NOTES:
This is my first attempt at doing a Conqueror Story. While I typically don't read too many of them, they're just not usually my style as I prefer to read about Xena in all of her heroic glory. (Yes, I know her evil past is an integral part of her overall character.) That being said, I have read a few that I liked quite a bit.
Anyway, this is my go at a Conqueror Story, hope you like it.
WARNING:
This story will contain some rather dark and mature subject matter that may not be suitable for all readers so please be advised before reading on that this story does include descriptive and graphic acts of violence, explict sex between women, explicit language, alcohol use, as well as a brief reference to a rape that happens "off screen" but is not described.
So if you find any of the above subject matter too offensive and don't wish to read about such things then this particular story may not be for you. And to those of you who do choose to read on, thank you and I hope you enjoy the story.
TAG LINE:
Because Love Conquers All
Hooves trampled the earth at a steady pace as a number of riders on horseback moved across the remnants of the still smoldering battlefield. The smell of smoke and death hung in the air. They passed by the many bodies that littered the ground around them, both enemy and ally. Not too far separated from the bulk of the group was a lone rider at the lead. The ride was uncomfortably silent for some time before one of the men riding gave another riding beside him a look before signaling ahead with his eyes. The other man sighed as he looked behind him for a moment to see a lot of dejected and hollow faces. Shaking his head, the man then returned his attention forward. He let out another sigh before straightening the slightly slouched posture he'd been riding with, and with a quick nudge with his boots to the sides of his horse, the stallion picked up a little speed as the man caught up to the horse at the head of the group.
?
Um, if I may my...
The man received an ice-cold glare at his approach. The look itself was nearly enough for him to fall right back with the others, as he stopped speaking mid-sentence for the momentary debate of whether or not to continue. But in the end the decision was made to remain beside the imposing figure of whom he could practically feel the rage radiating from as he silently questioned his own sanity before clearing his throat and masking his extreme nervousness before continuing to speak.
?
If I may, my lord, a number of the men were wondering if it would be possible for us to make a stop to rest soon. It has been a long few days. Everyone's tired, and we have multiple wounded who can't travel for such distances without aggravating their injuries further, so we were thinking that it might be better if...
The man stopped speaking and brought his horse to an abrupt halt as he quickly found a long blade pressed up against his throat. He tilted his head back slightly in an attempt to relieve the pressure, though it wasn't much help as he swallowed nervously and with just his eyes looked at the person beside him who held the blade.
?
(Irritated tone) It would be better for you, Leonidas if you shut up.
The man remained still as he felt the blade press a little closer into his neck but stopping before placing enough pressure to draw blood.
LEONIDAS
Yes my lord.
After a moment, the blade was taken away from the man's throat and returned to its sheathe as Leonidas rubbed his neck and the leader of their group continued on.
?
We'll get out of these woods and set up camp in the fields that aren't far from here.
LEONIDAS
Very well, my lord. I'll inform the others.
Getting no further response, Leonidas slowed down his steed as he fell back in with the rest of the group, as everyone carried on riding quietly for a while longer.
?
Okay, we can do this one of two ways.
A tall man, dressed in dark clothing, stood before a group of frightened villagers.
?
You can give us the girls and go back to those hovels you call homes...
He smiled an evil grin.
?
Or we can hack you all into little pieces and take the girls anyway. Either way, I get to have some fun.
He looked at the frightened group before seeing a young woman with brown hair that caught his eye.
?
You.
He grabbed the young woman by her arm and pulled her from the group.
YOUNG WOMAN 1
No, let me go!
She struggled against his tight grip, fighting to free herself as another young woman pushed herself to the front of the group.
YOUNG WOMAN 2
No Lila!
She stepped forward slightly as she looked at the man before her.
YOUNG WOMAN 2
Take me! Let the others go!
?
Now, why would I do that when I can easily take all of you.
He stepped closer to the young woman and loomed over her in a menacing manner.
?
Now get back in with the rest of the group before you make the mad.
The young woman stood defiantly before the larger man and refused to move.
YOUNG WOMAN
Not without my sister. Now let her go.
The man looked at the woman who was in his grasp for a moment and smiled.
?
Oh, so this is your sister, huh?
(Threatening tone) Well then if you don't want anything to happen to her, I would suggest you be a good little girl, do as you're told and get back in line.
The defiant young woman didn't say anything as she simply scowled at the man for a moment before stepping back with the others as the man smiled.
?
Now that's more like it.
The man then turned around for a moment to speak to some of the other men with him. Then as he spoke, he suddenly felt something hard hit the back of his head and quickly spun back around to face the group as he put his hand to his head and spotted the small rock at his feet before sneering at the group as he picked up the rock.
?
(Angry tone) Whoever this had better step forward right now, or I'll be sure to make every single second of all of your all of lives a living nightmare for as long as you're in my possession.
The group fell silent as he waited for someone to come forward. But after a moment and when no one admitted to throwing the rock, he grew tired of waiting and held out his hand towards one of the other men, who handed him a whip.
?
(Angry tone) No one wants to come forward? Fine, I'll just have to teach you all a lesson together.
He then proceeded to raise his arm and was just about to bring down the whip on one of the villagers in the front of the group when the same young woman who had dared to stand up to him before spoke up.
YOUNG WOMAN 2
No, don't! It was me. I threw it.
The man looked at the young woman as he lowered the whip and smiled as he walked up to her.
?
There that wasn't so hard, now was it?
He looked at the young woman for a moment before his smile faded, and he threw a hard slap across her face that knocked her to the ground.
LILA
No stop!
The young woman in the group was held back by the others as she tried to run to her sister, who layed in the dirt holding her cheek as she felt the sting of the hit and looked up at the man now standing over her.
?
Maybe now you see that this isn't a game, little girl and that it's in your best interests to listen and do what you're told.
He then kicked her in her ribs, and she grabbed at her side as she rolled over and curled up in an attempt to shield herself from several more blows that rained down on various plants of her body. All the while, the sounds of multiple people screaming could be heard as they begged and pleaded with him to stop.
?
Pick her up and let's finally get going. We were already late as it was, and having to stop to teach some stupid little bitch a lesson killed even more time than I really would have liked.
He then turned around and began walking away, as a couple of the other men grabbed the young woman and roughly pulled her to her feet and shoved her towards the rest of the captives. With a split lip and hair body hurting all over, the young woman held her side as she painfully stood among the villagers once again.
LILA
No Gabrielle.
Lila moved to her sister as did an older woman held Gabrielle as she stood slightly unbalanced. The man in charge of the rest then gave a signal to the others to move out, and the group of villagers were moved along as they began making their way to wherever they were being taken. Everyone traveled in silence for a bit before while walking in the back of the group, Lila heard Gabrielle who was walking with her head down mutter something.
LILA
(Whisper) What did you say, Gabrielle? I didn't hear you.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) I said stay with mother and the others, I'm gonna try and get out of here and see if I can find help.
LILA
(Whisper) Are you crazy, Gabrielle?! You're already hurt from them beating you just for speaking up back there. Who knows what they'll do to you if you try to run away.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) And do you have any idea what will happen to us once we're sold off into slavery? Because I can pretty much guarantee that it won't be anything good.
LILA
(Whisper) They never said anything about selling us into slavery.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper/ slightly annoyed tone) What did you think they were planning on doing with us?
Lila looked at the ground sadly as they continued to walk.
LILA
(Sad tone/ Whisper) Honestly, I've trying not to think about it
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Well, someone needs to do something before it's too late.
LILA
(Whisper) How Gabrielle? What are we supposed to do? If we try and fight back, you know what will happen.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Maybe. But that's only if they can catch us.
LILA
(Whisper) There's no way we're all out running all of these armed men without any of us getting caught again and possibly killed.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) You're right. But if only one of us tries to sneak away without them noticing, then they can go find help.
LILA
(Whisper) Gabrielle, you know everyone in our village. Do you honestly think that someone is going to be able to out run these guys long enough to escape, then find help, then somehow make it back to find and free the rest of us?
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Well, it beats doing nothing.
LILA
(Whisper) And just who is supposed to do this? And how without getting caught.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Simple, you're gonna cause a distraction, and then I'll make a run for it.
LILA
(Whisper) Absolutely not! Gabrielle, what you're thinking of doing is suicide.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) Maybe it is, but I can't just stand by and do nothing while everyone gets sold off into an unimaginable life of suffering. Especially you and mother.
LILA
(Whisper) ... Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
(Whisper) If I don't make it back, try to stay safe and take care of mother and father. I love you, Lila.
Gabrielle held Lila's hand for a moment before letting go and giving her sister a sad smile, knowing that she would most likely be killed for attempting this. But the thought that she could help her mother, sister and the others that were captured escape safely, then that was a risk she was willing to take. So with somewhat of a plan in mind, Gabrielle made her way to the front of the group as she scooped up several stones along the way. The leader of the group of men who had taken them was riding in front of her group as he felt a small, hard object hit him. He growled as he already assumed who the perpetrator was and wasn't surprised when he turned around and saw Gabrielle as she chucked another stone at him.
?
(Angry tone) That's it! You're clearly more trouble than you're worth. The Hades to what Draco says. This little bitch is better off dead. Get her!
SLAVER
But Hector...
HECTOR
(Angry tone) I said get her!
A few of the other men rushed towards Gabrielle, who ran off as they chased after her. And as she disappeared, Lila watched and prayed to any gods that might've been listening that Gabrielle would be okay. But what no one could have ever seen coming was what would actually happen to Gabrielle as she did her best to ignore the pain from the beating she had endured and moved as fast as she could with her pursuers hot on her trail. And while running away from a truly awful situation, she had no idea that she was inadvertently heading straight into another one. Of which many might have argued that compared to being sold into slavery, what layed ahead for Gabrielle would be a far worse fate.
TO BE CONTINUED...