To Find the Light

by Debir

Picking up where Enter the Dark ended, Xena and Gabrielle search for Deerdra who is doing some searching of her own. Their respected journeys will impact their lives forever.

8. Chapter 8

"To Find The Light"

by

Debir

Chapter Eight: "Avalanches"

This time, the race ends in a tie. They come to a screeching halt in front of a building that could be a pub but isn't confirmed in their minds until a beefy man tosses an obviously drunk man out on his ear.

"And stay out, you bum!" The burly one nods to Gabrielle and Deerdra, "Ladies."

Deerdra dismounts, "This must be the place."

Gabrielle hops off of her horse, pleased with the outcome of the race. "What, no smart remark?"

Deerdra feigns ignorance, "About what?"

"You know what. The race. We tied."

Now Deerdra teases her, "Yeah, well. Everyone gets lucky at least once in their lives. Plus your horse has longer legs than mine."

"Uh, huh. They look like the same height to me."

Deerdra clasps Gabrielle's shoulder, "Must be luck then." She chuckles, "Let's go on inside."

"Luck, huh? Right. You're just getting cautious in your old age."

"Watch it, you whippersnapper. Methuselah here can still kick your butt."

Gabrielle puts a hand on Deerdra's back, "Here, let me help you up this step. Wouldn't want you to fall and break a hip."

"Har, har."

They keep up the teasing as they enter the pub, garnering everyone's attention. They end the comedy routine and belly up to the bar.

Just as Deerdra is about to order, her nose begins to feel like a thousand tiny feathers are waving across it. Experience has taught her not to let on, but her eyes haven't gotten the memo. She lowers her head to hide her watery eyes then whispers to Gabrielle, "Tell the barkeep what we need."

"Are you okay?" She's never seen Deerdra overwhelmed by emotion.

"I'm fine. There's another immortal in here. Order then tell me if you see anyone else with watering eyes or rubbing their nose."

Gabrielle tenses up but her voice remains calm, "We'd like stew and ale for two and information on acquiring a guide through the mountains."

"Coming up." Mr. Burly nods to a table in the back, "Any of those five men at the table in the back can guide you...for a price."

Deerdra glances at the back, "Why just those five?"

The barkeep smirks, "They're the only ones who don't believe there's a monster living up on the mountain."

They ask in unison, "What monster?"

A thin man sitting at the table of five walks over to them with the answer, "A big, hairy snow beast that no one has seen."

An older man at another table takes exception to his assessment, "No one who's come back alive, you mean."

As the thin man gets closer, Gabrielle whispers to Deerdra, "His eyes are watery like yours."

Deerdra dabs at her eyes then turns to face him, "Does that mean you won't have a problem guiding us through?"

He half grins, "Only if you don't pay." He sticks his hand out, "I'm Ned."

"I'm Denise and this is Brin." Deerdra shakes his hand, firm but not too firm. She does not want to reveal who they are, at least not until she finds out if he's a good guy or a bad guy. "Name your price and we can be on our way."

"We'll leave at first light tomorrow, then I'll tell you the cost." He doesn't want to raise their suspicion so he attempts to cover his tracks. "I need to access the pros and cons of guiding you. There is something on that mountain claiming lives. I want to make it worth the risk."

Gabrielle/Brin leans over Deerdra/Denise's shoulder, "That makes sense." She looks at the barkeep.

He answers before she can ask.

"The rooms are upstairs."

Deerdra is busy eyeballing Ned so Gabrielle keeps up the pleasantries, "Thank you. Ned, we'll see you in the morning. Come on 'Denise'." She tugs on Deerdra's arm and they pay the barkeep then go upstairs.

The room isn't bad. It isn't a palace, but it's clean with a full sized bed, wash basin, and a tiny window.

But the room isn't on Gabrielle's mind.

"Brin and Denise? Really?"

"Ned already knows I'm an immortal, he doesn't need to know that I'm also an Old One."

"Do you think he'll actually guide us through the mountain tomorrow?"

"I think he's going to take us up there, get us lost, then try to kill me."

"That's what I was afraid of. Well, It's going to be a long day. We'd better get some rest."

Deerdra scootches the wash basin in front of the door then plops down on the bed. "Ah. Sweet dreams."

Except there won't be any dreams this night, sweet or otherwise. Gabrielle wakes with every creak of the floorboard and Deerdra's glued her eyes to the door. At some point, they do drift off only to be startled awake by the squawking of chickens. (the barkeep is gathering eggs for breakfast).

Gabrielle stretches, "Did you sleep well?"

Deerdra rubs the blur out of her eyes, "Yeah, like a rat in a trap. You?"

"Like I was the rat sleeping next door. Boy, is it going to be a long day."

"Yeah, we need to get some food in us before Ned arrives."

"Are you sure he'll be back?"

"For a bag of coin and a chance to take my essence? Yeah, he'll be back."

Gabrielle wraps her arms around Deerdra's waist, "And what a beautiful essence it is."

Deerdra pulls her in closer, "Because of you."

They come together, exploring each others bodies and reigniting the flame.

Deerdra, out of breath, pulls back, "We need to get downstairs before Ned gets here."

Gabrielle kind of agrees, "Only if we can pick up where we left off."

Deerdra purrs, "Believe it."

After a hardy breakfast of eggs, warm bread, and goat's milk, the future Eskimos wait for Ned so they can get underway.

Deerdra says out loud, but mainly to herself, "Grr. Why couldn't it be my palms?"

Gabrielle didn't quite catch that, "What?"

Rubbing her nose, Deerdra says, "Ned's coming."

Gabrielle spots him, "There he is. He's on his horse and carrying furs. Deerdra, he's not alone."

Deerdra frowns, "Hmm. This little trip just got a little more interesting."

Ned and his friend stop short of running them over. He tosses the furs at them, "Here, you're going to need these. This is Oless. He's going to bring your horses back to the village once we reach the base of the mountain."

Deerdra hands Gabrielle a coat, "This mean you've settled on a price?"

"Yep and to make it fair and to show my goodwill, you don't have to pay until I get you across the mountain safe and sound." He puffs up, proud of his lie.

Deerdra and Gabrielle look at each other. They know.

Gabrielle fastens her furs to her saddle, "Okay, we agree. What about that snow monster?"

Ned scoffs, "That's just a story the local guides tell to get more money out of travelers, isn't it Oless?"

His answer makes him sound confident, but there is fear in his eyes, "Yeah, sure. To scare people. That's right."

Deerdra doesn't quite believe him, "A folk tell, huh? You sure about that?"

Ned raises his right hand, "May lightening strike me down."

Deerdra glances at the clear sky, "Okay." She and Gabrielle mount up, "Let's go."

They ride two abreast with Ned and Oless in the lead. After watching the rear end of a horse for an hour, Deerdra is ready for a change of scenery-and information. "Psst, Gabrielle. I'm going to find out some more about this so-called monster we're headed toward."

"Uh, huh. You're just tired of looking at horse butt."

Deerdra grins. She speeds up and has her horse nudge Oless' horse. "Tag. Take my place in the rear."

Ned casually looks her way and states matter-of-fact, "You want to know how I died."

Deerdra isn't interested in his life story. Her answer surprises him, "I don't give a rats ass about how you died. I want to know more about this snow monster, and don't tell me it's just a myth. Myths are based on fact and I want to know those facts."

"Okay." He fidgets around in his saddle to get comfortable then begins his tale, "Many years ago, a guide stumbled into the village a bloody mess and near death. His clothes were shredded and his flesh was ripped to the bone. Frostbite was setting in and he had a wild and distant look in his eyes. The village elders tried to ask him what happened, but all he did was mumble 'M-m-m-m.' They let him alone to heal and when he did, he had an unbelievable story to tell."

Gabrielle leans forward in her saddle. She's not missing this story.

Ned continues, "Two outsiders hired him to take them across the mountain. They were looking for some sort of treasure. He wasn't clear on what kind, but I can't imagine what could be worth all that trouble. Anyway, the climb was going well, just the expected slips and slides then the wind got up. Slow at first then it turned into a full on blizzard. They took refuge in a cave and all hell broke loose."

Gabrielle desperately wants to ride up beside Ned so she can hear better, but she knows she needs to hang back and keep an eye on Oless. Speaking of which, she notices he's not paying any attention to Ned and is looking kind of peaked. She follows his gaze past Ned and sees why. The mountain is looming over the horizon. She admits to herself that it does look intimidating. Doubt starts creeping in. She shakes it off and turns her attention back to Ned.

Ned glances at Deerdra to gauge if his dramatic pause had an affect. Nope, she looks as bored as ever. If his plan is going to work, he has to ramp up the drama. He wants her to be paranoid and off her game.

He ramps up the drama, "As soon as they entered the blackened cave, they heard deep breathing and then a low growl. It seemed to come from everywhere. In front of them. In back of them. Even worse, it came from above them. It grew louder and multiplied. The cave walls vibrated with each unholy snarl.

One man said to the others, 'I think I'd rather take my chances out in the storm.' The others agreed and headed back in the direction of the howling snow, but they never made it. There was an ear spitting roar and the rest was a chaotic blur of fur, claws, blood curdling screams, and gore. Somehow in all of the chaos, the old-timer was hurled out into the raging storm. Adrenalin propelled him down the mountain and to the village where he finally collapsed in a bloody mass of ripped flesh and bone."

Deerdra's not impressed, "Sounds like a bear to me."

Gabrielle doesn't buy that explanation, "What kind of bear could do all that damage?"

Deerdra answers, "An angry one."

Gabrielle still doesn't buy it, but there's no time for a debate. There's a crispness to the air and the ground has turned boggy.

Ned brings his steed to a halt, "This is were we get off. The ground is too soft for the horses so from now on, we walk. Oless'll take the horses back to the village. You'll have to get your own ride on the other side." He chuckles at his little rhyme. He's the only one who does.

While Gabrielle unburdens her horse, Deerdra gets in Ned's face. "I'm going to tell you up front, I don't trust you. You can lead me into an ambush or to this so-called monster, but if anything happens to Gabrielle, you will be ripped from stem to stern and it won't be done by some monster. Got it?"

Ned answers with a sarcastic sneer, "Don't worry. You won't see your friend get hurt."

Deerdra narrows her eyes wondering what he meant by that crack.

Gabrielle walks over to her. "If you're through threatening him, we should get started."

She steps over to her horse and hurries to unload her gear. "I know. I know."

Gabrielle watches her for a minute then adds, "You don't need to threaten people on my behalf. I am a big girl, you know."

Deerdra answers with a firm yet soft, "As long as I breathe, I will protect you."

Gabrielle sighs. Same refrain, different singer. "I don't need protecting."

Deerdra takes Gabrielle's hands into her own, "Gabrielle, you are my heart, my soul, and the reason I get up every morning. I am going to insure your safety."

Gabrielle squeezes Deerdra's hands, "I'll make you a deal. I'll be careful if you promise to do the same."

Deerdra smiles, "Deal."

And they seal it with a kiss, to Ned's chagrin.

"Come on! You can get a room on the other side!"

They chuckle. Deerdra yells back, "We're coming! We're coming!" Her answer makes them giggle. She adds, "To join you!"

Ned grumbles, "Follow in my footsteps. I know where the dry ground is."

The three of them hop a zig-zag line from one dry patch to the next, just like a human version of Frogger. After a mile of hopping, the mushy ground turns a bit more solid. The mud is thick, but walkable. No more hopping. Now it's gentle goopy step, slide, gentle goopy step, slide for another mile. At last, they reach solid ground at the base of the mountain.

Ned puts on his mountain guide hat, "Okay. The trail is right up ahead- unless an avalanche has wiped it out." He pauses to get the woman's reaction. They don't give him one, much to his disappointment. He grumbles, "This way."

He leads them single file through a debris field of rocks, dirt, limbs, and boulders, remnants of an weeks old avalanche.

Ned calls back to Gabrielle and Deerdra, "Don't worry, our trail is still clear!"

Gabrielle catches up to Deerdra and asks in a mocking tone, "Are you worried?"

Deerdra puts her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder, "Not with you by my side."

They laugh and close in behind Ned. Deerdra isn't worried, but she's not about to let him out of her sight.

So far, the trail is well marked and easy hiking, their packs are a bit cumbersome, though no one complains. The air has started to cool and they can see the snow line.

Ned stops and drops his pack, "As soon as we crest that ridge, the climb get rough. So, from here on out, we'll need to be tethered together." He pulls out a 30 foot rope, "Tie it around your waists and be sure to leave 6 feet between you."

The stringed trio begin their climb. Ned followed by Deerdra with Gabrielle taking up the rear. Deerdra wanted in the middle not only to keep an eye on Ned, but also to prevent him from grabbing Gabrielle and using her as a bargaining chip or shield. They walk between two large boulders that resembles half a rock arch then begin their ascent. Soon enough, the narrow dirt path turns into rock cliff face.

Gabrielle takes a long look up, "We're not climbing that?"

Ned replies, "Only if you're part mountain goat. There's a natural rim that'll take us to the top. It's narrow and a little dangerous but it'll get us there quick."

Gabrielle whispers to Deerdra, "You still think he's after you?"

Deerdra whispers back, "Yes. He's just biding his time, looking for the perfect ambush point. Stay on your toes."

Gabrielle grins and stands on her toes. Deerdra gives her a nudge, "Smarty."

Ned turns around and sees Gabrielle, "Not quite tippy-toe time, but that's good form. You'll need it on the next leg of our climb."

The women straighten up, so to speak, and they string out behind Ned. After shimmying up and over the remnants of an old landslide, the two see what he was talking about. The little trail they're on leads to what could be called a shelf running along the side of the rocky face of the mountain. The shelf is just wide enough for them to slide their feet forward, about six inches. Since their packs are still on their backs, they'll have to belly up to the side of the mountain.

Gabrielle looks at the shelf and the bottom drops out of her stomach, "You're not serious."

Ned smirks, "It's not too late to turn back."

Deerdra stands beside Gabrielle, "There's no rush. We can wait out the battle and take the long way around."

Gabrielle considers taking the safe route, but when you're a warrior, especially a well known warrior, your safety isn't guaranteed no matter how careful you are. She sits on her nerves, "No, we've come this far. We might as well keep going."

They press on: Chests pressed to the wall, arms spread wide and feet scooting along. No one dare talk, less it disrupt their concentration and they find out what kind of terrain lays below. Everyone is glad the shelf isn't slick with icy. They slide along, around and up the side. The closer they got to the top, the windier it became. Occasionally, the wind would whip up and threaten to blow them off, but still they plod on.

Soon enough, the woman start wishing they were at a wide point so they can put on their coats. The wind turns cold, freezing their sweat soaked clothes. Their teeth chatter and their bodies shiver, not good combinations when your hundreds of feet in the air, clinging to a mountain side.

Gabrielle stammers, "A-are w-we there y-yet?"

Ned yells back to them, "Almost there! It should be just around this corner!"

The trio shuffle for a few minutes then Ned yells out, "Yess! It's still clear! Close in behind me!"

They fall in behind him, but still can't see the landing. Ned turns his head to Deerdra, "It's just a short hop, but be ready just in case I slip."

Deerdra looks at Gabrielle, "Steal yourself."

Gabrielle tenses her frozen muscles. At least she thinks she does. Her arms and legs are so numb, it's hard to tell. She watches Deerdra for any sign of trouble. She doesn't see, but Ned jumps and lands safe. Deerdra turns her head and nods. She jumps, no problem. Gabrielle's turn. She can finally see the landing. It is a short leap to a flat yet snowy surface but a long landing with a slip. Deerdra stands ready to help if necessary. Ned is a little further up acting a bit jittery.

Deerdra yells, "Go ahead! I'll catch you!"

Gabrielle hollers back, "You'd better!" She takes a deep breath and jumps, nailing a perfect 10.0 landing directly in front of Deerdra.

Deerdra steadies her. "Nice of you to drop in."

"Whew! That felt further than it looked." Gabrielle looks over Deerdra's shoulder at Ned. "He's acting nervous."

Deerdra keeps her eyes forward, "What's he doing?"

"Right now he's untying his rope and putting on his coat. His hands are shaking and he keeps darting his eyes around. No, wait. Maybe he needs to take a leak. Either that or he got some snow down his pants."

Deerdra unties her rope, "There are some dead trees and boulders he can go behind. We'll know soon enough."

Gabrielle follows their lead and unties, but she also puts on her coat. "He still jittering in place. You don't suppose this is a trap? Wait, dumb question. Of course it is."

Deerdra cinches up her coat, making sure her bone dagger is close at hand. "The real question is, is he alone?"

Ned yells at them, "Hurry up! I see a storm coming!"

Deerdra yells back, "All right!" She turns back to Gabrielle, "Here we go."

Ned couldn't be more than twenty feet away, but with the wind rushing through the rocks whipping up the snow, he might as well be two-hundred feet away. They muscle their way to him and Gabrielle tells him, "We need to find some shelter."

Ned's reply is a smart aleck, "No kidding?"

Deerdra gets on to him, "Don't be an ass. Where can we go to get out of the storm?"

Ned minds his manners, "There's a cave on the other side of those boulders. We can wait it out there."

Gabrielle touches Deerdra's arm, "Not the cave? The one the old timer talked about?"

Ned gives her a half smile, "Hard to say. Maybe."

Deerdra yells at them above the rising storm, "We'll deal with whatever's there once we get there. Rope up!"

The three of them retie the rope around their waists then begin trudging through the snow and wind toward the cave. It is slow going. For every two steps forward, a gust would whip up a mini blizzard and knock them back then it'd' calm down. Back and forth it would go. Blinding blizzard then calm. Blinding blizzard then calm. They take a break during a calm moment.

Deerdra brushes snow out of her hair, "I sure wish that wind would make up its mind."

Gabrielle, shaking snow off her coat, agrees, "Really. Are we in a blizzard or not?"

The wind starts billowing again. Deerdra teases Gabrielle, "You had to say blizzard."

Gabrielle yells into the gust, "Or not!"

Deerdra says to her, "Say it louder, we're not in a white out yet!"

Ned says, "We need to get to the cave before it is a white out."

"How far is it?" Gabrielle asks.

Ned replies, "Through this next passageway."

After sixty long minutes of trudging over and around rocks, boulders, and trees, they arrive at a open area near the mouth of the cave. Fortunate for them, it faces away from the gusting wind. It's situated between two sheer cliffs with just the occasional gale force snow swirl. It's during one of these swirls that Ned makes his move.

When the snow kicks up, Deerdra does as he expected- she shields her eyes. While she's temporarily blinded and distracted, he cuts his end of the rope, whips it around her throat, and pulls. Deerdra flies face first into a snowbank. Ned rushes over, blade in hand. Deerdra springs up and leaps forward, delivering a flying clothesline across his throat. He does a complete 360 flip in the air, landing hard on his chest. The impact knocks the wind out of him rendering him unconscious for a moment.

During that moment, Deerdra unties her end of the rope. The wind starts to really howl through the rocks. Deerdra looks around and thinks, "That is the wind I'm hearing, isn't it?" She searches through the blinding snow and can just make out Gabrielle's form hunkered near the rocks. Before she can shout a warning, Ned tackles Deerdra from behind. She flips over just in time to block his attempt to stab her through the heart. With the bone dagger clasped between them, they roll around each trying to get the upper hand.

While they grapple around in the snow, Gabrielle has a situation of her own to deal with. That wasn't the wind that was howling, but a scout for a small pack of snow wolves. These wolves taller and are more muscular than normal wolves. With their thick, white fur to insulate them from the cold they are well adapted to life on a snowy mountain top.

The scouts' cry got the attention of two more wolves. Five of them are sneaking up on an oblivious Gabrielle who is feverously trying to untie her now frozen rope before she winds up in the snow with Deerdra. Some unusual movement in the snow catches her attention. Instinct tells her to arm herself. Timing, thy name is Gabrielle. Just as she bends down to grab her sai, one wolf leaps for her throat. It ends up playing leap frog and lands behind her. Gabrielle felt the brush of the wolf's stomach across her back. She turns and comes face to face with the snarling beast.

Gabrielle yells over the storm, "Uh, Deerdra. New problem!"

Deerdra is still wrestling with Ned, "Kinda busy right now! You'll have to handle it!"

Gabrielle mutters, "Handle it, right." She looks at ol' growly, "Nice doggie. I have a feeling you're not alone." She doesn't need to turn around to find out, a deep, guttural noise behind her provides the answer. She twirls her sai around so they're hilt up then crouches down backed up to the mountainside and prepares for their attack.

Wolf number two on her left lunges as a distraction for wolves number three and four to attack her on her right. Gabrielle is ready. Three and four leap and are met with a one, two sai punch to the snout. They cry out then fall in a heap to the ground. Number two is unsure to attack or not. Numero Uno, enraged at two's timidity barks an order. Two fluffs up and advances ever so cautious with one eye on Gabrielle's hands and the other on her throat. Gabrielle's attention is likewise split. She knows that the wolf on her right is the Alpha, but she can't dismiss the wolf coming up slow just off to the left.

Number one grows impatient with two's snail's pace of an advance and begins moving toward Gabrielle.

Number two may be leery of getting hit, but he takes offense at number one's attempt to take this kill away from him. He launches himself at Gabrielle and is met by a kick so hard, it could have smashed in a door. He goes sailing toward the edge just as Deerdra finally is able to kick Ned off of her. The wolf crashes into Ned and the two of them go flying off of the cliff. Number one lunges at Gabrielle and grabs a mouth full of boot. Big mistake. Gabrielle punches him in the head with her sai. This makes him angry and he clamps down harder, giving him the upper hand for the moment. His teeth didn't penetrate skin, but she felt the pressure increase on her ankle. He starts yanking, trying to pull her off her feet. She yells at him, "No you don't!" then turns the sais blade side up. Using all her weight she pile drives them deep into the back of his neck. The resulting yelp could be heard above the howling wind.

All Deerdra knows is that one moment Ned is on top of her trying to kill her and then the next, a whiteish blur takes him over the edge. She slides on her belly and looks over the ledge. "Damn. I wanted a better look at that dagger. Oh, well. I'm bound to see him again." She slides back then stands, or at least tries to. The wind blowing through the breezeway is getting worse. "So much for a natural wind barrier." She spots Gabrielle and her heart sinks. Her hands and coat are covered in blood. Deerdra rushes over in a panic. "Are you okay? Where are you wounded?"

Gabrielle points toward the lump of fur at her feet, "It's not mine, it's his."

A gust knocks them back a step. Deerdra states the obvious, "We need to get out of this wind and into that cave."

They trudge forward, arms across their faces until the wind abruptly stops. They have made it inside the cave. The opening is on the small side, six feet at the peak. Deeper inside is a different story. The further in you go, the taller it gets. What could be considered the great room is truly cavernous yet cozy. Imagine five school buses side by side. The ceiling here peaks at fourteen feet. A nice sized place to live.

Deerdra dusts off her coat. "Wolves. I knew there weren't any snow monsters. Just a scared little man with an overactive imagination." She continues talking, not realizing Gabrielle isn't paying any attention to her, "Are you sure you're okay? Wolves usually attack as one. Gabrielle?"

Deerdra finally looks up from her dusting to see why the silence. She's quite because she's busy trying to pull her heart out of her boot. She points to the back of the cave and Deerdra's heart sinks as well.

Human sized fur pelts line the floor and cave wall. A spit over a campfire cooks the torso of one of the pelt's former occupants. Off to the side sits a canine's water bowl. They have taken refuge in someone's home and have quite possibly killed their pets. All in all, not a good situation.

"Looks like I was wrong. There were snow monsters up here."

Gabrielle has to wonder, "Who lives here now?"

A distant cry filled with anger and despair answers that question.

Deerdra looks at Gabrielle, "We'd better leave."

They turn to go and come face to face with the cave's owners. Two large, savage looking men are standing hunched over just inside the entrance. Their twelve foot frames are clothed in the same fur as is hanging on the walls. They're faces are clean, which can't be said about their scraggly, long hair. One of them is holding a double-headed ax and the other a blood stained mace and the limp body of a mountain goat, its brain exposed where the mace struck the fatal blow.

"Oh, hello. Sorry to crash your dinner. We just ducked in here to get out of the storm." Gabrielle tries to sound confident, but her voice is shaky. While she's talking, Deerdra steps in front of her. Not only to protect her, but to hide the wolf's blood. For her part, Gabrielle casually slides her sais back into her boots and keeps her hands out of sight.

Mr. Ax looks down at the women and sneers through yellow teeth, "Looks like we have company for dessert."

Mr. Mace chuckles, "My favorite kind."

Deerdra whispers to Gabrielle the obvious, "We need to get out of here."

Gabrielle concurs, "And pray the blizzard is still going strong."

Deerdra races through possible escape plans. They're not demons or evil so she can't use The Sword of Light. She does, however spy a gift. Next to the fire lays one of the ugly's carving knives. In the hands of a normal sized human, it'll make a nifty sword.

She tells Gabrielle, "Get ready. I'll be right back."

Gabrielle nods and slowly eases her sais out of her boots.

Deerdra does a tuck and roll over to the knife, snatches it, then runs full tilt at the giants. She rolls between them then slashes Mr. Ax behind his knee, spins then slashes Mr. Mace behind his knee. Both yell then take a knee allowing Gabrielle to make her escape. She too runs at them, but she doesn't do any slashing. Instead, she leaps over the one lowest bent, rolls across his back and lands outside in the now raging snow storm with Deerdra.

Deerdra yells at her, "I can handle these two! You hang back and we'll meet up back in the cave!"

That ruffles Gabrielle's feathers. She yells back, "You are not doing this by yourself! Don't be like Xena! I'm not helpless!"

Well, that go Deerdra's goat. A flash of resentment and indignation wash over her. One thing you don't do is compare her to Xena. However, this is the woman she loves and would kill to protect. "Gabrielle-!"

"No! We're either in this together or not at all!"

Deerdra wonders to herself, "What does she mean? We're not together if she doesn't fight?"

Mr. Mace and Mr. Ax come roaring out of the cave looking for blood. Gabrielle hunkers down and raises her sai. Deerdra will have to wait for her answer.

CONTINUED