Frogs croaked by the riverside, waiting for their meals to buzz past. Guards grunted as their fellows woke them. There were shared words and ribald jokes by the fires. The first watch turned in.

Joxer walked to the bank and splashed the cool water on his face and the back of his neck. Strapping on his armor and placing his quirky helmet on his head, he clanked his way to the perimeter. Save for the insects and various nocturnal animals, all was quiet. A pair of men made the rounds, rousing those who had dozed off.

Scanning the foothills above the camp, Joxer saw nothing. He reflected that even if there were anything to see, he would probably miss it. Another thing I'll have to ask Xena to teach me, the sinking thought came to him. I shouldn't be adding to her burdens. On the other hand, she didn't mind too much when she was teaching me on the way to Pyrgos. Maybe Gabrielle could help. She notices things, too.

The vague uneasiness that had awakened him now returned. Whatever it was, he understood that Gabrielle was not upset with him. This was different.

I wonder if Xena took Gabrielle on one of those long trips. Nubia, or Arabia, or something. I hope not. Gabby always comes back so changed. One day she might be so different that she'll decide she won't ever love me. I'll ask them if I can come along next time.

His gaze turned toward the foothills again. Joxer wondered what Xena saw when she scouted the land. Was it a movement, or a flicker of light and shadow? Perhaps she noticed sounds below the threshold of normal hearing. Still, it was something Xena had learned, or maybe taught herself. He'd gathered that much from what Gabrielle had written, and Xena had turned a more human face to him as well, revealing more of herself than she may have intended.

I can learn this, he decided. Gabby's good at it when she tries, and she was just a farm girl once. She broke away from that, and here I am, breaking away from?

Then he did sense it, a small animal moving in the brush. He couldn't tell, but thought it might be a fox. There was no threat; the animal certainly wanted to avoid the camp. Another motion drew his attention. It was an owl, pouncing on an unfortunate mouse. Joxer caught a glimpse of the bird in the moonlight. Of men, there was nothing, except for the camp. This felt right to him.

Say, maybe I have learned something after all! Joxer the Mighty, master scout... no, I'm only fooling myself again. This is good, but I need practice.

Smiling now, he contented himself with trying to detect more animals. For some reason, he thought it was important to track birds, but few of these were abroad at night.

"Hey, you asleep?" Another guard touched his shoulder, and Joxer jumped. The would-be warrior turned to face the other man, who looked at him curiously. "I guess not," the guard said.

"Thanks," Joxer replied. "I must have been concentrating too hard on the stuff in front of me." I do need to ask Xena for help.

"That's all right. You must be new at this. Take it easy and let the sights and sounds come to you," the guard told him, clapping Joxer on the back and continuing on his way.

"Thanks, anyway," Joxer said, and he meant it. He continued his self-imposed exercise, this time paying attention to the camp behind him as well. Eventually his relief came and gave Joxer another cup of herb tea. They talked for a little while about the animals Joxer had glimpsed in the night, then Joxer visited the latrine before retiring to his bedroll. This time, his agitation smoothed itself out and he fell asleep.

It was only a short run to Delos, so while Philo conducted his business, some of his men who wished to visit the oracle and the birthplace of Apollo joined Xena, Gabrielle and assorted tourists on a ferry to the sacred island. Though it was only a hill, they could see Mount Kinthos from the moment they cleared the harbor, and some of the passengers reverently made the sign of Apollo.

Xena smiled, but inside she carried a guilty secret. Still disturbed from time to time by the vision of her crucifixion ? and especially Gabrielle's ? that Alti had shown her, she planned to visit the Delian oracle, which was one of the three most important in all Greece, the others being at Delphi and Dodona. She had not told Gabrielle, but it was one of the reasons she had planned this trip, though Xena genuinely wanted her friend to meet Sappho.

Indeed, while Xena had a hard time expressing such sentiments in words, the entire journey was a gift to Gabrielle for her friend's loyalty and love. The young farm girl had not needed to join the ex-warlord years ago, but both their lives and many others had been enriched thereby. Xena had been deliberately vague about the purpose of the trip, occasionally hinting that the Greek colonies and petty kingdoms of Asia Minor still needed some help after the collapse of the Persian occupation. She had managed to keep Gabrielle distracted so far; she didn't want the bard accusing her of doing something for selfish reasons rather than for the greater good.

"Are you sure you don't want to go on with me to Rineia?" Gabrielle asked her. The bard studiously avoided all mention of the lost necklace.

"No, that's all right," Xena replied. "The birthplace of Artemis is sacred to the Amazons, and quite frankly I've had a checkered past with them."

"You made up for that," Gabrielle pointed out. "If Artemis were upset, she would have punished me for staying with you all these years."

"What makes you think she hasn't? You've suffered a lot since you met me, Gabrielle."

"So have you. Call it growing pains. We still have had many more good times than bad. Would you trade it all for anything else?"

Xena gave her a quirky smile. "No, of course not. How about this: my staying away can be a gift to Artemis so she won't be reminded of the bad things I've done. I'll scout out Delos and find out where all the interesting things are so you can avoid the tourist traps."

With her soft, warm smile, Gabrielle nodded. "All right. I promise not to be gone too long."

A surprise greeted them when they docked at Delos. Two unarmed guards, looking more official than menacing, demanded Xena's weapons.

"For safekeeping only," one explained. "The law prohibits births and deaths here, to keep the oracle pure. Even the old graves were dug up and the bodies reburied on other islands. It would be sacrilege for anyone to steal your weapons."

Xena naturally balked. "That wouldn't stop a determined thief."

"No, but we thought of that, too. Autolycus, the King of Thieves, was paid to tighten our security."

"Autolycus?" Gabrielle laughed. "He'd steal everything he could find if you give him a setup like that."

"He has a fondness for gems, so I'm told. The payment was a crack at our treasury. The Athenians didn't like that, but we bought back the more valuable items he took. He enjoyed the challenge, and he gave us honest advice in return."

"Very well," Xena agreed, unsheathing her sword and unhooking her chakram. "There are always accidents... and rocks... and you don't need weapons to kill," she added, punctuating her words by removing an astonishing number of daggers from her armor and clothing, "but I'll honor the local custom. What about her staff?" Xena jerked a thumb at Gabrielle.

"An Amazon 'walking stick?' No problem for us," the guard replied.

Gabrielle hid a laugh behind her hand. She was still smirking when she got into the boat that would take her across the strait to Rineia.

"Up and at 'em!" boomed Bromos in the rosy dawn. Sunlight turned the sea to liquid fire, and the cooler air of the mountains reached out to the warming sky. Men snatched up bits of bread and cheese as they packed up their gear and hitched uncomplaining oxen to the carts. A few descended upon the nearby village to buy greens and other food for the day's later meals.

Light touched Olympus as the men worked, and Joxer fancied the gods themselves would like the beauty of this morning, the glow a gown for Aphrodite, the songbirds honoring Artemis and Apollo, Poseidon girding himself with the power of the sea. He hastily scribbled a few notes forGabrielle, hoping that he would remember the images for her. This was the sort of thing Gabby liked, and on a morning like this, she could perk even Xena's spirits. He re-examined what he had written, and it saddened him, for his poor words were dry leaves at the tail end of autumn compared to the glory around him. He sighed, put away the parchment, and helped strike the camp.

"Macedonia today, fellows," Bromos proclaimed. It would take a couple of days to get to the next major stop, Thessalonika, but the coast road was well traveled and hard-packed from the many feet and wheels that used it. This time of year, the winds were against those moving north and northwest, a fact that Bromos knew well and used to his advantage. Of course, the bandits in Macedon were also aware of this fact. Joxer was up with the lead group today, his crossbow in his hands. Any attack would come from a distance first, and with luck he could disable a few marauders before they descended on the caravan.

The sea beckoned to Joxer, not merely because of the glorious day, but because he knew that Poteidaia lay just across the gulf. Poteidaia, Gabrielle's home... he had liked the place the one time he had been there. It had been a market day, and the sights and sounds had dazzled him. Not everything had been pleasant; he had nearly died thanks to Gabrielle's evil daughter, but just to see Gabrielle again when he thought she had been dead those long, painful weeks made up for everything.

What was it that made you feel like the place was smothering you, Gabby? Were you too close to it, or it to you?

The guard captain, sensing Joxer's distraction, repositioned him on the other side of the caravan, close to the bulk of Olympus rising to their left. "Watch what you're doing, mister, or you'll have an arrow through your throat and you'll be dead before you know it."

"Sorry," Joxer replied meekly, and focused on the task at hand.

Ever since the Athenians had engineered the law prohibiting all deaths and births on Delos, pregnant women were deposited on Rineia. This was appropriate enough, for Leto had given birth to Artemis here, miraculously avoiding labor pains in the process. Expectant mothers prayed that they might be spared severe pain when their time came.

When Gabrielle stepped out of the little boat, the first thing she noticed was several women in the distance, hugging trees. This had nothing to do with reverence for the local ecology, or even for Artemis. The women sought an easy delivery and strong, healthy children, and were again following the legend of Leto in this matter. She was said to have hugged two laurel trees before giving birth, though some accounts have it as a date palm and an olive tree.

Not far away was a well-appointed hospice, for the sick and aged of Delos were also sent here. The Delians had grown rich from the temples, and could afford the best doctors and facilities. Gabrielle briefly considered a visit, but decided she didn't have enough time for it.

A well-marked path led to the birthplace itself, which was in a cave. It had acquired the usual shrine, and a few vendors who hawked all manner of amulets and powders supposedly guaranteed to ease childbirth and protect mother and newborn alike. Gabrielle brushed their importunities aside, having no need either for their wares or the services of the professional midwives who made their living here.

In contrast to the elaborate temples just across the strait, the shrine to Artemis and Leto was rude and rough. However, it was well lit, as befitted the goddess' role as a lightbringer. Pine torches stood in brackets on the walls, and there were many candles by the altar itself. Otherwise, the cave seemed much as Leto had found it. Even the cradle, purportedly the very one in which Artemis had lain, and old enough to be a relic even if it weren't the actual item, was simple and crude.

Along one wall offerings had been placed: Amazon bows and masks, aprons, baby clothes, toys, a jar of retsina standing out among the other jars of wine, a teething ring and other items symbolizing the paradox that Artemis, the Virgin Huntress, was nonetheless the patron of childbirth and of small children. Midwives also worshiped Artemis, for immediately upon her birth she helped her mother across the strait and helped Leto deliver Apollo on Delos.

An Amazon wearing a saffron-colored hunting tunic with a red-bordered hem stood before the cradle, her head bowed. Gabrielle did not disturb her, but instead added her own gifts to the collection. These were a scroll on which she had written some of her observations on Amazon lore, and a skinning knife. She wondered what Artemis could possibly do with all these things, but it was likely the priestess sold most of the stuff and used the proceeds for upkeep and for distribution to the needy. More than a few children were abandoned at Artemis's various temples, which thus served as de facto orphanages, and caring for them wasn't cheap.

Having satisfied herself that her offering would not go to waste, Gabrielle stood next to the Amazon so she could get a good look at the cradle. It wasn't much, just some pine boards and linen bedding. Even her own cradle, which later became Lila's, was much finer. On the other hand, Leto hadn't had any choice in the matter; Hera had effectively condemned her to wandering homeless before Artemis and Apollo were born.

The Amazon stirred, but Gabrielle did not notice. The bard stood quietly, breathing softly and occasionally blinking her eyes. The other woman looked Gabrielle over, then gently touched the bard's bare shoulder and stroked her hair for a moment.

"You are a beautiful child inside and out, Gabrielle, and you have friends who truly love you. One of them bears the guilt of your sins, and much more besides. Would that you could have hunted with me, but you still serve me well."

Artemis ? for that is who she was ? kissed Gabrielle on the forehead. "Your friend cares very much. We gods have chosen to bind ourselves by Aphrodite's agreement with him, but this little thing I can do for both of you." She turned to the cave entrance. "Come here, you naughty bird, or I will change you into a fish and you will learn how the other half lives."

Gabrielle's avian nemesis entered with a complaining clack.

"Hand it over."

The pelican dropped the necklace into the hands of the goddess.

"Thank you. If you go back to Mykonos without delay, you will find many fish to feast on just offshore. If you do not go back..." Artemis made swimming motions. The pelican departed in haste.

Artemis fastened Joxer's gift around Gabrielle's neck. "Do not be overly concerned about how this was returned," the Huntress commanded the entranced bard. "The knowledge of all that happened here as you stood before my cradle will come to you when you write your scroll of this journey. For now, it is better that you do not know. You cannot help your friend bear the burden he carries for me, and you are right that he should think things out for himself. The thoughts of encouragement that you have had lately are what he needs most. Worry, as over this necklace, only increases his load. I will watch over him as you would watch over him if you were there.

"Know also that I bear no grudge against your other friend. She has repaired the damage she caused, and more besides. In return I have granted her a special favor, which you will discover later. Go with my blessing."

The Virgin Huntress resumed her position before the cradle. Without even a lapse of thought Gabrielle finished her silent meditation, then left. She felt very good about her visit. When she left the cave, she noticed she was wearing the necklace.

By the gods! How... I didn't ask... it must be a blessing of some sort. Thank you, Artemis!

Gabrielle carefully removed the necklace and stowed it in its usual pouch before walking back to the beach and boarding another small boat back to Delos.

Xena felt naked without her sword and chakram. Turning away from the temples raised in Apollo's honor, she walked past another large temple dedicated to the Twelve Gods of Olympus and a much smaller one to Leto, finding herself on a broad avenue flanked with statues of lions. The walk was vigorous, and she began to sweat. Luckily, it seemed, there was a spring-fed pool at the other end of the avenue. The Warrior Princess removed her armor and leather tunic and plunged in for a refreshing swim.

The water was delightfully cool, and best of all it seemed she didn't have to share it with a large number of tourists. In fact, she was the only swimmer. Several children pointed at her, laughing in fun. Apparently, their parents had told them not to go in the pool, Xena decided, so they were amusing themselves watching her. She splashed around and ducked under the water. When she came up near the edge of the pool, she faced a tall guard standing over the pile of her armor. Without a word, he pointed to a sign she had failed to notice in her haste to cool off:

NO SWIMMING
NO WASHING
NO LITTERING
FINE, 2 DINARS

Giving him a sour look, Xena rummaged through her pouches and produced two coins, which she handed to the guard. "There's a nice beach just north of here," he told her. "Golden sand, gentle surf when the wind isn't blowing too hard. You'll like it."

Xena gave him a "humph" and put her tunic back on.

"Funny," he smiled. "Usually it's the kids I have to keep out of the pool. Try the beach." With that he left, but kept an eye on the Warrior Princess. In a blue funk, she continued on her way, and less than a quarter of a mile further on she found the indicated beach, which was all the guard promised. She even caught some fish with her hands, but threw them back. Xena decided it was worth the two dinars to learn about this beach, and relaxed again.

Her mood grew light, which she ascribed to the calming effects of the waves and to the glorious sun. I can't get away from thinking about Apollo on this island, that's for sure, Xena wryly mused. This time allowing her undertunic and hair to dry before replacing her tunic, she slung her armor over her shoulder and walked back to the sacred pool. Setting her gear down under a convenient olive tree, she paid a young girl to meet Gabrielle at the dock and bring her here. While she spread out a picnic lunch for herself and the bard, the guard returned.

"Enjoy your second swim?" he asked.

"Are you being facetious?" Xena asked in return.

"Nope, I just felt bad that I had to fine you. You were having so much fun. I guess a warrior woman like you doesn't see much of even the simplest pleasures, huh?"

"You'd be surprised," she replied. "What's on your mind?"

"I thought I'd make it up to you. When I go off duty tonight, I'm headed back to Mykonos. Perhaps you would enjoy a good meal and some pleasant company for the evening. No obligations."

"I have all the company I need. My friend Gabrielle, that is."

He nodded, only slightly disappointed. "I understand. Of course the two of you..."

Xena smiled. "No, it's not like that. 'No obligations,' you said."

"That's right. An evening's companionship is its own reward. No sense in treating a woman like one of the professional hetaerae."

"Or worse, one of the pornai of the Piraeus. I like you. Okay, I can use another night off. I'm Xena."

"Glaucus." They clasped hands. "How about we meet at the 'Dove and Dolphin,' then? The food is good, and Iglasios of Lemnos is singing there tonight."

"Love ballads?" Xena teased. "What happened to 'no obligations?'"

Glaucus grinned. "You are a beautiful woman," he pointed out.

"Flattery will get you nowhere. Iglasios, however, has a good reputation. I'll meet you there at sunset."

As the morning wore on, Joxer continued in good spirits. Shortly before the midday halt was called at a coastal village, his agitation evaporated as a small puddle does in strong sunlight. Though he was with the first group standing guard while the others ate, another soon took his place. He sat by the well around which the marketplace clustered, ate his ration and then took out his lute. Choosing a couple of old Corinthian melodies, a small crowd quickly gathered to hear him play.

A few young women tried to flirt with him, and Joxer certainly appreciated the attention, but after a while he laughed and said, "Sorry, girls, but I'm taken." They were hardly discouraged, and a buxom blonde proceeded to sit in his lap.

"She's not here. Will I do?" the blonde asked, and proceeded to toy with the wicker projecting from the bottom of his helmet.

Will she? Ulp, what am I thinking?

He was rescued by her boyfriend, who suddenly loomed over Joxer. Sweating, the mighty one looked up, gulped, and replied, "I think you'll do better with him."

She turned, saw her boyfriend, blushed prettily, and threw herself into his arms. "Honey, I'm sorry, it was all his fault!"

The man smiled. "No, it wasn't. I saw the whole thing." He addressed Joxer. "It's all right. She does that with all the minstrels. I'm used to it. You're good."

"Thanks," Joxer said gratefully, and quickly beckoned to another woman who had a small boy with her. She sat beside the would-be warrior.

"Please play us another song," she asked. "My husband used to play the lute, but the bandits killed him a few weeks ago. My son misses it so."

The boy snuggled in his mother's arms as Joxer struck up a harvest song he remembered. This is no time for any of those heroic ballads. Several of the girls began to dance. It was a pleasant moment for everyone.

When the song ended, the boy looked at Joxer, tears in his eyes. "Could you show me how to play?"

Joxer put the lute in the boy's hands, and positioned them so he was holding it correctly. "Place your fingers here, here and here," Joxer said, demonstrating a simple chord. "Now strum with the other hand." The boy ran his fingers over the strings, and a twangy sound emerged. "A little more smoothly, like this," and Joxer showed him. In a few minutes, he had the boy playing a few notes of a counting song.

"MÕa, dÕo, trÓs, t*ssares,
"See the goats climb up the hill.
"Pente, exi, eptà, oktÑ,
"See them come back down again."

One of Bromos's men came up to Joxer. "Sorry, but Bromos is itching to be on his way again," he said. "He's bellowing loud enough to bring the whole mountain down."

Indeed, now Joxer could hear it, too. "Hi-yi! Time is money, you louts! Find those stray men, tear 'em away from their wenches and let's get back on the road!" For all his bombast, Bromos had endeared himself to the men he hired.

"I have to go now," Joxer told the boy and his mother. An idea came to him. He hated to part with the gift Gabby and Xena had given him, but... "Here, take this," he said, offering the boy his instrument.

The boy smiled with shining eyes and handed it back. "Thank you, mister. Now I can play my father's lute. I can play for Mom just like he did."

Joxer clapped him on the back. "You have talent, young man. Keep practicing, and your father will always be with you."

The woman couldn't speak, but her grateful eyes, brimming with tears, showed Joxer how she felt. She mouthed her thanks before taking her boy and turning for home. Joxer stowed his lute away and the caravan gathered itself up for the next leg of the journey. The breeze, now coming from the northeast, took just the right amount of heat away from the summer sun. Before leaving the village, Joxer turned back once. Mother and son spotted him and waved farewell.

...More coming soon!

Author's notes for Act Five:
The "No Swimming" sign Xena encountered actually existed, and can still be seen on Delos today.

As might be easily guessed, the words in the counting song are the modern Greek numbers one through eight. The feminine version of "one" is used, the masculine and neuter being *nas and *na respectively. The spellings are roughly phonetic and are my own. My apologies to everyone who actually knows Greek.

Please take a moment to write to Phil at BroadwayPhil@yahoo.com and let him know how you like this story so far!

COPYRIGHT NOTICE:
Xena: Warrior Princess, Xena, Gabrielle, Joxer and all other characters who have appeared in the series, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of StudiosUSA and Renaissance Pictures. No infringement of copyrights and trademarks is intended in the writing of this fan fiction. This story is © 1999 by Philip D. Hernández and is his sole property along with the story idea. He also wrote the words to the counting song. The characters of Philo, Bromos and Glaucus are his own creations. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.