Chapter 7
The following morning Gabrielle sat with the armour in her hands. She’d not had any idea of when Callisto would be speaking with her again. And the urge to be near something of her lost love was more powerful than the need to be on the road and heading for her next destination. Her thumbs brushed delicately over the bronze as she felt the armours weight in her hands. The green corrosion on its surface hid the elegance of the metal work she now held. She frowned at its poor state. While the integrity of the metal was fine the green covering ruined its presence.
“Oh Xena.” She whispered to herself tilting her head and inspecting the bronze, feelings of nostalgia and loss flowing over her. The back of the collection of bronze was no better. The green had spread itself over best part of the armour. Even the links that held it together but flex when worn were green. Gabrielle sighed. She glanced at the travel packs given her by the priests at the start of the journey. I wonder, she mused placing the armour on the ground carefully and standing up. Getting to her horse she pulled a pack open and rummaged about inside. Eventually she pulled a small metal flask from the pack. She then delved back in and pulled a cloth out. Quickly looking at the items she returned to the armour and sat down cross-legged. With the flask and cloth in one hand she pulled the armour on to her legs and got comfortable. She opened the flask and covered its neck with the cloth. Tipping a copious amount of olive oil on the cloth she set to cleaning as much of the green discolouration from Xenas armour as she could. Gently at first she applied the oil to the smooth but greened metal. As she went clearing the green corrosion she increased the pressure of her handiwork. Slowly but surely the bronze started to reclaim its true colour. Rolling the cloth over and over to try and find a clean spot she scrubbed at the corroded bronze. Inch by inch the metal started to shine in the morning sun. Every so often she would hold it up to the light and inspect the results of her efforts.
“Not perfect.” She declared. “But much better than it was.” And she smiled as she lowered it to carry on her work. As the armour was lowered the familiar figure of Callisto was revealed. Gabrielle hesitated as she lowered the bronze. “Callisto!”
The angel was stood several feet from Gabrielles little camp. She smiled as she stepped forward. “Gabrielle.”
“I-I have the armour.” Stammered Gabrielle pleased at the angels appearance. She made a feeble show of the armour in her hands.
“I noticed.” Said Callisto. “Your careful diligence with it now comes as no surprise. But…” Callisto broke off.
Gabrielle clutched the armour to her chest. “But what?”
“But your diligence is needed for a much greater task. You know this single piece was but a taster from the trader to lure the Thracians in. Tempt them in to handing over more wealth than originally agreed.” Callisto now stood at the camp with her hands held in front of her. Her long blonde hair flowed over her shoulders and on to her back. Gently lifting in the soft morning wind.
“But I have the armour as instructed!” Said Gabrielle confused and indignant.
“To do what you require of me you must provide all the armour. Bracers, linothorax, pteryges belt and her sword.” Callisto tilted her head as she took in Gabrielles reaction. The blonde slumped at the shoulders, the armour lowering to her lap. She spoke encouragingly. “Have faith Gabrielle. Where you go next is the last step in reclaiming Xenas armour and sword. But it is where you go that troubles me.” She waited for Gabrielles response but she was expecting Callisto to continue. “Knossos.”
Gabrielle sat up slightly. “Knossos? The place has been abandoned for years.”
“Not as abandoned as many believe.” Callisto stepped around the small camp and sat next to Gabrielle, her hands resting on her knees.
“Sounds ominous.” Stated Gabrielle tiredly.
She placed a hand on the woman’s shoulder. “There is one that stills haunts the city. A being of a time gone.” And with those words Callisto stood and made to leave.
“Then what?” Cried Gabrielle as the departing Angel. “Where do I go from Knossos?”
Callisto disappeared leaving Gabrielle in silence at her camp.
“That is a problem indeed.” Said the trader waving the messenger away. She paced the deck of her vessel as it cut the Mediterranean waters. She’d figured the Warrior of Eli would poke her nose in somewhere along the line. But she never thought she’d best the Thracians in their own quest to obtain the God Killer armour. She clung to a rope and looked out over the sea then up at the sails of her ship. She’d get to Crete long before Gabrielle or the Thracians ever could, providing the weather held. She tried to think of any advantage she may gain if Gabrielle reached the armour before the Thracians. The Thracians were paying, and by the Gods a large amount too. Even after the payment she took in Piraeus she could simply sell up and go her own way. The crew, loyal as they were, were just a crew. They’d either stay with the ships next captain or simply leave to work elsewhere. Now, Gabrielle was a different matter. She wasn’t paying. She wasn’t being motivated by greed like herself nor the lust for power seen in the Thracians. Whatever reason had brought Gabrielle in to this fight wasn’t mere sentiment either. One did not fight their way through armed soldiers and cross countries just for nostalgias sake. However, Gabrielle did possess the other weapon of Xena. Her chakram. No one had ever been able to take it from her or find where she’d secreted it once she stopped carrying it.
“Now, there’s a thought.” She smiled to herself. If Gabrielle reached Crete and retrieved the armour before the Thracians then all she had to do was dispose of Gabrielle and take the chakram. It would increase the price of the God Killers Armour if she could present the rare weapon along with the rest of it. Turning from the rope she held to return to her quarters, she just hoped Gabrielle could be defeated. Despite being seasoned and tough for a trader crew, this Warrior of Eli had faith, a dangerous weapon in any bodies hands.
Slowly and in a low state of moral the Thracians moved their horses in to Chalcidice. From there their only hope to catch or perhaps beat the blonde warrior woman was to sail to Piraeus and speak with the port master. The woman had caused such damage to them. After several engagements with her between Piraeus and Amphipolis and the fires started in the camp they were down to half their original number. And now with the armour stolen from under them in Amphipolis all they could do was hope the trader had sent word to the master telling him where the final pieces of the God Killer armour had been hidden away.
On land Gabrielle pushed her horse hard as she dared. The journey from Amphipolis was going to take its toll on both her and her mount. She would need to stop every so often for supplies too. And she had no idea of what that particular situation was like for the Thracians. Assume they don’t need to stop, she told herself and galloped her horse over the countryside. The days passed uneventful enough at times to make her wonder if the Thracians had given up. There’d been no signs of pursuit at all. Even when she made her way passed Mount Olympus and in to Thessaly she’d been free from being hunted. From there she went straight through Delphi, barely taking in the sight of the place to gather supplies before riding on.
A dilemma was heading her way as she made time on Thebes. Beyond that ancient city lay Athens. And Piraeus. The prospect of entering the port city again and trying to get passage on a ship from the port depressed her. She’d come so far, overcome more than she thought possible. Having that all delayed or even stopped by the port master was not what she’d bargained for. She felt her horse stumble as they went on. Something was not right. She was close to forcing her horse to coming up lame. She sighed and reined her horse in to dismount. She held the reins and moved to examine the fore legs of her mount. Gabrielle raised her head in anguish. Things had been going so well. Softly in dejection she leaned her head against the shoulder of her horse. She would need to find another. She couldn’t let this go on, no matter how desperate she was to beat the Thracians to Crete. She stood straight and led her horse on foot, wondering if Xena ever had this kind of issue with Argo.
“That’s it.” She said aloud causing her horse to neigh next to her and shake its head. If she reached Argos she could gain passage to Crete from there. If not a commercial vessel then perhaps a small private boat to take her right to Knossos. She looked at her horses legs as she led it across the country side, hoping the slower pace without her weight on its back would allow the horse to make it as far as she would.
The Thracian strode from the gangplank to the shore, the remains of his men falling in behind him. The ship had taken them directly to Knossos.
“Why do you think the trader would hide the last pieces here?” Asked an officer now keeping step beside him. “This place has been abandoned for years.”
“All the more reason perhaps.” The commander looked about as he stomped his way inland. “I do know one thing though, if the port master has lied I’ll have his head.”
The officer tapped the commander on the chest and pointed to the crest of the hill they were now climbing. The commanders attention was drawn to a man now walking towards them, picking his way over the stony ground. The two men swapped looks as the man grew nearer.
“Unarmed!” Stated the officer. “A messenger. From where?”
“No doubt the trader is already here.” Said the commander eyeing the surrounding landscape.
The commander signalled his men to stop and waited patiently for the approaching man to reach them. Steadying himself in front of the Thracians the messenger stood straight and adjusted his tunic. He then held his hands out palms up.
“I’m unarmed.” He breathed. “I bring a message from the trader Vita.”
“Vita! Figures that viper is involved” Prompted the commander still watching the surrounding land. “Go on.”
“She wishes to enter a deal with you.”
“What deal?” Asked the officer openly curious.
“She knows the Warrior of Eli is on her way to Knossos. To retrieve the armour.”
“The Warrior of Eli, that would explain the woman’s tenacity and skill.” Sneered the commander at his officer.
“Vita suggests we let the warrior woman find the armour, then with our combined forces we take the armour from her. Vita asks for half the payment only of the armour for her assistance.”
The commander sniggered. “And what makes Vita think we won’t kill the warrior then just take the armour and leave?”
“Vita knows the warrior woman has already cost you much of your number, she also offers passage from Crete when the task is finished.” The man looked at the troop stood behind the commander and his officer. “She also offers shelter and food while we wait for the Warrior of Eli.”
“Agreed.” Said the commander carefully. “Lead the way.” He then watched the messenger take point and gave his officer a sideways glance before walking off. The officer waved the rest of the Thracian force onwards.
Gabrielle stood on the quayside by the small vessel. Several crewmen were busy moving cargo and supplies from above deck to below. She watched as barrels were rolled and crates were handed from one person to another. About to speak out Gabrielle was interrupted by a man calling to her from the poop deck above a small castle cabin.
“Can I help you at all?”
Looking to the poop deck she saw whom she assumed must be the vessels captain. The younger man was leaning with both hands on rails of wood that traced the path of the steps from the main to the poop deck. His dark trousers were tucked in to heavy looking calf boots and his bright blue shirt was tucked in to the trousers. A large red sash was wrapped about his waist, its end hanging down by his thigh on one side. Blonde hair was a rakish mess above a friendly looking face with deep eyes.
“Uh, yeah, I’m looking for passage to Crete.” She offered, straightening and adjusting the travel pack on her shoulder. Saddle bags surrendered when she had given her horse over to a local stables. She watched as the man slid down the rails on his hands and strode purposely toward her, smiling as he approached.
“Crete?”
“Yes.” Gabrielle tilted her head and squinted in the sunlight. “Is that a problem?” She asked hoping her journey wasn’t about to be thwarted.
“Not really. We’re headed for Cydonia.”
“Cydonia?” Enquired Gabrielle. She figured Cydonia was as abandoned as Knossos.
“Yes, there’s a small population there, trying to rebuild what they can.”
“I was hoping for Knossos.” Ventured Gabrielle.
“Knossos, eh?” The man raised a hand to his chin and looked thoughtfully at her. “Well, if you don’t mind a short visit to Cydonia I can get you to Knossos after?” He placed his hands on his hips and awaited her answer.
Gabrielle knew the short supply run to Cydonia would slow her down considerably, but she didn’t have very many options left open to her. “How much?”
“You an adventurer or treasure hunter then?” Asked the man looking her up and down for the first time. The weapons she carried about her suggested she was more than either.
“A bit of both.” Replied Gabrielle trying to sound as neutral as she could. A breeze caught her hair and blew it across her face making her twist her head to free it.
“Okay, hunter adventurer, a small percentage of what you find. As long as it’s not trouble.” Said the man smiling deeply and he held out his hands to take the travel pack from her.
“Agreed.” Said Gabrielle nodding and smiling as she threw the pack to the man.
The pack was easily caught. “Travelling rather light.” He stated as he hefted the pack in his hands then placed it on the deck and held his hands out to assist Gabrielle in boarding his vessel. She reached out and took his hands in hers and allowed him to help her aboard. Her feet thumped on to the deck as she jumped the small gap between the dock and the ship.
“I won’t be there long hopefully.” Said Gabrielle realising her hands were still in those of the young captain. She cleared her throat and gently pulled her hands free and swiped hair free form her face again.
The captain smiled and offered her the travel pack off the deck. “You might want to keep that handy.”
Gabrielle took the pack and gave the captain a curious look as he turned away. “Excuse me?”
The captain turned to look at her as if nothing unusual had happened. “You might need to keep that close, even though there’s not much in it.”
“Oh, uh, right.” Stammered Gabrielle smiling and remembering Callisto’s words that had led to the journey in the first place. She watched the captain head for his place on the poop deck once more.
“A cabin will be prepared for you. It won’t be much but you’ll have some privacy on the trip.” He called over his shoulder.
“Thank you.” She called back and moved to the edge of the vessel and looked in the direction she hoped would lay Crete.
She leaned over the side of the ship, her stomach still proving to be her Achilles heel when on water. She looked at a few members of the little ship’s crew as they watched her looking rather amused as she emptied her stomach overboard. She wanted to say something but her stomach was overriding her sarcasm and irritation right now. She moved herself away and made for her small cabin, pressing on the underside of her left wrist as she went.
The flap to the large tent was pulled aside to allow the men to enter. Stepping inside one after the other the Thracian commander and his officer were greeted with the sight of the trader woman Vita reclining on a huge bed of pillows and cushions. A silver chalice in one hand draped over a bended knee. Long dark hair flowed by her shoulders and chest, her fringe nearly obscuring her dark eyes. Boots up to her knees had her leather trousers tucked in to their tops and a stiff looking leather tunic belied her wealth and position.
“So, you’re the buyer?” She looked them up and down and didn’t seem impressed.
The two Thracians grabbed their sword belts and ignored the tone in her voice. “And you’re the one charging extortionate prices for goods you can’t deliver.” The commander bowed at the waist slightly.
“Okay, I asked for that.” Admitted Vita casually. She waved the statements aside with her chalice and spoke again. Only sounding slightly more conciliatory. “We have a common issue right now. To which you’ve had my proposal and agreed to, am I right?”
The commander rolled his shoulders. “For as long as it suits our needs, we agree.”
“My men will join yours, we defeat this warrior woman when she presents herself with the armour, after which you pay me half our agreed price and I sail you and all your men all the way back to Thrace.” She tilted her head and looked at them.
“You’re settling for half payment incredibly easily.” Remarked the officer sounding sceptical.
Vita frowned and nodded. “I can see why you would think that. But I assure you that even half of the agreed price will more than secure a future for me, even if I never trade another item again for as long as I live.”
“Admittedly you could buy your ship ten times over with what we’re paying you at the end of this.” The commander relaxed a little. “What makes you so sure she’ll walk in to us when she has the armour? Why not just take it and run?”
“Because there is but one way in and one way out of where she needs to go to find the armour.” She smiled darkly now, her chalice swinging in her finger tips. “The labyrinth.”
“So why not just go in and get her and the armour when she’s inside?” Asked the officer.
Vita looked at the officer like he was the village idiot. “Because the labyrinth isn’t as deserted as the rest of this forsaken city.” She sipped from the chalice. “I lost five men planting the armour and getting out of there.”
“And what if she doesn’t make it out? We lose the armour and you lose your payment.” Remarked the commander.
“Oh I think she’ll make it in and out without too much trouble.” She gulped the last of her drink down and discarded the chalice like litter. “She’s a little more resourceful than you or I care to think.”
To be continued in Chapter 8