Xena ran through the village after the mystery cloaked figure who she had stopped from killing Gabrielle only moments earlier. Gabrielle followed not far behind as the sun continued to rise on the new day. The chase lead through a housing area of the village as a number of Amazons began coming outside to start their days. The cloaked figure began weaving between the villagers in an effort to lose Xena and Gabrielle. Xena grabbed her chakrum and prepared to throw it, but was unable to get a clear shot without running the risk of hitting any bystanders. She growled to herself as she kept running and replaced her weapon back on her hip. The mystery person vaulted over a fence and some crates as they ran through the wheat field that was in the farming area of the village. Xena almost effortlessly followed right behind and continued the chase. Meanwhile Gabrielle who wasn't as athletic had a more difficult time getting over everything. Especially while still in her nightgown. She climbed over the fence and scaled to the top of the crates only to see Xena and the mystery person disappear into the distance. She sighed as she began walking back to the middle of the village.
GABRIELLE
I have got to get better at this sort of thing.
Xena ran full speed after the assailant. The person turned a corner ahead of Xena. Xena pursued closely and saw them disappear into a group of trees and shrubbery. Xena jumped through the bushes and looked around for a moment before spotting the mystery figure getting away. Now with no one else around Xena sent her chakrum flying towards the fleeing person who ducked and rolled as the weapon flew by. They continued running as Xena caught the weapon when it came back while still in pursuit. Xena vaulted over a fallen tree and rounded a corner as the cloaked figure turned behind some rocks. She ran to the large stones and stopped as she looked for the person she'd been after. Xena drew her sword and slowly walked forward when she didn't see the assailant. She kept her senses on alert as she attempted to locate the cloaked figure. The area became silent as Xena scowled. After a few minutes she heard someone coming up behind her and swore under her breath as she sheathed her sword and put her chakrum back on her hip.
XENA
I lost 'em.
She turned, knowing it was Gabrielle who was behind her. Gabrielle stopped in front of her and huffed as she looked out at the trees.
GABRIELLE
I can't believe they managed to out run you of all people.
XENA
Clearly whoever it was is fairly skilled. And relentless.
Xena began looking around the area for anything that could help in either identifying or locating the culprit who had once again escaped justice.
GABRIELLE
Do you think that was the one behind all the other incidents too?
XENA
Probably.
After not finding anything of use in the immediate area, Xena and Gabrielle begin walking back to where they had been camping out near their burned home. When they got back, Gabrielle walked over and sat on a rock as she looked out at the village. Xena could tell that everything was beginning to weigh on Gabrielle. She walked over and sat beside her as Gabrielle layed her head on Xena's shoulder. They sat there for a bit before Gabrielle spoke.
GABRIELLE
I don't know how much more of this I can take Xena.
Xena held Gabrielle as she tried to comfort her.
XENA
Maybe it would be best if we leave the village.
GABRIELLE
No. I won't run from this. There has to be another way.
XENA
I should've known you'd say that. Plus if whoever's try to kill you really wants you dead it's not like we couldn't be followed anyway.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Oh that's reassuring.
They sat there for a while until they got hungry. Xena and Gabrielle walked to the mess hall. And after making sure that the food was safe, the two headed back towards the door.
SKYLA
Gabrielle, Xena.
Xena and Gabrielle stopped and looked at the table where Skyla and a couple of their other friends sat. Gabrielle smiled and was about to walk over when she felt Xena's hand on her shoulder. She looked at Xena, seeing the suspicion in her eyes. Gabrielle lowered her eyes sadly for a moment after realizing that for the time being trusting anyone was risky. As much as she wanted to believe that none of their friends were behind the attacks, she knew that until they found proof Xena wouldn't be so easily convinced. So Gabrielle simply gave the group a small smile and wave as she and Xena left the mess hall. Skyla and the others looked at each other feeling a bit hurt by Xena's suspicions, but on some level understood and couldn't really fault her for it after everything that had been happening recently. A little later Gabrielle walked ahead of Xena as the two moved through the trees near where Xena had chased off the cloaked assailant earlier that morning. Xena hoped that with more light she would be able to find something that she might've missed before.
GABRIELLE
Anything yet?
XENA
No. Whoever it was covered their tracks well.
Gabrielle gave an exasperated sigh as she leaned on her staff. Xena knew that they could both use a break and stood up from where she was crouched looking for clues. She walked over to Gabrielle and smiled a little.
XENA
Hey let's go find a quiet spot we can relax for a bit.
GABRIELLE
Sure.
Xena walked ahead as Gabrielle poked at the ground with her staff as she began to follow. Then she stopped when she moved some leaves and found something.
GABRIELLE
Huh what's this?
Xena stopped when she heard Gabrielle as she turned to see her bend down and pick up something. Gabrielle looked at Xena who walked over as she stood back up.
XENA
Find something?
Gabrielle handed Xena what she had picked up. Xena began to inspect the small object.
GABRIELLE
Any idea what it might be?
XENA
Not quite sure but I have a feeling it was most likely dropped by the person I chased off early this morning.
Gabrielle looked at the small item that Xena was holding. It was a wooden tile that fit in the palm of Xena's hand with a string looped through a small hole at the top. As if it were supposed to be tied to something. Carved into it was what appeared to be a crown with a slash going through it. After getting a good look at the object Xena clenched her fist around it as a thought crossed her mind that she didn't like at all. Gabrielle could tell that Xena had suddenly become very tense and touched her arm to try and calm her down a little.
GABRIELLE
What is it Xena? Did you figure something out?
Xena looked out around them for a moment before turning her attention to Gabrielle.
XENA
I think you may be in more danger than we realized.
GABRIELLE
What do you mean? I don't think it can get worse than someone trying to murder me.
Xena held up the tile for Gabrielle to see.
XENA
It can if it's not just one person who wants you dead.
GABRIELLE
You think that proves more than one person is behind everything?
XENA
Yes, other wise they wouldn't need something like this to identify themselves to the others they associate with. No one would just carry something like this around for the fun of it. Especially after the attempts on your life being so well known throughout the village. It would be far too risky.
Based on the design on the tile it was fairly obvious that whoever it belonged to was most likely not a fan of the current queen. Meaning they were definitely after Gabrielle. And the fact that they now knew that she was being targeted by multiple people, made the situation far more complicated. Now Xena really didn't know who in the village they could trust. She had the idea to just take Gabrielle and leave dispite Gabrielle's objections. But she knew that they couldn't just live their lives on the run.
GABRIELLE
So what do we do now?
XENA
Simple. We find the people responsible and stop them.
GABRIELLE
How?
XENA
Well first we need to determine who we can trust and that will help narrow down the suspects. Because as of right now no one is clear of suspicion.
GABRIELLE
Okay.
XENA
Come on we've got work to do.
Xena and Gabrielle went off to make a plan for how to distinguish between friend and foe within the village. With Xena keeping an even closer eye on Gabrielle knowing that the culprits after her could strike at any time. Later in the evening a door opened and shut as a hooded person entered a room.
? 1
Well?
HOODED FIGURE
We were foiled again.
? 1
(Angry tone) How hard is it to kill one person?! I want her dead!
HOODED FIGURE
We all know that as long as Xena's around her we'll never get a real shot at her.
? 1
True. Very well. I didn't want to do this because of how difficult I know it would be, but it seems we have no choice but to get rid of or at the very least find a way to subdue Xena before we can take her out for good.
? 2
You can leave that to me.
? 1
Are you sure you can take her?
? 2
Yes. Especially since she'll never see it coming.
? 1
Good. Then not long from now I will finally have her right where I want her. And then at long last it'll be mine and Gabrielle will be dead.
TO BE CONTINUED...