HARSH REVELATIONS WHICH ARE UNDENIABLE

Xena sat down on the side way sofa in the study watching as Gabrielle sat on the other one which was opposite hers. Normally she would have dressed up for this but she saw no point as this was probably going to be a long hard meeting and dressing up would be wasted on something like this. She shuffled slightly ignoring her silver plated armour which wasn't the most comfortable thing to wear on a side ways sofa. Thank the gods that this sofa had thick fabric and stuffing because it made it much easier to lie on. She adjusted her sword on her belt as she got in to position catching sight of Ceto and Thaleia standing opposite them they both had wine jugs in their hands. In front of her were some bowls of cooked food mostly cut pieces of chicken and lamb with flat bread, true she and Gabrielle had already eaten but this was for the guests as they might be hungry, it was in essence food that could be eaten on a small plate and was very filling.

She watched as Gabrielle shuffled getting comfortable she could tell that she wasn't used to sideways sofas as she was shuffling trying harder to get comfortable one of her swords was clearly not making it easy for her. She turned as the double doors were opened and Abraxas entered the study along with his wife Ilithyia walking by his side he was being closely followed by Demetrius who stopped as they both seated themselves on the side ways sofa's which were faced hers and Gabrielle's. She eyed the older man who was in his thirties he had short dark brown hair and dark blue eyes he also had a thick brown goatee beard. He was dressed in a gold and red woven long sleeve shirt along with a black pair of trousers and knee high brown boots. His belt was black with red weavings along with a golden buckle.

He had three rings on his right hand, one was decorative while the other was his wedding ring but the central ring was the important ring it symbolized his status as a Corinth diplomat. He wasn't in his white and red robes but she assumed this was because this wasn't a formal visit so he didn't have to make an effort. She turned eyeing his wife who was in her late twenties and wasn't much taller than Gabrielle she had light brown hair which had been highlight with red henna in places. She was wearing elaborate chiton robes which were green in colour and waist belt which was turquoise. On both her wrists were bronze decorative bracelets and on her right hand were her two rings one being her wedding ring while the other was her special ring that showed her status as a diplomat's wife.

She breathed in deeply before speaking. "Good morning Abraxas." She turned to his wife who nodded respectfully. "Ilithyia." Abraxas watched as the long blonde haired woman who was sitting opposite Xena shuffled trying to sit on the side ways sofa. He had no idea who she was or even why she was here and frankly he didn't care ether, she was probably the Empress's latest sexual conquest. He picked up a goblet from the table watching as the dark skinned maid filled it with wine then put the jug down as she picked up a smaller jug filling the blonde's goblet with what looked like apple juice the green eyed woman mouthed a quite thank you as she picked up her goblet. He snorted in disgust as he took a sip of wine as he unrolling the scroll in his hand so the Empress could see it. "Tell me is this one of your bad jokes Empress!"

Xena eyed the scroll instantly recognising that it was a copy of the ban on hunting on werewolves along with there equal rights status. She breathed in watching as Ceto filled her goblet with red wine and then moved to Ilithyia's goblet filling it. She nodded to her maid as she took a sip from her wine. "Ah so you've read the amendment to the law, I'm glad." Abraxas eyed the scroll feeling his teeth grind together. "Amendment you call this an amendment? It's a joke that's what it is!" Xena eyed her goblet half ignoring him. "It is not a joke it is very serious." Abraxas eyed the scroll ignoring the blonde who fidgeted again clearly not comfortable on the side ways sofa. "Oh yes this is serious I was talking with the rest of the Corinth diplomats and their partners and they are not amused by this! They are asking me what in Tartarus is going through the Empress of Greece's head that she'd be stupid enough to allow a bunch of slobbering, dangerous, pathetic monsters to live!"

Xena breathed in deeply watching as a cold look appeared on Gabrielle's face though the other woman said nothing. Ilithyia looked up sharply as she spoke in a calm voice. "What my husband is trying to say is that he worries about this new change in the law, werewolves are after all dangerous." Xena took another sip of her wine watching as Gabrielle shuffled again she clearly wasn't comfortable on the sofa the younger woman took a piece of chicken on the bone as she sat up fully on the sofa biting in to it as she put her goblet down on the table. She felt a smile form. "I've come across some new information which has disproved that idea Ilithyia." Abraxas sneered in disgust. "New information don't make me laugh, there is nothing to understand about werewolves their disgusting monsters." He turned as the blonde woman suddenly cracked the bone which she'd eaten the meat off in her mouth. He felt the anger it started to boil. "Seriously who in Tartarus is this woman and why in is she here in this meeting? She's done nothing but fidget because she can't sit still for five seconds on that sofa!"

Gabrielle eased the broken bone out of her mouth putting it on an empty side plate as she leaned forward eyeing him as she spoke evenly. "My name is Gabrielle." Abraxas sat up slightly catching sight of the crossed swords on her back. "So why are you here Gabrielle, is it for the Empress's protection?" Gabrielle took a sip from her goblet. "No I'm not here for her protection I'm a royal in my own right." Abraxas laughed slightly as he met her cold forest green gaze. "You're a royal please I know every royal in Greece and I've never heard your name mentioned." Xena took a bite from a piece of lamb before looking up slightly eyeing Abraxas coldly. "Gabrielle is a royal by title she is on equal level with any other royals in Greece and her station is above yours Abraxas. You should show her some respect."

Abraxas felt a sneer form as he eyed Gabrielle. "You're a royal what are you royal off tell me that!?" Xena swallowed her meat eyeing him in disgust. "She's the king of the slobbering, dangerous and pathetic monsters you were rudely referring to a moment ago." Abraxas heard the shocked gasp as his wife let go of her goblet which hit the floor hard spilling wine all over the tiled floor. He breathed in deeply raising his hand as he recomposed himself. "Wait, she's a werewolf!" Gabrielle eyed him as she spoke again in an even tone. "Yes I'm a werewolf and you shouldn't talk to me as if I'm not here, it's very rude." Xena turned watching as Thaleia smirked before walking over to Ilithyia she carefully picked up the fallen goblet putting it back in her hand then refilled it ignoring her expression which filled with shock. Xena felt her smile turn to wide grin. "Gabrielle is the werewolf king or the Golden Hind if you would prefer her formal title."

She took a sip of her wine. "Gabrielle is a guest here in my palace and the palace staff, enjoys her company through her I found out that werewolves have a human form in the day light hours and I've also found out that she is their king, I still have a lot more to learn though I don't doubt that I'll learn it in time as myself and Gabrielle have a friendship. This is why the hunting law has ended and you would do well not to press the subject Abraxas." Abraxas turned eyeing Gabrielle before leaning back feeling a cold smile form. "I don't believe you Empress this isn't a werewolf I've seen werewolves their huge eight foot tall monsters with lots of teeth that'll rip off your legs and eat them whole this is just a woman no doubt your latest sexual conquest. Also even if you are telling the truth and she's really is a werewolf I never considered you as a person who slept with animals Empress."

Ilithyia blinked snapping out of her haze feeling the panic take over. She knew her husband's remark would anger the Empress. "I apologise for my husbands comment Empress he does not mean that." Xena felt her free hand form a fist as she eyed Abraxas. She wasn't sure what angered her more the insult to Gabrielle being an animal or the fact that he was insulting her by saying that she was sleeping with an animal. Even if she was sleeping with Gabrielle which she wasn't she didn't class her as an animal, she was an intelligent woman who deserved better than that remark. She took a deep breath feeling her teeth grind together as she spoke in an ice cold tone. "You know half of the Greek royals were very rude to Gabrielle when they first met her, I threatened to take all of their personal profits for the next a four years if they were ever that cruel to her again, would you like that same punishment Abraxas?"

She took another sip from her wine. "Also my relationship with Gabrielle is not sexual but even if it was I don't consider her an animal she's an intelligent woman who deserves respect!" Gabrielle eyed the other woman hearing a cold uncomfortable silence fall across the room. She could see that Abraxas now looked shocked and slightly afraid she slowly stood up walking over to the statue apposite which was made of solid marble she turned eyeing Abraxas. "You want proof of what I am Abraxas?" She put her hand on the statue of Apollo. "Could you move this statue?" Abraxas stood up he wasn't really sure where this was going but right now he'd rather look at Gabrielle than the Empress who was giving him frightening look which could melt ice. "No I probably couldn't, it solid marble we have one of these statues in our villa it takes three men to move one." Gabrielle raised her eyebrows. "Really I had no idea it took that many?" She turned putting both hands on the statue as she spoke. "Interesting..."

She forced her shoulders forward she hated using her inhuman strength in human form but clearly she had to in this case as it was the only way to prove her point. She felt her teeth grind together as the sudden groaning sound hit the air as the marble statue slowly moved across the floor. She stopped turning to him watching as the surprise appeared on his face. "Three men, that's a lot of men to move one statue." Abraxas put down his goblet this was a lie or a trick the statue had to be hallow there was no way a woman her size or strength could move it! He walked up to the statue standing on the opposite side of it. "Oh that's very clever but I've seen this trick before, the statues hallow that's why you can move it." Gabrielle folded her arms. "Please feel free to test your theory." She eyed him as he put both hands on the statue pushing against it with all his might despite this the statue didn't budge.

He tried harder only to stop as he looked at her the truth finally sinking in that this wasn't a trick. She walked over to her sofa sitting back down. "Would you like me to push it to the other end of the room or does this prove my point?" Abraxas walked slowly towards her raising his hand. "So you're a werewolf?" Gabrielle picked up her goblet taking a long sip before looking up. "Yes." Abraxas slowly seated himself the curiosity taking over. "So the werewolves have a king and you're their king?" Gabrielle looked up slightly. "The word for king used by my people is Horn Hind and it can refer to ether gender." She sat up slightly on the sofa. "I'm the seventh Horn Hind my predecessor was called the Crescent Hind, I am the Golden Hind."

Ilithyia sat up fully looking at the blonde woman whose expression was unreadable. "How come we've never heard of you? I mean I was told that werewolves were nothing but monsters and that, they had no culture." She raised her hand. "I mean no offence by that remark." Xena felt a smile creep across her lips. "I can tell you now that Gabrielle's people have a deep culture and a long history they even their own language, hence why I saw fit to end the hunting law I will not kill intelligent beings." Gabrielle breathed in deeply before speaking. "You've never heard of me because it was never been necessary until now for any Horn Hind to reveal himself or herself to any human. I'm here now because I wish to form an alliance with the Empress and end the suffering that's been taking place between our two races."

She eyed the silver ring on her hand for a long moment before looking up. "It is my duty as leader to my people to protect them in anyway I can." Abraxas put his hands together for a moment as he leaned forward in deep thought he looked up eyeing Gabrielle who expression was still unreadable. He knew better than to insult any royal least of all one he didn't know, the Empress he only insulted because in all honesty he didn't like her that much and it wasn't just because of her killing his brother. His brother had always been a fool anyway who was asking for trouble, no he hated her because she was soft natured and her compassionate emotions ruled her.

A great example of her softness was the laws about imprisonment there were people who deserved harsher punishments in prisons and even death and her laws meant that most got life imprisonment instead of death or she tried to correct their behaviour through teaching, frankly he saw it as a waste of resources and coin. In his view it would be better to just put these people to death. Though saying this, this was the first time that the Empress had ever threatened him openly clearly she cared about this werewolf royal which was a surprise, he knew full well that she didn't care that much for the other Greek royals. Maybe it was because this woman acted more like a warrior and not a pampered royal and he knew full well that the Empress was a warrior herself maybe because of that she saw her as a kindred spirit.

He raised his hand slightly. "My deepest apologises for offending you Gabrielle, but you understand that the idea of werewolves having a human form is a very new one." Gabrielle narrowed her gaze. "Well I do hope the idea has sunken in because I would hate to have to transform just to prove my point." Abraxas blinked as he sat back. "You can transform at any time?" Gabrielle finished her goblet she carefully put it down. "No only at night and only if I choose to." Abraxas put a hand through his beard. "This is fascinating." Xena finished her wine she watched as Ceto gave her a smile as she refilled her goblet. "No the truly fascinating thing is that Gabrielle in her werewolf form has horns just like a stag, there is no other werewolf like her, she's one of a kind and I'm honoured for her to be here in my company."

She ignored the surprise as it spread across Gabrielle's face for a spilt second before she recomposed herself. "You should also be honoured Abraxas." Abraxas felt his eyes dart as he leaned back. "My self and my wife honour and serve the Empress and all who she values." Xena raised her hand seeing an opportunity present itself. "You're the first to know about Gabrielle's presence the other diplomats are not ready to know, what you know no yet. You must hide it from them until Gabrielle wishes that it become public, because as I'm sure your well aware that not everyone approves of werewolves." Abraxas lowered his gaze for a moment before looking up. "As you wish Empress we won't say anything." Ilithyia nodded as she turned to the dark haired woman. "We will tell the others that our visit was formal and that we understand why the hunting law has been ended but we won't say why. Only that it is in their best interests to obey your new law."

Abraxas paused before looking up. "Since werewolves are human I would like to be the first to set an example by having my werewolf skull and pelt brought to the palace." He turned slowly to Gabrielle whose face was now unreadable. "I'm so sorry, had no idea that your race had a human form or were intelligent I was told that it was no different from owning a lion or wolf pelt." Gabrielle picked up a piece of chicken bone putting it between her teeth she cracked the bone then eased it out of her mouth looking at it before she spoke. "My predecessor kept our race out of the eyes of humans he agreed with our council that it was for our own good but it has caused nothing but suffering and we are now seen as monsters and animals." She took in a deep breath. "People have in turn hunted us like animals because they didn't know any better and all those who have died can not find their way to the Elysian Fields because there bodies have not had the proper ceremony and thus there souls are now waiting in limbo for release."

Abraxas nodded as he looked at her. "Then that is all the more reason why I should give these things to you." Xena slowly stood up she eased a scroll free which she'd written this morning she put it down in front on him. "Well since you agree with Gabrielle I want you to confirm your approval, I want your signature and Ilithyia's on this document as well as both your seals along with the seals and signatures of the other Corinth diplomats and their partners by the end of the week or the next, once this done this law will be taken very seriously by every single diplomat in Greece and royals in the Greek Empire." Abraxas picked up the scroll this was normal when the Empress asked for a law change all of the Corinth diplomats and their partners had to also sigh off on it and they normally did so with out fuss but he wouldn't lie they hadn't wanted to sigh of this law at all.

He would see that every one of them did it now as he fully understood the situation. "I'll sign it with Ilithyia right now in the presence of your scribe if that is what you wish Empress." Xena looked at him for a long moment before speaking. "Yes I would like yours and your wife's signature and seal on it now." Abraxas stood up watching Ilithyia did the same. "As you wish." He paused. "I assume that we aren't allowed to stay in the palace." Xena turned eyeing him. "No you aren't you know the rules Abraxas, plus I don't wish to go through what I went through with your brother. The royal guard will take you both back to your villa, once you sigh this document." Abraxas grunted aloud. "You know Empress the other diplomats don't approve of how you treat them, even guests are allowed to sleep in your palace but we aren't its very unfair. My brother was a foolish bastard but I am not like him."

Xena turned sharply feeling her teeth grind together. "Yes your brother was a foolish bastard and you shouldn't test my patience this is my palace and I will not risk what happened the last time by letting you or any other diplomat stay in side these walls." Gabrielle stood up slowly speaking in a calm voice. "Perhaps what the Empress wants from you Abraxas is a symbol of your trust before she allows you to stay in the palace." Abraxas blinked as he turned to her. "What do you mean by a symbol of trust?" Gabrielle raised both eyebrows. "A symbol of trust is when you do something noble to prove to your worth and nobility to the Greek Empire." Abraxas breathed in deeply. "How would I gain that nobility just out of interest?" Gabrielle lowered her gaze. "Only you can answer that Abraxas."

Xena felt a smile form as she turned looking at the other woman for a long moment that really wasn't something she'd considered. Gods how nice it was to have this woman by her side she had such a different way of looking at things, she had never thought about manipulating any diplomat in this manner but it made perfect sense force their loyalty by making them do something noble to prove their worth to her and regain her trust in an honest way. She turned back to the dark haired man who was deep in thought. "I would be most interested to see, what you and Ilithyia come up with Abraxas." Thaleia looked up meeting Demetrius's gaze for a moment before looking away he hadn't been over exaggerating there was defiantly something more in the way Xena looked at Gabrielle. She'd seen it now so clearly, it was a long look from the Empress which held slightly longer than it should have. Although Gabrielle didn't seem to even notice it or if she had she had ignored it. Xena turned slowly to Demetrius. "Please escort Abraxas and Ilithyia up to my scribes quarters so they can sign the document." Demetrius nodded before looking up. "As you wish Empress."

8

Xena walked in to the small room which was opposite the huge study followed by Gabrielle she watched as the two royal guards closed the doors behind them while the other four stood to attention. Ceto and Thaleia were still in the main study putting away the food and the wine, which was very normal producer. She was surprised by how well the meeting had gone she had not expected Abraxas to be so cooperative. He was normally such a bastard but clearly he liked Gabrielle more than he liked her and maybe she could use this to her advantage in the future. She wouldn't lie ether Gabrielle's idea of making him gain her respect by doing a noble act was very clever. She felt a wide smile form as she turned to the other woman. "Well that went much better than I thought it was going to go."

Gabrielle eyed the room for a moment it was a small room which had a few tables and chairs at the cornier and many games which were lying on the table at all four corners of the room in the corners were white statues of the Greek gods. Obviously it was a games room of some kind. "What is this room?" Xena eyed the room. "This is the games room it's for guests and palace staff when there not on shift there are many rooms like this littered across the palace. Gabrielle looked at one of the warriors who were standing guard. "Why have guards in here?" Xena walked up to one of the games picking up the dice and rolling them absentmindedly. "The guards here only stay in this room when I'm having a meeting in the main study, should any thing happen they are here to stop anyone leaving the study." Gabrielle nodded before looking up. "That makes sense."

She watched as one of the royal guards opposite her pulled his heavy weight crossbow free adjusting the loaded string. "No one can get out of the other room though it's a bottle neck." Xena nodded as she looked up. "Yes it is I had it specially made that way." Gabrielle opened her mouth to speak only to stop as she watched the guard raise the weapon very slowly pointing it towards the taller woman's back. She didn't think as she grabbed the other woman arm forcing her side ways with all her might as the heavy arrow bolt left the shaft of the crossbow. The next moments turned to utter agony as the bolt slammed in to her shoulder causing her to cry out in agony as forced its way out of her back spraying blood over the table behind her in the process.

She felt the floor as she hit it hard on her knees as the blood began to soak her white shirt staining it red. She snarled aloud watching in what felt like slow motion as one of the guards moved towards the door bolting it shut in a swift calculated motion as the other warriors pulled out there swords turning to face both her and Xena. She breathed in painfully this was a set up someone had planned this, it was a well thought out assassination! She felt the intense throbbing pain in her shoulder as she tried to focus her mind which was starting to feel fuzzy, she blinked as her sight temporally blurred as she resisted the urge to pass out.

Xena felt the shock hit her as she turned to Gabrielle seeing the heavy thick crowbar bolt in her shoulder above her chest which had been meant for her stomach. The younger woman was now on her knees in pain, the red blood was now soaking her white shirt. She turned pulling her sword free in a violent motion feeling the anger burn deep inside her gut as she eyed the four men and two women who were not part of her royal guard, they were assassins dressed like them. She twirled her weapon she had no idea who they had been sent them to kill her but none of them were going to leave here alive! Not if she had anything to do with it!

She turned narrowly avoiding the second thick crossbow bolt as the archer fired it at her causing the bolt to slam in to the wall behind her burying itself deep in side the white cement. She snarled aloud not thinking as she ran at the archer as he tried desperately to reload the final bolt in to the heavy crossbow. She heard her own scream of anger hit the air as she swung the blade across his arm watching as the blood spattered across the marble floor as his scream of pain hit the air as the crossbow smashed in to the ground. She didn't think as she swung her sword around full force slamming it in to his stomach pushing it in deeply watching as more blood hit the floor. She pulled up her foot forcing it in to his chest watching as his dieing body was thrown free of her now blood soaked blade.

She turned kicking the woman behind in the chest watching as she was thrown off her feet causing her to smash back first in to the floor. She moved back avoiding the other mans sword as she smashed her fist in to his face hearing his agonizing cry of pain. Gabrielle looked up she could see a two men and a woman coming towards her she shook her head watching as her blurred vision suddenly cleared. She felt her teeth grind together as the blinding rage took over she hated assassins! How dare these bastards think for fire seconds that she was going to lie down and die for them! She pulled up her arms ignoring the stinging pain in her shoulder as she grabbed both sword hilts pulling both weapons free in a violent motion as she forced herself to her feet hearing her scream of rage hit the air.

She didn't think as she spun on her heel as swinging her first sword around followed by her other ignoring the stinging pain in her shoulder. The bastards would have to do much better than this to kill her! She watched as one of the men ducked narrowly avoiding her blade as the woman behind backed off trying to avoid the others tip as it narrowly missed her shoulder. Xena turned as the man opposite ran at her she pulled up her sword watching as his smashed with it as he tried to force his way through her defences. Who ever these assassins were they weren't well trained, she'd seen much better in her time. She didn't think as she turned on her heel slicing her blade right across his exposed side enjoying his cry of agonizing pain.

She turned eyeing the woman not thinking as she swung her weapons blade hitting the blade of her sword watching as she backed further away. She felt a cold smile form as she swung the blade slicing it across her leg hearing her cry out. She turned on the man as he ran at her she grabbed his sword mid swing before it could strike her shoulder she brought up her sword slamming it point first in to his throat. She pulled her blade free in a violent motion watching as his body fell to the ground shaking as death took over. She narrowed her gaze watching as the female warrior came towards her swinging her weapon she stepped sideways avoiding it as she sidestepped causally she eyed the woman in disgust. "What's wrong, don't you like a moving target?"

She turned smashing the woman full force in the face with her fist watching as the blood sprayed through her teeth. The woman pulled up her sword the rage showing her eyes she narrowed her gaze not thinking as she forced her sword forward seeing the opening. The woman's face turned to shock as she looked down realizing that the blade was now embedded in her chest. She watched as the sword dropped from her hand clattering as it hit the floor. Xena leaned closer to her face enjoying the look of pain in it. "Go to Tartarus." She forced her blade downwards watching as the bloody spattered across the floor as she pulled her weapon free. The woman's eyes glazed over as she put a hand to her bloody chest before hitting the floor on her knees her body fell forward twitching as death took over her gaze shifted slowly to Gabrielle who was now standing much to her surprise.

Gabrielle eyed the three assassins she was going to finish this right here and right now! She turned on her heels swinging the two blades in a looping motion hearing one of the men cry out as it sliced deep in to his leg causing blood to hit the floor. She turned fully on her heels she'd done this move so many times and now it was second nature she brought up her first sword watching as he brought up his. She suddenly brought her second sword forward slicing it across his neck ignoring the blood as spattered across her face in the process. She ignored his body as it hit the ground behind her hard. She eyed the other man as he ran at his weapons raised high she snarled as she shoved her sword straight in to his chest followed by the other in a perfect motion seeing the shock in his eyes as she let go off both of her swords stepping back eyeing him for a moment.

True it wasn't nice to play with people before you killed them but right now she didn't care, she wanted his last few seconds of his life to be filled with pain. She lunged forward grabbing both hilts pulling them free in a violent motion bringing both blades up his neck as she crossed them. She saw the terror and pain in his eyes as he realized what his fate was as his weapon dropped from his hand. She sliced the blades across his throat in a lightening fast motion ignoring the blood as it hit the floor as his body followed. She turned eyeing the blonde woman who was slightly taller than her and quite busty seeing the sudden panic in her eyes. "What's wrong don't you want to play anymore?"

She brought up her foot smashing it in to her chest watching as she slammed in to the floor back first, she walked up to her pressing her boot on to her sword hand while putting her other boot on the woman's chest forcing her in to the ground as she crossed both her swords against her exposed throat, getting ready to slice it open. "I hate assassins your nothing but cold blooded murders who get paid for your services!" Xena looked up sharply eyeing her friend as she raised her hand sharply. "Gabrielle!" Gabrielle turned eyeing the dark haired woman. "What?!" Xena moved forward keeping her bloody sword in her hand. "Keep her alive, I want to know who in Tartarus she is and who sent her here to try and kill us!" Gabrielle looked down slightly. "Fine."

She didn't think as she forced one of her bloody swords in to the floor as she grabbed the woman by her collar. "When I get this arrow out of my shoulder you and I are going to be having a very long talk, believe me." She brought down her other swords hilt down smashing it in to the woman head full force ignoring her scream of pain. She let go off her collar as she hit the floor completely unconscious from the force of the blow. She stood up pulling her sword free of the floor as she moved towards Xena. "I expected better, clearly none of them were well trained." Xena looked up as she put her bloody sword down on to the nearest table no longer caring about what had happened as she eyed the other woman's shoulder which still had the crossbow bolt stuck in it. "We have to get you to the healer." Gabrielle breathed in feeling the stabbing pain as she eyed the crossbow bolt. "It's nothing I've had worse." She turned watching in surprise as the door behind them were suddenly kicked open as Iona ran inside with three men who all had their swords drawn.

Xena eyed Iona who stopped still the shock on her face as she eyed the dead bodies her voice hit the air filled with confusion. "What happened?" Xena gently put her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder before turning to her. "Some one sent these men and women to kill us!" She eyed the unconscious blonde woman close by. "That's ones still alive I want her locked up!" Iona eyed the other men she felt her teeth grind together as she spoke. "Well you heard the Empress get that scum bag and lock up her up now!" She moved closer to the Empress who had her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder which was covered in blood. There was a thick heavy crossbow bolt going straight though her shoulder it had penetrated so deeply that it had come of her back on the other side it was clearly very serious. She paused as the dark haired woman narrowed her gaze eyeing her. "I'll get Phantasos." Xena watched as she left running out of the room at full speed, she had no idea why Iona had been in this part of the palace as she was meant to be on training drills outside but that didn't matter to her what did was that right now she doing her job.

End of part 55

Silvermoonlight

Abraxas is the same character from My Only Desire Is To Touch Your Soul.