“c1″> 

“c1″>"It was a most remarkable experience, Xena. It was
my pleasure, and yes, to me it counts. You better get your clothes
back on, so I can call in the others. The Queen and the healer
without a doubt are still pacing outside."

“c1″> 

Xena
nodded and then asked. "It’s near sunset now,
isn’t it?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, it is. You slept about one and a half
candlemark after you brought her back."

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

x x x x
x

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

Xena
left the hut to breathe in the evening air and Anara checked on
Gabrielle. Some candledrops later, the Amazon Queen joined the tall
warrior. To her own great surprise, Melosa was relieved to see the
angry and desperate tension gone from the face of her former
enemy.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"You did a great job, Xena. Anara is positive that
Gabrielle will fully recover from her injuries, and Akyra really is
impressed. She said, you were a great surprise and it takes a lot
to surprise her."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Thank you, Queen Melosa, but I simply was lucky,
and without Akyra I wouldn’t have succeeded. Thank you for
letting me do it."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"You’re welcome. Anara tended to your men.
Two of them have recovered enough to be very anxious. They
don’t seem to be too happy about your decision. I told them
to be patient until tomorrow morning. Go back in the hut, stay with
Gabrielle. I’m sure she can feel your presence. Try to get
some sleep."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, Mistress."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"No, use my title. You’re my personal slave
but you never will be my body slave. 'Mistress' is only to
be used in things dealing directly with your condition. Did I make
myself clear?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, you did, Queen Melosa. Thank
you."

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

x x x x
x

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

It was
almost mid-day when Gabrielle finally came to her senses; she
looked up in hazelnut eyes belonging to a young woman with her left
arm secured in a sling. She didn’t know where she was and a
growing feeling of panic was added to the heavy pain that initially
did cause her waking up.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Hello Gabrielle. Everything’s all right.
You’re saved. My name is Chulapa and you’re at the
Amazon village. We’re in the healer’s
hut."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Where’s Xena?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"She’ll be back soon. She’s with her
soldiers at the moment. Please, don’t try to move, you were
badly injured out there. Anara, our healer has to be told that
you’re awake."