I
"House maidens for sale! Finest house maidens in all of Jerusalem, and at bargain prices! You, sir! You look like you could use a loyal house maiden. May I interest you in my selection of beautiful, hardworking women. Just for you, eh?"
Apollis' dark eyes stared steadily at the merchant and then glanced behind him at the few women he had locked in a cage behind his shop. "Slaves…" he stated dryly.
"No, no, no!" The merchant defended, "Not slaves. House maidens!" he smiled. "They are looking for strong men, like yourself, to take them home. Give them a place to live in return for the many household duties they will perform. However, once they are legally in your possession, you may use them any way you deem fit. What do you say? You give me twenty pieces of silver, and I give you the freedom to choose which one you take."
"Not interested." Apollis turned to walk away.
"Wait! Wait!" The merchant stepped in front of him, "You are right. Twenty pieces is a bit overpriced. I can see you are a smart man. You know your business, right? Fifteen pieces of silver and I still give you the freedom to choose."
Apollis glanced once more at the women, one of them stood out to him; a young blonde who's clothes were tattered and torn, her pale skin bruised and her body clearly undernourished; a pitiful sight.
"Have your eye on one already?" the merchant asked with eagerness.
"The blonde." Apollis replied.
"Oh, yes! Yes! Marvelous choice! She has Greek heritage. She's a very good worker. She will make you very happy." The merchant dashed over to the cage and began to unlock the door. "Today is your lucky day." He remarked towards the blonde.
"Not so lucky for you, I'm afraid." Apollis whispered into the merchant's ear as he came up behind him, and stabbed his short blade into his back. As the merchant's body slowly drained of life, Apollis set him on a nearby bench and he died there, looking as if he were only napping. Apollis opened the cage and released the captives within.
"Thank you! Thank you!" they shouted as they ran passed him and darted to and fro into the city streets, scattering like raindrops from a storm cloud.
The young blonde stayed behind, too weak to run off with the others. She slowly walked towards the opened cage door, her body aching and her hunger immense.
"I have been here the longest." She confessed meagerly. "I had accepted my fate to die in this cage."
Apollis replied, "Are you truly from Greece?"
"Yes." The young girl nodded her head. "I was kidnapped from my home many months ago."
"I, too, am from Greece." Apollis extended his hand, "My name is Apollis."
"I am Gabrielle. I'm afraid I have no way to thank you for your kindness. No money. No goods."
"There is no need for repayment." Apollis smiled quickly. "Slavery is the business of cowards. My friend and I are headed back to Greece. You are welcome to travel with us."
"I would be honored." Gabrielle replied. "I cannot thank you enough."
"Come, I am meeting my friend at the tavern. There you can eat and rest for a while before we begin our journey."
When they reached the tavern, Gabrielle was surprised to find that Apollis' friend was another female. Of course, this female was no freed slave. She was dressed in the clothes and armor of a warrior. Her raven colored hair flowed down her back like a black waterfall; her body was toned, tightened, and bronzed from the sun. She looked as if she were a goddess standing on the top of Mount Olympus.
"Apollis, my friend, you are on time for once." She greeted playfully as she came forward, "It's good to see you again." Her eyes quickly landed upon Gabrielle. "Hello." She addressed.
Gabrielle felt the cool and crisp gaze of the warrior; it aroused anticipation within her, "Hello." She repeated.
Apollis continued with the introductions, "Gabrielle, this is my friend, Xena. She's a remarkable warrior." He added with pride. "And a loyal friend. Come, let us all get to know one another better over a warm meal."
After a healthy meal, Gabrielle was feeling much better. They sat at their table for a while and talked. Apollis was very friendly and had many stories about his adventures throughout the known world. Xena was quiet and most often spoke only when necessary. Apollis' tales were both enchanting and fascinating, but Gabrielle found herself wondering more about the mysterious female warrior.
Before Apollis had the opportunity to begin yet another story, Gabrielle took the opportunity to inquire about Xena, "What about your adventures? Are you really a warrior?"
"Some people would call me a warrior." Xena smiled.
"And others would call you a savior." Apollis chuckled. "Either way, you are worth your weight in gold to Greece."
"A savior?" Gabrielle smiled. "I'm surprised I haven't heard of you before; hasn't anyone written about you?"
"Not yet." Apollo answered. "But I can personally guarantee that Xena's name will go down in history as..."
"A hero." Gabrielle concluded.
"A legend." Apollis added. "The Legend of Xena: Savior of Greece. Has a nice ring to it, wouldn't you say, Xena?"
"I find it hard to believe anyone would ever be interested in writing about me." Xena replied. "People tend to stray from the truth and create their own versions of what it is they desire."
"Unless it is the truth that they desire." Gabrielle quickly responded.
"Truth is sometimes ugly." Apollis agreed, "But heroes are allowed to have a dark side, Xena. It's romantic in a way."
"I've never been one for romance." Xena slowly stood from her bench. "I'm going to visit the market. We'll need supplies for the trip." Xena reached into a small bag that was tied around her waist. "Here, this will cover the expense of dinner and a room."
Gabrielle watched as Xena exited the tavern. Her eyes slowly drifted over to Apollis who was still picking at bits of his food. "She's not much for talking, is she?"
"She tells you as much as she wants you to know."
"You know her better than anyone else?" Gabrielle asked.
Apollis smirked, "No."
"I've never met anyone so captivating; so much strength, and yet, she appears humble; but also mysterious and sorrowful, as if she's been tainted by something sinful…" Gabrielle paused, "I never knew that one person could possess such contradicting qualities.
Apollis looked up from his plate, "You've described her very accurately to have known her for such a short time."
"That is strange, isn't it?" Gabrielle asked. "I feel so drawn to her."
"Well, many people are drawn to Xena. She has the affect, you know." Apollis laughed lightly. "Be careful or you'll end up like me…"
"What do you mean?"
The tavern door suddenly opened and a tall, dark, looking man stepped into the doorway. All who were in the tavern, including Gabrielle and Apollis, noticed his presence immediately.
"I come in search of the man who killed my brother!"
Apollis quickly rose from his seat and drew his sword, "What's the meaning of this? You have no right to barge in on these innocent citizens."
"I have every right!" The man roared. "I found my brother's body only hours ago! He was sitting on a bench and appeared to be resting. I was nearly convinced he had died in his sleep, until I saw the stab wound in his back!"
Gabrielle felt her heart sink to her stomach and the color vanished from her face. Apollis' cool demeanor did not change. If he had any fear, it did not show.
"What makes you think the man you seek is here?" Apollis questioned as he slowly stepped closer to the stranger.
"I have a witness who saw him come in here." The man replied. "I have come inside alone, to give this murderer a chance to stand up, be a man, and confess what he has done. If he is too cowardly to come forth, I'll have my witness point him out to me. I'll kill him with even greater pleasure knowing he was no man at all, but a worthless vermin."
"All right." Apollis remarked, "Your demands are fair enough." He raised his voice so that everyone in the tavern could hear him. "If you are not the one who killed this man's brother, leave this tavern, immediately!"
A hoard of people rushed towards the door, all of them thankful they were leaving such a dangerous scene. Gabrielle lingered around only long enough for Apollis to demand she leave the tavern as well. Within only a few seconds, Apollis and the stranger were the only two standing in the tavern.
"So, you admit to what you have done!" The man's anger flared as he drew his sword.
"The man I killed today was a slave trader." Apollis replied. "He had young girls locked in a cage behind his store. I am a man who does not believe in slavery."
"You are a pathetic Greek! See if your Gods spare you from Tartarus!" The man violently swung his blade at Apollis' head. Apollis ducked and counter attacked with a sweeping kick, knocking the man's legs out from underneath him and leaving him lying on his back.
Apollis stood over top his opponent, his sword pointed into his prey's neck, "I have no interest in killing two brothers on the same day." He stated. "Go home, before I break your mother's heart once more." Apollis lifted his blade.
