The Tour: Chapter 14

They almost made it to the Inn. The group was so close that Xena could smell the scent of the of the fireplace, the sweet wood smoke smell, that had reminded her earth. Reminded her. That was perhaps the greatest difference between Tartarus and Elysia. In Elysia one had to fight for one's memories. Here, you remembered all. . .All. .Good and Bad. Did Hades think bliss was forgetfulness?

Now *that* was a two edged sword. Xena wondered what would have happened, if Perdicus had remembered Gabrielle sooner? Would he have thought to go looking for her, to go to the Amazons? They might have started off earlier, might have. . .well one couldn't live by might haves and Perdicus, hadn't remembered. These changes she was seeing in him were recent. Xena began to see that Elysia, as it was now, wasn't as perfect as one might think.

No. .if one were to have it perfect, true. .one would need both. .the ability to remember. .fully and a kind of forgetfulness. Not the total blatheration of Elysia, but. .something. .something. Xena was about to really nail the concept for herself when two very large males placed themselves in the front of the group.

They weren't studs. That much was pretty obvious, even to the humans. Teeth were missing, one had a portion of his tail gone. Apparently neither of them had heard of baths. They smelled of rotted. . .something. Marcus suddenly realized that it was rotted . .them. . .There was a patch of something growing on the taller green one. It looked like fur, but Perdicus had the queasy feeling that it most definitely was not something that friendly. The red one adjusted his groin.

Xena rolled her eyes. For Zeus' sake. Of course. Gods, she hoped Gab. . Izzy . . .had some control over this. .Please Gods. .Artemis are you listening. .Let her have. .

"Well, hello there." The red one said, not quite waggling his nonexistent eyebrows. He sniffed the air and looked directly at Izzy. "So close," He looked her up and down, "and so good looking." He took a step forward, "How about you come with us and we'll show you a," now he leered, "good time."

Okay, that did it. It didn't matter. There was no way Xena was letting this creep even near her Ga . . .

The demoness stood forward, her body swaying suggestively. O Gods no! thought Xena. "Hi boys." Izzy's voice was so sultry it made the warrior wet. It was obvious what it did to the males.

The demoness' grin was toothy. Theirs were even broader. . .for about two seconds. Izzy suddenly growled, "I don't think So!" Then she leapt at the demons and when she made her move, so did Melosa. . .And Tok.

Several groans and bites later and the group were walking as if they'd never been interrupted. Perdicus, Marcus and Salmoneus had a sudden interest in the flora of Tartarus. "Ya think I got this sketch right guys?" Sal asked as they seemed to obliviously pass the demons.

Xena was smiling smugly and she toodled her fingers at the two males who now lay on the ground covering those obvious bits. She glanced at Melosa in appreciation and decided she loved Amazons. If she had a chance she would try to be more. . .sociable. . . during their ceremonies. Oriena paused a moment to give the red one a gratuitous kick and a, "Sorry, she's already taken care of." It issued a pained grunt in return. The blonde caught Xena's gaze and winked. She shrugged her shoulders, continued on and Xena grinned.

When she got a chance, Xena thought she would reward the daggite with something nice and juicy. Good Daggite, very good.

The Inn was a cozy place. It had a smooth wooden floor, which Tok's nails clicked against as it paced besides Izzy. The demoness unchained the creature and now it walked free. There were several individuals dining already, demon and human. Izzy took a deep inhalation and assured her compatriots that the meal was safe, if they were hungry.

She wasn't.

In fact, if they didn't mind she'd go up to her room now. The demoness looked intensely at Melosa, practically begging with her eyes. The Amazon kept her arms folded about her chest and looked like she was doing some major thinking. "Give me a second, Izzy. I want to talk to . . ."

There was a scrape of a chair against the floor and Xena turned to see a blue colored doe stalking towards them. Her silver hung low down her back and she had three horns, one on each side of her head, one rose pointedly off of her shoulder. Her face was pleasant enough. She wore a kilt similar to Izzy's, though it was decorated in a curling almost celtic like pattern. She wore a sword, but had left it at the table. She was clean. . .and she had manners.

She stopped in front of Izzy and Melosa. Apparently she'd been paying attention, for she addressed the Amazon first, after bowing. "Honored one, Sister," She glanced carefully at Izzy and offered a half bow. There was a bit of nervous backing from both, but Izzy didn't avoid her gaze. "I am Penho, of the Nation." An Amazon! Melosa's gaze quickly slid to her mate and then back to the creature in front of her, "I offer my. . .services, if you wish." More subtle movements.

There was silence and Xena thought for a moment that her heart had taken over her ears. She hadn't said anything to Melosa yet and she was beginning to appreciate that her strategy might have been a mistake. There was no way she could have planned for this. Damn Borias for not telling her about this possibility.

Melosa took a deep breath, "Honored Sister," she began. She had no idea what this one's rank might be. Please the gods she didn't offend. "I thank you for your kindness." There was a short nod. Melosa turned briefly and made a summoning motion with her hand towards Xena and the warrior stepped immediately forward. The blue eyed woman stared up into yellow eyes grimly. No need to attack. No need. . .

Penho regarded the dark haired woman calmly, though she sensed the covered hostility. Perhaps this had been a mistake on her part. She looked at Izzy carefully and could find no identifying marks on the Tartaran. There had been no claim made yet. Not entirely a mistake then.

Izzy watched them both through narrowed eyes. She turned to Melosa and spoke carefully, "This one would be acceptable to me. . for the evening."

There was a purr to her voice. Her nostrils flared. Izzy's gaze was narrowed ferally. Her breathing pattern changed. Yes. This one would do.

The Amazon spoke softly, "I told you Izzy, we are too new to be separated." She nodded at the woman who was standing in front of Penho, "Xena will take care of you." Damn Damn Damn. She hadn't had a chance to explain the decision. Gods she hoped the warrior would understand her choice. Damn.

Izzy was in Melosa's face instantly, "I told you I don't do . . ." There was fear in her eyes, real fear, though her body language said it was anger. Melosa could tell the difference. Izzy's compatriots could not.

But Melosa didn't back up. She moved forward instead, until their foreheads were almost touching. Her body language seemed just as angry, but her gaze was compassionate. She grabbed the demons neck and held it still. "I don't care what you do or do not do. Tonight, Xena will take care of you," she hissed through her teeth, "There will be other times for you to have your preferences. I am guarding my people do you understand?" She clenched her hand around Izzy's neck, "You do, don't you? A leader must guard her people." There was a sudden secret shared between them. Izzy let out a shuddering breath and closed her eyes. Melosa let her go.

She turned to Penho, her manner conciliatory, "Sister. . ."

Penho smiled briefly, "There is no need for explanation. I understand. It is sometimes thus." She bowed in Xena's direction and Izzy's. "I wish you all pleasure." Then she turned to Melosa, "Perhaps, we might speak? I would like. .to hear. .what brings the great Melosa," The Amazon Queen blinked, "to Tartarus." Melosa inclined her head in acknowledgment.

"Perhaps over dinner?"

Penho smiled, "That would be well."

Melosa took Xena aside, while Izzy went to stand despondently with Tok by the stairwell. The Amazon Queen took a breath, looking somewhat sheepish, "I am sorry for not warning you, for not. . ."

Xena spoke quickly. "I understand." She really did. Some decisions happened on the spur of the moment.

"Its just that I thought, if anyone could, it would. . and everyone else seems to be. .taken care of. . ." She pointed in Salmoneus' direction. A not too tall woman had just made his acquaintance and was wearing a lovely necklace. That wasn't even the Amazon's preference, but if Izzy said she was safe. . .Melosa sighed. .Gods she knew she was being hypocritical, but something kept telling her that this was how it should be. . .She would talk to Salmoneus.

"It's okay. I can handle it."

Melosa looked up, "You're sure?"

Xena looked in Izzy's morose direction once and then back at Melosa. She didn't grin. She let her body relax.

"I'm sure."