Disclaimers: I don’t own these characters the nice people who produce Xena do. Although I do own a very active imagination which constantly conjures up new stories.
Sex: Not since I was…..ooops, yes there is sex in this story, although nothing too graphic. Same gender sex so if you live in a place where it’s illegal, please doesn’t read this.
This is a stand alone story, but if you’re wondering who some of the characters are, you’ll need to read the Lycea book.
One More Little Ditty: I know you’re all thinking why in Tartarus is Herbard writing a story about Cyrene? Well…I always liked Cyrene from day one and have felt that the poor woman has been overlooked. So I decided to write a short story for her.
Please e-mail me: herbard@yahoo.com
********************
Cyrene stood at the back door of the inn watching Xena and her family head back to their home on the outskirts of Amphipolis. It had been a fun evening for the family. Xena and Gabrielle had brought the children for dinner and had ended up staying until very late. Cyrene had even managed to get her daughter to sing a couple of songs. Solon and Lycea were getting bigger every day and soon they wouldn’t’ have time for family get togethers. Lycea at three was shooting up like a weed. Cyrene remembered Xena at that age and how much taller she was than the other children. It looked as though Lycea was going to have Xena’s build but thankfully Gabrielle’s temper. Although Gabrielle was known to lose her temper on occasion, especially if she felt her children were being threatened!
As much as Cyrene enjoyed these times with her children and grandchildren there was something missing. Xena had Gabrielle, Toris hadn’t been home in years, and Lila was with Kar. Everyone had someone in his or her life, except for Cyrene. Not that she was feeling sorry for herself, but after a long hard day at the inn it would be nice to have someone to share her day with.
Not since Xena’s father has she been intimate with anyone, and even then the physical act was never any more than sex. Their relationship had been lacking warmth and love. With her husband it had been battle lust.
Cyrene wondered what it would be like to hold someone and caress them, kiss them, love them. It had been so long, so very long.
‘You old fool,’ she said out loud to no one. ‘Standing here daydreaming like a child.’ She closed the back door and locked up the inn for the night. Morning would some soon enough and she needed her rest to better face the busy day.
A loud noise from downstairs woke Cyrene. She jumped out of bed and quietly went in search of the source. It sounded as if it had come from the kitchen. Cyrene went behind the bar and pulled out a wooden bat she kept there in case one of the customer’s became unruly. She had used it more than once and was glad it was within easy reach.
Barely making a noise, she crept up to the kitchen door and stood outside listening intently. Instead of anticipated whispers from would be thieves, she heard laughing. It sounded like Gabrielle. In fact she was sure it was Gabrielle. Slowly, Cyrene opened the door and entered the kitchen. Xena, Gabrielle and Solan were busily working away while Lycea played in her little pen. Xena was gathering pots together while Gabrielle and Solan were peeling potatoes.
‘Hi Mom,’ Xena said cheerily.
Gabrielle walked over to Cyrene and gave her a kiss in the cheek. ‘Good morning mom.’
‘What in the know world is going on?’
Xena placed the pots down and walked over to her mother. She took the older woman’s hands in hers and smiled. ‘Mom, you’re taking a vacation!’
‘What?” came the shocked answer.
‘Mom, I can’t ever remember you taking a vacation. It’s about time you did something for you.’
‘Nonsense, I don’t need a vacation.’ Cyrene grabbed a hand towel and went over to the pile of carrots waiting to be peeled.
Xena followed her mother and put on her best warrior stare. ‘What part of the word vacation don’t you understand?’
‘Xena, you may use that look on your enemies but it won’t work on me, I’m your mother, you don’t scare me!’
Xena was starting to become angry with her mother. She loved Cyrene dearly but sometimes she could be such a mother. Gabrielle could see her wife start to lose her temper so she decided to intercept and put her bardly skills to work.
‘Mom, what Xena is trying to say in an untactful way, you more than deserve some time to yourself.’ Gabrielle could feel Xena glaring at her. ‘Every day it’s the same thing, get up cook; take care of the customers and then to bed. Mom, wouldn’t it be nice to sleep in for a change?’
Cyrene looked at Gabrille and then to Xena. ‘Please Gram?’ Solan pleaded.
‘Okay.’ The older woman broke into a huge grin, then went and hugged her daughters and grandchildren.
An hour later they were still trying to get Cyrene to leave, but she kept thinking of things to tell them to do. ‘Mother!’ Xena bellowed. ‘I grew up in this inn and if I don’t know how to run it by now, I never will, now SCRAM!’
Cyrene scooted out of the inn and into the bright, warm sunshine. She couldn’t remember the last time she outside enjoying a warm summer day. Now that she was free, she planned on making the most of her time away from the inn. Cyrene knew exactly what she was going to do, and where she was going to do it. Gabrielle had packed her a nice lunch with strict orders not to be home until dinner.
Cyrene’s first stop was the local library. Kar and Lila had started the library, ‘a rather novel idea,’ Gabrielle had said. Scrolls from all over had either been donated or purchased. You were allowed to go in, pick out a scroll and take it home for three days to read. Cyrene was looking forward to losing herself in a juicy scroll.
She entered the library. It was rather an ingenious structure. Xena and Kar built it together on a small lot of and on the edge of the Village. Knowing that scrolls needed to be kept dry and cool, the two women made the library so it was below ground. Xena helped Kar break ground and from there the library was completed in a few short days.
‘Good morning Cyrene,’ Kar said.
‘Hello, dear.’
Since the loss of her own mother, Kar and Cyrene had formed a bond similar to mother and daughter. Cyrene knew she could never take the place of Kar’s own mother, nor did she want to, but she had become fond of the girl.
‘I hear you’re off on vacation for the week.’
‘Xena, Gabrielle and Solan are helping out,’ Cyrene said as she picked up a couple of scrolls and inspected their contents.
‘Lila and I are taking turns as well. Lila is helping tonight with dinner and I have tomorrow morning.’ Kar could see the frown on Cyrene’s face. ‘Now before you say anything, Cyrene, when Xena told us their plans, Lila and I wanted to help, so keep out of it,’ she said laughing.
‘What about school? Who’s going to be teaching school?’
‘Not to worry, the children are on school break.’
Cyrene knew she wouldn’t win here either, so she smiled and shrugged her shoulder in defeat.
Kar walked over to Cyrene and gave her a big hug. ‘Cyrene, I took the liberty of finding a couple of good scrolls for you to read.’ Kat handed the scrolls to the older woman and smiled. ‘Now scram!’
‘Nobody wants me around today,’ Cyrene laughed.
‘Nothing personal, we all just want you to enjoy your time off.’
Cyrene took the scroll and left. The sun was all the way up and the day was going to be warm. It would be a perfect day to sit by the river and read.
So off the older woman went. Once at the river she found a perfect spot to settle into; a grassy patch right at the water’s edge with a nice shade tree for when it became too warm. A large rock with a slight hollow made the perfect backrest along with the soft, plush grass. That coupled with the warmth of the sun made for a restful spot.
Two hours later Cyrene had finished reading her scrolls. The stories had been entertaining but lacked the excitement of Gabrielle’s work. Her scrolls had adventure, romance and excitement. All the things lacking in the scrolls Cyrene had just read. Not everyone could be as gifted as Gabrielle.
A noise from some nearby bushes brought Cyrene out of her thoughts. ‘You stupid woman, get a move on,’ came the gruff, male voice. ‘We don’t have all day. If it weren’t for you, we would have already been there. You’re a slacker and a whore.’
‘I’m sorry,’ replied the timid female voice.
The voices came closer, finally stopping at the river’s edge. Cyrene looked up and saw a man and woman filling water sacks. The man was big and burly, his clothes tattered and worn. The woman, who’s back was to Cyrene was short, around Cyrene’s height, her hair coloring was a beautiful auburn color. Her clothes torn we well. The man glanced over and saw Cyrene. The two made eye contact and Cyrene didn’t like what she saw. His eyes were dark and filled with hate. Shivers went up the older woman’s spine when she saw the depths of hate in the strangers face. She didn’t trust this man standing before her, and wished Xena was here to protect her.
The woman turned around and gasped when she saw Cyrene. ‘Cyrene!’
Cyrene did a double take as she looked at the woman. ‘Ria? It is you!’ Cyrene got up and went to the woman hugging her tightly. She felt a surge go through her when she touched the auburn haired woman.
‘Who in Tartarus are you?’ the man bellowed.
The woman named Ria pulled away from Cyrene and began to shake as she faced the man. ‘Scorpias, this is a friend of mine Cyrene. She owns the local inn. Well, at least she used to,’ Ria said with a shaky voice.
Cyrene looked at her old friend, and felt her heart flip as she remembered the last time they met. Ria had been traveling from Amazon country when a bad storm had forced her off the road and into Cyrene’s inn. Cyrene took the Amazon in and refused any money from the woman when she found out Ria knew Xena and Gabrielle. Ria ended up spending a week at the inn. She and Cyrene had become fast friends, sharing their inner most thoughts and secrets. When the weather cleared Ria had to get back on the road. She had promised to come back and visit but Cyrene sadly, had never seen her again. That had been three years ago, and there hadn’t been a day go by that Cyrene hadn’t thought of the beautiful auburn haired Amazon.
From Ria’s appearance a lot had happened in three years. She was traveling with a man. A man who looked less than reputable. She herself looked tired and defeated; like the weight of the known world was on her shoulders.
‘Yes Ria, I still own the inn.’
‘Fine, then I will stay there,’ the man stated.
Cyrene didn’t like him one bit. She didn’t like his attitude or his looks. She was glad Xena would be at the inn when they arrived.
‘I’ll be happy to show you the way.’
‘We don’t want to intrude Cyrene.’
With that statement Scorpias backhanded Ria across the face. ‘You speak when spoken to.’
Cyrene started to interfere but Ria shook her head no. ‘No matter,’ Cyrene thought to herself, ‘wait until my daughter meets the likes of this man.’
Cyrene led the way back to the inn. Ria stayed behind Scorpias, and never uttered a word. Scorpius on the other hand was trying to charm Cyrene in the hopes he could get her into bed. She would be new meat, a change from Ria, who he was getting rather tired of.
The trio entered the inn right around dinnertime. Xena was tending the bar while Gabrielle and Kar waited tables. Solan had his own duties, clearing the tables and washing dishes.
Xena looked up from her duties and saw her mother and the two visitors. She recognized the woman as an Amazon from Ephiny’s tribe. But what was she doing traveling with a man? She walked over to the trio and shook Ria’s hand. ‘Ria, good to see you again.’
‘Xena,’ the woman said quietly.
Cyrene looked for Gabrielle and saw her standing by a table talking to its occupants. She was smiling and joking with the young couple eating. Gabrielle glanced over at Cyrene, and excused herself when she saw the older woman motion for her. ‘Ria!.’
Cyrene cut Gabrielle off before she had a chance to speak any further. ‘Gabrielle, please show our guests a table and then a room.’
‘Of course. Please follow me.’ Gabrille knew there was more going on but did as her mother asked. The two followed her to a table and sat. They gave their order and waited for Xena to bring them drinks, which she did a few moments later.
Cyrene excused herself to go to the kitchen, while Xena and Gabrille converged at the bar.
‘What’s going on?’ asked Gabrielle.
‘I don’t know, but I’m going to find out. I do know one thing, there’s something about that man I don’t care for.’
Gabrielle nodded her head in agreement.
Cyrene was in the kitchen peeling potatoes when Xena entered. She could tell her mother was upset by how hard and fast she was peeling the vegetable. She walked over to her mother and gently took the peeler from her hand and placed it on the wooden counter.
‘Mom, what’s going on?’
‘I don’t know daughter. I met them down by the river. Ria is traveling alone with THAT man! Xena, I don’t like him, I think he’s hurting Ria.’
‘I wondered that myself. I noticed old bruises on her face and arms. Did she say where Avra is?’
‘No, and that’s why I’m worried.’
‘Don’t worry mother, we’ll get to the bottom of it. I think I’ll stay here tonight.’
Cyrene brightened, she felt better knowing Xena would be there. She didn’t trust Scorpias as far as she could throw him.
The last of the patrons had left the inn, leaving Cyrene to clean up. Xena had left to walk Gabrielle, Lycea and Solan home. She would be back shortly with Argo. Scorpias entered the room and went straight to the bar hoping to score with Cyrene.
‘Nice place ya got here Cyrene.’
‘I do all right.’
‘I notice that it needs a man’s touch.’ Scorpias leaned in close to Cyrene. She could smell his foul breath and body odor. ‘I’d be willing to apply for the job.’
‘Thank you, but I don’t need a man around here.’
Scorpias could feel his blood starting to boil. She was a stupid woman just like Ria and his mother. If he said she needed a man around the house, she needed a man around the house. He knew best. After all, he was Scorpias!
‘And just why don’t you need a man?’ he asked gruffly.
‘Because she’s got me,’ came the reply.
Scorpias turned around and saw Xena standing in the doorway with her arms crossed.
‘Whatdya got that I don’t got?’
Xena bounced off her feet and headed over to the man. ‘Well, for one thing, I have a REALLY mean temper when provoked. You know if someone were threatening my family, I’d want to kill them.’
Scorpius gulped and stepped back away from the Warrior Princess. He had heard of Xena’s reputation and didn’t want to be on the receiving end of her legendary temper. Instead, he decided to go to bed, and leave first thing in the morning. Amphipolis was not the place he wanted to be. ‘Well ladies, I think I’ll say goodnight.’ With that he turned and left Cyrene and Xena at the bar.
‘Xena, I don’t like him, he makes me nervous. I’m sure he was going to try something if you hadn’t appeared,’ the older woman said as a shiver went down her spine.
Xena put a reassuring arm around her mother’s shoulder. ‘I know, I have the same feeling too. How about we bunk together tonight?’
‘What about Gabrielle?’
‘She’ll be fine, Solan is with her, I don’t think he’ll try anything, he knows I would kill him.’
‘Yes daughter, I think I would feel better.’ Cyrene leaned up and gently placed a mother’s kiss on Xena’s cheek.
‘What’s that for?’
‘Because I’m your mother and I can,’ Cyrene said as she turned and walked away from the bar, leaving a smiling Xena behind.
Morning couldn’t come soon enough for Cyrene. Xena had tossed and turned all night keeping the older woman awake. She guessed it was due to Xena being separated from Gabrielle. The older woman quickly dressed leaving a still sleeping Xena in bed. She went downstairs and entered the kitchen and gasped when she saw Ria curled up like a ball on the floor. Cyrene immediately went to her friends’ side and was shocked by what she saw. Ria had been beaten; her face all swollen and bloodied.
‘Oh Cyrene, I hurt,’ came the weak voice.
‘I know honey, hang on I need to go get Xena.’ Cyrene hurried back upstairs and woke Xena. The Warrior flew out of bed and was at Ria’s side long before Cyrene made it back. Xena gently picked up the ailing woman and carried her to Cyrene’s bed.
‘Ria, what happened?’
Ria felt so ashamed that she had let a man hurt her. She didn’t want her friends to know what really had happened in the night. ‘I fell, clumsy me.’
Xena looked at her mother and frowned. They both knew Ria was lying, but why she was protecting that no good man, was anybody’s guess. A thought occurred to Xena as Cyrene was soaking a cloth to clean Ria’s wounds. The Warrior bent down and took Ria’s hand in hers.
‘Ria, I need you to tell me the truth. I won’t let anything happen to you, I promise. How did he hurt you?’ Xena asked softly.
Ria smiled weakly at Xena and shook her head. ‘Xena, I fell over a sack of potatoes. I didn’t seem them. I’m clumsy like that.’
Xena knew she was getting anywhere with this topic, she’d change to her tactic. ‘Ria, where is Avra?’
The older woman started to get agitated when Xena mentioned Avra’s name. ‘It’s okay Ria, just tell me so I can help.’
‘No you can’t Xena,’ the woman cried. Cyrene brushed her finger across Ria’s brow causing the woman to wince in pain.
‘I’m sorry love,’ Cyrene said without thinking. She hoped Xena had heard the slip of her tongue.
So mother is in love with Ria, Xena smiled to herself. She suspected as much the last time everyone had been together. Ria and Avra had been passing through Amphipolis and had stopped at the inn for the night. One night became a week. Avra, Ria’s 16 year-old daughter had attached herself to Cyrene’s side. The older woman in turn doted on the youngster. Xena had watched her mother and Ria for a walk and they returned they were holding hands. Xena had hoped Ria and Avra would stay longer but Ria’s duties as Royal Amazon Messenger had kept her on the road. Avra was apprenticing with her mother in the hopes that she too would become a Royal Amazon Messenger.
‘Ria, please, you must tell Xena where Avra is,’ Cyrene pleaded.
‘He’ll kill her, he’ll kill me. I don’t care about myself, but he can’t kill her!’
‘He’s not going to kill anyone! If you give me a chance I can help.’
The years of pent up emotions finally fell free in the form of years. ‘It happened right after we left here. Avra and I had been on the road for three days when we came across Scorpias, or rather when he came upon us. We had settled down for the night when he stumbled into camp on the pretext of being injured. His tunic was soaked in what I thought was blood. I later found out it was berry juice. Before I knew what was happening, twenty men were converging on our camp. I tried to fight them off but I was no watch for that many men. They took Avra and I was left bloodied and broken. Scorpias for all the good he is patched me up and made me his slave. He told me if I didn’t do as he said, Avra would be killed. Of course I couldn’t stand by and let them kill my only child.’
‘Why didn’t you come to us for help?’ Cyrene asked.
‘Cyrene I wanted to. You don’t know how many times I started on the road to Amphipolis, to escape that madman. But each time he stopped me and threatened to have Avra killed. I was stuck. Some Amazon, huh?’
Both Xena and Cyrene were angry and hurt that Ria and Avra had been tortured.
‘Ria, where does Scorpias have Avra?’
‘I don’t know. If I did, I would have taken her back a long time ago.’
‘Well then, it’s time to go play Xena, Warrior Princess.’
Scorpias was outside the inn watching Gabrielle and Lycea play. He wanted Gabrielle and decided that he would take her as his. He walked over to the two. Many years experience left Scorpias knowing that making a lot of the child would endear the mother to him.
‘Hi there little one,’ he said gently.
Lycea looked up at him with big blue eyes and started to scream. Gabrielle had never heard her scream like that before. Much to the dismay of Scorpias, everyone came running outside to see what was wrong with the bratty child. Everyone including Xena.
‘Gabrielle, take Lycea in to mother,’ Xena spoke harshly, more so than she had intended with her wife.
Gabrielle picked up her still screaming daughter and took her in to Cyrene. Xena dispersed everyone else until she was left alone with Scorpias. He suddenly felt nervous, very nervous; afraid to be alone with the Warrior Princess. She got right in his face until he could feel her hot breath tickle his nose.
‘I wanna talk to you. You hurt my friend, and I don’t like that,’ Xena said using her best warrior tone.
‘I don’t know what you’re talking about,’ the man said innocently.
‘Don’t lie to me, I know you’ve been beating up Ria and I don’t like it one bit.’
‘She’s mine, I paid for her, I can do what I want to, and you can’t stop me,’ he said more assuredly than he felt.
‘Well you see Scorpias, you’re in Amphipolis and here we don’t allow slavery. It’s against the law. So the way I see it, you’re breaking the law.’
‘Ria and I have an understanding. She likes traveling around with me.’
‘She travels around with you because you stole her daughter and she’s afraid she’ll never get her back!’ Gabrielle piped up.
Xena turned and smiled at her wife. She had felt Gabrielle presence when the younger woman approached.
‘That’s right, we want her back,’ Xena sneered.
‘I’ll never tell.’ Scorpias started to walk away but before he had taken two steps he was on the ground gasping for air.
‘I’ve cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You’ve got 30 seconds to tell me where Avra is or I’ll kill you.’
Scorpias struggled on the ground. She wasn’t kidding, she would walk away and leave him to die right there on the ground. ‘Okay,’ the man gasped. ‘I’ll tell you what you want to know.’
Xena bent down and took the pinch off the man. She gave him a minute to get his breathing under control. ‘Now talk!’ commanded the voice.
‘I sold her to a trader named Veraclese,’ the man gulped.
‘I know him. Where is he?’
‘The last I saw of him he was headed to a small village west of here.’
Xena dragged the man into the barn and tied him to a large cross beam. ‘Gabrielle, I need you to stay here and make sure he doesn’t get away. Mother and Ria couldn’t stop him if he tried.’
Gabrielle went over to her wife and stood on tippy toes and kissed her Warrior. ‘Hurry back, my love.’
‘Oh how touching,’ Scorpias said sarcastically. Before he had a chance to say anymore, Gabrielle backhanded him in the face causing him to momentarily black out.
‘That’s my wife,’ Xena said proudly. She turned to Gabrielle and looked at her with concern. ‘Honey, don’t say anything to Ria about my leaving. I don’t want her to get her hopes up if they’re killed Avra.’
‘I won’t.’
Xena led Argo out of the barn, and mounted the mare. In a flash they were riding off into the west.
Xena and Argo rode a few hours and finally came upon the band of slavers. They were camped just outside the village of Crectos. She could tell they had already been drinking for the better part of the day. They were singing drinking songs and laughing loudly for the whole world to hear. But Xena was patient, she gave them another hour or so of drinking before heading into camp and looking for Avra.
Ria awoke from her sleep and called out for Cyrene who was at her side in seconds. ‘Cyrene, what happened?’ the woman asked frantically.
‘It’s okay, you’re fine.’ Cyrene took a cool cloth and placed it on Ria’s forehead.
‘I must get back to Scorpias, he’ll be looking for me. There will be Tartarus to pay if he can’t find me.’
‘No, Ria, he’s not looking for. He’s busy right now. You might say, he’s tied up with Gabrielle at the moment. You just stay here and rest, my love.’
Ria shut her eyes and let sleep over take her once again. ‘Did Cyrene say my love?’ Ria asked herself. ‘Maybe she does love me,’ were Ria’s last thoughts as she feel back into a restful slumber.
Xena waited three hours before the camp finally quieted down. The only sounds were men snoring and women softly crying from a tent somewhere in the middle of camp. Xena knew that most slavers set up their tents in the middle of camp, making it harder for rescue. But they underestimated someone like Xena Warrior Princess. Slowly and quietly Xena made her way to the tent. She had to walk over sleeping men to get there. One wrong move and thirty men would be on her in a flash.
Once at the tent, Xena boldly pushed the door flap aside and walked in. She was met by one lone guard who was out cold on the ground before he knew what had hit him.
‘Xena!’ came the frightened voice.
Xena turned to the source of the voice and there among 20 or so slaves was Avra. The girl had lost weight and her normally pretty blonde hair was matted and dirty. Xena went to the girl and hugged her tightly. The youngster began to cry once she realized her ordeal was over.
‘It’s okay I’ve got you. It’s over now.’ Xena made sure none of the men would ever hurt another woman. True to her word she took out all 20 men before they knew what or hit them.
The following morning Ria awoke and got out of bed. She had no idea how long she had been asleep only that it felt good not to be kicked awake by Scorpias. Her side hurt, probably bruised ribs, she thought as she made her way down to the kitchen. She could hear Cyrene playing with Lycea as she slowly entered the kitchen.
‘Who’s my big girl?’ Cyrene joked with Lycea.
Lycea laughed and giggled as she played with her grandmother.
‘Am I intruding?” Ria asked as she walked into the kitchen.
Cyrene turned around and watched Ria as she made her way over to she and Lycea.
‘Of course you’re not. How are you feeling?’ Cyrene asked.
‘Much better, thank you. For the first time in a long time my head feels clear, not fuzzy.’
Cyrene reached into her pocket and handed Ria a vile.
‘What’s this?’ Ria asked.
‘Xena found this in Scorpias’ room. She suspects he’s been drugging you. That would account for your inability to fight back. He probably gave you just enough to keep you awake but feeling weak and lethargic.’
Ria felt her blood start to boil. ‘That no good bastard. Where is he?’
‘He’s tied up with Gabrielle at the moment.’
‘It’s no skin off my nose if you don’t want to eat,’ Gabrielle stated.
‘I’ll do more than skin your nose when I get my hand son you,’ Scorpias yelled. He tried to break free of the ropes but they were tied too tightly to let him go anywhere.
Ria looked down at Lycea and smiled. She was such a beautiful child, so happy and content. Something that Ria had long ago forgotten. It had been so long since she had felt happy and content.
‘Cyrene, you are such a lucky woman. You have so much. A family who cares about you.’
‘You can have that too Ria.’
‘No, I lost my chance a long time ago when I let them take Avra.’
‘Ria, listen to me, you didn’t have a choice. You protected your daughter.’
‘By sending her off to become a slave? Oh how she must hate me!’ Ria cried.
‘What would they have done if you hadn’t? Raped her, and killed her while they made you watch!’ Cyrene didn’t know what to do so she took Ria into her arms and held her tightly. The younger woman began to cry and then sob. She finally cried herself our, all the while Cyrene held onto her tightly.
‘Cyrene, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have lost it like that.’
‘Why because you’re an Amazon, and Amazons don’t cry?’
Ria laughed. ‘Something like that.’ Ria looked into Cyrene’s blue eyes and felt a stirring inside she hadn’t felt in a long time. All she saw was love and warmth. Not hardness and hate like she had seen everyday with Scorpias. If only things were different she could stay here with Cyrene and make a life.
‘Mama?’ came the weak voice.
Ria spun around and came face to face with her daughter. ‘Avra?’ asked the shocked woman. The two fell into each other’s arms and stayed that way for quite a while.
Cyrene quietly left to give the two some much needed privacy. She went outside and saw Xena unhitching Argo. Cyrene went to her daughter and gave her a hug and a kiss.
‘Thank you daughter, you don’t know what it means to me to see Ria happy again.’
Xena pulled her mother in for a hug. ‘I think I do mom. You love her very much don’t you?’
The older woman blushed. She had never discussed relationships with Xena and felt a little uncomfortable.
‘It’s okay, you don’t have to talk about it if you don’t want to.’
‘It’s not that Xena, it’s just you and I have never had talks like this. That’s my fault. Maybe if we had things would have been different. Who knows. But yes, I love Ria very much. I have since the first time we met. But this is between you and I.’
‘Why don’t you tell her?’
‘Xena, look at me. I’m a barmaid. I’m at least ten years old than she is. What can I offer someone like Ria? She’s an Amazon. She’s traveled all over, met interesting people. What have I done? Served port for a living to a bunch of drunken men.’
‘She’s an Amazon who has loved you from the first second we met!’
Cyrene looked up and saw Ria standing there with Avra.
Xena smiled and winked at Avra. ‘Avra, I think this is our cue to leave,’ Xena said. Avra smiled and nodded. The two walked off towards the inn leaving Cyrene and Ria their privacy.
‘You do?’ Cyrene asked.
Ria went to Cyrene’s side. ‘Yes I do, so very much. I didn’t think you’d love me after what I let happen to Avra.’’
‘Ria, when we first met, I was so captivated by you. And when you left, you were all I thought about, day and night. At night I dreamt of what it would be like to run the inn with you by my side.’
‘Cyrene, please kiss me,’ Ria asked urgently.
Cyrene took Ria’s hand in hers and leaned in to kiss her true love. Ria winced as Cyrene’s lips met hers.
‘I’m sorry love, perhaps we should wait until your face heals.’
‘I guess you’re right Cyrene. But I promise,’ the woman smiled and winked, ‘it will be well worth the wait.’
Cyrene smiled at Ria then hugged her tightly.
Dinner that night was a festive affair. Avra barely left her mother’s side. Luckily for her the gods were on her side because no physical harm had come to the girl. Her job had been to prepare the slaves for shipment to their new owners. It took many months to get over the guilt she felt at sending those poor girls to a doomed life. Xena promised with Avra’s help to try and free each girl no matter how long it took. In the end, it had only taken Xena a little under a year to locate every girl. Of the 20 girls that had been sent to slaver’s all had been found and released.
Lycea took to Avra right away and followed the young girl all over the inn. Avra enjoyed the attention and would spend hours running around playing with the little girl.
‘Hmm,’ Gabrielle had remarked to Xena, ‘ I think we’ve found a new baby-sitter.’
Two days later Xena caught Ria outside getting water. Her cuts and bruises were almost healed making her face look once again beautiful. Her blonde hair and hazel eyes were once again sparking. Most of the drug Scorpias had given was out of her system, making her feel strong, and alive.
‘Ria, I need to speak with you.’
‘Of course Xena; but before you say anything, I love your mother very much and I promise to take care of her. No more running from my problems.’
‘I know you love mother very much, and you’ll take good care of her. Ria, no one blames you for what happened, especially Avra. They played you both. Each side threatening to kill. That’s what I want to talk to you about. I wanted to give you a few days to heal both physically and mentally. Gabrielle and I have Scorpias tied up in the barn. As an Amazon it’s your decision as to his punishment.’
Ria had almost forgotten about Scorpias! she had been so happy for the last few days. Reality came back to her. Her first thought was to kill the man, so she headed into the bard with that very thought in mind.
Gabrielle was feeding Scorpias when Ria entered. She was angry when she saw the care Gabrielle was giving her former captor. Ria went over to Gabrielle and knocked the plate out of her hand.
‘Ria!’
‘Sorry Gabrielle, but that scum doesn’t deserve to be taken care of. Not after what he did to my family!’ Ria felt all of her strength and power return. Once again she felt like the fierce Amazon she had been. ‘He deserves to die!’ she spat.
‘Ria, are you sure you want to do that? Believe me, revenge isn’t always sweet,’ Gabrielle said softly.
Scorpias felt fear surge through his body. He barely recognized Ria. She looked every ounce the Amazon Warrior, and he was scared, scared of what she would do to him. How many times had he beaten her for little inconsequential things? Too many to remember.
‘Gabrielle, it’s my choice, you know that.’ Ria looked at Gabrielle and saw the compassion in her eyes. She relaxed and felt some of the anger ebb. ‘Gabrielle, you’re right. I wouldn’t be any better than he.’ Ria went and stood directly in front of Scorpias. She punched him so hard in the face his front teeth came out. Blood spurted down the front of his tunic. ‘Untie him!’ Ria commanded.
Xena quietly watched the goings on. Ria couldn’t see her but she was prepared to stop the woman from doing something she would later regret.
Gabrielle untied Scorpias and waited to see what would unfold. Once free he rubbed the rope burns on his wrist. ‘Are you going to kill me?’
‘You have no idea how much I want to see your sorry ass burned, but no, I’m not going to kill you. You’re free to go, but you listen and listen well. There are Amazons all over and once word gets out what you did to us, I can’t say what they’ll do to you. If I were you, I’d be careful and not hurt any more women. But as a little insurance.’
With all of her inner strength Ria kicked Scorpias in the groin, rendering him unable to ever hurt another woman again. Once he could stand he left the barn and walked into the sunset.
Ria left soon after and went to her room to get ready for supper. Xena went over to her wife and pulled her in for a nice long kiss.
‘What was that for?’ Gabrielle asked.
‘Because I love you.’
‘Works for me,’ Gabrielle laughed.
After dinner Ria asked Cyrene to go for a walk. They stopped when they came to the river. Ria sat Cyrene down on a rock. She was nervous. Cyrene was the first person she had ever really been in love with.
‘Cyrene, I just.. well I.. .oh Tartarus… Cyrene, I love you heart and soul, and well, I would be honored if you would consider spending the rest of your life with me.’
Cyrene looked Ria in the eyes and felt tears of joy roll down her face. ‘Oh Ria, that’s all I’ve wanted since the first day we met.’
Ria fell into Cyrene’s arms. The two kissed tentatively at first and then more deeply as they became comfortable with one another. Finally they broke apart; both a little breathless.
‘Cyrene, I want to make love to you for the rest of my life. I want to grow old with you, watch our children and grandchildren grow.’
Cyrene stood and pulled Ria into her arms. The two slid down to the ground and onto a grassy patch. The last bits of light shone in the sky as the two kissed passionately. Cyrene felt a warmth in her belly she had never felt with Xena’s father. This felt right. She had at last found her soul mate. Gabrielle was right, everyone did have a soul mate.
‘Cyrene, may I please make love to you?’
Without a word, the older woman removed her dress. Ria was impressed. Cyrene had taken good care of her body. She was firm, her skin smooth, barely wrinkled. Ria quickly removed her own clothing and was carefully helping Cyrene onto her back. In a quick movement she was straddling her new love.
The two spent a long time exploring one another. It was amazing how each knew what pleased the other. Cyrene felt alive, she felt as though she could handle anything as long as Ria was by her side.
The two made love until both fell exhausted into one another’s arms. They both felt complete.
‘Cyrene, we should get back, they’ll be out looking for us.’
‘I know, but I don’t want this moment to end. Ria, I love you so much.’
‘I love you too Cyrene.’
Epilogue:
Avra stood and watched her two mothers at the bar. Since their joining two months prior they had become more playful and fun to be around. Slowly Ria and Avra were healing both physically and mentally. Xena had found Ria had broken bones that had never healed properly. And with her help Xena had broken and reset everything. Since then, Ria had more strength. Something she needed for her long nights of lovemaking with her new wife.
Avra had settled into her new life. She was attending school and had hit it off with Lila and Kar. Lycea was thrilled to have a new playmate/baby-sitter. Xena finally had something she had always wanted; a younger sister.
All in all it had worked out for everyone, except the lone stranger who walked the land always looking behind his shoulder. True to their word, the Amazons knew of him and he was a wanted man. He had violated their Queen’s Messenger and he would pay the price someday; someday when he least expected it.
