Some protection

After the four women settled down in the room, Tassa explained and she and her sister and traveling to the distant land of Penheris.

Gabrielle frowned at the mention of this. "Pardon me, but I'm a bard. And I have never heard of a place called Penheris before."

"It is to well to the west on Aegean Sea," Tassa responded. "Actually, it is on an island in the sea. It is fairly secluded place so I'm not surprised that you haven't heard of this. Anyway, we were hoping that you would help travel with us part of the way for protection purposes."

Xena considered the request. "It sounds like you have a long way to travel, but I'm not sure if I can be able to go with you. There are number of villians here who are constantly stirring up trouble: the Gods, especially Ares, Callisto, Caesar and many others."

Gabrielle chipped in, "Besides, your sister is a big girl. It looks like she can take care of both of you."

Hermallia slowly shook her head and Tassa responded, "Actually, my sister is the one who needs more of the protection."

Xena and Gabrielle both gave a start. The woman was bigger and more muscular than even Xena. She was the one that needed the protection?

Tassa went on, "Hermallia has a bad secret and that has caused her plenty of problems and worries. She is journeying to he island of Penheris and I as a dutiful sister am accompanying her."

Xena was just about to ask something when Hermallis stood up and said, "Sister, you have spoken too much. Please don't tell anymore. I can't bear this, this dreadful secret of mine. It is too much!" The Warrior Princess then noticed that the woman had tears in her eyes as she spoke.