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These pages were last updated: July 13, 1998
ŠJuly 1998
URL: ../../STO/hell/hell41.htmlThe following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.
He stood, laconically, but much too aware for that really to be the case, at the center of the bar. His long stringy black hair dripped down his shoulders. His mustache slid down the crevices of his face. Fangs and horns were to be expected among Tartarans, but his fair skin and short height was unusual and spoke of an earlier, staged transition. The coloration, and the collar around his neck gave him a rank.
Among those who'd suffered through the transition, He wasn't considered a *real* Tartaran. His changes had been created for the people upstairs. No, He was a lackey, transformed early in his humanity, by one of the upper echelons. Which made him both someone to be feared, watched or respected, depending on who he worked for. In his case, it was an odd mix of all three. Most who were present in the bar ignored him, or pretended to. Even the two practitioners of the erotic trade kept to their own. It was too easy to get burned by a demon spy.
He wore a suit that was unfamiliar to Xena, sleek pinstriped pants and jacket, white shirt and tie. The only thing naked were his face, hands and feet. She'd rather not have seen any of it. At his side upon the bar rested an open, but slim case. He seemed to have flattened scrolls in there. He was reading a book.
Xena's powerful hand reached down for the golden ring of her Chakram, but a whisper in her ear stopped her. She felt Gabrielle Izacon's warming presence behind her and almost leaned into it. Almost.
Gabrielle was right, best not to give into emotion here. She would find out what the bastard wanted, then carve him until there was nothing left. The warrior princess smiled ferally and took the last step, with her lover close behind.
The servant had noticed them immediately. His brown eyes traced their path. He finally moved from his position, dropping the paperwork into the attache case and slapping the lid down. Then he grabbed it, firmly, and sauntered over to the main table. When he arrived, they were seated, touching, but not clinging.
"Ah, Izacon, it is good to see you again." His voice oiled over them as he bowed. As he righted himself, he noted that the Tartaran had summoned a seat as well as waiter. He ignored the warrior at Izzy's side, and sat. If she wanted trouble, as her expression said, he could provide it. His business, however, was with the one who'd traveled the nine hells. The case was placed carefully upon the floor.
Izzy nodded her head graciously, "Will you have tea with us, Master Krafstar." She crooked three fingers at the waiter, who nodded. It hadn't really been a choice she was offering. The servant accepted, his gaze taking in the new markings upon Izacon's body. He couldn't help the words that flowed out of his mouth, "You've mated!" Well, this blew a few plans.... He struggled to recover his aplomb, though he wasn't too worried about his dignity. He'd given that up a long time ago.
Izzy's teeth flashed white. She stroked a hand possessively along Xena's thigh. The only reason the shiver wasn't visible was the warrior's iron control. "Yes. Krafstar, meet Xena."
The blue eyed warrior's voice was all ice, "We've met."
Krafstar tried not to say anything, deeming it the wiser of two courses. His liege would be most unhappy if the servant arrived back in pieces. He waited the heartbeats that it took for the red tea to be poured, lifted the cup, sipped and set it down. Then he smiled amicably, "Congratulations to you both, though it is a surprise." His accent thickened, as he turned his attention to the warrior who'd defeated him. "I thought you were with the Betrayer."
She didn't even flinch. Xena's lips curled, "Things change." Her gaze flickered to Izacon and then back, "I changed." Izzy buttered her toast and watched the interchange with the appearance of mild disinterest. Xena reached for her own cup of tea and it seemed as if her shoulders relaxed. "Have you?" she asked over the rim of the cup. All he could see were her eyes as they sparkled mysteriously in the light.
"Some," he acknowledged with a shrug, "One can't help it around here." While he couldn't avoid the stare, he could feel the tension leave from it. Now she watched him with curiosity, rather than evil intent. Or so it seemed.
There was a crunch, and Izzy chewed happily, seeming oblivious. Krafstar wondered how they met, then set it aside. It didn't matter. His purposes were still the same.
She finished her swallow, and pulled a ripe fruit from the basket. The light of the risen sun lay gold upon her crimson hand. Her long fingernails punctured the fruit, making it bleed sweet liquid. "So why are you here?" she asked with lazy interest. It was apparent that she'd been well satisfied with this surprising match. Satisfaction meant better negotiations. Perhaps this...mating..could work in his favor. Though there was Xena to consider. She was Dahok's sworn enemy....Would she sway Izacon away or toward....Perhaps, he could feed her need for vengeance...
Krafstar placed his elbows on the table, leaned and steepled his fingers. Izzy nibbled at her lunch as he spoke. He kept his voice even, "My liege wishes an alliance with you and offers his daughter, Hope, as..." Here is where it got tricky, "...a companion to you." The only reason the tea cup in Xena's hand didn't shatter, is that she set it very carefully upon the table. Her expression started to darken and she started to rise out of her chair. She felt a pressure, strong and immovable, upon her thigh. Izzy's hand held her down. She looked up at her lover, preparing to have words. Xena's voice was disarmed, however, by the Tartaran's amused expression.
"Now what would *I* want with Dahok's half-mortal?" Izzy asked derisively. Her eyes sparkled dangerously, "Do I not have enough of a prize here, in the legendary Xena: Destroyer of Nations?" Her hand left off marking Xena's thigh, and lifted to serenely and affectionately stroke the brave woman's cheek. "I have a companion in my mate. I do not need another."
Krafstar nodded, "Perhaps companionship is the wrong word. He offers Hope, his favored and only daughter to you so you may know of his good will and seal a bargain between you."
Izzy's tail flicked restlessly. Xena's expression had turned from hostility to deep thoughtfulness. The warrior's silken voice interrupted whatever Krafstar was about to add. "Why?" She leaned forward, now strategically interested, " How much of Tartarus does...your liege... control?" She was careful not to mention names...careful, though she knew. Krafstar pursed his lips, trying to determine just how much favor Xena had with Izzy. Just because they were mates didn't mean they liked each other. Then again, Xena was gazing at him with a predatory glance that he recognized. He could do business with this. "My liege, Dahok," he was very careful to pronounce the name, testing her. Xena's expression didn't change. He continued, treading carefully, "controls portions of..."
"Minuscule portions of..." Izzy corrected with a gleam in her eye. It was as if it were a great joke to her. To Krafstar however, it was very serious.
"Strategically important portions of Tartarus, upon seven levels." He corrected. Izzy nodded, but shrugged as if she didn't care. And she didn't. He knew it and couldn't understand it. But Xena cared. This he could see. Xena, a woman who'd conquered by sheer will alone, understood....but could she give up her hatred enough to make an alliance. He remembered all too well the cut that she'd made upon him...."And we have a," he paused looking meaningfully at Xena and Izacon, "common enemy. Perhaps you have heard of the Green Dragon?"
Xena leaned forward, all business. Her tea was forgotten and turned cold. "Tell me everything," she said. "I want to know it all."
Krafstar grinned despite himself. It seemed there was a way, after all.
Katrina's Fan Fiction | Fan Fiction Site | Home Page
These pages were last updated: July 13, 1998
ŠJuly 1998
URL: ../../STO/hell/hell41.html