Cyan and the Enforcer stabled their horses and watched the young boy shut the doors behind them. They both knew the boy would say nothing. One advantage the Queen was sure she had here was this village's silence.

"Go and take a look around town E. With the cover of darkness, I'm sure if there's anyone suspicious hanging around, now's when we're gonna spot them. I'm going to duck into the inn and see if I can find out where Falcon and Corde are staying. With any luck, nothing's happened since Falc left her note on the Island."

Olympia nodded and disappeared into the night. Cyan walked around to the back of the Inn where she spotted Corde chatting with someone unseen in the kitchen. The Queen whistled almost silently but she saw Corde's reaction almost immediately and knew the warrior had heard. She stepped back from the window and waited for Corde to make some excuse to exit the Inn and come find her other Amazon.

A low whistle came out of the darkness as Corde's dark figure turned the corner of the inn. Cyan reached out from her hiding place and drew the girl in quickly, putting one hand over her mouth.

"It's me Corde." The Queen released her hand as the warrior nodded.

"I thought you might have been Falc." Corde said in a whisper. "She went out a while ago and hasn't come back yet. She was following Nik's parents to some kind of meeting with whoever it is that's paying them." Corde looked around. "Did you come alone?"

The Queen shook her head and leaned back against the inn's structure. "I sent Olympia out to look around town. There's something strange going on with all this Corde. Something just doesn't make sense."

"Nik's parents are really pressing hard about the Island my Queen, but so far as I can tell, no one is giving them any help; well, except that one big-mouthed merchant that mentioned the doorway he had heard about."

"Doorway?" Cyan asked a bit confused. Corde told the Queen all that the unknown merchant had said and how Falcon had followed them out to investigate the doorway herself.

A doorway?" Cyan said thoughtfully, then she smiled. "Good news is, it doesn't lead to the Island; bad news is, I'm not sure where it leads." The Queen looked back over at the other Amazon. "Corde, the note Falcon left for me on the Island said we were supposed to meet with both Artemis and Athena; do you know why?"

The look of shock on Corde's face answered the Queen's question with finality. Cyan smiled as Corde processed what the Queen had just said.

"So, I guess by the look on your face, Falcon hasn't mentioned anything about the meeting?"

Corde shook her head. "She's mentioned a lot of things, but she sure didn't say anything about goddesses. Seems like kind of a big detail to leave out don't ya think?" Corde's voice barely masked a mild irritation that had suddenly crept into her tone. "Partners… hmpph" she muttered under her breath.

Cyan turned her friend around and headed her towards the back door of the inn. "There seems to be a lot of stuff that isn't fitting into place yet Corde; I'm sure Falcon will tell us everything she knows as soon as she gets back. For now, I need to get Olympia and I a place to sleep, preferably before Nik's parents return from their meeting."

"A lot of people in this village are going to remember you my Queen, maybe we should get you a disguise?" Corde suddenly stopped and turned about to face Cyan. "I know! I can get you a job in the kitchen, with me, making bagels each morning! No one would find you there."

Cyan arched an eyebrow. "You're right Corde - no one will find me there; not ever. Now come on, surely I don't stick out that much."

Corde rolled her eyes and headed back through the kitchen. "Yah, right - what was I thinking? Whose gonna look twice at a 6 foot blonde, sportin' a sword - silly me."

*****

Olympia's legs were beginning to cramp as she silently sat in her perch above most of the village. She had been watching for some time now and everything seemed fairly peaceful. There had been the usual drunks, couples trying to score some alone time, and that occasional merchant closing up shop a little later than usual. The Enforcer dropped to the ground silently and stretched her legs and back. She was about to slip into the darkness when she felt a heavy hand come to rest on her shoulder.

The figure spoke as she rolled her neck around causing it to crack several times in relief. "MAN! I didn't think we were ever gonna leave!" She leaned heavily on the Enforcer's shoulder and began to stretch the rest of her body. "What finally convinced you all was well Olympia, the growl of your stomach when the merchant passed by with his dinner?" The figure laughed as the Enforcer swiped her hand sideways knocking her arm free of the visitor.

"You're a little early Athena, Falcon told us two nights. So what do you want?"

"Ah, as charming and to the point as ever Olympia. Where is Cyan?"

"Not here." Olympia answered flatly.

Athena's mild expression quickly turned to that of annoyance. "What do you mean she isn't here? Didn't that Amazon of Artemis's give her the message?!"

"What do you want with her Athena?" The goddess smiled coyly as the Enforcer continued to stare blankly and without concern for whatever the woman had to say. It was time to try a new approach. Athena chuckled mockingly.

"My, my. I see you're still threatened by my continued presence in Cyan's life aren't you warrior?" Olympia remained silent, but the goddess knew she had struck a chord. "I hate like hell to remind you yet again Olympia, but whether you like it or not, I'm not going anywhere. Cyan is my family, and no matter what, blood will always run thicker than everything else."

Olympia took a step forward and then stopped. She shook her head, slowly turned around and headed back towards the inn. "Well then goddess, you don't need my help to find your own sister, do you?"

Olympia smiled as Athena re-appeared in front of her. Her armor glittered in the moonlight and the Enforcer watched as her steely gaze softened momentarily. She knew that the goddess had silently conceded a truce and was hoping Olympia would let it go at that. The thought of torturing Athena a while longer did cross her mind by two things had stopped her almost simultaneously. One, her hunger and tired legs wanted nothing more than to get back to the inn and take a break and two, regardless of what Olympia felt about the gods of Olympus, she knew that Athena was loyal to Cyan above all else. That fact alone set her apart from the other immortals and swayed Olympia to hear her out.

The Enforcer spoke much more civilly as she and Athena began to walk down the street together. "If you needed to speak with her so bad, why did you waste your time following me?"

"It's not as easy to locate the soul of another immortal as it is that of a mortal. Cyan's OutWorld blood makes it nearly impossible, at least in this realm." Athena stopped Olympia by the arm. "Please. It's important that Cyan be at that meeting." The goddess's eyes pleaded.

"Relax Athena, Cyan is here and she has every intention of meeting with you; although I must say, she is a bit curious as to why you and Artemis seem to be working together."

Athena sighed. "It will make perfect sense when Cyan hears what we've found."

Olympia's curiosity got the better of her, but before she could ask, Athena had already anticipated her question. "I agreed with Artemis that I wouldn't speak to Cyan without her."

Olympia looked somewhat skeptical, racking her brain for any instance that the Olympian gods actually kept their promises. Perhaps amongst other immortals it was different. She shrugged as Athena smiled at the warrior's continued mistrust and disbelief. The Queen of the Amazons had certainly found the most faithful of friends and bodyguards.

"The fact is Olympia; I needed Artemis's help and she needed mine, so we struck a bargain. It seems my sister the huntress has her own personal agenda in all of this and as long as it doesn't conflict with mine, I have no intention of breaking the deal."

"And what is your agenda?" Olympia finally asked with some reluctance.

"That, I can't tell you; not yet anyway. But I can tell you this - my agenda has never once conflicted with Cyan's safety or what's best for her."

The Enforcer thought for a moment and then walked on alone; she paused briefly to look back at the goddess. She smiled and shook her head. Considering the woman represented both warfare and wisdom, Olympia sometimes wondered how she could be so oblivious to the obvious answers she wanted to hear.

"If it's of any interest to you Athena, you wasted your time wondering whether Cyan would come or not. Once she learned the message was from you, she left without even a thought of not coming." She paused and smirked at the golden clad goddess. "I guess you don't know your own blood as well as you think you do."

With that, Olympia resumed her pace to the inn but not before she caught the glimmer of a smile from the goddess's lips.

*****

Pulling the cloak around her Olympia entered the inn; it had not changed from the last time she had been there. Looking around the quiet room, she failed to find Cyan. "Where is she." She muttered. Corde stepped into the main room from the kitchen and spotted the cloaked Enforcer. Nodding her head she went to the back of the room near the fireplace. She placed a cup of hot coffee on a table and gestured for the Enforcer to sit. Olympia sat and waited for word of the Queen.

"I’ll have your order in a moment and your ‘friend’ will be with you shortly." Corde turned and walked away. The coffee was hot, fresh and just what Olympia needed. She sat for a moment and just enjoyed the fire and coffee; soon her senses picked up a familiar presence.

"Well what have you found out?" Cyan’s asked quietly. She sat opposite Olympia with her own cup of hot coffee.

"Nothing seems different since we were last here." Olympia said.

Cyan was about to answer when she felt eyes on her. Turning around she found that indeed she was being watched. A toddler of no more then 2 or 3 seasons stood staring at her. The golden headed little moppet stood with a thumb in her mouth and a stuffed rag rabbit in the other hand. Her blue eyes wide with interest were focused on the Queen.

"Be careful that rabbit may be a weapon." Olympia chuckled.

Cyan leaned down a little and addressed the small child. "Well now, shouldn’t you and your friend be asleep?"

The child nodded and then pointed to Cyan.

The Amazon Queen sat up and cast a puzzled look to her bodyguard who just shrugged.

Suddenly the toddler crawled into Cyan's lap, snuggled into her chest and with a contented sigh closed her eyes. Cyan’s arms circled the child and she looked to a startled Olympia.

"Oh I see Rachel introduced herself." Corde said as she placed two bowl of steaming stew, breads and herbed butter on the table.

"Rachel! Oh by the gods, how in the world did she……. " The innkeeper’s wife clamored along until she saw the face of the woman who was holding her dozing child. "You" she whispered.

Olympia stiffened, preparing for anything.

"Wolf said you might come. Rooms are ready for you. Anything you require, please, just ask. She is back in my arms because of you." The woman pointed to the sleeping child. "We owe you so much." Tears formed in the woman’s eyes. "When she was taken, my husband and I, we thought our world was over. I saw you that night, the night the children came back."

The Queen smiled and spoke softly. "Perhaps it would be better to speak of these things later."

"Yes of course. Corde can show you to your room when you’ve done. It’s the same as before. Come Rachel." The woman lifted a softly protesting child from a warm lap. "I’m so sorry she disturbed you, it’s not like her to just do such a thing. But they say children know a good person." The woman smiled. "Anything you want just ask."

The innkeeper's wife turned and carried the child away towards the private quarters she shared with her husband. Cyan watched as the Mother and child walked away. It took a moment for her to realize that she was being spoken to.

"Earth to Cyan, come in Cyan." Olympia said waving a hand before the Queen's face."

Cyan blinked a couple of times, then frowned at the grinning Amazon bodyguard.

"Welcome back from wherever you were." Olympia said.

"Olympia, I’m tired and hungry; lets just eat and get some rest." Cyan and the Enforcer ate in silence. One wondered what Falcon would find out while the other thought only of a small child with blue eyes and how much she missed the feel of that body in her arms. She thought of a certain niece back on an island, and suddenly wanted nothing more than to be home again. This thing with Nik's parents had been nothing but bad timing from the very beginning, it needed to be resolved quickly.

With their meal done Corde showed Olympia and Cyan up to their room. A fire had been laid and the beds turned down. Bread cheese and wine was set in the room on a table.

"She had the room ready this evening before Falc went out. She just said it was for special guests that were coming. My Queen, Amazons are very welcome here. It seems the whole village feels they owe a debt to us." Corde stood and shuffled her feet.

Cyan put an arm around Corde’s shoulders and smiled weakly. "I guess so. Now, you let us know when Falcon returns. I want to find out all that she knows as soon as I can. In the meantime I’m going to lay down and rest." Olympia looked at Cyan suspiciously. An immortal suggesting that she needed to rest? That was a first.

"OK." Corde replied. "But be sure to get up early, the bagels go real quick in the morning. Almost as fast as I can make them." Corde grinned as she left the room.

"Count on it." Olympia and Cyan said in unison and then laughed.

*****

The sun was just beginning to paint the sky in its golden light as Apollo began his ride across the heavens.

Falcon slipped into a quiet inn followed by her dark companion. "Don’t know how I’m gonna explain you my friend, but I’ll think of something. For now I’m just going to stretch out and…"

"Shadow? What is he doing here?" Corde’s voice carried across the dimly lit room.

Falcon turned to see a barely awoken Corde. "Someone must have sent him through the portal and it was a good thing too. He showed up just in time to be a distraction for me in a potentially dangerous situation."

"Cool." Corde replied. "Oh by the way our ‘special guests' arrived last night while you were gone. They are in their room asleep I think, but not for long. I’m baking her favorite Bagel this morning. The smell should wake them in about two candlemarks. She's going to want to have a meeting to talk over what we have found out ya know." Corde smirked. "Might even want us to mention the meeting with the goddesses, don't ya think?"

Falcon winced and then nodded. She smiled and without words told Corde she was sorry she had not mentioned everything earlier. Corde returned the smile and all was right again between the two. Falcon turned and headed up to the room Corde and she had been sharing. She was followed silently by the Black Wolf. "Well Shadow, we better get some rest. I have a feeling the fun has only just begun."

****

Cyan stood by the window looking down into the still abandon streets. Only a few of the local merchants were making their way around; silently setting up their shops for the day. The smell of Corde's bagels had aroused the Queen from her restless sleep. Actually, Cyan was surprised she slept at all. She had chuckled to herself earlier, commenting on how fortunate it was that the only two who seemed to constantly suffer from nightmares were the two true immortals of the Island. Good thing, if she was mortal, she'd be way behind in her beauty sleep. She sighed heavily and once again thought about Eri and Davu. Neither of them had been afforded the luxury of immortality. At least while Eri remained on the Island, the Queen's herself felt much more at peace. She glanced over at the still sleeping Enforcer. The day would come when she would have to tell Olympia who she truly was but Cyan was dreading that moment almost as much for herself as for Olympia. The Queen was not sure she was prepared to lose her best friend if it came to that. Not that either of their feelings would change, but Olympia would become another responsibility to her, not unlike Eri. Cyan shook her head. She needed to talk with Eri when she got back; she needed to tell her everything.

Olympia had been especially quiet after they had turned in for the evening. Cyan hadn't minded - she certainly had enough on her mind to keep her busy in thought without chit chat. Surprisingly, Olympia was quite a chatter when they were alone and Cyan often spent hours laughing at her friends analogies and sarcasm. There had been neither last night. The most Cyan had been able to draw from the woman was a sarcastic comment about the source of Cyan's blood and how think it really ran. The Queen hadn't pressed the point, one because it was very unlike Olympia to lash out like that, and two, little had Olympia known how close to home her comment had come.

The Enforcer rolled quietly onto her side, amazing the Queen at how stealth like she was even in her sleep. Cyan smiled just as a flash of something glinted off the morning sun. She looked quickly out the window and stiffened. She slid her sword into its sheath and silently dropped into the streets below. She slipped around the backside of the inn and leaned closely against the wall. Her arm lashed out, as she yanked the figure backwards and held her tightly. Her hand was pressed firmly over the figures mouth as the form slowly stopped moving, sighed, and slumped in reluctance.

"Cyamn, ifts me. Woulf you left go oft me pleafs?"

Cyan smiled and released the figure. "Athena. I should have known." The goddess smiled. "Let me guess. You were the one that had a little chat with Olympia last night, souring her mood?"

The goddess chuckled. "Trust me Cyan, she doesn't need much help from me to sour her mood. Every time I see her she's ready to run someone through."

"Has it ever occurred to you that she might just lighten up if you'd lay off the family stuff?" Athena was a bit taken a back.

"She told you?"

Cyan laughed. "She didn't have to. You two have been at each others throats since the day I met you."

"Listen Cyan, I have to get out of here. I wasn't suppose to have any contact with you until both Artemis and your Amazon had arrived."

The Queen nodded. "I know. Falcon's here. I heard her come in earlier. I haven't had a chance to talk to her yet, but I will. I needed to see you first, about something else."

Athena arched a skeptical eyebrow. "There's more? Fantastic. This just keeps getting better."

"It has nothing to do with these people we're looking for, it's" Cyan paused for a long moment. "It's Olympia."

Athena's curiosity was now raging. The two sisters rarely spoke about the Queen's bodyguard as it seemed to do nothing but provoke fights in the long run. "Well then, go ahead. I'm certainly listening."

Cyan put both hands on the goddess's shoulders. "I'm trusting you Athena, and no one must know; at least not yet. When I went to OutWorld, I found out some very 'interesting' news about Olympia. It seems my sister Bajarat had a daughter."

Athena's eyes opened wide. "Olympia?" The Queen nodded. Athena shook her head. "Of course. It makes sense. Her unexplained strength and the difficulty in tracking her blood. But Bajarat was half mortal Cyan, how is it that Olympia is so different?"

"Her father is Kahn and he knows it. So do Vorpax and Aphrodite. They were the reason Olympia was watched since early on and eventually brought to the Island. Aphrodite was able to eliminate most of Kahn's blood, but enough remains that his powers will resurface during her bouts of rage."

"Well, that explains her earlier run with Quadez. It would also explain my mother's fascination with Olympia, and not just you and Eri." Cyan looked at the goddess in confusion until Athena pushed for her to continue. "So, why are you telling me this?" The Queen's eyes softened.

"You and I have always been close Athena and I know how much you try and protect me, maybe even a little too much at times. But now I need you to watch over and treat Olympia the same way. The same way you do Eri."

Athena grimaced. "Eri is at least pleasant Cyan, cute even. Olympia strives to provoke me, and frankly, she does a pretty good job at it. Let's just say, that more often than not, when it comes to your charming bodyguard I am much more the goddess of warfare than wisdom."

Cyan smiled. "I don't care Athena. She is still just a child in some areas and I expect you to help me. In time, you may find you two have more in common than you think." Cyan's eyes spoke the last words clearly. "This is important to me Athena, please don't make me chose - there is enough room in my life for the both of you."

Athena's eyes sparkled. "Very well. You have my word. As of this day I will do what I can to 'protect' and keep an eye on our newest relative." Cyan smiled while Athena jabbed sarcastically. "Any more instant relatives I should know about?" Cyan chuckled.

"I need to get back to Olympia and talk with Falcon. Go tell Artemis that we're here and we will meet you down by the cliffs of Poseidon." Athena disappeared and the Queen slipped back towards the entrance of the inn.

*****

A noise made her turn and look into the dim light. A black wolf stepped from the alley; he lowered himself to the ground and rolled onto his back. Cyan laughed. "Shadow you are most certainly Falcon’s companion. So where is your Mistress, huh?" Shadow rose, shook and looked over his shoulder. "Hmmm If I know Falcon, and I do, she is out on a run, or…"

"Or returning from my mission my Queen." Falcon stepped into the dim light. She was dressed in black as The Dark Wolf. Falcon’s eyes were dark, her manner all business. Cyan sighed, while the Wolf was not a welcome sight she was at times, necessary.

"I see that Amazon. You need to change, and I need to get back to Olympia. Where can we talk?"

Falcon looked the Queen's manner of dress over. "While the village would be prepared to welcome the Amazon Queen and her bodyguard, I think the need for disguise is a must. Perhaps you could……"

Cyan held up her hand. "Falcon don’t you dare suggest that I work in the kitchen with Corde."

Falcon frowned in confusion. "My Queen? I was prepared to suggest that since I doubted the Enforcer could be coaxed into a dress, I made arrangements with a select few to spread the rumors of two mercenaries passing through. The Enforcer’s temper of late made me think she would object to giving up her sword. I've already put clothing for each of you in your room."

Cyan laughed. "Falcon you still amaze me. Speaking of changing, you had better do so."

Cyan smiled as a certain smell wafted from the Inn. She closed her eyes and smiled. "Bless you Corde, my favorite." "Now Falcon…" She began but Falcon was gone.

Shadow snorted, walked to the Queen, turned and sat next to her feet.

"Well Shadow, does this mean you’re at least with me?" Cyan smiled. A soft whine that seemed to be a yes came from the dark animal. "Well then. First, I guess I should see what clothing was left for me, then Bagels, whatda ya think?" Shadow’s tail wagged in agreement.

"Let’s go try and wake Olympia shall we?" Shadow snorted again; tail wagging he began to prance in place. "This could get ugly, are you sure you're ready?" Shadow snorted again.

"Boy, I miss my cats; but you’ll do." Cyan chuckled and entered a still sleeping Inn

*******

"Is it possible for you to be any grouchier Olympia? It seems no matter what time of day or night I awake you, no one in my family is capable of being pleasant!"

The Enforcer's head popped up at the Queen's last statement. Eri was most certainly the worst of them when it came to bad moods after sleeping, but that wasn't what had caught Olympia's attention. It had been the use of the word family. She and the Queen had been best friends for many years now and she knew Cyan looked at her as if their blood were the same, but the use of the word family had flowed out of her mouth easier than it had ever done so in the past. Perhaps she was reading too much into it - that always seemed to happen after her little chats with Athena. Olympia shook her head. Athena. She'd be sure not to mention that encounter to the Queen. When it came to the issue of Cyan's sister, her Queen's loyalty and love ran deep; especially for the golden-clad goddess. Other than Cyan's long lost sister Bajarat, no one caused more arguments between she and the Queen than Athena. The Enforcer shrugged. At least the goddess of wisdom and warfare had enough love for her sister to remain by her side, unlike the deserter Bajarat.

"What's that face for?" Cyan snapped as she watched Olympia's face crinkle in disgust. The Enforcer realized suddenly that the Queen was talking to her.

"Nothing. Sorry. I was just thinking about something." Olympia looked up at Cyan.

"How about thinking yourself into a better mood then." the Queen sighed. "Ya know Olympia, you really have a way of ruining a moment. I was all excited to wake you up and go have one of Corde's bagels - she even made my favorite. Then you just go and complain that I took off without telling you where I was going. Do you think you could just once, just once, let me be Queen in peace?"

"Sorry." Olympia said genuinely. "I didn't sleep well and I guess I just kind of lashed out at the fact you didn't include me in your plans."

The Queen gave up the last of whatever annoyance she had previously felt and stood in front of her bodyguard. "Olympia, you are a part of everything I do, because you are a part of me, but that doesn't mean I always need your protection." Cyan smiled. "As a matter of fact, the day may come when you realize that you need my protection more than I may need yours."

Cyan stood up and threw some clothes at the Enforcer. "Good news is Olympia - Falcon got us some great disguises. Mines better - but then again, I was up first and I am still the Queen." Cyan chuckled as she headed for the door, putting on a long leather coat and a well worn hat. Only scattered pieces of her long golden hair were visible at first glance. She turned and looked back at her bodyguard. "Meet me downstairs. We're to talk with Corde and Falcon."

Olympia looked down at the clothes in her hand and arched a skeptical brow in their direction. "Well, at least it wasn't a dress." She thought with mild relief. She shed her Amazon garb and begun to get ready.

*****

Falcon motioned the Queen to a table near the back where the Innkeeper and his wife had assured them they would remain unbothered. Corde had already left a fresh bagel and a steaming cup of coffee for the Queen and was just returning with Falcon's morning treats.

"I love this girl." The Queen muttered as she slipped into her chair and wrapped her hands around the steaming mug. "Ya gotta remind me to bring her on every trip."

"Bring who?" Corde piped up as she set Falcon's breakfast down.

The Queen's eyes twinkled. "Why you of course." Corde chuckled and shrugged the Queen's comment off as sarcasm. Cyan and Falcon exchanged a quick look of amusement and then settled down to the matter at hand; fresh bagels.

"Where's Olympia?" Falcon asked.

"She's coming." Cyan replied quite disinterestedly. She took a bite of her bagel and then looked up at Falcon. "Don't look now, but we've got company."

Corde's eyes told Falcon who had just walked through the door and she glanced discreetly enough to see Nik's parents make their way to the counter. "Hmmm… they're up early." Falcon muttered.

Cyan's grin widened. "Let's hope they're in better moods than this bright-eyed demon of Morpheus that's headed our way."

Falcon nearly spit her mouthful of tea across the table and onto the Queen when she saw the Enforcer take a seat. She had grown quite familiar with both their personalities individually, but she was often caught off-guard when she saw them together. There were times, like this one, when they seemed more like sisters or a mother and daughter, than a Queen and her bodyguard. Falcon leaned back with her tea and smiled as she watched the two interact.

"Well here's a ray of morning sunshine." Cyan cracked between bites of her breakfast.

Olympia shot her a look. "I thought we left that in the room Cyan? I said I was sorry."

The Queen laughed. "Wheh, I'm glad too. Seems like we're back on track." Cyan flashed Olympia her pearly whites and nudged her in the side. "This is gonna be a long day if you don't lighten up Olympia. As a matter of fact, I'll leave you here if I think you're gonna punch out the next guy who happens to stumble across your path at a bad time."

The Enforcer sighed. "Point taken. Now, can we move on and here what Falcon has to say?" Cyan nodded just as Corde came back with the last of the morning meal. All four warriors sat as the Queen arched a brow at Falcon while lifting both hands, palms up. "Well? You gonna make us guess?" Cyan smiled.

Falcon looked over to the couple at the counter, as they ordered a morning meal. Corde excused herself and went to the counter to see if she could overhear anything of importance.

Looking again to the Queen, Falcon began to tell of the past day's events. "I followed those two yesterday to a small temple within a cave, although I am uncertain as to the god or gods once worshipped there. Behind the altar is some kind of door I think. When I was standing there I could feel a slight cross draft along a crack in the wall. Before I could check into it any further, both Artemis and Athena made their presence known. They instructed me to contact you and bring you to a meeting with them by tomorrow. "

Cyan held up her hand. "The location of the meeting has been changed Falcon."

Olympia looked up from her cup to stare at the Queen. "How in the…….." The Enforcer glared into her cup. "Athena." She said with disgust.

Falcon simply nodded. She was learning that Cyan somehow managed to gather information in rather unique ways.

"So you’ re looking for your brother?" Nikolas’s uncle asked Corde politely.

"Yup." Corde answered. "Kinda miss him."

"You know, I’m looking for my son." The man smiled and spoke hesitantly. "Um…. A small boy was seen near the next village over the hill. I was going to go out there, but the wife has been feeling sick."

"I have???" she started. "Oh yeah I have…" she amended with a jab to her ribs.

"Maybe if you go with me, well, if it’s not my son it may be your brother….. "

"Daughter!" Falcon called. She did not like how close the man was getting to Corde.

"Excuse me." Corde said quickly and turned to go to the table where Falcon and her friends sat. The man's hand reached out and stopped her. "Listen, you don’t have to tell you mother about it, this way if it's not your brother she won't be disappointed and if it is, well you get to surprise her."

Falcon growled softly and began to get up. Cyan and Olympia both quickly grabbed her arms.

Olympia spoke in a soft, low voice. "Easy Falc, she may be a wuss, but Corde is still an Amazon."

Corde smiled and walked away to join her ‘mother ‘ and the two other women at the table.

She quickly explained what had happened and added her own two dinars at the end. "Sounds like a good idea to me." Olympia and Falcon both looked at her simultaneously wondering if the girl had lost her mind.

Cyan smiled. "You're right Corde. I have a plan and this might just work into it perfectly."

Now both the Enforcer and the healer shifted their stares at the Queen. Olympia picked up Cyan’s cup and sniffed it. "Nope, I don’t smell any drugs. Falc do they look sick to you?"

"Corde I forbid…" Falcon began.

The Queen arched an eyebrow at the Healer's use of words but replied softly. "It'll be fine Falcon, I promise."

Falcon stood, her eyes dark. She trusted her Queen and would gladly put her own life on the line but Corde….

"Falc, I’ll be fine." Corde said softly.

The Queen watched the exchange with interest; a unique bond seemed to be growing between the two Amazons. She saw Corde put her hand on the killer’s arm and was mildly amused to see Falcon's dark eyes turn back to blue. The previously tensed muscles relaxed and the wolf was once again replaced by the gentle healer.

Falcon nodded and sat. Looking to her Queen she waited to hear ‘the plan’.

The Queen leaned in slightly and spoke quickly. "We let Corde go with Nik’s father. It will not only put her in a position to find out more, but she's the only one who will be able to maneuver close enough to them in time. She may be our last chance to discover who or what is trying to get to the Island."

"Which is exactly what Athena wants to know." Olympia growled.

Cyan sighed; this was not going to be easy. "Listen, the both of you; Corde will be fine. Olympia will follow them and see to it that nothing happens to her. "

Falcon interrupted. "I think I had better be the one to.."

Cyan shook her head. "No, you need to be here. You’re her mother and if you disappear we may not get the information we need. Olympia and I are free to move around and you're not. There are too many eyes on you at the moment Falc. Besides, you and I have an appointment to keep with a couple of Olympus's finest tomorrow."

"I don’t like it, but I will do as you wish." Falcon stood up and walked out of the Inn. Shadow whined softly and looked to Corde and then to Cyan. He had been told to stay with this pack member, so stay he must.

"I’ll talk to her." Corde shrugged and followed Falcon out of the Inn.

Falcon had gone to the stables and was grooming the carthorse when Corde walked in.

"I don’t like it Corde. I don’t like you going into this danger." Falcon began.

"Falc, its gonna be okay. You know as well as I do that Cyan wont let anything happen to me. Besides, it’s an adventure."

Falcon chuckled. "You're going to risk your Wuss first Class standing, you know."

"Nawww" Corde laughed. "Being a kidnap victim only raises the standing."

Both Amazons found themselves laughing at the joke and Falcon's tension began to ease. The Dark Wolf once again lay down to rest.

*****

Cyan sipped her coffee as she watched Nik's father follow the progress of Corde towards the door. He looked back at his food once she had disappeared out the Inn door and smiled wryly. The Queen smiled herself, knowing that Falcon's unexpected reaction had actually played out to their advantage.

It was several seconds before Cyan actually felt the eyes of Olympia burning into her. She shifted her gaze to meet that of her bodyguard and slumped down a bit in her chair. She extended one arm outward and slowly set her cup down and folded her hands in front of her on the table.

"Yes?" she asked reluctantly.

The Enforcer struggled with getting the right words out of her mouth. Cyan stifled a slight chuckle that was ready to escape; positive it was not going to help her cause.

"Are you out of your mind sending Corde? I mean I can keep an eye on her, but only from a safe distance at best. Not to mention the fact that leaves you alone without a protector….."

"And to talk with Athena." Cyan finished, arching an eyebrow at her friend. "I mean, that is what all of this is about right E?" The Queen waited patiently for the Enforcer to respond.

Olympia reluctantly backed down a bit but continued to press her point. "I just don't see why we need her help, or why you even trust her for that matter. The gods want nothing more than to discover the location of our Island and a way onto it - why would Athena be any different?"

Cyan leaned forward quickly and glared at the warrior. "Because she is Olympia, and my word should be enough for you. And while we're on the subject, I expect you to bury whatever it is about her that you despise so much, or at least keep it to yourself."

The Queen stood and grabbed her cup off the table. She looked down at the Amazon and growled softly. "I have very little blood family that means anything of importance to me Olympia and whether you like it or not, Athena is a permanent part of that. Get over it." With that Cyan disappeared out the front door, leaving Olympia to seethe quietly in the corner.

*****

Cyan entered the stables just as her two Amazon's were preparing to leave.

"Well, I can tell by the earlier sounds of laughter that things are right by you two?" Both Corde and Falcon nodded and the Queen motioned for the two of them to join her for a walk.

"Where's the Enforcer?" Falcon asked mildly.

The Queen secretly rolled her eyes and felt her heart quicken a beat. It was getting more and more difficult to keep Olympia's identity a secret. Each day she could see the warrior struggling with her feelings of wanting to be independent, yet jealous she did not have what both Eri and Athena seemed to have with Cyan. Little did she know, the same blood she disliked so intently was more like her own than she was going to care for.

"She's working through a few things." Cyan finally replied flatly. Corde and Falcon exchanged knowing glances and quickly changed the subject.

"So, when should I leave?" Corde interjected.

"I want you to leave this morning." Cyan said. "That way, both Olympia and I can watch your back while Falc does some more snooping around."

Both Amazons nodded and Corde headed back towards the Inn to talk again with Nik's father. Cyan patted Falcon on the shoulder. "Don't worry, I'll take good care of her Healer - I promise." Falcon smiled and nodded.

"I'm going to go busy myself in the streets so that Corde can pretend to slip out unnoticed. I will meet you back in our rooms no later than tomorrow's sunrise?" Falcon asked.

Cyan nodded and headed back towards the Inn to get Olympia and some of their things. It was going to be a long day.

******

Falcon watched from the trees as Corde and Nikolas’s father passed below. It was all she could do not to leap down and cut his throat. She had told Corde little of what she had seen in the camp so that all of this would be new to her. As the cart passed around the bend Falcon spoke quietly to the silent form that had moved up behind her. "Watch out for the woman; there's more to her than appears. It's just a feeling, but I know she felt me outside their tent far before any normal person would. I think she may actually be the one we seek. She also used some strange oaths and one things for sure, she's not from Greece."

Olympia nodded. "Tell Cyan. She's gonna love this one."

Falcon agreed and spoke softly. "I will. Watch over Corde my friend; she is special to me."

Olympia placed a comforting hand on Falcon’s shoulder. "I will." She whispered and a moment later the warrior was gone, melting into the trees.

Falcon quickly dropped to the ground and started back toward the village.

Cyan stepped from the trees, a small smile touching her lips. Crossing her arms about her chest, she stared at the Healer. "So, this is your way of scouting the village huh?"

Falcon looked over her shoulder and down the road. She eventually looked back at Cyan, obviously deep in thought. "My Queen, I need to ask you something. How old is Corde?"

Cyan arched a brow and thought for a moment, not entirely sure where this question had come from. "Seventeen summers I believe; why?"

Falcon whispered softly. "She is the same age as Lasandra."

Cyan looked puzzled. She was completely confused as to where the Healer's thoughts had taken her.

"My daughter." Falcon explained softly. "Maybe that’s why I worry for her so much." Falcon turned and walked towards the village. Cyan watched the Healer slowly make her way down the road and out of sight. The Queen thought back to what she knew of Corde's past and her life before coming to the Island. She began to silently wonder to herself. How long had Corde been on the Island? When all of this was over, she was going to have herself a nice long chat with Athena and find out exactly how much her sister knew about the young warrior who ran her Java Hut.

*****

The horse and cart plodded along the road slowly; soaked in the rays of the sun which had almost reached its peak in the sky. "How long before we get to this village?" Corde pleasantly asked Nikolas’s ‘father’.

"Soon." The man replied flatly. He was busy trying to figure a way to subdue the girl without having to injure her. He was concerned she might lose value if she was brought to them hurt. As the cart reached a bend in the road, a group of armed men stepped from the trees.

"You’re early." Said one of the men.

Corde sat motionless, as if in shock. She repeated silently to herself over and over, ‘I am an Amazon, I can do this.' 'I am an Amazon; I can do this.' 'I am an Amazon, I may be a wuss, but I’m still an Amazon'.

Nikolas’s ‘father’ grabbed Corde’s arm. "As I promised, the girl who bakes. Now, take me to your master so I can collect my pay and be off."

Corde jumped off the cart and began to run. Nikolas's father yelled out. "Get her you fools! If she escapes, you'll all deal with your master for losing her!"

The armed men raced about, anxious to recapture the elusive girl for their master. Corde slowly began to realize that even the training of an Amazon Wuss kept her in better shape than the men who were pursuing her. "Great!" She thought sarcastically to herself. "Now I'm even gonna have to help them catch me!"

Corde let the chase continue for several more minutes until she finally pretended to trip and twist her ankle. Seconds later the men finally had her in hand. The leader of the men yelled out arrogantly. "Now, carry her to the cart and be careful with her, you know what my brother will do if she is unable to work." Corde discreetly rolled her eyes and muffled a laugh.

She was gently placed in the back of the cart where the young leader climbed in beside her.

"Now if you promise not to try and get away, I won’t bind you." He said quietly.

Corde stared at the man. "Where are you taking me? Why are you doing this? I don’t understand!" Corde’s voice trembled and she even managed a few tears. ‘Ha and they didn’t think I could act.’ She said to herself.

Nikolas’s father grabbed Corde by the hair. She let out a soft scream of pain and looked helplessly terrified.

"Enough of yer noise now, yer gonna make me a nice fee and I for one don’t want ta hear yer whining."

In a flash, the point of a sword was at the man’s throat. "You will keep your filthy hands off her or the only FEE you get will be my sword in you miserable guts."

The Enforcer slowly eased back the draw on her bow and growled softly. "You're lucky he stepped in when he did, you piece of…." The Enforcer's rage was slowly building with each word or action towards her fellow warrior. "We had better get this settled soon or Falcon is gonna have to stand in line to kill that… that…." The cart started to move again and Olympia slung the bow across her back. She followed silently under cover of the trees, watching every motion and detail with fiercely intense eyes.

****

It wasn’t long before the cart and the captive Amazon turned into the trees and came upon the camp. They pulled up before the main tent and out walked a large man and a foreign looking woman of exquisite beauty.

"The girl." Nikolas's father said happily. "As promised." He pointed over at the seemingly terrified girl. Corde sat quietly, rocking back and forth in a dejected ball near the back of the cart.

The large man stepped forward and looked the girl over with skepticism. "I am told you can cook girl; well, can you?"

Corde said nothing; trying her hardest to stay as small as possible.

Olympia grinned. "Good girl Corde. Guess the best Amazon for this job was a wuss; a very brave Wuss - but I won’t tell." Olympia looked around the camp quickly taking in all its defenses; the number of men, the location of their tents, weapons, all of it. Then she began to carefully study the small group that had assembled near the cart holding Corde. Her gaze finally came to rest on the foreign woman and she could feel the hairs on her neck slowly rise. She watched her every movement; fluid and confident, not unlike a certain Queen she knew. There was nothing mortal about this woman. Olympia grimaced. The stakes had just gone up.

The foreign woman laughed and stepped forward. "You frighten her, you bear." Lifting Corde’s chin she looked kindly into her eyes. "Now child, there is nothing to fear. Just do as your told and all will be well."

Corde spoke softly, her lower lip quivered. "I want to go back to my mother."

The woman spoke just as kindly as before. "My dear little lamb, you are here now and we wish you to bake for us; so that's exactly what you will do. You now belong to this great big bear of a man and I, but don't worry, I will see that you are treated well."

Both Corde and Olympia seemed to feel any icy chill race down their spines at the same time. Corde whispered pitifully. "I want my mother."

The foreign woman laughed, completely unmoved by Corde's plea and waved another woman over. "Take the girl to the cooking tent and give her all she requires."

The woman snatched at Corde and began to drag her off by the arm. Olympia looked on in horror as the foreign woman lashed out and stopped them both where they stood. "You will treat her gently!" Both Amazons saw a flash of something behind those foreign eyes, but as quickly as it had come, it was gone again and the woman motioned them on.

Corde began to wonder if this was really such a good idea and hesitated for a minute. The sound of a familiar bird made its way from a nearby tree and Corde relaxed. She followed the woman into one of the tents; reassured she wasn't alone.

*****

Cyan walked silently along the road waiting for the inevitable to happen. She was growing impatient and was anxious to get back to the village and see what Falcon had learned. She wondered how Corde was handling her little under cover mission and even more so, how Olympia was doing balancing her increasingly volatile mood swings.

The Queen stopped suddenly and her stance shifted noticeably. "It's about time you showed up." Cyan growled, impatient for the woman to reveal herself. The darkened figure stepped out of the trees and onto the path.

"Artemis?" Cyan asked, unable to hide her surprise.

"Hello Cyan." The goddess stepped closer to her sister. "You seem a bit surprised to see me. Expecting someone else I suspect?"

The Queen waved her off sarcastically and once again began walking towards town. "No, no. Always thrilled to get a visit from the legendary Artemis."

The goddess snarled bitterly. "Yah, I can just see the joy bubbling out all over."

Cyan whipped around and stood toe to toe with the goddess of the Amazons. "OH it's there Artemis - you just gotta look REAL close!" The two woman stood only inches apart, each waiting for the other to move off. It was Artemis who finally broke the stance and began walking down the path waiting for Cyan to join her.

"I'm not here to fight with you Cyan. Athena and I have reached an arrangement concerning your Island and I intend to keep it."

Cyan scoffed. "I'm surprised you even care about the Island Artemis. That's very unlike you - after all, it's almost entirely populated by Amazon blood."

Artemis grabbed Cyan's arm and raised her hand to strike. The Queen caught the arm before it made a move in either direction. "Still trying to strike down the Amazon nation Artemis, or is it just me?"

Artemis yanked her arm back and let it drop. "I would protect the Amazon nation with my very life Cyan - even yours!"

The Queen met her sister's eyes intensely. "Then my question remains the same. WHY did you let them be slaughtered? YOU are the goddess of their nation - not me! Yet if I had not stepped in against Ares and his blood thirsty warlords, they'd be not a drop of Amazon blood left unshed!"

Artemis dropped her gaze and stepped back from the Queen. "Because even I was no match against all of the power and help Ares had amassed. I stood behind as many battles as I could and still it was not enough." Artemis once again looked at the Queen. "Until one day I realized I could never win, I could only survive."

"You?" Cyan asked incredulously.

Artemis nodded. "Your sister came to me and begged that I find a way to save the Amazon Nation. She told me you would never relent if I didn't find a way to end the war quickly. There was already so much Amazon blood soaking the lands that I finally agreed. She and I went to Poseidon long before you and Vicky ever thought to seek his help at the cliffs…….."

Cyan interrupted. "And you made sure the villagers gave us the boats we needed to leave the lands." The Queen thought quickly of Olympia. "So where is my sister now?"

Artemis shrugged. "She and I left Poseidon separately. There was something she wanted to discuss with him other than the war, so I left." Artemis looked tense but genuine. "I swear Cyan, I never saw her again after that day. As far as I know, Poseidon and Hera were the last to ever see her."

"Hera?" the Queen asked in astonishment.

"Yes." Artemis confirmed. "She was there before Bajarat and I even arrived."

The silence dragged on as the two sisters began their walk into town. Artemis was the first to break the silence. "Athena sent me to see if you and Falcon could meet with us at dawn's break. She fears we are running out of time and I have to agree with her."

Cyan nodded, lost deeply in a sea of thoughts and memories. "I will meet you at the village edge. Come dressed in cloaks and make sure you show yourselves. I do not want wandering eyes to catch a glimpse of my Healer and I chatting with the wind."

Artemis chuckled and grabbed Cyan gently by the arm. The Queen stopped; slow to digest the movements of the night. Artemis thought for a moment, obviously struggling with the words she was trying to form and finally spoke. "I know you're hatred of me runs deep Cyan and that I more than anyone should have been able to stop the deaths of your husband, son and sister; but I swear to you, I have never longed for anything but peace and happiness for my Amazons. "

Cyan stared blankly at the goddess and Artemis continued weakly. "I know you won't forgive me, nor do you trust me, but I intend to see this deal through and maybe even make at least one Amazon happy along the way."

The Queen said nothing and the silence seemed endless. Artemis turned to leave until Cyan caught her by the arm. She whispered emotionally, yet thoughtfully. "You're wrong Artemis, I will forgive you; I just need time." Cyan turned to go and then smiled briefly at her sister. "And the trust? Well, I guess we have to start somewhere - sunrise tomorrow?"

Artemis allowed herself a smile as she watched the Queen disappear into the village streets. "Sunrise it is then." The goddess chuckled and an instant later was no more.

*****

Falcon took the bowl of broth and watered wine to the room where Nikolas’s ‘mother’ was staying. Knocking on the door, she called to the woman. "I’ve brought you some broth and some herbs from the healer."

The woman reluctantly let Falcon in and feigned illness, sitting quietly back down on her pallet. Falcon placed the tray of items on a nearby table and moved her chair closer to the ill woman. She slowly mixed a little powder into the broth and handed it to the woman, motioning her to drink. Falcon smiled as she watched the woman drink the liquid without a word and sat back contentedly to wait for her patient to feel like chatting.

Finally the woman began to mutter and the Amazon Healer listened carefully. "Gone he is. Off to search and leaving me behind. I should have gone with him."

Falcon replied politely, making herself suddenly busy by straightening the room. "But you're ill. I’m sure he will be fine by himself."

"Not when he has the girl…" The woman started and quickly stopped. She looked over to see if Falcon had heard what she'd just said, while silently wondering why she had let it slip in the first place.

Falcon kept cleaning; she could tell the powder was taking effect.

"My stomach is a bit better." the woman began. "Perhaps I should go downstairs for a bit."

"No not just yet, you're weak still. I’ve brought a little watered wine to settle you and some healers herbs. Let me fix it for you and later if you feel up to it, I will have my daughter bring your dinner to the room." Falcon turned away but not before she saw the woman’s face pale a little.

The Animal healer warmed the wine near the fire and mixed some powder and honey into the bitter drink. Smiling to herself she thought, ‘My Queen forgive me, but I am not actually going to hurt the woman, just scare the Tartarus out of her.’ Taking the draught to the woman, Falcon encouraged her to drink it all.

Within minutes the woman’s eyes grew heavy and she began to doze lightly.

"Why are you looking for the boy Nikolas?" Falcon asked.

The woman's answers were slurred. "My husband is being paid gold for information."

"What information is that?

"The location of an Amazon village."

"Why an Amazon village?’

"The foreign woman and her man want to know, but not just any village, they seek a special one."

"What is so special about the village they seek?"

"It’s said that the Queen herself is a goddess, or at the very least, favored by all of the gods. That they sleep on pallets of clouds and fight with enchanted weapons. It's said that the very foods they eat are from Olympus itself."

Falcon rolled her eyes and muttered. "Boy, if Corde hears this, her head's gonna swell something fierce." Falcon continued. "What have you learned so far?"

"We found a cave, might have a clue."

"What else have you learned?"

"The boy might be with them."

"The boy Nikolas, your son?"

"Not our son, our Nephew. My husband sold the boy four seasons ago. Got a poor price for him then, but as the fates would have it, he may have ended up with the Amazons."

Falcon paused, then spoke. "The Inn keeper, she said one called Dark Wolf took him?"

The woman nodded. "Yes, but one of the returned children said the Amazon Queen was the one who took the boy." The woman smiled. "And its well known what they do with males."

Falcon’s eyes arched in surprise. ‘And what exactly is that?" She asked curiously.

"They'll make a slave of him, train him, and when we get him back, the slavers will pay even more for him; at least that's what my man says."

Falcon seethed. "How do you know this? Have you ever even been to an Amazon village?" Falcon was angry. She knew not all Amazons made slaves of men. Their Island had Tama, Matt, and others, all as equal members of the tribe. Falcon’s affection for Tamahome was well known. He could tease Falcon even when in the blackest of moods and receive little more than a scowl or a threat of a sparring match.

The drugged woman nodded. "That’s what my man says. Just stupid women pretending to be warriors, taking weak men as slaves. The foreign woman and her man will get us the boy back and pay us well."

Falcon heard a sound and smiled. "She is drugged My Queen."

Cyan slipped into the room from where she was standing. Her manner was stiff and Falcon could feel the tension fill the room within seconds. The Queen had obviously heard the last part of the woman’s statement.

The Healer continued. "The boy, he is your blood and yet you’d sell him?" Falcon already knew the answer but wanted Cyan to hear it for herself.

"He's my sister’s problem, not mine. My sister died when the boy was 3 seasons old." The woman began to frown, as if she was fighting the drug.

"I can give her a little more My Queen, but too long under its influence can be fatal." Falcon looked up into the eyes of a very angry warrior.

"Will she answer me?" Cyan asked flatly.

Falcon nodded and Cyan motioned for the drug. Moving to the side, she poured more powder into a cup and mixed it with some water. She put it to the woman’s lips and whispered softly. "Drink this."

Within moments the drug was already taking effect. Falcon nodded and Cyan looked to the drugged woman.

"Nikolas is not your son?" the Queen asked with contempt. She was having difficulty suppressing the memories of her own son who she still had trouble finishing a day without.

"No, my sister’s." The woman mumbled.

Cyan circled, restraining her growing urge to skewer the woman with her sword. "You’d sell your own blood?!" she asked incredulously.

"He is nothing to me. My sister was a fool to join with a poor man. A rich man wanted her and she could have lived well. She could have gotten my man and I with her to live comfortably. What a fool!" the woman said with disgust. "Got herself with the boy and no rich man ever wanted her since!"

Cyan leaned close. "What happened to the boy’s parents?"

The woman sighed. "Dead. My man says they took sick and died. That's when he brought the boy home. Sold him off quick enough. I’ve no use for children, just wet nosed creatures is all."

The Queen had heard all she needed to. Nikolas would never again leave the safety of their Island unless he himself chose to do so. She looked to Falcon who nodded and spoke quietly to Cyan. "The drug will wear off soon my Queen."

Cyan thought for a moment and then began to pace about the room. "What do you know about the people who are paying you?"

"Only that they are searching for the Amazon village." The woman hesitated. "I don’t like her that foreign one, there is something about her."

Cyan looked to Falcon who just nodded.

"Tell me about her." Cyan demanded.

"She is tall and fair of skin and hair. She talks strange and used strange oaths, calls on gods I never heard of. My husband deals with her man, but I think its her that runs things."

Cyan cringed at the thought of one of the Olympian gods being involved, but with Athena and Artemis banging down her door, something just didn't seem right. "What gods does she call on and what oaths have you heard?"

"She swears by some gods beard and sometimes mumbles in a language I’ve never heard before." The woman began to move about restlessly as Cyan looked out the window and frowned.

Falcon touched Cyan's shoulder. "The drug is wearing off my Queen. She will wake soon."

Cyan stood abruptly. "We need to talk." In the next instant, the Queen slipped out through the passage and disappeared.

A few moments later a very groggy woman groaned and blinked. She looked around her empty room and tried to clear her mind. Why did she feel so funny? Maybe she really was getting sick. She sighed and closed her eyes, falling asleep instantly.

*****

Corde had virtually taken over the cook’s tent. Within the first hour she had charmed her way into getting the cook to let her make bagels, and with the first batch the cook and helpers were hooked. By the time lunch had arrived the smells of bagels and other fine foods wafted from the tent.

Dargo was in a foul mood; he had yet to get the information he wanted. He wanted the gold and power the woman promised, but he wanted it now. He paced the tent and the woman watched him with amusement.

"Sit you impatient fool. Use your nose my bear, smell what delights that child has prepared. Perhaps with your stomach full you will be in a better mood. Then we will seek out this cave that vile one tells us of, and I will soon have a way to the place I seek."

Dargo dropped next to the woman who lay on the pile of furs and pillows. He reached out a hand and placed it on the woman’s leg. With a leer he spoke in a low whisper. "We’ve time for more than food woman. Let me show you what else I hunger for."

Suddenly a dagger point pressed into the skin under his chin. A drop of blood trailed down the blade. "If you are ever foolish enough to touch me again, by Frea’s short hairs I will send your spirit to a place where you will search for your parts for all time." The woman smiled and removed the dagger from a very tender spot.

Dargo rolled away and growled. Just then one of the cook's assistants rushed into the tent.

"My Lady, the food is ready if you wish to eat now." The boy found himself on the ground, heavily cuffed by the man.

"This is my tent, and my camp!" Dargo shouted. "I am master here, not this woman. You refer to me!"

The boy trembled on the ground, afraid to move or speak.

The woman laughed and Dargo turned to glare at her. She spoke with a smile. "Go boy and bring the food to feed this hungry bear. Perhaps then he will stop growling."

Dargo moved away and the boy scrambled from the tent. Soon servants began to arrive carrying several different platters. One contained meats, another various fruits and cheese. There were pots of soup and stew which steamed, accompanied by platters of hot fresh breads of shapes and flavors the likes they had not seen before. Dargo's bad mood vanished as he grabbed some bread and dipped it into a bowl of hot stew. His face lit up like a child who had just discovered his first sweet. The woman also tasted the foods and seemed especially pleased with all the young girl had made.

Corde entered the tent with a platter of sweet confections and placed them on the table.

"I’ve done as you’ve asked, now please let me go back to my mother."

Dargo was too involved in the food and paid Corde little attention. The woman stepped close to Corde, and whispered. "No, no little one, you keep the bear happy and when I have my desire, you will cook for me as well."

"What is it you want?" Corde asked innocently enough.

"I am tired of being small in a big place child, so I am seeking a home where I can be big and Greece is going to give me that chance. I will start with this Amazon Queen whose legend ripples across so many lands and from there perhaps see what trouble I can cause for your simple gods." The woman chuckled thoughtfully.

Corde stood silently staring. ‘Surely this woman is mad?’ she said to herself.

The woman smiled and began to walk away. "No child, I'm not mad; just bored. And I can assure you, I am much more than I seem child."

Corde just stared and watched the woman go. How had she known what Corde had been thinking?

*****

Cyan leaned against the stable door and sighed. "Well I guess I know what's making my sister's so uptight now without even keeping our meeting."

Falcon watched the Queen closely. "You know this woman who is paying for the information?"

Cyan turned and faced the Healer. "Well, not exactly who she is, but what. We obviously know she is from outside Greece and somehow favored by the gods, just not ours."

Falcon nodded as she began to see the logic behind the Queen's reasoning. "The woman's extraordinary senses mean the gods of some land other than Greece are protecting her and helping her."

"If she's not one herself." Cyan interrupted.

Falcon seemed surprised. "Why would the gods of another land be looking for you and our Island my Queen?"

Cyan sighed. "I suspect that the rumors of the Island's powers and its portals have reached many more lands than we had originally thought my friend. It would not take much to realize that once someone was to control the Island, all the realms would be theirs. The Greek gods would be as good as dead and Athena and Artemis know it."

Falcon's eyes narrowed. "Do you think Ares has somehow made a deal with the gods of another land to take his revenge on you?" Falcon arched a brow. "It wouldn't be the first time." Kahn was not so far in the past that it had not occurred to both the women.

The Queen shook her head. "Ares may very well despise me, but whether he likes it or not he knows the Island's powers are better off in my hands than some other immortal's. Zeus's law has made it impossible for me to bring about the death of another god and Ares knows that." Cyan shook her head again and began to walk a bit. "Besides, this woman seems to feel she is an equal match for me, which tells us decidedly which side the Olympian gods are on. She may very well know all about the Island and its powers, but she obviously doesn't know about all my bloodlines or the powers that came with that."

Falcon smiled. "She must also then be ignorant of the fact that you do not need the portals to travel the realms in pursuit of her should she succeed. No wonder Athena and Artemis require your help."

The Queen nodded, deep in thought. "It also means that Corde and Olympia are much too close to a very dangerous woman."

*****

Corde sat quietly in the small tent that the foreign woman had said would be hers. Olympia moved silently up alongside her fellow Amazon and Corde turned quickly to face the Queen's bodyguard. "She's intending to find the Island and take it for herself ya know." Olympia remained silent. "She's also here for Cyan."

The Queen's bodyguard finally nodded and motioned towards the door of the tent. "You've been here long enough Corde; its time to get you out of here." Olympia helped Corde to her feet but the other warrior stopped her.

"I can't leave until I learn more. We need to know everything she has planned and who's helping her."

The Enforcer stared back, contemplating the benefit of arguing her points now. "Corde, listen to me. I don't know who that woman is, but I've known Cyan long enough to tell you that she'll kill me herself if I don't get you out of here - now!"

Corde still didn't budge and Olympia sighed wearily. "Listen, Cyan has been my best friend for a lot of years now and the one thing I can spot a mile away is another immortal. This woman isn't like us Corde and we don't stand a chance of stopping her by ourselves off the Island. We've got to get out of here now and tell the Queen what we know."

Corde relaxed a bit and Olympia ceased the chance to grab Corde's arm and head for the door.

Her eyes were like ice and both Olympia and Corde felt their blood begin to freeze as their bodies came to a halt. The woman glared at them as her eyes moved slowly up and down the Enforcer's stature. "Well, well, my child; who's your friend?"

"Ah….." Corde stammered, knowing the Enforcer had exhausted most of her patience trying to explain why they needed to leave so quickly. "She's my….. cousin. Yes, my cousin. She said my mother has raised quite a scene back in town over my disappearance. She's sent everyone she knows from miles around in search of me, including my cousin here."

Olympia slowly smiled and let go of Corde's arm. "That's right, and we just need to get back into town so I can let my Aunt know that her daughter is safe."

Corde and Olympia stepped for the door but the woman gripped the Enforcer tightly by the arm. In one quick motion, Olympia had flipped the woman and thrown her into the far side of the tent walls where she became entangled in the cloth.

"Run!" Both Amazons were out the door and well into the woods when a figure suddenly stood in their path.

"Uh oh." Corde mumbled t no one in particular. The woman smiled, her eyes shining with delight.

"You're very strong for such a young girl……" the woman whispered in Olympia's direction. "but certainly not too strong to be an Amazon."

Before Corde knew what was happening the Enforcer rushed the woman while motioning for Corde to find the Queen. She watched the women battle for what seemed like an eternity but was really only seconds, until she finally met the Enforcer's gaze. Corde took to the trees and disappeared into the night.

*******

The foreign woman smiled as she took a seat alongside the Enforcer. "You know, with a slight loyalty and attitude adjustment; you and I could have quite a lot of fun together Olympia."

The Enforcer's eyes widened at the use of her real name, which only caused the woman's smile to deepen. "Please don't be mad at the informality of using your real name Olympia. I'm sure you agree it's much more….." the woman paused a moment and then leered at the Amazon. "friendlier this way."

Olympia cringed. "I don't know what you're smiling at lady; you just lost your best chef!" The Enforcer smirked mockingly. "And I sure as hell have no plans to be cookin' for you"

The woman laughed as she rose and slowly made her way towards the door. "Oh don't you worry about that Little Miss Warrior. I may have lost a chef but I still got something…….." she turned gracefully and pointed slowly at the Enforcer. "I got you!"

Olympia recoiled a bit at the woman's relentless confidence. "Oh big whoop!" she finally managed with minimal disgust.

The woman smiled wickedly, rocking Olympia back even further than before. "Oh but it is my dearest one! You see, I'm looking for a very special Amazon Queen and thanks to you and your little friend, I've already captured the most important thing - a big chunk of her heart!"

Olympia's throat went dry as she watched the woman disappear from the tent; her laughter echoing through the night, continuously tormenting the Enforcer's ears.

*****

Corde busted through the Inn door and raced up the stairs after seeing that neither the Queen nor Falcon were in the main room. Falcon had already opened the door, hearing the ring of very familiar footsteps heading their way.

Cyan stepped back as a sprinting Corde came barreling through the door and collapsed into a seat. Falcon shut the door and Cyan and the Healer exchanged worried looks. Corde was doing her best to catch her breath and the other two Amazons could tell that she had just run quite a long distance.

Falcon kneeled in front of the girl and grabbed both her hands. "Are you okay Corde?" The Healer was doing her best not to lose her calm but Corde's face was already making her nervous.

The Warrior Wuss slowly nodded her head up and down and managed a few words between deep breaths. "Fine….. just need a minute."

Cyan stepped closer and lifted the girl's chin with her hand. "Where's Olympia Corde? Why isn't she with you?" Corde's eyes grew wider as the Queen felt her blood run cold.

*******

Olympia stared at the strange shackling that were holding her hands and feet bound. She had never in her life encountered a metal such as the one that had been used to make these bindings and it hadn't taken long to realize that this metal was certainly not known to Greece and most likely not even to Hesphestes himself.

She stared at the bindings, lost deep in the thought and memory of the foreign woman's words. Suddenly there was a flash of light and her hands were free. She looked up quickly, expecting to see the icy eyes that loved to visit her so frequently but instead found the face of someone she never expected to see.

"Are you just gonna sit there until she finds us?" the woman whispered sarcastically. "or can we get out of here?"

"Athena?" Olympia asked with 'knock me on my butt' surprise.

"Congratulations…." The goddess said while helping the Amazon to her feet. "You'll advance to our bonus round."

Olympia stood up, trying to quickly massage the tension out of her cramped legs. She shook her head, obviously discouraged. "I guess you figured you had to save my butt to protect Cyan huh? Sorry to spoil your fun."

Athena arched a skeptical brow and looked at the Amazon. "Sorry to disappoint you Olympia, but I have no idea what you're talking about. If you are suddenly having the urge to chat, let's at least do it somewhere else." The golden clad goddess touched the Amazon's shoulder and the two disappeared instantly.

******

"She did what?" Cyan yelled, barely able to contain her anger with Olympia's strategy.

Corde sighed. "She did it to make sure I had time to get away my Queen….." she paused and looked over at the Healer. "I have a feeling someone might have made my safety a priority."

Cyan finally sighed and sat down in a chair by the window. "I just need a minute to think….."

Falcon and Corde exchanged glances and the three sat silently in the room, thinking.

*******

The two women stood by the shores of Poseidon, with the cliff walls at their back. Athena looked around confidently. "I'm not really sure what type of power this stranger is wielding, but I think you're safe for the moment."

The Enforcer struggled a bit with her next question, then finally just blurted it out. "Well, if you didn't know about her plan to use me to get to Cyan, why in the hell did you save me?!"

Athena chuckled and leaned back against the cliff wall and looked out over the ocean. "Please Olympia, did you really think after all these years I would allow someone else the pleasure of torturing you?" The goddess attempted to joke the warrior's question off casually. "Then again, after seeing what a shine the woman took to you, maybe it was just downright jealousy."

Olympia sighed in exasperation, knowing Athena didn't intend to answer her question honestly, at least not aloud. Regardless of the silence however, each of the women realized that something had changed between the two of them and let the moment pass without a word.

Finally the Enforcer broke the silence and looked over at Athena. "You know, as much as that wacko may have taken to me, it seems she only has eyes for your sister."

Athena winced and growled softly. "So I noticed."

*****

The Queen stood up and began to pace around the room. "Well, she's obviously figuring we're gonna be coming for her, but at least she's not sure exactly who and what we are."

Falcon nodded. "Let me go and see what I can find my Queen. It's partially my fault that the Enforcer has been taken."

Cyan shook her head and waved the Healer off. "Enough Falc - Olympia is a big girl; a moody one" the Queen added. "but a big girl none the less. She'll be fine until we form a plan."

"Glad to hear you think I'm moody." Came the Enforcer's voice from out of the air.

An instant later, the Queen's bodyguard and the golden clad goddess of wisdom and warfare stood smiling before them.

Cyan breathed a huge sigh of relief and smiled at Olympia while mumbling under her breath to Athena. "I guess I know now why you sent Artemis instead."

Athena smiled and winked at Cyan. "I need to go and find Artemis. This stranger doesn't know everything about us, but she knows more than enough to force us to move. We meet as planned at sun's first light." Athena glanced around quickly. "Bring whoever you think we will need."

Falcon and Corde quickly began to fire questions at Olympia about all that had happened and Athena took the chance to pull the Queen aside. "Watch your back Cy, this stranger has nothing to lose and everything to gain - and the first thing she seems to want is you." The goddess paused and then growled. "And that makes her a very dangerous and determined woman."

The Queen smirked. "Lighten up Athena, will ya? You make it sound like I've become her obsession rather than just an obstacle to the Island's powers."

A silence came across the room as Corde, Olympia and Athena exchanged uncomfortable glances. The Queen took it all in rapidly and finally the goddess of warfare spoke. "I'm not so sure you haven't!?"

In a flash of blue light, Athena was gone and the remaining four warriors stood silent. Neither Corde nor Olympia were anxious to try and explain away the Queen's obviously confused look, but dawn was coming quickly and one way or another Cyan was soon going to find out.

******

The sun had yet to rise fully and the sky was just barely turning pink, while a nervous Healer continued to pace the sands. Falcon finally stopped and stood before Corde. "You should have stayed in the Inn, it would have been safer."

Corde smiled. ‘"Hey Mom, relax, its okay. What could possible happen to me with all of you around? Besides, I didn’t want them to see me. If Nik’s, whatever you what to call them, saw me - they would know I'm not with that strange lady anymore."

Falcon nodded. Well, at least with the Queen, her bodyguard, Shadow and herself; Corde was definitely well protected.

Olympia’s patience was wearing as thin as her temper and she finally stalked over to a very quiet Cyan. "Well? It’s first light and there's still no sign of your ‘family’."

Cyan looked out, over the water by the Cliffs of Poseidon and spoke softly. "They'll be here." She looked back at the small group of Amazons. "Let's go over what we know so far."

Suddenly the hairs on Cyan's neck began to rise, while Shadow uttered a low growl in his throat.

"So.." An unseen voice purred. "This is the Amazon Queen."

Quickly their swords were drawn and three of the four Amazons turned to face the direction of the voice. Falcon had pushed Corde behind her for added protection, as they watched a shape began to take form within a small fog bank. The mysterious foreign woman, dressed in strange but fairly masculine clothing, stepped from the mist and grinned. Her icy blue eyes moved slowly over the armed group of women, until she slowly spread her arms and spoke.

"I carry no weapon, as you can see; I only wish to talk with you." She smiled mischievously at Olympia. "And you unfortunately, left before we could get better aquatinted. I would have liked to further test your…... strength." The woman leered and Olympia found herself fighting the temptation to tear the woman apart with her bare hands.

Cyan replaced her sword and stepped forward, waving her hand to stop the others from following. "Yah, yah - so who are you and what is it you want." The Queen could not have sounded less interested if she'd tried and Falcon couldn't help but to smirk.

"Names can change just as quickly as forms can….…" The woman began to circle Cyan, looking her over like a prized possession. "My, you are a beauty, aren't you? I think you will more than do." The woman moved closer behind Cyan and whispered in her ear; but was careful to be loud enough for all to hear. "Tell me, is it true what I have heard of the Amazons."

Cyan crossed her arms and continued with her bored tone of voice. "Is what true?"

The woman traced her fingers down Cyan’s arm in an almost caressing fashion, while three growls came from behind; only two were human. "That they prefer the ‘company’ of women?" she asked seductively.

Three Amazons and a wolf slowly made their way forward, as Cyan turned around slowly. She met the woman's icy gaze with one of her own and caught a faint flicker of uncertainty in the stranger's eyes. The Queen smiled for a moment and then answered calmly. "That may be the case with some, but if that's all you have come for - I can assure you, you've wasted your time."

The foreign woman took a step back and seemed to be knocked off guard for an instant. She finally smiled at Cyan. "Then this form does not please you? Well then, what of this one." The four Amazons watched as the mysterious stranger began to shimmer and blur.

The figure before them slowly changed and where once stood a woman, now stood a tall blond haired man with a beard. His icy blue eyes sparkled with mischief, as he looked once again to the Queen. "Well woman, does this form serve your needs any better?"

Cyan had to admit, she wasn't prepared for that one. Luckily Olympia stepped in, advancing on the form who was pursuing her Queen. "Okay - nice magic act, but we still want to know who you are and where you come from."

The man laughed and with a wave of his hand the Queen’s bodyguard suddenly hit an invisible wall, preventing her from coming any closer. "I am from the cold North where some call us Norsemen, others call us Vikings. There, I am little more than a small god in a large place, who is quite bored really and have decided to seek my amusements elsewhere. There are few who are left that remain ignorant to the legend of a certain Amazon Queen and as such, I decided to find you. I must say, the Island of Wants and Desires is an appropriate one; for you my Queen, and your Island are both for me."

Cyan rolled her eyes and looked casually down at her nails. "Great - aren't I the lucky one? Hooked myself an arrogant gender-shifting Viking, who's just dying to sweep me off my feet." Cyan smiled sarcastically. "Now that we got my love life settled, you mind telling me who you are."

The man threw back his head and laughed. "You……" he said letting his hand run down Cyan's arm. "…..will delight me for a long time woman." He snatched his hand away and smiled proudly. "I am a son of Odin. I have been called many things; trickster, shape shifter……."

Corde gasped. "Loki!" All eyes turned to the younger Amazon in wonder. Corde shrugged. "We just did a section on Norse Gods at the Academy."

Cyan chuckled. "Larc will be thrilled to hear you’re actually paying attention Corde."

Loki turned with a lustful eye and reached for the Queen's arm. "Enough talk woman. I want to go to my new Island and take my place as its King."

Cyan quickly knocked his hand aside and before he had moved, cut the ties of his leather vest with the tip of her sword. She smiled faintly, her patience finally beginning to wear thin. "I suggest you go back to being a small god in the North stranger; you're not welcome here."

Loki laughed as he stepped back; a double-edged hand ax suddenly appearing in his hand. "Good." He whispered playfully. "Now woman, we'll see if you have the strength to give me the sons I desire." Loki twirled the axe in hand. "Come on, let's see if you can really keep battle with the likes of me." He waited anxiously for the Amazon Queen to advance.

Before Cyan or the stranger could move, a loud battle cry broke through the air. The Enforcer had drawn her sword and was advancing quickly on the Norse God. "You're nothing more than pig food, you son of a one eyed barbarian!"

She had not even gotten within ten feet of Loki, before the Norseman held out his ax. A loud clap of thunder, followed by a flash of light sent the Enforcer flying backwards through the air. She landed heavily in the sand and lay motionless; obviously dazed by the impact. The Queen stared at her friend and felt her blood begin to cool.

No sooner had Olympia fallen to the sand than another battle cry cut through the air. Falcon launched herself towards the new enemy as she let loose three darts from her hand. Loki’s axe quickly deflected the weapons and with the back of his hand, he swept the Healer casually off to one side. Falcon moved slowly, dazed by the speed in which she'd been thrown.

"Falcon!" Corde screamed and rushed to the fallen Healer.

Shadow growled and in defense of his alpha, leapt to her aid. Soon the wolf was laying motionless alongside his master.

Cyan winced and advanced on a grinning Loki. "Okay… now I'm pissed."

Sword met axe and the ring could be heard for more than a league. The two warriors circled one another, carefully testing the other's skills. Cyan realized that the god had accomplished exactly what he wanted by injuring her Healer and friend, thus drawing her in by rage. The interesting part was, that as angry as the Queen felt, she was actually beginning to enjoy the battle.

"You fight well woman. If you’re this aggressive in my bed, I will have many nights of pleasure from you."

Cyan slipped under Loki’s guard and managed to slice into his inner thigh. "I assure you, you'd never keep up."

The Norse god laughed heartily on the clever play on words. "You seek to remove the source of your future pleasures woman?" Loki lunged and attempted to knock the sword from Cyan’s hand. He laughed wickedly as he continued to advance on the Queen.

"HEY UGLY!!" Came the shout. As Loki turned, a bag of over-done bagels hit him squarely in the face. Cyan quickly used her sword to remove the axe from Loki’s hand and slow down a very angry Corde. With a spiral kick, the Amazon Queen sent the Norse god to his back and stood over him; sword pressed to his throat.

"Cyan wait." The familiar voice of her sister floated through the air, only adding to Cyan's rage.

"Artemis…." The Queen mumbled between rapid breaths. A loud roll of thunder and strong winds signaled the entrance of Athena and two warrior women dressed in Nordic fashion. "It's about time you couple of buffoons showed up!"

Cyan caught a glimpse of the other women alongside Athena. "Oh great, what is this a family reunion?"

One of the women stepped forward. "Exactly warrior."

The Amazon Queen kept her sword steady as she shifted her glance toward the speaking woman. "Well, if you've come to kill this one, take a number and get in line lady."

Athena winced and walked towards her sister. "Cyan, these women are in fact Loki’s sisters."

The Queen shrugged. "I coulda guessed that one on my own - they all seem to have the same charming personality. Watch your back Athena - next thing you know, they'll be lookin' for a date." Cyan winked sarcastically.

Athena looked curiously at her sister and then back at the group of women. Before she could say anything more, the other woman stepped forward and addressed Cyan in a much more pleasant tone.

"We are the Valkerie, daughters of Odin, the one eyed Norse God. Your sister Athena came to seek out father Odin and explained to us of our brother's mischief." The woman nodded towards both Athena and Artemis. "Odin has no need of a fight with the gods of Olympus. They are of no concern to him."

"Hmmm… must not like blondes…" the Queen thought to herself.

The woman continued, while motioning towards the bearded man trapped under Cyan's sword. "But our brother is of his concern. He has sent us to take him back to face our father's displeasure."

Cyan slowly raised her sword and the woman nodded to her sister. A very displeased Loki was then dragged, whining and complaining, across the sand where they instantly vanished in a clap of thunder.

The remaining Valkerie turned to the Queen and smiled. "I would have stopped the fight sooner, but I rather enjoyed watching my brother land on his backside. Perhaps some day you would honor us with a visit Warrior Queen? I would certainly pleasure a battle alongside the likes of you." The Valkaerie stepped back and like her sister, vanished in a clap of thunder."

Artemis grinned. "Father is such a show off."

Cyan looked to the two goddesses, obviously annoyed.

Athena shrugged. "What?! It was the only way to get them here and back again. Once we told him about you and the Island, Zeus agreed to help us remove Loki."

Cyan glared at her sisters. "And at what point were you two planning on jumping in to a lend a hand??!"

Athena shifted uncomfortably. "Don't get in such a twist Cy, we were just arriving when 'Miss. deadly with the bagels' over there announced his name for us."

Corde was still too busy helping Falcon get a dazed Enforcer to her feet to pay much attention to the comment.

Cyan shook her head and finally gave up the useless argument with her sisters. "Then Loki is back where he belongs and the gods of Olympus are satisfied?"

Athena nodded. "Yup - it seems Artemis and I have been able to straighten everything out okay."

The Queen rolled her eyes and sheathed her sword in exasperation. "Yah, glad we didn't slow you up any."

"Not so fast." Falcon said, her eyes dark and sword in hand. She advanced down the beach in the direction of the village. "I still have a score to settle with Nik’s ‘parents’."

Cyan called to the killer. "Falcon wait."

Falcon turned, eyes blazing. "Once they're dead, they'll have no claim on the boy. Then, with your permission My Queen, I would like the right to adopt the boy. I want Nikolas to be my son."

Artemis smiled and spoke softly. "Daughter, Athena and I already have plans for those two and you will not interfere."

Falcon trembled with rage, but slowly nodded her head in obedience. There was a soft whine from Shadow and the Healer knelt to check him over.

Olympia smirked. "So, Olympus is safe from invading gods….. How can we ever thank you?" The Enforcer bowed in mock submission, as Cyan elbowed her roughly.

Athena could not resist taunting the Queen's bodyguard. "Oh please, don't mention it little one. I'm just glad we showed up in time to save you’re arrogant little Amazon a…"

Olympia sputtered. "Why you ungrateful…. If we hadn’t … She .. He almost… with me… …" Olympia could not seem to form one sentence.

Cyan smiled and put her arm around the enraged Amazon. "Give it up Olympia."

Artemis chuckled and then looked over at Falcon. "Now, as for you, I made you a promise at the beginning of all this."

Falcon looked at the woman; puzzled.

"Your hearts desire?" Artemis prodded. A strange mist closed in and all on the beach vanished, leaving only marks in the sand. The sounds of a battle came through the mist and Artemis's words floated in the air. "We are only shadows in this place and as such we cannot change anything we see; but this will give you one of the things you desire most."

The mist parted and Falcon paled. Before her was the battle in which she had lost her family; the day the Dark Wolf had been born.

"Lasandra." Falcon gasped, trying desperately to move towards the child. A strong hand holds her and she is unable to move. "You can do nothing here warrior; this is the past and has been cemented as such. It cannot be changed."

Corde turned briefly, looking to Falcon. The tears ran abundantly down the anguished ridden face of the Healer.

As the battle raged, the present Falcon watched as once again everything she knew and loved was destroyed. With horror, she realized that the moment of her sister's death was only seconds away. A wave of nausea hit her hard as she saw her younger self deflect the attacks of her enemy. His thrusting sword missed her only by inches, but found it's way unwittingly into the flesh of her sister's back.

Falcon's stomach lurched as she cried out softly. "Mariah."

The Healer continued to watch through watery eyes as her fatally wounded sister continued to protect her back until finally staggering away and collapsing to the ground. Both gazes, past and present, finally came to rest on the unmoving body of her warrior sister.

The screams of both Falcons echoed through the air as the present day Healer fell to her knees. Cyan turned on her sister in rage. "What twisted pleasure is this Artemis!? I should have known I could never trust you, but to do this to someone who worships you so unconditionally….." Cyan's rage was so great, she was having trouble forming her anger into words. "How could you do this?!!"

Artemis wisely kept her distance from the seething Queen and motioned behind her. "Look."

Cyan turned and saw a kneeling Falcon being tended to by an ashen-faced Corde. The younger warrior held Falcon tightly, doing her best to calm the grieving healer.

"Mother?' Corde said softly.

Falcon looked up and stared into the tear-stricken face before her.

Corde nodded and whispered softly. "That was me, that little girl was me. I can remember it all know. You sent me away with the other children, but they caught us. They caught us and took us away. I thought you all were dead."

The Queen and Olympia stood silent, obviously as confused as the healer. "Lasandra?" Falcon asked softly.

Corde smiled. "I haven't heard that name in years...... but yes, it's me……Mother."

The two kneeling Amazons fell into a mutual embrace. Tears of many years freely flowing down the cheeks of both. Finally the pain of both past and present were joined.

******

The entire village was gathered in the square, anxious for the Rite of Adoption to begin. Finally the Queen lifted her hand and all fell silent..

Princess Vicky rose from her seat on the platform. "Let the petitioner step forward."

Falcon, dressed in her best leathers stepped forward; bowing reverently to both her Queen and Princesses.

"You have a petition to place before the Queen?"

Falcon nodded. "I do."

"State your name and petition for all then to hear."

"I, who am known here as Falcon, do hear-by request the Rite of Adoption."

The Queen stepped forward. "And who is it that you wish to adopt?"

"The boy Nikolas, who is currently my ward." Falcon answered respectively and then once again fell silent.

The Queen spoke again, once more already knowing the answer to her question. "There is another who is guardian to the boy; does this other object to the rite?"

On cue, the Enforcer stepped forward. "I have no objection My Queen. Both Falcon and I agree that it is in Nikolas’s best interest to be adopted by the Petitioner. I in turn, request permission to be named as his guardian in her absence."

Cyan nodded. "Falcon, before we can continue further we must address the question of price. As you are aware, all children who come into this tribe do so at a cost. Are you prepared to pay this price?"

This part of the ceremony was more one of symbolism than anything else and usually only required a small token; such as a knife or dagger. Cyan was puzzled when the Healer nodded and walked through the crowd and away from the platform. She looked quickly to Olympia who seemed just as puzzled as the Queen.

The crowd parted as Falcon returned leading her Arabian Mare, who was in full Arabian tack and glitter. She held out the reins and bowed to a very startled Queen.

"This mare is my joy and also the price I am willing to pay for my son and the return of my family. Wind of the Desert is yours My Queen; a very small price to pay for my happiness."

Cyan nodded and smiled knowingly. Ki took the mare away to one side, while the Queen addressed the Healer once more. "I take it you have another request then?"

Falcon nodded and smiled back at Cyan. "If it pleases my Queen; I have both a small gift to give and an announcement to make to the entire tribe."

Cyan nodded and began to chuckle. "In the interest of time; since personally I'm sure Nik is as hungry as I am; I'd like to ask Falcon, Corde and Nikolas all to come before me."

The assembled crowed began to murmur quietly, confused as to why Corde would be asked to stand before the Queen. Cyan raised her hand and once again, all fell silent. "In this matter, the Rite is simple and my job made easy. It has been made clear to me that Nikolas’s parents are indeed dead and that there are none left of blood to lay claim."

Olympia chuckled at the memory of the couple’s faces when confronted by the goddess of wisdom and warfare. Despite their differences, the Enforcer had not been able to resist giving Athena a genuine smile and nod of thanks.

The Queen spoke quickly, as she caught a glimpse of Nikolas eyeing the food tables. "Falcon, do you claim this boy as your son and male heir?"

Falcon nodded. "Yes."

Cyan looked at the boy. "Nikolas, you may speak your mind freely here; without fear of reprisal."

The boy stared at the Queen with obvious confusion until Eri finally leaned down and whispered loudly in his ear. "She means, do you want Falcon as your mom and if you don’t, its okay to say so. No one will be mad at you."

The crowd laughed and Nikolas grinned. "Of course I want her as my Mom."

The Queen smiled and so did the Healer. "Then so it shall be." Cyan pronounced.

Eri leaned down yet again. "And that means she’s your mom now."

Nikolas launched himself into his mother’s arms and the two embraced. After a few stolen moments, Cyan finally leaned in and spoke softly. "I hate to break this up Healer, but how 'bout we finish this? Even as an immortal I'm getting hungry."

"Me too." Nikolas grinned.

Falcon bowed to the Queen and turned to the crowd. "Over twelve years ago I had a necklace made for my daughter. I was going to give it to her on the day of her rite of passage." Falcon reached into her pouch and produced a silver crescent moon and blue crystal hanging from a necklace in her hand. "She was lost to me a day later in battle; the same battle in which I lost my sister." Falcon turned to face Corde. "I was not able to be with you when that time of Rite came, but I’m here now and wish for you to have this. My daughter, Lasandra; known here as Corde."

Tears fell from two sets of eyes, as a loving mother placed a necklace around the neck of her long lost daughter.

"Gee." Nikolas said, looking up at the Amazon Queen. "In just one day I got a sister, a mother and a home." Cyan smiled down at the boy, trying to imagine what he must be feeling. "So can we eat now?"

The Amazon Queen laughed loudly and dismissed her Island to the feast.