IN THE TUNNELS OF THE LOST AND FORGOTTEN
Xena moved her fingers across the wall feeling the wall for anything strange or out of place. This was the second time she had checked the stone she had no idea how long she'd been inside the tomb only that it felt like hours. She breathed in deeply eyeing the shaft above her maybe she could just climb out if there were enough jagged rocks to step on. She eased up the flaming torch up eyeing the sleek sides of the shaft she could do this she had climbed out of places much worse than this. She took a step forward only to stop as part of the wall opposite her started to rise up. She eased up her boot checking that she wasn't standing on anything that could've been a lever. She looked up catching sight of something standing behind the now open wall.
She moved forward catching sight of two white eyes blinked in the darkness, they weren't human. She eased her sword out of its scabbard moving forward very slowly as she eased up her touch watching as a creature came in to view. It was a werewolf with out a doubt but it was a very hideous looking one. It had very little fur on its body apart from a huge mane of black fur which was streaked white in places. The only other fur on its body was on its tail. Its lower jaw was extended and the razor sharp teeth were all crooked. It was bent over and had overly long claws a torn cloth hung between its legs and it was all the clothing she could see. She eased her sword up higher watching as its hairless ears moved.
The werewolf raised an inhuman hand then lowering its head in a submissive posture. Xena raised an eyebrow as she caught sight of its other hand, which was on the lever, which was on the side of the dark tunnel up ahead. She put her weapon back in to its scabbard walking slowly forward until she was inside the tunnel. She breathed in deeply before speaking. "Thank you." She looked up as it lowered itself on to all fours slowly moving up the tunnel ahead. She raised an eyebrow. "You want me to follow you right?" The old werewolf as he walked up the tunnel. She stopped for a moment watching as it did the same. "Tell me you wouldn't happen to know Gabrielle would you?" The werewolf slowly stood up it nodding again its jaws forming a crooked smile. Xena felt a smile form. "It's a shame you can't talk or I'd ask you how you two met." The werewolf turned moving forward once more. Her smile widened it was nice to know that she had someone to help her even they weren't human.
8
Athan pulled dart out of the young woman's upper chest, he looking down catching sight of a deep bruise on her leg. He eyed Theodore. "You didn't have to be so rough." Theodore folded his arms watching as the healer tightened the straps around the woman's arms followed by the one around her neck. "It was necessary! She broke the arm of one of my men." Athan pulled up the blonde woman's head opening her mouth. "The females always seem to do that…he should be grateful that she's not male." Theodore rolled his eyes. "Why is that?" Athan eyed the woman's teeth. "One of the soldiers here had both his legs broken, by an angry male werewolf in human form." He slowly opened one of the woman's eyes. "Very horrible to watch but intriguing none the less."
He eased up his scroll. "This one's an interesting specimen, looks like she's already turned once." Theodore stepped forward. "I was about to tell you that. How did you know?" Athan opened the woman's mouth so he could see her teeth. "When they first turn there upper and lower canine teeth are slightly longer than normal in human form." He smiled pulling up the unconscious woman's lip. "It's temporary mind you, after tonight when she regains her human form they'll go back to normal." He watched as the blonde woman's head slumped down as he let go of her chin. "She's a warrior right?" Theodore nodded. "Amazon." Athan put a hand on the woman's shoulder squeezing it. "Thought so, you don't get muscle like that from ploughing fields."
He looked up catching sight of something that stood out he pulled the green halter top's shoulder down slightly. "Looks like someone shot her once with an arrow." He put on a hand on his beard. "The skin looks like it had to be burnt to close the wound…" He pulled the tops shoulder back up. "Do you know if she's been with anyone sexually?" Theodore eyed him. "Yes she's with Xena a warrior woman." Athan turned slightly. "Well if you bring Xena here I'd be very happy. I mean if she's got a single bite on her from foreplay she's going to turn as well." Theodore felt a cold sneer form. "I can't do that at all, the tomb she's in doesn't have an exit it's a slow and painful death." Athan shook his head. "I hate it when you do that…I was so hoping to have a subject who'd been bitten by mistake. I wanted to see if the subject would turn any different to those bitten on purpose." He eyed his scroll. "I guess they'll always be another opportunity though." He slowly began to write as he looked at the young woman. "Still this one's great for study."
8
Xena raised the torch higher watching the flames lit up the walls around her as she followed the werewolf. Her gaze drifted as they passed by yet another set of tunnels. This whole place was full of probably full of tunnels which spanned under the whole city they were ancient and very stunning to look at. She looked up as they came out in to an open area, which had four different tunnels going in a different direction. Her gaze drifted slowly up to the wall, which had a number of elaborate images painted on them. She brushed the cobwebs away looking at a number of werewolf figures all raising the hands towards a huge white werewolf.
She brushing away more webs and dust from the old wall, seeing two huge werewolves come in to view one white and another was black both were fighting a battle surrounded by human and werewolf warriors. Clearly this wall was a painted depiction of some sort of history though none of it made sense to her. She could see writing but despite that it looked Greek its symbols made no sense to her. She breathed though she found this place deeply fascinating at part of her couldn't wait to get out of this place as it was cold and dark and there was no sunshine. She stepped forward followed the werewolf once more watching as he turned in to another tunnel. She breathed in deeply she needed to get the surface soon something deep down in the pit of her stomach was telling her that Gabrielle wasn't alright. She quickened her pace she hated the thought of her lover being locked up in some dirty cell it sickened her on every level.
8
Bastiaan looked at the cell across fro him where a red haired woman was sitting he could tell that the man in the cell next to was very anxious as he was tapping of his foot. He moved forward watching as the red haired woman smiled in his direction she had recently been moved to cell because she kept on arguing with the young man in the cell opposite. The soldiers had, had enough of it and had moved her in to the next cell along, so she was looking at his cell and the empty one opposite and the guard had, had enough of it. Bastiaan looked around him he knew there was someone new in the room at the far end. He also knew that he wasn't the only one to sense it as all off the others were talking amongst themselves.
The guard at the far end of the room threw more straw in to the cell next to him then tossed in a large fur blanket before leaving. He looked at the woman opposite for a long moment before speaking. "Who do you suppose they caught this time Alexia?" Alexia rolled her eyes as she adjusted her ripped blue dress. "Another poor soul who didn't get any choice in the matter…." She felt a smile form. "I just hope their friendly." Bastiaan gave her a nod. "You and me both." He was about to say more only to stop as the doors at the far end were flung open he listened as silence suddenly fell up on the cells as someone was dragged along the floor by their arms. He found his body freezing in horror as the lifeless form of Gabrielle was dragged past him and thrown viciously in to the cell next to his.
He sneered at the soldiers in disgust feeling his rage suddenly boil up in the pit of his stomach. "You bastards, she's out cold you don't need to be violent with her!" The first soldier turned smashing the bars of his cell with his wooden bow staff. "Quite animal!" The other soldier smirked before speaking. "We can be as violent as we want with her! She knocked out three men and broke the arm of another!" Bastiaan narrowed his gaze ignoring the sudden chatter from the others in the cells. "I bet who ever the guy was who got his arm broken he was asking for it." Alexia laughed eyeing the soldiers. "The guy whose arm I broke was asking for it, he was filthy brute he reminds me of you two…" She smiled as the big blacksmith across from her in another cell laughed coldly.
The big muscled man laughed ended as his face formed a cold smile. "Yeah so how's about you little soldiers step in to my cage again. I'll break both your legs for treating the new lady so badly." He leaned closer to the bars. "I loved the look on the face off the last little bastard who stepped in my cage after I broke his legs." He growled aloud not caring that the sound was inhuman. "I'd love to see yours." The first soldier slammed his sword against the bars watching as the dark haired black smith stepped back. "Quite Karsten! You're just another filthy animal like the rest of them." Karsten raised his hands. "Step in to my cage and say that you pathetic little coward!" He felt his hand form a fist. "You don't have the nerve."
Both soldiers moved away ignoring him he turned slightly he couldn't see Alexia's cell but he knew she wasn't far away. He watched as the door was closed he looked up as he spoke. "Hey is the new woman okay?" Alexia looked at the young woman who was unconscious on the cells floor. She breathed in deeply. "She's out cold…" Bastiaan stood up looking through the sidebars Gabrielle was completely motionless her long loose blonde hair was spread out on the floor. He leaned closer feeling the sadness hit him, he had hoped that she wouldn't get caught he had assumed that Xena would have been there to stop them taking her. "Gabrielle…can you hear me?" Alexia looked up sharply. "You know her?" Bastiaan nodded as he met her gaze which was filled with concern. "We were both harmed by the same werewolf." He eased up his hand putting it through the bars. "I didn't want them to find out about her. I mean I stumbled in to her and her lover's camp, she got bitten because of me." Alexia breathed in painfully. "I understand."
Karsten looked up. "You know you shouldn't blame yourself for that it wasn't your fault. It's the sick headed werewolf who you should blame." Bastiaan looked through the bars. "I know that! I just wanted to do the right thing I thought she would be safe." He narrowed his gaze. "I just thought Xena would be able to protect her. The woman's is such a strong warrior…I mean she saved my life." Alexia shook her head sadly. "You know I thought the same thing, I thought my husband would be able to protect me. Apostolos saw that I was locked away though I would give anything to see my husband again, I miss him so much." She looked at her hands. "I don't see that happening any time soon though…this place is a prison it's been two months since I saw sunlight." Karsten felt a cold sneer form on his lips. "Yeah well the bastard was quick to turn my house in to his personal quarters once he found out that I had been bitten." He shook his head feeling the anger take over. "He deserves to die or worse be bitten so he can find out what it's like." Bastiaan turned looking at the young blonde haired woman again seeing no movement. "Gabrielle…"
Alexia folded her arms. "I think she might have been drugged very deeply." Bastiaan looked down seeing Gabrielle's fingers start to twitch. "Well if they did drug her it's wearing of now." The red haired woman moved closer trying to get a better look. He felt a smile form as he heard a deep groan from the young woman as her body started to slowly move. Gabrielle slowly opened her eyes, she found herself blinking a couple of time watching as everything came back in to focus. She groaned easing herself up in to a sitting position everything part of her body hurt. She took in a deep breath putting her head in her hands, waiting for the pain to pass she eased her hands away as caught sight of the thick bars in front of her.
Her gaze drifted downwards seeing the straw under her body and the solid walls all around her. She felt the realization suddenly hit home as to where she was she was in a cell a cell that had no doubt been made especially for a werewolf, opposite her was a large fur. She breathed in sharply feeling of overwhelming sadness as it washed over her. She'd been in cells before but there was something about this place that told her that she was completely trapped here. Xena wouldn't be coming to her rescue…she hadn't come during her previous battle. She had expected her to show up at any moment but it just hadn't happened deep down in her heart she wanted to believe that her lover had gotten in to some sort of trouble.
She knew though that she was just kidding herself, Xena wasn't coming back after all what person in their right mind could learn to love a monster? Ares was right she had just been in to much in denial to admit it even to her self. They had experienced so many bad things together and yet here she was all alone and trapped inside a cell with nothing but a fur blanket. She couldn't stop her tears as they began to run down her face before she could stop them, she didn't care if any one could see her or even hear her it didn't matter anymore. Bastiaan pulled his hand back slightly if he could reach this woman he would have tried to comfort her but he couldn't reach her. He looked over at Alexia seeing the sad expression in her eyes, everyone around them had gone quite.
8
Iona watched the huge metal doors which were surrounded by the large dark cavern opened slowly. She took in a deep breath before walking forward. "You summoned us highness." She bowed watching as Jiang did the same, her eyes darted around the huge dark room with its huge throne which was in the centre of the room. Ripped purple banners hung down showing their age. In the corner hung a huge battle which had a long black ripped cloak hanging down from it while on both of its shoulder were spikes rising upwards. There were hundreds of human bones littering the floor some were fresh and bloody from recent meals. She took in a sharp deep breath as a pair of glowing red blood red eyes with black pupils opened up slowly in the darkness.
The heavy steps sounded in the darkness as the huge nine-foot tall werewolf as he came towards them, its huge jaws opened revealing all of their long razor sharp teeth. The huge body black from head to foot and covered in muscle there were many old battle scars on the chest, arms and the face showing that this ancient werewolf had seen many battles. Its eyes narrowing as it shook its huge mane of black fur. "Why haven't you attacked?" Jiang calmly lowered himself on to one knee. "Great Emperor we were getting ready to do as you command." One of the werewolf's huge clawed hands rose up. "I want new warriors!" The hand slowly closed forming a fist. "I want them now! Do you hear me?"
Jiang looked up slowly meeting the glowing red gaze. "Great Emperor we will for fill your wish." Iona folded her arms as she stood up. "Highness can't we just destroy the city? We have more than enough werewolves to do so." The huge werewolf snarled as it eyed her. "No you will not destroy it you fool you will do as I command!" Iona lowered her head again. "Why so slow? I mean we've wiped out ten villages it would be so easy just too…" She lowered her head further as an ear splitting roar hit the air. The huge werewolves face formed a cold sneer as he spoke. "Never question my motives!" Iona lowered herself on to one knee. "My apologise highness." Jiang stood up. "I will ready one of our best parties they will spill blood in your name Emperor." The huge werewolf turned slightly. "Go now both of you!" Lycaon watched as both of the huge metal door were closed behind them as they left, he heard the sound of the massive bolts outside going across. He slowly sat down on his throne which was caved from metal and decorated in human bones. His gaze travelled upwards to glowing red words above the huge prison door his gaze drifted across the words as he felt the anger boil up inside his stomach.
To open these doors one must take from others willing and unwilling. These have to live in the great city that lies between the realm of a great king and the two dead Kings of the forgotten age. Living essence must be taken from the mighty, some from the innocent, some from the dead and some from the weak. When all are mixed the walls of the night lords prison will break.
His huge ears rose up as he looked around him sensing a vile presence. "Show yourself god!" His gaze narrowed as the god of war appeared close to his throne. Ares felt a cold smile form as he looked up. "So you're Lycaon, the king of all werewolves." Lycaon roared with his might as looked straight in to the smiling face of the god of war. Ares looked up feeling his smile widen. "You're just as ugly looking as my father said you were." Lycaon felt a cold sneer form. "What do you want Ares?" Ares folded his arms. "I don't share my fathers view on you, I think trying to feed human flesh to him was very bold." The huge werewolf snarl hit the air before he spoke in a cold voice. "One day I will rule all of Arcadia again!"
Ares shrugged his shoulders. "When you're able to leave this cavern that is which you can't." He smirked. "Because you're bound here by a spell that you can not break." Lycaon narrowed his gaze. "My own sons put me here, they betrayed me for humans!" Ares turned meeting his glowing red gaze. "That's the reason your going so slow on the city." He folded his arms. "You think that it may have the answer to your freedom." Lycaon opened his jaws slightly. "Why are you really here?" Ares narrowed his gaze. "I want to make a deal with you. If you do something for me, I'll give you the means to leave this rotting cavern that's held you for so long." He looked up watching as the deadly jaws formed a wide smile.
8
Gabrielle looked up wiping the tears away from her face she looked up realizing that she was being watched. She looked up meeting the concerned gaze of a brown haired soldier who was looking down at her through the sidebars. Bastiaan breathed in painfully before speaking. "Please don't cry, what ever it is I'm sure it's going to be okay." Gabrielle tensed feeling the burning anger as it over look her before she could stop it. She knew that voice it was the voice of the man who had stumbled in hers and Xena's camp a few days ago. She recognised his face with its brown hair and dark blue eyes. That same stupid ugly werewolf had bitten her and it was his fault! He had led it in to the camp!
Bastiaan watched as the young woman stood up so she was facing him the only thing separating them was the iron-bared window he pulled his hand back through the bars. Gabrielle forced her hand through the bars grabbing his torn shirt before he could move back. "You!" Bastiaan looked up meeting her green eyes which were filled with intense rage. Gabrielle breathed in trying to control her anger. "You stupid son of Bacchae, you brought that werewolf in to our camp!" Bastiaan raised his hands. "Please I meant no wrong if I could take it back I would!" He felt her grip tighten. "I know you must hate me and I don't blame you." Gabrielle felt her body freeze on the spot what in Tartarus was she doing?
She was angry with herself and she just wanted someone to blame, this man was just an easy target for her to take that anger on, because of the predicament she was in. This was an awful thing for her to do this man was suffering just as much as she was. It wasn't his fault that she had gotten bitten, she was the one who had tried to fight that werewolf not him. She breathed out painfully gaining some control over her anger. "I don't hate you…" She gently released her grip as she pulled her hand back through the bars feeling her self start to calm down. "I'm so sorry." She walked away from the side bars looking down at the floor as she spoke. "It wasn't your fault." She shook her head. "It was mine…I thought I was being brave and now I have been cursed because of it."
Bastiaan put his arm through the bars. "You were defending the one you love, I would call that brave." He raised his hand. "I ran when that werewolf attacked my men." Gabrielle moved closer to the cells front bars putting her hands on both of them she pulled on them forcefully hearing the metal grind. "That werewolf was a she I know it, I can feel it." Bastiaan lowered his gaze as her words sunk in. "You know come to think of it…I think it was a she, I don't know how I know that ether." Gabrielle pulled the bars even more forcefully. "Is there any way to get out of here?" Bastiaan shook his head. "No…and believe me we have all tried." Gabrielle pulled on the bars once more but with even more force. "All they need is to give me a collar and chain then this cell will be complete."
She grabbed the bars pulling on them with all her might hearing the metal groan but not move an inch. "Yeah that would be just great…" Alexia laughed as she looked up meeting the blonde woman green gaze. "I've been waiting for them to do that for ages, trust me though the soldiers aren't stupid they won't go inside theses cells they will push your food in through a slot." She eyed the empty food bowl next to her. "Karsten was got very close to escape once though he broke the soldier's legs…never got the keys though." Gabrielle looked around her eyeing the cells. "Who's Karsten?" A gruff voice hit the air. "I'm Karsten! It's a pleasure to meet you Gabrielle." Gabrielle turned in the direction of his voice. "How do you know my name?" Alexia turned sharply. "Bastiaan told us your name."
Alexia's felt her smile turn to a grin as Gabrielle looked in Bastiaan's direction. "I'm Alexia and it's very nice to see another woman in here. I finally have someone I can talk who doesn't want to talk constantly about swords and smiting." Karsten smirked as he spoke. "Oh yes and now you can talk about dresses and hair styles…lucky you." Alexia eyed him for a long moment. "Well it's better than that sword you always talk about." She raised her hand. "The one that the general stole from you and is now using in battle." Karsten laughed as he looked up. "It's a beautiful sword you'd like it." Alexia's gaze travelled upwards. "I'm going to get undressed…midnights almost here." She paused turning towards others. "You all should." Her gaze drifted to Gabrielle. "You really should, those are nice clothes."
End of part 9
Silvermoonlight