"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VIII: CONQUERING A BYGONE ERA

pt.1

NOTES:
-This is the 8th story in my
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series Following :

"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL I: THE NEW ORDER
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL II: THE GREAT CAMPAIGN WITHIN THE DOMAIN
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL III: MUTINY IN THE MONARCHY
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL IV: A FRUITFUL STATE OF SKEPTICISM
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL V: BLOODLINES
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL VI: AN ABOMINABLE ASCENSION
"THE PRINCESS AND THE QUEEN" series
SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

So it's highly suggested you read those in order before this one if you haven't already. As this is a direct sequel and knowing the events and/or characters introduced in the previous stories are important for understanding the plot of this story.
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BYGONE =
Past; gone by; earlier; former
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INTRO QUOTE:
"We may all be products of our past, but we do not have to be held prisoner to it."
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Streams of sunlight peered through the forest of trees as persistent and focused eyes scanned the area where a group of people gathered. A low growl could faintly be heard by a lone soul nearby as a dark figure watched the group from the shadows as they moved further into the wooded area. Quickly the figure moved from their place of hiding as they stalked the group, careful to remain undetected by their targets. Continuing to follow, the figure ducked behind a large tree, picked up a small stone, and threw it. There was a small thud as the stone collided with the trunk of another tree nearby. The group of people froze in their tracks as they heard the small sound. One member of the gr,,oup stepped towards where the sound had come from as they motioned for the others to spread out and carefully search the immediate area. As said person drew closer the dark figure drew back and silently moved all while never taking their eyes off their now confirmed target. Weapons were drawn by both predator and prey as each secretly waited for the right moment to make their move. From within the shadows, the figure crouched and became poised to strike as they thought of how simple this was going to be. Finally, as the person came within a couple of feet from where the dark figure was hidden there was a rustling in the tree above. Hearing the noise the person looked up and cursed as they saw another figure that was hidden the shadows dropping down. Unable to react in time, the person was brought to the ground as the figure landed on top of them, pinning them in place.

CLOVER
(Annoyed tone) Oh, come on!

Clover rested her chin in her hand as she saw Xena emerge from the bushes with a smirk on her face.

XENA
(Joking tone) Comfy?

CLOVER
(Sarcasm) Oh yeah, the ground and rocks are real comfortable. Especially with someone sitting on your back.

XENA
(Joking) I wasn't talking to you, but thanks for sharing.

Clover rolled her eyes as she felt Gabrielle give her a playful pat on the head from her seated position on Clover's back.

CLOVER
(Joking tone) You know this whole idea of yours doesn't exactly seem fair with the way this thing has played out.

Xena shrugged.

XENA
Hey, it's not my fault me, and Gabrielle ended up on the same team. Everyone drew their partners at random.

CLOVER
(Sarcasm) Yeah, yeah.