Growing up "Livia"

Chapter One

Written By: Caina Q. Fuller

Disclaimer: The characters in this story: Xena, Gabrielle and Eve, Livia and any mention to characters from the television show Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, are the property of Renaissance Pictures and Universal MCA. This story is not meant to infringe upon their rights or the rights of the actors who portray them. Also, no part of the story entitled Growing up "Livia" is to be copied, whole or in part, without the author's permission. It is not to be copied for public use or for profit by any person or organization.

"Livia! Come on child! We're going to be late."

Six year old Livia sat up in bed and rubbed the sleep from her large blue eyes. The first rays of light had just begun to stain the cloudy eastern sky a steel gray color as she slipped to the floor and slid her tiny feet into the fur slippers her nanny had laid out for her the night before. Her favorite breakfast of fresh fruit and vegetables waited for her on the massive twelve seat dining table in the main hall of the guest house she had called home for as long as she could remember. Little did she know, she was about to go through the biggest change of her life. As she sat down to begin her day, she was mercifully unaware that the beginning of the end of her innocence was at hand.

Livia sat down and began to eat without saying a word. She didn't know why but every time she tried to engage her nanny, Delphia, in any kind of conversation she was greeted with icy silence. After awhile she just stopped trying. What was the point, Livia wondered, of trying to make conversation with someone who was only going to ignore you? Instead Livia played her own little game of eating her breakfast quietly, while she carried on a mental conversation with the one person she wanted most in this world to come and rescue her: Mother.

Livia imagined her mother was sitting at the opposite end of the table, eating a feast of the same fruits she was. Like herself, Livia's "Mother" hated meat, except for fish. Unlike herself, however, Mother was as strong as she was beautiful. She took nothing from anyone and whenever Delphia did or said something that hurt Livia, she would watch as Mother stood up for her baby. She brandished her sword and made it clear she would only take so much before she made Delphia pay for her abuse of her little girl.

As for the sport of fishing, it was the one passion Delphia allowed Livia, and she indulged every opportunity she got. Why she liked fishing so much was beyond little Livia. It could, at times, become quite boring, and on certain days she would sit at the stream that flowed through the palace grounds for hours, talking with Mother who also loved fishing. Sometimes Livia would brush Mother's luxurious blond hair away from her face and tell her how beautiful she was while she waited for a bite. Livia was always careful though, to make certain evil old Delphia never caught her getting close to Mother. Livia's six year old mind wasn't certain, but something told her that if her nanny knew she had created someone to love her, then she would find a way to take that love away. Making her miserable seemed to be Delphia's sole mission in life.

Love. Livia wondered, not for the first time, what it would be like to have a real person scoop her up in an embrace and tell her how much she was loved and cared for. She was always filled with the most intense jealousy when the slave women would bring their children to labor with them, and when they thought no one of importance was watching, they would do these very same things with their son or their daughter and kiss them, or maybe stroke their hair gently away from their face and tell them the three most precious words in all the world. Never had anyone said that to Livia. Never. Though she were only six, it wasn't lost on her that no one had ever told her they even remotely cared about her. She was rich beyond most people's wildest dreams, but she was lonely beyond most people's darkest nightmares.

This day started out like all the others of her life. Livia finished breakfast, dressed, and was following Delphia out to meet with her tutor, an equally sour man who refused to tell her his name. She was only to call him School Master and nothing else. Any other title, no matter how playfully she intended it to be, was rewarded with a solid smack to the rear with a paddle. Livia hated him more than she hated Delphia, but he was familiar. She was used to him and when she came out that morning to find a handsome, dark haired man in full military uniform standing in School Master's place, fear flooded her little chest in a hot wave of panic.

Upon sight of him, Delphia knelt to her knees in reverence. This also frightened Livia, for Delphia was to be feared, right up there with Hera herself. Who was this man to command such respect from Delphia?

"My Lord."

Seeing Livia was not bowing, Delphia shot Livia her most stern look of disapproval and motioned with her eyes for Livia to come to her knees. Livia immediately obeyed, and took up a place on her knees beside the woman who had taken care of her all her life, and made Livia painfully aware she resented the responsibility with every opportunity she got.

The dark haired man studied Delphia with a measure of distaste and shook his head. "Delphia, you may leave Livia to me."

"Yes My Lord."

Delphia scurried away, leaving Livia alone with this frightening man. Who was he? How did he know her name? Was he a god? The best way to find out would be to ask.

"Are you a god my Lord?"

Expecting an angry rebuke, Livia naturally cringed when he knelt down before her. Instead of unkind words however, he laughed and ruffled her hair. This was new. He was friendly, just like Mother! Her lips curled up in an involuntary smile.

"No, but one day I will be revered as one. My name is Octavious. I'm a...friend of yours."

"You're my friend?"

"Of course! I've known you all your life. Come with me now."

"Where are we going?" She didn't really care as Octavious picked her up and placed her in a fabulously decorated wagon with plush seats. All she wanted was to get to know this friend she'd had all her life without ever having laid eyes on him. He was the most wonderful being in the entire world and she wanted to stay with him as long as possible. He was so nice.

"We're going on a long journey. I know this is your home, but it will be many years before you some back here."

"Why?"

Octavious looked into the large, soulful blue eyes of the beautiful child that stared up at him with innocent trust and excitement. He saw so much of Xena in her that it was almost like looking into a portrait of the Warrior Princess. He couldn't dare tell her that rumor had escaped of her true identity and that a group of assassins dispatched by Minerva herself were on their way here, to kill her.

A soldier walked by, leading another child, identical in height, weight and other physical attributes to Livia, toward Delphia who was now emerging from the guest house with her usual stern expression.

"Livia, I need you to do something for me, will you?"

"Sure!" She would do anything for him if it meant he would just be nice to her. She liked the way it made her feel when he smiled at her, the way he was now.

"I want you to lie down under this blanket and no matter what happens or how hot you get, I want you to stay quiet. Don't move, don't speak. Can you do that for Octavious?"

Livia nodded excitedly, and was rewarded with a kiss on the forehead. A feeling of absolute joy flooded through her! Never before had anyone kissed her! He must really think she's special to be so kind.

"Good girl. No matter how scared you get, don't panic and don't say anything. Don't look from under the blanket. Promise?"

"I promise."

For the second time since Octavious arrived Livia felt afraid. She could sense by the looks on the soldiers faces that something was about to happen, but she had no clue as to what that would be. She allowed Octavious to cover her with the blanket, though the day was rapidly becoming warm, and waited. She squeezed her eyes tightly shut and prayed Mother would come stay with her until whatever badness she felt coming went away. Maybe, she thought after a moment, she could just peak from under the blanket. The fear that was growing with each passing second might not be so bad if she could just see what was going on outside.

Livia peeled the blanket back just enough to catch sight of five men riding toward the guest house on black horses. Octavious and a group of the soldiers greeted them, and her new friend clasped arms with the leader of the new group.

"So you were sent by the great Minerva?"

"We prefer to call her Athena."

Octavious bowed his head. "Athena, of course. And you believe this Eve child to be...?"

The leader of the black horse group began to look impatient. "The bringer of twilight. Athena has sent us to see the girl you have in your custody."

Octavious motioned to the little girl holding tightly to Delphia's hand. "Here she is."

"That will be all. You may go."

Livia watched Octavious' handsome face draw up with indignation. "You don't just dismiss me like some lowly servant! Do you know who I am?"

"Of course we do. You're Rome's new lap dog. Now step aside."

The once friendly leader drew his sword and Livia heart jumped into her throat. Oh no! They were going to hurt her new friend, just when she found him!

Delphia stepped back, pulling the new child with her. "My lord? May I ask what is going on here?"

"No, you may not," Octavious answered briskly. "As a matter of fact, you are not to ask anything and you are not to say anything, or I will kill you myself. Have I made myself clear?"

Delphia bowed her head in fear, and stepped away.

"This is her, I'm sure of it," The assassin leader barked. "This is what the goddess said Eve would look like if she were alive today. Kill her."

Delphia gasped and Livia's heart began to race, threatening to burst in her chest. She was young, but she was also very smart. These men planned to kill the child her new friend had brought with him. She had a feeling she knew why, though she didn't dare speak it.

Octavious stepped between the frightened child and the assassin. "Wait. You can't just go around murdering children because you think they might be someone who supposedly died years ago. Along with Xena I might add."

The lead assassin was through playing nice, even with Rome's leader. "I'm here on a divine mission. I cannot fail. If you don't get out of my way, Athena herself will come and finish the job. And you with it."

The two men stared one another down for a long moment, then Octavious stepped aside. Livia couldn't believe it! How could such a nice man let someone kill a little girl? Livia watched in horror as the lead assassin drew his sword and faced the child who stood quivering in fear.

"Please don't hurt me," the little girl begged with fat tears sliding down cheeks still chubby with baby fat. "I'll be good I promise!"

Octavious heart broke within his chest at the girls words, but he had no choice. It was either this peasant child, or Eve, the daughter of a woman he owed his very life to. He'd promised Xena that he would protect Eve, at all costs, and that was exactly what he intended to do. He also knew he would spend the rest of his life knowing he'd allowed an innocent six year old girl die. Her blood would stain his hands, and his very soul, forever.

The lead assassin had enough mercy to kill the child quickly by beheading her, but that was little comfort to anyone witnessing this horrible, tragic event. Especially Livia, who watched from the safety of Octavious wagon. She may be young, but she knew that the child who had just lost her life, for some reason, had died in her place.

Rain poured down as the wagon carrying Octavious and Livia arrived at the Minerva Academy for Girls in Alexandria. This was where the wealthiest men in Rome sent their daughters to train to become the perfect aristocratic wives that Rome was so well-known for. Livia had lost all the joy she had felt when she first met this man that claimed to be her friend. She was afraid of any man that would let someone kill a little girl, no matter their reasons. Would he get mad at her and let somebody do something horrible to her too?

"You've been quiet since we left Rome. Care to tell me what's going on?"

Livia shook her head no ans scooted away from Octavious. The older man sighed and rubbed a hand over his moist face. The wagon was covered, but wind still blew the occasional drop inside.

"You watched didn't you? Even after I told you not too."

He was angry with her. This frightened Livia in ways she couldn't put into thought. She could only feel the fear that had become a constant part of her life since...since she could remember. If he didn't kill her, would he beat her? Would he yell at her and say hateful things to hurt her like Delphia and School Master did?

The last thing she expected Octavious to do was pull her onto his lap and gently cover her head with a scarf to protect her from the cold blowing wind and rain outside. He gave her another kiss on her forehead and rubbed her back. When he spoke, it was with the gentlest of tones.

"I'm so sorry you had to see that Livia. I can't begin to explain why that little girl had to die but-"

"She died for me."

Livia's words were a statement, not a question, and Octavious was impressed with how intelligent this child was. What could one expect though, from a child of Xena? He nodded and looked away, into the warm lights of the Academy that Livia would grow up in. He wondered if, when he left this place, he would ever see her again. He had made all the necessary arrangements for her future, should anything happen to him as he secured his place in history, but still...

"Why?"

"That I will never tell you Livia. I'm sorry but it's a secret that you can't know."

"Can you tell me her name?"

Why would she want to know that? Octavious frowned and wondered, not for the first time, if it was wise to leave her now. He knew how uncaring Delphia could be towards children, and Livia had eaten up the affection he'd shown her. Maybe she needed someone to be there to hold her and love her. He sighed and put away such thoughts. He'd risked his life to save this child, on more than once occasion, and he was still doing so to keep her safe from gods who were still searching for any possibility that Eve was still alive. He had a career to forge and a life of his own to live, and that was that.

"I don't know her name," he said truthfully, and he was glad he didn't. "Don't bother yourself with that, alright? You must never tell what happened today. Never. If you do, you could get me into a lot of trouble. You don't want to do that to your friend, do you?"

Livia shook her head vehemently and hugged him fiercely, drawing a laugh from Octavious. "Good girl Livia. Now lets go. We've arrived at your new home."

Livia allowed him to carry her inside where the Head Mistress herself waited for Livia's arrival. The Head Mistress was a sturdy, middle-aged woman with plenty of lines on the bridge of her nose and forehead from frowning but no lines around the mouth from smiling. It wasn't lost of Octavious that if Odessa, the head Mistress of the academy, was everything she was rumored to be, he may have been taking Livia from the frying pan and tossing her in the fire.

"She will, of course, have the very best quarters," the Head Mistress said in a harsh voice. She sounded as if someone had burned her vocal cords with acid. Livia found her more frightening than Delphia had ever been at her worst.

"Not just the best quarters. She is to have the best tutors, the best clothing, the best of everything. Am I understood?"

The Head Mistress nodded and snapped her fingers so loudly Octavious himself almost jumped. "Alethea!"

Another little girl, about eight years old, stepped from her hiding place behind the Head Mistress' skirts. She was a cute little auburn-haired girl, very rare in the Mediterranean, and she looked up at him with ice green eyes set in a pudgy, freckled face. Livia found her to be the most interesting child she'd ever seen.

"Alethea and her mother will tend to all of your child's needs."

"Livia" Octavious supplied for her. He hadn't told anyone of their arrival until the last moment. The last thing he needed was to have to try and trick another gang of thugs sent from Athena. He would keep Livia's presence as hidden as possible.

"Alethea, show Livia to her quarters."

"Yes ma'am."

Livia backed away from Alethea. She had known why she was coming to Alexandria, but she was still unprepared to leave Octavious. He was the only one to have ever been nice to her and she just couldn't bear lose him now.

Octavious, sensing her reservation, knelt down to talk to Livia on her level. He could sense the Head Mistress' disapproval at his being so soft with the girl, but he ignored her.

"You'll like it here Livia. They're going to treat you like a queen. Once a year, I will have someone check on you to make sure you're doing alright. Don't be afraid."

"But I want you to stay here with me. Don't leave me, please!"

Octavious, now a hardened soldier who was quite capable of being ruthless to defeat his enemies in battle, felt his steel reserve being tested by the pain and fear in this beautiful child's face. "I'm sorry Livia. I have to go. I'll tell you what. I'll send someone every six months instead of once a year. If anything is wrong, you tell him, and he'll tell me. I'll straighten it out myself." He made sure the Head Mistress heard his words. "Remember, you're the boss of yourself here. No one else."

He pulled her to him in the last embrace of her childhood. Though they had no idea of it now, the next time Octavious would hold Livia in his arms would be seventeen years into their future. He will be Augustus Caesar, and Livia will be the twenty three year old Champion of Rome, and his lover.

"Where are you from?" Livia inquired of her new personal servant, eight year old Alethea. They had just entered the lavish quarters that were, at least in the estimation of six year old Livia, ten times better than anything she'd ever had in Rome. As Alethea shut the door behind them and placed her hands behind her back, Livia couldn't help but notice a distinctive birthmark in the crook of Alethea's arm. The more Livia studied it, the more the small half-moon shaped mark looked more like a brand than a birthmark.

Alethea noticed Livia's staring and rubbed the mark absent-mindedly.

"They branded us when we first got here. The Head Mistress said it's to tell us apart from the slaves." Alethea rolled her eyes at the memory. "It hurt like crazy too."

Livia re-stated her earlier question which had still not gotten a response. Was the girl ashamed of where she was from? "Where did you say you were from?"

"Mommy says we're from a far off land called Ireland."

"I've never heard of it."

"Me either, 'cept when she talks about it. She says she met some man named Hercules and followed him back with his woman Morrigan. She's a Druid you know?"

Livia shook her head no. She had no idea what a Druid was, so she said so. "What's a Druid?"

Alethea shrugged her shoulders. "Darned if I know. Some kind of god I think."

Livia was impressed. She had a half-god for a servant! "Wow, you're Mother is a god!"

Alethea rolled her eyes again, as if this were the dumbest statement she'd ever heard. "No, no! Not my Mom. Morrigan. Do you think I'd be your servant if my Mommy was a god?"

"Oh!" Livia felt her cheeks grow warm with embarrassment at her mistake. How could she have thought... "You're very pretty. You look so...different. And you talk funny!"

"The word's exotic sweety, and I don't talk funny."

Livia could sense her words had upset her young servant. She didn't want to do this, for Alethea was the only other little girl she'd been allowed such close contact with in her entire life, and she wanted to make this girl her first friend. The doors to the room opened and the Head Mistress entered. The older woman looked down at Livia with disdain clear on her ugly face.

"You're Greek aren't you child?"

Now Livia was upset. She had been raised to be a proud Roman and now this woman would insult her? After all she'd been through with seeing a child die for her, Livia was far from afraid of rebuke from this woman. For the first time in her life, Livia talked back to an adult. She remembered Octavious' words. She was the boss of herself now.

"I'm Roman. You ever call me Greek again, I'll tell Octavious!"

One of the Head Mistress' eyebrows shot up so high in surprise her stern face suddenly looked comical to Livia, but she wasn't about to make the mistake of laughing. Instead, she turned and sauntered over to her bed. What had gotten into her?

"Any Roman worth her heritage will know that to converse with the help is distasteful to say the least. Remember that."

"What's your name?" Livia asked, unaware her words sounded like a veiled threat to the Head Mistress. She kept her eyes on the ceiling as she lay down to keep the older woman from seeing the fear of rebuke burning within them. There was such a long hesitation that Livia wondered if perhaps her luck had run out and she was going to be punished after all. Just as she was about to look over and accept defeat, the Head Mistress answered.

"My name is Odessa. You may call me Head Mistress or Mistress Odessa."

Ever the intelligent little girl, Livia knew she had fooled Odessa into believing she wasn't afraid of her. She did, after all, have Octavious, Rome's commander, on her side. "You may call me Mistress Livia."

"Hmph!" Odessa turned on her heel and stormed from the room, slamming the door shut behind her. Alethea looked at Livia with an expression of pure awe.

"I can't believe what you just did!"

"Neither can I."

Slowly, and with much caution, Alethea approached this incredible child Livia. "Mistress Livia, why did your father bring you here? Isn't your mother alive to raise you?"

Livia hesitated in her answer. She didn't want the only potential friend she ever had in this life to think she was strange or different by saying she didn't have a mother or a father, but she had also been taught that lies were severely punished. If not by Delphia or School Master then by Hera herself. Livia believed she had successfully escaped Delphia and School Master, but Hera wouldn't be so easy to avoid, even if the rumors of her death were true. She opted for the truth.

"I never knew either of my parents."

"Then who was that man that brought you here?"

"Octavious. He's my friend."

"The Octavious? Wow! His face in on all the coins! He's your friend?"

"Would you like to be my friend?"

"Sure!"

Livia was ecstatic. She had made her first friend in life and...Now what? What did one do when they had a friend? She was sorely lacking experience in the friend department.

"Mistress Livia, what's it like-"

"Wait. Stop calling me Mistress Livia. Just call me Livia."

"O.K. Livia." Alethea began to look around as if she suspected the Head Mistress to be lurking in some corner, waiting to jump out at them and punish them. "My name isn't really Alethea. That's just what Head Mistress calls me. My name is really Brigid. I was named after Morrigan's daughter. She and my Mom were friends."

"Brigid," Livia repeated, trying the foreign name out on her tongue. It was so strange and it drew Livia's interest in her new friend up another notch. She wanted to know everything about this girl, and she prayed the Fates would be nice to her just this once and let her keep her new companion. "Why does Mistress Odessa call you Alethea?"

Brigid shrugged, and rubbed at the brand on her arm absent-mindedly. "She says I'm a heathen and the only civilized thing I was smart enough to learn was a new name."

"From now on" Livia said, enjoying her first taste of independence and power, "You'll be called by your real name. It's a lot prettier than Alethea."

"Really?"

"Really," Livia assured her, loving the excitement and happiness that twinkled in Brigid's eyes. Happiness that she had put there. "Brigid. Sweety, that's so...exotic."

The two girls shared a moment of quiet as Livia realized she had just made her first joke. Thinking it funny, they fell back onto the plush pillows, helpless with childish laughter, and for the first time in her life Livia was happy.

The next day Livia awoke to find Brigid waiting patiently at the foot of her bed. The red-haired angel was studying her as if she were waiting for some kind of re-action from Livia, or maybe an order.

"What?"

"Nothin'." Brigid said lightly. Livia didn't know this girl very well but she could see the mischievous twinkle in the green eyes that stared at her.

"Somethin'." Livia answered. "What?"

"Pete."

"Who?"

"My pet spider. He's on your belly."

Livia looked down to see a fat, hairy spider sitting on her belly, staring back up at her. Her little heart began to pound and a blood-curdling scream tore from Livia's throat. Alarmed by her new Mistress reaction, Brigid hurriedly scooped up her little friend and went to the corner, afraid she had done something wrong.

A beautiful woman with hair as orange as the setting sun came rushing into the room. She was an exact replica of Brigid, only older. This woman was tall and beautiful with a strong face and a muscular build. She rushed over to Livia and began examining her, as Livia continued to scream. Her skin seemed to be crawling over her bones at the thought of what had been sitting on her for Hera only knows how long.

"By the gods child! What's the matter?"

Livia regained control of her emotions long enough to point at Brigid and her disgusting little pet. The new woman sighed as her eyes lay on the dark mass cradled against Brigid's chest.

"Brigid! What have I told ya about bringin' Pete to work with us?"

"Sorry Ma. I thought she'd like him."

Livia's curiosity and amazement at this new woman's exotic (how Livia loved her new word) accent and looks distracted her momentarily from her fear and disgust of her new friends pet. Never had she seen someone with hair this color! And the way she said her words were amazing! The new woman turned back to face her, and Livia offered up her most winning smile.

"I apologize for the fright my little one gave ya darlin'."

"It's O.K.. What's your name?"

"My name is Ann. And you must be Livia."

Livia nodded. This new lady seemed to be really nice, just like Octavious. Never had she ever dreamed there were so many kind people in the world. Where had they all been hiding?

"Come with us Livia. We'll get you bathed, dressed and fed, then you're off to school."

"Do I have to?"

"School is what you're here for ya know." Anne smiled down at her. "I have a feelin' we're gonna get along just fine little one. Just fine."

Ann left the room and Brigid came back to the bed, bringing Pete with her. At first it took all of Livia's willpower not to cringe at the sight of the little monster cradled in Brigid's hand, but as the auburn haired angel stroked the spider and cooed at her pet, Livia began to relax. If Brigid liked spider's then she would too. After all, she didn't want to do anything that would push Brigid away, and if she had to learn to like spiders to keep her friend, then like spiders she would.

"Can I see him?"

"He can be your pet too."

"I'd like that. I really would."

Brigid stared at her warily for a few moments, then slowly lay the creature in Livia's tiny hands. It wasn't so bad actually. She could get used to this easily. Livia and Brigid remained there in the steadily brightening glow of the morning sun, stroking their new pet and enjoying the feel of their bond growing stronger with each passing moment.

Livia followed Brigid through the magnificent courtyards and gardens of the Athenian Academy for Girls. The daughters of the wealthiest noblemen Rome had to offer were sent here to be trained. A young innocent girl would enter these gates, usually at the age of eight, and a refined aristocrat would exit eight years later, ready to marry royalty and become the lady of any house.

Livia, however, was the exception. She had been brought here two years before the required age, and she was the charge of Octavious, Rome's most influential man. She, unlike the other girls, had her own personal servant, the best quarters, and though Livia was not aware of it, she had the run of the place. All she had to do was give an unfavorable report to Octavious' man and they could all lose his favor, and Livia never let them forget it. While they were in Livia's presence the girls walked on eggshell's, and they quickly came to resent her. Livia could sense the dislike the girls had for her, especially Mistress Odessa, and opted to stay away from them as much as possible. She had Brigid and Ann, and they were all she needed to stay happy here. They had become her family over the past four years, and when the day came that she would leave, she intended to do all she could to make sure they came with her. She never wanted to lose them.

Brigid led Livia through the trees until they came to a large, beautiful pond. The sun, which sat high in a cloudless blue sky, gleamed on the waters surface. At times the glare was so bright that Livia and Brigid were forced to look away. Most of the older girls from the Academy frolicked in the cool water under the watchful eyes of Mistress Odessa on this hot day. Some of Livia's excitement was diminished by the sight of the sour old woman, sitting on the grass in the shade watching the girls swim. Brigid apparently picked up on her feelings and punched her lightly on the arm.

"Come on! Don't pay any attention to her. She knows not to mess with you anyway. I have a surprise for you."

"A surprise?"

Livia had come to love surprises in her time at the Academy. It seemed that in the four years she'd been here Brigid made up little ways to thrill her, and Livia loved every moment of the older girls attention. As she watched Brigid's auburn hair glow from the light of the afternoon sun, Livia found herself wishing for hair the same color. Too bad there was nothing she could do to change it.

Brigid led Livia around to the other side of the pond which was so far from Mistress Odessa they could barely see her. Here, they might be able to have a little freedom to have some fun without the woman's constant, irritating reprimands. To the two little girls that slid off their sandals and toga's, every move they made seemed to be wrong in Mistress Odessa's eyes, so they avoided her as much as possible.

"What now?" Livia asked when they had gotten down to their slips.

"Now we swim. There's a trick I want to show you that my mother taught me. My grandfather taught it to her you know?"

"O.K."

The two girls dove in headfirst. The water was cool and refreshing, caressing their skin with it's icy fingers and cooling them down from their long walk in the heat.

"Mom says this pond is fed by a bigger pond that has big chunks of ice floating in it. That's why it's so cold."

"It is cold," Livia said in agreement. "I love it though. It's so hot out here!"

"I know. Now look here. I want to show you Mom's trick now."

"Sure."

"Mom says all good fishermen know how to do this. Hold your body perfectly still under the water. Don't move for anything."

"Why?"

"Shhh. Don't talk either. We want the fish to come close."

Livia nodded her head, excited. One of the first things she had told Brigid about herself was how much she liked to fish. She was delighted to learn her new friend shared her passion for the sport, and every minute Livia wasn't attending class she spent it with Brigid and Ann, either teaching them to read and write, or here at the pond with their fishing poles. Now, she was going to learn something new from Brigid for a change.

After awhile Livia felt something brush past her leg and it was all she could do not to move away from it. The thing had felt strange and frightening. Maybe it was a monster that lived in the pond?

"Brigid," Livia whispered, "I felt something-"

"I know. It's a fish."

Embarrassed, Livia shrugged and tried to save face. She knew all about fish yet she'd allowed herself to be startled by one. Would Brigid think her silly? Even after four years of everything from saying I love you to swearing they would never speak to one another again for as long as they lived, Livia was still concerned about what Brigid though of her. "I knew that. Just thought I'd tell you is all."

"Right," Brigid said, knowing better.

They held perfectly still again. So long, Livia was beginning to think Brigid's trick was just that. A trick. Just as Livia was about to break silence, Brigid reached under the water with lightning fast hands and pulled out a rather large trout. She tossed it on shore and they watched it flip and flop on the grass. Livia was duly impressed.

"Brigid! How wonderful! You caught that with your bare hands!"

"If you practice, you'll be able to do that." Brigid studied her catch as it struggled uselessly to breathe outside of it's natural habitat. "Think he's big enough for you me and Mom?"

"Sure. I don't see why not. Let's get out now. I'm freezing."

The two girls got out and Brigid put her catch in a sack she had brought with her just in case she got lucky. The heat of the day felt good after having been in the icy water for so long without hardly moving a muscle. Livia enjoyed the feel of the sun in the sky, warming her cool skin, and the sound of nature around her with it's singing birds and the rustle of a rare breeze through the trees. Octavious had been right. She'd come to love this place and some of the people in it, but she wanted to see him again. He was the first person to be nice to her and care about her. She missed him terribly.

As she lay back on the grass and took in the sounds and smells of nature, Livia began to drift off to sleep. She could see Mother's face before her, smiling and waving to her. There was such a feeling of warmth and love in this woman's face. Livia didn't know how it was possible, but "Mother" was so real to her, and she missed her terribly. If only she were real...

As she slipped further into her dream of watching Mother, Livia could feel whom she called "the bad woman", was coming. In her dream, she and Mother are in the middle of a small town. They are shopping for little things. Sometimes it is food for dinner. Sometimes it is toys because she has been such a good little girl. No matter what they are looking for, they are happy because they are together.

Then there is the scream of a woman, somewhere Livia can't see, and the happiness leaves. Now bad people come into town. Bad men like the men who killed that little girl that looked so much like her the day she first met Octavious. They kill the men and force the women and children into wagons where they put chains on them. When everything gets really bad, a woman comes riding into town. She is different from the other men that have come to do these horrible things to them. Livia isn't certain how she knows, but she knows this woman is the leader of the bad men. Livia tries but she can never really see the stranger's face. All she knows is she has long dark hair, and sometimes, if she looks really hard, she sees the bad woman has blue eyes that look like her own.

Livia was roused from her unrestful sleep by strong hands pulling her to her feet.

"Wake up Livia! Come on!"

It was Ann. Still half asleep, and the dream fresh in her mind, Livia began to panic. "Is the Bad Woman here?"

"No," Ann said with fear plain in her voice. "Some bad men are though. Listen to me now girls. Some soldiers from the temple of Mars are here. They're from Greece and they're looking for girls to sacrifice to the god of War. We can't go back there until it's safe, you understand?"

Ann looked up at the rapidly darkening sky, as did Livia and Brigid. Not only was a storm brewing at the Academy, but one was also moving in from the North. A feeling of dread came over Livia as she remembered the dream. It seemed the nightmare was coming true, and she was powerless to stop it. Ann took hold of both girls hands just as the sound of screaming girls could be heard over the rising winds, and all three looked back just in time to see twenty or so Academy residents and faculty running their way, and rightly so. Men, dressed in uniforms of the temple of Mars, were chasing them down with their swords drawn. One unfortunate woman, Livia recognized as a kitchen maid, stumbled and was overtaken by the temple guards. One of the men ran her through, then continued on after the rest of the women. How frightening it was for Livia and Brigid to know it didn't matter at all to the soldier that a human being had just lost her life at his hands.

"Run girls! Come on!"

Livia took off with Ann and Brigid at a full run powered by pure fear. Ann led them into the trees, hoping to find some place that would be safe enough to hide them until the raid was over. "Follow me. Stay close now."

Brigid, tears of fear streaming down her face, followed Ann and Livia into the trees. The men were chasing the others east, Livia noted, while Ann took them North, and further into the trees. Further away from the Academy and everything she held dear.

"I'm scared," Livia confessed as Ann stopped just long enough for them to rest. "Me too darlin' but don't worry. It's going to be alright. I will not let either of you die today, do you hear me?"

Ann's eyes searched their surrounding's for a good place to hide the children. As she did, they fell upon the ruins of a temple. To what god, she hadn't a clue, but anything had to be better than being out in the open where the men could find them easily. Ann had come to love Livia as much as she would were she her own daughter, and over the past four years they had formed a bond as strong as any between mother and daughter, and little did Livia know, the events to come on this day, would be the first soul-killing event that would turn her into the evil warrior she would become before her real mother would come to save her fifteen years from now. The three made their way into the unidentified temple ruins, unaware they had been spotted by the enemy.

"We should be safe here," Ann said as she searched the altar room. The place was in remarkably good condition on the inside. Not a speck of dust was to be found anywhere, and the candles, Ann noted, had been recently used. Had a tramp taken up residence here? No, Ann said to herself, answering her own question. Tramps weren't this neat and clean. Someone was using this temple on a regular basis, and that made this a very insecure place to be right now. She was torn between running and staying.

"Mommy," Brigid said, holding tightly to her mother's hand and pulling Ann from her thoughts. "Look how clean."

Ann made her final, fatal decision. "I see sweety. I see. Now lets find a place to hide you huh?"

After searching for what seemed like an eternity, Ann finally found a place that was big enough for both Livia and Brigid, but not for her. The girls quickly picked up on the fact that their mother was left out in the open.

"We can hide somewhere else," Livia offered. "You hide in here."

"Yeah Mom. We're little. We can find-"

"No," Ann said, cutting them off sternly. They were still too young to understand even the concept that a mother's love for her children was stronger than her own will to survive. "Don't you worry about me, I'll be just fine..."

Men's voices from outside the temple doors quickly alerted Ann that the soldiers had found them. How they had managed this so quickly, she didn't have a clue. She had believed she knew this land like the back of her hand, and yet she'd had no clue this place even existed, so how had they found her? She looked down into the frightened eyes of the girls and gave them a brave smile.

"No matter what happens girls, promise Mom you won't come out?"

"I promise," Brigid said obediently, but Livia was slower to hand out her word. Not because of fear of the men coming into the temple, but because she wasn't sure she would be able to keep a promise like the one Ann was asking of her now.

"Livia?"

"I guess."

"That'll have to do." Ann lowered board over the crawlspace she'd found for the girls and ran behind the altar. It was a pitifully insufficient hiding place, and Ann knew she was only living on borrowed time. The guards entered the temple under the direction of Mistress Odessa, who motioned at the perfectly clean temple with pride as she sauntered up to the altar.

"Welcome to Ares' temple gentlemen."

The Guard Commander, Alec, nodded in approval. He was a war-hardened thug that was ugly in the most flattering light, and he took great joy in every conquest and duty he undertook in the name of his god, Ares. His favorite duty was the sacrifice of a virgin child, in which he took much perverse pleasure in carrying out.

"Very good Odessa. Ares may reward you himself."

"My reward will be in your delight, my lord," Odessa said, bowing with a reverence she knew was phony, but Alec took to be sincere.

"My delight?"

"Yes. You're going to have the pleasure of sacrificing your enemies adopted daughter to the greatest god Olympus has to offer."

Alec laughed, almost hysterically at this, and his men followed suit. "Indeed my dear! Now, where is Octavious' little tramp?"

"They're hiding somewhere. But don't worry Lord. I know this place like I know my own home. There is nowhere for them to hide."

Ann watched as Odessa began to comb the room, looking in every nook and cranny for the children. She could only hope for a miracle that this evil, lying bitch somehow didn't know about the crawl space she'd hidden the children in. Odessa moved in closer and closer, pulling back potential hiding places even Ann's thorough search had failed to yield, and her hope of Odessa not knowing about the crawlspace dwindled until...Odessa passed right over the floor space she'd hidden Brigid and Livia in, and Ann sighed in relief. Her relief was short lived when Odessa caught sight of her, hiding behind the altar.

"Here!"

A guard came rushing around the altar and pulled Ann out into the middle of the floor where Alec examined her. His eyes began to burn with lust at the sight of this woman's beautifully crafted, strong body, and he made no attempt to hide it. Alec approached her slowly, enjoying the fear he saw in Ann's eyes, and took her chin in one of his massive hands.

"Well, well. Something tells me you're not a ten year old virgin."

"No, I'm not. I'm the mother of one though, and I've made sure she's long gone from this place."

Odessa came to gloat in what she perceived to be her new position of power over Ann. Unlike most of the women in servitude at the Academy, Ann was there by choice, with the freedom to pack up her child and leave at any time. This had always been a source of contention between the two women. Odessa loved nothing more in this world than controlling the slave women that labored at the Academy with fear and intimidation, but she didn't have that luxury with Ann. For her part, Ann never let her, for a moment, forget that.

"She's not Livia's mother. She's fooled the little snipe into thinking she cares for her, but she is definitely not the brat's mother."

"You know what Odessa?" Ann asked quietly, her voice chilly with contempt.

"Mistress Odessa to you." The soldiers seemed to be enjoying the cat-fight between the two women. Fine by Ann as long as they didn't continue their search for the girls.

"Like I was saying, Odessa," Ann continued, "If you insult that sweet little darlin' again, I'll-"

"You'll what?" Odessa ventured too close to Ann, overconfident in her security that these men would protect her. How wrong she was.

Instead of continuing the argument with Odessa, Ann pulled her arm free from one of the guards who'd allowed his grip to relax, and answered Odessa's question with a solid punch to her jaw. The Head Mistress went flying back, landing unconscious on the floor with a hard thump. Apparently this was enough for Alec, and he wrapped a hand around Ann's neck, jerking her up painfully till she could barely keep contact with the ground on the tips of her toes.

"I'm gonna give you a chance to save your life. Where is Octavious' child woman? Where is Livia?"

"I sent her away with my daughter."

In the floor space Livia and Brigid listened to every word being said. Livia moved to lift the floor covering to look, but Brigid held her back.

"Mom doesn't want us to do anything!" Brigid was whispering but her words came out sounding too loud in the small, hot space.

"But they'll hurt her!"

"I know you're only ten but listen anyway. If they find out about us they'll hurt all of us. They'll kill you. Now do what Mom asked us to!"

"That's too bad," Alec said, releasing her. He ran a hand over Ann's heart then cupped her breast in his hand. She drew away from his touch as best she could in the grip of the other two guards, and this drew laughter from him. "We'll just have to settle for you."

"What?"

Alec relished the fear he saw in Ann's eyes as his men pulled her over to the altar. Little did they know they were stepping on the floor board the child they had come to pursue was hiding under. The guards strapped Ann to the altar, then stepped back for Alec to complete the ceremony. The two girls listened in helpless fear.

"They're going to hurt Mommy," Brigid said. Now she wasn't so keen on the idea of obeying her mother's wishes. This time, it was Livia who held her back. The image of the little girl in Rome, three years before, came flooding back into Livia's mind and she knew she was about to lose the only mother she'd ever had. The worse part was she was helpless to stop it.

"Stay still Brigid."

Alec raised his dagger, with both hands, above his head and began to pray.

"Great Ares, god of War! I have pledged my life to you. I have ridden into countless battles with your name proudly on my lips. Now we face Octavious, our greatest enemy, and this winch would dare deprive you of your sacrifice! She will be made an example of what happens to those who would defy you! The greatest of the Olympian gods!"

Ares appeared in the throne behind the altar and studied the woman struggling to free herself from the restraints. She was beautiful with long, flaming red hair and a voluptuous figure he could indulge himself in for days. However, the words of his now favorite warlord had caught his attention. This same woman had robbed him of his sacrifice. Not that the blood of Octavious' adopted daughter was enough to win his favor, or his help in Alec's war against the Roman leader, but he had always loved a good sacrifice. Virgin or otherwise. It always put him in a good mood.

Alec smiled at his god and raised the dagger even higher, preparing to deliver the death blow, and Ann found herself screaming in uncontrollable fear. "For you, my god!"

Alec plunged the dagger directly into Ann's heart, cutting off her last cry. In the floor space almost directly below the altar, Livia had to place a hand over Brigid's mouth to keep the girls frightened sobs from giving them away.

"Shhh. Brigid, be quiet. It's going to be O.K.."

Alec pulled his bloody dagger from Ann's chest and laid it at Ares feet. He then bowed to his god in reverence.

"My god, do I have your favor?"

Ares grinned, enjoying the feeling of power this mortals sacrifice and worship filled him with, but he was still not inclined to grant Alec's request.

"You'll know if you survive the upcoming battle." Ares spared Ann, the woman who had died merely for his pleasure, one last glance, then faded away.

Alec turned to face his men. "He wasn't satisfied with the woman. Search the grounds! I want every woman and child in this place brought here. We'll sacrifice them all until the floor runs red with their blood. Move out!"

As soon as Brigid heard the footsteps of the men in the altar room retreat, she moved to open the floor covering, but Livia held her back. She didn't know why, but something told her danger was still in the room above and she pulled Brigid back down, much to her friends dismay.

"Stay down Brigid."

"Why? They're gone and Mom needs my help."

"I don't think you can help her now. Let's just take a peek."

Gently, the girls lifted the floor covering just enough to peek outside. Sure enough, Alec was still in the room, walking about and searching for more possible hiding places. What Alec didn't see, and neither did Ares who was still present but invisible to human eyes, was the slightly raised wooden square in the stone floor, which Livia gently lowered. Unfortunately, it wasn't before she caught sight of the pool of Ann's blood forming beneath the altar. It was at that moment that the best part of Livia's heart began to die. The part that knew what love really was. The once again someone had died to save her, only this time that person was the only woman she'd ever called mother. Helpless rage flooded Livia's heart and soul.

"Ah, they would have come out by now," Alec said with a growl of frustration. There was no point in staying here, when Octavious' charge was somewhere to be found. Livia's sacrifice on this altar would surely prove him more worth of Ares favor than Octavious. Yes, he had to find Livia.

The last of Alec's footsteps faded and Livia pushed the floor covering completely back, then pulled Brigid out behind her. The two girls faced the altar, their heart breaking at the sight of Ann's dead stare. Their mother was gone and a war party of guards from the temple of Ares had the Academy under siege. How long would they be able to hide before someone finally found them?

"Mom."

Brigid began to cry but Livia remained oddly calm. The hurt she expected to feel at the sight of the only loving mother figure of her life, lying dead on an altar to Ares never came. Only more anger and rage. She knew she and Brigid had limited time before either Mistress Odessa, their traitor, woke up and held them there or the guards came back and sacrificed them. Though she were only nine years old, Livia was intelligent enough to know she and Brigid couldn't keep hiding in he floor space. It was only a matter of time before they were found.

Another odd sensation was the anger she was feeling toward Brigid for being, in her eyes, such a big baby in a crisis. They didn't have time for her to stand around and cry. They had to jump into action and save their own skins. Tears would not accomplish that.

"Brigid, pull yourself together."

The tone in Livia's voice surprised Brigid and she looked up over at Livia who was staring down at Ann's dead face. Livia closed Ann's eyes, then pulled Brigid away. Little did they know, Ares was still in the temple, watching the entire exchange with more than a passing interest.

"But they killed our Mom!"

"I know they did. We've gotta run now or they'll-"

"But we can't leave her!"

"We're not leaving her! She left us!"

Brigid jerked away from Livia as surely as she would have stumbled back had Livia just slapped her across the face. Her words had the same effect. "What's wrong with you Livia? Why are you acting like this?"

"Like what?"

"So...cold. Like you don't care about Mommy anymore."

The anger in Livia's heart began to boil, and she didn't know what to do with it. Was she angry at Brigid as much as she was angry at the men who'd killed Ann? She didn't know why all she could feel was anger but she was powerless to stop the rage growing within. She felt betrayed by Ann, and all sorts of thoughts filtered through Livia's young mind with lightning speed. This woman was supposed to love and care for her, not die for her. Not leave her with only her own wits to keep herself and Brigid alive! She was only ten years old! This was too much to ask of her. They could have all fit into the floor space and been safe...

"Well I don't!" Livia answered Brigid angrily, pulling herself away from her thoughts. "She should have hid with us! Now she's dead and...we're gonna die too if we don't get out of here. It will only be so long before they check the floor Brigid. We have to leave."

"But if we leave," Brigid said with an irritating whine in her voice, "they'll catch us Livia!"

Livia caught sight of the dagger on the floor at the foot of Ares throne, and she walked to it. It might come in handy later for cutting thorns and vines out of the way or for cleaning fish. There was no telling how long they would have to hid out in the forest before it was safe to go back home, or before someone they could trust took them in and cared for them.

"Fine. You've got a choice, you can stay here and die, or you can make a run for it with me. Mother is dead Brigid. There's nothing we can do about it."

"You've got that right."

The sound of Mistress Odessa's evil voice from behind her startled Livia to say the least. She looked around to find their betrayer holding on to Brigid's wrist, and she was coming around the altar to get her as well. If they didn't get away from her, it was all over. Both she and Brigid would be sacrificed to Ares, and all of Ann's efforts would be made vain. Their mother's death would be cheapened.

Livia's hand tightened around the dagger as Mistress Odessa came around the altar to claim her. The sight of the woman's wicked, self-satisfied grin only served to make the boiling anger in Livia's heart spill over into the fire raging within her soul. It was all Odessa's fault! Those guards wouldn't have even known about this secret temple had she not told on them. Now Ann was dead, all because of Odessa.

Livia put away all thought and just re-acted. When Odessa was close enough she gripped the dagger and with a cry of rage, and all the strength her ten year old body could muster, she swung the dagger in an eerily accurate arc that cut across Odessa's throat. The woman was completely unprepared for the attack and at first wasn't entirely certain what had happened. She just watched in horror as her life-giving blood sprayed from her neck across Livia's face and chest. She let go of Brigid's hand, stumbled back, and before she could grab her throat she fell to the floor, dead.

Ares had watched Livia from the moment she exited the floor space until now with growing interest. Unlike the red haired girl who was obviously the daughter of his sacrifice, Livia had remained calm and collected. She hadn't panicked and come out of hiding. He recognized anger and strength, and Livia had both of these in a healthy, self-destructive combination. She was less than ten years old and she had, without hesitation, made her first kill. She was a diamond in the rough as far as the god of War was concerned, and much to valuable to offer as a sacrifice. Without even realizing it, Livia had proved herself worthy of his protection. For now.

"Livia!" Brigid said, staring at her blood-soaked friend with a mixture of awe and horror. More horror than anything else.

The feel of Odessa's blood covering her arm from the tips of her fingers half way to her elbow, not to mention that which stained her face and neck, was oddly familiar to Livia. She wasn't the least bit shocked, as Brigid was, that she could do something like this, and no matter how much she wanted to mentally, she just couldn't make herself care that she'd taken a human life any more than the soldier who'd killed the kitchen maid when this nightmare began could make himself care about shedding blood. To be quite honest with herself, she had a feeling of calm about her first kill. Maybe it was shock, but she couldn't deny the feeling of satisfaction that replaced her feeling's of helplessness. She had, in one short moment, avenged Ann's death, and sated the anger that had threatened to drive her mad only seconds ago. It had been so...easy to do. Her first kill felt so familiar to her, as if she'd done it hundreds of times before instead of only once.

The sight of Mother's beautiful face and long flowing hair came back to her mind. Not Ann's face, but the face of the woman she had created to be her mother when she still lived in Rome under the tyranny of her nanny Delphia. If Livia only knew, the face she saw less and less as she grew older belonged to Callisto. Not the angel Callisto had become to conceive Eve with Xena, but the evil warrior of her dark past. Mother was pleased with Livia for standing up for herself, and Livia knew in her heart that if anyone ever threatened her or Brigid again, she would kill again, without hesitation.

And she would like it.

Alec entered the temple to find Odessa's throat slashed, his dagger missing and the floor space exposed. He could feel his head begin to throb as he realized he'd been fooled by two children and he screamed in rage.

"Search the grounds! I want Livia found, and I want her brought to me now!"

"Alec."

Alec turned to find Ares seated in his throne, and he immediately fell to his knees, as did his minions. "My god! The two girls have deprived you-"

"Don't you mean they've deprived you? I never asked for their sacrifice."

Alec stumbled over his words, unsure of what to say. He had been so certain that Ares liked to receive sacrifices as much as he liked to give them. He watched Ares stand and wave his hand over Ann's body. It faded away, leaving nothing behind but her blood. He took up a place over Alec and stared down at them. How he enjoyed their fear. It was so intoxicating.

"Livia killed Odessa."

"Odessa?"

Ares rolled his eyes at Alec's stupidity. "The other woman fool! She's only nine years old and already she's outsmarted you. Not to mention she's made her first kill."

"Yes my god," Alec's voice reflected reverence, but inside he was beginning to burn with resentment. He'd served Ares his entire life, now he was siding with a child over him? How dare he!

"Do you know what the best part is? She liked killing. I could feel it. She's got potential and I intend to mold her into a great warrior. I don't want you doing anything to ruin that do you understand me?"

"How could I ruin it my god?" Alec already had visions of cutting little Livia's tender throat for coming between him and his god's favor. Regardless of what Ares said, he would have his revenge. When the child's blood flowed over Ares altar, the god of War would see the error of his ways. If Alec understood one thing about his god, it was Ares appreciation for initiative.

"Now go."

"But, my god, what about the other sacrifices?"

"If you want to slaughter these sheep be my guest. I've had enough sacrifice for one day." Ares turned and walked back toward his throne. With his godly vision he could see a ghostly image of Livia and Brigid running for their lives deeper into the forest. He would test her there. Make sure she was the one who would one day replace his most beloved warrior. Xena.

Ares faded away, leaving an angry and resentful Alec behind, with intentions to defy his god by hunting Livia down and killing her.

Livia and Brigid ran as fast and as hard as they could through the thick vegetation of the forest that surrounded the Academy grounds. Every muscle in their bodies burned and their breath came in ragged gasps, but their will to survive was stronger than their desire to rest. They pushed themselves on for what seemed like hours, until they came to a trail that had obviously not been in use for quite some time.

"Look," Livia said, drawing Brigid's attention to the trail. "We can to left or right. Which way?"

"Maybe we should go straight."

Livia studied the bush before them. It was obviously too thick to run through, and if they were forced to cut their way through they would leave too much evidence of their presence for any trackers searching for them, not to mention the time and effort it would waste.

"No, we can't go straight. It'll slow us down too much. Do you know what's left?"

Brigid shook her head no. "I've never been this deep in the forest before. I don't even know if I can find our way back."

"I say we go right then."

"Why?"

"I don't know. It just feels right."

The two girls took off in the right hand path, heading still deeper into the forest. It was a lucky choice, for the left path would have only led them back to the Academy where the guards were still hunting and killing the girls in sacrifice to Ares. As they traveled, the rain began to pour harder, each drop hitting their skin like shards of ice and robbing their bodies of precious warmth. Why was this rain so cold? The day had been so hot earlier. Livia forced her mind from her physical discomfort and trudged on, pulling Brigid behind her.

The path they were traveling dwindled until they were once again walking in the thick trees of the forest. The sky above was darkening and the rain showed no sign of letting up any time soon. Add to that the two girls hadn't eaten since that morning and they had been through the worst trauma of their lives, it was amazing they were even on their feet.

"Livia, we have to find-"

"Shhh!" Livia lay a hand over Brigid's lips. She'd heard something. Perhaps it was fear, or perhaps she was just lucky, but her senses had somehow sharpened enough that she could feel something near by. A second later she heard the unmistakable crunch of a twig beneath a man's weight, and both girls froze in place.

"We have to get out of here," Livia warned. She searched the trees for the intruder but saw no one. No doubt their pursuers, wiser in the ways of hunting and tracking were upon them, and they didn't even know it.

"How?" Brigid whispered.

"There!"

Both girls screamed at the sound of the guards voice which was much too close for comfort. Livia allowed her instincts to take over once again and she pulled Brigid in an all out run through the trees.

After a short while, Brigid stopped and leaned against a tree, breathless and holding her side. "I can't run anymore!" Brigid whined. Livia would hear none of it. They had to keep running or they would die. She tightened her grip on her adopted sisters hand and pulled her along.

"Move it Brigid! We have to, for Mom!"

The sound of their pursuers running after them was becoming louder and louder and Livia began to feel in her heart they were fighting a useless battle. The men were closing in on them terribly fast and they were too tired, weak and scared to keep it up.

Livia pulled Brigid around a tree only to smack into a wall of flesh and fall back, on top of Brigid. When she looked up, it was into the handsome face of a man she'd never seen before. He was dressed in leather with short hair and a mustache. He grinned at her, sending chills through her. The more she looked at him, the more familiar he felt. As if she'd met him before. Brigid began to cry and scoot away from him, but Livia bravely held her place.

"Are you going to kill us like you killed Mom?"

"I didn't kill your 'Mom', Livia. She was sacrificed to me."

"You're Mars!" Livia was stunned. Never had she met a god before. Or had she? There was something oddly familiar about his face...

"I prefer to be called Ares. Mars sounds like something from outer space."

"What?"

"Never mind." He scooped her up just as Alec and his men came upon them in the forest. Alec was shocked to find his god here protecting his prey.

"Ares, my god! What are you doing here?"

Ares looked down at Livia, who was pulling Brigid to her feet and comforting her. He'd work that soft streak right out of Livia, given time...

"Watch and learn Livia," Ares instructed. He turned to Alec and the group of five men that had played follow the leader into the forest after the two girls. "Alec. I thought I told you not to touch this child."

Alec licked his lips as his mouth had suddenly become dry. "My god...I-I-"

"You directly defied a direct order from me. You know how I hate disobedience."

"Yes, but you also appreciate initiative. I was going to sacrifice her to you! Show you the error of you ways for protecting this-"

"Error of my ways!" Ares was now in Alec's face and his words echoed like thunder in the ever darkening forest. "You would dare say I, Ares the god of War was wrong!"

"No, my god! You misinterpret my meaning-"

Ares threw his hands up in the air again, disgusted. Something bad was about to happen, Livia and Brigid could feel it. The difference between the two girls was, it frightened Brigid, but excited Livia.

"This is it," Livia said, squeezing Brigid's hand tightly. "Ares is going to avenge Mom's death."

"I just want to go home."

Ares lay his hands on Alec's shoulder's. "Now you're saying I'm wrong again? Are you, Alec?"

Alec held his head down in shame. He'd horribly misjudged Ares. Perhaps, if Ares believed him contrite over his actions he would spare him.

Nothing doing. Ares grabbed Alec's head in both hands and twisted as hard as he could. Alec's neck snapped like a twig, and he fell to the ground, dead. The other guard's cowered in fear, barely resisting the urge to run. They shouldn't have resisted too hard.

"And you! After I gave the order Livia wasn't to be touched, you went after her anyway. You will all pay for your sin against me."

Ares threw ball after ball of electric blue energy at the men, disintegrating them before they had a chance to run for cover. It was all over in a matter of seconds, and Ares turned to Livia and Brigid.

"Make your way back to the Academy by morning, and you will have my favor Livia. I will make you powerful beyond your wildest dreams, and you will never have to worry about anyone hurting you, or anyone you love, ever again. Understand me?"

Livia nodded, her heart racing at the idea of being the favorite of a god. Any god. She waited until Ares faded away, then turned to Brigid. "Did you hear that? Ares is going to give me his favor. He'll probably make me a great warrior one day! Then we'll be safe forever. That is, if we can get back to the Academy before day break. Isn't this great?"

Brigid nodded unenthusiastically. All she wanted to do was sleep and escape the nightmare that this day had turned into. She'd lost her mother, and her best friend had killed another human being. The scariest part was, Livia seemed to be enjoying it. What would Brigid do? Was there anything she could do to stop Livia from turning into the monster she could see her best friend slowly transforming into?

"Come on," Livia said, pulling Brigid with her in search of home. "We don't have long."

Livia and Brigid set out on their journey to the Academy. They would try to get on with the rest of their lives, but Livia was unable to see that with every step she and Brigid took on the path to the Academy, Livia was taking one step closer to Ares. And every step she took closer to the god of War was one step closer to the death of her own soul.

Livia and Brigid arrived back at the Academy not to find the place under siege from the renegade temple guards, but crawling with Roman soldiers dispatched by Octavious himself. Abderus, the contact that had visited Livia and checked on her progress fed the two girls and listened to every detail of what the two girls had experienced in the woods, minus of course Livia's killing of Odessa and Ares promise to give her his favor if she made it back home before sunset. Not because she feared rebuke, but because she knew he would never believe her. He would chalk it up to the overactive imagination of a frightened ten year old girl and leave it at that. Besides, her gut told her not to reveal every secret she had.

After eating a light meal a soldier escorted an exhausted Livia and Brigid up to their rooms and closed the door with the promise that Livia would be kept under guard from now on, by Octavious' order. Livia could care less now. All she wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep. To her dismay, Brigid began to bombard her with question after question.

"How come you don't cry over Mom? It's like you don't care about her."

"Of course I care about her!" Livia answered, indignant. "How could you say I don't?"

"I said you act like you don't. I never said you didn't."

Livia had been asking herself that same question and she knew she was only avoiding the subject. When she heard Alec kill the only woman she that had ever told her she loved her, something inside seemed to go numb. No, Livia corrected herself. Something died. Most of her heart and her ability to love just died in her chest. All she had now was Brigid and her anger. An anger that seemed bigger and stronger than herself.

Now, she had found the favor of the very god her adopted Mother had been sacrificed to. Part of her resented Ares, part of her longed to learn what he had to teach her. That being, of course, how to be a warrior. She would become strong, just like the faded image of her make-believe Mother, and she would never let anyone hurt her or Brigid again.

"I'm all alone now. I don't have my Dad or my Mom."

"You have me."

"But I'm an orphan now. They'll sell me and we'll never see each other again."

"Nobody is going to sell you Brigid. I promise you that. As long as Octavious cares for me, he'll care for you too. Go to sleep now. We'll talk in the morning."

"O.K. I love you Livia."

Part of Livia's steadily cooling heart warmed at Brigid's words. "I love you too."

Livia watched Brigid lie back against the pillows and fall asleep to the sound of the thunderstorm. She felt her own physical fatigue take over, and cuddled up next to her sister. Livia fell asleep just before she heard the terrified screams of the guards who'd raided the Academy being executed three floors below her window.

The next day Livia awoke to find the bed empty. At first she thought nothing of it, but when Brigid failed to appear from the dressing room she became concerned. She got up and went to the door to find a Roman guard standing outside.

"Excuse me sir."

The guard gave Livia a friendly smile and bent over to speak to her on her level. Livia hated it when adults condescended to her like that, but she ignored it as her concern for her best friend was more important.

"Good morning! What can I do for you?"

"Have you seen Abderus?"

"He's preparing to leave now. If we hurry, we can catch him before he leaves."

Livia and her guard ran down the three flights of steps to the front exit, just as Abderus nudged his horse into motion.

"Abderus, wait!"

Abderus, a handsome young man, barely into his middle twenties, stopped his horse and smiled down at Livia. "Livia! I would have thought you would have slept in this morning. What with the night you've had-"

"Forgive me for interrupting," Livia said sweetly, barely masking her growing panic, "but I seem to have misplaced a friend of mine. She's about 12, with dark red hair, green eyes. Remember her from last night? Her name is Brigid."

Abderus looked away, suddenly uncomfortable and Livia's panic worsened, especially at his next words. "I'm sorry Livia, but Brigid is gone."

"What? Gone where? Where did you take her?"

"Because she was an orphan she has been sold with the other-"

"No!" Livia's blood ran cold in her veins. Brigid had been afraid this would happen, and Livia had just brushed her sister's concern's aside as if they were nothing. If only she hadn't been so wrapped up in her own fantasies of Ares and becoming a warrior! Maybe she could have saved her.

"Bring her back! She's my servant!"

Abderus shook his head. "I'm sorry Livia. She was taken in the middle of the night. She's long gone. It will be almost impossible-"

Livia took off into a blind run, not knowing or caring what else Abderus had to say. Tears streamed from her eyes in rivers. They had come and taken Brigid in the middle of the night, and she hadn't even woken up to see it. After all her talk of becoming a warrior to protect herself and Brigid, she'd been helpless, even unaware, that they had stolen the only family she had left. Just as she had been years before in Rome, living with Delphia, Livia was alone, with no one to care for her. No one but Ares. Livia was bitter with hurt and rage, and she didn't know if she would be able to stand it. The selling of her friend was the last straw. She would be at the mercy of man no more. Livia was determined to become a warrior, but for different reasons than those she'd had only hours before when Brigid had still been in her life. She would learn to fight, not to protect those who couldn't protect themselves, but to avenge the loss of the only family she'd ever known. It seemed the world had done nothing but hurt her since the day she'd been born, and now they would pay. They would all pay.

Livia ran from the Academy and all the warm and loving memories she had built up over the past four years, and straight into the arms of the god of War.

Seventeen year old Livia walked slowly around the pond that had been the site of the last bit of happiness she had known, and would know, for years. This was the seven year anniversary of the day Ares had entered her life and changed it forever in the form of a raid led by Alec, one of the god of War's favored warriors. This was the seven year anniversary of the day she'd lost Ann and Brigid. One to death, the other to the whim of a lowly, insignificant soldier.

Ares had a new favorite now, and her name was Livia. She'd studied hard over the past five years to learn the art of War, and under Ares merciless heart and expert hand he'd molded her into a cold-blooded, heartless killer. She hated everyone and everything that so much as mentioned the concept of love, though she made certain no one knew that but Ares. He owned her now. He'd taken everything a man could from a woman. Her heart, soul, happiness and her virginity. Some small part of her had feeling's for him, but only because he was all she knew anymore. He had promised her absolute power, and she was going to conquer the world in his name. She would exact her revenge on mankind for every wrong they ever visited upon her.

Once she completed her circuit of the lake, and went back to the mouth of the path, she turned to give it one final look. It would be the last time, she was certain, that she would see this place. Octavious had granted her a commission in the Alpha legion. They were the very best unit Rome had to offer, and even a position as the least of an Alpha was coveted by the best of any other legion under Octavious command. Usually this kind of posting was unheard of, but in Livia's case she did not excel in the social graces taught to the women of her day, but in the art of war. Her passion in life was death and destruction, and the accumulation of power, not how to be the perfect Roman wife. She viewed these kind of women as weak and Livia was anything but. She had made certain that she had earned her position in the Alpha Legion, and if she ever, for any reason believed nepotism played any part of her commission, she would resign and not return till she proved to everyone in Rome she was worthy of her place in the revered Alpha Legion.

Though he had made no sound Livia could feel Ares presence. It was like an electric charge moving up her spine, and she loved the feeling of her body responding to him. He had only bedded her for the first time less than a month ago, but she couldn't begin to count the number of hours they'd spent lovemaking. She hungered for his touch every moment they were separated. Not necessarily out of love, but out of pure, hot lust. He was the perfect lover, and she would see to it she kept him interested long enough to get what she wanted. After that... Livia could feel the very god she was thinking about appear behind her and she turned slow around to face him. He offered her a rare smile that seemed to convey gentleness and love. The sight of any such emotions disgusted her, but she kept her face blank. If he only knew...

"Livia, you sensed my presence."

Ares took her in his arms and melted into him. They kissed passionately before she pulled away to catch her breath. She wanted him to take her, right where they were, but she knew Ares hated spontaneity only slightly less than laziness. It would be a mistake to ask him to do something as careless as to share passion right out in the open where anyone could catch them. Besides, he wanted no one to know of their affair just yet. Perhaps he was ashamed of her age, or perhaps he had deeper reasons. She didn't care. Just as long as he made her feel so...alive.

"Xena was the only one I've ever known who could do that."

Livia rolled her eyes. There was only one thing she couldn't stand about Ares. He matched her passion for lovemaking and battle, but he was hung up on the legendary Xena Warrior Princess. From the day she'd arrived for the first lesson in the abandoned temple where Ann's blood still stained the altar, to now, Ares had drilled every tactic the Warrior Princess had ever used. He made sure Livia knew how to think like Xena and fight like Xena. On more than one occasion he'd even called her Xena. Each time she made certain to point out that he could make her learn all of the Warrior Princess' little tricks, but she was not, and never would be, Xena.

Now Ares laughed at Livia's displeasure over Xena's name. "You feel as if you have to compete with her every day don't you?"

"Yes I do."

"Good, because you'd better believe you are." He pulled away from her and leaned against a tree. She almost followed him like a stray puppy, longing for the feel of his arms around her, deeply kissing her until she was swept away on waves of unimaginable pleasure as only this god could make her feel.

Ares lips curved up into a smile. He knew exactly what his new favorite had on her mind, just as he knew how to use her youthful lusts to control her. All young warriors were the same, especially female warriors. Once he had them addicted to the physical pleasures he could inspire and killing spree's in the field, they would do anything he asked to keep that feeling of euphoria that only he could produce in them.

"Eli," he whispered, changing Livia's physical lust into blood lust in less than the blink of an eye. He had taught her to hate Eli and all he and his followers had stood for as long as he'd known Livia, and today was the day Livia would begin her climb to the top. Once he made her Empress of Rome, he would use her to kill anyone he even remotely suspected of following Eli, whom he liked to call a "sanctimonious stooge."

Why mortals insisted on following his pathetic crusade to rid the world of the Olympian gods was beyond his ability to reason, but thousands of mortals each day took up his cause and his name. They were like a diseased limb to the gods of Olympus. He would see to it that limb was cut off before it spread throughout the body of Greece.

"Your family rid the world of Eve, Ares," Livia said. There was a distinctly taunting quality to her voice. "Surely you can rid Greece and Rome of a few pesky religious zealots. Why don't you use your powers to just wipe them out?"

"Because," he answered, his voice ice cold, "every follower of Eli I kill myself only makes their cause grow stronger. They see themselves as soldiers in a battle against the gods. If a god kills them, they become stronger. If a mortal kills them, they are weakened. That's where you come in."

"Don't be afraid Ares." Livia was unprepared for the anger her words caused the god of War, and one of his massive hands reached out, grabbing her by the throat.

"I am Ares. I am never afraid."

Livia had become arrogant enough that this treatment angered her, and she wasn't about to back down. He wasn't the only one who knew how to push other people's buttons. Ares had two weaknesses. Xena and the followers of Eli.

"Oh really?" Livia said calmly. She knew he had invested too much time and energy into her, and that he would do nothing to kill her. "Then why do you panic at the mere mention of Eli's name? You've taught me too well Ares. I know you as intimately as I know myself, and you are scared to death of anything relating to Eli. Now, get your hand off my throat so I report for duty. You don't want me late on my first day now do you?"

Ares reluctantly let go of Livia's neck and she sauntered away, swinging her voluptuous hips seductively and he was once again struck with a sense of deja vu. Every day she behaved more and more like another warrior he'd once tried to control, but he just couldn't put his finger on it. He shook his head in frustration and faded away. Livia was losing fear for him, which could be a good thing in a warrior. Just as long as she obeyed him he didn't really care if she was afraid of him. He had what she needed, and he knew as long as she felt dependent upon him she would do whatever she was told to destroy the followers of Eli.

Damen, commander of the Alpha Legion, watched as the only female warrior in the history of the world went about her duties of passing out the water to the men. What on earth had possessed Augustus to put a seventeen year old girl of all things in his army was beyond him. No woman belonged on the battlefield, except for nursing and...other duties for the men. To have her here was a disgrace to the honor of him and his men, and he was determined to do everything he could to make her resign her commission.

He did have to give her credit for one thing however, and that was the fact she never complained. Never. Not to anyone for any reason. She had been left behind on the last two battles against Britannia, and as they headed back to squash an amazon uprising in Greece, Livia went about her menial labors, quietly enduring the leering and the insults of his men.

Damen pulled off his armor and lay down on his bed which was really just a table with a few blankets spread over it for padding. No sooner had he relaxed, did he hear a soft ripping noise from the foot of his bed. He looked up to find someone had cut a slit into the fabric, no doubt planning to enter the tent and kill him. Damen, renowned for his stealth, eased off the bed, grabbed his sword and exited the tent. He whispered what was happening to a guard near by, ordering him to watch the front of the tent, as he circled around back.

Damen came to the rear of his tent to find it deserted. Whoever was attempting to kill him was inside, trapped. Another couple of men, sensing something was wrong, came around back. Again, he told them what was going on, and they stood watch as he prepared to enter the tent.

"Ready?" Damen whispered. When he got no response from his men, he turned looked back to find them spread out on the ground, unconscious. A woman stood there, scantily clad in an Amazon uniform, her face covered by a veil of all things. He grinned fiercely as she raised her sword and pointed it at him.

"So, this was a trick to get me outside? Clever. You ruined my tent woman! You'll die for that."

She swung at him and the fight was on. They clashed swords until every man within earshot began to wake up and gather around to watch Damen fight their Amazon intruder. Others formed a search party to look for more of their formidable feminine enemies that might be surrounding the camp.

Try as he might, Damen was unable to disarm the woman merely with his sword. It would take a more hands-on approach to defeat this veiled enemy. Damen attempted a drop kick but her lithe, young body dodged it easily and as his leg was still in mid-air she landed a well-placed, solid punch to his groin, sending him crumbling to his knees in agony. She put her sword to his throat, and the fight was over.

His men, ever loyal to him, drew their swords and prepared to attack, though hesitantly. She could take his head off before they could touch her, and they knew it. For now it was a draw.

"Well!" Damen barked, shamed that he'd been defeated by a woman, though she were a member of the mighty Amazon nation, in front of his men. The least she could do was kill him with honor instead of standing over him, holding him hostage in an attempt, no doubt, to make him beg for his life, and he wasn't about to do that. "Get on with it woman!"

The 'woman' pulled back her veil, and there was a collective gasp of shock at the familiar face beneath. It was Livia.

"Livia! What the hell do you think you're doing?"

"Proving myself worth more than a winch to empty the piss pots of these men. There's a reason Augustus gave me a commission in his elite legion sir. Regardless of what the men say, it's not because I'm sleeping with him. I haven't seen him since I was a child. It's because I am a warrior, and I am worthy to fight along side you."

"You think so huh?"

"I just kicked your ass didn't I?"

The men began to laugh, until Damen moved to get to his feet. Livia pressed the sword to his throat, however, keeping him on his knees. They shared a long glance in which Livia made it clear to him and the men, he wouldn't get up off his knees until she was good and ready to let him up. The two stared at one another long enough for Livia to realize she'd pushed him as far as it was wise, possibly further, and she stepped back. She'd proved her point. At least for now.

"So, you want to ride with the big boys now?"

"I deserve to ride with the big boys. I've already proved-"

"You've proved nothing!" Damen roared, his anger frightening everyone around except Livia. She shared a bed with a god and nothing short of the wrath of the Mighty Zeus himself would be enough to make Livia faint of heart. Even then, she wasn't so sure. Since she'd lost the two most important people of her life all those years ago, she cared about nothing but power. Pure, raw power that Ares was going to give her as he shaped her into the Warrior that would one day rule the Roman Empire. How he was going to do this, she had no idea, but she trusted him. He was a god after all, and he had never let her down before. If the day ever came that he did disappoint her, she would simply shove him aside and move on to the next conquest.

Damen dismissed the men, but not before he made it perfectly clear there was a good reason he'd lost to this...girl. "I underestimated you. It won't happen again. If we are to ever clash swords again, you worthless little whore, I'd kill you in seconds! Dismissed, all of you!"

Livia watched him walk away, her rage boiling within her blood, threatening to explode with the force of a gallon of Greek Fire. This mere man had called her a whore, shaming her in front of all these men! She was the favorite of not only a god but the most powerful ruler in Rome, and he would dare call her a whore! Livia couldn't have cared less about the chain of command at that moment. One ounce of her flesh and blood held more worth than the entire Alpha Legion combined and he would insult her honor so casually? No.

"Any ruler worth his salt would never underestimate an opponent. You, Damen, are salt that's good for nothing but to be trampled under the foot of man. I am Livia! The favored charge of Augustus Caesar himself and I will not be spoken to in such a degrading manner!"

The other soldiers looked on with wide-eyed shock. Never had anyone even considered speaking out of line with the mighty Damen. Now a seventeen year old girl had the nerve to dress him down in front of his men? They had no idea what would happen next, but they weren't about to leave now. Their curiosity overrode their sense of duty to obey orders and they held their place to watch Damen put this brash young woman in her place. Either that, or Livia would put Damen in his grave.

Damen answered the silent questions of his men by drawing his sword and advancing slowly on Livia. His lips pulled apart in a feral grin and his breath came in short, ragged gasps that misted the cool night air before his face. He almost acted as if he were sexually excited by the conflict happening between himself and Livia. She knew the feeling he was experiencing right now very, very well. It was the feeling of anticipated revenge on someone perceived to have wronged you. It was almost as intoxicating as good foreplay to know that you were about to kill someone who had been a thorn in your side for too long. Only Damen didn't know what Livia knew in her heart; she was destined for greatness he could only dream of, and nothing short of a miracle was going to stop her.

To the shock of the men watching around her, Livia re-sheathed her blade and planted her feet to either side of her body, equal length to her shoulders and crouched down, putting her weight primarily on the balls of her bare feet. She was primed for action, ready to move her body in any direction, at any speed necessary to win this battle turned deadly. Her own grin was just as feral as the one that seemed to be almost consuming Damen's rugged and weathered face, and her heart pounded beneath her breast, pushing hot blood and adrenaline to every muscle in her body. Ooh she could almost feel his neck snap in her hands...

"You've gone too far Livia."

"Just as you're about to? What do you think will happen if you harm me? Do you think the mighty Caesar is just going to let you walk away with a slap on the wrist?"

"If you die before I do, I'll leave this life a happy man. Now arm yourself."

"I am armed."

"Your sword is on your back, not in your hand."

"Fool. I am my weapon. A sword is just a decoration for what I am. I hope you're ready to die Damen. I'm about to put you in your grave."

Damen swung at Livia but she ducked it easily, turned and swung one powerful, beautifully shaped leg around, knocking Damen's feet from beneath him. He gave a cry of surprise and landed on his back. With lightning speed Livia stood, stepped over to him and attempted to drive the heel of her right foot into the bridge of his nose but he managed to roll out of the way just in time to avoid having his face crushed. He leapt to his feet but was too slow to turn to face her before Livia drove her fist into one of his kidneys. For a frightening moment Damen was afraid he would wet himself in front of his men from the force of the blow.

He thrust his sword clumsily behind him only to hear Livia's now distinctive battle cry as she all but flew over his head and landed before him. She hit him with a barrage of powerful punches to his chest and gut that nearly knocked him off his feet and literally stole his breath from his lungs. He used what air that remained in his lungs to thrust his sword at Livia. She was so caught up in the moment of her advantage she didn't move quite fast enough to dodge his sword, and it nicked her left side. She gave it little more than a passing glance then assaulted him with three well placed kicks to his jaw that left him on the ground, dizzy and breathless. He'd killed many honorable men in his time serving Rome, and now he was going to be taken down by a seventeen year old child. A female child at that. How humiliating.

Livia came to stand over him, one deceptively delicate foot on either side of his body. He wanted desperately to move but his limbs wouldn't respond as well as he wanted. Damen gave one last pathetic effort to run her through but Livia only kicked the sword from his hand. His men watched silently, not one of them even attempting to come to his aid. Bastards. He hadn't exactly been good to them over the years, and now he regretted it. None of them cared for him; they only loathed him.

As he looked up at the girl-warrior who had become his death angel, Damen got the distinct feeling she was playing with him as a cat would a mouse, and as he stared into her eyes he remembered a moment from his youth long ago, when his parents had taken him to visit relatives living in the small village of Torone. The village had been raided by a certain notorious blond psychopath named Callisto. Now, as Damen stared into the eyes of this dark-haired beauty, he saw that same maniacal light shining in her Livia's blue eyes, and he was overwhelmed by the fact that Livia's face seemed to almost transform into the face of his mother's killer, Callisto.

Livia took hold of his head and brought her face mere inches from his.

"Nighty night," she said with a sing-song tone to her voice. Once again he remembered how Callisto had uttered the same words, right before she took the life of his beloved mother. The similarities between the two women were amazing...

Livia broke Damen's neck, having no idea of the truth the General had seen in her eyes before his death. That truth was Livia was becoming more and more like her mother each day. Not the honorable woman Xena had become with the gentle love of her soul-mate Gabrielle, but the evil, soulless murderer that had been Callisto so many years before.

(Many thanks to Liz. She is my greatest fan and my inspiration. She keeps my work honest and real, and I just love her for it! Thank you my friend. I'd be lost without you).