New Layout

VISIT TO AN
ANCIENT WORLD
A Novel
by
CJ Carter
Version 1.0
(First Rough Draft)
Disclaimer: This is a work of fan-fiction (fanfic). All characters, locations, and situations are
fictitious and are presented fictitiously. While some characters may resemble actual celebrities,
they are not meant to be biographical characterizations. Any resemblance to actual people,
events, or locations is coincidental.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Chapter 1 : Glimpse the Ordinary World.......................................................................................1
Chapter 2 : Waking in a New World..............................................................................................3
Chapter 3 : Meeting a Goddess and a Warrior...............................................................................8
Chapter 4 : The Troy Scroll..........................................................................................................13
Chapter 5 : On the Road, Missing Gabby.....................................................................................15
Chapter 6 : In the Amazon Camp.................................................................................................19
Chapter 7 : Peraxion's Goal..........................................................................................................23
Chapter 8 : Heaven's Justice.........................................................................................................31
Chapter 9 : One Step Backward....................................................................................................34
Chapter 10 : Finding the Path.......................................................................................................39
Chapter 11 : Surviving the Capture..............................................................................................46
Chapter 12 : Fallen Angels...........................................................................................................49
Chapter 13 : To the Sea................................................................................................................55
Chapter 14 : The Odyssey Begins................................................................................................62
Chapter 15 : The Unfortunate's Wind...........................................................................................66
Chapter 16 : Losing Dead Weight................................................................................................71
Chapter 17 : Slavers......................................................................................................................76
Chapter 18 : Liberty or Death.......................................................................................................80
Chapter 19 : Betrayal....................................................................................................................86
Chapter 20 : Penelope's Isle..........................................................................................................95
Chapter 21 : Two Bloodbaths and a Funeral..............................................................................103
Chapter 22 : Homecoming..........................................................................................................111
Chapter 23 : Smoke....................................................................................................................119
Chapter 24 : No More, No Less..................................................................................................127
Chapter 25 : Poseidon's Second Wind........................................................................................134
Chapter 26 : Old Faces, New Places...........................................................................................142
Chapter 27 : Regaining the Path.................................................................................................149
Chapter 28 : Tipping the Scales..................................................................................................154
Chapter 29 : Medusa's Child.......................................................................................................162
Chapter 30 : The Cairn...............................................................................................................170
Glimpse the Ordinary World
1
Chapter 1 : Glimpse the Ordinary World
I sing first to the daughters of Olympian Zeus and never forgetful Mnemosyne -- the nine
sisters whose breath gives to mortals the ability to tell their tales. A poor scribe such as I cannot
hope to do justice to any tale without the assistance of these beautiful inspirers of art.
Reneé thought she'd never get the fight sequences right. Although she had been rehearsing
her part in the battle sequence for close to three hours, it was the most complex blocking that
had ever been attempted on the set of Xena: Warrior Princess.
The director of the show, John Smith, walked up to Reneé and the stunt coordinator, Alan
Able. John said, "Alan, is there any hope of getting this shot before lunch?"
"I don't see why not. Reneé seems to know where she's supposed to be."
"Reneé?" John asked.
"I'll be fine. It's a little scary, but I can do it. Don't worry about me," the strawberry blonde
actress replied.
"You're sure. I don't want you getting hurt."
"I'm fine. Ready, willing, and able."
"Alright, then." John whipped out a two-way radio he carried at his hip. "Ok Kevin,
positions and dress the set. We'll shoot in five." John hurried away toward his own vantagepoint for the shot.
Reneé turned back to Alan; "Can we practice this one more time?"
"Sure. En garde."
Reneé bent her knees and lightly but firmly grasped her fighting staff in preparation to the
combat choreography that she still wasn't sure of.
In only a matter of minutes the stage for battle was set. Using his bullhorn John called out,
"Ready, Lucy?"
About a quarter of a mile away at the crest of a hill, the leather-clad raven-haired actress
waved her sword overhead. She sat steady in the saddle of her long-time companion; the
Palomino named Tilly.
Again, over the bullhorn John said, "Remember, watch Lucy for your cue to start. Just like
we've rehearsed it people. Let's do it in one take. Roll 'em."
After receiving confirmations from his radio, the director of photography told John,
"Rolling." The sound engineer reported, "Speed."
John raised the bullhorn again, "Action, Lucy!"
After a few seconds Lucy Lawless, the star of the show, spurred her horse down the hill.
Once they reached a predetermined point, all of the stunt people and extras shouted their war
cries and plunged into their mock battle.
Reneé was doing well. She went through each of her well-planned moves as if she had
done them all her life. Duck. Parry. CLUNK!
Surprise and disgust were Reneé's immediate emotions. The move was to parry and then
duck. The mistake cost her a nasty whack to the back of her head. She was certain that John
had seen it, but when she didn't hear him yell, "Cut," she decided to continue on as if nothing
had happened. It wouldn't be easy since her vision was a little fuzzy and her stomach was a
little queasy, but she wasn't going to let the take be ruined on her account -- not if she could help
it.
She swung her staff around hard at about the level where the ducked head of her stuntopposite shouldn't be. Instead, she delivered a skull-smashing blow that knocked her opponent
2
Chapter 1
to his back, but also shattered her staff. Though her hands tingled violently from the impact,
Reneé's first concern was to her fallen companion. "Oh my God," she said as she dropped to her
knees.
The face before her was unrecognizable. The blow had demolished the nose and also left
the entire sinus area crushed. Reneé felt the blood pressure drop. She wanted to faint, but now
wasn't the time. "Help? Will somebody help me?" she shouted.
Battle still raged around her. The call of, "Cut," never arrived. What was John doing? No
shot was so important that he'd ignore someone going down.
It was then that she started noticing the differences. The injured man in front of her wasn't
dressed right. And he didn't smell right. "Ripe" was too kind a word for how he smelled.
Come to think of it, nothing smelled right.
As her vision cleared she could see that no one was dressed right. And where was John.
Where were the cameras and crew? Where was Lucy? "Hey..." said before the sharp blow to
her head caused blackness and an odd lack of pain to descend upon her. As she blacked out she
could hear in the distance someone saying, "I got the Amazon."
Waking in a New World
3
Chapter 2 : Waking in a New World
The throbbing in Reneé's head made her not want to open her eyes. While not quite awake,
she thought about what must have happened. When she got hit in the head, she must have
suffered a concussion. After that, she must have had a very strange dream fueled by the story
from the script that they were shooting. Yeah. That must be what happened.
Reneé opened her eyes. It didn't help much. Wherever she was, the darkness was
profound. However, there did seem to be light... wait a minute... light coming through the walls.
No. She must still be suffering from the concussion. Her ears were filled with a buzzing sound.
"Yeah," she thought, "definitely a concussion." Feeling numbness in her right arm, she tried to
move it into a more comfortable position. "What the--?"
Reneé was surprised to discover that her arms were bound behind her back. She struggled
against them, but only succeeded in breaking a clay vessel of some sort. She could tell what it
was in the darkness. The noise did have an effect. A flap was pushed aside from what must
have been a doorway. Light silhouetted a man wearing what seemed to be either a long T-shirt
or a short nightshirt. "Hello?" Reneé offered.
The figure left. The flap came down across the doorway again, but not completely. Some
light, apparently firelight, worked its way into what was obviously a hut of some kind. It wasn't
well built -- there were cracks scattered on every surface of the walls. Distributed along the
walls were amphorae; some decorated, some plain. The floor appeared to be loosely packed
dirt. Reneé was sitting on a blanket of fleece. Her clothing was different. It was in the same
two-piece style as her Amazon princess outfit, but the leather was burnished more like Lucy's
Xena outfit than the suede of her Amazon costume. One last item: the spandex shorts she
usually wore under her skirt were gone -- though she couldn't quite tell what she was wearing in
their place.
The flap opened wide once again and into the room entered two beefy men wearing only
sandals and what seemed to be a kilt. They stood on either side of Reneé and raised her to her
feet by her arms, which being behind her caused enough pain to knock some of the cobwebs
from her head. The men half-dragged her out of the hut.
Outside, the chill night air was warmed by the blazing bonfire. Various small buildings
were arranged in a semicircle around one side of the fire. Most of the buildings were
constructed of sod, three were sheathed in leather, and the largest of the buildings looked like it
was made out of large square block of stone. On the opposite side of the bonfire was a large
stage constructed on a low wall of rocks. At either end were shrines of some sort, and in the
center, surrounded by men and women dressed in caftans, sat a weathered and leather-skinned
man with long black curly hair and soulless black eyes. Reneé's journey stopped in front of this
man, whose face Reneé could see had some kind of yellow-makeup on its cheeks.
Trying to take everything in, Reneé realized that something was definitely wrong. This
wasn't part of any Xena episode. Where were the crew? Why did everything look wrong? Did
some group of people with a screw loose kidnap her?
The man rose from his throne on the stage and said, "Well, Amazon, it doesn't look like
you're so invincible after all, does it?"
"Amazon? You think I'm an Amazon?"
"Of course."
"I'm only an actor. I only pretend to be an Amazon for TV."
Reneé's response was greeted only by laughter from the entire camp.
"Yes," the ochre-cheeked man replied. "I've heard that you are as adept as a weaver of tales
as Athena is with thread and loom. It will do you no good here, Queen Gabrielle."
4
Chapter 2
"Queen?"
"Yes, I know who you are. It took nine of your harlots before I found one I could coax the
information out of before she died. You are the absent queen of the Amazons, and now that I
have you the riches of your nation will be mine."
Reneé's head was spinning. Queen of the Amazons? These guys were obviously fans that
took the show much too seriously. Maybe see could use that to stall for time while the
authorities searched for her. Although she didn't have Steve Sears or any of the other writers to
put words in her mouth, she did know here character. How would Gabrielle act in a situation
like this? So Reneé straightened her shoulders and focused herself to be Gabrielle, Queen of the
Amazons. "Fine. You know who I am. When this is recorded into the annals of history, who
shall I say it was I vanquished?"
With a hearty laugh the man replied, "Very good. Very entertaining. By the gods, you are
as filled with bravery as I had heard. Still, it would be rude of me to ignore such an entertaining
request. I am Peraxion -- soon to be King of the Amazon nation."
"Ah! Peraxion," Reneé said while nodding slightly.
"I see my reputation has preceded me."
In reply, Reneé's nodding changed to a head shake, "Never heard of you."
Peraxion raised his arm to strike her face with the back of his hand, but stayed his blow.
Instead, he laughed. "Very entertaining. Take her back and feed her. We don't want the
Amazon's protector to think we treated one of her favored inhospitably.
Back at the hut she awoke in, Reneé was pushed to the ground by the guard Narteisos. As
she got to her knees, a plate of olives, grapes, goat cheese, and half of a pocket bread were set
before her. "You'll get your drink when you've finished.'
"You will be untying me, won't you?"
"Peraxion didn't say anything about releasing your bonds. Besides, you Amazons are
hardly more than animals yourselves. You can eat like one."
Reneé was going to argue the point, which is something that she thought her character
would do in this situation. But she had skipped breakfast, gotten knocked out before lunch, and
now it was the middle of the night. She was hungry and didn't want to jeopardize the meager
offering before her. On the other hand, if she leaned over to eat, she'd fall face first into the
plate -- which she was sure was something that the rancid oaf in front of her was looking
forward to seeing. "Could you at least put the plate on something so I could reach it?"
"I don't -- "
"Or didn't your mother teach you that hospitality to your guests was expected by the Gods?"
Narteisos hesitated. Peraxion did say something about not wanting to anger her protector.
That must mean that she has a God on her side. Deciding that humiliating the Amazon in front
of him wasn't worth risking the wrath of a god, Narteisos looked around and retrieved a stool
from a nook formed by several of the clay vases. He put the stool in front of Reneé and put the
plate on top of that. "Thank you," Reneé offered before taking an olive into her mouth.
Overall, the meal was quite acceptable. The olives were a little more bitter than she'd have
liked, but not so much so that they couldn't be eaten. The cheese was mild, the grapes sweet,
and the bread was still fresh. Unfortunately, the little that she'd been given only fueled her
hunger. "Finished?" Narteisos asked.
Reneé almost asked for more, but didn't want to sound like she was in the road company of
Oliver. "Yes, thank you."
"Good. Here."
Reneé found the spout of a small wine jug thrust into her mouth. She almost choked as the
flood of liquid was poured down her gullet. The taste was strange. The wine was very watered
down. It would have been terrible if not for the generous flavor of honey to sweeten it. Once
Waking in a New World
5
her thirst was quenched, Narteisos took the plate and the stool in his free hand and left the hut.
Reneé was happy that he'd left the flap up so that she could see around her, but that joy was
short lived as the flap was soon dropped and she was once again plunged into the dark. Before
long the effects of the day combined with the soporific effect of the meal conspired to lull Reneé
into the type of sleep visited by the truly exhausted.
It was still dark when a great impact shook the walls of the hut and cause several of the
amphorae to fall and shatter, disgorging their contents of olive oil and wine. The noise roused
Reneé from her sleep, but didn't quite manage to awaken her. "I'll be ready in a minute," she
mumbled as she tried to focus her mind back onto reality.
The commotion outside the blackness of the hut's interior sounded a lot like a fight. Not
one of the fights on the set of Xena, but a real knock-down-drag-out fight complete with
clashing swords. The tent flap opened again. "Gabrielle?" a man's voice asked. "Gabrielle, are
you in there?"
Reneé still wasn't awake, and answered without thinking, "It's about time you showed up."
Reneé turned and her slowly clearing vision saw the silhouette of a tall and thin man
pushing the leather door flap out of the way. He entered the hut and knelt behind Reneé. With
the skill of fictitious Xena the man had cut the ropes that held her arms, and removed the frame
that had restricted her movement. "Are you ok?" he said.
Reneé turned. "I can't feel my arms. They must have -- Ted!?"
The figure next to Reneé looked very much like Ted Raimi, a frequent guest on her TV
show who played the character of the bumbling warrior-wannabe Joxer. "Ted? What are you
talking about?" was the response she received.
Reneé looked closer. The man next to her wasn't the Ted she knew. Even in the poor light
coming into the hut it was clear that this man's skin was well tanned and weathered. A few
scars were apparent on his face but nothing very notable, but the need for a professional teeth
cleaning was. His built was stronger than Ted's. While both men could claim to be slender, Ted
was a scarecrow compared to the thirty extra pounds of muscle worn by Reneé's rescuer.
"Joxer?"
"Come on. We've got to get you out of here while the diversion holds. Can you hold a
staff?"
"I--," Reneé tried to move her arms, but the prolonged period of restraint had left them
numb and effectively paralyzed. "No. I don't think so."
"Ok."
Reneé's concern was showing on her face. Joxer reassuringly put his hand on her shoulder
and said, "Don't worry about it. We'll be fine. Let's go."
Joxer helped Reneé to her feet. Taking her hand in his, Joxer lead the young actress from
the hut. They carefully skirted around the hut, avoiding the chance of discovery; the odds of
which were unlikely given the level of distraction within the camp. "Go," Joxer said before
taking off for the woods.
Lacking the experience of a true Hellenic warrior, Reneé hesitated before she made a dash
for the dense growth of trees. The delay cost her. One of Peraxion's newest recruits spotted her
escape. Seeing a chance to gain some much-needed status, the fourteen-year-old warrior
followed after Reneé without informing anyone else from his army.
Reneé made it to the woods, but their overwhelming darkness, as well as a strategically
placed low branch her forehead introduced itself to, halted her advance. She paused to try and
rub away the pain, but instantly stopped when she heard the crackle of a dry leave being
crushed. "Joxer?" she asked tentatively.
Silence. Silence, that is, except for the thundering beats of her heart resounding in her ears.
Silence except for the howling wind she could hear breath making.
In the distance, the sound of fighting was dying down. One side or the other was winning.
6
Chapter 2
The sounds of her heartbeat and her breathing weren't so apparent anymore. Reneé could
focus her attention on her nearby surroundings. But there was nothing to see, and there was
nothing to hear. Was she alone? She didn't feel alone. It wasn't Joxer's presence that she was
sensing -- though it seemed the logical choice. No, if she felt anything, she felt hunted.
A rush of snapped twigs and crushed leaves broke the calm. Birds took flight. Something
heavy dropped five feet in front of the blonde performer. Something else landed in the same
area and both moved around making the detritus of the forest floor to betray the violent struggle
that was taking place -- but just for a moment. In two heartbeats the battle stopped with only the
gurgled wheezing of a slit throat to break the quiet. "Gabrielle?"
"J-- Joxer?"
"We're ok. He came alone."
Reneé thought about those words. She could vaguely make out the shadowy outline of a
body in front of her. That wasn't an actor or stuntman pretending to be dead. It was an actual
dead body that had been somebody's living and breathing son just moments before. The man
who was still alive was the one who had cut the boy's life short. But if he hadn't, she'd be dead
now. Could she trust this killer who looked so much like her friend and fellow thespian? What
choice did she have? He saved her from that warlord, or slave trader, or whatever that Peraxion
was; and he saved her from that body lying on the ground only a few feet away.
That dead body.
Suddenly Reneé's bladder had a strong desire to relieve itself. Her colon was thinking
similar thoughts, as well as her stomach. He knees were buckling and her hands started to
shake. "Let's get going. It'll be better for us if we get to our camp before dawn," Joxer said.
"G-- give me a minute," Reneé stammered.
The shaky actress felt her way around a tree. Her stomach was the first to find relief, but
soon after she was struggling against her ancient undergarment trying to settle the reset of the
demands her body was making.
A few minutes later she returned to where Joxer was waiting. "I don't feel well," she said.
"What's wrong with you?"
"Just a little shaky. Once we get going, I'm sure I'll be fine."
Reneé's brave speech turned out to be correct. Once the adrenaline withdrawal lessened
and she could focus on the simple task of putting one leg in front of the other, her nerves settled
down. After about an hour she almost felt like her usual self again.
The dull gold of dawn quickly turned into a beautiful spring day. With the new
illumination, Reneé knew that she definitely wasn't in New Zealand anymore. The plants and
the terrain were all wrong. Gone were the native New Zealand plants that covered the temperate
rain forest-like area where Xena was filmed, and in their place were olive trees, hardy plants of
all kinds, and wild grapes. The sounds of exotic birds were also gone. They were replaced by
the occasional snorting of a boar rooting about somewhere on the forest undergrowth. Reneé's
companion said, "Here we are."
Reneé stepped out into a small clearing not far from a running stream. In the center of the
area was a circle of rocks ready for a fire to be started within its circumference. Lying nearby
were a couple of what could pass as saddlebags as well as a collection of poles wrapped in
leather and rope. Joxer continued, "Why don't you set up camp and relax while I go and find
Xena."
"Xena?"
"Yeah... Is something wrong with you? You're acting very strange."
"No. No, I'm fine. I just didn't think that -- never mind. Go on."
"Are you sure?"
"Go."
Waking in a New World
7
"Ok. I'll be back as soon as I can."
With that, Joxer jogged off into the woods and was quickly engulfed by them. Now Reneé
was alone. "This has got to be the weirdest dream."
"It's not a dream," replied a heavenly female voice.
8
Chapter 3
Chapter 3 : Meeting a Goddess and a Warrior
Reneé turned around to face the intruder. Once again her heart was beating as if she'd just
run a marathon. "Who--?"
The figure standing less than ten feet away was nothing less than a vision. The woman
stood almost six feet tall. Her hair was a lively chestnut brown. Her eyes a rich forest green.
Her skin was the most perfect skin Reneé has ever seen; "peaches and cream" didn't come close
to describing its smooth and unblemished surface. The mysterious woman was obviously an
athlete. Her arms and legs were strong and well muscled though they weren't bulky enough to
detract from her very obvious feminine build. She wore a short chiton made of a pliant kind of
leather reminiscent of chamois but in a darker hue which matched her hair. Her feet were
adorned with gilt-edged leather sandals.
"Don't worry, Reneé, I'm a friend."
"You know who I am?"
"I should. I'm the one who brought you here."
"And 'here' is--?"
"'Here' doesn't really matter, but to quell your curiosity, you're in a area that will one day be
Istanbul in Turkey."
"No..." Reneé rejected with shock. "I can't be in Turkey."
"You aren't."
"You just said--"
"This place won't be called that for a while. By your calendar, the year is 1191 BC, and this
place is a crossroads. Troy lies 150 miles to the south, and we are between Amphipolis to the
west, and the larger of the Amazon nations to the east."
Reneé's mood lightened and she stifled a giggle. "Oh, you almost had me going there. If
this isn't a dream, then it's one great practical joke, isn't it? Lucy? Ted? John? You can come
out now."
"They aren't here. And you really shouldn't make so much noise. These woods aren't safe."
"Yeah right," Reneé said with flagging bravado.
"Are you ready to listen to what I have to say?"
"Maybe. It might help if I knew who you are, and why are you doing this to me?"
"I am Artemis."
"Artemis?"
The woman nodded in reply.
"Artemis. The goddess of the hunt Artemis?"
"Yes."
"Right."
"You don't believe me."
"No, I don't believe you."
"I didn't think you would."
The goddess motioned around the camp with her bow arm. Reneé looked around and was
left speechless. In the eternal span of a second, the entire camp was expertly set up -- complete
with a well-banked fire. Though fueled with a healthy skepticism taught by years of having
seen great illusionists ply their craft, Reneé knew that what she had just witnessed was not a
deception. "Do you need something more dramatic to convince you, or will this suffice?"
"I-- I-- I--"
Artemis patiently waited while Reneé regained a tenuous grasp on reality. "The gods and
goddesses -- you all were real?"
Meeting a Goddess and a Warrior
9
"Were and are. We never left. We've been referred to by different names in different
places and different times, but we're still around."
"I have to sit down."
"You are sitting down."
"Oh. Good for me."
"Now listen. If you want to get home again, you have to pay attention."
"Ok."
"You aren't here by accident. In the course of a battle, Gabrielle, the real Gabrielle, was
seriously injured. In this time she would have had a painful death. In the same way that Athena
is championing Odysseus, I still need Gabrielle and can't allow her to die if I can prevent it. I
asked the other Olympians if I could have the Fates delay the cutting of her thread of life. They
refused. So I did the only thing I could -- I switched her with you. In your time her injuries are
routinely cured, and she will be fine before too much time passes. Unfortunately, playing
games with the time continuum is not very well received on Olympus. I can't return you to your
own time."
Reneé was about to speak in protest, but Artemis held up a hand staying her. "Wait. I
didn't say that you couldn't get home; only that I couldn't do it. With Xena's help, you must find
your way to the Cairn of Chronos. Once there you will be able to return home. But be warned
-- this journey carries with it great risk. You will have to survive many tests -- tests you have
not been trained to face. If you wish, you can simply remain here, but that also means that
Gabrielle will be trapped in your time. It is your choice. I will help you when and where I can,
but I cannot directly interfere."
"This just keeps getting better all the time. What kind of tests?"
"She won't tell you," a throaty, honey-tinged female voice said. Both Artemis and Reneé
turned around to face the new visitor. "Xena," Artemis acknowledged.
"Xena?" Reneé echoed.
The woman at the fringe of the forest stood a little over six feet tall. Though she looked
very much like her future imitator, the tale of a warrior's life was written on every inch of her
body. Though Xena was barely twenty-four years old, Reneé's first impression was that the
myrmidon before her was in her mid-to-late thirties.
She was powerfully built -- if ever there was an Amazon, she was certainly the model. The
dirt and grime from travelling combined with the warrior's sweat had worked its way into the
crevasses formed by her limber bodybuilder physique, accentuating her strength. Her skin was
deeply tanned. Scars between one and three inches long showed as bright streaks randomly
scattered across her arms and legs. Her right thigh broadcast the legacy of a deep gash that had
stopped just short of amputating the warrior's leg many years before. A scar running across her
forehead met with a scar that ran the length of the jaw line on the left side of her face from
temple to chin.
She wore her charcoal-gray hair long and loose with bangs to keep her vision unobstructed.
Her sky-blue eyes glowed with a deep passion for life. Like her TV counterpoint 3,000 years in
the future, Xena wore a black leather bodice. Her sword was carried on her back, though it
could easily be repositioned to be worn more conventionally at her left hip. Instead of boots,
she wore the more conventional sandals favored by the fighters of the period. The last, and
most obvious parallel was the shining ring of deific metal always at the ready on her right hip -the razor-edged chakram.
"The Gods never reveal the things you really need to know."
"You should show more respect, Xena. I've helped you often enough in the past," the
goddess replied.
"When it was convenient for you. I've never asked." Turning to Reneé, Xena continued,
"You're quiet."
10
Chapter 3
"I--," was all Reneé could manage before wilting under Xena's intense gaze.
Xena rested her right hand on her chakram, and positioned her left near a dagger she had
concealed on the lower portion of her bodice. "You aren't Gabrielle. What are you pulling,
Artemis?"
"Calm yourself, and I will explain."
The Hunter Goddess repeated her story about switching Reneé and Gabrielle, as well as
what it would take to switch them back. "And that is where you come in, Xena -- and Joxer,
too, I suspect. The mission won't be easy, but I have no doubt that you can overcome its little
obstacles."
"There's a complication."
"A complication?" Reneé queried.
"Somehow, every warlord and opportunist in the area has found out that you are the
Amazon Queen. I mean, that Gabrielle is the Amazon Queen. The rewards for capturing you,
uh-- her, are enough to satiate even the most avarice." Turning to Artemis, Xena continued, "If
you want to help, you can make sure they don't bother us."
"That's not unreasonable. I'll do what I can, but no promises." Turning to Reneé, the
goddess continued, "Listen to Xena. She will protect you."
With that, Artemis disappeared in what Reneé would have called a special effect had she
seen it on a television screen. But the brief cascade of ethereal sparks where Artemis had been
were right in front of her. This was no special effect.
"What was your name again?"
"Reneé"
"Reneé. Do you know how to fight, or to use any weapons?"
"I can kick-box, and I can use a staff a little."
"I don't know what that first thing was, but let's see what you've got."
Xena went over to the tent Artemis had set up and pulled out a simple staff made of
ironwood. It was denser than Reneé was used to -- a fact she immediately noted when Xena
tossed it to her. Xena pulled her sword from her scabbard. Unlike her TV counterpart, this
sword was made of polished bronze and lacked a guard between the hilt and the blade. "I've just
drawn a sword on you, what do you do?"
Reneé recalled some advice the TV Xena had given the TV Gabrielle. "If I can run, then I
run."
Xena couldn't help but crack a smile at that unanticipated answer. "What if you can't run?"
"Surrender, and then run."
Xena smiled widely and lowered her sword. Reneé was completely caught off guard by the
attack which immediately followed. Xena rushed her and swung her sword in an arc that would
give Reneé a bloody souvenir. Reneé's hours of rehearsal kicked in out of reflex. She deftly
parried Xena's sword and then swung her staff at the level of Xena's head -- missing her by
about a foot. "What was that? You had me cold. Why didn't you hit me?"
"I'm sorry. I've never hit anyone with a staff before. At least, not intentionally."
"You're kidding."
"I'm an actor. It's only important to look like I'm making contact."
"Well, actor, this isn't make believe. If your staff doesn't make contact with my head,
you're dead. Forever."
To punctuate her point, Xena slapped Reneé. This wasn't the actor's slap Reneé was
accustomed to. This was a full-bodied roundhouse slap. "Never let anyone hit you that easily!"
Stunned that this look-alike of her best friend had hit her, Reneé failed to react when the
second slap connected with the other side of her face. "You might as well fall on my sword now
and save us both a lot of trouble."
Meeting a Goddess and a Warrior
11
Reneé blocked the third swing easily. With practiced motions she delivered a punch to
Xena's face, another to the solar plexus, and finished off with a straight kick which made firm
contact with the raven-haired warrior's nose. "That's enough, " Xena said as she grabbed her
nose.
"I'm sorry. Did I hurt you?"
"This? Ha!"
Reneé was a little shaken. It wasn't in her nature to strike out like that. Yes, Xena had
made her angry, but there was more. Xena was right -- if she didn't stop acting like Gabrielle
and instead started behaving like Gabrielle, then she'd be dead soon. And she hadn't lived long
enough. There was too much more in her life she wanted to do.
"You fight with your feet," Xena commented.
"Yeah."
"That's very creative. I never saw it coming."
"People don't kick here?"
"Not like you just did. You might not be the liability I thought you were."
"Gee, thanks."
"Your time must be filled with violence for you to know a technique like that."
"There's some. But there's also been three thousand years of fighting between now and
then."
"Hmm."
With one syllable Xena managed to convey that she understood and also that the
conversation was over. Reneé got the sense that Xena wasn't one for talking. She had mixed
emotions about that. One the one hand, this is very much in character with the kind of Xena she
had grown to expect; on the other, if she was back in heroic Greece, and this wasn't some comainduced delusion, she'd like to learn as much as she could. After all, opportunities like this
didn't happen every day.
The wind shifted slightly and Reneé's nose cringed. Xena was now upwind of her and the
woman was ripe. It must have been months since she had last bathed, give or take a couple of
years. If there was one thing Reneé would take back with her, it was the knowledge that
hygiene wasn't a big item in the Old World. She'd get used to it, she assumed, if only because
she'd be as aromatic as everyone else before long. But that was no comfort to her stomach,
which was churning from the assault.
Xena whistled. Within moments a palomino mare emerged from the woods. A leather
pouch hung off either side just behind of the withers. The only other accouterment being a
fleeced hide over her spine, indicating that the horse was ridden bareback. "Argo!" Reneé
chimed.
"What?" Xena retorted.
"Your horse. Argo."
"Why would I name a horse? And after a ship, no less."
"I'm sorry. I didn't know. On my show, Xena's horse's name is Argo."
"Your people give names to horses," Xena said disparagingly.
"Yes we do," Reneé defended, "and to other animals we grow close to as well: dogs, cats,
birds... well, just about everything."
"Your ways are very strange."
"Why? Isn't your horse someone you depend on? Hasn't she helped to save your life at
least once?"
"So?"
"Doesn't that deserve a reward -- like maybe a name?"
"She's a horse!" Xena retorted incredulously.
"Fine. She's a horse. But I'm still going to call her Argo."
12
Chapter 3
Xena rolled her eyes and shook her head. Reneé was feeling flush with victory. It wasn't
much, but at this point she was going to savor any triumph that came her way.
Xena removed a small bow and a quiver of arrows that had been tied to one of Argo's
pouches. "I'm going to try and get some meat for our journey. This might be the last chance we
have."
"What should I do?"
"Nothing stupid."
"Fine."
Xena stepped up and was very imposing as she went nose-to-nose with Reneé. "Look. I
just want my friend back. If you get killed, that won't happen. I don't know you, and I don't like
you, but I don't have any choice in the matter. I'm going to get you to the Cairn, and you're
going to do whatever I say."
Reneé couldn't remember ever feeling so intimidated before. There were times when she'd
thought she'd been intimidated, but that was nothing compared to what the Amphipolitan in
front of her just did. This was apparently the effect Xena had been after. Her mission
accomplished, she turned on her heel and headed for the woods. Before disappearing into them
she said, "There are some scrolls in the right pouch."
The Troy Scroll
13
Chapter 4 : The Troy Scroll
Reneé's curiosity took command. Scrolls? Scrolls written by the real Gabrielle? Could it
be? Argo was a little skittish as Reneé approached, but Reneé's experience with Tilly, the horse
that played Argo on the show, gave her the confidence that was soon recognized by the mare.
Reneé untied the flap to the right pouch. Inside were three scrolls as well as a supply of
charcoal sticks, inks, pens, and parchment. Reverently, she removed one of the scrolls from the
pouch and went to take a seat in front of the lean-to styled tent. She untied the braided dried
grass which held the text closed and carefully unwound a section from the spool.
The scroll itself was typically constructed -- with each sheet of parchment aligned side-byside with the next, attached together by a thin strip of parchment glued to the back of the
adjoining edges. These were all in turn attached to split dowels on either end of the tome. The
simple end caps on the dowels allowed them to act as simple yet effective clamps -- allowing
the scroll to easily be appended.
Reneé half-expected to see the Greek equivalent of an illuminated manuscript. Instead she
got what was essentially a writer's notebook -- complete with scratched-out sections, smudges,
water spots, etc. Her first glimpse at Gabrielle's work was the last few pages of parchment:
The flames engulfed the besieged city. The valiant warriors of Troy cried in agony
through the night as they were sent one by one to the dread ruler of eternal Hades.
The women and children huddled in safety in their temples, for they knew that not even
their vengeful opponents would dare to incur the wrath of a God by defiling a temple.
So they waited, hearing the final pleas of their husbands, fathers, and sons as their once
beautiful city was invaded.
As rose-tinged Dawn was preparing to usher in the chariot of dependable Helios,
Menelaus, the fearsome King of Sparta on the Peloponnesos, reclaimed his bride. The
goal of ten years of war had been achieved. Before Menelaus ushered his Queen to the
safety of the camp near his black ships, Helen, daughter of mighty Zeus and the most
beautiful of women, spoke her farewells to the Amazon Warrior.
"Xena, without your coming, this terrible war would never have ended. I mourn for the
lives lost of the brave Trojans I've come to love. They are a noble people and did not
deserve this fate thrust on them by the capricious Gods. Thank you for coming to me
when I asked and protecting me when intrigue threatened to destroy everything."
"Gracious Queen," replied the noble Amazon, "I did what was necessary. Our past
differences paled when faced by the blood-stained hearts of these immovable armies. I
only ask that you forget our past conflicts and return with your husband to rule well the
people whose land has been without their king and queen for much too long."
"Your request is well thought and appreciated. It has not fallen on deaf ears. I will do
as you say, and more. Spartans are a fearsome race, and have not been known for their
hospitality, but I pledge here that you shall always have a haven with us. Let history
forever record that Helen, the Queen of Sparta, now and for as long as Gods care about
the lives of man, names Xena, Warrior Princess, as her sister with all of the rights and
love which that circumstance conveys."
The new siblings embraced to cement their new bond. Helen and Xena then parted ways.
Helen rejoined the master general and began her journey home. Xena walked out of the
14
Chapter 4
Queen's chamber and saw the devastation caused by the Greeks as they avenged ten
years of war as well as the death of Achilleus, the best of them. Xena reflected on how
much she had changed since abandoning the life of a raider and pirate. The bodies of
the vanquished, and the charred remains of much of the once splendid city, no longer
filled her heart with the thrill of victory. Instead she wept for the waste of war, and the
misery it causes. Misery such as she once caused, and for which she would spend a
lifetime to atone.
And thus ends the tale that the Muses have allowed to fill my heart and share. May the
Olympians, especially the talented daughters of powerful Zeus and thoughtful
Mnemosyne, continue to bless man with their great and appreciated gifts.
Reneé was overwhelmed. Gabrielle was certainly not just some simple farm girl from
Poteidaia. Her writing carried with it an epic quality that would later find immortality with
Homer's Iliad and Odyssey. She was also amazed that the episode where Xena had gone to Troy
wasn't a complete fiction. Sure, the details were wrong, but that Xena was there at all and the
scriptwriters had produced a script about it was an amazing coincidence. "Wait a minute,"
Reneé murmured.
She looked closer at the writing. It wasn't in English. She couldn't tell what language it
was in. In fact, scholars would struggle with that for quite some time until the middle of the
20th Century when it was discovered that this text, referred to as Linear B, was the form of
Greek used during this time period.
Reneé struggled, but found that she was unable to remember anything that she could say
with certainty was English. "Artemis must have done something so we could communicate in
the times we were in," Reneé thought. In answer, she heard a faint giggle in the back of her
mind -- which disturbed her since she knew that it wasn't her mind that was producing the
giggle.
Reneé replaced the scroll into the saddlebag when the faint rustling of feet caught Reneé's
attention. She looked in the general direction of the noise, but saw nothing but woods. A loud
whistle pierced the air, and the newly christened Argo quickly moved toward the increasingly
obvious footsteps. The equine turned and faced away from the woods just as Xena emerged,
running at full stride. She then jumped over Argo's flank and landed solidly on the horse's back.
Using only her body weight, she guided Argo quickly to Reneé and leaned down. "Come on!"
Reneé reached up, and Xena lifted her effortlessly behind her -- a position Reneé had grown
accustomed to over the past several seasons of the show. Argo the burst into a full gallop and
never slowed even upon entering the woods. Looking back at the camp, Reneé saw a swarm of
armed men charging. "Who are they?"
"You want me to turn back and find out?"
"No. That's ok."
Reneé clung tightly to Xena as they went deeper into the woods.
On the Road, Missing Gabby
15
Chapter 5 : On the Road, Missing Gabby
Back at the camp, the armed men were quickly splitting themselves into smaller groups
before following the warrior women through the arbor. While they delayed, Artemis, as true to
her word as a goddess can be, appeared in their midst -- though the men where unable to see her
as it was not her wish to be seen by these rough mortals. With the permission of the winged
youth Hypnos, the God of sleep, Artemis touched each man's head with a branch so as to make
them all abandon their duty and instead succumb to narcoleptic pleasure.
Once all of the raiders had fallen quiet, Artemis set to delaying them further once they
regained their senses. First, she removed from them all of their weapons and welded them to the
ground so that not even the strongest among them could free it. With but a wave of her hand,
she next whisked off every piece of clothing from the men. She made certain that not one item
was lost by not only placing them in a large pile, but by also conspiring with every strap, lace,
tie, and buckle to bind the pile with knots so intricate only another Olympian could easily free
them.
Assessing that her work here was done, Artemis prepared to return to Olympus to face
another round of venom from her powerful relatives. She hesitated. One of the men on the
ground was quite obviously having such an exciting dream that almost all other men would be
envious. For a moment the goddess wanted to join in the fun her delaying tactic had caused.
But just for a moment. The virgin goddess had never been successfully seduced, and it was
certain that no mortal would be the first.
Reneé was having trouble reconciling the strangeness of her situation with the familiarity of
it all. Except for the lack of crew, and a director to say, "Cut," this was very much like a Xena
episode. Then again there was that dead guy. Reneé shouldn't have thought about that for her
body immediately wanted to reject the thought. "I have to get down."
"What?"
"Now."
Xena pulled up on her horse and Reneé used her inertia to hop off and find the seclusion of
a nearby tree. It was amazing that her stomach had anything left to give, but emotions can
always overcome any physical limitation.
"We have to get going," Xena commanded.
Reneé remounted Argo. Xena urged the mount back to its swift journey through the woods.
"I'm not stopping again," Xena chided.
The didn't stop for the rest of the day and through the first few hours of night. Though she
had many questions, Reneé held her tongue for the entirety of the journey. Instead she tried to
comprehend what had happened to her.
She'd met a God. A real honest-to-goodness God. Nothing had prepared her for that. Oh
sure, she'd gone to church and had read various religious books. Her imagination conjured up
various scenarios of what heaven was like and who God was. Now her belief system was being
sorely tested. She'd met Artemis. An actual Greek God. This wasn't a story. Somehow she
also knew it wasn't a hallucination. It was myth come to life. And Artemis had said something
about the Gods still being around, only with different names. Could that be true? Could the
God and angels and other celestial beings that Reneé had been taught about actually just be the
Greek deities with different assignments?
Then there was Xena. The real Xena; sitting there, in front of her. Lucy Lawless she
wasn't. Yes, she strongly resembled her close friend and acting partner, but there would be no
mistaking the two. The Xena in front of her carried an aura of death about her. The legacy of
16
Chapter 5
thousands upon thousands of deaths permeated her being, but it was clear that wasn't all there
was to her. There was a depth of feeling, a passion for living and for her temporarily displaced
friend that couldn't be masked. Gabrielle was Xena's strength...and quite possibly her weakness.
The warrior woman didn't know what to make of the woman sitting behind her. She looked
so much like Gabrielle, but was different in so many ways. She had an innocent exuberance in
her eyes that was painful in that it echoed the earnest farm girl she had rescued and who rescued
her so many years ago. She hadn't seen that light in her friend's eyes in a long time. But this
woman with her was an actor. A chameleon who probably was more vessel than content. She
wanted to name her horse! One thing was clear to the Warrior Princess, she would do
everything in her power to ensure that her savior was returned to her. If that meant protecting
this kitten from a future that spanned more many years than she could comprehend, she would
endure that as well. For all her resentment of the Gods and how they meddled in the lives of
mortals, especially her life, she was grateful that Artemis had given her the hope of seeing her
partner once again. "What kind of world are you in?" Xena mused to herself.
"Excuse me?"
Xena was startled. She hadn't intended to say anything out loud. "Nothing," she replied
with a bit more venom than was necessary or intended.
Reneé didn't press. Provoking Xena didn't seem like a good idea.
"I'm sorry. I'm worried about Gabrielle."
An opening. Reneé couldn't believe it. She didn't want to blow this. She needed to say
something that would maybe start a conversation. And she'd better say it soon. Had she waited
too long already? An awkward pause was growing by the second. "I know," she offered, "me
too."
"You?"
Now she'd done it. She'd started a conversation. "I can't pretend to know what you two
mean to each other, but if it's anything like how we've been portraying you on our show, then I
can imagine how close you are and how far away you feel from her. And she's not going to
know where she is or what to do. I have you and Artemis to help -- and Joxer, to help me. I just
hope I don't let everybody down."
"Yeah. We'll stop here for the night."
Reneé and Xena dismounted, and Xena quickly started setting up a bivouac; making Reneé
feel like the proverbial third wheel. "Can I help with something? Maybe get some firewood?"
"No. I don't want to have to go searching for you."
"I won't get lost."
Xena flashed Reneé a look of impatience. The warrior strode with fierce purpose toward
Reneé, making the actor's knees gel. "You want to help?"
Reneé nodded.
Xena reached into a bag that still rested on Argo's withers and pulled out a coarse brush.
"Here. Brush the horse."
Reneé took the brush. As Xena disappeared into the woods, Reneé began to smooth the
coat of the blonde equine. "You know Argo, you don't mind if I call you Argo, I'm getting the
feeling that Xena is playing games with my head. I wouldn't mind, you understand, but it's not
like I need it. You know? This is going to be hard enough as it is. I wish she could
understand..."
"What I understand," Xena interrupted, "is that you aren't trained to survive. You are a
liability to me."
Xena slapped Reneé's face hard. "What did I tell you?"
Xena swung again, but this time Reneé countered and threw a punch at Xena, which the
vastly more experienced warrior deftly caught. With a look of disgust she threw down Reneé's
On the Road, Missing Gabby
17
hand and walked to where she would start a small campfire. Reneé turned back to Argo and
started brushing with purpose -- she was trying to mask the sound of the sobs that were welling
within her. She wanted to go home. Xena was nothing like what she would have expected.
Then again, she was exactly how she should be. She was a real warrior in a time when you
faced your enemies and killed them at close range. If you weren't cunning and hard-as-nails
tough, you'd be dead. Since Xena's body told the tale of how close she'd come to being dead on
more than one occasion, it was no wonder that she was nothing like the character Lucy had been
portraying. This wasn't some romanticized figure -- this was a flesh and blood hero. Reneé
resolved to modify her expectations of Xena and quickly, or else she might lose an
indispensable ally.
Xena struck a flint with the pommel of a waist dagger. The spark dropped onto the small
pile of kindling she'd assembled and within minutes a small flame was growing into what would
soon be a small campfire. As she slowly fed more substantial pieces of wood into the fire, Xena
cursed the burden Artemis had inflicted her with. This actor girl did not impress her in any way.
Yes, she had a new way of fighting with her feet, but she didn't seem to have the intelligence to
know how to use it. In fact, she didn't seem very bright at all. When she first met Gabrielle, the
farm girl was naïve about a lot of things but she was at least able to survive in the countryside.
Xena didn't have to baby-sit her. Not so with this actor. Her skin was pale as a temple
acolyte's. Her hands, though holding some calluses, were more like those of a child. She had
only her striking resemblance to her friend to protect her. Her friend...
Gabrielle's absence tugged at Xena's heart. Though the bard had taken adventures of her
own, and had even been mortally injured on more than one occasion, never before had she
seemed so far away or in quite as perilous a situation. There was nothing she wouldn't do for
her friend. It was Gabrielle who had taken the seed of Xena's spiritual rebirth and nurtured it
until the roots had gotten a firm hold. Xena owed her everything. Xena would safely deliver
Reneé to the Cairn of Chronos. If she failed, she'd never again hear one of Gabrielle's vivid
stories. She would miss that, and so would the world. "Tell me something."
"Ok. If I can."
"Do your people know of Gabrielle's stories?"
"I'm sorry," Reneé replied, and was sorry she did when Xena's subtle change in posture
revealed that this was a stunning blow. "In my time, we know the myths about the Gods, and
about heroes like Hercules-- er, Heracles. But a long time ago, a lot of the works from this area
where lost. We only know of a few of the writers, and Gabrielle isn't one of them."
Reneé walked over to the fire and sat near Xena. "I read the end of one of her scrolls. She's
a wonderful writer."
Xena banked the fire and staked a rabbit she had killed earlier in the day over it to roast.
She then loosened the laces on the side of her bodice and slipped off the leather protector,
leaving herself unselfconsciously bare from her waist up. Reneé wasn't quite so relaxed.
"What's wrong?" Xena asked.
"Nothing. Nothing."
"Are you uncomfortable that I've removed my armor?"
"No. Well, yeah. A little. It's not something that I'm used to."
"Is it so cold where you come from that you must cover yourselves?"
"No. No more so than here. It's just our custom to, you know, wear clothes."
Xena smiled. "What?" Reneé asked.
"You're going to be very uncomfortable."
Xena reached up and pulled off two legs from the rabbit and handed one to Reneé. As the
pair quietly ate the simple meal that Xena had provided, Reneé reflected on their conversation.
Gabrielle's scroll had been similar to one of the Xena episodes. If others were as well... "Xena,
may I ask you a question? Does the name, Callisto, mean anything to you?"
18
Chapter 5
Xena stared back blankly. "No."
Reneé's face fell. It was a long shot, sure, but in her heart she did have a small hope. "Why
do you ask?"
"Artemis told you how I was an actor. What she didn't say was that the show I acted in is
titled 'Xena, Warrior Princess'. It's all about the adventures of Xena and Gabrielle -- fighting
bad guys and having to deal with the Gods. One of our episodes was about how Xena helped
end the Trojan War. We thought it was kind of funny, since everyone knows that Xena is just a
fictional character and that she wasn't at Troy. But the part of a scroll I read was about how you
actually did help to end the war. Maybe it was coincidence or something, but I was kind of
hoping that maybe someone does have a copy of some of Gabrielle's scrolls and is using them to
write some of our stories."
"What does this have to do with this Callisto?"
"In our series, Callisto is Xena's nemesis. She was one of the few survivors of an attack on
her village lead by the warlord, Xena. The tragedy made her unstable and she vowed to make
Xena pay for her pain. So, she became almost as--"
"The Gods..." Xena said with stunned recognition.
"What is it?"
"You're referring to Celesta."
"Celesta? Hades' sister, the goddess of death?"
"Almost. The villagers refer to her as 'The Goddess of Death' because of the destruction
she causes."
"Blonde. Crafty, but kind of nuts?"
"Yes."
"Oh my God. Then...then that means... Xena, I think that maybe some of Gabrielle's scrolls
did survive. This is way too much of a coincidence."
"Perhaps."
"Perhaps? Do you know what this means?"
"It doesn't matter. Get some rest. We'll start out early, tomorrow."
Reneé chose not to pursue the topic any more. Xena was clearly through with the
conversation. It may have been Reneé's imagination, but Xena did seem to move as if a small
weight had been lifted from her. Perhaps it was knowing that no matter what the outcome of
their quest, her friend's legacy would somehow survive.
In the Amazon Camp
19
Chapter 6 : In the Amazon Camp
Reneé woke up with a start. A hand was clamped firmly to her mouth, and a heavy weight
restrained her attempts to rise. As panic cleared the sleep-induced fog from her eyes, she saw
that her immovable object was Xena. Upon seeing that Reneé had awaken, Xena put a finger to
her lips. Reneé nodded and Xena released her vise-like hold. Reneé looked around in the predawn light and saw that the camp had been packed and Argo was fully loaded. All that was left
was the blanket Reneé had been lying on. That, and an urgent message from her bladder. She
made her need apparent to Xena, but the warrior would have none of it. She beckoned, and
Reneé followed. With amazing stealth, Xena, Reneé, and Argo walked away from the camp.
Xena guided Argo by her reigns, and Reneé walked along on the opposite side.
As they moved through the woods, Reneé looked around. She couldn't see any danger.
Surely there must be. The tension wasn't making her feel any more comfortable. In as quiet a
whisper as she could manage, she pleaded, "Xena..."
"No stopping," was the equally quiet reply.
There it was. She was left with no choice at all in the matter.
"They are headed toward the Amazons," the scout reported.
Peraxion finished downing his goblet of honeyed wine. "How predictable. How long before
they reach the whores?"
"They could be there sometime tonight if they don't stop."
"Really? They made good time." Peraxion sat back on his travelling throne and drummed
his fingers on an arm rest. It was astounding how far the warrior woman and the queen had
traveled since eluding his advanced patrol. Now that they were in the familiar territory claimed
by the unnatural women of arms they'd be harder to capture. While his army was formidable,
now was not the time for mistakes. "Send word to have only one scouting party track them to
confirm that they stop at the Amazon camp. Have everyone else return. Go!"
The scout bowed with respect and fear before turning on his heels and exiting. "You've
managed to rob me of my little bonus, Xena, but I'll win in the end. Rest assured of that."
It had been dark for a few hours, still Xena, Reneé, and Argo pressed on through the woods.
Reneé couldn't remember ever feeling so tired. Not fighting, or climbing mountains, or working
out. Xena had kept her going at a quick and steady pace for nearly sixteen hours. There had
been only one break in mid afternoon when Xena stopped to water Argo. At this point Reneé
was too tired to care what happened to her. The only reason she was still on her feet was Xena's
strength of will.
Reneé thought she saw some light breaking through the forest. It had only appeared for an
instant, but she was sure. Maybe. There it was again. "Xena?"
"Shhh."
Whatever that light was, Xena was heading toward it. This must be where they were
headed.
As the trio cleared the woods, the silhouettes of many huts were easy to make out against
the modestly sized fire that burned in the center of the camp. The camp seemed dead. No
sounds could be heard outside of the occasional crackling from the fire. Reneé continued
following Xena, who seemed to know where they were going.
With stunning quickness Reneé found herself staring at the point of a sword. The owner of
that sword also held a javelin poised to strike at Xena's heart. It was difficult to determine who
or what was holding these weapons. Moments passed that seemed more like minutes to the
20
Chapter 6
inexperienced actor. Finally the silence was broken when a female voice stammered, "X-Xena?
My, my Queen?"
The weapons immediately lowered and the camouflaged figure took a step back and
quickly bowed her head at Gabrielle. "Have Ephiny and Eponin meet us at the queen's
lodging," Xena quietly commanded. "And don't alert the rest of the camp, morning will be soon
enough."
With a bow of the head, the stealthy Amazon was gone. Xena prodded Gabrielle toward
the most central of the huts, "Come on."
Inside the hut, Xena lit a torch from a brand she'd taken from the campfire. Reneé
immediately found Gabrielle's low cot and sat heavily upon it. "Oh, that feels great."
"Don't get too comfortable. We still have a few things to do."
"Such as?"
Just then, a blonde and bronze-skinned woman entered followed by a raven-haired shadow.
The curly-hair blonde Amazon Ephiny blurted, "Gabrielle, I didn't know you--" and interrupted
herself.
With a determined and fluid motion, Ephiny grabbed a spear from a rack that was within
reach and aimed the deadly end at Reneé with the intent of skewering her then and there. Xena
had other plans, and had just as quickly unsheathed her sword and used it to snap off the blade
of Ephiny's spear before it came close to doing damage. Ephiny immediately swung around, but
Xena avoided the attack and closed in on Ephiny, grabbing her by the throat. "Let me explain."
Ephiny nodded, and Xena released her. At that moment, the dark-haired Eponin lowered
the sword that would have found Xena's heart had the danger to her Amazon sister increased.
"This isn't Gabrielle. She's an actress from far in the future," Xena began.
While Xena filled in Ephiny and Eponin about the switch Artemis had made, Reneé
examined the two Amazons. Ephiny looked exactly like Danielle Cormack, who played the
same character on her show. Above average height, fit, curly blonde hair, blue eyes, a generous
mouth. Her dress, or lack thereof, was the primary difference. Ephiny wore only a linen skirt
which was wrapped around her waist. Her well-callused feet were sandal-less though they wore
the tan lines of years of sandal wearing. Eponin was built of similar height as Ephiny, but
looked stronger. Her features were duskier than her Amazon sister's, and her hair was long,
black, and straight. She, too, wore a linen skirt, but also wore well-fitted sandals as well as a
wide cloth binding around her full bosom, just above a well-healed scar from an eight-inch long
sword cut that had nearly taken her life three years before.
"Can she fight?" Ephiny asked.
"In a manner of speaking. Eponin should give her a few lessons once dawn arises. We will
need to arrange a defense of the camp. Peraxion is sure to strike soon. He's captured Gabrielle
once, and will certainly try again."
"Agreed. Eponin?"
Eponin nodded. "And we'd better get Ganora to look at her feet. She'll be useless if she
can't stand."
Everyone looked at Reneé's feet. The straps of the sandals had caused large blisters and
some minor cuts on both of her feet. Even Reneé was shocked. By mid-afternoon she'd grown
so tired that she didn't even notice that her feet were being rubbed raw. All she knew was that
they hurt and that she wanted to get rest. Now, almost ten hours later, that was still all she
wanted. Reneé couldn't tell from Xena's expression if she was annoyed or compassionate. It
didn't matter. Xena told Eponin to have Reneé's feet tended to, and that she and Ephiny would
go to Ephiny's hut to start working on their defense.
After her feet had been treated with herbal salves, Reneé was finally allowed to rest. She
couldn't remember ever going to sleep so quickly. Unfortunately the sleep was so deep that it
In the Amazon Camp
21
seemed over in an instant. When she woke, her body cried out in pain. Her muscles ached like
never before and had stiffened up on her. But it was her feet that most troubled her. During her
rest they had swollen some. There was some inflammation around those areas were her skin
had been broken. As if cued by a director, Eponin entered carrying a staff in each hand. "Ready
to begin your training?" Eponin asked.
Reneé didn't know what to answer. Her body was screaming, "No!" But seeing the scars
on Eponin's body, that seemed like a very wrong answer. "Have the Gods removed from you
the ability to speak?" Eponin chided.
"No. I --, I mean --"
Eponin tossed a staff to Reneé. "Come on."
Reneé managed to limp onto one of the practice areas. Eponin wasted no time. She sent a
couple of quick blows toward Reneé's head. Reneé blocked them without much effort -- she had
spent last few years working with a staff after all, so she wasn't quite the beginner Eponin
thought she was. Reneé continued to parry Eponin's attacks for several minutes, and was
beginning to feel competent. That ended quickly. Reneé never saw the move that Eponin
executed -- the staff moved so quickly it wasn't even a blur. "Get up," Eponin commanded.
Reneé try to get back to her feet quickly, but the buzzing in her ear combined with his
spinning in her head, not to mention her aching feet, forced her true instead plant her staff in the
ground and climb it. Once she was standing again, Eponin renewed her attack. Rene soon
found herself on the ground again. And again. And again.
Back at Ephiny's tent, Xena and the de facto Amazon leader stood opposite sides of the
large table which held a crude model of the surrounding landscape with markers indicating
Amazon and Peraxion positions. "This is the best we can do," said Ephiny. "No matter what we
do, we're going to be forced into a great battle. I don't suppose you could sneak off with her to
another Amazon tribe?"
Xena shot a withering look at Ephiny with her eyes.
"I'm kidding. Sheesh."
"This is the safest place she can be. I know you love Gabrielle as much as I do, and so to
protect her you will let nothing happen to this actor. I can't always watch her back, but you can
always ensure that there will be an Amazon there to protect her."
"And you're sure she can't defend herself?"
Back at the practice field, Rene couldn't figure out why, much less how, she was able to
continue. She'd been hit so many times in the head that she was sure she had a concussion. Her
upper arms were already turning purple from the bruising; her fingers were so battered, that it
amazed her she was still able to hold onto the staff. And she thought she might have cracked a
rib. She'd already vomited three times. On the plus side, at least her feet didn't seem to hurt so
much anymore. "How's she doing?" Ephiny asked when she and Xena arrived.
"She's not bad. A little rough," Eponin replied. She moved closer to the warrior planners,
and said in a lower voice so Reneé couldn't hear, "In truth, I think she could best of third of the
Amazons here with the staff and hand-to-hand. Perhaps more, when her feet heal."
Xena walked up to Reneé. "How do you feel?"
"Good. I'm doing good."
"That's good," Xena replied, and then swung to slap Reneé's face.
This time the blow didn't land. Reneé parried the blow with her staff, and then launched a
fist of her own directed at Xena's nose, which Xena caught effortlessly. "Good girl. Get some
rest, you'll have another session this afternoon."
Xena turned on her heel and joined Ephiny. If Eponin went over to Reneé and lent her a
shoulder to lean on. "You're not too bad. Much better than our Queen when she first came to
us."
"Really? Would you tell me about it?"
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Chapter 6
"I'm not much of a storyteller."
"Not like Gabrielle, eh?"
"No."
The pair reached Gabrielle's hut. Eponin helped Reneé onto her palette. Rene painfully
laid back and tried to rest. "Thanks."
"I will get you something to eat, and something to help ease the pain," Eponin said.
"And then --?"
"I'll tell you how our Queen came to us."
Satisfied, Reneé tried to force herself to relax through the pain. Her body screamed to get
into more comfortable positions, but she was too tired to move from her supine pose. Eponin
returned with a gruel that was laced with an analgesic herb. Seeing Reneé lying on her back
with her eyes closed, Eponin thought she was asleep, but Reneé had heard her enter the hut and
said, "I'm not asleep."
"You should really eat this when it's hot," Eponin said had she offered the bowl.
Reneé rolled onto her side and Eponin place the bowl in front of her. Reneé made a face
after the first bite, but she was so tired and hungry that she never stopped eating. Eponin pulled
up a stool and began, "I first saw Queen Gabrielle when she and Xena wandered onto our
hunting grounds. I was with Ephiny, Terreis (the sister of Queen Melosa), and Area, making a
routine survey of our lands."
Reneé interrupted, "And then you three appeared from the trees, and took them to see the
Queen."
"Yes. You've heard the story?"
"It sounds a lot like one I've read before. But please, I want to hear yours. I won't interrupt
again," she said trying to shake the unmistakable feeling of deja vu.
Eponin paused for a moment to recall her place in her story. "Gabrielle talked with Terreis
as I guarded the rear. Suddenly, a flight of arrows flew through the air toward us and we took
cover. One of the arrows found its mark, and hit the Princess Terreis. Gabrielle ignored the
danger to herself and protected our fallen sister by throwing her body on top of hers. And still
the arrows kept coming. Although they landed within inches of Gabrielle and Terreis, no more
damage was done. But the damage done had been enough. Terreis had received a mortal
wound. As she laid there dying she conferred to Gabrielle the right of caste -- which gave
Gabrielle all of the rights and privileges that were Terreis'. Not only was Gabrielle to be an
Amazon, she also became an Amazon Princess, the next to the line of succession.
"Queen Melosa and Ephiny directed me to train Gabrielle, as I'm training you now, since
every Amazon is taught the warrior arts. In time, Queen Melosa died and Gabrielle became
Queen of the Amazons. Since she travels the Xena, it is Ephiny who governs the Amazon
nation in her absence, and Gabrielle's true rank is never revealed outside of the Amazons."
"But this Peraxion..." Reneé started.
"Yes, somehow he found out. That is why we must be ready. He will attack soon, and his
goal will be to capture you. And I swear, by my love for Queen Gabrielle and my new
friendship with you, I will lay down my life to prevent that happening."
Renee was stunned. She could see in Eponin's eyes that this was no idle promise. "Let's
hope it doesn't come to that," Renee said.
Eponin took up Reneé's now empty bowl. "Rest now," Eponin said, "we still have much
work to do, later."
Reneé settled back into an almost comfortable position. "Thanks," she said just before
Eponin left the hut.
Peraxion's Goal
23
Chapter 7 : Peraxion's Goal
Peraxion sat on a throne before several of his lieutenants. "Do any of you have any
problems with this plan?" he asked.
Of course no one did. To question Peraxion was to invite a quick drop of a sword blade
upon one's neck. But that aside, each one of his lieutenants felt that Peraxion's was a good plan.
If anyone could bring the Amazons to their knees and then subjugate them into slavery, it was
their enthroned leader.
Unlike many of his ilk, Peraxion was more than a thug -- in fact, had he chosen to go to
Troy, it might have been he instead of Odysseus to gain the reputation of being a master tactical
general. While men such as Achilles were born fighters, Peraxion was not. This is not to say
that he did not possessed martial skills, but that was not where his talents laid. He knew that in
his war with the Amazons he would have to out think them, for they were better fighters. Now
he was in his element. Devising tactics that would lead him to his goal: the capture and
enslavement of the Amazon Queen. With that done, it would be easy to destroy the Amazon
nation piece by piece.
"I want each one of you to send out a scout. The plan does not start until Xena leaves the
village."
"But what if she takes the queen with her?" one of the lieutenants asked.
"She won't. She brought her here so the Amazons would protect her."
"What if Xena doesn't leave?" another lieutenant asked.
"Then we'll just have to give her reason to leave," Peraxion said with a smile. "So go now.
You all know what to do."
Each of the lieutenants gave a small bow and then left. Peraxion was pleased with himself.
He knew that he was the right man in the right place at the right time to destroy the harlots. And
destroy them he would. He had lost so much to them as a child that he knew his only reason for
surviving was for justice and vengeance.
No one alive except Peraxion knew that he was the son of a Amazon. As a result, he was
forced to live apart from his mother and the other Amazons. The men had their own village that
was separate from the Amazon village but still intimately tied to it. Amazons and men
commingled on occasion, but they never lived together. Then one morning his world changed.
His father and two brothers died when a rival Amazon tribe attacked the men's village. Being
the only child survivor, Peraxion was allowed to live with his mother. But even that comfort
was short-lived. Less than a month had passed before his mother, too, died in battle. With no
protector for him within the Amazon nation, the six-year-old Peraxion became a slave to the
warrior women. He cleaned the stables, washed their garments, would serve as a body in
practice drills, washed their feet, and would in general do all those things which a low-level
slave was bound to do. It wasn't until he was sixteen that he found the opportunity to escape.
He didn't waste it.
He soon joined up with a two-bit warlord who taught him how to fight. Peraxion was a
quick study for he had been very attentive while in the Amazon camp. But Peraxion's mind was
quick. It enjoyed the challenge of figuring things out. When he could manage it, he would
listen closely to how the Amazons planned their battles. He always thought he could do better.
They always went for the quick victory, but he knew that if you plan well and were willing to
accept losses that you could win a war even though you might lose a battle.
Because of this skill, he quickly rose up through the ranks. When his warlord mentor died
in battle, Peraxion easily assumed his position. And thus he started down his current path -- to
build and train an army strong enough to defeat the Amazons. This growth was not any easy
24
Chapter 6
one. He lost many men learning how to put the theory of war into the practice of war. But now
he felt he was finally ready. Victory was near. He could smell it. He could taste it. His only
obstacle now was the undefeatable hellfire and destroyer of nations. She was the reason he was
waiting. If there was one lesson he had learned through these years, it was to not snatch defeat
from the jaws of victory.
Soon he would have the Amazon Queen. True, this was not the same Queen who had
subjugated him, but it didn't matter. Their kind was an abomination to the world.
Reneé, Eponin, Ephiny, and Xena kept their own council as they circled the Amazon
village. While they could have had their meeting in one of the huts, both Xena and Ephiny felt
that it was important that Reneé (in the guise of Gabrielle) be seen by all the other Amazons. In
the battle to come, it could only serve to bolster morale. Within their small group, Eponin
remained silent while the other three talked quietly enough so that no other Amazon could hear.
"I don't see why I can't just come with you," Reneé said to Xena.
"Peraxion would have thought of that and laid a trap for us. I may be good, but even I can't
hold off an entire army and protect you at the same time."
"That's what the Amazons are for," Ephiny chimed in.
"I just don't want anyone getting hurt on my account," Reneé protested.
"Don't you think that we can take care of ourselves?" Ephiny argued.
"That's not what I meant," Reneé answered. "I don't want ANYONE getting hurt on my
account."
"She sure thinks like Gabrielle," Ephiny said to Xena.
With annoyance directed toward the situation, Xena replied, "Yeah."
Reneé couldn't help but notice the looks her small group received as they wandered through
the village. She couldn't tell if they were directed towards her or Xena, but the looks of wonder
and adoration were unmistakable. It was almost like those occasions when a young fan would
come up to her and ask her for her autograph. But there was even more to it than that here. The
lives of some of these women depended on what was being discussed. Perhaps the words she
was looking to describe the look weren't "adoration" and "wonder", but instead "trust". It made
her a little uncomfortable. She wasn't Gabrielle. She wasn't the Queen of the Amazons. She
was just an actor, albeit a good actor, playing the scariest role of her life.
"When do you leave?" Ephiny asked.
"Now is as good time as any," Xena replied. "I had hoped that Joxer would have gotten
here by now, but I'm not going to let that affect our plan. We have to confuse Peraxion before
he has a chance to grow confident in whatever plan he is going to throw at us."
In short order the group found themselves by the stables. Argo had already been loaded for
traveling with saddle bags filled with provisions. Xena mounted the blonde mare. "I don't want
you doing anything stupid," Xena said to Reneé.
"Like fight."
"Exactly."
"Don't worry," Ephiny interrupted, "we won't let anything happened to her."
"We're all counting on that," Xena said before pointing Argo to the path out of the village
and urging her on to a slow gallop.
Ephiny looked at the silent Amazon, "Eponin?"
Eponin knew exactly what Ephiny was asking. "Like her shadow."
Ephiny nodded and then strode toward a large group of Amazons who were readying
themselves for the impending battle. Eponin turned to Reneé, "It looks like we will be spending
a lot more time with each other. We might as well practice some more."
Peraxion's Goal
25
It wasn't until mid-afternoon that Peraxion got word that Xena had left. After almost two
years of planning, he'd soon have victory. He told the scout to follow Xena through the night
and return by dawn to report Xena's whereabouts. The scout left immediately so as not to let
Xena's trail grow too cold. Peraxion felt he had anticipated everything. He wouldn't attack until
he was sure that Xena was out of the way. That rouge warrior, Joxer, had been sent on a wild
goose chase, and the Amazon Queen was exactly where he wanted her -- protected only by
women.
Just before dawn, the scout returned to report that Xena continued traveling even at night at
least up until the point that the scout began his journey back to camp. That settled it.
In the hour of waiting for dawn to issue forth enough light for battle, Peraxion went to each
of his squads to make certain that everyone understood his plan. There would be no mistakes.
Renee woke up hungry. It wasn't that the Amazons didn't feed her, it was just that they
weren't feeding her enough. She was used to eating a certain amount of calories throughout the
day, usually furnished by craft services. It was a well-balanced diet of carbohydrates, proteins,
and a small amount of fats. Here it seemed that she was eating little more than meat and broth,
and not a huge amount of those. While she would concede that none of the Amazons were
heavy, neither were they emaciated. Surely they must be eating more than they were giving her.
Perhaps with this preparation for battle, cooking wasn't a major concern. Nonetheless, she was
still hungry.
"It's about time you woke up," Eponin said.
"Don't you ever go to sleep?"
"I slept. But it is important not to sleep to excess -- there will be plenty of time for that
after we are dead."
"That's a pleasant thought." Reneé stomach grumbled. "I don't suppose there's something
to eat?"
"Not this morning."
"Well, can we find something? After all, breakfast IS the most important meal of the day.
You know?"
"You are very strange."
Reneé smiled, "Thanks, I think. So?"
"So?"
"Breakfast?"
Eponin smiled and rolled her eyes before getting up and leading the way for Reneé, "Come
on."
The dawn was just starting to break as Eponin and Reneé walked over to the food storage
hut. As the pair passed other Amazons in the waning of the night, the warrior women would
quietly say a greeting to Reneé thinking she was their Queen. Reneé responded shyly, but
courteously. Once they reached the hut and went inside Reneé commented, "They really think
I'm Gabrielle."
"Gabrielle has proved herself to be a very wise and noble leader. The Amazons needed
that. Before Gabrielle began her reign, the Amazon nation was in danger of collapsing because
of our unique lifestyle. Gabrielle, and Xena, helped us to realize that more could be gained by
not attacking others without cause and without having at least tried to negotiate. Many of the
women who were queen before Gabrielle, including Melosa, were more likely to go to battle
first, and then maybe talk later. Many Amazons died because of that, and many of the loved
ones of the Amazons died as well."
"What? You mean men?"
26
Chapter 6
"Our families outside of the sisterhood, yes." Eponin paused for several moments and
looked within herself, recalling some memories that she had almost forgotten. "Now I no longer
have a brother."
Reneé moved closer and put her arm around the Amazon, which Eponin didn't shrug off
right away. Reneé felt that she was making a new friend. Eponin felt in the same, and its
surprised her. She could not recall having ever considered an outsider a friend. The closest was
Xena, but she did not know Xena well enough to consider her a friend, only an ally. This Reneé
was very much like her Queen, but in many ways she was different. She had a wide eyed
innocence of spirit although it was clear that she wasn't an innocent. "So, what do you want to
eat?"
Ok, Reneé thought as she removed her arm on Eponin, back to the real world. "What do
you have?" Reneé asked.
"Some cheese, olives, we have some fruit over there."
"That sounds good. Any bread?"
"Probably not," Eponin replied, "but maybe there is something back here. Help yourself
while I look."
Reneé grabbed a bowl from a nearby stack as Eponin disappeared behind a wall of baskets.
"How do I get them? I don't see a ladle or anything."
"Use your hands."
Renee was a little shocked at the lack of hygiene, but then again these were simpler times
that she was used to. Hands it was. So she reached into a large jar and came up with a handful
of olives which he dumped into her bowl. "What kind of cheese is this?"
"What kind?" Eponin asked incredulously. "It's cheese."
Much simpler times, Reneé mused. As she was about to reach into the water-filled cask, a
dull low roar arose from outside. This was quickly followed by the war cry of dozens of
Amazon Warriors. Eponin emerged from the back of the hut. "What's going on?" Reneé
asked.
"They're attacking."
Reneé could feel the blood training from her head. She wasn't trained for this. She wasn't
ready. "What do we do?"
"We've got to get to back to the Queen's hut. It is what our defenses are set for. Damn, I
knew I shouldn't have brought you here."
"Why don't we stay here?"
"Because it's not safe. Here," Eponin said as she handed Reneé a war staff and took one for
herself, "don't use this unless you have to. You aren't that good yet."
Renee looked at the war staff thinking that she understood all of its implications, while
Eponin peered outside the hut to ascertain the situation. She had never seen so many men in one
place before. They were still emerging from the woods, and all were quickly joined in battle by
least one Amazon. So far the battle was going the Amazons way, but that could easily change if
the flood of men emerging from the woods did not stop soon. "Come on," Eponin commanded.
Once outside of the hut, Renee was immediately struck at how familiar everything seemed.
This looked just like one of the grand battles that they would stage on Xena - Warrior Princess.
But then she was struck in the face by an errant finger -- no body, just the finger -- and she
immediately accepted the reality that this was not staged, this was very real.
Reneé followed at Eponin's heels, and Eponin's ever vigilant eyes were always alert to any
danger to Reneé. "There she is! There's the Queen!" came the alert from a male voice.
In very short order, the battle began closing around Eponin and Reneé, making their short
journey to the Queen's hut almost impossible. Ephiny saw the situation, and expertly
maneuvered the Amazons so that Eponin and Reneé could make it to the hut safely. Once there,
Peraxion's Goal
27
Eponin made a quick examination to be certain that the hut was empty, and then left Reneé
inside while she stood sentry at the door. It was beginning to look as if the battle could rage on
through the afternoon, but the air was pierced by a very familiar cry: the ululating sound of
"Lelelelele" that could only originate from Xena.
There was now a momentary pause in the fighting brought on by the sudden appearance of
the leather-clad virago riding her light-haired steed into the village. In one smooth motion, she
was up on her saddle and threw her chakram. The gleaming disk of metal fulfilled its purpose in
existing with deadly finality as it cleanly decapitated three of Peraxion's soldiers before
embedding itself in the thick support a hut. Almost immediately after, the Rams horn sounded
from the woods and Peraxion's men immediately broke off and retreated back to their arboreal
safety.
Shouts of victorious glee erupted from the Amazons as Xena dismounted and quickly went
over to Reneé. "Boy, am I glad to see you," Reneé said.
"Are you all right?" Xena asked.
"Yeah, I'm fine. I thought you left?"
"I wanted Peraxion to think that. He even went so far as to send a scout after me last night.
He's thorough, I'll give him that."
"Whatever. I'm just glad you showed up."
Ephiny appeared at Xena's side. "It looks like the plan worked."
"It looks that way."
Peraxion stood on his stone platform as his men came wandering back into camp. One of
his highest ranking lieutenants arrived and stood before Peraxion. "Well, what do you have to
report?" Peraxion asked.
"Until that warrior woman showed up, our men were having the best of it. We must have
killed fifteen of those Amazons before they knew what hit them."
"Really? I only saw a one Amazon killed."
"Sir -- surely that can't be right," the lieutenant insisted.
"Oh, it's correct. They lost one, we lost eight. Wait in minute, where are the rest of my
men? Two squads are missing."
The lieutenant just stood there dumbfounded. "Don't just stand there with your mouth
hanging open, find them," the charismatic leader ordered.
The lieutenant immediately ran off. Peraxion sat heavily on his thrown. "I'm surrounded
by idiots," he thought, "it's good thing I accounted for that in my plan, at least that's proceeding
on schedule. I'll have the Queen by night fall."
As promised, the lieutenant attempted to find out what had happened to the lost squads. It
wasn't long before he found out. Each of the squads was still in its designated place from before
the attack. Every man had been killed. Blood soaked the ground. Most had died quickly from
dismembering sword attacks; the others had fallen to javelins, and had been killed on the ground
where they lay. These were grizzly scenes, ones which would rightfully strike fear even in the
heartiest soldier.
Back in the Amazon camp, Ephiny send out a small scouting party to gather information
about Peraxion's situation. While she did not doubt Xena's expectation that Peraxion was no
longer a great threat, she wanted to be sure. As much as she respected Xena, she knew that
Xena's agenda did not run in parallel with that of the Amazons. In fact, she was certain that had
Gabrielle not become the Queen of the Amazon nation, Xena would surely have found a reason
to weaken the warrior women in time.
As a teenager, Ephiny had heard stories of Xena -- her war with the Centaurs being the
most famous. But later, after Ephiny had long been an Amazon warrior having fought and
survived many battles, she heard that Xena had renounced war, and was now acting as a
28
Chapter 6
defender to all non-combatants. Ephiny just could not understand this. A warrior was a warrior.
You fought until you died. You passed down your knowledge to the warriors who would
replace you. And you always remained loyal to your cause. As much as she had once idolized
Xena, and as much as she admired Xena's skill and knowledge, she could no longer fully respect
the raven-haired Valkyrie. She was now little more than a mercenary.
Two members of the scouting party returned in short order with a prisoner. Disarmed and
at sword point, Joxer made his entrance into the Amazon camp and was led directly to Xena and
Ephiny. "Hello Xena," Joxer said.
"We found this -- man -- prowling around the village," one of the warriors offered.
Xena replied, "Thank you. You can leave him with us. He's a friend."
The two Amazons looked to Reneé for guidance, but Ephiny spoke up instead, "You did
well. Thank you."
As the two warriors excuse themselves and returned to their posts, Xena turned to Joxer,
"Okay, where were you?"
"I'm fine, thank you. I ambushed two squads of Peraxion's men. They won't be a problem
anymore."
"How many?" Xena asked.
Joxer paused and re-lived the fight in his head before replying, "About a dozen in each
squad. I could have gotten more, but the attack began and I wasn't in a good position to lend
support."
"Ephiny, would you find Joxer someplace to stay? I would like him to remain while I tend
to a little errand."
With a steely look, Ephiny replied, "No."
Xena stared back incredulous, "No?"
"No."
Xena stood a little straighter and taller, and even flexed a little, "That's unacceptable."
Ephiny remained looking casual yet commanding, "You aren't an Amazon Xena. Out the
deference to Gabrielle, as well as your long experience, we've made allowances -- but we will
not have a man stay in our village."
Xena was well aware of the subtle signal Eponin had given several other Amazons, and
how those warriors had strategically placed themselves to attack Xena if necessary. She
couldn't help but smile at the foolish courage of her apparently uneasy allies. Though she knew
that she had overstepped her authority, something inside of this mortal hellfire wouldn't let her
simply acquiesce. "Is that so? What do you intend to do if I insist?"
Ephiny's eyes stayed locked with Xena's, "You won't. You already know that I'm right."
A subtle move of Ephiny's hand diffused the situation as the positioned Amazons relaxed
and wandered back to their duties. "Joxer," Xena said, "it looks like you'll be camping in the
woods."
"No problem. Can I at least get some food?"
"Of course," Ephiny said, "the Gods would never forgive us if we were inhospitable. You
won't be wanting for food or other supplies if we have them to share."
"Thank you."
Reneé felt very much like a proverbial third wheel. Everyone here knew their place. They
knew what was expected of them. In some ways it felt very familiar; like an episode of Xena:
Warrior Princess. Sometimes she caught herself waiting for the director to yell, "Cut." But that
wasn't going to happen.
She felt so helpless.
Reneé wanted to take action. She wanted to be a part of her own rescue back to her own
time. But she was out of her element. Seeing Xena, Ephiny, and Joxer brought that fact home.
Peraxion's Goal
29
These three people were nothing like what she would have expected, and yet they were even
more than she would expected. "Reneé. Reneé!"
Reneé was jogged to from her brief moment of insecurity. "Hmmm?"
Xena's cold blue eyes stared at her, "When I returned, we will finish our quest. Until than
keep training with Eponin -- you'll need to know everything she has to teach you."
"When are you coming back?"
"I don't know. Not for at least several days."
Reneé wasn't sure how she felt about that. She wanted to get moving. She wanted to do
something. Then again, she was with Amazons. Real Amazons. She could never have
imagined such a thing ever happening to her. This was too great an opportunity to miss.
Though no one would believe her when she got back home, at the she would know... and
because of that, the Amazons would still live. Besides, she liked Eponin. Yes, the warrior was
very hard and very quiet, but there was a depth of loyalty to her that made Reneé not want to let
her down.
Xena had not been gone from camp for more than five minutes before Eponin had gotten
Reneé back onto the practice field. As per Ephiny's orders, the other Amazons did not intrude.
Throughout the afternoon he only visitor was Joxer. He was complimentary about Reneé's staff
work, and was impressed by the few kick-boxing maneuvers she employed on Eponin to great
effect.
As they took a break to have a light supper, Reneé decided to try to do some exploring:
"What doesn't take to become an Amazon? Do you have to be born into it?"
"No, but it helps."
Reneé waited. That was it? "Please, I really like to know. In my time, many consider the
Amazons to be a myth, and don't think they ever really existed. The more I know, to more I
might be able to change that."
"Being an Amazon is not about being a warrior. While all Amazons must learn to use
weapons, not all Amazons are soldiers. Even those from Sparta know that warriors alone cannot
make a community. We have teachers, philosophers, cooks, and all of the other things required
of a healthy village. Because our needs are varied, any woman can come to try to be an
Amazon.
"To want to join us is commendable, but it takes more. Our way of life takes commitment
-- not only of body, but of mind and purpose. Very few women above the age of fourteen years
have ever joined our nation. Their minds are too conditioned by the world of men for them to
ever fully embrace us. Girls who come to us before their first lunar time do much better. Still,
many fail. Those born to the Amazons, being raised with our ways, succeed most of all.
Sometimes they will go away to the world of men, but almost all soon return."
"What about the men?" Reneé asked. "If girls are born into the Amazon nation, then where
are the men?"
"They live in village near the Amazon village. Any more questions?"
Nothing came immediately to mind, but Reneé did not want to waste this opportunity. She
remembered something Eponin had said in the supply hut. "What happened to your family?"
"What?"
"You said you no longer had a brother. What happened?"
"The Amazons are my only family. I -- my body, my soul is Amazon. I would die for my
sisters as they would die for me. My only goal is to be worthy, and to never let them down.
That is family. Nothing else matters."
"What about friendship?"
Eponin smiled. She stood up and put her hand on Reneé's shoulder, "Maybe that too.
Come on."
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Chapter 6
Reneé knew it she had just made a friend. Somehow she knew this friend would never let
her down. In this strange land where Gods existed and roamed the earth, where warfare seemed
almost as commonplace as crossing the street, she had an ally. How odd. A 20th-century actor
becoming friends with an Amazon warrior living almost 3000 years in the past. It brought to
mind the quote she had heard once: "We can never know the moment friendships are formed;
for as a filling a vessel drop by drop there is at last one which makes it run over; and so, in a
series of kindnesses, there is at last one which makes the heart run over." With the stress of the
past few days, Reneé's heart was certainly running over. Although she wasn't one to easily
succumb too emotional tears, she was very near to giving quite a display. She was very thankful
that she had staff practice to divert her.
Reneé and Eponin continued their practice until dusk. Side-by-side they walked back to the
Queen's hut. Reneé entered first and leaned her staff next to the doorway before cautiously
walking deeper inside the dark building. "I'll light a lamp," Eponin said.
A table fell with the crash, startling Reneé. "Eponin? Eponin are you --?"
Reneé was unable to finish her sentence as a very large hand clamped tightly around her
mouth, and a thick leg of an arm wrapped itself around her waist -- lifting her up and squeezing
the breath out of her. The male voice behind her whispered, "Let's go. Peraxion will be
pleased."
Reneé tried to struggle, but the constructing grip was sapping her strength. She could feel
herself blacking out. The last thing she saw as she was carried from the hut was Eponin lying
face down near the door; the ground soaking up the growing stain of the Amazon's blood.
Heaven's Justice
31
Chapter 8 : Heaven's Justice
The air in the gathering area was almost still. An almost imperceptible breeze gently
pushed the celestially clean atmosphere. To most eyes this place did not exist. It was nothing
more than the unreachable celestial plane that separated the earth from the star-filled void. But
to other eyes, immortal eyes, this was an expansive hall filled with a beauty and splendor
unimaginable by lesser beings. Sunlight seemed to fill the room, but there were no shadows.
Dark places had no home here.
Artemis appeared in the middle of this grand hall. She no longer appeared in the mortal
guise she adopted on earth, but as herself -- an improbably delicate gossamer of energy. Her
being did not glow, sparkle, or radiate. It existed, and it cared. That was enough.
One by one she was joined by the remaining eleven Olympic deities. Each appearing to
earthly eyes as nothing more than the same ethereal films of gossamer as Artemis, but appearing
to each other as the grand personifications of their duties and morality.
Zeus appeared very much as the vibrant king of the Gods that he was. Only Poseidon
equaled him in height, but none could equal him in bearing. Zeus is the grand arbiter of the
Gods. He would favor none over another, and only had for council the Morae, Themis, and
Dice. "Artemis," Zeus thundered, "do you understand why you are here?"
"No Sir."
"We are here to decide how you should be punished."
"I thought we had already done that. I am forbidden to return Gabrielle to her own time."
"No. That is not your punishment, that is just putting a stop to something you shouldn't
have been doing."
Artemis became worried. The Gods could extract an awful vengeance for what she had
done. And Zeus was angry. No matter what the will of the rest of the Pantheon, Zeus's
judgment alone mattered.
Athena came forward first. She radiated the calm surety of the goddess of wisdom, and the
unmistakable strength of a war goddess. Cities depended on her for protection, but in doing so
she often had to choose sides. In the battle between the Troyans and the Attikans, her loyalty to
Odysseus and others forced her to side against Troy and her allies -- which included the
Amazons. Her relationship with the gods who protected the women warriors was severely
tested. Her relationship with the huntress still had not recovered. Now she felt that she might
be betraying her old friend once again, but the goddess of the flashing eyes knew that there were
lines that even Gods could not cross without peril. "Artemis, do you know what done?" she
asked.
"Yes I do, now. But, it is nothing different that what many of you have done. Consider
your champion, Odysseus; or Hera's interference with Heracles; or --"
"But dear sister," Ares interrupted, "we never corrupted time to get what we wanted."
"What? I thought that you would at least beyond my side. You are protector of the
Amazons, and Gabrielle, as well as I."
"Yes, but within our rules."
Ares had to admit to himself that he didn't like the idea of possibly sacrificing his beloved
war-feasting Amazons. But as the least liked God after Hades, he had to relish the hope that one
of the beloved children of Zeus would be shamed before all of the other Gods. Even he, the
much hated god of war had not earned such enmity as Artemis.
Hades stepped forward, "And if we don't follow our own rules, how can we possibly expect
to retain the respect of others?"
32
Chapter 8
The other immortals focused their attention on Hades in stunned silence. Though the equal
of Zeus and Poseidon at the beginning of the Olympian's rule, once his lot was cast to be the
ruler of the underworld he became the least welcome and most unseen of the gods. On those
occasions when he was commanded to appear at a council, as was the case now, he never said a
word.
"But I didn't really change anything," Artemis pleaded. "The Morae hadn't yet cut
Gabrielle's thread of life. Her destiny had not yet fulfilled, and so it was fated that I did what I
did."
"Sister, you know that we will never accept that excuse," Apollo, the most beloved of the
Gods, chided. "Answer me this, how are the Amazons served by letting their queen live?"
Artemis had to love Apollo. He twin brother had just given her an opening that would help
her free herself from Zeus' scorn. But looking at the earnest spirit of her brother only convinced
her that she couldn't tell a half-truth. Not here. She all but sealed her fate as she admitted, "It's
important that she live because I peered into the certain future, and not the future of prophets
and oracles."
Had the gods been in mortal form, a collective gasp would have shaken the hall. As severe
an infraction as the body switch had been, this was much worse. Few rules were as sacrosanct
as the one forbidding any God from knowing the results of their actions. While glimpses of
possible outcomes was sometimes permitted in extreme circumstances, there was always doubt.
Artemis had instead seen the fated results -- results even the Morae refuse to glimpse for fear
that the knowledge would hinder their blind impartiality.
"I knew it!" Ares shouted. "I knew it!"
"Enough!" the king of the gods commanded. "I have heard enough. Are there none here to
speak in Artemis' defense?"
Silence hung over the hall.
Artemis sensed that Aphrodite might have spoken, but was unwilling to pay the terrible
price of defying the God of war in a matter of this importance. Ares was difficult enough
without openly defying him. Besides, the love god thought, if I'm the only voice, what will it
matter?
Through the subtle bending of energy that was a unique skill of Zeus, the king of the Gods
made himself look more imposing to all present. He said, "It is a serious business when I must
stand in judgment to one of our twelve. We all understand how important our responsibilities
are. Artemis makes a good point that we all have ignored our own rules when it serves our
personal purposes. I have done it. You, Ares, have done it. And Poseidon, and Hades, and
Athena, and Hera... Still, we have all agreed that time is not our domain. The Morae: Clotho,
Lachesis, and Atropos; have sole dominion over the fates of man and Gods.
"Artemis, you are among the youngest of us, and so I will consider that in my decision is
well. Do not think that you will escape punishment. The only question to be decided is in what
form it will be."
Zeus paused for very long period of time. It soon became apparent that a quick decision
was not going to happen. All the eleven could do was wait. Not wanting to risk Zeus' wrath all
of the Olympians kept their distance from Artemis -- all except her twin. Golden-hued Apollo
spoke quietly to his sister, "Are we still worshipped in the future?"
Artemis hadn't expected such a question. The genuine concern from Apollo was showing
was rare and spoke volumes. This question wasn't one of idle curiosity. "No, not as we are
now."
Apollo's concerns, it seemed, were justified. Artemis continued, "Our rule will be
considered to be little more than quaint stories made up by primitive people. Most won't even
acknowledge our pantheon under any name -- only accepting the king of the gods as the one
Heaven's Justice
33
God. The older sects still respect us in some way, if by different names. But that is no different
than now."
Apollo had feared as much. It seemed inevitable that mankind would try to elevate
themselves by rationalizing away the ancient deities. As he was about to return to the others,
Artemis added, "But they won't abandon us completely."
"Oh?"
"Every Olympiad will see the best athletes of the world -- the entire world -- gather together
in competition. While the Games will no longer be intended to honor Zeus, they can't help but
evoke his memory, or ours. Through the duration of a games, they will burn a flame lit from the
sun in Olympia by priestesses. Every champion's heart in some small way will know that they
are part of a holy lineage whose honor roll can be traced back to mighty Heracles. We may be a
quaint story to these future mortals, but we will still be a part of them, too -- even if they won't
admit it to themselves."
"Thank you," was all the Pythian said before returning to the rest.
After what seemed an eternity, Zeus continued as if he had never paused, "What you have
done, Artemis, cannot be undone with heavenly power -- I have made sure of that. However,
you have allowed the mortals a chance to correct this situation on their own. So, your fortune
will be tied with theirs. You will be banished from Olympus. You will be as a mortal, except
that you will not lose your immortality, and you will never want for ambrosia or nectar. If these
mortals that you loved so can return you to your twin's holy sanctum and then set the course of
time back to its proper place, then you will be allowed to rejoin our council as if none of this
had ever happened. But, should your friends fail, you will be condemned to live all eternity
among mankind; plagued forever by the capricious will of the Gods. You will never know
happiness, nor peace."
All of the Gods were stunned. None had suspected that Zeus's "kindness" would be so
severe. Apollo, especially, was now aching with regret for not having spoken up for his sister.
Athena noticed the change in Apollo's attitude, and she sympathized. Of all the Gods, except
for her father, she was closest to Artemis. Still, she could sense plans with in plans turning
around in Apollo's mind. No matter what her personal feelings, Zeus' decree was law. "Great
Zeus, savior of us all, may I ask a question of few about your decree?"
"Of course, my beloved daughter. What do you wish to know?"
"Father, you did not say whether the Gods could lend assistance to our wayward sister as
she --"
"That's enough. I am glad you asked for this clarification. It is well that we all avoid
further sadness caused by a misunderstanding. No God may help Artemis finish her
punishment. Her only help can come from mortals. However, I will grant that she may speak
with fair Apollo should she make it to his sacred place. I will also say, that no God may hinder
her while the human's quest is unresolved. We seek here only to punish, not to persecute, our
misguided sister."
"Thank you great Zeus," Athena said, "as always you are wise and fair. We shall all abide
by your judgment in this. None will interfere, or they shall have to bear my wrath before having
to face your justice."
Silence. There was nothing more to say. There was but one thing to do.
Artemis was purged from her ethereal place in Olympus. Being thrust out, she fell to Earth
as a mortal would. Her plunge was not pleasant, for Olympus was far above the reach of man.
Her fall took almost two days, and ended in a fiery and painful blaze that stopped only once she
touched the face of Gaea, mother earth.
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Chapter 9
Chapter 9 : One Step Backward
The falling star flashed through the night sky, and tinted it orange when its trajectory met
the unforgiving earth. No one for a hundred leagues could miss this celestial spectacle.
Xena was loathe to let anything distract her from her mission -- to gather the clues
necessary to survive the journey to the Cairn of Chronos. Her mind was focused yet clear. She
didn't think about Gabrielle, Reneé, or the insolence of Ephiny. Instead, she was in a meditative
state which freed her from her tortured soul and instead left itself open to possible dangers and
possible clues. This skill was cultivated from the long years where her life depended on her
being able to travel safely for long distances without rest.
The glow in the distance off her right shoulder intrigued her for a moment. It was distant
enough that it could wait. Her current journey would drive her to the Northwest, and this
mystery lied to the East. To investigate now would take it least a day, and she did not want to
waste the time. It could wait until the return trip. The detour would give her a different course
back to the Amazon camp -- and that could be an advantage.
The Amazons, too, marveled at the burning scar in the sky, though Ephiny was not one of
them. She saw it as an omen that some unanticipated danger awaited her and her tribe. A sign
from heaven so soon after so many strange and tragic events could not be taken lightly. On the
night of the death of Terreis, the young Amazon who would have one day ascended to become
Queen, a ball of fire appeared in the sky issuing forth a long tongue of fire. It could be seen for
several weeks after. During that time the Amazons who had joined their ally Troyans against
the Greeks were massacred. Many of the greatest Amazon warriors died a glorious death far
from home while that omen traveled across the sky. She sought out Nara, the camp's chief
priestess, to interpret this ominous sign.
Ephiny found Nara had already anticipated her need. In the sacred hut, Nara knelt before a
statue of Artemis; a bowl in front of the priestess filled with the blood of the chicken that had
just been sacrificed. The heart, liver, and other choice parts of the foul were wrapped in a
square of leather and placed in a small urn that held cherry-red coals from the camp fire so that
the smoke might rise and please the Gods. "Artemis, great goddess of the woods and its bounty,
and protector of the Amazons," the priestess intoned, "please give me guidance. If you cannot,
please urge another God to guide my Prophecy to the correct answer."
Several minutes passed. "Well?" Ephiny asked, not being one known for great patience in
these matters.
Nara ignored her. Not that it was difficult to do, for the priestess' concentration on the
curling bands of smoke rising from the now burning offerings consumed almost all of her
attention. She knew that she had a gift, but reading the signs of the Gods was difficult at best.
Many charlatans acted as oracles and prophets in order to fill the demand of the people. Few
had the true gift of divinity. Nara had it. What troubled her was how fragile a gift it was. She
was rarely certain that the advice she gave was correct, but experience had proven that she was
either right, or not far wrong. Still, she was often as vague in her pronouncements as the
charlatans she detested. "Time is no longer with us, and the future may be lost. Already a piece
of our past is gone. Act now and all may be restored."
"And what does that mean?" Ephiny asked.
What did it mean? Nara wasn't sure. If she had time to examine what she believed the
Gods had driven her to say, then she could be clearer. The warrior in front of her knew that.
"You know well my leader -- without more thought, any advice I might give could lead you
down a wrong path."
Chapter 9
35
"And how am I supposed to wait if I'm supposed to act now?"
Nara paused, confounded by Ephiny's application of logic. She decided to take a chance
and suggested, "Seek out the Amazon who is not an Amazon; she is the key. Now leave, I must
rest."
Though not satisfied, Ephiny left knowing that she had pushed the holy woman as far as the
situation required. Antagonizing a priestess unnecessarily meant risking the enmity of the Gods.
And heaven only knew that the Amazons didn't need any more trouble.
But what did she mean by "The Amazons who is not in Amazon"? Xena? Reneé? It
would have to be Reneé for now. She was closer.
The scene which greeted her at the Queen's house confirmed to Ephiny that her choice had
been correct. It also cut to her soul. In the shadow of the doorway was the cold body of Eponin.
"Amazons!!"
Peraxion saw the meteor streak as a welcome sign from the Gods. So far everything that he
had planned was coming to fruition. Xena was gone. The Amazons thought they were
victorious. All that remained...
"General! Dranomides and Artikleies are returning with one of the women!"
Peraxion smiled to himself. All that remained was a capture of the Amazon Queen.
Reneé opened her eyes. It didn't help much. Wherever she was, the darkness was
profound. She could feel that her arms tied tightly behind her back. "Not again," Reneé
moaned.
What should she do? She wanted to go home. A small fire in her heart wanted her to
scream that feeling the top of her lungs. She wanted to go home. Her breathing grew quicker
and shallower. She didn't know what to do. If Peraxion had her again, he was probably going
to kill her. Reneé started feeling lightheaded. She was hyperventilating. "Okay. Okay. Calm
down. Panic isn't getting you anywhere," she said quietly between breaths.
Slowly her breathing became more controlled. Her head cleared. The last time she was in
this situation she didn't know what was going on so she didn't know enough to be scared. Now
she knew. Her life was in serious danger. She had to get away somehow. But how? What
could she do? Her arms and legs were tied more tightly and more painfully than they had been
before. And even if she got lose, how would she get out of camp? And if she got out of camp,
where would she go? She didn't know where she was. She didn't know where anything was.
The flap to the hut opened. She heard more than saw it, for the profound dark she was in
gave way only to the comparatively bright moonless night sky. A dark shadowy figure walked
over to her and picked her up by the binding around her wrists. The pain was excruciating, and
Reneé couldn't help but cry out. Her shoulders were slightly dislocated, but if she was put down
soon there would be little residual effect except for some soreness. Fortunately, her journey was
a short one.
Reneé was thrown down at the feet of Peraxion. While her keens took most of the impact,
she could stop her face from introducing itself to the ground. Her cheek would gain a large
bruise to compliment the ones Eponin had given her in training. She didn't care. She was just
glad that her arms had popped back into place. Tears rolled down her cheeks from pain, relief,
and fear.
Peraxion knelt down closer to her level. "That looked painful. I almost wish I could say
that I was sorry about that, but it's only the start of my retribution for the pain you and your
unnatural women have caused me. I'm going to break you. I'm going to make you wish you
had never been born. You will come to happily and willingly do anything that I tell you to do.
I'm going to break you like your women tried to break me. I'm going to make any defiance so
loathsome that you will be happy when I sell you as a slave."
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Chapter 9
Terror swept through Reneé's body as adrenaline coursed through her veins. For the
briefest of moments she just wanted to give up, but that quickly passed -- replaced by an
overwhelming urge to run -- to get as far away from here in she could. She struggled against
her bonds, but to no effect.
Peraxion saw the struggle and laughed, "You want to run. Good."
The warlord motioned to a nearby soldier who immediately tossed a bronze-headed ax to
his energized leader. Peraxion walked towards Reneé's feet and put one foot heavily on the
small of her back forcing her even more tightly to the ground. He commanded, "Don't move, I
don't want a cut you. At least, not yet."
With a deft swing, Peraxion cut through the bindings that had held Reneé's legs together.
"There," he said, "now you can run."
Once Peraxion stopped standing on Reneé, she immediately tried to escape. She rolled
away from the warlord, and was quickly able to regain her feet. Unfortunately, she had not
taken more than two steps before she was stopped by one of Peraxion's men. He held her arms
very tightly turning her towards his leader. "Oh no, little queen," Peraxion hissed as he tied a
rope around Reneé's body, "you don't get to run free."
It was hard to see in the dark, but Reneé could see that Peraxion was tying the other end of
the rope to an ornate Persian saddle on his horse. "Wait a minute, maybe we can work
something out," the ersatz Amazon pleaded as the war leader mounted his horse.
"Shut her up."
Without delay, Reneé received a heavy backhanded slap that would have knocked her to
the ground had she not still been held up by Peraxion's soldier. She noticed that her head and
wasn't spinning as much as she had expected from such a heavy hit. Maybe she was getting
used to that after all those hits Eponin had landed during training. Eponin... Reneé hoped she
was still alive.
"Let's go," Peraxion ordered.
Peraxion horse moved forward. Once the tether had tightened and pulled Reneé out from
her guard's grasp, she was free to run. And run she did as Peraxion urged his horse to a slow
trot. The whole of his remaining army followed as Peraxion easily found his way through the
sparse woods that surrounded his now abandoned base camp.
At the Amazon village, Ephiny anxiously awaited the return of the scouting party she had
sent to Peraxion's camp. While the remaining Amazons were preparing for battle, Ephiny
entered the priestess' hut where Eponin's body late waiting for her funeral pyre.
It was eerily quiet. The noise outside, of the battle preparations, did not filter through the
walls. Candles illuminated the room, while two oil lamps each set before the statues of Artemis
or Ares, showed respect for the patron Gods of the Amazons. Eponin's body had been washed
and her hair combed. She was dressed in a simple chiton. Her armor would be distributed to
Amazons as needed.
A single tear dropped down Ephiny's cheek as she absently stroked the hair of her friend.
"Friend" wasn't a strong enough word. They had fought together. They had grown up together.
They had seen other friends and relatives die, and yet they lived on. Though only in their midtwenties, they we among the oldest of the Amazons in the village, and the leaders while
Gabrielle was adventuring with Xena. The life of an Amazon was a difficult one. Most women
feared only childbirth as a cause of an early death. An Amazon carried not only that burden, but
also the knowledge that she was likely to die in battle long before seeing the birth of her
daughter's daughter.
Queen Melosa lead the Amazons into battle in the last year of her reign, almost three years
ago. They faced a horde of horse-riding terrors from the northwest whose hearts were filled
Chapter 9
37
only with conquest. The Amazons lead a cunning assault on three fronts. The Queen lead one
battalion of warriors, her younger sister Terreis lead a second, and Ephiny lead the third with the
aide of Eponin. The battle was fierce. Without the benefit of a large cavalry, the warrior
women managed to exact of toll of eight enemy casualties for each of theirs. Even at that rate,
the enemy would eventually overwhelm the Amazons because of their vastly greater numbers.
Ephiny and Eponin's forces, sabotaged by the will of the Earth-shaker, found themselves
cut off from the bulk of their force. Eponin, a skilled student of the warrior arts, advised Ephiny
that the only hope of survival was to sever the head of the innumerable beast and let the body
die from neglect. Ephiny, always preferring action over talk, agreed and set of with her
childhood friend to annihilate the enemy's leadership.
Through trickery and violence, the beloved mortals of Artemis and Ares worked their way
to the small camp where the leaders of the terrible horsemen planned their strategy and savored
their conquests. As Ephiny was moving into position to better spy on the enemy, Eponin
noticed a shadow lurking nearby. Because any noise would mean death to them both, Eponin
silently sprung into action. She met Ephiny's shadow just a moment before he would have
swung a sickle-bladed sword to sever Ephiny's head. Instead, Eponin deflected the blow,
leaving the sword deeply embedded in the side of her rib cage. Ephiny, now alerted to the
danger killed the would-be assassin quickly and quietly.
Eponin's wound was very serious. Ephiny instructed her to remain hidden and to not take
out the gleaming bronze weapon until they would be able to stop the bleeding that was sure to
take the dark-haired Amazon's life if it were removed prematurely. Ephiny's haste to finish the
job she and her friend had started made her careless. When she attacked the leadership she was
outnumbered fifteen-to-one. Soon it was ten-to-one. Then six. By the time there were only the
three huge leaders left, Ephiny was beyond exhaustion. She was going to die. However, the
Amazons didn't fear individual death for a greater cause. If she could stop the slaughter, then
she'd be proud to die. She charged and quickly killed the closest of the human mountains.
Fatigue clouding her mind, she face one of the remaining two without concern. As she readied
to attack this opponent, she failed to notice that the second was positioned behind her, sword
ready to strike a mortal blow.
And then the sword and the arm holding it were lying on the ground. All eyes turned to the
blood-splattered vision wielding a bronze sickle-sword. She had saved her friend's life a second
time. Ephiny didn't waste the gift. She finished the job Eponin had started on the one-armed
man, and then quickly killed the last of the horde.
At least, that's the story Ephiny and Eponin told.
By all accounts, Eponin should have died from her wound. It was eight inches long and
four inches deep. For almost a month, Ephiny never left her savior's side. Though Eponin's will
to live was never in doubt, many thought that the great care lavished on her by the blonde
warrior many thought to have a barren soul is what kept the raven-haired Amazon from
travelling to the underworld. Her care bought her friend three more years.
"What will I do without you, little sister? You died a death worthy of an Amazon, trying to
protect she who would be your queen. And you lived the life of an Amazon as I've seen no
other. A fierce warrior. A great teacher and student. The best --"
Ephiny had to pause as her emotions welled up in her throat. "The best friend anyone... my
best friend. I'm going to miss you."
Ephiny used all of her Amazon strength to keep from shedding more tears. Now was not the
time to mourn her friend although her body ached to do so. She reached into a pouch and pulled
out two oboli and placed them in Eponin's mouth so that she could pay Charon and more easily
get to the Elysian fields. Ephiny did not doubt that her warrior's life would result in her seeing
the lovely Eponin soon.
38
Chapter 9
Ephiny addressed the Amazons as soon as she stepped out of the hut. "Amazons!
Amazons, hear me! As you know, Peraxion has managed to abduct our queen through treachery
and deceit. Though he surely has the help of a god in this venture, we will not let that stand in
the way of our recovering Gabrielle and avenging the death of our sister, Eponin."
At this the whole of the Amazon camp shouted a war cry to make even the armies at Troy
quake with fear. "We will wait for our scouts to return," Ephiny continued, "and then we will
set out for vengeance."
"What kind of plan do you have?" a male voice interrupted.
All eyes turned to face the figure that was standing to the left of Ephiny and slightly behind
her.
Finding the Path
39
Chapter 10 : Finding the Path
Without turning to look at the intruder, Ephiny said, "It doesn't concern you, Joxer. You
aren't invited."
Joxer strode up to Ephiny and looked into her steely eyes, "Gabrielle didn't object when
Xena suggested I stay."
He doesn't know, Ephiny thought. Somehow in the haste of the moment, Xena hadn't told
Joxer about the switch. That could be useful. He didn't seem particularly bright, even for a
man, but if he thought that Reneé was Gabrielle, then he could be sincere. This meant some
reworking of the plan, and ultimately less risk to Reneé with a greater chance of success. "If I
include you in our plan," Ephiny offered, "will you be willing to follow my orders?
No...improvisations?"
"We're both after the same thing, Gabrielle's safe return. I won't do anything that will put
her at risk."
"That's a safe answer, but I'll accept it." Ephiny turned to her army, "Amazons, prepare for
a long march into battle! We leave when the Sun has reached it's peak."
As the women let out a thunderous cheer, she turned to Joxer, "Follow me to my hut. I'll
fill you in on the plan."
Xena had been riding her horse hard since Helios began his daily journey across the sky. It
was now noon and their destination was near. When she got off the horse, she saw that it was
just in time. The mare's head hung low, her breathing was heavy, and she wore a significant
amount of foam. Had the driven women ridden her much longer the horse would have died
from exhaustion. As it was, it would take some time for the horse to recover. Thankfully the
oasis contained an abundance of fruit, grass, and water. It was the water that Xena needed most.
Before seeing the holy man, she had to purify herself.
Her armor removed, Xena immersed herself in the cool deep waters of the most isolated of
the oasis' pools. No one knew which water nymph kept these springs filled. No rain had fallen
in this land for almost four years and yet the water was plentiful. The most common story was
that once, when Poseidon lost his temper and made the earth tremble, as gash opened up briefly,
capturing one of his daughters when it closed again. Since that day, she cried tears over her
captivity and as those tear rose up to silently call to the Olympians that she was trapped, they
welled up here and fed the oasis.
It had been weeks since Xena had gotten the chance to clean herself properly. Like all
people in the civilized world as she knew it, Xena preferred to bath regularly. While she didn't
strictly hold to the proposition that cleanliness would earn the favor of the Gods, it didn't hurt
that an activity she enjoyed might lessen any enmity that they might have for her. Besides, it
was advantageous. She couldn't remember the number of times the stench of an enemy reached
her before they could surprise her. It gave her a great advantage. It was such an advantage that
she wouldn't divulge to her own officers why she liked to bathe so often -- even in the field.
Only the Amazons, of those warriors who lived outside the lower Peloponnesos, also saw the
advantage of this ritual.
Using a crude soap she had brought with her as well as some stripped leaves taken from the
reeds on the spring's shore, Xena was able to scrub away the grime that had embedded itself into
every pore and crevice of her body. All it took was time and a fair amount of effort. Next she
washed her hair with the same soap. Although it burned her scalp slightly, she was thankful.
Ticks and lice where a constant problem, but this soap was sufficiently noxious that most
infestations were easily controlled.
Normally, Xena would now untangle her hair, dry herself, and be on her way. Since she
was going to see the most gifted prophet, she needed to anoint herself with various oils. The
last was a gift from Artemis. Although she had little use for the goddess, she knew better than
to squander such a rare gift. Finally, Xena exited the pool. She drew a comb out of a saddle
bag and sat on a smooth boulder.
As she was untangling the knots in her hair, she noticed the horse. With water and grass in
her, she was looking much better. Never owning one better, she'd have hated losing such an
animal. The loss would have been keener since it would be a difficult and long trek back to the
Amazon village on foot. Still, it was just a horse. And that girl named it "Argo".
Three years ago, soon after Gabrielle had started tagging along, it was clear that Gabrielle
and the horse didn't see eye-to-eye. Most of the time it was funny, sometimes it was annoying,
but once it nearly cost Xena everything.
Xena and Gabrielle had been trapped with a small band of young and scared Athenian
soldiers who had been on the losing end of a Barbarian siege. Xena immediately took command
of this small army as she had done so many times in her past. Survival was paramount, and she
would use any means, no matter how cruel, to ensure that. She had become once again the
warlord she was trying to leave behind. It was Gabrielle who put her once again on the path of
honor.
At the time, Gabrielle was still a story-telling farm girl with more bravery and hero-worship
than sense. Her skill with a weapon was limited to knowing that you don't pick up a sword by
it's sharp end. She couldn't throw a punch if her life depended on it. Still she put herself in
serious danger by going out to no-man's-land to give water to the injured...on both sides. Xena
didn't think that Gabrielle was too bright, but it was clear that the bard knew the risk that she
was taking. That was a kind of bravery Xena had never seen before (or at least never noticed).
This innocent and annoying blonde girl risked everything to help, and as a result provided the
key to saving everyone.
There had been many moments in the time since she'd met Gabrielle that she had been
tempted to strand her at some village, or strangle her because she snored at night. She wasn't of
much use other than company, and Xena didn't have much use for that. Now she knew that
Gabrielle was the key. Gabrielle might never be much of a warrior, and be a burden more than
an asset, but without her, Xena knew that her own humanity would be lost. She'd forsaken so
much of it already, and had much to make up for. Without the innate kindness of Gabrielle,
Xena's soul would be forever damned.
What irony that on the night when Xena was going to admit her friendship to Gabrielle, the
bard made the mistake of trying to ride the horse without Xena's knowledge. Gabrielle had
ridden the mare before, but only because Xena kept the horse on a tight reign. Now, without the
control of the warrior, the horse was free to act on its annoyance of the uninvited rider on her
back. First the mare reared up and threw off Gabrielle. As the bard was regaining her feet, the
horse kicked her in the ribs with a hind leg. Though dazed, Gabrielle regained her feet, only to
find herself face-to-muzzle with the horse. Once again the horse began to rear up. One of her
front hooves connected with Gabrielle's face and knocked her to the ground again, this time with
a severe concussion. When the horse landed, Gabrielle would die. It was then that Xena
snapped her whip around the horse's neck and jerked her off balance. She would have killed the
horse then and there, but she and Gabrielle were still very vulnerable and they needed the speed
that the large animal provided.
Xena tended to Gabrielle as if her own life depended on it. She dressed her wounds; she
talked to her; she even sang a little. Anything to keep her blonde companion from travelling to
Hades. She had seen many men die from head wounds less severe than Gabrielle had received.
Those three days were among the hardest and terrifying days that Xena had yet experienced. It
was from this shared struggle that forged the first link in the chain of Xena and Gabrielle's
Finding the Path
41
friendship. And it was because of Gabrielle's capacity to forgive that the horse wasn't sold or
killed as soon as they had reached a safe haven. Again, Gabrielle's generosity of spirit had
proven correct, for the horse grew to trust Gabrielle as much as Xena -- a trust that had...
Xena looked up in the sky. She'd wasted hours on her daydreaming about the past. Her
anger rose at her lack of discipline. Her best friend was in danger, and her she was wasting the
day away like some useless maiden pining for a lost love. Enough of this. Until she managed to
get Gabrielle back, she wouldn't tolerate any more diversions. The task ahead would be difficult
enough with losing focus. No mission ever succeeded without a clearly defined focus. Xena
was determined that she wouldn't lose hers again.
She quickly put on a clean chiton and a fresh pair of sandals. Around her waist she tied a
belt made of cord so that she could affix a sword and her chakram. Without any further delay,
she began the trek from the oasis to the unassuming leather hut she had visited only once before.
After a three hour walk over dry rocky ground, Xena reached the hut that was home to the
most gifted prophet in the world. The Oracle at Delphi had more notoriety, but the answers
there were so vague they could be interpreted in almost any fashion. Not so here. The holy one
had been here for as long as any one could remember. Though this diviner may once have had a
name, that had been lost in the dust blown by the arid winds. Now this forecaster was known
only as The Seer.
Xena was not alone in seeking guidance. Five other people waited their turn. Ahhab and
Mariam had traveled from the land of the pyramids. They wished to marry, but because
Mariam's house was so rich as compared to Ahhab's, their parents compelled the couple to learn
if the joining would be a profitable one. Minister Benrubi had come to learn if his city-state of
Takari would be victorious in war, or if they should sue for peace before hostilities began.
General Latiocles had come for help in defeating the Persians. And a runaway slave named
Chok had come to find a land where he could be free and prosperous.
As she walked up, the others couldn't help but notice the new addition. None had ever seen
the Warrior Princess before, but they all knew her on sight. She stood at least a head taller than
General Latiocles, and was more powerfully built. But it was the scars that gave her away. She
couldn't hide them, and it was by them that she was described to others. Children, especially,
were told tales of the heartless warrior woman covered with scars; her forehead and face cut so
deeply that it appeared as if she had sewn on the face of a beautiful victim to mask the ugliness
of her own soul.
Though each of the visitors to the Seer had traveled long and arduous journeys, they each
would gladly step aside to let the mortal devil receive her answers first. She surprised them all
when she stopped and sat on one of the many boulders set out for pilgrims. She was going to
wait her turn. When the realization sunk in that Xena was not going to press her advantage, the
five questioners returned to their waiting -- albeit with a wary eye cast on the destroyer of
nations sitting only a few paces away.
The day waned as each of the seekers paid their tithe and received their answer from the
Seer. Chok was the last to leave. Xena waited until he was well out of sight before approaching
the leather tent. As the others had done, she sat in front of the opening. She waited for fifteen
minutes until a cracked, orange-glazed, ceramic plate was pushed out from under the tent flap.
She removed the bronze sword she had brought, placed it on the plate, and pushed it back under
the flap. It had only gone about halfway under when she felt resistance. A ghostly white and
bony hand quickly emerged from the shadows of the tent's opening and pointed at the chakram.
Xena answered back, "No."
The finger kept pointing. Xena continued, "No. It's not mine to give. It belongs to another,
and I must return it when I die."
The finger made and insistent movement emphasizing that it wanted the disk. "Then you
get nothing," Xena spat as she grabbed the sword and stood to walk away.
"Wait," a thin voice commanded.
Xena stopped. "Why?"
"Enter."
A flap on the side of the tent was pushed aside. None of the others had been asked inside.
They had been given their prophecies through the tent walls. Everyone could hear. The reason
she waited until last was so that she would have privacy. She didn't like unusual events. Her
experience taught her that danger lurked in that invitation. Unfortunately, her need compelled
her to accept. She had no other choice. With sword in hand, ready for any attack, she entered.
Small oil lamp illuminated the cramped tent. The light was poor, but sufficient. Had the
Sun not finished it's daily course, Xena would have been blind until her eyes adjusted to the low
illumination. The source of the white bony finger was a teardrop of an ancient one sitting on a
raised platform next to the wall of the tent that the subjects addressed. On the platform were
bowls holding small quantities of fruits, bread, and water. A young boy stood to the side,
apparently and attendant.
Xena's attention was on the old one. Though naked, it was impossible to determine the
Seer's gender. It appeared that he or she had been sitting in that one spot for many tens of years.
The effect was the spreading of skin and fat so that the Seer literally resembled a white teardrop.
Only the arms and face seemed able to move. The Seer had been immobile for so long that
joints had fused together. The thin voice gave away nothing -- it only sounded old and wise.
"You have come to find a way to help your friend."
"How--?" Xena started, but then corrected herself, "Never mind."
"You are the one I have been waiting for. The atoning warrior who is lost and trying to find
her way home. Your task is a difficult journey. There is no time to tell you all, so I only tell you
this part of the beginning.
"You must save the one who was cast out. The nexus of your journey will be across the
sea, then across the land until you meet the next sea. On the highest mountain, hidden under the
snow, you will find the destination you seek. You must have faith. You must have trust. You
must forebear a betrayal. You must accept defeat. These events may be ordered as the Gods
will, for the future is water in a rocky river. If you see only the goal, you will fail. There is but
one chance for all to return to what it should be, and that is to know when to stray from the
obvious path."
The boy attendant flicked a rod and the entrance Xena had used opened. The meeting was
over. Xena started to put the sword on the Seer's platform, but interrupted by the androgynous
voice, "No. You have greater need of it than I. Go now. You have little time to lose."
"Thank you, Master," Xena replied.
The great warrior bowed respectfully before exiting. Once outside, Xena cursed her lack of
foresight. She hadn't anticipated having to return at night. Consequently, she didn't think to
bring a torch with her. The countryside from here to the oasis was a rocky desert. She'd have to
make her way beck from memory, and in the dark.
Peraxion made camp shortly before dusk. The day had been going well. The captured
Amazon Queen was being broken down without much trouble. The forced march of almost
forty miles had exhausted the captive. That she had been dragged, off and on, for a total of
almost a mile was a fringe benefit. Now it was time to have some fun.
Reneé was incredibly disoriented. She hadn't eaten for-- she couldn't remember. Her body
screamed out in pain not only from the mileage, but also from the patches of skin that had been
scraped away when Peraxion's horse dragged her those times she stumbled and fell. She
received water only once, and then it was just a quick gulp. Water and sleep were her only
desires. "You want to go to sleep, don't you?" the suddenly appearing visage of Peraxion asked.
"Please..." was all Reneé could plead through her parched lips.
Finding the Path
43
"I don't think you mean it yet," he said quietly, holding her jaw in his hand. "Strip and
string," he command his men.
Reneé's clothing and sandals were removed and her arms were tied above her head to a
wooden pillar. Peraxion said loudly, "Gentlemen, I've heard rumors that our guest is trained to
be a bard. They say that she's quite good, for a woman. Would you like to hear a story?"
The men cheered. Reneé barely heard it. And there was something about a bard. She'd
like to hear a story, but she didn't think she could stay awake. Her mother used to read her
stories when she was a girl... SHE WAS DROWNING!
As Reneé coughed and sputtered, her mind cleared. Water. Most of it had already dripped
off of her face, but it was water. She tried to gather every drop she could. "Awake?"
The sound of Peraxion's voice sent a chill down her spine. She wanted to be tough, but she
was so tired. She couldn't focus. Peraxion had two of the pre-teen boys who were "wannabe"
soldiers stack a pile of glowing embers, in addition to a bowl of honey, a few feet in front of
Reneé. "As I was saying, since the tales of you being a bard are legendary, you are going to
entertain us."
Reneé was starting to get her gumption back. She wasn't raised in Texas for nothing. If
only she wasn't so tired. "What's the point? It's not going to change any thing."
"I beg to differ. This isn't the free ride you are used to, your majesty. If you want food or
water, you're going to have to earn it."
Reneé's mind continued to clear. She was supposed to be Gabrielle. No matter what
anyone did to her, she'd be defiant. Even in the episode where she was a slave, she fought her
battles where she could. Like everyone kept reminding her, if she didn't act like Gabrielle, she'd
die. "No. You'll be dead from the sword before I die of thirst. I can wait."
"Yes. Yes, you probably could. Of course, what kind of lesson would this be if there
wasn't punishment for bad behavior?"
With a gesture from Peraxion, the older of the two boys grabbed an orange-hot ember from
the pile with a pair of tongs, while the younger boy forced a pool-ball-sized piece of wax into
the captive actor's mouth. Reneé's eyes widened in fear as one side of the coal was dipped into
the honey, making it sizzle for a moment. The older boy then placed the ember it on Reneé's
chest just below her neck. Reneé scream of pain was effectively muted by the wax ball while
the sticky live coal hugged her skin as it slowly burned its course between her breasts until
dropping off upon reaching the bottom of her sternum.
Reneé couldn't see the boy return to remove her waxy gag. The tears from her eyes
wouldn't stop. The pain wouldn't stop. What had she done to deserve this? She was only a
woman who like to travel and have relatively safe adventures when she wasn't acting. She'd
broken a couple of hearts, but not badly. She'd never done anything illegal -- well, at least
nothing anyone caught her for. So why was she now in this hell? She had to get away.
"We're waiting for that story. Aren't we boys?"
The boys nodded.
"Ok. Ok. I'll tell you a story."
What story? She wasn't a bard. Maybe one of the Xena plots. No, this group doesn't want
to hear about Xena. Maybe something from... no, they'd never get it. What would Gabrielle do?
What would she do? Think. No, don't think. Become Gabrielle. Do the exercises. Forget
about not having any lines. Improvise. Improvise...
"I sing of the hero, Tolon."
Ok, that was a start. Now what? She looked at the youngest of the boys. "Tolon was
unlike any hero who had ever lived. Like Hercu-- er, Heracles, he always meant well; his heart
leading him into adventures against monsters and villains. Like Jason, he had to be cunning to
win his greatest reward. So what made him different? He was only ten years old.
"One day, when he was playing..." What?. What did kids play in ancient Greece? What
did boys always seem to play? Yes-- war. "...when he was playing in the meadow with his
friends, throwing the javelin, the skies roared with thunder. Suddenly a bolt of lightening struck
the ground near his home. His mother, Deianeira, who had been working outside, was thrown
to the ground by the ferocity of the blast. When she looked up, she saw-- who do you think she
saw?"
The boys looked at each other. Peraxion looked around at some of the men who had
gathered around. The older boy offered, "Tolon?"
The young boy countered, "Don't be stupid. It was Zeus."
"That's right," Reneé said as she winked at the younger boy, "the King of the Gods had
appeared in front of Tolon's mother. Deianeira looked up confused. You see, though she was
one of the most beautiful women in the world, almost as beautiful as Queen Helen of Sparta, she
did not think of herself as anything special. But Zeus did. He commanded her to come with
him. She begged Zeus to let her be, because she had a young son. Zeus was determined. He
grabbed her wrist, and with a flash from another thunderbolt, he had disappeared with his prize.
"Tolon was quite upset about this, as you might imagine. While he knew that Zeus was
powerful, he knew deep in his heart that it was wrong for even the King of the Gods to steal
someone against their will. At that moment, Tolon resolved to find his mother and force Zeus to
give her back.
"Tolon gathered his javelins, as well as a staff, and set off to find the nearest temple of
Zeus. After days of traveling, he came across an old and gnarly woman begging by the side of
the road. This was actually Hera, Queen of the Gods, in disguise. Eager for get back at her
philandering husband, she told Tolon that the only way to find the Thunderer was to trick him.
She told Tolon to go to Electaros and steal three bags of salt that were hidden in a secret passage
in the cave of the oracle. Once he had the salt, he was to travel to the nearest town and through
a bag into each of the three wells that surrounded the town.
"Since it seemed a simple enough task, Tolon thanked her and gave her half of his money
before moving on. Two days later, he found himself in the secret passage in the cave of the
oracle. He thought this adventure was very easy. He'd steal four bags of salt, just in case he
needed an extra one for some reason. But the adventure had only just begun. As he was picking
up the bags of salt, the walls started to change. Slowly the shiny rock turned into a scaly skin
that soon revealed its true form -- a giant snake, with fire for breath, and able to easily eat a man
in one bite."
Reneé lunged as well as her bindings would let her, and snapped her teeth at her growing
audience. Even Peraxion flinched backward slightly. "Remember, Talon was only ten. No one
had taught him what to do when confronted by a giant snake guarding an oracle's treasure. He
wasn't faster. He wasn't stronger. But he was smarter. He noticed that before the serpent would
spit a ball of flame at him, the beast would close it's delicate eyes. This gave Tolon enough time
to sprint out of the way before he was cooked by the flame. Slowly, he maneuvered himself so
that when the snake closed its eyes he could run up beside it.
"After the snake had belched its fireball, Tolon jumped on the snake's back and poured a
bag of salt into each of the beast's eyes. The viper writhed in pain. The salt ate away at its sight
until it was blind. Tolon jumped off the reptile and gathered his javelins and the... two... bags of
salt. He needed another bag. Ignoring his own safety, Tolon ran back into the part of the cave
where the bags of salt were stored. The snake, though blind and half-crazed with pain, could
still smell the boy. It attacked as well as it was able, but Tolon launched a spear that landed just
behind the serpent's head. That gave him enough time to escape with the salt he had come for.
"He then followed the plan that Hera had laid out. He poisoned each of the three wells, and
then waited for Zeus to arrive. He didn't have to wait long, but instead of Zeus coming to him,
the all mighty god brought Tolon to his hiding place. Though intimidated by the great god, as
Finding the Path
45
of course anyone would be, Tolon stood his ground. He pleaded with Zeus to free his mother.
Zeus laughed. No mere boy could bend the god's will. Zeus little suspected the boy's cunning.
"Tolon mocked Zeus. He said that only a coward would kidnap a woman. No king of the
gods would have to do that, therefore the god before him wasn't Zeus. This angered the mighty
god, and he threatened to kill Tolon to prove his power. Tolon continued taunting the god,
saying that a mere mortal could send Tolon's spirit to Hades... the god in front of him would
have to do better. Zeus was determined to prove himself to this upstart mortal before killing
him, so he challenged Tolon to name a proof that would satisfy him.
"Tolon thought for a moment out of courtesy, since he already had a plan. He mentioned
that Zeus was known to be fair and just. To this, Zeus' pride readily agreed. Tolon also
mentioned that it was said that true love could surpass even the vengeance of a scorned wife.
The boy then played his trump by telling Zeus he'd give him not one, but two chances to prove
himself. Zeus could either free Deianeira and return her, since Zeus had taken her against her
will, or Zeus could concede his love and so go to Hera and confess it to her directly.
"Zeus was not happy. The boy had bested him, and easily. Hera was not one to be trifled
with. If he didn't free the woman, especially after a well played challenge, the other Olympians
would lose respect. Zeus could only claim that his interest in Deianeira had waned, and he sent
her back. Before returning Tolon, Zeus rewarded him with a shining javelin made in the forge
of Hephaestus. With it, Tolon would walk in the footsteps of the heroes who had gone before.
Zeus told Tolon that while it was annoying, he respected any mortal who could stand up for
what was right -- even to a god. That was what elevated a mere follower into a great hero. The
end."
Reneé was stunned. She wasn't a storyteller, but that just issued from her with much effort
at all. She was certain that the message aimed at the boys wasn't lost on Peraxion. There wasn't
time to be subtle. Besides, she was too tired. Her skin started to crawl as Peraxion came closer.
"Very nice. Not quite as gripping as legend had be believe, but not bad."
"It's been a long day -- I'm hardly at my best."
"Yes," was the sarcastic reply. "Still, I warrant it's earned you water and bread and even a
little sleep."
Reneé was more relieved than she expected. Peraxion moved beside her and whispered in
her ear, "Next time, I'll choose the story."
Reneé caught Peraxion's eye before he walked away. Her little story hadn't fooled him at
all. She was certain that if she tried it again, she'd be--, "Hey!"
Reneé looked down to see the younger of the boys running a greasy hand between her
breasts. "It's for your burn," he said.
Suddenly Reneé felt a little foolish. The salve did feel good. "What's your name?"
The boy spoke quietly, "Irus."
"Irus. Did you like my story?"
"I have to go," he said, putting down the bowl of salve and walking away.
Irus hesitated and walked close enough to say in a sotto voice, "It's wrong that you're here."
Irus hurried off. Reneé felt an extra measure of relief. Irus might just be the key to her
escape. That thought comforted her for the few additional seconds she had before falling into an
exhausted sleep.
46
Chapter 11
Chapter 11 : Surviving the Capture
Reneé's head swirled. The disorientation was complete. She didn't know where she was.
She wasn't even sure who she was. She had a vague notion of extreme pain, but it was distant
and disconnected. A shadow coalesced in her mind's eye. It was she, but it also wasn't. "Who
are you?" echoed between her own self and the doppelganger that could be seen to be different
somehow than how she pictured herself.
There was no answer. Just confusion as the figure moved closer and into sharper focus.
"Trust Xena," it said. "Trust yourself."
"What? What's happening?"
"I'm Gabrielle. You have to be me."
"I don't understand. What do you want me to do?"
"Trust yourself to be me."
"I don't know how."
"Yes you do. You're already me."
"But--"
The mirage in her head vanished. She could hear sounds. They didn't make any sense at
first. It might be men talking, but she heard horses, too. The first clear words she heard were,
"She's coming around. Get Peraxion."
Then it hit her -- the pain. Her legs were a mass of cramping muscles from the long abuse
they had been subjected to the day before. Her shoulders were on fire from having been tied
above her head for most of the night. Her hands tingled with a painful numbness that wouldn't
go away. Her chest burned from the path the ember had made; angry red blistering skin was its
legacy. She hadn't felt this bad since her climb up Kilimanjaro after the first season of Xena.
Reneé was jerked to her feet by a pair of rough soldiers. She saw Peraxion standing in front
of her, but only for a moment. The second that her handlers relaxed their crushing grip on her
arms, she collapsed into a mound of pain at the feet of her captor. "Get her up," Peraxion
ordered.
Peraxion drew a dagger from the sheath of one of the soldiers holding Reneé up. He put the
point of the bronze blade to her throat. The pressure was enough to pierce the skin, but not
enough to do any serious damage. Shock was settling in on the actor. She visibly trembled.
"I'm not buying this performance for a minute, mighty queen," Peraxion spat. "No warrior is in
as pathetic shape as you pretend to be. We've wasted an entire morning here because I decided
to indulge this act of yours to see what sort of rescue attempt your whores would try. I thought
it might be amusing. What? No quips?"
Reneé still hadn't stopped shaking. She couldn't formulate any sort of response. All she
knew was that she was afraid and in pain. Her eyes did a double take when they saw emerging
down a path the sight of Joxer on a horse-drawn cart. Behind him on the cart were three bound
and gagged Amazons. "Hello!" he called to no one in particular.
Peraxion saw this intruder and smiled back at Reneé. "Good. Perhaps this wasn't such a
waste of time. The play's about to begin. Tie her to the post and give her some wine."
As the soldiers dragged Reneé back to her restraint, Peraxion approached Joxer. Joxer sat
warily but casually. The reigns rested easy in his hands. "Hello," he said to the approaching
Peraxion, "where can I find the person in charge?"
"That would be me. What do you want?"
Joxer surreptitiously looked around at the soldiers who were taking up strategic positions to
prevent his escape. "I was out hunting, and I stumbled across these three... women," he spat. "I
Surviving the Capture
47
recognized their clothing and weapons to be Amazon. They put up a good fight, but it would
take more than three... women... to best any one man."
"Well said."
"Anyway, I had been trying to stay clear of your camp -- after all, what you do is your own
business -- but since these... women... were tracking you, I figured they may be of more use to
you than to me."
"That's very generous of you. May we offer you something in return? How about a good
meal, and provisions to see you on your way?"
"Thank you. I'd appreciate that."
"You can refill your water bags at that stream. That will give me a chance to deal with your
kind gift."
"Of course."
Playing along, Joxer grabbed three empty water bags and headed to the stream that was
clearly visible about a hundred meters from the camp. Meanwhile, Peraxion took charge of the
Amazon prisoners. "Stake up this one," he said, pointing to the Amazon nearest to him, "over
there. And take this one over there," he continued, pointing to the next Amazon in line. "We
don't want them too close to our first guest."
The two Amazons were each taken to the positions indicated by Peraxion, and tied up in the
same way as Gabrielle, facing their supposed Queen, whose back was toward them. The third
Amazon was held in front of Reneé, and in sight of the other Amazon captives. Reneé
recognized the warrior as being one Eponin described as being the most promising outsider in
years, outside of Gabrielle. The young woman didn't struggle. She stood calmly, yet with an air
of defiance. Peraxion walked over to the girl and removed the gag from her mouth. "I imagine
you must be thirsty," he inquired.
Without waiting for an answer, the warlord thrust the mouth of a waterbag into her mouth.
He squeezed the contents so hard, she nearly choked. Still, he had accomplished what he'd
wanted. "Stake her where she is," he said before walking away to meet with Joxer.
In short order, the young Amazon was tied to a heavy pole like the other women. Once
secured, her scruffy handlers wandered off to join their own companions. "I'm sorry, I can't
remember your name," Reneé said.
"Ahmona, my Queen."
"What are you doing here with him?" Reneé asked, motioning her head toward the
returning Joxer.
"There is a plan. We-- we--," Ahmona's breathing quickened, and her heart began beating
faster.
"Ahmona? Ahmona, what's wrong?"
"I don't-- I-- " she couldn't finish. Her only answer was the fear now in her eyes.
"Good," Peraxion said loudly as he approached with Joxer. "You're ready."
"Ready?" Joxer interrupted. "For what, if I may ask?"
Peraxion went up to Joxer and said quietly, "You know how when you cut a person open
how they pass out almost immediately? It's a gift from the Gods so that a man's last minutes
aren't spent in fear and pain. But for these Amazons, I've developed a little potion that keeps
them awake until they go to the ferryman. These curses to mankind since Pandora don't deserve
the kindness of a gentle death."
Peraxion unsheathed a special curve-bladed knife that held a surgically-sharp edge. "Let's
have some fun."
Joxer's emotions were in conflict. Ephiny's plan could only work if he stayed in character.
But how could he let that brave girl die in front of him for no reason? Slaughtered like a lamb
to the wolf?
48
Chapter 11
Reneé had no such conflict. She'd felt the sadism Peraxion had focused for all Amazons.
"Joxer!"
That was enough. Suddenly Joxer's moral ambiguity was gone. Unfortunately, just as
suddenly, so were his weapons. He was immediately subdued by Peraxion's strongest men.
"Do you really think I'm that stupid?" Peraxion taunted.
Peraxion stuffed a wooden ball into Ahmona's mouth and secured it in place with strip of
leather. "I'm sorry my dear, but while you will not be able to pass out, you can still scream -and it's very distracting. Gag her, too," he said, indicating Reneé.
Once the gag was secured, Peraxion expertly sliced the girl's abdomen, cut only muscle,
avoiding any major blood vessels, and leaving the intestines intact. He then stepped back and
stood near Reneé, admiring his handiwork. "The key is to not injure the victim too severely.
We don't want her passing out too soon. Here's the part that is always a surprise -- how long
will it take before her entrails fall from the wound? It's up to her, you see. If she can stay calm,
then she could live quite a while. If not... if see breathes too hard, then... then..."
At that moment, enough of the shock had left Ahmona that she reflexively tried to scream.
The contraction was enough to force her intestines out of her body cavity. Reneé turned her
head, but Peraxion grasped it in her hand and made her look. All Ahmona could do was look
down and see what had become of her. It was like a bad dream. She couldn't believe it was
actually happening to her. Then she heard it. The barking.
The two scrap hounds that traveled with the corps bolted toward the fresh and succulent
meal now lying on the ground. They each bit and grabbed and tugged at the human sausage that
was still attached to the staked woman. She saw herself being eaten alive, and there was
nothing she could do. Whatever Peraxion had given her prevented her from escaping into the
safety of unconsciousness. Finally, one of the hounds decided it wanted more than casings and
turned its attention to some of the more delectable treats that were available. It plunged its
muzzle into the open cavity and got a taste of still warm liver. The other dog joined in, and it
got a taste of kidney. Soon, both animals were feasting on the still breathing delicatessen.
Fortunately for Ahmona, this humiliation was ending for her. The injuries the dogs were
inflicting on her were draining her of the blood she needed to live. Her mind was losing it's
focus. She could see her mother beckoning her. She could hear Ephiny's voice imploring her to
live well, for death could come at any time. She'd miss Kira. They had been like blood sisters
for the past two years. Kira was going to teach her how to fight on horseback, like Xena. She
always wanted to-- to--. She was almost gone. The touch of Merciful Death had an almost firm
grasp of her. But one last moment of clarity gave her the strength to look up. She didn't see
Peraxion, or his men. She didn't see the camp, or her fellow Amazons who had volunteered on
this mission. The only sight she saw was the face of her Queen. In front of her was the most
beautiful and brave of Amazons, to her. Gabrielle, bathed in light.
For a moment, there was silence. Even the dogs were quiet.
But only for a moment.
Peraxion turned to Reneé and whispered into her ear, "Remember that."
Remember that? This was an atrocity that she'd never forget.
Fallen Angels
49
Chapter 12 : Fallen Angels
Artemis bent her newly fashioned bow and attached the looped end of the tightly braided
bowstring she has made from supple, yet fibrous, plant materials. She drew back on the arrowless bow to test it's draw. Though no living mortal man, save perhaps for Odysseus, could ever
hope to use the weapon to its full potential, the exiled goddess found the draw to be less than
she was accustomed to. Still, it would have to do. With this tool she could hunt and defend.
None were as accurate as she, nor as swift.
Since falling to earth, this had been her primary task. Though Zeus had decreed that she
would not lose her immortality, that did not mean that she could not be hurt. A god in mortal
form could be injured -- not easily, but it was known to happen. It had taken longer to form the
archer's tool than she had anticipated. The local materials were substandard, and her design
would stretch the resources of the best stocked armorer. Still, since she had long hunted animals
that had their own deific qualities, she was accustomed to having to improvise when situations
were less than perfect.
The fallen goddess nocked an arrow. She drew back on the string with little effort and
released. The fletched shaft impaled itself into a tree as wide across as most men were tall. The
difference in skill between men and gods was immediately evident. The arrow had traveled
through the tough body of the tree. It's journey wasn't complete -- the arrow's point, shaft, and
feathers made it through, but not the last fingernail's thickness where the notch was. It made the
arrow appear suspended from the tree's bark...until a new hand snatched it off. "No doubt that
tree will never cross you again."
"Xena. It took you long enough."
"I could have used a bow like that in my battle with the Centaurs. May I?"
Xena held out her hand. Out of courtesy, Artemis handed her the bow and a new arrow.
Xena nocked the arrow and drew the string. At least, she tried to draw the string. Even with her
great strength, the bow didn't wish to yield. Undaunted, the warrior tried again. With great
concentration and purpose, she pulled the string to over half its draw. Unfortunately, the great
tension fought back, causing her arms to shake mightily. The raven-haired soldier had met her
match, and she knew it. She relented. She handed the bow and arrow back to the Huntress
without having taken a shot.
After a brief moment for the echo of failure to subside, Xena began, "You sounded like you
were expecting me."
"Of course. Our paths are inextricably bond for now."
Xena gave the goddess a withering stare. Because of her, Gabrielle was gone. "No," was
all she said as she turned on her heel and walked away.
"Xena, you have to take me with you."
Xena continued walking. Artemis continued, "You will never get Gabrielle back unless
you do."
That stopped the leather-clad storm. She turned and waited for an explanation. Artemis
recounted what had happened in Olympus. Xena was not happy about this turn of events. But
what else was new. Ever since Artemis had taken a special interest in being the protector of her
friend, nothing ever seemed to go smoothly. "Fine," she said, and once again started back on
her way to the Amazons -- this time joined by the earth-bound deity.
Because of the detour to investigate the bright glow that turned out to be Artemis, Xena's
route back to the Amazon camp was not the same one she took on her way to meet with the
oracle. The path was not as well worn, but unlike the actress she had been saddled with,
Artemis was more than fit enough to keep up with Xena's grueling pace. Such was the blanket
of Xena's antipathy for the Olympians that neither woman spoke for as long as they were on the
trail. Shorty before dark, Xena announced, "We'll camp here."
In truth, Xena would have preferred to press on, but with Peraxion's whereabouts a mystery,
she didn't want to stumble into a situation because her haste caused her to be careless. She also
would have like to have kept moving because it helped to enforce the silence. However, now
that they were settling in, there was little to prevent a conversation. She could feel the
inevitability of it like the never ceasing tides. Still, there was silence. There was a different
distraction instead. Xena's nose reveled in the sweetest and most enticing aroma it had ever
been exposed to. It totally pushed aside every other competing smell. Not even the horse could
overwhelm it. "I'd offer you some, but somehow I don't think immortality and you would mix,"
Artemis said.
Xena turned and discovered the source of the alluring odor. Ambrosia. Once they had
stopped, Artemis began dining on the food of the Gods. She quickly downed it with a goldengoblet filled with nectar -- not the sweet water from flowers, but the drink of the Gods. When
she was through with the draught, the goblet faded from earthly view. Artemis noticed, finally,
that Xena was glaring at her. "What?"
"Must you?" Xena complained. "The smell of that stuff is distracting."
"I still have to eat."
"Do you, really? Next time, give me a little warning."
"Fair enough."
Xena hoped that brief flurry was going to be the extent of their conversation. Minutes
passed as she spread her bedroll out. While not feeling particularly tired, she generally went to
sleep not long after the sun set. Sometimes she would stay up and listen as Gabrielle told her a
new story. Sometimes it was only part of a story, but it was always something to look forward
to. While she loved the remarkable gift of her friend, she felt self-conscious by it. Gabrielle
rarely wrote about anything other than her adventures with the Warrior Hero. While her own
appellations were very prominent throughout all of these stories, Xena couldn't recall that
Gabrielle had ever included the Bard's own name in any of the tales. Gabrielle generally
referred to herself as "The Poteidaian" in these stories, when she referred to herself at all.
Still, the Hero in Gabrielle's stories was not very recognizable to Xena. Xena did what she
had to do. Sometimes she made terrible mistakes, as with her ten-year rampage as the Destroyer
of Nations -- for which she'd spend a lifetime trying to atone. Sometimes she'd achieve nearly
super human feats of athleticism and skill in order to fulfill a promise, for Xena had vowed in
her teen years that she would break the sacred trust of a promise only by forfeiting her own life;
and despite all of the hardships that she had faced, she loved her life. Almost as much as she
loved Gabrielle's.
She still didn't understand way Gabrielle insisted on writing all of her stories down. As well
as she knew, no other storyteller did such a thing. They simply remembered their stories, and
taught them to the younger bards, who in turn would teach them to the bards which followed. It
had always been like that. Gabrielle said that she didn't want anyone getting it wrong. That
unlike Perseus, and Bellerophon, and Heracles before, Xena wouldn't be remembered by tales
that got changed with every retelling. Instead there would be a record for all time to see what
Xena did, what a difference she made, and how great a hero she was. Xena could only accept it.
There would be no changing Gabrielle's mind on this matter. The expense of the writing
supplies sometimes was a cause of great stress and mild hardship, but it made her friend very
happy. So what if Xena knew that she wasn't a hero?
"You're thinking about her," Artemis said softly, thought to Xena it sounded like a
thunderclap.
Shut up. Shut up. Shut up. Xena didn't want anyone interfering with her memories of her
best friend. They were private. They were hers.
Fallen Angels
51
"You aren't the only one who loves her," Artemis continued.
Xena faced the goddess. Anger, resentment, and tenuous control of a murderous fury
masked the natural beauty of the scared and battle-hardened face. Xena slowly brought the
point of her sword to Artemis' throat. With a measured tone she said, "Go to sleep."
Irus tossed and turned. The images of the two eviscerated Amazons haunted his dreams.
For the third time, he woke suddenly. As before, the memory of the days events replayed in his
head. He'd seen people die before, but not like the Amazons. It took so long for them to die,
and Peraxion rejoiced in his skill at making the women stay awake as their lives slowly ebbed
from them. But the women were brave. The boy had seen men so afraid of the journey to
Hades that they lost all control. Even the bravest betrayed a glimmer of fear once they realized
that Atropos had cut their thread of life. But the women never gave in to Peraxion. They only
looked with resolve at that other Amazon they'd captured, the one who told the story.
For the first time in his young life, Irus was confronted by his conscience. It told him to
free the Amazon queen; that what Peraxion was doing to her was wrong. But Peraxion had
taken the orphaned boy in several years before. He gave him food and protection, and was
teaching him how to fight. But the story about Tolon touched Irus' heart. He wanted to be a
hero. The story told him that being a hero was in the acting, not in the doing -- even if it meant
that you would die. If he did this thing, Peraxion would see to it that he would die at least as
horribly as the Amazons had. The warlord didn't take betrayal kindly.
Reneé felt awful. She had been staked with her hands tied above her head for nearly twelve
hours. Though now sitting, with her hands tied had waist-level, she couldn't rest. The numb
tingling in her arms wouldn't go away. Most of her muscles were so fatigued that they often
quivered spastically. In front of her a young woman had been eaten alive. Not long after,
another met the same fate. When morning came, the last Amazon, and probably Joxer, would
be dealt with in a similar fashion.
She wanted to go home. She wanted to be safe again. She didn't want anyone else to die
because of her. When she closed her eyes, she could still see the atrocities of the day now past.
In addition, she would hear that voice. The one that told her to be Gabrielle. That made the
actor's fear grow even more intense. She didn't know how to act like Gabrielle. What would
Gabrielle do now except wait for Xena? A noise from the bushes roused her and made her more
focused. She couldn't tell in the faint light, but it looked like a boy. "Lady," Irus whispered, "I
can free you."
Two thoughts ran immediately through Reneé's mind. First, she feared what would happen
to the boy if he got caught. On the other hand, it wasn't looking very good for her, either. The
time had come to take a chance -- and maybe she could do some good. "Irus?"
The junior soldier quietly walked to Reneé. "I have a knife. I'll cut you free and you can
go."
"You have to free the other Amazon first."
"No. The guard will be back soon. There isn't enough time."
"Then hurry. I can't even stand. I need her help to get away. Please."
Irus didn't like this. Being a hero was even harder than it was in the stories. Still, he had to
help. First he cut her ropes. Then with complete disregard for stealth, he ran to Arisippe, the
last Amazon. As he cut her ropes, she spied the child with suspicion. He said, "I need you to
help her."
Arisippe did not trust Irus, even when he gave her a knife, but first things first. This was
the first opportunity to escape, and she wasn't going to let it slip from her grasp. With the kind
of practiced stealth that Irus was unable to demonstrate just moments earlier, the freed Amazon
wended her way to Reneé. Even in the dim light that filtered through the camp from the small
campfires, she could see that Reneé was in no condition to make escape easy. "Queen
Gabrielle, I--"
"Let's get out of here," Reneé interrupted.
With a nod, Arisippe helped Reneé to her feet and supported most of her weight as she
essentially dragged the woman she believed to be her Queen into the safety of the woods. Irus
lingered behind, not sure if he should stay or good. That decision was made for him as the man
responsible for guarding Reneé returned and discovered the prisoner missing, and Irus lingering
about. Before the boy noticed his situation, the guard grabbed him by the scruff of the neck and
lifted him off the ground. Irus panicked and dropped his knife. The guard shouted, "Escape!"
Hearing the alarm only spurred Arisippe and Reneé to try and move more quickly. Reneé's
arms were still mostly useless. Her legs were in much better condition, and the influx of
adrenaline was helping them and her make headway. "Do you know where you are going?"
"Yes."
"Good," Reneé thought to herself, "at least one of us knows what's going on."
Peraxion immediately dispatched several torch-bearing search parties to look for his now
missing prizes. Irus was brought before him and forced to kneel. "Didn't I treat you well?"
Irus could do little else than try to keep from crying.
"I brought you in. Fed you. Clothed you. Taught you. In return, you chose to betray me."
Peraxion paused for many long moments, for effect. "You saw what I did to those Amazon
whores. They didn't betray me. They didn't take my trust and throw it away. No. I just don't
like them. What you've done is so much worse, I don't even have the words. So, imagine-- just
imagine..."
Irus found himself unable to move. His mind paralyzed him. He didn't feel fear. He
couldn't imagine the plans Peraxion held for him. Seeing the disappointed malevolence in
Peraxion's face created such an emotional confusion for the warrior tag-along that his mind
refused to accept it. Catatonia became the most appealing solution for the moment.
This was an unexpected situation for the warlord. He thought that there would at least be
fear. Still, the catatonic boy was useful. He could hear murmurs about how, with only a few
words, he had removed the boy's soul, leaving him an empty shell. This must mean that
Peraxion must have a powerful ally among the gods. The warlord knew enough to not lose hold
of this advantage. He would say nothing -- letting the small minds of his men take this
psychological episode and make it grow to a point where Peraxion would be like a god to them.
He addressed his aide de camp, "Tie him up with the other one. Now that the morning has
arrived, take another brace of men into the woods. If they find the queen-- I want her back
without serious injury."
"And the other?"
"Same as with all Amazons. Do with her as you will."
The aide grabbed Irus and dragged him to the hut where Joxer had been imprisoned.
Peraxion felt uneasy. He'd half-expected an escape or a rescue attempt. After the
Amazon's story, that Irus had a hand in it was not very surprising. But something was wrong.
He should have been moving, and instead had lingered here for a day. While the search was on,
it would likely be not until tomorrow before he could break camp. The Amazons had been
following him. Why hadn't they attacked? This wasn't how they operated. They should be
attacking.
Reneé couldn't get up. She had tripped over an exposed root of a rogue olive tree and had
fallen. The lack of food, the lack of rest, and the accumulated injuries of the past couple of days
took their toll. Even fueled with fear, her body refused to be pushed any farther. Arisippe, too,
was very tired from having to assist Reneé during their escape. Even this fit warrior needed to
Fallen Angels
53
rest before trying to carry on. Rest was not forth coming. Peraxion's first wave of soldiers
finally caught up to the fallen duo.
Arisippe wasn't in any condition to fend off the six armed vermin that were closing in. To
fight was certain death. Surrender was also certain death. So, in reality, there was little choice.
She had sworn to give her life to save her queen, and since her life was forfeit no matter what
she did, it was better to diminish the enemy's numbers so that her leader might have a small
chance of escape. Armed only with the knife given to her by Irus, she braced herself. She was
caught off-guard when each of Peraxion's goons hesitated -- their faces filled with surprise.
Arisippe was startled when spears suddenly appeared in chests of each of her would-be
opponents before they collapsed on their journey to Tartarus. The warrior turned to see a dozen
of her Amazon sisters ready to loose another flight of javelins. "It took you long enough."
"Only as long as necessary," one of the warriors replied.
"Queen Gabrielle," Arisippe said to Reneé, "are you alright?"
"I think so," Reneé answered, "at least I'm in one piece."
"Thank the Gods for that."
Two of the Amazons helped Reneé back to her feet. Another helped support Arisippe -who wasn't as unscathed by her experience in Peraxion's camp as she would prefer to believe.
"We must get Gabrielle to safety," she said.
"Wait," Reneé interrupted. "What about Joxer and Irus?"
"Don't worry," one of the Amazons supporting Reneé said, "Ephiny will have launched the
attack that will destroy Peraxion and free his prisoners."
Reneé allowed herself to believe that, but even though this was real, her mind said that this
was the point where the plans, no matter how carefully drawn up, would go awry.
Ephiny could have used a bit of Reneé's prescience. When the ring of Amazons descended
into Peraxion's camp, they were met with light resistance. The fighting wasn't difficult for the
well-seasoned warrior women. Ephiny couldn't have hoped for a better situation with so many
of Peraxion's men scouring the woods looking for his escapees. Victory was certain.
The plan fell apart when the whole of the Amazon war party was outflanked. Peraxion's
men reappeared from the woods and eliminated any hope of escape for the women. In a
fortunate stroke of foresight and paranoia, Peraxion had anticipated the attack. Eighty percent
of his search parties had been instructed to appear to be looking for the prisoners. Instead, they
were looking for hidden Amazons, and passing them by as if the women were invisible. Once
the women started their march to the camp, the men backtracked. While the Amazons were
great fighters, they were at a terrible disadvantage. They didn't know where the hidden weapon
caches were. They didn't have large numbers. Their equipment was light weight for travelling.
The fighting advantage that they had enjoyed at their village was now instead with the Peraxion
Horde.
Peraxion watched the ambush from a platform that had been set in the fork of a tree. While
it nagged at him that Irus had betrayed him and helped the queen escape, he was buoyed
knowing that soon the most annoying of the Amazon tribes he had yet encountered would soon
be slaughtered. Perhaps this would be a good day after all.
Ephiny fought alongside her warriors. Amazon leaders didn't cower away from the battle
like most of the male leaders did. It seemed that among the men only heroes had the courage of
an Amazon. Ephiny did not know if Reneé was safe. When her scouts reported that she had
slipped out of camp, Ephiny ordered an immediate attack. It was now early morning, and it
appeared to the regent that Peraxion might finally lose his army. She noticed immediately when
the tide turned. Scores of Peraxion's troops emerged from the woods. The was no avenue for
escape, and the women, skilled though they were, were in dire circumstances. They could
defeat all of Peraxion's army while fighting on just one front, but now the enemy was also
behind her. In her heart she feared that her passionate attack would lead to the death of her
tribe. And without Gabrielle, the real Gabrielle, to lead the Amazons, Ephiny's own death
would weaken the spine on which the Amazon nation was supported. Still, as they proved at
Troy, even when faced with certain defeat, Amazons will not surrender. Death was preferable
to subjugation. So, swinging her ax-like labrys like a fury, she lead her proud warriors into
what would be a bloodfest, no matter the outcome.
The warlord enjoyed his view. The Amazons fought well, but no woman could defeat...
Time stopped for the black-hearted leader. Just as surely as he had seen victory, he now saw
defeat. Emerging from the woods was the scar-faced beast known to most as the Destroyer of
Nations. Peraxion wasn't afraid to take her on in battle. He'd done it before. However, he had
always had the whole of his army to throw at her. If there was any woman he could respect, it
was her. She was the only person he had never defeated in battle. She was his equal as a
strategist. Beside her stood another woman armed with a type of bow he had never seen. Yet,
something about her was very familiar. "Sound retreat."
"But, we're winning," protested his aide.
"Sound it now," Peraxion spat back.
The Aide didn't hesitate and ran over to one of the signal drums. He started pounding out a
quick cadence.
The intensity of the fight immediately diminished as Peraxion's men sought only to make
their get away. The Amazons were stunned. Since most were experienced in war, they knew
that they were facing defeat. Instead, within minutes they found themselves without an
opponent.
Peraxion took one last look at Xena before disappearing into the woods with his men.
"This isn't over. I give this oath to war-hearted Ares. I will meet his former champion in battle
and defeat her. I will then raise the most magnificent temple any Olympian has ever seen in
tribute to the war god in thanks. Atropos, sharpen your shears, Xena's thread will soon be cut."
Ephiny had never been friends with Xena, but seeing her walk from the woods was one of
the happiest moments of her life. Her presence alone had saved her warriors. Though she still
felt that the best Amazon warriors could be an even match for Xena in a one-on-one fight, none
carried with them the aura Xena did. Fear was Xena's legacy. While it made life very difficult
for her closest living friend, Gabrielle, it had saved this day. Xena strode immediately to
Ephiny and said quietly yet accusingly, "Where's Reneé?"
"She escaped this morning into the woods. Our scouts probably took them back to our
camp."
"Where?"
Ephiny pointed and Xena immediately broke into a quick jog. Artemis followed close
behind.
To the Sea
55
Chapter 13 : To the Sea
Reneé sat in a tent of the bivouac the Amazons had established while Peraxion was camped.
Salves were put on her numerous serious rope-burns. She was given a medicinal tea that tasted
very foul, but soon lessened some of the tingling in her arms that would be a legacy to a
diminishing extent for weeks. The Amazons who tended her still treated her with an
uncomfortable amount of respect. None lingered too long, and few said more than a word of
greeting. It was clear they were happy she was back, but it was also clear than none of them
thought themselves to be the queen's equal. For someone raised in a country where there were
few courtesies shown to people in positions of authority, this deference was difficult to get used
to. Reneé almost ordered the Amazons to treat her more as an equal, but thought that it might
make Gabrielle's job harder when she returned. This was not her world, after all, and the less
damage she did, the better.
Despite the solitude forced on her by her position, and the little time she'd gotten to know
her protectors, the ersatz Queen was starting to feel a part of the family. Though these women
thought she was someone else, they treated her well -- some even gave their lives for her...
Tears started welling in the actor's eyes and her throat began to tighten up. Those girls had
given their lives in an attempt to save their queen. Guilt started to gnaw at Reneé's soul. If she
was more of a warrior, maybe those young women would still be alive. She was putting
everyone in danger. It was her fault. If only Gabrielle were here.
Though she simply strode into the small Amazon camp, Xena’s entrance felt more like an
explosion. The warrior found Reneé with ease, and was shocked at the actor's condition. She
glared at the nearest Amazon tending Reneé, "Will she live?"
Reneé was stunned. She thought Xena would show some concern. "Don’t worry, I’ll live,"
she said with a venom-tinged tone. "We get your--"
She trailed off when Artemis came into view. She thought that Xena would come, but she
didn't expect the Huntress. Xena greeted the god's arrival with an order to the attending
Amazons, "Leave us. When Ephiny returns tell her to join us."
The women didn't leave immediately. They turned their eyes to their queen. Xena didn't
have any authority here that Gabrielle didn't allow. They respected Xena, some even held her in
awe, but she wasn't a part of the Amazon nation. Reneé nodded her assent of Xena's commands.
Such was the depth of their training that the women disappeared without remark. When they
were alone, it was Artemis who broke the silence, "You were supposed to be protecting her,"
she chided Xena.
Xena ignored it as she would the buzzing of a mosquito. Her eyes were focused on Reneé.
She looked so much like Gabrielle. It killed Xena to see the face of the person she cared about
most in the world, the person she owed the most to, so wracked with pain. It brought back the
memory of the one time Gabrielle had been beaten as badly.
Xena had serendipitously saved Gabrielle and many villagers of Poteidaia from being taken
as slaves by a warlord. That is how Xena and Gabrielle met. Xena went back to her hometown
of Amphipolis. Gabrielle followed and ended up helping Xena save the Amphipolitans from
also being taken slaves.
As far as Xena was concerned, that was the end of it. Gabrielle had repaid the debt. Now
they would go their separate ways. Gabrielle didn't see it that way. In Xena she saw a path to
adventure. She also the first to see the Xena removed from the legends and the scars -- the Xena
that was trying to atone for the wrong path she had followed for so many years. Gabrielle
immediately bonded to the warrior, and nothing would keep her from being a part of her life.
Xena, on the other hand, wanted to be alone with the guilt of her sins. She shared a fire with
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Gabrielle the night they left Amphipolis, but it was only as much as she'd do for a stray dog. In
the morning, before the Poteidaian had awaken, the Warrior Princess had gone, expecting
Gabrielle to get back on the road to her home -- doubtless tell the tale for years about how she
helped save Xena's village.
Gabrielle woke with a jerk. Xena had left her. If she possessed the meek heart Xena
assumed, Gabrielle would have returned to the life of a farmer's wife that had been destined for
her since birth. The young adventurer took a different course. She followed Xena once, she
could do it again.
By nightfall, Gabrielle was hopelessly lost. She had never traveled more than a few leagues
from her home before. Now she was farther north than she ever imagined she'd be. Nothing
was familiar except the figures in the night sky. Unfortunately, the nights were colder. While
Xena left her with a wrap, it wasn't much comfort against the cold night air. A fire would have
helped, but Gabrielle wasn't very gifted at that art. Her mother had always started the fires at
home. Despite a fitful night filled with a fair amount of shivering, the fifteen-year-old survived
until morning. It was almost her last.
Xena never found out what had happened. She had decided to see if the tagalong was still
following her, and doubled back to the place they had camped. She found Gabrielle lying in the
brush. The girl's face was bruised with some small cuts, two fingers were broken as was a rib,
her clothes her torn, and her sandals her missing along with the rest of the belongings she had
carried with her. Xena's keen eyes immediately scanned the area. There were many sets of
footprints, maybe eight or nine. It appeared that Gabrielle had stumbled into the middle of
something. No matter. To Xena, this was a sign. For some reason, this young woman had been
thrown onto her path. The fearsome warrior swore an oath to herself that she would never again
leave Gabrielle to fend for herself without reason. She would teach her to protect herself. Little
did Xena know the impact this teenager would make in her life, how her presence would bring
back to Xena the feelings she had before she had started down the path of war and destruction.
Back to a time when Xena wasn't alone, when she had friends and family to teach her, to guide
her, and to love her.
The battered woman in front of her was so much like her friend. But this was a different
time. Because of Gabrielle, Xena wasn't alone. Because of Artemis, this had changed.
"Peraxion got away," she told Reneé. "We have to move now before he has a chance to
regroup."
"That makes sense, but I don't think I can go very far," Reneé said.
"Perhaps if we rest here for the night," Artemis offered.
"No. We have to go right away."
"What?!" the just-arrived Ephiny exclaimed. "She's in no condition to go anywhere."
"We'll carry her," Xena replied.
Ephiny paused and closely examined the woman who had been at Xena's side since the
battle. The woman had the mettle of an Amazon. "Have we met? Something about you is very
familiar."
"In a sense," the goddess replied.
"Who are you?"
"My name is not important, Ephiny. I'm here to help Xena finish her mission. Since we all
are striving to have Gabrielle returned, I suggest we bow to Xena's great expertise."
Ephiny wanted to bristle at the tone that made it seem as if she was being spoken to as if
she were a child having never seen battle. But there was something about this woman that made
her trust her. A memory, perhaps. It never occurred to her to think that she trusted this woman
because it was the protector of all of the Amazon nations. Artemis knew Ephiny well, and was
very proud. Under very difficult circumstances, she had molded herself into a strong leader, yet
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one who would stand by Artemis' chosen even though the new queen had not been born an
Amazon. "I think that you are taking an unwarranted risk, Xena. Re--Reneé should heal first.
What if there's trouble?"
"Don't worry. She will be well protected."
From of her strong Amazon training, Ephiny looked over to Reneé, seeking the Queen's
approval. While Reneé felt she could have stayed with the Amazons and been happy, she
wanted to go home. Artemis was right -- if there was any chance at all of success, they would
have to listen to Xena. That's was Gabrielle would do. "I think that we should follow Xena's
plan."
That sealed it. "Xena," Reneé continued, "would you mind if I had a few minutes with
Ephiny?"
"I need to tend to our preparations, anyway. Ephiny?"
Ephiny called over an Amazon and instructed her to supply Xena with anything she asked.
With that, Xena and Artemis walked off, leaving Ephiny and Reneé their solitude. "Eponin?"
Reneé asked?
A stab of mourning hit Ephiny, but she didn't allow it to take hold. "Dead."
"I'm sorry."
A respectful silence hung in the air while Reneé dealt with her own moment of sorrow. "I
didn't know her very long, but I thought that we were becoming friends. She was hard on me."
Reneé rubbed her head as she added with a smile, "Boy, was she hard on me."
Ephiny couldn't help but smile back in reply. Reneé continued, "But she made me feel like
I wasn't alone. Because of her, if it wasn't so important that I go with Xena, I think that I could
stay with you all here and be happy."
The hardened façade Ephiny had cultivated since childhood had a small crack in it. Like
Xena, she had some trouble separating her feelings for Gabrielle from this innocent actor. She
could feel her throat betraying some tightness when she said, "You would have made a fine
Amazon."
It surprised Ephiny that she meant it. Ephiny hadn't spent much time around Reneé, but
Eponin was impressed by her, and she didn't impress easily. Besides, Reneé had withstood the
torture of Peraxion. Though not born an Amazon, or trained to be a warrior, she held her own.
Deeds impressed Ephiny, and Reneé had far exceeded her expectations.
"What happens now?" Reneé asked.
"Once you are bathed and ready for travel, you will go off with Xena, and we will return to
our village and honor our dead."
"I wish there was something I could do."
"Be successful."
Ephiny stood and started to leave, but she stopped. "But if you aren't successful, come back
to us. You will always have a home with the Amazons."
Ephiny disappeared from view. Attendants arrived and tended to Reneé. She didn't flinch as
she was stripped of her soiled garments. Years of wardrobe and makeup people had helped to
inure the actor to the sometimes embarrassing position of being waited upon. She did have to
exert some self-control as she was being bathed. Fortunately her wounds her being tended to at
the same so she could focus on that instead. Once her body had been given a gossamer-light
coating of olive oil, she was dressed in a short chiton. Though of a length suitable only of a
man, it was attached in the feminine way with a leather cinch around her waist to secrete small
weapons and other necessary equipment. Sturdy sandals were strapped to her feet. With a staff,
she'd be ready. Obviously a woman not to be trifled with, but still inconspicuous enough in
male-ruled Attika that she wouldn't be inviting conflict.
While Reneé was being readied for their journey, Joxer arrived at the Amazon camp with
Irus in tow. Because of his time with Peraxion, Irus had heard many stories about the Amazons
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-- none of them good. He was not happy about being surrounded by them. "Joxer!" Xena
commanded.
Joxer immediately went to the warrior who was his mentor. "Joxer, I need you to secure a
ship for us at the harbor north of here for Attika or Boetia. If necessary, we will settle for
Thessaly. We will need passage for three, maybe four of us, plus my horse. You'll also need to
purchase extra supplies, especially hay. Here's some silver. We'll meet you at the dock in two
days."
"What about him?" Joxer asked, indicating the boy.
"Leave him to me," Xena said as she took old of the back of Irus' neck. "Now hurry, we
don't have time to lose."
"Just let me get a wine skin and some bread, and I'll be away."
"Over there," Xena said, nodding toward a supply tent.
Joxer quickly went to get his supplies and then immediately broke into the practiced jog for
which the Greeks were famous that allowed them to cover considerable distances by foot. It
didn't bother Joxer that Xena had not inquired as to his health. In fact, he didn't notice. Xena
could see that he was fit when he walked into camp, and she was not one to ask questions when
the answer was obvious.
Xena quickly washed the stench of the road off of her and rejoined Reneé, who was already
being guarded by Artemis. "Are you strong enough to ride?" Xena asked Reneé.
"I don't know. I think so."
"Good."
Xena whistled her horse over to her. With the help of the staff and Artemis, Reneé got to
her feet. Xena and Artemis lifted Reneé onto the horse's back where she sat unsteadily. Reneé
looked around at "her" Amazons. If everything went as planned, she'd never see them again.
Already she found herself missing them. In many ways, this was like a "wrap party" back
home, when the cast and crew of a movie or series get together one last time before going their
separate ways. Even though she knew these Amazons less well than she'd ever gotten to know
people she'd worked with on shows, this parting was much harder for her. These women risked
their lives for hers. Reneé liked to think that she'd do the same if it came to that. She'd certainly
been in danger with them.
Not being one to waste time, Xena took the horse by the reigns and started leading it out of
the camp. As they passed the supply tent, Reneé saw Irus, greedily eating all the food he could.
Reneé leaned in Xena's direction, "What's going to happen to him?"
"Maybe Ephiny will find a place for him in a man's village. If not, they'll probably sell
him."
Artemis instigated, "Another Peraxion is born."
This immediately sent a chill up Reneé's spine. "We've got to take him with us."
"No," Xena said.
"He helped save my life."
"No, he'll only get himself killed."
"So his only choices are slavery or death?"
"Xena--" Artemis interjected.
"Not you, too."
"You have to take him along."
"Really?"
"He deserves a chance. You can give it to him. Once we reach Attika, we can let him go. I
love my Amazons dearly, but sometimes... sometimes they don't look after male children as well
as they should. Their zealousness created Peraxion. There is no need to risk creating another
monster when we have the power to easily avoid it."
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"I'm not stopping, but you can go back to get him. I wash my hands of the matter. You two
are responsible for him, not me."
With that, Artemis jogged back toward the camp.
Though his belly was full, Irus thought that helping out maybe wasn't such a good thing.
He had been abandoned. He was alone in the midst of a cadre of women warriors who
obviously weren't happy about having him near. The stories Peraxion told him were true. This
kind of woman didn't care what happened to him. They'd make him a slave, or sell him. If he
was going to be free, now would be the time to escape. Maybe he could join up with Peraxion
again. After getting beaten for betraying his leader, things would be like they were before -except this time he would be a partner, and not a follower.
As with many plans, this one was halted before it began. The hunter with the heavenly face
stood in front of Irus, and then knelt down to talk to him eye-to-eye. "Irus, the lady you helped
has to take a long journey. She wanted me to ask you if you'd like to come with us instead of
staying with the Amazons?"
"Where are we going?"
"Attika, or somewhere close. In any event, we will be very far away from here. You
probably won't ever see this place again."
That sounded good. At least, he'd be away from the Amazons. And besides, Peraxion
wasn't so great. He'd go and see things he'd only heard about in stories. There was nothing
keeping him here. He didn't want to be a slave. "Alright. I'll go."
"Good. Come on. We have to catch up."
Irus joined in step with Artemis. He was happy to leave. Being a child, he couldn't resist
knocking over a weapon stand on his way out of camp. This wasn't the wisest of choices.
Pharimasippe, the only Amazon near the incident drew a bronze knife from her waist sheath and
slashed at Irus' hand, cutting a deep gash in the flesh between his right thumb and forefinger.
The wounding would have continued had the goddess not interceded. "That's enough. Your
point is made, Pharimasippe."
Her anger subsiding, the Amazon turned on her heel and began restoring order in her little
piece of Amazondom. It wasn't until after Artemis had gone that it occurred to her that the
stranger had called her by name.
It took almost an hour for Artemis and Irus to catch up to Xena and Reneé. Despite the
woods, they were covering a lot of ground quickly. The pace was quick for an adult, so Irus'
immature body was taxed to keep up. As a result, this unlikely band traveled quietly until dusk.
When they finally stopped for the night, everyone was ready for a meal. Irus was sent to fetch
some water. Xena pitched a tent and started a fire before disappearing into the woods. The
goddess of the hunt didn't disappoint. She walked into the woods and with stunning quickness
she reappeared with a dressed and skinned boar, which she placed on a spit over the fire. She
then walked back into the woods for a few moments so that her meal of nectar and ambrosia
wouldn't distract her comrades.
Reneé had immediately fallen into a deep sleep. Her body had been taxed, and now was as
good a time as any to rest and heal. No one dared to bother her even when the meat had roasted.
Xena finally returned around midnight. Though the fire was little more than dull orange
embers, Artemis' keen eyes saw the blood on Xena's hands. "Busy night?"
"I don't like uninvited guests."
A lot was implied in the way Xena said that, so Artemis didn't press the point. Xena took a
healthy slice from the haunch of the still warm pig before bedding down. Not needing sleep,
Artemis stood watch. Though she knew that none of her beloved forest creatures would intrude
on the travelers, she was less certain about the two-legged beasts that weren't her domain.
Hours passed. It was a little over an hour before dawn when she heard the sotto-voiced,
"Sister."
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Artemis followed the sound as it repeated, "Sister." Once out of sight and earshot of her
travel-mates, the source of the voice revealed itself. Apollo's being shimmered its presence,
though didn't go to the trouble of assuming human form. "Are you well?"
Artemis replied, "Yes. I have no fear that we will achieve what we must."
"As you know, I am prohibited by great Zeus from saying anything which might help you.
I will caution you with that which you already know: the ways of the gods are capricious, and
the ways of the mortal world are fraught with peril. Though you are protected from the wrath of
the gods by edict of the great Thunderer, these mortals with you are not."
"You are a caring brother, Apollo. My love for you has depths only known to a precious
few, even among the immortals. I thank you for reminding me of that which I could easily
forget in this time of ease. I know you must go to usher in the welcome face of dawn, but leave
knowing that I will see you soon in happier circumstances."
Without trying to say words for the feelings that words cannot truly express, Apollo faded
from sight. He didn't leave without a message, however. As Apollo shifted from one realm to
the next, he let Artemis' heart be touched with the pure emotions he felt for her. Artemis walked
back to camp very contented.
Dawn was not left to fend off the weight of night on her own; ever-punctual Apollo started
his chariot on its daily course at the appointed minute. As the sky lightened, the band of women
and one boy awoke. Reneé, ravenous from the previous day, greedily accepted the meat and
drink Artemis offered while Xena packed up the few items they had used for the makeshift
camp. Within minutes of the Sun cresting the horizon, they were once again on their way to the
docks. They had traveled for little more than an hour when Joxer popped into sight, running
toward them. "What are you doing here?" Xena asked disparagingly.
Joxer had to fight to regain his breath. Though a well-conditioned fighter, he had sprinted
most of the way. "There's just one ship ready to sail in the next two weeks." Joxer grabbed a
wine skin and took a healthy drink. "It will set sail just after noon. If you hurry, you might
make it. I paid the captain to reserve space for you, and I stocked food and hay. Here is the
balance of your money." Joxer handed Xena several coins. "The Captain will be expecting you
and the rest of his payment."
"We'll have to hurry," Xena remarked before turning to Reneé. "Are you strong enough to
ride?"
"I'm stronger. Yes, I can ride."
"Great. Here are the reigns. Artemis, help Irus on the horse."
"Artemis..." the stunned Joxer said with a bit of reverence.
Xena turned to Joxer, "How about you. Think you can make it back?"
"No. I pushed too hard to get to you."
"You could always--"
"No way," Joxer interrupted. "No sane person would ever get on one of those things. No
offense."
"No problem," Reneé replied.
"Fine. Meet up with us when you can," Xena said before clasping hands with her faithful
lieutenant.
Xena walked back to Artemis. "Ready?"
"Of course."
Xena turned to Reneé, "Follow us. If you find you have any trouble, shout."
With that, Xena and Artemis both broke into a fast run that would equal the five-minute
miles covered by world-class marathoners in Reneé's time. Reneé hesitated for a few moments.
Though she was accustomed to riding a horse, it was while in saddle. Controlling the large
animal was different when it was bareback. Fortunately the size of the equine meant that it only
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61
had to maintain a trot or pace to keep up with the two lead women. The ride was somewhat less
comfortable than she was used to, but it was better than the alternative.
After three hours of travelling, first through the woods, then on very crude paths, they
reached their destination. There wasn't much to see. The dock consisted of one pier at the edge
of the sea bank. There was no village to speak of. This place was nothing more than a
crossroads known only to a few, and which wasn't to be found on a map. At the dock was a
merchant ship. It was larger than a fighting vessel, but more stable. It was of course made of
wood and was seven times longer than its twenty-foot breadth. The prow of the boat was
simple, without a ram or a prow-post, just a small metal bas relief of Athena's aegis. There was
a large stern-post curving toward the prow which reminded Reneé of a goose's neck. Also at the
stern were two rudder oars. A large permanent mast rose from the deck, and it was adorned with
a square sail, which since they were at anchor, was still stowed.
Xena sought out the Captain, Calchaseus, and paid him the balance of the fee for transport.
With no more delay than was necessary to secure Xena's mare on the deck the ship's sail was
raised and the "Aegis" started it journey towards its home port of Athens
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Chapter 14 : The Odyssey Begins
A squall brewed shortly after the Aegis set sail. While they weren't uncommon and the
sailors weren't concerned, Artemis could feel Poseidon's hand in it. It was a warning of things
to come. This was how the brother of Zeus worked. Zeus wouldn't let him direct his anger at
divinely mortal Artemis, but he was allowed to target the humans on board the merchant vessel.
This small storm was a warning to Artemis to leave while she could. If she chose to stay, then
Zeus would not intervene -- at least not unless Poseidon obviously directed his destructive will
toward her.
The ship tossed in the turbulent sea as the winds whipped the air. The crew hurriedly
lashed any loose objects so that they would not be swept overboard. The sail was rigged so that
it would not tear in the strong wind. Artemis rarely went out to sea, and was impressed by the
skill these mortals brought to bear against even the small fraction of power a god could wield.
They did it without fear even though each man knew how easily their fortunes could turn.
Every member of the crew, save for the two youngest who had only sailed for less than a year
combined, had first-hand experience with the deadly power of the sea and it's temperamental
god.
It was the courage of humans against the unknown that struck the fallen goddess. Everyday
they continued forward. Reneé, especially, resonated that kind of courage. She was a lost lamb,
confronting adventures she could not have ever anticipated would ever happen to her. She
didn't even know that the Gods existed. Yet she persevered. It wasn't like with Gabrielle.
Gabrielle had gotten her early strength from Xena. No, Reneé was coping with an inner
strength. The kind of strength that had allowed her to battle through the nausea and the energysapping conditions caused by high altitude when she scaled Mt. Kilimanjaro just a few years
before, in Reneé's time.
Reneé wasn't thinking about her inner strength just then. She was still exhausted and in
pain. She sat toward the aft of the ship, surrounded by supplies -- trying to stay out of
everybody's way and to find some solitude. She was afraid to go to sleep, knowing the recent
events in Peraxion's camp would torment her. Even now, awake in the middle of the day, she
had to fight the urge to scream out in fear. It took a great deal of self control to stay calm. She
tried to think about home, about the happy and safe moments she'd had. But the thoughts didn't
come. They were like images from someone else's dream. All she could really focus on was
what had happened to her here.
The only moments of calm she felt were when she thought about Eponin. Already she was
blocking out the fact and the reason for the warrior's death. In her mind, Eponin was still alive,
and even with her. Hiding until the right time to stand beside her friend.
Irus was busy clearing the deck of items the small storm was knocking loose. Only women,
the very old, the very young, and the very rich and powerful were spared doing labor on a ship.
There was simply too much work to do. Irus fell into none of those categories. It never
occurred to him that it should be different. If you were able to do work, you worked.
Xena was fighting her own battle. Though she had captained her own ship for a brief time,
she never was able to conquer her own sea sickness. She never let it affect her doing the work
of two men while on board. She'd casually go to the rail, heave-to, and then return to work. It
was almost laughable how even the thought of being ship bound for more than a few hours
could pale the warrior's complexion.
Fortunately for this master of arms, she had serious plans to distract her. They had escaped
Peraxion and his vendetta, but just barely. She only knew from the oracle and Artemis where
her destination was -- but she didn't know what dangers might lay before her. She had never
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63
gone so far west. All of her campaigns had hugged the Aegean, and spilled over into Asia
Minor. While her experience taught her that warfare was generally the same no matter the
battlefield, this time the Gods were against her. She didn't think much of the Olympians. They
did things only to amuse themselves. They didn't care about the people-- the sheep-- who
wasted so many of their resources in worship. Though she personally knew five of the twelve in
the highest pantheon, she did not honor them. She was too busy trying to atone for her past to
worry about such inconsequential matters as the Gods.
As the squall continued, Artemis went over to Reneé to lend her comfort. "How are you?"
"I've been better."
"I know," the goddess replied, adding a motherly caress of Reneé's cheek. "I'm sorry about
that."
The touch went a long way to calming Reneé's soul. Even though in mortal form, the touch
of a God could be powerful medicine. Reneé looked up to the Huntress, "Are we going to
succeed?"
Artemis sat next to Reneé and rested her arm around her in comfort. "I can't answer that.
Not even Zeus knows what the outcome of this quest will be." Artemis placed her hand over
Reneé's heart. "In here beats the heart of a hero."
"No," Reneé demurred.
"You have strength, and courage, and loyalty, and a sense of purpose."
"I'm no hero," Reneé said, turning subtly away from the gentle embrace of the Maiden.
Artemis decided to let it rest. The brief storm was quieting. The sail was again set for
speed, and the large ship slowly gained speed. While the crew, with the help of Xena and Irus,
were making things shipshape, Artemis considered what might be the most helpful thing she
could do. A tiny smile betrayed her finding the answer. She issued a small request to her twin
and within moments found that it was answered.
Reneé was a little startled at the sight of a common dolphin jumping high alongside the
ship. A few minutes later there was another one. And another. "Dolphins!" she cried. Turning
to Artemis she asked, "Could you help me get a better look?"
"Of course."
Artemis helped Reneé up and guided her toward the bow where they could get a good view
of the mammals jumping and riding the bow wave. One of the sailors shouted, "Apollo
Delphinius has sent us guides. We shall now surely have a safe journey."
As a cheer issued forth from the men, Captain Calchaseus uttered a small quiet prayer of his
own, "Oh great Gods of Sea, Sky, and Land -- be angered not nor tempted by the idol boast of
this young sailor. He is inexperienced and does not yet know well that it is not wise to tempt the
Fates."
Reneé, of course, was not aware of the Captain's worries. She saw only the joy of wild
dolphins at play. Artemis said, "Have you heard the tale in your own time that dolphins were
once men that returned to the sea?"
"Huh? Yeah, that sounds kind of familiar."
"What would you say if I said that it's almost true?"
"It's true?!"
A couple of dolphins made great leaps and looked Artemis in the eye, as if to indicate that
she'd better get the story right. "Men have always lived near water. Have you noticed that?
That's because that is your origin."
"What? No."
"Yes."
"But I though--"
"Evolution? Yes, but there's more to it than that. While dinosaurs still walked the earth, we
noticed that there were no mammals in the sea. So, we decided that we'd encourage the tragorat,
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something like a miniature cow, to go back to the sea. After a few million years it learned to
live there. After a few tens of million years, it had adapted into something that you'd recognize
as being like a whale.
"There was a battle among the Gods for reasons that aren't important for this story. In our
passion, we loosed a terrible weapon that nearly destroyed all life on the planet. Yet some
survived. The land needed to be repopulated. The dinosaurs had a good run, but they weren't
exactly what we wanted, so we decided to give what you call "the mammals" a try. Because
they were the most advanced mammals to survive the great extinction, we took some of the
smaller species of that whale and made them terrestrial again by giving them back their legs and
making a few changes so they could survive on land again. We moved them to the most livable
place on the globe, what you'd call Africa, and let them thrive.
"Over the course of time that creature evolved into many, including tree-dwellers such as
moneys and the early apes. This is where it gets interesting. Evolution doesn't always progress
smoothly, like a ticking clock. Often it surges forward in great leaps of adaptation. That's one
of the most entertaining aspects about mortal life. An ancestor of the chimpanzee and humans
found itself at the ocean. It thrived. It somehow remembered that the sea was its home and
tried to adapt. Over many hundreds of thousands of years it spent as much time as it could in
the water. It's appearance started to change: it began to lose it's hair; it's form became more
streamlined; it's bones got thinner. They started joining the dolphins on hunts.
"But Poseidon and Apollo decided that dolphins didn't need any more competition, and that
this new species could still thrive and adapt to the land. So they commanded the dolphins to
chase them out from the sea. With much sadness, the beloved creatures of Poseidon and Apollo
complied, driving this new Man from the sea and back to compete with the primates on the land.
The dolphins have never forgotten about this sad moment in their history. They still sing songs
of it. That is why they are compassionate and friendly toward Man. They still haven't forgiven
themselves for driving your people from what the dolphins call 'bliss'."
Though enraptured by the story, Reneé's innate skepticism was still alive, "That's not how I
heard it."
"I know. Gods aren't eager to let their secrets out. We knew long ago that you would
become a very clever and inquisitive form of life -- so we altered some of the "fossil history" to
keep you from the truth. Nothing big, but certainly misleading."
"So," Reneé interjected, "dolphins hang around man because they feel guilty?"
"That and they genuinely like you. Always have."
"Hmmm."
Xena looked toward the bow and saw Reneé and the Goddess. The site only fueled her
resentment. She resented the intrusion into her life of these two – no, make that three now,
tagalongs. Her life was far from perfect, but at least she had someone she could finally trust and
confide in. Now that was gone because Artemis had interfered with the natural course of things.
She and Gabrielle had heard rumors that the Amazon nation Gabrielle ruled was being
systematically attacked by an army of raiders. While Xena felt that the Amazons could take
care of themselves, Gabrielle wanted to go and help if she could. Xena had misgivings. They
had been involved in several campaigns since Troy, and it was starting to tell on Gabrielle. The
Warrior Bard was obviously tiring of the incessant fighting. Though well-trained, she lacked
the mental toughness of her legendary, many said infamous, friend.
Xena never considered that aspect of Gabrielle to be a weakness. It gave her friend
compassion and an instinct to know what was the right thing to do. Xena could no longer
remember if she had ever had such a quality. The scars so evident on her body were nothing
compared to the scarring of her soul. Her reign as the Destroyer of Nations resulted in the death
of so much what had made her human. It was Gabrielle's trust in her in spite of this that
The Odyssey Begins
65
rekindled the few embers of humanity that still remained inside the dark warrior. While she
could accept Gabrielle's death as a warrior fighting for what she believed was right, she couldn't
accept that Gabrielle was trapped in some other time and could never get back unless Xena
bowed to the will of the fallen god. Artemis would one day regret this violation, Xena vowed to
herself.
Artemis suspected that there would be a day of reckoning with Xena for her actions to save
Gabrielle. Even when her full divinity was restored, she knew that Xena would still be a
formidable foe. But that was not what troubled her now. The dolphins suddenly disappeared.
Xena's horse nervously tapped on the deck with her hooves. On the horizon, the skies were
quickly darkening. Poseidon was going to let fly with his rage as the ship neared the dangerous
crossing of the Hellespont. Everyone on board could see the danger, but it was too late to seek a
safe harbor now that the wind was dying down.
Each of the sailors said a quiet prayer to the god each chose to worship as the winds stilled,
the skies grew dark, and the air quickly cooled so that all on board could feel the clammy touch
of death.
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Chapter 15 : The Unfortunate's Wind
For ten days every creature on board the Aegis struggled against a bitter and unrelenting
storm, hoping only to stay alive. The four passengers thought that they knew the reason for
their plight, but even the most divine of them was unaware of the real target of the furious winds
and turbulent sea.
At Troy, the King of Ithika had the audacity to compare the skill of mortals with the power
of the Gods. Poseidon, especially, took this as a personal insult and swore that Odysseus would
not return to Ithika from Troy. He set confusions, to thwart the hero. He enlisted the lust of
other immortals. He would even, as now, send gales and waves to batter the mortal king into a
state of proper respect. That the traitorous Artemis and her mortal desserts happened to be in
the same area at the same time was an overflowing cup of nectar to the sea god. Even Great
Zeus wouldn't intervene. At least, not while it was clear that Odysseus was the target. But
when the King's boat finally couldn't stand the strain any longer, and it's crew and captain were
thrown to the waves, even Poseidon had to relent – after a fashion.
The calming of the winds and the mellowing of the sea couldn't have come soon enough for
the cadre of women on the Aegis. Xena's unrelenting sea-sickness had reached such a state that
she couldn't remember ever feeling well. The danger of their situation had prevented her from
excusing herself from the more important duty of trying to keep the ship together. That it held
together was just short of miraculous. As a merchant vessel, it had not been designed to weather
a prolonged storm in the open sea. Its crew, though experienced, was not as equipped as they
thought to deal with the consequences of a God's full wrath. The boat held together, but only
just. Seven crew members -- half of the ship's compliment -- had been lost overboard, most in
the first day and the fourth day, when the storm was at its fiercest. Now in relatively calm
waters they began to take stock to see how they stood.
The hull had some minor leaks that wouldn't be a significant problem. Most of the stores of
food that had remained on board were still dry in their tightly staved wooden containers, though
several day's worth had to be thrown overboard as it had been soaked by the salt water of the
sea. Most of the amphorae had broken, leaving less than two days supply of water and wine
combined. Much of the cargo of the ship consisted of ore from several secret mines, and those
wares had survived the storm unscathed.
Calchaseus' biggest concern, once he was certain his ship wouldn't founder, was that he had
no idea where in the world he was. Literally. The storm had taken them off course and into the
open sea. He could no longer see any land at all.
To a 20th Century woman such as Reneé this wouldn't seem to be much of a problem.
However, in an age before the compass, sailors traveled out of sight of land at their own peril.
If you knew that travelling in one direction would lead to landfall (as in crossing the Aegean),
then the danger of the trip was lessened. But going off without a clear plan was foolhardy at
best.
Reneé was no better and no worse than could be expected after her experiences for the past
two weeks. Her external wounds from her imprisonment had healed, but the sea had quenched
some of her life's fires. Artemis could see that something needed to be done to help Reneé feel
as if she were contributing to her own success. When the goddess noticed Calchaseus scanning
the horizon, she soon realized that in some matters Reneé would be the most useful person
around. Artemis approached the now stringy-haired blonde, "Reneé?"
"Hmm?"
"How well do you know your geography?"
"I don't know. Better than most, I guess, since I've been able to travel. Why?"
The Unfortunate's Wind
67
The goddess nodded toward Calchaseus, "The captain is a brave an honorable sailor, but
he's never had to stray far from the established routes in the Aegean."
"He doesn't know where we are?"
"Worse, he doesn't know in what direction to sail to find land. To him, this is the middle of
a vast ocean."
"Please. This is the Mediterranean. If you sail in any direction you'll hit land."
"Yes. YOU know that."
With that, Artemis got up and walked to Xena's horse. Remarkably, the mare had managed
to stay on board throughout the storm that had threatened to swallow the ship.
Reneé knew that Artemis wanted her to tell the direction to sail. Trouble was she had the
same problem as the Captain -- she didn't know where they were either. If they were still in the
Aegean, then sailing west would get them to Greece. If they were south of the peninsula, then
they could sail for days before sighting land. With their lack of supplies, that wouldn't be a
smart move. Sailing northwest seemed to be a safe compromise. As long as they hadn't hugged
the coast of Asia Minor during the past week and a half, it seemed a good bet that they'd find
land before they ran out of fresh water. "Captain!" Reneé called, "may I have a moment?"
Calchaseus stared at this woman. She must be important as much as she was being
coddled, but that didn't mean he had time to listen to her complaints. The Gods were against
him, and he had to figure out a way to get to a safe harbor. That woman was on her feet now
and staring right at him. He didn't have time for this. "Make it quick."
Reneé hurried as well as she was able to the command deck. Curious, Xena
inconspicuously maneuvered herself onto the same deck -- ostensibly to secure a loose railing.
The actor reminded herself that she needed to act like Gabrielle. The image in her dream told
that she had to. When she reached the Captain, she grabbed his arm above the elbow and pulled
him aft so as to be out of earshot of his men. Calchaseus responded, "Touch me like that again
on my ship and you'll lose that arm."
Reneé was already into character. She deftly grabbed the Captain's genitals and held firm.
"Don't threaten me," she said with resolve before releasing her grip, but not before applying a
convincing squeeze. She wiped her palm on the slightly bent-over seafarer's tunic before
continuing. "Sail to the northwest. We'll be in sight of land before--" Before what? Before the
mast? Before the moon comes up? Damn, Reneé thought, I wish I was better at improvising.
"-- our supplies are gone."
"Really," came the sarcastic reply.
A steely glare was all the Captain received in reply before Reneé turned on her heel and
walked away. Out of the corner of her eye she saw a pole that was suitable for a staff. She
grabbed it, did a very flashy and quick theatrical kata with it, and then replaced it before going
down to the main deck. It served as a perfect Amazon punctuation mark without having to be
overtly threatening. A very Gabrielle-like thing to do, even Xena had to admit with an everyso-slight smile. Now that Reneé was gone, she walked up to the Captain. "I'd do what she says
-- even I don't cross her when she's that sure."
That should guarantee it, Xena thought. Calchaseus was very much a many of his time, and
not one to take orders from a woman. Reneé had managed to achieve the surety of Gabrielle,
and few could refuse that. If you added the weight of words from the most feared woman in the
known world, then even a demigod would have to give pause before dismissing it. Calchaseus
was just a merchant captain who was lost at sea. Northwest was as good a direction as any. He
turned to his helmsman and said, "Northwest."
"Yes, Captain."
Calchaseus shout out to the remainder of his crew, "We head northwest. Set the sail and
man the fore oars."
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The supply of water dwindled quickly as the Sun beat down on the shoulders of the
oarsmen. The exertion and heat served only to fuel thirst, especially of the most inexperienced
of the rowers: Reneé O'Connor. When Xena and Artemis each took their places to row, Reneé
felt she could do no less. The daily trek of Apollo's chariot had run its course and the
constellations were appearing when the shout came, "Land!"
All rowing immediately stopped. For a moment, the only motion was that of the waves
rolling the ship, the only sound that of the water lapping against the hull. Calchaseus wasted no
more time. He ran to the mast and hurriedly climbed it. But it was too late. The last glow of
sunset had faded, and the sliver of land that had indeed been seen could no longer be discerned
from the undulating horizon presented by the sea. "The darkness prevents me from seeing it."
All aboard slumped from the news. The experienced seamen knew that they wouldn't have
sailed on at night in any case -- but now even some of their hope had been stolen by the ever
punctual night.
When Calchaseus regained the deck, he was met by Xena, Reneé, and Artemis. "What
now?" Reneé asked.
"If we still had our anchor, I'd try to hold us here for the night; but that was lost in the
storm."
"We still have ballast," Xena countered. "Fill a crate with some of the ore, tie it to a spare
line, and toss it over. And jettison most of the rest of those rocks -- it makes rowing more
difficult, and they and nothing to our survival."
"No," Calchaseus said. "If I lose that ore, I'm a dead man."
Now it was Artemis to toss in some obvious wisdom, "With only one day's worth of water
left, you'll be dead soon enough anyway if we drift far off our current position, yes? Say that
because of the storm, you lost your cargo. It happens often enough."
The Captain knew that they were right, but one didn't trifle with Ari -- the would-be king
who had commissioned the ore run in the first place in order to ornament a grand temple to
Poseidon. Dumping the ore into the sea would surely get the sea-god's attention.
Xena grew tired of the Captain's slow deliberation with himself. Now was the time to act,
not to think. The warrior grabbed the back of the seafarer's neck and said, "Captain, let's talk."
Xena let the wincing commander out of easy earshot of everyone else on the ship and
introduced the point of a knife to a position just under the man's sternum. "I'm not going to let a
few rocks stand in the way of my mission. You know who I am, and you know that you don't
have enough crew remaining to stop me from taking your ship. Your choice. Ari might kill
you, but I certainly will."
To make certain he understood, Xena pressed the knife so that it started to slice the sailor's
skin. "Dump the ore!"
"Not all of it," Xena instructed the Captain, "we still need an anchor."
"First, fashion an anchor, and then dump the ore."
The tired rowers couldn't believe what they were hearing. They, too, knew the importance
of the mined stone. Their disadvantage was that two of the women they had taken on as
passengers were unimaginably effective furies when scorned. Artemis drew a sword from the
small remaining cache that was lashed to the starboard side. "Now!"
The goddess's theatrics did not have the desired effect. It served only to galvanize the
remaining resolve of the men. They were not slaves or chattel. They were the crew of
Calchaseus. Though he wasn't a great general such as those who had gone to Troy, he had
saved them on many occasions through his skill as a Captain. It was clear that these women
were intent on stealing the ship, and that was something this crew was not going to let happen.
Without so much as a murmur, the crew rose as a unit. The two closest to Artemis charged her
with great prejudice, and to good effect. The huntress was deft at stalking and at weapons, but
The Unfortunate's Wind
69
she was not the warrior that Athena was. In this mortal form, she could be overwhelmed if
taken by surprise.
Reneé had an advantage by virtue of her having been the farthest away from the crew. She
immediately ran up to the pilot deck to get the staff she had used earlier to impress the Captain.
Though she managed to find her way up to the deck without too much difficulty, the blackness
of the night thwarted her. Without the glow that 20th century cities gave off, and without the
light of the moon that had not yet risen, there was little in the way of light to allow her to easily
find a weapon. Of course, this also worked to her advantage since the crew was almost as blind.
Still being considered little more than a child, Irus was ignored by the crew. Not yet having
the years or the experience to summon courage when necessary, the boy stayed where he was,
unconsciously deciding that he'd simply wait to see who won the battle.
Though on the road to redemption, Xena never claimed to be an angel. With the first rush
of men toward Artemis, the Captain's liver was sliced in two while the blade of Xena's knife
found its way to his heart. She tossed the body overboard so that it would not get in her way
while she quelled the uprising. She had to admire the loyalty of these men. They didn't deserve
their fate. They stood by their captain. But that act of bravery sealed their fate for Xena was
also bound by loyalty to Gabrielle. She would not allow anything, not even the righteous
uprising of the merchant crew, to get in the way of her rescuing Gabrielle. Since sharks would
greedily feed in the bloody waters around the ship, Xena did the kindest thing she could -- she
killed the men cleanly and quickly.
Living by a different moral code, Artemis had no qualms about sacrificing mortals. While
her agenda was less passionate than Xena's, it was no less directed. Gabrielle needed to be
returned, and by extension, she needed to be returned to the pantheon. Mortal life was not for
her. So, while Xena dealt with the bulk of the crew on the main deck, Artemis went to protect
Reneé.
In something less than three minutes, the merchant ship's crew had been slain and most had
been thrown overboard. When the last body was in the water, the time for work began. First,
Artemis lit a fire in the main deck's cauldron so that there would be light to work by. Irus was
set to work cleaning the deck of the spilled blood. Reneé helped Xena construct an anchor
which was attached to the bow with the heaviest rope they could find, and it was tossed
overboard in the hope that they wouldn't drift out of sight of land.
Artemis joined Xena and Reneé as they emptied the cargo holds of the ore as quickly as
they could. This was no trivial task. There was almost eight hundred cubic meters of rock to
move. Each woman would have to move what amount to an average of fifteen two-meter-deep
graves in order to clear the hold. Fortune smiled on them that much of the rock had been
pulverized into baseball- and softball-sized pieces and smaller. That allowed them to simply
throw pieces overboard directly from the hold. It seemed easy, but after twenty minutes, Reneé
was exhausted. She hadn't even cleared half a grave's worth in that time. Xena and Artemis
made more headway, but even they tired after thirty minutes. The hold was still almost as full
as when they began. They sat on the rock pile for several minutes. Reneé started dozing off. "I
killed those men for nothing," Xena spat quietly.
Artemis was taken aback by that admission. Reneé wasn't certain she heard what she heard,
or if she'd dreamed it. Xena continued, "We can't empty this cargo without them. I made a
mistake."
In the past couple of years, Xena had grown used to talking to Gabrielle at the end of a
difficult day. She'd admit to her mistakes, and her friend would help guide her without being
judgmental -- usually. Much of Xena's strength came from her certainty that whatever action
she chose would be the correct action. She had come to learn that while her actions generally
held out the outcome she wanted for her goal, the consequences of her deeds occasionally left
something to be desired. She had grown less rash, and the wake of destruction that she left
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behind her had diminished in the time she'd known her warrior bard, but she was still capable of
making a grand mistake for the sake of a goal. Tonight was one of those times. Regret still
didn't find an easy perch in Xena's soul. She was more disappointed in herself for not thinking
through the problem and solution better. "Now we're in a worse situation than before," she
finished.
Reneé slowly sat up. "Maybe not," she said. "Our supplies will last longer, so we have a
better chance of finding land before they run out."
Even as the words her flowing from her lips, the actress couldn't believe that it was she who
was saying them. She was effectively sanctioning the deaths of all of those men. Had the
horrors she'd experienced since she arrived callused her soul so quickly? Is this what happened
to soldiers when they went off to war? Did their focused concern for their own survival, and the
survival of their squad, necessitate casual brutality in the convenient name of expediency?
Would she ever be able to become the woman she was before Artemis had abducted her?
"Reneé?" Artemis said quietly.
"I'm sorry. I didn't mean--" the nudge into reality allowed Reneé's eyes to well up, but she
couldn't let the tears flow. Her recent experiences HAD changed her. More than a little of her
soul died at Peraxion's hands.
"Get some sleep," Xena commanded. "We'll worry about this in the morning when we can
actually do something."
Without further comment, everyone, even the fallen immortal, found a place to be alone to
get some rest.
Losing Dead Weight
71
Chapter 16 : Losing Dead Weight
The Sun was warm and the air filled with the scent of a springtime's treasure of flowers.
Birds sang warnings as they battled for territory. Crickets chirped incessantly as the ate
concealed in the undulating waves of grass. A wide stream insinuated its rock rounding babble
as it emptied into a small lake. Smoothed boulders formed a crescent around part of the lake,
and had been instrumental in forming the lake, by blocking the stream's natural course.
Xena enjoyed the warmth she received lying on the lake's rock dam. The mountain waters
which fed the pool were still icy-cool. Following the invigorating bath with the relaxing
embrace of trapped heat and the radiance of the Sun made the warrior's skin taught and
sensitive to the pleasure of every movement of the not quite still wind.
"Keep your eyes closed," Gabrielle's voice crooned.
Hands coated with warmed olive oil glided down the vulnerable warrior's shoulders down
to her elbow, and traced their way back up again. The firm touch of hands which had done this
many times before was the only true delight the recipient allowed herself. She would even allow
the shiver of pleasure to surprise her as she appreciated the contrast of this moment of quiet
that followed a day of battle.
Horses ran with panic, snorting balls of steam in the cold morning air as two armies filled
the air with the sound of metal meeting metal and flesh. Screams of pain, of victory, and of lost
futures blanketed the frosty field in the tawny light of emerging dawn. Xena's arm ached from
wielding her sword not just for this battle, but for all of the battles before. Blood of the soldiers
she vanquished thickened on her skin, and on her leather. The familiar stickiness of it fueled
her body's memory of how to win. Gabrielle was fighting not far away. Her staff kept any
attacker at bay. Xena had taught her well, and that filled her with pride, and sadness.
Artemis and Ares appeared and grabbed each of Gabrielle's arms. Xena couldn't move. A
pool of blood formed around her feet, and thickened into a thick tar. Each of the gods pulled at
Gabrielle. A soldier charged in from the fray. His sword streaked the air with a bronze trail.
Ares now only held an arm without an owner as Artemis embraced what was left of Gabrielle
and quickly disappeared into the distance with the Amazon Queen who yelled, "XENA!!!"
"No!" Xena shouted as she sat up, her body glistening with sweat; nightmares were Xena's
constant companion.
It was still dark. The cauldron fire had died so there was no light save for that provided by
Selene, who assured the regularity of the Moon as Apollo did the Sun. While Xena was
thankful for the blanket of darkness which hid her emotion, she also cursed it for little work
could be done. Perhaps it was for the best. For weeks she had to constantly act without being
able to plan well. In these few hours before dawn she should would consider her options.
Everything depended on finding land. Their limited supply of water mandated that. If it
was in sight sometime this morning, then there would be no problem. But if it wasn't, she
would have to make a choice she'd rather not have to make. It was hard to find a good horse.
The warrior felt her way back to the main deck. She found her way to where her horse had
been tied, and mounted the mare. The warmth of the equine between her legs touched a chord
within Xena. She leaned forward and wrapped her arms around the horse's thick and muscled
neck. The continued darkness of night shielding her from prying eyes, Xena allowed herself
and the horse to become as one.
It was four years ago that Xena fought her last battle of pure destruction and greed. With so
many kings and generals missing due to their debt to Agamemnon, the greater part of the
Peloponnesos was little more than a treasure chest waiting for the lock to be broken. Or so she
thought. As Xena was preparing to lay siege to Troezen, the land ruled by Diomedes (mightiest
of the Greeks second only to Achilleus), her army instead was attacked.
The Troezens had been warned by Athena to prepare for an invasion days before Xena's
army had arrived. Diomedes was a favorite of Athena, and even as protector of cities, she cast
special attention to this hero's home being threatened from without. The bright-eyed goddess
gave the remaining men, as well as all of the women and children, the hearts of lions and the
skills of a warrior. They prepared traps which would spring on the enemy from behind their
lines. Weapons were cleaned, repaired, or forged as necessary. Nothing was left to chance.
Xena's army arrived late in the afternoon and set up camp within fearful site of the city. This
tactic had been used by Xena on many campaigns. The populace would experience ever
increasing fear causing them to capitulate without a battle, or to mount an ill-conceived defense.
The Troezens attacked when Selene had guided the quarter moon to its zenith. The army
that had conquered town after town was literally caught asleep. One out of five men died
without ever having awoke. Their bodies mortally savaged by quiet swarms of spears as they
lied out in the open. Another two out of five became casualties or prisoners within minutes of
the initial attack, so well conceived had been mighty Athena's plan. The Troezens attacked with
a ghostly quiet. The only sounds were the cries of pain and commands from Xena's company.
Xena's tent had been a favored target during the first volley of leaf-bladed javelins. Two
blades managed to score mementos, but their legacy would be gone inside of a week. She
grabbed her sword and her chakram and emerged from her tent barefooted and dressed only in
the chiton she wore to avoid distracting her men. She saw her prized coal-black stallion, laying
awkwardly against the post he had been tied to, slain by two spears. Then two of her men ran
past with five spear- and axe-wielding women in chase. They were followed by a girl carrying a
short curve-bladed sword. She barely wore ten years on her face. Her eyes were wide with fear
and excitement and determination. The girl hesitated at the sight of Xena -- long enough for one
of Xena's men to get the drop on her. Almost. Acting on pure instinct, Xena amputated the
soldier's arm at the elbow before his sword's fatal blow could reach the girl. The girl did
nothing as Xena reached out and gently took the sword from the child's hand. "Go home," Xena
said quietly, "you will have nothing more to fear from me."
In stunned silence, the little girl turned and started walking back to her village. Xena
watched her and thought, "I hope this is the end of it for you. I hope I saved you from the life
I've had."
While it would have been poetically dramatic for Xena to be shedding tears in recognition
that she'd become the evil that had driven her to a life of war, she had lost the ability to cry.
She'd seen too much. Done too much. In the blink of an eye, the Destroyer of Nations died
within her. The much scarred warrior threw her sword and chakram as far away from her as she
could and started walking. Before she'd gone more than twenty paces, she heard a flute-like
voice call, "Xena."
She turned and like the little girl before, was frozen where she stood. Before her was a
woman unlike any she had seen before. She had an inner glow that allowed her to be clearly
seen even at this dark hour. She was taller and more heavily muscled than even the warrior
princess, though the fabric of her chiton masked much of her form. Her face was breathtakingly
more beautiful than any the warrior had ever seen -- and she had know Helen of Sparta, the most
beautiful of women, before she had been abducted to Troyus. Dark auburn hair curled down to
below the vision's shoulders. Over her chiton she wore a breastplate that evoked the spirit of the
owl. In one hand she held a spear, and in the other she held Xena's chakram. But it was the
beauty's eyes that transfixed the warrior. They were wise and kind yet set with determination.
They seemed to have their own icy-blue fire from within. "You must take this with you," the
mysterious woman said, "for the gifts of the Gods are not to be abandoned without their
consent."
Losing Dead Weight
73
Xena reached out, and her deadly ring was placed in her hand. The woman continued,
"You will find that you have use for it still. Now go, you have much to do."
Absently, Xena turned and was going to do what the form had said. She turned to look
back, and the woman was gone. Xena was stunned. She stared at her chakram not knowing
what to think. Something extraordinary had happened. She wasn't sure what. She suspected,
but wasn't thinking clearly enough to be certain. As she quietly stood and stared at her weapon,
she realized that there was no other conclusion to be reached, she had just met the goddess
Athena, protector of cities, goddess of defensive warfare.
The Destroyer of Nations had never knowingly met a god. Though Ares had whispered in
her ear, she had never seen him. Now that her soul was no longer clouded by rage, she had the
clarity of vision to see bright-eyed Athena. The goddess had told her to go. She didn't say to
where, but Xena didn't concern herself with that. The Gods were often vague, and she had little
use for them at any rate. Even now. Still, having no other plan than what Athena had
suggested, the raven-haired ferocity walked away from the sight of the ambush, and her army's
only defeat.
Xena regretted not donning a pair of sandals before starting her journey. After a full day of
walking even her heavily callused feet bore cuts from the uncountable rocks embedded in the
tightly packed dirt road. After a brief rest, she continued on. Her once mighty stride gradually
becoming a soul-draining painful hobble as her feet continued to be abused. She would rarely
stop. Nor could she. Now was the initiation of her penance. She did not know why she
continued on. Something within her knew that her spirit needed to be tempered to withstand the
trials of her new life.
At the end of her fourth day, hungry and dehydrated, she collapsed by the side of the road.
She was soon beset by scavengers. First by a small pack of wolves. She used all of her
remaining strength to fight them with guile and her chakram until it finally rolled into a
depression out of her reach. She didn't need it because the wolves scattered in the presence of
even deadlier scavengers -- the kind that walked on two legs. In the dark, Xena was not
recognized by the new threat. At least, not immediately. "Who are you?" a male voice squeaky
with youth asked.
Xena's mind was hazy. It argued with itself whether or not to answer, with the result that
Xena stayed lying where she was in a quiet stupor. "Father," the voice yelled, "there's a woman
here! I think the wolves were after her."
Wolves. I fought off the wolves, Xena thought. I fought the wolves. The thought kept
echoing in her mind as she faded into an exhausted dream.
It was light outside when she woke. She lied naked under a warm blanket of fleece. She
was weak and her head spun from fatigue. Her muscled ached and her feet were sore from the
brutal pace she had placed on herself since that night in her camp. She forced herself to sit and
noticed that she didn't appear to be the worse for her battle with the wolves. As she pulled back
the blanket, she briefly reassessed until she realized that the dried blood on her leg was the
result of her monthly cycle and not from any injury.
A weathered woman in her forties approached the fallen warrior with a large covered tray.
Xena covered herself to her waist as the women got near. While nudity was not uncommon in
this time and this place, there were certain strictures of propriety when a women's body
reminded all of her special place in nature. "Greetings to our unexpected guest," the woman
said with a raised hand of welcome. "My name is Netaria. I have brought food and drink, as
well as some items I thought you would need."
Xena looked at the items on the now uncovered tray. There was bread, cheese, and olives
to eat, water and wine to drink, a bowl holding water and sponge to clean herself, a clean and
finely made chiton, and some batted wool with leather straps whose purpose was know to every
woman. "You may not want to offer me so much when you find out who I am."
"We know who you are, Xena," Netaria replied. "Even in description no other woman
looks like you. But the Gods insist that we treat well all guests and strangers to our homes.
This land is our home, and you are our guest."
Stunned hardly described Xena's feelings. After all the pain she had caused, this woman
was offering her the hand of hospitality. "Thank you," was the extent of Xena's text.
Though fueled by hunger, Xena ate her meal slowly. She had long been removed from the
thought that people would be generous toward her without feeling threatened. She cleaned
herself and put on the wool and tunic before getting to her swollen and nastily abraded feet.
Her hosts were shepherds who shared land with an olive grower. Together they shared the
bounty Demeter provided, and traded or sold the excess to get those necessities they didn't
already possess. Netaria followed the flock with her husband and three of her sons. Seeing that
Xena was up and about, she joined the faded terror. "You look much better," Netaria said.
"Thank you. I don't know how I'm going to repay you. I don't have any money," Xena
said.
"You are my guest. There is no need for repayment."
"You could turn me in to any number of kings and get a handsome reward."
"Yes, I suppose we could, but the Gods wouldn't be very pleased. If the Morae have
determined you to meet a city's justice, then that is your fate. I'll not be part of it. You've done
me no harm, Xena, and I reciprocate by doing none to you. So no more talk about repayment or
money, I find it offensive."
Xena was totally unprepared for such graciousness. Her soul wasn't ready for it. "Where
am I?"
"About a half-day's run from Argos, to the north."
"Argos..."
"Is there something troubling about Argos?"
"No. Only that I have a long way to travel to get home."
"Wild horses run through this valley. You should catch yourself on."
"No. That would waste even more time."
"Then at least let me give you a pair of sandals to start you on your journey. Your legs will
be little more than bloody stumps if you leave your feet bare on these mountain roads."
After an hour's worth of argument, Netaria's offer prevailed, as she knew it would. Xena
wouldn't wait for one of the boys to run for a fresh pair of footwear, so Netaria gave Xena the
pair she was wearing, although they were a bit small for the weightier feet of the Amazon that
wasn't. Netaria also gave Xena several days worth of cheese, bread, and water. It was a large
gift, but the flocks were moving on and Xena wasn't going to impose herself on the shepherd's
good will any longer than required.
The Sun was fast approaching the horizon before Xena set off on her own again. She
would skirt Argos, for she was well know there -- and that was not a good thing given her
current state. Instead she would head for one of her emergency caches. During her decade-long
reign as the most gifted disciple of Ares and his sister Eris, goddess of discord and strife, Xena
had learned to always have hidden stores of weapons and other materials so as to be able to resupply even in the midst of battle or siege. It didn't yet occur to the warrior that there was a
moral dilemma in her using the spoils of her past life to fuel the present. Fate, however, had
more foresight.
As Xena approached the mountain lair of a modest cache of weapons and armor, the sea
god intervened. Without warning, as was his usual manner, he ground shook mightily so that
Xena was knocked off her feet. The shaking continued until the opening to the cave collapsed
and was made impenetrable to all mortals now that Heracles had long since journeyed to
Olympus. Some debris had also landed on the raven warrior. A small boulder, weighing not
Losing Dead Weight
75
more than a girl in the first blush of womanhood, pressed against her lower back. The pressure
and injury sent searing pain down her legs that rendered them all but useless to her.
Though her situation seemed dire, mighty Poseidon was not without a plan. Once he
calmed the earth, he sent one of his beloved horses to join with the hero -- as a courtesy to
Athena, to whom he now owed one less promise.
Xena's heart rose when she saw the blonde mare walk up the pass. The horse was beautiful,
young, and healthy. Unfortunately, the mare was also unbridled, and Xena was in no condition
to coral the horse. She needn't have worried. The mare walked to Xena with purpose. With her
right foreleg, she rolled the boulder off of the injured hero. Xena was grateful, but in so much
pain that for nearly and hour she could do little more than assess how badly she was hurt. The
horse waited patiently.
Xena's heart sank as she realized that there was no way she would be able to mount the
horse -- assuming the horse was tame enough to ride. As if a special signal had been passed
from the woman to the mare, the horse approached Xena and laid down beside her. Astonished,
but not wanting to waste an opportunity, Xena used her arms to crawl onto the horse's back. It
took fifteen very long and painful minutes. Though Xena grabbed her mane, scratched her hide,
and was generally quite rough, the mare patiently waited for the invalid to mount her. Then, as
gently as a horse can, she regained her feet. Though the maneuver was torturous for the woman,
it was less so than the crawl up the horse's back had been. Once Xena was settled, the mare
slowly walked back down the path to a place where Xena could eat, rest, and heal. The journey
was uncomfortable, but Xena would have endured more. The horse had saved her life, and she
would never use, abuse, or keep the animal against her will.
From then until now, Xena and the mare had been a team. Not because Xena had broken
the horse, but because the horse chose to be with Xena. They had protected each other over the
years. If there hadn't been an earthquake when she was trying to avoid Argos, then... "Do you
think it's a coincidence that that actor calls you Argo?" Xena asked the horse quietly. "She may
be right. For what you have meant to me since you found me, you deserve to have a name
before..."
Xena looked into the mare's eyes. Xena's eyes blurred with moisture as she thought about
the deed she must do to save the actor, the goddess, a little boy, and hopefully her best friend.
"So, what do you think about the name, Argo?"
The horse snorted and nodded its head slightly as if it understood what its partner actually
said. In truth, the horse generally nodded its head when Xena spoke to it quietly for the result
was often a reward of affection and sometimes some treats. "Good. Argo it is," Xena said as
she wrapped her arms around the equine's thick and muscular neck.
After several minutes, Xena stepped back and unsheathed her sword. What she felt she
must do was killing her. But the horse... Argo... required so much more water than the rest of
this unlikely crew -- and they didn't have the water to spare. Argo would be suffering badly as
the heat of the day took hold. As a friend, Xena couldn't allow that. It was the law of survival:
when the good of the many outweighs the good of the one, then the good of the many must
prevail. Xena positioned herself so that a quick slice through the neck she'd just embraced
would provide a quick end of it. "I'm sorry," she said quietly.
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Chapter 17 : Slavers
"Xena, it's not time for that yet," emerged the heavenly voice from the hold.
Startled, Xena froze her tensed muscles. She paused for a moment in order for the wall of
warrior stoicism to be firmly placed before speaking. "Not time for what, Artemis?"
"I know our supply situation as well as you. When my brother breaks another dawn, we
may yet be in sight of land."
"It's not your decision."
"Nor is it yours. The horse will know."
Xena looked at the mare and patted her. She quietly said, "Endure this a little longer,"
before returning her sword to its wood and leather home.
In the hold, Reneé woke to newly stiff and sore muscles. The darkness enveloping her
induced a very profound disorientation. For a few moments, she thought she was back at the
Amazon camp. The fierce aching of her body filled her mind of what she had endured at the
end of Eponin's staff. Slowly at first and then more quickly, the memories rushed back.
Perhaps Artemis had done something to her in addition to making her understand ancient Greek.
She felt homesick. Not for her own time. Not for Texas or Los Angeles or New Zealand. She
longed to rejoin the Amazons. Her Amazons.
Reneé was tired. She was tired of fighting the elements, or the Gods, or whatever was
piling life-threatening obstacles across their path at every step. Xena, while apparently fiercely
loyal to Gabrielle, wasn't anything like Lucy. Except for her drive to rescue her friend, Xena
seemed little more than a sociopath. For Reneé it was almost like being in a B-movie about a
woman's prison, with Xena being the inmate with all the power and Reneé being the fresh
innocent who had to use her wits to not only survive, but to retain as much of her humanity as
possible.
Artemis was the key. Reneé knew that she couldn't stand up to Xena on her own. She
would need someone to stand up for her. Someone who could make Xena back down. The
fallen goddess would do nicely.
"God," Reneé thought, "this is a 'B' prison movie."
Still, Reneé was tired of jumping through hoops. The awe and respect for Xena that she'd
carried into this time had eroded over the past several weeks. In the actor's eyes, Xena wasn't
even really human anymore. All of the death and suffering she had caused had removed her
humanity. Even this crusade to make up for her past seemed to be more about not wanting to
die and allowing her to continue to fight in order to feel sort of alive.
Something had to change. On this ship it was becoming more and more apparent that when
Xena was out of her element of battle, she was not much better than anyone else. In fact, she
might even be a hindrance to the mission because she had too many blind spots and seemed to
be quicker to fight than to reason. That could get Reneé killed, and she'd already been close
enough to that prospect on more than once occasion already. Maybe that's why Gabrielle was so
important to her. Gabrielle filled in the blanks between battles. It was she who did the thinking.
Or maybe it was Joxer. He was so unlike the character portrayed on the show. Here he was
obviously brave, confident and competent. He could probably be intelligent as well.
While Reneé was sitting in the hold mulling all of this out, morning had the temerity to
break. The sky was glowing a neon-like vermilion. From the main deck came the crash of an
amphora breaking immediately followed by Xena's frightening, "You're dead!"
Reneé struggled up to the main deck only to be bowled over by a sprinting Xena, knocking
both down painfully. "Get out of my way," Xena spat as she got up and continued.
"Wait! What's going on? Xena!" Reneé shouted.
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77
Xena didn't slow until she reached the tiller. "You'd better hide!"
Reneé sought out Artemis who was standing amidships. "What's going on?"
"I suspect that our Xena is a little upset with Irus."
"Really? You think?"
"Beyond that, I don't know. We could do without this distraction now that there is light."
Xena's fury would be almost comical were it not for her obvious murderous intent. She was
jabbing her sword into all the hiding places a little boy might be able to squeeze into. "Xena!"
Reneé tried again. "Xena!!"
Finally, she succeeded in getting the warrior's attention. Not that the fire-filled eyes and
searing stare made for a comforting victory. "What's going on?" Reneé pressed again.
"He finished our supplies, and I'm going to kill him," Xena said before turning back to her
search.
At that moment, Irus darted out from behind a pile of ropes and sprinted toward the bow.
Quick reacting Xena grabbed her chakram and turned, expecting to deal a fatal blow to the
youth. From the years of direction on the show, Reneé instinctively interposed herself so that
Xena couldn't get a clean shot. It was very fortunate for Reneé that Xena had been blessed by
the Gods, and honed through years of fighting for her life, with reflexes quick enough to stay
her throw although it was not without a bloody cost to herself. To prevent the sailing of the
sharp disk, Xena was forced to grip it tightly and unsafely. As a result, she earned a gash across
her palm to join the crosshatch pattern of other mistakes with the formidable ring.
"You're going to kill this boy because he ate some food?" Reneé asked.
"I don't have to explain myself to you. Get out of the way."
As Xena moved towards the bow, Reneé planted herself firmly. "No."
"Fine," Xena said with some annoyance.
The gladiator strode to Gabrielle. She pause for a second and threw a crackling jab at
Reneé. For the first time, the entertainer reacted to the fist-tipped missile quickly and properly.
Xena's frequent and hard slapping had instilled a great desire to not get hit, so Reneé ducked.
Xena was caught off-guard by her target's motion, and stood off balance for longer than she ever
would in a battle. This gave Reneé an opening. Still operating more on instinct than thought,
she summoned all of her strength and landed the hardest punch she was capable of into Xena's
solar plexus.
She nearly broke her hand.
Xena's armor did nothing to deflect the blow, for Xena had stored her well-fitted leathers so
that they would not be harmed by the sea's environment. She instead wore what was essentially
a coarsely woven and extremely wrinkled linen pancho that was tied at the waist to make a
crude tunic. That was all that stood in the way of Reneé's fist and Xena's body. What the actor
hadn't counted on was how firm a body could be made when it was tested to its limit day-afterday and year-after-year. It was like hitting a bag of cement. While Xena could respect the
young woman's attempt, she didn't have time for it. She roughly pushed Reneé aside and
renewed her stalking of Irus.
"Xena, wait!" Artemis called.
Xena didn't stop. Artemis picked up a cut coil of rope and used it as a whip to flick Xena's
ear, drawing blood. Xena's rage grew as she turned to face the goddess. Artemis continued,
"You can kill the boy later. Look!" she pointed past Xena to the port-side horizon, "a sail."
It was difficult to see with the last of the morning haze yet to burn off the water, but the
large red sail of a merchant-sized ship was clearly visible at the joining of sky and sea. It was
getting closer.
Xena wasted no time. She secured her weapons and immediately set to hoisting the sail.
Not so much to speed the boat towards the other, but to serve as a signal that would bring the
other vessel near. Still, it wouldn't hurt to have enough momentum to evade the neighboring
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Chapter 17
ship should its crew prove to be practiced in piracy. Artemis lent a hand, and at her urging so
did Reneé. Only Irus refused to help. He was certain that given any chance at all, that dark
Amazon would kill him.
It took an agonizingly long time for the boat to get within hailing distance of one another.
Reneé thought she was the patient sort, but the speed of the twentieth century had corrupted her
sense of time and distance. To her it seemed that the two sailing vessels would meet in about
half an hour. So they would have, had they been travelling on one of the straight runways of
interstate that Texas was famous for. Instead, powered only by the modest wind and slowed by
the thickness of water, it took until the early afternoon before the ships had closed their distance.
The ships drew alongside each other before cables were exchanged and tied to prevent drifting.
The Rhodesion was a merchant vessel comparable to the Aegis though it was obviously less
well maintained. The salt-infused wood exhibited signs of dry rot. The cables were worn and
frayed throughout their length. Iron nails were severely rusted and many crewmembers formed
a fire-brigade line of bailers. As much damage as the Aegis had withstood during its battles
with Poseidon's storms, it was much more sea worthy. Then there was the stench. Fetid was too
kind a word for the odor that assaulted Reneé's nostrils. She thought she'd gotten used to the
natural smells in this time, but the fumes of death and despair emanating from the attached ship
were mind etching. The crew of the vessel didn't appear to be in much better shape. They
weren't unhealthy in a physical sense, but this band of reprobates looked like they would be
more at home being guards in a gulag. Peraxion's men were more civilized.
Xena had donned her armor before the ships had gotten within shouting distance. Armed
with sword and chakram, she presented a formidable sight. She and Reneé walked the
gangplank that had been set out. Artemis remained on the Aegis with her bow and arrows at the
ready should there be any trouble.
Nerios, the bilious boil of a man who captained the vessel, met his visitors. "I am Nerios.
Welcome aboard the Rhodesion."
Xena grasped the outstretched hand -- she'd touched much worse. "I'm Xena." Though no
sound was made, a palpable shudder echoed through the ship as everyone on board within
earshot stopped and let the wave of fear flow on by. Xena continued, "and this is Gabrielle."
A different wave of emotion rang through the ether. A female voice in the hold below the
two women visitors gasped, "Gabrielle!"
Nerios acted as if nothing had just happened. "Your reputation precedes you, mighty Xena.
We have no quarrel with you and extend our hospitality in the name of friendship. How may I
be of assistance to our welcome guests?"
"We've endure the wrath of the sea god for many weeks," Xena explained, "and we have
reached the end of our supplies."
"Say no more," Nerios interrupted, "we have much to spare."
"I thought as much. Slavers have to be well provisioned to protect their inventory."
"Slavers?" Reneé said a little louder than she'd intended.
"You are astute, Xena."
Xena wanted to know where they were. She was just as lost as Calchaseus had been. The
trick was in not letting this captain know she was lost. It would cede too much of her power to
admit it. "From where have you come?"
"Libya. We found an unexpected treasure that should fetch us quite a price," Nerios said
which a great deal of pride. Even the crew seemed full of themselves at their captain's coup.
"Let me show you."
Nerios lifted some boards that covered the cargo hold which, as on the Aegis, was basically
the boat's bilge. The source of the fetid vapor was immediately apparent. Death and suffering
emanated from this boat's lower regions. The captain motioned for both Xena and Reneé to
Slavers
79
enter the hold with a lamp to see his prize. Suspecting a trap, Xena said, "Gabrielle, why don't
you inspect the captain's bounty while I discuss with him a trade for supplies."
Reneé was not at all happy with this invitation. She'd smelled sewers and overflowing
septic tanks that were more inviting than the hold of this ship. However, she happened to be in
one of those situations that she didn't have the experience to really argue with Xena. With an oil
lamp, she descended the ladder that had been set for her.
With a splash, she found her feet submerged under several inches of some sort of liquid she
didn't want to know any more about. The light provided by the lamp, though glowing brighter
due to the methane that was perpetually trapped in this cave of pestilence, wasn't enough to see
a lot of detail. She did see about thirty people, most of them women, the rest children, either
huddled on top of dead bodies so that they were above the sewer-like effluent, or filling buckets
lowered from the top deck with the bilge water. "Gabrielle?" a woman's voice asked.
"What?" Reneé replied as if she hadn't heard, while turning in the direction of the voice.
A naked woman, dirty and weak, yet still tenuously holding on to her athletic build,
approached as far as her chains would allow. "Are you the queen Gabrielle who travels with the
Destroyer of Nations?"
Reneé popped a clutch for a moment. She wasn't expecting people to know who she, that is
Gabrielle, was. Xena, yes. Though she had started getting accustomed to people around the
world recognizing her as the television show grew in popularity, she had subconsciously
convinced herself that in this ancient time she would have a measure of anonymity. Apparently
Gabrielle was more famous than she'd suspected. "I am. And you are?"
The woman dropped to her knees with a splash. She said quietly, "Queen Gabrielle, please
help your sister Amazons escape this prison."
"Please get up," Reneé said in a matching sotto voce. "You are all Amazons?"
"Most us."
Like Xena above her, Reneé didn't want to let on that she was lacking in assumed
knowledge. It was worse for the performer because she didn't know what Gabrielle didn't know.
Though she didn't want to be less than honest, especially with an Amazon, now was definitely
the time for subterfuge. "This lamp isn't very helpful. I don't recognize what tribe you are
from."
"We are Libyan."
"Libyan?" said with enough surprise to act as a leading question.
"Most think our tribe dead since that butcher Heracles attacked when our greatgrandmothers were but children. Some survived. We aren't the fierce nation we once were, but
we are still Amazon. We were found out during the Lambstide, and were overwhelmed. Half
our warriors died in battle, but not until we killed five for every one we lost."
"But it wasn't enough," Reneé added with regret.
"Obviously not. Now we are to be the slaves of men."
A fire was growing inside of the actor-cum-queen. This incensed her on so many levels.
The one that mattered most to her now was that her Amazon sisters needed her help. The help
of their queen. Perhaps it was because of the torture. Perhaps it was because of this façade she
had to maintain. Whatever the reason, Reneé was starting to personalize being an Amazon. It
was more than simply owing the Amazons her life several times over. Something inside her
was connecting with these courageous women. It was real. "You will not be slaves."
"Gabrielle!" Xena called from above.
"Coming!" Reneé turned back toward the Amazon. "I'm on a very important mission.
Would you be willing to join me?"
"Without hesitation. To the gates of Hades itself, if necessary."
"Let's hope it doesn't come to that."
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Chapter 18
Chapter 18 : Liberty or Death
Reneé emerged from the hold with a fire in her soul. At last she had a purpose. "Xena,
may I speak with you for a moment?"
Xena was a little miffed at the interruption. Her talks with Nerios had been productive, but
she was still haggling for the best deal. So far, it was looking very attractive indeed. For
appearances sake, she attended Reneé. The two stood away from prying ears, as long as they
talked quietly. "What is it?"
"Xena, there are Amazons aboard."
"So? Spoils of war. They aren't our concern."
"I'm making it our concern."
"Really," Xena finished while adjusting her posture to look suitably intimidating.
This time, Reneé was not cowed by Xena's veiled threat. "Really."
"You don't have a say in this. We're getting our supplies, and then we are continuing with
our mission. Nothing is diverting us from that. End of discussion."
"Xena--"
Reneé wanted to continue, but Xena turned on her heel and walked back to Nerios. For a
moment, Reneé was at a loss. Then she looked back at the Aegis. There was Artemis with her
bow at the ready. Artemis, the patron goddess of the Amazons. With no more hesitation, the
queen-pretender quickly crossed back to her own ship and met with the goddess. "Artemis,
there are Amazons going to be sold as slaves on that ship."
Now it was the huntress' turn to have a fire ignited within her. She loved her Amazons. To
have them reduced to common servants was intolerable. They were her beloved warriors, and
as such deserved to be treated as such. Warriors were not sold as slaves. "I don't think so."
The bow-armed deity crossed over to the Rhodesion with a presence frightening to men. "I
wish to buy your cargo," she said when she reached Nerios.
The captain laughed. "I don't think so."
Not being one to bargain, Artemis drew her bow and aimed it's projectile at Nerios' heart.
"What was that?"
Xena was stunned by this sudden turn. This crew was nothing, and could easily be
overcome without less effort than it took to overwhelm Calchaseus' men. Then again, why
should she be surprised. Gods did as their whims dictated. They didn't care for the affairs of
mortals. At one moment they would be wish fulfillers, and the next they would smite you with
death, or something creatively worse. Still, as much as she didn't want the delay, even Xena
conceded that no one who wanted to be free would cross a god needlessly. Let her have her fun.
Nerios, though taken aback by this new negotiating tactic, had seen worse and was willing
to strike a deal. "What sort of deal do you have in mind?"
Artemis hadn't considered that. But no matter. "Our cargo for yours."
"What?" Xena could prevent herself from uttering.
"What's your cargo?"
"Ore from the secret mines of--"
"I've heard of that," Nerios interrupted with too much eagerness. "Deal."
Artemis lowered her bow. Nerios continued, "Your ship is better constructed than mine.
I'm afraid that the Rhodesion will founder."
"No matter. We are eager to get on our way," Artemis said. "We will simply have our
crews transfer to the other's ships."
Xena couldn't believe what she was hearing.
"Done and done," Nerios declared.
Chapter 18
81
It took almost an hour to get Argo onto the new ship. The new smells combined with the
danger of a horse crossing gangplanks in the open sea made more an interesting exercise for
Nerios' men. Once Argo was on board, the men quickly boarded the Aegis and set sail with
their unexpected spoils. Xena didn't bother to mention to anyone that none of food, water, or
wine had been transferred to the Aegis. Unless the crew made landfall quickly, it was a doomed
ship. She also failed to mention that Irus had remained aboard, to the mutual satisfaction of
both Xena and the boy. She'd mention it to Reneé if it came up, but not before.
Once the old crew had vacated, Reneé and Artemis quickly set to removing the barriers that
had been erected to separate the crew from the "cargo". The once-slaves now saw the sun for
the first time in at least a week for some, more than that for the rest. Overall, the Amazons and
others appeared to be in reasonable shape other than suffering the effects of being locked in a
toilet for a considerable time. They either hadn't been chained up for long, or Nerios had fed
them well. She suspected the former considering that it would be consistent for how this world
seemed to work. "Hail Queen Gabrielle!" shouted an Amazon.
For several raucous minutes, Reneé embarrassingly accepted the praise of the freed
prisoners. Xena fumed. There was something afoot here, but she wasn't certain what it could
be. "Please, we don't have time for this. Amazons, move to the bow so that we may talk. The
rest of you, start bailing out that awful sludge. My Amazons and I will join you after we've met.
Once this boat is underway, we'll have a feast!"
More cheers arose at the prospect of a meal in the near future. As the Amazons moved
forward, Reneé sidled up to Artemis. "Should I tell them who you are?"
The goddess thought for several moments before answering. "If I've correctly guessed what
you are planning, then it might be best if you don't. They might find out eventually, but that
won't be a problem."
"Ok. It's your call. Oh! Wait. What do I call you, then?"
"Call me... call me Phoebe, after my grandmother."
"Phoebe. I like it. Would you mind sort of making sure Xena doesn't wander over?"
"Of course."
"But don't make it look like--"
"I understand what you need. Go."
Reneé smiled and nodded her appreciation to the deity before moving to join the Amazons.
Now that everyone was together and the situation seemed peaceful, Reneé finally noticed
that though a few of the women wore badly soiled leather wrap-around skirts, everyone was
otherwise naked. Perhaps it was their total lack of self-consciousness about it. The American
had to pause a second to remind herself that nudity was common enough in this time that little
attention was paid. It was still a concept she wasn't fully embracing yet. She reminded herself
of the saying, "When in Rome, do as the Romans." Now all she had to do was act like an
Amazon queen again. It would be easier being that, so far as she knew, no one here had met the
real Gabrielle. Then again, it would be harder because she wouldn't have Ephiny or Eponin to
help her. Think of it as a challenge. "Be Gabrielle," she thought, "be Gabrielle."
"Which one of you is highest ranked?" Reneé asked regally.
"I am," replied the Amazon with whom Reneé had first met. "I am Cydice. I suppose that
you could call me the regent."
"Cydice," Reneé repeated. Cydice struck Reneé as being an aerobics instructor. She stood
about as tall as Reneé, was lean, her muscles were well cut, and her honey blonde hair strung
out greasily in the wind. She didn't possess great bulk, but her strength and fitness her
unmistakable. She wore tattoos on her upper arms and right cheek that were raised with
scarring. The designs bore a resemblance to Egyptian hieroglyphs, but not being a scholar in
this area, Reneé couldn't be sure. "I mentioned to you earlier that I was in the middle of a
quest."
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"And we all will join you in that quest, my Queen," Cydice said accompanied by the
affirmations of the rest of the Amazons.
"I was hoping you'd say that. Please understand that it's going to be very dangerous.
Perhaps even more dangerous than you suspect. The Gods are involved."
"Your wisdom and courage have reached us. Even though we are not of the same tribe, we
are all still Amazon and we would be honored to fight at your side. If you refuse us, we must
accept that, of course. But if we can be of any assistance, our swords are yours."
"Thank you. I won't mention it again," Reneé said while fighting the urge to shed a tear at
the valiant courage these women were offering her.
Reneé outlined the plan of delivering Artemis, though named as Phoebe, to Apollo's
sanctorum and then seeing Reneé safely to the Cairn of Chronos. The Amazons were stunned at
the importance of the quest. It was a feat that the murderous Heracles might have undertaken.
They were now even more honored to follow their queen than before. Cydice then chimed in,
"Queen Gabrielle--"
Reneé interrupted her, "Gabrielle is fine."
Cydice was taken aback. "It is too informal. My Queen," Cydice continued as Reneé
momentarily looked skyward with resignation, "permit me to introduce the Amazons who will
join you on your quest. This is Melodice."
Melodice offered both of her hands palms up, which Reneé grasped in friendship.
Melodice was barely five feet tall, but she had the countenance of a gymnast. She couldn't help
fidgeting. Her body was strong and thickly muscled for her size. She bore only one black tattoo
on her left bicep. It looked like a bird and was raised through scaring just as Cydice's were.
Reneé concluded that that must be part of their method of tattooing. "She is particularly skilled
in weapons. Next is Penthaneira, our fighting master" Cydice continued.
With her raven hair and tall well-worked build, she could be Xena's twin if Xena had thirty
pounds less muscle mass. Her body was less heavily scarred than the warrior princess, but the
similarity was striking. She wore more tattoos than any of the other Amazons. She bore two on
each of her upper arms, one on each of the backs of her hands, and small crescents on each of
her cheeks. In fact, looking around, Reneé could see that each of the Amazons carried at least a
crescent tattoo on one of their cheeks. "This is Stragera, she's a good and steady warrior."
Reneé noted that she didn't merit a superlative. That was kind of comforting in a way.
These weren't superwomen. They all weren't masters of their craft. Some were just Amazons
like Stragera. It was difficult to tell for certain under all of the grime, but Stragera looked as if
she might be the most empirically beautiful person on the ship, Artemis aside. She was a couple
of inches shorter than Reneé, but her shy smile couldn't help but make you want to protect her.
Perhaps that was her own special weapon. "Tamarice is the swiftest runner here."
As Reneé grasped Tamarice's hands, she said, "How fast are you?"
"I can out race a stag in the woods."
"Really?" Reneé said thinking is must be a boast. Deer were fast.
Cydice chimed in, "I can vouch for her. Our five fastest runners, Tamarice being the only
one here, can all out pace a deer in the woods. We are never lacking for meat."
"That's good to know," Reneé said as she examined the gangly and flowering young woman
who was not too long past her girlhood.
Cydice presented three women at once, "These three are our special gift from the Gods.
Three sisters born of the same womb, and identical in all ways. They are called Polymazonae.
This is One, this is Two, and this is Three."
"Doesn't that get confusing?" Reneé asked as she clasped their hands in turn.
"No. In battle we are called P-One, P-Two, and P-Three. Simple," said P-Two.
"They are the best scouts and trackers I've ever known," Cydice said.
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Reneé was trying to find some way to tell them apart before she noticed: P-One had a tattoo
on her left cheek, P-Two on her right, and P-Three had one on each. They were otherwise fairly
indistinguishable from the proverbial girls next door. The introductions would have continued
had it not been for the terrifying groan and pop coming from the mast. As the Amazons were
looking to see the cause, Xena yelled, "Cover!"
Everyone hit the deck as best they could to avoid the spar's crashing onto the deck. The
hull creaked with tired resilience from the unwelcome impact. The ship rolled with displaced
inertia. Then there was silence. No one on board made any sound. Only the lapping of the sea
broke the death-like calm. "Is anyone hurt?" Artemis called.
Seconds passed without an answer until Reneé offered, "I think we're all ok."
Xena was already scurrying up the mast to see what had caused the spar to fail. The
Amazons and the other hands hurried to where the mast had landed. One end of it had impacted
hard on the hull near one of the ribs. There was still several inches of dark bilge infesting the
interior so it was next to impossible to see if there was any major damage. The body of the spar
had crushed several feet of planking as well as a crate of lemons. Otherwise, not much damage
had been done topside.
"We're taking on water!" one of the men who had been bailing shouted.
Like drivers passing an accident, everyone on board converged to the area where the end of
the mast had impacted with the hull. Water was obviously pouring in from around a section of
planks that shaped the hull. Over a hundred liters of sea water rushed in every minute.
Something had to be done and quickly.
Xena waded into the area of the leak and blindly felt around to divine the cause of the leak.
Meanwhile, three fourths of the former prisoners were bailing furiously. All would have joined
in the effort, but there was a lack of equipment that could be used. Xena joined Reneé and
Cydice. "The mast forced apart about three planks. That caused the caulking to break free. We
need to replace it or this ship is going to sink."
"Do we have any?" Reneé asked.
"We can make some out of rope and pitch. That isn't the problem. The repair has to be
made on the outside of the hull. I don't swim well enough to do it."
If this wasn't a life-or-death situation, Reneé would have been more surprised that Xena
admitted to a skill she didn't have. However, this wasn't the time. "Cydice, how about the
Amazons?"
"Most of us are strong swimmers. The problem, as your friend has said, is fixing the hull
while it is at sea."
"Can you do it?" Reneé asked.
"I don't see that we have much choice. We must do it."
"Then let's do it. Pick your people. Xena, get the caulk ready."
Xena hesitated for a moment. It was almost as if Gabrielle had returned. When she had a
moment to think about it, Reneé surprised herself as well. It was just that because of the
Amazon presence, she was in character. The situation required her to act like a leader, and that's
what she did. Had she thought about it, she probably would have deferred to Xena. But there
wasn't time. The ship was in great danger and the Sun was quickly approaching the horizon. A
fact that was made very evident when Artemis started a fire in the cauldron to ensure that there
was continued light.
Dusk had struck before the materials were ready. Cydice had chosen Penthaneira, Stragera,
and a dark Amazon named Ura to do the repairs. The three Amazons jumped into the water and
grasped a rope that had been tossed over the side so that they could easily stay with the boat. A
bucket was withheld from bailing duty to serve as a container for the supplies the swimmers
needed. In it were meter-long lengths of rope fiber that had been saturated with oil and the
pitch-like residue gathered from the bottoms of oil lamps, chisel-shaped dowels and two mallets
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for forcing the fibers in between the planks. "Good luck," Reneé offered as Penthaneira made
the inaugural dive.
It was suffocatingly black under the water. For two agonizing minutes, the Amazon blindly
searched the hull trying to find the area that needed repair. Because of the suction caused by the
water entering the boat, she finally found the injured area. Unfortunately, it was too late for her
to accomplish any part of her task. Her lungs ached to breath. She had no choice but to surface
as quickly as she could.
Penthaneira took several long and welcome breaths after she broke the water's surface.
When she was finally able to talk she said, "It's almost impossible to find the leak. It's too
dark."
Xena slapped her hands on the railing in frustration. Penthaneira continued, "I have an idea
that might work. What if we tied rope around the hull where the leak is? Then we can follow
the rope around until we reach the leak and still have time to do some work before we have to
surface?"
"Here!" Artemis called as she threw a line over. With one end still in her hand she moved
to the rail that was directly abeam of the leak and tied the rope. With the other end, Stragera
dove and swam under the hull. When she surfaced on the other side, Cydice was their to receive
the toss of the other end of the line. She positioned herself even with the leak and tightened the
guide so that it would girdle the hull before securing it to the rail.
With the guide in place, the repairs finally got underway. The moon had risen and started
back down from its zenith before the repair was considered to be finished. The hull still leaked,
but a crew of four bailers could easily keep the flow in check. It was too difficult to effect a
better repair, and the swimmers had grown exhausted. Because of the continuing events of the
day, no one had gotten a chance to eat. Once the three Amazons were aboard, a small feast of
cheese, olives, and fish was prepared. The burst crate of lemons was used as a seasoning, and as
a welcome source of nutrients the Amazons were sorely missing since their capture. The
supplies being ample, no one's appetite was restrained. The wine was flavored with honey and
water, and all on board save for Xena and the Goddess let the spirits refresh their souls and
guide them for a short while to Morpheus' palace.
Dawn ushered herself in quietly as the satiated crew started to rise from the evenings
pleasures. They rose to a less than welcome news. A sail had been spotted. The Aegis was
returning. Xena announced that it was likely that they were returning to get the provisions that
they had forgotten the day before. It was also generally assumed, though not mentioned, that
Nerios had decided to reclaim his human treasure.
With the disparity of the shipshapeness of the two vessels, this wasn't a difficult conclusion
to reach. Though not a warship, the Aegis could easily disable the Rhodesion. The sail was
raised on the foremast in order to get the ship underway. The aft mast was repaired in a matter
of hours and its much larger sail was hoisted. By this time the Aegis had closed the distance
between the two ships considerably. By afternoon, even with the Rhodesion at full sail, the
Aegis would overtake her. Since there was nothing she could do about that, and since she hadn't
slept in quite some time, Xena gave the helm to Artemis. Artemis in turn gave the task of
sailing the vessel to Iolan, a quiet man who had been traded from slaver to slaver ever since his
ship had foundered off the coast of Egypt six months before. So, as Xena sleep, Iolan employed
all the sailing knowledge he had to maintain the space between the ships.
Xena awoke before sunset. She was surprised that while the Aegis had further closed the
distance, it had not yet overtaken the Rhodesion. She saw that Artemis and Reneé were off by
themselves as the Amazons and the rest of the passengers were doing what was necessary to
clean and organize the ship. "I see that we still have some distance between us," Xena
commented as she joined the brain trust.
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"Iolan has done a good job. He suspects that if we keep to this course throughout the night,
then we will have landfall sometime tomorrow," Artemis said.
"That will mean nothing if the Aegis catches us," Xena retorted.
"Agreed," replied Artemis.
Reneé said, "We've been talking about what we can do. All of them seem to involve...
well--"
"Killing?" Xena offered. "When your life is in danger, then you do what you have to to
stay alive. Especially if you can run away, as you suggested when we first met."
"What if we floated supplies out to them? That's all they want," Reneé offered.
"Maybe once. But now they want their slaves, too."
"You can't know that."
"Yes I can. They know they can take them. It's what I would do."
"Xena's right," Artemis said. "We've reached a point where we have to defend ourselves."
Xena grudgingly gave a subtle nod of thanks. She then noticed that the moon was starting
to rise. "I wish that we had a new moon."
"You have a plan in mind?" Artemis asked.
"Yes. When I was asleep, did anyone find a cache of bows?"
"No," Reneé said. "The only weapons on board are some damaged swords, a few knives,
and some spears."
"Then it's up to you, Artemis."
"To do what?"
"When night falls, we will try to sail close to the Aegis. How close do you need to be to
use your bow?"
Artemis stared at the warrior, trying to stay a jump ahead of what Xena was planning, to no
avail.
The attack came shortly after moonset. Under the blanket of darkness, for its caldron had
not been lit that night, the Rhodesion slowly changed its course to curve back around to be
broadside with the Aegis. The Aegis maintained the normal illumination of its cauldron. This
further hid the movements of the slave ship for it made the darkness even deeper for all aboard
the Aegis.
Nerios was caught off guard when he spotted some small points of light directly port. It
was unusual, and unusual was often a portent of disaster. He called out a warning to his crew,
but it was not before the attack was underway. Arrow after arrow flamed through the air until it
impacted on a sail, a mast, the deck, or the hull. Their barbed heads were wrapped in flaming
pitch-soaked rope holding small pouches of oil that broke after the arrows hit, spreading the
flames quickly. At first, the crew was able to easily deal with the onslaught, but soon the sail
and mast were so alight as to be unquenchable. In a matter of minutes, the sturdy ship had
become a fireboat.
On the Rhodesion, Artemis put down her bow. "What are you doing?" Xena asked.
"They are no longer a threat to us. We should be on our way," the bow-wielding huntress
replied.
"No. Finish them," Xena commanded.
Artemis turned to Reneé, "Gabrielle?"
"Ar-- Our Phoebe is correct. While we still have the advantage of darkness, it is best that
we continue on. Iolan, resume our course."
Xena could sense that the change in the actor she had first noticed a few days before was
becoming a problem. When they reached land, she would have to correct the situation. If she
didn't, the prospect of successfully getting her best friend back to her own time would be close
to nonexistent.
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Chapter 19 : Betrayal
Xena sat by the port tiller deep in thought. It was becoming evident that Gabrielle's
replacement was starting to take her part too much to heart. She was acting as if she really
believed she was the Amazon queen. Worse, she was starting to think that she had some sort of
equality with Xena, and that clearly was nowhere near accurate. The actor could fight well
enough to defeat a child, perhaps, but not anyone intent on doing her real harm. She didn't seem
to have any head for tactics or leadership. In fact, she didn't seem to have much of a head at all.
She was a sheep, and not a very bright one. The only thing it seemed this Reneé was good for
was being a victim and getting others killed. While this was something that could be useful
from time-to-time, it was a liability given the nature of their quest.
That Artemis was championing the thespian wasn't helping matters. The goddess should
know better since her own god-hood on the success of returning Gabrielle to this time. Instead
she was encouraging Reneé. Even now in the lessening of darkness that presaged the coming of
dawn she could see that Artemis was with Reneé, Cydice, and another Amazon near the bow of
the ship. They had been talking for some time.
Xena could forgive Cydice and the other warrior women. They had never met Gabrielle,
and this actor was using her friend's reputation to curry their allegiance. On the surface it
seemed that such allies would be helpful, but they could as easily be a problem. Ephiny had
brought home the point that Xena was allowed to command Amazons only at the pleasure of the
queen. Since Xena wasn't a member of the Amazon nation, though she had once entered into
the training in her youth, she wasn't officially recognized as a member in the chain of command
that ended with the Queen. With Ephiny's tribe, Xena's position with Gabrielle was understood,
and she was allowed some freedom. With these Libyans, Xena had no such luxury. She was
known by reputation, but it was the Amazon Queen who ruled. As a result, as long as these
women were around, Xena would have to filter all of her commands through Reneé. Once they
found land, she might have to send the Amazons back home. They hadn't been part of the plan.
The sky slowly lightened to usher in the new day. That day held great promise for
everyone on board as the scene across the bow was a horizon that bore the unmistakable
demarcation of land. It was difficult to know who was more relieved, but that honor had to go
to Xena, who had suffered with her unrelenting sea-sickness for weeks, often enduring frightful
situations that only made her malady worse. She didn't show it, but the sight of land almost
brought her to the point of thanking the Gods. Then again, it was the Gods who got her into this
situation in the first place. For that, she very subliminally cursed them in her mind instead.
Though expectant, the crew and passengers of the Rhodesion did not celebrate. Artemis
had something to do with that. As land appeared and grew closer, she reminded all on board,
"The Gods are happiest with mortals when they can give mortals an unexpected turn. It is to the
wise to practice restraint until victory-at-hand becomes actual victory."
Though only two people on board knew that it was a goddess who spoke those words, and
spoke them from experience, the truth of the statement reached everyone. The Gods were not to
be trifled with. Celebration would only attract their attention, and that attention caused more
misery in the lives of men and women than it caused joy.
Morning stretched on with land getting closer. The rocky shores, though not outwardly
hospitable, were more welcome than this battered and leaky vessel. For Xena, landfall couldn't
come soon enough. She gave control of her tiller to an Amazon so she could check on Argo.
She was having difficulty in her mind attaching a name to her horse, but not so much as she'd
imagined. It was important that the mare not get hurt should the boat bottom out on the rising
underwater shelf unexpectedly. She was halfway to the bow, where Argo was standing, when a
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familiar feeling of danger surged through her body. Before she could act on the impulse, a
sharp pain attached itself to the back of her head. The pain quickly disappeared as a velvety
black feeling enveloped the warrior's mind and vision. It was like she was outside of her body.
She had some sense that it was falling, but was rather disinterested about it. Then there was
nothing at all.
The searing wind of a forge blasted across Xena's cheek. She was still in darkness and a
great heaviness prevented her body from moving. The sound of water, no, waves entered her
mind. Her body didn't feel as if it had been hurt. Wait. Yes it did. The back of her head hurt.
Slowly she opened her eyes. At first, there was little difference, but she quickly comprehended
vision. It was blurry, but soon cleared. The hot blast of air was coming from Argo, who was
standing over her and pushing the fallen battler with her muzzle, her nostrils focusing the horse's
warmed breath onto Xena's face.
Xena sat up and looked around. Aside from Argo, she was alone on the rocky beach. Her
sword and her chakram, as well as some food and water bags, were at her side. There was no
one else around, and no sign of the boat. Even as her anger started to grow, she had to admit a
grudging admiration for Reneé. The girl had some courage. If she wasn't needed to rescue
Gabrielle, the actor would die slowly for it.
As if the quest so far hadn't been difficult enough, now she had to find Reneé. That was not
going to be easy if she wanted to meet up before Artemis reached Apollo's sanctuary. Based on
the sun's position, the warrior figured she must have been unconscious for about an hour; maybe
a little bit longer. If they had gone inland, they would have left Xena on the boat and let it drift
out to sea. Since the boat was no where to be found, that meant that the mutineers had dropped
her off and then went to some other destination. But which way?
Shouldering a mountain of uncertainty, Reneé brooded. It was one thing to remove the
yoke of Xena's cock-sureness. It was another to assume the leadership of the mission with
women she didn't know, travelling across land and sea she had never visited, and even if she had
it would have been a couple of thousand years too late to help her now. She was making
calculated and somewhat violent decisions based more on what Xena or Gabrielle would do, or
rather what their fiction representations would do -- sort of , instead of what Reneé would do.
What she would do.
This wasn't her life. It didn't even feel like her life anymore. Something had happened to
her as a result of Peraxion's treatment of her, and she wasn’t sure what. Somehow everything
that was happening now was dreamlike, as if she were lost in a fog and trying anything and
everything she could to find her way back home again. If she had been wearing ruby slippers,
she would have clicked their heels together -- just in case.
She sat and stared out at the people who were looking to her for leadership: twelve
Amazons, five soldiers, two boys, three girls, and Iolan. Plus one goddess who started all of
this. Wait...
Reneé walked over to the huntress. "Artemis, where's Irus?"
"He remained on board the Aegis when we boarded this ship."
"No..."
"Xena was happy. Irus was happy. It was the best choice."
"We've got to try and find him."
"It's too late for that. If the Aegis survived our attack, we would not survive their reply."
Reneé knew it was true, but it only deepened her internal conflict. Had she rescued the boy
from the hands of one set of Amazons only to have him die in the protection of another set of
Amazons? Cydice quietly approached, "Forgive me, my queen."
"What is it? What's wrong?"
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"This boat's leaking is getting worse."
"Great. Um, get as many people as necessary to bail, and I'll get us to land as soon as I
can."
Cydice bowed her head in salute and went to fulfill Reneé's orders. Reneé went back to the
tillers to join Iolan. "Iolan, we've got to find land and get off this thing before it sinks."
"I know."
"So, do you know where we are, yet?"
"I believe so. I think we are about three leagues off the coast of Kephallinia. If that is the
case, then we can either land there, or we can try to make it to Ithaka. I know some boatmen at
King Odysseus' harbor, and we would be able to arrange for repairs."
"Odysseus?"
Reneé was shaken at hearing a name she actually knew. When they had done the episode
titled, "Ulysses", so called because Americans are slightly more familiar with that Roman
version of the name, she had read some of Homer's Odyssey to get a feel for some of what they
were doing. Since Xena had only just recently ended, or helped to end, the Trojan War, that
meant that Odysseus was going to be lost for years. She had to tell his family to forbear. That
he would return home. Not only would it be the right thing to do, she felt, but it would also help
her to maybe negotiate for things that they might need.
"I don't know the king, but I have been told that he is a generous man," Iolan continued.
"How long will it take us to reach Ithaka?"
"No sooner than tomorrow. It would be dangerous to sail in these waters at night."
"I don't think that we can wait that long. Get us as close to Ithaka as you can, but we'll land
at," what the heck was that name, "the other place you mentioned before this boat sinks."
"As you command. Artamikles, tighten that rigging, we need as much speed as we can
get!"
For the first time in quite a while, Reneé felt satisfied. She was actually going to touch
history. More subtly, she had made her first command decision. The mission to save Gabrielle
was now hers, not Xena's. The moment of satisfaction didn't last long. She found her usual spot
near the supplies. Amphorae with wine, water, and oil; crates of vegetables; three sheep waiting
for slaughter; some grains, what everyone was calling "corn", but wasn't corn -- instead it was
something more like barley; Xena's saddlebags...
Immediately the actor's heart jumped. They'd forgotten to give Xena back her saddlebags.
Reneé quickly grabbed one and fumbled with opening it. When she did, she was greeted with
paper, pens, charcoal, and scrolls. She had Gabrielle's scrolls! Xena was going to kill her for
sure. Now the mission to get to Ithaka was more important. She could leave the scrolls at
Odysseus' castle. They should be safe there until Xena or Gabrielle could return and retrieve
them.
Tension within the ship grew as the water inched its way higher and higher up the hull.
Each person, except for Iolan and Artemis, bailed for as long as their energy would allow. They
would take a quick break, quench their thirst, and then go back to bailing some more. Though
they were close to land, Iolan followed Reneé's orders and kept the boat sailing closer and closer
to Odysseus' island home. Finally Reneé called out, "Iolan!"
"Understood!"
With the maneuver he'd been anticipating for hours, the sailor angled the boat toward the
bay that was presenting itself to starboard. The Rhodesion creaked its way until it finally
bottomed out some twenty paces from shore. Disembarking the vessel was somewhat difficult
in the waning light. Though it was a merchant vessel with a shallow draft, it had taken on
water. As a result, it stopped in ten feet of water and would mean that ferrying necessary
supplies from boat to shore would be slowed by the requirement that the supplies needed to be
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kept dry. This problem was actually solved quickly when P-Two suggested that she and her
sisters could swim a rope from boat to shore, and they could use that rope as a guideline to
transport most of the supplies off the ship. With the solution at hand, the transfer of materials
from sea to land was completed just as the Apollo completed the Sun's ever regular course
through the sky.
The shore that was now a landing site appeared to be hospitable enough. The beach was
rocky, but was populated with well-weathered stones which were easy enough to walk on. With
high tide upon them, it was safe to set up camp on the beach and wait until the Sun was up to
test the dangers of the island's interior.
After several fires were lit, using wood from the abandoned boat for fuel, two of the young
sheep were slaughtered to provide for a handsome and reviving feast. Choice organs were burnt
as offering of thanks. The recipients of those prayers were Poseidon, for allowing them a safe
harbor, and for the hope of safe journeys ahead; as they did not know they were hosting an
Olympian, they sang to Artemis, the patron goddess of the whole of the Amazon nation, for
seeing to the safety of the Amazons, and for bringing the Amazon leader to their rescue; to Ares,
god of war, who like Artemis was patron to the warrior women; and to Athena, in the hopes that
wisdom would guide them through the rest of the Queen's perilous journey.
Artemis was pleased by the overture. Because of the constant offerings by humans to the
gods, the gods largely ignored them unless an expected offering wasn't made. The sincerity and
trust the castaways had offered made them deserving of success. Silently, she said so to her
close relatives who lived in Olympus. Though they were out of sight, the forest roamer knew
that she and her companions were being closely watched.
As the meal was being prepared, Reneé spoke with Iolan. "Where are we?" she asked.
Iolan held up his left hand and bent all of the fingers at the middle knuckle, and left his
thumb standing straight and leading the palm. In the dim firelight it was difficult, but not
impossible for Reneé to see. He pointed to the knuckle of the index finger closest to where the
thumb joined the hand. "I believe we are about here. We need to get to here," he pointed to the
tip of his thumb, "to Phiskardo. That is about two or three leagues away."
"And they have boats there?"
"Some. They do have a ferrying system to move items across the channel to Ithaka."
"It's that close?"
Artemis approached and stopped short an answer. "Gabrielle," she said to preserve the
illusion she and the actor were trying to convey, "Now that we are land bound and relatively
safe, I was wondering if you were planning to say a few words?"
What? Reneé thought. Like many performers, Reneé carried a shy streak with her. She
didn't like talking in front of people extemporaneously. To make matters worse, she didn't
know what kinds of speeches Greek leaders gave their troops. "I suppose I should. Thank you
for reminding me... Phoebe."
Iolan excused himself and started ahead to tell the others that "Gabrielle" was going to
speak. Reneé was happy to have some small amount of time alone with Artemis. "What am I
supposed to say?"
"The usual things. Thank the gods, admire their courage, make them think you know what
you're doing."
"But I don't."
"They don't know that. Once we get to Ithaka, we will have the means to finish our
mission. I have always been proud of my Amazons, but especially of these. They have
managed to survive the attack by Heracles that most thought killed all of these brave warriors."
"With your help."
"Not as much as you might think. Their mettle has been tested, and they are each willing to
die for you. Nurture that, and the mission will be a success even without Xena."
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Reneé wished the deity hadn't said that last part. She did not like this Xena, but there were
times, as when she was trying to escape from Peraxion, that Xena's talent was all that stood
between the actor and death. Then again, it was the Amazons who actually saved her. She
didn't see Xena fight. No matter. What was done was done. No turning back.
Breaking out of her musings, Reneé suddenly noticed that she'd wandered back to the
campsite. She stood about three feet from one of the fires. She could see from the pin-point
reflections of firelight that every eye was on her. Speech time. "Before I start, I think we
should all take a moment and thank the gods, especially Artemis, the protector of the Amazons,
for our safe arrival to this shore."
For several seconds, there was a respectful silence. "Our adventure together has begun.
These two days have tested all of us," I know they have me, Reneé thought, "and there are tests
more difficult than you can imagine still awaiting us. And yet you choose to follow me and
meet the challenges without reservation. That kind of bravery cannot be commented on, but
simply honored. And so, I honor you all now.
"I think that you all should know that once we reach Ithaka, I will be taking only the
Amazons with me." Many of the men shifted and murmured in surprise at that. "Now hear me.
It is not out of prejudice or lack of confidence in you that I make this choice. I would take all
who wanted to go, if I could. But the greater our numbers, the more difficult our path to
success. So I choose the Amazons not because I know them better, but because as their queen
we share a common responsibility.
"To my warriors. No leader could be prouder. With you at my side, how can we fail?"
A loud chorus of cheers and ululations pierced the dark for several minutes. Reneé was
finally able to continue, "So... so that's enough. Let's eat before this meat gets burnt."
Another chorus of cheers, not just of Amazons, but of everyone, erupted.
Reneé wasn’t sure of what kind of etiquette to follow. Fortunately, Stragera presented her
with a bronze plate filled with meat and broiled vegetables, as well as a bronze goblet filled with
honeyed wine. The actress ate with gusto, but restrained herself with the wine to a few sips with
her dinner. When she was finished eating, she quenched her thirst with water and was escorted
to a fire that hadn't been used for cooking. It sat in the middle of the ring of other fires. A
bedroll, with forest detritus as a mattress, had been laid out for her. The long day having had its
effect, as well as the bit of wine she drank, Reneé laid down and allowed sleep to fall over her.
Because she had been the first to bed, and hadn't gotten even a mild buzz from the wine,
Reneé found that she was the first mortal awake. The Sun had risen not too long before, though
its glory was still hidden by the high ground and trees to the east. Fingers of sunlight filtering
between the trees shot their way across the stony beach, taunting those who might wake up with
a hangover from the night's festivities.
Reneé got up and walked over to the woods for the privacy they offered for attending to her
morning ritual. When she had finished, she was met by Artemis before reaching the shore.
"Good morning," Reneé said.
"And to you. My brother does like to be spectacular sometimes. To bad you missed it."
"While we're alone, can we talk about this quest thing?"
"I though you might."
"Now that we've gotten rid of Xena, I don't know what exactly we're supposed to do or how
to do it. I'm not an Amazon. Shoot, I'm not even Gabrielle. I don't know really anything about
this country and this time. Unless you fill me in, I think I’m going to end up seriously dead."
"I understand your concerns. However, you are in good hands. I would not have
considered allowing you to abandon the warrior princess if I didn't feel my Amazons could get
to your journey's end without her."
"That makes me feel a little better. I'd still like to know what I can expect."
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"That's difficult to say. We have had a much easier time than I suspected we would."
"Easy?" Reneé commented a little too loudly.
"I suspect that the Gods are having their way with the victors of Troy, and have been
distracted. Except for that tempest when we first went to sea, we have had little to fear. As we
get closer to my brother's temple, I imagine that we will have some more interesting
encounters."
"I could live with boring."
"I can assure you, it won't be. I will tell you that this leg of the journey may yet still be
relatively uneventful. Zeus has prohibited the Gods from causing direct suffering to me, and I
know of no quarrel any of the Gods have with anyone here. With Xena gone, our path may be
clear to Delos."
"Delos? Is that where we're going?"
"That is the goal for my part of this quest. Once there, I will be sheltered by my brother.
Though I will remain in mortal form unless you complete the remaining part of the mission, his
temple will serve as a sanctuary for me. While I cannot die, Zeus permitting me to remain
immortal, I can be hurt while in this body. My only protection is Apollo's temple."
"Why Apollo? Why not one of your own temples. You must have some."
The goddess of the hunt gave a hearty laugh. "I have more than any other god, except
mighty father Zeus. It was Zeus who said what was permitted during this troubling time. None
of the other gods, not even fearsome Poseidon can venture off the path the might king has set
before us. No one except for you.
"At any point you have the power to surrender and live the rest of your days in this time. I
would not blame you if that becomes your choice. Once I am safely housed, you will be on
your own to reach the Cairn of Chronos. Once I am separated from you, the Gods will have a
free hand to terrorize you and all around you as they will. There are a few in my family who
would shed no tears if I was forced to be in this form until the end of time. They will beset you
with struggles I can't divine. It is then you will have to lean on the Amazons. You may even
have to sacrifice them all in order to achieve victory."
That statement shook Reneé. She looked out and saw the women starting to rouse. She felt
the responsibility of their lives all on her shoulders. Artemis could see the weight descending
on her ersatz queen. "Fear not for them, Reneé," the goddess said, "They are already dead."
Reneé looked surprised at Artemis. The goddess explained, "They are thousands of years
dead by your reckoning. There is nothing you can do to change that. Such is the way of
mortals. What is important is whether there is meaning to their deaths. They are warriors all
but exterminated by the son of Zeus many years ago. This mission means more to them than
you realize. Whether they live or die is immaterial to them, to me, and should be to you. That
they act nobly for a righteous cause is what they need to--"
"To die well," Reneé interjected with a sad tinge of anger.
"Or to live well. How sad is the person who has lived a long life but done nothing that they
consider to be a great consequence. Your journey is lifting that yoke from their shoulders. Be
happy that you are being given a rare honor."
Reneé had to push back a couple of stray tears from her eyes. She knew that the women
now waking would follow her with great bravery and courage. She couldn't help but feel sad
that they could die because of her. Worse, as Artemis already pointed out, from Reneé's timeaddled perspective, they were already dead. The goddess quietly walked away. Their
conversation concluded, Reneé had to once again become the Amazon leader.
In the light of the new day, she looked critically at everyone gathered at the shore. On the
surface, they were a sorry looking group. While everyone had a wrap of some kind tied around
their waist, only Iolan and two Amazons wore any more than that. To a person, what they did
wear was filthy. Not that bare skin was much better. This would never do if they were going to
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march into a new town and set of for Ithaka. "Everyone! Everyone, may I have your
attention?" Reneé called.
The people, many slowed with excruciating hangovers, quickly gathered around Reneé. "I
look at us. We are a sad looking lot. Before we take another step, we must make ourselves
presentable. With some luck, we will meet with the Queen of Ithaka, and we must not show up
looking like we aren't civilized." She flippantly added, "It's rude.
"So, before we set off, each one of us will wash this grime off of our skins. We will wash
our clothing, find new clothing or fashion some from sailcloth. We will open two large water
bags so that we my rinse off the sea's salt from everything that gets washed. From what Iolan
has told me, we can make a harbor within a few hours, so I'd like us to be ready to leave before
the afternoon. Ok? Let's do it."
Reneé led the march into the sea's blue water. The salt water, saltier even than the Atlantic
Ocean, was cool. We waded out until the water's level reached up to her shoulders. Then she
removed her chiton, using the water to protect her American sense of modesty. She used the
cloth to try and rub the deeply pressed grime from her body, but it didn't easily come off.
Melodice waded and swam out to Reneé and handed her a mottled tan-colored block about the
size of her hand. "Here is some soap that was in the supplies."
"Soap?" Reneé brought it to her nose and sniffed. It was horrible smelling stuff. Yet, she
could feel a slipperiness.
"We have more than enough."
"Thank you. Would you mind staying for a while? We both need help with those hard-toreach places."
"My Queen. I would be honored."
Them being honored was starting to get on Reneé's nerves.
The soap didn't foam like Reneé was used to. It pretty much only got slippery. And it
burned. Her skin was not used to the caustic nature of ancient soap making. Lye concentrations
often had a habit of being too strong. There was one bright side to even that, however. The lice
that had started residing in her hair didn't like it any better.
Melodice couldn't believe that Gabrielle had asked her help in bathing. The queen's legend
had filtered through to even their small and remote tribe across two seas and on a different
continent. To touch this icon was more honor than Melodice had ever expected. Only the most
trusted Amazons were allowed to be this intimate with the queen. She'd come a long way since
her colorful childhood.
There was only one tribe of Libyan Amazons left. At the height of their power, led by
Myrina, the greatest of their queens, they had swept across all of Libya, which stretched from
the Atlantic Ocean to Egypt. In Reneé's time, that would have meant not only the country of
Libya, but also Algeria and Morocco, and some countries south which did not border the
Mediterranean. They also crossed into Arabia for a time, but were eventually beaten back.
Their ancient race finally succumbed to the genocidal wrath of Heracles who happened upon the
Amazons as he was setting up his pillars which would become in time the straight of Gibraltar.
The hero believed that man's salvation required that any nation under the rule of woman had to
be destroyed.
Still, three women survived. They could not return to their home island, but they did not
venture far from the sight of Mount Atlas, which had always looked over their nation. In the
course of four generations, those three women had seeded a tribe of Amazons that numbered
some four dozen.
Melodice could trace her line directly to Queen Myrina. Of that she was proud.
Unfortunately, since the time of the "Nation's End", as the slaughter had come to be called, any
woman considered to be an Amazon was considered to be little more than a hunted animal.
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Only when in the company of many Amazons, could the women feel safe. But that wasn't
always possible. We she was a child of six, Melodice had gone down a familiar path to get
fresh water from the nearby stream. She was captured by a pair of teenaged boys of the type
that loitered in the vicinity of the Amazon stronghold waiting for an opportunity. She was
beaten and was being dragged away from the only place of safety that she'd ever known. It was
then that a mysterious woman came from, it seemed, nowhere. She never hit the boys, and she
never drew her gilded bow, yet in a matter of moments, the boys were unconscious heaps. The
woman walked the young Melodice back to her village, after getting the water, and was not seen
again.
From that day until this, Melodice had dedicated herself to being able to defend her nation
and herself. With unrelenting practice, she became a master of the staff, the bow, the sword,
and the sling. Her skill with other weapons was surpassed by a few, but she was still young at
seventeen, and hadn't yet had the time to fully commit herself to those.
The only thing that had Melodice curious was Gabrielle's travelling companion. She had
heard of the great Xena, of course, but she had not heard of this Phoebe. It seemed somehow
impertinent for this woman to assume the name of a goddess directly. Still, the name did suit
her. And there was something very familiar about her. She couldn't quite place what it was.
In any case, she wouldn't ask Queen Gabrielle or her companion. It was not her place.
Reneé, had no such restrictions on her. As she was scrubbing her bath-mate's back, she
accidentally brushed against her left arm and felt the raised outline of the bird tattoo. "What is
this tattoo for?" she asked.
"We do this to tell all the world who we are, my queen. We are not ashamed to be Amazon,
and we will not hide the fact that we are Amazon."
"Why a bird?"
"As you know, our nation was once vast, with many tribes. Since we are protected by
Artemis, each tribe was identified by one of her icons. After Nation's End, we had no tribes, but
refuse to let their spirit die. So we honor all of those who went before by adopting the tribes of
our past and scribing our bodies so that the world will also remember."
"And the moons on your cheeks?"
"To honor Artemis. We are hers."
Reneé would have liked to know more, but the bathing was done, and there was no good
reason to continue. Her biggest problem was one of modesty. It was one thing to walk out
naked in front of women, but there were men here as well. There really wasn't any other way,
and she knew it. Might as well just walk out like it was nothing special. Melodice followed a
few steps behind as Reneé walked naked out of the sea and toward the fresh-water rinse. As she
was walking on the rocks, she remembered the chiton in her hand and turned to Melodice. "Do
you want this? It's not quite as worn as yours."
"My Queen!"
"I'll take that as a yes. Go on, take it. I have another."
Melodice was awestruck, but tried to mask it. Reneé rinsed her body and hair with the
fresh water that had been set out in a sort of tub fashioned out of sailcloth. She then went to
Xena's saddlebags and pulled out a chiton that her Amazons had left for her. Fashioned in a
more androgynous style that spoke of her being an Amazon ready for battle, yet didn't cede her
femininity for the sake of utility. She attached around her waste the leather cinch that Ephiny
had given her. After putting on sandals, she was ready. The very simplicity of the outfit
combined with her muscled physique gave Reneé the convincing façade of a queen. Though it
was not mentioned, everyone noticed.
By the time noon arrived, all in the camp were ready for travel. Supplies were divvied up
so that very little was left behind. Certainly nothing of consequence. Reneé felt guilty about
not carrying a load, but trying to do so caused much more conflict in the group than just giving
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in. Artemis was also without a load, but as she was the only one with a weapon, it wasn't a
problem.
The journey was as uneventful as Artemis had foretold. The group first traveled inland
several thousand paces. They came upon a road, actually more of a well-beaten path, which
they followed until they arrived at the port town of Phiskardo. Iolan made inquires about
transporting the people and supplies to Ithaka, just across the channel, but no one was willing to
do so until the morning. Still, Iolan was able to secure some accommodations using his
familiarity with other merchants who had stopped by the port from time-to-time.
In a sense, Reneé was happy for the delay. It had been a while since she'd had to remember
anything about The Odyssey, and now would be a good time to try and recall enough details to
get her an audience with the queen.
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Chapter 20 : Penelope's Isle
The shape of Ithaka could be seen through the morning haze. Its tall hills lush with
vegetation. The channel separating it from the modest harbor was perhaps two kilometers wide
at this point. It took two of the boats used as ferries to transport Reneé and her followers. It's
not that the boats were small, but most of the available space was taken by rowers. The crossing
cost them their last sheep as well as a long coil of finely-made rope. Reneé had once again
encouraged everyone to bathe before they set off. She wanted to make a good impression if
they were able to meet with the queen. Reneé was almost embarrassed to admit to herself that it
bothered her that she was more hirsute than she'd have liked.
As the boats approached the legendary island state, its shape grew clearer and the butterflies
in Reneé's stomach grew larger. All that she had been through since appearing in this time had
been thrust upon her, often without any warning. This was the first time that she was going into
familiar territory. She was actually going to meet history, and she knew the outcome. It was
powerful and unnerving. She beckoned Artemis to join her. They spoke in hushed tones, "How
are we going to get in to see the queen?" Reneé asked.
"We go to the palace and ask."
"You're kidding, right?"
"No. How do your people talk to your rulers?"
"We don't. Except for special events, we don't even get close enough to see them."
"Then how do they know the people's voice?"
Reneé paused for a moment. She wanted to be truthful when it was easier to be flippant,
"They don't, really. Some do, I guess."
Artemis could only shake her head, "Amazing."
It took only about an hour to make a safe crossing to Ithaka. Once on shore, Iolan
approached a fisherman who was casting his net into the shallows and found out which path led
to Odysseus' palace. Cydice, with Reneé's approval, sent Tamarice to run ahead and announce
their approach.
Tamarice ran at a steady pace along the path. She wore only sandals, a skirt, and a binding
across her chest. Her long brown hair flowed easily behind her. As with all warriors in a new
environment, she paid particular attention to the terrain around her. The hills were steep, but not
uncomfortably so. On this part of the island, olive trees predominated, but other trees and plants
filled out the rich vegetation. On the top of the tallest hill was a sturdy building with a mighty
cauldron beside it, black with soot. That it stood out from this distance meant that it was
impressively sized indeed. This was not the palace to which she was running, however. The
path was leading further inland.
As she rounded a corner, she could see that in the interior of the island the woods gave way
to grasses dominated by sheep and cattle. Though this was an island, it was clear that the
inhabitants were largely self-sufficient. Still, the path wasn't leading in that direction either. It
still was cutting through the woods, following the natural contour of the hill that some might
call a mountain.
The squeal of a boar close by startled the Amazon, causing her to trip on the end of a fallen
branch. The impact would leave a deep bruise on her hip that wouldn't fade for a number of
weeks, but she was otherwise unhurt. At least for the moment. The boar that had startled her
stalked her from its bushy cover. Not being a species owning a pleasant disposition, it was
quickly raising its courage to roust the intruder from its territory. Tamarice could sense this,
and it did nothing but raise her level of fear.
She never went on hunting parties any more for they always ended badly for her. There
was something about wild animals that struck a chord of fear in her. The beasts could sense it,
and they would target her for their own vengeance. She'd never been seriously harmed, but time
had shown that her skills were better used for other tasks. It did make Tamarice question her
place as an Amazon. How could a warrior be so unlike her patron goddess. Artemis was the
huntress. She commanded the animals of the woods. If an Amazon could not do likewise, what
sort of child of this Olympian was she? But now was not the time for philosophical thought.
The boar had chosen its time.
Though she was among the swiftest of her tribe, her speed was no match for an angry boar.
Tamarice lifted the branch that had tripped her. It was seven feet long and thicker around in
most places than her hand could wrap around. The boar stepped out from hiding. The stout pig
was large and had tusks to match. It had not often lost a battle such as this, even frightened
warrior could see that. The best defense was to climb. There were trees more than close
enough to allow her that sanctuary. Perhaps the animal would lose interest and return to its
burrow. The problem was her queen was going to be following the same path soon. The boar
would still be a danger.
She charged the beast. The animal was stunned. It had been ready to start its own attack at
almost that very second. The confusion caused it to hesitate and evaluate this unexpected
situation. That delay cost the beast. Tamarice swung the heavy end of the branch as hard as she
could at the boar's head. She missed, but did manage to squarely hit the knee on its left front
leg, breaking the joint. The boar squealed loudly and tried to turn and escape. Its injury caused
it to quickly fall, and Tamarice attacked again. This time her aim was true and the animal was
dazed. It took three more blows before the crack of the brain case being broken caused the
woman to stop the beating.
It was her first real kill. She didn't know what to do. She felt like laughing, and crying, and
shouting, and praying. It was the last that she chose. "O goddess, please forgive me for killing
this magnificent beast whose only sin was in protecting its home. Though I am now closer to
you than I have ever been, greatest of all hunters, I grieve for what I had to do. I cannot give
you a proper offering, for I have no knife to dress this proud animal. In your honor, I will take it
with me to the household to which I am sent, and hope that proper honor can be done there."
With her respect having been paid, Tamarice lifted the heavy beast onto her shoulders. Its
dense muscle easily exceeded her in weight, but to her it was of no consequence. She continued
on, albeit at a slower pace.
When she was in site of the palace, she was very impressed. Like many kings, Odysseus
made his home as colorful as possible. The columns were painted in rich crimson as well as
deep indigo. A frieze, painted and gilded ringed the top of the large main residence. Quarters
for slaves, guards, and other servants ringed the sides and back of the palace, attached to each
other by an impressive wall. Color was everywhere. What surprised the Amazon most was the
location of the King's home. It was not at the highest point, like a citadel, but was instead inland
next to a wide stream.
Tamarice was beset with servants when she reached the gate. She fell to her knees,
exhausted by the weight of the boar she still refused to put down. A call went out for water, and
the young woman was able to quench her thirst and regain her breath. She said, "I am here to
announce that the queen of the Amazons approaches soon, and wishes to have an audience with
your Mistress. On my shoulders is a gift to you. Be certain that it is properly dressed, and
offering to Artemis is properly made."
The servants, loyal to their royal family, did not know what do to. Amazons? Here? And
ordered to make an offering to Artemis when their patron goddess was Athena? The commotion
quieted when Eurykleia stepped out from the palace and approached the Amazon. The woman
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97
was in her fifties and wore a gown befitting her high status in the palace. "Child, what business
have you at this house?"
Tamarice repeated what she had said before. "What business have Amazons with my
queen?" Eurykleia demanded.
"That is between our queen and yours," Tamarice responded without thinking. She was
tired and wasn't used to the niceties of diplomacy.
"Child, I have tended this family for almost forty years. I was nurse to our Lord Odysseus,
as well as servant of his son Telemakhos since his birth. I will not let you or your queen in
unless I know the reason why. The reputation of your people precedes you. Do you
understand?"
"Please forgive me. I am not a messenger, but a warrior. I don't understand how things are
done in this part of the world. I cannot say what business my queen has with yours for it is not
my place to know. I can tell you that we bear no ill will to the house of Odysseus Laertiades."
The old woman stared at the Amazon for a moment before issuing commands. "Take this
boar and prepare it as this girl has requested. Make proper offerings to Artemis and to our
patron Athena. Prepare the greeting hall for an audience, and the main hall for visitors. We will
treat these visitors with the hospitality that the Gods require and respect. I will give word to the
Queen."
Tamarice was pleased. Not only to be free of the pig, but for managing to accomplish the
mission she had been sent to do.
It took a little over an hour for Reneé's company to cover the distance between the small
dock and the palace. Though a brisk pace was maintained, the road to the palace was a little
circuitous. Reneé was impressed when she saw the palace. Having seen pictures of Greek ruins
all of her life, she expected to see something made out of white marble. She hadn't expected the
flood of colors. Almost no surface was left unadorned by paint, leaf, or some sort of inlay.
Sheep roamed not only in the nearby fields, but also closer to the palace. The immediate area
was also populated with various fowl, dogs, three cats imported from Egypt, and one dazzlingly
white stallion. The sounds of other livestock could be heard echoing, but they were not
apparent to the eye.
Tamarice stood at the gate, ready to receive her queen. Behind her were ten servants, five
each in two lines leading from the gate to the palace. Reneé said to the young Amazon, "I guess
you delivered the message?"
"All is ready for us. We are to go to the main hall. You will be escorted to meet with the
queen when she is ready to receive you."
"Well, it sounds like a plan. Lead on."
Tamarice the swift took the point as she lead her company into Odysseus' palace. Once
inside, one of the house slaves led everyone into the great hall. Reneé was having a difficult
time restraining herself. This was the hall. The hall were the lost King returned and killed the
suitors who had lived off of his larders for almost ten years. It was very large. Forty large
chairs with individual tables lined the mosaic-inlaid walls. The mosaics depicted battles
separated by more pastoral scenes. Adding weight to the battle scenes were weapons hung at
appropriate points to make them appear to be one with the art. The floor was tiled with large
black, white, and red glazed ceramic squares and triangles in an intricate geometric pattern. The
columns supporting the ceiling were painted in yellow and had gold at the top and bottom.
Around every other column was an encircling stand of spears. The ceiling had a bright sky
painted on it. Suspended from that ceiling were many bronze and gold lamps, none of which
were yet lit. Because of the careful design of the room, it was very bright even though it was
well within the confines of the palace itself.
Servants entered and served on each of the individual tables one of the guests would use: a
finger bowl with water and lemon; a wine bowl with sweetened wine and water; a gold goblet; a
loaf of each of two kinds of bread; a plate of olives, fruit, and cheese; a plate of beef and
mutton; and a knife and towel to keep the diner tidy. A minstrel also followed and started
playing non-obtrusive tunes on a golden twelve-string lyre. Most of the servants left, but three
remained to tend to any needs that might arrise.
No one ate anything more than a guiltily tasted olive or piece of cheese until Reneé realized
they were waiting for her and she said, "Don't wait for me. Go on. Eat."
She couldn't damn them for their discipline, but this royalty thing was going to be more of a
burden than she had ever suspected. Having been raised in a country whose society treated its
leaders as equals, and not as personages with some divine birth-right, this American actress was
not prepared for the little things that are assumed with queens and subjects. She wanted to just
change the rules then and there to make her life easier, but not knowing the ramifications of that,
and still realizing that if the real Gabrielle returned she'd have to deal with it, Reneé was
determined to try to maintain the status quo that was expected of her. She sat at the head of the
room with Artemis by her side. None of their traveling companions yet realized that the person
they knew as Phoebe was in reality the goddess who was their protector. Still, all could see that
she and the queen shared a special relationship, and as such they continued to permit them their
privacy unless circumstances demanded otherwise. Consequently, everyone else populated
chairs at the two sides of the hall.
It was not long before Eurykleia entered. She wasn't certain whom to address, but based on
the seating arrangements, it seemed fairly safe to approach Reneé and Artemis. "The queen is
ready to meet with you privately. If you will follow me?"
Both Reneé and Artemis rose, which surprised the aging nurse. She said, "We understood
that this was a private meeting."
Reneé said, "It will be, but some of what I have to say will be hard to believe. I need her,"
indicating Artemis, "to be there."
"The bow," the servant said, indicating the weapon that Artemis had absently picked up.
"My apologies," the goddess said. "Merely an acquired habit."
Artemis leaned the bow against her chair and followed Eurykleia and Reneé to the meeting.
Along the way, Reneé was constantly surprised by the conspicuous wealth. There were rugs
and tapestries as finely made as any she'd every seen. Most of them made significant use of
gold thread in their designs and borders. Fresco paintings and mosaics festooned the halls as
well. They pair were lead to a greeting room that was surprising in its simplicity. Here the
marble was unadorned. The slender columns shown white against the white marble walls.
Many green plants filled the room. Chairs of finely assembled and carved ebony created a
stunning contrast to the blankness of the walls. The floor was tiled, but the design was muted,
being only squares of white, pink, and yellow marble. Though the room was small, barely five
meters on a side, it had a grandeur that belied its size.
Queen Penelope entered. She had a beauty that rivaled that of a goddess, if Artemis was
any comparison. Though thirty-five years old, she was the first person Reneé had met, male or
female, who looked younger than their years. She looked to be in her early twenties. The
diaphanous chiton, gown-like, attached at the shoulders with jeweled gold pins, and tied at the
waist with an indigo cord, showed that this queen had the form of a model -- in any time. Her
olive-hued skin carried a sheen owing to the perfumed oils she had used in preparation. The
chestnut curls and ringlets of her long hair only added to her beauty. The price she paid to the
passing years were some furrows in her brow, and a sadness in her eyes that showed the effects
her husband's ten-year absence because of war had caused. They did not make her look older,
just wiser, perhaps, with an aura of sadness. While a grin and hands outstretched in welcome, "I
am Penelope, Queen and wife of Odysseus, King of Ithaka. I welcome you and your guests into
my house."
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Reneé grasped her hands and replied, "Thank you Queen Penelope. I am Gabrielle, Queen
of the Amazon Nations. My companion," Reneé paused trying to fathom a way to introduce the
goddess properly. "My companion, I will introduce shortly. Her identity will surprise you."
"Indeed?" Penelope said, intrigued. The day-to-day life on the island bore little that was
exciting. Anything new challenged that, and while welcome was cautiously received. "As if a
visit from the Amazon Queen wasn't surprising enough. Please sit." Reneé sat with Penelope.
Artemis remained standing. "What brings you to Ithaka? Have you news of my husband?"
Penelope asked.
Reneé was having a difficult time keeping her voice from quivering. She was certain that
the tremors coursing up and down her body were visible to all. "That gets a little complicated.
Yes, we have news, but not of the type you might be expecting."
Fear crossed beautiful Penelope's face. "My Lord is dead," she said solemnly.
"No! No, he isn't dead," Reneé said as she put her hand on Penelope's. "I'm sorry. I guess
I'm not saying this very well."
"No, I'm sorry. I jumped to the worst of conclusions. But you have told me that my
Odysseus still lives. There can be no more wondrous news for me to hear. Please, I know you
surely have much to tell me, but how came you by this news? It's not that I don't believe you,
but the information we have received over the years has not always been reliable."
"I understand. I know, because I saw him at Troy."
"You were at the war? How long ago? How goes the battle?"
Having grown up with nearly instantaneous news from around the world, Reneé didn't
comprehend the slow pace and inaccuracy of reporting in a time before electronic
communications. Its reality was stunning to her, "It's over. The war is over."
"It's over?" Penelope said with stunned happiness replacing the fear from moments before.
Artemis spoke out of turn, not yet having been introduced, "For months now. Cunning
Odysseus and others infiltrated the great walls of Priam's city and razed it. Most beautiful Helen
was reunited with her master and they both set off to retake their thrones in Sparta."
"You were there, too?" the queen asked.
"In a manner of speaking."
"I don't understand."
Reneé interjected, "Queen Penelope, this woman is Artemis."
Penelope was now thrown into complete confusion. Though she believed in the Gods the
same as all other people, there was a place in her soul that knew they weren't real. She certainly
never expected to see one. Odysseus had told her that he had spoken to Athena, his patron
goddess and protector of this house and of Ithaka. Though she loved her husband more than her
own life, she knew that Odysseus was a crafty liar and skillful storyteller. He would tell her
anything to keep her from worrying. To make her believe that he was divinely protected.
This woman standing in front of her did not appear to be a god. She was more beautiful
than any woman she had ever seen -- including Helen. She had a perfect body that was very
strong. She had a quality about her that wasn't regal, but something intangibly more. If there
were a goddess, then she certainly wouldn't be a bad one.
Artemis was prepared for the queen's suspicions. Though she had been stripped of the gifts
which she usually used to convince mortals of her Olympian nature, the king of the gods had
inadvertently left her with one device. "You don't believe what she says," Artemis directed at
the stunned queen.
"No."
"You think me just another Amazon?"
"Maybe not 'just another Amazon,' but yes. I don't think you are anything but a woman."
Artemis held out her hands and in one materialized an iridescent loaf, and in the other a
goblet. Both mortal women were taken aback, and Reneé had be expecting it; she and Artemis
had blocked out her demonstration the previous night, but the goddess hadn't actually made
anything materialize in the fear that the Olympians might see and deny her this trick. "In my
left hand I hold nectar, in my right I hold ambrosia." The addicting scent of the foods of the
gods tickled the senses of both women, and they found it difficult to resist its allure. "No mortal
can summon up this menu on command as I have just done." The ambrosia disappeared, and
after a quick sip, so did the nectar.
Penelope fell to her knees and hugged the legs of the goddess. "Forgive me."
Artemis pulled Penelope to her feet. "Now is not the time. Compose yourself and listen to
what Gabrielle has to say. She has a special insight that will give you strength you never knew
you needed."
The Ithakan queen sat back down in her chair and brushed away the drops that had
managed to escape her eyes. "Ok. I told you that Odysseus is still alive?"
"Yes."
"Here's the thing. He will not be returning for another ten years."
"What?"
Artemis interjected, "He boasted to the gods, especially to Poseidon. You know the story of
Athena and Arachne, so you know that mortals must show proper respect for the ways of the
Gods. My uncle has a terrible temper, and not even Athena's reasoned words can restrain him
while Odysseus is within his grasp."
Reneé continued, "When the other heroes return and Odysseus doesn't, your house will be
filled with men looking to marry you. Over the years they will ruin this house by eating and
drinking everything you have stored. They will pay for that providing that you never lose heart.
Be certain that your man will return."
"How do you know this?"
Artemis answered for Reneé, "In this matter, Gabrielle has a special insight. You may call
it a prophesy, if you will."
Reneé stared into the queen's eyes, "If you wait, history will remember you as the most
noble and loyal of women. People will still know your name for thousands of years."
"I can't believe that. For just being a loyal wife?"
"No. For being even more than that."
"I cannot say that I fully believe what you are telling me. Either of you. Your words have
the feel of truth about them, and there can be no doubt that you are the huntress herself.
"You mentioned that you were on a quest. For the news you have given me, as well as the
warning, if I am at all able to help, I will." She also added, to herself, "With a goddess here,
how could I refuse you anything and avoid her wrath?"
"Thank you," Reneé said. "I would not ask you for more than passage to the mainland if
not for the fact that we have lost almost all of our supplies due to a variety of reasons."
"Of course. Food, clothing, and... weapons?" Reneé nodded, "Are yours."
"You are very generous. I'm only taking my Amazons on this quest. The risks are too great
for the rest of those with us. Would you see that they have passage to their homes, or at least
some temporary shelter here while they decide what to do?"
"I could do no less for any stranger who knocked upon my door. You ask for those things
that I would give you freely in any case."
"If sure that's true. As I said, you will be thought well of for many thousands of years. You
are a kind and patient host. I do have one more request that is of a personal nature. It won't
inconvenience you, but is of great import to me. Would you ask one of your staff to get my
saddlebags from my Amazons?"
Penelope sent a servant for the saddlebags. Since there was a break, she offered Reneé
some fruit juice which had recently been imported. Reneé accepted. Unfortunately, when she
received the goblet, she dropped it. "I'm so sorry," Reneé said as she was about to bend to clean
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101
up the mess. Only Artemis' hand on her shoulder prevented her from committing such a royal
gaff.
Out in the hall, Eurykleia was mildly beating the girl who had handed Reneé the drink.
Seeing this, Reneé called out, "Please stop that. It wasn't her fault, it was mine."
When the commotion died down, Reneé felt that Penelope deserved an explanation. "Not
too long ago I was captured by a man intent on torturing me very slowly." The memory of the
event flooded back to her. The nightmares were bad enough, but the flashback in the full light
of day hit her with a force almost as if the events had just repeated themselves in fact Her body
shook noticeably and tears beckoned to emerge. Only the calming hand of Artemis on her
shoulders gave Reneé the strength to again put on the actor's mask. "Amazons died unspeakable
deaths at his hand before I escaped and he was defeated. My hands are still very numb, and I
don't have the strength in them that I'd like. So, I drop things a lot, now. I hope you will tell
your servant that it wasn't her fault."
Tear welled up in Penelope's eyes. The pain emanating from the woman across from her
was so raw it could not help but evoke a compassionate response from anyone nearby. "It will
be as you say."
The saddlebags arrived and were given to Reneé. She opened one, revealing a number of
scrolls. She removed them all and placed them on the chair that was to have been Artemis' had
she chosen to sit. "These scrolls are a history of my travels with a woman named Xena."
"Xena? You don't mean the Destroyer of Nations?"
"The one-time Destroyer of Nations," Reneé corrected. "Since we met, she has been on a
quest to atone for the evil that she did in the past. These scrolls are part of the record of that
journey we have taken together. The favor I have to ask is that you store them here until I'm
able to retrieve them. This journey is so hazardous that I don't want to risk losing them."
"Of course, it is an easy enough thing to do."
"Just make certain that they are sealed in such a way that they cannot be stolen. In many
ways these are more precious than jewels or gold. For example, this one," Reneé picked up the
scroll she was most familiar with, "tells of the fall of Troy."
That got Penelope's interest. She held the scroll reverently. "May I?"
Reneé nodded. Penelope carefully opened the scroll and scanned its contents. She
suddenly stopped and trembled with excitement when she saw the name of her dear Odysseus
on the page. "...Odysseus, blessed by bright-eyed Athena in the cunning ways of war, feared
that Sinon had been found out, or that Priam was not as fooled by this deception as he seemed.
Within the great horse, the great deceiver..."
The queen could not bring herself to read any more. She felt her fortitude waning. She
ached for her husband's return. A return this Amazon woman told her was not to be for another
ten years. "May I read this at a later time?"
"Just as long as it get stored with the others, I don't think there's any reason why not."
"Again, you have my thanks," she said as she held the re-rolled scroll to her breast. "You
and your companions may stay as my guests for as long as you feel is necessary. You have
given me my husband, and for that I can never adequately repay you."
Reneé didn't know how to respond except with a smile as she stood. Penelope was still
preoccupied enough with the scroll that she did not notice that her guest was making her way
back to the main hall. Artemis did not leave with the actor. She still had a word for Penelope's
ears. "Do not repeat what you heard in this room. The Amazons do not know my true nature.
To them I am Phoebe, a warrior who travels with their queen. When we leave, do not make
great note of the Amazons having been here. Their safety depends as much on their being
hidden as it does their skill and tenacity."
"If that is your wish, I cannot break it. I swear it in the name of our patron, and on yours."
A loud commotion erupted in the court outside. A man's voice shouted, "I should have
killed you all the first time!"
In reply a woman's voice cried, "Get the spears!"
Two Bloodbaths and a Funeral
103
Chapter 21 : Two Bloodbaths and a Funeral
The short scream of a woman being killed reached Reneé. Not having roamed the halls, she
was disoriented. She was forced to listen to the battle growing outside to find her way. When
she reached the door, a full battle was underway between her Amazons and a cadre of sootblackened men. The men used long knives and gleaming bronze swords against the Amazons
who were armed only with spears taken from the stands in the main hall. Two men hugged the
ground, motionless. Their life's blood darkening the packed earth. A young Amazon named
Glyphereisa, whom Reneé hadn't had a chance to get to know, also lied dead nearer the steps;
her intestines spilling out from the deep slice across her abdomen. And there in the back of the
fighting -- Nerios.
Something in Reneé took over. Maybe it was the spirit of the true Gabrielle channeling
itself across time. Perhaps it was the pent-up need for revenge against the men who had sought
to destroy her as well as Amazons. Whatever the reason, her next action was without thought of
any consequences for the present or the future.
She grabbed a spear that was lying with a half-dozen others near her. Handling it more like
a staff than a spear, she charged through the melee directly to Nerios. The captain who she had
thought was a leech and a scoundrel was now the embodiment of all of the pain she had been
forced to endure. She had to end it now before it broke her.
Nerios was not expecting to have to fight. By nature he was a bit of a coward who had just
enough charisma to entice others to follow him. Enough to get them to fight for him. This was
not to say that he was incapable of fighting. He'd killed four men in hand-to-hand fighting over
the years. It wasn't his greatest talent. Would that it were when he had to face the woman
thought of as the Amazon Queen. She charged with the spear's point aimed at Nerios' heart, but
stopped the attack short and used the butt of the spear as a staff, whipping it around to impact
solidly on Nerios' left temple.
The mariner fell semi-conscious to his knees. He was totally defenseless against a
continued attack. This attack did not come. Reneé was immediately beset with defenders of
their captain. One was armed with a bronze sword with a curved blade that was favored by the
men of the region. The other had a long knife whose fluted bronze blade flicked like a stunted
rapier. They stood on opposite sides of Reneé, whose training on the television show had
blocked out this scenario so many times she did not think it at all unusual.
She leveled the spear so that the point would protect her from the knife-wielding opponent,
and used the opposite end to jab at the other villain. The bronze-capped end caught the man
very firmly in the throat, which he clutched as he fell to the earth gasping for breath. Turning
her attention back to the first attacker, Reneé whipped around and caught him in the temple in
near replay of the move used against Nerios. The only difference being that the impact was
with much great force, dropping the man into a spasmodic heap.
A stream of warm blood splashed down across the left side of her face to her right shoulder.
Suddenly the mindless sense of revenge was gone and she stood in the middle of a carpet of
dead men. The Amazons, her Amazons, had been lethally effective. They cheered their victory,
and they cheered their queen who had taken on three at once. If any had had doubts about her,
those thoughts had vanished in the satisfaction of victory. For Reneé, now that the adrenaline
was starting to wear off, shock was starting to hit her. This was not who she was, was it? What
was happening to her. As the actor started back to the palace, Cydice approached and asked,
"What of the three you fought?"
Reneé wasn't sure what she was asking. Might as well take them inside to question them or
something. "Take them," she said.
With a grim smile, Cydice nodded. In a few moments, Reneé heard the sound of throats
being cut. She turned soon enough to see Cydice slitting the throat of the man who was going to
sell her as a slave. "No!"
It was too late. Reneé continued, "I meant to take them inside."
Cydice looked surprised and then contrite. "My queen, I am so sorry. I thought you meant
for us to--"
Reneé interrupted, "I know. I know," and turned back around. She was not in the mood to
argue the point. In fact, it was probably best for her that Cydice had misinterpreted. The
imaginary world of Gabrielle that Reneé had frolicked in for several years was one where a staff
was not lethal. In this world, such was not the case. While the outcome for Nerios would have
been difficult to foresee given the limited medical knowledge, the other two she had fought had
been dealt mortal blows. The Amazons had only put them out of their misery, and allowed
Reneé the illusion that she had done no real harm.
Penelope stood at the steps of the palace almost as stunned as Reneé. Artemis stood at her
side. Reneé stopped in front of the wife of Odysseus and said, "I don't have the words to
apologize. We-- I-- There's--."
"What happened here?" the queen asked.
"I-- I don't--," Reneé stammered.
Artemis offered, "Perhaps Cydice would have an accounting."
Reneé called, "Cydice!"
The blood-splattered Amazon ran to the side of her queen, her right arm still dripping with
the blood of Nerios. "My queen."
"What happened?"
" Glyphereisa had gone outside for relief when we heard the same shouts as you. We
wasted no time in arming ourselves in support of our sister, but by the time we had gotten
outside it was too late. She had been slain by those jackals. As is our way, we would have
attacked and fought to the death to avenge our fallen warrior, but we all noticed the face of that
captain who imprisoned us. That served only to fuel us to victory. Thank blessed Artemis for
watching over us."
Penelope couldn't help but cast a glance at the goddess standing by her side. It was now
Penelope's turn to look contrite. "We had been waiting for the arrival of Nerios to bring us new
slaves. I am ashamed to hear that it was you he was bringing here. I feel that by this
household's relationship with him, we have dishonored you. Please forgive me."
Artemis felt the woman's sincerity, but wanted to put an end to this situation. "There is no
need for apologies. The ways of the world are often not fair. Does the grass blame the sheep, or
the sheep blame the lion? No. It is what it is for every creature, and man is not excluded."
"Your words are true," Penelope said. "How could it be otherwise?"
Cydice was confused. The queen had accepted that too easily. Who was this woman who
accompanied Gabrielle? "My Queen, what is to be done with the bodies?"
Reneé hadn't considered that. "With Queen Penelope's permission, Glyphereisa should
have a proper Amazon funeral. As for the men, I leave that to her discretion, and we Amazons
will do as she asks."
Feeling intimidated by Artemis' presence, Penelope offered, "We will provide anything that
is needed for your friend's passage from this world to the next. As for the men that have been
slain... I think that they deserve a proper burial, but nothing more. They brought violence to my
house, and died because of it. Nothing more about that will be said. Since it was the business
of this house which brought them here, and which caused you pain, it then falls to me to deal
with them now. Do not waste any more energy on them. My servants will attend to it.
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"And let me assure you that you are all still welcome and honored guests in my house. The
events here in the courtyard have changed nothing, and I hope that you will again accept my
apologies for this tragic circumstance."
Penelope then took Reneé's hands in her and kissed them. The queen then turned and
disappeared into the palace. Knowing that Reneé had no background in the ancient traditions,
Artemis turned to Reneé and said, "I will assist Cydice in preparing for the rites appropriate for
her tribe."
"What? Oh, yeah. Sure," Reneé said still struggling with her emotional shock. She
wandered back into the house and into the greeting room where only a few minutes before she
and Artemis had their meeting with Penelope. She didn't know why she was there except that it
was quiet and she wanted to be alone to think.
She had a similar feeling when Ephiny's Amazons had died to save her life. The difference
now was that she had taken charge. Any and all harm done was ultimately her responsibility.
That meant that she was responsible for the deaths of all of those men. Before it was easier
because she could blame Xena. Xena was a sociopath and used deadly force as a first choice
because that was how she was trained. Reneé wasn't like that. She thought about what needed
to be done, and would avoid violence. Or was that the fictional Gabrielle? She couldn't quite
remember anymore. Maybe it was who she wanted to be in a safer world which allowed such
high ideals.
No, she couldn't accept that. People, ordinary people, had to have lived safe and happy
lives. Maybe it was only because of her peculiar circumstance that she was confronted with
death around every corner. How could that not change you? When it's kill or be killed, can a
kind heart survive, or is it doomed to sacrifice its own humanity in order to continue living?
Reneé didn't know what to think anymore. She wasn't even sure who she was.
Several hours passed as she wrestled with her soul. Sometimes shedding tears, sometimes
finding comfort in watching an ant crawl up a plant's stem -- totally ignorant of any of the
events happening in the world for those were matters that didn't have any relevance to an ant.
As the sun approached the horizon, the third of the Polymazonae sisters notified Reneé that the
funeral for their sister was ready to begin.
P-Three led Reneé some distance away from the main property of Odysseus, to a spot on a
hill far enough from vegetation to avoid starting an uncontrollable fire. An elaborate scaffold,
low and sturdy, had been erected. Surrounding the scaffold were phakelos, bundles of wood
and twigs constructed for the purpose of efficient cremation with a minimum of materials.
Glyphereisa's body lied on a wood-framed woven palette. She was dressed for death as she was
in life, as an Amazon warrior. Locks of hair from each of her sister Amazons were strewn
across the body. On either side were the thighbones, wrapped in fat, of a sheep that had been
slaughtered as an offering to the Gods.
Cydice stepped over to Reneé and handed her a finely edged bronze-hafted iron knife given
by Penelope for this rite. It took Reneé a moment to realize what it was for, but looking at the
body closely, and seeing how it had been prepared, sparked her comprehension. Deliberately
she grasped her hair and cut off a significant lock. She walked to Glyphereisa's body and placed
it as the others had before. Reneé then stepped back and tried handing the knife back to Cydice,
who silently refused.
All of the surviving Libyan Amazons surrounded the palette and lifted it. They carried it to
the scaffold and gently lowed it into place. Cydice nodded to Reneé and stared at the knife.
Seeing the cue, the actor walked respectfully to a space that had been opened for her at the
departed Amazon's side. She then placed the knife in Glyphereisa's hand. Cydice nodded her
approval.
Everyone backed away from the scaffold. More phakelos were positioned now that the
need to be physically close to the structure was gone. Using pitch-dipped arrows ignited by a
torch's flame, the goddess of the hunt, protector of the Amazon nation, set the pyre ablaze.
Within minutes, the roar of intense flame filled the air. The heat drove oven-like winds that did
not exist before. Not a word had been spoken. Not a tear had been shed. Reneé could not
explain why she did it, but as the shadowy image of the body was engulfed by flame, she
opened her throat and ululated the falsetto "lelelelele" of Xena's battle cry as if to warn the Gods
that an Amazon warrior was entering their realm.
Each of the Amazons took their turn watching over the pyre throughout the night. In the
morning, wine was poured on the ashes and charred bones so that they could be gathered and
placed in an urn. As a gift to their god Artemis, not the being known to them as Phoebe, the
Amazons inhumed the urn in the midst of the woods in an unmarked location. With this, the
funeral rite was complete and the group's mourning finished.
In the following days, Penelope was as good as her word. She sent supplies to the western
harbor with instructions to make available the largest black boat to take the Amazons where
ever they required. She flew open the doors of the armory and allowed the warrior women to
take what they would, with the exception of Odysseus' bow. Having been an outcast nation,
they had always experienced shortages in weapons -- if not in quantity then in quality. While
they took no more than they felt they needed, they chose the best arms that could be found.
Knives and swords made of iron were especially prized. Even Reneé found a weapon she would
not be hesitant to use -- a staff made of ironwood. It was unadorned, but it was the kind of
weapon she was most familiar with, and to her thinking it was also non-lethal.
Each woman was also fitted out with new clothing. They each received a chiton, in the
style Reneé had been wearing, in the event they might be presentable. Additionally, they each
received two pair of sandals, one pair of boots, and a custom-made outfit of their choice. The
Libyan woman chose their preferred style of a pliable leather wrap which was very like a oneshouldered chiton. There was no shoulder tie on the right side, the women preferring to leave
their right side bare from waste to shoulder.
Reneé took a different approach. Since being brought to this time she had been selfconscious about the clothing, or rather the frequent lack of it. She chose to imitate as closely as
possible one of the styles she had worn on the show. She fashioned a wrap-around skirt of
pliable leather that extended from her waste to just above her knees. That was easy. The
difficult part was in fashioning a top out of leather that would act as a sports bra to give her the
support she had been missing. After several tries, Penelope's dressmaker finally came up with a
satisfactory solution. It was more of a long-line bra that was laced in front, but in an era that
lacked elastic, the twentieth century women couldn't ask for better. For the first time since
arriving, she actually felt comfortable. Not knowing how long she would be in this time, she
had two other made as well. It was extravagant, but it was the one luxury she was going to
permit herself. It also set her apart from the other women in a way that made others know that
she was special and the one to deal with.
Once their needs had been seen to, Reneé, her eleven remaining Amazons, one fallen
goddess, and Iolan set off for the harbor. The rest of the men and children were left in the care
of Odysseus' household, assured that they would be sent home or otherwise treated fairly.
Penelope told Renee the route to take to avoid the house of Laertes, Odysseus' father. In his
younger days, Laertes had done battle with Amazons, and following the incident with Nerios'
men it was felt best that they avoid any further conflicts. Iolan joining the women on their
march was not making Reneé very happy. He had spent the previous days trying to convince
the false queen to let him join the quest. She would have none of it. It was difficult enough to
have Amazons fight and die for her. She didn't deserve their adulation, but she felt a
responsibility to Gabrielle to keep up the pretense. Iolan was outside of this. He was an
adventurer, and though his skills had save their lives on the boat, she couldn't trust his loyalty in
the same way she could trust these women. Since there was still sea to cross before reaching the
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107
Grecian peninsula, she decided to let him tag along until the crossing was made. His sailor
skills might come in handy again if something went wrong.
They reached the port just before nightfall. After meeting the captain of the ship they had
at their disposal, the company was made comfortable in quarters that Penelope had arranged for
them. In a break from what little routine there was, Artemis met with Reneé once darkness had
fallen. The small cell of a room was no more than three meters on a side, which made for a
cozy meeting. The smallness did improve the apparent efficiency of the oil lamp, so the two
could see each other reasonably well. The room had a small wooden table and some sort of bed
platform that could generously be called a cot. Reneé sat on one end while Artemis sat on the
other. "First, I wanted to say that you gave a convincing performance for Odysseus' lady," the
immortal began.
"Thanks. I'm sure that knowing she was in the presence of a goddess had something to do
with what happened there. And it helped that you always seemed to jump in whenever I was
going to get into trouble."
"You've lost your inhibition about this mission. You are able to draw on whatever you
learned in your own time to be the Amazon Queen. I have only tried to anticipate those areas
about which you have no knowledge or history."
"Like the funeral."
"Like the funeral."
Reneé wanted to say something she didn't yet have the words for. "I'm having trouble with
that incident."
"I realize that. You must realize as well that more fighting is in your future. I don't know
this for a fact, but it would be naïve for either of us to think otherwise. Even if you chose to
stop now and join the Amazons, their life is one of conflict and so you would have to fight. You
might even think that you could simply find a quiet village and live a quiet life. I'm afraid that
my Gabrielle has more of a reputation than your history recalls. It would not be long before you
would again have to fight. In this time, it is Gabrielle's fate. I forced you to assume that fate
when I brought you here. There is nothing you can do to stop it other than returning to your
own time, or by dying."
"Nice choice," Reneé said sarcastically. "So basically, I have to finish the mission."
"You've always known that."
"I suppose I have. What about my abandoning Xena? Though you didn't interfere, I can't
imagine that you're too happy about that."
"It's strange. I have no opinion about that one way or another. When I first brought you
here, you needed Xena as a protector. Your little adventure with Peraxion confirmed that. But
you have grown since then. Not much more as a warrior, but as a leader. It was you who
understood how the Amazons regarded you, and you used that to your advantage to create a
situation more comfortable to you. As a result, I think you might have actually improved your
chances of success."
"Really?"
"It does mean that you will have to do more work. Xena isn't crucial for this task, but she
has knowledge you lack. You can learn what you need to know, but it will make your journey a
little longer. Have confidence in yourself, and faith in your followers. With that you will be
able to overcome the obstacles ahead."
"Great. I don't suppose you'd like to fill me in on those obstacles?"
"The Cairn of Chronos is a difficult place. Mortal eyes cannot see it without divine sight.
Once inside its influence, anyone not properly prepared will age ten years for every minute. To
open the Cairn, you must have the key. Once the Cairn is open, you must overcome your fear
and enter. Only then will your place in time be restored."
"And I get these things at the local convenience store?"
"No. You have to learn your way. I can help with the first steps, for they are immutable.
The rest change with the whims of the Gods."
"Great. So, what's the first step?"
"We must go to Crete where you must be initiated into the mysteries of the ancients. It is
more ceremonial than anything, but without this none of the rest can be achieved."
"And after that? Just in case we get separated or something."
"After that, you will take me to Delos. I will give you a talisman from my brother. Then
you will take it to the nearby island of Rinia where you will learn how to see the divine. After
that, you must learn how to prepare yourself and also to find the key. I cannot help with that,
nor can I help you find the Cairn. Those you must do for yourself."
Reneé was realizing that she wasn't going to be getting home any time soon. "If this takes
like two years, does that mean when I go back it will be two years later?"
"If you wish it to be. Once you enter the Cairn of Chronos you will have some ability to
direct your own course."
"Ok. That's not too bad, then."
Artemis stood up, nearly causing Reneé to fall as the bed almost upset. "I'm sorry."
"No problem. Are you leaving?"
"You need rest."
"Actually, if you wouldn't mind staying and talking?"
"About what?"
"Well, I'd just like to learn more. About this time. About the Gods. Everything. Once we
leave this room, you and I can't talk like this anymore, and I'd me crazy to pass up this
opportunity."
A motherly smile walked across the goddess' lips. "I will be happy to answer anything I
can."
She sat back down and spoke with Reneé until Dawn ushered in the new day.
Before the Sun had risen more than a hand's breadth above the horizon, Reneé's company
was loaded onto the Nike, a sailing galley with twenty oars and a crew of thirty. Unlike the
previous boats Reneé had been on, this was a vessel of war. Its Captain Atiocles was an
honorable and thoughtful man with the respect of his crew. His was one of eight ships King
Odysseus had retained at Ithaka should the island need to be defended while he was engaged in
a foreign war. With the addition of passengers, space was at a premium. Cydice had seen the
problem at once and suggested to Reneé that Amazons could replace some of the oarsmen.
Reneé proposed this to Atiocles who, upon hearing that their first destination would be Crete,
decided that it would be a good idea. Six oarsmen were left on Ithaka as the Nike set off for the
peninsula.
Like Xena before, Iolan was castaway on the first stretch of shore. He cried epithets as the
ship sailed off, but finally accepted his fate and wished his unlikely cadre of sisters a fair wind
and safe voyage. It was as if he had spoken those words into the earth shaker's ears himself.
For the eleven days it took to navigate to the southernmost shore of the island of Crete, nothing
of note happened. Amazons, sometimes in pairs, sometimes in shifts, would man oars when the
wind had slacked. Being warriors, they and the men found themselves to be kindred spirits and
neither group bothered the other except for the occasional good-natured fun.
The boat for unloading crew only held six people. Though all of the Amazons wished to go
on shore with their Queen, it was decided that only one boat load would go. Reneé had to go.
She was joined by Melodice, Penthaneira, P-One, P-Two, and the youngest of the Amazons at
eleven years, Kleopatra. They had no specific purpose. What was to be done had to be done by
Reneé alone.
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109
The heavy cloud cover seemed to be an omen as they landed on the rocky coast. Reneé
couldn't help thinking that the land seemed to be either very fertile, or depressingly rocky.
There wasn't too much in-between. Once on land, they waited. Snaking up the rocky hills was
a narrow path carved into the earth. After darkness fell, she would have to walk the path alone.
Anxiety grew as evening fell. An intermittent light rain fell, further darkening everyone's
mood. The clouds obliterated any sign of the moon; with the exception of the torches that had
been lit to provide some comfort, there was nothing but darkness. When it seemed that she had
waited long enough, for there was no other signal, Reneé found her way to the textured
depression scarring the ground. Forbidden to take any light with her, she had to blindly make
her way. It was very difficult. The darkness was so profound that with her eyes wide open, at
least they seemed to be wide open, she could not make out her hand waving in front of her face.
The sea hitting the shore made very little noise. No birds or animals made any sound. It was
like she had disappeared into a cave. Still, she continued on. Sometimes the path wasn't too
difficult to follow. The depression could be easily felt. Still, she did fall on occasion for she
had no visual clue as to what was up, down, or otherwise. That she still had her sea legs wasn't
making the trek anything less than an ordeal.
After what seemed to be hours, she reached what seemed to be the top of the hill. The path
disappeared. She didn't know what to do next. "Hello?" she queried. "Hello?"
Nothing happened for a number of minutes. Then it seemed to the faux Amazon that she
wasn't alone. If she listen carefully, she thought she could hear the very faint sound of cloth. A
cold bony hand clasped itself tightly over Reneé's mouth. The level of adrenaline in her
bloodstream jumped alarmingly high. Unseen hands coursed over her body until they found her
arms. Holding them gently, the hand was removed from her face and she allowed herself to be
led to wherever this group of shadows would take her. She was guided in this way for several
miles. They finally stopped. Reneé could tell through the soles of her sandals that she was
standing on something tiled.
Nine torches were lit, revealing that she had been led to a tableau in the middle of nowhere.
Nine figures dressed in dark robes of some sort, their heads covered and unseen. A large stone
with ropes tied to it sat a few meters in front of her. One figure walked to Reneé and signaled to
the others with a quick wave. The eight figures took hold of the ropes and pulled the stone back
several meters. From Reneé's vantage point, it appeared that they had uncovered a black pit.
The figure next to Reneé spoke in an androgynous voice, "Remove your garments and be
cleansed. You will enter the pool. Below its surface is a chamber. You must find it or die in
the attempt. If you lack courage, turn back now, for once you touch the liquid you cannot turn
back."
It was like being in a college grade-B movie. If she wasn't so scared, Reneé would have
laughed at the absurdity of it all. However, Artemis said that she had no choice in doing this.
She had to follow all of the instructions she was given.
Once she had removed her clothes, the reluctant hero-in-training stepped to the pool. Even
close up the torch light made it seem black. This was her last chance to turn back. She knew
she wouldn't, but her overworked endocrine system was begging her otherwise. In spite of her
instinctual better judgement, she slowly put one foot into the liquid. It was invitingly warm. It
wasn't water. It was thicker than that. Something about it seemed familiar, but she wasn't able
to place it.
Her foot found a step under the mysterious fluid. She slowly put her other foot in and
found another step. Slowly, she lowered herself into the pool. Her hands touched it. She lifted
them and found the liquid which was almost slippery quickly became sticky to the touch. Two
more steps and she was wading up to her rib cage. There were no more steps. What now? Dive
in? What choice did she have? As the steps slowly started to angle downwards, it appeared that
she had no choice at all. She lost her balance and fell in.
It was a slight struggle to reemerge. The viscosity of the liquid made swimming more
difficult. Then she tasted it. It was salty and almost sweet, with a distinct metallic flavor.
Blood. Fear turned into horror when Reneé realized that she'd just been plunged into a deep
pool of blood. A scream tried to emerge from her throat, but nothing came.
The eight figures who had uncovered the pool now pulled the stone in the opposite
direction, to reseal the pool. It took Reneé several seconds to realize that she was being sealed
into this vat of horror. "Wait!" she called.
"Wait! I don't know what I supposed to do!"
With one last pull, the outside world ceased to exist for Reneé. Light ceased. Sound
ceased. There was nothing. She had never been so alone.
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Chapter 22 : Homecoming
The Amazons on the shore were restless. Their queen had been gone for hours. The sun
would rise soon and they were forbidden to look for her until the sun had risen again. Melodice
watched Kleopatra fidget. "I hate waiting, too," the older warrior said.
That didn't make Kleopatra feel any better. She finally asked a question that no one had
dared ask until now, "What do you think of the queen?"
There was almost an audible gasp, as if the very asking of the question was a sacrilege. It
was, however, a fair question. A question that each of the Amazons in some way wanted to
discuss. Melodice countered with, "What do you think?"
"I don't know. Sometimes she seems like an Amazon, and sometimes she doesn't."
P-One asked, "In what ways doesn't she seem like an Amazon?"
Kleopatra considered her answer carefully before speaking. "It may not be correct for me
to say, but she doesn't seem very smart. That woman, Phoebe, acts like her teacher."
P-Two chimed in with, "I have noticed that, too."
Melodice answered back, "What if she's her advisor? A wise queen does not rely only on
her own opinion. She has counsel to help her, and if she is to rule with a fair hand, she listens
before making her decision."
P-One said, "While what you say is true, our sister has a good point as well. Phoebe seems
to be more than an advisor."
Melodice replied, "The queen has chosen not to share with any of us the reason for Phoebe's
presence. Not even Cydice has been told. This woman was with Queen Gabrielle before she
even crossed our path. We know only that the mission they share is a grave one, and for that we
must respect their privacy."
Penthaneira, usually one to hold her tongue, spoke up, "You are speaking like the wives of
men. Our queen has saved us from the slavers. She killed three while none of us had more than
one. Not me. Not even you, Melodice."
Chastened by the insult as well as the truth, the Amazons felt ashamed. Kleopatra
especially. She had meant no disrespect. The older Amazons felt the sting of Penthaneira's
words. The growing boredom from the voyage had so easily reduced them to dangerous gossip.
They had no right to question the methods of a queen who had done nothing but help them. She
even risked her own life in battle for them -- as a true Amazon. They should have known that
instead of needing a scolding from the eldest of them. Each took to waiting, trying to convince
themselves that Queen Gabrielle would have little problem facing her test.
Reneé was no longer seized by her negative emotions. Though still trapped in her bloody
tomb, she had calmed herself. It didn't take long for treading water to become exhausting.
Though having her head even touching the suffocating blood was nauseating, she had no choice.
Floating on her back was the only way to keep from drowning. It also had a side benefit. It was
relaxing. The warmth of the liquid, the total silence, the complete darkness, and the gentleness
of float made this like a giant sensory deprivation tank. After she overcame her initial panic, her
thoughts started to drift.
She was happy that she was still alive. It wasn't conscious thought, more of a general
feeling of relief. Despite everything, she was alive. This was the first time she had been in
danger in almost two weeks, and at the moment this didn't seem so bad. She drifted off to sleep.
Reneé woke with a start. Something was wrong. Her heart was pounding again. What was
wrong? She couldn't quite catch her breath. Wait. What if this pit is airtight, she thought. How
much air do I have? How long have I been in here?
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She took as deep a breath as she could and dove into the thick fluid. Instinct had taken
over. If she wanted to survive, she had to find a way out. She felt the walls of the pit, but there
was nothing but stone. Her lungs ached for air. She had to surface. Surface. Which way was
the surface. She had no clue to find up. Not sight. Not sound. The pain in her chest was
growing. Air!
She relaxed, hoping that she would float up. If she was, she couldn't sense it. It was taking
too long. Air! A bubble escaped from her nose. Another. She couldn't take a breath. She
would drown. Another bubble. Wait a minute. Bubbles float up, she realized. Though she
couldn't see them, she could feel them. She intentionally let more bubbles escape. They tickled
her cheek as they traveled past her right eyebrow. Follow them. Follow them up. AIR! Her
fingers and toes tingled from oxygen deprivation. Her head was starting to spin. AIR!! She
would black out in any moment.
The instant she broke the surface, she took in a breath. Her momentum sent her head
crashing into the stone above, which sent her back under the surface. She emerged quickly,
sputtering blood with had found its way into her lungs from the unexpected submergence. That
was too close. As welcome as the air was, it smelled even staler than she'd remembered. She
had to escape. Once again she took a breath and dived.
Her search was quicker this time. Again finding nothing, she surfaced. There had to be a
way out. She dived a third time, this time following the path the stairs would have taken had
they continued. The went on for a greater distance than Reneé was comfortable with, but she
had no choice but to go as deep as possible. She reached the bottom of the pool. Her hands
quickly felt around for something. Anything. There! A lip. Maybe a doorway. Her lungs
started protesting again. Each dive consumed more and more energy while allowing her less
and less time. She had to surface. One more breath.
On her next dive, Reneé found the passage again almost immediately. Without hesitation,
she entered. Now she was committed. There was no going back. She swam as hard as she
could. She kept scraping the bottom of the passage. It was like it was going up. There, up
ahead, there was a dark reddish glow. She swam faster. A current started propelling her. The
glow was lightening. As she turned up, the redness disappeared, the blood had become water.
As she rose, the water got cooler. It was invigorating.
Reneé exploded from the surface. She was alive!
"Penth, get your bow," Melodice said.
Penthaneira didn't move immediately. Melodice's command seemed to come with no
reason. The raven-haired warrior was too well trained to delay for long. She casually walked
over to the landing boat and took up her bow and a full quiver of arrows. She stared back at
Melodice. Something was wrong. Melodice was sensing it in the same way that all mammals
have when there is danger near. Amazons had a phrase: "If you think you are in danger, you are
in more danger than you think."
Having had long experience with leading Amazons through dangerous territory, Melodice
understood her role very well. Her first duty here was to the queen. She must have a means to
return to the Nike. If an ambush was imminent, then it might be wise to board the boat and take
it safely off shore until the queen reappeared. The flaw in that was that the queen wouldn't
know the situation, and could easily be killed or captured before the boat could return to shore.
That was not acceptable. That left only one option -- be wary and fight if necessary.
A shadow moved on the hill and disappeared. Then it was seen again, but farther along.
Someone was running, possibly to tell others about the Amazons. Melodice wished Tamarice
was here. That runner had to be stopped. "Kleopatra, stop that runner."
"But we are not supposed to follow in the queen's footsteps," she said indicating the path.
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"Do as I say. Go!"
Though young, Kleopatra was also well trained. She started up the hill as fast as she could
go on a route that would intersect with the one the unknown runner was taking. Melodice was
improvising a strategy. "One and Two, your priority is to protect that boat. Queen Gabrielle
must not be in a position to be stranded. Penth, if an attack comes, we will stay within the
perimeter of these torches. Save your arrows until you have a good shot."
Kleopatra crested the hill only three strides behind the runner. She smoothly drew her
sword, and with only a little extra effort, she overtook the man who wore only sandals and
wrestled him to the ground. It was then that she saw the squad of warriors casually breaking
camp in the flat ground a hundred meters away. She couldn't have known that they didn't know
the Amazons were below. It's likely that they wouldn't have cared even had they known. They
did care that their messenger, who had been taking his usual early morning run had been
attacked. They rushed to their arms in order to recover their comrade.
Upon seeing the mercenaries, Kleopatra recognized how awkward her situation was. Not
knowing what else to do, other than staying and fighting was a bad idea, she got back up and
returned the way she came. She didn't notice that she had dropped her sword. The messenger,
however, didn't. He saw that it was exquisite. "Hey!" he called, trying to get her attention. He
turned back to his squad and shouted, "I'm fine! I'm just going to return this." He waved the
sword and followed after his fleeing attacker.
On the shore, Penthaneira was the first to see Kleopatra returning at a fast run down the hill.
Appearing behind her was a naked man running after her with a sword. He was fast and closing
the distance. Melodice saw the danger as well. "Can you make it from this distance?" She
asked.
The archer nocked an arrow and drew her bow. Sighting quickly, she released. Seconds
later, the man fell. The arrow had pierced him in the stomach. The wound was fatal, but he
would suffer for days before succumbing. Kleopatra heard him fall. She stopped and grabbed
for her sword, only now remembering that she had forgotten it in her rush to escape. She then
saw it near the writhing man. Clearly he was going to use her own sword against her.
Two of the mercenaries casually walked over to the top of the hill to see how their friend
was faring. Instead of a good-natured chase, they saw instead a girl removing a sword from
their friend's chest. "No!" they cried at who was clearly their friend's murderer. They quickly
scanned the scene and there only appeared to be four more on the shore. A black ship was not
too far off shore and was threatening by its implication. But their friend's death had to be
avenged, and a swift attack on a smaller force could be undertaken before the men on the
warship could muster a response.
Reneé's sudden emergence dowsed half of the candles which ringed the contour of the pool.
She was happy to be alive. To see light. To hear sound.
She swam to the edge of the pool and pulled herself out. She was in a cave. Nothing more
could be seen because of the poor light. Even had all of the candles remained lit, their wasn't
anything to see. "Great. Now what?"
The rhetorical question was answered with the rhythmic plucking of an unseen lyre. She
picked up a candle to light the way as she followed the sound. The flame went out. She tried it
again. This time the flame held, but was so small that she might as well have proceeded without
it. She found an opening around a corner. The flame finally died and she threw down the
candle. Feeling her way, she carefully wended her way through a simple overlapping maze of
walls which effectively served the same function as a light trap in a darkroom. As she rounded
each wall, the glow of a light beyond grew louder, as did the lyre music. One last turn and she
found herself in a circular room. The nine figures, still robed, were spaced evenly around the
room. Each held a large candle ringed with nine wicks. The light from the eighty-one small
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flames cast the room in an orange glow. In the center of the room was a naked girl, about
twelve years old, helping to dress a woman in her mid-twenties. The lyrist was an older woman,
naked as the girl, and appearing to be in her fifties or sixties. The woman, now dressed in an
elegantly tied white gown, beckoned Reneé to her and Reneé complied.
"Blood, water, air," the woman intoned, "so it was when your mother bore you, so chose
you to be reborn. Three stages of birth, as there are three stages of womanhood--"
"Maiden," the child said.
"Mother," the woman said.
"Crone," the older woman said.
The girl continued, "Beginning--"
"Middle--" the woman said.
"End," finished the crone.
The woman said, "Each of these stages also has its own beginning, middle, and end. Three
times three. Do you understand?"
Reneé understood the arithmetic. That made sense. Nothing else did. She nodded.
The crone said, "When you are doing the bidding of the Gods, the power of this knowledge
cannot be ignored."
The child added, "Except when it must be."
The three speakers closed their eyes. There was no sound. No one moved.
Reneé was very confused. Was she supposed to do something or say something? Was she
supposed to do nothing?
One by one, each of the robed figures snuffed out a flame on their candle. Once each figure
had extinguished one flame, the cycle continued with the next. And so it was until nine cycles
had been completed and she was once again in darkness.
The soldiers marched down the hill in a phalanx. It was small, only four rows of six men,
but against a group of women, it should pose no problem.
"How many arrows?" Melodice asked.
"Fifteen," Penthaneira said.
"Make them count."
The archer waited until the phalanx had reached the bottom of the hill. She fired quickly
and accurately. The bronze-accented armor and hide shields of the men were but a pitiful
defense against her spirited volleys. One-by-one they fell as they maintained their formation, a
man from a rear rank moving up to fill the space of a fallen comrade. Finally, the call came
from the bow-woman, "I'm out."
"Amazons, attack!" shouted Melodice.
For a moment, the mercenaries hesitated. Their number had been culled from twenty-four
to just nine. Now they knew the reason: Amazons. Though they didn't doubt that a man could
beat any woman, the strength and tenacity of the Amazons was well known. They didn't fight in
standard formation, and that was their weakness. They could be downed one at a time while the
men in a phalanx could survive as a group. Discipline would always win. So they were taught.
Melodice, Penthaneira, Kleopatra, and P-One stood as a line between the phalanx and the
boat, where P-Two was positioned. The men stopped their advance. The front row of five men
readied their spears. The Amazons stood firm. The soldiers launched their spears at the
women, who scattered, two to the left, and two to the right. As the spears landed, the Amazons
returned and retrieved these new weapons. Now they had a means to attack the group of men.
The back row of four launched their spears while the Amazons were groups around the first
volley. Again they sprinted out of the way, but instead of returning to get weapons, each pair
wheeled around the phalanx and attacked it from the sides. Spears reduced the number of
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fighting men to five, a number the fierce women could manage. From now on, it was swords
and knives in a one-on-one fight.
A necklace was placed around Reneé's neck. She was still in darkness and didn't know
exactly what it was. The girl's voice said, "This is a symbol."
The woman said, "To go where you must go--"
The crone finished, "You will be recognized as reborn."
Again there was silence. After several quiet minutes, a bright shaft of light shot down out
of the ceiling as a panel was pulled aside. Once her eyes adjusted, Reneé saw that she was
alone. The room was empty except for a ladder which led up and out the opening. Guessing
that whatever had to be done was done, she climbed out of this room of mystery and into the
daylight.
She was standing on a finished tableau of tightly-fitted stone squares about a foot long on a
side. Beside the opening were her clothes she had worn when she arrived. She'd forgotten that
she was naked since emerging from the pool that had come so close to taking her life.
Remembering the necklace, she looked at the pendant. It was three intertwined triangles,
reminiscent of a celtic knot. It was made out of bronze, iron, and marble, each material
intertwined with the next.
After she dressed, she followed the lay of the land to the edge of the hill which she thought
must overlook the beach. When she reached the crest, she had to scan the area to see that she
was several hundred meters down the shore from where her guard were. And there appeared to
be a lot of dead bodies around. What had happened now?
Reneé ran to the Amazons more excitedly than was perhaps proper for a leader. "What the
hell happened here?" she demanded, seeing the two dozen dead soldiers and three wounded
Amazons on the shore.
"My Queen," Penthaneira said, "we where attacked only a short while ago. Since we were
outnumbered, we defended ourselves to the fullest extent so that your passage back to the ship
would be assured."
Reneé looked around. More blood-soaked ground. This time the effectiveness of the
Amazons was much more apparent. The little she saw of the deaths on Ithaka were fairly clean.
Here was the horror of battle. Bodies bled out until they were dry. Organs gathered clouds of
flies where they laid outside of bodies. It did not look as if there was any honor to this at all.
Only death.
Reneé turned back to the women. "You've never heard of wounding someone?" slipped the
casual Gabrielle-ism.
The archer Amazon felt the unintended sting of the words. Their queen wasn't satisfied
with what they had done. Penthaneira admitted to herself that she could have just as easily
wounded the attackers so they couldn't press the battle. It was something she would remember
the next time about this great queen's philosophy: Amazons were warriors, not butchers.
Reneé's attention turned to her wounded. Melodice and Kleopatra had been seriously cut,
but it was nothing that a short amount of time and some stitches wouldn't cure. P-One was of
more concern. P-Two was holding her sister in her lap. P-One had been stabbed twice: once to
the chest, resulting in a punctured lung; and once to the neck. She had lost a lot of blood, but
she was still conscious, suggesting that neither the carotid artery nor the jugular vein had been
cut. Her larynx had been injured and air was leaking into her neck, causing it to swell like a
balloon.
Reneé didn't know quiet what to say, but her expression spoke volumes and seemed to
comfort the two Polymazonae. Quietly, Reneé said, "Let's get out of here."
It was a somber crew that rowed to the Nike. When they reached the ship, P-One was
carefully lifted on board and given as comfortable an area as possible next to the aft deck. In
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minutes all were on board and the small boat was secured. Artemis spoke quietly with Reneé,
"Did you learn the mysteries?"
"I don't know. Three people--"
"A maid, a mother, and a crone," Artemis interrupted.
"Right. They said some stuff about threes and they gave me this." Reneé pulled out the
necklace.
"Good. We can continue. Tell the captain."
Reneé called, "Atiocles!" When she got his attention, "Set sail. For Delos."
"Delos?" he asked hoping for an explanation.
"Delos," Reneé replied, not giving him one; she had something else on her mind.
Artemis followed Reneé to the side of P-One. She was looking worse. "Can you help her?"
Reneé asked the goddess.
"No. My brother could, but I don't think she will survive that long."
"How long?" With no answer immediately forthcoming, Reneé called to the captain.
"Atiocles, how long will it take to get to Delos?"
"If the wind holds, seven days. Maybe more."
Artemis was right. She wouldn't last that long. "What if we sailed at night, and rowed as
well?"
"I won't do that."
"What?"
"You heard me. I will not risk my ship be sailing through those islands at night."
Reneé could feel that she was not going to win this one. Amazon Queen or no, she didn't
have enough clout with this captain. She joined him at the tiller and said, "I have a wounded
woman that I need to get to Delos as soon as possible. I don't want another death on my hands
if I can avoid it."
"I will not sail in those islands at night."
"I understand that. I'm not going to ask you to. But we have time before we get to the
islands, right? We can sail at night until then?"
Atiocles was touched by the sincerity in this woman's concern. He'd lost crew who could
have been saved if he'd been able to get them to help soon enough. Also, the message from
Penelope gave this woman command over him. None of his crew knew that. He didn't know if
these women knew it. He had seen what four had done to twenty-four armed men earlier that
day. If they decided to take over his ship, they could. Still, he had a duty to his men and to
himself to make it home. "Agreed. We will sail without stopping until we reach the island
circle. Then we sail for only as long as our course can be seen," he conceded.
"And we row."
"And we row."
"Good. How long will it take, then?"
"I don't know. Four days. Maybe less if we are lucky."
Reneé shook his hand and rejoined the Polymazonae. "One. One, listen to me," she said.
"You have to hang on. I can get you healed but you have to stay with us. Do you hear me? It's
going to take a few days. I need to know that you're going to fight to stay alive."
She couldn't speak, but the determined set in her eyes and the small nod were enough to
fuel Reneé's drive. "Artemis, I'm going to want you to row, too."
Reneé went to take an oar with Artemis following. Neither one had noticed the slip. The
triplets did. Two whispered to One, "Did you hear that, sister? Artemis is with us. We had
wondered who she was and why the queen listened. We heard her say that her brother could
heal you and that we must go to Delos. Sister, if what we hear is true and the blessed gods are
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on our side, you have to hang on until we can seek their help. There is no harm that the twin of
our patron cannot cure."
Three asked Two, "Should we tell Melodice and the rest?"
"Our queen would have told us if we were supposed to know. This knowledge was not
intentionally given."
"But now it is no longer a secret."
"It is if we keep it."
Three nodded. "You are right. We do not know what pact our queen has made with the
Huntress. Who are we to risk the ire of our goddess? I will stay silent."
"Agreed."
Two held out her hand. Three placed hers on top. Unexpectedly, One added hers as well.
The Moon cooperated by lighting the shore as they traveled around Crete and into open
water. The ship reached the chain of islands that circled Delos in a day and a half. Luck was on
Reneé's side that they reached the chain within an hour after Dawn had ushered in a new day.
Atiocles sailed recklessly that day. He risked eddies and still wind in his course through the
islands. He coursed between Milos and Andimilos. He skirted the coast of Siphnos.
Everyone joined in the rowing throughout the day for then knew that a life was at stake. A
strong wind blew all day long. Surely the gods were helping them. As the sun set, the outline
of Mikonos, the large island overlooking Delos could be seen as a rough edge on the horizon.
True to his word, Atiocles dropped anchor. He would not sail in these waters littered with
islands at night. The danger was too great.
There was an undercurrent of failure at having come so close. Everyone was exhausted
from two days of constant rowing. Though breaks had to be taken, the effort had taken its toll.
Any thought of taking the small boat and rowing to Delos were dashed when the wind grew
stronger and the chop on the sea increased. There would be no daring escape to the birthplace
of Artemis and Apollo this night.
When the night was half-done, P-One's breathing became very labored. Her skin started
getting cold to the touch. Each breath came with a small convulsion, and the grotesque
character of the sound was equaled only by the shallowness of the resulting breath. She was in
agony. "I think her lung's collapsed," Reneé said.
"Her what?" came the unidentified male voice.
Reneé was agitated, "What do I do? I remember that episode. What did Xena do? What
did she do?" she said quietly as she paced a tight path. "I remember. I remember. I need a
hollow tube, like a reed or something, and a very sharp knife."
Reneé knew what to do, in theory. She needed to insert a tube into the chest cavity to bleed
off the air that had leaked out of her lung. That pressure was preventing her lung from inflating
with each breath. Kneeling beside the gasping P-One, Reneé was overcome with a need to help.
She was the only one here that knew what needed to be done. Having never cut into a body
before, she delegated the job to Melodice. "I need you to cut into her chest here," Reneé said,
indicating a spot between the ribs to the side of P-One's breast. "It needs to be deep enough so
that I can insert this reed."
Melodice wasted no time. She quickly and deliberately cut an opening into P-One's chest.
While some foamy blood emerged from the opening, nothing else happened. Reneé plunged the
reed that was the severed end of a flute into the opening. She maneuvered it around, but caused
nothing but discomfort to P-One. Being an actor and not an emergency room physician, she
didn't know how to place an incision so that it entered only the plural cavity. The cut Melodice
had made was too deep and was also badly placed, for it cause an additional nick in P-One's
lung.
Reneé realized that she didn't know as much as she thought she did. Heroics played great
on TV, but in real life she may have just made matters worse. One thing was clear even in the
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Chapter 22
poor light offered by the lamps, P-One wasn't getting enough air. Her lips were getting darker.
One thing Reneé did know how to do was to give mouth-to-mouth resuscitation. She started
immediately. If P-One couldn't breath on her own, Reneé was going to do it for her. The
injured Amazon was going to have her chance.
"Man the oars," Atiocles shouted. "We're going in."
Though a warrior, Atiocles was also a man. He had a wife, a daughter, and three sons.
Four other children had died before they reached the age of one year. He knew pain. The
efforts being made by this Amazon Queen on behalf of one of her fallen warriors touched him.
Besides, no one was getting any more sleep tonight.
As the sky started to lighten, the mythic island of Delos loomed straight ahead. It was the
smallest of three islands and sat between the other two. If you looked closely, the columns of
various temples could be seen against the brightening heavens. The landing boat was launched
at dawn with Reneé, Artemis, and the Polymazonae in the boat. P-One's sisters had been
allowed to come for rowers where needed, and if P-One didn't survive, it was felt that her kin
should be at her side.
They were greeted at the shore by twelve priests and priestesses. They also had a litter for
carrying the dying Amazon. Galareisia, the high priestess, address the arrivals, "Welcome to
Delos," she bowed her head very low in Artemis' direction. "Our oracle has instructed us about
your need. Please hurry, there is not much time."
P-One was placed on the litter and the procession of devotees strode quickly up a path that
lead to a circular temple. The litter was placed in the center of the rotunda. The circular
opening in the middle of the flat roof shown a beam of light directly onto P-One. Her breathing
gurgled with the losing effort of trying to stay alive. The priests left her there, for miracles of
the gods were private, and not for the eyes of mortals.
Everyone stood outside the temple. Even out here, in the quiet beauty of Delos, P-One's
heart-wrenching breathing could be heard. Every breath. Until the next breath didn't come.
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Chapter 23 : Smoke
The priestesses and priests encircled the temple. Though in deep meditation, they would
not let anyone in to check on the condition of Polymazonae One. Her true sisters were numb
with anticipation. Was their sister dead? Would they ever feel whole if one third of them was
gone forever. Surprisingly, it was never something any of them had ever considered.
As the morning wore on, the Nike's launch ferried the remaining Amazons to the island.
They offered stoic support while waiting to hear word.
Artemis walked to Reneé and said, "Come with me. It's time to go."
"But what about--?" Reneé protested.
"She is either alive or dead. Waiting won't change that. We must go."
Reneé went to Melodice and said, "I must go with Phoebe to another temple, one known
only to her. Stay here, I don't know when I will be back."
The Amazons were stunned and a little angry to see their queen go off to the interior of the
island while a vigil was being held for one of their own. Only P-Two and P-Three harbored no
ill feelings, for they knew that their queen's companion was not one to be ignored.
Artemis seemed to be following a path only she could see. The hardy grasses on the rocky
landscape were thick and made any progress at all an effort. As they reached high ground,
Artemis said, "After I reach my destination, you will go to that island," she pointed at the
smaller of the two nearby islands visible in the hazy atmosphere, Rinia. "I spoke of it before. It
is there where you will learn how to see the divine."
Reneé noted Artemis' instruction, but her mind was still on P-One. Was she alive? She
wanted to believe she was, but despite having been in the presence of a goddess for almost the
entire time she had been in this time, she still didn't believe that they had the powers of gods.
Artemis interrupted Reneé's train of thought by saying, "This way," indicating an inconspicuous
small colonnade.
The colonnade were like so many ruins in Reneé's time. There was no building or debris
around them. Just nine smooth cylindrical columns resting on simple bases arranged in a mild
arc. The goddess walked to the convex side of the structure and walked in a straight path that
followed the line formed by the arc's focus point on one end, and the middle column on the
other. After a distance equal to the length of that geometric line, she arrived at a fissure torn
into the rock the island was made of. It admitted little light beyond a few meters below its
mouth. For all intents and purposes, it seemed to Reneé, it could be the proverbial bottomless
pit. "Is this it?" she asked.
"Yes," the goddess replied with restrained anticipation in her voice.
"How do we climb down? We are climbing down, right?"
"Follow me."
Artemis took a step and plunged feet first into the dark pit. Reneé listened to hear some
sort of landing, but no such assurance reached her ears. She could only hear the soft breeze
rustling the nearby grass. What to do? The last time she waited, she almost died in a pit of
blood. She shivered at the thought. The horror of the experience was not one that would leave
her for quite some time. At that moment, she realized that she'd already decided to jump. All
she had to do now was take a step and....
The fall wasn't bad. Because of the dark, she couldn't tell she was falling at all. She was, in
effect, weightless. Slowly, gently, she felt substance beneath her feet. There was a general
brightening of the area. She couldn't see the source of the light, only that it was getting brighter.
The room, or cave, or whatever it was did not seem to be real. Reneé couldn't actually see
anything, but instead understood the materials in this space. It was a world she could not
comprehend. Seemingly out of a mist, Artemis approached her. She appeared as lovely and
divine as she had that first time Reneé had seen her in the woods. "Welcome to the most sacred
place of Apollo," the goddess said.
"Where are we?"
"That is an interesting question. We are in a place few mortals have been. It is a place
where the Gods find sanctuary. We are at a place of beginnings, and also of endings. For me,
unless you finish what you have started, it is a place between those two -- neither a beginning
nor an ending."
"I don't understand."
Artemis smiled, "No, of course not. Gods love to speak in riddles."
Suddenly, they weren't alone. Reneé could only sense that something had changed, but she
didn't know what. Artemis knew. She grinned widely and seemed to be in an orgasmic ecstasy.
With effort, Reneé could see that Artemis was being touched by what looked to be a very subtle
special effect. It was an area that didn't glow exactly, it was more like an area that of less nonglowing than the rest of the area. She could also detect a sort of shimmering. Suddenly it took
shape and solidified. Standing next to Artemis was the most beautiful man Reneé had ever
seen. Those mortals who had seen Apollo throughout the ages had tried to convey his
perfection. Only Michelangelo had managed to hint at his perfection with his statue called
"David", but he only captured one note of a symphony. Tears dripped down the actor's face in
awe. "This is my brother," Artemis said. "Apollo, this is Reneé."
"Yes, we've all heard much about you."
Reneé couldn't speak. Even before she had been forced into mortal form, Artemis had been
considerate enough to make herself comprehensible to human perception. Apollo, less
accustomed to the mortal plane, stopped only at being visible as a man. It overwhelmed the
woman standing before him.
Apollo continued, "I am grateful that you brought my sister to his haven. As such, I will
give you what guidance I can. Beware of Poseidon. He has been distracted by Odysseus and
restrained by Artemis' closeness to you. That ends.
"Give the Gods their proper respect. Many do not enjoy this opposition. If you make an
effort with Athena, you may find the sway you need to finish this course you are on.
"Now it is time you are on your way."
"Thank you," Artemis said.
Reneé was now inside the temple. In front of her laid the body of P-One as she had been
left. Artemis was gone. Apollo was gone. "What the hell was that?" she thought.
Her eyes focused on P-One. She was reticent about going up to her. She didn't like being
around dead bodies. On the other hand, she needed to know. Was she alive? Every step was a
struggle with indecision. Though the temple was small, so were her steps. She didn't want to
know.
P-One's arms jerked, startling Reneé. She stood were she was, as if moving would jinx
what she had seen and what might happen next. P-One took a deep breath and sat up. She felt
around for her wound, but it was gone. She was healthy again! Joy was the only emotion she
could feel. She was alive! Seeing the opening to the temple, she got to her feet and ran outside.
Reneé didn't make a sound. She had been behind P-One and was away from the door. She
hadn't been noticed at all. Nothing in her experience, at least not the reality-based experience
she had lived in the twentieth century had prepared her for this. No one could be healed like
that. It just wasn't possible.
Cheers echoed into the chamber as the Amazons celebrated. Three priestesses entered the
temple to preserve those items that remained. They had been touched by the power of their god
and thus had to be stored away from the common world. They were stunned to see Reneé
standing in the back of the room. "What are you doing here?" said one.
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"How did you get in?" said another.
The third said with an even voice, "It does not matter. She was a part of this. It is not our
place to question."
The two other priestesses deferred to that wisdom and they stood aside as Reneé walked
outside. It was a relief to be outside again. The reality of it felt comfortable, though she felt a
little unsteady and unprotected without her Olympian shadow. Mia, an older teen Amazon of
unremarkable skills, and Melodice saw Reneé emerge from the temple. Melodice especially
was surprised. She wanted to ask... she wanted to ask too many things to allow herself the
ability to ask anything at all. It was instead Reneé who spoke first, "Melodice, please gather our
sisters. I need to talk to them."
In moments the celebration quieted as the eleven women gathered before their queen. It
was time for some truth, Reneé had decided. Not the whole truth, but some. "I want to thank
you all for the effort you gave to save One's life. If we had taken any longer to get her, I don't
think she--. Well, that's not important right now.
"I'm sure you all are wondering where Phoebe is. I'll tell you, that she was part of this
mission from the beginning. I had to return her here. Before we leave, I would like you to
know something about her. She wasn't just some warrior or some woman. That was Artemis."
Reneé hesitated to let that bit of truth sink in. It explained much. Why the Queen deferred
to her so much. Why Phoebe, or rather Artemis, stayed aloof. How her skill with a bow was
singularly unmatched. Everything they had seen confirmed for them what Reneé had just
revealed. Their patron goddess had traveled with them. It was almost incomprehensible.
"She has completed her part of the journey," Reneé continued, "and will no longer be
traveling with us. We, however, still have a long way to go. First, I must go to that island to
learn-- some things. After that, barring some new information I might receive, we will be going
to Athens.
"I want to also tell you something Apollo told me. Having Artemis with us protected us
from the direct wrath of Gods who don't want me to do what I have to do. Now that she is
home, we no longer have that protection. From now on, our journey gets a lot more difficult."
Melodice was ashamed. Perhaps it was because she didn't know this queen very well.
Perhaps it was jealousy. Whatever it was, her faith in her Queen Gabrielle had not been what a
loyal Amazon would have given. Who was she to question? She lead only a small tribe of
Amazons. Gabrielle was queen of the entire nation. She traveled with the warrior princess.
She traveled with a God! "My Queen," Melodice said.
"Yes?"
"I wish to say to you that no matter where you go, I will follow. My life is as a gnat's
compared to yours."
"Now, wait. Let's not get carried away. OK? Just be an Amazon. I'm depending on you.
More than you realize."
"I won't let you down."
"OK. Where's our boat?"
Reneé was looking out to sea, and didn't see the Nike anywhere. "Atiocles went up the
coast to moor it in the harbor," Melodice said.
"Oh. Good. I do need you to get me over to that island. I want to get there, do what I need
to do, and then come back here as soon as possible."
"As you will, my Queen," Melodice said with a bow before grabbing Kleopatra and heading
to the harbor.
Reneé walked over to the Polymazonae, who were reluctant to separate from one another.
"How are you feeling?" Reneé asked.
"Very well, thank you," P-One said.
The Amazons might be reserved, but Reneé couldn't help herself. She hugged P-One
tightly. She said into P-One's ear, "Don't you ever do that to me again."
"I hope to die, if I do."
Reneé broke the embrace laughing. She was grateful to hear humor--at least she hope it
was humor. These women didn't joke around much, at least not around her. "How are you two
holding up?"
"Very well, my Queen. Thank you," P-Three said.
"We've got to come up with something other than 'my Queen'. I want you three to work on
that while I'm away."
She couldn't have caused the triplets to look more stunned if she had suddenly sprouted
glittered antlers and wore a tutu. "Yes my-- my--" P-Three stammered.
With a glint in her eye, and a mischievous grin growing on her face, she traced the route
that Melodice had taken. That route took her down to the harbor, which was busier than she'd
have guessed. Pilgrims from all over the Aegean came to this island to hear prophesies from
Apollo's oracles, and to pay homage and tribute to the twin Olympians. Young women early in
their first pregnancies visited here if they were able to receive the blessing of Artemis, who in
addition to being protector of the Amazons was also the goddess of childbirth. "Queen
Gabrielle!" Kleopatra called.
Reneé changed her course to meet the young warrior running up to join her. Reneé said,
"Could you be a little louder? I don't think they heard you in Sparta."
"My Queen?"
"Let's not call attention to the fact that I'm Queen of the Amazons?"
"I'm sorry, my Queen. I forgot that you--"
"It's fine," Reneé interrupted. "It's not that big a deal. So, am I set to go to the island?"
"Yes, my Queen. This way, please."
Reneé was exerting as much of her personality as she could. When she told the Amazons
that she had been cavorting around the Mediterranean with Artemis, she could see a shift in the
women. The closest word she could find was that they were more reverential. Even though not
trained as a warrior, she had a feeling that treatment of that sort might just get a lot of people
killed, including herself. She also was getting tired of being treated as more than she was. It
was hard enough pretending to be this great leader without also having to be something just shy
of a demigod. Even if it made things tougher on the real Gabrielle when she returned, Reneé
decided that the time had come for a little more humanity and a little less gravitas. Most of all,
she couldn't wait to be done with this "my Queen" honorific.
When she reached the docks, she wasn't overwhelmed by the sophistication. The Nike was
moored to a simple pier. Several other less imposing vessels were tied to the two other piers
that also jutted out into the Aegean. At the water's edge, Melodice was waiting next to a sailing
boat that was not much more than a skiff. Before she could call Reneé over, Kleopatra
mentioned to her about Reneé not wanting to call attention to herself. This had the result of
reducing Melodice to hand motions for she just could bring herself to call her queen by name.
"Are we ready to go?" Reneé asked.
"Yes, my..." Melodice said.
"Good. Then let's go. Kleopatra, you join me. Melodice, I want you to make sure we're
ready to sail as soon as possible."
"Of course."
Reneé stepped into the boat and nearly fell over in the unstable craft. Kleopatra followed,
with a little more dignity. Finally, the boat owner, Mikos, pushed off and set sail for the island
barely a kilometer away, but still slightly hidden by a bluish haze which refused to burn away.
Mikos was an honest man making an honest living. He dressed simply in the same fashion
that most of the sailors, including those of the Nike, preferred. A rectangle of cloth, folded in
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half to form a triangle, was wrapped around the waist with the point pulled up loosely between
the legs and tucked under at the waist. Many, like Mikos, tied a cord around the waist as well to
keep the crude pantaloons securely fastened. It was comfortable and quite appropriate for the
climate and was one of the most common styles for working men and slaves all around the
Mediterranean. It wasn't quite a pantaloon. The closest description would be either a drawn kilt,
or a loose skort.
As the unsteady craft neared the island it finally occurred to the actress that she didn't have
a clue as to what she was going to do once she landed. Artemis had only told her that she'd
learn to see the divine, whatever that was supposed to mean. She didn't say how or where she'd
learn this.
Rinia was more lush with vegetation than rocky Delos. It looked to Reneé like it would be
a great place to visit on a vacation in any time. She could see buildings on the hilltops, but
nothing else to distinguish it from a deserted isle. There was one other thing. A small pier,
barely higher than the currently high tide, extended from the abbreviated shoreline. Mikos
pulled up to the pier and tied off the boat. Reneé then Kleopatra disembarked. "My-- uh,
Gabrielle?" Kleopatra said.
"Yes?"
"You might like to take this," the young warrior said while presenting a staff that had been
stowed on the boat, but which Reneé hadn't noticed.
Taking the staff, Reneé suddenly felt the part. She had wandered around in a twentieth
century version of a sidekick warrior costume for years, and almost always with a staff in her
hand. This felt so correct. It put her in character like nothing else had before. "Thanks," she
said.
Acting as if she knew what she was doing, Reneé set off on one of the well-worn paths with
Kleopatra in tow. This path seemed to lead up the closest hillside to one of the buildings she
had see as they were arriving. As the grade of the path got steeper, she was very grateful for
Kleopatra giving her the staff. She had forgotten how much easier it made walking. "What do
you want to ask me?" Reneé said.
"What? I--"
"I can feel you not asking me. It's alright. If you want to ask me something, then ask. The
worst that will happen is that I won't answer that particular question. I don't mind," Reneé
assured her younger companion.
"I was wondering how it came to be that you were travelling with our goddess?"
Reneé would have given half a year's pay to have a screenwriter feeding her lines. Why
was it that no one here ever seemed to ask a frivolous question? "That's sort of complicated. I
can't tell you all of it," Reneé paused while she thought about what she could say. "In fact, I
really can't tell you anymore than you already know."
"I'm sorry, my Queen. I shouldn't have asked."
"I meant it when I said it's OK. I don't mind." Reneé walked on a bit before saying, "There
is a little something I can say. For the time being, I've gotten a little insight into the future. I
know, for instance, that in about a thousand years there will be a Greek woman sitting as Queen
of Egypt. Her name will be Cleopatra."
"Now you are making sport of me."
"No, I'm totally serious. I can tell you this because it is so far into the future that it won't
matter. Cleopatra will try to find peace for Egypt with the rulers of the mightiest empire on
earth. She doesn't succeed, but her legend makes her the most famous woman in history for
thousands of years."
"You speak as if this has already happened."
"I do? I do, don't I?" Uh-oh, Reneé thought, maybe I shouldn't show off like that anymore.
They reached the top of the smallest of the high hills to see five small buildings. Four of
them were made of wood, thatch, and sod. The fifth had a stone base and plastered walls both
inside and out. Smoke seeped out of the smoke holes in the roof. Reneé called, "Hello? Hello,
is anybody here?"
She peered into the doorway of the plastered building. The walls were dingy from years of
incense burning. A crude wooden statue, painted as a young man, dominated the rear wall.
Vegetables and meat sat on platters throughout the building. In the center, kneeling before a
large censer that could have passed for a portable grill, was an old man whose gray hair had
never been shorn. He was engulfed by the spewing smoke and hit by grease pellets from the fatwrapped thighbone being offered in the daily sacrifice to the sun god. "Excuse me, sir?" Reneé
said. "Sir?"
"Has no one ever taught you that it is unwise to disturb a sacrifice to the gods?" the old man
croaked.
"Not really."
"Then go. Never return."
"But--"
"GO!" the priest shouted as he stood and wheeled around to face Reneé. The withered
antique of a holy man gave every impression of being ten feet tall and as massive as a bear.
Reneé didn't move. She was barely startled, and not even slightly afraid. She'd been
through too much recently to let even as impressive a performance as this move her. Quickly,
the man before her shrunk back into his own body. "A soldier woman. What do you want of
me?"
"I was told to come here and learn to see the divine?" Reneé offered.
"Aren't you sure?"
"I'm not sure if you're the one to ask," she said.
"I'm not. Go away."
"But--"
"Go away."
Reneé sighed. She wasn't getting anywhere. "Where should I go?"
"You want insight. To see the divine?"
"Yes."
"On the other side of the island, at the Golden Harbor, there is a smoke house tended to by a
fisherman named Kithairon. Tell him that the ancient priest at Tigallas said that you were to be
prepared for one full day. Then return here and I might tell you what you wish to know. Now
go away."
"Thank you," Reneé said. She met Kleopatra outside the small temple. "You heard?"
"To the Golden Harbor."
The walk to the harbor was the most pleasant one Reneé had experienced thus far. The well
tramped roads had the occasional "ordinary" person going this way or that. Everyone was polite
enough to greet the Amazons in passing, but all took a long look once the women had passed.
Amazons were rarely seen outside of their nations, and their rarity often provoked curiosity and
a little fear.
The countryside was not only populated by the people on the road, but also by small
dwellings here and there, as well as sheep grazing wherever acceptable foot could be found.
"May I ask you a question," Reneé said.
"Of course," Kleopatra answered.
"What do you do for fun?"
"I don't understand."
"I realize that we've been through a lot, but I've noticed that you, Melodice, and the others
don't laugh a lot. It's like you are in a warrior frame of mind all the time."
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"We have moments of joy. Forgive me, but you do not know the oppression we have lived
under. Every day is a victory that our small nation remains intact. We don't have time to
practice the arts, or engage in carefree sport."
"Then I'm sorry. No one should have to live like that. Not all the time."
"What would you have us do?"
"I don't know. I guess I just think that you need to live life instead of simply suffering
through it. Just because you wear your misery like a coat doesn't make you more noble or more
worthy. It just makes you less happy. Take us, for example. We could be walking down this
road moaning about having to cross this island and not knowing what's ahead, or we can enjoy
this warm sunshine and admire the beautiful landscape on our way to a new adventure. In both
cases, we are still having to walk across this island, but the second way is more pleasant and we
have had a much better time."
"But if we are attacked--"
"Then we fight. That doesn't mean we didn't have a good time before the attack, or that we
shouldn't be watchful. It's important to know that not everything is a battle. Don't seek out
trouble."
"I want to believe what you say. I must, because you are much wiser than I am."
"I'm not all that wise. What are you thinking?"
"We are Amazons. Our legend inspires fear in others. Surely you have noticed the
'friendly' people watching us as we pass. People attack what they fear. It is the way of things."
"What I'm saying is that it doesn't have to be. Remember what it was like on Ithaka? The
servants laughed and had a good time except when they had exceptionally hard work, or had to
clean up our mess?"
"Yes."
"Odysseus is a strong general and a good king. His people don't live in fear or distrust. His
strength is his humanity."
"I understand what you are saying, but it is not our way."
Reneé sighed and said to herself, "This is going to be a fun trip."
The two women kept up a quick pace and neared the harbor after another hour of walking.
Spending so many weeks on board ship had done nothing to help Reneé's leg strength. The
walking up and down those hills made her leg weary and thankful that she didn't have much
farther to go. It also made her more grateful to Kleopatra for supplying her with a staff.
The town known as Golden Harbor wasn't exactly a city, but it bustled like one. One-story
buildings made out of a variety of materials lined the haphazard streets. A few large and loosely
constructed buildings served as warehouses and processing plants for some of the perishable
products that were received. This was a port of trade and the wares were piled on the large
unloading area that where fed by the wooden piers. Six merchant vessels of a variety of styles,
but all much in the same class as the Aegis, the first ship Reneé had journeyed on after being
rescued from Peraxion, were currently moored and in various stages of being unloaded. Fishing
vessels, too, were bringing in their catch -- the odor of which was unmistakable when you found
yourself down wind. Hundreds of people, mostly men, wearing a variety of everyday dress in
colors ranging from a light beige that passed for white, to red, to indigo. The volume and
quantity of negotiating couldn't be classified as a din from Reneé's end-of-the-second-millennia
point-of-view, but in comparison to the nature quiet that pervaded most of the places she had
visited Reneé found it somewhat noisy and comfortingly familiar.
"How do we find this Kithairon?" Kleopatra asked.
"We ask. The priest said that he was a fisherman, so why don't you go over to where they
are unloading the fish, and I'll talk to that man over there. He seems like he's in charge. We'll
meet back here."
"As you wish."
"And Kleopatra? Try to remember to keep a low profile," Reneé added.
Kleopatra nodded with the impatience of a child who didn't like being scolded before she
had done anything wrong. Reneé went in the opposite direction toward the rotund man around
whom seven other men were arguing. She stood waiting for her turn to speak. One by one,
each of the men quieted. None of them knew what to make of the oddly dressed woman
standing before them. She was strong, that was obvious. She also had a demeanor that spoke of
having fought battles which she obviously won. Clearly this was a woman who commanded
some respect. "Excuse me," she said, "I'm looking for a man named Kithairon."
The harbor master replied, "The fisherman?"
Reneé nodded. The harbor master continued, "He would be over there with the fishermen."
He then turned his attention back to the other men, and the arguing continued again has if there
had been no interruption.
Reneé was feeling a little foolish. They say that there's no such thing as a dumb question,
but felt as if she'd just offered one given the obvious answer she received. She retraced her
steps and followed the path taken by Kleopatra. Several fishermen were gathered around,
laughing and having a grand time. All of them looked as if they didn't make hygiene their
highest priority. They all had dried remnants of fish blood and guts stuck to their bodies. Their
skorts had well worn-in grime and smelled of fish, or perhaps it was urine. It was impossible to
tell. "Excuse me, I'm looking for Kithairon," Reneé said.
The leather-skinned fisherman with three front teeth missing shouted, "Kithairon! It looks
like you are dangling the right bait today!"
Laughter pealed from the group of men. A barrel-chested man with black hair and a
reddish beard swaggered down the docks and pulled his impressive rod out from his outerwear
saying, "I always have the right bait to dangle, Pytheron!" More laughter. "Grab her."
Reneé had sensed that this situation might get out of control so she had prepared herself for
anything. Two sailors converged on her, so she swung her staff at incapacitating but non-lethal
targets on the sailors' bodies. They both fell painfully to the deck. A third fisherman lunged at
her, but it was an easy matter to take away his footing, sending him stumbling off the dock into
the water.
Though she had managed to take three down, Reneé knew that surprise was a big factor.
As several more men readied to attack, she remembered her Xena's advice. Run. The welltrained actress turned and found safety in the confusion of people at the other end of the dock.
It wasn't until she reached the shadows of the town's buildings that she turned to see if she had
been followed. All seemed clear. Everything was alright now. Or was it?
Kleopatra had met with the men first. Where was Kleopatra now?
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Chapter 24 : No More, No Less
There was no light. Her throat was raw. The air reeked of fish and burnt wood. The only
breathable air was below her waist. Even that wasn't going to be sustaining for long. Her
breathing became increasingly labored as her lungs convulsed to rid themselves of the deadly
pollution that was growing within them. She had to escape.
Night had just fallen in the town of Golden Harbor. The bustling of the day had nearly
disappeared as the residents retired to their homes, and visitors either found their lodging for the
next day or opted for staying on board their own ships for the night. For most of humankind the
cycle had been like this. Rise with the Sun, attend to your tasks throughout the day, and then
sleep when the Sun set. It was what nature demanded. The few who ignored this rhythm of the
Earth and Sky did so out of necessity or foolishness. Sometimes it was difficult to tell the
difference.
Suspecting that Kleopatra had never left the dock area, Reneé continued her search there.
Although she could search only a handful of the ships, the ones with no crews, to see if she was
being held on one of them, there were still several buildings on this seaside district that she
could examine. None of them were residences, and it seemed that none of them were guarded.
With the populace sleeping, Reneé would be able to search out in the open and still not be
noticed. The only precaution was not to make excessive noise to attract attention to herself.
This was an important restriction, for Reneé had to actually find her lost companion, instead of
calling out and hoping the two would be able to find each other.
Even carrying a small torch, walking on the dock was hazardous. The ground, sometimes
paved with stone, sometimes with planks, sometimes bare and rutted, posed frequent hazards
that the scant illumination failed to reveal. Even walking with care, the actor was often finding
that the ground was a centimeter or two lower than her step was anticipating, or some small
obstacle would seem to choose to pop into harms way of her big toe.
She stopped. She thought she heard knocking. It was faint, if it was there at all. It didn't
sound like it was coming from one of the moored ships. Nothing. Maybe she imagined it,
wanting there to be a sound.
The first building was empty. The next was filled with sealed amphorae of the golden gift
of the Gods to mortals: olive oil. The large building just past the fishing docks didn't seem to
have a door at all. Reneé could see a symbol in her dim torchlight. Three tridents arranged butt
to tines in a triangle with the head of a bearded man, presumably Poseidon, in the center. It
reeked of fish and smoke. It offered no other clues. The next three buildings were as dully
inventoried as the first two, but also had various nautical symbols: dolphins in a circle, rows of
waves, and a really big stylized fish. She saw no other buildings with that distinctive warehouse
quality on this end of the dock.
There was something about the one without the door that made her return. How did you get
in. She circled the building, and again she didn't see any door. But there was something.... She
toured around the building one more time before it hit her. There was more stuff stacked on one
side of the building than on another building. As quietly as possibly, Reneé pulled down ropes,
boxes, and other flotsam from what indeed turned out to be a door which, lacking a lock, had
been tied closed with a very effective knot. As she was trying to loosen the tangle she was
startled by a brief knocking coming from just inside. It was only three weak taps, but it was
enough to make Reneé's heart race.
In her haste to loosen the wicked knot, the actor managed to rip the nail of her index finger
down past the quick. It hurt. Even the adrenaline rush she was experiencing wouldn't dull the
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pain. After using her teeth to tear off the dangling nail end, she continued her rescue effort and
was finally rewarded. The rope came undone and the door opened on its own due to the
different pressures inside and outside of the building. A billow of smoke engulfed Reneé just as
she inhaled and was greeted with a lung full of the noxious cloud. A weak asthmatic cough
came from ground level. Reneé lowered her torch and saw that it was Kleopatra. "Kleopatra,"
Reneé loudly whispered, "Kleopatra!"
The girl Amazon only managed another brief round of weak coughing. She was trying to
remain conscious, but was in a state where she could not find the line between reality and
dream. Walking from life to death wouldn't engender any fear because she could not tell the
difference.
Reneé could tell that Kleopatra was in terrible shape, but she was at least still breathing.
The first order of business then was getting her to safety. Using strength she never really
believed she had, Reneé picked up the girl, who was nearly as big as she, in a "fireman's carry"
-- one of Kleopatra's right arm hooked over the actor's left shoulder, and the girl's right leg over
the actor's right shoulder, the weight then being carried by the Amazon leader as a sort of human
knapsack. She had to choose to abandon either the torch or her staff to continue in this fashion.
Not knowing what might be around the next corner, Reneé chose the weapon she was most
familiar with, the staff.
Kleopatra wheezed with every breath. She had been locked in the smoke house for about
twelve hours and was fortunate to have survived this long. That there wasn't a full supply of
smoldering wood was what had kept her on this side of the river Styx.
Walking down the docks much more carefully than she had during her search, Reneé had
time to consider her situation. She was in ancient Greece. There weren't any doctors per se, not
to mention any hospitals. It was so late at night that she could barely see, and even if she could,
she could she wouldn't know where to go for help. It was so quiet.
The hairs stood up on the back of Reneé's neck. It was so quiet.
How long had it been since Kleopatra had taken a breath? Seconds? Minutes? She put
down the girl in what could best be described as a controlled drop. "Kleopatra," she said,
slapping the girl's face, "Kleopatra wake up. Wake up. Breathe."
There was no response at all. Feeling around in the dark, Reneé positioned herself beside
Kleopatra's head and gave her three lungfulls of air through mouth-to-mouth. Nothing. Reneé
tried to remember everything she'd learned in that CPR class. She had known it was an
important thing to know, but now she wished she'd taken the refresher course like she was
supposed to. She felt for Kleopatra's carotid pulse, but couldn't tell if the beat she was feeling
was coming from Kleopatra or from her own fingers. She didn't want to start CPR if the
Amazon's heart was still beating, because doing that could make matters much, much worse by
sending the muscle into the unsynchronized fibrillation that was as useless to the body as a heart
not beating at all. She felt for the pulse again and was positive that she felt nothing coming
from the girl.
As if on automatic pilot, Reneé started chest compressions combined with mouth-to-mouth
resuscitation. Fifteen compressions for every two breaths. Tears escaped Reneé's eyes in the
darkness as fear, rage, fatigue, and a myriad of other emotions pulled at her. Minutes stretched
into tens of minutes. Aches in her shoulders grew into stabbing pains with every compression.
It was getting more and more difficult to keep her elbows locked. Every breath became harder
as Reneé had less energy to inflate lungs other than her own. With each breath she could feel
Kleopatra's skin getting colder. After almost a half-hour of non-stop effort, Reneé could do no
more. She collapsed on top of her companion. Through tears she said, "It's my fault. It's my
fault." Then as grief grew within her, she could only repeat hoarsely, "I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm
sorry. I'm sorry."
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"What can I do to help you?" the harbor master said.
The deep voice roused Reneé. She hadn't moved since Kleopatra had died. Though she
didn't think she had fallen asleep, she was having to fend off a sleepy stupor in order to get her
bearings. Looking up, she noticed that the sky was gaining a pre-dawn lightness. Standing
nearby was the harbor master, always the first awake. "Do you need any help?" the man
reiterated.
"Um... My friend... She died."
The harbor master immediately went to the fallen warrior's side and felt for signs of life, but
the cold body spoke of her being hours dead. "Come, let's get her inside."
The harbor master easily picked up the stiffening body of Kleopatra and carried her to his
home. Reneé followed close behind.
The harbor master's home was larger than most, as befitted the importance of his position.
Pushing open the door, the man yelled, "Hyacinis, wake up!"
"Idaeus?" came the voice from a back room.
"I need your help. Bring some lamps."
The harbor master Idaeus didn't know where to put the body. He didn't want to be
disrespectful, but he also did not want to unduly inconvenience his wife. Still, he had to put the
girl somewhere, and the main table seemed as good a place as any. Holding two lit oil lamps,
Hyacinis, a woman in her mid-thirties and dressed in folds of cloth she had hurriedly draped on
herself, entered the room. "By the gods, what is going on Idaeus?"
"I'm not sure. This girl is dead, I know that. I think her friend here might know what
happened."
"So why did you bring them here?"
"I can't have dead people lying around my harbor!"
Hyacinis went over to Reneé and compassionately touched her arm. "I am Hyacinis, and
this is my husband Idaeus. What can we do to help?"
Reneé looked into the sad eyes of the woman. What could they do to help? What could
anyone do? Get a grip, Reneé, she told herself. You can't panic. You have to keep playing the
part. "My name is Gabrielle. I guess I need to find some way to get my friend's-- body-- back
to Delos. But I still haven't finished what I came here to do." Panic started rising again. She
paused, trying to get her emotions settled again.
"Why do you have to get her to Delos? Is she a priestess?"
"No, I have to get her back so she can have a proper Amazon funeral."
"Amazon!" Hyacinis gasped.
Whoops, Reneé thought to herself. She didn't mean to say that. Idaeus said, "Gabrielle.
That name is familiar to me." Then with some trepidation in his voice he added, "You wouldn't
happen to travel with the warrior princess?"
"No. Well, yes. Sometimes, yes. I do."
The large man didn't seem the sort to give in to fear, but now he was obviously worried.
"We don't want any trouble."
"I'm not going to cause any trouble."
"What's going on?" Hyacinis asked. The odd behavior of her husband was making her
nervous.
"You asked me about someone yesterday. Um... Kithairon. Do you think he had something
to do with this?" the harbor master asked.
"I don't know. I sent Kleopatra to find him before I talked to you. I didn't see her again
until I found her last night."
"On the dock?" he asked.
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"No. She was barricaded in a building. A smokehouse, I think. She was still alive then."
Tears started welling up in Reneé, but she struggled for control. "If only I'd found her sooner."
"Kithairon. It has to be. Hyacinis, give her anything she wants. Anything," Idaeus said as
he headed for the door.
"Where are you going?" his wife said.
Idaeus looked into Reneé's face and said, "Amazon, I'm going to get you your justice,"
before he left.
Reneé found a chair and sat in it heavily. She couldn't look at Kleopatra's body any more.
It was too raw a memory. She felt so tired. Hyacinis didn't know what to do. These women
were Amazons? No wonder Idaeus had been nervous. Even she had heard Spartans, using their
bravado as a shield, speak respectfully of the power of these warriors. That they fought as only
women could fight, with a tenacity to protect their own no man could match. If the Amazons
chose to seek retribution on this island, there was little that could stand in their way. "May I get
you some wine," she asked. "It might help to relax you."
"I don't want anything," Reneé responded flatly.
"I understand. Who among us hasn't felt the sting of loss. Still, to honor those who have
passed, the living must continue living. You do nothing for your friend's memory if you ignore
the divine gifts of the gods."
"Divine?" Reneé said. The word triggering the reason why she'd come to the island in the
first place.
"Of course. Corn from Demeter. Wine from Dionysus. The olive from Athena. Fish from
mighty Poseidon. By accepting their gifts to us, we in turn honor them."
Maybe there was something in what she was saying. Artemis hadn't been very specific
about what it was she had to look for. Maybe she needed to keep an open mind about things.
"Thank you. Something to eat or drink would be great."
Reneé didn't think she'd have much of anything, at first. She accepted the wine from
Hyacinis forgetting how early in the day it was. She felt as if she'd been awake for days. The
mild warmth the wine produced in her did calm her down after several minutes. She had a
breakfast of dates, figs, and a kind of thin porridge. She also had a fruit juice she couldn't quite
decipher. That it had been laced with a "medicinal" liqueur without her knowledge didn't make
the identification any easier. "What's this?" she asked.
"Currant juice."
It wasn't bad, just different. She had to admit that this breakfast had lightened the load of
guilt she had been carrying, though she wasn't sure why. The food hadn't been that great.
The door swung open to admit Idaeus. "I've found the fisherman. Come, if you want your
justice."
Reneé was confused. What was he talking about? What justice? She stood and the brief
flush of unsteadiness served as explanation for why she felt better. It was the wine. Though she
wasn't drunk, she'd had more to drink than was probably wise first thing in the morning. She
grabbed her staff to steady herself as she followed the harbor master. He lead her to an area
very near to where they had spoken the day before. A large group of men were gathered. In the
cleared center of the crowd was Kithairon. Though his hands were bound, he stood defiant.
Idaeus led Reneé to this clearing, men moving out of the way so they could pass and then
closing back around ensuring that none would escape. "Silence!" Idaeus commanded. In a few
moments, all those gathered were quiet.
"The fisherman Kithairon trapped a young woman, not much more than a girl, in the
smokehouse yesterday. This morning she lies dead in my house."
Kithairon lost some of his stridency. He'd completely forgotten about the girl he had
intended to scare just a little before having some fun with her. That other one, the woman
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standing next to Idaeus, she had distracted him. "This woman," Idaeus continued, "her friend,
found her. Though she has not asked for retribution, for the sake of justice and peace, I demand
it for her and will not allow her to relinquish it."
Reneé thought she was confused before, but none of this was making any sense to her. The
wine wasn't helping. "What are you saying?" Reneé asked.
"This man has grievously wronged you. I've brought him to you for your justice. You must
strike him three time with your staff. No more, no less. Whether he lives or dies is no
consequence to me, but I should think it would matter to you. I require this so that there will be
no further retribution sought. We have no quarrel with the Amazons."
Gasps followed by murmurs flowed through the crowd. The reputation of the Amazons
was known to all of them. They intentionally stayed away from certain natural harbors to avoid
these unnatural women. Even Kithairon was visibly shaken. That girl was an Amazon? What
had he done.
"I don't want to do this," Reneé quietly told Idaeus during the commotion.
"You must. I cannot take back what I have said. You must strike him three times." Once
again speaking loud enough for the crowd to hear, "Any man who interferes will be forever
banned from this place. Any ship he is one, whether as captain or crew, will find no home
here."
All eyes now turned to Reneé. She felt like running away. When she looked at Kithairon,
growing even more pathetic by the minute, she remembered what had happened the day before.
That dirty and smell excuse for a man had ordered his men to attack her. He was an arrogant
pig that didn't deserve to.... She couldn't do it. She couldn't build up a good steam of righteous
anger. At least not enough to hurt him, but certainly enough to hate him. She walked up to him,
looking at him with a disgust usually reserved for unfaithful men. She slowly and firmly tapped
her staff to his chest. She held it there for almost a minute before drawing back her staff. She
paused before slowly and firmly tapping his chest again.
Kithairon wasn't going to be beaten. The realization of it shocked him. He thought
Amazons were ruthless to the point that it could be fatal to merely look at one in the wrong way.
But they were just women. "She probably wouldn't have been a good lay, anyway," he said in a
moment of bravado.
It was probably the stupidest decision of his life. Reneé didn't have to raise her anger. It
struck her suddenly and with full force. Every wrong that had been done to her found
expression in her movement. She whirled around, the staff being handled in the oriental style
she had received training in. She wasted no handhold. Her feet fell into practiced positions.
Then with an up-swinging arc she released her anger. The staff's head flew between the legs of
the fisherman and didn't stop when it hit bone. The impact lifted the large man almost a foot's
length above the ground before he fell to the ground in a subdued heap. A cough emerged from
the fallen man that seemed to come from the depths of Hades. The injury done to him was
almost fatal. He would never recover from the permanent damage done to him. With one blow,
this woman has taken his life but had managed to leave him alive. Word of this would spread,
further expanding the fear of the power of these foreign women.
"It is done," Idaeus said.
With that, the men dispersed to tend to their duties. Kithairon was gently removed from the
docks to receive attention. Idaeus escorted Reneé back to his home. Not for her safety, no man
here would stand against her now, but to make certain that she would find no more trouble here.
Hyacinis met them in the front of the building. She had dressed herself and was looking much
more presentable. "Hyacinis, please look after our guest. I must attend to my work.
Remember--"
"Give her anything she wants. I know."
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Idaeus went back to his duties. He hoped in his soul that the Amazon would be gone before
he got back at nightfall. Hyacinis was a good woman. She'd see to the warrior's needs.
Reneé said to the harbor master's wife, "I have to get my friend back to Delos."
"Didn't you say before that you had some other task you were to do here? Maybe I could
help."
"You're right. I can't go."
"What is it you have to do? I've lived on Rinia all of my life. If I don't know how to help
you, I'm certain I know someone who can."
That seemed reasonable enough to Reneé. Then again, at this point just about anything
resembling sanity seemed reasonable. "I was sent here to learn how to see the divine."
Hyacinis' eyes grew wide. " If hadn't sworn to help you before, I would swear to help you
now. You are lucky you found this place. What you seek is not here, but I know the path. You
must travel to the small summit. There is a temple dedicated to Apollo. The answer you seek is
there."
"Wait. I was there! That old man!" Now Reneé's anger was rising. "I need a horse so I
can take my friend with me."
It was almost too much to ask. Horses were almost as rare as peacocks on the island. Still,
anything the Amazon asked was to be given to her. Her request could no be denied. Reneé's
departure was delayed for almost an hour while Hyacinis had two of her slaves wrap Kleopatra's
body in a shroud for travelling. The body was secured to the horse. Reneé mounted just behind
the body and urged the horse back along the path she and the young Amazon had used to travel
to Golden Harbor. Reneé wanted to go at a fast rate, but that risked losing the body, something
she was not prepared to do. Even at this slower speed, the horse was able to cover ground
quickly. Soon, she had reached the temple.
She walked inside expecting to see the old man, but he wasn't there. It didn't look like he
had been there at all this day. She walked around the other buildings, but the tiny village
seemed deserted. That's fine, Reneé thought. I'll wait. She re-entered the temple and sat down
using a wall for support. The censer still sat in the middle of the floor in front of the wooden
statue of Apollo. It was almost a staring contest as Reneé couldn't help locking her gaze at the
inscrutable eyes painted on the statue. She tried to keep her eyes open, but the day's rising heat
was relaxing her. Like a narcotic, her fatigue seduced her mind out of reality. She was no
longer able to tell if she was awake or asleep, and she didn't have the strength to fight to a state
of certain consciousness.
He mind felt like it was floating in a swirling mist of memories, fantasies, and predictions.
Noise and smell, sight and touch, taste and thought all combined into a manifestation of
serenity. She saw Artemis taking something from a larger woman who was quite obviously a
warrior with a shield. Artemis tossed the contents of her hand at Reneé. They were stones.
Colored and transparent, like flattened piece of glass. The scene changed to Kleopatra lying
dead. Then more Amazons lying dead. Hundred of Amazons stacked like cord-wood. They
flew apart as if they had exploded, their parts turning into colored and transparent stones. The
stones grew in number. They turned into sand. Sand was flowing downward in streams like a
waterfall.
Reneé was jolted awake by the tight grip around her throat. "Tell me what you saw," said
the old man who had been here the morning before.
Struggling against the man's grip was useless. He might have been ancient, but his strength
was considerable greater than anyone would have guessed from looking at his emaciated body.
"Tell me your vision, before it fades. Now!"
Reneé relayed to the man, as best she could, everything she saw in the order she saw it.
The man nodded throughout. She see was done, he released his hold around her throat.
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"You must seek out the scales of the Gorgons. Your vision points to this. It is told that a
gift was made to Theseus holding some of these gems. Athens is your destination, now."
Reneé's anger was starting to rise again. "And I should believe you? Because of you, my
friend is dead. You could have told me this before!"
"I did not know what was fated for you. Only you have the power to see your journey.
Could you have had that vision were it not for the experiences you had leading up to them? No.
That girl's death was only a guidepost to your greater journey. Now go. I have nothing more to
say to you."
Reneé couldn't believe this. See grabbed her staff and swung it at the old man. She wasn't
going to hurt him badly, but she'd had enough of him. The old man caught the staff with ease,
wrested it from Reneé's hands, and broke it in two across his knee. "Go. Now."
This time Reneé obeyed. She was in over her head here, and she knew it. Now was not the
time to do increasingly inadvisable acts. As she walked out the door she heard the pieces of her
staff clattering as they were cast aside. What she didn't see was the man rubbing his leg and
limping to find some support against a wall.
Reneé mounted the horse and headed to the dock she and Kleopatra had landed on. It was
only yesterday, but it seemed to happened ages ago. She was mildly surprised to find that
Mikos had not left. His charge was to stay until needed to ferry the women back. He was not a
bright man, or a rich one, but he was an honorable one. He would not leave until told to. He
was saddened when he saw the shrouded body being carried by the horse. He didn't have to
look at Reneé's tired face to know that something had gone very wrong. Mikos didn't say a
word. He helped Reneé dismount and briefly held her shoulders in compassion. She started
untying the straps which had secured the body for the trip. Mikos carried the figure to his boat
and placed her gently within it. Reneé boarded and they cast off.
The journey across the channel was quiet and somber. The darkening clouds intensified the
mood. When they reached the harbor at Delos, all of the Amazons quietly stood to receive their
sisters. They had been watching the crossing and saw that another one of their own had fallen.
As was Amazon tradition, they preferred to waste no time in honoring the memory of one of
their warriors.
The six youngest of the Amazons carried Kleopatra's now unshrouded body upon a palette.
They followed Melodice, Penthaneira, Cydice, and Stragera. Following them all was Reneé.
They followed a well-worn trail to the most sacred of temples dedicated to Artemis Delos. A
funeral scaffold had already been prepared to receive the body of the fallen warrior. Offerings
to Artemis were already prepared and positioned around the body once it was placed on the
fueled altar. Cydice drew her knife and cut off a lock of her hair. She passed the knife to
Stragera, who cut off a lock of her hair as well. The knife was passed to each Amazon in turn
and they each removed a lock of hair. Reneé was the last. They all placed their locks on the
body of their comrade. The fire was lit.
Reneé stayed with the pyre all night. She wasn't ready to leave it. She didn't know
Kleopatra well. Perhaps it was better that way. The pain of this loss would be so much greater
had the young woman become a close friend. When morning came, the high priestess told
Reneé that she would see to burying the remains of the Amazon. As the beloved race of
Artemis, she could do no less. This gave Reneé leave to go. With the sky lightening only
slightly through thick clouds, she walked to the harbor where the Nike was docked and where
the Amazons waited for their leader. She boarded the ship that was stocked and ready to depart.
She was met by Atiocles and Cydice. Cydice wrapped a blanket around the obviously
exhausted mourner. Before finding a place to rest, Reneé said one word: "Athens".
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Chapter 25 : Poseidon's Second Wind
The Muses sang a song of melancholy. The sadness felt by the temporally displaced actor
now riding on Poseidon's seas touched their essence. It was not their place to battle. They
served only themselves and shared their gifts with those mortals they found deserving. Though
authors would personify an art with each of the nine sisters, none of them could understand the
broad joyfulness each felt in the limitless expanse of creativity, emotion, and expression. Such
was the legacy of their parents, always mindful Mnemosyne and the great thunderer and arbiter
of the Gods, Zeus.
Their bittersweet song cried out for the slow death that performer's soul had been
experiencing. With each twist of circumstance the bright light of her calling was being
shuttered by the necessity of simple survival.
Poseidon met with Zeus away from the tuneful daughters of his brother, but never escaping
their song. "They sing of Artemis' mistake."
"Yes."
"They are trying to weaken our resolve. I refrained from directly opposing this injustice to
our laws because of your decree. Artemis cunningly stayed close by so that I could not act
directly. That is no longer the case."
"What is your point, brother?"
"My point is that I'm going to impede that mortal."
"You don't need my permission."
"Many of our own have quietly aligned themselves against their own vote. Apollo has been
arguing his sister's case while no one was able to directly interfere. I'm not so weak, and I
refuse to be stopped because the God cannot abide by their own justice!"
The passion of the sea god's last statement echoed throughout the plane of Olympus. Zeus
calm responded, "Are you through? Then do as you will. The punishment was mine to give,
and only I can change it. That I will not do. I was lenient enough with my daughter, and your
anger will not be stayed by me."
"You are just, my brother. I don't know that I would be so calm as you."
"Remember that when I don't decide in your favor. Now go and do what you will, or stay
and be quiet. I want to listen to my daughters, and admire their dance."
Poseidon wasted no time. In a flash he was no longer in the Olympic realm but was instead
travelling to the reality of the mortals.
The Nike was under sail, plowing through choppy seas. A heavy rain had settled in and
with it, a favorable wind. No one was needed to man the oars, so while the crew stayed ready
they rested under tarpaulins they had suspended to help mitigate the weather.
Penthaneira sat under a tarp with Cydice near the bow. They could see Reneé off to herself
toward the aft of the boat. "Our queen keeps her own counsel now," Penthaneira said.
"She likely has more secrets than we know."
"Um-hmm."
"Say what you mean, Penth," Cydice shot back. "As you've pointed out, the queen keeps no
counsel but her own now. Anything you say to me won't echo in her ears."
"I fear we are headed into the labyrinth of a Minotaur, and she knows that. I'm no coward,
but I fear that none of us will see the end of her quest."
"I've thought that for weeks." Cydice noticed the flash of astonishment on her friend's face.
"I stay with her because I am an Amazon and her is my queen. She saved all of our lives. She's
killed our enemies for us. I have no reason to doubt her motives. When we learned that we had
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been traveling with Artemis Amazona, I knew that the choice I made for us was correct. The
gods are involved in this business, and it is not for us to question that. Our queen is traveling a
path reserved only for those whose final rest is found in the heavens. If I'm only a token in this
game, all I ask is that I be well played."
"So you're saying that you want more time to think about it?" Penthaneira said with a broad
grin.
Cydice couldn't help but smile in return. "What about you? You've said even less than
usual."
"I don't know what to make of her. Sometimes I don't think she knows what she's doing or
knows where she is. While I thought she was Phoebe's puppet, my opinion changed when I
learned who Phoebe actually was. It explained why our queen deferred so much to her.
"It took courage to oppose Xena. We all know her reputation. I can respect that. And I
wouldn't mind being at her side in a fight. She seems reluctant, but she's very effective."
"High praise, indeed."
Mia, at fourteen the youngest surviving warrior among the women, joined her two elders
under the tarp. "I hope you don't mind, but Poseidon isn't the only one providing us with a
strong wind."
"Stragera eat too much cheese again?" Penthaneira said.
"I was afraid that a fireball would ignite and set the ship on fire. I figured that up here I
would have a chance of jumping onto a dolphin's back and ride away to safety."
Both Cydice and Penthaneira laughed heartily. They too had suffered the dangerous
combination of Stragera's lactose intolerance and her love of fermented curd. Even in this
storm, they were all thankful that they were outside, albeit downwind.
"Land!" cried on of the men.
Through the haze, the shadow of the small island Akr Sounion could be seen to port, while
ahead and slightly to starboard, the much larger mass of Attika started to form. If the wind held,
they would reach the port of Athens before sundown. A cheer started to rise for the sight of
land was always welcome, even by men of the sea.
Rejoice now, Poseidon thought. I have not yet had my entertainment. You should know
better than to tempt the ways of the sea, for its gifts are my caprice. Now you will bow to my
will.
The mood of the crew darkened as the rain suddenly stopped, as did the wind. It was like
the hand of a god had simply stopped everything. "Oars!" Captain Atiocles shouted.
The well trained crew went to their usual benches and grasped their oars. They waited until
the crew chief began striking his drum. One beat sounded, and then a second. On the third the
oarsmen pushed forward. The draw came on the fourth beat. A heavy groan accompanied the
pulling of the oars. They strength of everyone manning an oar struggled against the lack of
momentum of the ship. Once it was underway, the exercise was easier, though monotonous.
These first minutes of bringing the ship up to speed were torturous, even for a seasoned crew.
I don't think so, my dear Atiocles. You will not make it to shore so easily.
Though it was his brother who wielded the terrible thunderbolt, Poseidon had learned that
he could trick the earth and sky into producing fireworks for his own use. He massaged the sky
above the Nike, and massaged the sea around it. Different energies were building. The sky was
growing charged. The sea god exerted more effort, to bring a sudden spasm of energy.
Atiocles could sense that the air was crackling. Everyone on board could feel their hair
beginning to stand. A bright flash of electricity shot streaked a line from cloud to the water, not
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more than a hundred paces from the ship. The sound it made was incredible and caused several
oars to slip from startled hands. "Keep rowing!" the captain shouted. He wanted to part of this
intrigue. He steered the ship directly toward the nearby shore of Attika.
Once more a charge could be felt in the air and courage started to waver. Reneé didn't
know what she could do to help. She barely saw the next flash. It tickled it was down the mast
and around the flaccid sail. When the mast exploded, she almost saw a piece the size of a loaf
of bread shoot out. When it hit her, she saw nothing but darkness.
Poseidon was pleased.
It felt as if her head was slowly being torn apart and hundreds of hot needles were being
inserted into the crevice. Though she wanted to see, Reneé's eyes were reluctant to open. She
was on land. From the sound of the waves, the sea was nearby. Or perhaps that was an illusion
of crashing waves that was augmenting the ringing and buzzing in her ears. For now, lying in a
heap was a fair option.
She must have blackout out again, because the actor was finding herself rousing into
consciousness. This time was able to open her eyes. Though her sight was out of focus and
doubled, she could tell that it was night, and that there was a fire people were milling around.
Her head still was the target of intense pain. Her lungs burned so that she was wracked by a
deep cough that helped to bring up some salty sputum. "My Queen. My Queen, can you hear
me?" said the voice that Reneé thought was Penthaneira's.
"Shhhh," Reneé replied, "quuieter."
"How do you feel?"
"Mmmyy head h-hhurts."
"I'm not surprised. What else?"
"Blllurry. 'n mmy ears-- bzzzz'ng."
"My Queen. My Queen! You have to stay awake!" Penthaneira's voice said with urgency.
It didn't help as Reneé faded back into unconsciousness.
The fire helped to confirm that Reneé was awake again. At least this time she saw only one
fire. It still felt like she had the worst migraine the world had even known. When she reached
up to rub the source, she sensed a vital clue as to the cause of her headache. The left side of her
face was covered with clotted blood. What felt like a foot-long gash from a couple of
centimeters about her left ear, running from her temple to just past her ear was still sticky from
the wound that was still trying to close itself. "Oh God," she muttered.
"My Queen," Cydice said quietly.
"How badly am I hurt?"
"You're head was badly hit when the mast exploded. Penth kept you from drowning as we
swam for shore. Since then, you have not been easily understandable. We feared that your
injury was so bad that you might not wake up."
"I guess I must have a concussion. Anything else?"
"On this beach are you, me, six of our sisters, and three of the Nike's crew. In the morning
we will search to see if others landed nearby."
"What happened?"
"Do you not remember?"
Reneé shook her head, which was a mistake. The stabbing pain that traveled down her
face, through her neck, and finally into both her left arm and leg, amply demonstrated that she
needed to restrain her movements.
"What is the last thing you do remember, my Queen?"
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137
"Ummm, let me think. I know that we were at Ithaka. And then we went to an island.
Crete. We went to Crete. I got a necklace." She felt around her neck and found the amulet still
with her. "We got Artemis to Delos. I got in a boat with a young-- Kleopatra. And.... And....
And I don't-- I mean-- It's like it's on the tip of my brain, but I can't put my finger on it. I'm
sorry, I can't remember."
"You two were on the island overnight. Artemis had told you to go there to learn
something for our journey. All that we know is that Kleopatra died while you two were gone.
We've since been travelling to Athens, but the sea god sought to destroy us. His wrath
destroyed our ship and nearly killed you. Now we are on the Attikan shore."
"About this thing I was supposed to learn--?"
"You did not speak of it to us."
"Great." Reneé tried to remember what she'd forgotten, but there was nothing in her mind
to grab onto.
"We have saved some of our supplies, including some food and drink. May I get you
something?"
Now reminded of it, Reneé felt suddenly thirsty and ravenous. "Please. Especially some
water. I am so thirsty."
Though never able to shake the feeling that she wanted to sleep, Reneé waited through the
rest of the night. She'd heard that it was dangerous for people with concussions to fall asleep.
She didn't know why, exactly, but that didn't matter. She was alive and she preferred to stay
that way. Nothing she tried would jog her memory. The last several days were lost to her. That
was disconcerting enough, but in that gap was knowledge she was supposed to have in order to
complete her journey to the Cairn of Chronos. If her memory didn't return, what was she going
to do? Returning to the island wasn't an option for now since they had lost the ship.
When the Sun rose, Reneé understood how badly her small fighting force had been hit.
Three oarsman, their arms and hands and feet severely burned from the course the lightning
took through their bodies, were convalescing near the fire. Her cadre of Amazons had been
reduced to seven: Cydice, Melodice, Penthaneira, Stragera, Tamarice, P-One, and Mia. Piles of
waterlogged bundles, boxes, and a few amphorae were stacked away from the waterline next to
a rocky outcrop. In the hope of finding more survivors, the Amazons split into two groups.
Cydice, Stragera, and P-One followed the shoreline headed west while Melodice, Penthaneira,
and Mia headed east. Tamarice stayed behind to tend to the wounded, which included Reneé.
"I hope I'm not disturbing you, Gabrielle."
Reneé was startled at not being called someone's queen. "Not at all. I'd like some
company. I shouldn't fall asleep."
"Yes. We tried to keep you awake after she got to shore, but I'm afraid we failed."
"I guess I'm lucky."
"If you don't mind, I'd like to clean your wound now that we have the light."
"That would be great."
Tamarice went to the supplies and returned with a waterskin and what was once a chiton
that had been a gift from Queen Penelope. She dampened the rag and gently started wiping
away the clotted blood. "I wish I could wash the salt off of you, but we don't have the water to
spare just yet."
"How much do we have?"
"A couple of days, if we're careful. We have some vessels of wine, but we have only a few
skins of water."
"How about food?"
"We have two bags of cheese, five amphorae of olive oil, and one large jar of olives. We
can ration that for a week with no difficulty."
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Reneé was trying to think. Anything was better than just lying still, which was all she was
capable of at the moment. "When the first group returns, have them search for some water.
That's will be the priority. Once I'm able to travel, we'll continue on to Athens. Ow!"
"I'm sorry. You have several splinters that I need to remove or this wound will fester."
"You could have given me some warning."
Tamarice continued with her first aid as quickly as possible. She had underestimated to
Reneé the amount of debreeding the wound required. Pieces of wood some as large as a finger
had embedded themselves in Reneé's scalp. Tamarice pulled each fragment out as efficiently as
she could while also engaged in a litany of silent prayer to Apollo, the god of healing. The gash
on Reneé's head wasn't closing correctly. While the Amazons could stitch up a wound, she had
nothing to do it with. Instead she took hair from either side of the laceration and braided it
together, more or less closing the wound. Reneé tried her best not to protest the pain it was
causing her, but it was very difficult. Tamarice was improvising, and she decided that it was
better for the pain to be fast rather than lingering.
As the morning wore on, one of the oarsmen died of his wounds. He would not be the last
as all three finally succumbed by the early afternoon. Even if Tamarice had the skill of a healer,
the materials in this age were woefully inadequate to deal with significant third-degree burns
complicated by shock. It was uncommon for anyone to survive, though it did happen. Often
not because of the attempts at healing, but in spite of them.
At mid-afternoon, the Amazon parties started to return. Melodice's group returned with a jar
of olives and several bundles of clothing, but nothing else. It was not a happy reunion when
Cydice's party returned. They carried with them the drowned body of P-Two.
P-One was shaken to her core, especially upon finding that P-Three was still lost. All of
her life she had always been a Polymazonae. She was one of the triplets. Though they each
sometimes minded not being thought of as individuals, they found their strength was in being
the three who were one. There was never a time in their lives when their bond was weakened.
Now that was changed forever. She might never know the fate of P-Three, but she had to
assume that she had been overcome as well. Now P-One was no longer a Polymazonae. Being
a number no longer made any sense, either. Who was she now that she wasn't three?
Cydice's band had also seen four of the oarsman as well as Atiocles' body washed up on the
shore. They made for them a simple grave and said some words to the gods to help them on
their way to Hades. Such, too, was the fate of the three men here. Tamarice and Mia went
inland to try to find some water. The other Amazons went in search of fuel and timber for PTwo's pyre. They were never all gone at once. Their queen was still injured, and she was never
left alone.
Night fell quickly. Mia had found a small trickle of fresh water coming from a crack in a
stone face. It was not much, and required some ingenuity with braided leaves acting as a wick
to direct the flow to containers, but it was enough to sustain the group of women for days to
come.
During the afternoon search it was apparent that wood was not going to be in large supply.
There was enough in the short term to maintain a small campfire, but there was not enough to
fuel a pyre. P-Two would have to be buried instead. Though not uncommon, it was not their
way. Warriors, they felt, should be sent to the gods in a fiery blaze, and not quietly as a
common woman. A soft patch of ground was found not too far inland of their beach camp.
Using whatever digging tools they could scrounge or devise, the women dug a shallow grave
some two feet deep. They then inhumed P-Two with locks of hair. Reneé had been carried to
the site and watched as yet another Amazon was put to rest. I've been lucky, she thought. How
much longer before that is me?
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P-Two was covered with the earth that had been carved from the hole, and then sealed with
several layers of stone. Animals would not be able to scavenge the body of this warrior.
The next day was spent at the shore. The Amazons would not proceed to Athens until
Reneé was well enough to make the journey. Throughout the day she would stand and walk
around. At first it would only be for a minute before dizziness and nausea forced her to rest.
With the aid of a dense staff, which Melodice fashioned for her from a straight branch of a longdead tree, Reneé was able to stay mobile for much of the afternoon. If she didn't have a setback,
she felt that she might be ready to leave the next day.
The Amazons took stock of the supplies they had salvaged. The gifts of clothing Penelope
had given them were the most numerous. There were enough chitons and footwear to outfit
everyone with nearly two complete changes of wardrobe. Reneé's custom clothing had survived
as well. Unfortunately most of the weapons had been lost to the bottom of the sea. The sum of
their armory was comprised of three iron swords, which Cydice, Melodice, and Stragera had
worn; as well as one iron knife in each of the four bundles of clothing; and one bronze knife that
was removed from Captain Atiocles. Thanks to Melodice, Reneé was once again armed with a
staff. They also had fifteen iron and six gold marble-sized ingots from Atiocles' purse. Though
not as useful for exchange as axe heads, it would do in a city as large as Athens.
The mood in the camp was not especially somber. This voyage had been filled with death
and hardship, so most of the Amazons had come to expect to die. It was their devotion to their
purpose which would prevent that expectation to become a self-fulfilling prophecy. The one
exception was P-One. Her loss had been the greatest, and was no less traumatic than if she had
lost both legs and an arm in battle. As dusk neared, she wandered away from the others.
Nighttime was going to be the hardest. The three sisters tended to gravitate toward each other
as the Sun disappeared. They'd shared a bed for most of the nights they'd been alive. "May I?"
Reneé asked, indicating a boulder near P-One.
The Amazon nodded. Reneé sat heavily. She wanted to sleep. Her head hadn't stopped
pounding all day. "Can I do something for you?" P-One asked.
"I'm more concerned about you. What can I do for you?"
"What's to be done?" Reneé sat silently. If she waited long enough, she was sure that POne would open up. She was rewarded when P-One finally said, "I've never know a life
without my sisters. Who am I without them?"
"Who were you when they were off hunting and you were still in camp?"
"That's different."
"Is it?"
P-One sensed that there was a greater wisdom behind that question. In truth, Reneé was
just trying to get P-One to work out her own problem like she was in therapy. P-One said, "I
will have to think about your question. It is not as easy to answer as it appears on the surface."
"I wasn't really expecting one."
"I'm sorry. I shouldn't be burdening you with this. It is not my place."
Was she committing some hierarchical error here? Was the queen supposed to remain
emotionally detached? No, Reneé said to herself. She'd already decided that she wasn't going
to worry about these protocols. "I will decide that," she said.
Another long pause hung in the air; long enough that Reneé was about to give up and walk
back to the fire. Finally P-One said, "I don't understand why I still live. I was dying-- I was
dead, and I was brought to life. Now my sisters are dead, and they aren't coming back."
"Maybe it's because it's not your time to die yet. Maybe you're alive because there is
something important you still have to do. I don't know either way. I think that at least for now
you have to hold on to that. You are here for a reason-- if only because you haven't told me the
results of my order, yet."
"You're order?"
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"I told you and your sisters to come up with something to call me? That's one of the last
things I remember."
"Yes. We talked about that. We decided that when in the world of men, we would call you
Gabrielle, but in our own company we could not be so informal. That would be wrong."
"I have noticed that some of you have been calling me, 'Gabrielle'."
"Yes. We thought that we should practice. Your concerns about keeping your position
secret make sense, and we must accustom ourselves to addressing you as the circumstance
demands, as uncomfortable as it is."
"Fair enough. I had a similar problem with Artemis."
"I think I should tell you, Gabrielle, that my sisters and I heard you address the goddess by
name on our journey to Delos."
"You knew?"
"We told no one else. It was your secret to tell, not ours."
"Thank you."
Since that seemed a good end to the conversation, Reneé got back to her feet. On an
impulse, she gently hugged the lone sister and then kissed her on the forehead. "Stay here as
long as you need," Reneé said before making her way back to the rest of the women.
P-One was overcome. Amazons were very close. They depended on each other, and
sometimes that turned into a tenderness that wasn't often openly shared. Though Reneé's
expression of comfort was being given more weight than was intended, it was a gesture that
gave P-One a piece of her soul back. She had never experienced a bond with anyone other than
her sisters. Not until now. She would never presume more familiarity with her queen, that
would not be allowed. Queen Gabrielle had given her more in those few seconds than she could
receive in years of talking. She had been given a reason to live again. Not for the indoctrinated
honor of serving the Amazon Queen, but for the all too human bond between two people that
can form in an instant. She had been given a person to live for; a person to die for.
When morning came, Reneé declared herself fit enough for travel, so the Amazons set off
to the northwest, toward Athens. Once inland, the uneven landscape proved to be fertile and
alive with trees, plants, and animals. For most of the day, the going was slow. While the
wildness of the land hampered swift travel, it was Reneé who slowed down the Amazons the
most. She was unable to keep up the pace of the fitter Amazons for long, and often had to stop
to rest. This was of no small concern to the Libyan Amazons for they could tell that they were
being tracked by a predator. Though unseen, the pattern and sounds cast little doubt that it was
likely a lion such as frequented the landscape of Europe at this time.
By late afternoon, the band of women emerged from the woods to a well-traveled road that
seemed to lead to Athens. They had spent most of the day and had covered only fifteen
kilometers. In the two hours they spent on the road before setting up their bivouac for the night,
they covered almost eight kilometers. At this rate, they should be in sight of the city by noon
the next day.
As Sun-ushering Dawn started the next day, all of the Amazons bathed as well as the could
with most of their remaining water. They also all changed into the chitons they had salvaged
from the sea. Though the garment was of a length suitable for a man, it was attached with
cordage in a feminine manner. History had shown that Athens and Amazons were a volatile
combination. Since there was undoubtedly trouble enough coming their way, it was wiser to not
invite conflict.
As Reneé's strength was returning, and with the road smoothing their journey, the women
quickly closed the distance to their goal. As they neared the city, they happened by other
travelers. It was clear that even dressed in a softer manner, Amazons-- especially a group of
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Amazons-- provoked fear. Slightly after noon, their goal was in sight as the ancient limestone
rock of the Acropolis came into view.
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Chapter 26 : Old Faces, New Places
Reneé was unprepared for the sight of ancient Athens. It was nothing like the living yet
ruined city in the twentieth century.
Surrounding the great rock of the acropolis were perhaps a few hundred relatively small and
simple mud-brick homes built on the largely flat and fertile plane that was surrounded by
mountains on all sides except for an opening to the south and the sea. The Acropolis was placed
by powers greater than man roughly in the center of the plane. The summit did not present the
familiar outlines of the Parthenon, which wouldn't be built for another forty generations. No
other temples could be seen, either. Ringing the natural citadel was a large sturdy wall of large
unworked boulders that looked crude especially when compared to the other large stone
architectures Reneé was familiar with in Egypt or even in pre-Columbian America.
As they approached this central rock tower, it was increasingly obvious that the women
were not going to be welcomed with open arms. They were easily recognized, not by their dress
or by their strength, but by their tattoos. Only the warrior women from across the sea designed
their skin so flagrantly. "I don't think we're going to get a parade," Reneé said.
"They act as if we defeated them," Melodice said.
"We almost did," Penthaneira said.
Reneé shook her head and said, "I think I'm missing something."
Melodice replied, "Four generations ago, before our nation was destroyed by Heracles, the
Athenian criminal Theseus kidnapped one of our queens, Antiope.
"We had received the man well and even presented him with presents in the name of peace,
but when Queen Antiope boarded his ship, he sailed away with her to this city. Her sisters
Hyppolyte and Melanippe followed them here and for three months waged war upon Athens.
When Antiope was killed in battle, the fire in the heart of her sisters died and fight was
abandoned. After that, the friend of Theseus, black-hearted Heracles sought us out and
destroyed us.
"No, there is no love lost between us and these people. If we had the numbers, I say we
should kill them all for what they did to us."
This disclosure was new history to Reneé. She might have heard it once, or read about it,
but hearing it described as if it were still a raw nerve was powerful. She thought that being in a
city such as Athens might afford them some anonymity, as well as some civility. Apparently
that assumption was going to be very wrong. That didn't matter. She had a bigger problem
being that she still could not remember why she was here or what she had learned. With luck,
she might stumble across some clue that would help her. In any case, she would have to try to
keep the peace.
The train of warrior women never slowed as they ascended the Acropolis. Though they
received looks of fear or curiosity, no one tried to impede their progress. The city had no
standing army and there were no guards. None were needed for no attacking force had
approached Athens since the Amazon battle many years past. When they reached the top and
passed through the immense wall's gateway, they were greeted with a colorful and apparently
vibrant small walled city.
Merchants lined the walls haggling over the sale of fruit, bread, meat, and other prepared
foods; or perhaps it was jewelry and cloth; perfumes, dyes, and make-ups; or exotic wares
brought in from mysterious lands to the Saronic Gulf some six kilometers to the south. Many of
the people dealing with the merchants were dressed well, if rustically. They were slaves and
didn't warrant the finer and more expensive fabrics available to those people in the square who
were obviously of a higher class.
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House of a similar design as those on the plain were scattered around the perimeter of the
city. They were rectangular buildings with flat roofs. Their fronts had rectangular or curved
porches. Their walls were made of mud bricks with timber on top of stone foundations. The
walls were then covered in plaster and painted or otherwise decorated to imbue it with respect
for the patron goddess of the city who had given mankind the precious olive tree. In the center
of this castle was the palace. It was considerably larger than any other building in the city. Like
palaces of the most important cities of this time, it had a large columned porch fronting the
multi-storied structure.
Reneé wanted to start her search here, but felt that might not be possible just yet. The
bustle of the street was slowing as a crowd was slowly collecting around the octet of women.
"Let's try to find a place to stay before this gets ugly," Reneé said, looking at Cydice.
Cydice spied a boy perhaps nine years old, well dressed, and standing alone. She strode to
him immediately. The boy stood in fear. He thought that these women might be Amazons. He
had heard the stories all his young life. That was not what made him afraid. It was partly due to
the formidable countenance of the woman, but mostly it was because some many of the adults in
the square were paying them special attention. No matter the cause, the fear held him in place
just the same. Cydice bent lower and looked the boy in the eyes. She would liked to have
pulled a weapon to assure the proper response, but knew it would be interpreted badly by the
crowd. "Boy, who do I talk to about finding lodging for me and my friends?"
The boy, unaccustomed to lying while intimidated, which is what Cydice had counted on,
stammered, "Th-Th-Theotrakis always has rooms."
"Which one is he?"
The boy pointed a finger past the group of Amazons, who turned. An old man in his midsixties noticed the attention he was getting from the women and didn't like it. He turned and
ran. Melodice commanded, "Tamarice."
The runner took off without hesitation and overtook the ancient one -- though not as
quickly as she expected. The old man was still quick on his feet, and showed enough old scars
to label him a retired warrior. She would keep her guard up around this one. "You know you're
getting old when you run from a young woman like that," a male voice in the crowd shouted to a
round of laughter.
"You're Theotrakis?" Reneé asked.
The old man spit at Reneé, earning him a cuff behind the head from Melodice, and a gasp
from the crowd. Reneé chose to ignore the event and pressed forward, "I understand you have
rooms."
"Not for your kind."
Melodice was about to hit the man harder until Reneé said, "Wait. There's no need for that.
Theotrakis, there's no reason why we have to be nasty about this. You have rooms, we need
rooms. Why don't we go over to your place and talk about it?"
"Nothing to talk about, you--"
The man never finished as a shout from the crowd interrupted him, "Gabrielle!"
Reneé turned and saw a familiar face. Knowing someone, anyone, almost made her feel a
part of this world. The sense of relief was incredible and unexpected. "Joxer!"
Both Reneé and Joxer jogged to each other, grasping each other's arms in friendly greeting.
"What are you doing here?" Reneé asked.
"I wasn't exactly sure where you and Xena were headed other than Attika. I figured Athens
was as good a place as any to wait for word. Where is Xena? Did she go on ahead?"
"That's a long story. Actually, it's a short story, but I don't think we should talk about it
now."
"Probably not. In the meantime, you need some rooms?"
"Definitely."
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"I'll take care of it. Good Theotrakis, I'm sorry that my friends have caused you distress.
You know how short tempers can get when you have been on the road. Please accept my
apologies."
"And mine," Reneé chimed in.
"Joxer, if I we haven't done business for years together, I'd throw you out just for knowing
these bleeders," Theotrakis shot back.
"Please, is there really any cause for names?" Joxer said. "I don't think so. I do think that
we can work out a compromise, don't you?"
Joxer put his arm around Theotrakis' shoulder and walked with him down the street, talking
quietly in his ear as they went. The Amazons, now feeling decidedly out of place, followed
Joxer. Anything beat being ogled by the citizens of Athens.
It turned out that Joxer did indeed have the perfect compromise. Gabrielle's troop were
lodged at Theotrakis' competitor, Nazrion. Nazrion agreed to the arrangement before knowing
that Amazons were involved. He might not have turned them away in any case, but was caught
by his word and his need to have boarders. The Amazons spent the rest of the day in the area of
the Taverna Nazrion. Nazrion was not pleased since their presence all but guaranteed that no
Athenians would come in for food or drink.
While the women sharpened swords and exercised, Gabrielle met in private with Joxer.
She relayed to him the events since they last parted after leaving Ephiny and her tribe of
Amazons. The actor sometimes had to catch herself from saying too much. Joxer had never
been let in on her true identity, and after all that had happened, she felt it was better that way.
She had been forced to be the role for so long now that it was becoming increasingly difficult to
know her true self.
Reneé concluded her recounting with, "I'm told that when we neared the shore, our ship was
struck by lightning. When the mast exploded, I was hit," Reneé emphasized the point by
showing the braided-closed gash on her head. "Because of that, I cannot remember anything
that happened after I set off for Rinia. My Amazons tell me we were headed to Athens, so I
figured that I might find enough clues here to know what it is I am supposed to do. I'm kind of
hoping that you might know something."
"I'm sorry, but I don't. It was luck that caused us to meet here in Athens. I'm sure that
Xena must know, but since you abandoned her, I don't see how that can help us."
That was not what Reneé wanted to hear. "Do you think anyone can help us?"
"I don't know. You say that the necklace you received is a sign to prove you're worthy.
Maybe we can use that to find out who it might mean something to. I'll go and ask around."
Joxer stood. Reneé said, "Joxer, wait. I just wanted to say that I'm glad you're here. It's
nice to see a friendly face."
The mercenary was taken aback by the honesty. He had gotten the impression over the past
couple of years that Gabrielle didn't care for him. In fact, Gabrielle's usual manner was
something just short of open hostility. Maybe getting hit in the head so often was making
Gabrielle see that her jealousies were unwarranted. Joxer enjoyed learning from Xena, and
helping her even the scales of justice when he was able. The only reason his help was sporadic
was how the air crackled with tension whenever he and Gabrielle were in sight of one another.
He didn’t understand why it was that way between them. He genuinely liked Xena's friend, and
never did anything to give the Amazon any reason to think otherwise. "I'd better go while
there's still light," he said before leaving.
After a few minutes, Reneé joined her restless soldiers. "Joxer knows this city. He is going
out on my behalf to try to find information about the rest of our quest."
"What about us, Gabrielle?" P-One asked.
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"I guess we can do the same. Considering the reception we got, I don't think any of us
should walk around the city alone. Cydice, Stragera, and Mia; you're one group. Melodice,
Tamarice, and One, you're another. Penth will be with me.
"What ever happens, stay out of trouble. No fights. If you have to, come back here.
Understood?"
There were nods all around. Stragera said, "I think most of our weapons should be left here
so that we appear less fearsome. I will gladly remain behind and guard them until you return, as
well as be an armory should that be necessary as well."
Cydice nodded, "I agree. We should not look for a fight, but if one is given we need to be
prepared."
Reneé replied, "I can live with that."
All of the swords and all but one knife per group were given to Stragera's care. Reneé kept
her staff. Cydice's and Melodice's groups went from the taverna in opposite directions. As
Reneé and Penthaneira stepped outside, the dark-haired Amazon asked, "Where are we headed
first, Gabrielle?"
It was odd how every time any of the Amazons said "Gabrielle" she heard "My Queen".
Perhaps it was the reverent hesitation they gave the word. Reneé said, "I don't think it really
matters. There's a saying that goes, 'It doesn't matter how you get there, if you don't know
where you're going.'"
Penthaneira carefully considered the phrase and said, "That is an amazing statement."
"Really? You think so? Then you're going to love this one, 'No matter where you go, there
you are.'"
A giggle escaped Reneé when she started walking into the crowd, leaving Penthaneira in
awe of her leader's profundity. Penthaneira joined up with Reneé, unaware that malicious eyes
were upon them both.
A servant of Aphrodite filled each of Joxer's arms. He always enjoyed the Athenian
hospitality. It also helped that he had twice saved the life of his host during a skirmish with
some opportunists to the north. Hermadorios was the second largest merchant in the city who
lavished presents on his friends, and misery to his opponents. The debt he felt he owed Joxer
could not easily be repaid, and so he tried to ease his friend's tensions in every possible way.
Though almost insulted that Joxer had not immediately come to him for lodging, he was pleased
that the battle-hardened warrior was feeling the spoils of success. He was certain that Joxer had
sought him out for a favor, but knew that he'd not hear of it until morning. Not because
Hermadorios didn't care, but because the servants assigned to be Joxer's distractions were more
than up to the task, as was Joxer.
A buzz was growing around the city that Amazons were wandering about and asking
questions about an ancient symbol. The gossip sparked excitement more for the stories that
were growing out of it rather than from any knowledge or actual facts. By late afternoon, this
band of viragos were visions from the past, called forth by Athena from the dreaded depths of
Hades to seek out a minion of Ares sent to the city to create terror while so many men were still
away due to the war at Troy. This unnamed terror was seeking revenge upon Theseus' great city
for the sons of Ares overwhelmed by the great hero. The Amazons, as all knew, had been
destroyed by Theseus' friend Heracles almost four generations before. Being both tools of
Athena and harbingers of revenge for their destruction, the populace grew increasingly
contentious about the presence of these warriors. As a result, eyes were focused hard on the
women as they scoured the town.
Reneé was starting to feel like she was at a Xena convention where fans had that "look" in
their eyes and usually kept a respectful distance. Of all of the Amazons, she was the most
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prepared to handle the attention. Then again, she wasn't really an Amazon; a fact that she was
reminding herself of less and less.
Penthaneira's eyes constantly darted about. The attention her queen was receiving gnawed
at her. She needed to do something, but was prevented by the order to avoid trouble. Though
the oldest of the Amazons who had been captured for slaves, she had never been in a situation
like this. She had never been in a city so large. The numbers of people made her feel almost
defenseless against them. Their attention was unnerving. The watchful calm of Reneé was
what kept her grounded. If the queen wasn't having a problem with the situation, why should
she?
Though they had been walking the city for almost an hour, Reneé had not stopped to talk to
anyone. Frankly, she didn't know what to ask. "Hi, I'm the Amazon Queen, please tell me what
I'm supposed to do next," seemed not to be the best choice. So, she played tourist and tried to
take in the city that would be so different, and yet still the same, over three thousand years from
now.
The pair finally stopped at a building near the palace. Though made out of the same brick,
timber, and plaster construction as every other building, this one was different. Like the palace
itself, it had a columned porch. Clearly, this was a building held with some importance. Reneé
stopped a woman carrying an armful of pocket bread, "Excuse me."
The woman flushed. She knew this was an Amazon, and didn't know what to do when
addressed by one. "Ma'am?" Reneé prompted.
"Yes," the woman answered.
"I'm sorry to bother you, but I was wondering if you could tell me what this building is?"
"This building? You-- you don't know?"
Reneé shook her head in reply. The woman said, "This is the Amazonaeum," as if the name
should be immediately recognizable to her questioner.
"The-- Amazonaeum?" Reneé prompted.
"It commemorates the treaty between Great King Theseus and the queens of your nation
following the tragic fate of Queen Antiope."
For a moment, Reneé thought she was going to have to physically restrain Penthaneira. It
only took a look to hold back the well-trained fighter. "Can we go in?" Reneé asked.
Again incredulous, the woman said, "If not you--?"
"Thanks," Reneé said. "Penth?"
Reneé pushed aside the heavy curtain which blocked the interior from casual eyes. When
the curtain fell back after Reneé and Penthaneira entered, the darkness was startling. It was
actually more of an illusion while their eyes adjusted to the dimmer light of the interior which
filtered in through the ceiling from light reflected off of hidden mirrors. The illusion for the two
women was of being in a darkened room with the lights being brought up slowly. In the center
of what seemed to be a largely empty chamber stood an adolescent girl who spoke with a voice
not yet touched with the harmonies of maturity, "Welcome to the temple of the Amazon. In
what way can I assist you?"
Reneé said, "I'm not sure that you can. My name is Gabrielle and I--"
"Gabrielle?" the girl said with some surprise. She looked up and stumbled a little as her
suddenly lowered blood pressure caused her head to swim.
"Are you alright?" Reneé asked as she moved to catch the girl if she fainted.
From difficult to see alcoves, three priestesses covered with hooded capes that were made
of some diaphanous material moved into view. To the unsuspecting eye in this poor light, they
seemed to appear out from the air. Reflexively, Penthaneira drew her knife and became very
defensive. "My Queen," she said with a stressed voice.
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147
Looking up, Reneé saw the figures. Their voices commingled so that it was hard to tell
which was speaking.
"Did you hear?" said one almost in a whisper.
"She said, 'My Queen,'" said another in the same quiet tone.
"Then it's true," said the third.
"The oracle's vision is upon us," whispered the second one.
"By the Gods," the first one said with quiet respect.
The three priestesses went down on one knee. They uncovered their bowed heads. This is
getting weird again, Reneé thought. She looked back to the girl in front of her. Though her face
was still wide-eyed, she no longer seemed to be in danger of fainting. "Are you OK?" Reneé
asked her again.
"I-- Y-- Yes. Yes I am. Thank you."
Reneé looked back at her companion and saw that her knife was drawn. "Penth, I don't
think we need that."
Slightly embarrassed at her lack of control, the tall myrmidon replaced her knife and
relaxed her posture. She didn't like surprises. Never had. Reneé focused her attention back on
the girl, "I'm looking for some information."
The girl looked back to the trio of women behind her. The center one was already standing
up. "Queen Gabrielle, we have been awaiting your arrival."
"You have?"
"The Oracle foretold your coming."
"That's a relief."
"We shall send word to our sisters that you have arrived. When all have assembled, we
shall proceed."
Great, more waiting. "When will they all be assembled?" Reneé asked.
"No sooner than tomorrow, great queen. While your visit was foretold, we did not know
when. We are not fully prepared. This acolyte," she said motioning to the girl, "will be sent
with word when all the preparations have been made."
"Tomorrow?"
"Most likely, honored Amazon."
"Tomorrow, then," Reneé said and turned to go. A sudden flurry of whispers behind her
caused her to turn back. "What's wrong?"
"Forgive me, but I am reminded that the true queen would come to use bearing a symbol."
"Of course. I understand." Reneé said.
She walked toward the priestess and pulled out the bronze, iron, and marble knotted triad
she had been given. The priestess bowed her head in increased reverence, if that was possible.
"Forgive our caution," she said. "The preparations will be made."
It was hard to keep from smiling. The earnestness of these women was so broad that it
bordered on over-acting. Had it not been for their obvious sincerity, Reneé surely would have
started laughing. She and Penthaneira had to shade their eyes as they stepped back into the
sunlit day. "That was easy," Reneé said. And about time, too, she thought.
Reneé walked easier than she had in some time. She finally felt optimistic about this odd
trek she was on. Just happening upon the place that could help her the most seemed like a sort
of divine message that she would be ok. Then again, there always seemed to be a pragmatic
Amazon around to cast shade on even the most perfect moment, "Gabrielle, I don't think it will
be that easy."
"Why?"
"We are being watched. I don't know by whom, but I can feel it."
"Penth, look at all of these people. They are all watching us."
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"This is different. My sisters and I have lived under threat for all of our lives. I know when
we're being hunted."
The actor was not about to argue with experience. Not considering the number of lifethreatening events that had happened to her. "Let's get back to the taverna."
A very content and slightly drunk Joxer called to his host, " Hermadorios! Where are you
my good friend? Hermadorios!"
With casual grace, the equally inebriated man entered the guest room holding his warrior
friend and his two entertainments for the night. "Yes, my friend?"
"Before I get distracted by these two honorable opponents," Joxer said, lifting a goblet to
the two women, "I wish to ask you a question."
"If I can answer, I will. You know that."
"I know that. What do you know about a symbol; it's three triables... triangles, bronze, iron,
and marble?"
"Intertwined?"
"That's the one."
Hermadorios seemed about to faint. "Euryale."
"Euraleye? What's that?"
"My friend, it is a very long story and neither one of us is in any condition to listen to a
long story. Enjoy yourself tonight and I will tell you what I can in the morning."
With one of the women caressing his feet, and the other fondling his growing distraction,
Joxer said, "My friend, as always you are right. Enjoy the rest of your night. I know I will."
Hermadorios hastily left as Joxer submitted fully to the entertainment his host had so
graciously provided.
When dawn arose, so did the warrior. To help ward off the effects of the long night, he
enjoyed the company one of Aphrodite's servants before seeking out his friend. The search was
a fruitless one for he was told by the ranking house slave, "I'm sorry, but my master left the city
just before the Sun rose. He said that there had been an emergency and that I was to relay his
regrets to you." Angry, Joxer shoved the smaller man into a wall before storming off to the
taverna. As the angry warrior was leaving, the slave finished his speech, "You are of course
welcome to stay and enjoy the pleasures of the house."
As he strode through the mostly empty city streets, Joxer was unaware that an arrow was
aimed at his heart. "It would be so easy," the assassin said.
"Put it down. We can kill him later. It's the Amazons I want."
The bow was relaxed and the arrow lowered. The archer replied, "As you wish, General
Peraxion."
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Chapter 27 : Regaining the Path
No one heard their screams. Each of the women had been captured in their sleep and then
died slowly in their own flames. Each body fueling the blaze that threatened to consume the
building, but it's materials, as well as the quick response of the citizens of Athens upon seeing
the smoke, saved the structure and its contents. While there was comfort in that, a dark and
heavy sadness was spreading because of the bodies which had burned before they could be
rescued. No one was certain how the fire was started, but it did not seem like an accident. It
took too much fuel to start a fire like that.
Joxer saw the smoke as he was approaching the taverna. He would have seen the crowd
sooner had he not been coming from the other side of the walled city. They were not his
concern. Fires happened, but with the odd behavior of Hermadorios, it had to be a portent of
some kind. Though it was a little hazy, he remembered the look on his friend's face when he
was told about the symbol.
He entered the Amazon lodging and saw Cydice, Tamarice, Mia, and P-One having a light
breakfast of wine-soaked bread and figs. "Joxer," Tamarice said in greeting, "what's going on
out there? Sounds like some sort of commotion."
"Some building is on fire."
"That's awful," Mia said. "Maybe we should help?"
Cydice shook her head, "That's not our job. There are people enough out there to do what
needs to be done."
"Is Gabrielle awake?" Joxer asked.
"Probably," Cydice replied.
Joxer wasted no time in going to Reneé's room. He entered without knocking or
announcing himself, finding Reneé availing herself of the sponge bath the room had been
supplied with. "Joxer!" she cried as she reflexively covered herself.
"I'm sorry, this can't wait. Nice scar," he said, pointing at a scar the width of a hand that
crossed the left side of Reneé's, or rather Gabrielle's, back just under the shoulder blade where it
was almost always covered.
Reneé contorted slightly, but the scar was unviewable by its owner. "Thanks," she said.
After seeing that the queen was still covering herself, Joxer said, "You're acting like a
virgin bride. What's wrong with you?"
Reneé's embarrassment suddenly shifted from being seen naked, to caring that she was
being seen naked. She'd grown accustomed to seeing the casual attitude towards skin in this
time, but it hadn't transferred to her being comfortable echoing the custom. She forced herself
to relax. After all, when in Athens, you do as the Athenians. "Sorry. I guess I'm a little on
edge."
"There's something in the air. I talked with a friend, and mentioned the symbol. This
morning he suddenly disappears. He left a message for me that it was some sort of emergency,
but that seemed terribly convenient. I know he knows something. He said a word, or maybe it
was a name. I don't know. All I do know is that I haven't seen him since.
"Then when I was coming here, I saw that there was a fire on this side of the city. I don't
know if the one has anything to do with the other, but it seems as though that might be the case."
"What building?"
"I don't know. I really wasn't paying attention. I think I heard Amaz-something."
"The Amazonaeum?"
"That's sounds close."
Reneé's heartbeat nearly doubled in a couple of seconds. She dressed as quickly and simply
as she could, donning only the short thigh-length tunic favored in this part of the world. This
chiton, a gift from the queen Penelope and made of fine fabric, clung to her still wet skin. She
put her sandals on with practiced efficiency and then raced out the door with Joxer close behind.
As she passed her Amazons, she said, "Come on!"
With Reneé in the lead, the wedge of Amazons headed straight to the building much
revered by the people of the city. When they arrived, she saw that the building was largely
undamaged, save for some soot markings on the door's lintel. Reneé moved to the doorway.
Upon seeing who she was, no one stood in her way. That two of the Amazons with her had
their swords drawn served as additional incentive.
The curtain in the doorway had either burned away or had been removed in the battle
against the flames. The air inside was thick with the odor of burnt pitch and olive oil.
Lingering smoke and steam created a foggy haze that intensified the feeling of being smothered.
Other than soot on the walls, the building looked not much the worse for the experience. There
was sand over almost every surface -- clotted from mixing with the pitch and oil before
smothering it. Then she saw the bodies. The seven bodies were charred, greasy, and black.
Their contortions spoke of an agonizing death by flame. Reneé had seen more death than she
had ever expected to, but the severity of these deaths stung her. The sweet smell of cooked
human flesh reached her. She couldn't overcome her nausea, and had to give in to it. She
wanted to leave the building, but something about the bodies kept begging for her attention.
They were all women, she could see that. All of them had been clothed, for fragments of burnt
cloth had welded to the bodies. Gags. These women had been gagged. This was no accident.
Reneé left the building. She suddenly felt the need to have her Amazon protectors nearby.
"My-- Gabrielle? What's wrong?" P-One asked.
"We are in danger. We've got to get out of here."
The Amazons needed no more explanation. They easily and subtly assumed a covering
formation around Reneé as the group headed back to the taverna to rejoin their sisters. As
Reneé walked, an inkling was forming into a dread. This atrocity had a flavor to it. She didn't
want to allow for the possibility, but if she could travel all of this distance, so could he. "Joxer!"
she called. The fighter strode up beside her as she continued, "Peraxion is here."
"How do you know?"
"I know." Well, I'm fairly certain, she thought to herself.
The group entered the taverna and met up with the rest of their party. "We've got a
problem," Reneé said. "The priestesses at the Amazonaeum were murdered."
The pretender queen expected to see some shock, but none was forthcoming. Instead
Penthaneira said, "So now we will not learn the next step of our mission?"
"I-- Hmm, I hadn't considered that," Reneé said. "Actually right now we have a bigger
problem. I'm almost certain that a madman named Peraxion is behind this. He captured me a
while ago. He tortured and killed Amazons before me, mostly for his own pleasure. He hates
us all, and has me as a special target."
Joxer jumped in, "It took Xena and an army of Amazons to--"
"And Artemis," Reneé interrupted.
"And Artemis to-- Artemis? That was Artemis?" Joxer said with considerable surprise.
"I was lucky to get away with my life," Reneé continued. "This man is very dangerous and
very smart."
"Then we should get away from here," Cydice said to the agreement of the Libyan
Amazons.
Reneé, having been on this ride before, said, "I'm not sure that's the best thing. That's
probably what he wants us to do. To lead us into a trap. What do you think?" she directed
toward Joxer.
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151
He nodded, "That sounds like something he would do. Gabrielle is right, he is cunning."
Cydice said, "So then we hunt him."
The women agreed to this with much more enthusiasm than greeted the option to flee.
The girl's face was streaked with tears. She had never know pain in her life, or fear, as she
knew it now. Again, there was the searing pain on her back as another ember touched it. It was
removed before there was much damage. In a few years there wouldn't even be a scar. Pain and
fear had driven away her ability to scream any more. The best she could do was something
between a cry and a whimper. A rough hand lifted her face. She saw a man's face. It was
smiling but the eyes were soulless. She tried to speak, "W-- W-- Wh--"
"Why?" the man chortled. "Because you were so very entertaining."
The girl trembled. She didn't fell pain any more. She felt only fear. Another ember
touched her back, and again she felt pain. She was going to die, like the priestesses. This man
was the one who killed them, she thought.
"No, I'm not going to kill you," he said to her surprise. "In fact, all I want from you is to
deliver a message. I want you to tell those concubines of other women the same message you
were going to deliver before."
"Wh-- Who?"
"The Amazons, you simp! Now listen! You are going to tell them to go to the third vault
of Theseus, just like before. That's it. That's all you will tell them. You say anything more, and
I-- well, maybe you'd like your family to join you in our little game."
"No!"
Peraxion laughed. "Clean her up and deliver her to the city."
The girl walked toward the taverna. Every step caused pain as her cloak rubbed against her
burns. The blisters had all been broken and rubbed with a paste of wine and salt before her
blindfold was removed and she was released into the city. Her face was tear-streaked and her
breathing came in sobs as she entered the building. She felt some relief in seeing the Amazon
Queen sitting at a table. Her focus was such that she didn't not see any of the other Amazons or
Joxer who were also in the room. "Q-Queen Gabrielle," she said.
Reneé was surprised to see the girl. She thought that everyone in the Amazonaeum had
been killed. Then she remembered that the only bodies there had been women. Reneé saw the
pain in the girl's face. Having experienced Peraxion's hospitality herself, her compassion for the
girl filled her heart. It was likely that Peraxion or his men were watching, so it would be better
to play out the scene. "You are the girl from the Amazonaeum I met yesterday."
The girl nodded. "I have a message. You were going to receive it," a sob interrupted her
speech, "today. Um-- You-- You are supposed to go to the third vault of Theseus. It is at the
base of the Acropolis on the north side hidden behind the three boulders."
She took a deep breath now that her mission was done. She turned and left. Reneé said,
"Mia, Joxer, follow her to make sure that she's OK." After the two had gone, she continued,
"Peraxion's men may be watching. Go and see. P-One and Tamarice, stay here."
The Amazons exited the building without much urgency. Just a casual foray into the city.
Once outside, as they split into teams for safety, their eyes never stopped scanning the scene.
"She probably sent out her dogs to find you," Peraxion said as he was applying yellow
symbols on his cheeks.
"Soon after the girl left," the lieutenant replied.
"This is almost too easy. Do you remember when I had her before? She didn't seem too
bright, even for a woman. After I kill her, those Amazon sheep will be mine.
"Enough talk. It's time to get into position."
"But Gabrielle," Cydice said, "We don't know this terrain. I'm sure this vault is difficult to
find in the day, never mind the night."
"That's why I sent One and Tamarice to find it while it was still light. Peraxion will be
waiting for us tomorrow. Without the cover of darkness, we don't stand much of a chance."
"I still think this is foolhardy."
"Then you aren't going to like the rest of it."
"The rest of it?"
"Once they get back, One and Tamarice will lead me -- only me -- to the vault."
"My Queen!"
Peraxion was happy. The two women sent to scout the area weren't very careful about
concealing their movements. He wasn't surprised that they discovered the vault. He was
surprised that it took them so long to do so. He had to motion his men away from their positions
twice in order to keep them from being accidentally discovered. Now that they had gone, the
trap was set. "You are so easy to understand," he mused to himself.
The journey to the bottom of the Acropolis was easy. The steps and paths were well
traveled. It was the trek around the Acropolis at night that was difficult. The pathway on the
plane below the citadel did not venture close enough to be of use. The trio of P-One, Tamarice,
and Gabrielle had to feel their way through the paths less traveled. The terrain, while having
been inhabited for centuries, was still rough. Only the foolish would attempt to find their way in
the dark without first having memorized in the light.
The light of the Moon acted as a tease. It was very bright on this cloudless night, but it
shone only on the south side of the rocky pillar. The north side was cast in a profound shade.
The light from the three torches was of almost no help. Reneé followed P-One and Tamarice,
who gave a constant litany of the terrain and obstacles. Since they had traveled this way once,
they were more likely to remember unseen hindrances.
They didn't remember the stream. Three hours into their journey, Tamarice twisted her
ankle and tore a toenail when she unexpectedly took a step that was lower than she had been
expecting. Her foot slipped on the smooth rocks. After ascertaining that Tamarice was still fit
for travel, Reneé said, "This is ridiculous. Are we at least getting close?"
"We should be very near, my Queen," P-One said.
"This stream shouldn't be more than a hundred paces away from the three boulders,"
Tamarice added.
Though they had to duck tree branches, they arrived at the approximate area. "OK," Reneé
said, "now what?"
"They are around here somewhere. You have to stand in a certain area to see them." P-One
said.
Like the points of a drunken triangle, the women moved back and forth and side to side in
an attempt to see the outcrop. Finally P-One said, "I see it. There, to the left."
"That's it," Tamarice said.
A thought occurred to Reneé, "You know, after we're done here, we still have to get back."
The statement hung in the air for a moment. They had spent over three hours getting here,
and it had not been a fun trip. Having to go back wasn't something they were looking forward
to. "That's not really something you need to worry about," Peraxion's voice called out in the
dark.
Seemingly emerging from the shadow of Hades, Peraxion took the torch out of a very
surprised Reneé's hand. The three women were surrounded. P-One and Tamarice were each
held by two men while Reneé was left free. The fourteen other men in the warlord's command
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lit their torches from those supplied by the Amazons. The massed light of seventeen torches
provided more than enough light to see everyone in an orange-red hue. "We meet again,
Amazon Queen Gabrielle," Peraxion sneered.
"Go to Hell," Reneé said reflexively.
"Be nice. Maybe you'll live 'til morning."
"If it's anything like the last time, no thanks. Just kill us now."
"Oh no. Nothing so quick for you. This time I'm going to make you suffer. But, that's
what you want isn't it?"
"Really?"
"You're not running away. No one's holding you. You could, oh say, grab his sword and
fight your way out."
"I think the odds a little in your favor."
Peraxion laughed. "So much for Amazon valor. I knew there was only one thing you were
good for, just like all women. Two, actually."
"Two?"
"You die better, and I get so much joy out of helping you along your way."
"Well, before you start having your fun, would you mind answering a question?"
"How did I find you?"
Reneé nodded.
"You really must choose your friends better. That Joxer wasn't hard to follow. Xena was a
real challenge. She always knew I was near, but this man doesn't have a clue. He lead me
straight to here. All I had to do is wait. And here you are."
"So what now?"
"Now we wait for the rest of your bleeders to come looking for you. I want you to watch
them all die this time. But first--," Peraxion nodded to two of his men who grabbed Reneé,
stuffed a ball of wax in her mouth and gagged her, "I think we have a little time to think back on
the fun times we had before you so rudely walked out of our little party."
Peraxion heated the blade of a knife in the flame of one of the torches as Reneé struggled to
get away.
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Chapter 28 : Tipping the Scales
One of Peraxion's men dropped his torch. None of Peraxion's band paid the event much
heed. By the time they noticed that the torch bearer was also dropping, it was too late. Five
more arrows flew to their well-lit targets as war-crying Melodice charged Peraxion and sent him
scurrying into the cover of darkness.
Emerging from the darkness like she-bears protecting their cubs, the Amazons attacked the
half of Peraxion's men who were still alive. This was the satisfying part of the battle. Woman
against man. The surprise was so complete that the men had barely placed their hands on their
weapon before one of the myrmidons dealt him a fatal blow. Most of the men received a deep
slash to the throat, ensuring a quick and relatively painless death. Three had been stabbed with
knives. In the dark and through armor it was hard to be accurate. Some wriggling of the knife
once it entered the chest was necessary to ensure that the heart was cut. Once it was, the fight
and spirit left the men in moments.
There were only women standing now. Reneé had ripped the gag off and was forcing the
ball of wax out of her mouth. Just as she was saying, "Is everyone alright?" Cydice and P-One
were saying, "Are you alright, my Queen?"
The overlap of concern sparked a moment of chuckling. "Where's Peraxion?" Reneé asked.
"Over here," call Joxer's voice some distance in the dark.
Penthaneira and Stragera followed the sound of struggling and rustling. Neither thought to
take a torch with them, so it took a little luck to find Joxer and his prize. Together, the three
restrained Peraxion so that there was no chance of his escape while he was brought back to the
site of the ambush. Once there, he was forcibly dropped to his knees with a hard punch to each
of his kidneys. He saw that his men were dead. "Not quite the ambush you had planned, was
it?" Reneé taunted.
"You were lucky."
Reneé stared at the man who had caused her so much pain. He had eviscerated women in
front of her. He'd burned her. He immolated the priestess of the temple. His men had killed
Eponin. She wanted to kill him. If anyone deserved to die, it was this man. "Give me a sword,"
she said.
Tamarice held out her iron sword, hilt first, to her queen. Reneé took it and looked at the
blade. Can I do this, she thought. Would this be justice, or would it be murder? If he manages
to get free, he'll just continue to kill Amazons for no other reason than they are Amazon. He has
to die.
I can't do it, she realized. I want to. God help me, I want to, but I can't. Then, seeking the
refuge of splitting hairs she plunged the sword into the ground, leaving it standing tantalizingly
close to Peraxion. Reneé grabbed a torch from Melodice and turned her back on the scene. To
no one in particular she said, "Kill him," and walked toward the three boulders.
She never heard a sound, but given the amount of time it took for the Amazons to join her,
she suspected that the Amazons had made Peraxion's death a creative one. She didn't want to
think about it. Ordering someone to be killed wasn't exactly the same as killing them yourself.
Not really. Was it? She knew inside of her that it was. But this time was different. There was
no justice system to speak of. Especially for atrocities like the ones Peraxion had committed.
She'd acted as judge and jury in an open-and-shut case. Nothing more. She was still trying to
convince herself of that as her Amazons joined her. "It's done, my Queen," Cydice said. "Joxer
is taking care of the bodies."
"Fine," was all Reneé was able to say, her internal conflict seemingly lodged in her throat.
"Do we search for the vault?" P-One asked.
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"Let's wait until it's light. We don't need to hurry," Reneé said. "Not now."
Because it was a beautiful night, there was little need to find shelter. The women split off
into their hierarchical groups. Cydice, Melodice, Penthaneira, and Stragera sat together.
Tamarice, P-One, and Mia sat not far away. Reneé wandered over to an olive tree and used its
trunk as a backrest.
The quiet was not good for Reneé. Nor was the dark. Every time she closed her eyes, she
saw the images of violence that seemed to define her time in this land. When she opened her
eyes, the images were less clear. She thought back to high school. She was so popular. Would
she have been if her classmates would have known that she could order a man killed? How was
she better than Peraxion? How was she any better than Xena?
She didn't want to think about this any more. How could she stop? How could she go
back? In just a few months she'd transformed. She had been an above average actor, at least she
liked to think so, with some close friends. A person who liked to travel and see what the world
had to offer; sometimes with her mother, sometimes with her boyfriend. Now, she was Queen
of the Amazons. A survivor of battles and torture. A killer. Whether she did it herself or
ordered it, she was a killer. The set of Xena: Warrior Princess never seemed so far away.
This was getting her nowhere. She got up and wandered over to Penthaneira and Mia.
They had wandered over to each other after everyone else had gone to sleep. "You should get
some sleep, my Queen," Penthaneira said, "you've had a long day."
"I know. I just can't at the moment. Mind if I join you?"
"Of course not. I was just telling Mia about one of the stories I heard about you before we
met you."
"Don't believe everything you hear," Reneé said with a smile. "How had the reality
compared to the legend?"
Penthaneira thought about it for a moment. Mia, having always been considered shy,
simply waited for her mother to answer. Reneé saw this and prompted, "Mia?"
"Y-Yes?"
"What do you think?"
Penthaneira couldn't help smiling. Mia had a tendency of deferring to her elders that might
get her into trouble. Seeing that she was going to get no help, Mia said, "You're different.
More... it's hard to say. Forgive me for saying this, but there are times when you don't seem like
an Amazon at all."
"Really?"
"Then other times, you are the greatest Amazon I have ever seen. Even more than in the
stories." She paused for a moment before adding, "Even the Great Huntress must think so. I
have only heard of the Gods in stories. Never have I met anyone who not only met a God, but
was considered worthy enough to fight at their side."
"So I'm great because of Artemis?"
"No, my Queen," Mia stammered. "I d-didn't mean that. I was only--"
"It's OK, Mia. It's OK," Reneé said with a big grin. "I'm just giving you a hard time."
The young Amazon replied with a sheepish grin. Penthaneira beckoned the teenager over,
"Come on." Mia was rewarded with a strong one-armed hug around her shoulder. Penthaneira
said to Reneé, "My daughter sometimes takes things a little too seriously."
"Your daughter?" Reneé said, a little amazed.
"You didn't know?" Penthaneira replied with almost equal surprise.
Reneé shook her head. "You two always treat each other as Amazons. Since no one ever
mentioned it, I never thought..."
"Well, it's true that she doesn't favor me in looks."
"Are there any more secrets here that I should know about?" Reneé asked teasingly.
"Stragera shouldn't eat cheese," Mia volunteered.
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From the dark, Stragera said sleepily, "I heard that."
Reneé and Penthaneira laughed while Mia blushed. "Goodnight," Reneé said with a smile
before returning to her spot at the olive tree. The distraction of the conversation had been
enough to quiet her mind to allow fatigue to take over. She fell asleep almost before she settled
on the ground.
Reneé didn't rise with the others after the Sun came up, but it was obvious to all that she
was not getting a restful sleep. She would mumble, sometimes loudly, and her body would jerk.
They would have awoken her, but they knew she got little enough sleep as it was. The
darkening around her eyes spoke of the strain she had been putting herself through. As long as
it was safe, they could afford to wait for her to wake on her own.
At around the midpoint between dawn and noon, Reneé finally woke up. She felt even
more exhausted than she had when she'd gone to sleep. In a way, though, she also felt more
energized. She greeted everyone and greedily ate the roasted fish that had been saved for her.
The stream had been generous with its gifts for the morning meal.
Cydice brought Reneé up-to-date, "While you were sleeping, we searched the area for the
vault. There is an opening under one of the boulders. We didn't enter, but we did see footprints
that didn't belong to any of us. When you enter, you should take someone with you in case
Peraxion set another trap."
Reneé nodded, "That sounds like a good idea. Who wants to go?"
The Amazons looked at each other. This was a choice for their queen, not for them.
"Fine," Reneé said, "I'll pick." She did eenie-meenie-minnie-moe in her head and settled on,
"One, it looks like you're it."
P-One grabbed a sword and a knife while Reneé took up a staff. Though it took four
Amazons, the boulder slid away from its spot with surprisingly little effort. It revealed a flight
of stairs made of stone descending into a pit with cobbled walls. Mia brought two torches
which had been lit from the fire. Reneé descended first, followed by P-One.
The stairwell was almost wide enough for two thin people to go down side-by-side.
Because of the light streaming in from the head of the stairs, any mystery the vault might have
with a dark descent was eroded. That suited Reneé. She'd had more than her share of pitchblack tests. They reached the bottom only to find walls made of large blocks of limestone.
"There's nothing here," P-One said.
Reneé started pressing against the blocks. Her mind had been conditioned by the movies
into immediately thinking that there must a secret passage. P-One looked at her like she was a
little crazy, but soon her eyes went from confused to astonished as Reneé pushed on a block and
it easily pushed back into the wall. Reneé kept pushing until an opening appeared. She had to
position the block to one side of the opening to keep the counterbalanced stone from swinging
back into the space. The opening, which was slightly below Reneé's waist level, revealed no
light at all, which was not surprising. "Come on," Reneé said.
"Wait," P-One said. "I should go first. We don't know what lies ahead."
Reneé was not going to argue. She stepped aside and let P-One crawl in, armed with a
torch. Her feet had just gone through the opening when Reneé thought she heard P-One fall.
"One?" No answer. "One, are you alright?" Nothing.
She must have fallen, Reneé thought. She might be hurt. Without thinking about calling up
for help, Reneé entered the opening herself. It was awkward trying to crawl with both a staff
and a torch, but she wasn't going to leave either one behind. There was a ledge extending past
the one-meter thickness of the block. Reneé swung the torch over the edge and could see POne's body on sandy ground about one meter lower. Reneé carefully swung her legs around and
dropped to the ground. Without warning, the block shifted. She turned to see it swing back into
the wall. When she turned back around she froze. In the dim torchlight was a face she had not
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157
seen in a while. A hand came up holding a glass-encased collection of what looked like jewels.
"Looking for these?" the throaty female voice said.
Before Reneé could fully comprehend the event, she saw a motion out of the corner of her
eye. She blocked the speeding fist with her staff. She never saw the second punch.
Near the entrance to the vault, Cydice had a sense that something wasn't right. She called
down, "Gabrielle! P-One! Gabrielle!"
Weapons pulled and with torches in hand, Cydice and Stragera went down the stairs to the
same dead-end that Reneé and P-One had found. "Where did they go?" Stragera said.
Cydice was at a complete loss at how to answer that question. Some unseen hand had
plucked the queen and her guard from this crypt without leaving a clue. "The Gods must be at
work here," the Libyan leader said. "We'll return to the entrance and wait. The Queen will
return in her own time."
It took several hours before thought started filtering back into Reneé's head. Had she not
had a severe concussion only days before, she would have come-to much sooner. She was
lucky that the punch she had received did not re-injure the same area of her brain that had been
bruised before. If that had been the case, it was likely that she never would have awaken. She
opened her eyes expecting to see nothing but darkness. Instead, she saw a well-lit golden blur.
It took several minutes of working at it, but she was finally able to make her eyes focus for
increasingly lengthening periods. While it was a pleasant change to not wake in darkness for
once, the light was not helping her headache. While not as debilitating as with her first
concussion, it still was a match for most migraines. Though she only moved her eyes for now,
what she saw was breathtaking.
The area in front of her was filled with golden treasures. Urns, pitchers, vases, weapons-everything was golden. There were accents of jewels and paint, but the gilded wealth in this
room was shameful. It was like waking in a Greek version of King Tut's tomb. While she was
getting used to the sight of such obvious wealth, Reneé became aware that her clothes and her
hair were damp. She reached up with her arm and confirmed it. "You're awake," the honeytinged voice said. "I was beginning to worry."
Reneé tried to maintain focus as she propped herself up as far a nausea would allow. She
couldn't hold the position, but she did see her attacker before lowering herself back down.
"Xena," Reneé sighed.
"Are you so naïve to think I wouldn't find you?" the fury said with anger in her voice. "If I
didn't need you, I'd kill you right now. No one violates my trust."
That made Reneé's angry as well. "Trust? That's a joke. You don't trust me. You just
want--"
"What I want is my friend! Nothing is going to stop that." Xena snapped. "I think you're
starting to believe you actually are an Amazon. Let me tell you, you are no Amazon, much less
their queen."
"I got them this far."
"All seven of them. I'm sure all the ones who died are praising your name to Hades."
That hurt. Reneé did feel responsible for all of these women. The guilt over those that died
haunted her, and would for the rest of her life. "Where's One?" she asked?
"Who? Oh, the other one. She's tied up in another chamber."
Reneé relaxed some. She wanted an aspirin or twenty. "What now?" she asked.
"We finish what Artemis started. I assume she's at Delos? You didn't get her killed, too?"
"She's at Delos."
"Good. I have the scales, now we head to centaur country to get the key."
Centaur country? She's got to be kidding. Reneé was willing to accept that the Gods were
real. She saw them. The Amazons were real. But centaurs? That was just too much to believe.
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Suddenly she was doused with water and was coughing to rid herself of the feeling that she was
drowning. Xena said, "You're not going to sleep on me. I need you awake."
The dark warrior grabbed Reneé's arm and forced her to her feet. Reneé was very unsteady,
but fought to remain conscious. Xena said, "I'm going to need your Amazons, too. We'll use
their belief that you are their queen. Lead them to Eleusis. I'll met you there."
"I'll tell them that I heard you were there, and since I can't remember our mission, we need
to team up with you again."
"I don't care, just get there. From Eleusis, we'll ride up to Thessaly to steal the key. Here,"
Xena pushed the crystal case of jewel-like half-rounds into Reneé's hands. "Don't lose these.
Without them, the Cairn with be our death."
Xena went around the room and suffocated the torches in the sand filled fonts that were
below each of the fiery brands. She left one burning at the room's entrance, and handed the last
one to Reneé. "I'll so you were the Amazon is. From there you can leave the same way you
entered."
Since Reneé was still unsteady, Xena grudgingly gave her support as the scarred warrior led
the actor down a narrow passage to the entry into the chamber where P-One had been left. With
no warning, Xena pushed Reneé into the room and apparently disappeared. "My Queen?" came
P-One's voice echoing in the dark.
Reneé quickly scanned the room, but didn't see anything. "Where are you?"
"To your right, under something."
This time, knowing where to look, Reneé spotted the restrained warrior. She started to go
to her side, but saw a glint to her left. "Just a sec'," Reneé said as she altered her course. On the
ground were the weapons they had brought with them. She picked up a knife and headed back
to P-One.
The Amazon had been cunningly tied. Xena might not have enjoyed her brief life at sea,
but she knew more knots than most sailors. That knowledge was amply demonstrated by the
completely immobilizing and inescapable combination of knots the master warlord had
employed on P-One. Had she somehow been able to free herself from the boulder she was tied
to, the young woman would ultimately tired enough so that she would be choked to death. This
prison of knots must had taken some time to tie. With a sharp knife in hand, however, it only
took a minute to undo. "How are you?" Reneé asked.
"My arms cramped a little while ago. I'm afraid that I won't be able to be of much use at
the moment."
"That's OK. I'm not in fighting shape myself."
For several minutes, that was all that was said. The two women just sat on the ground next
to each other gathering their own personal resources. Finally Reneé said, "Let's get out of here."
She and P-One helped each other up. The light from the torch revealed that the block they
had originally pushed aside was not only back in place, but stopped closed with a timber.
Removing this ancient doorstop was an easy matter, as was the moving of the stone. It was
attached to a bundle of thick cables. What the women couldn't see in the limited light was the
boulder used as a counterweight on the other end of the cables. This balance is what allowed
the heavy limestone block to be moved so easily. In the course of time the natural-fiber robes
would break, which is what the builders of this vault had planned. After that time, this
warehouse of treasure would be sealed forever.
No one was more surprised than Cydice when Reneé and P-One climbed back up the steps
into the warmth of the day. "My Queen," she said, "how-- where did-- I mean, I hope that you
are well."
"I've been better." She raised the case Xena had given her. "But I've got what we came
here for. Now we will go to Eleusis."
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"Eleusis, my Queen?" Cydice asked.
"I've learned that Xena will be there. Since I can't remember anything I learned on that
island, we have to find her. She knows what we are supposed to do."
"Of course," Cydice said. Based on how Xena had treated their queen in the past, she was
no fan of the warrior princess, but Reneé's words were true. This mission that had already cost
so many lives would be wasted if they could no longer move forward to the goal -- whatever
that goal might be.
"Where's Joxer?" Reneé asked.
"He never returned," Melodice answered.
"We have to find him. Search the area. We'll meet back at the taverna and rest there
tonight. We'll head out for Eleusis in the morning."
The women started heading off in the direction of the stream, which is the last course Joxer
had been seen taking. Reneé still felt a little dizzy and called out, "Tamarice, wait."
The young Amazon returned quickly, "Yes, my Queen."
"There's no way I'm going to make it up to the city on my own. I'm going to need some
help, if you wouldn't mind."
"Anything I can do, you only have to command."
"Just get me back to my room."
The older Amazons took special note of the exchange. They had all been slow to take up
the search for Joxer because they were concerned about their queen's health. Her skin was pale,
and her eyes seemed to have the same problem maintaining their focus as they did soon after her
head injury. There was also what looked like a growing bruise on her face that they hadn't
noticed before. Something violent had happened while she and P-One had been missing.
Cydice decided to chance overstepping the bounds of her position by calling Mia over. "Mia, I
want you to follow Tamarice and the queen at a discreet distance."
"Why, if I may ask?"
"Just to make sure they get back safely."
"As you will," Mia said with a bow of her head.
Mia followed several hundred meters behind the pair. At first it was difficult to maintain
that distance for Reneé was walking very slowly. As they went further, they went faster. The
exercise was helping the much battered actor to clear her head. Even her headache was
lessening. She reached the city's wall feeling rather well, in fact. She would have been happy
about that except that the city was in mourning because of the tragedy of the Amazonaeum fire.
It was hard to get the vision of the bodies out of her head. It had the galvanizing effect of
steeling her resolve to succeed. Seeing Xena had made here feel like the innocent actor who
had been dumped in her lap. Now, she again carried the focus necessary for an Amazon leader.
The rest of the Amazons as well as Joxer were less than ten minutes behind. It had taken
the travelling warrior the rest of the night and most of the day to dispose of the bodies so that no
attention would be paid to how so many had died, or by whom. He had been on the way back to
the battle site when he met up with Cydice's search party.
To the great relief of Nazrion, the Amazons left his business the next morning. As when
they arrived, the eyes of the city followed them as they left. Many felt that the terror that had
occurred within their walled city had something to do with the warrior women. It did not seem
to be a coincidence that it was the Amazonaeum that had been ravaged and its priestesses killed.
Though Nazrion had accounted for the presence of the women on that night, the populace was
relieved to see the foreign women go.
The march to Eleusis was easy and pleasantly uneventful. Reneé took a small amount of
joy at being a tourist admiring the beauty of the countryside. Though this route was well
traveled by pilgrims seeking out the Mysteries of this city sacred to the goddess Demeter, it was
unspoiled as if to honor the goddess of the harvest.
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They reached the acropolis and entered the city walls by midday. In many ways, this
seemed like a smaller version of Athens. Less commercial perhaps, and the grand building
dedicated to the worship of Demeter seemed so much bigger than the great palace in Athens. In
truth it was an illusion due to the smaller size of Eleusis.
It wasn't difficult finding Xena. Though relatively plentiful in the country, few in the city
owned horses. The palomino in front of one of the buildings served as an easily recognized
calling card. "Joxer, tell Xena we're here, please," Reneé said.
He was not appreciative of being ordered around by a woman he didn't think had quite
earned the honor. Still, this was her mission. He went into the building. While Reneé had
decided to not meet with Xena alone so as to avoid another concussion, she almost had asked
Stragera to fetch the warrior princess. Just before she had said anything, she remembered that
Xena and Joxer were allies. If Xena still had ruffled feathers, he would be a good buffer.
Xena emerged from the building with attitude. Her muscled body was taut. The scar at her
jawline pulsed as the virago clenched her teeth as she walked. The citizens of Eleusis cleared
away from the area. While Amazons were a curiosity, the Destroyer of Nations was a known
threat. A threat no one wanted to be near. The Amazons were able to quell their anxiety by
being prepared to use their weapons. Xena had been bested, and they had no idea how well or
badly this reunion would evolve. "Xena," Reneé said, "we need your help."
The warrior princess stared critically at the remaining warriors. They looked harder than
they had on the ship. Good, that might keep them alive. "Follow me. Joxer, get Argo."
"Argo?" he asked.
"Get my horse."
Reneé couldn't help smiling. Xena glared in reply.
Xena led the company to a stable where she had arranged for each to have a horse. A piece
of Theseus' treasure had made it an easy barter. Xena said, "We're riding to centaur country.
Along the way we will get more weapons."
Even among the people of Mycenaean Greece, the centaurs were little more than a legend.
The tales of sightings of a half-man-half-horse ended with Heracles. No one really thought they
existed. No one, apparently, except for Xena.
Even though the Amazons were more expert at riding than Reneé, it didn't save any of them
from the increasing pain due to their not having ridden in some time. Only Xena rode without
pain. It was fortunate that centaur country was in the interior of Thessalia. With the rough
terrain for much of the trip, it would take three or four days to reach the area on horseback. By
the time they reached their destination, their bodies would be riding much easier. That would be
important because if fighting broke out, it would have to be as cavalry and not on foot. Anyone
on the ground would be killed easily. Xena had fought the centaurs on three different
battlefields and knew how fierce they could be.
Two days into their ride north, the horse riding warriors made a stop at one of Xena's
weapons caches. While not as state-of-the-art as Odysseus', it was well stocked. There were
few iron weapons. Those without a sword or a knife were given bronze bladed ones. Cydice,
Melodice, Penthaneira, and Stragera each received a bow and a double quiver of arrows. The
other Amazons and Joxer received two light spears. Though shields were available, Xena
recommended that they not use them. They had been more of a hindrance to her troops than an
aid.
Now well-armed, they continued on into the mountainous landscape of Thessalia. Relying
solely on Xena's memory of the terrain, the group of warriors continued on. In the afternoon of
the fourth day, they topped a ridge that overlooked a sizeable valley in the midst of the
mountains. With the tree-lined foothills and the large meadow-like valley, this seemed like a
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paradise. In the distance, there were horses by a stream. At least they looked like horses. This
far away, it was difficult to tell.
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Knowing the positions and tactics of the hidden enemies, Xena wasted no time in preparing
the attack. "We will strike in three teams. Cydice, Tamarice, and Mia will ride down from that
pass," Xena pointed at a break in the vegetation about three hundred meters to the east.
"Melodice, Stragera, and P-One will ride down from that hill," Xena indicated the mound some
two hundred meters to the west. "The rest of us will start our attack from here.
"Our strike will be to surprise and confuse our enemy. Cydice will ride across the valley to
that point where the stream exits the woods. Melodice's team will ride across the length of the
valley toward that barren area in front of the stand of trees. A small guard will be there, and I
doubt they will let you get more than halfway across the field before they attack. My force will
ride down and split into two groups of two when we cross Melodice's path. Ren-- Gabrielle and
I will ride into the woods to approach from the rear the shrine we must enter. Joxer and
Penthaneira will appear to follow Melodice's force before turning and following that entrance
into the woods on the far side of where we are now. Do you see it?"
Both Joxer and Penthaneira nodded. Xena continued, "That will lead you straight to the
shrine. You will attack the few guards left to defend the shrine after the rest have gone to attack
Cydice's group. Be generous with your arrows. We will be outnumbered."
Cydice asked, "What will you and the queen do once you reach the shrine?"
"That is our business," Xena said, sparking a derisive scowl from Cydice and some of the
other Amazons. They respected Xena's skill and reputation, but they couldn't help but bridle at
the condescending way she treated them and their queen.
"Get into positions," Xena ordered. "Melodice's charge will be the signal to attack.
Melodice, just wait for Cydice to get to her position before starting."
Without a word, the two teams rode off to their assigned places. Once they had gone,
Reneé took her horse beside Xena's and asked quietly, "Just so I know, what are we going to do
once we reach the shrine?"
"Improvise."
"Great. That's helpful. I think I need a little more to go on."
"We will have to face the Chrysaor. Get ready, Cydice's almost in position."
Chrysaor? Reneé thought. What the hell is a Chrysaor? There was no time to think about
it. Melodice had begun her race down the hill into the grassy field. Cydice, too, was on course
to her mission. "Come on!" Xena yelled, followed by her famous "lelelele" war cry. The other
cavalry riders joined in with their own battle cries. If anyone in the valley with the capacity to
fear witnessed this attack, it must surely have been a blood-trembling sight. Three bands of
furies riding down from the heavens with weapons drawn and voices of war.
Those that they would meet in battle, had no such capacity to fear. They emerged from the
woods at the three places Xena had indicated before. Though in total they numbered only
twenty-seven on the field, this would surely be enough to defeat this band of raiders.
No one in the attacking force except Xena had ever seen a centaur. It took several moments
for the reality of them to register. They were not the mythical beasts of mythology, but were
instead a unique warrior caste. From the time they could walk, the males of this isolated society
learned horsemanship. They were perhaps the most adept riders anywhere in the world. When
the first sign of down appeared on the chin of the best of these young horsemen, they were
initiated into the specialized force of warriors that had been known for centuries as the centaurs.
They rode horses in specially designed saddles which allowed them to pass their waste
without dismounting. This was critically important for they were bound to a horse for several
days at a time while on duty. The saddle they sat on was attached to the animal with a broad
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leather cinch. The leather on the cinch was then laced around the legs of the rider and finally
secured at the waist. Now that it was impossible for the rider to fall or lose contact with his
mount, horse and rider had become one being. A rider would dismount, rest for a day or two to
ward off pressure sores, and then mount the next animal in his stable. No warrior had fewer
than two mounts, and most had at least five. This unique teaming of species was fast, strong,
and cunning.
As planned, Xena's team split. Joxer and Penthaneira were now trailing Melodice's team,
which was closing in on a stampede of fifteen centaurs. The Amazon weapons master wasted
no time in launching lights of arrows at the enemy. Cydice's team was now entering into close
fighting with another ten warriors. This did not stop Cydice from continued use of her bow.
Tamarice hurled one of her spears at a centaur, but the man-horse dodge the rocket with
amazing agility. She decided not to throw her second spear immediately. That would force her
to fight hand-to-hand before the majority of the enemy pack had been culled by Cydice's arrows.
Instead she used the example of Queen Gabrielle at Ithaka and used her spear as a deadly staff.
She might not be able to knock one of these men off their horse, but she could certainly snap a
neck with an accurate swing.
Mia had to pull up in order to throw one of her spears at a charging rider, piercing him in
the heart. Knowing that she was vulnerable, the young Amazon urged her horse back up to
speed and used her last spear as a lance, and planted the point under the chin of a centaur who
had been more watchful of arrows.
Xena lead Reneé past Cydice's battle and around the centaur troop. They disappeared into
the woods before the leather-bound riders could account for them. Xena rode low on Argo, and
Reneé followed suit on her horse. The horses would avoid low branches on their own.
Penthaneira launched five arrows at the squad Melodice was attacking. One of the long
darts managed to lame one of the centaur's horses. Now the melding of horse and man became a
disadvantage. Penthaneira wanted to do more, but she broke off to follow Joxer as the plan
dictated.
As they rode down the scar that had been cut into the woods from the fields to their target,
both Joxer and Penthaneira grew increasingly uneasy about the easy of this route. "Joxer!"
Penthaneira called as she eased her horse back from its gallop.
Joxer pulled up on his horse as well, "What? Why are you stopping?"
"This doesn't feel right."
"I know. If they had that many guards for anyone approaching from the field, they must
have something special waiting for anyone who got past."
"What do you think?"
"I think I'd rather take my chance with whatever the centaurs have than have to face Xena
afterwards if we don't get there in time."
"Is Xena ever wrong about these things?"
Joxer sighed and absently rubbed the spot on his abdomen where he sported a pair of thick
scars. "Sometimes. Let's go."
Joxer and Penthaneira spurred their horses back up to speed. As the wood's canopy started
to thin, indicating that they were nearing a clearing of some sort, Penthaneira pulled up again.
Since she had taken point, this forced Joxer to stop as well. In hushed tones, Penthaneira said,
"This just doesn't feel right." She continued as she dismounted her horse, "I'm going to scout
ahead and see what's waiting for us."
The Amazon ran ahead, skirting the edge of the road. Joxer quietly called after her,
"Penthaneira! Penth!" Getting no response he said to himself, "Xena's not going to like this."
The battle was not going well for Cydice and Melodice in the clearing. Though they
reduced the centaur force from twenty-five to eleven, they were still outnumbered almost two-
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to-one. Their arrows were exhausted. Tamarice was still wielding her spear as a staff, but the
other Amazons had only their swords. Through a series of feints and shallow attacks, one of
which left P-One with a bloody souvenir on her left calf, the centaurs were deliberately herding
the Amazons into the center of the field. "Cydice?" Tamarice queried.
"They aren't trying to kill us. Not yet, anyway," the leader said.
"Do we fight?" Mia asked.
"Oh yes, we'll fight. We will not be slaves again," Cydice said.
"Cydice!" Melodice called out.
"Remember the Atlas foothills?" Cydice shouted in reply.
"But these aren't our horses," Melodice complained.
"There you go again, sounding like a man!"
"You don't have to insult me. I didn't say I wasn't going to do it."
"Three and three this time."
"Just say the word," Melodice replied, hoping the younger warriors understood the tactic
that had just been decided upon. Neither she nor Cydice would openly discuss it for it relied as
much on surprise as it did skill.
The quick surprise attack Xena had been counting on from Joxer and Penthaneira hadn't
happened yet and she was growing concerned. She and Reneé had made it to the back of the
shrine that was their goal.
The building was a broad flattened pyramid approximately one hundred and fifty meters on
a side and ten meters tall. Like much of the construction of this time, it was largely made of an
adobe-like formed brick. It was supported and decorated with a colonnade on each of its three
levels. The top two levels were made of plastered wood. The row of columns on the bottom
level, which had to withstand more of the structure's weight, were made of an inferior limestone
that even now was showing signs of weathering.
Ringing the pyramid were two rows of barriers. The outermost barriers were life-sized
renderings of men carved from granite. They bore only the forms of men, many in contortions
of pain, but none of the details. These were spaced about two meters apart. Between this
grotesque ring and the building stood a series of identically poised snakes. These serpentine
heads and necks appeared from the ground apparently ready to strike anyone who entered the
gap between the frozen men, and stood almost to the height of the first row of columns. Their
skin of plaster over which was a coating of ground jewels, shined with an iridescence of bluegreen scales.
Eight centaurs, at evenly spaced intervals, patrolled between these two barriers. They each
wore a headdress that marked them as belonging to some special order aligned with this shrine.
They each also were armed with arrows and a bow. Nothing was known of it, and if the battle
went as Xena hoped, the secrets of this place would be forever sealed. That wouldn't happen if
the patrol wasn't pulled away.
Penthaneira remounted her horse. "There is a small clearing in this woods with a large
building. Centaurs with bows guard it. We will need to run a crossing pattern so I can have a
chance to hit some of them with my arrows. Trouble is, we'll be good targets as well."
"Sounds like fun."
"Xena could have told us about this."
"Maybe she didn't know."
"Then why this plan?"
"I don't know. All I know is that we're wasting time. Let's go," Joxer said, prompting the
two warriors to enter their own field of battle.
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Xena finally had the sight she had been waiting for. The centaurs were all moving to the
front of the shrine. The attack must have begun. She said to Reneé, who had been waiting
quietly, "This is our chance." Then seeing some movement, she said, "Wait."
One centaur rounded the far side of the building and took up a post next to the sixth column
farthest from Xena. His bow was armed.
"Hand me one of your spears," Xena said.
Reneé handed Xena one of her two spears. Xena dismounted Argo. With the stance of a
javelin thrower, Xena quietly ran several paces and hurled the weapon and the unsuspecting
horseman. It fell shorter than Xena had aimed for, finding its way between the horse's ribs
instead of the man's. Still, when the horse fell, it served just as well for its imprisoned rider was
now trapped. Xena wasted no time in mounting her blonde mare and, with Reneé following on
her own mount, riding down to the victim, When they reached the centaur, Xena dismounted in
a smoothly practiced movement, took two steps while drawing her sword, and plunged the
bronze blade into the man's heart. Though having been in battle, Reneé was still amazed at the
casual ease and murderous precision Xena had with taking another life. While her scarred body
spoke volumes of how she had learned to do this, the emotionless quality of it was unsettling.
"Stay here," she said to Reneé before remounting Argo and riding to the front of the building.
Xena dismounted before rounding the corner. She saw that her plan was unfolding even
better than she had planned. Penthaneira and Joxer were keeping the centaurs occupied behind
their barriers. That was expected. The bonus came from the two centaurs that had fallen from
Penthaneira's arrows. That meant Xena only had five distracted centaurs to overcome rather
than seven. She moved quietly along the colonnade until she reached an important strategic
point behind the centaur nearest her. Another centaur was just four feet away. The other three
were spaced farther down the side of the building. She drew her chakram. She had to wait until
the two farthest centaurs were positioned correctly. She only had one shot and didn't want to
waste it. She didn't have a long wait. Without hesitation, she threw her deadly ring at the first
instant she had a good shot at her target -- the hamstrings of the rear legs of the equine half of
two centaurs. This time, her aim was true. The two hamstrings of the first centaur hit were
severed cleanly. Hitting bone, the chakram was slightly deflected and lost momentum. It was
only able to cut the necessary tendon of one leg on the last of the centaur defenders. It was,
however, sufficient to fully lame the beast.
Xena did not wait to see the results of her throw. Once the ring was on its way, the warrior
used her sword to fell the two centaurs nearest her using the same tactic of laming their rear
legs. The third centaur was too far away to attack directly, and he was going to be a problem
now that Xena was on foot. She used the snakes as cover from the arrows being trained on her,
but the centaur knew how to gain the advantage in this terrain. The odds were not in his favor,
however. Seeing that Xena was in trouble, Joxer and Penthaneira pressed the advantage of
numbers. Joxer threw a spear, but it glanced off of a stone man and fell harmlessly to the
ground. Penthaneira had better luck. She still had arrows remaining and used them to good
effect. The man-beast fell from two well placed shafts. Xena made certain that the two males
in front of her were dead and their mounts were no longer suffering. She gathered their arrows
and handed them to Penthaneira. "Here. You two go back and help the others."
The Amazon took the arrows and gave a nod often exchanged between warriors to her
battle-worn doppelganger before riding off with Joxer to join the rest of their fighting force.
Xena mounted Argo and rode to the farthest two centaurs. The men were still struggling with
removing themselves from their leg encasing prisons when the raven-haired executioner arrived
to prevent them from further interfering with her plans.
"Now!" Cydice yelled.
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The two groups of Amazons wheeled their horses around so that they were facing each
other and charged. Their ranks intertwined and then separated as each Amazon targeted a
specific centaur. The grafted enemy prepared for the charge with mixed emotions. Their
bloodlust craved the excitement of battle, but their own needs craved the excitement of women
carrying a warrior legacy. The allure of the heat of battle with its life-and-death consequences
would always win out.
They raised their long swords which had been designed with cavalry fighting in mind. The
weapons were a mix of iron and bronze layers. The blades were wasp-waisted so that the
balance of the sword was toward the tip. It was well designed for fighting another mounted foe,
and especially for slaughtering the lowly foot soldier. These deadly rods swung at the women
as the two forces were about to meet, but their targets had disappeared. In a risky movement,
the Amazons jumped off of their rides and hit the ground rolling, raising the blades of their own
swords to slice the bellies of their enemy's steeds. Unlike the first attempt of this maneuver in
the Atlas foothills, every Amazon scored a deadly hit. The attack was not without cost.
Melodice felt her knee "pop" when she was stopping her roll, and was now writhing in pain
grasping her knee to her chest. The back of Mia's head had been struck by an errant hoof, and
she was left kneeling on hands and knees in a daze.
The remaining Amazons ran to their now rider-less horses. Cydice, Tamarice, and P-One
caught up with their rides easily, as the horses had stopped soon after having been dismounted.
Stragera's horse never slowed and was galloping towards the hills. "Coward!" she yelled in
disgust before running for Melodice's horse, which was still nearby. Along the way, she made
certain that two of the men still tied to their horses would never fight again.
The tide of battle had taken a serious turn for the centaurs, who in one bold encounter saw
their force reduced from eleven to five. Their leaders, always first into battle, had already been
killed. These less experienced warriors were in a state of disarray now that they had clearly lost
the advantage. They were ready to bolt, but their training prevented that. Centaurs always
fought to the death. A female war cry attracted everyone's attention as two more mounted
fighters, one man and one woman armed with a bow, charged out of the woods straight to the
scene of battle. The odds of victory for the man-beasts had now taken a very dark direction.
Xena returned to where she left Reneé. The dark princess was more blood-spattered than
when she had gone, but otherwise seemed no worse for the distraction. Xena dismounted and
said, "Follow me."
Reneé got off her horse and followed Xena past the stone men, the snakes, and the columns
to the door that the centaur had been guarding. Xena made sure that her sword's hilt was clean
and that her grip was sure. In her other hand she took up her chakram. "Be ready," she said
before walking into the building.
"For what?" Reneé asked, but received no answer as she, too, entered the ziggurat.
The walls of the well-lit interior were fully inscribed with hieroglyphs. The symbols and
pictures were not Egyptian, nor were they reminiscent of Greek sensibilities. The signs here
were decidedly foreign, and when time eventually erased this structure from the eyes of man, all
knowledge of their existence would disappear as well. They told the story of the Chrysaor in
mind-numbing detail. "Xena, what do these mean?" Reneé asked as they started walking
through the labyrinthine halls.
"I don't know. Probably something about the Chrysaor."
"What's that?"
"It's said that when Perseus killed the Gorgon Medusa by cutting off her head, from her
neck two being were born. One was Pegasus, the winged horse who became Zeus' favorite.
The other was a mysterious warrior with a golden sword named the Chrysaor."
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"What the deal with him? He is a him, right?"
"There are tales that Chrysaor fathered many monsters: Echidna, Geryon, and the Chimera
among others. When the centaurs were thrown out from their ancestral home, they were granted
sanctuary by Chrysaor. They in turn built him this shrine as a home and pledged to protect
him."
"So why are we here?"
"We have to get his sword. The sword is the key to opening the Cairn. Now be quiet."
It was amazing how quickly Reneé could want to abandon Xena again. They had spent
days on the road when the warrior princess could have told her this, but instead she chose to not
say anything. Now, when both their lives might depend on knowing as much as possible about
this alleged creature, Xena was still wanting her to be quiet. Her anger turned to leg-weakening
fear when the voice of the golden-bladed warrior echoed through the halls. It was like hundreds
of fingernails being scraped slowly against a blackboard. Even Xena cringed.
They climbed stairs up to the next level and continued their walk around the interminable
corridors. After nearly ringing the building they ascended another set of stairs. Instead of
another hall, they saw the open heart of the pyramid. The space seemed vast and revealed that
the building was little more than a shell. Golden light filled the space that was barren except for
tall columns to support the roof and a barely-there gossamer with a golden tinge on one edge.
"Chrysaor," Xena said with more awe than she intended.
"We're supposed to fight that?"
"Only the brave go where the task is difficult," Xena said which Reneé couldn't help
translating in her head as, "If it were easy, everyone would do it." Xena continued, "Look for a
way down. We can't fight him up here."
A quick glance told Reneé that there was no way down, except for falling. The walls
slanted outwards from the top down and were smoothly set. There were no hand- or foot-holds
for even the most experienced climber. There was no ledge or path leading from this opening at
the stair summit. "Maybe we should go back," Reneé suggested.
"No," Xena replied.
The warrior pulled an iron-bladed knife from its sheath. She knelt down and probed the
joints of the bricks with the blade, stopping when she found what she wanted. She raised the
knife and plunged it into a small gap between the hardened bricks. The small weapon wedged
itself in place using the full length of the blade. Xena then tied the business end of her whip to
the hilt and tossed the rest of the coil into the chamber. After sheathing her sword and securing
her chakram, she lowered herself from the ledge to the grip of her whip six meters down.
Hanging stretched to her full length, that left only a two-to-three meter drop to the floor, which
she made without difficulty. Reneé knew she was expected to follow suit, but because of her
shorter stature, she had a longer drop and a much harder landing. She at least had the foresight
to send her spear down before her descent.
Xena pulled her weapons as soon as she landed and prepared herself for battle. She'd never
fought an immortal in their natural form before. She was not certain how to fight it. She first
threw her chakram toward the more golden sliver of the shape. The gossamer folded and
deflected the ring with casual ease. The attack only served to attract the mysterious warrior's
attention, and it shouted again with its nerve-bending voice, but with much more intensity than
before. The sound put Xena to her knees, while Reneé's body was contorting in an effort to
lessen the shock of that awful sound.
Chrysaor focused his attack first on Xena, since it was she who had interrupted his
contemplations. The golden streak grew brighter and more substantial. In the beat of an eye it
crossed the distance from the top of the large chamber to where Xena was still recovering. The
immortal warrior had not anticipated the extra-human reflexes of the Destroyer of Nations. She
had not survived so long by not knowing when to anticipate an attack. She blocked the streak
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with her sword, but she would not be able to do it again. The impact shattered the sword's blade
into a shower of brazen shards and dust particles. The force nearly broke both of her wrists and
threw her hard against the nearest wall knocking her unconscious. She would not survive the
next blow.
Reneé shifted into an instinctive mode. Without thought about her situation or herself, she
ran to Xena's defense and stood between the fallen hero and Chrysaor. "You'll have to get
through me first," she shouted while doing a rehearsed kata with her spear-staff.
Then Reneé stopped. What did she think she was going to do? She certainly wasn't going
to out-muscle this being. What would Gabrielle do? If it was on the show, Gabby would try to
talk her way out of this situation. Why not? What did she have to lose at this point?
"Chrysaor... MISTER Chrysaor. Sir."
Reneé noticed she was still brandishing the staff. She quickly threw it to the ground.
"You'll have to excuse my friend here. She's a throw-the-chakram-first-ask-questions-later sort
of person. I'm sure you know the type. Um-- Me? I'd just as soon leave you alone to do your-your Chrysaor thingy. Whatever that that is. I'm sure it's important."
What was she babbling about? Did it matter? She and Xena were both still alive. It must
be working. Reneé continued, "Anyway, we're here because I'm kind of trapped in this time.
Artemis did it, it's not my fault. Just wanted you to know that. Anyway, to get back, I have to
get to this place called the Cairn of Chronos. So, I've been travelling all over the place getting
all of those things I need to get back. See? On one island, I got this necklace," Reneé grabbed
the necklace with the intertwined triangles and held it into view.
Reneé froze as the room was enveloped in a flash of golden light. When it dimmed, a
physical manifestation of Chrysaor stood in front of her. It stood three meters tall and was like a
cross between a Hindu statue and a snake pit. Its skin was golden, and the recognizably human
parts, the head, torso, and four of the arms, were body-builder fit and fat free. From its
shoulders, it had two sets of human arms, one below the other, and three sets of thick anacondalike snake heads with necks that looked like arm substitutes. In one hand it held a thick twometer-long golden sword, with a ring of golden knives ringing the end of the hilt where a blade
guard would be.
The monster spawn bore the legs and tail of a massive lion. It appeared that there were
wings on its back, but since they weren't extended, Reneé couldn't be certain. The head was
nothing spectacular except for the nest of serpents that stood in for hair -- a legacy of his
unlikely parentage.
The two beings, one mortal and the other clearly a mythological entity the actor had never
even imagined, considered each other. Xena laid motionless next to the wall. Reneé was stuck
by the fact that as terrifying as this situation was, compared to the fear Xena was capable of
instilling in her, this wasn't so bad at all. The severity of this creature's otherworldliness helped
to keep her emotions divorced from this experience. The father of monsters bent down and with
one of its human hands fingered the amulet Reneé wore. Chrysaor took straightened and took a
step back. It then broke off one of the knives from its sword and dropped the curved-bladed
instrument at Reneé's feet. Then, in another golden flash, Chrysaor disappeared, leaving the
pair of women in the large chamber which was now unlit save for the open doorway in the
center of the south side of the building.
Ten minutes passed before Xena finally came to. One of the first things she saw was the
golden scimitar-like knife. "Where did you get that?"
"I talked to Chrysaor and he gave it to me."
"Just like that?"
"More or less. Yeah."
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"Fine," Xena said with some irritation as she got to her feet. "Time for us to rescue my
friend."
Xena strode for the doorway. "You're welcome," Reneé said before following.
The arrival of Penthaneira to the centaur battle had come at a perfect time. Since Mia was
on foot, she was immediately a prize target. Two of the remaining centaurs sought to take her
as a prize. They hadn't counted on the fury of a child's mother to protect one of her own. The
centaurs were felled by more arrows than necessary to end their lives. The three remaining
horsemen were felled quickly by the now superior Amazon force.
Had it been men and not Amazons taking up arms, this battle would have been hailed in
song and story throughout the ages. A vastly superior centaur army had been defeated with no
losses to the attackers. No losses, but one casualty.
Melodice's knee injury was severe. In this time there was no way to repair the damage that
had been done. The Amazon would no longer be able to fight on foot. She would have to wear
a splint now, almost continuously, and would have pain until she took her last breath. Still, it
was in a noble fight, and she would gladly have endured more pain to know this victory. The
Libyan Amazons had carried the legacy of defeat for generations. This one battle gave them
back their soul.
Xena was amazed at the results of the battle. Even if successful, she expected half of the
women to fall. Truth was, she hadn't expected the attack to be successful. She wanted only to
distract the centaur force here long enough for the confrontation with Chrysaor to occur. This
one-side victory was surprising. Perhaps she had underestimated the true worth of this small
band. They hadn't seemed the equal of the eastern Amazons. She would remember this if she
needed their help again.
Reneé dismounted and ran to Melodice, who was already surrounded by Amazons.
"Melodice, are you alright? What happened?" Reneé asked.
"It's nothing," the warrior said with a firmly set jaw. "I'll be fine in a few days."
Reneé looked down at the knee. It was swollen to twice its normal size and was turning a
greenish purple. Penthaneira wrapped a strips of cloth cut from their remaining chitons tightly
around Melodice's knee. It was painful, but it was important to do something to retard the
swelling.
Xena said, "As soon as you're done with that, put her on a horse. We have to get out of
here before a large centaur force finds us."
Melodice rode double with Mia. Though the older Amazon might be able to sit on a horse,
she would have great difficulty in controlling it at anything more than a walk. It hurt her pride a
little, but she accepted it for she would have done no less for any of her sister warriors.
Leaving the carnage behind, the victorious band of women and one man rode to the west.
Only two of them knew that it was their final stop. The end of the long and bloody quest was
now at hand.
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Chapter 30 : The Cairn
Melodice had managed a stoic veneer while riding with Mia, but now that she had nothing
more to do than lie by the fire to stay warm, the pain in her knee was excruciating. Wraps and
poultices did not help as the swelling continued. "Hold her still," Xena said to Penthaneira who
was ministering to the fallen fighter.
"What are you going to do?" Melodice said with a tinge of anxiety when she saw that Xena
had pulled out a dagger.
"I'm going to relieve the swelling. I would have done this earlier, but it was more important
for us to find safety. Does anyone have a reed?" Xena waited for a moment, but received no
answer. "Then this is going to be very painful."
The warrior princess carefully plunged the dagger into Melodice's knee. The skin had been
stretched so tightly that the cut was relatively easy to make. The immediate result was a
pressurized spurt of bloody liquid flowing from the wound. Melodice felt relief right away, but
it was only for a moment. Xena now had her mouth over the incision and was sucking out fluid
as if it were a snake bite. Each cycle of suction sent a well of pain coursing up Melodice's leg to
the rest of her body -- more from the pressure Xena was putting on the injured joint than from
the treatment itself. Xena stopped and then wrapped the leg very tightly with the bandages that
had been removed. "That's better. Thank you, Xena," Melodice said before lying back for a
deserved rest.
Beckoning Penthaneira aside, Xena said quietly, "If it swells badly again, repeat what I did.
I've seen men die from injuries this severe if the liquid is not removed. But don't do this often,
often time the cure can be worse than doing nothing."
"I understand. Thank you, Xena," Penthaneira said before returning to her friend's side.
"Gabrielle?" Xena said. "We need to talk."
Reneé joined Xena who looked even more threatening than usual. The faint firelight
combined with the streaks of blood on either side of the Amphipolitan's mouth gave her a
decidedly vampiric look. "In the morning," Xena said, "we are going to the Cairn alone."
"Alone? Why? Don't we--"
"Because that's the way it must be done. The Gods do not give up their secrets easily or
happily. The Cairn is a place even the Olympians keep secret from the other Gods. The two of
us will go, because we must. Joxer and the Amazons must go their own ways."
"I think I understand. I'll tell them in the morning."
"Good."
Now that the conversation was done, as far as Xena was concerned, she walked back to her
place in camp. Reneé lingered at the dark outskirts of the camp for several minutes thinking
about what this revelation actually meant. After months in ancient Greece, after the fighting and
maiming and killing, after the torture; she was soon going to be going home. She'd be losing an
Amazon family for a second time. Women she didn't know had been willing to die for her.
Some of them did. A sociopath had tried to kill her while another sociopath was her ultimate
protector, albeit grudgingly. She was going to miss this world. Though the pull of home was
stronger than her desire to stay, it was not by as much as she would have thought.
Morning came all too swiftly for this visitor in time. She had reached the most difficult part
of friendship -- the parting of ways. "Everyone? Could everyone come over here please? I have
something I need to say," she announced.
"We have had quite an adventure. We defeated slavers. We brought a goddess to her
home. We've defeated the centaurs." That last victory elicited a rowdy cheer. "We've also lost
good friends along the way." Most of the Amazons cast a glance at P-One, who had suffered
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the most loss. Reneé looked back farther and remembered her best friend in this land, the brave
Eponin. "It makes it very hard to say goodbye." Reneé choked on that last word and her eyes
moistened.
"Goodbye?" murmured the Amazons.
"We're not leaving you, my Queen," Tamarice said.
Reneé forced a smile, "It's not by choice, believe me. We have not known each other long,
but I love you all as my sisters. As we are sisters." The Amazons nodded. "But our journey
together had come to an end. Xena and I must make the rest of the journey alone. The place we
must go is secret to the Gods, and live or die that secret has to remain with us."
"Where will we go?" Mia asked.
"Home," Cydice said. The soon-to-be reinstated leader of the Libyan Amazons stepped
forward to take Reneé's hand. "I never expected to be part of something so much bigger than
the world I knew. I am so honored."
Reneé was having trouble holding in her emotions. She eschewed Cydice's hand and
hugged the Amazon very tightly. The tears that had been threatening finally started to flow
down her cheeks. When they parted, Cydice took a quick look at her queen and walked away
with her head bowed, hoping to hide the tears that escaped her own eyes.
Xena said, "We have to get going."
Curse that Xena, Reneé thought. Can't she see I'm trying to say goodbye? Reneé then
realized that she really had nothing to say. She was feeling more than words could express.
The Amazons seemed not to want to give in to some maudlin display. Only P-One dared to
expose her emotions. "G-- Gabrielle? I was dead, and because of you I'm now alive."
"But--" Reneé tried to interrupt, but P-One raised her hand stopping her.
"Please don't carry guilt for my sisters. You know that Amazons crave nothing more than
to die well, either in a great cause or for their sisters. They had both, because of you, and I am
alive to remember them, to remind others of their courage and loyalty. That is a gift I can never
repay." This time it was the Amazon who embraced Reneé. P-One said quietly, "I love you, my
Queen."
As they separated, Reneé wanted to say, "What?" but didn't because she didn't want P-One
to think that she hadn't heard what she said.
Xena had already mounted Argo and was ready to move out. "Joxer, if we survive,
Gabrielle and I will be heading back toward Amphipolis."
"I'm going to head to Sparta. If Agamemnon is returning from Troy, I have some debts to
collect from him."
"Tell Helen that I wish her well."
"You have my promise."
"Are you ready?" Xena asked Reneé.
Now on her own horse, Reneé said, "As ready as I'll ever be."
Without more ado, Xena prompted Argo to the west and urged her to a slow gallop. Reneé
said one last, "Goodbye," to her Amazons before following after Xena.
They waved farewell to the queen they thought they would only know through the stories
that had reached them on the other side of the great sea. She had been everything the stories had
said, and more -- a hero whose name that surely would be known until the end of time.
Xena made certain that she and Reneé maintained a brisk pace without unduly pushing the
horses. During these times Xena thought only about how close she was to getting her friend
back. If she could make Argo sprout wings and fly, she would. With Gabrielle gone, a part of
her own soul was missing. The better part. The human part. There was a time when she never
knew it was missing, but now she couldn't imagine living much longer without it. Gabrielle was
more than a friend; she was the bright light that made her own life worth living.
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When Xena slowed the pace to allow the horses to rest, Reneé said, "Xena, this time I don't
want any surprises. I want to know exactly what is going to happen when we get to this Cairn.
What I have to do. What you have to do."
"Aren't you taking this Amazon Queen thing a little far?"
"Xena, I don't want to get killed just because you think I don't deserve to know something.
Remember, you still need me. I should know what to expect."
She was right, of course. Xena just hated being reminded of it. "We have to break into the
Cairn. Once it's open, we have to each put three of the scales inside our bodies."
"What scales?"
"Those jewels we got at Athens?"
"Those are scales?"
"Yes," Xena said through clenched teeth. "They were taken by Theseus from the Gorgon
Euryale."
"And we swallow them?"
"No! That would mean death. They must not enter your mouth in any way. When the
scales are inside of us--"
"How?" Reneé interrupted.
"Use your imagination," Xena said with a sly smile tickling one corner of her mouth.
"When the scales are inside us..." she paused waiting for the interruption that didn't come, "...we
will enter the Cairn. Then we will use the Chrysaor's knife to open some sort of doorway. After
I leave the Cairn you step in and everything should go back to the way it was."
"You don't sound completely sure."
"We're wasting time," Xena said and then prodded Argo back up to speed.
They traveled to the west until dusk. The range of mountains Xena was leading them to
was only hours away. There was no talk that night, only sleep.
Xena rose before dawn and broke camp. Reneé had a restive night as well, and rose to help
Xena. The duo set off as the Sun was breaking over the horizon behind them. They reached the
mountains well before midday. Next they had to find a confluence of three streams which
would serve as the marker Xena needed to find the Cairn. The search for the streams was slow.
These mountains scrubbed the clouds of their moisture which combined with the still building
soil, created a lush woods whose cacophony of sounds masked the quiet babbling of a stream.
The rest of the day was spent searching for these three streams to no avail. Because of the
canopy of the trees, darkness fell earlier in the day than Xena had been expecting.
It was almost too dark to see when Xena gave up the search. She used what little light
remained to gather up as much firewood as she could. Hopefully it would be enough to last the
night. "I appreciate the thought, but it's not that cold," Reneé said jokingly.
"It's not for warmth. It's to keep the predators away."
The hairs on the back of Reneé's neck suddenly stood up. "Predators?"
"Lions and boar. If it were just us, I say we sleep in the trees. But we have to protect the
horses if can. You take the first watch after I get the fire started. Wake me when the moon is
high."
Reneé spent the next five hours very nervous. She could hear movement in the woods. The
horses could as well, but they were tied so they wouldn't bolt. Besides trying to keep the horses
calm, Reneé was busy feeding more wood than was necessary into the fire. When the moon
looked like it was as high as it was going to get, she woke Xena, who climbed down from her
"bed" in the fork of an old tree. She immediately saw that there was not enough wood to last the
night. Reneé had seen to that. So she grabbed a brand and walked from the campsite. Sotto
voce, Reneé said, "Xena! Where are you going?"
Xena replied in her normal irritated tone, "To get more wood."
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173
Reneé had suspected that she might have been a little exuberant with their little pile of
branches. As long as nothing happened to Xena while she was searching, everything would be
alright.
Xena returned without much wood, but instead with blood on her hands. "Boar. I left it for
the wolves. We should be safe for the night."
"Wolves?"
Xena helped Reneé up into the fork of the tree. Despite the height, it was surprisingly wellfitting and comfortable. The former Amazon Queen fell into a sound sleep without much
trouble. She didn't even wake when the sound of a wolf pack attacking a serendipitous boar
carcass echoed through the woods.
The next day started out much as the previous one had ended. With a slow search for three
streams. At midday, Xena decided it was time to backtrack and find a wide stream they had
passed about an hour earlier. When they happened on it again, she turned and followed the
flowing water towards its source.
When the sun was midway between its zenith and the eastern horizon, Xena found what she
was looking for: three streams joining to form one. They had emerged from the woods not long
before discovering this signpost, and had the vista of a grass- and rock-covered mountain ridge
in front of them. They rode to the point where the streams joined, then Xena started scanning
the landscape in front of her. Her followed the course of the right-hand stream to where it
emerged from a crack in the mountain wall. She then extended her left arm and sighted the spot
using her thumb. With her other hand she counted over one hand-width plus two finger widths.
She burned the image of that target in her mind.
Now out of the woods, she was able to push Argo up to a full gallop. Reneé was doing her
best to keep up, but Argo was the better horse, and Xena the better horseman. Although Xena
stretched the distance between them considerably, she never quite lost sight of her. When she
finally caught up, Xena had already dismounted and was furiously throwing aside hand-to-headsized rocks from what appeared to be a large rock slide. "Don't just sit there, help me!" Xena
commanded, while never lessening her pace.
This pile of rocks laying against the mountainside seemed an unlikely shrine for someplace
with as lofty a name as the Cairn of Chronos. Reneé thought that it would be something more
exalted like the pyramid Chrysaor had been in. Then again, this was supposed to be a secret
place. No one would ever think of looking behind a big pile of rocks. Reneé joined Xena with
the dismantling of the Cairn's entrance. Because gravity was on their side, the task was much
easier than their attempt of emptying oar from the merchant ship had been.
The Sun set without any opening being revealed. Xena's hands were raw. Reneé's hands
were in slightly worse shape with some blisters. They ate and drank heartily before falling
asleep. They left only a half-day's ration of water. If the opening wasn't revealed soon, Xena
would have to go back to the woods and get resupplied.
At noon, they finally broke through. Once that first opening was made, it took only a little
more effort to uncover enough of the entrance for both women to get inside. Now was the time.
Xena sent Reneé to retrieve the scales and the knife.
Xena grabbed the knife from Reneé as if she didn't trust her. Reneé cast a withering stare at
Xena that made even the bold warrior stand off. Reneé turned her attention to the quartz crystal
case that entombed the quarter-sized half-round scales. While there was a lid, it didn't want to
open. Reneé used her own experience with recalcitrant CD-jewel-box cases to easily open the
lid after placing her hands in the proper position to get the leverage the box's design required.
Xena three of the twelve rarities. Reneé did likewise. Then Xena reached under the skirt of her
armor with scales in hand. Reneé knew where Xena intended her to place the scales. Though
the insertion in front of an other person was embarrassing, once done there was no more reason
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to care. Now equipped to counter the effects of the Cairn, the two women eased their way
inside the mountain room.
As with the outside, the interior was wholly unremarkable. It was a simple small cave with
a round pedestal in the center. Twenty-four narrow columns ringed the cave at evenly spaced
intervals. The pedestal was about a meter in diameter and a meter tall. There were twenty-four
lines radiating from a narrow slit cut into the top surface. Ringing the base of the short cylinder
were hundreds of arcane symbols that to Reneé looked a lot like the gobbledygook somebody
like Einstein would use.
Reneé felt a cramp. The scales were harder to deal with than she was expecting. It made
her want to get this done with as quickly as possible. "Well?" she prompted Xena.
Xena took Chrysaor's knife and slid the blade into the slot. Then they waited. Nothing
happened. "What's next?"
The frustration on Xena's face loudly communicated that she didn't know. She reached for
the knife to pull it back out, but it would not budge. Reneé then had a revelation. "Xena! This
knife is supposed to be a key, right?"
"Right."
"Then maybe this is just a lock. We have to turn it."
"Turn it? Even with your help I couldn't turn a stone this large."
"Humor me? What do we have to lose?"
"Fine"
Reneé and Xena stood on opposite sides of the pedestal and found the best handholds the
round stone would allow. "Ready? Go!" Reneé commanded.
Both women pushed with arms and legs with all of their energy. The stone wouldn't move.
Reneé fell to her knees from the effort. Xena was right, the stone wasn't going to move. "See?"
Xena said.
"Yeah, whatever," Reneé replied. She leaned back to rest on the pedestal. "Xena, I think I
felt it move."
Xena ignored her. Reneé picked up some sand and threw it at the warrior, who turned in
anger. "We have to turn it the other way," Reneé said.
The actor put her hands on the stone and waited for Xena to do the same. When she didn't
Reneé started to push anyway. The stone moved. It was heavy, and didn't rotate much, but it
did move. Xena was amazed. She immediately threw all of her effort against the stone. The
two women moved it in a slow rotation until it had made one full turn. It would turn no farther.
The columns started to radiate a soft even light. "This is it," Xena said, her face filling with
expectation. "I must go now."
Xena moved quickly to the entrance. Reneé called after her, "Xena! Thank you!"
Artemis was free. For the first time since she had been sentenced by mighty Zeus, she once
again assumed the form of an immortal. She could return to Olympus once more and hear the
songs of the happy Muses. No longer was she tied to the physical trivialities of mortals. But,
there was still one thing left to do before rejoining the never-dying pantheon.
It had started slowly. Between each column she saw a window into another time. New
images flowed from one of these windows, to the next, to the next, and so on without end. Their
speed increased. They became a blur that slowly moved from being windows framed by the
columns to being a maelstrom of time spinning around her in an ever-tightening circle. Not
knowing what would happen if she touched it, and not wanting to find out, she climbed on top
of the pedestal. Still this storm closed in tighter and tighter. When it touched the pedestal, it
stopped.
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She could see Xena through one of the doorways, though it was like looking through a
shimmering piece of plastic. The other doorways were displaying images of times past and
future as before, but without the ever-increasing rapidity Reneé saw before. All of them
changing except the one holding Xena's waiting image. That was the window to the now. The
space between the pedestal and the column-framed windows was filled with an
incomprehensible substance. Reneé knew it was there, but every time she tried to sense it in any
way, it flittered away just outside of her grasp of reality. A shimmer emerged from this moat of
non-everythingness and approached her. "You succeeded," said the familiar voice that Reneé
heard only in her mind.
"Artemis!" she replied.
"The other Gods had doubts about you. I never did. Ah! There is someone here I think
you should meet."
From one of the window shimmers, a woman stepped out and was then lifted by Artemis
onto the pedestal. They recognized each other instantly. Reneé and Gabrielle. Now that their
souls and bodies were in a common time, they each now owned their true forms. Though the
sight of Reneé was by now familiar to the true Amazon Queen because of the image revealing
tools of the twentieth century, the sight of Gabrielle was a revelation to Reneé. She had never
been able to see what her body looked like even in the polished bronze mirrors at the palace of
Penelope and Odysseus.
Gabrielle was not much more muscular than Reneé, though she seemed to stand more erect,
as if she was trying to mask some pain. There were more scars than Reneé had noticed before,
but they were small ones. The most striking difference was Gabrielle's eyes. They were such a
dark brown they could easily pass for black. The color took up more white than average as
well. If not for the compassionate countenance of the rest of her features, those eyes could
make anyone think Gabrielle was a minion of evil. "You are Reneé," Gabrielle said.
"Um-- Yeah," was as literate a reply as Reneé could manage.
"You live in an interesting time. I'm afraid that I have caused you troubles that you may not
be able to correct."
Artemis interjected with, "You can control this, Reneé. Remember that."
"Thanks," Reneé said, remembering that Artemis had told her that before. To Gabrielle she
said, "I'm sorry. I could have returned you when this all started. I guess it's too late for that
now."
"Yes," Artemis replied.
"Xena will fill you in," Reneé continued. "Oh, I forgot to tell Xena -- those scrolls you had
when we switched, I left them with Queen Penelope on Ithaka."
"Why did you not keep them with you?"
"You have no idea what it was like getting here." Reneé reached up and touched the
healing wound on Gabrielle's head. "In fact, I have no idea about a couple of those days,
myself. They would have been lost forever if I hadn't left them. I just thought you needed to
know."
"Thank you. It sounds like it was an amazing adventure. I'll have Xena tell me about it. It
should make for an interesting scroll or two."
"About that--"
"Yes?"
"Never mind. You'll find out from Xena."
Artemis spoke, "It's time to leave, Gabrielle."
"Artemis?"
"It's me, Gabrielle," the goddess said. "Time for you to leave."
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Gabrielle turned to face the one window with a static time. "Xena," she said with almost
forgotten emotion. She turned back to Reneé and said, "Thank you. Be well."
The warrior-bard was swept through the nothing gap under the protection of Artemis.
Through the window Reneé saw Gabrielle tightly embrace Xena. Xena cradled her friend with
equal ferocity. Though it was difficult to see, Reneé could have sworn that she saw a tear in
Xena's eye before this window, like the others, started broadcasting other temporal images.
"Artemis?"
"I'm still here."
"How do I get back?"
"You have the control. Think about the time you want to arrive at and step off the lock.
You will be there."
"That's all there is to it?"
"Yes."
The gossamer of Artemis disappeared from Reneé's sight. "Thank you," Reneé said. She
looked around. It was just her, now. When should I return? During the fight scene? No. I don't
even remember what I was supposed to do. I'll show up after the fight scene. Then I can look at
the script and fake it. Ok. I want to show up after the fight scene, she said to herself and
stepped off the platform.
Reneé had a killer headache. That incessant beeping wasn't helping. Her mouth was dry.
God, she needed some water. She tried opening her eyes, but closed them immediately. It was
too bright. She tried again. It was better, but it was still too bright. "Reneé?" she heard some
woman say with an accent.
Reneé tried opening her eyes again. It was better. She couldn't focus, but at least now it
wasn't so bright. "Reneé, you're awake," the familiar New Zealand accent of Lucy Lawless
exclaimed. "Stay right there, I'll go get a doctor."
It was all a blur for the next several minutes, and not just because of her vision. The room
was sudden filled with people, most of them she couldn't recognize. She did think she saw her
mom, for a second. They asked her a barrage of questions, it seemed. She didn't understand
why everyone was making such a fuss. All she wanted was a glass of water. "Do you know
what happened to you?" the man she guessed was a doctor asked, again in a kiwi accent.
She gently shook her head. "Is my mom here?"
"Sandy?" the doctor beckoned.
Reneé's mother, Sandra Wilson, found her way to her daughter's bedside. "I'm here."
"Mom, can I have some water?"
The room filled with laughter. "Sure," Sandra said, "I've got some right here."
Reneé felt like she hadn't had anything to drink for days. She had never tasted anything as
good as this glass of ice water. She'd have preferred not to have to drink it through a straw,
though. It took too long. "What happened," Reneé asked.
"You got hit in the head during a scene. You've been in a coma for a couple of days. But
you're going to be alright now, isn't she, doctor?"
"I'd say it looks pretty good now. Ok people, let's let the patient get some rest."
The room started to clear out. Reneé called out, "Lucy?"
Lucy looked over at the doctor who said, "OK, just a couple of minutes."
Sandra kissed Reneé on the forehead. "I'll be right outside if you need me."
"Thanks, Mom."
Soon it was just the two actors in the room. "You were at my bedside?" Reneé asked.
"Well, I couldn't very well go playing in my leathers knowing my best friend's in hospital,
you know."
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"Thanks."
"Rob's been in here a lot, too. Everybody was really concerned."
"Sorry. It must have been boring."
"Not always." Lucy leaned down and in a quiet voice said, "You mumble in your coma."
"What?"
"True. A couple of times you said stuff about Amazons and Xena. It was really weird.
Almost like you had a show going on in your head. Well, I better get out of here before the doc
sics the cops on me. I'll be back later, OK?"
"OK." Reneé was too groggy to argue.
As the minutes passed in the quiet room, Reneé's mind slowly cleared. Except for
Kleopatra's death, she remembered it all. The adventure and the pain. Or was it all a dream?
Was this all just some story her brain played with while she was in a coma? That sure seemed a
lot more likely than her travelling to ancient Greece, she had to confess. Still, wouldn't it have
been something? Fighting alongside Amazons and knowing that Xena and Gabrielle really did
exist?
Just then, she felt a cramp. And then another one. It couldn't be. Her hands started to
tremble at the thought. She reached under the sheets. Three half-round stones.
THE END