Copyright: The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, etc. are owned by MCA/Universal. I only borrowed them for a little while. No infringement was intended. The rest of the story is mine and I hold the copyright to it. Do not use any part of this story without my written permission. I may be contacted at [email protected].

Sex: This story contains scenes of two women making love. <smile> If this offends you, please don’t read my story. There are plenty of other wonderful stories out there.

Violence: There are graphic scenes of violence within this story.

Authors Note: This story is dedicated to my mother.

Cyrene was polishing the counter of the bar when the Amazon walked in. The gray haired woman put the cloth down and smiled. "What can I do for you, my dear?"

The blond Amazon looked down at the old woman. "I'm looking for a woman named Cyrene. Would you be that woman?" This was going to be far too easy, she thought to herself.

"Yes, I'm Cyrene." The friendly smile on the innkeeper's face disappeared when she saw the knife being pulled from its sheath. "What do you want? There isn't much money." She was terrified. Never had she ever heard of Amazons stealing from people. The Amazon moved closer.

"Gabrielle." The Amazon said, disgust and hatred clear in her voice as her lips curled into a sneer.

Toris was tending to a broken fence when a portly man came running up, his face red from the exertion. "Toris! Toris!" The man waved his hand frantically.

"What is it, Uncle Ariss?" He asked as he met the upset man halfway. Ariss put his hands on his knees as he bent over, trying to catch his breath. Toris put his arms on his uncle's shoulders to support him.

"Your mother..." Ariss gasped. "There's...a note...knife." Toris' eyes went wide and he bolted at a dead run to the inn, his uncle's words reverberating in his mind.

Entering the inn, Toris quickly noticed that there had been a battle. Broken glass was everywhere around the bar. Cyrene's polishing cloth was spattered with drops of blood. A parchment note was impaled on the bar with a dagger. He moved toward the bar slowly, afraid of the possible words on the note. With shaking hands, he wiggled the deeply imbedded knife free and picked up the note.

Ariss was halfway back when he saw his nephew riding toward him on his horse. "Uncle, take care of the inn. I have to find Xena." Before Ariss could protest, the black stallion roared past him, the gentle farmer urging him on. Toris didn't think about his lack of weapons, save the dagger he took from the inn. He ignored the fact that he didn't have traveling equipment of any kind, not even a waterskin. He only thought about the note, his dear mother, and finding his sister before it was too late.

The blond Amazon watched the dark haired girl brush down a pony. Well, not really a girl, she thought to herself. She had to be at least sixteen summers, certainly not much more. This girl wasn't who she was looking for. Another figure appeared from the large house. This had to be her. A thin woman of at least forty five summers, her hair greying slightly, but still rich with deep honey tones. This had to be Hecuba. The Amazon's eyes narrowed as she stalked her prey.

Lila spoke quietly with her mother for a few moments before handing the brush over and heading inside. Hecuba tugged the reins of the horse and led it back to the stable.

Lila became concerned when her mother didn't return from taking care of Nicoli, her small but trusty horse. "Mother?" No answer. She tried again, with the same results. Entering the stable, she was surprised to see Nicoli out of her stall. Lila walked over and patted the mare's neck as she led her to the stall. Once the horse was safely fastened in, she turned to look for her mother again. Her eyes fell upon a dagger holding a note against the far wall.

"Lila! Lila!" She heard her father yelling as she saddled Nicoli. She grabbed two waterskins from a hook. Stuffing some of her father's hunting gear into a saddlebag, she thought about the safest route to take. She tied a rolled up blanket to the back of the saddle, then led the horse from the stable. Her father reached her just as she mounted. "Where are you going? It's dark out there." He yelled, pointing at the night sky.

"Someone's kidnapped Mother!" She yelled. "I've got to find Gabrielle! Yah!" The horse startled slightly at the unusual demand from her gentle owner, then took off into the night. Whatever happened, Lila knew that it somehow was Xena's fault.

Toris looked around at the unfamiliar road. He knew which road led where, but he had never really traveled in this direction before. He shivered slightly at the cool night air, regretting the hasty leave from Amphipolis. A quick mental inventory told him just how stupid that decision was. Spotting a small path, he turned the horse to follow it. Surely it must lead to water, or civilization. The ground was not where he wanted to sleep if he could avoid it. It may be fine for Xena, the mighty warrior sister, but not once in his life had he ever slept on the ground. But Toris knew he couldn't afford to waste time finding villages to sleep in. A small brook appeared in front of a small clearing. He looked up at the night sky, judging the time of night. The full moon illuminated the sky, giving quite a few hours more of traveling light. "Come on, Lunac, let's get some water and then get going. He led the black horse to the edge of the brook and released the reins. Lunac licked the water greedily. Toris knelt down and cupped as much water as he could to his lips. Not happy with the results, especially the now soaked shirt, he dunked his face in the water and drank directly. He gave Lunac a few minutes to eat some grass before mounting and heading back to the road.

Lila took a few sips of her water as she looked around for a likely spot to start the campfire. From the location of the moon, she knew that there were only a few hours left before Apollo began his morning ascent into the sky. She decided on the perfect spot and set off to get a fire started. As she picked up light pieces of wood, she said a small prayer to Artemis to look after her mother and her through the night. She knew that Artemis was the moon goddess and caretaker of the Amazons, of which her sister was now Queen.

She also knew that Artemis watched over Gabrielle, which was a good thing, since her gentle sister traveled with that fearsome warlord, Xena. If there was one person she disliked, possibly even hated, it was her. Xena was the one that took her sister away from her. The last time Gabrielle had visited, she and her sister had done nothing but bicker and fight.

Lying there with the blanket curled around her, Lila thought about the changes in her sister during the past two years. For one thing, there was a marked increase in the scars on Gabrielle, which Lila blamed on Xena. That started the second fight. The first fight had been over Gabrielle's insistence that she be nice to Xena. The last thing the young woman wanted to be with the warrior was nice. That tall, menacing looking woman with all the weapons was the one that took Gabrielle away from her. She wouldn't be nice to her and told Gabrielle just that. As she drifted off to sleep, Lila smiled as she remembered her sister and her playing in the fields as little children. It was a dream she had often when Gabrielle first left. It was the only way she could sleep. As time went on, the dream left. Tonight was the first time in a full cycle of seasons that the dream returned to Lila.

Rapidly approaching the edge of the Amazon Territory, Toris failed to heed the warning markers that were posted. An arrow shot out, impaling him in the leg. Another one struck just below the first. "Wait, I'm unarmed!" He yelled, holding his empty hands up.

"This area is forbidden to men. Leave now." An unseen Amazon answered.

"I need your help. I need to find Xena." He was beginning to feel slightly faint at the sight of his blood pouring from the arrow wounds and down his leg. Exhausted from the long ride and dizzy from the sight of his own blood, Toris slid down from his saddle and slumped down on the ground, both hands holding his wounded thigh. A pair of swords appeared at his throat. He looked up to see two angry looking Amazons staring down at him.

"Leave." The sentry ordered. "Xena is not here." Several other warriors appeared from behind and within the trees. Eponin moved to the front of the group and addressed the frightened man on the ground.

"What is your business with Xena?" She spoke in her most authoritative tone.

"I'm her brother." The scared man answered, his eyes never leaving the sharp points that were so close to his throat. "Our mother has been taken. I have to find Xena."

"She's not here." Eponin answered, maintaining an angry and sharp tone. He did look like the warrior, though.

"I have a note." He started to move his hand to his shirt, but one of the blades moved, slicing into his cheek. Eponin frowned, but said nothing. He should have known not to move.

"Where is the note?"

"In my shirt." One of the sentries laid down her bow and moved over to pull open his shirt. She pulled out the folded piece of parchment, and noticing the dagger, pulled that out as well. She held both up for Eponin to see.

"Well, I see you weren't so unarmed after all." The Amazon's eyes narrowed when she noted the distinctive markings on the handle. "Where did you get this dagger, man?"

"It was stabbed through the note and into the counter." He answered. "Please, I'm bleeding very badly here." Eponin motioned for the note. The sentry handed it to her and another held a torch so she could read it. Her eyes closed as she folded the note and tucked it away. She took a deep breath, then opened her eyes and looked down at Toris.

"Xena is not here, that is true. It is also true that you cannot stay on these grounds." She whispered something into the sentry's ear, then the young warrior headed back to the village. "We have sent for someone to come and tend to your wounds. It was very foolish of you to enter our land."

"I had to find my sister. I didn't know where else to turn."

"Nevertheless, you can't stay here and you're in no condition to ride. I'll arrange for you to be transported to the Centaurs’ land. We are currently under a peace treaty with them and no harm will come to you."

"Will you help me find Xena?"

"I will send some warriors out to look for her first thing in the morning."

The warriors left at first light, spreading out in different directions. The last contact with Xena and Gabrielle was almost four moons ago, when they were helping to protect the village from raiders in the infamous "Battle of the South Wall". The attack had taken many of their finest warriors and women. The entire royal guard had died, as had several civilian women who had taken up arms to protect the city from a trap. After the battle, many Amazons who had been traveling the country returned home to take the place of their fallen sisters in supporting the village. Still, Ephiny could only spare six warriors to look for them. The acting queen prayed that they would be found soon.

Lila approached the edge of the territory and pulled her horse to a stop. "Help! Help!" She watched, but no one showed. She dismounted and walked into the forest. "I'm Lila. Queen Gabrielle's sister. Please show yourself."

"What's wrong, child?" Eponin said as she moved from behind a tree.

"Someone's kidnapped my mother."

Xena's tongue slowly circled the already erect nipple.

"Gods, Xena...please." Gabrielle passionately pleaded, her fingers twisting themselves into the raven hair. Xena's head jerked up, her eyes searching. "Xena, what's.." She was cut off by the warrior's hand over her mouth.

"Get dressed." Xena rolled over, grabbed a shift and her sword, then creeped into the shadow of the trees. The bard pulled her shift on and grabbed her staff, readying it to a defensive position. Silence. A soft dove call filtered through the air. Gabrielle quickly answered with one of her own. Xena remained quiet and stayed in the shadows. An Amazon stepped through the trees, her hands out wide and empty.

"I mean you no harm, my Queen." The Amazon said. "I have an urgent message for Xena."

"What is it?" Xena stepped out from the shadow of the trees and her long strides brought her quickly to the Amazon's side.

"Your mother has been taken. Your brother is injured." She decided not to tell the warrior princess that it was Amazons that hurt her brother. No sense getting the messenger killed. Xena moved away quickly and started to pack up the gear, needing something to do with her hands. Gabrielle was already rolling up the blankets.

All three women packed up the gear in record time. Without a word, Xena vaulted onto Argo and held her arm out. Gabrielle quickly climbed in behind her. "Yah!" Xena urged Argo into a full gallop, her eyes blinking rapidly the entire time. The Amazon turned her horse in another direction to catch up to the other searchers.

Gabrielle held on tight, partly for fear of falling off, and partly for concern over Xena, who wasn't saying one word and made no effort to slow down. Only when Argo protested did the worried warrior ease up and slow the horse down to a trot. "You're not going to get there if you kill Argo." Gabrielle prodded gently. Her arms ached from holding on and her butt ached for another reason. Her stomach was making itself known as well, but the bard chose to ignore it.

"Sorry." She pulled Argo to a stop and Gabrielle slid off. Xena dismounted and led them into the woods, looking for a small clearing. It was too dark to make any real progress now anyway. They decided against a fire, it was too much effort for such a short amount of time. Unpacking the bedrolls and a waterskin, they settled down for a few fitful hours of sleep. Xena's dreams were full of guilt over once again putting her mother in danger, and now her bother as well. Gabrielle's dreams were full of worry for her lover.

A small cry woke Gabrielle up. Instinctively knowing that Xena needed comfort, she rolled over and wrapped her arm around the warrior's waist. Xena was staring up at the night sky. She put her arm around Gabrielle's shoulders, pulling her love closer.

"I love you, Xena. She'll be all right. We'll find her." Xena didn't answer, but acknowledge the remarks with a gentle squeeze. "I know, Xena. I know."

Lila's pacing was driving Ephiny crazy. "Girl, can't you sit down?"

"I'm not a girl, I'm a woman." She growled back. The Amazon rolled her eyes as she remembered those words being said by the queen.

"Please, you're making me dizzy."

"What's taking them so long?" Lila stopped pacing and glared at the acting queen.

"They will be here as soon as possible. I'm sure Xena.."

"Xena? This is all her fault! If she hadn't taken Gabrielle away, this wouldn't have happened! Our mother is missing and it's all her fault!" Lila pounded on the table in anger.

"Now see here, young lady!" Ephiny had enough of this. "Queen's sister or not, I will not let you stand here and have a temper tantrum! Xena's mother is missing too, you know. They'll be here as soon as they can. Now until then, either sit down and shut up, or go somewhere else and we'll let you know when they arrive." A thought passed through Ephiny's mind. She wondered if Gabrielle would be upset if her sister received a good old fashioned spanking. Maybe that would curb the sharp tongue. Must run in the family, she mused. Lila quieted down and sat in a chair, glaring at the Amazon.

A soft knock at the door woke Toris. "Come in." A small boy with blond hair and the same blue eyes as his own came in, carrying a tray with a pitcher of water on it.

"Good morning, sir. I trust you slept well?" The boy set the tray on the inn table.

"Yes, I, well except for the pain in my leg." He replied.

"My name is Solon. You are here in my uncle's house." The boy held out his hand.

"I’m Toris. Is your uncle here?"

"Yes, he's talking to some men now. He asked me to bring you the water. Are you really Xena's brother?"

"Yes."

"You look like her. She very beautiful."

"You've met her?" Toris sat up and looked at the boy again. "How do you know her?"

"I met her last year. Her and Gabrielle. She's a friend of my mother's." Solon's eyes dropped slightly as his face saddened. "She died long ago, back when I was born. Xena brought me here to live with Uncle Kaleipus." The man's eyes opened with a question that didn't dare be spoken. But wasn't the truth staring him in the face?

"Solon, I'd like to meet with your uncle as soon as possible, can you tell him that for me?" It had to be. If the boy’s mother truly died during childbirth, surely Xena could have found relatives to leave the child with. If it was true, how could she keep that a secret? Did Mother know? His mind circled with questions and possibilities as he tried to remember his sister's past. This boy looked no more than ten or eleven summers old. What was Xena doing then? She was a warlord, of course. He couldn't remember what part of the country she was in around that time. But she was a warlord, bloodthirsty, ruthless, destroyer of nations. How could she possibly have had a child? It couldn't be. Or could it?

By the time they reached the gate, Ephiny and Lila were there to meet them. Gabrielle's eye lit up at the sight of her beloved sister.

"LILA!" She yelled, sliding down from Argo and running over to her. They gripped each other in a strong hug. "How are you? What are you doing here?"

"Gabrielle." Ephiny's hand appeared on her shoulder. Gabrielle saw that Lila had tears in her eyes. The Amazon spoke again. "Let's go inside." The bard looked at her sister again.

"Mother?" Lila nodded sadly. Her face changed from sadness to anger when the tall warrior came up from behind and put her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders.

"Lila." Ephiny's voice was stern and demanding, conveying her silent warning to behave. The young woman scowled. Ephiny ignored her. "Let's go inside. There's much we have to discuss."

Once inside the throne room, everyone took a seat. The throne stayed empty, neither woman wanting to offend the other by using it. All sat on chairs around a small table. Ephiny pulled out a folded up note. There was a slice through the parchment in the middle of the document. "This note was found stuck to your mother's bar. All it says is that your mother will die if you interfere."

"No name? No other explanations?" The note was too cryptic.

"No. It was held down by this." Ephiny pulled out one of the daggers. Xena turned it over in her hand, studying the handle.

"Amazon." She said quietly. Gabrielle looked. There was no mistaking the design.

"This note was found in your barn." Ephiny said as she pulled out the other note. It had the same type of hole in it.

"It wasn't the barn, it was the stable." Lila corrected with a touch of irritation in her voice. Gabrielle gave her 'the look'.

"The stable." Ephiny growled. "This is the real reason for the attacks." She handed the note to Gabrielle.

"You do not belong here, impostor! I now challenge you to prove your worth. I have your mother and I will not hesitate to kill her if you do not show. I also have Xena's mother. If she shows up, I will kill them both without hesitation. Then I'll go after the rest of your families. Go to the ancient ruins on the eve of the full moon to meet your fate. Only a true Amazon should rule Artemis' children.

"Who is she?" Gabrielle asked quietly as she felt her stomach turning.

"The markings on the daggers indicate that she's from the northern villages. There aren't many of them left. It's a fact that they are quite vocal in their opposition to your ascendancy to the throne. It could be any one of them." Ephiny looked at the sad faces of the sisters and the stoic face of the warrior.

"Where's my brother? I was told he was hurt." Ephiny swallowed and looked at the table, studying the grain of the wood. "Ephiny?"

"He's with the centaurs. It's not serious. A few arrow wounds and a sword cut." The Amazon took a step back as she spoke. Xena stared at the table now.

"Where did he get them, Ephiny?" Xena's face showed no emotion.

"He crossed over the border. They didn't know who he was, Xena. After all that happened at the South Wall, how can we..." Xena held her hand up to silence the Amazon.

"I know. How is he?" She changed the topic slightly. This was not the time to be angry over what was most likely her brother's own foolishness.

"He required stitches, but there shouldn't be any complications. He's staying with Kaleipus."

Xena and Gabrielle exchanged glances at the name of Solon's guardian. The lovers were thinking the same thoughts. If Toris sees Solon...

The cooks were more than a little surprised to discover the Queen's younger sister had just as good an appetite as the bard herself. One cook made a comment to the other about not being able to have both women from Potodeia in the village at the same time, lest the hunters work double shifts. They were mortified when they saw both women enter the food hut together. Mass pandemonium broke out in the kitchen as they put more food on to cook.

Cyrene opened her eyes to see a woman not much younger than herself, with honey hair starting to turn silver. The woman was kneeling next to her, obviously relieved to see her awake.

"Good morning. How are you feeling?"

"My head hurts. Who are you?"

"My name is Hecuba."

"Cyrene." She offered. Hecuba's eyes lit up.

"Are you Xena's mother? I'm Gabrielle's." Cyrene's eyes achieved the same brightness at the name of the bubbly young woman who was helping her only daughter on her quest for redemption.

"I am pleased to meet you, Hecuba. You have a wonderful daughter."

"Thank you." Hecuba did not return the compliment. "Do you have any idea where we are?"

"No. I was working at my inn when an Amazon came in and attacked me." Cyrene touched her head where the Amazon had hit her with a stein.

"She attacked me in our stable." Hecuba nodded in agreement. "What do you think she wants?"

"Our daughters." Cyrene answered.

There were still three days before the next full moon. Apparently the nameless Amazon had confidence in the villages ability to find the travelers. Knowing there was nothing that could be done at the moment, they agreed to stay in the village. Xena made no mention of going to see her brother. Dinner had been filled with the two sisters talking over each other. Gabrielle was trying to talk about her adventures with Xena and Lila was trying to tell her about life in Potodeia. Xena sat there, enduring occasional glares from the younger sister, and enjoying special smiles from the older one. The cooks breathed a sigh of relief when the Queen and her sister left the hut.

Only when it was late and they were heading to the bedrooms did either lover think about the sleeping arrangements. "Uh, you can sleep in that room over there, Lila. I'll sleep in here with Xena."

"No, that's okay, Gabrielle. She can have the other room. It'll be like when we were kids." Lila shot another glare at the warrior, who was getting tired of them and glared back. Gabrielle looked at both of them and frowned.

"Lila, you know how you toss and turn. Please take the other room."

"Fine." She gave Xena one more glare before she entered the guest room.

Once the door to their room was closed, Xena pulled her bard in for a deep kiss. "I've missed doing that to you all day." She murmured as she continued to kiss Gabrielle's soft lips.

"Mmm, me too." Gabrielle's hands started to roam, slowly unbuckling Xena's armor, letting it fall to the floor. "I love you, Xena."

"I love you too." She answered as she reclaimed the bard's hungry mouth. Her strong hands was massaging Gabrielle's breasts through the fabric. The young queen let out a whimper of desire as she pressed her hips against Xena's strong thigh.

"Xena, let's pick up where we left off two nights ago." Gabrielle's hands finished removing all the armor and were now busy pulling down the leathers, exposing the beautiful body beneath. The bard's hungry mouth claimed the left breast, licking and sucking as Xena's hands laid against her head, encouraging her exploration. Gabrielle didn't need any encouragement as her hands finished removing the leathers, exposing her lover to the pale moonlight. "By the Gods, you are beautiful."

"You've said that before." Xena teased as her own hands sought to remove the bard's clothes.

"I meant it then, and I mean it now." She leaned in for a kiss, sighing softly as she felt her top fall to the floor. Xena's hands moved up to cup the soft breasts as she gently nudged the bard over to the bed.

"What do you think the girls are doing now?" Cyrene asked.

"Probably looking for us." Hecuba answered. "I hope they're careful."

"I'm sure they will be. Xena is always thinking ahead. She doesn't like to take chances." There was a touch of pride in the old woman's voice.

"My Gabrielle is a good thinker. I'm sure she'll find a way to save us. After all, she is Queen of the Amazons." There was no mistaking the pride in Hecuba's voice.

"She has been good for Xena. I don't know where my daughter would be without that child of yours. I think of her as my own. She's such a sweet girl, always caring for others."

"She was like that as a child. Gabrielle found an injured squirrel and insisted on caring for it until it was healthy. After that, we couldn't get rid of it."

"Xena wasn't ever that good with pets. We had a dog once, but Xena was very little then, maybe eight summers or so. She tried to take this behemoth of a dog out for a walk and it ending up taking her for a walk. What a sight! This little sprite of a girl being dragged all over town by this huge black dog." Both women chuckled at the image. "But she never let go of the leash. She's nothing if not determined."

"Gabrielle is just as stubborn. You should hear her and Lila get into some of their fights. When they were growing up, sometimes I'd swear they got into fights just so they could hurl colorful insults at each other." Hecuba smiled as she remembered her daughters as children, playing in the summer sun. She moved until she was sitting next to Cyrene. "So tell me about your other children. Gabrielle says you have a son?"

Ephiny and Xena watched as the two sisters from Potodeia gave tribute to the morning cooks. "How can they eat so much?" The Amazon asked quietly as they watched another plate of food being brought over to the sisters.

"Hollow legs. Must be a family trait." Xena answered, her eyes never leaving her lover. "I'm going to have to volunteer for the hunting party just to make sure the village doesn't starve."

"Stop picking on us." Gabrielle looked up at them. "Don't think I didn't hear you two."

"Yeah." Lila added. "We do not have hollow legs, we just have healthy appetites." She turned her attention back to the almost empty plate of food. "Gabrielle! You took the last fig."

"Yup." Gabrielle said smugly as she tossed the fruit into her mouth. "Tastes pretty good too."

"Hello, Toris." Kaleipus said as he entered the room. "I understand you wish to speak to me."

"Yes." Toris pulled himself up into a sitting position on the bed. "Tell me about Solon."

"Solon." The Centaur's eyes betrayed his concern. "What is it that you want to know, Toris? I am his guardian."

"Who's his mother?" Toris watched as Kaleipus fought over an answer.

"Why do you ask?"

"Don't skirt the issue. Is he my nephew?" Kaleipus moved over and looked out a window.

"You mustn't say anything to him, Toris. He believes that his mother is dead."

"Why do you keep the truth from him?"

"It is in the best interests of Solon not to know the truth."

"He has a right to know his family, Kaleipus. I don't know how you ended up with him and I don't care. When I leave, I'm taking my sister's son with me. He deserves to live with his family."

"I AM HIS FAMILY!" Kaleipus roared as he spun back to face the dark haired man. "He has been with me since he was less than one day old. Despite the fact that he calls me 'uncle', in my heart, he's my son." His poignant words deflated some of the man's anger.

"I'm his family too, Kaleipus. He deserves to know that."

"I can't allow you to tell him, Toris. I swore to Xena that he would never know of his parentage."

"I never made such a promise, Kaleipus. Xena may be heartless about matters involving family, but I'm not." Toris' voice rose in tune with his anger at his sister.

"She wasn't being heartless, Toris. She sent him here to protect him. Do you know what could happen to him if word got out that he was the son of Xena?"

"Uncle?" The small boy appeared in the doorway, shock and confusion evident on the youthful face. Both men turned to see him.

"Solon, how long have you been standing there?" Kaleipus walked over to the boy and put his hand on his shoulder.

"Uncle, is it true? Is Xena my mother?" Tears started to fill his blue eyes. The Centaur glared at Toris. There was no going back now.

"There's no way to talk you out of this, is there?" Gabrielle said as Xena mounted Argo and held out her hand.

"No. That's my mother. I have to go." She helped the bard climb up behind her.

"But she said she'd kill her if you interfered." The bard protested.

"Gabrielle, she might kill her anyway. You know you can't trust the words of a madwoman. Besides, she wants to kill you. The two most important people in my life are in trouble, what do you think I'm going to do?"

"I guess you're going to try and save us, huh?" Gabrielle squeezed her lover's waist affectionately.

"I'm going to save all of you, including your mother."

"I know you wouldn't let anything happen to her, Xena, despite her feelings toward you."

"It doesn't matter what she thinks of me, love. It matters what you think of me." It was only partially true. What Gabrielle thought of her mattered most in the world, but the warrior privately wished that someday the bard's family would accept her. Although she never revealed much of her feelings about Gabrielle's family to her lover, Xena always felt hurt when they went for a visit. The hostility directed at her was palpable, especially from the bard's younger sister.

"Well, I love you, Xena. If my family can't accept that, then so be it. I'm not leaving you and you're not leaving me."

"Let's get moving here. I want to get into position before nightfall. Yah!" She spurred Argo into a full gallop, leaving the village behind. She had no way of knowing that Lila was saddling up her mount, determined to follow them.

The ruins were a collection of buildings, part of a small city, that died long ago. The buildings, now crumbling and unsafe, were the only reminders of a previous civilization. The ruins were nestled among a clump of mountains. Long ago, tunnels and caverns had been carved into the rock, creating almost another city within the mountains. The area had once belonged to a harsh dictator, who pleasured himself with some of the more inventive ways of death and torture. It didn't take long for Maka to find the hidden tunnels and execution chambers hidden within the cave walls. The Amazon looked up at the sky. Only a few more candlemarks and the crown would belong to Amazons again. She busied herself with her plans. The first thing was to set up the trap. Heading down the long hallway to the dungeons, she heard an odd sound. The two women were laughing. Maka quickened her pace.

"...as a jaybird, running down the street, waving her pretend sword." Cyrene finished up her turn telling embarrassing stories.

"Well, let me tell you about the time Gabrielle and Lila got it in their heads to get some honey right from the hive." Hecuba was about to launch into her tale when she heard the footsteps. Both women quieted down as the Amazon approached. Maka unbolted the door and stepped in.

"It sounded like hens cackling in here." The Amazon looked down at the women, pleased to see the fear in their faces. She unsheathed her sword. "It's time to bait the trap. You..." She pointed at Cyrene. "Come with me."

"Please, don't do this." Cyrene pleaded. Maka moved over and grabbed the old woman roughly by the arm, hauling her to her feet.

"Do you want your daughter to see you alive or dead?" She threatened, moving the sword up against Cyrene's belly. "I don't care either way."

Maka dragged Cyrene out of the ruined building and into the center of the dead village. A tall wooden apparatus sat there. The deck was held above the ground by thick tree trunks, keeping it at least a grown man's height off the ground. Two beams rose upwards almost twice that distance, supporting a third beam laid on top of them. A noose was draped over it, dangling ominously. Below the noose lay a small platform, held in a horizontal position by a rope that snaked over a small beam setup and was tied off against the platform. A large hole lay beneath the platform and rope. Cyrene immediately understood. One cut on the rope would lower the platform, hanging her. She began to cry and shake. "Please, please no." Her pleas were ignored as Maka dragged her into position to place the noose around her neck. Cyrene reached her hands up to protect herself. Maka cursed and struck the woman with enough force to send her sprawling against the platform.

"I should kill you now, old woman." She threatened as she hauled Cyrene to her feet and bound her hands behind her back. "Don't test me, woman. You'll be just as good to me either way." Cyrene sobbed silently but did not fight again. She sent a silent prayer to Artemis to protect her daughters and their mothers.