Here Comes Trouble,
An Awakening
XXIV
Frau Hunter Ash
(Aka Dana Cooper-Kjarr)
*Disclaimers: see part 1
Both Xena and Gabrielle were expecting maybe Meg and Joxer or Hercules and Iolaus. The Greek couple both looked puzzled when a cloaked and hooded figure entered the room.
Sharp eyes spotted the strong and masculine hand wrapped around a covered spear and Xena's eyes began to narrow. After everything that had happened, neither Xena nor Gabrielle was really surprised when the figure pulled the hood back and it was revealed their guest was Odin, god from the North.
"Odin," Xena said simply, resisting the urge to grin at her mom's puzzled face.
"All-Father God of the Northmen," Gabrielle explained, wishing she could at least sit up.
"Xena, Gabrielle, wish I could see you under different circumstances," Odin said simply, removing his cloak. Cyrene quickly offered to take it for the god as he sat down at a chair and table near the bed.
"What do you know of it?" Xena questioned, lowering her chakram to the table next to her side of the bed and leaning back on her elbow to look at the god over Gabrielle.
"I saw everything through the Well," the god answered. "I was too far away to do anything."
"Can you help now?" Gabrielle asked, ignoring the growl from Xena.
Odin smiled at Xena's reluctance in dealing with the gods, especially when it concerned asking for help.
"Yes, actually the gods need your help as well," Odin shrugged and, with a gentle smile, invited Cyrene to sit down at the table with him.
"Viking Gods asking for help?" Xena asked skeptically.
"Yes, your new God of War is messing with the strands of Fate. He intends on turning Sasha into a War Goddess, someone even more blood-thirsty than you once were," Odin explained.
"No," Xena whispered, her face stricken with horror.
"Yes, we have no idea what her inherited powers will be from you and Ares but we do know that she will be a goddess."
"Where do you fit in? I know you want to train her and have said that her future is in the North but you've been pretty vague why you want her up there in the North," Xena growled.
Odin's one blue eye flashed and Gabrielle wasn't sure if it wasn’t in anger or not at being challenged by the Greek warrior.
"All the Norns have revealed is she is to be a hero and more in the North. She will ride with the gods and goddesses and be one of us," he admitted.
"Sasha?" Gabrielle questioned. She knew the child was already gifted with Sight from her parents but trying to imagine the pre-teen as a goddess was beyond her imagination.
"So, now Mars has her and intends on messing with her future and screwing up your plans," Xena said simply.
"Yes, and possibly altering the future of the world. Mars is gathering some of the minor Olympian gods and goddesses in support in keeping Sasha," Odin explained.
"You're going to march against Mars and other Olympian gods?" Xena demanded.
A war between gods hadn't been heard of since man was still figuring out how to keep fire going in a cave. The warrior felt Gabrielle shudder beside her at the thought of it as well.
"Yes, Loki and Hella are siding with Mars," Odin looked suddenly grim. "No surprise there, you never know where he's going to land. Others are standing with Freya and me, most want to stay out of it."
"Oh gods, not Ragnarok!" Gabrielle whispered.
"No, not Ragnarok but probably a good practice run at it," Odin grinned ruefully.
Xena's mind whirled. Ragnarok, the battle among the gods and the dead, among Vanir, Aesir and giants and the ending of the world. A new world would be born but the old one would be wiped away, including all but a small handful of humanity and gods.
"If Mars keeps and trains Sasha it could well lead to Ragnarok for all the cultures and world," Odin shrugged, looking very much like Xena.
"So what do we do?" Xena demanded, easily moving from reluctance to impatience.
"You and I plan a war and get her back," he said simply.
"What about me?" Gabrielle demanded, trying to sit up and falling back with a cry of pain.
"You're stuck here," Odin again shrugged and refused to meet the bard's flashing green eyes.
"He's right, little one," Xena said softly, not surprised when the green eyes burned her way. "We still don't know if your baby is in danger or not and you can't even sit up yet."
"Why can't you heal my shoulders?" Gabrielle demanded from the god of the Norse.
"Not my gig, not your fate," he said easily. "Healing is that of the goddesses and I didn't bring one with me."
Gabrielle started to say something about smart ass gods and attitudes when Xena clamped a hand over the bard's mouth and glared at Odin.
"Are you trying to piss her off?" she demanded.
Odin laughed softly and held up his hands in a gesture of peace. "Sorry, I haven't gotten to know your mate and I was testing her a little. For a small one she is strong and stubborn, a well enough match for you, Xena."
"I hate gods," Xena muttered, removing her hand from Gabrielle's mouth as the bard continued to glare at the god and then back at her mate.
"I'm not staying behind!" Gabrielle protested. "No more separations!"
"Gabrielle, we're going into battle," Xena countered. "Against gods, even if your shoulders were healed I wouldn't let you near the field. You know that, not with a child coming."
"Damnit!" Gabrielle yelled, trying not to tense her muscles in anger.
"I know, little one, I know," Xena whispered, gently touching Gabrielle's cheek.
"She can't fight against gods!" Gabrielle protested, glaring at Odin again.
"She'll be given back that power, so will you," Odin said simply.
"I don't want the power to hurt or kill gods if I'm not with Xena on this one!" Gabrielle protested.
"You may need it now since Mars has acted against both of you with Callisto’s help," Odin countered and the bard fell silent.
Odin rose to his feet and offered his hand to Cyrene and helped her to her feet.
"I'll be in the stable, Xena," he said simply and walked out the door with Cyrene following.
Gabrielle fell deadly quiet as Xena got up and began stuffing things in her travel packs. The warrior tried to ignore the pain in her side as she lay back down on the bed next to her mate. One look at Gabrielle's face and Xena knew the bard was more than a little upset with being left behind.
"Gabrielle," Xena began softly.
"I know, I know!" the bard snapped. "Don't expect me to be happy about it!"
Xena moved as close against her mate as she could as Gabrielle craned her neck, her lips reaching for the warrior's. Both women fought back tears as their lips met and Gabrielle leaned into Xena's hand.
"I love you, Gabrielle," Xena said softly, quickly getting off the bed and grabbing her packs.
"I love you, Xena," Gabrielle choked out. "Come back to me."
"I'll never leave you, one way or another," Xena promised and was gone.
Gabrielle fought back tears as she heard the warrior going down the stairs. She knew Xena was in no condition to fight and hoped that one of the Northern goddesses would at least heal Xena's wounded side before they went into battle.
Gods, the thought of a battle between the Viking gods and Greek gods was frightening.
Gabrielle frowned as the door opened again and Odin walked in. He smiled slightly and went to the table, grabbing up his cloak.
"Forgot this," he said simply but Gabrielle's eyes were narrowed.
"And?" she demanded and the god merely laughed and slowly approached her side of the bed.
"You are good, bard," he commented. "What would you give to save Sasha and the known world?"
"I answered that once when Apollo told me her fate was to destroy the world if I didn't return to Xena from slavery. I'll do anything to save her and Xena," Gabrielle answered easily.
"Then I need your help," Odin began explaining. "I need Callisto distracted when we take to the battlefield and I think you can do it. I need Xena focused during the battle and frankly the sight of Callisto will send her into a berserker fury."
"After killing Solan, that's assured," Gabrielle agreed.
"Can you do it? Can you keep her off the battlefield?" Odin questioned.
"I can't even sit up!" the bard complained. "I can't heal myself fast enough without endangering my child."
Odin grinned and closed his bright blue eye and held his hands over the bard's shoulder and Gabrielle felt the familiar tingling and rush of energy flowing from the god into her body. This was followed by the strange sensation of her muscles, skin and bones healing rapidly.
Gabrielle sat up easily after a moment and narrowed her eyes as she looked into Odin's face.
"The child is fine and now you're healed. Don't let Xena know or she'll insist you come with us," he suggested.
"You planned this all along," she muttered, half angrily.
"Yes, you'll have the power to hurt and maybe even kill Callisto. Mars and Callisto wouldn't dare risk letting Xena near them before a battle but they would be delighted to get their hands on you," Odin said simply.
The thought of willingly giving herself over to those two maniac deities didn't inspire hope in the bard and Odin nodded at her frown.
"It's a lot, they may just kill you right away," Odin agreed with her thoughts.
"Or torture me for awhile before the battle; even with god-killing gifts there's no way I can handle both of them at once," Gabrielle protested.
"You underestimate yourself, warrior bard," Odin grinned. "You can take Callisto and Xena can handle Mars. Go to the temple of Ares where you fought before. Keep your shoulders bandaged and act wounded and then take her out."
"Xena will kill both of us," Gabrielle smiled at the devious deity.
"Nothing new there, bard," Odin grinned back.
Xena frowned as Odin came down the stairs. “What took so long?”
Odin smiled easily. “Reassuring your mate I’d keep you as safe as possible. She’s really upset she’s not going with you.”
Xena continued frowning. “Me too. Let’s go.”
Gabrielle watched from her window as Odin and Xena left the village. She knew Odin would zap them to Asgard once they were out of view. The bard was careful to stay out of Xena’s sight.
Gabrielle knew Xena would never agree to Odin’s crazy plan to divide Callisto and Mars apart during the battle but the bard knew that it might be the only chance they would have to get close to Sasha.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Xena couldn’t help but smile after Freya ran her hands over the warrior and all her aches, pains and the wounded side were healed instantly. It always felt strange to be healed by the gods but Xena was grateful. If she was going up against Mars and Callisto, Xena wanted to be in top form.
The Northern Goddess smiled in return and turned to Odin with a satisfied look.
“You’ve got your warrior, Odin,” she said simply.
“We’ll need her, Freya,” Odin responded. “Xena, time to plan a battle that will rattle the world!”
Xena shook her head at his enthusiasm. “Vikings and their fights,” she grinned. “How did I hook up with you Vikings?” she asked with a grin. “You can be as bad as Ares and Mars.”
“Not quite,” he argued. “We fight for the joy of it, yes, but not for the blood and carnage like Ares.”
“Very little difference at times,” Xena countered and wasn’t surprised when the deity merely shrugged.
“You know how the Greeks and Romans do battle,” Odin began, changing the subject.
“Yes, I don’t expect the gods to fight like a Roman legion but I do know how they think, especially if Mars has learned from Ares,” Xena agreed, walking over and leaning over a table. On the table was a model of the ground where the gods from two different cultures would clash. It was a wonderful model, showing the hills, valleys, rivers, plains, everything down to the smallest detail. Xena envied the ability to have these kinds of maps and then shook her head. She didn’t need maps like this anymore, she argued with herself. Xena wasn’t the Warlord anymore.
Then why did she keep ending up
a warrior and in battles?
Caesar had once said that his destiny was to rule the world and Xena was part of it. She had been; she had also been part of his downfall from that rule. He had felt the best thing anyone could ever know was their own personal destiny and how to fight for it.
What was Xena’s destiny? She questioned with a frown. Especially now since she knew she was immortal and practically a god. No longer did she have to look at retiring and being a full time mom or innkeeper.
It had always been unspoken that Xena would take over for her mom when Cyrene couldn’t work it anymore. Now was that the plan? The last two years had seen Solan and Reija working towards that goal, now Solan was dead and Reija crippled.
What was their destiny? What was right for her family?
Xena almost wished she could grow older and follow the pattern that life had set down for humans. Some things would be taken for granted and forced on you. Warriors either died or retired. They became Captains of city guards, teachers or generals. Very few warriors made it to old age in their profession.
Now Xena supposed she could go on
forever as a warrior unless she was killed.
Was that her destiny? Was
that what she was meant to do forever?
Was that the future she wanted for Gabrielle and their children?
Children, their children. What did destiny mean with children? A child with Gabrielle and Sasha and a
grandson by Solan.
Xena frowned and caught Odin smiling at her.
“You think too much sometimes,” he teased.
“And you don’t? God of poetry, after sacrificing your eye for the gift of prophecy, knowledge and poetry. Hanging on a tree, stabbed with your own spear to gain the knowledge of the runes. Was it worth it?” she countered.
“Yes, I can tell you the future of the world but you wouldn’t believe it, any of the possibilities. Do I know that I can’t prevent some things from happening, yes? Do I know that I will die eventually, yes?”
“And Sasha? You’ve been rather quiet about that subject,” Xena growled.
“If we get her back to you, her future is glorious. If not, the future is short for most of us,” Odin shrugged, vague as usual.
“Let’s get to planning,” Xena said simply.
“We know some of the names of the Greeks joining with Mars, maybe you recognize the names,” Freya suggested.
“Who are they?” Xena questioned.
“Pluto and Morpheus,” Odin began.
“Pluto is the Roman name for Hades, king of the Underworld. Morpheus is the god of dreams. I’ve tangled with him before, he wanted Gabrielle in his kingdom,” Xena answered.
“Which would have meant her death,” Odin surmised and Xena nodded. “Erebus and Ixion.”
“Erebus is the son of Chaos, his specialty is darkness. Ixion is the son of Ares, brother to Mars,” Xena responded easily.
“Dis and Alphaeus,” Freya continued.
“An Underworld god and a river god,” the warrior answered, looking over the model map.
“Neptune I know is an ocean god, what about Orcus?” Odin questioned.
“A Roman god of death,” Xena muttered.
“Phobos,” Freya finished.
“Another son of Ares, his specialty is causing fright. What Vikings have joined with Mars?” Xena asked.
“So far only Loki and Hella and some of the giants,” Odin answered.
“Any Greeks on our side?” the warrior asked, moving around the table to get a different angle on the battleground.
“Yes, Cupid and Apollo,” Odin began.
“God of Love and the God of the Sun,” Xena grinned. “I expected them. Cupid likes us and Apollo is Gabrielle’s father.”
“Mercury and Museos,” Freya continued.
“God of Speed and Messages and a male muse, the son of Hecate,” Xena responded. “I guess that makes him my half-brother. Haven’t met him.”
“One named Evander and Artemis,” Odin finished.
“Strange, a son of Ares but a god of writing,” Xena frowned. “The Goddess of the hunt and Amazons, Gabrielle’s patron goddess.”
“Evander has pledged loyalty to Apollo and Zeus,” Odin mentioned.
“Good, not every son takes after the father, I guess,” Xena muttered.
“Now, about this valley here,” Odin pointed, beginning the strategy session.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gabrielle hated leaving a note for Cyrene, especially after the last note she had left. The note telling her mother-in-law she was about to take her own life because of her pregnancy. Now she was leaving another note for Cyrene to find and worry over, but Gabrielle knew if Cyrene was aware of what the bard was planning all of Tartarus would break loose.
The bard wondered, as she climbed out her window with a small travel pack, whether she was going crazy. The plan was insane and she knew it but was still willing to try it. To turn herself over to Callisto and Mars with no backup was more than insane, it was suicidal and the bard didn’t consider herself suicidal anymore.
Especially now since she was pregnant and knew without a doubt the child wasn’t the result of Bacchus’ sexual assault. A child of Xena and herself through magic.
Gabrielle hesitated in the stable
as she put the bridle on her horse.
How could she risk her own life now that she was carrying a child? Especially since the child was also
Xena’s?
On the other hand, Odin was counting on her to distract Callisto during the battle. The details had been few and rough; he would somehow let Gabrielle know when the gods and their armies were marching against each other and it would then be up to Gabrielle to keep Callisto from the field.
The bard wasn’t sure how she was going to do that; Callisto was so unpredictable and Mars a total unknown. Odin had whispered a suggestion in her ear before walking out the door, leaving a stunned bard behind. A suggestion Gabrielle found she didn’t even want to think about yet alone consider.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Xena and Odin finally quit hovering over the model map with the other gods and goddesses after several candles-marks. The warrior found she was actually relaxing with the Viking and Greek deities as they argued strategy and weapons.
The warrior then found herself frowning; it almost felt too comfortable to her. Then she smiled as Cupid sat down next to her as Valkyries merrily served food and drink to the crowd gathered at the eating table.
“You’re thinking about your warlord days,” he commented.
“You reading my mind?” she demanded, losing her smile.
“No, it’s easy to read your body language and I know you,” he responded
easily. “You have been wrapped up in
the planning and then bantering back and forth about war. Then you frowned, actually scowling at
yourself,” he explained. “You aren’t
falling back into old patterns, Xena.”
“How do I know what you say is true? War was what I lived for and I have no idea what I’m doing now in life. We’ve been surviving for years without any real direction,” the warrior complained. “Coming together and then losing Gabrielle for almost two years, no time for planning while that was happening. Since then we’ve been off balance.”
Cupid nodded, “And most of those events were because of Ares messing with you both.”
“Now it’s Mars and Callisto. Just when I think we can settle down and raise our families, something happens,” Xena complained.
“Why can’t you accept that you’re a warrior?” he asked with a grin.
“I know I’m a warrior, I just don’t
want to slip back into being a warlord,” Xena countered.
“You are a naturally talented warrior and more, just like your bard is. Maybe you two should raise your families outside the Empire for awhile,” Cupid, God of Love suggested.
“I’ve been thinking about it,” Xena admitted. “Especially if we don’t take care of Mars and Callisto.”
“Even if we do take Mars out, another God will come along to replace him, probably one of Ares’ other sons,” Cupid complained.
“What are Gabrielle and I destined for?” Xena muttered.
“You think too much right now,” Cupid grinned. “Right now your destiny is to get your daughter and grandson back, get back to your mate and help her during the pregnancy.”
Xena grinned back at the God of Love and nodded, accepting a horn of mead and almost choked when the god leaned over and nuzzled her neck.
He almost choked on his own drink as he laughed at Xena’s surprised expression.
“Hey,” he grinned. “You are beautiful, irresistible, and such fun when you blush!”
The warrior laughed and playfully smacked the God on his arm.
“Just never try that when Gabrielle is around, you imp!”
Cupid laughed as the warrior shook her head. He could be a handful, Xena thought to herself, like his mother. One thing about both of them, the warrior didn’t feel threatened by his playfulness. She knew he wasn’t serious and had gotten her to laugh and she was grateful.
She also noticed him carefully watching a couple of the Valkyries moving around the table and some of them watching him back. They seemed more than curious about his wings, which he tried to keep tucked behind him.
The night before a major battle could guarantee several things, the warrior knew; one would be alcohol and another would be sex. Not too much alcohol and not too much sex but it would happen among a lot of them, Xena knew. Some of the midnight connections would be out of the knowledge that death might wait for them the next day; others out of the incredible energy that would be building up between everyone.
Xena wished even more that Gabrielle was with her, the warrior’s eyes clouding over with thoughts of her bard.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gabrielle camped two marks away from the Temple of Ares. She knew the gods would be meeting on the battlefield during the daytime, probably at first light.
The bard leaped to her feet, sai in each hand when a figure appeared suddenly on the other side of her campfire. Gabrielle blinked as she took in the male smiling at her.
Wearing nothing more than a pair of cut off trousers, a shining helmet and tight shoes, the well fit youth looked like a swimmer. Or a runner, Gabrielle corrected herself and smiled, lowering her sais slightly.
“Hermes, or are you calling yourself Mercury these days?” she greeted.
“Either works for me,” he grinned as she took in the wings at his ankles and the ones behind his back, like Cupid’s, only these were smaller.
“What’s up?” she asked as she invited him to sit by the fire with her. The God of Speed and Messages sat with a smile.
“Xena and the others have planned the battle and now are settling in for the evening,” he said easily.
“Gods, I miss her,” Gabrielle muttered.
“She is missing you, badly,” Hermes smiled, “Especially with Cupid trying to nibble on her neck.”
“Excuse me?”
The Greek Trickster God laughed heartily. “He doesn’t mean it, he got her to laugh and relax a little.”
“I assume Odin sent you,” she guessed.
“Yes, just checking on things,” he confirmed.
“How in Tartarus am I supposed to get Callisto and Mars apart before a major battle?” Gabrielle complained.
“Well, they actually plan on it,” Hermes said cryptically.
“What do you mean?” Gabrielle asked, her curiosity now heightened.
“They plan on Callisto kidnapping you from your sick bed while Xena is in the middle of the battle,” he explained.
“And how do you and Odin know this?” Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed.
“Loki has joined with Mars and Callisto,” Hermes said easily. “What they don’t realize is he’s been feeding Odin information about everything. Hella may stand with them but when the battle begins Loki will be by Odin’s side.”
“Trickster Gods, so damned unpredictable,” Gabrielle complained with a smile and was pleased when Hermes joined her laughter in agreement.
“So, I go into the Temple when I get some kind of signal and I’ll find Callisto alone about to go off and kidnap me?” Gabrielle frowned.
“That’s pretty much it,” he agreed.
“Then I need to keep her busy, hopefully not busy killing me,” the bard said thoughtfully.
“Yes, and you have got to keep her busy and not simply turn yourself over,” he stressed.
“Why?”
“She can’t be given time to follow through with her plans for you, you have got to keep her off balance,” Hermes urged.
Gabrielle felt a chill run up her spine. “What is her plan for me?” she asked softly.
“To torment you, Mars to rape you and then turn you over as a slave to the Romans again,” he answered bluntly. Gabrielle fought down the urge to throw up at the rough description of Callisto’s insane plans for her. The bard clenched her hands into fists as her eyes closed in rage. The memories of her time as a slave came rushing back and she resisted the urge to scream.
When Gabrielle opened her eyes again Hermes was gone, leaving the bard with her thoughts.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Xena growled as sunlight hit her eyes as she mounted her horse. The few horns of mead she had the night before were making her grumpy this morning. The warrior was pleased with the horse, a beautiful black mare which reminded her a lot of Argo. Xena missed her beloved and well-trained warhorse and felt another stab of pain. It was getting time to retire Argo from her rough life-style and Xena knew it.
It was another loss coming up and another reminder of the passage of time for the warrior.
Xena frowned as she took in the sight of the deities also mounting their horses. Each lost in their thoughts before the upcoming battle. They each knew this was serious; everyone on the battlefield would have the ability to hurt or kill each other. No one was exempt from the potential of death in this battle. That was something the deities weren’t accustomed to.
Even the soldiers and warrior priests of the gods could kill them. Somehow the Fates, Norns or whoever had evened the odds between everyone.
Xena saw Cupid leaning on a doorpost as a Valkyrie leaned into him and began kissing him passionately and the warrior shook her head with a smile. Another Valkyrie walked out behind the Love God and pinched his ass with a grin and Xena continued to shake her head. At least he had kept busy the night before, she thought.
The warrior quickly checked her gear, once more. Everything in place, strapped down, buckled, and tied down. The shield was an excellent piece of work which had pleased the warrior when Odin had presented her with it. Her sword was as sharp as it ever had been, as was her chakram. Several daggers were hidden on various places of her body and a whip was hanging at her side.
Even Xena was impressed when Odin rode out of the stables to join them. His armor was bright and perfect; the tall God was imposing with his long spear in hand. Several whistles greeted the god and he grinned in response.
“Let’s do this!” he shouted and was greeted with massive cheers.
Xena felt her body beginning to hum.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gabrielle watched the temple and everything around her from a position in the woods, out of sight.
It was about a candle-mark past dawn and the bard was waiting impatiently. She had no idea yet how she was going to distract Callisto long enough for the battle to be decided. Some battles had been known to last all day, some even days.
Gabrielle looked up as two ravens began circling overhead, cawing loudly and circling her tree until she waved at them. The two ravens landed on a branch near the bard and she smiled slightly.
“Some sign, tell Odin I’m going through with it. I still don’t know what in name of Zeus I’m going to do but I’m going in,” she said softly to the birds as they watched her closely.
One more set of caws and the two dark winged creatures flew off, heading up into the sky and out of sight.
Gabrielle looked down at the temple and steeled herself.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Xena screamed a war cry and slashed out at one of the dark soldiers trying to impale her with a spear. She parried the spear easily and slashed backhanded, as the mounted soldier drew closer, and struck him solidly. Her sword ripped through his leather armor from the neck into his chest.
He was forgotten in an instant as she turned and met danger coming in from the front and the side.
Xena had been in the last wave of those going into battle. She and Odin had stayed on a high hill, overseeing and directing the battle.
Xena had been content to let Odin plan most of the battle; the warrior knew Mars would be familiar with everything that Xena had been taught by Ares and her experiences with the Romans. She was trusting Odin to be unpredictable enough to counter that knowledge.
The first unpredictable thing had been the opening feint of both armies. Mars had sent his priest army onto the field with the spearmen first and Phobos riding in front of them, instilling fear in the scout troops of Odin. One thing Mars hadn’t counted on with the Vikings, they didn’t run when afraid, they went berserk.
The scouts went insane and threw themselves into the middle of the mounted spear soldiers, many of them impaling themselves on the spears in order to break them. The small scout units were massacred but not before they had fought past the spears to sink their swords or even their teeth into their enemies. A third of the spearmen went down to the scouts.
Instead of meeting cavalry with cavalry, Odin met them with arrows and stake traps. With one of her famous war cries, Xena signaled the release of massive logs from the surrounding embankments leading to the woods. The logs had been embedded with spikes and pitch. At the sound of her cry the logs were set on fire and released. The cavalry found blazing spiked logs hurling at them from the sides and a massive wall of stakes facing their horses from the front.
Just as the logs hit the horses and men and the screams of both horse and man began, fire arrows rained down on them from the safety of the trees.
It was all common sense battle planning but it was something Xena excelled at. She was spectacular at all out battle and frontal assaults but she was also talented in ways of wearing down an army and thinning out its ranks before meeting it head-on. These were some of the same tactics she had used on Brutus.
The next tactic was unexpected though, something she had never used.
In typical Roman style, the army of Mars attacked in ranks. There were advantages and disadvantages; one advantage was the separate units could be directed quickly into changing directions and battle plans. The disadvantage was one the Roman god was about to learn.
As the next wave came to the forefront, foot soldiers with spears this time. They left a gap between the last row and the next rank.
The foot spearmen were surprised and confused when they had gotten near the front rank of Odin’s troops without any confrontation. They were even more confused when four riders broke out of the trees on each flank behind them and in between the ranks of Mars’ army.
Mars himself was confused until he saw they were trailing burning bundles of hay. The Roman God of War began cursing loudly when he realized the ground between his two ranks had been prepared before the battle with oil. The ground became a burning inferno in a matter of moments, cutting off the spearmen from the rest of their troops.
Screams of rage from Mars sounded out across the meadow and then were drowned out by the screams of pain from men burning or being killed by sword, spear and arrow.
Xena gritted her teeth against the horror as she slashed out again. One flank of Mars cavalry had broken through and had threatened Odin’s position. Xena had urged her horse into action and into battle.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Gabrielle managed to hold open the door with her foot after a petitioner left the temple. She took a deep breath and pushed the door open further and walked inside, still pretending to nurse her shoulders but mentally prepared for anything.
Odin had suggested playing she was still injured and the bard had ensured that the white bandages and wrappings showed from under her simple tunic. It was times like this she wished she could still wear her old favorite clothing. What little of it there was, she reflected with a smile. Nowadays she didn’t dare for fear of being mistaken for a slave because of the lash scars across her back.
Gabrielle lost her smile and felt a shudder run up her spine. Which was exactly what Callisto wanted for her again, slave to someone brutal, maybe even the gladiatorial games again. A guaranteed short life, even for an immortal.
Gabrielle wondered for a moment how much Callisto knew about them since she had been in the lava rock. Obviously enough to fool Joxer into believing she was Gabrielle. Callisto must know that she was the daughter of Apollo and immortal now. The bard frowned, how much did Callisto know about them? She knew about Solan, Sasha and even Dex being Xena’s boss and friend. Did she know Gabrielle was now pregnant with Xena’s child? That would not be good, Gabrielle thought to herself.
The temple only had one priest this early in the morning and he wasn’t paying attention to the female in the cloak that kept to the back of the temple. When the half-asleep priest went outside for something the bard quickly moved behind the altar and towards the step to the hard wooden and leather throne.
Gabrielle really didn’t know what she was doing but she trusted her instincts. Whenever Ares had appeared in the temples or Olympus it was always on his throne first. The bard quickly moved up the stairs and sat down before the priest could come in and cause problems.
“Callisto!” she shouted loudly, startling several doves that had taken refuge in the rafters.
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Xena shouted and waved her bloody sword over her head and the troops of Mars looked up with startled faces at the screams of horses and women above their heads. Even Phobos looked surprised and a little fearful at the sight of the well armed and battle frenzied Valkyries on winged horses diving at them.
At the same time, Odin’s troops pressed forward, two units of berserkers and werserkers leading the charge. The combination of the half-bear, half-wolf warriors and flying Valkyries was more than some of the Greeks could take and panic began to spread throughout the soldiers of Mars.
Xena grinned and saw Odin stand up in his stirrups, his cloak flowing behind him, his wolves standing on each side of Sleipnir, his eight legged horse. She was surprised when his two ravens appeared and landed on each shoulder.
The warrior’s sharp eyes took in their cawing in each ear and the Norse gods’ close attention to his messengers. Then the deity stood higher and shouted a war cry of his own and raised his spear.
“All who fall come to me!” he shouted, his god-voice carrying over the din of the battle, causing an almost supernatural silence for a moment. In that space of silence, the god threw his spear over the heads of Mars’ army.
All of them, even the Greeks knew that was a dedication of souls to Odin upon their death. Whoever died this day as a hero would go to Valhalla and to Odin. A hero’s fate.
It also meant he was dooming the enemy army to failure.
Mars roared his anger and began shouting at his own troops to get back to the front and hold the line.
Xena sent her chakram flying as two of Morpheus personal priest warriors managed to use their ability to cloud minds to work past the front lines and were heading for Odin. The priests never knew what hit them. One moment their heads were attached to their bodies and the next moment they weren’t. The faces on the severed heads actually managed to look puzzled before dropping to the ground.
Odin looked over and grinned
viciously at the warrior.
Both armies were holding their own but it was becoming obvious that Odin’s side was beginning to make progress. Mars may have started out with almost double the number of troops, but the surprises Odin and Xena had sprung at him and his troops had cut the advantage down.
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Gabrielle blinked as she took in the sight of the living space around her and wasn’t surprised to find it very masculine. Leather covered furniture, shields and various weapons decorated the walls with black, red and silver tapestries with intricate interwoven designs. A long table with gold goblets and plates ran down the center of the room. Off to her left was a large and comfortable looking bed of rich linens and furs.
In the center of the bed was Callisto, looking somewhat surprised to be looking back at the bard sitting on the throne of Ares, now the throne of Mars.
“Well, well,” Callisto purred, sitting up on the bed. Her movements reminded Gabrielle of a snake or a harem dancer - erotic and deadly at the same time.
Gabrielle resisted the urge to dive off the throne with sais in both hands. The bard knew she now had the ability to hurt the goddess in front of her and Callisto didn’t know it. Gabrielle didn’t dare risk it until she knew where Sasha was, however. One wrong move and Callisto could blast Gabrielle into flames and Xena would never see Sasha again.
“I didn’t expect visitors!” Callisto exclaimed easily.
Gabrielle stood up slowly, keeping her arms close to her body and moving stiffly.
“I thought I’d save you the trip,” Gabrielle taunted back.
“How did you know I’d be coming for you?” Callisto stopped as she stood up and drew her sword; Gabrielle losing her chance to surprise the goddess immediately with an attack.
“Logic,” Gabrielle said easily, moving down from the steps to meet the blonde chaotic goddess. “Xena is off battling Mars, leaving me unprotected and injured. You don’t want Xena dead, you want to hurt her.”
“Yes, go on,” Callisto muttered, her eyes burning brightly as she watched the bard move slowly to a well cushioned chair near the fire at the head of the room.
“You’ve killed her son, kidnapped her daughter and grandson,” Gabrielle continued, picking up a goblet of rich wine and pretended to drink. “Crippled her daughter-in-law, injured her brother badly, destroyed our friend Joxer, broke her mother’s ribs. What could be next except me?”
“Very good, you always were smart,” Callisto smiled, her eyes dancing with a manic gleam. “Many have underestimated you, haven’t they?”
“Yes,” Gabrielle admitted.
“You know something,” Callisto suddenly said thoughtfully. “You never did thank me.”
“Thank you?” a puzzled Gabrielle asked.
“For killing that boring farmer you picked for a husband,” Callisto grinned evilly. “If not for me you might never have gotten together with Xena after that disaster.”
Gabrielle felt her eyes flashing with anger, her breathing quicken and she quickly resisted the reaction of tightening her hands into fists and then attacking Callisto.
“Oh goodie!” Callisto cried, delightfully clapping her hands. “It still gets to you, does it? Is that because you really loved him or do you feel guilty because you’re glad he’s dead and you’re with Xena?”
Gabrielle somehow kept her anger in check but she could feel her cheeks blushing with anger and guilt. Callisto had hit a little too close to home for the bard. In fact, she had hit dead center, Gabrielle did feel guilty that Perdicus was dead because she was happy to be with Xena and only his death had made that possible.
Callisto laughed heartily at the bard’s expression of anger.
“So what do you have planned for me?” Gabrielle demanded, hoping to change the subject.
“Oh nothing much,” Callisto purred, moving closer to the bard and raising Gabrielle’s chin up with the point of her sword. “I thought I’d torture you for awhile and then turn you over to one of the more vicious gladiatorial schools in Rome.”
Gabrielle let the fear show in her eyes as well as the anger.
“Been there, done that,” she said bravely, hoping Callisto caught the tremor in her voice. “I survived and won my freedom.”
“I know, I saw that!” Callisto exclaimed and laughed at Gabrielle’s baffled look. “I had the ability to watch the two of you while I was stuck in that damned lava!”
The goddess looked furious for a moment and Gabrielle felt her heart skip a beat as the sword bit into her throat slightly and then Callisto looked amused again.
“I got to see you sleeping with that other Amazon gladiator of yours; you are definitely more talented than you think!” Callisto said and then laughed as the bard blushed a bright red. “Both in bed and in the Arena. I never thought you’d get out of that one!”
Callisto lowered the sword and sat down in a chair across from Gabrielle.
“Then I got to see Xena’s brat being born, quite a sight!” she continued. “Vikings and blood everywhere, Xena screaming and helpless! Oh it was such fun!”
“Have you ever thought of having children, Callisto?” Gabrielle asked and wasn’t surprised by the shocked expression on the goddess’ face.
“Why would I subject a child to my life?” the blonde goddess demanded suddenly angry.
“Good question, then what do you have planned for Sasha and Kiryk?” Gabrielle countered.
“Mars gets Sasha to raise as he sees fit,” Callisto shrugged. “As for the other brat, you’ll have to guess about that one.”
Gabrielle’s eyes narrowed in anger but she resisted snapping back at the goddess.
“Amazing,” Gabrielle commented and wasn’t surprised when Callisto leaned forward, her eyes flashing with anger.
“What?” she demanded.
“That you would make the same mistakes as Xena,” the bard said thoughtfully, appearing not to notice Callisto’s rising anger.
“Mistakes?” Callisto hissed.
“Creating another Xena. Really stupid.”
Gabrielle wasn’t surprised when Callisto backhanded her, almost tipping the chair over backwards. Again the bard resisted reacting physically.
“You better explain that, bitch,” Callisto growled.
“Xena was partly created by Ares. The Warlord Xena killed your family and created you. Now you’re going to turn a child over to Mars so he can create another Warlord Xena,” Gabrielle reasoned. “Sasha is as innocent as you were, now you get to create a monster, just like Xena did.”
Callisto frowned.
“You’ve killed Sasha’s brother and are going to turn her over to Mars to be turned into a monster. Xena may well have raised you herself,” Gabrielle snapped. “You want revenge on Sasha or Xena?”
“And what would you suggest, bard?” Callisto laughed. “I let Sasha and Kiryk go, send you back and forgive Xena for everything?”
“I know you won’t do that,” Gabrielle said simply. “I do know a way to get revenge on Xena without turning Sasha into the monster Xena was and which you’ve become.”
“So you haven’t come to argue for yourself or Xena,” Callisto commented, nodding to herself as if accepting the observation.
“No, that would be useless,” Gabrielle said simply.
“You are sharp,” Callisto admitted. “So in your mind what could I possibly do with Sasha that would hurt Xena without hurting Sasha.”
“Nothing,” Gabrielle admitted. “But I do know a lesser evil for Sasha. Give her to the Norse gods.”
“What in Tartarus are you talking about? They’re the ones fighting Mars right now!” Callisto demanded.
“Haven’t you asked yourself why they are fighting Mars?” Gabrielle threw a question back at the goddess.
By the frown on the blonde’s face, Gabrielle knew Callisto hadn’t bothered with the question and probably neither had Mars.
“They are fighting with Xena not because they’re friends with her!” Gabrielle said forcefully, as if instructing a slower student. “They want Sasha for their own. The Northern gods know she’s going to have powers and want her for their own. They intend to turn her into a Valkyrie and take her from Xena and me.”
“What the difference between Mars and the Norse and why should I care?” Callisto demanded.
“Do you want to do to a child what Xena did to you?” Gabrielle demanded. “Mars will warp her and turn her into what Xena was. Sasha will turn around and destroy many more families than Xena ever did. Families like yours. The Warlord Xena will win over you, Callisto.”
Callisto seemed lost in thought.
“The ultimate irony, Xena created you by killing your family. Now you’ll create a hundred more Callistos by creating the next Xena with her daughter.” Gabrielle said bitterly.
“So why the Norse?” Callisto was still frowning.
“They want to take and train her to become one of them, Xena isn’t happy with that and won’t give up her daughter to them,” Gabrielle said, hoping the truth would cloud over the slight lie under the sentence.
“What if I want her to become the next Warlord Xena?” Callisto asked with a grin.
“Why, everyone will know it’s your fault, you and Mars. Xena will be seen as the suffering mother who lost her child to an insane goddess and a power hungry war god,” the bard said simply.
Callisto continued pondering.
“Instead of Xena being blamed for her past crimes, you’ll be the one blamed for the terror. Cirra will be forgotten and you’ll be cursed for taking an innocent child and turning her into a monster.” Gabrielle pressed.
Callisto growled.
“You talk too much,” Callisto growled and Gabrielle nodded her head in agreement.
Gabrielle watched as Callisto snarled at her and then at herself.
“They’ll possibly turn her over to you again after the battle!” Callisto protested.
“No, were you watching when we fought the monster Grendel?” Gabrielle asked.
“Yeah, you actually stayed dead for awhile over that one!” Callisto grinned in pleasure and Gabrielle glared at her. “I saw.”
“Then you know Freya and Odin are demanding Sasha for their own.”
Callisto growled.
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