Disclaimers: See Chapter 1

Additional Note (Please Read): This tale is a companion with, The Conqueror & Ri: A Twist of Destiny. If you haven't read both stories' chapters preceding this one, you should do so now. Hey, a shout out to all my readers and my Beta. Hope y'all enjoy!

Xena & Gabrielle

A Turn of Fate

By Ahkiken

Chapter 33: Violent Reckoning

Ri scooted backwards on the cot, till she was pressed against the wall, while staring at the terrifying woman who stalked toward her. Each footfall of Xena's boots echoed an underlying peril that she was going to make good on her word and execute the same affliction on the aspiring bard which the Shogun was already suffering. A whimper passed the storyteller's lips as she tried to think of a way to propitiate the menacing warrior, but nothing came to mind; she had no idea how to absolve herself of what Xena was blaming her for.

"Stop this... Xena, stop..." Harukata croaked, feeling the intense pain of the pinch.

Closing in on the trembling strawberry-blonde, the Warrior Princess ignored the dying man. "Say your prayers to Minerva if you want, girl. Either way, no-one's gonna save ya."

"Please! I don't know what's going on!" Ri screamed, shutting her eyes briefly before opening them to plead, "I'm afraid, Xena."

Instantly, Xena's advancement ceased. Reclaiming what was left of her sanity, she hastily removed the pressure point off of the Shogun with mere seconds to spare. The kimono-clad man breathed in deeply, gasping air through his bloody nose and into his lungs whilst Ri watched both individuals with startled orbs.

Xena stood in front of Harukata, declaring, "I don't give a damn where you lodge her, but I want her out of this cabin by the time I return."

Neglecting to hear Harukata acknowledge her statement, she exited the room without giving him or Ri another glance, slamming the door. Allowing the shock of Xena's actions to expel from her body through an exhaled breath, Ri realized the Shogun was unsteadily getting to his feet.

Noticing a tinge of red trickling down one of his nostrils, she whispered, "My gods, you're bleeding."

Ri ejected herself off of the cot and speedily trekked over to the table with the basins of water. Knowing that she couldn't use the vessel and the cloth she'd cleaned her regurgitation up with, Ri ripped the hem of her shift, dipping it into the lukewarm liquid of the other basin. Thereafter letting it soak and wringing the torn fabric out, she walked to Harukata, guiding him onto the edge of the cot. Once he sat, she gently applied the wet, makeshift cloth to his nose.

"Thank you, Ri-Kun." He gave his appreciation.

Tremulously wiping the blood away, Ri replied, "You're welcome. I'm... I am thankful for you also. You aimed to protect me from Xena. Thank you."

The Shogun didn't feel like he merited Ri's graciousness, because of his failure to safeguard her properly. "I'm just glad she'd regained her sensibility."

Ri mentally concurred with Harukata. She was sure that Xena planned to carry out doing what she'd done to the Shogun, and looking at the aftereffects of it; his loss of balance, intake of constant oxygen, as well as the bleeding from his nose, it had to be painful.

'Only from four fingers.' Ri ruminated, wondering if the Conqueror could cause similar damage, too.

Finishing cleaning the smear off and examining to make sure no more blood would trickle, Ri hesitantly grinned at the Shogun as a sign that everything was okay. Next, she whirled around, placing the fabric inside the basin with the cloth, keeping it separate from the unsullied one. Allaying her nerves, Ri's cognition shifted to the dark person who'd departed and pondered why would Xena want to harm her for an offense she hadn't committed, going to the extent of not listening to reason from Harukata at all. An apology probably wouldn't have saved her either, for the supposed crime wasn't venial to the erstwhile warlord.

Ri's cogitation was shattered by the Shogun's voice, "I have to set you up in a different cabin."

"I... I don't want to be an issue, Shogun." She turned to give him her direct attention. "I'll go wherever you command me to."

A hint of a smile graced Harukata's visage. The twin of Gabrielle was unlike the strong-willed, flaxen-haired fighter he'd trained to become a Samurai, yet she housed a power of her own that bestowed genuine sincerity, and it caused him to have compassion for Ri.

"You aren't problematical." The Shogun arose firmly. "Since Xena plans to undoubtedly take this cabin as her own, I'll arrange for her old room to become yours."

Ri felt uneasy about the Shogun's choice. What if Xena chose to keep both rooms, only to discover that the storyteller was occupying it? She would have to face Xena's ire again, and the trembling maiden wasn't prepared for that. In truthfulness, the Conqueror's double was frightful, more so than General Draco or the Cronus that she'd endured Prince Lyceus' strangulation in her bedchamber.

Seeing Ri's expression, the Shogun discerned that she had morbid thoughts. "Do not worry, Ri-Kun. I have failed once by not protecting you from Xena. I won't make that mistake twice."

Ri began worrying for the safety of the person who showed her such fearsome fright. "What will happen to Xena?"

The Shogun's sight peered to the floorboards. The raven-haired warrior had incessantly posed endangering threats to him and his men on multiple occasions. Nevertheless, she went too far this time by actually attacking him with what seemed to be the described technique that Gabrielle had used on Neji. Still, Harukata really didn't know what he'd do, or could do to Xena; he needed her for the battle to come with Yodoshi.

His returned gaze fell on Ri, and he answered, "Don't concern yourself with that. Right now we have to-"

Both occupants became alarmed as the door was opened, merely to relax after they saw that it was Kenji, balancing two bowls of food on his hand and arm.

"I've placed your breakfast inside your cabin, Shogun." The monk averred, then surveyed the area. "Where is Xena-Sama? Has she gone to the top deck to address the second squad?"

"What?" Harukata was astounded.

"Since the reprieve for Neji, the men have been eager to commence the duels." Kenji explicated. "They are starting to converge on the bottom platform."

The Shogun contemplated what he should do anent to the squad's trials and the Warrior Princess. "Kenji, I need for you to conceal Ri's identity and bring her to Xena's cabin, withal be assured she isn't in there."

Kenji deposited a sole bowl into Ri's shaken hands before turning to his Shogun. "But I haven't finished my morning task of bringing..."

His sentence halted when he descried the retreating form of Harukata.

Kenji became daunted because he wouldn't complete his morning objective in a timely manner like usual. "Oh well, let's get moving, Ri-Kun. I just need to find something suitable to hide your appearance."

"I can wrap the fur on the cot around myself." Ri shyly suggested.

"That won't be necessary." Kenji dismissed the proposal. "I'll get a cloak for you."

Due to the chaos that ensued with Xena, the assault on the ship had virtually escaped Ri's mind. "Are we still going to inform the Shogun about the other vessel I had mentioned?"

"I didn't forget, Ri-Kun." Mulling it over, he acceded, "I'll get you settled in Xena-Sama's cabin and you can eat your meal. Afterwards, once the Shogun isn't involved with any pressing engagements, we'll divulge your perturbation to him."

Gladdened with the decision, Ri bowed to the monk in gratitude. "Thank you, Kenji-Kun."

The bald Japian chuckled at Ri's inapt usage of the denotation.

{X&G}

Blankly espying the ocean from the upper deck, Xena contended with inner darkness, needing to unleash her anger even though she understood it would be horrible and wrongful. She'd damned nearly murdered Harukata in Gabrielle's room, and would've done the same to Ri as well. But what scared her the most was how she had relished it, desiring the enjoyment of causing agony and distress to them. She had not felt like that since she'd slaughtered many of the Olympian gods on the hilltop of Greece. Xena yielded to her dark side, wanting to kill every last deity to ensure the protection of Eve.

As soon as Ri evinced that the Conqueror had given the Omphalos necklace to her 'fore leaving on a mission, Xena's barely controlled wrath had bypassed her delicate grasp, seeking to let loose its viciousness upon anybody within range of it. The Shogun was its first victim and Ri would have been the second, albeit her cry had coaxed a vicissitude in the Warrior Princess' attitude. Strangely, it didn't exculpate Ri's guilt for the situation of losing Gabrielle to the Conqueror's world. Nonetheless, it did repress her incense to cause violence and death.

'I should've gone through with it!' Xena berated herself. 'Ri is at fault! She serves the goddess that's manipulating the shards! I should go back and-'

"Xena-Sama?" A lone Samurai impeded on her thoughts.

"Not now." She mumbled, keeping her eyes on the bluish-green water.

"It'll only be a moment. We were curious if you wanted to get our contest started early. We are preparing for..." His words got stuck in his throat when Xena faced him, her features was fraught with furor.

Not recognizing him, she asked, "What is your name?"

"Anzio... I'm of the second squad."

"Well, Anzio of the second squad, I'm deducing that you have a serious hearing impediment, so I am going to repeat what I'd said, and if you don't heed me, you're gonna find yourself swimming in the ocean." Xena silently reaffirmed, "Not now..."

Dismally content that the rebuke wasn't an excoriation and wisely choosing not to test if she would actually toss him overboard, Anzio quickly got away from the dangerous sounding female. Satisfied that she was once more alone, Xena weighed the option of traipsing back to the cabin and beating Ri until she confessed to everything concerning her master and Minerva's plot. Ultimately she couldn't bring herself to recreate the scenario of the whilom Handmaiden looking pitifully hapless and pleading. The facsimile of her soul mate had expressed the exact phase that the Amazon did last night.

['I'm afraid, Xena.']

Although one was much older by experience and the other appeared younger, their aqua irises held a resemblance of terror while the notion was asserted. Xena couldn't forget the apprehension in Gabrielle's tone. Hence being a listener of Ri's fearful vocal, as well as viewing her outlook of torment, she was reminded of a time long ago; during the beginning of Gabrielle and Xena's journeys, when subsequently, the bard had suffered the aftermath of the warrior's violent reckoning.

"Gabrielle , I need bandages now!" I yell, covering the wound on the young fisherman who was assailed by ruffians.

He is very fortunate that we were passing by the pond when it occurred. One of the men was about to run him through with his sword prior to me throwing my chakram, slicing his arm. He'd still managed to slash the man on the shoulder, then sprinted off with his comrades. The injury isn't life-threatening nor deep for stitching, but he was bleeding badly before I cleansed most of it.

What's taking her so long? "Gabrielle!"

"I'm coming, Xena." She answers.

Running over in her peasant attire, she kneels next to me, handing over the bandages. Without thinking, I snatch it out of her grip and begin dressing the fisherman's wound.

"No rush, Gabrielle." I am trenchant. "He's only bleeding, you could've wasted candle-marks."

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry, just improve." I utter.

I ignore her sad look, and carry on with my purpose of binding his injury.

"Are you all right?" Gabrielle questions the man.

"Other than almost getting robbed and killed, yes, I am all right. I'm lucky you two came along when y'all did to save me." He purports, gritting his teeth from the pain of my ministrations. "My name's Brentian, and what should I call my saviors?"

I hate it once people start inquiring for my name. I'm sure he's going to panic as soon as he learns who I am.

In a matter of seconds, my youthful companion is making introductions, which she is wont to do, "I'm Gabrielle, and the person who you should really be thanking is Xena."

"Xena..." Comprehension conquers Brentian's countenance whilst tremors shake his body. "The dreaded Destroyer... I mean, the Warrior Princess."

"Oh, Xena's not a warlord anymore if that's what you're worried of." Gabrielle cheerfully expounds. "She's a defender for the-"

"Gabrielle." I interject. "Tie off his bandage."

"Okay." She gaily takes the strips of material.

Using the pond to rinse Brentian's blood off of my hands, I rise and walk to Argo while attuning myself to the environment for possible danger. I always knew that trying to seek redemption for my wickedness wouldn't be easy or accepted by everyone, so how can I fault Brentian. I'm frequently tempted to surrender and give into despair, letting the grief for all that I've done consume me until it engulfs my entire being, leaving me for dead. For Tartarus' sakes, a few days ago I was gonna allow a village to end my misery by killing me for a crime that Ares compassed.

Nobody believed that I hadn't dispatched those three villagers, except for Gabrielle. She stuck by me throughout everything, even after I'd indulged in Ares' power of bloodletting, thrashing Peranis for whipping me, then his goons, the guards, and...by being induced in fury, I smacked my companion; my strongest supporter... I can't help but sigh for my actions inflicted on her. She sees nothing but the good inside of me and I feel I'll solely be responsible for corrupting Gabrielle's pure spirit, bringing her down. Maybe I should escort her back to Potidaea, far from my iniquitous influence.

Cogitating on losing my proposed best friend fills me with gloom. Can I send her home and continue my redemptive travels alone? Seeing the sights she's seen, would she stay there? Wouldn't she set off tailing me again? Ahh! These thoughts are getting me nowhere. I must stay grounded in the present and not twitter over such matters. Brentian is going to have a scar from that injury; I'll give him a veil of our salve to smooth the irritated skin.

Reaching into the saddlebag to get the ointment, my acute ears pick up Brentian's whispers, "You two are friends?

"Yes." Gabrielle quietly replies. "Best friends."

"By the gods, she's the Destroyer of Nations. Is she retaining you against your will?"

His question stirs indignation within me, making my blood boil.

"Of course not." Gabrielle rebuffs. "Xena rescued me, my sister, and several others from slavers outside Potidaea. We travel to and fro, succoring the helpless."

"So you owe her servitude or something?" He queries.

"No."

"You follow her freely?" Brentian incredulously quizzes.

"Yup. Everywhere Xena goes, I'll be there."

A wane smile curls my mouth from her admission, but it fades by Brentian's comment, "If I were you, I'd be careful."

"Xena is your rescuer from those men whom wanted to smite you." Gabrielle sounds like she is becoming irked. "You shouldn't be askance about her."

"She's not to be trusted and she'll hurt you." Brentian professes. "The Destroyer does exactly what her title denotes; destroy. I've heard that years ago, she came very close to conquering Corinth."

Gabrielle's silence and Brentian's predication bothers me. Releasing the salve, I revisit the memory of what occurred that made me surrender my siege on Corinth and the baby boy I'd given birth to ten years preceding coming across Hercules. Therefore I recall what I'd done to Gabrielle in the prison, compelling me to be shameful and understand why she isn't impugning with my disputer. Brentian isn't getting anymore of my assistance.

That fucker!

I saved his ass and he repays me by trying to persuade Gabrielle into not trusting me!

Fretting, I pat Argo's nose. "Atonement is harder than it seems, girl."

She whinnies softly in stunt approval, abating the rage that wants to bash someone.

Calming my breathing and giving up hope for another encounter with thugs so I can make them my victims, I loudly inquire, "Are you finished, Gabrielle?"

"Yeah." Gabrielle affirms, and I listen to the fisherman grunt as she helps him to stand. "Can you manage on your own, Brentian?"

"I'll be fine." He says. "My village is a short distance from here."

"Argo can ferry you if you're too injured to make it there." She proffers.

Gabrielle can be insistently polite and altruistic. Sometimes going as far as encroaching on my choice to be helpful or not.

I'm close to shooting her offer down, however, Brentian beats me to the punch. "I appreciate it, but I'll fare alright by myself."

"Are you certain? It'll be much quicker if-"

"Enough, Gabrielle." I intercede, facing them. "Leave it be. Brentian doesn't want a ride."

She frowns a bit at my intrusion to counter her suggestion, but perks up swiftly. "Perchance we can give him a veil of ointment for his wound. Surely you can use that, Brentian."

"I'd be grateful for-"

"We're all out." I fib.

He better make do with the bandages, 'cause there's no way I'm relinquishing anything else to this thankless, secretly wile bastard.

"That's wierd..." Appearing thoughtful, Gabrielle prompts, "Didn't you make a note to purchase a couple of veils from the last town market we were in?"

"I did... Must have forgotten and didn't do it. We'll buy some another time."

"It's unlike you to be forgetful. You could be mistaken, Xena." She takes steps towards my warhorse and me. "I'll check."

Nice, Gabrielle! Push me into flat-out telling Brentian that he is not getting the salve... If I have to, I'll do it in a way that will impart a deep impact.

"There is none." I try fabricating once more whilst standing in front of Gabrielle, hindering her inspection.

"I'm simply checking, Xena." Gabrielle mutters.

Knowing she won't relent, I sneer to Brentian, "Maybe you should head on home. Wouldn't want any other bandits trying to roughhouse you and I'm not around to save ya."

I am guessing Brentian is taking my feral outlook in advisement, 'cause he packs up his fishing gear without a word. Perching the sack on his uninjured shoulder and gripping the fishing rod in his hand, he walks off, not glancing back at Gabrielle or me.

Gabrielle observes him strolling away before gazing in my eyes. "Why did you do that?"

"What?" I nonchalantly rejoin.

"Scare Brentian like that." She repines. "I tried to get him to ascertain how innocuous you are, but you ran him off."

"You're aware by now that I can be stoical. Don't accuse me because he's easily aghast."

"Xena, that wasn't stoicism. You practically growled at him intentionally."

I shrug, no longer caring to entertain the conversation. Bending, I start probing Argo's shoes when I descry Gabrielle going into one of the saddlebags.

Immediately rising, I shout, "Gabrielle!"

"Ah-ha! I knew you bought 'em." She triumphantly exclaims, displaying the two veils of salve. "Though I don't understand; why did you lie about it?"

Baleful, I trek forward to take the ointments out of Gabrielle's clutches, coaxing her to flinch as I seize both of them. She's possibly surmising that I'm gonna hit her again.

My heart drops from the aspect of Gabrielle's timidity, whereas I remain stern, "Never touch my stuff that I've paid for... And cease impulsively volunteering my services. Especially to people who openly condemn me."

"You... You overheard Brentian and I?" Gabrielle queries.

Choosing not to respond, I return the veils into the saddlebag and climb atop Argo. I'm wrong for taking umbrage with her, and she did defend me to Brentian. Besides, if I decided not to aid people whom denounces me, I'll have to depart Greece and reside under a mountain, because someone is knowledgeable of my tarnished name in all four corners of the known world. Regardless, her offering the man a ride, on my horse no less, and wanting to give him the salve after everything he avouched, makes me discomposed.

"I'm sorry, Xena." She apologizes. "I won't impose on you like that anymore. I'll consider your judgment on the matter ahead of my own for now on."

Glimpsing down at Gabrielle's dejected stance, I avow, "It's in your nature to be courteous and kind, Gabrielle. I'm not going to prevent you from doing what's right. Don't allow anyone to do that. I wish I had that selfless spark, alas, I don't. I'm simply asking for you to discern when it's necessary to defer to my lead without repudiation."

Gabrielle nods her assent. "I will. I should've comprehended why you lied about the salve to me and Brentian."

"Well, you aren't psychic." I retort. "You have a lot to learn yet, you're still green to the world."

"Yea..." Gabrielle grumbles.

I detest making her feel like she's a naïve kid, but it's true; she is.

Focusing my eyes on the pathway from the pond, I clear up the main thing that's aggravating me, "Gabrielle, you don't have to fear me. I... I'll never hurt you again."

Many seconds later, she murmurs, "I know."

I wait several moments for her to say something else more jovial, howbeit she doesn't. Grasping the reins, I coax Argo in a trotting pace and wonder does Gabrielle question my affirmation. Is she as skeptical as I am? I want to honestly tell her to abandon me, but I'm too dastardly to do that. I'd rather risk the chance of hurting her, than sending her away.

The inquietude atmosphere is distinguishable, and our quiescence adds to it. While saddled on Argo, I'm cinched that Gabrielle is trailing us. However, consciously I keep from gandering behind me to be doubtless that she's following. One day, she will become jaded of me.

On that day, she'll want to leave my side.

And when that day arrive, I will have courage...

I'll let her go.

'I did let her go so she could attend Athens Academy for Performing Bards, but Gabrielle came back.' Returning from her musings of the past, Xena angrily pounded the railing. 'Now she's gone from me again and it's unknown what is happening to her.'

She missed the bard that shined light on her darkened existence and was wrought with anxiety over Gabrielle's well-being. Furthermore, she kept castigating herself because of her stingy decision to place their relationship in discord for almost a whole month. In lieu of strengthening the bond between them, Xena practically succeeded in severing it. Then when they had reunited, the Omphalos stone switched her fiancée for Ri.

The Warrior Princess felt that the younger-looking copy of Gabrielle wasn't as innocent as she seemed, and was positive that the Conqueror had to be knee-deep in the goddess' plan, too. If not, why would she give jewelry that was laced with the Omphalos shard to Ri?

'Didn't I present that hexed ring to Gabrielle because of my adoration and love for her?' Xena internally queried. 'What if Ri is telling the truth pertinent to the Conqueror's affections for her also?'

'Fore she could imbue her brain in profound rumination, Xena's senses made her attentive of the presence behind her. Spinning around, she came face-to-face with the Shogun who was garbed in his red armor and helmet.

"Your malice and arrogance ends now, Xena." Harukata held his katana below her chin. "Or your soul will meet oblivion."

To Be Continued...