There was a new wave of chaos in the temple as more injured people were being brought in. But for all the new arrivals in need of treatment, Xena's sole focus in that moment was Gabrielle as she rushed over to the soldier who was carrying her.
XENA
Gabrielle.
Looking at the young woman, Xena could see that she had multiple cuts and bruises all over her body and hoped that the extent of Gabrielle's injuries weren't actually as bad as they appeared.
XENA
Here, put her down.
The warrior quickly moved to the nearest open bed and motioned for who brought her in to lay her there so she could look her over.
XENA
It's okay, Gabrielle. Just relax. You're safe.
Xena cupped Gabrielle's cheek as she let her thumb gently brush a fresh bruise that had begun to form, and tried to reassure herself that the young bard would be okay.
XENA
You're safe now.
After standing there for a long moment as she took in the terrible state that Gabrielle was in, Xena set her focus to what needed to be done and proceeded with her examination and treatment of the other woman.
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It was a while later, as Xena finished stitching up yet another wound. She then shouted out instructions to someone else that was tending to another patient, who had been brought in at the same time as Gabrielle.
XENA
Make sure that soldier doesn't fall asleep. If he does, he may never wake up.
GALEN
If she had hit him an inch lower, she could've killed the monster.
Xena dipped her hands into a nearby bucket of water as she washed her last patient's blood from her hands.
XENA
Gabrielle knew that, that's why he's still alive.
MARMAX
Are you telling me that she'd rather die, than take the life of a man she doesn't even know?
XENA
Gabrielle lives by her own code. That code doesn't include killing.
MARMAX
As I said before, a girl like that should not be brought into a war zone.
Xena didn't say anything as a part of her agreed with the soldie, and instead decided to go check on Gabrielle.
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Feeling a light touch on her arm, Gabrielle opened her eyes to see Xena standing beside the bed where she laid.
XENA
(Soft tone) Hey, I didn't wake you did I?
Gabrielle opened her heavy eyes.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Xena, where's Ephiny?
XENA
Ephiny?
Xena motioned over her shoulder.
XENA
She's just over there.
EPHINY
Actually I'm right here.
Hearing the Amazon's voice, Xena turned slightly to see the woman walking over to Gabrielle's bed.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Good.
The bard looked at the Amazon, as she continued to speak.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) I want... I want you to take my... my right of caste.
Both Ephiny and Xena looked at each other for a second, neither liking the way Gabrielle was talking, before the Amazon returned her attention to the young woman in bed.
XENA
Stop talking like that Gabrielle, you're...
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Xena, don't.
Gabrielle cut the warrior off before she could go any further with her insistance that she would recover from her injuries.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) I know you don't wanna hear it, but this is important.
Gabrielle's attention returned to Ephiny.
GABRIELLE
(Weak tone) Please Ephiny, I want you to have it. I won't be needing it soon enough.
Having already lost so many of her Amazon sisters from various conflicts, and then the father of her unborn child just a few days prior to the horrific war they were unwillingly stuck in the middle of, Ephiny was determined not to lose yet another person that she cared for. However, at the same time she felt that if Gabrielle was to succumb to her injuries, how could she deny her fellow Amazon and friend her final request to give her something so important to not only their people, but to Gabrielle herself?
EPHINY
(Somber tone) Gabrielle.
Ephiny looked at Xena who she could tell was about to interrupt the unpleasant conversation, but was herself interrupted when a messenger came running through the temple until he found the head priest that was standing nearby.
MESSENGER
Galen, the Mitoans are on the move. They're coming this way. What do we do?
Hearing the news, and taking stock of the influx of injured that had come into the temple recently, Xena realized what must've been happening.
XENA
They must smell victory. They'll destroy anything in their path at this point.
The head priest scowled.
GALEN
(Stern tone) Well, I'm not leaving. They won't dare desecrate my temple!
Xena looked at the priest.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Fine, you can be a martyr and die to protect a building, meanwhile we'll take care of getting the the people out out of here that you say your faith would have you help
HIPPOCRATES
I'll get the walking patients out of here.
The warrior glanced at the younger priest as he hurried off to begin helping people evacuate before looking back to the head priest.
XENA
Well at least one of you seems to practice what you preach.
Not having a retort for Xena's comment, Galen scowled and without a word stormed away as Xena joined the others in doing whatever they could to save the people who were too injured to be moved.
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With the less critically injured people out of the temple and what defenses that could be mustered set up, Xena stood over Gabrielle who was asleep for the moment. Standing against the wall across from her, Marmax could see the clear worry on the warrior woman's face as she glanced up at him.
XENA
(Somber tone) You were right, I never should have brought her here.
MARMAX
I guess we all make mistakes.
XENA
My pride may have killed my best friend.
Suddenly there was a loud crash that shook the building that brought a new sense of urgency to their situation.
XENA
Catapults. We're caught in the crossfire between the Thessalian's defense and the Mitoan advance.
Immediately, Xena began to move.
XENA
We need to get out of here. Now!
MARMAX
My forces are converging on this temple. If we overrun them in the valley, we cut off their attack. .
XENA
That can work.
HIPPOCRATES
Where can we go?
XENA
Doesn't matter as long as it's not here. This building's gonna come down.
HIPPOCRATES
But many of these patients can't be moved.
XENA
I know. I'll stay with them. Marmax will move his men to higher ground, which allow you and everyone able to leave a safe way out of here
The soldier nodded in agreement with Xena's order, and began to ready people to leave.
HIPPOCRATES
What about you and those who can't be moved? If you stay here, you'll die.
XENA
(Stern tone) There's no time for debate, I'll keep everyone here safe, now go.
With that Xena moved to do anything she could to keep the people still in the temple protected but was stopped when she heard Marmax call her.
MARMAX
Xena, over here. Quick!
Hearing the sense of urgency in the man's voice, Xena hurried over to where Marmax was assisting Ephiny as the Amazon cried out in pain.
EPHINY
The baby, it's coming!
Immediately, Xena's focus shifted to helping deliver the baby that couldn't have picked a worse time to come. However, after a lot of trying, it soon became clear that something was wrong when the baby wouldn't come. Xena knew she needed to act fast if she was going to save both the baby and Ephiny.
XENA
Marmax, hand me that knife.
After using one of the tricks she knew to block pain on Ephiny, with help from Marmax, Xena got to work and soon the cry of a healthy baby was heard. But as Xena finished making sure that everything there was taken care of, she heard a strange sound that brought her attention to Gabrielle who had begun convulsing uncontrollably.
XENA
Gabrielle!
The warrior rushed as fast as she could back to the young woman's side, as she tried to hold her still.
MARMAX
What's wrong with her?
XENA
I don't know!
Fear had set in, not knowing what else to do, Xena tried to keep Gabrielle's body still as the younger woman continued to shake for several more moments, until with a loud gasp, Gabrielle's body suddenly went still.
XENA
Gabrielle?
Xena gently shook the young woman to try and wake her, but didn't get any reaction as Gabrielle remained completely unresponsive.
HIPPOCRATES
She's dead.
Xena scowled as she looked at the young man.
XENA
She is not dead. I wouldn't let her. Come on, Gabrielle, wake up.
Once again, Xena shook Gabrielle to try waking her
XENA
Come on, wake up... You're scaring me. Wake up.
Xena could hear her heart begin to pound in her ears as everything around her faded away. A level of fear and dread took over as she continued to try and get any kind of response from the other woman before her, as now Gabrielle had stopped breathing.
XENA
Wake up. Gabrielle, breathe. Come on. Come on, breathe. Breathe! Maybe she just needs air.
Xena put her lips to Gabrielle's to try forcing air into her lungs. But again there was no esponse.
XENA
Come on, breathe!
Xena's eyes started to overflow and tears began to run down her face.
XENA
Just breathe.
Xena felt a hand on her shoulder as the young priest tried to comfort her.
HIPPOCRATES
Please, you need to stop. There's nothing you can do. I'm sorry, your friend is gone.
TO BE CONTINUED...