Warlord Daze

The 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.

Xex Alert: Oh Boy Is There. .This is a Prurient Piece with a Bit of Kink (If you hear the crack of the whip then you'll be in the neighborhood) Proceed at your own risk. :)

Well it's not so much sex, although things do get a little steamy.

Aedal's steed came to abrupt halt in front of Lord Xena's tent. He practically fell off the horse, but managed to somehow land on his feet anyway. He nodded abstractly in Eponin's direction and ran into the tent before she could stop him (fortunately for him she knew he was Gabrielle's cousin or he would have been a dead man). Golden red hair and a flash of burnished yellow caught his eye enough that he turned his head and spotted the woman he was looking for.

She was speaking earnestly with Doba, her arms crossed, her expression neutral. Doba's own expression was animated with concern. She turned and spied him as he practically skidded into Gabrielle's presence. He couldn't read the dark woman's look, but she didn't seem too happy with him.

"Gabrielle," he panted out, preparing to tell her the whole story. His expression a mix of need and shock. His leathers were still dirty from the battle and he smelled coppery. His own strawberry blonde hair was rumpled with sweat and wind.

He was stopped from verbal suicide by a gentle hand upon his arm. Her eyes were warm, though her expression retained it's neutrality, "Hello cousin. Doba tells me you will be joining us in a bath today."

Us? Us? His wasn't the only expression that went odd at that moment.

Gabrielle continued and she led him to a place where he could sit down. He looked like he could use it. When he was settled she turned to the dark woman, "Friend, I'll take care of it from here. You have done your job." Doba looked as if she'd been hit, but Gabrielle's next words gentled that expression, "Thank you for telling me. I know what to do. Go and get your own needs met. It will be okay. I'll let you know what I decide to do." The bard's eyes were understanding and led the lieutenant to believe her. The woman bowed very low.

Her own words were deep with respect, "As you wish. . .My Queen." Gabrielle's eyebrows lifted, but she smiled at her friend reassuringly. Then, well aware of her own battle dirty appearance in front of the Queen, Doba made her way out of the tent. The tall dark woman only wished the one *she* was interested in were here. This left hand business was getting lonely.

Gabrielle watched the woman leave and sat down besides Aedal with a sigh. Her mind was racing with what needed to be asked and what needed to be accomplished. She felt an odd peace. She was more than grateful to Aphrodite now, for the mark on her skin would be what *permitted* what she was about to do next. She decided to start from the very beginning. "So, tell me, Aedal, how did the battle go?"

There was a bit of a "Hoorah," a celebration, that evening. The warlord hung around just long enough to stir the crowd with words that let them know she was pleased. She'd visited the wounded before attending anything else, as was her habit. The healers had received her warmly, almost familiarly. In fact, most of the return greetings, especially in the command tent, had been that way. Respectful bows and language had been directed toward her, with a few "Warrior Princess(es)" and a few "Lord Xena(s)" and all with genuine smiles and the occasional "We sure whupped them good" grins. She couldn't mark a single sullen glance anywhere, except from the most recent prisoners.

She smirked, those prisoners would have the night to think about their options and then, in the morning, if they weren't clear on the acceptable course. . .well, she was sure their relatives would be glad to see them. There was one more bit of triumphal gesturing on her part, then she let things quiet down, so she could get on her way and get that bath she promised herself. She grinned at the thought of what was waiting, feeling a tight yearning. Gods that had been a good fight.

The back of her neck ached a little, but everything else felt fine. Just fine. Her nipples were already hard and she could feel the tingle on her skin. Gods, she just needed to get out of these leathers and. . .

The tent's guard blocked her path. Her expression was solemn. Xena looked at the Amazon and noted the pierced ears. The Amazon spoke, "Lord Xena," Ah, so she did know who she was addressing. The warlord flexed her fingers experimentally, trying to judge whether fists were needed or not. The Amazon's voice was respectful, "I was asked to announce you first, if you will."

Xena blinked and inhaled. Then she grinned. How thoughtful! Some were more shy than others. She nodded, her expression giving away nothing, except the pleasure of anticipation. The Amazon bowed low in return and took up the knocking stick.

The sound of the wood cracked through the evening's air and rippled through Xena's body. The Amazon turned to the Warlord, "Follow me, Lord Xena." Then the brunette opened the flap and stepped through.

Xena began the process of unfastening her cloak even as she was striding forward. She intended to fling it dramatically to the side. That always had impact. As soon as Xena stepped in, however, it was as if her fingers were frozen in place.

She wasn't sure what caught her attention first, whether it was the scented smell of the baths or the stunningly beautiful woman who stood before them. The blue robe hung loose upon her body, barely covering her breasts and her lower extremities. Golden red hair hung loose about her shoulders and golden hoops from her ears. The woman deliberately moved her hips so the robe parted and Xena noted that certain parts that should be covered with soft fur were now smooth, but not bare. She felt a twitch and realized that she was similarly dressed under her armor. (Meanwhile Solari was feeling her own version of wet palpitations. Gods she couldn't wait to get off duty tonight. She could predict that instant what the next Amazon fashion would be.) It occurred to Xena, as soon as she could pull her eyes away from the fair parts of that lusciously trim body, that the whole tent had been rearranged and that she wasn't quite sure that she was where she was thought she was. It had the feel of a dream. She would have pinched herself, but the dull throb at the back of her neck reminded her that this was all too real.

The tent was generously lit with long candles. The tubs occupied the middle ground where her table should have been. Steam rose in sultry swirls above the water. Aedal leaned forward casually in the a tub farthest to the north. It was angled at a cattycorner. The tubs were positioned to make a V and provide easy perimeter scans. Whoever set them up knew her well. Xena glanced briefly at the woman who seemed to be waiting patiently, then back at her surroundings.

Aedal's back was being gently scrubbed by one of two women; one whom was in the tub with him and the other who was without. Xena's eyes narrowed and her jaw clenched in anger, until she noticed another young man by the tub. There was a scattering of hair on his chest, and he seemed to be sitting on a stool outside the bath with his hands lazily playing in the water. They were talking amiably, seeming to ignore Xena's entrance in favor of their conversation. The warlord blinked and felt something shift deep inside her. Her eyes continued their quick scan as if the powerful reassessment of her situation weren't happening.

The long table was shoved to the south wall of the tent and stacked high with food and drink. It was being overseen by a matronly woman, who wore an apron and not much else. Now Xena's eyebrows raised. The woman was lovingly touching and talking with Colchak, who was wearing slacks, and a comfortble shirt, but his feet were bare. He looked more relaxed than Xena could ever recall, though his arms were strapped by slings. His lap seemed to be solely occupied by one golden haired girl child who was serenely watching the world with wide eyed curious comfort.

While various chairs, benches (some of which were covered with robes, towels and bathing items) and pillows were settled around the room at comfortable angles, her favorite chair, was located on a small dais. It was also perfectly positioned so if it were sat in, she could see the bathers and most angles of the room. She noted that the partition separating her pallet from the rest of the world was open, but barely. A cord neatly tied the curtain, but the knot was one that only required one tug to be undone.

It was a friendly, almost familial scene and Xena was having a difficult time wrapping her mind around its unexpected presence. The Amazon announced her arrival during the heartbeats it took for Xena to make her assessment and decide what needed to be done. "Lord Xena is here." The conversation stopped and various bows and nods were passed in her direction. There was a deep moment of silence as Xena ran her gaze, once more, over the group assembled.

There are times in one's life, when being a person of power means knowing when NOT to be a jerk and while any other occasion might have called for a vituperative response, this one surely did not seem to. Xena altered her plans for the evening with easy haste, now terribly curious to see the outcome.

The situation didn't lessen her erotic need at all. In fact, the tightness, the swirling sensation of "Gods please now" was actually more present than ever and she almost entirely associated it with the woman who was wearing her favorite blue robe so familiarly. Aedal was forgotten in favor of the woman, but Xena was terribly aware of the child's presence and knew she would wait and could wait. Xena's gaze was still hot, but her voice was a neutral command, "You may continue." Just another almost gracious show of her (very narrow in this case, walking on a damn tight rope) self control.

The conversation started up as if it never halted The Amazon bowed respectfully to the red head. "Thank you Solari, I'll have Jacosta bring you something to eat." The woman's smile was as the sun. The Amazon acknowledged her words and smile with an even deeper bow. Then she turned towards Xena. Solari bowed again, a little less deeply, but no less respectfully, and in moments exited the tent. Xena thought she heard a barely whispered, "Whew!" on the way out. It caused the warlord to smile despite herself. Had it been herself, she might have said the same thing.

The strawberry blonde was at Xena's side in a hearbeat. Her movements were silky and graceful and Xena felt a sudden glistening yearning in her nethermost parts. She ached to touch the red head. Anywhere. The small woman's nimble fingers took over where Xena's had left off and burned seductively against her skin. The warrior felt her cloak being drawn up and off of her shoulders with practiced ease. Xena didn't see what was done with the cloak, but was half aware that the woman who had been scrubbing Aedal's back was now to her side. Esther. It was Esther who was standing to her left. The other half of Xena's awareness was occupied with the way the blue robe rose and fell, as well as with what was rising and falling underneath, with the redhead's even breathing .

Surprisingly strong fingers wrapped themselves in the clasps of Xena's armor and the warlord felt herself being pulled down until her mouth barely inches away from soft lips. Golden eyelashes flickered down and up over a hazel gaze. Xena realized that her own lips were being watched with a mutually returned appreciation. It warmed the warrior to her very core. Words were whispered softly, "Doba sends her regrets. She has other matters to attend to."

Xena's response was a blink and an, "Oh?" No way was she revealing that she had no idea where that statement came from.

A ruby colored tongue wet pink lips. Xena felt the first bit of her armor come undone and she shrugged out of it without looking. The whispered, "Yes," near her ear, sent a thrill of erotic memory through Xena's body and she inhaled abruptly.

Xena decided she'd better take command of this conversation or lose what self control she had. The tawny woman whispered back, "Where's *your* robe?" The woman pulled back and grinned saucily, and the second clasp of Xena's armor was undone.

Xena felt the twinge of her neck as the piece was completely removed. Her expression would have given nothing away to the casual observer, but the woman who was now helping Xena out out of her leathers was no casual observer. She caught the wince. The red head stepped closer, and spoke in low tones, "Aedal said you were hurt."

Xena caught the deeply concerned note in the woman's voice and automatically moved to reassure her. "It's nothing, just a bump." The woman actually, "hmmphed," and gave her an assessing look that told Xena that she was known very well indeed. Xena spoke, a little more urgently, her eyes narrowed in the effort to convince, "It's not bad. Really." From the expression on the woman's face, the warlord decided she would have to take Aedal aside to discuss what a "real" hurt could be. Fortunately for Xena, the woman seemed to decide to drop the subject.

Instead the fair lovely glanced up as she removed the second bracer. She looked towards the partitioned space and then back at Xena. She made an offer, her eyes hot and sincere. The warlord felt the blaze of desire as if it were her own, "Do you need?" Gods YES she needed. . .Fingers placed themselves on luscious lips. Xena shook her head. She was tempted, sorely tempted, and if this feeling got any deeper then they would most definitely be closing the curtain. But for now, the smell of the baths and the food, and the comfortable feel of the tent and its occupants called Xena in a manner that was, if not equal in its magnetism, at least as true.

"I can wait." The kiss blazed from her fingertips to her groin and she detached her fingers reluctantly, and continued to feel the heat of those lips for a long time on those calloused tips. She leaned forward abruptly, blue eyes burning. Her gaze was returned with an equal fire, "But not too long." Her voice was a sultry purr.

There was a mutual look of lust and lips met and thrilled. When they finally separated from the kiss, the golden woman spoke with a voice of honey, "Welcome Home, Xena." The Warlord smiled as memories of other such unrestrained kisses blew into her mind like a fresh wind. Then intuitively, she turned the smaller woman around and hastened her towards the tub with a solid spank.