The grieving woman needed no explanation of the blonde’s question. As the fatigue filled her body and soul, she closed her
eyes as she was leaning against her warm body, the single cape wrapped around both of them to keep the early morning chill
away. With only a gulp, Zara sighed as she wrapped her arms around the healer’s small waist.
“W-We were taken… before we were both to have had our fourteenth celebration,” she managed to say.
Gabrielle felt a sorrow fill her soul. As she gently held the tall woman close, she realized that her gentle friend, her lover had
lost her soulmate at such a young age. Knowing how hard it was for her to lose Xena as an adult, she realized how much
more painful it must have been for a child to have experienced such a violent separation. With only a sigh, she kissed the
crown of the Moroccans head as she closed her eyes against the tears that fell for Zara’s loss.
As the morning sun began to peek through the branches, the captain relaxed against the smaller woman. When she felt a hard
rock underneath her, she groaned as she shifted positions. Remembering her soft feather mattress, she sighed as she closed
her eyes. No matter the circumstances, she never truly felt comfortable except on her ship, in her cabin, in her own bed. The
only thing that would make her more at ease is if she was out at sea. For some reason unknown to the Moroccan, she never
felt that land was her home. Her home was the sea. Understanding this, Zara knew that remaining grounded for too long
would begin to wear her down.
With this in mind, the captain closed her eyes as she rested in Gabrielle’s embrace.
~~~~~~
It had taken less than a day for Jamil to approach Zara. As she was in the healer’s tent, the Moroccan listened intently to
both the words of Gabrielle and Healer al-Farabi. Anxious to be underway, she hoped that they would convey the news that
she wanted to hear. With only a frown, she glanced at her remaining wounded men as she thought over the situation.
During the battle she had lost half of her crew. Of those who were wounded, only fifteen were able to return to work, which
left her with twenty who would need a longer recovery and only fifteen extra bodies besides the unwounded men to run the
entire ship. As her mind wandered over various possibilities, she turned from the two healers and began to pace.
Being on land was making her restless. The flatness of the earth, the lack of movement below her feet was beginning to gnaw
at her brain. Zara knew that land life was unhealthy for her. If she had any doubts, all she had to do was remember how she
had awakened, disoriented and cold and strung out from the hashish in the middle of the jungle, with Gabrielle asleep by her
side as they shared her cape for warmth. That alone was a wake up call for the Moroccan woman. As she unconsciously
scratched her chin, she tried to find an option that would get them underway.
When she glanced to the tent entrance, she noticed that Gabrielle was now standing outside with Jamil. The first thing the
Moroccan noticed of the captain of the guard was the pronounced bruising under his left eye. Seeing his bruise, the captain
unconsciously rubbed a palm over tingling knuckles. Instantly concerned by his sudden appearance, Zara watched for any
movement from the man that was threatening to the healer. However, rather than disrespect, she saw the man speaking
softly, his demeanor all but subservient as he bowed his head, even saluting the blonde several times. Curious about his
actions, the sea captain moved to join the two.
In a defensive manner, she stood behind Gabrielle as she stared at Jamil. As they became aware of her presence, they turned
to her. Gabrielle smiled as she nodded to Zara.
“My friend…” Jamil’s voice was contrite, “I am here only to apologize. I regret that my words greatly offended you. I did
not mean to disrespect your woman, or you. I humbly ask your forgiveness, as I have asked for the forgiveness of your
lady,” Jamil bowed to Zara, his eyes remaining as saddened as his voice was humble. As she tried to understand his words,
she remained silent. When it seemed she would not speak, Jamil looked at her, his sorrow barely contained.
Gabrielle gazed intently at Zara and Jamil as they spoke. Her thoughts spun slowly. Now I’m ‘your woman’, Zara? Your
‘Lady’? I wonder, did you say that to Jamil, or did he just assume things? The Amazon wasn’t certain how she felt
about all this, but she was glad that the two captains seemed to be on good terms once more.
“I-I… it is not good for me to consume… hashish. I enjoy it so thoroughly, but… I am afraid that at times, I do not think so
clearly while it is in my brain,” Jamil said as if his apology needed further explanation. “Please, Zara… my friend. I beg you
to accept my apology. But I would understand if you did not. My actions, my conduct,” he shook his head as he looked
down, “were reprehensible. I greatly disrespected you and yours.”
Releasing her breath, the tall woman closed her eyes in relief, then nodded acceptance. At her actions, the tall, dark man
smiled as he clapped his hands together. “Blessed Allah! Thank you! I feared my stupidity had cost me a friendship,” Jamil
said.
“If Gabrielle accepted your apology, then surely I can also,” the Moroccan woman slightly smiled, then pointed at his bruised
eye. “Perhaps she should look at that?”
“I already asked him if I could,” Gabrielle smiled.
“No, no, please. It is nothing. I have had worse, I assure you,” Jamil blushed as he touched the discolored eye.
“Well, it looks pretty painful. How did you get it?” Gabrielle asked, as she looked first at Jamil, then at Zara. With an air of
innocence, the tall Moroccan woman glanced off at the group of seagulls flying overhead.
“Merely an accident, a trifling encounter with an immovable object. I assure you, Healer Gabrielle, it is as nothing,” Jamil
brushed away her concern.
“An immovable object, huh? Perhaps something Moroccan in nature?” Gabrielle smiled as she winked up at Zara, then
turned to reenter the healer’s tent.
Her words brought a hearty laughter from Jamil, and a slight grin from Zara. With a shake of her head, the captain turned to
her friend.
“It is time we prepare to leave these shores, my friend,” Jamil’s voice grew serious.
“Yes, I was just speaking to the healers of that same concern,” Zara agreed.
“Good, so we are both in agreement. Come, we shall speak to the Sultan of this for he also has some suggestions. Perhaps
we can come up with a solution that will be of help to all of us!” Jamil slapped her shoulder, then kept his arm draped over
her as he led her through the camp.
As if the fight had never occurred, they spoke and laughed, their jesting more of camaraderie and friendship built over many
years rather than just a recent friendship. With no other concerns, Zara relaxed as she prepared to make departure plans
with Jamil and the sultan.
As she had gone into the healer’s tent, Gabrielle could hear the two captains talking about leaving the shore as soon as
possible. The Greek healer was somewhat bewildered. So you were fighting Jamil over… me, she thought in
bemusement. Why Zara, after that conversation we had in the cabin, I didn’t think you cared. Shaking her head as she
