Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

Blue Eyes, White Horse, and a Chakram

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Chapter 28: Never the Same

There was a silence that hovered over the clearing. The Heralds and Companions alike were in haze of shock and awe. This was the first time that they had truly seen Xena in action. The battle lust, the drive, the power that was evident when she fought, it was all new to them. The callous way that she had treated the Black Solider, the ruthless method she used to interrogate him, and the way that she caught that dagger, it was all like something out of a story. No one had ever seen anyone do anything like that before.

To Xena and Gabrielle, this was nothing new, but there was a silence between them as well. Their eyes met, and without the use of words or MindSpeech, the question was asked, and Gabrielle nodded, lowering her eyes to the ground as the pain of her act suddenly overcame her. She had killed him.

Xena, ignoring the man she had just questioned, turned. Through her peripheral vision she could see that the Heralds had begun to move to secure the fallen Black Soldiers. Her eyes though, were firmly fixed on Gabrielle. The bard had managed to get a hold of her shields and slammed them down tight. Xena was getting no reading from her, other than the look of anguish on her face, until she reached out to touch her.

When their skin came in contact the warrior was overcome with emotion. There was regret and disbelief and pain. She did the only thing she could, and drew the bard tight to her in a loving embrace. Xena just stood there and let Gabrielle melt into her, letting the emotions pour into her soul that she shared with Gabrielle.

It was still quiet. Xena looked up and realized that they were waiting for orders from her. She groaned inwardly, while at the same time projecting the cold-hard leader role that she so often portrayed. "Secure the area," she commanded. "Leave the dead where they have fallen. Treat the wounded, and make sure they are under lock and key, heavily guarded. I don't want anyone taking any chances. Post guards in this area. I don't want anyone disturbing it until I've had a chance to look at it."

She then turned to Gabrielle. In her heart she just wanted to grab the bard and take off. She wanted to find a safe place where they could be alone, but she knew she had a duty to perform. She looked down at the bard, who was still clinging to her tightly.

"Gabrielle?" Xena said softly. Getting no answer she stepped back, putting the bard at arm's length, and forcing her to look into her eyes. "Gabrielle," she said again. This time through eye contact, she got an acknowledgement from the bard. "I want you to go with the prince. Make sure he is safe, alright?"

"Xena, I…" Gabrielle started.

"I know. I know. We will talk about it later. Right now I need you to do this for me ok?"

"Ok," the bard whispered.

Xena took a moment and through her touch sent a wave of reassurance and affection toward Gabrielle. Mentally she sent, :I love you Gabrielle, don't lock me out:

The bard nodded, reassured by the warrior's feeling and words. Gabrielle then turned and mounted Lysander. She reached down assisting the prince up next to her and settled him in front of her in the saddle.

Xena noted three other Heralds that had also mounted, forming point guards around the bard and the prince. The warrior watched as Gabrielle and her escort headed back toward the palace grounds before turning her attention back to the clearing.

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"They were gated in," Darryl explained.

"Gated?" asked Xena.

"It's like a magical portal. It can be opened from a one location to another, usually over a great distance. It can be used to move people, even entire armies."

"How can you tell?" she asked.

"Like anything else, it leaves a mark. A gate is a very powerful spell; very few can do one alone. Usually it is done with the help of many."

"Can you show me?"

"Yes. Close your eyes and focus."

Xena did so, reaching out and feeling for the power, as Darryl instructed her. For the first time she realized what she was doing. She had done this many times before, always calling it a sixth sense or her warrior sense. Reaching out she could feel the power, like little streams that crisscrossed a valley, or like a threads of a spider web glimmering in her mind's eye.

"Good," Darryl instructed. "Now the lines, those are ley-lines. Use your senses to run along them until you find a disturbance."

Xena did so, following the lines in her mind. Suddenly she found a dark spot. It was devoid of energy and the lines running through it were altered, weak, and sickly. Opening her eyes she walked to the spot she had seen in her mind's eye. Standing on the spot made her stomach turn. There was an evil here. The land in this area was poisoned. "It's sick, like it's been defiled," she said. "I can feel evil here."

"Yes, this gate was opened here. It was created by a mage using Blood magic," Darryl answered grimly.

"Blood magic?"

"It's the worst kind of magic," he answered, shaking his head. "It's when a mage kills, using the blood and energy from his victim to power his magic."

Xena nodded. She understood this. She knew was it was like to feed on the fear and the blood of others. Even though the idea of this magic would have enticed the old Xena, she could now see it for what it really was. It was evil in its truest form, and now she knew why she was here; it was her job to stop it.

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Out of the dozen attackers, only three had survived. One was still unconscious, the one barely conscious was refusing to talk, and the one that had asked for asylum, although he seemed willing to answer questions, wasn't as helpful as Xena had hoped. The only information she could get out of him is that he was pressed into service by someone he referred to as the Dark Lord. He was terrified of him, and was certain that he was going to be punished with a painful and horrific eternity. That was interesting, she thought, he hadn't said death. Eternity, perhaps this mage was more than just a mage. The way that the Black Solider had talked about him, he was more god-like than anything else. She had gotten the feeling from the Herald's that this place was different. They didn't have vengeful gods like at home, perhaps she was wrong.

It had taken Xena a few candlemarks to catch up with Gabrielle. The bard had seen to the prince's safety, making sure he understood that from now on it was important that he didn't wonder off and stayed within eye sight of someone who could protect him. He wasn't happy with his imprisonment, but after what he'd seen in the clearing he was scared, and for now that would keep him safe.

Xena and Gabrielle had been given new quarters close to the royal family. It had been deemed a good idea for them to stay close so they could aid in the prince's protection, and besides their old room didn't had a door anymore, or most of the wall either.

Xena entered the room quietly. She could feel Gabrielle's presence, and soon found the bard curled up on the enormous bed. Crossing the room, she sat down on the edge of the bed, , and gently stoked Gabrielle's hair.

Gabrielle opened her eyes, giving Xena a half smile. Xena returned the grin, and stoking the bard cheek remarked, "You're on my side."

Gabrielle's eyes immediately filled with water as she choked out, "Xena…"

Xena didn't let her finish, she simply scooped her up in her arms and settled back down on the bed. She held Gabrielle gently as the bard let her emotions flow. They held each other for a long time. Together they cried, together they talked, and together they made the first step towards understanding how Gabrielle's life would never be the same.