The combination of her words and tickling brought fits of laughter from the girl. “I don’t… heehee… wanna be… heehee…
a camel, G-Gabrielle, r-really!”
“You don’t want to be a camel and go to Calicut? Are you sure? I would have sworn that’s what you were becoming!” She
pushed back some unruly strands of the child’s hair.
“No, Gabrielle, I’m not! Really!” The girl giggled as her voice became serious. “I want to stay here with you and Zara.”
The blonde hugged her tight. “Well, that will make us both very happy then, because we would miss you very much,” she ran
her fingers through the child’s hair.
“Me too…” Nadrah whispered and then said softly, “I-I love you, Gabrielle.”
“Oh, I love you too, sweetheart.” There was a hint of moisture in the small woman’s eye. “So does Zara. Both of us do.”
They hugged for a long moment and Nadrah felt such joy and contentment filling her that she thought she would burst. Then
the healer sat up. “Well, if you are not going to Calicut as a camel, you are going to Arjun’s dinner party and you can’t go
smelling like that, because camels just do not go to dinner parties.” Gabrielle said with a firm smile as she rose naked from
the bed and walked toward the bathing area with Nadrah in tow. “So, come on, honey; you and I are both going to take a
bath.”
“Ohhh, noooo…” whimpered the girl, her joy forgotten in an instant.
Zara had not even contemplated taking care of her own needs. Instead, she set her mind to the task at hand while mentally
grumbling about the interruption. She had just finished washing the shampoo off of her head when she heard Nadrah’s
protesting words. With the Greek woman leading the way, the child entered the bathroom, the pout large enough to cover
Nadrah’s entire face.
“B-But, I had a bath yesterday morning!” the girl protested to Gabrielle, who paid no attention and began undressing the
child. Nadrah glanced down at the captain pleadingly. “Zara! I had a bath yesterday, didn’t I! Tell her!”
“You heard Gabrielle. Do not fuss. A bath and clean clothes would certainly make Arjun more amenable,” the Moroccan
added as she waved Nadrah down into the tub. Gabrielle slightly smiled and slowly entered the steaming water. With only a
grin, the captain purposely turned her thoughts away from her smaller lover as the crestfallen child discarded the rest of her
clothes on the floor, then came down the steps into the large tub.
“I think a bath will do all of us good!” Gabrielle added as she consciously turned her glance away from the dusky woman’s
submerged body, her needs still raging deep within her.
“I’m sure we both could stand to…” the captain hesitated as she tried to find the right word, “wash the scent from us?”
“Oh, yes! That is true, I only wish….” Gabrielle paused a moment as she dunked her head under the water, then resurfaced
to shake the water from her short locks, “I just wish this was cold! I don’t know how I’m going to make it through a formal
dinner tonight.”
“Cold? What in the world for?” Zara asked with a frown.
“Xena always swore by cold water, said it, uh, cooled her down when she was… hot,” the blonde grew silent as she glanced
sideways at Nadrah as the girl played for bit. The child’s quick dog paddles took her the length of the tub before she dived
under the water like a fish.
“Oh, I see and… um… did it?” the tall woman asked as she began to mentally find a cold stream of water on Arjun’s estate
where she could dunk herself, in hopes of silencing her own urges.
“It never did for me, but Xena always swore by it,” Gabrielle shook her head as she began to lather her hair. “By Zeus, I’d
be willing to try it again. Come to think of it, Xena was always in a cold stream before we became lovers,” the blonde smiled.
“I could hardly blame her!” the seafarer hoped that her slight smile conveyed all of the desire she held for the woman. At the
bright shade of red crossing the blonde’s cheeks, the captain laughed knowing that her words had the desired effect.
“You!” Gabrielle gave a mocking frown, then splashed Zara with some water. At her actions, the captain shook her head as
she returned a volley of splashes on the blonde. Seeing their antics, Nadrah turned from her swimming and began to join in
the splashing. When it seemed like they were ready for a truce, they each stopped as slight giggles escaped both Nadrah and
Gabrielle. With only a smile and a shake of her head, the Moroccan woman finished her bath before turning her attentions on
the girl in order that they could be presentable for the dinner festivities.
~~~~~~
Arjun allowed his mind to settle into the peaceful calmness that always allowed him to see beyond his own existence. “This
day has been so trying,” he thought as he willed the multitude of thoughts to pass briefly through his mind. Although the
presence of Shikha caused some tensions, it was nothing that he could not resolve and Zara certainly was above any pettiness
that Shikha might have tried to begin, the young prince concluded.
It was early in the afternoon and Arjun knew that he would have enough time to meditate before the evening festivities began.
While his guests were either arriving for the dinner celebrations, or enjoying the amenities that he had to offer, he retreated
into the seclusion of his private space. This space was his sanctuary. The only other door was on the opposite side of the
room. On this wall, there was a large picture window next to the glass door that overlooked his garden facing south and
allowed the sun to shine into his meditation room all day, turning it into a place of light and warmth, winter or summer. In the
farthest corner were a few cushions that were situated next to a basket that held numerous scrolls. The center of the room
was void of everything except the hardwood floor.
The room’s remaining walls were painted a light blue and the ceiling had clouds decorated across it. All along the walls were
large murals depicting the various gods and goddesses of his people. The centerpiece was the image of Lord Brahma, the
infinite, the creator of all. By his side was the beautifully flowing image of his consort, Saraswati. Together, they created the
peace and tranquility of nature. In one mural, there was the image of Lord Ganesha, the god with the head of an elephant.
All around the room were images of the gods and goddesses who Arjun held dear to his heart. In the section of protector
deities, were the images of his beloved Durga and the mother of life and death, Kali Ma. Together, they showed both the
promise of the future and the hopes of the past.
Secure and at peace in his solitude, Arjun settled himself down in the center of the empty room. With eyes closed, he sat on
the hardwood floor in the lotus position. With a deep indrawn breath which he let slowly out through his nose, Arjun began
the steps that would lead him deeper into his meditation. Both his mind and body became quiet as he stilled his
consciousness. His soft, low voice began to call on the name of Brahma, “Om,” the great god’s name reverberated deep
within his throat until it began to take on a soft, melodic chant. The familiar sensations filled Arjun’s rising spirit with a sense
of peace and contentment.
With the ease of years of devotion, his spirit rose from his body and moved gracefully to the edge of his estate. The Durga,
ever vigilant, stood watch over the intruder, her giant tiger laying with his head on his paws nearby. Sensing one of her
devotees, the great goddess turned as her warm and loving smile fell over Arjun’s spirit and filled him with pleasure and awe.
In honor of this, his most sacred of protectors, Arjun bowed deeply, his hands pressed before him in a sign of servitude as his
mind sent forth thoughts of his homage and adulation. Pleased by his devotion and love, the blessed Durga’s ten protecting
arms waved him to a spot near her.
When he stood near her, he turned and saw the spirit of a woman warrior in armor of leather and brass sleeping in a fetal
position. He gazed at her, examining her strong features and muscled body and found it difficult to understand the
determination of this spirit. Ever since the night Zara had arrived with Gabrielle, this spirit tried to enter his compound.
Apparently not one to give up, this warrior ghost had remained on the outskirts of his estate.
Suddenly sensing his nearness, the warrior’s eyes snapped open, her body moved quickly as she rolled to her feet, her spirit
sword drawn. With a growl, she stared up at the goddess, then down at him. Seeing him, recognition entered her eyes and
she spoke. “I remember you from Zara’s ship! You came aboard from that little ship with the purple hull,” she was intent.
Arjun smiled up at the tall woman. “So you are the strange presence that I felt when I was aboard my friend’s ship. I did not
know of you then, but I have since heard of you. I am Arjun and you must be the spirit of Xena, the Greek warrior.”
“You’re Zara’s friend?” the warrior’s voice seemed angry, her scowl turned upon the Durga who stood protectively behind
Arjun. The giant tiger raised its head to examine her, then lowered it again after sensing there would be no conflict at this
time. The tall woman pointed an accusing finger at the Durga. “Does Zara know about this... this whatever-it-is that you
have here?”
