Note: Sorry, been slowish. But still writing.
It's damp, and there's a chill in the air. We've stopped for the night, and while the soldiers huddle around fires, I'm tied to a tree with a shivering baby. I've pleaded for a blanket for over an hour, the only response I get is a fist in my face. My left eye is so swollen I can't see out of it anymore, but I can see the youngest soldier glancing over slyly every chance he gets. If I just wait it out, I know I can get him to help.
The men begin to settle to sleep, leaving two on watch in shifts. The young soldier creeps over to me, dropping his blanket over my legs.
'Please, help me.' I whisper as low as possible. He looks at me, but says nothing. 'Please save my son. I can tell you're a good person, please just save my son.'
'I'll be killed.'
'Please, take my son. You take him back to the tavern; Cyrene will help keep you safe. You don't want to do this.' His eyes shift around the camp, fear clearly emanating from him. He sighs and walks back to his bedroll, curling up with his back away from me.
Sleep is elusive, but exhaustion eventually takes over. My eyes close for what feels like a brief moment, but upon opening my eyes I notice the guards have changed. The young soldier is crouched next to me, studying me intently.
'What do you need me to do?' He whispers, leaning down close to my ear.
'Take Cle to the tavern, only give him to Cyrene; she's the owner. Tell her what happened and that you need hiding.'
'I knew I should have stayed on the farm.' He mumbles under his breath, hands shaking as her pulls Cle from my arms.
'Please keep him warm.' He looks at me with sadness and fear. 'Hurry, go now. And thank you.' I smile the best I can; he hesitates a moment longer then silently slinks into the trees behind me. I'm hoping that no one notices his absence for a while, but when it's time for shift change I don't think they'll be so blind.
A small sense of relief surges through me. I can only hope he follows through, but in the meantime I know my baby is safe. Closing my eyes I can't sleep, so I just try to pretend and wait for the chaos to begin. It's only a few hours later when a murmur starts, and quickly turns into a cry of alarms.
The General is up, fuming with fire in his eyes. After conferring with a few soldiers, he stalks determinedly towards me. I try to steel myself for the wrath that's about to hit, but I think it will be far more pain than I can imagine.
'Where is he?' His spittle flies at my face, a froth building in his mouth.
'I don't know. Maybe he crawled away when I was asleep.' Boom! My head is thrown to the side after a wicked backhand.
'And one of my men just happens to be missing too?' Pain explodes through my head as he backhands me again. 'Where are they?' He growls. I don't think he's allowed to kill me, but I'm sure he can maim all he wants.
'I told you, I don't know.' Tears are stinging at my eyes, the pain still burning my cheek. His arm shoots out, a calloused meaty hand grasps my neck choking off my air. I try to struggle, but it's hard being tied to the tree.
'Where?!' His face is a deep shade of red. I can't talk, I can barely stay conscious as my lungs slowly starve. Just as blackness closes in, he lets go of my neck. Air rushes back into my lungs, leaving me gasping and struggling to keep myself conscious. The General glares down at me, nothing but hatred on his face. I watch, as if in slow motion, as his fist comes straight at me. This is the last thing I see before stars explode in front of my eyes.
The ground is slowly going by beneath me. They've thrown me over the horse, my hands and feet tied. The men are quiet aside from the sound of feet on the earth, and metal clanging against metal. Straining my neck, I try to look around me. I think there are a few soldiers missing, most likely sent to bring the deserter and Cle back. By the God's, please let them get away.
My blood is rushing to my head, giving me a headache and tunnel vision. I can't pass out again, I was out too long as it is. The sun is setting now, I've been unconscious nearly a whole day. I ache, and my stomach is screaming for food and water.
As twilight nears, I can hear the noise of more soldiers, many more. They lead me into a camp; looks like a great deal of Caesars troops are here. Someone stomps up to me, I can see their boots caked in mud. He puts his hand on my shoulder, and with little effort, pushes me backwards off the horse. Pain explodes in my leg as I land in an awkward heap.
Another soldier cuts the rope that binds my feet then hauls me up. I'm having a hard time standing on my right foot, I don't think it's broken but it's definitely injured. A spear point is shoved into my back, pushing me forward to a large tent. This is obviously the Generals tent, or someone high up in the food chain.
I'm poked and prodded into the tent, my eyes adjusting slowly to the darkness. The soldiers turn on their heels, leaving me standing with the General.
'Ahhhh. Look what we have here.' Caesar comes out from behind a large tapestry that divides the tent. My stomach drops at the site of his evil grin. He's not supposed to be here.
'What do you want with me?' I stand as straight as my body will allow, trying to put on an air of defiance. He chuckles evilly, his face completely smug.
'Looks like Xena took the bait.' His speech is slow and calm. 'I do so wish to end this feud with her. Of course I mean to do so by her death.' His lip curls in a sneer. 'And you will help me accomplish that.' He looks back and forth from me to the General as he sits upon his throne. 'I thought there was a child?'
'No sir, those rumors proved to be false.' The General speaks as if it's the truth. No doubt he doesn't wish to be crucified for failing.
'Chain her to the pole.' He waves dismissively, picking up a scroll to read. The General roughly grabs my arm, practically throwing me out of the tent.
'Tie her up.' He grunts to a guard just outside. I'm led to a wooden pole, staked up in the center of the camp. My back is pushed up against it, as the guard shackles my hands to a ringlet at the top. This forces me to stand until I can't stand anymore.
I'm left alone, yet surrounded by Roman soldiers. Leers and crude statements float on the air towards me. For the moment, most are busy with their tasks; but as night comes, those men will not hesitate to show me their excitement.
A fire is set up near me; more for the light then the warmth. I watch as the camp begins to settle for the night; fires springing up like weeds. Men begin to wander perilously close, grabbing their crotches and spitting out disgusting innuendo. Some just out right tell me what they want, their breath reeking as they lean in close for effect.
I just need to survive. As long as Cle has made it home safely, then it doesn't really matter what happens to me. I'm not Xena; I'm not used to this sort of treatment. I can barely stand on my ankle, but I have no choice. I'm not sure how long I can last with no food and no water.
Gruff, caloused hands grope at me; Caesar himself encouraged this torture. I think he enjoyed watching for a few minutes before retreating back to his sanctuary. I can't cry, that will only fuel these mens perverted fantasies. Stand tall, stand proud, stay alive.