The innkeeper stood in the doorway of Xena and Gabrielle's room, taken very off guard by what she saw. Which in her line of work at this point was pretty difficult to do. Because, as an innkeeper and having all people stay at her inn as they passed through the area, she had seen or heard just about everything. But what she was seeing now was something that Alexia didn't even know how to describe. Because there on the bed was Gabrielle with her hands tied to one end of the bed and her feet to the other, with a cloth in her mouth. Now that alone wasn't the shocking part, she knew that some people had a rather kinky taste when it came to things in the bedroom, and unfortunately for her, she had mistakenly walked in on much worse than this. Which was why she didn't typically go into guests rooms unless she knocked first. But with the way Xena had left in such a hurry and hearing the sounds from their room, she just felt as though something wasn't right. And now seeing Gabrielle in this state, Alexia was convinced that she was right and that Gabrielle was in danger and possibly being held against her will by Xena as a verity of truly horrific possibilities ran through the innkeeper's mind.
ALEXIA
(Thinking to herself angrily) The level of depravity some people stoop to. If that woman hurt this poor girl and comes back.
Gabrielle pulled on her restraints and made muffled sounds through the cloth in her mouth, which to Alexia sounded like a very clear plea for help.
ALEXIA
Okay. It's gonna be okay.
The young woman moved towards the bed as she pulled out a small dagger from its place on her hip that she kept on her for self-defense if she needed it.
ALEXIA
I'm not gonna hurt you, I'm just gonna cut you free, and then we'll make sure you're safe.
Alexia got to the head of the bed and reached for one end of the rope to cut Gabrielle lose. Not knowing the danger that her life was now in, and would be even further once Gabrielle was let loose in her current state. The innkeeper was just about to grab the rope and began cutting through it when she heard a voice behind her.
?
Trust me, you don't wanna do that.
Alexia turned to see Xena enter the room. She scowled at Xena as she looked back at Gabrielle for a moment.
ALEXIA
What is this?! Just what are you doing to this poor girl?
Knowing that from the innkeeper's prospective the situation looked to be something very different from what it actually was, Xena tried to alleviate her concern.
XENA
Look I know this looks bad but believe me Gabrielle is not being held against her will or hurt in any way. She's tied up right now for her own good.
ALEXIA
(Angry tone) Her own good. You expect me to believe that you monster.
Then something clicked within the young woman's head as she suddenly realized who she thought she was dealing with.
ALEXIA
Wait a minute, now I remember. I've heard stories about you. Xena, one of the most infamous women in all of Greece. I don't even wanna think what someone like you would be doing to this girl with her in this state.
Alexia pointed her danger towards Xena as she stood by the struggling Gabrielle.
ALEXIA
But now that I'm here, whatever it is you had planned for her, I promise you that I will not let you anywhere with her. As long as you're in my inn, I won't let you harm her or anyone else here.
Gabrielle pulled against the rope as she made more muffled sounds and looked at the innkeeper who didn't notice the change in her eyes as they were now yellow as her Bacchae side continued to overtake her.
ALEXIA
Now I know what you're capable of, Xena and I don't want any trouble. So why don't you just leave and I'll forget you were ever here.
Xena looked at Gabrielle for a moment, who continued trying to break loose as the bed frame creaked from the strain.
XENA
I can't do that. Now I don't have time to explain, but you need to leave this room right now or your life will be in very serious danger.
Alexia scowled as she pushed down her fear of the Xena she thought was standing before her.
ALEXIA
You can threaten me all you want but like I said you will not harm anyone staying at this inn. So I suggest you go before I send for the town guards.
Again the headboard creaked as Gabrielle strained to get at the innkeeper. Xena knew that she needed to get to Gabrielle and get the innkeeper out of harms way fast, as she was certain that the rope would give soon, and this situation would go from bad too much, much worse.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) I don't hear time for this.
Xena moved towards the innkeeper and grabbed her arm to escort her out of the room and to relative safety. But fearing that Xena was going to harm her and Gabrielle, Alexia tried to pull away as she yelled for help. Not wanting even more people coming to the room and inadvertently putting themselves in danger, Xena quickly covered the frightened and confused woman's mouth, who struggled to get away as the situation continued to spiral out of control. Alexia bit down on Xena's hand, and it took everything Xena had not to knock the woman out cold as she pulled her hand away and the innkeeper elbowed her in her ribs, which due to everything going on took Xena off guard and caused her to lose her hold on the young woman who got out of her grasp and hurried towards the door as she screamed for help. It was then that the restraints holding Gabrielle back finally gave and the frenzied, bloodthirsty Bacchae bard made a feral, animalistic hiss as she immediately got into a crouched position and lept off the bed. She landed right on top of the innkeeper and brought her down to the floor. Having no clue what was going on, Alexia screamed as Gabrielle hissed in her face as she bared her fangs as she tore the cloth from her mouth. Completely overpowered, the young woman couldn't do anything as she was pinned to the floor and her head forced to the side to better expose her neck. With her hand firmly pressed against the side of the woman's face and a clear view of what she craved more than anything in the world at that moment, Gabrielle opened her mouth. Seeing her sharp fangs, Alexia screamed again as she tried to get free, with no results. Gabrielle leaned down towards the woman's neck as she opened her mouth further. Alexia could feel Gabrielle's breath against her skin when Gabrielle was suddenly tackled from the side. The terrified innkeeper immediately sat up to see Xena on top of Gabrielle as the two battle for dominance. Gabrielle hissed and growled at Xena who after several moments finally pinned her to the floor as she basically sat on her and held both of Gabrielle's wrists to the floor over the crazed bard's head. Gabrielle fought to get loose as Xena struggled to maintain control over her. While holding Gabrielle's wrists with one hand, Xena reached into her cleavage with the other and pulled out a small bottle. While doing everything she could to keep Gabrielle in place, Xena bit the cork and pulled it from the bottle before spitting it to the side as she brought the bottle to Gabrielle's lips. Immediately smelling what was inside, Gabrielle immediately began struggling for freedom even harder. But once xena brought the bottle to Gabrielle's lips, the frenzied bard quickly took the offering and very enthusiastically drank the contents. Meanwhile, Alexia just sat there, too shaken and stunned to move by what had just happened as she looked on at the bizarre scene. After a few moments, Gabrielle bagan to calm down and began making what sounded like pleasurable growls. Seeing Gabrielle's now calmer demeanor, Xena looked over at the innkeeper.
XENA
You should probably go. I've got this under control. Once I'm done here, I'll be downstairs. I'm sure you have alot of questions.
Still completely stunned and unsure of what she had just witnessed, Alexia nodded slowly.
ALEXIA
(Monotone) Sure. I'll uh... I'll be down at the bar waiting. Feel free to take your time.
The woman then turned around and walked rather quickly out of the room, shutting the door behind her.
ALEXIA
(Talking to herself) I need a drink and maybe rethink my policy on renting people rooms with no questions asked.
TO BE CONTINUED...