It was the day after Gabrielle's return to the keep and things were busy as she did her best to keep her head down and make herself scarce amidst the comings and goings of the bustling people who carried on with their work like normal. But even though she hadn't been living at the keep for very long, Gabrielle could feel that in spite of everything running normally, there was an air of unease hanging over the entirety of the keep. Of which did nothing to help the anxiety that Gabrielle had already been feeling about being brought back there. And though even to herself it seemed like a morbid thought to have, Gabrielle couldn't help but feel a bit relieved that the Conqueror still was unaware of her having even been gone as from what Gabrielle had heard around the keep, the woman had unconscious since her being brought back from her battle outside of Amphipolis. With many speculating on whether the Conqueror would even survive.
SARA
Oh thank you Gabrielle.
The woman accepted an armful of scrolls that Gabrielle had brought over upon request and began placing them on various shelves after briefly glancing at the small letters and numbers that were written on the backs of each one, indicating where they should go.
SARA
So you never did tell me how that little "trip" of yours and Elle's went.
Gabrielle paused in assisting Sara in putting the scrolls away as she looked at the woman in surprise.
GABRIELLE
(Nervous tone) You know about that?
Sara chuckled slightly as she carried on with her work while she spoke.
SARA
Well it's everyday that a group of Amazons come riding into the keep. Plus I don't know if you've noticed yet, but people around here like to gossip. So word about anything even remotely new or exciting tends to travel through these halls fast.
Gabrielle looked down sadly.
GABRIELLE
Oh. So I guess there's no way the Conqueror won't know about it if she wakes up huh.
Sara paused putting the scrolls on the shelf for a moment as she looked at Gabrielle, seeing the disheartened expression on her face.
SARA
No, probably not.
Seeing that her answer did nothing to lift Gabrielle's spirits, the older woman quickly continued.
SARA
But the lord Conqueror's an understanding woman, so I'm sure once everything gets explained, everything will be just fine.
Gabrielle looked at Sara, hearing the uncertainty in her voice.
GABRIELLE
Sara, be honest. What do you think will happen to me once the Conqueror finds out I tried to leave?
SARA
(Sighing) I wish I could tell you Gabrielle but no one In this whole place fully understands how the lord Conqueror's mind works. I guess it could all depend on what kind of mood she's already in when she finds out.
GABRIELLE
So how is she normally after getting injured?
SARA
Uhh, well let's just say it makes her typical demeanor that you know seem cheerful and downright bubbly by comparison.
Sara watch as all the color suddenly drained from Gabrielle's face as Gabrielle felt her fear and dread reach new heights .
SARA
Gabrielle, are you okay? You just got really pale of the sudden.
Gabrielle nodded slightly as she tried to suppress her panic from thinking of what an even more miserable Conqueror could possibly be like. Not that she had any interest whatsoever in finding out and sent out a very quick, silent prayer to the gods that she wouldn't.
SERVANT
What in the name of Zeus?
The door to the Conqueror's quarters was quickly opened after a number of people had heard a loud thud from the floor below and one of the servants had come to investigate the noise.
XENA
Fuck!
The woman stopped stunned in the doorway as she saw Xena laying on the floor several feet away from her bed where she had been in a mostly unconscious state for nearly a week after she'd been brought back to the keep. Xena growled to herself as she tried to lift herself up from the floor but was hit with an intense pain in her chest from the severe wound she'd been left with from her fight against Draco and dropped back down as she gripped at her injury.
SERVANT
My lord, you shouldn't be out of bed.
Xena growled in pain and frustration as the servant hurried over and attempted to help her back to bed but was shoved away as Xena stubbornly refused the woman's help.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Get out of here, I don't need your help.
The servant watched for a moment as Xena slowly stood and with gritted teeth took only a couple steps before she was brought back to her knees from more pain in her chest as a painful yell escaped her lips. Seeing Xena's pain, the other woman immediately knelt beside her as she tried once again to help the injured Conqueror back to her bed.
SERVANT
You shouldn't push yourself my lord. Your injuries are quite serious.
XENA
(Angry tone) I said get lost!
Xena angrily shoved the woman away causing the woman to fall back onto her backside. The woman sat there for a moment before Xena scowled at her and yelled again.
XENA
(Angry tone) Get out!
The woman hurried out of the room as Xena got her hands on a small statue that was sitting on a low table next to her and in a fit of anger threw it towards the woman, but instead hit the wall beside the door that the servant had just run out, causing it to shatter upon impact.
LEONIDAS
My lord?
It was some time later as Leonidas stepped into the doorway of the Conqueror's bedroom.
XENA
Quiet angry tone) Go away.
Leonidas stood watching Xena as she laid on the floor where she had fallen earlier with her back to him. Dark shadows had spread across the large room, blanketing the Conqueror as the mid autumn sun had fallen nearly completely from the sky.
LEONIDAS
It's getting dark in here. Why don't I light a few candles for you before I go.
The lieutenant walked a couple steps further into the room before stopping after feeling something under his boot. He moved his foot and looked down as he noticed the pieces of the broken statue on the floor. And given how well he knew Xena, it wasn't the least bit difficult too piece together what had happened to it.
LEONIDAS
That's a shame. I always liked that statue.
After moving through the large room and lighting several candles, Leonidas turned to face Xena still who hadn't moved.
LEONIDAS
Would you like some help getting into bed or were you planning on sleeping on the floor?
Not appreciating the passive aggressive comment, Xena lifted her head and shot Leonidas an angry look.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) You lit the candles, now leave.
Leonidas casually leaned against the wall he was standing by as Xena scowled at his disobedience.
LEONIDAS
Don't you wanna know what happened to Amphipolis? Including a very certain someone.
XENA
I figured I'd be getting a report on the extent of the damage in a day or two. So you can go.
LEONIDAS
Fair enough. I'll have someone come and clean up that glass in the morning then.
Leonidas pushed off the wall and stood up straight as he knew it was pointless to try arguing with Xena when she was in this type of state. He was nearly out the door before he stopped after hearing Xena speak again.
XENA
How is she?
Leonidas looked over his shoulder at the Conqueror.
LEONIDAS
A little shaken up and pretty angry about being here, but otherwise she appears to be just fine. She actually reminds me of you quite a bit with how strong willed she is. I guess I see where you must've gotten that from.
Xena winced as slowly sat up and leaned back against the table beside her.
XENA
Don't let her hear you say that. She'd rather just as soon forget that I ever even existed.
LEONIDAS
I'm sure that's not true. Even if your relationship is rather... strained at the moment.
XENA
Trust me Leonidas strained is definitely not the word I'd use for it. Nor her for that matter I'm sure. Not that it even matters anyway. Just make sure she's well taken care of while she's here.
Leonidas smiled.
LEONIDAS
I wouldn't dream of doing anything less.
Xena sat there as Leonidas left, shutting the door behind him as a feeling of darkness fall over her that no amount of light could drive away as she thought about the battle against Draco and the ramifications of what his alliance with Ares meant for her and everything she'd spent years building. And now with the addition of her being injured and unable to fight for the foreseeable future, the Conqueror knew that the weeks and months ahead would become some of the longest days of her life. But what she never could've known was that those same days would also bring something else that never in her life would Xena had ever expected.
TO BE CONTINUED...