High in the desert sky the sun blazed its heat on the surface below. Pockets of tropical life dotted the harsh landscape of the Araby provinces, a series of oases, shielding the weary traveler with shade, food, and water.
Gabrielle had just finished picking some dates and walked toward Xena with a small bag full of them. "Hmmmph. These are really good....."
"Thanks for saving me some, Gabrielle." sarcastically joked Xena as she spat one out. "You eat the best and leave me the sour ones......"
"Ooops. Sorry....." apologetically smirked Gabrielle. "I'm sure the food we find in Weyliff will be much better."
"I should hope so." replied Xena as she filled her waterskin. "Weyliff is the central city among the four major provinces that make up the Araby kingdom....four powerful and proud tribes in contention and maintaining a loose alliance that barely holds together."
Four tribes?" asked a perplexed Gabrielle. "Who are they?"
The Feremef. The Suq'Atar. The Askari. The Zhalfir." explained Xena as she drew their symbols in the sand with a stick. "All very strong and proud warrior nations."
"How powerful?" asked Gabrielle.
"Draco and I never challenged them." answered Xena.
"Oh, that powerful....." muttered Gabrielle.
"Yes, quite strong." commented Xena and she wiped the sand clean. "But they all don't like each other very much....for some strange reason their tactics clash with their honor and religious beliefs."
"What do you mean? A warrior's honor is a warrior's honor, right?" commented Gabrielle.
"Not exactly...." responded Xena and she and Gabrielle got their feet and made their way to their horses. "The Feremef use war elephants in battle, which is somewhat blasphemous in the eyes of the Suq'Atar since they revere the elephant as a holy symbol that is being subjugated by the Feremef. The Suq'Atar, on the other hand, are masters of the hit and run tactic with their cavalry, something perceived an dishonorable in the eyes of the Zhalfir who believe in the combat between champions to settle a dispute and not armies. The Askari is the parent tribe of the other three, and view the other tribes as a parent would view a rebellious child for forsaking traditional values."
"So the Feremef, the Suq'Atar, and the Zhalfir tribes are offshoots of the Askari?" commented Gabrielle. "Wow. That's amazing."
"But don't tell any of them that....." replied Xena as she mounted her horse. "C'mon, we'll reach Weyliff by nightfall...."
"So what keeps them all together????" yelled a perplexed Gabrielle mounting her horse.
"El-Hajij." answered Xena as she rode on.
"Bless you." replied Gabrielle.
"I didn't sneeze, Gabrielle." retorted Xena. "I mean El-Hajij the deposed sultan of these regions. He's a cruel tyrant who makes Ares look like Hercules....he was stripped of his power by the four tribes years ago but still holds land and a dominant influence in this region. Right now he rules the various bandit tribes in this region and commands the Semphari, a savage and bloodthirsty offshoot of the Askari as well. This festival is more than a celebration....it's a meeting between the four tribes and El-Hajij to discuss peace. Apparently there have been some recent border skirmishes."
"So where does Autolycus fit in all this?" asked Gabrielle.
"He was hired by El-Hajij to spy on the others...." smiled Xena as she picked up the pace on her horse.
* * *
By early sunset Xena and Gabrielle reached the glimmering city of Weyliff. A great alabaster wall surrounded the mighty city, with ivory turban shaped towers dotting the many battlements within. Entering the massive gate, Xena and Gabrielle passed through the massive streets filled with peddlers and merchants of all forms.
"What a beautiful city....look at these silks....they must be imported from Cathay or something...." excitedly said Gabrielle.
"Look at these prices....." replied Xena as she observed the various inns and restaurants within the city. "At this rate we'll be out of denars after our third meal."
"Ladies, leave that to me....." spoke a suave voice. It was none other than the legendary King of Thieves, Autolycus. Dressed in simple yet elegantly tailored clothes, Autolycus sprang from the doorway to greet his friends.
"Nice threads, Autolycus." commented Xena. "Steal them?"
"Not at all, Xena." smiled Autolycus as he helped Gabrielle down from her horse. "These are the gifts of my employer, El-Hajij. This medallion here buys me anything I want. Food, lodging, fancy clothes.....women......wine..... well, you get the idea."
"What kind of service is he getting then? The universal buy-everything medallion isn't something El-Hajij would give to anyone." sternly smiled Xena.
"Why, the expert advice and spying technique of the legendary Autolycus, King of Thieves!" confidently smiled Autolycus as he led Xena and Gabrielle into the inn. "Actually, though....."
"Actually, though......" interrupted Xena. "....you are here at my request to see what El-Hajij is planning....aren't you?"
"Well......yeah......" shrugged Autolycus. "But c'mon, Xena, you're killing my image. People need to know that Autolycus is
"Well......yeah......" shrugged Autolycus. "But c'mon, Xena, you're killing my image. People need to know that Autolycus is here as the personal spy selected by El-Hajij, and not a spy requested by Xena to offer his services to him......"
"The people can believe whatever they like......" answered Xena as she grabbed Autolycus by his shirt. "Just as long as you and I have a clear understanding of who's in charge."
"Oh yeah....a very clear....
"Well, now that's over with, shall we begin?" spoke a voice.
"Who said that?" asked Gabrielle as she turned to find where the voice was coming from.
"This is Sidar Jabari, Sultan and General of the Zhalfirin tribes." spoke Xena as she introduced them to each other.
Sidar Jibari was unusually tall and broad shouldered for a man of the Araby. Dark haired with bronze skin, he removed his helmet and escorted the three into a private chamber under heavy guard of his elite knights.
"I am glad that you came at such short notice, Xena." thanked Sidar. "The alliance we have with the other tribes is waning....I fear by the end of this festival one of the clans will leave as a follower of El-Hajij. He has already been starting his campaign to corrupt the wills of the lords and generals of the Askari and Suq'Atar with promises of wealth, combat, and glory. I have been able to keep the Feremef allied with the Zhalfir, but I do not know how much longer the alliance will last."
"What do you know about El-Hajij's plans, so far, Autolycus?" asked Gabrielle.
"Well....not much really...." shrugged Autolycus. "When I first showed up he greeted me with open arms and gave me the medallion. I've been kind of busy seeing the sights of Weyliff ever since....."
"Excellent." smiled Xena.
"What do you mean?" asked Gabrielle. "I thought he was supposed to spy on El-Hajij."
"El-Hajij is strong and clever and can smell a spy out for him several leagues away." commented Sidar Jabari. "El-Hajij took the emergence of Autolycus as the attempt to spy on him by the Feremef or Zhalfir, and probably feels that he has taken care of the spy."
"Exactly." smiled Xena. "Now I can infiltrate through and learn how he plans to break apart the alliance."
"Great!" exclaimed Gabrielle. "What are you going to do, Xena? Climb the towers to his palace under the cloak of darkness or maybe through a waterway?"
"Not exactly....." winced Xena. "Like Jabari said El-Hajij is strong and ruthlessly clever.....no doubt his palace is filled with Semphari assassins. I will have to take a more subtle approach to get in."
"Okay....so how will I get in?" asked Gabrielle.
"Like any good thief to a party." smiled Sidar Jabari. "You'll be invited."
* * *
Two days later at the royal palace of El-Hajij on the outskirts of Weyliff the various entourages of the four tribes, the Suq'Atar, the Feremef, the Zhalfir, and the Askari arrived. The Suq'Atar were the first to arrive, led by the warrior prince Ranaath and his elite lancers, dressed in light bronze battle armor. The Askari were next to arrive, led by its war chieftain Telim Tor and his bodyguards, donned in gold and scarlet red battle armor. The Feremef soon arrived afterwards, led by Hazezon Tamarr dressed in their white and red tunics and silver breastplates. The last to arrive were the Zhalfirin, led by Sidar Jabari, dressed in shining white and gold armor and donning dark red capes and cloaks. At Jabari's side was Gabrielle, dressed in a light blue veiled Araby dress.
In the main banquet all the four tribes sat alongside the mighty El-Hajij. El-Hajij was a darkly handsome man with a black beard and bearing a scarlet black turban upon his head. His eyes were cold and calculating, and pierced like the serpent.
"My honored guests....." welcomed El-Hajij. "I am unworthy of the strength set before me in my humble palace. In this time of great festivities, I offer you all the hospitality of my house, its sumptuous food, and my personal harem."
"Your words ring true, oh great El-Hajij...." spoke Ranaath. "It is indeed a time to celebrate. To a new beginning....."
"To a new beginning...." cheered the crowd.
Hours passed into the night as the various groups consumed the sumptuous feast. Meanwhile, Sidar Jabari kept a watchful eye on El-Hajij. With Gabrielle at his side, Jabari planned his next move.
"Why don't you get us some more fruit......" suggested Sidar as he pointed toward El-Hajij who was speaking with Ranaath.
"Oh, yes....fruit....absolutely....." nervously replied Gabrielle as she made her way to the dining table and eavesdropped on their conversation.
"Noble Telim Tor...." complemented El-Hajij. "The Askari are the finest cavalry the Araby provinces have ever seen. I was wrong to challenge you years before. But I was young and foolish back then and did not understand the world the way I know now....tell me, how are the fall harvests in the Talaquat Fields?"
"Nay, El-Hajij." replied Telim Tor. "That area is no longer mine. It is now ruled by the Femeref during the first formation of the alliance when we fought you years before."
"Really?!" asked El-Hajij. "That was the finest area of land in the northern part.....I'm sure the Askari could cultivate it far better than the cattle herders of the Feremef."
Telim Tor gulped his wine hard. "Absolutely.....Sidar Jabari's ideas of peace muddle the warrior's heart....were we more numerous, I would reclaim what is rightfully ours by force from the Feremef."
"Indeed." devilishly smiled El-Hajij. "Perhaps we should talk later...we have much in common....as do the Suq'Atar as well"
"Yes! Yes! Warrior to warrior." happily smiled Telim Tor. "Together we will restore warrior's honor to Araby!"
Gabrielle made her way back to Sidar Jabari. "It doesn't look good. El-Hajij is planting seeds of deceit as if it was harvest season."
"Then I'd better do some sowing of my own." replied Sidar. "Perhaps it's time to offer our peace gift to El-Hajij."
"Can't hurt..." shrugged Gabrielle.
* * *
"Oh noble El-Hajij." complemented Sidar Jabari. "Your hospitality transcends the glory of the stars in the heavens itself. The food, the wine, and entertainment....worthy of a blessing bestowed by the Djinn. Please accept this humble token of thanks from the Zhalfirin."
El-Hajij smiled and nodded in acceptance.
The grand doors of the main hall opened and emerging from the smoky mists that shot forth was a tall, statuesque woman with raven black hair and piercing blue eyes: Xena. Disguised as a harem girl and dancer, Xena wore a silky blue belly-dancer outfit decorated with gold lace and wore a blue veil, revealing only her piercing blue eyes to the casual observer.
"Yes....." lustily smiled El-Hajij. "Most magnificent......"
Xena seductively strode toward El-Hajij and began to dance as the musicians played on. Intrigued by her performance, Telim Tor and Ranaath pulled back to their groups and away from El-Hajij to acquire a better look.
"Where's Autolycus? I haven't seen him all night....where is he?" asked Gabrielle.
"I don't know.....I think we must..." spoke Sidar Jabari only to be interrupted by one of his courtiers.
"My lord." spoke the Zhalfirin warrior. "We have just received word by messenger from the main camp; they've been attacked."
"Attacked?" harshly whispered Sidar Jabari in disbelief. "By whom?"
"I do not know, my lord." replied the Zhalfirin warrior. "They repelled the attack but are heavily weakened and may not withstand another assault. Your elite guard awaits below...your captains Subarrik and Mustava sent this message requesting your assistance."
"Curse the foolhardiness in my blindness towards El-Hajij." cursed Sidar Jabari to himself. "How can I focus on the cobra when scorpions dance around me. I must depart at once....."
"I understand, Sidar....." nodded Gabrielle. "We will meet you back at the inn tomorrow."
Sidar nodded in agreement and silently slipped out and met with his elite guard. Minutes later, Sidar Jabari and his small force of Zhalfirin knights departed back to their camp.
Xena continued to dance while Gabrielle silently slipped out to find the missing Autolycus.
"Excellent. Excellent, my raven-haired beauty.....your beauty and grace transcends the shimmering onyx itself." clapped El-Hajij. "Perhaps my greatest warrior shall enjoy this performance also....call for him."
A large gong sounded, and escorted in with two beautiful women at each side and on a trail of freshly laid rose petals, emerged none other than Joxer. Rubbing his eyes in shock, Joxer recognized the harem girl performing in the great hall.
"XENA????? WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE????" exclaimed Joxer in shock.
"XENA?! AT LONG LAST WE MEET!" exclaimed El-Hajij. "SEIZE THEM!!!!!"
Xena's eyes suddenly lit in shock over her discovery as palace guards flooded the room. Grabbing a goblet of wine, oil, and a torch, Xena took a quick gulp and spat the wine out, shooting a quick burst of flame that threw the initial wave of guards off-balance.
"ULULULULULU!" cried out Xena as backflipped onto the dining table and kicked a guard in the face. "SHEEEEYAAAA!" roared Xena again as she flipped another guard, knocking him unconscious. More guards filled the room, and Xena quickly decided to make her escape. Dashing for a window, Xena kicked another guard away and sprinted for the escape.
"STOP!" demanded Ranaath.
Xena turned around.
"If you escape the dullard you call a friend dies....." evilly smiled Ranaath as he stood over Joxer, with sword aimed at his throat. Joxer remained motionless in a cold sweat, giving an apologetic shrug. The other guards entered, bringing in Gabrielle as their prisoner.
Xena reluctantly surrendered as El-Hajij's elite guards, his Semphari assassins, finally arrived and grabbed Xena, Gabrielle, and Joxer and carried them away.
"I will deal with her in due time." angrily spoke El-Hajij. "Behold, noble Hazezon Tamarr, noble Ranaath, and noble Telim Tor, we are besieged by cobras! Who brought this so-called 'gift' to me????"
"SIDAR JABARI!" angrily roared the crowd.
"YES!" confidently roared El-Hajij back. "And where is he now? GONE! Like a coward with no honor he comes as friend and unleashes a foe, this foreign witch in our land.....do you want to keep an alliance with this dishonorable traitor? Do you, brave Ranaath."
"NO!" angrily cursed Ranaath.
"Do you, mighty Telim Tor?" asked El-Hajij.
"NO!" roared Telim Tor.
"Then I say join me and my new vision of the Araby kingdom. With our might, our steel, our honor, we shall re-shape the world and restore an even greater dominion beyond the horizons. WHAT SAY YOU???!!!!" roared El-Hajij.
"DEATH TO ZHALFIRIN TRAITORS! DEATH TO SIDAR JABARI!!!" chanted the Suq'Atar and Askari.
"And you, noble Hazezon Tamarr, will you not join our holy war?" asked El-Hajij.
"No." quietly spoke Hazezon Tamarr. "I will no longer ally myself with the treacherous Zhalfirin tribe, but their blood will not be on my hands."
"Then go in peace." sternly asserted El-Hajij. "But beware. The Zhalfirin vipers come in fair form......"
Hazezon Tamarr gave each of them a glare of distrust as he and his escort force left the banquet hall.
"My new brethren....." confidently spoke El-Hajij. "This is truly a time to celebrate. I will deal with the traitors while you enjoy my hospitality." With a wave of his hand two dozen more harem girls entered the great hall with food, wine, and more.
"Let the revels begin....." evilly whispered El-Hajij to himself.
* * *
Meanwhile, Sidar Jabari and his men rode hard and fast in the desert night back to their camp. Finally arriving on site, they found the area remarkably calm.
"M'lord!" exclaimed a Zhalfirin soldier guarding the gate. "We did not expect you until morning!"
"What happened? Where did they attack from?" demanded Sidar Jabari.
"Attack, what attack?" asked Subarrik, one of the Zhalfirin commanders who emerged from the camp. "My lord, nothing has happened here."
"Blast! I've been tricked by one of El-Hajij's ruses!" cursed Sidar Jabari. "Get me a fresh horse and summon forty of the Zhalfirin knights in the camp. Summon Mustava at once and send to the Femeref encampment to the west. GO! NOW!"
* * *
Meanwhile, in a prison dungeon in the bowels of El-Hajij's palace, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Autolycus sat in their prison cage cell under heavy guard by the Semphari assassins.
"I cannot believe you just did that!!!" angrily scolded Gabrielle. "Just go in as yell out, 'XENA', like that in the grand palace hall with all of his assassins looking on. Couldn't you tell she was in disguise and trying to infiltrate through???"
"Okay....okay....so I messed up...." cowered Joxer. "I was invited by El-Hajij who thought I was this great warrior! How was I to know that he was just using me as a means to positively identify Xena?"
"Because you're stupid, Joxer." sarcastically answered Autolycus. "You let yourself get conned and manipulated by him."
"Oh, and I suppose those fancy clothes weren't part of the way El-Hajij tricked you!" angrily replied Gabrielle. "You were supposed to find out what his plans were, remember?"
"Okay....okay....you're right....." acknowledged Autolycus. "But this is real silk!"
"I'm very, very, very happy for you....." sarcastically replied Gabrielle. "But we need to think of a way to get out of here! We gotta save Xena before the gods know what that tyrant El-Hajij does to her!"
* * *
In another dungeon cell far on the other end of the palace, Xena laid on the floor immobilized, wrapped in the coils of giant python which pinned her arms at her sides and legs together. A coil of the serpent was loosely let dangerous wrapped around her neck.
El-Hajij entered the chamber.
"Cute pet you have, El-Hajij.....what do you feed it?" sarcastically joked Xena.
"Oh, small goats, occasionally a side of raw beef, but mostly traitors and spies....." evilly smiled El-Hajij. "My pet is quite well-trained....a lesser animal would have crushed you to death by now."
"Gee....lucky me." replied Xena.
"No, for you Xena I give you a slow, crushing death by the serpent's embrace. Slowly it will get harder and harder to breathe until at last your lungs and heart will beat no more......" confidently boasted El-Hajij. "Your theatrics in the hall was the spike I needed to split the alliance asunder...now the Suq'Atar and Askari follow me with the Zhalfirin and Femeref to fend for themselves alone."
"Nice plan...but why Joxer?" questioned Xena.
"Autolycus is dumb, but not dumb enough to give away your appearance, Xena, for I have never laid eyes on you until now. I knew that you were beautiful and would try to infiltrate in through my weakness for beauty. It was just a question of when and how; Joxer was merely my guarantee on your identification." explained El-Hajij.
"You will be dead before sunrise....I promise it....." sternly replied Xena as she struggled.
"HA!" laughed El-Hajij. "Only in your last visions of life......goodbye, Xena." El-Hajij departed the dungeon cell and locked the door.
Slowly the great serpent began to tighten its grip on Xena. Despite her efforts to slip an arm free, the serpent would compensate with its body, retaining its deathgrip on her. Xena began to pant from difficulty to get a full breath in. Desperate, Xena bit into the thick, leathery hide of the serpent, piercing its skin and drawing blood.
The serpent hissed in pain for the first time in its life and quickly retracted its coils, releasing Xena. Xena rolled away to the side and quickly got to her feet as the serpent regained its bearings and assumed an attack stance with its head, almost in an attempt to swallow her whole.
The serpent struck, meeting a spinning kick delivered to the head by Xena. Momentarily stunned, Xena again responded with another spinning kick to its head, knocking it back. Grabbing an old manacle and chain from the floor, Xena wielded the makeshift flail and struck another blow to the head, this time the manacle embedding itself. Whipping its death throes, the serpent at last collapsed.
I wonder how much that will fetch in the open market in Weyliff." sarcastically quipped Xena as she began picking the lock with a piece of metal.
* * *
Meanwhile, back in the dungeon Gabrielle, Joxer, and Autolycus attempted a means of escape.
"Hey there, big boy...." seductively smiled Gabrielle at a Semphari guard. "I'm feeling kind of lonely....."
"I don't think the 'seduce the guard into giving you the key' technique is going to work, Gabrielle." commented Autolycus. "I mean, the Semphari elite guard have access to their own harem supplied by El-Hajij. Well, no offense, but you aren't really a match for them in the seduction category."
"None taken..." angrily grunted Gabrielle as she punched Autolycus in the gut.
"So what are they going to do with us?" lamented Joxer.
"Oh I don't know...." shrugged Autolycus as he sat down in the cell. "They'll probably chop off my head in the public square as an exhibition.....sell Gabrielle into slavery....they'll probably neuter you like a dog, Joxer."
"Well that's not so bad....I mean....HEY.....
"None of that is going to happen!" interrupted Gabrielle. "We mustn't panic....but we need to plan a way to escape."
* * *
Xena had stealthily moved through the shadows avoiding the guard until at last she reached a dungeon storehouse where the Semphari kept the recently acquired weapons from the prisoners.
Xena had stealthily moved through the shadows avoiding the guard until at last she reached a dungeon storehouse where the Semphari kept the recently acquired weapons from the prisoners.
"Let's see....what have we here....." whispered Xena to herself. "Here's Joxer's old armor....Autolycus's old outfit......ah! Here we are! The knapsack left by Sidar Jabari.....I guess the Semphari lost interest when they didn't find any gold in it."
Xena opened the pack revealing her battle armor, leather boots and guards, and chakram.
"Time to keep a promise to El-Hajij....." smiled Xena.
* * *
By this time El-Hajij, Ranaath, and Telim Tor were in the war room planning the assault against Sidar Jabari and his forces.
"The main force of Askari cavalry shall attack from the south...and while Jabari is shoring up his defenses and attempting to negotiate, my Semphari shall attack from his flank, leaving him open for the final attack with the Suq'Atar. Within a few weeks the capital city of Ishtar will be ours." spoke El-Hajij.
"Well done." complemented Ranaath. "I can see now that Sidar Jabari is really a politician whose warrior senses have been dulled with talk and false promises. The Suq'Atar shall be ready."
"As will the Askari." added Telim Tor. "But what of the Feremef?"
"By the time word reaches their main fortress in Andakhar, the Zhalfir would have fallen and Sidar Jabari's head would be resting on a stake in the desert sun. Hazezon Tamarr is an old man and is no longer the great warrior he was before....he would either join us, capitulate to our will, or die as Jabari dies." replied El-Hajij.
"So it is agreed....this night begins the fall of the Zhalfirin clan and the dawn of a new age in the Araby kingdom!" yelled out Ranaath confidently.
"Don't count your victories before the banner falls, gentlemen...." sternly replied Xena as she entered the room with chakram in hand. "Can't you see you're being tricked by El-Hajij? He's only using you to shatter the alliance so he can eventually take over! Didn't the battles of your fathers and brothers teach you anything???? El-Hajij is the devil, pitting brother and brother for his own personal goal of conquest."
"How DARE you speak to us in such a manner, Xena." interceded Ranaath. "You are nothing more than a filthy gutter child who got lucky and a won few skirmishes. You are no true warrior."
"Only one way to find out, mighty prince." sternly smiled Xena as Ranaath drew his sword. As Ranaath advanced, Xena dropped her chakram to the floor. "Although I despise you Ranaath I will not fight you for I know that you are a warrior of honor and will not strike at an unarmed foe.....and you know that my fight is with that venomous snake El-Hajij...."
"BAH!" scoffed Ranaath. "Die like the verminous filth that you truly are!"
Xena stood firm as Ranaath slashed with his sword, only to be parried by the blade of Telim Tor.
"So it's true...." sternly said Telim Tor as he cautiously paced near Xena. "You have conspired with demons like El-Hajij, Ranaath, and have forsaken your honor....no true warrior would strike down an unarmed combatant...you have sold your soul to the devil incarnate....this was all a ruse!"
"Forget honor, Telim Tor!" yelled El-Hajij. "What has it gotten you?! Idle political prattle from Sidar Jabari and promises that are never kept? I offer you a chance to re-shape Araby in a bright and glorious future....will you be a part of it, or a victim of it? With your steel, Ranaath's valor, and my cunning, even Caesar himself will cower before our fury! What say you?"
"Without honor.......we are nothing....." quietly replied Telim Tor as he attacked Ranaath with his sword. El-Hajij drew his scimitar as Xena kicked up her chakram and deflected the first strike delivered by him.
"Not bad for an old man...." smiled Xena. "SHEEEEYAA!" she cried out as his leaped into the air and onto the table.
El-Hajij responded with a quick strike, throwing a small dagger that slashed Xena's left arm.
"I'll live long enough to see you dead at my feet, witch!" replied El-Hajij.
"My sentiments exactly." replied Xena as she threw her chakram at El-Hajij, shattering his scimitar into pieces before returning to her hand.
"Peasant skills." replied El-Hajij as he quickly threw three throwing knives at Xena. Xena deflected two of the knives but missed deflecting the third, landing in her left leg. Xena yelled in pain and dropped to a knee while Ranaath and Telim Tor continued their battle.
El-Hajij smiled and drew another throwing knife. "The next time you have a chance to kill your foe, Xena, don't hestitate...."
Xena cried out in agony as she quickly pulled the knife out of her leg and threw it at El-Hajij, impaling him in his throat. El-Hajij's eyes lit up in shock as he fell dead to the floor.
"Thanks for the advice....I'll use it sometime." smiled Xena.
Ranaath and Telim Tor continued their battle until at last Telim Tor proved the better fighter, slashing Ranaath in the stomach with his blade. Ranaath slumped to the floor, slowly dying.
"Fool......" weakly muttered Ranaath. "The world...could have.....been.....ours......"
"Your world, Ranaath, is a world without honor, and not a world for me." quietly spoke Telim Tor as he helped Xena to her feet. "Come on, we must bandage your wound and get you out of here before the poison in those knives kill you and hope that the Semphari didn't hear what happened....we are lucky that El-Hajij keeps his war room isolated from the rest of the palace, but we must hurry."
"Thank you." replied Xena.
* * *
Telim Tor had smuggled Xena out of the palace through a carpet carried by his men, on the pretense of receiving a "gift of good will" from El-Hajij. Falsifying the royal seal of El-Hajij on a papyrus scroll from the war room, Telim Tor manufactured the release of Joxer, Gabrielle, and Autolycus to his control.
"Just shut up and come with me if you want to live." sternly said Telim Tor as he and his Askari warriors escorted them into the wagon.
"Hey, now wait a minute....I...."
"SHUT.....UP...JOXER!!!!" whispered Xena from underneath the wagon.
Moments later the small Askari caravan departed the grand palace of the now deceased El-Hajij. Into the night they traveled, meeting the small expeditionary force of Sidar Jabari.
"Hold!" cried out Sidar Jabari as he halted his forces. "Telim Tor of the Askari tribe, are we now friend, or do we stand against each other as foe?"
"Believe what you will, Sidar Jabari, but leave your politicking to the old and feeble. The next time I will not fetch your excess baggage from the palace of El-Hajij. Your ally Xena is hurt, and is the only reason why the Askari will still aid you against the armies of the dead El-Hajij....but expect the Suq'Atar to attack within the next few days alongside Semphari banners." threatened Telim Tor as he and his men rode off, leaving the wagon behind.
* * *
Four days passed and Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer, and Autolycus recovered under the protection of Sidar Jabari. On the fifth day Xena and Gabrielle said goodbye to Joxer and Autolycus, who sailed back to Greece. On the sixth day, Xena and Gabrielle prepared to depart.
"I am sorry the alliance is broken, Sidar." said Xena sternly.
"Allow me first to apologize in involving you in the first place." spoke Sidar. "The alliance is not broken, only changed. Thanks to you El-Hajij is dead, and the Semphari are in chaos without a strong leader....the Suq'Atar are venting their anger of the death of their prince on the Semphari since they believe that El-Hajij betrayed Ranaath and they both died in the struggle, while we maintain some decent standing with the Feremef and Askari. It is an uneasy peace and an even shakier alliance, but it will do."
"Ride swift as the wind, Sidar Jabari..." said Xena as she and Gabrielle rode out the gate.
"May the desert sun shield you from the night....." replied Sidar as he waved goodbye to the two.
"All that time in Weyliff and all I got was this stupid smock!!!" muttered Gabrielle as she inspected the only item she could afford in the marketplace.
"Catchy phrase, Gabrielle......maybe you should write it on the smock and sell it in the markets." replied Xena.
"You think so?" asked Gabrielle.