Heart of Darkness Prologue

"Heart of Darkness"

Lynn M. Price

Copyright 1998 by Lynn M. Price. Xena, Gabrielle, Morpheus, Perdicas, Cyrene, Elkton, the Dreamscape, the Dream Passage, N'Kama Oil, Ares, Callisto, Velasca, and Argo are the property of "Xena: Warrior Princess" and Universal/MCA. The rest are mine. This story may not be sold and may be archived only with direct permission of the author. Any archive must carry this entire copyright statement.

Nike is a brand name of the Nike Corporation.

Lyrics to the song "Only Yesterday," copyright 1975, A & M Records.

The events in this story take place between "The Dirty Half Dozen" and "The Deliverer."

This is a sequel to the Xena FF story "When in Greece..." I recommend you read that story first. Doing so will make this story more enjoyable and understandable.

This work contains mild to moderate profanity, scenes of mild to moderate violence, the aftermath of traumatic dreams, and is darker in tone and mood than "When in Greece..." It also is of a more romantic nature than "When in Greece..." If this disturbs you, you may wish to pass on this piece of fan fiction. If you're planning to read on, then fasten your seatbelts. You're in for a bumpy ride!! But you'll love every minute of it! :-)

I would like to thank Steven L. Sears, the author of the episode "Dreamworker." That work inspired this piece of fiction.

Another great big "thank you" to all of you who write and read fan fiction. You continue to be the wind beneath my wings...

Date of work: 1/16/98-1/25/98

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Prologue

Night Of The Living Dead...

"Get up."

The man did not move.

"I said GET UP!"

The man stirred , moaned, and staggered to his feet. He looked around, eyes bleary. "This isn't what I expected Tartarus to look like."

"You're not in Tartarus...you're in the Dreamscape."

The man thought for a moment. "The Dreamscape! Then you...you must be Morpheus."

"I am."

"Why have you brought me to the Dreamscape? I thought only the living could be in here."

"Hades owes me a favor," Morpheus said with a chuckle. "And I could use your help, Galvous. In fact, I KNOW you're the right man for the job."

The recently deceased warlord looked around. A reddish-orange light filled the brick-lined room, which contained many ceremonial altars. A large statue of Morpheus stood in the center of the room. "My help? What kind of job?" Galvous asked, suspicious.

"Xena," replied Morpheus simply. "I want Xena."

Galvous grinned evilly. "So do I," he said softly. "So do I. What did she do to you?" he asked.

"She stole from me! Several years ago, I had that friend of hers right where I wanted her, and Xena stole that sacrifice away from me!"

Thoughts whirled through the warlord's head. "She stole from me, too." He thought back to a time years ago when she defeated him, scarring him for life, making him look bad in front of his men, thus losing their respect. She had also recently stolen his life. "What's in it for me?"

"You get your revenge on the warrior princess, as do I. And after the deed is done, you get sent to the Elysian Fields for eternity."

Galvous thought this over carefully, his face breaking into a huge smile. Revenge on Xena *and* the Elysian Fields. This arrangement was far better than the depths of Tartarus!! "Morpheus,I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship. So what's the plan?"

"Simple. The first step is to invade and control the dreams of someone she cares about. Someone who is innocent."

"What about her friend, Gabrielle, the bard?" Galvous asked. "She doesn't strike me as being particularly worldly."

"No, Gabrielle lost a part of her innocence when she consummated her marriage to Perdicas. No, for this we need someone who is both blood innocent and sexually innocent...a virgin."

Galvous was quiet for a moment as he thought. Maybe I can kill two birds with one stone, he mused to himself. "When last I saw Xena, she and Gabrielle were traveling with another woman, some flute player from Athens named Mariah. What about her?" His eyes narrowed at the memory of Mariah mocking and defying him when he held her and Gabrielle captive at his camp. Before Xena rode in and stabbed him. He remembered the girl kneeling next to him, speaking to him as he lay dying. Oh, Mariah would pay for that!!

Morpheus grinned at his new protege. "Yes, she has possibilities. She'll do nicely. I like your style, Galvous. I knew I wouldn't go wrong in choosing you. You'll start immediately. I want her ready by the summer solstice, so you have some time to work on her. The key to being successful is to be slow, insidious. You can invade and control the dreams of others if you'd like, but be warned: you can only invade one person's dreams per day, so choose wisely. Now here's what you'll need to do..."

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Chapter One

My So-Called Life... Mariah looked around her home in Tyldus. It was smaller than her twentieth century apartment, but now her needs were much simpler.

The former high school English teacher thought back on the strange twist of fate that removed her from the year 1998 and put her more than 2,000 years in the past.

It was a simple fall on the ice. She remembered slipping, letting go of her best friend Sandy so as to not pull her down, a blinding pain in her head. When she next awoke, she found herself in ancient Greece, and two women were with her, the two women she now considered her dearest friends: Xena, the warrior princess from Amphipolis and Gabrielle, the bard from Potadeia.

They befriended her and taught her what she needed to know to survive in her new world, and helped her dispel some of the demons of her old world. It was after she and Gabrielle were kidnapped by the warlord Galvous and rescued by Xena that Mariah decided to settle down and begin a life of her own.

She returned to Tyldus because of an old debt. When she first traveled through the town many months ago with Gabrielle and Xena, an old merchant had done her a great kindness. He had given her a flute on the condition that she come back and play for him. That flute brought her much of the peace and serenity she needed to cope with her predicament.

When she arrived in the Tyldus, she looked for the old merchant in the marketplace. Another merchant told her the grim news: the old man had died the month before. She found out where he was buried, and went to his gravesite.

It was one of those beautiful Mediterranean days full of bright sunshine and soft breezes. The wind swept through her brown curly hair as she stood at the foot of his grave. "I'm sorry I didn't make it back sooner," she said softly,her blue eyes blurry with tears, the wind taking her words away. "I never had the chance to truly thank you for what you did to me. I hope you can hear me, wherever you are" She put the flute to her lips and played for him. She played some of her favorite twentieth century ballads, and a few of the new songs that she had written.

The wind carried the last notes away. She crumpled to the grass, her head bent, the tears running down her cheeks. For a while, there was nothing but the sound of the wind as it moved through the nearby trees.

"That was beautiful," said the male voice behind her.

Mariah whirled around in surprise. A man stood there, a man not much older than she. He was almost as tall as Xena; he had wavy black hair and incredible brown eyes.

"I didn't mean to intrude," he said. "Some of the merchants told me a woman was looking for my father."

She rose to her feet, wiping the tears from her face. "Yes, I was looking for him. He did me a favor some time ago, and made me promise I would return." Mariah looked at the grave, sadness in her voice. "I guess I returned too late."

He walked over to her. "No," he said gently. "It's never too late. The dead can hear our thoughts, and I *know* he heard that." He looked at this woman with the brown curly hair, her blue eyes filled with unshed tears, this woman who played the flute with such a depth of feeling. He felt his heart lurch. "Who are you?" he asked her finally.

She looked at him, this man with the raven-colored hair, his brown eyes smiling into hers, and she felt her heart lurch a bit as well. "My name is Mariah. I-I'm from Athens," she said smoothly, remembering the cover story she created when she and Gabrielle had encountered Galvous. "And you are..."

"Myklos."

Neither spoke as they gazed at each other, each liking what they saw. Myklos longed to spend eternity drowning in her blue eyes, while Mariah wanted nothing more than to spend a lifetime running her fingers through his thick black hair. She broke the contact, blushed a bit, and looked down at her feet.

"I-I'd better get going. It's getting late, and I need to go to the inn and get a room for the night."

"Would you join me there for dinner?" asked Myklos, a little hesitantly.

Mariah's heart sped up pleasantly as she looked at him. "I'd love to," she said simply, a smile appearing on her face.

Myklos's heart was gone the moment she smiled.

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That had been several months ago. She soon settled into her new life, making new friends as she went along. Mariah was well-liked and respected by the people of Tyldus, and she in turn truly liked and respected them as well. She befriended Clytos, the innkeeper, and when he heard she was a musician, he offered her a job. She played her flute at the inn and helped out around the place in return for room and board at the establishment. Soon, she was able to afford a small, simple place of her own.

In addition to playing at the inn most evenings, she started giving music lessons a few days a week to some of the local children and townspeople. She wasn't teaching English or speech or literature like she did in the twentieth century, but she *was* teaching again, albeit part time, and that gave her some satisfaction. Mariah greatly missed that particular part of her old life. She missed the thrill of entering a classroom and motivating teenagers to enjoy life and learning, ideas and concepts and thoughts crackling and whirling around the room. To stay in shape and to keep her newly-developed fighting skills sharp, she practiced with her staff every morning, and swam whenever she could. She found out through the local grapevine where Xena and Gabrielle were, and sent a runner to them telling them of her whereabouts and to stop by and see her as soon as they got the chance. She missed them, and thought of them often.

Myklos was attentive to her. *Very* attentive. He was head over heels in love with this woman he found playing the flute at his father's grave. He loved her zest for life, her winning smile, her vivid blue eyes, her laughter, and the way she got along so well with others. He sensed a tenacity, a strength in her that few people possessed. He tried to learn about her, but she always deftly turned the conversation in other directions when it got *too* personal. That drove him to distraction. Try as he might, all he could find out was that she was from Athens, she played the flute, she loved to write poetry and tell stories, and that at one time she had traveled with Xena and Gabrielle.

Mariah was extremely attracted to the merchant's son. She loved his tenderness, his open nature, his incredible brown eyes, the way those eyes lit up when he discussed his family or his business, and the concern and compassion he showed for others. She saw much of his father in him. They spent a great deal of time together, Myklos trying to learn about her, Mariah trying to learn more about him, her new world, and her place in it.

And then it happened.

As Myklos had lost his heart to Mariah, the young teacher soon lost her heart to him. She loved him. She had no doubt of it. The realization, when it hit, both startled and pleased her. But there was an obstacle. A *big* obstacle. Mariah didn't dare discuss her twentieth century life. As much as she cared for Myklos, as much as she loved him, she couldn't tell him she was from another place, another time. How would he react? Would knowing put him in danger? What bothered her the most was the future: what kind of future *could* they have together based upon a foundation constructed of lies?

In addition to Myklos, Mariah had another difficulty. Her very life itself.

She was torn; she loved the peacefulness and serenity of her new life; she missed the excitement of her old. She loved her new friends; she missed her family and Sandy. She loved Myklos; in her old life, *nobody* had ever made her feel the way he did. She loved her new life, she missed her old one. It was a dilemma.

Besides working through the new life vs. old life issues, the only thing that marred her new life were the vague, disquieting dreams she sometimes had.

Mariah had always had vivid dreams. Those dreams became especially strong after she had been diagnosed with cancer when she was in her early twenties. Nobody knew the emotional toll the disease had taken on her: the private brooding in the middle of the night, the nagging worries of recurrence. Nobody knew anything of her nightmares, the nights she would struggle to fight her way out of the dreams, waking up shaking, in a cold sweat, her hair matted to her head, her face wet with tears, unwilling to go back to sleep. Nobody knew or suspected the private hell she endured until Xena entered the picture.

Xena, the woman with the dark past and demons of her own, had greatly helped Mariah come to terms with those horrible cancer-related dreams and demons. She and Gabrielle both had helped Mariah deal with those "dark nights of the soul." They had also helped her deal with the dreams and sleepless nights after their encounter with Galvous the warlord. Mariah thought she had left a lot of that emotional baggage behind her. She began to wonder if she truly had.

The dreams had been easier to deal with several months ago, but as summer approached, they became more and more intense and frightening. She would wake up shaking, sweating, fighting down the panic that threatened to overwhelm her. She would pace around the inside of her little home until her breathing and heart rate returned to normal.

She didn't have them every night, but she had them often enough. She began to keep a journal of her dreams on her scrolls, just in case.

She wondered what was happening to her.

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Chapter Two

On The Road Again...

Xena and Gabrielle stopped at the crossroads.

"Are you sure you don't want to come with me to Amphipolis? Mother would love to see you again," said Xena.

Gabrielle smiled as she looked up into the blue eyes of her best friend. "No, you go on. You two should spend some time alone together. Besides, I want to go to Tyldus to see Mariah. I'll wait for you there. Say hello to your mother for me."

The two women embraced, and Xena mounted Argo. "Sure you won't change your mind?" she asked, her hand reaching down to the bard.

Gabrielle's green eyes danced as she chuckled at the warrior. "Go on, Xena. I'll see you in a few days."

Xena smiled down at her best friend. "OK. Say hello to Mariah for me. And tell her I'll see her soon!" She lightly spurred Argo, and was soon on her way home to Amphipolis.

Gabrielle sighed as she watched her friend ride away. It will do her good to see her mother, the bard thought to herself. Xena didn't get to see Cyrene very often, and after the incident with the Furies earlier that year, Gabrielle hoped the warrior *would* take the time to see her mother more often. Riding Argo, Xena would hit Amphipolis just after nightfall.

The bard walked down the road towards Tyldus. She hoped to be there just before sunset. She smiled at the thought of seeing Mariah again, her friend from the future, the woman who struggled to make a new life for herself in a new world. The bard shook her head in amazement every time she thought of it.

It was sunset when Gabrielle entered the town. As it was getting late, the merchants in the marketplace were closing for the day. Oh, well, the bard thought to herself resignedly. I can always shop tomorrow. She spied one merchant, and walked over to him. "Excuse me, but I'm looking for a friend of mine. She's about my height, has brown curly hair, she plays the flute..."

"Oh, Mariah!" The man exclaimed, cutting her off. "You know her?"

"We used to travel together," Gabrielle answered him. "Could you tell me where she is?"

The man gave her directions, and the bard was soon on her way. She soon approached a small house, and from inside could hear the jangling discord of a flute being played by a beginner. Not wanting to interrupt, she walked over to the window and peered in. She smiled when she saw her friend patiently teaching a young girl the rudiments of the instrument.

"Just take your time," Mariah said gently to her pupil. "This is not something you can learn overnight, Kara. It takes practice. Let's try it again, OK? And take it a little slower."

Kara, a determined look on her face, put the instrument to her mouth and began to play. This time she took the piece slower, and made fewer mistakes.

"That's the way!" enthused Mariah. "You keep that up, you'll be joining me for duets at the inn when you're old enough!" Kara beamed at the praise as Mariah laughed and ruffled the young girl's hair.

Mariah sensed that someone was watching, and she turned to the window. Her blue eyes widened and her mouth dropped open in shock when she saw Gabrielle, a huge smile on her face, her emerald eyes sparkling at the surprise she gave her friend.

Mariah whooped, jumped up, and ran outside. She and Gabrielle hugged each other tightly, each delighted in seeing the other. "How long were you out there?" asked Mariah after they separated from the hug.

"Only a few minutes. I didn't want to interrupt you. Looks like you're doing all right for yourself, Mariah," the bard said as she looked into her friend's face. She wasn't sure, but she thought she saw a shadow behind her friend's eyes.

"Yeah. I'm OK," Mariah said with a smile, returning the look. "Come on in. Kara and I were just finishing up."

Mariah brought Gabrielle into her home. "Kara, here's someone you'll want to meet," Mariah said to her student. "This is one of my best friends; her name is Gabrielle, and she's a bard from Potadeia. I think we're done for the day, kiddo. I'll see you next week. Give my best to your mother."

Kara looked at the smiling green-eyed stranger. "Nice to meet you," she said shyly as she left the house. "Bye Mariah. Bye Gabrielle."

"Good-bye," both women chorused as the girl left the house.

Mariah looked at Gabrielle, a smile on her face. "Knowing you, my friend, you must be starved! How about something light for now? We'll have dinner a little later at the inn tonight."

Gabrielle agreed, and Mariah brought out some fresh-baked nutbread and made some tea. The two women sat around the table and talked as they snacked.

"So how have you and Xena been?" Mariah asked, eager for news about their adventures.

"Busy," said Gabrielle a little tiredly. "We just finished up another battle against Ares not too long ago." Mariah was familiar with her friends' on-going tussles with the God of War, and listened sympathetically as Gabrielle filled her in on the details. "Xena said to say hello. She went to visit her mother in Amphipolis. She'll be here in a few days."

"Good! You're staying a while, and you're staying with me," the teacher gently cut off her friend's protest. "I want you to. It's been months since we've last seen each other. And the rest will do you good. You know, if you'd like, I could talk to the innkeeper. Clytos is a friend of mine. You could tell some stories and earn a few dinars while you're here." Gabrielle enthusiastically agreed. She never turned down the opportunity to share her tales!

"Come on. Let's get you unpacked. Then we'll head over to the inn. They have the most marvelous bathtub you've ever seen! Just perfect for washing off that traveling dirt. We'll get cleaned up, eat dinner, and make a few dinars entertaining the crowd. And I've got so much to tell you!!"

Gabrielle smiled at her friend and looked around the snug little house. Yes, she thought to herself, Mariah has made a new life for herself and seemed to be happy in that life. Her eyes lit upon a large stack of scrolls high up on one of the shelves. "Hey, have you started another journal?" Xena had been forced to burn her twentieth century journal during their encounter with Galvous several months before.

Mariah followed the bard's eyes. Those were her dream scrolls. A troubled look briefly crossed her face, gone almost as soon as it appeared. "Yes. I have started writing again. Nothing special, though. Just documenting the days."

Gabrielle, however, had caught that troubled look on her friend's face. What was bothering Mariah?

She would soon find out. -------------------------

Chapter Three

Inn And Out...

Mariah was right about the bathtub. Gabrielle sank into it with a sigh of contented enjoyment, the day's aches and pains leaving her body as she soaked in the soothing warm waters. After the bard finished, Mariah hopped in to clean up as well.

After they freshened up, it was time for dinner. Mariah introduced Gabrielle to the innkeeper. Clytos warmly welcomed her, and said that her talents as a bard would be greatly enjoyed and appreciated by his patrons, and that she could go on that night after Mariah if she wanted. The two women picked up their drinks (Gabrielle loved mead, and Mariah was fond of ale), walked over to a secluded table, placed their food orders, sat back, and relaxed with their drinks while they waited for their food. Mariah carefully placed her flute on the bench next to her and looked around, a small sad smile on her face.

"What's the matter?" Gabrielle asked her softly, seeing the look on her friend's face.

Mariah turned to her. "Just thinking," she said, the sad smile still on her face.

"About what?" the bard prompted gently.

Mariah was silent for a moment. "My old life. This brings back memories. Sandy and I used to do this a lot...we'd go out, grab a bite to eat, talk, laugh. I miss it, sometimes, Gabrielle. Sometimes I miss it so much it hurts."

Gabrielle silently watched her friend who was momentarily lost in her memories. She finally spoke up.

"But you seem so content here, Mariah," she stated, remembering the day's earlier discussion. "Are you really that unhappy?" she asked, her green eyes full of concern.

Mariah looked at her, reached across the table, and clasped her friend's hand.. "No, no, Gabrielle. I *am* happy. In some ways, happier than I ever *dreamed* I'd be. And a lot of that is due to you and Xena. You two are a part of this world, this life, that I love. I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you two. But that doesn't change the fact that sometimes I wish I were back in my own time, in my own place." Mariah shook her head a bit to chase away her blues. "Let's change the subject, OK?" The bard agreed, and Mariah touched upon the subject nearest and dearest to her heart: Myklos. "I didn't have the chance to tell you earlier, Gabrielle. I-I met someone."

Gabrielle's eyes sparkled as she leaned in towards her friend. "You did? Who?"

Mariah told her the story of how she met Myklos, and Gabrielle's romantic nature was swept up by the story. "What did you tell him about yourself? I mean, you didn't tell him where-when you're from..." Gabrielle left the statement hanging in the air.

"Remember what I told Galvous? About being from Athens? Well, that's the story I use. So far, it's worked. I hate lying to him; what else can I do? I can't tell anyone who I really am, where I'm really from. I don't want to put him in danger."

"What about your scars?" Gabrielle asked delicately. "Has he, um, seen them yet?" Mariah had a variety of scars covering her neck, abdomen, and upper back, remnants of the the cancer surgeries she was forced to undergo when she was in her early twenties.

Mariah blushed a bit as she gently laughed. "No, not yet. I make sure the clothes stay on and the lights are low when we get...you know, romantic. And it hasn't gone *that* far! No, I don't know what I'll do when I have to cross that bridge. And who knows *when* I'll have to cross that bridge! I'm one of those old-fashioned girls, Gabrielle; I'm saving myself for the wedding night whenever that may be," she finished as their food arrived.

The girls ate well, savoring the stew, vegetables, and bread put before them. It was a fine meal, and they enjoyed it thoroughly. As they were finishing, Myklos walked in. Mariah nudged her friend. "There he is."

Gabrielle watched as Myklos searched the room, found them, smiled, and walked towards their table. He only had eyes for Mariah, the bard noted. He's got it bad, she thought.

And then she looked at Mariah. She's got it just as bad as he does, Gabrielle thought as she smiled to herself. She caught the slight flush in her friend's face when Myklos sat down at the table with them. He leaned over and kissed Mariah on her lips. "Hey," he said softly.

"Hey yourself," she said, smiling warmly at him, her blue eyes sparkling. "Did you have a good day today?"

"So-so," he admitted. He waved over a barmaid who took their drink order.

"Myklos, I want you to meet my friend Gabrielle. Gabrielle, this is Myklos the merchant." Myklos leaned over, and shook the bard's hand. "So you're the Gabrielle she's always talking about. It's always 'Gabrielle this,' or 'Xena that,'" he said lightly, teasing the love of his life. Myklos looked around. "Is Xena here, too? I'd like to meet her."

Gabrielle explained that their friend would show up in a few days.

"But that's wonderful!" exclaimed Myklos. "You'll all be here for the summer solstice celebration. The town really goes all out for it." He reached for Mariah's hand. "It's even said that those who marry on the solstice will be specially blessed," he said softly.

Gabrielle's eyes widened at this exchange. Marriage?? Mariah and Myklos? They were *that* serious? She looked at the two of them. This promised to be a great story!

Mariah looked deeply into his brown eyes. This was a conversation they had several times before, one she had always regretfully put off. Could she marry him? What about her past? What about their future? Before she could say anything, Clytos came over to the table. "Mariah, it's time for you to go on. Are you ready?"

Mariah, silently blessing Clytos's interruption, broke off her stare into Myklos's eyes. "Ah, yeah, I just need a few minutes to warm up, Clytos." The innkeeper nodded and left. "Would you excuse me?" she asked her two companions. She got up, took her flute, and went to the back room. Gabrielle and Myklos watched her leave.

"Gabrielle?" asked Myklos turning to the bard.

"Hmm?" she responded.

"So tell me, how did you meet up with Mariah?" Myklos asked with a smile as he took a drink of his wine.

Gabrielle, on slightly thin ice, searched her memory for the story they used with Galvous. "Xena and I met her in Athens the last time we were there. She was playing at the inn where we stayed. We started talking, and found we had a lot in common. She asked if she could travel with us for a few months. You know, get out and see the world, that sort of thing. We said yes. She traveled with us for a while, and then decided to strike out on her own," finished the bard.

"So tell me about her life in Athens," Myklos said, but just then, Clytos came out and introduced Mariah to the crowd, much to Gabrielle's relief.

The crowd clapped as Mariah took the stage. After they settled down, she began to play for them. She played a variety of tunes from both the twentieth century and of her own composition. Some selections were soft and romantic and others were loud and lively. The crowd cheered the musician, and tossed dinars her way when she finished the set. She looked at Gabrielle, who gave her a nod. "We have a special treat for you tonight. Let's have a warm welcome for Gabrielle, the famous bard from Potadeia!!"

The crowd clapped enthusiastically when Gabrielle got up on the stage. She told several stories revolving around her travels with Xena, all of which got a wonderful response. The crowd tossed dinars at her as well in appreciation for a job well done. When the bard finished, she rejoined Mariah and Myklos at the table.

Gabrielle looked at Mariah. "You look a little tired," she said, noticing a discernible shadow around her friend's eyes.

Mariah stifled a yawn. "Yeah, it's been a long day...for all of us. Let's get out of here, OK?"

The three agreed, and left the inn as customers called out farewells to them.

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Chapter Four

Girl Talk...

Myklos escorted them back to Mariah's house. Gabrielle walked in to stir up the fire in the fireplace and light the candles and oil lamps to give Mariah and Myklos a little privacy to say good night. Mariah walked in a few moments later, still flushed, warm, and rosy, courtesy of Myklos. *Nobody* could say good night like he could, Mariah thought to herself with a sigh of contentment.

Gabrielle had a huge grin on her face. "Girl, he wants to marry you!! That's wonderful!" the bard said as she hugged her friend.

Mariah said nothing as her friend enveloped her in a warm hug.

"What's the matter?" asked Gabrielle worriedly, pulling back, seeing the troubled look on her friend's face. "Don't you want to marry him?"

"I don't know," Mariah admitted as she and the bard got ready to go to sleep. "Gabrielle...how did you know Perdicas was the right man for you?"

The bard was quiet for a few moments as she thought of her dead husband. "I didn't know, Mariah," she said finally. "All I knew was at that time, I was ready to spend the rest of my life with him. Perdicas was kind, gentle, warm...everything I ever hoped for in a man. I only wish I would have had the chance to spend more than one day with him." Her eyes closed in painful memory.

Mariah walked over to Gabrielle, and put her hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry, I shouldn't have brought it up," she began gently.

Gabrielle opened her eyes and looked in her friend's distressed blue ones. "No, it-it's OK," she said as she clasped Mariah's hand. "If Myklos is what you want, then go for it. He loves you, you know. It's written all over his face." Gabrielle smiled at Mariah. "And I think you love him, too," she said knowingly, searching her friend's eyes.

"I do," Mariah admitted. "I've never felt like this about anyone. He's wonderful; kind, caring, compassionate. I just don't know if *I'm* ready. I feel so bad," Mariah said with a sigh of regret as she sat on the bed. "I don't feel right. He's been so open about himself; I haven't. He doesn't know much about me at all, and it's not for lack of trying! And if I do marry him, what's he going to say when he sees all these surgical scars on the wedding night? I can't hide them! How do I explain them? He'll want to know what they are and how I got them, and he *ought* to know, Gabrielle."

"I know what you mean," said Gabrielle as she sat next to Mariah, taking a hold of her friend's hands. "He tried to get me to talk about you tonight while you were warming up! I told him the same thing I told Galvous." The bard was quiet for a moment before she spoke again. "And, yes, the scars and your previous life *could* be a problem. Let's think about it, Mariah. And I know when Xena gets here, she can help out, too. Let's get some sleep."

Mariah arose from the bed. "You take the bed tonight, Gabrielle," waving off her friend's protests as she walked around the room dousing the oil lamps and candles. "No, no, I'll take the floor. It's OK, really. It'll be good for my back. That bed is a bit too soft for me anyway. Besides, you and Xena are forever sleeping outdoors or in caves. Be comfortable. If you want, we'll switch off, and you can take the floor tomorrow night."

Gabrielle reluctantly agreed. The two friends said their good nights, and settled in to sleep, the low steady light of the fire dimly illuminating the room.

Mariah hoped for a peaceful night.

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Chapter Five

The Stuff That Dreams Are Made Of...

"Galvous, things are going well. You've done an excellent job invading and controlling Mariah's dreams."

"Thank you, Morpheus" replied the warlord. "But while I've been in her dreams, I've noticed some strange things."

"What strange things?" Morpheus asked, curious.

"I'm not sure...things I've never seen before."

Morpheus thought a moment. "Open your mind to me. Let me see for myself."

Galvous did as he was instructed. Morpheus entered the warlord's mind and took in the vivid sites and sounds of Mariah's twentieth century dreams. He saw tall buildings, fast moving wheeled vehicles, metal birds that soared in the air. Morpheus shivered at what he saw. This was incredible! This was no ordinary flute player from Athens! Not by a long shot! He saw the teacher in college, in her classroom, with her friends and family, and in a large building populated with people who wore white clothing. He saw her in long metallic tubes, needles pricking her arms, struggling with her legs as she learned how to walk again. He saw her with Xena and Gabrielle and in Galvous's camp. Morpheus frowned at bit. There were some major gaps, the conscious barriers in Mariah's mind Galvous could not get around, but Morpheus was pleased with what he saw. *Very* pleased!

"Oh, Galvous, this will work out better than I thought!" exclaimed Morpheus. "I don't think she's even of our time! She must be from the future! When we get her here, just think of the information we can get from her! Just think of what we can learn!! We will have to move more quickly. The summer solstice is approaching. We need to make our move soon against her and Xena. If I know the warrior princess, once we get Mariah in the Dreamscape, she will come in to try and get her. And once we get Xena in the Dream Passage again, she'll be ours. Get more creative in invading and controlling Mariah's dreams. We need the girl worn down, mentally and physically exhausted. When we get her here, we can do with her as we'd like even if she *does* pass her three challenges. She'll never leave! I'll make sure of that. This is going to be *so* enjoyable! Oh, and don't forget: we'll need some mortal help to bring her here."

Galvous smiled. "I know just the man who can help us. I'll pay him a visit tonight."

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