From her seat atop Argo, Gabrielle looked at the woman standing beside her with a confused expression on her face as she tried to process what she had just heard.

GABRIELLE

A spy? But what about his wound?

XENA

One of his fellow Persians gave him that to make his story more convincing. And now, he's running back to tell them there's been a landslide.

GABRIELLE

Which means we don't have to do it. The army will just think there's been one and take the long route anyway.

XENA

And that will lead them right to the militia in Tripolis. Now, let's get moving so we can get you treated for that poison.

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The smell of smoke filled the air as Xena stood with Argo and Gabrielle, both women taking in the scene that they had just come across.

GABRIELLE

What is this place?

XENA

Tripolis, or at least what's left of it.

The land smoldered as Xena accessed their surroundings, taking in the damage that had clearly been caused by a fire recently sweeping through the area.

GABRIELLE

It looks like there's no one here.

The bard coughed, causing Xena to look at her and notice that the woman had begun to grow slightly pale. Making it clear that the effects of the poison Gabrielle had been infected with had started to take effect.

XENA

The militia torched their own town. They wanted to be sure the Persian army couldn't use anything here after the village was deserted.

The warrior scanned the area for a moment.

XENA

There, the physician's hut. There might still be something we can use. Wait here.

Gabrielle watched as Xena walked off and disappeared into a hollowed-out, burnt building.

Inside, Xena stepped over broken and charred furniture as she searched for anything that might help Gabrielle. Then, spotting a tipped-over shelf, she moved further through the wreckage to search where the antidote might most likely be found. Crouching down, Xena began rummaging through the mess until she noticed what looked to be a bottle amongst the broken containers that were intact. That was until she picked it up and saw that it was missing the bottom half and sighed.

Gabrielle coughed as Xena returned after leaving the burnt-down hut empty-handed with a sullen look on her face. Telling her that the warrior was unsuccessful in finding the antidote.

GABRIELLE

So no serum. Or militia.

The bard rasped slightly as she continued.

GABRIELLE

Next, the armory you said they'd have won't still be here either.

XENA

Doesn't matter.

Xena took Argo's reins.

XENA

We're not staying here. We'll go to Thessaly like we had originally planned. They'll have what you need there. We can take the back roads to avoid being seen.

The warrior began walking to leave the village, leading Argo and Gabrielle behind her.

GABRIELLE

But your plan?

The blonde paused as she coughed again.

GABRIELLE

Dorian must've told the Persians about Thermopylae by now. That means they'll be heading here. We're supposed to slow them down, that way the people ahead have the time to prepare.

XENA

No, first we get the serum. We can make it back before the Persians get too far.

GABRIELLE

Xena stop.

The raven-haired woman paused in her steps and turned toward the bard.

GABRIELLE

If we go to Thessaly, we won't make it back in time to stall the Persians. And if we can't hold them until the Athenian army arrives, you know Athens will be lost.

Gabrielle coughed and wheezed as Xena reached and patted her back to try to alleviate the young woman's struggle. After a moment more, Gabrielle's coughing fit ceased, and she saw the look of worry written on the warrior's face as she caught her breath before she spoke again.

GABRIELLE

I don't have very long. Do I?

Xena didn't say anything, but the pessimistic expression on her face told Gabrielle her assumption was correct as the blonde pressed on. Regardless of what her fate seemed as though it was going to be.

GABRIELLE

Then I guess we'll just have to stand and fight now, won't we? Thessaly will have to wait.

Xena clenched her fist at her side in frustration of their situation, as the bard again read what the warrior was thinking.

GABRIELLE

I know you don't wanna wait to get the antidote, but It's a chance that we have to take. Stopping this army is more important.

Xena growled to herself, knowing that if it was anyone else in their situation, she would say that stopping the army took priority. Even still, the warrior didn't like the idea. Gabrielle needed that antidote. But while her head and heart warred over what to do, she heard something in the distance, instantly recognizing the sound.

XENA

Horses. It's the advance party. Come on. We can hold up in the armory.

Walking hastily, Xena led Argo and Gabrielle into the barn-like building.

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Shutting the large doors behind her once Inside, Xena helped Gabrielle down from Argo's back and carried her to a pile of hay.

XENA

There, lay down. And just try to relax.

After settling the blonde, Xena moved to several crates that were stacked against a wall and used her sword to jimmy open the lid, before lifting it off completely and looking at the contents inside.

XENA

(Talking to herself) Not bad for sitting here for a few years.

She pulled a spear from the various weapons that were stored in the container and gave its condition a quick look over.

XENA

I hid these here in case I ever had another army. Though to be honest, I never thought I'd actually need them.

GABRIELLE

(Sarcasm) I didn't know that I qualified as an army.

Gabrielle coughed as Xena grabbed a blanket from their things and brought it to the young woman.

XENA

(whispers) Okay. Let's make sure you're all set.

The raven-haired woman spread the blanket over the bard to make sure she was as comfortable as possible.

GABRIELLE

Xena, if this poison starts spreading faster, I…

She paused as she coughed again.

GABRIELLE

I have one last request.

Xena continued to focus on tending to the blonde, checking her pulse and visual indicators of Gabrielle's current condition. Pushing aside the likely possibility that the woman wouldn't survive through the night.

XENA

You can tell me about it later, years from now, when we're both old and gray.

GABRIELLE

I'm serious Xena. After you've stalled the Persians, if I can't make it, I want you to save yourself. I don't want you to throw your life away trying to protect me.

XENA

I can't do that.

GABRIELLE

Xena.

The bard grabbed one of the other woman's moving hands, getting Xena's full attention as she continued.

GABRIELLE

We're all gonna die, eventually.

XENA

Well eventually isn't today.

The warrior sighed.

XENA

Look, Gabrielle, I know it's bad, but we've survived worse, right?

The question posed more to convince herself than the bard, Xena finished tending to Gabrielle before letting the woman rest. She then moved to sit by a window where she could watch for the Persian army while keeping an eye on the bard. And as she watched the sun set, and counted the number of small glowing campfires in the distance, Xena never could have guessed the truly chaotic events that the coming day would bring. Or if both she and Gabrielle would even make it through it all alive.

TO BE CONTINUED…