~ Journey Through Shadow Land ~

by J.A. Bard

 

DISCLAIMERS

Warnings and Disclaimers written by Wildcat wildcat@rainbow.net.au), (c) Wildcat, 1997.

Warnings/Disclaimers are included with stories to enable readers to judge whether each piece is of interest to them. They are intended to be taken seriously as a warning about the nature of the story. In many cases it can be presumed that one of the lead story characters (Xena: Warrior Princess or Gabrielle) is involved in the action of the story and to that end, after reading Warnings/Disclaimers, it is the sole responsibility of each reader to decide whether they wish to read a particular story.

GENERAL COPYRIGHT/DISCLAIMER:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private
use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

NOTE: All works remain the © copyright of the original author. These may not be republished without the author's consent. J.A. Bard/ weave01@earthlink.net

LOVE/SEX WARNING/DISCLAIMER:
This story depicts a love/sexual relationship between two consenting adult women. If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please do not read it. If depictions of this nature disturb you, you may wish to read something other than this story.

Synopsis:

Xena had taken longer than she had planned in what she had felt was to be a very simple job of checking out the security of a small kingdom on one of the smaller islands across from Acron. The young Queen's consort wanted Xena to go over his security setup. Xena had accepted the job in lieu of attending the seasonal initiation ceremony in the Amazon Village for the new crop of warriors. Gabrielle was attending the ceremony as their Queen so at the cross-roads about two weeks ago they parted company. Xena was relieved they had met a small party of Amazons returning to participate in the celebrations. The experience of Gabrielle traveling alone usually was as eventful as when Xena traveled with her...busy and oftentimes...dangerous. Of course, as she thought about this, Xena didn't have a clue that neither of their paths would be uneventful in the next few days...

Part I

Chapter 1

A Captive Audience

Selene's white mares disappeared into the western sky taking the remnants of the night's sparkling canopy of stars with them, while Helios and his chargers started their ascent dragging the fiery sun ball into the dawning sky. Dark gray peaks of snow capped mountains were enflamed by the fiery orb's touch as it rose above the snowy ridge scattering tongues of its flame on anything that it could reach. Nighttime creatures circled their bedding before lying down with a contented sigh that their duties have finished for another night. Day creatures began their day with a stretch and a call to neighbors and their surroundings announcing that they would soon be on the prowl for a meal.

An imposing figure dressed in dark tan leathers with a sword slung over her back stood on the top of the cliffs that overlooked a small fishing village nestled in the cove. The sun's first rays found her, sending sparks of light off her sword hilt, then as she turned to look at the source of light, holding onto the ends of her hair, the light caught the copper swirls of her armored breastplate and armbands flashing her presence. Turning again to face the ocean, she dropped her hands to her sides. Aeolous' strong winds that coursed over the cliffs, sent her dark tresses back into twisting steams as she leaned forward to keep her balance. The ship that dropped her and her golden warhorse off was almost out of sight around the jetty with its sails filled and leaning low in the water as it curved around the rocks.

It was there again, just out of focus. She avoided willing it into a sharper image, as she found it only gave her a splitting headache. It started with a slight disorientated feeling, then she felt another's presence, as if someone else was looking out through her eyes. She blinked a few times to rid herself of the mental discomfort. Her mouth tightened into a grim line and her eyes hardened into cold chips of ice. She hadn't been able to figure out what the feeling was about...yet. Shaking her head in resignation she slapped her thigh as if to bring her thoughts back to the present. She needed to get moving. She turned back to face Argo, who was happily pulling tuffs of grass for a quick snack while waiting for her mistress.

Her change of direction caused her hair to whip into her face. She paused at the saddlebags on Argo's back to pull out a thin leather thong to bind the fluttering hair back. She didn't want her vision blocked. For a moment, she ran the leather through her fingers, as if remembering something. Shaking her head she returned her thoughts to the present. The need to join Gabrielle was becoming more intense and she worried that it may have something to do with this disquieting feeling she had been experiencing the last few weeks, to say nothing of the other images that were imposing themselves on her nighttime dreams. Xena's usual stoic expression didn't change but an inward smile made its way to her eyes as she thought of more pleasant reasons to return to her Bard. An image of waking from sleep to find Gabrielle draped over her possessively brought a brief smirk to her lips.

Xena had taken longer than she had planned in what she had felt was to be a very simple job of checking out the security of a small kingdom on one of the smaller islands across from Acron. The young Queen's consort wanted Xena to go over his security setup. Xena had accepted the job in lieu of attending the seasonal initiation ceremony in the Amazon Village for the new crop of warriors.

Gabrielle was attending the ceremony as their Queen so at the cross-roads about two weeks ago they parted company. Xena was relieved they had met a small party of Amazons returning to participate in the celebrations and a few returning from their sojourn to Lesbos. The experience of Gabrielle traveling alone usually was as eventful as when Xena traveled with her...busy and oftentimes...dangerous.

Xena nodded to herself thinking of how busy Gabrielle would be on the road dragging out all the story material possible from the young girls about their life on Lesbos. Xena grinned, thinking of the relief she would have felt, had she gone along, that Gabrielle would be creating stories about someone else for a change. And if the normal happened, they would probably have some trouble on the road. It was amazing that someone as kind-hearted as Gabrielle attracted more trouble than most ordinary people did. This brought a chuckle to Xena as she knew, Gabrielle was not ordinary in any sense of the word.

The Amazon's, who weren't familiar with her would think that she would not be able to defend herself and being their Queen, would overprotect her and Gabrielle, in her usual manner, would let them have it after the danger was over. This brought a big grin to Xena's face. Gabrielle was quite formable when her ire was raised.

The ceremony Gabrielle and the Amazons were attending was a rite of passage, which stretched out for two weeks. It was comprised of friendly competitions, tests and nightly parties held by the patrons and sponsors of the initiates. The parties were usually brag parties and ended up being an outlet to get rid of excessive energy from being cooped up from the seasonal rainy weather, unless you liked mud. It was very entertaining watching scantly clad and naked women wrestling in the mud. Xena's grin continued as she thought of the muddied ring, contestants and oftentimes, the spectators, who would start mud fights. The idea was to test the young warriors in difficult weather conditions and it followed that the older warriors for want of something better to do, joined in the practice to properly demonstrate...techniques. Xena understood the practicality of working in all weather conditions, for when she was a warlord she had her own troops out in the foulest weather drilling. It was necessary to be able to fight in all weather conditions. However, Xena had never thought of having her own soldiers drill without armor or clothing in the mud since the idea was to get use to the discomfort of having the stuff in uncomfortable places and still concentrate on fighting.

Xena easily vaulted onto Argo's back, landing lightly. Argo picked up a fast pace without being directed to. She didn't like the wind behind her, for small bits of gravel bit at her fetlocks and buttocks. Xena could feel the same biting stings on her bare shoulders and decided putting on a cloak would only mean she would be fighting the ends of the cloak in the wind. It wasn't worth the effort since once she was away from the coast the strong chilly winds would cease.

Looking up at the sky overhead she found it clear, however further west Zephyrus, god of the west winds, was blowing in dark clouds. By the looks of the clouds any unfortunate traveler in the west would be wet and cold. Xena sniffed the air around her and could not detect the smell of any coming rain, which didn't mean anything with the crosscurrents in this area. The air was heavy with the scent of ocean spray and hinted of some late blooms that were hiding in the crevices along the cliff. She also caught bits of different herb fragrances as the warmth of the sun's rays heated the leaves.

Xena turned her attention back to the East where she was headed. The sky looked clear and it was still early enough in the morning to enjoy the beginning of Helios' ascent into the heavens. Xena liked early mornings for the fresh sharp smells of plants that released their fragrances with the heat of the first sun rays, and the way the light gradually started to awaken the day creatures. It was the different clamor on the senses that the sudden dramatic appearance of light brought to the environment that she delighted in. She frowned for a moment thinking of how she also enjoyed the shift of consciousness the night brought to her. It was a different awareness as it was like being alive in shadows and yet seeing, hearing and feeling with an acuteness that would blind her in the day's light. She shook her head at the comparison. That's something for a Bard to describe...her job was simply to experience it. She grinned feeling a better mood descend on her at the thought of reuniting with her lover and partner in adventures.

Argo had a lot of ground to cover before they could find safe cover for the night...if she had a mind to stop to sleep. She would probably push Argo as much as she dared. Xena squinted into the raising sun, wishing for hat to block out some of the morning glare. She turned in her saddle and reached back into her bags. Hmmm. Goop. Where did I put that stuff? Her fingers finally found the small jar of black goop she used for putting under her eyes, on her cheek bones, to cut down on the glare. Satisfied she settled in the saddle and glanced around her remembering the last time she had been in this area.

In her younger days she passed by here with her army...she was in a hurry after receiving a message from Marcus. She didn't pull back from the rush of feelings that engulfed her...the pounding in her with blood lust for battle and the sexual energy that further ignited her passion for the battle she was heading for. For a moment Xena's eyes burned with a fire that was reminiscent of her warlord days as the memory washed across her. She let the feeling pass without holding on to it. Some memories she was learning to just let go without attaching the remorse or the pain of introspection to them. Silently she sent Marcus a loving thought, knowing that he could hear her in the Elysium Fields. She didn't bother to compare her love for him and Gabrielle, or feel any pangs of regret. They were two different people from different times in her life.

As they moved further inland the wind decreased dramatically and Argo and her mistress were able to relax more as they fell into their familiar travel rhythm. Xena sniffed the changing air as they moved into the forest of gray tree shapes bare of leaves, ready for the winter. Small wind currents alternated between warm and cold as smells she associated with autumn, the forest and the wooded inhabitants whiffed by her. She could hear the wind moving through the few leaves that were still clinging on the near bare branches. Her posture seemed to be relaxed as she casually glanced about her, but her heightened senses reached far ahead and around her as Argo continued her easy canter. She noted the change in sound of Argo's hooves as the ground underneath changed composition between hard packed earth to patches covered with a blanket of colorful fallen leaves. Her eyes swept across the road reading the signs of passage of various animals that had been before them. She heard birds chatter in the overhead trees, alert for any change in their tone that would warn her of a stranger or friend within their domain.

Argo had accompanied Xena on the ship and did not like the rolling and pitching of the ocean trip, so she was enjoying the feel of the solid ground beneath her hooves. They had taken the ship to cut time by having a merchant ship drop them off at the small fishing village. It took two days off their travel time, though Xena was now taking a coastal route to the Amazon's Village rather than the winding inland road. The Queen's consort, who dreamed of being King, had gladly paid their fare since it was his foolishness that caused her delay. She had stayed five days instead of the two days she planned. Xena shook her head as the irritation began to bring a scowl to her face and deepen her blue eyes to a hardness that scared most sensible people.

"Ah, ah. Now stop." She chided herself. "It's the Queen's problem. She's not blind to his foolishness. Let it alone." Argo's ears flipped back at the mumbling from her rider, snorting at the last sentence she shook her head and continued on with her own business, watching the ruts in the road so her agile feet would not twist in them, tossing her precious cargo over her head.

Xena sighed and turned her thoughts to memories of the last time Gabrielle and her had attended an initiation celebration. Challenges, that no one had the courage to make against her, partying at night for the winner's mentors and finally after two weeks, the women that passed their initiation were presented with their own masks made by their sponsors or mentors. She didn't mind missing that part, which by Amazon law, she could not attend. She admitted to herself it was the mud fights she had been interested in. A large smile finally made its way to her face as she remembered a certain part of the celebration. Queen Gabrielle, had been squirming in her chair as she watched various members tease each other over silly inconsequential things then break out into mud slinging fights which turned into wrestling. Xena was amused at the ritual of insults that were not just colorful but imaginative. The insults could be as entertaining as the mud fights. Xena could tell that Gabrielle wanted to join in the mud tossing and if the mud hadn't hit her on the chin Xena was sure she would have figured out some reason to jump into the fray.

Gabrielle, ankle deep in mud with a mischievous smile, and a smug look on Xena's face would have tipped anyone off of the impending trouble. Gabrielle knew Xena could have prevented the mud from hitting her. The Queen decided to take the smug look off of her champion's face with a hand-full of the wet stuff. Instead, her Majesty ended up flat on her back as her feet slipped out from under her when another victim of the mud, entangled her legs. Due to the fact that the Queen had jumped in seemed to signal that everyone was to join the melee, and anyone not covered with mud became a target. Xena had chosen that time to disappear. With all the fun going on she didn't want someone thinking they would get away with trying to dump her in, namely Gabrielle, though she wouldn't have been able to...Xena didn't want to risk any stray mud sullying her reputation. After all, she had an image to keep up. She watched the rest of the fun from a safe distance with Ephiny, sipping ale and commenting on the antics, the new collection of warriors and exchanged rancorous jokes until Ephiny passed out.

A different smell breezed by Xena and caused her to shift her attention quickly. It was from the left of her. She pulled Argo into a slow trot then into a walk as she focused on what was familiar about that fragrance. It was their special occasion oil. Gabrielle had found out that the fragrance had a very strong effect on her lover's carnal appetite and decided to keep some on hand for special times. Those special occasions were after arguments, when Gabrielle thought they were distant long enough, or when Xena became too pensive for Gabrielle's sensibilities. Just thinking about smelling it on the nape of Gabrielle's neck and other well chosen spots on her body, caused a small fire of anticipation to start in her center. Someone else apparently liked the scent too.

Hmmm. Could be something worth investigating. "It should only take a mere candle mark or two to investigate." She murmured to Argo's twitching ears.

She directed Argo down a faint trail leading in the general direction the wind was blowing from. It led further into the forest heading north. The tall trees with their many bare branches stretched out above her giving strange shadows over the ground that was littered with deadened leaves. The Ivy that connected the trees, blanketing them with their ever green leaves became thicker as she moved further into the forest. She strained her senses attempting to catch more of the smell or the voices. She thought she caught a voice that sounded like Gabrielle's now and again.

Xena reviewed the last two weeks quickly going over the weird experiences she had been having since two days after parting from Gabrielle and her Amazon subjects. She was suspicious this was related. It would be better to clear it up before she got back to Gabrielle. The intensity to return to Gabrielle that started a few days ago, was not the usual feeling she felt when separated from her.

Yep, this needs clearing up before I see Gabrielle, especially if it has anything to do with those...dreams "Best see if this is all related, Argo. No such thing as coincidences, Girl."

She couldn't press Argo any faster as the trail was overrun with brush and it was more of a small animal trail than a passageway for horse and rider. Xena finally pulled Argo up, and tested the air again. The breeze was blowing in a different direction now and she could not hear or smell anything that would give her an idea of the direction of her mystery. Well, she knew what direction not to go in, and the last direction the wind blew was from the North.

Thinking of Gabrielle brought a clear image of the Amazon Queen to her mind. She saw her leaning on her staff with her usual smiling face and green shinning eyes that sparkled as if she was up to something. She was wearing her Amazon regalia, feathers in her air fluttering in the wind. Thinking of Gabrielle brought the usual warmth that filled up her heart and moved out to the rest of her body. Suddenly the energy changed, just like it had been doing for about the last week and a half. She involuntarily gasped, as her body reacted from the fire that started between her legs and spread a heat that pounded and coursed through her entire body momentarily clouding her sight. It wasn't the same feeling of lust that she experienced following a battle nor the usual sexual desire she felt for Gabrielle. None of these new experiences were near the usual. Xena shook her head to clear it and willed her thoughts elsewhere. She needed to keep her attention focused on her environment.

Argo continued to tread her way through the brush with her mistress studying the small tracks and translating the stories they told of the creatures that had been by. She felt the pounding heart of a small rabbit, sensed a few birds hiding in the swaying branches above her, and the other usual wildlife for that area. Xena dismounted from Argo with a flip over her head in order to walk in front of the golden horse. She wanted to get a better connection to Gaia's domain through her own contact with the earth.

Aeolus, shifted his winds and a chill swept down from the top of the nearby snow peaked mountain. Xena wasn't paying the weather too much attention, as she was preoccupied with what was going on in Gaia's neighborhood. Dark clouds that suddenly swept from over the peaks, covering the sun brought her eyes up to study the sky. Surprised she found clouds much like those in the west moving quickly toward her, already covering the view of the mountaintop. Lightening flashed in the distance. They needed to find some sort of shelter. Sniffing the air again that was starting to push rather stiffly against her and Argo, she caught the musty smell of damp moss and an herb she knew that was usually found around caves. Turning into the wind Xena lead Argo around trees and through the brush, cutting what was too thick aside so they could both pass. The rain's arrival was announced with a rumble above them and then a heavy downpour. Visibility was but an arm's length away.

A loud crack, bright light and flying bits of a tree split asunder located three strides from them sent Argo back peddling and squealing in terror. Xena was trying to not duck from the pounding rain and falling debris as she concentrated on coaxing some of the wild fear out of Argo's eyes. Argo was a warhorse that was use to battle forays not Zeus's wild displays of a light show so close by.

Xena was able to get her to stop backing up. She stroked her nose watching the nostrils flare out and the eyes wildly looking about her to see if there was anything else that was going to hit her. There was not much to see in the gray down pour.

Zeus, in his preoccupation with leveling the trees around that area, struck another nearby tree, which again pelted them with chunks of splintered wood. This proved to be too much for Argo. Instinctively Xena spun around and blocked a branch that was descending on her. It caused her to release her hold on Argo's reins, as she needed both hands. Argo took off and Xena fell to the ground from the impact of the branch. Rolling to her feet once clear of the branch she sprinted in the direction Argo had fled. The pelting cold rain did not slack off but she found that Argo's hoof prints made deep indentations in some places. The rain filled up the prints quickly making tiny lakes out of them. As Xena ran on, she could feel her irritation with the weather and Argo's unusual display of running this far from her, leave.

Maybe this is exactly what I need to rid me my recalcitrant disposition of late, she thought wryly.

Argo's tracks were taking her into a valley. As Xena followed a muddy trail near the side of the small hill her ears picked up the sound of a soft nicker. She stopped suddenly and had her sword out in a blurred motion, the blade smoothly slicing through the rain. She faced the direction from where she heard the sound, cautiously climbing up the slippery incline keeping her sword and eyes sweeping around her. Argo's prints disappeared behind a wall of vines hugging the side of the hill. Dead flowers were piled about too deep to be buried in the mud. Xena narrowed her ice blue eyes to study the area. Moving closer she could see that part of the wall of vines moved more vigorously than its neighbors.

An opening? Cautiously Xena moved forward, focusing her attention on what was before her, yet not totally heedless to what was going on around her. She used the tip of her sword to part the curtain of vines. It was too dark inside to see how deep the cave was but the unmistakable stagnant smell of a closed area was evident with the strong smell of a wet horse.

Another crack of lightning that struck near by caused her to move into the cave without any more delay. Trust Argo to find a safe respite from the weather.

For a brief moment the lightning lit up the cave and Xena could make out the dark form that was extending a whiskered nose toward her.

"Hey, Girl. So you went off and found yourself a nice and dry place, huh? Willing to share? She remarked softly as Argo nudged her nose into her mistresses dripping form. Xena's hand curled around Argo's under lip then moved to scratch the wet horse's neck, while scanning the small area. Her eyes needed to adjust to the darkness. Xena tested the air. She could pick up the faint smell that had drawn her off her original course along with the smell of stale air. As her sharp vision adjusted quickly to the darkness she could make out the sides of the cave. The gray light from outside didn't filter much light through the leaves so Xena didn't expect to get a much better view until the next lighting bolt.

She began to make out small holes in the walls of the cave, which might be storage places for ...hopefully...lamps, candles or something useful. To the right were steps leading to a higher level. Argo's warm breath on her arm reminded Xena she needed to set up a fire to dry off and to get some warm tea in her. Leaving Argo's warm side Xena went to check the dark shadows along the wall and noticed the holes were like storage places as she had guessed. A quick flash of worry hit her as she hoped it wasn't a burial cave. The scent that had been distracting her again made a fleeting pass by her nose.

"Who in Tartarus is here?" She quickly looked around the dark cave. Another rumble of thunder accompanied a flash of light... revealing nothing really to see from where she was standing. Xena returned her attention to the small repositories looking for something she could use to light. If someone used this cave there had to be a candle, lamp, short torch, anything. She finally found something as her hand hit a pottery object causing it to clink against other objects. She was in luck. By the feel of the objects she had found a cache of lamps and they felt full. She also could feel the wicks that were gathering dust next to them. Pulling two of the lamps out she placed them on the floor of the cave and fitted them with wicks. She went back to Argo to get her flint. Her leathers were awkward wet and were dripping trails of water down her legs and on the dusty floor of the cave. She could track her own movements in the cave by the wet trail she left.

She loosened Argo's girth and pulled the saddle and bags off her to let her dry. They weren't going anywhere anytime soon. She felt in the bag for her small packet. Xena could feel Argo's breath on the back of her shoulders as she knelt next to the lamps working with the flint. Her cold hands were the first to benefit from the spark that caught onto the wick.

She lifted one of the lit lamps and studied the steps looking for any traps. She couldn't detect anything, above, to sides, or below the stairs. Cautiously she moved up the stairs moving the lamp from side to side to peer into corners. At the top of the stairs the floor of the cave leveled off. In one corner was a rack for hanging armor and weaponry, a sleeping pallet and a small trunk at the foot of the pallet. The room it revealed was the inside of someone's hide-away. She moved the lamp to get a better view of the center of the cave. There was a circle of stones about ten strides in from the stairs. She walked up to it and found wood in the cleaned pit with spare wood neatly stacked to the side. Someone must have visited here often, at one time. She could tell it hadn't been recently for the floor was covered with dust and only showed her presence. That part had a mixture of relief and foreboding, for where was the fragrance coming from? Xena was able to get a fire going in little time. Looking back at the cave entrance she noted that the fire pit was high enough not to let out any light through the leaves.

She returned to Argo patting her on the neck. She ran her hand over her withers to see how much she dried off. Xena gave Argo an apple from her pack and brought the packs back to the fire ring. She removed tea to heat up, a dry cloth and a change of cloths for herself. She had a small pan that she filled with rainwater. While that was getting hot she turned her attention to drying herself off. She struggled with the buckles and wet clasps on her armor. This is where she really missed Gabrielle's assistance. She set her leathers and armor on the supplied rack, draping the soaked thin tunic she wore between her skin and leathers on a corner. She dropped a dry winter tunic over her head then dried her hair as much as she could with the cloth. The fire was quickly warming the interior of the cave. With the added light from the fire she could study their quarters better. It obviously was someone's safe haven and that person wore armor. She lifted the lid to the trunk and found dusty bedding and dry cloths. They had been there for a while. No personal effects aside from the cloths. Xena turned back to inspecting the walls closer in this part of the cave. Another small opening had old candles stored. As she moved to one side of the back of the cave the flame in the lamp started to dance around wildly. There was also a subtle change in the air. A dark thick line ran down the back wall of the cave where the light from the fire didn't reach.

An opening into the depths of the mountain? Maybe where the smell is coming from. She inspected it with the lamp and found it was wide enough for her to slide through without her armor.

"Well, Argo. What do you make of this?" Xena asked her friend who was quietly dozing in her part of the cave.

The water started to boil. Turning back to the fire she threw some herbs in the steaming water swishing them around then putting the pan to the side to seep a little. The intense need to reunite with Gabrielle started up again. Xena put her head in her hands and let the feeling run its course. This feeling only started two days ago, but she was sure it had something to do with the dreams...and the unwelcomed presence. She took a deep breath and let her more practical mind take over. This little side trip saved her and Argo an unpleasant time in the storm. It wasn't as if Gabrielle was in trouble. She knew that anxious gut twisting feeling well. If it had been she would have not allowed herself to be sidetracked or to hole up comfortably in a dry cave while a full scale storm played itself out.

Her thoughts again returned to the image of her friend with the ready smile and laughing green eyes. She also started to think of how she wanted to hold her against her and feel her skin against her own. Sighing she shook her head. The erotic dreams for the past two weeks were driving her crazy and did not do her morning disposition any good, which normally wouldn't have made any difference among strangers. She was surprised Queen Deanna put up with her testiness most of the mornings. Her night sword drills increased in duration as she became more reluctant to sleep and the Queens close presence in the daytime didn't help any. The young woman was not subtle when she was alone around Xena about her desire to see Xena in her royal bed. Xena was at first amused by the attention then had to become blunt about her not being interested, which was difficult when her dreams at night were leaving her very horny. It was also rather difficult to tell someone that was rubbing up against you that you were not interested when your body was twitching and easily getting aroused giving the observant Queen a different message.

When the dreams first started she had thought they were from her own intense desires that she hadn't acknowledged or from the sexual energy the young Queen was generating, like a mare in season. But as the week progressed her suspicion changed. The content of the dreams were...Xena sighed...well, if they were from Gabrielle it was certainly a side of Gabrielle she didn't know about. But the coincidence that the dreams and the feeling of another's presence, which was not Gabrielle's, occurred at about the same time, giving her an uneasy feeling that it was all related.

Xena had taken the security job mostly out of curiosity for she knew the young Queen from one of the villages she had helped rebuild after a band of disgruntled soldiers thought to ransack it. The young woman had been visiting her mother's family and then was not at all the type of person she had become. It's amazing what three years could do to a person. Xena's lips twitched into a smile as she thought about the young Queen's interest in her. Her consort would have to content himself with her wandering eye for both genders or leave her. Xena had heard rumors about her and was curious how much was true. She didn't want to personally find out about her sexual proclivity just about other things, like the ability to pick winners or attract good luck. It turned out the young woman had a very good sense for business and an eye for interesting bed partners.

That brought an amusing memory to Xena. Two seasons ago, Xena had been invited to visit Lesbos and had taken Gabrielle along...as if she would have been able to leave her behind ...Xena had spent half a day being charmed and engaged with various women when she finally escaped to look for Gabrielle. First place she looked was the library. Gabrielle was alone in the large room, engrossed in a scroll that she was holding up and moving to view from various angles and sometimes blushing furiously. When Gabrielle realized Xena was in the room she had quickly rolled it up and tucked it back in its storage space. When Xena asked her what she was looking at Gabrielle reported sheepishly that they were love poems. Xena had already glimpsed what the contents were. It was a collection of erotic love poems with diagrams of the various poses the poem was on. It was one of the many guides on love making that Sappho collected. It had been about seven moons before they became lovers, now that she thought about it.

"Oh, my lovely Bard," she thought, "you are in for a tryst with little sleep for days and nights in payment for these two long weeks...even if you are not the one responsible for those dreams!" She smiled to herself, "and if you are, we are going to talk about NOT repeating the experience."

She poured the tea into a small cup and sipped it letting its mixture warm her. She dug into her pack for some trail bars of dried fruit, nuts and oats. She lost herself in thought as she chewed and stared into the flames aware of the continuing storm outside of the cave.

"Xena!"

Xena jumped up, sword before her, legs bent, extending all her senses to search out the area to even the darkest corners. She saw nothing and could only feel Argo's presence. Looking down near the entrance she could see Argo's shadow. Argo hadn't even raised an inquisitive ear toward the call.

"Hey Girl, didn't you hear anything?" Xena asked her friend softly.

Argo merely looked up at her idly twitching her tail.

Xena backed down the stairs to the entrance of the cave and parted the vine covering keeping a wary eye at the interior of the cave. It was still pouring outside and from the looks of it the clouds and rain were going to stay a while.

Xena faced the inside of the cave again. She normally could sense danger, it was so insidious or heavy but there was nothing here. The fragrance again passed her face stronger this time. Images of Gabrielle filled her mind and they were along the erotic line. She sighed. She needed to get to the bottom of this.

"Too many odd things are happening, Argo. I can feel a connection but..." She climbed back up the stairs looking around as she sat back down near the fire, carefully laying her sword near her side. She continued to sip her tea while staring into the flames. Sighing, while one hand put her cup down the other lifted her sword as she rose to her feet and returned to Argo. Brushing Argo helped her sort her thoughts and this was what she needed to do.

The rain outside made it impossible to travel so she wasn't feeling so guilty about taking some time out from what had been a hurried return to Gabrielle's side. She mentally ticked off on her fingers why she was going to investigate the opening in the cave wall. One was because it was there, two was because the fragrance that just so happened to be special to Gabrielle and her was coming from there, not to mention what pulled her off the road, and three all the other things that have been happening in the last two weeks.

"It shouldn't take long, Argo, then I'll be back to attend to my armor and leathers."

Finishing with Argo she put the brushes away. Without using the stairs Xena leaped easily to the next level. She picked up her Chakram, attaching it to the belt wrapped around her tunic. The scabbard she would put on after she squeezed though the narrow
opening.

Taking one last look at Argo she stashed a few of the candles in her small pouch at her waist that also contained her flint. She picked up one of the lamps and swished it around to gauge how much oil still remained. Enough. She extinguished the other to prevent anyone from seeing its light from behind the vines and then made sure the fire was below the stones that ringed it.

"Well, let's go see what's going on." She told herself.

She didn't feel the draft until she stood off to the side. Squeezing through the opening she tried to shield the flame to the lamp. The draft became more noticeable as she stepped over what felt like was a doorway, sending the small flame frantically waving about. She pulled her scabbard after her, using her body to shield the wavering light.

The change of feeling around her was dramatic and immediate as she moved into the dark tunnel. The smells here were muted, as was sound around her. She no longer heard the flame sputtering in the lamp, or the air moving about her. Her senses felt blunted. She calmed herself as the feeling of being closed in attempted to panic her.

Laying the lamp at her feet she fitted the scabbard into its comfortable position on her back, adjusting the straps to the more bulky clothing then her form fitting leathers.

Picking the lamp back up she held it high above her head to see around her. It was a tunnel whose ceiling was high enough that if she lifted her sword it would barely touch the roof. The width between the walls would accommodate two people walking abreast. The sides of the cave did not show that they were hewn with tools but rather more of an old water channel for there were traces of old water levels. Her face didn't change when she noted that she was not throwing any shadows.

"Athena, did I get myself into something that is better left alone?" She asked exasperated. She had enough challenges with everyday life, and for that matter being around Gabrielle, without messing in the eerie. She shook her head mentally. She wanted to solve this problem and felt it was all related...so buckle up and get on with it, she firmly chided herself.

The annoying disorientated feeling started again but she didn't do anything until it unhurriedly made its way to her consciousness. It was that same feeling she experienced on the bluff and for the last week. She had walked about twenty paces away from the opening when she turned quickly pulling her sword out smoothly and almost put the wavering flame out with her quick movement. There was a figure before her, just out of reach of her sword point, whose resemblance to Gabrielle was close, but Xena knew it was not she. What was different? Her heart was steady as she faced the image of her lover.

"Who are you?" Xena asked in a curt voice.

"I'm not your enemy." Came a young seductive voice that didn't even come close to sounding like Gabrielle, but was provocative enough to send goose bumps up and down her arms.

"Come closer." The voice enticed, this time sending shivers down Xena's spine. She shook her head to clear the sound that was threatening to overcome her sensibilities. She wondered if this was another version of the Sirens.

Not good, Xena told herself sardonically, with the way things have been going for the last two weeks, if they don't lighten up, I'm going to be like dog after a bitch in heat by the time I see Gabrielle! Mentally Xena corrected the image to a stallion after a mare in season, somehow thinking Gabrielle would appreciate that image over the dog image. Though, why, since both…Xena impatiently shook her head. Aphrodite's girth! This is ridiculous!

The image of Gabrielle was blocking her exit...if she wanted to go back to the cave. Then the beat of a war drum started somewhere in the back of her head. This is not good, at all. Xena kept her sword pointing in front of her listening to the beat that was picked up by her heart, just as in the old days, reminding her of the blood lust that was part of the passion the war drums invoked.

"Pegasus's droppings! This is going to be another one of those 'shouldn't have done that,' trips." She muttered.

"Please, hold meee." The voice implored. The image had her arms out and was moving in a suggestive way toward Xena. The lamp was sputtering terribly and causing small sparks to fall on Xena's hand.

"Ohhhh." The image stopped and giggled as she watched with fascination, as the lamp struggled to not go out. The flame danced around and the image started to waver, then it disappeared. The feeling of the presence left just as suddenly.

Xena retraced her steps to check for prints from her visitor. She reached where she believed she had entered and stopped. The lamp was sputtering again sending sparks onto her hand. There was still enough oil in the lamp as she could feel it swishing around in the base. She used her sword tip to lightly touch the wall that was where she felt the opening in the wall should be. Nothing indicated an opening. She bent to one knee bringing the lamp down to see if there were footprints. To her amazement there were plenty with hers over the lot. She studied the prints noting the various sizes. None of them were recent but her own. She continued looking around the sides of the wall.

Her face became grim when she noted that her own prints showed a start from the wall that she had been prodding with the point of her sword. An illusion? No. Illusions have a feeling to them, though subtle. She felt no illusion here, in fact she felt nothing here. Her senses were quite dull. So, what now? She heard laughter again, this time it was followed by others. One of those voices really did sound like Gabrielle's! How could she hear voices but not the sound from the sputtering lamp?

The only way she was going to get out of this was to find out where the old footprints led to and where the laughter was coming from. She needed to continue on.

Slowly she started back into the depths of the dark tunnel letting the flickering lamp light a small area in front of her. The fragrance was becoming stronger. Her feet could feel the change in the ground below her. It was softer as if she were no longer walking on stone. The oil in the lamp was getting low. She raised the lamp higher to see what dark shape was taking form above her.

"How handy." She smirked to herself as she reached up and pulled the torch from its resting-place. Using the lamp's flame she set the touch alight and put it back in its holder. As it lit up the area she could see that she had entered a chamber that had seven torches set around the room. She lit three more to get a better view of where she was. It appeared to be a tomb.

"Hades! This is not a place I want to be meeting anyone, unless its Persephone on her way out." She muttered to herself. Which is not likely to happen, as this is the season she visits Hades. Xena certainly didn't want to wait around until it was time for her to return to her mother, Demeter. She looked around for some type of clue as to why she was led here.

In the center of the room was an elaborate sarcophagus with real flowers encircling it. The fragrance from the flowers was the same as the oil that Gabrielle used for their special occasions. After this, that may change, she thought grimly. Stepping toward the sarcophagus she reached down to pick up some of the petals. She rubbed the soft lips between her thumbs and sniffed the odor from the bruising she released. Yep, that was the smell. Returning her attention to the sarcophagus she noticed the old lettering on the sides and chiseled across the draped stone cloth. It was an old language from one of the islands off the Aegean Sea. As she looked at the face that was carved to represent the deceased Xena jumped back with her sword up.

"All right! Show your self!" Xena's voice was coldly incensed. The face on the stone was one half of Xena's face and the other Gabrielle's.

A small figure appeared near her elbow but Xena's reflexes had distance between them quickly. She realized as she stood there with her sword pointed at this wisp of a young woman the sword was of no use. Taking a deep breath she sheathed the sword and frowned at the small shade that appeared before her.

"Hi, Xena." The shy young woman with Gabrielle's face smiled with her eyes barely able to meet her icy stare.

"Who are you?"

"Not your enemy." Came the return. For a brief moment the young woman's eyes looked into hers and Xena had to hold herself steady. The eyes that looked back at her were like Gabrielle's.

"And?" Xena got out between clenched teeth.

"I need your help." She pleaded.

"If you show me who you really are then we'll talk." Xena returned firmly.

The youthful figure thoughtfully studied the tall older woman, dressed in a tunic with a scabbard tied to her back who was also breath-takingly beautiful. The dark hair was wild looking and still damp. Her glance traveled to the shoulders that spoke of power. Her long legs were chiseled muscles that promised stamina and strength. The thoughtful green eyes looked up at the cold blue eyes that could scare even the hound of Hades. She smiled in appreciation of the warrior that was before her.

"I am Alex."

The look in the cool blue eyes told her that this was not making any impression.

"I need a champion." She said, changing tactics.

Xena raised an eyebrow and waited.

"Yes, a champion." The green eyes twinkled as Gabrielle's would.

"Do you have to..."

"Oh, you wish for another?" Quickly the form changed to Calisto. Xena's sword was out before even a heart beat could complete its thump. "Oh." Quickly the form changed into another image and the images quickly changed with people from Xena's past and present.

"Stop!" Xena growled.

The changing form stopped at her mother's image.

"Why can't you just appear as yourself." Xena demanded.

"I have no image."

Xena's patience was beginning to reach the intolerable level.

"What are you?"

"Nothing now." The shaped changed back to the young woman who resembled Gabrielle.

"All right!" Xena snarled her patience at an end.

"I was once...well, not quite like you,... I mean..."

"Never mind that!" Xena impatiently interrupted. "So what is this all about? Why do you need a champion and for what?"

"Then you will be my champion!" The little voice shouted happily clapping her hands just as a delighted child would.

"Will you just get to the point!" Xena's voice was low, doing her dangerous warlord imitation that usually had men of sound mind feel otherwise.

The girl smiled for a moment and seemed to be listening for something.

"What do you want to know?" And the form changed again, this time to that of an old woman.

"Can you stop changing forms and just stick to one? Like this one. It's fine." Xena grumbled darkly.

The old face looked at her with eyes that were faded gray. As Xena looked into her eyes she suddenly felt herself being pulled in. She stepped back and averted her eyes.

"By the River Styx, you'll be meeting with Charon, with an obol shoved where the sun doesn't shine if you continue with this game!" Xena had taken a swish at the figure with her sword point, not expecting to do any damage but her energy was explosive and the form did recede back.

The old face smiled as the tall warrior flexed her will and muscles. She was strong! She could feel the passion and fire that could be used if she needed it. Ares had certainly put his mark on her, however, she could feel another influence that was greater, and a mere mortal caused that. Her smile widened. Yes, she was indeed perfect. Xena and Gabrielle had come highly recommended for this task.

The old woman blinked her eyes a few times and Xena's eyes were caught up in them. She bent forward as if pulled by a magnet to stare into the old woman's eyes. Again she averted her eyes and stared instead into the jewel that was above the old woman's forehead, and was captured by its sparkle. Her mind became stilled.

"That's better, my mighty warrior. You have been chosen to be our tall and beautiful champion. You will do just fine." She cooed softly. "Now we need your other half and then we will be ready to get down to business."

Far away Xena could hear what she was saying. She tried struggling to break the hold but whatever held her was not even touched by her struggle. She felt as if she was looking at herself from far away. It was discomforting to see her bending painfully low to look into the eyes of a figure that was about up to her knee. Was the figure a dwarf? No the hands weren't large, nor were there any similarities except height.

Then there was a peaceful blackness that descended on her mind.