“c1″> 

“c1″>"The insignia you wear say you will be a
healer’s apprentice next season. I know your shoulder hurts
but I really would appreciate some help. What’s your
name?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Chulapa, Conqueror." The young woman
stammered. She was about five feet five with long curly hair and
hazel eyes.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Chulapa, so you are a descendent from the northern
Amazons. It’s good to know that some of them have survived.
Please call me Xena. I want you to help those of your sisters who
are still on their own feet to help themselves. And I want you to
check on my friend over there every five candledrops. If her
breathing begins to slow, or to quicken, or to flat, you call me.
If she’s dreaming or sweating or moving, you call
me."

“c1″> 

“c6″>"Yes, Con…, Xena."

“c6″> 

It took
about two candlemarks before the healers from the village arrived,
and meanwhile Xena proceeded in small slowly widening circles to
tend likewise to Amazons and soldiers. Not one of them ever doubted
her authority or her knowledge. When the reinforcement finally
reached the battlefield, she took a break – only to shed her
weapons and armour, and lowly speaking to her
horse.

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

x x x x
x

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

The battle
had started just before “c1″>noon but it was short of
sundown when finally all the litters and stretchers needed to
transport the badly wounded were ready. Xena worked tirelessly, and
though Anara at first was more than grumpy about the decision of
the Queen she soon learned to appreciate Xena’s healing
skills. The group arrived at the village when the moon was at its
highest. Melosa had tents prepared in a clearing near the village
to accommodate the men, and the young blonde named Gabrielle was
transported to the healer’s hut.

“c1″> 

Chulapa
continued to monitor her condition but there was no change. About a
candlemark before sunrise all the others were cared for, and Xena
and Anara began the laborious task of tending to Gabrielle’s
multiple injuries. It took the better part of the next day to
remove the spear and reset all the bones, and they could call
themselves extremely lucky not to be interrupted by an emergency of
sorts.

“c1″> 

Melosa
somehow did manage to take a nap between the return of the fighting
force and the meeting of the council of elders in the morning. None
of the women were happy with her decision, and after over four
candlemarks of inefficient discussions, she made it a royal
prerogative but then Xena managed to surprise her for the third
time in less than two days.