Castlewarming Chapters 631-640
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 631
by Lyrical
Kendaa , Calee. Stripe. Wikewike, & RainCloud were talking quietly near the
cot Xena rested on.
"I wonder how much Callisto really knows about this antidote." RainCloud
said. "Does she know Lyrical is ok? That Xena is getting better?"
"I honestly wish I knew the answer to those questions. However," Kendaa
said, " I think it is safe to assume, that she doesn't know about the
antidote. If she did, we would be in the middle of an all out battle right
now."
"I agree with Kendaa, " said Calee, "My only question is how long can we
keep her from finding out? After all, it's just a matter of time till she
sees Lyrical walking around. Not to mention a healthy active Xena in a few
days."
"Lyrical and Hercules are off for at least two weeks, possibly three."
replied RainCloud, "As to Xena, she had a much bigger, much stronger dose
of that poison. I don't have any idea when she will start to feel better or
when she will be up and about. That is any ones guess."
"Then keeping her down for a day or so shouldn't be a problem?" asked
Kendaa.
"I wouldn't count on it." Xena said from her cot as she attempted to sit
up.
Wikewike and Stripe made a move to stop Xena from moving until RainCloud's
voice stopped them.
"Leave her alone." she said. " If she wants to cause permanent damage from
the fall she will take attempting to get up way to soon, then let her. It
won't take much, then you will definitely have your couple of days if not a
week."
Xena glared at RainCloud. Despite what she said, Xena tried sitting up. A
wave of dizziness swept over her and blackness started to engulf the
warrior princess forcing her to ease back down on the cot.
"All right, you win." Xena said weakly, "How soon does all this ware off?"
"I honestly don't know. This is only the second time I have dealt with this
poison or used the antidote." replied RainCloud, " I can only go by how
Lyrical reacted and that was with a much lower dose of the poison. She was
weak for about two hours then her strength started to come back slowly."
"Well Healer Honey, I can help you out there." said Aphrodite. She had just
appeared with Hercules at her side. "Before I went to get Herc here, I
stopped off to see Daddy. He said that judging from what he saw, it will
take at least 3 days before Xena can even stand."
Aphrodite went on to explain that Zeus also said her recovery would take a
lot longer than Lyrical's because of the amount of poison placed in Xena's
body. Had the antidote been given a moment later, Xena would have died.
"Daddy said, for a full recovery it will take anywhere from 10 days to 2
months." Aphrodite concluded, "So like, Princess honey, you might as well
chill."
"We can use this to our advantage," said Kendaa, "I am sure Callisto thinks
her plan is successful, and the longer we keep Xena out of sight the better
chance we have of catching her off guard."
"Well, I am glad to see my warriors are planning out the strategy so well."
said Ares, "Xena, good to see you awake, but like Kendaa said, I need you
to lie low and recover."
"How is Lyrical, Ares?" Aphrodite asked.
"How should I know." Ares snapped, "Why are you asking me anyway?"
"Well duh, Bro, you don't think I would leave her in the state she was in
and not like check on her, do you?" exclaimed Aphrodite. "What kind of a
sister do you take me for? Besides I saw you there."
"Just what kind of state is Lyrical in?" Hercules demanded. "And why are you going to see her in the first place Ares?"
"Because she called me, that's why." said Ares. "I just wanted to nip this
calling me thing in the bud."
"I'll handle it from here, " Aphrodite said. " Just chill, bro, I'll
explain it to you in a sec. Ares, I want in on this Callisto thing, so
don't even try and keep me out. She went after my Lyri, and nobody gets
away with that."
"Fine, just get changed and get back here." Ares said." We aren't waiting
all day."
"Cool, I'll just drop off Herc and Lyri and be back in a flash." Aphrodite
said, "Not to worry Herc, I'll explain it all on the way." In a burst of
light and rose petals they disappeared.
"You can have him later, Q," Joxer said through clenched teeth. "Right now,
he's mine." He gently moved greensleeves to the side and advanced on
Rasheen, who stood there dumbfounded, holding his abused nose.
"Stay where you are, infidel!" Rasheen shouted. "If you take another step
towards me, my wizard will make you wish you hadn't!" He motioned to
Dresdin, signaling him to use his powers.
Dresdin folded his arms across his chest and stared coldly at the Sultan.
"I'm afraid I can't do anything more for you, Your Highness. You're on your
own."
"Have you forgotten, old man, I hold your grand daughter in chains? One
command from me and she shall die a horrible death!"
Dresdin hesitated, his fear for Tatiana clear in his eyes. At a loss for
words, he could only stare helplessly at Joxer.
"That is no longer true, Rasheen," Q simply stated. With a flick of his
wrist a child suddenly appeared in a silver flash of light. With her long
golden hair and crystal blue eyes, she seemed as delicate as a handmade
doll. With a happy squeal, she ran into Dresdin's open arms.
"Oh, Poppy, I thought I'd never see you again!" she cried. Dresdin hugged
her to him, then looked over at Q with tears in his mesmerizing eyes.
"Thank you, stranger. I won't ever forget this."
"Oh, to be sure, I won't let you," Q replied. "I will explain everything
later. For now, take the child outside. It's going to get rather ugly in
here."
The wizard did as he was told, leading Tatiana through the opening of the
tent into the cool night air. Once they were gone, Joxer turned back to
Rasheen. "I've been waiting a long time for this, you slimy creep.
There's no one to protect you now, so let's get started!" He rushed forward
and tackled Rasheen, knocking him into a far corner. Supplies were
scattered everywhere as they crashed to the floor. Joxer began pummeling
Rasheen, his fists hitting their mark with deadly accuracy.
"Joxer, no!" Greenie cried as she started towards him. "You'll only get
hurt. Rasheen fights dirty." Kalas caught her arm and stopped her wild
flight forward. "Leave them, little amazon. I believe Joxer can take care
of himself."
"But you don't know..." Greenie began, then stopped in mid sentence as she
saw Rasheen shove Joxer away and get to his feet. The wicked gleam of metal
flashed as he pulled his blade from its sheath. "Joxer, look out!" she
screamed, trying to warn him. Kalas moved quickly and withdrew the bat'leth
he carried with him. He had placed it in a special holder across his broad
shoulders when he had examined the cache of weapons earlier.
"Joxer, take this my friend," he shouted and tossed the weapon his way.
Expertly, Joxer caught the handle of the blade and flipped it up to meet
Rasheen's killing blow. The blade of Rasheen's sword slid off the bat'leth
with a wicked slice of sound. Joxer whirled around in one of the moves Worf
had taught him and jabbed forward with the sharply curved edges of his
weapon.
Rasheen met the attack, then side-stepped and quickly stepped forward. The
sickening sound of tearing flesh filled the air as his blade sliced into
Joxer's shoulder. Blood began to flow freely from the wound. "No, Joxer,
no!" Greenie cried. But the Mighty One didn't falter. He deftly executed
the move Worf had taught him, disarming Rasheen and bringing the cold blade
of the bat'leth up against his throat.
"I could kill you now, but you're not worth it. Know this, if you ever come
near my lady again, I will finish what I started." He knocked Rasheen to
the ground with the blunt edge of the weapon and stepped back, revulsion
etched on his face.
Greenie ran to him, tearing the bottom from her jade shirt as she went.
Quickly, she wrapped it around Joxer's shoulder, hoping to staunch the flow
of blood. They would need to get him to RainCloud soon. He already seemed
slightly pale from the loss of blood. "Joxer, my love," she said, "when are
you going to learn I can take care of myself?"
He smiled weakly at her. "As many times as you've told me that, I should
know it by heart. But as long as I have a breath left in my body I will
fight to protect you, my love. You are my world. Without you, I am
nothing." Tears came to greenie's eyes. What had she ever done to deserve
this strong, kind hearted man?
Q moved forward and touched Joxer's shoulder. Instantly, his wound healed,
his strength returning as Q's energy flowed through him. "Thank you, Q,"
Joxer softly said, gratitude in his deep brown eyes.
"Think nothing of it, my ancient Greek friend," Q replied, then turned to
face Rasheen. "It is time to send you on your merry little way. I tire of
your petty interference in my plans." He waved his hand and a small
swirling vortex appeared in front of Rasheen. His anguished cries filled
the small tent as he was violently sucked into the whirlwind. As quickly as
it had appeared, the vortex vanished. Greensleeves blinked at the awesome
power of this stranger.
"Where did he go?" she asked, a slight tremble to her voice.
"Let's just say, 'He's gone where no man has gone before'," Q quipped. He
turned to the opening of the tent. "Now to finish what I came here for. The
Q must be taken care of." He moved his finger and Dresdin and Tatiana
materialized before him.
"What is going on here?" Dresdin asked, his surprise evident at their
summoning.
"Yes, Q is it?" Greenie inquired, "tell us, please, just what are you
planning?"
Q smiled at her, his dark blue eyes enigmatic. "All in good time, my dear,
all in good time."
Aquillea knew her brother wasn't real, none of the gallery members were.
One by one the people she had loved and lost were fading away, each wearing
an approving smile, mouthing the words, "I love you." Simultaneously, the
entire vault was beginning to change in appearance and the affect was
disorienting. The queasiness it prompted barely registered however, as the
Amazon focused intently on the valiant young boy. She knew it was
foolishness, but her love for Niki was so strong, he seemed so real, that
Aquillea couldn't help but fear for him. She stared at his small hand on
the railing as he prepared to leap down from the gallery platform and
thought, "If only. . . "
A loud cracking noise interrupted the Amazon's train of thought. In the
most astonishing coincidence she had ever witnessed, the banister gave way
under her brother's weight and sent him sprawling, face first, to the
floor. Niki propped himself up on an elbow and cocked his head as he stared
at his 'little' sister with a half scowl. "You gotta let me help you."
'He's acting like I had something to do with that,' Aquillea thought to
herself. 'I. . . I didn't. . . I couldn't have. . . could I?' When she
shook her head no, it was both to her brother and to herself.
"Aw, come-on Squirrel," the lad tried again.
Momentarily heedless of Morpheus' presence, Aquillea crossed over to her
beloved 'big' brother with an appreciative smile. "Not this time," she said
as she squatted down in front of him. "This time. . . it's not your fight."
A tentative pride came over the lad as he queried, "You're gonna be OK
then. . . right?"
Aquillea's smile faded as she rose. Nodding unconvincingly, she extended a
hand to Niki to help him to his feet. He refused to take it, locking eyes
on his sister instead.
"Right?"
"Indubitably," the Amazon replied reaching for her brother once again.
Niki hesitated, his brows furled. "Uh... huh?"
He had to know what that meant. He was a figment of her imagination after
all, wasn't he? Still, unable to suppress a chuckle, Aquillea responded
saying, "Sorry. . . That was 'grown up speak' for. . . 'You betcha!'"
With her eyes closed Lyrical rested her head back against the side of the
tub. The tension slowly draining from her body as she breathed in the rose
scented water. Visions of Hercules filled her mind causing a faint sigh to
escaped through slightly parted lips.
Hercules walking slowly made his way to Lyrical as she reclined in the pink
marble tub. His blues eyes darkening as he began to pull off his tan vest.
Next came the under shirt, leaving his chest bare. Leaning over the side of
the tub Hercules cupped the back of Lyrical's head as his lips traced a
path from her cheek to her lips. Bright lights flashed behind Lyrical's
closed eyelids as Hercules deepened the kiss. Reaching up she tangled her
hands in his hair drawing him even closer.
"Now this is more like it Sweetie." beamed Aphrodite as she observed a very
relaxed Lyrical. "If that look in your eyes is any indication I would say
you are ready for some time with that gorgeous Brother of mine."
Lyrical startled out of her daydreams of Hercules at Aphrodite's sudden
appearance. Eyes full of desire tried to focus as she returned from the
fantasy that had consumed her. "Hello Aphrodite." blushed Lyrical. "Did you
say something?"
Giggling, Aphrodite repeated, "I was asking if you were ready for Hercules
to arrive?"
"Aphrodite, I was thinking about another location instead of bring Hercules
here."
With an incredulous look on her face Aphrodite asked, "What's wrong with my
temple?"
"Oh Aphrodite..please don't get me wrong, your temple is very beautiful. I
was just thinking of a place a little more,"......a door slams loudly in
another part of the temple....."Private," explained Lyrical.
"I see what you mean," laughed Aphrodite as she sat on a stool beside the
tub, " Why don't you explain to me this private place and I'll see what I
can find."
"I'd like to be somewhere that's quiet, well away from any battles."
Lyrical said softly, "It see a small cabin nestled in the woods, with a
stream just off to the side."
"I just want some time alone with Hercules, do you think I'm asking to
much?" asked a worried Lyrical.
Aphrodite reached over to pat Lyrical's hand, "No your not asking to much,
you both need this time away. I know the perfect place. I left a gown for
you on the bed, why don't you change and I'll go and make sure that the
cabin is available."
"Aphrodite...I can't thank you enough for all that you are doing, your the
best Sister Friend."
"Awwww, your so sweet Lyri, the only thanks I need is for you to rest...
and enjoy your time with Herc." giggle Aphrodite as she left in a burst of
light and rose petals.
Laughing, Lyrical rose from the tub wrapping a drying sheet around her and
went to inspect the gown. Spotting the intense blue satin fabric she let
out a gasp, it was absolutely gorgeous. Lyrical lifted a sleeve of the
dress letting the soft slippery material slid through her fingers as she
realized the color matched Hercules eyes exactly. She couldn't wait to try
it on but first things first. Walking over to a table she picked up a hair
brush and went to sit in front of the fire. The heat from the fire and
brushing soon had the short tresses dry.
Lifting a small bottle from the table she removed the top. A very pleasant
sweet smelling fragrance greeted her senses. Dabbing a small amount of the
fragrance on her finger she trailed a path down both sides of her neck, and
wrists. Turning, Lyrical walked to the bed. Her final preparation was to
don the gown. Carefully she lifted the material letting it slid over her
head and down her body. Reaching behind she fasten the closure, then walked
to the mirror for a closer inspection of the gown.
Lyrical was stunned at the reflection in the mirror. It wasn't her...it
couldn't be. She had never felt so sensual in her entire life. A smile
appeared as she thought of Hercules' reaction.........
Niki scrambled to his feet and took a slow step backwards, then another.
Like the others before him, he began to fade, but more slowly, as if he
were still hesitant. His bluegray eyes stared out almost bashfully from
behind the boyishly long lashes. "I luh. . . I. . . ," he stuttered before
finally coming up with, "I'd do it again, ya know."
He hadn't used the words he'd intended to, but the words spoken had 'said all that and then some.' Aquillea gazed fondly at her brother with watery
brown eyes that only barely managed to contain their emotion. "I love you
too," she nearly whispered. Then she flashed a big grin at the boy, waving
her hand in a teasingly dismissive gesture. "Now scoot!"
The idol of her childhood beamed at the grown up little girl just the way
she always remembered. He was backing away and fading faster now as he set
Aquillea up with his parting, "See ya." When Niki didn't get the expected
reply he paused, pointing at his sister then raising a hand questioningly.
The dark Amazon rolled her eyes with an exasperated sigh and followed his
lead. "Not if I see you. . . " He was gone before Aquillea finished and her
breath caught in her throat. ". . . first."
Only one 'person' remained on the gallery platform, Aquillea's radiant
mother, Marina. The honey-haired vision approached her daughter, and taking
the woman-child's hands into her own said, "I think it's time for each of
us to get ourselves back where we belong."
Her insides tied into knots, a few teardrops splashed onto Aquillea's now
trembling hands. "My heart and my mind? . . . I think you're already
there."
"I suppose you do have a point. Buuut, then again. . . I go. . . where
you go. . . and you don't belong here." Marina too was weeping as she
brought her daughter's hands to her lips. "Oh, my sweet baby girl!" she
lamented, giving Aquillea a quick hug before collecting herself. "Remember
me with love. But please. . . honey. . . don't follow in my footsteps.
Don't let guilt and grief be the end of you. . . It's the people who love
you. . . the people you love, who're left to suffer."
Feeling anything but rational, the Amazon nodded. "So, I guess this is
goodbye. . . again." Aquillea swiped away her tears in frustration and
practically growled. "Ridiculous! It shouldn't be this hard!"
"No, it's not really goodbye," Marina countered. "I'm always with you. . .
remember?. . . A part of me lives. . . in you."
"The best part."
Stroking her daughter's hair, she replied, "I hope so." Then an almost
mischievous gleam lit Marina's face as she added, "Um. . . one piece of
motherly advice before I go. The next time that juvenile delinquent friend
of yours. . . "
"Mama!" Aquillea interrupted with a giggle. "He has a name, Mama!"
"Yes, yes. . . Iolaus. . . I remember. And I'll have to admit. . . I was
wrong about the boy. . . Anyway, the next time this 'Iolaus' asks you a
question. . . follow your heart. . . say yes!"
"Agh!. . . No matter what the question?!" the wide eyed Amazon queried.
Marina nodded with a knowing smile. "Trust me on this. A mother knows. . .
I know you better than you know yourself." The last of this came in the
form of a disembodied voice as Aquillea was left to stare at the empty
gallery platform.
Then, from behind her, to the left, came the sound of mocking applause.
After ~Wike left Xena's tent she went to relieve one of the others on guard
duty.
As she made her way toward her post she kept thinking about what ~Terea had
told her.
Guardian? Her? It didn't make sense. Why her? She wasn't even born of
~Terea's people. Why would they have picked her? What did she do to deserve
to be a Guardian of anything, let alone a Guardian of The Land.
~Wike just shook her head, it was just to much to think about right now.
It was time to relieve Lisa. The poor thing had to be hungry, she'd pulled
double duty due to the recent happenings around the camp.
"Well, thank the gods you're here!" Lisa said as she heard and saw ~Wike
coming.
Recognizing the Amazon call ~Wike had been sure to use, each Amazon had
their own call so their sisters could tell who was approaching them.
"I hope there's plenty left, I'm starved!" Lisa said "But seeing how Iolaus
is here, who knows. I swear I've never seen one man eat so much! He must
have a hollow leg." Lisa said with a chuckle and a shake of her head.
~Wike just grinned and said "Yeah, there's some left.Lyri made sure there
was plenty put away for all the ones on patrol. I thought Iolaus was gonna
cry when she said he couldn't have thirds." ~Wike laughed.
"So what's on tonight's menu, not more fish I hope. I'm about to grow gills
from eating so much fish." Lisa asked with a shudder.
"No. No, fish tonight." ~Wike laughed " Lyri made her famous stew and fresh
squeezed lemonade. Better go get some before the others come in from patrol
and eat your rations too!"
"Ohhh. Lyri's stew, I can taste it now!" Lisa said with a hungry sigh, "
I'm outta here. Stay safe sister." Lisa finished with the saying and
hand/arm shake that all the Amazons used when they parted.
~Wike watched Lisa leave and thought about how young her new friend was.
She always seemed so carefree and happy.
~Wike sighed as she tried not to think about the last time she herself was
that young and carefree. It was a long time ago. And it was starting to
feel like she would never feel like that again.
As far as patrols went, this one was pretty much boring. Or did it seem
that way because she couldn't keep her mind on her duties? She kept telling
herself that now wasn't the time to be thinking of other things, that
someone or something could jump out at her any minute and she wouldn't have
time to signal the others before she ended up dead.
"Keep your mind on your duties ~WIke! Just stay alert and stay focused."
She kept telling herself. "This is not the time for this."
And just as she finished that thought, there was a blue flash of light and
there stood the God of War himself.
"Tsk, tsk. I thought I'd taught you better than this." Ares said with his
usual caustic wit. "I guess we'll have to see about a refresher course in
staying focused."
"What do you want Ares? And don't give me your usual spiel about not
wanting anything but to see me ‘be all I can be'. I know it by heart."
~Wike said. She knew she was on dangerous ground using that tone, but with
Ares, you either stood up or got knocked down. She had learned that years
ago. Zeus knew she'd learned it the hard way.
"I never could sweet talk you could I?" The God of War asked with that sly
grin that had melted many a mortal heart.
Little did he know that at one time it might have worked, and she still had
to brace her heart against it. For as gods went, he was one that could
steal your heart. But then he didn't want it when he had it. ~Wike had seen
him woo women until they melted at his feet, then he just blindly walked
away. No, she would never let him do that to her.
"I'm on duty here, if this is a social call, it'll have to wait until
later." ~Wike said as she made to go around him and finish her patrol.
"This, little one, is far from a social call. I want to know what in Hades
is wrong with you. I've been watching you for days now and you don't really
seem to have your head in the game, so to speak." Ares said as he folded
his arms and planted his feet, as if he had all the time in the world to
wait for his answer.
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm fine." ~Wike said, "Now go
away and bother Xena for awhile."
"You know what you need? You need to have the insolence beat out of you.
You are talking to the God of War! And I want an answer now!"
"Yeah?! And I want to be spit polished by the Olympic Weight Lifting Team.
It ain't gonna happen!" ~Wike yelled. By this time they were nose to nose
and neither one was about to back down. Seconds ticked by and ~Wike thought
she'd really done it this time. After all these years, through training
session after training session Ares had never given her any quarter, and
she'd never once asked for any. She had always given as good as she got.
Ares seemed to respect her more for it, but now, maybe this time, she'd
gone to far.
Then she heard it. That low rumble in his chest. He was trying not to show
how much he enjoyed their little spats. Then he just let loose with that
wicked laugh of his.
"I always did love your spirit. I'm glad to see you haven't lost it." He
said, "Because you're going to need every once of that spirit and more
before this all over and done with."
~Wike was about to ask what he meant by that when he backed up and said,
"When Herc and Lyri return, I want you battle ready."
"That means deal with whatever is in that pretty little head of yours and
make it fast. It's time to end this thing with Callisto."
"The child must come with me," Q said and waited for the maelstrom to
erupt. He wasn't disappointed.
"What are you saying?" Dresdin shouted. "You want to take my Tati with you?
Do you think I will just let you take her away without a fight? Think
again!"
"No, on the contrary, you'll be coming along with us. I wouldn't dare dream
of separating the child from the only family she has ever known."
"Poppy, what does he mean? We're to go with him? But where to?" Tatiana
remarked, anxiety lacing her voice.
Greensleeves walked over to Tatiana. The instinct to protect one so young
and innocent strong within her. Reaching out her hand, she stroked
Tatiana's soft, golden hair, trying to soothe her fears. "It's going to be
alright, sweetheart. No one will make you or your grandfather do anything
you don't want to do. Not while I'm here." She looked at Q as she said
this, daring him to dispute her words. Powerful being or not, he would not
distress this delicate little girl any further. She had suffered enough
already with what Rasheen had put her through.
Tatiana turned to look at the woman with the bright green eyes. She saw the
sympathy in those eyes and knew this strong woman would help her. "Thank
you," she softly said and breathed a gentle sigh of relief. For the first
time since she had been taken from her Poppy she felt safe.
Greenie looked into Tatiana's crystal blue eyes and knew, without a doubt,
there was something very special about her. It was there for anyone to see,
a strange other worldly glow. Taking a deep breath, she gently moved
Tatiana behind her. With defiance in her eyes, she braced herself solidly
in front of the little girl, hands on hips. "Now, Q, I shall keep my word.
You will not take this child anywhere she doesn't wish to go. Do I make
myself perfectly clear?"
"My, my, my. What do we have here? Finally, someone with a little backbone.
I do believe you would make a worthy opponent," Q slyly remarked as he
moved closer to greenie.
Joxer started towards them. "Greenie, don't do anything foolish, please.
You don't know what he's capable of."
"Stay where you are, Joxer. This is between Q and me. Isn't that right, Q?"
"Oh, quite definitely. You do know though, you can't stop me if I want to
take the child with me."
"I might not be able to stop you, but I will die trying, if necessary. The
innocent must be protected."
Q's dark blue eyes stared down at her and it seemed as if he saw straight
through to her soul. She shivered slightly as she felt her every thought
being probed by this extraordinary creature. "You would die for her,
wouldn't you?" he questioned, slightly astounded at the thought.
"Yes," Greenie simply replied.
Suddenly, Q laughed, his stern features relaxing. "Don't worry. It won't
come to that. Even though the child is Q I believe we can come to some kind
of compromise."
Greenie breathed a soft sigh of relief. She hadn't relished the idea of
fighting one who had only helped them so far. But she would have done it,
without a second thought, for Tatiana's sake.
"Good. Dresdin is the one you should talk to about that," she said and then
turned to Joxer. "Joxer, why don't you take Tati outside. I'm sure she'd
love to see how bright the stars are tonight."
"Sure," Joxer readily agreed and walked over to Tatiana. "Come with me,
Tati. I have a special star I want to show you. It's mine and greenie's
favorite." He lead the child outside, far away from the tent and the adult
conversation inside.
Dresdin turned to Q, his eyes wary. "You know, don't you?" he quietly
asked.
Q looked at him and smiled. "That the child isn't your grand daughter? Of
course, I know. She is Q. Her parents were Q."
Dresdin's face crumpled as his tortured words came tumbling out. "When I
found her abandoned on my doorstep I truly believed she was a gift from the
Gods. She was such a beautiful child, with starry eyes that held the
knowledge of time and destiny. I took her in and raised her as my
grandchild. She has known no other family."
Q sighed as he realized the depth of love this mystical man held for the Q
child. Even he could not break that bond. "Do not worry, old one, I won't
take her from you. Let's try to work something out. She must have her
training as a Q to fully develop her powers. I have been assigned that
task." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "I know what we shall do. I will
come to your home and begin her training there. She will do better in
familiar surroundings, I'm sure."
Dresdin looked up at Q and smiled for the first time in a long while. "That
sounds like a grand idea to me."
"Good, then it's settled. Now, as for you.." Q began as he turned to
greenie. Warily, she stepped back as he moved his hand over her face. A
warm golden glow enveloped her, the soft healing light moving through and
all around her. Slowly, she raised a hand to her face and found it longer
damaged. She smiled gratefully at Q.
"Gratitude isn't necessary, protector of the Q," Q smiled and moved his
hand again. Clothes suddenly appeared in his once empty hands. Taking a
closer look, greenie saw they were made of the finest black suede she had
ever seen. He held them out to her and she caught her breath at their
beauty. The silkily soft suede top was designed in the Amazon style. Black
gauntlets and matching fringed black pants finished the outfit. Bright
green pieces of jade were woven into the delicate fringe, winking softly in
the glow of the candlelight.
"By the Gods, is this for me?" Greenie exclaimed. At Q's affirmative nod,
she took the outfit with a happy laugh. "Oh, thank you, Q, it's beautiful!"
"And this also," he replied. In his hands he held the heart shaped jade
necklace that had belonged to her mother. Greenie took it with trembling
fingers. "It was in Rasheen's possessions. I think it should go to its
rightful owner."
She thanked him once again and he quickly turned away, but not before she
saw the look of pity in his intelligent eyes. Just what did this being know
of her past? Alot, it would seem.
"Now, I do believe it is time to set everything right," Q said and moved
his hand. Instantly, the tent and supplies disappeared. "Worf, say you're
good-byes now, I'm sending you back to your own time." At this Worf growled
low in his throat. Q, as always, was as arrogant as ever. Q laughed and
continued. "I will go with Dresdin and Tatiana. And you, my dear, where
would you like to go?" he asked as he turned back to greenie.
"Well, I don't know about the others, but I could use a long soak in the
hot baths in Antianos. Every bone in my body is weary."
"Antianos, it is then," he replied with a smile. "I shall see you again,
fierce Amazon. Oh, no, you haven't seen the last of me! Just when you least
expect it, I'll be there," he mockingly warned and waved his hand. In the
blink of an eye, he, Worf, Dresdin and Tatiana vanished.
"But what about..." Greenie started to ask, but as soon as the words left
her, she saw she, Joxer and Kalas were standing in a steamy room. Looking
around, she saw the tubs, fresh bath cloths and scented soaps that beckoned
to her. Joxer and Kalas stood there, speechless.
"Well, don't just stand there," she groaned as she pushed them towards the
door. "A girl needs her privacy, you know." She slammed the door behind
them with a laugh. Shaking her head, she placed her new clothes and the
necklace on a nearby bench. Men, she thought, as she took off her tattered
clothes and sank into the hot water with a blissful sigh, she would never
understand them.
For the moment, Maddie was speechless. The young man and his little
companion were from the village by the swamp - a bacchai stronghold when
last she left. The disappearance of Bacchus might have weakened those that
remained but it could not guarantee that they were destroyed. They, like
her own dark half, could still exist and be a threat.
"Salem?" she asked. "Is that it's name? I passed through that town several
days ago with some friends. It was very . . . quiet."
Damien paused to answer when he was interrupted by the arrival of another
small group. A young woman, about Damien's age appeared with three more
children in tow. The two girls were about eight or nine years old. The boy
was no older than twelve.
"The Bradius bunch," Maddie thought.
"Damien, praise the gods!" the young woman said. "I thought we had lost
both of you." The usual hugging of lost children and misplaced relatives
ensued. Maddie looked on slightly amused, momentarily forgetting her
concerns. Finally, she felt she had to interrupt.
"Excuse me," Maddie attempted, then finally shouted over the din, "EXCUSE
ME!"
"Oh, Maddie, I'm sorry," said Damien. "This is Lyla," he said indicating
the young woman. "She a friend of mine." His eyes seemed to take on a
special glow that indicated more than just friendship.
"This is Keira," he said indicating the older little girl, "and this is
Bree." The little girls giggled. "And this is Andreus" he finished as he
introduced the young boy. "Everyone, this is Maddie."
"Glad to meet you all," Maddie replied.
"She's an Amazon!" Miranda blurted out. The other little girls "oooh"ed in
amazement.
"Yes, well, that's not really important just now," said Maddie. "What is
important is what you are all doing here. You're traveling in a rather
dangerous forest with small children after nightfall. Where are you going?"
~Wikewike scanned the area to reassure herself all was clear. She knew
she'd just looked a moment ago, but talking to Ares tended to make anybody
jumpy...especially when he was actually half-way cooperating. A glance to
her right made the Amazon tense, but she just as quickly relaxed when she
recognized Arkie strolling in her direction.
"Arkie? What are you doing out here?" ~Wike called out as the future-past
woman jerked her head up and spotted the Amazon on guard duty.
"Hi, ~Wike," came the dull reply. Arkie kicked a small stick out of her
path and dejectedly walked to join her friend tripping twice over the whip
she was dragging along on the ground.
~Wike fought to keep a grin off her face. The woman looked positively
miserable with her lower lip rolled out in a rather over exaggerated pout.
"I'm guessing you're having a bad day?"
"It's that obvious?" Arkie asked grumpily.
"Oh only when you trip over your bottom lip," ~Wike replied, smothering a
giggle.
Arkie couldn't help it. A slight grin turned up the corners of her mouth.
"Wanta talk about it?" But all that greeted ~Wike's offer was a long sigh.
Being the sensitive Amazon she was, ~Wike decided to press for an answer.
"Does your mood have anything to do with the half-sister thing with
Herc?"
"Yeah."
"Still trying to make a decision?"
"Nah. I've made it. But I keep trying to call for Hades to finally get
everything settled, and I am having no luck," Arkie grumbled, then
brightened. "Hey, maybe you can get one of the gods..."
"Look, the only one I can get to answer is not exactly the most cooperative
god," ~Wike hastily replied, remembering her conversation, if you could
call it that, with the god of war just minutes before.
"Oh. Been talking to Ares again?"
~Wike only nodded as she smiled. Ares tried so hard to be unpredictable,
but in doing so, he was beginning to become more predictably predictable.
Arkie frowned in frustration. "Why can't a god just show up when you need
one instead of when you wished they'd take a sabbatical on Mt. Olympus. I
mean, here I am, finally ready to get on with my life and now I have to
wait. It's like being stuck in the return lines at the mall the day after
Christmas."
"What's a return line? And what's Christmas?" ~Wike asked in confusion.
"Supposedly the season to be jolly," Arkie replied sarcastically. ~Wike
just gave her a blank stare as if to indicate that had been no explanation.
"Oh, ~Wike, never mind."
"Precisely. Mortals never do mind," the deep baritone voice snapped.
Both women jerked their heads around to see the tall, well-muscled figure
leaning arrogantly against a tree behind them. Although crouched into an
attack stance, ~Wike soon relaxed when she recognized the figure, but when
she turned to reassure Arkie, the Amazon immediately saw the tell-tale
signs as the future-past woman started her usual weaving around routine.
"Oh, no you don't. You're not fainting again," ~Wike growled as she rushed
forward, bent at the waist and locked her arms around Arkie's midsection.
With a smooth motion, she tossed the woman over her right shoulder until
Arkie's head was angled downward against ~Wike's back in order to get the
blood flowing to the future-past woman's addled brain.
"Hey! Am I missing a rumble?" ‘shana quipped as she trotted up to the two
women, assuming they were practicing combat moves. But a glance to her left
stopped ‘shana in her tracks as she realized who the dark figure was
observing all three of them. "Whooooa! Who are you after?"
The dark eyes gleamed at her suggestively. "Are you volunteering?"
‘shana narrowed her eyes at the tone of the remark. "That's MY tree," she
informed the dark figure, regaining her usual Amazon demeanor. Nobody
intimidated her. Not even him.
