{"id":1138,"date":"2015-12-08T07:19:09","date_gmt":"2015-12-08T13:19:09","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1138"},"modified":"2015-12-09T07:11:57","modified_gmt":"2015-12-09T13:11:57","slug":"ephiny-and-the-new-princess-part-5","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1138","title":{"rendered":"Ephiny and the New Princess – Part 5"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the New Princess<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n

by AJ Marks<\/span><\/p>\n

Part 5<\/span><\/p>\n

Ephiny found herself fending off several Amazons, all of whom were asking questions about what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cSilence,\u201d Eph finally shouted, waiting several seconds for things to quiet down before noticing that almost everyone from the camp was around her.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, by now word had probably spread that something happened to Terreis, she was assassinated on our walk back here earlier in the day.\u00a0 We are working with Greece officials to identify the attacker, who is still unknown, but we are getting close.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI heard Centaurs did it, when do we strike back?\u201d one Amazon, Jana asked, always quick to speak before thinking, but Eph knew she spoke from the heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t, we tacked the tracks, which were originally Centaur, back towards the Cnetaur camp,\u201d Eph said knowing this was going badly but hoped to get the rest out before the group charged the Centaurs.\u00a0 \u201cShort of the camp the tracks changed to a regular horse, and the tracks then led towards the Roman camp.\u201d\u00a0 She hoped a few might actually listen to that last part.<\/p>\n

\u201cRoman?\u201d one asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, there is thoughts they are upset with our new agreement with Greece, but for now, we must stay calm,\u201d Eph said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho got the Right-of-Caste?\u201d Jana asked changing the topic.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe,\u201d Eph said glancing over at Eponin and receiving a nod, \u201cfelt that due to the current condition and investigation, its better to keep that a secret in case whoever tried it once tries again.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOr they might decide to rid the Nation of two more Amazons,\u201d another voice said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure they would get the right person?\u201d Eph replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cRemember, the priestess isn\u2019t here,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

Eph watched as the group absorbed that bit of information as everyone looked over at Eponin for a few seconds.\u00a0 Eph decided she had enough of answering question and headed to her tent despite several Amazons pestering her for more information.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe don\u2019t know the real motivation, and the investigation is going on, what I do know, whoever is behind it wanted us to blame Centaurs,\u201d Ephs aid to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat if they really did do it?\u201d Jana asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll allow the Queen to decide what actions the Nation will take to deal with it,\u201d Ephiny replied turning to face Jana.\u00a0 \u201cFor now, my job is to give her all the information we have so she can make a decision based on facts and get the right person instead of being manipulated by someone else.\u00a0 We also know that Centaurs can\u2019t fake human footprints, so they must have an accomplice.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her words got them to stop and actually think and backed off for a second.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow you understand the need for some secrecy, and patience,\u201d Eph said, knowing that if the Romans were involved things were going to get very dangerous.\u00a0 \u201cNow, I need a volunteer to head back to the Nation with the news.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI will,\u201d another Amazon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll write up the note for you to take,\u201d Eph said.\u00a0 \u201cAnd make sure only the Queen receives it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThen go get ready for the trip, I have a not to write,\u201d Eph said watching the Amazon take off to the tent before realizing that she had to write up the note and somehow, soften the blow.\u00a0 Not only that but she had to inform the Queen about who had the Right-of-Caste, and the information she received from Artemis, all while keeping a secret.<\/p>\n

She walked into her tent watching as Eponin walked over to the bed and fell down on it.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou know, its strange, not being able to trust our sisters,\u201d Eph stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cStrange, I think its downright weird,\u201d Eponin said back to her.\u00a0 \u201cI have to keep shutting my mouth before I say something I don\u2019t want to.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI know,\u201d Eph replied back to her.\u00a0 She still had to wrap her mind around the fact that Gabrielle was an Amazon princess now, and had Artemis\u2019 blessing.\u00a0 \u201cI guess we should start accepting it for fact, though I\u2019m not sure how the Queen will accept it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou going to warn her about a possible Roman involvement?\u00a0 Or even some other Amazons?\u201d Eponin asked, the last question was a bit hesitantly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t see how I can\u2019t,\u201d Eph answered.\u00a0 \u201cThe Romans have become too pushy lately.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is a possibility that this has been planned for a while,\u201d Eponin said.\u00a0 \u201cAfter all, we didn\u2019t have the normal meeting with them this year after accepting the Conqueror\u2019s offer.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCould be,\u201d Eph said, looking over the scrolls of parchment she would need.\u00a0 \u201cLet\u2019s take one step at a time.\u201d<\/p>\n

She quickly got her ink, scroll and tried to figure out what she was going to say to the Queen in this note.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

\u201cEphiny, you\u2019re wanted at the palace,\u201d Jana said, interrupting the short nap Ephiny had been taking.<\/p>\n

Groaning slightly she rolled out of the bed and walked out of the tent.\u00a0 The message back to the Queen had been sent, and she hoped to catch up on some sleep after a very exhausting day so far but it appeared the gods had something else planned.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, any idea what they need?\u201d Eph asked, as Eponin walked up next to her and she noticed a palace guard.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Empress has requested your presence,\u201d the guard answered.\u00a0 \u201cShe believes she has some information about the situation.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right,\u201d Eph finally said looking over at Eponin, knowing she would be going with her and turned to Ammira.\u00a0 \u201cYou\u2019re in charge until we return.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay, do you need anyone else to come along?\u201d Ammira asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I think the fewer who are involved the better things are,\u201d Eph replied.\u00a0 \u201cAt least until we discover who is behind this and why.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t\u2019 like this,\u201d Jana said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNeither do I, but this isn\u2019t for the new princess\u2019 safety, but the Nation as well,\u201d Eponin replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cLet\u2019s get this over with,\u201d Eph said, as they made their way away from the camp and towards the palace accompanied by the guard.\u00a0 Eph hoped the Conqueror had found something out.<\/p>\n

*****<\/p>\n

Ephiny entered the room seeing the Conqueror, Gabrielle and Airlea sitting at the table before looking over at Eponin.\u00a0 Making their way across she noted that the Conqueror had a strange look on her face making Eph feel nervous about the situation.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted to see us?\u201d Eph asked, having a seat.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve received some, well, rather disturbing information,\u201d the Conqueror replied back to them.\u00a0 \u201cWhoever is involved, they are meeting to finish payments on the deed.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph glanced over at Eponin then back at the Conqueror hoping she had more information than this, and once more doubt entered her mind that the Conqueror had planned all of this.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd how did you gain this information?\u201d Eponin asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cFrom me, and I got it from a Roman source,\u201d a male voice replied causing them to turn and see Autolycus walking towards them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI highly doubt the Romans are saying this out loud and in public,\u201d Eph said knowing how that would look, especially if they wanted to start a war between the Centaurs and the Amazons.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, they didn\u2019t, but when you know where to find information such things become easier, and it wasn\u2019t the Roman leadership who hired the assassin, but Roman merchants,\u201d Autolycus replied back to her.<\/p>\n

Eph felt a bit of shock at that unsure what that really meant and how much influence Caesar had on the Nation.\u00a0 She paused, giving it some thought and realized the Roman merchants were surprised at the news the Nation had stopped trading with them.\u00a0 Perhaps they hoped to stir up a war where they could sell goods to both sides.\u00a0 The theory had some merit she considered.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we should be present at this \u2018meeting\u2019,\u201d Eponin stated, looking over at Ephiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought you would, and we should get moving then,\u201d the Conqueror said before turning to look over at Gabrielle.\u00a0 \u201cYou, stay here until this is over.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph watched as Gabrielle gave a bit of a pout at the order.<\/p>\n

\u201cI never get to see any excitement,\u201d she finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd for good reason, I don\u2019t want this to get anymore complex than it already is without you trying to find more trouble,\u201d the Conqueror said to her.<\/p>\n

\u201dI try not to cause any trouble,\u201d Gabrielle replied and Eph noticed the Conqueror\u2019s face soften before saying anything back.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know love, but you attract it like bees to honey, and I don\u2019t\u2019 need anything else this time,\u201d the Conqueror said to her.\u00a0 \u201cStay here with the guards, for me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph managed to not laugh at the pout the blonde gave the Conqueror, like a child who had been deprived of her favorite toy.\u00a0 Looking around she noticed Autolycus with a slight smile along with most of the other guards and realized there had to be a story behind that as well.\u00a0 She looked back at the two women.<\/p>\n

\u201cPrincess, the Conqueror is right, you should stay here, we\u2019ve already lost one princess and they might try for one of us to get rid of a second one, especially if the meeting goes wrong,\u201d Eph said hoping to help the Conqueror.<\/p>\n

\u201cFine, I\u2019ll stay,\u201d Gabrielle finally stated although she didn\u2019t sound too happy about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll stay as well,\u201d Eph said suddenly earning a slight glance from Eponon.\u00a0 \u201cWe should have an amazon guard here with the princess, no offense Airlea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNone taken, I\u2019m not a soldier,\u201d the priestess replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen I\u2019ll go with the Conqueror,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have the stealth skills that you do Eponin, and you might need that with this, I trust what you\u2019ll say when you come back,\u201d Ephiny said to her lover.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you said they were meeting soon, lead on,\u201d Eponin said to the other two<\/p>\n

They watched the two head off alone with two other guards, a total of five people, small but with the Conqueror Ephiny had the feeling it was a deadly group.\u00a0 She knew Eponin\u2019s skills were quite good, and the guards were also probably highly skilled, and Autolycus, well, a skilled thief, they didn\u2019t\u2019 need her along.\u00a0 She looked back at the group and sat down next to Gabrielle who looked at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cEponin has better skills than me, and the more people the more chance they are spotted,\u201d Eph said to the unasked question.<\/p>\n

\u201cI didn\u2019t say anything,\u201d Gabrielle replied smiling a bit, and looking over she noticed Airlea smiling as well wondering about some sort of inside joke when Gabrielle continued.\u00a0 \u201cI think this will take some time to get used to, me an Amazon princess.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTime, yeah, probably,\u201d Eph giving it some thought again as another question came to her.\u00a0 \u201cWhat about you and the Conqueror?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well Xena and I talked about it for a bit, and there are some things you should know, I don\u2019t plan on living anywhere but in Corinth with Xena,\u201d Gabrielle said not really shocking Ephiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think that was the one thing which I figured would happen,\u201d Eph finally said knowing that separating the two might be impossible, and it wasn\u2019t because of the Conqueror but Gabrielle herself.\u00a0 \u201cI guess we\u2019ll have to discuss this when you come for the new princess ceremony.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, this isn\u2019t one of your all night long orgies, is it?\u201d Gabrielle asked.<\/p>\n

Eph coughed having swallowed wrong when Gabrielle spoke that and looked up at her, then over at Airlea who merely shrugged her shoulders.\u00a0 She looked back at Gabrielle wondering if the woman was actually serious, or another rumor she had heard and found only interested green eyes looking back at her.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well, you see that\u2019s more of an exaggeration than anything else,\u201d Eph finally said going with the safest answer.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, oh well,\u201d Gabrielle replied sounding a bit disappointed in the answer leaving Ephiny a bit off balance.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, how\u2019d you and the Conqueror meet?\u201d Ephiny asked hoping it was a safe conversation.\u00a0 \u201cI mean I\u2019ve heard how, but how did you and her become, well, you know?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cLovers?\u201d Gabrielle said supplying the term Ephiny had a hard time saying.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts complex.\u201d<\/p>\n

End part 5<\/p>\n

Concluded in part 6<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the New Princess by AJ Marks Part 5 Ephiny found herself fending off several Amazons, all of whom were asking questions about what happened. \u201cSilence,\u201d Eph finally shouted, waiting several seconds for things to quiet down before noticing that almost everyone from the camp was around her.\u00a0 \u201cAll right, by now word had […]
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