let them to do anything to you, I promise."

"You're so sure you're right, aren't you." He commented, turning his head on Argos neck to watch her

"No, Hectator. I just kidnapped you and am taking you by force to the home camp of what you perceive to be your enemies because I had nothing better to do tonight." She snapped at him. "Believe me, Id much rather be sitting in one of your inns, contributing to your local economy."

Gabrielle caught up to her and handed her a waterskin Xena hadnt realized she needed until just that moment. She glanced down at the shadowy form of her companion and smiled. "Thanks." she whispered. "Do I sound as tired as I feel?" The moonlight was just barely enough for her to see Gabrielles answering grin. "Thought so."

"Do you want to stop for a while?" the bard murmured back.

"No." Xena sighed. "There isnt time, unfortunately." She glanced around to watch the path they had just come down. "His guards will be after us...as soon as they figure out he was taken." She looked slyly at Hectator. "And get over their embarrassment."

Gabrielle nodded, then offered her some bread and cheese. "Might as well have dinner, then."

Xena looked over at her with a wry and knowing grin. "What more could I ask for?" She accepted the food, and started munching. Gabrielle walked silently beside her, chewing on her own portion. Hectator was also silent, trying to find a comfortable position on Argos back. Xena took pity on him, and cut the ropes tying his hands, with a caution that an attempt at flight would result in his spending the rest of the trip underneath Argo instead of on top.

"So, they left me off near the stream, and continued on their way." Jessan finished, his mouth feeling like a mouse had run rampant in it. Water hadn't helped - his tongue hurt from talking. Wennid and Lestan had listened in mostly silence, with a few pertinent questions, until the end. Now they looked thoughtfully at each other. Jessan sighed..they could communicate more with a look than most of his people could with an entire conversation. At times like this, their bond was almost tangible. He envied them...he had loved Devon, of course, but it hadn't been a lifebond.

"Well." Lestan finally sighed. "That's quite a story." He pushed back from the table, and took a long drink of mead. "I can't say that I would have done as you did, Jessan..." he looked hard at him. "but it's done now...I can't change that." He looked across at his bondmate, sitting with her muscular hands steepled in front of her face, deep in thought. Gods, she's beautiful. Lestan mused, as he gazed at her fondly, waiting for her judgment on their son's tale.

"I'm just glad you made it home." Wennid finally said, as close to acceptance as she was willing to get right now. Her head jerked up, as did theirs, at the sound of running footsteps moving towards them. Earth sounds, then a thump as the runner leaped up onto their porch.

"Lestan!" Deggis panted, as he appeared in the doorway. "Humans. Coming this way."

Lestan cursed. "How many?" Already his mind was turning to defensive maneuvers. So soon! But how?

"Uh..three." Deggis answered. "and a horse."

They all stared at him. "Three?" Lestan asked, puzzled. This was no war party then.

"Describe them." Jessan suddenly asked, turning to his cousin. "What do they look like?"

Deggis turned to him. "There's a man tied to the horse, and two women walk beside it. One is tall, with dark hair and a sword. The other is shorter, with light hair and a staff." He glanced at the frozen Lestan and Wennid. "Why?"

Jessan looked up at his parents and nodded in confirmation. "It's them." he turned to Deggis. "someone's tied on the horse's back?" His cousin nodded. "Wonder what that's all about." Then an idea came to him, which he didn't articulate. What if Xena and Gabrielle had heard of Hectator's planned attack? What if they were doing something about it? He wouldn't put it past them. He leaned forward. "Let them come." He urged his father.

Lestan smiled. "Oh, I intend to." He looked coolly at his son. "I intend to." He rose and reached for his weapons. "In fact, I'll meet them myself."

Ooohhh...no....Jessan's mind squeaked. Bad idea. But how to get that across to his oh so proud father. To him they were just a couple of humans, easily dealt with. "Let me go with you." He begged. "Please..."

Lestan could never resist a challenge, even with one arm he was one of their greatest living champions...and Xena was a challenge far to vast to ignore. There was just one little problem...one little thing that only he and his father knew; that of the two of them, Jessan was the better fighter. They had found that out in a forest glade not to far from here one late spring morning not that long ago.

In many ways, it had been his coming of age, and he remembered it with great pride, and a little sadness. Lestan could cope with being beaten by his son. He could not, must not cope with being defeated by a human. A human woman. It would be the end of him. And Jessan knew, as surely as the sun lifted into the sky each morning, that beaten he would be, unless he was gods touched lucky, or Xena took pity on him.

"No." Lestan growled. "You stay here. Your mind is clouded in this." He threw a light battlecoat over his shoulders, then swept by Wennid for a quick hug. "There's only three of them. This won't take long"

Ares. Jessan groaned to himself. Why did everything have to be so hard? "Father." he barked, getting everyone's attention. "She's..dangerous. Please..don't play...games with her." His breath came faster.

Lestan snorted. "I'll call this human's bluff, my child. But I'll try not to do too much damage, seeing as she did us a great favor in helping you." He spared a exasperatedly fond look for his son, who had, he knew, inherited his mother's heart, along with her unique intuition.

Jessan sighed inwardly. Sometimes....He stood up and blocked his father's path towards the door, ignoring the anger in Lestan's eyes. "Father, please...you don't understand."

"I understand that you are in my way, son, and you'd better get out o it. " Lestan growled, serious now. "I think I can handle one female human warrior without your help. She wants to come and visit - well, we'll see if I'll let her."

"Father, don't challenge her. " She'll win. his mind howled, and I can't tell him that, baldly. "She's..." ah, a way out. Embarrassing, but a way out, and a way to give his father a warning without making him lose face. "I sparred with her. " He laughed shortly. "Several times. I went full out, gave it everything I had. I tried...everything." Now he had Lestan's attention. Good. "I couldn't touch her." Disbelief from all eyes. "She took my sword away and slapped me in the pants with it." Utter disbelief. "She doesn't bluff." He finished quietly. "She doesn't need to." He looked up at Lestan, into his eyes. Ah...he sees. I hope.

"I'll keep that in mind." the tall leader grunted. "stay here." And walked out with Deggis trailing him in confusion. Wennid stared at the door for a long time, then returned her sharp gaze to her son. She nodded to him, and smiled a conspiratorial smile. "That was a kind thing you did, Jessan."

"You don't believe it." Jessan sighed. Of course not. They were just humans, right?

"Quite the contrary." His mother answered. She moved over to him and cupped his face in her gentle hands. "You are my son, as well as his." She kissed him on the head. "I just hope you were right about them. " She studied him thoughtfully. "You love this human, this..monster?"

Jessan closed his eyes and bowed his head, and didn't answer. He had no need to.

It was coming on dawn before they reached the stream that marked the boundary of the forest peoples homeland. Xena paused before they got to the bank, took a long drink of water, and resettled her armor and weapons again. She hoped to have a chance to talk to the forest people before any fighting started, but one never knewJessan might be away, or sleeping, orwhatever. And she knew shed have very little chance for explanation after she crossed this stream. She glanced back at Gabrielle, who was chatting with Hectator, but sweeping the tree line all the same. I should send her back. Same old story, isn't it.? But there isnt time now, and shed just get really mad if I tried. Xena sighed I hope this little plan works.

"All right" She said coolly. "Lets go." She grasped Argos bridle, and stepped into the stream. The water was cold, and snapped her wide awake, as she had hoped it would. Gabrielle walked on her upstream side, feeling her way with her staff. The bard slipped a little on the rounded rocks, and would have fallen in except for Xenas quick arm on her shoulder. "Careful," she cautioned, leaving her arm there for safety until they crossed to the other side.

Once they stepped onto the other bank, Xenas highly sensitive hearing began catching very faint, subtle movements all around them. "Theyre here" she said quietly. She brought Argo to a standstill, and stepped in front of the horse, keeping her hands well away from her weapons. The sun was just beginning to rise, and cast the first faint rosy color into the sky. The dawn wind was brisk, and whipped her dark hair back as she waited, sensing them closer and closer. She fixed her eyes on where she knew the closest one was, and finally spoke. "You can show yourself."

A dark form rose immediately out of the tall riverside grass, startling Hectator, but not Xena or Gabrielle after their journey with Jessan. His coat was darker than their friend's, and he was perhaps a bit shorter, and a bit heavier. He wore a full set of weapons, and held a long sword competently in one huge hand. His eyes, a darker shade of gold than Jessans searched hers, intently. Xena studied him as closely, and noticed he favored his right arm. She smiled slightly. "Lestan?"

Surprise showed in his eyes. "Yes." He finally answered. "And you would be Xena" He nodded at her, then inclined his head towards the blond woman behind her. "And Gabrielle." He turned cold eyes on Argos burden. "and this is?"

Xena dropped her arms to her sides, and moved towards him, tugging Argos reins. "This is Hectator. I think you two need to talk." She stopped within striking distance of him, and just waited. Gabrielle stood a few paces behind, leaning on her staff, watching his face and hers in turn.

Lestan regarded her in bemusement. "You bring my peoples great enemy into my camp, and tell me I need to talk to him? What makes you think I just wont cut his head off?" He shifted his naked blade in an arc which brought it closer to her, watching her eyes, finding nothing of what he was looking for.

"Two things." Xena stated, gazing up at him in total confidence. "First, I know your son." She released Argos reins, and stepped up face to face with him, ignoring the drawn sword, and his massive size . "Second, I gave him my word I would keep him safe here. " She paused and waited.

"What is your word worth to me, human?" Lestan drawled, in a cool tone. She dared! "Do you think you could stop me?"

Xena smiled, and became very still. "Do I think?" she asked softly, then shook her head no. "I know." And was aware of all her senses heightening, the sharp, exquisite sensation as her reflexes prepared to take over at his slightest motion. They misjudge us as badly as we misjudge them. she thought, idly. Interesting.

The woman was mad. Lestan thought to himself in disbelief. Did she really believe what she said? He regarded those ice blue eyes. He saw belief without question.Ares, what was she thinking? He towered over her, and had spent a lifetime at war. He knew his own abilities, even one armed, were formidable in the extreme. Surely, she knew this, and yet....

Had she really beaten Jessan? How could she? She was only a human, and a female human...surely..but Jessan would not have lied. The look in his son's eyes had been one of the truth, and to admit to defeat in front of his parents and cousin..no. he had told the truth. But how??? His brow contracted, and he took another look at her, this time seeing her as a warrior, as he would look at one of his own kind.

Ah...human, yes, but there was great strength there, and courage in those pale eyes, and Ares's unmistakable stamp in that posture. She was tensed to respond to his slightest movement, and he had the uncomfortable feeling that he could not at all predict what would happen if he made one. Did he want to chance it? Chance her? Not a blink, not a single movement of her gaze at him. Lestan would not have lived as long as he had being a fool. He tasted, with wary interest, the knowledge that he was as close to death at this silent moment as he had ever been, facing this human who was more than she seemed, and less than her many legends.

So. This was Xena, who doesn't need to bluff. Who my son thought well enough of to call family. Who has turned from burning and pillaging to defending the helpless. Unbelievable. Lestan gave her a little nod, then slowly sheathed his longsword. "My son has told me much about you,." he looked down into her eyes. "But I can see he hasnt told me everything." He gestured toward the forest. "Come. We will talk."

Gabrielle let out a long held breath quietly. "Close." she whispered to herself, glancing at Xena, who now walked calmly at Lestan's side, listening to him. She was very glad Lestan had chosen to let them visit - she had no desire to see Jessan's father hurt, and if she read Xena's reactions right, he would have been, and probably Xena would have been too. Gabrielle was not much for betting, but...a reluctant grin was playing around her lips. Admit it...you get as big a kick out of watching her pull that stuff off as she does in doing it. the bard snorted softly. Towering mountain of muscle and fangs and all, her bet would have been on Xena.

Ahead of them, the darkened tree line waited.

What was taking so long? Jessan fretted to himself, pacing in tiny circles. . He stood tall, and strained his eyes, wait..was that them coming? He feared

Ah..a flash of golden flanks. Argo, for sure. Now he could see his father, striding solemnly next to the dark lithe form of Xena, head bent, talking, and gesturing with his hands. A wave of relief flooded over him,. He could see Gabrielle now, too, walking on Xenas other side, listening. On Argos back was riding..Hectator. Unbelievable. So. She had vindicated his belief in her, once again. He sighed happily, and drank in the sight of them with a smile.

Deggis poked him in the ribs. "So...those are your new...friends?" He hissed at Jessan, ducking as the larger warrior swung around in anger. "Wait till everyone hears you got beat by one of them...." He grinned dourly. "Not that they're that bad looking, for humans" He craned his short neck and gazed with interest. "Is that...no...can't be...it is...it's Hectator!" He threw back his head and gave a short laugh "Save us the trouble of going out and getting him. Nice friends you have there, Jess."

Jessan just closed his eyes and shook his shaggy golden head. They'd soon find out for themselves, woudn't they.

Xena listened to Lestan's rumbling voice as they walked towards the forest. It was a fairly short distance to the trees, and they had picked up an escort on the way in. Shadowy forms moved from tree to tree, and several of the huge forest dwellers formed up around them. They all bore a certain superficial resemblance to Jessan, but each had individual differences, in color of coat, height, mannerisms. It wasnt until they were at the brink of the village itself that one of the waiting still forms broke into a booming roar, and bounded towards them. Xena heard Hectator gasp, and she privately grinned to herself, as Jessan hurled his big body towards them and pulled both women into his grasp.

"Jessan, Jessan." Xena laughed. "Take it easy, will you?" His devotion to hugs made her suspect he and Gabrielle had an ancestor in common. "Bet you didnt think youd see us again so soon, " She darted glances at the shocked and disapproving crowd of forest people surrounding them.

"Xena," he warbled. "I told you to give me a chance to get them used to the idea. This wasnt what I had in mind." He laughed, and wrapped an arm around each of their shoulders as they continued to walk to the center of the village. "And you brought us a guest, too.." He shook his head at them. "Here I spent so much time thinking about how I was going to break it to my parents that not only did I know you two, but that I considered you family..and bang, you come walking into the forest, scaring everyone half to death." He glanced behind him at the patiently following Argo. "And you bring Hectator with you."

Xena turned to Hectator at that, whose leg bonds she had cut before crossing the stream with a dark warning to him not to run, or cause trouble, or attack anyone or anything. "Hectator, this is our friend Jessan."

Hectator studied the tall forest dweller with wary interest. He was not a stupid man, just limited in vision, and he had been considerably reassured by the fact that these forest dwellers had not damaged him in any way. Yet. Though he admitted the scene between Lestan and Xena had intrigued him, and gave him hope that Xena could actually deliver on her promise of protection. She had certainly given the much bigger Lestan pause. Interesting. So, maybe she had a point, and they weren't animals. He smiled ruefully to himself. Usually one thought of Xena, when one did, in the light of her fighting prowess. He had forgotten, as many often did, that she was also smart enough to have led one of the greatest armies this part of Greece had ever seen. There was savvy intelligence in that dark head, and more than a touch of tactical brilliance. His mistake. He tried not to make the same one twice, and if Xena thought of this forest creature as a friend, well.... Besides, he rubbed his jaw tenderly. she had a punch that could knock out a horse and he had no desire whatsoever to be reintroduced to it.

"Hello." He finally said, and after a long moment, reached out a hand to Jessan. The golden furred warrior tilted his head in some surprise, but took Hectator's hand, and shook it.

Argo came to a halt outside Jessan's home, where Wennid was waiting, and Xena's eyes flicked over her, absorbing information without giving offense by overtly staring.

Jessan's mother was a smaller, paler yellow colored example of the forest people, but retained their large frame and intimidating strength. She had a sweet face, and her eyes were the same color as her son's. Right now, those eyes were studying her guests with unnerving calculation.

Xena waited as Hectator dismounted from Argo, then sent the mare off towards a nearby stream. She turned and watched as Lestan and Hectator studied each other, then grinned privately as both gave a slight, almost imperceptible nod. "I think" Lestan rumbled. "that you and I may have speech together. Will you come inside, share my hospitality, and discuss our differences with me?"

Hectator took a breath. "I will." He shot a glance at Xena and Gabrielle. "Yes, I will". He waited for Lestan to proceed him up the small stairs, and followed him into the cottage.

Wennid studied the two woman while this exchange was going on. So this was Xena. She doesn't look as fearsome as I remember her. Maybe it was the smile..she hadn't smiled after razing the village in the next valley, nor the one other time Wennid had seen her. The woman killed children and defenseless women and old folks in legendary rampages. And here she was, standing on my front steps, like it was nothing for her to show up in unknown camps with territorial princes tied across the back of her horse. What did Jessan see in this woman, this monster from the past? Taking a steadying breath, she resolutely closed her eyes, and, fearing the worst, extended her senses. Moments later, she popped her eyes open, feeling the astonishment roll over her like wave of soft rain. So. More had changed than the smile. Unexpected. Very unexpected. And Jessan had seen it, more..had given his heart over to this..human.

Xena watched Lestan and Hectator walk into the house with no small satisfaction. The plan had occurred to her, as they often did, on the spur of the moment as she and Gabrielle were walking into the castle. To have it work out the way it was gave her a warm feeling of accomplishment, rare, when most of her victories involved violence of some kind. She sensed Gabrielle's smile even before she turned to look at her, and the bard winked as their gazes crossed. "Jessan," Xena said. "I think we can let them be for now." She gave a deep sigh. "But I'd watch for his guard - I'm sure they followed us."

Jessan turned his golden gaze on her and nodded. "We'll watch." He resumed his arms about them, baring a grin at his mother. "Mother, I would like you to meet my friends Xena and Gabrielle." He grinned. "Guys, this is my mother, Wennid." His eyes twinkled at his mother, remembering the full throated tongue lashing he had suffered from them. last night. Vindicated, he was not about let her forget it, either. He had seen his mother close her eyes, and felt her extend her Sight to see for herself what he, himself knew beyond question. Wennid's expression told him all he needed to know. She had Seen.

Wennid, after a lifetime of living with Lestan, was a very stubborn woman. However, she was also incurably fair minded, and had the admirably ability to admit when she was wrong. "Welcome, both of you." she purred, serenely. "My son has told me so much about what you did for him. Please, let's sit down at table together, and let me hear.." she glanced slyly at her son. "the real story."

Gabrielle burst out laughing, and even Xena chuckled. They walked up the stairs and into the family quarters of Jessan's home. Xena was quite aware that Jessan's mother, for all her friendliness, did not trust either of them. Not that I blame her. The older woman lead them into a large comfortable seating area, and waved them to seats. She bustled into the next room, and reappeared several minutes later with a food and drink laden tray.

"Here you go." Wennid slid the tray onto the table, and seated herself on a large, well stuffed chair. "I think we're all carnivores here, yes?" She asked politely. "And Lestan prides himself on his mead. Please, help yourselves."

Xena chuckled. "I've been accused of a lot of things, but being a vegetarian isn't one of them." She cheerfully snagged a piece of meat off the tray, and bit off a large chunk, maintaining eye contact with Wennid. The meat was grilled, and tasted faintly of herbs, and was probably venison. She chose a glass of the mead, and settled back in her chair, with an amused look on her face. Tests. They always have to have tests. Will I be be civilized? Will we accept hospitality? One of these days, I"m going to tell someone I only drink blood, and require two milk bucket's full a day. Human. She exchanged looks with Jessan, who, by the twitching of his face was trying hard not to laugh. You think that's funny? Wait until Gabrielle starts up. Do you see the sparkle in her eyes? Just wait.

"That's really good." Gabrielle commented, chewing enthusiastically. "And you have a lovely home." she added, looking about her in appreciation. "I like the deer antlers" She turned her bright gaze at Wennid. "Did you catch them yourself?" She would have seen through Wennid's little challenge even without being able to see the twinkle in Xena's blue eyes, but the exchange of amused glances between the warrior and the bard had assured her that Xena, too, was aware and tweaking Wennid right back.

Wennid was, she had to admit, being thrown off balance. Humans were so difficult to judge - she had been hoping to show her son how they could sneer at what they perceived to be an animal's home and ways of life, and here these two were! Cheerfully chewing meat with their bare hands, and asking about deer hunting. Augh! And what was more, Xena knew exactly what she was up to, she could see it in her lazy grin, and in the looks she and the fair haired younger human exchanged. There was something familiar about the crossed glances...Wennid's eyes narrowed, and she darted a suspicious look at her son. No. Impossible.

Jessan met his mother's gaze, guessing with remarkable accuracy what she was thinking. Yes..possible, o my mother...Look, and See for yourself. We pity them for their lack...now Look, and see what it is for them to be blessed, as you and father are..and be sad for them, mama...because they don't even know what it is they feel.. He distracted them for a moment, as he saw his mother's eyes drift shut for a bare instant, then pop open with an unreadable expression. So.

Wennid gave herself a little shake. "Well, yes, actually, I did." She answered Gabrielle's question. "So kind of you to notice." Piercing eyes, that young one had. Wennid mused. She sees more than she knows. But not enough...poor blind humans. How could they have a link that strong and not feel it?

She shot a glance at her son, who was smirking, in a quiet way that only she recognized. Pip-squeak!! Oh well, she finally sighed. the little bugger was right. I might as well admit it and stop these silly games. "So. Now tell me the whole story. No parts left out!"

To her surprise, it was Gabrielle who cleared her throat, and started to speak. What? Ah..a bard! She gave Jessan an evil look. He hadn't mentioned that. At least, if nothing else, she'd get a new batch of stories out of this.

After his mother's curiosity had been satisfied to the fullest, Jessan escorted them to a small room in the back section of the living quarters. "I bet you guys could use some sleep." He commented, waving his hand towards the bed. "Dad's likely to stay in conference with Hectator for the rest of the day. You know, they have to test each other, make deals...the usual." He paused, then laid a hand on Xena's shoulder. "By the way, we haven't said it yet, but thank you." Jessan peered into her eyes. "If this works, it will be a first, and a milestone in the history of my people." he grinned shyly. "And yours, I expect."

Xena gave him a half smile, and shrugged slightly. "After all the trouble we went through to get you home, seemed like a bad idea to watch your village get attacked." She paused, then "but you're welcome. And yes, a bit of sleep would be appreciated. Some of us didn't get to nod off on the way to the city." This with a teasing glance at Gabrielle.

"C'mon" Gabrielle interjected, walking around to Xena's other side. "Armor" She undid one buckle, as Xena gave her an amused look.

Jessan chuckled, "Looks like you're well taken care of." His golden eyes sparkled with a hidden light just for a moment, and then he left them without a further word.

"Don't you give me that look" Gabrielle chided, working on another strap. "Even the great Xena the Peacemaker has to sleep sometimes." She undid the last buckle, and poked Xena in the arm. "So, sleep, oh great one."

Xena laughed, and knelt to remove the last of her weapons. She put the weapons and the armor together, arranging it to her satisfaction. "I think this whole thing might actually work." She glanced up at her companion, who was tapping her foot in mock aggravation. "You'd better stop that, or I'll..."

Gabrielle narrowed her eyes into slits. "or you'll....what???" She advanced menacingly. "hmm?"

"This." Xena answered, and lunged suddenly, catching Gabrielle by surprise and by the midriff, and throwing her down on the bed. "Gotcha." She compounded the indignity by tickling her, making the bard turn blue in the face in an effort not to giggle. "Threaten me, will you?" Xena growled, tickling harder, until Gabrielle burst out laughing and waved her arms in surrender. Xena grinned, and stretched out on the other side of the bed, propping her head up on her hand and watching her still giggling companion.

"Ohh." the bard finally got breath back enough to say. "Ok..ok..you win..." She rolled over to face Xena, wiping the hair out of her eyes. "Someday I'll learn not to do that." Then her eyes glinted. "Or I'll figure out where you're ticklish."

Xena raised an eyebrow, and looked like she was going to make a comment, but thought better of it. "I"m not ticklish." she stated, but her lips quirked into a slight grin. She stretched, then settled on her side to sleep, cradling her head on one arm.

Gabrielle watched her for a moment, then settled down to sleep herself, still chuckling a little. This mischievous, gentle side of her companion was one she alone got to see, she had realized some time ago. Oh, occasionally someone else would catch a glimpse, as Jessan had with the fish nibbling him, but by and large, no..what everyone else got was the very cool, and mostly grim fighter. It made her understand how far they had come in the time since they had first met, when she had spent half her time scared to death she was going to make the wrong move and get her arm chopped off for it.

Jessan woke them up after the conference had ended, though Xena was already awake by the time he entered. She was sitting up, leaning her back against the padded headboard of the bed, mending an armor strap while keeping an eye on her still sleeping companion. She raised an eyebrow at him as he entered.

"Success." Was his single short comment. He beamed at her.

Xena nodded . "Figured." she commented, reaching across her body to shake Gabrielle's nearby shoulder. "Gabrielle..." The bard blinked sleepily at her, then came wide awake and rolled over to face Jessan.

"Did it work? It did..I can tell by your face. Great.!" Gabrielle got out in one quick breath. "Wow..what a story this is going to make..." she got an introspective look, as she started planning how to put together the verbal adventure, then snapped out of it with a grin. "I can't wait to tell Iolaus. It beats his last one hands down."

"A small banquet is planned." Jessan informed them. "Hectator has sent word back to his guard that they can stand down." He grinned at Xena's rolling eyes. "Relax, it's not a formal banquet, we haven't had the time to put that together." He looked over his shoulder in mock fear. "Be thankful."

The banquet was held out of doors, around the large roasting pit on the far side of the village. There were low, wide benches set all around it to sit on, and plenty of roasted meats and even a few tubers and vegetables to go around. The village storyteller got up, and told what were, by the responses, favorite stories of the tribe.

Gabrielle absorbed it all like a sea sponge, her eyes avidly recording not only the words, but the atmosphere and the physical motions of the talented storyteller. She was unaware that she herself was being watched until Lastan spoke in his deep rumbling voice. "Ah..I understand one of our guests, who has been enjoying our stories, is herself a bard. Is this true?" He gazed at her with his deep amber eyes twinkling.

"Well.." Gabrielle hesitated. "I mean, well, sort of.."

"It's true." Xena intoned crisply, giving her a prod. "G'wan, Gabrielle. You've been asked for a command performance." She cheerfully ignored Gabrielle's look of outrage, and just gave her companion a second, more forceful poke. "Don't make me carry you up there." she grinned to take the edge off the warning.

Xena watched Gabrielle take center stage, then settled down to watch her audience watch the talented bard. And Gabrielle outdid herself. She held them spellbound with three good stories, and one epic poem. Even Xena, who knew the endings of all three stories, and had heard that poem more times than there were trees in this forest, was caught up in the telling. The forest people were genuinely smiling at her by the time she finished, and collapsed back on the low bench next to Xena.

"Nice work" Xena whispered into her ear. "Very well done"

Gabrielle blushed, but looked pleased. "Thanks. I thought it went pretty well." she whispered back. "They liked the poem."

"Of course they did. So do I." Xena replied, and was about to say more, when a low muttering caught her attention. She turned her head slightly to better catch the words of a few of the forest people, who were standing behind the roasting pit. She spotted Jessan among what seemed to be some of the younger males. The few words she had caught led her to suspect the subject of the conversation was herself, and that Jessan was the target of some rather cruel humor.

Gabrielle had caught her mood shift, and glanced over at the group. "What's up?" She peered through the smoke from the fire. "Are they having some kind of argument?" She glanced at Xena's face, which had tightened into a grim mask.

"Stay here." Xena muttered. "I can see I"m going to have to put on a command performance myself." She stood up, and stretched, then walked towards the increasing, and now louder group.

Jessan had his back to a tree, and an angry look on his face. He had both hands up, as though trying to quiet down the crowd, when he spotted Xena leaning against a nearby post, watching. So. She had heard. He let a grim little smile touch his lips. The calm, relaxed Xena all his village had seen at dinner had disappeared, and left this taut, intense, dangerous fighter in her place.

The word had gotten out via Deggis that he had been defeated by her..he knew that it would. Now all his peers were having a great time with tiresome jokes and stupid comments.

"I always knew you didn't have it in you." Ectran was chortling. He was the largest of the current group, nearly as large as Jessan himself, not nearly so tall, but with much darker fur and a heavier body. "How can you even stand up and walk across the ground of the village, you grazer." He spat on the ground in contempt. "A human! And a female! I bet I could..."

"I bet you can't." She was just...there. Jessan shivered. There, and radiating a level of menace that caused the hair to raise up on his neck in pure response. With that low silky voice carrying clearly across the now silent group as Xena confronted Ectran. "But why don't we find out" she continued, with a smile. her eyes not leaving his for an instant. She saw him swallow, hard. "What's the matter, don't have it in you?"

Ecton's breathing shifted, came faster. He reached for the sword on his back, and she stepped back a pace, to give him room to draw. As his sword cleared his scabbard, and he came for her, she sidestepped him smoothly, and let him go past. He turned, outraged, and came at her again, dipping the sword in a complex set of strokes. Xena waited until he was almost upon her, then drew her own sword and parried the strokes, deflecting his greater weight, and reaching inside his guard with quick, deft strokes that shaved the fur off his chest. They broke apart, and circled, then he stepped in and came at her with more determination, putting real power behind his blows. Xena stood her ground, meeting each stroke with a solid parry, then suddenly going on the offensive herself, finding the holes in his defenses, forcing him backward, then shifting her weight forward and the end of the series, disarming him with vicious, solid backstroke, catching his sword mid hilt and sending it arcing over their heads.

The only sound above the crackling of the fire was the longsword hitting the earth. Ecton held his wrist with his other hand, wincing with pain. He stared at Xena, who let her blade rest on her shoulder, and stood at ease, studying them.

"Want more?" Xena asked, coolly. "I'll be glad to oblige." she turned in a slow circle and surveyed the silent, wide eyed group. "Anyone?" Still silence. "No? Guess not." A slowly sheathed sword, and hands settling to rest at her belt. "Assumptions are dangerous. " Xena said softly, running her gaze over them. "But then, so am I" she finished, giving Jessan a glance and very slight wink, then stalking out of the circle of forest dwellers back towards the fire. They hastened to clear a path for her.

"I told you." Jessan sighed. "Ecton, let's go see about your wrist." He glared at the younger fighter. "You're lucky. You have no idea how lucky."

Ecton just looked at him, round eyed. "Wow." He finally stuttered. "I'm really really sorry, Jessan...I mean, a human, and a female human, and boy...wow. I"ve never had my sword hit that hard, even by your father." He rubbed his wrist, wincing, then he grinned slyly at Jessan. "I'd love to see her in action. " He glanced at the now grinning crowd. "As long as I wasn't the one she was fighting, that is." He let out a low, long whistle, then quirked an eyebrow at Jessan. "Hey...wait a minute. You went more than one round with her???"

Jessan sensed the new respect being directed at him That's three for you, Xena. I"m going to have to come up with something pretty spectacular to say thank you with. He chuckled, and steered Ecton towards the village healer. "Yeah, and boy was I scared the entire time, hoping I didn't slip." He grinned ruefully. "I would have lost a leg or something." He shivered in memory. "She is so fast..." He snapped his fingers like a whip. "It's like...it's like..." he shrugged sheepishly. "It's beautiful." He peeked up at their now admiring and somewhat envious gazes.

Gabrielle sat cross legged on the low platform, gazing at Xena as she crossed back towards her from her little demonstration. The bard watched with interest the glances that were following her companion across the center of the village. As Xena drew even with her once more, she patted the bench, and rested her chin on one hand propped on her knee.

Xena dropped onto the bench, sighing. She leaned back and glanced at Gabrielle. "So much for that. Actually, it was easier than I expected." She wrapped her arms around one knee, and gazed into the fire, seeming to find something of interest in it's glowing heart. Her eyes still had a steely glint, and tension rippled through her shoulders.

The bard waited in silence until Xena closed her eyes for a moment, then took a deep breath, and relaxed as she let it out slowly. Then she noticed Gabrielle's gaze, and tilted her head to meet it. "Dinar for your thoughts?" she asked, lightly.

"Do you really want to hear them?" Gabrielle answered, equally lightly. "I mean, a dinar's a pretty hefty price." Oh, yeah, Gab..and what if she says yes? Are you going to tell her? Better come up with something fast.

"Yeah." Xena drew out the word. "I do. That was an interesting look on your face."

Uh oh. "Uhm...that was really nice, for you to bail out Jessan that way." the bard cleared her throat. "I think you impressed his friends. " She grinned. "A lot." Gabrielle peeked at Xena's face, where there was that slight, indulgent grin and raised eyebrow looking back at her. Ok, so she doesn't buy it. But she's not going to push. I'd better just....start working on putting this story together, before my imagination runs off with me.

"Uh huh." Xena commented dryly. "Whatever you say." She watched the color creep slowly up Gabrielle's neck as she gazed at her, then laughed slightly Sometimes...she swore, she could guess exactly what Gabrielle was thinking. It was...a very strange idea. Her logical mind provided a solution - probably she was picking up subliminal body language from the bard, which would be natural considering they were around each other so much. She turned that thought over in her head for a few minutes, then put it to rest, and just stared into the fire, unseeing.

They broke bread with Lastan and Wennid the next morning, as they prepared to get back to Hectator's city. His guard had been well cared for, but Hectator was anxious to get home and stand down the troops which were probably still preparing.

"Well, this was an unexpected, but delightful two days." Hectator drawled, glancing at Xena, entering at that moment with Jessan in tow.

Xena shrugged, but smiled. "I offered you an explanation first." she commented, and sat down at the other end of the table. "It's not my fault you decided not to listen."

Hectator rubbed his still sore jaw. "Lesson for me." But he smiled at her. "I'd forgotten how hard you hit." He got a raised eyebrow in response. "I'll try to remember that next time."

Lestan watched them in some bemusement. Humans. Joking around. In his house. Impossible. He shook himself, and offered his guests mounts for the ride back. They gathered outside to take their leave - Hectator's guard, being held at the stream, was getting frantic. Hectator swung up on a beautiful roan stallion with a sweet eye, and patted his neck appreciatively. Xena mounted Argo, then, seeing Gabrielle's very pained expression on viewing her proffered mount, a pretty piebald mare, laughed, and extended an arm. "C'mon." The bard looked up at her in chagrin, but relieved. "She hates riding." she commented to Hectator, who was watching in amusement, as she pulled the bard up behind her on the patient Argo. "Argo's used to carrying double."

Jessan grasped their knees in farewell, having already administered hugs on the ground. "Take care." he cautioned. "drop back by when you get the chance."

Lestan stepped up on her other side and laid one large hand on Argo's neck. He glanced up at her thoughtfully. "As my son says, stop back by. I have a feeling we have lots of stories to exchange." He looked her in the eyes. . "Besides." He now grinned, and looked very much like his son. "All my warriors are demanding I petition you for some lessons." His and Xena's glances met, and exchanged a twinkling understanding. "Please come, when you can." Lestan finished, lifting his hand to grip hers.

Xena nodded at him. "We will." She turned Argo's head, and nudged her towards the village gate.

Gabrielle exchanged a wink with Jessan, and waved at Wennid. An extended visit, with the chance to absorb a whole new culture's stories...she grinned happily. "Now that's going to be fun." she breathed closed to Xena's ear, and was rewarded by a low chuckle from the warrior.

"Yeah." Xena agreed, guiding Argo with practiced movements. "I have a feeling it will be, and not too long from now, either."

Continue to Part 3

Return to Part 1

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A Warrior by any other Name, Part III
by: Melissa Good
Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

"The harvest has been good." Hectator was commenting to Xena as they rode briskly towards the city, surrounded by his bewildered guard. "and we've started building on an annex inside the city walls. You'll see it. " He glanced towards the woman riding next to him. "You will stop in for a few days, right? I owe you at least a banquet."

Xena laughed. "Sure" she glanced over her shoulder at the momentarily silent Gabrielle. Probably planning yet another story. "We were headed your way before we got sidetracked." She stretched in Argo's saddle, and resettled herself. "I was serious - I would have rather been contributing to your local economy."

Hectator chuckled in response. "Well, it turned out OK." He glanced ahead, to where a small dust cloud was rising. "Ah. A welcoming party. " They watched as the dust cloud grew larger, then Xena stiffened . Her sharper eyesight had seen what Hectator's hadn't - the panicked faces and lathered flanks of the riders and horses headed their way.

"Looks like trouble, Hectator. " She kneed Argo into a canter, followed quickly by the prince and his guard. They met the oncoming riders in a flurry of shifting haunches and snorting beasts. The lead rider flung himself off his animal and went to Hectator's stirrup, chest heaving.

"My lord...an army..headed for the city." He coughed. "my lord, there are thousands of them." He stared up at Hectator, eyes all white and pupil.

"Hades." the prince breathed. "Must be Ansteles." He turned to Xena. "Get out of here, Xena - I mean it. This isn't' your fight, and I can only muster about 400 men." He fought the reins of his now restive horse, who sensed Hectator's emotions. "At least we have a chance to scatter the noncombatants."

Xena sat quietly on Argo for a moment, studying him. She was painfully aware of Gabrielle, waiting with held breath just behind her. Finally, she sighed. "Sorry, Hectator." a slight smile, a sudden tenseness in Gabrielle's arms. "You're stuck with me for while." A squeeze from the bard. She responded with a light chuckle she knew Gabrielle could feel. "C'mon. We've got planning to do." A thought occurred to her, and she turned her head to speak to Gabrielle.

"Oh no." the bard barked, giving Xena a warning look. "Don't you even think about it."

"Gabrielle.." Xena began, making a calming gesture with one hand.

"I said, no. That's it." Gabrielle answered, glaring. She opened her mouth to say more, but Xena forestalled her by putting a hand over it.

"Shh. I'm not sending you out of harms way." She cautiously removed her hand, and was rewarded with relative silence.

'You're not?" Gabrielle asked, puzzled.

"No." Xena answered. "But I would like you to take Hectator's horse, and warn Lestan. If Ansteles takes the city, his village will be next." She saw the gathering storm clouds in her companion's eyes. "Then get back here as soon as you can." Her eyes pleaded with Gabrielle. "They deserve a warning."

The bard, slowly, finally nodded. She swung a leg over Argo's quarters and slid to the ground. To her surprise, Xena followed suit, so that they were out of the sight of the waiting guardsmen. Gabrielle hesitated, searching Xena's eyes for an explanation. "What?" she asked, when the warrior didn't speak.

"Look" Xena answered, very obviously searching for words. "If it were up to me, you'd stay in Lestan's village. This isn't going to be pretty, Gabrielle." She held up one hand to forestall protests already springing to her friend's lips. "But I know it's not up to me, and you won't. So, please, hurry, and be careful"

Gabrielle took a deep breath, and nodded. "OK. I'll be quick." I hope. She reluctantly accepted the reins of Lestan's roan from Hectator, who offered her a leg up. She gave him a wry grin. "S'okay, thanks. I don't like to do this, but I do know how." She swung herself up onto the horse, and patted his neck gently. "C'mon horse. Let's get you home."

Xena watched her go with a mixture of wistful pride, and genuine worry. Well, that went better than I had any hope of expecting. she snorted quietly to herself. My technique must be improving. She turned to where Hectator was remounting one of the horses ridden by his guard. "Let's go." she said. "that army won't wait."

Hectator glanced at her "Xena..." his handsome face went grim. "I don't have the forces to stop Ansteles, if that's who it is. And we have an old, old hatred for each other. There won't be any chance for negotiating." he kneed his mount over to Argo and lowered his voice. "Please...I don't want to be stuck in Tartares with your death on my shoulders too."

Xena raised an eyebrow at him. "One, if you think you're going to die, you will." Her gaze unfocused for a moment, then sharpened again. "Two, there are always possibilities." She allowed grim smile to twist her lips. "Three, if I get stuck in Tartares with you because of this, I guarantee you'll regret it." She cuffed him on the shoulder. "Let's see what our options are before we start planning our afterlife"

Hectator hesitated, but noticed his watching guard were gazing at Xena with something approaching relief. He glanced at her, then sighed. "Well, I had to try." he muttered sheepishly. "And I'll keep on trying." he turned his mount's head and motioned his guard to start moving. "Let's go then."

Gabrielle didn't hesitate when she reached the boundary stream, but plunged right through. The horse's hooves kicked up a light spray, drenching her with icy cold water. "Brr." It only lasted a second, though, and she was through and up onto the grassland again.

She had made it partway to the treeline, when a large form rose up in front of her mount, and held up a hand to halt. " I need to talk to Lastan." she called to the guard. "it's important." The tall forest dweller regarded her solemnly, then waved her on.

"You have safe passage" he rumbled.

"Thanks." she nodded. She grimly turned her mount's head, and headed for the trees. Urgency now took hold of her, and she did something she had never done before - pushed the willing horse into a gallop. It was terrifying..and exhilarating. she was honest enough to admit to herself. She was not in control of the massive animal - he had smelled home, and was willing to run. It certainly looks much easier when Xena does it, though. Xena looks so natural on horseback..gods I wish I had her skills....it must be nice to be able to just *do* all that stuff.

Gabrielle could feel the horse stretching out in a flat run, whipping her hair back painfully. She held on to his neck for dear life, he didn't slow until they reached the village gates itself and even then it was not by much. He thundered through, and Gabrielle could barely get him turned in the general direction of Jessan's home. Footsteps were now thudding all around her, reacting to her violent arrival.

Gabrielle pulled her sweating horse to a ragged stop, and tumbled off his back, holding onto his thick mane for support. She glanced around, and spotted Jessan headed her way, leaping off the porch with a stunned expression on recognizing her.

"Gabrielle!" Jessan yelped, bewildered by her sudden appearance. "What are you doing here? Did something happen on the way back?" He gently grasped her shoulders, searching her eyes with a worried expression.

"No, well, yes, but not like you're thinking" Gabrielle managed to gasp out. "it's an army"

Jessan paled under his fur. "Wait." He turned to his nearest cousin. "Get Lastan"

"I"m here." the low rumble came from over his other shoulder. Lastan peered over his son's shoulder in concern. "an army?" He gazed at Gabrielle. "Whose? Where? When?"

The bard explained quickly, now that she had her breath back. "So, Xena wanted me to warn you -because she figures if they take the city, well..." she finished.

Lastan looked at her, suspiciously. "And, what is it that she wants us to do?" Ally or no ally..this is not our fight, little bard.

Gabrielle stopped, and stared at him. "She didn't ask me to ask you to do anything." she answered, puzzled. "She just told me that you deserved a warning." She looked around at the gathered forest dwellers, noting the interest in their faces. "Is there a problem with that?"

"Ah" was all Lestan answered. "We take the warning seriously. Thank you." He motioned several people ahead of him into his conference room, and shut the door, ignoring the rising, interested buzz.

Jessan looked down at her in concern. "And does Xena think he'll take the city?" he asked, quietly. He still had his arms wrapped around her in support, and she was making no protest.

Gabrielle thought for a long moment, of Xena's parting words, and the look on her face. "Well, she didn't say, but, yeah..I think she does. " She gnawed on her lip. "Hectator can only muster 400 men." She looked back up at him. "I've gotta get going. I promised Xena I'd be quick."

Jessan threw his golden head back, and regarded the stars in thought. "Wait a moment." he said softly to the bard. This is it, I can feel it. I'm meant for this. The gods conspired to bring us all together for just this moment. I smell Ares' fine hand...I know, and I walk into this with eyes wide open, and sword raised. "I'll take you back." he finally said, dropping his chin to his chest, and peering at her. "Let me just get my gear." He guided her into their dwelling, and pushed open a door in the rear area. His room, apparently.

Gabrielle looked around, curiously. The room was fairly small, and not as cluttered as she'd expected. There was a large round bed in one corner, rather like the one she and Xena had used, covered with thickly quilted spreads in blues and greens. The walls were hung with reed mats, covered with well done representations of the forest around them. "Pretty" she commented.

"Thanks. I painted them." Jessan answered, absently, as he pulled various items out of a trunk at the foot of his bed. "sword, battlecoat, leg armor...I think that's it" He stood up with his arms full, and grinned at the surprise on the bard's face. "What...did you think all we could do is make arrows or something?" His golden eyes twinkled. "And here I thought you had an open mind."

Gabrielle blushed. "I deserved that.' she acknowledged with a sheepish smile. "I should know better, after traveling so long with Xena."

"Oh." Jessan said, with a wicked grin. "Does she paint too?" His eyes danced merrily. "I had no idea."

"Paint? No." Gabrielle giggled. "But she has many skills." Another giggle at his mock innocent expression and raised eyebrows.

"Now that..." Jessan drawled with a grin. "I can fully believe." He lifted his armor again, and turned towards the door just as it slammed inward from the force of Lestan's hand.

"Jessan..." He stopped short, seeing what was in his son's arms. "What is this? Where do you think you're going?" He stepped further into the room, glancing at Gabrielle in some suspicion.

"I'm going to fight with our new allies, father." Jessan answered, putting down his burden, and instead, starting to put the gear on. "They could use the help." He avoided his father's eyes.

"What??!!" Lestan's roar shook the dwelling like an earthquake. His amber eyes burned a fiery path through his only son, as Jessan stood, calmly arming himself. "This is no concern of yours!" He moved closer to his son. "Are you mad? You're as likely to get killed by our new allies as by their enemies!" He slammed his fist against the trunk. "No, Jessan - I forbid you to do this."

Jessan paused, then looked up at Lestan. "You can't." he said, quietly. "I choose this path knowing it's end, father." He slid into the knitted battlecoat, and settled the layered armor plates over his broad shoulders. He turned and looked Lestan in the eyes. "Besides, what more tangible symbol of our new alliance could you possibly wish to have than your son fighting in defense of their city?" He bared his canines. "Father..this is calling to me. I have to go." He donned his swordbelt, settling the long broadsword from a long off battle securely at his back. Then he turned and, fastening his eyes on his father's shadowed face, knelt before him. He heard Lestan's sudden intake of air.

"Bless me." Jessan pleaded, softly. The traditional plea when a son of the forest took to the battlefield for the very first time. "You are my father, and the river who spawned the very stream that I am." He swallowed and went on. "Send me to battle with your blessing. Honor my choice." He thought for a moment that Lastan wouldn't do it, then saw the tears in his father's eyes.

"You are my son." Lastan managed. "You are the torch lit from the very fire of my heart, and you go forth to your future with my blessing." He laid both hands on Jessan's gilded head. "My heart cries out to send you on this path, Jessan, but...Ares...your choice and my choice would have walked as one in the forest." He grasped Jessan's face, and studied his son's eyes for a long time. "I honor your choice." He finally added, hoarsely. Then he was gone, and the room was in silence. Jessan rose, somewhat shaken, and glanced back at the silent Gabrielle..

"Time to go." he whispered.

"Are you sure, Jessan?" Gabrielle whispered back. "This really isn't your fight."

"Ah...Gabrielle." her tall friend smiled. "how wrong you are. It is just very exactly my fight." He gestured towards the door, then hesitated. "But..you could remain here, you know. You're quite expert with your staff, but that's not much against mounted swordsmen." He knew her answer before she spoke it. Of course. Silly of him even to mention it. She could no more stay away than he could.

"No." the bard sighed. "No, I have to go." She moved ahead of him towards the door. "I can't really explain it...."

Jessan laughed softly. "No, you can't ,can you." he murmured to himself, but she heard him, and gave him a startled look. "Uhh..I mean..Well, let's go." He gestured for her to proceed him, when his mother stopped them, gazing at him with aching sadness. Their eyes searched each other, and she wordlessly took him in her arms and rocked him like a child. Then she pulled back, and kissed his head. Only when he returned the kiss did she turn to Gabrielle.

"Child, bring him back again in one piece, and I'll explain it to you. I think I have a better perspective than my son." Wennid smiled sadly at her. She doesn't even realize!. How blind humans were.

Gabrielle waited until they were outside, and in fact, until Jessan was up on Eris before she managed to blurt. "What on earth was that all about??" She took Jessan's proffered arm, and was hoisted up onto Eris's broad quarters.

Ugh. Jessan was caught in a trap now. Should he explain? Wow...that was a subject he didn't think he should get into with her..not now, not on the eve of battle. Not..without also talking to Xena. "Don't ask me that now, please, Gabrielle." He turned Eris' head towards the gate, and started the long ride to the city. "Ask me after this is all over."

Gabrielle glowered at his back. Secrets, again. She hated them. What on earth were Jessan and his mother talking about? She knew she was involved, in some vague way. Explain what? Better perspective on what? What did Wennid have that she would need her to explain a per.....Oh. Wait. The bard sat, stunned by a sudden thought. Nah. That's silly. She shrugged her shoulders, and settled back for this fourth version of what was becoming a very unpleasant ride. She had more than plenty enough time to think about how silly her idea had been.

Xena and Hectator stood on his rampart wall, watching an approaching far cloud, and listening to the snapping as the wind ripped his banners to tattered shreds. They were both in a somber mood, having but 392 men to garrison the castle with, and faced with an approaching army that numbered near 1200, and was well armed, and well mounted. Xena had donned the extra armor she rarely wore anymore, and settled a few extra daggers into sheathes about her person. She sat calmly on the upper wall, her eyes gazing at the oncoming troops.

Hectator glanced at her, impressed despite himself. She knew this was a losing cause. There would be no amnesty, no treaty - not with Ansteles. His bone with Hectator was old, and well gnawed. He could only hope to make a brave stand, and send all the non combatants scattered over the surrounding countryside. He would die on this field tomorrow, as would his troops, and quite probably, this lovely woman sitting with deceptive tranquillity on his battlement.

One more time. "Xena." He, daring, grasped her shoulder, and she turned to gaze into his eyes. He shuddered . "Don't do this. You have nothing to prove, here. Leave..take Gabrielle with you." He touched on her weak point gently. He knew it, so did she. "Don't make her watch this."

Slowly, she smiled at him. "Hectator, I appreciate your thoughts. Really, I do." She returned her gaze to the horizon. "Gabrielle knows what the stakes are. It's not like we don't do this all the time." She's watched me die twice. Old news. "Let's just say, I'm betting my life, on my own better judgment." She stood and walked across the narrow wall, and stood looking towards the castle gate. Out of the forest gloom, tiny with distance, emerged a cantering black animal whose foremost rider caught the last rays of the sun which turned his golden coat ablaze. Glancing down, Xena smiled quietly to herself.

"There's the castle." Jessan remarked, turning towards a largely silent Gabrielle. She hadn't had much to say on the ride in, which was unusual. "You OK?"

Gabrielle nodded. "Pretty much." She gazed at the tower turrets, where she could just make out a tall figure outlined against the sunset stained sky. She couldn't see the face at this distance, but the shape and an inner sense Gabrielle had just recently begun to notice told her who stood there, watching. A faint grin etched her face. "Let's go inside."

The gate guard was startled by Jessan, no doubt about that. Gabrielle hastened to reassure him, as the tall forest dweller looked on in silence. The man nodded as she explained. "Yes, we know of the treaty. We just didn't expect..." He glanced up at Jessan. "Not that we couldn't use the help."

He was frightened, Jessan thought, surprised. Ah..the humans didn't really enjoy battle, except for a few. I had forgotten. "May we enter?" He asked, mildly, raising a golden eyebrow at the guard.

"Sure..sure." The guard, embarrassed, moved out of the way. "Uhm.." he turned to Gabrielle "Xena told me to keep an eye out for you..she and Hectator are.."

"On the upper battlements., Thanks." Gabrielle answered, absently. She moved past the gate and headed towards the large entrance, being prepared for siege.

Jessan trotted after her, grabbing an arm and slowing her progress down. "How did you know that?" He asked, tilted his big head in a comical expression. "Where they were, I mean?" At this distance, he certainly couldn't sense Xena, so...

Gabrielle shrugged "I saw her up there, of course." She glanced curiously at him. "How did you think I knew?" Her brow creased. "You're not going to go all mystical on me, are you? I mean, it's a perfectly reasonable explanation."

"Ugh." Jessan stuttered. "Yeah. I mean, no. I mean...oh Hades." He placed a hand on her shoulder and urged her towards the stairs. "Forget I asked." Knowing she wouldn't do anything of the sort. Knowing he was going to have to provide some kind of lame explanation. Ares, he was so stupid sometimes. "No, I mean, don't forget I asked."

Gabrielle just looked at him, and waited, continuing the long walk upwards.

"Uh. ok. " He finally sighed. "I thought maybe you could....I mean, we can..kind of...sense..people." Jessan peeked at her face. "So...I thought maybe..even though humans usually can't..but you guys are pretty unique, so maybe...er..you could too."

"Oh." Gabrielle chewed on this for a bit. "Well, sure. I mean, Xena does that all the time." she commented. "And, I guess I sort of can, with her at least, a little bit." She glanced at him, relieved. "Is that all? You could have asked before, you know. The way you were carrying on, I thought it was something...I don't know. what I thought it was."

"Xena does that all the time." Jessan repeated, blankly. "All the time?" He climbed in silence for a long moment. "Amazing."

"Well, yeah." Gabrielle laughed a little, grabbing the banister to help pull herself along. "I thought it was one of those, you know, warrior things. Like what they teach you guys in warrior school, or wherever it is you go to learn all that stuff." She eyed the top of the steps far above in irritation. "Top of the tower, huh Xena? I'll get you for this."

Jessan plodded upward, deep in thought. Finally, "Gabrielle."

"Yeah?" the bard answered, looking over at him. "What?"

"Can I ask you a question, and you won't get mad at me?" Jessan eyed her, apprehensive. Xena is much easier to gauge than this one. She has depths that I have no understanding of.

Gabrielle stopped short, and put her hands on her hips. "What? What could you possible ask me that I'd get *mad* at Jessan? "

The tall forest dweller stopped as well, and faced her, a serious look in his golden eyes. "Remember when I was telling you the story of my parents?" He watched her brow crease.

"Yeah." Gabrielle answered, slowly. Where was he going with this? Do I really want to know? Probably not.

"Remember when you asked me if they had fallen in love? And I said a lifebond is more than love, it's a link that endures beyond.." He stopped, seeing the look on her face. A mirror to what he had seen on the first telling. "Why does that mean something to you? " Jessan waited, uneasily, not sure she was going to answer. He cursed himself for meddling, for opening his mouth in the first place. This was none of his business. She wasn't going to tell him, anyway, he could see it in her eyes.

Gabrielle turned and continued to climb the stairs. After a moment, Jessan joined her. "I'm sorry." He said, carefully. "I didn't mean..."

"No, it's all right, Jessan." Gabrielle muttered. "It was just the beyond death thing. We've been through that ." She glanced at his shocked face. "I guess it just touched a nerve."

"Oh." Jessan answered, in a very small voice. "that expl..gosh. I"m sorry, Gabrielle." So. Lesson one. Don't assume anything about humans. Especially these particular ones.

"S'okay, Jessan." Gabrielle replied. "I can deal with it pretty much OK now." She smiled at him. "Just one of those things, right?"

"Right." Jessan answered, in exactly the same tone Xena herself used when she meant precisely not right at all. They came to the top of the stairs, and Jessan reached out one huge hand to push the door open.

Footsteps on the upper stairs. They both turned to watch as the door to the upper garrison opened, and Gabrielle stepped out, followed by the unmistakable bulk and hue of Jessan. Xena caught the bard's eye as she moved towards them, noting the slightly strained expression on Gabrielle's face. "You OK?" she asked her in a low voice as they got closer.

"Fine." Gabrielle answered briefly. "Just a little tired." She gave Xena a quick grin. "Way to many horses in one day." Xena nodded, then turned her attention to the forest dweller.

"Jessan". The Xena spoke his name as if tasting it. "You have no obligation here." She gazed up at him. "This won't be any sparring match." Her blue eyes captured his golden ones.

"I know." Jessan answered, a low laugh rumbling in his chest. "As I told my father, I walk into this with open eyes." He smiled, giving his ferocious face an unbelievable sweetness. "He has blessed me, and sent me into battle, and I'm loving it already." His face lit up . "I"m looking forward to fighting on the same side as you."

Xena pursed her lips thoughtfully. then let her gaze warm briefly in kindred understanding. "I feel better already." She commented, watching his face light with pleasure at the compliment. Unlike Hectator, unlike the vast majority of the troops preparing below, Jessan alone felt the intense stirring of excitement that she, too, felt. His eyes saw it in hers, and acknowledged it with a solemn twinkle.

She stood up, and gestured to the door. "We should get some rest while we can. " She cast one last look at the horizon. "they'll be here by sunrise." She glanced at Gabrielle, who was leaning against the nearby wall, looking exhausted. "You too. How much horseback riding did you do today?" the warrior added, teasingly. " Think you're developing a taste for it?"

Gabrielle managed a grin, although she failed to see anything that required one. The sight of the extra armor strapped around her companion had sent a chill down her spine in reflex. She also sensed the suppressed, rising fever in Xena, and knew this was one side of the warrior she had no window into, no possible understanding of, just as Xena couldn't fathom how she assembled scattered details into a powerful narrative story. Well, no time for that now. "I know I'll regret it tomorrow." She pushed off the wall, and crossed over to them. "Did I hear someone mention dinner?"

Xena chuckled, and guided her towards the stairwell with one hand on Gabrielle's shoulder. "Well, you're consistent." She motioned for Hectator and Jessan to proceed them down, and watched as they disappeared into the darkness of the stairwell. Then she turned to Gabrielle, and her face lost it's humor. "You sure you're OK?" Xena studied the bard's face."You look a little rattled."

Gabrielle gave her a brief smile. "Yeah, I'm ok. I'm really just tired. Thanks for asking, though." She started down the stairs. "And I'm starving." she added, with a sly grin in Xena's direction.

Xena snorted. "When aren't you?" she said, muffling a laugh.

They descended into a courtyard filled with somber activity. Now that dark had fallen, even sounds seemed muted, as the soldiers and citizens of Hectator's city prepared for the fast approaching attack. The courtyard itself was full of piles of arms and armor, and the sound of torches being whipped in the steady wind.

Jessan was aware of the surreptitious glances in his direction, surprised there wasn't more animosity than he sensed, then realized these people were far more preoccupied with thoughts of loss and dying than of strange forest creatures walking into their midst. He could see it in their faces, in their steady, deliberate motions, in the grim looks. So strong was the feeling it sat over this place like a shroud, clouding his Sight more than his vision. He glanced at Hectator, who strode along, lost in his own dark thoughts, and sidled a bit closer to him. "Hectator." he murmured, softly. The prince looked up , a bit startled. "I know this isn't much comfort, but I'm really glad I"m here to help." the forest dweller continued, quietly. "Maybe things will go better tomorrow than you expect."

Hectator sighed. "Jessan, I don't know why you're even here. Not that I don't appreciate the act." He looked at the taller man with despair in his eyes. "Why? Why throw your life into this, when two days ago I was preparing to attack your village? Why help us? I don't understand. I don't understand you, and I don't understand her." He threw a quick glance over his shoulder at the dimly seen following women. "If it were me, I'd be riding out of here as fast as my horse could take me."

"Would you?" Jessan asked, mildly. "I doubt it." He smiled his warm, sweet smile. "Life is a struggle, Hectator. We all know that. I guess when you can choose your places to take a stand, you do." He glanced at the ground and back up. "At least I do." A glance behind him. "And, I can't speak for Xena, of course, but I think she does too."

"Have you known her long?" Hectator asked, diverted from his melancholy for a moment by a dim curiosity.

Jessan laughed. "A fortnight." His eyes sparkled. "that feels like forever." He met Hectator's amazed glance. "She rescued me from a village on the other side of the region." He read the unasked question on the princes face with ease. "And, yes. I'm doing this more for her than for you. Satisfied?"

Hectator remained silent for a bit, digesting this information. Then he nodded, and gave Jessan a tight smile. "I can...understand..your motivation." he allowed. "But I think you'd be here anyway." He raised an eyebrow at Jessan, who gave him a toothy grin in response.

"You humans are not so bad after all." He noted cheerfully. "Some of you, anyway." The forest dweller raised one hand to push open the door to the inner chamber, where the castle workers had assembled food for the denizens of the city. "Hmm..smells good." he noted appreciatively.

Hectator led them towards the head table, lifting his hand in acknowledgment as his captains noticed his presence. Small knots of men and women were clustered around the trestle tables scattered across the hall, some of the women holding small children, obviously family members spending time with their solder fathers and husbands. Hectator grimaced. He had no lady, as of yet, though there were several prospects in the offing. I'll miss having known that. He thought to himself. He held no illusions of surviving - Ansteles would see to that, even if he allowed part of his forces to surrender and disperse. Sighing, he pulled out a chair at the high table, and seated himself, as his three companions did the same. A castle steward glided up, carrying a pitcher and a bread trencher.

"Thanks." Hectator murmured, absently, as he passed the bread towards Jessan. A hand touched his arm and startled him - he looked to his left, and was captured by Xena's pale blue eyes. He raised an eyebrow in question.

"Hectator." Xena said, in a low voice. "You have to snap out of it. You can't lead troops like this."

"Like what." Hectator answered, mildly, propping his chin up with one hand. "Sorry, Xena, I can't pretend either enthusiasm or optimism when I feel exactly none." he gestured around the room. "Would it be fair to them? They know, Xena. Look at their faces. Look into their eyes. We don't have a chance tomorrow. And some of them may even escape to the forest." He lowered his voice and returned her intense gaze. "So, for the last time, would you please get out of here! And take Jessan with you."

"Look" Xena said, reaching over and grabbing his lapels, startling him with her sudden violence. "I've been around a while, long enough to know that anything can happen in war, Hectator. Anything. But if you go in defeated, you'll come out that way. If you want to believe you're going to die out there, fine. But you have to give everyone else here a fighting chance. That includes Jessan. That includes me. I am not going to go out there tomorrow thinking that I'm not coming back. I can't. " her voice dropped to a sibilant whisper. "I can't." She flashed a glance to her right, where Jessan was talking in a low voice to Gabrielle. Hectator didn't miss the glance. "So you'd better decide if you can put on a good enough act for your people, or I'm going to have to do something about it. You hear me?"

Hectator studied her in silence, getting a glimpse for the first time of an understanding about this very extraordinary woman. "All right." He answered, throwing his life, his beliefs, his honor into the swirling currents of fate. He didn't believe in his future, but, inescapably, he believed in her. That would have to be enough, at least for now. "I hear you." He took a deep breath, and then released it. When he raised his eyes, defeat was no longer in them. He scanned around the room, exchanging glances with his captains, giving those scarred faces a little nod, a small smile. Unaccountably, the pall in the room lessened, voices rose to more normal pitches. Hectator felt a small thrill, chasing down his spine. I did that.He glanced at Xena, saw the faint smile chasing across her lips, and returned it. "I keep forgetting you've been here before." He admitted, sheepishly.

Xena snorted. "Yeah. Once or twice." she leaned back and bit thoughtfully into a chunk of meat as she listened to Gabrielle relating some story or other to a fascinated Jessan. Suddenly the words caught her attention, and she smiled. She would be telling him that story. Wait. The woman's a bard..."Gabrielle." Xena interrupted, leaning forward to catch her attention.

"Hmm?" Gabrielle answered, tilting her head towards her companion. "What's up?"

"Feel up to giving this lot a story?" Xena jerked her head to encompass the room. "I think they could use some encouragement." She watched Gabrielle scan the room, then nod in understanding.

"See what you mean." she commented, taking a deep breath. "Ok. I think I've gotten my second wind here. Let me see what I can come up with." She sat silent for a moment, then a smile crossed her face. "I think I have one."

Xena watched the bard as she gracefully crossed the to the front of the hall, and perched on a low table, gathering the eyes of the citizens on her. As she started to tell the story, and the crowds attention became focused on her, Xena recognized the tale. Oh Gabrielle..good choice. she laughed in delight to herself. Another tale of a small force against impossible odds, where the outnumbered, outclassed victims overcame the odds, the opposition, and their own natures to win the day. It was one of her own personal favorites, and the bard knew that. She settled back to enjoy, keeping Hectator's now engrossed face in her peripheral vision.

Gabrielle sat in the room they had been shown to after dinner, watching Xena make some last minute preparations with armor and weapons.

"Great job with that story, by the way." Xena commented, glancing at her over one shoulder. "it was perfect."

"Thanks." Gabrielle answered, absently. "I know you like that one, too. " She started to say something else, but fell silent. After a moment, she started again, only to close her mouth uncertainly. "Xena." she finally managed.to ask. "There's no way we're going to win tomorrow, is there?"

Xena looked up at her companion, noticing the expression in her face. She quickly finished what she was doing, and walked over to the bard, sitting down on the bed facing her. Gently, Xena..don't scare her to death. "Nothing is impossible, Gabrielle." She glanced down at her armored bracer, then back up to meet the bard's green eyes honestly. "But, no. It doesn't look good."

"Oh." Gabrielle murmured. "You'll be careful, won't you?" What a dumb thing to say, Gabrielle. "Remember, you promised me." she added, with a weak smile.

Xena sighed softly. "Yes, I did, didn't I." She examined the bracer again. "I'd rather not be known as a person who doesn't keep promises." She looked up and found herself gazing right into Gabrielle's eyes at a short distance. Well, it's now or never. I hate doing this, but I'm not sure I have a choice. Not and have a hope of keeping that promise. "Will you do something for me?"

"For you? " Gabrielle blurted, puzzled. "Anything, sure..what..." What could she possibly ask for?

"No matter how it looks...Gabrielle, don't come out onto the battlefield tomorrow." A clipped, precise, deadly serious tone.

"Wait a minute." Gabrielle snapped. "You are NOT going to do this to me." she clenched her fists. "No way. I am not going to be left behind here like so much baggage. We've been over and over this, Xena. No way."

Xena's voice hardened. "Gabrielle..." she started, a low warning in her tone.

The bard threw her hands up in upset outrage. "Look! I am really tired of being treated like some little kid! I can take care of myself, Xena!"

Ok. Wrong tactic. Let's try plan B. "Please." Xena captured her hands, and leaned forward, softening her voice and eyes. ."Gabrielle, I've never asked you for anything. Have I? "

Gabrielle was caught by the question. "No." she finally whispered. "Don't ask for this. Don't ask me to stay on the sidelines while you go out there, gods, Xena please.."

"I"m asking." Xena's blue eyes sparked as she let loose the reins on her forceful personality for just a moment. "Promise me." Her voice dipped a pitch lower. "PROMISE ME."

"OK..OK.." the bard answered, gritting her teeth. . "I promise." Her eyes were stormy. "but..Xena, why ? I mean, I know it's dangerous, but everyone including the farmers with pitchforks are going to be out there..." her voice trailed off at the expression on Xena's suddenly still face. Uh oh. I don't think this is about my skill with a staff, is it....

Xena dropped her eyes for a long moment, then let out a long held breath. Plan B does require an explanation, Xena..that's why you hoped Plan A would do the trick, right? Right.

"Look, It's going to be...pretty rough out there tomorrow. I"m going to need all the concentration I have just to..well, anyway. " Xena finally said, watching Gabrielle's face as she gently chafed the bard's hands, still held in her own. "And If you're out there, Gabrielle, my mind will be wherever you are, not with the guy with the sword in front of me." She lifted her eyes and met Gabrielle's startled gaze. Never figured that out, did you?.She smiled, briefly. "And I'd like a fighting chance at keeping that promise."

The words rang in Gabrielle's ears, in a sudden, still quiet. I always wondered why she always makes me stay out of things. Now she tells me. "Oh." she sighed. "I never realized" A flash of countless close calls presented itself to her minds eye, where Xena just happened to be in the right place at the right time to stop an arrow, a knife, a sword... 'I guess I should have." How much denser could I have possibly been? How much blinder? Gods.

In a silence so profound, Xena swore she could hear the stones in the building settling, they just sat and looked at each other. Finally, Xena looked down at their still linked hands, and sighed. She squeezed once, then released the bard. "We need to get some rest before tomorrow."

"Yeah." Gabrielle responded. "I guess we do." Her voice sounded choked.

Xena removed her armor, then settled against the headboard, half reclining. She folded her hands across her stomach, and turned her head slightly to watch Gabrielle, who was curling up next to her, far too slowly, a stricken look on her face. OK OK...now what? I've used up all my clever sayings this round - not that I have many... She tilted her dark head, and met Gabrielle's troubled gaze. "Hey" she said softly, lifting one arm and reaching around the bard with it. ""C'mere." she continued, pulling Gabrielle into a hug. With a small choking sound, her companion complied.

That just scared me worse than that battle tomorrow. Xena mused to herself. Gods, I'm so unprepared to fight on this battleground, it's pathetic. She regarded at the top of Gabrielle's head, as the bard relaxed . At least I made her feel better. I know she likes hugs Her lips quirked into a wry grin. I never thought I'd get used to that.

She settled back, idly remembering her early travels with Gabrielle. She'd explained, and explained, until she was about blue in the face to the stubborn girl that touching or especially grabbing Xena was a bad, if not deadly idea. My body doesn't know you're a friend, Gabrielle. It assumes everyone is an enemy, and it doesn't stop to ask my brain what to do. You could get hurt. If you do it just the wrong way, you could get killed. And Gabrielle was pretty good after that, always making sure she approached Xena from the front, no surprises - and when she occasionally forgot and reached out to grasp an arm, Xena at least saw it coming, and kept from knocking her into next week.

So, then one day, after they'd been traveling around for a while, they met some bad guys trashing a village. Which one? Who knew. They stopped the pillaging, and scared off the marauders, but it had been a hard, tough fight. Xena had been sitting by the fire not long after, tired, sore, and depressed, when Gabrielle, thinking who knew what, had just walked up behind her, grasped the back of her neck with both hands and started kneading.

Xena laughed to herself now, thinking of it. Right after an ugly battle, and me in one of my darker moods. I should have broken half her ribs. But she hadn't, and the bard's hands had released tension in her shoulders by their very touch.. Not a twitch from her dependably hair trigger reflexes. Not a twitch from her much vaunted defensive instincts. Nothing.

I should have known it then. Xena thought, gazing down at her companion affectionately. Was I ever surprised. So was she. What sarcastic comment did I make? Oh yeah..."Guess I was more tired than I thought. You were lucky" Xena mentally rolled her eyes. Now look at us.. She shook her head in disbelief. And I could even lie to myself and say I only do this for her sake. Right. And just exactly how many people in my life blindly trust me, like this?

How does she know? Gabrielle wondered, as she willingly snuggled close, throwing one arm over Xena's waist, and letting her head rest on Xena's shoulder, where her ear could detect the steady heartbeat. She always knows when I need this. Not words, not explanations, just...this. Blessed if I don't spend most of my time just peeking in the window, and then she just opens the door and invites me in. And it's so warm and safe in here, I don't ever want to go back outside. "Thanks." she whispered, glancing up."I know you as a rule don't like this kind of thing."

Xena gazed down at her with an unfathomable expression. "As a rule, no." She drawled, coolly. Then she smiled all the way to her eyes. "But you're an exception to the rule, Gabrielle."

"Am I?." the bard breathed. glad that Xena couldn't see the dumb look she was sure was on her face.

"Mm hmm." Xena confirmed.

Gabrielle was silent for a bit, drinking that in. Then she asked, thoughtfully "Xena, are you ever scared? I mean, when you know you're going to have to..."

"No." Xena replied, thoughtfully. "Not when I'm fighting." She hesitated. "There really isn't time to be."

Gabrielle blinked at her. "Any other time?" she asked, curious. With one ear pressed against Xena's chest, she could hear Xena's heartbeat pick up a little.

An extremely simple question, with extremely complex answers. "Sometimes I get scared when I think about the consequences." The warrior finally answered, in a measured tone. "Will my plans work, how many people will end up dead because of them, what happens to the people who are left..that kind of thing."

"Oh." The bard considered for a moment. "Well, your plans usually work out..but, do you ever...I mean, are you ever..." Gabrielle paused. She had a captive audience here, and she was going to ask this question.

Xena looked down at her with a surprising amount of compassion. "Am I afraid of dying?"

Gabrielle fell silent. She was really glad Xena didn't have the opportunity to hear her heart right now, because it was pounding so hard she was surprised it wasn't audible. "Yeah. Something like that." she mumbled, and felt Xena's chest move as she took and released a long breath.

"I didn't used to be." Xena finally admitted, a smile beginning to etch itself on her face, unseen by the bard. "In fact, at one time I would have welcomed it." She felt Gabrielle stiffen under her protective arm. "There really wasn't much to worry about leaving. Now..." she laughed slightly. . "Let's just say it's an area of serious concern for me."

"Please be careful. " Gabrielle said quietly. "I'd really miss you."

"I will." Xena replied, just as quietly. "I'd really miss you, too." She reached out with her free arm, and doused the candle by the bedside. "Get some rest." Xena added, and gazed thoughtfully at the bard, who showed no signs of moving an inch. The warrior grinned resignedly, then firmly closed her eyes.

It was still dark out when Gabrielle was woken by a soft pat on the back. She blinked sleepily, then looked up to where she could just make out the glint of Xena's pale eyes in the low candlelight. "Oh..sorry." she mumbled, realizing she'd fallen asleep on her companion's shoulder. "You shouldn't have let me do that, Xena. It couldn't have been comfortable " She looked up at the window. "How long did I.."

Xena chuckled. "It's almost dawn." She gave the bard's dismayed expression an amused look, and shrugged. "I slept just fine. Don't worry about it." she yawned slightly. "I'm going to go wash up before I have to put all that armor on."

Gabrielle watched her pad silently into the bathing room before she sat up and stretched. Hmm. Not as sore as she had been expecting, given all that blasted riding yesterday. Maybe she was getting used to it. In fact, she felt amazingly good, considering..incredible what a good night's sleep...her thoughts paused. A good night's sleep without nightmares, she realized with a start. Huh. that hasn't happened in a while. Not really surprising, she mocked herself. Hard to have your worst nightmare when you fall asleep with the subject's very alive heartbeat pounding in one ear, huh. Too bad I couldn't do that all the time she muffled a sigh as she tugged her boots on, and selected a piece of fruit to munch on as she walked to the balcony to peer out at the darkness.

"See anything?" Xena voice drifted out towards her, and she turned to see the warrior emerge into the room carrying her leathers and wringing excess water out of her dark hair. Gabrielle grinned at the sight.

"Nope." She commented, biting into the crisp fruit. "That was quick." she added, stepping back inside the room.

"Very cold water." Xena drawled, wryly, as she slid into the leathers, and fastened the shoulder straps. "Now I'm really awake." she commented, walking over to where she'd left her carefully arranged armor, and lifting the shoulder and breastplate sections over her head.

"Here, let me get that." Gabrielle put down the piece of fruit and reached for a strap. She snugged the buckle tight, glancing at Xena's face for an indication of correct fit. Xena nodded, busy with her right vambrace, which was always a nuisance. Gabrielle finished the other shoulder strap, then took over lacing the stubborn bracer, with a faint grin. "This stuff is worse than an Athenian puzzle box, sometimes."

"Sometimes." Xena grinned, and stood patiently as the bard finished lacing. Then she strapped on the extra upper leg and upper arm plates, slapping the shoulder protection into place with practiced ease. Extra daggers, the chakram, and finally her sword, fastened securely at her back. She bounced up and down on the balls of her feet once or twice, settling all the pieces. "OK." She took a deep breath. "Let's go." She riffled her fingers through her dark hair, and freed it from it's entrapment under her armor, then moved towards the door, as a soft knock came from the other side.

Jessan opened the door to Xena's room, as he heard the warrior's voice call out to enter. The scant candlelight in the room reflected off the armor plating she was wearing as she crossed towards him. He moved back into the hallway to let her pass, and grinned a hello at Gabrielle who was following.

"They're still about two hours out" He commented to Xena, who nodded. "Looks like they'll try a full out frontal assault - we're not going to be able to hold the walls. We need to meet them in front, if we've any chance."

Jessan's calm analysis matched Xena's own, so again she merely nodded. Hectator's troops were, at least, all mounted, and fairly experienced soldiers. She could have worse to work with, and had before. There just weren't enough of them. She matched Jessan's long strides down the hallway towards the courtyard, where she began to make out the orderly activity of battle preparation. Hectator spotted them, and left his men immediately, crossing towards them with a brisk stride.

"My friends." Hectator said, as he drew even with them. "My allies." He nodded shyly at Jessan. "The time as come to go forth." His eyes searched theirs. "It gives me no joy to have you here, preparing to go under arms in a fight that is rightfully not your own."

"Hectator." Xena said, forcefully. "Stop telling me what fights I should, or should not get involved in." She gazed into his eyes. "Look at me, and tell me you don't want me fighting on your side."

Hectator's mouth twitched. That blue gaze saw right through him. "No.' he smiled. "I won't tell you that." he dropped his gaze, then lifted it again, this time pleading with her. "In fact, may I ask a great favor of you?"

Jessan quirked an eyebrow at the human, amused. He had a good idea of what Hectator was about to ask, and wondered if Xena would agree. He certainly agreed. Already, the rising tension around him was making his hair prickle. Little tingles of excitement traveled up and down his arms, and he sniffed the rising dawn wind in eager anticipation.

Xena eyed him warily. "Sure. Ask."

"Since I can't convince you to leave, would you do us a great honor?" Hectator paused, waiting. It was going to be a very ugly day, and he wanted to have at least one bright moment to take into it.

"I don't know" Xena said, raising both eyebrows. "You haven't told me what it is you want!"

"Lead us." the prince asked, simply.

Xena was stunned. She studied his face in silence, as they all waited for her response. Finally, she flicked her gaze to the horizon, then back. "All right." Saw relief in Hectator's eyes, and glee in Jessan's. A grim smile from Gabrielle, but a little nod as well. "Let's get going, then. They won't wait all day." Silently, she glanced up at the stars. Ares, I hope you're watching. This one's payback for keeping your word and giving me my body back. She swore she heard an satisfied chuckle in response.

"We won't be able to hold them for a siege." Xena said, as they headed towards the assembling troops. "We need to form up on the little slope between those two hillock arms." She gestured towards the front of the castle. "If we can funnel them between those escarpments, we can slow their advance." She slowed to a stop beside Argo, who snorted at her. The golden mare wore a woven padded coat under her saddle, along with leg and chest protectors. Xena stroked her neck lightly, and prepared to mount, aware of Hectator and Jessan moving towards their own steeds. Gabrielle stepped up quietly and grasped Argo's bridle to hold her still.

Xena paused, and let her hand rest on Argo's back, while she regarded her companion. Gabrielle returned the look, for once seemingly without words.

The bard cleared her throat finally. "Take care." she said, her voice slightly hoarse, and released Argo's bridle, stepping back out of the way.

"I will" Xena answered, moving away from Argo and opening her arms. "Don't squeeze too tight." She cautioned. "You'll get poked." She clasped the bard to her gently for a moment, and felt Gabrielle's arms tighten convulsively around her, regardless of her armor. She closed her eyes, and let her cheek rest on the top of the bard's head until she felt Gabrielle's grasp relax and only then released her own hold. They both stepped back a pace, gazing at each other, still loosely linked in each other's arms.

Something passed between them. Not in words, perhaps not even in thoughts. Xena smiled a little, then bent forward and gently kissed the bard on the forehead. "Be good." she warned.

Gabrielle nodded a little. "Be careful."

"See you later." Xena drawled, and mounted Argo in one fluid move. "I promise." She grinned, and headed the horse towards the gate.

"You promise." Gabrielle echoed, softly. "I'll remember that." She took a breath, then turned and headed inside the castle, where the castle steward was frantically trying to prepare for the worst. Gabrielle gently took over for him.

Lestan turned away from his oldest friend, despair set in the line of his broad shoulders. "Mika, I can't do that. You know I can't" he turned and spread his good arm out, in supplication. "Yes, I was taken with the woman. Yes, my son is involved. Yes, Hectator is now an ally. Yes, Yes, yes..but risk one drop of the blood of our village, no" He sat down. "How could I call myself a leader, if I lead where my heart takes us, and not in the good interests of our people?"

Mika sat, stroking the soft tan fur on his chin. "And your heart takes you with him, doesn't it?" He smiled in deep understanding. "As does mine." He restlessly stood and paced. "As does mine." Finally he whirled and went to his knees in front of Lestan. "Please." His pale, pale eyes pleaded. "I love your son as if he was my own. I can't...Lestan, I can't let him go alone."

"Mika" Lestan groaned. "I can't do this. I can't command this. I just can't do it. I..." His eyes sparked. "I...can go myself." He looked at Mika, kneeling before him. "I can't command anyone else to go." He whirled and looked at the near dawn sky. "And anyway, it's probably too late."

"Ask them." Mika answered, a glow in his eyes. "Ask them, Lestan - ask the warriors of the people what their choice is. It's only fair." He glanced up as Wennid entered, having heard the last of the conversation. She walked over to Lestan's chair, and circled her arms around his neck, resting her chin on his shoulder. They floated peacefully in their bond for a moment, then she spoke.

"I love you." Her low voice carried to the far corners of the room. "More than life itself." She closed her eyes, and rested her cheek against his. "I would go to the end of the world to keep you from harm. You know that. " She paused. "But this will shatter your heart, my love, if you don't follow it." She whispered in his ear. "I feel it in you. We are what we are. Mika is right. Ask them."

Lestan sat, frozen for what seemed an eternity. Finally, he sucked in a huge breath, and blew it out again. "All I will do, is ask them." He growled. "And take their answer, as my answer as well." He turned and matched looks with his lifebonded. "and, I love you too." He kissed her, then turned and headed towards the door, missing the glance that crossed between Wennid and Mika. They watched his face, as he threw open the door, calling back, "Ask the people to gather in the courtyard."

"No need" Mika murmured, as Lestan turned his head, and looked out the door.

Torchlight scattered wild shadows across the large space, the only sound that of the breeze snapping the battlecoats on 300 mounted, armed, silent warriors. A horse snorted. Deggis appeared, leading Garan towards him, stopping 10 paces away, waiting. Eyes glowing.

Lestan felt tears rise in his eyes, and stop the speech in his throat, as he spread his arm away from his body to allow Mika to slide the battlecoat over his head. His people. Chills started running down his back, and he felt the battle fever rising. Mika buckled the longsword across him, and gave the straps one last tug. He turned and faced him. "You knew."

"Aye." Mika answered, eyes shining. "I surely knew." He fastened the buckles on his own gear, and whistled for his trusty Esten.

That left him on the porch with Wennid, who slid her arms around him. "Bring back that son of ours." She teased him, squeezing hard. "I have a few things to say to him." They kissed, and separated, looking deep into each other's eyes. Lestan felt their bond ignite, filing him with a deep warmth, which he returned in full. "I'll come back." He vowed. Breaking the lifebond was...unthinkable.

"You'd better." She warned, trailing one finger across his cheek. "Or I'll just have to come after you." Beyond understanding, beyond better judgment, beyond death itself. The old saying played itself in her mind. Truer than they had ever known.

"Let's go." Lestan shouted, as he turned to Garan, and vaulted to his back, lifting one arm to his waiting people. A many voiced yell answered him, and they moved out."If we're in time at all."

Dawn broke over a still, silent plain. Xena had placed her troops where she wanted them, and now sat on Argo at the point of the two escarpments with Jessan and Hectator at her side, waiting. The approaching army was swelling across the horizon, and it had become evident that they were not going to stop and negotiate.

Xena raised herself up in Argo's saddle, and gestured towards the waiting troops, who yelled back in response. She cantered Argo to the center of the mounted line, and turned her around, facing the troops and holding up her hands for silence. All eyes were on her.

"This isn't about territory." She shouted, her voice carrying across the plain almost back to the castle. "This isn't about trade, or plunder, or crops." Xena put force into her voice. "This is about your homes, and your families, which are going to be taken if you don't defend them." Their eyes were fastened on her, drinking in what she was saying. "Your families love and depend on you, and nothing..NOTHING in this world is more important than that." She paused. "Do you hear me?"

A yell in response. "This enemy has nothing to fight that with - make it your strength, and they will not defeat you!." Xena could feel the chill start up her spine at the low growl that came back from the soldiers, a growl that built and built and built into a wall of sound that crested over her like an ocean wave. She whirled Argo, as Hectator and Jessan cantered up to join her in the very front line.

"Whatever happens, Xena...it's been my honor to know you." Hectator spoke, keeping his voice low. He reached across his saddle, and extended his hand. Xena shook it without a word.

Jessan swallowed hard, containing his excitement. He could see the advance troops very clearly now, and the rumble of hooves was shaking his very bones. He glanced at Xena, who was settling her bracers and checking Argo's straps. She turned her head and met his gaze, then smiled. He smiled back, in perfect understanding.

She raised up on Argo's back, ready to give the signal to advance, when motion behind them caught her sharp eyes. As she saw what it was, a grin formed on her face, and she laughed. Hectator turned, startled, and saw what she was looking at. "Well, I'll be...."

Jessan also turned, and stared, and stared, in delighted disbelief. His people. hundreds of them., armed and mounted, were adding to the numbers behind them. Lestan threaded Garan forward to join them at the front, giving his son a little nod, and what looked suspiciously like a wink.

"Lestan" Xena said, with a slight laugh.

"I heeded your warning, Xena." The forest leader commented, drawing his sword. "And now, I think we have company."

Xena turned again, and raised her arm for the advance. She gestured, and the anxious Argo forged ahead, leading now nearly 700 mounted fighters towards the advancing troops.

Jessan kept Eris' head even with Argo's tail, watching as Xena set her knees firmly into the saddle rolls, and drew her sword. She had spotted what looked to be the leader of the approaching army, and was headed straight for him. Jessan drew his own sword, and grinned in intense wild pleasure. He tipped his head back, and let out a roar, which was immediately echoed by the following forest dwellers, then, as if in tandem, came the answering, higher pitched yell of the human fighters. Oh..this was going to be glorious.

Xena drove powerfully towards the advance guard, spotting the telltale signs of a stupid battle leader. He was surrounded by heavily armored retainers, and they all held banners. She met the first of the leading soldiers, and swept through, sweeping her sword in tight arcs. A yell bubbled up out of her chest explosively, as she let the battle fever take over, and just went with it. Jessan to her right was cutting soldiers in two with that greatsword, and Hectator had just cut the head off one luckless rider with a single cut.

The guards were too slow - they were no match for her speed, much less her skill. Behind her, she was aware that Hectator's troops were carving a big hole in the advancing army, fighting with a fury which overcame their lesser numbers.

She unseated one of Anseles's personal guards with a well placed kick, then a second fell to her sword. She wove a net around herself they just couldn't penetrate, and when they tried, Jessan was there, sweeping them off their mounts with his great strength alone.

One guard was good - he launched off his saddle, and caught her in the chest, trying to pull her off Argo. She slung him over Argo's sweat drenched shoulders, and off the other side, then slid down to meet him, as he whirled and cut. Her sword just parried it, then she ducked and slashed again, this time catching him across the wrist. He cursed, and slammed his hilt against her chest armor, trying to push her down.

Xena grinned, and pushed back, surprising him. He came back off balance, and she caught him on the chin with the hilt of her sword. He went down again, and this time didn't get back up. She looked up as Ansteles was about to behead a stunned Hectator, too close for effective range of her chakram. Instead, she launched herself at him, catching Ansteles on the downstroke, inches from Hectator's bared neck. She hadn't had time for finesse, just a basic body block, but it worked. They rolled over and separated, and Xena bounded back up and struck the sword from his recovering hands.

Ansteles stared at her, in disbelief, then grabbed a pike from one of his gaping guards, and came up off his knees in a blind fury. Jessan yelled a warning, but the pike met clean air, as Xena launched herself up and into a tight somersault, clearing Anstele's head, and landing behind him. She took the opportunity to kick him in pants, so hard he cracked his head into a tree stump and slumped to the mud.

Then a wave of the fighting rolled over them, and Xena was hard pressed to keep her skin whole, as 100 of the enemy army, in a group, surrounded them. She found herself back to back with Jessan, matching strokes with him as though they'd been fighting together for years. They cleared a circle around themselves, then started in on the now retreating enemy soldiers. They went shoulder to shoulder, then, forcing the troops backwards, Jessan's booming roar and her wild yell unnerving the men to the point that they started running.

Jessan stopped as the enemy soldiers took to their heels, and paused for breath. Beside him, Xena also paused, and took a moment to adjust a slipping bracer. "Not as bad as I thought.' Xena commented, then stiffened, as she spotted a knot of enemy soldiers surrounding what she could just barely make out as one of the forest dwellers. Cursing, she vaulted onto Argo and bolted towards them.

Anstele's soldiers didn't hear her coming.All of their attention was focused on their target, the tall, unmistakable form of Lestan. He was holding them off, just barely with powerful one armed sweeps, his back to a large boulder.Two soldiers teamed up against him, though, and he was losing the ability to keep their swords from his body. Wennid...his mind called out, beloved...

The large soldier finally knocked Lestan's sword from his exhausted fingers, and caught him a blow against the side of his unprotected head. Lestan collapsed, and the solider grinned grimly. and raised his weapon for a final stroke. The blade descended...and fell crashing against the rock face as the soldier was knocked to the ground senseless by a hurtling, yelling, leather clad body nearly as big as his own. Xena rolled, and came up slashing, taking the head off the second soldier in one clean slice. The startled ring of soldiers paused, then gathered their courage and descended on her like a pack of wolves.

This could possibly have been a mistake Xena thought, grimly, as she fought hard to keep her feet in the rush of bodies and moving weapons. She stood over Lestan's unconscious frame, and by force of will alone kept the mob back, cutting and slashing until the flying blood nearly blinded her. She reached down deep, to reserves of strength she seldom had to call upon, reserves which responded more readily than she had anticipated. No two bit mangy half armored scuz petit soldiers are going to take me down., not today. she vowed grimly to herself. Not today. Still they came at her, still, stubbornly, she kept them off, laying down a carpet of bodies all around her, refusing to give ground, refusing to let them inside her guard, until, finally, finally, it was over. The soldiers were dead, or dying, or being scattered by the arrival of reinforcements from Hectator's troops.

Xena leaned back against the boulder, and took a deep breath, trying to calm her pounding heart. She closed her eyes and waited for her body to stop shaking, gripping her sword tightly to keep from dropping it. She glanced down at Lestan, who had come to groggy consciousness, and was gazing at her with bright eyes. She crouched down next to him, and examined a long gash along his bad shoulder. "You'll be ok." she assured him, clapping him on the opposite arm.

Lestan studied her face, memorizing every detail.He had opened his eyes to see her standing over him, solid as a granite outcropping against which the enemy soldiers broke like so many ocean waves. Like he had once stood over Wennid. He didn't even care that she was human, it was so very, very glorious. "Xena." he said, hoarsely, nodding. "by Ares name, I"m glad I didn't challenge you at the fording of the stream." He grinned at her, delight in his eyes. "Looks like my family is sliding ever further into your debt." He gazed into her eyes. "My lifebond also thanks you. Again."

Xena grinned crookedly at him. "Anytime, Lestan. " She glanced around, then back at him. "After all, I couldn't let that bond be broken, now could I?"

They looked at each other for a long moment. Then Lestan smiled, and so did she. "You do understand." he breathed. "At last. One of your people who sees what we see. " He struggled to his knees, then upright with Xena hauling on his good arm. "Maybe there is hope for us after all."

The battle lasted all day, most of the rest of which was Hectator's forces tracking down and eliminating little pockets of resistance. The survivors of Anstele's troops deserted the field after the sun was dropping to the horizon, and only some mopping up was left to be done.

"So." Xena asked the weary Jessan, as they slowly walked through the bloody battlefield. "How did you like it?" She was covered with dirt, blood, and sweat, some of the blood her own, but not much. He had several cuts, a few deep ones, and was also liberally coated with mud and grime.

"Loved every minute of it." Jessan answered, from his heart. "You gotta teach me that one across and back slice you do. It's killer." He grinned at her. "You are just poetry to watch, you know that?" His eyes glowed intently. "I was stuck in a mob of them when you went to save my father, and I gotta tell you, I was so busy watching you decimate that crowd I almost got my leg cut off. " He shivered in excitement. "Never, never have I seen anything so...." he hesitated, l.looking for the right word. "beautiful" Jessan finished, sighing.

Xena burst out laughing. "Jessan, I"m sure only you would describe me that way." She shook her head. "But I'm glad you enjoyed yourself." She patted him on the back. "Your people saved the day, you know."

"No.' Came Jessan's surprising answer. "We would have won anyway." He looked at her, something not human glinting in his golden eyes. "You saved the day."

"Give me a break, Jessan." Xena scoffed, rolling her eyes. "I'm only one person. Remember?" She waved her left arm to indicate the battlefield. "We won because your people tipped the balance in our favor. I just....helped." She hesitated. "and..I had a promise I had to keep."

"Uh huh." Jessan answered. "OK, believe what you want, then, Xena..but when they put a statue of you up in both Hectator's city and my village, maybe you'll see my point of view." He ignored the outraged expression on Xena's face. "yes, and see all the children named after you..."

"Jessan." Xena growled.

"And imagine the story Gabrielle will make out of THIS..." Jessan continued, enjoying himself probably more than was good for him. "yes, I can hear it now..." He stopped as Xena turned slowly to face him, arms crossed, a menacingly chill expression on her face. "uhh...sorry. I'll stop now." he squeaked, backing away from that icy glare.

Xena held the gaze a moment more, then quirked her eyebrow at him. "Nice to see that still works." she commented dryly.

They continued on in companionable silence, and he took the opportunity to slit his eyes shut, and use his Sight to See her with. Quicksilver, as he had first seen her, with hidden, shifting currents. Suddenly, as he Watched, she took on a softer, golden sheen to his Sight. Intrigued, he opened his eyes, and looked at her, wondering what caused the shift, and the corresponding smile on her face. Being an artless cub, the words were out of his mouth before he could stop them.

"Xena, what are you thinking about?" He could have clapped his hand over his own mouth, but it was too late. She was turning to look at him, puzzled.

"Why?" Xena asked, wondering what made him ask at just that moment. At just exactly that moment.

"Oh." Jessan recovered. "Just asking." He avoided her stare. "you just had a smile on your face,that's all." Well, she had. "It just looked like you were thinking about something that made you really happy."

Xena looked at him, thoughtfully, then slowly smiled. "That's very true." she allowed., then "can you read minds, Jessan?"

"No." the forest dweller promptly answered. "No, well, my mother can, a little. Well, mine anyway." He made a face. "But the rest of us, no." He swallowed. "We can...sense..the life force in the things around us..whether a person is good, or bad, and if they're close by, we can sense emotion, sometimes." He glanced at her, trying to decipher her expression.

"Is that why you decided to trust us, after we rescued you from the village?" Xena asked unexpectedly, now really curious.

Jessan gave her a little smile. "No. The head injury knocked out my world sense,for most of the time we journeyed. I only got it back the night I told you my parent's story." He glanced at her, noted the interested expression. Oh boy. "No, I had to decide that the old fashioned way."

"How?" Xena pursued, caught up. "What made you decide? You knew who I was." She raised an eyebrow at him, waiting for his answer.

Shall I tell her? I wonder if she realizes what her eyes show, to me at least. Probably not. Humans are..so unaware. Jessan mused thoughtfully, before raising his eyes and meeting hers.

"The first night." He enjoyed the surprised look on her face. "When Gabrielle had nightmares, and you got her out of them." Now her blue eyes were guardedly astonished. "The look on your face. I knew..anyone...who had that much love in them...wouldn't hurt me."

He had gotten to her, saw the reaction to his words. Maybe too much. Time to back off. "I'm sorry." He put a conciliatory hand on her arm. "Have I made you angry?"

Xena walked on in silence for several paces, then let out a low laugh. "No." She glanced sideways at him. "I'm not angry." A few more paces. "You're very perceptive." A reluctant smile was crossing her lips.

"It's a gift of my people." He answered, glancing at his blood stained boots.

Xena snorted. "Your people have a lot of interesting gifts." She peered at him out of the corner of her eyes.

Jessan chewed on his lip for a moment. "Yes, we do." he paused., and took a resolute breath. "You know, Xena, there's something that I...can see..between you and Gabrielle."

"I know." Xena answered, turning her head fully and looking at him with a grim smile.

"Oh." Jessan answered. "You do?" Why am I ever surprised at this woman? This human?

"Yeah." Xena sighed, her expression resigned but peaceful. "But it's not in her best interests, so I try not to dwell on it.

Jessan started. "What? Wait..Xena..you don't understand."

The warrior looked at him. "Yes, I do." she glanced off into the distance. "But we''re not your people, Jess. We have a choice." Now she turned a looked him in the face, and the weight off all her years and the times of her life was in her eyes. "And I choose not to allow her into a future that only offers darkness, and danger and.." She lifted her arm and gestured around them, "this."

"She could change that" Jessan said, gathering his courage.

Xena shook her head. "No." She gave him a half smile. "I can pretend otherwise, but this is what I am." She patted his arm. "Besides, she's a great bard. I need to get her someplace where she can let that gift grow. Not out wandering the countryside."

Ah Xena. Jessan mused quietly to himself.You only think you're in control of this. My parents thought so, too. For a while. "Whatever you say, Xena." He responded, lightly.

She fell silent, and regarded the looming doors to Hectator's stronghold. She was spotted by several men at arms, and cries of her name began to ring out across the open courtyard. She glared at Jessan, who just shrugged sheepishly.

Two pages ran up, offering to take their horses. Xena knelt down so that she was eye to eye with one. "Do you know how to take care of battle injuries in horses?" she asked solemnly. He looked round eyed at her, then showed her his pouch, which contained wrap bandages and cleanser. "Good' she said, then handed him Argo's reins. "Take good care of her." She tousled his hair,and received a look of utter worship in return. He and his partner led off the two weary animals, leaving their riders to cross the castle forecourt and climb the stairs to the main doorway.

The courtyard was full of battle debris, and walking injured, along with their whole companions. Xena could feel their eyes on her as she crossed the stones, and she made an effort to make eye contact with as many of them as she could before starting the long climb up to the door. So. This is what Hercules must feel like all the time. She mockingly told herself. Funny. If I'd have been at the head of Anstele's army, I doubt they'd be so enamored. I could have taken this city, forest people or no forest people. I wonder if they realize that. I wonder if they care. Don't they realize they need to worship heroes who bring life, not a gods cursed, darkness steeped war-horse like me, whose greatest skill is killing people?

A dark form crossed her path. "Alaran." Xena said, stopping to peer down into his face. He had gotten some minor injuries, but was essentially in one piece. "I"m glad you made it out of there." She smiled at him wearily.

"Xena." The grizzled solider breathed. "You know, I had forgotten just what it was like to fight under you. " He reached out a hand and touched her battered armor. "You made me forget the odds again, Xena. You said we were unstoppable, and we were. I'd forgotten you could do that." He laughed a little. "They didn't have a chance. You haven't lost a step, you know that? In fact, I think you've gotten better. How did you manage that?"

Xena sighed in resignation. Then she got a mischievous look, and whispered something in Alan's ear that made him choke in laughter. "But don't spread that around." She cautioned, and gave him a quick embrace. She chuckled a little as she and Jessan continued up the broad stairs towards the lighted doorway above.

Gabrielle had started off watching the battle from the upper turret, but stopped after she spotted Xena diving off Argo and going into hand to hand fighting. She had been glad to see the forest people, but realized that Hectator's forces were still outnumbered. She spent the time organizing the healers and the people running supplies,and tried to ignore the sounds from the outside.

After the wounded and the dying started coming in, she hadn't had time to think about much except for trying to save as many of the soldiers as they could, and she spent her excess energy on making sure all the resupply was going on as scheduled. The battle leaders had been the first ones to go out, they would be the last to come in, she knew, and that was how Xena operated anyway. She knew Xena was alive - that much had filtered in from the battlefield, that all the battle leaders had survived, though Lestan was in here getting his shoulder bandaged up, and Hectator was supposed to have a pretty bad knock to the head. Knowing didn't help the huge knot in her gut, though. She wanted the evidence of her own eyes.

They had won, most of Anstele's army was scattered or destroyed, and they had a relatively low level of loss themselves, so Gabrielle guessed that it was a success, so far as that went. As she assisted the injured, she started hearing stories of the forest people, of Hectator, of Jessan, but especially of Xena, and what they'd done in a fight that none of these men had expected to survive. She had won some staunch friends in this group of soldiers, and they were telling some pretty unbelievable stories. Curious, Gabrielle went in search of Lestan, finally finding him surrounded by mostly forest people, along with two human battle surgeons.

"Gabrielle!" Lestan shouted, as she came into view. "Oh boy, are you going to have stories to tell about this battle." He chortled, ignoring the surgeons attempt to stitch up his wounded shoulder. "And I'm an eyewitness to one of the best ones."

"So I've been hearing' Gabrielle grinned, settling herself on the stool next to the pallet he was lying on. "But each time I hear it, the number of enemy soldiers keeps getting larger." She glanced at some of the surrounding forest people. "It was, oh, around 200 or so the last time I listened. So...what 's the real story?"

Lestan settled back with a smug look. "I don't know, exactly." he admitted. "I was facing a ring of enemy soldiers, and got my sword knocked out of my hand, then took a flat blow to the side of my head. I went out like that." he snapped his fingers. "I figured that was the end of that." He took a sip of the water one of the other surgeons was urging on him. "Thank you. Anyway, next thing I know, all I can hear is yelling and swords clashing, but none of them are touching me. I look up, and there's Xena, holding off..oh..what seemed like..I don't know. Hundreds of them, for hours. I have never." He shook his head. "never seen anything like it. " His eyes showed amazement. "There were so many of them, and gods, they tried, but she just wouldn't let them get close. It was incredible."

"It was idiotic." A low, wearily amused voice corrected him. Eyes turned towards the doorway, where Xena was leaning, arms crossed, watching them.

Gabrielle felt the tight pressure she'd had in her chest since that morning evaporate, making her almost lightheaded with relief. Covered in blood and dirt, but whole, with blue eyes smiling into her green ones. "As promised." Xena commented, with a twinkle. "Though I think I carried half the battlefield back here on me." She grimaced ruefully, glancing down at the mud and grime, then looked up at Gabrielle and shrugged.

The bard laughed. "I wouldn't care if you came back covered with black ooze from the River Styx." she said, as she walked over and gave Xena a hug, armor, dirt, blood and all . "But it would probably ruin your armor." She tugged on the armor in question. "Come on. Let's get you out of this before you rust in that spot."

Xena followed peacefully into a little alcove, where she sat down on a crate and started to undo the armor straps. She looked up as Gabrielle came back in from a storage room off the alcove, hands full of cloth. Xena lifted off her shoulder armor, and heard Gabrielle's quick intake of breath. "Wow." the bard breathed, getting a closer look at the gash on the side of the warrior's neck. "That was pretty close."

'Yeah." Xena winced, flexing her arm on that side. "Didn't have a choice - Ansteles was about to take Hectator's head off. The only thing close enough to stop him was me." She busied herself removing her vambraces. "That stroke was headed for the back of his head - it just nicked me when I crashed into him."

"Let me get some cleaner." Gabrielle answered, in a quiet voice. She left the room, and Xena started working on removing her leg armor. Gingerly, she eased the left one free, exposing the bruising she expected from deflecting that guard who tried to pull her off Argo. Not too bad, actually. She looked up as Gabrielle returned, carrying a set of bandages and some herbal cleaner.

Xena sat quietly, eyes shut, as the bard cleaned the long gash, and put in a few stitches to keep it closed. "Thanks." she sighed when Gabrielle was finished. "That feels better already." She smiled at her companion. "You have good hands."

Gabrielle flushed slightly, and glanced at the ground, then lifted her eyes back to meet Xena's. "Tired hands." she admitted, clearing her throat a bit. "So many..." her gaze drifted back into the large open room, and she shook her head. "We lost a lot..there was just too much damage...I.." she paused, and lifted a shaking hand to her temple, then sighed, and took a deep breath. "A few slipped away while I was...Anyway, .I was just glad that...I didn't know any of them." She raised her head, and glanced at Xena's still, quiet face. Quite without her conscious permission, her hand reached out and she laid her palm against Xena's blood stained cheek.

Xena later told herself she had just been too tired to move when Gabrielle reached out to her, too tired to pull back away from that gentle touch, too tired to keep her eyes from gazing into the bard's misty green ones for what seemed like far too long a moment, seeing far too much reflected back to her. Finally, she blinked, and Gabrielle moved her hand down towards the long gash she had so recently dressed, fussing a bit with the bandage.

"Any more of these?" The bard asked softly.

Xena tilted her head thoughtfully. "No.." She winced slightly. "Mostly bruises everywhere else. A few scratches, the usual." Her tone was light. "Less than I expected, to tell you the truth." she grinned. "I haven't had to do that in a long time. Thought maybe I was getting a little soft."

Gabrielle chuckled. "You?" She poked one of Xena's muscular shoulders. "Yeah, right." Her face had relaxed, as she fell into a bit of their usual banter. "You'd better get those leathers off, though, before they stiffen."

"Uh huh." Xena surveyed her blood and grime covered body with a grim chuckle. "I'm going up and wash all this off." She glanced up at Gabrielle, who had leaned back against the counter nearby. "You..." she narrowed her eyes at the bard. "Are going to get something to eat, and sit down for while. You're white as a sheet.." The bard rolled her eyes. "Don't make me pick you up and put you in a chair." she added, with a mock glower.

Gabrielle smothered a grin. "Ok..Ok..." She gestured towards the broad stairs leading up. "I'll compromise. I'll get some food, and bring it upstairs so we can both eat." She returned Xena's mock glower. "Go on, tell me you don't need it."

Xena just smirked, and padded out in silence. Gabrielle remained in place for a moment, thoughtfully examining her laced boots, then shrugged, and twitched her shoulders as she picked up a trencher on her way out the door. Boy, I must be way overtired to have done *that*. she mused. And all I did was help out here. Imagine how Xena must feel. She's been fighting since dawn, and it's after dusk. Soft, huh? Gabrielle laughed to herself. She saw the eyes of most of the soldiers, humans and forest people alike follow Xena out the door, recognized the stark adoration reflected in their faces. She enchants people so effortlessly, the bard mused, as she slipped past the still working surgeons. I should know. she admitted privately. And she has no idea she's doing it. These men would follow her to Tartarus now..they don't even mind that she's a woman. They just fall in love with her. Truth. On more levels than she was willing to think about.

Water. Xena mused, as she doused herself from head to foot to remove all the blood and dirt from her body. Not a bad arrangement, either, did Hectator have here. There were large stone conduits running through the center of the building, which channeled water that could be heated for bathing or drunk when thirsty. Xena forbore the tedium of heating, and had hers ice cold. Not that she didn't like hot baths she chuckled to herself. But clean was clean, and if it took ice cold water to achieve, so be it.

She finished scrubbing off all the dried blood, and took a final rinse before shaking herself partially dry, using a piece of soft linen to finish the job. The relatively warm air of the room felt nice against her chilled skin, and she paused for a moment to study her reflection in the room's mirror. The result was a self depreciating snort. Ok. So Gabrielle has a point. she mocked her reflection. not much softness here. No wonder you scare people when you walk into a room. Xena shook her head in wry amusement, and pulled a soft linen shirt over her head, the tails of which fell to her knees. Then she sat down cross legged on a small carpet near the room's fire, and started the involved process of cleaning her armor. Most people would have left that for the morning, she realized. Guess that's why I'm not most people.

"What are you doing?" Gabrielle said, in a tone oozing with sarcasm as she pushed the door open a short time later, and stepped into the room. "I can't believe you're cleaning armor....no, scratch that. I can believe it. I can't believe I'm actually surprised that I can't believe it." She stopped and reviewed her last sentence. "I think I got too many negatives in there somewhere." she finished, and crossed the room to where Xena was sitting, now with her chin on one hand, watching her companion with an entirely too amused grin.

"Hello to you too, Gabrielle" The warrior drawled. "Your turn to get the blood off you." She nodded at the bard's crimson stained clothing. "Hope you like cold water." she added, with a sly twinkle.

Gabrielle groaned. "You're lucky I'm too tired to care." she sighed, and deposited the trencher loaded with food at Xena's side. "Here. start on this while I clean up." She moved off towards the bathing area, with a stifled yawn.

Xena picked up another piece of armor with one hand, and a chunk of cheese with her other. She balanced the piece on her knee while chewing, using the linen scrap to clean the last of the grime off the dully gleaming metal. She had finished both cheese and armor bit before Gabrielle returned.

"Brr." the bard chattered, hugging her clean shirt around her. "How do you stand that?" she asked, plaintively, as she crossed the room and collapsed on the rug next to Xena.

"Here" Xena answered, passing over a cup. "That should help." She watched as Gabrielle sniffed at the contents, then grinned and sipped, warming her hands on the outside of the cup. "Better?"

Gabrielle took a moment to breathe in the warm steam rising from the herbal tea. "Yeah. Thanks." She leaned back against the hearth. "So." she eyed Xena. "Tell me about the 200 enemy soldiers you defeated." She asked, with a grin, as she took a big bite of bread.

"Oh, don't you start." Xena groaned, rolling her eyes. "Please. I had Jessan giving me that all the way back to the stronghold." She put down the last bit of armor, and captured another piece of cheese. "What was I supposed to do, let Lestan be chopped into a dozen pieces?" She leaned her head back against the hearth, and looked at Gabrielle. " I wasn't trying to give you story fodder. Really."

Gabrielle laughed. "I"m sorry I didn't get to see it first hand." She liberated a grape, and popped it into her mouth. "On second thought, if there really were 200 of them, I think I"m glad I didn't see. it. I would have been scared half to death."

Xena just looked at her, a very tired grin tugging at her mouth. The end of a very long day was finally catching up with her. "Uh huh." she muttered, then closed her eyes and laid her head back against the hearthstone. "OK, Gabrielle. If you want there to have been 200, there were 200 of them. " She rolled her head to one side, and reluctantly opened an eye to gage the response. "Right now, it feels like there were 200 of them. At least." she admitted.

"Come on." the bard replied, dropping her bantering tone, and laying a hand on Xena's arm. "Time to go to bed. " she started to stand. "If I can get up that is."

Xena gave her a lazy grin, then collected what energy she had left in reserve, and smoothly stood up, carrying the bard, still hanging on her arm, up with her. "No problem." she drawled, earning a disgusted look from Gabrielle. "You said you wanted to get up." The warrior yawned and headed towards the bed, wincing a bit at the now stiffened bruising. She laid down carefully, avoiding jarring her neck, and watched idly as Gabrielle fussed with the fire, then joined her, curling up on her side facing Xena.

They looked at each other for a moment, then Xena tilted her head to make direct eye contact wit the bard. "You OK?" she asked, gently, watching the minute reactions of the well known face next to her.

Gabrielle nodded mutely. Sure, I"m fine, now. Now that my worst nightmare is over, and I can wake up again, and have it not be real. But I can't say that, can I? How can I tell you what it's like to watch you die in my dreams every night, without having you take that guilt, too, on your shoulders? "Yeah, I"m fine." she whispered, finally. "now." That last word slipped out unintended, went to far, she knew, told too much. A hand reached out, and smoothed the hair from her eyes, a touch that almost, almost undid her resolution to tough it out. Gabrielle kept her eyes closed, knowing that opening them would mean eye contact, would mean she'd break down and cry like child in simple relief. And that, she gritted her teeth and swore, she was not going to do, not going to burden Xena with after a day like today.

Xena banished her fatigue temporarily as she studied the bard's face, seeing the tension, the emotion written there, no matter how hard the woman tried to still herself.She's really good at getting me to open up, yeah...and I"m so really bad at getting her to. Ok..let's try plan A.

"Gabrielle." Xena's voice was low, and compelling. The bard felt it rumble down her eardrums, touching a chord in her that no other voice did. Damn. A hand now on her chin, feeling those blue eyes focusing on her, even through closed eyelids. Damn. Reluctantly, she opened her eyes, and met Xena's steady gaze, and felt the tears begin to well up.

"I"m sorry, I'm just really tired." Gabrielle mumbled, passing her hand over her eyes. "It's been a really long day." She took a deep breath, and released it, and felt no relief from the suffocating pressure on her chest. Damn. Grow up, Gabrielle. She just killed I don't know how many people, is injured, is tired, and doesn't need to deal with your hysterics. "I'll be fine. Really."

"Gabrielle?" Xena said, Gently, gently... "look at me for a minute." Ok..ok..plan B, then.

The bard sighed, and glanced up, blinking a little. "Yeah?" She managed to whisper, hoping she could hold it together for just a few minutes more.

"Thank you for caring." Xena said, simply. "It means a lot to me."

Caught between a breath and a heartbeat, Gabrielle just froze for a long moment, then closed her eyes, and felt tears slide down her face. Fingers brushed the tears away, and she somehow found herself being cradled in a hug that she wasn't sure how she got into, but knew, with a sudden blinding clarity, that she never wanted to get out of.

I shouldn't do this. her mind scolded. I should pull myself together, and just make her go to sleep after the day we had. I should...but gods..it feels so wonderful to just let it out..and I can't help it..I need this..A very long moment later, after the tears had finally stopped coming and Xena released her, settling her back on the bed but keeping a protective arm curled over her shoulders, she reopened her eyes, reluctantly.

"Xena, I'm sorry.." Gabrielle sighed, wiping her eyes in quick irritation. "I didn't mean to do that. I don't know what came over me." She rubbed her temples with one hand, willing away the ache from crying. "Like you needed to deal with that. " The bard shook her head in disgust.

Xena remained silent, but shifted one hand to the bard's neck, and started working out the tenseness she found there. After a few minutes, she felt Gabrielle's muscles loosen, as the bard let her head drop forward against the bed. "Better?" the warrior commented, keeping her voice light.

"Yeah." Gabrielle answered, in a muffled tone. "Thanks."

"Anytime." Xena said, drawing the word out. "We ex warlords have to be good for something, right?" She got the expected snorting chuckle from the bard, and grinned in response as Gabrielle glanced up at her from beneath damp eyelashes. "Don't judge yourself by me, Gabrielle." Xena said, softly. "After a day like today, that was a normal response from any sane person."

The bard mulled this over. "Hm. I guess." she finally admitted, settling her head down on one arm. "I just feel so...useless..sometimes." She shrugged slightly.

"Gabrielle..." It's too late, and I'm far too tired for this...I know I'm going to say something awkward... "You're not useless..not to me." She hesitated, then bowed to an overtired mind and continued. "You're a very important part of my life. I don't know what I'd do without you." Did I just say that??? I must have...it sure sounded like my voice..question is..did I mean it? Damn..I think I did.

"Really?" A tenuous whisper from Gabrielle, a sudden stillness to her body that Xena could feel under her casually draped arm.

"Really." came the reply.

"Good." the bard sighed. "Because you mean more to me than anything else in the world, and the thought of losing you again scares me to death." There. She got it out all in one breath, almost like she had rehearsed, several thousand times.

Gabrielle reached up and laid her hand on Xena's arm and continued, before she could think about stopping. "Did you know last night was the first night in months I haven't had that same old dream...I think my brain was so overloaded by what was going to happen in the morning, it just blanked out. "

Xena battled with several conflicting emotions. Unexpected warmth at the bard's confession, anger at herself for provoking it, regret for causing the woman nightly terror. "I'm sorry, Gabrielle." she sighed.

Gabrielle took a breath. "I'm not." came the surprising answer. She answered Xena's puzzled look with a gentle smile. "Some people go through their whole lives and never get to feel anything at all, Xena." Absently, her thumb rubbed against the small fine hairs on Xena's arm. "They never get to experience the kinds of anger, fear, despair, joy, or love that I have.." her eyes flickered to meet Xena's at the last. "That's pretty useful for a storyteller, don't you think?" She saw an answering smile in those blue eyes. "It makes it all real..and you have to have that in order to be able to make other people believe it."

Xena chuckled. "You never cease to amaze, oh bard of mine." She ruffled Gabrielle's hair and received a tired grin in response. "Time to get some rest" She reached out an extinguished the candle, leaving only the fireplace light in the huge room, then let her eyes drift shut. As always, her other senses intensified to compensate for the lack of vision. She could hear the small sounds outside in the courtyard, subtle thumps and rattles inside the stronghold, the sounds of horses in their distant stable, and the ugly sound of scavengers out in the battlefield. Beside her, Gabrielle stirred, and Xena felt the faint shiver from the cool breeze playing about the room shake the bard. "You cold?" she asked

Too long a pause. "No." Gabrielle answered at last. "I'm fine."

Xena glanced at the unseen ceiling, and smiled, then shook her dark head. She leaned close to the bard's ear. "You're lying." she whispered, trying to keep a chuckle from tainting her voice.

"Yeah." Gabrielle sighed. "But I"m way too tired to get up and get a blanket. I"ll survive." She yawned, and curled up into a tighter ball. "I don't seem to have some sort of mystical internal heat source like certain Warrior Princesses do."

'Very subtle, Gabrielle." Xena commented wryly. She flexed the arm already around the bard's shoulders, and pulled her closer in fairly impressive display of strength, given the circumstances. "I've been called many things, but this is a first for being a hot water bottle." She directed an invisible though no less affectionate glance at the bard.

"Mmm." Gabrielle mumbled, relaxing into sleep at last, curled up against Xena's warmth. I think I'm losing control of something here...she laughed softly to herself.but I'm not sure I care.

Continue to Part 4

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A Warrior by Any Other Name Part IV - Conclusion.
by Melissa Good
Melissa Good

For DISCLAIMERS see Part 1.

Also - please note - this section does contain some rather descriptive violence.

Jessan blinked slowly, lazily, as the sun's rays moved into the room he was in, and spread warmth across his chest. His eyes roamed around the walls, so different than the ones he was used to, and he stretched to his full length on the large padded bed. Sore, but not too sore, he thought, vaguely satisfied. He squinted at the window.Overslept. He yawned, showing his massive canines, and wondered if the rest of the stronghold had done the same. He cocked his ears, and heard mostly silence. A grin. Probably they had. He closed his eyes and let his Sight drift - yep. Sleeping, mostly, even...he cast to his left, mildly surprised. Even Xena was still asleep. Not that she wasn't entitled, he mused. But...oh..isn't that interesting..Suddenly a grin crossed his face, and his eyes slid open. What kind of trouble can I get into....

Jessan spent a short but amusing time in the bathing area, splashing the water around in delight, and loving the feel of the soft linen as he dried himself off, being careful to miss the cuts and gashes liberally scattered all over his big body. He pulled on a tunic and trousers, and eased his door open, peeking down the hall with an impish grin. I'm way too big to be tiptoeing around but... Jessan slunk down the hall, and paused in front of the next door, gently gently, he pushed the door in, inch by inch, until he could poke his golden head in and peer around the door frame.

The morning sun was streaming gently across the bed, bringing out the fiery highlights in Gabrielle's hair where she lay sprawled on her side, one arm curled under her head, the other wrapped firmly around Xena. Both women were still deeply asleep, a rare thing for the warrior, as Jessan most assuredly knew. He watched them for a moment more, noting the more than usually peaceful look about them, then gently closed his eyes and let his Sight extend..ah. His snub nose wrinkled as he grinned in happy reaction. He silently shut the door, and continued down the hall, suppressing the urge to whistle out loud. . You have a choice, Xena? Ohhh...no. I don't think there's any choice involved...that bond's as strong as any I've seen...and I"m beginning to think you can feel it too. Am I right? Am I? Perhaps I am...hmmm...

Breakfast, I think. he decided, stifling a yawn. And a visit to father. Lestan had spent the night in the infirmary, after receiving a long series of stitches for the gash in his shoulder. He padded down the stairs, vaguely amazed that he, that they all had adjusted to this close contact with humans so fast. Too fast? Hmm. Possibly. He had already stopped thinking of some of them as humans, and begun to consider them just funny looking members of his kind..and that was very dangerous.

"Good morning." the young daughter of the Hectator's chief of household said, as she spotted him on the stairwell, giving him a nervous, but basically polite smile. "Uhm. We have some breakfast in there, if you want to, well, I mean eat."

Jessan looked at her with some interest. Pale blond, and very slight, and pretty eyes. "Thank you." His low voice startled her a bit. "Do you have a...a tray, or something that I can borrow?" She backed away as he came closer. Sighing, he stopped. "I have some friends I'd like to bring some breakfast too. It's ok..I'm not going to hurt you." Humans. He rolled his mental eyes.

"Well..." she hesitated, "My name is Sharra. And, yes, I can find you a tray." Sharra looked at him shyly. " You're the one they call Jessan, aren't you?" She studied him, playing with her hands in a distracted way.

"Yes." Jessan said, raising an eyebrow at her. "I am." He resumed his forward motion, albeit more slowly. "Thanks for offering to help me out, Sharra." He tried a small grin at her, and was relieved when she gave him a quick smile in return. "Did you say there was breakfast?" he asked, with a wistful look.

"In there." the blond gestured, keeping well back of him. Another nervous smile. "Do you need...something...raw? Or anything?"

Jessan stopped dead, and stared at her, giving her his best imitation of Xena's raised eyebrow 'look'. "Raw?" he answered, a touch gruffly. "The last raw thing I ate was honey, and I paid for it in stings." He put his fists on his hips, and cocked his maned head at her. "And there were those raw nuts Gabrielle found the other day, but that hardly counts." He snorted. "What makes you think I want something..ugh..raw?"

"Uhm..well..." Sharra stammered, confused.

"Because of these?" Jessan asked, baring his canines. "Maybe I'll have you for breakfast..."

Sharra shrieked, and turned to run.

"Whoa..whoa..whoa.." Jessan yelped, hurriedly. He waved his hands at her for quiet. "Relax! Relax! I was only joking!" His golden eyes caught hers. "Really...it's ok..please...I eat oatmeal for breakfast.Honest."

Sharra paused, giving him a hard stare. Then she moved a little closer, and sniffed. "That wasn't nice."

Jessan whoofed. "Neither was assuming I'd like raw meat for breakfast."

The blond studied him for a moment. "You're right." She shrugged. "I apologize."

Jessan gave her his best sheepish expression. "Me too. Mom always tells me not to scare the girls."

She giggled. "You're nice." Sharra pronounced, and turned to lead the way into the dining hall. "Come on. I;I'll show you where breakfast is. " She waited for him to catch up, and the walked in silence for a few paces before she turned to him in curiosity. "You're a friend of the Warrior Princess, aren't you?" She gave him a sideways glance, now more at ease with her strange charge.

"Xena, you mean?." Jessan answered, wondering where this interrogation was leading. A friend? unlooked for, unlikely, but thoroughly without question. "Yes. I am. Why?"

"She's scary." Sharra said, lowering her voice and glancing around. "She even scares my brother." She darted a glance at the forest dweller. "I bet she doesn't scare you, though, does she?" She arched a brow at him, taking in his size and tapered muscularity.

"Uh." Jessan mumbled, torn between honesty and ego. Honesty won out. "Well, to tell you the truth, yeah, she does." He paused. "Sometimes." he added, hastily. He shrugged his big shoulders at her. "But she can also be really kind, and very nice most of the time." A look of total disbelief from Sharra. "If you don't piss her off." Jessan amended, with a grin. He gestured towards the food laden table. "In fact, that's who the tray's for. "

Sharra considered him, tilting her blond head to one side. "Really?" She was intrigued. She couldn't imagine Xena doing anything as ordinary as eating. "I'd heard she just drinks blood, or something like that."

Jessan raised both eyebrows at once, and stopped walking. "What?" he sputtered. "Where did you get THAT idea from? Blood? Uck. Gross. " He stuck his tongue out in a comical expression. "No! That's not true at all. She eats what you, and I and, I guess, everyone else eats. Bread, cheese, meat, fruits...did you know she can catch fish with her bare hands?' He watched her jaw drop. "It's true! I've seen her. And she likes herbal tea." He cocked his head at her. "Where do you get these weird notions from? I mean, she's just a person. Like you.. Like me." Like no one else on earth. Like no one else I have ever known, nor ever will. But what would you know of that, little human child? Are you trapped here already in your narrow-mindedness? Perhaps we can broaden your horizons a little. Hmmm? As mine were?

"I've heard stories about her half my life." Sharra answered, matter-of-factly. "And my uncle fought in her army." She glanced up at him. "They're pretty bloody stories."

"Stories don't tell the whole tale." Jessan answered, in a more gentle voice. "And people change, and change again throughout their lives." He smiled at her. "Give her a chance. I didn't regret it."

Sharra moved closer to him, intrigued despite herself. "You?"

Jessan nodded, slowly. "Me. I knew her by tales, and imagined her pretty much as you do. Then we met, and I found out just how much those stories left out." He propped his chin up on one hand and gazed at her. "She saved this city, you know."

Sharra nodded thoughtfully. "I heard that." She glanced at him appraisingly. "I'll have to think about what you said."

"Good." Jessan answered, quietly. "Let me know what you decide."

Sharra smiled as she handed him a trencher, and passed him a slice of warm bread. "Here, eat this." Her eyes examined his face as he munched. "You're kind of sweet." She chuckled again at his blush. "I'll help you with your tray after you're done, if you promise to make sure I"I'll stay in one piece."

The coming dawn woke her, as usual. Xena lay quietly, watching the beginnings of the first hint of gray touch the eastern sky and thought, as she always did in this peaceful time before the morning.

Carefully, so as not to disturb the soundly sleeping bard still tucked snugly against her right side , she flexed her abused muscles, to determine the extent of yesterday's damage and was pleasantly surprised. Not too bad at all, barring the throbbing ache in her neck, to be expected, and a lingering soreness in her ribcage from several blocked pike blows. All in all, she didn't have much to complain about.

Neither did Hectator, she reflected, then winced. He was going to make a big deal over this, wasn't he. Xena wondered if she could escape the tributes and just leave, quietly...then she glanced at Gabrielle. Nope. She'd kill me. The warrior grinned at the ceiling. She'd absolutely kill me. I"d never hear the end of it. So, I"m stuck here for a few days.

Which, she admitted, wouldn't be so bad. She hadn't had a break in while, if you didn't count being dead for a week, and this wasn't such a terrible place to take a few days off. Hectator had a good marketplace, and she could get herself a new set of leathers, and turn Gabrielle loose on the merchants. Maybe even she could do a little shopping...

Xena glanced at the window, where the gray was slowly inching to deep pink. She knew she should get up and check Argo, finish the armor, do a dozen things that had to be done..but at the thought, she found her body in uncharacteristic rebellion, wanting very much to stay right where it was curled up in this ridiculously soft bed.That's a bad sign. she warned herself. I need to nip that in the bud right now and get moving.

But Gabrielle chose that moment to snuggle closer, sliding an arm across Xena and pinning her firmly in place. The warrior's eyebrows both rose, as she studied her companion, and felt the arm tighten then relax as the bard slipped back deeper into sleep with a contented sigh. . On the other hand...A quirky grin crossed the warrior's face as Xena wrestled with her seldom indulged and always well hidden lazy streak and decided one morning sleeping in probably wouldn't do her too much damage after all. She resettled her arm around her companion and drifted back into sleep..

The sunlight was streaming into the room when she opened her eyes again, and she blinked in surprise, then glanced down to meet the mischievously sparkling eyes of Gabrielle. The bard was still sprawled lazily at her side, and she made no move to get up now.

"I can't believe I actually woke up before you did. " The bard smirked. "I gotta get up and write this down." Actually, she had only been up herself for a few minutes, but she wasn't about to admit that now, no..not when she had an unparalleled opportunity for some first class teasing here. She had been really startled to wake and find Xena still soundly asleep, in fact, her first reaction was alarm until she was able to clear her sleep blurred eyesight and was reassured by the warrior's steady breathing and normal color.

Gabrielle had lain very still for quite some few minutes, since Xena still had one arm curled around her shoulders, and the bard knew if she moved much, it would wake her friend up. And she had so few opportunities to study the warrior this close unobserved.She made the most of it, noticing that even in sleep Xena wasn't completely relaxed - the arm curled around the bard's shoulders retained a springy tension, and Gabrielle could see faint twitches in her otherwise still face that were her so very sharp senses keeping track of the world around her while she slept.

I've seen her go from deep sleep to fighting full out in less than the time would take me to say it. How many times has that saved our necks? And I think I'm the only one who could wake her up without getting knocked across the room. The only one. So weird - she's completely dangerous, and even..even when she's mad at me, I always feel...safe. Even when we spar. Even when we play around and wrestle. I know she can break me in half. But I know.she won't, and sometimes I feel a little like a lion cub being carried in it's mother's jaws.

Wow..this is way too profound for before breakfast. I gotta stop that right now. But there's a story in that thought somewhere....

She was glad she had woken up in time to let loose her stranglehold on the poor woman - Gabrielle could imagine, without much effort, the raised eyebrow stare she would have gotten for that. She's been more than usually tolerant with me lately, but....

So now she just grinned at Xena, and smirked. "Another first....must be my week."

Xena gave her a lazy grin in response. "Well..." she drawled, rolling onto her side and propping her head on one hand. "I would have gotten up at dawn, but someone was holding me hostage, and I didn't have the heart to wake her." She watched the flush creep up Gabrielle's face and let out a soft laugh. "You're a bad influence, Gabrielle."

'Hah!" the bard snorted, recovering quickly. Busted. But she doesn't seem..mad..bothered? What am I looking for here? Whatever. '*I* am a bad influence." She rolled over onto her stomach, and waggled a finger at Xena. "This coming from the Terror of the Plains herself, the mighty Warrior Princess. *I* am a bad influence!!!" Getting into her subject, she flipped back over, and addressed the ceiling, "I ask you. "

Xena watched in amused toleration, until that last flip. Then she saw her opening, and took advantage of the bard's inattention by reaching over and getting in a good tickle, enough to cause her companion to squeal in outrage, and as she kept it up, to dissolve into a fit of giggling.

"That wasn't fair." Gabrielle gasped, when she finally caught her breath and stopped laughing.

"No." Xena agreed, laughing now herself. "But it certainly was funny."

"Oh yeah?" the bard asked, giving a mock scowl.

"Yeah." Xena answered, still chuckling.

"I'm warning you, Xena..one of these days...." Gabrielle rolled over, and got within inches of her companion's face. "I'll find that ticklish spot of yours."

"Oh really?" Xena answered, eyes dancing. "Well, it'll be interesting to see you try. " She smiled at the bard's returning blush. "Do me a favor, though...the trick is in the surprise..and if you intend to try surprising me..." She leaned close to Gabrielle's ear and whispered. "Remember to duck."

"I will." Gabrielle promised, grinning. "So." She continued, propping her head up on one had, mimicking her companion. "How many parades do you have to be in for this?" Subtle revenge. "One statue, or are they doing a series?" After all this time, she had a pretty good handle on Xena's tease points, and enjoyed the aggrieved scowl she got in return that meant she was right on target.

"Actually" Xena commented wryly. "I was contemplating knocking you over the head, and leaving early this morning before sunrise.'

"Oh." The bard murmured. "So...what happened?" She wondered if Xena was really serious. Sometimes even she had a hard time figuring that out, especially when it came to things like his. Xena hated fuss. And this promised to be a great deal of fuss, with her as the star attraction.

"I got over it." the warrior shrugged. "I'll survive, I guess. Besides, I did promise you some shopping, didn't I?" She teased, giving Gabrielle a poke in the shoulder. "And I want to do some myself."

Gabrielle snorted. "You?" Laughter bubbled up from her. "Oh yeah..right. I gotta see this."

Xena rolled up off the bed and padded over to where she had stored Argo's saddlebags, aware of Gabrielle's unwavering attention. She reached down deep inside the right one, and took out two linen sacks, grinning to herself before wiping the look off her face and turning around to walk back towards the bard. "Here." she said, tossing one of the bags to her companion. "One condition. You have to use all of it."

Gabrielle caught the bag, startled at it's heaviness, and the muted clink. She glanced briefly inside, then up at Xena, who was leaning against the bedpost, waiting for reaction. "But isn't this..' she stopped, as Xena nodded. "Xena, this is yours. I can't..."

"Yep. its mine." Xena agreed. "And that means I can do whatever I want with it." She tossed her own bag up and caught it again. "And what I want to do with it is give it to you. We're partners, right?" Her eyes went serious for a moment, and Gabrielle noted the change. "So, you'll please do what I ask, just this once, without arguing with me, OK?."

Gabrielle chewed on that for a while. "Ok." She looked up at Xena and smiled. Partners. I think I like the sound of that. "Thanks. This will be fun." She slid off the bed and tucked the bag away by her staff. "Breakfast?"

"Oh. Well, I don't think that will be much of a problem" Jessan assured her, finishing his bread. "Delicious, by the way. I'm sure you're in no danger from Xena."

"Yeah." came a low chuckle from what seemed like inches behind him. "I only sacrifice babies once a month." Xena drawled, more amused than anything else. She gave the petrified Sharra a mild glance, and stepped around Jessan, selecting a slice of bread from the basket on the table. Dressed in a simple belted linen tunic, she wasn't nearly as intimidating as when she sported leather and armor, but Sharra still backed away nervously. "Relax.. All I want is some breakfast." Xena said, taking a healthy bite of the bread, and chewing away.

"Well." Jessan drawled, giving her a deliciously evil look. "About time you woke up." He blithely ignored the dour glare he got in response. "And here I thought I was going to have to serve you breakfast in bed." His golden eyes sparkled and he poked the tip of his pink tongue out at her.

Xena couldn't resist a wry chuckle. "One of these days, Jessan." She warned him, with a sly grin and a devilish look in her eyes. "When you least expect it..."

The forest dweller crossed his arms on his muscular chest, and jutted his chin at her, thoroughly enjoying himself. "Ah..idle threats." he shot Sharra a superior glance. "I'm so scared." he stuck his tongue out at her again. Getting a barely suppressed giggle from the blond girl, which only inspired him further. He waggled his eyebrows at Xena, daring her to do her worst. "I think you're just bluffing" He finished, not seeing the sudden mischievous glint in those pale eyes, forgetting her unpredictability, forgetting the speed of her reactions.

And react she did, moving so fast he had no chance of blocking her, no hope of stopping her sudden assault, no thought of resisting as she captured his face, and kissed him soundly on the mouth. Shock and the blood rushing to his head made him momentarily lose track of his lower limbs, and he slid off the bench to the floor. He knew he was crimson from the neck up, and just sat there blinking at her. Coherent speech was beyond his scattered wits, not helped by the wild giggling of both Sharra and the newly arrived Gabrielle. "uhhh." he stuttered covering his eyes with one big hand.

"Ooo...Xena." Gabrielle called from the other side of the table. "that was slick." She reached over and patted Jessan on the head. "I told you she has many skills." She slid into a place next to Sharra. "Hi. I'm Gabrielle." she extended her hand, which Sharra took hesitatingly. "You work here in the stronghold, right?"

"I never bluff." Xena commented, smiling. then relented, extending a hand to Jessan. He grasped her arm, and she pulled him up off the floor. He brushed off his clothes, refusing to meet her eyes, his face still flushed. Finally, he peeked down at her and gave her a rueful grin.

"Payback, huh?" His eyes sparkled. "You're dangerous, Xena."

"So I've been told." Xena responded dryly. She steered him back to the table, and took a seat next to him, across from Gabrielle and Sharra, who were chattering together like old friends as Gabrielle was extracting information regarding the city's merchants.She ate in silence, listening until Gabrielle took a break to breathe. "Why don't you get Sharra to show you first hand, Gabrielle?" she suggested casually. "I have some business with the leather merchants and the armorers - I know you hate going in there."

Gabrielle glanced at her, but found nothing but mild interest in Xena's expression. "Uhm. Ok. That would be a great idea." she raised an eyebrow at Sharra, who nodded enthusiastically. "We'll see you all later, then." The bard continued, and she and the castle worker slid out from behind the table, and headed for the door.

Xena's eyes followed them until they were outside the room, then looked to her left, and saw Jessan gazing at her with a knowing look. "What?" she growled,

Jessan just smiled, and ducked his gaze back towards his plate, which was almost cleared.

Xena snorted, and rose from the table herself. "Well, I have things to take care of. See you later, Jessan." She left through the portcullis, and started towards the commerce squares. Armorer first, she mused, and turned towards where she could hear the distinctive rhythmic clatter of a well hit anvil. She stood and watched him work for a while, as a short sword took shape beneath his skilled hands. He was aware of her standing there, but she didn't ask his attention until the sword was being well cooled in a water bath nearby. Then he walked over, wiping hands darkened by decades of smith work on his apron.

"Nice piece of work." Xena commented, nodding her head towards the water bath.

"Thanks." the smith smiled crookedly. "What are you in the market for today? Not a sword, surely." His deep brown eyes glinted. "Saw yours yesterday. Nice."

Xena chuckled. "No, not today. Two boot daggers. I managed to hang on to everything else" She cast her eyes around his workshop idly as he went to a chest and brought out some daggers. Her eyes fastened on a set of working knives on a shelf at just eye level to her. Single edged, small tang, nicely wrapped hilts, she mused, then grinned. "And those, too." she jerked her chin at the set.

The smith looked up in surprise. "Those are working blades, m'lady. For butchering and the like."

Xena tilted her head towards him. "I know" She leaned closer. "And I"m no lady." A feral smile followed, and the smith stepped back a pace. She sauntered out a moment later, her package tucked under one arm, and headed for the leathercrafter, whose downwind buildings were bustling with soldiers getting repairs to their essential armor after the battle yesterday.

The mastercraftsman, an older man with grizzled ginger hair and soft gray eyes glanced up as she entered from where he was arguing with a battered soldier over a battle apron, concluded his argument hastily, and approached her with a smile. "Ah. Our heroine. " he smiled wider at her rolled eyes. "Hello, Xena. Long time no see." the leatherman added warmly, offering her his arm in greeting.

"Hello Teldan." Xena answered, with equal warmth. "Thought I'd come down and give you a little business, for old time's sake. " Her eyes twinkled. "Besides, you do good work." She clasped the offered arm and smiled at him, remembering the last time they had met. "Last set's done well till now."

"From you, that's a fine compliment, girl." the leatherman answered, all business now. "C'mon back here. I have some really well done new hides..you pick one." He guided her towards the curtained off area where his whole hides hung curing. Xena strolled between them, brushing each one with her sensitive fingertips until she found one she liked the texture and weight of

"Full set of leathers." She said, briefly. "This one is fine." She gave him a side glance. "Same pattern as last time."

The craftsman gave her a big grin. "Now there's a commission I like to hear. Come on - let's see if your measurements changed any before I start cutting." He grasped her elbow gently and guided her towards a back area. "And after all those hairy tallowheads, won't this be a pleasure, let me tell you."

Xena just sighed and rolled her eyes, as she stripped out of her tunic, and stood with negligent ease while he took what information he needed.

"Looks like you've been working hard." Teldan commented, scribbling notes on a piece of paper. His fingers brushed lightly over the bruises under her ribcage. "Get those yesterday?"

"Uh huh." the warrior answered. "You know how it is."

"Yeah." Teldan grunted. "I know." He moved around behind her, and measured the breadth of her shoulders, raising an eyebrow a little and making a note. "You been moving rocks or something?" He peered around and caught her bemused gaze. "You got about two inches more across here since last time."

Xena lifted both hands in a shrug. "Been fighting a lot, I guess." she answered. "It's not like I keep track." Two inches? What have I been doing?

Teldan grunted in amusement and continued his scribbling. 'I guess not. Those bruises and this cut all you walked off the battlefield with?" He watched the muscles move across her whole back as she turned to look at him.

"Got lucky." Xena shrugged.

Teldan walked around to face her, and let his eyes slowly travel across her form. He snorted a laugh and shook his head. "Lucky? C'mon Xena. You ain't lucky. You're just damn good. Don't sell yourself short, all right?" He bent a fond gaze at her. " I get to see all kinds, girl, and I do wish I got to see more like you." He tossed her the tunic. "Put that back on before you drive me to do something I'm likely to get a broken arm for." He chuckled and leaned on a nearby press, to complete his notes. "Be two, three days." He glanced up. "You are staying around for the festivities, aren't you? "

"Yeah," Xena nodded, as she crossed over and leaned on the same press. "that'll be fine." She smiled at him. "Thanks, Teldan."

"Anytime for you, girl." Teldan smiled back. "You be careful, huh? I'd like to go on making leathers for you for a long time to come."

Xena shook her head "No promises, Teldan." But she winked at him before she scooped up her package and exited the leathercrafter's workshop. That took care of the immediate needs...now Xena paused for a moment, trying to decide on her next course of action. Finally, she shrugged a little to herself, and headed towards the nearby cluster of merchants, no end target in mind.

Gabrielle and Sharra were hard at it, doing some hard core shopping. Gabrielle had already stopped at the clothmakers, and gotten not only new cloth, but a new pale green tunic in a shimmerly soft fabric to wear to the banquet that night, along with a cream colored short skirt to go with it. Sharra liked it a lot, and suggested a hair clasp that went with it perfectly. Both were tucked firmly underneath the bard's arm as they strolled towards the toolsmith's shop. "I need a frying pan.' Gabrielle had said, not explaining the sardonic grin that crossed her face.

She was also in something of dilemma - wanting very much to get Xena something, but...what? It's not like I can get her just anything..the bard mused. Weapons, out. Frilly things, out. dangling jewelry, out. An extra pair of armored bracers? Gabrielle sighed. Not.

'What's wrong?" Sharra asked, seeing her expression. "Why are you shaking your head?" She had decided she liked the young bard, despite her choice of traveling companions.

"No reason, really." Gabrielle answered, with a sigh. "Just trying to figure something out." She glanced across the lane, and spotted a silversmith. "Hey..lets take a look in there." They ducked inside. "Wow!" Gabrielle grinned. "I could get in real trouble in here." Her eyes scanned the jewelry with interest. She made several circuits of the interior, under the amused glance of the silversmith, before her eyes fell on a pair of matched wrought silver bracelets, with a beautifully intricate knotwork design woven into them. Gabrielle's breath caught. "Oh." The pattern's familiarity tickled her memory insistently. "They're beautiful."

Sharra craned her neck to peer over Gabrielle's shoulder. "Mmm..." she whistled under her breath.

"How much?" the bard asked, glancing over at the smith, who strolled over and cocked his head at her, suddenly peering at her face intently.

"Would you come over to the light for a moment, m'lady?" The smith asked, his voice a low quiet rumble. He steered Gabrielle towards the window, and looked intently at her eyes. Then, for no apparent reason, he smiled a sweet smile. "You would do me a very great honor by accepting those bracelets as a gift."

Gabrielle's jaw dropped. The entire scene was incomprehensible. "What? Why? I mean...I don't understand."

The smith just looked at her with a gaze that was impossible to interpret. "Let's just say I would like to make a gift of them. Please. Don't say no." His eyes twinkled at her, as he removed the bracelets from the case and wrapped them in a fine cloth, and pressed them into her unresisting hands.

"O..OK..." Gabrielle breathed, shaking her head in confusion. "Thank you." She and Sharra walked out, then paused and looked at each other. "What was up with that?" Gabrielle wondered, "I don't get it." She unwrapped the linen and let the sun reflect off the metal.

Sharra just shook her head, and peered at them. "Too big for you, though Gabrielle." She measured the bard's wrists. "Too bad." she shrugged.

Gabrielle remained silent for a moment, then replied almost absently. "Oh. They're not for me." Her lips curled into a smile. She closed her hand around one gently, and closed her eyes in thought. "They'll be a perfect fit." She opened her eyes and blinked at Sharra, who was staring at her with an odd expression on her face.

But Sharra stayed silent, and after a pause, they continued to walk down the lane. "So." Sharra finally spoke. "You travel around with Xena. What's that like?" She darted a curious glance at the bard. They were about the same age, she realized, Gabrielle perhaps a bit older, but there were lines of experience traced on the red haired girls face that hers lacked entirely.

"What's that like." Gabrielle repeated, considering. "Well, we're best friends." She glanced down and smiled to herself. "We get involved in a lot of stuff. Like here."

"That's so weird. I can't imagine being friends with someone like that." Sharra asked, looking quickly at her. " Aren't you scared?"

"Of what?" Gabrielle laughed. "Of Xena?? That's silly" She paused for a moment. "Well, not silly..I mean, yeah - she can be very scary to people she doesn't like." She smiled at Sharra. "But I guess I"m not one of those people, so I get to see a different side of her." They walked along in silence for a few strides. "Hungry?"

"A little." Sharra admitted. "Are the bracelets for her?" She knew the answer before the bard nodded, and filed that information away. "I"m sure she'll like them." She gave Gabrielle a brief smile. "Let's get some pastries. Eften makes really good ones, stuffed with nuts and honey" She led the way towards the shop.

Xena smiled as she headed back towards the stronghold. Not bad, not bad at all, she mused in a satisfied way. Leathers, daggers, a new bit of something to wear tonight, boots, and a few..extras. Very successful, and didn't even take that long. She crossed into the courtyard, and met Hectator as he was going in the opposite direction. "How's the head?" she asked, slowing down to talk to him.

"Aches like Hades' itself" Hectator replied, cheerfully. "I hear you've been out supporting my local economy." He took her arm and walked with her back towards the portcullis. "I was just coming out there to find you." He paused. "I haven't properly thanked you yet. That half conscious mumbling last night hardly counts."

Xena shrugged amiably. "All in a day's work, Hectator."

"Not." The prince snorted. "Can I convince you to stick around for a few days? We've got a big banquet planned for tonight, and a festival for the next two days. I think you'd' like it..we're having war competitions." His dark gray eyes searched blue ones. "And I"m inviting Lestan and his people, too."

Xena chuckled. "Yeah, sure. Why not?" She glanced at him. "I was planning on taking a few days off anyway."

"Good." Hectator answered, well pleased. "Do you think I could get Gabrielle to do bard's service tonight for a little while? They really liked her the other day, and I bet she knows some great stories."

"You have to ask Gabrielle that." Xena replied, but grinned. "But I think she probably would be glad to."

"Great." Hectator sighed happily. "Can I carry some of that stuff for you?" He gestured to Xena's packages. She turned her head and gave him a long raised eyebrow stare. "Ok..ok..just habit..sorry." He laughed. "Let me get out of here before you decide to carry ME up the stairs." He darted off down a corridor, leaving Xena to take the stairs up to her room, which she did two at a time.

I"m in a good mood. The warrior mused thoughtfully. And I think I like that feeling. I"I'll have to try it again sometime. Sure enough, back before the bard. Xena deposited her packages on the press near Argo's saddlebags, and sorted through them, setting aside the package of knives, and several smaller bundles. Sensitive hearing, however, picked up familiar footsteps heading up the stairs, and she quickly stuffed most of the packages into the saddlebags, leaving out the knives and one other small package. A final one she hefted in her hand, then slid it after the rest. "That one...that's going to get me in trouble." Xena muttered to herself, looking up as the door pushed open, and Gabrielle staggered in, arms full of packages.

Cursing, Xena pelted across the floor to grab some of them before the bard lost her balance completely and went flying. She ended up grabbing packages and bard, and managed to get both settled without dropping either. "Gabrielle!" she choked out, laughing. "did you buy out the entire marketplace?"

Gabrielle grinned, out of breath. "Whew. Mostly." she pushed the hair back out of her eyes. "We needed a lot of stuff." She gave Xena sly glance. "And I got a frying pan." This got her a look. "I had them make it with a spike on the end, just in case." she added, with a wicked grin.

"Did you really?" Xena chuckled in surprise.

"Yep." the bard answered cheerfully. "I got some new sleeping furs, too. You did say I had to spend it all, remember?" She stood up and started sorting the packages. "Got something to wear for tonight."

"Yeah, me too." Xena commented, stopping Gabrielle short in surprise. "Don't give me that look. I"m having new leathers made, because this set got all slashed up yesterday."

"Hey!" Gabrielle put her hands up in mock surrender. "Not a word from me!" She turned back to her sorting. "I got some supplies, and soaps, and extra scrolls, and ink, and..." she debated very quickly with herself. "And this. " she turned with the linen package in her hands and dropped it into Xena's startled palms. "For you."

Funny, how our minds run on similar lines. Xena mused, as she unwrapped the bundle. "You did not have to do that, Gabrielle." she admonished her companion, then glanced down at the contents, and felt her eyes widen in wonder. 'Oh Gabrielle...." she glanced up, and caught the bard's gaze with her own, then gently traced the knotwork with one finger. "They're beautiful."

Gabrielle grinned. "I guess you like them then huh. I thought you would." She racked up a mental point.

"Very much." Xena answered, smiling at her. Then she reached behind her and tossed a package back at Gabrielle. "My turn."

"But.." Gabrielle stopped, and just laughed, then picked up the bundle and peeked under the wrapping. "Wow!" she crowed in delight. "Where did you find these? I went to every shop in the place looking for some and didn't find any!" She lifted the working knives up, and turned their burnished razor's edging to the light.

"Glad you like them." Xena replied. "Look..I picked this pin up for Jessan. What do you think?" She showed the bard the laughing lion brooch she'd spotted at a small shop just outside the castle walls."

Gabrielle laughed. "Oh..it's perfect." She touched the pin with one finger. "It even sort of looks like his expression..you know the one."

"Uh huh." Xena agreed. "Think we'd better get started on getting ready for this banquet. " She glanced outside, where the sun was setting. "I"m going to go wash up." She pushed off the bedpost, and got two steps towards the bathing room when Gabrielle intercepted her with a hug. "Hey..hey.." she laughed softly at the bard's fierce grasp. "Take it easy. I'll end up going to the banquet with broken ribs."

Full dark. Xena trod around the room, and lit candles, supplementing the glow from the fireplace. The open balcony doors let in a cool sweet breeze, fluttering the candle flames, but not strong enough to blow them out. Xena, already dressed, went over to the saddlebags and pulled out two more very small packages. One she left on the press, the other she unwrapped gently, and laid into the palm of her hand before walking to where Gabrielle had just emerged from the bathing room, and stood fussing in the room's mirror.

"Very nice" The warrior commented, taking in the bard's new garb. "Suits you."

"Thanks." Gabrielle muttered, glancing up at Xena, then turning around fully to stare. "Wow." She viewed Xena's crimson silk embroidered outfit with a little blink. Slashed sleeves lined with pure white, which matched the tight white leggings, and finished with soft black indoor boots. "You look great." The bard grinned.

"Glad you approve." Xena answered dryly, but quirked a grin at her. "You look pretty good yourself." she reached one had out and felt the soft, rich green fabric.

Gabrielle grinned, and turned back to the mirror, "I kind of liked it." She admitted, tugging a sleeve into place. "We don't get to do this very often." She gave her reflection a little smirk. "And I certainly didn't get to do this back home." She turned and ran her eyes over Xena again." Is the knife necessary? I thought this was a celebration...among friends. Did I miss part of the agenda, or something?"

Xena leaned against the counter and crossed her arms. "It's like this." she explained. "It's a party. A big party. Where they'll be mixing good spirits with another kind of sprits."

"And...???" Gabrielle questioned, lifting her hands a little in a shrug.

"And, when you get happy fighters drunk, the first thing they do is pick a fight with the toughest guy in the tavern." Xena drawled, spreading both arms wide and indicating herself. "And that would be me." Her tone was resigned, but moderately good natured. "I'll leave the sword here, but I'm not going in there totally unarmed."

Gabrielle giggled. "Xena, they'd have to be suicidal." she said. "Even stark naked and half asleep you could take on most of them, and they know it." She gave her friend a knowing grin. "All you have to do is give them one of those looks." she dodged Xena's playful cuff, and went back to arranging her troublesome sleeve. "Try not to be too hard on them, OK?"

"I'll try" Xena's lightly sarcastic response. "And please be careful yourself of Hectator's mead. It's pretty potent stuff, and you're not used to drinking."

"I'll be careful." the bard chuckled. "but you'll keep an eye on me, right?" she glanced sideways at her companion. "Like I have to ask ."

"Mmm." Xena agreed, then tilted her head to one side, and studied Gabrielle attentively.. "That's a really nice tunic." she mused. "I like the color." A grin quirked her lips. "But I think there's just something missing."

"What?" Gabrielle asked, staring at her reflection, perplexed.

"Oh...I don't know. This maybe." Xena responded, offhandedly, as she reached around Gabrielle's neck and fastened a necklace around her, then let her hands drop, and backed away.

Gabrielle froze, staring at her reflection, at a filigreed setting delicately wrought, surrounding a stone of shifting misty green. She felt her heart lurch, having stopped for a long minute and she tried to come up with a response but found none. So she just turned around, and looked at Xena, and didn't say anything at all.

"Matches your eyes." Xena commented, with a slight smile.

"Does it?" Gabrielle blurted out, finally finding her tongue.

Xena stepped closer and studied the stone, then lifted her piercing gaze to the eyes in question. "Uh huh." She clapped the bard on the shoulder. "C'mon. We'd better get down there before they start looking for us."

Of all the things... Gabrielle glanced at her reflection in the mirror a final time, bringing one hand up to trace the necklace.Slowly, she lifted it and glanced down, then up her eyes in the mirror. She's right..they are the same color..did she pick it out because of that or...what? A not unpleasant prickly feeling skittered up and down her spine. Laughing a little, and shaking her head, she took a last look in the glass, and headed for the door.

Xena was standing outside in the hallway, talking to Jessan, and both turned when she moved towards them. Jessan was dressed in a bright blue high collar belted tunic, with dark trousers and his usual bare feet. He smiled at her. "Gabrielle. You look great." he warbled cheerfully, capturing her arm to start the walk downstairs, neatly managing to capture Xena's as well, blithely ignoring her mock scowl.

"You look very nice, too, Jessan." Gabrielle commented, giving him a little poke in the ribs. He smiled down at her, then arched his neck and peered closer.

"Wow." Jessan grinned. "That's real pretty." He glanced up, noticing her slight flush, and making a fairly good guess as to where she got the sparklie. He put his most knowing, smuggest smirk on his face before turning his head to glance at Xena, who managed to return the look with a cool, mild interest. She's good. I have to give that to her. Not a twitch. He winked at her, and was rewarded by the faintest hint of a grin crossing her face. Ahhh.....his romantic spirit chortled. Can't you feel this bond even yet? I can...standing here between you both I can feel it flowing through me like water..and though you are both of humankind and not my People...you have to feel something. You must...or by all the signs of the Sun, I, too, am blind.

"I don't' know, Gabrielle. He looks al little.." Xena drawled, glancing at the bard., pulling Jessan to a stop, and appraising him.

"Drab." Gabrielle finished, right on cue. "Very drab."

Xena nodded, then, keeping a bewildered Jessan's eyes locked with hers, she pinned the lion brooch on his tunic."There. Much better." she turned to the bard. "don't' you think?"

"Definitely." Gabrielle nodded briskly. She brushed some imaginary dust off his sleeve."Ready?"

Jessan's eyes grew round, as he looked down at himself, then back up at Xena. "You didn't..."

"I did." Xena answered, crisply. "You got a problem with that?" She arched an eyebrow at him. "Well?"

"Thank you." the forest dweller answered gently, giving her a heartfelt look, and unable to resist, wrapped his arms around her and lifted her off her feet.

Gabrielle giggled as he let her down, and they prepared to go down the stairs. "You do realize you are the only person outside maybe Hercules that she'd let get away with that, right?" the bard asked him with a grin.

"Yeah." Jessan crooned. "I know." He gave Xena a bright smile, then flexed the muscles in his arms. "Hey, they have to be good for something, right? It's a guy thing."

Xena and Gabrielle both rolled their eyes in concert.

"Hey, that was pretty good. Do you guys practice that or something?" Jessan asked, teasingly.

"C'mon." Xena snorted, heading for the stairs. "Before they send an armed guard after us."

A devilish gleam showed in Jessan's golden eyes, as they reached the foot of the stairs, and he became aware of hundreds of eyes turned their way. What a picture this must make...

Hectator was speaking in a low tone to one of his lieutenants when Lestan leaned over and nudged him in the ribs. The prince glanced up at his new ally, startled. Lestan just grinned, and jerked his furry chin in the direction of the door. "Hmm?" Hectator replied, glancing that way, then laughed gently. "Now isn't that a sight." he commented, winking at Lestan as his son entered the room, escorting Xena and Gabrielle in fine fashion. "I can't believe she's letting him get away with that." Hectator commented, catching the amused expression on the dark haired woman's face.

Lestan chuckled. "I can't either." He traded glances with the prince, finding more and more to like in this human ally. He turned back towards Wennid, seated at his left, and lifted the hand she had tucked in his and kissed her lightly on the fingers. "Our son looks quite handsome, don't you agree, my love?"

Wennid, bemused, glanced in Jessan's direction, and cocked her head, considering. "Leave it to Jessan." She smirked. She watched as her son neatly bowed Xena towards her spot at the high table before continuing on down the hall with Gabrielle, whose head was tilted towards him, evidently relating something to him that was making him laugh.

Xena made her way towards the prince's table, where there was a spot laid out between him and Lestan that she was obligated to fill. I'd rather be down the hall with Jessan and Gab. she sighed mentally. Oh well...time for the show to start, I guess. The table extended far down the hall, and she was approaching it from the front instead of the rear, and had the table between herself and the chairs behind. A grin threatened to break out as she continued to approach the table. Well, I was a barbarian warlord, and I'll be damned if I'm going to walk around that table, not with every eye in the room watching me. Eyes sparkling, she waited until she was within two strides of the table, then launched up and forward into a flip high over the table, half twisting in mid air to end up landing neatly in front of her chair. The expression on Hectator's face almost, almost made her burst into laughter, but she brushed an imaginary dust fleck off her sleeve instead and seated herself. "Evening, Hectator." Managing to keep from laughing.

Lestan just roared. Even Wennid smothered a grin. Hectator placed one elbow carefully on the table,and propped his chin up on it, shaking his handsome head at her. "Evening Xena." He drawled, finally. "Nice of you to..er..drop in." This brought another round of laughter from Lestan, as the feast servers began to pass the meal, and the first entertainers took their bows.

The banqueting hall was rush lit and noisy, the din of many voices and a mixture of footsteps and serving clatter made even close conversation difficult. Xena, seated between Hectator and Lestan, managed to avoid outright violence only by reminding herself that she would eventually get to leave the hall and go somewhere quiet. She hated crowds. She hated noise. She hated crowded noisy feasthalls.

The entertainment was nice, and Gabrielle had taken the hall by storm with a couple of really good stories, telling the first two, then flashing Xena a look before she started the third, warning her that this one was probably a little more personally known to the warrior. Sure enough, the Centaur/Amazon war. She met Gab's eyes and gave her a real grin, so the bard would know she wasn't mad. Two cups of Hectator's mead had taken the edge off her annoyance, though that hadn't been nearly enough to take even the slightest edge off her reflexes. The crowded hall hadn't had her restraint, though, and now that the evening was lengthening, she could spot glazed eyes and unsteady steps around the large room.

Gabrielle took a another sip of the mead, enjoying it's sweet potent fire. She glanced up at the high table, and suppressed a giggle. Reading Xena's expressions had certainly gotten easier over time, and the bard could interpret that outwardly calm disinterested look as Xena getting twitchier about the noise, the crowds...the relaxed posture in that chair that hid finely strung tension betrayed by the rhythmic flexing of long fingers. ..Gabrielle sighed, and glanced at her cup. I think I know a better recipient than me for this. She excused herself, and slipped from behind the table, heading towards the front of the room.

Halfway across. someone grasped her arm. "Hey there, pretty girl." A fighter, clothes vaguely askew, kept a grip on his quarry. "Liked those stories. Want to hear more. In private." He leered good naturedlty at her.

"Thanks." Gabrielle sighed. "But you really don't want me leave the party, do you?." Talk my way out, or use threats. Hmm.

"Sure I do." The man laughed, and gripped her arm tighter. "Don't get to see a pretty thing like you often. C'mon. I have a nice room in the barracks..we can get comfortable." He started walking, not expecting resistance, but stopped short when the object of his attention refused to cooperate."Don't you give me a hard time, now, lassie. I had a tough day yesterday."

"Yes, well, so did I." Gabrielle answered, "And I have other things I need to be doing, so...why don't you just let me go on my way?"

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't just pick you up and carry you out of here, then? I know what I want." The man was getting angry now, and he grabbed her other shoulder with his free hand.

"A good reason." Gabrielle nodded to herself.A good reason. OK, we tried talking. Time for plan B. as Xena would say. "Look over my right shoulder."

Yeah, and I'm the one who always tells her to let me fight my own battles. Uh huh. Sure, Gabrielle, tell me again how much you get annoyed with that, hmmm?

"What?" The man turned his head, and Gabrielle saw him freeze, a look of sodden comprehension crossing his somewhat ugly features. His hands fell from her as though she was red hot, and he started backing away, arms held away from any possible thought of weapons. The bard smiled, and turned her own head to glance back, meeting an ice blue gaze that softened as their eyes touched. Xena was standing behind the table, arms crossed, radiating an edgy menace that slowly abated as Gabrielle made her way up to the table.

"You OK?" Xena asked, glancing her up and down.

"Sure." Gabrielle chuckled. "One look from you was all I needed." she smirked. "You should find a way to package and sell that."

Xena rolled her eyes. "Are you giving that away?" She nodded at the cup. "You don't like it?"

Gabrielle pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Actually, I like it too much." she admitted, taking another sip. "I don't want to pick this as my first time to get falling down drunk." She paused. "This is my fourth cup." An apologetic glance at Xena, who laughed. "I thought maybe you could use it...you look a little tense."

"Mmm." Xena agreed. "Big parties are not my style." She studied the bard's face and grinned. "You've had more than I have, then." the warrior warned, brushing her hand past Gabrielle's eyes, and noting the slowed reaction. "You'd better stop." She glanced around the room. "This is pretty much winding down anyway - I think we can slip away without offending anyone."

"You don't have to.." the bard protested. "You can stay and have fun...." She stopped at Xena's raised eyebrow stare. "Maybe not." she finished, giggling.

"Come on." Xena answered, vaulting the table again, and nodding a good night to Hectator, Lestan and Wennid, who were clustered around a small map, spilling mead over it and each other. "Oh yeah." The warrior muttered. "I'll miss out on this." She put a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, and steered her towards the door.

Halfway up the stairs, Gabrielle suddenly stopped, and grasped the handrail in confusion. "Whoa." she muttered softly, getting Xena's attention. "That's not funny."

Xena crossed over to her, and took a gentle grasp on her arm."What is it?" watching in concern as the bard closed her eyes and a leaned against the wall.

"Spinning" Gabrielle answered, indistinctly, opening her eyes and blinking. "Ow."

Xena grabbed her wrist, and slung one arm over her shoulders. "Here. Take it easy - just lean on me, and we'll get you upstairs."

Gabrielle tried to comply, but her legs were not obeying her will, and she reached for her suddenly pounding head with her other hand. "Can't.. Hang on a minute..let me sit down."

Xena chewed her lip for a moment. "No, not here, Just hold on." She wrapped one am around the bard's shoulders, and grabbed her behind the knees with the other arm, lifting her and cradling her like a child. "Just hang on to my neck. It's not far."

"Sure." Gabrielle murmured, complying. I should argue, her mind fuzzily objected. I shouldn't let her carry me up the stairs...I should..I should.....Gabrielle, you should just put your head down on her shoulder and shut up. Which she did, allowing her muzzy mind to sink into a warm golden haze.

Xena ascended the last few steps to the upper landing,and used her elbow to push the door to their room open, kicking the door shut behind her and crossing to the low couch across from the fireplace. Once there, she dropped to one knee and settled Gabrielle on the cushions. "Ok..take it easy. Let me get some cold water."

The bard blinked at her, and raised a hand to rub her head. "Water? I'm not thirsty, thanks." she mumbled.

"Yes you are." Xena sighed. "You just don't know it." She stood and moved towards the bathing room, snagging cup from her gear as she went. A moment to fill it with cold water, then she walking back to where Gabrielle was now sitting up, massaging her temples. "Here." The warrior sat down on the couch next to her.

Gabrielle glanced up, wincing. "OK, in a minute. As soon as my head stops spinning." She blinked at Xena. "Wow..there are two of you. Lucky me."

Xena gave her an amusedly tolerant look. "I think you may have stopped just in time. " she remarked with a slight grin. and offered the water. "Drink this. It will make you feel better, I promise."

The bard took the cup, wrapping her hands around it and resting the cold metal against her forehead. "You're right. That feels much better." She gave Xena a wan smile. "Ok..ok..." she sighed, and took a gulp of the liquid, then several more. "Hey. That does feel better." She glanced at Xena, who rolled her eyes, but settled back on the couch. .

"Did you have a good time?" The warrior idly inquired. "You made a hit with those stories." She turned a smile on Gabrielle. "I even enjoyed the Centaur War."

Gabrielle's eyes wandered over her face. "Yeah...I had a good time." she answered. "Glad you're not mad at me." She reached up and touched her neck. "Everybody liked the necklace." She grinned. "How did you get the exact color, anyway?"

"C'mon, Gabrielle." Xena snorted. "After all this time, I should hope I know what color your eyes are." She opened her own a bit wider. "After all, you do know what color mine are, right?"

"Oh...yeah." Came the answer, in a tone Xena wasn't expecting. "I sure do." A grin crossed Gabrielle's face., then she glanced down into the depths of her cup. "I sure do." she whispered again. Another sip of the water, then she leaned back against the couch and closed her eyes.

Xena smiled to herself, and turned her gaze towards the low burning fire, propping her booted feet up on the padded bench in front of the couch and crossing her arms.

"What's so funny?" the bard asked.

"Mmm?" Xena shifted a glance her way, then back to the fire. "Nothing."

"Are you laughing at me?" Gabrielle's brows drew close in a scowl. "That's not fair. I'm drunk."

The warrior turned her head and gazed at her companion. "No, I'm not laughing at you. So relax." She returned her gaze to the fire. "Besides. I don't' think you're drunk. I don't think you can get drunk on just three..OK, four cups of mead."

Gabrielle mulled this over. "I think I am." She giggled a little, then shifted slightly and leaned her head against Xena's convenient shoulder, and turned her eyes towards the fire as well. Another giggle. "I know I am."

Xena turned her head again to observe her, though she was making mental bets with herself as to what was coming next. An impish grin forced its way on to her lips. "Now, what are you finding funny?" This should be interesting.

"Oh..nothing." The bard answered, innocently, giving Xena a curious look. "Well...nothing really...I mean...I was just...nevermind."

Xena turned so she was leaning on one shoulder, and facing Gabrielle. "Spill it." she drawled, "Don't' make me tickle you into spilling it, either."

Gabrielle picked up the lighthearted tone. "Oh well...I was just...trying to figure out.., really." She paused, then continued, an expression half curiosity and half something else on her face. "Was it you, or Autolycus?"

Xena knew exactly what she was referring to. She drew her head back a little, and gave the bard a slow, dangerous smile. "You be the judge." she chuckled, then captured Gabrielle's face with one hand, and kissed her, meaning it to be a simple gesture, totally unprepared for the explosion in her senses, or for Gabrielle's unmistakable response. It lasted much longer that she had planned. Then they broke apart. and Xena felt shock, among other things, traveling up and down her spine as she watched Gabrielle slowly blink open her closed eyes. Ohhh...I definitely shouldn't have done that.

"Wow." The bard breathed. "I guess that answers that question." A grin split her face. "Can we do that again?"

Xena laughed shortly, on an uneven breath. "Not while you're drunk." She felt her heart settle back down into it's normal rhythm. "That's not my style."

Gabrielle turned serious eyes on her. "Being sober wont change how I feel"

"Maybe." Xena smiled, and slid one arm around her in a quick hug. "But I'm not taking chances. Not with you."

Gabrielle smiled. "I think that's the nicest thing you ever said to me." She picked up her forgotten cup and took a long gulp, then offered the water to Xena, who took it without comment and drained it. The bard yawned, and snuggled back up against Xena's shoulder with a contented sigh. "I'm glad."

"Glad of what?" Xena inquired, setting the cup down on the floor, and resuming her original position on the couch.

"That it was you, and not Autolycus." Came the answer, with a little chuckle in it.

"Oh yeah?" Xena responded, relaxing into a grin.

"Yeah. You're much cuter than he is." Gabrielle commented, reflectively.

"You think so." the warrior laughed.

"Yeah." the bard answered.

"Don't tell him that." Xena warned.

"I won't. " Gabrielle amiably agreed, and turned her own gaze, thoughtfully, towards the fire, tipping her head back to rest on Xena's chest. Feeling the reassuringly strong support of the arm around her shoulders, Letting the steady heartbeat she could faintly feel against the back of her neck lull her senses.

Xena watched her companion until the change in her breathing heralded sleep. Then she turned her head and gazed thoughtfully into the friendly fire. After a moment, a resigned grin appeared on her face and she made a short tossing gesture with her unencumbered hand towards the air, as though throwing something to the winds. Then she settled that arm protectively around the sleeping bard as well, and let her mind drift, and just stared into the flames, not even realizing it when sleep claimed her as well.

Wild yells broke the stillness of the stronghold, long hours before dawn, and the hissing sound of drawn steel followed close behind. The hallway was full of leather and steel clad scuffling bodies, and screams of outrage and pain echoed off the high arched ceiling. Hectator stumbled out of his quarters into the melee, still so foggy with mead he could barely keep his sword out of his own leg's way. Rough voices rose in clamor on the sight of him, and rough hands grabbed him down, kicking his feet out from under him, and forcing his head to the ground.

"Augh" He grunted, as an negligent boot clobbered him in the kidneys. His heart was hammering in his chest, and threatened to stop completely when he was lifted up and jammed against the wall, a burning torch set near his head.

"It's him." a low voice growled. "tell the captain." He laughed. "Thought you'd get away with taking down our army, did you? With your gods benighted creatures? " He drove a fist into Hectator's ribcage, causing the man's legs to collapse beneath him. "You may have won the battle, Hectator - but you're going to lose this war." He leaned close and whispered in to the princes ear. "And you won't have your precious Xena to save you this time"

The shadow clad assassin slipped up the stairs, pausing to listen every few paces. Still silence...and he felt no stirring, not in the currents of the air, nor the whispering of footsteps. Behind black crepe, he smiled.

He skillfully trod the steps in total silence, and paused outside the door to his quarry's room. This, this would make his reputation complete. A silent laugh. He had jumped at the chance. With infinite care, he laid his callused fingertips on the wood of the door, bending his senses within. Silence. Stillness.

A fraction of a movement at a time, he eased the heavy wood beneath his hands forward, as the wood cleared the jamb he paused, and breathed in the scents of the room. Candles, aye, and the heavy spicy smell of the fire. The distinctive scent of two humans, two women. Again he smiled. And leaned further on the door. Still silence, but the almost unheard movement of two people breathing. Not when I leave. .

The door clearing the frame, barely enough for a small hound to enter, but he did..and shifted the wooden panel closed behind him, letting the darkness of the room bathe him, absorb him. His eyes adjusted to the low firelight with ease, bringing out sharp details hidden to most any but his kind. He glanced towards the bed, then shifted his gaze further. Empty. Unexpected. Then he spotted the two sleeping forms on the couch. A smile hidden in the darkness.

Silent as a shadow he moved, until he was behind them, and peering over the back of the couch. Even breathing showed them sleeping still, silent, unaware they would pass from the living to the dead at his hand.

He marked his target, the warrior first, a patch of embroidery just above her heart, unprotected. The slim channeled blade in his left hand quivered, anxious for the stroke. He steeled himself for the shock, rehearsed the needed force to drive the razor edged blade through muscle and bone, and moved, with blurring speed that had never missed it's mark. Ever.

Never seeing his target move. Never seeing the hand that gripped his own, the blow that broke his arm in two places. Never seeing the elbow that slammed into his chin with such stunning force that it shattered his jaw, only aware now of the steel grip on his throat, stopping air and speech, and the sudden glint of a pair of twin ice chips that bored into his eyes Terror and pain washed over him under that feral glare.

Then two fingers jabbed his neck, and he felt the rest of his body go numb, and a sudden exquisite pressure began to build in his head, throbbing. "You have 20 seconds to tell me who sent you." the voice was low, and rumbled with deadly menace. "After that, you die."

"Ansteles." he gasped, unnerved. "he's attacking the castle. He means to kill Hectator." No sense in not telling her everything. He was a hired man, and in any case, he had failed his commission.

Another jab, and the pain returned full force, bringing dark spots to his vision with it's intensity. Mercifully, a blow exploded against the side of his head, bringing total darkness, and a welcome quiet.

"Stay here." Xena looked back at Gabrielle's grim face. "No, on second thought, go down the hall and wake up Jessan, try to get as many people up as you can."

"What about you?" the bard answered. "No, forget it. Dumb question. Xena, please.." she clasped the dark haired woman's arm in emphasis. "You don't' have armor on. Just remember, OK? Be careful?"

Xena nodded. "I will. You be careful too." She moved towards the door, sliding her sword from it's scabbard on the way and slipping out with the same silence the assassin had used coming in. Close. her heart was still pounding from that. Way too close. I didn't hear him until he was inside the door. Damn, I am slipping. Disgusted, she paused on the stairwell, turning to watch as Gabrielle slid out the door, having removed her skirt and now clad only in the long tunic and boots, and moved towards Jessan's room, carrying her staff. Xena shook her head and continued down the stairs, pausing again when she heard scuffling and bladework starting below her. Her pulse picked up, and a taut grin crossed her lips.

Gabrielle slipped along the wall, and reached Jessan's door without incident. She pushed the wooden panel open and darted inside, blinking in the sudden darkness. "Jessan!" She hissed, moving further into the room and towards the bed. She heard a rustle of fabric, then the incoming moonlight was blocked by her friend's tall form outlined against the open balcony doors.

"Gabrielle" he breathed, moving to her with a grace uncanny in a man so large. "What..." He glanced down and spotted her staff. "Trouble?"

"Yeah." the bard rasped. "an...a soldier..." She paused. 'No, an assassin just showed up in our room. The castle's under attack by a mercenary force hired by Ansteles."

"Assassin!?" Jessan barked, moving towards the door, grabbing his weapons on the way. "Where?"

Gabrielle caught up to him and grabbed his arm. "Don't worry about that. We need to wake everyone up." she licked her lips in nervous tension. "Xena took care of the guy." She gestured with her staff. "You know."

Jessan laughed shortly. "Boy do I know:

They moved along the hallway, rapidly waking Jessan's people, and the human residents. In a short time, they had a sizable group of armed men and women headed down the hallway towards the main keep. Jessan detoured into Gabrielle's room as they passed, tugging the sleeve on one of his people to follow. Inside the room, they knelt by the side of the still unconscious would be killer, and Jessan removed the crepe covering from his face.

"Ares!" the forest dweller growled, startling Gabrielle, who had followed them inside. "It's Stevanos." He exchanged glances with his fellow warrior. "Uncle Warrin?"

The other forest dweller grunted. "Just so." He turned his dark eyes towards Gabrielle. "Anstele's wasn't fooling around. Stevanos is one of the best of the breed - if you could call it that. He's killed over 300 targets." He gazed at Gabrielle for a long time, then turned his eyes towards his nephew. "Ansteles is too dangerous."

Jessan nodded agreement. "I know."

Warrin glanced down at Stevanos, turning his face and examining the broken bones there and displaced in his upper arm. He smiled to himself grimly, then drew a small dagger from his belt, and held it up between Jessan and himself. The two men locked gazes, then Warrin gently made a cut in his palm, and in Jessan's, and the two clasped hands. "Blood of my blood, son of my sister." Warrin rumbled.

"Blood of my blood, brother of my mother." Jessan answered.

Warrin nodded at him again, then disengaged his hand, and stood, sheathing the dagger. He paused next to Gabrielle, and gazed at her, eyes half lidded for a moment, then gave her a sad smile, and passed out the door.

Gabrielle watched him leave, then turned and stared at Jessan. "What was that?"

Jessan dusted his hands off, and remained silent, as he bound the assassin with a piece of rope from Xena's gear. Finally, he stood, and motioned Gabrielle to precede him out the door. "That was my uncle Warrin." his voice held sadness. "he's our..well, our best tracker." he answered, evasively.

"Jessan." Gabrielle responded, as she passed into the hallway, and went on her guard. "he's so sad." She glanced up at the tall man. "Why?"

Jessan's golden eyes clouded and darkened in shadow. "He..is a broken lifebond, Gabrielle." he glanced at her, as they moved down the stairs, towards where the could now hear fighting. "My mother's brother..his lifemate was killed during a hunting expedition. An accident...but he's walked in darkness since." He brought his sword up as the noise got louder. "He is our...assassin."

Gabrielle's eyes widened. "That's terrible...about his lifemate, I mean. She paused, and a chill went down her spine. "He's going after Ansteles, isn't he." Not a question. She gripped her staff more firmly, and dropped back a little, to give Jessan room to swing. A lesson learned early from fighting with Xena. You stayed well out of her sword range or suffered the consequences.

"Yes." Jessan answered, surging forward as the first mercenary appeared around the bend in the corridor. His sword flickered in blurring speed as he engaged the man, disarming him easily, then using one big fist to knock him unconscious.

Gabrielle caught the next mercenary by surprise, as he was not expecting a half clad woman with a stick to be so accurate as to take his feet and head out with one skillful double swing; Grimly, she smiled, then went on to the next soldier, spotting a weakness in his defense, and taking him out with a sharp thrust to the face. I'm definitely getting better at this. Even with a headache that could fell Argo in her tracks.

"She's not that easy to kill.' Hectator wheezed, keeping one bloodied eye on his tormentor. "For your sake, you better hope you do, though. "

The man laughed. "We have a expert taking care of that, you puking pig." he turned his head, as a man in dark leathers and chain mail pushed his way through the crowd,. "Ah..there you are captain. Look what I have here."

The captain nodded, regarding Hectator with almost colorless eyes, matching his straw colored hair. He was not over middling height, shorter than Hectator, and in fact most of his troops. But the man breathed deadly intent, sending a chill down the prince's back.

The captain drew a short blade from the scabbard on his left arm, and examined it briefly. Hectator's blood chilled. An assassin's blade,. The captain wrapped his long fingers around the leather wrapped hilts, and moved closer to Hectator, poising his arm for the blow, then striking forward with a snake's speed.

He drove the blade through Hectator's body, pinning him to the door. The prince bit right through his tongue to keep from screaming and giving this animal the satisfaction. The blade was in such a position that he would die slowly, he knew. It was not piercing any vital organ. He looked up, into those colorless eyes, and spat blood with unerring accuracy into the captain's face.

"Captain IIlean..." the lieutenant growled..."let me..."

"No" the captain rasped, wiping his face. "He'll die well enough." He turned and gestured to the waiting mercenaries. "Let's finish what we came for." He turned and headed around the first bend of the stairs, peering ahead into the torch lit shadows above. A particularly large shadow flickered towards him, but his attention was on the top landing and he turned his head far too late, never seeing the kick that sent him right back down the stairs and into his troops startled arms.

"Hello, Illean. " Xena muttered, as she swooped down onto the landing and wiped her already bloody sword on a stunned mercenary, shoving her way through to where Hectator was hanging. "Didn't think you'd stooped to this kind of sneakery. Times must be tough." She turned around, and faced the troops, and a frozen Ilean. "I"m going to take him down off this door. That means I have to put this sword down and turn my back to you. The first person who moves, is going to get cut in half. You understand?"

"I think it's you who doesn't understand, Xena."" Ilean growled, dusting his leather tunic off. "These aren't dog troops. They'll cut you down." He smiled. "No armor, even? I had heard you were going soft."

Xena turned, letting he sword rest on one silk clad shoulder, and smiled at him. "Could be." she drawled. "Wanna find out? Who's first?" She let her eyes travel across the leather clad troops, raising an eyebrow at them in question. "You, Illean? For old time's sake?" The blond haired man glared at her. "Come on..come on..the best chance you'll ever get." Glowering eyes, flaring nostrils..but not one movement in her direction.

"Cut me down huh?" Xena snorted. "You wish." She jerked her head up the stairs. "The rest of your rabble's being routed out already." She turned back to Hectator, but tossed over her shoulder. "And pick up your pathetic assassin up in my quarters on your way out." She leaned close to Hectator's sweating pale face. "Hang in tight, Hectator. I'll get you out of this."

'They'll kill you.' He gasped, darting glances over her shoulder in panic. "Don't turn your back on them! I"m not worth that, for Hades' sake, Xena!"

"Nah." Xena winked. "Gotta have some use for my reputation, right?" She sensed movement behind her, concentrated her senses. Iliean. Figures. She waited for him to get within striking range, then dropped to one knee, and allowed his sword thrust to dig deep into the wood of the door, skimming over her right shoulder so close she could hear the hiss of the blade as it passed her ear.

She let her rage build for a minute, then turned and rose, and putting that anger behind her am, hit him in the face, feeling the bone crush beneath the force, and the tremendous shock of impact throw him backward like a rag doll. "You never did learn the right lessons, did you." she muttered, lifting her sword, and advancing on the remaining mercenaries, knowing what her expression must be showing by the widening eyes, and uneasy movement of the armored men. "Who's next?" she barked, angry and disgusted, and not bothering to hide it. "Step forward, or get out. Now!" She stooped and grabbed Ilean's padded surcoat, lifting him up and tossing him down the stairs, where he collapsed in a heap.

Xena whirled, and dropped her sword. grabbing the knife hilt pinning Hectator in place. "Damn." she seethed, shoving her arms hard against his body to keep him off the blade. "Grab my shoulders, Hectator." Watching as the prince barely was able to comply. With all the weight of her body, she pressed him up against the door and at the same time pulled hard on the knife, feeling it slip out of the door, and out of the princes body with a shiver of metal on bone. Blood gushed warm under her hands, and she carefully lowered him to the ground.

Xena sighed, and parted Hectator's tunic. "Ugh." She winced. "I need to get him to the infirmary, need bandages and cleanser." She felt a familiar presence at her back just before a gentle hand touched her shoulder. "Hello, Gabrielle."

"Hi." the bard murmured, peering over Xena's shoulder. "Ouch." She glanced at Hectator. "What happened to him?"

"Mercenary pinned him to the door with a knife." Xena answered, matter of factly, rapidly working with a pad of cloth ripped from the prince's shirt pressed against the ugly wound in his abdomen. "Give me that other piece of cloth. I have to keep pressure on this until I can get this bleeding controlled or he won't last a minute."

Gabrielle complied, her attention riveted on what Xena was doing.

Xena heard the crossbow cock before it even got halfway back, and jerked her vision to her right, keeping her hands pressed firmly to the prince's body. Ilean. I should have killed him. Damn. He was right. I am getting soft.

"Too bad, Xena." the pale eyed man rasped, "You...you were the kind of adversary that comes along once in a lifetime." Ilean grimaced, as close as he could come to a smile with his broken ribs. "You'll do wonders for my reputation, though."

Time slowed, as Xena's focus narrowed to a crossbow bolthead and the icy eyes behind it. I can't move my hands to catch that arrow, and I can't move out of the way because Gabrielle is behind me. Damn. So it comes down to this. Warlords aren't supposed to risk themselves for their troops, didn't I learn that lesson a long time ago? What a way to find out that I really have changed. She gave a minute nod, and turned slightly to face Ilean, squaring her shoulders to present the largest target possible. Her eyes met his without fear and a smile found it's way onto her face.

The mercenary read her smile, and returned the nod, grudging respect in his colorless gaze. He raised the crossbow, and aimed with care. He'd have only one chance, with her. But crossbow was his weapon, and his finger tightened on the release with steady ease.

And as the pressure descended on the trigger, his world exploded with a roar so primal, it shook him to the foundations of his understanding. He had no time to look, and no time left to live as a golden body crashed into his, clawed hands tore his ribcage even through his armor and hot fangs gripped his throat, ending his life in a shower of blood and bubbling air, and flying saliva. The momentum carried both mercenary and attacker to the floor, and with a shake of his head, Jessan tore his fangs free, blood dripping freely from his mouth to the flagstones.

The rest of the mercenaries ran as the forest dweller bounded to his feet with a hideous growling roar.

Silence fell in the corridor. Jessan blinked, then a shudder passed down his body, and he glanced up at Xena with bloodshot eyes. She met and held his gaze, never judging, never flinching. "Thanks." she said, in a normal voice, and turned her gaze back to Hectator's limp form. , sparing a glance to her left when she felt Gabrielle shaking. "You OK?" Stupid question.

The bard closed her eyes and took several deep breaths. Then she blinked, and looked straight up at Jessan. If I can accept Callisto, I can accept this. I am not a child. Her mind ran the thought through her consciousness in a repeating loop. "Thanks, Jessan." She said, giving him a little smile, and was rewarded by the look of almost pathetic relief in his golden eyes.

Jessan then wrinkled his face, poking his tongue out. "Uck." he gagged, looking around for a container, and finding a discarded wineskin. He popped the top off, and poured a mouthful in, gargling briefly, then spitting the whole amount out onto the corridor flagstones. "I hate that taste." He walked over to them, still grimacing, holding his bloodstained hands out in front of his body, and crouched down on the other side of the prince. "I didn't..I mean...I just...he was going..."

"I know." Xena said, in a gentle voice. "I"ve got his bleeding controlled." she lifted one hand and touched his bloody clawed fingers. "Can you carry him to the infirmary?"

His eyes darted to hers, still haunted. "That was the first time I ever..."

Xena sighed. "I"m sorry, Jessan." She reached up and patted his cheek. "I guess we're even now. You saved my life."

The forest dweller gazed at her. "I"m not sorry...we all have to have a first blooding..and I"m glad, Ares, I'm glad that was mine." He smiled his sweet smile, and, daring, touched her face, watching her lips curve in a sad smile.

Gabrielle held herself very still, and just watched, seeing a sudden similarity between the two warriors beside her. Reluctantly, she delved into herself, and rooted out the feeling she had that terrifying instant when she realized that Ilean was about to kill Xena, and the feeling she had when Jessan tore him apart. And recognized a similarity in herself as well. That rage, that roar...she found echoes of it in her mind. She had no doubt..none..and it hurt..that given the speed, given the strength, she would have ripped Ilean's heart out herself. Xena would have given her life up. The bard would have given up more than that. So. She had a window at last, into that darkness. She nodded quietly to herself, and let out a long held breath.

"Yes" Jessan was saying. "I'll carry him. Look out." He ever so gently eased his arms under Hectator's body and lifted him, moving in the direction of the infirmary.

Xena paused for a moment, wiping her hands on a bit of discarded cloth, before she turned her head and looked at Gabrielle. "Are you OK?" She asked again, softly.

"You were going to let him shoot you. " Not a question. Not the time for hedging around.

Xena nodded, slowly. "Yes. I couldn't let go of Hectator. " She smiled grimly. "And you were behind me." A slight shrug "I tolerate arrows a lot better than you do."

Gabrielle matched her slow nod. "In this?." She reached out and fingered the silk tunic, a stern look in her eyes..

Xena held silent for a long moment. "Even in this." she attempted to lighten the conversation. "I would have tried to make sure it was somewhere non vital. Like my head."

The bard let a faint smile cross her face, and never taking her eyes off Xena, reached out and curled her fingers around Xena's hand where it rested between them. "That's not funny." she sighed. "I have no desire to be pulling arrows out of you, regardless of where they are."

Xena returned the squeeze. "I know. But there wasn't much time to make a decision, and that was the only one open to me."

Gabrielle sighed. "Next time, let's plan that better." she answered, getting a short chuckle from the warrior. She watched as Xena straightened up, and extended a hand down to her. "Thanks." she added, as she gripped the offered help, and was hauled to her feet.

"Sounds like the fighting has stopped." Xena commented, and started down the stairs after Jessan. At the front door, she paused, and looked out into the darkness, one hand shifting the sword she held in a rhythmic manner.

Gabrielle stopped beside her, and studied her companion's face. "What are you thinking of?" She asked, softly, seeing the fathomless coldness in those familiar eyes.Nothing I really want to know about, probably.

"Ansteles." the warrior muttered, closing her eyes and making a conscious effort to wipe off that 'look' before she glanced in Gabrielle's direction. "I don't like having assassins visit my rooms." She knew she was only partially successful by the perceptible flinch from the bard. She turned her eyes outside again. "He's out there." And every bone in my body wants to be out there after him. Damn, that never dies, does it?. That old wolf's still in there. She smiled grimly at herself. That cool night air was calling to her, a dark ride, tracking in shadows, and then...she could feel her heartbeat pick up, knew the feral glint emerging in her eyes. Knew she was probably scaring the wits out of Gabrielle, who persisted in believing this side of her was far more deeply buried than it truly was.

"He failed." came the bard's low reply, singing tension in the tone. "Xena..." She reached out and circled her hand around Xena's wrist, feeling the vibrating tension there. Steeling herself for the icy glare she knew would be turned her way, for the sudden motion that would throw off her hand with the same effort as if she were a fly.

But the look she received was not what she feared, and the hand she ventured was unexpectedly warmed by a returning squeeze. "I know." Xena replied, returning the wolf to his darkling den, and turning away from the night air. "I still don't like it, though." she grumbled. "that was way too close." she tilted her head at the bard. "How are you feeling, anyway?"

"Oh." Gabrielle answered, relieved. "Ow, actually. My head hurts." She gave Xena an aggrieved look, but was desperately glad of the change of subject. ."I remember you having to carry me upstairs, then not much else." Brows creased. "Did I make a fool out of myself?"

Xena looked at her, unable to stop the smile from creeping right up to her eyes. "No." she slung an arm around the bard's shoulders and steered her towards the infirmary. "We just went upstairs, talked for a few minutes, then you fell asleep on the couch."

"Oh. Really?" the bard frowned. " I don't remember that. What did we talk about? Did I get silly, or anything?"

Xena debated for a single very long instant. "No. You didn't get..silly." She glanced down at her companion, a grin barely edging her lips. "We discussed...Autolycus."

Gabrielle started in consternation. "Autolycus? Why in the wo..." Abruptly her face went blank, and she stopped walking and closed her misty green eyes tight shut. "Oh gods no."

The warrior sighed. "Gabrielle." she coaxed, giving the bard's shoulder's a squeeze. "It's all right. Relax." She glanced towards the open doors to the infirmary. "C'mon. I need to get some herbs on this hand, it stings like Hades." She watched Gabrielle's eyes open reluctantly, darting everywhere, but refusing to meet her own.Can't have that. Xena reached over and caught the bard's chin, gently lifting her face up to force eye contact. "It's all right." she repeated, consciously softening her tone,"I really mean it."

The mortified embarrassment faded hesitantly from the bard's expression, replaced by a shy wonder. Her eyes dropped to the hand on her chin, then she cleared her throat. "You're right. You do need to get that taken care of, It's starting to swell. " She lifted her hand and let her fingertips explore the damage, then raised her eyes to meet Xena's once more, smiling tentatively.

"That's more like it." The warrior said, quietly. "C'mon."

They resumed their course, met by Jessan just inside the door. Xena had more than a sneaking suspicion that the forest dweller had been peeking out the doorway, a suspicion immediately justified by the long, delightedly smiling look he turned on them the minute they cleared the entryway. Xena sighed, then decided it was halfway funny, and returned his look with one an amused but exasperated one of her own. "Would you cut that out?" she growled at him.

"What?" Gabrielle asked, staring at both of them in puzzlement.

"I'll tell you later." Xena promised, giving Jessan a hard poke in the ribs. The forest dweller responded by slinging an arm around her, and squeezing.

"Hectator's going to be fine." was his comment, though. "His battle surgeons are taping him up now, but he wants to talk to you." Ah...Xena.....my warrior friend. I Saw...and what I Saw was so familiar, it seemed like home to me. I am glad, more so than you could imagine.

The prince looked up muzzily as they approached. Xena dropped to one knee beside his pallet and examined the battles surgeons work. "Not bad." she muttered, glancing up at Hectator’s white strained face. "Looks like you’ll make it." she added, patting him on the knee.

Hectator sighed ."For what it’s worth. Xena..." wincing, he shifted slightly. "Ansteles is not going to stop. I can deal with him....after me." His gray eyes tracked over her face, then dropped to the hand resting on pallet next to him. "Did I hear you say there was an assassin in your room?"

Xena shrugged. "There was. But that’s not your fault, Hectator. I’ve been stalked by assassins before." She gave a quick glance at Gabrielle, standing quietly nearby.

"It was Stevanos, Xena." Jessan interrupted, bringing over a cup of water and handing it to Hectator. "I suppose you didn’t recognize him in the dark."

Xena’s eyebrows rose. "Really?" An intrigued expression crossed her face. "I think I’m flattered" She leaned back and rested an arm on her knee. "And I didn’t recognize him because I’ve never seen him before. He’s stayed pretty clear of me." She laughed a little to herself. So that was the deadliest hired assassin in Greece.

Hectator stared at her. "You act like it’s nothing" He passed a shaking hand over his brow.

Jessan settled to his knees on Xena’s other side. "It’s that warrior thing." he commented wryly. "And...one of my people is seeing what he can do about Ansteles." He added. "Now, I think Hectator needs to get some rest, and I’m sure we all can do with the same."

The battle surgeon looked gratefully at Jessan, and shooed them away from his royal patient, drawing a makeshift curtain around him.

The three of them walked quietly back down the hallway, mostly in silence. Finally Xena spoke. "What did you mean, someone is doing something about Ansteles, Jessan?" She turned her cool gaze on him, curious.

"My uncle." the tall forest dweller answered, slowly. "He’s the closest thing we have to an assassin of our own. " He continued to walk, not looking at either of them. "He went after Ansteles. We decided...well, he decided that he was getting too dangerous." He finally glanced at Xena, who was staring straight ahead with an unfathomable look. "We have a stake in this too, now."

"Mm." the dark haired warrior commented. "That’s true." She flexed her hand and looked down in annoyance. "Damn that Ilean. I should have remembered how thick his skull was." She sighed as they reached their well traveled and battle stained hallway. "good rest, Jessan." she said, giving he forest dweller a pat on the back

"You too." Jessan answered, enfolding her gently in a hug, then doing the same with Gabrielle. He walked past them to his own door, and slipped inside.

"With all this hugging, are you sure you two aren’t related?" Xena questioned, teasingly, watching the bard blush in response. She held the door open and gestured for Gabrielle to go inside. "I hope they remembered to pick up their pet assassin." They had. The room was empty, and mostly dark except for the faint glow of the fireplace. Xena put her sword down with a sigh, then padded over to the couch and sat down, laying the pouch of herbs she had gotten from the surgeons on the footrest. She examined her swollen hand in some disgust, then began assembling a mixture.

Gabrielle watched her for moment, then crossed to the couch and sat down, taking the mixture from her companion. "Let me do that.": she grinned. "It’s probably easier with two hands." .

"Probably." Xena answered, waiting patiently as the bard applied the herbs, and wrapped her hand in soft linen. "Thanks." She sat back and regarded the fire. "How’s the headache?" she asked, glancing at Gabrielle.

The bard shrugged. "I’ve had worse" she replied, gruffly.

Xena looked at her. "That bad, huh?" she smiled. "I think I have something that might help." She got up and started rummaging in her saddlebags, pulling out several folded parchments. "It doesn’t taste great, but it works."

Gabrielle got up and walked over to the press. "I’m OK, really - don’t bother." She managed a grin. "All that fighting got the mead right out of my system."

"Uh huh." Xena agreed, still continuing to mix. "Here." she added, handing Gabrielle her cup, ignoring the bard’s exasperated look.

Gabrielle sighed, and sniffed dubiously at the liquid. "Ugh." she commented, making a face at Xena. And got a raised eyebrow in return. "Oh, all right." she muttered, and, closing her eyes and stopping her breathing, she swallowed the contents in three big gulps.

"Augh" she spluttered, with a shudder. "that’s awful." the bard glared at Xena. "What was in there...no..never mind Don’t tell me..I’ll just lose it." She poked her tongue out again, and trudged to the water basin, scooping water into the cup and drinking it down hurriedly.

Xena watched her in amusement, then went over to the bed, and flopped down on her back with an uncharacteristic lack of grace. "Rotten end to a fairly nice evening." she sighed, lifting her uninjured hand and running her fingers through her hair. Glancing over at Gabrielle, noting the stillness of her companion, the merest hint of a reflection from her eyes in the moving firelight. "You OK? I know that mixture was pretty bad but.."

‘I’m OK." the bard answered quietly, setting the cup down, and moving across the room. "It’s..working. Actually. My head feels lot better." She sat down on the edge of the bed, and gave Xena a smile. "Thanks". she added, sliding onto her side, and propping her head up on one hand.

"Anytime." the warrior drawled, turning her head and glancing at her companion affectionately. "You look like you feel better."

"Do I?" Gabrielle answered, gazing into pale blue eyes at close range.

Xena rolled over onto her side as well, and studied her face attentively. "Mmmhmm." she confirmed, with a gentle smile.

I could drown here. Gabrielle reflected, thoughtfully, easily. Reading the face so close to her own, seeing beauty where others saw anger, gentleness where others saw violence, light, where the world itself saw only darkness. And I always have. from the very first moment I saw her. Must be some kind of weird vision problem. Right? "How’s the hand?"

Xena’s eyes twinkled. She flexed her hand experimentally. "Not bad." she remarked, "A little sore."

"A trivial thing for the Warrior Princess.." the bard answered, with a little giggle. Then she had a mischievous idea, and before she could stop to think about the consequences, she reached out and knowing Xena wouldn’t stop her, tickled the warrior’s exposed ear.

"Hey!" Xena yelped, startled. Then she bared her teeth in a feral grin and uncoiled from her relaxed pose with dismaying speed.

"Whoa..whoa.." Gabrielle squealed, scrambling backwards, not nearly fast enough to escape the hand that grabbed her wrist and flipped her back onto the bed. Deciding a good offense was her only defense, she gathered her wits and strength and pounced on Xena, trying frantically to keep those long tickling fingers away from her.

Ah.. I got lucky. Gabrielle had managed to get Xena on her back, and with both hands and all her body weight had her pinned by both shoulders to the bed. For a moment, they both looked at each other, "Give up?" the bard asked, hopefully. Oh yeah. Like she couldn't just shrug and I'd go flying across the room.

Should I? Xena mused, "Yeah, I give up." she answered, spreading her arms out to indicate surrender.

Gabrielle blinked in surprise. Huh??? Then Xena’s arms curled up, and she made two swift jabs at the bard’s upper arms, unlocking her elbows and causing her to collapse with a squawk onto the warrior’s chest. "Ugh.I knew that was too easy." she muttered, feeling Xena laughing silently. "Very funny, Xena."

Xena grinned her fierce grin. and chuckled, then wrapped both arms around the bard and gave her a long hug,, and she felt Gabrielle relax completely against her, offering no resistance.

"Mmm." Gabrielle mumbled into the crimson silk of her tunic. "That really feels great. Can I just stay here?" I’m inside the door again. And....gods...what I think I may have just heard is the that door being locked..from the inside. .

"Yeah." Xena whispered, not releasing her, feeling Gabrielle’s hands slide up and curl around her shoulders in an answering hug. "Yeah. You can stay here."

Two days later, they were packed and ready to take their leave of Hectator and his city. Xena glanced around at the city, and grinned for no particular reason. Then she turned to Hectator, who was seated in a chair on his front steps to say goodbye.

"So." Hectator smiled up at them. "Where to next?" He shifted to ease the strain on his bandages. "We'll miss you."

Xena raised an eyebrow at him, but smiled. "Yeah, I'm sure you will." she answered. "We're headed up the coast, towards Athens." the warrior added, turning to adjust the saddle girth on Argo. She turned back and offered her hand to Hectator. "It's been nice, Hectator."

The prince cocked his dark head at her. "Well, in a manner of speaking, anyway." He winced, but took her outstretched arm in a warm grip. "There's nothing I can offer that could come close to repaying you for what you did here. So I won't try." He captured her gaze. " But I will say this to you - my city is now, and will always be a home for you...for you both, if and when you decide to stop wandering around saving everyone."

Mist green eyes and light blue ones stared back at him with a solemn twinkle.

"Hectator,' Xena said, a chuckle disrupting her voice. "Believe me - we’ll always have a very warm spot in our hearts for your city. And you." She glanced at Gabrielle, who was nodding in agreement. "And, I think it’s safe to say we’ll be back. At least for visits."

"I’ll say." Gabrielle added, reaching over and giving him a careful hug. "Take care of yourself." she grinned, then stepped back to where Jessan was waiting, big hands resting on his black mount’s back. The big forest dweller would be accompanying them back towards his village, since they intended on moving along the coast after that.

Xena put her hands on Argo’s back, and vaulted up, swinging a leg over the mare’s back and settling her feet in the stirrups. Then she glanced down at Gabrielle, and held out her left arm. The bard grasped it without a word of protest, and allowed herself to be lifted up and across the tall mare’s withers.

"Getting more of a taste for riding?" Hectator inquired, with courteous curiosity.

Gabrielle smiled, and grabbed hold of Xena, who, uncharacteristically, also grinned. "Oh....you could say that." The bard replied, impishly. "I think I’m going to get to like it."

"Really?" Xena asked, casting a glance across her shoulder.

"Yeah." Gabrielle answered, wrapping her arms tighter and resting her head against Xena’s back. "Really."

"Good to hear." The warrior commented wryly, ignoring the snarky look she was getting from Jessan. "C’mon." she kneed Argo towards the city gates, and headed out, with Jessan ambling along beside them. "Jessan, get that smirk off your face."

"Who, me?" the forest dweller asked, innocently. "What would *I* have to smirk about? I think you're imagining things, Xena. You really should get some rest." He batted his eyelashes at her. "Maybe a few days on the beach?"

"Jessan...." came the low growl.

The only answer he gave was a cheerful whistling tune. 

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