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© Copyright 1997 by F.S.
This story may not be sold and may be archived at public sites only with direct permission from the author. Any archive must carry this entire copyright statement.
See Childhood's End (Parts 1-2) for the complete disclaimer statement and other notes from the author.
"Sir?" A frightened mercenary peered into the tent without even bothering to give the customary salute. Falceus considered killing him for his breach of conduct, but the morning's defeat made even this action taste bitter.
"Yes?" he snarled.
"We were all wondering ... what should we do now?" he squeaked. "They say, sir, that the village is inhabited by ghosts! How can we win against ghosts and gods?"
Falceus raised a cool eyebrow. So the rumors had already begun.
"We won't attack Cyanthus directly, you fool. We'll lay a siege on the village," he said determinedly. "They can't fight us if we don't engage them in battle. We'll just choke those insignificant peasants in their own homes."
"But sir ... we heard that Cyanthus is protected by Pan himself!" the soldier gabbled. "How is a siege going to defeat them?"
Falceus felt like breaking something, preferably a whole lot of necks. Were all his men carbon copies of Helkios?
"Even the gods have their weak points ... we'll just have to exploit Pan's."
"But sir, he IS a god ..."
He lunged at the soldier, pinning him to the ground. "Are you questioning my orders?"
"No!" the frightened man squealed.
"Then surround the fields of Cyanthus. Burn the crops. Sow the land with salt." He turned away, leaving the soldier to scramble out of his reach. He stalked back to his chair, sitting down with a calculating gleam in his eyes. His knowledge of the gods was coming back to repay him."Pan's power becomes useless if the land is poisoned. Take the troops and cut off the exit between the village and the forest. We'll starve them out and make living there impossible."
"But sir ..."
"Do it!" Falceus leaned back, withdrawing into the deep shadows of his tent. "If I can't have this land, no one will."
Martis watched the last of Cyanthus' soldiers return from the forest. A few were seriously wounded, but overall, the casualties had been relatively minimal, as had been the death count. However, the numbers were due to rise. After making sure the last of the weary soldiers had made it through the gates safely, Martis went to go help with the injured. He bent to staunch the blood of the wounded soldier nearest to him. Working frantically, he tried to stop the life from draining out of the body he held, but he couldn't move fast enough. It was a losing battle. He was preparing to let the man to cross over into the Fields when suddenly, another pair of hands appeared, pressing down on the bandage.
"Hand me a scissors, needle, and thread," a cold voice ordered him. Looking up, Martis found himself staring into a pair of deep blue eyes.
"Don't just stand there! MOVE!" the voice snapped again, and the soldier felt his body obey. Watching numbly, he stood slack-jawed as the mysterious stranger patched up the wounded man, before moving on to the next patient. She worked quickly and skillfully, and soon, the cries of pain lessened. Finally, when she had done all she could to alleviate the suffering around her, she strode back to the stunned soldier.
"Who are you?" Martis questioned bewilderedly, then took in a sharp breath. Those blue eyes. He knew them. "Xena?!?"
The warrior nodded slightly.
"But Gabrielle said ..."
"Where is Gabrielle?" The woman raised an eyebrow and gave Martis a chilling look. He cleared his throat nervously.
"I don't know. The others lost track of her in the woods." His eyes misted over with grief. "Janya's still missing, too."
The Warrior Princess did not reply. Instead, she walked toward the gates of the village.
"Wait ... where are you going?" Martis asked as he raced to intercept her.
She brushed roughly past him. "I'm going to find them," she replied, not once breaking her pace.
"Have you been listening to me? You can't go out there!" Protesting weakly, Martis ran to catch up with her. "Falceus is still around!"
"Then he better move."
"It would be suicide!" Martis exclaimed. "Wait a couple of days. Gabrielle's centaur allies will be here by then."
"Are you sure Falceus will spare you that long?" Xena stopped and pinned him with a piercing look. The soldier shivered unconsciously but refused to be deterred.
"He doesn't dare attack the village now ... he thinks we're under the protection of the gods." Martis insisted. "That's what we worked so hard to achieve."
"You'll still lose your lives." The warrior's voice dipped low, and her eyes held a harsh light. "When Falceus realizes that he is caught between here and the coming allied army, then he won't care about the consequences. He'll burn the village to the ground. He doesn't have anything else to lose. Even if he doesn't destroy Cyanthus entirely, I'm sure this area will be uninhabitable for awhile."
As if to echo her words, a sentry came running to meet Martis. He gave Xena a slight glance before blurting out his message.
"Falceus has set the fields on fire! And he's lacing the ashes with salt!" he panted.
Martis went nearly rigid with shock. "So all we have fought for has been in vain ..."
"No." Xena stated firmly, with a strength that made both soldiers glance up at her. "You have your freedom, and you fought a good battle."
"But Cyanthus will never be green again ..."
"Don't say die until you've shaken Celesta's hand. There still may be a way out," Xena muttered softly as she resumed walking toward the village gates.
Falceus watched the fields burn, relishing the feeling of revenge as its sweet taste filled his soul. As the flames danced higher and higher, he could feel their power rush through him. It was almost as good as defeating Xena in battle, but then, he couldn't have everything he wanted. He ducked back into his tent. The knowledge that Xena would be watching her precious villagers' livelihood go up in smoke, unable to do anything about it ... that would be satisfying enough for now.
Three paces into his tent, Falceus tensed as his senses screamed danger.
"Xena," he breathed quietly. As expected, she came forth from the dark shadows deep within his tent. "I should have known that you would be paying me a visit. How do you like my little victory bonfire? It's in your honor, you know."
Xena did not reply, choosing to close the distance between them instead. Falceus raised a hand. "Not too close, mind you. A single shout from me will bring my soldiers running. You'll never get out of my tent alive."
"Neither will you," she purred, her voice spiced with hidden power and danger. Falceus struggled to keep his attention from wandering. Gods, she was a beautiful woman!
"That's a might bold threat, Xena. Especially since *you're* in *my* camp. I guess you could kill me now ... if you have the guts to kill an unarmed man." He shrugged as his eyes watched her every move.
"When is a snake like you ever unarmed?" She leaned forward, eyes glinting danger. He smiled softly. She was right, of course; he had his own personal armory hidden within easy reach. However, he knew better than to go for a weapon right now.
"Well said. I must say, that was a pretty trick you pulled back there. How did you ever get the aid of Pan?"
"That is none of your concern."
"Ah, but it is," Falceus murmured. "But Pan or no Pan, you seem to be in a tight spot now. I'm not going anywhere and neither are you, it seems. I wonder, how long can your precious villagers last without food and water? Gods tire of protecting places, you know, especially a single, puny village, and Pan only stays as long as he is amused."
"You're closer to death and defeat than you know." Xena leaned even closer to him, making his heartbeat quicken with both desire and fear. "Listen to me, Falceus. Withdraw your army and leave this land. You cannot hope to win."
"I don't plan to go anywhere. If you ask me, I'm the one who has the most power here. I have the most troops, so I get to say what goes."
"Brawn over brains? That's not usually your style." Xena shook her head, as if in regret. "You might be the one with the power now, Falceus, but in ten days you'll be outnumbered."
"What do you mean?" Falceus laughed in disbelief. "You seem to be forgetting who has an army right now."
"Take your troops and leave. Stop poisoning this land and its people. You've done enough damage already."
"Big words, Xena. Are you counting on the gods to back you up? Even if you are, it doesn't matter. Why should I leave? I will crush your village like an egg beneath my foot. First I'll sow these fields with salt, then do the same to the neighboring lands around it. Pan can't do anything if I kill the land which sustains his power. Plus, I have a little surprise for your troops. You know their families? How do you think your soldiers will behave once they're forced to watch their loved ones being ripped apart in front of their eyes?" Falceus gave a wicked grin. "In fact, the thought pleases me so much that I'll have a messenger sent right away to Realthan to bring them here. That should take about, oh, eight days. If the village is still standing then, it should provide some interesting entertainment. Sieges get so boring, you know. I can't wait to see the look on my former soldiers' faces once they see my little gift."
Xena's face remained impassive, but the warlord could tell he had struck a nerve.
"That bothers you, doesn't it?" Falceus chuckled, sensing that the balance of control had shifted slightly. "Getting squeamish about innocent blood? Oh, Xena, you should have been there when I took down your first commander."
"What do you mean?"
"The blonde-haired chick that was leading the charge against me this morning. It was so sweet ... the look of horror on her face as she fell down, absolutely beautiful." Falceus's grin widened as he watched the Warrior Princess stiffen. "So she means something to you, does she? Well, rest assured that's she's halfway to Hades by now ..." Suddenly, the warlord found himself flying through the air. He slammed into his table and was immediately pinned down by a pair of arms that were stronger than steel. Choking, he barely managed to gasp out his next words.
"If you kill me, then my soldiers will kill you. What use are you to the villagers if you die? Your friend is dead already ... are you willing to risk the lives of others? My soldiers have their orders ... they'll carry them out even if I'm dead. After all, when I'm gone, who will pay them? Plundering and looting the town remains the only profitable option left. Besides that, there are plenty of other warlords ready to take my place, Xena. In fact, the line's already forming down the hall. This land will never be free ..."
Xena let the warlord drop, but the deadly fire in her eyes did not die down.
"I challenge you," she snarled.
"What?!?"
"For the control of the army." She threw a glare at the soldiers who had gathered around the tent, alerted by Falceus' struggling. They kept their distance. "Are you going to back down? Afraid of me?" she sneered.
"No. Of course not," Falceus growled back as he straightened up. "But give me a reason I should. I seem to hold the upper hand right now ... I could order my troops to kill you where you stand ..."
Xena did not even blink as she regarded him coolly. "What would Ares think? What about your honor and reputation? Falceus, the great warlord, couldn't even take on one little Warrior Princess by himself ... he needs his whole army to do so!" Xena's tone dripped with contempt. "Mighty warlord indeed. You're just a coward, unable to fight your own battles," she declared to the soldiers standing at the tent's entranceway. Falceus narrowed his eyes as his men began to give one another nervous side glances. "Thank you for spreading my fame. It took a whole ARMY to take ME down." Xena grinned wildly. "While your warlord hid in the shadows of his tent, afraid to come out because of a woman!"
"I am afraid of NOTHING, be it man or woman!" Falceus roared.
"Then accept my challenge," Xena said icily. "I offer you the chance to defeat a whole village by yourself, using only your own muscle. Yet, you insist on using your whole regiment. Kind of like squashing a fly with a mountain. What would be the glory in that? Remember, the gods have little use for mortals without honor."
Falceus shifted uncomfortably as he gripped his hands into a fist. He could feel the weight of his soldiers' eyes upon him. "I have no honor? What about you? You were once a great warlord yourself. Now you're reduced to protecting worthless peasants." His mouth twisted into cunning sneer as a plan came to him. "You've become soft! I don't need to use my entire army, I can take you myself. So yes, I'll accept your challenge. However, since you're in my territory, I get to pick the weapons of combat and the rules of battle."
"So be it. Name your terms."
"Weapons will be double daggers, Medusa style. Ring rules." His eyes gleamed.
"Fine," Xena said sharply. "And time?"
"Sundown."
As the Warrior Princess turned to go, Falceus motioned for his soldiers to let her pass. When he was sure that she was a safe distance away, he finally let himself relax into his chair, thoroughly satisfied with himself. Reaching for his whetstone, Falceus took out a pair of his favorite blades and began honing the edges. As the sunlight shimmered off their silver surfaces, he laughed softly. Victory was in his grasp.
Xena stood with the late afternoon sun like a cloak on her back. The wind tousled her hair and sent the ebony locks dancing. She closed her eyes and drank in the rays of warmth as her thoughts drifted across the waving grains of wheat. So many things had happened in such a short span of time. Like a leaf flung into turbulent winds, she still had no idea where she would land in the end. Reaching inside herself, she could still feel the uncertainty that her recent childhood had left behind. She had changed somehow, and in the transition, she had lost her sense of self. Who was she? Xena the child, pretending to be a Warrior Princess, or Xena the hardened warrior, who had no time for innocence? Or both? Xena pushed the troubling thoughts away. There were things to do, and she would have to sort things out later. Right now, the situation called for Xena the warrior, and Xena the warrior would have to respond.
"Xena! Where did you go? Why did you go?" Martis came running up. Xena straightened up as she leveled an impassive glance at the soldier.
"I challenged Falceus to a duel," she said placidly.
"YOU DID WHAT?!?" Martis yelled, anger and astonishment clear in his voice. "Xena, NO!"
"I challenged him to a duel. Double daggers. Medusa style. You have a problem with that?" she asked icily, half puzzled by his violent reaction.
"Medusa style? Double daggers? Oh my gods ..." he spluttered. "Don't you know that Falceus is the best when it comes to double daggers?
"I know he's good," Xena replied indifferently. "But the question is, will he be good enough?"
"Are you suicidal?!?" Martis yelped. "You won't have a chance, especially if you're confronting him Medusa style. Don't you know he has a special advantage when it comes to that?"
"Yes."
"Then why are you doing it anyway?" Martis asked. "Wouldn't it be better to wait for the reinforcements to arrive?"
Xena turned to look at the young man. There was genuine concern in his eyes, and he was practically on his knees pleading for the warrior to listen. Xena frowned, taken aback for a moment. She would expect something like this out of Gabrielle, but not out of a soldier she had just met. What had she done to inspire his loyalty?
"Please, it's not worth risking you life over. Sure, the fields of Cyanthus will be destroyed but the villagers can rebuild. I know they wouldn't want you to be killed over this." Martis said firmly. "I can't let you do this ..."
"You have no choice in this matter. If I'm the only one who will lose her life at the end of this, then Zeus himself is on our side." Xena gestured to the fields beyond. "Falceus is desperate now. And if he does chose to fight the army, then that many more people will lose their lives. No. This ends now. If I win, then his army will be mine, and we can settle this without any further bloodshed."
"Be careful, Xena," Martis warned. "I still don't trust him."
"Neither do I." Xena smiled faintly, but her eyes hardened. "But I have a favor to ask of you ..."
Martis sighed resignedly. "Sure. What do you need?"
"It's about Gabrielle. If anything happens to me ..."
Martis stiffened. His eyes flitted to her, and his mouth hung slightly open. Xena looked at his reaction, confused. What had she said? The soldier pulled himself together at last though, and nodded violently.
"You want me to take care of her," Martis echoed her thoughts. Xena gave him a puzzled frown. He smiled weakly. "Let's just say your minds work a lot alike," he mumbled enigmatically. "Xena, I don't want to say this, but what if?"
"She's not dead." Xena gave him a cool look, then turned away, eyes distant. "I would know if she were. I need you to go look for her, in Pan's woods. She might be injured. Take care of her for me."
"I'll do my best," Martis nodded. "You both were ... are ... great women, you know. You both have a vast amount of courage and heart, more than anyone that I've ever known. Your light burns bright, enough for others to see by."
"You wouldn't say that if you had seen me in the past."
"But I have, Xena." Martis gave her a soft, knowing smile. "And not that much has changed. No matter what you may think, you still have that light inside of you. Don't let Falceus take that away from us." He gave her one last grin, then walked away, leaving the Warrior Princess to mull over his words.
Her pain was the only thing that held Gabrielle to reality as she struggled through the underbrush of the forest. When she felt she was deep enough not to be pursued, she collapsed down onto an old log and tried to take inventory of what had happened to her. She had been extremely lucky, the bard knew. The Fates themselves must have lent a hand, for by all rights, she should have been dead. If she hadn't tripped at the last moment, the arrow would have found its mark in her heart instead of grazing a deep gash in her side. Although Gabrielle would have preferred not to have lost any flesh or blood, it was still better than being dead. After bandaging the wound up the best she could with her meager supplies, Gabrielle leaned back against a tree trunk and closed her eyes.
When she awoke from her light doze, it was already late afternoon. Around her, the sunlight filtered lazily through the trees, and the sounds of nature at ease filled the air. It was almost peaceful. Gabrielle wondered what was happening beyond the boundaries of the forest. Had Martis been successful? Had Falceus been repelled? How many people had returned from the battle this morning? How many people were now in the Elysian Fields? Gabrielle had no answer. Struggling to get up, the bard fought the wave of nausea that hit her. She caught herself before she could fall onto the forest floor and plunked her bottom back down on the log. With a resigned sigh, Gabrielle settled herself against the tree trunk once more, knowing that she wouldn't be able to go anywhere until she recovered a little more. In her current condition, she would be easy prey for Falceus, and getting herself captured would help no one. The war she had started would just have to proceed on without her. Gabrielle felt the tears begin to start in her eyes at the thought. People were counting on her, and she had let them down. Her frustration grew until she could no longer contain it. Taking out her knife, the same one that she had been using to carve so many nights before, she began to dig a deep furrow into the log, trying to cut away her feelings of helplessness.
"I should be back at Cyanthus! I promised!" she finally vocalized her anger, challenging the tall trees around her. "Life's just not fair!"
"And tell me, who said it was?" a sardonic voice asked her.
Startled, Gabrielle dropped her knife as she whipped her head around. Her body painfully tensed when she saw that it was Pan. Resentment lit her eyes as the bard began to open her mouth again.
"Ahh ... I would watch what you say. I am tolerating the presence of your friends right now, but any rash action on your part could make me upset. I tend to turn people into things when I get upset." Pan gave her a little grin. "Also, please stop mutilating the shrubbery; it devalues the property. And calm down! Quit hyperventilating like a fish out of water. I'm not going to harm you ... this whole thing has been much too amusing, and I wouldn't want to see it end so fast."
"If you haven't come to harm me, what are you planning to do?"
"Simple enough. You seem to be having a little problem. I just wanted to see if I could help." Pan shrugged. "If you want me to go away, fine. You can hobble to the village by yourself."
"Wait. Don't go." Gabrielle took three deep breaths, trying to calm herself. "How can you help me? I don't understand."
"Well, for one thing, you're using my name to protect Cyanthus. However, there is a little trouble in the fact that I didn't give you the permission to do so. If Falceus were to know ..."
"Please, Pan ... I-I ..."
"Don't worry. I won't tell him. I don't like that stupid oaf much. He's busy burning and salting the land. Talk about really defacing my property!" Pan stomped a hoof angrily.
Gabrielle blinked in surprise. "He's doing what? The people of Cyanthus need those fields to make a living!"
"Well, I'm not that happy about it either. It undermines my power. However, I don't think that's your biggest problem. Xena is."
"What do you mean?" Gabrielle paled. "She's supposed to be at Apollo's temple."
"Not anymore. She's back and bigger than ever. You know, I really should have a talk with Apollo about ruining my pranks. It's just not fun, you know, nor is it polite. And I think it's against the rules. But then the full gods never did have any respect for us lesser ones. Anyway, it seems like your warrior friend has decided to challenge ol' Falceus."
"She challenged Falceus!?" Gabrielle was clearly confused. "How? She's only five years old ..."
"You know what they say ... kids grow up so fast these days." Pan snorted as he noted Gabrielle's baffled state, "Since your little mortal mind is having such a hard time grasping what I'm saying, maybe seeing it will help you believe." The faun pushed the bard back down on the log. "Sit back and relax. You may enjoy this show." He waved an arm, and a box-like object appeared. It had one silver surface and this abruptly blurred. "How about a replay of the action up to this point? Hmm, let's see ... last time, on Xena: Warrior Princess ..." He chuckled at Gabrielle's puzzled look. "You wouldn't get it. It's a little in-joke."
Gabrielle felt her jaw drop in amazement when the image of her friend, now her rightful age, flashed onto the silver surface of the box. "How?" she asked as she touched the box in wonder. Looking at Xena's surroundings, the bard gasped abruptly when she realized just where her friend was. What was Xena doing in the enemy's camp?
Pan, however, was enjoying the unfolding scene immensely. "Watch, this thing even gets stereo surround-sound and over a hundred channels, although I never could get this stupid display to stop flashing twelve. Seems like some things are beyond the power of the gods!"
Gabrielle ignored the faun and his nonsensical chatter as she watched Xena approach the tent. When she heard the warrior issue the challenge, and saw that Falceus had accepted, she felt a faint ray of hope. Perhaps there was a chance that this whole conflict would end without any further bloodshed. She had never known Xena to lose a one-on-one combat before and had faith in her friend's skills to beat the warlord. However, Pan was slowly shaking his head.
"Man, what a waste! Xena doesn't stand a chance," he murmured.
"What do you mean?" the bard asked, alarmed.
"Well, you heard them, didn't you? Falceus is the best when it comes to double daggers."
"I don't understand." Gabrielle looked bewildered. "Xena fights well enough, even with daggers. She's the best there is," she said confidently.
"Yes ... perhaps she would have had a chance if they fought *normal* style. However, Medusa's format ... she really can't beat Falceus then." Pan shrugged. "Instead of fighting with plain daggers, they'll soak the blades in deadly nightshade, you see. That's a pretty lethal poison, and even the smallest scratch of a blade would send a dose of venom into the wound. In small amounts, nightshade'll slow the nervous system down and severely limit response time. But if you get enough ... say, about one deep cut, that would slow down your reflexes until you are about as coordinated as a baby. Even *you* could defeat Xena after she's sustained one dosage. If she gets two cuts ... forget it! Her system'll shut down faster than Zeus' lightening bolts. It's pretty nasty stuff, but it makes for an interesting fight. Problem is, Falceus is immune to nightshade poison and Xena isn't."
"What?!?!"
"When he was just a little bugger, he ate a great quantity of the stuff. Family thought he was going to die, but the little brat survived. Ever since then, nightshade has no effect on him. Xena'll have to slit his throat before he dies. And Falceus is too good to let her get that close without giving her a few return blows."
Gabrielle closed her eyes, her heart sinking. "So what you're saying is that Xena's doomed either way. Even if she wins, she loses," she whispered.
"Well, I don't see how she can even win. Pity ... she's a rare one. She must have known that Falceus' had the advantage from the start, but yet she still has the guts to try. Whatta woman! If only she didn't have moldy old Ares hanging onto her every step." Pan shook his head in admiration. "She's truly something."
"You said you could help me ... is there any way you could stop this battle from happening?" Gabrielle managed ask.
"I can't. Battles to the death are usually sworn under Ares, and I can't interfere without making that old windbag mad at me. Let me tell you, he has a temper. You should see him when he throws a tantrum! However, I could do something to protect the villagers if Xena does lose. After all, you are claiming my protection anyway. Do you want to see what I can really do if I'm involved? However, this will come at a price, you must understand."
"What is it?"
"Your light." Pan's demeanor lost its playfulness and took on a serious set.
Gabrielle blinked in confusion. "My what?"
"You know. Chaos' gift. I want the part of your soul that contains starlight. Humans are all born with their innocence. That is the one thing that we immortals do not possess, with the possible exception of Hercules. I've always wanted to have this trait. For some reason, your light burns especially bright. So if you give me the substance you call your innocence and your morals, I'll save the village."
Gabrielle looked at the faun, disbelief plain on her features. "What could you possibly want with that?"
"Just curious, I guess. I'm due to live for eternity, and it does get a little boring after awhile. I would like to try this mortal thing. It's bound to be interesting. I've been watching you and Xena, from the moment you've stepped into my forest until now. You seem to have so much fun, and you've been on so many adventures ... far more than I've had for centuries. What do you possibly have that I don't? Why do you do the things you do? I'm betting it has something to do with your inner light." Pan shrugged. "What else could it be? Then there is the fact that no god has ever tried taking a mortal's light before. Although the big shots on Olympus claim to be all-knowing, not one of them understands this gift of yours. Also, I guess I'm a little jealous of you. Why do you mortals value this trait so much? Your warrior friend would even kill to protect it. There *must* be something valuable to this light thing, and I aim to find out."
"I'm not sure I have what you want. Not anymore." Gabrielle gave him a weary look. "There has been times in my past where that light has gone out. I rallied these people to fight a hopeless war. I've forced my best friend into a battle that she can't win. Pure? My soul isn't pure. There is no light," Gabrielle said bitterly. "Although I have yet to kill anyone directly, that whole village is on my conscience."
"Enough of that crap." Pan stomped both of his hooves emphatically. "Pure, soiled, it doesn't matter. Don't you know? Your light still shines now, even if you can't see it. You mortals are such fools. You can never lose the light, only cover it for awhile. Even Xena has it in her ... although she thinks she has lost it forever. That's what makes the gift of Chaos so special. It never dies. You should feel honored that she has given you such a great portion of starlight, bard, more than she usually gives a single mortal. Your gift is so bright that it's enough to rekindle that of those who think that their light is gone forever. I won't lie to you ... it's a heavy price to pay. The world will be a dark place for you once your soul light is gone. Just be thankful that I'm not asking for your whole soul, just for its best part. So think carefully, little mortal."
"It is already going to be that way if I don't do anything ..." Gabrielle murmured to herself. "All right, if I do agree ... will you promise to give the people their freedom and help protect it?"
"I swear on River Styx, I will. You know the weight of that oath," Pan said seriously. "Freedom is something I also treasure."
"One more thing ... will you be able to accomplish this task without any blood being shed?"
"An odd request, but I do believe I can manage that." Pan looked to the horizon. Already, the first rays of the sun were beginning to dip down into night. "Your time is running out. So what's your decision, Gabrielle? Will you pay my price?"
"I'm not going to argue with you again. It's my choice," Xena warned him, eyes narrowing. The soldier gulped, but refused to give any ground.
"Then I'm coming with you," Martis declared.
"You will do nothing of the sort," she growled, her voice low and dangerous. "If I do lose, there's no point in you dying with me."
To her surprise, he matched her gaze. "I don't care. I'm still coming with you, whether you like it or not. You may need some backup. If that son of a swine does manage to harm you in any way, then I'm going to make sure he pays for it."
She sighed. This wasn't turning out the way she had planned. "Martis, I appreciate your offer, but there's no need ..."
"Yes, there is. I made an oath to take care of you, and I will." The soldier refused to be swayed.
"I don't need a babysitter. In case you haven't noticed, I'm not five years old anymore." To prove her point, Xena walked over to Martis and hefted him off his feet, using only one hand. Although he wilted a little under her fierce look, Martis continued stubbornly.
"Falceus owes me, for my family, for Janya, for everything. You know what it's like to have your homeland taken. How could you ask me to sit back?" Martis' eyes were cold and distant, and in them burned a look that Xena recognized all too well. It was the same look she had carried much her life, a look that spoke of too many battles fought and too many lives wasted. "I've seen enough of my friends go off to war and not come back. If there is a chance to end this, I want to be there."
"I don't know what delusions of grandeur you may hold of revenge, but let me tell you, it's a dark path to tread. I should know. Now don't make me knock you unconscious. I'll do it, you know." The words were calmly said, but they left no doubt to her sincerity.
"You need me, Xena," Martis said quietly. "I don't care what you say, but you need me. This has to be hard for you, just coming out of Apollo's temple and having to face this mess immediately. Gabrielle said that the trials you faced would be hard. I know I would have been drained ... both in body and in spirit. Yet you show no signs of stopping or resting. That can't be good for you. You may be able to take care of yourself physically, but emotionally you're just the same as me. Even five-year-olds handle their feelings better than we do. At least they don't bottle them up inside. I've lived for years under Falceus ... swallowing my feelings and locking them away as I carried out his orders, no matter how evil they were. Because of that, I'm going to have to live with the guilt of what I did. You and I ... we've seen too much war, too much blood. Revenge ... hate ... blood lust ... we know all these well enough. But you should know there are other things besides that ... like friendship and the need for other people's help. Haven't you learned anything from your time as a child? Requesting and accepting help isn't something that makes you weak, Xena, it just means you know your limits."
"And what can you do?" Xena could not help snarling. "Join my battle with Falceus and seal your death? Add more blood to my hands?"
"It's my decision. At least you won't be alone, Xena. No one deserves to be alone. A friendly face in the heat of battle ... knowing that someone cares ... it makes a difference, I should know. I'm no Gabrielle, but I aim to keep you alive long enough so that she can help you. Why can't you admit that you need her or me? Why can't you admit you need help?"
"Just be quiet! I order you not to follow me! I don't need any help!" Xena said wildly, trying to block out Martis' words.
"I won't shut up, like you didn't. I may be under your command, but I've learned that following orders that aren't right leads you nowhere. You need to hear this, Xena, and I don't care if you run your sword through me after I say it. I once faced a five-year-old that knew a bunch of soldiers were doing the wrong thing and needed help in the right direction. Now I'm facing a warrior who needs that exact same guidance." Martis looked at Xena. "You taught us to fight for the light, and that everyone has the right to freedom. Well, *I* learned that we didn't have to be alone in our fight. You can't deny me that. Even you, oh mighty Warrior Princess, shouldn't be alone when your fighting a battle that involves us all."
Xena closed her eyes as a wave of memory swept over her. There was a cage in the darkness of her mind, trapping her without any hope of escape. Horrifying images painted themselves over the canvas of her soul, refusing to go away no matter how tightly she shut her eyes. Like a ghost, the crying of a child drifted through her mind. It was she who was shedding the tears as the need to be comforted, to be taken away from this dark, scary world, burned through her. Strangely enough, it felt so good to cry, a release. She had never needed someone so deeply and profoundly before. Then Gabrielle was there, holding her, wiping the tears away. The darkness faded, receding against the strength of her friend. [Gabby ...] her mind acknowledged softly, sadly. [I need you so much now ... I really do NEED you, and I have all along. You help me find my light and keep it burning. If only you could help me now ... and I know you will, when I find you.] Xena suddenly felt calm and peaceful, as if someone had poured a glass of crystal water upon the burning desert of her heart. Like the tears shed in her memory, the thought of Gabrielle brought a release to her soul. She opened her eyes to find Martis looking a little choked from the stranglehold she had on his shirt collar.
Xena put him down. "Fine. You can come with me. But if anything goes wrong, you get out of there, you hear me? Don't go after Falceus ... you wouldn't stand a chance."
"We'll see, Xena. After all, you haven't lost yet. And thanks." Martis gave her a warm glance before turning to face the setting sun. "I think we have an appointment to keep."
Xena whistled to Argo, and Martis ran to get his mount. As the sun began its descent, both warrior and soldier rode out to meet it.
Falceus waited at the edge of the circle inscribed in the dust near his camp. He fingered the blade of his dagger.
"Soon," he crooned softly to the metal. "You will taste the life of Xena."
A sudden whistle told him that his sentries had spotted the Warrior Princess. Turning, he greeted her with a half smile.
"Xena, I'm so glad that you could make it. And look, you've brought a friend." He leered at Martis. "I'll remember you, especially. Your mother will scream for mercy after I'm through with her! Unless, of course, you have a change of heart right now and decide to switch allegiances."
"May my soul burn in Tartarus before I carry out any of your orders again," Martis replied coldly and spat.
"I'll remember you all right. You'll be the first to go when I'm finished with this tramp here." He grinned at Xena. "Well, are you ready yet?"
"Always," came the cold reply.
"Then let the terms of combat be known. If one of us dies, she or he is considered the loser. If one of us steps out of the ring drawn, that counts as a forfeit. No outside help is allowed, whether in the form of a god's intervention, or otherwise. The rewards of a victory are such. If Xena wins, then I will cede all my property to her. This includes the command of all my army, my lands, and my slaves. However, if Xena loses, her body will be drawn and quartered, and her head will be placed on my battle banner as a statement to the world of my strength and glory. The village will surrender, and I will get to punish all involved as I see fit. This I swear on the head of Ares, god of war."
"I, too, take the oath," Xena said icily. "But my oath will be on my honor."
"Good enough." Falceus stepped into the ring drawn into the earth and drew his daggers. One of his soldiers stepped up with a bowl filled to the brim with nightshade poison, and the warlord carefully dipped both of his blades into the liquid. Xena unstrapped her sword belt and handed it to Martis. He passed her two daggers, and Xena also dipped the blades into the purple substance. Then she stepped into the ring.
Falceus attacked immediately, but she was able to twist away before he could strike her. In this fight, strength was not important. It was more of a test of agility, for dagger blades were short and any fighting had to be done almost face to face. The goal was to get close enough to stab the opponent without getting a return jab. Also, one had to be careful to keep their opponent in full sight, for a dagger could easily be thrown.
Xena circled warily around the warlord, eyes carefully watching his every move. Normally, she would have aimed her attack straight on, regardless of whatever cut she might receive in hopes of doing greater damage to her enemy. However, she had to be cautious of the poison, for one scratch could mean death. Falceus had no such problem however, and the warlord used this advantage as he charged Xena again. The circle suddenly became very small as she intercepted and blocked his attack with her own daggers, while simultaneously flipping over him. She laid a cut to his arm before dancing away. The battle light burned bright in her heart, and she could feel the its call rushing through her . The danger, the risk, the stakes ... everything fell away as the blood lust rose again.
Martis stood at the outskirts of the circle, holding his breath as he watched the two warriors weave their pattern of death. The action had risen to a fevered pitch now, with both contenders moving almost faster than the eye could see. Strike after strike, they circled and danced, neither giving ground nor gaining it. There was almost an eerie beauty to the scene, with its two fighters in a passionate storm of barely controlled fury. The intensity swept past the ring to infect all the watchers. Martis felt his own heartbeat quicken. It was almost as if he was in the ring himself. He cried aloud when Falceus managed to slip past the warrior's defenses and draw a line of red down Xena's arm. However, Xena did not seem to feel the pain as she lashed back, hitting the warlord with her all her might. Like a giant wave, the two parted for a second, then crashed back together, with a force that seemed to shake the earth. Martis looked away. Surely both of them would be ripped apart!
Xena ignored the icy numbness that was flooding through her body. She had to remain alert! Her mind refused to acknowledge the poison's demands. She was almost there. Falceus was relaxing now ... he thought she was done for. Just a few more minutes! A couple of steps to the east ... she had to position this just right. So close, she had to hang on. Just ... a ... few ... more ... she had almost reached the boundary of the circle ...
Martis felt his heart stop as the warrior stumbled and fell. NOOOO! his mind screeched. Falceus, now seeing his opening, leaped in for the kill. He lifted his dagger high in the air, and it became a bright streak as it fell, catching the dying sunlight. Time seemed to still and stop, as the world held its breath. Like a chilling breeze across the first leaves of autumn, Death moved in the silent void, watching, waiting, to see the outcome of the dagger's descent.
When the blade was a breath away from her heart, Xena acted. She grabbed Falceus' hand diverting the dagger away as it swung down toward her, while kicking her legs upward at the same time. Falceus, half-blinded by the sun that was now in his eyes, could not react fast enough and he was thrown out of the circle with feral force. Xena was up and upon him in a heartbeat. Pinning him down with a dagger at his throat, she chuckled harshly.
"I believe you've lost," she said as she pressed the edge of the dagger deeper into his throat. Falceus regarded her with a trace of fear, but somehow the warlord did not look defeated.
"Do you think I wouldn't have a contingency plan, in case by some miracle you did win?" he snarled. "The gods must have spoken for your life today. But you've lost," he snarled to his men. "Bring out the prisoners!"
"You lying scum!" Martis swore angrily.
Xena's eyes widened as the soldiers brought out three familiar-looking figures.
"Careful what you say. I hold their lives in my hands. One wrong word or move from you, and my soldiers have the orders to kill them. You won't be able to save all of them in time."
"Janya!" Martis yelled. "Kala, Jilly ... what, how?" His eyes narrowed when he saw Corvin. "YOU!"
"Funny what you can find loitering at the edge of the woods," he smirked.
"I swear, Corvin, I'll kill you if it's the last thing I do."
"You're in no position to talk! Boy, am I'm going to have fun with you! Lord Falceus said that I could kill you all ..."
"Silence, you fool, or you'll be joining them. In fact, you'd better start running before I split you in half," Falceus spat. Corvin backpedaled away in confusion and terror. "Why am I forever surrounded by idiots?" the warlord sighed as he turned his attention back to Xena. Two archers had taken their places behind her. "Kill me now, Xena, and you'll get an arrow in your back for your troubles," he smirked. "Not that you'll need one. Even *you* must be feeling the effects of the poison by now."
Xena fixed him with a cold, calculating look. "You swore an oath on Ares. You should have known better than to break it. Your death will be more painful than mine."
"Are you so sure? Even I sometimes feel the need to defy the gods. Let's just see what happens, shall we? I think Ares will be satisfied enough with the slaughter my soldiers will provide in his name to overlook this little ... incident," Falceus said as Xena was hauled roughly off of him. "Oh, I'm going to enjoy watching you slowly die. In fact, I may even help the process along, a bit ..." He reached for his dagger. "But first, I want to watch your face as your friends are killed, one by one, right in front of you." He motioned to the soldier who was holding Jilly. "Let's let the little girl go first." Xena watched in horror as the soldier pulled back his sword and prepared to bring it down across Jilly's neck.
"You know, this isn't fair," a voice suddenly broke in. All the humans froze, paralyzed by some unknown force. "Talk about a sore loser! 'Tis a shame, to tell the truth. I always thought that you were the oath-keeping kind, Falceus. Now I see that you and your soldiers have the moral schematic of a donkey! So, if you want to behave like assholes, than asses you'll be. I, for one, always keep my sacred oaths." There was a flash of bright light, and instead of a dagger-wielding warlord, Xena now faced a braying donkey. He was not the only one, however. It seemed that every single soldier in Falceus' army now found themselves on four legs. In total, there seemed to be around three hundred donkeys that were all milling about aimlessly. The warrior looked at Pan, surprise written across her face.
"Thank you ..." she managed to whisper as she dropped to her knees. Her body, set asway by the nightshade poison, had become too unsteady for her to remain standing.
"My pleasure. Actually, it is not me you should thank, but your friend. She did insist this end without bloodshed." Pan looked at Xena's wound and waved a hand. There was a flash of silver light. Once it faded, the warrior found that her head was now clear and the gash was healed. She shot the little faun an even more puzzled look.
Pan shrugged. "I do like to keep my word. She did say no blood."
"Why, Pan? It's not in your nature to just 'help.' You like making mischief."
"Can't you give a guy some credit?" Pan walked over to poke the rump of Falceus. "And as for you, you're going to love what Ares has in store for you. He doesn't take lightly to people who break his oaths. You think being a donkey's bad? You're going to plead for this form later ..."
"Pan, answer me. Why did you do this?" Xena grabbed the deity roughly.
"Like I said before, ask your friend," Pan said in a low voice. "If you can recognize her."
"What do you mean by that? PAN?!? You come back here!" Xena yelled as the demigod disappeared. Shaken, she turned and whistled for Argo. Gabrielle. What had that faun done to Gabrielle? If her best friend was now a skunk, or toad, or something much worse, Xena swore that she would rip the faun's head off, regardless of what the deity might do to her.