AN-To those following me, thank you. This is yet another conqueror story that wouldn't leave my brain alone so even though I have four ubers and a continuation/resurrection story going I've decided to start this one. I promise updates but not sure how often. Anyways, the basis of this story is that Gabrielle has been taken at age 12 by Cortese. Xena is 15 also is taken by the warlord but not without a fight. Of course for both women events turn them into something they never should have been. I hope you enjoy.
A small twelve year old blond girl looked up from the parchment that she had been reading on at the sound of the bleating. There were about three dozen or so greyish white sheep grazing in the meadow of tall green grass. Her green eyes scanned the wooly animals and did a quick count to make sure that all were accounted for. Though only a rough count the youngster was satisfied that all of her four legged charges were safe.
Quickly her attention was brought back to the piece of parchment. The page was weathered and torn but the writing upon it was still clear enough to read. It was a wonder that it was clear enough to read as the young girl had read this particular story so many times that she had every single word memorized. Her parents thought that stories, especially for young girls, was not appropriate and therefore she had to keep what few works like this that she had hidden.
Her parents would be extremely unhappy if they had known that she had several stories written and hidden in the barn. Her dream was not to marry some farmer or sheepherder like her father and mother both wanted for her. No, her dream was to travel across all of Greece and maybe further entertaining people with the imagination that seemed to flow without even a conscious thought. There were nights when she would awake and have to write down what she had been dreaming of.
The green eyes twinkled as they took in the words that they knew so well. It was a story of a warrior. This warrior traveled around the known world helping people and doing all sorts of acts of good. Of course in one of the warrior's encounters he meets a beautiful young woman. They fall in love and both of them end up traveling the world together. Just the thought that maybe, just maybe there was a man such as this out there that could come rescue the young woman from her dreary existence, gave her a warm feeling inside.
Besides traveling and entertaining the known world, Gabrielle also wanted to find that special someone. In her mind there was a match for everyone that walked the earth. There was the old tale of how Zeus had separated soulmates and made them walk alone wondering aimlessly until the lucky few could find the other half of their souls and become complete. It would be wonderful if something like that really happened to people.
But with the way her life was lived and seeing how miserable her mother was having settled for her father, she was not so sure that she wanted to find the other half of her soul. Of course she knew one thing for sure and that was that she never wanted to marry Perdicus. Her father, she knew, was trying to arrange several marriages for her seeing that she had just turned twelve two moons ago. But of the ones that he was attempting to force her into that would be the last one.
For a dreamer such as the twelve year old, the only way that she would want to marry someone would be if they both were to give their bodies, hearts and their souls to one another. While this happened in a couple of the stories that she had hidden, around her village of Potadeia there were no marriages that would fit this definition. Almost all of the marriages had been prearranged and to her none of the couples seemed all that happy including her parents.
The small blond decided to force all of those negative thoughts out of her mind while she concentrated on the story. She had just gotten to the part where the warrior had saved his soulmate from the clutches of an evil warlord. It was time for the big kiss and that was one of Gabrielle's favorite parts. As a youth she had never kissed anyone and she intended to keep it that way until she met the one that she was to spend the rest of her life with.
Finally the rumbling of her tummy forced Gabrielle to roll up her story and hide it behind the large rock that she was leaning against. There was always that outside chance that her father would come checking on her. The more likely scenario would be for him to send her younger sister to either see if she was doing what she was supposed to or to fetch her and the sheep home. It was still too early for that but the bard was very careful with her stories and with herself.
Her father had never beaten her with a belt or anything but he had spanked her soundly a few times. If it had been for things that she felt were worthy of punishment she would have no trouble facing the consequences. However they had been because she was daydreaming or writing or whatever else he felt were a waste of time for a young woman. Her time, according to him should be spent learning how to take care of her husband and her family.
The only good things out of these lessons that she was being forced to learn when she was not playing shepherd to a bunch of stinking sheep was that she was one of the best cooks in all the village. Some of the other skills were not to where her mother or her father would like but they were tedious. Washing clothes, dusting and any other household chores were boring. With the life that she wanted to live, cooking and laundry and cleaning dishes were the only ones that actually were to help.
Gabrielle sighed as she pulled out her basket of goodies that she had made early that morning for herself alone. Her father would be upset if he knew that she had only made enough of the nutbread for herself and not to share with the rest of the family. All of her efforts were deemed as not enough and so the young girl decided that when doing anything special it would be for herself. Oh she had baked the regular bread and made the vegetable stew that was also in her basket. That she had made plenty for everyone though her father hated vegetable stew. Hehe.
It wasn't long before the bard had eaten her lunch and decided that stretching her legs would be a very good thing. She had been sitting against the rock almost since she had come out to the meadow with the sheep in the early morning. The mists had made the long green grass look amazing when the sun had kissed each piece of moisture and made what seemed like a million tiny rainbows. Gabrielle had hated to disturb the image but the sheep had a mind of their own as they always did.
Of course it would be a good idea to make her way to the creek so that she could rinse off her dishes. The temperature had risen this summer afternoon and part of her wanted nothing more than to at the very least dip her bare feet into the cool waters. That was something else she wished that she had. Her family was so poor that only in the winter months were they allowed a pair of shoes or boots. But right now feeling the long grass and hopefully the cool water would make that a good thing.
That was Gabrielle in a nutshell. The young girl that was very close to turning that corner into womanhood was a very upbeat person. Her heart only knew goodness and therefore that was all that she saw in others. Even her father that was not the kindest to her was still overall a good person and so was the rest of her family. It took a lot for the blond to see anything negative within anyone but when she had it was more than difficult to win her back over.
Gabrielle once again inspected her flock to make sure that there was indeed the correct number of sheep. Once she was satisfied she continued on the short trek to the creek. She knelt down looking at the reflection staring back at her. Her bangs were in need of a trim already and her long flowing blond tresses were tangled as usual. Her eyes were sad she noticed and the green in them was paled to an almost grey coloring.
The blond snorted. This happened when her thoughts were not that pleasant or if she was out in the sun too long. There was a combination of both today as she had left the farm just before the sun peaked over the horizon in the east as she made her way to the south with the sheep. No one will ever think you are pretty. Both father and mother said so. You are just an ordinary girl that has a powerful imagination. That means you'll be stuck a farmer's wife.
As her thoughts went to a negative area a stray tear strolled down her cheek and mingled with the cool water of the creek. Quickly Gabrielle took up a double handful of water and scrubbed her face with it. She then took several double handfuls of water and quenched the one thirst she could easily. Her thirst for knowledge and adventure may never be satisfied causing her to sigh heavily. Though in her heart she would always be a wanderer, in real life she most likely would not be.
The bard stood and carefully pulled her long blue peasant dress up to her knees. The white cotton sleeves were not that white anymore as the dress had been her mother's at one time. Of course it had to have been tailored before it fit her but she was not complaining. Most of the children of Potadeia had second hand clothing the village was simply that poor. It was not like its sister village that was about two days walk away. Amphipolis was a thriving village that she had only been lucky enough to see once.
The coolness of the water soothed her feet and part of her wanted to strip off her clothes and soak her entire body though the creek was really too shallow for that. In fact the water only came up to just past her ankles. There were little minnows that tickled at her feet and made her smile. Nature seemed to have that effect on her. Whenever she was not able to feel better by reading, she just needed to take a walk and it seemed to set her heart free.
Green eyes closed as she let the sensations of the world surrounding her invade every part of her being. There was the babbling of the creek. There were the chirps of the birds. There was the rustling of the leaves in the wind. There was the smell of water. There was the smell of the grass. There was the sound of the sheep calling out. There was the sun warming her face. There was the coolness of the water on her sensitive skin.
In a matter of just a few seconds things changed. Green eyes opened quickly as the sounds that had been surrounding her had gone quiet. It was eerie how even the leaves had stopped rustling. The bard's heart lurched as there were no longer the sounds of the sheep that she was responsible for. With a speed that she rarely used, the youth was making her way back the short distance of the meadow. What she saw caused her to stop in her tracks and hide behind a large tree.
The sheep were still there but they were being rounded up by a bunch of filthy looking men. They had on some kind of armor but it was not well kept and even from the fair distance that she was from them she could smell something very distasteful and it wasn't the wooly animals. At a quick count told her there were at least a dozen of the men. The one that seemed to be in charge had this black feather upon his helmet. When he wasn't barking orders he was using a whip on some of the men.
Green eyes strained to get a better look at the group that was stealing the sheep. Part of her knew that she should just take off and get her father and the other men of the village but another part was fascinated. She had never seen a warlord up close and personal and the man with the feather seemed to be just that. After getting a real good look, she noticed that the men that he was whipping had no armor on and that gave the young girl a sinking feeling.
Slaves! I wonder if they are just sheep thieves or if they are slave traders. I heard at the tavern that there were slave traders in the area. I better get the Hades out of here. Just as Gabrielle turned to make a run for the village her path was blocked. In fact, she had not seen the human blockade and ran right into the strong legs and fell to the ground. Terrified green eyes looked up into almost inhuman black eyes. The man looking down at her had lustful look upon his face.
The man was dressed in spotless armor. In fact the sun glistened off the chest covering and the helmet that he wore upon his head. There was a red feather that went down the middle of the helmet as well as a red under shirt beneath his armor. The long legs were encased in black leather. A sword was attached at his left hip and hung to his back was a case of arrows and a bow to go along with them. "Hello there little girl. Looks like you were the wrong shepherd today."
Before she could move, Gabrielle found herself in the tight grasp of this tall man. Though to her small stature almost anything looked big, but this man was well over six foot tall. His hair was brown at least what she could see of it sticking through the helmet. His face had not been shaven in a day or two so that stubble reigned supreme. Her first instincts were to strike out and try to loosen his grip but she held those back hoping that somehow she would find a way to escape.
"You're being a good girl. If you keep it up, maybe I'll keep you for myself. I like them young. I like them very young." Gabrielle shivered at his words. Though young, she knew exactly what he was referring to. It was the last thing that she would want but the way that things were going she just might not have a choice. "Borias!" A young man not too much older than the bard came running. He had long hair that was braided neatly and he had a goatee upon his face. "Take this one to my quarters. No one is to touch her."
"Yes, my lord." Borias took a firm grip upon the young girl. The last time that any of them had let one of such youth, and if the insignificant man might say beautiful, escape the man had both hands cut off and left to die tied to a tree near an ant hill. The screams that had emanated from the man still haunted him to this day. "You girl best behave." He drug Gabrielle until they were well away from the other men attempting still to round up the sheep. They stopped at a wagon. "In you go girl."
Before Gabrielle could say anything, she found herself tossed in the back of the wagon. Her feet were tied together as were her hands. The ties binding her feet together were then tied to the railing of the large covered wagon. A gag was roughly shoved into her mouth and with that the man with the goatee was off. For a moment, the blond watched what was happening around her trying to see any way that she could hopefully escape.
The sounds around her were drowned out by the beating of her own heart in her ears. Never had she been quite as terrified as she was at this moment and time. The stories of evil warlords were rampant throughout Greece and even made it to her small village. She just wondered who it was that had captured her and what was going to happen to her. The words that the man had said about liking them young had kept going through her mind causing her heart to beat even stronger and therefore louder.
After the screams and yells had finally died down, Gabrielle looked up over the meadow. Not only had they taken the sheep but they had set fire to the place that she loved to escape to. There was a part of her that was angry. But that anger was not enough to override her overall state of being terrified. Terrified of her own shadow at this point and time. The man that she had dealt with first came over to the wagon. Without a word he put a canvas bag over her head.
The only thing to go on as to where she was being taken was the amount of time that it took them to get there. She felt her wrists being untied as well as her ankles. Roughly she was stood and once again her limbs were being bound. This time though it felt like she was being pulled every so often. When the hood was removed she saw why. Gabrielle was now at the end of the line of what most likely were slaves. From what she could see there were at least thirty others like herself.
The string of people was led into a large tent. There was very little in this tent besides dirty piles of blankets or furs. There was also what appeared to be an area to bathe but that was only because there was a large bucket and some scraps of towels lying on a table. Gabrielle tried to take everything in once again trying her best to plan for her escape. There were two other openings besides the one that she had entered. They all had at least two guards that she could see.
The people were, one by one, shoved into the dirty filthy bed accommodations and thrown what appeared to be rags to wear. The man that had tied her to the wagon entered just after everyone had been put into position. Borias walked up and down as if inspecting animals that were to be sold to a slaughterhouse. He stopped in front of the green eyed blond who looked at him terrified. "You! Come with me."
Borias grabbed her by the back of the neck and forced her to walk steadily in front of him. It wasn't long before they were standing in a slightly smaller tent but one that was much more ornate. There were spoils of war everywhere and even Gabrielle was slightly impressed if reluctantly so. Sitting upon what could be considered a throne was the man that had seemed to take interest in her. "Come here child." The bard was shoved roughly until she complied. "This can be easy or hard. But either way you will become mine. Body, heart and soul."
Gabrielle swallowed at the prospect. Her heart immediately hardened at the thought of being pawed by the grubby man. And yet she knew that at least for now her fate was sealed. She went down to one knee and bowed before the man. "My lord." It was said with as little venom as she could muster. All she wanted was to find a weapon and strike him dead. Quickly she was finding that, not only was she a dreamer as her father had always said, but there was a very strong part of her that was a fighter. And fight I will you bastard!
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A raven haired gangly looking teenager looked out from her perch high above the ground. Her mother had asked her to pick some apples so that cider could be made for the next day in the inn that the young woman helped to run. Of course what she would rather be doing was off with her younger brother Lyceus learning how to use any weapon that they could get their hands upon. But today her mother had been more than adamant that she do what she was told.
It hardly seemed fair as she was fifteen if only by a couple weeks but still she was practically a woman. Of course her mother along with others would probably never see her as an adult until she was married. That thought made her shiver. The thought of serving a man and trying to do whatever it took to make him happy just wasn't for the young woman. In fact she was never going to get married if she had anything to say about it.
But that was for another day as really she should be getting back to the task that her mother had assigned her. That had gotten boring and so she had decided to flex her muscles and climb to the top of the oldest apple tree in the orchard. It wasn't as tall as some of the other trees she climbed but it still gave her a great view of the surrounding area. In fact with her eagle like blue eyes she could see for miles around without even squinting in the afternoon sun.
In fact she could see some activity off to the north of Amphipolis. It had to be the sister village of Potadeia. There weren't any others that were close enough for her to see from the height of the tree. Her ears could have sworn there were some screams coming from the area. While part of her wanted to check out what was happening, her mother's voice in her head was pulling her to do what she was supposed to do.
Cyrene, the young woman's mother, would have cringed to see just how quickly and without care that her daughter had made the trek from the very top of the tree to the ground. Of course she had made sure and shaken some trees on her way down so that there would be apples on the ground waiting for her. Xena quickly gathered the deliciously smelling red orbs and placed them in the baskets that she had brought with her.
It wasn't long before she had about twenty bushels of apples and had them loaded on the flat board wagon. Before Xena got onto the driver's seat she made her way to the horse that was hitched to the wagon. Besides her love of weapons and fighting, the raven haired teenager had a love of horses that was unmatched by anyone even warlords and kings. Her dream was that one day she would have not only a beautiful horse but a well trained war horse.
Until then the teenager doted on the ones that her mother had in her care. The innkeeper had two that were solely used for hauling wagons of various sizes and she had two that were just for riding. One was a beautiful blond horse that was only a yearling. It was one of the most exquisite pieces of horseflesh that Xena had ever seen and as soon as the horse had been born she had begun to beg for the horse even offering to purchase it one day.
Cyrene had wanted to allow for it and would do anything for her daughter but as of late her tomboyish little girl was almost out of control. That was something she was attempting to put a stop to by denying her the one thing that she wanted. It had been a struggle for the innkeeper to raise three children without their father around. But she was determined to do the best that she could even if in the end her daughter ended up hating her for it.
Xena gave the beautiful black stallion one more hug and pat on the neck before she hopped onto the wagon. It was actually more like she had vaulted from a stand still onto the wagon. For some reason the teen had always had these physical abilities that had allowed her to best both her older and younger brother. In fact, in Amphipolis it was known as a very bad idea to try and challenge the raven haired girl. She had beaten every boy and girl in the village soundly.
Of course Cyrene had not liked that when she had found out. But Xena was determined to be her own person. Even the innkeeper had to admit that the strength and determination she inherited was from her instead of her father. But still good girls were not out playing with swords or pretending to rescue damsels in distress. But that was how her little girl was and she loved her no matter what. She would always love her no matter what.
The raven haired teen directed the wagon back toward the village. The apple orchard was about an hour's walk from the small village. By wagon it had only taken about half an hour. Or course she had taken a leisurely approach to being forced to gather the apples. That was how Xena was though. Most everything was taken at an easy pace with the exception of fighting. With so many warlords that were running around trying to take what they could get she wanted to be ready to defend Amphipolis.
Suddenly the senses that Xena had been honing over the past several years came to life. There was no one in the known world that could sneak up on her. Between the hearing that she had been blessed with, the observation skills that she had developed and just an uncanny knack for just knowing when something wasn't right she was able to stay one step ahead of everyone. Of course she was still learning how to react to what she deciphered.
Now was one of those times. There was a scent in the air that made her nose crinkle in disgust. Her forehead wrinkled in concentration trying to decide what the foul smell was. She was also trying to figure out what the sounds were coming from the trees just to the left of her about two wagon lengths away. If only I had a sword. Mother if I get taken you're gonna be sad that you didn't give me a way to defend myself.
Instead of slowing her pace, Xena decided to quicken it hoping that whoever was out there would mistime whatever plan was awaiting her. "Come on, Nikulas." The raven haired teen whispered just loud enough for the horse to hear. There were more sounds and to her what seemed like a scrambling motion but from on both sides of the small path that led back to the village. This is not good. They are going to get me for sure.
Xena sighed heavily knowing that there was not much that she could do. The only weapon she had was a long wooden stick with a metal hook on the end that was used to shake the branches of the apple trees that could not be reached from the ground. She of course had rarely if ever had to use such a tool as she would simply climb to wherever it was that the apples were and give it a good shake. But still it was a weapon and perhaps she could make use of it.
The woman warrior pulled up hard on the reins stopping the tall black stallion instantly. The wagon swayed back and forth dislodging most of her apples. Mother is going to be so mad. But I think she'd rather have a live daughter than apples. With a quick stomping of her foot she managed to break the harness away. Even she surprised herself with the strength that had taken and it took a moment to recover. When she had, she whipped poor Nikulas and sent him back to the village.
In a move that even the most agile of fighters would envy, she sprung up from the sitting position, did a backflip and used her foot once again to stomp on one end of the long wooden tool. It landed easily in her right hand and she quickly took it into both twirling it as if in warning to whoever was out there daring to mess with her. "I don't want any trouble. Just leave now and I'll forget that this ever happened."
There was a bunch of laughter and cat calls that came from the area just ahead of her and she knew that there were several men just waiting for her. Xena sighed heavily and took a slight running leap before doing a summersault and landing about twenty feet in front of the wagon. She knew she was heading into danger instead of running but something told her that was what she was supposed to do. Something told her that she was supposed to be the one to fight.
There was a whistle and a man that wore a helmet with a red feather down the middle stepped calmly and coolly into the middle of the well-worn path. He was a warrior of that there was no doubt. His armor glistened in the sun and the sword and bow were a dead giveaway. Xena only smirked at the man. For some reason she was feeling like there was nothing that could stop her. It was something that she felt every so often. There was also a tingling of her skin. I wonder if it's anticipation.
The warrior looked the woman up and down. There was no armor, no leather only a soft woolen top and a woolen pants. That surprised the warlord that a woman, especially one so young would dare to get away with wearing trousers. He studied her a moment longer beginning to see that this one was no ordinary woman and not because of the clothing or the fact that she was willing to face him with a simply stick. This was a warrior in her own right.
Though he prided himself in his fighting capabilities he was a warlord for a reason. He would have his underlings fight the woman to test her. If she proved worthy then he might just take her on himself. The man snapped his fingers and let out a high shrill whistle. The path exploded with a dozen warriors that were dressed in dirty armor and leather. Xena's nose once again crinkled as she realized just where the smell had been coming from. If this were my army they would be punished for being this filthy.
As if beginning a dance, one of the men stepped forward with his sword drawn and raised. While the man outweighed Xena, her height caused her to tower over the pudgy man. She leaned the staff against her shoulder and did a 'come here' motion with her hands. That caused the shorter man to growl as if embarrassed or pissed off or probably both. The sword was carried in both hands as he lunged for the woman that dared mock him.
In one swift move and Xena had easily sidestepped the clumsy man and even connected with the unhooked side of the staff and hit him with a great deal of force on his butt. The man stumbled and fell onto his own sword. Lucky for him it was the hilt that hit him in the face and yet he was still knocked to the ground unconscious. Though they knew it would probably cause them some time in the pits, the entire group burst out laughing.
The lead warrior shook his head sadly. "If this is the best you have, you all will be in the pits for the next month. Now get her!" The man put his hand on his own sword readying himself. This was not the best fight to pick. And yet if I can persuade her to join my army then I would be that much more difficult to defeat. Of course that was just one man. Let's see what she does against eleven men at once. His slate eyes watched as the melee began.
The men came at Xena four at a time. With a different move each time, she managed to either hurt some of the men or at the very least just drive them back. This went on for several moments and the female warrior had had enough fun for one day. There were still seven men that were able to come at her and they had her encircled. Thinking they had the upper hand, they all charged at once. Once again the raven haired teen jumped into the air.
This time she landed on the head of one of the men. She stepped from one to the other just like she was using rocks to wade across a wide river. Only when she was finished using a man's head, she would make sure and hit him with enough force to make sure that he would not wake up for a while. This went on until the remaining men were not a threat. Instead it was Xena that stood in the middle of the road facing the man that had ordered the attack.
A war cry escaped her lips. It was one that she had practiced while sparring with Lyceus. It had the desired affect and the warlord paused in drawing his sword so stunned by the yell. Xena went into a series of gymnastic acrobatics until she was standing within inches of the warlord. Easily she knocked the sword out of his hand as he drew it. "I'd say that you are in a lot of trouble." The female warrior had the hooked part of the staff in front of her adversaries face.
Cortese only smiled at the woman. "You are good." He stood straighter and gave a hand signal. "But you still have a lot to learn." Another quick motion of his hand and the sound of an arrow could be heard whistling through the air. Xena turned and almost caught it but was just a little too late as it impaled in her left shoulder causing her to drop her weapon. The arrow that should have gone all the way through her shoulder just barely pierced it. But it caused enough pain for her to go to her knees.
"That was interesting." Cortese took his sword and hit the woman on the back of the head. Xena slumped to the ground lucky to not have the arrow further puncture her body. "I've heard of those that can catch arrows but until today I've never seen it done." He looked down at the slumped body. Using his booted foot, he roughly pushed her over from her side to her back. "Well almost." The arrow was obviously sticking up so from her body. "You are beautiful. Perhaps this will not be a wasted trip."
The man that had taken Gabrielle earlier in the day was now leaning down beside the woman warrior. "She is quite a fighter." Borias looked up at his general. "She would do well in our army." He knew that he was overstepping but there was something about this woman that was drawing him to her. It was a feeling unlike any that he had ever had before. Perhaps Ares has sent me someone to help rid me of Cortese. That would be most excellent.
Cortese backhanded the man still kneeling beside Xena. His face was red with anger. "You don't tell me how to run my army. For now she is to be put in with the young girl." The warlord was about to turn and find his horse but decided to make sure that Borias knew exactly who was in charge. "And you'd better make sure that she and the young one don't escape. If they do, I will be the one that personally cuts off your appendages. The first to go is the one between your legs."
With that, the warlord strode off. Borias cursed to himself. He knew that Cortese would take a great deal of pleasure in finding any way possible to degrade him if not out and out kill him. On more than one occasion the warrior had proven a much better strategic planner than his general to the point of greatly embarrassing him. The scar that was across his chest under his armor was proof of that. It was a constant reminder of just how hateful the general could be.
Borias quickly tied the woman's hands and ankles as tight as he could get them. There was something in the way that she fought that had told of a strength and he didn't want to be on the receiving end of it. By this time a couple of the men had come to. He directed them to take the still sleeping female warrior and place her in the general's tent. "And make sure that she and the other know what will come if they attempt to escape."
He watched the men struggle with the tall woman for a moment before he decided to see what the village of Amphipolis had to offer. If there was anything worth taking it would be the next place that they ransacked. Before he made it over the hill he turned and watched the men carrying the raven haired beauty. I've never been drawn to anyone like I am you. Perhaps we can make that team. If nothing else… He smiled at the thought and made his way to the village.
Gabrielle had been lying on the pillows that seemed to be deemed her area when there was a commotion at the main entrance of the tent and stood trying to see what was going on. She gasped when she saw what at first just appeared to be a wounded warrior. Then her heart caught in her throat as she realized that it wasn't a man that they carried but a woman. A very beautiful woman that simply took her breath away. A woman causing me to react like this? I've never felt a pull to anyone. Not even any of my friends. But her, it's like we are connected.
The men roughly tossed Xena onto the pillows that Gabrielle had just vacated. The bard's first instinct was to go to the woman that was bound but not gagged. There was a bandage on her shoulder and instantly she felt a desire to make her feel better in any way that she could. The blue eyes that opened took the young girl's breath away. There was an intensity and raw anger that she had never seen before. Without even thinking about it, she began to stroke the older woman's cheek.
That got a sad smile upon Xena's face. It was Gabrielle that spoke first. "I'm sorry about you getting hurt." She glanced around making sure that no one would hopefully hear. "Maybe now that there are two of us we can have a better chance of escape." Green eyes that were so full of innocence and faith took the warrior's breath away. "At least I'm not alone anymore." There was a sound at the door and quickly the small blond put her distance between herself and whom she considered her new friend.
Cortese entered and leered at the two youngsters. One's a little older than I like but with her power and beauty I'll make an exception. I'll break them both anyway that I can. The man made his way over and saw that both were still in the rags that had been given to them. "You, Blondie." Gabrielle's head turned toward him away from the ground that she had been concentrating on. "Go to that cabinet. There are clothes that will fit you both. Then clean up both of you. I'll be back. And then the fun will really begin."
Gabrielle swallowed as she watched the man go. She heard a deep voice that caused her breathing to catch for a moment. "Do as he says." She turned to see blue eyes practically boring holes right into her very soul. "Then be ready to run." There was a sadness in the blue eyes at least the bard thought that there was. "And don't say that you want to stay with me. One of us can get out. It should be you. Just tell my mother, Cyrene the innkeeper of Amphipolis what happened to me. Please."
The small blond took a deep breath wanting to argue. But there was something about this young woman that she knew better than to even try. So as quickly as she could she got them both cleaned up and dressed in very fancy gowns. It was something that she had never worn and truth be told really didn't want to wear ever again. All she wanted, for some unknown reason, was to curl up next to the raven haired beauty, curl her arms around her and never let go.
Several hours later Gabrielle was on the road once again. It was dark now and the lighting was poor. Before she had left, Xena had told her to stay as close to the creek as possible. It would make tracking her more difficult and it would lead her to her mother's inn. It took every ounce of strength to force her to keep moving forward. It was almost daybreak by the time that the village came into sight. There was a great deal of activity already in the village.
The small blond went unnoticed as she made her way through the village attempting to find the inn on her own. She heard a woman's voice say the name of her new friend and quickly made her way over to her. "Are you Cyrene?" The woman nodded only barely taking in who was standing before her. "I know where Xena is." That stopped the flurry of activity in its tracks. "She's being held by a warlord. She helped me to escape. I'm afraid she'll…"
Her words could not go on as the sobs caused her body to shake. The kindly innkeeper took the small girl into her arms her own tears threatening. It has to be Cortese. They told us he was coming but no one wanted to believe. Now my daughter is in his clutches. What are we to do? Cyrene held on to the stranger and attempted to comfort her the best that she could. With no defense the village would be destroyed. If only we had listened to Xena.