"High Plane's Drifter"

By Rogue and Cyan

Cyan heard the commotion outside her throne room and opened the doors before the guards could even announce Rogue’s presence.

The Queen smiled. "I see you’ve returned. Come on in. I’m hoping that maybe we can work through things as a team this time around." Cyan showed Rogue in and to a seat. "No more running off?"

"As you wish my Queen, though I think it would be best if I deal with this alone. I have come to ask you advice, if you will hear me."

Rogue shifted in her seat as she explained what had been going on and what she had found out.

"And that my Queen is why I came back. I wasn't quite sure what to do and I also needed your permission to leave the Island. What would you have me do? For although I have a tendency to do my own thing, you are my Queen now, I'll not go against your decision."

Cyan smiled. Perhaps Saran’s earlier exploits and discipline had gotten the message through to the new warrior after all. She sat down opposite Rogue and drummed her fingers on the armrest of her chair in thought. Finally she spoke.

"First, I’m glad you came back to speak with me. Nothing is more important to me in all of this, than for you to be assured that your place from now on is with this Island." Cyan sighed. "There is a lot about this Island and your new family that you still don’t know, and it seems that circumstances may not permit you the time you’d need to learn it all; at least not yet. I can assure you though, that you are safe on this Island along with everyone else. You must not let their safety be a source of concern for you; that’s my job for now. Unfortunately it sounds as if your battle must be fought within a realm outside of the safety of this Island, and that the only way to get there is to find this portal you’ve been told about. As your Queen, I cannot allow you to go in search of it on your own, so the first thing we’re gonna do is get a new plan. This ‘Hide and Seek’ plan of yours is getting us nowhere. Agreed?"

Rogue nodded and the Queen continued.

"Would you feel better if I were to come with you to find the portal? I am a true immortal and perhaps your mind would feel more at ease knowing that my life would not be in jeopardy." The Queen smiled again reassuringly. "Besides, I’m sure you also know by now that realm travel runs in my blood."

Cyan stood up and walked to the wall where her sheath and sword were hanging. She began to put on various strapping and weapons while she spoke. "The decision ultimately has to be yours Rogue, but either way, this needs to end now - before you get hurt." The Queen turned back around to face her newest warrior. She was fully dressed in her battle garb, obviously ready to lend her support if it was needed. Cyan stood motionless, waiting for Rogue to respond.

Rogue looked down at the floor. She knew she should at least try and the Queen was immortal. It wasn't as though she would be in danger. Looking the Queen right in the eye, Rogue nodded.

"Ok, if you feel it is best. I'm not used to working with…. sorry taking orders from people, but I'll do my best. So how do we get to Athens? And is this a research mission?"

Rogue walked up to stand in front of Cyan and held out her arm in the only show of respect she knew the warrior salute.

The Queen smiled. She grabbed some paper and wrote a quick note to someone. She looked back up at Rogue and chuckled. "Oh, I can get us to Athens, and to tell you the truth, I’ve found that the best missions always start out as just research." Cyan winked and clasped Rogue’s arm. The crystal in the Queen’s necklace twinkled just a bit and in and instant Cyan and Rogue stood in a new location.

Cyan let go of Rogue’s arm and looked around quickly. "Welcome to Athens warrior."

*****

"Ok, well, that’s a new experience for me. The first thing we should probably do is find a place to stay. I’ve only been here once but I think I remember a tavern being down in that direction." Rogue pointed down one of the side streets. "Once we get a room we could have a look around and see what we can find out. Ya never know, it could turn up some interesting information. Of course it’s up to you my Queen." Rogue, though not used to letting someone else decide what she was going to do, was more than willing to let Cyan lead.

The Queen nodded and they began to make their way down the street. Cyan noticed a growing interest amongst some of the locals in their arrival. Rogue was deep in her own thought, which was probably best since the occasional odd glances they got were interpreted as unseen. Amazons often drew a second look no matter where they went, but Cyan was inclined to believe that these would pan out to be a bit more. One thing was for certain; the gateway they were looking for was most certainly here.

They entered the tavern and Cyan made her way over to the barkeep. After a brief exchange of words and dinars, she motioned for Rogue to follow her upstairs. "I got two rooms near the end of the hall, but don’t get too settled, we’re not staying."

Rogue looked at the Queen in confusion. "Then why did you get the..."

"I just wanted to give them the appearance that if they needed to find us they’d know where to look."

"Who?" Rogue asked with growing curiosity.

"Them." The Queen pointed down into the streets from one of the room windows. Two men stood idly around, busying themselves with nearby vendor carts. "I don’t know whose looking for you Rogue, but I assure you, they know you’re here."

"Maybe we should go back to the Island and think out a new plan. Falcon’s going to be pretty angry that I took off."

The Queen laughed. "Not as angry as Olympia will be when she finds out I left the Island without her protection. Now, come on."

The Queen messed up the room giving it a little more ‘lived in’ look, and then walked across the hall to the other room and did the same. When she was done, she looked down the backside of the tavern into an abandon alleyway. She spun around, faced Rogue and smiled. "Time to take a look around." She flipped backwards and out the window dropping silently onto the street below. Rogue smiled. "I’m gonna like this tribe." She thought as she leapt out the window after her Queen.

******

"Well, I would have voted for beating those guys around the head but I guess that might upset my would be killer. I really do have to work on my diplomacy. I didn’t see where those guys came from but I’m guessing they can find me coz I’m still half trapped in their world." Rogue looked at Cyan who was looking out around the edge of the building. "Oh wait, I have an idea. We’re not going to get anywhere with those guys on our tails, so I’ve got an idea on how we can search and keep them away from you at the same time."

Cyan glanced back. "Rogue, we don’t need to keep them away from me. I’m the one who can’t die, remember?"

"That’s not what I meant. If we split up we can cover more ground. I can go completely onto the plane and see if I can find clues there. Before you say it, I know they’ll pick me up, but that’s the point."

The Queen gave Rogue a skeptical look but let her continue. "The way I see it is this. They can’t even tell where you are, so you’ll be free to look around here and find out what you can. If I do find something, I’ll just pretend I didn’t and head right back, I promise. That will leave you free to find the gateway without them even knowing." Rogue looked at Cyan with pleading eyes.

The Queen smiled. "Very similar to your previous plans of going after them alone, but this one I may actually agree too." Rogue smiled back, uttering a slight sigh of relief. Cyan stopped her before she got too far.

"I expect you to keep your promise, that at the first sign of trouble or your finding something you’ll leave the plane and return immediately." Rogue nodded her head in agreement.

The Queen thought for a minute. "Did your ‘friend’ say anything more about what to look for regarding the gateway?"

Rogue shook her head. "I told you everything I know." Cyan thought for a minute about seeking her mother’s help but then pushed the idea back into the recesses of her mind. Vorpax, although slowly wedging her way into Cyan’s life, was still only a last resort as far as the Queen was concerned.

"I’m sure I’ll know it when I see it. Are you sure you’re up to entering the plane completely? I’ve seen the toll it takes on you." The Queen’s eyes showed signs of concern for the younger warrior.

"I’ll be fine." Rogue smiled weakly, looking only half convinced of her own words. She paused a moment in thought, nodded her head and spoke again. "I can do this." She smiled with a little more confidence than Cyan had seen a moment before.

"I know you can." Cyan finally said. "But just be careful anyway. I’d hate to have to face Olympia and Falcon’s wrath alone." She chuckled and slapped Rogue on the back.

"How will I find you when I return my Queen?"

"Don’t worry." Cyan said as she winked and headed down the alleyway towards the main city. "Thanks to my bloodlines, I’ll find you."

******

Rogue turned and climbed back up into the window. Sitting on the edge of her bed she took a deep breath and uttered the words that would take her to the plane. A searing pain shot straight through her body; stifling a scream, Rogue collapsed to the floor. "Oh boy, that hurt more than normal." She mumbled to herself. Pushing herself up she stumbled back toward the window. Knowing she should rest didn't help. Rogue needed to not only get her followers away from Cyan but also needed to find clues. As she looked out the window Rogue began to think she might have been hasty in coming to the plane. Coming down the street was a group of about ten soldiers, headed in her direction. "It's not my day, it's really just not my day." Rogue said as she flipped out of the window and ran down the street. She continued to run until she got to the market where she ducked behind some people and eventually lost the soldiers.

"Now to look for clues. Hmmmm well it would make sense to start looking in the general direction they came from, then I think I'll stop talking to myself. It's not a good past time."

Rogue searched most of the day without finding anything. Just before sunset she returned to the rooms, checking the Queen’s, only to find it empty. Rogue returned to her own room and shifted back onto Earth realm. Not being able to hold in the scream this time, Rogue collapsed on the floor.

Rogue moaned into the floor. "Grandma, I need your help a minute please." Seconds later Athena flashed into the room. Seeing Rogue on the floor she quickly helped her back onto the bed. "Rogue, what happened here? Were you attacked? Fall? Damn it girl, tell me what happened." Athena looked extremely worried about Rogue.

"It's nothing like that, I came back from the plane and got the worst pain I've ever felt. I couldn't move and I don't know where Cyan is so I called you, sorry."

"Don't be sorry, just rest. The necklace that I gave you, where is it?"

"I gave it to Falcon so that she wouldn't worry about me."

"Rogue, that necklace is what stops you from feeling pain when you go onto the plane. Without it you will feel this pain every time you go. I want you to rest while I find Cyan."

"NO! You can't, please don't tell her about this. I'll avoid going to the plane, just please don't tell her." Rogue sat up on the bed in an effort to look better but fail badly.

"Rogue, listen to me for a minute. First, even if I wanted to hide something from Cyan, I couldn't; she knows me too well. Secondly, she deserves to know. She's trusting you with a lot of stuff while you're here and it's only fair you return the favor. I promise you, if anyone can help you, it's Cyan. She's had more experience in this arena of battle than you'd ever imagine. And frankly, if you don't tell her, I will." With that Athena disappeared leaving Rogue to her thoughts.

******

"Not so fast." Cyan said, as she instantly appeared next to the golden clad goddess and grabbed her arm.

"Cyan." Athena smiled as she thought quickly about how she was going to explain this one to her sister. "I was just looking for you."

The Queen chuckled and released Athena’s arm. "Save it. I heard you talking to Rogue from the hallway. Why didn’t you tell me you gave her the necklace? I thought Poseidon was the only one that was aware of the girl’s ability to cross over to the other plane."

Athena shrugged. "I just didn’t have the chance to tell you. Poseidon sent the girl there for her own safety, but by the time I had the chance to tell you we were already involved in this whole mess with young Nikolas’s parents."

Cyan thought for a minute looking intently into the goddess's eyes. One thing Athena could not do was lie to her and the Queen knew she was telling the truth.

Cyan sighed. "Well, I think I found the gateway we were looking for not far from here, so hopefully she won’t have to experience any more of that pain when flipping back and forth." The Queen smiled. "I need to go and talk to her, so off you go - on about your business of making some nice sweaters for me and the family for Solstice." Cyan laughed.

"I weave Cyan, not knit." Athena whacked her sister hard in the stomach while a slight smirk touched her lips. Cyan backed away and began to laugh harder.

"I’ll see you soon goddess. Oh, and by the way, you sent Rogue to the Island for a reason - she’s our responsibility now, so stay out of it." The Queen disappeared and was soon back in Rogue’s room staring down at the resting warrior.

"How you feeling?" the Queen asked with a smile. Rogue sat up and smiled back weakly.

"Fine. Just fine." She insisted.

Cyan rolled her eyes. "Uh huh. Yah, you look it. Save your act for the Academy bards, I heard you talking to Athena about the necklace and the pain."

Rogue's shoulders slumped a bit. "I'll be fine. It really wasn't that bad." She quickly tried to change the subject. "I didn't know you knew Athena." The warrior's persistence was not lost on the Queen and Cyan had to smile at the effort.

"Oh, we go way back." Cyan replied vaguely as she took a seat across from the bed Rogue was resting on. "Don't worry warrior, I'm not taking you back; not yet anyway. I think I found our gateway and hopefully that will solve the problem of your absent pain charm. It's a good half-day hike outside of the city and we should be able to get there unnoticed if we leave just before sun-up. I suggest you get as much rest as you can; you're gonna need it."

Rogue nodded and lay back down. Cyan moved her chair over to the window, sat down and leaned back in her chair putting both feet up on the window's ledge.

"You're not going to sleep there, are you my Queen?"

Cyan smiled. "No, I don't sleep much Rogue." The Queen settled further into her seat and looked over at the exhausted warrior. "I'm going to keep an eye out for any unwanted visitors while you get some rest. So try and get some sleep will ya?"

"We should take turns keeping watch my Queen, I'll be fine." Cyan smiled again. The young warrior's eyes were barely able to keep from closing.

"It's my job to watch over you Rogue, I'm your Queen remember? Now go to sleep." Cyan watched as the warrior's body finally gave into the rest it so badly needed. The Queen chuckled as she rocked slowly back and forth in her seat. "Mortals. Ya gotta love 'em."

******

Rogue woke a few hours before dawn, only to fine the Queen already dressed in her travel clothes. "I see you're finally awake." Cyan said with a smirk. Rogue all but jumped out of bed at that. "Woa! It’s ok, I was joking. Take your time, I’ve ordered food and drink; specifically coffee for me so I can make it through the day. Are you feeling better?"

"Right as rain my Queen." Rogue didn’t like lying but she didn’t want Cyan thinking she was weak. "So where bout’s is this portal? I’ll be glad to use that instead of my powers for once, though I don’t really have a clue what to do once we get there. I mean I was planning to charge in and either kill him or be killed. But I’m guessing you're against that, soooo… more research?"

Cyan just nodded while she continued looking out the window. "What’s wrong my Queen?"

For a long time, no answer was forth coming. "I was just thinking about the situation. I’m not sure if it’s wise for you to go onto the plane with me."

"Not wise? I’m the only one who knows the difference between the worlds, the only one who can guide you safely. Ok so they’ll be able to pick both of us up but if we keep moving they won’t for some time." Rogue looked at the Queen who had gone back to staring out of the window. "Please." She finally added.

Cyan finally looked at Rogue. "Okay, we both go, but not before we get a couple of things straight." Rogue nodded as she continued to get ready.

"First, you severely under estimate my abilities, especially regarding realm travel. I assure you I am more capable of understanding the different realms than you could possibly imagine. To that end, you also under estimate your own abilities. The gods sent you to the Island for specific reasons Rogue, and in addition to many others, none more important than the fact they knew we could help you."

Rogue looked at the Queen and slowly nodded in understanding. It was difficult for her to accept that she might have actually found not only a home, but people who could finally help her after so many years. "And the second?" she tentatively asked.

"The second? Well the second is that you were wrong about what you said earlier." Rogue looked at the Queen quizzically until Cyan began to chuckle. "I'm all about just busting in and breaking heads, it's Eponie who doesn't go in for that stuff." Rogue herself began to laugh while the Queen continued. "Unfortunately, I think we might need to gather some more information from them before we begin knocking them off. What do you think? Deal?"

"Deal." Rogue smiled as she watched Cyan slip two leg daggers into their holders and straighten the sheath that was strapped to her back. The Queen fiddled with her necklace absently for a moment and then looked up and met the warrior's gaze. "Ready?" she said.

"About as much as I'll ever be." Rogue replied. She followed the Queen out the back window and through the abandon streets of the still sleeping city.

******

The sun was high in the sky by the time they were nearing the hidden location of the portal. "My Queen, I’m not exactly sure, but I do believe we’re being followed by people on the plane. I can’t be certain, as I’m no longer joined with it. I could go and see if you want." Rogue looked questioningly at the Queen.

"No, you can’t go back without the portal or your necklace, not unless it’s about life and death for you. Let them follow, from what you said they can’t harm us at the moment. Right?" Rogue nodded. "Okay then, we continue."

Cyan retraced her steps and once again found the entrance to the cave she had seen the day before. "It’s in there my Queen." Rogue commented walking up behind Cyan.

"How can you be so sure if we haven't even gone in yet?"

"Well whenever I touch my necklace I get a sort of tingle going through me. I felt that just before I reached you, so I figure it’s got something to do with the plane. We’ve walked all over this place and I can feel it here the strongest. I'd say that's worth a look." Cyan was just about to agree when three soldiers materialized around them.

One of the soldiers sneered. "You should have stayed away, we’re gonna have to kill you now."

Cyan rolled her eyes. "Annoying and arrogant" she thought. "How lucky can we get." The Queen watched Rogue go at them with a vengeance. She took a step back and looked on proudly. This was gonna get interesting.

Rogue sneered back at the man in like manner. "Oh and why is that? Is it maybe coz you don’t like me? Or, let me think now…" Rogue paused sarcastically. "Oh wait, I know. Is it because your big bad boss is so scared of little 'ole me that he has to use you to do his dirty work? That might be it - right?" Cyan muffled her laughter as she saw the change of color in the man's face.

The soldier hadn’t even bothered with a reply. He charged straight ahead without thought, fuelled entirely by anger. After a few minutes he was on the ground unconscious. Cyan had kept a close eye on her warrior but was decidedly convinced this was a fight she could manage on her own.

"So, anyone else feel like a fight, coz I’m in the mood for it right now." The other two soldiers looked at each other then shifted back onto the plane.

Rogue moved over to the unconscious attacker and started removing his armor. Upon seeing the puzzled look she was getting from the Queen, she explained. "Well, we’re going into his territory right? Ok then, it might help us to have the amour of one of his soldiers, to use as a disguise if we need to." Having finished removing all the armor and the man's pendent, Rogue put them in her pack and rejoined the Queen.

"Uh huh." Cyan said with a slight smirk on her face. "Good thinking….." The Queen paused for a moment. "……And good fighting." She turned her attention back towards the cave just as a hint of a smile touched Rogue's lips.

Cyan walked towards the entrance, tilting her head from side to side. Rogue could hear the two loud cracks from the Queen's neck as the tension was released. Cyan chuckled as she disappeared into the dark. "Oh, and Rogue, put that disguise of yours on now. I have a funny feeling you're gonna need it."

Rogue quickly donned the armor and followed the Queen into the cave.

******

Cyan pressed her hand through the shimmering blackness at the rear of the cave and felt something change along her senses. The air; something was different. She took two giant steps forward and found herself looking into a mirrored image of the landscape she had just left. Before she could turn, she felt the presence of the other warrior join her. "Guess we're here." She mumbled quietly.

"Guess so..."

Both warriors stood motionless for a moment, not quite sure where to begin. Finally Cyan turned and looked at Rogue. She could feel a sense of sadness rising within her as she remembered the countless times her next questions had been asked over the years. She placed both her hands on the young warrior's shoulders and stared at her intently.

"Before we move from this spot, I need you to tell me exactly who we're looking for and whether you're really prepared to kill him and anyone else in our path. I've stood in this very same position hundreds of times over Rogue and the one thing I can tell you is that once we start down this path, they'll be no turning back 'til it's done."

Rogue looked away from the Queen's eyes. Normally if she killed, it was purely self- defense, not searching them out then killing them. ‘Wait, this is self-defense. If I don’t kill him, he’ll kill me, and all my friends.’ Rogue silently mused to herself, debating the question. She suddenly realized that the Queen was waiting for her answer and looked her in the eyes once again. "I’ll kill whoever is a threat to us and the island my Queen." Cyan nodded then turned and looked at her surroundings.

"Well I guess we’d best start by searching these locations on my map. Though I suggest we use my power to get there and not yours, they might pick it up." The Queen nodded and Rogue continued. "There should be a wind funnel just outside the cave, that's what’s used to move around quickly." Rogue led the way out of the cave and to where the funnel was. Taking Cyan’s hand she stepped into the funnel and they were lifted into the air. "Don’t worry, I used to do this all the time. It’s just like flying; you chose your direction by shifting your body." Rogue stopped the funnel a short distance away from the first location and checked the surrounding area.

"We have something very similar to that in OutWorld." Cyan said, looking at the funnel with interest.

"OutWorld?" Rogue asked.

"Never mind." The Queen said. "What next?"

"Ok, well it’s all clear for now. The first palace is just over that hill." Rogue pointed to a hill not far from their position. "My Queen, if anything does happen to me, could you please make sure Falcon gets my stuff. I don’t have much, but some of it could be useful."

"Will ya knock that kinda stuff off." Cyan said, with a whack to the younger warrior's abs. "Nothing's going to happen to you, I promise." The Queen grabbed the other warrior by her arm and began to drag her in the direction of the hill. Cyan winked. "Besides, the Queen always gets first dibs on the good stuff."

*****

Cyan slowly crept her way backwards and down the embankment. She came to a stop right next to the waiting Rogue.

"Well, the Palace is there like you said, but I didn't see any guards. If I were them, and I knew we were coming, I'd hide my warriors in the trees on either side. Much easier to stay hidden and catch intruders by surprise that way."

Rogue nodded and the Queen smiled. "Of course, I'd also be telling my warriors to be looking for more than just a couple of women." Both warriors began to smile widely. The Queen mapped out two distinct routes into the trees on either side of the Palace.

"If everything goes well we can disable the whole section of soldiers to the right without the other group knowing. Once we've done that we'll make our way over to the left side of the palace and do the same. I don't want to kill them if we don't have to, so the first thing we do is look for a place that we can tie them up and leave them for a while without the threat of being discovered."

Rogue nodded in understanding as the Queen prepared to leave. "If we can get to them all before night falls, the advantage will be ours. Are you ready Rogue?"

Rogue crept into a ready position and prepared to make her way over to the parameters of the palace yards. "Ready. What do we do if there's no place to hide them?"

Cyan frowned. "Kill them." The Queen dashed for the woods, followed closely by Rogue.

*****

Having looked around for some time, Rogue returned to where the Queen was keeping watch. "The only place nearby, is a small group of rocks to the south. I doubt it would hide all of the soldiers, but it really depends on how many there are." Rogue looked around, making sure that no one was coming up on them. "I don’t think we’ve got a huge amount of choice about killing some of them; apart from the fact that any one of them could take the emperor’s place."

Cyan nodded ‘this Amazon may be young but she can talk some sense at times.’ The Queen watched the younger warrior as she organized her plan. Cyan wasn't prepared to accept the notion that they were out of hiding places just yet, but she was impressed with the Amazon's ability to access a situation, and to do it quickly. If worse came to worse, they might have to kill some of the soldiers, but the Queen still had a trick or two up her sleeve. Cyan smirked. Man, Eponie would love to get this thought on tape. Peace first, action second.

Rogue continued on with what she had figured. Cyan listened with interest. "Ok, I think the best course would be if we were to come in from two sides. We’d have to split up, but then so would the soldiers. We could probably pick off a good number of them before they even knew what was happening." Rogue paused and then continued with the Queen's encouragement. "It might not be the wisest thing to split up, but I do think it would confuse them."

The Queen smiled and thought of Falcon. I spend months pushing that warrior to even think of leading a team and this one is chomping at the bit. I think I'm going to enjoy seeing those two get to know each other.

Cyan finally spoke. "Agreed. The more confused the better. You go to the left and I'll circle around to the right. Oh and Rogue, please be careful. I wouldn’t want to come all this way just to go back alone, and I sure don't wanna carry ya." Cyan chuckled as she watched Rogue turn away and head for the nearest tree.

As they began to circle their way around, it became increasingly easy to spot where the soldiers were. Some had obviously become bored with their assigned duties and were sitting on the ground. Certainly none of them were expecting an outright attack. The widespread boredom made it all the easier to knock them out one by one without so much as a sound.

They had almost reached all of the visible posts when one of the head soldiers caught a glimpse of Rogue before she could strike. He attacked ferociously, charging the warrior with all that he had. Landing blow after blow he tried, with a great deal of success, to cut through the warrior's defenses and leave her for dead. Rogue was now bleeding quite badly and fell to the ground expecting the final blow; only it never came.

Looking up, Rogue saw Cyan standing over the slumped body of the soldier. She joked lightly as she knelt down to take a look at Rogue's wounds. "As I said, you’re not gonna die." With a small sigh of relief, the Queen smiled and looked up at the warrior. "There not too bad, most have already stopped bleeding.

Rogue struggled to get up, regaining her composure. "Thanks. We still need to deal with the rest of the soldiers though, unless you want to head straight to the Palace?"

Shaking her head, Cyan stood up. "Straight to the palace? Look, I appreciate your eagerness and it's true, most of your wounds have stopped bleeding, but they've taken their toll - they've weakened you. And whether you think you're ready or not, I never take any of my warriors into a battle at half-strength - is that clear?" Rogue nodded. "Now, we need to find somewhere that you can heal for a while. We'll attack the other flank once you've had some rest."

"No disrespect my Queen, but if we do that, they'll know we're here for sure and double their defenses. We should attack now, I can handle it. Believe me, I’ve been worse and survived."

"Survived? I'm not aiming here just to keep the survival rate at two Rogue. I'm aiming to finish this whole thing with as little deaths and injuries as possible. Now will you just relax for a minute and let me explain?"

The Queen helped Rogue over to a nearby tree where two bodies of unconscious soldiers lay. Cyan shoved them off to one side and began to pace around, talking and thinking as she went.

"In case you didn't notice, our cracker-jack team of soldiers here were about as bored to death with their assignments as I am in one of Eponie's poetry classes." Rogue chuckled at the thought of Cyan reading poetry. The Queen shot her a look and smiled wickedly. "Laugh it up Amazon, but you'll be sittin' right next to me for that laugh." Cyan winked and continued to walk around the soil.

"Anyway, we've been here quite a while and not one set of relief soldiers has come our way. Their food and water is all here, and it makes me think that these guys were placed here for the long haul. Now, what if we were to tie up some of these nice fellas, as is, to some varying trees around the area? From a distance, let's say palace distance, they'd probably look no more awake or unconscious then when we found them, right?"

Rogue's eyes began to light up with understanding. "From that distance, neither the palace nor the other set of soldiers would be able to tell the difference."

The Queen stopped and smiled. "And it sure does solve our problem of where to hide them all." Cyan shed her sheath and sword, laying it on the ground next to Rogue. She tossed her heavier leather garments onto a tree branch and looked around for where to begin. Rogue made a motion to get up, but the Queen stopped her where she was.

"Stay put Rogue, I mean it. You need the rest and I could use the exercise. We immortals can get a little restless ya know." Cyan could see the internal struggle going on just behind the warrior's eyes. She knelt down and drew some bandages out of her cloak pocket and tossed them over to Rogue.

"I know you want this whole battle to be about you Rogue, but the idea is teamwork here. And if you can't accept that, I'll just order you to sit there." Cyan's face gave way to a smile and she saw the Amazon's demeanor relax a bit. "There's some of Ashana's salve in my outer shirt pocket and you can use those wraps to dress your more serious wounds. By the time I'm finished here you should be feeling a whole lot better and we could begin to make our way around to the other side. Okay?"

Cyan waited for Rogue's acknowledgment, which was very slow in coming. "Is it a plan, or are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"No, I don't think I am." Came the mumbled reply.

Cyan arched an eyebrow and stood up. "Not exactly the ringing opposition I had hoped for, but at this point, I'll take it. Now dress your wounds and try to get some sleep. I'm gonna reacquaint our new friends here with the art of 'standing post'."

The Queen laughed as she set out towards the first group of downed soldiers. "'Standing post." - come on guys that was a good one - don't ya think? I mean if we're gonna work together the least you could do is try to get used to my humor or we're not gonna have very much fun around here."

Rogue smiled and watched the Queen begin the task of organizing and tying up the unconscious soldiers. She couldn't help but to chuckle now and then as Cyan continued to chat to the men as if they were all part of a big team. She shook her head and dressed the last of her wounds, while she moved backwards a bit so that she could rest firmly against the support of a nearby tree. Within minutes, the Amazon's eyes slipped shut.

******

When Rogue awoke it was just starting to get dark. Moving as quietly as possible she crept up next to Cyan. "See anything interesting?" Rogue asked the Queen as she turned around.

"Nothing really important. How ya feeling? And don't bother to lie this time." Rogue looked around, up, down, at the trees, anywhere but in the Queen's eyes. "Rogue…. tell me."

"I’m a lot better than I was." Rogue continued to look around as she spoke. "We’d best go and deal with the rest of the soldiers before the sun comes up." Rogue was about to move off when Cyan rested her hand on Rogue’s shoulder. Wincing, Rogue pulled away quickly.

"Better than you were? Maybe." Cyan shook her head. "Full strength? I don't think so. I told you, I don’t go into any fight with an Amazon whose only at half strength. Now, go and rest. We can attack tomorrow, it won’t make a difference." Cyan pushed Rogue in the direction of the tree she’d been sleeping on. Wincing again, Rogue settled down and swiftly fell asleep once more.

******

She awoke sometime later to the sound of swords clashing. Drawing her own, she ran in the direction of the sound. Nearing the edge of a clearing, Rogue could see the Queen facing off with one of the armed soldiers.

The man growled at the Queen. "Where is she? If you tell me, I promise to make your death swift and painless."

Cyan just chuckled. "You really expect me to tell you, don't you?" The Queen laughed even harder. "The man who wants her dead, expects me to help him? Now, come on, really, what kind of a person would I be if I did that?" Cyan smirked and then turned serious. "Oh wait, I know, I'd be a dead one."

Rogue stepped out of the tree line and yelled for the man. "Now that isn’t any way to treat a lady, IS IT?!"

The warrior's focus was so intent on the armed man that she didn’t even notice Cyan raise her eyes and shake her head. "So much for full strength." The Queen mumbled. "This one's gonna give me an ulcer."

Rogue whispered just loud enough for Cyan to hear. "Don’t worry my Queen, I don’t plan to fight him just yet."

Cyan sarcastically sighed and smiled. "Oh, good… well, there's a relief."

The younger warrior yelled out again to the man. "I challenge you to the Butt Match. Unless you wish to lose your empire right now, you must accept."

Cyan whipped her head around to look at Rogue, both brows arched in surprise. "Butt match? Now there's a new one."

Before the Queen could say anything to Rogue, the man had snarled his acceptance, jumped into a wind funnel and vanished. Rogue turned and tried to do the same but was caught by Cyan. "Woa, slow down young lady, you have some serious 'splaining to do. So, sit down and tell me what the hell just happened and what in the name of Olympus is a Butt Match?"

Rogue sat on one of the nearby rocks, "Ok, well the Butt Match is an old tradition over here. A long time ago a lot of rulers were killed by people wanting their thrown, so a law was brought in, and the challenger and ruler would fight. The first to land on their rear end lost and was banished forever, but if they turned down the challenge they lost their empire anyway. That’s why it’s called the Butt Match. At least this way we can’t get killed and I have a fighting chance." Rogue looked pleadingly at the Queen. "I’m sorry I jumped in, it’s just for 2 1/2 years I was a regent Amazon, then I wandered for another year. I’m still getting used to doing what other people say, I can take the challenge back if you want me to."

Cyan sat silent for a minute then finally spoke. "No, don't take the challenge back, at least not until I've had a chance to think for a couple of minutes. Now there's a novel idea Rogue - thinking - you should try it sometime before you act." It was obvious that the Queen was not at all happy about their current situation.

Cyan paced for a few minutes, thinking, and choosing her words carefully. Finally she returned and stood in front of the younger Amazon. "I'm getting a little tired of having this same old discussion Rogue. You cannot keep running off and doing what you want, no matter what you're used to in the past. I had you resting for a reason, and now you've committed yourself to a fight I'm not sure you're well enough to win." Cyan paused. "I know you're sorry but there's a battle being waged here Rogue and it's not the one on this plane I'm concerned about. You're fighting your desire to want help from us, with the fear of taking it. Eventually one side or the other will have to win out."

Rogue remained silent as the Queen briefly thought of Saran. She sheathed her sword and looked hard at Rogue. "You need to make a decision right now on which part of you is going to win out Rogue, or you don't even stand a chance at defeating this man; he's the least of our problems right now. The simple fact is this, a kingdom divided against itself will surely fall, and right now you're that kingdom. So, what's it gonna be?"

Rogue slowly stood and turned away from the Queen. Not being able to walk away, she started to pace. "I should trust them, they wouldn’t let me down. But what if I let them down, like the rest, like everyone else I’ve ever known. Isn’t that why I went to the Queen though, to ask her help? And she is here…"

Rogue ran a shaking hand through her hair and turned back to face the Queen. "I’m not great at asking for help, as you’ve no doubt noticed, but I didn’t come this far to fail now. Will you… would you mind…" Rogue turned away again and barely whispered. "Would you please help me?" Rogue quickly continued trying desperately to get the conversation away from her. "Oh and the fight won’t take place for 3 nights anyway; another rule of the fight and before you say anything, I can’t promise anything. I’m trying here but it’s difficult ok?" Rogue turned back around and looked Cyan in the eye.

The Queen shook her head a little and smiled. "Woa, now that was a mouthful." Cyan wasn't sure exactly where it had been, but somewhere in Rogue's ramblings had been the request for help and that's all the Queen had needed to hear. "Why don't we sit down for a few minutes Rogue and sort through all this, okay?"

The Queen motioned to a nearby log and she herself sat, encouraging the other Amazon to do the same. "Of course I'll help you, we all will; now you just need to let us. Oh, and by the way, one thing that might help in the future, is if you'd mention all the details the first time around rather than releasing them as they happen to pop up." Cyan chuckled. "Like the fact that we now have three days to get you prepared. Little things like that are important." The Queen nudged the somber Amazon. "And so is a sense of humor."

Cyan stretched out her legs in front of her and crossed her arms over her chest, preparing to listen. "Now, tell me everything you can about these Butt matches, and more importantly what areas you need practice and training in. Then, we come up with a plan." The Queen winked. "The both of us, if you don't mind."

Rogue couldn’t help but grin at that, ‘maybe this won’t be so bad after all’ she thought to herself. "Ok, well the matches take place where the challenge is given, so that would be back in the clearing. We will be fighting with… staffs, I think, hmmm yep staffs. The whole point is to either knock your opponent onto their butt or just knock them out. The victor takes whatever they want of their opponent's possessions, and the loser is banned from the plane. Yes, the empire does count as a possession. There is up to 3 witnesses on each side, but no more. Ermmm I don’t really know if there are any rules or not, but that doesn’t really matter, it shouldn’t be too difficult. That’s all I can think of. If there is anything else, I haven’t got a clue." Rogue looked at the relaxed Queen, wondering how her mood could change so quickly. Pushing it out of her mind she waited while the Queen thought about what she had said.

"Well, I guess this whole thing looks like a win - win situation to me." Cyan finally said with a smile. "You knock him out, we get the empire; he knocks you out, we get banned from the plane. So, what am I missing here - where's the bad part?" The Queen chuckled and stood up. "So, how good are you with a staff?"

"Well I’m not terrible; I actually used to be quite good. It was my chosen weapon 'till I started travelling; I just haven’t used it in quite some time. I do have one advantage though. I used to be really bad with walking in the trees, I fell out so much that I learned a way to not land on my butt. I still remember how to do it in fact. I kind of twisted in the air and landed on my shoulder. It was a lot better than not being able to sit for 3 days." Rogue grinned at the memory of being in the village.

The Queen laughed loudly. "You certainly are an interesting one Rogue, I'll give you that." She slapped the warrior on the back and led her toward the trees. "Let's see if we can find you a suitable staff and a quick refresher course in technique, so I don't have to bare witness to your acrobatic heroics, okay?"

The two warriors walked off in search off what they needed.

"How ‘bout this piece? It seems quite sturdy." Rogue commented as she twirled the wood in her hands.

Cyan looked up from her searching. "Not bad, it may have to do. Now if we can find a piece for myself we can spar for a bit." They both went back to looking and it wasn't long before the Queen found a suitable staff for herself as well.

"Hey Rogue, I’ve found a piece. Come on over and we'll spar for a bit." Cyan was standing at the edge of the clearing where she thought it would be beneficial for the warrior to get used to the surroundings as much as possible.

Rogue came running over and took up the defensive position, ready to fight. Several hours later, as the darkness began to finally settle in for night, Rogue found herself with more bruises than ever before. She’d nearly put her shoulder out three times and was preparing herself for the fourth when the Queen called for a halt.

Cyan twirled her staff absently and circled the younger warrior. "Not bad, considering you haven’t used a staff in a while. We can set up camp in the same place as before, then continue practice tomorrow." Picking up the rest of their things they headed back to where they had been resting earlier.

"My Queen, I’ve been thinking. If I do win this match, what are we going to do with the empire?" Rogue looked at Cyan as she settled back against a nearby tree.

The Queen yawned and stretched out a bit. She watched the stars slowly begin to dominate the heavens as the last remains of light continued to disappear. "Well," she finally said. "there must be someone we could entrust the empire too that already lives within this realm; your mentor maybe."

The Queen looked over at Rogue and continued. "I mean, as long as we could establish a balance of power here that kept the bad guys out, I don't see why we couldn't keep an eye on this place from the Island." Cyan paused. "That is, unless you wanted to stay?"

The other warrior remained silent, causing the Queen to sit up and re-address the issue. "Do you want to stay here Rogue?"

More silence, and this time the Queen had no difficulty seeing the deep lines of thought on the other Amazon's face. Cyan leaned back again and tried to relax the situation a bit. "It's a difficult decision Rogue and I could see why you might want to stay after all this is over. Only you can truly find your own destiny, but if you wanted to be a part of ours, there's always a place for you. No matter what you decide, you'll always have a home to come back to." With that the Queen put both hands behind her head, leaned all the way back and closed her eyes.

Rogue lay back but couldn’t sleep; her mind kept going over what the Queen had said. "It has been a long time since I felt like I belonged somewhere, since anybody else cared. I have that on the Island, I’m even trying to make friends. I can’t remember the last time I tried that, let alone succeeded. And what if my mentor was regent for me? It could work." Rogue continued to muse to herself until she drifted off into a very restless sleep.

******

Rogue was awake well before dawn and went to find some kind of food. No doubt the Queen would also be hungry when she awoke, that was as hungry as an immortal could be. Having captured and skinned a couple of rabbits, Rogue headed back to the camp to start cooking them.

"I thought we had a deal about not going off on your own?" Cyan remarked as Rogue walked into the camp.

Rogue mumbled as she set about cooking the rabbits. "Sorry, I went to find breakfast, you were asleep and I didn’t think you’d mind. I’ll remember to tell you next time."

The Queen hadn't been asleep but she let the comment pass without question. She was very aware at how poorly the young Amazon had slept the night before and if anyone could understand the lousy mood you awoke with after a night full of unpleasant images, she could. Cyan had spent most of her night jumping from one thought or memory to the next. She had relived her life with Shatan and Davu; wondered what would be next with Saran and her moods; practiced telling Olympia about her mother; questioned whether Falcon could handle both Nikolas and this energetic new warrior and lastly, just missing her niece. She looked over at Rogue as she methodically cooked the rabbits she had caught.

"Didn't seem like you got much sleep last night." Cyan finally said.

"Not really, I… I had a number of dreams. Mostly about the sitch’ we’re in, but some about my past. No biggy." Rouge turned the rabbits over carefully. "Rare or well done?" She asked without even looking up.

"Slightly well done please." Although Cyan didn’t want to push Rogue, she was going to need an answer before they went ahead, and they were running out of time. "Did you think any more about what I said?"

Rogue continued cooking the rabbits for a minute or so before replying. "Yes I did. Although I've always come to the plane when I needed help it’s not my home; not anymore. I don’t belong here. Maybe I did once, when I was younger and before I started to travel, but not now. I was sent to the Island for a reason. I don't know whether it was so I could deal with this situation or not, but until I do, I can’t leave. I know Athena knows more than she’s telling me but there’s nothing I can do about that. Maybe one day she’ll trust me enough to tell me. I can’t exactly blame her, it’s not like I don’t have issues to sort out or anything." Rogue suddenly realized that she was almost opening up, and out of habit quickly stopped. Taking the rabbits off the fire she passed one over to the Queen and sat down again.

"She has a way of doing that." Cyan said softly, as she began to pick at the meat Rogue had given her.

"Who?" the warrior asked, as she took the first steaming mouthful of her own food.

"Athena. She has a way of not exactly telling you all she knows. I wouldn't worry about it though. I know her well enough to promise you, that if she isn't telling you something, it's probably for your own good." Cyan smiled. "I mean, with all your issues and all."

Rouge looked away from the Queen and tried quickly to change the subject. "We should get started on the staffs once we’ve eaten. If you can beat me so easy, I’ve no doubt that guy can as well."

The Queen shook her head in disagreement. She finished swallowing her latest mouthful and motioned towards the staffs. "He's not going to beat you as easily as he thinks Rogue; you're good. I'm not exactly the best measure of your abilities since my bloodlines give me an unfair advantage over mortals, but I'm telling you; you're good."

The warrior smiled a bit and even felt herself begin to blush. "Well, I just hope I do as well as you think I can. I don't really want to let everyone down."

Cyan chuckled. "Stop worrying so much. Hasn't anyone ever taught you to chose your battles wisely?" The Queen thought back to the talk she had had with Nikolas not all that long ago.

"I'm not sure what you mean my Queen. I am going to fight, aren't I?"

Cyan chuckled again. "Of course you are. It's just that the battle you fight in your mind is far more important than the one you'll fight with those staffs. I just wish you could see your destiny as clearly as Athena and I can."

Rogue stopped chewing and stared at the Queen. "What do you mean?"

Cyan set her food down and turned to face the young warrior that sat intently before her. She leaned forward and spoke very clearly and authoritatively. "Do you really think that you would have found a home on my Island if you were not destined for greatness and didn't possess all the skills that you needed to better the paths of many others?" The Queen smiled. "I assure you Rogue, Poseidon would not have sent you to us if he hadn't believed you were a part of a greater destiny. Now, stop your worrying and make a decision to embrace your destiny rather than deny it."

Rogue's appearance changed somehow and she smiled back at the Queen. She began to chew on her food and found herself actually enjoying it more than she had anything in a long time. For the first time, she felt as if she could almost make out a path ahead of her.

The Queen smiled as she went back to finishing her meal. She knew there was no way anyone could truly know the destiny of another, but there was no reason she couldn't make suggestions along the way. Whatever the outcome, Cyan thought for the first time that Rogue might actually be feeling like she had found a home.

******

They continued the rest of the meal in silence, both caught up in their own thoughts.

Rogue joked as she walked over and picked up her staff. "Well I guess we’d best start practicing. If I’m gonna fall, I at least want to do it with grace."

For most of the day they continued to spar, with Rogue spending the majority of her time on the ground. "Ok, ok I yield. Boy am I gonna be black and blue tomorrow. He’s gonna think I started the fight without him." Rogue laughed as she picked herself up off the ground for about the tenth time.

Realizing they were being watched, Rogue turned and got ready to attack. "No, please wait. I bear a message from the emperor." Rogue lowered her staff and let the man walk a bit nearer. "He say’s the normal rules apply, and that your match is to be held in the clearing at noon tomorrow." The little man talked rapidly, almost cowering before Rogue.

"Tell that boss of yours I’ll be there, and if he isn’t, then he’s forfeited the match and I get his empire and the right to banish him." Rogue snarled. "Now go before I change my mind." She waited until the man was out of sight, then turned back to face the Queen, a huge grin firmly in place.

"What’s so funny?" Cyan asked, slightly confused.

Rogue chuckled as she began gathering her things. "The fact that he’s gonna go back and tell his boss what an evil person I am, and how good or bad I am with that staff." She looked up and continued to explain her thoughts. "If he does that, his boss is gonna be really angry, right? That means I have a better chance in the fight coz he’ll be using his emotions instead of his mind." Rogue continued to grin as she walked back to the camp.

Cyan smirked. "Well, at least she's listened to something I've said these past few days; although I'm not quite sure I've grasped her sense of humor just yet." The Queen grabbed her stuff and followed Rogue back to the camp. The sparring had gone well and with some additional attention from the Enforcer when they got back, there was no doubt that this young Amazon would one day become an excellent warrior. She was quick and more than willing to learn. Cyan chuckled. "Now if we can just keep you off your butt for one more of Apollo's cycles, we might actually begin to make some real headway here."

Rogue and Cyan finished a quick and simple meal of the remains found in the soldier's supplies. The Queen had anted to take some time to go out and carefully scout around the area, especially the parts nearest to the clearing.

Cyan threw on her leather cloak and grabbed her sword. "I'm sure you'll do fine in the fight, but I just want to make sure this guy has every intention of playing fairly. I can't imagine that after all this time he'd just relent his kingdom to the likes of one lone child without putting up more of a fight."

"What are you thinking?" Rogue asked as she grabbed her own things.

"For one, I'd like to know who the other two people are going to be who stand by your side. I'd also like to find this mentor of yours before the fight and make sure we have someone solid to turn this empire over to when the time comes."

Cyan whistled quietly, and out from the tress emerged her two cats, Avalanche and Abyss. "Relax Rogue, they are as immortal as me." The Queen shrugged a bit and explained a little more to the warrior as they began to walk. "They were…. ah… a gift…. from my mother. They were born of the same blood I carry and guard me throughout all the realms. They never leave my side, even if you can't always see them. They'll watch our backs while we try and find these friends of yours."

Rogue nodded as she and the Queen began to look around while they walked. Cyan sighed, a little overwhelmed at the huge amounts of space they might have to try and cover by nightfall. She turned to Rogue. "Please tell me you have an idea of where to begin looking for them."

Rogue smiled. "Come on, we need to go this way." The two Amazons walked off silently together towards the south.

******

"You know what, it would be easier if I used my powers." Rogue explained while coming to a stop and looking around for a place to sit. "The perk of being here physically is that I can still do the search thing with my mind."

The Queen shook her head. "Don't you listen to a word I say?" So much for her earlier break through Cyan thought quietly. "You know how I feel about you using your mental power on the plane."

Rogue turned with a start, only to realize that it was her mentor she was now looking at. "How do you do that? No matter where I am, if I’m looking for you, you just turn up."

Her mentor grinned. "I know you only too well. Besides, half the realm knows about the challenge. I figured it would be best if I found you."

"Fantastic." Cyan mumbled as she stood off to one side listening to the conversation. "Just what we need - a crowd." The Queen was having trouble squashing her growing suspicions of Rogue’s mentor and was quietly forming plan "C" as she watched the chit chat pass between the two. One thing Cyan knew for sure, Athena wasn't the only one who had been keeping secrets from the girl.

Rogue's mentor motioned towards the silent Queen and smiled. "So, whose your friend Rogue?"

Cyan's look was enough to warn the younger warrior to keep her mouth shut about her identity. It was obvious to Rogue that her mentor had not been able to see the Queen's cats, so perhaps she knew nothing of Cyan as well. She wasn't sure why, but for some reason the Queen wanted Rogue to remain silent.

"She's a fellow Amazon I met in my wanderings. She's a bit of an outcast, such as myself. She offered to join me on my little adventure."

Cyan smiled and arched an eyebrow. "Be polite," she thought to herself. She walked towards the two women and extended her arm. "My name is Vicky, it's nice to meet you. Rogue has told me a lot about you."

"She has?" replied the other woman somewhat surprised. Rogue did her best to hide her own look of confusion at the use of the First Princess's name instead of the Queen's own.

"Well, maybe not a lot." Cyan continued with an almost genuine smile. "But certainly enough about how helpful you've been to her in the past. She was quite reluctant to let me join her, but I guess I can be quite persistent sometimes."

The woman smiled and clasped the Queen's arm in return. "Well, I'm sure that's something you both have in common, but you are dangerously out of your element here Vicky. New realms are not to be taken lightly and they are often very different than your own."

"Oh, I'm sure they are." Cyan replied lightly, then motioned her thumb towards Rogue. "But that's why I stick right by her side. If anyone can protect me from harm, it's this one. Have you ever seen her fight? What am I saying? Of course you have; I bet you taught her right?"

Before the woman could answer, the Queen smiled and turned up the charm yet another notch. "I would doubt that there's another warrior around that could defeat her. I only hope that one day she'll take the time to fully train me in the art of battle as she has learned it."

Cyan was glad she had worn her boots for this trip, because she couldn't have shoveled it much higher. She had seen Rogue wink at her halfway through her last statement and knew the warrior understood what she was doing. With any luck, if the need did arise, Cyan would hopefully be disregarded as a low-level threat and watched only minimally. She didn't know what it was yet, but something didn't feel right about all this.

Rogue's mentor look back towards the girl and smiled broadly. Rogue quickly tried to get the conversation away from her Queen. "So anyway, let’s go. Come on Vick; don’t want you getting lost." Rogue smiled. "We should get back to the shelter of the rocks before it’s to late." The Queen nodded, silently agreeing with the warrior's decision that it would be unwise to take her mentor back to their real camp. Rogue turned and led the way.

Once they had reached the outcrop of rocks, Rogue started to get a fire going. "Vicky, why don’t you see if you can find some rabbit or something to go with what we have." Cyan nodded, knowing that Rogue planned to ask her mentor some questions and it would go much smoother if she made herself scarce.

Rogue waited until Cyan was well hidden by the rocks and then turned to her mentor. "How did you know where to find me, and don’t even bother to lie. You know when I'm here, I have the power to pick things like that up."

The only reply was the continuous sound of a sharpening sword. Finally Rogue shouted. "Don’t you dare blank me! I think I have a right to know, don’t you?"

With that, her mentor finally looked up. "You want to know how I found you? That truth would kill you, I should know, it nearly killed me."

Rogue just stared at her for a minute before her mind was able to shift back into gear. "I can handle more than you think I can. Go on hit me with it."

Rogue’s mentor stood and walked straight towards her, almost as though she were going to hit Rogue. "I don’t hurt those who share my life line, even if they have destroyed nearly everyone in their family." With that she stalked past Rogue and disappeared into the woods. Rogue walked over and sat by the fire, waiting for the Queen to return.

******

Cyan patted Abyss's head as she watched the conversation between the young warrior and her mentor transpire. She looked over at Avalanche and watched the cat finally disappear into the woods, instructed to follow the other woman's path. The Queen watched as Rogue settled herself on a log by the fire and stared into the flames.

"Well, I think that went well." Cyan whispered to her cat. She picked up the two rabbits her guardians had secured for her while she had stayed hidden from sight. As much as she wished she could trust the girl's mentor, she was not willing to leave Rogue alone with her, not yet.

"Okay, I got dinner." Cyan looked around. "Where'd our friend go? Was it my cooking?" The Queen smirked and busied herself with the meal preparations, letting the silence of the moment hang there until Rogue felt ready to answer.

"She errr, went for a walk. I tried to find out how it is that she can always find me and I think I upset her. She wouldn’t tell me though; said something about not wanting to hurt those that share her life line." Rogue stared into the fire for a while before continuing. "Something’s not right here, she’s not behaving like herself. If I didn’t know better I’d think she was here to spy on me." Rogue shook her head and looked towards the woods. No matter how hard she tried she just couldn’t shake the feeling of being watched.

Cyan spoke softly, intentionally focusing her gaze on the food. "It's not your imagination, we are being watched; by who, I don't know but someone is out there. With any luck, she bought the bit about me being a regular gal but until we're sure, no more practicing with the staffs." Rogue nodded.

******

The warrior's mentor didn’t return that night, although it wouldn’t have made much difference to either of them if she had; sleep hadn't come easy. Rogue awoke early to find the Queen was already awake and cooking what looked to be chicken.

"The fight’s today." Rogue commented as she got up and stretched. "Don’t suppose you want to pose as me and fight?" Rogue smiled. "Nope. Didn’t think so."

Cyan laughed and looked up from what she was doing. "You hungry?"

"Starved actually. What is that - chicken?" Rogue walked over and took up a seat across from the Queen.

"Didn't you know - everything tastes like chicken; or at least that's what Rissa tells me. Personally, I think she may be right." Cyan handed some meat over to Rogue and then sat back down with some of her own. "Our visitor is nearby, although she is still not showing herself. The cats have already returned twice since she left last night and they say she is not far from here."

Rogue took a bite of her breakfast and then chatted back naturally to keep up appearances. "I don't know what she's waiting for, but unless I can get some answers from her before the fight, I don't feel right leaving her in charge of the empire if I do win." The Queen nodded. "What should we do?"

Cyan sighed and leaned back a bit, as if relaxing. "We finish eating and then if she still hasn't returned, we'll take a little stroll in her direction and see if we can get her to make a move."

"And if she doesn't?" Rogue asked curiously.

Cyan scowled. "Well, let's just say for her sake I hope she does. We're fresh out of coffee in this realm and I'm startin' to get a little cranky. And trust me, that's the last thing she's gonna want." The Queen looked back down at her meal and took another bite while a slight smirk crept its way onto Rogue's face.

******

They finished the rest of their meal in relative silence and then slowly began to collect their things. Neither warrior was exactly eager to go in search of Rogue’s mentor, and shortly before they’d finished, raised voices could be heard in the direction Cyan had indicated the women was hiding. Both of them snatched up the last of their things and headed quietly off in her general direction.

Rogue’s mentor could be heard arguing with someone, but neither warrior could position herself to get a look. "I can’t do this father, you know how I feel about her."

"I really don’t care how you feel, the fact of the matter is, she killed her father. He wasn’t just another warlord; he was my brother and your uncle. Justice must be served, and I assure you, this day one of us will die." Rogue looked over at the Queen with a puzzled look on her face.

"My Queen, I have a really sinking feeling they’re talking about me. Personally I hope not, but who else around here has killed their dad?"

Cyan put a finger to her lips silencing the girl from saying any more. She pulled Rogue back against her and they watched as a figure quickly made it's way into the trees and disappeared. The Queen let go of the warrior and nodded her head towards Avalanche. The white tiger disappeared into the forest, close on the heels of the unknown voice.

Cyan whispered while keeping an eye out for the other woman. "Oh, they're most definitely talking about you Rogue, but what I want to know is what your mentor is so unwilling to do." The Queen motioned to Rogue subtly and the two retreated to a nearby hollow.

Cyan sighed. "Well, at least we know now she's on our side."

"Are you crazy?" Rogue said in disbelief. "Did you hear what they said?"

The Queen nodded. "Yah, I know. But what I heard was a woman whose lookin' for a way out of whatever it is she's been asked to do. One way or another, if we can release whoever or whatever it is that binds her; she'll be loyal enough to you in the end to trust with the empire."

"So what do we do now?" Rogue asked, a little unsure of what the Queen was planning.

Cyan began to pace and think aloud. "Now we go and talk to her. She needs to be convinced that we can win your battle and that with her help we can take over this whole empire. If we can do that, she must know others that would side with us once the battle starts."

"Battle?" Rogue asked. "It's a one on one fight - winner takes all."

Cyan frowned. "I'm afraid that he has no intention of letting you leave this plane alive, no matter what he says. And that," the Queen said through gritted teeth, "is unacceptable."

Cyan took off her cloak and revealed the gleaming hilt of her sword. "If I'm right, he'll let everything commence as said, and then create some kind of diversion. He'll then either kill you himself or have someone else do it for him. Either way; problem solved."

Rogue looked at the Queen, still a little more than confused. "So far I'm not really liking your plan much."

Cyan chuckled and slowed down long enough to stand in front of the warrior. "Sorry, I promise, the good parts coming." The Queen smiled reassuringly and continued to pace and talk. "What he won't realize, is that this little masquerade of his will work more to our advantage than to his if we plan right. All those loyal to him will have been ordered to stick close, and as far as I'm concerned that makes my job all the easier. While you keep him busy, I'm gonna even the numbers up a bit. And by the time he throws his little plan into motion, you should be able to take him on your own."

Rogue nodded. "You really think I can beat him, don't you?"

Cyan smiled. "Yup, but just in case, I promise I'll never be more than a step behind you." The Queen motioned towards the direction of the girl's mentor. It was time to trust the woman with both Cyan's identity and the life of her charge. Rogue still seemed a little hesitant to confront the woman a second time and Cyan patted her on the back reassuringly. "She'll help you Rogue, I know it. So what do you say? Why don't we see about starting a little army of our own before we run out of time."

Rogue nodded and the two set out to talk with the woman.

******

Rogue called out as she stepped from behind the trees. "MENTOR! I need to speak with you." The woman quickly looked around, obviously seeking a means of escape. "Please don’t run." Rogue said quietly. "I just want to talk. I need to tell you something."

From the corner of her eyes the woman watched two large cats enter the small clearing where she had been standing. They came to a halt and lay down obediently at the taller woman's feet. All eyes were focused on her. With a thinly veiled look of defeat, the mentor finally nodded and sat down on a nearby rock. The two Amazons made their way over to where the woman sat and joined her. It was then that Rogue slowly and methodically began to recount everything that had gone on.

"So you see, I can win this and I would like for you to be there with me. I have trusted you in the past, not only with my secrets, but my life. Please… you need to trust me this time." Rogue searched her mentor's eyes for the answer she so desperately wanted to hear.

Rogue’s mentor looked at her for a moment then turned to the Queen. "One thing, do you truly believe Rogue can win this fight? I have not seen her in battle for some time and I would have said she could walk it but that was some time ago. In your opinion does she stand a chance of winning?"

Cyan, though still cautious of the woman, nodded her head. "As far as I can tell, she should be fine."

The Mentor slowly let the smile claim her face. "Rogue, I would be honored to stand by you. I know it won’t be that easy, I mean we ARE talking about you here." She looked over at the Amazon Queen who was obviously waiting somewhat impatiently for all the chitchat to be set aside so they could get back to the basics.

The woman smiled. "I guess I owe you both some truths about your home world Rogue and the first thing I'll tell you is; I never wanted to hurt you. Recently I was ordered to get close to you… to kill you, but I couldn’t do it. So, finally last night, I left. You're like the sister I never had and I couldn’t do that to you, not after everything we’ve been through."

"Glad to hear it." Cyan said flatly and walked closer to the two women. "So, now that you've heard our plan and decided to join us, are there are others we can depend on when the time comes?"

The woman nodded and smiled at Cyan; this one was dangerous. "Yes." She finally said. "There are many who live here under the rule of his empire that would not mourn the day that a new leader was to take his place. They are good and honest people, and with the right leader, they would follow."

Rogue smiled, while the Queen continued to watch the woman. "And are they prepared to die for their new leader?" Cyan asked quietly, silencing any remaining noise in the small clearing.

"Yes." Came the weak but genuine reply.

Rogue sighed and took in a deep breath of fresh air. "Well, what are we waiting for then? Let's go get 'em."

Rogue's mentor and the Queen both smiled at the younger warrior and the tension subsided. "We can send word from a small town not far from here……. in that direction." The woman pointed north, away from the palace.

Rogue grabbed her things and had already set out ahead of the group when Cyan caught the older women by the arm. "You had better be telling the truth about their willingness to die mentor, or I promise you, if you have lied to me, I'll kill them myself."

The Queen quickened her step to catch up with Rogue but was stopped by the touch of the older woman. "I can see that you are concerned for her safety, but I swear on my life, I would never let anyone hurt her."

Cyan swept the hand away. "Save your energy for the others woman; Rogue's safety is my concern now, not yours." The Queen leaned in closer, and she could feel her blood beginning to ice over "And I assure you, I already know whose gonna come out the winner in all this, so you better pick your sides carefully."

The woman watched as Cyan jogged on ahead and caught up with the younger Amazon. She smiled mildly and took note of the changing air around her. Perhaps the day really had come for the empire to fall and a new leader to rise. The woman looked back towards the clearing and then up ahead at the two figures making their way into town. She shook off the last of her doubts and raced on ahead, naturally falling into step beside Rogue and the Queen.

Cyan whispered quietly, for only the woman to hear. "You have chosen wisely mentor; you have chosen wisely."

They continued walking in silence until they neared the village. Suddenly, Rogue stopped dead in her tracks and looked at the Queen. "Wait, you said they’d be willing to fight if they had a good leader, but I'm not staying." 'Not to mention the fact, I’m not very good at organizing' she thought to herself. "So, whose gonna lead them?"

The Queen sighed. This one had thoughts all over the place. No wonder she always seemed so exhausted. I'm beginning to feel a little tired myself. Cyan chuckled and answered simply. "I have every confidence you'll do just fine until its time for us to go." Satisfied for now, the younger Amazon resumed her path.

They reached the village shortly after dawn and headed straight for the Inn. Once Cyan had secured a room they settled down for a decent breakfast.

"My Queen, I’ve been thinking."

Cyan set down her food and looked up. "Hoo boy. Here we go." she thought.

Rogue continued her previous train of thought without notice. "There are a lot of woman around here that seem quite strong and willing to stand up to males. What if we used them against the emperor's plans, kind of like the Amazons of our realm. We won’t have much time, seeing as how I have to be at the clearing by lunch, but I think it could work."

Cyan leaned back in her chair and thought for a minute. It wasn't a bad idea, but she seriously doubted that it would be wise to only recruit the women of the realm. She herself had learned how valuable and loyal men could be, especially when it came to fighting for the freedoms of love and family. They would have to find a balance to make all this work, but it was a start.

Cyan began to smile. "Let's spread the word through your mentor's contacts and gather as many of these women as we can. They may provide me with enough of an army to stop any battle before it can even get started. We'll worry later about the make up of the realm's leadership, but for now, let's get all the help we can find."

Rogue began to eat as Cyan touched her arm. "That includes the men too Rogue. Loyalty is far more important here than anything else." Rogue nodded. She had never really had the opportunity to meet many good men, especially since all the ones she seemed to know wanted her dead. But, she still knew the Queen was right. There had to be good men out there, as well as women, that she could entrust this realm to. There just had to be.

******

Cyan had walked around the village while Rogue and her mentor met inside a few private homes to begin spreading the word. The Queen had not been happy about leaving her alone with just the older women, but her cats would guard her well while she was out of Cyan's sight.

The Queen had found the village people to be very polite, yet very poor. It appeared to Cyan as if the empire itself was the only area within the realm that was truly prospering. Her blood continued to cool with every sickly man, woman or child that she passed. There was no doubt that if the living conditions were the same throughout all the villages of the realm; they would indeed find their army.

Cyan stopped and purchased a piece of fruit from a local village cart. She gave the small, scrawny child more than twice the fruit's cost and watched the boy stare at her intently. "You gave me too much lady."

The Queen frowned as she knelt down in front of the child. "No I didn't. I'm afraid I didn't even begin to give you enough."

A woman emerged from the doorway behind the street cart and she placed her arms around the boy's neck. There was no mistaken the resemblance that had been passed on to the child from his mother, and both seemed to smile simultaneously. "Thank you very much ma'am." The women's voice was kind and gentle.

The Queen stood up and smiled back. "You're welcome. Handsome boy you have there."

The child's mother beamed. "Thank you again!" She patted the boy's shoulders and continued without prodding. "We're very proud of him. He's an honest and hard working boy. Brightest in his class they say." The woman frowned a little. "I just hope one day they'll be a place for good and righteous men in this world again."

Cyan winked and took a hearty bite out of her recent purchase. "Oh, I'd count on it" she said with a huge smile. The Queen whistled lightly and made her way back down the street towards her meeting place with Rogue.

******

"Mentor we’ve been to almost every large house in this village and although most have agreed to help, I’m not sure it’ll be enough." Rogue and the other woman strolled down the street as they talked. "We need to get more help, and soon." Rogue suddenly shouted. "By the gods! I am so stupid. I can get as many people as we need." She started to walk again as she spoke. "Okay, so Cyan might not like the idea much but it’s worth a shot." Rogue turned, ran straight to the Inn and bounded up the stairs to her room.

The warrior burst through the door and into the room, nearly out of breath. "My Queen, I’m sorry to disturb you but I just had a thought. We’re on the plane, right?"

Cyan nodded, waiting patiently for the energetic addition to her tribe to finish her thought. "Okay, well I’m not sure if I told you or not, but in this realm people can call on the dead. It’s like a gateway between the Land of the Dead and Earth realm. After my mother died I used to come here and talk to her; I was telling Saran about it back on the Island. Anyway, why not call some of the Amazons that were in my tribe back from the dead to help us? I’m sure they’d be willing to help us," Rogue paused. "That is unless you think it’s a bad idea."

The Queen took a deep breath, almost winded herself just from hearing the girl's ramblings. "I’m gonna have to think on this one Rogue, I’m not sure it’s such a good idea." Cyan arched a skeptical eyebrow as she looked back out the window and remained silent.

Rogue bowed and started to edge towards the door. "Of course my Queen, I’ll leave you to think about it. I’m going to prepare the villagers. I’ll be outside if you want me." Rogue turned and left the room, descending the stairs of the Inn that led back to the village streets.

Cyan looked out the window and watched Rogue make her way back alongside her mentor. "Although at least we wouldn't be treading on Hades's turf - that might count for something." The Queen muttered quietly to herself.

"It might, but it's also hard to convince dead people to leave the land of the living again once they've regained a taste for it." Athena stood quietly beside her sister, trying to get a read on her thoughts.

Cyan finally smiled and looked over at the goddess. She smacked her roughly on the back and dropped into a nearby chair. "You ever hear that saying; if you don't have anything positive to say, don't say anything at all?"

"Sure, it's my motto." Athena replied sarcastically, dropping into another chair across from the Queen. "That's why I'm here. I've got nothing but good news for ya."

Cyan laughed as she placed both hands together, resting her elbows on the chair's arms. "It seems to me that the dead and the living share a very similar line in this plane and it might be of interest to them whose gonna rule it."

Athena nodded. "You're right Cyan, but the dead do not exist here perpetually alongside the living. They may help you win the battle, but they may also expect a payment for their services in return."

"And would it be so terribly wrong to give a life in return for the continued peacefulness of an entire realm?" Cyan stood. "It's in essence the same thing my Island offers through the gift of immortality. Why should they not be given the same?"

Athena frowned. "Because it is not the same Cyan and you know that. Your Island was given to you for a reason and each of its warriors hand picked because of the destiny they were born into." The goddess stood and met her sister's eyes. "These Amazons that your warrior wishes to bring back MUST return to the dead when it is finished. Can you assure me of that?"

Silence filled the room and Cyan could feel Athena's eyes locked onto her every thought. She knew the goddess was right and nothing that happened on this realm could be compared with that of the Island. "I assure you, they will be returned to the dead."

Athena smiled and touched her sister lightly. "You should worry less about their lack of desire to leave and more about Rogue's desire to let them. She may not be ready for this Cyan; to let go of them all over again."

The Queen smiled as she looked down onto the street. "She's ready Athena; she'll have to be." Cyan turned and left the goddess and her room behind to go and talk to Rogue.

******

"NO! If you go from this side his army will see you. Far better to walk further and still have the element of surprise." Cyan could hear Rogue shouting well before she came into view.

The Queen called out as she jogged up to the warrior. "Rogue, I’ll sort that out. We don’t have much time and I need to speak with you." Bowing low, Rogue nodded and turned to walk with the Queen.

"I think it would be a good idea if you called your friends, but I must have your word on something first." Cyan waited for Rogue to respond before she continued.

"You have my word, my Queen. Whatever it is, if I'm capable of doing it, it shall be done."

Cyan looked away before continuing, not fully wanting Rogue to see the look in her eyes. "If your friends do come, once the battle is over, they cannot stay; the gods won't allow it." Cyan looked back at the Amazon. "I'm sorry Rogue. They'll be allowed to help with the battle and perhaps stay for one day beyond that, but no more..…"

"My Queen, there is no need for concern, I know what you’re thinking. Would I be able to let go of them? I assure you I can, I only want the chance to say goodbye." The Queen smiled and Rogue continued.

"I was thinking of bringing four people from my tribe. I know it’s not many, but they were the best. They were able to take on several fighters at once and still come out without a scratch." Rogue looked into the forest, suddenly feeling very lost. She whispered quietly to no one in particular. "I never got the chance to say goodbye either." Closing her eyes for a second, Rogue whispered something that Cyan couldn’t hear and then finally turned back to face her leader. "I have called them my Queen, they should be here any second. Oh, and if you hear someone shout Faith, don’t worry it’s what they knew me as."

Cyan could see the pain on Rogue’s face at the thought of losing her friends once again, but knew she would keep her word. For now, she had decided to keep her other concern to herself, hoping Rogue's friends would agree to return on their own. If not, this would get ugly; but there were still other obstacles that needed to be dealt with before that. The Queen's thoughts were cut short as she turned her attention towards the four Amazons that had suddenly appeared.

"Regent Faith, it’s good to see you again, but I didn’t think it would be until you reached the other side. Don’t worry, I’ve been watching you in the pool, and we are more than willing to help you and your Queen."

Rogue gave the woman a strong hug and smiled. "Lethe, I’m so glad you came. I’ve missed you so much." Rogue pulled back and paused. "Please, let me introduce everyone." She walked down the line of warriors one by one. "My Queen, this is Lethe, she was my second in command. This is Selene, the weapon's master. The next one is Etna, she was the warrior priestess. And last but not least is Altis. Altis was head of the royal guard." Rogue looked back at Cyan and then to her friends. "Guys, I would like to introduce to you to Queen Cyan. She rules the Amazon tribe that I have joined."

Each of the warriors took turns clasping Cyan's outstretched arm. The Queen smiled, Rogue's friends were more than competent fighters; they were true Amazons. Unfortunately, like all the rest of the tribes in the once great Amazon Nation, they had been prematurely wiped from the earth. Cyan shuddered a bit, realizing how much she wished she could have met them sooner; perhaps things would have been different.

The Queen took a step back. "I have heard a great deal about you and appreciate your willingness to help us. I know how difficult it is to visit a realm you no longer can be a part of."

The warrior Lethe smiled. "So, it's true. You really are the daughter of the realms?"

Cyan nodded and tilted her head with interest. "I see you know me."

Altis chuckled. "I doubt there are many who have not heard of the daughter of Vorpax; especially walking the lands of the Amazon dead. Your tribe has become our one hope of continued existence amongst the living. We would be honored to help you."

Rogue beamed with pride and Cyan couldn't help but notice her renewed spirit. She thought momentarily of Athena and her words of warning and then pushed them back again to the recesses of her mind. Rogue's friends were loyal and Cyan knew they were here to not only secure this realm for Rogue, but to protect her. At this point, nothing else mattered to the Queen.

Cyan nodded towards Rogue and then motioned towards the villagers. "I want you to plan out your attack with our friends here, while I try to organize the others. We have very little time and I want to be ready."

Rogue nodded and prepared to follow her friends over to a local sitting place where they could discuss their plans. Cyan caught the younger Amazon by the arm and held her back until the others had moved on ahead. "I know they're capable fighters Rogue, but you're still my concern, not their's. I don't want you far from my side, unless I know about it - understood?"

Rogue nodded and Cyan released the warrior's arm. "You have one hour, do the best that you can." With that the Queen turned and walked back towards the waiting villagers.

******

Rogue joined the other four Amazons who were already talking amongst themselves. "As much as I would like to sit and tell you what’s been going on lately, we don’t really have the time at the moment. Oh, but one thing though. I’m known as Rogue now and I’m not a regent anymore." Lethe raised her eyes to meet her friend's. Rogue continued. "Don’t give me that look. It was the wisest thing to do, me changing my name, and since most of our tribe doesn’t exist anymore how could I be regent?" Rogue waited patiently for Lethe to nod her agreement before moving on to the plan.

Finally Rogue smiled and continued. "Good, right then. The way I see it is this. There are probably six locations around the clearing where he could possibly hide his soldiers. I think the best course of action we have is to pair up and take out the two locations on the south side. If we can eliminate them, the villagers will have a good chance with the others."

Lethe raised a skeptical brow at Rogue. "They are simple villagers Faith, how will they possibly handle soldiers?"

Altis set a hand on Lethe's arm as she and Rogue both smiled. "Leave that problem up to the Queen, right Faith?"

Rogue nodded and continued with the rest of her plan. "Hopefully they won't need our help, but just in case, once you’ve dealt with your respective groups, I want one group to head to the east side and one to the west."

All four Amazons nodded as Rogue stood up. "Anybody see any weak points I may have overlooked?"

Atlis spoke up first. "Not really, though we will have to work fast, seeing as we don’t know how many soldiers he has. That is unless you want to bring more Amazons?"

Rogue remained quiet and then finally shook her head in response to Altis's probbing. "I can’t bring any more Amazons than what we have now. Using my powers just to bring you four here has left me extremely tired; I can't risk doing it again." Rogue paused and then spoke a little softer. "Besides, the Queen has forbidden me to use my powers again while I'm on this plane unless it's an emergency. Somehow she knows what it does to me; I wouldn't be able to fool her."

Altis and Lethe exchanged glances and then looked back over at Rogue. "We can manage with four."

Rogue nodded. "Good. I want you to leave now so that you're already in position when I arrive. With any luck, you may see some of the soldiers as they're sent." Rogue extended her arm and bid her friends farewell. Once they were out of sight, she left to find the Queen and explain the plan.

******

Cyan flipped over the heads of the approaching men and landed silently behind them. With three quick motions, she had left each of them standing with no weapons at all. Each of the men blushed as they bent down to pick up their swords. The Queen chuckled, twirled her sword, then sheathed it.

"It's alright, you did fine. The main idea is to always attack in groups. Circle your man, cut him off from the others. As long as you can keep each of the soldiers isolated, their own strength will eventually give out and may just win through exhaustion."

The villagers nodded, as Cyan motioned for them to once again begin practicing in groups of three. "Remember," the Queen yelled. "Each one of you is an additional weapon to one another that the soldiers don't posses. So, help each other out."

Cyan flipped backwards and landed right in Rogue's path. A huge grin spread across her face as she began to talk. "It feels good to be doing something, training wise that is. I had forgotten how much I missed it ever since Olympia took over all of the upper level classes. Perhaps I'll ask Larc if I can start coming by the Academy again." The Queen paused in thought, then continued. "How'd it go with the Amazons?"

Rogue spent the next several minutes laying out the details of her conversation with the four warriors. They walked and talked for several minutes and finally Rogue motioned towards the villagers.

"Do you think we should really risk their lives my Queen? Between my friends and you, I am sure we can take care of the soldiers, leaving only me to win my fight."

Cyan stopped and tried to explain a lesson she had learned a long time ago. "I was never concerned with our inability to handle the soldiers Rogue. Truth be known, I could have found a way to deal with them on my own. But, it's not just a fight that's going to take place here, it's a transference of power." Cyan looked intently at the young women. "If you want people to follow you, to defend something, they must feel like they have been a part of bringing it about. People feel most passionate about those things that they feel they are denied. The villagers need to fight Rogue, because once you've won, they will become the people you can entrust your empire too."

Rogue nodded. "I understand. If we just give them their freedom, it becomes too easy to take it for granted. You want them to work for it a little."

The Queen smiled and placed an arm around Rogue's shoulder, as they watched the villagers spar. "The villagers are not the only ones I want to work at this Rogue. It's your battle too, and trust me, in the end it will make all the difference."

*******

Rogue approached the clearing shortly before noon and stayed hidden for a moment, seeing that the Emperor was already there. She watched him closely, hoping to catch him signalling to any soldiers he undoubtedly had hidden nearby. After several minutes, she finally stepped from her hiding place and into the clearing.

The man sneered sarcastically. "Oh, I see you decided to join me after all; how nice of you." He smiled. "I didn’t bother with bringing my three people; I just didn’t think it was worth it."

Rogue smiled back arrogantly. "Well if I’m gonna be such a walk over, let’s get to it; Sire." She swung her staff at him purposefully.

He laughed loudly as he began pounding Rogue back into a defensive position. "I was right, this is going to be easy."

Rogue found herself back-pedaling quite badly, until he went for an overhead strike.

Seeing an opening in his defenses, she brought her staff up with surprising quickness and hit him directly in the ribs. Knowing this might be her one real chance, she stepped up her attack, landing blow after blow hoping it would keep him from re-gaining his poise.

Rogue stepped up, raising her staff for a final blow to the stomach. The Queen cringed as she watched the warrior's movement expose her entire lower half for a brutal attack. It had taken the emperor only a second to realize Rogue's mistake and Cyan watched as her warrior went hurtling backwards through the air.

Rogue cursed her own carelessness and twisted herself in mid-air to land heavily on her shoulder. The snap was distinct and could be heard easily by all those who had gathered. Containing her scream, Rogue flipped over quickly and backed away from the emperor. Holding her dislocated shoulder she looked around for a way to put it back in place.

The emperor smiled sadistically, as the Queen's eyes narrowed. She looked between her warrior and the trees where she was awaiting a sign from the other four Amazons. If they didn't show up soon, it looked as if plan C was going to be moved to the front.

The Queen reached for her sword but stopped as a series of low whistles came from the trees. She saw the four Amazons split into pairs and begin to manoeuvre their way around the clearing. They had taken out the soldiers that had been to the south and obviously had seen enough to know Rogue was in trouble. Cyan's breathing slowed and she motioned for the villagers to begin their circling of the clearing as well.

Rogue was looking anxiously around, fending off the emperor's advances but beginning to fail miserably. She met Cyan's eyes briefly, and the Queen motioned towards the trees. Of course she thought. Rogue raced for the tree line and flipped up onto a nearby branch. The emperor pursued, but stopped at the base of the trunk, obviously unsure of how to proceed. In that same instant Rogue reset her shoulder and Cyan sent the Amazons and villagers into motion against the emperor's remaining soldiers.

Rogue smiled as she flipped backwards from the tree's branch and circled around to once again draw the emperor's attack. He was already aware of the subtle movements all around him and was signaling to his men to close in. Cyan watched with interest as she herself moved slowly forward into the clearing. This man was smart, intuitive; he has already sensed something.

Dozens of soldiers suddenly broke from the tree line and into the clearing, making their way towards Rogue. The emperor's smile was short lived as he watched his soldiers slowly being sectioned off one by one by a mass group of local villagers. His head whipped around and eyes blazed at Rogue. "You! You trapped me!"

Rogue smiled. "No differently than what you had planned for me." She began to slowly close the distance between them.

The emperor looked on in horror as his men made no progress over the simple villagers; there were just too many of them. He turned to leave, but was faced by four warrior women, standing motionless on the outskirts of the clearing. He once again turned his attention back on Rogue and the Queen could see the dangerous rage ignite in his eyes. He was not planning on leaving for the land of the dead alone.

Rogue and the emperor engaged one another at full strength, each determined to kill the other. The man's hate was slowly beginning to over power the younger warrior and Cyan continued to move in closer with each well placed blow. The emperor's attack had become that of a caged animal and no longer as a leader of men.

The Queen watched as a lone soldier dropped from the trees not more than a few feet behind the back peddling Rogue. The Amazon's attention was solely focused on the emperor's attack and Cyan watched as she unknowingly continued to move right into the soldier's blade.

Rogue heard the muffled scream and a slight thud on the ground behind her. The emperor lunged hard, driving her back several paces, where she suddenly found herself reeling through the air. She could vaguely make out the body of a man lying on the ground beneath her, a slowly spreading red across his chest. Rogue could feel herself coming to a halt in mid-air and watched as the emperor's eyes locked onto the reason. She had felt herself being held and then slowly placed back onto her feet; she turned briefly to look into the face of her Queen.

Cyan took a step back from the warrior and sheathed her sword. She smiled wickedly at the emperor and then crossed her arms arrogantly across her chest. Before the man could speak, the Queen allowed him to follow her gaze around the clearing. The four Amazons and local villagers looked on with growing interest; a slew of soldiers littered the land.

The emperor seethed. "You have not honored the laws of the match Rogue, I win by default." The man took several steps towards the warrior but stopped short as Cyan interceded.

"Save your breath emperor; these people know what they have seen." Cyan glanced down at the dead soldier that lay only inches from where Rogue was standing. "And so do I."

The emperor remained motionless, unsure what to make of the woman who stood before him. She had not even bothered to draw her weapon and seemed not the least bit concerned about her proximity to him. The Queen spoke.

"You have two choices emperor; you either fight this match fairly or concede defeat now and spare your life. The choice is yours."

Cyan turned around and smiled at Rogue as she passed. "Don't just think you're better than him warrior; know you're better."

Turning back to the emperor, Rogue saw he had taken the swords from a nearby soldier.

Rogue called out sarcastically. "Guess you made your decision huh?" She shook her head mockingly and threw her hands up in the air. "Big mistake - big, HUGE even!" Rogue reached down and grabbed a sword that one of the nearby soldiers had dropped. Cyan smiled as she watched the younger warrior slowly regain her own confidence while shaking the emperor's at the same time.

Rogue turned just in time to block the emperor’s enraged assault. This time she refused to be driven back on the defensive, and the Queen smirked as she watched the Amazon flip over the man's head and begin her own attack.

The clearing was becoming increasingly crowded with new observers waiting anxiously for the battle's winner to emerge. Rouge's Amazon friends stood patiently ready to stop any sudden attempts by the emperor to leave the battle prematurely. Cyan smiled. She had seen the man's eyes after their little chat and knew he wasn't going anywhere; not without help that is. The Queen watched intently, staying close; but subconsciously aware that one way or another the emperor was not going to leave that clearing alive.

The younger warrior had held her own far longer than the Queen suspected the villagers or even her friends would have thought possible. She smiled contentedly; unable to resist the charisma of the girl's continued determination. Cyan certainly understood Athena's devotion to the younger warrior and her insistence on bringing her safely to the Island. Time was running short though, and the Queen could see Rouge's efforts beginning to take their toll. If she was going to defeat him, she would need to make her final attack soon, before she ran out of strength. Cyan needed Rogue to win this battle on her own, at least in regards to the future leadership of this realm; but her first concern was to keep the warrior alive. The Queen took another step closer and quietly drew her sword.

The emperor lashed out mightily, rocking Rogue heavily back on her heels. The clash of steel echoed across the clearing as the onlookers sensed the impending change of tides. The man smiled and once again swung his weapon in Rogue's direction. It came surprisingly fast and with a strength that was fuelled by nothing more than pure hate and rage. The young Amazon instinctively reached overhead, barely stopping his blade before it landed heavily on her wounded shoulder. Dropping quickly to the ground, she rolled to one side and thrust her sword upwards, through the very guts of the emperor.

A silence came over the clearing as Rogue withdrew her sword that was now stained a dark red from the emperor's life flow. She jumped to her feet and stared down into the man's rapidly closing eyes. She could not look away.

"Who are you?" Rogue managed to whisper; dreading only now the answer she so desperately needed to know.

She looked on in horror as the answer she needed, slowly made its way upward through labored breaths. "Your father was my brother."

Rogue watched as the man's eyes slowly closed and the redness continued to spill across his motionless chest. She turned quickly, running headlong into the Queen. She looked up only to drop her sword as she met Cyan's eyes. She glanced back at the dead man briefly and then disappeared into the trees.

The four Amazons made motion to go after the young warrior, but the Queen caught Altis by the arm and brought them to a halt. "Let her be." Cyan whispered softly. "I will deal with her in my own time." She nodded her head towards the dead emperor. "Take him someplace quiet and give him a decent burial. I'll meet you back in the village inn as soon as you are done."

Lethe nodded and looked around quickly. Cyan motioned towards the soldiers. "Make sure you bring all of his men back with you; we'll need to deal with them soon enough. For now, find a man named Gaelus when you return. He will have a place already arranged where the men can be held securely until we decide."

The four Amazons began to gather the unconscious soldiers and make their way into the trees where they had undoubtedly hidden several more. The Queen spoke briefly to a few of the village leaders and the crowds began to quickly disperse. After one last look around, Cyan whistled for her cats and headed into the forest to find a certain young warrior in need of attention.

******

Rogue headed straight for the outcrop of rocks where they had made camp the night before. Checking that all was clear, she eventually sat down behind a rock and began to sob uncontrollably. Hundreds of feeling and emotions spilled down her face, completely obscuring her notice of Cyan's arrival.

"Rogue." The Queen called softly.

Rogue jumped up and quickly turned away from the Queen. "I’m sorry my Queen. I’m just in a bit of shock that’s all. I’ll be fine in a second." Rogue wiped her tear stained face and turned back to face Cyan. "I guess we should get back to the inn, we're going to have to leave the plane soon."

The Queen chuckled. "Rogue, please - even now is it impossible for you to let down your defenses, even if just for a minute?"

The Amazon remained silent, eyes transfixed on a single spot on the ground. Cyan touched the warrior's shoulder lightly. "Sit down Rogue. We need to talk." Both Amazons sank to the ground and spent several moments in silence. Finally Cyan spoke, forcing Rogue to look at her.

"There is a lot still left to be done at that village Rogue. You still have to set up a regent for this plane, still others need to be assembled to protect the new leaders of the realm;" Cyan paused for a minute, "and you still need to say goodbye to some very good friends. Perhaps we should tackle all that tomorrow and try to spend the rest of this night celebrating the freedom you have won them."

Rogue shook her head. "I appreciate what you're trying to do, but I'll be fine. I know we need to return to the Island."

Cyan smiled at the warrior. "I'm not in any rush Rogue. As a matter of fact, I'm always up for a good party - ask any Amazon - alive or dead." The Queen stared at the younger warrior for a long time until Rogue finally gave in to a feeble smile. Cyan smiled back. "Is there anything else you wanted to talk about? I've been working on my listening skills with both Eponie and Vicky recently; they've told me I'm getting quite good" The Queen folded her hands and waited patiently for her warrior to answer.

"It’s nothing important. I was just remembering what my mentor said to me; that she wouldn’t hurt me even though I had virtually destroyed my entire family. She was right. The only one’s left were the emperor, my mentor and me."

Rogue felt the wave of emotions hit her again. She buried her head in her arms quietly sobbed. "I’m sorry, I just can’t believe what’s happened. I’ve won, yet in a sense I’ve still lost. I may have the empire, but what good is that when I’ve destroyed everything I ever cared about?" Rogue lifted her head and tried her best to change the subject. "No sense thinking about it now. We better get back to the village, we have a celebration to attend."

The Queen stood and helped the other warrior to her feet. "Rogue, listen to me. There is more to family than just bonds by blood. Those Amazons that came back here to help you are your family, just as those on the Island now are. I know it’s hard, but don’t ever forget that the emperor chose his own path. He was trying to kill you and you did what you had to, not just for yourself but for your friends and the good of this land. You don’t ever forget that." The two warriors walked in silence until they reached the village.

******

They had been able to hear the celebration long before they saw anything and the Queen was pleased to see the sounds had brought a touch of a smile to the young warrior's face. As they stepped from the trees they could see that already the nearby villages had begun preparations for a huge feast and celebration.

Rogue smiled at the Queen. The only true genuine smile she’d had in a LONG time. "My Queen, why do I get the distinct feeling that they are happy I won?" Rogue paused and then spoke again. "Which reminds me; thanks for watching my back. I would have been dead if it wasn’t for you."

Cyan smiled back and both warriors set out for the main street of the village. The Amazon women were just returning and the Queen could see them locking the soldiers inside Galeus's cells. A sudden wave of shouting hit Cyan's ears as the local villagers spotted Rogue returning to town. As the crowds began to make their way to the young leader, Cyan took a step back. Rogue turned to see where the Queen was going but stopped when Cyan gave her a little wave.

"I'm proud of you Rogue and we'll have plenty of chances to talk later. But for now," the Queen nodded towards the approaching Amazons. "I think you have some friends to entertain."

Rogue was soon engulfed by both her friends and the local villagers, leaving Cyan to make her way over to the local tavern, chuckling softly.

******

Etna joked as she swatted Rogue’s arm. "So first you’re a regent, then a normal Amazon, now an Empress; what's next?"

Rogue laughed as she took a mug of drink from Selene. "Thanks. Next? Well now I go back to being an Amazon. You of all people should remember how poorly I organize things. Besides, my home is on the Island now, I don’t want to leave that." Rogue looked at each of the warriors briefly. "So, how long do you have left here?"

Etna babbled her response, causing everyone to chuckle. "The latest we can leave is tomorrow morning. I’m glad you called us though; we miss you on the other side. Not that we want you to get killed or anything, we'd just like to see you more; you know what I mean?" Rogue nodded and smiled. She wished she had come here more often to see them.

******

The celebration continued well into the night; but eventually Rogue noticed that the only ones left were she and her friends. They talked for hours, laughing and catching up, with Rogue telling them all that had happened to her over the last years. Finally the sun began its ascent and Lethe motioned for the others to prepare to leave.

One by one they each hugged Rogue and said their tearful goodbyes. The young warrior stood alone as each of her friends turned and vanished back to the Amazon land of the dead. Cyan was suddenly there, alongside her, waiting quietly. Finally Rogue turned and faced the Queen.

"It's time for you to choose the leaders that will serve in your absence Rogue, and then we need to go."

The warrior nodded, and she and Cyan walked back to the Inn.

****

Rogue looked around at the faces in the room. "First, I would like to thank you all for coming and secondly, I think you all know why we're here, so let's get down to business."

A hush came over the room and Rogue continued. "I’ve been thinking a lot about what to do with this realm, especially since I won't be staying. It's obvious that having just one ruler hasn't worked in the past, so I've decided to try something new."

Cyan arched an eyebrow and smiled. "As long as she realizes this is the only realm she'll be trying that idea out in." The Queen chuckled and listened as Rogue continued.

"I have decided that a council of different leaders shall rule this land, providing a balance not only of power but in strength and weaknesses. Each one of you represents a different discipline that will be needed to run this land fairly and profitably for everyone."

Rogue began to look around the room. "Mentor, you will be in charge of military and training; each of you village elders will oversee the schools and food;………" Rogue continued down through her list until everyone in the room had received their new positions and responsibilities.

Once the new leadership had been established, Rogue began to list each of the items she wished to be attended to first. "The first thing I want done is an inventory of all available food. Once we have that, I want 3\4 of it distributed evenly throughout all the villages. The reminder of the food should be put into storage facilities in case of emergency." The new leaders all nodded in unison.

"The next thing we're going to do is set up a universal treasury. I want half of all the empire's money put into the village schools and training centers." Rogue slowly went through each remaining item, making sure that everything was covered. Eventually she had answered any and all questions the leaders had and dismissed them all to go about their new tasks.

Rogue and the Queen made their way back to their room and collected their things. After lengthy goodbyes and thank you's all around, both warriors finally set out for home.

******

Cyan watched Rogue turn and walk towards her throne room door. "It feels good to be home huh?"

Rogue smiled as she turned back to face the Queen. "Yah, but it feels even better to say I have a home."

The Queen smiled as she dropped down into her throne. She threw one leg over its arm and settled back comfortably, obviously glad to be home. Her head rested heavily on one hand that had propped itself up on the chair's other arm. "So, what are you gonna do now?" Cyan asked curiously.

Rogue rolled her eyes. "Well, the first thing I need to do is go and see a certain healer named Falcon and explain where I disappeared to." The young warrior chuckled thoughtfully. "And, I'm sure that'll use up most of my day."

Cyan laughed loudly as she heard the voices of both Eri and Olympia headed her way. "I know what you mean."

The Queen called out just as Rogue went to leave through the same door that the Enforcer and Eri had come crashing on through. "Thanks for letting me come with you Amazon."

Rogue smirked as the Enforcer and Eri stared blankly at the two prodigal warriors. "Any time my Queen. Any time." With that, Rogue bowed slowly, closing the throne room doors behind them.

Cyan turned her attention back to the two warriors who stood in front of her. She couldn't help but continue to smile, while each of the women took turns ranting and raving about the dangers of her recent exploits.

The Queen's mind drifted as she realized just how much a part of her life this Island and its people had become. "It's nice to be home…….." Cyan mumbled quietly under her breath. "I really do love you guys." Eri and Olympia both stopped what they were saying; feeling their anger slowly dissipating. Glancing briefly at one another, each threw their hands up in surrender and dropped into nearby chairs. A certain peaceful silence fell over the palace and the three warriors just sat quietly for a change.