Champion of Rome
Awakenings, 32
Ms. Hunter Ash
ripperbard7@yahoo.com
*Disclaimers
Ownership: Repeat after me: I don’t own Xena, Gabrielle, etc. I’m borrowing them for entertainment purposes, please don’t bother to sue me, you wouldn’t even get court costs.
Violence:
Subtext/Alt Fiction/Sex: the story assumes a loving and sexual relationship between people of the same gender and of the opposite sex.
Feedback: always welcome and responded to!
Storyline: Rome and the past once again catches up with Xena and Gabrielle and their families.
Rating: R
The story can stand on it’s own but it is part of a series and you might want to catch some of the earlier parts to know exactly who is whom.
# # # #
Asher sighed heavily as he pulled the thin blanket over his body. He had barely managed to get undressed from his double shift of guard duty at the Senate and he was exhausted. Everyone had been working double duty because of Octavian's illness and the potential political upheaval that his death would soon bring.
He glanced over and saw Virgil working on some scrolls near an oil lamp and absently wondered if it was Roman Legion business or his own writings. Asher smiled, his adopted brother was so much like Asher's mother than Asher was at times. Then again, the young Viking smiled, he was more like his other mother, Xena, as he preferred weapons to pen.
Asher closed his eyes, trying to forget the shouting matches that typically filled the senate ever since Augustus Octavian Caesar had fallen ill in his old age. The son of Gabrielle and Xena remembered the tales of the assassinations, executions and ultimate civil war that had occurred after Julius Caesar's death and hoped the next transition of power would be easier on everyone, especially him and Virgil.
"Virgil! Asher!" a feminine voice called urgently, sitting Asher up in his cot and reaching for his gladius sword.
Virgil was on his feet and staring at the figure standing between him and his brother. "Sasha?"
"Don't worry, the others can't see or hear me," the Valkyrie daughter of Xena and Ares said hastily. "You must move quickly! I have horses waiting!"
"What is it? Mother? Mom?" Asher demanded, pulling his uniform on.
"No, you both are the ones in danger," Sasha explained as Virgil put his scrolls away. "Octavian has uncovered a plot against his life. Unfortunately, one of the bastards tortured named several Vikings in on it. Octavian has brought Lycur in to find them and any other Germanic involved.”
“By the Gods, he’ll name us in revenge!” Virgil exclaimed, turning slightly pale.
“Yes, he’s on his way. Our mothers are on their way as well. My powers and interference is limited. I could come here and warn you or transport them to Meg or Lila’s."
"Verdamnit," Virgil growled. "Hasn't his family caused enough pain to us? His father owning Mum all those years ago and forcing her to be a gladiator and now the bastard son wants our heads?"
"Yes, his year in the Arena has made him popular and a favorite of many soldiers. Lycur's moving against you and our families in revenge for his father's political fall and suicide," Sasha continued.
"What kind of move?" Asher demanded as he stuffed his few belongings and travel food into packs and saw Virgil doing the same.
"He's been given mastership over three centuries of Legionnaires, one is on the way to seek out Virgil's family and the other two are on their way here to capture you," Sasha said calmly.
"Eighty men in each century," Asher quickly calculated, "One hundred and sixty coming just for us?"
"Yes," Sasha nodded. "We must hurry to reach Meg."
"Can't you just take us there, why aren’t they going after Lila as well?" Virgil whimpered, the thought of his mother and sister Rachel in the hands of Legionnaires terrified him.
"They are, after Meg. She’s closer and, no, the Norns forbid it," Sasha shook her head. "Hurry! Word of Hermann's defeat over the Romans in Gaul will reach Rome soon and all Germans and Vikings will be sorely pressed to survive the week."
"Arminius turned against the Romans?" Virgil asked, stopping and looking at his sister in disbelief.
Hermann, a powerful chieftain of a tribe of Gauls, had been raised and trained by the Romans, much as Asher and Virgil in the south. Arminius, his Roman name, was well liked by the Roman Generals and was thought of as a loyal Roman subject.
"The killing took four days and the Romans were wiped out to a man and horse," Sasha nodded.
"Oh by the Gods," Virgil exclaimed. "Rome will go insane! Legionnaires massacred by Gauls?"
"Yes, and Lycur will use that against you," Sasha finished.
Asher grabbed Virgil's packs and handed his brother their weapons. "What about Mum's family?"
"Meg is closer, we'll go to Lila next," Sasha explained as they dashed out of the barracks towards the horses waiting for them. It did help to have a powerful demi-goddess for a sister, Asher reflected. Attempting to desert their post as Legionnaires would earn both Asher and Virgil death by flogging or crucifixion even if Lycur wasn't out to kill them.
"Do we wear our uniforms or our civilian clothing?" Virgil asked as they rode into the night.
"Uniforms for now, no one will stop Legionnaires once word spreads Octavian is dead," Asher decided. "Ride, Virgil!"
* * *
Virgil screamed and threw himself from his horse when they approached the village where Meg and daughter Rachel lived. The Viking saw the t-shaped crosses and the bodies. Asher whimpered deep in his throat, realizing two of those were his foster mother and sister.
Sasha reached over and took the reins from Asher and walked their horses closer. Virgil was on his knees in front of the two crosses that greeted the first visitors to the village from the north.
Asher and Virgil had seen crucifixions before and had always been sickened, it was only through willpower that they had managed not to disgrace themselves in front of the Romans by throwing up.
Death by crucifixion was one of the most unpleasant ways to die imaginable in the minds of the Vikings/Greeks, especially taken with the added knowledge that their own mother, Gabrielle had been crucified twice. Once by Caesar and once by Bacchus and had managed to survive only with the help of the gods.
Meg and Rachel hadn't gained the favor of being born from deities and Sasha knew instantly that they were dead as she and Asher approached.
The sign leaning against their feet read "Family of Traitors" in Latin, Greek and Germanic.
"Come on, Virg," Asher said softly as he dismounted. "Let's get them down and put them with Joxer. Sasha, can you get word to Mum and Mom?"
"Yes, get to Mum's family and we'll meet you at Lila’s," Sasha said, turning her horse and riding back towards the woods where her Valkyrie powers wouldn't be seen.
"I'll kill him, Ash," Virgil said softly. "I will kill him, no matter what it takes!"
"I know, Virg," Asher sighed softly as he looked at most of the citizens of the village hanging from crosses; their only crime was probably living next to Meg and Rachel.
* * *
Xena pulled up her horse with a startled look, Hercules and Gabrielle a moment behind her.
The warriors blinked at the sight of a large group moving down the road towards them. Lila and her grown children and grandchildren in the leading wagon.
“Lila?” Gabrielle said softly and was off her horse in a flash and dashing to the wagon.
Lila jumped down from the wagon and the sisters embraced tightly. Gabrielle pulled back slightly, looking her sister over for injuries. “What happened?”
“Virgil and Asher came tearing into town and said a Legion was heading towards the village and told us to get out,” Lila explained, gesturing towards the villagers behind her. “They said we needed to run or we’d all be massacred like Meg and her village.”
“Meg?” Xena said softly. “The entire village?”
“That’s what Asher said. Virgil was almost hysterical with rage,” Lila nodded.
“Oh Gods,” Gabrielle whispered, clinging to her sister.
“Where are the kids?” Hercules asked anxiously, searching the end of the group for the warriors.
“They, uh, stayed behind to slow the Romans down,” Lila said slowly. “Some of the villagers reinforced the city defenses and caught up with us.”
“Do I escort them to Amazon lands or stay with you and fight?” Hercules asked with a frown.
“We can make it to the woods before nightfall,” Lila said firmly.
“Start leading them to Amazon territory,” Gabrielle said firmly. “Xena and I can handle a troop of Romans.”
Xena’s smile wasn’t pleasant as she nodded.
“Stay with Herc,” Gabrielle instructed her sister. “We’ll catch up with you.”
“Gabrielle, no!” Lila cried, trying to hold onto her sister. “The Romans will kill you both. Leave with us! Haven’t you fought long enough?”
“Yes, we have,” Gabrielle nodded. “It’s also our sons back there.”
The warrior bard vaulted onto her horse, following Xena as the warrior yelled, setting her horse into a dash.
# # #
Xena pulled her horse up to a stop on the road with a snarl. The village was on fire, the barricades breeched and set ablaze, the gates hanging broken.
A handful of villagers had stayed behind to help Asher and Virgil and now they were hanging from Roman T-crosses. At the far end, the first one crucified, was Virgil. The Romans had apparently been setting the crosses up for most of the day. The soldiers had stripped off their cloaks and armor and were now down to their tunics, sweating in the noonday sun.
Gabrielle growled as the next cross was raised and the victim was Asher.
Xena pulled her chakram up and shouted in anger, her famous battle cry, as her horse leaped forward. Gabrielle followed, a sai in one hand. She grabbed up a spear from a dead villager’s chest in the other.
The Romans looked up with startled expressions. Most of them were milling about the area and quickly pulled out their swords or dashed for their tripod stacks of spears. The ones handling the digging and posting of the crosses ran to grab their armor and weapons.
Xena hit the troops full on with her horse in a full gallop, leaning down to slice a soldier down the back and another across the back of the neck.
Gabrielle blocked a spear thrust and stabbed the soldier through the chest with her own spear, losing the spear. She pulled her second sai as she kicked a soldier grabbing for her reins.
Xena spun her horse around and kicked him into action, bearing down on the soldiers trying to overwhelm Gabrielle. She saw her wife dive off the horse, sais and feet flying.
The dark-haired Greek launched her chakram and pulled her sword. The chakram sliced through the back armor of two soldiers and bounced off the helmet of another, splitting it and dropping him.
Gabrielle snapped her hand up with the pointed end of the sai, hitting a soldier in the throat, under the chin. She back-kicked another in the nose and blocked a Gladius sword with her other sai.
Xena launched herself off her horse with a recognizable Warrior Princess battle cry, landing beside her mate. They turned back-to-back and grinned.
The handful of Roman soldiers began to slowly back away.
“Go on! Get out of here!” Xena growled, almost disappointed the fight was over so quickly. She could feel Gabrielle trembling with anger behind her.
The soldiers began to reform and look to each other for guidance.
“I’m Xena and this is Gabrielle in case you didn’t figure that out,” Xena growled. “And we definitely live up to our legends. Do you really want to try this?”
The soldiers began grabbing their wounded comrades and backing towards the road.
A horse rounded the corner of the stonewall and both Greeks growled when they recognized Lycur.
Xena looked up at Asher and Virgil and screamed, launching her dreaded chakram at the Roman officer.
Lycur snarled back at the warriors and brought up a shield at the last moment, deflecting the chakram and splitting the shield.
Xena caught the chakram with a stunned expression as the Roman officer turned, taking his horse out of sight and galloping away.
“X-Xena?” Gabrielle asked softly. “Has anyone except Callisto ever done that?”
“No,” Xena shook her head and growled as the soldiers began running. “To Hades with him, get to the kids and villagers!”
# # #
Xena walked up behind Gabrielle and placed a hand on her mate’s shoulder. “How is he?” she asked softly.
Gabrielle shook her head as she held up a cloth to catch the blood as Virgil coughed. The young man was sitting up in bed to ease the pressure on his lungs. Bandages were wrapped around his wrists and ankles after the 7-inch Roman spikes had been removed.
“How many dead?” the bard asked softly.
“The last three, including Asher live,” Xena answered. “The other four are dead.”
“Virgil will join them,” Gabrielle said softly.
“We can’t do anything?” Xena whispered, her voice cracking.
“He’s too injured,” Gabrielle shook her head. “The flogging before the crucifixion weakened him and he was one of the first ones. The fluid has built up in his lungs. I’m using enough healing energy to keep him alive but I can’t heal him without giving everything.”
“That’s not an option,” Xena growled. “We still have Sasha and Asher.”
“I know. You’d better bring Asher in,” Gabrielle nodded wearily.
A few minutes later Xena and a farmhand carried in Asher on a litter.
“Where’d he come from?” Gabrielle asked softly, sponging Virgil’s forehead.
“He was on a farm outside the walls, he saw the smoke and came in,” Xena explained.
“Mom?” Asher asked softly, his face twisting in pain as he looked at Virgil.
“You need to say goodbye, Ash,” Xena said gently.
“No! Not yet! Not him!” Asher hissed, trying not to yell and disturb his brother.
“Asher, it’s time,” Gabrielle said firmly. “Let him go.”
Asher nodded, biting back tears. He let Xena help him sit up.
“Virgil, can you open your eyes? Asher’s here,” Gabrielle said softly as he gasped for breath.
Virgil struggled to open his eyes and tried to smile as he coughed.
“Don’t try to talk, Virg,” Asher said firmly but his voice cracking with emotion.
Virgil nodded as tears escaped his eyes.
“Let go, Virg,” Asher urged, reaching to hold his brother’s hand.
Gabrielle felt tears streaming down her face and could feel the pain radiating from Asher and Xena as well.
“We love you, Virgil,” Xena said softly, kissing the top of his head. “We’ll always love you and see you on the other side.”
“You’re our son, Virgil,” Gabrielle said gently. “Meg and your sister are waiting.”
“I love you, Virg,” Asher added, leaning his head on Virgil’s arm.
Virgil closed his eyes and began coughing, spitting up blood and phlegm.
Xena helped sit him up and sat behind him, pulling the young man into her arms. She began stroking his temples, trying to calm him. After a few moments she increased the pressure slightly until Virgil slumped in her arms.
“M-mom?” Asher asked, almost in a whisper.
“He’s gone, Ash,” she answered and helped Gabrielle move Virgil to lie on the bed before moving to hold their son as he wept.
# # #
Gabrielle stood by the funeral pyre of Virgil and the villagers, holding their foster son’s hand.
“We have to go, Gabrielle,” Xena said softly, holding the torch ready.
“I know, Lycur will return with more troops by daylight,” the warrior bard nodded and stepped back, walking towards the wagon that held the remaining villagers and Asher. She heard the fire blaze into action but didn’t turn back.
She heard Asher beginning to cry again as she mounted the wagon and clicked the horses into movement.
Xena rode up and took the lead, her face stern and unemotional but Gabrielle knew inside her wife was seething with anger and grief.
# # #
Moving steadily, the small group caught up with the rest of the villagers two candle-marks before dawn.
Lila quickly took over the care of Asher and the other three survivors as Xena explained to Hercules.
The large demi-god shook his head and stormed off into the woods upon hearing the news about his foster nephew.
Gabrielle curled up in Xena’s arms against a tree as the villagers grabbed some sleep and Lila worked with the survivors of the crucifixion.
“He’ll come after us, won’t he?” Gabrielle said softly.
“More than likely, yes,” Xena nodded. “We’ll move Lila and the others as fast as we can, get them out of Roman territory. Then we’ll go home.”
“You’re not going tie me up and disappear in the night again, are you?” Gabrielle smiled ruefully.
“No,” Xena smiled gently. “As much as I want revenge, I want Asher and Lila safe and to leave Rome behind.”
“No more cycle of revenge?” Gabrielle asked gratefully.
“No, we’re leaving it,” Xena nodded. “I’m tired of the death too.”
“Let’s go home and never see Rome again,” Gabrielle mumbled, closing her eyes.
# # #
For three days the group pushed as fast as farm horses and oxen would take them. Everyone was tired and disheartened but kept moving forward, trusting in the Warrior Princess and Warrior Bard to get them through.
One more of the four survivors of the crucifixion died on the second night, his fiancée was pulled sobbing from his grave by her father.
Asher continued to improve slowly and Xena thought he might eventually recover use of his hands and feet with some of her special healing knowledge from the Far East. What wasn’t healed was his heart. He and Virgil had grown up as brothers, inseparable from their toddler years.
Xena sharpened her sword as she watched Gabrielle trying to comfort their son. The warrior tried to focus her thoughts on Asher’s recovery and getting everyone safe rather than her almost overwhelming desire for revenge. Gabrielle and the others needed her thinking clearly, not the battle crazed warlord she had once been.
By the end of the fifth day, everyone was exhausted and barely aware of their surroundings. Gabrielle moved to the front of the caravan as they approached Amazon lands and Xena moved to the rear. The Amazons would recognize either woman quickly but they’d respond faster to their absent Queen.
Gabrielle stopped, holding up her hand to stop the wagons. She cocked her head, listening and watching after spotting the subtle signs on the trees marking Amazon boundaries.
A whistle sounded in the trees and Gabrielle raised her arms above her head, crossed at her wrists.
Several Black Forest Amazons stepped out from behind the trees and one slid down a rope from a tree.
“Heilsa, Hallvor!” Gabrielle called with a small smile.
Hallvor bowed slightly at the waist and raised a hand in greeting. The other Amazons followed suit. Unlike the Southern Amazons who would go to a bended knee to their Queen, the Black Forest Amazons, influenced by their Northern sisters, did not. Germanic custom of not bending knee to anyone but the gods themselves was spilling over into the Amazon life.
“Heilsa, my Queen,” Hallvor grinned, raising her head. “You bring a rag-tag looking bunch.”
“Aye,” Gabrielle nodded, moving forward to hug her friend as Xena came up the line of wagons on her horse, smiling a greeting to the women warriors. “Can you put them on the outskirts of Amazon land? Romans wiped out their village. This bunch includes my sister, niece and nephews.”
“Of course, your family is our family,” Hallvor nodded. “Eponin will be delighted to see both of you. Warriors, lead our friends around the edge of the lands and settle them in by the small lake in the south. We will have a celebration feast tonight to welcome them. What’s happened, Gabrielle, Xena?”
“Romans attacked our families,” Xena began. “Virgil’s home village was slaughtered along with our friend and adopted sister Meg, his mother. The boys rushed to the next village to protect Lila, Gabrielle’s sister.”
“They got the villagers out,” Gabrielle continued, glancing back at her sister as she climbed up into the lead wagon to care for Asher. “Our sons stayed behind with some villagers to hold the Romans back.”
The bard looked away and Hallvor sighed, she knew what any army unit of the world was capable of, especially the Romans.
“They were captured and crucified,” Xena said softly. “Hercules is behind us, covering our trail.”
“Virgil died,” Gabrielle said, wiping a tear from her eyes.
“We will honor him at our fires,” Hallvor said firmly. “The males will be welcome along with the women for the first three days as they settle in and we help them.”
“Thank you, take us to Pony, please,” Gabrielle nodded; letting some of the weariness hit her.
Xena leaned over and squeezed Gabrielle’s hand. “We’ll rest here for a day before taking Asher home.”
# # #
Lila walked up to Gabrielle as the bard watched the children of the village splashing in the creek and lake. The younger sister sat down on a rock next to Gabrielle with a moan. “I swear my body is protesting more and more every year.”
Gabrielle looked at her sister, noting the hair was more gray than dark now and the lines framing Lila’s face. Her hands were showing signs of the pains and were calloused and rough.
Lila noticed her sister’s glance and smiled. “Yes, I look like mother now and you haven’t aged. You still are young and beautiful. I’m 52 summers, Gabby.”
“I know,” Gabrielle said softly.
“Will we be safe here?” Lila asked, looking around at the deep woods, much different than the farmland she had just left.
“Hopefully,” Gabrielle said truthfully. “It will be hard this winter. It’s colder here and life is different. You’ll have to encourage the others to adapt.”
“Who will help me adapt,” Lila smirked. “From farmer to what here?”
“They need weavers here too,” Gabrielle smirked back, bumping her sister lightly, playfully. “And they keep livestock and do a little farming.”
“What about you and Xena?” Lila asked slowly. “Can you let it go?”
“I think so,” her sister said thoughtfully. “We have to. It just becomes an endless circle. If we helped bring Lycur’s father down because he was once my brutal owner, now the son kills our foster son and hurts Asher badly. What next? We kill him and some bastard son fifteen years from now comes calling for vengeance? No, it has to end somewhere.”
“And Asher and Xena?” Lila asked softly. “Will they let it go?”
“Yes, Xena’s as tired as I am and Asher is too wounded in body and spirit,” Gabrielle sighed heavily. “In a year or two he might feel the burn of the anger but, hopefully, we’ll have him firmly entrenched in the northern life.”
“Will they follow us?”
“It’s possible,” Gabrielle admitted. “Romans are quite stubborn when they think they’ve been insulted or beaten. With Imperial backing, Lycur just might push his vendetta to the north. We live far enough North that it would cause some major conflicts if he tries to push that far. The Amazons will protect you to the last; you and the villagers are family now.”
“I used to envy you about your travels and adventures but knew that wasn’t for me,” Lila said thoughtfully. “Do you regret it? Any of it? You are scarred, almost lost your son, have been brutalized. You’ve seen so much grief, Gabrielle. So much violence and death, it’s… inconceivable.”
“I regret a lot
of it, mostly what the Fates threw at us,” Gabrielle nodded after a
moment, looking at the bracers on her wrists that hid the crucifixion
scars. “I regret a few of my actions and, in hindsight, would find
a different way. Do I regret my life with Xena? Never, Lila. She’s
still the love of my life and I like the person she’s become and
that I’ve become.”
“You certainly aren’t the naïve dreamer,” Lila smirked, nudging her sister.
“No, now I’m a dangerous warrior,” Gabrielle said sadly.
“No, that’s not all you are, it’s a small part of you, Gabrielle,” Lila said gently. “You wanted to be a warrior when you left home and quickly changed your mind about that. Becoming one was a matter of survival and honor. There’s no shame in that. Are you happy in the north?”
Gabrielle’s smile brightened her face visibly. “Yes, very much so. It’s a hard life but it’s satisfying. Never thought I’d like it, did you? Hauling water, making bread and sewing.”
“No, I still can’t believe it but it suits both of you,” Lila smiled. “There’s an aura of peace around both of you, something I never thought I’d see, especially with Xena.”
“War and vengeance have a higher price than we’re willing to pay any longer,” Gabrielle said thoughtfully. “Solan killed, Kyrck kidnapped, Virgil, Rachel and Meg dead, all too costly.”
“Let’s go back and lend a hand, everyone is cutting timber for shelters. It will be interesting, everyone have agreed to try the northern way of a long house for easier heating and comfort,” Lila suggested as she stood and offered a hand to her sister.
“It… it takes some adapting,” Gabrielle laughed. “You learn though, it becomes comforting to have all those people around. Just keep everyone’s hands and minds busy during the winter months.”
“We’ll work on it,” Lila nodded.
# # #
Xena, Gabrielle and Hercules spent three more days among the Amazons and the new settlement of Greeks. Watching the two groups interacting, Gabrielle wondered if the future of the Amazons was doomed to integration into the societies around them, losing their female oriented focus. The bard smiled softly, reflecting that human nature was one of adapting. Adapting or dying and those cultures and groups that had failed were now part of history. The Amazon Queen said a quick prayer that this wasn’t to be the future of her tribes.
The rest of the journey towards home was taken slower, now that they were in their home territory, they felt safer. There had been no sign of any Romans following the fleeing villagers and Gabrielle began to feel hopeful they might actually leave the revenge and politics of Rome behind. At least until the Empire expanded and drew close to them.
Noticing something ahead, Hercules jumped down from his horse and Xena pulled up short, her hand going to her chakram. Gabrielle stopped the horse and cart, pulling her sais into her hands. “Stay down, Asher,” she said softly.
Asher whimpered, wishing he could at least grip a dagger. The proud Greek hated being helpless.
Hercules examined the ground and motioned Xena to join him. The warrior knelt down beside him after dismounting, frowning at what he saw as well.
“Lots of horses, all shoed,” he pointed to the tracks.
“And iron-rimmed wagons,” Xena sighed. “Heading north.”
“Merchants?” Hercules ventured.
“Possible but not likely,” Xena shook her head. “Too late in the season to be heading north unless they plan on staying at a large steading.”
“That’s a lot of people to welcome in for the winter,” Hercules agreed. “Romans.”
“Most likely,” Xena frowned. “Let’s get home. We’ll get to the Steading just in case.”
Hercules nodded, remounting his horse. After being adopted by the Germanic tribesmen, he knew they’d defend the Greeks to the death. To them, there was no difference between a Viking born family and the Greeks now.
Xena trotted back to the wagon. “We might have Romans around here,” she explained to her wife and son. “We’re heading to the steading and we should move quickly. Can you handle it, Asher?”
“Yes,” the former Legionnaire nodded. “Anything to keep any of you from falling into Lycur’s hands. He knows Mom was crucified and her fear of that.”
Gabrielle shook her head. Asher had just been through a crucifixion and lived and he was more worried about her. “I love you, Ash. Let’s move, Xena.”
# # #
Hercules slowed his horse and let Xena catch up with him. She sighed and looked around. “Campfire smoke and noises. Large group, can we go around?”
“I can carry Asher,” Hercules nodded. “To where though? They’re sitting in the middle of our yard, I’m guessing. The only option is the Amazons.”
“And we might be leading them right back to our kin,” Xena nodded.
“No one can cover tracks like you, we could make it,” Hercules ventured. “Even if it isn’t Lycur, they could still execute Asher for desertion.”
“Do we keep running or face this?” Gabrielle called from the wagon.
“We end it,” Xena said firmly, her blue eyes flashing. “I’m done running. Gabrielle…”
The blonde shook her head. “I know, take Asher and make for the Amazons and be safe. No, I’m with you, wife.”
“I’m not leaving either of you,” Hercules said firmly before Xena could ask.
“Alright, then we take Asher into a camp of Romans with crucifixion wounds?” Xena demanded.
Gabrielle looked angry but kept quiet for a moment and Hercules finally nodded. “You’re right. They’ll finish him off before even asking questions. I’ll start with him towards the Amazons, you two catch up with us.”
“Love you, brother,” Xena said softly, grasping his hand in a warrior clasp.
“Be safe. I really don’t want to take on the Roman army again,” he smirked and walked his horse back to the wagon to bend over and kiss Gabrielle’s cheek. He switched places with her and glanced back at a sleeping Asher.
“The pain herbs should keep him sleeping for another two candlemarks,” Gabrielle said softly, looking down at her wounded son. “Keep him safe, Herc.”
“My word,” Hercules nodded, clicking the horse back into movement, slowly turning the wagon around the way they had come. Both women warriors knew he would pick a different route at the first opportunity.
Gabrielle turned and trotted up next to her wife. “How do you want to handle this? Straight into the fire or pick some of them off?”
“Both plans have merit,” Xena frowned, thoughtful. “Let’s scout them out and see if they’re carrying war banners.”
Gabrielle nodded and dismounted. She moved to the nearest set of trees and sighed. “It’s harder up north,” she complained as Xena joined her, fastening her chakram down tightly.
“Trees are taller and branches higher,” Xena agreed, boosting her smaller wife to the nearest branch.
“Just because some of us are tall,” Gabrielle muttered.
Xena grinned, despite the situation. One thing never in doubt was her love for Gabrielle and their unique sense of humor together.
# # #
The two warriors worked their way towards their small steading, the sounds of encampment getting louder as they approached. Gabrielle made a sign of disgust and tugged on her ears. Xena nodded in agreement, the Romans weren’t being quiet about their presence.
The women resisted growling aloud when they were able to see their home and the invading Romans. It seemed like there was a Roman everywhere they looked. Gabrielle pointed out that the families that had joined them over the years were all huddled near the animal pens. The men were bruised and battered and so were some of the women.
The Romans had slaughtered several cows and pigs and were busy roasting and cooking. Gabrielle sighed, recognizing some of their utensils and stocks of food.
Xena pointed towards the main tent and Gabrielle nodded, recognizing the standard of Lycur’s Legion.
The two Greeks moved back to a safe point in the trees where they could talk.
“They aren’t going to leave any time soon and I’m betting there’s another cohort at the main steading,” Xena growled. “If we wipe them out, it’ll mean a war with the Romans and the new Emperor. Just what he might want, an excuse for a war, to expand Roman territory.”
“War is always popular with the Romans,” Gabrielle nodded. “And new Emperors.”
“And if we leave, they’ll destroy our home and the steading and still find an excuse to go to war,” Xena said thoughtfully.
“Suggestions? We can’t leave the Russ to them,” Gabrielle sighed.
“We go in, find out what they want and negotiate. If that doesn’t work, we take care of them and hope to treaty with Rome before the next group shows up,” Xena shrugged.
Gabrielle nodded. “Then let’s do this but with some conditions. I am not just turning both of us over to Lycur’s hands without something to bargain with.”
Xena grinned. “We can do that, come on.”
# # #
A short time later the outer guards sent word that a single rider had approached the steading and they were escorting her in to see Lycur.
The Roman waited in front of his tent in a camp chair. He smirked at the sight of Xena, the Warrior Princess, being escorted into the camp. The guards had forced her to walk while they kept on their horses and took the reins of her horse.
“MiLord, you said she’d have the bard with her,” his second-in-command commented with a frown.
“No matter, she’s probably with her Amazons,” Lycur shrugged. “Once she hears what we’ve done with her mate, she’ll come running with revenge in mind and she’ll drag the Amazons and the Germanics into a war. Rome will have the perfect excuse to take over the land from Italia to the northern lands.”
The Roman remained seated as a gesture of contempt as the warrior approached his table. He quickly noted one of the guards was carrying her sword and the infamous chakram.
“Where’s the other one?” he asked without any false pleasantries.
“What do you want, Lycur,” Xena countered and one of the guards hit her in the small of the back with his sword pommel. The warrior flinched slightly but ignored him.
“Proper manners, barbarian,” the guard hissed. “That’s MiLord Lycur if you’ll not use his proper titles.”
“I see the son of a disgraced little man who thought he had power,” Xena smirked, satisfied to see the anger flash in the Roman’s eyes.
“Where is Gabrielle?” Lycur demanded again.
“Actually, she’s close by with a hunting party of Amazons,” Xena smirked. “All with arrows aimed at your head and heart.”
The guards who didn’t have a spear or sword in hand, quickly rectified that and glanced around nervously. Lycur’s eyes narrowed.
“I don’t believe you,” he said softly.
Xena smiled and raised her left hand in a fist and one of Lycur’s personal guards clutched at his throat, an arrow completely through it. The Warrior Prince didn’t blink as he fell dead at his master’s feet.
The guards erupted into pandemonium; one of them grabbed Xena, his sword at her throat.
“Don’t!” Lycur commanded, jumping to his feet.
Xena’s calm manner obviously unnerved the Roman officer and former gladiator.
“I kill you and they’ll kill me, correct?” he growled.
“Yes,” Xena said calmly. At a motion of Lycur’s hand, the guard removed his sword from around the warrior’s throat.
“Why did you come in?” Lycur demanded. “And how do I know there’s more than one out there?”
“You know the Amazons, do you want to risk it?” Xena shrugged. “You’re their first target and won’t be around to see your men slaughtered.”
“I could threaten to kill the Germanics over there,” Lycur snarled, sitting back down and motioning for a chair to be brought for the warrior.
“Same results,” Xena smirked and sat down. “It’s simple, leave Germanic territories and forget your feud with us. Go fight with the Egyptians or something to fill your coffers.”
Lycur frowned, appearing to think it over and then shook his head. “No.”
“Then let’s settle this one-on-one,” Xena countered. “You and me, here and now.”
“I know your reputation and you’re the daughter of a God,” Lycur leaned back smirking. “I don’t like those odds. I want the Champion of Rome.”
Xena blinked and scowled. “No.”
Lycur grinned. “Don’t think your mate could handle it? We were both gladiators, she even won the wooden sword. I think the odds are probably fair. If not, I’ll hunt you both down and crucify you both and anyone that survived the crucifixion.”
Xena’s hand went to where her chakram usually was and growled, realizing it was in possession of the guards.
“Gabrielle and me, in your Viking style,” Lycur bargained. “Rope off an area, select weapons available and one of us walks off the winner. If I win, I will take my troops and leave with either you or the Vikings who deserted their posts to stand trial. If she wins, the troops will withdraw.”
“Why so fixated on Gabrielle?” Xena demanded.
“Because my father was,” Lycur snapped. “He talked of her endlessly, especially how she won the wooden sword, how talented she was with those Sais of hers and, of course, her spirit. You two caused his death and I want hers.”
“Your father died because he was plotting against the Emperor’s life, look to your own culture for the reasons,” Xena said wearily.
“You brought it to light,” Lycur responded. “She faces me or you get a war with Rome here in the north.”
Xena frowned. “Romans are notorious for not fighting fair and breaking their word.”
“Take it or leave it, I give you my word that no one will interfere in the fight and no retaliation if Gabrielle wins,” Lycur said indifferently.
“I have to talk to the Amazons,” Xena said as she stood and held out a hand for her weapons and reins.
“Have Gabrielle meet me in a square enclosure at dawn,” Lycur smiled, knowing the Greeks would agree to it. At least Gabrielle would, from what he knew of the bard, she was willing to sacrifice herself for others. He intended on using that.
# # # #
# # #
Gabrielle wasn’t surprised when Xena was against the bargain and Xena wasn’t surprised that Gabrielle wanted to agree to it. The arguing went on well into the night when they finally had a cold dinner and Xena drew her arms around her wife, leaning against a tree.
“It’s the best course and you know it,” Gabrielle said softly, her arms over Xena’s.
“Yes,” Xena agreed but still hating the situation.
“You’ll let me go?”
“No,” Xena shook her head.
“You pinch and tie me up again and I’ll divorce you!” Gabrielle threatened, lightly smacking Xena’s arm to show she was half joking.
“I won’t stop you,” Xena promised.
“Alright,” Gabrielle said softly. “Hold me tonight? Love me?”
“Forever,” the warrior promised.
“I’ll always love you, Xena,” Gabrielle said softly.
“I’ll always find you, this world or the next,” Xena promised as she untied Gabrielle tunic, enjoying the growl of arousal it brought from her wife. She was surprised when Gabrielle suddenly pushed her away lightly and sat up.
Xena leaned up on her elbows. “Gabrielle?”
“Give me a minute,” the bard muttered and Xena recognized a huskiness to her wife’s voice and sat up beside Gabrielle. She turned Gabrielle’s face towards her and sighed at the yellow eyes.
“Gabrielle, how many seasons have we dealt with this?” Xena asked gently. “I love you and I don’t care about this side of you!”
“I wanted to make love to you without this!” Gabrielle snapped.
“It doesn’t matter to me! How many times will we argue about this?” Xena asked softly. “Besides, I like your fangs, I love the bacchae sex and it’ll connect me to you even more tomorrow. Let it go and accept this, love.”
Xena extended her wrist in front of Gabrielle’s lips, her breathing quickening as her wife kissed the inside wrist and lightly ran her fangs over the nerve endings. “Oh Gods, little one, yes!” the warrior whispered, pulling Gabrielle down on top of her.
# # #
Dawn found the two Greeks standing on one side of the clearing and Lycur on the other as Roman soldiers drove stakes into the grass and tied ropes around them, marking off a square area for the contest.
“Don’t trust him,” Xena advised as Lycur stripped down from his Roman armor into a simple tunic and trousers, cross-laced over the lower legs, Germanic style.
“Everything is fair in the arena,” Gabrielle nodded, pulling off her over tunic, revealing a top that barely covered her breasts and showed off her athletic body to perfection. The women ignored the looks of appreciation and surprise from the nearby soldiers.
Gabrielle had fought hard during the night to maintain a level of calmness she knew she’d need when entering a fight zone. Usually just the sight of a Roman legionnaire was enough to give her the shakes. Today, she ignored them.
Xena sharp eyes tried to watch everything that was happening around them, especially looking for hidden archers or any sign that the Romans were ready to rush in and seize the Greek women.
Lycur walked around the area and approached the women slowly, keeping his hands in sight.
“You have your sais, I have a sword,” he said calmly. “What other weapons would you like? Shield, spear, trident, net?”
“Spear and sword,” Gabrielle responded.
Lycur motioned to the soldiers nearby and they approached with an armful of spears and swords.
“You choose yours,” Lycur shrugged as his assistant planted two spears on the other side of the enclosure and laid a sword next to them.
Xena quickly moved forward to examine the weapons, looking for minute cracks and weakened spots on the spearheads and the shafts. Xena placed her own sword next to the spears she had chosen.
Gabrielle stretched quickly and moved into the enclosed space, her eyes darting around, looking for movement from any of the soldiers that spoke of a trap.
“Relax,” Xena said softly. “You worry about him, I’ll worry about everything else.”
Gabrielle nodded and picked up a spear as Lycur did the same. The former gladiator felt her mind and body shift as everything narrowed down to the man in front of her. Dancer came forward and the gentle bard retreated.
Xena frowned as Gabrielle’s body moved along the side of the enclosure. The warrior had seen Dancer in action very few times but knew she was looking at the deadly gladiator that had won the coveted wooden sword.
She watched Lycur’s eyes narrow as he, in turn, watched Gabrielle. Both fighters began moving and gauging each other’s talents, moves, and battle attitude. Xena and the fighters ignored the shouting encouragement from the Romans as their beloved leader struck first, feinting with the spear.
Dancer avoided the spear, letting it slide almost along her ribcage, turning with it and bringing her own spear into play, using the blunt end to whack Lycur’s hand, causing him to drop one hand off the spear. He quickly retaliated with a backhand blow to Dancer’s jaw.
Instead of dropping her weapon like an inexperienced Arena fighter, the bard tightened her grip and brought it down, pinning his spear below hers as she headbutted him, causing him to drop his other hand off the spear.
Dancer brought the spear end up under Lycur’s chin, knocking him off his feet. Xena shifted her hand to her chakram as a rumbling spread through the Roman soldiers but they held back.
The female gladiator moved to follow through with the spear but Lycur countered by pulling his sword and slashing at the woman’s legs. The female gladiator somersaulted back, avoiding the blow. Both fighters were now on their feet.
Dancer tossed the spear aside, pulling her Sais out to counter Lycur’s sword.
Lycur rushed the warrior bard with a vicious overhead strike that surprised Dancer, forcing her to block the sword with both sais. The Roman’s weight and strength causing her to bend backwards, close to losing her balance.
Xena winced and felt her body wanting to respond but held back. One wrong move and she knew the Romans would pounce on the opportunity to attack her and Gabrielle. The Greek warrior shut her eyes to regain control, opening them again to watch her wife’s battle.
Gabrielle twisted, pulling the sword down alongside her body, turning until she was almost side-by-side with Lycur. The Roman snarled, his sword trapped. He freed one hand and pulled his dagger.
Dancer growled and brought an elbow up into Lycur’s nose, the movement breaking them apart. Lycur slashed with the dagger as he stumbled back and Dancer winced slightly as the blade slid across her left side.
Lycur slashed out with the sword and Dancer snarled, catching the blade with her Sais again, twisting until the weapon was pulled out of his hands. The Roman hit Dancer across the jaw and rushed towards the spare weapons.
Dancer followed, tackling the soldier to the ground and was surprised at how fast he moved, turning over and hitting her across the bridge of her nose. Gabrielle hit Lycur with the blunt end of a Sais but was hit in the back of the head with his Roman boot.
Xena frowned, Gabrielle was taking too long to recover. She had seen her mate fighting for decades and knew Gabrielle wasn’t one to hesitate unless it was senseless killing.
Lycur got to his feet first and kicked the female in the ribs, sending her to the grass again. Dancer kicked out with her feet, keeping him from kicking her again as she flipped up to her feet.
Xena saw Dancer shake her head with a frown and glance down at the lightly bleeding wound along her ribs.
Dancer snarled and dodged a sword slash aimed at her shoulder but Lycur had anticipated the move and Dancer winced and cried out as the dagger sank into her left shoulder. She kicked the Roman away from her and moved back several feet.
Lycur followed her, slashing relentlessly with the sword and dagger. Dancer fell back, parrying the blows but barely.
Xena growled as she watched Gabrielle stumble and begin sweating badly. “Goddamn you,” she muttered, recognizing a common poison used in the Arena by nobles to ensure that they would win.
Gabrielle dropped one Sai and dived under a sword strike to grab up Xena’s sword, rolling over to block Lycur’s sword with it and the dagger with her remaining Sai.
Xena whimpered softly when Gabrielle glanced at her and the warrior recognized a flash of desperation in her mate’s eyes. They both knew that Lycur was an exceptional gladiator and now he had more of an edge to counter Gabrielle’s quickness and skill.
“Come on, Amazon!” Xena said loudly. The Warrior Princess could see equal skill in both gladiators and knew Gabrielle needed to react differently than a trained Arena fighter. Dancer’s shoulder was also beginning to drop from the knife wound.
Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed and she circled Lycur, watching the grinning Roman’s eyes.
Her Sai and guard dropped as the blood flowed freely from her left shoulder and Lycur practically leaped forward to take advantage of the slip. Xena held back with a cry of terror as Gabrielle parried Lycur’s dagger with her sword but couldn’t get her Sai up to parry his sword and she fell back onto the grass, the sword slicing into her shoulder.
Gabrielle dropped Xena’s sword as Lycur followed her down to stab her with a killing blow with his dagger. She used an Amazon fighting move with her legs, wrapping them around the Roman’s neck and spinning him over and down, stunning him as he hit the grass. Dancer lashed out, hitting him in the back of the neck with her elbow and pulled his sword out of her shoulder and moved to bring it around to decapitate him.
Xena was stunned when the sword stopped at just barely slicing his skin open. Gabrielle looked confused.
“Gabrielle! Do it! He’ll keep coming if you don’t!” Xena urged.
“Do you surrender?” Gabrielle demanded, hissing in the Roman’s ear.
“Kill me, bitch,” Lycur growled, his hands clutching at the grass in anger.
“I have answers about your mother and father, Lycur. Want to die before hearing the truth?” Gabrielle whispered.
Lycur hesitated and then spread his arms in surrender.
“Say it loudly,” Gabrielle demanded.
“I surrender, she wins!” Lycur called out and Gabrielle pulled the sword back, collapsing onto the ground.
The bard blinked when she was suddenly being lifted and looked into Xena’s eyes. “Let’s get you patched up, my love,” Xena whispered. “You! Release the Vikings and surrender your weapons to them until we sort this out. I swear you won’t be harmed.”
Gabrielle let the darkness claim her, feeling safe in Xena’s arms.
# # #
Xena breathed a sigh of relief when Gabrielle opened her eyes slowly. “Hey,” she said softly as the bard tried to focus.
“Hey,” Gabrielle whispered. “I survived the poison?”
“And the two stab wounds,” Xena nodded with a smile. “It was a mild dose to slow your reactions down but not enough to be obvious enough for charges.”
“Lycur?” Gabrielle asked quickly trying to sit up and biting her lip when a wave of pain hit her and she grabbed at her shoulder.
“Waiting with his troops to leave,” Xena shrugged. “He swears that he won’t return once you explain some things to him. What’s going on, Gabrielle?”
“You can’t let him leave, Xena,” Gabrielle said firmly, her eyes bright.
Xena reached out and felt Gabrielle’s forehead. “You’re going to have a round of fever, little one.”
“Don’t let him go! He’s Kiryk,” Gabrielle said anxiously. “Behind his right ear, the tattoo Reija placed on him just after his birth, her Amazon tribe sigil.”
Xena sat down on the edge of the bed, clearly stunned. “Kiryk?”
“Send for Hercules and Asher, we have to decide this as a family,” Gabrielle urged closing her eyes. “He’s your grandson, my love.”
“And he killed our foster son and family and nearly killed you,” Xena muttered. “He’s my grandson?” The Greek stood up quickly, yelling for one of the youths to ride with a message to the Amazons and Hercules.
Xena glanced back at her sleeping mate, her face troubled. “We do anything to him and we’re kin-killers. Can we take him in though? He’s a Roman, not Greek,” she muttered.
# # #
The Romans grumbled but settled into camping on the steading once they realized the Vikings weren’t going to harm them and treated them like guests, much to the surprise of the Romans. Xena had laughed and had tried to explain to Lycur Kiryk that it was Viking nature. Anyone was welcome and honored once hostilities had ceased. If the Romans misbehaved though, Xena pointed out, they’d be slaughtered without a thought. In turn, the Romans set about cut wood and hunting to replenish the stocks they had used.
Lycur had been unhappy when Xena demanded he stay until Gabrielle was on her feet but she had insisted, pointing out that Gabrielle was a Roman citizen and champion, that the Roman owed her that respect due to Gabrielle’s victory over him. The Roman was forced to agree, reluctantly.
It was three days before Hercules drove a wagon into the yard, his face expressionless as he and Asher took in the Romans milling around and Lycur sitting in front of his tent, watching them closely. Hercules could feel Asher’s anger building.
“Easy, Ash,” Hercules suggested. “We promised no action until we talked with your moms.”
“Alright, then I kill him,” Asher growled, getting down out of the wagon slowly and heading towards the house.
Lycur and his lieutenants frowned and waited nervously as shouts of anger and disbelief drifted out of the house. It was a candlemark before Xena appeared at the front door and approached the Roman leader slowly.
Lycur was vaguely comforted by the fact the Warrior Princess wasn’t in her typical warrior garb of short skirt, leather and weapons. She was dressed much like a male from the North, woolen trousers with boots and leather lacings criss-crossing the lower trouser legs. Her tunic was a simple green but decorated around the collar and hem with fine embroidery of gold thread. The leather jerkin vest was well worn but cared for.
Lycur recognized the leather bracers from his previous encounter with the warrior and everyone knew about her strange Indian weapon, the chakram at her side.
The Roman stood up as she approached his tent.
“Can we leave yet?” he demanded bluntly.
“Gabrielle and I would like to talk to you, by the fire?” Xena responded, suggesting the main fire rather than in the house where the Roman might suspect a trap.
“Yes,” Lycur agreed and motioned his lieutenants to stay back.
Gabrielle and Hercules walked towards the fire from the house while Asher stood in the doorway, glaring at the Romans, his wrists still bandaged.
“What is so important that you’d spare my life?” Lycur demanded as the Greeks and Roman came together.
“I’m not in favor of killing my mate’s grandson,” Gabrielle sighed. The bard had a headache from arguing with Xena and Asher and debating with Hercules as to what to do with the information they now had.
“Make sense, woman,” Lycur growled. “I know my father.”
“No, he claimed you but Lycrassius was not your father,” Xena shook her head. “Did anyone ever ask you about the small tattoo behind your ear?”
Lycur’s hand moved to his ear with a frown. “Yes, my father said it was some tribal thing from my mother and not to concern myself. That I am a Roman, not a barbarian.”
“Actually, you come from a line that was civilized while Remus and Romulus were scratching in the dust,” Hercules grumbled.
The next candlemark was spent telling the Roman the highlights of Xena and Gabrielle’s lives, especially surrounding Callisto and Solan. They ended with the current day, discovering the tribal tattoo on the Roman.
“You’re saying I’m your grandson?” Lycur asked with disbelief. “Because of a pissed off chaos goddess?”
“Yes,” Xena nodded. “Just think of it, the perfect revenge on us. Giving you to Gabrielle’s former master to raise as our enemy.”
Lycur frowned as he absently scratched at the tattoo. “I’m the son of an Amazon? The enemies of Rome? Grandson to Xena, enemy of Rome?”
“You were raised Roman but you were born Greek and Amazon,” Gabrielle said softly. “Your grandfather, Borias, was a great warrior from the steppes and you know Xena’s reputation.”
“My father?” Kiryk asked with a deep frown, looking at the ring on his finger. The family symbol of Lycrassius, a symbol of Roman power and influence.
“A brave and gentle young man,” Hercules smiled. “A talented hunter and loving father.”
“Where is my mother?”
“With the Amazons, we’ve sent word that we found you,” Gabrielle smiled. “You’re at a crossroads, Lycur Kiryk, you can either continue on as you’ve lived, as a Roman of power or you can discover your family.”
The Roman frowned. “And your son? I killed his foster brother and best friend and family.”
“Well, we can’t kill you,” Hercules smirked. “The Gods frown on kin-slayers. Asher probably will get over it in about twenty seasons.”
“You almost killed my sister and family, Kiryk,” Gabrielle pointed out. “It will take time for everyone.”
“No,” Lycur snapped, standing up and pacing. “I’m Roman! I am a Roman officer and have the Emperor’s trust! I am not like you!”
Xena and Gabrielle sighed as the Roman stormed away from the fire.
# # #
It took another three days before Lycur Kiryk returned to the cabin. Xena had watched the young man riding the countryside at breakneck speed on his horse, slashing at trees with his sword and brooding at night in his tent. He had barely said a word to anyone, including his own men and aide.
The Greek-Roman was unshaven and obviously hadn’t slept much in those three days.
He was frowning when he sat down near Gabrielle’s bed as Xena sat beside her wife and Hercules and Asher stood against a wall.
“Alright, I’m your grandson,” he said finally. “What do you want from me? I can’t go back to Rome. The Emperor will expect a war with the north. Either I’ll be sent back here with troops or banished and disgraced.”
“What are we going to do, Xena?” Gabrielle asked wearily. “Rome will just keep coming after us now.”
“Some of the steading families are moving east to one of the trade routes, the Russ clan,” Hercules said slowly. “Perhaps the wilds of the steppes will discourage Rome from wandering any further. There’s no gold or abundant source of slaves. They aren’t trappers for the fur, they’ll leave that to the tribes and trade rather than work.”
Kiryk nodded. “There are no plans to expand in that direction. Rome will always have its eye on the desert and the north.”
Xena looked over at her mate as Gabrielle looked around their home, both thinking of the years spent in the cabin building a new life together. “Won’t be the first time we’ve moved on,” she said softly, taking her mate’s hand.
“And won’t be the last given our years,” Gabrielle nodded. “We should leave before the season changes. What about Kiryk, Asher won’t tolerate him with us for awhile.”
“I’ll take him traveling,” Hercules suggested. “I want to show him where he comes from, Greece, the old Amazon lands, see his mother, visit the Northern Amazons and see the Empire from the other side.”
“No, I don’t want charity or sympathy!” Lycur Kiryk snapped. “I won’t return to Rome. I’ll find my own way!”
The former Roman officer stormed out of the cabin again as Gabrielle sighed.
“Now what?” she asked softly, reaching for Xena’s hand.
“I’ll follow him,” Hercules suggested. “I remember his grandmother being about that stubborn at a cross-roads in her life,” he smiled. “She eventually listened to me.”
“And still had to leave and find my own way,” Xena added.
“We’ll see what happens,” Hercules smiled. “There’s a nice symmetry to it. A lost warrior with a past to be redeemed from.”
“He’s certainly related to you,” Gabrielle smiled, lightly teasing her mate.
Xena smiled and nodded. “Take care of him? Bring him round when he’s ready?”
“Of course,” Hercules smiled and stood to follow the Roman.
Asher frowned and continued looking at his boots.
“Ash?” Gabrielle asked softly.
“I’m not going East,” he said suddenly. “I’m going raiding next season. I’ve seen Rome, now I want to spend time with my Vikings for awhile. Maybe settle in Caledonia or something.”
“Britainia?” Xena asked, surprised.
Asher shrugged. “New culture, new land, damned few Romans. I’ll find you in a couple of summers.”
“Ash…” Gabrielle began softly but Asher shook his head.
“No, Mum, not yet. You can accept him, eventually,” Asher frowned. “I still hear Virgil’s screams as they pounded the nails into his wrists and ankles.”
The Viking walked out slowly.
“He’ll come around as well,” Xena said firmly.
Xena wrapped an arm around Gabrielle as the bard leaned into Xena’s arms.
“We found Kiryk, Xena,” she said softly.
“And I wish I could visit Tartarus and pound Callisto a few more times for this one,” Xena growled. “She takes a small little boy and we get a vengeful Roman in return.”
“Now we have a confused young man whose life is upside down,” Gabrielle countered. “We’ll have him back, Xena. Hercules works miracles.”
“Now to build our lives again with the Russ,” Xena sighed. “Or would you rather go to the Northern Amazons?”
“No, they accept me but the bacchae thing is still there,” Gabrielle frowned.
“Onto the steppes then,” Xena smiled. “Hunting, trapping, farming.”
“Raiding, sailing, fighting,” Gabrielle added with a smile. “I know you and the Northmen.”
“Come on, lover,” Xena said softly, pulling Gabrielle into her arms and carrying her mate out onto the porch to watch the setting sun and the Romans packing to leave their territory.
# # #
this isn't the end of the road for these two
