A couple months or so into her new life of
adventure, Gabrielle chafes at sitting on the sidelines and determines to keep
her “help” from rubbing Xena the wrong way.
IseQween@aol.com
September 2009
PART 1
The
highwaymen took their time unburdening the family of their possessions. They’d sighted a couple more travelers
headed their way. It was proving to be
a good day for thievery.
“Two
women and a horse,” the lookout reported from his tree perch. “Don’t seem ta have much with `em, besides
the horse.” He squinted at the
approaching figures. “One of `em looks
like an Amazon or somethin’. Wearin’
metal an’ leather.”
“Think
they’ll be a problem?”
“Nah.
Other one’s a kid. Peasant type.” The lookout snickered. “Maybe the Amazon’s recruitin’. Or babysittin’. Whatever, way they’re strollin’ along, don’t seem primed for what
we got waitin’ for `em.”
The
leader directed some of the men to stay with the family. The others concealed themselves on either side
of the road.
♠♠♠♠♠
“This
is nice, huh?”
“Mm.”
“Sunny
day. Cloudless sky. No interruptions so far.”
“If
you say so.”
“Come
on, Xena. When was the last time we got
to enjoy all that?”
“Which
‘we?’”
“Xenaaa.” Gabrielle scowled at the woman walking
beside her. “`We’ as in both of
us. Since we’ve been traveling
together.”
“What.” Xena cocked her head. “Bored already?”
“Nooo. It’s just, we don’t get to do this on the
road much. When it’s peaceful? You’re usually riding.” Gabrielle peered around at Argo. “No offense.” She chuckled at the mare’s whinny. “When it’s not so peaceful ….”
“I’m
usually riding?”
“We’re
… um … not together.” Gabrielle noted a
raised brow. “You know, you’re doing
your thing. I’m … waiting … somewhere. Beside streams. In meadows. Maybe a
tavern.” She snorted. “If I’m lucky,” she mumbled.
“Mm. We have different notions of ‘waiting.’ Mine doesn’t include wandering off to get
thrown in dungeons. Sneaking off to
play with Titans. Popping up after I tell
you to run away.”
“Um
…well ….” Gabrielle stuck out a
stubborn chin. “That doesn’t
count. It’s still not where you are –
the main action.”
“You’re
close enough most times.” Xena cut her
eyes at her young companion. “I’ve seen
you wiping off the blood, spit and snot during fights. You complaining `cause it’s not yours?”
Gabrielle
scowled at the warrior. “If you recall,
I started by saying how nice this was.”
She glowered at the sky. “The
beautiful day we’ve forgotten all about.
The peaceful chitchat that lasted two minutes. The – .”
“Lack
of interruptions?” Xena pointed her
chin at the scene that appeared as they rounded a sharp bend in the road.
“Okay,
ladies, that’s far enough.” One of a
gang of rough-looking characters gestured toward a family cowering next to
their wagon. “You’ve lucked up on a
surprise party. We already got their
gifts. You wanna pass through, we gotta
collect yours.” He stared pointedly at
the golden mare.
“My
horse? But I didn’t have time to wrap
her.”
“No
problem. We’ll accept `er as is.”
“Guess
you want my sword too?” Xena started to
reach back.
“Leave
it in the scabbard. We’ll take the
whole set. Somebody might get cut
otherwise.”
“And
my whip?” In a flash, the slender hide
uncoiled from Xena’s side and snaked upward to a large overhanging branch. A loud “Yeeeoow!” preceded the thud of a
body hitting the ground. “How about you
take him instead.”
The
men gaped at their prone buddy, then at the tall woman who didn’t look nearly
as cooperative as before. True, she
stepped over to the clear side of the road.
Her sneer and the way she rubbed her hands together suggested it wasn’t
in retreat, so much as gaining a better space to rumble.
“So
ya don’t believe in freebies, eh?” The
leader beckoned his comrades to follow her.
“Too bad. Now it’s gonna cost
you more’n it’s worth. Get `er, boys!”
A
flurry of punches and kicks later, all but two of the attackers lay
moaning. Xena finally drew her sword,
prepared to dispatch them if necessary, when the man who’d fallen from the tree
regained his senses and began crawling towards her.
“Xena! Behind you!”
“Xena?!” The leader hesitated, indicating for the
others to do the same. “Whyn’t ya say
so? We’d’ve let you pass.” He winked.
“You being in the same business and all.”
“Appreciate
the courtesy.” Xena watched the others
get to their feet and head cautiously to some sacks. “That your loot?”
“Um,
yeah.” The leader backed away to join
his men. “Figure we’ll just take what
we got and leave. “
“Nothing
for me?” Xena twirled her sword before
sheathing it. “You did make me fight
over it.”
“What
about us?” the leader threw out, sweeping his hand at his bloodied and dirtied
gang. “Wouldn’t of had to fight at all,
if not for you.”
“As
overwhelmed as I am by your logic, surely you don’t expect me to walk away
empty handed.” Xena blew on her
fingertips. “I do have a reputation to
maintain, hmmm?”
The
men stared at Xena with a mixture of outrage and trepidation. After a whispered conference, they held up
the loot sacks. “No sweat,” the leader
said. “Take `em all, if ya want.” He tossed a bag at Xena. When she put out her hands to catch it, the
men took off into the forest.
“Idiots.”
“Xena?”
“Have
to go after `em on foot.” Xena grabbed her
rope off Argo.
“Shouldn’t
I – .”
“Calm
the family.”
“But
won’t you need…?” Gabrielle watched
Xena sprint off into the trees, wondering how the warrior intended to haul the
sacks and men by herself. She joined
the shell-shocked people by the wagon.
“It’s okay. You’ll get your
things back.” She glanced at Argo, then
into the forest. Mind made up, she
added, “Watch our horse, please,” and set out after Xena.
♠♠♠♠♠
“Ugh.”
Gabrielle muttered, now wondering about her own intentions. A recent rain made it relatively easy to
follow her targets, but not so easy maintain pursuit. She’d skidded in the mud and tripped on her long skirt. Tried running with one hand clutching the
hem and lost her balance. The
earth-caked cloth now felt like casts restricting her legs. She’d considered ripping the thing off,
instead settling for a walking stick to aid her balance.
To
make matters worse, she’d come to a place where the footprints split in two
directions. She chose the set layered
with the imprint of a long, loping stride.
It took her to a stand of trees decorated with gang members bound in
vines.
“Which
way did she go?”
“Pfft. Ta Tatarus, if we’re lucky.”
“You
oughtta know,” another man snickered.
“Looks like you already been.”
Gabrielle
ignored them and concentrated on a path of trampled grass leading to some high
weeds that had been hacked through. She
broke through them to more trees, noticing signs that earth or vegetation had
been disturbed. A familiar boot print
suggested she was on the right course.
She thought about calling out for the warrior, but realized it might not
be wise.
Soon
she found no clues. She stopped, turned
in a circle and became aware how far she’d gone without any idea where she
was. She was hugging herself, looking
anxiously at sky peeking through the leafy ceiling, when suddenly her faced
brightened. Maybe Xena’d taken to the
trees! She’d done that before when
scouting or close to her prey.
Gabrielle scanned the branches overhead. There. A vine dangling,
long enough for the warrior to use. But
which tree would she have leapt to next?
Gabrielle
searched the ground until she found a small twig recently snapped off. On a hunch, she jogged alongside the trees
in that direction, ecstatic to discover more freshly fallen branches or
leaves. If she was correct, she’d soon
see signs the gang had passed nearby.
She grinned in triumph when she saw tracks and gouged dirt in front of
her. They formed a rough line parallel
to her position. Which way? She crouched to examine the tracks,
eventually making out a couple of good prints.
She grinned. The heels and toes
told her all she needed to know.
♠♠♠♠♠
Xena
was tying three of the robbers together when her instincts went on alert. She whirled, hand poised above her chakram,
and beheld ….
“There
you are! I’ve been looking all over for
you!”
Very
few things surprised the Warrior Princess.
This particular … apparition … did.
Though shrouded in mud, arms tattooed with dirt, the head a tangle of
gold and greens, its shape resembled a certain tagalong. As did the smug smile, made brighter by
teeth set in a dusty face. Except the
tagalong Xena had in mind was supposed to be somewhere else.
Gabrielle
relished the moment. She blithely
surveyed the scene – signs of a skirmish, the bound men and Xena gawking at her
as if she’d popped in from Mt. Olympus.
“Any more of them lying around nearby?”
“Uh,
no. Couple got away. S’okay.”
Xena nodded toward the now filthy loot bags. “They had to travel light.”
“Why
don’t I get those? You’ll have your
hands full with our friends there.”
Brow
raised, Xena watched Gabrielle trudge toward the sacks. “Good idea.” She bit her lip. “They go
better with your outfit anyway.”
♠♠♠♠♠
They’d
used the family’s wagon to transport the captured thieves to the nearest
village. All in all, this latest
“interruption” had taken up the whole day.
Gabrielle spent a good part of the evening washing her clothes. Though her shift had survived her exploits
in relatively decent shape, it didn’t provide much protection against the cool
night air. She could’ve put a blanket
around her shoulders – if she’d wanted to let on she was less impervious
to the elements than her seemingly indestructible companion.
Xena was out hunting for something more substantial than
their usual travel fare. In truth, she
needed the time to herself. She
recognized how long it had been since anyone provoked such mixed emotions in
her as Gabrielle. She wasn’t accustomed
to monitoring them for appropriateness other than selfish goals. Balancing them all at once with a single
person. Expressing them with someone
else’s feelings in mind. She could’ve
been her typical blunt self – if she’d deemed it acceptable to roll on
the ground laughing at her young companion one minute and chewing her out the
next.
“Sorry,”
the warrior said when she returned.
“Word must’ve gotten out I was on the prowl.” She dropped her catch on a mat near the fire. “Guess these rabbits missed the news.”
Gabrielle
chuckled. “Good thing there’s so many
of them.” She squinted at the poor
creatures a moment as if wishing them into something else. “Is there any way of cooking them we haven’t
tried? Heh. Didn’t happen to come across a vineyard didya?”
“No
such luck.” Xena pulled their herb
pouch from a saddlebag. “I did accept
some ‘exotic’ spices as reward for our heroics. Figured they might liven up … whatever. Took this too,” she said, holding up a shawl.
“It’s
… pretty.” Gabrielle smirked. “Doesn’t exactly go with your outfit.”
“It’s
for you.”
“Me?!” Gabrielle suppressed a shiver. “Whatever for?”
Xena
tossed Gabrielle the shawl. “Your goose
bumps?”
“Pshaw. I’m fine.
But if it’ll make you feel better ….” Gabrielle wrapped the shawl around her shoulders. “There.
Happy now?”
“Infinitely.” Xena dropped down and began taking off her
armor.
“How
come you never get chilled?” Gabrielle
snorted. “Hide too tough?”
Xena
shrugged. “Guess I’m used to it.” She narrowed her eyes. “Of course, I didn’t play in mud today. Like some people.”
“I
looked a little worse for the wear, huh?”
Xena
recalled her companion’s pre-bath appearance.
“Not bad.” She suppressed a
snigger. “If you meant to scare `em to
death.”
“We
each have our gifts. Yours is
action. Mine is … drama.” Gabrielle grinned sheepishly. “Surprised to see me, huh?”
“Mm. Coulda sworn I told you to stay with the
family.”
“You
… requested … me to calm them. I did.”
Xena
took out her cutting knife and began preparing the rabbits. “Coulda got yourself hurt. Or lost.”
“But
I didn’t.” Gabrielle got sticks to set
up a roasting spit.
“No,
you didn’t,” Xena acknowledged with a grudging hint of admiration. “The idiots went in different
directions. I used the trees. Even a good scout might’ve had problems.”
Gabrielle
leaned forward and eagerly recounted her tracking methodology. “So you see, it was all because of you. Watching you work. Learning your habits.”
She puffed up. “You have to
admit, I did pret-ty well, huh?”
“Paying
attention when I don’t tell you to?
Uh huh. You’re the champ all
right. As for the opposite ….” A chuckle softened Xena’s gruff
observation. “Not so sure you’ll
improve on that.”
“Give
me a chance, okay?” Gabrielle scooted closer
to the warrior. “I know I’m still
green. But, Xena, I’ve picked up a lot,
being with you. Doesn’t this prove it? That you don’t always have to dump me
somewhere? When there’s trouble?”
Finished
with her rote skinning of their dinner, Xena skewered the small bodies and
placed them over the fire. In a way she
envied them. No more dodging
danger. Outwitting traps. Now that they were toast, they didn’t even
know it. Sighing, she consoled herself
with at least something she could take confidence in – there was only one of
Gabrielle.
“Every
situation’s different. For now I wanna
focus on these rabbits.” The warrior
cut her eyes at Gabrielle. “Whether
spice `em up’ll make the taste better.”
PART 2
He
thought his heart would burst. Legs churning faster than ever. Arms pumping like wings of a barn
swallow. Breath caught between keeping
pace and conserving for the next stretch.
What would be enough? He’d
zigzagged through the market. Raced
down rocky roads. Tried the woods and
fields of high corn. That mountain pass
ahead? Climbing its craggy side? Would that work?
He
kept his eyes forward, on this last possible escape, even as he felt the danger
at his back. If he could reach the
rocks it wouldn’t matter. If he
couldn’t – or the danger followed – all that mattered was his instinct to
survive. It had propelled him this far,
his destination now within reach. He
scrabbled over boulders at the base.
Jumped to grab a low ledge.
Pulled himself up to feel a crevice he could use. Inched further from the ground to a slab
with room for both feet. Only then did
he risk glancing below. Though close,
the tall one had stopped to check on the other, trailing a distance away. Yes!
He patted the pouch at his waist.
A few more feet, and the danger wouldn’t matter.
“Gabrielle?!
“I’m
okay! Go on!”
He
checked again. No! The tall one was attacking the rocks! Scaling like a monkey! Her ferocious energy mocked his own tired
limbs. She’d already reached the
slab. Stood there peering up at him
with sneering certainty.
“Throw
it down!”
“What?!”
“The
jewelry! Toss it to me!”
“I’ll
never let you catch me! I’d die first!”
“Ya
got that right! Give me the jewelry,
you can live up there for all I care!
Otherwise, I’ll take you both!”
He
thought about trying to move sideways, maybe get back to the first boulders,
but now the other woman perched there, blocking his way. Just his luck, crossing paths with crazy
women running free to harass anybody they pleased.
“This
is your last chance!” The crazier of
the two held up a round disk. “Do it
now, or I’ll send you to Tartarus! If
you’ve ever heard of Xena, you’ll know I speak the truth!”
His
eyes bugged. Xena?! What was the world coming to? Somebody like her had nothing better to do than
chase a small potato like him? Maybe
she really was crazy. He pulled the
pouch free, momentarily considering whether to throw it somewhere unreachable.
“Try
anything funny, you might as well jump!
It’ll be better than what I have in mind!”
“You’ll
let me come down? Let me go?”
“You
have my word!”
He
dropped the pouch. She caught it.
“Be
warned! Don’t let there be a next
time!”
He
watched her descend. Waited until the
two had nearly disappeared from sight, before thinking about climbing down. He’d had a chance to get his breath. Keep his body parts intact. Crazy as it was, could that be a sign? Maybe he’d live better as a farmer after
all?
♠♠♠♠♠
Gabrielle
sighed with relief when Xena left to fill their water skins and search for
dinner. Everything hurt, sagged or
pricked. Where to begin? The burrs covering her clothes and
hair? The scratches where her blouse
had been caught and torn by thorny bushes?
The knee bruised when she’d once again gotten tangled in her skirt? The little pits she could feel in her butt
from sitting on that craggy boulder?
Grimacing,
she eased off her right boot. The hole
in its sole matched the tender spot on her foot, which sported quite a few
blisters. Her toes throbbed, rubbed
nearly raw, the blackened nail on one about to fall off. Her left foot had fared little better. She marveled at how she’d made it back to
the market, stood there smiling while the matron who’d been robbed thanked them
profusely for rescuing family heirlooms.
The pursuit there and back, to this camping site, covered more miles
than she wanted to guess. Most of it
stumbling through territory not fit for human travel.
What
on earth possessed her to believe she could keep up with Xena? Because she’d done so much walking with little
problem? The warrior had warned life at
her side wouldn’t be all strolls through meadows. Or decent roads either, apparently. To think she’d chafed at waiting in cushy places. Eager to stay close to the “action.” Well, whatever illusions she had before, her
bumps and bruises screamed she was nuts.
And yet, when she heard Xena approaching, she hastily hid her feet under
the blanket and drew that shawl over her disheveled form.
“We’re
in luck.” Xena walked over dangling
fish. “Your second most favorite
catch.”
“No
rabbit?” Gabrielle mocked groaned. “I was soooo looking forward to that
again.” She watched Xena lay out the
fish, then hesitate a moment before gathering firewood – usually Gabrielle’s
task. “Hey, I can do that,” she
offered, gritting her teeth in preparation for rising to her sore feet.
“Nah. I’ve got it. Relax.” Xena pursed her
lips. “You did enough earlier.”
“Pfft. Shadowing you? Sitting on rocks? Hardly
worked up a sweat.”
“Mm. No sense doing it now.”
“Well
… okay. If you insist.” Gabrielle looked around for something she
could do without moving too much. “Drop
that wood over here. I’ll take care of
the fire.” She reached for Xena’s
knife. “Hand me your whetstone. I’ll sharpen this for you.” She grinned. “No sweat.”
The
two went about their tasks, reviewing their latest adventure. Gabrielle was seasoning the fish when Xena
came over to hang a large pot filled with water above the fire.
“Did
we lose our frying pan? Where’d you get
that?”
“I
have many skills.”
“Um,
you planning on fish … stew? Without
the … vegetables?”
“You’ll
see.” Xena wrapped the fish in leaves
and placed them on hot coals. She
dragged a log next to Gabrielle. “Sit
on this.”
Gabrielle
gave Xena a look but did as instructed.
The warrior stuck a finger in the pot, nodded, stirred in some herbs,
removed the pot and placed it front of her companion.
“Xena?” Perplexed, Gabrielle stared into the
steaming water. “Are we supposed to
…. This seems to be missing …
something.”
Xena
knelt, gently grasped one of Gabrielle’s feet and placed it in the pot. She did the same with the other foot. “There.
Enjoy. My recipe for the weary …
sole.”
♠♠♠♠♠
Gabrielle
sat propped against the log with her legs stretched out. Xena’s potion in the pot had merely been the
first course. After the soaking, the
warrior had massaged and put ointment on her patient’s feet, then tended the
other scrapes, scratches and bruises.
This was as close to bliss as Gabrielle had come in weeks.
She
hated to admit it, but maybe she was right about being too ambitious too
soon. Hardened criminals couldn’t keep
up with the Warrior Princess. Why would
a kid fresh from the farm? It’s not
like Xena really needed help. Carrying
bags so she didn’t have to make extra trips?
Blocking the getaway of some guy too scared to move anyway? Riiiight.
Consoling victims or staying with Argo was more her speed – and probably
more useful.
“You
okay?” Xena looked up from clearing
away their utensils. Gabrielle had covered
her initial embarrassment with raves about Xena’s healing skills and the smoked
fish. She’d been uncharacteristically
quiet since they’d finished eating.
“You look a little flushed.”
“Heh,
maybe `cause I’m so warm and cozy.”
Gabrielle grinned. “Less worse
for the wear.”
“Mm.” Xena gave a pointed look at Gabrielle’s
clothes and feet. “Could be better.”
Gabrielle
snorted. “Not for what I have in mind.”
“If
it involves walking, don’t count on testing that quite yet.” Xena chewed her lip. “Switching your limp from one side to the
other only goes so far.”
Gabrielle
scowled at the warrior. “Might’ve
worked with somebody who doesn’t notice every little thing.”
The
corner of Xena’s mouth twitched. “Sure,
if it was that ‘little.’”
Gabrielle
couldn’t help but chuckle. “It’s
okay. You can laugh. I’ve been quite a mess, huh?”
Xena
got up to stow a few things in her saddlebag, mainly to distract herself from
visions of a bedraggled, dirt-faced munchkin.
“I had brothers,” she said over her shoulder. “I’m used to mess.” She
snorted. “Mine too.”
“We’re
not talking childhoods here, Xena.”
Gabrielle narrowed her eyes. “Or
evil pasts. You fight 10 men, race up
hills, through rivers, dales and brambles.
Barely a drop of sweat, hair out of place or mark on you.”
“Gabrielllle.” Xena dropped down on her bedroll. “Must have me confused with somebody in your
head.”
“Oh,
no you don’t. Don’t even try that ‘hero
worship’ stuff.” Gabrielle gingerly
scooted over to her furs, not bothering to hide winces. She wiggled battered toes in the warrior’s
face. “Do those look like anything on
you? Or these?” she asked, gesturing
toward her sundry wounds. “How about
this?” She plucked at her frayed skirt
and combed her fingers through debris-tangled hair. “Despite everything you do, when do you ever look ‘worse for the
wear.’”
Xena
pursed her lips. “What’s your
point. I doubt it’s about grooming.”
“My
point,” Gabrielle said, pulling her covers over her legs, “is that you’ve made
yours.”
“And
that would be …?
Gabrielle
lay back, arms crossed over her chest.
“You’re suited to … action. I’m
suited to waiting, watching and chatting.
For now at least.” She
snorted. “Hopefully, I’ll be suited to
walking again soon.”
Xena
studied the young woman who often made her feel she’d entered a parallel
universe. “Gabrielle.” She pulled off a boot. “What do you see.”
Gabrielle
turned toward the warrior. “Your foot?”
“What
do you see on my foot.”
Gabrielle propped on her side. “Calluses?”
“Calluses.” Xena picked up one of Gabrielle’s boots and
held it next to her own. “What do you
see?”
Gabrielle
fought a grin. “Leather you could use
for a funnel?” At Xena’s scowl she
said, “Okay, okay. Mine is flimsy,
compared to yours.”
“Yes. Mine is made for the things you see me
do. So’s my battledress. The leather resists stuff clinging to it,
sticking in it. The darkness makes it hard to tell if it’s soiled or wet. The length gives me freedom to move. It doesn’t get tattered much because
….” Xena lifted some of the strips on
her skirt. Smirking, she continued,
“It’s already in pieces.”
“So
….” Gabrielle grinned. “You’re saying – if I cut off my sleeves,
slice up my skirt and wear sandals inside my boots – I could be you?”
Xena
rolled her tongue in her cheek. “I once
fought in dresses. I had a warrior
outfit so elaborate I could cut myself putting it on. Boots insects could nest in. I’ve spent years perfecting the simplest,
most effective gear.” She rubbed the
calluses on her sword hand. “My body
has toughened in areas that get a lot of action.”
“Okay,
so which is it? The clothes make the
warrior?” Gabrielle used her fingers to
mimic scissors cutting. “Or the Warrior
Princess makes the clothes?”
Xena
gave Gabrielle a “why do I bother?” look.
Lips pursed, she began removing her bracers. “Accessorizing isn’t your biggest concern at the moment. Unless you’re planning on crawling behind
Argo tomorrow.”
Gabrielle
bolted up. “You’d leave me? If I can’t walk?”
“I
didn’t say that. Not permanently
anyway. I did promise the local
magistrate I’d – .”
“Couldn’t
I ride with you? You’re always telling
me I should.”
“Gabrielle,
all he wants is my advice on security.
And what about your fear of heights?”
“Compared
to being stuck down here? While you go
off for gods know how long? Xena, we
know how it is with you. The simplest
task turns into a campaign. Who knows
what your ‘advice’ could lead to?”
Xena
was struck by the anxiety in her young companion’s voice. She suspected it had less to do with being
left alone than being left out. “Get
some rest,” she said, lying down.
“It’ll help you heal better.
We’ll see in the morning.”
Gabrielle
remained sitting up. “I feel better
already. You did a great job.”
“Good.”
“It’s
like my feet visited a spa. Relaxed and
energized at the same time.”
“Mm.”
“And
the other stuff? No worse than nicks I
got as a kid. In fact, I forgot all
about them. Well, I can smell the
salve, but otherwise – .”
“Gabrielllle.”
“Right. ‘Go to sleep.’ Just wanted to assure you ….”
Gabrielle paused at hearing a low growl. “I’ll sleep like a baby.
Pop up all fresh and new.” She
lay back, somewhat satisfied she’d at least given the warrior enough to think
twice about. “Good night.”
“Mmph.” Xena blew out a long breath, amazed at how
someone so comforting could provoke longing for calluses a warrior hadn’t
needed before.
♠♠♠♠♠
“Mmmmm.” Eyes still closed, Gabrielle did a full body stretch. A slight twinge in her lower extremities reminded her a challenging day might lie ahead. She turned toward Xena’s bedroll. Empty, of course. She smiled. Gave her time to get the jump on the warrior, figure a way to ensure not being left behind.
Quickly
pushing back her furs, she examined her feet.
Still a bit discolored, but not too bad. She pulled up her knees and put pressure on her soles. Twinges, but no real pain. Now all she needed was …. Her eyes landed on that shawl. If she cut it in half, she could wrap her
feet in the pieces. That should do once
she convinced Xena to let her ride Argo.
She
looked at the mare. Yes! Already saddled. She could tiptoe over and be astride when Xena returned. Conjure up a pitiful expression even the
taciturn woman couldn’t resist. She
crawled to the saddlebags and took out Xena’s hunting knife, crawled back to
her furs and prepared to attack the shawl.
“What’re
you doing?”
Gabrielle’s
head whipped around. “Xena! You have got to stop creeping around
like that!”
Xena
stood with waterskins, staring at her young companion. “I asked what you’re doing.”
“Um,
thought I’d use this for my feet. They
feel fine. Just taking … you know …
precautions.”
“You
won’t need that,” Xena said, walking over to Argo to tie the waterskins to the
saddle.
Gabrielle’s
face clouded. “I told you, I’m
fine. There’s no reason I can’t – .”
“Use
your boots.”
“Huh?”
“If
your feet aren’t that sore, your boots should do.”
“But
….” Gabrielle reached for her boots,
stunned to discover the holes had been fixed.
She stuck her hand inside and felt reinforcement, overlaid with a
cushion of some kind. She gaped at the
warrior. “You …. When …?
How come?” she asked with cautious optimism.
“You’ll
have to ride Argo.” Xena began rolling
up her furs. “No doubt there’ll be
walking too. As little as possible
today. Give yourself more time to
heal.”
“Um,
okay. Sounds reasonable.” Gabrielle contained herself until Xena
turned to carry her bedroll and saddlebags over to Argo – at which point she
silently pumped her fist.
“Better be careful,” Xena warned without
turning around. “Way you collect
injuries? Wouldn’t wanna add a
dislocated arm.”
♠♠♠♠♠
“This
is nice, huh? Sunny day. Cloudless sky. No interruptions so far.”
Xena
rolled her eyes. “Where have I heard
that before.”
“From
me? Except we were on the ground. I’m kinda liking this height thing.” Gabrielle tapped Xena’s back. “Something comfy to lean on if I need. No trouble keeping up with you. Plus, much easier letting Argo do all the
work.” She heard a grunt. “Well, not all the work. I meant, in the leg department.” She heard another grunt. “Um, right.
Once you get past your thighs.
Feet? Easier on the those?”
“Not
necessarily on the butt. Even one used
to riding.” Xena guided her Palomino up
the path on a small hill. She paused at
the top. “There’s a village up
ahead. Ready for a break?” She snorted. “Or are you still too … ‘comfy’… for one yet.”
“It’s not all about me,” Gabrielle said,
ignoring her tired butt. “I’m not the
one co-working with Argo.” She patted
Xena’s shoulder. “If you need a
rest, let’s go for it.”
“Riiiight.”
Xena
did her usual scan of the village. It
appeared normal and peaceful enough.
And yet …. She couldn’t quite
put her finger on it, but something ….
She squinted into the shadows, at the couple horses tied to the hitching
post, under some unoccupied wagons. No
danger signs there.
“Xena?”
“Hmm?”
Gabrielle
began to appreciate another aspect of riding behind the warrior – being able to
feel the slight tension she might not have noticed before. “Everything okay?”
“Um,
sure.” Xena glanced over her
shoulder. “Why do you ask?”
Gabrielle
grinned. “Just checking.”
They
trotted up to the village inn and dismounted.
“G’won
inside. Wanna check out a couple
things. Won’t take long.”
Gabrielle
pursed her lips but did as instructed.
As soon as she entered, she felt something … off. She walked over to the counter.
“Hi. Are we too late for breakfast?”
The
thin woman behind the counter gave her the once over. “If ya want somethin’ fancy.
Otherwise, we got gruel, bread, eggs.”
“Bread
and eggs’ll be fine. Enough for two,
please. Someone’s joining me.”
The
woman nodded. “Take that front
table.” She started to walk away but
paused when her customer didn’t move.
“Somethin’ else?”
“Uh,
no. Not food anyway.” Gabrielle leaned on the counter. “Everything okay here?” At the woman’s frown she explained,
“Probably my imagination. It’s quite
active, you know.” She giggled. “Oh, right, you don’t know.” She glanced around, noting two older men a
few seats down, sullenly studying their mugs.
The place was otherwise empty.
“I sensed there might be a problem.”
She shrugged. “Like I said,
probably my – .”
“I’d
stick ta food, if I was you.” The woman
crossed her arms. “Better for your
health.”
“Sorry. I didn’t mean to intrude. It’s just, if there was a problem, sometimes
it helps – .”
“What
do you care?” The woman narrowed her
eyes. “Most folks run from trouble.”
Gabrielle
smiled. “I don’t run with ‘most
folks.’ My friend and I …. Well, you could say trouble is our
business.”
“Inta
gossip, eh? Look, you seem like a nice
kid. No crime in nosiness, but this’s
way outta your league. Take my advice. Leave well enough alone. Soon’s your friend comes, I’ll fix your eggs
and you can be on your way.” She
turned, presuming she was talking to a normal person who’d gotten the message,
startled to hear a response that indicated otherwise.
“What
could it hurt, telling me?” Gabrielle
blinked innocently. “Since you expect
us to move on anyway?”
The
woman cocked her head. “Persistent
little thing, aren’tcha?”
Gabrielle
grinned. “So I’ve been told.”
Despite
herself, the woman found this amusing.
“Parents couldn’t spank it outta ya, huh?”
“I’m
not sure they realized who they had on their hands.” Gabrielle snorted. “Until
it was too late.” Sensing a
breakthrough, she hopped up on a stool.
She extended her hand.
“Gabrielle, by the way.”
The
woman rolled her tongue in her cheek before finally shaking the offered
hand. “Ursula. I usually do the listening.” She glanced at her other two customers. “Stuff I hear, loose lips not good for my
business.”
“Gotcha. Perhaps you could join me at our table for a while? I mean, if you’re not too busy.”
Ursula
studied the young stranger, surprised at even considering conversation,
especially when it had no point she could see.
Although … there were certainly worse ways to pass the time. She’d already made do with wiping, sweeping
and guessing which old guy would doze off first. Shaking her head, she poured water into two mugs. “Take these to the table. I’ll be there in a minute.”
Gabrielle
beamed. “It would be my pleasure.”
♠♠♠♠♠
Xena
leaned against a post outside the stables.
The few words she’d gotten from the blacksmith hadn’t indicated anything
unusual. Nor did her visit to the
dry-goods store. It wasn’t unusual for
villagers to be tight-lipped with strangers.
And the absence of younger men could simply mean they were busy in their
fields or elsewhere. Still, she sensed
an undercurrent that did seem … off.
She
made one last scan and shrugged. Why
worry about looking for trouble, when it usually had so little trouble finding
her? She headed toward the inn. Halfway
there, she saw a familiar figure walking gingerly toward her. She snorted to herself. No better prelude to trouble than
Gabrielle.
“Xena!”
“Yessss?”
“We
have to talk.”
“They
out of food? We’re back to rabbits or
fish?”
“Uh,
no. It’s something else.” Gabrielle caught sight of a swinging bench
in front of the dry-goods store. “Might
wanna sit first,” she said, pointing that way.
Xena
raised a wry brow. “Trouble on the
menu?”
Gabrielle
pursed her lips. “It happens, being
around a certain Warrior Princess.”
“Mm. Couldn’t find any here. And believe me, I tried.” Xena guided Gabrielle to the bench. “So.
What goodies you serving up this time?”
Gabrielle
rubbed her nose. “You?”
“Me?!”
“Well,
partly, anyway.”
“You
mean ….” Xena surveyed her surroundings
again. “I don’t remember being here
before. Sure, my army was in the area. I suppose ….”
“That’s
not it. Um, exactly.” Gabrielle scooted back, nudging the warrior
to do the same. “Ursula, the proprietor
of the inn? I asked her about the
tension in the air.”
“You
felt it too?”
“Uh
huh. I, um, said maybe my friend and I
could help.”
“Mm. I take it you neglected to mention your
friend’s name?”
Gabrielle
ducked her head. “I’m learning it’s
best to ease into that sometimes.”
“Smart
girl. Go on.”
“She
told me how her husband Galleos and some other men were restless. Tired of eking out an existence, little to
show for their efforts. Awhile back,
they heard about a … defensive … army.
They could protect their village, have adventures and pick up extra gold
at the same time.”
Xena
snorted. “Sounds like somebody did
quite a sales job.”
“They,
uh, weren’t recruited by the leader.”
“Ah. Darphus.
Never should’ve trusted him with that.
Too arrogant to worry he could turn `em against me like he did.”
“Heh,
not the guys from here. Took them only
a few weeks to realize it wasn’t what they had in mind. According to Ursula, they snuck off the
first chance they got.”
“Good
for them.” Xena drummed her fingers on
the bench arm. “I’m not seeing the
problem.”
“The
problem is, they didn’t abandon their dreams of gold. With the skills they picked up, they decided to go after what
they wanted on their own. Every now and
then they disguise themselves. And … um
…. go … shopping. Merchant
caravans. Other villages.” Gabrielle sighed. “And don’t bother paying.”
“Peachy.”
Xena let her head loll back. “Yet
another mess I gotta fix.” She rolled
her shoulders, getting ready to stand.
“Wait here.” She paused when she
felt a hand on her arm. “Something
else?”
“Uh
huh.” Gabrielle smiled sheepishly. “This time it’s the other way around.”
“Say
again?”
“I
go.” Gabrielle patted Xena’s knee. “You stay.”
“Gabriellle. There’s a time and place for you to – .”
“It’s
not me. When I said my friend was just
the person to help? Told her it was
you?” Gabrielle ducked her head. “She, um, mentioned Hades and Tartarus a
lot. She did agree to talk more with
me. Let’s just say she made it clear
the only way she wanted to see you was … dead.”
PART 3
Argo watched her mistress pace and mutter inside the stables.
“Can
you believe it?”
The
warrior stopped in front of her warhorse as if the mare at least would
understand the ridiculousness of the situation. She of countless battles, who’d survived impossible odds,
fearless before even the gods themselves, expected now to hide behind the
skirts of her teenaged tagalong? Let
others determine a course of action to mitigate her past evils? To … wait … for gods knew what?
“Neeeighhh.” Argo bucked her head in apparent agreement.
Smiling
despite her snit, Xena stroked the mare’s nose. Argo pawed the ground and lowered her head toward the saddlebags
resting against a hay pile.
“Uh
huh. I hear ya. I’d ride off in a minute if I thought –
.”
“Neeeighhh.” Argo nudged the flap on one of the bags.
Xena
snorted. “Ah. It’s not flight you’re interested in, but food?”
The
mare bit at a piece of cloth peeking from beneath the flap. When Xena knelt to open the bag, Argo pulled
on the shawl Gabrielle had been using.
“This
is what you want? What’m I supposed to
….” Xena held up the shawl. “Pfft.
You think I’ll be more acceptable, dressed like Gabrielle?”
“Neeeighhh.”
“Ya
gotta be kiddin’. Since when did you
two ….” Gradually Xena’s eyes began to
gleam. “Ahhhh. You’re suggesting I be more like
Gabrielle? Maybe take a hint from
her?” She snickered. “On the proper way to … wait?” Xena got up and scratched behind the mare’s
ear. “Sorry I ever doubted you,
girl. Gods know you have more sense
than most humans.”
Argo bobbed her head. She watched the warrior stride toward the door to scope things out, then stuck her nose in the saddlebag to snag the now accessible apple she’d seen Xena stow there that morning.
♠♠♠♠♠
“I
understand why Xena’s not your favorite person. If you just give her a – .”
“She ruined everything!” Ursula banged the
table. “Before her, our men were
content. Satisfied with what we could
make from the land and each other. It
wasn’t much, but it was a decent living.
Now they’re no more than thieves, playing at being decent.”
“But
if there’s anyone who could convince them to turn from --.”
“You
don’t think we’ve tried? The
women? The elders?” Ursula ground her teeth. “Our men come back all puffed up. Drop bags of goodies in front of everyone. Next thing you know, folks’re celebratin’
and snatchin’ what they can. Act like
they don’t see the effects. The
laziness and greed it breeds. The suspicion
or lack of courtesy toward strangers.
The example set for our kids.”
Gabrielle
leaned forward. “That’s what I’m trying
to tell you. Nobody knows that better
than Xena. You have to believe she’s
changed. Her life now is dedicated to
making amends for having a hand in things like that.”
Ursula
drew back, regarding the young woman across from her. “You may seem different, but you travel with `er. Make excuses, even if you’ve never hurt
anybody yourself. Why should I trust
you any more than her.” She gazed
pointedly at Gabrielle’s scratches and patched garments. “Maybe you’re just another of her
victims.” Her eyes softened a bit. “But don’t know it?”
Gabrielle
grimaced. “Traveling with the Warrior
Princess can be painful.” She propped
her right foot up on a chair seat.
“Talk about blisters.” She shook
her head. “My fault, trying to keep up
with her. But you’d never know
it.” She held Ursula’s eyes. “She tended them. Fixed my boots so I could walk with more comfort. In fact, if it wasn’t for her, I might be a
slave. Or dead. She could’ve walked away. Left me to suffer from my own or someone
else’s doing. It’s because she didn’t
that I’m here.”
“So
you owe your life to `er.”
“I’ve
seen her take life too. I’ve met some
of the killers and thugs from her past.
I’m not blinded by the good I’ve seen even more of. The good that makes me stay.” Gabrielle squared her shoulders. “It’s true, I haven’t hurt anyone. And she tries her best not to hurt me. That’s what I’m asking you to trust.”
Ursula
searched the green eyes in vain for any hint of doubt or subterfuge. If the innocence and sincerity she saw
instead formed a true mirror of Gabrielle’s soul, then perhaps they also
conveyed an honest reflection of the “new” Warrior Princess.
“Let’s
say I buy what you’re sayin’. That Xena
really might agree to help. Our men
won’t know she’s ‘changed.’ She’ll be
like a magnet pullin’ them further into what we want them to leave. What’s she gonna do? Fix things by killin’ `em all?”
Gabrielle
ducked her head. “Um, well,
strategizing isn’t exactly my thing.
That’s where Xena usually comes in.”
She smiled. “If you’re game, I’d
say – .”
“Ursula!” A woman burst in, followed by several
others. “They’re back! And … and ….” The woman pointed in consternation outside. “You’d better go see for yourself!”
♠♠♠♠♠
From
a distance, the scene could have signaled either a village being invaded by
marauders, or a village welcoming home its militia. The bounty lying at the feet of the uniformed men might’ve been
taken from or delivered to those gathered.
It was hard to tell which situation possibly evoked the amazed
expressions. Only a closer inspection
revealed neither the men nor their loot as the center of attention. Instead, all eyes focused on a single
individual lounging against the stables.
All thoughts consumed with a common concern.
“Who
is she?”
“It
can’t be!”
“It
is! Xena!”
The
whispers flowed from group to group – anticipation and anxiety, certainty and
confusion. Finally one of the uniformed
men stepped forward to confront the question in their midst, confident he
already knew the answer.
“Xena. You found us.”
“What
makes you think I was looking.”
“You
didn’t like losing soldiers.”
“Deserters? Most weren’t worth keeping.”
The
mutters from his comrades spurred the man to lift his chin. “Maybe not then.” He pulled his sword and used it to lift a golden goblet that had
spilled from a sack. “Late bloomers.”
“Mm.” Xena straightened from the stable wall,
mouth quirking at the collective flinch.
She cocked her head. “Guess that
explains it. Why I didn’t know who I
was looking for.”
“Name’s
Galleos. Me and a few others here spent
awhile in your army. Mostly under
Darphus. Stayed long enough to learn
what we didn’t like.” He twirled the
goblet on his sword. “And what we
did. Figured you might hear about
us. Recognize your mark.”
“My
mark?!” Xena appraised the men and
their loot with obvious disdain. “You
didn’t come closer than Darphus. A slip
in my standards I’ll always regret.”
Galleos
bristled. “Then why’re you here? Didn’t hear you were the type for sight
seeing, unless it was for recruits, rewards or supplies. Nothing else besides us worth this trip.”
“You
hear that?” Xena asked the crowd.
“Wouldn’t make this guy your chief of tourism, if I were you.” She sauntered up to Galleos. “There’s this,” she said, plucking the
goblet from his sword. She gestured
toward the women clustered around Gabrielle.
“And them. Good peasant
stock. Very attractive to some
slavers.”
The
women gasped. A couple of the braver
ones edged forward.
“You
don’t scare me. Our men may think
you’re the cat’s meow. We got claws
too. And aren’t afraid to use `em!”
“Yeah,
you have a lot of nerve coming here, after –.”
“Wait.” Ursula exchanged a long look with
Gabrielle. “All she’s doin’ is
talkin’. See what she’s got to say,
before we charge.”
The
others gawked at Ursula. Of all the
wives, she’d been the most vocal in her opposition to the men’s “outings.” In her hatred of Xena. Her calm response surprised them but also
persuaded them to follow suit.
“My
mistake.” Xena nodded to Ursula and
winked slightly at Gabrielle. “Seems
there might be decent recruits here after all.”
“Okay,
Xena, enough of this.” Galleos signaled
for the others to draw their weapons.
“Our women are off limits. You
wanna insult us any more, you’ll have to do it with a sword.”
Xena
appeared unfazed by the men circling her.
She sheathed her sword. “How
many can you … ‘late bloomers’ … handle?”
“What?”
“How
many swords? A whole army? Enough to even the odds?”
“What’re
you….” Galleos joined the others in
nervously looking over their shoulders.
“I
could probably handle the lot of you by myself. I don’t do that any more for sport. Not much profit in dead villagers. No, if I signal for reinforcements, it’ll be because you were too
stupid to heed my warning.”
“Yeah,
and what’s that?”
“Stop
playing at being me. You aren’t and
never will be. Every merchant or
village you attack makes it harder for me down the line. Competition I can’t tolerate. Right now you’re nothin’ more than strangers
who should’ve stuck to whatever you were better at than listening to
Darphus.”
Xena
tossed the goblet back to Galleos.
“Stick your noses in my business again, you’ll become an enemy. Whatever you hoped to gain will pale in
comparison to what you forfeit from your fields, your homes, your shops. Trust me,” she said, her gaze lingering on
the women around Gabrielle, “I speak from experience.”
“How
do we know you won’t change your mind?
Come back and attack us anyway?”
“You
don’t. If you know what’s good for you,
you’ll use your skills to protect your village. From folks with ambitions like yours, if not from me. If you can’t hack that, maybe your women
will.”
“That’s
it? You want nothing in return?”
“Yeah. What I meant to come for. Breakfast.”
♠♠♠♠♠
Except
for the two older men who apparently were fixtures, Xena and Gabrielle had
relative privacy in the dining area.
The villagers were in a meeting hall discussing Xena’s ultimatum. Actually, the women had already concluded
there would be no more marauding. They
wanted to give their men a chance to decide that on their own. The men had a hint about what awaited them
if they didn’t – bags packed with clothing beside the door to their homes, in
some cases theirs, in other cases their wives’.
Gabrielle
polished off another sweet roll. “Wow,”
she said, rubbing her stomach, “I worked up quite an appetite watching you …
wait.”
“Mm.” Xena chewed appreciatively on a piece of ham
Ursula had been saving for herself.
“Blame Argo. She reminded me how
you can be as creative about waiting as I am about fighting.”
“Humph.” Gabrielle blew on her fingertips. “It worked, didn’t it?”
“We’ll
see.” Xena glanced over at Ursula, who
had been observing the two. “Depends on
how well they bought my act.”
Ursula
detected openness in the warrior’s eyes.
She set three cups of tea on a platter and walked to her guests’
table. “Mind if I join you?”
“Sure,”
Gabrielle said, grinning up at Ursula.
“I’d love to hear your perspective.”
Ursula
grunted. She eased down on a
chair. She studied the ex-warlord she’d
never expected to be so near – at least, not without taking a skillet to the
dark head. “You’ll really leave us
alone? If the men cooperate?”
Xena
nodded.
“And
your army? They’ll go along?”
“Don’t
have one.” Xena raised a brow at
Gabrielle. “Unless you count her.”
Ursula
snorted. “She’s as good as one. Did a pretty good job on me. Nobody else could’ve made me believe you
deserved a second chance.”
“She
does have a knack for that. I might not
be here, if she didn’t.”
“That
so.” Ursula cut her eyes at
Gabrielle. “I’d heard it was the other
way around.”
Xena
shrugged. “I try to keep up.”
“Huh. Heard that was the other way around too.”
“She
fancies herself a budding bard. No
telling what’s real or imaginary.”
“Hey! I base what I say on experience.” Gabrielle scowled at Xena. “It’s everybody else who insists on making
it whatever they want.”
“Speaking
of which ….” Ursula focused on Xena
again. “Your plan? It depends on the men seeing the ‘old’
you. You gonna tell `em the truth? That you’re tryin’ to change?”
Xena
blew on her tea. “It’s not about my
image. I am who I’ll always be to the
person at the end of my sword.”
“But
won’t it help the men? Knowing if you
gave up doin’ it for kicks, maybe they should too?”
“If
it works, leaving things as they are, fine by me. Besides, it wouldn’t stick because of me. It’ll stick because of you. People they care about insisting on
it.”
Ursula
nodded. “We tolerated too much. Too long.
They know what’s at stake now, if they backslide.”
Xena
nodded. “I’ve had my moments.” She shot a look at Gabrielle. “Pesky reminders help.”
“I
bet.” Ursula winked at Gabrielle. “Afraid I hear some pesky reminders callin’
me back to my chores.” She offered a
hand to Gabrielle, then Xena.
“Appreciate what you did for us.
Stop by before you leave. I’ll
give you somethin’ for the road.”
“So,”
Gabrielle said, watching Ursula walk away, “I didn’t do too bad, huh?” She smirked. “For somebody with patches, stitches and a big mouth. I even waited like you told me.” She batted her eyes. “Perhaps a promotion is in order? Less tagalong, more … sidekick?”
“You
mean, being in on more action?” Xena
sipped her tea. “There’s room for
improvement.”
“And
you call me stubborn? Xena, I swear –.”
“You’ve
got the heart, all right.”
“But?” Gabrielle narrowed her eyes, waiting for the
other shoe to drop.
“For
starters ….” Xena drolly scrutinized
her worse-for-the-wear companion. “Less
skirt, better boots.”
THE END