Gabrielle stood hiding behind the curtain in Tobias's room as she listened to Xena and Tobias speaking.
TOBIAS
What an odd place for you to be right now Xena.
He stood there looking at Xena as she placed her hands behind her and learned back slightly and smirked. Doing her best to hide the pain that she was still in.
XENA
Actually I think that this is the perfect place for me to be. Especially since I wanted you to find me.
Tobias stroked his beard as he found Xena's current behavior to be very strange.
TOBIAS
And why is that?
XENA
Simple. I think we should have a talk.
TOBIAS
Why I would want to talk to you? In fact what makes you think that I'm not going to call for my guards.
XENA
Well the fact that you haven't already tells me that you're at the very least a little interested in why I'm here.
Tobias scowled.
TOBIAS
You must take me for a fool. I know exactly why you're here Xena. You said so yourself. You wish to destroy my empire and I won't let you.
XENA
Funny I didn't remember saying that I was going to destroy anything.
Xena smirked.
XENA
If I recall correctly I simply said that I was going to take you down.
TOBIAS
I fail to see the difference.
XENA
Actually there's quite a big difference. You see my intentions for going undercover here was never to tople what you've built, but rather to take it all for myself.
Xena could see Tobias getting angrier. He stormed up to Xena and leered down at her.
TOBIAS
(Angry tone) Bullshit. You seem to forget that I'm aware of your whole ridiculous goody, goody act now.
XENA
Which is precisely what it's been. An act.
TOBIAS
Give me one good reason why I shouldn't have you killed right now? Even if what you said is true, you tried to take what is mine.
(Sinister tone) And no one takes anything that belongs to me.
Xena could tell that she needed to get Tobias to calm down and relax his guard if she had any hope of her idea working. She kept her cool and continued trying to convince him that her story was true.
XENA
Yes my initial intentions were to take everything you have for my own. However during my time here my plans changed.
TOBIAS
Is that so?
XENA
Honestly I'm impressed by how you've managed to ammas such a large amount of wealth, power and influence. You've got quite the set up here. But...
Tobias began to lower his guard as he listened to what Xena had to say. He found himself becoming curious about where this conversation was heading. So he continued to indulge Xena. At least for the time being. Figuring that since she was injured it wouldn't be very difficult to have her killed if he still wanted her dead after this.
TOBIAS
But what?
XENA
Couldn't it be better?
TOBIAS
Better huh? I'm listening.
Xena knew that by implying he could make even more money would catch his attention. It seemed that the only thing stronger than Tobias's lust and need for power, was his greed. And Xena was going to use that fact to her advantage.
XENA
I could help you increase your intake of fresh, new slaves. And I'm not just talking about higher numbers either. I can get you higher quantity merchandise too. In addition I can also bring in more potential buyers to sell to as well. Both of which would increase your profits multiple times over.
TOBIAS
Interesting. How exactly do you plan to go about doing this?
XENA
I tend to travel all over the place. And during my time trying to do the whole hero thing, I've earned a good amount of trust amung the little people. I know how to find a good variety of whatever people might be looking for. Men, women, children.
TOBIAS
Funny, I always heard that you didn't go after women and children.
XENA
Yes well you should know that you can't believe everything you hear.
TOBIAS
Fair point. But even so that alone doesn't seem all that impressive.
XENA
That's because you haven't heard my full offer.
Tobias's interest in what Xena was saying continued to grow.
TOBIAS
Then by all means please continue.
XENA
I can get villagers, nobles, Amazons, people from foreign lands. Anything you could imagine, I can find.
TOBIAS
Mmm Amazons and foreigners, sounds exotic.
XENA
Doesn't it?
Xena watched as Tobias thought for a moment.
TOBIAS
I suppose while I do sell plenty. I have been slightly lacking in a good variety of merchandise as of late. If I were to accept your offer what would you want in return?
XENA
Just a small percentage of your profits on each sale you make.
TOBIAS
Each sale? You can't be serious.
XENA
Hey I'm the one doing all the leg work in this deal. So I think that's a small price to pay for what I'm offering you here. Or would you rather I just completely took over like I had originally planned?
Tobias was unintimidated by Xena's threat.
TOBIAS
And just how did you plan on doing that by yourself?
XENA
Who said I was by myself? I have my people waiting for my signal to take this place by force. But I wanted to give you the chance at accepting my offer first. Though if you'd prefer to do this the hard way.
Xena carefully stood up.
XENA
Gabrielle come out here.
Tobias looked over as Gabrielle stepped out from behind the curtain and stood behind Xena. Gabrielle kept quiet until she could see where Xena was going with this.
XENA
This as you're aware is Gabrielle. She's my most trusted advisor. As well as a highly skilled assassin. If I were to give the order you'd be dead before you ever saw it coming.
TOBIAS
If that's true then why didn't you simply have her attempt to kill me to begin with?
Xena felt Tobias's suspicions beginning to build again. She thought fast to come up with something that would hopefully put his mind at ease.
XENA
I don't like to use her for such trivial things that I could easily handle myself. If I did it would send the wrong message that I'm becoming lazy, complacent or weak. None of which is the case I assure you. After all you've seen for yourself what I'm capable of inside your arena.
Tobias scowled.
TOBIAS
Then why is she here at all?
XENA
Insurance.
TOBIAS
So you have it all figured out now don't you. It would seem that you're even better than your old reputation would lead me to believe.
Xena watched as Tobias relaxed again.
XENA
I appreciate the compliment. Now back to business. Do we have a deal?
Tobias contemplated the offer layed before him for a few minutes until he came to his conclusion.
TOBIAS
Very well, I accept your offer.
XENA
Perfect. I look forward to working with you.
Xena held out her hand in a sign of partnership. Tobias accepted the gesture taking hold of Xena's wrist as she did the same to him.
TOBIAS
This should be exciting.
XENA
Oh yeah, you'll soon see that what I have to offer you is just to die for.
TOBIAS
I had better make the necessary arrangements to get our little arrangement moving then.
Xena let go of his hand as Tobias turned around and began to walk away. Xena took the opportunity to move in to take him out. She spotted a dagger that was sitting on a table nearby. She quickly but quietly moved to grab it. After picking it up Xena began to move silently towards Tobias. She didn't want to alert him and give him the chance to call for help. As she closed in, Xena raised the weapon to finally strike Tobias down. When suddenly the door to his room opened as a guard came to report that no one was able to locate Xena and Gabrielle. The guard saw Xena with the dagger and yelled for Tobias to watch out. As Tobias turned around, Xena took the chance to strike and threw the dagger at him. Tobias froze as the weapon came at him. Just as it was about to hit it's target, Xena and Gabrielle watched as the guard jumped in front of the dagger. Protecting Tobias as the blade sunk into his chest and he fell to the floor.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Damn guard. I had 'em.
Tobias glanced down at the guard, then turned his attention to Xena and Gabrielle as a furious scowl showed on his face.
TOBIAS
Guards!
Within seconds a number of guards ran into the room. With still Xena seriously injured and out numbered with no place to run, both Xena and Gabrielle knew that this was going to have to be where they made their final stand against Tobias and his men. It was clear to them that the next few minutes would determine whether or not this whole ordeal would result in a hard fought victory. Or a complete failure with tragic and deadly consequences.
TO BE CONTINUED...