The city of Cairo was a wonder to behold. Even more so on market days. Beautiful silks hung from the shops in the market. Vendors yelled out to would be buyers the quality of their merchandise. The people that ventured to the market themselves were majesty to behold. The women wore clothes befitting their station, the jewelry dangling from their bodies of the purest gold. Gems of ruby, sapphire, and emerald sparkled brightly from their wrist and necks. The men were shadowed by their servants the house slaves that were sworn to protect the masters of their house. Gabrielle always felt out of place with the sheer beauty these people exuded. She was dressed in her casual wear. A blouse cut strictly to fit the breast and level off at the stomach as not to be caught in her chest and midsection armor. Her shorts traveled to her knees, allowing the guards to cover her legs and calf from attack. Her sandals were fashioned to enclose the lower and upper ankle giving more stability for quick maneuvers in battle.
Although Gabrielle wore armor, she style was crafted to match her specific needs and talents. Were Xena's armor was heavier Gabrielle preferred a lighter set of metal. It allowed her several benefits the bulkier outfit of her partner denied her. For one, Gabrielle's chest was not as big as Xena's and the absence of a corset allowed her body to breathe more freely. The fierce Bard's wristlets secured her hand and wrist, allowing for a cleaner swipe of her weapon. The padding on her hands protected her not only from the elements but when she gripped weapons in her hands as a measure of disarming an opponent. Because Gabrielle carried the sais she changed her belt to be able to hold her blades. This did resemble Xena's hook that held her famous chakram. On each side a perfectly sharp steel weapon hung to her hips. The leg guards given to Gabrielle as a gift were meant to prevent an enemy swiping at her legs and taking her down. The advantages in included more protect for the back of her leg and allowed her added defense against arrows shot at her legs. The back armor was simple, it protected against swords, spears, and arrows that she could not see. The back armor was strapped together with her chest armor protecting her sides from attack as well. Looking at Gabrielle one would assume she was always ready for battle. But in truth she rather preferred the quieter times in nature away from everyone else when her guard could come down.
Once Gabrielle found the local barn area she slid off of her horse and walked her inside. Placing her horse in the stall Gabrielle gave her sole companion a friendly pat on the neck before paying for her feed. Every once in a while Hope needed a good rest. Naming the horse Hope had been an internal struggle. She knew the reason Xena named her horse Argo but after the loss of her friend Gabrielle needed a symbol of love. There had been no one under Xena she'd loved more than her wayward daughter. Naming the horse Hope meant a prayer for better days, a prayer for acceptance of a life without her soul mate, a cry for love to once again enter her heart. Although none of these things had happened yet. She still had "Hope". She smiled at her friend. That horse had saved her life in more than one fight. She tried to make sure her horse knew it was loved as well. When they stopped for a rest Gabrielle often unhitched the horse of all of t's materialistic burdens ands and allowed her to graze and drink water freely. Walking out of the barn Gabrielle holstered her weapon's belt on the stall. In Jappa she'd experienced a new formidable weapon. A throwing star or shuriken. She was hoping she could find throwing daggers at least comparable to the star.
As Gabrielle made her way back into the market place she was almost knocked down by a fleeting figure, yet from the shape of the body se instantly knew it was a woman. The girl was wrapped from head to toe in a cloth material. The only exposed part of her was her eyes. A daring emerald. As she ran the girl was dropping items of food. Bread, meats, grapes, grain etc. As Gabrielle bent down to retrieve it she noticed the girl kept running. As if not even quicksand it's self could stop her. She darted from vendor to vendor and around precious arts without touching it. Seem less as the blowing wind. However Gabrielle soon discovered the reason for her haste. Several guard were chasing after her. Although they did not move as gracefully as she did. Observing the scene unfolding before her Gabrielle stood stuck in space. Curious as if to follow behind the guards or ignore the entire scenario. Yet her choice was quickly removed from her hands when she heard a high pitched yelp from in the marketplace.