“c1″> 

“c1″>“It may take some time but one day she will
understand. Young warriors may have the skills but they don’t
know what it means to fight and to kill. Most of them have heard a
lot about battle lust but they don’t foresee that it would be
dampened by emotional and physical pain and grief. There are always
loved-ones or friends injured or dead. The young ones always have a
hard time when they loose their blood
innocence."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Only when they’re lucky. Having someone to
talk to or to make love with is a lot of help. It’s one of
the better ways to spend this residual
energy."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, darkness can be very
tempting."

“c1″> 

The two
warriors fell silent, neither of them ready to give voice to their
respective dark memories.

“c1″> 

Just
like the last time the fishing trip ended with an all out water
fight and once again, they relaxed on the riverbank. While their
two companions took the four baskets with their catch to the
kitchen area Eponin and Xena engaged in a friendly wrestling match.
When they finally returned to the village, they immediately were
recruited for last minute preparations.

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>-x-x-x-x-

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

Amazons
just loved a good party and they rarely ran out of excuses to have
one at least twice a moon. As always there were lots of food,
dancing, and singing. Akyra and Gabrielle each told a story, and
children and adults alike were avidly listening. In contrast to
most of the other parties, however, the strong Amazon wine and
Centaur beer wasn’t as much requested as usual. Apparently,
no one wanted to risk having a hangover the next
day.

“c1″> 

When
the party came to an end Queen Melosa presented Xena and Gabrielle
with Najara’s now unoccupied hut that had been newly
furnished with a table and chairs, cushions and a fire place fur.
There also was a new bed stand, mattress, and blankets, some cups
and mugs, plates, knifes and spoons. The hut was on ground level,
so it would be easy for Gabrielle to manoeuvre in and out of it
with the wheel chair.

“c1″> 

Xena
was about to voice her protest when she was silenced by one stern
look from Theano.

“c1″> 

"I
know what you’re thinking, Xena. We owe you, and we know it.
The council’s vote was unanimous. Regardless of what will
happen during and after the trial, this hut from now on will be
yours and Gabrielle’s. Regardless of the collar you’re
wearing as long as you are inside the hut you are free.
You’ll be an Amazon warrior in your own right and
you’ll be able to act accordingly. We will honour the choices
you make as we would any other free and adult Amazon’s
decisions. It may be for one night only or it may be for the rest
of your life but this hut will be your sanctuary. We always will be
in your debt. This is only a token of our gratitude as a village as
well as a nation."