Gabrielle coughed and waved her hand in front of her mouth. She was just able to make out a hint of purple through the plumes of dust. Even the thundering hooves didn't drown out the sound of manic laughter. Jerk she thought dusting off her clothes. Like I haven't swallowed enough dust today.
Ever the optimist though she said aloud, 'At least things can't get worse.' There was a glade only five minutes away. Filled with trees, and if memory served her a small stream running through the bottom of it. The perfect place to stop awhile, relax and cool off.
Flowers and butterflies competed with each other for the brightest colors, while dozens of bees wove intricate patterns as they hovered from flower to flower. On the far side of the field she spotted some lavender, and made a mental note to pick some before she continued on. She'd learned how to make a lotion with it, and found it was excellent for toning and even cooling down on hot and muggy days like this was.
She drew in a deep breath, savoring the aroma of verdant earth and flowers. The grass was so long it tickled her knees, evoking memories of her childhood. She and her sister would usually accompany their mother to the fields to harvest the wheat. She remembered feeling ever so important taking the dozen or so stalks of grain she could manage over to the threshing mat. These bursts of activity would never last long. Invariably she'd get bored, and wander off to play with the other children, or just lie in the field, watching the clouds float by.
The grass was lower near the stream, and she took her boots off, enjoying the sensation of the cool grass under her burning feet. At the waters edge, she sat on the bank and let her feet dangle in the water. With in minutes her feet were deliciously cold. She lay back in the shade of the tree, arms spread, and eyes closed enjoying the quiet solitude. She let her mind drift, as the dappled sunlight played on her eyelids creating crazy patterns in front of her eyes. The sound of the gurgling brook, the humming of the bees, the breeze through the trees acted like a lullaby, and she dozed off.
Gabrielle woke suddenly, momentarily disorientated. With no idea of how long she'd been asleep, or what had woken her, the young woman rose cautiously, all senses alert for anything unusual. A rabbit poked his head from the undergrowth on the opposite side of the stream. She smiled a little embarrassed at her over reaction.
Wading into the knee-deep water, she started splashing her face, arms and legs. Washing off the days dust, and cooling off at the same time. With her back to the shore, she didn't notice the man standing about ten yards behind her, watching intently.
His short blond hair and average looks were off set by amazingly blue, almost violet eyes. He stood staring, a dreamy expression on his face, while Gabrielle, oblivious to his presence, started humming as she doused herself with water.
Engrossed in her bath, Gabrielle didn't hear the young stranger clear his throat.
'Hi.'
The effect on Gabrielle was immediate and galvanizing. She straightened and turned in one swift movement. Caught off balance by the drag of the water, she fell backward into the stream. 'Damn it!'
The young man rushed into the water, and held out his hand to help her up. 'I'm sorry. I didn't mean to startle you.'
Now chest deep in water, Gabrielle gave him a cynical look. It softened a little at the genuine concern on the stranger's face. 'You alright?'
She took the proffered hand. 'Yeah, I'm fine. Wet but fine.'
He helped her up the embankment, and clambered up behind her, grinning from ear to ear at the view. The smile disappeared as Gabrielle turned to scrutinize him. Squeezing water from her hair and skirt, she asked, 'Don't suppose you'd have anything I could dry myself with?'
He stood before her dripping and pitiful.
'No of course you don't,' she answered with a cynical smile.
Rummaging through her travel bag, she looked at him, standing in the sunshine, wiping his trousers of the excess water. And seized him up to be a rather harmless fellow traveler who was quite handsome in a rustic kind of way.
… And he had the most intense blue eyes I've ever seen. The only other person I know with eyes that intense is Xena.
Day 7Gabrielle stopped writing and brushed the feather from her quill against her closed eyes. It was a little idiosyncrasy she insisted helped her organize her thoughts. Opening her eyes, she looked around the camp. Siromos seemed to have fallen asleep again, while the young girl Coralyn had just woken, and was still stretching. Xena was peering into the 'oven'.
Gabrielle put down her quill and scroll and stood. 'A watched loaf never rises.'
Xena dropped the lid and grinned sheepishly. 'Is it nearly done? I'm famished.'
Gabrielle looked into the pot. 'Think you'll starve in the next fifteen minutes?'
Smiling Xena answered, 'No.'
Returning the smile, Gabrielle said, 'Didn't think so.'
They stayed that way goofy smiles on their faces, lost in the moment.
Coralyn, clearing her throat bought them back. 'What's for breakfast?'
Shaking her head a little as if to clear it, Xena said, 'Fresh herb bread and scrambled eggs.'
Ignoring Xena Coralyn turned to Gabrielle. 'Sounds all right. So you cook too?'
'Have to. Xena can't boil water without burning it.'
Coralyn laughed. Xena smiled, Gabrielle shrugged a little embarrassed at the attention the young girl was paying her. 'I'll need to finish up my writing.'
Looking crushed, Coralyn said, 'You sure? Don't you need to look after the bread or something?'
'You can keep an eye on it if you want to.' Smiling, Coralyn sat herself in front of the fire.
Smiling, Gabrielle made herself comfortable again. Taking up her quill and scroll, she stared blindly into the camp, mostly unmindful of the goings on around her. Xena harnessing Argo, Coralyn leaving the fire and folding both her blankets and Gabrielle's, then quickly returning to watch the bread.
'Had quite a little moment there didn't you?' Gabrielle looked at Siromos. The lewd look was back on his face.
'What are you talking about?' she asked warily.
'I've seen that look before, and you're not the only one. She looks at you almost the same way as that little girl does.' He was enjoying the uncomfortable look on Gabrielle's face.
'Shut up!' she hissed at him.
'What's the problem? You're both good looking, it's only right that you be together.'
'If you don't shut-up, I'll make you.' She stared him down, daring him to say anything else.
He merely shrugged and closed his eyes again. It took her a few more moments to regain her composure, and start writing again.
… Luckily I had one of my old shirts that I could dry myself off with. He apologized so profusely and looked so pathetic that I just had to let him off the hook…
DAY 1The young man turned to Gabrielle with a lost puppy look on his face. She shook her head. 'No, I'm sorry. It's been a long day, which wasn't helped much by some moron who thundered past me in some super charged chariot.'
The stranger looked at her sharply. 'Moron?'
'Yeah, I was covered head to toe in dust, and I can still taste it in the back of my throat.'
'I guess that was kind of thoughtless,' he conceded.
'Thoughtless, it was downright rude, and totally uncalled for. The roads here are wide enough for four chariots to ride side by side.'
Defensively the stranger suggested, 'Maybe he didn't see you.'
'Oh he saw me alright!' Gabrielle said, violently stuffing the damp shirt back into her bag. 'Drove extra close, and laughed like a loon once he'd passed,' she added still upset by the whole incident.
The young man changed the subject. 'Where are you headed anyway?'
'Thessalonica. I'm supposed to meet my friend there tonight.' Gabrielle grabbed her bag and staff, and headed toward the meadow.
Eager as a puppy, the young man followed. 'You know, I'm headed that way myself. I could travel with you. I'm great company.'
Gabrielle turned and looked at him. He caught the doubt in her face. 'No, honest. I know some great stories, and I want to make up for scaring you.' His smile broadened.
Coupled with a natural willingness to take people at face value, and not wanting to pass up the opportunity at hearing a good story Gabrielle relented. 'Alright, but I'm going to dry off a little first,' she said dropping her staff and bag in a grassy clearing.
Moments later, Gabrielle lay spread eagle, eyes closed, soaking up the sun. The young man sat next to her and began nervously picking at the grass.
Drowsy, and almost asleep, Gabrielle asked, 'You know, I don't even know your name.'
The young man flinched. 'It's Alex. Yours?'
'Gabrielle.' She put on arm over her eyes. 'So Alex, tell me a story.'
Alex leaned over her, captivated by her beauty.
'Alex?'
He froze, but felt secure that she would welcome his overture of affection.
Mystified by the silence, Gabrielle asked, 'Alex, are you still there?' Still no answer. She opened her eyes, and was stunned to see Alex's face inches from hers. Instinct took over as she moved her head and shoved him aside. 'Alex!'
Alex made a move as if to pin her down. Gabrielle grabbed her staff and leaped to her feet. Breathless with surprise, fear and anger, she stood over him with her staff at his throat. 'What the Tartarus do you think you're doing?'
Alex rose slowly, casually pushing the staff aside. Gabrielle now entirely confused watched in horrified silence as the rather average looking Alex, with the blue almost violet eyes slowly morphed.
Gabrielle stumbled back. Seconds later, the man who stood before her had shoulder length black hair, and was at least four inches taller than he'd been. The only feature that identified him as the Alex who'd introduced himself to her not five minutes before, were the unmistakable violet eyes. Even his peasant clothes had transformed to flowing purple silk robes.
Finally finding her voice, Gabrielle stammered, 'Wh… Who are you?'
Fancying himself quite the performer the man bowed regally and waved his head theatrically. 'My name is Menace.'
Gabrielle's expression didn't change. Her memory had no one filed under that name.
Menace continued, 'Kid brother to Strife.' Gabrielle remained stunned and motionless.
The young demi-god sighed in frustration. 'Oh, for the sake of Zeus. You've heard of Ares, the god of war?'
Gabrielle gave him a barely perceptible nod.
'Good, finally something I can work with. I'm his nephew. Not as well known as my late brother Strife, but hey, I got to build a rep, and here I am. Now, as punishment for your rejection of a god…' He raised his hands dramatically.
Gabrielle's synapses finally started firing again at the mention of the word punishment. 'WAIT!'
With a long-suffering look, the demi-god dropped his hands. 'Now what?'
'I guess I didn't hear you the first time, but tell me again, why am I being punished?' She tried desperately to remember anything that might have upset or insulted a god, but nothing came to mind.
Menace put an arm around her shoulder, which remained even though she tried to shrug it off. He spoke to her as though she was a slightly slow child. 'As I said before, you rejected a god. That would be me. Now I have to punish you. Now, where were we?'
He removed his arm and raised his hands, 'Oh yeah.'
Gabrielle's mind raced, she had to come up with something fast. She remembered hearing that Discord had transformed Hercules into a pig for about a week. Until Autolycus and Salmoneus had retrieved Artemis' bow in order to change him back.
Talking quickly she started. 'What did you expect? That I would let you kiss me, just because you appeared to be Mr. Nice Guy?' Even before she spoke she knew her words would be useless.
'ENOUGH!' Menace shouted. He could only tolerate begging for so long. Especially when it was insincere and laced with disrespect. With a stylish flick of his wrist…
'No wait!' Please don't let me be some farmyard animal. Gabrielle thought miserably.
Menace smiled, pleased with his handy work. 'Too late sweetie, damage's been done. But there is a way to redeem yourself, and it's a simple matter of checking out the Southern Oracle.'
Gabrielle flinched when he moved closer, but he only whispered in her ear. 'I'll leave them a message on how you can regain your figure. And by the way, be careful who you call names. The next god you insult may not be as lenient. Bye now.' He stepped back and started laughing. The laughter echoed as he disappeared in a fashion typical of all gods.
Gabrielle dropped to her knees. 'Stop. Please.'
Motionless, she ran through some of the things Menace could have done to her. Finally plucking up her courage, she stood slowly and walked to the stream. At least it still feels like I'm human, she thought with a ray of hope. She located a small pool of still water and leaned over cautiously to check her reflection.
'Oh great, Xena's going to love this.'
… There was nothing else to do but continue on to Thessalonica. I knew Xena would understand, but it was going to take a little convincing.
DAY 7Gabrielle put down her things. Coralyn beamed at her, 'I'm pretty sure the bread's done.'
'I'm amazed it baked at all considering how many times Xena lifted the lid.' Gabrielle took the pot off the hook and grabbed a plate onto which she turned the bread.
Admonishing Xena Coralyn said, 'Told you we should have waited for Gabriel.'
The eggs they'd bought at the last village were quickly cracked and scrambled. Gabrielle looked around for a knife. She fished around in her bag and checked both saddlebags. Finally Xena handed her one. 'Here you go.'
Exasperated, Gabrielle asked her, 'That's the last one again isn't it?'
Xena shrugged, 'Guess we're going to have to buy some more at the next village.'
Gabrielle shook her head. 'I swear, if I retrieved every knife that's been left sticking out of some bad guys corpse, I could open my own knife shop.'
Xena opened her mouth to defend herself, but Gabrielle jumped in. 'I know, you like to be creative in a fight. I only wish you'd use…' Xena raised an eyebrow. '…Well, I don't know. Something other than our pots, pans and cutlery, your weapons would be my suggestion.'
She cut the bread into four pieces, and stirred the eggs one more time before taking them off the heat. She dished out the eggs into four portions, and gave each a piece of bread.
Gabrielle looked around the camp. 'Where'd Coralyn go?'
'She was here a minute ago. Her tracks go off in that direction.'
Gabrielle stood, 'I'll get her.'
'Let me try.' Xena said stopping her, with a hand on her arm. 'I know you're the one who's good at the sensitive stuff, but I want to try this myself.'
'She's not Callisto. You didn't cause her grief. Besides, she seems to have a serious crush on me. Usually makes things a lot easier.'
'She may not be Callisto, but being the cause of someone else's grief, I have a valid perspective. Maybe I can help her.' Xena took a quick mouthful of eggs and nodded at Gabrielle. 'Good.'
Gabrielle smiled. 'You really think you can help?'
Xena tore off a piece of bread and stood. 'I hope so. Be back soon.'
The young orphan's tracks weren't hard to follow. The momentary fear she'd had that the young girl had run off was dispelled when she saw her sitting on a fallen tree, back toward her. Xena cleared her throat as she neared. Coralyn quickly wiped her eyes. Xena sat next to her, facing the other way. She nudged her gently.
'Hey, you're missing breakfast. You know, it's the most important meal of the day. You helped cook it and everything. Gabriel's going to be disappointed.'
'Tell him I'm sorry, but I guess I'm not that hungry after all.' After a short pause she asked, 'Why haven't you killed him yet?' There was a seething anger just under the surface, and she did nothing to hide it.
Xena sat quietly, not sure how to answer, but wishing she had Gabrielle's innate ability to say the right thing at the right time. Before she could think of anything, Coralyn stood and started pacing.
'I mean, you're Xena! You're supposed to protect the innocent.' Finally she stood before Xena and demanded, 'So, why don't you kill him already?'
Xena took a deep breath. 'It's not that simple.'
'Yeah, actually it is. You take your sword, and you run it through him, like he ran his through my mother, brother and sister. See, simple!'
'That's not justice, that's revenge.'
'He killed my family. His death is all the justice I need.' Her voice was beginning to choke with emotion.
'Alright, let me ask you this; did you actually see him kill them?'
'Xena, you were there. You saw him, sword raised ready to kill me!'
'You didn't answer my question.'
Coralyn fell silent, tears again started running down her cheeks. Xena had made her point, but at what cost? She continued gently, 'I'm not a judge, and I'm not willing to make that kind of decision. That's why we're taking him to Athens. For a fair trial.'
Tears and anger filled her eyes. 'Whatever. I'm going back to camp.' She stormed off.
Xena rose slowly wondering what Gabrielle would have said. The gods knew she was better at pounding heads, not crawling into them.
When Xena entered the camp Coralyn was sitting with her back toward them picking at her food. Gabrielle handed Xena her plate. 'Not going so well huh!'
Xena sat, dejected. 'I don't know what I can say to make her feel better. All she wants to do is kill him.'
Gabrielle nodded. 'I can see how she'd want that.'
Xena looked at her shocked. Gabrielle quickly added. 'I didn't mean it was a good idea, I just mean, I can see that she would think of that as fair. I'm not saying you should go over and do it.'
Gabrielle shook her head as she took the prisoner his breakfast.
'Bout time,' he grumbled. 'I'm starving.'
'Well, you don't look as if you're dying yet soldier.'
He glared at her. 'I told you, my name's Siromos,' he said around a mouthful of bread and eggs.
'Right Siromos,' Gabrielle repeated. Grimacing, she wiped half-chewed bread and eggs from her face. 'Next time though you might want to swallow what's in your mouth before you speak.'
Siromos swallowed his food theatrically, 'Well aren't we a prim and proper little prig?'
Gabrielle ignored him, and fed him another forkful of eggs.
Meanwhile, Xena had finished the last of her meal, and wiped the plate clean with a handful of leaves. Casting a wary eye at the horizon, she shook her head. 'Coralyn, Siromos. Eat up fast. Looks like we might have rain before lunch, and we have to get in some good traveling before it starts.'
Coralyn handed Xena her mostly untouched breakfast. 'I'm full.' She stated and walked away.
Not wanting to waste good food, she called to Gabrielle, 'Hey, Gabriel, you want the rest of this?'
'Ooo yeah.' She left the prisoners half-finished meal on a rock.
'Hey, what about the rest of my breakfast?' he demanded. Xena walked over, grabbed the plate and began feeding the man the rest of his food.
Gabrielle tucked into the uneaten portion of Coralyn's breakfast, while Xena hurried Siromos along by feeding him forkful after forkful, barely giving him enough time to chew and swallow. Which also turned out to be a very effective way of shutting him up.
Having finished, her second breakfast, Gabrielle also cleaned her plate, and put it away. Xena bought Siromos over with his plate.
'Let's move people!'
The small band started off down the road, into a darkening sky.
…..
… As Xena had predicted the hot spell broke with a vengeance. Although only a few yards from the Minotaur Motel, we were all drenched by the time we made shelter in their stables. That was two hours ago, and it's still pelting down. Our captured warrior is asleep, or pretending to be. Young Coralyn is sitting sullenly in a corner writing or drawing. With all she's been through in the last few days, I wish we could accommodate her and stay at the Bed and Breakfast, but Xena insists we keep a low profile. Although, I'm sure she just can't justify that expense when the barn is as good a place as any to spend the night. At the moment, she's leaning against the door, and I can tell her feet are itching to move on. As for myself, I could quite happily spend a few days here, just sleeping and writing.
So, continuing on from where I left off this morning… There I was, slightly in shock, my clothes no longer fit, and beginning to feel very conspicuous, even though no one had passed since I'd left the glade. I had to do something…
DAY 1… Gabrielle hunkered down behind the rough stonewall, wishing to Zeus that he'd strike the dumb mutt down for all the noise it was making. Finally taking her chances, she sprinted for the clothesline and ripped off an indigo pair of trousers, and a bright red shirt. She despaired over the choice, but it was a lot better tan the alternative of green trousers, and a bright yellow shirt. Dashing back to the wall, she'd just made it, over when she heard, 'You see you dumb mutt! Nobody's there.'
Gabrielle sighed in relief that the theft hadn't been noticed. She took off her top and skirt, and dressed in the stolen clothes. They were a little loose, and very loud, but a lot more comfortable than her others had become.
TBC….
