I think I learned a great deal about myself during the adventure with the ex-cons that Xena and I liberated so that we could go against Ares and his army armed with metal from Hephaestus. I remember asking a question. And the answer at the end of the adventure surprised me.
It took the entire adventure to realize just how influential Xena could be. She made each one of the men and woman that were to assist us. They were all innocents, not much different than I was.
I say was because by that time I had learned so much about myself. I had come close, but had yet to lose my blood innocence. That would come, unfortunately.
Could I have become a slaver after how close I came to being a slave? That, of the men and woman we traveled with, Glaphyra was the one I could relate to the most. It wasn't because we were of the same gender. It was because she was least deadly.
Don't get me wrong. I watched her fight. Glaphyra could have killed as well as any assassin should she choose to. It was the fact she would rather engage in a less deadly profession of being a slaver.
Not just any slaver, but a slaver of men. That was something I couldn't understand. But she'd been through something I hadn't.
They each had been through so much that I hadn't. I couldn't help wondering. Wondering if I hadn't been friends with Xena during her attempt to reform, could I have become anything like these men and woman?
I know I'm repeating. It's still something I wonder, even with all I've learned about myself. About the journeys we've taken together.
I remember giving up my path of love to defend a downed Xena. I remember using a whip of fire to protect my pregnant soulmate. I can remember…I can't bring myself to say, yet I would have fought an entire army.
A hand is upon my shoulder. I cover it. It's little touches that reaffirm our existence to one another. It doesn't have to be making love, though that works so well.
I just need to know that my soulmate is watching over me. That we are both watching over the other. After everything, settling down hasn't lessened the fact we sometimes need that touch to make certain we know the other is there.
Now that I've gone on enough, I'll relate the adventure where we confront a little of Xena's past. And people that might not be who they turned out to be if it weren't for the influence of The Destroy of Nations.
THE DIRTY HALF DOZEN
Gabrielle wasn't exactly thrilled to use fire to free an assassin. But it would take those that had certain skills to defeat Ares and his army. Still, she felt bad for the village that would have to rebuild.
Luckily, Walsim had remembered the escape Xena had constructed. Gabrielle watched him carefully as her soulmate placed what was at stake. And the fact that most likely they were dead anyway you dealt it.
The bard waited while Xena freed the other three from the prison. It was an odd assortment if Gabrielle did say so herself. Only one woman in the group of thieves and murders.
The collection of weapons was doled out. Gabrielle listened to how Xena affected each one. The one thing that stood out, besides their chosen vocations, was how suspicious each one was. Not that Gabrielle could blame them.
The battlefield was strewn with bodies from the Athenian infantry. They were some of the best soldiers out there. And yet, they all lost their lives. Their weapons and shields useless. What indeed could do such a thing?
That's when the call came that they were about to find out. Gabrielle used her staff expertly as ever. While the Amazons had taught her a thing or two, majority of what she knew was taught to her by her soulmate.
When asked where she had learned a particular move by Darnelle, Gabrielle easily responded that she was a princess. He didn't need to know it was an Amazon princess.
The battle continued. They had to use their heads more than their weapons. Gabrielle noticed how Monlik hid in a hut and refused to fight once he realized his weapons of choice wouldn't work against those attacking them.
It was an uneasy group that travelled until it was getting late. They would need to camp for the night. Gabrielle listed off the things they would need to camp for the night. The reception was chilly so she volunteered to do them herself.
That was until Xena stepped in. Once the warrior princess began barking orders, the odd mixture of men and woman began to do what was necessary.
The next obstacle would be guarding the thieves and murderers. Gabrielle didn't want Xena to have to deprive herself of sleep. Why not rotate? Have them watch the other? When she said it wasn't a good idea, it puzzled her when Xena said 'maybe not'.
The question that had been niggling at the bard had to be asked. Were the people they were travelling with like this always? Or were they like Gabrielle.
The bard cringed when Xena admitted they were all innocents. It was the Destroyer of Nations that had influenced each one. Changed Walsum from a carpenter to an assassin. The rest into what they were today.
Would Gabrielle have been able to resist Xena had she met before she had changed? The warrior princess could see no evil in the bard. But was there evil in the quartet that were doing the chores ordered of them?
Was Gabrielle who she was because of Xena? Did it really matter? In some ways it did. After all, both were influencing the other. Who had the greater influence? Was it the bard or the warrior princess?
The game continued. It was one of many that the bard and warrior princess played. Though tonight it was more important to make certain that each of the gang knew the stakes. After all, it meant they would watch one another and Xena and Gabrielle both could get some sleep. Murderers watching murderers. It actually was a good idea.
Rise and shine time. Breakfast time. And finally asking why Gabrielle was there. She was there for many reasons. One was her skill with words. One was her skill with the staff. And one was because Xena had her in the plans for defeating Ares.
A bit of an ironic moment that, under different circumstances, was Monlik appearing to be dead. It took Xena slapping his face and calling his name to wake him. Three of four remained awake all night long.
Xena ordered each of the murderers to do chores. It left just the warrior princess and the bard in camp. Gabrielle couldn't help commenting how she had never been part of a true disaster before and Xena calling her a cynic.
Once everyone returned, Monlik had bad news. Anyone attempting to enter the castle would be slaughtered. Worse was the fact that he realized he was the key. His map was what Xena needed. Gabrielle sensed the plan would take a bit of a turn now.
Gabrielle watched as the stalemate turned into a fight. Worse was the fact Monlik was killed. They would never have the map now. It was interesting how Xena was more upset that they hadn't chosen a side. She needed to know if they could work together, like Xena and Gabrielle did.
They all worked in tandem. Each used their skills to make it so Xena could enter the castle undetected. The only problem? Walsum had sold them out to Agathon.
Walsum wasn't the only one. Glathyra was the only one who was in the cage. She even pointed out how it was only the women inside the cage.
And the moment came. Gabrielle had known some good men, including her husband. A subject so sore that when Glathyra mocked the man not being there, the bard had her easily pinned to the bars, her forearm against the woman's throat.
Thankfully it wasn't long before Darnell returned. He brought a chain that was made of the same metal as the bars. It was the only thing that would free them without someone unlocking the cage.
Glathyra was shocked when she realized this had been the plan all along. Or at least once Molnik had decided to change the plan by getting himself killed. It was easy to talk Darnell into siding with them.
Once they'd made it to the armory, the fight was on. After a few good moves by Gabrielle, Darnell was saying that wasn't how a princess fought. But an Amazon princess, now that was easily how she fought.
Hastily, Gabrielle was helping to toss all the weapons in the furnace. Once the blast shield was upon it, the entire castle would explode.
Just as they were about to leave, Agathon arrived. He let go his special weapon which harmed Darnell. Gabrielle was at the ready to help Xena if need be.
Ares' arrival just when it came down to one on one didn't surprise Gabrielle. Interfering wasn't the god's style so it was one on one between Xena and Agathon.
When Xena ordered them out, both Gabrielle and Glaphera refused to go. They had an injured Darnell to watch out for and the bard would never leave her soulmate.
Luckily they all made it out just in time to get to safety. It was now time to say goodbye. Xena reminded them they had a choice now. As of now, it sounded as if both Darnell and Glaphera would attempt to maintain a path away from murder and slavery. Two out of four. Those weren't bad odds. Considering.
Now to answer the question Gabrielle had asked. Was it all there like Xena said? And what about the warrior princess? Would she have been able to maintain her heroic path?
()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Breaking murderers and thieves out of prison or from hanging was not something Xena was accustomed to. But to go against Ares, she needed people with specific skills. She was just glad Walsum remembered that particular escape.
The proposition was simple. Help the warrior princess and possibly die as they were going against Ares or go back to the axe-man and die for certain. It was up to Walsum.
Next were Darnell, Molnik and Glaphyra. Luckily they were all in the same prison. It was easy to come up through the grate and leave the same way. Only with a twist of blowing up the only way of escape.
The weapons were laid on the ground for each to choose their preferred ones. There wasn't time for chit-chat so Xena quickly explained what each one's specialty was. Once again, it was simple. Help Xena or go back to prison.
What wasn't being told? It was easier to show them. The battlefield was reminiscent of times when the Destroyer of Nation had been turned loose. Not a man survived. Their armor, weapons and shields had been shredded.
What could do this? They were about of discover as a group of soldiers wearing specialized armor decided to attack. One could not rely on their weapons of choice. They had to use their heads. Or hide as Molnik did.
What was it? Metal of Hephaestus that was stolen by Ares and given to Agathon. That was who and what the group of six was up against.
It was time to camp. Xena was proud of Gabrielle for attempting to dole out who should do what as they camped. Unfortunately, it took the warrior princess reaffirming the assignments before anyone reluctantly moved.
It was going to be a long night. Xena would have to remain up all night to make certain no one killed another or that no one escaped. Then Gabrielle said something. Murderers guarding murderers. It might just work.
And then the question. They were all innocents. Before Xena got hold of each them, they each had simple jobs. It was her influence that had turned them into what they were today.
Then the major question. What would Gabrielle have been like had Xena not been changed? Would she have become like the men and women that were in camp?
It was something Xena didn't want to face at least not at the moment. There was so much happening. Yet, Gabrielle needed an answer. It was something that the warrior princess would think through. After all this was over, she would give her soulmate a deserved answer.
Playing the familiar game helped relax Xena a little. And it gave her the chance to plant the seeds. They were all murderers. They could not be trusted. It would allow the warrior princess to get a good night's sleep.
It started with first rise. The bickering. The untrusting of one another. And the fact Molnik didn't appear to be alive didn't help matters. As Xena said, she needed everyone.
More orders were given. Glaphyra and Darnell were to buy the supplies they required in the next village over. Walsum and Molnik were find a way into the castle and make a map.
It was a request Xena hated to make, but Agathon and his men had to think they were under attack. Perhaps after this was over they could visit King Gregors and see how things were in the kingdom.
The supplies were bought and delivered. Molnik had bad news as it was bad. It could be a slaughterfest to those that attempted to enter the castle.
And that's when the first of the murderers decided he was more valuable than all the others. Xena had been wondering which one would think he or she was all that. True Molnik's map was invaluable, it wasn't everything. It wasn't worth losing one's life for.
The fact that not one of them chose a side disappointed Xena. She had hoped they would have learned to fight as a team. It would be necessary for what they were to about to undertake.
It was a little later but Xena sensed they were having a conversation without her. It was interesting to listen to and gave the warrior princess a plan.
After everyone went to sleep, Xena hoped, Ares finally made his appearance. With all the banter, the god of war gave away one important detail. Agathon's army was holed up in the castle and not taking Gregor's men seriously.
Xena whispered in Darnell's ear. It could be do or die if she was reading the man wrong. But it was a chance the warrior princess was going to have to take.
Everyone played their part well the next morning. Arrows in the right place. Javelins in the right spot. It was great to see the quartet finally coming together.
That was when Agathon captured Xena. The only ones in the cage were Glaphyra, Gabrielle and the warrior princess as pointed out by Glaphyra.
Xena had to step in when Glaphyra overstepped. It was a woman who had killed her soulmate's husband. Even thinking about how Gabrielle had married and then became a widow was difficult for the warrior princess.
The warrior princess had to explain something to Glaphyra. There were bad people in this world. Those that could be tempted to do evil things. While Gabrielle had seen a great deal in life, she was not one of them.
When Darnell returned, Xena knew it was a good thing she had trusted him. With a diversion, the guard was easily knocked out. The chain was hastily used to cut through the metal bars and to their freedom. Next stop…the armory.
Once the battle to enter the armory ended, Xena knew it wouldn't be long before reinforcements would arrive. The blast shield was the ticket. They just needed to destroy all the weapons in the process. The metal was not safe in anyone's hands.
Agathon arrived. Xena knew this was the moment. It was time for a one on one showdown. Since Ares wasn't interfering, she ordered Gabrielle and Glaphyra to leave. But both refused. The bard was a given. But Glaphyra?
The chakram beat whatever it was Agathon was using. He was killed when his weapon shattered. It had to be an agonizing death.
Luckily, the remaining four survivors survived the blast of the castle. Xena once again told Glaphyra and Darnell that it was their choice. They had their freedom now. What they did with it was up to them.
Two out of four. Not the worst of odds. Xena was grateful that that many appeared to have turned around from the life they had been leading. Hopefully, they would continue down that path for the foreseeable future.
Now to answer Gabrielle's question. It was more what Xena would be without her bard? Gabrielle was certain that her soulmate would have done all right without her. She'd have managed. The warrior princess wouldn't necessarily agree.
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"Xena?" Gabrielle was sitting next to the fire. They had travelled until dark in the opposite direction of King Gregor. Perhaps one day they would in person send their thanks.
The warrior princess on the opposite side of the fire. She was repairing her leathers that had taken a cut or two from the deadly weapons. Luckily not deep enough to cause physical harm. "Yes, Gabrielle?"
"I was wondering." The bard placed her quill back in its special place. She was waiting until the ink dried before rolling up her scroll. "Do you think Glaphyra and Darnell will continue on a path you set them on?"
Xena paused in her stitching. She'd been wondering the same thing. "Of the four I recruited, I would have said that Darnell and Glaphyra were the two that had the most potential to do good. Or at least not cause more trouble."
The bard nodded her head. "I could see that about Glaphyra. She was hurt deeply by a man. We talked a little before she and Darnell went on their way. It wasn't completely you who led her on the path she was on."
Xena shrugged. "I was the one that made her who she was. Yes, she had a bad time of it. I just think that without my influence, she and the others could have had a straighter path."
Gabrielle rose from her position. She walked to in front of her soulmate. Hesitantly, she knelt before Xena. "Well, without you, I wouldn't be on the path I am. I wouldn't be an Amazon princess. I wouldn't be a bard. I wouldn't have seen as much of the world as I've seen so far. Without you, I'm not whole."
The warrior princess swallowed hard. "And without you, I wouldn't have remained on the path. Look at how easily Ares tempted me. And without you showing me your love and support in various ways, I wouldn't be doing what I am now. That's loving you and fighting for the greater good."
The bard leaned in and kissed her soulmate. "Thank you. For being you and saying what you said. And thank you for the path we both travel upon."