Castlewarming Chapters 471-480
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 471
by RainCloud
Alec sat on the ground rubbing his chest, attempting to draw a full breath
into his lungs. Looking to RainCloud for an explanation, he became alarmed
when he saw her struggling to get off the cot. There was something in this
room that was dangerous and he intended to find out just what it was.
Reaching into the small leather satchel that he carried at his waist, Alec
pulled out two sachets each containing a power herb. The first is called
Althea. Its uses are for protection and psychic powers. The second herb
called Bladderwrack, is actually a seaweed, that also helps enhance psychic
power. Alec carried both to boost his own natural psychic abilities. It
wouldn't be long before this fight was a bit more even, thought Alec.
Holding a sachet in each hand, and closing his eyes he whispered the words:
"I gather you in the palm of my hand, Althea, herb of the water, increase
my psychic powers. I gather you in the palm of my hand, Bladderwrack, herb
of the water, increase my psychic power."
In his mind an image began to form, in it he saw a male figure dressed in
black leather standing at the foot of the cot, the expression on this
individuals face was threatening.
Alec grabbed hold of RainCloud's war staff he exaggerated the need to use
the staff in order to get up from the ground. He let out a moan or two for
good measure as he slowly made his way over to the cot.
Strife looked up and watched this mortal's progress, a look of disgust
crossed his face. It appeared it was going to take more than one lesson to
teach the healer not to interfere he thought to himself.
Alec continued to carry the image in his mind of the male, it appeared that
he was getting ready for another sucker punch. Continuing on with his
charade he asked RainCloud, "Are you OK?"
"I would be if Strife would just leave us alone." stated RainCloud as she
tried to worn Alec of the impending danger.
He no sooner heard RainCloud's words, when he saw the male which he now
knew to be Strife, draw back his arm. Just as Strife brought his arm
forward, Alec swung up with the staff blocking the blow then quickly
brought the staff around connecting with Strife's mid- section. The force
in which Alec struck Strife had him flying across the lean-to, to land with
a thud against the far wall. Strife sat upon the ground shaking his head a
couple of times trying to clear it.
Alec approached him with the staff in hand. Strife looked up bewildered,
how was it that this healer could see him, when he had made himself only
visible to RainCloud. Narrowing his eyes at Alec he slowly rose to his
feet. He looked about the lean-to for a suitable weapon but found nothing.
Well if all else fails there's always a fireball to throw. Holding his palm
upright a sphere suddenly appeared glowing blue.
Alec immediately noticed the fireball for he had seen Ares throw one or two
in the past. Reaching the table just as Strife pulled back to throw the
fireball Alec picked up a piece of metal that had been pounded down and
used it to deflect the fireball back in Strife's direction. The fireball
struck Strife in the chest once again throwing him back against the lean-to
wall. Unable to withstand a second blow the wall gave way.
Strife lay on the ground in a complete stupor. Alec looked up as the roof
began to shift, bits of wood and boughs began to fall. Reaching for
RainCloud, he picked her up in his arms and ran for the entrance.
Hercules was on his way to meet the Warrior Princess, the Amazons'
commander and his half-brother, Iphicles, just where Iolaus had pointed
them out to him. He wondered just what they were doing altogether at this
point in lull in the battle. Herc was a little surprised to see his brother
with them. Iphicles must have decided he had good reasons to come to
Antianos at some point during the battle. Herc had to hear from them what
had been happening while he was at the camp dealing with that annoying
Strife and the situation with RainCloud and poisoned water. He certainly
couldn't tell them about Lyrical, he hoped the situation with the poisoned
water was enough to get them to go into the warlords' camp.
The Corinthian King was the first of the commanders to see Hercules coming
across the quieted battlefield.
"I was wondering what we were going to say to Hercules about this
strategy," Iphicles said. "Well, we'll have to decide now because here he
comes. "
Xena glanced over towards Hercules' approach. She took the slender metal
object she'd been toying with and tucked it down the front of her armored
bodice.
"I hope that doesn't turn on and burn you or something while it's in
there." Kendaa said watching this with a small smile.
Xena gave her a grin.
"I doubt it," she answered Kendaa. Then she was serious.
"Do we let Herc talk first ?" Kendaa asked Xena softly as Hercules came
closer with his long strides.
"Yes," Iphicles said turning back to the two women warriors. "He's got
something ready to say, I can tell, so let him talk first. We might not
have as hard a job convincing him to go into the camp with us as I thought
we might."
"Hercules," Iphicles greeted him. "it's good to see you are unharmed. We
were looking for you earlier."
"Uh … yes, I'm fine and I'm glad to see you three are alright. I was … I
was kind of busy with some problems with Strife and poisoned water at the
base camp. Sorry, I wasn't here earlier so we all knew what was going on.
"Strife? … " Xena frowned slightly.
"Poisoned water?" Kendaa said, somewhat alarmed.
"No permanent damage to anybody. But Raincloud is a little sick but will be
okay. The other Amazons are unhurt. I think Stygnos and Maloran are
responsible for the poisoning."
"Where's Strife?" Xena asked.
"I don't know exactly where Strife is at the moment. I drove him out of the
base camp. He could show up anywhere, anytime." Herc answered her.
"Look, I think the city water could also be poisoned. We need to stop this
before it goes further … " Hercules gestured in the direction of the
warlord's camp.
Xena, Iphicles and the Amazon commander glanced at each other. Kendaa
refrained from saying the best way to stop it was to cut Stygnos and
Maloran's throats. Herc looked at the King first then the two women
commanders. They were obviously waiting to tell him something on their
minds.
"What?" Herc said impatiently.
Iphicles decided at that moment to tell Hercules the story of the parley
with the warlord's at their request. He didn't mention Ares or the pretend
surrender. The king wasn't sure what he thought of this interesting
coincidence that Hercules wanted to go see Stygnos and Maloran at the same
time he and the others did. He was sure that they needed to get on with
this whole thing.
"We don't know exactly what they want to discuss," Iphicles finished
quietly. "Maybe they are going to threaten us with the poisoned water,
maybe something else. We thought it worth the risk to meet with them."
"We said, we'd walk into the camp at dawn,' Xena added. "And the sun is
beginning to rise."
Well, Hercules thought, an opportunity or a trap. They wouldn't know until
they got there.
"Then, we'd better go," Hercules finished the conversation as he turned to
walk with the others.
Bei stared in awe at the powerful god of war then surreptitiously glanced
around at the rest of the small company. By their reaction, it would seem
that visitations from Ares were rather commonplace for this group.
Bewilderment, presumably due to the god's question was the collective
facial expression, the two notable exceptions being Quilla and the Bacchai
Amazon.
'No wait,' mused the Dispatcher, 'I've got to stop thinking about her in
that way. What's her name, again? . . . . Maddie.'
It was difficult for Bei to read Maddie's eyes. The auburn beauty seemed
rather glad to see Ares yet there was something almost hesitant. . . no,
more like calculating, in her fixed, unblinking stare.
'I'll bet she's trying to figure out a way that we can use him to help
Quilla,' Bei marveled, her admiration for the halfling continuing to grow.
Despite her own rather harsh predicament, Maddie had exhibited a great
depth of concern for their shared, ailing friend.
The dark Amazon had become the bridge between a Dispatcher and a Bacchai.
In stark contrast to Maddie's expression, Aquillea's eyes were filled with
trepidation as she considered the question that hung in the air. Ares
obviously had no idea where Angel was, and he would not have come looking
if he weren't worried about her. The woman studied the Olympian, searching
for some sign that her concerns were unfounded. His demeanor seemed
typically long on arrogance and short on patience, yet Aquillea was
convinced that this time it was a mask for a deeper anxiety.
Greensleeves stepped forward querying, "Angel? . . . Um. . . why would any
of us would know where Angel is?"
"Because she's gotten herself all worked up into a state over. . . *this
one*," Ares declared turning to point at Aquillea. "I keep telling her. . .
. 'Mortals are nothing. . . but. . . ,'" the god stumbled in his little
tirade as the scowl he wore intensified and an eyebrow arched.
"You know," he interrupted himself as he studied the dark Amazon, "you look
like Tartarus."
Aquillea was already drained and Ares was aggravating her raw nerves. "My,
aren't you a charmer," the afflicted Amazon shot back acerbically. "And to
think. . . there are some people who can't understand what Angel sees in
you."
Greenie turned, wide-eyed to Joxer just in time to watch his pensive aspect
being transformed into an artless guise. He slid two paces to his left,
then nonchalantly shifted his weight, thereby blocking the dark god's view
of their debilitated friend.
"Ya know Ares," swaggered The Mighty one, "I was just thinking. . . "
"Congratulations. I didn't think you had it in you," the Olympian
interjected dismissively. "Now, let's see if you can follow this," Ares
finished, gesturing with his hand as if to shoo away a pest.
As the god of war deliberated a suitable punishment, Aquillea addressed him
again, her voice wavering ever so slightly. "How long has she been
missing?"
Ares could sense the dark Amazon's pain and exhaustion but it barely
registered in his mind. He had desensitized himself to the feelings of
mortals ages ago. However, the love and loyalty that the woman displayed
toward Angel made a very strong impression. He allowed himself to be
'distracted' by Aquillea's question.
"Not too long," he admitted with a shrug. "But I'm sure you're aware of her
talent for getting into trouble."
Although his disdainful tone had never changed, Aquillea nodded grimly,
fully appreciating the god's hidden message. "Not too long could easily be
too long," she sighed, then leaned more heavily against Gabrielle's
supporting arms, and closed her eyes.
Maddie took advantage of the momentary lull in the conversation. "Look
Ares, from what you've told us, it sounds like Angel is worried about
Aquillea. And, as you can see for yourself, she's got good reason to be. .
. . We want her to see a healer. . . . "
"*She* wants us to rejoin the fighting," Greenie smiled knowingly,
continuing her sister-friend's thought.
"Now, if you could just bring us back to the base camp. . . ," Maddie
proposed. ". . the way you brought the base camp back to Antianos. . . "
"What is it with you mortals?" the Olympian bellowed. "I am. . . Ares. .
. God of War!. . I mean, what do I look like. . . Air Greece?. . . " Then
his voice became mannered and almost disembodied.
Wikewike, Arkie and Shana plopped down on a fallen log to rest for a
second. The battle plan was in place even though they weren't exactly privy
to what the plan was. With Kendaa and Xena in charge, it had to be a good
one, of that they were assured.
Around the three lay several wineskins which Arkie had filled with water.
Shana frowned as she looked down at them wishing they contained something
considerably stronger. “I don't suppose you filled one of those things with
something a bit...how shall I put it...with a bit more punch.”
“Sorry. Just water,” Arkie apologized.
“From that?” Wikewike demanded, pointing at the lake behind them.
“Yeah. Where else?” Arkie answered with a touch of hurt in her voice.
“Surely there's a mountain stream around here someplace that feeds
into...that. I'm not sure I want to subject myself to...” Wikewike
complained taking a look at the lake and remembering the horses had taken a
splash in it a time or two.
“There's nothing wrong with water..” Shana sighed.
“Yeah,” Arkie enthusiastically agreed, then picked up one of the offending
pouches to prove her point. “Look, I'll prove it to you.” With that, she
pulled the stopper out of the top and took a long swig. Wiping her mouth
with the back of her hand, she turned and grinned widely at Wikewike who
just shook her head. Then Arkie took several more huge gulps. It sure
tasted good.
"As I was saying, there's nothing wrong with water, but I didn't
necessarily mean that water," Shana quipped.
Suddenly, Arkie sputtered, coughed, gagged and fell backwards off the log.
Shana and Wike stared for a second in shock, then leaped to try and save
their stricken friend. Arkie was limp, and breathing irregularly,
completely unresponsive to their calls.
“See, I told you that water was bad!” Wike cried.
“It must be the work of Strife,” Shana reasoned as she shook Arkie's body
roughly to try and
rouse her.
“I'll never forgive myself if she...” Wike began but jumped in shock before
she was able to finish her sentence.
“Gotcha!” Arkie yelled as she doubled up in laughter at the stunned
expressions on their faces.
“That was NOT funny,” Shana growled.
“For that little stunt, you're gonna pay big, you future flake,” Wike
added.
“Future flake?” Shana asked. “What is a future flake?”
“I dunno. Just sounded like some of that future-talk stuff.”
“Hey, I didn't mean to get you riled up or anything. Keep your shirts on,”
Arkie giggled, hoping they would see the humor.
“I have no intention of removing my shirt,” Shana indignantly informed the
annoying woman.
“It's just a saying...” Arkie started then took one look at the pair and
smiled weakly. “Nevermind.” Then she emitted the biggest hiccup she'd ever
managed.
“If I didn't know better,” Wike said as she narrowed eyes on the silly
woman, “I'd say you've been drinking, but I've been with you and...”
Shana suddenly snatched the waterskin from which Arkie had drunk and
smelled it, then took a tiny taste of its contents. She then leaped up and
trotted down to the edge of the lake and repeated the same routine. “Pour
everything out, now, Wike. The water is not water at all, but some sort of
powerful wine or intoxicating drink. So like I said before, Strife is
behind this.”
“I'm thirsty,” Arkie fussed as she reached for a pouch only to have Wike
give her a look that stopped her in mid-reach.
“Coffee...strong and black. Come on kiddo. I'll warn the rest of the camp
to stay away from the water...wine...or whatever. Can you imagine what
would have happened if we'd drank...or the horses...or...” Wike didn't want
to think about it and besides she had to get Arkie sober and warn anyone
else from suffering the same fate.
As dawn approached, the atmosphere in the warlord's camp became very tense.
Lyrical watched as the two warlords barked out orders.
"Well, it's almost over," thought Lyrical, "and not a minute to soon. I
don't know how much longer I can stand these ropes."
Both of her wrists had started to bleed and her feet had fallen asleep
hours before. Even though she had tried to stretch, it hadn't helped all
that much.
"To top it all off, I'm starting to feel sleepy. This is not the time for
this." Despite her pain or because of it, she was finding it very hard to
stay alert.
"Maybe if I try lifting my legs again," she thought, " that will keep me
moving and it does help ease the pain a little."
As Lyrical grabbed the rope and lifted herself up slightly, a sharp pain
shot through her arms and she cried out. Stygnos heard her and turned in
time to catch her movement.
"Well, now what seems to be the problem?" he asked faking concern. " Are we
uncomfortable?"
Moving as he spoke, he stopped directly in front of her. Placing his hands
on her waist, he lifted her up. This movement caused her arms to fall and
the pain was>incredible. Despite every effort to hold it in, a scream
escaped her. Stygnos and Maloran both laughed at her.
"Now, Stygnos, lifting her up like that is just hurting her," said Maloran
"I think your right, Maloran," mocked Stygnos, " I'll just let her down."
With that, Stygnos released his hold and Lyrical fell. As the rope jerked
back to it's original position, it yanked Lyrical's arms so hard, she
thought they were coming out of her shoulders. The pain was so intense, she
let out another scream and passed out.
"Uh oh, now your in for it Stygnos," said Maloran, "You better hope Strife
doesn't come back and see her like that."
"So what if he does?" Stygnos stated, " We didn't do anything but try and
help her, Right?"
"Yea, that's right." laughed Maloran, " We were just trying to help."
Moving away, Stygnos grabbed a ladle, filled it with water, and threw it in
her face. Lyrical coughed, then gasped, as the pain hit her once again.
Both warlords laughed as they turned and left the tent to complete their
preparations for the coming surrender.
Lyrical closed her eyes and tried to blink back the unwanted tears, but
they just kept coming.
"Concentrate on something else, anything else." she thought. " I can't fall
apart now. Aphrodite, please, give me strength to endure this. Help me
fight>the pain and keep me conscience."
“Now why are you calling for Aphrodite, when you know she can't help you
like I can." said Ares, as he leaned in and whispered softly in her ear.
"Just what seems to be the problem?"
"Ares, I thank you for stopping by," said Lyrical as tears continued to
stream down her cheeks. " But the price for your help is more than I'm
willing to pay."
"I'm crushed," said Ares, "Here I come to help you and you think I want
something in return?"
"No Ares, I don't think you want something in return, said Lyrical, "I know you want something in return."
"Well, of course, once again, you are correct." said the GOW, " However, it
really isn't anything you can't give me. In fact, it would help you in the
long run."
Lyrical couldn't hold back any longer. A shooting pain ran up her arms and
she let go with a scream.
Ares gently held her face in his hands, and softly ran his thumbs along her
chin. Staring into her eyes, he was inches away from her.
"Lyrical, I can end your pain right now." He said softly, "All you have to
do is say the word."
"What do you want in return?" gasped Lyrical.
Ares smiled, bent even closer, then froze as he heard,
"Hold it, brother dear! Like what do you think your trying to pull here?"
asked Aphrodite."*If* I am not mistaken, and I never am, my dear sister
called me for help, not you."
"Well, I can see I'm not needed any longer. To bad, you would have
benefited from that extra week of training." said Ares.
"I may take you up on that anyway, Ares." Lyrical struggled say, " Can
we>talk about it later?" Lyrical slipped into unconsciousness.
"Now look what you did!," Aphrodite exclaimed, pushing Ares out of her way,
"Why don't you go smash a skull or something."
Ares gave a laugh and disappeared in a burst of light.
Aphrodite turned and faced Lyrical. Placing her hands on Lyrical's arms,
she sent a healing light straight to her muscles easing some of her pain.
"There you go sweetie," Aphrodite whispered, " Just sleep for a minute or
two and then you'll feel a lot better."
In a burst of light she was gone. Lyrical opened her eyes a few moments
later, and smiled.
"Thanks Aphrodite. I owe you big time." she said. "How about a day
together, doing what ever you want."
"I'm going to hold you to that sweetie," laughed Aphrodite.
There was a noise outside the tent, that drew Lyrical's attention. Just as
she looked toward the entrance....
Buried deep under the rubble of the lean-to roof was Strife. Opening his
eyes, he was completely disoriented with his surroundings. As he pushed
branches and debris off he started to remember what had taken place and
became increasingly angry. "I don't have time for this." he shouted.
Alec had just made it through the entrance with RainCloud when the roof
collapsed. He gently set her on the ground, and began to check her for
injuries. As he checked, RainCloud noticed blood beginning to soak Alec's
collar. She stilled his hands as she made her own investigation for wounds.
On the back of his scalp was a small laceration that wouldn't require more
than pressure to stop the bleeding.
RainCloud ripped a small strip from her chemise to use for a bandage. She
looked up as she heard the shouts coming across the camp from Stripe and
Calico. "What happened here?" asked Calico with a look of astonishment.
‘Well once more Strife has decided to grace us with his presence. Only this
time I think he met his match." said RainCloud.
"Met my match you say." said Strife in a menacing voice as he appeared
before the group. "We will see who has met their match."
Alec stood protectively in front of RainCloud as Stripe and Calico raised
their war staffs. "This is not finished Healer. However I have more
pressing matters to deal with at the moment but I will be back." promised
Strife as he disappeared once more.
RainCloud shuddered at Strife's threat. Looking over at the lean-to she let
out a groan at the sight before her eyes. Calico, Stripe and Alec followed
the direction of her gaze. "It's not so bad RainCloud, with a little bit of
work we can just convert one of the other lean-to's for the healing
center." informed Alec.
Alec carried RainCloud into the next largest lean-to and set her in a
chair. "I will bring in the herbs that can be saved and then you can sort
through them."
Calico had gone to solicit help from any Amazon not currently guarding the
camp. As she was returning to the lean-to she noticed a young Amazon
practicing with her war staff. "Lisa we need your assistance, practice will
have to wait for now."
Lisa ran to catch up with Calico, excitement cursing through her veins.
Thinking she was finally going to be able to go on a scouting party with
some of the older Amazon's. "Where are we going Calico?" asked Lisa.
"We are going to help clean up the lean-to and move supplies that are
salvageable." said Calico. Lisa could barely contain her disappointment.
She knew that she was ready, her skills with the war staff were excellent
with the many hours of practice, if only they would give her a chance to
prove it.
Clean up went swiftly with all the extra hands. Thank the Gods many of the
herbs had been recovered, and were now organized and ready for use.
RainCloud lay on a cot willing herself to fall asleep, Alec had insisted
that she try and get some rest but her mind was full replaying the events
of the last several days.
Alec sat on the side of the cot, "What is the matter can't you sleep?"
"No I guess I'm just to tense to relax enough" said RainCloud
"Well, let's see what I can do about that then." Said Alec in a husky voice
as he began to massage RainCloud's shoulders.
RainCloud could feel the tension slip out of her shoulders as Alec worked
his magic. The feel of his hands on her shoulders and back was creating a
tingling sensation that seemed to travel all the way to her toes. Alec
heard RainCloud's soft moan of pleasure, his own heart rate increasing as
desire grabbed a hold of him in a tight grip.
RainCloud shifted on the cot, her gaze connecting with Alec's. She reached
up caressing the side of his face, then slowly trailed her hand down his
neck and chest resting her it just over his heart. She felt the rapid beat
which seemed to match her own. Alec closed his eyes as he arched his head
back drawing in a sharp breath.
RainCloud continued her bold exploration as all rational thought left her.
Alec was filled with an incredible urge to be closer. He focused his
attention on her lips as he slowly lowered his head.
Just as she looked toward the entrance, Strife appeared in front of her.
"I'm back," he said with a giggle, " And that means Hercules is right
behind me."
Strife smiled wickedly at Lyrical and started running his fingers along the
side of her neck. The very feel of his touch made her sick to her stomach
and it was all she could do to keep from screaming.
"Now, my little Amazon, we have to get something straight before dear
Hercules arrives. You don't make a sound. No moans, no screams, no calling
out. Not a word. I will be standing in front of you, blocking any view from
our guests, and I will decide when you are, displayed for view." Strife
said, with a menacing look in his eyes. " If you do anything to make your
presence known, one of your friends dies. Understand?"
Strife continued to rub Lyrical's neck until she thought she would cry.
More terrifying than that was the thought he wanted her, and meant to have
her as soon as this meeting was over.
The fear she felt must have shown in her eyes for, Strife, looked at her
intensely and leaned forward almost touching her lips with his. Then,
without moving, asked her again,
"Do you understand?"
Lyrical could only nod her head in agreement and she prayed someone or
something would interrupt now . As if in answer to her prayer, Stygnos
and Maloran came back into the tent.
"My lord, Strife, you honor us once again," said Maloran, "How may we serve
you?"
"I trust all is ready for the 'surrender' to take place?" asked Strife, not
moving in the slightest.
"Yes my lord, we set everything just as you asked." answered Stygnos.
"Good, then, if I am not mistaken, our guests have arrived." Strife said
this and moved his head, kissing Lyrical possessively on her lips. He
lingered there making his claim on her known to the two warlords. Slowly
lifting his head he said, "Until after the 'surrender' my little Amazon."
It was all she could do to keep from throwing up on Strife.
"Once he leaves, I'm spending the next hour wiping my mouth." Lyrical
thought, fighting the wave of nausea erupting in her stomach.
Strife turned, standing with his back to Lyrical, blocking any view of her
from with in the tent. Meanwhile, Stygnos moved toward the entrance to the
tent.
Chapter 478
by Shambalayogi & Excellent Editing by Lyrical
The small party made their way across the battlefield to the edge of the
warlords' camp. The line between the warlords and the defenders of Antianos
had been along the edge of an open area in front of the city walls where a
row of blackberry bushes grew. Once they passed them, the commanders would
be in Stygnos and Maloran's territory.
Four tall, fully armored fighters were waiting just beyond the bushes to escort the party from Antianos once they crossed to the warlords' side.
One of the largest of the four stepped out in front of the group, holding
up a broad bladed axe to stop them. If he was supposed to intimidate them,
it didn't quite work for he stood eye to eye with the Warrior Princess.
What he met was a pair of piercing, icy blue eyes. Xena matched the
warrior's height inch for inch and took a no nonsense stand, planting
herself directly in front of him. He tried to deliver his message as
menacingly as possible but had to look away before he finished. He mumbled
something about following him and turned away.
Xena followed him. Kendaa came next, another warlord guard behind her. Then
Iphicles followed his two bodyguards in single file, followed by yet
another guard. Hercules came last, with the last of the warlord escort
behind him.
All too soon the small group was no longer visible from either the
battlefield or the city walls where Calee had stood watching carefully
until they were gone. It didn't look like they'd been asked to give up
their weapons at that point. Calee thought she had spotted one of the
Corinthian officers that Iphicles specifically wanted to wait on the
battlefield. Kendaa said the army was probably given a time limit and if
they moved in the Amazons were to join them.
Calee also had spotted Iolaus on the battlefield, after Hercules finished
talking to him. She wondered what he knew of the plan, if anything. She
also wondered how long they all had to wait.
Kendaa noticed everything around her as they were escorted into the camp.
She was trying to take in anything about the camp that could be of use to
her in this situation. She was so preoccupied, she almost smacked right
into Xena when their party came to stop.
They were right in front of a very large tent. The outer flaps of the
entryway were tied back but there was an inner curtain of gauzy material
that kept out insects and prevented anyone from seeing inside.
Stygnos stepped from behind the inner curtain with a flourish and wide,
unpleasant, welcoming grin.
"Welcome, my .. friends, respected opponents in battle," his grin grew,
showing more teeth.
"Come inside and make yourselves comfortable at least for now." Now he
laughed at them.
Iphicles wanted to strangle the man right there. He almost felt
claustrophobic walking into the camp and now that feeling intensified
entering the tent.
As they entered, there stood Strife right in the middle of the tent, hands
on his hips, looking like the cat who swallowed the canary.
"Please, do continue with your "talks," he said smugly," I'll just observe
from here."
The look he gave Hercules, practically dared him to even mention Lyrical's
name. It took every ounce of self control for Hercules not to smack that
look off Strife's face.
Stygnos was a large man, who appeared to have powerful arms and shoulders.
But he wasn't young and had a belly of some size. Maloran was shorter and
leaner. He was more restrained in his reaction to the commanders than his
partner had been.
"Now, that you re here, you'll want to relieve yourselves of your heavy
weapons." Stygnos motioned to the guards to take the weapons from each.
Stygnos knew all the commanders by sight and identified them each for
Maloran. He stopped in front of each one in turn, enjoying his victory. He
wasn't tall enough to look down on Xena as she turned over her sword,
chakram and a knife. But he was tall enough to leer down at Kendaa. She
disdainfully looked away and handed her sword to her guard. "This man is
disgusting with bad teeth," she thought.
Iphicles turned over his sword. He could tell by the way Stygnos looked at
his gold embossed gauntlets that the warlord would find a way to get those
from him as well. The king's two bodyguards had their swords and lances
taken from them.
And last, but not least. Stygnos came to Hercules and his smile vanished
but he didn't say anything more.
Each guest had a guard in back of him or her as they sat down, or were made
to sit down.
Maloran had watched all of this tolerating Stygnos' gloating.
"Enough of this, Stygnos. Let's get on with these terms of surrender. You
can rub it in later."
Maloran had several sheets of paper and a map on a table near his chair.
The map had territories the warlords wanted marked on them. The paper had
their surrender demands written down.
At the words "terms of surrender", Hercules glanced sideways towards
Iphicles, who was sitting right beside him. Iphicles just eyed him back.
Xena gave Herc a look like, Well, what did you think we really came for.
Herc turned away and shrugged, scratching his chin.
Maloran began reading out loud their demands, while Strife, true to his
word, observed the proceedings as if he were part of an audience attending
a play.
Xena pulled at the shoulder straps of her leather dress. Then she fidgeted
from side to side for a minute or two while the conversation was going on.
With an exasperated sigh, she stood up, pulling at her skirt.
"Something doesn't fit quite right here," she said as if to herself. She
grasped the lower edges of her breastplate from underneath and tried to
pull it down. That got the eye of every male in the place--Maloran, Stygnos
and all the guards.
"Sorry" she smiled at those looking at her, "Don't mind me."
Then she pulled the breastplate up from the top like it didn't fit quite
right. She tugged on the sides of her armor and wiggled everything from the
waist up back and forth trying to make everything fit better.
"Ah, that's sooo much better," she smiled.
"Forgive the interruption," said Strife," but just incase you had any ideas
about turning this into a battle, I really think you should say hello to a
good friend of yours."
Standing aside, he revealed Lyrical tied, and hanging from the pole.
Hercules was on his feet in a heart beat. Kendaa reached for her missing
sword, a look of intense anger on her face. Xena's ice blue eyes locked on
Strife and if looks could kill he would have been dead on the spot.
"Settle down, Hercules, or Lyrical here will feel the pain of your
disobedience," gloated Strife," and we wouldn't want to cause her anymore
discomfort, would we?"
As he spoke he walked behind Lyrical and slid his arm around her neck,
placing her in a strangle hold.
"The slightest bit of pressure, and *SNAP*, no more Lyrical." laughed
Strife, "So may I suggest we all sit down and continue with the reading of
the terms."
Lyrical looked directly at Xena and sent her a message with her mind.
"Don't let this stop you," she told Xena, "As soon as you make your move, I
will contact Iolaus and Gildon."
"Who is Gildon?" Xena asked Lyrical. She was not at all disconcerted by
this sudden method of communication with the Amazon captive.
"He is the healer who was captured by Stygnos along with a group of rebel's
wanting to free themselves from the warlords." answered Lyrical. "Anytime
you're ready."
As Xena started to sit, she bent forward, and reached inside her neckline.
"This is what I wanted," she whipped out the laser pointer and shined it
right in Stygnos' eyes. He put both hands over his eye and gave a roar of
pain. Before Maloran got to his feet she shot the red light in both his
eyes.
Kendaa had realized what Xena was doing right away. Grabbing the helmet she
had spied on the floor earlier, she started her upward swing catching the
nearest guard under the chin sending him crashing to the floor. In one
continuous swing, she hit the guard next to him in the side of the jaw and
the face of the guard who was coming behind him.
Then Kendaa grabbed a sword and went for the entrance of the tent, picked
up some more weapons and ducked outside.
While he was sitting down, Iphicles grabbed the guard behind him and
flipped him over on his back, pulled the axe from the guard's hands and was
on his feet helping one of his own guards defend the other one from an
attacker.
Hercules looked up and with both arms blocked a blow coming from
above,grabbed the end of the staff and with a mighty push, slammed the
guard's head into the table so hard, he was knocked out cold. Herc then
stuck out one leg and tripped one guard running past him, going for
Iphicles.
The King swung the heavy axe against the helmet of the fallen attacker Herc
had tripped. He then brought it up, hit the attacker coming at him and let
the axe fall to ground. Picking up his own sword from just inside the
entrance, he braced for the attack of the warriors he knew were coming from
outside the tent.
Before anyone else could come to help, Kendaa took an arrow she d grabbed,
dipped it in an oil supply barrel that was leaking. She then put the tip in
the fire outside the tent. She put it to the bow she'd borrowed and shot as
well as she could into the air. The bow and arrow were not her strong suit
in weapons, so she hoped the flaming arrow would be easily visible outside
the camp.
Xena continued shining the red light in the eyes of anyone who looked her
way. When the others seemed to be able to handle a weapon she looked at the
warlords again. "Al-Li-Li-Li-Li-Li-Lah CHEEEEEEYAH!" Xena somersaulted
across the room to kick Stygnos in the head as he tried to look around him.
