Crossroads, Chapter 5

Seated before the fire, the four women talked long into the night, until Xena looked over and found Gabrielle resting soundly against a fallen log. Her breathing was deep and even, & Xena knew her friend was sound asleep. She knew her friends were hesitant about drawing Gabrielle into their situation, and figured now was the best time to talk.

"All right. She's asleep. What is it that you called me here for? I know it's not a reunion, although it is a benefit."

Kat and Mitch looked at each other. An unspoken agreement was decided and Mitch began their tale.

"Ten days ago, we were called to Hera's temple. She requested us to go forth and kill a certain man in Thrace. It wuprised us. We have never been asked to kill a specific individual by a god before. We didn't like it , and when she told us who it was, we flat refused. Hera got so angry that she put a curse on us."

Xena looked pointedly at her friends and asked, "What kind of curse?"

Kat picked up the tale at this point, and her words made Xena's blood run cold.

"First, we were banished here. We cannot leave the borders of the swamp. But primarily, Hera created a creature to kill us. I guess as a test to use on the man if it succeeds with us. A creature that niether Mitch or I can kill."

Kat stopped and stared around the campsite, trying to penetrate the fog to see the demon hiding within.

"The fire at night is the only thing we've found that holds it at bay. We are trapped here until someone comes along and distroys the demon for us. That is, before the demon gets them."

Xena was horrified. All this just because of their refusing to murder?

"Who was the man you were told to kill?"

Xena asked. Mitch quirked an eyebrow and replied, "Hercules. Who else?"

It made perfect sense now. These two could be one of the few weapons that could actually distroy Hercules, and Hera was denied their use. No wonder she's so mad.

"Xena, we've tried killing it ourselves. It has some kind of protection against us. But not from others. A few days ago, a hunter accidently stumbled upon our fight and shot it. The arrow did hurt it, but it killed the man before he could shoot again. Once the monster is dead, we'll be free. But we have to be on guard constantly. It doesn't like to attack near the fire, but it does try to drag us away from camp. It almost ot Kat the other night."

Xena could see the underlying weariness in both women and knew what her decision would be. But Kat brought up a point that Xena couldn't ignore.

"That is the reason we didn't say anything in front of your friend. We didn't know if you'd want her involved in this."

Xena partially agreed, and turned to look at her companion. But instead of being deep within her dreams, Gabrielle's eyes were wide open and staring at all three of them.

"No. You're not sending me away. Where Xena goes, I go."

Xena knew she couldn't dissuade her, merely nodding as Gabrielle arose to join them at the fire.

Xena looked back at Kat & Mitch and said, "Now, tell me more about this creature. I want to know exactly what I'm going to face."