Chapter 16
Elissa stepped off the ship. Dry heat blasted her but she knew that she needed to remain wrapped in her cloaks. Her looks were too noticeable, especially in the foreign land where blondes were a rarity. She always wondered where her coloring came from and know she knew - Gabrielle. Even in her mind, she couldn't bring herself to call her mother. Lysippe was the mother of her heart and would remain so for the rest of her long life. Blending in with the rest of the crowd, Elissa moved easily through the town.
The Captain was a font of information on Gurkhan and the city of Mogador. The war chief known for his ruthlessness thought of himself as the world's greatest lover. Elissa met men like this Gurkhan before and knew how to handle them. Let them hear the words they long to hear before you slide the blade between their ribs. Men, no matter where they were from, were alike down deep. Women should be subservient, never accepted as an equal. Very few of them were able to see beyond their own vanity to see that women were their equals.
She moved into an alleyway looking for a particular shop. A small sign above a non-descript door led into the exact place that she wanted to go. "Are you the owner?" Elissa pitched her voice low knowing that the robes muffled a lot of the sound.
"Yes, how may I help you?" A small-wizened man looked at her with sharp intelligent eyes.
"Who do you serve?"
"I serve no man. My life is my own and my allegiance is to my family. Who do you serve traveler?"
"My sisters, our laws and Diane, the Goddess of the Hunt. I need to know about some of my sisters who were sold to Gurkhan, can you help me?" Her bright green eyes met his with a knowing look.
"What do you want to know about that devil?"
"I think that you already know, wise one. Perhaps I can help you with the tragedy that befell your granddaughter." With that said, Elissa didn't say another word.
The light of hope showed in his eyes. "My name is Biopelo. Come to the back and we will talk about things that will be beneficial to us both." They stepped around beautiful carpets, pottery and swords. Biopelo was the seventh generation of his family to trade his wares on these shores. He lived in Mogador all of his life and would have happily stayed if it weren't for its current leader. Gurkhan was a ruthless man who not only took more than his share in taxes but any woman of reputed beauty, be she twelve or twenty, married or single.
"I understand that we both have things that we would like to change about what is happening here. Am I correct in my understanding of this situation?"
Biopelo nodded his head. "Yes, I would do whatever I could to change what has happened and would do anything to bring about that change."
"Good, then I think that we can both help each other achieve a successful outcome." They were both careful in what was spoken out loud but they both knew what the other wanted. A smile crossed Elissa lips and her companion mirrored her expression. "I will need a few things that I am sure you will be able to obtain for me. The most important will be an introduction worthy of the great Gurkhan. There should be someone, who is well respected in this town, who can provide me with this."
"Yes, I know just the person to provide you with a proper entrance and introduction. How are you going to catch his eye though?"
Elissa allowed her wrap to fall away and Biopelo had his answer. Standing before him was a beautiful young woman with long blonde hair, large green eyes and golden skin. She was petite but an air of mystery and strength floated around her like a well-worn coat. Biopelo could not think of any man who would not want to unravel the mystery while wanting to tame this woman at the same time. Yes, Gurkhan would be intrigued. If Elissa chose, she could easily become an honored wife, even the first wife.
They bowed their heads in complete understanding of one another. "I will need to wear the proper clothes. Gurkhan is attracted to physical beauty but I plan to make him be willing to do anything to have me. You see I don't plan on just joining his harem; I won't take anything less than an offer of marriage. I need someone who will be able to negotiate this for me without making me seem any less in his eyes. Come closer and I will tell you what I plan to do and you can advise me as to how I can improve upon my plan."
Whispered exchanges were made while a plan came together that would not only free the Amazons but Biopelo's granddaughter as well. That bit of information led Elissa to this shop, knowing that she would find an ally.
Chapter 17
Gabrielle paced the deck of the boat unable to relax. She knew that Elissa would already be in Mogador and prayed that her daughter was safe. A pair of strong arms wrapped around her waist to pull the much smaller blonde back into a comforting embrace. Gabrielle closed her eyes but every time she did, all she could see was huge green eyes filled with pain. Pain that she caused in more ways than one, how would she ever get Elissa to give her a chance?
"We will be there soon and we will find her, Gabrielle. I know how scared that you are but don't give up hope. Once Elissa has a chance to know you, she won't be able to stop herself from loving you. Take it from me, I should know." Xena turned her lover around in her arms to look into sad eyes.
"I just hope that we will get there in time. Elissa is more than capable of taking care of herself. We have both seen that first hand. I can't stop the feeling that if we don't catch up to her soon that I will lose her before I even get the chance to be a real mother to her. Xena, how will she ever forgive me for Lysippe's death? The only thing I am sure of is that she is in danger and I am on borrowed time. I keep seeing her cursing me with her dieing breath, then there is fire all around and people are running for their lives."
Xena pulled her over to the side of the boat. "Just breathe, it will all turn out the way that it is meant to be. I have to believe that. It was all that I could hold onto, the faith that I would find Eve again, and look where we are now."
They turned to watch the waves in a peaceful silence. The boat sliced cleanly through the water but they were not graced with the winds and calm sea that landed Elissa in Mogador in record time. The companions leaned into each other allowing their minds to wander over the joys and pain that they shared for almost thirty years. Neither woman bothered to talk to any of the crew about the place they were headed or its war chief.
Gabrielle pushed off from the side of the boat. She went to retrieve her sais then assumed a ready stance. The silver blades flashed in the sunlight. Xena leaned back on the railing to watch the woman she loved try to forget for a few minutes the fear that Xena could still see in her eyes. A thrust forward while the other sais went behind her to catch an invisible blade. Gabrielle systematically faced each direction while she worked through her routine.
Xena was impressed with the speed of the blades, not to mention the obvious skill that clearly showed in the spinning flashes of silver. She noticed the crew admiring her lover's beautiful body. It was time to go back to their room before the sun got too high and the heat unbearable. Xena pushed off the rail with a cold glare at the crew who quickly found something else to do. She moved closer to Gabrielle and caught her eye.
The heat in Xena's eyes lit an answering fire in Gabrielle's own green ones. Her sais slide into her boots then she turned to saunter down the steps to their cabin below deck. Xena's bright blue eyes watched the seductive roll of slender firm hips. She was mere seconds behind her; she entered their cabin then leaned against the door. Gabrielle's top lay at her feet on the floor. She looked over her shoulder to give Xena a come-hither smile.
The Warrior Princess quickly crossed the room to slide strong roughened hands down a slender back. They moved down to a tiny waist then up her ribcage to cup full firm breasts. Gabrielle was delicately made; her tiny body was a source of wonder and pleasure to Xena. She knew every curve, every pleasure point, the taste and feel of everything that was Gabrielle.
Gabrielle wasn't satisfied to make slow gentle love. She needed the rush, the heat of the heavy hard passion that was all Xena. She pulled her over to their bed then pushed her down. Blue eyes widened in shock then the lids floated down when Gabrielle started to undress her. Each body part that was uncovered was thoroughly kissed and caressed. Soon the much smaller woman was straddling a writhing Xena while she sucked on large brown nipples. They spent the next few hours loving then resting only to repeat it all over again.
Chapter 18
Elissa looked at herself in a mirror. She wore an outfit that hinted at the slender yet surprisingly lush body that lay beneath. Her plan was deceptively simple; she would tease Gurkhan's senses without allowing him to obtain the prize. The war chief would not know how to handle someone who came at him as an equal. Elissa planned to make him beg for her hand in marriage before she was through. When she had him, where she wanted him then she would snap the trap shut, preferable on his neck.
A silk robe in vibrant swirling colors of greens, golds and silvers wrapped around her body while she walked. It moved against her skin in a sensual loving caress. Her escort preceded her announcing hr arrival with all the posh and circumstance needed to provide her with the entrance she required.
Itocles, her escort, was a respected merchant in town, who agreed to help Elissa. His own daughter was taken years ago and only returned to him when she was dead. "Hear ye, hear ye, I bring to the attention of the great Lord Gurkhan a treasure from across the oceans. She is a queen in her own right but heard the name of Gurkhan even in hr own lands. I bring to you Queen Elissa of Syeria." Itocles bowed from the waist with waving a hand towards the door.
Elissa entered like the queen she was, her graceful steps seemed to make her float across the floor. She stopped in the middle of a large room which over fifty women lay in different forms o dress. Some only wore the smallest of fabric to cover their womanhood while others wore elaborate clothes and jewels. The later were the wives with the First Wife sitting to Gurkhan's' right glared at Elissa. She felt her husband's interest like a living ting. The visitor stared at one of the most feared men in the land as if he were little more than an errand boy.
Gurkhan was a large man with dark hair, eyes and beard. The sun of this part of the world caused his skin to be a dark tanned color. His dark eyes wandered down the body hinted at behind the silk. Her face was covered, the only thing that showed were bright intelligent green eyes. Gurkhan felt as id hr was falling into a deep well of emerald. This woman was different from any other present or past. The only thought that ran through his mind was that he had to have her at any cost.
"What brings such a treasure to my court? I am honored that I lived long enough to witness one such as you." His voice and demeanor filled with a charm unheard by many of the other women.
"Who's word but this man do we have that this woman is anything but a peasant?"
Sonata, the First Wife, fought her way to her position and didn't intend on losing her place. Her statuesque blonde beauty and maliciousness appealed to Gurkhan's own ruthlessness. He was not blind to Sonata's machinations rather he enjoyed them until this moment.
Before he could reprimand her, Elissa stepped forward. "Only a peasant would not recognize her betters. I rule a great nation but find myself in need of an equal to fight the Romans. Word spread across the ocean of your many conquests. I came to see if the man lived up to his reputation." Her dark green eyes wandered over his body but didn't give away any emotion.
He wasn't used to women ignoring him. Gurkhan was a handsome man in any land. Although his 'women' didn't all come willingly, most of them did not go away unsatisfied. The wives were another story and any new women learned to walk softly around them, in particular Sonata.
Gurkhan rose from the low couch to stride over to the woman who could never be mistaken for anything but one used to command. His hand rose to pull away the cloth from her face but a small hand stopped him.
"Not yet, my lord. If you are open to a marriage then we can become better acquainted, if not then there is no need for you to see what will never be yours."
Soft gasps rang throughout the harem; the other women scooted back not wanting to be in the path of an angry warlord. Elissa's words fueled a fire in Gurkhan unlike anything he had ever known. This was a woman worthy of being his queen. He would agree to her demands then once she was his, he would teach her how to behave properly as his wife.
"I agree to a marriage between us, Queen Elissa. Now come let me see my new wife's face. If it is as beautiful as her eyes then I am indeed a lucky man."
To his surprise, she didn't lower the cloth instead; she clapped her hands causing an erotic sound to waft through the room. Elissa allowed Gurkhan's harem to see a rare occurrence, an Amazon dance. Men throughout the ages thought the Amazons hated men but that was anything but the truth. Yes, they were a tribe of women warriors but Elissa always wondered where the same men thought the children came from. When an Amazon wanted a child, she chose a man who she found appealing and could give her strong children. Male children stayed with their mother's until they started puberty when a man was needed to teach them what it meant to be a man. The mothers never lost contact with their sons which was why a worthy male partner was important. Female children were also allowed to know their father but all other aspects of their lives they were governed by Amazon law under which they could inherit any titles or wealth their mother's owned. Son's were given a dowry of sorts but any inheritance they received was provided from their father's.
Amazons were in most cases bi-sexual, normally finding a partner/mate within their tribe. Some never wanted to know a man; they were relegated to a guardian position in the tribe where they were responsible for safety. Elissa knew how to incite a man's appetite even if she had never taken one into her bed. A dance celebrated each aspect of an Amazon's life from her coming into womanhood, first child, first battle and first lover. This was the dance that she performed now for Gurkhan even though he didn't know the significance of the honor that she was bestowing on him.
Her large green eyes already picked out her sisters sitting among the harem. Elissa's hands moved with the dance while she twirled about the entire room. She caught the eyes of Ainia, Deianeira, Harmothoe, Kreousa and Okypous as she made her way through the intricate steps. Her hips seemed to have a mind of their own. They rocked from side to side then undulated in slow circles that quickened to match the beat of the music.
The captive Amazon's heart filled with hope when they saw their queen enter the room. There was no mistaking Elissa's presence; any who witnessed it could never forget it. Their escape was imminent all they needed to do was wait for the signal.
Chapter 19
Xena and Gabrielle landed in Mogador at the exact moment that Elissa walked into Gurkhan's palace. They scouted through the city trying to find out the latest gossip. Both women knew that if Elissa was here that someone would know about her. She was not an easy woman to forget. It didn't take them long to hear about a queen visiting Gurkhan. There were rumors about her beauty and wealth. The lover's looked at each other knowing it could be none other than Elissa.
Now, they only had to find a way into the harem to 'help' Gabrielle's daughter. No sooner had they sat throwing out one plan after another did the perfect excuse land in their laps. Their ears perked up with the announcement being proclaimed through the city streets.
"Our most esteemed Lord Gurkhan calls for the most talented to entertain at his royal wedding to the Queen of Syeria. This beauty from a foreign land will become the First Wife in a ceremony unlike any seen before. Come to the palace this evening with all the talent that you have to offer. Lord Gurkhan will choose only the best among you all."
The shouts continued on down the streets but Xena and Gabrielle already knew that they would be among the entertainers. Now, they just had to decide what to do in order to be picked. Not being part of the celebrations was not an option.
Xena spotted a shop not far from them and got an idea. "Come on I have an idea and I see where we can get the things that we will need." She dragged the small blonde along behind her.
"I can walk, I can walk." She slapped at her much larger lover. "Are you planning on telling me what you are getting us into or do I not want to know?" She knew the way the Warrior Princess thought and wasn't sure what she would be getting into. Her eyebrow went up in question when she saw the shop that she was being dragged down the alley towards.
"Relax, this will be perfect and no one else will do anything like it." Xena gave her signature smirk which told Gabrielle that she was in trouble.
"May I help you, kind ladies?" A small, wizened old man came from a backroom to bow in front of them. There was something about the blonde that reminded Biopelo of his newest friend. Their coloring was similar but there was still softness about this one where Elissa had none. She was caring but never allowed it to get in the way of her duty to her tribe. That was why he knew that if anyone could save his beloved granddaughter it would be the Amazon queen.
"We need some things for our performance for Lord Gurkhan's wedding. I think that I will take these and this and this." Xena continued to pile things up on a nearby table.
Gabrielle's eyes went wide when she saw what Xena picked out. "What exactly are you planning for us to do, Xena? A strip tease?"
"No, I am going to throw the chakram and knives while you stand still. The costumes are just to make sure that we get his attention."
"Let me get straight, I am supposed to stand there practically nude while you throw sharp objects at me? Where in the world did you ever come up with a crazy idea like this?"
"I saw it at a traveling carnival once. It was great and the crowd loved it. I know that I can do it and you will look beautiful in this." She picked up a silver and gold bra top with a matching short skirt. Her blue eyes sparkled with mischief but underneath was a spark of heat at the thought of her lover in the outfit.
Gabrielle sighed knowing that Xena could talk her into or out of depending on the circumstances. She turned to find the shopkeeper staring at her as if he knew her. A strange feeling went down her spine and she couldn't stop the words from bursting out of her mouth. "We are looking for someone, perhaps you have seen her. She is very beautiful, small with long blonde hair. Her name is Elissa."
"I am sorry but I can't help you." Biopelo didn't say he hadn't seen Elissa just that he couldn't help them. It was shaving the truth but he would not betray his young friend.
"Thank you, maybe you can ask some of the other people around town. It is very important that I find her." Gabrielle's voice held a note of desperation. She didn't want to believe that Elissa was already under Gurkhan's roof, even if she already knew it in her heart.
Xena saw the heartbreak in Gabrielle's eyes and wanted to make the pain go away. If she got a chance, she would take Elissa aside and make her know how lucky she was to have Gabrielle as a mother. She didn't particularly like the young Amazon but she was part of Gabrielle and she would do anything to see her lover smile a real smile again.
They left the shop with their costumes and went to find a place to stay while they were in Mogador. A small but relatively clean inn was found with little effort. Xena pulled Gabrielle down on the bed beside her then started to massage the kinks out the small tense shoulders. She smiled when she heard a deep sigh from her lover.
"We can rest for a while until it is time to audition. Just lie down and close your eyes, I want to hold you in my arms before we have to face Gurkhan."
Strong arms wrapped around her and Gabrielle closed her eyes. Elissa's beautiful face floated in her mind. The look in her daughter's eyes when they last talked haunted her still. She just wanted a chance to get to know this unexpected gift from the gods. When she lost Hope, Gabrielle thought she would never again know what it felt like to carry the burden and joy of a mother's love.
Chapter 20
Elissa sat on a raised dais next to Gurkhan. He promised her a night of entertainment and surprises. She watched as one act after another paraded in front of the wedding couple. She felt someone staring at her from the right. It didn't surprise her to see that Sonata, the former First Wife, shot daggers at her. Elissa gave her a smile that scared more than one seasoned warrior. The tall blonde took a faltering step back not sure how to handle this new predicament.
Sonata wasn't used to being scared, not here in the harem where she ruled supreme. To think that this young girl could walk in and take everything that she worked years for was unacceptable. There had to be a way to get rid of the little blonde and return to her rightful place beside Lord Gurkhan.
As if Elissa could hear the other woman's thoughts, she gave the other woman a wolfish smile. She would have done more but was distracted by the newest act. A tall dark haired woman walked in followed by a petite blonde. They were dressed in matching outfits of silver and gold. The clothes accentuated the toned bodies that moved with the ease of warriors. They toned it down in order to appear more sensual in their movements but they didn't fool Elissa.
It was the damned Warrior Princess and her, Gabrielle. She gave herself a mental shake, this woman was not her mother. She was not even a sister Amazon, in Elissa's mind. Gabrielle was her birth mother and that was all she would ever be. Her true mother, Lysippe, promised her that she would never have to deal with the bard and Elissa believed her.
Gurkhan felt his new bride tense beside him. He pulled her small hand into his then gently kissed her knuckles. Elissa turned to look at her new 'husband' allowing her eyes to show a deep heat that the war chief mistook for lust. Their marriage wasn't legal by Amazon standards and Elissa knew when the time came she would have no problems ending this man's life. It was her right to avenge her sister's honor which she would with relish.
Gabrielle froze in place when she saw her daughter dressed in silks and jewels, there was even a small crown on her head. She was once again taken with the fact that this beautiful creature belonged to her, was the child of her heart. Xena saw where Gabrielle was looking and pushed her subtly to move over to the large target that stood at the back of the room.
The crowd quieted to see what the two beautiful women would do for their performance. Not that any of the men minded just watching their gorgeous bodies move about the room was enough for most of them.
Elissa had no intention of watching the performance; she turned to Gurkhan with a soft smile. "My lord, I grow tired of the entertainment perhaps we could retire and find other things to entertain us...in private." Her voice went low and husky while her eyes held a wealth of promises.
Without a backwards glance, he stood then pulled his bride to her feet. Everyone turned to see what was happening on the dais, several wolfish grins graced the men's faces. If one as fair as Elissa was their bride, they would have left long ago.
Sonata glared at their backs but there wasn't anything that she could do about it. Now that the wedding couple were gone, she was once again the highest-ranking person in the harem. She clapped her hands and dismissed the performers but invited the guest to continue to enjoy her lord's bounty.
Xena and Gabrielle made a big show of taking down their props then quietly disappeared into the palace. They moved through the palace trying to find the master suite. Gabrielle knew that Elissa wouldn't leave without the other Amazon captives but her first concern was for her daughter's safety. They heard laughter coming from behind a set of large doors. There were no guards posted in front of them which was a surprise to both women. Moving closer, Xena motioned for Gabrielle to be quiet. She opened the door without making a sound but what she saw on the inside surprised the Warrior Princess who thought she had seen almost everything.
Gurkhan was tied to the bed like a sacrificial lamb but he wore a satisfied smile. His new bride danced about the room slowly taking off a piece of clothing at a time. This wasn't what was surprising; it was the fact that the war chief was nude with his manhood painted a bright red. Xena fought the urge to laugh at the ridiculous situation.
Even while Xena watched, she didn't see Elissa move across the room. In her hand was a sharp knife which was held to the quickly deflating red penis. "I am here for vengeance and to right the wrongs that you have done not only to my tribe but to the women of this city and many others. You will die like a pig which is fitting. While your life's blood drains from your body, I will destroy everything that you have stolen over the years."
Gurkhan couldn't believe that a woman would dare speak to him this way. He tried to protest but stopped short when he felt the blade draw blood from his most tender spot. "You will never get away with this. My guards will hunt you down and kill you."
Elissa laughed but it wasn't a sound of joy but of ridicule. "No one will mourn your passing. Did you not wonder why there was no one outside our bridal suite to guard the great Gurkhan? One of your slaves is the sister of the captain of your guards. Your actions have made you many enemies; I am just the lucky one to have the privilege of ending your reign of terror."
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