So by the morning light
We'll be halfway to anywhere
Where no one needs a reason

*                    
                   *                                       
*

Xena walked through the woods with Eponin as
they followed the small hunting party deeper into the forest and
away from the village.  “So what are we
hunting for today?” 

Eponin shrugged. 
“Whatever we catch I guess.  Wood fowl
hasn’t been too good lately, but there are plenty of rabbits
around to make up for that.  And Solari mentioned
that the perimeter guards saw a small herd of deer move into our
territory the other day so we set up some bait piles nearby;
we’re going to check those today.” 
Eponin stopped walking as the hunting party began looking around
quietly for sign.  “Who knows maybe
we’ll get lucky.” 

“Well, if we don’t get anything
hunting, there’s always fish.”  Xena
watched the other Amazons moving quietly through the woods, leaving
her alone with the weapons master. 

Eponin nodded; they hadn’t had fish in
quite a while.  “That sounds good; could
always use fresh trout for the kitchens.” 

A dark brow arched at the word
trout.  “Is the fishing
good?” 

“The fishing’s always
good.”  Eponin did not see the need to tell
her that the stream was full of big, wily old trout that often
refused to take a bait, no matter the season. 

Xena nodded.  “Sounds
like my kind of thing.  Why don’t you guys
check out the bait piles; I’ll be
fishing.”  She took a couple of steps but
Eponin’s voice stopped her. 

“You know you’re more than welcome
to come with us; we could always use another set of
eyes.”  She waved at the distant Amazons,
still scouting for prey. 

Xena looked at the other Amazons, ensuring
they were out of earshot.  “I appreciate
that Eponin, I do.  But I don’t want to
step on any toes today.”  She titled her
head to the rest of the hunting party. 
“You guys fill the larder, I’m gonna feed the
queen.” 

Eponin chuckled. 
“Seems like you’ve got the harder job.” 

Again a dark brow arched
wryly.  “You have no
idea.”  She turned to go, actually managing
to get a short distance away before Eponin stopped her
again. 

“Hey Xena?” 

Xena turned. 
“Yeah?” 

Eponin stood there, scuffing her
feet.  “She’s really glad to have you
back you know.”  There was no need for
Eponin to say just who she was talking about. 

Xena nodded in
understanding.  “Yeah, I
do.” 

Eponin took a couple of steps closer, dropping
her voice so that Xena was the only one to hear
her.  “And just so you know, so are the
rest of us.”