“c1″> 

Xena
left the room before the healer even had a chance to give voice to
her reservations; all she could do was to follow the instructions
and summon the Queen.

“c1″> 

"I
don’t care about your fears, Amazon Queen. There’s only
one way to save Gabrielle’s life, and I’m more than
ready to pay the price requested to do so. She has to
live."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"But you’re no shaman, Xena, and also no
priestess. You’re a warrior and a healer, and there’s
nothing you can do."

“c1″> 

Xena
took a deep breath to fight the urge of just breaking through the
door the Queen was blocking with her body. She had to stay as calm
as possible. Her rational mind knew that she now was the
Queen’s responsibility, and that the woman needed an
explanation. So she decided to let her heart speak, unable to keep
a note of desperation from her voice.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, please try to understand.
There’s nothing a healer can do to help her, or even a
priestess. Gabrielle has to fight the fever all by herself but her
mind is drifting in unconsciousness, so she now is not able to
communicate with her body. That’s what I’m attempting
to change. I’ll have to slice through the veils covering up
her life force. I know that we both could be trapped in this world
between life and death but I simply can’t afford to lose her.
Gabrielle is my light and my salvation; she owns my heart and holds
my soul." The Queen looked at her as if she saw her for the
first time. "I’m no shaman but I have to try. Over the
years, I learned many things. I know what must be
done."

“c1″> 

Melosa
finally nodded her consent.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"It’s not unheard of that an evil spirit of
the other-world takes possession of the shaman’s body,
especially if the shaman is badly prepared. So, you better place
some of the archers around the hut. Should this happen to me, they
will have to kill me. Take no risks, use the execution
poison."

“c1″> 

Melosa
nodded once again and took a step to the left to let Xena pass by
when a voice said.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Wait, Conqueror. You will need an assistant.
Someone has to take care of your body while you’re trying to
save the wandering soul of your friend."

“c1″> 

Xena
turned and looked in eyes so black one couldn’t tell the iris
from the pupil. She was old, six maybe seven decades, with silvery
white hair. "No, it’s too dangerous, venerable elder,
but I appreciate your good intentions."