Chapter 7
From the cover of a small ridge Gabrielle, Leiandros and Barus watched the Followers camp. Shortly after dawn, one of the Followers had discovered their camp, while searching for water. Leiandros managed to kill him before he could sound an alarm. Gabrielle knew they would have to act soon or the others would become suspicious of the man's disappearance. "We need to get someone on the other side of the camp." Gabrielle stated. "Once we attack, they can grab the child and move her to safety."
"Good idea." Agreed Leiandros. "Why don't you and Septimus go? When you're in position the archers will open fire."
"Alright." nodded the bard.
It took longer to circle the campsite than Gabrielle would have liked, but it was the only way to be sure of a surprise attack. They managed to reach a small outcrop of boulders, less than twenty feet from the child. Once in place Gabrielle glanced at Septimus. A quick nod assured her he was ready. Taking a deep breath she signaled Leiandros.
Within minutes the quiet campsite was turned into mass confusion. Arrows rained down on the unsuspecting Followers, though well out of range of the child. Two Followers fell dead arrows protruding from their chests. The remaining ones scrambled for cover. Realizing the threat Zared started for the child, intending to use her as a shield. Rage consumed he at the sight of a young man and the interfering girl from the village approaching the child. "NO!" he screamed charging forward.
Gabrielle stepped into his path, raising her staff into a defensive position. "Get her out of here!" she called over her shoulder to Septimus.
"But..."
"DO IT! NOW!" she ordered, focusing on the approaching figure.
Zared stopped just out of her reach. "Out of my way, woman!"
"Forget it." Gabrielle growled, tightening her grip. From the sounds around her she knew the villagers were engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the remaining Followers.
Septimus lifted the child, carrying her into the forest.
Snarling as he watched the child disappear, Zared turned on the Bard. "You will pay for your interference." Adding as an afterthought. "Just like you friend."
Gabrielle felt a knot start to form in her stomach. "Where is my friend?" she asked guardedly.
"I killed her." answered the priest calmly.
"You're lying!" cried the bard.
"Really?" answered Zared with a humorless laugh. "Then how do you explain this?" He drew Xena's sword holding it up for the young woman to see. "Good I see you recognize it."
There was a barely controlled rage in the bard's voice as she spoke. "How did you get Xena's sword?"
"I took it from her just before I slit her belly open with the strange round weapon she carried." answered the zealot in a matter of fact tone. "But don't worry, I promised her I would send you to join her." Lunging for the bard as he spoke.
Distracted Gabrielle barely deflected the blow aimed at her head. Stepping back she blocked several more strikes before launching her counterattack.
As they fought Zared pressed her not only physically but emotionally. Trying to taunt her into making a mistake. "Give up, little girl. I defeated the warrior. What makes you think you can win?"
Gabrielle fought to control her emotions. Xena had always told her one of the most important things to remember in a fight was not let emotions blind you. At the moment, she was learning just how important that lesson had been.
"You should have heard her scream when I cut her." taunted the Priest. "It was quite a sound."
"Now I know you're lying." Gabrielle sneered. "Xena wouldn't have given you the satisfaction."
Curling his lips back into a tooth filled snarl, Zared purred. "With the right amount of pain anyone can be made to scream."
Gabrielle felt tears welling up, at the thought of her friend being tortured. She allowed the pain to turn to anger, anger she directed at the madman before her. At first it seemed he had the advantage on the bard. But she was proving to be more of a challenge then he anticipated. Soon Zared found himself losing ground, fighting just to keep her off of him. Slowly retreating with each blow, Zared stumbled. It was all the advantage Gabrielle needed. As he fought to regain his balance, she knocked the sword from his grasp. Followed by a swept, which effectively dropped the cult leader on his backside. As he struck the ground, she drove one end of the staff into his midsection, knocking the wind from his lungs.
Standing with her staff pressed against his throat, she literally growled at him. "Where is Xena?"
Gasping for air, Zared smiled up at her smugly. "I...told you...I killed her."
"LAIR!" screamed the bard, striking him hard under the chin with her staff. Moving the staff back to his throat she applied pressure to it.
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, where she had caused him to bite his lip. Zared stared up at the young woman. It was obvious emotions were raging within her and if there was one thing he knew how to do it was play on people's emotions. "You know I'm not lying." he said quietly. "Think about it would the warrior have let me ride off after stopping the sacrifice? We both know the only way I could have escaped was if the warrior were wounded or dead."
Gabrielle flinched at the verbalization of her own fears. "How?" she asked quietly.
Zared relaxed growing smug with his victory over the bard's emotions. "It was simple actually. I managed to blind her before she could recover my children beat her to the ground. Once she was subdued I left her to die from her wounds."
Gabrielle felt a spark of hope. "So she was alive when you left her?"
Sarcastic laughter cut her like a knife. "Barely. Her wounds were quite serious. I'm sure the loss of blood from her belly wound alone sped her to the Other Side." Closely watching the little blond's reactions he continued. "It's to bad really. I mean if you had gone to look for her after the raid you might have reached her in time. But now..." He let the words trail off. Smiling to himself as he watched the girl's shoulders shag under the realization of his words. 'I've got her now.' he thought arrogantly.
Gabrielle felt her mind reel. Dread gripped her heart as images of a wounded Xena filled her mind. Worse was the realization Xena had needed her help and she had not been there to offer it. Looking down at the pompous cult leader, she felt something inside of her snap. "NOOO!!!" she screamed attacking like a wounded animal, pelting Zared with her staff. Screams of 'no' slowly turned to cries of anger and pain.
Trying to deflect the blows Zared raised his hands over his head. His plan was backfiring, having completely misjudged the bard's reaction. Instead of breaking the bard, he merely fueled her anger and rage.
Gabrielle's anger, fear and frustration rushed to the surface giving her power and strength she had felt few times before. They were the same emotions that threatened to claim her when Castillo murdered Perdicus. Anger, fear and worse of all the helplessness. Then Xena was there for her. Allowing herself to be the target of the bard's anger. Helping her through the pain. When Xena had been struck down by the warrior priest, Gabrielle struck him down to protect her friend. Though she was angry with him for wounding the Warrior, she had not wanted to killed him. Not at first. Later, after Xena died there had been no one to blame. No one but herself. Looking down at Zared she realized now there was someone to blame for the pain she was feeling. Someone to strike at, somehow Gabrielle found the strength to swing harder. As she flailed Zared a rush of memories swept over her. Memories of death and loss. Friends and family, Talus, Phantes, Terries, Perdicas...Xena. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struck again and again. So many losses.
Zared curled into a ball trying to withstand the blows. He was certain the girl would beat him to death. 'It can't end this way. I am the chosen one.' he told himself.
Gabrielle raised the staff preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the head. 'You've known rage, but you've never given into it.' Xena's words struck her as if they were a physical blow. Lowering the staff, Gabrielle staggered back a step. Staring down at the bloody and bruised man laying at her feet, she felt ill at the realization of what she had done and what she had almost done.
Approaching hoof beats drew her attention to the group of soldiers, riding into the camp. Several of the villagers rushed to greet them. Leioandros meet the captain and explained the situation.
Exhaustion claimed the Bard as she stumbled toward a nearby boulder. Suddenly Stepimus was by her side, trying to support her. "Gabrielle are you all right? How bad is it?"
"How bad is what?"
"Your wound, is it serious?" Concern etched his face.
Gabrielle tried to push him away. "I'm not wounded."
"Are you sure." he asked, still not convinced. A warning shout from one of the villager, stopped her from tell him to leave her allow.
Following the villager's outstretched arm she found the cause of his excitement. While her back was turned, Zared had managed to reach one of the horses. He was charging toward the dark cover of the forest.
"Archer!" called the Captain.
From the soldiers sprinted a tall, lean man with dark hair. Years of outdoor exercises had tanned his skin a golden bronze. As he reached the Captain he removed a large crossbow from his back.
"Stop that man." ordered the Officer.
Nodding the archer pulled the bowstring back, locking it in place. With practiced precision he drew an arrow from it's quiver and notched it on the string, in one fluid motion. Placing the crossbow stock to his shoulder he carefully sighted in on the fleeing target. Taking a long deep breath, his finger tightened on the trigger as he slowly released the breath. As the last of the air left his lungs he released the arrow. Time seemed suspended as all eyes attempted to follow the arrow's path. Just when it seemed Zared would make the safety of the forest, the arrow found its mark. Gabrielle cringed as she watched it strike the cult leader just below his right shoulder blade. The force of the blow threw him forward in the saddle, yet somehow he managed to remain on the horse.
"Nice shot." commented the Captain, turning to the other soldiers. "Corporal, take two men and follow him. He won't get far now."
"Yes, sir." replied the Corporal, as he mounted a nearby horse.
Without a word Gabrielle started toward the villagers camp. Due to her determined strides, Septimus was forced to run to catch up with her. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the village."
"Now? Aren't you going to wait till they bring Zared back? We might need help searching for him."
She answered without breaking stride. "The soldiers are here now, they can search for him. You don't need my help anymore." Swallowing hard she added. "But, I know someone who does."
+
Heavy mist blanketed everything in the meadow, including its two unwilling occupants. Xena shifted slightly trying to relieve some of the pressure on her shoulders. They no longer hurt in fact they were completely numb. Which in a way was a relief. Her legs were going numb as well soon she would not be able to support herself. Two days without food or water was taking its toll. Had she been in peak physical condition it wouldn't not have been so bad. Unfortunately she was not in peak condition. Though her wounds were no longer bleeding, she had lost entirely too much blood. If she was going to survive she needed water and she needed it soon.
Turning to the side she notice Caecilius's limp form. Though his breathing was shallow and raggit, he was still alive. She considered waking him then decided against it. 'Let him sleep.' she thought. 'At least now he's not in pain.' Looking around the meadow her mind began to wander. Once again her thoughts turned to Gabrielle. Where was she? Was she all right? Had Zared hurt her? 'I swear Gabrielle if that animal has hurt you I'll...' she allowed the thought to trail off. 'You'll what?' asked a voice inside her head. 'You'll kill him? Seek revenge against him for Gabrielle...or for yourself?' Xena shook her head. 'No, Gabrielle wouldn't want that.' dropping her head and sighing heavily. "Gabrielle, where are you?"
The sound of chattering teeth drew the warrior's attention to the young man beside her. She noticed how pale he looked and despite the early morning chill, he was bathed in sweat. "Caecilius, you all right?"
Fighting to control his trembling, he answered through clenched teeth. "I...I'm...fine."
"No you're not." Xena replied sympathetically. "Your wounds are still bleeding and judging from the way you're sweating, a fever is setting in." Looking up at the slowly climbing sun, she added. "We both could use some water."
Caecilius laughed, the weakness in it was not lost on the warrior. "Are you...admitting your...discomfort, warrior?"
Xena chuckled slightly. "Let's just say I've had better days." Adding jokingly. "Besides, you look awful."
Caecilius laughed again and for the first time Xena noticed genuine humor in it. "You should...see yourself."
Xena looked down at her dirt and blood covered body, then laughed weakly. "Yeah I guess we're both a sight." When the young man did not offer further comment, she raised her head toward him. He was drifting off again. Each time he slept longer and longer. The warrior knew his strength was fading. It was only a matter of time till he drifted off, never to awake. 'And how long till you do the same?' asked the voice, she shook the thought from her head. 'No I won't give up.'
From the cover of a small ridge Gabrielle, Leiandros and Barus watched the Followers camp. Shortly after dawn, one of the Followers had discovered their camp, while searching for water. Leiandros managed to kill him before he could sound an alarm. Gabrielle knew they would have to act soon or the others would become suspicious of the man's disappearance. "We need to get someone on the other side of the camp." Gabrielle stated. "Once we attack, they can grab the child and move her to safety."
"Good idea." Agreed Leiandros. "Why don't you and Septimus go? When you're in position the archers will open fire."
"Alright." nodded the bard.
It took longer to circle the campsite than Gabrielle would have liked, but it was the only way to be sure of a surprise attack. They managed to reach a small outcrop of boulders, less than twenty feet from the child. Once in place Gabrielle glanced at Septimus. A quick nod assured her he was ready. Taking a deep breath she signaled Leiandros.
Within minutes the quiet campsite was turned into mass confusion. Arrows rained down on the unsuspecting Followers, though well out of range of the child. Two Followers fell dead arrows protruding from their chests. The remaining ones scrambled for cover. Realizing the threat Zared started for the child, intending to use her as a shield. Rage consumed he at the sight of a young man and the interfering girl from the village approaching the child. "NO!" he screamed charging forward.
Gabrielle stepped into his path, raising her staff into a defensive position. "Get her out of here!" she called over her shoulder to Septimus.
"But..."
"DO IT! NOW!" she ordered, focusing on the approaching figure.
Zared stopped just out of her reach. "Out of my way, woman!"
"Forget it." Gabrielle growled, tightening her grip. From the sounds around her she knew the villagers were engaged in hand-to-hand combat with the remaining Followers.
Septimus lifted the child, carrying her into the forest.
Snarling as he watched the child disappear, Zared turned on the Bard. "You will pay for your interference." Adding as an afterthought. "Just like you friend."
Gabrielle felt a knot start to form in her stomach. "Where is my friend?" she asked guardedly.
"I killed her." answered the priest calmly.
"You're lying!" cried the bard.
"Really?" answered Zared with a humorless laugh. "Then how do you explain this?" He drew Xena's sword holding it up for the young woman to see. "Good I see you recognize it."
There was a barely controlled rage in the bard's voice as she spoke. "How did you get Xena's sword?"
"I took it from her just before I slit her belly open with the strange round weapon she carried." answered the zealot in a matter of fact tone. "But don't worry, I promised her I would send you to join her." Lunging for the bard as he spoke.
Distracted Gabrielle barely deflected the blow aimed at her head. Stepping back she blocked several more strikes before launching her counterattack.
As they fought Zared pressed her not only physically but emotionally. Trying to taunt her into making a mistake. "Give up, little girl. I defeated the warrior. What makes you think you can win?"
Gabrielle fought to control her emotions. Xena had always told her one of the most important things to remember in a fight was not let emotions blind you. At the moment, she was learning just how important that lesson had been.
"You should have heard her scream when I cut her." taunted the Priest. "It was quite a sound."
"Now I know you're lying." Gabrielle sneered. "Xena wouldn't have given you the satisfaction."
Curling his lips back into a tooth filled snarl, Zared purred. "With the right amount of pain anyone can be made to scream."
Gabrielle felt tears welling up, at the thought of her friend being tortured. She allowed the pain to turn to anger, anger she directed at the madman before her. At first it seemed he had the advantage on the bard. But she was proving to be more of a challenge then he anticipated. Soon Zared found himself losing ground, fighting just to keep her off of him. Slowly retreating with each blow, Zared stumbled. It was all the advantage Gabrielle needed. As he fought to regain his balance, she knocked the sword from his grasp. Followed by a swept, which effectively dropped the cult leader on his backside. As he struck the ground, she drove one end of the staff into his midsection, knocking the wind from his lungs.
Standing with her staff pressed against his throat, she literally growled at him. "Where is Xena?"
Gasping for air, Zared smiled up at her smugly. "I...told you...I killed her."
"LAIR!" screamed the bard, striking him hard under the chin with her staff. Moving the staff back to his throat she applied pressure to it.
Wiping blood from the corner of his mouth, where she had caused him to bite his lip. Zared stared up at the young woman. It was obvious emotions were raging within her and if there was one thing he knew how to do it was play on people's emotions. "You know I'm not lying." he said quietly. "Think about it would the warrior have let me ride off after stopping the sacrifice? We both know the only way I could have escaped was if the warrior were wounded or dead."
Gabrielle flinched at the verbalization of her own fears. "How?" she asked quietly.
Zared relaxed growing smug with his victory over the bard's emotions. "It was simple actually. I managed to blind her before she could recover my children beat her to the ground. Once she was subdued I left her to die from her wounds."
Gabrielle felt a spark of hope. "So she was alive when you left her?"
Sarcastic laughter cut her like a knife. "Barely. Her wounds were quite serious. I'm sure the loss of blood from her belly wound alone sped her to the Other Side." Closely watching the little blond's reactions he continued. "It's to bad really. I mean if you had gone to look for her after the raid you might have reached her in time. But now..." He let the words trail off. Smiling to himself as he watched the girl's shoulders shag under the realization of his words. 'I've got her now.' he thought arrogantly.
Gabrielle felt her mind reel. Dread gripped her heart as images of a wounded Xena filled her mind. Worse was the realization Xena had needed her help and she had not been there to offer it. Looking down at the pompous cult leader, she felt something inside of her snap. "NOOO!!!" she screamed attacking like a wounded animal, pelting Zared with her staff. Screams of 'no' slowly turned to cries of anger and pain.
Trying to deflect the blows Zared raised his hands over his head. His plan was backfiring, having completely misjudged the bard's reaction. Instead of breaking the bard, he merely fueled her anger and rage.
Gabrielle's anger, fear and frustration rushed to the surface giving her power and strength she had felt few times before. They were the same emotions that threatened to claim her when Castillo murdered Perdicus. Anger, fear and worse of all the helplessness. Then Xena was there for her. Allowing herself to be the target of the bard's anger. Helping her through the pain. When Xena had been struck down by the warrior priest, Gabrielle struck him down to protect her friend. Though she was angry with him for wounding the Warrior, she had not wanted to killed him. Not at first. Later, after Xena died there had been no one to blame. No one but herself. Looking down at Zared she realized now there was someone to blame for the pain she was feeling. Someone to strike at, somehow Gabrielle found the strength to swing harder. As she flailed Zared a rush of memories swept over her. Memories of death and loss. Friends and family, Talus, Phantes, Terries, Perdicas...Xena. Tears welled up in her eyes as she struck again and again. So many losses.
Zared curled into a ball trying to withstand the blows. He was certain the girl would beat him to death. 'It can't end this way. I am the chosen one.' he told himself.
Gabrielle raised the staff preparing to deliver a fatal blow to the head. 'You've known rage, but you've never given into it.' Xena's words struck her as if they were a physical blow. Lowering the staff, Gabrielle staggered back a step. Staring down at the bloody and bruised man laying at her feet, she felt ill at the realization of what she had done and what she had almost done.
Approaching hoof beats drew her attention to the group of soldiers, riding into the camp. Several of the villagers rushed to greet them. Leioandros meet the captain and explained the situation.
Exhaustion claimed the Bard as she stumbled toward a nearby boulder. Suddenly Stepimus was by her side, trying to support her. "Gabrielle are you all right? How bad is it?"
"How bad is what?"
"Your wound, is it serious?" Concern etched his face.
Gabrielle tried to push him away. "I'm not wounded."
"Are you sure." he asked, still not convinced. A warning shout from one of the villager, stopped her from tell him to leave her allow.
Following the villager's outstretched arm she found the cause of his excitement. While her back was turned, Zared had managed to reach one of the horses. He was charging toward the dark cover of the forest.
"Archer!" called the Captain.
From the soldiers sprinted a tall, lean man with dark hair. Years of outdoor exercises had tanned his skin a golden bronze. As he reached the Captain he removed a large crossbow from his back.
"Stop that man." ordered the Officer.
Nodding the archer pulled the bowstring back, locking it in place. With practiced precision he drew an arrow from it's quiver and notched it on the string, in one fluid motion. Placing the crossbow stock to his shoulder he carefully sighted in on the fleeing target. Taking a long deep breath, his finger tightened on the trigger as he slowly released the breath. As the last of the air left his lungs he released the arrow. Time seemed suspended as all eyes attempted to follow the arrow's path. Just when it seemed Zared would make the safety of the forest, the arrow found its mark. Gabrielle cringed as she watched it strike the cult leader just below his right shoulder blade. The force of the blow threw him forward in the saddle, yet somehow he managed to remain on the horse.
"Nice shot." commented the Captain, turning to the other soldiers. "Corporal, take two men and follow him. He won't get far now."
"Yes, sir." replied the Corporal, as he mounted a nearby horse.
Without a word Gabrielle started toward the villagers camp. Due to her determined strides, Septimus was forced to run to catch up with her. "Where are you going?"
"Back to the village."
"Now? Aren't you going to wait till they bring Zared back? We might need help searching for him."
She answered without breaking stride. "The soldiers are here now, they can search for him. You don't need my help anymore." Swallowing hard she added. "But, I know someone who does."
+
Heavy mist blanketed everything in the meadow, including its two unwilling occupants. Xena shifted slightly trying to relieve some of the pressure on her shoulders. They no longer hurt in fact they were completely numb. Which in a way was a relief. Her legs were going numb as well soon she would not be able to support herself. Two days without food or water was taking its toll. Had she been in peak physical condition it wouldn't not have been so bad. Unfortunately she was not in peak condition. Though her wounds were no longer bleeding, she had lost entirely too much blood. If she was going to survive she needed water and she needed it soon.
Turning to the side she notice Caecilius's limp form. Though his breathing was shallow and raggit, he was still alive. She considered waking him then decided against it. 'Let him sleep.' she thought. 'At least now he's not in pain.' Looking around the meadow her mind began to wander. Once again her thoughts turned to Gabrielle. Where was she? Was she all right? Had Zared hurt her? 'I swear Gabrielle if that animal has hurt you I'll...' she allowed the thought to trail off. 'You'll what?' asked a voice inside her head. 'You'll kill him? Seek revenge against him for Gabrielle...or for yourself?' Xena shook her head. 'No, Gabrielle wouldn't want that.' dropping her head and sighing heavily. "Gabrielle, where are you?"
The sound of chattering teeth drew the warrior's attention to the young man beside her. She noticed how pale he looked and despite the early morning chill, he was bathed in sweat. "Caecilius, you all right?"
Fighting to control his trembling, he answered through clenched teeth. "I...I'm...fine."
"No you're not." Xena replied sympathetically. "Your wounds are still bleeding and judging from the way you're sweating, a fever is setting in." Looking up at the slowly climbing sun, she added. "We both could use some water."
Caecilius laughed, the weakness in it was not lost on the warrior. "Are you...admitting your...discomfort, warrior?"
Xena chuckled slightly. "Let's just say I've had better days." Adding jokingly. "Besides, you look awful."
Caecilius laughed again and for the first time Xena noticed genuine humor in it. "You should...see yourself."
Xena looked down at her dirt and blood covered body, then laughed weakly. "Yeah I guess we're both a sight." When the young man did not offer further comment, she raised her head toward him. He was drifting off again. Each time he slept longer and longer. The warrior knew his strength was fading. It was only a matter of time till he drifted off, never to awake. 'And how long till you do the same?' asked the voice, she shook the thought from her head. 'No I won't give up.'
