{"id":1140,"date":"2015-12-09T07:11:26","date_gmt":"2015-12-09T13:11:26","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1140"},"modified":"2015-12-09T07:11:26","modified_gmt":"2015-12-09T13:11:26","slug":"ephiny-and-the-new-princess-part-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1140","title":{"rendered":"Ephiny and the New Princess – Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

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

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

Part 6<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYet despite it being complex it\u2019s actually a simple story,\u201d Gabrielle said to Eph\u2019s question about how she and the Conqueror met.\u00a0 \u201cI like to say it was love at first sight, but Xena will deny that, always does, and that\u2019s just like her.\u00a0 Besides, I know better.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNow I\u2019m curious about how that happened,\u201d Ephiny said knowing there was a story about how a slave and her master could have love at first sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe first time I ever saw Xena she looked like a magnificent goddess,\u201d Gabrielle said and Eph watched as her face took a dreamy look.\u00a0 \u201cShe\u2019d just killed my previous owner at the time, for which I felt grateful and strode through the household taking command of everyone and everything.\u00a0 I recall our eyes meeting and something inside me wanted to go with her, be with her, be consumed by her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou wanted to be with the Conqueror?\u201d Eph asked wondering if Gabrielle had heard even half the rumors of the Conqueror, if so no one wanted to go with her, least not a slave.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I know, foolish, but that\u2019s what I wished for.\u00a0 I understood my position, a lowly slave, but I was surprised that she even noticed me that day,\u201d Gabrielle said.\u00a0 \u201cOur eyes met, and I think that changed everything.\u00a0 I had heard many rumors about how she treated slaves but at that moment I didn\u2019t care.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, the Conqueror took you as a slave that day?\u201d Eph asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I was sold a short time later my new owner sold me, and that day Xena did buy my,\u201d Gabrielle stated.\u00a0 \u201cI remember being terrified, scared, yet a small part of me was happy.\u00a0 I think my heart knew then what I know now, I love her, and she loves me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery story I\u2019ve heard of the Conqueror doesn\u2019t involve love,\u201d Ephiny replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t\u2019 think she knew how, she needed someone to teach her,\u201d Gabrielle said.\u00a0 \u201cI think in a way that\u2019s why she paid so much for me, she wanted to make sure no one else could buy me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWas she as bad as the rumors said?\u201d Ephiny asked unable to help herself, hoping she didn\u2019t drag up any bad memories.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes and no, I think a part of her feared being perceived as weak, which is what she considered love to be, so she tried to pretend she didn\u2019t care.\u00a0 And there were times I did fear her, but never for my life, and it turned out these very piercings were the turning point,\u201d Gabrielle said, glancing down at the ring in one of her nipples.\u00a0 Ephiny forced herself not to stare, and look at Gabrielle\u2019s face but noticed that Airlea continued to stare.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow would the piercing change anything?\u201d Airlea asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe pain I experienced got through to her heart in a way I had yet to do,\u201d Gabrielle explained.\u00a0 \u201cSeeing me in pain hurt her too much.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll never say you don\u2019t have courage,\u201d Ephiny sated, and went to say more when the door opened and the Conqueror and Eponin entered.\u00a0 \u201cWhat happened?\u201d Eph asked thinking it was too early for them to return.<\/p>\n

\u201cUgh, what didn\u2019t,\u201d Eponin replied sitting down and looking disturbed.\u00a0 \u201cIts really a tangled mess.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph looked over at the Conqueror hoping to get more information than what her lover gave.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt appears Amazons are also involved in this,\u201d the Conqueror stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s true,\u201d Eponin said before Eph could even protest.\u00a0 \u201cSeems a few Amazons still hold a grudge against the Conqueror and think the queen ruined the Nation, want to replace her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d Eph asked, knowing a threat like this could not be treated kindly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey were calling themselves Valaska\u2019s Chosen,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cValaska?\u00a0 That makes no sense,\u201d Eph said frowning.<\/p>\n

\u201cI know, but here\u2019s where it gets interesting, I thought I heard Tanis\u2019 voice,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

Eph had to think for a second before the name came to her.\u00a0 \u201cWasn\u2019t she banned, oh goddess, you don\u2019t think?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI do,\u201d Eph replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, who is she and why is she banned?\u201d Gabrielle asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cTanis is Valaska\u2019s older sister, and when Valaska received the Right-of-Caste Tanis went berserk,\u201d Eponin stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe attacked the Queen, Valaska and Terreis at the same time with the idea if she killed all three the Nation would make her queen,\u201d Ephiny said recalling that day.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid she have any close friends, lovers?\u201d the Conqueror asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cLigeia, rumors were they were lovers, but no real proof they were,\u201d Eph replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoes she and Koni know each other?\u201d Eponin asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cThey hang around each other, part of a small group who always thinks they are better than the others,\u201d Airlea said answering the question.<\/p>\n

Eph felt a bit relieved she had sent the message back already to the queen, but wished this information was available when she sent the message.\u00a0 She knew it was information the queen would want.\u00a0 A guard walked in pushing another man who wore a scowl on his face, and she thought he was a Roman merchant.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlso, this Roman merchant confessed to the assassination of your princess,\u201d the Conqueror said.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019ll release him to Amazon guard.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan we wait until we leave, we have no way of holding a prisoner at the moment,\u201d Ephiny stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat can be arranged, he\u2019ll be held in the dungeons,\u201d the Conqueror stated.<\/p>\n

Ephiny walked over to him, recognizing him as the same one who spoke to her the first night they were here.\u00a0 \u201cSo, what did you hope to accomplish?\u201d<\/p>\n

She looked him right in the eyes knowing he had no intention of answering her truthfully, and saw resentment and anger towards her.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt doesn\u2019t matter, the Amazons will be crushed in no time,\u201d he replied.\u00a0 \u201cI only wish I\u2019d taken out a few more of your filth.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake him away,\u201d the Conqueror said, watching as the guards removed him.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis seems too easy,\u201d Ephiny finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Rome is involved, and I feel they are, then exposing them too soon will put us at a disadvantage,\u201d the Conqueror stated.\u00a0 \u201cCaesar likes to think he understands and knows his enemy, but this time we have more knowledge than he would like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you saying Rome is going to invade Greece?\u201d Eponin asked.\u00a0 Ephiny look on waiting to see what the Conqueror would say next.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s exactly what I\u2019m thinking.\u00a0 He probably told the merchants they would make a killing selling arms to the Nation and Centaurs if a war started up between them, knowing that a side effect would be to distract Greece and open an area where he could land to strike at Greece,\u201d the Conqueror said.\u00a0 \u201cEliminate three nations in one swoop.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Rome\u2019s going to get away with this?\u201d Eponin said suddenly.\u00a0 \u201cThey kill Terreis and all we get is a lousy merchant!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cEponin, stand down!\u201d a voice said full of authority, causing them all to turn seeing Gabrielle standing there looking at Eponin.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we all know who\u2019s side you\u2019re on in this,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, I understand more than you,\u201d Gabrielle said holding up a hand in the direction of the Conqueror.\u00a0 Eph glanced over to see the Conqueror watching very closely to make sure it didn\u2019t get physical as Gabrielle continued.\u00a0 \u201cFor now, the Nation, except for certain trusted member, will think this \u2018merchant\u2019 did it on his own to get back at the Nation for not renewing the contract.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile you sit and do what, play politics with Rome?\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, because Greece and Rome are going to war,\u201d the Conqueror stated.<\/p>\n

Eph looked on at the statement hoping it didn\u2019t mean what she thought it did but the others in the room seemed to not be phased by the comment.<\/p>\n

\u201cPaleamon, go tell the seventh army to quietly mobilize, we\u2019ll head towards the Amazons and Centaurs after everyone has left, I want them ready to go the moment the last one has left following me and Gabrielle to the Amazon Nation,\u201d the Conqueror ordered.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt once Empress,\u201d Paleamon stated, saluting before heading off to carry out his orders.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think Gabrielle and I should visit the Amazons for two reason, one, the official reason, after all Gabrielle is a new princess of the Nation so she has to learn what her position will be and second, to scout for a possible invasion by Rome,\u201d the Conqueror stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t this be a bit obvious when the army shows up?\u201d Eponin said, stating the obvious.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe seventh is a small army, and I have a garrison already near Amazon territory, guarding the prisoners,\u201d the Conqueror said.<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps a few more warriors in disguise as prisoners,\u201d Gabrielle said as the Conqueror thought about it.<\/p>\n

\u201cMight work, along with the entire Royal Guard, add in Amazon and Centaur warriors, I think that will be enough to counter any army Rome sends,\u201d the Conqueror said.<\/p>\n

Eph raised her eyebrows at that comment and wondered how well Amazons and Centaurs would work together.\u00a0 Of course she never would have expected to be at war against Rome and allied with Greece.<\/p>\n

\u201cSomehow, I wish I had stayed home for this trip,\u201d Eph finally said, looking over at Airlea who merely shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m not a warrior, only a priestess,\u201d she replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhatever we decide, Queen Melosa needs to be informed of everything, otherwise, while I hve Artemis\u2019 blessing, I doubt she wants me to be Queen,\u201d Gabrielle said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd as long as the Roman delegation is still here, I do not think they\u2019ll try anything, it\u2019s not their style.\u00a0 They will observe then report back to the attacking force,\u201d the Conqueror said.\u00a0 \u201cThat\u2019s where we\u2019ll hold the advantage.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph watched them all, and hoped the Nation would survive.<\/p>\n

End Ephiny and the New Princess<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the New Princess by AJ Marks Part 6 \u201cYet despite it being complex it\u2019s actually a simple story,\u201d Gabrielle said to Eph\u2019s question about how she and the Conqueror met.\u00a0 \u201cI like to say it was love at first sight, but Xena will deny that, always does, and that\u2019s just like her.\u00a0 Besides, […]
Continue reading…<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[9,18],"tags":[3,10,6,21,20],"class_list":["post-1140","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fanfiction","category-xenauber-xena","tag-aj-marks","tag-fanfiction","tag-fantasy","tag-uber-xena","tag-xena"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1140"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1141,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1140\/revisions\/1141"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1140"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1140"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1140"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}