This is the first story I've ever written. I hope to make it a series of sorts. It's based off a recurring dream that I figured I would share with you all. There is little sex in this chapter and it is mostly just meant to set the story up. If this goes over well I have other chapters written and ready to go. Enjoy!
-Bunny
*****
Xena winced as the traditional morning songs sounded through the city. She hadn't slept, instead staring at her ceiling, and thinking of the day she had ahead of her. It was the eve of her eighteenth birthday and the day of the most important decision of her life. She forced herself out of bed as the last notes of the songs she both adored and detested reverberated against the walls of her room. The coldness of the stone floor was unforgiving as she dragged herself to the window, opening the shudders and letting in the sunlight. Xena closed her eyes as her tan skin felt the warmth of the sun, while her nostrils flared to take in the familiar smell of the salt from the sea. She touched the butterfly charm that hung from the thin gold chain around her neck, the serenity of the moment disrupted as her hand maiden burst through the door.
"Oh goodie, you're awake!" Tilly exclaimed as Xena opened her eyes, smirking at her hand maiden and best friend.
"Tilly, how do you have so much energy? The sun is barely up and you're bouncing off the walls. It's quite irritating and if you continue I will have to replace you." Xena squeaked as Tilly squeezed her. She had repeated the same threat every day for years and Tilly, the best hand maiden the city had to offer, scoffed, and rolled her eyes.
"No one else will put up with a brat like you. Have me replaced if you want! If I served anyone else, it would be easy compared to you!" Tilly grinned, her eyes betrayed her thoughts. "Have you made your decision?" she said somberly.
"I have."
Tilly allowed her true feelings to show on her face before pulling her friend into an embrace. "I will support you in whatever you choose. You are a wise girl and..."
"Stop before you make yourself cry! I need help getting ready. The Council will be shocked to see me on time for once." The girls shared a laugh as Tilly ran to draw a bath. Xena returned to the window, looking out over the horizon. She closed her eyes again, trying to memorize the feeling of warmth on her skin and the smell of the sea. She knew her efforts were in vain.
Xena bathed as Tilly washed her hair. The skilled fingers of the hand maiden braided Xena's tight curls into a bun that sat at the nape of her neck. Xena allowed Tilly to pull the ceremonial battle suit over her body, the black fabric clinging to her like a second skin. As she sat to be decorated with war paint, her heart threatened to burst through her chest. She was the strongest warrior the city has ever seen. She thought back to the day the Council watched in shock as she took on three of the Masters during training, knocking them down one by one and forcing them to yield at only ten years old. The Masters were embarrassed and the Council in awe as the prodigy stood, unscathed, and bowed to them. Standing strong in training, Xena could not understand why she trembled now as she stood in front of the doors to the chambers of the Council of Twelve. She took a deep breath, rolling her charm between her fingers as she looked back at Tilly and smiled before pushing through the doors.
Xena lifted her chin as she walked with feigned confidence to the center of the room. The platform stones appeared as she walked, her boots clicking as she made her way to the center of the room. She stepped into the final and largest stone and it rose to center her in front of the Council. Each of the twelve Elders represented the twelve cities. The Eldest was the speaker of the Council. He spoke first.
"Xena," his voice echoed through the chamber, "You have been given a decision to make: stay and guard our city or be cast out amongst the humans with no memory of this place." The Eldest chuckled. "I think it goes without saying what decision our most valued warrior would make. What say you?"
Xena looked at the faces of each member of the Council. Their expressions darkened as her reply did not come as quickly as they assumed. She sighed before giving her reply.
"Eldest, I would like to live amongst the humans."
The chambers were full of the Council's surprise at her decision. She stood, steadfast and chin held high, as they spat their disappointment and rage at her. The Eldest slammed his fist against the solid wood that separated her from them.
"If you wish to be so ungrateful, then so be it. You will be exiled, never to return to these cities. I am disappointed in you. I hope you said your goodbyes."
Xena thought of Tilly standing outside the chamber doors as the stone disappeared from beneath her. Her dearest friend knew her decision before she even spoke it, she had seen it in her eyes. She felt guilt at how preparing her must have felt for Tilly, knowing that they would never see each other again. She didn't make a sound as she fell through the air towards the unknown below her. She closed her eyes, smiling at the freedom that she was about to face.
*****
Xena jolted awake at the sound of her alarm clock, sitting up in her bed. Her heart raced, once again waking up to the feeling of falling. She steadied her breathing and laid back. She smiled to herself, remembering that it's her twenty-first birthday. Then she sighed. Her bare skin against her covers brought her attention to her hardened nipples. She pulled back her covers and rolled the sensitive nubs between her fingers. She groaned as they were still sensitive from her assault on them the night before.
What is happening to me?
