by LJ Maas
She seemed to come to her senses, and the expression on her face changed, softening a bit. "Your Highness." She added in a more even tone.
"Please, Ephiny, won't you call me Gabrielle?"
That seemed to throw the Amazon off her stride a bit. She opened her mouth to speak, then, appearing nonplussed, changed her mind, and held her tongue. I wanted to laugh aloud, and I would have, had the situation been less severe. Gabrielle had a way of taming the beast in many a hard heart; I'd seen it happen repeatedly. Could one Amazon warrior possibly hold up under the onslaught from my small consort? We would see.
I kissed Gabrielle once more and watched as the six soldiers who escorted her to our private rooms swallowed her from my sight. I had to have words with Atrius, however, when he realized just what I had planned.
"Lord Conqueror, it seems risky and foolish to go into the woods without a squad of men to watch your back." Atrius chided.
"That, my dear Captain, is why I have you," I answered glibly. "Atrius, I understand your reservations, but a whole troop of soldiers tramping around out there, we'll be lucky if they haven't already destroyed some important bits of evidence. It's important that we go this alone."
"Aye, Conqueror." Atrius answered, and then glanced around at the faces in our small party. I could see he didn't hold much trust in our unholy group.
"Let's go, then." I spoke up, and made my way down the palace steps.
* * *
I had been sitting in the dark for quite some time. In fact, it was nearly dawn. It was my favorite chair, in front of my favorite window, at my favorite time of the day. The view looked down into the rose garden, and out across the rooftops in the village that lay just within the palace gates. I was feeling a bit lonely, and I suppose I could have simply gone in and awakened Gabrielle, but I was so tired, and just then, it seemed like such an effort.
We had found more than I thought we would last night. In a way, more than I wanted us to find. My soldiers had done a better job than I earlier gave them credit for. They had cordoned off the area they suspected the snipers had shot from. Beyond searching the area, however, there was little more they could do. What few clues we did find, did not serve our Centaur friends well. The weapons we already had, of course.
The grove of olive trees was set atop the bit of land that sloped upward. The trees stopped at the palace wall, but continued on the other side. The area was thick and overgrown, yet had recently been trampled. Technically speaking, a man on horseback might have made the sparse tracks we found. I knew better than that, though. We were having a dry spell, common during the end of the growing season. The soil under our feet was hard as stone. For the hoof print we saw to have been that visible, the horse would have had to have been a massive beast. No, it was surely a Centaur's print, scuffed into the dirt. I remember the look on Ephiny's face, at Kaleipus's dry comment, as the Amazon knelt down to examine the marks.
"It doesn't much look good for us, does it, Amazon?"
"No, it certainly doesn't."
The Amazon's expression struck me as considerably odd. Ephiny bore none of the animosity with which her sisters enjoyed expressing toward the Centaurs. She almost looked as if it pained her as much as Kaleipus. I wondered what Ephiny knew that caused her to act so differently toward the Centaurs than the rest of her people.
I had the worst feeling that this whole situation wasn't going to end well. Melosa was already acting like a gourd full of black powder about to blow. Timara's body would be put to the flames this evening, and then Melosa's mourning period would end. At that time, the Queen would be free to exact her revenge. Once Ephiny told her Queen of the evidence we found, I knew it would take no time at all before Melosa started a war. Could I blame her? Would I react any differently? Grief takes its toll on the psyche, and Melosa had been through more than her fair share of loss throughout the seasons.
I thought of Gabrielle and the inequity of the situation. We were to be married in a matter of days. It wasn't fair the day that should be the happiest of her life be marred by this tragedy, not only the death of young Timara, but a war, and on our own doorstep.
I closed my eyes and breathed in the cool outside air that blew in from the window. As often happens when I think of Gabrielle, I can hear her voice inside of my heart, calling to me. Only this time, when I opened my eyes, she was there, softly calling my name.
"Xena?" She whispered again.
I smiled up at her and she settled herself upon my lap, my arms immediately wrapping around her slight figure. I wasn't completely certain who was comforting whom, but I do know it felt rather good.
"I could hear your deep thoughts all the way into the bedroom, my love." Gabrielle laid her head on my shoulder, touching her lips lightly to the exposed skin on my neck. "It didn't go well, did it?"
I shook my head and explained the events of the evening to her.
"All that seems a bit too easy, doesn't it? I mean, if one of Kaleipus's men did it, even on orders, he wouldn't be foolish enough to leave so many clues that could be traced back to him. Would he?" Gabrielle asked.
"You see that, little one, along with me, the Centaurs, and even Ephiny. Melosa just lost her only child. Somehow, I don't think she's going to be in the mood to listen to reason."
"But, Timara wasn't her only child," Gabrielle added.
"What do you mean? Where did you hear that?"
"Two of the Amazons came back to see me after you left this evening--"
"Gabrielle!"
"Xena, it's all right. Torava and Sentius were both guarding me. As a matter of fact, I could barely see past them they had such a human wall around me."
I chuckled at the vision in my head, but still it worried me. "It's just that those Amazons--"
"Could have been assassins, I know, Xena. I'm not a fool, my love, I tried to take precautions."
"Forgive me, little one. I'm only thinking of you." I smiled at my own embarrassment, and my constant underestimation of this woman before me. "Sometimes I forget that you're a competent woman, and not a young girl who needs my constant protection."
"You are forgiven," she smiled sweetly. "But only because I love you so much."
"So, what did these Amazons want?"
"They came with instructions from a woman named Langris. They said she was the High Priestess in the Amazonian Temple of Artemis. Doesn't that sound odd, Xena? That a Priestess would travel with a delegation of Amazons, so far from home?"
"Odd is exactly the word I would use." What kind of Amazon delegation travels with their Queen, princess, and Artemis's Priestess in one band? It didn't seem smart, especially for Melosa. "What kind of instructions did she give you?" I asked.
"About my part in accepting Timara's right of caste. Some of the things they said, Xena, do you know these women expect me to live with them in the Amazon Territory?"
"Sorry to override them, but that won't be happening any time soon," I added.
"Good," Gabrielle smiled at me. "I was a little worried there for a moment. They told me some very interesting traditions about accepting the right of caste. Basically, I'm an Amazon. From the moment Timara died, I inherited everything that she possessed, and all that her blood entitled her to."
"That does sound about right. I'm sorry, love, but there wasn't enough time to explain it to you. Gabrielle, you've been given a great honor. These women don't give up their right of caste to anyone but sister Amazons. For someone of Royal blood to do so, well, it's practically unheard of. I believe Timara saw what I've always seen in you."
Gabrielle blushed and lowered her head in that endearing way she had. I couldn't help but smile.
"That's the only reason I accepted, Xena. That young woman lost her life-- no, someone took her life from her. She had so much to look forward to, so many things she had planned. She told me so much about the life she wanted for herself and her people. She told me that she had a girlfriend back in the Amazon village. I guess I just thought that to decline her gift wou
ld not only be an insult, but it would negate the dreams she had. It was as though if I keep going, Timara's spirit can still experience some of the future. Does that make any sense at all?" Gabrielle asked, brushing the hair from her face.
Gods, could Athena have been any kinder to me? To bring a woman like this into my life was more than I deserved. "Yes, love, it makes perfect sense. Even though you won't be living there, it's still a big responsibility you're taking on. Are you sure you're ready for it?"
"I think so. Will it disturb you, Xena? Do anything that might embarrass you as ruler of the Empire?" Gabrielle asked; her brow furrowed in concern.
"I can always find problems with a situation if I think about it long enough, but there's certainly nothing that would embarrass me. It will probably be a feather in my cap," I grinned in her direction. "I can just hear the tavern bards now, detailing the stormy relationship between the Conqueror and her Amazon bride." I laughed aloud, and Gabrielle seemed unable to keep from laughing right along with me.
"Gabrielle," I began seriously. "If it's your wish to see this through, then I'll be behind you in your decision."
"Even if it conflicts with your wishes and desires?" she asked me in earnest.
"Even then. Because I love you, and because your wishes are my hopes. It's as simple as that, little one. Now tell me about this other daughter of Melosa's."
"Who? Oh, yes. Well, they said she was Melosa's daughter, but not her blood child. I couldn't seem to find out any more without appearing nosy. Do you know what it means?"
I thought about the statement for a moment. It wasn't unusual for Royalty to adopt a protégé, especially when they had no heir. What I couldn't understand was why Melosa would adopt an heir when she already had one. Unless the Queen had performed the adoption before Timara was born.
"Did the women say anything about how old this daughter was?" I asked.
"As a matter of fact, they said she was at least twice as old as Timara was. Funny thing about that, Xena…" Gabrielle hesitated.
"Funny in what way?"
"Well, the two women didn't seem to care much for this other daughter. Supposedly, she was expected to be there when we first greeted the delegation. They hinted around that Mother and daughter had words, and the daughter stalked off. It didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary to the two Amazons who spoke to me."
I wondered at Gabrielle's amazing abilities. I remember trying to interrogate captured Amazons. We starved them, tortured them, and deprived them of everything but the most meager necessities of life to get them to talk. I never had a one even give me the time of day. Gabrielle on the other hand . . .
"Gabrielle, how long were those women here?"
"I'm not certain, perhaps a candlemark? Is it important?" Gabrielle asked.
I could do no more than smile. "No, little one, it's not important. I was just thinking about something that happened a long time ago." I finally allowed myself a chuckle.
"So," I began again. "I don't suppose you got one of your new sisters to give you this elusive daughter's name, did you?" I asked, continuing to grin.
"Well, Conqueror," Gabrielle teased. "It just so happens that I did. I remembered it, especially since I'd never heard a name like it used before. Her name is Velasca."
CHAPTER 16
BESIEGED AND TAKEN, FAIR COURAGEOUS QUEEN
THERE WAS A LOUD gasp, and I turned to see Gabrielle bolt upright in bed. She hadn't cried out, but I could hear her audible breaths, which she seemingly struggled to bring under control.
"Gabrielle?" I sat up beside her.
When she turned to look at me, her face held such a blank look. It was as if she didn't recognize me, or at the very least, as if she were straining to remember me. The expression only lasted a few heartbeats, and then she physically shook her head to concentrate on her present surroundings.
"Gabrielle?" I repeated.
"I--I think I must have been dreaming," Gabrielle replied hesitantly.
"A bad dream?"
"Partly, but then some was . . . well . . . confusing." She ran her fingers through her hair then looked up at me with a sleepy grin. "I guess I'm still half asleep, but I'm all right, really."
"Come here, love."
Gabrielle settled herself into my embrace, as we both lay back down against the pillows. I wasn't sure what to make of her sleepy explanation, but since her breathing had already turned into the deep, relaxed sounds of sleep, I thought little more about it. Why is it that in hindsight, it's the small things that come to be the most important?
* * *
Every soldier in Corinth was on alert this night. Numerous fires illuminated the southern hills, outside the palace gates. For one full pass of the sun, Melosa had been in private mourning. I wanted to find out more about the other daughter of hers, but the Queen was in seclusion, and even I couldn't bring myself to intrude upon her grief.
Gabrielle had been sequestered with a number of Amazons, along with their Priestess for quite some time. I lived with Cyane and her Amazons for a short time, and I learned as much as I could about their history and customs. I knew that even though Gabrielle's part in tonight's ceremony would be small, the Priestess was most probably filling my consort in on some of that history.
I stood with Atrius, me looking less like a Conqueror than a fidgety spouse. I suppose I should have felt honored, considering few non Amazons were ever allowed to witness an Amazon princess being committed to the flames. It's only that I had a lot weighing on my mind just then. I was wondering how smoothly this Amazon ceremony was going to go, how Gabrielle would handle the whole situation, and whether I would be able to stop a certain Amazon Queen from waging a senseless battle with the Centaurs. I have to say that every one of those thoughts dissipated into thin air the moment I saw Gabrielle walk out of that tent.
Gabrielle was dressed in a short leather skirt and halter. A very short skirt and not really enough to even call a halter. Her neck, upper arms, and waist were encircled with feather and bead ornaments. Now, I suppose that I'd seen more revealing Amazon wear in my time. Actually, the women who flanked both Gabrielle and the Priestess were wearing less than my future bride. If the truth be known, I certainly wasn't averse to seeing Gabrielle's beautiful body. It's simply that I had planned on being the only one to ever see this much of it. I could feel that familiar heat creep up my neck, and I looked around, watching everyone else watch Gabrielle!
"What are you looking at?" I hissed to Atrius.
He had his mouth open a slight bit, mostly in surprise, I'm sure.
"Me?" He answered with uncharacteristic embarrassment.
"Yes, you! Quit looking at her that way!" I commanded.
"Me?" He stammered again.
"You keep saying that like I'm talking to someone else!"
"No, I mean . . . it's just that . . . looking? I--I would never . . . for Athena's sake, she's like a daughter!" He was finally able to say.
"Oh." It was the only thing I could think of to say. It made sense, though.
Gabrielle looked good. In fact, she looked damned good, and as I studied the women who were sneaking glances as she passed their way, I realized something. My first instinctual feelings of jealousy, and then anger were based on emotions that belonged to the Conqueror, not the woman I had since become. It would have been so easy to let the beast come out to roam over a situation like this, but this moment wasn't about me.
Of course, we stood there as a way of saying goodbye to a young woman who lost her life much too soon, but it was more than that. In some way, this moment belonged to Gabrielle. I had no idea how we would eventually handle her status as an Amazon, or even the fact that she was Amazon Royalty. I did know that she was taking this honor seriously, and that it meant something to her. Perhaps because it was the first time in her young life that people looked up to her for something that she alone had done, and not because she was my consort.
Whatever the real reason, I realized it wouldn't be the first tim
e I would be tested in such a manner. I had grown up on the battlefield, thinking that you had to show your power to be respected. That was fine for the battlefield, but it would only serve to make me a tyrant when used in every day life. It would also humiliate Gabrielle, and lower her status with these people, a thing I was loath to do.
I took a deep breath, and I had a rather comforting thought. So what if a hundred Amazon eyes were now coveting my consort. The key word was, my. In my heart, I knew whom Gabrielle loved, and when she walked up to me, my stomach flipped a very little bit, as I saw that exact sentiment in her eyes.
"Xena, we have to talk." Gabrielle whispered between clenched teeth, her lips shaped into a forced smile. "This is what they want me to wear. I might as well be out here naked!"
I grinned heartily at that. Knowing this wasn't Gabrielle's choice put me even more at ease. Let the Amazons look if they wanted to. She was mine, and suddenly I reveled in the thought that I possessed something completely unattainable to them.
"You look absolutely breathtaking, my love," I whispered back in reassurance.
"That's not all. Xena, I may have to kill a Centaur!" she hissed again.
"What?!" I made no pretense of lowering my voice this time. "Come on, we need to talk." I began to usher her back into the tent she'd just exited.
The two Amazons that had obviously been assigned to guard the new princess were close on our heels. Gabrielle entered the tent first, then me. When the two guards attempted to follow, I turned and growled at them.
"Don't even think about it!"
I don't know if it was the fire in my eyes, or the smoke coming from my ears, but they suddenly realized they could just as easily guard her from outside the tent.
Gabrielle was waiting for me when I got inside. "Xena, these women have some seriously one-sided ideas about the Centaurs," she said.
"I suppose that's to be expected. They've been at odds with them for most of their lives," I answered.