A half day later, they emerged from the fog forest-the dense grayish shroud of mist was breaking and thinning, revealing the open road ahead. Drake faced Maximus and his crew members, with Xena standing behind him. He was going to say goodbye.
"Thanks, guys. It really means a lot to have you around," Drake said as his voice just dripped with gratitude. "Now, I head to the academy." He reached out his right hand toward Maximus for a shake.
Maximus returned the gesture with a firm clap of his hand, clamping Drake's with appreciation. "No, we are in debt to you. Thanks to you, we completed our mission early, and you even warned me about what was happening in my kingdom." A shared smile hung between them as their hands remained clasped a second longer than was necessary.
"Master Maximus," Drake said, his tone inquisitive, "have you finally made your mind up on what you want to do? " Maximus nodded; he looked pens~ive. "Yes, I want to retire from mercenary work and go back to my kingdom." Their hands separated finally, an unspoken understanding between them.
As they spoke, Maximus's sharp senses picked up the faint scent of bloodlust. His gaze shifted subtly behind Drake to catch the sight of Xena with her brow furrowed. Dark red energy pulsed faintly from her body, like a brooding storm. Of course, before Drake turned to follow Maximus's gaze, Xena replaced her glare with a radiant smile and winking playfully at him.
Understanding her intent, Maximus smoothly distracted Drake's attention. "Drake," he called, handing over a sack and a backpack. "This contains 600 silver coins, while the other contains a portable tent for your journey."
Drake waved his hands in refusal, stepping back. "I really cannot take this; I didn't do much of anything. If anything, I was just an extra burden.
Maximus slapped the bags onto Drake's clamped hands, his voice firm and warm. "Consider it an investment in a promising Mage." His smile brooked no further debate on Drake's part.
Drake blew out a resigned sigh as he relented. "All right then, thanks. I'll put it to good use.
He turned to walk away when he saw Xena tagging along behind him, bouncing along. "Hey, young lady, would you please just let me go already? Otherwise I will have no choice but to tie you down.".
Highly dramatic, Xena threw herself on the ground, rolling around as if she had been struck by lightning. "Wuuuu-whooo! My Crux is threatening me!" she wailed; her mock cries echoed through the area.
Drake looked at Maximus and his companions, expecting some reinforcement. But to his chagrin, they all avoided his eyes, perspiration beading their foreheads as they inched away surreptitiously.
The people passing by the roadside whispered among themselves. "Looks like he stole something from her," one of the adventurers whispered.
"Stealing in broad daylight? Bold," another added.
Like arrows, the insinuations reached his ears, with each whisper further clamping his jaw. Unable to stand it, he burst out, "Fine, fine! You can follow me!
The tears vanished in an instant from Xena's eyes, now replaced with a bright smile shining as brilliant as the morning sun. "But," Drake added, his voice firm, "you must promise not to cause trouble."
"Yes, I understand, my Crux," Xena said, the sweetness in her tone dripping like honey.
Later that night, they arrived at Go Forest: a heavy jungle to the border of the City of Steel and the Diamond Mage Academy. As Drake came busy pitching the tent, Xena sat on a boulder nearby; her voice flooding the silent air.
"Xena, why are you following me? And what do you mean by calling me 'My Crux'?" Drake asked without looking up from his tent.
"Oh, right! I need you to perform the same ritual you did with Big Sister on me," Xena replied matter-of-factly.
Drake froze mid-motion, her words sending a shiver down his spine as he turned to her, his voice faltering. "You… You do realize what you're asking for involves…"
"Intimacy? Of course!" Xena replied nonchalantly, swinging her legs.
Drake leaned in closer, seizing her shoulders as if to shake some sense into her. "Do you even understand what that means? We'd have to… strip, completely." His voice dropped, his embarrassment growing.
Xena just cocked her head to one side. "And? Big Sister did it. Why shouldn't I?"
Drake blew out a heavy sigh, running a hand over his face. "Fine. Do what you will." He turned back to the tent, his frustration mounting.
Later, as night started to descend, Drake called over to Xena. "Go rest inside the tent. I'll stay outside."
Xena charged in, grasping at his collar. "Oh no, you don't! I'm not letting you ditch me!" And, with a surprising strength, she dragged him inside the tent, forcing him to lie down beside her.
Although restless, eventually sleep claimed Drake. In his sleep, the reverse scale within Drake's heart started to reverberate in response to Xena's presence. Consciously, Drake's hand reached toward her, guided by the unseen force.
Xena sprang awake; there was an unfamiliar sensation on her chest. Looking down, she saw that Drake's hand was softly massaging her right breast, and her face immediately went bright red.
She clutched his wrist, the intent to pull his hand away, but the passion coursing through her appeared to lock her solidly where she was. As her gown dropped further, a deep crimson flooded her cheeks, her breath catching.
Smitten, Xena's body kicked into action without her, her most private orifice excreting a warm liquid, her instincts rising to the profound connection beginning to take hold between them.