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| Written by Lisa Jain Thompson | |
| Monday, 19 February 2007 | |
  The Xena Sutra
The classic translation by Lisa Jain Thompson
Original Copyright 2000 C.E. Revised and reformatted 2007  Warning
The following translation contains graphic depictions of sexual relations between consenting adults of various genders. If you find such things objectionable or if they are illegal for you to read, please heed this warning. Index
Introduction Dimensions of Desire The Imagination of Seduction Kissing Embraces The Pressing of Nails The Acquaintance of Teeth The Union of Tongues The Staff Position The Art of Fishing Coda 1. Introduction
It may be interesting to some persons to know how the Xenyayana (the Xena Sutra) was first discovered and translated into the English language. It happened thus.
While I was exploring the darker stacks in my university library, trading crib notes with other scholars, I stumbled onto a musty yellowed copy of the Memoirs of Doc Covington written sometime in the middle of the last century. There I found a reference to a secret scroll that formed the erotic memoirs of a certain Bard of Poteideia known as Gabrielle the Amazon, one which recorded her sexual awakening at the hands of a Warrior Princess.
Covington's notes indicated that no library would be complete without this work. Although she gave no indication of the scroll's location, my interest was aroused and I knew I would have to find it.
Many months later I found myself on Lesbos, wandering the estate of a poet I knew there, the secret scroll all but forgotten, when I stumbled over the crumbled foundations of an ancient monument that had weathered out of the ground. As I lay there beside it, recapturing my dignity, I saw an old, half-buried container of the type that was used to protect papyrus.
As I reached for it, a voice whispered in my ear
"Be careful poet girl, you have the wisdom of the ages here."
I held the container in my hand, drawing up my courage to open. Was it a long denied copy of the complete works of Sappho? Perhaps a forgotten Plato or the Book of Q itself?
The fates must love me more dearly than that, for it was the secret scroll of Gabrielle, the Xena Sutra, the Art of Love.
A complete translation of the original work now follows. It has been prepared in complete accordance with the text of the manuscript, and is given, without further comments, as made from it.
2. Dimensions of Desire
Xena watched the Warlord parading through her village but her eyes were only on the woman who rode beside him. She seemed so sure of herself, so confident of her abilities and her impact on villagers who beheld the procession. Xena could only wonder if she would ever be like that. Growing up seemed such a long time away to the dark-haired, awkward girl who felt the first urges of wanderlust and the quest.
Xena looked at her companion. With long red hair and a body toned by hunting and adventure, Diana was everything that Xena was not. Older than the girl by only a few years, she was already a woman.
"And I'm only still a child." Xena grimaced, unaware that she had spoken outloud.
"What? Did you say something, Xena?" Diana smiled at the tall young woman, wondering if the girl was ready.
Xena startled out of her self-absorption.
"Ah, no. Not really. I as just thinking."
"Rather noisy thinking, wasn't it. What's bothering you, Xena?"
"Nothing. I mean, I look at her," Xena gestured toward the entourage, "and I look at me, and it seems like another world entirely."
"What type of world? What excites you, Xena? The bloodlust, the violence, the glamour? Or is it her."
"She has such ..." The younger woman stumbled for explanation.
"Power? Beauty? Sexual Energy?"
"Yes." Xena cast her eyes down, obviously embarrassed by her thoughts.
"Does she excite you, Xena?"
"No!" Too quickly. "I ... What do you mean, Di?"
"I think it's time we talked, Xena. Hungry? I am. Let's go find a tavern and get a bite to eat."
*****
The tavern was like any other in any village along the peninsula. It could have been any of a hundred all the same: dark, smoke filled from cooking, noisy from warriors, drinking and joking, an undercurrent of danger and excitement lurking in every corner. This one was called The Huntress. Diana sat with her back against a wall. Xena in chair close beside her. The table held fresh bread and some cheese. A bowl of hot soup steamed in front of both of them. Diana took a long draught from her ale before looking at the younger woman.
"Do you have any boyfriends, Xena?"
Xena blinked.
"Are you always this direct?"
"Only when it suits my needs. Do you have any?"
"Needs?"
"Boyfriends. You're good at avoiding answers, Xena."
"Do I have any boyfriends?"
"Good girl. You remember the question. What is the answer?"
"No, not now, I mean."
"But you did."
"Uh huh." Xena nodded, wondering where the conversation was going.
"Did you enjoy them?"
"I liked their company, if that's what you mean."
A smile curled around a corner of Diana's mouth.
"Did you ENJOY them, darlin'. Have sex with them? Make love to them?"
Xena blushed.
"Guess that answers that question, Xena." The older woman paused, looked directly into the younger's eyes. "Were they everything you wanted?"
Xena shrugged, obviously puzzled.
"Did you have an orgasm, Xena? Did the boys make you happy?"
"No." Quietly. "No, none of them took the time."
"I will, Xena." Softly. "I will."
Xena looked into Diana's eyes. Nervously. Eagerly.
"But I still like boys, Di."
"I know, but you will like me better, I promise."
*****
Lips lay gentle caresses along limbs trembling in expectation. Teeth bite sweet skin grown darker in sunlight and search out white softness hidden within.
In the tavern, a voice can be heard crying loudly, screaming, groaning incoherently. One of the of the men starts to go back towards the rooms only to be stopped by the tavern keeper who shakes his head and smiles
"It's only Diana finally catching up with her quarry, boys. Go back to your table, and enjoy yourself. I know, the girls are."
3. The Imagination of Seduction The young woman pushed her long hair out of her eyes with a quick movement of her left hand as her right reached for the sword she carried on her back. The smoke and mirrors vanished as the God of War materialized.
"Must you always sneak up on me like that, Ares?"
"Must you always know when I'm about to appear, Xena?"
Ares looked over at his protege. How could anyone that young fight that well? How could anyone that beautiful be so lethal? How .... The War God shrugged. Enough! Her blood runs true as mine runs hot.
"If I knew how I knew, I would tell you, Ares. But I can taste you, feel you in the air, moments before you appear. I can ...."
"If you say smell, Xena ..." Ares feigned a glare.
"... feel the heat of your body seconds before you arrive."
"Would you like to feel it, now, babe?"
The young woman put her sword back in its sheath, removed it from her back, and dropped it on the ground.
"Did you bring a sheep skin this time?"
Ares stared bemusedly at the women.
"You mean ...."
"Protection. Did you remember to bring protection this time?"
"I don't need a protection. I'm a god."
"I'm not. I do." Xena paused, then added, "And don't give me that crap about their being different rules for gods. Did you bring protection or not?"
Ares sighed.
"No."
Xena smiled.
"Then it's good that I did."
"You did. You. You went ...
"
"To the Sybils and asked for what magic they had to keep me form bearing a child of the gods unwillingly."
"And they gave you ...?"
Xena reached into her pouch, grabbed a small container, and held it out for the God of War to see.
"This."
Ares examined the container.
"This. What is it? What's it any good for?"
"Open it carefully, Ares, it's a sheepskin."
"I'll repeat my question. What's it any good for, Xena?"
"To keep me safe."
"I can keep you safe."
"Not safe enough, Ares, unless you use the sheepskin."
"And how do I do that?"
Xena moved closer to the War God, kissed him on the cheek, then whispered in his ear.
Ares blushed, then asked,
"Are you sure?"
The dark-haired one nodded.
"I'm sure."
Ares shook his head in amazement.
"And what we do with it afterwards? I don't want my godhood spilling all around where just anyone can have it."
"Yeah, we wouldn't want any extra little godlings now, would we?" Xena smiled, "but this is what you need to do."
As Xena handed the god a small instructional scroll, her breasts brushed against Ares chest. As the warrior placed her arms around Ares' neck and shoulders, the god began to read.
"Holding the sheepskin in place to avoid ...." Ares stopped and looked down into young woman's eyes.
"Are you sure all this is worth it, Xena?"
Xena laughed, deep and husky.
"I'm sure I am, Ares, I'm sure I am. You want to argue about it or do you want to make love?"
4. Kissing
The campfire burned brightly as Xena watched Gabrielle prepared the rabbit for dinner. Soon the smell of the roasting meat would be driving her hunger.
"How long until the rabbit is ready, Gabrielle?"
"It will be about an hour or more yet, I think. I don't want it to cook too fast and toughen the meat."
The firelight flickered off Gabrielle's long golden hair causing Xena to smile. How young she looks. The cradle must still be warm.
"There's full moon rising, Gabrielle. If you have time, walk with me to the hill top, would you?
Gabrielle looked up from the fire. In the year they had been travelling together, Xena had never wanted to look at full moons. What was so special about this one?
The Warrior Princess started up the hillside, then turned back to Gabrielle.
"Well, are you coming or not?"
Gabrielle stood up, quickly dusted her hands, and started after Xena.
"Hey, wait up!"
*****
The moon had just broken the horizon like some great goddess filling the sky with glory. Xena stood silhouetted, Gabrielle close beside her. "How long have we been together, Gabrielle. Ten months?"
"Twelve. It's been a year, Xena."
Xena curled her lip, arching an eyebrow.
"A year ... Have you missed your family?"
"Some. I've never been away this long."
A look of concern flowed over the Warrior's face.
"Do you want to go home?"
"NO!" Gabrielle shouted then composed herself. "No, I'm where I want to be, Xena."
"And where is that?"
"With you."
The dark-haired warrior suppressed a smile.
"The moon is very large tonight. How would a poet describe it, Gabrielle? Tell me what words I need. "
The young bard thought for a moment, then began:
"Fair Selene, her reflected beauty
Outshines the stars in her glory. Men will lay up many offerings in her shrines To gain what we share tonight." Xena looked down to meet Gabrielle's eyes.
"And what is that we share, Gabrielle? Do you have any words for that?"
Gabrielle flushed and stumbled uncharacteristically over her words.
"I ... I mean , we ..."
Xena pushed Gabrielle's long blond hair out of her face, her hand lingering on the girl's cheek.
"I'm not as good with words as you are Gabrielle, but maybe this will help you find them."
Xena bent down and kissed Gabrielle softly on the lips.
"Does that help?"
Gabrielle smiled demurely.
"I'm not sure, Xena, but I think you need to kiss me again until I've got it all down right."
5. Embraces
Ares and 'Dite were lovers
Oh Hera how they could love Swore they be true to each other Just as true as the stars up above Ares was 'Dite's brother,
Hera caught them lying on the ground, 'Dite said, listen mother, He's the best lover I've ever found. 'Dite was Ares' woman,
'Til the War God done her wrong. Caught him loving a warrior, A dark-haired, blue-eyed young one. So 'Dite came looking for Ares,
To tell him it was over for fun, He'd have to find lovers elsewhere After he done what he done. Well Ares he was 'Dite's man
Ares he done Aphrodite wrong So 'Dite she told off her brother This is the fucking end of our song Ares he done Aphrodite wrong
6. The Pressing of Nails
The two women had been riding for what seemed like weeks, more than long enough for Gabrielle to grow comfortable on a horse again. The smell of horseflesh and woman mingled in the sweat as the high summer sun beat down upon them. Gabrielle knew that Xena's pride would not let the Warrior remove her leathers no matter how unbearable the weather or chaffed her skin became. They needed to stop, find shade and waters to bath away the dust and tiredness that clung to their bodies.
"Xena."
The Warriors head bobbed to alertness. Her eyes opened.
"Xena, I need to stop."
Looking back over her shoulder, Xena shook the daydream loose from her mind. Gabrielle's eyes betrayed her concern.
"We just stopped a few hours ago, Gabrielle. We will never make it to the oracle at Ipiros if we keep stopping."
"We won't make it if we have sunstroke, either."
As Xena shrugged, Gabrielle pulled her horse even with the Warrior's.
"And I need a bath, Xena. We both do."
"Are you saying that I stink, Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle smiled.
"No worse that I do," she paused a second, then, pretending to inhale deeply, added, "Or the horses."
The dark haired one laughed, letting Gabrielle know the point was taken.
"There is a spring at Louros, it's off our path but not far from here. The springs form a small lake on the mountain side. They're the source of the Louros River. Will that do?" "As long as we can take a bath, Xena, the springs will do fine for what I want."
"And is a bath all that you want, Gabrielle?"
Urged her horse in the direction of the springs, Gabrielle left Xena's question trailing behind her.
*****
The hot sun warmed the cold spring water that formed the lake. Pine trees scattered along the water's edge and lillies took root and bloomed where they could. Off the shoreline, the woods thickened as the sand turned to fertile earth. Wild boar and goats scattered as the women approached on horseback. The women dismounted and tended their horses, letting them drink full before quenching their own thirst. Gabrielle moved to unfasten Xena's leather.
"I can do that, Gabrielle."
"So can I, and I want to. Let me."
Across the lake, a red feathered hawk swooped catch her prey, a rabbit that had strayed too far from the safety of the forest.
The warrior shrugged, lifted her long dark hair out of the way, and let the young Amazon have her way.
"Anything you say, Gabrielle."
A smile crossed Gabrielle's face only to be replaced by a grin that could only be described as evil.
"Anything?"
"Anything within reason."
"I promise not to do anything you won't like. Okay?"
Xena half laughed, half grunted her assent.
"Okay."
"Good. Now don't move until I tell you."
The younger woman carefully unfastened the straps that held the sweat-stained leathers to the warrior's body.
"You know, you really need another set of these, Xena. I think it's time to bury this one."
Gabrielle laid the armor carefully aside, revealing the chemise Xena wore underneath.
"And your shift isn't much better, but at least we can wash it."
After Gabrielle slipped the shift over Xena's shoulders and let it slide to the ground, she leaned over, kissed Xena's shoulder, and whispered:
"You can step out of it now, and turn around."
A breeze, noticed first by the warrior's breasts, drifted in from the lake. Xena hesitated a moment, then turned.
"Did I say you could look at me, Xena?"
The dark one lowered her eyes as Gabrielle gazed at Xena's now naked body. Gabrielle moved closer, her finger tracing the curve of Xena's hip.
"Does this scar still hurt?"
"A little, mostly in winter."
Nodding, Gabrielle took Xena's right nipple into her mouth and caressed it gently with her tongue before providing similar attention to the left. A moan escaped the Warrior's throat as the younger woman slipped a hand between Xena's legs and slipped a single finger into her warmth.
"You seem to be enjoying this, Xena."
Another moan deep in Xena's throat would have to serve as Gabrielle's answer.
Gabrielle brought her finger to her lips as if to taste Xena's eagerness.
"We'll take care of this in a bit, darlin', but first we both need that bath. Now walk over to the lake like a good girl and start bathing. I'll join you there as soon as I take care of something. Make sure you wash carefully because I'm going to check and if I find anything that still needs attention ... "
7. The Acquaintance of Teeth
"Where is Gabrielle?"
"I sent her off with Joxer to his brother Jace's wedding to make sure that Joxer doesn't do anything stupid, like trying to stop it."
"Jace is getting married? The dancer is getting married?" Callisto shook her head in disbelief. "I hope for Joxer's sake he isn't asked to dance with either of the grooms."
Xena laughed.
"I'll have Gabrielle give me a full report when she returns, Callie."
"Just as well that she is gone, Xena, I doubt if that irritating little blonde would understand this."
Callisto tightened one of the bonds on Xena's legs.
"She isn't irritating, Callie, Gabrielle knows exactly what she is doing," Xena smiled in memory, "And her hands are soft and gentle and anything but irritating."
"But gentle is not always what we want, is it, Xena?"
Callisto tightened the restraints on the Warrior's wrists.
"Is it, Xena?"
*****
The temple had long been abandoned, the goddess having fallen from Zeus's favor and cast out of Olympus. Her torches had been replaced by scented candles, the sound of her supplicants praying by a warrior's cries and the crack of the single tail moving through at sound speed through the air to kiss the warrior's skin.
"Do you remember the safe word Xena?"
Xena grinned.
" 'Joxer is god'. How can I forget it? Its not something that would come up in everyday conversation. Just don't you forget, Callisto."
"Have I ever forgotten?"
"No, you've never forgotten, nor forgiven, Callie."
"Forgiveness starts at home, Xena, and you burned mine."
Crack of whip and moan.
"You needn't remind me, I still wake up in nightmare, seeing the innocents I slaughtered with my Army."
"I know, Xena, you've woken me up enough with your screams. I can hear them in my dreams"
Callisto grimaced at the echo of a rat scurrying in a distant corner of the temple.
"We really need to have someone come in once or twice a week and clean, don't you think, or aren't you into triads still? They do work, you know, as long as you don't kill one of the members in a jealous rage. But you were young then, weren't you?"
Whip again, searing the flesh, and echoing off the walls. The warrior cried out, then composed herself, looking straight at Callisto as a razor thin blood line edged its way across Xena's thigh.
"He was a pig, he deserved it. I didn't see you objecting."
"I would have done it myself in another day or two. What did we see in him in the first place?"
Xena's mouth turned in half smile.
"You tell me, you're the one who brought him to the party."
Callisto answered with another single tail, eliciting a sound of pain and something else from Xena's lips. The warrior struggled against her restraints.
"Are you ready yet, my warrior darling? Your body is squirming exquisitely, have I wetted your appetite for more?
Xena nodded, her breath short as pain turned to lust searching for release.
Callisto move to stand just inches from the Warrior Princess.
"So many scars on such a lovely body. You should really be more careful with who you play with, Xena."
Callisto ran her fingers over Xena's body as if to count the welts the single tail whip had left there. Noticing the blood on Xena's thigh, Callisto knelt down on one knee to see how deeply she had cut her.
Her finger touched the blood line
"Not too deep. It will heal quickly"
Then licked the blood off with her tongue.
"I love the scent of a woman in pain."
Callisto kissed the Warrior's lips.
"I've always wondered, Xena, do you use the chakram to shave or have your received some mystical incantation from the goddess of love?"
Xena's answer turned to a guttural moan as Callisto kissed her still again, her body spasming against her bonds.
Callisto smiled and looked up into Xena's eyes.
"Would you like the whip some more?"
Xena shook her head.
"Or shall we continue this elsewhere?"
Leaving the cuffs in place around the Warrior's ankles, Callisto released them from the eye hooks that restrained Xena, then stood up and released the wrist bonds from the wall. Callisto kissed Xena on the mouth, slipping her tongue between the Warrior's parted lips.
"Like the taste, Xena? You should. It's yours."
Callisto's laughter echoed off the temple walls as she tugged on the Warrior Princess' cuffs and motioned for the dark-haired woman to follow her into the inner chambers.
"This way, Xena, the night is still young and we have miles to go before either of us will sleep. I plan to have you well relaxed before that irritating blonde returns."
8. The Union of Tongues
It was a lazy summer evening, the kind where the twilight stretches out for what seems like hours as you watch the tide come rolling in with your significant other while you are walking along the beach in the slowly growing darkness. The waves crashed offshore pushing jellyfish up the beach to incandesce in the new fallen night.
Gabrielle walked arm and arm with the Warrior Princess, their toes pressing into the still warm sand as the ocean washed over them.
"I know that Ares and you have a history, and you and Hercules, Xena, you've always been honest with me about your past, but do you think Ares and Hercules ever ....?"
Xena snorted.
"Ares and Herc? Which one are you supposing as the top, Gabrielle?" A smirk crossed Xena's face. "Not that I wouldn't put it past Ares, but Hercules is as straight an arrow as you will find. What made you ask? You suddenly have something against guy on guy?"
"Well, I heard stories while I was waiting for you in the Boar's Head Tavern the other day -- they're probably not true."
"Stories about Ares?"
"About Hercules, and the time he spent with Queen Omphale."
*****
Hercules was travelling with a friend -- not Iolaus, but a Greek of questionable origin named Iphitus who Hercules had met on the slopes of Mount Etna in Sicily. They were in a tavern in the kingdom of Queen Omphale when a fight broke out. No one seems quite sure of the cause, but in the end, Iphitus was dead and Hercules was on trial for his life before the Queen. "Do you have anything add, Hercules, before I sentence you?"
"There is nothing I can say, Your Highnese. Iphitus is dead. If it is your judgement that I am the cause, I will accept that, but in my heart I know I am innocent."
"Innocent though you may believe yourself, blood has been shed. If this court spares your life and sentences you to serve three years as a slave in the Royal Palace, do we have your word you won't try to escape?"
"Yes, you have my word, I won't try to escape."
The Queen looked over at the men who guarded Hercules.
"Take him to palace, my quarters, and stand guard so he doesn't leave. I will be there shortly to start his punishment."
*****
Queen Omphale was tall and broad shouldered, hinting at a youth spent much more actively than would be suspected of a princess. Her arms and legs were well toned and spoke of her morning rituals that kept both her mind and body in top shape. Hercules was waiting at the foot of the royal bed as the Queen entered.
"Take your clothes off, Hercules."
A smile crossed Herc's face.
"Don't get your hopes, Hercules, it's not going to be that easy. Place your leather pants on the bed. You won't be needing them for a while."
Herc's smile broadened as he slid out of the sweaty leathers.
"Once you are done, go to my closet and pick out a gown to wear. I think the light green one will go well with your eyes."
The smile faded.
"I don't ..."
"I didn't ask what you wanted, Slave, I told you to put the gown on. What didn't you understand?"
"Nothing, Your Highness. The green one you said?"
As Hercules searched for the gown, Omphale let hers slide to the floor and slipped into the leathers so recently on the Greek God. As the Queen was donning Hercule's shirt, he turned around and began to put on the dress.
"The other way, Hercules, you have the back in front."
The queen walked over to Hercules, helped him adjust his gown, and then admired the result as she ran her hand over his chest.
"Do you always shave and oil and your chest?"
"I don't oil my chest."
"The gods have Sicilian blood?" Omphale laughed, and added, "A bath will help immensely I suspect, and I'll get my hairdresser in to do something with THAT."
The queen frowned as she ran her fingers through the Greek God's hair.
"You simply need a better hairstyle, Hercules, something shorter, and less unkemp perhaps. Some Henna for highlights."
A nervous look passed through Hercule's eye's.
"How long do you wish me like this, Your Highness."
"Always, my darling. For the full three years you are my slave, I will be the one wearing the pants in the family."
Omphale turned full circle to emphasis her point.
"You will be my wife. You will cook, you will learn to sew and spin wool, and you will keep this room clean and me amused. Do you understand, Hercules?"
The greek god cast his eyes earthward as a sigh escapes his lips.
"Yes, Ma'am, I understand. May I ask a question?"
"You may speak freely in this room within limits."
" What about at night, Your Highness, will I be expected ..."
"You should expect nothing, Hercules, but I think you will come to enjoy our nights. I have some toys I purchased at Babes of Amphipolis that will serve me well."
The queen smiled.
"Have you ever seen a harness, Hercules, or felt the pleasures of one properly used? You will make a fine wife, I think, my darling."
******
Xena turned to Gabrielle, "Don't stop there, what happened next, Gabrielle? Did the Queen have her way with Hercules?"
Gabrielle blushed.
"I think so."
"What do you mean, you think so? What's the rest of the story? Where's the climax? Was Hercules a good and loving wife to Omphale?"
"I don't know. Just when they were getting to that part of the story, you returned to the Tavern and made your usually entrance. The storytelling stopped and all eyes turned to you."
"So ....."
"You're just going to have to ask Hercules yourself, Xena, what Queen Omphale did with the harness, the next time you see him."
"And you really think he's going to answer, Gabrielle?"
"No, but he might turn a bright shade of red."
9. The Staff Position
The only thing sweatier and more tired than the horses were the two women riding them. The snow had just started falling and they were looking for shelter before it started to stick. Both women were wrapped in their winter coats -- Xena in her usual black, Gabrielle in deep red --- but with the sun going down the chill was seeping through.
"Where do you want to stop, Gabrielle? Here in the scrub pine ...."
"Where you will expect me to start a fire and cook."
"While I try to hunt down dinner."
"Or ...?"
"We can ride on for two hours until we reach the next town."
Gabrielle shrugged.
"I'm cold already, Xena, another two hours won't make much of a difference."
Xena smiled.
"And you won't have to cook then, will you?"
"And I won't have to cook."
*****
Village was too large a word for what they found several hours later. They needed something smaller to describe ramshackle buildings that squatted down at the crossroads. Gabrielle looked at the frowning Warrior Princess. "Are you sure we are there, Xena?"
"Yes, but there appears to be no there here." Xena shook her head.
"There must be someplace we can stay."
Gabrielle squinted in the darkness and saw what appeared to be a tavern sign.
"I think I see something over on the other road."
Xena's followed Gabrielle's gesture down the road and laughed.
"Something. A tavern perhaps?"
"Maybe. The sign looks like it hasn't been repainted in years."
"It will have to do. The next town, if you want to call this that, is at least half a day away."
*****
An hour later, after eating the meager meal the tavern provided, the two women were looking over their room. Xena dropped her gear on the floor as Gabrielle checked out the bed.
"You see anything moving, Gabrielle?"
"Not that I can see. I don't hear anything scurrying either."
"Then there's nothing stopping us from getting a good night's sleep then, is there, Gabrielle?"
"Not as long as you don't expect to go to sleep too quickly, Xena. I found something new at the market last week that I have been waiting to try out."
Xena loosened her leather armor and let it drop onto the floor.
"You going to tell me what it is?"
"It's a saddlehorn."
"Saddlehorn's aren't new, at least not in Potedeia. I have one on my saddle."
"This one doesn't come with a saddle, Xena." Gabrielle looked up through her eyelashes and smiled at the Warrior Princess. "It's just sort of shaped like one."
The Bard reached into her bag and removed a long, lightly tanned leather horn, bluntly round at one end, flaring wider at the other, and showed it to Xena.
"That doesn't look like any saddlehorn I have ever seen, Gabrielle."
"It's new. The virgins at Aphrodite's temple recommended it. I realize it doesn't look like a saddlehorn, but a name's a name."
"It looks like a penis, Gabrielle, Ares'."
Gabrielle laughed.
"Lifesize?"
Xena nodded.
"I AM impressed. Ares was this big? They said they had a good model." Gabrielle paused. "Perdicus was half this size at best."
Now it was Xena's turn to laugh.
"Didn't your mother ever tell you to never buy a unicorn sight unseen? You should have listen to Mom, Gabrielle."
"If I had listened to Mom, Xena, I wouldn't be here now. Now do you want to know what I plan to do with this saddlehorn?"
As Gabrielle moved closer and whispered what she planned in Xena's ear, the Warrior Princess's eyes grew wide.
"Are you sure?"
"I'm sure Xena. I've read the instruction scroll twice and I'm ready. Are you willing to try it? I know that, if nothing else, Ares gave you pleasure."
"I don't need penetration to be pleasured, Gabrielle. You can make me happy simply with your touch."
"I know that, Xena. We both are. I just want to try something new that doesn't involve tongues and fingers."
"Hey, I still want to be kissed, even if you are using a saddlehorn."
"Oh, I plan to kiss you a lot, Xena. Bite you too."
Xena grinned.
"Then you can do me with the saddlehorn, babe. Where do you want me?"
"Take the rest of your clothes off, Xena, and lie down on the bed while I get the lubrication out of my bag. The scroll said to make sure you use a lot of lubrication."
"I don't think that will be problem, Gabrielle, I'm plenty wet already."
"I know, you've never been able to hide it when you are." Gabrielle laughed. "Now take your clothes off and lie down so I can have my way with you."
Xena lay back on the bed, then paused.
"What are you thinking, Xena, second thoughts?"
"No," Xena smiled, "I want what you want. I was just wondering what Ares would say if he could see us now."
10. The Art of Fishing
The campfire burned brightly in the clearing, the smoke rising to mingle with the stars. The two women were lying side by side on their bedrolls, their eyes on the Milky Way that painted itself across the heavens, Gabrielle curled into Xena's breast, the Warrior's arm around her shoulder.
"Do you ever miss your long hair, Gabrielle?"
"No, I like my hair shorter, it's much more practical. Why did you ask?"
"No reason. I was just remembering watching you walk down the beach, the wind blowing off the cliffs and through your hair. Your hair was loose and long the first time I saw you across the town square."
"And you were a dark romantic figure, something forbidden and aloof on top of Argos."
"I wasn't aloof."
"Were too."
"Wasn't."
"WERE. Foreboding even. I remember you glaring at the men who hit on you when you entered the tavern. I remember you hitting the ones who didn't take the hint."
"I used to have a very short temper, Gabrielle. I've gotten better since then."
"Yeah, right." Smiling to herself, the Bard changed the subject. "Is that Orion over there?"
Looking up at the sky, Xena nodded.
"The red star in his shoulder is Betelgeuse, the really bright blue white one in his leg is Rigel. If you look closely you can see that the middle star in his belt is all fuzzy, almost like it was a bright cloud instead of a star. Orion is easy to identify because of the three stars that form the belt, Gabrielle, I'm surprised you had to ..."
Xena paused, realizing that Gabrielle had refocused the conversation intentionally.
"You didn't have to ask, did you?"
"Nope. Knew it was Orion all along."
Gabrielle curled into Xena's arms and kissed the warrior's neck.
"Make love to me, Xena."
The Warrior rolled towards Gabrielle, taking her completely into her arms before lowering her gently onto the blank.
"I've always liked the way you look in the starlight, babe."
Offering Xena her neck, Gabrielle's head stretched back as the Warrior layered kisses down to the bard's breast. A soft moan escaped Gabrielle's lips as Xena's hand cupped one breast so her tongue could play upon the nipple.
"Thought you would like that."
Xena moved her attention to the other breast, eliciting another cry of pleasure from the younger woman's throat.
"What do you want, Gabrielle, tell me what you want."
Catching her breath, the young bard whispered,
"Take me, Xena, I want you inside me. Take me entirely and make me yours."
"Are you sure? Are you sure you are ready?"
"Uh huh, " Gabrielle nodded, struggled for brief control. "I need you to possess me tonight."
A smile crossed the Warrior's face as her eyes gazed upon her partner and the sole object of her love.
"I need to possess you every night, Gabrielle."
Xena leaned over to bite the younger woman's shoulder as her hand slid up Gabrielle's thigh.
"I see you shaved today, Gabrielle, how long have you planned this?"
Amidst a rush of breath, Gabrielle half murmured
"I've been waiting for the proper moment since we left Sappho's estate in Syracuse."
"It's a nice night to be taken, Gabrielle."
Xena separated Gabrielle's lips and slipped a finger inside to caress her clit. A loud groan stole from Gabrielle's body as Xena focused her attentions.
"How badly do you want it, darling?"
Xena slipped a second finger inside as she kissed Gabrielle's shaved smoothness and was greeted by even louder moans.
"Your scent drives me crazy, Gabrielle."
Gabrielle arched into Xena's mouth as the Warrior slipped her tongue inside and began to suck gently on Gabrielle. Xena felt a shiver run through the younger woman's body, felt herself growing wet with desire.
Slipping a third finger inside the young poet, the Warrior felt Gabrielle shudder and gasp, the poet's need flowing freely over Xena's hand.
"You alright, Gabrielle?"
"Uh huh."
"Want me to stop?"
"Uh uh."
Xena slid her fourth finger into Gabrielle's growing urgency, then swallowed the poet's moans with her kisses.
"I love you, Gabrielle."
Xena folded her thumb into her palm beneath her fingers and slid her hand deep into Gabrielle.
"You still ok, babe?"
Gabrielle arched in answer, her muscles tightening around Xena's hand.
As she formed her hand slowly into a fist, Xena leaned over and bit Gabrielle's breast, drawing a loud moan in response.
"Tell me if it hurts, Gabrielle."
"Uh huh." The poet girl inhaled sharply.
"Uh it hurts? Want me to stop?"
"Uh huh .... NO!" The word exploded with her breath. "Don't stop, please don't stop."
The Warrior's pushed her fist deeper into Gabrielle, her hand growing slick well up her wrist. She felt the young woman's body tense, then convulse as wave of pleasure erupted and washed over her. Gabrielle screamed, her voice echoing through the night. Wave upon wave overwhelmed her as her body gripped Xena's fist and surrendered itself completely to the Warrior's love.
Xena held Gabrielle's body close with her free arm, her fist continuing to give the poet pleasure. As the poet girl's body finally began to relax, Xena rolled back over, still holding Gabrielle, so that the poet was cradled in the Warrior's arm, and Xena's hand was still within her.
The dark one held her love there until long after Orion had set and dawn's rosy fingers had become visible along the eastern horizon. The two women were still intertwined when the bright sun was brightly overhead and the autumn wind stirred them from their embrace.
Gabrielle leaned over to kiss her Warrior Princess and they rose to meet the new day as one.
Coda
So long as lips shall kiss, and eyes shall see,
So long lives This, and This gives life to Thee.' Thus ends the Xena Sutra of Gabrielle which might otherwise be called a treatise on men and women, gods and goddesses, their mutual relationship, and their connection with each other.
I have no idea what became of Xena and Gabrielle after their travels ended. They both disappeared from humanity's eye. I like to think they settled down along the coast somewhere, away from the battlefields and warring gods, or perhaps found an island where they could watch the moon rise each evening over the blue waves of the sea.
All that remains are a few tattered torn scrolls and now this testament that I leave thee.
 Copyright Lisa Jain Thompson
Reformatted and revised in 2007 In Springfield Virginia |
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| Last Updated ( Saturday, 22 December 2007 ) | |
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