Gabrielle stretched a bit as she stood out in the morning sunlight, before picking a few pieces of hay out of her hair and turning to look at Xena who had walked out of the barn right behind her.
GABRIELLE
I think I'm gonna get some goose eggs for the road. You want me to grab anything else while I'm at it?
XENA
No. I think we're good on everything.
GABRIELLE
Okay. I'll meet you out by the city entrance in a little while then.
Giving Xena a quick smile, the bard began making her way toward the market as Joxer quickly followed and caught up with her.
JOXER
Oh, can I go with you?
Hearing Joxer call after her, Gabrielle stopped and looked back at the man.
JOXER
I mean, uh, you know, it's kind of a dangerous town and, um, it might not be safe for you to wander around by yourself.
The blonde smirked.
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) You're right. Xena should go.
JOXER
Why Xena? I'm the one who got us those goose eggs to begin with. I mean, if you want a big goose egg, I'm your man.
Gabrielle smirked at the comment as she pictured how clumsy Joxer could be at times and watched him walk off to get the aforementioned eggs.
XENA
So, when do you plan on telling 'em you don't like goose eggs?
The bard just gave a shrug and a smirk as she walked off, before Xena followed not far behind.
Xena and Gabrielle made their way down the busy city streets, as the bard took in the sights and made a few brief stops at the various stalls along the way. However, Gabrelle's casual browsing was soon interrupted when both she and Xena overheard loud shouting that rang out over the rest of the busy people around them, and the pair's attention was pulled to a sudden commotion that had broken out.
GABRIELLE
Wonder what's going on over there?
XENA
Let's find out.
The warrior began moving toward the crowd as Gabrielle quickly put back what she had picked up to look at, and followed Xena to investigate. Walking closer, the pair saw that two men were arguing.
JOXER
Hey now, why don't we all just calm down here.
?
I don't wanna fight you, Tybelus.
The man who was just referred to as Tybelus stepped closer to the other unknown man as he drew the sword from his side.
TYBELUS
(Angry tone) As if I care what you want. Now defend yourself, or prepare to die right here and now.
Again Joxer spoke up to try and calm the two arguing men down before things got out of hand.
JOXER
Let me interject.
XENA
Joxer.
Xena approached the group as she tried getting Joxer's attention over the shouting by calling him again. But as the warrior neared the trio, she saw one of the unfamiliar men suddenly lunge for the other as an all out fight quickly erupted.
XENA
Hey!
Jumping into action, the raven-haired woman moved to break up the fight, grabbing one of the assailants by the shirt and pulling him away.
GABRIELLE
Joxer, what are you doing? I thought you were getting more eggs.
Hearing the young woman call him, Joxer turned around slowly.
GABRIELLE
Joxer?
Both Gabrielle and Xena froze in their tracks at what they saw as Joxer held up a hand that was covered in blood. Leaving Xena to notice even more of it coming from the man's side, before his legs gave out and Gabrielle caught him.
GABRIELLE
Joxer!
The young woman lowered the injured Joxer to the ground as Xena swiftly crouched in front of them to see what she could do as the other woman looked at her.
GABRIELLE
Xena.
The warrior was silent as she felt for a pulse and got a better look at the man's wound before taking her hand away and giving Gabrielle a mournful look.
XENA
He's gone.
GABRIELLE
No.
The bard shook her head in disbelief as the reality of the situation set in and she lowered her eyes to Joxer's motionless body in front of her.
DABRIELLE
(Sad tone) No, Joxer.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
It was dark as Gabrielle stood on the bank of a river not far from the city, watching the flames that rose from the funeral pyre as Xena sang a song of mourning for their now deceased friend.
GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself sadly) Joxer. This can't be real. You can't actually be gone.
The bard wiped her tears as she heard Xena finish singing and looked over at the warrior.
GABRIELLE
(Sad tone) This is all my fault, Xena. If I hadn't sent Joxer for those eggs, he'd still be…
XENA
(Soft tone) No, Gabrielle.
The dark-haired woman put her arm around the bard and held her close as she tried to comfort her.
XENA
None of this is your fault. Joxer died a hero, just like he always wanted.
The two stood there watching the flames in silence for a little longer before the warrior looked down at the other woman who had her head resting against her chest.
XENA
It's been a long day. Come on, let's get some rest.
GABRIELLE
I don't know. I don't think I can.
XENA
We can at least lay down and try. Come on.
Xena took the bard's hand and led her away from the water, where she spread out a blanket and the two laid down, with Gabrielle wrapped in the warrior's arms.
XENA
Sleep now. It'll hurt less in the morning.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
All was still as the sun rose on another day, and Xena and Gabrielle laid sound asleep. That was until the warrior heard an oddly familiar sound that woke her, leaving the woman confused at what she saw when she opened her eyes to find herself looking up at the ceiling of a building instead of the open sky that she had fallen asleep under the night before.
XENA
(Thinking to herself) Where am I?
The warrior looked around for a moment as her concern quickly shifted to Gabrielle and where the bard might be now if she had also been moved from where the two had slept the night before.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Xena was about to sit up, when she heard the sound of a door open, followed by the sound of a familiar voice that caused the warrior to question her normally incredible senses when she saw someone step into the doorway with a friendly shout.
JOXER
Rise and shine everyone, rise and shine.
TO BE CONTINUED…
