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Intense blue eyes narrowed in a deadly gaze. The man standing before her seemed harmless, but looks could be deceiving, as Xena well knew.
Dressed simply in a long brown robe,loosly belted, the man was shorter than Gabrielle & 3 times as old.
"What do you want, old man?"
Looking thoughtful, the man replied, "Odd, but I thought you were the one looking for something."
"I want nothing." Xena replied.
"Ah, but nothing in itself is something, is it not, my dear?"
Xena's lips involuntarily curled at the little old mans words. She knew instantly that danger would not be found in this brown robed stranger.
"Allow me to give you a moment of privacy. I shall wait in yon cave. Come when you are ready." The man turned and steadily walked to the cave enterance.
When he disappeared, Xena stepped out of the water and used an old piece of cloth to dry herself.
So much for a long soak, she thought to herself, as she donned her clothes & armour. Once again dressed, Xena replaced her weapons & entered the cave.
A cheerful fire roared in a camp hearth, with 3 rabbits Xena had hunted earlier spitted & roasting. Gabrielle looked to be in deep conversation with the man, a fact that didn't surprise Xena.
She started in, but within seconds, Gabrielle wrinkled her nose & covered her face.
"Oh. Now I understand the problem. Give me a minute, child, and I will try to ease your discomfort."
"The curse doesn't affect you?" Gabrielle asked curiously.
"No, I was born without the ability to smell. But from your reaction, it mus be horrible. Almost makes me glad I can't smell. Almost."
With a spryness uncommon for one his age, the man gained his feet and began a chant while standing over Gabrielle. Lightly dusting her with some powder from a waist pouch he carried, the man stood back and gestured to Gabrielle.
"Well, is that better?"
Gabrielle lowered her hand & took a deep breath. She didn't smell anything unusual except the dank mustiness of the cave and the roasting rabbits.
She smiled and replied, "Yes, much better. Please sit down."
With Gabrielle once again able to tolerate her, Xena came forward & sat beside her best friend.
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Mischief on Olympus, VI
"I don't want to seem rude, but who are you & what's going on?"
Xena's controlled tones echoed slightly in the cave. The man merely smiled.
"My name is Agenor. I live in these mountains. I was once a sorcerer with the royal house of Thebes. But I became disfavored by the gods. I was sent here, exiled by all, to be a hermit til' my death. But they couldn't take away my powers. No, not a single one."
Gabrielle, her enthusiasm almost bubbling over, leans forward & touches his arm.
"Does that mean you can break the spell Eros set on Xena?"
Sadly, Agenor patted her had & replied, "I'm afraid not, my child. I can stop the spell's affect on you, but my powers are not great enough to break a spell of Olympus. No mere mortal can do that."
Xena patiently waited until he turned to look at her once again.
"Then tell us why you sought us out to begin with. I'm sure the story is an unusual one."
Xena relaxed back against her saddle & watched as Agenor busied his hands in a small pouch. He produced a single crystal, perfectly formed & attached to a neck chain.
Carefully handing it to Xena, Agenor replied, "Wear this, warrior princess. It has no magical powers, but for where you are going, you will need it."
Leaning forward, the glow fo the fire cast a golden glow over the old face. All sound faded, as if waiting to hear what he had to say.
"Now, listen carefully. You must go to the oracle at Dodona, in the land of the oak trees, and give her this crystal. Then you must ask the oracle for the task & prove your worth."
"What task?" Gabrielle whispered.
"Only the oracle can answer that. Now quiet child. If you suceed, Zeus will lift this curse you now carry. If not, the curse will remain, but at so great a power that those you come into contact with will die instantly. As it stands, this curse will ostrasize you for the remainder of your days. The spell I cast over Gabrielle will only last so long. Once it wears off, she will again be affected. After a time in your comapny, she will become ill and eventually die. This curse is the stink of death. In time, anyone you are around for long terms will succumb to it."
"So Xena has no choice?"
"There are always choices, Gabrielle. But in this case, I would rather take a risk than loose you or my freedom."
Gabrielle smiled brightly. "So when do we leave?"
"We don't. I will start out tomorrow."
"Xena, I'm not going to let you do this alone."
"Yes, you are. We don't know how long that spell is going to last, & you heard what will happen when it does. No, Gabrielle, the risk is too great."
"I've been in more dangerous situations before and come out unscathed. Besides, Agenor said "long term", so if we get this done quickly, I'll be all right."
Xena began shaking her head negatively.
"Gabrielle, I.."
"No, wait a minute. If this was reversed, you would do the same. And if you leave me behind, I'll just follow you. I've done that before, now haven't I?"
Ruefully, Xena conceded. "I should have known better than trying to change your mind."
Agenor clapped his hands to draw their attention. "When will you two leave?"
Xena & Gabrielle answered simultaniously. "At dawn."
