Chapter 9
The Thracian commander stood with his officer on the hill top with Vita next to them. A gathered collection of their combined forces behind them. Scouts from both parties had reported back informing them of Gabrielles entrance to the old city and her disappearance underground. Hours had passed and there had been no sign of her returning from the underground areas of the old palace ruins.
“Doesn’t look like she’s coming back out.” Ventured the officer, eyeing his commander then Vita.
The commander looked to Vita who was stood calmly watching the ruins below. She could feel the eyes of the two men on her now and she turned her head to look at them and smiled.
“She’ll be out. You don’t give a woman enough credit.” And she ignored them and returned to watching the ruins. She leaned to her right and spoke to her first mate Tulus. “It’ll be dark soon, move the camp here, we’ll wait.”
Tulus rushed off taking several of the crew with him. The commander tilted his head and grunted. A group of his own men left to aide Vitas own in moving camp.
Gabrielle had given up calling on Callisto. The angel had not appeared and had not made any other attempts to converse with Gabrielle. She had even resorted to calling upon Eli in the desperate hope that he might reply and offer guidance for her. But Eli too now seemed to shun the warrior woman. Tired, hungry and cold, Gabrielle had cleared some of the collected items from the wall and curled up to sleep. Random pieces of clothing dug out from the other precious pieces now covered her body. She rolled in her sleep now away from facing the wall and lay silent for a moment. Her head rest on one arm, her eyes slowly opened. With blurry vision at first rousing from sleep she blinked her eyes clear. They slowly took in the surrounding chamber. The torches were still burning but were much dimmer than before. She’d no doubt gotten several hours sleep at least. She lay still and focused on the armour still in the arrangement she’d put it in earlier. It was still neatly placed in the centre of the stone chamber. Then, about to try and sleep once more something just beyond the collection of armour and weapons she saw something.
Gabrielle raised her head slightly from the arm she’d rest it on and peered past the armour assembly. She squinted trying to see what the new thing was in the dim light of the dying torches. As she looked on her mind tried desperately and suddenly try to accept what it was she was seeing. She propped herself up on one elbow and rubbed her eyes with her hand. She gave her head a little shake and then looked once more at the new addition to the chamber contents. Recognition made her heart skip a beat, her lungs tried to draw in the air she needed as she inhaled deeply. She held her breath as she looked, then released the lungful in one rapid breath outwards. Scrabbling at the clothes she’d used as a makeshift sheet she rushed to the other side of the chamber.
Running around the armour and weapons Gabrielle still couldn’t quite believe what she was seeing. Now kneeling on the cold stone floor she held one hand to her mouth as if to silence any self-doubt she had and the other supported her on the ground. Slowly, as if scared to touch what now lay before her Gabrielles hand reached out. Upon contact she withdrew her hand rapidly and gasped, not sure if she were going to laugh or weep. She pushed her hand out again and this time, when making contact with the smooth skin of her companion she didn’t pull away. Instead she gently ran the hand from shoulder to neck to face. Where she brushed long dark hair away gently and lovingly from the peaceful looking face hidden beneath. As her hand traced its way on to a cheek the face moved and stirred under her touch. A soft moan escaped the lips now close to Gabrielles hand. Gabrielle inhaled so deeply it caused her upper body to straighten, her eyes widened as Xena now responded to her touch.
Gabrielle moved closer and kneeled next to Xena who was now starting to murmur on the cold stone floor. Though tired she slid both her hands under Xenas shoulders, clasped her hands around the front of Xenas naked torso and grunted with the effort of lifting Xena up and pulling her to rest on the tops of her thighs. Xena, still only semiconscious, murmured quietly as Gabrielle smoothed hair from her face and smiled down upon her. She looked Xena from head to toe now, taking in the image of the woman now laying on her lap, slowly but surely awakening from whatever journey she had been returned to Gabrielle from.
“Xena.” Was all Gabrielle could manage to whisper as she smoothed her loves cheek and held her on her lap. Breathing now came fast and heavy, her emotions getting the better of her. As the first of the tears showed in her eyes she slowed her breathing, forcing herself to inhale and exhale in long controlled breaths. It wasn’t every day that a lost love was returned to you while you slept. Gently as she could she lowered her face to Xenas and kissed her on the temple and then pressed her face to Xenas affectionately. Tears traced from Gabrielle to Xena.
The faintest glow across the stone floor and Xenas smooth skin caught Gabrielles attention. She turned her head while keeping contact with Xenas features. Seeing the sight before her she smiled deeply and wept openly.
Callisto returned the smile and moved to kneel by the couple. Her hand gently reached out to now smooth Gabrielles own hair and then wipe tears from her cheeks before lifting Gabrielles face by her chin ever so tenderly.
“Thank you.” Said Gabrielle barely able to get the words out while sobbing. “I’m sorry I ever doubted.”
“Sometimes doubt, in others, in ourselves or what we think others doubt in ourselves can be the most motivating force in a life of faith, Gabrielle.” Callisto looked from Gabrielle to the woman she was holding. “And now you will have to put your faith in yourself, and her, for what happens now you are together.” Said Callisto softly as she stood and looked down lovingly on the two women. “I will not be able to speak with you again Gabrielle. But I believe you to be where you were meant to be.”
Gabrielle wiped tears from her face and looked confused at Callisto. “Wait, what do you mean?” Callisto stepped back and allowed another presence to step forward in her place. “Eli?” Gabrielle was surprised to see the holy figure again. “What…what does Callisto mean, she won’t be able to speak with me again?”
“Despite everything Gabrielle, for altering the end game of another religious system there is a price that needs to be met. Freeing Xenas soul demanded exchange with another.”
Gabrielle looked from Xena, still murmuring semiconsciously, to Eli who was standing stony faced to Callisto. The latter now stood with her hands clasped at her waist as had been her usual way with Gabrielle. The angel smiled and tilted her head to Gabrielle.
“But…that’s not fair.” The depth of Callisto’s situation started to settle in Gabrielles mind. “It’s not fair for her. Your God…”
Eli cut her sentence short. “Our God has no say in the demands of other religious orders. Such interference is not his or our way Gabrielle.” The softness with which he spoke did nothing to take the impact from his words.
Gabrielle looked helplessly to Callisto. “You knew didn’t you!”
“From the very beginning.” Callisto’s words were soft but clear. “As I showed faith in you Gabrielle, have faith in me as I endure what I must.” The resolute smile never leaving the angels face.
“Thank you.” Sobbed Gabrielle not knowing what else she could say.
Eli turned and stepped to be with Callisto, then as one they turned and strode away, disappearing as they went.
“We will be waiting for you both when your time comes to join us.” Eli’s words echoed about the chamber.
In her sorrowful state Gabrielle almost missed the all important word to his statement. “We! He said we.” Realising that there may be a time when she would again see Callisto Gabrielle smiled and returned her attention to Xena. “And our time is not yet.” She said sounding determined. She looked at the fallen minotaur. “Well, you didn’t live on fresh air down here.”
The Thracian commander slid his sword back in to its sheath and stood looking at Vita, now on her knees and being held there by two of his men. Her hair was a mess and her leather stained with blood, hers and that of her men, and the first Thracian that had dared to attack her directly.
“Wench has been taking us for fools.” Sneered the officer as he lashed out and struck Vita across the face. The woman’s head snapped sideways as blood erupted from her lip. Unable to recover from the blow the woman just let her head drop.
The commander tilted his head as he approached the woman and grabbed her fringe. He pulled her head back but said nothing, just examining the amount of damage his officer had inflicted on her. He turned to his officer, throwing her head back to the lowered position he’d pulled it from. “Secure her ship, kill the rest of her crew, bar one. We’ll take what we want from now on.”
Even though Gabrielle had managed to scavenge a little food from a room that branched off a passageway behind the stone chamber she’d been forced to sleep. Covering Xena first and making sure she was as comfortable as she thought she could be. She covered herself again with the clothes she’d used as a cover and slept. Her own emotional exertions and physical efforts now too much to argue with.
Xena stirred on the stone flooring of the chamber. Her eyes flickered open several times as they adjusted to the dim light. She looked about the area she was in, circular and dirtied, bloody walls, one continuous wall to be precise. As she moved to look about better she could feel the fine clothes draped over her in a makeshift blanket. She hesitated and then eased herself off the floor. The clothes fell away as she propped herself up on one hand to reveal her nakedness. Cold touched her body as the clothes fell to the floor. Twisting at the waist she looked behind her. All around the outer edge of the chamber was piled precious metals in all shapes and guises, materials and clothing from every known continent, and gem stones of every colour. Twisting further to look over her left shoulder the hooves and legs of the minotaur came in to view.
“What in the name of Zeus…?” He voice trailed off as she twisted to her right and looked about. In the centre of the chamber were her clothes, sword and chakram. Beyond them, buried beneath a pile of clothing, much as she were, was Gabrielle. The long blonde hair was all she could see but she knew it to be Gabrielle. Her eyes returned to her clothing. First things first, she thought.
Kneeling next to Gabrielle Xena placed a hand on the sleeping woman’s shoulder and shook. Ever so slightly at first. The blonde grumbled and refused to wake. She shook harder making Gabrielle roll away from her grip. She shook harder still.
“Gabrielle.” She shook her shoulder again. “Gabrielle. Wake up!”
Gabrielle twisted on the floor and opened her eyes to find herself staring in to the eyes of Xena. The warrior woman looked confused and lost.
“Gabrielle?”
“Xena.”
“Where in bloody Tartarus am I?”
Gabrielle sat up and leaned on one hand looking at Xena. “You don’t remember anything about where you’ve been all these years?”
Xena slumped and sat on her backside, her feet crossed and her hands on her knees. “I remember bits and pieces, mostly about you.” Xena was struggling to recall her memory of her time away from Gabrielle. “I…I remember you leaving Japan, travelling somewhere…”
“Egypt?” Offered Gabrielle.
“I think so. You did things, fought for people, defended, helped people. I think.” The confused look on Xenas face deepened. “There were other places but I cant recall them, or when you were there.”
“Do you remember Japan?” Asked Gabrielle quietly.
Xena looked at Gabrielle then away to the floor as she thought. “I died.” Her eyes widened as realisation set in.
“You’ve been dead for almost twenty five years Xena.” Gabrielle spoke softly, trying to think of how to explain what was going on. “After you died I carried you with me everywhere I went. Starting with Egypt. Your soul came with me.”
“So how did I end up here?”
Gabrielle smile softly. “Eventually your soul was bound to Japan to keep the souls of those you murd…” Gabrielle broke off and changed her words. “To keep the lost souls in Japan from being condemned in your place and to stop Yodoshi from ever returning.” She could see Xena still didn’t understand how she’d come to be in a stone chamber with a dead minotaur and her companion for company. She reached up and cupped Xenas face lifting it to look in to her eyes. “When your soul returned to Japan I followed the teachings of Eli. I made use of his teachings, and yours, to help those that had no voice or strength of their own.”
She wasn’t sure how the next revelation would be received. “I made a deal with Callisto.”
“Callisto?” Xena just seemed more confused.
“She’s an angel or was. She promised me that if I kept my faith I would be rewarded with the only thing I could ever want.” She smiled deeply at Xena. “You. But at a cost.” She could see things were still not quite fitting together for Xena who was sat in confusion sifting through the given information. “The only important thing now is that you’re here, with me.”
“Okay, so where is here exactly?” Asked Xena looking about.
“Knossos.” Replied Gabrielle watching Xena.
“That would explain the big guy over there.” Said Xena looking at the dead minotaur lying face down. “Your handiwork no doubt.”
“Didn’t leave me much choice.” Replied Gabrielle eyeing the dead creature.
“Well.” Started Xena trying to take a philosophical approach to her new situation. “Now I know where I am, what’s next?”
“We can do and go wherever we want.” Said Gabrielle. “We just need to get off this island.” She sounded sheepish.
Xena rolled her head back and looked expectantly at Gabrielle. “What’s the catch?”
“We’re not the only ones on the island.” Gabrielle smiled weakly.
“Not more of them I hope?” Said Xena wide eyed looking at the minotaur.
“No, just some Thracians who have been tying to get their hands on your armour.” Xena looked down at her clothing then back at Gabrielle and shrugged looking for an explanation. “Ever since people learned you died they’ve been looking for your armour. Many believe it holds some sort of magical power that enabled you to kill gods. Then the name God Killer started to be used whenever people spoke of you.”
Xena held her hands up in despair. “It’s not like I had a choice.”
“That aside, when a trader found your armour and sword in Japan the Thracians arranged to buy it. They’ve been hounding me all the way here.”
“And the trader?”
“I have no idea who that is.” Said Gabrielle shaking her head. “Before we try to leave this place we need to do something about the Thracians.”
“So, any ideas?”
Gabrielle looked at the dead minotaur. “They think your armour is magical, something to be feared. Lets give them something to fear.”
The Thracians had gathered on ground above a part of the ruins the spared crewman had told them overlooked the labyrinth entrance. Lined across the top of the outcrop they watched and waited for their scout to return.
Descending in to the darkness the Thracian stepped as quiet as he could through the passage that led to the labyrinth below the old, ruined city. The sound of his boots crunching in dust his only company. Ahead he could just make out the end of the entrance tunnel, dim torch light illuminated the way out of that particular passage. He pressed on, leaning forward as if it would help him see better. It didn’t. Reaching the end her was presented with another passage leading off to his left another leading off to his right but forward. He paused and pulled his dagger and scratched a cross in to the stone so as to find his way back. He did this passageway after passageway. Several passages later and he found himself standing in a cavern, its high ceiling shrouded in the black of shadow and the floor submerged. The little stone outcrop on which he stood nestled a small row boat. Across from his position he could see a wooden jetty and torches showing a doorway just beyond. He paused and listened. Only the occasional drip of condensation in to the water welcomed him. He moved to the boat and knelt by the side of his little outcrop to examine it. A single oar was lay across the single seat inside. He gave the boat and then the opposite side of the water one last look before standing up and turning to leave the cavern.
Before he could react the woman emerged from the shadows and her fingers moved with incredible speed to impact with his body. He found himself falling to his knees, unable to move as he watched the tall woman now stand over him. His eyes flicked to look right in their sockets as a shorter woman emerged from the shadows and stood next to the taller.
Gabrielle smiled as she folded her arms across her chest. “You still got it Xena.”
“X-Xe-Xena.” The mans eyes widened and he choked the words out looking the taler woman in the face and then to Gabrielle. “Th-the Warrior of Eli.”
“Who?” Said Xena suddenly looking at Gabrielle who could only shrug.
“Well if you’re God Killer I guess he means me.” She turned to stare harshly at the man kneeling before them.
Xena straightened and glared down at the choking Thracian. “How many of you are there, Thracian and trader?” She demanded.
“T-ten.”
“Ten men?” Xena looked at Gabrielle surprised. “You’re worried about ten men?”
“There were more when all this started.” She retorted. “And then there’s the traders men.”
“T-the…trader is dead.” The man was clutching his throat. “All her men too.”
“The ladies come looking for me too, I’m touched.” Said Xena ignoring the man briefly. “Surely you could beat ten men.” She held her hands out at her sides as she spoke to Gabrielle, sounding a little disappointed.
Gabrielle pointed a finger at her companion. “Don’t start with me.” The Thracian’s eyes went from woman to woman as they bickered, his face contorting in pain more and more as he struggled.
“Any one would think you’re getting old.” Chided Xena.
“Xena! I am old. Well, older!” Countered Gabrielle. “And you’re older than me remember.”
Xena let up her verbal tirade looking a bit humbled by Gabrielles come back. “Yeah, well, I take it back.”
“Thank you.” Smiled Gabrielle now looking at the choking Thracian. “What do you want to do with him?”
The Thracians eyes widened as much as they physically could as Xena raised a hand to strike him.
“Nine men.” Said Gabrielle.
To be continued in Chapter 10