Best Friends, Better Enemies, Chapters 20 & 21Xena rode steadily thorough the night, only stopping for brief moments to water and cool Argo. She spared no thought for herself as she pushed on, her primary goal to get to Gabrielle before it was too late.
As dawn crested the horizon, Xena was only a short distance from the village that Ara had confiscated. She could smell the blacksmiths forge heavy odor as he crafted more weapons for the army.
Xena stopped at a crest of a hill overlooking the valley to gather her thoughts. Morning shadow concealed much of the damage, but the common grave on the southern end of town, among the formerly pristine fields, was starkly obvious. Xena's eyes turned grim as she contemplated the lost lives buried so matter of factly in that obscene way. That's where it will happen, she decided, and returned her attention immediately to the village nestled to the north.
Her well trained eyes picked out the guard posts at all the common entrances, but noticed that there were no additional guards on the roofline. Looks like I'll be building hopping again. Xena smiled in spite of herself and reigned Argo about to find cover to hide the horse.
Suddenly, out of nowhere, a beautiful stallion charged over the hill. It had appeared soundlessly, and before either rider knew what was happening, the horses struck, sending both riders toppling to the ground. Xena recovered first, sitting up and flipping her black hair over her shoulder.
"Didn't anyone ever teach you it's not..." she began, only to stop and stare at the sight before her.
The other rider, knocked unconscious from hitting her head on a rock, was Gabrielle. She was dressed in warriors garb, fitted perfectly to her petite form. Her long blonde hair, instead of whipping freely around her face, was being held tight in a braid and secured with a leather thong.
Xena had never seen her friend in an outfit like that, at least one that actually fit. She remembered the time when Gabrielle had dressed up in her clothing to fool a warlord, but then, it had hung on her shoulders awkwardly. This fit to perfection. Then she noticed the sword. She wore it the same way Xena did, slung high over her shoulder for ease of reach.
Well, it doesn't look like I'll have to sneak into town after all. Gabrielle moved not an inch as Xena stealthily crept around behind the unaware form, steadily working so as to not awaken the girl. The swords grip was in her hand when she realized, if I don't replace this with something else, she'll notice the absence of weight immediately. The only object she had near at hand was her own sword.
She hesitated only momentarily before releasing the entity's sword and removing her own. Gabrielle's life means much more to me than my sword does. She carefully unsheathed the weapon, and looked at it one final time. There's a good chance I'll never get it back. But any loss Xena felt she discarded immediately.
She laid the point of her sword down next to the hilt of the other weapon and began the meticulous switch between the two. The hilt of Ara's sword fit heavily in her hand as she slid it out, then hurriedly slid her own into place. Gabrielle's eyes barely twitched at the exchange. Xena knew that once the entity discovered the deception, she'd automatically know who was to blame.
I do wish I could check that head injury, though, she thought, as a small trickle of blood fell down the sides of the rock. No, she'll be alright. So moving carefully, Xena retraced her footsteps to Argo. As she rode away, Xena thanked Hermes for his gift to her and hoped that it wasn't in vain.
Chapter 21
Several hours later, Ara awoke, a headache pulsing through her skull. What is this torture, the entity thought sourly as her hands pressed against her head. A wet, sticky substance coated her hand and when she looked, it was covered with blood. Bah, the frailties of the human body are so tiresome, the entity swore as she rose to her feet.
"What happened anyway?" She asked of no one in particular.
Ara had a vague memory of coming over the hill and hitting something, but what, she wasn't sure. Swearing at idiot animals everywhere, Ara snapped up the reins of her horse and mounted to continue her ride. She never stopped to investigate the ground around her, littered with footprints. Nor check the sword at her back.
Xena stopped soon after her encounter to set up a temporary camp. She had pushed herself to get here, and now was the ideal time to regain her lagging energy. As she went about the simple tasks of laying out some sleeping blankets and unpacking some cheese, Xena remembered the times when she and Gabrielle worked together at these tasks, laughing and joking to make the time go faster. I miss my friend, she silently told herself. Xena also knew she would have a struggle on her hands getting Gabrielle back.
Sitting down to her repast of stale cheese and warm water from her canteen, Xena thought back to the seer, who had told her Gabrielle's spirit was most likely gone by now. She had dismissed the idea at the time, but now the memory was coming back to haunt her. What if I don't succeed? The rare flash of self doubt came and disappeared. I have to succeed. There are too many people this entity, Petros, is hurting.
"If Gabrielle doesn't come out of this, at least I'll know I did what she would have wanted me to do."
Xena's whispered words to herself felt strong, but sounded desolate, even to her own ears. The thought of loosing her best friend was too much to bear.
"Gabrielle is still alive."
Xena jumped up and spun around in the direction of the voice, but no one was there. She scanned the area, but no trace of life could she find. Must be my imagination, she concluded, and turned to sit back down to her meal. But instead of seeing her pile of blankets, she found Ares instead.
His arms were crossed arrogantly across his chest, and his masculine face was creased into an arrogant smirk. Xena was immediately on the defensive.
"What do you want Ares?"
Xena stood still and watched while the god wander around the campsite, stopping at the sword Xena had left laying beside the food.
"Your little friend, Gabrielle, is still alive. I saw her not very long ago."
Xena's reaction was quick and vehement. "What you saw was the body of my friend inhabited by Petros. Not Gabrielle."
His smile was taunting as he replied, "I beg to differ. Yes, I did see the shell that resembled your friend. And the being controlling it. But I also saw Gabrielle."
Xena's breath caught in her throat. "How?" she asked, anxiously stepping closer for details.
Ares grinned and casually replied, "When I was kissing her."
He waited for the explosion, but was disappointed when she only replied, "Go on."
She's never been much fun to tease, Ares lamented to himself as he spilled the story.
"I knew from the moment it happened that Petros had returned. And I also knew he'd be coming after me for my sword. I'm not a fool. I remembered my old mentor and his desire for my powers. So I've kept informed on what's going on. Including your little experience with Petros."
Ares was expecting a reaction, like any woman would give at the mention of their rape. But Xena didn't even flinch.
"Go on."
Ares' lips curled as he angrily continued.
"Just before you ran into her, I met Ara and discussed an allegiance. She wants me to think that the two of us will team up and take on the world."
"But isn't that what you want?" Xena asked, recalling her experiences with the god of war.
"Usually, the answer would be yes. But in this case, I knew instantly she was plotting to get close to me, seduce her way into my confidence, steal my sword and end my days as a god. Petros obviously didn't remember teaching me about the use of seduction to infiltrate the enemy's camp."
"And when did kissing come into play?" Xena asked and watched as a rare bit of color tinged Ares face.
"I let her believe I was going along with her plan. So, to seal the bargain, we kissed. And that's when I felt her." Xena's level of alertness stepped up another notch.
"Yes, it was Gabrielle. I could hear her crying out for help. She's weak, but still inside."
"So why did you come to me? Why are you telling me all this?"
Xena's instincts warned her about being too trusting of the god, and she was inclined to agree.
"First, I know it would mean my downfall if I joined with her. It's in my own best interest to help eliminate the threat she poses. And second," he whispered softly, stepping close to Xena and staring into her eyes. "I want you back."
Xena had known what was coming and turned away dismissively.
"No deal. The last thing I would do is come back under your power. And that's not what Gabrielle would want either."
Ares smiled ruefully. "Oh, Xena. You'll never change."
He turned as if to walk away, but stopped to give a final word of advice.
"Xena, in order for Petros to be destroyed, you must strike directly through the heart. Any other killing blow will only result in Gabrielle's body and spirit dying and you being controlled by Petros. Petros must be entrapped in the stone before Gabrielle will be free."
Xena shook her head and asked suspiciously, " Why are you helping me?"
Ares grin was solely wicked as he replied, "I told you, it's in my own best interest. Meet her tomorrow on the steps of my temple. I'll make sure she comes alone."
Then he was gone, leaving Xena to decide whether to discard his words or follow her heart.
