"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.2

Ephiny sat and listened to Gabrielle who explained the idea she had just gotten.

GABRIELLE
So is it possible?

Ephiny thought for a moment.

EPHINY
As far as I know it's not completely unheard of, but that being said it isn't very common at all. Typically people have opted not to do that because of how complicated it can be.

GABRIELLE
Why, what's so complicated about it?

EPHINY
I'm not really an expert in this area but I'd assume that it can lead to a multitude of issues. Like internal power struggles, jealousy, betrayal, possibly assassinations, murder. All of which could throw the entire amazon nation into chaos.

Gabrielle sighed as she looked down.

GABRIELLE
(Talking quietly) Wow I hadn't thought about any of that.

Gabrielle looked back at Ephiny.

GABRIELLE
So I guess it's not possible then?

EPHINY
I never said that. There have been times where it's worked out fine. Though I think those times mostly came after the tests were put in place.

GABRIELLE
Tests?

EPHINY
As far as I know in order to ensure that both parties involved can be trusted by not only each other but to have the ability to carry out their duties without having their judgment clouded by each other there's some kind of test that they have to go through. But that's pretty much all I know about it. Like I said it's something that isn't typically done.

Gabrielle thought for a moment.

GABRIELLE
Do you know anyone who might know more about this?

EPHINY
I'm not sure. There might be details written somewhere but I doubt you'll find anything here. I think alot of the things involved can be more mental than physical so maybe find someone who's more versed in spiritual matters. Even then I'm not sure how much they'll know.

GABRIELLE
I guess it can't hurt to try.

Gabrielle smiled as she and Ephiny stood up and Ephiny walked Gabrielle outside.

EPHINY
Well before you do anything I'd suggest you have a talk about it with Xena first.

GABRIELLE
(Laughing) Come on Ephiny it's not like I could do this without her.

Ephiny smiled.

EPHINY
Fair point. Well good luck.

Gabrielle left Ephiny's house as she went to look for Xena. Though dispite her outward enthusiasm, Gabrielle was actually very nervous about what Xena's reaction to her idea might be. After all maybe there was a reason for why something like this had never came up before.

XENA
Open up here comes the pegasus flying in for a landing.

Hearing the door open and shut behind her, Xena smiled as she got another spoonful of mashed up food into Aurora's mouth that the baby had switched to shortly before Xena's time out of the village when she was helping the other Amazons as Gabrielle walked over and smiled at the baby's messy face.