| Part 20 Two Days Later � Sparta?!� Ares nodded. Joxer got up and started to pace. � Sorry, Ares but I really hate Sparta.� � Why?� � Because it�s so,� Joxer waved expressively with his hands, � So superior!� Ares smirked, � What? Don�t you think I�m superior?� Joxer stopped pacing and grinned, � Well, yes of course, but they take it to an extreme!� Ares sighed, � I know, but it�s a good way to get good, loyal, dedicated warriors.� � I suppose.� � Jox, you,� Ares turned away. � You don�t have to do this.� Joxer stared at him and sighed. He walked over to his lover and pulled him round to face him. He cupped Ares� face gently. � There�s no question of my not doing this.� Ares didn�t look at him. � Ares! We do this okay?� At last Ares met his eyes, he smiled weakly and nodded. � Good. Do you think Xena and the others will come?� Ares shrugged, � Well I�m bringing them, so they don�t really have a choice.� Joxer chuckled, � Okay, any last minute advice?� Ares stared into his eyes, � Don�t die.� Joxer swallowed and blinked rapidly, � I�ll try my very best,� he whispered hoarsely. Ares wrapped his arms around him, clutching him close, � Then you�ll do fine.� With a flash of light, they were in Ares� temple in Sparta. Joxer looked up, spotting his five very disorientated-looking friends, but was distracted by Ares� low groan. � Ares?� � I�m fine, I think.� He looked decidedly pale. � Ares?!� The pair turned round. � Where are we and why are we here?� Hercules demanded. � Sparta, to support Joxer. If that�s okay with you?� Ares asked sarcastically. � Oh, well, yes of course,� Hercules flushed lightly. � Still you could have asked.� Ares simply raised an eyebrow. He cocked his head suddenly and frowned. Then he sighed. � It�s time.� He cupped Joxer�s face and kissed him softly, � Good luck,� he whispered. � He don�t need luck,� Strife flashed into the temple. He walked over to Joxer and hugged him. � He broke his right arm a coupla years back,� he whispered in Joxer�s ear. Joxer grinned at him, � Thanks for the tip.� Strife winked at him. � I can�t go with you, I have to be seen as impartial,� Ares said regretfully. � I know,� Joxer kissed him again. � I love you.� � I love you too.� ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Joxer rolled his shoulders back and walked out of the temple, flanked by Xena, Gabrielle, Hercules, Iolaus and Autolycus. They headed for the combat field. Joxer swallowed nervously at the size of the crowd. They walked to one end of the field, opposite the other warrior and his entourage. The warlord smirked at him, looking him up and down insultingly. He turned to his companions and said something, which got a loud burst of laughter in reply. With a loud, bright flash, Ares appeared in the stands with Strife and Eris. He swayed minutely, but quickly regained control. Silence fell over the crowd. Ares stared round the field, locking eyes briefly with Joxer, before quickly looking away. � Joxer of Corinth, are you prepared to fight to the death, for the honour of becoming my champion?� Joxer bowed, � Yes, My Lord,� he answered quietly. Ares nodded and turned to his warlord. � Serfilius of Sparta, are you prepared to fight to the death for the honour of becoming my champion?� Serfilius bowed, � I am indeed, My Lord, but�� Ares� eyes narrowed, � But what?� His voice was deceptively quiet. Serfilius was a very good warrior, but he was also arrogant. � This Joxer, he does not look like a worthy opponent.� Ares frowned, � Do you question my decision? You would prefer to fight someone else, Strife perhaps?� Strife stepped forward and smiled ghoulishly. Serfilius paled and backed away slightly, � No! I�m sorry My Lord, I did not mean to question you.� � Good.� Ares� hands were clenched into knuckle straining fists, and those that knew him, knew how hard it was for him not to blast the man into ashes. � Commence.� Joxer and Serfilius drew their swords and stepped forward to meet each other in the centre of the field. Serfilius yelled and flew at Joxer, who just managed to get his sword up in time to block a fearsome blow. He staggered under the force. Blows rained down on him, but he blocked and didn�t give anymore ground. Gradually, he managed to push forward, as swords flashed together again and again. Suddenly he missed a thrust and over reached himself, leaving himself off balance. Seeing Serfilius� blade coming towards him, he carried on moving forward, and rolled onto the ground. He twisted quickly and leapt to his feet to block the next thrust. Moving right into Serfilius� space, he flicked his wrist and the sword flew out of Serfilius� hand. He pressed forward, but the warlord leapt out of the way and managed to regain his sword. With his free hand he pulled out a dagger. Joxer pulled out his own dagger and ran towards the warlord. They met with a clash of swords, but Joxer didn�t quite move in time to avoid Serfilius� dagger, which slashed him across the arm. He twisted into the blade, gritting his teeth in pain, and kicked Serfilius in the shoulder. Serfilius grunted in pain and pulled away. Joxer looked at his arm, grimacing slightly. Serfilius rushed at him again, and Joxer dropped down catching Serfilius� feet between his legs, to knock him flat on his face (drop toe hold for wrestling fans!). He kicked the warlord�s arm again and rolled back to his feet, panting harshly. Serfilius howled in anger and pain, leaping to his feet to rush at Joxer again. Joxer ducked under his arm and lashed out with his dagger, catching Serfilius across the chest. Serfilius jumped back and pressed his hand to his chest. Snarling at Joxer, he wiped his blood across his face like a mask. They clashed again and again, Joxer lost his dagger, but he held his own, noticing that Serfilius� blows were not as strong as before. Neither man was gaining much of an advantage for long, and both were tiring. A sudden strong blow, caught Joxer off guard and knocked him off his feet. He hit the ground hard, his sword flying from his hand. Serfilius raised his sword to strike. � NO!� The scream from Ares distracted the warlord and Joxer pulled his second dagger from his boot. He sat up and thrust it into Serfilius� chest. Serfilius staggered, a look of surprise covered his face. Joxer tried to roll as the dying warlord made one last attempt to kill him, but he didn�t quite move in time and the sword struck him through the shoulder, pinning him to the ground. Joxer screamed in pain. Serfilius dropped to his knees and pulled the dagger from his chest. He lunged at Joxer, who caught his arm. As Serfilius fell on top of him, Joxer twisted his wrist so that he fell on the dagger. It was over, he�d won. He lay motionless, emotions in a turmoil. He�d won! � Joxer!� he heard Ares roar. Serfilius� body was dragged off him and he looked up. Ares stood over him anxiously. Joxer tried to smile reassuringly, but he hurt too much, everything hurt. Ares pulled the sword from his shoulder and knelt beside him. Ares swallowed hard, he was happy, why did he so desperately want to cry? He put his hand over Joxer�s heart, and Joxer could feel his power spreading through him, healing him. Ares pulled him to his feet and into his arms. Oblivious of the crowd, Ares bent his head and kissed Joxer. Joxer could feel his lover�s heart pounding, the kiss conveyed all of Ares� anxiety, relief and pride. Serfilius� men stepped forward, their arrogance, anger and confusion clouding their judgement. � My Lord, this is not seemly,� said one man. � How could such a man beat Serfilius on his own?� exclaimed another. Ares glowered at them, � I do not need to explain myself to you!� he roared. He turned to the crowd. � Joxer of Corinth has won the match, and is henceforth my champion. He is also my chosen consort,� he declared. � As for you,� he turned back to Serfilius� men, � For questioning me.� A fireball began to form in his hands. The men started to back away fearfully. Joxer wanted to ask him to stop, but he couldn�t, not in front of the Spartans. He didn�t want Ares to lose their respect by appearing soft. But he didn�t watch as Ares casually tossed the fireball, killing the men in one go. Even Xena and Hercules didn�t try to stop him, they realized that after choosing a male consort, even one who had just become his champion, Ares needed to show that he was still Ares, God of War. |