Disclaimers: The characters of Xena, Gabrielle, Argo, and Cyrene do not belong to me I am just borrowing them for a little while. This story is just a little day trip in the life of a bard and the person who uses few words but has great ideas.

By Sheri Borgstahl

It was a beautiful day for traveling. The sun was shining with the first real warmth of Spring. There was a gentle breeze blowing, it had rained the night before, keeping the dust down on the well-worn path to Amphipolis. Two women and a horse were among the many travelers on this beautiful day. With one glance in their direction it was evident that these were not ordinary village folk out for a casual stroll. One was a warrior, with all the usual accoutrements; armor, sword, daggers, whip, leather and an unusual circular blade hanging from her hip. The horse was the embodiment of a true warhorse. The golden palomino was obviously well trained in the art of battle. The warrior sat astride the horse as they traveled her eyes, indeed her body, on constant alert for any danger even on this most innocent of trips home. The other woman was much harder to classify. She was well muscled, easily discernable from the clothes she wore, yet she was shorter and smaller than the typical female warrior. Her clothing was amazonian in style yet wasn't made from the usual leather material. She carried an amazon staff and she twirled it casually as they traveled along. Making it clear that she knew how to use it. Most people would guess that she was, in fact, a warrior like her companion except for one small detail; she never seemed to stop talking. As the two women traveled she was telling stories to the woman astride the horse. It was almost a disservice to say that she was simply telling stories she was actually performing them. She used her hands, her body, her staff, and most importantly her voice to make the story come alive.

"But Icarus did not listen to his father and drunk with the sensation of power, flew higher and higher. Soaring through the clouds, relishing the feel of the warm breeze across his face and the heat of the sun on his back. All too soon he discovered the truth behind his father's words of caution as to his horror the heat he had been so enjoying just moments ago began to melt the wax holding his wings together. Feather after feather fluttered away until there were not enough left to keep him soaring. As he fell once more to the sea he saw his father's anguished face and the bittersweet cry of 'my son' floated down to his ears. Then, as the sea engulfed him, he heard and saw no more." As her voice trailed off Gabrielle looked up at Xena and said, "Well, what do you think?"

"I think it's great just like all the stories you tell Gabrielle." Xena replied with a smile.

"I don't know, I get the feeling that there is something missing. Like it needs something extra to make it more important somehow."

"Maybe you should end the story with some kind of lesson that should be learned. With Icarus, for example, you could say something like 'so remember that while it is wonderful to soar with the eagles and reach for the heights of the sky as long as you always have somewhere soft to land.' Or something like that. Maybe then the people that hear your story will go home and tell the story to their children and be teaching them at the same time."

"That's a great idea Xena. The story of Icarus would be a good way to teach children how important it is to listen to what their parents have to say even if they don't always agree with them." Suddenly, she grabbed her quill and the scroll she had been reciting from Argo's saddlebag. She tapped the end of the quill against her teeth. Xena had observed that this was something Gabrielle did whenever she was concentrating. 'It's a good thing that quill isn't made out of metal or she would break her teeth.' she thought. Xena knew also that this was her cue, it was time to do her job. Her job in this situation was to protect Gabrielle. Of course, that was her job most of the time. Although even Xena had to admit that Gabrielle was more than capable of handling herself in a fight. She wasn't an Amazon Queen for nothing. She had chosen her weapon years ago and devoted herself to learning how to use it. The problem was that oftentimes Gabrielle was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice the fight until she was in the midst of it. In fact it was usually Xena's battlecry that would snap Gabrielle back into the present. After a few moments of walking, mumbling, and teeth tapping Gabrielle gave a little cry and Xena automatically reached out to grab the staff Gabrielle thrust at her. Oblivious to this instinctual exchange Gabrielle just started scribbling on the scroll. After another minute of scribbling she stopped writing and began to recite again. "Then as the sea engulfed him he heard and saw no more. As he sank deeper into the sea's embrace he regretted the fact that he hadn't heeded his father's warning. The moral of the story is this my friends; even though you may not always agree with your parents it is always wise to listen what they say." She looked up at Xena expectantly.

"I think you've got a great story there Gabrielle. Of course I'm biased because I think they're all great. Why don't you wait until we get to mother's inn in Amphipolis tonight and you can try out your new tale on the patrons after dinner."

"Do you really think it is ready to be told in front of an audience"

"There's only one way to find out."

"I guess you're right." Gabrielle was a bit nervous at the thought of unveiling this new concept in storytelling.

That evening after stuffing themselves on Cyrene's incredible cooking Gabrielle hesitantly strode to the stage and began to recite. She decided to start with the story of Prometheus, then moved on to her own personal favorite the story of Xena's defeat of the warlord Krykus and her own involvement with the amazons. After preparing the audience with these stories she decided it was time to end with the story of Icarus. She took a deep breath and looked out at the members of the audience searching for the ice blue eyes of her inspiration and her support. After catching sight of them in the back of the room, seeing the warmth and pride shining in those eyes, knowing it was all for her, she was able to begin. "I sing the song of Icarus and his loving father Daedalus. One man a genius and his son impetuous and daring..." Her story continued and as always the audience was enthralled. Seated in the back of the room with her back to the wall and a clear view of every person in the room, Xena watched. She used senses normally reserved for judging her opponents in battle to gauge the audience's reaction to her friend's story. As she came to the end the audience rose to it's feet in appreciation. There were many comments floating around the room after Gabrielle left the stage and made her way towards her friend. Xena's excellent hearing had no trouble making out how the people felt about the story and especially the ending.

"How did they like it?" Gabrielle asked Xena anxiously as she finally arrived at the table and was able to sit down.

"How would I know? Didn't they tell you?"

"Don't give me that miss 'I can hear an ant belch a mile away'. I want to know what they are saying to each other not what they think they should say to me."

"They love it Gabrielle. I heard some of them trying to remember the exact words so they could tell it correctly when they get home."

At that moment Cyrene approached their table. "Gabrielle, do you have that story written down somewhere?"

"Of course, I write them all down."

"Could you make some copies for me? Everyone is asking for a copy. They are afraid that they won't remember it correctly and they would like to have it written down so they can read it to their children. They have even offered to pay me for a copy."

"Pay for it." Gabrielle was truly awestruck at the idea of people wanting to buy her story.

"I think you may have created a new medium Gabrielle." Xena was very proud of her friend and for once felt free to show it.

"I can't believe it." Gabrielle made arrangements with Cyrene to leave the scroll with her. She would get copies made and keep all the money made in a safe place until Xena and Gabrielle came back to Amphipolis. Gabrielle insisted that Cyrene keep a portion of it and then give any extra to the town to help those in need, after all that is what she and Xena did. She wanted to contribute to 'The Greater Good' in any way she could.

Later, in their room Gabrielle said, "Thank you Xena."

"For what?"

"For the idea. I never would have thought to add a moral to the story without your help. More importantly I never would have had the nerve to get up in front of those people tonight if you hadn't been in the audience encouraging me. I wouldn't even have been in the position I'm in if you hadn't allowed me to tag along with you all those years ago."

"Believe me that was the best thing I ever did." Xena replied.

As darkness settled over the village the stars came out and the wonderful day came to an end.

End