BROKEN NOBILITY AND CRUELTY
Xena opened her eyes slowly she moved her hand slightly only to feel the blanket next to her was empty. She pulled herself up sharply looking at the sun which was high over the ocean. She turned seeing that Itzli was still tied up to the un-dead horse. The Mexican warriors blanket had been put away and Argo's reins and saddle were back in place. The fire had also been lit again, she felt her eyes dart as she stood up she quickly pulled her Chakram up sharply where was her lover? She turned to Itzli who looked up sharply meeting her gaze. "Where's Gabrielle?" She watched as his face turned to confusion she breathed in deeply this language barrier was getting really irritating.
She leaned down eyeing him. "Eztli Ocelotl? Where is Eztli Ocelotl?" She hoped that was the right way to say Blood Jaguar she watched as he nodded raising both bound hands as he pointed down the beach to a figure in the distance. Her gaze shifted as Argo stoop up slowly flapping her huge feathered wings. The un-dead horse screeched at her as it stayed in its sitting position not bothering to move as it stretched its demonic wings for a moment before folding them. Xena turned walking towards the figure in the distance she narrowed her gaze as her lover came in to view she put the Chakram back on its hook, her lover was moving carefully through the water bare foot.
Her boots with their sai blades were on the beach. In her hand was a long thin spear which had a sharp point. She stood still watching as her lover raised the weapon higher as her green eyes focused on something moving in the shallows. The thin wooden spear felt her hand in a lightning fast motion which caused water to fly up as it hit its target. Xena folded her arms watching as the younger woman walked over to the spear pulling it free off the water she raised an eyebrow looking at the large dead fish on the end. "Where did you learn to spear fish?" Gabrielle turned in surprise only to feel her foot slip of the rock it was positioned on. She hit the water on her knees she sighed aloud as she pulled herself up again ignoring the fact that her brown skirt's edges were dripping with water.
Xena laughed slightly as her lover gave her an annoyed look. "You know sweetheart when I look at you I sometimes still see that beautiful little village girl who was a little clumsy." Gabrielle slowly walked towards the shore. "I was not clumsy…." Xena felt her smile widen. "Yes you were." Gabrielle put the spear in the sand ignoring the dead fish at the end. She used her hands to wring out the water from her skirt. "No I wasn't I was just untrained." Xena didn't think as she grabbed the younger woman by her shoulder bringing her closer so they were face to face. "Gabrielle?" Gabrielle breathed in slowly as she met her lover's light blue gaze. "Yes…?" Xena gently leaned forward meeting her lips.
She felt her lovers hand move through her hair as she pulled away. "Your being untrained never mattered to me." Gabrielle felt her gaze dart slightly. "It didn't?" Xena leaned forward. "Did you think it did?" Gabrielle looked down slightly. "Yes I did, I thought I was an embarrassment to you." Xena slowly ran her hand through the long blonde hair. "You've never been an embarrassment to me." Gabrielle turned slowly picking up the spear and its fish. Xena eyed the dead fish again. "Who taught you how to spear fish?" Gabrielle smiled slightly putting her other hand on her lover's waist. "I taught myself how to do it when I was travelling alone." She looked down slightly. "I got stuck in a Cuba for a while waiting for a ship. I was hungry and didn't want to buy fish so I thought I'd catch my own."
She looked at the dead fish on the end. "I read in one of the library's how to do it and I just put it in to practise." Xena raised an eyebrow. "I'm impressed." Gabrielle felt her smile widen. "We should eat this and then get going to Cuba it's a long way from here." She slowly eased her feet back in to her boots as her gaze drifted up the beach to Itzli and the two horse who were still next to the fire. Xena slowly walked back towards the camp site watching as her lover followed her. "Well you've packed everything." Gabrielle slowly moved forward watching as Itzli gave her a cold look. She looked at the still burning fire as she raised the fish so he could see it. "Want some breakfast?" Itzli eyed the large fat fish. "That looks disgusting."
Gabrielle eyed him. "Then you and the fish have a lot in common." Itzli sneered slightly. "Fine I'll have some of your disgusting fish." Gabrielle slowly sat down. Xena eased the knife free along with the frying pan. "What did he say?" Gabrielle watched as her lover slowly began to put on her armour and weapons. "He says the fish looks disgusting." Xena looked up slightly. "Does he want breakfast?" Gabrielle pulled the fish free from the spear. "Yes." Xena pushed some of the hot stones from the fire closer to the cooking pot. "What's in Cuba?" Gabrielle put the frying pan on the hot rocks. "Lots of a ships and if that captains there who stole my money we should get him to give us a ride to the Xiuhcoatl shores."
Xena leaned forward slightly. "But we have winged horses we don't need a boat." Gabrielle looked up slowly. "We have to go in to Mexica on foot with the horses. I have a lot of enemies in there and if they see me flying in with you they may try to kill us all there and then. We can still fly but only at dawn just before the sun rises." Xena narrowed her gaze. "Why at dawn?" Gabrielle pulled her water skin free. "It's when all the gods have to drink blood so there attention is always elsewhere." Xena breathed in deeply. "I see well when we get to Cuba we'll talk with this captain." She breathed in deeply it was going to be another very long day out on the ocean she could feel it already.
8
Lila opened her eyes slowly she was on the floor in the main keep on one of the blankets. She found herself sitting up sharply she could remember falling asleep in the stone room bellow very early in the morning but not how she'd gotten up here. Her gaze turned to Amoxtli who was sitting next to her sightless eyes watching her. Tlaloc was no where to be seen she watched as the warrior woman turned to look at her. Amoxtli smiled slightly. "Well you're finally awake." Lila sat up fully she slowly lowered her gaze. "What time is it?" Amoxtli folded her arms. "It's late after noon." She breathed in deeply. "You need not worry, our god has had his fill of blood and he's sleeping it off."
She looked at the calm waters of the keep. "He'll wake up again tonight." Lila slowly met her gaze. "Where is Tlaloc?" Amoxtli looked up slightly. "He's in the city trying to help those warriors who lost there fake flesh. They all need to be put in the other temple until their healed. Frankly I think its good that he's not here he would hate me for what I have to say to you." Lila felt her gaze dart nervously. "What do you have to say to me?" Amoxtli smiled as she sat down next to her. "I've always liked the Blood Jaguar her lack of fear when it came to dying was what made her truly powerful." She raised her hand. "She was the last person the feathered serpent ever tried to eat alive and since then he's never been able to eat anyone alive again." She leaned closer putting her hand on the girls face. "Quetzalcoatl may be right your sister may be truly evil but ether way you should be proud and honoured to be her sister. Her very name can frighten even the most elite warriors and causes others to run away in fear."
Lila swallowed feeling Amoxtli move her hand away. Amoxtli felt her grin widen. "In Mexica for the name itself to bring fear that is power in its self." She closed her hand. "That is what every elite warrior dreams of, that their name will bring fear and suffering one day. It is why we do what we do to please our gods so that one day they will call up on us by name." She stood up slowly walking over to the table she eased up a plate filling it with fresh fruit and other foods. "That is what it means to be a warrior here." She put the plate down in front of the dark haired young woman. "You should eat something." She leaned over picking up the filled goblet of cocoa putting it next to the plate. "We won't be going out side I'm afraid but if things are better tomorrow we might." She lay back on the pillows close by. "I'd enjoy the peace in the keep…even if it is hell itself its far better then the hell that's going on outside in the city right now."
8
Xena shook her head trying to get rid of the sleepy feeling which was spreading through her body. She could see the sun which was setting in the distance she watched as Argo's wings carried on beating her horse was tired. She turned seeing Itzli shuffle slightly he looked bored. Her gaze slowly drifted back to Gabrielle whose un-dead horse was still flying in front. She kicked Argo lightly bringing her up next to Gabrielle whose eyes were now showing how worn out she was. They had already passed a set of islands followed by a large one but they were the wrong islands and they'd had to keep going. "How much further?" Gabrielle looked up slowly. "Cuba is the next large island."
Her gaze shifted as a large island came in to view to the side of them even in the fading light she could see mountains as well as deep tropical jungle along with long sandy beaches . "Is that it?" Gabrielle turned sharply. "That's it." She looked down catching sight of the ships which were moving out to sea in all directions. "The dock is at the islands ridge." Xena raised an eyebrow as she looked at the ships. "Why are they all here?" Gabrielle watched as the huge dock came in to view with its hundreds of different ships from all continents. "Because this where the dried cocoa beans are sold. Those ships who are brave enough to go in to Mexica sell their beans here and everyone comes to buy them." She turned her horse slightly. "People sell other things here and some also trade with the native people who are called theTaínos." She looked up slightly. "Personally I think one day Quetzalcoatl will destroy this whole dock and every one on it and no one will ever know that it existed. He's always believed that the trade in cocoa belongs to him and outsiders shouldn't have what's rightfully his."
Xena turned Argo slightly as she readied her to land on the dock bellow which was fully of people going about there business. "Why is it still here? I mean time was changed." Gabrielle moved the reins slightly. "C'thulon's power is infinite he can change what ever he pleases." Her gaze turned sharply as she caught sight of a battered Chinese Junk with three torn white sails. She turned her horse in mid flight ignoring the sudden screams of confusion from bellow as they both got ready to land. She ignored the people's terrified cries as she landed on the dock hard she turned watching as her lover landed next to her. She brought her horse to a stop watching as it screeched causing everyone to back away further. Xena walked Argo forward coming to a stop next to her lover she raised an eyebrow seeing the people back away they were afraid of Gabrielle's horse.
"You can't bring that cursed animal here!"
Gabrielle turned looking at the captain who was walked towards her as she dismounted the frightened on lookers all backed away even further as her horse screeched again. She calmly walked over to the Junk catching sight of the battered name in gold letters which read Archipelago. She pulled away slightly eyeing the captain who face was full of anger. "The owner of this ship he wouldn't happen to be around would he?" The young captain watched as the other woman dismounted her strange winged horse which unlike its counter part was alive. He pulled back in horror as he watched an Aztec warrior dismounted from her saddle. "You can't bring him here ether!" He turned back looking at the small blonde woman who was eyeing him. "Get these abominations off the dock, you little…!"
Xena didn't think as she grabbed him by the collar slamming his head in to the side of the ship which Gabrielle had been looking at. She ignored his cry of pain. "I believe she asked you a question, be courteous and answer it." The young captain looked up in terror as he met her gaze. "He's in the Oceania tavern." She held him tighter her gaze narrowing. "When some one asks you a question you should learn to be polite and answer it." The young man cringed in fear as he lowered his gaze. "I'm sorry!" Xena let go off his shirt shoving him forward she narrowed her gaze as he bolted in a run disappearing in to the crowd. She turned slowly meeting her lovers gaze. "So the man who owes you money is here?" Gabrielle looked up slightly pointing the tavern close by. "He's in there."
8
Xena looked up at the dirty swinging sigh above the tavern with its two waves crashing together. She turned seeing that both their horses were tied up close by and well with in her line of sight. Cuba had a huge and very crowded dock with lots of captains trading goods and a huge number of houses and taverns. She turned slightly hearing the drunken sounds of laughter from inside the tavern. She kept her hand on the rope which held Itzli who said nothing. Her gaze narrowed as she smelt the stench of rotten food and old beer which smelt even worse due to the hot tropical climate. "This place is foul and it's disgusting."
Gabrielle sighed aloud. "Welcome to the Oceania tavern it's full of idiots, rogue traders and disgusting captains." She pushed the wooden door slightly. "Time hasn't changed on these islands at all, this place still stinks." Xena raised an eyebrow as she walked slowly forward. "How much money does this man owe you?" Gabrielle pulled the door to the bar open she watched as the men and women all turned to look at her their faces brimming with interest. She ignored the drunken comments as she moved forward. Her gaze shifted as her lover entered the bar causing more commotion as she dragged Itzli behind her who cursed aloud.
She ignored the painful sound of some ones face being punched as they tried to make a move on the Warrior Princess who said nothing as she carried on moving. Her gaze moved across the beer spilled tables as she searched for the person in question. She suddenly caught sight of him sitting in the central table surround by five men and two women who were eating in his every word. He had long over grown side burns as well as medium length scruffy dark brown hair which was sun bleached in places. She could easily make out the gold capped teeth as he smiled. He was medium build and in his late thirties. His grey eyes moved as he raised his hands showing of his gold rings. His gold was a sign that he liked to indulge and drink no doubt spending the money which he'd stolen from others.
He had a long sleeved white shirt which was slightly open showing off an Aztec necklace which he'd no doubt stolen from some unfortunate soul who he'd properly ditched in Mexica. He also had on brown trousers he wore the typical knee high boots that all the captains wore. She could see a thick leather belt around his waist. Baldomero pulled up the beaten Aztec mask again. "You know what I said to that Aztec savage?" He took another long gulp from his tankard. "I said you can't eat me! I don't have any fat on me!" He watched as every one burst in a fit of drunken laughter the first man spoke up. "How much gold is there in Mexica Baldomero?"
"They have more gold, jade and gemstones than you could possibly imagine and none you'd ever want."
Baldomero turned sharply eyeing the young blonde woman who was standing close to his table. Her forest green eyes moving slightly as she put her hands on her hips. He pulled back eyeing her for a long moment, as a panic suddenly over took him. She looked a hell of a lot like the other woman he'd abounded on Mexica some seasons back. He looked at her again letting his fear pass there was no way she could be her she was much younger and didn't have wounds all over her body or a dragon tattoo on her back. The other woman had also had very short blonde hair and acted more like a highly strung boy. Even her posture had been more masculine than feminine.
Unlike this young woman whose pose was much more feminine as were her clothes. No this woman wasn't the same one though the resemblance was remarkable, may be she was cute cousin or something. He grinned at her. "Well aren't you a pretty young thing?" He pulled his chair around. "Why don't you come and sit on my knee and tell me who told you that?" Gabrielle sneered in disgust as she met his gaze. "I'd rather not." Xena turned eyeing the man Gabrielle was talking to she felt her teeth grind together slightly. Baldomero laughed as he took another long drink he eyed the tall dark warrior woman behind her who's piercing ice blue eyes were burning in to him.
His gaze travelled to the Aztec warrior who she was holding the man's hand had been bound tightly. "You know cutie I don't deal in slave trading so you might want to ask your big warrior friend to take him away, though if she's thinking about selling his headdress. I'll take it off her hands for a very good price." Gabrielle eyed Itzli for a moment. "His headdress isn't for sale." Baldomero took another long drink. "You know you look like some woman I met here seasons ago." He paused feeling his grin widen. "Though I don't think you could be her I mean your much better looking. You also don't seem to be a total bitch like she was."
Gabrielle raised both eyebrows. "Really?" She stepped forward ignoring Xena snarl of anger which drifted through the air. "What was her name?" Baldomero smirked as he met her gaze. "Oh she was called Gabrielle." He winked at her. "She sounded like boy and she smelt worse than horse manure from a barn." He nudged the other man next to him. "Her lover was the so called Xena Warrior Princess." He grinned hearing everyone laugh. "I guess she was a loser who couldn't get it on with a man, so she bedded a warrior woman instead." He sniggered slightly. "I ditched the stupid bitch in Mexica and took all her money. I just wish I could've been there to see her face."
Xena could feel her anger as it burned through her system, as she eyed the man at the table how dare that bastard speak about her lover that way. She yanked Itzli forward ignoring his cursing. Gabrielle turned pushing Xena back at the waist as she came forward. She turned meeting her lovers gaze. "Let me…." She smiled as she leaned over the table meeting Baldomero's surprised gaze. "You wouldn't have wanted to see her face." She slammed her fist down hard causing the table to shake and beer to spill everywhere. Her gaze slowly narrowed as her teeth grinded together as she leaned closer. "It looked something like this."
Baldomero stopped still feeling his whole body freeze as her words registered in his mind. "There's no way in hell!" Gabrielle didn't think as she slammed her fist full force in to his face ignoring his cry of pain, she watched as he fell back in his chair hitting the floor hard. Everyone at the table suddenly shifted to get out of her way. She moved slowly over to Baldomero who was clutching his now bleeding nose. She smiled as she grabbed hold of him by his collar dragging him to his feet. "You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that to you Baldomero!" She didn't think as she slammed her fist in to his face again sending him crashing against the table. "You stole my money!"
Baldomero looked up staring in to her burning green gaze. "How are you her? You're younger!" Gabrielle grabbed his shirt again with violent force so his back was against the table. "Mexica can change you as a person isn't that what you always say?" Baldomero blinked he watched her pull up her boot which had a gleaming sai blade in it. "You know we can talk…how does a hundred dinars sound, it is dinars you use in Greece right?" Gabrielle laughed but it was a cold unfeeling laugh. "A hundred dinars…I wouldn't take money from you Baldomero." She leaned down slowly pulling the sai blade from her boot as she tightened her grip on his shirt. "No I'll tell you what would make me happy." She raised the weapon higher running it along his cheek. "I'd like to see you suffer, like you made me suffer when you left me stranded me in Mexica!"
"Gabrielle!"
Gabrielle turned slowly to meet her lovers gaze she slowly eased the weapon away from the terrified mans face. Xena watching as everyone backed away further from the table, obviously among drunken fools there was no loyalty. She breathed in walking towards the man who looked at her. He tried to smile but it was terrified smile. Itzli grunted aloud the Blood Jaguar was being a bitch not that that surprised him. He looked down slowly he just wanted to get all this over with he wanted to see his home land again. Baldomero looked at the tall dark haired woman. "Who are you?" Xena slowly passed the rope to Gabrielle so she had hold of Itzli.
She grabbed the man watching as her lover let go. "I'm Xena Warrior Princess." Baldomero stared at her for a long moment. "You're dead!" Xena sneered watching as her lover stepped back. "I got better." Baldomero put his hands up. "Your not going to hit me, are you?" Xena raised an eyebrow as she leaned closer. "Yes I am." Baldomero's gaze darted. "Can we talk about this?" Xena narrowed her gaze as she tightened her grip. "There's one thing I hate more than anything in this world do you know what that is?" Baldomero eyed her as he tried to smile. "Dirty leathers?" Xena snarled aloud. "No it's people who insult my lover right in front of me!"
She leaned closer tightening her grip turning it in to a straggle hold. "Gabrielle isn't a loser she isn't stupid and she isn't a bitch." She felt her whole body tense. "She also smells ten times better than you ever could!" Baldomero swallowed again. "I totally agree my mistake." Xena turned eyeing her lover. "He owes you a hundred dinars and a boat trip to Mexica, right?" She watched her lover nod she turned back eyeing the man. "You're going to pay up or so help me I'm going to break every bone in your body!" Baldomero raised a hand. "I'll do anything you want! Please just don't hurt me…I have a wife and four children." Gabrielle sneered in disgust. "You don't have a wife and four children." Baldomero turned slightly. "One day I might…" He narrowed his gaze. "Unlike you, I mean your lover doesn't have the equipment to make you pregnant." Xena tightened her grip. "If you don't shut up your going to loose your equipment and everything bellow it."
Baldomero swallowed as best he could as he felt her strangle hold tightened even more. "I got it…" The next moment turned to blinding pain as her fist made contact with his face, he felt her let go. His whole body fell off the table as he passed out in to darkness. Gabrielle watched as the captain hit the floor hard she slowly met her lovers gaze. "We should take him to his boat." Xena grabbed the man by his leg dragging him forward she looked up hearing nothing but silence. She smiled slightly. "We'll be leaving now…any objections?" She watched as everyone shook there heads. "Good." She pulled the man along, if she'd have known that he'd have done that to her lover she would have happily been the one to hit him. They needed him any way from what Gabrielle had said flying in to Mexica's shore would attract too much attention.
End of part 17
Silvermoonlight.
Some of you may recognise Gabrielle's line to Autolycus. "They have more gold, jade and gemstones than you could possibly imagine and none you'd ever want." For any one who doesn't, it was in the last chapter of the werewolf saga.
