FAUNA

Anything yet?

IRIS

No. Still no sign of any of them.

Fauna and Iris stood by the mess hall where everyone in the search party had agreed to meet up.

EPHINY

I'm guessing you guys haven't found them yet either.

FAUNA

Unfortunately no.

Not long after Ephiny arrived Amarice, Clover and Skyla showed up. None of which had any success in locating their missing friends. And the group was beginning to become worried.

SKYLA

Could they have left the village?

CLOVER

No I checked at the entrance and the guards said that no one's left except a few hunters who came back already. And that none of the four were in the group.

AMARICE

I asked around and all I got was someone who said that they saw Gabrielle go off with Valassca. But that was hours ago.

EPHINY

Odd.

SKYLA

Why's that odd?

EPHINY

Because while most people might not notice, Valassca doesn't really like Gabrielle.

SKYLA

Does Gabrielle know?

EPHINY

I don't think so.

FAUNA

That does seem a little suspicious. But it doesn't explain Xena and Kai going missing as well.

AMARICE

Could Valassca have known what happened to Xena and came to get Gabrielle?

EPHINY

It's possible. But doesn't explain Kai being gone.

CLOVER

I don't think standing here going over hypotheticals is gonna get us anywhere.

FAUNA

True.

SKYLA

So what do we do now?

EPHINY

We spread out again and keep looking. There has to be some kind of clue that we're overlooking that could help us find them.

The rest of the group agreed as they split up again and returned to their search. Meanwhile as they searched Xena had decided that she was done speaking to Kai who still held her captive. Instead she put her focus on escaping and getting to Gabrielle before Valassca could do anything. She just hoped that she wasn't already too late.

KAI

What's wrong Xena, nothing to say?

Xena simply ignored her.

KAI

Fine with me. I'm just here to wait for the news of Gabrielle's death and watch you fall apart afterwards.

Kai sat down on a rock as she looked up at the sky for a moment to gage the time.

KAI

Probably won't be too much longer. Though I'm sure Valassca probably wants to make Gabrielle suffer a bit first.

Kai chuckled a sickening laugh.

KAI

Boy I thought I hated you, but the level of animosity that woman has for Gabrielle is down right terrifying. I honesrly can't believe that she managed to keep it hidden all this time.

Xena growled to herself.

XENA

(Thinking to herself) I can't believe I never saw it. I knew that Valassca didn't really

like Gabrielle. But I never thought that she'd do something like this. I should've paid closer attention. Especially after the attacks started. Damn it! I have to get out of here and find them.

Kai saw the scowl on Xena's face as she lowered her head and just sat there.

KAI

(Mocking tone) Oh no it looks like Xena's finally given up.

Again Xena said nothing. Kai scowled.

KAI

You know it's not as fun if you're not gonna play along.

Xena still remained silent. Not responding in any way to what Kai was saying.

KAI

So the silent treatment. What are you 6?

Kai was becoming agitated at Xena's lack of response. After all the whole point of this was to get a reaction from her.

KAI

Okay Xena. How about I start going over what Valassca said she was planning on doing to Gabrielle?

Xena glared at Kai and the Amazon smiled.

KAI

Ah I should've figured that would get ya. Let's see first she said she's gonna take her somewhere secluded. Then she's probably gonna start by slapping her around a little. Though I'm not sure if she plans on beating Gabrielle to death or if she has other things in mind.

Kai continued to go over Valassca's plan as she walked up to Xena.

KAI

(Mocking tone) So any thoughts on the plan Xena? After all you're the master strategist around here.

Xena looked at her as Kai stopped right at her feet.

XENA

Actually yes.

KAI

(Mocking tone) Oh this should be good. Tell me what would the great Xena do?

XENA

Well for starters you should never tie your captives hands behind their back because then you can't see what they're doing.

Before Kai had time to react,, Xena quickly reached out and grabbed Kai, pulling her in with one hand as she threw a punch with the other. The hit stunned Kai as she backed off. But not before Xena swiped the dagger she had and quickly cut the rope tied around her ankles. As Kai recovered from the surprise punch she saw Xena stand..

KAI

(Angry tone) How the fuck did you get free?

XENA

Simple I just rubbed the rope against the bark of the tree until it was weak enough for me to snap. Like I said tying someone's hands behind their back is not a smart move.

Kai sneered as she drew her daggers.

KAI

You might've gotten free, but you're still not going anywhere. So I guess I get to settle this now then.

XENA

I don't have time for your childish vendetta Kai I'm leaving to find Gabrielle.

KAI

You don't seriously think I'm just gonna let you walk away Xena?

XENA

You don't seriously think you can stop me? I've beaten you before remember?

Kai scowled at the embarrassing memory.

KAI

Oh I remember. But unlike before this isn't a friendly sparing match. Plus now I'm serious and I'm much more familiar with your tactics.

Kai spun her dagger in her hands as she began to circle Xena.

KAI

So I'm pretty confident that I can take you now.

Xena knew that she didn't have time to waste, she had to find Gabrielle and Valassca. But she knew Kai wasn't going to make getting away easy. Xena just hoped Gabrielle was still okay. With that thought Kai lunged at Xena from behind. Xena dodged as Kai rolled out of Xena's reach so she couldn't retaliate as she stayed crouched and turned to face Xena holding her dagger ready. Xena also stood ready as she watched Kai's movements. Then Kai quickly jumped up and ran to the side as she threw her dagger. Xena dodged as Kai lept towards her and swung. Xena caught Kai's arm, but the Amazon had clearly anticipated the move as she swung her foot out and kicked the dagger she thew up and into Xena's leg.

XENA

Gah!

Xena shoved Kai away. The Amazon rolled back and stood there with a smirk as she watched Xena pull the dagger from her leg and tossed it aside. Xena sneered as she clutched the dagger she had taken.

KAI

There you go Xena. I decided to be nice and give you a weapon. After all I wouldn't want to taint my victory over you by people saying that it wasn't a fair fight.

XENA

Too bad since it seems like the only way you can get the upper hand against me is through cheap tactics.

Kai scowled.

KAI

(Angry tone) We'll just see about that Xena.

Meanwhile a painful gasp was let out as Valassca kicked Gabrielle who was still tied up and unable to defend herself. She groaned as she managed to sit up. Her hands and feet being bound together made it virtually impossible for Gabrielle to defend herself or get away.

VALASSCA

Had enough yet?

Gabrielle looked at Valassca.

GABRIELLE

(Bitter tone) Does it really matter what I say? You're just planning on killing me anyway.

VALASSCA

True.

GABRIELLE

(Bitter tone) So why not just get it over with then?

VALASSCA

Because I'm waiting for you to finally do the right thing and give me your rank as queen.

GABRIELLE

(Bitter tone) Then you can keep waiting Valassca. Because after all this you'll really never be queen. And even if you kill me I already have a successor.

VALASSCA

Ah yes, Ephiny. You see Gabrielle you fail to realize a few things here. I've planned

for you being too dumb and stubborn to see reason. I'm fully prepared to get rid of her too. Along with anyone else who dares to stand in my way.

The feeling of dread and horror washed over Gabrielle as she finally began to realize just how truly mad and power hungry Valassca actually was. And that in reality she really didn't know Valassca at all. Now Gabrielle know for certain that Valassca couldn't be trusted to be queen. Who was to say what she would do with that kind of power.

GABRIELLE

(Angry tone) You've gone completely insane. I'll never give you my right as queen. And once word of this spreads no one else will accept you as queen either.

VALASSCA

What makes you think people will know about this. As far as they'll know you and Xena will just be victims of an unfortunate accident.

GABRIELLE

The people here are already aware of the attempts on my life. You made it kinda hard to ignore.

VALASSCA

Yes but no one will know who's responsible. All I have to do is play the part of the mourning friend grieving the loss of her queen and then take your place.

GABRIELLE

(Angry tone) Damn you Valassca. You won't get away with this.

VALASSCA

Too bad you won't be around to find out.

Valassca slapped Gabrielle again. A defensless Gabrielle yelled as Valassca began beating her ruthlessly. Valassca punched, kicked and stomped her as Gabrielle did her best to curl up to protect herself but being tied wasn't very successful at shielding against Valassca's blows. Before long Gabrielle was laying on the ground a bloody mess as Valassca stood over her.

VALASSCA

So do you wanna give me what's mine yet?

Gabrielle spit some blood out of her mouth as she glared up at Valassca.

GABRIELLE

My answers the same as it was before. You will NEVER be queen.

Valassca scowled.

VALASSCA

(Angry tone) Give up your title of queen or I WILL kill you.

Gabrielle winced in pain as Valassca grabbed a handful of hair, forcing her to look at her.

GABRIELLE

(Angry tone) I'm not afraid of you. I've faced far worse with Xena.

Valassca punched Gabrielle causing her to fall to the floor. Gabrielle looked up as layed there while Valassca stood over her.

VALASSCA

Well too bad this time Xena's not here to save you.

The air was filled with Gabrielle's cries of pain as Valassca continued to beat her. And with no one else around, it began to seem as though Valassca would get what she wanted after all. Taking the role of amazon queen by force and at the expense of Gabrielle's life.

TO BE CONTINUED...