DISCLAIMER:  Xena: Warrior Princess and its characters are the properties of Renaissance Pictures, Studios USA and MCA/Universal. This text is a strictly non-commercial piece of fan fiction inspired by and celebrating this wonderful show.    This is general fan fiction intended to read as an episode, not really as a piece of literature. SPOILER ALERT: The plot takes place during season 4, between the episodes 4:72 (In Sickness and in Hell) and 4:73 (A Good Day). If you haven't seen the beginning of season 4, be warned that this text alludes slightly to plot elements introduced there. SEX & VIOLENCE: Some violence.     WINTER GAMES by Christopher Härnryd Gabrielle adjusted her skirt and emerged from the shrubbery. She had a slightly puzzled look on her face and grabbed her staff that stood leaning on a tree. For a few seconds, she stood still, only turning her head slowly to scan the surroundings. Then she shrugged and went back to the road.    Xena was standing next to Argo, having just finished drinking from a water skin. When she heard Gabrielle's approach, she turned her head in that direction.    - Room for some more now? Xena asked and shook the water skin, making it gurgle happily.    Instead of answering, Gabrielle asked:    - Xena, did you hear a wolf just now?    - Come on, you weren't that loud.    - Xena!    - A wolf? No.    Xena eyed her friend, noting her tense posture and the firm grip on the Amazonian staff.    - Relax. And what if it was a wolf? It isn't like you couldn't handle it.    - No, but I would rather not while doing my business.    Xena smiled, but then cocked her ears and frowned.    - What? Did you hear it?    - I heard something, Xena answered and began walking, leading Argo and scanning the surrounding forest.    - A wolf?    - No. More like...    - ...loooong, a faint voice said.    The pair glanced at each other and hurried their steps.    - And liiiife is shoooort.    The voice came from further down the winding road. It didn't shout, but it was not exactly normal speech either. More like a song improvised by a very poor singer.    - Art is LONG!    The last syllable rose sharply into a cry. Xena let go of Argo's reins and ran forward with Gabrielle close behind. They came around a particularly broad hulk of a tree and halted. On the ground, with his back to a gnarled root, a man lay. He was doing something to his right leg. The fabric of that trouser-leg was cut open, baring the skin. What had once been a saddle lay at his side, cut into narrow sections. Several sections were tied to his leg and he was in the process of fastening another saddle-piece. His white shirt was soaked with sweat as was his grimacing face, framed by brown hair and a short beard.    - And life is shoooort, he continued with the same curious singsong voice.    He did not seem to notice that he was no longer alone.    Xena walked up to him slowly.    - What happened to your leg? she asked.    He inhaled sharply and whirled his head in her direction.    - It's...Xena?    - Hippocrates?    They had finished splinting his broken leg and Xena was constructing a sleigh of sorts, using newly cut branches and a blanket.    - So, said Gabrielle adjusting the bedroll under his head. What have you been doing all this time?    He smiled, both in gratitude and because of the large scope of the question.    - Nothing was the same in the temple of Asclepius when Xena left. Myself and a few other acolytes were simply unable to continue to stand chanting and waving incense when people were dying around us. Galen, the high priest cursed us and ordered us to leave. We had no objections. I travelled back to Kos, my native island, and began practising the healing arts Xena had taught me. And I came to realize that there were others to learn from.    - Good for you, Xena muttered with a half-smile while bending a twig to fit.    - I travelled quite a lot, always returning to Kos, but sometimes going to faraway places. I learnt much, from old midwives, hardened field-surgeons, even horse-traders.    - Okay, Gabrielle said uncertainly.    Hippocrates laughed, but stopped when his leg hurt.    - I don't use the exact procedures from horses on people.    - No, said Gabrielle. I can't imagine you killing someone just because of a sprained ankle.    - Hey! said Xena, and Argo made a sound.    - Those treating horses have to get results, no mumbo-jumbo there.    He closed his eyes briefly before continuing:    - But then I met Nicklio.    Xena made a pause in her sleigh-constructing and crouched down at his side.    - That's a long way from Kos, she remarked.    - You're telling me? But I only visited him once. I had heard of him and knew I had to speak to him. And I brought some pigeons.    - Nice, Gabrielle said. There's nothing like lightly fried pigeon with a slice of lemon...    - No, I meant homing pigeons. That way, we could keep in touch. And we did. I would send him questions on some malady I had trouble treating, or maybe once in a while give him a tip I thought he'd be interested in.    - I'm going to visit him now.    - Hold your horses, Xena said. That leg of yours will be just fine in a couple of weeks, but you're in no condition to travel that far right now.    - I know, Hippocrates answered darkly. And I wouldn't be much good to him even if I made it there.    - Hippocrates, what is it? Xena asked.    - The last time a pigeon came to me from Nicklio, it had no message at all. And it was wounded.    - And you think that he might be in trouble, Gabrielle said. And you're going there to find out.    - That was my plan, yes.    Xena nodded.    - Nicklio did much for me, she said. If he is in danger, I'll go there and help him. But first we will take you someplace where you can recover safely.    Xena and Gabrielle were preparing to leave Hippocrates, nicely tucked into bed in a friendly farmer's cottage.    - Wait, the wounded healer said. If you meet him and he is all right, could you give him something from me?    - No, Gabrielle answered and shook her head with a broad smile.    - Don't tease a sick man, Xena said. Where?    - In the left outer pocket on my bag. It's a needle.    Xena pulled out a large silver needle with a handle of sorts made of flowery swirls of gold.    - It's beautiful! Gabrielle exclaimed and took it from Xena's hand.    - Yeah, it's pretty. I have always done well in surgery when using that needle. And it has been blessed in the temple of Artemis. Nicklio seemed interested when I told him about it in a letter and I've promised to show it to him when I...if I...    - We will give it to him, Xena said    Xena and Gabrielle stepped out from the cottage. The short farmer, all bristly beard and smiling eyes shook his head vigorously and pushed back Gabrielle's hand.    - No, no, no, you saved my niece from the bandits once. I want no money just to help your friend.    - Thank you, Gabrielle replied, and she and Xena smiled goodbyes to the farmer as they went to where Argo was standing.    - Xena, Gabrielle said as they began the long journey to the north. You realize that it will have been a long time by the time we get there?    - It doesn't matter. We don't know for sure that Nicklio is in danger, but if he is, there's also a chance that we might do something to help. I owe him that.    The young woman, barely out of her teens, was hurrying through the snow-covered forest, clutching a bundle to her chest. Her round cheeks were red and her panting breath came in visible cloud in the cold air. She wore a long skirt and a simple jacket, not really suitable clothing for winter trekking. But the desperate resolve in her light blue eyes made it evident that she would continue as far as she possible could.    When she the summit of a treeless hillock, she spared a moment to glance around. Ahead was mount Nestos. Far behind her, a village lay, narrow wisps of smoke rising up through the crisp air. To her right, the flatness of a lake contrasted sharply to the forest all around her. When she looked at the lake, she shuddered and brought her face close to the bundle, whispering something, before starting off once again, running down the hillside and further away from both the village and the lake.    One of the wisps of smoke came from a large, t-shaped house with sharply slanting roof. The smoke came out of a hole in the roof ridge, and ultimately from a large open fire in the middle of the house. Near the fire was a wooden chair, cushioned with a multitude of furs and pillows. Securely wrapped in the furs, a man was sitting, staring at the flames. His age was not readily apparent. His hair was long and pure white, but his face was that of a young man with dark eyes and a marked nose. One anomaly was his left cheek, where an area the size and shape of a pear was covered in wrinkles and discolouring normally associated with old age.   Another man was entering the house, making his way between rows of thin wooden pillars. He wore a bearskin mantel, with the paws remaining as shoulder ornaments reaching down to his chest. On his fair-bearded head, he wore a round helmet, crowned with a spike and with the rim circumscribed with tiny metal beads. Two short swords were tucked into his belt, and on his back he carried a battleaxe with a spike at both ends of the shaft.    - My lord Anek, he began.    - She was not there, the man in the chair stated, not bothering to pose a question.    His voice was melodious and young.    - No, the man with the bearskin answered. But she must have left in haste. No provisions were missing.    Anek brought out a small, curved silver horn from under his furs. He put it to his lips, but the other man raised a hand and interrupted:    - Please, my lord. There is no need. I can easily find the girl and bring the baby back in no time.    The silver horn stayed at Anek's lips, and he chewed on it lightly while pondering this.    - Very well, he said then, lowering the horn. Take some guards with you and be back before sunset tomorrow. But Beleus, should you fail, I will have to use the horn. My time runs short.    He caressed the wrinkled spot on his cheek with his fingertips. Then he spread his fingers in dismissal, and Beleus bowed and left.    On his way through the village, Beleus picked up three guards from the barracks next to Anek's dwelling. They wore fur-adorned armour of studded leather and leather helmets mirroring his steel one. A sword and a dagger apiece was their armament. He led them beyond the village, just to the edge of the forest some twenty yards away. Here, he glanced at the obvious track made by the fleeing woman. Then he nodded to himself.    - We will take the road. She will turn to it soon enough.    - But the track goes...    Beleus interrupted the guard:    - The road is her only means of going fast enough to survive. But she could hardly go near the lake now, could she?    - No, sir. Of course not.    - Well then! The road it is.    When Xena awoke, Gabrielle was still fast asleep. The bonfire Xena had assembled the night before was still smoking and evidently radiated enough heat to make Gabrielle sleep with her left arm stretched out from under her fur and blanket. Xena half-smiled and sat up, arching her back and flexing her shoulder-muscles. Then she stared at Gabrielle.    Gabrielle lying on snowy ground, arms stretched.    No fur or blanket, a thin shift only and the harsh wood of a cross under her, a dark rope on her pale skin, securing her arm to the beam. A roman soldier leaning forward with a spike aimed at Gabrielle's small hand. Gabrielle with short-cropped hair, looking at her with blue eyes through the falling snow. The solider raising his mallet...    - No? Gabrielle yawned. I'll make some then.    She struggled to get into upright position while still keeping fur and blanket around her.    - You all right? she asked, pausing with sleepy concern. You look awful.    Xena managed a twitch around her mouth that she hoped could pass for a quick smile and answered in a light tone:    - Well, excuse me for not being combed and bathed at this early hour.    She jumped to her feet and began pulling on her armour, which she had used as a pillow. Gabrielle stumbled towards a bag and knelt down, pulling forth some pots and foodstuff.    - I know we're in a hurry, she said without turning. But if I don't get something to eat soon I will begin nibbling that fluffy bit on my staff.    - Sure, Xena said. I'll get some water.    She took the largest pot and went to stuff it full with clean snow. Her sense of equilibrium returned. Only the present mattered and what you did with it.    When she returned, Gabrielle had dressed more properly and was tending the fire to full life. They put the pot on the fire and waited for the snow to melt. Gabrielle scratched her neck and said after a while:    - I'm thinking of cutting my hair a bit shorter. It does get in the way sometimes, battles, making breakfast...    Xena stared at her, but managed a smile:    - I like it just the way it is.    - Do you? Why?    Gabrielle was not looking straight at Xena but rather at the fire. Xena grabbed Gabrielle's hair and yanked it teasingly.    - Hey! the Bard cried in protest.    - I can't do that if it gets any shorter, can I?    - Well, don't. It hurt.    Xena's smile died and she quickly said:    -I'm sorry. I promise not to do that anymore. Just don't cut your hair, okay?    Gabrielle glanced at her in some confusion.    - Okay, I won't. Is this Miss Amphipolis, the queen of cosmetics speaking, or what? Since when do you apologize for pulling my hair, anyway?    - Well, ever since you told me that it hurt.    - Oh. Well, stop it. It's freaking me out.    Something not unlike a patch of dark moss was hanging from the bark of the tree. Xena rubbed it slowly between her fingers, frowning.    - Is it from a wolf? Gabrielle whispered, leaning forward on her staff.    - Maybe, was the unsettling reply.    - Maybe? What do you mean? Is it from a Bacchae?    - Maybe means maybe.    They were near Nicklio's home now and mount Nestos loomed before them. Although the weather was calm and nothing like the blizzards of their previous visits, they were nonetheless grateful for their fur coats. Gabrielle wore a grey one, more rugged than elegant but guaranteed wolf-free. Xena's was black with a few stripes of white.    Letting go of the piece of fur, Xena refrained from mentioning that although it indeed looked like wolf-fur, the coarseness of the hairs spoke of a wolf of unthinkable size. Gabrielle clearly had something against wolves, courtesy of Bacchus perhaps.    They continued warily.    Soon they had Nicklio's home in sight, a broad hut propped up against the mountainside of the mountain.    The door was open and snow had accumulated in the opening. And it had not been snowing for as long as they had been in the area. Xena went slowly to the door, but made no attempt to hide her presence. Gabrielle followed, a little nervous but not afraid with Xena near.    Xena stopped at the doorway and peered into the gloom.    A thin coating of snow and frost covered nearly everything inside, from the broken and upturned furniture to the mangled skeleton on the floor, screaming silently into eternity with an unhinged jawbone.    When the black shape struck out at Xena's face she ducked. Gabrielle jumped to the side with a loud expulsion of breath. When she recognized the black shape for a pair of ravens, she swatted at them angrily with her staff. They croaked in irritation and flew up to the roof, where they landed; turning their heads this way and that to get a proper look at her. But her attention was already on other things.    - Oh, no...    She entered the hut and went to Xena's side where she stood looking at the grisly remains.    - Poor Nicklio, we were to late...    Gabrielle knelt by the skeleton and put her hand to her mouth.    - Maybe, Xena said, grimly but without apparent grief.    - What's there to maybe about now? Gabrielle asked in some irritation. The man is a skeleton. Not even you can fix that. Can you?    Despite the circumstances, Xena almost laughed at the implied scope of the Bard's faith in Xena's abilities.    - That is not Nicklio.    - It isn't?    - No. Look, this man's shoulders are far too broad. And the shape of the skull is all wrong, too.    Gabrielle bent over the skeleton and scrutinized it with deep concentration. Then she rose to her feet, tiny furrows of scepticism all over her face. Or maybe she was just worried that her friend would be so familiar with how a person would look if skeletized.    - Besides, it is unlike Nicklio to wear studded leather armour.    Xena poked at a strip of frozen leather with the toe of her boot. It turned out to be the most visible remain of a grievously torn vest worn by the unknown dead.    With curiosity getting the better of apprehension, they searched the hut for some more clues. Nicklio's body was nowhere to be seen, nor were there any other corpses.    When they finally went outside again, Gabrielle summed up what they knew:    - So, something killed an unknown man in Nicklio's home and wounded a carrier pigeon. Lots of stuff was broken or hurled around, but nothing was stolen. Nicklio himself is nowhere to be seen. All of this took place some time ago. If Nicklio were alive, wouldn't he have returned by now?    - Not if he suspected that whatever killed the man could still be around, Xena answered.    - And do you think that it is?    - Still around here? Well, there are no tracks apart from those of ordinary small animals here, so I doubt it.    Gabrielle eyed the edges of the forest around them and tucked her cloak tighter around her.    - Xena, what do we do now? What can we do?    - Get some firewood. I don't think Nicklio would mind us using some of his, but I'll get some from the forest as well.    - Hm, it feels kind of eerie to camp right here. I don't have much of an appetite right now.    Xena snorted:    – Ha! But anyway, it's not for cooking. We're building a pyre.    The air was filled with the cracking of wood and bone burning, and with the occasional hiss of thawed ice vaporizing. It was not yet evening and the smoke was thin against the white of the ground and the grey of the sky.    They had built the pyre in front of Nicklio's hut. On it, wrapped in the remains of the leather armour and in a torn blanket Gabrielle had found in a corner, they had laid the skeleton. Now they stood in silence and watched the flames.    Gabrielle opened her mouth as if to say something but stopped. She repeated this several times with less and less time in between. Xena did nothing to acknowledge this and finally Gabrielle could not refrain from asking:    - You, are you, that is, will you...    Finally Xena glanced at her, more brooding than mourning and answered:    - I am not singing. Everyone deserves a funeral rite, but in this case it was also a convenient way to make Nicklio see that people are at his home, making a fire. This way he will know that someone who is not an animal is looking for him.    Somewhat shocked by this brutal pragmatism, Gabrielle said after a minute or so:    - Xena. What if Nicklio is dead? Wouldn't this be his funeral as well? Won't you sing for him?    Xena did not reply but returned her gaze to the flames.    But as the fire burned and the cloud-hidden sun sunk below the trees the roaring of the pyre changed slowly. It took Gabrielle quite a while to make out the sound that mixed with the soft thunder and cracking of the flames. Soft words rising and falling slowly in a melody of sorrow and bittersweet memories.    Tears like beads of amber in the glow of the fire fell to the ground and became one with the mud. But they were Gabrielle's. Xena stared at the pyre until nothing but embers remained, but her eyes were dry and unblinking.    Xena bolted upright. She had not slept, but managed to drift into a calm of sorts. But a soft snort from Argo had warned her that someone was approaching. They had made themselves as comfortable as possible in the wrecked hut. After brushing out most of the snow and getting a fire going in the fireplace, it was much preferable to another night outside in the cold. Argo was too big to enter the doorway, but they had left the door open and she alternated between sticking her head or her tail in to get some of the warmth.    In a fluid motion, Xena got to the wall on one side of the door. Slow and careful steps from several men was heard from the outside, as well as fragments of whisperings:    - ...horse.    - Can it...    - ...think it is?    With the light from the fireplace spilling out into the night and, perhaps even harder to miss, a horse standing in front of the door, there was little use in hiding.    Sliding by Argo out through the door, Xena stepped to one side to get out of the immediate light and peered at the darkness. She could make out four men. They moved their arms as if to draw their weapons, but one of them stopped this with a gesture. He stepped forward into the light, revealing his spiked helmet, bearskin cloak and multitude of weapons.    - Well met, he said, his voice dark but not booming.    Xena nodded. When the pause that followed was obviously not going to be broken by her, the man continued:    - I am Beleus, war leader of my tribe, and these men are under my command. We are looking for a young woman.    Even in the poor light, Xena's raised eyebrow was evident.    - It is important that we find her before the beast does, Beleus continued.    - Beast, huh?    - Xena, who are they?    Gabrielle had woken up and was poking out her head, hair ruffled but with her staff in her hands.    - His name is Beleus and it appears that we are both interested in a beast of some kind.    Xena had spoken without taking her eyes of Beleus and continued:    - Come in. Let's talk.    Argo could take a hint and stepped out of the way, but Gabrielle shot a look at Xena and whispered:    - Should we really let them in here?    - Either that or chatting out here in the cold. Relax, it's not as if we can't handle them.    Flashing a half smile at her friend, Xena made an inviting gesture to the four men.    - The beast is like a wolf, Beleus explained.    - I knew it, Gabrielle hissed.    - But it is larger than a wolf and much crueller, he continued.    - You mean he attacks people even if he is not threatened or starving? Xena asked.    - Well, let's just say that he seldom starves.    - Did you know of this place before? Xena asked as if to change the subject.    - Oh, yes. The home of the healer. We have visited him in the past and he has helped us every time. But he seemed to dislike company, so we didn't come here that often.    - When we arrived here yesterday we found a man probably killed by this beast, said Gabrielle. But it was not Nicklio. Where do you think he is?    - Oh, the beast must've taken him. No doubt about that. There is not often much of a corpse left afterwards.    Gabrielle fell silent, but Xena asked:    - What about the man we found? How come this beast of yours didn't eat him?    - It is no beast of mine! Beleus almost shouted, startling the pair.    - It is no beast of mine, he repeated in a calmer voice. As to why this corpse was left untouched, maybe the beast was distracted by something, Nicklio perhaps. By the way, where is the corpse?    - His ashes lay buried outside. There was only a broken skeleton left. He was very broad shouldered and wore studded leather armour.    At this, several of the men exchanged glances.    - One of your men? Xena asked.    - It could be. Well, it seems that we all have someone to mourn tonight. In exchange for sharing your fire, maybe we can share this bottle?    He produced a leather bound jug and offered it to Xena who shook her head. Gabrielle likewise declined. Beleus shrugged and took a large sip, before giving the jug to the man next to him.    - This woman you are looking for, Xena asked. Do you know that she is bound for this place?    - No, but she would have seen the fire. My guess is that she will come here for the chance of some warmth.    Outside, Argo neighed softly. Xena rose.    - I'll just check on Argo, she said and went out into the night.    Someone or something was skulking among the trees. Xena patted Argo and took care not to look directly at the shape in the forest. It appeared to wait in some indecision. Finally, Xena called out:    - Would you like to come inside?    A startled gasp was heard, but was soon followed by hurried footsteps. Xena turned her head and saw a woman dressed in nothing but a short and uneven skirt and a jacket, while carrying a large bundle of cloth. The bundle made a whimpering sound and Xena's eyes opened wide. Then she strode quickly towards the woman. Hear pallor was tinged with blue and she was shivering, having obviously tore large strips of her skirt to further protect the infant from the cold. Xena immediately unhinged her black fur cloak and wrapped it around the woman.    - Come, she said and led her into the hut.    When they entered, all eyes turned towards them. Beleus smiled thinly and rose. His guards rose as well. Gabrielle too jumped to her feet. The young woman with the child halted, her face a sudden grimace of fear.    - N-no! she stuttered and made a move as if to run out into the night.    But Xena held her and tried to calm her:    - Calm down, you are safe here.    - No! They have come to take my baby!    Gabrielle went to her:    - They are only here to protect you from the beast.    But Xena raised her head and stared at the four men. They guards stood silent, with their hands on their weapons. Beleus had his arms crossed. His smile was gone.    - Melika, it is for the good of the tribe.    - What is for the good of the tribe? Xena asked slowly.    - The child must be sacrificed to Ceto. Otherwise our king will die.    Gabrielle gasped and turned to face the four men, her staff held in a protective diagonal. Xena straightened up and let go of Melika, who took a few steps backwards but halted on the threshold.    - You told me that you were protecting the woman from the beast, she continued.    - And we are! If the beast finds her, it will kill both mother and child. This way, the mother will at least survive.    - You are no parent, are you? Xena asked coolly.    - Well, I've done my fair share of wenching...    - My point is that your only way to escape unharmed is to leave now and never come back.    Beleus drew his wickedly looking axe.    - We outnumber you two to one, he remarked while motioning his men into position with one hand.    - Your point being? Xena asked half sneering, half snarling.    He raised his axe high, but suddenly thrust with the pointed end at Xena's face. She sidestepped. He slashed out in proper axe fashion and she ducked, charged him and head butted him in the stomach, making him double up and stagger back. She gave him a final shove with her hands and then stepped back to leave no opening for the other three. They had not yet attacked, but when the furious and panting Beleus waved them forward, they attacked with eager blades, simultaneously wielding swords in their right hands and daggers in their left.    Xena waited with her right hand lifted as if in greeting. When one attacker was clearly within a split-second of slashing her open, she drew her sword from its back scabbard and deflected his blade as if swatting a fly. Slightly off balance he managed a cut with his dagger, but she parried with the knob of her sword hard against his knuckles. A sharp crack was heard and he dropped his dagger from broken fingers.    Gabrielle found her staff to be a good weapon against a foe with twin blades. She parried sword and dagger alternatively, left, right, left, right and then dealt a stunning blow to the enemy's ear.    - Stay clear of the dark one, Beleus said, now fully recovered and drawing his two short swords in lieu of the battle-axe.    - What about the blonde? the still reeling foe of Gabrielle's muttered unheeded.    Beleus and the third of his guards now approached, warily and with slowly circling blades. Xena risked a glance over her shoulder and had her fear realized. Melika had disappeared.    - Find her before she gets to far, she hissed at Gabrielle and took a step forward to allow her friend to leave.    Gabrielle nodded quickly and slid behind her and out. Beleus and the guard attacked.    They made full use of the fact that Xena could not move from her present position without leaving the doorway open. With defensive stances they moved to the sides, forcing her to shift her focus constantly. The clash of steel to steel filled the hut, but no blood was drawn. Then the stunned guard came to his senses and joined in. The one with the broken knuckles still held his distance behind his colleagues.    Xena jumped suddenly straight up, caught the doorframe with her left hand and made a double kick, her left foot connecting with the jaw of the guard in the middle, her right foot squashing the nose of the guard to her right. Beleus saw an opportunity and cut at her exposed left side, but she managed a parry with the sword. Then she let go of the doorframe, taking the opportunity to deliver a backhanded strike with her left fist. Beleus jumped back. Xena kicked at the two guards again, two backward kicks in rapid succession and said over her shoulder:    - You leave, you die.    Then she engaged Beleus in swordplay, driving him steadily back by whirling strikes to his face, obscuring his vision and forcing him to use both blades in parries. Out of the corner of her eye she saw the broken-knuckled guard make a run for the door. She interrupted her attack routine and made a couple of fast somersaults backwards.    The guard barely managed to get out through the doorway when a hand grabbed his neck.    - Do you want to die? a voice hissed in his ear.    Xena slammed him face first into the doorpost and yanked the unconscious body back into the hut letting it fall sprawling on top of one crouching guard.    - What's the matter with you? Beleus shouted in frustration. Fight! Cowards!    Getting only moans for reply, Beleus quickly got other things on his mind when Xena grabbed a second sword from nerveless fingers. Now she did not bother with distracting him or even pressing her attack. She matched his frantic blade work cut by cut and awaited a break in his rhythm. When none seemed to come, she stamped hard on his foot, disrupting his concentration. Then she forced his swords to the sides with her own blades and leapt up in a backward somersault, stepping hard on his stomach, chest and forehead on her way up. His swords were twisted out of his grip by her blades and clattered to the floor at the time of her landing.    - I'll be right back, she said, knocking him out cold with a kick to his jaw.    Gabrielle closed her eyes for a second, hoping to speed up their adjustment to the darkness outside. Then she opened them wide and ran forward, looking this way and that.    There! She could just about make out Melika, running desperately in the snow among gnarled roots and treacherous ice spots. Gabrielle raced after her.    Melika's lead was not that big, but it was next to impossible to run efficiently in a dark forest on sloping and uneven ground. The whiteness of the ground helped somewhat, though.    Suddenly, Melika fell. Xena's cloak had tangled in a tree branch just enough to get her off balance. Gabrielle increased her speed, jumping recklessly over perceived obstacles, her own cloak and blond hair flailing wildly. Sensing her approach, Melika crawled forward, in too much panic even to dare to take the time to rise.    Finally, Gabrielle managed to corner her against a huge tree. Panting, leaning on her knees with her hands, Gabrielle tried to calm her:    - Melika, it's all right. No one is going to take your child. I promise.    She went carefully to the trembling woman who clutched her baby as if trying to absorb it into her own body. By soothing talk, Gabrielle eventually succeeded in calming Melika enough to get the message across that she would be safe with her and Xena.    - You took some time finding, Xena said, stepping forward between the trees.    Gabrielle helped the mother to her feet, but her legs shook with fatigue and suddenly she collapsed. But Gabrielle and Xena caught her and Xena simply lifted her up in her arms and started walking back to the hut without further ado.    - Where is Argo? Gabrielle asked.    - Guarding the bad guys.    - You didn't kill them. I'm glad.    Xena glanced at her friend.    - I mean, I know your memories from that hut. I understand that it must be hard not to go back to that fury you must have felt when just after having escaped Caesar's betrayal, you witnessed M'Lila being killed by Caesar's men.    - Well, I've dealt with it. I imagine you aren't that thrilled about the place either.    When they reached the hut, Xena gently lowered Melika to the ground.    - I'll just clear the house, she said to Gabrielle and went to the doorway.    Argo had indeed been guarding, because the four inside had new bruises. Xena went inside in silence, drawing her sword against the slightly recovered but badly shaken group. She motioned with the sword to the door. They went past her in sullen silence, but Beleus said:    - You've made a mistake. Now the beast will kill you all.    Xena met his gaze without deigning to answer and followed him out. Outside, Gabrielle stood protectively in front of Melika, feet apart and firmly planted, staff at ready. The child had begun to cry. The men tried to get a glimpse of Melika, anger and even pity showing in their eyes.    When they had gone, the three women went inside.    After Melika had fed her baby and eaten a little herself, she fell asleep in front of the fireplace, Xena's cloak wrapped around her and a pillow from the bed under her head.    Xena and Gabrielle went outside to talk.    - Maybe we are too late to help Nicklio, Xena said. But there is clearly work for us to do her.    - You mean helping mother and child to escape?    - Yeah, but the situation that forced Melika to run in thin clothing through a winter wood with her baby child sure needs some seeing to.    Gabrielle nodded, a shade unhappier than Xena would have thought. While feeding Argo some reasonably fresh straw, Xena waited. Unlike her, Gabrielle was not one to keep her feelings hidden for very long.    - Xena, I'm afraid of this beast. This maybe-wolf.    - Why? It's not like we haven't taken on monsters before.    - No.    Gabrielle smiled for an instant before continuing:    - But it reminds me of the Bacchae.    - Well, that was easy enough. Some dryad bone was all it took to beat them.    Now Gabrielle smiled again at the gross simplification. And her smile remained, although it took on a sadder quality when she answered:    - But I nearly destroyed your soul. I drank your blood. And, and...    Smile fading, she gratefully accepted Xena's comforting hand on her shoulder.    - Relax. If this overblown wolf comes here, Argo is in for a new blanket.    Anek shook off the hands massaging his shoulders and the servant stepped back from the throne, fearfully. For a second, the king's face was contorted in rage, but he immediately regained his composure. But his youthful face was now marred not only by the wrinkled area, which had grown to almost half the cheek, but also by several minor wrinkles on the other cheek and on the forehead.    - So, Beleus, you failed me.    - Yes, my lord.    Beleus was standing tall and still before Anek, not being one to grovel when a mistake had been made.    - Still, Anek pondered. It might be for the best.    - Are you going to let the girl leave? Beleus asked incredulously.    - No, of course not. But when my people stumble upon the remains of the traitor woman, they will not be so eager to run the next time.    Beleus was silent.    - I want you to stand guard personally over Melika's brother. Ceto will get him instead.    - My lord, said Beleus and bowed. And, about the two other women?    - What about them? They will soon be dead too.    Beleus bowed again and left. The servant girl made as if to restart the massaging, but Anek lifted the tiny horn and she gasped and retreated to the far wall of the room. He put the horn to his lips and blew.    The sound had little of metal sharpness, being instead a haunting mixture of some soft woodwind instrument, and of the wind itself, rushing through treetops and rustling dead leaves and dry branches with gusts of snow.    Somehow, the soft sound carried out into the woods and the trees did stir in a sudden wind and dry branches and dead leaves did rustle.    And in the deepest darkness of the woods something moved and bared its fangs and roared in answer.    - This is my wish, Anek whispered after removing the horn from his lips. That the woman Melika and my daughter are killed and that the two warriors who helped her are killed as well.    A dark shape crashed through bushes as it began hunting.    - So this has gone on for years? Gabrielle asked in disbelief.    She and Xena were sitting on the floor in front of the fireplace with Melika.    - Yes, Melika nodded while rocking her child softly. He is not that old, but he has been afraid of death since he was very young, I think. And now, every year, he must sacrifice a young relative in order to continue living.    - What I don't understand is this, Xena said. Why do you let him? This Beleus, for example, why does he obey this man?    - Beleus has sworn to obey his king. He takes his oath very seriously. He keeps saying that loyalty is what sets a good warrior apart from an evil warrior.    - Who told him that? Xena asked in disgust. Anek? Listen, Melika. We're going to get you someplace safe while we deal with Anek. And with Beleus and anyone else that comes in our way.    - What about the village at that bridge we passed four days ago? asked Gabrielle.    - Yeah, that would do nicely.    Melika looked up, a new fear in her eyes:    - Four days?    - We can make it in three, said Xena. It's downhill some of the way. And don't you worry. We'll go with you.    - Yes. And I'm very grateful to you, for wanting to save my daughter and me.    Melika hesitated as if unwilling to voice her thoughts even to herself. But she did:    - If Anek can't sacrifice my daughter, he will take my brother instead. And he will not wait four days.    Gabrielle chewed at her lip and frowned. Then she suggested:    - Xena, can we take her with us, to the village of Anek?    - No, said Xena slowly, not chewing at anything but otherwise frowning as deeply as Gabrielle. That would be too dangerous and a distraction to us. We'll to do it differently. I had hoped we would have more time, but we'll make do with what we have. Melika, can you ride?    Xena and Gabrielle made their way through the forest. The clouds in the sky did not so much obscure the light of the sun, but rather distributed it fairly so that nearly every part of the sky was blindingly white to look at.    Gabrielle wore her grey fur coat, but Xena only wore her customary leather armour. But the ground was uneven and they made good speed and Gabrielle considered removing her coat as well, but decided that even if it were just a little too warm in it, it would be just a little too cold without it. Speaking of which:    - Xena, we could take turns, you know.    Xena stopped, raised her hand to silence Gabrielle and glanced around. Then she started walking again and asked:    - With what?    - My coat. It was very generous of you to give it to Melika, but we could take turns sharing mine. I know how you dislike being cold.    - Thanks, but it is all right as long as I'm moving. Really.    - Whatever, Gabrielle said, but she smiled a little.    They plodded on. The snow was only ankle-deep, but even that was tiring on sloping ground. But at least they could see the tracks of whatever was around. The starry steps of birds could be seen, as well as the more robust telltales of fox and other small mammals. There was nothing that could be interpreted as anything remotely like a large wolf.    Xena stopped. Gabrielle had to bite her lip to avoid calling out inquiringly. But she followed Xena's gaze and saw it too.    About ten yards ahead was a small spot of red on the white ground. Xena pulled out her sword and stepped slowly forward, taking in the forest around them with quick glances. Gabrielle followed and whirled around on a sudden impulse, but nothing could be seen following them. She turned back to Xena.    When Xena reached the red spot she halted. The snow looked not altogether dissimilar from sorbet of red berries, a luxury from her long gone days of piracy. As she looked, a drop fell on the red spot, flashing ruby for a moment before dissolving into red slush.    As one, they let their eyes follow the trunk of the nearest tree, up, up, up. And there it sat, crouched on a stout branch, its head bent to its chest so low that the muzzle almost touched the chest. It held something in its paws, gnawing it almost gently, and the red was dripping from it.    It made an inquiring, almost human sound.    - Gabrielle, Xena said softly. Get back!    Xena dove sideways even as the beast dropped. The thud of its landing was drowned in a slavering roar. Xena rolled to her feet just in time to get her sword up to meet the charging predator. It was at least part wolf. The head was that of a giant lupine, and coarse, black hair covered its body, especially the back of its head and the upper part of the back, giving it an almost hunchbacked appearance. But it lacked a tail, and although it moved with a hunching gait, it was clearly more at home on two legs than on four. If it would straighten up, it would tower over Xena. As it was, its head was on the same level as hers.    The sword entered deep into its belly and Xena tumbled back to let the attacker roll over her. It landed heavily, the blade sliding out of the wound, but sprang immediately to its feet and attacked Xena again. This time it struck at her with a paw. She parried, hoping to wound it, but the rudimentary fingers closed on the blade and yanked it from her hand. Surprised by the move, she barely dodged the other paw. While the beast flung the sword far away, Xena dislodged her chakram from her belt.    Gabrielle was paler than the snow but began moving, hoping to outflank the monster. Seeing this, Xena shook her head:    - No! Stay back!    The beast charged her. She deftly avoided the swinging paws and slashed cruelly with her chakram, splitting the muzzle in two dangling halves. Not wasting any time, she backhanded the beast's throat, opening a red line there.    It opened its eyes wide and howled, evidently in some pain. But in a few instants, the gash on the throat simply melted away and the split muzzle joined together, healing as if it had never been harmed at all.    Xena jumped out of the way of the tearing claws, but the beast spun after her with astonishing speed and leapt at her, crashing them both into the thin snow. Out of necessity, Xena dropped the chakram and managed to get a hold on each arm. The feral face was just inches from her own, its breath moist and scalding hot in the winter air. They rolled once, twice to the side, the beast trying to free its arms and Xena struggling to prevent it.    When they next rolled, Xena let go of one arm and grabbed hold of a tree-limb lying on the ground. She swung it hard, catching the beast squarely in the wide-open mouth. As it blinked and chewed she kicked it in the belly and rolled free, coming to her feet in a rapid motion.    Splinters flying, the beast made short work of the wood in its mouth, shook its head to clear its mouth one last time, and then rushed at Xena.    She had a stone in her hand and hurled it into the mouth. As this new mouthpiece confounded the beast, Xena proceeded to spin around, kicking it in the chest, groin and chest again, driving it backwards and keeping it off balance. The beast fell over, but the impact of the fall knocked the stone from its mouth and it roared deafeningly, rolling aside as Xena hurled another stone two-handed at it. It came to its feet and rushed her once again, and this time there was no handy limb or stone nearby.    They went down in a flurry of fur and leather.    Fast as a snake, the beast twisted its head and sank its teeth into Xena's left arm and she screamed in pain.    Already nearly dancing with frustration, Gabrielle could hold her distance no longer and ran forward, bashing the back of the beast with her staff again and again. Hardly hurt by that, the beast nonetheless released Xena's arm and glanced back, roaring. Gabrielle yelped in surprise and jumped back. Xena took advantage of this short respite and jammed a couple of stiff fingers into a spot of cardio-vascular importance on the beast's neck. On a human this would have caused great pain and at least partial paralysis, partial since she only used one hand. A bark as if from a dozen dogs in a cellar was heard and the beast turned its attention back at her. Gaping absurdly wide, whatever attack it planned on her was thwarted by another whack at the back of its head. Despite this being classic wolf-pack tactics, the lupine beast fell for it, standing and turning in annoyance. With an insultingly slack blow, it struck the staff from Gabrielle's hands and advanced towards her. Xena scrambled to her feet, leaving a red area of moist snow beneath her. With uncanny agility, the beast whirled and struck at her, missing her with the sharp claws but hitting with the meaty part of the paw, sending her stumbling to the side. Then it turned back to Gabrielle, who found her retreat hindered by a huge tree. With desperate inspiration she flung a piece of dried meat from her pack. The beast did not even glance at it and even, it seemed to Gabrielle, made a contemptuous tut-tut sound. She groped blindly in her bag for something to throw at it, hissed in pain when something sharp pricked her finger, but pulled out the offensive object as a truly desperate measure. It was Hippocrates' needle, long for a needle, singularly unimpressive for a weapon.    Xena came out of the stunned daze in time to see the beast tensing its muscles for a leap to kill her soulmate. Shouting her undulating battle cry, Xena somersaulted forward, hitting the beast heavily and felling it. It came to its feet quickly, and Xena planted a vicious roundabout kick in its side, causing it to stagger. But it recovered and rushed at her. She jumped aside, preparing to try another pressure point as it would slow down and turn, but it just kept running. It ran past her and away, glancing back fearfully at...    ...the Bard, scared-stiff, leaning against a tree holding a needle in front of her with a trembling hand.    Xena lowered her right long-and index fingers, adrenaline making her somewhat irritated by the beast's escape, but mainly vastly relieved.    - It doesn't care for sewing, she mumbled. That's for sure. You okay?    Gabrielle nodded and began to breathe again. She stared after the fleeing monster, broken shrubbery and the odd footstep marking its path of departure. Then she turned her eyes to Xena and mainly her left arm. It dangled bloody and useless. Gabrielle lowered the needle and ran to her.    - Your arm! Is it...    - Nah, nothing I can't handle. It will take some time to heal properly, though. Still, I don't need two hands to take out those mighty baby-killers we met.    They went and collected their scattered weapons, and then Xena took a few minutes to clean her wound and bandage it with the help of Gabrielle.    - Gabrielle, show me that needle, will you?    Xena took it and stared at it thoughtfully. Then she returned it.    - Do you think the beast is afraid of silver? Gabrielle asked, turning the needle over in her hand.    - Hardly, Xena answered with the shadow of a smile. But Hippocrates said that it was blessed in the temple of Artemis.    - Goddess of Amazons, hunting and wildlife, Gabrielle added. It makes sense.    She wrinkled her face and added:    - Does it?    - Not yet. Come on.    Xena arose from the fallen log they were sitting on and started walking.    - Or is it that the destructive nature of the beast makes it fear something used to heal? Gabrielle asked as she caught up.    - Well, that would be a first.    They continued to the village.    When they arrived there, they found it strangely quiet. The day was calm, except for a freak wind during the morning hours, so it made little sense to imagine people huddling inside for cover.    Opting for direct approach, they simply walked in among the houses, Xena noting that the sharply slanting roofs were unlikely to hide any errant beasts.    A small shutter opened and a bearded face peered out, started to retire inside again but halted, staring at the pair. They halted as well and Xena turned and asked:    - We're looking for Anek. Where is he?    - Uh, still in the main hall. Large T-shaped building in the middle. Can't miss it.    - Thanks.    And to Gabrielle:    - So far, so good.    They reached the T-shaped building and it was indeed large. Two guards stood outside the large wooden door. They stared at the approaching women and pulled out their swords.    Inside, Anek slumped in his throne, hardly visible in the gloom. The fire had nearly died and he was alone. When he heard the commotion outside, he started and brought quickly out the horn, holding it with wizened hands, more like trembling claws than anything else. His voice was a stuttering whisper:    - This is my wish, that the enemies attacking my guards are killed!    As he blew the horn, the door opened, blinding him with glaring whiteness that seemed to radiate from the silhouette holding up the door.    A thin wail was heard and a chill wind tugged at Xena's hair. It fanned the fading fire to new life, filling out the darkness on either side of the beam of daylight with shapes of dun and amber. She stepped inside.    The throne was easy to spot and she approached it with slow but even steps, taking in the details of the room as her vision adjusted. Someone was clearly occupying the throne, wrapped in a multitude of furs. A glimpse of metal made her focus her gaze. The being on the throne held something in his...hand?    She halted next to the fire, within a sword's sweep from the throne.    - Are you king Anek? she asked.    It would have been an understatement to describe the man in the throne as "old". What little visible flesh that was seen was nearly black and so dry and wrinkled as to look almost scorched by fire. His face was a skull, but with a sharp nose only slightly sunken and enough skin on the cranium to keep everything together, barely. Wisps of hair, not unlike unruly moss, could be seen at the temples. There was some kind of eyes in the sockets. At least something glittered darkly in there.    - Yes, the apparition hissed. I am Anek. And you are too late.    - Looks to me like you're too, Xena answered unsmiling. Too late for what, by the way?    - Oh, I just assumed that you had been sent by that traitor girl to get her dutiful brother. He has already been taken to the lake.    A couple of thuds from the outside told Xena that Gabrielle was in a fight.    - Be seeing you, she said to Anek and left him.    Two more guards had arrived outside, in addition to the pair lying stunned on the ground. Gabrielle was whirling her staff, parrying blades and riposting. Suddenly, Xena burst out of the doorway, sending one guard flying with a fierce uppercut without loosing a stride. As she broke into a run she shouted:    - The lake!    Gabrielle, being more used to sudden Xena appearances than the remaining guard, struck his blade aside, drew her staff into his belly and whirled a harsh blow to the side of his head as he doubled up in pain. But even in that short span of time, Xena had gained a substantial lead that Gabrielle knew was impossible to overtake. Nevertheless, she started running.    Xena ran like a predator in for the kill, leaping over minor obstacles, somersaulting through an area of low branches, using a particularly stout one as leverage to rise to higher branches and continue running on them, Amazon style.    Gabrielle congratulated herself on her acquired tracking skills. Xena did leave the occasional footprint in the snow, even if they were far apart. Melika had told them of the lake where the sacrifices took place, but Gabrielle was not sure she could find it right away without Xena's help. When she reached the low branches, entangling her hair at one point, she was therefore happy when she finally found the alternating handprints and footprints. And she was therefore quite annoyed when they disappeared altogether. After halting and scanning the ground in vain, Gabrielle looked up, seeing some high branches waving suspiciously in the still air.    - Right, she said in a slow deliberate tone, indicating that quite a number of words were crammed into that single one.    On the ice of the lake, a group of men stood in a circle, grimly watching the man and the boy. They were all armed guards from the village, but no one had drawn his weapon. There was no need. A boy of ten could easily be managed by Beleus who stood behind him, his left arm wrapped around the boy, pinning his arms. With his right hand, Beleus pulled out one of his swords.    A hissing noise, growing in intensity and volume caused him to pause and glance around. The guards did likewise and one of them turned just in time to get a perfect view of an ornate leather bracer as Xena transferred the kinetic energy from her glide, via her elbow to his nose.    Making an impressive somersault, he was unconscious by the time he crashed into the ice, causing a web of dark cracks to form instantly beneath him.    Xena punched another one in the pit of his stomach before there were any swords and daggers in play. Then the battle began in earnest.    - Kill her! Beleus shouted in annoyance masking his fear.    The slippery ice underfoot made kicking a hazardous option, and Xena used her right hand and arm to deal stunning blows and deflect attacks. The men nearest to her fell, one gliding an impressive distance before stopping, head against a rock on the shore. A brief impasse followed. Guards approached, but slowly on the treacherous ice. Xena awaited them impatiently, and became even more impatient when they took pains to remain out of reach of her arms, poking with their swords but more interested in remaining upright than in inflicting damage. Rolling her eyes, Xena leapt unto a fallen soldier and used his relatively stable bulk as a base when she delivered a series of rapid high-kicks sending swords high in the air and guards tumbling on the ice.    More dark cracks appeared accompanied by ominous creaking. Beleus, unwilling to take his eyes from the resourceful Warrior Princess felled the boy with a pommel-strike and pulled out his axe-pike. Xena, her opponents momentarily scattered all over the ice, pulled out her own sword in answer and stepped lightly off her human carpet.    - Xena!    Gabrielle's voice from the shore was faint and breathless. Xena risked a glance, but her friend's tone was more of the fill-me-in-with-the-details than of the please-help-me-I-am-dying kind. Beleus struck out with his sword, holding his balance with the sharp end of his axe firmly against the ice. Xena parried, flailing with her left hand to compensate for the motion. Beleus slashed and she ducked.    - Good idea, she said meanwhile, indicating Beleus' axe with a nod. Care if I borrow it?    He clutched his axe, puzzled, and swung his sword in a defensive arc. Xena reversed her own sword, driving the point into the ice and held onto it with two hands while she kicked out viciously slightly upwards, hitting Beleus in the groin, making him double over in pain, reflex and loss of breath.    - The idea, not your stupid axe.    Xena strode past Beleus and stopped at the boy. Sounds of battle from the shore spoke of guards attempting an easier target than her. But Gabrielle evidently held her own, by the sound of it. Xena knelt and examined the boy's head. A concussion but probably nothing serious.    - Xena!    This time Gabrielle's voice had a tinge of warning. Xena glanced at the beach, seeing two guards engaged in combat and one of them receiving a jab to the forehead that felled him like a clubbed ox. As Xena thought, nothing that the Bard could not handle.    - Just a sec! I'll bring junior here ashore and then I'll help you.    - Ceto shall have her sacrifice! Beleus shouted behind her. One way or another!    Half turning and confidently raising her sword in defence, Xena was surprised to see Beleus striking mightily with his axe against the ice, not against her. The resulting crack seemed to instantaneously appear beneath her feet. She cart-wheeled to the side, disintegrating ice and bubbling water filling her footprints. But when she landed, faint cracks spreading under her, she saw in horror the boy slide into the widening opening of water, black as ink against the ice.    Beleus laughed, backing away on his knees. Xena dived into the water.    The scalding cold enveloped her. A few precious moments were necessary to locate the boy. The sudden crack had caused momentary movements in the water, dragging him a few yards under the ice. Xena swam there, sheathing her sword to grab him with her good arm. Kicking with her powerful legs she began dragging him towards the crack, trying to avoid banging his head against the rough ice.    Her foot caught in something. A ribcage lying on a rock jutting out of the deep. She kicked free, sending splinters bobbing and dislodging a skull that rolled off the rock and sank grinning down into darkness. She reached the crack and got his face above the water. Allowing herself a couple of gulps of air, she then threw her leg over the edge of the ice and dragged and pushed the suddenly extremely heavy body up onto the ice.    Something caught her submerged ankle but this time a simple kick was insufficient to get free. She looked down and saw what seemed like a cloud of ropy strands. Several of the strands were entwining her leg. And even as she looked a shape could be seen moving in the cloud, human? Female? Scaly with fin-like ears and smiling mouth. The long strands grew from her scalp like hair. Xena began to slip down.    - I'm coming...ah! Gabrielle shouted from the beach, the second guard now lying on the ground, but her sprint was interrupted by Beleus rushing her and striking the staff from her hands with a sweep of his axe.    A kick sent Gabrielle sprawling.  Xena, her leg slipping off the ice-ridge, groped after her chakram with fingers rapidly numbing with cold. The creature below now grabbed the entangled leg with a scaly and taloned hand and tugged. Hard. Xena tried to hold on with her injured arm, but the ice broke under the pressure. Even as she gulped for a last lungful of air, she managed to fling away her chakram, sending it wailing against Beleus where he stood, axe raised to strike at Gabrielle who scrambled, unable to get up from the icy and snowy ground.    Before she could see if it had hit, everything was water again.    She grasped at the hand holding her leg. It felt dead, like a tree-branch. She managed to wrench its grip away, talons raking the leg even as it drew back, sending puffs of blood into the water, dark as ink in the surreal underwater light. But the strands of hair held tight and more came flailing, enveloping one arm, coiling around her upper arms dangerously close to the throat. The strands had a motion of their own being more than dead appendages.    With one hand clawing at the strand near her shoulders Xena kicked hard against the nearby shape, nearly invisible among the eruptions of bubbles despite the proximity. The kick struck something vaguely flesh-like but the momentum sent her and her adversary tumbling head over heels.    A face thrust out through the chaos of bubbles, open mouth displaying narrow teeth, an intricate mosaic of scales oddly beautiful in the snarling face. Xena jabbed at it with the elbow of her injured arm, making contact but not much more, hindered by water and strands. Nevertheless, a surprisingly low-frequency roar was heard through the thunder of disturbed water and the face drew back. But almost instantly a flurry of strands enveloped Xena further, trapping both her arms tight against her body, joining her legs in a merciless cocoon and beginning to encircle her throat. She avoided the strangling grip by turning her head wildly, but this was stalling, not fighting.    She was dimly aware of the creature floating next to her, content to let the strands do their work, confident that the joy of teeth and talons ripping into drowning flesh would soon follow anyway.    There was no breathing to halt by the strangulation. But Xena was very aware of the effects of blockage of the flow of blood to the brain. She did not feel any pain either from the entwining strands or from her injured arm, the freezing water numbing everything. But in her chest the agony of ravenous hunger for air was very real.    There were fewer bubbles now. The water was calming down and no more air was escaping from tiny folds in her armour. The monster took her by the knees and began swimming down into the night below. The bluish-white of the ice was growing dimmer above.    But suddenly, there was more light. A radiant being descended, a golden halo around its head. Its arms thrust out. Crucified?    That face. The eyes. Their lips touching and a taste of ultimate sweetness. Life. Air.    Suddenly, everything was real again. The monster sensed something and halted, looking up, snarling. Gabrielle stared in shock, but shoved the handle of a short sword into Xena’s good hand before retreating up to refill her emptied lungs.    Her arm was trapped, but she slashed free by whirling the blade with her wrist and fingers. Injured strands withdrew like whiplashes. The monster closed in, talons raised, fangs bared, but Xena shouted her battle-fury, blinding it with a burst of precious bubbles and stabbed with the sword. Pale blood, greyish blue instead of ebony clouded the water. The monster yanked with her head, spinning Xena around with the strands still holding her legs. But Xena reversed the blade and thrust backwards under her arm, connecting and hearing even through the once again violent water the crack of bones breaking. The strands loosened as the monster tried to draw back, kicking Xena in the back to get away. Lungs burning again but free at last to fight, Xena tumbled around more aggressively than gracefully and grabbed hold of a trailing strand with her injured hand. It was a limp grip, but reflexively the strand coiled around the hand, inadvertently strengthening the hold. Xena lunged forward and thrust the sword straight into the serpentine mane and piercing the neck. And again into the torso. And again. And again, stabbing the monster with very nearly the last of her strength until smoke like blood had turned everything a milky white.    Only then dared Xena let herself float upwards, into the light and into the air.    And Gabrielle, overwhelmed by the icy waters, was still struggling to get up onto firm ice, its edges breaking under her hands. Xena surfaced, gulping for air with chewing motions. – Xena! Gabrielle yelped. I can’t get up! -It’s all right, Gabrielle! Xena gasped and raised the short sword, reversed it in the air with a flick of her fingers and drew it deep into the ice as far from the water as she could. Hold on!    She then drew herself and Gabrielle slowly but steadily unto firmer ice and out of the water. Then they lay still for a couple of moments.    Lying on the icy ground, staring into the air and at each other, a shield clear like a mirror, the harsh Roman iron poised against their hands…    Xena ground her teeth and stifled a cry of defiance. Instead, she put her arms around the Bard and hugged her. So cold was Xena that even the cold skin of Gabrielle burned like fire when they touched. She hugged harder. -You’re blue! Gabrielle exclaimed in amused astonishment when she drew back to reclaim her fur coat, discarded when she dived into the lake. -You said it, Xena answered with a hollow smile.    - The child! she then exclaimed and struggled to her feet, half numb and half shaking like the dancing bone on a shaman’s drum.    She hurried with Gabrielle to the boy and found him alive, barely. Only then did Xena take a good look around for enemies, but finding none that moved. -I’ll try to get a fire going, Gabrielle volunteered, but Xena shook her head.    - No, the village is near. We’d better get him inside. And I could sure use some exercise to get the cold out of my system.    - Okay.    With the boy slumped over her good shoulder, Xena led the way ashore. She paused by a tree to retrieve her chakram that was lodged firmly into the trunk. There was blood on it and Beleus lay face down at the foot of the tree, the snow pink around his head.    They continued to the village.    - Hello again, Majesty.    Xena strode into the royal hall and paused only to lay the boy down in a pile of hay by the door. Gabrielle immediately began tending to him, snatching a tapestry with scenes of deer hunting from the wall and wrapping him in it.    - I’d like to take up where we left off, Xena continued as she approached the throne.    In it, King Anek was fumbling with something, moving his wasting hand to his cadaverous mouth, holding a tiny metallic object between fingertips that were only nails and thinnest parchment skin.    Xena took it from him almost leisurely and flipped it into the mumbling embers of the fireplace.    - Nooooo…    Anek wailed softly and rocked his head slowly to and fro, as if that was the only motion of which he was now capable.    - I don’t have too many soft spots for tyrants sacrificing children, Xena said in a neutral voice. And whatever your reasons, this have stopped now. That fishy lady of the lake is dead. And about that beast of yours…    The wall exploded in a cloud of snow and splinters. And even before the first of the broken beams crashed to the floor, the beast came down heavily on all fours, eyes glowing with the lust to kill, jaws grinding and saliva dripping.    Anek gaped but no scream came. He leaned towards the fire and thrust his hand into its midst, groping for the little trumpet. He found it and withdrew his hand, but when he put the instrument to his lips, blue and green flames flickered on his dry skin. In stupefaction he halted, staring at his hissing arm.    Xena began moving sideways towards Gabrielle and the boy, her eyes locked on the beast. But it remained in place, as if equally entranced by the burning arm as the king.    Suddenly, Anek coughed and fell over into the fire, a pile of bones loosely connected by dry skin. He did not move as the flames erupted from his back, burning like wood, not like flesh.    But the beast moved. It cocked its head as if listening and made an inquiring sound in the back of its throat. Xena bent down and whispered something to Gabrielle without taking her eyes from the wolf-thing.    One moment it was standing calmly. In the next, it was descending towards them at the end of a great leap, jaws opened astonishingly wide and claws raised high to tear them asunder.    Something flashed in the few yards of air remaining before impact. Even as Xena withdrew her hand after the throw, she was rolling on her back with bent legs. The beast made a half shriek, half howl and lost its posture, crashing clumsily into Xena. But she was ready and kicked it over and away, using its own momentum for thrust and her legs for steering.    Xena jumped to her feet and drew her sword. She ran towards the upturned table in the corner where the beast had landed. She kicked the table aside and thrust the point of her blade against the throat. Nicklio stared back.    Tensing muscles from calves to neck to stop her sword, Xena could only stare for the first few instants. There was no beast. Only Nicklio crouching, panting. He was naked and from just below his collarbone the end of the needle protruded.    - Xena, he said in a hoarse voice. Kill me.    She withdrew her sword, but did not lower it.    - And if I don’t?    - I will be a beast again when I’ve healed.    Gabrielle came to stand next to Xena:    - Can you prove that you are…whom you look like?    The man who looked like Nicklio touched the end of the needle absent-mindedly and grimaced, but only with his mouth.    - When you brought Xena to my home, I took one look at her and then began examining you, saying that it was you who I could do something about.    Gabrielle put her hand to her mouth and could only nod.    - How long before you heal? Xena asked.    - This? Two days.    - All right, Xena said and sat down on a bench, laying her sword across her lap. That should be plenty of time for your story.    - Let me see, said Gabrielle, putting down a mug half full with hot tea on the restored table. In short, you forced yourself upon an Amazon…    - I seduced her, yes, but I did not force myself upon anyone. There is a difference.    - Sure it is, Xena muttered.    - Fine, you seduced an Amazon priestess of Artemis, thus angering the goddess enough to make her curse you. You would only remain human as long as you treated the wounds of every one who came to you. And some time ago, you got fed up with treating scum and refused.    - It was Surmal. The things he did to those families…    - Yes. Quite. I think we can skip the details this time. But, you then turned into this wolf-beast and were unable to do anything but rage and kill.    - At the commands of whoever held that plaything, Xena added. But, the question is, can we remove this curse?    - Yes, Gabrielle continued, suddenly excited. Xena and I are really good at quests.    - You have to be. The last time I saw you Xena, you were dead.    Xena did not answer, but Nicklio continued, tugging the blanket tighter around his shoulders, taking care not to brush against the needle:    - I erred against the Amazons. Only if the Amazons would forgive me could I be free of this curse.    - Well, said Xena. You’re in luck.    - So, you agree to kill me?    - No way. Gabrielle?    The Bard leaned forward and took Nicklio’s hands. She was smiling:    - As queen of the Amazon nation, I forgive you, Nicklio. And I beseech the goddess Artemis to lift the curse.    - What? Nicklio breathed. Are you…    He stopped with a gasp of pain and further surprise. The needle still embedded in his chest began to glow brightly, soon blinding them with searing light. But then the light went out and the needle was lying on the table and the skin under Nicklio’s collarbone was unbroken and the dried blood was gone.    Xena glanced up. Nicklio was approaching, a smile indicating that the boy in the king’s bed would be all right. Gabrielle and the boy’s family was gathered around the bed, whispering.    - Now I can stay among people again, he said. Thanks to you and Gabrielle.    - That’s great, she answered, managing a slight smile.    - But now it’s your turn, he continued, seating himself on a stool next to her bench.    He wore a light brown shirt, reaching to his knees, and trousers in the same colour, provided by the grateful family. Xena raised an inquiring eyebrow. Nicklio leaned towards her and said in a low voice:    - There are several kinds of pain. I myself was invulnerable as a wolf, but the agony of watching helplessly how I killed and devoured was as great as a sword through my body.    He paused briefly, looking into her eyes.    - You are in that kind of pain right now.    Xena could not suppress a glance towards Gabrielle.    - And it is not something that you can talk to your friend about.    - A mind reader, huh?    Abruptly, she stood. As she began walking towards the door, Gabrielle looked up:    - Xena?    - I’m just taking a walk with Nicklio. Be right back.    They reached the summit of the hill. Around them, the setting sun made the shadows long and blue on the snow and draped the treetops in gold and amber. Smoke from the village made a sharp contrast against the clear sky. The lake looked tranquil, the dark spot of the hole in the ice being the only sign of the battle. Villagers had taken the fallen away.    Nicklio’s breath came in great puffs of white, but Xena seemed barely to breathe at all.    - Hippocrates told me about one thing, she said, not looking directly at Nicklio. He firmly believes that anything a wounded or sick person tells a healer in confidence should stay secret.    Nicklio nodded and Xena seemed to register this with her peripheral vision.    - I want your word not to say anything to Gabrielle about this. Ever.    He moved into her direct line of sight:    - I promise, Xena. I give you my word. Now tell me the reason for your pain.    Eyes unfocusing, she told him about her journey to northern Turangi, about Alti and about the vision of the future. By the time she finished, they were sitting on a fallen tree.    - Seers are never happy, Nicklio nodded. To know the whereabouts of your own death…    - No! Xena exclaimed heatedly. I don’t fear death. My life has been filled with so much evil, but I’ve had the chance to try to repair some of it. I’ve outlived my son. But I’ve seen the bliss of the Elysian Fields as well.    - But, I cannot accept the death of Gabrielle. Even when she fell into a pit of lava, I could not accept it. I fought against fate and I found her again!    Her voice was becoming hoarse with emotion.    - The thought of her limbs being nailed to a cross, the cross raised and she being left there to hang in agony until she suffocates…    - …killed by the Romans, and me watching, not even fighting to save her and…    The silence was long this time. The sun was only an orange reflection on the western sky.    - And I will never get to mourn her. To express my love for her and the infinite loss. I know it would shatter my soul, but I would want to be the one to lay her on the pyre, light it, and sing my farewell.    - So do it now, Nicklio said after a new pause.    - What?    - Do it now.    He rose to his feet and began the descent, leaving her alone. She stared into the darkening carpet of trees in front of her, but finally stood as well. The moon was showing at the horizon.    Softly she began to sing. The tones more than the ancient words expressing her emotion. A tear appeared, a moving pearl in the moonlight.    Grief.    Anger.    She stopped. Her anger rising like a tide, melding with the sorrow and turning it into rage. She shook her head, as much in denial as to clear her head. Then she saw the face on the ground. A face distorted by emotions, teeth bared, eyes blazing, hair unkempt, frozen by sweat and tears. Her sword hissed as she drew it two-handed, raising it to strike at the mirror-frozen puddle at her feet.    But she stopped once more. Slowly re-sheathing her sword, she saw the rage in her face come apart into sorrow. And love.    The moon shone upon the puddle, long after she had left the hill.