The sun was high as another day of life on the road came for Xena and Gabrielle. On this particular day, the warrior stood by the side of the dirt path, with Argo watching the younger woman with an unamused look on her face.
XENA
I still don't think this is a good idea.
GABRIELLE
You worry too much, Xena. Relax, I got this.
The bard stood ready to run as she eyed her staff that rested horizontally between some low-hanging tree branches. Then after a moment, she ran toward the staff, and once she got close, jumped up and forward, grabbing the staff and using it to help her flip head over heels in midair before landing on her feet.
GABRIELLE
Hey, I did it!
XENA
(flat tone) Terrific.
Now, I suggest you stop before you hurt yourself. So let's go. I'd like to get to Thessaly at some point.
GABRIELLE
Hold on. I just wanna try one more thing.
Gabrielle walked over to the dark-haired woman and pulled a small doll made out of toothpicks from her cleavage. Xena raised a curious eyebrow at the item that she noticed looked oddly familiar.
XENA
Did you make a doll of me?
Gabrielle rolled her eyes.
GABRIELLE
It's for visual aid.
She took the toothpick doll and began to move and rotate it in a mini-arc as she spoke.
GABRIELLE
You see, I've worked out the mechanics, the speed, trajectory, and finally, the arc of the spin. I've broken down all your flip's motions to its most basic and simple steps.
XENA
Basic and simple steps, huh?
(Sarcasm) Alright, smarty-pants, then what foot do I start on?
The bard replied with a playful, smug smirk.
GABRIELLE
Don't try to confuse me.
She tucked the little doll back into her shirt as she turned around and began confidently walking away.
GABRIELLE
Just you watch. This time, no staff
XENA
Gabrielle, before I tried the flip without the help of a staff, I made three hundred attempts with it.
GABRIELLE
(Joking tone) Slow learner, huh, Xena? You know, basket weaving used to give me a hard time.
XENA
If you insist on doing this, you take off on the right foot, but I'd rather you didn't.
(Muttering to herself) Smart ass.
GABRIELLE
Relax, if I do mess up, it's not like it's gonna kill me. Let me try it one
time, okay? That's all I need.
The bard stood ready once again before taking off in a sprint. After several long strides, Gabrielle planted her left foot on a small rock and used it to propel herself forward.
XENA
(Talking to herself) Wrong foot.
The warrior looked on as Gabrielle did in fact flip as the bard had planned. However, actually landing the stunt properly was a different story as she came down much harder on one leg and twisted her ankle as a result. Sighing to herself, Xena walked over to where the bard was laid out to check on her.
WWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW
GABRIELLE
I'm telling you, it's nothing serious. My ankle is fine.
The young woman tried her best to hide a painful grimace as she used her staff for leverage while limping down the road not long after her failed flip attempt.
XENA
Come on, stop being so stubborn.
Xena walked slowly behind the woman with Argo at her side as she watched her struggle.
XENA
So you tried something new and it didn't work out this time. It happens. Just let me take a look at it.
GABRIELLE
Would you stop? I said I'm fi-INE!
Gabrielle let out a painful yelp as the other woman reached down and took hold of her ankle.
XENA
(Sarcasm) Gee, good thing it's nothing serious.
Xena felt the bard's ankle, who made another pained groan.
XENA
Already swollen.
GABRIELLE
I'll walk it off.
The blonde stubbornly took her foot from the warrior's grasp.
XENA
I'm not gonna say I told you so.
GABRIELLE
I'm sure you'll work it in.
She again began to slowly amble away as Xena sighed before suddenly shouting to the bard.
XENA
Gabrielle, quick! Get down!
Instantly, believing there must have been some kind of danger, the young woman dove to the ground as Xena grabbed and threw her chakram. However, instead of the weapon being sent toward an oncoming threat, it sliced up the side of Gabrielle's boot, who looked at her now-destroyed footwear before turning her attention to the warrior with a scowl.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) These were good boots, Xena. Why'd you do that?
XENA
I'm testing a new theory for treating sprains. Elevation and ice-cold water.
GABRIELLE
(Irritated tone) I'm curious to know what that has to do with carving up my only pair of boots.
Xena helped Gabrielle up to sit on a nearby rock as she took off the cut boot.
XENA
Well, the tight boot would just make it swell more.
GABRIELLE
(Slightly irritated stone) Yeah, well, I'm not very thirsty. And now you owe me a nice pair of boots.
XENA
Yeah, yeah.
The warrior flicked at the young woman's ankle.
GABRIELLE
Ow!
Gabrielle eyed the woman as Xena began wrapping the bard's sore ankle.
SOLDIER
You, there! Run for your lives!
Hearing the shouting, both women looked to see a man running toward them, And the warrior stood to meet him as he stopped in front of her, huffing as he tried to catch his breath.
XENA
What's going on?
SOLDIER
A fleet of tall, foreign ships carrying a massive army landed on the shore two nights ago. They laid waste to our troops in Marathon. And now they're heading this way on a march toward Athens.
XENA
Tall ships with three masts and two rows of oarsmen?
SOLDIER
That's right.
The man looked at Xena in surprise at how quickly she was able to guess what they were up against.
XENA
Persians.
GABRIELLE
Persians? From the way you're talking, I'm guessing you've fought them before.
The warrior turned her attention to the blonde.
XENA
Gabrielle, we're talking about the most ruthless army to ever go to war. If they reach Athens, there's no question that Greece will be lost.
Hearing the seriousness in the raven-haired woman's voice, Gabrielle knew immediately just how dire the situation must have been.
GABRIELLE
But what are we going to do?
XENA
The only thing we can do to save Greece from falling. Stop them.
TO BE CONTINUED…