Best Friends, Better Enemies, Chapters 12 & 13

After being ushered into a small, private room by 2 young women dressed in the more of the same white gowns, Xena seated herself at a cozy table situated before a roaring fire. Several bowls were filled to the rim with rare fruits or finely cooked meats, and a large jug of wine beckoned invitingly from the center.

Is this meant for me or another? Xena wondered ravenously. She hadn't had a proper meal in days, and the temptation the food presented was not to be taken lightly. Surely they won't miss a piece or two, she rationalized.

So, carefully stretching her arm across the table top, Xena reached for the fruit, when her arm was stopped midreach by an unexpected force. She jerked her head towards the cause, expecting someone had grabbed her arm. Instead she found the long sleeve of her gown pulled tight on her arm from the wad of fabric she had unintentionally sat on.

Blasted thing, she swore as she wiggled and twisted her behind around in the seat, trying to bring order to the unruly gown. But the more she seemed to move, the more it bunched around her. Finally, in a rare fit of pique, Xena again reached for the bowl of fruit, swiftly this time, and listened smugly as the seam on the arm ripped smoothly.

The gloating smile on her face was childlike in that moment. Had Xena realized it, she would never have let the look cross her face again. She relaxed back into the chair, tucking her legs under her on the seat and holding the bowl close to her chest. She ate swiftly at first, but as her hunger was slated, she slowed methodically as she stared into the fire.

It seems almost impossible that I could be healed so quickly. But Xena didn't doubt it for a second. Everyone knew that Apollo had a special liking for oracles and seers. And the speed of her recovery indicated no one else but a god could have healed her.

Lost in thought, Xena ate the entire bowl of fruit. Her fingers scraped emptily against the bottom and she jumped guiltily at the sound. I can't believe I ate the whole bowl, she thought to herself as she bit her lip worriedly. What if I just deprived some poor soul of their meal? Xena's guilty conscience nagged her as she pushed the bowl back on to the table, but gentle words emerged from the darkened corner opposite of where she sat.

"Worry not over the food. T'was meant for you, in order for you to regain your strength."

Polyidus sedately strode forward and took a seat across from Xena. He glanced curiously at the torn seam adorning the arm of her garment.

"I take it our clothing doesn't agree with you?"

Seeing the direction of his gaze, Xena's cheeks reddened in an unusual blush. The old man laughed delightedly upon seeing the sight.

"Fear not, lovely princess. Tis only a seam. It can be repaired easily."

Xena's flush faded as she sat patiently while the seer poured them both a goblet of wine. After he handed the cup to her, Xena took only a small swallow before placing it back on the table. Polyidus saw her decision etched in her features and nodded approvingly.

"Now that the pleasantries are completed, I will tell you what you've come here for."

Chapter 13

Xena set out the next day, much of her confusion resolved, but doubt now shadowed her mind. The story the seer had told was an amazing one.

The most evil, violent titan to ever walk the earth, Petros, freed after thousands of years. He had lead an army against Zeus on Olympus during the great struggle for supremacy. But somehow, Zeus killed the body of the titan and managed to trap the spirit in the stone of a sword. The story tells of him hiding the sword in plain sight, tossing it onto a field where the armour and weapons of thousands of deceased warriors lay discarded.

Now she, Xena, must learn how to defeat the immortal spirit. Polyidus had no specific idea of how to free Gabrielle, but of one thing he was certain.

"You must find a temple to Hermes and pray there. Ask for his ability to grace you and strengthen you. If he decides to answer your plea, you will have an answer for your solution."

As most anyone knew, finding a temple to Hermes would be next to impossible. The god of thieves, Hermes had no formal shrine for worship. His followers, the burglars and pickpockets of the country, carried their temples with them, or kept them so well hidden that many of their own kind didn't know where they were.

"Go to a large city. I cannot say which. Once there, let go your body and allow your spirit to find the path."

Again Polyidus' words replayed in her mind. Xena only hoped the seer wasn't reading false and sending her on a wild goose chase.

Gabrielle, or maybe I should call him Petros, Xena thought, is probably terrorizing the countryside by now. My dear, sweet friend. I just know she's still alive somehow. I don't care that Polyidus doesn't think her spirit could survive. I know my friend. The torture she must be feeling.

Remembering that night when Xena had thought Gabrielle had raped and beaten her, she now realized that Gabrielle's body had only been the tool for Petros' evil. She hadn't been the one to steal and kill. No, Gabrielle was innocent. She's waiting for me to come and help her. I know it.

Xena's memories arose, images of Gabrielle walking beside her, telling her tales of adventures, both real and imagined. Then her mind focused in on one particular memory. A story Gabrielle had told, one that now reminds Xena even more of her torment.

"I tell the tale of Hyacinthus, a most beautiful young man and best friend to the kindly god Apollo. So close were the two that distance never separated them. Yet competitive they were, and they played many games to while away the time.

But one day, time became their enemy. Discus throwing they challenged one another, and with the god's swift cast, the disc sped beyond the target Apollo aimed at and struck young Hyacinthus in the forehead. A terrible would appeared and deep red blood appeared instantly.

Apollo was horrified by what he had mistakenly done, and hurried over to his collapsed friend. He tried to staunch the flow of blood, but to no avail. Hyacinthus' head fell back, like a dying flower on its stem.

Apollo weeped for the loss of his young friend, crying out in his loss, "Oh, if I could give my life for yours."

But suddenly the god was startled when the blood that had fallen on the ground disappeared. In it's place, a beautiful flower grew thick and proficient.

"A memorial to my sorrow." the god decided and inscribed Hyacinthus' initials in crimson on the petals, so no one would ever forget the wonderful youth who had been his friend.

Now each year. he is commemorated at the festival of Hyacinthus, lasting throughout the most tranquil nights, remembering the contest and how he was slain."

Xena absently brushed away the tear that trickled down her cheek as Gabrielle's words faded back into memory. Oh, my friend. Will it come to all that for us too?

"By the gods, please don't let it be so. There must be another way. And I'll find it. I promise, Gabrielle."

With her mind firmly set, Xena urged Argo faster, traveling with all possible speed to the next city, Argos.