RISING BONE FILLED WITH BLOOD AND GLORY

Gods I don't now what going on, I feel truly helpless as I watch Gabrielle's clawed feet tear through her boots. Her body is now shaking so violently that I just can't keep my hands on her, she's not aware of it though as her clothes are torn to ribbons and her body takes on its other form. Her eyes are still rolled back so only showing the whites it's the strangest thing I have ever seen. It's clear to me that she is still conscious I can tell because she's staying upright but its taking her every effort to remain seated as she changes. She's not screaming though or showing any pain in any way, shape or form. It's like the fit she had before when she changed back after Adrienne stabbed her but its clear that she's still very much aware of her surroundings. I can see that the blood has started to drip from her nose once more and she drooling as her huge jaws close, it's so unlike Gabrielle it's as if she can't control her own body, it's as if she's only in particle control. I can see her long ears now moving left and right and up and down she can hear me I'm sure of it. Her transformation is almost over and I can see the velvet horns rising up from her head growing to their normal length once more.

Gabrielle winced she could hear everything, she could hear her lover but she couldn't speak. Her mouth wouldn't move she had no control what's so ever over her body and it was taking all of her mental strength to remain sitting. The pain in her mind was excruciating she never experienced anything like this before in her life. It hurt to breathe and all she could feel was a nail like pressure in her head as her horns rose up. She had never experienced any pain when her horns had come through before. She knew she was drooling and she couldn't stop it, she was now also naked but she was powerless to do anything about it. She could only ride this wave of pain and pray to her goddess that it would be over soon and that she'd pass out because she couldn't take it anymore. Xena looked up in surprise as the horns velvet cover began to spilt open, causing clear red blood to run down them. She felt the breath get caught in her throat as the top of the velvet ruptured as sharp white points burst through they carried on growing upwards tearing the thick velvet apart causing more blood to spill over Gabrielle's fur. The horns carried on growing upwards leaving bloody velvet pieces hanging down. They stopped growing in front of her eyes from what she could see they were a creamy light brown colour though she couldn't see everything as they were covered in blood in places.

She shifted closer watching as her lovers huge body shuddered before going completely still. She was now sitting on the floor in the hall way her legs outstretched while her open clawed hands lay in her lap. Her tail was unmoving and her head was now leaning forward though her eyes were closed. She moved closer so she was in the middle of the other woman's open stretched out legs as she eased up her hands putting them on both sides of her face running them down the length of her snout as she spoke in a gentle tone. "Gabrielle…can you hear me sweetheart?" She watched as the green eyes slowly opened though it clearly took some effort and she could see the blood shot steaks in them. Gabrielle breathed in closing her jaws pulling her tongue back in realizing that she was drooling in to other woman's lap. The blood from her nose which wasn't bleeding anymore was also all over the other woman lap she could also feel something cold dripping down her ears. "I am dead?" Xena felt a smile form on her lips. "No." Gabrielle breathed in painfully trying to ignore the light headed feeling. "What's happened to me…I feel terrible?" Xena looked up eyeing the bloody horns for a long moment before speaking. "It's your horns." Gabrielle breathed in painfully. "Did…they fall out again?"

Xena leaned forward placing a gentle kiss on the snout. "Gods no…they have come through, the velvets been torn away, you have beautiful horns." She was about to say more only to stop as Phantasos ran around the corner with the guard who stopped staring in shock at the site in front of him. Gabrielle felt her eyes dart as it hit to her that she was naked in werewolf form and because Xena was sitting in between her open legs her privates were showing. She didn't think as she grabbed part of her torn shirt using it to quickly cover herself. Even if it was a tattered mess there was just enough of it to cover up. She looked at what was left of her ripped boots and trousers before turning to Phantasos who was just staring at her along with the guard. "Could one of you do me a favour and stop staring at me and instead go and find Thaleia so she can bring my clothes!?" Phantasos turned to the guard. "Well you heard the Empress's consort! Go and get Thaleia to bring her clothes so she can have her dignity." He watched as the guard snapped out of his haze then vanished from sight. He walked slowly towards Gabrielle sitting opposite her as he carried on staring at the large horns which were covered in blood. "Amazing, when did they come through?"

Gabrielle rolled her eyes great this was not what she needed right now she was sitting butt naked in the corridor with the Empress sitting directly between her legs, if it weren't for the blood all over her anyone would think they were doing something else. Xena turned watching as he pulled out a bowl from his bag then eased out a water skin filling it with cool water then put in a clean cloth. "Just now she was in human form and then she started bleeding from the nose, I got her to the corridor but she became faint and I had to put her against the wall. She had a semi fit and then started to change, after which the velvet tour away on her horns and they grew to this length." Phantasos looked up at the horns once more. "Incredible, I've never heard of growth like this, not even in plants." Gabrielle turned eyeing him. "When you're done being fascinated would you care to check me over, my head is pounding like a drum!" Xena took the bowl from Phantasos hands. "I'll clean the blood off you check her over." She slowly began to clean the blood from Gabrielle nose and snout as she put her hand back on her face. "I'm sorry sweetheart this has just taken us both by surprise."

Phantasos moved his hand to Gabrielle's chest ignoring her cold look. "Breath in deeply." He watched as she did so. "Breath out." He stood up. "Well your chest feels fine, he moved to her nose which Xena had cleaned looking at it. "No cuts or bruises here." He took hold of a candle shining it in to her eye one after the other seeing the pupils dilate but a little slower than normal. "It seems you have a mild concussion Gabrielle, your horns coming out seems to have been like a blow to your head, which may explain the bleeding from your nose. Did the other Horn Hinds before you get this?" Gabrielle felt a sneer form. "I wouldn't know they never left a note to explain how this works." Xena finished cleaning the blood of her lover's ears and mane. She stood up moving to her horns carefully easing the tattered bloody velvet away which was hanging in rags then carefully began clean the blood away revealed the horns cream colour which truly matched those of a stag in their appearance. They were solid bone and very sharp at the points which meant that they obviously weren't just for display but a weapon in them selves. She moved the cloth cleaning away the last of the blood watching as Phantasos finished checking the younger woman over. "Phantasos could you get her a mirror?"

Phantasos stood up watching as the Empress put the bloody water bowl to one side. "Of course, she's going to be fine she just needs to rest for a while, take her to her room and get her to sleep it off." Gabrielle looked up as Thaleia appeared running towards them carrying her clothing the shock appearing in her eyes as caught sight of her horns, she turned to her lover. "Help me up." Xena kneeled down again putting a hand on the other woman's chest. "Are you sure?" Gabrielle nodded trying to ignore the dull pain in her muscles as she eased herself up on to her hind legs keeping the torn cloth in place as she raised her clawed hand towards Thaleia. "My clothes." Thaleia snapped out of her haze pulling up the skirt which she wrapped around Gabrielle's waist she watched as Xena tired it as Gabrielle leaned against the wall. She pulled up the thick belt wrapping it around the skirt fixing it in place. "Your horns they've come through." Gabrielle put her clawed hand on her face wishing that the light headiness would go away. "I…know." She lowered herself back down in to a sitting position watching as Xena sat down opposite her putting her hand on her arm. "I feel terrible." Her gaze drifted upwards as Phantasos came out of one of the rooms opposite a wide smile on his face as raised the mirror in his hand so she could see her reflection in it. "Your horns are very impressive Gabrielle, once full grown I feel that they will rival any stags." Gabrielle eyed the mirror watching as her reflection came in to view fully.

She could see her horns now clearly they were creamy light brown in colour and large with impressive points. They were also nothing like her processors his had had huge thick wide bone sections where as hers had sharp thick points from the sections she could see growing. She knew this wouldn't be the end of their growth. From what she read it was said that once a Horn Hinds horns broke through, the sections would carry on growing over time until they rivalled any deers. Phantasos lowered the mirror then eased up the water skin handing it to Gabrielle who took it. "You've lost a lot of blood, you need to rest and drink plenty of water it will help." Gabrielle eased up the water skin uncapping it as she let the cold fresh water pour down her throat before lowering the empty skin handing it back to him. "Thank you, I will." She eased up her hand closing her eyes wanting to change back only to feel the pain in her fingers. She stopped eyeing her clawed fingers as the surprise hit home. Xena looked at her lover. "What's wrong?" Gabrielle turned her clawed hand moving her fingers. "I can't change back…it hurts when I try."

Xena felt her eyes dart as she looked up. "I'm sure it's not going to be permanent." She paused meeting the other woman's uncertain gaze. "Look let's get you back to our room." She turned to Thaleia. "Could you give me a hand getting her back to my room?" Thaleia nodded as she stepped forward. "Yes Empress." Xena turned back to Phantasos who was putting away his things. "Thank you for coming so quickly." Phantasos closed his bag before looking meeting her gaze. "Glad to be of help Empress." Xena moved closer to her lover helping her slowly up on to her hind legs with Thaleia's help. She stepped back as Gabrielle moved forward it was clear though that she was a little slow and disoriented as she was being more careful with every step. Thaleia turned to Gabrielle as they walked up the long corridor which led up the upper floor. "You know my mother and the children are going to love hearing about this, they have been asking about your horns for a while and if they've come through." Gabrielle breathed in deeply. "Then you'll have an interesting story to tell them." Xena turned to her lover. "Personally I think the whole palace will want to hear about this." Gabrielle eyed her. "So long as you leave out the part about me being a compromising position and you sitting between my legs, then you can tell them what ever you want."

She ignored Thaleia's smirk as she lowered her ears. "I can't believe I ruined a really good pair of boots, just to grow my horns" Xena walked up the stairs watching as her room came in to view in the distance. "I'll get you some new boots and no one will say a word about your predicament in the hall." Thaleia turned to her friend. "No one will find out anything Gabrielle I promise." She eased up her hand pushing the one of the doors open watching as the Empress pushed open the other as they slowly walked through. Xena walked over to her bed watching as Gabrielle put her clawed hand on the frame to steady herself, she turned watching as Thaleia stepped back. "Its okay Thaleia I'll take it from here." Thaleia nodded as she walked towards the open double doors. "Yes Empress." She turned to Gabrielle who now had her head rested against the wooden post. "Your horns look striking Gabrielle, no one will ever question your rule as king now." Gabrielle turned feeling a smile form. "Thank you Thaleia." Thaleia eased up her hand putting it on best friend's furry arm. "Get some rest Gabrielle you'll feel much better." Gabrielle nodded trying to ignore pounding in her skull. "I will." Xena watched as Thaleia stepped away from her lover then walked through the double doors closing them behind her. She eyed the fire which was burning in the corner Ceto had no doubt lit it as the weather was now at that point where it was no longer warm.

She looked up as Gabrielle went slowly down on all fours walking towards her. "You know she treats you like a sister." Gabrielle didn't think as she flopped down in front of the warm fire curling up slightly. "I see her as a sister." Xena sat down next to her shifting closer enjoying the feel of her warm fur. "Have you ever considered that you're younger sister and your family might be out there looking for you?" Gabrielle felt the other woman's hand as it found her mane stroking gently. "They think I'm dead…maybe its better that way." Xena looked at her for a long moment before speaking. "No it's not better that way, they are your parents they think that you died all those years ago yet you didn't, you're here and you're alive." Gabrielle breathed in painfully. "You may accept me as a werewolf Xena but they won't, so it's better for all of them if they don't know I'm alive it would only shame them." Xena moved her fingers to the younger woman's face running it down her snout. "How could you shame them, you are a warrior and a king?" Gabrielle tapped her clawed fingers on the rug. "Because I'm not human and that's not going to change anytime soon and I doubt they'll welcome me back with open arms."

She paused as a thought crossed her mind. "Why are we talking about my family Xena, you've never mentioned them before?" Xena breathed in sharply she had started talking about this as she had wanted to bring up the other woman's son. Now she realized that she should just cut to the chase. "You know if you're keeping anything from me Gabrielle you don't have to, I won't be angry with you and I would keep any secret you have." Gabrielle turned feeling the confusion take over where had that comment come from? She had nothing to hide, no that wasn't true she did have a one thing hidden but she had no intention of opening up about it. By Ouroboros why couldn't she just say it? She had, had a son, he was also very much alive and she had hidden that truth from everyone including the woman she loved deeply. She had hidden it because she wanted to protect him from her enemies he was her legacy and Damokles was his father. She had loved him since the moment of birth when he had opened his eyes but being born human would have meant his death.

She wouldn't lie to herself, on occasion she wondered how he was doing, if he was happy and if he had friends. She wondered if Iris was being good to him but she accepted the truth which was that no matter how much it hurt she couldn't take him back not until the Imperial Council were over thrown, she hated herself for lying to Xena and saying that her son had died. She knew that the other woman meant well and that just made her feel even guiltier but no matter how much it hurt she had to protect her son at all costs. She looked up meeting the other woman's uncertain gaze. "I have no secrets from you." Xena breathed in sadly Gabrielle had not told her the truth she could see it in her eyes she could even see the guilt as she had spoken those words. The truth was clear to her now Gabrielle would protect her son even if it meant hurting her self. She just wasn't ready to face the truth which was that she had a son and he was currently being taken care of by someone else.

She was clearly keeping this to herself for his protection because she thought that if the Imperial Council knew about him that they'd go out of there way to kill him. She was going to have to bring this up again but at a time which was better, she had promised Damokles that she'd return Gabrielle's son to her and she would do so no matter what it took. As she was already worried about her son and she knew she could give him the protection he needed. She met the other woman's gaze choosing her next words carefully. "You know if you ever feel you have something you need to tell me then don't be afraid to do so, I'll listen to you and we'll both work through it together." Gabrielle laid her head on her clawed hands lowering her ears she felt terrible, she had lied to the other woman once more. It had been so easy the first time around because she was so used to doing it to everyone she met. Lying now though made her feel terrible, she didn't lie to those she truly loved she never had, yet here she was lying openly to the woman she loved to keep her son a secret. She looked down gazing at the rug she was lying on. "I know." Xena gently kissed her snout. "You should get some sleep." Gabrielle half closing her eyes. "I'm not tied." Xena moved her hand through the thick fur. "Yes you are, now please go to sleep."

The other woman gave her a curious look before closing her eyes fully as she took in a deep breath before letting it out. This conversation had not gone the way she had wanted it to at all. Gabrielle didn't want to see her family and she had kept her son a secret once more. Maybe she wanted too much far too quickly perhaps she needed to pace herself more. She had still not introduced Gabrielle to the warrior she had saved and she still needed to have the meeting with the Corinthian Diplomats which wouldn't be easy. It was easy for her to run everything at breakneck speed but Gabrielle needed a lot more time to adjust to things. She felt the huge chest rise against her back as Gabrielle started to breathe out deeply as she began to drift off. Her father had always said that she could be slightly impatient when it came to things and he was right. It was becoming very clear to her now that she needed to have more patience when it came to her lover. Gabrielle's life meant that she didn't just say what she felt and she needed more time than most people to deal with her feelings before voicing them. She wasn't always open but one day she truly hoped that she would be but this would take a lot more time and patience on her part. People didn't change over night and Gabrielle had come a long way from the person she had been when they'd first met but she still had a long way to go.

Her horns had just come through which she had been waiting for, for a long time, though she had never said it aloud as her negativity towards not having full horns had always been felt. She eased up her hand running them down the thick bone allowing her curiosity to take over. She'd said she couldn't change back which was clearly something to do with these horns. Though she doubted that it was permanent she hoped that these horns didn't cause the younger woman any more problems. She moved her hand away looking at the sky outside it was now dark but it wasn't that late. She had not intended to sleep right now but she might as well do so, she could just put on her bed clothes and a fur skin then sleep next to Gabrielle. Hopefully once it got light again her lover would change back as normal at least she hoped that she would do so. The younger woman had said that she didn't even know how the process of these horns coming through worked. This would be a learning process for the both of them but as long as they did things together than that was all that really mattered to her at the end of the day. She leaned over placing a gentle kiss on Gabrielle's snout before running a hand through her long mane.

8

Elpidios breathed in as he raised his war hammer, gods he was not looking forward to this at all. He had, had a report from one of his warriors that two none human beings were fighting. Now this wasn't unheard off Satyrs occasionally annoyed Minotaurs who had no patience and most had fowl tempers and it normally ended up in a bar fight. This was not a bar fight though reports said that these two beings were fighting in plain sight of everyone in the north distinct night market and they were both destroying the place. He wished that Thera was with him as his second but she had, had to go with the palace this morning and would not be back until tomorrow. As word had, had it the Empress had not seen her yet and she was very preoccupied so it would be a while before she got back to the city guards barracks. The rumour was that a mercenary called the Red Griffin and her Satyr companion had successfully killed Talus who was on the Empress's most wanted list. It was something of a surprise as every mercenary who had tried to kill him for the money had died, so for one to be successful was a complete surprise. He shook of his thoughts as he eyed the armed men and women behind him as they turned the corner hearing a long drawn out roar followed by a huge crash. Clearly this wasn't a Minotaur the roar was all wrong it was far to low pitched.

He raised his weapon higher as the market came in to view only to stop instantly stared in utter shock at the sight in front of him. There was a huge eight foot tall dark brown furred werewolf dressed in bronze plate which had what looked like odd sliding plate on the chest and legs. Covering his face was heavy bronze helmet. He was wearing a tattered black skirt and he had leather wrapped around the bottom of his huge clawed feet. He had huge deep claw marks on his arms and was bleeding from the lower jaw while blood was dripping from his clawed fingers. Not more than two feet away from him was another werewolf who was on his knees he was black from head to toe, his right ear was tattered and his face was bleeding. He was wearing nothing but a tattered cloth to hide his privates though there were tattered pieces of clothing hanging from his shoulders. His light brown eyes were filled with rage and there was blood dripping down from the huge claw wounds all over his body. Elpidios watched as they both turned to look at him, he could see the stall which had been smashed apart by their fights which was a filled with alcohol barrels whose contents were now spilling all over the floor. He breathed in trying to recompose himself, he had never seen anything like this before not in all his years of leading the warriors in Corinth. Werewolves never showed them selves at night, yet in front of him stood two werewolves who were clearly fighting it out for a reason which wasn't clear to him, he could see people close by hiding in the passage ways the fear in there eyes.

He made a signal watching as the two bowmen behind loaded their bows with arrows as he looked up speaking in a cold tone trying to hide his fear and uncertainty. "By the law of the Empress you are both to end this dispute! As you are both now under the citizen rights as a race you can now sit down and talk through what ever issues you have with each other as civilised beings. If you choose to carry on fighting I will have no choice but to subdue you and if need be kill you but I'm sure that nether you wish for that." The black werewolf eyed him for a long moment his voice suddenly hit the air. "Then kill this fool, he's a traitor to you and your Empress!" Elpidios felt the shock hit home the back werewolf had just spoken he had never heard or even seen a werewolf speak before. He turned looking at the armoured werewolf who face formed a sneer as his voice hit the air. "Do you honestly think I care for sitting down and talking with you, you pathetic little human!?" Elpidios tensed feeling his grip on his weapon tighten watching as the black furred werewolf grabbed a leather bag which had fallen opposite him he turned eyeing the armoured werewolf opposite. "Then you will die!" The brown werewolf's eyes narrowed. "Then I die for the glory of the Imperial Council!"

He turned eyeing the black werewolf opposite in disgust. "You on the other hand can die along with your false rebel king!" The black werewolf's lips formed a smile as he grabbed the symbol around his neck he would kill himself and this bastard before he let him get to what was in his bag. "You speak with bravado brother but your terrified of death I can see it in your eyes." He grabbed one of the free standing fire torches opposite. "I walk to my death willingly!" He paused as his smile widened as he saw the fear in the other werewolves eyes as he realized what he was about to do. "All hail the true Horn Hind, the Golden Hind!" Elpidios watched in horror as the flaming torch was pushed over it hit the floor igniting the alcohol which burst in to flames instantly. "Get back now!" He watched as his men and women ran backwards as the fire rose higher, setting alight to everything around it. He stepped back what in the god's names was going on? This was utter insanity! He turned grabbing the nearest man no longer knowing what had become of both werewolves as the flames began to burn through the whole market place. "Get some water now we have to put this fire out before it sets alight to the city!"

End of part 99

Silvermoonlight

Congratulations to the guest reviewer you were right on the money about Gabrielle's horns. Normally this would go up on Monday but as I have a really busy week ahead its going up early.