ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

FanFic Collaboration
Part 3

by Mike Vivian

Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle et al belong to MCA/Universal and Ren Pics.

Copyright © 2000: This is an ongoing collaborative work written by members of the "ForevaXenites" mailing list.
http://www.egroups.com/subscribe/forevaxenites

Violence disclaimer: There may be some of that along the way.  After all, consider our subject!

Love/Sex warning: This is designed to be a "subtext friendly" story.  There may well be references to love/sex between our 2 female leads.  If you are under 18 years of age or if this type of story is illegal in the state or country in which you live, please read no further.

Where in the world is Karmen?

Ephiny was beside herself. Xena’s soul had been split into three parts and transferred into those closest to her. Gabrielle was the possessor of Xena’s way, Argo, her means and Callisto, of all people, was Xena’s heart. Callisto, the Psychotic warrior whose only goal in life was to destroy Xena, was now pledging her love to Queen Gabrielle. It was a general mess all around.

The architect of said mess was a young priestess named Cassandra, who at this moment was trying to figure out where the seer named Karmen lived. “I think I may have something, Regent. It’s not much, but I think it’s what we are looking for. It’s a poem that I think. It goes like this, 

‘To find the one who holds the secret,
Travel towards the setting sun,
Where passions flare,
Look for a fiery top,
You will find the entrance there

To unlock the secret,
You must find the Keep,
There the Keeper,
You must meet,’

That sounds like what we are looking for, don’t you think?”

“My dear Cassandra, I think you’ve got a good start, but towards the setting sun isn’t much to go on. Do you have anything more specific?”

“Well, not at this time, but I am trying awful hard! I mean I know I goofed, but I really am trying.” The poor girl looked like she was about to cry.

“It’s alright. Cassandra, I know you did what you did to protect Xena and I admire that. Don’t give up on me yet, ok?” Ephiny took the young woman’s hand and felt the electricity of her touch. For a moment a look passed between them as they felt the first stirrings of something special.

“Umm, I think I should get back at it. Time is short, you know?” Her voice was a breathless whisper.

Ephiny reluctantly agreed and let her go. She couldn’t believe what just happened. This couldn’t possible be good. She was the regent after all, and Cassandra was so young but she was also very pretty. She needed to clear her head, so she decided to check up on their queen.
She entered the hut where Gabrielle was resting. “How is she?” Ephiny asked Lauren, the healer.

The tall brunette answered, “She is ok physically. She is resting now. As for how she is otherwise, well that is a little out of my domain.”

At that moment, Gabrielle began to stir. She opened her eyes and said, “Ephiny, what happened?”

“You fainted, my queen. You were exhausted.” Ephiny replied.

“Callisto! Where is she?” Gabrielle demanded.

“We need to talk first.” Ephiny told her all that had happened.

“So, part of Xena is in me?”

“Yes, and Callisto and Argo! That’s why Callisto thinks she is in love with you.”

“And why I want to kill her so bad. Only now, I know she has a part of Xena’s soul, I guess I had better try to restrain myself. Where is she?”

“She is in one of the girl’s huts. I don’t think it would be a good idea for you to see her right now. Cassandra is working on a way to find Karmen.”

Ephiny told her of the poem. “It’s not much, but it’s a start.”

“Hmm, you know, I heard of a mountain in the west. It supposedly had a fortress or something called ‘Soul Keep’. It might be a place to start. Only thing is, it's a long journey from here. It would take about 3 weeks. That is cutting it a little close. That would only leave us a week to find this Keeper of Souls and revive Xena. If we are wrong, we won’t get another chance. Let’s see if Cassandra has come up with anything.

Ephiny escorted Gabrielle to the shrine where Cassandra was studying the scrolls.

“Cassandra.” Gabrielle said.

The young Shaman was startled. “Oh, my queen! You are awake. How are you feeling?”

She tried to avoid Ephiny’s eyes, but felt an almost irresistible urge to look into them.

“Yes Cassandra, I was wondering how your search was coming along?”

“Search?” Cassandra said absently. Her eyes were locked with Ephiny’s.

“Yes, your search for Karmen? Hey, Queen talking here, hello?” She then backhanded Ephiny in the chest. Not hard, but enough to get her attention.

“Hey, if you two are finished, we need to get back to the task at hand, namely bringing the woman I love, back from the dead and saving her soul in the process.”

"Oh, sorry Queen Gabrielle. Umm, well…" Cassandra went on to tell her about the poem.

"I see, so this Soul Keep is where we can find this Keeper of Souls?"

"Sure sounds like it. I suggest we start in the morning. This place is quite a ways away. Two weeks at least!" Ephiny said.

"That is cutting it a little close. It doesn't leave us much time." Gabrielle said.

"If we are right, it will be all the time we need, I hope!" Ephiny replied. "I suggest Cassandra and her scrolls accompany us. They may come in handy."

"Alright, first thing in the morning we start. Be ready or get left behind!" With that Gabrielle turned and left the hut.

"I think I had better get my things ready, Regent." Cassandra said and left.

"Whew!" Ephiny exclaimed. It had been a heck of a day. She needed a break. Of course her thoughts were more and more of the lovely Cassandra. Ephiny smiled at the though of holding her in her arms.

The next morning, the search party was ready. Gabrielle was atop Argo, Ephiny was there, as was Cassandra, Serana, several other Amazons and Callisto was there too.

"What is she doing here?" demanded Gabrielle.

"We had to bring her, Gabrielle. We couldn't risk leaving her here when the spell wears off. No telling what she would do!" Ephiny said.

"Gabrielle, I love you! I had to be with you! I have to protect you." Callisto said.

Gabrielle glared at her and said, "Ok, if that's the way it has to be, then I will tolerate her, but keep her away from me."

Ephiny whispered "Gods protect me!" and they set off. As they left Amazon land she wondered what lay ahead of them. Would they find Karmen in time? What challenges would they face? Only time would tell and time was running out.

PART 4

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