{"id":656,"date":"2015-08-23T14:42:35","date_gmt":"2015-08-23T14:42:35","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=656"},"modified":"2015-08-23T14:42:35","modified_gmt":"2015-08-23T14:42:35","slug":"ephiny-and-the-conquerors-treaty-part-4","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/ajscifistories.com\/?p=656","title":{"rendered":"Ephiny and the Conqueror’s Treaty – Part 4"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Conqueror’s Treaty<\/span><\/h2>\n

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

Part 4<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhew!\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny glanced over at her lover as they walked out of the meeting hut and towards their own small hut. An exhausting meeting when everyone expected a quick conclusion.<\/p>\n

\u201cNever thought I say this, but I wish we were still dealing with the Conqueror,\u201d Eponin stated expanding on her previous comment. \u201cI feel like we were left with the wolf in sheep\u2019s clothing. Ya know, if I didn\u2019t know any better I\u2019d say this was planned so we\u2019d have to deal with her.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph had no reply about that, and had to chuckle at her lover calling Bri a wolf. However she had to admit Bri had a way of saying and phrasing things which made you think you were winning until you realized what you agreed upon was what she wanted all along. What made things even worse no one seemed to be able to get mad at her, even Valaska who despite her previous outburst was not immune to the innocent smile.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never seen anyone negotiate like that, using her words like deadly weapons, turning our own words and phrases against us. I hope to never do that again,\u201d Ephiny finally said.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess we could still be glad we have our clothes,\u201d Eponin stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cNah, remember she doesn\u2019t like wearing them,\u201d Eph replied. \u201cI\u2019m glad she remained covered, mostly.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, yeah, there\u2019s something about her that\u2019s I don\u2019t\u2019 know, invigorating,\u201d Eponin said as they continued walking along the path to their hut.<\/p>\n

\u201cWon\u2019t find me complaining, especially after last night,\u201d Eph said, pausing for a second to relive last night. Eponin had been even more aroused than she had been in a long time, and it lasted well into the night. She shook her head as their hut appeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, at least the meeting seemed fruitful. I think the Nation will prosper finally,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cCurious about the Horde and Erika though,\u201d Ephiny said, a mystery almost needing to be solved.<\/p>\n

\u201cShe lost two sisters in the battle but never talked much about it to anyone,\u201d Eponin answered thinking about it. \u201cI\u2019ve heard stories about the battles, some lasted for days. All I know is the Horde never came back, but the warriors who returned to the tribe were never quite the same, nightmares, even savage like.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cFew ever talked about it to, wonder if they ever wrote it down for the library?\u201d Eph replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou, the library? This I\u2019d have to see,\u201d Epinon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHa-ha,\u201d Eph replied pouting a bit as they reached their hut.<\/p>\n

\u201cEphiny, Eponin,\u201d a voice said behind them causing them to turn to see the queen walking up behind them. \u201cMay I come in?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course my queen,\u201d Ehiny said recovering her voice first before opening their door and allowing the queen in first before following and sitting down waiting to hear what the queen wanted.<\/p>\n

\u201cI wanted to let you two know that Gabrielle invited the Nation to a meeting this summer, it involves many of the smaller nations around Greece. I am thinking of sending Terreis along with you two,\u201d Melosa said to them.<\/p>\n

\u201cUm, us? Why?\u201d Ephiny asked before she could stop herself.<\/p>\n

\u201cTerreis needs experience in dealing with foreign dignitaries. Valaska is the rightful heir, and she\u2019ll send Terreis out for politics and its time she start learning how,\u201d Melosa said. \u201cI\u2019m afraid I neglected her upbringing with this and she\u2019ll need to learn.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny took a few seconds to think about what the queen said and realized she was right, and such actions would only help later on before looking over at her lover.<\/p>\n

\u201cI think we can do that, who else?\u201d Eponin asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll leave that up to you, as the head guard for the mission,\u201d Melosa replied glancing over at Eponin.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have plenty of time to think about who to take,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cGood, I knew I could count on you two,\u201d Melosa stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy queen, why did you allow Erika to go?\u201d Eph asked, the question bugged her ever since Erika asked and hoped she might get some answers.<\/p>\n

\u201cSeveral reasons actually,\u201d Melosa replied looking a bit pensive about the subject before finally continuing. \u201cWhat I\u2019 about to tell you must remain in confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny and Eponin looked at each other before nodding and looking back at Melosa.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe battles were worse than reported publically. The Horde make savages look civilized and in order to defeat them, those who sent fell down to that level,\u201d Melosa replied. \u201cIt changed many of them. When they came back they were different, they\u2019d fallen so far and were more like animals than the sisters who left. They don\u2019t keep prisoners, and what they do to them, it makes you sick. We quietly wrote it down in the annuals of the Nation and sealed it away under the Queen\u2019s control. Erika saw things no human ever should.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny\u2019s mind went in all types of directions unsure if what she imagined even happened. The savagery seemed even worse than she had thought and had a hard time imagining anyone not returning changed.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve kept track of the Horde\u2019s activities over the years hoping they would never return. They never attacked us again since that time, I like to think because their warriors are all male, and ours are female that we gave them nightmares,\u201d Melosa stated.<\/p>\n

Eph sat in silence for several heartbeats before a knock on the door startled her, she was expecting no one before standing up and heading over to open the door. The sight of Gabrielle standing there surprised her.<\/p>\n

\u201cI hope I\u2019m not intruding, oh, you\u2019ve got company,\u201d Gabrielle stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t mind me, we\u2019re only talking old history,\u201d Melosa replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cReally! I love hearing stories,\u201d Gabrielle replied. \u201cI\u2019ve got a few in the library in Athens.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re a bard?\u201d Ephiny asked feeling shocked at the admission by Gabrielle before finally waving her inside and shutting out the cold.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot much of one, but I do love to tell and listen to stories,\u201d Gabrielle replied but Eph thought she saw a slight blush appear on the woman\u2019s cheeks.<\/p>\n

\u201cI see you are full of surprises,\u201d Melosa said. \u201cHow does one like you become what she is to the Conqueror?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s not much of a story,\u201d Gabrielle stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere has to be more than the \u2018I\u2019m the slave she\u2019s the master\u2019 story,\u201d Melosa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I don\u2019t\u2019 know many slaves who negotiate treaties, have their own guards and has the Conqueror hand feed them,\u201d Eponin said.<\/p>\n

\u201cOr allows a slave to call them by name,\u201d Ephiny said getting into the conversation and recalling Gabrielle had called the Conqueror Xena, something even the Amazons did not do.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere isn\u2019t much to say, but it might explain a bit why I\u2019m still a slave,\u201d Gabrielle replied to them.<\/p>\n

Ephiny leaned forward slightly to hear the story hoping it would answer more than a few questions she had.<\/p>\n

\u201cI entered slavery by the actions of my own parents, or should I say my own dad sold me into slavery,\u201d Gabrielle stated. \u201cI wasn\u2019t more than five summers old, though I\u2019m not sure of my exact age.\u201d<\/p>\n

The news shocked Ephiny who wondered what type of parents did such a thing to their child. She couldn\u2019t fathom such a thing, especially in the Nation where everyone cared for every child and considered each a gift.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t remember much before that, only the training to be a slave, obeying orders, what to do and not to do, that type of thing. I think somewhere deep down I remained, sheltered somehow considering I had a few masters who were most unkind. I never seemed to stay with them for too long, thank the gods and goddesses,\u201d Gabrielle stated. \u201cOne of my masters decided I was old enough to learn how to be his pleasure slave, never got the chance to use me as the Conqueror came through and killed him, and then sold everyone into slavery. Basically no change for me. I then went to another master who tried the same thing, but his wife was jealous and sold me before he could do anything.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny listened in knowing that Gabrielle skipped some things, getting an abbreviated version of what happened.<\/p>\n

\u201cI was bought again, this time by the new empress, Xena, for a high price. She was betting against another guy from Persia,\u201d Gabrielle stated. \u201cThe law states a slave can only gain their freedom if they earn their way to freedom. At the price I was taken it would take me about another twenty years to gain that freedom.\u201d<\/p>\n

Ephiny blinked wondering how much the price was, and how much Gabrielle might earn per day. She always heard rumors of how much a slave might be, she wondered if the Conqueror thought she got a bargain now? Also the amount of money would probably bankrupt the Nation.<\/p>\n

\u201cAt the time Xena had finished the captain of conquering Greece and had an image to maintain for control as people like Drafus appeared to challenge her. As a result my first year was very harsh, which is where the piercings came from,\u201d Gabrielle stated opening the cloak again so they could all see her breasts.<\/p>\n

Ephiny wondered how such a close friendship could ever come from such a violent beginning to what she saw in the bath.<\/p>\n

\u201cDrafus tried to overthrow her that day and the fighting had been intense but she won. I suffered her battlelust that day. Few things about her have been exaggerated, this is one thing which isn\u2019t,\u201d Gabrielle said to them. \u201cShe wanted to hear me scream, that\u2019s why they did my clit first, after that I don\u2019t remember much. You could say our real relationship started that night, when I woke up the next morning I was sore but comfortable. She never again took pain to such an extreme, and when she did each time made sure I was comfortable with it.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph unconsciously summoned up the picture of a naked tied up Gabrielle with the Conqueror on top before shaking her mind away from the thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou okay?\u201d Eponin asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cYep, no problem, Eph squeaked out.<\/p>\n

The sound of both Eponin and Melosa laughing caused her to turn before looking away feeling some heat in her cheeks, hoping she wasn\u2019t blushing too much.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnyways, continue,\u201d Eph said looking over at Gabrielle with as much dignity as possible which was hard considering Gabrielle was also laughing. They waited for Gabrielle to calm down a bit before continuing.<\/p>\n

\u201cDon\u2019t worry about it, you\u2019re not the first,\u201d Gabrielle said, and Eph wasn\u2019t sure to be glad or not as Gabrielle continued. \u201cOf course she didn\u2019t change overnight, no one can. She continued to enforce the no clothes, like other pleasure slaves, even in public. I\u2019ll admit it was difficult at first, but now I prefer it, though I tolerate the cloak for warmth.\u201d<\/p>\n

Eph remained doubtful about that, her own experience was never pleasant. Perhaps it was because no one went around naked except in the baths. She turned her attention back to Gabrielle.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooking back at it all, I think we had fallen in love with each other from the beginning, but the master\/slave relationship kept us apart. I can remember seeing her and thinking she was gorgeous, the long dark hair, blue eyes, she drew me in like no one else had ever done. I was scared and happy when Xena won that bid. Even before the piercings I had begun to secretly call her Xena, not the Empress or Conqueo, and I even started doing little things to make her happy, baking goodies, massages, and she rewarded me with writing instruments, a library, flowers,\u201d Gabrielle said to them.<\/p>\n

Ephiny had a hard time envisioning such scenes especially with the Conqueror. However it appeared the older woman knew how to woo Gabrielle, or had studied her enough to know what she liked and didn\u2019t like.<\/p>\n

\u201cA could of seasons ago Xena wanted to free me, but I resisted,\u201d Gabrielle replied. \u201cI knew other masters had come to Xena requesting the same thing and she refused. Things were politically uneasy and I feared it push for another rebellion. I was right and when the rebellion came she still had a lot of support. It was after that when I began whispering small pieces of advice to her, not that she always agrees, but she does stop and think about what I say and that\u2019s been good for the Empire.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat makes sense,\u201d Melosa said speaking up for the first time. \u201cIts been in the past couple of seasons which our spies have noticed a change within Greece. The threats of revolution subsided to the fringe and unsupported by the average person.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think there will always be that type of talk, but if the normal person is happy and content things go better, that\u2019s what I try to do,\u201d Gabrielle said.<\/p>\n

\u201cAlways wondered what type of person would tame the Conqueror,\u201d Melosa said.<\/p>\n

\u201cNot sure tame is the right word,\u201d Gabrielle replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, but I am, the Conqueror needed someone who was her intellectual equal, not physical,\u201d Melosa said causing them all to stop and think. \u201cShe needed someone who could look into the depths of her soul and be strong enough to survive, and I think being forced into it helped you even more. Your position forced the Conqueror to look at her own soul, that\u2019s what allowed your relationship to grow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you sure you\u2019re not an oracle my queen,\u201d Ephiny half joked, yet seemed partly serious as well.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, seen enough of it with the Amazons, though I\u2019m sure the Conqueror is much worse and it would require an equally strong opposite force,\u201d Melosa replied.<\/p>\n

Ephiny gave that some thought for a few seconds. She never thought of it that way, two eual and opposite forces. Anotehr thought entered her mind.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, we\u2019ve been invited to Cornith this summer,\u201d she stated to Gabrielle.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvery summer Greece invites the nearby leaders, most of whom we have treaties with, to send a representative, this year we\u2019re expecting them from all over, including Rome, Chin, Persia, Egypt and Cartage to attend, along with the Amazons of course. We don\u2019t pressure anyone, but it\u2019s a way to be diplomatic and hope to prevent any wars.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do you get so many empires to get along?\u201d Ephiny asked knowing many of the empires didn\u2019t like each other.<\/p>\n

\u201cIf Greece and Rome can get along then Xena expects the same from the others as well,\u201d Gabrielle answered logically. \u201cUm, do you have any communications with the Centaurs?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d all three answered quickly.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, right, forgot Amazons and Centaurs don\u2019t get along,\u201d Gabrielle said. \u201cBut I feel they should be invited anyways.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s asking for trouble,\u201d Ephiny quickly stated knowing they would not get along at all. Put both Centaurs and Amazons in close quarters and a fight was almost guaranteed.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd, if Xena can get along with Rome then so should you,\u201d Gabrielle stated looking at all three.<\/p>\n

Ephiny opened her mouth to argue and shut it again at the look Gabrielle gave her before looking over at Melosa and Eponin who bore a similar expression. It felt odd that three Amazons, including a weapons master and Queen were stared down by a mere slave.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, Cornith is a big place, we might not even have to encounter any Centaurs,\u201d Eponin said speaking up.<\/p>\n

\u201cSee, things work out for a reason,\u201d Gabrielle said, yawning. \u201cWell, its getting late and I have quite the journey back to the palace tomorrow.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGoodnight Gabrielle,\u201d Ephiny said as they stood and the smaller woman walked out of the hut. Ephiny noticed two guards nearby who immediately rushed to her side guarding her as she walked into the chilly night air.<\/p>\n

\u201cFor a moment I thought you were going to hold the door open all night,\u201d Eponin stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cHa-ha,\u201d Ephiny replied.<\/p>\n

The three fell silent for several heartbeats as Ephiny sat back down next to Eponin. Everything about the past couple of days was unlike anything she expected including th3e signing of the treaty, and the announcement by what Rome had demanded.<\/p>\n

\u201cDid any of you noticed anything about Gabrielle?\u201d Eponin finally said interrupting Eph\u2019s train of thought.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, but then again she\u2019s already unusual so I\u2019m not sure what you\u2019re talking about,\u201d Ephiny finally replied.<\/p>\n

\u201cI first noticed it when we were bathing, a small mark she had. I had to think about it for a few seconds but now I\u2019m sure it\u2019s the mark of Aphrodite,\u201d Eponin stated.<\/p>\n

\u201cAphrodite?\u201d Eph repeated unsure she heard correctly and what that might mean.<\/p>\n

\u201cDoesn\u2019t surprise me at all,\u201d Melosa said. \u201cRemember Aphrodite and Ares are attracted to each other, so it wouldn\u2019t surprise me if Gabrielle s touched by the goddess. Everything thinks the Conqueror is the daughter of Ares.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy do I suddenly have the feeling we\u2019re not anywhere close to dealing with those two?\u201d Ephiny asked them.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t know, but I hope better things are on the way for the Nation,\u201d Melosa said before standing and stretching. \u201cI should get going.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course my queen,\u201d Ephiny said as Eponin stood holding the door open for the queen to leave their hut.<\/p>\n

Ephiny watched as Eponin put a few more logs on the fire and turning to Ephiny.<\/p>\n

\u201cReady for bed?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut of course.\u201d<\/p>\n

The End of Ephiny and the Conqueror\u2019s Treaty<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Ephiny and the Conqueror’s Treaty by AJ Marks Part 4 \u201cWhew!\u201d Ephiny glanced over at her lover as they walked out of the meeting hut and towards their own small hut. An exhausting meeting when everyone expected a quick conclusion. \u201cNever thought I say this, but I wish we were still dealing with the Conqueror,\u201d […]
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