GENERAL COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER: All characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and back story are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction.

Any other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author (meaning Kharis belongs to me). This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

LOVE: This story depicts a loving relationship between anyone who loves someone that is close to them. If you can't stand the idea that women can have a loving relationship with those that are around them or each other then please keep your closed mind where it belongs and don't bother reading this story. 'Nuff said

VIOLENCE: This is Xena we're taking about. Of course things can get violent when you are fighting with a round killing thing and its sharp pointy counterpart.

This is the third story in my Sins of a God Series. If you haven't read the first two stories, starting with And Then There Were Two, some of the events and/or characters might not make sense, so check them out before tackling this one. Comments, suggestions, and flames are always welcome. Write me if you have something to say.

Dire Truths
by Crys
~ October 24th, 1999 ~
~ Revised December 11th, 2001 ~

CHAPTER 1

The sharp clash of metal against metal permeated the once still clearing as two opponents circled each other, searching for any openings of weakness. Steel blades shimmered in the sun's early light as the swords were whirled around heads and bodies in intricate patterns of attack and defence. Neither opponent wasted excess energy or movement as they continued to parry, thrust, and slash at each other with utmost control and refinement.

Sweat glistened off the two dark bodies as identical shades of midnight hair swayed around chiseled cold features. Steel blue eyes locked momentarily with harsh golden orbs as a thought was passed between the two combatants. Nodding in unison both opponents stood back and saluted the other in the warrior's salute before dropping their respective swords to their sides.

The tall, bronzed warrior princess smiled at her smaller companion as she sheathed her sword behind her back and walked towards the young woman. "Let's get something to drink before we get back to the village. You've done a good morning's work here."

The young woman grimaced a bit as she tried to regain a normal breathing pattern before she could reply back. "I don't think... I could drink... without... drowning myself... right now."

Xena chuckled as she placed a well-toned arm around her sister's shoulder and led the woman to the waterskins that hung on a nearby tree. "Just take a few deep breaths and control your breathing like I taught you."

Kharis allowed a sharp sigh to escape from her lips as she concentrated on regaining her breath and felt the tingling in her body dissipate. Rubbing tired arm muscles the young woman glared up at her sister. "Why aren't you breathing like a stuck pig?"

"Conditioning," Xena smirked after she took a swig from the waterskin before handing it to her sister.

"Pfft. You and your damn conditioning. A lot of good it's doing for me. One month has passed and I'm still in the same shape I was before," Kharis frowned as she took the waterskin handed to her and allowed a few small mouthfuls of water to quench her overwhelming thirst.

"You're being too hard on yourself. You can't gauge your progress from what I can do, Khar. I've been doing this as long as you've been alive."

"Doesn't matter," Kharis seethed. "We're running out of time, and you know it as well as I do. I don't have years to be as good as you. I have maybe a few more months if we're lucky."

Xena could see the anguish and fear lying beneath the surface in the twin pools of gold looking up at her. The warrior felt the same apprehension growing within, but never allowed her sister to know it. The girl, who once stood up to Xena's sword and demanded she trust her or kill her now, was afraid to trust herself. Like a weed, misdoubt would continue to grow until it overwhelmed the very core of her sister. If unchecked it would eventually be her downfall, leading to her death.

'Mind over matter' the bard had said once during a late night discussion of Kharis and her training. 'She has a mind as strong, maybe even stronger than yours, Xena. If she would only allow that mind to believe she is ready then she will be. She just needs to have faith in herself and her abilities.'

Sage words from a wise bard but words none-the-less if the girl in question couldn't... wouldn't believe in herself. She had excelled in every bit of training she was subjected. Yet, she never broke the barrier that would free her from just the training and would permit her natural abilities to take over. Fear held her back. Fear of what she was and fear of what she could become.

Xena recognised the fear. Though she never pushed the envelope concerning her sister holding back, she knew she would have to confront the girl before it was too late. Mentally berating herself, for not rectifying it sooner, she silently promised her sister that tonight the air would be cleared.

"Come on. Solari has you set up for bow training this afternoon after Elysse has finished with you."

Twin eyebrows turned downward as a scowl quickly crossed the girl's face. "Why do I have to spend time with that flighty priestess? I'm supposed to be learning how to be a warrior, not one of Artemis' prophets."

Xena chuckled deeply as she tried to soothe her sister's impatience. "If you are to be initiated into the tribe you have to be a follower of Artemis. And to do that, you have to learn her teachings. Besides, it's only for another week. Ely said she's pretty much tapped dry when concerning you and that memory of yours."

"Good. Then I can start chobo training with Pony."

"Yup, and start javelin training with Eph. She says that you're handling the staff pretty efficiently right now but..." Xena let the idea hang hoping that maybe she could start a few certain wheels turning in the young woman's head.

"But what?"

"But you won't go any further with the training. Why's that?"

Kharis shrugged as she turned away from her sister's curious gaze. "Thought I was going to be using the sword more often than not so figured that I learnt all I really needed to know about the staff."

"Uh huh," Xena said as she let a small inflection of inquiry into her voice.

"Really," Kharis said as she turned back to Xena. "But if you think I should continue with the training then I will."

"I do," Xena said seriously as she placed two calloused hands on her sister's shoulders. "And when you do go back to it I want you to really try from now on."

Confusion clearly registered on Kharis' face as she tried to figure out what Xena was saying. "But I thought you made me promise not to do that unless I'm training with you?"

"That was then, this is now. From now on I want you to do what you should be doing. Learning how to fight and survive with every means possible. And if that means showing the Amazons how proficient you really are... then so be it. It's about time they learnt who the real Kharis is."

"Are you sure? It's been hard enough in the village as it is. They keep trying to bait me into showing them that I'm really your sister. They think that I'll just start kicking ass like you do."

"Well can't you?" a small glimmer of amusement shone in azure eyes.

"Not like you do, no."

"But in your own way, yes... if you would allow yourself to," Xena stated as she started to walk back to the village leaving a perplexed Kharis standing in the clearing.

Catching up to the warrior the girl fell in step, silently pondering what her sister had meant by that. 'If I allowed myself to?' Shaking her head slightly as they entered the village, Kharis understood where Xena was coming from but didn't want to accept it so decided to leave it till later.

Crossing through the main courtyard, Kharis felt eyes continually following her progress beside the warrior. Life in the village had fallen into a routine, since she had been brought back from her failed attempt at taking Caesar's life, but a routine that was void of companionship, besides Gabrielle and her sister. The only Amazons that would willingly spend any time with the young woman where her trainers: Ephiny, Solari, Eponin, and Elysse. Beyond those four not one Amazon was inclined to speak to her or even acknowledge the girl's presence unless they wanted to challenge her. Yet everywhere she went, their eyes would follow her, watching and judging.

At first she attributed it to being Xena's sister and the mystique that had already developed around the girl from her disappearance in front of the royal guards' eyes. When she still wasn't accepted, the young woman reasoned that her own aloof manner around the Amazons was to blame and tried to make a concerted effort to engage those closer to her age in discussions during and after training. That went over like a trip down to Tartarus.

Finally, she realised that her 'freakish' abilities spooked most of the Amazons and thus alienated her from them worse than if she was a hydra. Pulling back and faltering during training was the only way to relieve the open jealousy and animosity, yet it still did not relieve the tension. Failure was not an option, but how could one fight a battle when the battlefield hadn't been drawn yet?

Xena marched up the temple steps nodding her head slightly to the high priestess, Elysse, who was waiting for her pupil. "Here she is, ready and willing for your teachings."

The priestess smiled slightly as Kharis walked around her sister and leapt up the steps into the temple without a backward glance. "Ready, I'm sure, Xena, but willing? No. That one doesn't want to open her heart to Artemis."

"She's young, Elysse, and doesn't trust the gods, even if one of them is the Patron Goddess of the Amazons."

"That's precisely my point. She's too young to be jaded towards the gods. It does not bode well."

"It has for me," Xena smirked. "Besides, a good healthy disdain for gods will enable her to resist Ares' call when he comes for her."

"That is why she should embrace Artemis. With Kharis under our Patron's wing she will be protected from him." The priestess smiled reassuringly, trying to make the stubborn warrior before her understand the power that her Goddess held.

"No. She will never be protected from him, despite your faith in Artemis. Trust me. I know," Xena said as she allowed her darkness to shine through for a brief moment.

Elysse gasped slightly at the change in the warrior before her. Once placid and almost harmless, Xena was now taut with lethal foreboding.

"I do believe you, Xena," Elysse said haltingly. "But you gave me the job of training your sister. For that I have to ask you to trust me to know what I'm talking about."

"You know your stuff and that's the most I can expect from you," Xena said as she placed the darkness back in its cage. Nodding once again to the priestess, the warrior princess left the temple steps and headed towards the Queen's hut.

Sighing, Elysse turned and entered the temple, praying to her Goddess to give her the strength to help the young girl waiting inside.

Kharis paced back and forth in the small learning chamber as she waited for the priestess to arrive. She was sick of the woman's ramblings about Artemis and only stayed because of a promise made to her sister. If Xena thought learning about the Goddess was in her best interests, then Kharis would learn, grudgingly.

Picking up one of the scrolls lying about the tables, Kharis grimaced as she sat down on the floor and unrolled the parchment. 'Might as well do some reading while I wait.' Deep in concentration, she never noticed a small Amazon enter the room and walk towards her.

"Excuse me," the woman said softly as Kharis leapt to her feet, dropping the scroll onto the ground. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you."

"You didn't," Kharis said nonchalantly, despite the fevered pounding of her heart. "I haven't seen you in the village before. You new here?"

"You could say that," the woman replied as she bent down and retrieved the fallen parchment. "How are you liking our village?"

"It's all right I guess," Kharis replied as she studied the small woman before her. Not much bigger than herself, Kharis marvelled at the woman's cool air of confidence. Tanned muscles glistened in the soft light of the room as the woman smiled. A rather large bow with arrows was held fast to the woman's back but didn't seem to hamper her graceful movement. Dressed in forest green clothing the Amazon nearly shone.

"You're not sure?" the woman asked as she strolled around the room, caressing any scroll that was visible.

"I'd rather be on the road than here. At least out there you know who your enemies are," Kharis admitted despite herself.

"You feel you have enemies here?" the woman asked innocently as she studied the girl.

"No one has tried to dissuade me otherwise. Most treat me like one anyway."

"If you believe yourself to be the enemy, then others will treat you accordingly."

"Aren't I?" the girl whispered, despite herself.

The stocky Amazon laughed as she approached Kharis. "No, you aren't. You are only a child who is scared of what she will become."

"And what is that?" Kharis sneered, daring the woman to even guess what she was truly afraid of.

"I know about your fears of the prophecy and what you are fated to become."

"How do you...?" the girl stammered as fear quickly leapt into golden eyes.

"I have been watching you ever since you entered our village," the woman simply replied. "I knew you were to be the One and have been guarding you from afar until the day you would need my help. That day is coming soon I fear."

Unsheathing her sword, Kharis leveled the tip against the woman's chest. "And what makes you think I would want your help?"

"Because time is running out for you. You are at the crossroads at this moment and if you don't chose wisely all will be lost," the small woman smiled as she stepped closer into the sword's tip, allowing it to caress her breast. Mellow brown eyes held golden pools hypnotically for a few brief seconds before Kharis was given release.

"What choices do I have?" the girl sneered. "Ares already owns my soul."

"That is where you are wrong. If you continue to ignore the darkness that is within you than yes, Ares has laid claim to your soul. But if you follow the path that your sister has taken, then he will have no hold over you. The darkness within you both is the key."

"What do you know about darkness?"

"I know that it exists in all of us, as does the light. Unlike pure evil, the darkness within us serves a purpose. Some, like you and Xena, are comprised of darkness more than others are, but it is a part of the whole none-the-less. Learn from your sister. She allows her darkness to sit close to her heart while keeping it afar and thus uses it for good. Only by perceiving evil can you truly understand how to overcome it."

"I won't allow it to overcome me," Kharis swore as the sword dropped to her side.

Lightly stroking Kharis' cheek the stocky Amazon smiled as she shook her head. "But you already have. By denying the darkness' existence, you have allowed it entrance into your heart. There it will rest; gathering strength until it is too late for you to combat it. Once that happens there will be no turning back. You will be lost."

"Why do you care?" Kharis growled as she whipped her head away from the woman's soothing touch.

"What happens to you will affect us all. My first duty is to protect the Amazons. If that means that I must protect you as well, then so be it."

"How can you protect me? I have heavy protection as it is, but in the long run it still won't be enough."

"Your sister and fellow Amazons are protecting your mind and body by teaching that which you need to know. I am here to help guard your soul."

Kharis snorted as she turned away from the woman and walked to a lone window facing the village square, her sword still resting by the side of her thigh. "My soul isn't worth protecting."

"Do you truly believe that?" the woman asked concerned.

"Yes."

"Then you will need my protection more than you know. My brother, sister, and I will always be here when you need us," the woman said tenderly. "Experience the darkness, Kharis, and learn from it. From that you will not only save your soul, but your sister's as well."

"Your brother and sister?" Kharis asked curiously as she turned to face the woman, only to find herself once again alone in the room. A sudden chill crept down her spine as Kharis sucked in a sharp breath, uncertain whether she was truly alone. Calming now fragile nerves, she sheathed her sword and quickly walked out of the room into a startled Elysse.

"Sweet Artemis, child, you scared the Tartarus out of me," the high priestess gasped.

"I don't think I could handle any lessons today, priestess. I will return tomorrow to pick up where we left off last time," Kharis said coldly.

"Your sister believes..." Elysse started but was stopped by a few fingers covering her lips.

"I never said I was stopping the lessons. I just need some time to think. I promise I will be back tomorrow," Kharis swore as she dropped her hand.

Leaving the priestess, the girl walked down the hall coming to a stop by a small altar. Bowing her head slightly the girl grimaced as she voiced her fears. "You are wrong, Artemis. I can't allow myself to succumb to the darkness that Ares gave me. I fear I'll never come back, and I won't allow that to happen. Protect your Amazons well, Artemis, for they will need it very soon."

Xena was at odds with herself when she entered the Queen's hut. Finding the hut empty, the warrior princess quickly removed her weapons and body armour before tackling her greaves and boots. Finally being rid of them she walked softly into the next room to the Queen's private bathhouse. Finding that scented water was already steaming in the large tub Xena allowed a small smile as she stripped out of her leathers and britches and stepped into the soothing water. Sighing with relief the warrior closed her eyes and allowed her mind to wander as the hot water slowly relaxed her tense body.

Two delicately formed hands rested lightly on the side of the tub for a few moments before moving to Xena's tight shoulders to knead the tension out of them. Exhaling with contentment, Xena kept her eyes closed as her bard continued to work on the shoulders.

"How did it go?" Gabrielle asked as she moved to a particularly hard spot by Xena's neck.

"Practice went well, but she's still holding back," Xena purred as her body started to feel like jelly from the warm water and the light touch.

"Have you talked to her yet?"

"No, she won't listen to reason. I should know. No, I'm going to have to do something more confrontational I think."

Wisps of light blonde hair gently grazed Xena's shoulders as Gabrielle gave her soulmate a light kiss on the top of her head. "Is that really the best thing to do?"

"I don't know," Xena sighed. "But it's the only thing that I can think of right now. Nothing else has worked so far, and we are running out of time. I thought for sure she would have broken through her fears by now, but... well, something drastic has to happen, and I'd rather be there when it does, just in case."

"You want me to talk to her?"

"Honestly, Gabrielle, I don't think it would do much good. This is something that has to be done, not discussed. She has to release her battle lust while she can still be protected, not when it's too late to bring her back from it."

"Why have you never pushed me to release... well... you know?" Gabrielle asked all of a sudden, surprised for even thinking it.

Sky blue eyes opened and turned to look into misty green orbs. "Because once you did, there would be no going back. You would then be on the path of a killer, and that, my sweet bard, is not for you."

"I have killed before," Gabrielle whispered as she left Xena's back and sat on a small stool beside the tub.

"Yes, you have. But both times were with great remorse during and after. A warrior never thinks about the kill. They just do it. There is no remorse until the end of the day, and, even then, most of the time, there is none."

"So, you're going to force Kharis into a situation where she will have to kill?"

"No," Xena soothed as she began to wash her legs. "I can help her release the battle lust without having to shed blood. If I'm there she won't even hurt anyone."

"And then what?"

"Then I will show her how to control it, bend it to her will so that she can call upon it when she needs to, without fearing the consequences."

Gabrielle took the sponge out of Xena's hands and scuttled the stool closer to the tub. "Here, let me get your back," the bard said as she began to wash well-defined muscles in silence.

Hanging her head in her arms, Xena calmly waited for Gabrielle to finish before taking the sponge back to work on her arms and chest. "Dinar for your thoughts."

"What would happen if she couldn't control it like you do?"

"I don't know, Gabrielle. I guess we'll have to worry about that when we crossed that bridge. She'll control it though. I'm sure of it."

"How can you be sure? You've lost control before," the bard said softly.

"Yes, I have. And, if it weren't for you, I would probably still be out of control. But that's because of the years I lived in the grip of hatred and anger. Kharis has only experienced that recently, so she won't be as strongly tempted, like I am all the time."

Gabrielle stood up and walked to the front of the tub, concern plainly showing on her face. "Are you always tempted? Every day?"

"Almost every day. No matter how tranquil or at peace I may be with myself, something inevitably happens that stirs it up and tries to draw me back. Whether it is from a battle, seeing the innocent being down-trodden, or even something as simple as going stir crazy I'm always tempted to give in, but I don't."

"Because of me," Gabrielle stated simply, fully understanding the consequences of her bond to the warrior.

Xena nodded. "Once, it was only because of you. But now, committing an act for the greater good drives the demons away much more quickly than before. Maybe in a while that will be all that is needed."

"So, you're saying that one day I'll be dispensable? That's a pleasing thought," Gabrielle jokingly said as she caught a mischievous glint in the warrior's eyes.

"Never worry about that, my bard," Xena drawled as she quickly grabbed Gabrielle's hands and yanked her into the tub headfirst. Pulling the bard's head up out of the water, Xena laughed at the drowned puppy look she was being given. "You are truly indispensable to me for many, many reasons."

"One of them being my serving as your water toy?" Gabrielle sputtered as she pushed soaking bangs out of her eyes. "Gods, Xena, I wasn't the one needing a bath."

Innocent blue eyes sparkled at the bard. "I just wanted to return the favour for the back rub."

"You could have done that once you got out of the tub you know," Gabrielle complained half-heartedly.

"Now what kind of fun would that be?" Xena grinned evilly as she helped Gabrielle out of her shift and proceeded to show the bard how back rubs were much nicer in a hot bath.

Kharis sighed as she brought her plate of food in the stable and sat down on a bale of hay beside a cross-tied Argo. Ripping a piece of meat from the large bone, the young woman methodically chewed the venison as her thoughts betrayed the cool air of indifference that enveloped her outer being. Something as simple as breaking fast in the mess hall was taxing on the girl. Time after time one of the younger Amazons would challenge her to a contest in arms before she was even five feet within the door. Whispers of cowardice and weakness always followed her when she declined the challenge.

"They just won't leave me alone, Argo," Kharis spoke to the mare as a small amount of juice from the meat dribbled down her chin. "If they aren't baiting me into a fight, they're ignoring me. I don't know how much longer I can take it."

The golden mare snorted as Kharis continued to eat and speak randomly.

"I'm not a coward despite what they may say. You know that, doncha Argo? I mean, don't they realise what would happen if I were to fight one of them. To really fight? I could kill them without even thinking about it. Then where would I be?"

Argo nickered, shoving her nose into Kharis' shoulder. Offering the mare a piece of her bread Kharis sighed as Argo willingly took the offering.

"I wish I never was born. Things would be simpler for everyone. But I'm here and there is nothing I can do about it," Kharis said to the mare as she finished the rest of her meal.

Placing her plate down, Kharis stood up and started currying Argo, reveling in the rhythmic exercise. After the mare's coat, mane, and tail were glistening, Kharis wrapped her arms around Argo's neck and buried her face in the flaxen mane.

"No matter how hard I try to believe that things will work out in the end, I just can't, Argo. Somewhere in my soul I know that the road I am on will lead to many deaths. How can I change that? How can I accept that?" Kharis cried suddenly as a tall shadow loomed over the young woman.

"You can, and you will," Xena said as her startled sister whipped around to face the warrior. Gabrielle, who was standing patiently behind Xena, smiled warmly to soothe the girl's distress.

"How long have you been standing there?" Kharis asked warily.

"Long enough to try to shake some sense into you," Xena replied bluntly.

"Xena, be nice," Gabrielle said as she went and stood beside Kharis, reaching up and stroking away an errant tear off the girl's cheek. "Don't worry, Khar. We'll think of something. You won't have to go through this alone."

"Gabrielle, quit coddling her. She's a woman now and should start acting like one."

Gabrielle whirled around, hands on hips, and angrily glared at Xena. "Xena? How can you be so cruel?"

"I'm not being cruel. I'm being practical. Kharis, you need to realise something and accept it. You aren't who you are because of your parents but who you make yourself to be. If you believe that Ares has won, then he has, plain and simple. You might as well go off and start leading his army right now. But that would be the coward's way out, and you are not a coward. At least you weren't a few months ago."

Golden eyes flamed for a few moments before the fire was doused as Kharis bit her bottom lip, trying to maintain her composure. "And what is that supposed to mean?" she asked sullenly.

"Over the past two months you have been hiding from accepting what you are. You're a warrior and a warrior only has one purpose. To fight for the greater good even if that means using whatever is necessary," Xena said emphatically.

"What do you want from me? I've been learning all that I can as quickly as I can. How much more can I do?"

"How much more? For starters, how about accepting the fact that bloodlust curses through your veins every time you pick up the sword? How about accepting the darkness within you and using it to your advantage? How about being honest with your teachers and yourself for a change and really learn all that you can?" Xena said softly, hoping that Gabrielle would jump in any time. Sensitive chats were definitely not the warrior's thing, even with her own sister, and this chat was not one of her most sensitive ones.

"I have been learning all that I can. I'm better than most of those Amazons out there at almost every weapon. Isn't that good enough?" Kharis cried.

"No, it's not, Khar," Gabrielle jumped in. "I've watched you during practices. You never act, just react. You are only better than they are because your reactions are quicker, no more. Until you accept everything that makes you what you are, you might as well not even bother with the charade you've been pulling. You might as well put down weapons and give up."

"I don't get you guys," Kharis laughed bitterly. "First you tell me to hold back. Then you tell me to go for it. I'm not supposed to submit to Ares' call. Yet, you want me to submit to the bloodlust that he gave me. I'm going crazy! I just know it!"

"No, you're just hiding, and that stops right now," Xena said suddenly. "Ephiny is in the middle of staff practice right now, and you're going to participate."

"But..." Kharis stammered as Xena pointed to the open stable door.

"No buts! We're going!" Xena ordered as she strode out of the barn, never looking back to see if Kharis was there.

Following along behind her sister, Kharis ignored those around her as she slipped into her own discontent, hoping the practice session would be over before they got there. Not paying attention, Kharis bounced off Xena's back as the warrior came to a stop in front of the group of young Amazons being trained by Ephiny. Clearing her throat, Xena caught the eye of the Regent as Kharis stepped around her sister to stand beside the tall woman.

"Eph, got room for one more?" the warrior asked as she recognised the hostile glares directed at her sister from the other Amazons.

Ephiny smile warmly at the girl as she motioned with her head for Kharis to join the circle. "Of course we do. Kharis can take the next bout."

Kharis sat down in the circle as the girls on either side of shuffled further away. Ignoring the affront, the girl watched the staff bout that was taking place in front of her with keen eyes. Noticing opening after opening that the Regent left, Kharis snorted as the young trainee in the centre of the circle ignored the invitations and fought a defence battle.

Many of the other trainees sitting in the circle scowled at Kharis. Xena, standing off to the side with Gabrielle, hid a smile at her sister's obvious impatience but softly chastised the girl through will alone. Feeling her sister's disapproval through their blood bond, Kharis held her next remark as the trainee's legs were swiped from her and the girl took a heavy fall onto the ground.

Ephiny held an arm out and helped the girl up while she gestured to the group. "What was the fatal error that Mara made?"

"She never attacked," Kharis blurted out.

"And why is that fatal, Khar?"

"Defence is only good for a short term. Eventually you have to attack if you want to neutralise your opponent. You can't hold out forever by only using defensive manoeuvres. You'll be dead."

Ephiny smiled as she caught Xena's eye. "Why don't you show us, Khar."

Kharis bit her bottom lip as she stood up and relieved herself of the small scabbard across her back. Placing it down in her spot, the young woman walked towards the centre of the ring and picked up the fallen staff lying in the dust. Saluting the woman in front of her, Kharis took a defensive stance as the Regent's staff flew towards her torso. The clash of deflection resounded throughout Kharis' body as she thrust the bottom of her staff at exposed legs only to be efficiently blocked.

The two fighters circled each other, trading blows as each tried to gain the upper hand. Both women were sweating profusely but neither gave an inch. Despite her much smaller size and inexperience Kharis was giving Ephiny a run for her money. Yet, Xena could still see the girl mentally holding herself back... not taking opportunities that presented themselves to the warrior's trained eye. Opportunities Kharis could plainly see.

Xena knew that the time had come to push her sister into releasing the darkness that was hiding beneath the surface. The staffs gave her the perfect opportunity without any fear of bloodshed. Grabbing a staff, discarded by one of the trees, Xena yelled her battle cry while flipping into the ring of trainees and attacked Kharis while she deflected one of Ephiny's blows.

Instinct took over for the girl as she blocked the staff travelling towards her exposed back and whirled to face her sister. Shock clearly registered on Ephiny's face as she immediately stopped the motion of her returning swing while Kharis blocked another bone crushing blast from the warrior princess.

"Xena, stop! What are you doing?" the Regent yelled as Xena continued with her attack.

"Attack now, Ephiny!" Gabrielle yelled from the side as Kharis blocked Xena's sweep. "She has to learn to let go."

Ephiny stood stunned as she watched the warrior literally try to take the girl's head off with the staff only to be denied as Kharis ducked and jumped out of the way. Launching a volley of swings, Xena kept the girl on the defensive as she called out to the Regent.

"She has to release herself to the bloodlust before she can learn to control it, Eph. We don't have much time left," Xena grunted between volleys.

Kharis vaguely heard her sister's call over the pounding in her head as she tried to survive the onslaught of blows heading towards her. Fear flooded through her body as she tried to control the growing anger that wouldn't be allowed any release. Couldn't be allowed to rise to the surface.

Ephiny slowly nodded as she finally saw what Xena meant. She had been surprised when Kharis refused to do any more staff training but associated it with the need to spend more time learning the sword with her sister. Now, she finally understood why. Kharis was visibly checking herself at every opportunity, now that Ephiny could finally watch the small figure's refined movements. Every thrust, sweep, and block was perfectly timed, yet was automated. Only perfectly sharp reflexes were allowed to respond as the girl disassociated herself from the staff, instead of allowing it to be an extension of herself.

Xena continued to press her attacks, hoping to fuel the anger that was lying so close to the surface in her sister. Yet the girl's control never broke. Leaping lightly over Kharis' head the warrior landed beside Ephiny and allowed her staff to drop as the girl whirled around, preparing for another attack.

Desperately trying to control her gasping breath, Kharis stood on guard as she tried to speak. "Xe... please... stop... doing this."

Xena smiled smugly as she caught the slight nod from the blonde Amazon beside her. "You are about to learn once and for all what it truly means to fight, Khar. There will be no hiding from now on. Get over it!"

Both women attacked the girl simultaneously, aiming for opposite ends of the girl's body. Unable to defend herself, Kharis allowed the blow to the body to make contact as she blocked the staff end heading towards her head. Pain shot up to her arms as she tried to unsuccessfully block another tandem attack. Blow after blow landed on her small frame as she blocked each attack the best she could.

Disgust at what the two women were subjecting her to quickly filled Kharis' head, along with a white burning rage that frightened her more than the attacks themselves. Weakened and bruised, Kharis never gave in as she tried to fight off her two opponents. Blue eyes as cold as ice blazed into the girl's golden orbs as Artemis' voice suddenly rang loud and true from afar, 'Experience the darkness Kharis and learn from it.'

Tearing down the walls of control, Kharis surrounded herself in anger as a small sneer formed on her lips. Time slowed to a crawl as staffs flew at her in slow motion, allowing her the luxury to parry and attack almost at once. The pain that once racked her body disappeared as a warm glow overtook her, heightening every nerve fibre to an intense point. She could almost feel the warm caress of air glide past her body, as the staffs no longer found their marks.

Laughing evilly, Kharis was a blur in motion as she began her attacks on each woman when an opening presented itself. Wood against flesh struck again and again as the fury of Kharis' staff delivered retribution on those arrogant enough to test her. The battle lust shone on her bronzed face as those around the circle stared at the fight in shocked horror. Never before had they seen such a display as each trainee quickly reassessed her opinion of the girl that they had ostracised.

Sweeping the legs out from under Ephiny, Kharis flew at the Regent with a thrust to her throat as Xena slammed her foot into the girl's chin, rocking her away from the Regent's prone form. Throwing her staff to the ground, the warrior quickly grabbed the staff that was aimed for her head and yanked it out of Kharis' hands. Flaming golden eyes swept up to the hand as a sinister smile climbed to the girl's lips.

"You shouldn't have done that," Kharis said coldly as she reached for the dagger that was attached to her thigh.

"Kharis!" Xena bellowed as she threw the young woman's staff down. "It's over!"

"It's over when I say it's over," the girl replied smoothly as she flipped the dagger towards Xena's exposed neck. Snatching the dagger out of the air with her left hand Xena brought her right fist over to Kharis' head, knocking her down to the ground. Flinging her body onto Kharis', Xena held the girl on the ground as the fire raging inside of her sister continued to burn brightly.

"Come back to me, Kharis. Let it go. It's over. Come back." Over and over the warrior repeated the statement into the girl's ear as Kharis struggled to get the large muscular body off of her.

Slowly rising from the ground, Ephiny watched Xena struggling to contain her sister. Snatching a glance at the circle of stunned trainees, she motioned for them to leave as she walked towards the warrior and girl. She knelt down into the dust beside the bard, who had run over to help her soulmate in soothing the young woman's anger.

Stroking the raven head that lay next to the warrior's own, Ephiny was held in the gaze of Death itself as Kharis' eyes focussed on the blonde woman. Absolute rage radiated from golden eyes, completely overwhelming the blonde Amazon. Yet, she never shied away from it as she tried to convey her support and love to the girl. Suddenly, the golden eyes closed as the final battle was drawn.

Slowly, yet subtly, Kharis' body hardened as she found herself balancing on the edge. Trying to control the demon within her, as it released one final attack on her soul, Kharis mentally braced herself for the impact. Unable to wrest control, it subsided into its box in the shadows as the young woman slowly came to her senses and her body succumbed to the exhaustion of the fight.

Xena felt her sister finally regain control as the girl's body relaxed completely only to be taken over by violent shudders. Rolling off her sister, Xena snatched the girl up in her arms. She held Kharis close to her chest as loud sobs quickly broke from the young woman's throat.

Gabrielle shuffled over to Xena and stroked Kharis' hand as she tried to comfort her. "Shhh, Khar. It's over. You're back here with us now. Don't cry. Shhh."

Xena rocked the girl as Gabrielle continued to talk until Kharis' sobs quieted down to just sniffles and gasps. Golden eyes, held tightly closed, refused to open until a finger lightly brushed dark eyelashes.

"Open your eyes, Kharis," Xena's husky voice drawled as she tilted the girl's face up to hers. "It's all right. You can open them now."

A slight flutter of lashes revealed flaxen eyes now mellowed as Kharis looked into her sister's smiling face.

"Welcome back, Khar," Xena whispered as she brushed a few stray hairs away from the girl's eyes. "How do you feel?"

Holding in a sob, that threatened to break free, Kharis swallowed roughly as she shook her head slightly. "I don't feel so good. I feel like death warmed over."

Xena nodded. "That will pass. Just give it a few minutes as your body readjusts to losing your battle lust."

"Why?" the girl asked as new tears quickly fell across tanned cheeks.

"It was the only way. I'm sorry, sister, but you can't control it forever, despite what you may think. You have to release that rage pent up inside of you and learn how to control it so you can use it when you have to."

"I could have killed Ephiny," Kharis wept as she turned to look at the Regent.

"But you didn't," Ephiny chuckled as she ruffled ebony hair. "I wasn't giving your abilities the respect they deserve and took you for granted. Next time, I won't, and you won't find it so easy to get me down on the ground."

"No, it shouldn't have happened," Kharis said with all certainty.

"Yes, it should have," Gabrielle said adamantly as Xena helped Kharis out of her lap to sit on her own. "Are you feeling better?"

"A little," the girl replied meekly as tears sporadically fell onto her lap.

Grasping Kharis into a hug Gabrielle stroked her hair. "Kharis, you are going to have to trust us."

"I do."

"No, you don't," Gabrielle said adamantly as she pushed the girl at arm's length trying to make eye contact. "If you truly did you wouldn't be holding back on us. What are you so afraid of? Afraid that you might hurt us? Afraid that you might like fighting too much? What?"

Kharis sat in silence, head bowed, as she bit her bottom lip unwilling to answer. What was she afraid of? 'Anything and everything' Three woman waited patiently for the girl to answer, each guessing what it would be but only one knowing the true answer.

Finally raising her eyes to meet those of her sister's Kharis exhaled softly. "I'm scared I won't ever come back if either of you aren't there. Then I'll be lost forever."

"There is that possibility," Xena stated bluntly, shocking Gabrielle and Ephiny alike.

"Xena, how can you say that?" Ephiny stammered before the bard could ask the same question.

"Because I know, Eph. I've been there," the warrior replied coldly. "For ten years I rode as Ares' Chosen, filled with hatred and anger that could only be quenched by death. Hundreds of thousands of deaths... No matter how many villages I razed, how many kingdoms I conquered, it was never enough. You fight for the safety of the village and your Amazons. I fought for the pure joy of killing. And it was a joy for many years. The more blood I spilled, the more obsessed I became with spilling it. It was a vicious circle."

Fixing ice-cold eyes on the blonde Amazon's, Xena allowed the wolf to shine for a moment. "I was unstoppable and didn't feel anything for those poor souls that got in the way of my sword. Your own sisters felt my wrath, and, because of me, the Amazons are no longer the mighty Nation they once were. Do not underestimate Ares' pull. I did and will be paying the consequences for the rest of my life."

"Then why force her to experience it?"

"Because she is going to have to embrace it before she can learn how to reject it. Ares won't give her any option but to and when she does she is going to have to choose which side she will take. Ares won't give up on her, just like he'll never give up on me. If it weren't for Gabrielle being my source I would have gone back to him many years ago. Kharis needs her own source, and that will have to come from inside." A slight hand quickly squeezed the warrior's own as Gabrielle smiled at her soulmate.

"I feel the pull to rejoin him every single moment of my life, whereas she doesn't. And because of that we have a window of opportunity to allow her to experience it without the repercussions," Xena declared as she turned her attention to her sister. "Khar, you're much stronger than I am, despite what you may think. You said so yourself... if I could overcome the darkness within me... you could too. How will you overcome it if you can't recognize when it has control?"

"I don't know," Kharis acknowledged grudgingly.

"Do you want to be his Chosen and fill the shoes that I vacated? Do you want to become what I was?"

"No, of course not, but..."

"There is no but, not when concerning Ares. You said yourself that there isn't much time. You know there isn't so the choice is now up to you. Will you allow us to help you or will you willingly hand over your soul to Ares?"

"I can't..."

"Yes or no? You made a promise to me once. You promised that you would do everything that I said even if it meant endangering your life or ours. You remember?"

"Yes," the girl replied meekly. Kharis had prayed over the past few months that her sister wouldn't remember the promise but knew that she would be held by it, even if it meant losing her soul.

"Then follow through with that promise. Will you trust us? Trust me to help you find your way?"

"I promised, so I will"

"Swear as my blood sister."

Golden eyes opened wide at the oath that Xena demanded, knowing that if she did there was no going back. "I swear as your blood sister that I will hold true to the promise."

"Good," Xena said as she hugged her sister tightly. "Now, you can begin your real training."

CHAPTER 2

Word of the fateful staff bout quickly spread throughout the village within a few days. By the week's end, there was not one woman, nor child, who did not know what had happened, and who it happened to. In a warped twist of fate, the bout did more than help exercise the demon that lay beneath Kharis' surface; it helped bridge the chasm of misgivings the village had towards the young woman. After a few weeks, she was not only truly accepted by the Amazons, but was even embraced as one of their own.

Xena shook her head slightly as she made her way to the communal gardens. Amazons never ceased to confuse her. If she had known all it took was an all out staff match, to gain Kharis' acceptance, then she would have done it sooner. She should have known that these women were very much like her. Actions always spoke louder than words.

Strolling across one of the small courtyards, the imposing warrior made her way around the mess hut, stopping in a small spot of shade provided by a small tree. Scanning the large plot of land before her, which was reserved for growing the village's vegetables, Xena found her sister and another girl hunched over a row of tomato plants, carefully removing any weeds that might hamper the plant's growth. Her sister's laughter floated over the neat rows of plants to Xena's sensitive ears as Kharis was obviously enjoying something that her companion was relating to her.

Stepping over a row of melons ripening in the sun, Xena walked towards her sister, occasionally nodding a return greeting to the others working in the garden. She quickly began to discern the flow of the conversation directed to her sister.

"... and so here's your sister, trudging up the path, pulling an enormous wagon full of fish, and finding the Queen on the same path beside Aphrodite, who stunk to Mt. Olympus supposedly, Ares, and the Queen's friend Joxer. Well..."

"Am I interrupting?" Xena said suddenly from behind the girls as both Kharis and her companion whipped around, sheepishly smiling at the bronzed warrior.

"No, Mara was just telling me one of Gabrielle's stories that I hadn't heard before," Kharis said as she stood up and slapped the dirt off her hands. Smiling fondly at her companion, Kharis laughed inwardly at her friend's obvious unease being around Xena. No matter how many times she tried telling Mara that her sister is not who she appeared to be, the young Amazon wouldn't believe it. The fabled Destroyer of Nations wasn't a person to Mara... she was an icon.

"Hope it was a good one?" Xena chuckled softly, causing Mara to almost jump out of her skin. The sudden change in persona was frightening. Once imposing and lethal, Xena now exhibited an air of ease and good humour that the young woman couldn't get accustomed to.

"Oh, it was. Why didn't you tell me about that enchanted scroll?"

"I thought Gabrielle had already told you that one?"

"Not when I've been around. Though I can see why," Kharis laughed. "She really screwed that one up."

"So, what are you guys up to after garden detail is over?" Xena directed the question to the Amazon beside her sister, trying to draw the girl's shyness out.

Mara visibly swallowed as she tried to find her voice. "We're supposed to be at bow practice within the candlemark. We're practicing for the Festival."

"Well, I've seen you with the bow, Mara, and I think you can handle missing one practice, don't you?" Xena suddenly said as she allowed one of her rare smiles to wash over the girl.

"Well... I... I..."

"Hades, yes!" Kharis jumped in for her stammering friend. "She's the best out of the group. I've been telling her that for almost moon now, but she won't believe me."

"Khar, you're just saying that to be nice," Mara said sheepishly, feeling awkward with the praise coming from her friend.

"Have you ever known me to say something that I didn't mean?" Kharis asked seriously.

"No, but you also know that you are the best amongst us, so don't try building me up while tearing yourself down at the same time," Mara replied as seriously. It was a familiar routine for the two young women. Kharis always trying to downplay her abilities while Mara continually tried to build them up.

Xena watched the two young women's exchange, and grinned. Just a month ago, Kharis couldn't get the time of day from the Amazons. Now, she had respect and friendship from mostly everyone, but especially one unlikely source. Mara truly surprised Kharis and Xena, the day after their staff bout, by offering her friendship. That day held many surprises for them both.

It had been a productive practice as both Xena and Kharis moved through the different defence and offence techniques of the sword. The fight had been a short, but exhausting, exercise that warranted a time out for both women to catch their breaths. Sitting against one of the larger trees surrounding the practice area, they were approached by the young Amazon, who was obviously nervous, but from whom neither could say.

"Hello," Mara greeted both women shyly as she approached the tree.

"Hi," Xena offered back as she studied the girl before her impassively. "You're Mara, right?"

"Yeah. I was the one that fought before the... well... before you both fought as well," She said softly, uncertain how to continue.

"What can we do for you?" Xena offered, hoping to help ease the Amazon into revealing why she was there with a quick smile.

"Well, I was just wondering... you see... I'm really here to ask something of Kharis."

"What do you want?" Kharis scowled, which got an elbow to her ribs from Xena and a muttered 'be nice' that only she could hear.

"I was wondering if you wanted to practice with me. I'm not very good with the staff, and could learn a lot from you. Plus, we could practice the other weapons together too. But if you don't want to, I can understand that," Mara said in one rush, glad she got it out before her fear stopped her.

For she was afraid of both women, but for differing reasons. Xena was an enigma that all of the Amazons feared to one extent or another. Kharis, on the other hand, was an unknown fear, and that was what intrigued Mara. The furious staff bout had opened the young Amazons eyes. The girl that fought like a demon, and bettered her two opponents, was someone who was so much more than she led everyone to believe. Mara recognised that in an instant and decided, then and there, to try and understand her complexities. Somehow, Mara knew that both were kindred spirits.

Kharis was slightly happy that someone was finally making an effort to actually talk to her, but the defensive walls, that she had built up after being around the Amazons, weren't going to come tumbling down any time soon. "I already have a practice partner with the staff. Gabrielle is the best there is," she answered somewhat more coldly than she had meant.

Dejection plainly seen in her eyes, Mara shrugged as she smiled slightly. "That's okay. Didn't think it could hurt to ask. Thanks anyway." Walking away from the resting warriors, Mara berated herself for bothering to even try. What was she thinking?

Xena gave her sister a dark look as she stood up, turning to face her sister. "What the Hades do you think you just did?"

"What?" Kharis asked offhandedly. "It's true that I already have a staff partner. You can't expect me to learn with an albatross like that to practice on do you?"

Xena snorted as she motioned for her sister to stand up, unsheathing her sword for the next round of lessons. "You are going to have to learn to trust people, Khar. She was offering you more than her body as a practice partner... she was offering you friendship."

"Yeah, right!" Her sister scoffed as she also unsheathed her sword and stood at the ready for Xena's initial attack. "She was probably just following through on a bet that the others gave her."

"It took a lot of courage to approach you, Khar, after what she had seen yesterday. That's something you could learn from her," Xena said offhandedly as she readied herself for the next lesson. A repeat of the previous day's events was scheduled, without her sister's knowledge of course.

"Are you calling me a coward?"

"Why, yes I am. You would rather hide behind me and Gabrielle, moaning about not being accepted here with the Amazons, then bite the crossbolt and open yourself up to one of them."

"How dare you!" Kharis shouted as she brought her sword downward towards Xena's head.

"I dare because it's the truth," Xena grunted as she deflected the blow and offered one in return. Stirring up Kharis' anger was relatively easy now as Xena proceeded to goad her sister on. "I never thought I'd see the day when you would be afraid of kindness. How does it feel to know that you're craven?"

Kharis answered with a kick to the stomach and a thrust to the throat that was easily deflected by Xena's many skills. Despite her misgivings, the young woman allowed her anger to boil at the surface, using it this time instead of trying to bury it. "You'll regret saying that dear sister," she said menacingly.

"I don't think I will," Xena smiled evilly as she let the wolf out to play. "Come on, you can do better than that. Quit loitering and fight for a change. You do know how to do that don't you?"

Kharis shuddered as she released her own demon and tried to take her sister's arm off, to no avail. "You'll soon find out, won't you?" she growled.

Both women fought with untamed fury. Yet, one controlled it and used it to her advantage while the other just sunk into its abyss. Xena knew that she could lose more than the fight if she didn't treat the threat of her sister seriously. As the glow of bloodlust coursed throughout her body, she forcibly checked her blows and allowed her sister to press the attacks.

"That's it, Khar. Feel the rage. Don't allow it to control your reactions. Control it to act with thought," she instructed as golden eyes grew harsh at the words.

"Control this!" Kharis yelled as she delivered a series of blows directed at the warrior's left side.

Backing up from the onslaught of attacks, Xena easily deflected her sister's sword until she felt her back caress a tree behind her. Bending down slightly, Xena released the tension in her thighs and flipped over Kharis' head, laughing as she landed on the other side of her sister, across the opposite end of the small practice area.

"No matter how hard you try to hurt me, Khar, you won't succeed," Xena said as the flush of power surged through her body. "Especially when you can't control your own body. Don't give in to the darkness. Bend it to do what you want, not what it wants."

"What if I like what it wants?" Kharis purred as she twirled the silver blade around her head, planning her next line of attack. "What if what it wants is what I want?"

Xena lowered her sword as she stood to face her sister's blade. "If it wants my life, then take it. I won't stop you. But think... will you be able to live with yourself afterwards, when it has left you cold and alone? Control it, Khar, before Ares uses it to control you."

Xena knew she was taking a risky chance in not defending herself to the evil that had overwhelmed her sister, but it was a chance she had to take. She had to know if Kharis could step over the line that stopped her from killing in cold blood. 'Not like I haven't come back from the dead before' she mused bitterly. Preparing to override her survival instincts, Xena stood perfectly still as Kharis rushed her, the girl's blade level with Xena's abdomen.

A moment before striking true, Kharis faltered as Xena's words finally gained entrance into her fevered mind. 'Control it, Khar, before Ares uses it to control you.' The mere mention of Ares name brought the young woman up short. The veil of bloodlust suddenly lifted as Kharis dropped her sword down before impaling her sister. As the tip buried itself into the ground the force of her momentum carried Kharis forward headfirst into her sister, who tried to absorb the impact.

Strong arms quickly wrapped around the girl as both women tumbled backwards, rolling a few feet before both finally came to a stop. Two sets of ragged lungs sharply inhaled as each cleared their heads from the fall. Rotating onto her side, Xena grimaced as she felt a cracked rib pound in protest from the movement. 'That'll teach me to take a hit like that' Reaching over to her sister, Xena felt the girl's clammy skin flinch at her touch.

"Come on, Khar. Get up! We're not done yet," Xena said as she started to get up haltingly.

Kharis turned over and sat up, confusion shining in golden eyes. "I don't understand," she said weakly as the loss of rage quickly drained her energy.

"Get up, and pick up your sword!" Xena yelled as she retrieved her own fallen weapon.

Kharis did as she was bidden and was soon standing, facing her sister once again in preparation to fight. Seriously weakened, she could barely lift the sword, as she stood ready for the next attack, pain clearly etched in her face.

"Now, I want you to call up your rage again. This time, check it before it overcomes you. Got that?" Xena ordered, as she stood ready.

Mortified what her sister was asking, Kharis shook her head. "No. I almost killed you."

"But you didn't. That moment when you could have, you didn't. Don't you see? You can control it. You just have to have faith in yourself, like I have faith in you."

Kharis knew that she didn't have faith in herself, but held onto the faith of her sister. Tapping into the hatred that recently lay so close to her heart, Kharis allowed it to slowly fill her soul as her weariness quickly left her, leaving her to feel rejuvenated and alive.

Emitting a feral smile, Kharis once again raised her sword, prepared for anything that Xena could throw her way. Recognising the look, Xena also smiled as she quickly attacked her sister, pushing the pain from the cracked rib into the back of her mind. Both women fought like banshees. Though azure eyes picked up a noticeable difference from the last fight. Where once Kharis was uncertain or wild in her movements, now she was sure and precise. Their deadly dance wound its way into a fevered pitch of clashes that startled the birds nesting within the surrounding trees.

Kharis felt a difference as she easily read her sister's patterns of attack, easily deflecting every assault that came her way. Holding back when necessary, yet releasing when paramount, Kharis quickly learnt to control her battle lust as the sun reached its zenith.

Reveling in her new found power, Kharis found herself quickly relieving Xena of her sword, only to stop dead as she watched the blade shimmer up into the air before tumbling back down to the ground. An amused look on Xena's face was the next thing the girl saw as her mouth dropped open from shock.

Xena chuckled at her sister's surprise. "Now that is what happens when you control it."

Kharis nodded dumbly as she pushed the fury from her mind and started to feel the pain, from overtaxed muscles, creep into her consciousness. Slumping down to the ground, Kharis closed her eyes as she quickly categorized the various pains, pushing them into their own little spaces deep within her. Once free of most of the pain, she opened her eyes to see her sister still chuckling, wincing slightly as each movement caused her obvious discomfort.

"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?" Kharis asked alarmed as she jumped to her feet and felt her world spin for a moment before subsiding back into normalcy.

"I just cracked a rib when we took that tumble. Didn't absorb your head-butt right," Xena smiled as she pulled her quivering sword out of the ground, its tip once buried in the dirt.

"Oh Gods, I'm so sorry," Kharis apologised as she moved towards her sister.

Xena held up her hand as she tried to calm her sister's fears. "Don't be. It was my fault. I should have twisted a different way when we were flying through the air. Another lesson learnt for both of us."

"That being?"

"That you have a very hard head. Like your sister," Xena laughed as she tapped her own head.

Kharis grinned and relaxed as she felt her normal strength return much more quickly than before. "You took a chance, you know?" the young woman said sadly.

"I had to, Khar. And I'll probably have to many more times, but it's for your own good. Like you said, we don't have much time. You have to use everything that is within you if you want to survive as Ares' Chosen. Including the darkness."

"I'll never be his Chosen," Kharis spat vehemently.

"You already are. But what you do with it is another thing. After ten long years, I finally realised I could use it for some good. Hopefully, when you are faced with the same decision, you'll make the same one."

"And if I don't?" the girl asked softly, still unsure whether she could fight Ares influence.

"Then you'll just have to get used to the fact that Gabrielle and I will be following you around, trying to show you otherwise. Either that, or we'll have to stop you," Xena said coldly as she effectively ended that line of thought.

"So, now what?" Kharis asked, aware that she had missed her training session with Eponin.

"Now you go and seek Mara out," Xena said as she sheathed her sword. "Friends are hard to come by. Trust me, I know. You will be kicking yourself later on in life if you don't give her the chance. Not every one will betray you like Caesar did, Khar. You deserve to have good friends beyond Gabrielle and me."

Kharis nodded, as she knew her sister was right. Xena could count the people she considered friends on only two hands, but those that made the cut were very special people. Flaxen eyes shone as Kharis smiled before leaving her sister to find the young Amazon that offered nothing but friendship.

Finding Mara that afternoon, Kharis accepted her offer and slowly but surely started to tear down the defensive walls she had built over the past month to allow the shy, sweet Amazon entrance into her life.

Kharis could only smile when she thought about that day. The day that opened up a few new doors into her life, along with changing her perception about herself and others. Not only did she conquer her fear of what she could do, but her fear of those around her. Mara was the first big step in that direction.

"So what were you thinking of, sis? Swords... staffs... what?" Kharis inquired.

"Neither. I was wondering if the two of you wanted to join Gabrielle and me on a picnic," Xena asked innocently.

Both young woman stared at the warrior, uncertain whether she was pulling their legs or not. Kharis broke first as she grabbed her sides in a fit of laughter that overwhelmed her. Mara soon followed, albeit warily.

A small sigh followed a raised eyebrow as Xena waited for her sister and companion to control their giggling. "And what's so funny about that?"

"Nothing," Kharis hiccuped, as she tried to stifle an oncoming wave of giggles. "I mean... come on, Xena! You? Picnic?"

"Excuse me, Khar, but what else would you call a nice day by the river with good food and company?"

"Ummm... besides a respite from having Amazons around you all day?"

"Heh!" Mara yelped as she punched her friend in the shoulder, hard.

"Present company excluded, of course," Kharis backtracked as she rubbed the now sore shoulder.

Xena shook her head as her face once again went impassive. "So, what will it be? Picnic or practice?"

"We'd have to be two-legged centaurs to turn an offer like that down, wouldn't we, Mara?" Kharis said in all seriousness.

"Well, you can go whenever you want. I, on the other hand, have to answer to Eponin if I don't show up for practice," Mara said dejectedly.

"Actually..." Xena drawled. "I already talked to Pony and she said you could miss practice as long as you stay with Gabrielle and me. I think Gabrielle talked to her before I did. You know how persuasive she can be."

Both girls laughed and nodded as the woman in question was suddenly seen walking towards them. Gabrielle felt a small blush on her cheeks as she approached the three women, certain that they were talking about her. "So, we set to go?"

"Yeah, I think I was able to twist their arms into it," Xena said as she ruffled her sister's hair.

"Good. I have the food ready back at the hut. Mara, would you be a dear and go and get it?" Gabrielle asked the young Amazon.

"Yes, my Queen," Mara replied softly as she bowed her head and took off at a run.

Gabrielle sighed as she shook her head at Mara's retreating back. "I wish she would get over the Queen business and just call me by my name."

"You know she can't," Kharis said in her friend's defence. "You are her Queen."

"In two days she will be yours as well," Xena smirked.

"Does that mean I'll have to start addressing you as 'my Queen'?" Kharis teased the bard.

"By the Gods, I couldn't handle it if you started to," Gabrielle laughed as she gave her soulmate's sister a quick hug. "Don't stop being you, Khar. Even after your initiation, you know where you stand."

"Yeah, as one of your loyal subjects," the girl said as she rolled her eyes. "Guess that means I'd have to follow your orders."

"You have to anyway," Xena smiled as a small glint came to her eyes. "She IS your elder."

"So? Almost everyone is my elder here. Doesn't mean I have to follow their orders," the young woman said defiantly.

Gabrielle sighed as another battle was beginning between the two sisters. Kharis' ego was one of the few things that Xena hadn't been able to control. The girl's stubborn pride didn't allow her to yield to anyone else's authority, beyond those that trained her. In her eyes, no one deserved it unless they proved themselves otherwise.

Xena scowled as her impatience clearly registered on the warrior's face. "Let's talk about this at a later time. We're supposed to be going on a picnic to relax, not fight."

"Who said we were fighting?" Kharis asked innocently, knowing full well that she could instigate her sister's anger at the drop of a helmet. A raised eyebrow was the only answer she received when Mara's approached the trio.

"I have the basket," Mara said softly as she felt the tension in the air surrounding her friend and Xena. "Is everything all right?"

"What could be wrong?" Gabrielle jumped in as she diffused her soulmate's sudden anger by grabbing the warrior under the arm and leading her out of the garden. Mara quickly gave Kharis a glance that plainly asked 'what happened?' Grinning wickedly, Kharis shrugged her shoulders and followed her sister as Mara shook her head, fully knowing that her friend was causing trouble just to be difficult. All four women strolled out of the garden area, each in their own thoughts.

"Gods, I'm stuffed," Gabrielle sighed happily as she rubbed her swollen belly. Mara and Kharis laughed as Xena could only grin slightly at her bard's declaration of fullness.

"I'm surprised," the warrior said as she leaned back against a rock, basking in the sun's warmth. "I thought for sure the second rabbit would have been enough for you."

"Not when she dug into the third one," Kharis giggled as she stood up to stretch her lazy muscles one by one.

The afternoon had passed pleasantly as each woman enjoyed the other's company. Many stories, jokes, and discussions had transpired along with much laughter. Along with a certain, nasty water fight that entailed both the warrior and bard ending up fully soaked while the Kharis and Mara got off relatively untouched.

"Ha, ha. You weren't much better, Khar," the bard mocked as she also stood up and started to retrieve the frying pan and knives. Heading to the river they had stopped by, the bard called over her should, "Mara, would you mind helping me clean these?"

Embarrassment registered on the young Amazons face as she realised she should have attended to the cleaning instead of her Queen. "Let me do those for you my Qu... Gabrielle," the girl said as she jumped up and reached for the pan. It had taken over a candlemark of corrections before the girl finally called Gabrielle by her name, albeit with much reverence.

"No need, Mara, we'll both do it. When Xena and I are on the trail I'm the one that does the cooking and cleaning don't forget." Gabrielle said as Mara and her walked towards the river's edge together. Both Xena and Kharis could hear the bard chattering on, trying to engage the young Amazon in a conversation.

Shaking her head in amusement Xena twisted her head suddenly to one side popping a vertebrate back in place before climbing to her feet as her sister continued to stretch well-toned muscles.

"I'm going to check the trap lines I set up. Tell Gabrielle I'll be back in a bit," Xena said as she grabbed her sword and chakram from the ground where they lay next to the other weapons.

"I'll go with you," Kharis said as she grabbed her thigh dagger and sword. "Gabrielle will be safe with Mara there to protect her."

Xena looked over to her bard and nodded as she watched Mara continually be wary of her surroundings while trying to keep her end of the conversation going with Gabrielle.

"Okay, let's go then."

Both sisters headed into the thick tree line and preceded to follow a deer path that Xena had laid traps on. Following her sister as silently as possible, Kharis allowed her thoughts to wonder as Xena took point and watched for any possible sign of attack. Though they were deep within the Amazon territory there was always the chance that some miscreant had made it past the Amazon patrols and guards.

"Xena?" Kharis asked suddenly as her sister was checking the first of the traps buried within the dense overgrowth.

"Yeah?" Xena grunted as she pulled a rabbit carcass out and disengaged it from the wire before digging up the snare's post and throwing the snare into a pouch.

"Why did you agree to this, on today of all days?"

"Because Gabrielle wanted to get away from her duties and just have a nice lazy day."

"You're lying to me," Kharis accused her sister softly. "Why?"

Xena whipped around and glared at her sister before snorting and moving onto the next snare. Kharis held her tongue as she let her sister answer the question when she was ready to.

Three traps later Xena finally spoke up. "I wanted Gabrielle to have a nice day to remember in case something happens in a few days."

"Does this have to do with my initiation?" Kharis asked, suddenly remembering the conversation her sister had with the high priestess so many months ago.

"Yes. Tomorrow I'll be going on trial for the deaths of the leaders of the Steppes Amazon Nation," Xena said simply as she checked the final trap and pulled a pheasant off the line. "I asked for it."

"I know, well I remember. I don't know why I didn't remember until now." Kharis didn't know what else to say as her confusion and then anger slowly began to surface. "Does Gabrielle know?"

"Not yet. I've already talked to Ephiny about it and she will head the tribunal. Gabrielle won't have to officiate. I was hoping to tell her this afternoon."

Kharis nodded, as she suddenly understood her role in the picnic. "So that's why you invited Mara also. You wanted the two of us to be there as a buffer."

Xena exhaled as she let her shoulders droop a bit. "I was hoping that with you two there she won't go into one of her tirades. At least, not as much as she could if the two of us were alone."

"You don't have to do this, you know. I would rather that you didn't actually. I don't need to become an Amazon. I need my sister more than that." the young woman said emphatically as she suddenly wrapped her arms around Xena's waist and held onto the warrior tightly.

Xena lightly kissed the top of raven hair as she hugged her sister back before forcing the girl to let go. "I have to do this, Khar. Not just for me, but for the Amazon Nation. There has been dissension in the ranks because I'm the Queen's Champion, and a war criminal to the Nation. This has to be solved for many more reasons than just your initiation."

"What will happen if they find you guilty?"

"I am guilty, Khar. As for the sentence... I have no idea. There will be many wanting my blood, I'm sure. I just hope that calmer heads will prevail and I'll only be banned from ever entering the Nation's territory upon threat of death," the warrior said matter-of-factly.

"But that would mean..."

"I know. It would create problems when concerning you and Gabrielle. I'd have to trust the Amazons to safely protect the two of you when either of you are in Amazon territory. But let's see what happens tomorrow before we start worrying about how we're going to live with it. Okay?"

"I still don't like it and you know Gabby isn't going to like it much more than me," Kharis stated sullenly.

"I'm more afraid of what it will do to her than me frankly. But we'll cross that bridge together. Don't worry about Gabrielle. If I know my bard, she'll find a way to overcome any difficulties it might present. Speaking of which, I'm sure she's worried about us already. We should head back."

Kharis agreed silently, as she helped her sister dig up the last snare while Xena swung the carcasses over her shoulder. Both women headed back to the picnic site silently, each in their own thoughts.

To say that the bard would take the news angrily was an understatement. Much yelling could be heard coming from the Queen's hut the night before the Summer Solstice Festival. Xena was adamant about her position on accepting any punishment deemed necessary, whereas Gabrielle argued for the greater good. Neither woman would bend as the heated discussion came to a stalemate.

Kharis heard every word from her room at the back of the hut, silently cursing herself for bringing turmoil to their relationship. If it weren't for her being initiated, there would be no need for Xena to concede to a trial. Things could have stayed status quo as long as the warrior was only an infrequent visitor.

The young woman could understand her sister's position, but agreed with the bard that it was foolhardy. Xena had paid dearly for her past deeds every day of her life, whether it was from the nightly nightmares or from the numerous bounties that still plagued the warrior princess wherever she went. The looks of fear and dread, when she entered a village that her army once ransacked cut her to the core. Yet, she continued to fight those that slaughtered the ones she once butchered without any thanks or forgiveness asked for.

There was nothing else the Amazons could do to make the warrior repent more than what she did to herself. But justice was being demanded and Xena was honour bond to abide by that justice.

That night held little sleep for all three women as each tried to forget their misgivings. Weary, each greeted the morning with dread as Apollo streaked across the sky. The promise of a glorious day could not shake the sombre mood permeating from the Queen's hut.

Being the first to rise, Xena got out of the bed she shared with the bard and began to dress in her leather and armour. Silently leaving the hut, she surveyed the still village before walking to the training grounds for her morning workout.

Gabrielle quietly listened to her soulmate leave before she finally broke down into tears that had been threatening to break all night. The pain that engulfed her quickly broke the surface as she sobbed onto the bed, hoping against hope that something would happen to stall the festival for a few more days. But she knew it was foolhardy. The only thing she could do was approach Ephiny and plead on her sister's behalf. Maybe even convince Ephiny to try and talk Xena out of her madness. Rising up from the now tear stained bed, Gabrielle greeted the day with a silent prayer to Artemis to watch over her warrior as the bard donned her clothing and sought Ephiny out.

Kharis lay in bed, wondering how she could avert everything that was to happen that day, when she heard a small scraping under her window. Moving closer to the window, the young woman looked out and saw her friend crouched in the bushes beside the hut.

"Mara, what are you doing here?" Kharis whispered as she leaned out over the window.

Mara smiled up at her friend before standing up and leaning against the hut's wall. "I was wondering if you wanted to go for a morning swim before we have to get ready for the initiation?"

"Gods, I'd love to, Mar, but I think I need some time alone this morning before everything starts getting too hectic. I have a lot on my mind."

"Still reconsidering your decision to become one of us?" the girl asked softly, unaware that neither Gabrielle nor Xena were in the hut any more.

"Sort of, I just never realised how complicated it would all become," Kharis mused as she frowned in thought. Shaking her head, the girl suddenly smiled at her friend to reassure her. "Don't worry about me. I just have morning jitters I guess. You go for that swim. I think I need to do some drills and work this anxiety out through some good old fashioned sweat."

"If you're sure..."

"I'm sure," Kharis said as she lightly squeezed Mara's hand before ducking back into the hut.

After dunking her head in the washbasin, Kharis stilled her raging thoughts as she quickly dressed in her best tunic and leggings, before grabbing her weapons. Stepping into the dew filled air, the girl shook her wet hair as her eyes adjusted to the dim morning light. Midnight hair clung to her face as she brushed some stray hairs from her eyes before deciding where to go for a quiet work out. Deciding that the practice grounds would be vacant until midmorning, the young women headed into the dawn's light.

The sound of metal whistling in the air alerted Kharis to the fact that she would sharing the grounds with her sister this morning as she approached the drilling warrior. Squatting down to watch her sister, Kharis marvelled at the warrior's graceful movements while Xena went through the various disciplines of the sword.

More than once, the girl had been struck dumb during a bout with her sister at the audacity of some of Xena's movements. 'Always expect the unexpected' her sister had said once, and it was true. Xena had won many fights due to her unpredictable fighting style. When most would feint, she would attack. When retreat was the only obvious solution she would attack, despite the odds, using whatever means necessary. Sword, chakram, head, fists, elbows, knees, and feet were all used efficiently to deliver as many deadly blows as was possible to disarm her opponents.

Xena heard her sister approach as she was working through a particularly complex set of drills. Finishing up with a double flip, that brought her within a mere foot of her sister, Xena smiled wildly as the flush of adrenaline rushed throughout her body.

"Want a duel?" the warrior asked as she twirled her sword around her head and upper body.

"Thought you'd never ask," Kharis beamed as she stood up and unsheathed her own sword and dagger. Xena quirked an eyebrow in the direction of the dagger as the girl shrugged slightly. "Thought I'd try your chakram and sword against my sword and dagger."

"I'm game," Xena smirked as she grabbed her chakram off her belt and flipped back into the centre of the training ground. Kharis laughed as she strolled onto the hard packed dirt, happy to see her sister in a playful mood.

The contest began immediately as each opponent slashed, jabbed, feinted, and parried with precise control. Both weapons, in the hands of each woman, flashed in the dawn's early light as metal became a blur of refined motion. Kharis allowed her demon out to play for a bit when Xena began to press the girl's defences in earnest, allowing it to empower her body to perform movements that would have otherwise been too slow to react. Xena noticed the change and grinned evilly. 'Two can play at that game' she thought as she let the wolf out and started to press her sister once again.

Both women continued the battle for over a candlemark until Kharis lost her sword to the heavens. Xena laughed as the girl watched the blade fly through the air and stick in a tree at the opposite end of the clearing. Taking advantage of the girl's lack of concentration, Xena leapt forward and pressed her blade against the woman's neck only to find Kharis' dagger up at her own neck.

"White or dark?" Xena drawled into her sister's face.

"Who shall carve first?" Kharis taunted back as she suddenly applied a pressure point to Xena's hand and grabbed the chakram that was now falling to the ground. Surprised at her sister's bold move, Xena leapt back and regarded the fully armed girl.

"You've been watching more closely than I thought," Xena complimented as she watched her sister spin the disc around a finger.

"I have to if I want to be as good as you," Kharis said as she accepted the compliment and prepared for her sister's next move.

Xena chuckled as she dropped her sword to her side and regarded the defensive posture her sister was maintaining. Xena knew that within a few months the girl would be as good, maybe better, than what she was and the thought didn't disturb her anymore. Having a prodigious sister was something Lyceus would have experienced. Pride flowed through the warrior as she sheathed her sword and held her arm out, as an equal, for the warrior's handshake.

Uncertain whether it was a diversion, or an end to the bout, Kharis sheathed her thigh dagger and held out her hand while holding the chakram tightly against her lower back, so as not to give Xena any advantage of grabbing it suddenly. An eyebrow rose under midnight hair as Xena observed her sister's action.

"You always told me to expect the unexpected," Kharis remarked cooly.

Xena grabbed the girl's forearm as her bright smile matched that of her cerulean eyes. Kharis finally allowed herself to relax as she shook her sister's arm. Driving her demon back into its cage, Kharis offered the golden disc back to Xena before she went to retrieve her sword. Pulling the quivering blade out of the tree's trunk, Kharis suddenly felt a chill whip down her spine. Whirling around to see what danger was threatening, Kharis noticed her sister's reaction to the same feeling and ran to stand at Xena's back, sword now at the ready for any attack.

"Show yourself, Ares," Xena called out, certain it was the God of War that had caused the hairs on the back of her neck to rise.

Appearing in a flash of blue, Ares stood smugly before the warrior as Kharis stepped from around Xena's back and held her sword at the ready.

"Now is that any way to greet your Father?" Ares asked slightly miffed.

"What do you want, Ares?" Xena responded, boredom clearly showing on her face.

"I've come to claim Kharis."

"Over my dead body!" the girl in question exclaimed.

"Dead... alive... it doesn't matter. The time has come for you reign by my side and lead my army," Ares answered as he admired his youngest child. Bronzed, toned muscles gleamed with sweat as golden eyes gazed darkly at the God of War. Raven hair blew in the breeze against defined cheeks, now almost void of baby fat after two months of hard discipline. The girl's beauty was already manifesting itself into something that only one other shared; the haunting, lethal majesty of her older sister.

"Shouldn't that choice be up to her?" Xena asked as her hand lingered by her chakram. Despite her calm attitude, Xena was petrified of this very moment; the moment she had been dreading for almost three long months. Would Ares take her sister or would he allow the girl to make her own choice? Once fearful that her sister wouldn't make the right choice, Xena was now confident that Kharis would decline. But in declining, what would Ares do to the girl?

"She's my new Chosen. She has no choice," the God of War merely replied.

"I think someone else would tend to disagree with you on that point," the warrior said cooly as she felt, rather than saw, Artemis stand behind Ares.

"And who would that be?"

"Me," Artemis declared as she materialised behind the God.

"Artie, how are you doing babe?" Ares smiled falsely as he turned to his half sister, obviously displeased with her arrival.

"Don't even think of taking that child against her will, Ares," she warned as the Patron Goddess strolled up to a tense Kharis and stroked her cheek fondly. "I told you I would be here to protect you," she whispered in the girl's ear before nodding an acknowledgement to Xena's presence, who nodded back just as sharply. Kharis smiled slightly as her blade never wavered from its stance, ready to rip into the God of War's heart if need be.

Ares snorted as he approached Artemis and placed his arm around her shoulder. "Now, Artie, would I do such a thing? You really should have greater faith in me."

"Why should she?" Xena suddenly asked. "I don't."

"You stay out of this!" Ares warned with a finger pointed at Xena's chest, ready to release anything his godly powers could.

Shrugging the arm off her shoulders, Artemis stepped away from Ares. "Then ask the child and be done with it. If she agrees, then you may have her. If she doesn't, then leave."

"You can't order me around. This is my child we're talking about here," Ares exclaimed vehemently.

"And because of that she doesn't have a will of her own? You may have carried the seed that helped bring her into this world, but it ends there. She is a freethinking creature like all of our children. The sooner you understand that fact the sooner you'll forget this madness you have subjected our children to."

Xena was shocked at this last statement, uncertain how to take the obvious protection that Artemis now threw upon the warrior. 'Since when was I considered one of Artemis' own?' she thought as an errant thought suddenly replied 'Since you become the Amazons' protector instead of their destroyer.' Sky blue eyes opened wide as Xena stared at the Goddess before her, who only winked in reply.

"Fine! You want her to decide... I'll let her decide," Ares said suddenly as he stalked towards Kharis. Artemis looked surprised at her brother's sudden about face, never believing she would sway him to her way of thinking, but quickly masked her emotions as she waited to see what angle he was going to play. "Kharis, before I ask you to join me I have one thing to say. If you do become my Chosen I promise, as the God of War, that you will never become the Guardian unless you so chose."

Dismay clearly registered in Kharis' face as she dropped her sword and gazed in her father's eyes, wondering if he was lying to her or not. 'What game is he trying to play with me?'

"Khar, don't listen to him!" Xena exclaimed as her sister raised a hand.

"How could you stop that? It was foretold." Kharis asked simply.

"I'm a God," he boasted. "I can do anything. If control is what you are in need of to stop you from sliding into complete darkness, then I will help give you that control. Without it you'll surely slip away, and will eventually be Xena's downfall."

"And if I say no?"

"Then I will accept your decision, for a while of course."

"You so promise?"

Ares sighed as he held his hand up to his heart and intoned one of Kharis' favourite rhymes as a child. "Cross my heart and hope to fly, may Zeus strike me down from above the sky."

Kharis turned away from the God and paced a few feet away, her back facing all present. A few moments went by as each person waited for the girl to come to a decision, none knowing exactly what she would choose. Finally turning back to them, Kharis allowed a feral smile to play across her lips as she approached Ares.

"I'm sorry, father, but I'll have to decline," she finally said as Xena released the breath she had been holding.

"Think about what you are saying," Ares tried one last time. "Without my help you will fulfil the prophecy, and you will destroy Xena."

"Ah, but that is where you are wrong. You see, I know the prophecy," Kharis exclaimed as she closed her eyes and started to recite that which only the gods once knew. "And from the One shall come forth the Light to hold council over pestilence, famine, war, and death. From which true darkness reigns so will reign the Light that neither men nor gods shall be kept asunder, all held to equal justice determined by its dominion. As it is spoken, so shall it be."

"It was you!" Ares shouted, angry that a child had tricked him. His child!

"Yes, it was me," Kharis replied coldly as Artemis turned towards the girl with fear in her eyes. "I'm sorry, Patron Goddess, but it is to be."

Artemis nodded slowly as she felt her world dissolve around her only to come into a sharper focus. Life would never be the same again for the Gods, as the Guardian knew the full portent.

"You see, father, you always think of us mortals as nothing more than your own personal play things. You throw us around until you become bored and move onto something else more exciting, never realising that we are more than what you choose to believe. But believe it now; your playtime is coming to an end. So leave me and my sister alone or I WILL become the Guardian and release the Light that is in Xena to rule over you," the girl stated coldly as she turned away from the God and walked up to her sister.

Xena stared at her sister, uncertain whether she had heard what she had heard, and unwilling to believe it. 'Does she really think that it's about me?' Xena wondered as her sister approached her.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you sooner, Xena, but I had to play my cards right. You know yourself that you never commit all of your troops to the opening battle. You hold them in reserve until the time comes for the final push that will decide victory or defeat. I had to hold back so I could win the battle for you and me. Will you ever forgive me?"

Xena grabbed her sister into a tight bear hug, never wanting to let the girl go, just in case she disappeared before her eyes. "Of course I forgive you. You did what you thought you had to do. How can I fault that?" the warrior replied as she felt the world shift into a different pattern then what was before. Raising her eyes from the midnight hair she stroked, Xena opened her mouth to speak, but could only glare at the God of War as she continued to hold onto her sister tightly.

"What has been done is done," Artemis said as she stepped up to her half brother. "Go now, and leave my children in peace for their Festival."

Ares shrugged as he flipped his hair back behind his shoulders. "We'll see, Artie... we'll see. Till the next time, Xena," he said as he blew a kiss in the warrior's direction before disappearing with a flash.

Xena rolled her eyes as she released her sister and turned to the Goddess of the Hunt. "I don't know how to thank you for helping my sister."

Artemis smiled sweetly as she gazed fondly at the warrior. "There is no thanks necessary. Both of you are under my protection, as are all of my Amazons."

Xena shook her head as she frowned slightly. "No, I'm not one of your Amazons, and will never be. But I'll thank you none-the-less." Xena's mask slipped firmly into place as she extended her arm out.

Artemis grabbed the warrior's arm and laughed inwardly at the absurdity of it. Here was a mortal treating the Amazons' Patron Goddess as an equal. Only Xena dared to think such a way, and because of that, only she was allowed to live after committing such impertinence.

"Xena, you are an Amazon in the truest sense. Though you once fell into evil, I do not hold it against you. You are absolved of your crimes against the Nation."

"Until I am tried and judged by the Nation I can't accept your exoneration, Artemis," Xena responded, unwilling to bend on the matter.

"As you wish, my child, but I will still be by your side, whether you want it or not," the Goddess replied as she turned towards Kharis, who stood off to the side. Artemis smiled and extended her hand to the young woman, who grasped it hesitantly as she felt a wave of peace wash through her.

"Kharis, you know that I will be there for you when you need me. What Ares offered in deceit, I offer in faith. If you ever need me, just call out my name. I will give you the strength you need to fight the evil that is within you."

"I will, and thank you," Kharis whispered, still uncertain whether she was truly free from Ares or not.

Artemis nodded and winked at the young woman before she melted away into a ray of sunshine, leaving the two sisters to stand once again alone, each wondering and dreading what else the day had to offer.

"It's not right, Eph!" Gabrielle cried as she paced back and forth in front of the blonde Amazon. The bard hadn't stopped pacing since she had entered the Regent's hut, and the motion was starting to make Ephiny nauseous.

"I know that, Gabrielle, but she is right. Xena has never had to answer for her crimes. It's best that she does before her sister is sworn in as one of our own," Ephiny replied as she stood up and grabbed the bard by the shoulder. "Will you sit down... you're giving me motion sickness."

Sea green eyes blinked a few times before the Queen nodded and sat down on the chair that Ephiny offered. Head in hands, Gabrielle could only sigh in frustration, as she knew it was useless to even try and stop the trial.

"Gabrielle, she's my friend. I don't want to see her go through with it either. But as the Regent I have to abide by the Elders' decision, and they have been demanding for this for a long time now. I can't put them off any longer." Ephiny explained as she poured Gabrielle and herself a mug of wine and then handed one mug to her friend. "Here, take this. It'll help calm both our nerves."

Taking the mug, Gabrielle could only stare into its depths as she tried to rationalise her soulmate's decision. All of the good that Xena had done for the Nation should surely outweigh the one transgression she committed. Yet in her mind, the bard knew that didn't matter. A public hearing was needed to clear the air, one way or the other. The question was, could both of them live with the judgement?

Finally taking a sip, Gabrielle looked up at her friend and noticed the same lines of worry that surely showed on her own face. "Guess this isn't going to be the celebration we thought it was, huh?"

"Guess not," Ephiny laughed bitterly. "But stranger things have happened. The Elders could go either way... forgiveness or restitution."

"What do you think they'll do?" Gabrielle asked in a small voice.

"I really can't say. If it was up to me, she would be exonerated for all the help she has given the Nation in the past. But it won't be; I can only arbitrate. There are only a few options. Clemency, punishment, or..." Ephiny stalled as she tried to find a way to soften the edge.

"You can say it, Eph. Death. If they find her guilty she could be sentenced to death." Gabrielle stated, surprised she could even say it.

"Yes. It is one of the sentences as decreed by Amazon law."

"Who will defend her?" Gabrielle asked suddenly as a small glimmer of hope leapt into her eyes.

"The Elders will decide that. As the Queen you should be arbitrator, but since you're biased you'll have to step down," Ephiny apologised as she reached across the table that divided them and squeezed the bard's hand. "But don't worry. She has supporters amongst the tribe and she will be upheld."

"If I can't speak on her behalf can I at least be by her side?"

"You may do both. Three Amazons are given the right to speak. The Champion is decided by the Elders while the other two are chosen by me," Ephiny smiled as nodded towards her friend.

"It's not much... but at least it's something, I guess," Gabrielle murmured as she swirled the wine in her mug.

"Don't worry, Gabrielle. Things will work out. They always do when she's around."

"I wish I could believe that, but I can't. If she would only defend herself... argue for the greater good... then I wouldn't have this sense of dread clinging to me."

"Even if she won't, others will. Have faith, Gabrielle. That's all we can do," Ephiny said as she drained the rest of her cup. "Come on. We've got a Festival to prepare for. Despite everything, we have to put on our 'bright shiny faces' for the tribe."

A weak chuckle, followed by a lone tear, was all the bard could muster at the moment. Knowing that Ephiny was right didn't make it hurt any less. "I guess you wouldn't want to take my right of caste before the trial, huh?"

"Nope. But it was a nice try. You both will get through this," the blonde Regent soothed as she gently rubbed her friend's hand.

"I know we will. We have to," Gabrielle agreed as she tried to smile for Ephiny's sake. "I'm just worried how Kharis will take this. If Xena were to be sentenced to..." The bard stopped, fearing to tempt the Fates once more.

"Would she...?" Ephiny hinted, remembering what happened when a raging Xena once came into the village. Many Amazons were harmed after the death of the warrior's son. Kharis was just as dangerous.

"I don't know, I really don't. I pray that she doesn't but... she's so much like Xena. She's never been a monster like Xena has; yet she has it in her. If she were to succumb to it... "

"Then we'll have to make sure she's not around when sentencing is declared," Ephiny reasoned.

"How? She won't stay away, and even if you tried to restrain her, she'd find a way to be free. By the Gods Ephiny, she can disappear in front of our eyes and there would be no way of stopping her!" Gabrielle shuddered as the implications of what she said brought dreadful images to mind.

"Then Xena will have to talk to her and convince Khar to stay away. It's the only solution," the Regent surmised as she gathered the mugs and put them away. "As it stands, there isn't anything we can do about it until Xena talks to her. For now, find Xena and talk to her. Plus, try to calm her fears about Kharis' initiation. I know she's worried. Between Pony, Sol, and me there will be someone to attest to Khar's right for inclusion. It will happen. Just tell her that, okay?"

Gabrielle smiled warmly for a few brief seconds as she got up and hugged her friend. "I will. Thanks, Eph, for listening to me."

"That's what Regents are for," the blonde Amazon lightly joked as she hugged her Queen back before lightly pushing Gabrielle towards the door. "Now go and find your warrior. I'll send someone to you when it's time for the trial."

"See you then," the bard said as she left a very worried Ephiny to mull over what could be done.

CHAPTER 3

Silence had fallen over the village as the Queen and Regent lead the procession of Elders to the tribunal dais, each woman wearing the respective mask and ceremonial clothing that denoted her station within the Amazon hierarchy. Word had spread, throughout the various tribes, of the Warrior Princess' trial and delegations were sent to uphold the momentous occasion. The once tiny village was now filled beyond capacity as Amazons took positions in the centre courtyard, along the walls, and in the trees. Woman and children rubbed shoulders with some of those they had never met before, thus the very woman who brought about their separation once again united the Nation.

Stepping up onto the tribunal platform, the Queen and her Regent strolled to the centre as the Elders took their positions on either side of them. Raising their masks, to reveal their features, both Gabrielle and Ephiny turned to one another as the Amazons looked on.

"Upon acceptance of this mask you are hereby granted leave to deliver fair justice to the accused as determined by Amazon Law. Do you so agree?" Gabrielle asked in a wavering voice as she removed her mask and handed it to Ephiny, along with the judging staff she carried.

"As I take this mask I agree to abide by Amazon law and arbitrate these proceedings with fair and swift justice," Ephiny answered as she removed her own mask, handing it to one of the Elders, and received the Queen's mask and staff. Placing the mask upon her head, Ephiny turned towards the tribe and tapped the staff down on the dais twice.

"Bring out the accused!" Ephiny called out as Gabrielle slowly stepped off the platform and moved to the side, awaiting her soulmate's arrival.

Flanked by six guards, the warrior princess walked out of the Queen's hut in only her leathers, striped of her weapons and armour, but allowed the dignity to walk unchained. Swaggering towards the dais, Xena felt all eyes on her as she quickly scanned the area for the only eyes she wanted to see at that moment. Azure locked onto mist green as Xena tried to convey confidence and reassurance to her partner before turning her attention back to the Ephiny and the Elders.

Standing proudly before the Amazons, Xena radiated an aura of lethal majesty that encompassed all within her vicinity. Not one Amazon moved or breathed as they witnessed the power that is Xena, the power that beguiled one of their most revered Queens. Xena allowed a lazy smile for a few brief seconds as she allowed her darkness to shine before calling it back and releasing her hold over the throng, her face now as impassive as if it was etched in stone.

Ephiny raised her staff as she spoke to the assembly. "Amazons, we are here today to try and lay judgement on Xena, Warrior Princess for the acts she committed against the Nation. Do you, Xena, understand the charges that are brought before you."

"I do," Xena acknowledged humbly.

"As decreed by law, you are granted a fair and just trial. Before you are our Elders, who will judge you for your crimes. Will you so accept their judgement?"

'Do I have a choice?' Xena thought cynically before replying. "I will."

"Then I hereby declare the trial to commence. Xena of Amphipolis, you are charged with the massacre of the Steppes Amazon Leaders along with the attempted slayings of Amazons within this tribe. How do you answer?"

"Guilty," Xena softly replied as she bowed her head in obvious shame.

"Though you admit your guilt you are allowed three supporters to speak on your behalf before we lay judgement. Is there anyone who wishes to come forth and champion the accused?" Ephiny called out, knowing there were many who would do the honours but only three that the Elders agreed upon.

"I will!" a voice called out from the crowd as Elysse made her way to stand by Xena. Ephiny nodded her approval as a murmur rose from the Amazons. The Elders had reasoned that there were many loyal supporters of Xena so they chose one of their own who was unbiased.

"What have you to say in Xena's defence?" Ephiny asked hopefully.

Elysse turned away from the Elders to face the village and in a slow, singsong voice began to speak. "Fellow Amazons, I am but a humble servant of our protector Artemis. I have been with this tribe since a child and have seen many of our enemies fall by the side as our Nation flourished over the years. We were strong as a whole, relying on our Queens to guide us into battle and protect the Nation from evil. One such evil was known as the Destroyer of Nations, the Warrior Princess of Kalmae. It was this woman that deceived our most revered Queen, Cyane, into trusting her. It was she who massacred the Amazon leaders and brought the storm that weakened the Nation until we were nothing but scattered tribes."

"The evil that plagued our Nation began its downfall and should be punished, but I stand before you to present, not the Destroyer of Nations, but a warrior who is an Amazon in the truest sense. A warrior who has upheld our tribe in battle and spirit over the past few years. A woman who has risked her life and fought from death to vanquish those that have tried to destroy what is left of our Nation."

The high priestess raised a lone finger and pointed it at Xena before continuing, her face shining with an unearthly light. "This woman, who stands before you, is not the woman who you seek to punish. The woman you wish revenge upon is no longer with us. She died when Xena reclaimed her soul from Ares' grasp. She has striven to right the wrongs that her evil incarnate committed. There is no punishment that our Elders can decree which she has not already applied to herself. Her atonement has been deep and true and will continue to be so until the day she is no longer with us. What more punishment can we exact upon a woman who will not allow herself to be absolved?"

Lowering her arm, Elysse turned towards the assembled Elders and raised her head in defiance. "As high priestess I speak on behalf of our Goddess, Artemis, who has instructed me that Xena of Amphipolis should be exonerated. I ask the Elders to consider this before laying final judgement."

Bowing her head in reverence, Elysse stepped back as the Amazons pondered the high priestesses last statement. If their Goddess forgave should they not do so in return?

The crack of Ephiny's staff echoed in the compound as she silenced those around her. "Who will support the Champion's claims?" she called out.

"I, Yakut, Shamaness of the Steppes Amazons will speak," a young woman called out as Xena whipped her head around to find the woman who spoke. Yakut stood up and walked towards the warrior as those of her tribe moved aside to let her through. Tapping her chest with her fist, Yakut raised it towards Xena in the Amazon salute of respect before she addressed the surprised assembly. Only Amazons of distinct honour were acknowledged in such a way, not criminals of the Nation. Xena shook her head slowly, not wanting such affirmation, as she lowered her head.

"I have been our tribe's Shamaness since Xena relinquished her power to me many moons ago and I speak on behalf of the Steppes Amazons. We were once a strong village under the leadership of our Queen, Cyane. Now we are weakened that there are few of us remaining. It is our tribe who seeks justice for the crimes committed and it is our right to speak at these proceedings."

"Our fear of the one that is called the Destroyer of Nations is deeply rooted still to this day. It was she who annihilated our leaders and it is she who must pay. But I do not see the woman, which we wish revenge upon, standing before me," Yakut stated as she continued. "Our tribe was forever doomed to walk the Land of the Dead when our holy word was taken, stopping those that went before us from entering Eternity. The woman who stands beside me risked her own soul to destroy the one who took it. She discovered the new holy word that allowed Cyane and my fellow Amazons to pass over. That is the act of one with true honour."

"The woman who stands beside me went to the Land of the Dead, willing to enter Eternity, for your own Queen. The woman who did that is not the same Xena we are here today to judge. The Xena we wish revenge upon is gone... she is no more. The crimes she committed were truly heinous and will forever be marked in our souls. But I ask that you forgive those transgressions, as my tribe has forgiven them, and allow Xena to continue her quest for redemption. She has paid, and will continue to pay, much more than we realise. I pray to Artemis I will never have to walk a lone step in her boots... for I know I would not overcome what she has."

Hushed whispers suddenly washed over the compound as Yakut walked back towards her tribe, leaving Xena to stand once again alone. Many fellow tribes still demanded justice but more perceived that justice wasn't what the Nation needed to bind together once again. Forgiveness was.

Ephiny waited for the murmurs to die before she raised her staff a third time and brought it down. "Who will be the final supporter?" she called out, waiting for her friend's reply.

"I will," Gabrielle called back as she mounted the platform and stood beside Ephiny, her regal bearing striking a cord in Xena's heart. "As Queen of this tribe it is my right to speak against or on behalf of the accused. But I will not speak as your Queen. I chose to speak as a fellow Amazon who has seen both sides of that which we are here today." Removing her royal cape, Gabrielle lightly leaped off the dais to stand beside her partner.

"I have seen the monster that were are here today to judge. That monster has committed acts that none of us could ever imagine doing. The Xena I know has struggled for years to hold true to the good within her. It has been a battle every day, for the monster is much stronger than we could ever conceive. I have seen the darkness that lives within Xena and it does scare me. Evil scares us all, yet we never have to live within its embrace. Xena has and still does."

Raising her voice so everyone could hear, Gabrielle spun around slowly, so that she may grasp as many of her audience as possible within her unflinching gaze.

"The woman who I call friend and partner is noble in the truest sense. She willingly stakes her lifeline against the Fates every time she goes into battle for the greater good. Whether it's for the common man, or for the Nation, she acts without thought to the consequences. She has done this for years now and despite herself, is doing it even now."

"The good that Xena has accomplished does not outweigh the evil that she once committed, and this she knows. Her debt will never truly be paid, but it is a debt that she strives to uphold, despite the odds that are continually thrown against her. An Amazon's allegiance is to her Queen and the Nation. Xena is not an Amazon, yet she holds true to these ideals. She has helped us triumph over our enemies and helped maintain the fragile balance that has kept our Nation alive, never asking for anything in return."

"I know Xena, and despite my attempts to help her, she will never truly forgive herself for what she has done in the past. Maybe that's the way it should be but I can't abide by that philosophy. I helped commit an act of murder that I will repent for the rest of my life, yet I was given forgiveness by the one who never asks for it in return. My child killed hers, yet she does not hold this against me. The hate that could easily overwhelm her is held at bay by the love she holds within her... the love for her family and the Nation. It is because of this love for the Nation that she is willing to possibly die by your hands."

"Many of you have heard of the good deeds she has committed throughout the years, many of you have not. The good she contributes to this world surely outweighs the need for retribution, because this is what we have fallen to," the bard spoke simply as she turned to face the Elders. "This hearing is no longer a trial for crimes against the Nation but a trial for vengeance that is stemmed from hate. Hate once encompassed Xena and robbed her of her feelings; she was just a vessel that the God of War abused knowingly. Who are we to judge her when we are falling into the same trap that she was in? If hatred is your reason for judgement then step away, for you will become no better than what she once was."

"I am just a simple bard who happens to be your Queen, but I am not blinded by a rage which many of you have shown. Xena cannot bring back those that she destroyed, but she can help those that are still here. Think on that when you are deliberating her punishment. Which ones amongst you are willing to place another nail in the Nation's sarcophagus? If you destroy the Amazons' greatest protector what will become of the Amazons?"

Tears slowly fell down bronzed cheeks as Xena had listened to her soulmate's oration. Now free of the bard's spell, the warrior astonished everyone present as she pulled the bard into a fierce hug and lightly kissed the top of her honey coloured head. Love and respect clearly shone on a face once cold as a mask. The woman who stood with the Queen was clearly not the same woman that mercilessly slaughtered the Steppes Leaders.

Ephiny smiled inwardly at the public display of affection. Xena was notorious for holding her emotions in check, yet here was one woman who could bring the great warrior to tears. Raising the staff above her head, Ephiny pulled her mask down before addressing her fellow Amazons.

"Amazons, we have heard from the three. Xena has admitted her guilt and will be bound by the punishment that the Elders determine. Sentencing will be heard at the next candlemark," Ephiny called out as she brought her staff down the final time. All Amazons knelt in respect as the Elders stepped off the platform and retired to their hut.

Xena let Gabrielle go as Ephiny approached the two women, now free from the ceremonial mask and staff. "What now?" the warrior asked.

Ephiny looked around the clearing at all of the Amazons before focussing her attention back to Xena. "Now we wait. You and Gabrielle can retire to the Queen's hut if you choose. I'm not sure how the other tribes might treat you if you stay out here."

Xena nodded slightly, understanding what her friend was saying. Though many might not want revenge, there were others who wouldn't hesitate to enact it personally.

"They wouldn't try anything before sentencing would they?" Gabrielle asked worried.

Ephiny shrugged as she motioned to Xena's guards to keep an eye out. "I wouldn't wager any bets against it. Go and see Kharis. She must be beside herself by now."

"Good idea, Eph. Ciya in a candlemark," Xena replied as she shook the Regent's arm before leading Gabrielle away under armed guard.

Kharis paced nervously back and forth within the small hut as she waited for someone, anyone to come and get her. Time had slowed to a crawl the moment Xena made her promise to stay in the hut until the trial was over. Twice, she almost broke that promise when she thought her nerves would give out, It was only sheer force of will she kept the promise. Her only respite was when Mara had come to visit and tell her how things had been going with the trial.

"So?" Kharis asked as she patted the spot next to her on her cot.

Mara hung back for a few seconds before she relented and sat down. "It's going... ohhh... I don't know, Khar. I'm not good at judging people like you are. I can't tell what the Elders are thinking. The high priestess and the Queen both spoke on Xena's behalf, along with the Shamaness from our Steppes sisters."

"Yakut is here?" Kharis asked warily.

Mara nodded her head. "Yeah, she spoke very well actually. I never knew your sister helped Cyane and our fellow sisters cross over."

Kharis stared off into space as she remembered Xena telling her about her time with the Steppes Amazons. Both the good and the bad was told and Kharis admired her sister more for Xena's bravery at revealing her feelings than for what she accomplished.

"It's in the past now, just like everything else. Don't the Elders realise that? What are they afraid of? That she'll go berserk and start a rampage through the village?"

Mara bit her lip slightly as she sought her friend's flaxen eyes. "Don't forget, Khar, she's done that already. After her son died. She broke Ephiny's arm and wounded many of our warriors."

"That was different, Mara. That was because of her grief. Xena bottles up her emotions so much that when she finally lets them out they are amplified to the 'nth degree."

"True, but who knows what could set her off the next time. Maybe that's what the Elders are afraid of," the young Amazon offered.

"Yeah right. The only thing they are afraid of is losing the measly bit of power they have. This is a lynch mob... no more!" Kharis spat as she pushed herself off the cot.

"Maybe, Khar. Like I said, I don't know. I just hope they go easy on her," Mara sighed as she stood up and headed towards the door. "Are you gonna be all right?"

Kharis managed a weak smile as she went and gave her friend a quick hug. "Yeah, I'll be better when I see Xena. Don't worry about me, okay?"

Mara smiled back as she was released. "Okay. I'll be back as soon as I can."

"I'll be here," Kharis said as she watched her friend leave her hut. Grimacing, the girl started to pace again.

"I don't know what she's so afraid of," Kharis said to herself as she continued to pace. "It's not like I haven't heard what she's done in her past. Why doesn't she want me there?"

"Maybe it's because she's afraid of what you'd do?" Eponin's voice suddenly filled the room as the weapons master entered the hut. "Talking to yourself, huh?"

Kharis smiled weakly as she stopped her pacing and sat down on the cot in a huff. "I don't get it, Pony. I know why she's doing this and have to accept that. So there's no reason for her to be afraid."

Eponin shrugged as she grabbed the lone chair in the room and sat down, propping her legs up on the end of Kharis' bed. "Khar, can you honestly say you wouldn't try something if you thought she was in mortal danger?"

"But she isn't and she won't be," the girl protested.

"She might be," Pony warned gently. "Khar, this isn't some harpy court. Xena's life is on the line. She has committed some monstrous crimes in her past; and though the majority of us know she will never go back to being what she once was, there are others who don't. Either they don't want to see it or refuse to believe it. It is those that we have to worry about."

Kharis sat silently, chewing her bottom lip as she pondered what her promise really entailed now. "Pony, what do you think they'll do to her?"

"I don't know, Khar. I really don't. She could be sentenced to death or she could be banished from our lands. They are the only punishments to fit her crimes," the Amazon grimaced as she sought the girl's eyes. "Khar, could you stand by and allow the Elders to sentence Xena to death?"

Bolting off the bed, Kharis stood looking down at the weapons master as fire raged through golden eyes. "I think you know that answer already," she hissed.

"That's what I thought," Eponin replied as she stood up and replaced the chair back to its original position. "Kharis, you are hereby ordered to remain in your hut under a full guard until sentencing has been passed and carried out, as decreed by the Queen."

Shock swiftly registered on the girl's face as her mouth dropped open. "You're... you're kidding, right?"

"No, I'm not. I'm sorry, Khar, but it has to be this way. That is precisely what the Queen and Xena are afraid of. They don't want you anywhere near the Elders, or the rest of us, when sentencing has been passed. We know what you're capable of, and don't want any undue bloodshed."

"I would never..." Kharis stopped as she looked deep within her and found the answer that the others knew without thought. She would kill anyone to help her sister, even those from the tribe if need be. 'If that's what they want...' Kharis never finished the thought.

Eponin held out her hands to the girl. "Your weapons please, Khar."

Dazed, Kharis handed over her sword and dagger as she numbly watched Pony walk towards the door. "Can I see Xena?" the girl blurted out before the Amazon could open the door.

"She's on her way here already, I'm assuming. Pray to Artemis, Khar. That is what she needs the most right now," Pony said as she left the hut.

Kharis slumped to the floor as the world she knew came crashing down and the weight of what could happen to Xena finally hit her. Empty of everything except grief Kharis shuddered as she tried to control the sadness that threatened to overwhelm her completely. 'I can't believe it. She wouldn't let them do that to her. She couldn't. What am I going to do?' the girl wailed inside as her body fought for a release.

Minutes went by before the young woman slowly purged her soul of anguish and discovered the calm mask of rage burning brightly beneath it. Hidden until now, the girl reveled in its intensity. The death of her mother and brother, her loss of innocence by Caesar, the injustice of her sister's possible death - all fuelled a rage that was dormant no longer. Once under control of an emotion she could use effectively, Kharis got up off the floor and sat patiently on her bed for her sister's arrival.

Xena paused outside the door, unsure how to tell her sister good bye just in case it came to that. The guards that surrounded the small hut averted their eyes from the warrior's form as they held a silent tribute for a woman they respected and admired.

Before the warrior could knock Kharis' voice called from inside. "Come in, Xena."

Stepping inside, Xena immediately recognised that something was not right with her sister. The calm, cool air of indifference her sister radiated was unsettling. She had never experienced this facet to her sister's personality.

"How are things going?" Xena asked as cheerfully as she could.

"Fine," Kharis replied stonily.

"Thought you'd like some company for a while."

"Why bother. I'll see you again when this is all over. It won't be long."

Xena studied her sister's features trying to discern what was different. The girl was neither happy nor sad... she was almost too controlled. Shaking her head slightly, Xena sat down on the bed beside Kharis and laid her hand on the girl's shoulder.

"Khar, what's wrong? Are you mad at me for making you promise to stay here during the trial?"

"No, I know why you did it and I appreciate your concern for my feelings," the girl replied coldly as she shrugged her sister's hand away and rose. Walking to the opposite end of the hut, Kharis collected her thoughts before turning to face Xena. "Pony was here... she explained everything to me."

"So you know about the guards?"

"Amongst other things."

"I'm sorry it has to be this way, Khar, but it's for your own good. I don't want to have to worry about you when I should be concentrating on myself."

"Don't sweat it. When's sentencing?"

Xena smiled ruefully as she looked out the window. "In a bit. Khar, you understand why I'm doing this don't you?"

"I do. I don't care for it, but I understand it."

"There's something I haven't told you that I think you should know before I leave here," Xena declared as she stood and walked towards her sister. Looking down onto the face that was so much like hers Xena felt a pang of regret. She should have done things differently. Maybe she should have left the village instead of submit to a trial, if for nothing else then to allow her sister the chance to find a true life here in the village.

"You don't have to explain anything to me. I'm not a child. I know that one of the punishments is death," Kharis remarked offhandedly, surprising Xena with the lack of emotion that her sister was exhibiting.

"I don't think it will come to that. Cooler heads will prevail. They always do."

"Maybe. Does it really matter anyway? You're willing to accept it, Gabrielle is willing, why should I not be?" Kharis asked, as a small spark of fury leapt from her eyes for a brief second before it was gone.

"Well, no, that's why we need to talk. I need you to understand why I'm willing to do this."

"Don't bother. I know you, dear sister, and I know why you are doing this. There's nothing else to say in the matter."

Twin eyebrows rose as Xena tried to get a handle on her sister's sudden indifference. "Are you sure you're all right?" she asked softly, hoping that she'd see some sort of emotion from her sister beyond the apathy.

"I'm fine," Kharis said as she fought to maintain the mask that hid the madness lying within her soul. "I think I hear Gabrielle approaching. You should probably go." Hoping her sister would leave quickly, Kharis began to plot her escape and revenge, if it was needed. The Amazons didn't deserve to be massacred but if it came to that, then who was she to deny it. There was nothing left to live for in this world if her sister was to go.

Xena quickly listened and couldn't hear anything when suddenly she knew what was wrong with her sister. A cold, blinding rage had eclipsed everything else within the girl's soul and was being secretly nourished right in front of the warrior's eyes.

Grasping Kharis by the shoulders roughly, Xena began trembl