GABRIELLE
(Thinking out loud) What to do? What to do?
Xena stood watching Gabrielle walk back and forth as the blonde woman thought about what they should do now that the two were faced with making what looked to be an impossible decision.
GABRIELLE
Two villages in dire straits. I hate it when that happens. I guess we'll have to methodically examine the needs of each village and then determine where we can do the most good.
Gabrielle moved over to Argo and began looking through her bag for an empty scroll.
GABRIELLE
I think we should make a list to see which village is in the most immediate danger. Which has the most to lose, giant versus warlord, and so on. It might not be easy, but I'm confident that in the end, we'll make the right call.
XENA
Heads. Giant it is.
Gabrielle looked over at Xena who was putting the coin she had just flipped away as the blonde closed her satchel back up.
GABRIELLE
Of course, we can always go with that too.
With the decision of where to go made, the dark-haired woman turned her attention toward the man who had come to them for help.
XENA
Alright, now where's your village?
HOWER
Oh. It's this way.
Hower turned slightly as he motioned down the road.
HOWER
I can take you there if you'd like.
XENA
Lead the way.
The man smiled as he turned fully to begin walking.
GABRIELLE
Hey! Hower! Does your village have a shop or something where I can get a frying pan?
Xena glanced over at the younger woman with an annoyed look on her face at the mention of the cooking utensil.
XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) You know, I really don't wanna hear about this all day.
GABRIELLE
Ok sure, I'll drop it.
(Sarcasm) I suppose raw meat can't kill you, right?
The warrior just rolled her eyes in reply before moving to follow Hower to his village with Gabrielle and playfully nudged her in minor annoyance, only to have the bard do the same and stumble back when the larger warrior didn't budge, getting a small chuckle out of her as a result.
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The small group walked along the road for a bit as Gabrielle and Xena followed Hower, making casual conversation to pass the time. All seemed to be going smoothly until without warning, Gabrielle swung her staff directly at Xena's face. Using her lightning-quick reflexes, the warrior effortlessly caught the staff as the two women stood there smirking at each other for a moment.
GABRIELLE
Ah ha! I almost had you that time.
XENA
(Teasing tone) You keep telling yourself that.
GABRIELLE
What are you talking about? I was this close.
The bard held up two fingers that were nearly touching as Xena then did the same.
XENA
(Teasing tone) You were this close because I let you get this close.
GABRIELLE
(Teasing tone) Sure, and you just keep telling yourself that, warrior princess.
Xena let go of the blonde woman's staff as she walked over to Hower who was standing nearby waiting for her and Gabrielle.
XENA
Hower, how big is this giant?
HOWER
Don't know. He-he's never been to our village before. He just sends threats through a messenger.
GABRIELLE
Then how do you know there's actually a giant coming for your village?
HOWER
We've heard about the village he's already destroyed in the next valley over.
XENA
So he's never been to your village, huh?
Gabrielle and Hower watched as the warrior became thoughtful for a moment.
XENA
I think we might be able to use that to our advantage and buy ourselves some time to come up with a plan.
Suddenly an audible growl rang out, causing Gabrielle and Hower to look in the direction of the source of the sound.
XENA
What? I haven't eaten yet today, okay?
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) Really, Xena? Why not?
Gabrielle eyed Xena, who gave the blonde an unamused look in return before the warrior turned her attention to their temporary travel companion.
XENA
Hower, is there a creek or stream nearby?
HOWER
Ah, yeah, just over that ridge.
The man pointed to his right, where a series of rolling hills layed not far away.
XENA
Great. Let's take a detour and get something to eat.
GABRIELLE
Fish sounds good.
(Sarcasm) You know, a frying pan would sure come in handy right about now.
Xena glared at the younger woman.
XENA
(Irritated tone) Get off it, Gabrielle.
The bard just smirked as she, Xena, and Hower took a short detour to get some lunch.
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HOWER
Doesn't she need a fishing pole?
Hower glanced over at Gabrielle, who was seated next to him in the grass on the bank of a small creek as they watched Xena wading into the water after removing her boots.
GABRIELLE
Nah, that's not really her style. Like most other things, when it comes to fishing, Xena prefers taking a much more hands-on approach.
Keeping her eyes on the water, the warrior called back to the shore.
XENA
What do you like, Hower? Trout or perch?
HOWER
Trout.
GABRIELLE
I'll take salmon.
XENA
Wrong kind of creek, wrong season, wrong-
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) Fine, how about eel?
The dark-haired woman eyed the blonde suspiciously.
XENA
(Flat tone) Eel.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) What?
XENA
Fine. Eel it is.
(Thinking to herself unamused) She thinks she's sooo funny.
Xena's eyes then happened to look a little further up the bank of the creek where she spotted something.
XENA
Look over there, horse tracks. And lots of them too. My guess is they were likely made by Zagreas' army. From the looks of 'em, I don't think they were here that long ago. So it likely won't be long before they reach Piedmont.
GABRIELLE
What are we gonna do? I wish we could save that little village from being raided.
The dark-haired woman returned to looking into the water.
XENA
Well, it's a good thing I'm not gonna let that happen, Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena, how are you gonna stop it. You can't be in two places at once.
XENA
I don't have to be.
Suddenly Xena's hands shot down into the water as she grabbed something swimming by and pulled a large, squirming eel out of the creek.
XENA
Here you go, Gabrielle. One eel. Nice and fresh.
Before she could get the chance to react, the bard was slapped in the face with the long, slimy fish that had been tossed at her before it landed wiggling in her lap. Letting out a small scream, Gabrielle quickly threw the eel off of her and wiped the wetness from her face.
GABRIELLE
(Sarcasm) That's real funny, Xena.
The warrior laughed quietly as she walked a little deeper into the water to find some bigger fish.
HOWER
Hey, Gabrielle, mind if I ask you something?
The bard finished drying her face and wiped her hands on her skirt.
GABRIELLE
Sure.
HOWER
Does Xena ever think about settling down or getting married?
The blonde woman smiled.
GABRIELLE
No, she likes what I do...
Before she could continue, Gabrielle was once again hit in the face with a flying fish that she threw off of her and shot Xena an annoyed look as she continued talking to Hower.
GABRIELLE
I think she likes what she's doing. No, I don't think getting married is for Xena. She seems to be enjoying things as they are now.
HOWER
Hmm, maybe she just hasn't met the right guy.
GABRIELLE
Actually s...
Yet again, Gabrielle had another wiggling fish thrown at her, and she let out an annoyed grumble before looking at Hower, who had clearly developed a crush on the warrior woman and decided to put an end to their conversation.
GABRIELLE
Hower, would you mind getting some wood so we can get a fire going? We're gonna have to cook these fish.
The bard paused as she remembered their lack of things to cook in.
GABRIELLE
...Somehow.
HOWER
Sure thing.
Gabrielle watched as the man stood up and walked off to gather some firewood and Xena came to sit next to Gabrielle, stretching out her long legs as she leaned back against the tree.
GABRIELLE
Another one's fallen for you.
Xena made a small, annoyed sigh as she looked at the younger woman.
XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Again?
GABRIELLE
Yup.
The warrior watched unamused as Hower looked up from grabbing a small, broken branch from the ground and smiled at her.
XENA
(Slightly annoyed tone) Why does this always happen?
Gabrielle chuckled.
GABRIELLE
Tall, powerful woman that walks around in leather. Some guys just love that sort of thing.
Xena smirked as she glanced toward the woman sitting beside her.
XENA
(Joking tone) Yeah, because they're definitely the only ones.
Gabrielle didn't say anything as she just shook her head slightly at Xena calling her out and the warrior spotted Hower sneaking another infatuated glance her way and lost her grin.
XENA
(Flat tone) I think maybe a wardrobe change is in order.
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) You could switch to chain mail.
XENA
Yeah, but I think that'd just attract a kinkier group.
Xena smirked as Gabrielle chuckled at the comment.
GABRIELLE
You might have a point there.
XENA
(Joking tone) I suppose I could just stop bathing and wear a smelly wolf skin or something. That'd probably turn 'em off.
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) Sure. But then you'd also be traveling alone.
The pair giggled again as Hower made his way over to them and held out some freshly picked flowers for Xena.
HOWER
Flowers for a flower.
The raven-haired woman sighed as she took the flowers, not wanting to hurt the man's feelings as she stood up.
XENA
Oh, gee, thanks, Hower.
Xena looked at Gabrielle who shrugged for what she should say before the warrior turned her attention back to Hower.
XENA
(Lying) I need to go check on Argo.
Standing up, Xena grabbed her boots and walked away muttering to herself as Hower smiled at Gabrielle.
HOWER
Did you see that? She took the flowers! She likes me.
No longer finding someone else pinning for the woman she loved amusing, Gabrielle rolled her eyes and stood up as she wished that Xena had just been honest with Hower about his chances with her before picking up the bucket of fish to go make lunch.
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It was a little after lunch had been cooked and eaten, and Xena had decided to send Hower on an errand to get him to take a break from him gawking at her for a bit. After everything had been cleaned up, Gabrielle sat thinking of a new part of a story that she had been working on and stood up to go write it down.
GABRIELLE
Ah, here it is.
The bard found and pulled out the scroll she wanted and began to unroll it when she realized that it had a large torn-off piece missing.
GABRIELLE
What in the...?
?
Whew, that's better.
Hearing the voice behind her, Gabrielle looked back to see Xena emerging from some bushes who had not long before left to go answer nature's call and Gabrielle suddenly realized what had happened to the parchment. She scowled angrily as she stormed over to the warrior, holding up the torn paper.
GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) You used my scrolls?!
Knowing that she was clearly in trouble with the bard, Xena quickly began trying to explain herself.
XENA
Now, take it easy. There were no good leaves in the bush.
She pointed to the ripped portion of the scroll.
XENA
I made sure I only used a piece that didn't have much writing on it.
GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) You know what Xena, sometimes you...
The young woman was about to give Xena a piece of her mind when the ground suddenly shook and the two looked off into the distance.
XENA
The giant's coming. Come on, I have an idea.
The dark-haired woman hurried off as Gabrielle looked at her torn scroll before clutching tightly in her frustrated fist as she stomped after Xena as they hurried to reach the village before the giant and it would be too late.
TO BE CONTINUED...