{"id":1367,"date":"2016-03-23T07:32:50","date_gmt":"2016-03-23T12:32:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1367"},"modified":"2016-03-23T07:32:50","modified_gmt":"2016-03-23T12:32:50","slug":"ephiny-and-the-roman-army-part-6","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=1367","title":{"rendered":"Ephiny and the Roman Army – Part 6"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Roman Army<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

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

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

Eph and Gabrielle approached the training field to see a group of younger Amazons were already training. It took them a few seconds before they realized who was standing there and Eph felt sure the reaction was due more to the fact Gabrielle had nothing on than anything else.\u00a0 She caught a few of the younger Amazons openly staring, at least until the trainers caught them.<\/p>\n

The trainers broke the group up into smaller groups and started on new routines. Eph watched as many hit themselves, probably still distracted by Gabrielle, but overall they looked good.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, well, well, I see our \u2018princess\u2019 has honored us by attending the training grounds,\u201d a voice said causing Eph to turn knowing who the voice belonged to.<\/p>\n

She watched as Ligeia walked towards them much to Eph\u2019s shock. She thought the warrior was on patrol.\u00a0 The tall Amazon made her way over to where they stood and looked down at Gabrielle.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, do you know how to defend yourself, or do you hid behind the Conqueror\u2019s skirt, or perhaps I should say under it,\u201d Ligeia stated.<\/p>\n

Eph started to say something but noticed the look in Gabrielle\u2019s eyes, the innocent look had vanished and replaced with a fire she rarely saw. She noticed Ligeia failed to notice the change and still stood with an arrogant pose.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, being a princess you should be properly trained, or is the Conqueror afraid of allowing someone close to her who knows how to fight,\u201d Ligeia teased making Eph wonder what she was thinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did you have in mind?\u201d Gabrielle asked, surprising Ephiny. She looked over seeing the normal guards who went with Gabrielle still standing nearby, but they were calm despite one missing.\u00a0 Her unasked question was answered a few seconds later when the Conqueror appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you\u2019re already running to the Conqueror already. Need her to fight your battles, a true Amazon doesn\u2019t have to run, especially one which receives the Rite-of-Caste,\u201d Ligeia sneered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWho said I\u2019m hiding behind her, maybe I\u2019m protecting you from her,\u201d Gabrielle replied back to Ligeia. The statement caused Eph to frown wondering what she meant watching as Melosa appeared a few seconds later.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat\u2019s going on here?\u201d Melosa asked, looking at everyone, her eyes going to Eph, Gabrielle, Ligeia and finally looking over at the Conqueror.<\/p>\n

\u201cA lesson,\u201d the Conqueror said causing Eph\u2019s eyebrows to rise. \u201cI think this can be settled rather quickly.<\/p>\n

Eph wondered if she was the only one who thought the entire thing was crazy and wanted to speak up.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou mean a sparring match with me?\u201d Ligeia said, looking over at the Conqueror.<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, but not with me, with your princess,\u201d the Conqueror stated surprising Eph.<\/p>\n

\u201cAll right, we\u2019ll use staffs,\u201d Ligeia stated with arrogance. \u201cI don\u2019t want to kill her by accident when she can\u2019t block an attack.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph looked frantically over at Melosa hoping to hear her protest. She started to step forward trying to think of something to end this silly piece of showmanship before someone, like Gabrielle, got hurt.\u00a0 However, it was Gabrielle who stopped her.<\/p>\n

\u201cEph, it\u2019s all right,\u201d she said holding a hand up to Eph. \u201cBesides, this shouldn\u2019t take too long.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph had no idea what to say next, and before she could say anything else Gabrielle walked out and looked over at one of the trainees, asking her for her staff to use. Ligeia twirled her own staff a few times waiting for Gabrielle who did the same before lining up.<\/p>\n

Ephiny took a step forward and felt a hand on her shoulder causing her to jump slightly. She looked behind her to see the Conqueror standing there watching, and calm.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis will be fun,\u201d Ligeia said, making the first move.<\/p>\n

Eph almost missed what happened next as Gabrielle moved as well. Ligeia\u2019s attack failed to connect and within seconds Gabrielle knocked the staff out of Ligeia\u2019s hands and had her on the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cYield,\u201d Garielle said with a firm voice and a staff at Ligeia\u2019s throat. Eph noticed the tall Amazon glaring at Gabrielle and for a second thought the fight would continue before she backed down.<\/p>\n

Gabrielle handed back the staff to a wide eyed, shorter girl before heading back to where the Conqueror stood. Eph noticed the look Ligeia gave Gabrielle and made a mental note to keep an eyes on her.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that the demonstration is over everyone back to business,\u201d Melosa stated to the group who had gathered and looked over at Eph and Gabrielle. \u201cWe should head over to see if Zona had finished with the modifications.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph turned and walked away with Gabrielle but noticed that the Conqueror had taken a closer look at Ligeia before heading off as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, well I think you made an enemy of Ligeia, and a friend of that young girl,\u201d Eph said breaking the silence. \u201cThink you surprised everyone, including that the Conqueror allowed you to fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cXena already sized her up, and if she thought there was a chance of me being injured she wouldn\u2019t have allowed me to fight,\u201d Gabrielle stated. \u201cRemember, she trained me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cForgot about that,\u201d Eph said, and she had recalling that she had been told that before.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Gabrielle said, leaning into to whisper to Eph. \u201cI can beat Xena with a staff when we\u2019re training.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny stumbled slightly at hearing that. She never expected such a statement but recovered as they entered the tailor\u2019s hut.\u00a0 Inside Zona sat facing away from the door closely working on something and never heard them come in.<\/p>\n

Eph cleared her throat causing Zona to jump.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, got carried away,\u201d Zona replied looking over, seeing who was there and grabbed an armband from behind her and handed it over to Gabrielle. \u201cHere, this one\u2019s done.\u201d<\/p>\n

Garielle took the armband and examined it for several seconds before putting it on. Eph got a slight glance at the work once again amazed at the quality of word Zona did.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do nice work,\u201d Gabrielle said adjusting the armband and tugging on it slightly before settling down.<\/p>\n

\u201cThanks,\u201d Zona said blushing slightly. \u201cThat one\u2019s finished, working on the other one.\u00a0 It should be done for the festival.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan\u2019t wait to see them,\u201d Gabrielle answered as Zona hand her the skirt and a few necklaces which would complete the ensemble.<\/p>\n

\u201cHeard there was some excitement going on over at the training grounds,\u201d Zona asked looking at them.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, Ligeia challenged our princess to a sparring match,\u201d Eph replied before Gabrielle could say anything. \u201cIt was over that quickly, barely saw her move.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMaybe that will knock her tough as britches attitude down a bit,\u201d Zona said. \u201cShe and her friends always thinking they\u2019re better \u2018cause their warriors.\u00a0 Ha!\u00a0 Who\u2019d stich up their leather britches if everyone was a warrior?\u00a0 They\u2019d be going around without a stitch of clothing, that\u2019s what they\u2019d be doing.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph glanced over at Gabrielle wondering how she would take that comment, but she had a slight smile on her face even as Zona continued on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI need this patched up Zona, I tore my leathers stich them up Zona, I need new leathers Zona,\u201d the tailor said now moving around and tossing up her hands with each comment she made. \u201cMake mine red this time Zona, like leather is easy to dye red.\u00a0 I want mine dark blue, almost black Zona, like where am I supposed to find that type of dye, conjure it up with my tailor magic I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph watched slightly stunned by the attitude of the tailor who now walked I small circles forgetting there were others in the hut with her. She looked over at Gabrielle who merely seemed to be watching, observing Zona and what she said.<\/p>\n

\u201cMust be frustrating,\u201d Gabrielle finally said. \u201cI can understand that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou do?\u201d Zona said stopping her pacing and looking at Gabrielle, who merely looked down at her own body.<\/p>\n

\u201cEveryone assumes I\u2019m a slave who knows nothing,\u201d Gabrielle said. \u201cThey fail to recognize that I, like you, have been blessed by the gods.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph watched an odd look come over Zona\u2019s face. She realized Zona probably had been touched by a god, how else was she so good at what she did, and she probably never had anyone else care.<\/p>\n

\u201cIts true, you are touched?\u201d Zona asked, and Eph felt a bit relieved that the tailor had stopped her ranting.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, yeah, a couple,\u201d Gabrielle replied, a slight blush filling her cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cOnly a few, she\u2019s been touched by Artemis, Athena, Apollo to name a few, and is the Chosen of Aphrodite,\u201d Eph stating enjoying the embarrassment on Gabrielle\u2019s fae.<\/p>\n

\u201cI thought I saw Aphrodite\u2019s mark on you earlier,\u201d Zona replied. \u201cI don\u2019t see many others and I want\u2019 looking so I\u2019m no expert.\u00a0 I do know many of them, and I know what Artemis\u2019 mark looks like, the Queen and Valaska have it.<\/p>\n

At that moment the door to the hut opened allowing Melosa and the Conqueror to walk in allowing Eph the opportunity to observe the interaction between her and Gabrielle. They sood very close to each other, and the Conqueror placed a hand on Gabrielle\u2019s shoulder and the smaller woman leaned into the touch.<\/p>\n

\u201cEphiny,\u201d Melosa said, breaking Eph\u2019s internal thoughts causing her to look over at her queen.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, thinking,\u201d Eph replied, not really wanting to say what she was doing and hoped the queen would let it go.<\/p>\n

\u201cHave you heard from Eponin?\u201d Melosa asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo my queen,\u201d Eph replied, but knew her lover was probably still working on gathering a few trusted people together and informing them on what was going on around them. She thought of something else.\u00a0 \u201cAny word back from Erika and the Centaurs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but I don\u2019t expect to hear anything back until tomorrow,\u201d Melosa replied back to her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can count on their participation, they don\u2019t like the Romans,\u201d Gabrielle said, and for some reason Eph believed her.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, its almost time, Eph, princess, Conqueror, I must get ready for tonight,\u201d Melosa said, and left the hut.<\/p>\n

\u201cI suppose I should let you get ready as well Ephiny,\u201d Gabrielle said before turning towards the Conqueror. \u201cI\u2019ll show you my hut.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou have a hut?\u201d Eph heard the Conqueror ask as they walked out, something in the tone indicated a bit more and Eph closed the door to that thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cI should get ready as well, otherwise I\u2019ll miss it,\u201d Zona said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I need to find Eponin anyways,\u201d Eph replied<\/p>\n

She made her way out of the hut and towards her own, slightly disappointed it was empty, and started to get ready anyways.<\/p>\n

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

Eph stood next to Gabrielle watching as Eponin came running up to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cSorry, been a long day,\u201d Eponin said slightly out of breath.<\/p>\n

Eph had a thousand questions for her lover but knew they would all have to wait until after the funeral. Eponin had managed to change into her formal wear and in Eph\u2019s eyes she looked beautiful.\u00a0 Looking over at Gabrielle, her braided hair fell across her shoulders and she noticed the Conqueror had managed to get the princess to \u2018dress\u2019 up.\u00a0 She wore a short skirt, a bit too short in Eph\u2019s opinion, and an armband with the symbol of her position, a wrist band and a glove which all decorated one arm.<\/p>\n

The priestess finished her small speech which Eph didn\u2019t pay much attention to. Gabrielle stepped forward, along with the queen and Valaska who represented the family of the deceased.\u00a0 Normally the family members would set the pyre on fire, but when it came to Royalty, the rules became a bit different.<\/p>\n

The torch was handed to Gabrielle, the one who received the Rite-of-Caste, and carried the torch to her new position. She looked out at the crowd, many of whom were straining to get a glimpse of their new princess.\u00a0 A few almost stumbled but managed to catch themselves as they jostled for a position to see.<\/p>\n

Eph had a feeling half of the Nation lusted after Gabrielle, despite not wanting to show it. She noticed only a few people who appeared hostile, mostly Ligeia and her group.\u00a0 Word had probably spread about how easily Gabrielle had defeated the taller Amazon, and they probably held a grudge.<\/p>\n

Glancing over at Gabrielle she noticed the small blonde had been looking as well. Eph knew how smart and observant the \u2018slave\u2019 was and didn\u2019t underestimate her ability to see it as well.\u00a0 Eph noticed Gabrielle kept looking over at one spot, and looking over she saw nothing at first, then noticed the Conqueror standing there watching.<\/p>\n

Eph turned her attention back to the fire which was slowly spreading. The flames licked at the wrappings before finally catching fire.\u00a0 She allowed the tears for her friend to come as the funeral continued.\u00a0 Despite the comfort Artemis gave, Eph had lost a dear friend.<\/p>\n

In three days a celebration would occur to celebrate the princess. The three days were for morning.\u00a0 Eph knew tomorrow would bring its own complications, Romans, Centaurs and the Conqueror.\u00a0 For now, she\u2019d remember her friend, Terreis.<\/p>\n

The End<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Roman Army by AJ Marks Part 6 Eph and Gabrielle approached the training field to see a group of younger Amazons were already training. It took them a few seconds before they realized who was standing there and Eph felt sure the reaction was due more to the fact Gabrielle had nothing […]
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":[3,10,6,5,12,21,20],"class_list":["post-1367","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-fanfiction","category-xenauber-xena","tag-aj-marks","tag-fanfiction","tag-fantasy","tag-sci-fi","tag-story","tag-uber-xena","tag-xena"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1367","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=1367"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1367\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1368,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1367\/revisions\/1368"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1367"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1367"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1367"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}