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The glass-like waters of a small pond in Aphrodite's garden reflected a faint image to Aries. But it was not himself that he saw, but the curse he had laid upon Xena and how she was being affected.
I'll have to remember to call more often on Themis, Aries mused silently. The god of judgement had filled out his plan of revenge perfectly. Maybe without Aphrodite's envolvement, Themis may come up with some truly spectacular curses.
Aries watched as Gabrielle kept at least 10 feet between herself & Xena, turning pale when the winds shifted direction & the scent Xena eminated dirfted to her.
Grinning wickedly, Aries watched as Xena approached a small village with an inn at the opposite end. As soon as Xena's fragrance reached the first of the villagers, they scrambled like mice towards shelter.
Shutters & doors banged shut loudly, making Xena's head swivel back & forth with her progress.
"Gabrielle, this is not a good idea. The inn is not going to admit me like I am now."
"Well, we have to try something. I've heard of a sorcerer that lives somewhere in these woods. He should be able to break the st.... spell."
"That's not what I mean & you know it. The innkeeper is not going to let me stay long enough to eat, let alone look for this sorcerer."
"Xena, it's too cold now to be camping out, and besides, we've been traveling for a long time. I think we owe ourselves a rest."
As they continued on, Aries watched every breathing creture turn away from Xena. Even Argo was skittish.
"This is even better than I expected." Aries mumbles softly.
"What were you saying, dearest?"
Aphrodite had silently glided up beside him and wrapped her arm around his trim waist.
"Seeing Xena humbled. I love it."
"Pooh, you're thinking of her in my arms again. Maybe I should leave you alone..." Aphrodite started to withdraw, but Aries quickly wrapped his arms around her waist & drags her tight against his chest.
"You don't want to leave now, do you, Aphrodite? I was planning sumething for us."
Breathlessly, she replied, "What do you have in mind?"
Aries trademark smile settled slowly on his face as he starts backing his favoite lover towards the house & her bedchamber.
The clear waters of the pool still showed Xena's image as a muffled feminine giggle drifted through the air.
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Mischief on Olympus, IV
"No, I will not allow that woman to stay."
The innkeeper was firm in his resolve. He hadn't even opened his shudders all the way to answer.
"But she's Xena, the Warrior Princess. Aren't you afraid of her wrath?"
Gabrielle had started out as polite as can be. But with every refusal by the innkeeper, she became angrier for her friend. Finally, pushed beyond reasonable thought, Gabrielle had spoken the first thing that came to mind.
But as soon as the words were out, she wished she hadn't spoken them. Xena was giving her one of those chiding, you know better looks that spoke a thousand words.
"I don't care if she's Hera herself! Until she takes a bath, she's not welcome at my inn. Now, begone!"
A loud thump was the final emphasis on the man's words as he slammed his half opened window.
"Can you believe that guy? Throwing away good dinars over a little smell. And then comparing you to Hera! Ha! Now THAT was insulting!" Gabrielle thumped her staff against a rock in anger.
"Calm down. There's nothing we can do about it. But we'd better find shelter before nightfall."
Xena started forward on Argo as Gabrielle brought up the rear, still mumbling over stupid innkeepers.
Past the village was a large mountain range with many streams cutting through them. One mountain, in particular, had a faint haze around it's blunted top, with the look of new ground in evidence down it's sides.
"Look, Gabrielle. With a volcano & this many streams, we should be able to find a hot springs, or hopefully, a cave."
"Maybe the springs would work to get rid of the smell."
"Doubtful, but it's worth a try."
With anticipation urging them on, Xena & Gabrielle were soon standing at the base of the volcano. As Xena had expected, a cave had formed around a rock outcropping & a lava flow. The heat from the earth had warmed the nearby spring waters to steaming.
"I'll set up camp and get the remainder of the food out while... you... bathe." Gabrielle finished in a stutter, aware of how terrible it sounded.
"It's all right, Gabrielle. Maybe your right. Besides, a bath does sound wonderful."
"Xena, doesn't this bother you? You're acting so calm. Can you smell it?"
"No, I'm not worried. Besides, the gods did spare me somewhat. I can't smell a thing."
"Lucky you." Gabrielle ofhandedly replied as she entered the cave with her staff ready for any animals inside.
Xena dismounted from Argo & began to unsaddle her trusted friend. Before long, Gabrielle had the cave ready for habitation, & Xena was unpacked and ready to bathe.
Gratefully, Xena undressed and after laying her weapons within reach, stepped into the pure, steaming liquid. Groaning slightly with the warmth steeling into her musles, Xena slipped under the water & arose seconds later.
Turning back to the cave, Xena called, "Gabrielle, you have to try..." but her words were cut short by the appearance of a wizened old man, standing on the shore, looking directly at Xena.
