Eternal
Spirit
Chapter
14
Darkness slivered through the skies masking the last drop of sunlight from view. Gabrielle paced back and forth trying to remain calm. I can't stand this anymore. It's been hours, where are you Xena? She paused and sighed heavily in frustration. She ran her fingers through her hair nervously. She closed her eyes embracing the silence around her. A memory callously seeped its way into her thoughts.
Draden hovered over the still body of the Amazon, grabbed hold of her hair roughly, and pulled her head towards him. He brought his lips to her ear and spoke in a soft whisper. "You will feel her touch but it will be mine that you remember. Hatred will consume the love you have for her. Wherever you seek peace only anger will be found. You are powerless…" A satisfied smile spread upon his face. "My dear Gabrielle, you couldn't even save yourself, how do you expect to save your Amazons or your precious little warrior princess?" He broke into cruel laughter and released his hold on her. With one arm he turned the limp Amazon over onto her back and met her weak gaze. Her reflection shined in his icy stare. Barely audible he murmured, "Even death couldn't free you."
Gabrielle shook her head slowly releasing a string of tears. Helpless…that is all I ever feel anymore. She wiped the tears from her cheeks but stopped abruptly when she heard what sounded like footsteps approaching her hut. She remained motionless for a few seconds and listened closely. She heard nothing. Quietly she took a few steps forward and took hold of her staff. Again she heard the faint sound of footsteps coming closer. She made her way to the side of the door, with her staff in hand, and waited. Focus Gabrielle. The closer the footsteps got the louder they became. One more step, c'mon, one more. Without hesitation Gabrielle knocked the intruder backwards pinning them by the throat with her staff. Anger surged through her. "What are you…" she stopped mid-sentence focusing on the figure beneath her. "Lea?" She quickly released the young girl worry replacing the anger in her expression. "I'm so sorry Lea, are you alright?" Extending her hand she helped the visibly shaken girl to her feet. Gabrielle knelt before the 6 year-old child and cupped her chin in her hand. "Lea, are you alright?"
The young girl sloppily wiped the mist from her face with the back of her hand and nodded.
"Please do not ever sneak up on me like that. I could have hurt you."
The child stuttered. "I know, I'm sorry."
She looked into the child's brown eyes warmly. "What are you doing out here this late?"
"I came to bring you a very important message," she stated simply as she rummaged through her clothing for the letter.
Gabrielle scrunched her face in confusion. "Message from who Lea?"
"It's here somewhere. I know I have it." The child started patting herself. "Found it!" she exclaimed happily. She held out a slightly crumpled letter to her Queen. "Here it is Gabrielle," Pride settled delicately on her face.
Gabrielle took the letter from her hesitantly and then turned to the child sternly. "Who gave you this letter?"
"I don't know. I was walking back to the hut and this man stopped me and said he needed my help. He said he…"
"Wait a minute Lea. Man? What man?" Her expression alarmed the child and she started to cry softly. "Lea it's alright. I'm not angry with you. Listen to me," she raised her chin up with her index finger. "This is very important. What did this man look like?" she questioned gently.
The child sniffled. "He was a little taller than you and had light colored hair. His eyes were green and he talked a little funny."
That definitely was not Draden. Oh Lea what in the name of the Gods were you doing out this late by yourself? She brushed the loose strands of brown hair from the child's face and spoke to her calmly. "He didn't try to hurt you did he?"
The young Amazon shook her head. "Oh no he was nice. He needed my help. He said that he had a very important message that had to get to the Queen right away but he couldn't take it himself. I told him I could do it for him." She paused thoughtfully. "He gave me the letter and said that it was very important I take this right to you and not let anyone else see it. So I waited in the tree for everyone to go and then I came straight here," she finished with a nod.
Gabrielle breathed a small sigh of relief and took both the child's hands within her own. "Lea, you know men are not allowed on Amazon land. If you ever see anyone in the village that you do not know or that should not be here, I want you to run and tell someone. You are not to talk to anyone you do not know and I don't want you out after dark without someone with you, ok?"
"Okay," she complied lowering her head.
Gabrielle patted her hand and smiled tenderly. "Good. I want you to head back to the children's hut. You are missing out on all the fun they are having over there. Better hurry," she finished with a wink.
Lea looked up and smiled at Gabrielle and then ran out of the hut giggling. Gabrielle turned her attention to the letter lying on the ground beside her. The words "My Dear Gabrielle" scribbled on the front took her breath.