Gabrielle ran towards Xena who layed on the ground as one of Xena's opponents drove his sword down. Just when the sword was about to hit, Xena reached up and caught the blade in her hand. Blood ran down her hand and arm as the sword cut into her palm. Still Xena held on as she kicked him, letting go as he stumbled back. Then another of Tobias's fighter's came up raised his weapon to finish Xena off. This time Xena couldn't just catch this one. The axe he was wielding was to large to just stop. Xena knew that in her current condition she wasn't able to dodge it quick enough either. Xena realized that she couldn't do anything to stop this. The axe user prepared to swing down when he stopped after hearing someone yelling. He barely had time to turn his head when he was tackled from the side, catching him completely off guard. Xena looked on in shock as she saw Gabrielle come into view as she throw herself at the axe user, knocking him to the ground.
XENA
Gabrielle? How?
Xena knew that now wasn't the time to wonder just how Gabrielle had gotten to her. Gabrielle grabbed the axe that was dropped and drove the end of the handle into the man on the grounds head, knocking him out before he could get back up. She then dropped the heavy weapon and looked down at Xena. Smiling slightly in relief that she was able to get to her in time.
XENA
Gabrielle look out!
Gabrielle looked back seeing a couple more attackers charging at them. They both held spears. Then she glanced down at Xena.
GABRIELLE
Don't worry Xena, I've got this.
Xena watched as Gabrielle ran towards the spear user's coming their way. She tried to get up to stop Gabrielle.
XENA
No Gabrielle run. There's too many.
Gabrielle ignored Xena's pleas for her to leave and get herself to safety. Instead she charged right for the spear users. One of them thrust his weapon towards her. Gabrielle dodged. Then she grabbed the pole of the spear as she got in close and elbowed him in the stomach. The sudden pain caused him to let go of his weapon as he held his stomach. Now in possession of the spear, Gabrielle swiftly swung the blunt end up into his chin. He fell back and then blacked out when he felt a hard blow to the back of his head. As the second spear user came towards her, Gabrielle ran at him. She then stuck the spear head into the ground and used the momentum to launch herself through the air. She landed a kick right to his face as she dropped down on him. After landing she quickly gave him a good hard kick to the side of the head, making sure he stayed down. Hearing yelling coming from behind her, Gabrielle expertly spun the spear in her hands as she turned her attention to some more of the fighters coming her and Xena's way. Even though spears weren't necessarily her weapon of choice, they were wieled much like the staff that Gabrielle used to have. And dispite having not used it in quite some time, it certainly didn't appear that way from the way she handled the spear with all the skill of a seasoned fighter who used it everyday. Holding the spear blade side down, Gabrielle waited for her opponents to come to her. As the first one reached her, she thrust it forward into his stomach. Then she spun as she swung the pole and cracked it hard into the side of his head. Blood sprayed from his mouth as he crashed to the ground twitching slightly as he layed there. During all Xena slowly managed to get up and now stood by Gabrielle's side as she held her stomach wound. She picked up a sword with her other hand as she looked around them at Tobias's fighter's coming at them from all sides. She began to fight off the ones coming from one direction as Gabrielle handled the enemies coming at them the other way. She knew that they were fighting a losing battle this way.
XENA
We can't stay in the open like this. There's too many.
GABRIELLE
No kidding. But what do we do? There's not exactly anywhere to take cover in this arena.
XENA
Which is why we're not staying in the arena. Come on this way.
Xena lead the way as she and Gabrielle begin moving towards the arena entrance. Though Xena was slower than normal due to all of her injuries. Mostly the arrow still in her leg as she limped slightly as she ran. Both Xena and Gabrielle fought their way through the enemies that came at them as they ran. Tobias was still up in his balcony as he stood watching what was happening below. He saw as Xena and Gabrielle began running for the exit. Enraged that Xena wasn't dead yet and that Gabrielle had gotten free of her restraints and saved Xena, Tobias turned to the guards that stood behind him.
TOBIAS
After them! Do not let those two escape this arena alive!
His guards ran inside to find Xena and Gabrielle. Tobias yelled at them as they left.
TOBIAS
And once you're done with them bring me their heads!
An enraged Tobias stormed inside as he headed to his room.
XENA
This way Gabrielle.
Xena dictated which way to go as Gabrielle helped her run. Guards and fighter's alike were in hot pursuit as they raced as fast as Xena could go through the halls. Droplets of blood from Xena's injuries fell to the floor as they fleed from their pursuers. Based on the way they were heading Gabrielle realized that Xena wasn't leading them out of the slaver compound.
GABRIELLE
Xena where are we going?
XENA
To finally finish this.
GABRIELLE
What, no. You need medical attention. We have to get you out of here.
XENA
Don't worry I know what I'm doing. I'm pretty sure there's medical supplies around there somewhere. Besides with all the blood I'm losing I won't make it if we just run.
Gabrielle knew Xena was right. They had to close the stab wound in Xena's stomach soon or she would bleed out. Not to mention all the other wounds she was bleeding from. Both from fighting and from being whipped before she was sent into the arena. Gabrielle got them to another hallway and looked both ways.
GABRIELLE
Okay, which way then?
Xena pointed in the direction she wanted to go and Gabrielle held tight to Xena's arm that was over her shoulder and she carefully held her other arm around Xena's waist as they kept going. They could both hear Tobias's men not far behind as they searched for them. As they turned a corner Xena motioned to a door.
XENA
In there.
Gabrielle got herself and Xena to the door and went inside. Gabrielle helped Xena sit in a chair that was in the room. Then she quickly shut the door and pushed a piece of furniture in front of it to block anyone from getting in. Or slow them down at least. Then she turned around to face Xena who had gotten up and made her way to a long table that had various medical supplies on it.
GABRIELLE
I'm guessing that this is the infermery.
XENA
Looks like it.
Xena gathered the things she needed and Gabrielle helped to back the chair. After taking off Xena's top armor and the shirt underneath, Gabrielle began to clean and stitch the wound in Xena's midsection. Obviously focusing on the worst of Xena's injuries first. Once that was closed up, Gabrielle moved on to tending to the other various injuries that Xena had. The worst being the multiple gashes on her back. Lucky only a couple needed to actually be stitched. The rest didn't appear that be deep enough to require stitches. Afterwards Xena helped Gabrielle wrap bandages around her torso to keep them clean and avoid infection. Next Xena got the arrow head out of her leg that she had to leave in during her fight against the archer she fought. Gabrielle helped close that and all the other more serious wounds that Xena had received while fighting. Finally after some work all of Xena's injuries had been treated as best they could be for the time being. Gabrielle looked at Xena's armor and under shirt that were both soaked in blood. Both the enemies and hers.
GABRIELLE
Well I guess you can't wear that anymore.
XENA
(Joking) Too bad. I know you really liked that armor too.
Xena got up gingerly, grabbed a sack that was sitting in the corner and dumped out the contents. After using a small blade that was amung the medical supplies to cut a few holes in the sack, Xena put it on as a makeshift shit. As Xena moved around, Gabrielle felt some sense of relief that she seemed like she was going to be okay. She looked at Xena current attire and couldn't help but comment.
GABRIELLE
(Joking) That's an interesting look.
Xena smirked, knocking how ridiculous she looked being in full armor from the waist down and wearing just a burlap sack as top. But the momentary lightheartedness was cut short when the two heard pounding on the door.
XENA
Time to go.
Xena looked around the room for another way out.
XENA
The window.
She went over to the window and opened it. Moments later the guards burst through the door as they entered an empty room. They saw the open window and ran over, seeing Xena and Gabrielle heading inside a door across the way. Once finding another way back inside, Xena quietly lead Gabrielle through the building until they came to another room. Xena put her ear to the door listening for anyone who might be inside. Not hearing anything, she cautiously opened the door and peaked inside.
XENA
Good no one's hear yet.
Xena walked into the room with Gabrielle behind her. Xena silently shut the door. Gabrielle looked around what was clearly a bedroom.
GABRIELLE
Okay now we're in someone's room?
XENA
Oh this isn't just anyone's room.
GABRIELLE
This is Tobias's room isn't it. I'm afraid to ask how you know that.
XENA
Tobias had me brought here my first night here after he bought me.
GABRIELLE
What why didn't you tell me that?
Xena could see the concern on Gabrielle's face.
XENA
Don't worry nothing happened. Not for his lack of trying. Same with one of his idiotic guards who I made short work of. Once Tobias got a look at my fighting abilities, his greed apparently won over his lust and he decided to put me in the arena.
GABRIELLE
Why didn't you tell me?
XENA
I was completely unharmed and I didn't want to worry you. So I figured since nothing happened,, it wasn't necessary to mention.
GABRIELLE
I suppose. But I still wish you told me.
Xena smiled as she hugged Gabrielle.
XENA
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.
Gabrielle pulled away as Tobias's voice came from outside the room.
TOBIAS
I said find them damn it! Now!
XENA
(Whisper) Hurry hide.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) What about you?
XENA
(Whisper) I have an idea.
Gabrielle began to hide against the wall behind a long curtain that came down to the floor. Then she saw Xena walk over and sit on the end of Tobias's bed.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) What are you doing?
Xena was about to answer when Tobias walked into his room. He stopped in place when he saw Xena sitting on his bed.
TOBIAS
Now look who we have here.
TO BE CONTINUED...