Chapter Four

Very little could unnerve the Warrior Princess.  Reality warping about her and swirling into a shimmering gateway - that was worth a raised eyebrow.  Stepping through it before it closed and left her and her once-Godly companion behind, that was sort of like having her brain peeled back.  It was if all continuity had a skin, and she slipped through it, like slowly being dipped into water.  She didn't step directly to where she was going, either.  For a moment they floated in something totally other... she couldn't find words for it.  It was the current under the surface of the water.  The reflection was gone and you couldn't hold it or control it, only feel it and drown in it.  The strong male presence next to her urged her on - he knew what was happening.

Like a cork from a bottle, they popped out the other side.   

Wrapping her arms about her quarry, she tumbled to the ground.  There was a thump, a grunt and a groan beside her.   She sat still for a moment, taking stock of where she was.  There was the sound of people talking, the odd bleat and snort of a farm animal, and below her was the pressed dirt of a road.  They were back in Minoeta.

Slowly, she rolled over, sitting up.  The amphora, the lute and the little package were fine.  Glancing about her, she saw that they'd landed in the same square they'd disappeared from.  

"Ow... Ow-ow..."

Ares lay on his back in the middle of the road, staring into the sky, brown eyes wide.

"What?"

"I think..." He winced. "I think I hurt my back..."

Xena smirked.  "Congratulations."

Slowly, he rolled to his feet.  Xena followed suit, leaving the gifts on the ground and stepping over to him.

"Here... let me have a look..."  She ran her hands swiftly over his back, shoulders, arms.  With a swift slap on his arm, she walked around him.  "You're fine.  Nothing a good walk won't fix."

The erstwhile God nodded.  Looking up at his mussed up long curls, she had to smile, even if it was a small curt one.  A dry leaf was in his hair, and she plucked it out deftly, shaking her head.  A fascinated look flittered over his face, and he held the lock of hair between his fingers, pulling it gently.  He clenched his jaw then, sighing.

"Everything is so damned vivid," he said.  "It feels nothing like it does when I'm a God."

"Enjoy it," said Xena.  

He nodded, not looking convinced that anything could be enjoyed at all. The lock of hair that had been tugged slipped down over one of his eyes, and he almost look like a disgruntled puppy.

"Here," she said, moving a little closer.  Gently, she brushed the lock behind his ear with her fingertips.

He seemed to melt, eyes drifting shut, leaning towards her touch, her hand so close to his cheek.  Opening his eyes, he looked down to her hand, cupping it in his.  Moving closer to him was like breathing... it seemed vital, necessary.

She felt her heart thumping madly in her chest, that familiar old desire bubbling deep within her.  Remember who this is, she told herself, don't let him get to you!

"I don't think so," she murmured, her voice betraying her and sounding husky.  Relief flushed through her body as he sighed and let go of her hand.

She watched Ares look about himself.   His black warrior leathers were gone, a much more comfortable set of clothes on his sculptural frame.  A soft, dark brown sleeveless vest was tied about the middle with a fetching dark blue, black and brown patterned wrap of material.  On his legs was a dark pair of pants, tucked into sturdy knee-high boots, scuffed and nondescript.  Around his shoulders was a cloak with a hood, and at his hip was a very ordinary looking sword.   The only thing that betrayed his Godly nature was his amulet, pristine and gleaming, nestled against his chest.  A link back, perhaps? she thought.

With a quick breath, she smacked a fist into her cupped palm.

"Come on!  Let's go."

He glanced to her.  "Where are we going?"

"Back to camp," said Xena, picking up the gifts off the ground.  She handed them to Ares.  "Gabrielle and Joxer will be wondering where I am."

Ares groaned.  "Oh great.  Two people I am just *dying* to see..."

"Love me, love my friends, Ares," said Xena, turning to go find Argo.

~~*~~

The fish weren't big enough for a spit, so Gabrielle wrapped them in leaves after scaling and buried them in coals.   It was enough to distract her from Joxer for a time, and she was thankful for it.  He kept himself occupied by practicing the moves that Xena had taught him earlier.  His huffing and muttering melted into the rest of the noises in the early evening; the birds in the rushes, the tinkling water lapping on the sand.

Joxer grew tired of his exercises, though, and he trudged over and sat down next to Gabrielle, seemingly in a good mood.

"How's the fish?"

"In the coals," she replied. "Should be ready in a little while."

He nodded, and leaned back against the tree behind them.  He gave a contented sigh, putting his hands behind his head.

"This is nice," he said. "It's nice."  

"It is," she said, concentrating on keeping the embers glowing.

A strange warmness welled in her stomach.  Somehow, it was nice.  It was so quiet, and it was just the both of them.  Other than Xena's absence, and the mission with Mallecium, there wasn't much to worry about.  It was a calm, quiet dusk.  It was different to when it was just she and Xena.  Perhaps it was because they didn't do this often, there was novelty.  Her heart was lighter for some reason, untethered.  It was so very strange.  The entire situation... it fit.  It felt right, and it scared her to Tartarus and back.  

Joxer began to hum a song, gazing out onto the lake.  His foot tapped, and a little smile curled his lips.

"Joxer, what are you singing?" Gabrielle said shortly, trying not to snap and ruin the lovely evening.

"Oh, you know... it's that new song they've been singing in the taverns lately.  It's funny.  It's about the crazy old widow and the guy with the peg leg and the dog with one eye..."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes, shaking her head.  "Gods.  People will sing anything."

"Yeah," said Joxer, nodding.  "It was pretty funny, the song... gets stuck in your head.  Not epic material, though."

Amusement and incredulity curled about in her chest like a tickling snake.

"And what would you consider 'epic'?"

He shrugged, looking up into the sky.  "Orpheus and Eurydice... that's a beautiful song.  I really like it."

She blinked, suddenly at a loss for anything to doubt or disagree with.  She was expecting him to mention his own song that he wrote about himself.  Smiling, she looked down to her lap, fiddling her fingers.

"It is..."

"Mom used to sing it to me," he said, quietly. "She taught it to me and my brother..."

"Jett sang?" Gabrielle said, dubiously.

"Oh, no, no-no..." Joxer shook his head.  "My other brother."

"How many brothers do you have?"

"Just two," he said.  "Mom said we sounded like little angels when we sang."  He shrugged.  "I think she was being nice to us.  To me, anyway."

"I don't know," she said, shrugging a shoulder.  "You have a strong voice.  Maybe if you hold back a bit... or sing a different song?  I've never heard you sing anything other than your song..."

Joxer looked suddenly bashful.  "Dad always said that singing was for... you know..."  His cheeks got very red.  "For wimps."

Anger flared in Gabrielle's chest.  "Pfft.  Your father is an idiot.  Xena sings."

"Xena could kick anyone's ass this side of Olympus," Joxer said wryly.

"You know, I bet you could sing that song nicely if you tried," said Gabrielle, a strange new determination in her heart.  She turned from the fire, sitting in front of him.  "Do you know that song well enough to sing it now?"

Those brown eyes grew soft, frightened, and he tilted his head.  "You really want to hear me sing it?"

"Sure... why not?"

"Will ya laugh if I make a mistake?"

"Do you laugh if I've made a spelling mistake in my scrolls?"  He shook his head with a knowing smile.  "Right!"  Reaching forward, she pinched his chin between her fingers affectionately, a playful admonishment.

A hot bolt of something wriggled through her body from the point that she touched him, and her palms ached for contact.  She blushed, a little smile on her face that she couldn't quite control.  Any moment he'd puff up, she knew it, and act like a jerk.  Glancing up, she checked his expression.  He was gazing at her with wonder, a tenderness in his eyes that rocked her.  A yawning sensation took her... how much did he hide?  Who was this man?  Who was he really?

A rustling and the chatter of voices registered in Gabrielle's mind, and pulling herself away from Joxer's gaze, she looked to the path through the wood beyond.  One of the voices was very familiar, and sounded exasperated.  Relief shot into her heart.

"Xena!" she gasped, jumping to her feet.  Joxer got up too, gulping.

The relief collided with shock and confusion as she saw Ares come out from the wood behind her.   He had a bundle of things in his arms and an unhappy look on his face.

"Just shut up about your feet hurting," growled Xena with finality to Ares, before turning her attention to Gabrielle.   The little bard rushed to her, embracing her tightly.

"I was worried," said Gabrielle.  "Are you all right?"

"She's fine," scowled Ares, walking towards the camp.  "I, however, have blisters, I'm sure of it."

Gabrielle frowned.  "Blisters?"

Xena rolled her eyes and followed Ares.  "He's mortal for a bit, and he's joining us."

Ares dropped unceremoniously to the ground, dumping the gifts on the pelt he sat on and beginning to warm his hands by the fire.

The bard snorted and rolled her eyes.  "Geez, Xena.  Is there anyone else you want to invite on this mission?  I'm sure Hercules hasn't heard about it yet."

"Gabrielle..." droned Xena in warning.

"And did you say mortal?" added the bard.  She looked to Ares.  "Do you just let anyone take your Godhood or are you deliberately trying to lose it forever?"

Ares shook his head at her.  "I didn't think it could happen... but you've become even *more* obnoxious since the last time I saw you."

"Ares!"  Xena gave him a warning glare, then looked to Gabrielle.  "He has his reasons," said Xena suddenly, looking a little red in the cheeks.  Moving over the Ares, she nudged him in the thigh with the toe of her boot.  "Go on."

Rolling his eyes, the mortal God picked up the gifts again and grunting his way to his feet, he held them out to Gabrielle, a stubborn curl to his lips.

"Here... take these!"

The bard blinked.  "What?"

"They're for you!" he said, shoving them forward and into her arms.

Gabrielle took them, teetering on the spot.  Joxer stood, helping her by taking the lute and the amphora.

"What are these for?" she asked, a little dent of confusion in her brow.

"For uhm, teasing you," he said.  He waved a hand.  "Don't thank me.  In fact, it'd be best if you just forgot about it entirely."

She gave a smile, looking down to the things.  "... Ares!  I-"

"I said don't thank me," he said, shortly.  "I meant it."

With an uncertain nod, Gabrielle turned and placed the little wrapped parcel she'd received in their pile of things.  From behind her came a sweet sound, a perfect progression of notes in harmony, sounding as if they were plucked from sunbeams.  Then came a gasp.  She turned to see Joxer cradling the lute, a disbelieving wrinkle in his brow.

"What?"

"This lute," he breathed.  She'd never seen him so moved. "It's... it's..."

"Handmade by my flaky bro," provided Ares, lying back on the ground and getting comfortable on the pelt.

Joxer now looked stunned.  "Y-you mean... Apollo made this?"

"Yeah," Ares sighed, looking bored.  "He gave it to me in one of his failed attempts to bring out my 'creative' side..."

Gabrielle snorted.  "You?  A creative side?  That's a laugh!"

"Hey!" protested Ares.  "I can sing!"

"But you don't," said Xena tiredly.  She nudged Ares with her foot again.  "Come on, you.  I've got to go  scouting about after Mallecium, then visit Minoeta to make sure your little tantrum this afternoon didn't cause any lasting psychological damage to the villagers..."

Grunting, Ares pulled himself to his feet, as if he were carrying a terrible burden.  "As long as we can go get a few drinks at some tavern after business," he said.

Xena rolled her eyes.  "All right."

The little bard pulled Xena aside, a wrinkle of concern in her brow.  "Xena... are you sure you can trust him?  I mean, it *is* Ares..."

"And he's mortal," she said, dryly.  "Until he gets his Godhood back, he'll be sticking to my side like glue.  Don't worry, Gabrielle.  I have it under control.  It's Mallecium I'm concerned about."  She looked beyond to Joxer, and smiled.  "You stay here with Joxer, enjoy yourself for once."

Gabrielle squirmed.  "How can I do that, when you're out there in possible danger?"

"Are you kidding?"  Xena smirked. "Scouting out war camps, planning defences? I'll be enjoying myself.  I expect you to as well."

"Enjoying yourself?" said the bard with doubt.  "With Ares?"

"Why not?"  Xena shrugged. "I've always wanted to drink a War God under the table."

The both of them laughed, and Gabrielle hugged Xena briefly in a bracing hug.

"You take care of yourself, then."

"I always do," said Xena, turning and joining Ares, who looked very pleased with himself.  

His assured look slipped off his face as Xena walked past Argo.

"Aren't we taking the horse?" he asked her.

She frowned.  "What for?  It's only a couple of miles to Minoeta..."

His face wrinkled as he visibly held in a groan, and his shoulders slumped as he sighed.  "Fine..."

"Gods... it's a short walk, you big girl..."  Xena shook her head.

Ares followed Xena down the path, glancing over his shoulder at Gabrielle and Joxer as they left.  He winked at them, trying to regain some of his nonchalance.  "Don't wait up for us, kids."

Tilting her head, Gabrielle sent him a withering smile, but he was already gone.   She growled.

"Jerk."

This wasn't missed by Joxer.  The man just let out a disbelieving laugh.

"That's a jerk that just gave you the most beautiful lute I've ever laid eyes on..."  He shook his head, strumming chords idly.  Even though they were simple ones he picked out, they seemed to shiver in a bright, happy harmony, as if capturing the sunset that had crept into a mellow dusk.  Not even Gabrielle, in her agitated state, could deny the beauty of the instrument.  She gave him a smile.

"Keep playing it," she said.  "It sounds good."

Joxer smiled back at her.   He watched her as she knelt, lifting up the little parcel.  

"I wonder what's in this?" she asked.

"Have a look," said Joxer.  Unwrapping the bound cloth, Gabrielle let out a little cooing sound.  "What is it?"

"Sweetmeats," said Gabrielle.  "Sugared dates... toffee... ohhh, dried and sugared grapes!"

"Nice."  He gave a little laugh.  "Ares must have really wanted to impress Xena."

"Yeah," agreed Gabrielle, a troubled look on her face.  "Why, though?  Why all this sudden attention on Xena?"

"He's always bothering her," said Joxer, eyes fixed on the lute as he tested out different chords on it.  "Talk about obsessed!"

"Joxer, you're not helping!"  She looked suddenly frazzled.

"Why don't you just relax?" he said.  "I'll play you a nice song.  Xena's off having a good time, we should have one too."

It went against her better judgement.  Yet didn't Xena say for her to enjoy herself?  There had been a twinkle in the Warrior Princess's eyes as she let Gabrielle know of her plans.  This was all something different, something new.  Perhaps that's why it bothered the little bard so much.

It's that change thing again, she thought darkly.  

All she had to do was wait for Xena to come back, and hope that she didn't strangle Joxer in the interim.  As long as he kept playing the lute and not talking, she was sure this would be a possibility.  He kept saying things that made her fret, made her think about things she didn't want to think about.  She glanced to him.

In the dying light of the dusk, with the glow of the fire warming his face, he looked the most at peace and least inept she'd ever seen him.  He held the lute like it was always supposed to be there, and she wondered why he ever picked up the sword at all.   His father, she thought.  How terrible must that man have been, to rob the world of such a talent?

What am I thinking? she wondered.  This is Joxer!  Not Orpheus himself!

A little thought crept into her mind.   Perhaps he *could* have been as good as Orpheus, if he hadn't had that love of music beaten out of him since childhood.  Sighing, she put her attention back to the fish under the coals of the low fire.  She had to hand it to the guy.  As simple as he might have seemed, he sure was complicated once you knew him.

~~*~~

Wind eddied and chased itself through the ruined, abandoned temple.  It picked up leaves and swirled them around before abandoning them and whisking on its way.  The air was heavy, the light sombre.  Only a few shards made it through the dilapidated ceiling, cutting through the grey and splashing a few spots of gold upon the dirty, dusty floor.

It was a temple for an old God, one of Zeus' predecessors.  Perfect for the emergence of a new Goddess.   Artemis appeared within the dead space, bringing life within with the gold sparkling of her energies.

"This is the place," she murmured to herself.

Reaching forward her hands, she pooled her energy, battering the wall between worlds.  After a moment she felt another energy working back at her, and she grinned.

"Yes, yes, my child.  Fight your way through..."

The thin film of reality bulged, twisted, glowed.   Fingers reached forward out of the white centre, followed by gauntleted arms, wiry shoulders and blonde hair.  The body finally dropped down onto the ground with an elated scream.

"Well... we *are* melodramatic..."

The lithe, lethal Goddess was curled up on the floor.  Lifting her head, large brown eyes took in her surroundings.  They settled on the other Goddess before her, a fascinated look on her face.

"You're a Goddess... but which one?"   Slowly, she lifted herself up off the floor, taking in every detail of Artemis' appearance.  "Weapons… bow and arrow.  Good physique… you must be Artemis."

"Callisto," said Artemis, stepping forward.

Callisto looked about herself, then back to Artemis, eyes narrowed in suspicion.  

"To what do I owe this little pleasure?" she asked, stepping about the Goddess.

"I heard about you from my Amazons," said Artemis.  "They said you were terrible, and that you knew Xena, knew how to hurt her."

"So?"

"I want you to help me," said Artemis.  "You're the only one I trust to do the job properly."

"What job would that be?"

The Goddess didn't answer the question.  She looked ready to launch into a heady speech Homer would have gotten his quill ready for.

"Your birth was a special one," Artemis said, standing still as the blonde stalked about like an anxious cat.  "Xena ruined what was to be a remarkable life-"

"-if you want me to take out Xena, you don't have to convince me," said Callisto, looking over her shoulder nonchalantly.  "So... what *did* she do to tick you off so badly?"

"She has committed many crimes against me," said Artemis, discomfitted.  "But that alone is not why I punish her.  My brother wants her above all other mortals."

"Oh, it's an Ares thing, is it?"

Artemis went on, ignoring Callisto's interruption.  "If I can destroy her utterly, in a way that means she would never be able to come back to the world of the living..."

"Never come back?" Callisto tilted her head.  "Well... that'll be fun.  What I want to know is why you need *me* to do it.  Aren't you a Goddess yourself?"

Artemis sighed.  "Yes, well, I suppose I could eliminate Xena myself.  It would cause plenty of pain for my idiot brother, but I really want to get the most out of this..."  She shook her head. "You... you bring Xena pain.  You are her biggest regret, I think.  Her biggest failure as a human being."

"Gee, thanks," said the blonde warrior with a wrinkle of her nose.

The Goddess of the Hunt turned, watching Callisto look supremely bored.  She walked to the girl, brushing a lank tress of hair behind her ear fondly.

"I remember you as a child," she said tenderly, sadly.  "Running amongst the forest, under the boughs of my beautiful trees.  You were like a young doe.  Strong and delicate.  And Xena ruined you without a second thought."

"She ruined my family," said Callisto, both coldly and airily. "She created me."

"Yes..."  Artemis frowned.  "You weren't as was intended..."

"Oh, I must be *such* a disappointment," she said, turning on Artemis.

"No," said Artemis, a soft look on her face. "You're not at all." She moved towards the young woman.  "Your fate is unwritten, Callisto."

"I know," sighed Callisto, shoulders sagging.  "I do wish it was written."  Tilting her head, Artemis looked at her questioningly.  "Say I do this task for you," said Callisto, pulling out her sword and gazing at its point thoughtfully.  "And it *will* be enjoyable, so the chances of me doing it are strong... what are you going to do for me?"

"What do you want me to do for you?"

Those haunted, empty brown eyes met hers.  "End it all."

"End what all?"  Artemis looked a little disturbed.

"Everything," said Callisto, desperation edging her tones. "For me.  I don't want to live anymore.  I don't want to be dead. I don't want exist at all.  I want to feel nothing - absolute nothing!"

"I- I can't!" gasped Artemis, stepping back.  "It's not my place!"

"You said my fate was unwritten!"

"Yes, but this is a matter for the Fates, my child, the Kindly Ones."  Artemis shook her head.  "No, no I cannot interfere."

"But you'll end it all for Xena?" snarled Callisto.  "How does THAT work?"

"She has wronged me!" exclaimed Artemis.  "It is within my rights.  Just because I am a Goddess does not mean I am able to do as I please!"

The blonde warrior snorted, turning away, pacing angrily.  

"I don't understand you," continued Artemis.  "If you dislike this life, why did you become a Goddess?"

"Why not?  I was already immortal.  I thought it had to be better than living forever.  I was wrong."  She sighed, shaking her head.  "I don't know what's worse... the pain, the full, unadulterated pain of mortality, having all you love ripped away from you... or feeling absolutely nothing at all..."  A curious curl took her open lips, and a manic cackle fell from her.  She covered her mouth, giggling.  Tears were in her eyes as she calmed herself, and she stepped back to Artemis, stroking her arms, that desperation back.  "It's all I ask, Artemis...  oblivion."

Artemis tilted her head, bringing the backs of her fingers up to the blonde warrior's scarred cheek.  "What I think you need, Callisto, is some purpose." Callisto looked at Artemis questioningly.  "A mantle?  Somewhere to direct all that wonderful power?"

"What *are* you suggesting?"

"Couldn't you just imagine it?" said Artemis, a mischievous curl to her lips.  "His Godhood gone... his woman destroyed and gone from this world?  It would be Tartarus for him..."

"Oh... THAT has to be against a few rules," said Callisto.

"Revenge, Callisto, is something we Gods take very seriously.  It is also something that lout of a War God has earned..."

"I'll help you," said Callisto, tilting her sword to watch it gleam in the sparse bands of sunlight that stole into the dark space.  "But if I'm not satisfied with the Mantle of War... I'm going to get rid of it, and I want the oblivion I asked for."

With a shrug of her shoulder, Artemis inclined her head regally.  The Goddess of the Hunt was always very pleased when things went to plan.

~~*~~

A few days before he had been confident, but something tickled at his senses.  Three villages lay along his route, ready for domination.  They were poor, but they made a lot of food - food to feed more soldiers.  Expanding his forces was invaluable.  He might have even been able to take a few trade towns if he could do that.  More food, more weapons.  It was perfect, and most worryingly of all - it was easy.

That's what concerned him.  There should have been someone popping up to stop him by now.  Hercules, Xena, or some other stupid fool who fancied themselves a doer of good.  He knew they should have been about, causing him trouble. The quiet was a bad sign, he'd bet his mother's teeth on it.

He continued to ponder and think, looking down at the map on the table in front of him.  His command tent was bedecked with the spoils of their last campaign, reminders of his victories.  They told him he was a great commander, that he could do anything he put his mind to.  His red hair was straggled, at angles, his face dirty and scarred, his clothes and armour worn.  Next town, he would have a real good clean up, buy some new clothes and get his hair trimmed.

The leather flap of the door whisked open, and one of his commanders walked in, doing a brief salute.

"What is it?" asked Mallecium.

"Scouts came back from the surrounding villages.  No sign of Xena or Hercules, Sir.  There was a big fella that made a bit of a fuss... black leather, might have been a God.  But he seems to have moved on now."

Narrowing his eyes, Mallecium tilted his head thoughtfully.  "Is that so?"

The commander nodded.

"You investigated this fully, I see?"

"I left some of our men there to keep an ear out, find out more," said the commander.

"Good," grunted Mallecium.  "I have a feeling there's more that we don't know about...  something's going on, that's for sure."  The commander nodded in thoughtless loyalty.  Mallecium sighed at him tiredly. "You can go."

The commander bowed and scurried out of the tent.

Looking down at his map again, Mallecium took a rock that weighed down the corners and placed it on the dot that marked Minoeta.   He would keep his eyes and ears on that little town.

~~*~~