w a r r i o r ; ;

AMNISOS, nestled on the seas surrounding Crete and bustling with travelers, thugs and vendors of every sort -- and entirely the wrong kind of place to be for anyone who couldn’t hold their own. The sting of salt in the air chapped at her lips as she walked with a purposeful stride, eyes narrowed into scrutinous slants. The last time she’d set foot in this port, she had been a different woman. A bloodstained warlord leading an army along in merciless slaughter and pillaging. She doubted the current occupants had born witness to her acts of wanton blood-lust, but she was ready should anyone have the bright idea of having their revenge.  She wasn’t here to cause TROUBLE anyhow ( though it did always seem to have a way of finding her, ) she merely sought passage to Athens where Gabrielle was waiting for her return. The stench of fish and men ripe from months at sea bled together in a foul cacophony of odor, leading her feet onwards past vessel after vessel until she came upon one that struck a familiar cord. Pausing to consider the ship, a faint smirk tugged at her lips. Without invitation, Xena hoisted herself over a thick rope and swung her long legs over the ships banister, boots hitting the immaculate deck with a dull thud. Keeping her hand at her sword’s hilt, she sauntered slowly across the well swabbed planks, as she listened to the warm southerly winds rip at the taut sails above.  Rather than announce herself, she turned to lean against a stack of barrels, clearly able to hear the commotion of voices below deck, and the approaching footfalls of angry pirates. As soon as she saw the familiar face, she gave him a smirk.