Goddess of Battle
Chapter 7
The docks at Thesally were full; ships of all sizes and types bobbed gently at their
moorings. Dockside whores plied their trade to seamen coming ashore, as merchants
hocked their wares and haggled over prices with captains. One captain in particular stood
watching the scene, daydreaming, until he saw her - her black hair whipped in the stiff
breeze from the water, as she strode purposefully from one ship to the next. Even from a
distance, he could see the determination and controlled fury on her face. She reminded
him of a great cat he had seen once in his travels, stalking it's prey, ready at any moment
to spring into action. He moved towards the pier and as she passed called to her. "Xena!"
Xena turned towards the voice, unsure of what the owner wanted, but whatever it was she
didn't have time for it. Then recognition set in. "Ulysses! Thank the Gods! Is this your
ship?"
"Yea. Why do you ask?"
"I need a ship. I've got to get to Byzantium and quickly. Gabrielle's in trouble."
"You mean you're friend, the one who was so sea sick?"
"Yes." boarding the ship Xena told him everything that had transpired in the past day.
"When I saw the keel mark I knew they had gone by ship. The only hope I have of
catching up to them is your ship. Please, I... I'm not good at asking for help but I need
yours."
Before Ulysses could answer another voice boomed "Xena! and where is little Gabrielle?"
Both turned towards the dock and the voice. Standing at the end of the gangplank was a
dark skinned mountain of a man, and by his attire a sailor. A wide smile beamed from his
face, and suddenly disappeared as he watched the pain and anguish cross Xena's features.
"She's been kidnapped. I have to find her. I was just asking Ulysses if I could borrow his
ship." Turning towards Ulysses, Xena searched his face, hoping for a sign.
"Of course I'll help. Penelope would never speak to me again if I didn't help you save
Gabrielle. My ship is at your disposal, unfortunately my crew is by now so drunk they are
of no use to us."
"Isn't this ship sailable by a crew of three?"
"Yes... but who's going to be the third."
Xena looked once again at the giant standing on the dock. "Well?"
"If your friend won't mind having me onboard."
"Any friend of Xena's is welcome aboard my ship anytime."
Xena smiled and introduced the two men. "Ulysses, meet Cecrops. Cecrops, Ulysses."
Ulysses, reaching to shake the man's hand, froze midway in reach. "Cecrops? Not the
cursed mariner?"
"One and the same," as Cecrops grasped his hand and shook it hard. "Pleased to meet
you. Don't worry Xena broke Poseidon's curse. Thanks to Athena I'm only immortal now,
not cursed."
"Well that's good to know... I don't want to be at sea for two hundred years. Then let's get
going." Motioning toward the stern "If you really want to thank Athena I have a shrine in
my cabin."
High on Olympus, Athena relaxed and smiled as her two favorite sailors helped her
favorite warrior princess. It hadn't been easy to arrange their chance meeting with the
Fates, but she had pulled in a marker. Now she owed them one.
Chapter 8 Or
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