SINK BELLOW THE WATERS IN DESPAIR
Gabrielle felt the pain as it burned through her already wounded leg. Her gaze opened slowly to the river side's beach area which she was laying on everything seemed like a horrible blue. The only thing she could remember was grabbing Xena so the woman was in front of her and protected during the fall in to the water.
Her back had taken the full impact when they'd hit the water the rest was just blurry details of swimming underwater before surfacing. She used one hand to bring the half conscious warrior to the surface then she had swum towards one of river banks. She could only just remember pulling her lover on to the beach before passing out.
Her gaze drifted to her clawed hands which were clutching the sand she looked at the still wet fur she hadn't changed back. Her gaze drifted to her leg again she could move her toes on her foot which was a good sign. She breathed in painfully trying to fight the urge to collapse she turned slowly catching sight of her lover.
The warrior was lying on her side unmoving her long dark hair splayed out. She could see that the pack was still slung around her shoulder her sword and Chakram were also still in place. She moved forward on her knees. She eased the pack off while using her hand other to gently roll the warrior on to her back.
Her lovers face looked pale she could now see the all the damage she had done. She could see long cuts and bruised area's they all stuck out horribly against the bronze skin. She eased up her clawed hand slowly putting two fingers on the woman's neck only to feel her self breathe out heavily as she felt a slow pulse.
She slowly moved her fingers trying to feel for broken bones, her breath seemed to falter again as she felt a broken lower rib. Her lover's skin was ice cold to the touch she turned shaking her fur watching as spray of water hit the beach. She had to get her lover out of here and to safety Lycaon's troops would be soon be after them.
She turned sharply putting the soaking wet bag over her arm then she leaned down gently picked up the warrior so she supported by both her hands. She turned sharply ignoring the pain in her head as it started up again she had to find some one who could help her. Her wounds needed stitching and her ribs bandaging.
The cold shallow feeling slowly engulfed her this was all her doing, all her lovers wounds were from by her own hand and it made her feel awful. She felt herself start to shake she could now see it all playing out in clear as crystal detail in front of her eyes. Very blow she'd given her lover who hadn't fought back.
She'd tossed her around like some rag doll as she'd been kicked her and thrown in to the solid stone walls of Lycaon's keep. She'd even tried to bite her head off, which had been the only time Xena had fought back by smashing a skull in to her face. It was like some horrible nightmare which she didn't want to be real.
She could feel her self breathing in faster as the panic took over, she couldn't stop her limps from shaking it was difficult to breathe her chest felt like it going to explode. She couldn't stop the scream coming or the tears that followed it. Her worst nightmare had come true and she'd been manipulated in to doing it by Lycaon.
She felt herself choke the worst part of it was every time she'd hit the warrior she'd enjoyed it. She'd enjoyed seeing her blood flow it had made her want to hit her harder just to see her suffer more. The thought of seeing her lying in a pool in her own blood and suffering was thrilling she'd wanted the woman to know what pain was and what it felt like to be weak and not be able to fight back.
In her minds eye she'd seen her own pain when being dragged behind the horse to the cliff and to her death. She wanted the woman to know that same pain in all its horrible glory. She lowered her gaze feeling her breathing return slowly to normal. She had become no better than Iona and Jiang and now her lover was wounded by her hand because of it.
She took a slow step forward feeling only pain in her right leg which caused her to limp. She couldn't fix her wounds but there had to be someone who could. She carried on walking her gaze turned to sun which was setting, she had no idea were she was or were to go. She breathed in trying to ignore the pain in her body
8
Lycaon smashed the temple doors open full force he watched as one of them came of its hinges smashing in to the ground. "How dare Athena build a temple here!" Jiang nodded looking outside at the dark sky. "Both myself and Iona believe it was done on purpose to stop anyone from finding you."
Lycaon slowly stepped on to the grass outside the temple he couldn't remember there being grass on the mountain the last time he'd ever seen it, it had been a dirty dank mountain with out any trees . He took another step watching as the huge valley come in to view its once barren land now covered in a forest of trees.
He looked up his eyes widening as he looked up at the moon which was the same as it had ever been in his memory. He turned looking all around him as he breathed in the long forgotten smells of grass and woodland. He sniffed again smelling something very familiar the stench of fire and death.
His gaze moved slowly as he caught sight of the smoke rising up, he snarled moving forward. He could see the hundreds of warriors gathering as he came forward. All had weapons and shields some had turned to there other form, they were all looking in his direction some with horror others with awe.
Lycaon carried on moving he narrowed his gaze as the sight of hundreds of warriors lying ether wounded or dead came in to view. He ignored the other warriors as they followed him towards the huge bridge who's pillars were still burning. He snarled in anger looking at the section that was missing he looked down seeing it floating on the water.
"Kneel to your King!"
He turned slowly his gaze meeting that of a general who he recognised as Apostolos the huge grey werewolf was missing one of his arms and his half of his face was burnt down to muscle. There were also huge areas where burnt skin replaced fur. Lycaon snarled aloud in disgust what a pathetic excuse for a warrior.
He eased up his hand slowly watching as all the warriors suddenly bowed down even those with similar injuries kneeled. He could see the elite warriors behind them quickly doing the same. His gaze turned back to the general. "So you're Apostolos." The general slowly bowed down. "Yes your mighty lordship."
Lycaon looked at the dead bodies littered around him and the burning bridge which had taken his last arm so much time to build. It now lay broken and burning and would take time to fix. "How many of my men have died?" Apostolos lowered his head. "Twenty five men have died the Warrior Princess also destroyed your bridge using Jiang's black powder."
Lycaon slowly smiled meeting his gaze. "Tell me where did Xena and Gabrielle go?" Apostolos looked up slightly he ignored the looks of disgust which both Jiang and Iona were giving him. "They were on a section of the bridge when it fell…I doubt they survived the fall in to the river bellow."
Lycaon growled aloud he slammed out his clawed hand grabbing the general by his shoulder he slowly lifted him up of the ground ignoring his cries of pain as his huge claws dug in to his already burnt flesh. He squeezed hearing him roar in pain as his shoulder bone cracked its sound hitting the air. "You refer me as your highness or Emperor!"
He raised him high he turned kicking a dead body out of way. "Since your mistake has cost me you will now join them in Tarturus!" Apostolos turned in terror. "Please! I had no idea that they had this planned!" Lycaon snarled aloud. "Quite! Because of you my mighty bridge has been ruined! Do you have any idea how much time my last army spent building it?"
He turned looking over at the water bellow all he could hear was the sudden frightened silence as both Jiang and Iona slowly backed away. He turned back to the general. "I hope if you do survive that you can swim." He didn't think as he threw the general full force. He could see the terror in his eyes as he was lunched past the burning pillars.
He heard the cry out in terror as the grey werewolf plummeted down wards he smiled evilly hearing the splash as hit the water bellow. His gaze slowly turned as he roared at all the warriors in front of him who stepped back in terror. "Any one who fails me will join him in Tarturus! I am your king and you will do everything I command with out question!"
8
Gabrielle narrowed her gaze as she ripped the moss free from the lower trunk of the tree. She eased up her clawed hand pulling some of the vines free, she had no idea if this would work and if it did it would be a temporary fix. She pulled the moss up using her jaws to rip one of the branches in half watching as the white liquid poured from it.
She eased up her hand with the moss watching as it soaked the moss, this sap was meant for taking away the pain from animals she had no idea if it worked on people. She looked at her clawed hands in anger what she wouldn't give to have fingers to grasp herbs. She shook her head walking back to were Xena was lying.
She'd propped the woman up against a tree she had kept her warm by using her own body to do so. She winced as she kneeled down at least her fur had some use. She slowly pushed the moss against the woman's large wounds while using her other to tie it down with the vines. She grunted aloud finishing the last wound.
She turned only to stop as a hand moved over her clawed fingers she turned slowly meeting the tired blue gaze. Xena breathed in watching as everything slowly came in to focus Gabrielle was looking at her green gaze reflecting sadness and uncertainty. She eased her hand slowly touching her face. "Hey…"
Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "Hey." Xena breathed in deeply running her finger over Gabrielle's left eye noticing one of the deeper swords wounds. "You...need stitches." Gabrielle tried to force a smile but it was a weak one, not that she felt it even looked like a smile anyway. More like her showing of her razor toothed jaws.
She looked up slightly. "You need to rest." Xena's smile widened as she tried to get up. "No I'm fine." She felt a horrible stinging pain which moved through her lower chest. Gabrielle pushed her back down gently. "One of your ribs is broken you shouldn't try to move around, you'll make it worse."
Xena narrowed her gaze. "You still haven't turned back…" Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "Maybe I will soon." Xena eyed her for a long moment so far her lover's eyes hadn't met her own once. She breathed in sharply looking at the moss that was wrapped around her legs with vines; she leaned over looking at some of the sap which was leaking out.
She turned slightly noticing that Gabrielle had backed away slightly. "Where are we?" Gabrielle looked up slightly. "Somewhere down the river…I don't know for sure." Xena winced painfully feeling the sap sting. "Are Lycaon's troops following us?" Gabrielle shook her slowly. "No I haven't seen any of them."
Xena rolled her eyes as her thoughts drifted back to the map she'd looked at. "They can't get down here easily…they have to scale back down the mountain side and the cross the smaller river bellow." She coughed painful. "It'll take them a while to get down here." She breathed in again feeling her body suddenly loose all strength.
Gabrielle turned watching as the warrior's blue eyes closed her body slowly sagged. She moved closer feeling the crushing weight of her own fears start to surface again. She breathed out heavily looking at the moon which was starting to rise she needed to find someone anyone who could help her.
She picked up the warrior gently trying to listen to the sounds of the night which were no more than the sounds of birds. She limped forward trying once again to ignore the tired feeling which was once more trying to consume her. She turned sharply as an odd sound hit her ears she eased one ear up listening harder hoping that it wasn't her imagination.
The sound of the bell hit her ears again, she slowly moved forward following the sound as it chimed again. She slowly stepped through the dark forest her eyes trying to stay focused on where she was going. It seemed like such a long hard walk through the trees and she could feel the wet mud under her feet.
She breathed in deeply hearing the bell chime once more, she watched as a stone building slowly came in to view its huge steps gleaming in the moon light. A priest and priestess stood outside finishing there ritual of chiming the large bell in front of the building. Both slowly made there way back up to the open temple doors.
Gabrielle stood perfectly still watching as one of them turned for a moment looking at the night sky before moving back in side the building. The huge doors were still open she limped forward slowly checking that no one ease was around. She moved forward slowly trying not to make any sound these people probably wouldn't help her but they'd help her lover.
They'd help her because she was human…she breathed in deeply trying to walk faster. Her feet moved slowly and with great effort every step stung painfully. Her gaze moved as the temples inside came in to view, a huge statue of Athena was at the far end while painting and tapestries lined all the walls.
She couldn't see the alter anywhere only a few burning candles which meant the whole temple was very dimly lit. There were a lot of silk blankets and furs near the statue. She gritted her teeth walking forward until she was close to them then gently lowered her lover on to one of the furs. She moved grabbing more furs and putting them over her.
She eased herself down slowly and painfully so she was level with the warrior's face. "I'm so sorry…that I did this to you." She breathed in trying to control her emotions. "These people can heal you, there Athena's followers." She eased up a clawed finger running it along her lover's cheek. "They can heal the wounds which I can't…"
"Hey!"
She found herself swinging around only to meet the stunned face of the priest who was standing close to the statue his hand holding a candle. Her body seemed to freeze as he raised the candle higher its light flashing across her face. She narrowed her gaze she didn't know what caused her suddenly cry out but she knew to the man in front of her that it sounded like a roar.
He jumped back almost dropping his candle, she didn't wait to see his next reaction as she bolted in to a run ignoring the pain in her wounded leg as she sprinted out of the temple doors and back in to the forest. She could feel the pack on her shoulder as she carried on moving ignoring the fact that she could feel her body slowing down.
8
Thaddeus pulled his hand up as he moved closer to the cave entrance. "You know we shouldn't be this far out, Lycaon's troops could be here." Iris grunted aloud. "Calicos told us to find out what that explosion was…I don't like being this far out ether." Thaddeus turned slightly as he looked at the cave entrance he could see muddy paw prints outside.
He raised the lit torch higher. "Hey, look at this." Iris moved closer spotting the deep muddy prints. "It could be one of Lycaon's troops." Thaddeus raised an eyebrow. "Possibly…but I'd rather find out for sure." Iris looked up sharply her eyes fixing on the blood spots on the stone. "Well they must be hurt…look at all the blood."
Thaddeus slowly eased his sword free. "Well let's not take any chances." He walked forward slowly watching as the light from his torch lit up the cave walls. He could hear breathing it was long drawn out and who ever was making it was struggling. He looked down catching sight of a pack lying on the ground.
Iris walked forward slowly picking it up. "It's not Lycaon's…the symbols missing." She shook it hearing one of the contents bang around. "It's quite heavy though." Thaddeus moved closer to her he raised his hand to his lips. "Quite I can hear breathing." Iris turned slightly catching the sound of heavy breathing.
She moved slowly in the direction it was coming from following Thaddeus who now looked concerned. Thaddeus looked up slightly catching sight of a clawed foot sticking out from behind one of the rocks. He took another slow step forward turning the torch as he raised his sword as he breathed in sharply.
Iris watched as the light flashed across a golden fur of a werewolf's body. The werewolf was lying on its side on the stone ground its eyes closed its mouth was half open and the tongue was moving its chest was rising slowly as it breathed out heavily. All over the body there were long cuts there blood was staining the fur.
The right leg looked the worst it was bleeding slightly and the wound looked as though it was very deep. The tail and ears were unmoving as were the clawed hands and feet. She slowly kneeled down who ever they were they were very badly injured and had somehow managed to get inside the cave before passing out from the pain.
She moved her hand up very slowly looking at one of the cuts. "These were made by swords." Thaddeus kneeled down looking at the wounded werewolf. "Who do you suppose he or she is?" Iris narrowed her gaze as she moved the head she eased open one of the eyes only to see the whites. "I have no idea."
She paused slightly. "Safe to say I think it's a she and she is in terrible shape." Thaddeus leaned closer. "Her healing process isn't working…I mean even if these wounds are fresh they should at least be partly healed." Iris slowly pealed back the lip looking at the pale gums, her gaze moved slightly. "Your right…this makes no sense."
Thaddeus moved hand slightly feeling the stomach area. "I don't think she's eaten, I mean there's no fat here." He moved his hand slowly pealing one of the eyes open again hoping to see the colour. "We should take her back with us maybe our healer can help her." Iris slowly put a hand under one of the arms. "Help me move her."
Thaddeus turned pulling a fur blanket from his pack, he leaned forward only to pull back sharply as the eyes suddenly shot open there forest green colour ablaze with fire. He didn't get a chance to move as the clawed hand swung out slamming in to his side. He felt the floor as he hit it hard on his back skidding slightly.
Iris pulled back only to feel pain as she was the other clawed hand hit her in the chest she felt the floor as she hit it. Thaddeus grabbed the flaming torch from where it had fallen he turned it sharply watching as the wounded werewolf slowly rose to her feet. He pulled back slightly as it roared angrily in his direction.
He breathed in slowly standing up he turned watching as Iris did the same. "I thought she was unconscious!" Iris breathed in painfully. "She was! She shouldn't even be standing in her condition." Thaddeus watched as the angry female werewolf took a step forward all her razor sharp teeth showing. "Hey easy now, we aren't going to hurt you."
Iris pulled back as another roar hit the air. "Oh yeah she's really friendly." Thaddeus turned sharply. "Give me the damn amulet so I can understand her." Iris breathed in as she tossed him the gem stone necklace. "You know she might not even make any sense…I mean look at her she's a mess."
Thaddeus slowly eased his sword up as he pulled the chain over his head the green eyes followed the weapon. He let go of watching as the weapon hit the floor. He raised his hand slowly taking a step forward. "Hey there's no need to be afraid we won't hurt you. We just want help you…your very badly wounded."
The green eyes narrowed he could see that she was trying make sense of what he'd said. He took another step closer only to pull back as the sound stomach churning hit the air. The golden head sudden pulled back, his gaze widened as she started to gag. The golden body bent over painfully all the muscles tensing.
He watched as a sudden rush of black liquid was brought up, it hit the floor hard it was a horrible thick sticky mass. The golden werewolf suddenly went still as her green eyes looked at it. Her body seemed to heave the green eyes slowly rolled back showing the whites. The golden body fell backwards hitting the stone floor once more.
It remained unmoving even as it suddenly started to change back, the limbs becoming slender and feminine. Thaddeus took a slow step forward watching as the face changed back. It was the face of a young woman who was in her early twenties she had very light blonde hair which was lighter than her fur had been.
He slowly moved forward covering her with the fur skin. All over her body were the sword wounds all now very noticeable because the pale skin, none of the wounds had healed. She wasn't very tall in fact she was even shorter than his lover Iris. Iris leaned down looking at the human face. "I don't know what that crap was that she brought up but it's probably better of out than in."
She turned the blonde head seeing the deep cut which had gone right through the woman's left eye. She eased the lips up again noticing that the teeth hadn't quite gone back to normal the canines on both the upper and lower jaw were slightly to long. "Lets get her back quickly she might not make it through the night if she doesn't get a healers help soon."
8
Xena slowly opened her eyes she blinked watching as everything slowly came in to focus. She turned slowly looked around her, she was inside some kind of temple. She eased up her hand looking at it she could see that bandages had been wrapped around her wounds. She raised an eyebrow feeling the cold.
Her gaze lowered she found herself grunting aloud someone had taken off her armour and her leathers now she was covered in fur blankets she turned slowly feeling the spike of pain still in her chest. Her clothes weapons were lying in a pile near by just out of her each. She slowly eased her hand towards the sword.
"She's awake!"
Xena turned watching as a priest suddenly appeared his smile widened as he put both hands together. "It's so good to see your awake we thought that you might not make it for a short while." He looked up at the statue. "Athena be blessed!" Xena turned slowly to where he was looking her gaze fell on the large statue of the goddess.
She turned back sharply. "Where's Gabrielle?" The priest turned looking at her in confusion. "Gabrielle?" Xena breathed in deeply how was she going to explain this? She gritted her teeth trying to find the right words. "She's blonde and..." The priest turned sharply. "There was no blonde woman brought in with you."
He turned shrugging slightly. "You were lucky to survive when I found you this golden oversized beast was about to rip your head off." He raised his hand slightly. "It ran away when I put the candle close to its face." Xena rolled her eyes as she put her head back on the pillow. This was just what she didn't need a narrow minded priest!
She snarled aloud. "She is not a beast." The priest pulled back in confusion. "I don't understand." Xena grabbed the fur she painfully pulled herself in to a sitting position wrapping it around her body. "That thing you call a beast is my friend her name is Gabrielle." She sneered slightly. "She saved my life."
The priest pulled back he put both hands together. "I've seen these creatures before there evil animals who kill people. Athena protects us from them!" Xena grunted in pain. "My friend is not evil and you obviously don't know a lot a about them if that's your perspective." The priest pulled up to say something but stopped as the door opened behind him.
A female priestess slowly walked forward. "I hate to interrupt but you're needed in another area of the temple." The priest shook his head for a moment before slowly making his way out of the room. The female priestess bowed in her direction she smiled slightly. "It's good to see that your awake, I'll get you something to eat."
Xena watched as they both left the room closing the doors behind them. She breathed out heavily this was just wonderful she was in a temple of Athena surrounded by narrow minded priests and Gabrielle was no where in sight. She stopped her train of thought as she felt something behind her, she sneered in disgust. "Ares…"
Her gaze turned as a flash of gold fire hit the air her gaze slowly met a pair of cold light blue eyes. The woman standing behind her wore a gold headdress her shoulder length red hair could be seen under the head dress. She also wore golden armour which had golden chain mail at the shoulders and a golden collar hung from her neck which attached to the golden bodice.
A brown leather skirt hung down, she could also see a gold belt with red jewels and wrist guards. The pale skinned woman gave her a cold look as she folded her arms while tapping her leather boots with there weaving patterns on the temples floor. "Despite that Ares is my brother I don't have the same stench as him."
Xena eyed her. "Athena well it's so nice for you to stop by. Let me guess things aren't going well on Mount Olympus right now. " Athena turned she eased up her hand the lock on the door across from them suddenly bolted shut. She leaned forward narrowing her gaze. "I don't care how you talk to my half wit brother but you won't toss your insolent remarks in my direction."
Xena suddenly felt her chest burn in pain as Athena raised her hand, she sneered as she narrowed her gaze. "What ever pain you have I'll make it far worse believe me." Xena breathed out heavily as the pain sudden subsided. "I get the point." Athena closed her hand slowly. "Good because I'd hate to have to cut your life short."
She turned slightly. "Even if you are no more than a play thing to Ares you have your uses, one of them being your relationship to Gabrielle." She breathed in deeply. "I've always liked her far more than you." Xena eased up her hand slowly. "Tell me something because I'm curious if you like Gabrielle so much, why did you allow her get turned?"
Athena smiled slightly. "I actuality thought you were a smart woman Xena." She leaned forward. "Shouldn't the answer be obvious to you of all people?" Her smile widened as she watched the woman search for the answer. She couldn't help but laugh as the horror showed in the warriors light blue eyes. "Oh have you finally put two and two together."
Xena stared at her. "You're going to use her to kill Lycaon…your going to make her in to the next Horn Hind." Athena eased up her finger. "Very good Xena you worked it out." She stood up slightly. "You didn't honestly think that I'd make you the hero did you? Please I would never belittle myself by using a play thing of my brothers."
Xena eyed her, her anger showing. "I don't care what your feelings are of me but I'll tell you this Gabrielle won't kill Lycaon." Athena shook her head. "Oh you really are pitiful Xena. I created the first Hind Horn a century ago, he was a stunning warrior. He wore my armour and crushed Lycaon's army in to dust."
She raised her hand slowly. "Lycaon's sons my have led the army but he became the figure that they all adored and worshipped. Problem is he never got his chance to finish the job." She slowly breathed in. "I knew about Gabrielle long before she was going to born, myself a few other gods agreed that she was perfect to complete the job should Lycaon ever free himself."
She turned her gaze narrowing. "Which has now happened, thanks to Ares being a meddling idiot and ruining everything I worked so hard on." Xena narrowed her gaze. "You're no better than Ares you just want to use Gabrielle to your own ends." She felt the sudden pain as Athena's hand wrapped around her throat.
Athena sneered as she squeezed she watched the ice blue eyes burn in to her. "I don't see her as a play thing." She squeezed harder watching as Xena grabbed her hand trying to pry it loose. "I see her as a mighty warrior who will accomplish what her predecessor couldn't." She let go watching as the dark haired woman coughed painfully as she regained her breath.
Xena snarled aloud. "I won't allow you to use her, this isn't her war she never wanted to be a part of it." Athena laughed slightly "You can't stop it everything has been carefully set in to motion, Gabrielle will become Horn Hind." Xena narrowed her gaze. "I'm curious why are you visiting me shouldn't you be at her side?"
Athena shook her head she leaned forward looking in to the woman's cold gaze. "She's a werewolf remember she doesn't need my help to heal her wounded body." She eased up two fingers. "Sadly though she does need you to heal her mind and ease her torn soul." She leaned closer. "This means you need to find her."
She slammed her hand in to the woman's shoulder watching as the warrior cried out in pain she pulled it away watching as the white light faded from her hand. Xena breathed in feeling how much easer it was to take in air. Athena looked at her a sneer crossing her lips. "I've just got rid of the three broken bones you had and I've partly healed your wounds."
She turned slowly. "Insult me again and I'll bring them back along with your broken legs." Xena snarled aloud watching as the goddess disappeared, she slowly got up of the bed. Oh yes this was a turning out to be such a wonderful day. She leaned down slowly picking up her leathers.
End Of Part 28
By Silvermoonlight
