AN

Thank you for all your reviews, they definitely help to keep you motivated! As do all the follows and favourites :) here is another short update for you! The next one should definitely be longer!

Enjoy

...

Xena was being dragged through the woods by the greasy Abraxas and was struggling to hold in her laughter at the pathetic hold the man had on her, all she would have to do to get free was twist her arm slightly, but she resisted the urge. Abraxas was obviously very happy with himself, his face was contorted into an ugly sneer and his chest was swelling with pride, Xena was more interested in Phelix's reaction however, he kept shooting her worried side glances and looked glum.

To Xena's surprise they had walked at least two miles already and there didn't seem to be any sign of slowing down, this meant that she had been correct when setting up camp, she had been a few miles out of Gabrielle's camp but she had underestimated how far Gabrielle's scouts would go. This unnerved Xena, she rarely underestimated anybody.

It was as the moon was rising into the sky that Abraxas finally stopped, "I'm going to take her straight to the Conqueror, put our new horse with the others" he barked at Phelix.

"Are you sure you don't want me to take her?" Phelix asked hopefully.

"For you to take all the glory? No, I don't think so. Now take the horse and go away." Abraxas replied menacingly.

Phelix walked off with Argo, taking a track to their left that gently sloped downwards. The grip on Xena's arm tightened and Abraxas dragged her forwards, through a break in the trees. Xena was amazed at the sight before her, they were on the crest of a valley and nestled in that valley were hundreds of little tents lit up by at least thirty camp fires; that meant that there were at least three hundred soldiers down there. Abraxas saw the look of shock on Xena's face and smiled, "Impressive, isn't it messenger? How does it feel seeing the place that you are going to die? Come on, we are heading over there to the Conqueror" he said pointing at a large tent in the very centre of the huge camp.

They headed off down a sharp slope and by the time they reached the bottom Abraxas was panting heavily, his grip on Xena's arm clammy with sweat. Xena tried to hold in her impatience, he was walking far too slowly, Gabrielle was so close she could feel her.

Eventually they made their way to Gabrielle's tent, outside of which stood two guards who watched them approach with suspicion. "What do you want?" one of them called out to Abraxas.

"I found this woman a few miles south of here; she says she is the messenger of Eli." Abraxas said proudly, his chest swelling once more.

One of the guards stepped forward and grabbed Xena, "We will take her in. Now go back on your patrol."

Abraxas' chest rapidly deflated, "I captured her, I should take her into the Conqueror!" he whined.

Both guards laughed, "That's not how it works here; we outrank you so we get to give the Conqueror her prize. Now go away before we make you."

Abraxas glared at them both but turned on his heel and stormed off. Xena paid little attention to what was going on around her, she was straining towards the tent, desperate to get inside.

"Impatient to die?" one of the guards asked, noticing her movements, "We can help you with that!" he shoved Xena in front of him and marched her into the tent.