Xena Warrior Princess; Sins Of The Past

Chapter Nine

 Back in Amphipolis, Xena with her amour on and a pack in her hand went back into her mother’s tavern; it was empty of people now, all the candles blown out, except one on the counter. She looked around for her sword, finding it she picked it up and was turning to put it in the sheath at her waist when her mother came through a doorway from the back.

 The older woman stopped and looked at her, her blue eyes as expressionless as her daughter 's, before proceeding to the counter and putting the jug and cloth she had been carrying on it and started arranging the now  empty wooden tankards.

 Xena slid her sword into its sheath; she stood for a moment looking at her mother’s back,  feelings of loss whirled through her, she knew many people wouldn't except her in their homes but her own mother not accepting, even after all she had lived through hurt more then she care to admit even to herself. She started towards the door.

 Then she paused. Maybe even if her people did not want her she could still save what was left of her family. Without turning around she said; “If you won’t mount a defence, then you must leave here.”

 “You came all this way just to say that?” Cyrene paused in her work but did not look at her daughter.

 Xena turned half way round, looking towards Cyrene.

 “No, that wasn’t the only reason.”

 The Warrior looked down, trying to control the emotions threatening to overwhelm her.

 Cyrene glanced at her then.

 “What other purpose could you have?”

 A daughter looked up at her mother then. “I wanted to come home.” Xena’s mother looked at her, remembered pain in her eyes. “I thought maybe this time I could get it right.”

 “I don’t think anything will ever take away the shame and sorrow you brought on you kinsmen.”

 “Probably not.” Xena said quietly, she looked down again. “But I’m going to spend the rest of my life trying

 She raised her eyes.

 “Oh Xena. Her mother sighed, looking down at the swirling grains of wood. “I wish I could believe you.” She  looked at her daughter, desperation in her expression.

 “Here she is.” A male voice said from the door.

 Xena turned. Half the village came in through the door then and crowded up behind the Headsman who had spoken. “We know what you’re up to Xena.” He said.  “And we won’t let you get away with it!”

 “What are you talking about?” Cyrene asked, defensively.

 “Her army is burning fields in the west valley.”

 “That’s a lie.”  Xena said vehemently. She looked at her mother. “It’s Draco’s army.

 “Then way are they carrying “your” banners and shouting “your” name?”

 Her mother’s breath caught.  “Do what you will with her.” She said her voice thick with emotion, and then she rushed from the room.

 Xena looked back at the angry villagers.  “You should have stayed with your army Xena.” Someone in the crowd said. “This is the last village you’ll ever see.”

 They had stones in their hands now.  “Well what are you waiting for?”  Xena asked. “Take your revenge.”

 “Come on.” A woman urged from the back of the crowd.

 “It’s true, what they say… It’s sweet.” The warrior’s blue eyes were glistening. Still no one dared make a move.

 “What?” Xena asked putting her pack on the table beside her. “Is one woman to much for you? ““Let me even the odds.” She drew her sword.  The crowd hastily moved back a few steps. She put it on the table next to her pack.  “One unarmed woman might be more to your tastes.” Her tone was flat.

A woman at the front of the crowed threw her stone. Xena flinched. Two more stones hit her in quick succession; Xena’s arm came up to protect herself.

 “Wait, wait!” Someone came pushing through the crowed. “Wait.” The blonde woman said again putting herself between the villagers and Xena, facing the Headsman. The young woman put her hands up in a stop motion. “N… Now you don’t know me, I’m new in town.”

 Xena’s eyes flashed between the Gabrielle and the crowd trying to work out what the young woman was up to.

 “But I can assure you Xena is a changed woman.” Gabrielle gestured to the warrior behind her who had let her arms drop from their defensive gesture. “I saw her do some heroic things in the name of good.”

 “Unless you're suicidal you’ll get out of the way.” The Headsman said. “She’s brought Draco down on the valley.”  Gabrielle turned to glance at Xena.  “Draco?” She looked back at the Headsman, her eyebrows disappearing into her light fringe.   “Now, he’s a scary guy and I understand why you’re upset.” Gabrielle put her hands together. “But let me throw some logic it at you.”

 “Look your wasting you breath.” The headsman said impatiently.  “We’ll never put our faith in Xena again. I buried two sons because of her!” He pointed an accusing finger at the silent warrior. “Now get out of the way.”  He turned towards the villagers.

 “Now hold on.” Gabrielle said. She walked up to Headsman. “Let’s say that you’re right and she’s Draco’s buddy.” The young woman pointed at Xena.  “Let’s say she’s even his girlfriend. Well what have you accomplished?” Gabrielle spread her hands, questioningly. “You think Draco’s bad news now.”  Xena’s mouth tightened, one eyebrow creeping up in scepticism.

 “What’d you think he’ll be like when he hears you knocked off his woman?”

 The Headsman shifted uncomfortably.

“Oh boy gives me the creeps even to think about it!”

   He looked at the villagers around him. Gabrielle glanced at Xena.

 “All right, but get Xena out of here right now!” He gestured impatiently. Gabrielle held her hands up. “No problem.” The young woman moved towards Xena, gingerly she picked up the warrior’s sword, and turned to give it back to her.

 Xena took it quickly, an unreadable expression on her face as she sheathed it.  Gabrielle smiled reassuringly at the villagers. Sword sheathed Xena walked towards the door, the villagers parted quickly to let her and Gabrielle-who was right behind her-through.

 The villagers looked silently after them.  Outside Xena was attaching her sword sheath to Argo’s saddle. Gabrielle came up behind her.  “Xena?”

 “What?” The warrior barely glanced at her.

 “I could probably get up there behind you.”

 “What are you talking about?” Xena gathered the reins to mount, throwing a blank look over her shoulder at the young woman.

“Wait, your not going to just leave me here, are you?”  Xena pulled herself into the saddle.

 “I came all this way to see you.”

 The dark haired woman looked down at Gabrielle. “That is you problem.”

 “Hey, I just saved you life!” Gabrielle waved a finger at her.

 Xena said nothing for a moment, indecision warring on her face. Then she shook her head slightly, as if to herself, reached down an arm and pulled Gabrielle up onto the horse behind her.

 The young woman huffed as she as she was pulled up, and settled herself on the horse, holding tightly around the warrior’s waist. Xena turned Argo and they set off at a brisk trot.

 “Where are we going?” Gabrielle asked.

 “To see my brother.” Came the reply.