by LJ Maas
"Shall we speak of Solan, then?" I asked when we hit a lull in the conversation.
"Xena, I've been thinking," Gabrielle started, looking down at her hands. "Perhaps you should just have a talk with him."
She didn't look up again, only stared down at her hands clasped loosely together. I understood, in an instant, what plagued the young woman. I moved once again to straddle the bench we sat on, and laid my hand gently on her shoulder. The action brought her eyes up to meet my own.
"Gabrielle, are you saying this because you truly think that a man who accosts young women in my palace, aside from the fact that you are the future Queen of this Empire, should be shown leniency? Or, are you saying this because of who Solan is to me, personally?"
Gabrielle bowed her head slightly. I knew she wouldn't reveal my secret in front of Atrius, but today seemed to be full of all kinds of firsts for me. Because of that, I plunged right into the icy water. I took a deep breath.
"Solan is my son, Atrius."
When I looked over at my friend he had his head lowered, seemingly engrossed in some defect in workmanship that he'd found in the table. He picked at the spot on the wood, and I could tell that he was embarrassed by the sudden intimacy we were sharing. I could tell because I felt my own ears turning as red with warmth as Atrius's were. I'm not sure whether his next words surprised me, however.
"Aye, Conqueror, I already knew that." He looked up finally and I saw what appeared to be a small smile. "It's hard to live and fight, side by side, with someone for so many seasons, and not learn at least a few of their secrets."
I could do no more than thank him in a strangled whisper, my throat tight with emotion. All these seasons, watching me at my best on the battlefield, and at my worst in debauchery, he kept my secret. I owed this man much more than I could ever repay. I could bestow upon him wealth or luxury, but to be honest, it would be an insult. I knew, as well as he, that the gift of his silence was given freely, without thought of repayment. To present him such now would lessen the offering. Atrius was a being, molded from the same clay as I. We were warriors and soldiers, always having done what we thought best at the time. If I had lived my life as honorable as he had, I would have been the most magnificent leader the world had ever known.
Clearing my throat was becoming habitual. I turned back to Gabrielle. "You told me last night that you had a plan, little one. I'd still like to hear it." I prodded.
She smiled in relief. Gods, how could she be so transparent one day, and then so full of complexity the next? This time, I instantly saw through her charade. Again, she protects me.
"Well, my original plan sought to treat Solan in a way he would understand. Forgive me, Xena, but he is arrogant and proud. The only way he will respect someone is if he cannot best them. I've known a great many young men such as Solan and they only learn their lesson--"
"…At the point of a sword." Atrius and I said in unison.
"Exactly." Gabrielle agreed.
"So, is this the part where I get to knock the boy senseless?" I asked with a wry grin. I think we were all making rather light of the situation knowing that if we didn't, our tempers might get the better of us. If any of us succumbed to our anger over the situation, Solan could end up dead.
"Actually," Gabrielle began. She had that nervous expression on her face again. "I think that perhaps Atrius should do the necessary knocking."
"What?" I heard myself say.
"Xena, it wasn't as if Solan attacked me because of who I am, I think he was too drunk for that. I could have been any young woman in that hallway."
"The Lady does have a point, Conqueror," Atrius added.
"Oh she does, does she?! Gabrielle, the point is you aren't just any woman, not anymore." I said, rising from my seat.
"Xena, how will it look? Every time there's trouble, you come rushing in to take care of me"
"It will look as thought you are well cherished," I returned.
"It may look to others as if she were simply weak," Atrius said.
"Whose side are you on here?" I threw back at him.
"Forgive me, Lord Conqueror, but I wasn't aware that there were sides." Atrius answered.
Atrius's infernal patience was beginning to wear on my nerves.
"Xena, it makes sense, truly it does. To learn any kind of lesson at all, Solan needs to be bested by someone he deems as an unsuitable adversary for him, someone he sees as lower in rank and station."
"I'm afraid I'll have to take that side now, Conqueror. If you beat the boy in a challenge, well, most men would suffer defeat by your hand. There would be no shame involved. Now, if he were to be bested by a common soldier . . . a mere body guard to the Lady here, that would be another matter entirely."
All right, this was the point where I knew I was acting the part of the petulant child, but I couldn't stop myself. I was overcome by the desire, however, to remind Gabrielle that she promised me I could fight. I could find no way in my head to phrase that to avoid looking like a complete idiot. Therefore, I crossed the room and stood there, arms folded tightly across my chest, glaring at the two of them. Gabrielle caught on the quickest, and although I usually appreciate when she knows what I'm thinking, this time I was anything but grateful. I felt rather foolish and humiliated, but again, I simply couldn't stop myself. As redeemed as I was, there would always be Xena within me, brash, angry, volatile, and sometimes foolish, Xena.
Gabrielle stood and crossed the room to stand before me. Her actions shouldn't have surprised me. After all, wasn't this the same woman who faced down the beast within me just last evening? She laid a gentle hand on my forearm, tilting her head to try to make contact with my downcast eyes.
"Xena?"
It wasn't the tone of her voice, or even the words that she said, which hurt me. No, what hurt the most, wounded my pride actually, was the fact that Gabrielle was trying her damnedest not to smile. Smile! At me!
"Xena?"
"What?" I pouted. Ah yes, the world's oldest living child.
"You're not really angry at me, are you?"
"No."
"You're acting this way because you don't get to pummel someone. True?" She was on to me.
"Maybe." I evaded the question. "Oh, all right, yes, it's true! You did promise, you know." I added as an afterthought.
"Would it help if I said that the next time this happens, you can do the pummeling?"
She smiled sweetly and some days, I think she knows exactly what that smile does to me. I found myself smiling back. "I get to knock the stuffing out of the next two." I bargained.
She laughed at me and held out her hand, attempting to look serious. "Deal," she said, and held her hand out to me.
I grasped her hand and pulled her to me, kissing her soundly. It made no difference to me that Atrius was in the room. In fact, I wore a huge grin, looking across the room at my friend. Atrius had once again found something, other than Gabrielle and I, utterly fascinating. This time it was at the bottom of his mug.
* * *
Seated beside me in the Great Hall, Gabrielle and I watched as Solan strode into view. Flanked by a pair of guards, he appeared tired and hung over. He also had a nasty looking bruise around his left eye and to the side of his face. I assumed the contusion was caused by the contact from Atrius's fist. Fatigued such as he was, it was more difficult for the boy to hide his demeanor with charm. He looked up at me with a brooding, sullen expression that was like staring into a looking glass.
"Lord Conqueror," he began. "I assume the circumstances are dire for you to rouse me at this hour?"
I heard Atrius growl, then watched as he stepped forward. "It's not your place to question the Conqueror, pup!"
Solan flashed an angry glare at the older man and I saw the truth in Gabrielle's words. Yes, it would have quite an impact on the boy if he were to be vanquished by Atrius in a challenge.
"Forgive me, Lord Conqueror if I--"
"Enough," I responded coldly, cutting off the rest of Sol
an's statement. "I understand you had a bit of trouble in the palace last evening."
"As a matter of fact, Conqueror, I did. I was assaulted," he gingerly raised his fingers to the discolored area around his eye. "I was talking to a woman when I was hit from behind."
"The way I heard the story, you were doing more than merely talking."
"Well," his lips raised into a lascivious grin. "I do admit, she feigned unwillingness, but she would have come around. Sometimes they just don't know what they want."
"Some of them have to be convinced." I pretended to agree.
I added a mock, conspiratorial grin since he seemed to think this behavior perfectly acceptable. The world belongs to those who are strong enough to take it. The sentiment echoed in my head. Those were my words when I was Solan's age, and, at this moment, I felt burning shame knowing that my own son had acquired the very worst of my attributes.
His grin grew larger.
"And you consider this behavior acceptable?" I asked, losing my smile completely.
He paused, his expression telling me that he realized that he'd lost me as his ally. "I've never had any complaints before."
"You do now. First," I had to force myself to stay in my seat. I always went off on someone much better while pacing back and forth. "In my realm any man who accosts women, or anyone else simply because they're weaker, will suffer a swift punishment. Secondly, the woman you assaulted was the Lady Gabrielle."
I expected more, to tell you the truth. I expected a hushed silence, and then perhaps for fear to fill his countenance. Neither happened. His features appeared to tighten a bit and he tilted his head slightly.
"I had no idea," was his answer.
Now, I trust Gabrielle's judgment, especially of people, but I was thinking just then that her perception of Solan's true intent was a tad skewed. A smart man would have already been pleading his case, offering everything he had in exchange for my forgiveness. Even a coward would have been on his knees begging and whimpering for forgiveness, his life, or both. Solan surprised me.
He stood before me and said nothing. He simply acknowledged the fact that he had no idea it was Gabrielle. I saw the truth in his eyes, however. I believed at that moment that Gabrielle was wrong. This foolish, arrogant young man was calling me out, but in a most subtle manner. He was waiting to see what I would do. I had news for this boy; he had no idea what I could do.
The touch of Gabrielle's hand on my sleeve suddenly interrupted my thoughts. She leaned over to whisper in my ear, and I met her halfway.
"I was wrong, Xena. It is about you."
I looked across at her, once we had both leaned back into our chairs. She had a worried expression on her face that I did my best to dispel with a winning smile meant for her alone.
"Antillius, come forward," I commanded.
The young scribe and advisor came forward carrying his parchment and quill, the latter freshly loaded with ink. "At your command, Lord Conqueror."
"Antillius, take a letter to my old friend Kaleipus, ruler of the Centaur Nation."
"Yes, My Lord."
"Tell him that his emissary and adopted son, Solan, has admitted his guilt in assaulting my lover and future Queen of the Greek Empire. Tell him that, as a matter of honor, I have challenged the young man to meet me on the field of battle. Have you got all that?" I asked finally, waiting as the young man finished writing.
"Yes, My Lord."
"Add this, then. Tell Kaleipus that I send my heartfelt sympathy and regret at the youthful demise of his son, however he should send a new emissary upon receiving his son's body. Sign it as usual." I added with a casual wave of my hand.
I rose from my chair to glance at a number of stunned people. "You've gotten your wish, Solan. I'll give you three days to prepare, and then I expect to either receive a sincere pleading for forgiveness, or see you on the training field. Atrius," I turned to the Captain. "Please see to it that the Emissary is restricted to his rooms with the exception of the practice facilities."
"Aye, Conqueror," Atrius replied.
I could see that even Atrius was now aware of Solan's true intentions. Solan said nothing during the entire exchange. As I offered a hand to Gabrielle, and we silently left the room, I wondered why this young man, whom I had barely had any contact with through his entire life, would want to defeat me in battle me so badly. I thought he'd put all those old stories to rest. Was he in such a hurry to die?
CHAPTER 6
HE FELT THE STROKE OF DEATH UPON HIS HEART
"DON'T LOOK SO worried, little one." I stroked Gabrielle's cheek with the backs of my fingers. "I already promised you that I wouldn't hurt him too terribly bad, didn't I?"
"Yes, you did." She gave me a nervous smile.
It was midmorning and the three days I gave Solan passed quickly. We stood in the outer chamber of our rooms. I felt very strongly that Solon would not be apologizing, and so I intended to show up in full battle gear to meet my challenger. Gabrielle helped me dress. I wore my customary leather trousers and silk shirt. My boots were of thick, black leather. The front of the boots had the plated shin guards already sewn in. The tops of each boot ended just below my knee, with protectors attached there also. I had thick leather and metal studded gauntlets, but the only armor I wore was a breastplate of pounded bronze that connected to a back piece.
I belted my sword, adjusting it on my hip. I looked down at Gabrielle, who still watched me through an apprehensive gaze. "Then what is it, my love?"
She hesitated, shifting uneasily from foot to foot. "You are still a very good warrior, aren't you, Xena?"
She asked the question in such earnest that I hadn't the heart to berate or humiliate her. I should have known what caused that worried frown. Gabrielle had never seen me fight. Oh, I'd allowed her onto the practice field to watch me spar on occasion, but she'd never seen me involved in a true scrap. She's read more of my battlefield exploits than any mortal alive has, and I'm sure she thought most of the events embellished tremendously. It was odd, however. The moment that I held the heavy sword in my hand, I was twenty again. Failure simply wasn't an option.
"Yes, little one," I answered gently. "I am still a very good warrior."
Gabrielle brightened considerably, but I could still sense something not right in her manner. I stepped back and sat down on the heavy wooden chest in the middle of the room. Moving my weapon to one side, I took both her hands in my own and pulled her closer to me. Looking up at her this way, I could see what amounted to fear in her emerald eyes.
"What's this all about, Gabrielle?"
"I had a dream last night," she answered promptly.
"What did you see, love?" Gabrielle's dreams were something of an enigma to us. She would often get glimpses of the future, but so little or so disjointed as to be confusing. On occasion, she could foretell disaster through the visions her dreams brought to her. Once or twice, we were even able to change the way the fates spun our lives, but today seemed different. Gabrielle had never acted fearful like this before.
"He drew a dagger from his boot."
"Who did? Solan?"
Yes. It was hidden and I--"
"I know that, little one. He has it tucked inside his left boot."
"How did you--"
"That's why I'm a good warrior, Gabrielle," I smiled. "I make a habit of watching people very closely. That's not all, though, is it?"
She shook her head back and forth. "You're going to kill Solan."
"What?" I laughed. "Gabrielle, I already told you that I--"
"I know what you said, Xena, but in my dream I saw Solan lying on the ground and you kneeling above him. You had brought your sword down into his head. I saw him lying there, your blade still quivering after you plunged it into him, and then the ground."
"Gabrielle." I pulled her trembling figure down onto my lap. "I promise you, unless something extreme, or unavoidable happens, I will not kill the boy. We've changed the outcome of your dreams before. Don't worry, littl
e one, please. Trust me?"
A tearful nod, and then a kiss to my cheek was my reward. "I'll try. You will take care, though, right?"
"Right." I playfully kissed her neck. "And at the end of the day, what will I get for my reward, after having been so good?"
"Hhmm, a sweet treasure. You get me," she giggled. I was happy that I'd been able to assuage her fears.
"Yes, but I already possess you," I countered.
"Then tonight, I will possess you." She replied in a seductive tone that caused the muscles in my belly to flutter.
My eyes closed as a wave of intense desire rushed through me. I reached in and kissed her hard, reluctantly pulling away from the sweet lips. "We will continue this tonight, my love, but if we don't get up right this moment, I am stripping every stitch of clothing from both our bodies and taking you to bed."
Gabrielle laughed. Gods, how I love that sound. She was unable to do it for so long, it gladdens my heart that I am the cause of it now.
"And that would be a bad thing, how?" she teased.
I abruptly stood, still holding on to her, her feet barely touching the floor. "Come on with you. Are you ready to play your part?"
She nodded and I adjusted my armor again. "Then school is in session. Shall we?" I offered my hand and we left for the training field.
* * *
I have to admit, if only to myself, I made a rather impressive image as I walked down to the courtyard. The sun was high in the sky and every bit of metal on me, from my breastplate to the Lion's hilt of my sword, reflected the brilliant light. At least Solan had the decency to swallow hard at the sight, even if he did cover it right away with that snotty air he had about him.
