CHAPTER 10
It was well into the morning before Gabrielle woke up. That was one of the perks of traveling on your own - you can get up at your own time. She stretched deliciously, smiling at what Xena would think of her sleeping in so late. While she loved her friend dearly, Xena did have some annoying habits. Among them was the tendency to wake at dawn, and expecting everyone else to do so as well. Frowning at the thought, Gabrielle made ready to face the day.
What would she do today? Possibilities abounded. She could try her hand at fishing in that stream she saw just before she made camp for the night. Or she could sit under that tree over there and work on her scrolls, or a poem or two. Then again, she could press on to the village that she knew was up ahead. So many choices. But whatever she did, Gabrielle was certain that today would be exciting.
***
She was too late. Far too late. The picture before her was total pandemonium. Callisto had escaped. The Destroyer of Nations was on the loose, people cried, running through the streets wailing to no one in particular. The bloodshed had already begun.
Grimly, Xena pressed on towards the prison. She could see it now, just over the next rise. Before she could reach it, she was stopped by a garrison of guards, eyes red-rimmed with lack of sleep, the current situation making them edgy and jumpy. After explaining who she was, Xena was quickly led to the prison.
"Xena!" The warden cried, both surprised and extremely relieved.
"Bothar." They grasped arms in greeting.
"No doubt you heard." Bothar grimaced and passed a hand over his face.
"It's been nothing but sheer confusion since last night. Someone," and he paused, as though he couldn't credit such a thing, "came in under the cover of darkness and freed Callisto. Come, I'll show you." Waving his escorts to follow, he led Xena deep into the bowels of the complex.
"As you can see, the guards are dead," The sight made even Xena's stomach churn. Averting his eyes, Bothar went on.
"From what we can get out of the other prisoners, a group of men, posing as new inmates, were led by a bogus guard up to these cells. Apparently they overpowered the guards, sprung Callisto, then, well—you can see for yourself." He indicated the mutilated corpses. Again, Xena felt a wave of nausea.
"Actually, it's a good thing you came. Saves me having to track you down." At Xena's quizzical expression, he gestured for her to come with him into the cell. He merely pointed to the wall.
There, written in blood, with letters a foot high, was a message:
Pleasant dreams Xena…
Xena stared at it for a long time before turning away and accompanying the warden back into the sunlight outside.
"We sent a search party after them as soon as we found out." Bothar gestured ineffectually.
"They won't find her." Xena's voice sounded flat as she stared straight ahead, looking at nothing. "It's me she wants, nothing less will do."
"So what do you propose?"
Checking her scabbard, Xena turned to look Bothar in the eye.
"I propose to capture her, and bring her back if possible…"
"I'll send some men with you—"
"No," She cut him off mid-sentence. "They'll only get themselves killed. Get word to the villages that Callisto's loose again. Tell them to run, hide… just stay out of her way."
She paused as she mounted Argo.
"And mine."
With that, she headed out across the country.
***
It felt good to breathe fresh air again. Not at all like her cell, with its damp, humid quality. And to be able to move around, as opposed to being strapped in a chair all day, yes, that too felt good.
While the seasons might argue otherwise, for her it was spring. A time of renewal, a time of rejoicing. When nature's patterns coursed through oneself and old cycles begin anew. After a long winter, she had emerged from imposed hibernation to drink of life. Copious amounts of life. Already she had tasted the sweet nectar of life itself. Washed her hands in the very well spring of it. Watched as it coursed down the pale skin of a man and stained his clothes a deep, rich red. The color of life, the color of death.
But she was far from sated, oh no. Long had she been away, and mighty had her thirst become. Such joy, such freedom. She must share this wonderful feeling with Xena. Yes, only she would fully appreciate the beauty and the art of it all. Already she had left the warrior princess a calling card. It wouldn't be long now.
"Where to now?" A gruff voice rudely interrupted her ruminations. Tomis, one of her rescuers. She turned towards him.
"Where do you suggest?" She asked sweetly.
"I think—" He began, only to fall from his horse, withering on the ground, his throat cut.
"Anyone else been thinking?" She asked just as sweetly, wiping the blood from her dagger.
They shook their heads emphatically.
"In that case…" She turned her horse west, setting the pace for the others to follow.