Finding food wasn't hard: rabbits roamed everywhere. Maybe the area lacked predators which could be the reason they were out of control.
"Are Gabrielle's stories true, Thracian?" asked Damian while walking toward an unsuspecting rabbit.
"She makes it sound more heroic than it actually was, but yes," she replied with her chakram in hand. It didn't even take them a minute to catch a few hares.
"So, you really took a complete turn?" He stepped toward her, and they put the rabbits in a bag.
"Yes."
"Then I have a question, I'm genuinely curious: whenever your army marched into a village to kill defenseless people and take away their lives' work… what went through your mind?" He continued as Xena avoided his eyes. "Does that make you feel all high and mighty? Playing god by terrorizing those who have no chance against you?"
"I was… full of hate and rage back then. I… didn't think through what I did." She tried to say more, but was at a loss for words.
"You didn't think through what you did?" Damian repeated with shaking lips as he stood before her. "What you did was cut down helpless farmers and murder a crippled veteran who was trying to protect his family, then take everything so the survivors could starve to death!" Tears appeared in his eyes. "Even Tartarus isn't punishment enough for all the agony you've caused!"
"I'm sorry." That was all Xena could say. Previously she thought Lyros was one of her more merciful conquests, but she clearly inflicted more suffering than intended. Her throat tightened and she felt miserable.
"You're sorry…" Damian suddenly swung his arm for a backhanded punch. Xena's muscles twitched, but she resisted the urge to defend herself. If hitting her made Damian feel better, that was the least she could offer. However, he just stood with clenched fist, staring at her with hatred until he shook his head and his arm dropped. Xena watched him marching forward and with a sad sigh, she followed him.
"That was fast," said Gabrielle when they returned. "Is everything alright?"
"Just fine," Damian gnashed his teeth.
As they were preparing the food, Gabrielle tried to learn more about their new companion. He was reluctant at first but eventually opened up to her.
"I was always fascinated by tales of Hercules," he began. "How he fights for good, even defying the gods when they're unjust. I often dreamed about becoming a hero like him. One day, he and his friend, Iolaus, stopped at our village. They were kind and friendly, even helping the village raise a stable. The stories often omitted Iolaus, but I found it all the more encouraging that a mortal travels with Hercules and helps him fight the good fight."
Damian glanced at the crackling fire, recalling the memory.
"That was when I decided to follow their example. When they split up to visit their families, I had the privilege to accompany Iolaus for a while, and he taught me a few tricks during the trip. It was enough to deal with some local bandits later, and I improved further during my adventures. But when I returned to my village," he looked at Xena, "darkness already found them."
She lowered her gaze and Damian turned to the roasting meat.
"Some tribes believe that eating the heart of their fallen enemies grants them their strength. I'm beginning to think that's true." He flashed a grotesque smile at Xena. "With your heart, I'd become more powerful than any mortal Greece can throw at me."
"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," answered Xena calmly.
"Indeed," nodded Gabrielle. "Especially since we're about to eat."
"Out of curiosity," Damian looked at Xena, "what made you realize that you should change your ways?"
A smile appeared on the woman's face.
"Hercules."
Damian's sarcastic expression disappeared. It was clear he had not expected that answer.
"So…" He turned to Gabrielle, "about those amazons and centaurs…"
During the journey, Xena's thoughts frequently returned to the events of Lyros. Her army had encountered Athenian troops who wanted to trap them, but with her tactics and skills she managed to cut through them. Though victorious, their supplies were low, and she wanted to put some distance between her and the Athenian reinforcements.
Xena led her men toward the mountain, knowing that she could find at least one settlement to pillage and replenish their supplies. Lyros was the unlucky village that happened to be in their way. Her army was hungry and tired but the promise of food, ale, and coin invigorated them. Xena let them loot and kill; the villagers offered little resistance, only a few desperate men attacked her soldiers to protect their belongings and families. She considered what many of her men thought but did not dare to say openly: they should slaughter everyone, so the Athenians obtained no information about the size and strength of her army. The danger was real; her army could not withstand the reinforcements yet hunting down every villager would have taken too much time and she loathed to break her rule of not killing women and children. When a woman rushed forward, Xena prepared to defend herself but the villager held no weapons.
"Please, I beg of you, stop them!" she pleaded with teary eyes. "We give you anything you want, just stop this slaughter!"
Xena watched the crying woman for a few seconds. The villager stood her gaze and Xena wondered if it was bravery or desperation. Maybe both.
"Enough!" Xena finally shouted to her men. "Stop chasing these peasants! Gather what food you can and let's go!"
The woman fell to her knees and her head drooped. Xena no longer cared about her; she organized her soldiers, and they soon left the ransacked village behind.
Xena looked at Damian: he was listening to Gabrielle's stories which provided some distraction although he often gave Xena piercing looks. Gabrielle must have realized that because she raised her voice and gesticulated more wildly to be more captivating.
"… and that's how Xena saved the life of Meleager from an unjust execution."
"I wish I had met him," said Damian at the end of the story. "It is a rarity that warriors like him reach old age and defeated only by death itself."
"Oh, death." Gabrielle smiled. "Another interesting tale. Did you know that King Sisyphus once captured Celesta, Goddess of Death?"
"What?"
"Yes. It all started in an apple orchard where Xena and I met a band of lowly bandits…"
Although Gabrielle's stories prevented further conflicts, by the end of the day, both women realized how serious Damian was about keeping an eye on Xena. Every time nature called, the man kept her in sight, at least to a degree, despite any assurance that she would not just leave Gabrielle behind. His insistence became even more awkward when they found a lake and the two women intended to bathe. Their new companion refused to let his target wander out of sight.
Xena crossed her arms.
"Do you seriously think that I'm so scared of you that I'll leave my clothes and weapons behind and swim away?"
"Probably not." Damian shrugged. "But I don't want to take chances. After you, Thracian!"
Xena nonchalantly looked at him and went toward the lake.
"This is not healthy, you know," said Gabrielle. "Xena won't run away. You should know that after the stories I've told you."
"As entertaining as they are, I still have my doubts how much of it is true. You're her… friend, after all."
"Believe me, if she would want to shake you off, she could do it easily."
"I think you underestimate me. You have no idea what I'm capable of. I can briefly keep up with galloping horses, and I'm quite decent at following tracks. If your friend tries to run, I… woah!"
As he turned to Xena, she was completely naked. Damian stared with wide eyes and opened his mouth, but no sound came out of it.
"Are you making sure that none of my parts run away?" she asked. The man finally found his voice.
"Why on Earth didn't you give me a head's up?"
"Head's up? You expected me to bathe in my clothes? Have you seen enough?"
Damian's face reddened, and finally he turned away.
"Damn Thracians," he muttered and looked at Gabrielle. "Well… if you…" he stabbed toward the lake with his thumb, "… go ahead."
He turned his back, only watching Xena from the corner of his eyes.
The water was cold, but there were not many options. Gabrielle hoped for a hot bath when they reach the nearest town.
"Poor Damian," she smiled. "He was really embarrassed."
"Maybe he shouldn't be so eager to keep his eye on me all the time."
They heard a splash and saw Damian sitting in the water. He wasn't staring at them, only giving occasional glances, and slowly submerging deeper.
"I don't know what to think about him," said Gabrielle. "He doesn't strike me as a bad person, but his hatred for you is unnerving. I can't help feeling that it is only a matter of time before he snaps."
"I know. It reminds me of what happened to me when Cortese attacked my village. Meeting me brought Damian's rage and bloodlust to the surface, which may lead to the path I took. Perhaps… it's already too late for him."
Gabrielle shook her head.
"It wasn't late for you to turn your life around. Maybe… if you help Lyros, he'll be able to let go."
"I'm not so sure. If he resorted to eating hearts, I believe he's gone too far."
"Come on! It was a bad joke. He's upset and just wanted to spite you."
"He also said he was beginning to think the belief is true. Interesting choice of words."
"I'm sure he didn't mean…" She looked at Xena, who glanced at her and returned to bathing.
By the time they finished in the water and dressed, Gabrielle already felt uneasy. She stepped to Damian and cleared her throat.
"Umm… I have question. When you talked about that… heart eating thing. I mean… you were just kidding, right?"
Damian raised his eyebrow. He chuckled then began laughing. Gabrielle, relieved, began giggling too.
"No, I wasn't," he said suddenly.
Gabrielle's smile froze on her face.
"What?"
"The key is a nice seasoning and correct roasting. If you use the blood from the heart properly, maybe throw the kidneys into the mix, it can improve the flavor greatly."
He saw Gabrielle's face turn a shade of green and she clamped a hand over her mouth.
"Sorry, I was kidding this time. I'm not eating kidneys or roasting the heart. It's kinda bloody and chewy, but you can get used to…"
Gabrielle ran away but did not get too far before her lunch came back.
"You shouldn't be so eager to eat others' hearts," remarked Xena. "Especially if you know the proper ritual."
"Why not?" he asked absentmindedly, still watching Gabrielle.
"If you're using evil for empowerment, you'll lose yourself. I knew an evil shamaness and even she refrained from that because of the consequences. It can turn you into a mindless beast."
Damian turned to her.
"Really? Aren't you the wise one?"
"I have been to many places, learned many things. Sacrificing your humanity for power is a bad deal."
"Speaking from experience?" As Gabrielle came back, he wanted to pat her shoulder, but she raised her hand and walked past him. "Now that you mention it though, someone else said a similar thing. Her name was Najara. Have you heard of her?"
Xena shook her head.
"Najara is a warrior of light. A little strange but good-hearted woman. I joined her group for a few months, and we thinned the scum of Greece a little. She said I'm on a path that will cost my soul. Maybe she had a vague vision of my… ritual or was just a good judge of character." He shrugged. "She wanted to initiate me among her followers, but I had to decline."
"Because no more hearts for you then?" asked Gabrielle with disgust.
"Yes. But she was also too… zealous for me. And I'm not the best at following orders." He smiled. "I learned that during my brief service as a soldier."
Xena looked up at the sky. It was already darkening.
"Let's make camp here for the night. Tomorrow we can continue our journey."
During the middle of the night, Damian's eyes popped open, and he glanced toward Xena and Gabrielle. Both of them appeared to be sleeping. The man grinned, pulled out his dagger and quietly crawled closer to Xena. He watched her steady breathing a little, then slowly approached her neck with the blade.
"Are you going to kill me while I'm asleep?"
Damian's hand halted. Xena did not open her eyes, nor did she appear to try defending herself.
"No." He put the dagger back on his belt. "I was just wondering if you're foolish enough to let your guard down."
Xena's eyes slowly opened.
"I have a question and I'd prefer if you answer honestly."
Damian gave a small nod.
"There isn't any monster, is there? That's not why we're going back."
The man tilted his head.
"Really? Then why?"
"You want me to stand trial… or just have your village lynch me for my crimes. Is that it?"
Damian's mouth curled towards a smile.
"What if it is? Are you afraid?"
"I just want to clarify things. If that's the case, there's no need to bring Gabrielle along. I met her after I turned from my old life, she had nothing to do with it."
Damian glanced toward the sleeping girl.
"Yes, I believe that. She has an aura of innocence around her, I can feel it. The real question is: are you still willing to accompany me to Lyros? And submit yourself to a trial?"
Xena was thinking. She felt conflicted, but running away from her past deeds was a repulsive thought.
"If I have your word that Gabrielle is free to leave."
"You surprise me." A smile appeared on Damian's face. "However, there is, in fact, a monster. I didn't make it up. But that doesn't mean there won't be a trial. All I can promise is there won't be any lynching, and that Gabrielle is free to leave, unharmed… given she doesn't commit any crimes herself, of course."
"Agreed. Now, could we go back to sleep, preferably without any more tests?"