Authors Notes: I don't own Ares, Xena, Gabrielle, Callisto, or any other names found on this site except for Beatriz and Lathos who are of my own invention (and probably insanity). No copywrite infringement is intended seeing as how I'm not getting any money for this or anything.
Beatriz enjoyed living among her Amazon sisters once again. As the months passed however, she felt as if she had become mentally stifled. There was something missing within her. In an unproductive attempt to fill the void, she worked even harder at her warrior skills, staying out late to practice, teaching others what she'd learned. She often asked the Queen for special assignments to break what she thought to be the monotony of everyday existence. The Queen rarely disagreed with Beatriz seeing that she was eager and willing to learn what her place was in life.
Early one summer morning, the Queen called Beatriz in for a private meeting for she had finally decided what to do with the ardent young warrior. "I need you to go to Athens where you will give a message to King Theseus. Bear no ill-will towards him, although you no doubt remember his story," the Queen told the affirmative Beatriz. She'd heard the tale numerous times about how Theseus came to take their Queen who then gave him a son before she died. This caused animosity among the warriors, none of which Beatriz was a part of, because it had happened some twenty years ago, before she was born. She rationalized in all fairness, to judge the man's character when she met him as opposed to assuming to know him only through her sisters.
Beatriz took the sealed scroll, the contents of which remained unknown, thanked her good Queen, and was soon on her way.
***********
Merchants yelled out prices while villagers surged in the crowd this way and that getting to the vendors they wanted to talk to. Beatriz approached one table where a small hairy man was selling necklaces made of beautiful stones. Looking at how the sun shown on the scarlet one, her attention came to what sounded like a fight breaking out in the town square.
Quickly she handed the jewelry back and pushed through the mob to see what had happened. Making her way close to the front, she saw there were two men standing in the center of the increasing crowd. One was dressed in a green hooded robe and the other in black. As the dark cloaked figure unsheathed his sword, he pushed the cape away for better mobility. She recognized the dark form to be Ares; the crowd was apparently too excited to notice as well. Just as she was about to plead mercy, his blade sliced through the other man and the gathering cheered for justice received. The man who never had a chance fell limply to the ground.
Beatriz was sick not only at the poor boy's death and the villagers loving it, but also at Ares. She'd always known he killed, he was after all the god of war, she'd just never actually seen it. She'd never seen the look on his face when he was killing someone, the look of evil ecstasy. Pushing her way back through the crowd and away from the horrific scene, she was driven to continue her journey.
**********
"Are we there yet? I'm starving," Gabrielle whined walking along the path through the dense forest. Xena rolled her eyes and smiled at her bard friend.
"Is that all you ever think of is food?" inquired the dark haired warrior.
"No. I think we're lost too," Gabrielle snapped back quickly, taking the lead ahead of Xena and Argo.
They walked for a long time, not saying anything. They'd been on the move for awhile now and it was about time they got some much needed rest.
************
Beatriz made her way along the path quickly, anxious to leave the savage village behind. A white light flashed as the grey-eyed goddess Athena stood in the trail before her, shield in hand. Both smiled as the Amazon came to greet her patron. "I see you're on your way to Athens," said the goddess, "I've heard it's lovely this time of year." Beatriz nodded optimistically. "Well, I wish you the best on your journey and I have come to give you two things. First, is this pendant..."
Athena raised her hand and dangling off of one slender finger was a silver string with what appeared to be an owl with its wings extended. The grey-eyed one placed the necklace around Beatriz's neck. She noticed how beautifully made it was, obviously hand crafted by one of the gods.
The goddess came to look into the matching grey eyes of Beatriz and said, "The second is some advice. Keep your head. You can't get involved with Ares, it would be your downfall. You always be prevail if you think logically. Good luck." With a nod, she was gone and Beatriz, still trying to fully understand the statements just made to her, continued on her way.
************
Xena removed herself from her thoughts to become aware they were being followed. Swiftly, she dismounted her horse and made a motion to her companion there was someone in the trees nearby. Gabrielle reached for her staff as another blonde haired figure appeared by her. "Can I help you with something?" questioned the new arrival simply.
"You're an Amazon aren't you?" asked the bard with a smile.
"Yes," she answered, "I am Beatriz."
Xena waited as Gabrielle worked on introductions and background history. Beatriz answered her question, "Yes, I remember hearing about your ordeal and almost becoming our Queen. I was away when all that happened though." Gabrielle nodded her head understandingly.
"Where are you two headed?" the Amazon asked cordially.
"We're supposed to meet a friend in Thebes," Xena finally spoke up. While Gabrielle and Beatriz had been talking, Xena had been observing and sensed there was something unusual about this girl they'd just met. She couldn't quite put her finger on what this uneasy feeling was, but it was definitely there.
"Oh sure," replied Beatriz, "I'll be going through that way. I'm headed to Athens. Maybe we could all travel together." Xena raised an eyebrow at her companion. Gabrielle smiled and nodded and turned towards the direction Beatriz had started.
She came to walk along side her newfound Amazon friend as Xena strode behind, Argo's reigns in toe. The two talked continually about themselves and their journeys. The dark haired warrior soon lost interest. Gabrielle loved to talk more than she, so she let her thoughts wander to other things. She could not get over the eerie feeling she'd been having since they'd entered this part of the forest. She squinted hard in concentration unable to hear any kind of noise. The wood had become completely still. Looking to Gabrielle for a response, she found her still engrossed in conversation. They'd obviously found much to talk about.
**********Nightfall set in quickly so Beatriz located a clearing for them to rest for the evening. She knew this part of the forest well so she found some food while they started a fire. After eating, everyone sat around the blaze as Gabrielle told stories of their adventures. She glanced across the way to see Xena was not enjoying herself as much as she and the Amazon were. She guessed Xena was just tired and continued with her tale. Quite to the contrary, Xena was not tired. She was wide awake and in contemplation.
There was something not right about the laughing Amazon's eyes. Earlier in the day she'd noticed they were an odd shade of grey, which she'd only ever seen before in the eyes of the goddess Athena. She doubted that the girl sitting before her was a goddess though. Xena made the fire brighter by throwing on more wood. She needed to see the girl a little bit better. Beatriz looked over to the dark haired warrior with smiling eyes wondering if she understood the bard's joke. Her cheerful expression quickly gave way to concern as she saw Xena's face. Gabrielle's features became somber as she asked, "Xena, what's the matter?"
Xena instantaneously stood and withdrew her sword. "Who are you really?" she asked with squinted eyes and a sneer. Instinctively, Beatriz had already withdrawn her sword and leapt to her feet as well.
Seeing what was about to transpire, Gabrielle intervened, "Xena what's going on here?"
"I don't know but look at her eyes, Gabrielle. Look at how black they are. That's not normal," said Xena still training her weapon on the girl.
"It's dark out here, Xena..." Gabrielle protested.
"No, Gabrielle. Just look," stated the warrior firmly. Her companion did as she was instructed and looked to Beatriz who was standing next to her. The fire blazed brightly enough for her to see the Amazon's eyes were indeed as dark as the night sky.
With a questioning expression, Beatriz glanced over to her surprised storyteller friend to ask, "What's all this about?"
Unable to find more eloquent words the bard stammered, "Those eyes...Those are the same as..."
"As Ares," Xena finished the statement for her. Truly confused as to what they were talking about, Beatriz wondered how she'd gotten into a mess like this. She had only been trying to help the travelers get where they needed to be and now it looked as if she would not live to see if they would arrive at their destination. So much for good intentions, she thought. Without thinking, Gabrielle moved to Xena's side.
In a flash of blue light there appeared next to Beatriz was Ares. "I heard my name. Did someone call?" he inquired sarcastically.
Xena hissed at him, "What's all this about, Ares? You send your new little girlfriend to spy on us?"
Ares laughed and said, "Not quite." Beatriz wondered what he meant. He moved to stand close to Beatriz. "Hello, Beatriz," he pleasantly greeted with a smile, but no response came. He reached around, taking her untrusting stare from Xena, he squared her shoulders up to his own. Her breathing grew faster as he touched her and when he forced her to look at him, she had absolute terror stricken across her face. She was afraid of him. He was amazed to see how much she'd changed since the last time they'd been together. In all the time he'd known her, she'd never once been reluctant to challenge him, let alone be fearful of him.
Harshly pushing her aside, he returned to face Xena and her annoyingly talkative friend. They both appeared to be rather agitated by his presence. He could not help but laugh. "What do you want Ares?" Gabrielle barked at him.
Still grinning, he replied to the tall warrior, "Don't kill her quite yet, Xena. You just might need her," and then he was gone.
Xena looked Beatriz up and down and said hostilely, "Well, sounds like we've got quite a problem here. So you're another one of Ares' chosen are you?"
Perplexed, she replied back, "I don't know what I am," and slowly sat back down, completely unaware Xena once again had her sword drawn on her. Xena knew that any friend of Ares was no friend of theirs, no matter how nice she seemed when they'd first met. Gabrielle sensed there was more going on than met the eye though. Her soul was in conflict. This girl was no participant in Ares' cruel plots, he'd just messed with her psyche like he'd messed with theirs. She came to sit next to Beatriz and wrapped an arm around the stunned girl waiting for her to speak again.
Xena saw that she was posing no threat so she took a seat across from the other two. A thought struck her and she decided to voice it, "You love him don't you."
Bitter thoughts began to fill her mind in response to the question. Without prelude, the Amazon started in, "I saw him kill a man this morning for no reason at all. He wasn't hurting him any..."
"Uh, yeah. That's what he does," Xena interrupted, "He's evil like that. Listen kid, I don't know what you think you had with him or what you think you have with him now, but my suggestion is just to stay away. Ares will cause you nothing but pain. He's not capable of love. Now if you don't mind, I'm going to get some sleep." Xena rolled over just as she said she would.
Gabrielle was not to about to give up that easily. She waited for her to continue the story and finally she did. "I've never seen him like that. The look on his face ... I'll never forget ..." said Beatriz lowering her head into her hands.
"Please," comforted the storyteller, "please go on."
The Amazon raised her head again. "His eyes were different. They were violent ... passionate ... black ..." and then she gasped putting a hand over her mouth. "What did he do to me, Gabrielle?"
"We'll figure this thing out, but I can only help you out if you start from the beginning," said the bard reassuringly.
Beatriz agreed and started her tale. She told her about her powers to change people's dreams, working with the war god save her Amazon sisters, and then her work in other battles that he chose. She continued by telling her about Hera's evil plans to kidnap and kill her to get back at Ares for training the Amazon and interfering in the Queen's plans. She also told of how she'd almost died. "The next thing I remembered was waking up with Athena and Ares looking down at me. I thought at that time that there really was something more to him than just hate. I saw something else in his eyes. They flickered with a gentleness, a compassion. But after seeing him today in the market, I know I must have been mistaken."
Gabrielle felt it time to step in and say something. "You know, I believe you. Xena says he's not running on a multi-level basis, but I've seen a side of him she hasn't. Apparently you have too. He's only ever shown her the lustful side of his personality, but I think you and I...we can sense things that otherwise wouldn't be seen. I don't think anyone can be all evil. It seems to me that he is an extremely emotional being and if he has that much bitterness, it has to work the other way too. I don't think I can go as far to say love, but I do know he has to get lonly like the rest of us."
*************
That next morning, Xena awoke to breakfast already made by the Amazon. Xena questioned her, "What. I don't get it. Last night you wanted to fight me and now you're making me breakfast?"
Beatriz answered back, "Listen I'm sorry about last night. I didn't mean to seem so volatile, I just got taken over by my emotions, and I guess it was a long day. It won't happen again." The dark haired warrior huffed returning to her breakfast as the bard awoke and rubbed her eyes. The night had been too short.
Promptly, the three were back on the trail towards Thebes. For the most part, little was said to one another. Xena didn't mind, however. She just wanted to get where they needed to be and be rid of their newest companion. She was absolutely convinced the Amazon was less than trustworthy.
**********
After two days more of travel, the three warriors came upon the castle of Xena's friend Omnivictous. Upon entering the estate, they were greeted warmly by the lord and asked to have their fill in the dining room. After the eating, dancing, and merriment, they were asked to meet with the master privately. He needed to explain why he called on Xena for help.
"So you see," continued Omnivictous, "I really didn't know what else to do. There have been so many people who have died or disappeared lately around here ... and we being friends for so long, I could think of nothing else to do."
"You did the right thing calling on us," said Xena with a hand on her old friend's shoulder. By 'we' Xena meant only herself and Gabrielle, not the Amazon. The bard became quite attached to her over the past few days making it difficult to get rid of her. Xena knew she would have to dispose of her somehow, but diplomatically. Until then, she had to suffer her ever-helpful company.
"What's a Stragoi?" inquired Beatriz.
Xena had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "They're vampires. Not quite dead but not quite alive either. Bloodthirsty monsters." Xena accepted the challenge from her old friend and he insisted all three stay in his castle. Shortly after the conversation, each woman took a bedroom on the upper floor to rest from the excursion.
************
Beatriz quietly snuck out of the room, careful not to awaken anyone. No guards were posted outside which made for a quick escape. She walked down the cold set of stone stairs to a long hall and at the end was a massive door. She slowly opened the door and stepped out into the night. She could feel the soft summer breeze through her flowing burgundy nightgown.
The full moon and brilliant stars illuminated the field. Crossing the small bridge, she came to find a place where the grass was satiny beneath her bare feet and two large oaks hovered above. She laid between the two, smoothing out her gown first. Inhaling the night deeply, she remembered how much she missed the forest. She remained there quietly, peacefully, for a long time. Her eyes stayed closed even as she heard someone breathing above her. Then came a whisper, "By, well, me...You are so beautiful." Still she did not open her eyes.
"You know there was a time," she replied casually, "when I might have believed you. Now I'm just not so sure." Beatriz then sat up a little to prop herself up with bent elbows. She looked up at a confused Ares standing with his hands on his hips next to her. "What's that supposed to mean?" he asked sounding a little hurt.
She looked right into his eyes as he came closer. "I had a speech prepared just for this occasion. I was planning on telling you just exactly what I thought of you, how you were a monster, how evil you were, how much I hated you. But then I had another problem. I realized that I fell in love with you which tore me up even more because how can I trust a man ... someone ... who is so horrible. On top of that I realized I didn't think of you as the god of war but as someone who just might love me back..."
She stopped suddenly, almost on the verge of tears. He was always doing that, even when he wasn't speaking. She did not want to let her emotions get in the way of the very important point she was trying to make. "So you can see the real dilemma I'm in."
A chill ran down her spine when she finished her piece. "Hey," he murmured reaching out to touch her. Still reclined, she flinched away from him. Ares reassured her, "No tricks. I am going to be honest with you. Trust me."
He sat down beside her. She pulled her legs in and sat up as he wrapped his arms around her and laid her head softly on is shoulder. He could not help but smell the wonderful fragrance of her hair. She felt an odd sense of security so she too put her arms around him. Still leaning against him she said, "I saw you kill a boy the other day."
Ares spoke quietly to her. "You think I have no feelings, is that it?" he inquired.
She turned her head to look at him. "I've never seen you like that..." she said with a slight twinge of fright in her voice. She expected him to break out in a violent rage as far as she'd pushed it.
He didn't though, instead he wanted to explain. "If only you could understand. It takes a different kind of mentality to do what I have to do. It's never easy. I never would have asked for this responsibility but I never would have wished it on someone else either. Listen, I'm sorry. I didn't ever mean to scare you like that."
Looking at her pale complexion in the moonlight, he could see how painful this weighty subject was for her. She laid her head back down, trying to suppress more tears. She wished his other personality would never make an appearance again. She wanted him to stay just as he was right then. Stroking her hair he said to her, "No, I have feelings. And if you think I don't have feelings for you too, you're wrong."
Beatriz turned her head around to look at him searching for she didn't know what. Unavoidable tears streaked down her face as she looked at him quietly. He saw the pure innocence of adoration in her eyes and it was breathtaking.
*******
Xena awoke from a restless sleep. Something wasn't right. She could just feel it. She got up and went to Gabrielle's room next door. Carefully she pulled the latch up and stepped into the room. She saw the figure of her bard friend laying in the bed. Closing the door, she walked down the hall and entered the room of Beatriz. She looked to the corner where the sleeping Amazon should be but instead found only disheveled blankets thrown off an empty bed. Xena returned to the sleeping Gabrielle.
"What are you talking about Xena? Who's gone?" she inquired sleepily.
"Beatriz is gone and I'll give you one guess as to who she's with," Xena said impatiently. The storyteller sat up and mindlessly put on her boots. She knew Xena was intent on going to find her.
Once outside, they split up. Xena rationalized that the Amazon felt most comfortable in the forest and there was one behind the castle, so she would check there. Gabrielle was instructed to take the flatlands.
The blonde warrior yawned and thought to herself, 'What am I doing out here in the middle of the night? Better yet, why does Xena care if she is gone, she didn't much like her anyway. I'm sure she can take care of herself.' But still she continued to do as she was told by walking through the grass and peering into the darkness.
********
Deftly, Ares placed one arm behind her back and the other under her legs laying her again in the silky grass. In the process, Beatriz released her hold on him and let her arms come to rest above her head. He looked down at her exquisite form and shook his head. "My, you certainly have grown up," he observed smiling at her. She smiled pleasantly back through half opened eyes.
Then carefully, so as not to hurt her, he placed his hands on the ground near each side of her body. She half giggled, half screamed in anticipation. She'd never felt this odd sensation before. It was a feeling of neediness, longing, desire. As his mouth overtook her own, she reached up and positioned one hand behind his neck to pull him closer. Noticing how gentle he was with her, she slipped her tongue into his mouth and kissed him more deeply to show him she needed more. Apparently he understood as he moved down to nuzzle the nape of her neck. He saw she moved her head for him to gain better access to the little place behind her ear. She made a noise deep in her throat as he placed kisses all along her collar bone.
As he worked so intricately, her hands were in perpetual motion. They were roaming all over his body, feeling his muscular arms and strong neck, running through his raven colored hair. She slid her soft hands into his vest to touch his firm chest and began to push the black leather off his shoulders.
Abruptly, he sat up and grabbed one of her hands. She gasped at his quick response and wondered what she'd done. He saw warmth in her passionate eyes turned cool as she regained an expression of questioning. "I'm sorry," she stated quietly.
"No," he was quick to reassure her. "You did nothing wrong, it's just, I needed to talk to you about something first."
With worry in her voice she inquired, "What?"
He came close to her face, looking deeply into her dark, passionate eyes that matched his own, and whispered, "You have never known another man intimately before, have you?"
Shocked by his words, she became defensive. "Oh I see. I'm not experienced enough for you, is that it?"
He wondered how he'd gotten her so angry so quickly. The old Ares would have loved that. He calmed her fear quickly, "I didn't ask to upset you, I just wanted to give you a chance to stop this now if you thought you'd regret it."
"Oh," was all she could say before the war god interrupted her with a heavy sigh.
"Great. Just great. That obnoxious Gabrielle is coming."
Beatriz looked backwards to see if the bard was in plain sight. Seeing nothing, she turned her gaze back to a smiling Ares.
Amused by her unquestioned trust in him he said, "Looks like you've got some time to think about it. I'll just catch up with you later. Oh before I forget, this is for you..."
She became mesmerized by the blue glow in his palm. Moving his hand so she could see, he presented the bottom half of her pendant. Expeditiously he felt around her neck to find the other piece and connected a dagger to the one already received from Athena. It sparkled brightly in the full moonlight as he laid it lightly upon her chest.
She reached up again to touch him and he came down to kiss her once more. He quickly ran his fingers through her tussled blonde hair and then disappeared.
********
Gabrielle passed over the bridge now more than a little irritated. She was tired and starting to think of food again. Just then she thought she saw movement by the two large oaks to the east. Cautiously she approached until she could recognize the form leaning against one of the trees was indeed Beatriz. "What are you doing out here?" the bard inquired.
"Oh I just needed some fresh air, that's all," replied the Amazon sleepily. Xena appeared from the other side. They all agreed to return to the castle and go back to bed.
********
Beatriz climbed back up the long staircase and found her room again. She shut the heavy wooden door behind her and crawled under the sheets. The long walk that day and the night's events had exhausted her. She watched the window with sheer curtains across the room sway melodically as the warm summer breeze danced in. The light of the moon shown in through the window and landed at the foot of her bed. Unable to hold onto her thoughts, she drifted down the peaceful river of sleep.
Hours later, Beatriz awoke sensing someone was in the room with her. She noticed the moonlight had moved to the head of the bed while she was sleeping. The curtain was still now as a dark figure approached her bedside. She assumed it could be none other than Ares, but was still apprehensive somehow. Standing closely, the entity moaned something awful and clamped his hands firmly around her upper arms harshly. Before she could let out a sound of protest, the form had leapt on top of her making it particularly impossible to move. "I'm so sorry," came an unrecognizable whisper.
Try as she might, she could not struggle away from his grasp. He had the strength of an immortal as it appeared her her. A violent rage fired up inside of her when she could not free herself. Disgusted by the whole thing, she knew this was not Ares as he sunk his sharp teeth into her flesh. She gasped, shocked as to what she thought had just happened. The rage subsided when everything became fuzzy and unclear. She lost all sense of herself and what was being done to her so she gave up her fight and laid still in the haze. Every now and then she would open her eyes, returning to consciousness, to see the black form above her stealing her life energy. Still she could do nothing as she returned to the vast abyss of nothingness.
For one brief moment of awareness, she felt the thing grab for her necklace. Upon holding the pendant, the vile creature made a piercing screech and was gone as quickly as it had entered. To drained to even call out for help, she remained in a dizzy stupor trying to relate to what had happened. Relieved to see it had at least gone away, she felt herself slip under again.
***********
"Time to wake up," urged the cheerful Gabrielle, opening the curtains in Beatriz's room. The Amazon sat up and blinked hard at the rays of morning sun. The bard turned to look at the girl still in bed and said, "You don't look so good. Kind of pale. You feeling okay?"
In all honesty, she could not remember much of anything from the previous night. "Yes, just a little tired I suppose," she replied.
"All right. Well there's going to be a meeting downstairs shortly you should probably attend, oh and Xena wanted to talk with you too."
The storyteller and Beatriz came to a dining hall with a long table. Xena was sitting close to Omnivictous discussing something quietly. All three ate as the Amazon declined gratefully saying she wasn't hungry. Xena and her old friend discussed what to do about the disappearances and the theory of the Stragoi. Together they decided it would be best to wait at the castle and then follow up on the next disappearance. They also talked of going to the nearest villages to see if anyone there knew anything. Beatriz suggested it was a fine idea but she needed to continue her journey to Athens. Gabrielle protested but Xena told the Amazon in her least impolite tone they could handle the situation themselves.
At the castle wall just before she was about to leave, Beatriz assured Gabrielle that it wouldn't take too long and on her way home, she would return to the castle to help in any way she could. They said their good-byes and she was on the path once again.
*********
Beatriz realized upon entering the city, wearing her Amazon war garb was probably not the best idea. Everywhere she went she was greeted with stares and questionable glances. Deciding it would be much easier to travel to the palace without being stopped so often and questioned, she went to a little shop and was dressed as the other Greek women were. The helpful woman fitted her in a white gown with pieces of long fabric that draped over her shoulders like straps but then fell to the floor behind her. A gold cord was then wrapped around her waist and in her hair.
Upon leaving the dressmaker's shop, Beatriz was greeted merry man well along in his years. "So I see you've made your way to Athens. Before you go to meet with the king, do you think perhaps you would care to join me in the great hall of thinkers for their daily meeting?" inquired the aged man. Surprised to hear that he knew so much of her, she turned towards him and saw sparkling grey eyes smiling at her. She was overwhelmed to know she might actually be able to hear the wisdom of the famous men who lived in Athens. Gratefully she accepted the goddesses proposition and they left quickly.
At the entrance there was little opposition upon seeing the pair. Beatriz chose to sit in the back so as not to disturb the vigorous discussion. Athena watched the enthralled Amazon listen to minds similar to her own. At one point the old man broke into the conversation and said, "I believe, gentlemen, that this young lady has some thoughts of her own on the subject." Open mouthed and wide eyed, Beatriz looked up at her patron, shocked at the suggestion of intrusion. Even more to her surprise, the men allowed the grey-eyed warrior to enter their circle and talk of her reasonings. The warrior turned philosopher spent the rest of the day amongst the discourse under the watchful eye of Athena. Just before sunset, they adjourned but not before giving Beatriz an invitation to return to their meetings. She gratefully accepted and met with the goddess outside who transformed back to her original stately form.
"Never in my life have I ever felt so mentally validated. What a freeing feeling. Thank you for that," said the Amazon.
"It's no problem really. I'm glad you had such a good time. Now my dear, I'm afraid I must leave you," the patron noted almost sadly. Her melancholy sentiment was equaled in the expression on Beatriz's face. Athena continued, "Surely you must have deduced by now that I can only be with you in the days while Ares looks over you in the nights. It is a rather extreme balance of Reason and Emotion, don't you think? Well in any event, it is time for you to go to the palace. Good evening, dear," and then she was gone.
***********
Standing at the palace gate, Beatriz was quickly told King Theseus was away on another of his adventures but the Queen and her son were present. Trying not to express her frustration at the dull minded doorman, she inquired if she might speak to one of them because her message was urgent. Finally, she was received and escorted to the throne room. Quietly she noticed how intricately adorned all of the rooms were with gold and silver and richly colored tapestries.
Upon entering, she saw a tall man with his head down sitting in the large throne. There was a smaller one next to it which she assumed was for the Queen. There were servants about, many tall green leafed plants, and large standing candelabras which gave a rich glow to the room. He was wearing typical Athenian attire only the fabric was a deep red trimmed with gold. Resting upon a head of medium length dark brown hair was a beautiful golden crown which looked not unlike that of Apollo's design. Seeing he was not about to speak first, she took the initiative, "I have a message for Theseus from the Queen of the Amazons." Immediately he made a motion with his hand and told everyone else to leave.
Finally looking up at her, he smiled and introduced himself. "I am Hippolytus, son of Theseus and the Amazon Queen Antiope. Phaedra who reigns here now with Theseus is my step-mother and no ally of mine."
Her words caught in her throat. Never in her life had she seen such an delectable example of man. His dark hair, hazel eyes and chiseled features were magnificently perfect. "Oh excuse me, where are my manners? Please, sit," he said waving his hand to the throne next to him.
She sat in the golden chair perfectly aware he was watching her, but still no words would come so she glanced up at him and smiled shyly. She wondered where this sudden reserve came from. He inquired softly, "So who might you be and what is this I hear about a message for the king?"
"I am Beatriz, and an Amazon warrior. I was sent to give Theseus this message," she forced herself to say taking out the scroll.
"An Amazon warrior? How did they ever get you into that kind of work?" he said catching her gaze.
He stood, absentmindedly placed the scroll on the table next to him and said, "Come with me. There's something I'd like to show you." Without a second thought she followed him out of the throne room.
************
Phaedra waited outside the door in the west wing. When the young queen heard the talking cease and the door shut behind the two, she entered the room and retook her throne. Sitting there, bitter at her misfortune once again, she noticed the scroll laying on the table by her aged and detestable husband's throne. Quickly she took it up and read aloud:
"Theseus- I am delivering to you your last hope. May she do well and deliver your son from evil."
Enraged, Phaedra retired to her bed chambers to decide on a fitting poison for the vile Amazon. Hippolytus would love her, even if she had to kill Theseus and every other girl in the acropolis.
**************
He pushed the doors wide open and took a step back with a smile, allowing her to enter first. He'd taken her to the weapons room. She looked around in awe of the magnatude of the arsonal. He stepped ahead of her and took one of the swords off a nearby stand. She became preoccupied with one perticular gleaming sword. She fingered the hilt.
"You think you can wield that weapon?" he inquired playfully. She looked up and raised an eybrow at him. "Let's see what you got," he challenged with a smile.
"I must warn you," she said pulling it out of the holder, "I don't give up very easily."
He nodded. "Good, because I don't either," he said with a lunge.
As they both did not care to eat, Hippolytus introduced her to the alluring taste of wine. They reclined on what she thought to be an odd lack of furniture, instead replaced by large plush pillows. She had the new sword he'd given to her in exchange for her victory next to her.
"I am dedicated to Artimus, goddess of the hunt, which is where I'd like to be usually, out hunting that is. But not now, I'm just fine sitting here with you," the prince said pleasantly. He poured more wine into her emptied glass and inquired, "So who is your patron? I swear your eyes change shades which I assume can only be divine intervention."
Phaedra, dressed as one of the servants, replaced the Amazon's glass with one tainted in a special concoction she'd made. The intoxicated Amazon took another sip and nodded, "Two actually, Athena and Ares. Makes for a pretty disquieting combination, let me assure you."
His sparkling eyes opened wide as he said, "You really do have a lot invested in war then don't you?"
She set her glass aside and sat forward becoming more serious, "Not everything is about war."
"I agree," he said simply as he reached around her back to draw her close. Her breathing quickened as traced her lips with his own. Much to her enjoyment, they found their mark as she closed her eyes, savoring the sensation. Breathlessly they parted, but remained close. He looked deeply into her darkened eyes. "I've never met anyone like you before. I feel like I'm suffocating to death here by myself. Stay in Athens for awhile, would you? I understand being an Amazon, your sisters wouldn't take too well to you being with a man, but we could tell them we were...married or something, or else we really could get married and tell them nothing at all!"
She laughed. "They wouldn't much care for that excuse either. But still your will be done," she whispered, feeling a little light-headed.
He smiled and asked, "Which will?"
With a questioning gaze she replied, "Well I certainly would not bring you to your death!"
And with that he kissed her intensely once more. She knew she must have said something right. Slowly they stood as he called in a multitude from outside the room. "Let all of Athens know we are to be married!" he said to the servants standing before him. They retreated all aflutter about the news.
As they exited, the Amazon fell back against him, making mention of dizziness. Smiling, he blamed it on the wine as he swept her up and took her down the hall.
Upon opening her eyes, she found herself being placed in a large bed covered in golden blankets. Around the top of the bed was draped dark red satin fabric that in the corners, fell to the floor. "I'll be back to see how you're feeling in a moment, there's something I have to take care of first," he assured her and shut the door behind him. She closed her eyes and wondered where her focus she'd had during the day had gone to.
As she was sleeping lightly, Phaedra crept into the room and stood next to Beatriz. Ever so carefully, she reached around her neck and unclasped the pendant placing it in a small silver box in her hand. She crept out of the room none to soon as Hippolytus returned.
Silently he moved to the other side of the bed and reclined next to her. Unable to think clearly, she was forced to rely on her instincts and they were telling her something was not right. She'd never had another man breathing so close next to her. Ares had been the only other she'd been in this situation with and that felt right. This did not.
While she'd been trying to think, Hippolytus moved himself close to her ear to whisper, "I'm sorry to have to do this to you again." She flashed her eyes open to look at him inquisitively. He wrapped a strong arm firmly around, pinning her down as he attacked her already bruised neck. The whole world was spinning as she cursed herself for drinking with him. In a pathetic attempt to push him away, he assured her, "This will all be over soon. Trust me." She could do nothing as tears started to her eyes. Softly she said, "Ares," remembering when he'd told her to trust him.
A blinding blue light flashed in the corner of the room as she heard the sound of a sword being unsheathed. Hippolytus released his grasp from the victim. He came to stand at the foot of the bed facing a vicious Ares.
"You couldn't kill me in the market, and you can't kill me now. Although you could take a good *stab* at it," said the sarcastic prince thrusting his arms out to the sides.
Ares roared at him and plunged his weapon deeply into the man's chest. Beatriz screamed at the horrific sight and fell limply on the bed as Phaedra's poison overtook her body.
"Leave her out of this," Ares berated, retracting his sword.
"But isn't she already *in* this?" the prince protested, "I mean it has been said that she is the one that's supposed to effectively destroy all of us Stragoi, and might I add you as well. I can't let that happen, you know that. Besides, she'd be happier as one of us. I'm just looking out for her wellbeing."
Ares sheathed his sword and came to the bed. Feeling her cold lips with his hand, he picked her up, and placed her over his shoulder. Facing the monstrosity of a prince he said, "She was terrified. Do you think that was in her best interest as well?"
*************
Back in her familiar bedroom in Ares' temple, he forced a serum down her throat to extract the poison Phaedra had given her. Waking nauseated, she ran to the window and gagged. He held onto her so she would not fall again as she bent over. After the repulsion subsided, she returned to bed where he came to sit and watch her. "Is he dead?" she inquired.
Shaking his head stoically, he looked down to see her hand wrapped around his fingers. "Don't assume I don't know what you're thinking right now," he said to her. "Even though you think a drop would quench your thirst, my blood would kill you."
"What's going to happen to me?" she asked timidly.
"Well," he said sighing and raising his eyebrows, "I don't really know how much damage was done. I know you were in pretty bad shape, almost dead in fact. I also know you are going to feel like you want to die. I just hope you will forgive me for this."
Ares moved his hand and her arms and legs became shackled to the bed. He exited the room as he heard her begin to cry. He couldn't decide which this night would be more unbearable for.
************
Ares sat stone faced in his throne. For hours she had been calling his name, pleading and sobbing for him to stop the pain. To put an end to this agony. He could do nothing but wait, wait until she stopped moaning, and he thought it would kill him.
***********
As the sun just began to come up, silence crept throughout the temple. Quietly he made his way into her room and sat on the bed. Her now calm features were tear streaked and her hair fell about her face. He watched as her breathing became increasingly heavy.
"You never came," she said in a heartbroken voice, opening her eyes a little.
"I couldn't," was all he could say in response.
"Thank you," she said gently, "for saving my life again." As he removed the ties, she sat up and said, "May I?"
He enfolded her shaking body and thought how it was possible that he could cause her so much pain and she would still return to him.
"I know what I have to do now," she said after regaining some sense of composure. "I have to kill that evil thing that's inside Hippolytus to save myself, but I'm going to need my necklace to do it. Phaedra was the one who took it."
"What is your plan?" he inquired.
"It's still early and she's probably still asleep. I can just break into her dream and her memory of where she hid it so when I go back tonight I can pick it up," she replied logically.
"Wait a minute," he stopped her, "you don't have your dreammaker ability anymore, and secondly, you plan on going back?"
Beatriz halfheartedly smiled and said, "I don't really have much of a choice, I'm having enough trouble right now controlling this thing let alone tonight when I really get temperamental. No, I need to do this."
Ares agreed, knowing he couldn't doubt her reasoning considering she was under Athena's protection. She laid back on her bed and tried to relax. Placing his hand on her own like when she was first learning the skill, she ventured inside Phaedra's mind.
She saw her place a silver box in a hidden panel in the wall. Beatriz could not help but also see a vision of the Queen talking to one of the Stragoi leaders, a tall pale-faced monster of a man, if he still could be considered a man. In a few moments, she roused and began to prepare for battle.
*************
When darkness fell on the Athenian palace, the Amazon in Greek attire waited patiently down the hall for Phaedra to leave her room. When she finally did so, Beatriz snuck in and found the hidden wall compartment with little effort. Placing the pendant around her neck again, she exited the room and made her way to the wing that held Hippolytus's bed chamber.
Once in his room, she located a shadowy spot behind a large fern in which to sit and wait for him. Late in the night, he finally staggered into the room and fell down upon the large bed she'd once been held to just as she'd planned. 'Now or never' she thought to herself as she took a deep breath and moved out from behind the plant. She approached his still form and jumped up on the bed. His brilliant hazel eyes flashed open upon feeling the movement.
He wanted to appologize. "Listen, I'm sorry about what happened the other night. You have to understand that..."
She interrupted him by placing a finger on his lips. "No I undertand what you are now. And I want to help you," she replied.
Coming to sit on top of him, she straddled his legs and forced a smile in return. Pushing her untied blonde hair behind her ears, she took a deep breath in preparation. "I know what you need now," she said as a strap fell down off of her shoulder. His haunted eyes searched hers, hoping for some kind of insight as to what had changed her mind.
She made a motion for him not to do anything as she pulled apart his top. Had it been any other time, she would have taken note of his athletic form, but she had other things on her mind. Quickly she laid her head down on his chest listening for a heart beat. She sat back up and hoped her foresight was correct as she removed her necklace and held it in her hand. Much to her relief, the pendant transformed into a beautifully sleek dagger. The wings became the hilt and fit her hand perfectly.
Without warning or his awareness, she plunged it directly into the place she'd been listening for a second previously. He screamed an otherworldly shriek as a black substance oozed from the wound. Furious, Hippolytus flung her across the room with super-human strength where she slid down the wall and fell to the floor unconscious.
***********
Beatriz awoke to find the prince on top of her, holding her arms above her head with one hand, and wielding her dagger with the other. "What are you doing?" she lamented desperately.
"I'm fine, now let me just do this," he returned as he sliced into her with the weapon. A dark solution also came from the incision as she cried out and writhed underneath of him.
When she calmed down, he released his grip and settled on the bed next to her, worn out from the effort. Breathlessly she addressed Hippolytus, "I should kill you right there where you lie."
Thinking he heard a sarcastic tone in her voice, he answered, "Yes, you're probably right, but thanks for not."
He smiled and glanced over to see her nod rather seriously and close her eyes. Frowning in contemplation, he looked up at her reflection in the gold plated ceiling. She was replacing the transformed silver pendant around her neck again.
"Where do you buy a necklace like that?" he inquired, trying to keep the mood as light as possible.
"You receive it as a gift from the gods," she retorted simply. He nodded his head, trying to think of what to say in an awkward situation such as this. "It's probably of no consequence to you," she continued, "but Phaedra took it after she poisoned me."
"She did what?" he questioned sitting up in amazement. "I am beyond tired of that harpy and her deceptions. I'll send her away. Exile her to Egypt or something," he assured her.
After laying there for awhile, trying to catch her breath again, Beatriz got up slowly and walked to the large open window overlooking the sea. He followed behind and stood a little too close for her comfort. Bending his lanky frame to talk quietly, he said, "I'm sorry for what I did to you. I know I'll never be able to make it up to you, and I know I don't deserve it, but I have to say one thing. I was and am still serious about wanting to be together with you."
*************
"You have to do it, Ares," said Artimus sitting on the large stone stairs. Standing with shield in-hand Athena looked down upon her city.
"Yes, I have to agree, brother," said the grey-eyed one, "It is time to end it now. You've made it too personal and now you're forcing her to sacrifice herself for you. Ares, I care about her as much as you do, but you have to let her go." Ares frowned and shook his head.
Artimus stood angrily, "Stop thinking of yourself for once. Let her at least live out her last few days in happiness, not thinking of you." He shot the goddess an icy stare. He could not believe the they called him to Olympus to tell him she could not be saved. Finally, he nodded to the other two and wondered what he was to say.
*************
"That is, if you'll forgive me," he finished.
She waited a heartbeat and then shook her head, "No. I just can't."
"Why?" he asked dejectedly.
"Because," she answered, "there's lots of reasons. I just wouldn't make a very good wife. Never really been into that subservient kind of thing and I'm way too opinionated," she laughed nervously.
He said poised, "That's what I find most charming about you. What other possible reasons could there be?"
She sighed, wishing he would stop pushing her. "I have been dedicated to Athena all my life and must, well, remain ... untouched to stay under her protection."
He smiled and said, "I'm sure there's a way around that."
She gave him a look as if he was insane and he began to laugh. She couldn't believe he could not understand. "Listen, I don't think you get it," she snapped at him, "What I said the other night was a mistake. I was sent here to deliver a message. It's delivered. Now it's time for me to go. I'm an Amazon, remember? And I've been way too patient with you as it is."
As she began to leave, he reached around and grabbed her arm to stop her. She ripped away from his grip quickly and gave him the look of death. His face became serious as he looked unbelievingly into her eyes. "Amazing. Absolutely astounding," he said harshly. "You love him, don't you. You still have an attraction to Ares. How is that possible?" Hippolytus acquired resentfully.
"You don't know," she defended, "You haven't seen all that I've been through with him. You don't know him like I do."
"I'll give you that much," he said quickly, "but still, you can't honestly expect that he shares your warped affection, do you? All those powers Athena gives you don't amount to anything if you can't see that."
Enraged, she grabbed him around the throat with both hands and backed him against the wall, knocking over a potted plant in the process. Reaching for where she usually kept her sword only to find it not there, she hissed, "Take that back."
He looked above her head, and returned his gaze to her dark eyes to say with a slight smile, "We shall see." She reached back to nail him with a right hook, when her fist was caught behind her and jerked back quickly. In a flash, she was in a familiar throne room.
**************
Somehow, she felt guilty for what she'd almost done but still faced him. Ares stood with his arms folded across his chest looking down at her. She watched his strong dark figure approach and take her hand to show her to his throne much as Hippolytus had done. When she sat, he knelt to almost reach eye level. "You wanted to kill that man..." he said not finishing his thought. She did not want to answer.
"You shouldn't be defending me the way you have been. He's right, you know," Ares told her. She was shocked to hear it. "It's true. I can't return your love, not the way you want me to anyway. You have many things to do yet with your life. I can't let a relationship stand in the way of that."
She interrupted him, "I don't want to be alone."
Sympathetically he replied, "You won't be, you'll have Hippolytus."
She was betrayed, "But he's not you. You know things about me no one else will ever know." The Amazon did not bother trying to shroud her words.
"And I appreciate that," he noted, almost to himself. Ares' eyes smiled at her for a moment, then his tone became serious coming back to the point, "There are gods that don't like the idea of a single mortal having so much power of the gods on her side. We've decided it best for you to join with Hippolytus. Then his patron Artimus would be yours as well. I should warn you that Hades, among others, are out to do you harm."
"I see. Well then, you picked a good time to abandon me," she argued seeming calm. He knew from her statement, there was little he could do to explain himself further. Whether she liked it or not, she was cursed with Ares' obstinately impassioned emotions.
Frustration with his feeble progress expressed itself in his tone, "I just so happen to be trying to protect you from being hurt any further. The Fates have said it is your destiny to be with Hippolytus."
In an unusual response, she smiled at him. "You know you're breaking my heart." He nodded; he knew he was too.
******************
Hippolytus laid silently in the dark with an arm behind his head thinking of how he would ever get the Amazon to talk to him again. He was probably a bit too stinging with his words. She did after all save his life, but it was not as if conversation was his forte. In any other circumstance, he should have just given up on her altogether, but there was something he could not logically comprehend about his fascination with her. He needed more time to figure it out.
Closing his eyes, he tried to remember the look on her face last night. She was positively radiant. He could still hear her laughter ringing in his ears. He reminded himself she was inebriated for most of the time and he had not been well either, but that was beside the point. He was able to break through her otherwise stern exterior and she had thought enough of him to save him. Then another thought came to mind. Somehow he had to liberate her from her impractical obsession with the god of war. It obviously wasn't helping her any.
Breaking away from his plans, he became aware someone else was present. He lit several candles and took his sword in hand to search the room. Something moved under the large open window. Lighting the candles in a nearby stand, he was able to more clearly make out the Amazon gently leaning against the wall with her knees drawn up to her chest.
Quickly he put away the weapon and moved to the floor next to her. "What happened?" he inquired in a low voice.
"Nothing. I'm fine," she replied without expression.
She had closed up again. He wondered why it was so difficult for her to let him in. Thinking aloud he said, "Ares?"
She turned her head to look at him grimly. He instantly became entranced in her dark gaze. He thought to himself how it was almost as if he could feel her inside of his mind, like he could perceive what she was feeling. An unbearable feeling of sadness crept into his awareness. She gasped in surprise when he reached over to take her hand and his sense became even stronger. Standing in the shadows across the room, Artimus raised an eyebrow and smiled.
"What are you doing?" she inquired without saying a word.
Hippolytus closed his eyes, focusing on hearing her voice. "Have you ever experienced anything like this?" he thought.
"Yes I have, as a matter of fact. I used to be able to communicate like this with Ares," Beatriz answered.
Upon opening his eyes, his expression showed deep concern, "He really hurt you didn't he." She looked away from him, not wanting her thoughts to be anything but her own.
"Stop it," she demanded out loud. Standing, she wanted to get away from him.
"I can't," he answered, "I can hear you inside my head."
He strode across the room to where she was. She had to hear what he had to say. Turning away from him, he continued, "I understand now why you're so hostile all the time. It's so clear. You find it difficult to trust people, so you assume if you're antagonistic, then you won't have to get close to anyone and then you won't get hurt. He must have taken advantage of that. It probably all stems from feeling abandoned as a child."
She spun around and struck him across the face as hard as she could. "Don't you dare make assumptions like that."
He had to make her understand, "But I'm right though, aren't I? You don't even know what you're running from anymore. I know it won't be easy for you, but I'm asking you not to shut me out."
She huffed at his overly sentimental statement. How could he say such a thing and really mean it? He had to be manipulating her, although his reasons remained still unknown to her.
He raised his eyebrows as he looked down at her empathetically. He felt her emotions in turmoil. She was aching to reach out for someone, but it wasn't Hippolytus. Her wide eyes darted up to look into his hazel ones. She hated herself as the tears came to her eyes. "You have to let him go," he assured her.
Deliberately then, he encompassed her. Upon feeling his presence, she pressed her body into his and began to cry quietly. He sensed her melting in his arms not only letting her guard down, but mourning lost love. Ares had broken her heart, but Hippolytus promised the crushed woman in his arms that he would shield her from the war god. She held onto him more tightly. She needed a constant, desperately.
**************
Postponing her return to the Amazons, Beatriz decided to stay in Athens for awhile. He insisted she live in the palace with him. He did as promised and exiled his step-mother Phaedra to Egypt.
Beatriz received full reign over the palace as if she was the Queen, and the Athenians, for the most part, happily considered her as such. Occasionally, she worked as an ambassador for Athens and would travel to surrounding kingdoms. Considering her experience, she proved as an excellent scholar on methods for peace among warring nations.
When she was not away, she would go into the city to talk with the people and join in the discussions at the great hall of thinkers. She was always welcome to philosophize with or without Athena by her side. Beatriz decided that she would completely devote all of her time and energy in the pursuits that her patron offered.
As darkness came though, she insisted upon being locked in her room. Living in the great City of Reason as such an active member, she did not want to be seen when the passionate side of her personality took over for the night. She did not think it was so bad staying in her new room for so long though. It was decorated in a cheery yellow with white silk sheets and drapes. She placed many large green plants around which reminded her a little of the forest in her past.
Many long nights were spent reading scrolls on philosophy of civilization, among other things. She forced herself to focus on studying by candlelight so she wouldn't have to sleep. When Hippolytus forced her to sleep by staying with her until she did so, she always awoke from terrifying nightmares. The scenarios changed, but they were always about death. He would assure her no one was in mortal danger, but still the dreams persisted. He assumed the dreams were nothing but a manifestation of her memories about being with Ares. She insisted there was more to it than that.
On one such night, her dream started with her walking through a familiar castle looking for someone. She was calling out, waiting for a response that never came. Walking down the long hall, and opening the last door, she went to the window in the room. Looking down she saw an unconscious Xena and Gabrielle being taken away by a group of large men in black cloaks on horseback. She heard Gabrielle scream out to her for help before she woke up.
She decided that next morning a visit to the castle was in order as soon as possible.
*************
Travel was easier in the forest dressed as an Amazon again. In a few days time, she reached the home of Omnivictous which appeared even from the outside to be deserted. She pushed the large doors open and walked through the castle looking for signs of life. She even went to the eerily familiar hall, but found no one. Standing in the dining room with her hands on her hips, she wondered where everyone had gone to. It was as if they had just disappeared.
Looking up to the windows near the high ceiling that allowed light to shine down on the floor and all around, a chill ran down her spine. Suddenly a shrill screech resounded through the hall and she ducked out of the way. Turning to look behind her, there stood Ares with a slithering, pale faced man laying on the ground.
"You want to take care of this," Ares said making a motion to the Stragoi still impaled on his sword. Removing her necklace, she took it in her hand and moved toward the creature. Careful to not let it touch her, she struck in the heart and it stopped thrashing about.
Beatriz stood and looked at the poor man, shocked to see that after having studied and lived in Athens for a good amount of time, she could still return to her warrior-like ways so quickly.
Ares removed his sword from the thing's center and looked at the Amazon. Her long blonde hair was pulled up exposing her slender neck. Her chest above her leather bodice heaved from the adrenaline rush. She was more beautiful than he remembered. He wanted to forget his responsibility to the goddesses. She had no idea how much it pained him to allow her to think he didn't want her. It took every ounce of will power not to take her up in his arms and make her forget all the suffering he'd caused by any means necessary. The time for that was not now. There was still more damage to do, he thought to himself bitterly.
She looked at him suspiciously, "What are you doing here Ares?"
"For the same reason you are. Xena's not here," he answered.
"Well it's nice to know I've gotten replaced so quickly," she snapped at him.
"I knew her long before I ever met you," he explained.
She squinted her eyes at him so he continued, "You haven't been replaced."
"Isn't that sweet," she said sarcastically and his expression showed no change. He could not expect her to be sympathetic in the least.
"I've come to tell you a story," he said trying to regain her attention.
"I don't have time for this," she said hastily but he moved to block her path. She gave him an unusual glare.
"I think you do. You see, a capricious but lovely little wood nymph fell in love with a man named Lathos and they had a child. She came to find out soon after the birth that her lover was the son of a god by the name of Thanatos. You know, the god of death? Anyway, the deity was not pleased that his son's child was a girl and would not continue on the line, not to mention she was a nymph which he detested anyway. He killed Lathos, and the mother fled wiïth the infant. The nymph, although dedicated to Artimus, took the child to one of Athena's temples to be protected. She assumed Thanatos would never look there. He soon discovered the whereabouts of the woman and she was sent to the underworld with his son, but not before telling the women of the temple her daughter's name was Beatriz."
She smiled in disbelief, "Even if I did buy what you're saying, what do Xena and Gabrielle have to do with it?"
"You would think that with your history, you'd realize that premonitions in dreams come true," he pushed, "especially yours."
She dreaded the implications, "Why them? And why now, he's had plenty of time to kill me if he wanted to."
"Yes, but only recently have you been stepping into his territory. Apparently he doesn't take too well to you or Xena disrupting his undead. You know, you two really have quite a prowess for agitating the gods."
The Amazon allowed Ares to come close and talk quietly, "They want her dead. She's a threat to their future. If you go to find her, you'll soon discover they want you dead too. Even my 'darling sister' Athena doesn't mind sacrificing you for the greater good."
She was enraged by his audacity, "You lie. She'd never discard me like you did."
He was frustrated by her uncompromising attitude as well, "That's fine. Don't believe me. You'll just have to see for yourself."
Then she stopped to think and said to him, "I have better things to do than stay here and listen to you." With that, she turned and left, steeped in thought. Ares watched her go.
It was the beginning of her end.
**********
Hippolytus was glad to have her back in the palace again. But every time she came near, he could sense something was amiss. Her excursion had obviously not gone well, although she did not care to share.
A few days after her return, they moved out into the courtyard to enjoy the afternoon. She reclined on a plush couch in the sun as he told of what had happened in the acropolis while she was away. Every now and again she would smile at him which he took to be a good sign, so he progressed. As much as she tried to enjoy his company, she could not push her conversation with Ares at the castle out of her mind. It would have been easier except she continued to see flashes in her mind of Gabrielle from the dream.
****************
As the evening approached, a messenger rushed into the garden with a scroll for Hippolytus. Everyone was excused and Beatriz sat up waiting to hear the news. He read silently and then came to sit next to her expressionlessly.
"She's finally gotten her wish," he said handing her the papyrus. He stared blankly ahead. She took the scroll and read. It was a letter from Phaedra in Egypt. She was writing to inform him that Theseus was dead.
Beatriz saw his hand was firmly grasping a cushion. He looked over at her then, pain written across his features. "I need you to come with me and find out what happened"
She nodded and he did too. She reached over to touch his arm sympathetically knowing all too well the horrors of losing someone so dear. In a swift motion, he wrapped his long arms around her waist and laid his head upon her shoulder. She was surprised at first, but began to have the feeling as if he sincerely needed her. She thought to herself that it was kind of nice to feel needed. Awkwardly she molded her arms around him and found herself making comforting noises.
After some time she inquired softly as to when they were leaving. "The ships can be ready by tomorrow morning," he replied rigidly. He removed himself from her embrace and sat up, regaining courage in the fact he was still a warrior.
Both looked out across the still water. Gentle waves caressed the harsh rocks near the beach. The sun advanced the edge of the earth quickly making the sky turn shades of purple and pink. He wondered if she was aware nightfall was coming and that she would need to go to her room. Still endowed with the ability to sense what she was feeling, he knew she did not care anymore.
The Amazon's gaze shifted from the pinks ahead to the dark sky above. Drinking in the vision of her, he noticed her expression change. She became kindred to that of innocent child completely in awe of experiencing something unknown. She then looked back down at him. Her lips were slightly parted and a tear fell from her wide eyes as her hand found his. He wondered what detestable villain would ever create such a response and so focused his attention to the place she'd been looking previously. Directly overhead were two crimson stars shining brightly. They were only two heavenly bodies visible in the sky. Sensing her defeated will, he stood and then she did too.
"I'm sorry," she said to him, "I didn't ever mean to hurt you. This is all my fault."
He took a step closer so they were touching and he could feel her breathing. He was willing to take the risk that she may renounce him again. Hippolytus took her pale face up with both hands and gently stroked away a tear with his thumb. "It's not your fault. You can hardly be blamed for what you were born into..."
She interrupted him, "It's not safe to be around me anymore. I can't force this on you. I ... I have to go."
"Oh no you don't," he replied, "you're not getting away that easily. You're not forcing anything on me. I'm making the choice to stay with you and fight this thing out. But you can't keep running away all the time. If it's going to be you and me against the whole world, gods and all, then so be it. But you don't have to be alone anymore. I mean, you're the only person I have left in this world, and I'm not about to give you up too."
He noticed her reddened lips quiver although her eyes never left his. Finally, he knew he'd gotten through to her. Hippolytus felt her shiver in his arms as she was overtaken by a wave of feeling again that she'd so desperately tried to forget. She could clearly make out his thoughts and sensations and allowed them to intermingle with her own. Moving her hands up his back, she left them on his shoulders. He observed a rosiness came to her cheeks as she closed her eyes and let her head fall back breathing in the cooling evening air. Dark brown locks fell around his face as he bent down and gently kissed her soft lips.
Placing a hand in the middle of his chest to regain his attention she said, "You have no idea what you're getting yourself into."
He just shook his head, "It doesn't matter. I'll follow you into Hades and back if I have to."
She looked worried. "It very well may come to that. Just please promise that you won't ever let go."
"Never," he said to her, and she knew he meant it. Beatriz lightly stroked the hair away from his eyes and he continued for her, "Now where is that fearless Amazon Warrior I fell in love with?"
She smiled irrepressibly at his perpetual tenacity. "There she is," said the prince with a grin. "I have to go down to the harbor now and I take it you have some things you need to take care of too, so let's divide and conquer. I'll meet you back here later then."
She agreed and they left the palace together. He went the direction of the ships to prepare for their departure and she went in the opposite direction, to Athena's temple.
**************
Beatriz slipped stealthily through the night and into the temple. The torches were kept brightly lit even at even the latest hour as there were always several priestesses on duty. Gaining access to the main chamber, the Amazon waited for her patron to appear. She was about to leave after waiting a good long time when the room lit up.
"You can't do this," said Athena to Beatriz's turned back, "You can't go to Egypt to find Theseus."
Remembering what Ares had told her about Athena's Ôgreater good', the blonde warrior inquired sarcastically, "Why is that? It will be so lovely there I won't want to return to Athens?"
"Ah I see Ares has endowed upon you a sharp tongue as well," answered the goddess with a raised eyebrow. "I'm telling you that you need to stop your quest before it starts. Step aside and let us take control of what is rightfully ours. I don't want to hurt you, but if you do not comply, I will have no choice but to destroy you."
Beatriz turned to look at her former patron with a slight smile and said, "You're talking about the Twilight of the gods, aren't you? It's going to happen and soon I take it. What difference could I ever possibly make for you to so blatantly dismiss me after all of my dedication to you?"
"This is just the way that it has to be. Stop now and go back to your Amazon sisters. I can no longer protect you," said the grey-eyed one coldly.
Somehow in Beatriz's mind, she was not hurt or shocked really, she thought to herself. She was amused that the gods were actually afraid. "I'm sorry but I have to continue down the path I'm on with or without your help."
"Without, I should think," the goddess stated. She then held up her hand and made a circular motion. Seemingly nothing changed so Beatriz wondered what she'd done. But before she thought to inquire, Athena was gone. Beatriz started back to the palace to tell Hippolytus they were down another deity.
**************
Beatriz walked out onto the large balcony. The palace was silent and Hippolytus had not yet returned. She sat on one of the many couches found around the royal estate to think. So much had happened and she had not yet found the time to sort everything out. Ares told her that Athena would betray her and that was correct so was it also true that she was the granddaughter of Thanatos? She also wondered where Xena and Gabrielle went. She somehow just had the feeling they had to do with this Twilight that Athena was so concerned about. She never did receive an answer as to what she had to do with it. And what of Ares, could he still be trusted? Absorbed in thought, the Amazon laid out on the couch and somehow managed to fall asleep.
*************
Beatriz awoke shivering from the cold air that had produced a blanket of dew. Hippolytus was standing above her. She smiled recognizing he'd been the one who woke her and rubbed her eyes with her finger tips. "Athena's not going to be any help. She says she's going to have no problem killing me," she told him sounding almost humorous.
"I just talked with Artimus," he reported, "She wants no part of this impending battle no one wants to talk about."
She yawned and then looked back up at his silhouette, "We're going to die, aren't we."
With a furrowed brow he took her hand to help her up. She followed him into one of the many bed chambers in the palace wearily. Climbing into the large bed, she curled up next to him, enjoying the warmth. He pulled the blankets up after wrapping a soft comforter around her. He lightly stroked her hair, at which she made cooing sounds.
"We're going to be okay," he told her completely believing it. Noticing she'd fallen back asleep, he kissed her on the forehead and tried to sleep as well.
**************
The voyage had gone too quickly for Beatriz's taste. She always preferred land over sea travel, but in any event, she was ready.
Just upon approaching, the large, light brown-stoned palace seemed daunting. Beatriz supposed Cleopatra lived in a rather similar palace that had many levels, balconies, and carved columns.
They walked up the road, side by side, Hippolytus wearing his royal golden armor and Beatriz in an unthreatening looking Athenian gown. She thought the way he looked, he should be with Marc Antony in Rome. Standing in front of the entrance doors were two guards dressed in hooded robes holding spears at their sides. On each wall were lit huge torches.
"I have come to see my *mother* Phaedra. Step aside," commanded Hippolytus. Both guards looked up at the prince then and smiled perverse grins. Taken aback by their loathsome forms, Beatriz showed no outward response except when she took Hippolytus' hand.
"They're Stragoi," she thought to him. "Just look at them, their eyes. And they're the guards? That can't be a good sign."
"No it can't be. Something is seriously wrong here," he answered back without saying a word outwardly.
Finally, the large doors were opened as requested and the two entered. They were escorted by another hooded figure into a large throne room. There stood in the impressive room was a woman leaning against the largest of the two thrones.
Upon looking up, the woman cried, "Hippolytus! I'm so glad you're here. I just didn't know what to do." She sauntered to him and embraced him, but it was not a motherly embrace. Still caressing him, Hippolytus looked to Beatriz who was effectively pushed aside by the Queen. She returned his questioning glance.
"Why the vail, Phaedra? Let me see your face," he told the young woman.
"No," she said quickly. Pushing away from him, she continued, "I'm still in mourning, can't you see?" He did not have to be in close proximity to know what the Amazon was thinking.
"What happened to my father, Phaedra?" questioned the prince.
With a dramatic flair, she flew back to his throne and said, "Oh it was a horrible thing, really. I think he was poisoned. He was pale and absolutely grotesque. I can't imagine who could ever do such a thing. You should have seen him! When I got here, I did everything I could for him but he was just not well enough to return home."
"I want to see his body," he told her rigidly.
She kept her distance and said just as coldly, "All in good time, love. Tomorrow. Tomorrow you can see him, if you feel you must. Not now though. I'm sure you're both tired from your trip and need to rest in *separate* rooms. I'll have someone show you."
*************
Sure the guards were gone from outside her door, Beatriz changed into the Amazon attire she'd brought and slipped across the hall into Hippolytus' room. She shut the door quietly and leaned back against it. He sat on the bed waiting for her, but came quickly when she entered.
"What's going on here?" she whispered.
"I don't know but Phaedra isn't telling the truth. There's got to be more going on than what she's saying. And why the dark-hooded populace?" he noted in an equally quiet tone.
"I had a dream about this place the other night. As much as I didn't want it to be anything more than that, I guess it is real. I dreamt Theseus wasn't dead and Xena and Gabrielle were here," she told him.
"Okay," he said, not questioning her judgment, "we've got to come up with a plan. So they're here. Do you know where?"
"I don't know about Theseus or Xena, but I do know where Gabrielle is hidden. She's in the lowest level in some kind of a barred apparatus. I think I remember how to get down there."
Walking down many long, dark corridors, they discovered the opening to a hidden staircase behind a stone wall that seemed out of place. Feeling their way along the cold walls, they made their way down the steps and came to another hall. At the end of the hall was the yellow glow of a torch. Swiftly they strode to the light and Hippolytus peered around the corner to report two guards standing by a barred door.
Silently, both withdrew their swords and approached the figures. He held them both to the ground as she took her dagger in hand. Taking the keys away from the incapacitated guards, she opened several doors and saw a figure moving in one of the cells.
Bringing a torch with, Gabrielle called out when she recognized her Amazon friend.
"Beatriz! I'm over here," she whispered loudly. They opened the bars and the Bard continued. "Where's Xena? Is she with you?"
"No," replied Beatriz, "I thought she'd be with you. What happened Gabrielle?"
The Storyteller quickly told her tale. "After you left us, there were no more sightings of the Vampires. Everything seemed fine so Xena and I left. Several months later, we heard you were engaged so I wanted to come see you in Athens. When we got there, we were greeted by Stragoi guards at the palace. Needless to say, they overpowered us and took us under custody. They put me here but took Xena. She's Theseus' personal bodyguard now."
Beatriz turned to Hippolytus with a raised eyebrow. His expression showed no change. "Well let's go make our presence known, shall we?" asked Beatriz.
Gabrielle touched her arm stopping her. "There's something you should know first. Xena has ... changed since last time you saw her. She's with child."
"Xena's pregnant?" inquired the Amazon dumbfounded.
"Yes," replied the Bard. Her tone gained urgency. "Her baby is *the one*."
Beatriz smiled understanding what the Storyteller was alluding to. Hippolytus inquired what Ôthe one' meant. Beatriz explained, "Her child is going to bring about the Twilight. The downfall of the gods."
"That is why we have *got* to get her out of here and make sure she and her baby are safe," added Gabrielle. "Whatever happens, Xena cannot get hurt. The only problem is how to get by these Stragoi. You can't just kill them."
Beatriz then explained how she'd used her pendant to transform the unfortunate souls back to their original state of being. Together the trio agreed to find Xena first and then worry about locating Phaedra and Theseus, if he was still alive. With torch in hand, Hippolytus led the way up the stairs and out of the dungeon.
Silently, they crept down several long hallways. Darkness enclosed the corridors except for an occasional open window that shown bright moonlight down on the floor. Beatriz noted to herself with a slight smile that she was always the most busy at night.
Just then she stopped and so did the others. "What's the matter," asked the Bard.
"I think we should split up. Don't ask me why, I just have the feeling we should," answered the Amazon. Beatriz could sense Hippolytus' questioning expression even through the dark. "I'll be fine," she told him. "Go with Gabrielle."
Without a word, Gabrielle slipped past him, leading the way, and he followed hesitantly. She looked to her left and saw a large door and an open window next to it. She jumped when a crow immediately perched in the opening and cawed at her. Pulling the door open, she realized it was another stairwell. She climbed the stairs, going around and around until she reached the top, opened a final door, and walked out onto the roof.
Beatriz quickly surveyed the area. This must have been the lookout, except no one was present. At each of the corners were torches that gave off a warm orange glow. There were flags hanging off of the sides representing this was King Theseus' abode.
She had the feeling someone else was present as she turned to look behind her. A tall, dark figure slowly rose from one of the far corners and approached the waiting Amazon. By the light of the torches and the moon, she saw a flash of metal on the figure's belt. Beatriz recognized the Chakram.
"Xena, what are you doing here?" she asked calmly. "You shouldn't be anywhere near these Stragoi in your condition. We've got to get you out of here."
"Why shouldn't I be near them. Because they're the enemy?" Xena inquired sharply. She then stopped and pushed back her hood, allowing Beatriz to get a good look at her. "Well if they're the enemy, then I guess you're not exactly friends with me either."
The Amazon could not help but gasp as she saw the dark haired warrior's face. She looked like death warmed over. "Xena, you've turned," Beatriz could not help but say. "You're one of them, the Stragoi."
"Oh you're real quick there, kid," said Xena sarcastically, squinting her haunted eyes. "You know, I never did like you very much, although Gabrielle did. That's why I'll try hard to feel bad when you die," she said unsheathing her sword.
Beatriz's eyes widened as she put a hand up and shook her head. "I told Gabrielle I wouldn't hurt you."
Xena threw her head back and laughed. "I wouldn't worry about that if I were you," she told her raising her sword again. Beatriz then unsheathed her own, not knowing quite what to do after that. She knew there was no way she'd ever be able to defeat the great Warrior Princess.
Xena slashed at her, which she somehow managed to duck away from. Beatriz blocked her sword that came down with a crashing blow. Xena swung at her several times, unable to make a good hit. Beatriz then swung and Xena blocked her sword effortlessly. The Amazon fled to the other side of the roof breathlessly. She thought to herself darkly that this would be much easier if she could just kill her.
For that brief second Beatriz stopped to think of a plan, Xena pulled out her Chakram. Beatriz felt a stinging, and then a warmness drip down her leg as she fell to the ground. Grasping her shin, the Amazon looked up to see the dark haired warrior standing above her. She had a ghastly smile across her face when she pulled out her sword and struck.
**************
Hippolytus bent his tall frame, grabbing his head in pain. Gabrielle took ahold of him to make sure he did not fall over. "What's wrong?" she asked.
He looked up at her and said woefully, "I can hear her screaming in my head." Immediately he turned and started back down the hall.
The Prince and Bard raced up the stairs. Seeing no one standing, Gabrielle pointed to one of the far corners where something moved. Their hearts sank as they approached and realized who was lying in a dark pool of blood.
Both knelt beside her, one on each side. Gabrielle removed the Amazon's hands from her midsection long enough to look at the wound and then replaced them. The Bard shook her head at him.
Beatriz moaned and laid a hand on his upper arm. With a furrowed brow she removed it, seeing she'd left a crimson stain. "I'm sorry," she told him, coughing painfully.
Overcome, he picked her up and held her close. "It's okay," he said rocking back and forth, "I don't care. Just please don't leave me. I said I'd never let go, now you can't either. I love you."
She reached up to touch his face and left another red smear. Their tears intermingled with each other's. "I love you, too," Beatriz told him, almost surprised to hear the words leave her mouth. He nodded and half-smiled. She found enough energy to continue, "Leave me here, both of you. Go find Xena."
"Yes," Hippolytus agreed wiping a streak of blood across his forehead with his fingers. "You will be avenged."
Beatriz grabbed his hand. "No. You can't hurt her. You've got to find another way. Take my pendant ... save her. Please ... go."
Full of regret, he laid her down once again and kissed her hand. Gabrielle told her good-bye and took Hippolytus away. Beatriz's vision became cloudy as she watched them go.
She closed her eyes and then opened them again when she felt someone stroking her hair. She smiled and then said, "Ares, I'm not in the mood to argue with you right now. Maybe later?"
He smiled back down at her. "We've been here before, haven't we? No, I didn't come to argue. I told you I'd never abandon you so here I am."
"No offense, Ares," she told him, "but I don't know...how much good it's going to do now."
"You always were the skeptical one. Listen because we don't have much time. Shortly you are going to meet up with Thanatos. Tell him you want to challenge."
"How am I going to fight the god of death, Ares?" she inquired.
"You aren't. Not alone anyway," he answered. "Here..." he told her unsheathing his sword. She watched him take the blade and slice across his hand. He then slid his hand under her bodice allowing his blood to merge with her's. "I'll be with you, *inside* of you, when you do battle with him."
Beatriz felt a tingling creep all throughout her body as the pain began to lessen. "I'm afraid," she admitted to him. She'd never said that to anyone out loud before.
"It's going to be okay. Just don't worry about anything." Ares heard himself comforting her and wondered when he'd become so soft. When did he start caring about the lives of mortals, especially after such insolence? He looked into her dim green eyes and realized it didn't really matter. He couldn't deny the respect, admiration, and he dared to think love that he had for the nymph. "I'm right here with you."
She nodded and then closed her eyes. Her breathing, although shaky, never ceased. He watched silently as her heart slowed, placing her into a dream-like state.
Ares was aware they were not alone.
"You did the right thing," came a woman's voice from above. He looked up to see her brown eyes peacefully smiling. Although his face showed no expression, she could tell he was resentful. Ares stiffly nodded and said nothing.
***********
Hippolytus sliced into the last of a group of the Stragoi they'd come upon. Watching the quivering man before her, Gabrielle picked up her weapon and slid it back in her boot. The Prince came and stood beside her. "She's gone," he told her quietly.
The Bard turned to him with a questioning glance. "How do you know?"
He looked down at her showing no emotion. "I just know," he replied. "Let's go find this Xena."
**********
Her eyes flashed open and she quickly stood up. Disoriented, Beatriz looked around, trying to remember what had happened. She looked down to see she was wearing a beautiful white and gold dress. It appeared to actually radiate a shimmer glow.
She looked away from herself and out across the vast rocky formation she was standing on. She imagined there had to be hundreds if not thousands of other formations like the one she was occupying. Peering over the side carefully, below was a vast abyss of nothingness. Overhead the sky was shades of pink, but she was not sure if it meant sunrise or sunset. She wondered where everyone else was.
Just then a tall woman with long blonde hair and brown eyes stood next to her. Beatriz noticed they were wearing almost the same gown. The woman smiled gently at the new arrival and introduced herself. "My name is Callisto. I understand that you're probably confused but we'll work through all that. Don't worry, I'm a friend. I believe there's someone here that has been waiting to see you."
Beatriz answered back by saying, "But I was told I'm supposed to challenge Than..."
Callisto quickly interrupted, "Don't call him yet. There's some things you have to do first, like talk to your mother."
**************
Hippolytus and Gabrielle found their way to the throne room once more with the intentions of going inside, had not Phaedra blocked their path. She centered herself between them and the doors. "You can't go in there," the concealed Phaedra wailed at them with outstretched arms. She obviously either did not notice or else did not care that their prisoner had escaped.
"Why not Phaedra?" Hippolytus asked surprisingly calm considering the rage he'd been venting on the other guards around the palace.
"Because I command you not to!" she declared keeping her position.
"You do not hold any power over me. Your demands mean nothing," he told her sweeping her aside with one arm and pushing the door open with another. The Bard and Prince stepped inside the large room. His eyes became wide as he unsheathed his sword.
**************
"I can't believe it. No one at the temple ever told you that you have a brother?" questioned the breathtaking wood nymph that was Beatriz's mother. She seemed as light and delicate as a spring breeze.
"This is the first time I'd heard it," Beatriz said smiling. "Although I suppose the women of Athena's temple aren't too fond of the opposite sex."
"No I suppose not," the nymph replied. "It is time for you and I to part now. We will be seeing each other again though. May good fortune be with you on your quest." Without giving Beatriz a chance to speak, she was gone.
Callisto told Beatriz, "Sorry you didn't have as much time as you would have liked, but there's a more pressing issue at hand now." The Amazon knew what she was speaking of and nodded.
**************
In an instant she was in an arena, alone. She could feel an icy chill emanating from the huge black-marble floor she was standing on. The white gown had been replaced with her warrior garb.
Resting her left hand on her sword, she felt something was not right. Of course, there were many things not right with all that had happened recently. She unsheathed the weapon and held it in her hands noticing how heavy it was. Holding it out, she was able to examine it more carefully. It was not her sword, yet it seemed remarkably familiar.
A thought like lightning came to her. It was Ares' sword. She smiled to herself, recalling everything then. Beatriz closed her eyes and could actually feel him inside of her.
The sensation was simply incredible. Words could not do justice to what she was feeling other than that Ares was finally able to reveal to her the ancient, savage passion that had always pulsated viciously inside of him. She reveled in the untamed flame so intense in her now. There was no fear. And she had nothing to lose.
**************
Opening her eyes again, she heard the sound of heavy hooves approaching. Off in the distance, through the murky air, she could make out a massively tall man riding an equally lofty black steed. His long locks of raven-colored hair matched his dark apparel; it was fitting for the god of death. Resheathing her weapon, she stood and waited for Death to approach. Dismounting the horse, his steely gaze never left Beatriz. He had the look in his eyes of a lusty warrior who delighted in the suffering of others.
In a deep, haunting voice, he addressed her. "It has come to my attention you have refused to yield to death and be taken away to the Underworld."
She nodded her head, expressionlessly. Her voice remained constant when she answered him. "Yes, I wish to challenge."
"Very well," he answered back as he had so many other times. Many challenged, but no one ever won, which is why he freely gave his consent. "The stake is nothing less than the soul. Prepare for battle."
"Wait a moment," she told him. "It is more than just mere formality in this case, isn't it? You've taken away my family, your own son, and my life. You despised me even before I was born. I want more than just your's and my soul on the line. I want retribution. I want vengeance."
He found himself actually somewhat intrigued by her words. "What do you have in mind?" he inquired stone faced.
"If you win, you may add me to your collection of miserable souls. If I win, you can keep your soul. I have no use for it. Instead, you leave Xena and her child alone and I return to the land of the living," Beatriz said."No deal," he answered. "You may have one or the other, but not both."
She laughed out loud at him. "What, are you afraid you will lose?"
She had changed his mind, somewhat. "Very well, I will not touch Xena or her baby, but there must be an alteration in your arrangements. You will only spend part of your day in the realm of the living. The rest of your time will be spent doing my bidding, which is irrelevant seeing as how you will never again witness another day."
It was not exactly what she'd hoped for, but she knew that was the best she'd get from him. "Done," she told him.
Simultaneously, he unsheathed his massive sword and pulled out from behind his back a gleaming, but ghastly looking axe. His eyes remained as cold and unfeeling as ever. She unsheathed Ares' sword and rolled her shoulders back. She surely hoped her intuition was correct.
************
"Xena?" Gabrielle questioned, taking two steps into the room. The Warrior Princess was reclining in Theseus' throne with one leg over the arm rest. Looking up at the two, she smiled and then went back to work languidly licking the blood off her fingers. Hippolytus knew who's blood she was tasting because he was covered in it.
"Xena, I don't understand why you did this," the Bard told her. "She was our friend. You had no right..."
The dark haired warrior interrupted her, "Yes I did, Gabrielle. Don't you see? She was going to kill off the entire race of Stragoi. I just got to her first before she could get to me."
"She had no intention of killing you, which is more that I can say for me," hissed the sullen Hippolytus, with sword still in hand.
Xena raised an eyebrow at him and smiled once again, mocking him. "All right, let's get this over with." She took her time getting out of the chair. "You do realize," she added, "you can't kill me now."
"Oh, I know," replied Hippolytus, practicing maneuvers with his weapon. "I've been there. That's why I'm going to turn you back and then kill you."
"Hippolytus, Xena, stop it right now!" demanded Gabrielle. Neither heard her assertion.
"You'd better leave, Gabrielle. Shut the door behind you on the way out," Xena told her friend.
"No, Xena..." the Storyteller said firmly, shaking her head.
"Gabrielle," Xena said trying subdue the irritation in her voice, "I don't want you in the middle of this, now leave."
She was about to protest again, but Xena whistled and three of the Stragoi appeared in the doorway. Xena made a motion with her head over to Gabrielle and the three quickly took her away and shut the large doors behind them.
Outside, the Bard wrenched free of their grip and pulled her weapons out of her boots. She wanted them to know she would not go down without a fight.
Meanwhile, back inside the throne room, the battle began. Neither could make a good hit. He swung, and she blocked. She attempted a strike, but he ducked. This went on for some time, letting the frustration and venomous fury rage wildly in their veins.
Hippolytus sensed something was amiss when he felt a feathery light touch on the back of his neck. A kiss of cool air made him take pause and shudder. Catching her opening, Xena kicked him squarely in the chest and he lost balance. She took his sword and hurled it across the room. He groped for Beatriz's pendant around his neck only to find it not there.
Not wasting a moment's time, she reached above her head with her sword and was about to make the fatal blow when a look of confusion crossed her face and she stopped. He too wondered what she was waiting for.
What felt like an arm from behind reached around Xena's neck and seized her away from Hippolytus. He stood again and fled across the room to regain his weapon. When he turned back to the Warrior Princess, he was alarmed to see her convulsing on the floor. Carefully he stepped closer to the form and noted the black substance coming out of the wound in her chest. A wound he had not given her.
A shriek came from the hall and he dashed to the door. He pulled them open and saw Gabrielle standing amongst the fallen bodies of the three Stragoi guards. Slowly she turned around and looked at Hippolytus. Wide eyed she told him, "I did not do this," then her attention refocused, "Where's Xena?"
He made a motion to the other room and Gabrielle pushed by him. "She'll be fine," he assured her.
She was relieved neither was injured fatally, then she remembered Beatriz. "She wanted it this way, Hippolytus. You did the right thing." He looked down into her sympathetic blue eyes. Although his face showed no expression, she could tell he was resentful. Hippolytus stiffly nodded and said nothing.
Gabrielle attended to the rousing Xena. "Where's Theseus?" the bard inquired.
"Uh," said the dazed warrior, "Phaedra...She was talking of killing him. Something about poisoning him or something."
The Bard and Prince looked at each other quickly and she asked again, "Xena, where *is* he though?" Xena just shook her head. She could not remember.
"We've got to find him before she does," Gabrielle said, but the King was already ahead of her; he stood in the doorway.
Theseus was a massively muscular man with wavy golden locks and beard. With well tanned skin, he wore armor similar to Hippolytus'. Just his appearance was fitting of the hero in all of the stories that had been told about him.
"Hippolytus, my boy. What are you doing here? Shouldn't you be in Greece looking over the palace for me?" he told his son warmly.
The Prince thought it was a very odd statement considering the situation, but still he was relieved to see his father was indeed alive. "I'm here looking for you. What are you doing here?"
"Looking for me?" he replied with a smile. "I told Phaedra to write and tell you I would be spending more time touring Egypt. Didn't you receive the message?"
"I received *a* message. She told me you were dead," Hippolytus replied.
Theseus shook his head. "I don't understand but I think she could explain. Phaedra?" he called out in a large voice, "Where are you?"
The hooded figure entered the room from the door on the adjacent wall to where Theseus was standing. In a swift motion, the Queen removed the vail and flew to a standing but still dazed Xena. Everyone present could clearly see she had turned.
"Phaedra, we can help you," Theseus tried to rationalize. "Just step away from her and we can end all of this."
"But I don't want to end it," she told him. "I'm the only one left. And I'm not giving up without a fair fight."
"Fair fight? Don't you think you've done enough damage already, Phaedra?" inquired Hippolytus with a twinge of malaise in his voice.
"Hippolytus," she said with a smile, "Don't you see I'm doing this for you? All of it. Look what I've become for you. I could have even gotten Theseus out of the way for good so that we could be together. I'm your age; I shouldn't be married to a man who is decades older than me. I gave you a chance to rule all of Greece and what is my thanks? You send me here. When will you see that I love you and that I'd do anything for you..."
"Phaedra," replied the Prince shaking his head, "you're not making any sense."
The Queen was enraged by his careless response. "You will see that I love you and you will love me back, even if I have to destroy every woman in Greece and Egypt!" Then she added for a stinging effect, "You've lost your precious Beatriz forever. Forget about her. She'd never be half the woman I am!"
Seeing she'd caused adequate hostility, Phaedra decided to make her exit. Gabrielle was horrified to see her pulling Xena into the room from which she came and so pulled out her weapons in an attempt to at least slow her down a little.
She looked down in her hand for a brief second to see she'd somehow acquired Beatriz's dagger. Without another thought, she darted towards her, pulled Xena away from the Stragoi's grasp and plunged the weapon deeply into the monster's chest. A horrible screech resounded in the room as she toppled to the floor. She was still alive, but Hippolytus wished to the contrary.
For a few moments, everyone stood saying nothing. Finally Gabrielle moved back to where Hippolytus was standing. She handed the pendant back to him and said, "She didn't mean what she said. She didn't know what she was saying." He placed the silver string around his neck and nodded.
King Theseus knelt by his queen and then picked her up, placing her over one broad shoulder. He turned back to them with a sad but appreciative smile and walked out the door.
Gabrielle addressed Hippolytus once more before she left. "I'm going go look around and see if everybody's okay but I'll be back."
He took a seat in one of the chairs, finally able to have a thought of his own. His gaze turned from the floor to Xena who was still in the room. She was standing in the doorway opened to the balcony. The morning sun shown in and danced lightly on her features. She took a deep breath and then approached him.
"Listen, I'm really sorry about what happened," she said quietly. "Everything was so hazy and I didn't know what I was doing..."
He interrupted her. "I know."
She nodded and then stepped outside, wanting to get away from the awkward situation. With a furrowed brow, she walked to the edge and stood next to a figure dressed in all white who was looking over the side.
"I'm glad to see you are well," said the smiling woman next to Xena.
Finding words, the dark haired warrior told her, "You should have been dead by now. Beatriz, what happened?"
"It's a long story really. I'll tell it later when I have more time but I came to tell you something else right now. I had to come from Hades and back to understand it, so I hope you accept my words. You've got something special growing inside of you. You know it's going to bring about the Twilight. I've personally witnessed how much the gods don't want that life to be brought into the world, but there is one who wants to help. I was able to see into his thoughts, into his very existence. It is my sincere suggestion that you trust him. Whether you believed it before or not, Ares really does love you and he isn't going to remain a god forever so let him help you while he still can."
In a flash of blue light there appeared behind Beatriz was the black leather-clad Ares. He took her hand and moved to face her, placing himself between the two women. Xena took a step back, thankful for some time to think. Ares brought her hand up and kissed it saying quietly, "You didn't have to do this."
She took her other hand and wrapped it around their already clasped hands. Beatriz said with a smile, "Yes I did...Thanks for staying with me."
He pulled her in close and wrapped his other strong arm around her. Resting her head on his chest, he whispered, "Always."
Releasing his hold, he smiled down at her and said, "Go find your prince." Still holding his hand, she led him over to the waiting dark-haired warrior. Beatriz put Xena's hand in Ares' and took a step back. She smiled as they both looked at her as if almost asking for help. Beatriz just excused herself.
She walked in through the open doors and saw Hippolytus siting in a chair across the room with his head in his hands. He did not notice anyone was there with him. Silently she glided to where he was, bent over and placed a feathery kiss on his cheek.
He looked up without expression, almost as if he was looking through her. He knew what he thought he saw, but he assumed it was just a grief induced hallucination. He saw the figure make a motion to follow and so he complied. They walked down several stairwells and then out of the palace. She led him down a path and into a place with many shady palm trees that cooled the hot sand under their feet. The tall reeds grew nearby because the Nile was close. They came upon a clearing where a fountain of water sprang up out of the ground. Someone had previously placed cut rocks all around it to form a pool which collected the water.
Beatriz sat next to the fountain and Hippolytus sat on another of the flat rocks next to her. He watched and did not move as she set to work removing his armor. When she finally got the fasteners undone, she slid his breastplate up and off his strong but weary frame and then laid it gently on the ground.
Taking up a soft cloth, she dipped it in the cool water and with great care, washed the darkened blood off of his arms. She knew some of it was hers but continued on without making note of it. Beatriz became increasingly aware of how physically attracted she was to him as she touched him, but made a sincere effort to suppress her passionate thoughts. She thought of the first time they'd met and how little she could say to him being so terribly intimidated.
After meticulously wiping away the crimson stains on his arms and chest, she began to work on his face. She placed one hand under his chin and stroked his forehead, removing the stain he'd put there. Hesitantly, she finished her job but became distracted, lost in his hazel eyes.
Finally putting the cloth down, her gaze returned to his and the silence was broken. "Your eyes are green," he noted to her, regretting that was the first thing he said.
"Oh, are they?" she answered turning to look at the reflection in the pool behind her. She smiled as she remembered her wood nymph mother and continued, "So they are. I guess I'm back to just being me again."
He had so much to say but had so much trouble finding the words to say it. "Are you really here?"
"Ares helped me to challenge Thanatos. I guess I won because I'm here. But I can't stay. In exchange for Xena and her baby's life, I have to spend exactly half of my time with him in the Underworld. I'm not dead, though, and I never was, if that's what you're asking."
In a move that surprised her, Hippolytus got down on his knees and laid his head in her lap. He then wrapped his arms around her legs. With a concerned expression, she stroked his hair and waited as the warrior released his pent up emotions. "By the gods, I thought you were dead," he told her.
"I'm fine," she said to him soothingly. Still, she had guilt for making him act this way. Her thoughts were quieted when he looked up at her again and touched her cheek. She closed her eyes and leaned into his caress, wanting to forget all that had transpired. He decided that what he needed to express could not be said with words but with his actions. With his hand, he pulled her down a little and kissed her gently. As they parted, Hippolytus noticed she gave a little sigh of contentment. With that he smiled and kissed her again, only more hungrily. He wanted to give her the kind of emotional release she needed, and that he knew he could give. It was not as if he hadn't seen in her mind what she really felt, what she really wanted, and how much she wanted him. He thought it was rather humbling. But still, because he knew her so well, he'd do anything in his power to make the world right with her again.
"Hippolytus, I don't know how much time I have so there's something I need to talk to you about," she said taking a breath. "This whole Amazon Warrior thing, I don't think I can do it anymore. I'm tired of fighting. I mean, I've looked Death literally in the face, and I can't imagine me sending anyone to see him. Please don't be angry at me."
"Of course I'm not angry at you," he told her wondering why she would ever say such a thing. Still sitting at her feet, he noticed she'd curled her hands around his. She was really worried about this. "It's okay to not want to follow that path anymore. As far as I'm concerned, we're on an equal playing field. You've got to be the strongest woman I've ever met and you not wanting to pursue a violent way of life does not change my mind about you in the least."
She half smiled and nodded as she watched her feet. Beatriz removed her sandals and dug her toes into the loose sand. "What else is wrong?" he inquired, seeing her act strangely. He'd become accustomed to that sort of interrogation when something was on her mind.
"I can't stay here anymore..."
"That's alright," he interrupted her. "We'll get back to Athens as soon as we can. We'll leave today."
"No, I can't go there either," she told him and then just paused. "I feel like I'm suffocating here. I can't go back to Athens because it's the same. But I can't ask you to give up all that you have going on there. On top of everything else, I don't know when Thanatos is coming back for me."
He noticed her eyes sparkled. "No need for crying," he told her softly as he reached out to stroke her arm. "We've had larger problems than this before."
She half smiled. "Way to look for the positive side of things. But I need to go back to the forest. I feel like that's the only place that I belong. Like that's the only place where I'm really alive. I haven't had the time lately, or energy for that matter, to think for myself."
"That's fine," he said to her stiffly, looking at his hands.
"Really?" she inquired, not wanting to hear otherwise, but sensing he meant just the opposite.
He nodded, not giving any kind of eye contact. She spoke to him again. "I still want to be with you, but I need to get away...be home for awhile."
"Whatever you need to do," Hippolytus said with a hand gesture. Beatriz knew he wasn't fine with it, but what else could she do? Surely he could understand. He knew her so well, and yet somehow did not know her well enough to know she needed this.
She stood up then, her mind swimming in a vast sea of confused emotions. Somehow, she had to get all this under control. It was all just too much. Looking down at him still sitting at her feet, he made no attempt to communicate with her further. He watched the sand dance upon the ground when the wind picked up a little.
"Thank you," she mouthed, but no sound came out. With that, she turned and walked back down the path towards the palace. As she was about to leave, she felt a tugging at the hem of her gown. Hippolytus raised his palm up to her; her pendant was in his hand.
"You should probably take this back now," he said to her somberly.
"No, you keep holding onto that for me, will you?" she told him, not knowing quite why.
He nodded and clenched his fist. He knew she was watching him, waiting for him to say something.
Anything.
But he had nothing more to say.
Hippolytus finally looked up to watch her disappear into the pandemonium of palm trees.
