Sapphic Voices Fan Fiction

The Burning Candle

Conclusion

Disclaimer: Xena and Gabrielle are the sole property of MCA/UNIVERSAL, no infringement, no monetary gains of any kind have passed before me and never will.

Warning:

1) If you are squeamish about certain culinary oddities go no further.
2) If you are equally upset over threatened violence (and once again, no rape here) you may also leave.
3) If you simply cannot bear our warrior heroine in embarrassing situations, be kind to your sensibilities and go. Persons way too young (under 18 or 21 depending on your state) for questionable relations between two Woman should open a nice book and read about how fast Dick can run run run run Questions? Feedback? Send to: AHladis[at]aol.com

"He's late."

Mohod stood near a small cluster of assorted confined civilians shielding his eyes from the powerful glare of the sun.

"You have the gift of stating the obvious Mohod. If Ketaar says he will be somewhere, he will be there."

"A merit worthy of praise, yet I do not trust that smirking Greek."

Marduk unplugged a small water bag's spout and took a sizable swallow. Empty staring eyes followed the mouthpiece's path to his lips.

"Yes, in our trade it is always advisable to trust no one. For now we must have dealings with the man. Ketaar is considered the best," he said wiping a bronzed hand across his mouth.

Marduk offered the water supply to the other similar looking gentlemen.

"There was a time when we were the best," Mohod said taking the water bag from his twin brother.

"Friendly collaboration is good for business. Secondly, Ketaar has a better contact. He said he can get us more money."

"And those choice little items, of course, make him the best?"

Marduk smiled at his brother's wry comment.

Ketaar sat angrily near a half-packed camel staring at his docile captive.

"You ."

Xena obediently turned toward the source of the single irritated word. Her face was a mask of red and blue hues, her lips parched and caked with dried blood from the ordeal the night before; one good eye slowly wandered to meet his gaze.

"Yes you and that other one have caused me a great deal of uneasiness. Why?"

His eyes searched Xena's lost expression for an answer. Worry from not knowing where the "nice lady" was and trying to remain silent crowded her already confused thoughts.

Ketaar drew closer placing a hand on her shoulder. The gesture was as tender as any thoughtful person might do to express concern. Xena nervously flinched under his grasp.

"Discipline must be maintained. She knew the risk "

His words trailed off remembering the desperate girl's face while he squeezed the life from her.

"She knew what I'd do if I caught her trying to escape," Ketaar looked away for a moment, then turned his full attention on Xena again, "I regret killing the little chit. You can understand that much, can't you?"

She was as blank on the subject of death as any child would be.

"Half-wit!" He said pushing away from her, "Foolish of me to expect you to comprehend."

Xena sank back despondently in her fetters.

Light footfalls coming into camp broke through Ketaar's troublesome thoughts. Tarkau had finally returned.

"A sudden storm claimed them," he announced a little too joyfully, "I saw it all."

Ketaar smiled, his sharp white teeth almost sparkling as he looked up at his pleased henchman.

"This news you bring, disturbs me."

The preordained tableau
Played out incessantly
As in one long lusterless note

"I'm sorry that I have to leave you this way."

Gabrielle brushed away a light coating of sand from the cold face directly below her.

"I don't even know your name."

She straightened out Bhalba's faded embroidered vest and tried not to look at the deep half moon slash in his gut. He lay in a shallow grave, hands folded and neatly tied in place across his chest.

"How do your countrymen say goodbye?" Gabrielle thought about it for a moment, "I could speak a few words in your honor, would you like that?"

She fancied that his lips twitched in answer, but this of course was doubtful. Standing up and striking a somber pose, Gabrielle began to recite a eulogy:

"I've known you only a brief time as an enemy. I'll never really be sure what happened back at the camp, but I'd like to believe you tried to help me. This barren wasteland and the Gods you worship are the only witnesses to my heartfelt gratitude."

Crouching down Gabrielle opened the little pouch she found around Bhalba's neck and forced two coins into his mouth.

"Let the harsh shroud of sand become a soft cloud to bear you to your place of rest."

She pressed her lips to her fingers and laid them on Bhalba's bare head.

"Good-bye."

Tarkau was a little taken aback by his leader's statement and chose to say nothing.

"A pity. I would've liked that oaf to have suffered at my leisure. Come down and assist me with the rest of our cargo. We've no more time to waste here."

Tarkau dismounted quickly to help his boss only to be met with a knife under his chin.

"Do not think that I have forgotten your liberties with my property," Ketaar said as he advanced forward on his prey.

Tarkau backed up carefully; mindful of the sudden fury his master was capable of.

"I am interested solely in profit. Your thick-witted display of violence has greatly lessened her value. How am I to be compensated?"

Tarkau wasn't immediately sure if Ketaar really wanted an answer or only wished to toy with him a while. His startled expression masked the contempt he felt for this man.

"She bit me earlier she did it twice and "

"---And you decided to take care of the transgression all by yourself?"

"I I know it means less of a share "

"Exactly!"

Ketaar lowered the knife and swiftly put it back in its hiding place inside his sleeve. Tarkau didn't bother to conceal a huge sigh of relief.

"We'll make up time lost by traveling at night."

He turned to Xena who hadn't uttered a word in at least twelve hours.

"What say you imbecile? Do you approve?" Ketaar asked in a mocking tone, then snickered to himself.

Xena sat quietly, thinking only of Gabrielle's last words to her: "We'll go home together."

Which way should she go? The storm had completely obliterated the camel's tracks, so any hope of getting back to Xena that way was out of the question.

"Any ideas Grumpy?" she asked her burdened bristly companion as they stood on the darkening plains.

The beast honked excitably through its nose as it had done continuously since she led it up from the small incline less than an hour before.

Gabrielle smiled at her own silliness, but viewing what lay all around the smile soon turned into a look of distress. No hint of life could be detected anywhere in the distance. She wished she'd paid more attention to where the sun was just before the gale arrived.

Gabrielle felt like a mere spec in this land were the endless miles of sand appeared as vast as any ocean.

"Xena would've already had a plan, but Xena isn't here," She gave the noisy animal a pat on its long neck, "Yes, it's just you and me, alone at last."

The sun lowered further on the horizon. She'd have to make some kind of decision soon. Suddenly a pinpoint of light surfaced directly in front of her. It was dim and far away, but she could make it out clearly.

"It's their campfire! I know it!"

Gabrielle climbed up onto the camel's back.

"Hold on Xena, I'm coming to get you!"

She kicked the protesting beast into action and ambled somewhat un-heroically toward the source of the faint beacon.

"Make sure to hold the torch low and follow close."

Ketaar urged his animal cautiously on; Tarkau did what he was instructed to do, tagging along behind his leader as best he could.

Xena rode with Tarkau, once again tied to a fitted shelf on his beast's right flank; the other side balanced evenly with an equally weighted load. Ketaar saw no reason to change the situation being that Tarkau had been duly warned.

Xena neared whatever could be judged as a breaking point. The desire to cry out from the physical and emotional pain was great. Still she had to keep her promise to Gabrielle. Xena closed her eyes and imagined that the "pretty lady" was holding her tight and the light breeze from the desert was her friend gently kissing her bruised face.

The initial burst of bravado had given way to utter frustration. It seemed as if she'd been following the moon for hours. Just as it appeared that she had gained some ground, the little glowing dot would draw further and further away.

"There must be a good reason for this Grumpy we can't be chasing an illusion," Gabrielle mumbled wearily to her snorting companion.

She was tired, every nerve in her body screamed for sleep. Her eyelids grew heavy and soon drooped onto themselves. Without being guided to do otherwise, the steady gait of the camel petered out to an eventual stop. There they rested for a time in the dark: the easily upset 'ship of the desert' and Xena's devoted friend.

"Wait!"

Tarkau jerked his camel's head back in response with a sharp pull of the reins. The sudden jolt ripped Xena from her beautiful dream and back into harsh reality.

"I see them," Ketaar aimed his torch to the right, "Look there!"

"How far away are they?" Tarkau asked as he squinted his eyes to focus.

Ketaar's self-satisfied tone saturated the air around them.

"Ah, my friend, 'tis the act of skilled navigation that is priority. Move your camels swiftly, I want to be there by daybreak."

Tarkau checked on his ragged merchandise behind him then forced the trumpeting procession into a brisk jog.

She awoke with a shudder.

"What ?"

Gabrielle's eyes gaped wide open in the gloom.

"Oh no! Oh God's no!"

The tiny light Gabrielle had been pursuing disappeared while she slept. How far had she drifted from the course? Which way was she pointed in? As the seriousness of the situation became clearer, Gabrielle buried her face in her hands. In an instant the promising trail had turned cold.

There was no other alternative than to wait for daylight to continue looking for Xena.

Over on his far left a cloud of illuminated sand dust rose steadily into the violet sky.

Spotting Ketaar's party, Marduk had elected himself to go out to meet them and escort the caravan back to camp. But when he reached this eagerly awaited band, Marduk was surprised to find only one contribution to the count and two of Ketaar's men missing.

"What has happened to Bhalba and Diakka?"

Ketaar didn't like the suspicious note to Marduk's question. Tarkau nervously looked around and pretended to be occupied in a necessary task.

"They decided to take a different path to Aleppo I believe," he lied.

Marduk found this news hard to accept. Those two men were seasoned criminals. It seemed unlikely that they would take it into their heads to walk away from easy money. He inspected the woman tethered to the side of Tarkau's conveyance.

"Only this one miserable creature?"

"The others escaped during a sandstorm."

Marduk gently lifted her chin and turned it first to the left, then right.

"What did the woman do to warrant such a beating?" he carefully took his hand away.

"She attempted to escape with the others," Ketaar lied again, "I persuaded the simpleton that it was better to keep our company."

"You waste your talents in this way my man. I do not condone such doings."

Marduk unplugged a water jug and lifted it to Xena's dry lips. She looked into his dark eyes; a hint of kindness softened the otherwise indifferent exterior he exhibited. Marduk quietly nodded his head to encourage her to drink. Xena started to sip at the cool liquid then swallowed each mouthful eagerly until the jug was empty.

"I see that you also take care of your property economically. When was the last time you gave this one water?" he said tossing away the empty receptacle.

"I believe I have allowed you enough time to question me. Let us continue on our way, or would you like to settle things here?"

Ketaar began to reach into a billowing sleeve for the knife hidden there--his answer for every disagreement.

"Very well then, no more questions. We go."

It wasn't long before they arrived at the twin brother's campsite. Mohod greeted Ketaar with a distrusting glare when he saw that half of his uncivilized gang were gone, and toting a single captive. Unlike his brother, he didn't ask questions he already knew the answers to.

"Here you are at last master Ketaar. I see you bring with you a rich assortment of Syria's prime citizens."

"Brother," Marduk interrupted, "He has explained the situation to my satisfaction. I believe a three-hour rest is in order, then we will leave for Baghdad. Do you agree to this, Ketaar?"

Ketaar was busily engaged in a venomous standoff with Mohod. He answered without removing his eyes from the other man's face.

"A welcome recommendation. So say you as well, young wolf?"

"My brother is wise. I follow without question."

Marduk untied Xena and brought her down from the animal's back. Unsteadily they walked to where a small group of prisoners were assembled. She automatically sat with them, remaining silent as a row of mournful eyes studied her.

Gabrielle watched the sunrise from atop a hill. Her fatigue in the night had used up precious time, but it wasn't impossible to undo the damage. Soon it would be light enough to retrace 'Grumpy's' footprints in the soft sand and start over again.

"I'll find you Xena," she said softly, "We'll watch the sun come up together, like we used to."

A few tears spilled onto her cheeks. There was the possibility that she wouldn't be able to find Xena once she got to Baghdad. Then there was the other thing Gabrielle didn't want to think about; the odds of Xena getting her memory back weren't very good.

"First things first," Gabrielle declared as she wiped her tears away and mounted the kneeling beast.

She hadn't deviated that far from the course at all, only about forty yards. Gabrielle corrected her position and headed once more towards the now absent glimmering pinpoint of light.

"Excuse me miss, what is your name please?"

Xena opened her eyes. She wasn't sure if she really heard someone talking to her or not. There was a small tug at her elbow.

"What is your name?" the voice sounded a bit more insistent.

Xena looked down and traced the petite hand resting on her arm to its owner. A little girl peeped up at her through a mass of disheveled blond hair.

"My name is Penelope, what is your name?"

She thought for a moment, but couldn't remember what the "nice lady" always called her.

"Don't you have a name?"

Xena shook her head 'no'. The child giggled.

"Everybody has a name. You're funny," she giggled some more.

"I'll give you a name, okay?"

Xena nodded and tried to smile, but her lips were too chapped and painful.

"I'll call you " Penelope eyed Xena closely, " Daphne! You like it?"

She nodded again. Penelope prattled on.

"I'm going to marry a king when I grow up and wear pretty feathers in my hair."

The little girl stopped talking and pet at Xena's least bruised cheek.

"Do you think I will be as beautiful as you are when I grow up?"

Xena didn't know why this made her feel so sad. She started to cry.

"What's the matter Daphne?"

Penelope slid closer and put her arms around Xena.

"Don't cry, maybe we will be sold together and live in a big, big castle."

She welcomed the friendly embrace from the little girl, but it wasn't to last long. Soon Xena and the other wretched prisoners were hastily loaded onto a train of restless, bad-tempered brutes. Marduk insisted that they be restrained with rope instead of chain. This change in routine deeply irritated Ketaar. He preferred shackles to mere braided cord; it gave him less to worry about.

With all the supplies and valuable cargo secured Marduk signaled his brother to begin moving the string of grumbling camel.

"Keep them in a straight line!" he called out to the men.

"One would conclude that they have taken charge," Ketaar said grinning to himself, "Go to it then my young friends, every dog will have its day."

The last leg of the long, torturous journey was under way.

Turbaned against the scorching sun, Gabrielle stared down at the narrow path of footprints that extended as far into the desert as she could see. There were no remains of a campfire, only these evenly spaced tracks in the sand.

The evidence was clear: Ketaar had piloted his merchandise at night.

" 'Nobody sane travels far in the dark'," Gabrielle mumbled under her breath, "Your saying is truer than you realize, Xena."

She couldn't calculate how old the tracks were; Gabrielle always deferred to Xena when it came to things like this. It might be hours, half a day; she had no way of telling. And if that wasn't bad enough her water supply was running low and no food.

Tiny gray lizards darted here and there out of the way of her camel's loping feet. An idea, a revolting idea, popped into her head: Lizards = Food. Vainly she eyed her surroundings looking for an alternative. Dismounting, Gabrielle walked a short distance to a gathered mass of thin leafed shrubs. She knelt down and picked off a sizable blade then nibbled at it. An awful bitter flavor coated the inside of her mouth.

Gabrielle walked quickly back to Grumpy's side spitting and frantically wiping off her tongue the whole way.

Penelope rode snugly beside her friend "Daphne". Tired out from her spirited prattle, the child's head rocked limply against Xena's arm in time to the rhythmic motion of each lumbering stride.

The light color of the sand had taken on a brownish hue, a sure sign that the caravan was getting closer to water. All the animals could sense it too, their nostrils flared and the pace quickened to a livelier gait.

Marduk purposely fell back to keep in step with Xena's beast. He looked over at her and attempted a sympathetic veneer.

"We will reach the Euphrates soon, then you can bathe in her refreshing waters."

Xena couldn't decipher his clipped dialect, but recognized the kindness in it. She smiled briefly at him until Ketaar's sinister shape came into view.

"This imbecile can't understand in her own tongue, she'll not understand yours."

Marduk twisted around in his seat to find Ketaar eyeing Xena with a fair amount of contempt.

"Have you no pity in your heart for any of them?"

Ketaar threw back his head in laughter.

"Ha! I see my chattel has made a conquest! Bravo half-wit!"

Ignoring his associate's sarcastic words, Marduk urged his mount once again to the head of the caravan. This occupation held no particular challenge for him anymore and he longed for an alternative to these expeditions.

"You make me almost jealous simple one," Ketaar softly addressed Xena in perfect Greek, "Will you not smile for me?"

He purred and caressed each word as they left his lips. The man's lingering presence made Xena tremble with fear. Seeing her distressed attitude towards him Ketaar began to take his leave.

"No matter," he said brightly, "I will soon have gold in place of your charming company."

Gabrielle sprang and missed, then sprang and missed again; those little creatures were faster than they looked. As she lay on the ground her stomach started to rumble.

"Oh great," she said getting to her feet.

Slithering a short distance ahead a snake scurried through the sand. The odd thing about it was the fact that it moved sideways at a great rate. Gabrielle had never seen anything like this and marveled over the sight until she realized that a potential meal was getting away. Many times in the past when their food supply and money were low, Xena would bring back snake for them to eat. Not bad cooked, but raw? Gabrielle tried not to think of this as she ran back to her somewhat patiently kneeling sidekick and grabbed the golden chakram from were she had concealed it.

The sun beat down mercilessly as Gabrielle dashed after her fleeing cuisine. She lightly tossed the glittering ring at the moving target, only succeeding in looping it over the snake's head from which embrace it quickly escaped.

Snatching up the weapon again, Gabrielle screeched out an eccentric version of Xena's battle cry and pounced on her prey severing off its head in one clean stroke. The snake's body coiled in a slow undulating dance of death on the dusty ground.

For a moment she considered capering about in a sort of victory frolic, then thought the better of it.

"How stupid would I look doing that?"

Upon returning to Grumpy, Gabrielle jumped in the air clicking her heels together before lightly coming down to earth again.

Marduk sat quietly on a low cliff, which overlooked a spectacular view of the beautiful blue Euphrates River. Green grasses grew in abundance around the shallow banks on each side. A fair breeze wafted up the lush aroma of gently waving vegetation.

He took in a deep breath and closed his eyes, savoring this peaceful scene for the few moments he had to himself.

Tarkau soon broke into Marduk's serene musings.

"Should I start them down the path, or are we to rest here first?"

"Keep everything moving, we will rest by the water's edge."

One by one the tired group were carefully led down the tight trail that brought them directly to a pleasant emerald fairway.

"Ketaar and I will remove the stock as well as water and feed the herd. I don't want the cargo unloaded. Mohod and Tarkau, I want you to begin bathing these slaves for Rhasis. They won't fetch much in their present condition."

"Please master," a dry voice spoke up in broken Arabic, "I can bathe the female captives, if you so desire."

This young pregnant prisoner didn't like the idea of two rough slave-traders pawing over an innocent child or a simple-minded woman either. As for herself she was used to being mistreated, yet felt the other two should be allowed some dignity.

"Very well. You will take one at a time," Marduk took her down first.

"Trusting a captive is not advisable. These can be capable of anything."

Marduk had grown weary of Ketaar always at his elbow giving unsolicited opinions. He lashed out suddenly.

"I hardly think a woman heavy with child poses much of a threat. As for the little one and your contribution I would say the situation speaks loud enough for itself."

Marduk opened a large white sack and pulled out a bar of soap and three thick robes that he handed to the woman after untying her.

"Take the small one first. After you are through dress them and yourself in these."

He then passed a bundle to her that was stuffed with an assortment of clean clothing. She nodded and took Penelope by the hand leading her to the calm cool river to tidy up.

Xena in the meantime waited passively on the grass for her turn at the bath. Mohod and Tarkau had their hands full with the two male captives further down stream. Neither was cut out for this kind of chore and they weren't being too gentle about it.

"What is your name sweetheart?" The young woman asked while wetting the child's hair.

"Penelope," she answered timidly.

"That's a very pretty name," she continued as she worked the soap gently into Penelope's hair, "My name is Leda."

"Oh, I like your name too!"

Leda knew her way around children; before long Penelope was chatting away animatedly about her big plans for an improbable future.

She wrapped Penelope in one of the heavy robes and it dragged on the ground as they left the shallows.

"You are so tiny, I'm afraid I might lose you in the folds," Leda said drying off the orphan.

The girl was then dressed in a simple light pull over garment one size too big for her. Leda brought Penelope back to the waiting area where she was immediately commanded to take care of the next prisoner.

"It's your turn now."

She knelt down smiling and offered Xena her hand to take. The gesture had been so reassuring that Xena took Leda's hand without a second thought. They walked together into the clear blue water waist deep. When Leda was sure the two of them were out of earshot she spoke openly to Xena.

"I know who you are," she said with an artificial smile so that the traders wouldn't pay any attention to her, "I recognized you the moment they brought you into camp this morning. Are you pretending to be mindless?"

Leda looked for any sign of intelligence in Xena's eyes. Sadly, she saw none. Xena was completely mystified.

"No, you are not pretending. The warrior woman is gone."

A bright smile still decorated her face, but a sympathetic tear fell for this once brilliant leader.

"I'm a little mouse," Xena whispered.

Leda stared at the woman in front of her.

"A mouse?" She furrowed her brow not understanding Xena at all.

"A quiet little mouse," Xena answered splashing at the water.

"Is this a game? Are you trying to tell me something?"

"It's our secret," she said playing with the floating bar of soap.

"Who's secret are you keeping?"

Xena looked to see if Tarkau or Ketaar were watching.

"The nice lady and me; our secret."

"What is the secret?"

"I'm as quiet as a mouse."

When Leda started to wash Xena's hair she discovered what the trouble might be. There sat the large sewn gash near her hairline. Some silk thread Gabrielle had stitched into it was still visible. Leda pulled out the remaining strands of silk noting what a skillful job someone had executed and finished washing her hair.

"Did the nice lady fix your wound too?"

She nodded.

"Where is this nice lady now?" Leda asked while gently cleaning Xena's beaten face.

"Far away she loves me."

Leda could only assume that the "nice lady" Xena spoke of was dead.

She gazed cryptically at the raw pieces of snake lying in an unappetizing row. As hungry as Gabrielle was, she couldn't bring herself to eat.

"What I wouldn't do for a little flint," she mumbled.

None of the rocks around her were of any use, although some of them seemed hot enough to cook on. At this point she'd try anything. Placing the meat in a line of strips on a sizable sun-heated flat stone she turned a smaller slab lying next to it over so that the snake pieces were sandwiched between them.

The tiniest of sizzling sounds emerged from her bit of ingenuity. In a few minutes the meat was cooked enough to be mostly edible.

"Want some?" she asked holding up a morsel to her sour tempered transport.

The animal only snorted and turned its head away.

"Critic."

A few miles of following the usual sparse set of tracks, she came upon what looked like the remains of a large campsite. Three extinguished campfires lay several feet apart and the area was scattered with footprints both animal and human.

This was it. It had to be the place where Ketaar met up with others like himself. Gabrielle promptly took off on Grumpy and raced across the desert, chasing the multitude of camel tracks to what she hoped would lead her to "God given".

"There now, that's better isn't it?"

Leda dried Xena off and quickly helped her put on a fresh decorative dress that came just below her knees. She chose a larger billowing blue top to accommodate the extra load she was carrying

"I'm afraid you will fare badly in this condition," Leda said very softly, "People can be so cruel to the afflicted," she clasped Xena's hands in hers, "I wish you well princess."

"Start loading the sheep!" Ketaar abruptly announced, "Time is wasting."

Marduk and his brother had to agree with their temporary ally. They were already a day overdue.

"You are correct friend, it is time to leave."

Leda quickly embraced Xena before being hastily snatched away to be packed on the caravan. Then Xena was tied onto a waiting animal with Penelope happily taking the vacancy next to her.

One of the male captives tried to escape by diving into the water, but it wasn't freedom he sought; he wanted death. It took three of the party to drag the poor screaming fellow out of the river. All he got for his efforts was a gag stuffed into his mouth and heavy chains to bind him.

"Be warned scum," Ketaar cautioned the man, "Behave or we shall drag you the rest of the way."

He stopped struggling and reluctantly resigned himself to his unknown fate.

An exquisite sight came into view. For a moment Gabrielle thought she was seeing a shimmering mirage.

"Faster Grumpy!"

Reaching the top of a low cliff, Gabrielle couldn't believe her eyes. A wide ribbon of heavenly blue water stretched out before her.

"By the Gods!" she said leaping off her camel's back and leading him down the narrow path to this welcome gift.

Gabrielle let go of the reins. She untied and removed her boots, stripped off her clothes then jumped into the cool velvety liquid. In sharp contrast to Gabrielle's exuberant cavorting around in the water, Grumpy loped casually into the shallows and started to drink his fill. She splashed about then ducked her head underwater. It was all too beautiful, and couldn't be savored for any length of time. Gabrielle knew that the caravan hadn't departed that long ago. Fresh deep prints led across the fordable end of the river. A heavily laden fleet of camel had obviously passed through. She got dressed in a hurry then filled the water bags and waited for her hungry comrade to finish eating the lush greenery.

A dozen things raced through her mind at once. Gabrielle had several plans laid out clearly in her head. The one big obstacle was of course the language barrier.

"I'll just have to gesture until someone understands me," she thought to herself.

Success in that area had been somewhat lacking lately.

"Or I could disguise myself. Xena always preferred it. Yes, that is the sensible thing to do."

Gabrielle checked to see what she had tucked away in the small pack tied on Grumpy's howdah: a shabby hooded robe, and an extra length of cloth for a turban. She then spilled out the pouch of coins onto the hard ground. There sat a small fortune in gold and silver pieces. Bhalba had been a very frugal man to save up this much money. What he intended to do with it was anyone's guess.

Before leaving this lovely setting, Gabrielle stood thoughtfully on the bank.

"I give tribute to the Gods for safely bringing us this far in search for my dearest friend Xena," she then threw a gold coin into the sparkling water, "and if you can see that she and I make it back home just as safely I will be eternally grateful."

Gabrielle took out another gold coin and kissed it before tossing it into the river.

Baghdad's heavenly gates
Beckon to all,
"Draw near and
Sample our wealth."

Passing through the fabled gates on foot frightened Xena terribly; she clung to Penelope in sheer terror from their imposing height. Ketaar and Marduk conducted the procession of slaves to their promised destination. Tarkau and Mohod were left behind to board the herd in one of the many convenient stables located outside the crowded city.

"I believe 'The House of Rhasis' is this way," Ketaar declared over the noise of the bustling street.

"Is that the fastest route?"

Marduk didn't like dark cramped alleys and he didn't trust Ketaar at all.

"It is not far, my friend. Perhaps you would feel safer leading the way?"

Ketaar's mean little grin convinced Marduk to let him be the guide. This was more his territory anyway.

"Go ahead, I will keep up."

Squeezing tightly past the endless winding corridor of people they arrived at a large door with a gaily painted plaque nailed on it:

"The House of Rhasis, dealer in rare articles."

Ketaar raised the heavy brass knocker in the shape of a dragon and rapped hard on the door. Immediately a square cutout opened. A guard on the other side of the door peered out suspiciously at the smiling patron.

"The sparrow awaits the cat," Ketaar recited smoothly.

A bolt unlocked and the portal opened into a huge elegant hallway. The small group filed in then the guard bolted the door behind them.

"YOU ARE LATE!" The booming words echoed off the gilded mirrors and marble columns.

Rhasis, a short round princely looking gentleman came into view, somewhat less imposing than his voice.

"Unavoidable circumstances----" Ketaar started to say and was abruptly cut off.

"Never mind that, let me see what you have brought."

He advanced on the five captives, looking them over swiftly.

"I count five, the contract was for six!"

"This one is with child. I make that six."

Rhasis smiled at his sly partner.

"Still the wily fox aren't you," he said patting Ketaar on the back, "Ah, but truth be told I do not care for this one."

Rhasis had stopped in front of Xena. He turned her chin to the left and slowly right.

"You know how I feel about damaged goods. I will have to do much tinkering with her ugly face."

"Daphne is beautiful!" Penelope shouted, Leda tried to put a tied hand over the child's mouth.

"So, I have a skilled opinion!" He pat her on the head and chuckled, "And what are her other attributes little miss?"

Ketaar winced slightly; he didn't want the truth to be known until he was well on his way.

"Should we not go over the business end first?"

"If I didn't know any better, I would say you were trying to hide something from me. Is there a hidden problem with this one as well?"

Neither Ketaar nor Marduk could think of a clever reply.

"You," Rhasis said addressing Marduk, "You have been very quiet. What say you about this woman?"

Marduk hesitated in answering.

"Well Ketaar said she only understands Greek "

"She is of a gentle nature," Ketaar interjected for his flustered colleague.

"Then why the beating? Come, come gentlemen enough of this," he turned to Xena and spoke in her native language, "Are you of a pleasing nature?"

Xena shifted around nervously; she had no idea what he was talking about.

"She is either deaf or simple," once again he questioned her, "How old are you?"

She shook her head 'no' and continued to fidget.

"What is your name?"

"Mouse," Xena replied softly.

"A battered idiot! How am I to make a profit? This is unsatisfactory."

"She is strong Mr. Rhasis, and would be good with children," Marduk offered.

"Most of my clients do not have children and wouldn't want a grown up one either."

Ketaar knew he'd have to bargain or get stuck with the goods.

"I'll make you an offer, if you lose money you can take it out of my next shipment."

"If she makes extra I will split the difference with you. Done?" Rhasis smiled.

"Done."

Rhasis and Ketaar shook hands like old friends. Rhasis handed him a hefty purse, then called his burly guard over to shepherd the captives away.

"There is extra in the purse for the men. Tell me, how did you capture them?"

Marduk suddenly smiled uncharacteristically.

"They were taken at the same time as the expecting one."

Many sordid pictures entered Rhasis' mind.

"I see," he said returning a lecherous smile.

Baghdad; it rose up imperiously from the desert floor, dazzling in its bleak whiteness. The magnificent vaulted gates lived up to every story she ever heard about them. Gabrielle gaped at the celebrated entrance in complete awe.

She felt a tap on her boot. A small boy with a red cone shaped hat on was asking her something.

"I'm sorry, I don't understand," Gabrielle answered smiling down at him.

The boy put up his hand in a gesture for her to wait. He soon returned with a friend in tow. The friend spoke up.

"Are you new to our city?" he said in a familiar accent.

Gabrielle breathed a sigh of relief.

"Why yes, how did you know?"

"All new visitors stare at our gate that way," he opened his eyes wide to mimic them.

She laughed at the boy's imitation of a foreigner.

"My friend wants to know if he can stable your animal for you."

Gabrielle slid neatly off the camel's back and untied a tight bundle to take with her.

"Can I trust him?"

"Oh yes lady, I will be helping too."

"Okay," she handed him the reins, "Who are you?"

"I am Tytus, he is Amir."

"I'm Gabrielle," she took out two silver pieces and gave one to each, "I may be a while, if you are both still here I'll give you two more."

The boys stared at the silver coin in their palms.

"It shall be done!"

Amir excitably tied an orange cloth strip to the harness, then handing Gabrielle a strip of the same color cloth both boys raced off to the stables with Grumpy.

Looking straight up as she walked through the gates, Gabrielle couldn't help feeling rather intimidated and tiny by comparison.

"I CAN STILL SEE THE MARKS!" Rhasis bellowed to his cosmetician, "COVER THEM UP!"

Yet another layer of powder had to be applied to Xena's bruised cheek and eye. When completed, all the heavy make-up on Xena's face gave her an odd appearance, falling somewhere between kabuki and circus performer.

Pleased with the results, Rhasis motioned his guards to start transporting the others to the auction block.

"We're late, send the men out first."

One of the guards turned a large key in a lock located in the floor; he then lifted a plain wooden trapdoor and secured it open with an iron bar. Stone steps led down to a slippery tunnel that ran under the busy streets to the main square.

Slaves had recently been hard to come by and many buyers traveled from far and wide to vie for what Rhasis had to offer at auction and they were getting impatient. They knew that if anyone could provide something scarce it would be Rhasis.

"I have been waiting for two whole days! Where are the goods?" a wealthy merchant yelled.

"I am leaving, Rhasis has failed for the first time to provide slaves," said another.

"Ha, be patient old man! He can draw wine from a stone!" one of the buyers called back.

"Yes, but would you chance to drink it?"

Some of the crowd laughed.

A loud drum roll sounded from behind a curtain whereupon it flew open and out stepped Rhasis up onto the elevated stage in his finest outfit of blue and yellow satin brocade. He put up his hand to silence the large gathering. A hush of anticipation came over everyone, even the most rowdy.

"I have an interesting collection to sell, for today I offer two men---"

"---Elderly men, like the last time?" a wealthy widow inquired.

Laughter echoed through the crowd.

"Two young men madam, young enough to make you feel young again!"

He clapped his hands and the men were roughly pulled onto the stage. The people 'ooh'd' and 'ahh'd' to see such fine specimens before them.

"I will start off the bidding at Thirty shekels of silver for this dark one."

"Thirty-five!"

"Forty-five!"

"I have forty-five shekels for this rare sample of manhood, who will give me fifty? You madam, how about you? He'll make a nice bed warmer for those long cold nights!"

Rhasis rolled each tantalizing word off his tongue suggestively.

"No, I do not like dark ones, I'm waiting for the sandy-haired one!"

The customers laughed some more.

"I have forty-five going once, forty-five going twice sold to the red bearded gentleman for forty-five shekels. And a very good price it is indeed."

The first prisoner was dragged off the stage and the other one pushed forward.

"Here is my second offering of a higher quality. More muscle and better looking I might add. I'm starting the bid off at forty shekels "

"Forty!"

"Forty-five!"

"Fifty!"

"Fifty-eight!"

"Sixty-five!"

"I have sixty-five before me dear madam. What say you to seventy?"

The middle aged woman tapped her fingers and eyed the nervous slave on the stage.

"Seventy it is!"

"I have seventy seventy going once seventy going twice SOLD! Well done madam! Enjoy your new pet!"

He also got dragged roughly from the stage. Rhasis clapped his hands for the next two to be brought up onto the block.

"Now feast your eyes on this lovely young woman carrying a bonus as you all can see."

"What can I do with a pregnant wench?" an older man asked.

"Plenty my friend! She was captured practicing, shall I say one of her many hidden talents with the two gentlemen I just sold!"

Leda stood motionless on stage, trying to block out of her mind the numerous catcalls and whistles.

"I also have this little one here "

Rhasis lifted Penelope into his arms."

"Smart, and not afraid to speak her mind, are you pretty miss?" he asked her in Greek.

"My name is Penelope," she said in a slightly annoyed tone.

"See? Just as I said friends, smart."

"I don't know what she said. The child speaks in a foreign tongue."

"Just so. You can teach her Arabic and she can translate when you travel! I'll start the bidding off at twenty shekels."

"Are they mother and child?" a tallish man from the back row asked.

"No, they are quite unrelated. Twenty shekels is the opening bid for the woman, do I hear twenty-five ?"

"I would like to buy them together," the same man stated plainly.

"What is your offer?"

"Ninety shekels for both?"

"Can anyone top his generous offer?"

Some of the gathering shook their heads no.

"Very well then, SOLD! You now have a family my man, and at a bargain!

The man walked up to the stage where Rhasis passed Penelope down to him.

"My name is Jabor," he said smiling at the little girl in his arms.

Leda was brought to him immediately. Jabor tossed a small purse up to Rhasis. Jabor cut their bonds and took Leda's trembling hand.

"I have a small daughter at home who needs a woman in her young life," he said in a broken accent.

Leda looked up at him. He wasn't handsome but his eyes were kind. Jabor started to walk slowly away with Leda and Penelope on each side of him.

"I hope you both will in time come to see us as friends."

"And now for my final offering of the afternoon "

Rhasis clapped his hands together for the last time. Xena was dragged up and pushed forward.

"This is a young woman who is of a tender disposition. I understand she is good with children. For her I shall leave the bidding open. Who will start the bid off?"

The crowd seemed stunned for a few moments and then the scattered chuckles began. Xena stared out at the masses with innocent wide-eyed wonder.

"What is she supposed to be?" a heckler in front began.

"Yeah, she looks like a street entertainer with all that grease paint," another one yelled.

"She must be really ugly under that stuff," one rowdy teenager said and jumped onto the stage.

He wiped half her make-up away with his sleeve revealing the battered side of Xena's face before he was thrown off.

A lone figure was hurrying its way through the boisterous mob.

"She looks kind of feeble-minded to me! Hey stupid, what day is it?"

"Please everyone, calm down!" Rhasis tried to stop the barrage of insults to his property, "Let's try to act like civilized human beings!"

A nimble hand grabbed his wrist and pressed three gold coins into his sweaty palm. The stranger then walked on stage, cut Xena's bindings, and hastily escorted her away from this painful humiliation.

Rhasis could hardly believe his eyes! It was much more than he ever dreamed he'd get for her.

"Thank you for your patronage umm sir or is it madam? Please call again!" he yelled after the silent customer.

Rhasis instantly pocketed the gold coins. It was unlikely he'd disclose the true amount he received to Ketaar.

The hooded patron hurried through congested street after congested street leading Xena along at a fast trot. Rounding a corner she was pulled abruptly into a shaded alcove. Momentarily shielded by this smaller person's body she scarcely had time to catch a breath for almost at the same instant Xena found herself in a loving embrace with a head buried firmly against her shoulder. She stood stiffly in this hold for some time until a sob-choked voice called her by a familiar name.

"I missed you so much Xena."

Xena pushed back the hood and turban revealing a cascade of soft blond hair.

"Lady?" she hesitantly squeezed from her throat.

"Yes sweetie it's me!"

Xena collapsed into a tearful heap on the ground. Gabrielle kneeled down and gently enfolded her dear friend in sheltering arms.

"You went away," Xena said almost inaudibly, "far away without me."

Gabrielle lifted Xena's face to look into her beautiful blue eyes and began to lightly wipe off the smeared paint using the hem of her robe.

"I didn't want to leave you Xena. I got taken away against my will."

The red and purple bruises across her cheek slowly became fully visible as more of the whitish substance was removed. Xena was really vague about what she just heard and tried hard to make sense of it.

"You will stay now?"

Gabrielle delicately kissed her injured cheek.

"Yes sweetie, I'm staying right here by your side."

Xena smiled and joyfully threw her arms around Gabrielle and squeezed her a little too tight. Gabrielle didn't mind though, she had her friend back in body anyway, that's all that really mattered. Xena let go and sat quietly while the last of the make- up was completely wiped off.

Gabrielle got to her feet and helped Xena up.

"Let's go find some food I'm starving."

They walked hand in hand back onto the main street and disappeared amongst the crushing multitude of Baghdad's bustling citizens.

"The remedy is at times Worse than the affliction"

-Unknown-

It was amazing how many different shops and street venders were wedged together on a single street. Clothing, fruit, trinkets, spices-- so many things! The numerous mouth-watering odors drifting up from open cooking pots and the myriad variety of pre-cooked treats native to these parts were too appetizing to pass up.

Xena was more interested in the jewelry vendor's wares. All the sparkling necklaces hanging on the display rack held her spellbound.

"Pretty!" she exclaimed excitably.

"Wait for me here Xena, I'll be right back, okay?"

Xena absently nodded yes.

Gabrielle soon returned with handfuls of different delicacies. They walked to a quieter side street and found a pleasant spot to sit and open the little packages of food folded in thin brown parchment. Xena dug into everything in sight, each morsel was more delicious than the last. Gabrielle kept pace with her pretty well; after that desert snake episode this was like a king's banquet. When they were done she wiped Xena's face and hands, then packed up the leftovers for later.

For a while they sat quietly; Xena with her head resting comfortably in Gabrielle's lap soon started to drift into a nap. She idly stroked Xena's hair and wondered if she would ever be herself again. This childlike version was endearing, but Gabrielle would've given anything for one good sidelong-eyebrow-raised glance from the old Xena.

"I've got to do something to help you," she whispered, "but what?"

Those bruises on her face didn't look good either and Gabrielle feared that there might be a break. The only thing to be done was to find a physician of some kind.

"Sweetie?" she lightly shook her friend's arm.

Xena's eyes opened and focused on the concerned face gazing down at her. She smiled and brought Gabrielle's hand to her lips and kissed it fondly.

"Um we have to go get you fixed up," Gabrielle said sounding really flustered.

She still found it difficult to adjust to Xena's surprising shows of affection.

"I love you lady," Xena stated in her usual child's voice and kissed her hand again.

"I ah love you too Xena."

Gabrielle could feel the blush already on her cheeks getting redder. She carefully slid herself out from under Xena's head and got to her feet. Xena sat up and looked at her little friend quizzically.

"You mad at me?"

"No Xena. Let me help you up, it's time to go."

Gabrielle put out her hands for Xena to take. Xena sighed and stood up with her friend's assistance.

"You look funny," she said furrowing her brow.

"I'm fine. Let's go."

Gabrielle took Xena's arm and headed for the main gate. If Tytus was still there he might be able to help her find medical aide.

Way on the other end of town Ketaar was downing his third drink at an inn. He had just settled up with the twins and they were off to gather another quota of unsuspecting 'sheep' to sell at market.

"Lucky for Mohod that I did not slice his arrogant throat," Ketaar drunkenly mumbled to himself.

He was about to lift his glass to his lips when a hard slap landed across his back knocking him forward.

"Look who sits so calmly drinking by himself!"

His drink splashed on the table in front of him. Angrily Ketaar yanked out his knife and turned around.

"Hey! You wouldn't want to kill an old friend would you?"

Ketaar smiled and put away the weapon. It was indeed a good friend he hadn't seen in a very long time.

"Ghazi! Dear fellow, you nearly lost your life!"

"Ah yes, always in a bad humor aren't you! Why are you alone? I would think you would want to celebrate!"

"Celebrate? Celebrate what?"

It had been weeks since Ketaar seriously imbibed and his head swam a bit.

"Why your great find of course!"

"Speak plainly Ghazi, I do not follow."

"Ha! So modest! I am talking of Xena, my brilliant friend. Your capture of the famous warrior!" Ghazi proudly declared patting Ketaar on the shoulder, "Tell me, how did you do it?"

It wasn't difficult to locate the two boys; they were energetically running back and forth with their little strips of brightly colored orange cloth stabling new customer's camels.

"Tytus!" Gabrielle called out to him.

Tytus promptly stopped in mid-stride and ran up to her a little out of breath.

"The foreign miss! Do you want your animal?"

"Not just yet. I need you for an important mission."

He opened his eyes in wonder.

"I need a healer for my friend," Gabrielle gestured to Xena, "Can you bring me to one?"

Tytus looked up at Xena; she was nervously shifting from one foot to the other.

"It is greatly distressing," he said staring at her injured face, "I will help you."

He ran over to Amir and spoke to him for a few moments then returned.

"I am ready. Come with me."

Tytus took Gabrielle's hand and escorted the two women through the imposing gates once more and into the lively city.

"Xena? I did not capture Xena."

Ketaar swigged down the rest of what was in his glass and then signaled the barkeep for another drink.

"My friend, I ought to know what I saw at the auction this afternoon. I suppose with such a prize as that one would feel as if a life's goal has been met. But cheer up, there are still bigger fish to net."

"You are talking rubbish Ghazi. What you saw was a half-wit not worth the clothes she stood in."

Ketaar then launched into a series of cryptic chuckles. Ghazi put a hand over his glass to stop him from taking another sip.

"The woman had been reduced to imbecile it is true and that fool Rhasis painted her face to disguise a beating, but you cannot tell me it was not Xena."

"You are mistaken."

"I fought on the wrong side of her sword in Amphipolis many years ago. There is no mistake."

The agonizing thought that he had let a profitable opportunity slip through his fingers slowly began to dawn on him. All the little faded images became clearer.

"OF COURSE, THE ARMOR! THE RIDER IN THE STORM! I AM THE IMBECILE!" Ketaar screamed, "WHO BOUGHT HER?"

"You have to get hold of your senses," Ghazi urged Ketaar, "the purchaser is long gone by now."

"WHO BOUGHT HER?"

Ketaar pulled out his knife and pointed it at his friend. A terrible pain then seized the back of his head. Stumbling awkwardly off his chair he made a futile attempt to stand. Ghazi grabbed Ketaar to keep him from falling.

"Those spells are getting the better of you old friend, why not see to it and forget about this loss?"

Ketaar lowered his voice and dropped the blade.

"Please, I must know who bought her?"

"I did not see the face, but the patron was small in stature almost like---"

"---A woman!" Ketaar completed the sentence for him.

"Here is the location," Tytus announced suddenly.

Gabrielle eyed the crumbling stone staircase that led up the outside of a very dilapidated building with a measure of uneasiness. Ignoring the obvious, Tytus merrily hopped to the top of the landing and motioned them to follow.

"This isn't exactly the way I'd like to die," Gabrielle said as she carefully made her way up the broken steps.

Xena braced herself against the wall, following Gabrielle as close as she could.

"Whatever you do Xena, don't look down."

"Why?" Xena unsteadily asked.

"Because I just did and I wish I hadn't."

When they got to the landing Tytus was patiently waiting.

"Tabari is inside. He is expecting you."

Bottles of every size and description lined the walls and large urns cluttered the limited floor space. Gabrielle and Xena had to walk an obstacle course to get to Tabari's examination couch.

"Hello, hello ladies, come right this way," Tytus translated for them.

Tabari was an interesting fellow. His clothes were neat but his gray hair stuck out every which way.

"Ah! I see who is not feeling so good. Madam, do sit down." Tytus echoed in Greek.

Xena looked at Gabrielle for guidance and saw that she nodded that it was okay to sit. Tabari took out a huge jeweler's loop and placed it in his eye then he moved a lit oil lantern closer to Xena's face. Gently examining her bloodshot eye and badly bruised cheek he got up and quickly pulled one of the smaller glass bottles from a shelf.

"It is bad, but happily nothing is broken or permanently damaged, you may however experience double vision in that eye for many weeks until it heals. This is for the face, do not get it into your eye."

Tabari smoothed a little of the clear salve on Xena's injury.

"There is one more thing," Gabrielle piped up, "She had a bad fall not long ago and since then she can't remember who she is."

Tytus's voice trailed a few seconds after hers in Arabic. Tabari further examined Xena's head then shook his own making the equivalent of a 'tisk, tisk' noise.

"I cannot do anything for that, I am sorry. Perhaps Al-Juba may be able to help you."

Gabrielle held out a variety of small coins in her hand and Tytus took two copper pieces and gave it to him.

"I hope Al-Juba can do something for her," he said handing the little bottle to Gabrielle.

He said a few words to Tytus and he nodded back.

"We have a short distance to go. Please, come with me."

He raced to the bottom of the staircase this time and laughingly waited for the two scared women to walk down.

The short distance happened to be quite a few streets away. Presently they came upon a street-level door with a painting of a huge hand with symbols all over the palm.

Tytus knocked hard on the door and soon it opened.

"Yes? What do you want, I'm very busy!"

"Well you see, my friend had an accident and now she doesn't know who she is," Gabrielle explained, and Tytus quickly rattled it off in Arabic.

"Possibly a blessing for her husband no doubt," he said in a cranky tone.

Gabrielle waited for the translation to filter back to her. She was not amused.

"Can you help her or not?"

"We shall see. Come along."

Al-Juba brought Xena over to an operating table.

"Sit here," he instructed and Xena obeyed.

He made her trace his finger with her eyes without moving her head; he tapped her first on a knee, then on an elbow. He examined the wound on her head and sighed.

"From the angle of the damage I assume she is without intelligence?" he asked bluntly.

Gabrielle knew that fact about her friend stuck out a mile long, but she didn't like people referring to Xena as stupid.

"She has changed back into a child," Gabrielle snapped back.

"Just so," he said under his breath, "The injury is severe. I can prescribe a mixture of herbs but there is a strong possibility that your friend will always be somewhat limited."

"You make it sound like I should just give up," Gabrielle said almost tearing over, "She is the most important thing in the world to me," she paused to collect herself then added, "Very well, give her something and we'll be on our way."

Al-Juba observed the strained sound to Gabrielle's voice. Her concern for this wretched creature was admirable.

"Young woman, your friend is fortunate in one respect. She has someone who loves her."

He made up a noxious potion of pineapple mint, poppies, juice from mistletoe leaves, and a lot of other things Gabrielle couldn't recognize.

"Here drink this," Al-Juba said handing Xena a small vile of the black liquid.

Poor Xena tried several times to get it close enough to her mouth but the horrible odor got in the way. Gabrielle reached up and pinched Xena's nose closed.

"Try now sweetie," she urged.

Xena gulped down the hideous elixir in one big swallow. For a moment everything was fine, then she broke out in a sweat and her face got flushed. Xena gagged and held her throat. Tytus picked up the fallen vile sniffed it and immediately recoiled from the fumes.

"Is this supposed to be happening?"

Gabrielle held onto Xena who now started violently trembling.

"It is a normal reaction. I promise you she is in no danger."

She finally began to calm down and sank to the floor completely unconscious.

"Is it working?"

"We will know when the woman wakes."

To be continued

The Burning Candle Conclusion By AH-ladis

Disclaimer: Xena and Gabrielle are the sole property of MCA/UNIVERSAL. No transgression is intended, no payment do I ask for this story, other than your reading enjoyment.

Warning: Although not terribly graphic this story does contain questionable relations between two groovy mythological chicks. There are scenes of violence, however rape is not one of them. Any persons under the legal age (18 or 21) of their state should use caution lest they be punished severely by TPTB--The Powers That Be. Questions? Comments? Write to: Ahladis@aol.com

Muffled music of street musicians floated through the heavily shuttered windows. The lilting strains of their instruments lent an innocent background flavor to the desperate atmosphere inside Al-Juba's dispensary.

Gabrielle held Xena's head in her lap softly petting her burning cheek waiting for the effects of the potion to wear off. Tytus sat with them on the floor nearby, ready to translate as needed.

"Miss?" Tytus broke the silence, "Your friend, she will be all right, do not look so sad."

Gabrielle didn't know how to answer the little boy without starting to cry. She just nodded slowly keeping her full attention on Xena's face watching for any subtle change. The slim possibility that Xena might be restored as her warrior friend again gave Gabrielle a tiny glimmer of hope.

"Will she remember me?" she asked not looking up.

"She is in Allah's hands young one," Al-Juba addressed Gabrielle, "I am merely his instrument to bring matters to their preordained conclusion."

Gabrielle waited patiently for Tytus to finish translating and was about to speak when Xena stirred a little. Her brow furrowed and a moan escaped from her throat.

"Xena?" Gabrielle managed to choke out in a frayed octave.

Her eyes snapped open and she sat bolt upright. Xena scanned the room with a sudden animal agitation. Twisting around to face the hopeful young woman beside her, Xena's features quickly softened; she reached for Gabrielle's hand and brought it slowly to her lips. Smiling sweetly Xena kissed Gabrielle's hand then held it against her cheek.

"Xena?" this time it was definitely a plea.

Xena looked at the serious faces staring at her and settled on the most familiar of all three.

"I'm thirsty," came the high pitched child's voice.

Gabrielle's heart sank in her chest. Her dear friend was still a little girl.

"Yes, it is she, I know it!"

Ketaar's triumphant leer unnerved his old comrade.

"Who are you speaking of?" Ghazi helped him onto another chair.

"My slave, my property," he said with a wistful reverence, "She is clever, I told her so and that is what she is! You will not escape me again, no not this time little chit."

"Ha! Impossible, a woman has outfoxed you? She must be no ordinary woman."

"Indeed she is not. Tarkau has much explaining to do."

With his temporary seizure forgotten, Ketaar rose from his chair and went to retrieve the fallen knife.

"You're not going so soon ?" Ghazi started to signal the barkeep, "Let me at least replace the drink I made you spill."

"I take my leave of you dear fellow," he said replacing the dagger in its usual spot, "There is much to be done and little time to do it in."

"Friend Ketaar, will you not abandon your fruitless search and talk over old times? This mission will serve no useful purpose."

Ketaar patted Ghazi's arm fondly and walked briskly out of the back exit and onto the early evening street.

"There is no change. This news does not come as a surprise."

Tytus halted his translation and asked Al-Juba to use another word other than 'surprise'. He thought a moment and said 'unexpectedly'

"This news does not come unexpectedly," Tytus repeated, "As I have stated earlier, she will undoubtedly be limited."

Gabrielle left her immature companion happily rolling the empty jar of water along the tiled floor.

"I won't accept that! There has to be someone who can help her," she barely had control over her tears.

"I am sorry, I have done all I can do for the woman, I will take this young one to the kitchen," Al-Juba sighed and led Tytus out of the room.

Walking over to Xena she watched her slide the colorful jar back and forth along the cold stone floor. Smoothing a hand over Xena's long black hair, Gabrielle couldn't stop herself from shaking.

"It's almost time to go sweetie," she whispered softly.

Xena looked up smiling, but soon the smile melted away when she saw tears slowly rolling down her friend's face. Xena struggled like an awkward toddler to stand and reached for Gabrielle, but she had quickly moved out of the way. Xena stood waiting. It seemed an eternity before Gabrielle could collect herself enough to speak, then she turned around again looking completely composed and even managed a faint smile.

"Don't worry, we'll get another opinion. He's not our last hope."

She caressed Xena's cheek gently tracing the soft outline down to her chin. Gabrielle gazed into the ice blue eyes wanting nothing more than to lose herself in their placid loveliness. The graceful music continued to drift in from outside bathing the moment in rich exotic overlapping tones. Her hands found their way behind Xena's head drawing it down till the lips Gabrielle had longed for were close, so close that with very little effort she could lean forward and kiss them. Xena gave no resistance; she followed her friend's lead naively, willingly.

"I can't."

Gabrielle placed three fingers lightly against Xena's mouth to hush the passionate advance that was nearly allowed to take place.

"Not now, not like this."

Puzzled, Xena drew back; a hurt expression flashed across her face.

"I made you sad," she said taking Gabrielle's hand in the friendly way that had become her habit, "I didn't mean to."

Xena's eyes misted over worried that 'lady' was upset with her.

"No Xena, you didn't do anything. Oh sweetie don't," Gabrielle held her friend close and tried to ease her fears, "You know I love you, don't you?" Xena nodded a slow yes, then Gabrielle kissed her cheek, "There. All better now?" again Xena nodded yes.

Al-Juba came into the room with an armful of blankets and a small oil lamp.

"Stay here tonight," he said in Arabic-accented Greek, "Boy is asleep," then he walked swiftly out of the room.

Gabrielle made up their "beds" as comfortably as one could on a hard floor. The relief of spending a night off the grainy sand seemed like a good trade to her and so did Xena's welcome company. As always, Gabrielle placed them close together and put the small oil lamp on a low stool nearby. She lifted the corner of the blanket for Xena to crawl into and then tucked in the ends around her.

"Goodnight Xena," she whispered and turned over to sleep.

But Xena soon felt a little restless.

"Lady?" no answer.

"Psssst, Lady?"

Gabrielle turned around.

"What's the matter?" she answered sleepily.

"Kiss me good-night?" a tiny voice squeaked out.

Gabrielle sighed, fluffed, and adjusted the covers again. Xena lay very still in the semi-darkness smiling. Gabrielle couldn't remember when Xena looked lovelier. She lowered herself down, pausing for a moment to tilt her head and then lightly touched her lips against Xena's forehead.

"Good-night Xena, pleasant dreams."

Gabrielle lingered above a little while looking down at her. She moved loose hair away from Xena's eyes and gingerly stroked the injured side of her face. Xena took hold of Gabrielle's wrist and planted a kiss in her palm. It didn't matter that this was accomplished ungracefully, Gabrielle loved the child Xena all the more for it.

How easy it would've been for her to take advantage of Xena's impaired situation. This wasn't the scenario she secretly carried around in her heart for so long. She wanted it to be beautiful, romantic; in a lovely setting

'Maybe by moonlight?' Gabrielle thought to herself.

Certainly not with this person who might as well be a stranger.

"Time to sleep now, we have a busy day tomorrow."

"Okay," Xena answered softly.

Gabrielle turned on her side to sleep, and immediately felt Xena timidly snuggle up against her back, then a long arm drape itself around her body drawing them tightly together. The light gusts of air from Xena's nose gently blew into Gabrielle's hair lulling her blissfully to sleep.

Ketaar hurried through street after empty street. Every once in a while he came upon a vendor packing up for the night that would grace him with a frightened glance as he quickly passed by.

What he wanted wasn't to be found at a simple vendor's shop.

"I don't know how the little chit acquired the necessary funds. Perhaps that buffoon let the woman go for next to nothing," he thought maddeningly to himself.

The house of Rhasis, dealer in rare articles, the decorative plaque read. Ketaar pounded his fist hard on the door totally ignoring the convenient doorknocker, which clinked every time the hinge jiggled.

The cut out slid open.

"State your business."

"The sparrow awaits the cat," he recited hastily, "I seek your master Rhasis."

"My master is in bed and does not wish to be disturbed. Thank you, please call again."

The small square slipped closed. Ketaar hammered on the door again.

"DOLT! I AM NOT A CUSTOMER!!"

Metal screeched against metal as the large couplings unbolted. The door flew open and there stood a brawny guard staring down at him.

"Be gone flea, or I will be forced to liberate your head from your neck."

"Harun!" a tired voice came from behind the guard, "That is enough now, show my guest inside."

The guard shifted to the side and gestured for Ketaar to enter.

"Dear fellow, what is the crisis so late in the day?"

"I desire some information," Ketaar said pushing past Harun.

"Could this not wait until normal business hours?"

"Dismiss the oaf, I wish to speak with you in private."

Harun made a threatening move towards Ketaar.

"All right, all right calm down dear boy. Wait for me in the jade room, I'll be along shortly," Rhasis patted his sentry's muscular arm.

Dramatically exhibiting great restraint Harun left them alone in the main hallway.

"Your taste in companionship eludes me. Why do you not prefer intellect over size?"

Rhasis shrugged his rounded shoulders.

"The intelligent ones steal from me and then they depart. The weak minded ones are much more delicious," Rhasis said and smiled in the direction of his waiting bodyguard, "But this is not what you wanted to me talk about, come this way."

Rhasis directed Ketaar to a very pleasant anteroom that served most of the time as his private office. He took a seat behind a huge rose marble table and lit a lamp then motioned his visitor to sit which offer he instantly declined.

"The imbecile, who bought her?"

"My friend I cannot say. I know that the person was short and had a small hand with a firm grip. Gold was pushed into my fist and then they both took their leave. I never saw the face so I could not tell you whether it was man or woman."

Ketaar paced up and down.

"Did you see the direction they went?"

"Down a side street I believe. Why is that one so important to you? I thought you couldn't wait to get her off your hands."

Ketaar chuckled quietly.

"I cannot bear to be parted from her company," He came closer to whisper, "You best not keep your eager friend waiting."

"Ah um yes, of course. Don't you want your share of the sale?"

"Keep it for me. I will expect it when I return."

With that, Ketaar left the room and once again found himself on the lonely dark streets.

Rhasis stared for a long time at the doorway that Ketaar had breezed out of. He wasn't quite sure if he meant for the money to be paid to him tomorrow or in two weeks from now.

Harun knocked at the open door and stuck his head through.

"Aren't you coming to bed?" he asked in a huff.

Rhasis smiled and extinguished the lamp.

"How impatient are the young. Lead on, I will join you presently."

Hurrying at a great pace Ketaar threaded a complicated path through the dreary alleyways back to the inn; each step inducing a fury that screamed for restitution.

"There is much to do much to do," he muttered to himself along the way.

No twittering birds, no gentle breezes tossing loose strands of hair, no lapping of water breaking against a scenic shore; only long bands of sunlight coming through closed shutters gradually extended themselves across the floor. Gabrielle was the first to wake; stretching herself and yawning then feeling Xena tucked in a ball behind her. She turned around to find her friend snoring contentedly in her sleep. It was almost too precious a picture to disturb, but Gabrielle knew that time factored heavily in finding a cure.

"Xena?" she gently nudged at her shoulder, "Xena, it's time to go."

She sleepily rubbed at her eyes and sat up.

"We going home now lady?" Xena asked scratching her head.

"Not yet sweetie we still have to find someone to help you."

"Help?"

"Yes, I must bring you to another place like this. Come we have to get started "

Xena narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brow.

"I don't want to," she said folding her arms.

"But, you want to get better don't you?" Gabrielle reasoned.

"NO!" came the loud response.

It didn't take much reckoning to figure out why Xena was being obstinate. Her last 'cure' wasn't exactly a pleasant experience.

"Please Xena," Gabrielle bordered on begging, "I only want you to be happy."

'That's a silly reason,' she suddenly thought to herself, 'Xena is happier the way she is.'

Xena glanced down at Gabrielle; a hint of a raised eyebrow almost made her look like her 'old' self, but the shrill childish voice that tumbled out ruined the illusion.

"No more dirty water!"

Gabrielle put her arms around Xena and squeezed her tight.

"I promise, no more dirty water," she repeated, "Okay?"

"Okay," Xena sighed.

There was a slight rap on the door and in stepped Tytus.

"Al-Juba extends his greetings to you this morning. He asked me to say that one other may help the sick lady and I am to take you to her."

Gabrielle nodded then opened her bundle and took out the leftovers. All three ate quickly before readying to leave.

Blankets folded, parcel packed she quickly glanced around the room to make sure nothing was left behind.

"Okay, let's go," Gabrielle said brightly and led her small group out of the room.

Al-Juba stopped them in the narrow hallway leading to the front door.

"Madam Su-Chen is a most remarkable woman," Tytus began translating, "She has much knowledge in many fields and may be able to help."

"I hope she can," Gabrielle said shaking his hand, "Thank you for the kindness you've shown to my friends and me. It was really good of you to let us stay the night."

She started to take money from her pouch, but Al-Juba waved it off.

"I have not earned payment. May Allah watch over you."

He abruptly opened the door and urged them to be on their way.

"But----?" Gabrielle managed to say before the door quickly shut behind them with a dull thud.

"This way," Tytus said pointing into the distance.

The name gave it a size that it would've otherwise lacked on its own. Madam Su- chen's 'Sanctuary' was located deep inside the city where the crowds thinned out to a passing few. The whitewashed adobe building from the outside looked identical to any one of the numerous cozy homes they already walked by. There were no signs, or painted symbols on the front door; only a straw mat with the Chinese character "life" woven into it.

This time Gabrielle was the one to announce their presence. Next to the front door a long pull-cord ran along the frame held in place by a neat row of metal loops fixed to the wood. She grabbed the handle hanging on the end and gave it a light tug. They didn't have to wait long; the door opened and there stood a tiny woman, her gray hair pulled back into a tight bun, that smiled charmingly up at Gabrielle.

"Welcome, I am Su-Chen. How may I help you?"

Gabrielle paused to answer until Tytus completed the translation. The woman interrupted politely.

"I understand your language quite well. You may speak freely without the aid of an interpreter."

Gabrielle, obviously relieved, repeated the story one more time.

"My friend received a severe blow to her head several days ago. Now she has the mind of a child who doesn't remember anything. Please, can you help us?"

"This is the one in question?" she asked placing a hand on Xena's arm.

Gabrielle nodded yes.

"Follow me my dear," Xena shot a worried look in Gabrielle's direction, "Have no fear, your friends will be joining us."

They were led into a sunny room where Su-Chen seated Xena in a low chair while she stood on a footstool to closely examine the top of her head. She then hopped down and began to test Xena's eyesight, by covering one of her eyes at a time and asking questions. Tytus, meanwhile, amused himself by looking at all the strange things that floated in clear bottles on a shelf.

"Show me with your fingers what you see."

Two fingers were held up. Xena copied her by holding up two fingers.

"What do you see now?" she asked after covering the other eye and holding up only one finger.

Xena hesitated for a moment then using both her hands she held up one finger on each. Su-Chen then gently examined the bruises on Xena's face.

"This injury is recent. How did it happen?"

Gabrielle, recalling that terrible night, walked over and kneeled down next to Xena taking her hand.

"She was beaten by a slave trader."

Tarkau waited outside the inn as instructed. He couldn't figure out why Ketaar was in such a hurry to get started on another slave hunt so soon. He looked forward to a few days rest and maybe even a little recreation thrown in as well. Surprisingly, these things never interested his master and now the whole day would be spent in gathering necessary items for the tedious journey back to Syria.

"I have finished making inquiries," Ketaar said suddenly appearing out of nowhere, "The prize I seek is still at hand."

Tarkau had no idea what he meant by that. All night long Ketaar would only talk about 'trapping his prize,' or 'seizing his treasure' without saying what this thing was.

"There is much to be done," he motioned Tarkau to go with him and together they hurried to restock their supplies.

"Have you sought aid elsewhere?"

Madam Su-Chen selected a few thin needle-like implements varying in length and set them on a tray nearby.

"Yes, with Tytus' help we visited two healers. Tabari gave us a liniment for her face."

"May I see?"

Gabrielle took out the small bottle and gave it to Su-Chen. She removed the stopper then sniffed at it.

"Very good. I shall apply another layer."

Gently she smoothed a small amount of the thick substance over Xena's cheek.

"Your friend is most seriously afflicted," Su-Chen continued, "My healing art may only have a minimal effect or none at all."

Picking up one of the shorter needles she speared it quickly into Xena's neck, then a longer one close to her temple. There was no blood and Xena didn't cry out, she didn't look as if she were in pain at all.

"What are you doing?" Gabrielle asked trying not to sound alarmed.

Su-Chen calmly twisted each needle a little as she answered.

"These are part of my healing arts. Your friend is unharmed. The blood must flow through the body evenly. I am merely helping it to do so."

After a few minutes she removed the needles and applied pressure with her small hands to various points on Xena's upper body. Fascinated, Gabrielle watched with a renewed hope. She had seen Xena use her pressure point skills on a lot of occasions, sometimes for good, other times Gabrielle didn't feel right about it; especially if it was used to roughly extract information.

Madam Su-Chen's fluid movements with her fingers were beautiful to see; lyrical, supple as they danced here and there across Xena's shoulders then just below her jaw. She aimed two fingers together as Xena always did and jabbed a spot at the bridge of her nose hard. Xena's head immediately dropped forward. She moaned softy then coughed once.

Su-Chen clasped Xena's face in her hands and lifted it up.

"How do you feel?"

Xena knitted her brow in thought.

"Sleepy," the answer came in the same old child-like voice.

Gabrielle felt a wave crash against her heart, then another. She stepped away feeling very dizzy and lowered herself in the nearest chair she could find. Tytus walked quietly over to her and lightly touched her arm.

"Miss? Are you unwell?"

Gabrielle didn't answer she covered her mouth with one hand and clutched her chest with the other in an attempt to ease the pain that desperately wanted to escape from her throat. Tears rushed to her eyes and spilled over.

Madam Su-Chen hearing the little boy's concerned words knelt down by Gabrielle's side.

"My dear, this display of emotion is not useful to your friend. She is dependent on you, do not waver now that she needs your strength."

"Will she ever change back?" Gabrielle said trying to control herself but already knowing the answer in her heart.

Su-Chen looked deeply into Gabrielle's eyes.

"This much I can say: there is one other whose advice I believe in, Al-Farabi. I taught him my skills and I have heard that he has learned many others and now teaches."

"Yes, I've heard of him. Is it true that he uses music as a cure? Is he far from here?" she excitedly asked.

"Music is his main field. He no longer dwells in this city. Al-Farabi left for Damascus many years past. Seek him my dear, if he can do nothing then it rests solely in your hands. Help her. Teach her the things she has lost. It will be her face but not the woman you once knew. Can you do this?"

Gabrielle took Su-Chen's hand.

"Thank you Madam Su-Chen. I'll do my best."

To far away Damascus
One more unknown cure.
Another busy trade route
I'd never seen before.

After leading Xena and Gabrielle back to the liveliest section of the bazaar Tytus took his leave but not before Gabrielle handed him a few well-earned coins. He pocketed them quickly and then waved goodbye as he scurried away.

"We need to get some things for our journey across the desert," Gabrielle said mostly to herself than Xena, "I'm going to buy some traveling clothes for us and supplies; we'll be carrying a lot of things. Are you still sleepy?"

Xena shook her head no.

Their first stop was a clothing vendor that looked at Gabrielle strangely as she held several pieces of male attire up to Xena's body to check for size. She selected a pair of low brown boots, loose fitting muslin pants; a collar-less white linen blouse topped off with a black embroidered short vest and red sash. The woman brought Xena behind a curtain and helped her to dress. A few minutes later Xena emerged. She was magnificent in her new outfit! The proprietor smiled and nodded her approval as well and began to twist Xena's hair into a white turban. Gabrielle's attire was similar the difference being the boots (she kept her old ones), the color of her vest (she preferred blue) and a short white sash with gold fringe on the ends. She too was treated to the same complimentary smile and also got her hair neatly wound into a white turban.

Dressed as they were, no one gave them a second look, as was the case while wearing the worn-out female garb. Gabrielle just pointed to what she wanted and the merchants served her willingly without giving her a sideways glance.

"I think that's everything we need. Can you make it to the main entrance?"

Their arms were heavily laden with robes, extra blankets, dried meats and fish, dried fruit of all kinds, loaves of bread, large water skins, flints, a crude medical kit, and several other things.

Xena nodded 'yes' enthusiastically.

"We going home now lady?" she said in a happily breathless way.

"Damascus is on the way home."

"Is it far, far away? Far away from here?" Xena asked hopefully.

"We are leaving this city sweetie, never to return."

"YAAAAY!"

Xena jumped up and down and a few passers by took a moment to stare at her joyful performance. Gabrielle smiled graciously as she nudged her excited friend along and away from the curious crowd.

The tremendous main gates didn't seem as scary to Xena this time; she walked jauntily under the vaulted arch as if it were nothing special.

Tytus and Amir spotted them immediately not fooled at all by their different attire.

"Hello foreign Miss! Are you ready for your animal?"

"Yes Tytus, we are leaving your enchanted city."

Gabrielle presented her little orange strip of cloth then quick as a flash Amir snatched it from her hand and both boys ran off to the stables. A short time later they came running back with 'Grumpy' trotting behind them. The boys helped Gabrielle arrange and tie their surplus neatly onto the howdah.

Xena was first to climb aboard then Gabrielle seated herself in front. Grumpy slowly rose to his full height and snorted.

"Will you return to Baghdad Miss?" Tytus asked smiling and holding onto the bridle.

"Not for a very long time I'm afraid."

"You'll not forget Amir or me?" the smile widened on his face.

"I could never forget what you've done for us. I'll always remember here," Gabrielle gestured to her heart.

"I will remember you too Miss. Bas Salaam! Safe journey!"

Tytus let go of the bridle and pushed her camel to go. Grumpy ambled swiftly through the sand and disappeared over a low sun drenched dune.

There it was, proof positive of Xena's true identity: the brass armor and leather gear packed in rags by Gabrielle to look like nothing important. Ketaar lifted up the heavy breastplate caressing it gently between his long fingers.

"I shall drag your useless remains to the noble Roman regiment. They will pay a king's ransom for the greatest woman warrior alive or dead," he whispered holding the breastplate close to his lips.

Tarkau neared his boss cautiously. All day he had a bad feeling about Ketaar's behavior. He never saw him so agitated or single-minded over anything like this supposed 'treasure' he kept babbling about. This time Tarkau was afraid that his employer had finally lost his reason.

"I have the torches," he said in a normal voice.

Ketaar whirled around almost dropping the precious parcel he just opened.

"Ah! Very good! Pack them away my friend."

"Will we be leaving tonight?"

Ketaar's lips pulled back from his white pointed teeth.

"No need for delay, I've learned what I wanted to know. Let us be on our way."

Ketaar had an idea, but wasn't absolutely sure if Xena and Gabrielle left the city or not. The merchants in the bazaar were very reluctant to impart any significant information; however, chatting up the friendly little boy with the red fez was easier than he imagined. All Ketaar had to do was hold up a gold coin; the child told him everything even down to the color of their eyes.

'So it is with these greedy little beggars,' he chuckled to himself while leading his camel out of the stable, 'they'll do anything for money.'

It was still early enough in the day to do what he had to do and catch up with his quarry during the night. He and Tarkau mounted their braying transports and tramped leisurely into the desert.

The sun sparkled lightly off the blue waters of the Euphrates. It's pure loveliness still caused Gabrielle to stand in awe of it. They traveled the twenty miles easily with no difficulty. Xena rode the whole way holding onto her friend tight and resting a weary head against her.

Gabrielle steered their animal into the shallows and across to the opposite bank.

"Let's tidy up a little. It's going to be a long time before we get to bathe again," she said nimbly hopping off the camel, "Look at it Xena, isn't it the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?"

Xena cocked her head to one side and studied the peaceful scenery. She had an unimpressed expression on her face and slid clumsily off Grumpy's back.

"No," Xena answered calmly removing her vest.

Gabrielle stared at Xena for a moment.

"What is the most beautiful thing you've ever seen?" she asked amused by Xena's serious manner.

"You are," she replied softly.

Resting on the cool rim of the Tigris the boys were taking their noon break. Tytus dipped his hand into the refreshing water, Amir turned a shiny coin in his palm; it caught the afternoon rays of the sun and glinted brilliantly.

"What have you got Amir?" Tytus asked as he sipped some water from his cupped hand.

"A fine gold piece! See how pretty it is."

Amir held the coin out to his friend who instantly sat up and took it from him.

"Where did you get this?"

"A man. A tall man with little white teeth gave it to me."

"Did you promise to do a favor?"

"No, he asked about the two ladies and I told him which direction they went."

Tytus grabbed Amir by his collar.

"You have betrayed them for gold? He may cause harm to the ladies, did you think of that?"

"But he was very nice, he smiled as he spoke."

Tytus pushed his friend roughly away from him.

"Exalted one," he said raising his arms to the sky, "protect them!"

Ketaar seemed to have led them monotonously in a set direction for hours, then suddenly he slowed his camel to a walk and stopped.

"This is far enough I believe."

Ketaar turned and threw his knife; it whizzed through the air finding its mark deep inside Tarkau's shoulder. He let out a stunned shriek and toppled to the ground. In an instant Ketaar was on him tying his hands together, then looping the rope around Tarkau's neck he pulled his kicking and screaming victim several yards to the nearest anthill.

"My dear fellow, you will not escape your destiny."

It was much harder to snare the flailing legs of his prey but he succeeded by breaking one of Tarkau's kneecaps with a single sharp blow at its center. Ketaar finished trussing him up then stuffed a gag in his mouth. He next drove two wooden stakes into the sand near the anthill, one at the head and one at the foot.

"You may be asking yourself, 'Why is he doing this to me? What have I done?' well, I will answer as best I can, but first I must capture the little creatures attention."

Ketaar stamped on the anthill hard then rolled Tarkau face down over the angry insect's nest and tied his frantic employee hand and foot to the posts.

"You see, I know all about your treachery," his voice never wavered from its pleasant tone, "The chit still lives. You lied to me."

He yanked his knife out of Tarkau's shoulder and wiped it off on a clean handkerchief. The miniature army covered the enemy's face in seconds gnawing their way up his nose and inside his ears.

"As my little angry friends chew on your worthless hide do reflect on that error in judgment," he said tossing the used cloth at him.

The furious ants had worked their way through the invader's clothes to the bare flesh stinging him many times at once. Garbled shouts of agony fell away into the distance as Ketaar rode off to find his lost 'prize'.

"Oh right, like I could ever measure up to that," Gabrielle said feeling really flustered.

Xena moved closer. She thought she saw a look in Xena's eyes that sparked then disappeared.

'Me and my imagination,' Gabrielle shrugged it off.

The same open innocent expression remained intact.

"Pretty lady."

Xena's favored phrase floated pleasingly from her mouth. She leaned forward and kissed Gabrielle's cheek. When this Xena acted upon her frequent affectionate impulses it caused terrible repercussions for her little friend. Gabrielle pulled away to get out two robes and two bars of soap from one of the packs.

"Here," she said breathlessly handing her the brownish square, "I'm going around to the other side."

Gabrielle gave Xena a robe and walked fast beyond the tall grasses that grew on a small island in the middle of the shallows.

"Ha! You handled that really well didn't you?" Gabrielle muttered to herself while undressing.

The water was cool and refreshing, just like the day before. Gabrielle splashed about dunking her head under and shooting back again to the surface. She soaped herself up and slowly washed off the suds delighting in how the blue liquid shaped to her bare skin. Gabrielle repeated the procedure, then quickly grabbed her robe to dry herself. She dressed and was about to wrap up her wet hair when all at once she heard Xena cry out in pain.

Gabrielle rushed to her aid madly dashing through the water. There she found Xena sitting in the water holding her eyes and wailing.

"What's wrong? What happened?"

"It hurts!" she yelled.

Gabrielle crouched down in the water and took Xena's hands away from her face. Some of the lather had dribbled down into her eyes.

"Don't worry, it's only soap sweetie."

Gabrielle eased Xena's head down gently so that the offending residue could be bathed away; then she rinsed the suds from her whimpering friend's hair.

"Hold still Xena I'm almost finished."

She squeezed excess water from Xena's lovely dark tresses, carefully flipping the soggy mane away from her face.

"Is the hurt all gone?"

The Xena she knew would never have put up with this reassuring baby talk, and even Gabrielle felt silly saying these things to her. She nodded yes.

"Let me look at you," she raised Xena's face to examine her.

Gabrielle then inspected the damage; Xena's eyes were red from the soap as well as the ordeal.

Wrestling silently in her mind, Gabrielle wondered whether she ought to comfort her friend or not. She knew the old Xena's pattern very well: Xena would get upset, Gabrielle would try to comfort her, and then she'd be swiftly rebuffed most of the time. That's what she was used to, but with the way this Xena acted on impulse, anything could happen.

"Wait here sweetie, I'll get your robe."

Gabrielle walked back to the shore were the robe had been left in a heap. As she turned around Xena was standing right in back of her stark naked and dripping wet. Her extraordinarily statuesque body glistened in the bright sunshine, lovely and strong as ever.

"Oh uh you didn't have to I could've well "

Gabrielle hastily slipped the robe around her friend trying very hard not to seem affected, but the little poet's burning red cheeks betrayed her true feelings.

"You stay away. Why?" Xena asked sadly, tears gathering in her eyes again.

"Xena," Gabrielle began slowly, "I don't know how to answer in a way you'll understand."

They stood in front of each other for a few moments; Gabrielle staring at the ground, Xena waiting for an explanation.

"You said you loved me," the child-like woman's words took on an angry edge.

Gabrielle let out an exasperated sigh and held her friend close. Xena didn't return the embrace; she stood still until Gabrielle let her go.

"I have to fill the water skins before we leave. Can you dress yourself?"

Xena turned away from her without answering and started to get dressed.

Gabrielle carried the empty receptacles to the river's edge and dipped each skin under the water until they were full, then gathered up the few things lying around, and stowed everything away.

"Xena? Are you ready to go?"

Xena, fully clothed, sat near the river's edge. She was gazing thoughtfully at the long ribbon of blue water. Gabrielle sat down next to her.

"What are you thinking about Xena?" she asked softly.

"I don't like it," Xena answered then turned to look at her friend, "It makes me sad."

"The river makes you sad?"

"No," she looked down, "You stay far away."

Gabrielle put an arm around her.

"Xena, sometimes 'away' is not what it seems. I'm worried about you. I want you to be well again. If I'm distant it's only because I care too much to be with you right now."

"Okay."

Xena's chin trembled slightly, and then tears trickled down.

"Didn't you understand anything I said?"

"No."

What was not clear before had to be expressed in another form. Gabrielle held out her arms and Xena quickly lost herself in their tender refuge.

A fresh set of tracks ran through the dark brown earth of the embankment and reappeared in the sand on the low cliff overlooking the Euphrates.

"A nice clean trail for me to follow," Ketaar chuckled, "I will have you come nightfall sweet ladies."

He tapped the bag filled with torches at his side in anticipation of success; after all, Ketaar wasn't far behind them and he had the advantage of needing very little rest.

"With any luck we'll be out of this wasteland in less than three days," she said to Xena, 'and then on to find Al-Farabi,' she completed in her head.

Gabrielle had picked up the pace a little; she was feeling fairly confident that they were traveling in the right direction. The near brush with disaster forced her to pay close attention to landmarks, stars, and the sun's position in the sky at all times.

'If it wasn't for that pin-point of light '

Xena held her in a firm arm lock; it didn't exactly make for a comfortable ride, but she felt safe, like she used to before---

"Lady?"

"Yes sweetie."

"Is it getting dark?"

Gabrielle squinted fleetingly up at the sky.

"Yes it is."

"I don't like the dark."

This came as no particular surprise. Xena did well spending the previous night indoors but out in the desert again in the dark was bringing up traumatic memories.

"It'll be okay Xena. We've got plenty of twigs to make a fire. We'll be fine."

"Bad things are in the dark."

She could feel Xena tense up behind her and start to shudder.

"That's why I'm going to make a big campfire. Bad things stay away from fire."

Gabrielle brought Grumpy to a lazy stop, gently eased Xena's grip, and hopped off. She made him kneel down so that Xena could dismount with little trouble.

"I'll get the blankets, you can bring a water skin."

Most of the gear would remain on the camel's howdah for the night; he didn't seem to mind. She made up their sleeping area close together as always and went about collecting twigs from dry shrubs and dug up old thin roots to burn.

"Look-ee!" Xena said pointing her arm straight at a bright yellow object.

Funny, Gabrielle hadn't noticed the flickering ball of light in the distance till now. A sudden wave of foreboding shot through her thoughts then it quickly passed.

'Probably another camp being set up back there; nothing to fret over.'

She went on gathering burnable bits of things for the fire and brought back handfuls at a time till there was a nice stockpile.

"I think it's just enough to carry us through the night Xena."

That glow continued to disturb her. Every once in a while she saw it's shimmering yellow-orange out of the corner of her eye. It appeared to have doubled its size in the last half-hour. Then it vanished. Gabrielle strained her eyes in the early twilight searching the horizon; in a few moments the light appeared again. This time there was no mistake; it unquestionably glowed larger and brighter.

"No oh Gods not him!"

Gabrielle grabbed her friend's sleeve and pulled her a good five lengths away from the path.

"Xena wait here for me."

She raced back to the makeshift camp and collected everything, down to the last twig and ran back to where she left a very baffled Xena.

"Sweetie listen," she began nervously out of breath, "I'm going to be gone for a short while, but I'll be back as soon as I can, okay?"

"Don't leave me," Xena whined.

"I won't be long, wait right here," Gabrielle's words had an impatient edge.

"Please lay-deee, don't leave me alone!"

"Gods Xena! There's no time for this now!" she raised her voice, "Wait here and don't move!"

Gabrielle hurried away to mount Grumpy. She kicked him into a fast trot down the trail into the semi-darkness.

Xena drew her knees up to her chin and muffled her cries of fear against them. She knew something was happening and hated to be left alone.

"Lady promised me she promised," Xena whimpered to herself, "I want laay-deee!"

The dreaded crisis gradually neared,
A fiend with many faces we feared.
Our chances were slim
That two could outwit him
Once the signs of battle appeared.

Charcoal clouds hung overhead, slowly creeping across the sky. Weighted footfalls drummed in Gabrielle's ears as she forced Grumpy into a faster gait. When she felt sure that she had gone far enough, Gabrielle turned the animal carefully around and painstakingly followed the same tracks to where she started. It would be easy to tell that she had doubled back come the morning, but for now her little ruse might buy them some time.

When she finally returned Gabrielle could just make out the footprints leading away from the path, but the light in the distance had become less round, more pronounced in shape; it was clearly a torch. Jumping swiftly off the camel's back she led him to where Xena was curled up in a ball on the bare sand.

"Xena?" she called softly.

Xena stirred and sat up trying to make out the image coming toward her.

"Who's there?" she asked cautiously.

"It's me sweetie."

"Oh lady, you came back!"

"I've got to go away one more time," Gabrielle interrupted Xena's emotional outburst, "Grumpy will be here to keep you company."

Gabrielle made him kneel down close to Xena then she took off with a blanket and headed for the main trail. She was barely able to see where their extra footprints broke from the path and started to frantically erase them with the blanket. Crawling backward Gabrielle beat the sand at a frenzied pace until the telltale tracks smoothed to a fairly even plane.

Finishing up as best she could, Gabrielle tried to find her friend again in the gloom.

"Xena, where are you?"

Xena reached out in the total darkness catching Gabrielle around the waist then she pulled her into an anxious embrace.

"What's wrong lady?" Xena asked excitedly.

"We have to stay very quiet," she said in a shaky voice, "No sounds of any kind; not even a whisper," Gabrielle paused to catch her breath, "Someone is coming sweetie, someone bad."

"Okay," Xena answered in a tiny voice.

Huddled close against Grumpy they waited as the torch beam grew brighter and brighter. The hulking shadowy images slowly came into view. Grumpy fidgeted in the sand behind them.

'It's him!' Gabrielle could feel her eyes widening in panic.

Ketaar sat grinning aboard his camel illuminated against the night sky sweeping the blazing torch from one side to the other searching carefully for something or someone. He stopped the mini caravan and held out his burning light in their general direction.

She next felt her heart jumping in her chest and gripped onto Xena's arms that were wound around her. Xena remained amazingly calm holding her friend tight against the violent shaking convulsive fit Gabrielle suddenly found herself in. She closed her eyes and prayed silently to herself that he wouldn't see them. Then Grumpy snorted. Gabrielle almost leaped out of Xena's arms in fright.

"He's gone," Xena whispered to her trembling friend, "He went away."

She could hardly believe that he was fooled by her simple trick. Hysterical giggles threatened to explode from her throat but instead it changed into tears. Gabrielle turned around and buried her face in Xena's neck; wave upon wave of faint sobs shook her body.

"Lady don't cry. I won't let anything happen to you."

Her kind words of comfort soothed the temporary loss of control.

"I'm sorry Xena, I guess I'm not as strong as I thought."

Gabrielle wiped her eyes and stayed in Xena's arms listening to her steady heart beating in her chest. It would be a while before Ketaar found out that he had been deceived and it wouldn't take him long to retrace his steps even more meticulously next time around.

But until then, Gabrielle let herself drift for a few minutes dreaming that they were home and safely out of Ketaar's reach.

"I love you Gabrielle," Xena whispered low and throaty into the silky blond hair resting just below her lips.

"I love you too Xena," Gabrielle answered dreamily.

It was so strange to be lying in the pitch-black of night with no blazing campfire nearby; it gave everything a surreal effect. With eyes closed there was no up or down. For all Gabrielle knew she could be floating in space among the stars---

"What?"

Ketaar had opted to walk the path for a while; it made it easier to follow the tracks in the soft sand.

'The lizards surely nibbled his eyes at sunset,' Ketaar mused, 'I should have liked to watch.'

He could well afford to give a secondary thought to his former comrade. Wasn't he nearly tasting victory?

'You will not share the same fate dear chit. No, you shall be mine.'

He was so deep in thought that he lost the trail. Retracing his steps he went back to where he must have veered off course. Ketaar held the torch closer to the ground trying to find the primary footprints. Everything remained in a straight line, no deviations of any kind. Gradually, physical evidence revealed the obvious. She had outwitted him.

"CURSE you!" he screamed.

This abrupt outburst caused Ketaar to stagger forward dizzily, hardly able to concentrate on the trail before him.

"No not the same fate clever Miss; a worse one!"

He grabbed the reins of both animals and unsteadily made his way down the trail to hunt for the prey all over again.

Gabrielle twisted herself around in an attempt at facing Xena in the dark.

"You said my name?"

She searched for Xena's mouth and placed her ear close to it.

"Please, say it again, say my name."

Xena took a breath and then whispered, brushing her lips lightly against Gabrielle's cheek as she spoke.

"Gab-ri-elle."

Her little friend suppressed the joy that wanted to burst from her heart.

"Xena, have you come back?"

"I don't understand," Xena replied softly in her natural tone.

"Who are you?" Gabrielle held her tight.

"I'm your friend."

In the middle of answering, Xena's voice shot up to the child-like octave. Gabrielle relaxed her hold. Maybe she was beginning to remember, but Gabrielle didn't want to assume anything or start celebrating. That madman could return at any time and she needed her thoughts to be unclouded.

"Try and get some rest Xena. Our little playmate will be coming back and we'll have to be ready for him."

"But I'm not tired."

Gabrielle sighed.

"Come on," she said putting her arms around Xena, "close your eyes, and count something nice to help you fall asleep; count umm count "

" Pretty rocks?" Xena offered.

"Yes sweetie, like the one you gave me."

Xena snuggled her head against Gabrielle's shoulder; she began to count one then two and started over again.

"Oh, I forgot," Xena said raising herself up a little, then pressed her lips to Gabrielle's throat, "Goodnight."

"Goodnight Xena."

Staring up at the star-less sky Gabrielle gently caressed Xena's hair waiting for Ketaar's certain return.

She woke up to Xena shaking her arm.

"I think I hear something," Xena whispered.

The urgency in her voice put Gabrielle on immediate alert. In a few minutes she could hear it too--the unmistakable sounds of heavy footsteps. A bright beam instantly lit up the path a few yards in front of them. Xena spontaneously threw her body across Gabrielle's to shield her from the approaching danger. She didn't mind the much heavier woman's full weight on her. Xena's firm hold and uniform breathing helped to quiet her quivering nerves.

Ketaar examined the white sandy ground before him looking for any clues that he missed during the first sweep, but his heart was too consumed with rage to pay close enough attention to subtle changes of surface level. He shambled by, passing the torch along the edge of the trail; first one end of the outer perimeter then the other.

Before long one of his camels refused to travel any further and stubbornly dug in its heels.

"Walk on you troublesome beast!" he spat out in Arabic.

He pulled hard on the reins trying to get the groaning animal to budge with no success. Finally he dropped the leather straps and patted the camel's head.

"Yes, yes my friend, you are tired," he whispered, "I will rest here with you."

Not fifteen yards separated them from their pursuer. Gabrielle held onto Xena too afraid to even breathe. Her heart beat fast in her chest like a captive bird's.

"Gabrielle," Xena whispered so softly that Gabrielle could hardly hear her, "don't worry, I'll protect you."

'Gods Xena, look at us,' she thought to herself, 'You couldn't handle this fellow if you wanted to and I've become a trembling mess. What a team!'

She didn't know how far into the night it was. Would he be leaving soon?

'And if not, how will I be able to stand the strain?'

Ketaar settled down with his tired caravan in the middle of the path. If he stayed until daybreak the possibility of silent escape seemed unlikely. Grumpy was sure to make a noise at some point before that instantly giving away their position.

"You shouldn't be so afraid lady, I said I would protect you," Xena softly reassured back in child mode, "don't you believe me?"

The last thing Gabrielle wanted to do was engage in conversation while the enemy lay close by. It wasn't so much that she feared for her own life; she feared for Xena's. Ketaar was capable of almost anything and she knew Xena would quickly die at his hands trying to save her.

"Yes, I believe you," Gabrielle paused finding it hard to catch her breath, "Please Xena, we must not talk, he might hear us."

Xena made a little sigh as she shifted her weight off of her friend. Gabrielle managed to take a deeper breath and continued to shiver. The cold of the evening desert chilled her to the very bone; she had to jam a fist in her mouth to stop her teeth from chattering.

A thick woolen covering presently spread across her body. Having blindly searched around in the dark, Xena located the blanket that was used to rub out their footprints. Warm fingertips tucked in loose ends then delicately pet her cheek, smoothing a way for the warmer lips that took their place. Gentle hands clasped her face between them; a hint of exhaled air preceded the kiss upon her mouth. Gabrielle nearly gasped from the suddenness of contact with Xena's lips.

It did not linger; Xena drew away almost immediately.

"Better now?" she asked innocently.

Her little comrade wasn't sure how to answer this. The pleasure she would've normally experienced was somewhat colored by Ketaar's presence not far away.

"Yes, much better," she whispered back.

She fussed some more with Gabrielle's blanket then nestled close to her. Xena fell asleep with no trouble at all, completely oblivious to the danger. Not true for Gabrielle; sleep became a rather complex undertaking. Every time she drifted off she'd snap wide-awake again. The constant threat of discovery and the hours slowly passing by, each one more exhausting than the next, tore her jangled nerves to shreds.

'He probably knows that we're here and is just playing with us.'

Complete darkness eventually gave way to early dawn. Barely an hour in total had been spent sleeping and now she had to get ready to leave. Gabrielle didn't have a remarkable plan of escape, only to sneak off and elude him again, and failing this what then?

"Xena, wake up. We have to go," she rasped anxiously in Xena's ear.

Xena sat up and stretched. Taking her friend's queue, she answered in a whisper.

"Okay."

Gabrielle rolled up her blanket and stuffed it between some things on Grumpy's howdah. She didn't think it possible that their camel could stay relatively quiet the entire evening, but he did.

"I'll get on first then help you up."

She climbed aboard then reached down for Xena's hand. Gabrielle could just make out her shape in the dark and gripped the outstretched arm below hoisting Xena onto the space behind her. The animal stood up awkwardly raising his back end first then the front, see-sawing them roughly to and fro till he got to his full height.

Carefully Gabrielle steered Grumpy across deeper sand alongside the main trail as quietly as was possible. If they traveled parallel to this path for a few miles, she hoped it would make it difficult for Ketaar to realize that they had passed him in the dark.

Ever so slightly she could feel her spine uncoil from the unbearable stress of the evening. The beautiful golden yellow on the horizon made the trail a bit more visible, Xena held on tight as she did the day before, everything was working out just fine.

Grumpy decided to blast an enormous grunt from his nostrils.

The fair morning breeze had altered almost imperceptibly. An out of place noise awakened Ketaar out of a deep stupor; his head whipped around to see where it came from. In the dismal half-light he saw a fleeing camel galloping at full tilt over the smaller dunes. He loosely bound the front legs of one of his two transports and mounted the other.

"This won't take long my friend," he said smiling at the temporarily abandoned animal and took off after the retreating shape. He couldn't tell if 'the chit' and Xena were the ones speeding ahead; he was too far away, but not for long.

"See if he's following us Xena," Gabrielle called behind her.

Xena twisted around and strained her eyes through the semi-darkness. She thought something was there, though she couldn't be sure. It was hard for her to focus accurately on anything because of the occasional double vision in her injured eye. Xena turned back around to give her report once again holding onto Gabrielle for dear life.

"I think so," she answered loud in Gabrielle's ear nearly deafening her in the process.

Her heart boomed in her chest. Hope against hope of an easy escape quickly died away.

"Thanks a lot pal!" she sarcastically shouted at Grumpy.

"You're welcome," Xena answered in the same loud volume.

"I was talking to Grumpy!" Gabrielle yelled back still squinting from the noise.

She aimed him toward the smoother path; it seemed the smartest thing to do if they were to try and outrun their pursuer.

'He's traveling lighter than us,' she thought to herself, 'he's going to catch up.'

Gabrielle reached down on her left side and pulled out Xena's heavily wrapped chakram from the howdah's bindings.

'If I'm going to die, I'm going down fighting.'

She freed the circular weapon from the cloth package and secured it to her sash. Xena turned to look behind her again and this time she could see a distinct figure coming after them.

"I see it now!" she announced almost proudly.

Ketaar blinked at the large clouds of sand being kicked up in front of him. No matter, he could make out the two riders clearly.

'The little one has spirit, I've always said so.'

He took out his knife and prepared to throw it.

'No, not nearly close enough.'

Ketaar clamped the blade between his teeth and drove the animal on relentlessly; he ignored its angry grunts of protest as the gap steadily narrowed between him and his victims.

Gabrielle heard the extra set of galloping feet and placed her hand on the chakram that bounced against her thigh. She cursed herself that she never learned how to throw it right. All Gabrielle could do at best was mimic Xena's style of motion.

'Who am I kidding? This thing is a part of her arm.'

She pulled the reins suddenly to the right, steering Grumpy clear of a few large stones; something flew low at them piercing one of the heftier water skins next to Xena's leg. Clear liquid sprayed all over the place wetting everything around it. Xena plucked the object out of the deflated container and held it in front of Gabrielle's face.

"Hey lady look! Look what he threw at us."

Gabrielle took the knife immediately out of Xena's hand and stuck it into her waistband.

"It's a knife Xena, he wants to hurt us."

He guided his camel alongside theirs and tried to grab for the reins. Xena kicked out at Ketaar connecting with his jaw causing him to fall back a few lengths.

"I'LL HAVE YOU YET!" he screamed shaking his fist at Xena.

In a way he was right, they weren't going as fast as before. Grumpy started to tire from the terrific pace and Ketaar was closing in fast.

"COME ON, COME ON DON'T GIVE UP NOW PLEASE!" Gabrielle frantically yelled at the weakening animal.

It was no use; the poor thing had spent its last reserves of speed and barely trotted. She hastily loosened her sash taking up the chakram and tried desperately to aim it at their attacker.

"DUCK OUT OF THE WAY XENA!"

Xena placed a calm hand over Gabrielle's.

"Leave him to me," she said smiling a half grin and took the weapon from her friend.

Hair loose and tossed by a stiff breeze, she whirled around, holding the old familiar ring firmly in the fighting posture grip Gabrielle thought she'd never see again. Xena closed her bad eye and hurled the gleaming weapon with a ferocious fluid motion in Ketaar's direction. It spun through the air neatly slicing apart the thick band that held his camel's howdah in place then arced in a high curve smoothly returning to her hand. Ketaar fell sideways off the speeding beast landing hard in a cloud of sand. He flipped over once or twice coming to a stop face down in a patch of shrubs. Xena and Gabrielle saw him lying still but didn't wait around to inquire about his state of health; they trotted away losing no time to put as much distance between them as possible.

His liberated animal kept running eventually coming to a stop a fair ways from its fallen master. Ketaar shook his head and looked around. It was strange that he felt no pain at all from such an unexpected dismount.

'How foolish of me,' he thought amusingly to himself, 'to be caught off my guard. It shall not happen again.'

Ketaar wanted to get up but the desire to just lay there was overwhelming. No reason to rush, he had plenty of time to repair the damage to his howdah and then he'd be on the hunt once more.

"Ha! Run all you like, you cannot elude me," Ketaar mumbled as he tried to move, "I will catch up and when I do "

He paused in mid sentence; he couldn't feel his legs.

"Xena?"

"Yes lady?"

Xena had resumed her position of holding onto Gabrielle as Grumpy loped over the low sand hills.

"You were wonderful back there."

"Really?" her little high-pitched voice asked shyly.

"Really."

Gabrielle covered one of the hands Xena had locked around her waist.

"Know what?" Xena asked happily.

"What sweetie?"

She nuzzled next to Gabrielle's ear.

"I'm hungry."

Gabrielle burst into merry gales of laughter, hugging Xena's folded hands close to her.

Late afternoon and he was