Rocks, dirt and grass were Gabrielle's primary view as she laid over the back of a moving horse. For how long, she wasn't sure. But all the while, she couldn't help but think of just how much trouble she now found herself in. Because now that she was aware of the identity of the woman whose camp she had stumbled upon, Gabrielle was terrified to even think of what horrific fate might now be awaiting her. After all, Gabrielle had heard stories about the Conqueror. Some were obviously exaggerated to scare small children, such as the Conqueror being some kind of literal monster with fangs and claws. That she could breathe fire. Or that she would drink the blood of her fallen enemies. At least Gabrielle hoped that last one wasn't true. But even putting aside the more outlandish tales she had heard, there were plenty of things that Gabrielle had heard about the Conqueror from the random travelers who would pass by Potidea. And those types of stories were very believable. Such as the increasing number of villages, towns and cities that had fallen to the Conqueror. Gabrielle heard about the utter destruction that would be left in the wake of an attack from the Conqueror's army. Including anyone who dared to even attempt to stand in her way. In fact, at one point there had even been rumors that the Conqueror's army had been marching near Potidea. But fortunately, to everyone in the village's relief, the army had moved on from the area without ever coming in contact with the village. As far as Gabrielle knew, the Conqueror already had long since taken control over the whole area where Potidea resided and stretched far across a very large portion of Greece as a whole. But again that was only what Gabrielle had heard, she honestly wasn't sure if it was true or not. Though she supposed that the validity of most of the various rumors about the Conqueror didn't really matter now given that it seemed that Gabrielle would now be experiencing what the Conqueror was like first hand. And that fact truly terrified Gabrielle as nothing else in her life had ever before.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) God's with my side already hurting beforehand, that didn't make riding like that any easier.
Gabrielle winced after being let down from the horse when the group made a stop. She stood looking around at the army busy getting their lunch prepared and saw that the Conqueror's attention appeared to be elsewhere as she stood looking out at the others. Gabrielle frowned as she looked down at the shackles still on her wrists, but was glad that at least her feet were no longer bound as well. Apparently before leaving the camp it was determined that it would be easier not to shackle Gabrielle's feet together. This way, no one would have to carry her around every time they stepped somewhere. So as everyone else went about their business, Gabrielle was left standing near the horses. All of which were much too big for her to simply climb on, especially when she had limited use of her hands with them still being bound together. So Gabrielle riding off with one of the horses wasn't exactly a concern. Not to mention that though no one else there knew it, even if Gabrielle wasn't chained she likely wouldn't get far even if she did steal one of the horses as she honestly had no idea how to actually ride. And given her smaller stature, both mounting and riding such large creatures would be a fairly difficult task for Gabrielle to complete without being noticed. So that being a method of escape was just simply out of the question. Instead, Gabrielle stood watching everyone for a bit as they began to eat, including the Conqueror who after getting her off the horse had just left Gabrielle to her own devices. Seeing that no one appeared to be watching her, Gabrielle realized that this might be the opportunity that she needed to sneak away without being noticed and escape. Which was exactly what she did as she slowly backed away. After taking several steps back and seeing that no one appeared to notice, Gabrielle swiftly turned around and began to run. Gabrielle ran, ignoring the pain she still felt from her injuries as she pushed herself to keep going and get as far away from that camp as she possibly could. She had put some distance between herself and the camp, as she briefly glanced back to see the army gradually falling further behind her before looking forward once again and saw that she was coming up on a line of trees. Figuring that she might be able to find a good spot to hide out until the Conqueror and her army left, Gabrielle hurried as best she could to the trees. She ran by the first few trees to try hiding herself further in among them and saw what looked to be a perfect place for her to hide. It was a partially uprooted tree that had a small hollowed out area that looked just big enough for Gabrielle to crawl into and stay until the coast was clear. She closed in and was nearly to the hollowed out tree, when she saw a tall figure step out from behind one of the trees she was just about to pass. Startled, Gabrielle stopped dead in her tracks, losing her balance and falling back. She sat there as she looked up and saw a pair of intense eyes staring down at her.
XENA
Going somewhere?
No sure what might happen to her if the Conqueror thought she was trying to escape, Gabrielle quickly tried to come up with something that would explain why she had wandered away from the camp.
GABRIELLE
(Lying/ nervous tone) Oh, I just thought I'd have a little look around the area. You know, take in the sights and all that.
(Nervous tone) You know I've never been this far away from my village, so I'm not really used to seeing all of this wide open wilderness.
(Lying/ nervous tone) So I guess I actually wandered too far away by mistake.
Xena raised her eyebrow.
XENA
Is that so? Because from where I'm standing, it sure looks like you were trying to run off.
GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) Oh, well, I uh...
Gabrielle felt her heart skip a beat when she was suddenly grabbed by her shirt and lifted to her feet before having her back pushed up against the tree that Xena had emerged from behind. She stood there, her eyes wide with fear as Xena's hands ended up on either side of her head as the Conqueror stared her down.
XENA
Well since you seem a little confused on the exact details of what you were doing out here, let's try something a little easier. Now, I'm assuming you have a name.
GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) it's Gabrielle.
XENA
Gabrielle huh. Good, so you can actually answer basic questions. Alright, now tell me Gabrielle, what is it that you were hoping to achieve last night when you decided to intrude on my camp?
GABRIELLE
Like I tried to tell you last night, just by chance I found your camp after I escaped from slavers who took myself and several others from our village.
XENA
Yeah, yeah you were beaten, ran off, fell into a river, got carried away and somehow ended up finding your way to my camp. You're really sticking to that story, aren't you.
GABRIELLE
Because it's the truth. When I spotted the campfires from your camp in the distance, I thought I had found someone who might help me and save the others. Including my younger sister and mother, who were taken with the rest of the women. And now I don't know if I'll ever see my family or anyone else from Potidea ever again.
XENA
That's quite the sad story, but you must think I'm stupid if you think I'm going to believe that anyone would be dumb enough to try and take people captive from an area that has been known to be under my control for years.
GABRIELLE
Under your control? What do you mean?
XENA
Exactly what it sounds like. Everything that surrounds that little farming village you say that you're from has been a part of my expanding empire for a very long time now.
GABRIELLE
No, that can't be possible, no one that I know of has ever mentioned that. If that were true, then wouldn't we have to had pay taxes or given offerings of some kind?
Xena scowled as she leaned in a little closer to Gabrielle's face.
XENA
(Sinister tone) Are you calling me a liar?
GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) N-no, of course not. I just didn't know, that's all.
XENA
(Sinister tone) And now you do.
Xena pulled back slightly.
XENA
Now back to my original point, you're telling me that you and a handful of others were supposedly taken away from Potidea.
Gabrielle nodded slowly.
XENA
By who? Because everyone aside from you apparently knows that Potidea belongs to me. I can't think of anyone who would be dumb enough to try and pull that sort of thing without my knowledge.
GABRIELLE
I'm not exactly sure but I while I was hiding after I first escaped I think I heard some of them mention the names Hector and Draco.
Gabrielle felt another chill race down her spine as she saw a deathly scowl come across the Conqueror's face.
XENA
(Sinister tone/ talking to herself) No, even he isn't that stupid.
Gabrielle could practically feel the rage radiating from the woman who still stood before her. She watched as a cold, unfeeling look appeared in the Conqueror's blue eyes and suddenly felt her knees began to shake as she got a terrible feeling that something terrible was about to happen. Then in an instant found herself being grabbed by the front of her shirt and lifted off the ground.
XENA
(Angry tone) Liar! Even Draco knows what would happen to him if he dared to even attempt to pull something like that within my territory.
Gabrielle kicked her feet and grabbed at the strong hands that held her suspended in the air as she tried to free herself, without success.
GABRIELLE
(Scared tone) I'm not lying, I swear. That's the name I heard.
XENA
(Angry tone) And why should I believe you? For all I know, everything you've said to me since you showed up could all be lies. And do you know what I do to people who lie and try to pull some kind of trickery on me?
Gabrielle found herself pressed up against a tree and held there with one arm as the Conqueror pulled out a small dagger from her side and brought it up to Gabrielle's throat. Fear raced through Gabrielle as she felt the edge of the sharp blade pressed up against her skin. She was so terrified that she couldn't even speak as she looked into the eyes of the ruthless woman who was about to mercilessly end her life.
LEONIDAS
(Breathless) My lord!
Xena looked over her shoulder and saw her head officer quickly approaching. And after a moment, once he reached where Xena stood still holding Gabrielle against the tree, the man stopped and gave the typical salute.
LEONIDAS
(Breathless) My lord, I must speak with you immediately.
XENA
(Irritated tone) In case you couldn't tell Leonidas, I'm a little busy at the moment.
The man caught his breath as he finally noticed the precarious state that Gabrielle was currently in but decided it was in his best interest not to say anything about it right then.
LEONIDAS
Yes I can see that. But I feel as though you may have more interest in my message than whatever lead to this predicament involving our surprise guest here.
Xena looked at Gabrielle for a moment with an unreadable expression.
XENA
Fine.
Xena took her blade away from Gabrielle's neck and let her go. Gabrielle's feet touched the ground, but her legs gave out from the fear she still felt, and she dropped to the ground, landing on her rear. Gabrielle sat there as she rubbed her throat and couldn't help but overhear the conversation between Xena and Leonidas.
XENA
(Angry tone) Alright Leonidas, what in the name of Hades is so fucking important that it just couldn't wait?
LEONIDAS
This.
He handed Xena a scroll, which she took and opened it. There was a moment of silence as Xena read the parchment, before with a scowl she crumpled the paper in her hand.
XENA
(Angry tone) Son of a fucking Banshee. That bastard must've finally completely lost his damn mind.
LEONIDAS
So what do you wanna do now my lord? Do we continue for Olympia or change our plans?
Xena thought for a moment as she paced slightly before catching a glimpse of Gabrielle who still sat beside the tree and stopped.
XENA
No. We'll still do what we need to in Olympia.
LEONIDAS
Then what about the letter?
XENA
Oh you let me worry about dealing with Draco later.
Xena gave Gabrielle a sinister smile.
XENA
I think I might have something that might do just the trick.
She then waved off her officer.
XENA
Now go tell the others to start packing up. I wanna reach Olympia before nightfall tomorrow.
LEONIDAS
Yes my lord. Should I take the girl with me as well?
XENA
Sure. And have her and my horse ready within the next half hour. We leave then.
LEONIDAS
As you wish.
Leonidas took Gabrielle by her arm and began to lead her back to camp.
XENA
Oh and be sure to keep an eye on her, don't need her running off.
LEONIDAS
Yes my lord.
He kept walking with Gabrielle and stopped when he heard Xena call out to him again.
XENA
Keep her away from the others too. It's been quite some time since a lot of the men have been around another female other than myself. Don't need them distracted or getting any ideas when they see a pretty little thing like her around.
Leonidas couldn't help but smirk.
LEONIDAS
A pretty little thing, my lord?
Xena glared at the man.
XENA
(Slightly Irritated tone) You know what I meant.
LEONIDAS
Of course, I'll be sure to keep watch over our new little companion here.
XENA
Good. Be sure to have her cleaned up and given something to eat while you're at it too. I don't think she's eaten for some time.
LEONIDAS
That's awfully kind of you my lord.
XENA
Oh please Leonidas, kindness has nothing to do with it. I simply don't want her to starve, nothing more. Until I see what exactly she's worth to Draco, I'm sure I can find some use for her around here anyway.
LEONIDAS
As you wish.
The man looked at Gabrielle for a moment a gave her a kind, gentle smile.
LEONIDAS
Come along then little one, and we'll get you all cleaned up and fed.
Gabrielle looked at the large man and then to Xena once more before being led away and back to camp. Now even more uncertain of what awaited her now that she appeared to be stuck with the Conqueror and her army to be used as some kind of weapon against the leader of the slavers who had inadvertently put her in the harrowing situation that Gabrielle now found herself in. Of which at the moment, she couldn't see a way out of.
XENA
Let's move out.
The Conqueror got her horse into a slow gallop as she led her army away from the now disbanded campsite. At Xena's insistence, Gabrielle sat in front of her in the saddle and rode with her as they traveled towards Olympia. All the while thinking about her home and family that she was now moving further and further away from.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Please, wherever they are right now, just let them be okay.
Gabrielle let a series of silent tears fall as she feared she would never see her loved ones again. And that her life was now left in the hands of the cold, calculated, brutal woman they called Xena. Also known and feared by people far and wide simply as the lord Conqueror.
TO BE CONTINUED...