Page One

These are the chronicles of Joxer the Red. If you recall the writing of the great bard and warrior Gabrielle, he was also known as Joxer the Mighty. But, Joxer the Mighty was an earlier time when Joxer traveled with Gabrielle and the Warrior Princess, Xena.

Gabrielle focused almost all of her writing on Xena, and many of the brave and noble deeds Joxer preformed went undocumented. Unlike Xena, Joxer did not travel with his own personal bard.

I have the advantage of first hand knowledge of Joxer's exploits because he was my father. I grew up with these stories and began putting quill to parchment as soon as I learned to write as a child. By no means do I consider my writing to have the style and flare of Gabrielle's. But, I do the best I can.

I may sound as if I'm bitter about Gabrielle's focus on Xena, but to be fair, Gabrielle did write one tribute to Joxer that outshines my poor offerings. Of course my father had to save her life, Xena's and all of Greece to get her attention. But that's Gabrielle for you.

This first story is about Joxer's transformation from Joxer the Mighty into Joxer the Red. It is the only story that caused my father to weep in it's telling. This story took place before my father fell in love with my mother Meg. I believe my father was still very much in love with Gabrielle, or her memory, at the time he married my mother and in a way, has always held Gabrielle in his heart.

So read on my dear friend and thank the Gods for men like Joxer.

Virgil


The Castian Valley

Joxer sat on a tree stump flipping pebbles into the pond. His armor lay in a heap next to him. Helmetless, the cool evening breeze blew his hair back from his face. He was starting to feel the first pangs of hunger. His attempts to snare his evening meal had all failed. Not because he didn't try, it just seemed that the rabbits in this area proved to be exceptionally cunning.

He considered making a spear to impale a fish in the pound until he remembered that the day before he had lost his wet stone and would not be able to sharpen his dull bladed sword to fashion a pointed tip on a stick. He hadn't fail at everything that day. A small fire clung to life at his side. The branches were a little green and the smoke was starting to irritate is eyes.

"A dinar for your thoughts." A masculine voice said.

Joxer grabbed his sword from his pile of armor. As he spun around to the direction the voice had come from he tripped over the tree stump and fell into the small campfire. Joxer sprang up from the fire, dropping his sword to slap at the flames that had taken hold to his shirt and vest.

"Hot…Hot…. Ouch…Hot...Hot". He cried. Just as the flames were advancing up his shirt, he tripped over his sword and fell backwards into the pond. Now flameless but wet, he climbed out of the little pond exhausted from his ordeal. As he lay on his stomach his line of sight focused on a pair of well-made boots. As he looked up he saw Ares standing before him.

"Hello Joxer" Ares said as he bend down to lift Joxer to his feet.

Once on his feet, Joxer stepped back one-step from the God of War. Once again he fell into the pond. This time Joxer opted for a sitting position in the pond and found that the water was chest high. Ares had moved to Joker's tree stump and sat down. " Have you ever considered changing your name from Joxer the Mighty to Joxer the Very Clean? After all, a warrior that bathes twice a day is praise worthy in my book."

Joxer let his shoulders slump and made no effort to remove himself from the pond. "Very funny Ares. I'm glad you got a good laugh at my expense"

With one snap of Ares' fingers, Joxer found himself sitting on the ground, dripping water at the War God's feet. Joxer let his body fall back to the ground. " Look Ares. I don't know what you game is but I'm cold, wet and hungry. But most of all I'm cold…. And wet…. And hungry.

Ares pretended to wipe a tear from his cheek. " Oh Joxer, that's … that's so sad.", he said mockingly. "Get a grip. Be a man, or as near as you can get." A snap of Ares' fingers and Joxer's clothing was dry. a wave of his hand, a table of hot food appeared in a small clearing. " Come, Joxer the Clean, sit down and eat while I tell you how your life is about to change.

Joxer flew to the table and began stuffing himself.

After fifteen minutes of watching Joxer eat, Ares spoke. "Slow down. I don't want you choking before your mission."

"Mission? No, no you got the wrong guy! You want Hercules or Jason. Maybe Xena, or one of those guys. You know a hero. Not me."

"What makes you think you're not a hero?"

"Yeah, right. Me, a hero. That's rich."

"Look Joxer, if I say you can be a hero, you can be a hero. You just need a little work."

"Oh, just a little work. Maybe a lot of work. In fact, so much work that I could never live long enough to do the work I would need."

"Okay, let's look at it a different way. Who is the best warrior with a fighting staff you know?"

"That's easy, Gabrielle."

Yes and at one time she was just an irritating farm girl. Now she's an irritating farm girl that can fight. Of course she's still a sidekick, but a good one."

"Why Ares, I'm shocked. You just said something nice about Gabrielle."

Ares leaned against a nearby tree. Just giving credit where credit is do."

The sun had completely gone down and the night sky was filled with stars. Joxer walked away from the table and stood before Ares. " Why all the interest with me all of the sudden? You never said more then three words to me at a time before."

Ares crossed his arms over his chest. " Look Joxer, I'll level with you. I can't go to any of the heroes the other Gods know. They would be watching them. There is going to be a battle and the Gods have agreed to a hands off policy."

"That sounds like our Greek Gods. When you need them they are never there for you."

Ares uncrossed his arms and stood to his full height. His hand moved to the hilt of his sword. " You don't want to make the God of War angry Joxer. You really don't."

Joxer held up his hands in surrender. " You're right, let's not do anything rash" Ares removed his hand from his sword.

"The problem is Ares that I'm a loser, a bungler. The fish that can't swim. The bird that can't fly. The frog that…."

"Stop Joxer. I get the idea." Ares yelled. In a calmer voice he said, " Look at it this way. You have been in many fights and battles with Xena and Gabrielle. Right?"

"Yeah, but I always go down with the first blow or slip and fall down and knock myself out before the fight even begins."

"True, but you have never run away from a fight. In fact, you have never considered it."

Joxer rubbed his chin in thought. " You know… your right. I never looked at it that way before."

"Heroes are not judged by their successes, but by their attempts"

"Wow Ares, that's sweet."

"Could you possibly sound more like a girl, Joxer" Ares said raising his eyes to the stars in frustration.

Making eye contact with Joxer again, he spoke very earnestly. " Joxer. The reason I came to you IS because of the girls."

Joxer began fidgeting and shifting his feet. " You mean Xena and Gabrielle?"

"You're a quick study. Yes, I mean them. Stop moving around and listen."

Joxer could not think of a way to control his nerves other to sit on the ground. " With your permission Ares"

"Yes, yes, sit and pay attention. There is going to be a battle between the Romans and the Amazon Nation."

"How do you know that, Ares?"

"Hellooo, I am a God, remember."

"Oh, right, sorry. Please go on."

Ares dropped to the ground sitting directly across from Joxer in order to regain eye contact.

"Ares, forgive me for asking. But I thought war was your deal."

"It is in most cases. However, the Romans will out number the Amazons greatly. No Amazon or allied forces will prevail."

Joxer turned this over in his mind, reaching a conclusion. And you have a thing for Xena. You don't want her killed."

"Bingo"

"What about Gabby?"

"She'll be dead as a Roman nail if you don't help"

Joxer felt his heart break at the thought of the demise of his two best friends. Ares if nothing else was a student of human nature and could read Joxer's feelings. Standing up and pulling Joxer to his feet he said, " But it doesn't have to be that way. You can change it. You have to reach inside yourself and pull out the man you can be."

Joxer looked into the dark eyes of the God of War and knew he was speaking honestly. "Do you really think I can do it?"

"I know you can. The question is, do you think you can?"

Joxer stood up to his full height. A look of determination was set in his eyes. "I, Joxer the Mighty will face and defeat Caesar, Rome and the hounds of Hades to protect my friends."

Ares also stood and smiles at Joxer. "Spoken like a man with the heart of a lion." Ares said slapping Joxer on the back and grabbing him before he fell over.

"Good. Get some sleep. Tomorrow you start your training." With that said, Ares was gone.

Standing alone, Joxer remembered that someone else once told him he had the heart of a lion. That was Xena. Laying on his bedroll, Joxer laced his fingers behind his head. "Maybe there is something to this heart of a lion stuff. If a true hero like Xena said it and the God of War said it too, it had to be true.," he thought. With a full belly and new hope for the future he fell asleep.


Two Months Later

Ares held his sword in both hands over his head and was about to bring it down when his opponent's blade plunged into the War God's chest. Ares dropped his sword and put his hands around the sword impaling him. Looking down in disbelief, at the sword he dropped to his knees and then fell on his side.

Joxer fell to Ares' side and rolled him onto his back. "Ares, Ares, can you hear me?"

Clutching Joxer's shirt, he spoke in a weak voice, " Joxer, Jox…er, tell Xena…. tell Xena, that I died loving her."

Joxer raised his pained face to the sky, "Noooooooo".

"Chill out man." Ares laughed. Sitting up, he pulled the offending blade from his chest "God of War here. I can't be killed with a sword. Duh!"

"Oh, right, for a minute I forgot." Joxer said flopping down on the ground.

Ares snapped his fingers and a banquet table overflowing with food appeared. For the first time, two chairs also appeared. Ares pulled Joxer to his feet. With a slap to Joxer's back he said, " Come on, Little Buddy, time to feed the growing boy".

Joxer was growing. His arms were much more muscular and his chest and legs were starting to develop muscular bulk as well. Joxer had been training every day from sunrise to sunset for two months. To his surprise, Joxer was becoming an excellent swordsman. He also excelled with the fighting staff. He turned out to be a natural horseman. In fact, he road better then he walked. He needed work on the throwing dagger. He had yet to start his training in the art of archery. Sitting down at the table, Joxer dug into the food as if he had not eaten just four hours before.

"You're doing well Joxer."

"Thanks", Joker said with his mouth full. Joxer's hands systematically moving from plate to plate.

"I'd say you gained about twenty pounds of muscle, body fat down to about two percent. If we had more time, I think, some table manner training would be in order."

Stabbing a slice of venison with his throwing dagger, he said, " Really, why?"

"Joxer, were you brought up in a barn?"

"No, in a castle actually. Sometimes in a tent when my father was on a siege he would bring my brother and me with him."

"Ah, your father was a warrior." Ares was now interested in Joxer's background. "Was he an Officer?"

"He was a Warlord. Pass me that plate of honey-bread will you?'

"You're kidding, right?"

"No, I really like that kind of bread"

Pushing the plate of honey-bread to Joxer, Aries said, "I mean your kidding about your father being a Warlord"

"He really was a Warlord. Hey, shouldn't you know that kind of stuff? You being the God of War and all."

"You would think so wouldn't you? But the truth is I have not had dealings with each and every warlord."

"Do you have any idea how many Warlords there were in just the last thousand years alone?"

"Four thousand, six hundred and eighty-three"

"Where did you get that number from?", Ares asked.

"I took the total number of the known cities and villages, used a base mile radius of thirty-six and divided that by one thousand."

Aries sat back and said," Joxer, I'm impressed!"

Joxer stopped eating and looked the War God in the eye. " Ares. Now I'm kidding you.". A smile crossed his lips.

Ares stared at Joxer for a while then burst out laughing. " Joxer, I do believe you made a joke."

After Joxer finished eating, the God and the mortal went for a walk. The walk had become almost a ritual.

As they walked, side by side Joxer asked, " Ares, when I finish my training how will I be able to save my friends?"

"Ah, that's the best part. You're going to lead your army to their rescue.".

"My army? Where will I get an army?"

"Believe it or not Joker, warriors will flock to your banner.".

"Flock to my ban…" Thump

Ares stopped walking and looked down at Joker lying on the ground. "Darn rock, that wasn't there before." Joxer mumbled. Helping Joxer to his feet, Ares said, "Actually, I see you riding at the head of your cavalry. Not too much walking on your part. Less trips and falls."

"That's probably not a bad idea." Joker said while brushing himself off.

After a while, they had returned to Joxer's camp. "Get some sleep." Aries said, "Tomorrow is a special day." With a wave of his hand, Ares was gone.

Joxer lay down on his bedroll and before he could think about his conversation with Ares he was asleep.

The next day, Joxer awoke to the smell of hot bread. Sitting up he saw Ares picking through the pile of armor where Joxer had left it.

"How could you ware this junk Joxer?" Ares said. Picking up Joxer's helmet, and flinging it into the pond.

"Heeeey. That's my helmet!" Joxer cried running up to Ares.

"You don't need it." Ares said. He next picked up Joxer's sword and was about to fling it when Joxer grabbed it from him.

"That was my fathers sword. Don't throw it in the water."

"Fine you can keep it, but don't think about using it in combat it's a ceremonial sword and not what you need in a fight."

"Okay, What will I use?"

"Look behind that tree. I brought you some stuff from home." Ares said.

"From home? You mean Olympus?" Joxer said in disbelief.

"That's home isn't it?" Ares said, tossing the rest of Joxer's armor into the pond.

Joxer ran to the tree to see what treasures awaited him. At the tree he found several white tunics, two pairs of black leather britches, a red and gold breastplate, a highly polished fighting staff as well as a red leather scabbard housing a bejeweled sword with a mirror like finish. He also found new red leather boots and a red robe.

Ares walk to his side. " Pretty cool, right?" Ares said.

"Way cool!" Joxer said while changing into his new cloths and armor.

When Joxer finished dressing, Ares walked around him. With a wave of his hand he changed the red robe into a red cape, Roman style.

"Now you look like a warrior." Ares said

"I do, don't I." Joxer agreed.

"You know what you need now?" Ares asked.

"A horse?" Joxer said hopefully.

"A sidekick"

Joxer became very excited hearing this. " Right…right. She should be 5'3", have a face like an angel, reddish blond hair and a body…"

"Joxer, Joxer slow down", Ares laughed, "I think the person you are talking about is already taken."

"Yeah, your right. I guess I got carried away." Joxer said. His enthusiasm draining away.

Ares slapped Joxer on the back. " Don't lose heart Joxer. I know of just the person to serve as your sidekick. I'm sure you'll be pleased."

"Sure Ares. Whatever you say." Joxer mumbled

"Joxer, you're doing that girl thing again."

"Sorry Ares. It's just that when I think of Gabrielle…"

"You become all soft and sensitive." Ares mocked.

"Excuse me, I thought this was about saving the woman you loved, Xeeeeena"

"I never said that I loved her." Ares started walking with Joxer walking behind him.

" Xeeeeennna, Ares loves Xena." Joxer teased.

"Stop it"

"Ares loves Xeeee…" Ares stopped and turned to face Joxer. Joxer bumped into him.

"Remember that girl thing? You're doing it again."

"Okay, okay, I noticed we are walking in a different direction then we usually do, where are we going?" Joxer asked.

There is a small inn a few miles from here. There you will meet your sidekick and first warrior.


All Fool's Inn

Ares and Joxer found the road that lead to the inn and within a short while were standing outside of it.

Suddenly, the Inn's door burst open and a large man was tossed out onto the ground at Ares and Joxer's feet. " And stay out Roman. We don't need your kind here." one of the two men that had ejected the Roman shouted before closing the door. The Roman managed to get to a sitting position before falling on his side. Joxer bent down beside the man and turned him over. Joxer turned his head at the strong smell of wine that reeked from the man passed out on the ground.

"He'll be fine in the morning. " Ares said, stepping around the man on the ground. As they walked into the inn they were greeted by the murmur of men in conversation. Somewhere in the back of the great rooms a female balladeer sang of lost love. Ares and Joxer found a table near a large fireplace and sat down. A serving maiden came to their table. " What is your pleasure gentlemen?" she asked.

Two of your finest ales will do." Joxer said.

Flirting with the customer resulted in better tips for the maiden. She looked first at the dark man in his black leather and then at the one with the kind face and rich looking red cape and boots. The better tip wound come from the kind looking man her years of experience told her. And besides, the dark man had kind of a scary aura about him. "Two of our finest it is then. I'll be right back." She said.

Within a minute the maiden had returned with the drinks. At the corner of the bar, a battle-tested warrior watched the two men with calculating eyes.

Serving the drinks the maiden said, "I have not seen you two around before. May I ask your names good sirs?"

Ares made no response, so Joxer picked up the slack. " My name is Joxer."

"I wager you are called Joxer the Red, as you seem to favor the color." She said, giving Joxer her best smile. The warrior at the bar poked his equally fearsome companion. Both men watched as Joxer over paid the serving maiden with two gold coins.

"Look at the purse he carries. He's a rich one he is." The first warrior stated.

"Did you ever hear tell of Joxer the Red? He asked his friend.

"No. Never heard of him. I did hear of a Joxer the Mighty. Some kind of lackey for Xena."

"He doesn't look like anyone's lackey to me. And his tablemate looks to be someone I have seen before."

"Yes, he does look like someone I associate with a battle I have fought." His friend said. A third main entered the inn and joined the two men at the bar.

Meanwhile, The balladeer had finished her song and was walking past Joxer's table when he spoke to her.

"I enjoyed your song young lady." He said as he politely stood when she stopped for the complement

Being only about 4'11" she looked up at the 6' Joxer and said, " Well thank you good sir. It is the custom to show apparition for a job well done with a dinar or two."

"Oh, right", Joxer pulled a gold coin from his purse and handed it to the young woman.

Looking at the coin she gasped. The coin was worth 100 dinars, more then she made in two weeks time singing at an inn or warlord's estate. Clutching the coin in one hand, she pulled a chair out from under a passed out drunkard at the next table and sat down at Joxer's table in one quick motion.

Rolling his eyes, at the forward brat, Ares said, " Won't you join us?"

Knowing sarcasm when she heard it, the balladeer dismissed Ares with a glance and focused her attention on Joxer. " It is indeed a pleasure to meet a patron of music, good sir. My name is Glenda, balladeer on tour, presently performing two shows here at the All Fools Inn, nightly."

Seeing competition for tips the serving maiden hurried over with two more drinks.

"Two more of our finest ales for Joxer the Red and friend." She said placing the drinks in front Joxer and Ares. Ignoring Glenda, she accepted two more gold coins from Joxer.

Ares looked board, and said, " Well Joxer the Red, I think I'll go check on our friend outside." With that said, he got up from the table and walked away.

This was not lost on Joxer. It was unlike Ares to care for a fallen drunk, and a Roman one at that. This must be his plan, to let Joxer and his new sidekick get better acquainted. The men at the bar whispered among themselves as Ares walk pass them and out the door.

Joxer turned his attention to Glenda. She was short but looked to be very fit. She had short red hair and an impish pretty face. She wore green leather britches and a green puffy sleeve shirt. She looked about nineteen.

"Joxer, Joxer did you hear me" Glenda asked.

"Ah, sorry, what did you say? Joxer said.

"I asked if you play." Glenda repeated.

"Yes. I play the flute." He replied.

"My instrument of choice is the sword", a man's voice said.

Joxer looked up from Glenda to see three men boxing Glenda and him in.

Pushing Glenda's chair over and spilling her onto the floor the larger warrior said, " We couldn't help but notice you seem to be free with your dinars. Perhaps you would like to give some to a few soldiers in need."

In the past, Joxer would have broken out in a sweat but, thanks to his training, he was calm and collected. Standing to his full height, he said, " Oh I can give you what you need". In a flash, he had the tip of his sword resting against the neck of the largest warrior. " I just won't give you what you want."

At this time Glenda sprang from the floor and began pounding the nearest warrior with her little fist. The warrior grabbers her and held a dagger to her side.

"Well it appears that we have a standoff." The warrior with Joxer's sword to his neck said.

"No, not really." replied Joxer. He hit the large warrior with the flat of his blade on the side of the head. The large man crumbled to the floor. In a blink Joxer had the sword on the neck of the man that held Glenda.

"Drop the dagger and step away, or you can join your friend on the floor." Joxer said.

The third man moved on Joxer, but stopped short when Joxer produced a dagger of his own, holding it an inch from the man's face.

"Joxer! Stop playing around, its time to go", Ares said standing behind the two now still warriors.

"I have kind of a problem here at the moment," Joxer said, not taking his eyes off the two men.

"Oh, well I'm a problem solver." Touching the two warriors on their shoulders, he said, "Take a nap boys". Both men fell to the floor and began to snore.

The rest of the people in the great hall made a path as Ares followed by Joxer headed to the door.

"Hey wait."' Glenda cried as she ran to get her gear on the side of the small raised platform that served as a stage.

Outside, Joxer saw that there were now three horses waiting. One of the horses had the Roman tied across his back.

"Why are we bringing him?" Joxer asked.

"He's your new sidekick"; Ares answered with a smile, as if it should be apparent.

"What about her?" Joxer asked pointing to the pursuing Glenda.

Ares looked at Glenda as he mounted his horse. " Her? I don't think so Pal."

Indicating the Roman with a sweep of his arm, he said, "Joxer, it is my great pleasure to introduce Porticos Magnum, one of the great masters of battle strategy and combat in Greece, Rome or anywhere else in the known world.

With the mention of his name Porticos mumbled something incoherent, and passed gas. His horse looked rather displeased.

"Yap, I can see why the enemy would run away from him." Glenda said

"Your still here?" Ares asked.

"You don't think I'm going back there after what happened do you. Those guys are going to be pretty angry when they wakeup."

As Joker mounted his horse he ask, " Ares, speaking of those three guys, why didn't you give them heart attacks, hit them with bolts of lighting, or turn them into stone. You know, something more Ares like."

"You mortals misjudge me. Those three are good men and excellent soldiers. I remember their fathers and their fathers' fathers. I care for good soldiers Joxer. Honestly, where is your compassion for you fellow man?" Ares gave Joxer a look of disappointment and urged his horse to a quick gallop.

Jumping behind Joxer on the horse's back, Glenda put her arms around Joxer's waist.

"Hey, Just where do you think your going?" Joker yelled.

"Just ride warrior" She shouted.

With that said, Joker urged his horse on, chasing after Ares.


The New Camp

It seemed to Joxer that they ridden half way through the night before Ares called a halt to the ride. In a small clearing near a stream, they dismounted. Ares waved his hand and a large tent appeared. A second wave brought a campfire near the tent.

"We will need one for the young lady here." Joxer said, as he helped Glenda off the large horse.

"Whatever" Ares said, as a smaller tent appeared after a wave of his hand.

Glenda was shocked. She finally asked, "Is he a sorcerer?

"Him? No. He's a god. Glenda, may I present Ares, God of War. Ah…Glenda?"

Glenda had passed out.

"I sometimes have that effect on women," Ares said. Stepping over Glenda, he continued, "Look Joxer, I have things to attend to and will be gone for a few days. When Porticos awakens, fill him in on everything. He's a good man and should have your complete trust. Keep up your training. Before I go, I'll tell you the about the big fella you decked at the inn…"

Glenda awoke to find herself on a cot inside the small tent. There were a few candles giving a soft light to the tent's interior. It must be evening she thought. She heard the sound of a flute playing a sad melody. She got up from the cot and walked outside the tent. A few feet from the tent, Joxer sat by the campfire playing the flute.

"That song is so pretty. What's it called?" she asked approaching Joxer.

Joxer got to his feet. "Oh, sorry, I didn't mean to wake you.

"Please sit my lord. It is I, who should stand in you presents." Glena said.

"Looks like you already are. Why don't we both sit down?"

"As you wish my lord", she said as she sat down beside him.

I'm not a Lord; I'm just a regular guy. Why don't you call me Joxer?"

"As you wish, Lord Joxer."

Joxer felt he was not going to win this one, so he changed the subject.

"Ah… the song I was playing has no name. I was just making it up as I went along.

"Truly sire, you have the gift of music."

"Yeah, right. Some people are great statesmen, others great warriors. Me, I'm a great flute player." Joxer laughed.

But, you are a great warrior as well. The way you handled those men at the inn…"

"Ares put his sleeper hold or whatever it was on two of them."

"Was that really Ares?"

"Yep"

"And he is your friend? The God of War?" she asked with keen interest.

"I'm not sure how to answer that. Gods are not like people. I'm not sure that Ares really knows the meaning of friendship as we do. But I have to admit the past eight or nine weeks; we have spent a lot of time together. Ares is more like my teacher sometimes drinking buddy. He trained me in the art of combat." Joxer said as if this was not unusual.

She stared at Joxer for a few seconds and then said. " A god is your drinking companion and your teacher, you're a gifted musician you're buffed and handsome, but you're just a regular guy. Have I got the facts right?"

"I don't know about the handsome part, but I guess the rest is right. Did you say I'm buffed?" Joxer smiled.

Glenda smiled back at him. "Yes, buffed and yes, handsome"

Joxer looked down at the ground. "No woman ever told me I was handsome before."

"What women have you been hanging around with lately?" she asked.

"Well the last few years mostly Xena, the Warrior Princess and Gabrielle, a Queen of the Amazons."

Glenda's mouth dropped. When she recovered, she said, "And you're just a regular guy, right?"

"Right, about the only thing special about me is that I'm the only man welcome to visit any Amazon village. But that's because they know me because of Xena and Gabby.

Glenda let that sink in. Surly this was the most modest man she had ever met. He was without question, one of the nicer ones. The way he stood up to those three brutes proved he had courage. He didn't even know how special he was.

"Earth to Glenda. Hello." Joxer said. "A dinar for your thoughts."

Glenda snapped out of her mental tangent. "I'm so sorry my Lord. What did you say?"

Joker smiled at the young balladeer, "I said that it's getting late and I'm going to check on our sleeping friend and then turn it for the night."

As Joxer got up and stretched, Glenda said impulsively, "Lord Joxer, you are the best man I have ever met."

Joxer looked into her green eyes. The same color eyes that Gabrielle had. The thought of Gabrielle melted his heart. Now saddened, he said. " There are lots of men braver and better then me, Glenda."

As he walked away, Glenda called after him, "Name one friend of yours that is braver then you."

As he entered the tent he replied, "Hercules."

"He knows Hercules too." She said to herself. " Well it's easy to be brave when you're an immortal like Hercules" she shouted to the closing tent flap. There was no reply from Joxer.

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