FROM THE DARKNESS OF THE FOREST

Jiang folded his arms looking at the fort through the trees his gaze drifted as he watched one of his warrior chew a chunk of meat which he'd pulled of a tree. Jiang raised an eyebrow eyeing the warrior again. "Tell me how many of these little meat chunks are lying around?" The warrior licked his claw. "Lots why?"

Jiang eased his hand up pulling one from the branch where it hung he brought it up to his nose sniffing it, he narrowed his gaze. "This is laced with something…" He watched the five warriors stop still who'd been eating it. The first slowly looked at the others who hadn't touched it at all. "What is it poison?"

Jiang shook his head. "No it isn't poison but what ever it is its bad and you shouldn't be eating it." Eryx pulled up sharply looking at the fire warriors. "You heard your lord! Stop eating it!" The five warriors all in werewolf form stopped instantly before looking at each other. Eryx growled aloud tapping his clawed hand as he looked at his Jiang. "You know those chunks could've been from the wagon."

Jiang shook his head putting his hands in his robe. "No…they were put there on purpose." His gaze narrowed as he looked up at the forts huge walls. "It's Xena and the rebel Gabrielle." Eryx snorted aloud. "Are you sure?" Jiang turned slowly eyeing the werewolf general. "I'm positive…Xena's not stupid and her rebel lover seems far from foolish."

Eryx raised his clawed hand. "Human poisons and herbs don't work on werewolf's though…Iona tested most on the other rebel group who refused to join us after they were captured." Jiang nodded. "That is true…that group weren't an issue though we killed hem all." He turned suddenly hearing gagging sounds from the warriors behind him.

He watched as the five who'd eaten the meat hit the ground hard they began to throw up. Eryx pulled back in horror he put a clawed hand on his snout. "What in Tarturus?" Jiang found his gaze narrowing as he watched the scene he breathed in slowly and deeply trying not to show his anger which would trigger his transformation.

He looked at the others. "Leave them…what ever this is it probably wont kill them just immobilise them." He stroked his thin beard. "We have a deal to seal and we can pick them up on the way back." Eryx looked at the other werewolf warriors who all looked horrified. "You heard your lord! Move it now towards Messene!"

8

Xena turned sharply she eased the skirt around the furry waist only to feel her lover move sharply. "Hold still Gabrielle!" Gabrielle snorted aloud as she was shoved slightly she breathed in sharply feeling the skirt tighten as it was tied up correctly. She ignored Kyra's smirk as the Amazon leaned against the wall folding her arms.

It was her own fault for not realizing that night fall had come, only moments after Kyra had knocked she found herself jumping of the bed feeling the horrible heat that came with her transformation which was over as quickly as it had begun. Her lover had got washed and dressed before opening the door to let the Amazon in.

Xena stepped back from the Gabrielle noticing that she was playing with the skirt's front with her claws. "It looks good on you." Kyra laughed slightly watching as Gabrielle raised her tail causing part of the skirts back to be pulled up to far. "You know I don't think you considered how her tail would move with that skirt."

Xena breathed in annoyance as she grabbed her lover's tail. "I'll have to cut it at the back so she can move it." Gabrielle turned sharply feeling her right ear prick up. "Oh that's just great you spend two dinars on it and now you want to cut it." She growled aloud why was she bothering to say that aloud? It wasn't like anyone understood what she was saying.

Xena pulled up sharply her hand slowly moved around the red jewelled necklace which she looked at for a moment. She looked up watching as Kyra stood up sharply realizing that something was out of place. Her gaze drifted to Gabrielle whose voice had suddenly hit the air a moment ago she could hear the growls which echoed behind it.

She looked at Gabrielle for a long moment watching the ears go flat again as she yawned showing of her razor sharp teeth. Kyra took a step forward. "Is something wrong?" Xena looked at the necklace again it really did work on people who hadn't been changed. She pulled out her breast dagger her smile widened.

Gabrielle shook her head hearing the rip as the dagger sliced through the Hessian material at the back. Xena pulled the long tail again only harder. Gabrielle swung her head around. "You know that hurts." Xena smiled slightly listening to her sound of her lover's voice. "You know this is for your own good."

Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "You're pulling my tail...how is that for my own good?" She stopped feeling herself breathe in sharply as she met her lovers gaze. Xena smiled not breaking away from the green eyes. "I'm sorry…it's just you weren't keeping it still." Gabrielle blinked feeling herself go completely still she studied her lovers blue gaze for a moment.

She eased up her clawed hand slowly. "You can understand what I'm saying?" Xena eased up the necklace slightly. "You were right this does work on those who haven't been turned." Kyra raised an eyebrow as she walked forward. "You can understand what she's saying?" Xena watched as Gabrielle turned fully around to face her. "I can, it even sounds like her."

Kyra eased up her hand only to have Xena slap it before she could touch the necklace. "Hey! I want a go." Xena sneered slightly. "You'll get your own later." Gabrielle turned as the door opened slightly a brown clawed hand gripped the wood as Bastiaan stuck his head around door. She snarled aloud eyeing him. "Don't you ever knock?"

Bastiaan pulled back as he lowered his ears. "Sorry…its just there's a serious problem." Xena turned eyeing the brown werewolf whose voice she couldn't hear at all. She narrowed her gaze in annoyance why couldn't she hear him? Kyra eyed her as she folded her arms. "What's he saying?" Xena grunted aloud. "I don't know I can't hear him, I can only hear her voice."

Gabrielle took a slow step forward. "What's wrong?" Bastiaan looked down slightly. "Lycaon's troops are here…there standing in a line outside the front gates." Xena moved forward putting a hand on Gabrielle's arm she watched as her head turned to meet her gaze. "I can't hear what he's saying…I can only hear your voice his just sounds like growling."

Gabrielle nodded calmly. "Lycaon's troops are here there waiting outside the gates." Xena turned eyeing the Kyra. "We have to move now." Kyra raised an eyebrow. "Why what's happening?" Xena narrowed her gaze as she picked up her Chakram and sword of the floor. "Lycaon's troops are here they've come for Iona."

8

Demetrius folded his arms as he eyed the Chinese warlord who face had a smirk on it. He watched the man stroke his long thin beard. "What do you want?" His gaze narrowed as the soldiers on the wall pulled there bows back reading there arrows. Jiang stroked his beard again watching as his troops came forward snarling.

He raised his hand stopping them. "I'm here to speak to Xena and the rebel leader." He raised his eyebrow. "I assume you're in charge?" Demetrius folded his arm not leaving the man's gaze. "Yes I am!" He sneered slightly. "I'd move your muscle back I'd hate to have to shoot them." Jiang raised his hand slowly. "As you wish."

Eryx moved forward. "You're not going to listen to that pathetic human are you?" Jiang eyed him. "This is a meeting not a bloodbath general…move the elite troops back." He heard the general snarl aloud as he did as he was told. Demetrius's gaze turned suddenly as Bastiaan leaped up on to the wall close by one of the soldiers.

It was followed by Karsten leaping on to the other side of the wall they both roared at the troops bellow them. Jiang stroked his beard eyeing the two rebel soldiers. "Most interesting…it would seem the rebels want to show of there best muscle as well." Eryx turned slightly. "What do you suppose the forest green sash and single gleaming shoulder guard is all about?"

Jiang eyed the rebels carefully. "Probably some weak protest." He smiled. "It won't mean much when they join the other four rebel groups in their grave." Eryx breathed in sharply. "Yes but they where all lead by foolish leaders with more muscle than brains." Jiang nodded calmly. "True…but every rebel leader so far has had a weakness."

He turned slightly. "We just need to work out what this ones is. We can already take power of this list as that was what Iona offered." Demetrius turned sharply watching as Xena moved up the steps, he leaned over keeping his voice low as she stood next to him. "Where in Tarturus have you been? I've got problems here!"

Xena sneered slightly eyeing the large werewolf group bellow with its one human leader who was smiling. She leaned over keeping her voice as low as possible. "Spending time with Gabrielle, is that okay or do you want me to go in to details?" She watched Demetrius pull back not quite knowing what to say, he shook his head. "No…that's fine."

She turned back seeing the soldiers take up positions bellow along with the werewolf who had two new members joining them. The unfortunate men who had survived the last battle now wore the same green sashes and metal guard on there right shoulder on there furry bodies. She eyed Demetrius. "What is with the green sashes and where did the shoulder armour come from?"

She eyed the werewolf who was missing an arm watching as Demetrius pulled up his hand. "I don't know, it was apparently Christos's idea. He just pulled out the gleaming shoulder armour we don't know where he got it from though." He eyed the group again who were awaiting Gabrielle's arrival. "He said that green sashes would represent the leader well."

Xena shook her head she couldn't disagree with that idea, her gaze turned back to the group. "I seriously need to talk to Christos that man knows so much, more than I feel he's letting on." Demetrius folded his arms. "We'll both talk to him." Xena eased herself up slightly looking over the wall again she smiled slightly as the Chinese grinned back. "You must be Jiang!"

Jiang looked up at the tall dark haired woman with blue eyes. "Xena…it's so nice to meet you in person!" He twirled his beard around his finger. "I can see why my men fear you so much you're so much more frightening to look at in person." Xena eyed the warlord she kept her eyes fixed on his as she leaned on the wall. "What do you want Jiang?"

Jiang smirked slightly. "I only wish to talk to the great Warrior Princess who so successful destroyed my army back in China." Xena raised an eyebrow. "Stop trying to flatter me I find it pitiful especially from you." Jiang raised his hand moving his first finger. "Very well…where is Gabrielle the leader of this werewolf rebellion?"

Xena turned as the sound of hard paws hitting the ground came from behind her she turned seeing the mass of golden fur that shone in the moonlight. Both Karsten and Bastiaan on ether side of the wall lowered there heads nodding respectfully. Jiang eyed the rebel leader for a long moment seeing that the green eyes were burning in to him.

He breathed in slowly eyeing the rebel leader who stood behind the Xena like some kind of protector. "Golden fur…I thought that was an over exaggeration." Eryx growled aloud in disgust. "Obviously not." Jiang took a step forward not breaking away from her gaze. "So nice it is to finally see you Gabrielle, in the flesh."

Gabrielle snarled aloud making sure that he caught sight of all her teeth. Xena put a hand on the furry waist pushing her back slightly. "I'm going only to ask one more time what do you want?" Jiang put a hand on his beard again. "I wish for the release of Iona." Karsten found himself suddenly laughing aloud which caused the warlord to sneer.

Jiang eyed the rebel warrior for a moment. "What do find so funny rebel?" Karsten eased up her clawed hand not bothering to hide the smirk on his face. "That you would want her back after she took such a beating." Jiang raised an eyebrow. "Your opinion over the whole event means nothing to me rebel scum."

He turned back to Xena keeping his eyes fixed on hers. "I have something in return that might interest you both." He moved his gaze the rebel leader. "It's an offer from Lycaon which I'm sure you'll both find most interesting?" He eased his hand in his pocket pulling out a number of gems which glistened in the moonlight.

He raised them making sure that they could both see them. "This is but a taste of the gold and jewels Lycaon has with in his keep. It makes the gold of the now weak Greek king's looks like no more than little piles." He shook the gems watching the Warrior Princess raise her eyebrow. "You could have all this and more if you end the rebellion and give Iona back to us."

He smiled widely. "You and Gabrielle could live out your lives in rich bliss." He smirked slightly. "Lycaon has also promised that he won't do any harm to you despite what you've done and your obvious violation of his most sacred law." Xena leaned forward slightly. "Tell us what sacred law would that be? I'm curious?"

Jiang grunted aloud. "Being with a werewolf on an intimate level is not permitted under Lycaon's rule Xena." He leaned forward. "A werewolf with a human partner becomes pathetic and soft. If there female they also give birth to weak offspring which will weaken Lycaon's pure blood line." Demetrius turned watching as Alexa growled shaking her red mane.

Jiang shook the gems again. "So Xena what are your thoughts on my offer?" Xena ignored him turning slightly to Gabrielle who narrowed her gaze she lowered her voice to a whisper. "Jiang would never hand over gold or gems he'd want them for himself." Gabrielle growled aloud. "It's blood money taken from those who couldn't protect themselves."

She looked up slightly making sure her voice was still low. "Lycaon's a disgusting monster he'd kill us both even if we did go with this deal." Xena folded her arms keeping her gaze fixed on her lovers. "You know that from your dream." She watched as Gabrielle nodded. She put a hand on her chin. "Jiang won't leave without getting what he wants which is Iona."

She eased up her hand stroking some of the long golden mane. "This means we'll have no choice but to fight them." Gabrielle found herself nodding sadly as she looked over at the warriors bellow. Xena turned eyeing the Chinese warlord. "I have no interest in your deal nether does Gabrielle." She narrowed her gaze. "So leave!"

Jiang pulled back in utter confusion. "You would be foolish enough to turn down an offer that the Greek Kings would plead for!" Xena folded her arms as she turned slightly. "I have no interest in your gold or your gems Jiang. Your offer means nothing to me." He eyed the jewelled necklace around the Warrior Princess's neck. "I see Xena that you've already found out about the rune gem necklaces and what they do."

He smirked slightly. "You might be able to hear more than just Gabrielle…if yours wasn't such an old version." Xena sneered at him before turning away from his gaze. Gabrielle stepped forward slowly. "Iona won't be freed." Jiang snarled in annoyance. "Oh so you do speak…I thought Xena liked to speak for you. I'm surprised my offer doesn't interest you."

Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "I don't want anything you have to offer." Jiang snarled aloud. "You're a foolish young woman Gabrielle!" He raised his hand. "Four foolish rebel leaders before you died because they wouldn't pledge there allegiance! You should kneel before your great Emperor Lycaon otherwise you'll be joining them!"

Gabrielle breathed in slowly as she leaned over the wall meeting his gaze. "I will never kneel to king Lycaon." She raised her clawed hand. "He isn't even a free king he's trapped inside a cavern which was built by Athena! He can't even open the locks that hold him in that place!" She closed her clawed hand. "You should leave…"

Jiang pulled back in utter shock, he listened as the warriors behind him went quite. How did she know that? That wasn't well known information it had been kept from most of his werewolf army. There was no way ether that Iona would've have given up that information no matter how much they'd made her suffer endlessly.

The only way Gabrielle would know about that was if she'd actually been to Lycaon's carven. Xena slowly eased out her sword, she put her hand on the fur of her lovers back stroking slightly trying to calm her down. "You heard her Jiang now leave!" Jiang turned slightly before easing out his long Chinese blade with its jade and leather hilt. "I'm not leaving Xena!"

He twirled the blade. "Not without what I came for!" He turned looking at his warriors. "I want the rebel leader!" He turned eyeing Gabrielle. "I want her now!" He snarled in anger he didn't care that he was going against his mighty Emperors orders he would have the rebel what ever it took. Iona could wait she wasn't important right now.

Eryx turned sharply. "My lord your orders were for Iona!" Jiang looked at him. "I don't care for my previous orders!" He raised his hand pointing at Gabrielle. "Get her! I want her alive!" Eryx roared aloud. "You heard your lord! Get the rebel leader!" He watched as the troops ran towards the wall leaping upwards as they began to climb."

Xena back flipped landing only to feel the hard ground as her feet hit the floor she twirled her sword watching and the other two werewolf's leapt of the wall. "Ready the traps now!" Demetrius pulled up both his swords the other being Karsten's which gleamed in the moonlight. "Fire your arrows don't let those bastards in here!"

8

Iona licked her lips as she eased up the dagger clicking it in to the lock which grinded as it came loose. She smiled pushing the door of the cell slowly open. "Pathetic really pathetic did they actuality think they could keep us here?" Apostolos razor toothed smile widened as she walked up to the bars of his cage pushing on the door.

Iona smiled as she stepped back watching as his clawed hand shoved the door to the cage open. He walked out slowly his clawed feet touching the floor she smiled him slipping the dagger in her wrist guard. "Now I don't know about you but I'm famished." Her gaze turned the healer who suddenly began to show fright.

Apostolos moved forward sniffing the air he turned eyeing Iona. "Yes food." Iona clicked her finger as she flicked the dagger out again using in to open the doors lock. "Well he looks nice and fresh." She raised her hand looking at her nails. "Kill him for me…then once we've eaten we can get on with ruining Xena and Gabrielle's lives."

Apostolos pulled the cells door back full force stepping over the man who screamed in terror as the clawed hands went towards him. Iona turned her back smiling as the sounds of teeth biting flesh hit the air. It was followed by a long drawn out scream of agony which seem to linger. She turned watching as blood hit the walls.

She watched as a served arm was tossed her way she slowly picked it up ignoring the blood as it ran under her boots. Apostolos had gone complexly insane there was no doubt about it. She pulled up her hand watching as the claws started to break through her nails she hated having to hold of on transforming.

End Of Part 20

By Silvermoonlight.