TO GIVE RETRIBUTION TO THOSE WHO HARMED YOU
I want my godly symbol back and I want it back now! Its mine I won it in battle fair and square the person who I took it from died an honourable death. It was destine to always be mine! It is my destiny, I promised to always wear it no matter what happened in my life and I have always remained true to that, it has never left my body until now. I will have my vengeance and my satisfaction! I don't give a damn anymore about the rules or the agreement, I was noble to my word. The Empress wasn't noble to hers though, no in the end I just became her prisoner and the puppet! So why should I care anymore for her rules? I don't care if I die for this in fact I'd welcome death right now at least then I join the one I love.
I could be with Damokles once more because it's clear to me now that he never went to off with another woman, he never had another loved one in another city! It was all a lie by the Imperial Council they were trying to turn my attention from the fact that he'd been murdered! They sent him to this palace to be killed no doubt by the Empress herself and now he's stuffed and mounted for all to see, it disgusts me!
In four hours time the sky will darken and then I will have my full vengeance on this palace! I will tear apart every wall break apart every item and see this palace torn to ribbons! I'll have my satisfaction for what they did to him! They killed a man I loved so much, a man who believed in me and who I loved with all my heart, I will see them pay for that!" Gabrielle adjusted her new shirt the new clothes fitted perfectly, not that she really cared. She smashed another door open looking in side the room where was that bitch!? She had a room in the palace somewhere she turned with out thinking grabbing Tiara by her arm tightly ignoring her look of surprise as she spoke. "I want Iona! Where is the bitch stationed?"
Tiara breathed in trying to steady herself she could see the cold almost psychotic look in the younger woman's eyes clearly she wasn't in the mood to be toyed with. Gabrielle loosened her grip trying to control her temper as she spoke again. "I have no interest in hurting you Tiara I couldn't care less about you. I just want Iona, she took something from me last night and I really want it back." Tiara raised her hand. "She's in the lower barracks, with three of her men it's outside of the kitchen it's the building to the far right of the gardens near the shooting range." Gabrielle let her go gently. "How convenient..." Tiara looked at her feeling the uncertainty as she spoke. "I'm sorry Gabrielle for last night, for what happened to you." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "Please spare me." Tiara breathed in sadly. "No I am truly sorry the Empress shouldn't have done that to you."
Gabrielle eased out her hand. "What difference does your apology make now? The pathetic thing is I knew it would happen it was always just a matter of time." She moved away from the older woman. "I will have my satisfaction before this day is over! I'm going to die anyway so I might as well die fighting." Tiara grabbed her arm feeling the panic taking over. "You don't have to do this Gabrielle!" Gabrielle pulled her arm away from her grip with violent force. "You don't seem to get it do you? I am a werewolf a monster that's what everyone's labelled me as, now I'm going to give you all what you really wanted and live up to my name!" She moved away ignoring the older woman's look of shock and fright, she eyed her as she ran in the opposite direction. She could do what ever she wanted bring in the warriors for all she cared it wasn't going to keep her from ether of her goals. In fact she'd relished the thought of battle it had been so long since she'd been in a real one.
8
Iona eased up the bone pendent looking at it, she'd never seen anything like it, it was clearly ancient. She sat back in her chair which was opposite the window which over looked the shooting range. Where in Tartarus was Leuis? He was over ten minutes late, she took in a deep breath she was dreading her talk with Empress. She knew that she hadn't been honest and that was sure to come out now, at worse she would loose her rank completely. At least she'd be flogged in a humiliating manner in front of Demetrius. The bastard would probably enjoy it as they'd never gotten on and he'd see this as his moment to destroy her reputation completely.
She looked up hearing the outer door to the barracks open she breathed in deeply. "There you are its about time!" The next moments caused her to freeze in utter shock as the two double inner doors behind her were forced open as a body was flung right through them. She watched in horror as Leuis came down opposite her slamming shoulder first in to the floor he skidded on it before coming to a painful stop.
She could see blood all over his face, he was bleeding from both his arm and leg and both of his swords were missing. She watched as he looked at her trying to speak only to fail as his eyes rolled back and he passed out completely. She looked up sharply pulling her sword free as she watched Gabrielle walk in through the now open doors a cruel smile forming on her lips. Gabrielle ignored the taste of blood in her mouth which was from the only good hit the bastard had given her. She turned spitting it out before turning to the other woman. "I'm afraid he won't be able to reply to you for a while, pity really I was really expecting a challenge." Iona eyed her as she felt her teeth grind together. "You, how did you get in here!?"
Gabrielle eyed the swords in both hands as she twirled them casually. "Yes me, oh what did you think you and your little friends weren't going to pay for what you did to me last night?" She eyed one of her sword blades which had blood dripping of it. "No I will have my retribution! You all humiliated me and laughed at me because you thought there would be no repercussions." She eyed the unconscious man. "Well in life there are always repercussions! It's a lesson your about to learn at a heavy price." Iona raised her hand. "You'll die for this the Empress will kill you for sure!" Gabrielle laughed enjoying how mocking her laughter sounded. "Do you think I really care? What do you think I just beat up him and the three other bastards who dragged me around on bear chains last night just for kicks?"
She felt her evil smile widen. "No I relish the noble death and unlike you Iona I don't fear it." She raised the sword. "You also have something which is mine and you're going to give it back to me right now or I will make this much more painful for you." Iona breathed in as she eased up the bone pendent. "Oh you mean this you bitch? No you can take it when you pry it from my unconscious fingers." Gabrielle breathed in spinning both swords in a lightning fast motion two years in the darkness had changed nothing. Despite being a little rusty she'd lost none of her speed or motion when it came to double hand sword fighting. She eyed Iona watching as she put her pendent in her pocket then eased her long dagger free holding it up along with her sword. "That's just what I hoped you'd say."
Iona moved narrowly avoiding one of swords as it swept past her chest she leaped back avoiding the other. She swung her sword only to watch as Gabrielle smirked side stepped out of the way avoiding it. She brought up her dagger only to miss as Gabrielle side stepped again in a casual manner she swung her sword only for the other woman to duck under it with lightning speed.
Gabrielle brought the sword hilts forward slamming them in to the other woman's stomach causing her to cry out in pain. She felt her cruel smile widen as Iona stumbled back the pain in her face as she pulled her weapons forward. Iona roared as she turned on her heel swinging her sword upwards only for Gabrielle to side step once more with lightning fast speed. She felt the blinding pain the other woman's blade sliced across her exposed thigh as she turned fully on her heel realizing that Gabrielle was already behind her, she cried out as the hilt slammed in to her shoulder. She turned fully to face her, how in the gods name could she move so fast?
She narrowed her gaze she recognised Gabrielle's fighting style, it was Thessalian but with two swords rather than a sword and heavy Aspis shield. It was fast, much faster than she was used to and she'd killed Thessalian spies in battle before now. Clearly the werewolves had there own variation of the style and in there version speed was everything. Gabrielle twirled her blade somehow she'd expected better wasn't this meant to the elite killer in the Empress's ranks? Clearly she was very good when it came to stabbing people in the back but in open combat she wasn't as gifted. Iona swung her sword blade as she swung the dagger sideways watching as it sliced across Gabrielle's arm she smiled as she heard her cry out in pain as she moved past her.
That was it that was her opening! Every warrior had one she could stab her in the gut next time she tried that. Gabrielle eyed the blood on her arm watching as it soaked through her white cotton sleeve staining it red, clearly Iona did have some talent. She felt a smile form finally a challenge, she didn't think as she swung her sword blade watching as Iona ducked under it.
She swung the other feeling the force as it hit Iona's blade, she pressed the other weapon only to watch as Iona swung the dagger towards her. She brought down her other sword stopping it violently. She could feel the force as Iona pushed back against both of her weapons as she tried to force them down. Iona looked up sharply only to watch in surprise as Gabrielle boot came up. She felt the pain as it slammed in to her waist throwing her backwards she felt the floor as she smashed in to it back first. She didn't think as she moved out of the way narrowly avoiding one of her sword as it came down with in inches of her head slamming in to the floor. She pulled herself up quickly only to feel the pain as the swords tip stuck her upper shoulder causing blood to flow which staining her sleeve.
She raised both weapons stepping back watching as Gabrielle studied her clearly fascinated by something. "You think you can beat me! You're just a stupid animal!" Gabrielle shifted on her heels she had no interest in replying to her outburst. She was just waiting for that one perfect moment which would change everything in terms of this battle. There was always one moment of serenity when everything was in motion it was a pure moment, when so much pain could be inflicted in a minute and an opponent would fall to their knees in defeat. Unlike other werewolves she never used her inhuman strength in battle she preferred to win by human standards alone when in human form.
Iona raised her dagger she had, had enough of this bitch! She swung the sword once more watching as Gabrielle avoided it, she eyed the other woman who turned on her heel. This was it, this was her moment she swung the dagger side ways aiming for it for gut! She looked up only to watch in shock as Gabrielle turned in a different direction away from her forced her sword in to the ground as she stepped back.
She felt the intense pain as the other woman hand came up grabbing her own, she screamed in pain as it was brought backwards behind her back. Gabrielle eyed Iona feeling completely calm and focused as she forced her arm up higher behind her back. She knew there was a point where the arm couldn't take the pressure anymore. She ignored the other woman's screaming as she pushed harder suddenly hearing the violent crack of bone as her arm broke. She let go watching as the dagger fell from Iona's hand as she swung around and her arm flopped down becoming a dead weight as she turned to face her. She didn't think as she grabbed her by her dark shirt pulling her towards her.
She ignored the sword as it swung past her head as Iona's arm swept past her shoulder, she didn't think as she turned her other sword slammed the hilt in to her now exposed chest full force, she brought it up again hearing the dull crack as one of ribs broke. Iona carried on screaming she was powerless now and completely at her mercy now was that perfect moment.
She brought up her hilt again smashing in to two other areas of her chest hearing two more of her ribs break. She paused slowly bringing the hilt up to Iona's face oh this was going to hurt her so much. She watched as the woman's eyes darted as she realized what was about to happen. She eyed her speaking calmly. "As I said before I will have my retribution." She didn't think as she smashed the hilt in to her face watching as the blood flowed down from her mouth. She shifted her weight forcing her back as she smashed her hilt in to her face a second time causing more blood to fly through her teeth. She smiled hitting her a third time feeling the blood spatter against her face and neck before shoving her back full force.
She watched as she hit the floor hard on her back she slowly walked up to her putting her boot on her chest forcing her in to the ground as she kneeled down ignoring her scream of pure agony. She moved forward slammed her first sword in to the floor close to her face then moved her free hand down putting it in her pocket easing her pendent free she stood up keeping her boot in place as she put the pendent over her head.
She eased her foot of Iona's chest eyeing her as she slammed the other sword in to the ground ignoring the cold blood as it ran down her face. "Never ever steal from me again Iona." She stepped away from her. "Take this a valuable lesson for every action you make there is a conscience and unless your willing to pay for them I suggest you think about your actions much more carefully before you make them." Iona watched as she walked away she tried to move only to find she couldn't because of the agonizing pain as it hit her chest. She lay still trying to take it as she tried to place what had just happened to her. How had she lost? She'd had Gabrielle right were she wanted her? She tried to move only for her head to hit the floor as her thoughts faded away in to darkness as she lost consciousness.
8
Xena turned the corridor watching as Fedora came in to view she was reading to two of the children who were engaged in her story. She breathed in deeply walking towards her watching as she looked up. Fedora stood up looking at the Empress she spoke calmly keeping her voice in a neutral tone. "Good afternoon Empress." Xena took in a deep breath watching as Thaleia walked past her coming to stand next to her mother. "I wish to speak to you in private." Fedora looked up turning to her daughter handing her the scroll. "Please finish the story for the little ones, I was just up to where Odysseus was about to take on the Cyclops."
Thaleia nodded as she took the scroll from her mother's hand. "I'll finish it for you." Fedora watched as the Empress walked in to the empty hall she slowly followed her, she already knew what this was all about but she would make sure that the Empress said something first. Xena stopped turning to the older woman. "We've never really talked have we?"
Fedora raised an eyebrow. "No we hadn't Empress." Xena lowered her gaze. "I knew your husband he was very brave in battle he saved my life once." Fedora looked at the decorative marble floor. "Yes he was a very brave man he believed in you and admired your fairness both on and off the battle field." Xena looked up slightly. "I miss his company." Fedora breathed in deeply as she lowered her gaze sadly. "As do I." She looked up at the taller woman. "What did you wish to speak me about?" Xena breathed in deeply. "Gabrielle." Fedora folded her arms. "Ah so you've chosen to use her name rather than palace monster or werewolf which I hear so often uttered among these walls."
Xena eyed her for a long moment. "The staff, have been calling her that, I had no idea?" Fedora looked up. "Yes but then I put that down to them being shown by example, your example." Xena narrowed her gaze in annoyance. "I have never called Gabrielle by anything other than her name the only time I ever called her monster was when she first transformed in front of me." Fedora sighed aloud. "You didn't have to call her anything, everyone knew you disliked her so they treated her in the same kind of manner. I'm sure my daughter has told you already just how poorly she's been treated." Xena nodded as she looked up slightly. "Yes she has." Fedora felt a sad smile form. "You know what I found most saddening? It's that when Gabrielle told me you disliked her I thought she was exaggerating."
She breathed in sadly. "She's not a very open person and she's seems very depressed with in herself I thought that maybe because of this she'd misunderstood something you said or misinterpreted it, but after last night it very clear to me that she misinterpreted nothing. Everything she said about what you think off her is true." Xena eased up her hands. "I don't hate her! I wasn't thinking straight last night!" Fedora eyed her. "No you weren't Empress, what you did to her last night was disgusting beyond words, even though you clearly found your conscience at some point and set her free, it clearly does not make any off it right." She breathed in painfully. "I've always admired you you've always been just and fair to others and done the right thing. Yet last night you acted no better than a Conqueror and a tyrant. That young woman was nothing more than a play thing to you and you chained her up and made her no more than a dancing animal to please your royal guests so they could laugh."
She looked at her hand trying to control her emotions. "The truly sad part in all off this is that Gabrielle is a good person who's done everything you asked off her. She's put up with all the bullying and all that suffering and she's never raised her hand in ether form to anyone. She deserves much better than what she's reserved she has feelings just like anyone else. She lowered her gaze. "Feelings which I fear may now spin out of control after what happened last night you can only poke a lion for so long before it will turn around and bite you." Xena put a hand on her face. "I made a mistake and I intended to make it right in what ever way I can, what ever it takes. I've done everything wrong by this young woman and I will see that she is treated well from here on in."
She was about to say more only to stop as Phrixus ran up the hall with two scrolls she turned eyeing him as he came to a stop next to her. He breathed in catching his breath as he looked up. "I'm sorry to interrupt you Empress but I have something really important here." He raised the first scroll which was the seventh werewolf figure copied and painted in perfect detail. "Does this look familiar to you?"
Xena took the scroll eyeing the golden figure which had brown horns, she looked up slightly. "No." Phrixus moved his hand to the necklace around the werewolf's neck. "Look harder at the symbol on its neck tell me you have not seen that before, because I have, I've seen it around Gabrielle's neck." Xena eyed the scroll harder she blinked in shock as she caught sight of a white symbol which looked like a circular snake eating its tail. "Oh gods but that…it can't be!" Phrixus pulled up his second scroll. "I spent most of last night transacting this after I saw the bone growths on Gabrielle's head behind her ears, just listen to this its very enlightening despite that its only half of the transaction." He eased up the transaction which he'd written down on the other piece of scroll looking at it before reading out loud.
"The Golden Hind will be the seventh Horn Hind to obtain the great antlers. They will be given to her by her an ancient serpent goddess forever eating her tail, lost to the ages of time and almost forgotten. Unlike the other six great Horn Hinds before her, she is not full blood but from half blood line and was made a werewolf by bite and not birthright."
"She is neither the strongest nor the wealthiest, money means little to this Horn Hind despite that her fur is the very shade of gold itself. Maybe this is because the true weight of gold is carried with in her heart as she takes on the pain and pride of those before her. Forever questioning the will of what is and want must be as well as what is right and wrong."
"She is a person of ideals and nobility she will bring about a change in power that will echo for centuries to come. It will be a true testament to the great suffering she goes through in her early life. As well as the testament to not having the life she wanted and being lost and forgotten in the darkness of the palace walls where the two lion of stones forever sleep."
He lowered the scroll watching as Empress stared at him in utter shock. "Gabrielle isn't just any werewolf far from it, only the leader has antlers. The very word Horn Hind means king and it's also genderless and can refer to ether a man or a woman! She's their King! You chained up and humiliated the werewolf king last night!" Xena grabbed the scroll from his hand reading it as she stared at the other picture of the golden werewolf with full horns dressed in silver armour.
Her day was now turning from bad to worse she breathed in deeply. "No…I couldn't have." Phrixus breathed trying to contain his anger. "But you did! The whole of the werewolf race might declare all out war, if they ever found out what you did last night Empress! You turned their king in to the laughing stock for your own personal amusement!" He folded his arms. "I spoke to Gabrielle about this a while back we talked about the werewolf kings when she was helping me with the final alphabet transitions. She said she didn't like the new leader because she'd failed on her mission but that was no doubt a reference to herself and her failure as a leader. Clearly she kept this back because she realized that she'd become even more an asset if any of us ever knew who she really was!"
Xena rolled up both scrolls as she raised her hand. "I know the mistake I've made and I intend to put it right Phrixus now more that ever!" Phrixus took in a deep breath. "Then you should put this right quickly Empress, because we could all suffer for what you did last night. Horn Hind is the one they all follow and from the parts I've read here and there, her predecessors could over rule the Imperial Council in a heart beat if they saw something as a matter of personal honour!"
He took in another deep breath trying to calm himself down. "Forgive my rudeness Empress but I see a great misgiving here and it has to be put right." Xena eased up her hand only to stop as Demetrius ran up the hall towards her the concern in his face she knew already this was going to be bad. "What is it? What's happened?" Demetrius looked up slowly. "Its Gabrielle she's beaten up the four men who chained her last night, she knocked them all unconscious and wounded them with there own sword blades." He breathed in deeply. "She took out a very personal revenge on Iona though, three of her ribs are broken, her left arm has been broken and she was wounded as well, the healers with her now, she's in a very bad way."
Phrixus breathed in deeply this had suddenly taken a very bad turn. "Clearly this is Gabrielle's retribution for being dishonoured and humiliated she's now going after those who caused her pain last night." Fedora lowered her gaze sadly shaking her head before she spoke. "Well it appears that the tormented lion has finally mashed free of her cage Empress and you'll have to be the one to calm her raging heart."
End of part 27
Silvermoonlight
Happy Halloween everyone don't eat to much candy :)