ForevaXena's FanFic . . .

A Warlord Falls

by Julia Ford

Disclaimers:  The characters Xena, Gabrielle, and company are owned by MCA/Universal/Renaissance Pictures/Studios USA, and are used here without permission but with many thanks.  The other characters are my creation and are not intended to resemble anyone else living or dead.  My apologies if they accidentally do so!

Copyright:  January 4, 2001

It was mid afternoon when Xena and Gabrielle were sitting on their horses as they looked out over the rolling Greek countryside.

"Kinda nice to be back home, isn’t it?" asked Gabrielle.

"Yeah, and it’s definitely warmer than Odin’s land, but not necessarily drier.  Look."  Xena pointed towards the ugly black clouds that were heaped up in front of them.  For a few minutes they watched as the lightning bounced back and forth between the clouds.

"At least it will just be rain.  I’m so glad we left before winter.  Brrr, think of the snow we’re missing!" Gabrielle shivered as she thought about both the cold and the events of the last year.

"Come on, we better get moving if we have any chance of making it to town before that storm hits," said Xena as she started to urge her horse forward.

Gabrielle put her hand on Xena’s arm.  "Do you think we have a snowball’s chance of making it without having to dodge lightning bolts?"

"Nope, but I know how much you enjoy celebrating the winter solstice so I wanted us to reach Arcopolis in time," said Xena.

"Xena, we have some goodies that we bought at the last village and Gaia’s cave is close enough we should be able to get there without getting wet.  How about a quiet solstice?"

Xena looked at Gabrielle and asked, "You sure?"

Gabrielle smiled, nodded at Xena and then nudged her horse down the ridge towards the cave.

They reached the cave just as the first drops were falling.  Quickly they unsaddled and watered the horses and left them to graze near the mouth of the cave.  The rock overhang to the entrance would give the horses some shelter from the elements.  Inside they lit the torches that still lined the walls and got a fire burning in the large fire pit.  The natural airflow in the cave kept it smoke-free and in relatively short order the cave was warm and cheery and the smell of rabbit stew cooking filled the cave with an enticing aroma.

Xena wandered to the back of the cave where the ashes of Gaia and Deirdre were buried and took a moment to pay her respects.  In death the two women had found what they missed in life...the ability to tell each other how much they loved each other.  Xena shivered when she thought about how empty her life would have been if she hadn’t been able to tell Gabrielle of her love.  Xena looked towards her lover who stood by the cave entrance as she watched the rain pelt down.

Xena moved towards Gabrielle, stood behind her and put her arms around the bard.  Gabrielle sighed and leaned back against her partner.  Together they watched the storm rage. 

"Gabrielle, you’re shivering.  Are you cold?" asked Xena.

"No, I was just..." Gabrielle’s voice trailed off before she finished the sentence.

Xena turned Gabrielle to face her and saw the tears in the bard’s eyes.  "What is it?" asked the concerned warrior.

"I just got to thinking about how I woke up to your note saying you were leaving.  Then I started thinking about all the other times we’ve been separated.  Never again, Xena, never again.  Tell me there’s nothing else in your past which will drive you from my side again," Gabrielle pleaded with Xena.

Xena took Gabrielle in her arms and whispered, "No my love, nothing else in my past can drive us apart.  I need you.  You are what the Rhine maidens thought must have been magic to change me so.  How could I ever leave again?"

Xena kissed the tears from Gabrielle’s cheeks, kissed her lips and then gently led her to their bedroll.  Later, as they lay together in each other’s arms Xena asked, "Feeling better?"

"Much...you know, I may want you to give me that solstice present again in a little while," said Gabrielle as she snuggled closer to Xena.

"It would be my pleasure," said Xena as she kissed the top of Gabrielle’s head.

They lay together quietly for a while before Gabrielle piped up "I guess it’s time for supper.  That stew should be well stewed by now." 

As they were eating Xena looked around the cave and wondered about the scrolls that were lying about.  She knew they’d been written by Deirdre or, in some cases, Gaia.  She and Gabrielle had started to read one once but had been interrupted before they finished it.  The story of the two women was pretty much a mystery to them.

"Gabrielle?"

"Yeah?"

"Do we still have that scroll about Gaia we started to read but never finished?"

"Believe it or not, Xena it’s still in one of the saddle bags.  Why?"

"How about after supper we get ourselves comfortable and I read it to you?  Would you like that Gabrielle?"

"Oooo, another present.  I love the sound of your voice and I’ve always been curious about Gaia and Deirdre.  I wonder if their story is similar to ours."

Xena laughed and said that she doubted if even Gaia’s and Deirdre’s story could possibly have had as many twists and turns their story had.

It didn’t take them long to finish their meal, clean up and settle down with the scroll.  Xena, as Gabrielle leaning against her, started to read...

**

I sing of Gaia, warlord of past and reluctant hero of late.  A daughter of Aleta of Amphipolis and sired by the mysterious force who came to Aleta in the shape of her husband days after that man’s death in battle.  This is the story of her meeting Deirdre, healer of Athens, and the start of Gaia’s climb up the steep slope from evil towards the greater good.

It had been a good day for a fight...provided you were part of Gaia’s army and not one of the militia who had valiantly attempted to defend the village outside the south gates of Athens.  It had been a bit of a mystery why the militia chose to attack Gaia’s army without the support of the Athenian army, but attack they did.  Now Gaia’s forces were firmly in charge of the area, and the warlord was in conference with her top lieutenants.

"Well, any serious injuries?" asked Gaia as Nebus walked into her tent.

"Other than Stephano who was killed by an arrow, we had no deaths and our injuries are mostly cuts and bruises," he replied.

"Good.  Now let’s do some planning for tomorrow.  Today was just a warm up.  Tomorrow we meet the real army.  Where’s Artos?"  Gaia’s voice revealed her distinct displeasure about the absence of one of her commanders.  When nobody seemed to know Gaia snarled, "Find him...NOW!"

Two men scrambled out of her tent in search of the absent lieutenant. 

Gaia took a drink and walked around the table holding the map of Athens as if to consider it from all angles to see all possibilities for attack.  It had been a long road to Athens, a road that started in Amphipolis.  Gaia paused for a minute to remember the incident that changed her life from an innocent little girl to one bent on ensuring that she couldn’t be threatened again. 

She would have been about 11 years old when Athena brought her armies to lay siege to Amphipolis in order to kill Eve, daughter of Xena and granddaughter of Cyrene.  Cyrene had always been so accepting of Gaia.  The warlord smiled briefly as she remembered Cyrene although her smile turned to a scowl as she thought about that good woman’s death at the hands of the people of Amphipolis.  Anyway, during the one of the attacks by Athena’s archers, Gaia had been caught in the Town Square.  An arrow came over the embankment directly at her.  She remembered feeling so helpless, to scared to even move.  It was only at the last moment that Xena had dove towards her and caught the arrow mere inches from her body.  As young as she was she swore at that moment that she would never again allow herself to feel that helpless, even if it meant taking over the world. 

Perhaps Xena could have helped the girl understand that one could be powerful and safe without being brutal and evil, but the gods managed to kill Xena, Eve, and Xena’s travelling companion Gabrielle.  The last that had been seen of Xena and Gabrielle was Ares removing their dead bodies to the God of War only knew where.  Gaia cried when she heard the news of their deaths.  But after she dried her tears, she was even more determined to become a warrior and conqueror.  She had not cried since.  Gradually Gaia accomplished her goals.  Now Athens stood ripe for her to take.

"Nebus, what’s taking them so long to find him?" asked Gaia as she swore under her breath to have a pound of Artos’s flesh for this latest infraction of discipline. 

"I don’t know.  Want me to go help?" asked Nebus as he shuffled about rather nervously.

"No, but for the love of the gods quit fidgeting!"

"Yes sir!"

Gaia returned to her map and her memories.  The development of her army had been a long, but successful process.  Using what she knew of Xena during Xena’s warlord days, Gaia had insisted on a code of honour (or discipline her army would say) for her warriors.  No killing the very young, very old, or very weak was allowed.  Women who didn’t take up the sword weren’t to be killed.  No rapes were tolerated.  The army would take what it needed, but no more.  Her men were paid well and generally had adapted well to the code of honour.  The exceptions to the rule, like the missing Artos, ran the risk of feeling her sword.

Gaia was brought out of her thoughts by a commotion outside her tent.

"Take me to her.  I must speak to her.  My name is Deirdre." A woman’s voice penetrated though the male voices that were telling her to take her followers and scram.

Gaia was not in the mood for an interruption as she stormed out of her tent to face the woman who had dared to demand to see her.

"What is going on here!" Gaia’s cold voice demanded a response.

"This woman claims to be a healer and is intent on seeing you," said the guard who was holding one of the woman’s arms.

The woman shook the guard off of her and faced Gaia.  "My name is Deirdre and I’ve come to ask for safe passage for the staff of the hospice to remove the dead so they can be sent to their gods and to remove the injured such that I can take them to be healed." 

Gaia walked around the woman and was rather taken by her looks.  She was younger than Gaia, but wasn’t naïve looking.  She had long blond hair.  The woman’s green eyes were serious looking, but curiously lacking in fear given she was facing a very dangerous woman.   Gaia could feel the desire of her battle lust grow as she looked at this woman, but following the code of honour she demanded of her army she put her lust aside.

"And just why should I grant your request?" snarled Gaia.

"To follow your code as an honourable warrior," said the healer calmly facing Gaia.  "I understand that you have one, although I wondered when I passed one of your men raping a woman.  I heard him telling the woman that he was Artos and she would be conquered just as her husband had been.  Your reputation led me to believe you didn’t permit rape."

"Where did you see that happening?" asked Gaia.

"On the porch of the house just to the left of the South Gate," replied the healer.

Gaia voice was as cold as ice as she said, "Nebus, get him and bring him back here.  Bring the woman too.  He will pay for this.  GO...NOW!"

Turning to Deirdre, Gaia said, "Unfortunately I can’t be in all places at all times.  As for you, your followers can collect the dead and injured on the condition that all weapons are left behind.  The guard will ensure that none are taken."  With that Gaia turned to go back in her tent.

"Wait!  I agree in so far as the weapons of the injured, but I cannot agree when it comes to the weapons of the dead," said the healer with conviction.

Gaia turned on her heel and walked up to the woman and stood so close that Deirdre could feel the heat from Gaia’s body.  "Do you mean to tell me that you don’t accept my terms?" asked the warlord.

Undaunted Deirdre replied, "I will not dishonour the dead by sending them to their gods without their weapons."

"You’re not afraid of me, are you?" hissed Gaia at the woman.

"I don’t fear death," said Deirdre calmly as she looked into the warlord’s eyes.

In a voice that sent a shiver down the backs of all that heard her Gaia said, "Oh, it is not death that you should fear, it is the process of dying.  I can think of some pretty ugly processes, can’t you?"

Deirdre decided not to respond in word or action, but rather stood looking at Gaia waiting for the warlord to make the next move.

"Very well, take the weapons of the dead, but if I see even one of those weapons in the hands of a living soldier, you will personally experience one of the less pleasant ways to die.  Slow, painful and degrading.  Got it?" asked Gaia as she continued to stare at the healer.

"I got it.  Thank you." 

Deirdre’s thanking the warlord took Gaia by surprise although she was careful not to let Deirdre see it.  This woman was different from all the women Gaia had ever met before and the healer aroused Gaia’s curiosity.  But, Gaia figured she wouldn’t ever see her again so she dismissed the healer from her mind and started to turn back to her tent.

Before Gaia could make it, Nebus was there with Artos and a terrified looking woman.  Gaia turned back to face her man and as she did so she saw Deirdre out of the corner of her eye.  It was probably a good thing for Artos that the healer hadn’t left because somehow Gaia did not want Deirdre to see her totally brutal side.

The blow across Artos’s face put the man on the ground.  Looking down on him Gaia said, "You’re a worthless excuse for a warrior.  You’ve flaunted the rules continually and have set a miserable example for the men.  You’re no longer one of my lieutenants.  You’re busted to the lowest foot soldier.  Now crawl out of here before I kill you."  Gaia’s boot in the man’s side as he tried to get up and walk put him down on his knees again and he crawled away.

Turning to the woman Artos had raped, Gaia said in a gentle voice that surprised Deirdre who wasn’t yet out of hearing range, "I’m sorry that you’ve been hurt by him.  Take this compensation."  The warlord put a sum of dinars in the woman’s hands.

The woman looked outraged despite her fear.  Outraged that the woman who controlled the army that had killed her husband would dare to offer her money after allowing one of her men to rape her.  She was about to throw the money back at Gaia, but Nebus gently led her away and suggested that she didn’t want to anger the Gaia who could kill her in the blink of an eye.   Wisely the woman took his advice and walked away.

"OK everyone, back to work and out of my sight!  I need time to think.  And you, healer, you have one hour to pick up the dead and wounded so get out of here."  Gaia was feeling incredibly frustrated that on the eve of what she intended would be her greatest victory she was being distracted by rapes and healers.  She was also disgusted that one of her key men just didn’t get what it meant to have a warrior code of honour.  Back in her tent Gaia put her hands down on her table and stared blindly at the map lost in thought as she planned out the campaign for the next day.

It was the sound of crossbows being raised that jolted Gaia back into awareness.  Before she could go out to see what was going on, seven crossbow bolts were screaming into the tent through the canvas from all directions.  She caught three, another three bounced off her amour, but as skilled as she was the seventh stuck her.  Gaia hit the ground bleeding heavily from the bolt lodged in her chest.

Artos entered the tent along with many of his supporters and said, "So you’d bust me to common foot soldier would you?  I’m going to bust you to a common corpse."  With that he gave her a ferocious kick in the side.

Gaia didn’t react to the kick.

"Damn, I wanted to have some sport with her.  Nebus, check her pulse."

Nebus checked and shook his head at Artos.  "Do you want me to get her out of here?"

"Yeah, this is my tent now.  When you get back, call the troops, we are going to do some serious partying to celebrate today’s victory.  The type of partying her warrior code wasn’t into!" exclaimed Artos as he rubbed his hands in evident glee.

Nebus picked up Gaia and carried her to the stable and gently lay her down beside her horse.  Then he whispered, "Remember me when you recover."  With that he tossed a blanket over her and left. 

**

Deirdre’s followers had thought she was crazy when she suggested they approach Gaia for permission to gather the wounded and collect the dead.  Especially when she insisted on not even carrying her staff for self defense.  Deirdre had wondered about her sanity, but knew by her sixth sense that she had that all would be ok.  It was this sense that allowed Deirdre, as young as she was, to be the best healer in Athens.  Even when patients were unconscious she seemed to know what was wrong.  There were even times when people were alone and sick, and Deirdre would just show up unbidden to tend to them.  Nobody knew where she got this sense from, not even the healer herself.  A gift from the gods she would say to any that asked.

Even so, Deirdre was hard pressed not to question herself when the much taller Gaia was standing in front of her, glaring down and threatening her.  But it had all worked out.  The sick were safely in the hospice, the dead were burning on the funeral pyre (with all their weapons) and Deirdre was standing for a moment watching the flames lick upwards.  Then she turned and went in to treat the injured.

It was hours later when Deirdre finished with the last patient.  When she walked out onto the porch of the hospice she was feeling that everything was under control.  "We might lose two of the soldiers, but no more," thought the healer.

She was pleased with the day’s work, but haunted by a vague feeling of dissatisfaction.  Somehow she just wasn’t finding her work fulfilling.  She smiled a bit to herself as she thought of the one time that she had mentioned she wasn’t satisfied to her mother.  The only suggestion her mom had was that she should find a nice young man and get married.  "Nope, not my style," thought Deirdre.  Her mother hadn’t ever really understood her daughter.  Although Deirdre was now an extremely well respected healer, Deirdre’s mother certainly hadn’t approved of all the time Deirdre had devoted to hanging around with Hippocraties.  

Deirdre’s thoughts turned to Hippocraties.  She had apprenticed with him for several years.  "The best ever" had been his words to describe her.  Deirdre had been a sponge and soaked up all the knowledge he had to offer.  Somehow knowing that his knowledge was grounded in the teachings of Xena made Deirdre feel like she was honouring the warrior princess by carrying on her work.

Deirdre’s sixth sense started to tingle.  Someone was still in need of healing.  She was about to step inside to make sure everyone was still ok when she heard the sounds of sobbing coming towards her out of the dark night.

Into sight came Nebus carrying the battered body of the woman Gaia had compensated after Artos had raped her.

"Can you help her?" asked Nebus as he stepped closer.

"Bring her here.  What happened to her?" asked Deirdre.

Nebus brought her forward and gently laid her on the porch but made no attempt to answer the question.

"How could Gaia allow this?" demanded Deirdre as she started to examine the woman.

"She didn’t, she’s..." Nebus paused and then turned to walk away.

"Nebus, thank you for bringing her to me."

Nebus was startled by the fact that the healer had remembered his name and he turned to look back at her even though he knew he had to get out of there.  If Artos knew he had helped the woman, to say nothing of the fact that he helped Gaia, well Nebus could count on a very short life.  Artos’s brutal handling of the woman sickened Nebus.  It wasn’t likely that Nebus would live too long in either case given the casual way Artos had planned out tomorrow’s campaign.

Nebus turned and looked at Deirdre and said, "If you like palomino horses, check out the nice one in our stables."  Then he turned to leave.

The seeming nonsense statement from Nebus didn’t keep Deirdre from seeing that the man was significantly disturbed.  She called after him and said, "If you need to talk to the commander of the Athenian Army, just say I sent you."

Nebus started to run and was soon out of sight.

Deirdre turned to the woman and said in her most soothing voice, "There now, tell me what happened."

"He came back for me.  That man that the warlord bitch struck down had me dragged to her tent, except he said it was now his, and he said I would be his too."  The woman started to rock back and forth and repeated over and over again, "I couldn’t stop him, I couldn’t stop him, I couldn’t stop him..."

Deirdre had a helper carry the woman inside to a cot.  She got some herbs and made a tea that would put the severely distressed woman to sleep. Eventually the woman nodded off and then Deirdre could tend to her wounds.

"I wonder what has happened to Gaia?" thought Deirdre, "She wouldn’t have give that scum Artos her tent.  There must have been a coup."  The healer sighed at the thought that Gaia was probably dead, and then turned to keep watch over her newest patient.

It was much later in the night that Deirdre walked out to the porch of the hospice and leaned against the railing.  Again she sensed that there was someone that needed her help, but she couldn’t identify where the person was.

"Regis" Deirdre asked the helper, who had also come out on the porch, "are we sure we got everyone who was wounded out of the occupied area?"

"Yep.  I did the final check myself," said the young man.

"Have you heard of anyone else who wasn’t in battle who might be sick?"

"Nope, nobody.  Deirdre, is your sixth sense telling you that we missed someone?"

"Yeah, there’s someone out there in trouble.  I think I know who, I just don’t know where they are.  Don’t worry about it.  All’s quiet.  Regis, why don’t you get some shut eye?"

"I think I will.  Good night Deirdre."

"Good night."

As the man left Deirdre leaned against the porch rail with her eyes closed and tried to visualize where the injured Gaia was.  Somehow she was sure it was Gaia she was sensing, although if there had been a coup surely they would’ve killed her.  "Come on, Gaia, let me find you," thought the healer.

**

It was dawn when Gaia woke up in the straw beside her mare and she was momentarily disoriented.  Then she remembered and a smile slowly crossed her face.  "Well, Nebus, seems we’re even now," thought the warlord.  "I guess it was worth saving your hide from that lynch mob a few years ago."

As soon as Gaia tried to move the pain almost caused her to faint again.  Fighting to stay conscious Gaia assessed her situation.  It was grim.  She could tell by the taste in her mouth that the crossbow bolt had been dipped in poison.  The bolt had also nicked a lung and then lodged against her shoulder blade.  I wouldn’t be possible for her to push the bolt through.  She wasn’t even sure if it would be possible for another person to push it through.  To haul it out the way it came in was very dangerous given the barbed point on the bolt.  To do nothing was a slow death sentence.  She wasn’t sure whether she would die first from the poison, the loss of blood or the inevitable infections that would soon start.

"Why isn’t there a healer around when you want one," muttered Gaia as she mentally kicked herself for letting her guard down and getting shot.

"I guess it is the curse of female warriors from Amphipolis to have their army revolt against them," thought Gaia.  She let her mind wander to that other warlord, Xena.  Her army made her walk the gauntlet.  Xena’s demise as a leader was also precipitated by the effort to have her army follow a code of honour.  That crisis in Xena’s life was key to the turnaround Xena experienced going from the "Destroyer of Nations" to a fighter for the greater good.  If the stories were right, it wasn’t long after the walk through the gauntlet that Xena met Gabrielle.  If Gaia were right, Xena never would’ve been able to continue on the path of the greater good without the influence of Gabrielle.

"Perhaps this is my crisis and that healer Deirdre is my Gabrielle," thought Gaia.  "Gods, I must be getting delusional.  Seems to me that I threatened her to an ugly death just last night.  She’d probably kill me instead of healing me."

Gaia could hear the stir of the early morning.  Some of the members of her army came scrambling in to get their horses.  Seems Artos had woken up late after his night of carousing and things were unorganized. 

"Let’s take her horse as well," said one of the soldiers.

"You crazy?  That horse won’t let anyone else ride it.  Here, I dare you to go and try to put on it’s bridle," said the second soldier as he jingled the bridle.

"You’re on.  Twenty dinars says I can bridle the mare and lead her out of the stall.

"Ok, your loss."

Gaia lay still knowing that her mare wouldn’t let any harm come to her.  As she heard the man approach the stall she could feel her horse tense up.  As soon as the soldier was within range her mare sent him flying with one swift kick square in the chest.  The jingling of the bridle and the thump of the man landing was lost in the sound of laughter.    Gaia heard the bridle being returned to the rail of the stall.  There was no more talk of taking her horse.

There was talk of the day’s battle plan.  Artos was going to just march through the south gate and start killing everyone in sight.   Gaia sighed slightly as she knew that the Athenian army would be lying in wait.  That’s why they didn’t reinforce the militia yesterday.  It was to lull Gaia into thinking they were either away or unprepared.  She knew better than to fall into that trap, but obviously Artos didn’t.

Gaia decided to lay low until the fighting started, then she would attempt to ride out on her horse to find the healer.  She had little hope that she would succeed, but to stay was inevitable death.

**

Deirdre, although somewhat rested after a few hours sleep was again bothered by the sense that there was still an injured person out there.  She was still sure it was Gaia and she was sure time was running out for the warlord.  It had dawned on Deirdre that the cryptic statement of Nebus’s about the horse might have been a hint about where Gaia could be found.  Perhaps the raped woman wasn’t the only person Nebus saved last night.

Her thoughts were interrupted by a messenger from the Athenian Army, who requested they use the west gate out of the city if needed as the battle would be concentrated around the south gate.  She thanked the messenger and then called for the wagon used to transport the injured to be made ready for her.

"Where’re you off to?" asked Regis as he rounded the corner leading the horse drawing the wagon.

"I’m going out the west gate to double back to where Gaia was camped last night.  Her army will be on the move and perhaps I can find the wounded person I keep sensing," said Deirdre as she tossed a healing kit in the back of the wagon.

"Need help?"

"I’ll go alone.  I really need you to look after things here.  Also, please have a cot set up in my room.  I think the new patient will need to be isolated from the others."

"A hunch Deirdre?"

"Yep."

"Well, may you find the patient.  Travel safely," said Regis as he gave Deirdre a hand up into the wagon.

**

It was less than an hour later that Deirdre approached the stable that had been commandeered by Gaia’s army.  It was deserted as all of the soldiers were now over at the south gate fighting.  As the healer walked in she saw a palomino in a large box stall.  It was the only horse in the stables and it was wearing it’s bridle.  As Deirdre walked closer she could see blood on the horse’s side. 

"There, there.  I’ve come to help Gaia.  I know you want her to be ok.  Will you let me help both of you?" Deirdre pleaded with the horse in a very gentle voice as she approached the stall and looked over the rail.  In a heap in the straw was Gaia.  Her saddle was on top of her from her failed attempt to saddle the horse and the crossbow bolt was still sticking out of her chest.

As much as Deirdre wanted to rush in, she knew she had to earn the horse’s trust first so she talked to the mare as she gradually moved closer and closer to Gaia’s horse.  Then she let the horse smell her.  Finally she stroked the mare’s neck.  When the mare didn’t object to being touched, Deirdre slowly started to work her way towards Gaia.  All the while she spoke to the mare in soothing tones as she told the horse everything she was doing.                               

When Deirdre got close enough to Gaia to get a good look, the healer feared she was too late.  The warlord’s face was pale yet flushed from fever, and her breathing was shallow and irregular.  Gently Deirdre lifted the saddle off Gaia and then put it on the mare and secured it.   Then Deirdre knelt beside Gaia and examined her closely.  Deirdre didn’t think she could transport Gaia on her horse without doing more damage, so she decided she had to get Gaia into the wagon.

It was a difficult process, made more difficult by the size difference between Gaia and Deirdre and the mare’s protective nature.  Eventually Gaia was stowed and covered with blankets in the wagon.  Deirdre mounted Gaia’s horse and allowed it to take the lead back to the hospice as she held the reigns of the horse pulling the wagon.

"Regis, I need help," cried Deirdre as she approached the hospice.

"I’m here.  What can I do?" asked the helper.

"Take her to the cot in my room and have the horses cared for.  Be very careful with this one," said Deirdre as she gestured to Gaia’s mare.

Regis walked to the back of the wagon and was about to pick up Gaia when he realized who it was.

"By the gods it’s Gaia!  You want us to heal that killer?"

"Remember your Hippocratic oath, take a deep breath and do it," Deidre’s tone was as harsh as Regis had ever heard it.

"Ok...sorry.  I forgot for the moment.  I was just surprized," said the helper as he gently picked up Gaia.

"Regis, it’s ok.  Thanks."

Regis looked doubtful, but carefully carried Gaia to Deirdre’s room.

Deirdre had one hell of a time getting the arrow out of Gaia without causing major damage.  In the end she had Regis physically haul Gaia’s shoulder blade out of the way so she push the bolt through.  The passage of the bolt caused the bleeding to start anew.  To make matters worse, she discovered that the bolt had been dipped in poison.  Deirdre was thankful that Gaia remained unconscious for the procedure.  Finally, with the bolt removed, the wounds dressed, the warrior cleaned up, and a dose of the antidote given, Deirdre sat down across from the cot and started her vigil.

For sure the warlord wasn’t out of trouble.  An infection had already set in and Gaia was burning up.  Patiently Deirdre wiped the perspiration from the warrior’s face and applied cool cloths to try and bring down her fever.  Nothing seemed to be helping.  Gaia’s temperature was dangerously high.   Deirdre was counting on the warlord’s constitution to pull her through.

**

It was early afternoon and just inside the south gate, Nebus was in the fight of his life.  Artos had been determined that the best course of action was the obvious one...blow through the South Gate and kill everything in sight.  Artos was sure that they would own Athens by nightfall.  Nebus, was sure Artos had porridge in his head instead of brains because the plan seemed awfully like they were walking into a trap but nothing Nebus said made any difference.

Most of the army had been trapped and killed by the superior skills of the Athenian Army.  Out of the corner of Nebus’s eye he could see Artos and his guard fighting a losing battle.  Facing his opponent, Nebus made the decision of his life.

"In the name of the mercy shown by your healer Deirdre, I surrender," said Nebus as he threw his sword to the ground.  He didn’t know if he would be struck down or captured but it didn’t matter.  He just didn’t want to kill anyone else in a losing cause.  As his voice carried on the wind, other soldiers followed suit and dropped their weapons.

"Fight, fight you yellow-bellied excuses for warriors, fight or I’ll kill you myself," cried out Artos as he realized his army was surrendering without his say so.  They were the last words he ever spoke as he was struck down by an arrow shot by one of his own men.

"Artos, your stupid plan just about got us all killed.  My brother was one of the first warriors to fall.  Gaia would have kept our hides whole," said the archer as he dropped his bow and surrendered.

The Athenian army herded the handful of survivors and the few walking wounded together and led them away. 

"Deidre, I’ve just heard, it’s over," said Regis as he leaned into the room where she was keeping watch over Gaia, whose fever was remarkably starting to abate.

Deirdre looked up at the man with a rather surprized look on her face.  "So soon?" she asked.

"Yep.  Artos led them straight into the trap the Athenian Army had set and it was a forgone conclusion that the army would win.  The only question was how long it would take."  Regis grinned as he continued, "It seems the battle was cut short when that hulk of a man who brought in the raped woman surrendered in your name."

"My name?"

"Yeah, seems he said something about the mercy of the healer Deirdre just before he dropped his sword.  Anyway the commander would like us to go and collect the seriously wounded.  His soldiers are looking after the dead.  Shall I tell him we are coming?" asked Regis.

Deirdre paused for a moment, looked at the unconscious Gaia and then nodded.  "Send in one of the woman to keep watch here."

**

The carnage after battle was, and always would be, hard to take with the smell of death and the groans of the injured and dying.  The loss of life in this battle had been brutally high among Artos’s men and Deirdre was disgusted as she walked through the blood soaked battlefield looking for survivors.  The Athenian army’s death toll had been relatively small.

Deirdre had been reluctant to leave Gaia, but figured she was likely to remain unconscious for a good deal longer than it would take them to retrieve the wounded who hadn’t been able to walk off the field of battle.  Even so, Deirdre was anxious to get back quickly.  As soon as she could she sent Regis back with the wounded and then she went to talk to the commander briefly before heading back herself.

"Deirdre, why would he have surrendered in the name of your mercy?" asked the justifiably curious commander.

"I don’t know.  I’ve only seen him twice before.  One of those times it was to save the life of a woman who had been brutally raped," replied the healer.

"Well, whatever his reasons, he saved us from more casualties.  He alone could have killed more of our soldiers.  Thank you for the help with the wounded."  With that the commander turned to return to other duties.

Deirdre was thankful to be on her way.  Something told her that all was not as it should be at the hospice.

**

"Gaia, my name is Regis.  Don’t hurt her.  She was only trying to help you."  Regis had stopped at the entrance of the room and was feeling like he was going to soil his pants he was so scared. 

Regis had returned to the hospice with the injured to the sounds of screaming coming from Deirdre’s rooms.  He had left the injured with some of the other healers, and headed over at a dead run.  As he reached the door to the healer’s rooms he was horrified by what he saw.  There, looking as sick as a dog but as fierce as a wolf, stood Gaia with the woman who had been left to watch over her in her arms.  The warlord had a knife pressed to the woman’s throat and Regis could see a thin red line forming along the knife-edge.

"I want the healer -- now," ordered Gaia in a low fierce voice.

"She hasn’t returned from the battle field."  Regis managed to maintain at least an outward appearance of not being in total panic.

"Well, puppy, you go and make sure I’m the first person she sees when she gets back.  Understood?" asked Gaia.

"Understood."

"Good.  Now you squirming, screaming thing," said Gaia as she addressed the woman in her arms "you’d best stop.  I don’t want your precious Deirdre to have to clean up too much blood."

The woman caught the warlord’s drift and stood as still as she possibly could.  Her only movement was her shaking from fear.

Regis was good to his word and as soon as Deirdre was in sight he went and quickly briefed her on the situation with Gaia.  Deirdre sighed in frustration as she listened to Regis’ tale. 

"Damn her," thought the healer, "why can’t she just wait until she heals?  Oh, no, has to live up to her big bad warlord image I suppose."

Deirdre calmly walked into her room and before she could say a word Gaia said, "What took you so long healer?  I thought I was going to have to kill little "Miss Trembly" here."

"Sorry Gaia, I was just out trying to see how many of your army’s hides were still intact enough to be worth trying to heal," said Deirdre, as she looked Gaia straight in the eyes.

"They’re not my army."  Gaia spat the words out with venom the likes of which the dealer had never heard before.  "They stopped being my army the moment that crossbow bolt nailed me.  Tell me Artos’ hide isn’t one of the ones worth saving."

Deirdre took one or two steps closer as she said, "No, he’s dead with a bolt from one of his own archers lodged in his heart."  Deirdre then took one more step closer to Gaia and the woman she was holding.

"Stop, right where you are.  Not another inch closer or "Miss Trembly" here is history.  Got it?"  Gaia pressed the knife a little closer to the woman’s neck and the blood started to flow again.

"I tell you what.  I’ll back up a step if you slack off on the knife a bit.  Deal?" asked Deirdre.

Gaia paused slightly.  Her head was still so foggy from the poison that everything around her seemed to be kind of fuzzy...everything except Deirdre.  The warlord still couldn’t get over the woman’s lack of fear, or her good looks.  Gaia nodded her agreement to Deirdre who then took a step back.   With the step accomplished Gaia eased up on the knife.

"Now Gaia, how about you let her go altogether?" asked Deirdre.

"No way!  I need someone as a shield so I can ride out of here without fearing I’ll be shot."

"How about you let her go, and I’ll come with you...with no struggle," said Deirdre.

"Deirdre" cried Regis who stepped into the room, put a hand on the healer’s shoulder and continued, "you can’t go with her!"

"Regis, you and the staff don’t need me.  She does.  Trust me.  Go and get her horse ready.  Pack it with everything we will need to camp including food, water and clothes for both of us," said the healer without taking her eyes off the warlord.

Regis paused, as he just couldn’t get his head around the fact that Deirdre was going with Gaia.

"Regis, I said go and get her horse ready.  Also, make sure you put a full healer’s kit in the saddlebag, including more of the antidote.  Now GO, and don’t tell anyone what you are doing -- especially the army."  Deirdre spoke forcefully to Regis, not because she wanted to, but she didn’t think Gaia would be very patient with delays.

Shaking his head, Regis left to do as he was told.

In a very gentle voice, Deirdre said to Gaia, "Please let her go.  I’ll go with you."

Gaia wasn’t surprised that the healer was volunteering to go with her.  She had expected that Deirdre couldn’t put anyone else in danger.  Actually the warrior was very pleased.  She wanted, when she was well enough, to get to know Deirdre better...much better.

"Very well.  Provided that I have your word that you won’t try to escape me," said the warlord as she stared intently at the healer.

"I’ll stay with you until you reach your destination and you’re fully healed.  Will that do?" asked Deirdre.

Gaia paused.  She wanted much more of the healer than that, but figured she could persuade -- or force -- the healer to stay when the time came.  Gaia knew that Deirdre was aware of her battle code of honour, but the warlord suspected that the healer didn’t know how she conducted her affairs when not in the field.  Otherwise she would have never have offered to exchange places with the shaking woman Gaia held in her arms.  Gaia was not above taking a woman slave or two to service her sexual needs when not in the field.  When at war they were just a distraction, but when not at war, well Gaia thought that Deirdre would fit the bill well.

"That will do healer.  To show my good faith, here..." Gaia pushed the woman she was holding towards Deirdre.

Deirdre caught the woman, kissed her on the cheek, and told her everything would be fine, and sent her out of the room.

"Oh, yes," thought Gaia as she watched Deirdre kiss the woman, "when I’m healed I’ll make you kiss me...but on the lips."

Deirdre saw the look of lust in the warlord’s eyes and realized she would have to deal with it once Gaia strength returned.  The realization didn’t weaken her resolve to go with the warlord rather it increased her determination to not only heal Gaia’s body, but to also put her on the path towards the greater good.  "If Xena could change, then so can Gaia," thought the healer.

"Get my sword.  I know you have it hidden somewhere," ordered Gaia as she took a step towards Deirdre.

Deirdre retrieved the sword from the bottom of the blanket box and handed the sheathed sword to the warlord.

With a quickness that startled Deirdre, Gaia drew the sword and had the tip resting in the small hollow of Deirdre’s neck.  Gaia looked intently at Deirdre looking for signs of fear and was pleased yet disappointed to not see any.  She was glad the healer was not afraid of her, but was not used to anyone facing her unafraid -- especially when she had a sword at their throats.

"Deirdre!" Regis had walked in to tell the healer that the warlord’s horse was ready, complete with all the supplies he could think that they might need.  He had not expected to see her standing there with Gaia’s sword at her throat.

"It’s ok Regis.  Please leave us and ensure the path to the horse is clear.  I don’t want anyone accidentally getting hurt.  And Regis..."

"Yes Deirdre?"

"Thanks for all your help.  I know the hospice will be in good hands with you," said Deirdre who didn’t look at the man but kept her eyes on Gaia.

"Deirdre, when will you be back?"  Regis’ voice trembled slightly as he asked.  He was scared witless that the warlord was just going to use Deirdre as a human shield until they were safely out of Athens and then kill her.

"When I get here.  Please go now and clear that path.  I think Gaia is getting a little impatient," said Deirdre.

Regis left and in a moment or two called to them to say that the path was all clear.

"Do I need to tie you up?" asked Gaia.

"You have my word.  It ties tighter than any rope could," replied the healer.

"Very well...lead on," ordered Gaia as she removed the sword from Deirdre’s throat and then followed her to her horse.  Once they got there, Gaia ordered Deirdre to sit in front of her on the saddle and then they headed out.

**

The afternoon had progressed into the darkness of twilight before Gaia stopped.

"Whoa Ariel.  We need to stop here for the night girl," said Gaia in a very gentle voice as they pulled into a small glen.

Deirdre slipped off the saddle and stood at the horse’s head as Gaia swung out of the saddle.  The warlord’s knees buckled as she touched ground and the healer rushed to her side.

"I was wondering how long it would take before your injuries got the better of you," said Deirdre as she helped the warlord to her feet.  "Your fever is back.  Here sit on this rock.  I’ll set up camp,  get a fire going, and look after Ariel."

Gaia nodded weakly and sat with her head down to control the nausea she was feeling.  She would’ve loved to have put more distance between herself and the Athenian army, but figured she would have fainted in the saddle if they went any further.  As she sat there she kept an ear out for Deirdre just in case the healer decided to do something stupid like try and kill her, but the only noises were what Gaia expected to hear as the healer set up camp.  It seemed like only an instant passed before Gaia felt an arm helping her up.  She was guided and helped to sit down on a thick fur bedroll.  Deirdre lay her sword beside the warlord and then the healer passed her a mug of tea.

"What’s in it?" asked Gaia suspiciously.

"It has some herbs that will help bring down your fever as well as something for the pain.  Don’t worry, if I’d wanted to see you die I never would have rescued you from the stable," said Deirdre as she put some more wood on the fire.

"Why did you save me?  It seems to me that I threatened you with a long, painful and degrading death only yesterday."

Deirdre looked up from the fire.  "I’m a healer...I heal."

"Even your enemies?" asked Gaia.

"Yep.  When Hippocraties and I put together the Hippocratic Oath for healers, we made a conscious decision that healers should pledge to heal everyone who has needs -- friend or foe," said Deirdre.

Gaia squirmed a bit because the earnestness she could see in Deirdre’s green eyes.  The people who usually surrounded the warlord only had hatred, greed or fear showing in their eyes.  Gaia hated to think what Deirdre could see in her eyes.

"Here, let me check your chest wound.  Because of the poison and infection I couldn’t cauterize it.  I want to change the dressing." Deirdre brought the healing kit, knelt down beside the warlord and carefully removed Gaia’s coat and shirt to be able to get at the wound.  Then, with a touch more gentle than any Gaia could ever remember feeling before, Deirdre removed the dressing and cleaned the wound.  It had been bleeding slightly from Gaia’s active day, but otherwise the wound was in good shape so Deirdre put a fresh bandage on it and helped the warlord back into her clothes. 

Gaia was silent as Deirdre finished cooking supper and passed a plate to the warlord.  She also ate in silence as she tried to understand why the healer was be so gentle with her...Gaia...warlord, bitch, conqueror, slave master....  It just didn’t fit anything Gaia could understand.  All she knew was violence and the quest for power.

Deirdre left Gaia to her silence until after she had cleared up from the meal. 

"How are you feeling now?" asked Deirdre.

"Like I could sleep," replied Gaia. 

"Well, why don’t you try and get some?"

"Healer, put your bedroll beside mine, lie down and tell me about yourself." Gaia’s words came out as half order half request.

"My name is Deirdre," said the healer as she moved her bedroll closer to Gaia’s and pulled off both her boots and Gaia’s.

"I know."

"Why don’t you use it?" asked Deirdre.

"I have my reasons," said Gaia who feared if she used the healer’s name she would have to think of her as a person, not just an object to be used.

"Ok Gaia," said Deirdre as she settled down in her bedroll.  "Anyway, I was born in Athens of parents who believed in the education of their daughters, although I doubt they had in mind my spending long years apprenticed to Hippocraties learning the art of healing instead of music, history or art.  They also wanted me to get married to some nice young man, but that’s not my cup of tea.  Anyway after I finished learning all I could from my mentor, I started the hospice in Athens.  I wanted to give a bit back to my hometown.  Gaia, you look beat.  Why don’t you try to get some sleep?"

Soon the warlord was asleep, aided by the second dose of tea she had with supper.  Deirdre spent a bit of time looking up at the stars and wondering what on earth she had gotten herself into.  It was not too long before she also drifted off.

Sometime later Deirdre woke up feeling that something was wrong. 

"Gaia?"

"I’m so cold..."

"It’s the fever.  Here...."  Instead of finishing the sentence, Deirdre crawled into Gaia’s bedroll, pulled her fur on top of them and proceeded to wrap herself around the warlord’s body to warm it up.

Gaia felt herself warm up in the healer’s arms.  She also realized as she drifted off to sleep that she felt safe.  Something she had not felt since the day Xena saved her from the arrow.

**

The sun was high over top of them as the trotted in a northerly direction.   Gaia, although still pale and weak, had insisted that they depart early.  It was only mid-day but they were considerably further away from Athens then they were when they stopped last night.  Deirdre was concerned that Gaia wouldn’t stop to rest and eat given how driven she was to make tracks.

"Gaia?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we going?" asked Deirdre.

"To the Amazons," replied Gaia.

"The Amazons!"  Deirdre was surprised to say the least.  Of all the destinations she had been imaging, the Amazons had never crossed Deirdre’s mind.

Gaia laughed, a low beautiful laugh, and asked, "Why so surprised, healer?  They won’t eat you."

"I know they won’t, but Amazons?" asked Deirdre.

Gaia laughed again and said, "Well, perhaps this will help.  I entered into a treaty with the Amazon Queen many years ago out of respect for Queen Gabrielle.  She came with Xena to Amphipolis many times and always was kind and good to me.  She made a point of telling me stories and helping me with my reading and writing.  The last time I saw her was when Athena attacked to try and kill Xena and Gabrielle’s daughter.  I really couldn’t see what the big deal about the baby was, but the gods were all tied up in knots about her.  On the day that Xena grabbed one of Athena’s arrows out of mid air just before it hit me, the day that made me who I am, Gabrielle was there to try and comfort me.  I knew I was safe whenever Xena was around, but Gabrielle gave me love.  Anyway, my treaty with the Amazons is simple.  I make sure my army leaves them alone, and they provide me a safe refuge where I can come with a single companion.  I thought if I was ever overthrown a few Amazon protectors would be helpful."

"Gaia, my life has also been touched by Xena and Gabrielle even though I’ve never met them," said Deirdre.

"How so?" asked Gaia.

"They were Hippocraties’ first real teachers of the art of healing.  Xena taught the skills and Gabrielle the bedside manner.  Together they were a great team.  I try to be like both of them," said Deirdre.

"When did they spend time with him?"

"It was during a civil war.  In addition to the healing work Xena also managed to stop the war.  The part of the story that really caught my imagination was when Gabrielle died and Xena refused to accept her death and Gabrielle came back.  For me it was a testament to the strength of the human will."  As Deirdre finished speaking, her stomach rumbled loudly.

"Well healer, the human will may be strong, but I’d say our weak bodies need food and a rest.  What say we stop for a bit?" asked Gaia.

"Sounds good to me," said Deirdre.

The remainder of the journey seemed to pass quickly.  After two more nights of camping...both nights Deirdre crawled into Gaia’s bedroll to warm her up...they found themselves approaching Amazon territory.

Gaia stopped the horse and said, "hear that bird calling?"

"Yes," replied Deirdre.

"Well that’s actually an Amazon scout sending a message back to let them know we’re coming.  Time to dismount and lead the horse.  It won’t be long before we are challenged.  When we are, just do what I do," said Gaia,

"Ok," said Deirdre who was secretly looking forward to meeting the Amazons.

**

"Oh centaur-poop," thought Tephiny when she got the word that Gaia and another woman were approaching.  "I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  We’d heard that she had been overthrown and killed, but it takes more than that to stop the warlord Gaia."

Tephiny, was the acting the regent in the absence of the Queen who had gone to a peace council with several other bands of Amazons.

"Figures the Queen isn’t here," said Tephiny out loud.  "Send our best runner to take the message to tell our Queen that Gaia has come and that I will accord her what the treaty dictates.  Then send me five of our best.  Seems we need to form a welcoming party."

The Amazon who had brought message that Gaia had been sighted nodded and slipped silently out of the regent’s hut.

Tephiny put on her weapons and war clothes and prepared to go meet the warlord.  In some ways she admired Gaia greatly for her feats on the battlefield.  In other ways she detested the woman.  If even half the stories of her keeping female slaves just for the purpose of pleasuring her were true, well Tephiny thought that Gaia should be punished big time.

"I hope the woman with her isn’t a slave.  We don’t allow for female slaves as part of our law.  Hmmm, if she is I could have an interesting conflict on my hands," thought the regent as she left her hut to meet the five would join her to greet Gaia.

It didn’t take the Amazons long to get to Gaia’s location and when they did they swooped out of the trees like birds of prey and surrounded the two women and their horse.

Gaia unsheathed her sword and immediately dropped it on the ground.  She then tried to raise both hands and clasp them over her head.  She was only partially successful because of her injury, but Deirdre understood and raised both of hers.

"Well Gaia," said Tephiny as she raised her mask and walked around the warlord, "seems the reports of your death were greatly exaggerated."  The regent paused for a moment and then said, "lower your arms.  I see that while you’re alive, you’re not exactly whole.  Who’s your friend?"

Gaia looked at Tephiny and said, "she is a great healer from Athens."

"Ok," replied Tephiny, "but does the healer have a name?"

Gaia said nothing, still refusing to use Deirdre’s name, so Tephiny looked directly at Deirdre and asked, "can you speak your name for me or has the great one here ripped out your tongue?"

Deirdre looked shocked for a half-second because the Amazon seemed to be in earnest about the possibility that Gaia could have ripped her tongue out.  Then she recovered herself and said, "My name is Deirdre.  I don’t know why, but Gaia won’t use it."

"Her loss," said Tephiny with a shrug.  "Welcome Deirdre."  Then she turned back to Gaia and said, "I assume you are seeking refuge?"

"For now, yes I am," responded Gaia.  "Where’s the Queen?  Or does a warlord with no army not rate royal treatment."

"The Queen will see you when she returns from her visit to one of the other tribes.  I’ve already sent a runner to let you know you’re here."

Gaia smiled and said, "oh, I have no doubt you sent that runner as soon as you heard I was in the territory."

"You understand that while you are with us you must obey Amazon law?" asked Tephiny her brown eyes looking directly into Gaia’s blue ones.  Nobody watching could tell that the regent was shaking in her boots.

"Yes, I understand that is one of the conditions of the treaty," responded Gaia in a calm relaxed voice.

"Good.  Come, we will walk you to the village and I’ll have huts prepared for you."  Tephiny started to turn to lead the way when Gaia put a hand on her arm.

"What?" asked the regent sounding annoyed.

"We will only need one hut."  Gaia paused and then added the word "Please?"

"Good thing you tacked on the word please.  </