Update 59

"Gale, where have you been? I don't see you much around the house." Xena asked.

"You'd have to bee home enough to see me you know. But you are right. I've been out with friends and family." Gale replied. He and Xena's paths did not cross much, but when they were home together it was tense between them.

Gale often travelled to the newly formed Sehar Kingdom to visit his Aunt Nike and Marcelo. He welcomed their daughter and thanked Marcelo's mother for taking care of them.

"How are you Gale?" Marcelo asked. The two had meet up to work out.

"I'm doing well. You and Nike have encouraged me so much growing up, but I'm not sure I'm ready for what's next. Am I ready to be king?" Gale responded.

"Well, ready or not, I think the people are waiting for their new king. You have become a great man despite your mother, I think you are ready."

Gale thought on Marcelo's words as he meet with his friends. Many of his friends were the children of powerful families and Council members.

"Gale, it's good of you to join us." Cali Shallot said, "We've been waiting to speak with you."

"About?"

"About forming a new group. Similar to the Council, but separate from them. We heirs got to start thinking of the future. Not just our own but the kingdoms we will rule." Cali stated.

Gale agreed. The Council was getting old, but many members seemed reluctant to prepare the next generation to take over. Gale agreed and the children started their plans.

Meanwhile within the Council, Xena was feeling out of place. She was tense and suspecious of those who had once been friends. She knew they were talking about her behind her back. They questioned certain parts of her life, like how her father and husband died.

She visited with her sister Iris often.

"They doubt my legitimacy. I know it. But, I am queen! I am Urban's first born!" Xena exclaimed.

"Yes you are. It's not your fault father never named an heir. Anyone who took the throne would be questioned." Iris tried to calm her.

"But, I...I just want my kingdom...my kingdom..." Xena stammered.

"Xena. You spent all your life serving yourself. But I warn you, if you keep going like this you will end up alone. No kingdom, no support. No one."

"Oh, I don't know why I bother coming to see you!" Xena marched out, "My kingdom will thrive because of me. I will mold my son to be my perfect heir. He will marry the perfect match. He will carry on my kingdom."

But Gale certainly had other plans. In the new Council of Heirs he meet an ambassadors daughter named Pamela Bourbon.

"Miss Bourbon," Gale flirted, "it's been an honor. May we speak again?"

"Why Mistah Tudor, I do agree we should meet again."

Xena soon became aware of Gale's new love interest. She knew she could not reach Gale and change his mind, so she reached out to his betrothed, Chi. Xena was of course unaware of the Heir's Council and that Chi was on it.

"Your majesty," Chi began, "Your son is going to make his own decisions. Nothing you or I say will change that. While I am not against our arrangement, it is up to him. The kingdom will be his soon enough after all."

Desperate, Xena sought out a greater force. She was not the only visitor to the Well however. Ever since he learned about it, Gale too had made frequent trips to it. Not to gain anything from it, but to learn about his mother.

After countless offerings the Well finally opened up to Gale.

"Boy. Heir of the Tudors. I find you honest and trust worthy. Ask what you will of your mother and I will reveal all..."

Gale had many questions, but at that moment he only had one.
Stay Tuned!

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