“c1″> 

“c1″>"It will be difficult enough to guard the retreat,
so it’s better to have another source of strength to tap in,
Xena. I will go with you."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"We still all could die, and she will know if we
survive, Eponin."

“c1″> 

"I
can’t let her die," the Amazon warrior answered who
until then had been silently standing in the back of the hut,
"and I’m tired of hiding in the shadows
anyway."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena, I don’t want to loose you. Tell me
that you won’t die."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"I’ll try my best, Gabrielle, but it’s
very dangerous. I don’t want to loose you either but for
Thania, it’s the only chance there is. It’s just one of
these things I have to do, no matter what."

“c1″> 

"I
love you, Xena."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Love you too, Gabrielle."

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>-x-x-x-x-

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

When
dawn was breaking, the sweating hut was ready and Melosa, Eponin,
Toris, Lyceus, and Gabrielle were waiting in front of it, aside
Thania’s litter. Xena was somewhere in the forest to get some
'stuff' as she called it which the Queen supposed to be
some herbs and roots just like the last time. She could clearly
feel the anxiety coming from the weapons’ master and longed
to take her in her arms and hold her tight ‘til all of this
was over but she also was painfully aware of the fact that her
lover for more than one reason didn’t like public displays of
affection. The boy, Xena’s nephew, was kneeling next to the
litter, holding the unconscious girl’s hand, while his father
was pacing at his side looking helpless, tired and somewhat
irritated.

“c1″> 

Xena
arrived in time with the first rays of sun. She carried a bundle of
black cloth and was wearing but a leather thong around the hips
barely covering her private parts. Her chest was bare but adorned
with an intricate pattern of red lines emphasising her muscles as
well as her womanly built. Her attire effectively took
Gabrielle’s breath away and managed to freeze Toris in
mid-step. Forehead and cheeks also had red markings; in her eyes
was a faraway look, a look that to Melosa didn’t bode too
well. She was about to speak to her when Akyra who had walked two
paces behind her stopped the Queen with a stern look and a shake of
her head.

“c1″> 

The
tall warrior opened the bundle and unfolded the freshly skinned
hide of a deer buck on the ground next to the litter. She stripped
the girl of all but the bandages, wrapped her in the skin, and
carried her in the hut. Akyra told Eponin to strip also before both
of them followed her. She also advised the Queen to have some
archers ready, just in case.