Chapter 8 - Gladiators
The travellers helped some villagers with a few local thefts from a nearby group of youngsters who had too much time on hand. After humiliating the boys in a fight which Xena took half heartily, yet one boy ended up with a broken nose while falling on a stump when the warrior woman moved in time to avoid his attack and the other teen was soaked to his bones when he attempted to assault from the side, the brunette just left her foot in the way and trip the lad so he fell into a pond. The other two boys gave up just in time.
Xena taught them how to fish and help their parents on the market with sales better than trying to rob people passing by. And Gabrielle showed them how to fight with a staff to be able to defend themselves just in case.
They moved to another village and as they were getting closer to Venice, the more anxious the bard got. At least she did not seem so depressed the last few days and had her moments of chatting up and philosophizing, which Xena enjoyed more than ever and even tried to pull up a discussion.
On their way, in a port village, they noticed a ship which had just docked and people were coming off the board. There were a few soldiers and a group of poor looking men tied with a rope.
"Move it! Move it!" urged one of the soldiers with a large red Mohawk on his helmet. "Your fame is waiting."
"Excuse me, Sir," Gabrielle called for his attention politely. "Where are you taking them?"
The Roman looked her up and down. "You are not from around here, are you, Lad?" The storyteller shook her heard. "There is a great gladiator arena in Marghera. These scums can finally do something real with their lives and gain the emperor some money on the way. And us too," he chuckled cunningly.
The blonde looked at her partner who shook her head. Gabrielle raised and crunched her eyebrows creating her puppy dog eyes and Xena knew she was up to no good. The warrior sighed and shrugged.
"Excuse me, Sir," the fair haired woman spoke up again. "These men are no warriors but farmers who surly have homes and families to take care of."
"If they are good, they can fight for their freedom and leave with fame and money to secure generations after them. Now move it, Kid."
"I am afraid we cannot let you do that," with that the bard pulled out her sais and got ready for a fight which indeed broke faster than intended.
Xena sent her charkram to cut the ties, so the prisoners could either hide or join the fight as well with whatever they could use as a weapon. Surprisingly there was one guy who fought by the soldiers' sides.
"What are you going?" asked the warrior confused. "We are trying to set you free."
"I want to become a gladiator and be the best!" the young man replied hotly. With a few well aimed disarming hits he fell down to the ground lying in the send.
"You have a long way to go if a woman can defeat you," deadpanned the brunette.
He looked around seeing the Roman soldiers lying unconscious. "You defeated most of the Roman army. You are no ordinary woman."
Meantime Gabrielle helped the foreigners on their feet and took care of their wounds. Along with her partner they treated the injured ones and bandaged the gushes.
Xena looked at the ship. "The vessel is without an owner now. Can some of you sail."
"I can," a middle aged man raised his arm. "I am a merchant, I sail a lot."
"Where are you sailing?"
"All over the Greek islands, sometimes even Egypt and Persia, but my home is Crete."
"Great, so you can take these men back," smiled the brunette relieved that the farmers will have a safe passage home.
"What about you?" he asked, more than willing to take his fellow citizens with him. "Aren't you heading home?"
"Actually," Gabrielle joined the conversation. "We do need to take the northern path. Friends are waiting for us, plus I hate sailing and you would hate me for destroying your new ship right after you get to the open sea and the vicious waves start rocking left and right, up and down," she explained.
The merchant laughed, nodded and waved, "Farewell, my saviours and thank you."
"What about you?" the tall woman asked the wannabe gladiator. "Go home and train some more of your moves."
"Or you can train me," he replied hopefully. "You are obviously a skilled fighter, it would be my honour."
"Oh no, no way," the warrior refused shaking her head vigorously. "I am not accepting any disciples."
"I am a quick study," the lad tried to convince her, "Young and fresh, we can be a great team. You obviously prefer younger man, which is very fine –"
"It is not!" the bard cut in, she folded her arms on her chest and gave him a deadly glare. "Unless you want to lose your tongue and other parts of your body, you will board the ship and sail away."
"And who will make me? You, Shorty?" He towered over the blonde for about a head, but the bard did not back off.
"I faced bigger man than you, smarter and more experienced. So shut up and go home," she pointed to the vessel.
There was a thick air and silence, but at the end the young lad shifted his gaze and looked at the other woman who had arms crossed on her chest as well. She showed no expression at all, just watched the two of them from the distance with a tilted head. If she interfered, she would undermine Gabrielle's growing authority over the young guy.
"I will get my fame one way or the other," he pouted, turned on his heel and boarded the ship like a sulking child.
They watched the again free men sail away to their homeland. The warrior could not wait to get there as well. She had never had very good memories of the Roman Empire anyway. She looked at her mate replaying the moment a few heartbeats ago. "You are sexy when you stand your ground."
"Don't tempt me," murmured the blonde, her determined positions eased up as she looked into the blue eyes she loved so much.
"Oh I want to," Xena dropped her voice and smirked.
For a moment the bard was reading if any joke appeared in the cobalt coloured gaze, finding none she raised her eyebrows seductively. "You should have seen me when I was fighting the captain. You would melt."
When they passed Marghera, they noticed the arena from the distance. It was huge and great noise was coming from that place as the people were cheering.
"They call us barbarians, but what is sophisticated about watching humans kill each other? Do they think they are gods?" wondered the storyteller.
"Yes. And it is the rush of the battle. They are unable to fight, so they at least watch and pretend, betting on the winner," noted the warrior.
"I would understand sparing but these fights are matters of life and death," the shorter of them sighed shaking her head. "I never understood those games."
"If you know that gladiators survive, it doesn't have the right kick. Not to mention the money going around."
"If you are a girl slave, you have better chance to survive. On the other hand being used by the master whenever he pleases must be hard too." The bard thought for a moment. "Maybe it might be better to be killed in a fight than live as a sex slave."
"Oh don't let the gender fool you. Gladiators are sex slaves as well and also they are used by rich noble spoiled women for their pleasure," explained the dark haired warrior.
Gabrielle looked up with a question formed on her face. "How do you know? Were you one of those spoiled woman?"
The former warlord chuckled and looked into the distance. "I am sure I would become one if Caesar would not betray me. But no, before I had the chance to taste that life, he left me crucified on a beach with broken legs."
"Was Caesar that bad of a lover or is it the insatiable hunger of the Warrior Princess that you would ask for gladiator's pleasure?" the blonde grinned suspiciously.
"I guess it was more about the right person who can satisfy me in more than one way and levels of existence," Xena winked at her companion.
"Sweet talker," murmured the shorter woman with a hint of blush on her cheeks yet very pleased at the comment anyway.
The warrior woman wrapped her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder, pulling her closer to kiss the temple. "That is your job. Any special plans for today's stories?"
"I have an idea but you know, it always depends on the listeners. Hopefully the innkeeper got my message and we have a room booked for us," she looked ahead getting lost in thoughts.
When they arrived at Venice, the storyteller headed to the tavern straight to the bar. "Hello, my name is Gabrielle, the travelling bard. I sent you a message that I would like to perform and book two rooms."
The middle-aged woman looked the younger person up and down. "Let me check," she pulled out a stack of parchments. "Gabriel… Gabriel," she ran her eyes through her notes but shook her head. "Sorry, Lad, I have no Gabriel here."
"No, it is Gabrielle, G-A-B-R-I-E-L-L-E," she corrected her name obtaining a weird look from the innkeeper. "I am a Greek," she added as it would explain the name difference.
"You Greeks and your names," muttered the lady and returned to her notes.
"Yeah, I get that a lot in these lands," chuckled the bard trying to ease the mood into more open and friendly one.
"Oh, here you go," she added a check mark and handed over two keys.
"Thank you," the blonde smiled.
"Oh and there is a message for you," the tavern owner gave her a note and returned to her daily tasks of cleaning the place before customers started arriving.
Gabrielle quickly scanned the message and snorted. Alright, change of plans.
They had a short tour around the centre of the city. Argo was getting shoed and the two travellers explored the rest of the stores at the marketplace. The bard needed to suck the atmosphere and get an inspiration to tell the right story.
In the evening she decided for a story which would express also the artistic part of their journeys. She called it The Quill is Mightier. Everything that was written on the scroll turned into reality but in a twisted way, therefore even a battle with fish must have been written the accurate way and the fighting was not so brutal. There may be a gladiator area nearby, but the storyteller guessed that people enjoyed some comedy as well. It was a good choice, the tavern visitors laughed, especially when Gabrielle mentioned gods losing their powers. These people really wanted to be on their level, or gods becoming common people.
She took a break to eat. The lamb stew was better than she remembered or maybe because it was a nice change from fish which they had almost every day.
The hostess brought her also a mug of ale and sat down on the next stool at the bar. "You are great at telling stories," she said in a dreamy voice and actually in Greek.
"Thank you, I am trying my best," smiled the blonde pleased to hear other people speaking her mother language. She looked up at the serving woman who was tall and beautiful even though her right cheek was marked with an inch long scar going from the ear to the centre; her skin was naturally tanned so the storyteller guessed she might be from the southern islands. "Where are you from? You speak Greek but your accent is mixed," she asked getting back to her meal.
"I am from Keos, I got here with my family when I was a kid. But I can tell you my story at night, now this evening is about you," she winked flirtatiously. "Do you really fight too?"
The fair-haired woman swallowed her piece of meat before responding. "I do, but I don't enjoy that," she admitted and shifted on her chair nervously. She was not used to this kind of attention. She liked when people praised her stories but she was not a love magnet. That was Xena's expertise.
"You see, everybody is after the big strong men, like gladiators, but I prefer a gentle soul such as yours with a sensitive female touch."
"That is because I am." The bard turned her attention to the hostess. "Gladiators?"
"Yeah. Not that here are any, but you can hear people talking about them and what they are capable to do in the arena," she said looking around and nodded her head to the people chatting around, some laughing, some whispering like sharing secrets. "This is a tavern, the centre of gossips."
"Sabina!" called the innkeeper. "Let the bard eat so he can continue his job. And you get back to yours."
Just when the chair was vacated, it became occupied again within a few heartbeats, this time by the tall dark-haired warrior. "She likes you," noted Xena in an undefined tone.
"Most people do," noted the blonde. "Otherwise they would not demand more stories," she winked at her partner.
"And I am very proud of you, but you know what I mean."
"Hm, are you jealous again?" the storyteller raised one of her eyebrows suspiciously.
"No," Xena replied too fast. "I mean, she is pretty, Greek, tall, raven hair, but come on, she doesn't have my blue eyes and steely glare you love so much," she teased with a smirk.
"Very true," smiled the shorter woman with love in her gentle jade coloured orbs.
The clients in the tavern finished eating as well and were looking her way expecting more stories.
Xena leant in and whispered, "Good luck, My Bard," which she finished with a kiss on the lips long enough to mark her territory.
Gabrielle chuckled with crimson cheeks. She did not mind, quite the opposite, it was nice to see her beautiful partner claiming her. Even after all these years there were times when the blonde still felt like a troublemaking tag along.
The next day the pair went through Venice more thoroughly much to Xena's dismay. But it made her dearest friend happy and to be honest, it was a nice change to explore the beauty of this city and even have a romantic cruise through the water canals. Seeing the glee in the sparkling eyes made it all worth it.
However the brunette used to say "If something seems too good it hardly is". And she was right even here in this paradise. There were rumours about new slaves for games and hot girls to buy as housemaids. The two women looked at each other and came closer to the square to hear the orator better.
"When the moon is full the auction will take place. You will be able to buy exotic looking girls for pleasure and see well-built and skilled men fighting for your honour. When the moon is full and the sun is the highest the auction begins."
"I wonder what land they pillaged this time," murmured Xena looking around as if she could find answers in the whereabouts.
"We still have a few days to create a plan how to free the captured," the bard tried to stay positive; she had a complete faith in her soulmate to come up with an idea. "By the gods, you can hardly see slavery in Greece these days, thanks to you, I must note. Still these Romans find pleasure in it considering smuggling humans a top job."
When the evening came, the bard was getting excited, yet a bit anxious and the warrior woman had to wonder for what story she was preparing.
Actually it was not that hard to choose a story this time. After seeing the beauty of Venice and Xena had already mentioned a beauty contest before, there was no reason not to tell that story, "… and here she comes, Miss Artiphys."
Just as it was called for, the door opened the said woman entered the tavern. "Hello ladies," greeted the pageant winner, standing tall and proud in the doorway. Gabrielle jumped off the stool and run to hug the newcomer. "And handsome," added the tall blonde a bit unsure at the gesture.
The customers clapped and cheered, it was a perfect timing. Anyway after a few more cat-calls and greetings, the citizens resumed eating and chatting with friends.
"Oh I am sorry, Miss Artiphys, you may not know me in person yet –" apologised the bard taking a step back.
"Oh Honey, those green eyes I would recognise anywhere, even if you were an old grey grumpy man." she said in a teasing voice, but smiled friendly.
"It may not take too long to become one," noted the bard sadly.
"What happened to you, tell me, how you did that?" she asked very interested looking Gabrielle up and down.
"Oh it's a long story and more of a curse."
"Then let's sit down and do tell." They came to the table where Xena was sitting watching the interchange with a content smile. "Warrior Princess," greeted the blond beauty with a smirk.
"Warrior Queen," replied the brunette in the same tone. Anyway they hugged and kissed cheeks before settling down and talk.
They chatted until late night; there was so much to share. Nevertheless the next day would be busy for all of them, therefore Gabrielle gave the newcomer the key to the second room which she had booked before and with her partner they bid goodnight as the trio parted to have some rest.
It was good that the travellers managed to earn and save money on their way to the north because most of the dinars were spent the next day when Karen, as the beauty winner told them to call her, took the bard for some shopping spree. Xena just laughed, happy that her soulmate had some fun and hopefully would get back in touch with her female self. The warrior went to the stables and took Argo out for a ride and check what was happening in the surroundings.
Gabrielle got a bit dizzy from the rush of the day, getting the right cream, the proper razor to shave the last bits of facial hair, new clothes, especially tight underwear, and boots which would go along. Since she already had a fresh haircut from days ago, they got her a few pins and different hairstyle; fortunately the locks were long enough that it could be worked with.
The Warrior Princess found them in the late afternoon sitting on a bench in front of the bakery chewing a piece of nutbread. Her eyes went wide and she whistled. "Very beautiful," she said in appreciation looking her dearest friend up and down.
"Thank you," said Karen. "I was happy to help. Years of practice to know the right thing."
Gabrielle smiled shyly but proudly at herself. The tall beauty braided a few short strands at each side and the top hair she tied with small pins. The outfit consisted of a louse sleeveless light brown shirt and leather skirt with wide band decorated with bronze swirls and three wide dark brown straps at the front and back. Boots were high until the mid-calves with ties which served as decoration as well as sais holders.
"How do you feel?" asked the warrior tentatively.
"Great actually," grinned the bard broadly. "Like I finally fit, things considered. Worst things worse, I can manage like this."
In the evening, the innkeeper was confused when Gabrielle got ready for barding and almost kicked her out of the stool that the place was already taken by someone else.
"Oh it was my brother," she explained. "But we both know I am the better storyteller of the family, so he gets the first round and then he goes to sing a private song with a lady, you know," she winked meaningfully at the bartender alas she was not very convinced. "Look, let me try a story first and if you or your customers are not satisfied I will get my brother back to continue." The elder lady grumbled something but agreed. She got paid for the rooms and meals already in advance, so why not. Nevertheless that night Gabrielle performed like she had not in a long time. She enjoyed the story and relived it all over again sucking the audience in as well as the innkeeper. She got free ale and requests for more as the citizen were coming in and the drinks and food were flowing and dinars incoming for the tavern as well as for the bard.
"Wow. I like you better than your brother," said Sabina with dreamy eyes after the bard finished her story.
"Thank you. I will make sure not to tell him," smiled the blonde. "How are you doing today?"
Before the hostess was able to reply, Xena joined them at the bar. "Hi ladies, mind if I cut in?"
"Sure we do," replied Sabina a bit annoyed with the interruption.
"But Gabrielle is my friend."
"You are already involved with her brother, you cannot have them both." she stood up, took the blonde's hand and dragged her away from the table. "I will return your friend in the morning,"
Gabrielle stopped her and leant closer to her partner. "We do need info and the best place for gossips is a tavern. As you say, the seduction is a powerful tool to get info."
"That doesn't mean you have to spend the night with her."
"I just need her to trust me."
"It can be a double edge sword," opposed the warrior grumpily.
"Don't worry, Xena," she patted her shoulder. "I learnt from the best."
"That's what I am afraid of."
"I know what I am doing."
"I am not sure about that," she was not giving up dissuading her soulmate from going away with an unknown pretty girl.
"Xena, I wouldn't do anything you wouldn't." And with that she followed the barista.
The brunette took a long gulp of ale and swallowed hard. She knew some victims could play that game well enough even better than suspected. Not that she would let her bard to be crucified on a shore with broken legs like Caesar did to her. Nevertheless Gabrielle had her personal charm easy to fall for, it came from her honesty and goodness not luring and seduction.
They entered the hostess's room which was not big, just enough for a twin bed, a small table with a chair and a chest drawers. Gabrielle chose the chair to sit on. "So, tell me how could a Greek enjoy living among Romans?"
The other woman took of her apron off and undressed. Looking over her shoulder she spoke up. "Here I though you would start with small talks."
"It is a small talk. I am curious."
"It is not a small talk for me, but alright," Sabina sighed, leaving on her shirt wide opened and breeches, she sat on the bed playing and examining her fingers sadly. "I was a kid when our home was pillaged by Romans. I remember when three soldiers forced their way into our home. They killed our father, two of them took me, my sister and brother to a ship, one stayed behind with our mother, but we never knew what happened to her, she never left the house, only the soldier did, so most probably she was killed as well.
"When we arrived here, my brother was sold as gladiator, my sister as a maid for lanista's house. When we were on the ship, I tried to assassinate the captain but he took away my stolen dagger and I received this," she pointed at her scar, "Because of that I was no material for a good sell, Anna needed a help in this tavern, so she bought me off for a discounted rate. I do not complain, I have a roof above my head and fresh meal every day. Plus as I told your brother, the tavern is good for gossips, so I ask the people here and there about the arena, hoping to hear some info about my siblings. But all I get are news about another champion who mysteriously disappeared or how much people lost when betting on the wrong hot shot who came drunk for the final match. Nothing which can inform me about Serena or Sarius."
In that last two sentences the girl revealed more than she would suspect. She cared for her siblings, but also she let out the corruption which was nothing new and the bad treating of the gladiators. Gladiators did not just disappear; they were killed in the arena or set free. For sure Sarius would come for his sisters or his death would be known.
"We can help," offered the bard immediately.
"How?"
"Well, advantage of being foreigners, if we are too nosy, they can blame it on our background and ignorance. Romans consider us uneducated barbarians anyway."
The hostess stood up and came to the blonde. She ran her fingers along the blonde's seductively. "That is for tomorrow; tonight I don't want to think about my past."
"The past is what makes us."
"And the future is for oracles. So let's live in the presence," she slowly leant in with each word until their lips were just a hair apart.
Xena could not sleep that night. The feeling of empty bed and a green eyed monster growling in her chest was too much to fall into Morpheus's realm.
She got up and went to the stables. She took a brush and started tending Argo letting her thoughts wander wherever they wanted. Maybe they would even flow out and away from her head.
"Jealousy keeps you awake?" someone asked from behind her. The warrior turned around and noticed Karen standing in the doorway of the stables. The warrior just grumbled. "She loves you dearly but sometimes you take her for granted."
"I asked her to marry me and she refused," Xena briefly described her personal pain in the heart. "And now she shares a room with someone else."
"More like that you wanted to make her feel better, so you proposed," corrected the blonde beauty.
"No, not really. I wanted to do it for some time, but there was never the right time."
"In your line of work, is there ever?" questioned Karen doubtfully.
"That's why I asked her when we got the chance."
"Wrong timing, Warrior Princess." With a sway of her hips she came closer and petted the horse's head tenderly. Argo leant into the touch even more. "She lost her way, she was forced into a male body, in some stranger and she is just finding her way to be herself again, as much as she could muster. Give her some time and she will be ready. Just then ask her again. For sure she will accept."
"It does not mean that in the meantime she must be looking for the way with someone else. I could just put a pinch on the waitress to get the answers," the brunette growled squeezing the brush tightly yet her touch stayed soft not to harm her faithful mount.
"Gabrielle does not like violence," commented the beauty winner.
"Xena!" the woman they had just been talking about entered the stables in a rush. "Oh, here you are. You need to sign me in the gladiator arena."
The warrior woman leant in closer to her fellow beauty contestant. "What have you just said?"
Gabrielle looked at her partner and her new friend with raised eyebrows. None of them said anything at all. "I mean it. There are mysteriously missing men. Sabina's brother is one of them. And most probably her sister is missing too."
"Let's reverse the roles. You will sign me in," ordered Xena more than suggested. "You will get your dream when you are the domina and I am your slave."
"Very tempting, but na-ah. Men only. It is the first time this freaking body becomes handy," she pointed at herself up and down in rapid motions.
"Gabrielle, even though you are a fine fighter, you are no gladiator. Those men are animals, most of them even became to enjoy the fighting, which is what you miss."
"Then I will fight for survival. Train me. You are the best warrior in ages," insisted the bard.
"Gabrielle…"
"No, let's do it my way this time," the blonde was not giving up at all. This situation was something in which her current body was the way.
"I can't stand if you die," the taller woman said in gentle tone.
"I won't," the storyteller placed her palm on her soulmate's cheek. "I will come back for us, maybe bruised but alive, I promise. You still need to propose to me and I have to accept," she said in a light tone to ease the seriousness of the task ahead. "Train me."
"Then you also need to change your appearance to a slave looking one," noted Karen and sighed. "Alright, another make-over."
While the pageant winner took care of Gabrielle's look, Xena trained her to the best she could in a few days. Since there were lives in stakes, they could not afford to delay the investigation.
Xena disguised herself as a noble woman and took her slave to the local lanista.
"Yes, my lady?" asked an editor looking up at an important well-dressed man and then back to the newcomer.
"I want you to train my slave as a gladiator," explained Xena, "we will share the profit of course." Nothing was cheap or for free, they all knew that. In this society, money was the key to good favour.
"Excuse me?" asked the lanista with wide eyes at the blonde and then the master. "You want me to train this shorty into a gladiator and hope he does not to get killed within a few heartbeats." He burst out laughing and then waved his hand to dismiss them.
"This shorty killed a 6 feet tall hoplite of my husband when he insisted to join him and his mistress. I am still not sure if I should praise this slave for doing me a favour and getting rid of the moron of my spouse; or kill him for threatening my expensive lifestyle, so in the meantime he could serve as a good money maker."
"This imp killed a 6 feet tall hoplite. I would pay to see that," doubted the lanista and snorted.
"First round with your trainer is free. The next you will either pay or receive the payment, it is up to you."
The noble man kept chuckling still in doubts. "Alright, fetch for the dotore!" he ordered one of his slaves. "If this imp loses, you will also pay for the waste of my time."
They led the newcomers through some corridors to a training area where a man was preparing different weapons. Gabrielle guessed it would be her opponent. He was an average height with lean but firm muscles and a net by his feet. Just great.
"Choose your weapon," offered the teacher gesticulating to the selection in front of them.
The blonde looked at it and immediately reached for a staff.
"Nah-eh, that is way over your league. You would have to earn your title to become rudiarius, so far you are just a slave."
What surprised Gabrielle was his tone. He was not arrogant or brute. He sounded like a guide, matter-of-fact, instead of superior. Yet, she needed to prove she was worthy of the gladiator training and a bit of cheekiness was not misplaced. "But you said I could choose. I want a staff."
"What about a falx? It may be more to your likes. You are a Thracian, aren't you?" Gabrielle raised her eyebrows in question. "It is the accent. My mother was a Dacian."
"Still for the sparing I will go with the staff." Without waiting for approval, she took her favourite weapon and got into a position ready to fight.
The teacher looked at his master who nodded. It was obvious he did not think much of the new potential recruit anyway.
The fight began fast and hard. Gabrielle found herself stuck in the net in a few heartbeats. She was dragged around the training ground like a mop on a dirty floor. She tightened all her muscles and waited for a moment of stillness, which she used to swiftly get free from the net. Within a few quick dodges and summersaults she got to the staff and started her own moves. She took the net on the edge of her weapon and threw it far away behind herself. Then she started her own assault on the opponent, swinging fast hit left and right and she went for legs. First attack the dotore avoided by jumping high but he did not expect the second one to go for the legs as well and was tripped and fell on his front. Gabrielle took a step back and gave him a moment to collect himself; nevertheless she was still pacing standing between her opponent and his favourite weapon. He launched himself at the bard, but the blonde moved aside just in time and hit him on the back. She prepared another attack as the trainer turned around, but he caught the staff and threw it away behind himself, so now there were both in between their arms. It was time for good old hand on hand combat.
The taller man attacked first aiming for the head which Gabrielle expected and move in time to avoid the impact. The next hit was directed to her stomach followed with one to the ribs. That really hurt, but something snapped in her, the determination not to lose or ashamed the Warrior Princess/fake master. She tightened her muscles and in a moment she caught the hand, twisted it and hit the shoulder from behind hard enough to dislocate it. The other man turned around and managed to hit her hard to the head sending her to the ground. The bard was not unconscious yet; she could still fight even when her muscles were screaming and her focus was fuzzy. She intertwined their legs and sent him down as well. They were rolling on the ground for some time trying to get the upper hand. Suddenly there was a net on Gabrielle and she was stuck in it again. She had not realised they rolled to the side of the ground where her opponent's weapon lied.
The lanista called the fight off and looked at Xena. "Fifty per cent and I take your slave in."
"Twenty-five. He has potential," haggled the fake noble.
"Fifty. He will cost me more than gain."
"He will not and we both know that. Quite the opposite, you will be ransomed in no time and very well. I may agree on thirty."
"Forty and we have a deal."
"Thirty-five. No more or I am going to Batiatus."
"Batiatus is a shit with his Ghoul. Alright, alright, thirty-five and you will have a gladiator, still an imp but a gladiator imp," he offered his hand to seal the deal.
"As long as he makes some money for me to live comfortably, I don't really care," Xena accepted the offer and turned around to wink at her partner who just got out of the net. There was still worry in the blue eyes, but she needed to trust Gabrielle to take care of herself and not to get harmed. It was making her anxious but there was not much the warrior could do.
The new gladiator was led to the washroom to clean herself and get dressed as others. It was a weird felling being mostly naked than clothed, the healer treated her bruises and she was left to join the others for lunch. Once she entered she felt all eyes on her and silence fell in the room. Well, as a bard she was used to be the centre of attention, but this was out of her element. She pretended as if nothing strange happened and went to get her meal. When she was done, she looked where to sit when a tall, well build bald chap called for her attention. "So you are the one who managed to scratch the good dotore, huh?" he asked haughty. "I thought you would be taller."
"I can change what I can, the rest I have to work with as it is, however I think I am the right height to boot your balls painfully," the blonde commented and put her plate on the empty table at the front. She needed to play rough at the beginning and show no doubts or insecurities.
"And cheeky one too," commented the gladiator. "I like you, come to sit with us," he offered with a broad smile.
Gabrielle had a weird feeling of this chap, but she needed to socialise and get as much information as she could. "You will like me less when I kick your butt in sparing, but I accept your offer." She moved her plate while the rest of the men laughed but amused and accepting as they started introducing themselves one by one.
In the evening the bard laid on her sleeping bench tired so much she could not sleep. In order to fulfil her earlier threat and kick Bastiano's butt, she had to go beyond her strength and strength reservoir. It was worth it though; she made a strong first impression and gained respect. What she heard about petite men being used as sluts, she did not like at all and to avoid such a destiny she had to prove her power; although now she was completely powerless.
The door to her room opened quietly and someone entered. Gabrielle heard small steps and guessed it would be a woman. Her heartbeat slowed down a bit, but sped up again when she felt soft hand smoothing her midriff. She opened her eyes and saw a familiar face. "Sabina?" she asked.
"You can call me however you want," she purred in a sultry voice.
"What are you doing here?" groaned the bard and stayed still as the newcomer kept smoothing her abdomen.
"Ashan sent me to provide you with a warm welcome," she replied shortly and ran her fingers through the messy locks.
"I am good and warm, thank you. You can go now," dismissed the blonde shooing away the hand from her hair.
"Not until my work is done," she continued with her seducing and moved her right hand even lower to the rim of her underwear.
"I really am not in mood," replied the fighter tiredly.
"Oh I dare say you are."
Gabrielle lifted her head and looked down to see a tent created between her legs. "Oh sure, suite yourself," she moved her hand into her linen and pulled out a wooden piece. "Welcome present from Vargo," she explained briefly. "If you can play a lullaby, I would appreciate it."
"You want me to play a flute instead of pleasuring you?" she asked in doubts. "I am a very attractive woman. Unless men would be more to your likes."
Gabrielle chuckled and looked up again. Indeed the woman was beautiful just like the evening they met for the very first time, except today Sabina looked even more attractive than before and her scar was invisible, maybe due to the dim light. "Oh believe me; I do like women more than men. Alas no offence, but you are not exactly my type."
"What is your type? And don't tell me it is my sister, because we are almost alike, just she got all the luck while I got the entire look," she said grumpily.
"Sister?!" wondered the storyteller.
"Since you called me Sabina, I guess you have met her already. My name is Serena."
Gabrielle sighed, this was getting more complication, not only she promised to find out Sabina's brother, take down the local lanista but now there was a sister in the picture not as a maid but a prostitute.
Was she supposed to lie or say the truth? Well, half-truth it was. "Yes, I met her at a tavern a few nights ago when I was getting food for my mistress."
"Did you shag her?" The bard knitted her eyebrows in question so the other woman continued. "If you ravished her, why don't you want to sleep with me? I am the prettier of us."
"Why are you so eager to get laid? Don't you have a lover who can satisfy you somewhere?" questioned the blonde. She really wanted to have a good night rest.
"My lover gained his freedom a moon ago and disappeared leaving me in this shithole for entertaining the others. If I don't sleep with you, Ashan will punish me."
"Then lie down and sleep," said the new fighter tiredly and threw her a blanket on the floor. As a gentlewoman she was, she would switch places, but as a gladiator, she needed to back off and not treat the woman more than a hetaera she was here.
The night visitor shifted on the floor to get comfortable. "So…?" she prolonged her wonder. "What is your type?"
Tall, dark, beautiful and dangerous, thought the bard. "Serena, go to sleep," she replied instead and turned on her side to face the wall.
Day by day Gabrielle made the name for herself. Even though she abbreviated her actually name to Gabs, it was not resounding enough for the spectacle.
"You are a Greek, right?" thought Bastiano aloud one morning during breakfast. "They will want you to fight as a thraex later in the arena, I overheard the lanista and dotore talking," he tapped his spoon against the table and continued, "So you will have a small shield, falx, this really funny broad helmet with a griffin… wait a moment!" he dropped his spoon and looked at the blonde. "What about Griffin?"
"Sounds good," agreed Vargo and nodded at the idea. "Gabs the Griffin." He was the second blond man in the group, not very built, more like slim with tone muscles. He posed as a Paegniarius, which meant he fought for entertainment of the crowd before the real battle began. His optimism might come from the fact that he did not engage in serious combats, just enough to make the people happy therefore he knew what name would more likely please the onlookers.
She looked from one man to the other. They were so similar yet very different, both sons of slaves, both fighting for survival, both very popular, however one was slim and toned while the other one was robust with heap of muscles. "Alright, whatever, guys, you know the public better than me," she agreed at the end and shrugged her shoulders disinterested.
And since that morning the bard got a new name which was not only used by the fellow gladiators but also the lanista and trainer.
"Hey, Griffin," the dotore came in her cell one evening. "Come with me."
Gabrielle was led through several corridors somewhere down into a dungeon. There she met the lanista's wife in front of a nicely rich decorated wooden door. "Since I really like your domina, I allowed her this night of privacy," said the red head woman arrogantly. "Beware that no one can know about your private meeting. One word out and your tongue will be cut off. It also means no talking," she handed over a full faced mask. "Do not take it off."
The blonde nodded, put on the mask and the door opened. There was another corridor illuminated in a dim light of a few torches along the way. As she was passing by, there were two other doors with sandglasses on one side. From behind them, moans and groans of passion were coming. She reached the end and the corridor continued to the left. She turned that way and approached a guard standing nearby who beckoned to her. Gabrielle watched him step aside and he turned the sandglass upside down. He gestured his head to go inside.
The bard entered the room and the first thing she noticed was a luxurious bed with vails. She looked around and let her eyes explore the room which was furnished with two full candles on each nightstand, a table with a big bowl of fruits, a large jar of wine and a pair of glasses.
There was a rustle behind the bard, so she quickly turned around and saw Xena sitting in an armchair next to the door, dressed in royal blue silk robe. Even though she wore a mask, the blonde would recognize her soulmate's body even painted in colours. The warrior stood up and with an extra swag approached the stunned gladiator. She put her finger on the masked mouth and shook her head, her eyes moving to the door which was Gabrielle's cue to keep any talk just hearable. "I wanted to check how sparing your life turned into," she said quietly into her ears keeping in the current role.
"I am doing my best not to disappoint you, Mistress," replied the smaller of them a little louder than a whisper.
The taller woman carefully pulled off the mask from her fake slave. "Any special moves you learnt?"
"Plenty, my favourite one is a tackle," with that the blonde grabbed her partner and forced her on the soft covers of the bed. She straddled her, took of the other mask and leant in. However instead of meeting her lips, she aimed for her ear. "I missed you," she whispered.
"Me too," replied the brunette softly running her fingers through the fair locks. "How are you doing?"¨
Gabrielle peppered her skin with butterfly kisses along the neck keeping her voice low. "Gaining reputation and trust, I heard several heart-breaking stories how the men and women became slaves, but nothing juicy or suspicious yet. Just complication, Serena is here as a hetaera."
"Who is Serena?"
"The sister of the girl from the tavern of whom you were jealous."
"And you are bringing that topic now?" wondered the brunette. "Quite a turn off."
"On the contrary," chuckled the gladiator. "I hope you would appreciate how deep my love for you is," with that she lowered herself completely, with a leg she spread her mates' ones and pressed her bulky groin to Xena's centre. They both moaned in pleasure. "But what am I supposed to think that the lanista's wife likes you so much."
"Just having a competitive partner in dice, cards and good company to have a laughed with. Manipulation is one of my many skills. It did not really work only in your case." Xena took a deep breath as her pulse point was teased and lightly scratched with teeth. "Kinda backfired."
"Hmm," hummed the bard pleased as her mouth was preoccupied with the beautiful torso of her life partner which she had not seen for a moon.
"Less talking, more pleasing," groaned the warrior as her body started shaking in excitement. She pulled her lover down and flipped their positions. "I guess we are about to find out how male slaves are used if they are not fighting in the arena," she smirked foxily and finally connected their lips together.
After at least some satisfaction the pair laid in the bed talking quietly about the things outside of the gladiator world.
"What happened to the new slaves the orator promised? I see no new additions here," asked the fighter.
"I waited at the port and fought the smugglers pretty much the same way we did the first time. But none of the captured men knew how to sail, so we dressed them, well Karen did, as seasonal workers. One family set out on the way home right away on foot, the rest of them got low paid jobs, but at least they are not slaves and they can get back home eventually or start a new life here.
"Venice is all about boats and trades, so blocking the dock is not possible. I am thinking of training the people who were rescued and fight off another incoming ship with slaves. I intend to create a secret group of rebels who will continue fighting off and in time the port will get bad reputation for smugglers who will start avoiding it. It is a long shot but worth trying. We will see about that.
"Anyway I sent another message to Joxer, telling him not to worry, that we got caught up with gladiator issues. Hopefully he will not rush back to us trying to save you."
"If he does, I am going to present him my new self, he will run back."
"I told you, you have a special charm," smiled the brunette and then her expression got serious, "which you will need to use to attract the audience."
"What audience?" asked the bard softly.
"In the arena. I overheard that they plan to introduce you, which means you will go public. I will keep mingling with the nobles and kissing their butts and you will be the awesome gladiator you have become."
"Oh yeah, Bastiano mentioned something like that too, which is good, right?"
"I guess." The blonde looked up at her partner's pensive face. "I am scared about you. I trust you but I still worry."
"I will be cautious," she kissed her cheek gently. "And it is not like your chakram would be far away anyway."
"That's true," Xena stroke the fair mane lovingly. "Be careful out there. The people want a show, so imagine yourself telling a story; not with your tongue but with your weapon. You need to attract the people and suck them into your tale. If you earn the crowd, you are there. You already have the love of your domina," she winked and smiled.
"Show me," requested the blonde in a quiet needy voice. Their time shortened and she did not want it to end. Who knew when she would be able to see her soulmate again, when she will be able to profess her deepest feelings and desires, when they would lie in each other arms, stargazing and sharing crazy ideas and laugh freely. All that seemed like a distant future, a dream. Hence she wanted to enjoy every moment, every heartbeat they had left.
Indeed Xena was right and the third day Gabrielle was placed in the arena with the actual champion.
The blonde finished her morning bath trying to calm her nerves a bit. Oh how she wished for a fresh clear natural spring. She would not even mind it to be crazy cold as long as it was clean. Nonetheless she had a few moments for herself to relax alone before breakfast.
Serena came to her just when she was leaving the bathroom, grabbed her head and kissed her thoroughly. Gabrielle was so surprised that she did not push her off right away. Yet before she was able to act, she noticed something being slipped into her mouth and the slave girl turned on her heel and left. Gabrielle shifted to face the wall just in case someone was passing by and pulled out a piece of parchment.
I wish those lips were really mine. Good luck, My Bard, and be careful. First round is traditional.
The storyteller immediately recognised her partner's handwriting. If she underlined the last word, it meant a clue.
She asked Bastiano regarding traditional rounds and he explained that traditionally thraex faced myrmillones first. So it meant gladiators with similar armoury, shield but as a weapon they would use spears.
At least she could mentally prepare herself for their first opponents.
When they entered, Bastiano was in his element, happy sparks in his chocolate eyes and eager to fight. Gabrielle was shyer; she looked around and saw the crowd. She never had an audience like this during her storytelling. Her eyes immediately sought the only secure point which could calm her nerves, the cobalt gaze of her partner. The brief sight did wonders and she felt her heart slow down a bit.
"And the next performance is Bastiano the Beast!" called the producer, the people erupted in cheers and the mentioned guy raised his arms above his head roaring with them. "What are you fighting for?!"
"Glory!"
The crowd went crazy, exciting and cheering even more.
"And now ladies and gentlemen, let me introduce you the new prodigy, Griffin the Imp!"
Awesome, the bard sighed internally at the nickname. On one hand she was grateful for the broad helmet covering her whole face so nobody could see her upset expression and murderous look.
The people expressed mix emotions, some cheered politely, some clasped, some hoo-ed.
"What are you fighting for?!"
Gabrielle looked at the expecting onlookers. They liked the show. Freedom was too cheesy for them, she could not repeat fame, and money was nothing original because all was about wealth. If she said love, it might be considered as a weakness and she could not sabotage Xena's doing. On the other hand the answer was so simple. "As I sid the first day, I want my staff!" Obtaining a rod would say it all; except from freedom it also meant to keep fighting and be active to perform and entertain people more with every game and not just to win, get free and leave. The rod meant dedication to the fighting in the arena.
Her soulmate smiled proudly and the public appreciated the answer mostly with whistles, cat-calls and support. Some did laugh nonetheless generally she made a good first impression.
The fight was not easy; even harder it was because the usual 'eliminate the enemy' did not really work for her as they were supposed to entertain; however they were quite a team. Bastiano had the height and broad form to blow heavy attacks while Gabrielle being smaller was more agile and danced around her opponent. When one enemy was about to punch her, the bald guy hit him with his mace sending him away. When the other myrmillon sneaked behind the big fighter with his dagger, the blonde got herself between the two men, used her round shield to parry and her falx for a counterattack spilling some blood; it was a bad injury but not deadly, she was not supposed to kill the other competing pair too fast. Well, she did not want to kill at all at the first place anyway. They were a beautiful duo to watch with power and grace. After another attack from her colleague and defensive move from Gabrielle, their opponents stayed in the dirt lying, one was unconscious and the other with a broken leg. The crowd erupted in excitement and both gladiators were praised with flying colours.
The blonde looked at her fake master who gave her a nod and a wink. She felt her chest puff from pride.
They returned to their fellows who were celebrating the victory as well. "You totally nailed it, Griffin," praised Vargo. "Like boom and baw and smash." He wrapped his arm around the shorter fighter's shoulder and pulled her lower to ruffle her hair. "Like a gladiator poet. I mean, Bastiano knows his way by now, but you completely took us by surprise."
"You are right," nodded the big man. "You wrote quite a story with your falx. I suggest a new name, Griffin the Poet, what do you think, guys?" being the biggest chap and most favourite, the rest of the group would agree on anything. Gabrielle would be happy with only the addition; she never really liked the Griffin part anyway.
During their breakfast the next day, Serena sit next to the bard, she leant it but the fighter moved in time and the slave girl kissed her cheek instead, her hand moving in the underwear. As believed it was not just the fingers which touched her lower abdomen but also a piece of parchment. Despite her embarrassment, she smiled silly as she knew it was a message from her partner. The rest of the guys whistled and laughed heartily thinking she got a new love interest of the prettiest hetaera in the house.
These situations happened a few more times during the games. The guys started talking and the bard let them. It was easier than telling them the truth; even though Ashan often sent her a frowned glare.
"Poet, your lady needs you," said Serena in a sultry voice one evening.
"If you excuse me, gentlemen," Gabrielle just nodded her farewell for the night as the woman took her hand and dragged her away.
Once in the gladiator's cells and door closed tightly, the bard was waiting excited for her note.
Serena pulled out the message from behind her corset but kept it in her hand. "What is it between you and your domina?"
"What do you mean?" the gladiator frowned.
"You are like a lovesick boy."
"Lovesick for freedom," replied Gabrielle roughly. "Give me the note."
"Yeah right. You know I am a slut and I am a good one."
"None of my business."
"Exactly here is the problem. No man can hold on the pleasure for so long, yet you keep refusing my services even though they are free for you. So either you are into men or you are in love and since I don't see any other girl milling around you, you must be in love with the bitch who owns you."
Within a moment the slave girl was pressed against a wall with a forearm under her neck. Gabrielle was in shock herself at her spontaneous reaction but she really did not like when someone dared insult her soulmate. She had to improvise to cover for impulsive movement. "That bitch decided to reward me with my freedom for killing the pig of her husband; because of me she made new higher positioned friends and a new lifestyle; and if I earn her enough money to live comfortably for the rest of her life, I can go home. Since a lot of people underestimate me and bet against me, I am doing pretty well. Just a few hundred dinars more and I am free to leave. I really don't think you can read otherwise you would know that."
"I can read!" she pushed the bard away offensively. "But that handwriting is horrible."
Gabrielle tried not to let out too fast the breath she was holding. Her bluff worked. If Serena would read the letters, the cover would be blown up even though Xena's messages were cryptic. "So you read those notes."
The other woman looked away ashamed. "I tried. Ashan pays well for dirty information." She handed over the letter to its rightful owner. "I guess I just have to trust you."
Gabrielle's look softened. "Please do. We both will get out of here, I won't leave you."
"Oh come on," she laughed sarcastically. "I heard this many times and those men were supposed to love me. I am just dirt to you, so why would you care? Serving your domina gives me extra money and keeps me away from the harem." She sighed and went to the door. "Good night, Handsome." She turned back to her flirty mode; with the last wink, she left the door and Gabrielle peeked after her.
Instead she noticed Ashan leaning next to the door. "She used to be the best I had," he proclaimed, looking after the slave girl. Then he turned to the other gladiator. "And then you came and she fell for you."
The bard frowned. "Oh come on," she chuckled doubtfully.
"It is true; I heard complains about her performance lately. So," he shifted himself the way he was fully facing the blonde. "To have at least something from her now, I can start selling her to the scums and noobs, or you can pay me regularly and she is only yours."
"What?" wondered the shorter gladiator. "Why would I do that?"
"To have her just for yourself and keep her from being ravished every day. And believe me, I want back my lost money, she will be sold a lot."
"You wouldn't do that," she opposed in disbelief.
Ashan was like a chameleon, he was capable to obtain anything but also do anything for money or favours. "Hey, I am the guy who finds what you desire… for a price," he smiled slyly.
Splendid, so to keep a girl safe, the blonde would pay for a hetaera whose services she would never use anyway. She just hoped, her performance in the area would earn her enough dinars to buy Serena off at the end of this charade. She rolled her eyes. "Alright," she agreed and shut the door.
She was looking forward to finally read the message from her one and only lady of her life, to fill the pit in her heart at least a bit with love and then maybe meditate.
The Beast and the Poet became quite a team and people's pets, one beautiful gladiator story after another. Through the time and fights, they made their way to the finals. It was said that who won the finals usually got promoted and was on his way to Rome where they could fight for freedom.
In the evening before, they had a feast; Ashan obtained excellent food and Vargo some decent wine. They had fun time, but Gabrielle called it a night sooner than any heavy drinking took place.
"Oh come on, Poet," said Vargo, "You never know when your last meal would be."
"That's true," nodded Bastian. "Especially tomorrow, we will either win it all or lose our lives. You should enjoy while you can."
"Thanks, guys, but I want to be alone," she said. In fact she was irritated not to see her partner for so long, she missed her terribly and she was afraid that after a few cups of wine she would spill her beans. Also she needed to be fit for the next day. If they had not been able to find any clues so far, then something was ought to happen during the finals. It was time when the free men disappeared and the blonde needed to have a clear head and sharp senses. Therefore she lied on her bench and tried to fall sleep. Tomorrow would be a long day.
The air was tense and could be cut with a knife. Bastiano did not look very good; obviously the honour of live took longer than it was supposed to. The storyteller hoped that the breakfast would kick soon enough and her companion would be good to perform and survive.
Their first opponents were myrmillones as usually. Bastiano seemed that he would prefer to kill them fast and go to rest, therefore Gabrielle did all her best to input a story, making it look like the not-so-sober moves were part of the act. They won, the crowd was satisfied and they could take a break. "How bad it is?" asked the blonde once they were behind the gate sitting on a bench.
"Worse than the wine we drank," murmured the big guy. "I was vomiting all night."
Their second round was against equites, horsemen, and it was really bad. Bastiano was so tired he could hardly lift his mace. Thanks to the bard travelling and training with the Warrior Princes herself, she managed to pull out a strategy and with loads of luck it somehow worked and they still kept the spectacle on their side. She turned her fighting partner the way of the approaching enemy and he threw his weapon at the still standing Gaelic gladiator. Again the luck was on their side and the opponent was hit on the head and dropped unconscious. Without his mace Bastiano managed to lift his fists up and roar in victory, he wrapped his arm around his companion's shoulder as in appraising the good work while in fact he was heavily leaning against her.
Gabrielle learnt the strength of the people's voice, if the gladiators where on their good side, the public was stronger than the producer. So she needed to keep the show going, increase their favour and hopefully they would both survive at the end even if they lost the fight.
When the gladiators were behind the gates, the tough chap tumbled on the seater, he was breathing heavily at the edge of his strength. Something was not right and it was not just bad wine. "Bastiano, whom do you trust the most from our group?" asked the shorter of them. "Except me," she added when her fellow fighter pointed his forefinger at her.
"Ashan," he whispered and passed out.
"Are you serious?" she asked doubtfully. Due to his nature and greed, the named man was her least favourite colleague.
A slave girl approached the blonde, when she was a few feet away, she pulled out a piece of scroll from behind her corset and handed it over. The bard quickly read the message and frowned. That is troublesome, she thought and ran away.
When she came back, her blonde colleague was just leaving the arena. "Vargo, I need your help," she said and gestured her head back to the centre of attention. "Just a few minutes of entertainment before Bastiano wakes up." She did not give him time to properly respond as she dragged him in. "You are the showman."
The crowd cheered and then went silent immediately when people had realised they did not see their favourite duo.
"Dear spectacle," proclaimed the storyteller loudly. "I am called the Poet for a reason. And because I don't want you to get bored of us, the Beast and the Poet, I want to present a new story with my other comrade Vicious Vargo," she looked at the other fella and returned back to the audience. "You know him already and believe me, we will be quite a team as well."
The people were confused and murmured around. Before Gabrielle gave him too much time she continued, "Do you trust me?" No real answer came hence she tried a different approach. "Have I ever disappointed you?"
"NO," came from an onlooker a bit stronger.
"Do you enjoy watching me perform?"
"YES," more people joined which was a good sign.
"Then trust me, this will be a story you will never forget!"
"YEEES!" finally the crowd erupted in cheers and support.
Gabrielle sent a quick glance to the lobby, Xena nodded, the rest of the occupants seemed completely confused, especially the producer and lanista.
Vargo quickly jumped to her side and whispered. "Have you gone mad? Have you obtained some heavy blow into your head? I don't do this fighting, not to death."
"Actually my head is clearer than ever, you are a gladiator so let's fight. Bastiano needs time."
The gate opened and another pair of horsemen with a net and a spear rode their way.
The taller blonde hid behind the shorter traex. "This is not what I do."
Gabrielle avoided the net and jumped away just in time not to be pierced with the spear. Her comrade spent most of the time hiding, so the bard was fighting two against one. "FIGHT VARGO, SHOW YOUR SPIRIT!" she tried to support him, but the other man did nothing and kept dodging and hiding behind his shield.
The storyteller fought well and gave the people exactly what they wanted, especially when she was outnumbered. However she divided her focus when she noticed that the two Gaelic gladiators separated themselves, one enemy jumped on a horse while the other kept the fight with her. The equite threw a net on her and the other one went to assault the paegniarius. She was dragged in the sand until she stopped squirming. Once the ride paused, she tried to get out of the net but was kicked several times in the stomach. The nausea took over and she felt like throwing up herself. What woke her up from her dizziness was a glimpse of a sharp edge as the spear pierced the net aiming for her chest.
Everything went silent. The crowed howled and hoo-ed in disagreement. The horse rider went to the remaining blonde fighter who was defending himself as the fellow Gaelic kelp attacking.
"Finish off that loser!" somebody from the spectacle shouted.
"The Poet is dead because of the coward, kill him!" someone else supported that suggestion.
"KILL, KILL, KILL," the people went wild demanding the death of the shaking scared paegniarius.
The Gael, who eliminated Gabrielle, threw away his colleague, took off the shield and punched Vargo several times to the head, torso and legs. Then he forced him on his knees facing the lobby with a dagger under his neck waiting for the decision.
The crowd demanded death yet the producer hesitated.
"Father, please," begged the defeated man. Most of the people stopped making noise in surprise. "Father! Don't let them kill me."
Now the people began whispering around, looking at each other if they heard correctly.
Meantime the bard untangled herself from the net and the spectacle was in awe.
"As promised," she said. "A story you will never forget. Nonetheless the end is to be told yet. Not by me though."
"FATHER!" cried Vargo hypnotizing the producer. "I always did what was the best for you. I work for you hard, help you winning bets by weakening the champions. You thought me that a free man was as good as a dead man."
The capturer snarled as his hand with the weapon was shaking heavily, "You killed our mates?!" he accused angrily and took of the helmet. "You dined with us as a brother and at the end you were killing us?!" roared Ashan upset, his eyes glistened with fury and he was actually growling like a bear.
"FA-" The paegniarius did not finish his plea as the dagger slit his throat.
"Show's over."
Without the second look at the lobby, the two gladiators left the arena, collected Bastiano from the bench and dragged him to the infirmary. When they were there, the healer tended their wounds as well.
Once outside the room, the lanista approached the poet siting on a bench. "If you were my property, I would give you the rod," he said. "But you don't belong to me therefore if you have a request I could fulfil as a reward for saving my men, name it?"
Gabrielle was speechless for a moment but collected herself soon enough and thought about a certain hetaera. "I want Serena."
"She will not be available, not anymore. You have a weird domina, I must say. First she throws you in here and then she spends large amount of the winnings to buy off a slut," he shook his head in disbelief. "If there is any other woman you have your eyes on, let me know and I will marry her off to you." With that he disappeared behind the infirmary's door to look at his champion.
Hearing two sets of steps on the stoned floor, Gabrielle turned around and saw her smiling partner and Sabina's sister. "Nice work," praised Xena.
"I ate the food and I was fine. It must have been the wine which was poisoned. The culprit was exposed, the question was why. Thanks for clarifying which lobbyist was the bad guy."
"We are quite a team. Let's get out of here," smiled the brunette and petted her partner's shoulder lovingly. "Are you alright to walk? You obtained quite a beating down there."
"I will be fine, let's get out of here," the storyteller replied, nevertheless she accepted the offered hand for support to stand up.
"You are not really who you pretend to be," noted Serena looking from one woman to the other. "Are you married? Is that why you kept refusing my services?" she questioned in an accusing tone of voice staring at the blonde.
The bard chuckled and admitted, "Kind of. Let's get you to your family."
They returned to the tavern in Venice, the first sisterly meeting was awkward until after good warm meal and a large mug of ale, Serena broke down and cried away all the horrors from her misfortune at the lanista's house.
As gratitude the travellers got discounted deal on the room and meals for the rest of their stay. After a few days of resting and tending the wounds with some healing herbs, Gabrielle looked much better than after a heavy fighting in the arena. When she was ready, she headed straight to the tavern for her evening performance for which the citizens were looking for moons. The innkeeper advised her attendance two days ago and the customers made sure to come not only for the good food but also the stories told by the Greek bard.
It was one of the best nights they had in a long time filled with joy and playfulness which the fair-haired woman was missing for so long.
When Xena came back from her evening ride and training, Gabrielle asked about the issues of the city she had missed. "So, what about the Defenders of Slaves group?"
"Slavery is like a Roman culture, hard to break, and ever harder to convince people to think otherwise."
"So how many men did you have to seduce to comply?" she questioned teasing her dearest beloved person.
"Actually, it was easier to play the matchmaker and set them up," chuckled the warrior. "Anyway yes, there is a group of five who are willing to fight and free the potential slaves."
thank you for reading this looong chapter
I really loved writting this one, I hope you enjoyed it as well (: