Disclaimer:	This story is not intended to violate any copyrights held by MCA, Universal Studios, Renaissance Pictures or any other entity involved with the making of Xena: Warrior Princess or Hercules: The Legendary Journeys.
Bard Rates It:	PG-14 This story is rated PG-14 and may contain some scenes not suitable for anyone under the age of 14.
Summary:	Takes place after the events of Sacrifice II. Xena is forced to team up with Ares when an evil god returns with a little help from his friends.
Bard Notes:	Chapters 1 – 22: completed July 1999; Chapters 23 – 33: completed January 2000; Chapters 34 – 55: completed August 2000; Chapters 56 – 77: Completed March 2002.
Feed the Bard!	The author of this story is Skkye Blue at skkye_blue@yahoo.com. Bards are always hungry for feedback; please send a note.
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Dark Revelations (Chapters 36 thru 39)

by Skkye Blue

CHAPTER 36

"Hey Lysia, betcha I can reach that old chandelier up there."

"No ya can’t. It’s too high."

The children were in Lysia’s bedchamber. Both were dressed for bed so they were wearing pajamas. They were jumping up and down on the large bed, putting to use their superhuman agility.

"Oh yeah, just watch me." Lycus jumped on the bed a few times to build momentum, each jump a little higher than the last. On his last jump, he leaped high in the air above the bed.

As he approached the old chandelier, he stretched out his arms and gripped the metal rim with his hands. "See, I toldja I could do it." The chandelier swung slightly under the child’s movements.

"Wow!" Lysia stared up at him. Amazement showed in her deep brown eyes.

"Now watch this." Lycus used his movements to start swinging the old chandelier back and forth. He did this for a while and when the momentum needed had been built, he let go of the chandelier and went flying through the air. He did a somersault in mid-flight before he landed noiselessly on the rug covered floor by the hearth. He immediately joined his sister who still stood atop the large bed. "Now it’s your turn."

"Okay." Lysia started jumping up and down on the bed as Lycus had done only moments ago. With each jump, she went a little higher. On the last jump she went the highest and headed straight for the old chandelier. She stretched out her arms like her brother had done and when she was within reach of its metal frame, she gripped it with her small hands. Lysia was now dangling above the bed. The chandelier was slightly swaying under her movements.

Lycus was standing on the bed and looked up at his sister’s dangling form. "Okay Lysia, now ya havta really get it to move."

Lysia took a quick glance at her brother far below her standing on the large bed. Then she started swinging the old chandelier.

"It’s really swingin’ now Lysia...so ya can let go."

Lysia did what her brother suggested and released the chandelier from her grip. She immediately went flying through the air then started to head towards the ground. Just as Lycus had done she too did a somersault.

At that moment, Ares came through the bedchamber door.

"Hey look out...above ya!" Lycus warned.

Ares looked up just in time to see Lysia heading straight for him. He stretched out his muscular arms and effortlessly caught the child. "Gotcha!"

"Ooh...whoo...that was fun. I wanna do it again."

"And just what do you two think you are doing? You both were put to bed a while ago and should be fast asleep." Ares lowered Lysia to the ground and both walked over to the large bed.

"We weren’t sleepy so we checked out that chandelier way up there." Lycus leaped off the bed and onto the floor.

"You two should be very tired after the busy day you had. And I bet if you actually laid in your beds you would go to sleep."

"Nah-uh." Lycus gazed up at Ares.

"I say you can...now go give it a try. I’ll be there in a moment." Ares mussed the child’s curly black hair. Lycus left his sister’s bedchamber and headed for his own.

"And the same goes for you young lady."

Lysia immediately got in the bed. Ares pulled the covers up over her. The child’s brown eyes followed his movements as a question formed in her mind. "When are we goin’ back to the castle in Macedon? I wanna play in the snow."

Ares had only taken the children back to Macedon so Cyrus could confirm his claim of paternity. After that, he took the children to his temple on the isle of Sicily near Syracuse. And that’s where they had been for the past day.

"Don’t you like Syracuse? It’s warm and you have the beach." Ares sat on the side of the bed.

"I do but I really wanna see the snow. I never get to see it where we live in India. And I wanna see Xena. Is she there yet?"

Ares knew how anxious the child was to see Xena now that she knew she was her mother. "No, Xena is not at the castle yet." The little girl had a disappointed look on her face. Ares soothingly ran a hand through her curly black locks and down the side of her face. "Right now, it is not a good time for you and your brother to be at the castle but once it is, I will take you both back...okay?"

Lysia was hoping Ares would say she and her brother could go back to Macedon tomorrow but since that was not to be, she would just have to be patient and put off her plans for playing in the snow. "Okay." Her lips curled into a faint smile. "Goodnight Daddy."

Upon hearing the darling little girl call him daddy, Ares couldn’t help but smile. It was like music to his ears. He had fathered thousands of children over his immortal existence but Lysia and her brother were the first in which he had taken an interest. "Goodnight sweetheart." Ares kissed the child on her forehead then departed the bedchamber to check on her brother.

**********

A cold wind whipped around the two horses that slowly trotted up the snow-covered trail. Gabrielle gazed up at the night sky. It was unusually bright due to the snowstorm. A few frosty flakes fell on her face and she brushed them away with a glove-covered hand. She gazed over the edge of the narrow snow covered trail. All she could see was the jagged side of the mountain covered with snow. It seemed to descend into a bottomless pit.

"Oh, are we up high." Gabrielle felt herself grow dizzy. She immediately turned her gaze from the mountain edge and focused on her friend riding atop Argo in front of her.

"Whoa girl." Xena pulled back on Argo’s reins bringing the horse to an abrupt stop. Gabrielle quickly did the same with Xerxes.

"Gods Xena...what is that?" The bard’s green eyes were wide with wonder as they gazed at the spectacle before them.

On the narrow trail, several feet in front of them, there appeared to be a bluish translucent wall that ran the whole width of the narrow trail.

"It’s a gate Ares created to keep trespassers from proceeding further up the mountain." Xena dismounted Argo, approached the gate and then stopped about a foot in front of it.

"What happens if someone touches the gate?" Gabrielle asked.

"You feel a painful sting throughout your whole body." Xena saw a tree branch partially covered in the snow, which she retrieved. "If you maintain contact with the gate, this is what happens." Xena held the tree branch against the translucent blue wall. After only a moment of contact, a humming sound could be heard as the tree branch began to vibrate in Xena’s glove covered hand. A moment later, the branch burst into flames.

"Yikes, that’s gotta hurt!" Gabrielle declared.

Xena let the burning branch fall to the ground then kicked snow over it to douse the flames.

"So Xena, how will we continue up the mountain without being toasted?"

"I’ve got a key that will open the gate." Xena retrieved her chakram from inside her black bearskin coat. She swiftly tossed the round metal weapon at the side of the snow-covered mountain.

The chakram bounced hard off the mountainside and then headed straight for the bluish translucent wall. When the chakram hit the wall, there was a bright spark of light from which Xena and Gabrielle had to shield their eyes.

Within moments, the brightness dimmed and the pair unshielded their eyes. Xena retrieved her chakram, which lay at her feet in the snow.

"That is amazing!" Gabrielle stared in awe at the newly formed opening in the translucent wall.

"We better hurry, it won’t stay open very long." Xena quickly mounted Argo and proceeded through the opening. Gabrielle and Xerxes quickly followed after them. As they continued up the mountain, the bard glanced back to see the opening created by Xena’s chakram fade leaving the translucent wall whole again.

The wind was now howling and had picked up in speed as had the falling snow swirling around them. Gabrielle pulled the hood of her coat lower over her face to shield it from the cold as Xerxes trotted up the snow-covered trail behind Argo. She would actually be relieved when they finally reached Ares’ mountain fortress. She hoped it would be toasty warm after spending several hours in the arctic cold of a snowstorm.

"We’re here," Xena announced as if reading her thoughts. The two horses came to a stop at a massive stone door.

Gabrielle ignored the falling snow hitting her face as she gazed upward. Out of the bright night sky, she could see the menacing stone towers of Ares’ mountain fortress. The bard thought the structure had a dark presence just like its owner. But at that moment, those thoughts were replaced with ones of her sitting before a warm roaring fire.

"Do you have the key for this monstrosity too?"

"I’m afraid not." Xena pulled down the hood of her coat as she gazed up at the massive door.

Gabrielle shifted her weight atop Xerxes. "We’ve got to get inside or we will freeze to death."

At that moment, both women heard a loud bang. Their eyes were glued on the stone door, which slowly slid open. Xena urged Argo to walk through the open door. Gabrielle did the same with Xerxes. After both horses had come through the massive door, it slowly closed. A large man dressed as a blacksmith was standing by the door after it closed. "Hello Xena."

Xena quickly whirled around to see who had spoken. "Hello Zethus."

The bard stared at the man that Xena obviously knew.

"Gabrielle this is Zethus, he’s in charge of the stables here." Xena dismounted from Argo and shook the snow from her raven tresses.

"Hello." Gabrielle dismounted from Xerxes. She pulled back the hood of her coat as she glanced around at their new surroundings. They were standing in the stables. The stone floor was unusually clean for boarding horses. Blocks of hay were neatly stacked against a wall. Neighs, snickers and whinnies could be heard from the horses occupying some of the stalls.

"Uh, yeah hi." Zethus quickly muttered. All his attention was focused on Xena who he approached. "Lord Ares said he was expecting you so I was to open the door when you got here."

"I figured Ares would have a look out for us." Xena grabbed Argo’s reins, ready to lead her to an empty stall.

"Oh, here, let me do that." Zethus took the reins from Xena. He glanced in Gabrielle’s direction. "I’ll take your horse too...it’s Gabrielle right?"

"Yes." Gabrielle was rather surprised Zethus had remembered her name when Xena said it earlier. Xena and Gabrielle removed their coats and laid them across the top of a stall wall.

"You don’t have to worry about your gear, Xena. I’ll have yours and your friend’s taken to your bedchambers...with that storm out there...you two will be staying, right?"

"Yeah, we will be staying." Xena muttered regrettably. "C’mon Gabrielle." Xena turned to leave the stables and Gabrielle joined her.

Xena and Gabrielle were walking by the last stall when a large black horse stuck out its head and neighed.

Abruptly, Xena came to a stop. "Hey girl, how are you?" Xena stood before the stall and ran her hands down the horse’s ebony face.

"Gosh Xena...she’s beautiful." Gabrielle now stood by her friend and gazed at the large animal. The mare’s black body glistened as if it were wet. Her mane and tail were darker than her body and appeared almost blue. Gabrielle ran a hand down the horse’s mane. It felt like silk. The horse gazed at both women with large cocoa colored eyes.

"Her name is Midnight and she is the pride of Ares’ stables." Xena smiled as Midnight nuzzled her head against her. "He mated her with Pegasus to get his two winged stallions...Serpico and Blade."

Gabrielle gazed across from the stall where they stood. Her eyes focused on two stalls, each containing a winged horse. Both animals had their heads bowed as they nibbled hay. Gabrielle knew the smoky gray stallion had to be Blade because she had already met Serpico. A chill went through her as she recalled how she became acquainted with the large animal.

Gabrielle had accepted Ares’ offer to get her to Chin before Xena. But Chin was in the territory of another pantheon of gods, so Ares’ godly powers were drastically reduced. Since he couldn’t transport her there using the aether, they had to use his winged stallion Serpico. Gabrielle had never cared for riding on the back of a horse but this ride was far worse since the animal had wings and could fly high above the earth. Gabrielle put the harrowing experience in the back of her mind. "You and Midnight must have been very close...she certainly hasn’t forgotten you."

"Yeah, we were very good friends. Outside of Ares, I was the only other person she would let ride her." Xena gave the horse one last rub on her ebony face before she and Gabrielle finally departed the stables.

The pair had to walk up three floors of stairs before Xena declared they had reached their destination. Gabrielle glanced around at their surroundings. They were walking down a stone corridor dimly lit by candles lining the walls. Gabrielle gazed far down the corridor. She could see a large stone archway. When the pair reached the archway, they proceeded through it.

"This is Ares’ throne room." Xena began walking about the room.

What lighting there was in the room was provided by a few large torches, the glow of the their flames bouncing off the stone walls. In the center of the room, carved in the stone of the floor was a very large image of Ares’ sword. Gabrielle walked around it for closer inspection. A circular band surrounded the image of the sword. The bard’s brows furrowed. The circle had a familiarity and now she knew why. It was the design on the circular band---it looked just like the one on Xena’s chakram---the circular band was a carved stone image of Xena’s chakram!

Gabrielle glanced over at her friend. Xena’s demeanor was tense and she was now staring at Ares’ unoccupied throne. Gabrielle turned her gaze too towards the large chair with blood red velvet padding.

In shards of blue and white light, Ares’ leather clad form came into view seated upon the previously unoccupied throne. His gaze fell on the dark-haired woman. "It’s a good thing you got here when you did Xena. That snow storm has intensified to life-threatening levels." The god turned his gaze toward Xena’s traveling companion. "So, Gabrielle, you are back among the living again?"

"Yes I am and I know how disappointing that must be for you," Gabrielle sarcastically replied.

"Actually, I find it rather fascinating. I guess we’re family now since the body you inhabit is that of my deceased child." Gabrielle had a disgusted smirk on her face after that comment which rather amused the war god. "This must be Hope’s doing. She obviously has more of you in her than any of us ever thought especially Dahak. He’s certainly not going to be pleased when he finds out what she has done."

Gabrielle didn’t continue the verbal exchange with Ares but remained silent. She was now in deep thought wondering what Dahak would do to Hope if he ever discovered what had really become of the Destroyer. She prayed Castor would find Hope before the discovery was made.

Xena wasn’t surprised that Ares already knew Gabrielle was alive. He obviously had been monitoring their journey to Macedon. When Ares needed information, he had ways of getting it, just like he did in Persia, when he had discovered the secret she had been keeping from him. Xena approached the large throne and now stood before it. Her crystal blue eyes glared daggers at the war god seated before her. "Where are they, Ares?"

Ares remained silent as a golden goblet materialized in his right hand. He took a quick sip of the fermented liquid before focusing his gaze on Xena. He knew she was boiling inside and this rather amused him. "Like I told you in my letter, Cyrus is here translating the scrolls we need to defeat Dahak. As for the children...they are somewhere safe."

Xena moved closer to the throne and rested her hands on the ends of the armrests as she stared into Ares’ deep brown eyes. "I want to see the children NOW!"

"I’m afraid that’s not possible Xena." He lackadaisically ran a finger around the rim of the goblet. "You see, they are asleep and I don’t think it would be right to wake them."

"Uh Xena...could I have a word with you?" Gabrielle had been silently watching the verbal exchange between the war god and her friend.

Xena gave Ares one last glare before she went to join her friend.

"What is it Gabrielle?" Xena’s tone was very impatient as she gazed into the bard’s face. She noticed how pale her friend had suddenly become. "What’s the matter Gabrielle---are you sick?" Concern was now etched on her face.

"It’s nothing serious Xena. It’s just that this last metamorphous took a lot out of me...and it’s taking a little longer than I expected to recover." Gabrielle moved closer to Xena and spoke in a whisper. "I really would like to stay and referee the fight brewing between you and Ares but I just don’t have the strength."

"It’s all right Gabrielle. This is between me and Ares." Xena had been so determined to get to Macedon in record time that she hadn’t even considered the stress it could cause to her friend who was still adjusting to a new body. She put a hand on her friend’s shoulder. "You must get some rest." Xena turned towards the seated war god. "Ares, Gabrielle needs to get some sleep."

"It’s already been taken care of." Ares set the goblet he held on an armrest as he rose from the throne. "I knew you would have to stay here so I had the servants prepare a bedchamber." He went behind his throne and pulled on a long velvet cord dangling down the wall.

A moment later, a female servant entered the throne room. "Yes my lord."

"Take this young woman to the bedchamber prepared for her."

The female servant bowed to Ares then turned to face Gabrielle. "Follow me please." The servant proceeded out of the throne room.

"Good luck Xena." Gabrielle comfortingly squeezed one of her friend’s hands before she followed the servant out of the throne room.

Now just the two of them, Xena stared hard at Ares. "If I have to search this entire castle to find the children, I will do it."

"You can search all you want Xena but you won’t find them because they are not here." Ares walked over to Xena and now stood before her.

Being demanding was getting Xena no where so she softened her stance when she gazed into Ares’ face. "You have to let me see them."

"I don’t have to do any such thing." Without warning and godly quickness, Ares backhanded Xena.

CHAPTER 37

The force of the blow knocked Xena to the stone floor, a few feet away from the war god. She was somewhat dazed. The blow had caught her off guard and her crystal blue eyes were wide with surprise as she tried to regain her focus. Tentatively, she raised a hand to her injured cheek. She didn’t think there would be a bruise but her skin was stinging. During this time, Xena never lost sight of Ares’ presence. Her eyes carefully watched him as he began to circle her fallen form in predatory fashion. She could feel the anger emanating from his being.

Xena was quite familiar with Ares’ fierce temper. But when she had made him angry in the past, he never laid a hand on her for fear that in a rage he might fatally injure her. He would either work out his frustration with swordplay or release his wrath on some undeserving victim. His fury over her hiding the twins from him had to be at its zenith for him to strike her like he had just done. This also meant he didn’t care about the damage such an attack might do to her. From her vulnerable position on the stone floor, Xena intently watched Ares as he continued to circle her.

"I was thinking back to six years ago...you were so calm and cool when you returned from Persia. No one would have ever thought that just a few short weeks before, you had given birth to twins and promptly sent them off to India." A chuckle laced with anger escaped the god’s lips. "And the irony is that if it wasn’t for your evil father, I would have never discovered your two little secrets."

Xena sensed that Ares was about to attack her again. She tried to rise to her feet to defend herself but he moved too fast. The god easily lifted her off the floor and tossed her body into a stone wall. The collision with the immovable object left Xena severely dazed but somehow she managed to stay upright. Her own anger began to boil as she glared at the war god who was steadily approaching her. How dare he treat her this way! She was NOT obligated to tell him a thing about the twins---it’s not like she had been his wife---she had been only a lover who he had essentially DUMPED so he could counsel that Roman PIG Caesar. Xena had no intention of being the punching bag on which he released his anger.

When Ares finally stood before her, with a dark fury of her own, she punched him square in the face. Ares stumbled back, slightly dazed by the godlike power behind the punch. A faint smile with a sinister edge briefly crossed Xena’s face. Before Ares had a chance to recover from that punch, she delivered another to his stomach. The war god was taken off guard again by the second punch, which gave Xena the time to move away from him. But Ares made a quick recovery. Xena didn’t get too far before he managed to grab her around the waist and with godly strength hurled her hard again into the stone wall.

Xena’s second collision with the stone wall cleared the dark fury clouding her mind. Through her anger, she had tapped the godly power she had inherited from her father---something she had vowed never to do again. She was moving away from the wall when Ares slammed her against it again, this time using his own body to pin her in place. He wrapped a hand around her throat.

"You should have told me about the children, Xena!"

Xena began to speculate that it was more than anger that fueled Ares’ attack against her. He may have been trying to get her to tap the godly powers she inherited from her father. He had certainly made it clear a couple weeks ago that’s what he thought she should do. He held her under his malevolent gaze but she was not frightened as she defiantly stared back. "I figured children were no big deal...you had already fathered thousands so why would you care about two more...besides, you were busy counseling Caesar and I didn’t want to disturb you."

"Are you saying you kept the children a secret just to get back at me for counseling Caesar?"

"No Ares, I hid the children from you because I didn’t want you to destroy their lives with war, bloodlust and death." Xena felt him tighten the grip on her throat after her last statement. She narrowed the gaze of her crystal blue eyes as she stared into his face. "Before you kill me, let me remind you of the life bond we share...I DIE...YOU DIE."

"I’m not going to kill you Xena." Ares moved his face closer to hers. When he spoke, she could feel his warm breath on her face. "I could beat you to within an inch of your life...but I won’t do that either." He released his grip on her throat and backed away from her. "The best way to get back at you Xena is to deny you access to the children just like you did me."

If he was expecting her to attack him now using godly powers, she would not give him such satisfaction. In the calmest voice she could muster she asked, "Did you tell them Ares? Do they know we are their parents?"

"Oh, I told them all right and you should have seen the stunned looks on their little faces. But such responses were expected since Cyrus had fed them a LIE that their parents are DEAD."

"Oh gods," Xena mumbled.

Ares knew this would pain Xena. He wanted to hurt her just like she hurt him by deliberately hiding the children for the last six years. "The children are so disillusioned right now Xena. They really looked up to Cyrus, he was a beacon of honor and truth for them. Then there’s you...their new friend who’s really the mother who gave them up right after they were born."

Xena slightly bowed her head and closed her eyes. She could just imagine all the questions running through their young minds. She opened her eyes and fixed her gaze on the war god. "Please Ares, you have to let me see them. I must have the chance to explain what I did."

"You will see the children when I say you can and not before."

"You have to let the children go back to India, Ares." The war god rolled his eyes in response to her statement. "They are too young to be of any use to you...if you care anything about them you will let them live out normal mortal lives and not interfere."

"There’s NO WAY in Tartarus I’m giving up my children." Ares’ tone was firm as he stared hard into Xena’s face. "And the twins should not be living like mortals because that’s NOT what they are."

Xena was stunned upon hearing this news. "What are you talking about? Of course they are mortal. You are a god...I am a mortal...our children are half gods but they still have mortal life-spans."

A sly smile crossed Ares’ handsome face. "Correction Xena. I am a god...you are half-mortal...the children are a quarter short of being full gods. And since your father was a Watcher, which is a step above even us gods...the children are immortal."

"Immortal?" Skepticism was written all over Xena’s face. "I don’t believe you."

"Well, it’s the truth and I can prove it. But we will need to take a little trip." Ares offered her his right hand. Reluctantly, Xena took hold of it. A moment later, the pair vanished in a shimmer of light.

They materialized in the abode of the Fates. The three goddesses were the daughters of Zeus born to him by Themis, the goddess of Order. Through their mother, their existence was tied to the very order of the universe so unlike the other gods of Olympus whose authority did not extend beyond their given territory, the Fates’ authority encompassed the whole world and thus every human life.

Each goddess had a job to do in the supervision of human fate. Clotho had the appearance of a young girl. She sat before the spinning wheel, spinning out the thread that represented life. Lachesis had the appearance of a young woman. She was busy at her job of measuring out the thread of human life. Atropos had the appearance of an old woman. She stood by the spun thread with a pair of cutting shears that she used to cut a thread when a life came to an end. The three goddesses were too busy with their important tasks to take much notice of their visitors.

Ares led Xena over to a large weaving of life threads. "These threads over here are for every mortal, still alive that was conceived in Olympian territory." He proceeded to point out the threads of people she knew. "Here’s your mother’s, your brother Toris’ and here’s your own lovely thread."

Xena intently gazed at the weaving as Ares continued to point out more life threads.

"This one belongs to my mongrel half-brother’s runty friend Iolaus and here’s the mongrel’s thread." Ares ran a finger over Hercules’ life thread, longing to snap it. "You could go through every life thread here but you won’t find threads for Lycus, Lysia...or Gabrielle."

Xena quickly turned her gaze from the life thread weavings to Ares upon the mention of her friend’s name too.

"Your friend is just like the twins...she is now more god than mortal."

Xena was not entirely convinced so she approached Lachesis who was measuring out more thread. "Is what Ares said true? Are the children and Gabrielle immortal?"

"We only oversee the life threads of mortals. We have no life threads for your children or your friend." Lachesis replied.

Xena was blown away by this news. The children and Gabrielle---immortal? Cyrus couldn’t have known this or he would have told her. And Gabrielle would be just as stunned as her when she heard this news.

With the trip to the Fates proving his words were indeed the truth, Ares transported them back to the throne room of his Macedonian fortress. Xena was in deep thought as her mind weighed the discovery of the children and Gabrielle being immortal.

"When I found out about the twins, I went to the Fates who informed me of this tidbit regarding their lack of life threads. If the twins were mortal, they would have life threads and you would have never gotten away with hiding them from me." Ares gazed intently at Xena who was still mulling over this startling discovery. He decided to share his own spin on this surprising development. "Ah, the mysteries of procreation...we will probably never solve them. Then there’s god and mortal unions...they have always been unpredictable but it becomes a virtual crap shoot when you throw the blood of a Watcher into the mix."

"Whether the children live a handful of decades or countless millennia, I WILL NOT let you destroy the humanity in them with your bloodlust for power." Xena’s tone was firm as she finally gazed at Ares.

"There you go again...assuming right away that my intentions towards the children are disingenuous. Maybe I want nothing other than to be a father to them."

A chuckle escaped Xena’s lips after hearing his words. "Oh come on Ares, Lycus and Lysia aren’t your only children...you fathered thousands before them...which you ignored for the most part. I find it hard to believe that you have suddenly been hit with the urge to play daddy."

"Well believe it, because it’s true." He started walking around her. "Need I remind you Xena that I have always held you in high esteem, even after we parted ways...so these children we now share are special to me too." Ares absentmindedly ran a finger through her hair. He moved to stand before her again. "Now that the children will be staying in Greece permanently..."

"Who says their stay will be permanent?" Xena interjected.

"Forget it Xena. There is NOTHING you can say or do that will make me relinquish claim to our children." Ares’ tone was very firm. "As I was saying...since the children will be staying in Greece, you can now be a mother to them. I know that is what you’ve always wanted."

"From what you said earlier I figured it would be quite a long time before you would ever let me see the children." Xena stared at him suspiciously. "What’s the catch Ares? I know you’re not making such an offer due to a sudden attack of compassion."

Ares’ lips were curled into a sly smile as he gazed at her. "I will let you see the twins and be a mother to them if...you become immortal." Ares held out his right hand. A crystal vial materialized in his outstretched palm. Inside the vial was a light red liquid---it was ambrosia.

Xena gazed at the crystal vial containing the ambrosia before looking angrily at Ares. "Me becoming immortal...oh yeah, you would like that all right! I drink the ambrosia, become a goddess and you no longer have a death sentence hanging over your head."

"What is wrong with me trying to save my immortality? Dahak had no right to bond my life to yours. There is no way to break the bond but it can be neutralized if you become immortal."

A thoughtful gleam was in Xena’s eyes as she gazed at the war god. "I knew there was more than anger behind your earlier attack. You were trying to get me to use my godly powers to defend myself. And by using them, you were hoping I would enjoy the feel of such power and gladly accept godhood."

"You do know rather well, the workings of my mind," Ares said with an impressed smile. "I did want you to use your godly powers and you did just that…I even saw a satisfied gleam in your eyes."

"Oh, I won’t deny I tapped those godly powers and I did enjoy using them but the feeling was brief," Xena said. Her stance became firm when she continued, "I already told you, the person I am now, no longer craves godhood or the power that comes with it."

"You are being too hasty Xena. Just think about it...you would always be there for the children...making sure I don’t corrupt them...and there’s Gabrielle...she’s going to live forever now too. Do you think she wants to watch her best friend grow old, die and leave her?" Xena bowed her head slightly after Ares’ words but remained silent. A weary sigh escaped the war god’s lips before he spoke again. "Since you are so dead set against godhood, then maybe you will find this form of immortality more appealing."

Xena again gazed at Ares as the crystal vial disappeared to be replaced by a black velvet box. Ares opened the lid to reveal the contents---it was a golden apple. "I made a special trip to the Labyrinth of the Gods to get this for you. It’s a fruit from the tree of life...eat this my dear and you will only become immortal. The only godly powers you will ever have will be those you inherited from your father that you *refuse* to tap."

Xena took the black velvet box that Ares held out to her. She stared at the golden apple. If she ate it, she would become immortal and could be with the twins and Gabrielle forever. ‘She would also be with Ares forever too’. YIKES! Why did that thought slip in there? Xena shook her head to clear it from her mind.

"It will be so nice to gaze on that beautiful face of yours for eternity...to experience the passion we recently rekindled every night." Ares raised a hand up to her face and started caressing a cheek.

Xena had predicted that Ares would try to entice her to continue the recent intimacy which she had no intention of doing. "Hey, if I do this, it will be for the twins and Gabrielle only." She slapped his caressing hand away from her face. "So, any fantasies you have about us getting together will have to remain in your dreams."

"Don’t leave out your own dreams Xena. I especially like the one you had last night." A knowing smile was now plastered across Ares’ handsome face.

Xena was already angry with herself for having erotic dreams about the war god and him invading her thoughts to discover them infuriated her all the more. "STAY OUT OF MY HEAD YOU NOSY BASTARD!!!" Xena swung a fist at Ares’ face, which he deftly halted by strongly grasping her hand.

Xena was holding the black velvet box containing the golden apple in her other hand so she couldn’t attack him with that one. She countered by kneeing him hard in the groin.

Ares grimaced for only a moment but then an amused smile was plastered across his face. "Now Xena, you know that’s not what you really want to do to that part of my anatomy."

Only Ares would enjoy such a low blow that would have left a mortal man doubled over on the floor in excruciating pain. His apparent amusement aggravated Xena even more. "Will you let go of me!" She tried to yank her hand from his grasp but it was too strong.

"Your anger so excites me my dear." Ares kissed her hand then released it.

Xena glared at him. "I’m done talking...I’m going to bed."

"It’s about time you got to that." Ares had a lustful look on his face.

"I’m going to sleep...in my old room."

"You will find it just as you left it." There was a touch of disappointment in his voice. Still clutching the black velvet box containing the golden apple of immortality, Xena turned to depart the throne room. She had just reached the archway when Ares tauntingly called out to her. "If you change your mind and want more than sleep...you know the way to my bedchamber...we could act out some of those dreams."

‘And this is whom I’m dreaming about!?!?’ Xena thought, shaking her head in disgust as she proceeded to her old bedchamber.

Six years ago, after Xena had returned from Persia, Ares wanted to keep an eye on her so he insisted that she stay at his fortress in Macedon. Xena had agreed to his demand but made it clear the only interests between them were war and conquest so she wanted a separate bedchamber.

Xena had to climb a couple floors of stone stairs. When she reached the bedchamber the door was wide open. As she walked inside, she immediately noticed a small servant woman standing over a large metal tub. The woman gripped a bucket and was pouring steaming water into the tub. Xena recognized the servant woman from her warlord days when she was a frequent guest at Ares’ fortress. "Hello Penelope."

Upon seeing Xena, a big smile crossed the woman’s lips. "I was told you had just arrived after traveling through that horrible snow storm to get here so I figured you could use a warm bath."

"Yeah, I could use the warmth of a bath about now. I am still rather chilled after my journey."

Penelope set down the empty bucket, approached Xena and gave her a hug, which the warrior woman returned.

When they broke the hug, Penelope was still smiling as she gazed up at Xena. "Some of the servants told me you were here a few weeks ago but I thought they were just joking around until I heard you would be staying here for a while." Penelope now had a look of curiosity on her face. "I have heard all about how you have become the champion of the common folk. That’s why I was surprised to learn that you would be staying at lord Ares’ castle when you two are now supposedly enemies?"

"Ares and I are enemies Penelope but we have put aside our differences to fight against a common enemy we both share. Once that is accomplished we will go our separate ways again."

"But isn’t going your separate ways going to be tough? I mean with the children and all."

"You saw the children!?!?" Xena had a look of urgent desperation in her eyes as she grasped Penelope’s arms and gave her a penetrating stare. "If you know where they are please tell me."

"I only saw them for a brief moment, Xena. But it was easy to see whose children they are...they look so much like you and Lord Ares," Penelope replied. "That was yesterday when I saw them and I haven’t seen them since. I heard something about Lord Ares taking them to another place." The servant woman had great sympathy for Xena as she gazed at her disappointed face.

"When you saw them Penelope, how did they seem to you?"

"For little kids they were rather quiet but they did seem okay. I wish I had more to tell you Xena."

"It’s okay Penelope. What you were able to tell me about them did provide some small comfort."

The servant woman had a thoughtful expression on her face. "It doesn’t take much to see that you and Lord Ares are at odds over the children. For their sakes I pray that you two can work it out."

"Me too Penelope," Xena softly replied.

With her duties completed, Penelope retrieved the empty bucket and departed the bedchamber.

After Penelope’s departure, Xena walked around her old bedchamber. Ares had certainly made sure that the room was immaculately kept. There was no dust or cobwebs in sight. All the furniture in the room---a table, a couple chairs and a large four poster bed---were made from mahogany wood and in their polished state, shined in the light of the roaring fire.

Xena went over to the hearth. After spending hours in the bitter cold of a snowstorm, her body greatly appreciated the warmth emitted from its roaring flames. She could hear the whisking snow of the storm beat against the closed shutters of the bedchamber’s large window. She turned her gaze toward a large cedar wardrobe. Xena walked over to the wardrobe and opened its large doors. Her crystal blue eyes wandered over the contents. All her old belongings were still inside and in the same condition as when she had last seen them over three years ago.

Xena pulled out a gold silk shift and held it up for inspection. She hoped it would still fit. She laid the silk shift across the large bed covered with royal blue silk sheets. She removed her clothes then eased her body into the warm waters of the tub.

She lounged in the tub for a while, letting her slightly chilled body soak up the warmth of the water as her mind mulled over her dilemma. Xena hated to admit that after numerous successes at disrupting Ares’ schemes in the past that this was the one time that victory would be his. The war god was definitely holding all the cards and she would have to play whatever hand he dealt her.

Xena gazed over at the black velvet box containing the golden apple. Her desire for immortality had died along with her lust for power when she abandoned her warlord life. Some time ago, she had accepted the fact that she would probably die with her sword held firmly in a hand fighting a just cause for the masses. But death no longer had to be an inevitable end for her. She could be a mother to her children---something she thought she would never have the opportunity to be and she would also be with her best friend who was miraculously restored to her---and all she had to do was take on immortality. Gabrielle would tell her to accept Ares’ offer---in the end, she could use it to her advantage. But Xena knew that immortality even without the powers of a god would change her and she feared what those changes might be. Would they be good or bad? And what about the godly powers she had inherited from her father? She was finding it hard to resist using them in her mortal state. Would she give into them completely as an immortal?

Xena knew whatever decision she reached could not be made in haste. She needed more time to think about it.

After the soothing warm bath, Xena put on the gold silk shift she had earlier laid on the large bed. A pleased smile crossed her face. After three years, it still fit her perfectly.

Xena gazed at her traveling gear that Zethus had another servant bring to her bedchamber. She walked over to the table on which it sat. She pulled out the contents of the saddlebag until she found what she was looking for. A faint smile crossed her lips as she gazed into the face of Lysia’s doll.

Before departing for Macedon, Xena had retrieved the doll from her daughter’s belongings. She knew how attached the little girl already was to Vashti’s surprise gift and brought it along so she could give it to Lysia when she finally saw her. Xena clutched the doll against her as she walked over to the large bed and got in it. She let the one bedside candle continue to burn as she lay down for the night.

Despite how tired she was the worries of Xena’s mind would not let her rest. She was lying in the dim candlelight, gazing up at the ceiling when she heard a faint knock at her bedchamber door.

"Who is it?"

"It’s me, Gabrielle."

Xena rose from the bed to unlock the door.

"The servant woman told me your room was right next to mine. When I finally heard you moving around in here, I decided to come over." Gabrielle strolled into the room and plopped down on the side of the large bed. She gazed at Xena’s sleeping attire. "That’s nice, where did you get it?"

"It was in the cedar wardrobe over there...it still has my things in it from when I use to stay here," Xena replied. "You’re welcome to check it out. We are almost the same size now so you just might find something that fits you."

"I just might do that."

Xena looked at her friend curiously. "I thought you were tired, shouldn’t you be asleep by now?"

"I am bone tired but for some reason I just can’t sleep." Gabrielle shrugged her shoulders. "All I do is toss and turn in that big bed in my room. It’s gotta be this dark castle...or maybe Ares is doing some hocus pocus to torment me since I didn’t stay dead like I know he wanted."

"I highly doubt that Gabrielle. Right now Ares is occupied with other matters."

"Well, whatever it is, do you mind if I sleep in here tonight Xena? I’ll never get to sleep in that large creepy room. I need some company."

"No Gabrielle, I don’t mind. My bed is big enough to sleep a family of five easily."

"Great, it will be just like a slumber party." Gabrielle moved up the bed and climbed under the royal blue silk sheets. "Hey, what’s this in the bed?" Gabrielle pulled out the doll, which had been hidden under the silk sheets.

"That’s Lysia’s doll." Xena got back in the bed and faced Gabrielle who was lying on the other side. "It’s her favorite. I figured she was probably missing it about now and I wanted to give it to her." Xena now had a look of disappointment etched across her face.

"I guess it didn’t go too well with Ares after I left, huh?"

"He told them Gabrielle...Ares told the twins we are their parents. And now he won’t even let me see them so I can explain why I left them with Cyrus."

"I am so sorry Xena." Gabrielle placed a hand on her friend’s shoulder in a comforting gesture.

"The only way Ares will let me see the children is if I agree to his terms and become immortal."

Gabrielle’s brows furrowed with confusion. "I figured Ares would demand something but I thought it would be what he has desired most...you becoming his Warrior Queen and conquering the world in his name. Why is he only demanding you become immortal?"

Despite Ares’ latest stunt, Xena would still honor the promise she made to him about keeping their life bond a secret. Besides, she was sure the war god had other reasons for wanting her to become immortal. "I guess Ares figures, this way we can be a *happy* family...him, me and the children spending eternity together. You see Gabrielle, the children are immortal."

"Immortal!" The bard had a stunned look on her face. "Are you sure Ares is telling the truth? Maybe he is just being his usual deceptive self."

"At first that’s what I thought but we paid a visit to the Fates and they confirmed he did indeed speak the truth but that’s not all." Xena stared into her friend’s green eyes, as she lay across from her in the large bed. "The Fates told me you are immortal too."

"What???" Gabrielle bolted upright in the bed. "No, that’s not possible."

"Oh but it is possible. Just like the twins you are more god than mortal now." Xena sat up with her friend and gazed over at her stunned face. "You also must remember that it’s not only the blood of a god flowing through that body you inhabit but also Dahak’s and he was a Watcher."

"Wow, this is so unreal...I’m going to live forever." Gabrielle gazed at her friend sitting next to her in the bed. "You have to accept Ares’ offer."

"I figured you would say that." Xena had an apprehensive look on her face.

"If you become immortal Xena, you will get to raise your kids, something you thought you would never have the chance to do. We would always be together and then we could keep Ares in line."

"Those are all good reasons but I need more time before I make a final decision." Xena lay back on her plush pillow and Gabrielle did the same with hers.

The flame of a lone candle still emitted dim light about the large room as both women stared up at the ceiling high above them. They lay in silence, the only sounds were those of the howling wind of the storm and snow hitting the closed shutters of the window.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yes Xena."

Xena rolled over onto her side and gazed at her friend. "I’ve been doing some thinking about Dahak being my father and what Hope did to bring you back and I just wanted to say...I’m sorry."

"Sorry for what?" Gabrielle rolled over onto her side and gazed at her friend.

"All the pain you had to suffer these last several months. I caused it all when I insisted Hope had to die back there in Britannia. If I had listened to you and given Hope a chance...who knows...everything probably would have been a whole lot different...Solan would be alive...you would have never died...Dahak would have never been freed and the twins would be safely in India."

"I wish you wouldn’t blame yourself, Xena. No good will come from second-guessing past decisions. I had to learn that the hard way. You had good reason to distrust Hope...her father is the one great evil after all."

"But I now have the same father as Hope. I have committed far more horrors than she ever has so how can I be so critical of her?"

"But you have changed Xena and are now trying to right the wrongs of your past."

"And from what you told me, so is Hope." Xena stared into her friend’s face as she lay across from her. "I now pray that Castor finds Hope and gets her away from Dahak. And I want you to know Gabrielle that when this mess with Dahak is over I will try to make peace with Hope. I don’t know if I can ever forgive her for killing Solan but she is a part of you and she’s a part of me for that matter...she’s my half-sister. People gave me a chance and it’s the least I can do for her."

Tears of joy welled up in Gabrielle’s eyes. "Thanks Xena, that really means a lot to me." She leaned over and kissed her friend on a cheek.

"I knew it would, that’s why I had to tell you." Xena had a smile on her face. "Now we better get some sleep."

Gabrielle rolled over onto her back. A pleased sigh escaped her lips.

Xena leaned over and blew out the lone candle. The room now black, she lay back on the bed to get some sleep.

CHAPTER 38

"State what business you have at the palace." The guard’s voice was monotone and his face was like stone as he gazed at the stranger before him.

"I have come to see Hercules. I know he is in Corinth visiting the King," Joxer said.

The guard’s stony expression was replaced with an annoyed smirk. Every time word got out that Hercules was in Corinth, people would always appear at the palace looking for him to help with some dire problem or crisis. King Iphicles had given the palace guards strict orders that his brother was not to be disturbed by the citizenry. This was a visit of leisure and he wanted his younger brother to enjoy himself.

"Hercules is here for a family celebration so he is not taking any visitors," the guard firmly stated.

"But I am sure he will want to see me...I’ve brought him an urgent message from Xena."

"Xena!" The guard had been a soldier in the Corinthian army when the famed warrior woman led an attack against the city. Just hearing her name made the guard uneasy despite the fact that she now fought for good. "Wait here."

The guard left his post and conferred with another guard who stood nearby. Both men repeatedly glanced at Joxer as they continued to speak in hushed whispers. When their conversation concluded, the guard went through the palace gate and into the palace itself. But the other guard with whom he had been talking immediately took up his vacated post. The new guard gave Joxer a warning look to squelch any idea he may have had about sneaking into the palace.

Joxer just flashed the new guard a disarming smile. He started to pace the grounds outside the main gate of the Corinthian palace. He let his gaze wander over the people busily moving along the street. The smile on his face grew wider.

Talon was thoroughly enjoying his return to flesh via Joxer’s body. He inhaled deeply, letting the lungs that were now his fill up with air before slowly exhaling. He basked in the warmth of the noonday sun on his skin. The people around him took such small comforts for granted but Talon had new appreciation for these simple pleasures after spending centuries in a bodiless state wandering through the heated core at the center of the earth.

Talon let his gaze settle on a young woman strolling down the street. She cast him a friendly smile when she caught him staring at her. He returned her warm smile. "Oh, would I love to get a piece of that," Talon muttered to himself as his eyes admiringly raked over her curvaceous young form.

The recently freed fallen Watcher would perform whatever duties Dahak required of him but he had plans of his own and one of those was making up for lost time with women. Talon enjoyed his sexual romp with Gwenyth on the forest floor and wouldn’t mind being with her again. But there was a whole new world out there for him to explore---full of a variety of women and he planned on sampling as many of them that his new body would allow.

Talon strolled over to the cart of a cookware merchant situated not that far from the main gate of the palace. He gazed at his reflection in the bottom of a shiny metal pot hanging atop the carton. He ran his hands over his face and through his short brown hair. Talon’s new face did not have the stunning looks of his old face. But he still had his charm that could captivate women. His thin lips curled into a devilish smile. He also still had his sexual prowess. His new mortal body put limits on his stamina but he could still show a woman a good time---Gwenyth could certainly attest to that. Talon thought about her writhing beneath him as they lay on the forest floor---the sighs and moans of pleasure pouring from her pouty lips. Gwenyth had never known such ecstasy and the former Watcher was confident it would be the same for his other female conquests.

Talon let his thoughts drift back to the events he had witnessed through Joxer’s eyes before finally gaining control of his body. He thought about the joy that Joxer felt when he discovered that the woman he loved had been resurrected into a new body. Talon didn’t like the way such emotions made him feel but he had to admit this Joxer fellow had great taste in women---this Gabrielle was definitely a beauty. Talon had also been checking out Xena and thought she was pretty hot too. But the former Watcher didn’t want to face Dahak’s wrath by making a move on his daughter so he decided to only cozy up to her best friend. A wicked grin crossed Talon’s face again. This Gabrielle would soon discover that during her absence, Joxer had found a new boldness. Talon was going to have a whole lot of ‘fun’ showing her just *how much* she meant to Joxer.

Talon’s thoughts came back to his surroundings when he saw two cloaked figures approach the guard box outside the palace. His curiosity piqued, he approached the guard box and quietly stood in the background unnoticed. The two figures pulled back the hoods of their cloaks revealing themselves to be two beautiful women. One had curly blond hair like Gwenyth but it was somewhat longer. The other had long dark hair. Talon’s curiosity intensified and he moved a little closer to the guard box to hear the ensuing conversation.

"I heard that Hercules was staying at the palace and I must see him at once," the curly blond-haired woman stated with authority and urgency.

An annoyed smirk etched the guard’s stony face. Couldn’t Hercules have one moment of peace? "Hercules is here for a family celebration and is not taking any visitors."

"We aren’t just any visitors. This is Queen Ephiny of the Amazons and she is a friend of Hercules’," Solari stated.

The Amazons had planned on locating Xena and telling her about their startling discovery in the forest near Mycenae, regarding Dahak’s cult. But they had gotten word about Hercules being in Corinth and since it was closer, came to see him first.

Since he was not dealing with an ordinary visitor, the guard softened his stance. "You will have to wait for the other guard to return. He can take you to see Hercules along with the other visitor." The guard glanced over to Talon who was inconspicuously standing not too far from the guard box pretending to have his attention elsewhere. Ephiny and Solari turned to gaze in the direction the guard indicated.

Talon knew their eyes rested on him and he pretended not to notice.

"Joxer? By the goddess Artemis, what are you doing here?" Ephiny proceeded over to where Joxer stood. Solari followed her queen.

‘Oh great, they would have to know this Joxer fellow and now they are coming over here.’ Talon grumbled mentally. He let his eyes rake over the approaching women. Their faces were beautiful and he was pretty sure they had hot bodies to match under those cloaks. The former Watcher thought that for a shmuck, this Joxer fellow didn’t do so badly---he got to hang out with some pretty HOT women.

Talon was at a severe disadvantage. These women knew the previous owner of his new body but he knew next to nothing about them, except for what he had heard about the curly blonde being named Ephiny and Queen of the Amazons. Talon took a deep breath and then slowly exhaled. He was about to give his first *performance* as Joxer.

"Oh, hi Ephiny." Talon feigned a friendly smile when the two women finally stood before him. Since he did not know the brunette’s name, he just nodded to acknowledge her presence. "What are you doing in Corinth?"

"I could ask the same of you but the guard has already told me that just like Solari and I, you are here to see Hercules."

Talon now had a genuine smile on his face. He now knew the brunette’s name too.

"Is Xena here too? How has she been? She seemed so lost after Gabrielle’s memorial service," Ephiny said.

"Xena is not here. She had some pretty hard times but she finally realized how important it was for her to go on...it’s what Gabrielle would have wanted...so she is up to her neck with helping people."

"That’s good to hear." Solari had a pleased smile on her face.

"Yes it is. With Xena and Hercules fighting alongside us, this raises our chance of victory." Ephiny was silent for a moment. She took note of the inquiring expression upon Joxer’s face. "It appears an old enemy just doesn’t know when to quit."

"Yeah, Dahak’s cult is back causing trouble again," Solari added.

"So, you guys have had a run-in with Dahak’s cult too, huh?" Joxer asked.

"You mean you and Xena already have?" Solari asked with surprise.

"Not only have Xena and I faced off against Dahak’s cult but the One Great Evil himself," Joxer said.

Ephiny and Solari exchanged looks of surprise and fear.

"Oh wow! This is worse than I thought," the Amazon queen confessed. "These events are far too intense to continue discussing at the palace gates. We can exchange what we know about Dahak and his cult when we fill Hercules in on what is happening."

Solari and Joxer nodded in agreement.

**********

Those who were seated at the long dining table rose to their feet. Their gaze fell on Falafel as he entered the royal dining room.

In his outstretched arms rested a cake with lit candles atop it. When he headed towards the table, singing began.

"Happy Birthday to you...Happy Birthday to you..."

Falafel had a large smile on his face as he set the cake before the guest of honor who remained seated at an end of the table. Falafel stood by the table and joined in the singing.

"...Happy Birth---day Dear----Iphicles---Happy---Birthday---to you---"

Those standing began to clap as the singing came to an end. All eyes now focused on the man who remained seated at the table.

"Go on Iphicles, make a wish and blow out the candles," Hercules said when the clapping ceased.

Iphicles glanced at the smiling faces of those standing around the table. He took a deep breath, then exhaled, blowing out all the candles atop the cake. Those standing around the table cheered and applauded.

"Hey Iphicles, what did you wish for?" Jason asked as all retook their seats around the table. After Alcemene’s death, Jason had moved back to Corinth. He was now royal counsel to his stepson the King.

"Now Jason, you know the wish won’t come true if I tell you what it is," Iphicles replied.

All at the table began to laugh.

Falafel was cutting the cake into slices, which he proceeded to pass around to those seated at the table.

"Hey Falafel, did you make this cake?" Iolaus scrutinized the cake setting on the table before him.

"Sorry to disappoint you Iolaus but the palace baker made this cake," Falafel replied.

Iolaus had a look of relief on his face as he eagerly dug into his cake slice.

"Want cake Mama." The toddler patted his small hands impatiently on the high chair.

"Hold on Evander, Mama is getting your cake now," Nemesis assured the child. The former goddess was adjusting well to her life as a mortal and being a mother to a demi-god son. She had been Hercules’ first love and even though that had ended long ago, they were still very good friends. Hercules would always be there for her and his nephew, Evander.

"Here you go sweetheart." Nemesis set the slice of cake before Evander. With small hands, the toddler picked up the cake slice and began shoving it into his mouth, getting icing on his cheeks. He looked so cute that those around the table couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight.

At that moment, a male palace servant entered the royal dining hall. He proceeded over to where Hercules sat at the table, then whispered in an ear.

"Would you all excuse me for a moment." Hercules rose from the table and went with the servant to a corner of the dining hall. They spoke in hushed tones for a few minutes before the servant left the dining hall. Hercules came back over to the table.

"Is everything okay Hercules?" Iphicles asked from his position at the head of the table. A look of concern was on his face. All at the table now gazed at Hercules.

"Everything is fine," Hercules assured as he glanced at those around the table. "There’s just someone who needs to see me for a few minutes...it shouldn’t take too long."

"If you need privacy, you can use the royal study across the hall," Iphicles suggested.

"Thanks." Hercules looked to Iolaus. "You should hear this too."

Iolaus rose from the table and followed Hercules into the study across from the dining hall.

Once in the study, Iolaus asked, "So Herc, what is this all about?"

"There’s a man at the main palace gate who wants to see me. He claims to have a message from Xena."

Hercules and Iolaus had not seen Xena since the Amazon memorial service for Gabrielle.

"Xena was not in too good a shape the last time we saw her and I hope whatever this man has to say will not be that things have gotten worse with her," Iolaus said with concern.

"We will know soon enough."

A few moments later, the same servant from before held the study door open as three guests entered...a man and two women.

"Joxer, Ephiny and Solari!" Hercules and Iolaus exclaimed in unison.

"What are you guys doing here?" Hercules passed before the trio, gripping a forearm of each in friendship. Iolaus followed suit.

"We have urgent messages for you," Ephiny replied in a serious tone.

"Nothing has happened to Xena I hope?" Hercules intently gazed at the three faces for any sign of bad news.

"Oh no Hercules, Xena is fine," Joxer assured.

After what Xena had been through the last few months, the demi-god was relieved to hear that she was okay. But Hercules knew Joxer’s trip to Corinth along with the two Amazons was not one of leisure and he was curious to hear what they had to say.

Joxer sensed Hercules’ urgency to know the reason for their simultaneous journeys to Corinth. He nodded to the Amazon Queen that she should speak first.

"An old enemy has resurfaced...Dahak’s cult is back."

A weary groan escaped the lips of Iolaus. "Don’t these people ever give up?"

"Yeah, they certainly give new meaning to the word zealot." Hercules gazed intently at the Amazon Queen. "Where has the cult sprung up now?"

"We came across them near Mycenae," Ephiny replied. "And they have gotten sicker since the last time Xena dealt with them."

"Yeah, they are killing people and using their blood to feed plants," Solari added.

"Plants! You have got to be kidding?" Iolaus had a look of stunned amazement upon his face.

"I wish we were but this is too warped for our imaginations," Ephiny replied.

The brow of the demi-god hero was furrowed with perplexity as his mind pondered this latest bit of news regarding the activities of Dahak’s cult. "I thought the main goal of Dahak’s cult was to spill the blood of the innocent to free their lord. So why are they killing people to feed plants?"

"Because they have already freed Dahak," Talon finally chimed in playing the role of Joxer. "Xena has already faced off against the One Great Evil but she needs your help and sent me here to get it."

"Wow, Dahak is here! I thought the sky would darken and the earth would shake if that ever happened," Iolaus said.

"If given time and with whatever he and his followers have got planned it just might." Hercules fixed his gaze on Joxer. "Does Xena have some type of plan on how we will stop Dahak for good this time?"

"Yes she does. I don’t know all of it…Xena and Ares have both been working on it so either one should be able to fill you in on all the details."

"Ares!?!?!?" The others in the room were stunned to hear that the war god was working with Xena to defeat Dahak and voiced their shock in unison.

"Why in Tartarus is Xena working with Ares?" Hercules asked.

"Yeah, I thought Ares was on Dahak’s side?" Iolaus asked.

All in the room gazed quizzically at Joxer, waiting for answers.

"Hey, all I know is Ares said he only pretended to join Dahak and Xena believed him. She’s probably at his castle in Macedon right now...that’s where she wants us to meet her."

Hercules did not like what he was hearing. If this crisis with Dahak wasn’t bad enough, now he had worry that losing Gabrielle had driven Xena back to Ares. The only way he would uncover if that was indeed the case was by seeing her. The demi-god looked to his best friend. By the expression on Iolaus’ face, Hercules could tell that he was also now worried about Xena. "We better tell Iphicles and the others that we must travel to Macedon at once."

Hercules and Iolaus left the study and rejoined the partygoers in the royal dining hall. Joxer, Ephiny and Solari followed them.

The eyes of the partygoers fell on Hercules and the others when they entered the dining hall.

"Hey everyone, I want you to meet some friends of ours...this is Joxer, Solari and Ephiny, Queen of the Amazons." Salutations were exchanged between the newly arrived threesome and those seated at the dining table.

Talon couldn’t help but notice Nemesis seated at the table by the toddler. ‘Hot damn!’ He thought. Every woman he had seen since being released from his fiery prison was a major piece of ass---he felt like a fox in a hen house.

Iphicles sensed the change in his brother’s demeanor after the arrival of his friends. "You have to leave don’t you?"

"Yes I do," Hercules replied apologetically as he approached his brother who had risen from his chair at the end of the table. The others were busy chatting with the new arrivals and this gave the two brothers time for a private conversation. "I know you were looking forward to us spending some time together but my friends brought some disturbing news...Iolaus and I must help them."

"Hey, it’s okay Herc, I understand," Iphicles assured. By the grave look on his younger brother’s face, the King knew whatever the problem, it was not run of the mill. "So, you want to tell me about it?"

"I really can’t go into details right now but I’ll just say it has to do with Dahak."

"Dahak!" Iphicles eyes widened with surprise and fear. Hercules had told him all about the run-in he had with Dahak’s daughter and Xena’s numerous encounters with the cult. "I want to help...the Corinthian army is at your disposal."

"Thanks, but right now, I don’t know how serious the situation is and I’m hoping the use of an army won’t be needed but if it is, I will definitely take you up on your offer." Hercules embraced his brother in a big hug.

Afterward, he and Iolaus bid good-byes to those remaining at the birthday party, then departed with their friends for the mountains of Macedon.

CHAPTER 39

The young woman was on her knees before a large wooden chest. Atop the chest, sat a small ivory statue of the goddess Athena. The woman’s eyes were closed as soft whispers escaped her quickly moving lips.

Slowly, she opened her eyes and rose to her feet. The young woman proceeded to remove the silk robe she wore and laid it at the foot of the bed. Her eyes were filled with sadness as a weary sigh escaped her lips. The young woman hoped that Athena would hear her prayers and release her from the nightmare she had been living the last few days.

The young woman was about to get into the bed when she heard someone pull open her tent. She quickly turned around to see who had just entered. It was the creator of her nightmare "What do you want Ripheus?" Her tone was filled with loathing as she defiantly gazed at him.

Despite the appearance of having a hard exterior, Ripheus knew his presence greatly disturbed her. He smiled inwardly at his power over such a woman. "There’s no need to get snippy, Neaera. I just wanted to see if the tent lived up to your expectations. I know someone of your royal breeding is use to so much more," he said with sarcasm.

"The tent is fine, now will you please just go."

"It wouldn’t hurt you to show a little more gratitude your highness. You could have been locked up in a cage, sleeping on dirty straw like the rest of your traveling party but I was gracious enough to give you the use of my own tent."

"I am not showing you any gratitude, Ripheus. I may have the use of your tent but you never let me forget I am still your prisoner."

Neaera was a Princess from the city of Ambracia. She and her traveling party were on their way to rendezvous with her betrothed, King Demetrius of Byzantium when Ripheus and his gang of thugs captured them in an ambush. Now Ripheus was demanding a ransom from King Demetrius for her safe release.

"I know you will be happy to hear you won’t be my *prisoner* much longer." Ripheus noticed she perked up upon hearing this news. "I will be meeting with King Demetrius tomorrow. He has agreed to my ransom demands so I will release you to him."

Relief flooded Neaera’s being. Tomorrow, this nightmare would end. She would be with Demetrius, back in Byzantium and she would never have to look upon the monster standing before her again. Neaera’s attention turned to Ripheus once again. A lustful smirk was on his face as his dark eyes raked over her body, only covered by a thin sleeping gown. She had seen him look at her that way before but now she began to panic for she feared that he would finally act on the lust that filled him ever since the day of their unfortunate meeting.

Neaera quickly grabbed her robe lying at the foot of the bed, put it on, and then slowly moved away from the bed, increasing the distance between herself and her evil captor. "There really is nothing more for us to say to each other, so leave!"

Ripheus ignored Neaera’s demand as he continued leering at her form. He lustfully licked his lips as he took a step towards her.

"Don’t you even think about it!" She warned, taking a step back.

"I’m done thinking about it Neaera...now I’m gonna act!" Ripheus’ started moving towards her in a predatory manner.

Panic started to race through Neaera’s body. The princess knew she wouldn’t be able to defend herself against Ripheus ---she was tiny compared to his hulking frame. He would take her by force---but she planned on making it Tartarus for him.

"Don’t you touch me!" Neaera backed into a table. She frantically grabbed the objects lying atop it and began hurling them at Ripheus’ steadily approaching form.

A guttural laugh escaped Ripheus’ mouth as his powerful arms easily blocked her desperate attack.

When he was almost upon her, Neaera made a desperate move to get away from him, but he roughly grabbed her by the arms.

"Demetrius will kill you for this!" She spat with anger.

"He should thank me. When I return you to him, he won’t be getting a shy virgin for his bride but a very *experienced* woman." Ripheus pulled her struggling form to him as he brought his lips to the soft flesh of her slender neck.

Neaera was reviled by his touch. "Stop it...let go of me!!!" The princess continued to squirm in his unwelcome embrace as an evil laugh escaped his lips.

"You heard the princess...LET HER GO!!!"

Startled upon hearing the voice of another, Ripheus pulled away from Neaera and turned to see who had entered the tent.

Standing just inside the tent was an attractive woman of medium height with shoulder length blond hair. She was dressed in leather and in her hands, held out before her in a threatening posture, was a very large sword.

Just like Ripheus, Princess Neaera was surprised by the woman’s sudden appearance. But she was relieved the woman had arrived just in time to halt Ripheus’ lustful intentions.

The woman moved further into the tent, still holding the sword in a threatening gesture.

"You can forget about collecting that ransom Ripheus. It will be of no use where you are going," the woman stated with unwavering certainty.

Ripheus wondered how this woman had managed to sneak into his camp without his men catching her. He figured King Demetrius sent her in a last ditch effort to save the princess and not have to pay the ransom. This kind of surprised him---why would Demetrius send a woman when he had an army full of trained soldiers from which to pick? Ripheus gazed intently at the woman. He saw no fear in her eyes, only determination---she was just his type.

"You have me at a disadvantage...you know who I am but I don’t know who you are?" Ripheus moved towards the woman, drawing his sword from the scabbard hanging at his waist.

"I’m the person who is going to end your days of terrorizing defenseless women." The woman viciously swung her sword at Ripheus’ rapidly approaching form, which he deftly blocked with the blade of his own weapon.

"For a chick, you swing a pretty fierce sword," Ripheus commented. "It will almost be a pity having to kill you." He viciously swung his sword at the woman that she reciprocated with a fierce attack of her own.

Neaera retreated to a corner of the tent. Her eyes, filled with fear, were fixed on the two combatants as the sound of the clashing steel reverberated in her ears. The princess silently prayed to Athena, asking the goddess to give this unknown woman the strength to defeat her captor.

**********

Seven men were sitting around a roaring campfire. The only sounds heard were those of night creatures mixing with the crackles of burning wood. One of the men rose to his feet and approached the fire. He removed a large dagger from his person then proceeded to hack off a hunk of flesh from the deer roasting over the flames. When he had a sizeable piece, the man sat back down among his comrades.

"So, do you guys know what you’re gonna do with your share of the ransom loot?" The man bit into the roasted venison, tearing away some with his teeth and began chewing. His eyes fell on his comrades seated about him.

"I’m gonna take mine and check out those new casinos in Cyzicus," one man replied.

"I’m gonna get my mom that house she wants in Miletos with a great view of the Ionian Sea," another replied.

"Aw, who woulda thought that big ol’ Cimon was such a mama’s boy," one man sneered.

Most seated around the fire snickered at this remark.

"Hey, what’s wrong with me wantin’ to take care of my mom? She’s always been there for me and you’re just jealous ‘cause your mom walked out on you when you were a snotty nose brat!"

The other man quickly rose to his feet and Cimon joined him. Both were ready to come to blows.

One of their comrades quickly rose and stood between the two. "Will you guys knock it off...this ain’t nuthin’ to fight over."

Grumbles in agreement could be heard from the two men before all three retook their seats around the fire.

Once again, it grew quiet around the campfire as all concentrated on devouring their share of the roasted venison.

One of the men let his gaze fall on the large tent sitting on the outskirts of their camp. "Ripheus has sure been in there a long time, do ya think he got lucky?"

The other men glanced over at the large tent. "Nah, we didn’t hear no sounds of a fight or screaming," one man replied.

"It ain’t fair that only Ripheus gets a shot with the Princess, what about the rest of us?" One man complained.

"Ripheus can have that uppity bitch...I’ll take one of those ladies in waiting." The man glanced over at the cage where Princess Neaera’s traveling companions were being held. Only the women in the traveling party had been spared and now all lay asleep on ground.

The men around the campfire fixed their gaze on the cage and leered at the sleeping women.

"I don’t know about the rest of you but I’m gonna get laid." One of the men tossed aside the scraps of venison as he rose to his feet. His comrades watched as he adjusted the belt of his pants then proceed towards the cage holding the sleeping women.

When the man stood before the cage, he let his gaze fall on the sleeping form of a beautiful woman with red hair. He felt the lustful need rise within him as he removed the key from a pant pocket and quickly unlocked the door.

The sound of the door being open awakened the woman. When she gazed upward, the man was inside the cage and standing over her. She tried to move away from him but he grabbed her possessively by the arms and hauled her to her feet. The unexpected movement within the cage had awakened the other captive females who shrank back in fear over the horror they knew awaited their friend and probably them too.

Tears began to role down the woman’s face. "No...please don’t do this," she sobbed.

The fear in the woman’s eyes made the man want her even more. "Hey honey, it doesn’t have to be bad...if ya relax, you can enjoy it too." A guttural laugh escaped his lips, mingling with the dirty laughter of his friends still seated around the fire. The man wrapped an arm possessively around the woman’s waist and proceeded to drag her from the cage, to a more secluded spot.

The laughter of the men got louder as they watched their comrade drag the frightened woman towards the forest. The pair had just made it to the outlining trees when out of the dark night sky, a man landed before them.

The man was tall, with light brown hair. A devilish smile was plastered across his handsome face. His sudden appearance brought the uproarious laughter around the campfire to an abrupt end as all eyes gazed at the stranger. The women in the cage had their gaze fixed on him as well.

"I’m afraid you’re gonna have to forget about getting laid tonight." The stranger quickly delivered a chop to the man’s thick neck then a punch to his face. The man was dazed by the blows giving the stranger the opportunity to grab him by the neck and hurl him face first into a nearby tree, knocking him unconscious. The stranger quickly grabbed the frightened woman and placed her behind him.

By this time, the man’s comrades around the campfire had risen to their feet. Murderous rage was in their eyes. With swords drawn they headed for the stranger.

The stranger had a wicked grin on his face as he drew his own sword and charged his attackers. The woman crouched in fear by a tree as her rescuer took on the six men by himself.

Another man appeared on the edge of the clearing. He was tall, with bronze skin and dressed in black leathers. A scar ran down his left cheek but he was still rather attractive. An amused smile was plastered across his face as he leaned against a tree, his gaze fixed on the fight.

"Uh Draco, are you going to just watch all night or are you going to give me a hand?" The stranger asked as he used his sword to ward off one man, while he delivered a hard kick to the midsection of another, knocking the man into three of his comrades.

"I was just waiting for you to ask Darnelle...you seemed to be having a lot of fun and I didn’t want to intrude." Draco had a devilish grin on his face as he unsheathed his own sword and joined the fight. The two men now had three attackers each to battle.

The woman had her arms wrapped tightly about her. Eyes wide with fear, her gaze focused on the battle between the two strangers and the men holding her and the others captive. She shrank back into the shadows of the forest. But the woman jumped in fear when she felt a hand on her shoulder. Someone quickly moved to stand in front of her.

"I’m not going to hurt you...I’m here to help," a man assured.

The roaring campfire provided enough light for the frightened woman to see his face. The man was older than the other two strangers, probably in his fifties. He was dressed like a warrior. There was grayish white stubble of a beard on his face that matched the color of his hair.

"My name is Meleager." The man pulled out a tin flask from inside his shirt. He uncapped it and took a quick sip before recapping it again and tucking it safely away in his shirt. "My friends and I were sent by King Demetrius."

Relief flooded the woman’s face and body, which Meleager immediately noticed.

"You stay here while I free your friends." Meleager made his way over to the cage and used a small dagger to break the lock on the door. "Okay ladies, everybody out." He held the door open as the grateful women quickly made their way to freedom.

**********

Ripheus’ sword ferociously connected with that of his female combatant’s, knocking it from her grasp. A wicked chuckle escaped his lips as he repeatedly slashed his sword at his now weaponless opponent.

While ducking the deadly blade, the woman managed to get hold of chair to shield herself from Ripheus’ vicious attack. But each time the slashing sword made contact with the chair, the woman was driven back.

With victory seemingly apparent, Ripheus’ confidence grew to mammoth proportions leaving him open to attack which his opponent put to her advantage. She delivered a swift kick to his mid-section, halting the swing of his sword and pushing him away from her. Using all of her strength, the woman whacked Ripheus in the body with the chair, spinning him around.

Ripheus now had his back to her, which she viciously whacked with the chair. The force of the blow sent Ripheus stumbling in the direction of where the Princess stood by the bed. Neaera quickly picked up a basin filled with soapy water and hurled the contents directly into the man’s face as he steadily approached her in a dazed state.

Ripheus immediately howled in pain from the burning sensation the soapy water had inflicted on his eyes. He backed away from the Princess and was turning around when the woman walloped him on the side of the head with the chair. Ripheus fell to his knees and was trying to stand when the woman hit him with the chair several more times until he finally fell unconscious to the ground.

A gasp of relief escaped the lips of the Princess as she set the empty basin on a nearby table.

"Are you all right your highness?" The woman put aside the chair she was holding and approached the Princess.

"I am now." The Princess stared intently at Ripheus, making sure he was indeed unconscious, before finally setting a gaze filled with gratefulness on the woman standing before her. "Thank Athena you arrived when you did. What is your name? I want to make sure you are rewarded."

"My name is Glaphyra, and you don’t have to worry about rewarding me. King Demetrius was generous enough. He sent me and my friends to rescue you."

**********

Around daybreak, King Demetrius, accompanied by a regiment of the Byzantine army arrived at the campsite. Ripheus and his band of kidnappers were taken into custody by the soldiers and prepared for transport back to Byzantium where they would stand trial for their crimes.

A few hours after sunrise, the large party was finally ready to make their journey back to Byzantium. Darnelle, Glaphyra, Draco and Meleager stood by the royal couple as they prepared to depart.

"Once again I would like to thank you for returning Neaera safely to me," Demetrius stated. "I don’t know what I would have done if I had lost her." The King gazed adoringly at the woman standing next to him, holding onto his arm.

"Are you sure we can’t get you to change your minds and come back with us to Byzantium? We could have a festival in your honor and you could stay for our wedding. It will be taking place in a few weeks." Neaera snuggled closer to Demetrius.

"None of us have ever been to Byzantium and really would like to see the city but unfortunately, duty calls," Glaphyra replied before any of the others could respond.

"Yes, in the world in which we live, services such as yours are always needed," Demetrius said.

"Ah, so true," Darnelle said with a faint smile.

"But even people in your line of work need rest and relaxation so just remember that the gates of Byzantium are always open to you," Neaera stated.

"We’ll keep that in mind," Draco said.

"Farewell my new friends." King Demetrius braced the forearm of each in a gesture of friendship.

The foursome watched as King Demetrius helped Neaera onto a horse, then mounted his own. The traveling party was now ready to depart and proceeded to make its way through the forest, which would take them to the road that led to Byzantium.

The foursome stood in silence until the large traveling party was out of sight.

"I never thought that me, Draco, an ex-warlord, would ever be able to call any King friend."

"Yeah, that is strange," Darnelle chuckled. "I am more use to Kings branding me public enemy number one and having a bounty on my head." All four were now chuckling over this comment.

Darnelle, Glaphyra, Draco and Meleager had all been traveling together ever since they attended the memorial service the Amazons held for Gabrielle.

Darnelle and Glaphyra were the only two of the foursome who knew each other before the memorial service. The former female slaver and the former gladiator/javelin thrower, both acquired their fighting skills when they were under the tutelage of warlord Xena but at different times, so the two never met. The two were introduced to each other, when Xena, now the people’s champion asked for their assistance in defeating one of Ares’ new warlords.

Draco had been a fierce warlord who had the hots for Xena but the warrior princess never returned his affections. But that changed when Cupid’s mischievous son Bliss stole his father’s bow and hit the pair with love arrows. When Cupid finally caught up with Bliss, he removed the love spells but Xena convinced him to leave Draco under the influence of the spell. The arrow that hit Draco caused him to fall in love with Gabrielle and he was now determined to win her love by doing good deeds. Those events happened over a year ago and since that time, Xena had Cupid remove the love spell, but Draco had always been a warlord with a semblance of honor so he now did good of his own volition.

Meleager, like Draco, was an ex-warlord. But years ago, he froze in battle and took to drinking to cover his shame. The man didn’t regain his self-respect until he helped Gabrielle protect her home village of Potidaea from an evil warlord.

All four owed the new path they traveled in life - one of doing good for others - to Xena and Gabrielle. That’s why they all had felt the need to be there to pay their last respects to the bard of Potidaea turned Amazon Queen and support her best friend Xena. The foursome had been together since their fateful meeting in the Amazon nation.

"Y’know Glaphyra, I wish you hadn’t been in such a hurry to turn down the King’s offer of staying awhile in Byzantium," Meleager said.

"Yeah, we probably would have stayed at the palace." Draco had a faraway look in his eyes and his lips curled into a lusty smile. "I could have been waited on hand and foot by some hot chambermaids." A sigh of disappointment escaped his lips.

Glaphyra had a disgusted smirk on her face upon hearing Draco’s comments. "It’s not like I said we would never go to Byzantium...just not right now. We’ve got momentum going and a break right now would just soften up you guys."

"Glaphyra is right...we gotta keep active," Darnelle agreed. "But it sure would have been nice to check out that wedding."

Glaphyra moved to stand before Darnelle. Amazement danced in her eyes as a smile formed upon her lips. "Why Darnelle, I never figured you were the type to get into the ‘pomp and pageantry’ of a wedding." Draco and Meleager both snickered at this comment.

"I don’t...that’s what you women get gaga over." Darnelle had a devilish smile on his face as he gazed at the disgusted frown on the face of the woman standing before him. "But lately, I have been thinking about settling down with one woman and doing the marriage thing." With a hand, Darnelle cupped Glaphyra’s chin, tilting her head upward as he bent down and claimed her lips in a passionate kiss.

Draco rolled his eyes as he approached the two lovers, placing a hand on the shoulder of each. "Before you two get all hot and steamy, we still have to decide where we are off to now since we are not going to Byzantium."

Darnelle and Glaphyra broke the passionate kiss and turned their gaze toward their friends.

Meleager moved closer to his three friends. A thoughtful expression was on his face. "How about that place one of the kidnappers mentioned? Now what was it again? Cyzicus...that was it."

"Cyzicus is nothing but a resort town," Glaphyra stated with annoyance. "There’s no work for people like us in such a place."

"Maybe not work for us but we could put our dinars to work," Meleager replied.

Darnelle knew where Meleager was going with this suggestion and quickly voiced his objections.

"Oh no, if you are thinking about gambling our money away in some fancy casino, just forget it." Glaphyra and Draco echoed Darnelle’s protests.

"C’mon guys, you can’t hold what happened in Miletos against me," Meleager said. "I know that guy was cheating..."

"That may have been the case but you were never able to prove it and lost almost all of our money," Draco injected. Darnelle and Glaphyra nodded in agreement.

"And that pretty much soured the rest of us on your gambling skills," Glaphyra added.

"Since you are all against my suggestion, then where do you all think we should go?" Meleager asked.

Silence fell over the foursome as they all pondered where they should journey to next.

"Hey, I don’t know about the rest of you but I don’t want to hang out in the old campsite of the kidnappers another moment, so how about we head on out and decide where we want to go on the road?" Draco suggested.

"Good idea," Darnelle said.

The four walked over to where their horses were tied to some trees and prepared to depart for parts unknown. They were about to mount their horses when a flash of white light appeared before them. When it dispersed, a tall man of lean muscular build with crop cut blond hair stood in their midst.

When Darnelle and Glaphyra had helped Xena defeat a warlord named Agathon, they had an unforgettable encounter with the God of War and from that experience knew this man standing before them was a god. The couple immediately drew their swords and stood in a defensive stance. Their two friends mimicked their actions.

The new arrival couldn’t help but chuckle as he gazed at the four holding their weapons, ready to do battle against him - as if their weapons could really do any damage to him.

"You can put away your swords. I didn’t come to harm you," the god stated.

"Who are you and what do you want?" Glaphyra asked, still brandishing her sword. She knew it wouldn’t be much of a threat to the immortal being standing before them but it was the instinct of a warrior to draw a weapon. Her friends obviously felt the same way because they all still brandished their swords as well.

"I am Hermes."

"The Messenger God?" Meleager asked.

"That’s right and I’ve got messages for all of you...from a mutual friend...Xena."

Upon hearing Xena’s name, all four immediately sheathed their swords. None had seen the warrior princess since the Amazon memorial service for Gabrielle and were curious to read the contents of the messages the god had brought them.

"You guys all being together certainly made delivery a lot easier." Hermes handed each their individual message. "Now I’m off to deliver more messages." Hermes’ form was engulfed in shards of white light that vanished into nothingness.

After the Messenger God’s departure, all four quickly opened their individual messages and began to read them.

"Something major must be going down because Xena wants us to meet her in the mountains of Macedon." Draco’s eyes quickly scanned the sheet of parchment in his hands.

"And at Ares’ fortress no less," Darnelle added.

"I wonder what’s up with that?" Glaphyra asked. Considering the last time she and Darnelle had fought alongside Xena, Ares was the enemy. It seemed rather odd that the warrior princess would ask them to meet her at the war god’s fortress.

"I guess we’ll find out when we get there." Meleager mounted his horse as did his comrades.

Then all four took off through the woods, headed for the road, which would lead them in the direction of Macedon.

**********

Salmoneus focused on the sparkling waters of the Black Sea before setting his gaze on the white stone building sitting on a hill some ways from the golden sands. A pleased sigh escaped his lips. He had finally found the business of his dreams.

A few months ago, Salmoneus received word that his Uncle Lycurgus had died and had left him the property he owned in the town of Herakleia. Salmoneus had only met this uncle once when he was a child so he wasn’t that close to him. But he was excited when he learned he was his sole heir so he took off for Herakleia right away. He was disappointed when it turned out the property was a run down inn located along the shore of the Black Sea.

Salmoneus pondered his misfortune at a newly opened Casino and ended up winning quite a bit of money which he ended up using to refurbish the run down inn turning it into the jewel of the Black Sea.

Salmoneus formed a partnership with the owner of the Casino---a man named Priam. Salmoneus oversaw the hotel and entertainment while Priam oversaw the gambling floor. Now, when the rich of Greece wanted to relax and gamble, they came to Herakleia and they stayed at the best place in town, which Salmoneus was co-owner ---The Odyssey.

Salmoneus was still smiling as he gazed at his guests sunning themselves on the beach and frolicking in the waters of the Black Sea. There were only a few weeks of warm weather left but Salmoneus already had activities lined up to keep the guest coming to the Odyssey throughout the fall and winter months.

Salmoneus was headed back to the Odyssey when one of his distinguish guests approached him. The man’s name was Brasidas, the owner of the largest gold mine on the isle of Thasos.

"Salmoneus, may I have a word with you?" Brasidas asked.

"Of, course, I hope you and your wife are enjoying your stay here."

"We are having a wonderful time, like we always do," Brasidas replied. "That’s why I wanted to discuss renting your whole establishment during the first month of next spring." Salmoneus face brightened up upon hearing this wonderful news. "You see my daughter, Daphne, will be marrying Diomedes of Cnossus and the Odyssey would be the perfect place to hold the wedding."

Diomedes’ family owned the largest forge on the isle of Crete - famous for their manufacturing of weapons and was extremely wealthy in it’s own right. Dinars danced in Salmoneus’ head as he thought of the wealthy connections he would acquire.

"I know I speak for Priam too when I say this, but it would truly be an honor for our humble establishment to host such a monumental occasion in the life of your daughter," Salmoneus said doing a good job of containing his glee. He noticed a woman on the beach who appeared to be trying to get their attention. "I think your lovely wife needs to talk to you. How about later, if the both of you came to my office and we discussed this in more detail."

"That’s fine with me," Brasidas replied. The two men departed their separate ways.

Salmoneus continued his journey towards the Odyssey. He was grinning from ear to ear. After so many failed business ventures, Salmoneus was enjoying basking in the fallout of this long overdue success. Wait until he told his partner Priam that they would be hosting the biggest social event of the season! Salmoneus was about to enter the large white stone building, when he saw a man standing by a wagon that he swore looked vaguely familiar. The man was tall with a bronze complexion and from his dress, appeared to be from the Far East. He wore a royal blue robe with matching pants. Wrapped around his head was a black turban.

When the man spotted Salmoneus staring at him, he quickly turned to face the wagon and pretended to be admiring its contents, which were very large plants. Salmoneus was sure this guy was up to no good and quickly approached the man.

"Excuse me sir, I am in charge of hospitality at the Odyssey...are you enjoying your stay with us?" Salmoneus intently gazed at the man who still had his back to him.

"Um, yes I am...it’s a lovely place you’ve got here," the man quickly replied in a thick accent, that Salmoneus could not place. He moved to stand next to the man and gazed at him intently.

The man felt Salmoneus’ eyes upon him and became fidgety. He reached out a hand and touched a large fiery-orange petal on one of the plants in the wagon before him. "These plants must be only native to your country...I have never seen anything like them before."

"Actually, I don’t know where the plants originate," Salmoneus replied taking his focus away from the strange man to gaze upon the plants. "I just liked the bright orange color of the flowers and thought it would compliment the Odyssey’s decor. Besides, the man was selling them dirt cheap...I’m having a plant placed in every bedroom of the hotel." Salmoneus fixed his gaze on the strange man once again. He was sure he had seen him before.

The strange man felt Salmoneus’ gaze upon him again. He nervously ran a finger over his neatly trimmed moustache.

When the man made that gesture, Salmoneus knew exactly who it was. "Autolycus, is that you?" He moved closer to the man.

"You must have me confused with some one else. My name is Icbar and I’m from Damascus...now if you’ll excuse me." The man started walking away.

"You can’t fool me Autolycus, I know it’s you!" Salmoneus roughly grabbed hold of the man’s right arm and escorted him around a corner of the building out of sight from other hotel guests.

"Hey, what do you think you are doing!?!?!? I will see the owner about this and have you fired!!!" The man protested in a thick accent.

"You can voice your complaints right now...’cause you are talking to the owner."

"You own this place?" The man asked with true surprise, no longer with a thick accent.

"That’s right." Salmoneus yanked the turban off the man’s head, smudging the brown makeup on the man’s face and knocking the phony beard from his chin. He glared angrily at the now exposed face of the King of Thieves. "If you are here to rob my guests you can just forget it!" Salmoneus proceeded to escort Autolycus off the premises.

"Hey, wait a minute. I am not here to rob your guests." Autolycus managed to bring his forced departure to a halt. But Salmoeus gazed at him with suspicion in his eyes. "Not directly anyway...I was just trying to cozy up to that one guest you were talking with earlier."

"Brasidas?"

"Yeah, he owns this huge gold mine on Thasos and I was trying to convince him to give me a tour. While I was there, I planned on taking a few nuggets...he certainly has plenty and won’t miss them.

Salmoneus glared at him with disgust before grabbing one of Autolycus’ arms and proceeding with throwing the King of Thieves off his property.

"C’mon Sal, don’t be like this...I’ll even give you a few of the nuggets."

"As you can see, I have a legitimate business and don’t need your stolen gold."

"Yes, you have done rather well for yourself...that’s why you shouldn’t stand in the way of your ol’ pal doing the same."

"Brasidas is a valued guests who I plan on doing plenty of business with in the future and I am not going to let you ruin that for me."

The pair had finally reached the back gate of the Odyssey and Salmoneus was about to toss Autolycus into the street when a flash of white light appeared before them. When it dispersed, in it’s place stood Hermes.

Salmoneus knew the being before them was a god but he had no idea which one.

As soon as Autolycus saw the god, fear raced through his body. "Hey Herm, I hope there are no hard feelings about me stealing your sandals. I did return them to you and in perfect condition."

"I am not here about my sandals. But just make sure you never do it again." Hermes had a stern look on his face as he gazed at Autolycus. But then his face softened. "I’ve got a message for you." Hermes handed Autolycus the message addressed to him then the god vanished as quickly as he had appeared.

Curious to know who had sent him a message, Autolycus unfolded the parchment and quickly read its contents.

"Who is it from and what does it say?" Salmoneus was just as curious as Auto to know who would have a god deliver a message to the King of Thieves.

"It’s from the lovely Xena...she wants me to meet her at Ares’ fortress in the mountains of Macedon." Autolycus had a look of apprehension on his face. Considering his last encounter with the God of War, he was not up to facing him again. But Xena was a friend so he would honor her request.

"Why would Xena want to see you?" Salmoneus had a puzzled expression on his face.

"Because I am obviously one of the few people Xena can count on in a crisis." Autolycus ran a finger over his moustache. "Well, I’m off to Macedon."

"Wait! I’m coming with you," Salmoneus said.

"But you have The Odyssey to run."

"Oh, I have a partner and he can run this place without me for awhile. Xena is my friend too and I want to help."

"That’s real nice of you Sal but there is probably quite a bit of danger involved. You should stay here and run your hotel and leave the dare deviling to adventuresome types like Xena and myself." Autolycus proceeded through the back gate of The Odyssey.

"It will take you forever to get to Macedon on foot. I have a horse I would gladly lone to you but I will have to come along too."

Autolycus came to a stop and turned to face Salmoneus again. "Okay, you can come but just don’t get in the way."

Chapters 40 – 43

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