A number of days went by and Tobias continued to keep his lustful eyes on Xena. She did her best to tune out when he was watching her. She already caught his eye, so Xena decided that she didn't necessarily need to play that much into it at least not yet anyway. Tobias had decided that since he wanted to bring Xena or Gabriella as he knew her to the event, that she shouldn't be participating in the arena. He didn't want to run the risk of having his "trophy" damaged before he could show her off. So he simply had Xena continue to train with Gabrielle. It was the day before the event as Gabrielle sat beside Xena on the floor of the training room.
GABRIELLE
How much longer are we gonna have to do this?
XENA
Hopefully not too long. The event tomorrow should really give us some good insight on this whole slave empire. I'm actually pretty glad to be going. I think we could learn some very valuable information while we're there.
GABRIELLE
Who would've thought that slavers were so social.
XENA
(Joking) Well in that case you should fit right in.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Oh ha ha. That's real funny.
Xena smirked.
GABRIELLE
But seriously though, this is not going to be fun.
XENA
Hey at least you get free reign to go around and do your thing. I'm certain that Tobias is going to be keeping a close eye on me the whole time. So doing any real scouting is gonna be a lot harder for me.
GABRIELLE
Good point.
Xena and Gabrielle finished their fake training session. The rest of the day and night carried on without incident. The next morning came and Xena was cuffed as she was escorted to the horse drawn cart that Tobias was waiting in. He smiled as she got in the back and sat down.
TOBIAS
My, my don't you look lovely today.
Xena didn't say anything as she saw Gabrielle coming their way.
GABRIELLE
Excuse me Tobias?
Tobias looked at Gabrielle as she walked up to the cart.
TOBIAS
Ah Nexa, I see you're attending the event as well.
GABRIELLE
I am. Although it seems that my horse has fallen ill and now I don't have a ride.
TOBIAS
Well there's room next to me if you'd like.
GABRIELLE
Oh how thoughtful. Thank you.
XENA
(Thinking to herself sarcastically) Yeah you're a real gentleman.
Gabrielle climbed up and sat next to Tobias. She glanced back at Xena and smiled. Tobias got the cart going and all three rode to the event. Along the way Tobias casually talked with Gabrielle who in rare form was not very interested in talking giving that the conversation revolved around slavery. Although Xena found the subject matter appalling, she did find it fairly amusing that for once Gabrielle was having her ear talked off and could see the annoyance of it written on Gabrielle's face. Gabrielle who glanced back at Xena saw the smirk that Xena gave her and knew what it was about as she shot her a disapproving look as she continued to listen to the garbage that Tobias was saying. After some time they arrived at their destination. Tobias stopped the cart and got out.
TOBIAS
Gee you're not much of a talker are you Nexa?
Xena pretended to cough to stop herself from laughing at how ridiculous that sounded. Since if anything Gabrielle could talk too much. As Tobias turned to get out of the cart and Xena felt a playful punch to the arm from Gabrielle as she got out knowing that Xena had enjoyed their ride at her expense. After everyone was out of the cart they all went inside the large building that the event was being held in. Once inside Xena and Gabrielle saw that they walked into a large room that had a number of long tables with a ridiculous amount of food and drinks. The hall was full of people both slavers and slaves. It wasn't too difficult to tell the difference. Even with the slaves that wore fancier clothing. Because all of the slaves regardless of what they had on had a similar dejected look on in their eyes. The kind of look that both broke Gabrielle's heart and made her sick to her stomach her at the same time. Xena just felt rage and hatred for all the slave owners there. She needed to take a moment to compose herself to not just jump into action and start taking out the human scum that surrounded her. Xena nodded for Gabrielle to go mingle with the other guests and see what she could learn. Which is what Gabrielle did. Meanwhile Xena was stuck near Tobias for the evening. She fought to keep distain for the whole situation hidden as Tobias showed her off as if he were a child bragging about getting a new toy. As ridiculous as the situation was, Xena made sure to her eyes and ears open for anything useful that could help take these people down. As they went around Xena could tell that Tobias was very clearly a big player in the slave business. Bigger than she even thought. He apparently supplied many of the other slavers there with their as they put it "merchandise". She figured that this most likely wasn't even the full extent of his reach. It was almost certain that a good number of people Tobias sold to weren't even at the event. And knowing all that only made Xena more addamit in her plan to take down Tobias and topple his empire for good. During the evening while Tobias was preoccupied with talking to some of his colleagues Gabrielle found Xena.
GABRIELLE
So how's it going?
XENA
(Sarcasm) Lovely. You know how much I enjoy listening to idiots go on and on.
How 'bout you?
GABRIELLE
I'm gonna need a bath when we leave here. The way these monsters talk about other human beings just makes my skin crawl.
XENA
Yeah I know the feeling. You find out anything useful?
GABRIELLE
I don't think so.
XENA
Well just keep at it. I'm sure we'll find something that we can actually use here.
Xena looked behind her as she heard Tobias call her over to him.
XENA
Well gotta go. Master Scumbag calls.
Gabrielle smirked as Xena walked over to Tobias. Then she returned to chatting with the guests to see what she could learn.
XENA
You called Master Tobias?
Xena stood next to Tobias as he once again showed her off to the woman he was talking to. Xena tuned him out as she looked around. After a bit Tobias seemed to forget about her as he walked off with the woman. Xena decided to take a little look around. As she walked around she spotted what appeared to be a confrontation between a slaver and a slave. Xena watched as a boy accidentally tripped and spilled the drink he was clearly getting for his master. The woman that owned the boy begin yelling at him. The boy looked to be only in his mid to late teens. Xena could see that he looked terrified as the woman continued to berate and belittle him. He tried to apologize but the woman was clearly not having it. She raised her and struck the boy across the face. Then she continued to yell as she pulled back to strike him again. Being unable to simply stand by and let the boy get beaten Xena quickly stepped in and grabbed the woman by her wrist. Stopping her from hitting the boy. The woman looked at Xena in shock for a moment.
XENA
You hit this child again and I'll hit you. And giving age and build which one of us do you think can hit harder?
The woman was clearly older than Xena and looked to be in far less shape than Xena as well. So it was very obvious who would win out of the two. And that wasn't even counting Xena's super human fighting skills. It wasn't even a contest. But given that the woman was a slaver she wasn't very accustomed to being stood up to. And she showed it.
SLAVER WOMAN
Who do you think you are?! Get your damn hand off me!
The woman tried to pull her arm out of Xena's grip. But Xena easily held her as she glared at her.
SLAVER WOMAN
You have no right to tell me how to treat my slave.
The woman managed to pull away and grabbed the boy. Xena could see him cower in fear. She knew that if she didn't step in this boy was going to be in serious trouble.
SLAVER WOMAN
Now you come with me boy. You clearly need a lesson in what happens when you continue to scew up.
Xena grabbed the woman by her shoulder before she could leave. She just couldn't let this go.
XENA
You're not going anywhere with him.
WOMAN
I don't know what you think you're doing but you had better let me go this instant.
Xena began tightening her grip as she fiercely stared her down.
XENA
Make me.
The woman yelled out in pain as she slowly sunk to her knees. Xena was so sick of the whole slaver thing at that moment that she completely forgot all about her cover. She was unaware that a crowd of shocked and angry slavers had formed around her. Including Tobias. Though that didn't last long as Xena suddenly heard a noise and felt a sharp pain when something struck her back. She new what it was before she felt the second hit. She let the woman go as she dropped to her knees from the pain. Then she felt herself getting struck again and yelled in pain. Meanwhile Gabrielle who saw the crowd form pushed her way through to see what was happening. After shoving her way through the crowd she made it to the front. She saw a horrible sight as Xena was laying on the floor with Tobias standing over her as he repeatedly whipped her over and over. Gabrielle didn't care what Xena would say afterwards, she couldn't let this go on.
GABRIELLE
Stop it!
Her voice carried over the ruckus crowd that surrounded her. Tobias stopped when he heard Gabrielle.
TOBIAS
What do you care what I do with my slave?
Gabrielle was quick to come up with a lie.
GABRIELLE
(Lying) You're making a scene and ruining the party for everyone else.
A good number of people in the crowd mumbled in agreement. Tobias sneered as he walked over and roughly pulled Xena to her feet.
TOBIAS
Fine. You can just go stand quietly in a corner until we leave.
He held Xena by the arm as he brought her to where he wanted her. He then used his whip ti tie Xena's hands together and tied her to a pillar.
TOBIAS
You can just stay here for the rest of the night until we leave.
Tobias roughly grabbed Xena's face making sure she looked at him.
TOBIAS
But I warned you not to embrace me. So now when we get back I'll show you just what happens when stupid slave girls think they can make a fool of me and get away with it. I'm going to make you wish that I had simply just killed you. You have no idea just how big of a mistake you just made.
Tobias instructed that no one was to go over the Xena and should just ignore her and enjoy the party. Gabrielle tried to sneak over a couple times but couldn't get close enough without getting caught. Xena just nodded for her to carry on with the plan. So reluctantly that's what Gabrielle did. A bit later Tobias decided it was time to leave. So after retreaving Xena, he lead her out to the cart with Gabrielle following. Gabrielle got in the front and waited for Xena to get in back and Tobias to sit next to her like they had on the way there. But after a moment she realized that Tobias was doing something in the back. She looked back and saw him tying the end of a rope to the cart and once he was done and moved out of her way, Gabrielle saw that the other end was tied around both of Xena's wrists as she stood behind the cart. Then he claimed in front and got the cart moving.
GABRIELLE
What are you doing?
TOBIAS
Teaching that disobedience is not something that I tolerate. Then once we get back she's going to be punished.
Gabrielle looked back at Xena who was jogging quickly behind the cart as it went along.
GABRIELLE
Isn't this a punishment?
TOBIAS
No this is just a little exorcize. She'll get her actual punishment once we get back.
Gabrielle looked back at Xena who continued to keep up with the cart. She knew that dispite Xena's physical condition it was still a good way for her to run at this speed. Not to mention what Tobias had in mind for her once they got back. Xena smiled at Gabrielle implying that she was okay. The ride back was awkwardly silent. Only the sounds of the horse, the cart, nature and Xena running behind them could be heard all the way back to the compound. Finally they made it back and as Tobias stopped the cart Xena grabbed on to the back as she stood there catching her breath. Gabrielle looked back at her as she claimed out of her seat. She could tell that Xena was exhausted. Tobias walked back to Xena and untied the rope from the cart.
TOBIAS
Did you have a good run?
Xena nodded as she continued to catch her breath. Tobias angerly grabbed Xena by the throat.
TOBIAS
I asked you a damn question bitch. Now answer me right.
Xena's airway wasn't being cut off so she took in enough air to speak.
XENA
Yes Master Tobias.
TOBIAS
Much better.
He shoved Xena back and motioned for some guards to come over and take her. They did just that as they dragged Xena inside.
GABRIELLE
What exactly are you going to do to her?
Tobias gave Gabrielle a suspicious look.
TOBIAS
You know you seem awfully interested in that woman that appears to go beyond simply wanting her as your own. Now why may I ask is that Nexa?
GABRIELLE
(Lying) Well you did bring me on to train her for the arena. I feel like since I'm investing my time into her why wouldn't I be interested in what happens to her?
TOBIAS
I suppose I can see your point.
Gabrielle was beginning to wonder if her cover had been blown.
TOBIAS
Well then since you're so invested in her you can join me in watching her receive her punishment.
Tobias lead Gabrielle inside. Gabrielle was now even more concerned about what Xena was about to be put through. And with Tobias seemingly growing suspicious of Gabrielle what would happen to her if she was found out to actually not be a slaver. Little did Gabrielle or Xena know but things were about to escalate for both of them very soon.
TO BE CONTINUED...