Realmgen3

"We're going to find out shortly. I've only practiced with one you know. We don't have wars like this where I come from. Weapons like these have been outdated for centuries." Angela was finished with the history lesson, the weapons had been brought up.

Xena's first impression of the kwan do was one of respect. It was big, no argument there. It seemed the type of weapon that a very large man would wield. It gave the impression of being top heavy and cumbersome; she wondered how either one of them would fare as Ming was bigger than Angela but he wasn't huge. He would only have a slightly easier time of it.

Upon returning to the troops, Varia gave a quick summary of the meeting. Gabrielle grew pale at the news. She knew it was the only way but she also had a very bad feeling in the pit of her stomach. She couldn't shake it. She felt as though she were about to watch her new friend die. She wondered if this was Angela's destiny; she hoped it wasn't.

*****

The combatants eyed each other warily for a long moment, then like a flash the fight began. Xena had never really watched, or rather, studied Angela's fighting. This was amazing. They both moved as gracefully as a pair of dancers, with a power and precision seldom seen.

From the ground up, Angela's body whipped the movements out. Her kwan do slashing with fury. Ming had underestimated his opponent but it barely showed, he countered effortlessly. Angela thrust her kwan do, straight out, arms extended. Ming, barely avoiding it, lashed across. Angela stepped back and dropped to the ground as the weapon passed overhead. She then sprang up and out towards Ming with incredible height and force swinging her weapon around her body one handed as she landed in a near crouch. She then thrust her weapon sideways with a twist to block the counter.

It went on like this for bout five minutes. The pace was fast and furious. The skill level and agility of these two warriors fighting before Xena had earned her deepest respect. She wondered at how tired they both must be. The muscle burn had to be incredible. She had let her mind wander only for an instant before being brought back to the battle at hand. Angela had been disarmed! Xena's heart sank until she saw that Angel had whipped off her sash and was using it as a weapon. The movement was so fluid that Xena had barely caught it. The sash was long and Angie was holding by either end. She swung the sash out, snaring the kwan do, wresting it from Ming's grip then discarding it. Ming was immediately on her.

"This is where they just beat each other to death." Xena whispered to Gabrielle.

. Gabrielle thought Ming resembled a snake in his movements. His strikes were quick and he maneuvered around Angela like a snake in a tree. Sometimes though, his arm movements were long and more resembled a birds wing. It was something in the way he would lash out. Angela fought differently. Gabrielle studied her. She moved like a cat, a big cat. She had the strength and courage of the tiger burned into her arm, but the speed... she was fast, 'like a leopard or something.'

The combatants barely seemed winded and it was at least a quarter of a candle mark later. There was no clear winner or loser yet, they were evenly matched. It would come down to stamina and heart. Who wanted it more. Gabrielle hoped it would be Angie.

Ming changed the way he was fighting. It was different, the movements were circular and raking in motion. Angela never skipped a beat. It was as if she had expected this. She spun into him and landed an elbow in his chest. It sent him back about 5 paces. "How hard did she hit him?" Xena muttered. She could tell Ming had been hurt but he recovered quickly. Xena wanted to get a closer look but she couldn't without breaking the truce.

They were both hurt by now and Angela was on the defensive. Ming was taking her off of her feet at every turn but Angela kept getting back up. She charged Ming. He grabbed hold of her and the grappling began. Each one countering the other's hold. Ming was eventually able to land a knee to Angela's chest and then a kick to her face. She flipped over backwards landing face down in the grass. Ming picked up his sword from where they had left their weapons. He was gloating. He was the victor and he would take her head as his first trophy in this battle. He raised his sword up and began his swing. Angela found that reserve deep within herself and tapped into it. She shot up at him stopping his arm in mid arc. She struck him hard in the top of his chest, then dug her middle and ring fingers into the hollow at the base of the throat. She yanked down, ripping out his breast bone and then shot her hand back into his chest.

Gabrielle couldn't believe her eyes... Angela was showing Ming his own heart before he died. She stood over his broken form for a long time just staring at nothing. In the meantime, the bard noticed, the enemy ranks were disbanding. They had lost and it was time to leave. That was the deal. They were holding up their end of the bargain, thankfully. She turned her gaze back to Angela. She was on her knees now... still holding the heart. Xena was running out to her. Gabrielle knew she needed to be there also.

*****

Angela was covered in blood, most of it Ming's. Gabrielle had a bath drawn for her and proceeded to clean her and tend her wounds. The bard spoke to her about anything. She told story after story. Angela merely sat there staring off into the unknown and saying nothing. She was but an empty shell; a woman broken by the days events. Gabrielle felt terrible for her.

Xena helped Gabrielle guide Angela back to the hut. Nothing had changed, the warrior noted. Angela was still somewhere else. They put her to bed and watched her in shifts. Angela never stirred. For four candle marks she merely lay there, eyes open. She rarely blinked. Then she slept...

She could hear the sounds of bones breaking, of someone gasping for air. Her eyes focused... she saw Ming Liu's face, gaping at her in disbelief. She watched him slump to his knees, his sword falling harmlessly beside him. His eyes were wide with fear. Death was upon him. He knew. He died. The blood began to spill from his body, it covered the ground and rose like the tide. She couldn't escape it. The ground seemed to drop out from underneath. She was drowning, struggling to hold on. She knew she would die, as Ming knew. She accepted it and gave her last breath...

"WAKE UP!!! ANGELA, BREATH!!!! XENA ... SOMETHING'S WRONG!!!" Angela had stopped breathing. Gabrielle was attempting to resuscitate her when Xena raced in. The warrior checked for a heartbeat; it was faint but it was there and within a few more moments the bard had Angela breathing again. Gabrielle was confused as to what had happened but Xena knew. Angela had given up, something she herself had done a long time ago. Now they both owed Gabrielle their lives.

Xena watched Angela for the next candle mark. The evening meal was being prepared and Gabrielle had gone to get them some food. She couldn't wait for the bard's return, she was hungry and her stomach was not giving her an ounce of peace. She was thrilled when Gabrielle walked in the door. The bard was carrying a large tray, piled with meat, bread, vegetables, and soup.

The two women ate in silence. When they were finished Xena sat Angela up and Gabrielle asked if she was hungry. No response. Gabrielle decided to try something different. She showed the soup to Angie and told her to eat it. Angela complied. They made her eat much more than the soup before they were done. Who knew when next she would eat?

*****

Gabrielle woke up just before sunrise; she needed to use the outhouse. She noticed that both Xena and Angela were missing. She needed to find them, but not until after she made a detour. That cooking was really getting to her. She made a mental note of speaking to the cook. 'How in Hades could warriors function on this food?' she wondered. When she arrived at the outhouse she found the Warrior Princess waiting impatiently outside and looking quite pale.

"You too huh?" Xena grumbled.

"Yeah, oooh... yeah, where's Angela?" Gabrielle asked, holding her stomach.

"She's inside, seems the food may have done some good after all. OOOMPH..." Xena ran behind the outhouse.

"Xena? Uh... you ok?"Gabrielle asked. She would have tried to help but knew she'd only be joining the warrior. The bard opted to stay where she was.

"Remind me to kill... MMMBLECH... the cook." Xena choked out.

"Not a problem." Gabrielle was starting to feel queasy herself. "Oh Xena... this is bad... Angela, you really need to come out soon. I can't hold this much longer!"

"BBBLRAAACHK... MMMBLECH..." Xena was still retching behind the outhouse.

"Angela, I'm not kidding. I..."

"I'm coming." Came the answer.

"Xena... she spoke!" Gabrielle declared excitedly.

"She has been. That's what I was trying to tell... MMMBLECH!"

"Xena, you don't sound good..." Gabrielle went around the outhouse to find the Warrior Princess on all fours. Last nights dinner all over her and the ground. She was panting, trying to catch her breath and wiping the spittle from her mouth when another wave hit. Gabrielle couldn't watch; she'd be joining in if she did. She made her way back around to the front as quickly as possible. When she turned the corner she ran head on into Angela who had apparently been having a bad time herself. "Oh, by the gods... Angela are you..." Gabrielle could wait no longer, she locked herself in and wallowed in her own misery for what seemed like a full candle mark.

When Gabrielle finally returned to the hut she found Angela and Xena speaking quietly. They were both seated on Angela's bed facing each other. They both looked up when the bard entered. Xena asked if she were ok and Gabrielle said that her stomach felt like Monday morning in Tartarus. The warrior felt the same which was why she had gone after the cook. Gabrielle was mortified hearing this but Xena told her to calm down and listen.

"The cook told me that she prepared our meal with Angela in mind. Said she'd seen this sort of thing before."

"So she gave us food poisoning on purpose?" asked Gabrielle.

"Yup. Said a good old fashioned stomach virus works every time." Xena said smiling.

"She could have told us. Made separate food for us, something." Gabrielle was angry.

"She didn't think we'd serve it to Angie if we knew." Xena said.

"So how long before this wears off?" A heated bard inquired.

"Just a few more hours and we should be fine. I've already noticed it starting to wear... oh, no... HMMMP..." Xena ran out holding her mouth closed.

Gabrielle sat down next to Angie and the two talked about anything and nothing. They just talked. Gabrielle asked about the future and Angela asked about the past. Gabrielle talked about her friend and fellow bard Homer ("the Homer?" an excited Angela had asked), how she had met Sophocles and written her own play. Angela talked about television (it took some explaining) and pictures (less explaining).

*****

Xena slept throughout the morning and into mid afternoon, It seemed that of all of the times she had to pick to out eat the bard... 'well, what's done is done.' she thought. The Warrior Princess had been feeling better for about a candle mark now, but it was nice to just lounge around in bed and relax. She rolled over onto her side, burying her head deeply into the pillow and...

"It's not over," whispered Angela. Xena nearly jumped out of her skin but caught herself. She'd forgotten that her new friend had been in the hut sleeping, or so she thought.

"What are you saying?" questioned Xena lifting her head to look across the hut at Angela. The warrior realized that Angie had been awake for a while; she was laying face up with her fingers laced behind her head, her legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles. Angela was staring up at a spot on the ceiling, or most likely, nothing at all.

"Ming wasn't behind this." Angela's voice only came in whispers.

"He was the commander of... he didn't get here on his own. Is that what you're thinking?" Xena was sitting up now.

"General Kwan was also from the future. He invented the kwan do. He won't be born for about 900 years. Ming won't be born for about 1200. Are you following me?" Angela only spared a glance with the flick of an eye to the warrior. Xena simply nodded.

"We have to figure out who brought them, and why. It is possible he came back in time on his own." Xena was surmising. "Do you know, historically, of any reason why he would willingly come back in time?"

"No. The way people live won't change. General Kwan was a respected leader in his time. Historically one of the best China ever had. He didn't go willingly. As for Ming... I'd never heard of him. Well actually... that's not completely true. There is a feud between the Ming family and the Lao family that dates back over 2000 years. That would place it around this time." Angela's voice, yet to rise above a loud whisper sounds almost choked for a moment "Master Lao made me memorize his family tree... he made me a part of his family. The first names he made me memorize were Lao T'su and Lao Ma." Xena's eyes shot open wide but she said nothing. She just listened. "He made me memorize the few teachings that had made it to him over the years; what was left decipherable in an old faded book written by Lao Ma." Angela merely trailed off and grew quiet.

Xena's eyes had begun to well up at the thought of her old mentor, Lao Ma. "I knew Lao Ma."

"The stories say that she was a woman with great power and purity. That she was like a savior to the people."

"She was." The warrior could say no more.

"She was killed by her own son... Ming T'ien." Angela sensed that Xena was bothered by this discussion, but pressed on. Xena would have done the same.

"Yes. And I killed that bastard." Came a choked reply.

"His heir lives." Angela had yet to move, she continued staring directly in front of her.

"Apparently," the warrior said, no longer fighting her emotions; she locked them out. There was no place for them right now.

"We have to find him." Angela looked the Warrior Princess directly in the eye. "It's the only reason I'm still alive."

Xena's fears had come to light, Angela would kill herself when it was over. She had been right, she hated being right sometimes. Lao had honed the almost perfect warrior, almost. Angela still had her emotions and her guilt and it was killing her. Xena spoke softly, "you can work through this. We can help, we've been there."

"I know you have, but I come from a different time, a different place, a different mindset. We don't survive this way. I don't survive this way."

Xena listened to this and asked, "there are no more wars?"

"There are."

"Then what's so different?" the warrior prodded.

"Where I come from, war is a last resort, but here, it's a way of life. I can't live like that. I can't live with what I've become, the things I've done, the lives I have..."

The Warrior Princess noted that Angela was becoming visibly upset but had yet to move or raise her voice above a whisper. She found it almost unnerving. "I won�t let you do it. We can help you adjust to our way of life and as for the other... you're definitely in the right company. You are not alone here."

"You have until this is over with to convince me."

"Deal." The warrior knew that between herself and Gabrielle they would find a way. 'yup,'� she thought. 'Even if it means dragging this thing out.'

The dinner call came and the two women left the hut together in silence.

*****

The following evening, after dinner, Gabrielle walked Angela back to the hut telling her a story about their quest to find Argo, Xena's golden mare, after the warrior had left her in a valley surrounded by swamp land. The bard went on to tell of the head lice, fungus and stomach upset that went along for the ride. Angela was amused by the story but Gabrielle could see that she had other things on her mind. The stories did seem to help though. The bard went on to tell of a story about baby Bliss stealing Cupid's arrows and having some fun with warlords, Hestian Virgins, a certain Warrior Princess and one innocent bard. Angela couldn't get over the "Joxer the Mighty" song. She said he sounded like a good friend. Gabrielle said, "the best."

They entered their hut and were about to sit when Angela asked, "how far is the nearest town... with a bar?"

"A bar?" inquired the bard.

"A pub? A place to drink, get drunk, anything?"

"A pub? You mean like a tavern? I didn't think you drank." said a perplexed bard.

"I don't usually, but I need to get out of here for a little while, maybe I just need to cut loose; and that is as good an excuse as any."

"Well, the nearest is about a day's ride once were out of Amazon territory. If you just want a mug of ale though the Amazons have a couple of kegs of that and a couple of kegs of wine."

"The Amazon's don't seem like the drinking type, why so much?"

"It's mostly ceremonial. Don't let them fool you though, when they get it in them to have a party, they have a party," the bard said enthusiastically.

"They aren't going to mind me helping myself to their ceremonial liquor?" Angela asked disbelievingly.

"No. I'm going with you." Gabrielle said heading for the door.

"If this could cause a problem..."

"No. First of all they'll give you anything you ask if it's within their power. Second, I'm 'Queen Gabrielle' and I said so," finished the bard as she marched back towards the other end of the village, Angela running to catch up.

*****

Xena returned to her hut after a two candle mark meeting with Varia. She looked around wondering where Gabrielle and Angela might have gone to; it was unlike the bard to wander off after dark when there was still a possible threat in the area. She decided to give it another candle mark and go look for them. For all she knew Gabrielle was doing the bard thing somewhere in the village. Her mind went back to the meeting she had just departed. She and Varia had discussed Angela's theory and what they would do about it. They had also spoken of sending a small party of scouts to follow the movements of the army. If they were lucky, it would take them back to their leader, Ming someone. They just couldn't figure out why Ming would be so far from Ch'in.

Xena mulled over the facts and theories for some time when she realized that a full two candle marks had passed and the bard and her charge hadn't yet returned. She was beginning to worry. This was very unlike Gabrielle. Xena decided to walk the main road that ran down the middle of the village and see what she could come up with.

At her wits end, Xena approached the guard outside of the food storage hut. The guard told her that the two women had taken a keg of wine, put it on a cart and wheeled it out into the woods. "Uh huh," was all the Warrior Princess said and was off. She came upon them near the stream sitting in the grass laughing. They were drunk. "Uh huh," as she sat down, propping herself up against a tree. She needed some entertainment for the evening.

"...wood woulda woodchuck?"

"Ok letss... one more time. How - much - wood- would - a - woodchuck - chuck..." Angela said motioning with her hands for Gabrielle to repeat.

"How much - wood(?) would - a - woodchuck(?) chuck." Gabrielle repeated, perplexed.

"Yup. If - a - woodchuck - could - chuck - wood." stifling a burp.

"Ifa - wood - chuck - couldchuck - wood?"

"Yes, essactly. Now say the whole thing bard."

"How much wood - woulda woodchuck - chuck(?) if a wood - chuck - couldchuck - wood?" Gabrielle said still not seeing what Angela was getting at.

"Exactamundo, now say it three times fast," said Angela with a sly smile on her face.

Xena watched all of this in utter amusement. These two were more drunk than she had realized. They hadn;t been out there for more than four candle marks. 'How did they do that?'

"Ha! You can't say it can ya? This is very too cool, I've tongue tied a bard."

"Wait, just give me one more try, please?" Gabrielle pleaded.

"Nope, drink up," Angela said with a huge smile.

"Alright. Uhhh, hows 'bout you sayin' it fast?" Gabrielle slurred.

"I can't... and I'm already drinkin'," Angela announced.

"That better be a full mug."

"I juss filled it." Angela replied showing Gabrielle the mug.

Xena couldn't get over what she was seeing; they were playing some sort of warped drinking game. 'And where did they get those mugs?' she wondered. They were huge.

"You knew Hercules?" asked a very excited Angela.

"Yeah, Xena knew him really well. I'll tell ya all 'bout it Angewa." slurred a very inebriated Gabrielle.

Xena raised an eyebrow at where this story might be headed but she stayed where she was and listened.

"Noooo, that's all right, You really don't have to..."

"Nonsense, I'mabard that'ss whatIdo. The vewy first time I met Hercu {hiccup} wees ..." Gabrielle began.

Xena had only seen her this bad a couple of times before. Tomorrow would not be pretty.

"No really, ddon't. Tell me about the Amazons. Do you have any... hey bard..." prodded Angela

"What ?"

"The Earth is round."

"I knew it!!!"

"The Earth revoll... rev... {muffled burp} moves around the Sun."

Angela was just as bad off as Gabrielle... 'the Earth is round? Please,' the warrior thought, stifling a small chuckle.

"Wow... I have this theeory that people come from fish and..."

"Sort of, life evolv{hiccup}ed from the water. Is's a whole long story that... ah, fuckit, later," Angela said waving her hand in dismissal then taking another sip of wine.

"Tell me more about your time, whas {stifled burp} it like to live, whas it like to be you?" asked the bard, looking very intently at Angela though swaying ever so slightly in the moonlight.

"Well, whas it like to be me? Ok, well... it's like...uh... well it's like... it's like... oh shit, I forget. Pop that cork I need a refill."

"Ooh, fill mine too. Thanks."

"Do you get the freeling that we bein' watched?" asked Angela squinting towards the woods.

"Oh, yeah, it's just Xena keeping an eye on us. She took her sweet time... didn't ya?" Gabrielle finished the last looking directly to where the warrior was seated watching them. Xena didn't move, she figured the bard was bluffing.

"How long has she been there?"

"She thinks I'm juss checkin' juss incase but I know... you showed up during the wood thing." the bard said aloud, laughing and quite proud of herself.

Xena couldn't figure it out, but they had her. She slowly made her way out of the woods and crouched down next to them looking at Gabrielle. "How did you know?"

"I'm not tellin'," the bard said shaking her head and giggling.

"Gabrielle..." velvety smooth. "How did you know?"

"Nope. It's my secret."

The warrior decided to try her nice voice. "Gabrielle, I thought we told each other everything... no secrets, remember?"

"Nope."

"If I have to put the pinch on you, by the gods..." she said more forcefully.

"I saw the moonlight reflect off of your armor." Gabrielle said desperately trying not to laugh too hard. She had noted that the Warrior Princess wasn't looking overly amused.

"Moonlight." A flat and pissed off statement from the warrior.

Angela watched the goings on and cut in most nonchalantly, "Ya gotta go get yourself a mug princess. We {hiccup} forgot to bring an extra one, sorry."

Xena turned to Angela firing the look at her, "I'll use yours."

"Hey bard, you're right, you can {muffled burp}tell when she's just putting it on." Angela said handing Xena her just refilled (again) mug.

"Time to head back you two, it's dangerous to be out here with that army still in the area." Xena said.

Gabrielle stood up too fast and fell back down taking Angela with her. Xena refused to help them, it was bad enough she was stuck pulling home the keg cart. On the third try Gabrielle stayed on her feet and she and Angela held each other up all the way back to the hut. Xena had to detour with the small cart but returned quickly. She didn't trust them in their present state of mind. Who would?

Xena made the drunks turn in immediately. She put out the candles and crawled into her own bed, pulling up the covers and getting herself cozy.

"Xena?"

"What Gabrielle?" said a very tired sounding warrior.

"I'm gonna be sick."

"You'd better not do it on the floor. Go to the outhouse or out back or something." Xena barely lifted her head from her pillow. This was going to be a long night.

"Ok." Gabrielle said sounding defeated. She carefully made her way out of the hut, stumbling only once on the way. "MMMBLECH... HOOWHEPPP... uh, oh gods... BBRLECH."

Xena could hear Gabrielle retching outside and hoped she wasn't too close to the hut, or anywhere it might be stepped in. She closed her eyes and began to fade away...

"Her name was Lola, she was a show girl..."

"What in Tartarus, Angela... I'm trying to sleep!" The warrior bellowed.

"The song just popped into my head..."

"Well UN-POP IT!" yelled Xena.

The following morning Xena awoke to a strange, putrid, sour smell. One of them had been bad. She looked around the hut to find Angela unconscious and Gabrielle missing. She didn't find any wayward piles in the hut but the smell seemed to be coming from the back wall. The warrior went around back to investigate and found the bard passed out in... "I'm in Tartarus." was all Xena said throwing up her hands in defeat. She had no intentions of helping either one of them... but torture was an option. She went back into the hut.

"ANGELA! WAKE UP!" Xena roared into Angela's ear.

"Whaa, what! Oh, dear Lord, please make her stop." Angela buried her head under the pillow.

"Gabrielle needs your help, get up," the warrior sounded agitated.

"What could she possib... how come you can't?"

"I didn't get her drunk. Now MOVE! Take her to the stream and clean her up. NOW!" Xena was secretly enjoying this. She knew that Angela's head had to be pounding right now... and her stomach in an uproar.

"Alright, alright, I'm up. Where is she?" Angela sat up and put her feet down on the floor. She sat there a long moment and swayed staring at the floor, the wall, the ceiling, the other wall, the floor. Then she rose and almost fell but caught her balance on a chair. Xena pointed out the door and told her to go around back. When Angie found Gabrielle passed out in... covered in her own vomit, she walked a few paces away, fell to her knees and... "MMMBLECH...BBBLRECHH... oh shit. Oh Xena, you did this on purpose, didn't you?" she whispered.

Xena, inside the hut laughing, could hear the commotion outside. She could also hear Angela's words and she said almost inaudibly, "yup."

Angela couldn't get the bard to stay awake for more than a few moments at a clip. This presented a problem to her because she refused to touch the bard. She didn't want to get that "yak" all over her. Things went on like this for about a half of a candle mark when Angela gave up, broke down, and tried to carry Gabrielle. This turned out to be a task all on its own; the bard was slippery, Angela was still dizzy, the morning sun was too bright and the rising heat caused a rising, stomach wrenching stench. Angela bravely fought off another wave of nausea as she finally hauled the bard up over her shoulder in a fireman's carry and headed off to the stream. The water was cold, frigid, deadly. "Hangover�s suck," Angela said lowering the bard into the water that she herself was already waist deep in. Gabrielle screamed when her back hit the water.

About a half of a candle mark later Gabrielle and Angela were bringing buckets of water back to the hut and washing the outside wall where the bard had over sprayed. Xena went outside to check on them and... "you two look like Tartarus." The hangover victims were pale, a little green, soaked, but clean and they were both wearing their Amazon gear, as their clothes still had to dry. "C'mon, breakfast is ready, time to eat." Xena received casual death stares from Angela and Gabrielle. "Don�t give me those looks, you'll feel better after you eat." Still no verbal response from either. "NOW! Both of you, move." The Warrior Princess won and they all left for breakfast.

*****

Two weeks had passed before any word came from the scouts. The enemy army had split into two groups. One, apparently (however unlikely), on its way back to Ch'in. The other was headed in the direction of the Northern Amazons. Gabrielle uneasily took this in knowing that this could be a ruse in many forms. She agreed with the others that this was a diversion of some sort, but what kind of diversion is what they all seemed to disagree upon. The Northern tribe was much smaller than this one (only about 50 women total) and would be an easy target for this army. Gabrielle felt there was no choice but to help them, Varia strongly agreed but they were unsure of how to do that and keep their village protected. That was the catch.

"Ok, Gabrielle, Angela and I will ride ahead to the Northern tribe and see if we can't cause a little trouble along the way. That other army could double back in a few days so keep your eyes on them. I don't know if they'll come back here or go North but judging by the report, they are in a good position right now to do either effectively. I'll try to talk Queen Cyane into moving the tribe to a safer location or coming back here for the time being." Xena finished.

"Sounds good, we could use the extra troops. I'll send an escort to see you safely through Amazon and Centaur lands. They'll camp the night with you and return in the morning." said Varia. She then ordered Jana to have the horses prepared for immediate departure and ample supplies packed. Varia wanted to be part of the escort, she hated sitting around and waiting, but she needed to be with her tribe. If something were to happen to her... she didn't want to think of the consequences of her death... the Amazons would eventually fall without her. It wasn't arrogance, it was fact.

Less than a half of a candle mark had gone by and the three warriors were off and riding full bore out of Amazon territory with their escorts. Because it was already late in the day, they pushed the horses as hard as possible before stopping for the evening. Xena found a fairly secluded site near a small watering hole and she and the bard set up camp. The three women ate their evening meal and turned in early; they would be leaving at first light. The Amazon escort kept watch throughout the night and returned to their village after continuing their duties for another candle mark of hard riding the following morning.

Most of the journey went quite uneventful, save for the occasional brigands that they ran into. Angela however had her own problems; she hadn�t ridden a horse in about five years and she was feeling it. Her entire body hurt and her legs were practically useless. Things went on like this for the first few days but she eventually got used to riding again. That, or, she had gotten used to the pain. Angie wasn't sure but either sufficed, the pain had become tolerable.

There was another issue... Angela's loathing of herself was increasing rapidly. Her ease of killing, her need for battle, her thirst for blood, was growing. Adversely though, so was her guilt. She became reclusive during the trip North. Both Xena and Gabrielle had tried to talk to her, tried to help her, but it was no use. Angela had done things she could never forgive herself for, things she could never live with and now she was headed back into that dark place to commit more atrocities. How many had she killed in battle? How many had she killed in their sleep? How many heads did she impale? How many more hearts would she tear out? There was no easy answer. Her soul bled.

*****

The warriors arrived at the Northern Amazon village to find it deserted. It had been recently razed to the ground but there were no bodies, no signs of battle.

"I have an idea of where they might be." Xena asserted.

"The Amazon Resting Place?" asked Gabrielle.

"Yup."

The burial grounds were half of a day's ride from the village. They made their way through the forest which opened to a sandy plain. In the distance they could make out the banners of the enemy army; they were headed in the wrong direction. The Amazons must have sent a decoy out. Xena decided that it was best that they find the Amazons. Later, they could find ways to divert the army further if need be.

The Amazons had set up a temporary camp while the decoy sent the enemy army off on a tangent. Queen Cyane was preparing her tribe to double back and head South when Xena, Gabrielle, and Angela arrived. Xena confirmed that the little ruse had worked and was glad to hear that the Amazons were preparing to journey to Varia's tribe.

Gabrielle introduced Angela and Queen Cyane. 'Another young one,' Angela noted. Cyane looked like she wasn't a day over 19. She had long blond hair and green eyes. She wore a leather rope headband and was fully dressed in tanned leather. It was actually well tailored. She had fringes that went from her waist to her knees and her boots were a darker brown leather. Angela's first impression of Cyane was that she was intelligent and kind. She knew her limitation's and though she was not afraid to die, she would not risk her tribe or the Amazon nation for pride.

"How did you know you wouldn't beat that army? They only sent about 50 men in this direction..." Angela asked knowing that that was all they needed to wipe out most of Varia's tribe before she arrived to help.

"The runner that Varia had sent was on her way back with a message from me that we would be there to help. We left a few days after the runner and ran into her coming back with news of the army's advance North. I knew that if that army had beaten Varia's troops then we would not have a chance," Cyane said.

"If you thought that Varia had been beaten then why go there?" asked Gabrielle

"Even if Varia had lost there might be survivors. And since Varia had sent runners out to a number of tribes asking for assistance, I had hoped to possibly run into them. If not, as a tribe, we would go to the other Amazon tribes and build an army to defeat them, if possible," Cyane answered.

"Have your scouts returned yet from playing decoy or are they on a suicide mission?" asked Angela in a very flat tone.

"They have led the army in the direction of a canyon. There is a rope bridge that runs across it. By now my scouts are behind the army and will either cut the bridge with them on it or behind them."

"I honestly don't think that they'll cross that bridge. How far out of the way is it?" asked Angela.

"Two day's ride, on foot it's almost three," the queen answered.

Angela had been right about Cyane; she'd set a trap that, even if it failed, bought them time.

"It's getting late, we'll stay the night and leave at first light. Have your people prepared," Xena said. She then left with her two companions to unsaddle the horses and set them up for the evening.

The following morning, as usual, Xena awoke before the rooster crowed. She began her daily morning ritual of waking up the bard and realized that Angela was missing. She shook Gabrielle into a conscious state and told her that Angie was nowhere to be found. The warrior had no doubt in her mind as to Angie's whereabouts... she hoped she was wrong. Gabrielle saddled up the horses while Xena notified Cyane of their predicament.

"The problem, Cyane, is that she's suicidal, a loose catapult. She is either on her way to that cliff or that army; but she's on her way. I have to stop her! You'll have to start off without us. We'll catch up as soon as possible." Xena stated anxiously.

"I understand. We'll be on our way in less than a candle mark. You know the route we've chosen... good luck and be careful. Gabrielle told me a little about your friend last night, she's walking a fine line, I've seen this before." affirmed Cyane.

"I know, so have I," asserted Xena.

Gabrielle and Xena rode hard through the forest. When they reached the clearing they'd crossed earlier they found Angela. She was sitting on her horse looking out across the sandy waste. Angela didn't move when she heard the horses approaching; she knew who it would be.

"Angela? Are you ok? Why are you out here?" Gabrielle asked with sincerity, calmness and a hint of worry to her voice.

"I'm waiting for them," Angela replied barely above a whisper.

"Why? Do you think they're coming back?" asked the bard.

"Yes."

"What makes you think so?" Xena questioned.

"Cyane is smart, very smart. Kwan is smarter. I don't know about Chang but I'm guessing the same." Angela's voice never rose; she never looked at the warriors to either side of her. She simply kept staring straight ahead as if the army would be coming over the horizon at any time.

"The Amazon's are leaving as we speak. We need to go with them." asserted Gabrielle

"No. We need to create a diversion when that army comes back."

"No, we need to escort the Amazons and we need you to help us." Gabrielle was doing her best to get through. "Angela? Angela look at me...please." The bard was becoming visibly frustrated. She turned her horse around and sidled up next to Angela where she could face her. She reached out, took Angela by the chin and turned her head to face her. "SNAP OUT OF IT! I don't know what you're thinking right now but the longer you stay here the more you jeopardize..."

Angela grabbed Gabrielle's wrist. "No, you don't know what's going on in my head and you don't want to." She dropped the bard's hand and continued her visual search of the countryside.

Xena had been watching all of this intently. She knew what Angela was going through, she'd been there and done that. "Angela, you have to leave with us. The scouts have created the first diversion. If we need to, another will be created, but we can't sit here and wait. There is another army out there and this could be the decoy for them. For all we know Varia's tribe is the one in actual danger."

"It probably is."

"Then why are you waiting for this army?" asked Xena, dumbfounded.

"Because I can do something about this one."

"If you come with us and they follow, you'll have your chance. But we need to make headway towards the Southern village, that is where the real battle will be fought." Xena hoped she was convincing.

"You two are going to badger me until I give in aren't you?" Angela asked.

"Yes." Replied Gabrielle.

It took about a candle mark for the three women to meet up with the Amazons. Gabrielle filled Cyane in on what had happened then rejoined her companions. Angela, once again, was withdrawn. There was no talking to her. The bard tried repeatedly but finally gave up. Angela's internal battle was raging.

Six days went by before the scouts caught up. The army was on its way back, but they didn't seem know that the Amazons had doubled back. They had arrived at the rope bridge and turned around. The scouts estimated that the army was about two days behind them. Cyane took all of this in and ordered her warriors to pick up the pace. They needed distance, safe distance.

Xena spoke with Gabrielle about Angela and they both agreed that she had to be watched over day and night; they would have to sleep in shifts. With the army behind them she could bolt at any time to confront them. Gabrielle attempted to get a promise from Angela saying she wouldn't, but it was no use, Angela was unresponsive.

*****

They blindfolded her, then put her on a hard wooden surface, she could feel the splinters in her back and her arms. Her hands and feet were chained down, immovable. They held her mouth open and began pouring something into... BLOOD! She couldn't breath, she was choking, struggling against them... it. Fighting it was futile. The blood was warm, almost hot, tying a knot in her stomach; the pain unbearable. She wanted to scream, to cry for help, but the blood kept coming, an endless flow. The knot grew tighter; she was convulsing, her entire body viciously shaking. Blinding fear raged through her, scouring away all but the slightest trace of rational thought. She had to break free of their hold. She had to kill them... all of them...

"Angela, wake up... you're having a nightmare... Angela..." Gabrielle was unable to finish. Angela shot her left hand out, grabbed the bard by the throat and slammed her hard onto her back. Angela used her body weight to pin Gabrielle down. The bard was gasping for air, her eye's opened wide in shock and fear. "Angela, ple-ase, don't... do this{struggling desperately to breath}. It's... me... Gabrielle." Though she could barely breath, the bard knew that Angela could have killed her already. She saw Xena coming up behind Angie ready to beat her off, possibly kill her, but she hoped it wouldn't come to that. Then an idea came to her. "Please... I don't want... to die. Angela, please." Angela had been staring directly into the bards eye's, her face blank, but slowly she changed. She now seemed to be searching the bard�s eye's for something, any small hint of recognition. Angela slowly let loose her grip and backed away. She was trembling violently.

Xena knelt down beside Angela, putting her hand on her shoulder. "You... I know what you're going through. I've had those same dreams. I've had those same reactions. You have to let us help."

Angela was holding herself still violently shaking, her face soaked with tears. She looked up at the warrior with utter fear in her eyes then looked over to Gabrielle who was slowly kneeling in front of her, rubbing her throat. "I'm sorry," she wept. "I didn't know... recognize... I, I couldn't see your face."

Gabrielle knew this scenario well, Xena had done just the same a few times herself (the warrior had just never taken it so far). She knew through experience how to handle the situation, but she couldn't prepare Angela for what was yet to come. Every time they got through to Angela, calmed her soul just a little, a new battle would arise and they were back at square one. Xena had been right, Angela had her ability to kill, or more appropriately... massacre. But she also had Gabrielle's heart, her compassion, her guilt. It was this combination that was devastating this poor lost soul.

"You will find your peace, Angela," it was a man's voice, deep and commanding. Angela startled at the sound of it and the hand on her shoulder.

"What do you want Michael?" growled Xena, standing up to face him.

Gabrielle grabbed the warriors arm. "No, Xena wait..."

"Angela asked for assistance, for guidance; I'm here to help." Answered the Archangel Michael. He was tall and powerfully built. His hair was blond and cropped short and he wore an ornate breastplate and sword. His wings were dark green, they were perfect. He was perfect.

"Where were you when I needed it?" Angela asked through tears. She was still on her knees, she didn't have the strength to stand.

"I gave you 'Amazing Grace.' That one hasn't even been written yet. Besides, everything else, you already have. And, if you let them, Xena and Gabrielle will help you through your confusion, your suffering.

"Why am I here? Did God have something to do with this?"

"No. He doesn't interfere with free will. And this would not have been your choice had you been given one."

"So, then why are you here now? If I don't need your help..."

"You didn't need my help, now you do. You see, Gabrielle almost died at your hands tonight and Xena was prepared to kill you to stop you. I don't like seeing good souls taken before their time and I certainly don't like seeing them end up in Hell for something as insane as suicide." He looked at Angela thoughtfully for a moment. "We usually don't interfere in people's lives, it's a general rule, but we've made an exception for you."

"What are you saying Michael?" asked a somewhat wary Xena.

"Well, as you know Xena, this would not be an issue had she been left alone; in her own time. So I'm going to give her the edge you and Gabrielle need to help her through this." Michael stepped forward to Angela and stood her up. The Archangel gently cupped her face with both hands. "I'm going to take away some of your nightmares, but not all. That will be enough for them to help you. There is a conflict going on inside you between the dark and the light and it will take all of their collective efforts to help you settle it." Michael paused for a moment. "Do you want my help?"

"Yes," came the choked reply from Angela.

"I don't know about this..." Xena began but was cut off.

"Xena... he's right, it is the edge we need. Let him." Gabrielle fully believed it would help. Xena wasn't so sure but went with the bard's feelings on this one.

Michael looked up into the night sky for just a moment and looked back at Angela smiling. He took his hands from her face. "The rest is up to you. There is just one thing I need you to do."

"Here it comes." said the warrior.

"Xena!" scolded Gabrielle.

"What?" asked Angela.

"I need you to open up to them and allow them to help you. Don't hear them; understand them and you will prevail." With that, a brilliant ray of light shot forth from the heaven's and Michael the Archangel was gone.

"Thank you," Angela whispered into the darkness.

*****

The following evening Angela sat with Xena and Gabrielle around their own small campfire away from the other Amazons. Angela had promised to let them help her. She was delivering on that promise.

"... so, something happens to you when you're faced with a battle, Xena and I have both seen it. What happens?" asked Gabrielle.

"I don't... it's hard to explain. It's like... my emotions leave me. I feel nothing. I'm... I'm empty. I just do what I was programmed to do." She paused looking down at the ground for a moment. She looked up at Gabrielle, her eyes sad, "but I enjoy it, or actually, the thought of it. The anticipation of battle charges me. I can't wait to go out and slaughter. Not, 'kill in self defense...' I'm talking slaughter. But then after... afterwards I can't live with myself." Becoming visibly upset, "How many lives have I taken?" She asked of no one. "I don't understand how one minute I can kill without thinking twice about it, but then the next minute... I'm being torn to pieces by guilt," Angela was near hysterics. "I hate myself for what I've done, but at the first opportunity, I'll do it again." She stopped for a moment and reflected, then went on. "Before I came here, I never thought I could kill someone. I've never hurt anyone in my life..."

Xena felt for the woman before her. She understood her. "I butchered innocent people just for the fun of it. I was the Destroyer of Nations. No one could stop me, nothing stood in my way. I was going to rule the world." Xena looked over at Gabrielle and smiled then looked back at Angela. "Then a couple of very good people came into my life and showed me a better way. Lao Ma gave me her teachings. Hercules showed compassion when he could have killed me, should have killed me, but didn't. Gabrielle saved my life... and has kept me alive. She showed me everything else and still teaches me everyday."

"How did you get over your bloodlust?" asked Angela, calming down.

"Well... Gabrielle you're not going to like this , but... I never really got over it a hundred percent. I still enjoy the occasional battle."

"I've noticed," Angela said with a sly half smile before getting serious again. "I'm really not sure it's bloodlust for me though..."

"I don't think it is either," asserted Gabrielle. "I think it's the power you hold over your opponents lives. It's easy for you to kill them. You outclass them in your skill; it's like you're on a power trip. You just can't live with the results of your power trip."

"For the most part, you might be right. But there is something else there... driving me," Angela said, before becoming slightly frustrated. "I just can't put my finger on it..."

"Vengeance," said the Warrior Princess. "You were different after Gabrielle and I were captured and beaten."

Angela thought about this for a moment then whispered, "yes, I am different."

"To conquer others is to have power; to conquer yourself is to know the way. That was one of Lao Ma's favorites. I can't tell you how many times she repeated it to me hoping that it would sink in... it took years for me to truly understand her wisdom." Xena reminisced.

"I have never heard that one. Thank you." Angela mulled over this new piece of wisdom for a few moments. Then asked, "do you know any more? Not much of her work made it through the ages. Her book was a little worse for wear."

"Every last word in her book is inside of me." Xena assured.

"When this is all over... can you teach me her wisdom?" Angela asked. She truly wanted to learn. Xena could sense her excitement.

"What would you use it for?" Xena questioned warily. The purity behind Lao Ma's teachings allowed one to harness internal energy and manifest it externally using it to heal, or utilizing it like an invisible hammer against one's enemy's.

"What do you mean?" Angela didn't understand the question. "I have studied philosophy and of all that I've read, the scant bits and pieces of Lao Ma's work made the most sense to me. She was brilliant!"

"Yes she was, and yes... I will teach it to you," Xena finished. She excused herself and went over to the Amazons campfire to get food for herself and her companions.

"You seem better already, or am I jumping the crossbow?" Gabrielle said smiling.

"Crossbow? Oh, yeah right. Uhmm, actually... I feel a little better; a little less confused. I still have a lot to deal with, and to learn... I'm sorry about not talking to you sooner. I have spent so much time trying to figure out what was wrong with me and not getting anywhere... I've been an ass... I didn't believe you when you said that you could help me. I didn't think...�

"It's ok. You have no idea how long it took me to get through to Xena. Or how long it took me to convince her that just saying what your problem is out loud can bring you that much closer to the answer." Gabrielle looked over to where Xena was for a moment, anticipating her meal. In the firelight Angela could see the bruising around the bard's throat from the previous night. She was mortified.

"Gabrielle, I am so sorry." Angela's eye's began to well up, her heart twisted into a knot... had she really done that?

"Oh, by the gods, Angela it's ok. It was an accident." Gabrielle tried to reassure her, but it was no use. Angela was on her knees in front of the bard examining her neck.

"How did I not see this earlier?" Gabrielle's neck was heavily bruised on the right side. Distinct marks where Angela's fingers had dug in and held the bard were outlined with small tears in the flesh. Angela had nearly torn Gabrielle's throat out.

"Xena thought it would be a good idea if you didn't see it. I rode with Cyane today to hide it from you. We had a pretty good idea of what effect it might have..."

"No, don't," Angela grew more upset with each passing moment. "Of all the things that I have done...since I got here..." Xena looked over from the other fire and saw Angela examining Gabrielle's neck, she was crying. Xena quickly made her way back to find out what was going on. "...this is the worst." Angela choked out.

"I'll be fine. Angela, I have forgiven you. You weren't thinking straight..." Gabrielle was trying to reassure Angela but was cut off.

"How can you forgive me for this? Do you have any idea what I have done to you?" Angela looked over to Xena. "Is she always this forgiving?"

"Yup, drives me crazy sometimes." The warrior said with a mouth full of food.

"And why is that? It's a good quality in a person," Angela questioned seating herself next to the bard.

"Because sometimes I'd feel better if she'd just be mad at me for longer than a candle mark. Torture me a little or something, but she just forgives me. Sometimes I wonder how she does that, but I've come to accept that it's her way. She can't stay mad." Xena replied as she handed out the food and sat down.

The three women sat and talked for almost two candle marks before retiring for the night. For the first time in weeks, Angela didn't suffer nightmares. For the first time in weeks, she slept in peace. For the first time in weeks, she wasn't alone. She had hope. Though it would be a long and arduous journey to regain her peace of mind, her sanity... and though there would be more battles to be fought, and setbacks to be dealt with, she had the help she needed. It had always been there.

*****

Three days later...
The Amazons had been moving at a blistering pace in an attempt to put distance between themselves and the pursuing army. Cyane walked the campsite checking on everyone as they finished their evening meals and prepared for sleep. They hadn't stopped traveling until the sun began to set and they would be leaving before sunrise. They were tired. Cyane knew that they had another two days of hard travel ahead of them and hoped that they had put at least a day on that army. She was hoping for at least a day's rest for her warriors before engaging in battle. It truly was the least she could hope for.

Queen Cyane climbed into her bedroll and began to drift off when she heard a bird call. It was the Amazon call used to warn of intruders. She sprang up and roused the sleeping warriors. She noticed that Xena had already roused her companions and was headed off in the direction of the disturbance. Cyane ordered half of her Amazons to the trees surrounding the campsite for an ambush. Tree warfare was the Amazon's forte. They could traverse the canopy of the forest the same as running on the ground.

The sounds of swords clashing in the distance rang through the air. Cyane knew that the army had run into Xena. She readied her troops and stayed to the far end of the clearing. She had set a trap that would put the army in a crossfire of arrows when they reached the clearing. Cyane was confident in her plan; she wasn't so sure of the fate of her three friends out in the forest.

Gabrielle fought like a woman possessed, she had to. They were overwhelmed with sheer numbers and she had been separated from her companions. She could hear them... somewhere... but in the dark it was impossible to see them. She called out to Xena who responded with her war cry and a futile attempt to get to the bard. Gabrielle tried to maneuver her way in the direction of Xena's voice but was cut off. They were surrounding her. She fought bravely and tirelessly but it was no use... a sharp, searing pain tore into her side then something heavy met with the back of her head. The bard was no longer in this battle.