By Mike Ciani
Joxer had a lot of panicky thoughts running through his head at the moment. "Tied to a stake, gagged by that ugly hag, and my friends are going to be hurt or worse because of me...just great."
Joxer looked around to see the Amazon girls in the village placing barriers and weapons in strategic locations. He spotted Leytia, going over to Callisto's hut. She entered it quickly and left it just as quickly. Soon Olya followed her out. Callisto then emerged from the hut with a very determined look on her face.
Joxer then had a thought. He dismissed it at first as being silly, but figured he had nothing to lose by trying it. Joxer screamed loudly and even though his screams were muffled by the gag over his mouth, he was able to attract some attention. Unfortunately, he didn't gain Callisto's attention as he wanted to.
Olya however, did take notice of Joxer's screams and she stopped to look at the warrior wannabe who was tied up.
Joxer figured that this was his best chance, so he made a ridiculous face and motioned with his eyes to signal to Olya for her to come over.
The young priestess cautiously walked over to the tied up man. She went right up next to him finally and said, "What?"
Joxer's eyes motioned towards the gag on his mouth. Olya pulled it down with a quick jerk, so he oculd speak clearly. Joxer put his tongue out in disgust and gagged. Then he gasped, "Ewww...tastes like sweat."
Olya placed her hands on her hips and stared impatiently at Joxer. Shen then frowned and cocked her head sideways. "Is that the reason you wanted me to come over here? So you could tell me how your gag tastes? Are you really as dumb as your outfit makes you look?"
Olya then started reaching for the gag to replace it, but Joxer yelled, "Hey, hey wait a minute. I need to tell you something."
"What. What is it that you need to say? You better not try any tricks because I am not releasing you."
Joxer shook his head saying, "No, you have to listen to me. It's about Alti. She's planning on getting rid of Callisto after all this is over with."
Olya squinted at Joxer and then just shrugged, "So, why should I care? She's partially to blame for my mother's death, just like Xena is."
Joxer then exclaimed with a laugh, "You know, you are just like her."
"I am NOTHING like XENA!", Olya huffed.
Joxer chuckled, "No, I meant you are just like Callisto. You even resemble her a bit. Listen kid, I have known Callisto for a few years now, heck, I even tried to join her army once."
Olya laughed, "No offense, but I can't imagine YOU in HER army. Heehee."
"Well, I had to bring Gabrielle to her and I couldn't do it. So, Callisto tied me up and Xena rescued me. Funny how things work out. I could be dead or rotting away in some prison right now if I had joined Callisto's army. Instead, I've become good friends with Xena and Gabrielle, and I help them fight evil."
Olya smirked and stated, "Funny, it looked like you were a bit more than friends with Gabrielle. To put your life on the line by stepping in front of Xena to protect her at the Amazon village that day."
"Listen Olya. I really...urm...like Gabrielle. She just doesn't recognize how much yet. I also know Xena pretty well and she wasn't herself that day. Ares had filled her with anger and hatred. I am sorry your mother died and if I know Xena like I do, I'm sure she is very sorry as well."
Olya screamed, "So sorry...that she couldn't come to the village. She never once stopped back to see what damage she caused. She doesn't know my pain. No one knows what I am feeling. But killing Xena will make things right. It has to."
Joxer just shook his head dismally, "I think you know that revenge won't do that for you. You've spent some time around Callisto. She knows your pain, because she lives with it everyday. Look at her for some guidance. Do you want to go down the same dark path that she did?"
Just then, Alti screamed as she was emerging from her hut to the village square, "Olya, what are you doing? Put that gag back on him now."
Joxer whispered, "Do what's right, OK. Honor your mother's memory." Joxer then motioned with his eyes to the gag and Olya then put it back over his mouth.
Callisto joined Alti and Olya in the square. Callisto nodded her head towards Joxer, who quickly averted his eyes away from hers.
Then the shout rang out, "They're coming!"
"Excellent. Everyone in battle postions. The time has finally come.", Alti laughed.