The
Conqueror's Harvest
Chapter
Seven
Gabrielle shrank back as the Conqueror moved closer to the bed. Oxygen was pumping
through her lungs at an alarming rate, and she fought with it and her rebellious
stomach as each fought for dominance.
“No, please…”
A dark eyebrow rose as the blonde flailed weakly in her bonds. Xena had seen the
signs of shock before, and knew what was coming. As if on cue, the bard's face
went still, and then turned ashen white as the contents of her belly was emptied
onto the rumpled sheets beneath her.
The Conqueror sighed resignedly. Was there no respite from the endless torment
she had to endure?
Gabrielle watched as Xena lifted the dagger and moved purposefully towards her.
She tried to stop her struggling and weeping, all too afraid that they were the
cause for the look of irritation displayed on the warrior's face, but found things
compounded as drops of blood trickled down the blade and onto the Conqueror's
hand.
There had been so much blood, so much pain, endured by each man as they were judged
wanting by the Conqueror. In her mind's eye, Gabrielle could see other men and
women, summarily dealt with, their blood staining the lord's hands a deeper red
with each death, the bodies mounting endlessly, until Xena stood before her drenched
in crimson.
Xena frowned as the young woman cringed with terror.
“I only mean to cut your bonds, girl.” She dropped the knife onto the
bed, intent upon using her fingers instead. Her palm was sticky with blood, and
she rubbed both hands together in an effort to smear at least some of the gore
away.
“Oh gods,” whimpered the bard, as the stain seemed to spread.
“It's only blood, slave.”
“No, no…keep away…”
“Stop being silly, it's only blood. I have no weapon. I'm not going to hurt
you. Gabrielle…”
Xena stilled her progression towards the bard as the woman's movements became
frenzied. It would do no good to have her plans thwarted yet again because the
foolish girl fell into a dead faint. She'd had far too many interruptions this
night as it was.
“It's alright, calm down.”
“So much blood, Xena, it'll never come off, never wash away.”
The image of a blood drenched warrior persisted, and Gabrielle watched in horror
as the room began to fill with it, rising higher and higher, until they were both
sure to drown in it. And then with a shriek, Gabrielle's eyes rolled up into her
head, and she fell back into a deep well of blackness.
Xena sighed dejectedly, and her temper rose as the fires within her continued
with a roar.
“Damned hands. Damned foolish men. Godsbedamned Dagnon! This is all his fault,
the pox-ridden, weasel-faced sorry excuse for a…”
She turned quickly at the slight noise behind her, coiled to defend herself against
another attempt on her life. Giving the blonde one last look, Xena snatched up
her dagger and then moved carefully over to the bathing area. Focusing herself
mentally, the warrior began to breathe slowly, and emptied her mind of everything
but the task at hand.
Taking thumb and forefinger, she quickly extinguished the two nearest candles,
cursing the resulting hiss under her breath. The room quickly faded to half-light.
Xena perked her ears, focusing all of her senses on the slight movement she could
detect coming from the other room.
She sneered as images of the large boned Lieutenant creeping about in the dark
entered her mind. No, he was more the type to get others to do his dirty work.
The last two attempts proved that. Another assassin? She flicked her thumb across
the sharp edge of steel and grinned coldly.
'There will be more blood this night, Dagnon. Soon it will be your own.'
Xena brought the blade up against her cheek, and the coppery scent of drying blood
filled her senses. The day's stress seemed to melt off her as she felt herself
filled with the cold, clean energy of battle lust. Gripping her dagger briefly,
making the handle smear across her palm, Xena moved silently forward.
Faint shadows danced across the open door, and the Conqueror refocused all of
her attention on the contents of the adjoining room. The usual scent of virgin
olive oil, anise, and bergamot was detected, and she could tell that whom ever
it was, they were not rifling through things; they were familiar with these surroundings.
Xena concentrated deeply, detecting only one occupant. One eyebrow shot up. 'Not
that it mattered.' Sending three or more against her would make no difference.
Xena narrowed her eyes, wondering just whom she'd find in her bathing chamber.
It was common for anyone in a position of power to have the usual attempts on
their life, and Xena had endured more than her fair share over the years. She
had learned early that one could trust no one completely.
'Familiarity breeds contempt.'
Who ever it was…a knot formed in the pit of her belly as Andros' name bubbled
up. Closing her eyes quickly, Xena dismissed the thought from her mind. No, he
would never betray her. Why? She ground her teeth with the realization that she
had been placing more trust in the man than was prudent. They'd been through so
much together over the years, sharing good times and bad. And through it all,
only Andros had been a constant positive element in her life.
Xena's lip thinned at the man's perceived betrayal and a slight tremor began in
her hand.
'Not him.'
Then a familiar sound filled her ears as she recognized the low humming of her
servant and Xena felt the muscles in her chest and shoulders relax.
Suddenly, the smell of gingiber filled the air, wafting over the rising steam,
as the bath began to fill. Pushing her lower jaw forward, Xena dropped her hand
down to her side and took a few deep, cleansing breaths.
The small hairs on her forearms prickled with energy as she eased into the room.
Placing the dagger on the table, Xena moved silently up behind the servant.
“Ah!” Ubris yelled as a strong arm encircled her waist.
“Why aren't you with Andros? Did you work your magic so quickly, leaving
him spent and snoring between the sheets?”
Ubris swallowed deeply and then shook her head.
“No, my lord. He…he did not want me.” The woman's face flushed
deeply with embarrassment.
“I'm sorry, lord.”
Xena pressed the smaller body against her, one hand cupping the woman's belly
as the other gripped her chin.
“No, little one. It could never be you, Ubris. The Captain must be…tired,
for no one could resist your charms. Not even me.”
Ubris moaned softly as sharp teeth grazed across the base of her neck and shoulders.
Xena grinned as she bit down on the tender flesh of her servant, hands moving
in rhythm as they massaged the woman's breasts into rigid peaks.
The woman writhed deliciously against her, and Xena responded it kind.
“Let me take you to the temple of Re-Atum…I will help you traverse the
sky.”
Ubris sighed deeply as the words of her homeland caressed her very soul. A shudder
ran through her slight frame as the soft linen was ripped from her body.
The servant felt all the tension leaving her as she was lifted and carried into
the rising water.
“You are my temple…”
Xena moaned as Ubris whispered into her mouth. She pressed her body against the
younger woman, pinning her against the wall of the bath, and began nibbling on
the tender lips before her. Xena closed her eyes and thought of the blonde in
the other room.
The foreign words that sounded like honey on the Conqueror's tongue began to flow
over the servant, filling her mind with visions of Thebes, and the sacred Valley
of the Kings. Her heart broke with longing for her homeland, and what life used
to be with her family, and her beloved.
Her eyes bright with pent up lust Xena continued her assault on the willing servant,
stopping only briefly to turn the water off.
Xena growled low as her fingers sought out the inner heat produced only for her.
She reveled in the moisture that seemed to feed her demons, urging her forward.
Teeth made purchase, and small red marks were left in their wake. The oiled water
frothed and boiled as the two bodies moved hard against each other, their shadows
performing an opera across the alabaster walls.
The Conqueror gasped as the servant girl's little finger hooked the ring hanging
from her breast. As the woman began to shudder, Xena stilled her hand, causing
Ubris to cry out weakly.
“Stay with me, Ubris. Give me your fire.”
The smaller woman gasped as fingers caressed tender points on her body, making
her ultra sensitive. She squeezed her eyes tightly as she fought back the urge
to give in to her pending orgasm.
“Lord…please.”
“Your body is mine to do with as I will, Ubris.” Xena closed her eyes
and began caressing and squeezing the tender, slippery body beneath her.
“Tell me.”
“Yes, you are my master. I give myself to you, only you. Please…”
Urgent hands found their way into the Conqueror's hair, pulling and pushing, in
attempt to entice the lord's attention to other areas burning with need.
Xena sneered and took both petite wrists into her strong right hand and held them
high, denying Ubris everything.
Panting and thrashing her head back and forth feverishly, Ubris was frantic. So
close was she to ba that even the sound of fluttering wings could be heard.
“My lord, please…release me!”
Xena's mind was filled with intense pleasure as she exerted complete control.
She was there on the plain with Ubris both of them surrounded by the energy produced
by total submission. Xena was reaching that point where she could release that
tightly bound energy within and just be the rapacious predator she truly was.
Ubris cringed at the transformation taking place, and cried out as the bones in
her wrist were ground together.
“Lift your legs.”
The petite woman's heart beat crazily as Lord Xena moved slowly between them.
“Oh yes, my lord…please.”
“Ubris, do it now.”
The realization of what her master was asking swirled about her subconscious like
buzzing bees not yet acknowledged. She whimpered as her master's fingers abandoned
her, leaving her anxious with need.
“Lord?”
Ubris looked up into the almost black eyes of her master, and shuddered with the
force of it. She recognized the predatory gaze, so seldom seen, which made the
appearance all the sweeter. The thrill of the unknown was a double-edged sword,
producing both cold fear and a rising hot desire. The Conqueror's sweet attention
had left her so very close. Every fibre of her being was in full blossom so that
she virtually thrummed. With further attention and practice, perhaps she would
be truly able to appreciate the great honour Lord Xena was willing to bestow upon
her now. It really didn't matter, however, for as ready and willing as she might
one day be, it would do nothing to help her now. She had always watched in awe
as Ankara had received the most precious of gifts from their master. To have someone
of great power and divinity reach inside and anoint your very soul was something
very few had shared. While only a few visitors to the Conqueror's bed had felt
the great hand upon them, none had been privileged to a repeat performance. That
Lord Xena felt the need and desire to share it predominately with her lover made
Ubris beam with pride.
'Ankara, my love.'
Tears welled up in the servant's eyes as the loss of her lover swaddled her in
its cold, clammy embrace. There would be nothing that would keep them apart if
she but knew of a way; not even the great god Osiris would be able to turn his
back on their undying love.
Ubris was jolted back to reality as Xena's blues eyes bore through her. Although
terribly frightened and confused, the servant was determined to make both her
lord and her lover proud, and steeled herself for the pain she must endure.
Her legs were gently eased open and then Ubris felt the focused attentions the
lord began to bare upon her body. Each inch of her skin felt revitalized as it
was kissed, kneaded, and teased. She groaned aloud as the pressure between her
legs increased.
Xena watched as a glazed look came into the woman's eyes. Oh, how she wanted it
to be Gabrielle beneath her! Just the thought made her need for release that much
more urgent. She looked down at the woman and could feel the time was almost ripe.
A blonde brilliance filled her mind as the image of the bard took the servant's
place. Pouring some olive oil liberally over her hand, she began to stroke in
deeper, stretching the tissues as gently, but as firmly, as she could.
“You will be mine.”
Ubris gasped as the width increased, and tried to deny the fear blossoming inside.
While Ankara had born two children, she herself was barren. She had never known
anything but the gentle touch of affection, the lord always being careful with
whom she shared her bounty. Many others were not so blessed. She blushed once
more as the memory of Andros tucking her in before taking his place above the
sheets filled her mind. Was she so undesirable that he felt she was to be considered
a mere child and unworthy of his seed?
Xena ignored the increased tension as the muscles began to clamp down on her fingers,
denying them further access. Blood was rushing through every fibre of her being,
making her feel invincible. She could almost sense the impending implosion within
her mind, and almost taste the sweet purity of nirvana as it rippled tantalizingly
before her. She would claim this slave, this woman who would profess total love
but deny her everything. She would make Gabrielle see…
The Egyptian tried to center herself, moving beyond the increasing pain, but found
herself unable to do so. She opened her mouth, and clutched at the invading hand,
trying to plead with her master.
Gabrielle urged her on with defiance as memories of earlier battles needled Xena's
ego.
'You may have my passion, but you'll never have me.' The words kept eating at
her, and the supposed power she lorded over those around her began to slip. If
a lowly slave could continue to defy her, what did that say about the iron grip
she exerted on her realm?
'I love you, Xena.' Seemed to scratch across her soul, leaving Xena confused as
to whether the acceptance of it meant she was weak or strong because she could
acknowledge it.
Her hand slipped up around the blonde's neck as Gabrielle whispered, 'Give yourself
to me.'
“No!”
And with one thrust, she pushed through the tearing ring of muscles and was bathed
in wondrous, enveloping heat.
As she bent to her task, the steam rose and swirled around them, giving Ubris
the impression that the world of pain she was enduring was really only a bad dream.
The Conqueror's disembodied voice caressed her ear, and the Egyptian began to
pant with effort. The room spun at odd angles as she tried to disengage herself
from the all-encompassing pain, but it was waiting everywhere she ran.
Gabrielle's sweet face was twisted with agony as she reached out a trembling hand
to touch the Conqueror's face.
'How could you hurt me?'
Slowly disengaging herself from the illusion, Xena gazed down with incomprehension
at the anguished look of her servant girl, her eyes wide with fright and pain.
'Oh Gabrielle, what have I done?'
Blood slowly dripped from the slave, its heat turning Xena's soul cold. The coppery
scent filled her nostrils and mind with the images of broken bodies strewn over
numerous forgotten battlefields. Raw feelings of conquest and battle lust lay
as a feast before her, and Lord Xena's desperately empty life was offered up as
a dish of cold ashes. Was blood all the harvest she would ever reap? Worms of
promise ate at her belly, the truth a horrible thing to behold.
'No!' She blinked savagely and then felt such shame, the clear brown eyes of her
servant tinged with a look of betrayal.
“Ubris…stop moving. Just breathe slowly.”
It was like falling from the great mountains of Olympus. Gone was the exalted
feeling of total power; gone was the exit to paradise. Only remorse lay like the
last quiverings of a horrible dream.
The Conqueror had never resorted to physically forcing someone into giving what
she knew they wanted her to have. She was much too successful a seductress for
all that. Both men and women gladly fell into her arms, her bed, and willingly
at her feet, to be used as she saw fit. There had never been the need to take
someone against his or her will because for Xena that was not the prize. For her,
the ultimate challenge was to make someone see that although they were in a 'no'
mindset, she alone could not only change their way of thinking but make them embrace
their hypocrisy and admit that she had been right from the beginning. For Xena,
it was the ultimate domination to have someone's set rules of engagement dissected,
renounced and shown for the sham they were. People may be perfectly willing to
live in a self-imposed world of denial, but they could never lie to her. She knew
instinctively exactly what they needed, whether they wanted it or not, whether
they could face the realization of this new truth or not. Many a man or woman's
spirit had been broken with careless ease as they were offered up such harsh truths,
and then were found wanting by someone who viewed the whole journey as merely
entertainment.
The haunting look of her treasured servant continued to plague her as she gently
bathed the unconscious woman's body with a mixture of cool water and herbs. While
the examination had shown no evidence of internal damage, the amount of blood
was cause for worry. Xena silently blessed the healer's prompt reply to her summons
and then stepped back, allowing Daedalis to finish up. The man's body language
left the Conqueror no doubt as to how he felt about the state of her servant.
Patching soldiers together and even administering the basic medical attention
to those deep in the clutches of the prison's headman were commonality in his
line of work, but dealing with the aftermath of something like this was beyond
the call of duty.
He gulped and wiped at his mouth with the back of his hand, the anguished cries
of the damaged servant girl ringing in his ears. He could only surmise that the
lord was meting out some sort of punishment, so bruised and swollen was the young
woman's body. If the Conqueror had been a man, he'd have heavily counseled him
on the care and treatment of copulating with a slave who was obviously ill prepared
to accept his attentions. Although the legendary sexual prowess of Lord Xena had
been a topic well discussed, and the rather foolish question as her ability to
father children given grudging credence, Daedalis wondered at the state the servant
was in.
“Lord Xena…?”
His brow creased as she walked into the bathing chamber and then tossed her shift
out a few moments later.
“What.”
“About the slave.” Some splashing was heard and then Xena appeared at
the doorway, a thick towel swaddling her hips while she used another to dry her
hair.
“Gabrielle? What of her?”
Daedalis cleared his throat having completely forgotten about the other woman
tied to the bed. It was becoming clear to him that all the supposed rumours had
indeed some foundation of truth to them. He darted his eyes carefully at the Conqueror's
midriff.
Xena caught his glance and looked down at the catgut at her side. The edges were
still raw looking and swollen, but only a bit of blood oozed every now and again.
“It would take far more than a weak knife thrust to truly injure me, healer.
Give it no further thought. Now, about Ubris. How does she fair?”
Daedalis had been thinking about the mythical legends of half man-half women that
seemed to pervade Grecian lore. As dangerous as he knew it to be, he couldn't
help but wonder, finding his eyes wandering back to just what the towel might
be concealing.
He yelped with a squeak as his neck was caught in a vice like grip.
“Eeep!”
“And just what is it that holds your unwavering attention, little man?”
The healer tried to swallow but found his Adam's apple squeezed far too tightly,
preventing him from doing much more than wheeze in a breath or two.
“Sire…”
Shaking him as a dog would an old shoe, Xena grinned dispassionately into the
man's face. She was already suffering the side effects of self-hatred, the hurt
look on the young servant's face etched into her mind. Had Ubris asked why she
had hurt her, or was it the daydream she had been having about the bard that had
put the question into her mind? Was it her true intention to hurt the young bard,
forcing her to accept total rule, or did things just get away from her? She ground
her teeth at the thought. Control was very important to her and why she seemed
to be losing it of late preyed on her mind.
Inflicting pain was something Xena neither glorified in nor shirked. It was a
means to an end in many ways, but was certainly not something she relished doing
to a lover. There had been some who took great satisfaction from her prowess with
a flogger, and Xena was rather fond of the resulting design and heat, but when
it came to an intimate act between two or more people, forced penetration was
not something she wished to entertain. Rape was something only cowards employed.
Sex, even of a casual nature, was to be enjoyed, the resulting bond something
worth attaining by far gentler means. Although having heard the rumours floating
about her court, Xena was less inclined to right the misconceptions, preferring
to add to the myth, rather than detract. It mattered not, however, for at that
very moment, the last thing she intended to endure was the disproving look of
this weasel of a man dressed as healer.
A weak choking noise finally penetrated her daze, and Xena released the man's
throat, somewhat amused that even in her somewhat inattentive state, the man had
correctly surmised that being rendered unconscious was by far more preferable
than the resulting rage a struggle would have produced.
“The slave, man, out with it. And be quick as I've no time for your foolishness.”
Daedalis coughed weakly, any thoughts of questioning the Conqueror on matters
of anatomy completely gone from his head.
“She seems well, sire, under the circumstances. A cold compress should be
applied to the…ah, nether regions, milord. I will send an assistant to take
care of her needs, of course.”
Xena dismissed him, and walked over to the screen by the bed. The healer watched
surreptitiously as towels flew in all directions, and then the Conqueror emerged
wearing a crimson silk robe.
“Shall I send for a litter, sire?”
A shove towards the door was his only answer. Daedalis wore a look of incredulity
as he watched the Conqueror gently lift the medicated young servant into her arms
and then move to the adjoining guest chamber.
Xena stopped at the door.
“Oh, and Daedalis, see to Gabrielle, won't you. I believe she's asleep but
she might have fallen into a swoon at the shock.”
Two grey eyebrows lifted.
“Shock, milord?”
Xena gave the man something akin to a kind smile, albeit one that never fully
reached her cold blue eyes.
“I believe the young bard was under the misconception that I was torturing
my servant as opposed to making love to her.”
Daedalis swallowed his answer, certain that his viewpoint on one being synonymous
with the other would be seen in an unfavourable light. The look did not go unnoticed.
He quickly dropped his gaze as the Conqueror's eyes narrowed dangerously.
“Yes, milord.” He went over to the bed, and dutifully checked the slave's
restrained wrist. Nodding quickly, he all but fell over in his haste to extract
himself from her mounting anger.
Xena smirked as the man dropped his packets of medicine carelessly back into his
bag, edging ever closer to the door and freedom.
“You may leave, healer, but be sure to return in the morning. I will not
lose another slave to the foolish mishandling of those in my court. Oh, and do
something about the condition of my room, won't you.”
Daedalis nodded absently, his eyes locked on the reddish mess in the middle of
the room. He had seen what was left of the men employed in the Conqueror's kitchen.
He'd also done his own tests on the remains of the young Egyptian. The type of
poison found within the contents of the woman's belly was distinct, and very uncommon
in that part of the county. It had been his experience that the belladonna plant
was found farther inland. Nevertheless, death by Nightshade was a most disagreeable
way to die.
As the adjoining door closed with a click, the healer made quick work of sponging
the young slave off before gathering the soiled sheets from beneath her. He grumbled
carefully under his breath, watching the door all the while, lest the Conqueror
enter unexpectedly. No, that would never do.
“A servants job. After all my years of service to this and the preceding
monarchy, I'm reduced to being a servant to a…slave.” He scratched the
end of his nose and began to wonder about the poisoned servant. It was a surety
that Lord Xena had been the target of the latest attempt. Wasn't it?
Stroking his chin thoughtfully, Daedalis made his way back to his quarters.
“My lord…” said the Egyptian in a weak and raspy voice.
Xena pressed a finger to the woman's lips and settled her carefully onto the bed.
“You sleep.”
“But, sire…”
Another stab of guilt pricked at the Conqueror as she watched the woman's eyes
flutter open and closed in an effort to remain conscious.
“Just rest, you'll feel better in the morning.”
Ubris nodded slowly, her eyes already closing as the herbs began to overwhelm
her once more. Xena waited until the young woman's breathing was slow and even
and then sat down carefully on the bed. Tenderly wiping the moisture from the
servant's brow, Xena sighed deeply as images of the young bard filled her mind.
What if she had lost control with the blonde, leaving her in much the same state?
Both servants had been in her employ since they were but children and her bond
with them was strong. The women had been instantly attracted to each other shortly
after their coming of age, and had begun expressing their feelings openly, at
the Conqueror's bidding. Watching the first curious attempts Ankara had made trying
to entice the slim hipped Ubris had bothered Xena at first. It had been hard to
see the sweet fumbling without noting that her own first sexual encounter had
been less than endearing. Her partner had been willing, but neither had the faintest
clue as to how to proceed. As anger and frustration mounted, they had finally
fallen upon each other like two wild animals bent on the other's destruction.
The frenzied results had born little resemblance to the patient and considerate
attempts both servants had employed. The end result had been one of beauty, and
sweet surrender, not the battle royale that Xena had waged and endured. Terms
of engagement had been exchanged as opposed to terms of endearment in that tense
battle of wills. Now she couldn't even remember the young man's name. The simple
joy her two servants found within each others presence touched Xena in ways she
had tried to ignore. Many nights found the lord darkly brooding well into the
early morning hours, unable to recognize the loneliness of her life.
Now she saw it only too clearly as she listened to the young woman crying out
in her sleep.
A flinty look came into the Conqueror's eye as she pondered the events of the
day. Dagnon would pay dearly for his attempts on her life. Being straightforward
and honest was never one of his strong points, and Xena knew only too well just
how devious the man could be. However, by attacking her servant, he had gone too
far. She would not be satisfied to play his game of cat and mouse any longer.
This was war, all out, no holds barred, war.
Getting wearily to her feet, Xena looked down at Ubris, and sighed deeply.
“I…this should not have happened.” Then she bent down and kissed
the brow of her servant, wincing as Ankara's name was again whispered in anguish.
The guards stood at rigid attention, their eyes forward, as the Conqueror moved
down the hall towards them.
“Summon the Captain of the guard, and have him report to my chambers immediately.”
Both men nodded and then began walking quickly down the hall. Then the smaller
of the two stopped and raced back.
“Milord, is it safe to leave our posts?” He swallowed quickly as Xena's
eyes turned a dangerous indigo. “Yes, milord!”
Xena's fists were clenched at her side as she counted off the minutes before the
Captain arrived.
“Captain Polis, my liege.”
Xena nodded slowly, suddenly remembering this man's hasty promotion due to an
unfortunate accident during drills the morning before. This man was taller than
the other, standing almost as tall as she did herself. She sucked a tooth and
wondered just when things had began to go wrong in her world. The tight grip she'd
held on everyone around her had seemed so assured, so deliciously present in every
averted eye she came upon. Now…now, she was spending far too much time away
from the men and the daily rigors of her usually stringent routine.
“You will be in charge of securing the area around the castle, Captain. I
want double guards posted at each entrance, and each man will have a three hour
watch, is that clear? I want 'round the clock protection until I can get to the
bottom of this…unpleasantness.”
The Captain nodded agreeably.
“Yes, Milord. It shall be done. But sire, may I ask the sort of protection
required? What are we defending against, and what has already transpired?”
Xena pressed her lips together tightly, unaccustomed to being questioned in this
manner. However, she ignored her first response which would have certainly cost
the Captain his life, and decided that while a little information could be damaging,
in this case it was integral to their safekeeping.
“There has been an attempt on my life this night, Captain, leaving one person
dead. Two others have also lost their lives, having forfeited same for their part
in the murder.”
“Milord?”
Xena snorted. “I've found both the cook and his assistant guilty of treason
by way of attempted poisoning. Their punishment has already been meted out.”
“But milord, they may have held the key to the person or persons behind it
all. This may not end here, with further attempts in the offing. I should have
been counseled with regards to interrogation.”
Lord Xena seemed to grow in stature before the Captain and he stepped back as
a wave of malevolence rolled over him.
The Captain gasped as his shirt was taken into the woman's fist, and he marveled
at her brute strength once again. Even dressed in a flimsy gown, he knew his very
life hung in the balance should she find him wanting in any way. Lieutenant Thracis
had complained to all that would listen how he'd bested the Conqueror in hand
to hand combat, inflicting a terrible wound in the process. However, if Lord Xena
had indeed suffered a grievous wound, she was either a rapid healer or had a very
high threshold of pain, because there didn't seem to be any weakness that he could
discern.
“They knew nothing I didn't already know, Captain. Neither you nor your men
could have gleaned any further information in a week filled with torture than
I did in the last ten minutes of their miserable lives.”
Xena exerted a tighter hold on the man's collar, unhappy with the rather preoccupied
and unconvinced look upon his face. Was her empire going to rack and ruin, her
control slipping, as each day came to a close?
The man's back teeth rattled as he was shaken by the neck like a rat between the
iron jaws of a wolfhound.
“Mi…milord!”
Xena pulled the man forward until his face was but inches from her own.
“Do I have your full attention now, Captain Polis?”
He nodded and blinked rapidly before she released her grip, leaving him to fall
backwards gasping for air.
“Yes milord. It was just…” He swallowed as the lord advanced upon
him.
“My liege, there have been rumours. It's been said that you were wounded
on the practice field, and that the wound was…most severe.” He bit his
lower lip.
“Go on.”
“By some accounts, you've been bleeding heavily, and…”
“What's this about a mortal wound and who dares to spread such lies? Do I
look wounded to you? Am I pale with the loss of blood? Am I not the picture of
health?” She paused dangerously. “Tell me, do you disbelieve your own
eyes, Captain?”
The Captain recoiled with each question as if from a blow, each one fired in rapid
succession until he was unable to discern which should be answered first so as
to avoid the Conqueror's growing wrath.
“Some of the men are uneasy, milord. If you should be disabled in any way…there
are factions, sire, who would set upon us all, dragging the country back down
into the ruin that was Greece low these ten years past!”
Xena sighed dramatically, making sure all eyes were upon her as she drove home
a point.
“I'm well aware, Captain. However, I can assure you, I have not been wounded,
nor am I in any way incapacitated. See for yourself.”
Xena held her arms straight out from her body and did a slow turn before carefully
pulling the crimson gown open to expose more cleavage than any of them had ever
dreamt of seeing. Turning her back to them all, Lord Xena then slowly let the
fabric fall away from her shoulders, thus exposing herself from nape to base of
spine.
“Tell me, Captain. Do you see a wound, even a slight dimpling of the flesh
to indicate I'd even been nicked recently?”
Both guards coughed nervously as the Conqueror slowly turned to face them, her
arms crossed over her breasts, and the silk barely concealing much of her lower
torso.
Xena smiled wickedly, taking great delight that not one man would meet her steely
gaze, the discomfiture apparent both physically and mentally. It did a man good
to feel both desire and fear, sometimes in the very same instant.
“It seems I've been away from my duties too long, gentlemen. Tomorrow that
will change, assassin or no assassin. As for tonight, you will make this castle
a veritable stronghold. I want no chance of another attempt this night; tomorrow
may take care of itself.”
Slowly rearranging her robe, Xena nodded to the Captain and then turned on her
heel. The three men were left standing, mouths agape, as the sound of swishing
filled their ears. Although no intimate flesh had been bared, not one man could
swear that he hadn't seen what his fantasies had offered every night since first
setting eyes upon the Conqueror.
Captain Polis chewed his inner lip, having noted the slightly darkened area in
the silk on the Conqueror's left side. He glanced at the others quickly and was
pleased when neither man remarked upon it. They both seemed all too eager to revel
in the female pulchritude they'd been exposed to than anything else. Which of
course, was exactly what their liege had planned.
“I say.”
“Yes, indeed.”
The Captain slapped both men on the back, walking them back to their posts.
“Yes, well, if you do say, I'll have your tongues for breakfast. We were
entrusted with that bit of information, and it would do us well to realize that
although Lord Xena has not been quite herself as of late, she is still a formidable
warrior, the Empress of Corinthe, and our Lord Conqueror, Guardian of Greece.”
Polis made a slow sweep of the second floor, noting the specific guards and their
placements, and then went down to the guardroom, intent on working over the shifts
so that everything ran smoothly. He would show the Conqueror that her faith in
him as the Captain of her Royal Guard was not misplaced. It seemed that he and
a few other new members had an important task before them. He would begin drills
at daybreak.
Xena carefully lit the candle and walked over to the washbasin. Pulling the silk
aside, the grimaced as both fingers came away sticky with blood. Sprinkling a
clean cloth with herbs the healer had left her, she quickly placed it against
the wound, and applied pressure.
She heaved a sigh of relief as the late hour was sounded. At last the horrible
day she'd just barely endured was over. Her belly felt queasy as she thought of
just how things could have gone had Gabrielle or both servants partaken of the
food before it had been thoroughly checked. The idea of the small bard lying on
a cold slab of marble as Daedalis worked over her body, trying to discern any
further information, performing terrible acts upon her lifeless form…
“Enough.”
Having seen to it that the wound had stopped bleeding, Xena closed the belt tightly
about her and walked into her main bedchamber.
There was still a slight odor of sickness hanging in the air, but Xena could see
that at least the healer had seen to the well being of the slave as per her instructions.
She gazed down on the petite woman, her hair a tangle with sweat and neglect,
and found her heart aching. What was it about this little bard that pulled at
her so? She ran a weary hand over her face as she reviewed the day's events. In
the last 24 hours, she'd been openly defied, endured two murder attempts, lost
someone as close to being a friend as she'd ever had, and had to face her rising
lack of control which almost caused severe damage to another of her trusted servants.
The results of such a day had left her feeling both confused and angry, her self-hatred
burning great holes in her ordinarily impervious stoic suit of armour.
Gabrielle groaned weakly, and Xena set about releasing the young woman from her
bonds. She watched sadly as the bard rolled over on her side, facing away from
her, and settled into a tight ball beneath the sheets.
Xena hadn't noticed just how much she'd been looking forward to seeing the young
woman in her bed at the end of the day. It seemed the more insistent her need
had been to spend time with Gabrielle the more demanding her life had been, keeping
them both apart. This new feeling of longing was very a different and unique experience
for her. She wasn't too sure just how she felt about it all either. Never let
anyone inside, keep everyone outside, and they can never hurt you. She had lived
by those words for a very long time.
The Conqueror's jaw cracked as she yawned deeply. Stretching out the tight muscles
in her shoulders, Xena lumbered to her feet and made a careful sweep of the room,
ensuring the bard's safety.
She nodded with satisfaction and then sat down on the edge of the bed. With double
the guards at each post, and the windows secured in her rooms, even if she were
to briefly nod off, there would be no danger to the woman forthcoming.
Xena swallowed the tail end of yet another yawn and decided that she might just
close her eyes, but only for a moment or two.
She flinched as the blonde instinctively moved as far away from her as possible
without falling out of the bed. An image of her cuddling with Ubris briefly made
its way into her tired brain but was instantly dismissed as the name Ankara echoed
in her ear.
Xena rolled over onto her back and stared up at the intricately tiled ceiling.
Would there ever be someone who would love her that much that she would still
reach out for her from beyond the grave?
Everyone she had ever loved had either been taken from her or had turned their
backs on her years ago. She had a brother somewhere. Was he still alive?
Thoughts of her childhood flitted like delicate butterflies, never quite landing,
as they wove their spell upon her. Xena wasn't even aware of falling into sleep's
embrace, and not even the restless movement of the bard could jolt her from it.
Sometime in the night, Gabrielle rolled over to face the Conqueror, oblivious
to anything but the comfort of the bed, and the warmth of the body close to her.
She snuggled nearer until her head was on Xena's right shoulder, and the warrior's
hands were holding her in a close embrace.
Both women smiled in their sleep, finally giving into the connection they'd both
been battling with for days. For the bard, it was as if her dream warrior had
finally taken breath. For the warrior, it was as if she had finally returned home
after a very long and lonely absence.
Soft words were murmured in the night, neither even aware that the other was responding
in a close familiar fashion.