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.
Character Development Ahead: Xena and Gab needed a Rest! (wouldn't you?)
Kalai spent a little time chastising herself for becoming tongue-tied in the warrior princess' presence, but she got over it. A huge grin was plastered on the woman's face as she made her way through the forest. Xena's directions had been simple and precise. Kalai expected to find what she needed in a couple of hours and be done. Then she'd have all day to prepare for the evening's festivities. She couldn't believe her good luck. One, Xena had noticed her and two, Gabrielle had noticed her and three, they'd both noticed her, and four, Xena was Helping her, and five. . . well her mind could have gone on and on with that tangent of enthusiasm.
But, her happy thought process was disturbed by the sound of falling timber, crunching leaves and a scream. Kalai, who was in good shape for running, hastened her already quick pace in the direction of the noise. On first glance, she knew it wasn't as bad as it sounded. Oh there was a broken tree limb on the ground, but the individual hanging from a different limb seemed to be in good condition. Kalai managed not to laugh, but joked in serious Amazon fashion, "How's it hanging Arete?"
A tall, muscular Amazon was dangling a good distance from the ground. There was no obvious way around her location except down and Kalai could appreciate the blonde's reluctance to break her legs or whatever happened to land first. Arete grimaced at Kalai, "Could you just get me down?"
"Well, okay, since you asked," and Kalai began to tell one of the most boring and sad stories she knew.
"Kalai!!!!" the frustrated Amazon groaned, "Help me!"
Kalai laughed and climbed a nearby tree. She positioned herself a little higher than the blonde and then hung upside down, using her legs as leverage on what she hoped was a sturdy limb. "Swing it on over Arete." The Amazon in crisis began swinging her body forward and let go. Kalai caught her easily and lifted the woman to safety. She groaned, "What *have* you been eating Arete?"
For that, when she managed to right herself, she got a solid punch in the arm. The young warrior just grinned and teased the sheepish Arete. "That was a pretty loud warble I heard. What was that . . .hawk? No, much to harsh. Magpie, it was. . ."
"Kalai!" Arete threatened and they got involved in an intricate, yet ridiculous chase through the trees which left both of them laughing and breathless when they finally came back down to the earth. The blonde's hands rested warmly against Kalai's shoulder, her belly was still moving with merriment, "God's Kalai, I needed that."
The smaller Amazon grinned, "Yeah, well, I coulda left you but I would've felt guilty later." That got Kalai another punch in the arm, except it was gentler. Kalai's face took on a questioning look. "What were you doing up there anyway."
Arete shrugged, "Scyllia gave me some directions for a "golden" treasure, but I got a little mixed up. I was just trying to orient myself and," she demonstrated with her hands, "the branch just broke. Thought I was gonna get my ass busted." She shook her head, "you know the sad thing, I was sure it would hold my weight. I mean, I know I'm good sized, but usually I know what branches will support and which won't."
Kalai comforted with, "Happens to the best of us Arete." She patted the warrior's shoulder. "So did you figure out which way you had to go?"
Arete laughed, "Well kinda, but I think I'll stay on the ground now. Besides, I caught sight of a wheat field not far from here." She pointed in an easterly direction, "I think that's what Scyllia was talking about."
"Oh, that makes sense. Not all treasure's money."
"Too right and they left it open so you could interpret. All we have to do is bring one."
Kalai looked thoughtful, "Hmm." She grinned, "Well see you around."
"Yeah, See ya!" Arete waved farewell and trotted off in the opposite direction of her original purpose and was out of sight before Kalai could stop her, though Kalai did run after the woman.
Kalai chuckled a bit and said, "Oh well." Amazons may have many talents, but that didn't mean some weren't directionally challenged. "I can't believe they let her run this race." Kalai shook her head and made her way back to her original trail and started after Xena's treasure.
It wasn't that big a place, Kalai noticed. In fact, for a cave, it was actually quite tiny. But there was enough room to squeeze in the front and to stand up. She held up one of Xena's prepared torches and looked around. Then she spotted the stone marker. Kalai licked her lips in anticipation. She found a place to hook the torch so it would illuminate and not require her hands. Then she moved the stone, which was heavier than she'd anticipated. She had to use a lever.
But once it was moved, her eye caught the sight of gold and she lifted the gorgeous small statuette into the light. "Aphrodite," she murmured in awe. Kalai set the statuette aside and put the stone back into place as Xena requested. Then she backed out to the entrance of the cave, doused the light and crawled back into the day.
She was on her gleeful way in moments.
Kalai reached the temple in no time flat, comparatively speaking. Apollo had started his afternoon rounds some time ago and the only one who seemed to have been there before her was Xena, but the Amazon expected that. She grinned at the startled judges when she settled the little naked statue of Aphrodite on the table. Then she went and made her offering.
She laid a perfect blue feather in the offering cup of the main hallway. The Amazon realized she didn't even know what to say, but her heart was full. She bit her lip and thought. Finally, she burst out with "Thank you. Thank you for giving me this chance. Please, I only want. . .I want," It was hard for her to even articulate, "If it's possible, If I could. Someone," Her mind saw the images of the two women she most admired, "like them. Good. I just want to be loved and to love. I'd do right by them, whomever, I mean. I would. Please. Thank you." Then she rushed out of the temple in a fit of embarrassment. Public prayers really weren't her thing.
For the second time that day, a priest (in this case a priestess) encountered a real live God. Artemis smiled quietly and beckoned the young woman close, "I have a few things to tell you," she said. Her eyes were firm, but kind.