@Xenite Country
Dark Revelations
By Skkye Blue
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Shipper Fan Fiction @Xenite Country Dark Revelations |
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Webmaster Note: To make this story load a little easier in your browser, it has been split into several web pages. You will find the link for the part of the story below at the end of each page. Dark Revelations (Chapters 32 thru 35) CHAPTER 32 For an autumn night, it was unusually mild. A soft breeze blew through the forest loosening dead leaves from partially bare tree branches to find resting places on the already leaf-covered forest floor. The beige colored full moon provided light that cast eerie shadows throughout the forest. Joxer was a lone traveler as he sat atop Otis who rhythmically trotted down the narrow trail. A shooting star soared across the black backdrop of the clear night sky and Joxer momentarily closed his eyes and made a wish. Joxer thought going to Corinth in search of Hercules would be relaxing after the day he just had. He hoped the twins had a nice time at the circus with Cyrus but also wanted them to be punished for the scare they put him through. Despite the medicine Cyrene gave him, Joxer could still feel a slight ache in the top of his head, most likely due to tension and the fact that he hadn’t eaten much since he spent most of the day searching for the wayward twins. He pulled out some beef jerky in a sack on the side of the saddle and ravenously chewed on it. Joxer’s day had been for the most part, very hectic but he did have to admit there was one bright spot and that was Gabrielle’s return. Just thinking about it, brought a huge smile to his lips. This was a happening that Joxer had prayed for---dreamed of the last few months---something he wanted more than anything---and it actually came true. And now that Gabrielle was back, Joxer would have to find the courage to tell the spirited bard how he felt about her. He had told her several times when he believed her spirit to be in the Elysian Fields, hearing his thoughts regarding his unspoken love. Those talks had been relatively easy but re-enacting them face to face was something that scared Joxer and most of all, what her reaction to his confession would be. Joxer did have the small comfort of knowing that Castor was not his competition. When he first saw Castor with Gabrielle and how close they were, Joxer was afraid the bard was in love with the reformed warrior. But that worry was erased when Castor accompanied him to the stables to help with preparations for his journey to Corinth. All the former warrior could talk about was Hope and how he had to find her. This was proof enough for Joxer that Castor was in love with Hope, clearing the field for Gabrielle entirely for him which he now had to put to his advantage before someone did come along and swept the bard off her feet. For Joxer knew that Gabrielle was a beautiful, funny, intelligent woman who could have any man she wanted. He now just prayed that she would want him when he confessed his love for her. Joxer had eaten almost the entire sack of beef jerky and was rather thirsty. As he reached for the water-skin, Joxer felt a sharp pain in his head. "Oh no, not again," he groaned. Joxer bowed his head, closed his eyes and sat perfectly still atop Otis who continued to trot down the trail. A few moments later, the pain subsided and Joxer finally retrieved the water-skin and the headache powder he had also packed. He had put the powder in his mouth and was going to down it with some water, when again, he felt a sharp pain in his head, this time far more intense. Joxer dropped the water-skin, spit out the bitter tasting headache powder as he held his aching head between his hands. He squinted at the road and the forest ahead of him but all looked blurry and began to spin. Joxer tried to remain upright on Otis’ back but the dizziness increased and he soon lost his balance and fell off the moving horse to the ground below. "What’s happening to me?" Joxer moaned as he clutched his aching head and began to roll slightly back and forth across the ground. "Give up Joxer! I’ve grown too strong and you can’t stop me!" A raspy voice yelled from inside Joxer’s head. "Who are you?" Joxer moaned as he held his head tighter. "I’m Talon and your body is now MINE!!!" "No...No...you’re not real...I must be losing my mind," Joxer moaned "Oh, but I am real Joxer, so stop fighting...you can’t win!" The raspy voice hissed. Joxer was still clutching his aching head between his hands as he began to thrash about the ground as if fighting an invisible foe. Otis whinnied as he stood nearby and watched his master’s wild movements. "Leave me alone...it’s my body...I’m Joxer and I won’t give up," he wailed as his body continued to thrash about the ground. Joxer’s eyes widened as the pain in his head increased to an intensity that felt as if it would explode. "NOOOOOOO!" he yelled in an ear-piercing scream. The thrashing suddenly ceased and Joxer lay on the ground completely motionless, his eyes closed. Otis let out a snort as he stared at his master’s seemingly lifeless body. The earlier breeze had ceased and Joxer’s shallow breathing was the only sound heard in the forest. A moment later, Joxer opened his eyes and abruptly moved into a sitting position. He stared at his hands then tentatively touched his face with them. He ran his hands over his chest and arms. A pleased smile crossed his lips. Joxer slowly stood and surveyed his surroundings for a few minutes before retrieving the water-skin lying in the grass a few feet from him. When he approached Otis, the gelding whinnied and backed away from him, somewhat skittish. "Easy boy," Joxer said in a calm voice as he cautiously approached the animal. Otis let out a snort, but remained still. When he stood before the horse, he gently rubbed his brown face to calm him. "I’m sorry that strange attack I had frightened you but it will never happen again," cooed Joxer into the horse’s right ear. Otis snorted and swooshed his long brown tail. Joxer was putting the water-skin in its place on the saddle when he heard a rustling noise from some nearby foliage. "All right, I know you’re there, so come on out," he said in a demanding tone, his eyes glued on the foliage. The bushes ruffled some more, then a moment later, an athletic and very attractive looking young woman with curly blond hair cut in a bob, emerged from her hiding place in the thick foliage. "I witnessed everything that just happened. I take it, I am now speaking with Talon?" The young woman approached the man before her. "I’m Talon all right," he said with a devilish smile. "And you are?" "Gwenyth…a priestess in the order of Dahak." "So Meta...I mean Dahak sent you to keep an eye on me?" Talon’s eyes raked over Gwenyth’s well-toned form scantily clad in brown leather. "He wanted to be certain you gained control of the mortal’s body," Gwenyth replied. "Well, I finally gained control. This body’s not bad." Talon ran his hands over his arms and chest and walked around like he was trying on new clothes for the first time. "I’m the one who obtained this body for you," Gwenyth said with a touch of pride. "Did you now? I was never one to back away from a challenge but this Joxer fellow was pretty tough and resisted my taking over his body for the longest time. I finally gained control because he was so worn down after the very stressful day he had." Talon let out a soft chuckle as he thought about the events of that day he witnessed through Joxer’s eyes. "I’m sorry gaining possession was difficult but it couldn’t be helped. Joxer is a very good friend of Dahak’s daughter Xena. She trusts him implicitly so that should make your job somewhat easier." Gwenyth handed Talon a bloated goatskin. Talon uncapped the goatskin and let a drop of its contents fall on his hand. The tiny droplet was crimson in color. A sinister smile crossed his lips. "When the time is right, you will know how best to use that. Did you discover anything I should report to Dahak?" "Boy did I ever!" Talon snorted. Gwenyth looked at him expectantly. "Before I say anything, there is something I want you to first do for me." Talon gazed at Gwenyth with a lust-filled look in his eyes. "I am a priestess, NOT a harlot," Gwenyth firmly stated as she watched Talon’s eyes rake over her body. "Oh c’mon Gwenyth, even back in my day, priestesses were sleeping with the gods they served. Don’t tell me that’s changed?" "I don’t serve Dahak that way." Gwenyth folded her arms across her chest. "And besides, you are not a god anymore. You are mortal just like me." "True, but I still have that godly sexual prowess." Talon suddenly grabbed Gwenyth and pulled her roughly to him. Gwenyth was pressed so tightly against Talon’s body, she could feel the hardness of his manhood through her brown leather skirt. She tried to wriggle free from his tight embrace. "What in Tartarus do you think you’re doinmmm…" Gwenyth’s protests were muffled by Talon quickly claiming her pouty lips in a hungry kiss. When he met with the Dark One, Talon would have to thank him for sending this hot little priestess to watch over him. It was exhilarating to be flesh again! And what better way to break in this body, his new home, than an activity in which he excelled and the one he had truly missed the most during his many centuries of imprisonment in the earth’s heated core. His only company had been other disembodied entities like himself, filled with rage and longing for freedom. Well, that day had finally come and he had company more to his liking, a beautiful young woman. Her lips were soft and luscious, just like he figured, when they had earlier captured his gaze. Talon broke the hungry kiss and began to softly nibble on Gwenyth’s right earlobe. One of his hands was buried in her curly blond hair, holding her head steady. Her hair felt like silk and smelled like wild flowers. His eager mouth abandoned her earlobe to move to her slender neck. Her skin was so soft and tasted like honey. By all the gods of this world, it felt so damn good to feel the touch of a woman again! "Please, stop," Gwenyth gasped. Despite her words, she was actually aroused by Talon’s expert touch. "Let me go," she moaned. Her earlier wriggling for freedom was now reduced to almost non-existence. "You don’t really want me to stop Gwenyth." Talon was still kissing her neck and feasting off the sweet taste of her soft skin. "I don’t hear any conviction in your voice." His hands quickly undid the ties of her leather halter-top, then tossed the article of clothing in the grass. Talon reclaimed Gwenyth’s lips, which she surprisingly welcomed as a hand squeezed a perky breast. As Gwenyth hungrily returned Talon’s kisses, she was surprised how aroused this horny demon had got her. The touch of his lips against hers and his hands exploring her body had ignited within her a passion unknown to her before. She had heard some of the female followers of Dahak speak of such passion after having the pleasure of spending the night with the Dark One in his bedchamber. Stories of his sexual prowess had Gwenyth anxiously awaiting a summons to the hallowed bed but none ever came. She did truly serve Dahak as a priestess only and that did somewhat disappoint her. But she was given important duties which the others never did, like the duty she had now, which she had almost let slip her mind due to the desire Talon had awakened within her. Abruptly, Gwenyth broke her kiss with Talon. "We really can’t do this!" she gasped through labored breathing as she completely broke free from Talon’s embrace. Gwenyth scanned the grass for her leather halter-top. When she found the piece of clothing, she turned her back to Talon and covered herself with it. "Just tell me what you uncovered which will be of interest to Dahak. Then I can be on my way, and you can pretend to be Joxer and warm up to Xena." Her hands were shaking as she tried to tie the leather strings around her neck. "I will gladly reveal all that I uncovered but first we have some unfinished business." Talon grabbed Gwenyth from behind and pulled her against him. "No, Talon," she said weakly. Gwenyth knew she had the training to easily beat the crap out of him but his touch seemed to drain her will to fight. "I respect your commitment to your duties and Dahak but you are also a woman, who has obviously neglected her own needs for quite some time." Talon nuzzled her neck. "I can satisfy those needs for you Gwenyth." A soft sigh escaped Gwenyth’s lips as a wave of desire raced through her body. Talon’s words were so true. She was so wrapped up in her duties to Dahak, that her personal needs had taken a back seat. It had been a long time since Gwenyth had felt the touch of a man. "It’s been so long for me too Gwenyth. I need this," Talon softly whispered in an ear. One of his hands had untied the leather strings around her neck and again tossed aside her halter-top. "And you need this." His hands squeezed her bare breasts then began to softly caress them. Gwenyth leaned into him and closed her eyes. "I was always a very skilled lover so I can guarantee you will be pleased." Gwenyth began rubbing her slender body against his while his skilled fingers teased her aroused nipples to hardness. "You’re right Talon, we both do need this," she moaned. Talon abruptly removed his hands from Gwenyth’s breasts and turned her around to face him. He gazed into her light brown exotic eyes and saw the desire overflowing in them. Gwenyth stared at Talon’s face and had to admit she thought Joxer rather cute the first time she met him. And the devilish demon now residing in his body made him even more attractive. "You can tell me what Dahak needs to know after we finish our business," Gwenyth growled in a lust-filled tone as her hands reached for Talon’s face and pulled it towards hers for another hungry kiss. Talon could feel Gwenyth’s pebbly nipples pressing against his shirt-cover chest, arousing him all the more. His hands frantically explored the silky smoothness of her well-toned legs, traveled under her short brown leather skirt, and squeezed the round cheeks of her firm ass through her undergarment. "There’s something I have wanted you to do to me since I first laid eyes on that luscious mouth of yours," Talon gasped in between kisses. Gwenyth looked at him expectantly. Talon grasped her shoulders and pushed her down until she was on her knees before him. Gwenyth fixed her gaze on the bulge in Talon’s crotch then she looked up into his face and let a knowing smile cross her lips. Her slender fingers unfastened his pants, then a hand reached in and pulled out his hardening member. With one hand, she gripped it around the thick base while the other stroked his hardening shaft. A pleased sigh escaped Talon’s lips. Gwenyth looked up into Talon’s face and watched the pleasure grow in his features as she continued stroking him with her slender fingers. Gwenyth knew Talon wanted to feel more than the touch of her fingers so she replaced them with her titillating tongue. Talon moaned with pleasure as her tongue traveled the length of his shaft from base to tip. When she got to the head, she took it in her mouth and sucked hard on it. Gwenyth began to taste his seed as droplets escaped the head, which she teased with her tongue. Again she gazed up at Talon’s face and could see the urgent need for release in his eyes. Gwenyth stopped her sucking and took as much of his member into her mouth as she could. "Ohhh yesss, that’s it," Talon moaned in between shallow breaths, reveling in the feel of her warm mouth. Gwenyth slid him in and out of her luscious mouth several more times before Talon held her head steady with his hands and thrust deeply, shooting his seed down her waiting throat. Talon felt a pleasurable shock surge through his new body. "Ahhh," he sighed while he thrust deeper into her mouth. When his orgasm finally subsided, he slumped against the large tree directly behind him. Gwenyth wiped his cum dribbling from her chin with the back of a hand then with an eagerness, reached for his member and began to stroke it with her fingers. "Now that you’ve had your satisfaction, I want mine," she said with a sly smile as she gazed up at him, never breaking the rhythm of her strokes. "You don’t have to worry about that baby. The way I feel right now, I will be up all night." He immediately joined Gwenyth on the thick soft grass of the forest floor. ********** For some time now, Gabrielle had been sitting on a sturdy block of hay. Her green eyes were fixed on Xena who sat across from her on another block of hay. She listened to her best friend reveal the circumstances behind her stay in Persia six years ago, the birth of the twins, and how her friend Cyrus sent the newborns to India so Ares wouldn’t discover their existence. "When I looked at the tiny faces of those babies for the last time, I knew sending them away was the right thing to do," Xena said softly. "It hurt like Tartarus but I had to accept that I would never see the twins again." Gabrielle had a look of sympathy on her face. "I know giving up Solan was hard for you, but to go through that again and with two babies this time...I just can’t imagine it." "And what made it so worse with the twins was that I was prepared to keep them. When I had Solan, I was a self-centered kid and not ready to make the necessary changes and sacrifices that the responsibilities of motherhood would have required. Giving him up was painful but it was the best thing for both of us." Xena absentmindedly pulled on a strand of hay sticking out of the large block. "When I was pregnant with the twins, I was still pretty much wrapped up in myself but this time I was in Persia, far away from an army, battlefields and Ares. With Cyrus’ help, for the first time in a long time, I was actually able to believe I could have a normal life, be a mother to my children and leave the ways of war behind for good. I made all these plans and envisioned the life we would have but it just was not meant to be." Xena let a soft chuckle escape her lips as her eyes got watery. "I am amazed you were able to go back to Ares after that," Gabrielle said. "You had every right to hate him...want him dead even since you were forced to give up your babies because of him." "Oh, it was hard being around Ares all right." Xena quickly wiped away the tears that started pouring from her eyes. "Our relationship was strictly conquests and wars after that. But I couldn’t blame him entirely. I had willingly chosen to follow him after all and had to be prepared to accept the consequences whatever they might be." "But giving up one’s children seems like such a high price to pay, Xena." Gabrielle let a hand caress a cheek of her friend who sat across from her. "At least you got to spend some time with them, something you thought you would never do." "Yeah, being with them this past week has been great," Xena confessed with a slight chuckle. "Despite their infamous parents, they really are a couple of terrific kids." "You never did tell me why the children were brought to Greece," Gabrielle said. Gabrielle already knew some of the details behind Lycus’ nightmare regarding Dahak and her concerns for the boy’s safety. So she summarized Lysia’s connection to the Holy Saber through the birthmark the little girl had on her right arm which was an exact match for the four pointed star etched in the sword’s blade. "I had my misgivings about bringing the children to Greece but I was actually starting to believe we could defeat Dahak, then whisk the kids back to India without Ares ever discovering them but unfortunately I was wrong," Xena said in a somber tone. "How do you think Ares found out about them?" "I know when we entered Olympian territory, Cyrus and I agreed not to speak of the twins’ parentage because we figured Ares might be monitoring our movements, so that only leaves Persia," Xena replied. "Ares has made a point of having spies located throughout the other pantheons so he knows what’s going on in areas outside his jurisdiction. He probably had one of them watching us." Xena rose from the hay block, walked over to Argo’s stall and led the mare out by the reins. "I guess you are now going to wherever Ares has taken them?" "In the letter, Ares mentioned his fortress in the mountains of Macedon and that’s where I’m going." Xena put a boot in a stirrup and mounted Argo. "Are you coming?" "I really think we should wait until daybreak to go to Macedon, Xena." Gabrielle rose from the hay block and approached her friend sitting atop Argo. "Gabrielle, you do realize we are talking about two young children being left in the care of Ares? And who knows what he is going to do to Cyrus for the part he played in keeping the children from him." "You don’t have to remind me of what a snake Ares is but they are his children too, so I doubt if they are in any real danger," Gabrielle said. "And he may want to hurt your friend but he won’t since Cyrus is still needed to translate those scrolls. "For now, he won’t hurt Cyrus but I’m more worried about what he will say to the kids," Xena said. "Lycus is fascinated with warriors and warfare. Cyrus thinks it is just a phase but spending time with Ares may evolve it into something more." Xena closed her eyes, bowed her head with a hand resting on her forehead. "Oh Zeus," she softly groaned. "What is it Xena? What’s the matter?" Gabrielle tightly held onto Xena’s leg dangling down Argo’s side as she gazed up at her best friend. "Ares has probably told the children that he is their father and I am their mother. He will probably twist everything around and have them thinking I gave them up because I didn’t want them." She offered a hand down to Gabrielle to help her onto Argo’s back. "We have to get to Macedon right away." "Ares probably did tell the children who you two really are but even I don’t think he would turn them against you." Gabrielle backed away from her friend’s offered hand. "And rushing off to Macedon this instant isn’t going to remedy the situation." "But Gabrielle, that would be just like him. In his mind, it would be the perfect punishment for me keeping the children from him all these years. We were all getting along so well too. I don’t think I could stand it if they hated me Gabrielle." The bard had great sympathy for her friend as she gazed up at her face riddled with worry and pain. "Xena, even if we take off for Macedon right now and when we get there, discover that Ares has done what you fear, do you even know what you will say to the children to counter what he has told them?" Xena slightly shook her bowed head. "You just arrived in Amphipolis after a long trip from Persia. You’ve go to be tired and now you want to rush off to Macedon to take on Ares regarding the children and you haven’t given much thought to how you will do that," Gabrielle said. "I really think rest is in order. Once you’ve had some sleep, you should know how to best handle this situation with Ares and the children." "You’re right Gabrielle. I am exhausted." Xena let out a soft yawn before dismounting from Argo. Then she led the mare back into the stall. "What I tried to prevent has unfortunately come true and I will have to be at my best if I am to now deal with it." "I’m sure after a good night’s sleep, you will have a whole new perspective on this explosive situation." Gabrielle watched her friend get Argo settled for the night. "We will leave for Macedon at daybreak." "I’m still not a morning person, but you will get no argument out of me." Gabrielle gave her friend an affectionate pat on the back as they left the stables and headed for Cyrene’s tavern. ********** "You two were certainly gone for a long time," Cyrene said when Xena and Gabrielle entered the tavern. The place was empty of patrons. She was wiping down the bar and Castor was sweeping the floor. "So where are Cyrus and the children?" "They weren’t at the circus." Xena seated herself at the bar joined by Gabrielle. "If they weren’t at the circus, then where are they?" Cyrene asked. "By the gods, I hope nothing terrible has happened to them." On hearing that the children and Cyrus were not at the circus as believed, Castor now stood by Gabrielle, leaning on the broom he held in a hand. A concerned look was etched on his face. "No harm has come to either Cyrus or the children, mother." Xena grabbed two clean mugs sitting on the bar, placed them in front of Gabrielle and herself, then filled them with the liquid in a jug setting on the bar top. "Well, don’t keep me in suspense, where are they?" Cyrene asked. "Ares sent a messenger to inform me Cyrus and the twins are with him," Xena calmly replied after taking a sip from the mug she held in a hand. "Ares?" Cyrene and Castor said in unison. Both had perplexed looks on their faces. "Ares was really gung-ho on Cyrus getting to work right away on translating those scrolls," Gabrielle said with a chuckle as she took a sip from her own mug. "Oh, I’ll say," Xena added. "When Ares found out Cyrus was here, he couldn’t wait for us to meet with him later. So he transported Cyrus, along with the children to his castle in Macedon. Why as we speak, I bet Cyrus is very busy translating those scrolls." "It certainly would have been nice if Ares informed us of his intentions a bit sooner," Cyrene complained. "He had to know we would worry. But this is pretty typical for a self-centered god." Cyrene picked up a tray loaded with dirty mugs and disappeared into the kitchen. "But Ares did send a messenger," Castor reminded her. "A little too late if you ask me," Cyrene yelled from the kitchen. "Gabrielle and I will be leaving for Macedon at daybreak," Xena said in a loud voice. "Then you probably should be heading off to bed now," Cyrene said as she came back through the kitchen door. "Hey Cyrene, is there any of that stew left? I am starving," Gabrielle said. "I see you still have the same stomach," Xena muttered with a sly smile before taking another sip from her mug. "I certainly do and it’s growling to be filled," Gabrielle replied. "There is some stew left. You sit tight and I’ll bring a bowl out to you," Cyrene said. "Would you like some too Xena? I haven’t seen you eat much since you got here." "No thanks, I’m not hungry." Xena downed the last of the beverage in her mug. "I don’t know where you get the energy to fight the scum of this world when I hardly see you eat." Cyrene eyed her daughter curiously. "Is there something going on that I should know about Xena?" "No mother, everything is fine," she replied with a faint smile. Cyrene was convinced that all was not fine but decided to let it rest for now as she disappeared into the kitchen to get Gabrielle her bowl of stew. "Castor, we need to talk." Gabrielle hopped off the barstool, took hold of Castor’s right arm and led him to a table where the two sat facing each other. "I just wanted to let you know that me going off tomorrow to Macedon with Xena doesn’t mean I have forgotten about the search for Hope." Gabrielle affectionately squeezed Castor hands. "There’s no need for an explanation. You and Xena have been miraculously reunited and I completely understand you wanting to spend time with her," Castor said with a smile. "When you guys leave tomorrow, I guess I will be heading out pretty soon myself to resume the search for Hope." "Dahak and his followers are very dangerous, so please promise me Castor that you will be careful." Gabrielle let a hand caress his face. "I promise," Castor replied with a smile as he laid a hand over Gabrielle’s caressing his face. "You watch yourself too." "I will," Gabrielle replied while returning his smile. "And when you do find Hope, please let her know I remember everything. And that I love her very much." "I’ll do that," Castor said as the pair rose from the table and embraced each other in a tight hug. "Here’s your bowl of stew," Cyrene announced as she came through the kitchen door carrying a tray with a steaming bowl set upon it, which she placed on the bar. "I’ll devour this in my room." Gabrielle was standing at the bar. She greedily gazed at the steaming bowl sitting on the tray she held in her hands. "After I eat this, I know I will sleep like a baby." "Enjoy your sleep, but just remember to be ready to leave for Macedon at daybreak," Xena reminded her as she rose from her stool and headed for the stairs. "Oh, I’ll be ready," Gabrielle replied as she followed Xena up the stairs. ********** "I don’t think your mother fully bought that story about Ares’ reasons for taking Cyrus and the children," Gabrielle said when she stood outside the doorway to her room across the hall from Xena’s. "I don’t think she did either but we will be leaving at daybreak, so she won’t have any time to pry the whole story out of either one of us," Xena said with a slight smile. "Maybe, you should just tell her the truth, she is your mother after all." "It’s too long and too complicated Gabrielle," Xena wearily sighed. "When this whole mess with Dahak is settled, I will sit down with her and tell her everything." "Yeah, I guess you’re right," Gabrielle sighed. Both women opened the doors to their perspective rooms. "Good night Xena." "Good night Gabrielle." Gabrielle could hear the weariness in Xena’s voice and saw it too when she gazed at her face one last time, as her friend was about to close her bedroom door. "Oh and Xena?" "Yes Gabrielle?" "Please try to get some sleep." "I’ll try," Xena softly replied before closing her bedroom door. Gabrielle stood in the opened door of her bedroom and stared at the door to Xena’s. She knew her friend wouldn’t get any sleep and would probably be up most of the night. But in the morning, one would never know because she would look well rested. Gabrielle had always been baffled at how Xena could get by on so little sleep. She on the other hand would look like the walking dead and have the disposition of a bear if she got no sleep. Gabrielle chalked it up to one of Xena’s many skills and finally closed the door to her own room. CHAPTER 33 Dahak let out a pleased sigh while he refastened his black leather pants. He let the gaze of his crystal blue eyes fall on the beautiful woman kneeling before him as he sat on his large throne. He ran a hand through her fiery red tresses. One of the best ways to get the blood surging through his body at the start of a new day was oral sex. And this particular priestess had shown extraordinary talents for the job. She gazed up at him with sky blue eyes as she licked her pouty rose colored lips with a pink tongue. "I am not finished with you. Be in my bedchamber tonight," Dahak said in a lusty deep voice. One of his hands caressed a rosy cheek. "As you wish my lord," the priestess said in a sensual voice, her eyelids softly fluttering. She rose from her kneeling position then left the great hall. "Now down to business," Dahak muttered as he sat up straight in the large throne. A moment later, a man wearing a black robe entered the hall and dropped to his knees when he stood a few feet away from Dahak’s raised throne. "Arise Cleon." Cleon did as his dark lord commanded but his head was still slightly bowed. "I understand that a few nights ago, some Amazons discovered our operations at an old barn in the forest near Mycenae?" "Yes my lord. They were looking for two Amazon teens Aratus found in the forest near the old barn." "Why were the two Amazon teens grabbed when you were given strict orders to chose mortals with no ties to anyone?" "Aratus was afraid the girls had seen our operations and would tell others and thought he had no choice but to grab them." Cleon’s body was starting to tremble as he sensed the anger rising in his dark lord. "But the girls had really seen nothing and grabbing them only alerted their Amazon sisters of our operations which are now a TOTAL LOSS!!!" His hands had been tightly gripping the ends of the marble armrests, which broke off in his hands. "All was n-not l-lost m-my l-lord," Cleon stammered as he tried desperately to regain his composure before speaking again. "I did manage to save a wagon load of lava that has been sent to another location." "Yes, you did save the lava," Dahak admitted as he let the chunks of the armrest he held in both hands fall to the floor. "But we did lose an entire barn full of mature lava plants and that can’t go unpunished." "But my lord, that was all Aratus’ doing and he paid with his life as did Pheidon." Cleon finally looked directly at his lord, fear clearly in his eyes. "All three of you were in charge of that operation and therefore shared responsibility for any setbacks that arose." Dahak narrowed the gaze of his crystal blue eyes on the trembling man standing before him. "Aratus and Pheidon received what they deserved for their failure and now so will you!" "But my lord, please give me another chance," Cleon pleaded, his eyes widening as he backed away from his dark lord. "I promise, I won’t fail you ever again. NOOOOOOOOOO!" Cleon’s ear-piercing scream could be heard throughout the hall as a fireball Dahak hurled at him consumed his body. When the scream faded, all that remained of Cleon was a smoldering ash heap, which was quickly swept away by a lowly temple servant. "The lava plants in the old barn near Mycenae were destroyed Dark One but the fallen residing in them were not lost," Minos said as he came through the black curtain behind Dahak’s marble throne and now stood on his right side. "True, but they all resided in Aratus’ body and it was a struggle trying to get only one to stay while the others returned to the lava" Dahak said. "And now they will have to wait for more lava plants to mature before they find permanent homes in mortal bodies." "Those spirits that had to go back to the lava are, as we speak, being transported to Elios where there are mature lava plants ready and waiting for them." "You are efficient as always Minos," Dahak said with a pleased smile. "So, give me an update on the replacements we have on Kos." "All is going smoothly. The trained soldiers will fit our purpose so much better than backward peasants." "Ah yes, Ares did do us a favor when he decided to come at us with a surprise attack on Kos and its neighboring islands," Dahak said with a slight chuckle. "I guess he is kicking himself for that blunder and it will cost him dearly." Dahak erupted into evil laughter and was joined by Minos. "Dark One, it appears Talon has finally gained possession of the mortal’s body," Minos said when the laughter ceased. "Gwenyth is waiting to give us his report." "Well send her in," Dahak said. A few moments later, Gwenyth entered the hall, walked over to the raised platform where Dahak’s throne was set and dropped to her knees, her head bowed. Her dark lord was still talking to exalted high priest Minos and she waited for him to acknowledge her presence. Gwenyth felt a slight touch of guilt because she could have given this information to her dark lord last night, if she hadn’t been so preoccupied with Talon. A blush formed in her cheeks as she thought about their lovemaking on the forest floor. Talon in Joxer’s body had proven to be a skilled lover and she longed to be with him again. She knew it would be difficult with him traveling with Xena but maybe somehow, she could arrange it. "Arise Gwenyth," Dahak said from where he sat on his large marble throne. Gwenyth was jolted out of her carnal thoughts concerning Talon and did as her dark lord commanded. She now stood staring at him and Minos who still stood by the large throne. "I understand you have news to report from Talon?" Dahak asked. "Yes my lord." Gwenyth had heard the agonizing screams coming from the great hall when she stood outside the door waiting for an audience with her lord and knew someone had been fatally punished. A chill went down Gwenyth’s spine as she prepared to tell her lord what Talon revealed to her, praying at the same time, that after he heard the report, he wouldn’t take his anger out on the messenger. ********** The barking of a dog woke Lycus from his peaceful slumber. Slowly, he opened his eyes to the brightness of the sun’s rays permeating the room. He rubbed his eyes with small fists to adjust to the brightness, before taking in his surroundings. He was staring up at a gray stone ceiling, high above his head. Suddenly, he felt a wet tongue licking his face as he stared into the soulful brown eyes of a large dog. "Okay, I’m awake," Lycus giggled as the dog continued to attack his face with licks while furiously wagging it’s black tail. "Cut it out." Lycus rose to a sitting position. The dog immediately stopped licking his face and sat itself in a corner of the bed where it quietly watched him. The bed Lycus had been sleeping in was very large and covered with a royal blue sheet. The child gazed down at the clothes he wore and ran his small hands over them. He was wearing black pajamas littered with tiny gold swords. As he continued to stare at the pajamas, Lycus tried to recall what had happened. Lycus remembered he and Lysia ditching Joxer at the circus to explore by themselves. A stray dog had started following them around. Lycus stared at the dog sitting on a corner of the bed. It looked like the dog that had followed them around but something about it was different. He remembered chasing that dog around a bunch of wagons after it grabbed his slingshot. Lycus had got his slingshot from the dog, and he and Lysia were going to find Joxer when a bright light appeared which blinded him. The child remembered someone being in the bright light with him but couldn’t recall anything after that. Lycus gazed at all the lit candles around the room. Whoever had brought him to this place must have known about his nightmares. Lycus rose from the bed and blew out all the candles. The large dog joined him when he went over to the room’s large window and gazed at the scenery. The dog stood on its hind legs and gazed out the window too. Lycus really didn’t have much to see, except for the snow-covered peaks of nearby mountains surrounded by halos of clouds. When he gazed downward, all Lycus could see was a foggy white haze, which he figured was more clouds. "Wow! We must really be high up," he said in soft voice. The dog standing next to him let out a single bark, its pink tongue dangling from its mouth. When he heard his growling stomach, Lycus suddenly realized how hungry he was. Sitting in a corner, was a table with a tray of fruit, cheese and bread setting upon it. Lycus immediately went to the table and helped himself to the food on the tray. He took a big bite out of the hunk of cheese before biting into a round loaf of bread. He didn’t bother to pour the water into a mug and just brought the whole pitcher to his waiting mouth. The large black dog had followed him over to the table and now sat staring at him with soulful brown eyes. When Lycus set the pitcher back on the table, he grabbed a handful of grapes and placed them in front of the dog’s face, which the animal greedily accepted. The dog quickly gobbled up the grapes then turned its attention toward the blood red colored drapes hanging from a stone wall. Lycus was now munching on a pear as he watched the dog sniff the floor around the drapes then walk through an opening in them. His curiosity piqued, Lycus walked over to the drapes and pulled them back. "Awesome!" the child whispered as he gazed at what was hidden behind the blood red drapes. Lycus pulled the long drapes completely apart, exposing what was hidden behind them to the rays of the sun. He then joined the dog that stood on its hind legs gazing at the objects on a large table. The animal was happily barking and wagging it’s long black tail back and forth. "Ya said it boy, this stuff is cool!" Lycus set down the partially eaten pear and picked up one of the objects on the large table. It was a soldier dressed in full battle gear with a tiny sword and shield. The table was covered with six inch tall toy soldiers, divided into two opposing armies preparing to do battle as they stood off against each other in what appeared to be a grassy plain according to the table’s green top. Lycus slowly walked around the table, gazing at the objects upon it, as he picked up another one. This one was a toy soldier sitting atop a toy battle elephant. Lycus had seen battle elephants in India but this one’s ears were a lot bigger and floppier. Some toy soldiers sat atop toy horses, rode in toy chariots or were on foot. Both opposing armies even had miniature catapults. "Awesome!" Lycus breathed again as he started to move the soldiers around according to a battle an old solider in India had described to him. The child had recorded to memory every detail of the battle. The dog now sat quietly with its pink tongue hanging from a side of its mouth as it watched the child play with the toy soldiers. Lycus had no idea why he was in this strange place but was beginning to think that wherever he was, it wasn’t so bad. ********** "Thank you." Lysia patted the large dog on the head as she retrieved the toy chair it held in its mouth and placed it at a table in the large dollhouse. The little girl took a male doll dressed in a gold and white tunic and sat him in the chair along with the other dolls already seated at the table dressed in their best Grecian finery. The child wore an eggplant purple nightgown and sat crossed leg on the rug covered floor of a bedchamber, facing the biggest doll house she had ever seen. Lysia picked up the hostess of the party and checked the doll’s brown hair she had fixed atop her head one last time before seating her at the long table with all her guests. Lysia thought this doll collection equaled the one she had back in India. Her Uncle Cyrus had gotten her dolls from Chin, India, Nipon, Egypt, Syria, Persia, Rome, Greece, Germania, Judea, Gaul, Iberia and as far away as Britannia. But those dolls were immaculately kept on a shelf in her room and didn’t have a big house like this. Lysia let her eyes gaze at the whole dollhouse. It was almost as tall as she was when she was standing. There was even a golden chariot with two toy horses hitched to it. She picked up two strawberries on the plate next to her on the floor and put one in her mouth as she tossed the other to the dog that greedily accepted the sweet morsel. She ran a finger over the black mane of one of the toy horses as she stared at the large black dog. Lysia was sure it was the same one that had been with her and Lycus at the circus. The last thing Lysia remembered from that incident was charging a tall form she saw holding her brother’s limp body in an arm but nothing after that. Lysia rose from the floor and went over to the large window. The view hadn’t changed from the last time she had looked. The only things she could see were the snow covered peaks of nearby mountains surrounded by clouds. Lysia turned her gaze from the window and stared at the dog lying on the floor by the large dollhouse. If she and the dog were here wherever here was, maybe Lycus was here too. If her brother was here, she had to know. Lysia closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and reached out for her brother with her mind. "Lycus, if ya hear me, please answer." Lysia stood at the window a few moments with her eyes closed praying her brother was there and he had heard her call. "Lysia, I’m here, where are ya?" A smile crossed the young girl’s face. "I’m in some room in a place way up in the clouds…the dog from the circus is here too...I’m locked in and can’t get out. I’m startin’ to get scared Lycus. Why are we here?" "I don’t know why we are here...try not to be scared...I’ll come find ya," Lycus said. "But how?" "I don’t know yet but I will," Lycus replied. Lysia opened her eyes as she broke the mind link with her brother. She stepped away from the large window and went over to the chair on which sat her neatly folded clothes and started to get dressed. The large dog still lay by the dollhouse and curiously watched her. Lysia had no idea how Lycus would find her but she knew her brother well enough to know he would somehow find a way. ********** After Lycus broke the mind link with Lysia, he had completely lost interest in the table littered with toy soldiers and quickly got dressed. Lysia said she had tried the door to her room, which had been locked. Lycus had never bothered to try the door to his room and decided to do so now. Lycus put his small hands on the golden knob of the large wooden door and tried to turn it, but it wouldn’t budge. He pulled at the knob with all his might and it still wouldn’t budge. Lycus did not like the fact that he was locked in this room which only brought the child’s fierce temper to the surface. "Let me out!" he yelled while banging his small fists on the large wooden door. The large dog sat nearby, tongue still hanging out of its mouth as it curiously watched him. "LET ME OUT!!! LET ME OUT!!!" When Lycus realized no one would answer his cries and free him, he moved some feet from the door. The young child’s face was twisted in an angry scowl as he stood staring at door and let out a growl as he hurled a fireball at it. When the large dog saw Lycus hurl a fireball at the door, it quickly ran to the side of the bed where it hid, peeping around a corner. The fireball didn’t even singe the door and only seemed to be absorbed by it which left a stunned look on the little boy’s face as well as the dog watching the whole scene. "What’s this door made of?" Lycus curiously mumbled as he now stood before the door again and ran his small hands over it. Since the door was not about to open, Lycus knew he had to find another way out of the room. He glanced at the window. It was too high up and he couldn’t tell how far it was from the ground so he quickly dismissed that as a way to escape. The large dog had risen from the floor and now stood by the large unused hearth that encompassed almost an entire wall. Abruptly, the dog stood up on its hind legs and began barking at the hearth. "What is it boy?" Lycus walked over to the dog who now stood on all four legs in front of the hearth. The dog let out one bark and continued to gaze at the large stone hearth. Lycus now gazed at the hearth too. It looked no different than any other he had seen. It was dark inside and the floor was littered with ashes. Lycus could have easily walked inside the stone structure. The stone archway was decorated with several stone bird heads. "Hmm...I wonder," Lycus murmured, as he stared up at the bird head design on the stone archway. He quickly grabbed a chair in a corner of the large room, carried it over to the hearth and set it under the archway. Lycus recalled Vashti telling him and Lysia tales about secret passageways in places such as this, so he decided to see if there was any truth to those stories. The child stood on the chair and was now at eye level with the decorative stone of the archway. The large dog now stood by the chair and let out two barks and moved about on its four paws as if agitated. "I guess that’s to let me know I’m on the right track," Lycus murmured to himself. With a small hand, Lycus tightly gripped one of the stone bird heads protruding from the archway. He pulled at it, tried to turn it, but the stone object wouldn’t bulge. He moved to the next one and repeated his actions but still no passageway opened up. Lycus tried to pull or move five more stone bird heads but still none budge. The child gazed at the archway and there were still quite a lot of bird heads to try. "Do you know which one it is boy?" Lycus asked as he gazed down at the dog that still stood by the chair. The large dog let out a whimper, then a weary sigh as it plopped down, resting its head on its front legs. Lycus was beginning to think he had made a mistake. The young boy once again stood on the floor as he checked out the stone bird heads at an end of the archway. Lycus was pulling the last stone bird head on an end of the archway when he heard a click sound, then stone scraping against stone. He gazed at the back stone wall of the hearth, which slowly opened, revealing a passageway just on the other side. The large dog was now standing, as it happily barked, its tail wagging a mile a minute as it rejoiced in Lycus’ discovery. After pulling on all those stone bird heads, it figures the one that opens to a passageway would be the very last one. But Lycus was glad to know the stories Vashti had told about secret passageways had been right. Lycus walked into the hearth and stood staring at the opening in its back wall. It was very dark and cobwebs hung from the roof and the sides. Cautiously, Lycus walked into the newly discovered opening, gazing from his right then his left. The passageway was pitch black inside so Lycus couldn’t see anything and only felt a cool breeze softly moving down its length. The large black dog was standing inside the hearth; its brown eyes fixed on the newly discovered opening, when Lycus re-entered the stone structure. The child went back into the large room and retrieved a candle off a table. A tiny golden spark flew from the child’s crystal blue eyes to re-light the candle he held in his small hands. Now he didn’t have to explore the secret passageway in the dark. "C’mon boy, let’s go find Lysia." Lycus re-entered the hearth and stepped into the passageway followed by the large black dog. ********** Every since she broke the mind link with her brother, Lysia had been restless. After getting dressed, she had gazed out the room’s only window countless times. She nibbled some more on the food setting atop a table but didn’t have much of an appetite. She had even changed the clothes of the hostess of the doll party, her hair too before sitting the doll at the table with her guests again. Now Lysia just lay on the large bed, staring up at the stone ceiling while twirling a long curly raven lock around an index finger. The large black dog they picked up at the circus lay next to her on the large bed. The child let out a bored sigh. Lysia wondered if Lycus had been able to get out of his room or if he had just given up and now waited for someone to unlock the door. Suddenly, the large dog lying next to her rose on its four legs, let out a single bark then leaped off the bed and now stood gazing at the large unused hearth, which encompassed almost an entire wall. "What is it boy?" Lysia rose into a sitting position on the large bed. She walked over to the large hearth where the dog stood. The dog let out a single bark as it continued to stare at the hearth, its black tail furiously wagging. A moment later, both heard a click sound then saw the back stone wall of the hearth slowly open and out walked Lycus holding a lit candle with a large black dog standing by his side. "Oh Lycus, ya found a way out of ya room and ya came for me." Lysia embraced her brother in a tight hug. The two dogs greeted each other with barks and sniffs as both furiously wagged their tails. "I toldja I’d find a way out then come for ya," Lycus said when they broke their hug. "C’mon, let’s get outta here." Lycus stepped into the hearth, ready to re-enter the passageway. "I’m not goin’ in there." Lysia stepped back from the hearth. "Why not? Are ya afraid?" Lycus taunted as he stepped back out of the hearth and now stood before his sister again. "Without this candle, it’s real dark in there...and it’s covered with cobwebs...so big spiders probably live in there." Lycus ran one of his hands up Lysia’s right arm, imitating the crawling of a spider. "I’m not afraid." Lysia smacked his hand off her arm. "I just don’t wanna get my clothes all dirty." She started twirling with her hair again as she stared at her brother’s clothes, slightly dusty with soot. "I think we should stay here and wait for someone to let us out." Lysia went over to the large bed, sat on the edge and folded her arms across her chest. "Stay here!? Are ya nuts!? And who cares about gettin’ clothes dirty when I found a way out and we can now check out this place and find out where we are." Lycus’ crystal blue eyes beamed with the anticipation of adventure. "I’m still not goin’," Lysia firmly stated. "Stay here then." Lycus shrugged his shoulders. He turned his back to Lysia and headed into the passageway behind the hearth, followed by the large dog that had accompanied him. Lysia sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the opening in the hearth’s back wall; she had seen her brother walk through just a moment ago. The large dog that remained with her padded into the hearth and the passageway before turning to face her, barking and wagging its tail. "I’m not goin’ in there," Lysia firmly stated again. The dog padded over to the bed where Lysia sat on its edge and used its jaws to pull at her leg. The longer she sat on the edge of the bed; Lysia’s resolve not to go into the passageway quickly crumbled. "Hey Lycus! Wait up!" She hopped off the bed and ran into the opening in the hearth’s back wall along with the large dog that was barking and wagging its long black tail. Lysia could still see the flicker of the candle Lycus held as she and the dog ran down the passageway to catch up with his retreating form and that of the dog with him. "Yuck," she murmured while brushing cobwebs from her face and hair as she and the dog continued to run down the dark passageway. "I knew ya would change ya mind," Lycus said when she finally caught up to him. The candle he held revealed a sly grin etched on his face. "I didn’t want ya to have all the fun," she said. "C’mon then, let’s go," he said. Lysia tightly held Lycus’ free arm as they made their way down the dark passageway. The two large dogs walked alongside the twins. The glow of the candle was their only means of light in the dark passageway. Lysia continued to brush cobwebs from her face and couldn’t wait to get out of the icky passageway. The children and the two dogs reached a part of the passageway, which descended in a deep slope then, leveled off again. They had gone some distance at this lower level when the children spotted what appeared to be light pouring through a crack in the passageway wall. When the children stood before the crack, it appeared to be an outline shaped like a door. The two dogs sniffed around the apparent door. Lysia now held the candle while Lycus ran his small hands over the door, looking for a way to open it. "Ya can’t open it...we are gonna get stuck in here," Lysia complained. "Let’s go back the way we came." "Wait a minute, I feel somethin’," Lycus grunted as he crouched on the floor, running his hands over the bottom of the apparent door. "There, I think I found it." A moment later, the children heard a click, then the sound of stone scraping against stone as a door opened. With tails happily wagging, the two dogs went immediately through the newly discovered opening. The children followed after them. "Wow! Awesome!" Lycus walked around, taking in their surroundings. The door in the passageway the children had discovered opened into a large room filled with all sorts of weapons. "Who would want so many weapons?" Lysia brushed the last of the cobwebs from her hair and face and the soot from her clothes. She was truly relieved to be out of that icky passageway. "An army," Lycus replied. "Hey, maybe this is the castle of some warlord. He kidnapped us and now Xena, Uncle Cyrus and Joxer will have to come and rescue us." Lycus began to walk around the room, inspecting the weapons lying on the tables around him. "Well, I hope not," Lysia said "This stuff is so cool." Lycus’ crystal blue eyes were filled with awe as he held up a dagger with a long jagged blade. The two dogs watched the children from where they now lay on a bear skin rug. Lysia was standing by a table covered with all kinds of helmets. Some helmets were plain while others were covered with intricate designs and many colors. One helmet, which she inspected, was in the shape of a lion’s head. Another helmet had highly decorative cheek-pieces in the form of a beard. She ran a hand over the natural horsehair crest decorating the top of the helmet. "I wanna hold one of those." Lycus was gazing up at some spears lying neatly on a wrack protruding from the stone wall high above his head. "You’ll never reach it." Lysia now stood in front of a large shield. The creature etched on the shield fascinated the young girl. It had the head and wings of a bird but the front part looked to be that of a horse while the back part looked like a dragon. "Oh yeah? Just watch me." Lycus stared hard at the spears lying across the wrack. Instantly, one of the spears detached itself from the wrack, and slowly floated down to the waiting hands of the young boy. It was much heavier than he anticipated, so he immediately set it on the floor in a vertical position. "Toldja, I’d get one," he said with a sly grin. The spear he retrieved from the wrack was at least twelve feet long and towered well over the child as it rested on the floor beside him. "What are ya gonna do with it now? It’s waaay bigger than ya," she chuckled. "I’m not gonna do anything with it, I just wanna see the bronze tip," he replied Lysia gazed up at the stone wall and saw an object that caught her attention. Like her brother, she used her powers to detach it from its hanging spot high on the wall and brought it to her waiting hands. "Hey Lycus, what do ya think this does?" Lysia was holding up a five-pointed metal star. "I dunno, I’ve never seen one of those before," he replied absentmindedly as his attention returned to the intricate design on the pole of the spear. The pattern on it reminded Lycus of the scales on a fish. Due to the scaly pattern, the wood felt very rough against his palm. He figured it was to give the soldier holding it a better grip. Lycus lowered the spear to the stone floor to get a better look at the bronze tip. As he knelt over the tip, Lycus thought it looked no different than others he had seen. It was just a little larger and longer. He let a finger touch the pointy tip. It was very sharp. Lycus remembered a soldier in India telling him that spears such as the one before him were called thrusting spears. The child rose to his feet and once again held the spear in a vertical position; his eyes still fixed upon it. "Hey, ya know what this thing reminds me of?" Lysia’s question invaded Lycus’ thoughts about the spear. "The starfish we saw at the beach," she replied with a chuckle. In the middle of the five-pointed star was a handgrip. "Hmm...I wonder..." "Lysia, DON’T!!!" Lycus had finally gazed in the direction of his sister but had yelled too late. Lysia threw the object, which now whizzed around the room with lightening quick speed. It bounced hard off a stone wall. Lycus quickly stepped aside as it sliced through the spear he held in a vertical position. Lysia let out a scream when the whizzing object ricocheted off the large shield planted on the floor next to her. The two dogs had risen from the bear skin rug and now stood curiously watching the weapon whiz about the room. The five pointed metal object did not appear to be slowing down any time soon as it continued to ricochet off objects in the room. It whizzed by some dark red velvet drapes, cutting them in half and filling the room with the bright rays of the sun, which poured through the now exposed window. As the object continued to whiz above their heads, Lycus quickly grabbed his sister and the two scurried under a black cloth covered table. When the star headed in their direction, the two dogs quickly hurried under the table too. "Why didja throw that thing?" Lycus quickly asked as the two crouched under the table. "I dunno, I guess I wanted to see how it works," Lysia meekly replied. "Well, now ya see it. Now how do we stop it?" Lycus said. As they crouched under the table, the children couldn’t see the whizzing object but could hear it as it bounced off stone walls and sliced through whatever got in its path. Then abruptly, the whizzing sound of the object could no longer be heard. Surprised by the sudden silence, the children crawled from under the table along with the two dogs. "Wow! Look at this mess." Lycus surveyed the damage the small metal object had caused. Weapons that had been neatly hanging on the walls now covered the floor and some were broken. "Boy, whoever owns this stuff is really gonna be mad at you." Lycus looked at his sister. "Me!?!? It was that...that thing," Lysia insisted. "How was I to know it would do all this?" The little girl surveyed the disarray around them. The two dogs were sniffing at the weapons, which now littered the floor. "Hey, where is that thing anyway...and what made it stop?" "I think I know why it stopped." Lycus let out a gulp and tapped his sister’s left arm to get her attention. The two dogs each issued a single bark and looked in the direction the boy stared. Lysia finally turned around and gazed too in the direction her brother stared. Standing by the unused hearth on the other side of the room was a very tall, muscular man with shoulder length curly black hair, a black moustache and a closely trimmed beard. He was wearing a black vest spotted with silver studs, black leather pants and black leather boots, all glistening in the sunlight, which poured through the recently exposed window. At his waist, on his left side hung a scabbard containing a very large sword. On his face was painted a look of amusement and in his right hand, he held the five pointed metal weapon. CHAPTER 34 At sunrise that morning, Ares had a meeting with Andocides, the general overseeing the search for Dahak’s hidden base of operations. Andocides had received word regarding the recent volcanic activity in a group of islands located in the south Aegean Sea. Continuous eruptions forced many of the islands’ inhabitants to evacuate leaving some deserted and the perfect location for Dahak to hide his base. The general was sending out a ship of warriors to inspect the islands and any significant findings would be immediately reported to the war god. After the meeting with General Andocides concluded, Ares came back to his fortress high in the snow-covered mountains of Macedon. He was lounging on a plush chair in his bedchamber and used the large mirror hanging on a stone wall to check in on Cyrus. The former Watcher didn’t need much sleep and was already seated at a table covered with scrolls, busy translating the ancient text they contained into Greek. As Ares gazed at Cyrus’ image in the mirror, a wicked smile crossed his lips. Soon, he would know the locations of the pieces to the Holy Saber, find it, claim for himself the great power trapped within it, then use the coveted sword to kill its former owner Dahak. The image of the former Watcher faded from the mirror to be replaced with that of a forest filled with trees draped in multi-colored leaves indicating autumn was in full bloom. Two horses were trotting side by side down a wide dirt trail, which cut through the forest. A devilish smile crossed Ares’ lips as he watched the golden palomino, its white mane flowing with its movements, begin to gallop and take the lead in front of the other horse. The smile etched on the war god’s face widened as he gazed at the horse’s very beautiful but very deadly rider---Xena. Her raven hair blew with the quickened pace as she urged Argo to gallop faster. Her crystal blue eyes blazed with anger, which Ares knew was caused by him when he informed her of his discovering their children and his subsequent abduction of them. By the fury her eyes conveyed, the war god knew that when she reached his fortress in Macedon, there would be a pretty heated confrontation between them. But Ares was looking forward to when she arrived at his mountain hideaway. Battles with Xena always invigorated him and he knew this one would definitely be colossal. Ares finally took notice of her traveling companion riding on Cyrus’ horse, Xerxes that galloped behind Argo. It wasn’t Xena’s new sidekick Joxer but a young woman and a very beautiful one at that. The war god couldn’t help but notice her smooth olive skin, full rose-colored lips and long curly auburn hair. She didn’t appear to be enjoying her ride atop the gray horse as she urged the large animal to gallop after Argo. Ares figured Xena grew tired of traveling with that simpleton Joxer and quickly traded him in for a new sidekick. Whatever the reason for the change in traveling companions, Ares thought she was a vast improvement over the irritating little blonde chatterbox Xena had traveled around Greece with for three long years. The war god was curious to find out more about Xena’s newest traveling companion but decided that could wait to be satisfied when the pair finally arrived at his fortress in Macedon. The image of Xena and her traveling companion faded from the mirror, as it was now time for the war god to check in on his two young guests. The image in the large mirror split in half and now displayed the two bedchambers where the children had been placed the previous night. "Where in Tartarus are they?" Ares immediately jumped up from the lounge chair and now stood directly in front of the large mirror. The children were no where in sight in either room. As his brown eyes quickly scanned the images of both rooms, Ares noticed that the back stone walls of the hearths in both rooms were wide open. "So, they discovered the passageway." A soft chuckle escaped his lips. The war god was very impressed with the ingenuity of their young minds. The image in the large mirror repeatedly changed as Ares scanned the rooms off the passageway in search of the missing children. "Ah, you two must be in there." The image in the mirror now displayed one of the larger weapon rooms. The floor was littered with broken spears and other deadly tools of warfare as a five-pointed metal star whizzed about the room cutting anything that got in its path. Upon closer inspection of the image in the mirror, Ares saw the children crouching under a table along with the two dogs. He immediately vanished from his bedchamber and now stood in the weapons room by the large unused hearth. When the five pointed metal weapon soared in his direction, Ares caught it in mid-flight with his right hand. An amused look was etched on his face as he watched the children along with the two dogs cautiously leave the safety under the table. Both children had bewildered looks on their faces as they surveyed the destruction around them. Lycus noticed him first and quickly alerted Lysia to his presence. Both children were now standing there staring at him, with anxiety etched on their faces, when Ares decided to break the silence. "Before attempting to throw the star of Carpathos, one must possess the skill to catch it." The children remained silent but their gaze followed Ares as he began to walk about the room, surveying the damage. A soft whistle escaped his lips. "This is quite a mess." He stood by a table and was holding the remnants of an intricately designed spear in a hand. His gaze fell to the two dogs standing by the children. "Herodias and Nicias get over here!" Soft whimpers escaped their jaws as the two dogs cautiously approached Ares. When they were a few feet away from the war god, they sat down, ceased whimpering and stared at him with sorrowful brown eyes. "That look isn’t going to get you two off this time. Both of you were responsible for keeping the children out of trouble not leading them into it." The two dogs began to softly whimper again as they bowed their heads. "I will deal with you two later, now go!" Both dogs, with heads still bowed, quietly crept from the room, leaving the children alone with Ares. After witnessing the chastisement of the two dogs, both children were now very scared wondering what fate awaited them for their huge part in the destruction of the weapons. "I threw that star and broke all the weapons...Lysia had nothin’ to do with it," Lycus blurted out, while taking a step forward. Fear raced through his body, which threatened to start trembling any moment. "No! Lycus didn’t throw the star...it was me!" Lysia moved to stand next to her brother. The little girl had to control her own fear as she gripped her brother’s right arm. "Hey, you two can relax. I’m not mad about the weapons." A smile formed on Ares’ face. He placed the broken spear on a nearby table. Upon hearing the stranger’s words, huge sighs of relief escaped the mouths of both children. The features of their faces also softened considerably. Ares had to suppress a chuckle as he viewed the sudden change in their demeanor. "This mess can be easily fixed." With the wave of a hand, the weapons that littered the floor were now back on the stone walls and unbroken. "Wow!" Both children breathed in unison. They immediately went over to a stone wall and gazed up in awe at the weapons that a moment ago lay broken about the floor but now looked as good as new hanging from their previous positions on the wall. "How didja do that?" Lysia’s deep brown eyes gazed at the stranger in amazement. "It’s quite simple when you are a god," he replied nonchalantly. "You’re a god!" Lycus’ crystal blue eyes beamed with excitement. The child remembered the soothsayer saying he would meet a god and here he was, the very next day, standing before one. "The name’s Ares." "You’re the God of War!" Lycus’ excitement went up another notch as he now recalled the tale Joxer had told them where the war god played a significant part. "The one and only," Ares stated proudly, folding his muscular arms across his broad chest. As Lysia gazed at the God of War, she also remembered him from the story Joxer had told them but unlike her brother who was fascinated by anyone and anything connected to warfare, she clearly remembered the god being the villain in the tale. Lysia was also certain that the god standing before them now was the tall dark stranger that she saw in the haze that had approached her carrying Lycus’ unconscious form. Lysia had a strange feeling regarding this unexpected situation she and her brother were in, creating many questions in her young mind for which she intended to get answers. "Where are we? Why didja bring us here? And...and…where are Uncle Cyrus and Xena and..." "Whoa, slow down a minute. I will answer all of your questions." Ares lessened the distance between himself and the children. Revealing his identity as a war god had instantly given him Lycus’ trust but Lysia was going to be a much harder sell. "Lysia, what are ya doin’!?!?...This is a god!!!...Will ya just chill!!!" Lycus yelled at his sister using telepathy. "I don’t care if he is a god!!! I wanna know what he wants with us and so should you!!!" "Lycus, you shouldn’t be mad at Lysia. I may be a god but I am a complete stranger to you both, so Lysia has every right to demand that I state my intentions." "Ya know what we just said to each other?" Lysia stared wide-eyed at the god along with her brother. The children had always used the telepathy to keep a private bond between them. Neither their Uncle Cyrus nor Vashti knew of their unique method of communication. Both children were taken completely off-guard when the god revealed his awareness of that telepathy. "Yes I do. It’s one of the many abilities that comes with being a god." A frown was now etched on Lysia’s face. She disliked the situation she and her brother were in more and more. She had distrust concerning this war god but now if she shared any such thoughts with Lycus, he would easily know them too. Ares realized instantly that revealing he knew about the children’s telepathic powers had only increased Lysia’s distrust of him so he immediately set about to remedy the situation. "Before we proceed any further, I must erase the doubts you have about me." There was an empty table by the wall where they stood which Ares now sat upon and faced the children. "Okay Lysia, fire away with your questions." Lysia felt somewhat uncomfortable as the god fixed his gaze on her. Lycus was glaring at her, indicating that he was still against her need to ask questions. But Lysia ignored her brother’s glares of protests and proceeded with her questions. "Where are we?" "You are in my castle located in the mountains of Macedon." "Why didja bring us here?" "I figured since your Uncle Cyrus and Xena would be coming here you might as well too." Ares could see that Lycus was satisfied with his responses to Lysia’s questions. But the little girl was not satisfied with his last response. Suspicion was written all over her little face and Ares had to suppress a laugh because he had seen the exact same look on the face of her mother so many times. "But we were goin’ to stay with Xena’s mom in Amphipolis. Uncle Cyrus never said anything about us comin’ here." "Oh, who cares why we are here!" Lycus was growing impatient with his sister’s need to ask questions. "This place will be a whole lot more fun anyway." "Now Lycus, Lysia does make a good point. You two were indeed suppose to stay in Amphipolis but I figured we could spend some time together...get to know each other. I did know your parents and figured I could answer some questions about them I know you must have." "You knew our parents!!!" Both children said in unison, their gazed fixed on the god seated atop the table. "Quite well in fact," Ares replied. The god let the smile he had been suppressing slowly cross his lips. He knew bringing up knowledge about the children’s parents would definitely capture their interests. He could even feel Lysia’s distrust of him slowly start to evaporate. Their Uncle Cyrus was the only person the children had ever known who knew their parents. But he really hadn’t told them much not even how they had died. Maybe this god could fill in the blanks that their Uncle Cyrus for some reason would not. "What about Uncle Cyrus, Xena and Joxer? Are they here too...can we see them? Lysia asked. "Xena and Joxer are not here yet but your Uncle Cyrus is." Ares waved a hand in the air and instantly an image appeared. "Hey, it’s Uncle Cyrus!" Lycus stepped closer to the image. Lysia joined him. The former Watcher was seated at a table covered with scrolls. A quill moved busily in his right hand as he wrote on a sheet of parchment. "If he’s in one of the rooms in this castle can we go to him?" Lysia gazed over at Ares expectantly. "I’m afraid that’s not possible right now," Ares replied with a sad frown. "As you can see, Cyrus is very busy so he really shouldn’t be disturbed." Both children had disappointed looks on their faces. "But you two will be able to see him later." Their faces somewhat brightened upon hearing this news. "In the meantime, I figured we could spend some time together. We could go somewhere outside the castle. I think you both will enjoy it." Ares rose from the table and extended his hands for each child to take one. Lycus eagerly walked over and took hold of Ares’ right hand. Lysia silently stood there staring at his extended left hand. Distrust of the war god was steadily fading but apprehension was still etched in her features. "It’s okay Lysia. I promise you will have a good time and you may even make some very surprising discoveries," Ares assured. Lysia gazed up at the war god’s face. His eyes were a deep brown and much like her own. She saw gentleness in those eyes, which surprised her considering Ares was a war god. Reluctantly, the little girl placed a small hand in his extended one. Ares’ face broke into a pleased smile as all three vanished from the weapons room in shards of blue light. ********** "Are you guys okay?" "That was awesome!" "Yeah!" "Just checking...some people don’t feel too great the first time they travel through the aether." Ares released the children’s hands and the pair immediately started to inspect their new surroundings. The trio was standing on a grassy cliff overlooking an aquamarine blue sea. The children basked in the warm breezes that blew around them. The squawks of sea gulls as they flew high above in the clear blue sky rang out in the air. Wherever they were was a stark contrast to the snowy mountains of Macedon. As the children gazed out beyond the grassy cliff, they could see a cove far below, jetting out into the sea. Tiny structures were scattered around the cove and tiny boats could be seen sailing upon the blue waters. "Where are we?" Lysia used a hand to shade her eyes from the bright rays of the sun as she gazed at their new surroundings. "We are on the isle of Sicily." Ares moved to stand next to the children as they gazed out over the cliff at the cove far below. "And that down there is the city of Syracuse." "Why didja bring us here?" Lycus asked. "It has a much more suitable climate for testing your powers." The children were not surprised the war god knew about their powers since he knew about their secret method of communication. Lysia was now staring up at Ares as he stood next to her. "But Uncle Cyrus said we aren’t suppose to use our powers in front of others." "That rule is for mortals and since I’m not one, it doesn’t apply to me." Ares saw enthusiasm spread all over Lycus’ face but Lysia’s was clearly etched with misgivings over disobeying her Uncle’s rule. "Look, I know you two can do some pretty amazing things but you have barely scratched the surface. Your powers come from the gods so I would be the perfect teacher to help you explore them." He cocked his head to one side in an inquiring gesture. "Besides, aren’t you the least bit curious to find out all you can do with your powers?" Lycus had always hated his Uncle Cyrus’ rule about not using his powers and had been yearning for such a moment as Ares had presented to them. "Ooh yeah, I am!" Lysia couldn’t deny that she was just as curious as her brother to explore the full extent of the unique gifts they shared. "Me too." "Well then, follow me." Ares proceeded to walk through a nearby grassy field. The twins followed close behind him. The grass was almost as tall as she was so Lysia had to push it out of her way as she proceeded through the field. "Um...Ares...I can call ya that or do I have to call ya by some kinda god title?" "No, Ares is fine." "Ya seemed pretty mad at the two dogs. What are ya gonna do to them?" she asked. "I have had Herodias and Nicias since they were born...they have served me well but I’m afraid they have gotten too old to stay focused on their duties." "You’re not gonna kill them, are ya?" Lycus quickly asked. He thought that would be too much for what little the dogs had done. "No, I’m not going to kill them," Ares assured with a chuckle. "They will retire to a life of chasing butterflies and playing with children. The two always did like that far more than their usual duties." The trio had trekked some distance through the grassy field when it opened up to a barren plain. Rusted out old relics were scattered about. The dirt appeared to be scorched and had a deep dark brown color. Ares watched as the children cautiously proceeded out onto the barren field. They stopped when they reached one of the rusty relics. Both closed their eyes for a moment as a cold chill went through their bodies, opened their eyes, then turned to face Ares. "A whole lotta people died here." Lysia said softly. Lycus gazed directly at Ares. "There was some kinda battle here, wasn’t there?" "Yes, many centuries ago, two kingdoms fought for control of the entire island." Ares walked over to the old relic and placed his hands on the rusty remnants. "What is this old thing anyway?" Lysia placed a hand on the old relic. "It looks like a chariot." Lycus brushed away some of the dirt, revealing an emblem of a large star and a crescent moon. "That’s what it is all right and on the day of the great battle, chariots from both armies lined this field, which was luscious green grass back then. I witnessed the whole battle." Ares had a reminiscent look in his eyes. "The war was between the kingdoms of Laotia and Caprica. Intense fighting had gone on for months and the final battle took place here." "Who won?" Lycus asked. "The kingdom of Caprica won...their descendants live down there in Syracuse." Lysia walked over to another rusted hulk of a chariot. It was lying on one side, the wheels having rotted away aeons ago. Lysia saw an odd looking rock planted in the dirt by the old chariot. With her small hands, she dug around the rock until it was free. Then she picked it up and inspected it. What the little girl thought was a rock turned out to be a human skull! The child had seen skulls in her Uncle Cyrus’ lab so she was not frightened by the find. "Hey, look what I found!" Lysia held up the skull for her brother and Ares to see. "Ooh, lemme see!" Lycus came over to where his sister stood by the overturned chariot and took the old skull from her grasp. Ares silently watched as the children examined the skull. The skull was a grayish brown color after resting in the dirt for centuries and there was a big hole in the forehead of the skull. "That must be how the guy died." Lycus put a finger through the hole. "Ouch, that had to hurt," Lysia giggled. As Lycus continued to stare at the old skull he held in his hands, a vision began to take shape in his mind... It was of the grassy field the trio stood in now but a fierce battle was taking place. Armor clad men were scattered about the field embroiled in combat. Right at the center of the vision was a soldier swinging his large sword towards the neck of an enemy soldier, who blocked the deadly blade with a large shield he held in a hand. The soldier wielding the sword was about to attack his enemy again when three arrows hit him, one in his sword arm and two in a thigh. The man fell to the ground, knocking his helmet off in the process. His opponent now stood over him and let out a loud war cry as he raised a spiked metal mallet and brought it down upon the exposed head of the fallen man... "Hey Lycus, are ya okay?" Lysia’s voice invaded the vision as Lycus came back to the present. "Wow, that was creepy." Lycus gazed at his sister who had a hand on his shoulder. A concerned look was etched on her face. Ares was now behind her and gazed intently at the boy. "What happened?" Ares already knew what had happened but wanted the child to confirm it. "I saw the battle...and this guy, when he was still alive." Lycus let his gaze fall to the skull he still held between his hands. "It was right before he was killed...he was shot with some arrows and lying on the ground...and another soldier was gonna hit him in the head with this huge metal mallet." "Ew...yuck...I guess this hole is how that guy died." Lysia put a finger through the large hole in the old skull. "Here, take it, maybe you’ll see somethin’ too." Lycus shoved the skull at his sister. "No, I don’t wannit!" Lysia backed away from the skull and right into Ares who stood behind her. "There is nothing to fear." Ares’ tone was gentle and reassuring as he placed his hands on the child’s shoulders. "You will only get a glimpse of the past which can not hurt you." Reluctantly, Lysia took the old skull from her brother and fixed the gaze of her deep brown eyes on it as a vision slowly began to take shape before her... A man with blond hair put a plain looking bronze helmet on his head as he stepped into a silver chariot, its side etched with the painting of a sword with a vine entwined around it. The man took hold of the reins and motioned for the gray horse to move forward. The chariot got into battle formation along with several others. They lined a lush green field and faced off against the chariots of their enemy several yards across from them. The blond man looked around at his fellow soldiers, issued a war cry and took off in the direction of the enemy chariots. His comrades followed suit to face the enemy chariots, which now charged them... "So, what didja see?" Lycus’ voice invaded the vision, bringing it to an end. Lysia blinked several times and shook her head as she came back to the present. "I guess it was this guy." She held up the old skull. "He was in one of the chariots on this field. He musta been a general ‘cause he lead the other chariots into battle against the enemy chariots that were headin’ right for them." Ares stared intently at the little girl’s face as she stood before him. "Now, was that the least bit scary?" "No," the little girl softly admitted. Her inquiring mind actually found it very interesting. "Are there any more like this guy buried in the field?" "Several," Ares replied. "Ooh, can we find some more?" Lycus asked with excitement as he gazed up at Ares. "Dig to your hearts content." ********** A couple hours had elapsed and the children had uncovered several skulls, which were now scattered about the field. Their faces and clothes were covered with dirt after their enthusiastic exploration of the barren field, looking for old bones which led to visions giving glimpses of lives long ended. Lysia found another bone, which she placed with the others, completing a full skeleton. A pleased smile crossed her face as she brushed back a black curly lock, leaving a dirty smudge on her face. Lycus was also having a good time digging up old skulls. He had found quite a few and had placed them on one of the rusty chariot relics. "Okay you two, time for a scavenger hunt." Ares announced. "A scavenger hunt?" Lycus dropped the armful of skulls he was carrying and approached where Ares stood on the barren field. Lysia followed after him. "Before we begin, I think you two need to be cleaned up." Ares gazed at the two children standing before him. Their faces had smudges of dirt that matched the stains on their clothes. Ares waved a hand and instantly their faces and clothes were clean again. "Wow!" Lysia ran her hands over her freshly cleaned clothes that a moment ago were spotted with dirt stains. "Beats takin’ a bath." Lycus stared at his newly cleaned hands, which he rubbed against his clean face. "We can go now." Ares took the children’s hands in his and in a flash the trio vanished from the barren field and reappeared in a luscious green forest. After releasing Ares’ hand, Lysia gazed around at their new location. "Where are we now?" "We are still in Sicily...this is one of the isle’s many forests." "Ya said somethin’ about a...scavenger hunt?" Lycus asked. "Yes, there are three objects hidden in the forest...a sword, a shield and a dagger. I will give you three clues on the whereabouts of these objects...then you two must work together to find them...you have one hour." "And we will havta use our powers to find them right?" Lysia asked. "You can use whatever you want." Ares replied. Lycus’ crystal blues eyes beamed with anticipation. "Cool, lets get started!" CHAPTER 35 After Ares gave the twins the three clues that would help them find the three objects hidden in the forest, he turned them loose on the task ahead of them. Ares made sure the children weren’t in any danger but the hunt was designed to test their physical makeup, which should surpass that of any mortal. In order to find the three hidden objects the children would have to rely on their superior agility, stamina and strength. They had to run up steep hills, climb trees, move boulders, leap over fallen trees but they did find the three objects within the allotted hour and without much difficulty which greatly impressed Ares. After the successful scavenger hunt, Ares did what he had been itching to do, test their proficiency with weapons. Being infatuated with warfare, Lycus was eager to ‘play’ with some weapons. After the incident with the star of Carpathos, Lysia had no interest whatsoever in weapons and was firmly opposed to the suggestion. Ares had to suppress a smile because the little girl’s stubbornness reminded him so much of Xena. When he suggested archery, the little girl grudgingly decided to give it a try. Archery was one of her Uncle Cyrus’ favorite pastimes, which she had watched him demonstrate on numerous occasions. Both children were quick learners so Ares only had to demonstrate for them once the proper way to hold the bow. They familiarized themselves with the bows by shooting several arrows into a nearby tree. When Ares thought they had enough practice, he turned it into a friendly competition. With a bolt of energy, he carved a bulls-eye target in the trunk of a very large tree. The children were then let loose to see who could hit the center of the bulls-eye first. Lycus, being far more enthusiastic won the first few games. But Lysia had a competitive nature of her own and rose to the challenge and was now determined to beat her brother. The little girl was victorious in their next few sets of games. When both children were tied in the number of wins, Ares made some changes to their friendly competition. The children no longer shot arrows into the bulls-eye carved in the tree trunk. Ares made two multi-colored spheres appear in his hands, one for each child. The different colors represented a certain amount of points. The center color on both spheres was red which represented the most points. Ares would toss the multi-colored spheres in the air and the children would have to shoot an arrow into the moving targets. There would be five rounds to each game and Ares would toss the spheres in the air three times during each round. At the end of the game, whoever had the most points would be the winner. This new feature to the game tested the children’s’ hand eye-coordination and they were thoroughly enjoying themselves as they shot the moving targets with arrows. At first, the children had completely missed hitting the spheres. But they quickly discovered their mistakes and were now hitting the spheres each time they were tossed in the air. This new competition had been in progress a while and it was now early afternoon. Both children had won two games apiece and were about to start the fifth game. "You two have been going at this for quite a while now, don’t you want to break for lunch?" Ares was standing on a grassy field in front of the waiting children, holding the two multi-colored spheres in his hands, prepared to toss them in the air. "Yeah, I am really hungry." Lycus lowered his bow. "We can eat after I beat ya in this last game." Lysia ignored the growls of her own stomach and stood poised with an arrow lodge against the bow, ready to shoot it at the sphere Ares would toss in the air. "Beat me? In ya dreams!" Lycus ignored the growls of his own stomach as he brought his bow back up in front of him and waited for Ares to toss the spheres in the air. "Who needs food!?!?" "Hey, this was suppose to be a friendly competition and you two are taking this waaay too seriously." Ares dropped the spheres and approached the twins. "You two have not eaten since breakfast and could definitely use the energy boost so we are breaking for lunch." "Oh, okay," both kids grumbled in unison as they lowered the bows. Ares, again, had to suppress another smile. He was delighted to see how competitive both children were, especially Lysia who in the beginning was dead against even participating. "So, is there anything special you two would like for lunch?" Ares collected the bows and the arrows from the children. The twins’ brows were wrinkled in concentration as they decided what they wanted for lunch. "I want some Samosas and Koofta," Lycus replied. "Yeah, I want that too," Lysia said. "But we can’t leave out Naan and Keer." Ares had only been to India once and that was centuries ago but he did have some familiarity with their food. The war god waved a hand, making a blanket appear on the grass near the trio. Sitting on the blanket, upon plates and in bowls, were the foods the children wanted---Samosas---minced meat deep fried in rolled batter---Koofta---minced balls of lamb meat in curried sauce---Naan---flat bread---and Keer---Indian pudding. There was also a jug of lime juice cooler to wash down the food. "That menu is rather rich, so I added something light." A basket filled with grapes, mangoes and pineapples appeared sitting on the blanket. Both children were now kneeling on the blanket picking something to eat from the meal laid out before them. Lycus ate the Samosas while Lysia went for the Koofta and Naan. "Umm, it taste just as good as Vashti’s," Lysia declared after placing some Koofta in her mouth. "It’s better!" Lycus took several bites out of the Samosas he held in his hands. Ares had joined the children on the blanket, sitting between them and watching as they ate. "Ya havta try one of these." Lysia grabbed a minced ball of lamb’s meat from one of the bowls and gave it to Ares. "And one of these too." Lycus handed Ares one of the deep fried Samosas. Being a god, Ares had no need for food but he had tried it on several occasions and found the different tastes far more pleasing than his usual diet of ambrosia. First, he put the minced lamb’s meatball in his mouth. "This is rather good," he admitted. Then he took a bite out of the Samosas. "This is good too." "We toldja," the children giggled in unison. Lysia helped herself to the Naan, while Lycus grabbed one of the small bowls containing Keer. "Lysia, you said the minced meat balls reminded you of Vashti’s. Who is she?" Ares grabbed another minced meatball from the large bowl. "Vashti takes care of us for Uncle Cyrus." Lysia poured some of the lime juice cooler in the mug sitting before her. "Yeah, she’s been there ever since our parents died...and that was when we were babies." Lycus put a spoon full of the Keer into his waiting mouth. "Ya said, ya knew our parents. How did they die?" Lysia grabbed one of the remaining small bowls of Keer. She put a spoonful into her mouth and stared at Ares, waiting for his response. "What has your Uncle Cyrus told you about your parents’ deaths?" Ares asked. "Uncle Cyrus just said they died right after we were born but he never said how." Lycus was now on his second bowl of Keer. "Why do you two think he has never told you exactly how they died?" Ares stared intently at the faces of both children. "I dunno." Lysia shrugged her shoulders. " I guess it makes him feel bad." She took a sip from the mug containing the lime juice cooler. Ever since he discovered the existence of the children, Ares had longed for the moment when he would tell them who he really was. The war god took a deep breath before he spoke. "Your Uncle Cyrus never went into detail about how your parents died because...they aren’t dead." Both children gasped in shock as they stared at Ares wide-eyed. "They are too dead!" Lycus shouted. He had dropped the bowl of pudding when he rose to his feet and faced Ares with a hard look in his crystal blue eyes. The war god had seen that look many times in the eyes of the child’s mother. "Yeah Uncle Cyrus said so and he doesn’t lie!" Lysia added, all the mistrust she had for the war god steadily returning. "I’m sorry to tell you this...but that’s EXACTLY what he did." Ares rose from the blanket. "You can’t call Uncle Cyrus a liar!" Lycus charged straight for the war god. "Take it back!" "Lycus DON’T!!!" Lysia thought her brother had to be nuts to attack a god. She quickly set down her own bowl of pudding as she rose from the blanket. Ares was ready for the little boy who tried to pummel him with his small fists. He effortlessly picked up Lycus, pinning his arms to his small body and restrained his legs so he couldn’t kick him. "You both must hear all I have to say." "Why should we listen to ya?" Lysia now stood before Ares as he maintained a strong hold on her brother’s squirming form. "Yeah!" Lycus grunted as he continued to struggle in the god’s strong grip. "Because I’m your father." "Huh!?!?!" Both children said in unison. Lycus immediately stopped squirming. "You heard me...I’m your father." Lycus’ shallow breathing was all that broke the sudden silence as he and his sister were overtaken by shock. Ares maintained his restraining grip on the child’s body. In his mind, Lycus mulled over the war god’s confession. He couldn’t deny that he thought it would be pretty cool if the god was his father but it couldn’t be true because Uncle Cyrus said his father and mother were dead. This god, who he instantly liked, was lying to them about something they had yearned to have for so long. And what made it even worse was that he was calling their Uncle Cyrus a liar! Lysia was also silent as she stood there, the god’s startling confession continuously echoing in her head. She stared at his face. He was okay as far as gods go she guessed but he was the only god she had ever met so she wasn’t really sure. And as the day had progressed, she felt a connection to this god and she knew Lycus had felt it too. Neither understood it...but their father!!! He was a war god and unlike her brother, Lysia hated everything about war...she had seen its horrible affects on people in the hospices she visited with her Uncle Cyrus. War brought nothing but pain, sadness...death and she wanted no part of it. "N-no that can’t be true...you’re not our father." "Oh, but it is true and I can prove it...that is...if you two will let me." Ares gazed expectantly at Lysia. The little girl really didn’t believe the god could prove his claim but she couldn’t deny her curiosity to hear what he had to say. "Okay," she said softly with a smirk. Ares gazed down at the child he still held firmly against him. There was no denying the boy had definitely inherited his temper. "And how about you Lycus? Are you willing to hear me out?" A frustrated sigh escaped the child’s lips before he finally spoke. "Oh, all right," he grumbled. Ares lowered the child to the ground. Lycus immediately moved away from him and went to stand by his sister. "I want you two to look at something." Ares waved a hand, creating a portal out of the air before them. "Come over here." Reluctantly, the children came over to where Ares stood before the portal. The children took a spot on either side of him. Ares squatted down so he was closer to eye level with the children. All three were able to see their reflections as they gazed at the portal. "Those powers that you two possess were partly inherited from me but that’s not all." Ares put an arm around each child, which got a rigid response from both. Their initial shock hadn’t faded but Ares was confident that it would soon. "You both also inherited my hair." Both children gazed at their reflections in portal along with the god’s and had to admit, they did both have curly black hair just like his. "Lysia also has my eyes. And you Lycus, have my nose, cheekbones, mouth and chin." Ares put a finger on Lycus’ face as he pointed out the likeness to his own. As the children continued to gaze intently at the three reflections in the mirror, they tried to dismiss the similarities but couldn’t. There was also a question forming in the minds of both, ever since Ares made his startling confession, which Lycus finally voiced. "If you’re our dad, who’s our mom?" "Ah, I was waiting for one of you to ask that." Ares said. The reflections in the portal shimmered out of sight to be replaced with the image of a forest. Two horses were steadily galloping down a leaf-covered trail. The children had no idea who the curly red headed woman riding on their Uncle Cyrus’ horse was but they immediately recognized the golden palomino and her raven-haired rider. "Xena!" Lysia exclaimed. "You’re sayin’ Xena is our mom???" "Oh, no way...it can’t be her." Lycus moved away from the portal and turned his back to it. "Lycus, you said you would hear me out so come back over here." Ares said. Reluctantly, Lycus came back over to the portal and took his previous place by Ares’ side again. All three gazed at the image of Xena and her companion atop their swiftly galloping horses. "You inherited your powers from Xena too." "Xena’s a god?" Lycus asked with surprise. "No, Xena is only half-god," Ares replied. The image in the portal changed again and this time was replaced with a still shot of Xena’s face. The children could also once again see the reflections of their own faces on either side of hers. "As you can see Lycus, you got Xena’s eyes." Lycus stared at his reflection then the still shot of Xena’s face. The boy couldn’t deny how much his eyes looked like hers---the same crystal blue color. Ares turned his attention to Lysia, putting a finger on the features of her face as he spoke. "And you have Xena’s eyebrows, nose, mouth and chin." As she stared intently at her own reflection then the still shot of the warrior woman, Lysia honestly hadn’t noticed a likeness before but now she couldn’t deny that there was indeed a similarity between their two faces. This time, Ares remained silent as both children backed away from him and the portal. Once at a safe distance, they huddled together for a private pow-wow. The children knew Ares could invade their telepathic communications but decided to use it anyway. "Do you believe what he’s sayin’?" Lycus asked. "I didn’t wanna at first but after that image stuff…we do look a lot like him and Xena…and them both bein’ gods could be why we have the powers we do." "Xena is only half-god," Lycus reminded her. The child’s young face was etched with confusion and his mouth was twisted in a hurt frown when he spoke his next words. "But if Xena is our mom, why didn’t she tell us?" "And what about Uncle Cyrus, why did he lie to us?" The little girl’s brown eyes were filling with tears that threaten to streak her face at any moment. Ares had waved away the portal and stood in silence as the children discussed his startling revelation. He could sense the telepathy between them and this time he respected their privacy and did not invade their thoughts. But when he glanced over in their direction and saw the tears begin to roll down Lysia’s face, he could remain silent no longer. "I knew this would be a shock but I thought it would make you happy---not sad. You have parents that are alive---just like you’ve always wanted." Ares approached the children who had broken their telepathic communication the moment he started speaking. When he stood before them, he squatted down, so he was closer to eye level when he addressed them. He let his hands rest on a shoulder of each child. "I only found out about you two a week ago and figured it would be best if the truth was out in the open as soon as possible. I have already missed the first six years of your lives." Ares produced a black silk handkerchief. He gently held Lysia’s chin with a hand as he used the handkerchief in the other to softly wipe away the tears streaming down the little girl’s face. Ares didn’t have many weaknesses but one of them was crying females. And the last thing he wanted was to be the cause of tears with this one…she meant too much to him. "There…that’s better," he declared when the child’s face was dry again. His lips transformed into a faint smile as he stared into the little girl’s brown eyes that mirrored his own. "If you and Xena are our parents, why were we told you are dead? And why aren’t we living with you guys?" Lycus asked. "Why did Xena give us away? She didn’t want us?" Lysia added. Ares actually sympathized with the pain the children felt after his startling revelation but he could not allow them to go on living a lie. Their faces were etched with confusion and Lysia’s brown eyes were on the verge of tearing up again. Ares ran a hand through the little girl’s curly raven locks as he gazed at the confused faces of both children. "Xena did not want to give you up...but she was very confused at the time...we had broken up...gone our separate ways it seemed for good...she thought it was for the best..." The war god had been anxious for the moment when he would reveal his true connection to the children but now he found it hard to voice what happened six years ago. He wiped away the new tears forming around the rims of Lysia’s eyes. "We can continue this talk back at the castle in Macedon." He rose to his full height and took a hand of each child in his; ready to transport them back to his castle. "When we get there, can we see Uncle Cyrus first?" Lysia asked before the trio disappeared from sight. "I don’t see why not." Ares devilishly smiled inwardly. He was going to enjoy watching the ‘honorable’ Cyrus explain why he had LIED to the children. In a flash of white light, the trio vanished from the spot, headed for the mountains of Macedon. ********** Cyrus’ brow was wrinkled with concentration as his hazel eyes scanned the ancient text written in his native tongue Celestic. He dipped the quill he held in his right hand into the bottle of black ink, then scribbled a translation on the fresh sheet of parchment before him. Every now and then, the former Watcher’s mind would drift from the important task before him and end up on the twins. Cyrus wondered what the children were doing and what Ares had told them. He also wondered about Xena. He figured that she now knew about Ares abducting him and the children and that meant she had to be on her way to Macedon. He just couldn’t wait for her to get there. Maybe together, they could come up with a way to get the children away from Ares. Cyrus had turned his attention once again to his translating duties when a flash of light appeared before him. When the light dispersed, Ares was standing before him with the twins standing by his side. "Lysia! Lycus!" Cyrus quickly rose from the table where he sat. "Uncle Cyrus!" Both children let go of the war god’s hands and ran over to their uncle. Cyrus squatted down and embraced them both in a big hug when they stood before him. "Oh, I am so happy to see you both. Are you guys okay?" "The children are fine Cyrus, just like I told you." Ares had a hard look in his eyes as he stared at the former Watcher. "Well, I want to see for myself if that’s all right with you!" Cyrus shot back, returning Ares’ hard stare. "Like Ares said, we’re okay." Lycus had easily detected the tension between his uncle and the war god. "So, what have you guys been doing?" Cyrus asked. "Ares took us to an island and we got to use our powers," Lycus replied, his eyes filled with excitement. "That was okay wasn’t it?" Lysia quickly asked. "Ares is a god and all…and he already knew about them anyway." "It’s okay," Cyrus assured. "Since I am a god and the children’s powers come from the gods, it was only fitting that I teach them how to master their divine gifts," Ares said. "They thoroughly enjoyed our first outing and are looking forward to the many more to come." The war god had a sly smile on his face that only Cyrus noticed. The former Watcher had a sinking feeling that Ares had done what he feared most. "So, did you guys talk about anything interesting?" Both children fidgeted a little and slightly bowed their heads before Lycus decided he would be the one to give a response. "Ares said that he and Xena...are our parents." "Is that true?" Lysia added. Both children now stared at the face of their Uncle as they waited for him to respond. A weary sigh escaped the lips of the former Watcher before he issued a reply. "Yes, it’s true." Despite all that Ares had just showed them, the children still had doubts regarding his claim of being their father. He was a virtual stranger to them after all, as opposed to Cyrus, who had been with them their whole lives, acting as a moral compass, providing a foundation of right and wrong in their lives. But Cyrus confessing that the war god’s words were indeed the truth, that he and Xena were indeed their parents, instantly crumbled that foundation. "Ya mean what ya told us was a LIE?" Lycus moved away from Cyrus. "Ya always told us that lyin’ was WRONG." Lysia mimicked her brother’s movements. "Yes, lying is wrong," Cyrus admitted as he rose to his full height. "But this was done out of love to protect you both." He saw the skepticism creep into the features of their faces. "This situation is far too complicated for you to understand at your age…but now that you know I will try to explain as best as I can." Cyrus approached the retreating children and tried to take a hand of each in his but they flinched away from his touch. He knew the pain he had caused them and bit his lower lip to hold back his own pain over their sudden rejection. He stood in silence and watched as they approached Ares. Each placed a small hand in the god’s outstretched ones. Cyrus gazed at the children’s faces and saw the pain and disillusionment in their eyes. The former Watcher hadn’t felt this bad since the Fallen of his kind brought darkness and evil to the earth. It was hard to find his voice, when he spoke his next words. "If you would just let me explain…I’m sure that you will both see that your best interest was at the center of my actions..." "Oh really Cyrus? And how do you expect to convince the children of this, by telling them more LIES?" Ares asked with biting sarcasm. "No, I’m afraid I can’t allow that. So, I am sure you will understand why I will take it upon myself to straighten out this mess you have made." Ares gazed down at the children standing silently beside him. "Are you two ready to go?" "Yes," they softly replied in unison. Cyrus silently watched as the trio disappeared in a flash of white light. The former Watcher went back over to the table covered with scrolls and seated himself in the chair again. He rested his bent arms on the table as he cradled his bowed head in his hands. Cyrus’ thoughts drifted to Xena. His heart ached over the pain he caused the children but it would be far worse for Xena since she was the mother who had left them in his care. "Damn you Ares!" He whispered under his breath.
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