by LJ Maas
"Which boot?" I repeated. "Which did she try to draw it from?"
He had half a chance at guessing rightly, but I could see the calculation already going through his mind. It was taking him too long to answer because he was trying to remember which was Velasca's dominant hand. A good warrior kept a dagger in the boot opposite their sword hand, so they could have quick access to it. Broh was trying to figure out something that I already knew about Velasca from the morning I spent with her.
"Well, it was her right. Yes, her right because I wouldn't have seen it from the other side of her body."
He all but grinned at me when he finished the statement. He finally realized that he'd seen her use a sword in her left hand at some point. He answered confidently because he knew if she fought with her left hand, she carried a dagger in her left. As I said, he had half a chance at getting it right.
The small tidbit of information I gathered from Velasca was that she was a two-blade woman, equally adept with both right and left hand. She had no dominant hand. In addition, I had slipped the dagger out of her left boot.
"I took that dagger from her left boot," I said quietly, motioning to the weapon still in Solan's hand.
"Impossible!" Broh shouted as he backed away from the group. "Solan, now's the time to speak up lad. Back me up."
Solan looked confused, but he also wore an expression of pain. More than pain, I believe it was hurt. My son may have been a young man, but he was far from stupid. It took him only moments longer to come to the conclusion the rest of us had already met.
"Back you up?" He repeated in a strangled whisper. "Broh, Timara was . . . she was just a girl."
"She was an Amazon!" Broh spat out.
It was his undoing. It sealed his fate, but he was beyond caring. Every other Centaur, and soldier in the room now had their weapon fixed on him.
"You think you're so much better off now, being that whore's son?" He shouted out and I had to use both hands to hold back the boy this time.
"She's no better. She killed for sport in her day. Killed 'em all! Centaurs, Amazons, women, children! She has no idea the pain she's caused to those of us who lost our loved ones at the end of her blade!"
"I live with the pain, too, Broh." I said in a strong, even voice.
He spat on the floor near my feet. "You're no better than that Amazon. She wanted her own killed just so's she would have all the power. You're just the same."
"She's not!" Solan jerked free from my hold, but held his ground before me. My son would defend my honor? Even though the situation was deadly serious, I found that lovingly amusing.
"Her pain has changed her. You let yours control you, eat you away from the inside." Solan's eyes filled with tears, and no mother could have ever held more pride for a child than I did at that moment.
"Are you admitting the deed?" Kaleipus asked.
"You've become the Conqueror's puppet, old man! Of course, I admit it. The Amazon was too stupid to do it on her own. I killed the girl, but the Amazon killed her own Queen. It was easy, once I shouted out that there was a weapon. I almost avenged my brother's death, too. I had your little slut in my bow sights, Conqueror!" he spat.
"That's what all this was for?" I had to confirm his words. "Two women dead, simply to cause me pain?"
Broh just glared, and I looked over at Solan. The young man was staring at his old friend as if he'd never seen him before.
"If it's pain you want to see, Broh, then prepare yourself." Kaleipus's face was one of determination and anger. "You will learn of Centaur justice today."
The others led him out onto the terrace, to go out to their encampment without going through the throng of Amazons. It surprised me somewhat. I didn't expect him to be led to his death quite so quietly. He neither fought nor said another word. He merely followed his captors along like a docile lamb. Perhaps, a heart as black as his wished for nothing more than death to end his pain. I knew that feeling. I had experienced it many times in the past seasons. Too hurt to go on, yet too afraid to meet the consequences of the afterlife.
CHAPTER 19
ROAMING THE GARDEN YONDER TO AND FRO
GABRIELLE TURNED HER head, and buried it against my shoulder. I turned my mouth into a grim line to steel my emotions against the sight before us. The Centaur delegation had entered the Amazon camp with a large travois being dragged between two of their number. On the stretcher lay the body of Broh, his body riddled with more arrows than I could easily count. It was true: Broh had experienced Centaur justice. They believed in letting the punishment fit the crime. In this case, Broh had been condemned to die in the same manner as his young victim.
Kaleipus came forward, looking grim and full of sorrow. I felt for my old friend. He looked all of his seasons in age at this moment. He stopped before Gabrielle and myself, and bowed deeply at the waist to Gabrielle.
"Queen Gabrielle, the Amazons' loss at the hands of one of our own wounds us deeply. The Centaur Nation owes the Amazon people a debt that cannot easily be repaid. We have brought the offender's body before you as proof of our sincerity in wishing peace between our two nations. I ask that you allow us to cremate Broh's body, so that we might bury his ashes on Centaur soil."
Kaleipus finished, but couldn't seem to bring his eyes up to meet with ours. As always, Gabrielle possessed the ability to bring compassion to the moment. She reached out and touched the Centaur's forearm, which was crossed across his middle. When he looked up, Gabrielle offered up her most heartwarming expression.
"Kaleipus, there is no need for shame among friends. It's time for this cycle of hurt and pain to end. Let us move on from this time into a new era of peace between the Amazons and the Centaurs," Gabrielle said.
I don't think my old friend could have spoken a coherent word if he had wanted. Tears filled his one good eye, and he mumbled his grateful thanks to Gabrielle, and then stopped to grasp my hand. Within moments, the delegation was gone, and Gabrielle turned, and asked Ephiny to explain to all of the Amazons what she knew about Velasca, and how her lies lead to the enmity between Centaur and Amazon.
I looked at Atrius with a worried brow. It all seemed too easy, somehow. Velasca had killed Melosa in the surrounding confusion in the courtyard of the palace as an attempt to push herself up the royal ladder. Broh had killed Timara as a way to get to me. Killing Gabrielle would have suited either's purpose. The pieces had been put back neatly upon the game board, but then again, that's exactly what this had looked like, a neat and tidy game board. A little too neat. Things that went too well always caused the hairs on the back of my neck to prickle with a sort of anticipation mixed with dread. I used to get the same feeling when...
"Atrius!" I suddenly barked. All eyes immediately turned toward me. "Take Gabrielle back to the palace, double her guard. Now!" I shouted again.
Atrius was a good soldier, good enough to realize that explanations weren't always necessary. There were times when an order was simply all that was necessary. The Captain quickly scanned the surrounding area and shouted out orders to the guards, who closed ranks around Gabrielle.
"Xena?" my frightened consort questioned.
"Gabrielle, I want you to go back to the palace this instant. I need to go to the temple." I closed the distance between us in a matter of strides and kissed her, then leaned in to kiss her once more, in a more gentle fashion. "Please, little one, I haven't time to explain. I must ask you to trust me."
This had become sort of a catch phrase for the two of us of late. I know that Gabrielle read the concern in my expression, but she was no longer a slave, and wasn't willing to admit defeat so easily.
"Xena, if something is wrong I want to be with you!"
"Gabrielle," I began with an impatient sigh. "I can't do what I have to do and protect you at the same time. Please, just do as I say this time."
I could wait no longer. I kissed her once more and made my way at a fast run to Athena's temple, leaving everyone else stunned at my sudden antics.
* * *
The temple was quiet, and much cooler than the outside air. The room was so still I could hear the faint sputter of the candle wicks as they burned down into the wax. We had no temple in Corinth to the God that I wanted to talk with, but I was hoping any deity's place of worship would suffice. When I was a younger woman, I could stand in the middle of a field and he would come when I summoned him. That was twenty seasons ago.
"Ares! Show yourself for the scum you are!"
There was a pause, and nothing but silence surrounded me. The quiet lasted just long enough for the tiniest bit of doubt to plant itself within my brain. Perhaps, I was imagining it all after all. There was only one thing to do.
"I knew you weren't smart enough to mastermind this!" I shouted.
When I turned away, I ran smack into a very large fist that not only took me by surprise, but also nearly broke my jaw. I sat on the temple floor and rubbed my chin. It had been a long time since a God had hit me. I made a mental note for the future not to antagonize them until I could see them.
"I knew you'd call again some day, Xena."
Ares stood looking down at me, looking every bit as handsome and smug as he had in the old days.
"Don't flatter yourself, leather boy. I'm here to warn you to stay out of my life. If you even think about harming Gabrielle, I'll drag you behind my chariot until there isn't enough of you left to feed the dogs!"
"Oh, you mean like putting that little idea into that Centaur's head to nail your little pet with an arrow? Oooh, Xena, it would have been good. He had her right in his sights." Ares grinned and I sprang into action.
I rushed at him, drawing my sword as I cried out. Ares and I had always been pretty evenly matched skill, and strength-wise. Only the last time we did this, I was twenty seasons younger. There were no strands of silver beginning to weave their way within my raven locks. Although I still possessed a strength that would best any mortal man, a God was a different story. I held my own, and even got in a few self satisfying jabs to his face, but after we fought for a good half a candlemark, I began to tire. Ares saw my weakness, and began to take advantage. I had a swollen eye, and a bloodied lip by the time he finally got tired of toying with me. He simply stepped back and tossed a bolt of energy toward me. I was too sapped to dodge it in time, and so the bolt caught me in the belly. It flung me backwards a good fifteen feet and I lay there on my back, unable to even summon much more strength to lift my body up from the stone floor.
"I told you you'd regret crossing me, Xena. Remember that night when you said you were going to dedicate yourself to Athena? I told you that someday I'd make you pay, that I'd make you know what it was like to care about losing the one thing that kept you going. Didn't I? Well, it's payback time, Warrior Princess. Oh, wait! They call you the Conqueror now, don't they? Well, Conqueror, how will it feel when your little slave is dead?"
I called all my remaining strength into play, and launched my body at him. I know I hurt him because I felt the breath expelled from his lungs, as I punched him in the belly. He kicked out, and hit me in the ribs. When I fell to my knees, an uppercut tossed me away from him. Once more, I found myself staring up at him from flat on my back.
"Come to think of it, Xena, this whole thing just isn't worth it. Instead of killing your slave, maybe I should just kill you."
He drew his sword, and all I could think about was the fact that I was supposed to get married in another day. So odd, the things that run through our minds when the end comes. All my mind's eye could picture was Gabrielle. The vision was so real; I could hear her voice.
"Xena! No!" Gabrielle's voice cried out as my vision stood before me.
"Gabrielle?" Suddenly I realized that it was Gabrielle standing over me, actually placing her body between Ares and me. "Gabrielle, get back." I winced and tried to rise again, taking in a sharp breath at the pain in my side; I fell back to the ground. The only agony I felt was in knowing that I had failed at keeping Gabrielle safe, and the realization that there would be no lifetime of love for us.
"Please, don't hurt her anymore," Gabrielle pleaded.
I thought how strange it appeared, Gabrielle defending me. She only stood as high as Ares' chest. He on the other hand, looked as he did when I first saw him. I was now forty-five seasons old, yet he looked as he did when he came to me in Amphipolis that day. I was a young girl, enamored by the life of a warrior. He stood before Gabrielle looking as young and handsome as when he first seduced the young girl who was Xena.
There was something different in his expression this time. I recognized it, but not from ever having seen it in his eyes. He backed up a step and I knew that it was fear he was feeling. Fear of Gabrielle?
Ares bared his teeth and snarled at the small woman. The snarl turned into a rabid scream and Gabrielle fell backward against me. The God of War stepped forward again and Gabrielle pressed herself against me. I was about to summon what little reserve of strength I had left, to protect Gabrielle from Ares wrath, when I felt that familiar sensation. Like a cool breeze on sweat soaked skin, the feeling caused goose bumps along my arms.
"He won't harm you, little one. He can't, it's forbidden." I heard a voice from somewhere above me.
Gabrielle turned her head to look behind me and I saw her green eyes widen in surprise.
"Athena?" Gabrielle asked.
"No, child. I am Artemis, and you are my chosen."
I was beginning to feel as if I had already lost consciousness. It had been many seasons since I had dealt with the Gods, and seeing them step into my life was like revisiting an old dreamscape.
I swiveled my head around when I felt Athena's presence.
"She's your problem." Artemis tossed her head in my direction, to which Athena kneeled down beside me.
One touch from her hand, my strength returned, and my wounds were completely healed. I jumped up and searched the floor for my sword, but Athena stepped in front of me.
"Are you anxious to make her a widow even before the wedding?"
"Look, he--"
"Will be dealt with accordingly, Xena," Athena interrupted. "Besides, I think we've scared young Gabrielle clean out of her ability for speech." Athena nodded her head at Gabrielle.
It was true. Gabrielle had tucked herself into a nearby corner, but I knew the expression she wore, just as I knew my own feelings. It wasn't so much fright that affected her, as awe. My young consort had yet to see a God or Goddess in her lifetime. Odd, since I could never seem to rid myself of them.
"Gabrielle." I rushed over to her side and that seemed to shake her brain back to the present moment.
"Xena!" She looked up as though seeing me for the first time. "You're not hurt?" She felt my arms as if to be sure I was real.
"No, love, thanks to Athena. Gabrielle, you've met the patron Goddess of the Amazons, Artemis, now let me introduce you to Athena." I pulled Gabrielle away from in between the stone columns and brought her to stand before Athena.
Tears filled my consort's eyes, so overcome with emotion. All her life Gabrielle gave her devotion to Athena, even through the worst times. Most mortals go their entire lives never seeing the Gods they pray too, until they meet up with Hades at the end. Gabrielle's nature never caused her to wonder at the situations Athena led the young woman to. The true disciple that she was, Gabrielle simply lived her life, always praying for enough strength to get her through.
Gabrielle knelt before the Goddess, who looked on the act with what I thought of as uncharacteristic compassion.
"Up on your feet, Gabrielle." Athena took hold of the young woman and drew her upward. "For the past that I could not prevent from happening, I should be kneeling before you."
"But you always gave me strength," Gabrielle answered sincerely.
"It was the least I could do."
Athena slowly turned away from Gabrielle to face Ares who had grown suspiciously quiet during our exchange. He seemed to be attempting to blend in with the walls when his sister crooked a finger in his
direction.
"Ares, you're not leaving our little party so soon, are you?" Artemis asked.
"Who, me?" he replied innocently. Well, as innocent as the God of War can sound.
"Don't you even think about acting innocent about this, Ares!" Athena hissed. Her voice, usually so even and under control shook with anger. "When father finds out, you'll be lucky if he doesn't banish you to Tartarus for this! You were under strict orders. Gabrielle was under my protection."
My brain suddenly ceased to function. I had only one thought to train my mind's eye upon. It sounded very much as though Athena was blaming Gabrielle's life on Ares. The things Athena said she could never prevent. The Goddess had said that it almost seemed as if someone was one step ahead when it came to Gabrielle's life, but even the Fates couldn't have been that cruel. It was Ares.
"You son of a bitch!" For the third time today, I launched my body in Ares' direction. My attempt at homicide was thwarted by Athena's body, and the strong grip she had on my arms.
"He did that... all of that to her?" I asked with a strangled moan.
"Yes, but you have my word that he will never be able to harm her again, not now that we know." Athena answered.
"Xena?" Gabrielle had come up beside me. Her voice calmed me, as always. "I don't want to see you hurt again."
"Forgive me, little one. I didn't mean to frighten you. It's only my anger speaking."
"It's in the past, Xena. Please don't let him goad you into a fight over a past we can never change."
"Your maturity and your compassion prove your worth as Queen of the Amazons, Gabrielle. You cause me to believe that I've chosen well."
"Did you mean it when you said he can't hurt me?" Gabrielle asked of Artemis. The question seemed to take everyone by surprise.
"Yes, Ares can't harm you directly in any way, and now that our father knows what he's been up to for the last twenty summers, he'll not be allowed to influence anyone else either," Artemis answered.