'Sometimes,' Kalai thought, 'it is good to be small.' The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
'Sometimes,' Kalai thought, 'it is good to be small.'
She could get into spaces that most could not, and in this case, that was a very good thing. She wasn't quite alone. Gabrielle had insisted that she take along some of the villagers. They had fanned out, becoming invisible to the eye in the way only Amazons can. They blended with their world, and claimed the treetops. Kalai eventually parked herself in crevice of small cavern. Then they waited, for Master Bush.
They knew it was a male. He'd marked territory, pissing against an Amazon tree, leaving his unique male scent for any creature to find. They knew he wore camouflage and skulked outside of the village disguised by the varied green foliage. Perhaps he might have gone unnoticed, but Amazons were very aware of what went on in their territory and very protective.
So they watched for him, this second day. The queen had said to bring him alive, so that left out some alternatives. But not all. There were those among the braves who, feeling very offended about the thought that this lout had managed somehow to get past the scouts, were planning on teaching him the folly of believing he could get away with it. The scouts had been taking some severe ribbing for being so inept.
Not that they'd really been. It was, after all, a scout who'd spotted the intruder. But it made for good teasing. The scouts took most of the Amazon's ribald humor in good spirit, but did point out, that it would be so much easier to watch for the "yannis" if the border were different. The scout leader, a woman of strong convictions, had more than a vague idea of what would be perfect and had been working secretly on a map detailing the best spots for first watches.
It was amazingly close to the drawings that Jacosta presented to Gabrielle.
Gabrielle, borrowing on Eudora's knowledge, Arete's common sense and Xena's practical wisdom, arrived at an interesting conclusion and declared Jacosta someone with whom they would make a treaty. Jacosta was more than agreeable. The Amazon nation expanded its border instantaneously. There was only one hitch to the scoutmaster's plan to "secure" the space. The priestess, Yvonne.
"These are holy spaces!" she argued. She was very much intrigued by the idea of "lived in temples" and didn't want to see them despoiled just because some brute had crossed their defenses. Especially since the scouts had been letting intruders by for. . ..
Gabrielle had to stop a pretty nasty argument from turning to fisticuffs. She did it by being decisive, "You." She pointed at Yvonne. "And You, if you please," She pointed at Jacosta and smiled benignly. Her soulmate looked shocked at being included. "Go ask the Goddesses what they want done." Jacosta nodded, not quite sure how she was going to do that, but game. The Queen pointed at the Scoutmaster, "You!" The woman blinked, "Go and get your women prepared. Xena, how many?"
Xena looked up and counted in her head, "Not too many, don't want to give away what's going on. Six ought to be enough at first." She pointed at Jacosta's map, picking out three very important points. One of which was Jacosta's high spot. "Two each for here, here and here. We can send in more as necessary. But these are critical."
Gabrielle nodded, but wasn't sure. That sure didn't sound like a lot. But Xena knew what she was doing. "Fine. Six women, who will guard the nation's doors. Think about what you can do to secure us, scoutmaster. When Eponin arrives you will discuss what needs to be done with her. You are excused."
The man was young and overconfident. He snuck in, barely. There were twig snaps and various rustles. He found his gear and lifted. The bush was bulky, but leafy. He looked at the greenery which was starting to wilt. He'd have one more day then he'd have to cut another. He stalked away, making his way closer to the village. He found the outcropping where he'd hidden the day before. There was a small cave above him, but he couldn't get in there. His shoulders were to broad. It was a good view. He could see the swerve of the creek and watch the comings and goings of the Amazon.
He made a notation on his scroll. Then yelped as he was pulled up by the hair. His back scraped against rock. His tunic was no protection. He bled some. His eyes went wide as he felt cold sharp metal press against his skin. He rolled his eyes upwards and saw an elfin face staring at him with savage glee. "Welcome to the Amazon Nation. Hope you don't enjoy your stay."
He felt a yank on his head. It was just another attention getter. The pen and scroll fell from his fingers. When he felt a pointed object prick his side and looked at the masked figures which now surrounded him, the priest's son knew that he wasn't going to be enjoying himself at all.
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These pages were last updated: March 15, 1998
İMarch 1998