She had given up trying to fight them. Her strength was mostly illusionary after the long walk through the hot city streets and all she could do now was try to minimize the damage until Flaccus decided she'd taken enough. She was unable to prevent pain filled whimpers from escaping her lips nor, when they finally stopped hitting her, the violent quivering of her muscles as her eyes caught each slight movement of the men around her.
An anguished groan escaped her as she felt Flaccus pull on her leash. She had known what would happen to her even as she had fought to get to her feet. But she couldn't remain kneeling as Caesar slandered her. Her whole being had revolted at the idea and forced her to react, to let him know that he hadn't subjugated her to his will as he seemed to have subjugated his people with a mixture of charm, lies, spectacle and the lavish extravagance that he displayed.
- You don't have to conquer a people with force to enslave them, - Xena contemplated bitterly, and then forced herself to focus on what Flaccus was saying to her.
"Gods be damned, slave. I'm beginning to think you're not happy unless you've been beaten half to death. Doesn't it register in that brain of yours that if you keep defying authority you are going to be disciplined! You have no free will any longer. You are property, and you will learn a suitable demeanor because I can keep this up longer than you can take it." He glanced up to see that all the dignitaries had entered the temple. Yanking hard on the leash he commanded, "Get up! We've got a feast to attend."
Slowly, the Warrior Princess uncurled, her muscles screaming protest, her back aflame with pain. She was shaking with fatigue as she carefully pushed herself to her unsteady feet. She didn't like the way that everything seemed to be on the verge of spinning. Closing her eyes, she shook her head hoping to clear it, and found that she was only partially successful. Feeling sick to her stomach she willed herself to remain standing, and tried to concentrate on something other than her pain and the trouble she was having focusing her swimming head.
She glanced up at the huge double door entrance to the temple and blinked as she thought she saw someone wearing Amazon leathers disappear inside. - I must be hallucinating, - she told herself derisively, - First I think I see Eponin down in the port, and now I'm seeing Amazons in the centre of Rome going into the Temple of Jupiter, no less! -
Flaccus chose that moment to start moving to the top of the steps, dragging on the chain to pull Xena along behind him. Forcing her exhausted body into movement, the Warrior Princess hobbled unsteadily in his wake, her guards forming up around them.
When they reached the portico, Flaccus didn't lead her to the main doors of the temple, instead he turned to the right, making his way around the building to a far smaller doorway which gave them entrance to a small corridor that led deeper inside the edifice.
The centurion made his way with obvious confidence. He had been here before and he knew which turnings to take, which stairways to go down and what doors to go through. They finally arrived in a large underground chamber, fully prepared for the lavish banquet that would be served to honour the proud victors.
Xena automatically took note of the room's layout as she trailed along behind Flaccus. Two long tables were stretched down the sides of the hall, garlanded with vines and flowers. Benches ran both sides of the tables, which were laid with silver platters and goblets, with silver ewers full of thick red wine waiting for the celebrants to arrive.
At the head of the chamber, where Flaccus was taking her, was a raised dias with another table stretching across it's width, linking the two side tables with it's length. Here stood two throne like chairs, obviously meant for Caesar and Veranius, with more chairs stretching either side of them for the visiting dignitaries and Roman elite.
The centurion halted in front of the table, where Xena could see that all the utensils were made of gold, and he growled, "Sit!" at her.
She still bridled at his tone and manner, but was too tired and sore to dispute the matter with him. She sank onto the wooden dias as Flaccus bent and secured her chain to a thick iron ring set into the solid flooring, obviously it had seen use for this purpose before.
- So now I'm a trophy on display for the festivities, - her mind growled. A quick look told her that she wouldn't be able to easily pull the leash free from this particular ring, so with little in the way of options, she elected to get what rest she could, drawing up her legs and wrapping her arms around her knees so she could rest her aching head upon them.
She watched as Flaccus positioned a guard an arms-length away from her on either side, on the floor below the two foot high dias, where she sat, and from the corner of her eye she noted that the centurion placed the remaining eight men so that they had easy, fast access to the problematical slave.
She closed her eyes to the Romans and set about the task of shunting off all the pain she felt, into that little part of her mind she kept for the purpose, so that she'd at least be able to endure the coming, undoubted, torments with all the dignity that she could muster.
Ephiny accepted the wine that was offered her by a slave, and picked a couple of strawberries off of the platter held before her. She kept throwing anxious glances back towards the massive doors, as she waited for Hakine to return and report to her.
When they had entered the temple, with the other guests invited to the feast, Ephiny had given some low voiced orders to Hakine, to linger just outside on some pretext and assess how bad Xena's latest drubbing had been and whether on not she had hung onto consciousness.
Popping the fruit into her mouth, she chewed on it absently while her gaze switched over to Hercules, who knelt in a corner, surrounded by her Amazon guard. She knew he was having a hard time in controlling his urge to leap to the defence of the Warrior Princess. His drive to ensure justice, compassion, mercy and fairness, was being challenged by their need to endure the situation until they could act with success upon it. It was hard for the big man who was used to facing daunting odds to help strangers, let alone close personal friends.
Ephiny sighed softly to herself as she bit into the second strawberry, - How in Hades name am I going to be able to tell Gabrielle and Toris just how bad things are for Xena? - she worried in perplexity. - I'm going to have to have Pompey lock them up .. they're never going to sit quietly and wait for the plan to go into operation. - She sighed again, glanced across to the doorway and took a long swallow of the wine. - I wonder what the penalty is for usurping the power of the Queen? - she fretted, - Probably counts as treason, but I'll be damned to Tartarus before I let Gabrielle do something stupid .. like throwing her life away. -
Her back stiffened as Hakine suddenly appeared in the doorway, took a quick look around and made a swift move across the mosaic covered floor to the shoulder of the Regent.
"Well?" asked Ephiny shortly and quite softly.
"She's conscious," reported the warrior. "The gave her quite a pounding with those batons they're carrying, broke open more of those wounds on her back, but she protected most of the rest of her body, other than her arms. They seemed to be taking her to some side door in the temple. Probably going to hold her somewhere until Caesar's ready to leave."
Ephiny nodded sharply, "Go back to the others. Let them and 'Heston' know what's happening. I don't want any problems here!" she warned.
The growing uncomfortable feeling in his stomach, Hercules decided after some time analysing it, was rage. It was not an emotion that he was greatly familiar with, experiencing it maybe once before upon the death of Deianara .. he had been too mixed up by Strife's meddling to feel much except the anguish of Serena's loss, and even that had something of an unreal quality about it as, after he and Autolycus had changed her fate with the help of the Chronos Stone; Serena still lived and was happily married with children of her own.
- I have, - he reflected, - been a curse to the women I love. Both my wives died at the hands of my enemies. -
Xena, however, was first and foremost his friend. True they were lovers, and they renewed their intimacy when they found time, but the weight of their pasts, the burden of their enemies, made a lasting union almost impossible .. neither wished to inflict their load on the other.
But he cared for her. More than any other woman alive, he felt a kinship and closeness to the Warrior Princess and his anger at her treatment had steadily grown until it had become a burning rage .. an emotion he was not used to dealing with, and one that he was having difficulty keeping a lid on.
He knelt in the corner of the huge temple foyer, feeling more than a little irritated at being in such a position in a temple dedicated to his own father. However, he pushed that aside and concentrated on the dark haired man who stood some distance away and was the centre of the rooms attention.
Light blue eyes, bored relentlessly into Caesar's neck, willing the man to turn and see him, turn so he could look into the callous brown orbs that had tricked and deceived the young Xena and then turned her into the death dealing bitch from Hades that his half-brother .. Ares .. had used to such devastating effect, before he had been able to resurrect the dormant goodness that underlay the Warrior Princess's soul.
Hercules was certain that no one could have withstood the intensity of his gaze without feeling something, but Caesar seemed to be oblivious to him and the big man began to suspect that there was some 'family' interference going on. - Which, - he conceded, - for once is probably a good thing. - He knew that his obvious animosity to the Roman noble would cause questions to be asked, that they couldn't afford to have raised just now.
He drew in a deep, shuddering, breath as he forced himself to contain the raw emotional feelings he was experiencing, trying to concentrate instead upon the magnificent edifice that honoured his father, filled with all the strutting, pompous and arrogant Romans who partook of wine and finger foods whilst they were waiting to be conducted to the banquet hall for the feast.
His eyes keenly tracked Hakine as the Amazon guard made her way across to the place Ephiny stood, close to Pompey, where she engaged in the barest acceptable amount of social chatter with the occasional member of the senate. He watched, his eyes narrowing, as the guard delivered her message, and felt a weight lift slightly from him as he saw some of the worry go out of the Regent's eyes.
Barely restraining himself, he watched as Hakine returned to where the rest of the Amazons were grouped around him, and listened avidly as she told him and her sisters that Xena was conscious, on her feet and able to walk. It helped him to keep a leash on his anger and concentrate upon their plan.
Pompey had followed Caesar through the great portals, a sneer on his lips and an angry glare in his eyes as he glowered at his hated rival. His hatred stemmed from his resentment at knowing that Caesar had usurped his rightful place as leader and most honoured man in Rome. He saw his rival as a scheming politician who sought power for his own glory, caring nothing for the greater good of Rome, while he merely wanted what was best for the city state, and what was best was not what Caesar had to offer.
He climbed the steps, his mind filled with his plans that would see Julius, bloody, Caesar taken down a peg or two and give him the chance to solidify his own support in the senate and stake his claim for the supreme governance of Rome. It was risky and relied heavily on others, but the prize was worth the stake.
He took the goblet of wine that was offered but did not drink from it. Whilst around his adversary he had no intention of garnering a thick head from imbibing too much. He did select some nameless morsel and popped it into his mouth before moving close to where the striking Amazon Regent stood.
- She really is rather good looking for a barbarian wench, - he admitted to himself, - so much more fire than our Roman women. I wonder if that hulk, Heston, truly satisfies her? -
Avoiding looking at Caesar, who he knew was absolutely relishing his discomfort, Pompey focused on the Amazon Queen Regent, and could see that something, probably Xena's treatment, had her agitated and on edge. He smiled at the thought. Ares had promised him assistance and so far the god's information and suggestions had proven to be very useful. - If I can just knock Caesar off his perch, then I might even allow my allies to leave here alive. - He considered, - Especially as that hulk , Heston, has trebled my treasury funds, - he grinned, noticed Caesar looking at him with a puzzled frown and raised his goblet to him, making his enemy frown the more.
Caesar made certain that Flaccus knew what he wanted before he turned and followed the Roman elite into the Temple of Jupiter. Things had gone very well, although he had known that Xena would never remain in such a submissive attitude while he misused her reputation. - Still in her weakened condition, she wasn't too hard to subdue .. and the crowd enjoyed that particular spectacle. Hopefully Flaccus didn't do too much more damage in the process. - he mused cheerfully.
The fact that Pompey had been reduced to an attendant role on this day gave him an added measure of satisfaction. He had revelled in the blonde soldier's glares and impotence. - The man has no class .. no finesse, - he thought as he climbed the stairs and entered into the massive atrium of the temple, to the enthusiastic reception of his so called peers.
He moved to the centre of the chamber passing social pleasantries with old friends and enemies alike as he drew them to him much like a moth is drawn to a flame. He revelled in the attention, although he was careful to include Veranius into his immediate company, - My old friend Marcus will prove an invaluable comrade in the time to come, so I must make sure he gets his share of the congratulations and enjoys the feast that he deserves. -
His eyes were never still as he scanned the assembly to see who was present, just in case anyone had been foolish enough to try and snub him. His inquiring eyes fell on the barbarian woman dressed in leather who had a mane of wild blonde curls and an imperious attitude that spoke of someone who had, and exercised, power. - The Amazon Queen, - he deduced having been informed of her presence in Rome by his people.
- I wonder just what she's here for? - he mused, - Could she be seeking Xena? ... But no, my reports say that the Amazons have no love for the Warrior Princess and that there is a warrant outstanding for her arrest on some matter or another. - He smirked happily, - Maybe they're here to stake some legal claim to her. My, my Xena, you certainly know how to collect enemies. - He turned his attention back to the senator who was claiming his ear, and listened to some trivial petition waiting for the announcement that the feast was ready.
He glanced across at Pompey in time to catch the man smiling to himself. When Pompey saw him looking, he had the effrontery to raise a goblet in his direction, - What's he up to now? - he mused. Intrigued by the question, and wanting someway to gloat on his superiority anyway, when Pompey detached himself from Ephiny and made his way across the chamber, Caesar moved to intercept him.
"Ah Pompey. So good of you to come to do me honour .. and so kind of you to bring such an exotic and alluring woman. Who is she?" Caesar smarmed annoyingly.
Ignoring the comments about Ephiny, the blonde Roman let a sour grimace, that could just possibly pass for a smile, grace his expression and replied acidly, "Ah Caesar .. I see you managed to insinuate yourself into Veranius' hard won victory. Such a shame that you can't win your own laurels .. or get a woman to stay with you ... except in chains, of course!" A barbed reference to Xena.
"You never did understand the importance of symbols, Pompey," growled his enemy.
"I thought the only symbols you were interested in were the graphic, public executions of both friends and foes alike," the blonde purred, beginning to enjoy himself. "I'm sure that Crassus would have understood your use of symbol .. he may not have appreciated it particularly, but I'm certain he understood and, who knows, he may even have forgiven you for the particular symbol you made of him." He grinned as he saw the colour drain from his enemy's face anger and resentment plain in his expression. "I really was surprised that you didn't make a symbol of Xena's death," he twisted the metaphorical knife.
Struggling to control his temper, Caesar took a calming sip of wine from the goblet he held before answering Pompey, "Oh she is a symbol, Pompey. A symbol of what happens to anyone who crosses me. Right now I'm sure she'd rather be hanging from a cross with the certainty of death close to hand. She has caused me far to many .. aggravations .. to allow her such an easy death. Besides which her current situation has certain benefits for me .. not least of which is the pleasure I get through tormenting her." He took another sip from his goblet and returned to his original topic as his rival did the same, "Now what of this .. Amazon Queen? I believe she has been your guest for some days?"
Glancing over his shoulder, Pompey saw Ephiny politely laugh at some sally from the soldier she was conversing with. "That's Ephiny .. a charming woman for a barbarian." He threw a shrewd look at Caesar who's eyes were rivetted to the vivacious blonde queen in the exotic clothing, "I doubt if even you much vaunted prowess with women could breach her defences," he breathed tauntingly, "See that hulking brute over in the corner with those Amazon guards?" He saw Caesar incline his head slightly in acknowledgement, "Well that's Heston .. her concubine. He's a deaf mute and apparently services all of her needs."
"Ah!" breathed the arrogant Roman slowly, "So she has spurned you attempts at a .. closer friendship, then." was the accurate guess. "I can see where you would try to dissuade another from attempting something you failed at .. after all, another person might succeed and leave you looking .. second best. But that's nothing new for you is it?"
It was Pompey's turn to feel the slow burn of anger as his abilities were called into question and found wanting by this man that he hated so much, "It would amuse me to watch you try and fail," he responded tartly.
"Pompey, if I so desired, that woman will be warming my bed, as and when I want. She'll be begging to stay with me rather than return to the hovel that she undoubtedly lives in," came the impulsive boast.
Striving to keep his excitement from showing on his face or in his voice, Pompey proposed lightly, "A challenge then. The Amazon Queen to grace your bed before she returns to her homeland. If you lose, you cede to me the XIVth Legion."
"And if I win, I want the IXth from you," responded Caesar.
Pompey grimaced at that thought .. the IXth were important to his plans. He held out his hand and grasped Caesar's in a warrior's handshake as their wager was made.
She had no real idea how long she had been sitting there, the torches high in the wall sconces burned bright and true and would for some time, so she couldn't judge from that, nor were there any windows from which to judge the sun's position. She doubted that it had been any great length of time, but never-the-less she felt somewhat revived by the period of rest.
The sound of laughter and chattering voices had attracted her attention. She guessed that the feast was about to begin and sought to gather her mental resources to shield her in the coming ordeal. She hated crowded, noisy, confined, spaces and avoided them whenever possible, enduring them only when she had no option, and here she definitely had no option.
The large double doors at the opposite end of the hall swung open and Rome's finest began to troop into the banquet hall guided to their allotted places by a host of slaves who appeared as if by magic. Harps started to play in soft melodious tones, as musicians added background to the noisy chattering.
Xena studied the revellers through half slitted eyes as they entered the hall and recognised her. Some of the laughter grew louder as the men pointed at the chained and humbled Warrior Princess. She ignored them, they weren't worthy of her ire.
When all of the lower tables were filled, the most important of the guests began to enter the hall. Xena recognised many from the party at Caesar's when he had shown off Verchinex. She ignored these too .. they meant nothing to her.
Then, she stiffened. Moving through the doorway, accompanied by Pompey, she saw the unmistakable form of Ephiny! - How in the name of Artemis did she get here! - her mind crackled with speculation, but almost immediately her eyes were drawn to the towering figure, dressed scantily in a loin cloth and silver ownership bands. - Zeus's balls and lightning strikes! - she swore silently as her eyes locked with those of Hercules. An energy seemed to spark between them, and somewhere within the depths of her being she felt the flame of hope fanned into glowing life. - He's come to help us! - she acknowledged to herself, - So has Ephiny, - her mind prodded, - Gods, but if they can just free Gabrielle and the others there may just be a chance .. for me. -
She watched them covertly as they approached the dias, seeing the nervous anger and tension rolling off the demi-god in heated waves. It was so obvious to her that she was surprised that everyone else in the room couldn't see it. She lost sight of them as they passed beyond the table, but she could hear Ephiny conversing with Pompey and she knew that they were seated just behind her close to where Caesar would be ensconced.
Then he was there at the door, Veranius at his elbow, the High Priest of Jupiter with them. The Admiral walked up the right hand side of the feast hall, while the High Priest took the left, leaving Caesar with the opportunity to parade up the centre of the room, to the loud cheering and evident delight of the majority of the guests.
When he reached the dias he stood for a moment regarding Xena with a burning stare. Slowly, almost gently, he reached out a possessive hand and brushed her cheek claiming her in front of everyone in the hall, letting them know that she belonged to him.
Xena jerked her head away, venom almost spitting from intense blue eyes.
With a casual flick of his good left hand he slapped her lightly, almost insultingly across the face and announced to the quietly watching gathering, "The best slaves are the ones with spirit .. once it's been tamed! And she is going to make one of the most magnificent."
He smiled with proprietary superiority as she struggled with her desire to retaliate, knowing that such a reaction would lead to yet another beating, but more importantly, might just push Hercules into attempting something rash. With a great effort of will she pushed down the dark wolf that threatened to take control of her soul and actions, but allowed the pure malevolent hatred to burn in her eyes, making Caesar take an involuntary step back.
However, consummate showman that he was, he turned the motion into a mocking bow in her direction and announced, "Behold how the mighty Warrior Princess is fallen. Chained and abased before Rome as will be all of our fair homeland's enemies." With a mocking smile, he walked along to the right hand side of the dias, mounted it and made his way to his seat behind where Xena was held.
The feast was long and noisy. Hercules knelt silently behind Ephiny's seat, accepting the occasional tidbit that she handed him like some favourite pet. It was part of their assumed guise, but it still rankled him to be treated in such a manner, even if it was by a friend and for the best reason in the world .. namely to help another friend.
>From his place on his knees, Hercules could occasionally manage to get a glance under the table and the covering cloths, to see how Xena was holding up. Each time he looked he could see his friend was employing full Warrior Princess mode to sit proud and haughty in front of her enemies, enduring the taunts thrown at her along with the scraps of food from their plates. He could tell that she had blocked them out from her existence. She was enduring this humiliation by retreating into herself and refusing to accept the relevance of her surroundings.
He knew she had a strong inner core that she retreated into and sealed herself safely away from outside torments with practically indestructible walls. He had seen her employ the method many times during the years that he had known her and, although he sometimes hated it when she shut everyone and everything out, in this particular situation he was happy that she could do so.
What he wasn't happy about was the blood soaked shirt that gave mute evidence to the fragile state of her lacerated back. Obviously the thrashing she had taken on the steps of the temple had reopened the barely healed wounds that had been inflicted during the voyage to Rome.
Although she presented an outward facade of strength and fortitude, to Hercules, who knew her well, it was evident that she was drawing heavily on depleted reserves to maintain an illusion for the Roman congregation. - Gods! We need to get her away from him .. and soon! - His thoughts railed at him.
Ephiny had plenty of time to study Caesar. She prided herself on being a fair judge of character and what she saw in him she didn't like. Vain conceit seemed to mark his every action. Pride emanated from him in flowing waves, - But, - she was forced to admit to herself, - he does exert such a powerful aura of attraction. He seems to seduce all around him with his supreme confidence, almost a certainty, that he has a divine right to leadership. - She shook her head, trying to clear away the subtle and insidious allure that pulled at her. She KNEW what he was and was not about to fall into that particular trap.
>From her place at the table she could see only the back of Xena's head and her shoulders. The warrior's hair looked lank and dirty, and there was evidence of blood crusted into it in several places. The shirt covering her shoulders was thick with blood, showing both the rusty brown of the dried variety and the newer crimson of a fresh flow.
The Regent maintained a conversation with Pompey, who sat to her right, and the respected elder senator, Graccus, who sat to her left. She found the plump, cherubic looking senator to have a rather dry sense of humour and a very sharp wit. She would have been hard pressed to say why, but she didn't think this much respected man was very impressed with Caesar. She filed away the thought just in case it might prove useful at some point.
After interminable courses of savoury and sweet delicacies, mixed liberally with strong wines, things were becoming distinctly rowdy in the hall. Ephiny and Graccus were engaged in conversation about the possibility of doing some trade in Amazon crafts with Rome, when a commanding voice cut across their negotiations.
"I hear, your man is making something of a name for himself in the fighting pits?" Caesar announced.
Smiling an apology to Graccus, Ephiny turned and looked past Pompey into Caesar's intense brown eyes, "Heston is a redoubtable fighter. None of your Roman gladiators have been able to match him as of yet," returned the Regent her own hazel eyes sparking in challenge.
"I'd very much like to see him fight," smiled Caesar seductively, "I'd offer to match him against my slave," he gestured to where Xena sat immobile listening to every word that was being exchanged between the two, "Only she's not really in any condition to compete at the moment, and may not be for some time. She has a rebellious nature, and I think I'd like to take the time and effort to crush that before I fight her again."
"That's a pity," returned Ephiny with a sigh, "We Amazon's know well the Warrior Princess. In fact there is a warrant outstanding in Themiscyra for her arrest on charges of crimes against our nation. You wouldn't consider selling her to me so that I could take her back for trial?" she asked.
Caesar allowed her a smile in return, "Unfortunately, that would not be possible. Xena has been condemned for capital crimes against Rome. In my mercy I commuted her death sentences to life in perpetual slavery. I could not allow her to escape Roman justice when she has only just begun to serve her sentence."
"That truly is a pity, but perhaps we can indulge the conquering hero today, if we can find a match for my Heston, and then maybe, if you can get your slave," she added a sneer to her tone expressing contempt for the Warrior Princess, "fit in time, maybe we can match them before I have to return home."
Caesar smiled pleasantly, leaned his elbow on the table and rested his chin on his fist, "I doubt that will be possible. The slave has much to learn, and is but a slow student."
He gave the woman a long appraising look. He really doubted whether some little queen of a barbarian, backward nation would be able to wager the sums that made fighting Xena worthwhile. However, she really was very attractive, not really a match for the stunning beauty of his captive, but more than just pretty and had that dangerous edge that was so lacking in the high bred ladies of Rome. "How long are you staying with us?" he asked politely.
Ephiny answered him in a languorous purr, "Probably for another moon, then I really must return to my people. The delights and luxuries of Rome will be sorely missed however," she smiled encouragingly at him.
"Excellent!" he declared, "So I will have the chance to entertain the Amazon Queen in my own humble dwelling?"
"Of course, Lord Caesar," Ephiny accepted graciously, "It would be my great pleasure to accept an invitation from you."
"The feast has just about run it's course," Caesar gestured with his hand at the empty dishes and wine jugs, "High Priest Arrestes maintains an excellent pit on the premises. If we can just find a challenger for your man, then maybe we can retire there for some entertainment," he suggested.
"I didn't realise that the priesthood were interested in such matches," remarked Ephiny, although she was not really surprised to hear it.
"All true Romans are interested in the arts of warfare and battle," Caesar explained, "It is part of who and what we are."
Ephiny looked around the chamber and could see that the majority of the guests were either very drunk, or getting there. Most of the guests on the high table had partaken sparingly of the wine, and some few on the lower tables had maintained their control. The crowd watching the fight wouldn't be too large and it might prove to be the bait to hook Caesar.
Making up her mind, the blonde Regent ran a hand through her unruly curls before turning and answering, "If a suitable opponent can be found, I'll be happy to stand Heston against him ..as long as my wager of five hundred thousand dinars can be matched."
Caesar's dark eyes took on a gleam as he re-assessed the wealth of the Amazon, - If she is happy to risk that sort of money on a spur of the moment bout, then how much would she be willing to risk on an arranged fight with Xena. Whatever the amount, it will be mine, for there is no one to beat my Warrior Princess when she is fit. -
Turning to a slave who stood at his shoulder, Caesar whispered the boy an instruction and sent him on his way. He watched as the lad moved down to one of the lower tables and spoke with one of the fairly sober guests there. The man looked at Caesar and nodded, then gestured to his own man who scurried from the hall.
Pompey looked at Caesar, "Lucius seems eager to match his Ethiopian." The blonde man's looks became predatory, "How much will you wager on this bout, Caesar?"
"You know I only bet on my own property, Pompey," came the bored reply, "I'm just going to be an interested observer."
"That's all very well, gentlemen," put in Ephiny, "but just who's going to cover my stake?"
Chuckling, Caesar allowed his mirth to shine in his normally cold, calculating eyes, "Oh, don't worry my dear. I'm sure the wager will be covered by many eager men. You see the Ethiopian has never been beaten."
When they were notified by Lucius that his gladiator had arrived, Caesar had signalled to the looming centurion at the side of the hall, who had moved quickly forward to unlock Xena's leash, and haul her, none to gently, from the chamber. Effecting a satisfied smirk, as she watched the warrior stagger and stumble, Ephiny had turned to Caesar, "That is undoubtedly the way to treat that savage. With all the trouble she has caused throughout the world, she deserves no less."
The blonde cringed inwardly at her own words, but it was necessary to assure the Roman that she and the Amazons were no friends of the Warrior Princess. She graciously took his offered, splinted, arm as he escorted her towards the doorway that Xena had been hustled out of. She could feel Hercules' presence as he stood and silently followed.
"You must tell me just why the Amazons hold such a grudge against her," he said smoothly, "I had heard that she was revered as a hero by most of the people in your land."
Ephiny snorted her apparent contempt. "Some while ago, she abducted and attempted to murder one of our Queens," replied Ephiny easily sticking to the bare truth knowing it likely that Caesar would have heard some vague rumours along those lines, "She was tried and condemned by the Amazon council, and I would have liked to have seen her endure the full rigours of that sentence." She forced a charming smile as her sharp ears picked up the sound of a muffled groan, "However, at least I will be able to report to the Council that the woman is suffering for her crimes and that she will never be able to rampage across our territory again."
"I'm glad to have been some small service to you in that respect then," declared Caesar with pseudo gallantry, raising her hand and kissing it softly, before he escorted her through the door and found Flaccus waiting for him, "Excuse me, for just a moment, Queen Ephiny," he said courteously, turning to observe the centurion and his slave.
Ephiny eyed Xena carefully. She was on her knees again, and the raven haired warrior's body seemed to be trembling with pain and fatigue. There was another budding bruise on her left cheek and fresh stripes across her arms. The Regent's heart went out to her friend as she fervently wished, - Xena ease off on the stubborn resistance, or we won't have anything left to rescue! - She listened carefully to what was being said.
"She knows to behave, my Lord," the craggy centurion affirmed, handing his superior the chain attached to the slave collar.
"Very well," acknowledged Caesar, "but I'll want you and the guards in close attendance with, I think, you and two others right behind her at all times, Flaccus."
The centurion allowed the whip to swing threatening in front of Xena's face, and Ephiny was almost certain that she saw a muscle twitch in her cheek, "We'll be right there, sir, and she knows what to expect if she so much as moves a finger unless told to do so."
The Regent hid the urge to flatten the soldier for the harsh, threatening tone he used, and watched as Caesar jerked on the chain forcing Xena to stagger upright onto her painful, cut, blistered, feet. Turning his back on his dangerous slave, the Roman offered his splinted wrist to Ephiny once more and asked, "Shall we proceed?"
Masking her reluctance to even touch the man, Ephiny returned her hand to his arm, and prayed to Artemis that Hercules wouldn't do anything to blow their cover. With the demi-god trailing along behind her right shoulder, and Xena shuffling along behind Caesar's left, they made their way through the maze of corridors and passages, with Ephiny doing her best to ignore the soldiers who followed in their wake.
When they reached the pit room, they were greeted by Malonda and the rest of her Amazon guard, Caesar having sent a slave to guide them down from the atrium. Ephiny excused herself from Caesar's company for a moment as she touched Hercules' arm and steered him over to her guards.
"Heston will be fighting shortly, Malonda. Have Eris and Yolanda take him down to the pit entrance." She dropped her voice so low that only the big man would hear her, "Don't make it look too easy, Herc. I want him drooling at the prospect of making a fortune from the backwoods, barbarian queen with more money than sense. If you beat this guy too quickly, he might decide it's not worth the risk." She looked up and saw his lips twitch in response.
The sound of voices drifting along the passageways drew her attention back to where Caesar stood. Xena was kneeling 'compliantly' at his feet, the centurion behind her grasping the wicked looking whip in case he was called upon to remind the 'slave' of her place and demeanor. Ten more soldiers were clustered close by, with two of them at the centurion's shoulder.
- They really take no chances with her, - noted the Regent grimly, - She can barely muster the energy to walk, yet they watch her as if she could break loose at any moment. - Returning to Caesar's side, she glanced at the splint on his arm, the fading bruises around his neck, and the scar across his right cheek, - I bet she was responsible for those, - she reflected, - If she was, it's no wonder they watch her so close. And Caesar must be braver than I thought if he still allows her to get that close to him .. even in those chains and with guards close by. -
Slowly the gallery began to fill with those revellers who were not too drunk to make the trip down to the pit to watch the fight. Small fortunes were wagered, easily covering Ephiny's stake and many others besides. However, the blonde Amazon's thoughts were definitely elsewhere, even though she pretended to closely study the Ethiopian who had at last entered the pit.
- Xena could easily kill Caesar from this range, - the Amazon concentrated on her chain of thought, - So after all he's done to her, why hasn't she? Why doesn't she? - She chewed that over for a few moments before berating herself, - Of course! She still thinks he has Gabrielle .. and I have no way of telling her that she's safe. - She almost let out a sigh of annoyance, but caught herself in time. - Once the fight is arranged we can let her know .. until then .... - she allowed the thought to go unfinished, not wishing to contemplate how much more harm her friend was likely to come to.
Turning to Caesar, she asked him, "If you don't mind me asking, just how did you manage to capture the bitch from Tartarus?" Offering up a silent prayer that Xena would understand the need to play out her role fully.
The Roman smiled, and launched into his carefully crafted plan, explaining just how he had meticulously worked out every minute detail, knowing just how difficult it would be.
Hercules was far from happy. - In fact, - he admitted to himself, - I want nothing more than to tear someone limb from limb. - He looked the tall, muscular, ebon skinned Ethiopian up and down in calculated appraisal .. and this was not the man that he wanted to inflict pain upon. Oh No! That man was standing above them with a smugly interested look upon his face!
He buried the scowl that he could feel trying to etch itself onto his features. Walking beside Xena on the way to this fight, he'd been close enough to touch her, to put his arms around her and comfort her and, because of the God's be damned situation, been unable to do so. - Just hang in there, Xena, - he told her mentally. - We'll get you out of here .. my oath on it! -
Knowing that what he did next would be a major factor in the successful operation of their plans, he carefully studied the man facing him. He'd heard Caesar tell Ephiny that this man had never been beaten in a pit fight, and looking at him, he could well believe it.
The Ethiopian stood with quiet confidence, there was no bluster or bravado about him. He knew his abilities and didn't need to employ self advertising, his reputation spoke for itself. Hercules noted that he showed none of the eager willingness that he'd seen in other fighters, either. He was here to do a job, and unless the demi-god missed his guess, he didn't take much delight in either it or his much vaunted prowess. Under other circumstances, Hercules might have enjoyed getting the chance to know this man.
The fighter's escorts left the pit and the tawney haired man heard Caesar order the combat to commence. However, playing true to his assumed disabilities, he waited for the other man to make the first move. He knew that the eyes of the eager crowds were upon him, but more especially, he could feel Xena's intense blue eyes watching him assiduously.
The tall ebony skinned man, came forward towards Herc, his eyes showing intelligence and his approach was cautious as he looked to feel out the strengths of his opponent. As he closed with the demi-god, he snapped out a straight right that jerked Hercules's head back and forced him to retreat a step.
- Ouch! - the tawny haired blue eyed 'concubine' acknowledged silently, - This one's going to be trouble. -
Raising his hands in defence, Hercules looked for an opening. He watched as the Ethiopian circled warily and shot out a tentative punch himself, just grazing his opponent's shoulders as the man dropped to the ground and kicked the demi-god's feet out from under him, bringing him crashing down.
Rolling on instinct, Herc avoided having the full weight of the man hit him as he threw himself at the spot just vacated by the hero. Allowing a smile to ease onto his face, Hercules got smoothly to his feet and waited for his opponent to stand. - Oh yeah! - he conceded, - this one is not going to be easy! -
Taking his time, the Ethiopian began to circle once more, his eyes never leaving Herc's as he judged his moves. He threw a right fist again, only to have it caught and held by the demi-god, who used some of his strength to pull his muscular challenger closer to meet his own right fist, causing the gladiator's head to jerk back in pain.
Hercules knew that his adversary had managed to roll with the blow, what surprised him, though, was just how quick and lithe he was as he allowed the momentum of the punch to spin him across the hero's chest so that his back was presented to him, and then he dropped suddenly to the ground allowing his whole body to go limp, completely unbalancing Herc, and catapulting him across the pit to slam into the wall below where Caesar, Xena and Ephiny watched.
"Well you man seems to be holding his own for the moment. Although crashing into that wall has got to have hurt him," Caesar commented amiably.
"Heston's tough. It'll take more than a wall to knock him out of the reckoning." responded Ephiny confidently.
"Tell me," the Roman asked, curiosity tangible in his tone, "Why didn't he attack when I ordered the fight to begin?"
"He's a deaf mute," answered the Regent candidly, it gives his opponents something of a small advantage, but he's always been able to compensate for that little disability."
"Ah .. I believe I head someone mention that fact." Glancing down to where Xena knelt, watching the bout between the wooden railings, Caesar questioned, "Has my 'pet'," he watched the Warrior Princess stiffen at the word, "met your man before?" He gently stroked the crusted silky hair that was in dire need of washing. - Let her know and get used to her master's touch! - he gloated.
The warrior jerked her head to the side, throwing off her hated enemy's hand, only to wince sharply as Flaccus' whip lashed across her arm, "Sit quiet you animal!" he snarled.
Trying to ignore what was happening Ephiny hastened to answer, "Heston wasn't in Themiscyra when that savage abducted our last Queen," - Nice sidestep there Eph! - she congratulated herself, - Let's see if we can get some information through to Xena that'll make her feel better. - "In fact we were very lucky to get her back into safe keeping," she put a little bit of an emphasis on the relevant words, hoping that Xena would pick up on it and recognise what she was trying to tell her.
"Damn lucky!" growled the warrior, "Your Harlot Queen ..." she drew a sharp breath as Flaccus cut the scourge across her bare arm, raising a fresh pattern weals on her battered flesh.
Ephiny tried not wince in sympathy turning instead to Caesar and remarking cuttingly, "It doesn't appear that your efforts in taming the bitch are having any great effect .. perhaps you should try other methods. I've heard that the savage thrives on her own pain, perhaps you should find another to inflict it on to keep her in line?"
Xena couldn't believe that Ephiny was preposing to Caesar that he use the bard against her in that fashion! - Maybe she want's the job of Queen for real and is here to see that neither Gabrielle or I ever return home. - came a mocking thought. Anger hardened in her eyes turning them frigid as she stared hostilely at the Regent, "That's typical of an Amazon .. use others for their dirty work," she snarled, lunging forward only to be pulled up short by the leash Caesar held. He yanked back hard causing the metal collar to bite viciously into her flesh, leaving her choking for breath as Flaccus once again disciplined her with his whip.
Ephiny was frantic trying to think of a way to get her message across so that Xena would understand and stop fighting her captivity long enough to allow them to arrange an escape, "I have heard that the bitch travels with a bard," she offered nonchalantly to Caesar while Xena struggled with against her Roman guards. "It would be a pity to waste such a valuable commodity as a bard merely as a tool to quell the savage. We Amazons hold bards in very high regard. In fact the Amazon bard in my retinue is considered to be the priceless jewel of the nation. However, we must use whatever materials come to hand when necessity drives us." She smiled seductively at Caesar, hoping that Xena understood the message she was trying to convey.
As Ephiny's words registered, the Warrior Princess slowly ceased her struggles and risked a brief questioning look at the Regent, praying that the friendship and compassion that she saw in the Amazon's eyes meant what she had desperately hoped for .. that Gabrielle and the others were free. Breathing heavily from pain and exhaustion, Xena could only hope that it was so.
"I believe you owe the Amazon Queen an apology, Xena," growled Caesar, privately amused to see the flaring animosity between the two women.
The warrior raised a pain filled glare for him, "Kiss my butt!" she ground out, preparing herself for another round of physical abuse. She needed to make Caesar believe that she and Ephiny hated each other .. it now seemed obvious what the Regent was attempting to establish within the Roman's mind.
Flaccus drew back his arm ready to inflict more punishment, when Ephiny broke in smoothly. "I shouldn't worry about that. An apology from a slave is worthless. It will be far more satisfying to me, for her to receive her punishment at the hands of my man, Heston," she told them, glancing back at the fight in the pit. "For that to happen she needs to heal and she's not going to do that while you keep beating her. I'm certain you ingenious Romans could find another way to discipline the animal." She smiled encouragingly at Caesar.
"I'm certain that Flaccus already has a method in mind," purred the Roman leader. "Ah," he said glancing back to the ongoing contest, "it appears that this might be nearing its close."
They turned their attention back to the fight.
Hercules rose from his prone position against the wall and, moving his head, felt the joints of his spine click back into place, - Whose idea was this anyway? - he growled to himself.
Not waiting for his opponent to fully recover, the Ethiopian moved in quickly, embracing Hercules in a crushing bear hug, trapping his arms, and pulling tighter as he settled his grip. The demi-god felt the vice like clinch as the pressure increased and knew that he had to do something to get out of it before real damage was done to him.
Throwing his head back he snapped it forward, butting the dark skinned gladiator just above the bridge of his nose. The hold relaxed momentarily, before tightening once again. Knowing he had to break the grip, Hercules repeated his head butt, this time a little lower, smashing his opponent's nose to a messy pulp.
With a strangled cry of pain, the Ethiopian released the demi-god, and staggered backwards clutching his shattered proboscis. Hercules stood gulping in deep breaths of much needed air, and clutching his own head that rang to a symphony of bells from the power behind the blow.
Aware that he didn't have time to lament over his own hurts, he pushed forward in attack, slamming a right fist into the black body before him and driving a left towards the gladiators jaw, only to find himself missing as the other man slipped his head out of the way.
Unable to stop the heavy forward momentum, Hercules found himself half turned as the Ethiopian wound an arm under the hero's extend left, pulling him in so that Herc had his back to the other man. A right arm snaked under the demi-god's right shoulder and the gladiator's hands locked firmly together behind the big man's neck, forcing his shoulder's up and neck down, straining the spine, and threatening to break it.
With the pain growing intense, the son of Zeus knew he had to act quickly. Stamping down hard on the gladiator's left instep, he felt the pressure ease enough to make a drop to his knees viable, flipping the Ethiopian over his head so that he landed flat on his back But the gladiator was quick enough to twist onto his stomach, which was what Hercules had been waiting for.
Moving with a speed that belied his bulk, Hercules pounced on the gladiator's back and forced his right arm into an agonising hammerlock, increasing the pressure until the man had to concede the fight or have his arm broken. When he saw the Ethiopian bang the ground with his free hand in submission, Hercules released him and stood to accept the cheers of approbation from the crowd, locking eyes with Xena and seeing the bright warmth of her congratulations there. - Damn! But I wish I could just ... - He left the thought unfinished knowing that now was neither the time nor the place.
"Well it looks as if you man is pretty skilled in a fight," Caesar purred. He'd been impressed with the way the Amazon concubine had fought off the challenge of the big gladiator, although he'd seen nothing that gave him any doubt about Xena's ability to handle him in a contest, "Maybe, if I can get my savage fit, we can have that match between them that you were interested in," he offered.
"If Heston can have a chance at beating that murdering bitch into seven kinds of pulp, then I'll happily delay my departure until after the match is made," grinned Ephiny, "So long as it doesn't take too long to arrange."
He grabbed a handful of Xena's hair and yanked her head back to look into her eyes, "Well .. my pet tends to heal fast, so as long as she behaves herself, we should be able to make that match at, say, full moon?"
"I'll look forward to it ..." grinned the Regent ferally, "I hope you have plenty of dinars, because I'll be wagering big on my man. He's never been defeated, and I'm going to delight in seeing him humble her."
Xena's icy eyes glared equally at both Caesar and Ephiny, "Well it's true that she needs humbling," agreed Caesar, "but you'll forgive me if I don't cheer your man on to success. Apart from the wager, I want to have the pleasure of breaking and humbling her myself."
Shaking his hand away, Xena forced herself to her feet only to be met by the restraining arms of Flaccus's guards. Caesar casually handed the leash over to the centurion and ordered, "Take her back to the palace and see that's she's suitably housed."
He turned his back on them as the Warrior Princess was partly dragged from the pit gallery and returned his full attention to Ephiny, "Well, my dear, we have the rest of the evening to become acquainted and I'm sure that you must have some fascinating stories that you can regale me with about your people and homeland."
- Oh boy! - Ephiny rolled mental eyes, - This guy is so full of himself .. even if he does have the looks and charm to back it up, his ego's so big there's no room in his life for anyone but himself. Sheesh! And I'm gonna have to seem like I enjoy his company. Xena you're gonna owe me big time for this! -
Nebula had found a quiet niche to wait in as the crowds began to disperse from the show. She guessed that she'd probably have to wait around for quite a while, but she'd made a promise to observe, and she had to admit that the legendary Warrior Princess really intrigued her.
She wished that she had thought to bring something with her to eat, - A flask of port would go down pretty well, right now, too, - she told herself.
Making herself as comfortable as possible, she wondered what delights Ephiny would get to partake in. - Although having the delight of Herc's semi-naked body to feast upon should be enough for any woman, - she mused idly. - He sure is easy on the eyes, but personally, I prefer my men shorter, blonder and with curlier hair, - she grinned at the thought of Iolaus. - Guess I'll just have to go up to the palace and visit with him when I deliver my report to Ephiny and the others. -
The streets were empty, and had been for a long time, except for the soldiers that stood guard around the Temple of Jupiter. Long candlemarks had passed in boring procession when Nebula saw soldiers emerging from the side of the building. She counted eleven and two of them were half supporting a woman that could only be Xena.
The pirate watched, intense and alert, as the legionary maniple formed up around the newcomers. Shaking her head, she watched as the captive was marched off. She had presumed that the soldiers were an elite guard for Caesar, not for a solitary female prisoner, - Gods! - she breathed, - that must be some woman. -
As they passed her position on the Clivus Capitolinus, Nebula held her breath as a pair of startling, very blue, eyes bored through the shadows directly into her own brown ones, - How in Hades name did she know I was here? - wondered the woman, knowing full well that none of the hundred and sixty strong guard had detected her. - I am really looking forward to getting the chance to meet her, - she grinned. - I want to see if she fights as good as they say. -
Like a silent shadow, she ghosted along in the wake of the marching soldiers as they moved down to where the road joined the Via Sacra. But instead of taking that street, they cut across the square housing The Well of the Comitia and then proceeded up the Clivus Argentarius to where Caesar's palace stood imposingly illuminated in Rome's night skies.
Waiting only to make sure that this was indeed the final destination for the woman she trailed, Nebula turned and was about to set off on the long walk for Pompey's abode, when she froze in place. Leaving from a side gate, she spotted a familiar seeming figure and decided that here was someone else she had better follow to see what they were up to.
Xena struggled to keep upright as she was marched away from the temple. Her wounds were a roaring agony, she was weak from hunger and thirst and maintained consciousness only through a supreme effort of will stiffened by a determination that her Roman captors would not see her beaten.
She had not been surprised when she noticed the tall dark skinned woman hidden in the deep shadows. She recognised her from the docks and, now that she knew that the Amazons were in Rome, she could accept that she had seen Eponin with the woman, which meant that she had to be classed as a friend. Locking eyes with the watcher she had detected the faint trace of admiration, and maybe challenge, in them.
Having been in Rome only recently, Xena recognised the route that she was being taken along. She was well aware of the layout of Caesar's palace too. The thought that they'd lock her into the dungeon that had held Verchinex, allowed her to plot possible escape plans. She knew that she'd still be under close guard but ...
That was where her thoughts had taken her to Gabrielle. - What was it that Ephiny had said? 'They were very lucky to get her back into safe keeping'? Have they managed to rescue Gabrielle? .. and the others? By the Gods, - she swore, - If they're free and safe, then Caesar better start counting his life in days! - She thought about the Regent's brief discourse on bards, - Jewel of the Nation, huh? - The only Amazon bard she was aware of who might rate that description was Gabrielle. - She has to be safe, doesn't she? - she questioned herself, - Or is Eph trying to tell me she will rescue her? - The puzzle made her head pound worse than it already was, but she was unable to push it aside .. it was crucial to everything!
If Flaccus had been able to see the savage gleam that sprang to light in the Warrior Princesses eyes as she mulled Ephiny's words over, he would have known that something had changed .. something had given her a resurrection of hope. However, he walked oblivious behind her just noting with satisfaction the exhaustion that was evident in her movement and the slump to her shoulders that she had carefully maintained.
When they reached the palace, she had been expecting to be taken down to Caesar's personal prison. However, it seemed that they had other plans for her lodging. She was hurried through the long parade of corridors and finally out into a torchlit drill yard. The guards obviously knew exactly where they were heading for as they marched to the centre of the high walled, gateless enclosure.
When they came to a stop, two soldiers bent down and struggled to raise a very heavy, barred trapdoor that opened up onto a seven foot square pit that hosted just a wooden bucket and a pair of blankets.
Flaccus unlocked the chain from her collar and gave her a none to gentle shove that sent her down into the eight foot deep hole. Even injured and shackled as she was, she landed in a cat like crouch on the packed earth floor, "This is your new home," the centurion snarled, 'Get used to it!"
She watched helplessly as the thick bars of the pit door were dropped into place with a heavy "THUD!!!" and secured by a bolt and two thick padlocks. Anger and despair gripped at her as she heard Flaccus post the six watchers close to the cell and a further twenty around the walls, all armed with pistol crossbows and drugged darts. There would be no escape for her for the foreseeable future.
They made directly for the men's suite, aware that everyone was going to be waiting for them there. The Amazon guard that secured the wing of the palace occupied by the queens and their male companions, bowed their heads in salute as Ephiny passed, and wondered just what had happened to put such grim looks on the faces of everyone in the Regent's party.
The guards swung the doors open as the blonde Regent and her companions approached and they were met by a volley of strained, tense questions all about how Xena was faring. Waiting until the door had closed, Ephiny held up her hands and said forcefully, "Silence! We won't get anywhere if you all babble on like a gaggle of geese." She glared around at the suddenly quiet room, knowing that the anger that had been rising within her all afternoon and evening had suddenly boiled over.
She wiped a hand across her brow and forced herself to calm down, "Look, I'm sorry for snapping, but it's been a really bad day." She sat down on one of the chairs scattered around the room as Hercules did the same, running his fingers through his hair in an effort to ease the tension he felt.
"Wine Eph? Hercules?" offered Eponin, standing by a pitcher.
"Water for me, please," returned the demi-god morosely.
"And me, Poni. I've had enough to drink for one day," agreed the Regent.
"Alright, Ephiny," the bard said as she came to sit next to her friend, "Just how bad does Xena look."
The Regent drew a deep breath and, looking Gabrielle square in the face, she replied, "Bad." She grasped the bards hand and threw Toris a look as the dark haired man slammed his fist into the wall in frustration and anger, "Getting ourselves worked up about it, and breaking our own bodily parts," she frowned in Toris's direction, "are not going to help her. We need to stay focused on our objective, which is to get her away from Caesar."
"Tell us how she looked," demanded the blue eyed male image of the Warrior Princess.
"What Poni said earlier is true. I didn't see the full damage, but the blood that was soaking through the shirt she was wearing suggests that her back is pretty well ripped raw." Ephiny closed her eyes to screen out the infuriated looks that stole over her friends' faces. "She's pretty bruised up around the head and I suspect over most of her body. Her feet are bloody and blistered from a barefoot walk through the streets. She's picked up fresh welts over her arms, and we saw a bunch of guards beat her on the Temple steps. I'd say she takes more than one pounding every day, because she refuses to give them an inch without them forcing her to."
Taking the goblet of water from Eponin's hands she took a couple of long grateful draughts before she added, "Caesar's carrying a few wounds himself. He's got a fairly new scar down the length of his jaw, a broken arm and some heavy bruising around his throat. If I had to guess I know who I'd put my money on for having done it .. which probably explains her back, if nothing else."
Eponin handed Hercules his water and the big man tossed it back in a single long swallow, then sat moodily cradling the cup. Iolaus looked at Ephiny and then back at his friend before he spoke, catching the worried glance that the Regent threw at the son of Zeus, "Umm, Herc? You haven't said much." His eyes were drawn to the silver goblet that gave out a screech as his friend crushed it in one mighty hand, "Ah, I guess that means you're not too happy about the situation," he offered.
Light blue eyes were raised to his, "Happy is not a word I'd use to describe my feelings at this time, no," rumbled the big man. "Try livid, furious, incensed or enraged, but nothing like happy!" He squeezed the remnants of the goblet into a ball and threw it with all his might at the wall opposite him.
Iolaus flinched as he heard the metal punch a hole through the solid stone of the wall and take off for parts unknown. As he gave his friend a pensive look, he knew he couldn't remember a time when he'd ever seen him this mad before, - Not even when Deianeira and the kids were killed! - He was certain it was because this time he was on the spot, and still he couldn't do anything to help someone he loved. Moving across to Hercules's side he patted the man gently on the shoulder and gave it a squeeze, letting him know that he understood.
"Ephiny tell me exactly what happened from the time you first saw her," Gabrielle insisted softly. She needed to know the worst. She needed to know if her friend would be able to hold out until they figured out a way to snatch her from the predators jaws.
"You're the bard, Gabrielle," the Regent gave a wan smile, "but I'll do my best."
She told them about the parade, how Xena had been made to kneel before Caesar on the temple steps. The way the crowd had howled for her blood, and Xena's reaction to Caesar's speech. The beating she'd got for trying to resist and then how she'd been chained as an exhibit in the banqueting hall. The humiliation of being forced to sit through the Romans' taunts and having scraps thrown at her. The whip's stinging reminder to make sure she behaved herself in Caesar's presence when they had gone to watch Hercules fight the Ethiopian. The way she had to be half dragged from the temple when Caesar finally dismissed her.
Gabrielle sat quietly, a far away look in her eyes as she absorbed everything that Ephiny had to say. - I told her to be careful. I told her not to make them angry. I knew that stubborn pride of hers would get her into trouble. Oh, Xena! Please take care. Try to keep out of trouble until we can get out of this miserable city! -
"There is one good thing .. well maybe two," the Regent added at the end of her description, "Caesar has agreed to match Xena against Hercules in a pit fight at the new moon, which means they have to ease up on the beatings or she'll never be fit for it." She smiled encouragingly as she got a more hopeful look from the bard, "I also tried to let her know you were safe. The message was pretty oblique, I had to be careful what I said, but she may just have got the idea and, with luck, will understand what it means."
"Thank you Ephiny," the bard gave her a weak smile.
"There's not much else we can do for now. Just sit tight. You lot should keep your heads down, and the rest of us make sure our plans are damn watertight so that we can pull this off and get out of here with whole skins," she told them all.
She was just about to stand and head back to her apartments, when a commotion at the doors took her attention.
Nebula ghosted along in the shadows, keeping the figure ahead of her clearly in sight while she trailed along behind her. It had been something of a shock seeing an Amazon sneak out of Caesar's palace. The pirate very much doubted that Ephiny knew of the nocturnal visit, and would undoubtedly be interested in hearing about it.
The Amazon moved hurriedly through the streets, making a straight line back towards Pompey's palace, not looking to make any detours as she headed back for the quarters that the Amazon Guards had been assigned upon reaching Rome.
The pirate watched as her quarry slipped past the sentry with a soft word and melted back into the stillness of the silent barracks, - Ephiny's definitely got problems here, - she thought, - I wonder if she realises it? I suppose I'd better go and let her know the news. -
Having never been to Pompey's Palace before, Nebula had to pick her way around the building, and then run the gauntlet of the Roman's guards, before she was finally conducted to the wing of the building that housed the Amazon Regent and her retinue.
"Hi," she greeted the two Amazons doing sentry duty on the door, "If Ephiny's in there, I need to see her."
The two women cast glances at each other and then firmly crossed their spears in front of Nebula, "Sorry, we've got orders to let no one in."
"Hey look!" she told them sternly, "You know who I am, if it wasn't for me none of you featherheads would have got here, so just be good girls and get the damn door open so I can talk to Ephiny."
"Listen, we already told you that no goes in there without permission," snarled the taller of the two guards, "And that means no one, including you!"
Nebula gave her a long hard glare before speaking to the Amazon as she would to a rather slow child, "If I need permission, open the door, put your head in and ask for it. Or if you'd rather, I can arrange for you head to go through that door without opening it first! ... Your choice."
She saw temper flare in the guards eyes, and was aware that the other Amazons standing sentry along the corridor were turning their heads to see what the problem was. Nebula hoped that someone from inside would come and investigate the noise, before she was forced to get rough.
"Now look here, pirate!" snarled the angry Amazon, "Just who do you think you're threa...."
The door to the apartment flew open with a sudden bang, and a very unamused Eponin stormed through it, radiating authoritative ire in all directions, "What in the name of Hades is all the yelling about!" she demanded in a tone just short of a roar that gained everyone's immediate attention as she glared up and down the corridor. Amazon heads snapped back to look directly in front of themselves, not wanting to attract the weapon master's attention.
"This .. pirate doesn't understand the words 'no' and 'permission'," returned the tall guard who was still smarting under Nebula's threat to throw her through the door.
"Since when did you learn to understand them, Berra?" growled the weapons master testily. She waved a hand at the woman as her back stiffened in defence, "Alright, alright, you were just doing as ordered, but next time just ask if we want to see the visitor, don't start a major brawl in the corridor, we'll have the Romans thinking we're more barbaric than they already do."
Turning on her heel, Eponin headed back into the room before realising that Nebula wasn't following, "Well? Are you coming?" she demanded brusquely.
"Just waiting for an invitation," grinned the pirate, "wouldn't want anyone to think I was gate crashing," she added levelling a glare at Berra and getting one back in return.
Nebula followed Poni into the big room that seemed somehow to be almost crowded by the amount of people there. The pirate looked round with interest picking out the familiar faces of Hercules and Iolaus, whom she treated to a long, lascivious, grin. She, of course, knew Ephiny and Eponin and so presumed the third woman had to be Gabrielle, bard and Amazon Queen.
At first glance she thought that there must have been some mistake. The small honey blonde looked anything but Amazon material her whole demeanor seemed gentle and non-threatening and, after spending quite some time in Amazon company, Nebula knew that that was far from normal. However, when she looked up, and misty green eyes caught the pirate's gaze, the tall dark woman reconsidered her evaluation. There was a quiet strength to Gabrielle, nothing showy, just a confident air and a steady competence that asserted itself. A second glance also told the sailor that the bard was far from being a weakling. The muscular frame wasn't obvious. but anyone looking could see the sleek ripple of strength and an unconscious sense of co-ordination that spoke volumes.
- Well, - mused Nebula, - Amazon Queen, bard and warrior. A woman of hidden talents and depths. Wonder what she's like on a ship? -
In the instant it had taken to recognise and evaluate Gabrielle, the door had been swung shut behind them and three more men moved into sight. From the descriptions that Eponin had given her, she recognised Autolycus and Joxer before turning her head and meeting a familiar blue eyed appraisal. Familiar, because she'd encountered it's twin only a candlemark previously outside the Temple of Jupiter, - Xena's brother, Toris, obviously, - she identified, - Well the looks obviously run true in that family. -
Ephiny drew everyone's attention, "This is Nebula," she introduced, "She's the captain of the ship that brought us here and she'll be taking us back to Greece once we've managed to rescue Xena." She then proceeded to acquaint the pirate with everyone formally.
After making a few noises in the direction of social smalltalk, Ephiny asked the question everyone wanted to hear the answer too, "Did they take her to Caesar's palace?"
"They surely did, and they had a whole maniple to guard her. I thought those soldier boys were hanging around to escort Caesar home. You can imagine my surprise when they formed up around her and marched her off," the sea woman told them, "Look, is there any chance of getting something to eat and drink here, I've been stood around on streets since just past midday and I'm both famished and parched." she grumbled.
Iolaus grinned and threw her an apple, "Chew on that while I pour you some wine," he told her.
She snagged the apple with graceful ease, grinned and said, "Thanks Curly," before she took a large bite from it chewing thoughtfully. Swallowing, she looked up and told them, "You know, thinking about it, I shouldn't have been surprised at the amount of guards she's got. While I was hanging around waiting for the parade to start, I overheard some of the sailors off the trireme gossiping, and they reckoned that in the time Caesar's had her she's been responsible for the death or hospitalisation of close on twenty men .. and that's with all the chains and injuries she's been carrying around with her. Those legionaries in that unit are the handpicked elite from Rome's legions and they're all pretty scared of her."
"Xena, is not someone you mess with lightly," Gabrielle told her. "Caesar knows that, which is why he's gone to such lengths to take and hold her."
Ephiny allowed the pirate to finish her apple and take a long draught of the wine that Iolaus handed her, before asking the woman to fill them in on what had happened on the march through the city, knowing that everyone in the room felt the need to know what their friend was suffering through.
"The march was bad for her. She's carrying around a lot of pain and wounds and her strength looked like it was flagging. It was only the sedate pace that allowed her to keep going .. it probably didn't help her having to walk in bare feet. To be honest, I'm surprised that she made it to the temple steps without being dragged half the way. She took a couple of heavy falls, but those guards got her too her feet before she could be dragged too far." She took another mouthful of wine and allowed it to trickle down her throat.
"Ephiny's most likely filled you in on the scene at the temple, and what went on inside. When they came out they just marched her off to Caesar's place. She was being supported by two of the soldiers, but she was alert ... I was well hidden in the shadows, but she spotted me. I think she knew I was a friend. What I want to know is how she managed to do that. None of those Romans had any idea I was there."
Half a dozen voices said at once, "She has many skills," then laughed weakly about it.
"Thank you, Nebula," the bard said when the recitation finished.
"Just make certain you get her out. I don't like the Romans. I don't like Caesar, but I would like to meet her," the pirate grinned.
"I'm sure she'll want to meet you too," Gabrielle grinned in return.
With everyone talking quietly, the sailor stood and took Ephiny by the elbow, "I need a quiet word with you." The Regent arched an eyebrow at her, inviting her to continue.
"I think you've got a breach in security and some traitors in your ranks. I just followed an Amazon back here, and I picked up her trail as she was coming out of Caesar's side gate."
The door closed behind the four women as they entered Ephiny's apartments. Besides the Regent and the pirate, the Queen and the Weapons Master were also there. Ephiny motioned them all to take a seat and then turned to Nebula and asked firmly, "Tell Eponin and Gabrielle what you've just told me, and then give us all the details that you've got."
Taking a breath, Nebula explained once more the situation as she saw it, "After I followed the guards to Caesar's palace, I was just about to drag anchors and head up here to give Ephiny a report, when I saw an Amazon slip out of the side gate of the building."
She noted the intense looks that sprang instantly into all the women's eyes, "I know you are hardly going to be friendly with Caesar, and the fact that that particular Amazon came out of a side entrance, kind of made me think that something might be going on that you didn't know about. So I decided that I'd better follow whoever it was wherever they were headed for next. As it turned out, she came straight back here, passed a word to the guard at the barracks and slipped back inside."
"Did you see who it was?" questioned Eponin sharply.
"Who? The woman I tailed or the guard?" responded the pirate.
"Both," Ephiny answered curtly.
"Well, I'm fairly certain that the one I tailed was that chunky, pug nosed, girl .. Jery? something like that anyway," Nebula told them.
"Jerushan!" breathed Eponin explosively her muscles tense, anger clear in her voice. The pirate saw the Regent touch her friend's shoulder lightly drawing her attention. The was a faint shake of the pale curls and the weapons master allowed herself to relax .. a little.
"What about the guard?" pressed Ephiny.
"That was Essaine. I recognised her because she was pretty good up top on the yards," filled in the sea woman.
"Ephiny?" questioned the bard in confusion, "What's going on here?"
The Regent gave her Queen a worried look. She had more than enough to worry about without the problem of domestic Amazon squabbles added to it. The only thing was that with Jerushan dropping in to visit Caesar, it looked like the domestic problems were about to get more complicated.
"Ephiny?" repeated Gabrielle, concern evident in her voice and eyes.
"When I," she threw a look at Eponin, "we decided to come after you and Xena, we decided that it wouldn't be wise to leave Solari with the problem of keeping an eye on some of the more vigourous dissidents .. so we brought the leaders with us."
"Tarelle," stated the bard flatly.
"Yes. Her and seven of her playmates. We thought that bringing them with us and keeping a close watch on them would keep them out of trouble," explained the Regent, "Eponin, Solari and Malonda hand-picked the rest of the sisters to make up the guard so that we could be certain that we'd be able to keep a close eye on Tarelle and her clique."
"Then how did Jerushan get out of the barracks and why was Essaine on guard duty?" demanded the small, green eyed, woman.
"Because neither Jerushan, nor Essaine are part of Tarelle's seven." Eponin butted in.
"I guess we have a real problem here guys," interjected Nebula, "because unless you can sort out just who to trust in your group, Caesar's going to know everything we've got planned and the outcome of that ain't going to be pretty."
Joxer gave him a cheesy grin and answered, "Well I didn't actually say I've never played before. I just asked you to explain the rules," he chuckled. "Actually I'm pretty lucky at dice games. In fact I've been called 'Mr Lucky' before." He laughed as he crossed his legs.
"Well, I suppose you have to be lucky at something," the thief continued to grumble, having the feeling that he'd just been suckered.
"Just pay him the money, Autolycus," smirked Iolaus, rather pleased that the wannabe warrior was able to get one over on the thief. "And pass me the dice, I'm gonna make the numbers tumble."
"Listen, shorty," began the King of Thieves testily, "I've just about had it up to here," he gestured over Iolaus' head, "with you."
"You wanna make something of it," growled the blonde man as he stood and loomed over the thief. They'd been stuck together for many days, and these two men had a short tolerance of each other.
Autolycus jumped up too, and leaned over to look down at the far shorter man, "And if I did, what do you think you could do about it?"
Bunching a fist in a threatening manner, Iolaus took a step towards the other man as Toris scooped the dice out of the way, "I'm sure that I can think of something," snarled the blonde.
Autolycus stepped back and held up his hands placatingly, "Now let's not be hasty. You don't want to start something that I might not be able to finish."
"Aw, c'mon guys," Joxer tried to calm things down, "Let's get back to the game."
Both looked down at him and said in perfect unison, "Shut up, Joxer!" before turning back and glaring at each other.
"Hey!" barked a voice from the other side of the room. All eyes turned to see Hercules regarding them sternly, "I'm trying to read here," he said gesturing with the scroll in his hands. "Play nice."
Under the demi-god's scrutiny, the two antagonists glared at each other for a heartbeat more, before Iolaus grumbled, "You're bacon just got saved, pal," as he reseated himself on the floor and caught the dice that Toris passed to him with a grin.
"Anytime you want to try, Curly," muttered Autolycus as he took his place in the circle too.
"Oh, Autolycus," called the big man, his eyes back on the scroll that Gabrielle had lent him.
"Yeah?" returned the thief.
"Don't forget to pay Joxer the money you owe him," instructed Hercules.
Grumbling under his breath, Autolycus dug through his various pockets and hidden pouches to dig out the three dinars that he owed Joxer. He handed them to the grinning man, who happily took them and pocketed them with a cheerful, "Thanks."
Settling back down to the game, bets were made on the next round of throws and order appeared to be restored once again as the four men egged each other on cheering and groaning as luck either brushed them or passed them by.
Hercules kept a surreptitious eye on the group, particularly watching Toris. Since he had met the man, the demi-god had been struck by just how much he and his sister were truly alike. He'd heard, from Iolaus, all about the raven haired man's suspect temper and hot headed actions, which he suspected were not so unlike Xena's before she learned to channel her rage and focus on an objective. To add to this he was sparing with his conversation almost to the point of reticence, a characteristic that was matched by Xena's own absence of social chatter. Then of course they were very physically alike. Tall, hair as black as a raven's wing, piercing blue eyes and strong, muscular bodies. Hercules judged that Toris had the edge on his sister in height and carried a few more pounds, but Xena's strength far surpassed her sibling's and was not greatly less than his own.
Of course, the Warrior Princess was a lethal weapon in her own right as well as with the tools of the bloody trade she once followed. The son of Zeus had never seen a warrior who approached her total fighting capabilities. Her competitive nature and relentless drive made her the best at what she did.
Iolaus had told him that Toris was good with a blade and pretty handy in a brawl, but he had none of Xena's phenomenal ability and power, and Hercules doubted that he had the gift that allowed the woman to heal far faster than any mortal had a right to. That, more than any other characteristic that she possessed, had caused him to speculate about her, because the only other person, he was aware of, with that particular anility, was himself.
He shook his head and turned back to concentrate on his reading, allowing the chattering from the game to wash over him as he followed the story of Caesar's pursuit and capture of the bard and the Warrior Princess. Gabrielle had written it out to alleviate her boredom, and Hercules had asked if he could read it to try and gain a better understanding of the entire situation.
It was at this point that Ephiny, Eponin, Gabrielle and Nebula re-entered the men's suite of rooms. Hercules looked up, somewhat surprised to see them return so quickly, and instantly noted the glum frowns that the women exhibited. Something had happened, and it obviously wasn't good news.
He saw Eponin stop just inside the door, barring entry to anyone, and making certain that no-one could crack the door to eavesdrop. It would take someone with extremely acute hearing to be able to glean anything through the thickness of the heavy oak doors themselves.
Nebula gravitated over towards where the men had looked up from their dice game to see what was going on. When she reached Iolaus, she ruffled his hair and grinned as she greeted him, "Hi, curly."
"Quit that!" he snapped, the rosy hue of a blush showing evidence around his neck. He looked up and saw Gabrielle watching and the flush ran rampant up to the roots of his hair.
"Aw," chuckled Autolycus, "Isn't that sweet."
"Look, I've had just about enough of you and your comments!" flared the blonde man, making a lunge away from the close proximity of the pirate and towards the throat of the thief.
"If you gentlemen have quite finished playing," Ephiny cut in coldly, "I think you should know that we have a problem that we need to sort out."
That brought everyone up short and captured their attention, except for Iolaus who suddenly found himself in close proximity to Nebula once more as she draped an arm across his shoulders and squeezed him close, "Decided that you're ready to do the bondage thing that you promised me?" she asked in a stage whisper that had him blushing crimson once again.
"Well," commented Autolycus speculatively, "Well, well, well. Didn't know that you went in for that kind of thing, short stuff."
"I don't," growled the short man huffily as he extracted himself with difficulty from Nebula's grip and hurried over to stand at Gabrielle's side, only to get a somewhat frosty stare from the bard.
"She's just teasing," he shrugged as everyone turned their eyes on him once more, "Honest."
"I'm certain that you don't owe us an explanation," the Amazon Queen stated frigidly, "Whatever you do with Nebula is your own affair, I'm sure."
"Gabrielle ..." Iolaus tried before giving it up not knowing what to say to the young woman who had stolen his heart three years previously.
"Iolaus, let's hear what the ladies have to say, shall we?" put in the demi-god, as much to rescue his floundering friend as anything else. Iolaus shot him a grateful look. "Uh .. sure, Herc," mumbled the blonde man.
"Ephiny?" questioned Hercules politely, standing up and offering the couch to Queen and her Regent.
The two women sat down and gestured for the rest of the people in the room, with the exception of Eponin, to gather around them so that voices would not be required to be raised. The men all moved across and seated themselves on the floor in a kind of semi-circle, with Iolaus keeping a wary eye on Nebula until she went and stood behind the two Amazon Queens.
Taking a deep breath, the Regent started with, "This is a little difficult to explain. It's a domestic Amazon issue that I hoped we had under control, only now it seems we don't and it's threatening to undermine everything that we're doing here."
"Forgive me, Queen Ephiny," put in Toris, "but that's a little obscure, you know. How can domestic issues for Amazon's affect my sister's rescue?"
The Regent turned her eyes to the tall man and wondered, once again, how he could look so much like his sister, "You can drop the Queen part, Toris," she said, not unkindly. "I hope we're all friends here and titles are really only for formal occasions."
Toris smiled back at her lighting up his normally brooding face as his wonderfully blue eyes sparkled, "As you wish, Ephiny. But why should Amazon issues interfere with what we're trying to do?"
Her smile vanished to be replaced by a small frown as the Regent sought for the best words to explain the problem that had suddenly reared it's ugly head once again. Sighing, she started to explain, "What you all need to understand is that Xena, through her ties to Gabrielle, is very much bound up in Amazon disputes. There is a loud minority within the Nation that resents Gabrielle's right to rule as Queen. They consider her to be an outsider, who is rarely present within the lands, and believe that she has no idea about, or concern over, traditional Amazon heritage. They are convinced that the only way to restore the Nation to former glory is by deposing Gabrielle and replacing her with a more fundamentalist ruler."
"Excuse me," interrupted Joxer, "but if Gabrielle were to be deposed, wouldn't you become the next Amazon Queen?"
The bard rolled her eyes, and retorted sharply, "No Joxer, it doesn't work like that."
Ephiny laid a hand on Gabrielle's arm to calm her, before she tried to clear things up, "I'm Regent for Gabrielle," she told him stressing the word 'for'. "The Amazon's accept me in that role, but they would probably not accept me as Queen in my own right. I was married to a centaur and my son is a centaur prince. Those are two black marks against me. On top of that, if Gabrielle was deposed, I'd be seen as a threat because of my support for her."
Seeing some blank looks on faces, Gabrielle was about to try and explain, when Autolycus stepped in, "All right. From what you've said so far, there's a bunch of Amazons who don't like you and Gabrielle. How does that effect Xena?"
Gabrielle gave him a grateful look and took up the next part of the explanation. "The only way that I can be deposed is if a challenge for leadership is issued. That means a fight to the death," she spoke up quickly as she saw Joxer about to speak. "In that situation, the challenger fights the Queen or her elected champion ..."
"Xena," put in Toris his voice filled with certainty.
"Xena," confirmed the bard as she continued, "so naturally enough it's in the interests of the dissidents to make sure that Xena cannot accept a challenge on my behalf .. after all, who's going to be mad enough to go up against the Warrior Princess in a one on one?"
"I am," Hercules groaned trying to lighten the brooding atmosphere a little, and was rewarded with a few chuckles.
"That's different and you know it," grinned Gabrielle impishly. "She won't hurt you ... much!"
"Tell me that when you're tending the wounds I'm bound to get from it," he smiled back at her, making her laugh.
"You'll get over it," she told him unsympathetically. "You heal as fast as she does."
"Fine," Toris tried to turn the conversation back to the matters in hand, "So some Amazon's don't want to see Xena free. How is that affecting the situation here?"
Ephiny took over the story once again, "When the beginning of all this trouble blew up, Xena brought Gabrielle back to Themiscyra to try to keep her safe. The trouble was that there were outstanding charges, against Xena, before the Council of Elders." She saw the look of recognition in Joxer's eyes and she'd already told Hercules about it, but there was a look of outrage on Toris' face and his concern was mirrored by both Iolaus and Autolycus.
"After all she's done for you!" the dark haired man exclaimed, jumping up as his temper got the better of him, "What ? Isn't saving the Amazons from extinction, not once but twice, enough?" he demanded, eluding to the narrowly averted Amazon and Centaur war and the malignant Velasca. "Doesn't saving your life and the life of your son count towards anything!" he raged. "What was it that she did that was so bad you needed to charge her with it?"
Ephiny also rose. Her body quivered with anger at the accusation in the man's tone and the knowledge that he'd found all the incidents that the Amazons found so difficult to reconcile to the sight of an out of control Warrior Princess rampaging through Themiscyra's streets in search of Gabrielle, the clear intent of murder shining in her eyes.
"What did she do?" hissed Ephiny in return, "What didn't she do! She cut down two young Amazons, seriously injured several others and broke my arm, all with the intent on murdering the Queen! What she did to me I could forgive. But the two deaths had to be accounted for!" she fumed.
"Ephiny," Gabrielle said quietly, touching her friend's arm, "Why don't you let me try to explain to Toris and the others?"
Grudgingly, the Regent deferred to the Queen, retaking her seat, although her glare never left Toris' face. - He's got that same burning look in his eyes as she has, - she noted, - but Iolaus is right, he doesn't have her control and, thank the Gods, he's not the danger that she is. -
"What is all this, Gabrielle?" Xena's brother demanded. "None of your letters ever mentioned trouble with the Amazons, and you never let us know that you and Xena were having difficulties."
The bard looked at him, waiting for him to force his hasty temper under control before motioning with her hand and saying, "Sit down Toris." As he was grudgingly complying her mind was racing furiously, - O Gods, what should I tell him? He knows nothing about Solon or Hope. I deliberately kept quiet about those things. I really didn't want to hurt either him or Cyrene. -
"Gabrielle?" he asked in a tense though quieter tone.
Glumly, she decided that he should hear an edited version of the events, "I don't want you to tell your mother what I'm going to tell you now. I don't want her hurting for something that's in the past" She waited for his reluctant nod of agreement before continuing, "Some things happened a while ago that led to other things .. you don't need to know all the horrendous details," she forestalled his question, "Suffice to say that both Xena and I did some fairly horrible things to each other. The result was that we split up nurturing a lot of hate."
She bit her lip as a tear trickled down her cheek. Brushing it away with a quick flick of her hand, and refusing to let the dam burst she continued, if a little shakily, "I went to stay with the Amazons, while Xena went off on her own. Wherever she went Ares, found her. He worked on her hatred so that the next thing that happened was that Xena came tearing through Themiscyra, looking to kill me. She removed anyone who got in her way and flattened Joxer for trying to protect me. Then she .. then ..." she bit her lip once more and found it impossible to go on.
Putting her arm around the young Queen's shoulder, Ephiny drew the shaking Gabrielle down on her shoulder and took up the story in a calm, almost detached voice, "She snared Gabrielle's ankles with a whip, mounted a horse and dragged her from town and over the countryside intending to kill her."
Iolaus looked angry, Autolycus was thoughtful while Toris had gone white, obviously seeing visions of his sister's past ascent to the position of the most feared warlord in Greece.
"When they reached the cliffs overlooking the sea on the boundary of Amazon lands, Xena intended to throw Gabrielle over the edge. There was a struggle and Gabrielle broke free, but then threw herself at Xena taking them both over the edge of the cliff." She saw the stunned looks on the men's faces, "Somehow, they both survived. According to the little I've been told the 'gods' allowed them to review their differences and work them out, and both escaped from the entire mess without any physical injuries and healing emotional ones." the Regent finished.
After some moments of shocked silence, Iolaus cleared his throat and asked, "And you still came here to try and rescue her?"
Ephiny shrugged, "She's my friend. Whatever she did, or didn't do, the Council of Elders decided that she could only be held partially responsible for her actions. They believed that Ares had much to do with the way events transpired. They sentenced her to a year's banishment from Nation lands, which was about the mildest sentence she could be given."
"Gabrielle," spoke the quietly subdued voice of Toris, "How can you still trust her after doing that to you?" his voice was filled with shame, his eyes were fastened on the floor.
"Look at me Toris," the bard commanded and waited for him to comply before trying to explain, "I trust her because she's my best friend. I trust her with my life." Keeping contact with the blue eyes of the man before her, she continued, "The question should be, 'How can she trust me?'. You see I lied to her and betrayed her, not once but twice. The first betrayal almost resulted in her execution by an old enemy, I'll never know how we escaped that or how she could forgive me for what I had done. How many people has she ever forgiven for betraying her?" she asked.
No one answered knowing full well that Xena, the warlord, had always exacted harsh retribution against anyone foolish enough to do so. Her reputation as a cold, merciless, leader had been legend and everyone in the room knew that the price of betrayal was death.
"Well she forgave me for that, but my second betrayal led to the death of someone she loved very, very much, and the grief it caused her left her easy prey for Ares . Whatever he did to her, left her mind cloudy about the entire event in Themiscyra and what she did to me. It wasn't until about halfway through the trial that I managed to get her to remember what had happened .. it almost broke her heart." Gabrielle swallowed as she remembered holding the warrior as she shook with unshed tears finally knowing what she'd done to the bard.
"She was just as much a victim as I was. The Gods were playing their vicious games and we were their pawns." She cleared her throat and finally said quietly, "Now if any of you don't want to help free her, then Ephiny and I will find a way of getting you away from Rome as quickly as possible."
Moments seemed to fly by as everyone waited for someone to speak. Finally, Hercules stepped into the breach and said gently, "I don't think anyone here wants to abandon her. We all care for her too much to do that. So why don't you just tell us what has happened to cause a problem here and now."
Ephiny ran her fingers through her blonde curls, a habit when she was worried, angry, or both, and tried to focus on the problem, "When I decided to come here, to try and find out what had happened to Gabrielle and Xena, I judged it unwise to leave the leading members of the opposition at home, so I brought them with me where I could keep them under observation and out of trouble. The rest of the honour guard was made up by warriors screened personally by Eponin, Solari and Malonda, to ensure that only those loyal to the Queen would be here."
"Let me guess," chirped Autolycus, "your rebels have managed to hatch something anyway, right?"
Ephiny gave a brief nod, "Nebula was good enough to follow Xena, after she left the Temple, this evening, just to make sure we knew where she was taken. As we had expected, she was escorted to Caesar's palace. What we hadn't expected, however, was for an Amazon to be seen leaving by a side exit of the building. Nebula followed her back here and then came and told us what she had seen."
"I thought your people were keeping an eye on your rebels," ventured Iolaus.
"They are," responded the Regent.
"So how did ... no don't tell me," groaned Autolycus as he slapped his palm to his forehead, "your screening process was not as rigorous as you thought, and now you don't know who you can trust. You've got a bunch of Amazons that not only want to see Xena out of the picture permanently, but they'd also be happy if you and Gabrielle happened to be swallowed up in the proceedings as well. Sheesh! This just gets better and better!"
"Well," the bard said quietly, "Autolycus has just about summed things up. For safety's sake, the only people that we know we can trust are here in this room. Has anyone got any suggestions about how we are going to deal with this situation?"
There was a gloomy silence before Toris asked, "Can we identify the suspect women? I mean I know you brought the leaders out here and know who they are, but what about the ones you've only just found out about?"
Ephiny gave a slight nod of her head, "Some," she verified, "Nebula recognised Jerushan and Essaine, as the messenger and the guard who allowed her out of the barracks. Now admittedly Essaine may not be one of our traitors," the word left a foul taste in her mouth, "she may have just let Jerri out thinking she was going to do some site-seeing or something, but we really can't afford to take that chance. So, as far as the situation is concerned, Essaine must be counted as being against us."
"Are there any amongst the guards that you would definitely count as being sound?" questioned Iolaus.
The Regent threw a look over her shoulder at Eponin, "Poni?" she asked.
Nebula strode across to the door, "You're gonna be more use in the discussion than me," she told the weapons master, "I'll hold the breach, you go and thrash this out with them."
Eponin gave the pirate one of her rare smiles and a short, "Thanks," before heading across to the others to apply her knowledge to the problem, "The warriors that I personally selected I'm certain are above suspicion. Each of them has expressed loyalty to both Gabrielle and Ephiny, and most have a high regard for Xena. They were the first chosen for this mission and I'd trust them with our lives."
"How many of them are there?" asked Hercules.
"Fifty-seven," answered the weapons master promptly, "The rest of the guard were vetted and selected by either Solari or Malonda."
"Who recommended Jerushan and Essaine?" asked Gabrielle, hating the idea that either of the two highly placed women could be part of a conspiracy against her.
"Solari recommended Essaine, Malonda, Jerushan," reported Eponin, "although that doesn't mean anything. They could have easily been taken in by some clever acting. We were kind of in a hurry to put together this expedition."
"Autolycus cleared his throat, "In that case how can you be so sure about those you selected?" he questioned.
"Because each of those warriors has been personally trained by me. I've known them all well for years and I know their views. Not one of them has ever expressed a word against Gabrielle," snorted Poni derisively.
"Okay," persisted the thief, "So why don't you know the others so well?"
"To mount this expedition, we had to call in warriors from the village garrisons and the border outposts. I know all of them. They have all trained under me at one time or another, but I am not close enough to them to be able to tell their sympathies. We had to make certain that Solari had a strong enough, loyal guard at home to protect against problems there, so we did our best with what we had." Explained the dour Amazon brusquely.
"Are you sure this Solari is trustworthy?" insisted Autolycus.
Gabrielle held up a hand to halt the heated responses that she could tell were about to erupt from both Eponin and Ephiny, "If I were to doubt Solari's loyalty, I might as well doubt yours, or Iolaus', or even Xena's," she told him calmly. "Solari has stood by me and Ephiny from the moment I became Queen and had to face Velasca. It was through her 'good offices' that you were able to get us out of that cell in time to get to the ambrosia."
Recognition flashed in the thief's eyes, "She was the one who ..?" he held his hands to the sides of his chest and mimed the squeezing together of the woman's breasts as he remembered extracting the metal pin from her leather top to use as a lock pick. "That was her?" he asked.
Gabrielle nodded in confirmation, "So you see, Solari is beyond reproach."
"Mmmm," he considered, "Well what about Malonda, then?" He thought about the black haired Amazon who acted as Eponin's second.
"Loni's been with the Royal Guard for about six moons. She's a very talented Warrior and has risen quickly in the ranks to hold the position she does. She's never given us any cause to mistrust her," Ephiny answered.
"Great!" snapped Toris, "So we're back to trying to figure out just who we can trust in the guards, then, aren't we."
"If we'd got Xena here she could use her pinch to interrogate this Jerushan," muttered Joxer.
"Well Xena's not here," winced Gabrielle as the thought of where her best friend was impacted once more on her mind, "and we can't afford to alert our enemies that we're onto them. The question is what should we do?"
Silence reined in the room for many heartbeats before Hercules ventured a solution. To be sure it wasn't an ideal solution, but it was the best that could be come up with at the time, "I think that perhaps that Eponin should spend some time in the barracks and check out just who is particularly friendly with Essaine and Jerushan and see who, if anyone speaks to Tarelle and her people. Once we know who is working with whom, we can take steps to confine them."
"The question is, though, where?" puzzled Iolaus, "I mean we don't want half of Rome knowing that we have problems, so we can hardly get Pompey to lock them up or something."
"My ship," Nebula spoke from the door, "Use that. We can make it look as if they're a work detail to keep the ship in order."
"That might just work," agreed Autolycus, "but I suggest that we question Jerushan to try and find out what message she delivered to Caesar. We need to know just what they are attempting here."
"Who's going to question her? If she is a member of Tarelle's fanatic group, she's not going to be very willing to speak to us," frowned Ephiny.
"Why not let me and Iolaus have a go at asking her some questions," offered Toris, "We had some success with one of Caesar's soldiers a while back and, as Xena's brother, her reputation might carry some weight in your Amazon's thinking."
"Toris, I don't believe in torture," warned the bard with a touch of authority in her voice.
"Don't worry Gabrielle," the raven haired man assured, "she might have a hangover tomorrow, but that's about all."
"Very well then," agreed the young Queen, "I think we have a plan of action. Eponin, go and see what you can find out, and have Jerushan sent up to Ephiny's suite. Try to make it look like she was picked for a random task, perhaps get one of your trusted warriors to come with her so it doesn't look too suspicious. Oh and Ep," added Gabrielle as the Weapons master headed for the door. When the Amazon turned back to look she warned, "Say nothing about any of this to anyone .. including Malonda, okay?"
"My Queen," agreed Eponin formally, as she turned and left on her assignment.
No one took any notice when Autolycus excused himself and headed for the bathroom, all of them were concerned with ironing out any kinks and wrinkles that they could see in the hastily assembled plan.
Making his way to the large window, the King of Thieves, moved with confident purpose, having already studied every detail of the possible exits from the suite days previously. With practised skill, he stepped out onto the little sun balcony, slipped a small grapnel from his sleeve and swung it expertly by the strong thin cord, building momentum until he released it to catch over a hanging branch of a nearby tree. Without a sound, he swung himself away from the palace and down to the ground where he used the natural cover of shadows to proceed in hidden stealth. - Good job I persuaded Eponin to pick me up some basic equipment! - was his parting thought.