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If you haven't read Eternal Spirit Part 1 or Eternal Spirit Part 2 yet I highly recommend you do so Part 3 will make sense. >=)  Disclaimers previously posted on Part 1.  

A very BIG thank you goes out to AJ (annajon@ivillage.com) for taking the time and effort to edit this story for me.  Thanks so very much!

Chapter 1  | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8

The young Amazon stirred slightly as the effect of the herbs in her system slowly faded.  She squinted her eyes in a feeble attempt to focus on her surroundings.  "What in the name of the gods has happened?"  She wondered silently.  She tried to sit up slowly and was startled when her hands met a restriction of some kind.  They had been bound loosely together.  She tried to jerk her hands apart but the sudden movement sent a rush of pounding pain behind her eyes.  "Damn I feel like I drank too much port!  Where the hell am I?"  Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of heavy footsteps.

"Well well well look who is finally waking up,” Sarcasm trailed in his husky tone.

Ignoring the throbbing head pain, she forced her eyes to focus on the figure before her.  Her eyes narrowed and her voice dropped to a low growl.  "Draden."

"Well, it seems my little Amazon has quite a memory.  It's a shame I can't return the favor.  But that can be easily remedied now can't it?" His brow rose questioningly.  

The young Amazon spat at his feet, anger surging through her.  "I am not your little Amazon and I am not going to tell you anything!" 

Rage quickly replaced the smirk on his face.  He backhanded her forcefully across the face splitting her lip open.  "You are whatever I say you are.  Now let me try this again, what is your name?"

Her head was pounding so hard that it was nearly impossible to think clearly.  The pain only fueled her anger.  Still she refused to succumb to his request.  She raised her head and met his heated gaze.  "What do you want with me Draden?"

"Ah my dear little Amazon, what makes you think I am going to tell you anything?"  He closed the gap between them with a long stride and knelt before her.  "You see I will do what I came here to do; destroy the warrior princess.  You are nothing more than a worthless tool to help me accomplish just that."  He stared impassively at her.

She let out a soft chuckle.  "You are nothing more than a coward.  Seems to me you couldn't defeat anything without drugging it first!"    

He grabbed her tightly around the throat applying enough pressure to prevent her from breathing.  "Keep in mind how easily this coward could kill you and believe me I would enjoy nothing more."  He released his grip unexpectedly, knocking her backwards.  Before she could utilize any self-control he dragged her to a standing position by her throat.   "You want to be stubborn do you little Amazon?  There is only one problem with that."  He paused, released her, and reached for the stick lying on the ground beside him.  "I don't tolerate stubbornness."  He finished with a cackle and began to unmercifully lash at the young Amazon's bare back and legs until she collapsed.  After a few moments he grabbed her violently by the hair and jerked her head upwards towards him.  "This is the last time I will ask you nicely Amazon.  What is your name?"

The pain behind her eyes grew intolerable and her body ached all over.  She didn't have the energy to fight any longer.  Lowering her eyes in defeat she whispered, "Serenity."

"Thank you for such a wonderful time last night Xena.  It is one celebration I will always remember."  Gabrielle's eyes gleamed as she moved closer to her warrior's side.  "That song was so beautiful."  She smiled softly.  "It really meant a lot to me Xe."  The warrior wrapped her arms around the bard and pulled her into a soft embrace.  

"I'm glad you enjoyed it.  But Gabrielle?" she questioned.

"Yes Xe?" the bard asked slightly worried.

Xena's face softened and a sly smile formed on her lips.  "It is not nearly as beautiful as you my love."  She leaned forward and placed a gentle kiss on Gabrielle's lips.  The bard broke the kiss and snuggled against her warrior just as Ephiny approached the couple.  The regent's face was covered with worry.

"Hey, you two!"  She paused briefly with hesitation.  "Am I interrupting anything?" 

Gabrielle pulled away from Xena and took a few steps towards Ephiny.  Concern flushed her face.  "Eph, what is it?  What's wrong?"  Xena took her place beside Gabrielle apprehension apparent in her facial expression.

"It's Serenity.  She still hasn't arrived and I'm getting very worried.  This is not like Serenity at all.  I didn't think much about it last night because I just assumed she'd show up after the celebration. But now it's almost sundown and still no sign of her.  I don't have a good feeling about this at all."  She shook her head slowly.

Xena turned to Ephiny and spoke calmly.  "Let’s not start worrying just yet.  Anything could have held her up a bit Eph.”

“Xena she should have been here by now.  She has been going back and forth for weeks and has never been late once."  The Regent looked sternly at the warrior in annoyance.  “Something has happened.”

Xena took a few steps closer to the Regent.  “Alright Ephiny, if it will make you feel better I will go check it out.” 

Before either could say anything further Gabrielle made her way between them and turned angrily towards Xena. 

"Gabrielle...” Before she could begin to reason with her, Gabrielle began poking at Xena’s breastplate with her index finger.   "Don't you even think about it warrior!  There is absolutely no way I am letting you off these grounds with two broken ribs.   You are not leaving my sight!"  Her voice dropped to a more serious tone.  "I mean it Xena don't even entertain that thought."

The warrior smiled softly and placed a kiss on her bard's forehead.  She placed her hands on the bard's shoulders and released a deep breath.  "Gabrielle, listen to me.  I’m fine and you of all people know very well I can take care of myself."  Seeing the bard about to interrupt her she placed her finger on her lips.  "Please let me finish."  Xena paused for a moment, removed her finger from the bard's lips, and placed it beneath her chin.  "I’m just going to check things out.  If something is wrong then we both know the kind of danger she could be in.  My ribs are fine, barely feel a thing."  Not convinced the bard placed her hand on her hip and looked smugly at her warrior.   

Ephiny stood beside Xena and looked at her queen.  "Gabrielle, I’m sure…" turning her gaze harshly towards the warrior, "that Xena will be very careful and not do anything foolish to add to her injury, isn't that right Xena?"

Xena grinned.  "Absolutely!"  Her eyes grew softer as she took her bard's hands into her own.  "If something has happened then you can be sure Draden is behind it.  He is still out there and if anyone knows how his mind works, it would be me."

The bard leaned forward and placed a quivering kiss on her warriors' lips, letting the warmth linger for a moment.  "I know Xe, I know.  At least take Eph with you."  Ephiny took a few steps towards Xena.

"No Eph, you're not coming with me.  I need you to stay here.  We don't know if the village will become another target." 

Gabrielle sighed heavily in defeat.  "Alright Xena.  Promise me you will be careful."

Xena whistled for Argo and kissed her bard's hand.  "Always."  With a smirk she whispered, "After all I have a beautiful queen to get back to."  She turned towards the Regent and spoke in a commanding tone.  "Take care of her Eph."  With those last words she walked away leading Argo alongside her.

Ephiny spread a map across the table and traced her finger along the eastern borders of Amazon land.  "Alandra, you and Raeis take the eastern side from the border to the southeast corner of the lake.  Scout the area thoroughly and keep watch."  She looked up facing the two Amazons.  "Do not leave your posts until I send for you, understood?"

"Yes Ephiny." They both answered in unison.  

The Regent turned towards the older Amazon.  "Tarra, you and I will cover the western ground from the border to the end of this valley."  She tapped an area of the map just below the lake.

Tarra nodded.  "I will wait for you outside.  Alandra, Raeis...head out."  She bowed her head respectively to her Queen and followed the others out of the hut.

Ephiny circled Gabrielle slowly and stopped directly before her.  "I have posted guards outside your hut until..."

"No Ephiny.  Take those guards with you and cover more ground.  Xena hasn’t come back yet."  Gabrielle gazed into the Regent’s eyes regretfully.  “It seems that you were right Eph, something must have happened.”  Gabrielle held her hand up before the Regents face to stop her from interrupting.  "Do as I say.  Right now the important thing is to cover as much ground possible before sundown with the limited Amazons we have.  Don't argue with me on this one Ephiny, and go."   Her voice reformed into a low powerful tone.

Ephiny sighed heavily and lowered her eyes for a moment.  "I will be back soon.  Stay put."  She embraced Gabrielle briefly and then quickly exited the Queen's hut.  From the top of a nearby tree, a pair of unseen eyes gazed at the group of Amazons mounting their horses and then turning slowly towards the left, focused intently on the entrance to the Queen's hut. 

Darkness slivered through the skies masking the last drop of sunlight from view.  Gabrielle paced back and forth trying to remain calm.  “I can’t stand this anymore.  It’s been hours, where are you Xena?”  She paused and sighed heavily in frustration.  She ran her fingers through her hair nervously.  Her eyes closed embracing the silence around her.  A memory callously seeped its way into her thoughts.

Draden hovered over the still body of the Amazon, grabbed hold of her hair roughly, and pulled her head towards him.  He brought his lips to her ear and spoke in a soft whisper.  “You will feel her touch but it will be mine that you remember.  Hatred will consume the love you have for her.  Wherever you seek peace only anger will be found.  You are powerless…” A satisfied smile spread upon his face.  “My dear Gabrielle, you couldn’t even save yourself, how do you expect to save your Amazons or your precious little warrior princess?”  He broke into cruel laughter and released his hold on her.  With one arm he turned the limp Amazon over onto her back and met her weak gaze.  Her reflection shined in his icy stare.  Barely audible he murmured, “Even death couldn’t free you.” 

Gabrielle shook her head slowly releasing a string of tears.  “Helpless…that is all I ever feel anymore.”  She wiped the tears from her cheeks but stopped abruptly when she heard what sounded like footsteps approaching her hut.  She remained motionless for a few seconds and listened closely.  She heard nothing.  Quietly she took a few steps forward and took hold of her staff.  Again she heard the faint sound of footsteps coming closer.  She made her way to the side of the door, with her staff in hand, and waited.  “Focus Gabrielle…” she reminded herself.  The closer the footsteps got the louder they became.  “One more step, c’mon, one more.”  Without hesitation Gabrielle knocked the intruder backwards pinning them by the throat with her staff.  Anger surged through her.  “What are you…” she stopped mid-sentence focusing on the figure beneath her.  “Lea?”  She quickly released the young girl worry replacing the anger in her expression.  “I’m so sorry Lea, are you alright?”  Extending her hand she helped the visibly shaken girl to her feet.  Gabrielle knelt before the 9-year-old child and cupped her chin in her hand.  “Lea, are you alright?”

The young girl sloppily wiped the mist from her face with the back of her hand and nodded. 

“Please do not ever sneak up on me like that.  I could have hurt you.” 

The child stuttered.  “I know, I’m sorry.”

She looked into the child’s brown eyes warmly.  “What are you doing out here this late?” 

“I came to bring you a very important message,” she stated simply as she rummaged through her clothing for the letter. 

Gabrielle scrunched her face in confusion.  “Message from who Lea?”

“It’s here somewhere.  I know I have it.”  The child started patting herself.  “Found it!” she exclaimed happily.  She held out a slightly crumpled letter to her Queen.  “Here it is Gabrielle,” Pride settled delicately on her face.

Gabrielle took the letter from her hesitantly and then turned to the child sternly.  “Who gave you this letter?”

“I don’t know.  I was walking back to the hut and this man stopped me and said he needed my help.  He said he…”

“Wait a minute Lea.  Man?  What man?”  Her expression alarmed the child and she started to cry softly.

“Lea it’s alright.  I’m not angry with you.  Listen to me,” she raised her chin up with her index finger.  She spoke gently.  “This is very important.  What did this man look like?”

The child sniffled.  “He was a little taller than you and had light colored hair.  His eyes were green and he talked a little funny.” 

“That definitely was not Draden.  Oh Lea what in the name of the gods were you doing out this late by yourself.”   She brushed the loose strands of brown hair from the child’s face and spoke to her calmly.  “He didn’t try to hurt you did he?”

The young Amazon shook her head.  “Oh no he was nice.  He needed my help.  He said that he had a very important message that had to get to the Queen right away but he couldn’t take it himself because he would get in trouble for being on Amazon lands.  I told him I could bring it and then he wouldn’t get in any trouble.”  She paused thoughtfully.  “He gave me the letter and said that it was very important I take this right to you and not let anyone else see it.  So I waited in the tree for everyone to go and then I came straight here,” she finished with a nod.

Gabrielle breathed a small sigh of relief and took both the child’s hands within her own.  “Lea if you ever see anyone in the village that you do not know I want you to run and tell someone.  I don’t want you to talk to anyone you do not know and I don’t want you out after dark without someone with you, ok?”

“Okay,” she complied lowering her head.

Gabrielle patted her hand and smiled tenderly.  “Good.  I want you to head back to the children’s hut.  You are missing out on all the fun they are having over there.  Better hurry,” she finished with a wink.

Lea looked up and smiled at Gabrielle and then ran out of the hut giggling.  Gabrielle turned her attention to the letter lying on the ground beside her.  The words “My Dear Gabrielle” scribbled on the front took her breath.

Solari was sitting by the fire listening carefully to the crackling sounds of burning wood.  She gazed up in the direction of approaching footsteps.  “Hey Pony.” 

“Haven’t rested a bit I take it?”  Epinon settled comfortably by Solari’s side.

Solari picked at the fire with her sword and shrugged her shoulders wearily.  “Not a wink.  I am worried about Ren.”  She met the gaze of her friend her eyes betraying the calmness she was trying to maintain.  “Something is wrong Pony, I can feel it.  She should have been back by now.  Something is very wrong.”  She ran her fingers through her hair and exhaled deeply.

Epinon rested her hand comfortingly on Solari’s shoulder giving it a light squeeze.  “Serenity is an excellent warrior.  She can take care of herself.  Maybe she decided to stay at the village and enjoy the festivities for a while?” 

Solari shook her head firmly.  “No.  She wouldn’t be that careless.  Serenity wouldn’t do that without sending word first.  She knows how concerned we would all be especially under the circumstances.”  Her eyes narrowed slightly worry perceptible within her brown orbs.  “Something has gone terribly wrong Pony.  We need to head back and start searching for her.”

“Shouldn’t we wait until sunrise?”  Epinon placed her hand on her friend’s.  “I am just as concerned for her Solari but it is already dark and it would be difficult to...”

“No.  We must start now.  The longer we wait the more danger she could be in.  Everyone should be well rested by now.”  She turned her head away from Epinon and stood up slowly.  She began kicking dirt on the diminishing fire to extinguish it. 

Epinon grabbed her firmly by the shoulders.  “Solari, think about what you are doing for a moment.  Searching in the dark is not only dangerous but leaves us vulnerable for attack.  I know you think something is wrong but…”

“Pony, I don’t think there is, I know there is.”  She released herself from Epinon’s grip with a swift shrug of her shoulders and started walking toward the remaining Amazons. 

Gabrielle timidly opened the letter slowly.  Tears brimmed her eyes as the confirmation of the author of the letter sank in.  Her hands began to slightly shake as she began reading.

            “My Dear Gabrielle,

            What a delicious pleasure to see you are so alive and well.  Well, well, well, it looks like yet another Amazon has slipped through the hands of your precious Warrior Princess.  Seems to be losing her touch, eh?

            Ah, yes I have your pretty little Amazon.  She is alive, for now… I will give you one chance to save her useless life.  My rules, my conditions, my way or she dies.  You are to meet me alone by the lake I left you last.  I don’t want to see any of your little warrior friends.  Come alone or she dies.  It's as simple as that.

Right about now you are probably asking yourself what’s to stop me from just killing you, right?  The answer is simple.  Nothing…but what choice do you have? 

You have 3 hours from the time you received this, then she dies.”

She carefully folded the letter back to its original form tears streaking her cheeks.  “You bastard!  This nightmare is never going to end is it?”  She wiped her eyes with the back of her hand and tucked the letter into the side of her boot.  She spoke aloud, her tone hushed and hoarse, “I won’t let this happen again.  This will stop.  One way or another, it ends here.”  She grabbed her staff and without looking back she exited the hut and headed towards the stables.

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Chapter 7

Solari gently tugged on the reigns of her horse bringing her to a standstill.  She glanced over her shoulder at her fellow sisters whom trailed behind sluggishly.  “Just a little further and then we will make camp and rest.”  She smiled shaking her head playfully at their scowling expressions.  “I will scout ahead a bit and see what is further up this trail.”  With a soft nudge her mare fell into a slow trot deeper into the tree-lined terrain.

“That woman is going to drive me mad yet,” Epinon finished with a chuckle.  “C’mon let’s catch up with her.”  She broke into a slow trot leading the way.

A figure sat balanced on a large overhang of a tree.  Its movements stilled suddenly and it swayed its body forward, away from the glimpse of moonlight, embracing the deep darkness the trees supplied.  Ignoring approaching sounds of horses it strained to hear the faint sounds that had filled the air only moments before.  It’s piercing blue eyes gazed down below at an approaching Amazon on horseback.  Very carefully the figure slithered its legs over the tree branch securing them and swung upside down its head lowering just behind the Amazon’s.

“Perhaps we should have waited until sunrise to move.   I should have listened to reason.”  Solari patted her horse and sighed heavily.  She could see the approaching Amazons a short distance away.  As she was about to shout out to them she felt a hand cover her mouth firmly.  Alarmed she grabbed a hold of the hand covering her mouth in a panic.

“Solari, calm down.  It’s me.”  The voice was soft and barely above a whisper.  At the sound of the familiar voice the Amazon’s body immediately relaxed.  She felt the hand release her.  The figure swung its body and back-flipped off the overhand landing solidly on the ground beside the Amazon.  “Shhh, I need you to stay quiet for me.”

Solari dismounted her horse and kept her voice down to a hushed whisper.  “Xena what are you doing out here?  You nearly scared me half to death.  What is going on?”

Blue eyes scanned the darkened radius of trees.  “Something or someone is out here.  I heard something just before you got here.”  She turned in the direction of oncoming Amazon’s.  “Solari, is Serenity with you?”

Solari felt a lump in her throat as she swallowed hard.  “I was hoping she was with you.”  Their eyes met.  “She never returned from the village which is why we are out here looking for her.”

“Guess you were right Ephiny.  This doesn’t look good. Doesn’t look good at all.”   Xena exhaled quietly.  “I’m here because she never made it to the village.”  Xena saw the fear creep across Solari’s face.  “Solari, we will find her.”  She placed her hand on her shoulder.   “How could I let this happen?  I should have never agreed to this.  I should have been out there looking for Draden.  If anything happens…” The forthcoming Amazons interrupted her thoughts.   She turned her full attention to the group of confused Amazon’s now halting before them.  Xena placed her finger over her lips in a hushing gesture.  “Questions later, right now just stay quiet.”  Her blue eyes met the teary eyes of the Amazon leader. 

A soft moan broke the uncomfortable silence between them.  “There it is again.  It’s coming from over there.”  Xena gestured towards the right with a nod of her head.  She spoke to the Amazons quietly.  “Stay quiet and stay behind me.”  Slowly, step-by-step she moved toward a gathering of bushes her sword in hand.  Another moan, significantly weaker in strength, was heard through the shrubbery.   With a quick swipe of her sword, Xena chopped a path through the shrubs, revealing the source of the strange noises.

Solari covered her mouth with her hand after a sharp intake of breath.  Her voice trailed just above a whisper in sudden acknowledgement.  “Serenity.” 

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Chapter 8

The Regent made her way around the last bend of the valley, her eyes scanning the grounds for Tarra.  “Where did she run off to?”  She smiled thoughtfully at her mare while gently rubbing its neck in a soothing motion.  “Some day it has been hasn’t it Milliron?”  Her horse whinnied pawing the ground with her front leg.  “How easily things can go from bad to worse.”  She sighed heavily.

Tarra watched in amusement for a brief moment and then lead her horse forward towards Ephiny.  “Talking to that horse of yours again, eh?”  She teased good-naturedly. 

Ephiny grinned.  “Sometimes I think she is the only one that understands me.”

“Oh the rest of us understand you alright.” She laughed.

Ephiny cocked a brow in Tarra’s direction and smirked.  She leaned over bringing her mouth close to her mare’s ear and whispered something not audible to the Amazon.  The horse whinnied loudly kicking dirt with her front paw.  Ephiny leaned back in her saddle and chuckled. 

Tarra shook her head lightheartedly.  “C’mon oh misunderstood one lets head back to the village and check on things.”  She smiled as she nudged her horse forward.  “Next you will be telling me that crazy horse of yours talks back.”

Ephiny challenged her with a stare and then broke into laughter.  With a soft nudge her mare broke into a full gallop towards the village stopping shortly after before the children’s hut.  Ephiny dismounted her horse and secured her to the nearby post.  She turned her attention to her fellow sister.  “Seems a little too quiet around here.  Usually you can hear Gabrielle’s stories clear across the barn from this hut.”  Tarra smiled in amusement and followed the Regent inside the hut.

The hut to their surprise was relatively empty.  One Amazon child remained playing and singing aloud amongst herself and one of the older caretakers was picking up an array of scattered toys.  An uncomfortable presence settled over the Regent.  She cleared her throat grabbing the attention of the older Amazon.  “Kindra, where is everyone?”

Picking up the last of the toys the old Amazon stood up, her left arm braced behind her back for support.  She wiped the sweat from her forehead and walked towards Ephiny and Tarra.  “Good eve.  Tonight was an early night.  The Queen said she was not feeling well and would not be telling stories tonight.”  She smiled innocently.  “I suppose these old bones aren’t as entertaining to the young as the Queen’s wild adventures so they headed off to bed.”  Their conversation was interrupted by the excitement of a squealing child. 

“Ephiny!  Tarra!”  She shrieked happily and jumped into the Regent’s arms giggling. 

The old woman laughed and shook her head.  “All except this one that is.”  She playfully tickled the young child.

Ephiny embraced the young girl and smiled mischievously.   “Ah, why doesn’t that surprise me Lea?”  She raised a brow questioningly at the giddy girl. 

The child’s smile faded and her face grew very serious.  “Is momma or Ren home yet?”

Ephiny gently set the child before her and crouched down to her level.  She stroked her cheek tenderly with the back of her hand.  “No love Solari and Serenity are not back yet.  But they will be soon.”  She smiled reassuringly.

“But you said that last time Eph.”  She whined.  “It’s been a long time.  I miss them.  I wish they were home already.”  She scuffed her feet impatiently.

“I miss them too.  But soon they will be here, ok?”  She raised the child’s chin with her finger.

Lea rolled her eyes.  “Okay.”

“Now don’t be giving Kindra any trouble.” She looked sternly towards the young child.  She turned to Tarra.  “Let’s go check on Gabrielle and see how she is feeling.  With the circumstances she has probably worried herself sick.” 

As they turned to go Lea tugged on Ephiny’s arm.  “But Eph how come she wasn’t sick when I saw her before?  Maybe she was mad with me and didn’t want to come and tell stories tonight.”  Her eyes brimmed with wet tears.

Tarra looked at Ephiny for understanding but found the same confusion spread on her face.  “Lea why would she be upset with you?”

The old woman turned the child to face her.  “Never you mind about that.  What were you doing outside of this hut by yourself let alone over by the Queen’s hut?”

The Regent stepped in taking a deep breath.  “Alright everyone calm down.”  She knelt down before the child who was now shaken with streaks of tears raining down her cheeks.  “Lea, its alright.  Tell me what your talking about love.  When did you see Gabrielle and why would you think she was upset with you?”  She brushed the loose strands of wet hair from the child’s face tenderly. 

Lea sniffled and wiped her face with her hand.  “I saw Gabrielle tonight.  It was about a couple candle marks ago I think. I…”

“What in the name of the gods were you doing out so late by yourself Lea?” The Regent’s tone came out harsher than she intended.

“I’m sorry Ephiny.  I’m sorry.  I didn’t mean to really.  I was only just not far from here and then I had something urgent I had to bring to Gabrielle and…” She choked back her tears.

“Lea calm down.  I can’t understand you when you are crying.  Come on take a deep breath and calm down for me.”  She stroked her hair in a calming manner. “I definitely don’t like the sound of this.  If Solari were here…Oh by the gods.”

The child stopped her uncontrollable wailing and relaxed slightly.  Ephiny smiled warmly at her.  “Lea what was so urgent that you went in the dark alone to see Gabrielle?  Tell me.”  Her voice was stern but gentle.

Lea shook her head.  “I’m not supposed to tell.  I can’t.  He said not…”

“He?  He who?”  Panic rose in the Regent’s voice.  “Lea I need to know what is going on and I need to know right now.”  She held the girl by the shoulders.  “No matter what someone has told you it is not good to keep secrets like this.  Nothing bad is going to happen, I promise.”  She met the child’s gaze firmly.  “Tell me exactly what happened Lea.”

Tarra knelt beside the Regent.  “Lea this is very important.  We are not angry with you but we need to know what is going on.”

Lea exhaled deeply still a little hesitant.  “I was walking not too far from here and I heard someone calling me over by the trees.  It was a man.  He talked a little funny.  He said he was going to get in big trouble for being on Amazon lands and so he had to hurry and go but that he had a very urgent message that had to be given to the Queen right away.”  She shifted in place uncomfortably still unsure of revealing anything to the older Amazons.  She sighed heavily and continued with her story.  “I told him that I would bring it to her and that way he wouldn’t get in any trouble.  He said he was lucky to have a big girl like me to deliver the message and that it was very important that no one else sees it except the Queen.  He said to take it right to her!  Then he ran away.”  Her teary eyes held fear as they bore into the Regents.

“Lea what were you thinking?  You know better than this but now is not the time.”  She took the child’s hands within her own.  “Lea what did this man look like?”

The child thought for a moment.  “He was a little taller than Gabrielle but had green eyes like her and light hair.  He talked really funny like his mouth was full but it wasn’t.”  She shrugged her shoulders.

“Okay let us put this aside a moment.  Why did you think Gabrielle would be upset with you?  What was this letter all about?”  Tarra questioned softly.

Lea lowered her head slightly.  “She was very upset I was out after dark by myself and because I was talking to a stranger that was not supposed to be in the village and didn’t tell nobody.  But then she said to go to the children’s hut and play and didn’t seem so mad anymore.  But then she didn’t come and I know she wasn’t sick because she was all fine when I saw her.”  She ran her sentences together nervously.

“Well little one she is right about that.  You know better than to be out late like this.  I am very disappointed in you Lea.”  The old Amazon scolded.

“And the letter?” Ephiny questioned getting back to the matter at hand.

Lea shrugged her shoulders sniffling.  “I don’t know Eph honest.  I just know it was important and had her name written on the front.  I just brought it to her like I was supposed to.  Honest.” Tears streamed down her face.

Ephiny rose and patted the child on the head.  “We have much to talk about Lea but for now you stay here with Kindra and stay out of trouble, understand?”  She waited for the child to nod her head in acknowledgement.  “Tarra I am going to check the hut for Gabrielle.  You go check the barn and see if any of the horses are missing.  Meet me back at the hut.”  Tarra nodded and they both exited the room running.

Ephiny barged into the Queen’s hut.  “Gabrielle?”  She scanned the room finding it completely empty.  “Damnit!  What the hell is going on around here?”  She hurriedly flipped through the scattered papers about the room looking for the letter but found nothing.  Her eyes moved to the wall by the door.  “Her staff is gone.”  Sudden acknowledgement swept through the Regent.  At that moment Tarra came darting through the door out of breath.  “Well?” Ephiny questioned impatiently.

“One of the horses is gone.”  Tarra stammered between breaths.

“She is gone.  She took her staff.  There is no time to lose.  I don’t know what the hell is going on but I am damn sure going to find out.  Lets go.”  The Regent stormed out of the hut and mounted her horse.