Conquering Liaisons pt 9

Xena Warrior Princess fanfic, Conqueror. As the story starts Xena, known as the Lord Conqueror and not a nice woman, acquires a new bodyslave - not realising that she will come to love this woman, deeply and sincerely, to the point of madness. Assassination attempts, power struggles and bickering satraps all demand Xena to remain the harsh and cruel ruler, while Gabrielle without intending to draws out the woman that wants nothing more than love and family.

Has sexual themes and graphic violence, and most importantly it is a dropped story, meaning it will be years and years before I even consider continuing this.
(Xena/Gabrielle, Lila/Minya) Divided into roughly ten parts due to size.

Read Conquering Liaisons pt 9

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle and anything else XWP belong to RenPics and TPTB, and certainly in no way to a certain little dragon.

This is a conquerorfic and contains a fair share of violence. There is mention of sex, and at a certain point a roundabout mention of rape. While I think it should not be too disturbing for anyone’s sensibilities, a warning is only fair so that you can avoid reading if this would upset you.

The most important warning I feel is this; THIS STORY HAS BEEN DROPPED. It is unfinished and shall remain that way for the foreseeable future. I do still hope to return to it sometime, years from now, but for now – and for quite a few years – I am hopelessly stuck.






Conquering Liaisons pt 9 of 10
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by Carola “Ryûchan” Eriksson






Chapter 21: Day of Judgment

Once she had reached the marketplace, all traces of Xena’s good mood had vanished. The Royal Guards were posted, fully armed and at the ready, across the square in order to prevent any more unpleasantries from the villagers. But the people of Poteidaia, although gathered there in a large number, appeared quietly resigned. There were no visible weapons of any kind among them, nor did the atmosphere carry impending violence.

No, Xena thought to herself that the one that was going to bring violence to that place was going to be… her.

She looked down at her hands, but it was Gabrielle’s face she saw. It had to be done, and she would be the one to do it. She could only hope that when she left that place and returned to the Inn, her sweet young lover would still allow Xena’s arms to hold her as she slept this night, and that they would be able to leave all this unpleasantness behind them with this village in the morning.

There was no podium for Xena to stand on for what she was about to do, but the cleared space would do just as well. A brazier glowed in place next to a large cutting block, branding irons already put to the heating in it, and someone had remembered to put a few buckets of water next to it. The though idly crossed her mind if Talus had gotten the village blacksmith to shape the irons the way she wanted them. No matter, she’d make do with what was at hand.

Two Guardsmen brought out the prisoner at her signal, and a shocked whisper went through the crowds. Xena had to admit that he was a bit worse for wear, his nose broken and his face black from the head-butt Mavican had administered, his throat carrying a dark imprint still of Xena’s own hand, and the rest of the man… Well, she had known that her soldiers would have made sure Perdicus knew just what kind of mistake he had made, and exacted some justice of their own on behalf of their beloved Lady Gabrielle.

A brief look at the sky told her that she needed to get going if she was going to do this while there was light left. She turned towards the crowd.

“Citizens of Poteidaia…”




Gabrielle was watching the sky, not really noticing anything about it as she was deep in thought. Behind her Lila and Minya were seated on her and Xena’s bed, playing a game involving a set of dice and some cards. Gabrielle had no idea where her little sister had picked up the rules for this game, but regardless she was currently on a brutal winning streak as made evident by Minya’s constant groaning.

“Stop harassing poor Minya, you imp.” Gabrielle said distractedly over her shoulder.

“I’m not harassing her!” Came the affronted reply. “Come join us, it’s much more fun if we’re more players in this game.”

“You mean, it much more fun for you if you have someone else to beat besides Minya, right?” Giggling was her answer, and with a small sigh she turned from the window to join them on the bed.

“Allright, I’ll play with you. But you’ve better not be cheating!” She warned Lila playfully, but her heart wasn’t in it. Maybe time would pass by faster if she was distracted by something.





“…and so you have been given an account of this man’s crimes. The witnesses have already been mentioned by name, and further it has been brought to my attention that many of you, citizens of Poteidaia, were already aware of his crimes. None of that matters, as I myself has witnessed some of these crimes. Worse, they were committed against me.” Xena let her gaze move over the crowd, letting them see the shadow of her rage in her eyes for a moment.

“As my betrothed and soon to be bride, the Lady Gabrielle _is_ me in the eyes of the law, and needless to say, assault against the imperial person invokes the harshest of all punishments. I am sure you can imagine of what I speak.” Xena saw an older woman burst into tears, and the shoulders of the man next to her sagged in defeat. They were no doubt Perdicus’ parents.

“But We have decided to be merciful this one time, since this is the home village of Lady Gabrielle. This man, Perdicus, will be punished as the law of the Realm demands a man who has forced himself upon a woman or child must.”

Guards dragged Perdicus into position by the chopping block and removed his pants. The crowed groaned in shock as Xena walked up to him and another guard handed her a blade from the brazier.

“Perdicus of Poteidaia will live. He will be branded as a criminal and live the rest of his life as a slave in a far away land. The means by which he would continue his crimes will be removed.” She raised the glowing blade in front of his face. “He will henceforth serve Satrap Cleopatra in Egypt.”

“As an eunuch.” And she brought the blade down.






Darkness was about to fall when Xena finally made it back to the Inn. She had cleaned herself off in the stables, and throughoutly disgusted with herself she had stayed there for some time, deep in thought. The unconscious Perdicus had been tended to by her physician, then put on a cart escorted by two guards and sent on to the nearest garrison. Xena figured that the time it would take Perdicus to heal up enough to have him sent to the coast and aboard a ship for Egypt would give her plenty of time to discuss this rather special case with Cleopatra.

As Xena entered the Inn she noticed Jorgos pale countenance and how the previously so friendly man avoided looking her direction. Another person not likely to make it to her and Gabrielle’s wedding, she noted with sadness. Another member of Gabrielle’s extended family that would be lost to her because of Xena. She sighed.

“Look, Jorgos…” Xena spoke quietly as she approached the man. She pretended not to notice that he jumped ever so slightly at the mention of his name, but at least he still put his dusting rag down and listened to what she had to say. “I gather you know of a young woman by the name of Alyssa that Perdicus was betrothed to? Of course you do. Anyway, seeing as how she was one of the victims in this mess, I want her looked after. I will make sure Poteidaia gets a stationary constabulary soon, or at the very least a group of soldiers will be staying here for Herodotus and Hecuba’s benefit, but until that is arranged I was wondering if you would be willing to do something for me?”

The man looked hesitant, Xena thought, but at least he might not flat out refuse, and with his own position in the village he would be able to appreciate what she would do. “I will leave some money here with you to ensure that the child does not suffer unduly, if you’ll accept that responsibility for the time being. Also, I would appreciate it if you would send word to me if there’s ever anything… amiss here from now on. I will have people installed here to take over those chores as soon as possible, so it will not be for long. Can you do that?”

The man nodded, and Xena pulled out a pouch of dinars and put in front of him. To herself Xena thought that Poteidaia would also get a stationary healer and scribe, not that she expected anyone to be appreciative of the fact, but she would make the arrangements none the less. She turned to climb the stairs up to the room where Gabrielle waited for her.

“My Lord?” Jorgos’ voice was subdued and hesitant. “There will be many that curse your name now in Poteidaia, but there will be just as many that praise you for what you did. Even so I don’t think there will be any more tales of the heroic Warrior Princess told in Poteidaia from now on.”

Xena was surprised to find that those words saddened her as much as they did. She appreciated the fact that Jorgos had spoken, but she had noticed the title he used. She was no longer a safe soon-to-be member of his family, with which he could be jovial. No, now she was a dangerous creature that required that he choose his words carefully, lest he provoke her anger.

Xena just nodded and continued up the stairs.



“Xena! You’re allright!” When Xena opened the door and stepped into the room, she was greeted by an enthusiastic hug from Lila. Bewildered that the girl would be so affectionate with her after knowing her for such a short time, Xena still managed to somewhat awkwardly return the hug while her eyes searched for Gabrielle.

Gabrielle sighed in relief and made as if to approach Xena, then stopped. They looked at one another without speaking, until Lila, who looked from one to the other, finally spoke up.

“Umm, well, now that you’re here Xena, I guess we can all go to bed. I’ll be sleeping with Minya.”

“WHAT?” Minya yelped loudly, looking panic stricken. Xena and Gabrielle both turned in surprise, Xena’s eyebrow going up in amusement after a moment of watching her young Guard go all flustered. Lila rolled her eyes at Minya and sighed exaggeratedly.

“Mavican said I could bunk in with you guys tonight.” Lila explained airily. “I can’t very well stay here, Gabrielle and Xena wants to be alone you know. So Mavican said I could squeeze in with you girls in your room for the night.”

“Isn’t that great Minya? Now we can talk some more before going to sleep.” Lila was obviously pleased and grabbed onto Minya’s arm with both of hers. “G’night sis, Xena. See you in the morning.”

Minya’s eyes were as wide as saucers as Lila dragged her out of the room with her. Xena caught the slyly amused look in Lila’s eyes as she closed the door behind her, and shook her head slightly.

“Minya isn’t going to stand a chance…” Xena murmured quietly to herself.

The room fell silent. Xena couldn’t make herself meet Gabrielle’s eyes, in case they held what she had feared they would. Then her arms were filled with Gabrielle.

“Xena…” Gabrielle breathed thickly into her shoulder “…can you wait to tell me about things until the morning? Can we just go to bed now?” She shivered a little.

“I-I… just really need you to hold me.” Gabrielle begged softly

Xena closed her eyes in heartfelt relief. “Always.” She kissed the top of Gabrielle’s head tenderly before lifting her up and carrying her over to the bed.

“Always, Gabrielle.”


The morning came as nearly all had lately, very early and with Gabrielle on her knees, miserably bent over a pail, and Xena nervously hovering around racking her brain for something to do to make things easier on her love. Fortunately, the concoction that Lila once again made for her sister, this time for breakfast, seemed to soothe Gabrielle’s rebellious stomach to the point where Gabrielle dared to try some light soup. The improvement was such a relief to Xena that she walked over to Lila and spontaneously lifted her in a grateful hug, leaving the girl beaming like Xena had just promised her Rome on a silver platter.

Conversations were subdued during breakfast, and soon Gabrielle felt well enough to ask Xena about the previous night. Dreading having to tell the details of what she, personally, had done to the man, Xena nevertheless did just that. Because Gabrielle had asked.

Slowly Xena went over the events while Gabrielle listened seriously, the Guards and Lila letting them have a moment of privacy while they spoke. When Xena reached the part where she had headed back towards the Inn, Gabrielle had closed her eyes and looked pale. She opened her eyes again and gave Xena a small smile. “Thank you.”

Xena blinked. “What for?”

“For sparing his life.” Gabrielle said seriously. “I know what you were in your full right to do to him, according to the law. But you let him live, and I am grateful for that.”

Xena nodded slowly, not quite certain she understood what Gabrielle meant, entirely. Gabrielle reached out to touch her hand before continuing. “I also know that the punishment you gave him was what he had coming for the crimes he committed, I don’t have anything to say in regards to that, if that’s what you thought. Although…” Gabrielle looked at her thoughtfully. “You sent him off to Egypt? Why?”

“To let him live.” Xena said starkly. “If he remained… he wouldn’t.”

Gabrielle just nodded and caressed the hand under her own. She was a little disturbed to find out that although a part of her had a hard time dealing with the fact that a man could have died because of her, another part of her recognised that being hurt would have endangered the child she carried, and had no compunctions that anyone that threatened that life would pay for it with their own. She did not like what that said about her, but she also knew that she wouldn’t let anything threaten her and Xena’s child if she had any power to prevent it.

She shook her head to scatter the dark thoughts. “I noticed that uncle Jorgos is avoiding us.”

Xena sighed deeply and looked pained. “I’m sorry Gabrielle. I truly am.”

“Why?” Gabrielle frowned, still absently playing with Xena’s hand.

Hesitantly Xena told Gabrielle about her conversation with Jorgos the previous night. “…so you see, I’m afraid I don’t think he’ll come to our wedding after all.” Then quietly. “I am sorry Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle released Xena’s hand, and for a moment Xena felt hurt, but then Gabrielle stood in between her knees, gently urging Xena’s head up until she met her gaze. She smiled and caressed Xena’s bangs away from her eyes.

“You “ Gabrielle said softly “are _my_ hero.” And then she kissed Xena tenderly.

When she broke off Xena was holding her close, and looking at her with wide, amazed, eyes. Xena made as if to speak, but was interrupted when the Inn doors were flung open with a crash to reveal two Royal Guards that had not accompanied Xena to Poteidaia.

“My Lord!” One called urgently, and hurried to kneel by Xena’s side. “Urgent message from Captain Meleager!”

Xena snatched the scroll from the guardsman’s outstretched hand, scowling worriedly as she ripped it open and scanned the contents. The sound of her hand absently crushing the message seemed almost loud in the absolute silence of the Inn. Xena rose to her feet and levelled an icy serious stare at the people in the room.

“We’re returning to Corinth at once! Prepare the horses immediately!” She ordered and soldiers snapped to attention, running to perform their duties and leaving food half-eaten at the tables.

“What has happened?” Gabrielle asked nervously. Xena gave her a grave but distant look.

“Jett, the assassin, got murdered last night.”

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Chapter 22: Homecoming

Gabrielle cast a glance at her sister through the window of the Royal carriage, idly wondering if Minya might not need a break from Lila’s persistent questions and endless babble. Not particularly surprising to anyone, Lila had requested she be allowed to ride with Minya instead of in the carriage with Xena and Gabrielle, and Xena had agreed. At least for a while, since they didn’t want to strain Minya’s horse too much, and so Gabrielle listened distractedly to Lila’s cheerfully bright voice as she asked the Royal Guards an unending stream of questions about Corinth.

Xena had been quiet ever since she received Meleager’s message, rarely speaking when not issuing a few curt orders, and her eyes were fixed on something far away. Gabrielle was glad that she had some privacy with Xena in the carriage, and tried to think of a subtle way to reach through to Xena. This silence was just to unnerving.

She finally gave up on subtlety and tried the direct approach. “Xena?” She kept her voice down so that it would not reach out through the open windows. Xena didn’t appear to have heard her at first, then blinked slowly and refocused on Gabrielle’s face.

“Yes?” An eyebrow arched in question, and Gabrielle felt so relieved to see the unconscious gesture change the stony expression Xena held even if it was but a tiny alteration.

“I… didn’t want to ask in front of the others, but… Was there anything else in that note?” Gabrielle looked away from Xena’s steady gaze and fiddled awkwardly with the hem of her dress. “I mean, I feel terrible for poor Jace, loosing his brother like that, and a murder is such an awful thing, and of course whoever is guilty must be found and all, but…” Gabrielle babbled a bit before tapering off uncertainly.

Xena waited patiently, and after a moment Gabrielle looked back up at her. “I just wouldn’t have thought you’d react so strongly hearing that someone who tried to kill you has died.”

Xena’s expression softened, and she pulled Gabrielle closer, tucking the woman she loved so dearly comfortably into her arms. “It is not really about Jett’s death, or even that someone whom I value as highly as Jace will be devastated by this.” She sighed a little and absently stroked Gabrielle’s hair.

“It is that there is someone or someones out there that are intent on killing me, and who would think nothing of using those I love to do it. And the only lead I had to those people has now been effectively silenced.”

Xena looked seriously at Gabrielle. “I don’t mean to frighten you, my sweet, and I assure you that I will take every precaution ensuring that you, our baby and Lila will be safe.” She kissed Gabrielle’s forehead gently. “I will make sure nothing threatens any one of you.”

She was quiet for a moment, while Gabrielle thought about what Xena had said. It filled her with a sense of wonder. Those Xena love… their baby was not due to be born for quite some time yet, still Xena loved it already. The knowledge sent a wave of affection through Gabrielle, and with a tiny sigh she settled in even closer to her lover.

As Xena spoke up again her voice was even more quiet, but Gabrielle heard her clearly. “I… What bothers me most is that whoever murdered Jett managed to enter a room with no window and only one door, a door guarded at all times by at least two palace guards.” She hesitated. “If it truly is the room that I believe, then there is one other way in that no-one should know about… The castle that our home was built upon had myriads of secret passages built into it, and most of those remain today. But I should be the only one alive that knows of their existence, much less where they lead.”

“If the people who are trying to hurt you know about them…” Gabrielle began with alarm, but Xena cut her off, gently. “Yes. If someone who wants to kill me have access to those passageways… then things just turned a bit more tricky.”




The rest of the journey back to Corinth was subdued, even Lila’s cheerfulness abated slightly as the day went on and she had to travel in the carriage with Xena and Gabrielle. The return to the palace was also a rather dampened affair, although young Lila’s reaction upon seeing the palace that was now to be her home tower up in front of her in all it’s splendour brought a smile even to Xena’s lips. It was a fleeting thing, however, as Meleager met them just inside the palace gates.

Xena forestalled any discussion in the hallways, and so the party moved in silence towards the royal chambers. Lila appeared to be a bit intimidated by her new surroundings, and the graveness of the people around her, so Xena pulled both sisters to her as they walked down the corridors. It proved strangely rewarding for the warrior as she walked the last part of the way to her personal chambers with her lover wrapped around one side and her young ward clinging to her hand on the other as if it was the most natural thing in the world.



The time that followed was hectic. Xena’s suspicions regarding the room were confirmed, although that particular piece of information went no further than Meleager. Now they were three that knew of the secret passages within the Conqueror’s stronghold, aside from their unknown adversary, and Gabrielle and Meleager merely knew of their existence, not where any paths might lead.

It was, of course, at this time that the remaining satraps began arriving, starting with Cleopatra and Melosa on the same day, and ending with Lao Ma nearly a week later. Investigations were, by necessity, forced to be held discreetly, and greatly impeded by the general chaos that the gathering of satraps always brought. Indeed, within two days the entourage from Briton had managed to greatly affront not only the Egyptian entourage, but also a fair share of the amazons Melosa brought. Privately Xena seethed at having to spend precious time and energy smoothing ruffled feathers and avoiding escalations of the petty squabbles, time she could have used better hunting down this potential threat to her happiness.

Overall security was increased, especially the amount of Royal Guards that accompanied Gabrielle and Lila at all times. Minya and Mavican had both been assigned to Lila’s own guard at least temporarily, along with a number of others, but in Minya’s case it seemed more a thing of convenience than anything else, as she and Lila didn’t stay apart for long even when Minya was officially off duty.

For the first few nights Lila was placed in the small room that was supposedly Gabrielle’s, but a bit of ingenuity and hard work soon had another small suite attached to the hallway where the Royal Guards where posted outside the Royal chambers. Xena made certain Lila’s chambers would be a safe as could get, and easily defended, until such time as she could see to it that new Royal Chambers were built to house her rapidly growing family.

It was, needless to say, a dilemma that the Conqueror had never had reason to give much thought before.

The strain of events was taking their toll on everyone. Jace was inconsolable, and unable to perform his duties for some time, much to Viceron’s ill hidden satisfaction. Gabrielle, although the emotional upheaval of her visit in Poteidaia, coupled with her ongoing morning sickness, left her in dire need of rest, still took it upon herself to try and comfort her friend. And it nearly lead to disaster.

Xena, feeling the strain and the stress unusually keenly, had more trouble fighting her darker urges than she normally did. And when she accidentally walked in on her beloved Gabrielle as the younger woman was embracing and kissing Jace, she simply snapped.

If Xena had been slightly more clear-minded at the time, she would have seen that Gabrielle was merely hugging her friend to offer comfort in his grief, and that the kiss in question was a small and rather sisterly peck to his cheek. But Xena was very far from the state of mind that she could be so rational where Gabrielle was concerned, and if not for Gabrielle’s quick acting Xena would have done something she would later have regretted most deeply. Jace himself would never know just how close he came to being murdered in his own chambers.

Gabrielle saw it in Xena’s eyes though, and intercepted the warrior before things got out of hand. As easily as Xena’s feelings for Gabrielle seemed to bring the dark madness in Xena to the surface at times, just as easily it seemed that Gabrielle was able to soothe Xena back to sanity. Even so, Gabrielle was hard pressed to deflect the ardour that replaced Xena’s mad jealousy for long enough for them to move from the hallway outside Jace’s quarters to the first small unoccupied room with a door that they could find.



Lila was trying her best to adapt to her new surroundings, despite the chaos around her. Until such time as Xena had located a few teachers she thought was trustworthy, Lila was in essence free to spend her time as she chose, meaning she followed Minya around for most part. She quickly endeared herself to the staff in the Royal kitchens, having a genuine love for cooking as well as seeing it as her duty to make sure Gabrielle would manage to eat. Unlike Gabrielle, Lila wasn’t particularly fond of the libraries, even though she liked a good story, so she spent most of her time outside the Royal chambers either in the kitchens or watching Minya train with the other Royal Guards. It was while forcing Minya to listen to her reading from a book she had borrowed that she encountered some of the palace guests.

Sitting on the grass near the wall in the Royal Gardens with the book in her lap, while Minya lounged nearby with a long-suffering expression on her face, Lila suddenly felt something pelt her in the head. Picking up the small pebble, Lila testily considered throwing it at Minya, but the other girl looked so surprised at the change in Lila’s expression that Lila decided it couldn’t have been Minya who threw it at her. But Lila couldn’t see anyone near them in the Gardens, the other Royal Guards where a fair distance away from them, guarding the entrance points to the area. Then she heard giggling.

“Hey there, pretty girl!” A voice whispered from above Lila. Minya was on her feet in no time.

Over the edge of the very tall wall peeked three faces. The voice belonged to a redhaired girl who was grinning and waving wildly from her perch. “What’cha doing down there?”

Lila blinked. “Reading… What are you doing up there? And how did you get up there, anyway?”

“We’re amazons.” A stocky-looking girl snorted, as if it explained everything. The third girl looked at the speaker chidingly, then turned a friendly smile on Lila and Minya. “We were exploring, sort of, and found this crawlspace that ends up behind this wall. It’s pretty easy to climb up here since the walls are so close together.”

“So…” Redhair spoke again. “can we come down there to you?”

Minya snapped to attention as soon as redhair flashed another smile at Lila, and signed for the other Guards. She felt fairly confident that she could take care of these three herself if they posed a threat to Lila, but she knew procedure well enough, and she took her responsibilities seriously.

Lila glanced at Minya and noticed her reaction before nodding to the three up on the wall. “Sure, come on down. But how will you get down here without hurting yourselves? Should I get a rope for you?”

“Naw” Redhair said as she swung herself over the side. “it’s no problem.”

Redhair dropped down and landed on her feet with moderate grace, but the stocky girl was less fortunate and ended up landing on her rear instead. The third girl had some difficulty manoeuvring around because of her rather bizarre headdress, and wound up hanging from the edge of the wall with one arm, about to involuntarily drop at a dangerous angle. Minya saw this, and without really thinking dashed forward to catch the falling girl.

“Whoa… Yakut! Yakut, are you allright?” Redhair was clearly worried. Minya carefully put the girl down, but kept a hold on her until the slightly dazed look left her eyes.

“Yes…” Yakut answered slowly. “I’m allright, really. I just haven’t gotten used to this thing yet.” Followed by an exasperated gesture to the thing on her head. “It’s really stupid, I shouldn’t be making mistakes like this!”

“Umm… excuse me, but who are you?” Lila asked politely as Minya came back to stand at her side, doing her best to look intimidating. Redhair grinned and slung one lanky arm around Yakut, gesturing with the other.

“She’s Yakut, a shamaness, I’m Amarice, and that’s Otere. Otere is a princess from the Northern tribe, but we’re all here with Queen Melosa. So who are you two?”

Sighing to herself as she saw Lila begin to speak, Minya managed to answer first. “This is Her Royal Highness Lady Lila, ward of Our Lord Conqueror.” Ignoring Lila’s rolling eyes. “I’m Minya. Are either of you carrying any weapons?”

Amarice pouted while Yakut giggled softly. “No, we’re not allowed to wear weapons.” Yakut said softly without elaborating. Otere, on the other hand, smirked at Amarice and added “Yeah, Amarice and I aren’t warriors yet so we’re not allowed to carry swords, or anything like that. We’d be carrying our daggers and maybe a sling or two if the Queen didn’t have to worry so much about Amarice attacking some helpless guy here… She really hates guys, don’t you Amarice?”

“Well, I guess that you like guys enough for all three of us, don’tcha Otere?” Amarice ribbed the shorter girl right back, clearly not happy about the reminder.

“Hey!”

“Now now…” Yakut stepped in to keep the two from starting a fight right there among strangers. “Peace, both of you.”

Lila felt somewhat sympathetic to Yakut’s dilemma, and did what she could to help distract the other amazons. She started babbling about Minya. “Minya is a warrior, you know? She doesn’t wear a sword or anything as common as that, but she has this really big hammer thingy that looks soo cool, and…”

Minya was horrified, and the Amazon girls looked slightly dazed.

“…you wouldn’t believe how strong she is, and she’s so brave too, and…” Lila was undaunted by the lack of response from her company as she warmed up to her subject. Instead she grabbed Minya’s hand and had her sit down on the grass right next to herself.

“Cool, you’re a Royal Guard.” Amarice grinned at some point in Lila’s story. “In the Amazon villages, the only warriors that get to be Royal Guards are those that are the best of the very best around. Everyone wants to be good enough to be a Royal Guard.”

“Oh, that’s what it’s like here too!” Lila assured them enthusiastically, ignoring that Minya by now was red as a beet. “And Minya got picked out by Xena herself!”

Minya groaned. A quick glance affirmed that, yes, the other Guards were laughing, and they didn’t even cover it particularly well, and no, Lila showed no sign of stopping. She really wished that she could come up with a reason to leave right away, but she couldn’t. It wouldn’t be right to leave Lila with people she just met, even if they seemed harmless enough, not as things were right now. So Minya had to stay and tough it out.

And the fact that Lila was still holding her hand had nothing to do with that decision, of course.

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Chapter 23: Discrediting Love

Although officially the biannual meeting with the Satraps was supposed to occur once, at a set day, with all the Satraps and their respective chosen aides in a grand formal dinner that would occupy most of the day and evening to be followed exactly three days later with a huge celebration of Xena’s Realm, the unofficial procedure was somewhat more lengthy. The Conqueror would have audiences with the various Satraps and their entourages for weeks, and then there would be numerous meetings with Xena and all the Satraps that were closed off to anyone else, not even allowing for servants to be present in case they would disturb the conversations pertaining to the Realm. It was during this lengthy process that the actual decisions were made, making the goings-on during the large, elaborate feast disguised as the meeting of the Satraps nothing more than a well rehearsed spectacle.

All in all it was very much work to be done, and with Xena’s best aide disabled, an assassin on the loose, and wedding preparations to consider, Xena was forced to work everyone to their fullest capacity. That meant coaxing Gabrielle into performing some tasks that should otherwise not have been expected of her until after they had been married for some time. In short, she was required to meet the dignitaries in Xena’s place.

Viceron was, at first, livid. But he knew well enough to keep his ire to himself, and as he carefully considered the situation, an opportunity seemed to present itself.

The Egyptian Satrap Cleopatra had brought her notoriously libidinous lover Marc Anthony to the palace. Viceron actually smiled.

It would all be… so easy.



It required surprisingly little effort to orchestrate a meeting between himself and the Roman noble, much thanks to Marc Anthony’s own puffed-up sense of self-importance. No matter, Viceron was used to handling men of Anthony’s kind, in fact he thrived on it. Learning Gabrielle’s schedule for the day, as well as those of the Royal Guardsmen surrounding her, was a less enjoyable task. Still, with some manipulation Viceron managed to stage a perfect encounter.

He managed to put Gabrielle in a situation where she could not find a graceful way to back out from having to, as Viceron put it, aid him in having an audience with Marc Anthony in the Royal Chambers. By making Marc Anthony seem more important than he was, as well as making the request for aid seem harmless, there was no way for Gabrielle to turn him down without causing offence to the Roman, even if she had sensed something foul with the arrangement.

It was no surprise to Viceron when Marc Anthony immediately assessed Gabrielle’s beauty and showed interest, Viceron had after all counted on that very fact. A few words spoken to Anthony privately, while Gabrielle was giving orders to her guards, gave the Roman the impression that Gabrielle, while merely a body slave, was exclusively Xena’s, and that the Conqueror allowed no other to touch her bedwarmer. Marc Anthony had tried for years to get inside Xena’s bed himself, without success, something that rankled him to no end, so the information that Gabrielle was Xena’s predictably made him nearly obsessed with the idea of taking her for himself.

When Viceron added that it was Xena’s belief that no man had ever touched her property Anthony, like a good bloodhound given the scent, was firmly on the chase. Viceron would have clapped his hands with glee at the expression in the other man’s eyes when Gabrielle rejoined them, but years of schooling kept his mask ever impeccable.

He would let the Roman warm himself to his subject, and then use his previously concocted excuse to leave them alone before Anthony committed himself too clearly in his seduction. And Anthony would not let a mere body slave refuse him, even should the peasant whore somehow be immune to the seduction that had felled numerous highborn ladies, ending in the same result; Xena’s faith being betrayed with a man she absolutely despised, and in her very own chambers.

It was, simply put, perfect.

It was time to withdraw, he realised suddenly, as Gabrielle was showing subtle signs of becoming uncomfortable with Anthony’s overly solicitous manner and veiled comments, so Viceron rose and told Gabrielle quietly that he would send someone to aid her very soon, but that he must now leave. It was part of his plan to indeed send a few aides to the Royal Chambers, but he intended to wait long enough for Anthony to have gotten Gabrielle in a compromising situation first. Pretending not to see the alarm in Gabrielle’s eyes he bid them adieu.

It wasn’t until much, much later that he would hear how his plan had failed.

After Viceron left, it didn’t take long for Marc Anthony to turn more… aggressive. Gabrielle was not used to such blatant come-ons from strangers, as the fear of Xena’s wrath kept most people at bay, and she was becoming quite frantic in keeping Marc Anthony at a proper distance from herself, both physically and verbally.

So when Mavican entered to ask Gabrielle what to do with another dignitary, an Amazon woman whom Gabrielle of course did not know in the slightest, that had requested a short meeting with someone on a matter regarding the activities of the Amazon children brought to Corinth, Gabrielle jumped at the chance.

Ephiny was quite shocked at being all but bodily dragged into the room and forced to socialise with this overly friendly woman, whom Ephiny worried might not be quite right in the head. But seeing Marc Anthony in the room, and easily catching the hormonal waves pouring off him, Ephiny took a closer look into Gabrielle’s eyes.

So that is how it was. Ephiny did not mind in the slightest to ruin the insufferable Roman’s fun, and what kind of Amazon would she be if she wouldn’t protect a fellow woman from the unwanted advances of a man? She plopped herself down in the couch and grinned insolently.

“Why Tony my boy, I didn’t know you had been invited to our tea party.” Oh Ephiny was actually going to have some fun here. “Me and…” She glanced at Gabrielle quickly and caught the younger woman mouthing her name to her. “…Gabrielle were planning to chat for a while about Amazon traditions and practises, since it interests her so much.” Ephiny put her feet up on the table and patted the seat next to her, a seat that would be completely cut off from Marc Anthony’s lounge chair. “Come, Gabby, sit.” The gratitude in Gabrielle’s eyes brought a genuine smile to Ephiny’s lips.

Then she grinned again and turned to Marc Anthony. “Did you know that there are no males allowed in the Amazon village at all, not even animals?” A blatant lie, but Marc Anthony wouldn’t know that. “Anything that is brought in, like horses for instance, first has to be… “ She made a cutting motion with one hand, still grinning madly. “…snip snip.”

“Oh really? Tell me more!” Gabrielle gasped with exaggerated wide-eyed interest that made Ephiny want to laugh. “How do you do that?”

Oh yeah, Ephiny thought, Gabrielle was pure evil. And Ephiny wholeheartedly approved. “Well, first there’s these tongs…”

And Marc Anthony turned very pale.




It didn’t take long before Marc Anthony, slightly green in countenance and glowering badly at Ephiny, excused himself from their company. As soon as the doors had closed behind him, Gabrielle and Ephiny burst out laughing. After the laughter died out, and Gabrielle had thanked Ephiny profusely, they sat companionably talking for real for quite some time.

They were still talking and laughing when Xena found them, nearly two candlemarks later.



At first Xena just blinked, too surprised to react even with the red-hot jealousy that undoubtedly otherwise would have consumed her at the thought of her beloved so greatly enjoying the company of another. That momentary paralysis most likely saved the Amazon bodily harm at the very least.

Upon seeing Xena, Ephiny sobered and stood to leave. She nodded formally at Xena, then turned and smiled at Gabrielle. “It is time for me to get going. I really enjoyed our little… chat, and I hope I get to see you again during my stay in Corinth.”

Gabrielle positively beamed back. “I enjoyed it too, and I’m sure we’ll get the chance to talk some more before your people leave the palace, Ephiny. Thank you so much for your help with…” Gabrielle waved her hand about vaguely.

“It was my pleasure, believe me.” Ephiny grew serious. “But please be leery of that man, Gabrielle. I know he might not seem as much of anything, but he can be dangerous, and don’t ever let him get you alone again.” Ephiny had rather swiftly gotten fond of the sweetly dispositioned young woman.

“What… are you talking about?” Xena growled dangerously. Ephiny looked at Xena and nodded almost imperceptibly to herself.

“I was going to offer to take care of him if he was to cause any further problems for you, Gabrielle, but I think that perhaps you should just tell Lord Xena everything and let her decide what to do. The Lord Conqueror will put Marc Anthony in his place, I’m sure.” Ephiny smiled briefly at Gabrielle again, sketched at slight bow towards Xena before heading out the door.

Xena turned to Gabrielle with a look so intense that it nearly burned. Gabrielle sighed a little and moved closer. “You see, it was like this…”

Xena was infuriated. It took quite some talking on Gabrielle’s part to convince the taller woman she should not immediately chase down the insolent Roman and introduce his intestines to a red-hot poker or six. She also very much wanted to hold Viceron responsible for Gabrielle’s predicament, but had to grudgingly agree that it did seem as if though he was without blame for once. Xena stewed in her dark thoughts for a moment.

“…and you should have seen how pale he turned after Ephiny said…” Gabrielle continued gleefully, not quite aware that Xena had been too distracted by her thoughts to listen.

So. She was now indebted to an Amazon. It was not something Xena would have preferred if she had a choice in the matter, but still… she was grateful for Ephiny’s aid, knowing things would have turned ugly for her love if the Amazon had not intervened. Xena sighed inaudibly. It would have been better if it had at least been Melosa. Melosa and Xena shared a mutual respect and even a form of friendship that Xena appreciated, not so with the angry young warrior that was Melosa’s adopted daughter, and whom bore a deep resentment for Xena.

She glanced at Gabrielle thoughtfully. She would have to express her gratitude to Ephiny somehow, and very soon. And it would be very genuine indeed, she thought, feeling a smile ghost past her lips.

“Gabrielle.” She interrupted gently. “I am… glad that Ephiny was here for you. I am sorry that I was not.” She pulled Gabrielle to her and murmured into red-gold hair. “I am so sorry, my sweet.”

“Tonight we will hold the first of the Satrap meetings” And Xena thought to herself that she would deal with Mark Anthony there. “and I would like to announce our impending wedding to them during it, if you are willing.” She hesitated for a moment. “Would you be willing, Gabrielle? Will you come to the meeting and let me introduce you to them as my bride?”

Gabrielle smiled at her so lovingly that Xena felt her chest constrict. Gabrielle then reached up and wrapped her arms around Xena’s neck, leaning in for a kiss. Just before their lips met Gabrielle breathed her answer softly. “Of course I will, dearest.”

And then all thoughts of Romans or amazons were swept away.




Evening came faster than Xena had expected. She managed to tear herself from the alluring warmth of Gabrielle and prepare for the meeting with some effort, as in truth she would have preferred to remain where she was and tell the Satraps to snipe at each other without her. But this particular meeting had incentive like no other ever had held, with Satraps or otherwise, she was after all about to declare her wedding plans. Not to mention that a certain Roman would get what was coming to him, and in spades if he wasn’t very, very careful.

Xena arrived at the meeting late, leaving Gabrielle to get ready and join her a while later. Xena fully intended to have certain matters handled before Gabrielle joined them, so that her beautiful love would not have to witness any… unpleasantries before their declaration.

The Satraps were getting somewhat impatient by the time Xena joined them, although they hid their displeasure or, in some cases, amusement, well. Xena smirked at them.

Glaphyra was openly grinning at Xena from across the table, causing Xena to smile briefly as Glaphyra did a suggestive little eyebrow dance that quite frankly made her look ridiculous. Boadicea looked as if she was gnashing her teeth next to Glaphyra, which made the insolent Satrap of the Africaans roll her eyes and snort. Those two always bickered when given any opportunity. Next to Boadicea sat Lao Ma, serene as always, although Xena thought she could detect just the tiniest hint of curiosity in the black eyes of her one-time mentor. At the end of that side of the table sat Cleopatra and Marc Anthony, primping as usual.

Xena all but sneered at the man before forcing her attention at the other side of the table.

On the other side of Glaphyra sat Melosa, Ephiny and, for some odd reason, Lao Ma’s son Ming T’ien. Xena had been aware that the boy was going to be present, as Lao Ma was readying him for greater responsibilities in governing Chin, but she would have expected him to be seated next to his mother. No matter, the sullen youth had no doubt had another round of angry words with, or rather at, his placid mother, and sat as far away from her as he could in a juvenile attempt at punishing her. Xena really couldn’t care less.

She did, however, notice Ephiny glaring at Marc Anthony, and frowned.

Xena greeted them all, and briefly told them that their usual discussions were going to have to wait just a little while as there were more pressing matters to attend to first. Ignoring the grunts from Boadicea and the impatient mutterings of Ming T’ien, Xena called Marc Anthony to stand up next to the table.

She took notice of the fact that Cleopatra seemed surprised as she exchanged chairs with her lover, which assured Xena that the Egyptian had no idea about his indiscretions for once. Usually, these two would brag about their various conquests and discuss them together, but Xena wanted to think that Cleopatra would know better than to actively pursue someone that Xena had claimed. Flirting, yes, but more than that? She hoped not, Cleopatra should be intelligent enough to know better.

Marc Anthony was smirking as he stood up, and Xena wondered idly what in the world the man thought she was going to do to him had he succeeded in seducing her lover. No matter, it was not going to happen, she decided firmly, not noticing the low growl that escaped her lips.

She dressed him down, harshly, in just about every way she could that would hurt his ego. It was, after all, his most prized possession, and short of hurting him physically, it was the best she could do. By the end of her scathing delivery, Xena turned to the rest of the surprised Satraps and looked at them as she addressed Marc Anthony.

“Anthony, you are an unmitigated fool. To covet what is mine is one thing, but to pursue it, to try to steal from me, is sheer idiocy.” The glance she threw in Anthony’s direction was menacing. “Know that you will not be allowed within twenty paces of my Gabrielle again unless I am present to kill you myself. Also… tread carefully now, Anthony, another slip up and I will strip you of all that you have, and leave you but another faceless, worthless pauper in the gutters of Rome.”

Xena sat back down, grinning evilly as she watched Marc Anthony struggle, red-faced, with his temper. The second he lost control of it and tried to attack her, he would be dead, but he was almost to angry to care at this point. Fortunately for the pompous Roman, his lover had her wits about her, and Cleopatra pulled him down in his seat and all but sat on him, hissing quietly at him to calm down.

Xena took a long draught of wine as she idly noticed that several faces in the room looked pleased that Marc Anthony had been called on the carpet. Well, she was rather pleased herself, having settled matters before her gentle lover would arrive.

As if summoned by Xena’s thoughts, a light knock on the ornate doors revealed that Gabrielle had arrived.