Standing in the kitchen along with Cyrene and the rest of the kitchen staff, Xena clung tight to the cloak and shirt of Isidora who she had just been caught suspiciously trying to run off while the Conqueror had been briefly informing her mother about Gabrielle having been poisoned. And though the old woman struggled to get free from Xena's grasp, she was unable to pry the woman's hands off of her as she found herself being dragged away from the window she had tried escaping from and shoved against the nearby wall.
CYRENE
Xena! I get that you're upset, but she's an old woman.
Xena glanced over at Cyrene for a moment.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) Age means nothing. Anyone can be a killer or become one at any time I don't care if she's two hundred years old. If she tried to murder someone, especially someone like Gabrielle, I'll make damn sure that she pays for it.
CYRENE
Xena, I understand that sometimes Isidora can be a bit... abrasive.
Isidora scowled at the comment as Cyrene continued pleading her case.
CYRENE
But that doesn't mean she's an attempted murderer.
XENA
And we also don't know she's not. After all, it's never a very good look when a crime is simply mentioned and someone just suddenly takes off for seemingly no reason.
Xena looked at Isidora who simply glared at her.
XENA
Isn't that right?
The old woman said nothing as Cyrene continued to try and get a full grasp on the situation, as she couldn't think of why anyone would want to kill Gabrielle. Least of all an old woman of whom to Cyrene's knowledge, Gabrielle hadn't had a lot of interaction with for the as long as she had been there.
CYRENE
But you don't know if she's the one responsible. It could be someone else. Plus, are you absolutely certain that Gabrielle was in fact poisoned?
XENA
Without a doubt.
Xena returned her attention to Isidora.
CYRENE
But why? Why would anyone want to kill Gabrielle?
XENA
You do remember that this isn't the first time someone's tried killing her.
Xena quickly reminded Cyrene of the events that took place involving the Amazon's and how Gabrielle had become a target by Velasca after Gabrielle had been granted Terreis's rite of caste as the young Amazon princess laid dying after Velasca's attempt at killing both Terreis and queen Melosa in herquest to seize the Amazon throne.
CYRENE
Oh, I see your point. But that was a completely different scenario. What reason could Isidora possibly have to make an attempt on Gabrielle's life?
The elderly woman cackled, drawing Cyrene and Xena's attention as she spoke.
ISIDORA
(Ominous tone) For being the great and powerful ruler you claim to be, you don't even know what's happening right under your own roof.
A fierce scowl formed on the Conqueror's face at the words Isidora spoke.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) So you admit it was you.
ISIDORA
(Ominous tone) I never said that. But I am curious to know just how long it took until you gave up trying to bring a corpse back to life. How long did Gabrielle lay gasping for air as you looked on, unable to do anything until she finally stopped struggling completely.
The words hitting Xena's ears as Isidora spoke so coldly about Gabrielle dying caused the Conqueror to see red as in an instant her hand shot out and grabbed the old woman by her throat lifting her off the floor and pinning her against the wall.
XENA
(Angry tone) I'll kill you.
The woman's feet remained suspended off the ground, kicking frantically while Isidora fought to pry Xena's hands from her neck as the Conqueror squeezed tighter, completely cutting off the woman's airway.
XENA
(Sinsister/ Mocking tone) What's the matter, can't breathe?
Xena started coldly at the struggling women as Cyrene's calls for her to stop were seemingly not even heard by the enraged Conqueror who squeezed tighter as the thought of someone heartlessly trying to kill Gabrielle ran through her mind. But then as her mind flashed to images of Gabrielle, and she remembered the terrified look Gabrielle had anytime she had witnessed Xena's brutal acts of anger and violence. Then Xena thought how if Gabrielle could see her at that moment that she would certainly have the very same expression, and be terrified of the brutally that Xena was showing to an old woman. Women being something that unless skilled warriors like herself, Xena had sworn were off limits to receive her wrath and suddenly completely let go of Isidora and let the woman drop to the floor as the Conqueror walked a few steps away and ran her hands over her face and tried to bring her monstrous rage under control, as she heard Isidora gasp and cough now able to breathe again and laughed.
ISIDORA
(Breathing heavily) You've gotten soft, Conqueror. You can't even kill me for taking your precious little Gabrielle away from you.
Xena turned to face the old woman as she gave her a feral grin.
XENA
(Sinister tone) Then if I were you, I'd count yourself lucky that your little plan failed. Because if it hadn't, you would already be on a one way trip to the afterlife. Regardless of what my mother or anyone said or did.
Xena walked back over to Isidora, grabbing her by the arm and forcing the woman to her feet.
ISIDORA
What, she's still alive?!
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) That's right. You failed in whatever you were hoping to accomplish by killing her. And now you're gonna tell me exactly what it was that you had planned.
Isidora gave Xena an evil smirk.
ISIDORA
Make me. Oh, right you can't because you're afraid of what mommy and sweet, little Gabrielle will think of you if you go back to your heavy-handed and violent ways of getting what you want.
XENA
(Ominous tone) Is that what you think?
The old woman chuckled.
ISIDORA
Oh I know that for a fact. You see Xena much like everyone else around here, I've noticed you aren't the same woman we all knew until several months ago. You've changed Xena. You let your guard down and allowed yourself to form a very glaring weakness.
XENA
Quiet angry tone) A glaring weakness?
Xena thought for a quick second before realizing exactly what Isidora was talking about.
XENA
Quiet angry tone) You mean Gabrielle.
ISIDORA
That's right. Though it seems I didn't do quite enough to actually get the job done.
The old woman sighed.
ISIDORA
Draco isn't gonna be happy when he hears about this.
XENA
Quiet angry tone) Draco?
Xena clenched her teeth in an effort to restrain herself from brutally and savagely beating, then killing the remorseless woman who had nearly succeeded in killing Gabrielle. Instead, Xena grabbed Isidora by the front of her shirt and lifted her to look at her at eye level.
XENA
(Ominous tone) What the fuck does this have to do with Draco?!
Isidora laughed again.
ISIDORA
Oh poor, naive Xena. You really had no clue that I've been working for Draco as a spy for the entire time that I've been here.
XENA
How's that possible? You've been working here for years.
The old woman smiled.
ISIDORA
I know. And I was sure I'd be found out. But to my amazement, you apparently never suspected a thing.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) So this whole time, you've been working for Draco. Feeding him information about who knows what that you've seen and heard going on here.
Xena angerly slammed her fist on the counter beside her as she continued.
XENA
It's no wonder he's taken such a relaxed approach in his efforts to take me out.
Xena paused as a rather curious question came to mind.
XENA
But while Draco not coming after me directly now makes sense, what I don't get is why you would poison Gabrielle instead of coming after me directly?
ISIDORA
I wouldn't say that Gabrielle was my target specifically. It was more of a cover all to put the Aconite in both the wine and cider that was sent to your room. Though, the hope was that you would both drink it. Which would make you suffer even more as you lay watching Gabrielle die right in front of you while you lay unable to do anything to save her as you suffer the same fate.
XENA
I guess I'm lucky I only drank the water I already had in my room.
The Conqueror leaned closer to Isidora in an intimidating manner.
XENA
Thought you didn't do a very good job of hiding the taste. All it took was one sip for me to notice the drinks had been tampered with, along with what was put in 'em.
The old woman smirked.
ISIDORA
(insincerely) It's just too bad Gabrielle isn't quite as observant.
XENA
(Angry tone) You sadistic bitch.
The Conqueror put her hand on Isidora's throat again.
XENA
(Quiet angry tone) I should kill you right where you stand.
ISIDORA
(Gasping/ taunting tone) But I think we both know you won't. Not in front of your dear mother who you so desperately don't want to disappoint any further. And then if Gabrielle found out.
XENA
(Angry tone) Enough!
Unable to hold herself back any longer and in an explosion of vengeful rage, Xena balled up her fist and pulled back before quickly throwing it forward as Isidora flinched in fear of Xena's wrath as the Conqueror let out a furious yell and slammed her fist into the wall right beside the old woman's head. The woman froze in fear as Xena put her face barely inches from hers and stared at her with an almost crazed look in her eyes.
XENA
(Sinister tone) You think you have me all figured out, don't you? Well think again. Because you don't know nearly as much as you think you do. You or Draco.
An evil smile formed on the Conqueror's face.
XENA
(Sinister tone) Because in spite of yours or Draco's underhanded tactics you still couldn't succeed. Whether it was poisoning me directly or targeting her instead in order to try and make me vulnerable and distracted enough for him to take advantage and come after me in full force, giving him a much better opportunity for defeating me completely. And if you assumed due to my feelings for someone else that I wouldn't do anything to you or anyone else who attempts to come after me or anyone I care about, you have no idea just how very wrong you are.
ISIDORA
Really? Because from the way I see it, if what you just said was actually true, you would've just killed me already and been done with it.
XENA
(Sinister tone) Oh, but what you don't seem to understand is I realized that simply killing you right here and now would be much too simple. No, I don't plan on being nearly so lenient as to make your death a quick one.
Xena pulled back.
XENA
(Sinister tone) No, I'm gonna make you suffer. Much like the way you were so completely fine with making Gabrielle, a completely innocent person in all of this, suffer. And at the same time, I'll send a message to Draco, reminding him that he's living on borrowed time. Because if he thinks I'm just going to sit by and let this go, he has no clue what I'm capable of when someone really passes me off.
With that Xena grabbed Isidora by the arm and forcibly dragged the struggling women to the door of the kitchen as Cyrene saw the sheer rage in her eyes and knew it was best for her not to get in the Conqueror's way as she stood watching Xena and questioned how she could've believed that her daughter had actuality changed.
XENA
Take her to the dungeon. And make sure she's put in the coldest, darkest cell we have.
Outside the dinning room Xena spotted a couple guards that were making their rounds and shoved Isidora at them. Though unsure of what the keeps head cook could have done to warrant being ordered to be locked up, the guards responded with the standard "yes, my lord" as they didn't ask questions and took Isidora by her arms to escort her to a cell.
XENA
And make sure there's always a guard kept posted by her cell. I don't want her trying anything to get out of whatever punishment I decide to give her later.
Again the guards gave a "Yes my lord" and walked away with Isidora as the woman struggled to get free and yelled back at Xena.
ISIDORA
You think anything you do to me will make any difference? It's already too late, Xena. Even if it didn't work this time, how many times can you cheat death until your luck runs out? Draco's coming for you, Xena. And when he does, there won't be anything that will save you from him finally finishing this once and for all.
Xena glared at the woman as she was dragged further away.
XENA
Good. I'll be waiting.
The room was quite as the door slowly opened and Xena stepped back into her private quarters after taking a little time to calm down from confronting Isidora and the revelation of her being working for Draco and everything that came from it. She leaned her head back against the door as she found herself suddenly feeling tired and looked for the first time noticed just how late it was. So with a sigh Xena pushed herself off the door and moved to light a candle and brought it to her bedroom where she saw Gabrielle where she left her still tucked into her bed. The thoughts of how close it had come to Gabrielle falling victim to being nothing more than a pawn in the war between herself and Draco, gave Xena pause. Causing the question of what she was even actually fighting Draco for to cross her tired mind. But being too physically tired, as well as feeling mentally and emotionally exhausted from the days events to think about it anymore for the time being as well,Xena decided that nothing more could be done about it right then and pushed everything to the back of her mind as she changed into something more comfortable and sat on the edge of her bed, opposite to the side where she had placed Gabrielle earlier. The candle by the bedside illuminated the young woman's face with a soft glow as Xena sat there in silence for several moments watching Gabrielle sleep so peacefully. The effects of the attempt on her life not apparent, as Xena felt relieved that she had indeed managed to give Gabrielle the antidote to the poison in time. But even so Xena decided that it was better to heir on the side of caution and just let Gabrielle sleep right where she was so if needed Xena can keep an eye out for any more problems. So after getting under the covers and blowing out the candle, Xena laid there on her side and silently kept watch over Gabrielle through the quiet darkness until her heavy eyes finally closed, and her consciousness drifted away. And as Xena let herself surrender to her slumber, she had the thought of everything that had happened since she had first encountered the sleeping blonde next to her, and thought how she could no longer picture a life without Gabrielle by her side.
TO BE CONTINUED...