Chapter Three
Taria sat in the hot tub where, many years ago, Cleopatra had been killed by Brutus of Rome. A slave girl, Nehebeka entered carrying a towel. "Will Her Majesty be taking lunch in her chambers or in the bath?" she asked.
Taria contemplated this for a moment, and then replied, "My chambers, in fifteen minutes."
Nehebeka nodded, and left. Taria sighed, and opened up the bag on the edge of the tub. Inside were a handful of scrolls, written by Gabrielle: the Battling Bard of Poteidaia. The first one was entitled "Lyre, Lyre, Hearts on Fire."
Taria read about the Battle of the Bands that took place in Melodia the Music Capital of Greece some twenty-six years earlier. The warlord Draco, under the spell of one of Cupid's arrows, found Terpsichore's Lyre-on Amazon territory. The Amazon leader, Amoria claimed that the lyre was hers, since it was found on Amazon territory. Before a war could break out, Xena arrived, and convinced them to have a Battle of the Bands to decide who would get possession of the lyre. Many contestants showed up to audition, but few made it, since everyone pretty much sucked. In the end, Draco tried to kill Gabrielle when she would not marry him, by locking her in a cage, wearing a go-go costume, and blowing fire at her from his lyre. Gabrielle escaped from the cage, and ran into the crowd. Draco followed, and just as he was about to hurt Gabrielle, Xena appeared, playing the lyre. Draco battled with Xena, and lost. In the end, Xena won the lyre, but decided to leave it because "Terpsichore wanted this lyre to spread music, and I don't think that it's fair that only one person should own it. That's why I'm leaving it here, in the Music capital of Greece, because Melodia, you rock!!!" Everyone shared a song and dance on the stage.
Taria put down the scroll, and laughed, how funny that all must have been. She snapped her fingers, and two servant girls whose names she did not know, entered, and dried her off. Taria left the bathroom, and slunk into her vast chambers, where a meal of pork and rice from Ch'in awaited. She sat down on her bed, and started eating the rice. Mmm, total perfection, I should kill their leaders more often Taria thought. After Taria had finished her pork and rice, she went to the window to look out at her slaves. Everything seemed to be in order until a blonde warrior on a horse crashed through the gates. The blonde warrior flipped off of her horse, and entered the palace. Gods be damned! Taria thought, pulling on her armor and grabbing her Kukrhi.
As Taria rounded the corner of the hall, a fist smashed into her face, drawing blood, and sending her flying back. The blonde warrior stood above her, sais at the ready. "Hello Taria. My name is Gabrielle, I'll be bringing you to justice today." the blonde warrior said, sourly.
"Gabrielle!? The Gabrielle? The Bard of Xena!?" Taria exclaimed.
Gabrielle looked shocked. "You've heard of me?" she asked.
"Yes, it's my favorite thing to do-read your scrolls."
"Don't try to mess with my head, I'm not that easy!"
Taria rolled to her feet, and flashed her Kukrhi at Gabrielle, who twirled her sais in response. "Bring it." Gabrielle growled.
Taria let loose a battle cry, and charged Gabrielle. Gabrielle blocked with her sais, and kicked Taria in the face. Taria stumbled back, but quickly re-entered the battle. She turned her back, and waited for Gabrielle to move closer-she didn't. Taria growled, and threw one of the Kukrhi at Gabrielle. Gabrielle did a back flip-the Kukri just barely missing her chest. The next few moments were a blur for Taria, but Gabrielle was suddenly at her side. She grabbed Taria by the hair, and slammed her head into her knee. Taria blacked out.
Gabrielle carried the limp assassin out of the palace, and threw her in the sand. The slaves of the palace cheered. "Watch her. If she moves, call me." Gabrielle said, heading into the dungeon. It was very dark here, and her eyes adjusted slowly. The main room consisted of a table, a few chairs, and a candle sconce on the wall. Gabrielle went to the desk, found the key to the cells, and saw a man-probably about forty summers old- and stopped. "Are you Ptolemy?" Gabrielle asked.
The man looked up at her with sad eyes and nodded. "Yes, I was once Ptolemy, ruler of Egypt." he replied.
"It's your lucky day, Taria is finished, I've come to free you." Gabrielle said, unlocking the cell.
Ptolemy got out, and embraced Gabrielle. "Oh, wonderful warrior, anything you want in this kingdom is yours-just ask!" He laughed, and ran outside, to feel the sun on his face. What I really want is for Xena to come back to me. Gabrielle sighed, and followed the Pharaoh outside.