AMONG FRIENDS

Grimacing, Xena slapped the map's wooden surface hard. The wall shook slightly from the impact, but there was no one there to notice it.  Then again, if anyone had been in the hut with her, Xena would have been in stoic, don't let anyone know your bleeding mode.  Now, with everyone going about planned business, she could vent a little.  She wanted, however, to do more than vent.  She wanted to tear Aulix apart; starting at the neck.

Her spies reports had led to a true loathing for the man, even though there were ways he reminded her of herself.  He was notoriously vicious, to both his captives and his military.  He was also cautious, keeping his plans to himself until the very last minute.  The spies reports had been few and far between, and often too late. If the Amazons hadn't Jacosta...Xena felt a jolt of something...fear?  She wasn't sure.  She wasn't used to listening to a seer for planning a battle.  All her life she'd had no use for them and it almost pained her to surrender her first instinct on this.

But with Jacosta's aid they were staying one step ahead of Aulix.  Barely. He was surprisingly organized and somehow managed to overcome every deep cut they made into his forces. Men seemed to flock to him.  Women too, which Xena could Not understand. Or maybe she did.  Power led to attraction, even if it hurt.  Xena knew that game all too well.  It made her wonder who he was playing, aside from the Spartans.

Yes.  He reminded her of her warlord days. So she understood his motivation. Then, she had hated everyone, so she didn't care if they lived and died. She only wanted power, the ability to control her world.  It seemed Aulix was the same way. Power, control, riches.  He wanted that.  With a difference. He hated the Amazons with a passion that rivaled her hate for the Romans.  She could almost understand that too.  And were they not her allies, she might have forgiven him for it.  But...he was a danger to her beloved Gabrielle.  That alone made his death a necessary thing.

Xena traced a long finger down the mark indicating the borders of Amazon lands.  She'd sent the centaurs back to guard the borders nearer their home. South.  Word had come that there were organized militia beginning to assemble there.  The Athenians had promised to guard the crown of Amazon lands, closer to their home.  Gabrielle had given permission, despite the Amazon council's displeasure, for an Athenian fort to be built there. It was a coup for the Athenians, though they had acknowledged the seriousness of the trouble.  There was a lawful writ, which deliniated just what those in the fort could do and not do, so close into the border of Amazon lands. North. West was the sea.  East...East was Aulix.  And like the sun he continued to rise.  Everyday.

Xena intended to stop that.

With a huff, the warrior backed away from the map, and pulled a knife from its sheath.  She folded one arm across her chest, and used the other to flip the knife into the air.  Thoughtful, she continued to gaze at the map. There had to be a way.  With an angry flick of her wrist the knife went sailing through the air.  It landed with a solid thunk.  East.

There had to.

Directions may be a little skewed.  But..hell, I'm just working on writing
it.  Accuracy is gonna have to come later.

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