When Love Is Found
by wildbard
Disclaimer: The following characters of Xena Warrior Princess are property of MCA/Universal. It is not meant to infringe on any copyrights whatsoever.
However this story is mine and mine alone.
WARNING! There is graphic violence, some strong language as well as a touchy rape scene. If this bothers you please leave. I write stories in ways that I see fit. I try to make it as real as possible, NOT for the ratings of television. So if you’re NOT 18 or older, go read Barney or something.
NOTE: This story was started last year before the end of the 3rd season and never finished, until my soulmate read what I had and wanted to know how it ended. So here we go. Enjoy. Please let me know what you think. Thanks!
" By the gods it's really getting cold out", Gabrielle stated through her teeth as she pulled here cloak closer around her to keep warm.
" I know…There's a village about another 3 candlemarks or so. We'll stay there for he night. Sound good to you?"
" Xena why didn't we go to the other town that was down in the valley we just passed?" The bard asked as here teeth began to chatter.
Xena heard her friend's question and knitted her brow and stopped to face the bard.
"My army destroyed that valley Gabrielle, just for the point that I could." Her face was masked with the warlord from so long ago. Xena took in a deep sigh and looked down at her feet and continued on.
" We didn't even loot the village. All I told my men was do go and have 'fun'.
I remember watching from the crest of the hill and just watched my men. They burned the houses, killed the men, raped the women and all I did was sit back, drinking my port and laughed."
Gabrielle stood in front of her warrior and saw the pain the ran across her face as she told the tale of so long ago that still haunts her soul and stabs her heart. Slowly without even really knowing she put her hand on Xenas arm and gave it a slight squeeze to let her know she was there for her. Xena realizing the affection from the bard pulled her in for a long and emotional embrace. Gabrielle gave Xena a full hug and ran her hands up and down Xenas back to let her know she would be here for her if needed. Xena returned to hug and kissed her lightly on the forehead and looked deep into those green pools she loves so much.
"Thanks." She whispered with a smile." We should keep moving if we don't want to freeze solid." Gabrielle let out a small giggle and they began their journey for a warm inn once again.
The forest was mostly quiet except for the footsteps of the two women and Argo. It was about a candlemark or so and not a word was spoken between them. Xena realizing this she looked over to her friend a noticed she had her cloaked pulled over her head to try and keep as warm as possible. Xena moved over to the bard and all she saw was her nose poking out of the hood.
"Gabrielle. C'mere." Xena opened her cloaked to show the bard that she was welcome to come in and warm up. With out a sound she pulled the cloaked back down off her face, moved over to her companion, wrapped an arm around the warrior and Xena closed the cloak in around them. Gabrielle proceeded to put both arms around her friend, put her head on Xenas shoulder and thought to herself 'Yup, this is much better.' She smiled to herself as she picked of the rhythm of Xenas walk. Gabrielle let herself melt into the warmth of her friend and never wanted this feeling to end. She was noticing lately the feelings for Xena have been growing stronger and she wasn't to sure how Xena felt about her. Xena has told her time and time again the she loves her, but in what way. Gabrielle knows she is falling in love with Xena and doesn't know quite how to tell her or what her warriors reaction will be. Thinking to herself 'I know how I feel and I should tell her. We both told each other we should keep anything from one another, but what if I'm wrong? What if she thinks it's just some silly hero worship.' Her thought process was broken when Xena shifted her arm around her shoulder into a closer embrace, which sent a feeling of arousal through the bard. Gabrielle reacted by tightening her grasp around Xena waist. 'Oh, Xena…You can make a girl so insane at times. I really need to figure how I'm going to tell you…I can't keep this in any longer.'
As they walked together both cover completely by the warriors cloak, Argo followed his mistress just off her left shoulder, all you could see from behind was two sets of feet, Xenas head and a large lumped connected to her right hip. If a stranger saw them from a distance they might think it was one of Akidnas children. Now that could be a scary sight. Xena was walking a casual pace and enjoying the comfort of her friend, not to mention the warmth that was being shared between these two women. Xena adjusted her hold around the bard's shoulder and let Argos reigns fall so she could put a nearly frozen hand inside for warmth.
" Hey!!! That's cold" A cry came from the lump attached to her hip.
" Sorry. I can't feel my fingers." Xena replied as she looked down to her cleavage and saw two beautiful green eyes looking up at her. She smiled at the warmth that showed through them and a hint of something else she wasn't to sure on.
" What about Argo? Will she still follow us?"
" Yes. I trained her to follow me in case I was unable to lead her or whatever the matter was, and right now that training is coming in handy." Giving the bard a smile and another hug they feel silent and continued on.
Xena was lost in thought and was trying to make sense of all the feeling that were running through her veins. She could feel the bards warm breath on her breasts and it was making her head spin. She'd know for a while about her feeling for Gabrielle and wanted so desperately to tell her, but she had never been good with words.'Okay Xena get a grip on yourself old girl. It's not like you're a young schoolgirl, think! ' But that WAS the problem she DID feel like a schoolgirl again. Her heart was pounding, she was sweating and her groin felt like it was on fire. She loved this woman so much it hurt, but she could never get up the nerve to tell Gabrielle. She thought of how much she would love to just throw her down an take the bard right there. 'Oh I need a cold bath.' She thought to herself on how to give her thoughts a voice, she had to tell Gabrielle how she felt, she couldn't keep these feeling in any longer. 'Xena. It's now or never.'
" Gabrielle."
"Xena."
They both stopped in their tracks and broke the embrace they had together. Looking at one another in unison. " You go first." They stopped and giggled for a minute. Xena spoke first.
" Go ahead Gabrielle you first……Please."
The bard took a slow intake of air and let it out just as slow. Trying to get up the nerve to proceed with her heart, but it felt as if she was going to exploded from within. She was beginning sweat, her heart was now in her throat, her head was spinning and it felt as if someone was standing on her chest. Her brow knitted together and she started to fidget with her hands.'Gods, why in Hades am I so nervous?!'
'This is a first, Gabby at a loss for words.' Xena thought as a small grin crossed her face but she then noticed the look in the bard eyes. The look from Gabrielle was so powerful, so full of emotion that her chest became tight with anticipation. Xena was beginning to sweat when she noticed that Gabrielle was beginning to play with her hands and that was a sign that she was nervous about something. Xena decided to give her a push of encouragement to continue with what she wanted to do
" Gabrielle, you know you can tell me anything that is on your mind. I'm always here for you." She looked into her eyes for a reaction. "You know that, right?" Xena finished as she put a reassuring hand on her shoulder. Their eyes locked onto one another, the silence was chilling, Xenas heart began to race, she saw Gabrielle just began to form her words, CRASH!!! Both women jumped, Argo began to stammer around. Another sound that couldn't be identified was beginning to grow louder by the second.
"Xena! What is that?!" Gabrielle replied slightly panicked
" A tree…..I think..But I can't make out what that other sound is." She began to take a look around to try and find out where the sounds were coming from. Before Xena could make another move the bard's voice broke her concentration.
"Xena!! Gods! LOOK!!"
Xena spun on her heal to see the forest was beginning to disappear. Everything was being sucked into a sinkhole and it was headed right for them. Xenas eyes were fixed in disbelief at the scene that was unfolding before them. Argo was getting inpatient and whining for them to snap out of the daze they were in. Xena heard Argo urgency and grabbed Gabrielle's arm snapped her around. " RUN!" Both women and horse were running for their lives. Anything in the path of this horror was pulled down to its death, trees, plants, and any animal that didn't run. The sound of rumbling was growing louder by the second. Gabrielle looked back as a giant oak was pulled to its death; panic started to rise in her stomach as she was being pulled by Xena. They were running in full sprint, lungs were burning, muscles were on the edge of cramping, hearts were pounding so hard the bard thought that here heart might attack her. Sounds of splitting wood, rumbling of the earth, and falling rocks were being over powered by the sound of rushing water. Xena looked to her left and back and noticed that a circle was forming out of this madness. They were running in the direction of the completion, which gave her and idea.
" Gabrielle! When I say jump, jump!"
All Gabrielle could do was nod to herself and followed the warrior. They pushed forward with all they had. That horror was growing louder and louder until Gabrielle that it was going to take her.
"JUMP!"
They both leapt as far as they could landed on their feet but rolled forward to a complete stop. Hearing the sound was deafening an still coming closer, Argo whining fiercely at his mistress. Xena quickly rose to her feet lunged at Gabrielle and encircled the bard with herself to let the bard know if they die, they would die together.
"Xena!"
"Gabrielle!"
Then as quickly as this horror came, it was gone. Silence once again covered the forest with the exception of the faint sounds of rushing water and heavy breathing. Xena laid with the bard encircled in her arms, she slowly opened her eyes and looked around and what she saw terrified her. Everything was gone. The whole forest that they just walked through was gone. All that remained was a huge hole in the ground that was just inches away from them.
" Gabrielle?" she spoke softly." Hey. It's over. We're okay"
Gabrielle slowly relaxed her grip on the warrior and looked up into her eyes. Still breathing hard she managed a small smile and let Xena help her top her feet. As she fought to catch her breath she looked behind her and saw the awesome damage that this horror caused. A gasped left her throat as the tears began to flow. Xena pulled her into an embrace gently rocking the bard back and forth whispering reassurance into her ear. Xena looked past the woman in her arms and looked over the edge as far a she could and shook at the depth of this abyss. Closing her eyes to this sight she tighten her grip onto her bard.
" Shhh. It's over now. Everything is going to be alright." Xenas soft voice helped calm the bard down to where her breathing was almost back to normal. Gabrielle pulled back to look up into the best sight she has seen all day, Xenas eyes. Both women stood in the place just looking at one another not wanting to break the spell. Gabrielle spoke first after a very long comfortable silence.
"Xena?"
" Yes?" Xena said with baited breath as her heart began to pound inside her chest. She saw that Gabrielle was about to say something when a loud snap made them stop breathing. Xenas eyes looked at a frenzy pace to find the cause of the noise. Nothing. Not a damn thing. All of a sudden the hairs on Xenas neck stood on end.
"Xena. I've got a really bad feeling about this." The bards stomach was now in her throat, her heart was pounding and tightens the grasp she had on Xena. A small rumble was heard as well as felt beneath them. In unison they looked at their feet than at each other. Xena raised an eyebrow," Oh shit." Before she could get a hold on Gabrielle the ground crumbled beneath them. Gabrielle's piercing scream ripped through the air as she fell. Xena was able to grab onto a tree root and the bard's hand. Trying desperately to find footing to help support the weight was a loosing battle. Every time the warrior got her footing the ground would crumble under her. Xena was beginning to lose her grip on the bard. Gabrielle had nothing to grab onto or any footing to help support herself. She was hanging onto Xena for her life. Xena was beginning to lose her grip not only on the tree root but Gabrielle as well. Xenas mind was racing on what to do, there was nothing she could do if she couldn't get footing soon, they both will die. Xena was starting to panic.
" Xena!!! Gods please…. Don't….. let go." Gabrielle was all panic trying to keep a good grip on her warrior, but she was losing that battle." Xena I can't …..I can't hold on much longer." Suddenly the root lost some of it grip onto the earth and both women were jerked
hard. Gabrielle squealed and lost her grip on Xena. With quick reflexes the warrior caught the arm of the bards cloak.
"Gabrielle!…..Hang on!" Xena was beginning to lose the feeling in her fingers from holding on to long and so tight. Finally she was able to get her footing and took the strain off her arm and now fought to pull her friend up. " Gabrielle. I'm going to pull you up enough to hold on to me..Okay??" She caught her eyes for a brief moment and knew the message was understood. Xena slowly began to gently pull her up when the arm of the cloak began to tear. Both sets of eyes locked onto each other. Terror ripped thought Xenas heart.
" I love you Xena." Was that last thing said as the arm of the cloak ripped way.
" NNNNNNOOOOOOO!!!!!"
The sun was slowly making its decent on the world and all that was heard in the forest was the wind. Another sound was caught on the tail of the moving wind, the sounds of great emotional pain. Xena sat looking over the edge of the great abyss before her, tears streaming down her face, her knees hugging her chest, slowly rocking back and forth not taking her eyes off the bottom. Her shoulders shook violently, her head shaking from side to side in disbelief that the one treasure in her life was gone. Gone forever. Sitting at the edge as her mind began to race on what she could have done different to save Gabrielle. Her thought was broken when she felt her cloak being tugged from behind. Snapping her head around as if to see those green eyes she loved so much, only to find Argos big brown eyes it their place. Xena understanding Argos concern, takes one last look at her abyss, stands taking in a breathe " I love you too, Gabrielle…Forever." Turning and walking away as the tears began to flow so thick that her vision was now blurred. Walking over to a small cave off the road, the warrior set up a small fire, sat on a log left by the last occupants, and just stared into the fire reliving the day.
Her muscles ached, her head was pounding, and eyes were swollen from all the tears that were spent. She knew she had to eat but her stomach was all in knots and the thought of food actually made her nauseous. She continued to stair into the fire closing her eyes tight to try and rid herself of the vision of Gabrielle falling. Her scream still echoed in the warriors ears, her breath quickened she suddenly felt panic rise up into her soul, 'Xena please don't let me go!' Covering her ears and standing screaming in rage. "I'm sorry! Gods I'm sorry Gabrielle." Dropping to her knees, grabbing her heart, she began to sob with unspeakable guilt. Slowly Xena lowered herself down onto the bed roll, curled up into a tight ball like a frightened child and cried herself to sleep
.
The warrior began to toss and turn in her sleep, crying out to Gabrielle. Her face was tormented by pain, sweat beaded on her brow. ' Xena please don't let me die. Please don't let me go.'
The voice would say over and over, " NO!" Xena sat up with a start; her eyes were looking around trying to focus. They finally fell upon the bard's bag of scrolls, her heart became heavy, she rose to her feet grabbed the bag and walked off into the night. Argo sensing her mistress was not going to return she instinctively followed.
The valley was covered with a light blanket of snow as small sounds from a nearby river could be heard. All the animals of the forest were finally moving about their business of the day. For the most part the forest was quiet, with the exception of a barking dog down by the river.
" Hey! Shadow! Get over here! We do NOT have the time to play around. I want to get back home while the fish are still fresh." The soft, yet firm voice of a woman echoed over the hills. A light grunt could be heard as the animal left the chase to obeyed its owner.
A rather large dog pranced through the snow to its owner; the animal stuck out like a harpy in a flock of sheep, with his black coat shinning in the snow. The animal played around while still heading in the direction of the river to its owner.
"Come on butthead, its getting cold." This mysterious woman was standing next to a wagon filled with baskets of fish and a couple of rabbits hanging off the side. A black fur cloak covered her from head to about midleg, her brown leather boots had fringe off the back, black wool pants, and black leather gloves, but her face was hidden behind her hood. Her attention was broken at the sound of Shadow barking in a panic. 'Oh, for crying out loud. Now what?' Thinking to herself as she made her way down to the river where Shadow was totally involved in.
"Okay girl, what the hell…." The sight of a body cut off her breath in mid sentence."Zeus!"
Her eyes widened as her heart began to pound against her chest. Sliding down the embankment to the body in the water and rolled it over. A large gasp of air left her chest as she saw it was a young women, bleeding from a horrible head wound above her right eye, as well as a rather large chunk of flesh missing from her left shoulder. Quickly she check for a pulse, noticing that the women lips were blue and her skin was nearly white as the snow, which wasn't a good sign, suddenly her eyes lit up like a couple of candles.
"Shadow! Go home. Light the center fire pit. Understand girl?" The animal gave a grunt and was gone in a flash. She carefully pulled the woman from the water and noticed the girl's right knee was multiple colors and twice the size. Brushing back frozen hair she whispered, " Hang in there darlin' help is on the way", hoping the girl would hear her, wherever she is. Taking off her cloak she wrapped the women carefully thus revealing her identity. From the looks of it, at one point and time in her life, fire wasn't her best friend. Her face was heavily scared on the right side; her right eye was a foggy white color, unlike her left which was a light brown. Her head was covered with a hat which had a brim that extended out the front a short way, her hair was light brown and pulled into a tail which hung out the back of the hat. From what was showing of her arms her skin tone was a light olive color, but here arms were only lightly scared by the fire she encountered so long ago. With this woman wrapped for warmth, carefully she climbed into the back of the wagon cradling her and giving the giant horse gently words of encouragement to move on toward home.
" Okay, Chance. Time to go home. Take it easy on ruff road, boy." With that said the enormous horse started back, keeping in his mind his masters words of caution.
Shadow was in full run when she came into the main opening to the cave, running down a long tunnel into the main part of the cave. The cave looked like an old abandoned temple of sorts. A large pit, which had carving along its walls, a hole was in the top just under this pit to release smoke and excess heat. Just behind the fire pit was a set of stairs, about 5 to 10 steps, which led to a living area. An assortment of furniture, another small fire pit for cooking and warmth. Near this pit was a couple of pallets, one high back chair, with a table next to it, also a couch which a person could sit up and stretch out or was big enough the sleep two people in necessary. Further to the right was looked like and indoor meadow, light shown through another hole I the ceiling, casting beautiful rays of sun on the small group of tree in the back. To the left of the living area was a steaming hot spring and well as two other opening in the cave walls. This could be storage or other rooms. Giant pillars lined the wall back toward the main entrance tunnel, several tapestries hung along the cave wall.
Sounds of a bucket full of water echoed through out the cave. Shadow was tipping over three buckets along the ledge of the main fire pit; one after another they fell witha thud followed by a splash. She then proceeded to a torch that was lit and sitting in its holder, pushing up from the bottom she tipped it over the top of the ledge. A loud whoosh sounded as the liquid from the buckets was ignited. The wood began to crack and pop as it was slowly catching on fire; the heat from this fire began to warm the entire cave. Shadow retreated back to the main opening to await her mistress's arrival home.
The wagon rocked and squeaked as it moved along the road. Chance still aware of his precious cargo took extra caution on the ruff road that led home. The woman was talking to the injured girl, just incase she was still in there and listening, " It's going to be alright. We're almost home, just a little longer……I promise to do my best darlin. Hold on. Alright?" Chance rounded to bend to their home and pulled them as close to the entrance as possible. She carefully put the girl down; untied Chance then headed inside. She proceeded across the hall past the main fire pit, 'Gods, is it hot in here!' Moving to the living area she placed the girl on one pallet and move to the other, taking all the furs off including the rug from under it exposing the dirt floor. Moving to a larger table, she rummaged through some bottles then tossed a large blanket on the rocks next to the hot spring. Crossing back over to her patient removing the cloak, " Okay darlin', I've got to take these wet cloths off you. I promise to replace them." Placing the cloak on the floor she reaches over to a table to grab a pair of sheers to cut them away. She closely watched the girl as she cut away her top, carefully lifting her to pull the last of her top out from underneath her. Tossing is aside she cut away the skirt, which was all torn from her ride down river, finally the boots. First she tried to unlace them and pull them off, but the wet leather was making it impossible to do so, so she cut them off too. Looking over the almost naked form, the only garment that remained was the girl's underwear. She quickly stood and moved over to the spring to retrieve the blanket. The rocks near the hot spring were warm so thus heating up the blanket. Gently placing the warmed blanket on her she moved over to the small fire pit and placed a fire poker in the flames and began to make medicine, boil bandages, as well as some hot chicken broth. With a bowl of warm water in her hands she knelt down beside this helpless woman. A whimper caught her attention. She looked over to where Shadow was sitting," It's okay girl. I've got to clean her up before I can attend to her wounds." Picking up the girl and placing her on the uncover pallet, she began to wash away the dried blood and dirt from her face. Her color was beginning to change for the better. Between the heat of the cave and the warm blanket, her body temp was looking good. Her lips were now pink in stead of the discolored blue of death. Finally removing the girl's underwear and cleaning her, she covered her up once again with a warm blanket then moved to the wound above her right eye.
The cut wasn't long just very deep, carefully she cut away the infected piece of skin, some stands of hair, cleaned the wound again, then using a very small version of a poker, began to cut and burn the other infected areas of the wound. Twenty-five small stitches it took to close the wound. The scare should go unnoticed; the wound is just below her hairline. Wrapping the bandage snug around her head she quickly moved to her right shoulder that was beginning to bleed. 'Good, she back up to temp. Now to stop her from bleeding any more.' With the young woman's temp almost normal her blood flow was starting to continue. She worked quickly to close the hole on her shoulder. Muscle and. bone could be seen. Packing the wound with cobwebs, placing a light green paste onto the wound then wrapped her up. Placing her hands on her ribs to detect if any were broken she heard a light moan come from the girl. Her head snapped to the right looking for some expression, noticed pain across her face. Placing a hand on her forehead, " That's it darlin', come on back. You're in good hands." Stroking the girl's face once more than returned to finish her exam on the ribs. None seemed to be broken, but definitely bruised. Looking at her left knee, she was so afraid of what she was going to find. The knee was all colors of the rainbow and even some colors she didn't have words for, it was twice its size and the gash on the inside looked as if she got caught up on something along the way. The skin was ripped, but the bleeding had stopped a while ago. Slowly she pulled open the flap of skin that was hanging there and noticed a piece of wood broken off inside. Taking a small knife she held out the flap and began to cut the wound a little wider to get a better view of the damage. Seeing that the piece could be pulled out with no further damage, she grabbed it with her forefinger and thumb and pulled. Blood began to run over her fingers just as the girl moaned in pain. 'Almost there…Almost there.' Finally it was out. She cleaned, stitched, and wrapped the wound. Looking up at the girl she notice a fever had broke, her forehead was beaded with sweat and her breathing was a little quick, but nothing to worry about just yet. Shadow moved closer to the pallet and looked at the injured woman and began a soft whimper.
" Shadow. Shes going to be all right. Do you wanna stay with her?" She asked her little fury companion as she washed away the blood from her hands and cleaned up the small area that became a hospital. Placing a clean light blue shift on the girl, she picked her up and placed her in the other pallet next to the fire pit as well as a nice warm blanket over her. The next few day were going to be hairy. Hoping that this girl was strong enough to fight off any infection and illness brought on by the cold she was exposed too. Who was this woman and where did she come from. Thoughts just filled her head as she watched intently from her chair hoping for the best out come.
The forest trail was beginning to open up into a main road through rolling hills ahead. The snow was lightly laying a gentle kiss upon the land. The wind was gentle but crisp and the sounds of a horse can be heard. Breaking into the light of day from the confines of the tree covered trail; a lone figure seated upon a golden war-horse appeared. The horse was moving at a slow trot; her rider just sat in the saddle lifeless. Enfolded in a thick black cloak the rider's features were unable to be made out. Armored covered legs could be seen peeking through the sides of the cloak. The wind pulled at the war-horses mane as well as the cloak that flapped like a war banner in the wind. The road has been silent for some time now only the sound of the wind, no animals out on such a cold day. Slowly the forest began to disappear into the back ground as the lone travelers pressed on. Still lifeless in step.
"Hey! Crowl! Lookie what I see." Barked a dark figure next to a still smoldering wagon.
"What! Can't you see I'm busy." He hissed as he continued to force his manhood into this young victim they ambushed a couple of candlemarks ago. " That's it bitch. This is what a real man feels like." A hand silenced the young woman screams that cover it from behind.
"Gods! Looks like she doesn't like it Crowl." Another spat as laughter rang out. "Sure your doing it right?!"
"Oh Ya!" He hissed as he found his release. Then after he slowly slit the girls throat, with a smile of satisfaction.
"You are one sick bastard." Came a reply as the rest began to laugh. " Check out the road you losers. We got some more company coming." All the raiders turned to look up the road to see a lone rider headed their way. They took what they could get from the farmers they just killed and got ready for their next victim.
" Well this looks like it's gonna be easy. The riders asleep. He'll never know what hit him." Spat a harsh voice.
The slow walk of the horse stopped with a snort hoping to wake its mistress up out of a zombie like state. No movement came from the saddle. The war-horse slowly backed up away from the carnage before her. Sensing movement to her left the slightly turned to get a look, just as a pair of knees slowly put pressure into her sides.
"Well. Well. Well. Looks like were all going to get a little today boys."
"Crowl how do you know it's a female? HHHMMMM?." Came a smart remark from behind him.
" Shit. Crowl don't care as long as he gets some." Deep throaty grunts and chuckles exploded into the air.
"Take a good look boys. Do men have legs like that." Pointing to the exposed thigh. Slowly moving in that direction. " And it doesn't matter she end up just like her when I'm done." He hissed jerking his head over to where the young woman was lying lifeless, naked, and frozen. The scene was gruesome. The white innocent snow covered road that was now crimson from the dead bodies that now lay upon it; three men, two women, an elder, and an infant. All dead.
The rider still gave these men no sign of life. So Crowl made his way over to the horse, kicking a decapitated head out of his way, lifted his hand to grab the stirrup when a boot was slammed in to his face. Crowl landed with a thump, knocking the wind out of him. Trying to catch his breathe and trying to get to his feet, the rest of the men slowly look up to the rider as a pair of cold blue eyes stared them down hard. It felt as time stood still, everyman didn't dare move, as those ice filled eyes looked over the gruesome scene before her. She lifted her head up towards the sky sniffed the crisp air slowly rolling her head from side to side finally loosened.
A soul-shattering shriek ripped through the air, snapping all minds into a frozen state of being. With a push of powerful legs the warrior pushed herself up and over the war-horse in a tight roll landing in front of two raiders. Blue eyes burned right through them. With in a split second they knew in their guts that they were going to die, and it wasn't going to be pretty.