A SIMPLE NEED TO BE WITH THE ONE YOU CARE ABOUT
Xena walked through the royal gardens it was mid morning and despite that the sun was in the sky there was a cold chill in the air. A sign that the weather would soon change becoming colder, she looked up catching sight of Demetrius who was watching Gabrielle train. She moved towards him seeing Gabrielle hit the wooden post with her sword tip, in a very half hearted manner, which wasn't like her. She looked up as he turned to meet her gaze. "Good morning Demetrius." Demetrius felt a smile form. "Good morning Empress." Xena watched as Gabrielle hit the post again but with out much real force, she could see a very light scar on her cheek which would completely heal up and disappear by tomorrow. "How long has she been out here?" Demetrius folded his arms. "About half an hour I wouldn't have stopped to watch her, its just she's really not herself today, she's not even trying it's so not like her." Xena took in a deep breath. "She just found out that Kalika betrayed her and put her in the pit, I wouldn't take it well ether if it were me."
Demetrius shook his head. "Plus Mavican was sent out by the Imperial Council to end her life, the whole things a mess." He paused before speaking. "Did you two work things out last night, you were both very angry?" Xena put a hand on her chin. "Yes we did, I'm sorry that you and Iona got stuck in the middle of that." Demetrius raised his hand. "Its okay you don't have to explain the situation was very difficult for the both of you." Xena tensed feeling the uncertainty take over. "How is everyone in the palace taking this news about Kalika?" Demetrius put a hand through his beard. "All of the palace staff are in shock about it. Kalika has been here ever since the palace was built, everyone knew her and we all trusted her, we all brought in to her story about her brother, yet now everyone knows that it was all a lie and that she's in fact a werewolf just like Gabrielle." He paused. "Well not like Gabrielle, not in that way."
Xena put a hand on his shoulder. "I know what you meant, we all trusted her and put faith in her, in truth her being a werewolf and living a lie I could have forgiven. I could understand why she'd hide among the staff and be someone else but I know now that I can never forgive her. She put Gabrielle in the pit to suffer for over two years and it was because of her, that Mavican and her assassins were able to get in here. What makes this even worse is that she did this all for the Imperial Council and Gabrielle's old adviser Adrienne and I don't think this is the end of it ether. Clearly they believe Gabrielle's outlived her usefulness and I think they'll try to kill her again given the chance." Demetrius shook his head sadly. "She's a great and noble king and yet they want to put her to slaughter like she's some spring lamb that's only fit to be made in to chops, its disgusting."
Xena watched as Gabrielle hit the post again half heartedly embedded her swords tip as she kept hold of the hilt. "She's worth more than that, she is the true werewolf king and I will do everything in my power to protect her from those bastards and anyone else who tries to hurt her." Demetrius felt a wide smile form. "Well I think you should go over there and bring out her fighting spirit." Xena raised an eyebrow. "Yes I should." She slowly walked over to Gabrielle watching as she eased the blade free only to slam it back in to the wood in the same half hearted manner as before clearly she was giving up on the whole training exercise. She moved to stand opposite her watching as she looked up. "Are you okay?" Gabrielle eased out the sword point again striking the pillar with out any real force watching as the blade tip embedded itself deeply. "Not really, just wondering how many more idiots the Imperial Council are going to send to try and end my life or make it miserable."
Xena looked at her for a long moment. "I will stop any one else from hurting you Gabrielle, no one else will get that close you again, I promise." Gabrielle kept hold of her swords hilt as she breathed out painfully. "You can't promise that Xena." Xena eased her sword free seeing that Gabrielle really wasn't paying attention. "No I can't but I'm going to try because you're my friend and I care about you a lot." Gabrielle breathed in feeling the deep twisting pain with in her chest. "I don't want to do this anymore Xena, I'm not even Horn Hind I don't even have a set of pointer antlers to prove my worth and no ones going to listen to me, I've been through this before and I always fail and I'm so tired of it. I really don't want to play these games anymore, it hurts too much." Xena didn't think as smashed the other woman's sword free from the wood forcefully with her blade. Gabrielle turned eyeing the other woman feeling her anger as it started to burn. "Hey!" Xena kept her sword in place. "You should not be second guessing yourself you are Horn Hind you are the werewolf king! Your are more of a king than those bastards on the Imperial Council this is just what they want, they want you to give up and you acting this way means that their succeeding!"
She pushed down on Gabrielle's sword watching as the younger woman's face filled with anger. "Your horns are no more than a symbol of your title, you do not need them to have points or to have lost all their velvet to prove your worth, you are a king you will always be a king and no one should ever tell you any different." She forced Gabrielle's sword down harder feeling her push back hard against her blade. "Now fight me like a king!" Gabrielle sneered as she slowly raised her other sword feeling an intense rage take over which she couldn't control anymore. Xena watched as the other swords blade point came towards her. She twisted her wrist freeing her sword in a lightning fast motion as she stepped back watching as the other sword came to a sharp stop where her face had been. Clearly Gabrielle wasn't in to half fights which involved stopping the blade at the last second, her sparring was very serious. She felt a smile form as she stepped back further raising her sword feeling her feet slide in to position, two sword verses one sword this was going to be interesting.
She twirled her weapon she had watched Gabrielle more than once in training and she wouldn't deny that a part of her was desperate to take her on in battle so she could test herself against her fighting style. Gabrielle didn't think as she swung her sword downwards as she looped the other around as she came towards the other woman who stepped sideways avoiding both blades as she brought hers down hitting her other sword as she spun on her heel, she found herself ducking as the hilt of her sword was thrust towards her. She turned around sharply so she was facing her swinging her sword once more only for the other woman to smirk as she stepped back avoiding it along with her other as she thrust it outwards. Xena smashed one of the blades aside as she back flipped completely avoiding other sword as it thrust outwards in a violent motion she felt the ground as her boots slammed in to it.
Iona turned the corner watching as the Empress came in to view she was sparring with Gabrielle she took in a deep breath as she walked up to stand next to Demetrius she could see that every royal guard who had been training had stopped to watch this along with a few of the staff. She put her hands behind her back unable to stop her next words as a smile formed on her lips. "Ten dinars says Gabrielle bleeds the Empress first." Demetrius raised his eyebrow as he turned to her. "Oh really well twenty says the Empress bleeds Gabrielle first, because lets face it no one not even the best of the royal guard can defeat the Empress, not even me and I've tried." Iona smirked as eyed him. "That is true she's bested me as well, but you know I think Gabrielle might break her record." Demetrius put a hand on his beard raising an eyebrow. "Oh and what makes you so sure Iona?" Iona leaned against one of the fountains. "She broke my arm, cracked my ribs and knocked me out." Demetrius raised his hand. "Fair point."
Xena turned as her blade collided with Gabrielle's she felt the force as she moved her sword down stopping the other woman blade. She grabbed Gabrielle's sword hand as the weapon came towards her, she had one advantage here Gabrielle never used her inhuman strength in human form. She felt the pain as Gabrielle turned around so her back was to her forcing her grip free causing her to wince. She watched as Gabrielle turned to face her once more she eased up her hand closing her fist, how interesting she hadn't seen that move before. She swung her sword watching as it collided with the younger woman's as she ran past her watching as she turned on her heels suddenly forcing both blades out wards in a looping motion. She didn't think as she brought down her hilt smacking it in to Gabrielle's shoulder, causing her to wince and drop one of her blades slightly. Demetrius eyed Iona. "Looks like you might be giving me twenty dinars very soon." Iona adjusted her shirt. "I doubt it." Xena stepped back swinging her sword in a looping motion feeling a wide smile form she was really enjoying this it was as invigorating as being on any battle field.
Gabrielle swung her first sword watching as Xena ducked avoiding it she felt the older woman grab her sword again only much tighter this time. She didn't think as she brought up her foot smashing it in to her knee causing her to let go instantly as she grunted in pain. She stepped back swinging harder only for the other woman to dodge her blade again much to her frustration, she felt a smile slowly form, this was actuality turning in to a challenge and in truth she hadn't had a real challenge in a very long time. She felt her fingers grip the hilts of both swords tighter feeling her anger fade away as she focused herself stepping back avoiding the other woman's blade as it skimmed past her face. Xena stepped back narrowly avoiding the hilt of the younger woman's sword while she swung her other sword causing them both to clash together full force. Gabrielle twisted on her heal turning around as the other woman moved past her she eased up her sword on one side only to feel the sudden pain as her feet left the floor as she was tripped mid turn. She felt the pain as she slammed back first in the ground. Iona blinked in surprise that was the move she hadn't been able to avoid yet the Empress had avoided it, not only that she'd used it against Gabrielle. Demetrius narrowed his gaze. "The Empress is going to win."
Gabrielle watched as Xena's blade came towards her slamming in to the ground she rolled over using her back to force it in to the ground and free of the other woman's hand. Xena felt the pain as the other woman's sword blade sliced across her exposed arm causing blood to flow down her arm, she looked up as Gabrielle rolled on to her sword fully, she stepped back eyeing her bleeding shoulder. Iona raised her hand. "You owe me ten dinars, pay up." Demetrius blinked watching as Gabrielle got up raising both swords. He never seen that before no one had ever bled the Empress let alone freed her hand of her sword. Xena eyed her sword which was now lying flat on the floor behind Gabrielle's boot she had to get her sword back! Or better yet pry one of Gabrielle's from her hand! She watched as the younger woman swung her weapon she grabbed her hand stopping her mid swing, she grabbed her other hand stopping her second blade as she forced it in to the floor, she slowly began to squeeze her wrist watching as the pain appeared on her face. She squeezed harder watching as Gabrielle's sword slipped from her fingers hitting the ground.
She let go grabbing the weapon in a swift motion then smashed the hilt in to Gabrielle's face causing blood to fly through her teeth as she stumble back painfully. Gabrielle winced trying to ignore the pain as she hit the ground again as her feet were taken out from under her. She ignored the pain as she turned over on to her back slamming her boot in to the other woman's foot knocking her over as she scrambled to her feet trying to grab the other woman's fallen sword only to feel the pain as Xena grabbed her back trying to put her sword against her throat. She snarled throwing her weight forward causing the other woman's whole body to be thrown over her shoulder causing to slam in to the ground on her back. Xena eyed the other woman as she front flipped trying to grab her sword only for Gabrielle to kick it well out of her reach as she swung her only sword, causing it to collide with her blade. She was going to win this! She wouldn't give Gabrielle the advantage! Gabrielle eyed the other woman all she needed was an opening just one and she could take the other woman down!
She eased her only remaining blade back slowly she wasn't used to loosing swords she had to confess and now it felt odd to have a hand which was empty. She stepped back as both their blades collided again as Xena tried to force her back, she didn't think as swung her fist outward watching as it impacted with the other woman's side hard causing her to wince. The next moments turned to blinding pain as she was kicked in chest causing her to hit the floor hard on her back. Xena ran forward this was her one and only chance to stop Gabrielle for good she leapt forward landing so she was standing over her. She kneeled down not thinking as she used her knees to keep her in place as she straddled her bringing her blade forward as quickly as possible, she was starting to really feel worn down and she knew if Gabrielle saw this she'd take advantage of it. She still had fight in her despite that she was now looked slightly worn down herself. Gabrielle felt the pain as the other woman forced her to the ground as she straddled her pushing her blade against her throat forcing her down so she couldn't move.
Xena felt a smile form she could feel the sweat as it dripped down her face as well as her heart pounding in her chest she took in a deep breath trying to control her breathing. "I've won." Gabrielle looked up slightly feeling a smile form. "No you haven't." Xena blinked she looked down realizing for the first time that Gabrielle's blade was just bellow her throat but not touching it, she felt her smile turn to wide grin. "Well then it's a draw." Gabrielle lowered her sword gently unable to stop herself as she began to laugh. Xena blinked in surprise she stared at the other woman who was laughing she'd never heard her laugh in all the time she'd known her. Yet it was such a beautiful joyful laugh which filled her inner being with such pleasure. She shook her head recomposing herself as she eyed the other woman. "What do you find so funny?" Gabrielle breathed in deeply gaining control over her laugher. "The fact we can't defeat each other, it's funny."
Xena eased her sword blade away from her throat she gently eased up her hand running it through her long golden hair watching as it spilt through her fingers. It was true they couldn't defeat each other they'd drawn. She knew though that Gabrielle could force her off using her inhuman strength but she knew that she wouldn't as she preferred to have no advantages in battle. She felt everything around her freeze as an overwhelming need came over her. Maybe it was the position she was in, maybe it was just finally having someone who she couldn't defeat in battle or maybe it was just hearing the woman laugh for the first time since she'd known her. She let go off her sword leaning forward so her hands were close to Gabrielle's head she felt the younger woman's body go very still. "It's been a very long time since I've had a real challenge I really appreciate that you gave me one." Gabrielle felt her eyes dart she wasn't really sure as to what was going on here but suddenly she felt very much out of her element.
She could see the way the other woman was looking at her it was like she was staring in to her soul. It was such an intense gaze and couldn't really move she wanted to move but her body just wasn't doing what her brain wanted. Instead she was frozen under the older woman's gaze not the position was helping it was just making her feel even more, un-sure of her self. Xena eased up her hand running it down Gabrielle's face in a very gentle motion as she raised an eyebrow. "Has anyone ever told you that you are a very beautiful woman Gabrielle?" Gabrielle breathed in sharply now she felt truly confused why had Xena said this it made no sense to her at all? She was just misinterpreting this it was a general compliment not the kind she was thinking off. She took in a deep breath lowered her gaze so it didn't meet Xena's. "I've been told it yes but personally I've never believed it." Xena blinked in surprise that was not the answer she had been expected put a finger under her chin using it to gently bring her head up so their eyes met again. "Why would you thing that Gabrielle?"
Gabrielle felt her whole body relax as she breathed out sadly seeing the concern in the other woman's eyes. "I have a scar on my face which I can never get rid off, who would want some one who has a scar like mine on their face?" Demetrius watched as Thaleia appeared she came towards him opening her mouth about to speak only to stop as she saw the sight in front of her. She came to a stop next to him staying very quite along with the others who had been watching from a distance. Iona put a hand on her chin as she eyed the Empress well this was unexpected but very obvious and she wasn't going to get in the way off this. Her thoughts were suddenly cut off as Phrixus suddenly ran out in to the gardens holding a scroll in his hand as he came to a stop next to the Empress completely unaware of what was going on. Phrixus took in a deep breath as he eyed the Empress who was straddling Gabrielle he eyed the swords beside them clearly they were practising something maybe it was a locking move of some kind. "Empress I don't mean to interrupt you both but I have a scroll here for Gabrielle!" Xena breathed in trying to ignore her anger as she looked up, talk about ruining her moment! She eyed Gabrielle who suddenly started to move wanting to get out from under her she put a hand on her face as she got to her feet freeing the younger woman who got out from under her.
Phrixus eyed the Empress who now looked annoyed. "I'm sorry was I interrupting something?" Xena felt a sneer form as she watched Gabrielle dust herself of she spoke unable to keep the sarcasm out of her tone. "No nothing important…." Gabrielle took in a deep breath recomposing her self as she picked up both her swords putting them back in her scabbards she watched as Xena did the same. "You said you had a scroll for me?" Phrixus slowly eased up the scroll which had a broken boar seal on it. "This was posted to you, in fact there were three scrolls posted to you today in all, I thought at first they were for the Empress until I read them and realized that they were in your language, which is really fascinating by the way. I mean your people are starting to send us scrolls regarding problems between themselves and humanity and it's been less than three days since the copies of the werewolf civil rights scrolls went out." Xena eyed him in annoyance. "Could you please get to the point Phrixus?" Phrixus raised the scroll. "This one wasn't about any issues though it's very personal and it was from someone who knows you." He eased the scroll towards Gabrielle. "It's addressed to you Gabrielle." Gabrielle carefully took the scroll from his hands she eased it open feeling the joy leave her heart. She knew this wasn't going to be good she could feel it she looked down reading carefully.
"Hello Gabrielle
I do hope your doing well it must be nice to lounge around in the Palace in Corinth no work, no duties no responsibilities I'm sure you're doing your little wood carvings right now and relaxing. The Imperial Council has been so worried about you in these past few years. We thought we'd lost you we had no idea that you'd been locked away in the palace's prison in Corinth, if we'd known we'd have sent help. I would have come and saved you personally if I'd have known the Empress had locked you away but as you remember we both got separated during the battle.
You could have killed the Empress had you not stalled but that's all in the past now. On a more personal note I am so looking forward to seeing you again, you always were cute and I'm thinking about you right now naked on the sheets. I always said that you were most beautiful woman ever born and I'm so looking forward to touching you again just like I used to, you remember those long nights don't you and all the fun we used to have together.
I'll make sure to bring some opium I know how you always liked it and it was always a pleasure to watch you smoke it. I will be arriving in the palace as I need to talk about your duties and the recent scroll you sent out with your seal as the Imperial Council has a few issues with it. I do hope you'll be there to greet me when I arrive it should be in less than a day or two.
Your ever loyal advisor Adrienne"
Gabrielle felt the anger start to boil she crunched the scroll violently in her hands, the bitch how dare she come back in to her life now! Oh she hated being right she knew full well what Adrienne was like and that she'd come back but she had been hoping it wouldn't be for a least twelve months. Yet now she was going to have to deal with her much sooner. Xena stepped closer to the younger woman seeing that her whole behaviour had changed there was now a dark and tormented look in her eyes and all her happiness had just vanished in an instant. "What's wrong Gabrielle?" Gabrielle didn't think as she threw the scroll watching as it hit the floor close by. "Adrienne is coming to the palace." Phrixus raised his hand feeling the confusion take over. "Who's Adrienne?" Xena turned sharply eyeing him. "Adrienne used to be Gabrielle's personal advisor in the Grand city." Phrixus folded his arms. "I don't mean to be rude Empress but I stopped reading at the very personal part, I know this woman was more than Gabrielle's advisor." Xena felt her teeth grind together as she stepped closer to him. "You are not helping Phrixus."
She watched as his eyes darted he quickly put his hands behind his back as he stepped back realizing that he'd said to much. Gabrielle felt herself tense. "Yes she was more than my advisor but we are not lovers anymore!" She raised her hand walking towards him. "The thought of her ever touching me again makes me want to throw up, she never loved me she just used like some bed warmer I hate her! I'll never stop hating her and the thought that she's coming here really bothers me!" She turned easing her pipe out of her shirt pocket she leaned over lighting it on one of the torches. "Adrienne doesn't care about anyone but her self and she will make my like miserable again, just like she always has." She eased up her pipe taking in a deep breath before breathing out the rich black smoke. A part of her wished she had opium right now but she was trying to stay off it and remain on coltsfoot which was difficult because the despite her happy emotions the desire was still there and so far she'd been off it for a week yet now that temptation was back calling her once again. "She's a very dangerous woman and unlike me she has no love for humanity, she's what werewolves shouldn't be." She lowered her gaze. "Please excuse me I need to go somewhere and think."
Xena watched as the younger woman left disappearing from sight, gods how could this have gone so wrong? One moment she had been about to kiss the younger woman and now she had reverted back to the angry unhappy person who she used to force in to her office to talk to her some months back. She leaned down picking up the crumbled scroll though she had been learning the language her understanding wasn't perfect yet but despite this she was still going to read this scroll. She turned to Phrixus who suddenly looked uncomfortable. "I'm only going to say this once, if you have a scroll that's personal to Gabrielle and you've taken the liberty to read it and it's from someone who was maybe more than just a friend to her, you do not make a point of pointing that out in front of everyone! Is that understood?" Phrixus nodded his head respectfully. "My deepest apologises Empress." Xena eyed the scroll. "Now if you'll excuse me I have to go read this from what I've seen and heard Adrienne is a very dangerous woman and if she's coming here I need to put plans in place for security. Unlike Kalika this is not some werewolf who's working as a servant this is probably a fully trained warrior like Gabrielle who will kill given the chance!"
Demetrius watched as the Empress walked away vanishing from sight he walked up to Phrixus. "Not your day is it?" Iona smirked as she leaned against the fountain again. "It's never his day he spends to much time reading and not living, way to spoil the moment idiot." Phrixus blinked eyeing her. "What do you mean ruin the moment what are you people talking about? Look I'm sorry I meant no offence to Gabrielle and the Empress has already had a go at me!" Iona rolled her eyes. "We aren't talking about that we are talking about the Empress and Gabrielle training which you ruined." Phrixus raised an eyebrow. "You mean the locked pose on the floor, what was so good about that I thought it was just a combat move?" Iona put a hand through her hair in frustration. "Seriously are all you Spartans this dense or does the being an idiot run in the family?" Phrixus sneered as he eyed her. "Oh and this coming from a Crete born mercenary didn't we defeat your people in the battle of Gythium when your people thought they could conquer our lands?" Demetrius eyed Iona who was sneering coldly in the Phrixus's direction. "Iona!"
He watched as she breathed out sharply then turned away he turned slowly to the Phrixus. "I don't know if you've heard the rumour but the Empress is in love with Gabrielle, a lot of the palace staff have known about it for a while. The Empress was about to kiss Gabrielle and you ruined the moment somewhat." Phrixus blinked as he eyed the other man. "Wait, the Empress is in love with Gabrielle?" Demetrius nodded as he put a hand on the other man's shoulder. "Yes, I know it, half the palace already knows, how come you don't know about it?" Phrixus breathed in deeply. "I've been busy translating the werewolf history scroll, its taking a very long time." Demetrius patted his shoulder. "You really need to get out more." Thaleia stepped forward eyeing the tall Spartan man in truth she'd never spoken to him as he had been well above her station but now things had changed. She coughed clearing her throat watching as he turned to her. "My name is Thaleia and I can explain everything to you if you come with me." Phrixus met her gaze. "Yes please explain this to me, clearly I've missed a lot as Chara's has her mind in other places and hasn't kept me a foot with all the palace gossip."
End of part 61
Silvermoonlight
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