Family Loyalties Part 4
'Xena how many times do we have to have this conversation huh... I don't like horses!'.
Argo shifted slightly forward jerking Gabrielle backwards in the saddle. ' With the
exception of you of course Argo...', Gabrielle laughed nervously. 'I mean if it absolutely
essential for me to get on a horse, well yeah I can do it then, but given the choice I'd prefer
keeping these two feet of mine planted firmly on the ground thankyou very much.' Xena
grinned and turned to talk over her shoulder , 'Unlike the rest of you which is forever in the
clouds right'. Gabrielle smiled and mused ,yeah well maybe that was true enough I
suppose.
'So why are we in a such an all fired rush Huh?' Gabrielle clutched Xena's waist as
they moved off from the watering hole. Xena urged Argo into a trot.
Stocking up with supplies at the last village , Gabrielle had half hoped that they
would stay for a few days. They hadn't been anywhere near what past as civilization for
almost a week , and well Xena wasn't the greatest conversationalist that ever was; that was
a given.
Xena had gone to the livery to have Argo reshod, Gabrielle had spent a couple of
dinars buying some blank scrolls, a new quill and some meat ,bread and fruit for their
lunch; as usual she was starving. She sat on a bench facing the village square, and
watched as the villagers went about their daily routines. Gabrielle felt a pang of
homesickness , Lila would no doubt be doing much the same thing in Potidæa , but the
thought was quickly followed by another, of how boring and humdrum the life would be.
The same routine day after day after day. That is what had made her so eager to leave in
the first place; she wanted to experience the world and what it had to offer, and she
couldn't do that from that little village.
A man on horseback galloped into town and straight to the livery were he alighted
from his horse, and strode straight towards Xena. The conversation looked animated at
least on the part of the young man, Xena stood with hands on hips conversing then
extended her hand in a gesture of thanks towards the man. She then paid the blacksmith
and mounted Argo. Gabrielle jumped to her feet, 'What the..' Xena motioned to Gabrielle
to join her, she grabbed her things and hurriedly made her way through the square.
Xena lent down and proffered an arm to Gabrielle to mount the horse, Gabrielle
was a bit hesitant , but knew that xena must have a reason, flung herself upwards and onto
Argo's back.
'No time , we have to get to Corinth as soon as possible' Xena nudged Argo
with the heel of her boot; Argo broke into a gallop; faltering slightly adjusting to the extra
weight of an extra rider. 'Hercules has sent word that he need's our help at once'.
Laughter filled the air as Ares sat back deeply on his throne, 'Well if that doesn't bring
Xena and her irritating blonde nothing will!' Ares had put his plan into effect, after
teaching Brianna the way's of the God's she was now ready for her final test. He was still
unsure of her alliance with the gods; and this would prove it one way or another. Brianna
had learnt rapidly , yes she was quite the prodigy Hera had been hoping for , and then
some; which Ares had kept to himself.
She was a God even if only a half-God now, that, no one could deny, not even
Brianna herself. But Ares had learnt from past judgement's, that there was an element of
deception and surpise in all, even the God's themselves. Xena his own daughter had turned
from him with the help of his half god brother Hercules to right the injustices that she had
wrought on the world through his influence over her. That mistake he would not make a
second time. The half-mortal influence upon Brianna could still be her undoing. He knew
that Brianna trusted mortals completely after having been raised by them in the 20th
century, how many times did he try to tell Hera that sending his little sister to the future to
live among mortals was a mistake,that eventually Brianna would ultimately end up paying
the price emotionally and possibly physically for this critical mistake made by both Zeus
and Hera. Ares throught about it and came to the conculsion that in order to ensure her
hatred of mortals and to solidify her alliegence to not only himself and Hera but to the
others gods as well, he was going to have to arrange it where a mortal would betray his
little sisters trust and faith in the pathetic fools and she would eventually plead for full
godhood.
Brianna entered the room in a fluent flow of material, she was adorned in the most
skyblue gown ever to grace a god or mortal. It hung from her shoulders in perfect
symmetry, her hair was held back with and ornate comb made of paua shell, which caught
and reflected a rainbow of light loose ringlets not caught up in the comb, rested upon her
neck. She was hardly recognisable as the woman that Apollo and himself had retrieved
from the future Corinth.
Brianna approached Ares and spoke "I hope this meets with your approval big brother ?"
Ares stepped down from his throne and stood face to face with her "Ah little sister you are
beginning to meet my approval with each passing day, you've done well " Ares stroked
Brianna's arm and then spoke again "Yes I do good work."
Brianna looked at her brother and spoke " I'm glad you're pleased. Any chance of me
getting out of the temple today ?" Ares smiled and then spoke "Perhaps Brianna if I'm
feeling generous enough and you prove yourself worthy." Having said that Ares laughed
then disappeared leaving Brianna alone once again. Brianna then spoke knowing full well
that Ares could hear her "What's that supposed to mean ? I've done everything you've
asked of me so far. When do I get a reprieve big brother ?" she yelled. Ares reappeared
"When you prove to me that you no longer care for mortals, is when I will grant you a
reprieve little sister." Ares replied saracastically. Brianna turned away from her brother
and spoke "Ares, all I want is to see other people other gods if you will, all I ever see is
you as much as I enjoy the company that you give me dear brother I'm lonely, I feel so
isolated like none of the other gods want to have anything to do with me. I keep asking
myself where do I fit in ? Am I ever going to ? Brianna began to sob. I have to admit
I've enjoyed learning what I can do it's so different then how I lived before and for that I
thank you But Ares I'm so confused. I'm asking you to help me, please ? She pleaded.
Ares looked her then thought about his plan everything was working just as he was
expecting. Ares then spoke "Oh little sister I am helping you. Perhaps your right maybe
seeing other gods and our day to day routines and how we deal with mortals would most
defintely help you, Brianna you have done exceptionally well I think a trip to Olympus
would be just the thing for you I'll be back I think a meeting with the other gods is in
order. You may leave the temple for a little while to get some fresh air but a word of
caution if you go into the village be very carefull you will be completely on your own if you
run into trouble I won't be there to protect you; If they find out that you are the daughter of
Zeus and Hera it could get very tricky" Brianna looked at her brother and replied "What
do you mean by tricky ? Why would the villagers want to hurt me? Because I'm the
daughter of two Olympian Gods that hardly makes sense." Ares looked at Brianna and
smiled as he spoke "Brianna the truth is mortals resent us they will deny it of course but
it's true. They bring us occassional baskets of fruit or other offerings to stay on our good
side but it's a fact a realization that you will eventually come to on your own espescially if
those villiagers find out who you are. I'll be back, I expect you to be here when I return."
having said that Ares disappeared in bright flash of light. Brianna thought about what
Ares had said and decided to take advantage of his absence to get some fresh air.
Brianna left the temple and walked outside she was happy just to be breathing fresh air,
she began to walk along a path that looked to her like a trail to the nearby village.
When Brianna arrived at this simple village she saw various merchants on street with
stands setup selling trinkets, swords, fruit, grains,etc. She continued to walk looking at the
various stands it then dawned on her that Ares would be returning soon and she should
return to the temple, she decided to head back it was on the way that she noticed that
someone was behind her. Brianna turned around and noticed that the person was a
solider. She was alone and virtualy defenseless Ares was not here to help her, Brianna
prepared to fight this solder.
The solider advanced he grabbed at Brianna and she fought him off but that only angered
him. It wasn't long that solider was able to over power her, Brianna laid on the ground
trembling as the solider violated her. She was beaten,bloody and scared. Brianna had no
idea how long she laid there alone after the solider had gone. She then remembered Ares
and knew she had to get to the safety of his temple. She kept asking herself why mortals
were like this, how could creatures like that be so cruel. Brianna finally made back to the
temple and thankfully Ares was not there. She went inside and headed directly to her
room it was there she broke down and cried. Her trust in mortals had been broken and
now she was trying to figure out what to do next. Her thoughts were interupted when
Ares appeared. "I've got everything arranged mom and dad and the other gods are
expecting us, shall we go ?" Brianna who had been facing the window looking out so that
Ares would not see did not answer. Ares noticed that Brianna was way to quiet and
something seemed wrong. "What is it little sister ?" It was then Brianna turned around
she was bloody and bruised the site made Ares extremely angry "Who did this to you ?,
What happened ?"
Brianna looked at her brother and began to cry "It was a mortal solider Ares he attacked
me from behind at first I managed to fight him off but it only made him madder I
continued to fight but it didn't matter the more I fought the rougher and more brutal he
was." Brianna continued to sob and Ares began to fully understand the depth of the crime
that this mortal had perpertrated against his young sister, He knew that that if he was
angry the other gods would be as well.
Brianna continued to cry as Ares began to heal her wounds, She had been betrayed in the
worst possible the way. She had lived among mortals for most of her life, now suddenly
she was back with the gods who were her family she kept asking herself why had this
happened but she had no answers she only felt fear. Brianna's thoughts were interupted
when Ares started to leave her sight. "Ares, don't leave me, Please ?" Ares looked at
Brianna and spoke "I'm not leaving you but I am taking you back with me to Mt.
Olympus, you will be safe from mortals there." Holding Brianna they disppeared in a flash
of light, almost instantly they were on the highway to Olympus. Brianna looked at the
stars whizzing by them but she showed no emotion. Ares watched her closely she was
afraid and he knew that. Brianna had not uttered a word since they left his temple it was
as if his little sister was paralyzed with fear and anger.
Links To My Fan Fiction
Family Loyalties Part 5
Family Loyalties Part 3
