By Mike Ciani
Xena woke up early, an hour before sunrise. Gabrielle was still asleep. "As usual she's hard to wake up," Xena silently mused. Xena nudged Gabrielle in the side and Gabrielle groaned, "OK, OK I am awake Xena. Sheesh."
Xena quietly got dressed in her battle armor while Gabrielle went outside to the water trough near the center of the village. After a nice cold long cold drink of water, Gabrielle found Xena speaking with Ephiny and a small group of Amazons.
Xena asked Gabrielle, "Are your ready to move out yet? I found some tracks leading away from the village, and I am willing to bet that if we follow those tracks, we'll find where those mysterious Amazon women disappeared to."
The Amazon search party, led by Xena and Ephiny, started tracking the two Amazon women who had snuck out of the village the night before. Gabrielle approached Xena and asked, "Xena, what do you make of all this? Two Amazons leave the village in the middle of the night. They wear different markings than this tribe does. That and that mysterious amulet shows up. What does it all mean?"
"Gabrielle, I am not sure. Might be renegade Amazons we're dealing with trying to spy on Ephiny's tribe. If we catch up with those two sneaks though, then we'll get a few answers."
"Are you certain you two made it easy enough to follow you?", Alti croaked.
"Yes, mistress. A child could follow our tracks, much less the great Warrior Princess.", grinned Conara.
"Excellent then. Xena will be here soon. Tell everyone to meet in the village square, especially Olya and Callisto. I want to make sure everyone knows what to do and make sure there is no chance for failure."
"Understood, mistress," a bowing Leytia said as she left.
Alti walked over to a bound Joxer and hissed in his ear, "And you, my pathetic little man... You will make for the perfect bait for Xena. Conara, take him to the village square and tie him up to the wooden stake there. Leave him gagged, so he can't speak. We wouldn't wnat him to warn his friends of their upcoming doom, now would we. Hahahaha!"
Conara dragged Joxer away while he was screaming muffled obscenities at Alti.
"Alti...", a mysterious voice whispered.
"Ah, it's you.", the evil shamaness replied, "I was wondering when you'd show up again. After all, you do have a big interest in all of this now, don't you."
"But of course I do my dear. After all, where would your plan be if I hadn't given you your life back. And naturally, you'd have a real problem trying to steal Xena's powers without the amulet I gave you."
"Yes, tonight, on the night of the full moon, Xena's powers will be all mine.", Alti laughed, "Then with that, my Amazon warriors will crush that fool, Ephiny, and her bunch, and it will be the start of a new world order."
"Hmmm... A new world order led by me. Remember who is in charge her Alti. I gave you the power to defeat Xena and I can also take it away."
"Do not worry. I will not betray someone as powerful as yourself. My rise to greatness will be a tribute to you and your brilliance." Alti bowed.
"Yes, I like that. I do like that. Hehehehe. Just remember that anyone who defies me pays the price for it in the end. For example, Xena and Callisto. I offered them both greatness and they both rejected my offers. Now, they will be wiped out for my cause.", the well-muscled man roared.
"Yes, my lord, I am not foolish enough to just pass up on such power as those two fools did.", Alti stated wickedly.
"Well, after you have claimed Xena's powers, I want her to face my wrath. Then she'll be sorry for leaving me..."
"And what of Callisto, my lord?", Alti interrupted.
"Callisto, well...who really cares what you do to the witch after you take Xena's power. She's only here as a tool to distract Xena anyways. She is one of Xena's weaknesses.", the man replied with a shrug.
"If I might suggest almighty one. She has a lot of pain in her past that I can use to my advantage.", Alti cackled.
"Very well, sounds good to me. That crazy loon caused me some major headaches when she killed my nephew," he seethed.
"Hmmm...yes your nephew, Strife. Don't worry lord Ares, when I am done with her, she'll wish she was at your side instead of bowing at your feet.", Alti laughed.
Then, the god of war just smirked confidently.