Part 3
“Please, hold still your Grace.”
Gabrielle tried to stifle her fidgets, having only marginalsuccess as the chain mail draped over her shoulders. It felt strange, flexibleyet constricting, the rings chill against her skin, but in a way warm as well.
Or maybe the fact that the armorer was having to poke andprod her was making her feel a little warmer than necessary.
Jonas glanced up, with a brief smile. “It pinches a bit, Iknow. You’ll have a leather undergarment for it, to gentle your skin but that’snot yet ready.”
Leather and metal. Gabrielle briefly wondered how that wasgoing to feel, once they were out in the world and she had to walk around init. “Is it going to be really heavy?”
“No, your Grace.” Jonas straightened up a little andtwitched the rings over the points of her shoulders, evening the garment outand studying it critically. “How does that feel?
Gabrielle lifted her arms and moved a little, turning aroundin her new armor. She brought her hands up and felt the unfamiliar binding ofthe links around her upper arms. “It’s a little..um.. tight.. “ She hesitated,touching the spot. “Here.”
Jonas scrabbled around on his knees and took hold of herarm, extending it and studying the sleeve. “Ah.” He set to work unlinking a rowof rings. “My apologies, your Grace. Give me but a moment.” He worked at the links with a small tool, carefulnot to pinch her skin. “I misjudged your span there. My apologies.”
“My what?”
“Just a moment, I beg you.”
“Okay.” She was content to stand there as he worked,glancing at her reflection in the mirror. The rings showed a rippling dark silver over her shoulders and down hersides, but over her chest and back, they were covered by small pieces of beautifullyshaped overlapping leather scales in a deep forest green.
There was a leather collar, too, that protected her neckfrom the links, and belt with adarkly glittering hawkshead buckle to clasp the thing around her body.
“There. Is that better?”
Gabrielle lifted her hands again, closing her fingers on hernon existent stick and miming it’s motion. “Yes.” She nodded, now feeling no constriction at all. “Much.”
“Good.” Jonas stood and circled her. “Does it suit you, yourGrace?”
She didn’t feel particularly graceful, matter of fact.Gabrielle walked towards the mirror, feeling a little strange moving in her newgear. She touched the ringswith one hand, tracing their intricate twining. “Was this hard to make?’ Hereyes met his in the mirror’s reflection.
“Eh.” Jonas lifted one shoulder. “It is close work, truth.”He said. “But not as great as some, as your Grace is delicate of stature.”
Gabrielle turned and looked at him. “I’m short, you mean.”She said, with a grin.
“Not just so.” The man smiled back at her. “My commissionsare mostly soldiers, footmen, big hulks of fellows, as it is.” He replied. “Aseach ring is formed alone, twas easier to complete a set for your Grace than ifit had been for one such.”
“Ah.” The blond woman looked down at herself. “It’sbeautiful.” She touched one of the pieces of leather scale. “I really like it.”
The armor’s bearded face broke in a broader smile. “It wasdifficult.” He admitted. “To make it of a quality that suited me in afortnight, but if it pleases you, it satisfies me.” He expertly adjusted herbelt. “The leggings fasten so, here at the knee, and the boots – do theyfeel good to you?”
Obligingly, Gabrielle stamped her feet, feeling the suppleleather flex around her ankles. The boots did, in fact, feel very good, thoughshe suspected she would need to wear them a little so she could escape a fewblisters. They came up to herknees, and from the boot top to her seat a wide strip of soft leather protectedthe insides of her legs. “Feelsgood.”
“Good.” The armorer nodded. “Can you sit on that stoolthere, and see if it doesn’t pull, when you are mounted?”
Gabrielle walked over to the padded bench and readilystraddled it, tucking her boots about where her stirrups would hold them. Shestraightened a little and sat back in what would be her saddle, trying toimagine what it would be like to ride all day in the new gear.
It was hard, because she could hardly imagine what it wouldbe to ride all day dressed in anything at all, so she guessed she’d just haveto live with whatever it turned out to be. “Feels okay.” She turned and lookedat Jonas, catching him grinning at her. “What’s wrong?
“Nothing, your Grace.” The man cleared his throat.
“Lady Gabrielle?” The door opened, and the outfitter Eddarscame in, his arms full of things. “Ah, Jonas. I am glad you are here. HerMajesty is looking for you.”
Jonas looked up in surprise. “For me?” He glanced atGabrielle in some mild apprehension. “Has something displeased you, yourGrace?”
Gabrielle was as surprised as he was. “No.” She shook herhead. “Maybe she wants you to make something else.. maybe for her?” Shesuggested. “She was working on her stuff in there before you came in.”
Jonas looked at the doorway in question, then at the otherman. “I am sure the queen needs none of my humble touch on her armor.”
Eddars shrugged. “I know not. Her majesty was outside in thegreat hall, you best attend her and find for yourself what she wishes.”
With an apprehensive expression, the tall armorer went tothe door and through it, closing it after him and leaving Gabrielle to Eddar’stender mercies. She got up off herstool and trotted over to where he was sorting his various burdens out andpeered at them. “Oo.”
He held up a leather cloak, trimmed with some kind of fur.“This first, I think, your Grace.” He shook the cloak out. “May I fasten it about you?”
“Sure.” Gabrielle took a fold of the cloak as the outfitterlaid it over her shoulders, and carefully fastened the clasp across the front.“Wow.” The cloak was a wellsoftened hide, with a waxy outer surface and it draped neatly to her boot tops.“This is gorgeous.”
“Thank you, your Grace.” Eddars beamed at her. “Thecraftsman who made it was so pleased it was for you. He slit the sides here,see?” He indicated the side. “So that it might drape well as you ride.”
“Oh, yeah.” Gabrielle gently touched the fur to her cheek.“It’s so soft.”
“Squirrel, your Grace.”
“Oh.” The blond woman made a face. “Wish you hadn’t told methat. I like them. I think they’re cute.” She glanced at her reflection again,secretly delighted at the surprisingly dashing figure looking back at her. Sheraked her fingers through her hair and freed it from the cloak’s collar. “Thisis great, thank you.”
“And now, your traveling clothes?’
With a grin, Gabrielle turned to the pile, noting not afrill was to be seen in anything.
**
Jonas edged out of the doorway, and spotted the queenstanding under the big arch, arguing with a tall courtier.
Or, truly, she wasn’t arguing, she was yelling, and the silkbedecked noble was nodding and bowing as fast as he could.
Beautiful. Jonas exhaled.
“Now, get the Hades out!” Xena finished in a loud bark. “Ifyou can’t deliver what you promised, I’ll find someone else to hold your lands.Got me?”
“Majesty!” The man dropped to his knees. “You are beggaringme! My family will starve!”
“GOT ME?” The queen repeated. “I’ll give it over to my armormaster there… he’s got more talent in his kneecap than your entire family!!!”
“Mistress! You ask too much!”
“Listen to me.” Xena grabbed the man by the throat. “Youfinanced Bregos last year. Don’t think I don’t know it. You were his bankroll.”
The noble turned red, then white as Xena’s fingerstightened. “M…augh.”
“So you better cough up what I asked for, or you’re going topay for that with more than horses and hides, understand?” Xena said, coldly.
“Y…yes.”
Xena released him, wiping her hand on her leggings with anexpression of disgust.
Armor master? Jonas’ ears perked up, and he glanced quicklyaround to see if Xena could possibly be referring to someone else in the bighall. Seeing no other man present,he stood a little more boldly out in the hall as the noble scurried off,followed by Xena’s blue eyed disdain.
After a moment, the queen snorted and shook her head, beforeshe turned to face Jonas. “There you are.” Xena’s expression was stormy, andshe glowered at him. “Where the Hades have you been?”
“Mistress.” Jonas bowed, and touched his chest. “I wasfitting your beautiful consort with her new armor.”
“Were you?” Thequeen cheered up immediately. “Did she like it?”
“I think so, your Majesty.”
Xena put her hands on her hips. “Where’d you put the scale?”
“Here.” Jonas touched his shoulders and chest, then hisbelly and thighs. “I left the sides open, and cut the sides high for riding.”He touched the side of his leg.
The queen nodded. “Good. She’ll have to get used to wearingit.”
“So she said.” The armorer nodded. “I think she will do wellwith it, if I may say so, your Majesty. She has strength, she does.”
“Sure she does.” The queen appeared pleased, however. “She’sgotta deal with me. She’d have broken something before now if she wasn’t.”
“No, your Majesty.”
The queen nodded quietly to herself. “All right.” Shepaused. “I’d um..” Her gaze brokefrom his, and went across the hallway. “Give it to me. I’ll give it to her.”
Jonas was watching her. “Very well, Majesty.” He respondedin a quiet tone. “Was there something you wished of me? Ellas indicated so.”
Xena appeared lost in thought for a moment, but she gaveherself a shake and focused on him again. “I did.” She said. “But let’s getthis taken care of first.” She added. “So she liked it huh?”
“I believe so, Majesty.”
Xena started for the royal chambers. “Well, she’s cluelessabout the stuff so I’d better go check it out. C’mon.”
Gabrielle looked up from inspecting a basket and grinned.She stepped away from the table and spread her arms out, lifting the edges ofthe cloak so Xena could see her new armor. “Look what Jonas brought, Xena! It’sgreat!”
“Let me be the judge of that.” Xena strolled over. Sheunclasped the cloak and removed it from around Gabrielle’s neck, then circledher, looking intently at the armor covering her slim form. “Hm.”
Given the short amount of time, she’d honestly not expecteda real quality job, no matter what she’d said, or what Jonas had promised.
However, as she smoothed her hand over the links coveringGabrielle’s shoulder, she found herself impressed by the work, and admiring thefit of the scales layered neatly over the blond woman’s chest and back.
Difficult, on a woman, as she should know better than most.“Nice.” She glanced over at Jonas, giving him an approving look.
The green eyes were watching her intently. Gabrielle’s lipstwitched into a hesitant smile. “Better than pink frills?”
Xena let her gaze deliberately move from Gabrielle’s head toher leather covered toes and then back up again. “Much better.” She said, witha grin. “You look damn sexy in it, matter of fact.”
A predictable blush. Xena looked up at the two men. “Youboth agree?”
Jonas looked at Ellas who looked right back at him, bothsets of eyes widening.
The queen grinned. “You’re screwed either way. Pick one.”
“Yes, Majesty.” The two men said, in unison. “Very sexy.”Jonas added. “Begging your pardon, your Grace.”
Gabrielle didn’t think she really looked sexy, but shewasn’t going to stop anyone from saying it. She could see by Xena’s expressionthough, that the queen really did approve of the armor, and that made her happyin any case. “Want to see all the other stuff they brought?”
“Later.” Xena crooked her finger at Jonas. “C’mon with me.”She walked towards her erstwhile armor room. “Now you get your reward for beinga craftsman and doing an impossible job in a fortnight.”
“Mistress?”
“You get more work.”
“Ah.”
**
Jonas paused in the doorway, his eyes widening a little ashe took in the small workroom. In the center, a wooden table was set covered inarmor pieces and scattered among them were tools very familiar to him.
His eyes brightened a little. “Something is amiss, Majesty?”
Xena went behind the table and sat down on a stool there,leaning her forearms on the table. “Yeah.” She pulled over the plates thatcovered the front of her chest and shoulders. “See these?”
Thus encouraged, Jonas approached and peered at the armor.“Wonderful workmanship, your Majesty.” He murmured.
“Thanks.” Xena said. “This bit here, goes down my spine. Iwant a mail link between it and the shoulder plates.”
Jonas cautiously eased closer, up against the table. Hestudied the pieces. “To hold this part in place, is that what you intend,Majesty?” He asked, touching the back protector, which was visibly newer thanthe rest of the armor.
“Yeah.” The queen picked up the armor. “I’m getting to be anancient old bitch, so this’ll keep my sword from smacking my ass and anydisaffected pigbrains from stabbing me in the back.” She sighed, her eyesnarrowing a little. “Peh.”
Jonas looked from one side of the room to the other.“Surely, your Majesty, you are making a jest with me.” He said, mildly. “But inany case, I would be greatly honored to make the mail you require. Greatlyhonored.”
Xena gave him a wry look. “Took me longer than I thought tomake this thing. Ran out of time for the rest of it. Get it done before sunsetday after tomorrow. Got me?”
Jonas stared at her, goggle eyed.
“Something wrong?”
“Majesty.” Jonas looked at the armor. “Forgive me, but thatis your work? You made this?” He indicated the newly pounded metal piece.
Xena looked around. “Yeah.” She replied, with a half shrug.“Got a problem with that?” She watched the man’s eyes grow round and wondering,and almost revised her opinion of him. “If you’re going to turn into an idiot,get out of here before I break your arm.”
“Forgive me, Majesty.” Jonas murmured. “May I take thepieces, to measure them?”
“Measure them here.” Xena told him. “I’ll be right back.”She got up and stalked outside the workroom, letting out a sharp whistle as shecleared the door.
Jonas blew out a breath, and paused for a long moment beforehe picked up one of the pieces of armor carefully and turned it over in hisfingers, admiring the precise hammering and the carefully sculpted leatherunderlay. “By the gods. “
With a shake of his head, he drew out a scrap of parchmentand started measuring the piece against his handspan, making marks on theparchment with a bit of charcoal.
**
Gabrielle found the queen out on the battlements and shewalked quietly up to stand next to her as they both gazed out at the settingsun. “That’s so pretty.” She puther chin down on the top of the wall.
“What is?” Xena seemed to be in a pensive mood, her usualedgy energy muted.
“The way the light looks on those buildings. See?” Gabriellepointed to an orange lit surface.
The queen studied the rooftop. “No.” She replied briefly.“But I’m glad you like it.”
Gabrielle edged a little closer. “Did you know they evenmade a coat for Patches?” She said. “It’s really cute.”
Xena turned around and leaned against the wall, then after amoment she slid down it and sat on the stone, patting the surface next to herwith one hand. “Siddown.”
Obligingly, Gabrielle did so.
They sat side by side in comfortable silence for a bit, thenthe queen let her head rest against the wall and turned her eyes to hercompanion. “Y’know this isn’tgoing to be a walk in the garden.”
The blond woman glanced at her. “Um.. I kind of figuredthat.” She said.
“Scared yet?”
Gabrielle thought about the question. “Should I be?”
“Yep.”
“Are you?”
Xena drew up one knee and rested her elbow against it.“That’s a damnable question, Gabrielle.” She replied, in a thoughtful tone.“Y’know. I’m something.” She scratched her eyebrow. “Damned if I know what.You’d think I’d never done this before.”
Gabrielle studied her boots. “Are you sure it’s the rightthing to do?” She aksed. “Maybethat’s what you’re thinking about.”
“Nah.” The queen made a face. “I couldn’t give a rats assabout that. I want to go kill people and get booty.” She picked up a smallstone off the ground and tossed it across the battlement, bouncing it off thefar wall and watching it skitter around. “I think I’m just.. “ She let her handfall to her knee. “I hope I remember how to do it right.”
“Right?”
Xena nodded. “You ever do something really good, and thencome back to it again and you weren’t so good at it?”
“Um.” Gabrielle sniffed. “No. I’m not really good at much,remember?”
“Stop that.” The queen said sharply. “I’m trying to beinsecure here. You’re not helping.”
Gabrielle wondered what was going on with her tallcompanion. “Sorry.” She apologized. Instead of saying anything else, shereached over and took the queen’s hand and clasped it, stroking the powerfulfingers with her thumb.
“If I do something stupid, you won’t tell anyone about it,right?” Xena said, suddenly. “You wont put that in a story, will you?” Sheturned and faced Gabrielle, her expression serious.
Gabrielle was dumbstruck. She looked back at the queen, hereyes wide. Of all the things she’d thought Xena was worried about, that hadn’teven occurred to her. “Uh..” Shespluttered. “Buh.. me?” her voicerose on the last word almost to a squeak.
“You.” Xena cupped her cheek. “Storyteller.”
Gabrielle exhaled softly. “I would never do anything to hurtyou, Xena.” She whispered. “I’ll stop telling stories.” She felt the fingers onher cheek twitch a little at her words. “P… please don’t say I can’t go withyou.”
Xena’s expression shifted, and her head tilted to one side alittle.
“I just want to be with you.” Gabrielle felt afraid,suddenly. “I won’t tell anyone anything. I promise Xena. I promise, please,just d.. don’t make me stay here alone.”
Slowly, the queen leaned forward until their heads weretouching. “If I do this right.” She uttered. “You’re going to end up hatingme.”
Gabrielle remembered, suddenly, a moment in a castle atnight, when she’d let the horror of what the queen was doing overcome her. Now,the risk Xena had taken to reassure her started to make a little bit of sense.“Nothing could do that.” She lifted her hand, and stroked Xena’s cheek.
“I don’t want you to hate me.” Xena said, with an odd quietness. “I want it all, Gabrielle.I want to lead my army, kick everyone’s ass, not screw up and not have youthink I’m a…”
“I just want to be with you.” Gabrielle interrupted her,with unusual boldness. “Whatever that takes, I’ll do it.”
Xena looked her in the eye. “Whatever?”
The blond woman nodded.
Xena reached down and pulled something out of the top of herboot. She brought it closer, then turned it so it caught the last rays of thedying sun, which glittered against a small sword hilt.
Gabrielle felt short of breath suddenly, the fear of beingleft behind being chased out by fear of another kind. She looked at the hilt,focusing on the hawk’s head on the pommel.
“Take it.”
She lifted her hand and slowly closed it around the leatherwrapped metal. It fit her hand, but she almost started when Xena pulled thesheath back and exposed the length of the blade. “Oh.”
“Can I depend on you, Gabrielle?” Xena asked, softly. “Ifsomeone comes at me, can you stop them?’
Gabrielle stared past her, at the twilight tinted wall. Shecould smell the wood smoke from the kitchens and far off, hear the sounds ofthe castle settling in for the night. She heard a soft cracking sound, andwondered if it was her soul breaking, before she looked back at Xena, knowingthe queen was waiting for her to speak.
“I already know you’ll die for me.” Xena said. “That’s notwhat I want. I want you to live for me, and keep me alive. Can you do that,shepherd?”
Could she?
Gabrielle drew the sword all the way out of it’s sheath andexamined it, lifting it up before her eyes. It was short, not half the lengthof Xena’s, and it didn’t feel anywhere near as heavy. After a moment, sheturned her eyes back to her companions. “I will.”
Xena could see her own reflection in that blade.
Gabrielle’s head came up a little. Her expression altered atrifle, from grim to something gentler. “I understand.” She slid the sword backinto it’s covering. “I’ll do my best to make sure we both are okay.”
Xena suspected she would fail. However, she’d rolled thedice long before and it was time to stop being so gods be damned maudlin andjust get it done. “Okay.”
She was still worried about looking like an idiot. But nowshe was confident it wouldn’t be at Gabrielle’s hands, since she knew theadorable mophead tended to leave out the goriest details and her occasionallapses into insanity from them anyway.
She didn’t want her to stop telling stories. She just wantedto look good in them. “Gabrielle?”
“Hm?”
“Don’t use that thing for cooking.”
“I won’t.” Finally, Gabrielle smiled, laying the sword onthe walk next to her leg. “Are we ready now?”
“As we’ll ever be.” Xena reviewed her preparations. “Guess we’ll end up staying here forthat damn festival anyway.” She’dintended on leaving before it, but the supplies just weren’t coming in fastenough and she knew starting off by raping her own people of what they hadwasn’t smart.
“I’m glad.”
The queen looked at her. “Changed your mind about silkfrills?”
Gabrielle shook her head. “I wanted you to hear mypoem.” She said. “The one Jellausmade into a song.”
“Uh oh.”
“It’s worth wearing a dress for that.”
“Uh oh.”
Gabrielle laid her head against Xena’s shoulder, and smiled,casting her future into the same uncertain waters her queen seemed to bepredicting. Whatever happened,did.
Whatever.
**
Xena climbed the steps into the main hall, leaving the starscattered darkness behind her. A glance to her right and left showed an empty,echoing space, most of the castle having gone to bed already and she could hearonly the occasional soft clank from somewhere else breaking the silence.
She paused before the doors to her chambers, admitting toherself how much she felt the long day, now that she was at the end of it. “Nota good sign.” She clucked her tongue, shaking her head as she pushed the dooropen and walked inside.
The outer chamber was empty, as she’d
It made her stop and ponder, just for a second, whetherdeciding to leave the castle and go pillaging was worth leaving behind thisnew, cozy life she’d developed over the last few months.
Aggravating question. Xena dismissed it and went to thedoor, peeking through it with a slight grin of anticipation.
“Oh, you’re back!” Gabrielle emerged from the bathing room, her body draped in a light,sheer shift that clung to her body and made the grin on Xena’s face widen.
“Damned if I care. C’mere.” Xena entered the chamber and held her hands out.
“Just writing in my diary, nothing really.” Gabrielle said.“Would you like a bath?”
“Do I smell like I need one?” The queen inquired. “I wasn’thaving sex with the horses.”
Gabrielle laughed softly, nuzzling Xena’s collarbone.“You’re so funny.” She said. “Youdon’t smell like horses at all. I just found some new soap and I thought you’dlike it.” She backed up a step, clasping Xena’s hands and tugging her gentlytowards the bathing room. “Come see?”
The queen allowed herself to be drawn into the bathingchamber, where a steaming, opulent tub was indeed waiting, the scent risingfrom it half spicy, and half something else. “Ah.” Xena considered the fact that her swanky tub opportunitieswere now limited and decided she was overdressed for the occasion. “I do likeit.”
Gabrielle’s hands dropped to the belt holding her tunic shutand unlatched it. “I thought you might.” She untied one of the five ties thatclosed the shirt. “I packed a bunch of it.”
Xena allowed herself to be undressed, as she ran her fingersthrough Gabrielle’s pale hair. “You packing that tub too? The horses are gonnabite your ass.”
“Um.. no.” Gabrielle untied the last fastening. “I figuredwe’d just have to improvise.” Shepeeled Xena’s tunic off, ducking behind her and coming back around, draping thegarment over one of the basins before she turned her attention to the laces onthe queen’s leggings leaving the taller woman naked to the waist.
“Oh, did you?” Xena leaned over and put a light kiss on her companion’s neck. She sawthe quick grin form on Gabrielle’s face, a typical reaction that mixedinnocence and desire and tickled the queen to her toenails. “You’re so damncute.”
Gabrielle looked up, her eyes lighting from within at thewords, growing brighter as Xena cupped her face in both hands and stroked herjawline with her thumbs. It was atotal focus on her that the queen appreciated in a deep way she sometimesdidn’t quite understand. “Let’sget wet.”
The blond woman’s grin took on a touch of mischief. “Rightnow?”
Xena turned them both and sat down on the edge of the bath.“I’ll have plenty of time to get my boots wet.” She started to unlace them,then paused as Gabrielle took over the task, leaving her free to rest herelbows on the marble and enjoy the light steam bathing her back.
“I heard the nobles talking today, in the hall.” Gabriellespoke as she worked, her brow creasing as she undid a knot in the boot’s laces.“I couldn’t tell if they were happy about what we’re doing or not.”
The queen gazed down the length of her bare torso, watchingher ribs move as she took a breath and released it. “It’s greed versus greed, Gabrielle.” She remarked. “Theywant to keep what they have, and they want to get what conquest will bringback.”
Gabrielle drew one boot off, darting a mischevious look ather companion as she ran her fingertips across the sole of her bare foot.
“Gggabrieelle.” Xena rumbled warningly.
“Sorry.” The blond woman pretended contriteness, as shestarted working on the other boot. “But, how can they expect to get more, ifthey don’t help the army?” She asked. “That doesn’t make sense.”
“No. It’s human nature. By definition that doesn’t makesense.” The queen sighed. “Stupid bastards.”
Gabrielle pulled Xena’s other boot off, then she stood andtook hold of her leggings, giving them a tug. “I think the water’s coolingoff.” She said. “It’s really better hot.. don’t you think?”
“Know what I think?.” The queen remarked. “The bath’s just asmoke screen.” She folded her arms across her chest, one eyebrow hiking up asshe watched a blush start right about neck level on her companion. “I think youjust like undressing me.”
“You’re right. I do.” Gabrielle responded readily, aware ofthe heat and the knowing blue eyes on her. “You’re so pretty, I love looking atyou.” She admitted. “And I guess abath’s a pretty good excuse, isn’t it?”
Xena chuckled softly, standing and letting Gabrielle strip offher leggings as she reached over to pull the blond woman’s shift over her head.“C’mon muskrat. In ya go.” She circled the smaller woman with one arm and swungher legs over the edge of the tub, pulling Gabrielle with her as they both slidinto the marble basin with a significant splash.
Gabrielle was laughing as she surfaced, shaking her head andsending bubbles flying, the light, joyous sound echoing off the marble.
“Ah, now you know why I was such a successful despot.” Xenaextended her long legs and leaned back against the wall of the tub.
“Why?” Gabrielle scooted over and took a seat next to her,lathering some of the soap on a bit of sponge and scrubbing her bathmate’sshoulders. “You don’t look old.” She reassured her. “I mean,you never do, but especially not today when you had that really cute outfiton.”
“Cute outfit?” Xena willingly allowed herself
“Well, you looked great in it.” Gabrielle told her. “I thinkit’s sexy.”
“Hmph.” The queen slid down in the water a little, lettingit creep up almost to her chin. “Yeah, well… all I know is I’m tired. I don’tremember that happening before.” She took a breath of the warm, scented air, and relaxed, as Gabrielle’ssponge worked it’s industrious way along her skin. “And we haven’t even leftyet.” She closed her eyes, givingher head a shake.
The blond woman reclined on her side next to Xena, watchingher profile as she gently soaped her. “I got tired just watching you.” Shesaid. “I mean, you beat up all those guys. Can you imagine how they feel?” Sheremembered seeing the soldiers trudging from the field, covered in blood, mud,and sweat. “They were all talking about you.”
One blue eye opened, and studied her. “They were, huh?”
Gabrielle nodded.
“What were they saying?”
“Well.” The water tinkled softly as she rinsed out thesponge and added more soap, then went back to her scrubbing. “They think you’reamazing with your sword.”
“I am.” Xena said. “What else?”
“That you’re so fast when you move. They can’t catch you.”
The queen smirked. “Nice to hear that.” She allowed.“Anything else?”
“They can’t figure out how you do that jumping around thingyou do.”
“Ah.” Xena lifted her arms out of the water and spread themout to either side along the wall of the tub. “Now that’s a question with along hard answer.” She stretched her body out, feeling the stiffness recedingas the warmth penetrated deep into her bones. “Let em keep guessing.”
Gabrielle eased herself up and settled over Xena’s legs,straddling them as she worked. She knew how Xena did her jumping around thing,and it was something she knew she’d never duplicate so she’d laughed to herselflistening to the soldiers talk about it.
She hadn’t known what to make of the long, heavy stuffedburlap roll laying along the wall in the tower, until she’d watched Xena liftit up onto her shoulders and start working with it.
Crouching, and leaping. Crouching and leaping, and pushingherself and the thing up off the ground amazing enough until Gabrielle hadtried lifting one corner of it and realized it probably weighed twice what shedid.
Unbelievable. Incredible the strength it took to do what Xena did, and the constant,neverending practice she did with it almost every time she went up to herchill, empty training chamber. “Idon’t think they’ll ever guess that.” She said.
“Nah.” The queen sighed. “It’s easier to think it’s atrick.” She mused. “Ah, I’ll getused to it again once we’re out there. I’ve just been living too soft all theseyears.” She let her eyes drift shut again, surrendering to Gabrielle’s slowlycrossing from utilitarian to erotic touch with the sponge.
Yeah, she was spoiled. Xena felt her breathing shorten asthe slightly rough surface slid down from her collarbone and circled herbreasts. Her body had gotten tovery much liking Gabrielle’s attentions and while her blond bedmate certainlywasn’t the most experienced wench around, she was..
Ungh.
The warmth erupted into heat, as Gabrielle’s body gentlymolded itself to hers, and her thigh eased between the queen’s, a lightlyinsistent pressure that almostmade her gasp. She gave into itthough, welcoming the burn as the blond woman leaned forward and their lipsmet, the faintest hint of mint entering her mouth as their tongues explored.
It felt a little out of control, but that made it all themore enticing, and Xena could feel her body surrendering to the craving,wanting the release she knew Gabrielle would give to her.
Hedonist? She’d never denied that, but she’d always beenable to discipline herself in her excesses and somehow this little shepherd’skid had gotten past that and had her wrapped around her little finger, havingher way with Xena to an almost frightening degree.
The sponge roamed downward, and she stopped worrying aboutit, the pleasure overcoming any reservations as the exhaustion of the day fellaway replaced by a surge of sexual energy.
Gabrielle was very focused on her and she’d learned wellwhat Xena liked. Her attentions were sure and persistent, teasing touches thathad her body twitching in short order and her mind taken right off her concernsand into a sensual space that set her own hands roaming.
Well.
Maybe they could find a way to take the damn tub.
Never knew till you tried, right?
Far off, Xena heard the soft clarion tones of the eveninghorn, sounding the watch for the first time in a very long time, and shesmiled. It’ll all work out, she thought, before thought lost it’s coherence.It’ll all work out just fine.
**
Gabrielle paused as she entered the kitchens, cocking herhead to listen to the chaos. She moved inside the door and put her back to thewall, just absorbing the voices around her.
The center of the big room had been cleared, and now it wasfull of boxes and wrapped parcels, with more parcels, baskets, bushels andloose items scattered around them. Three men were standing among the boxeswaving their arms and yelling, and two women were on the periphery of it all,yelling back.
“Good grief.” Gabrielle muttered to herself. “This is no wayto get things organized. Xena’s going to have a fit!”
That was the last thing she wanted to have happen. Taking adeep breath, she pushed herself away from the wall and walked into the centerof the chaos. “Excuse me.”
“Damn it woman, I told ye it just won’t do!” The man closestto the boxes hollered, unheeding. “It can’t be packed like that!” He grabbed one of the boxes and dumpedit on the ground, scattering the contents. “See?”
“Now you stop that, Machus!” One of the women scolded him. “Leave that be! You’ll cleanthat up with your tongue at your rate!” She gestured at the mess. “It’s not forus to know how to feed an army. That’s your job!”
“My job? It’s your neck on the line if there ain’t food forthem to eat!” Machus yelled back. “Want her Majesty to show you how to pack abox?”
“Excuse me.”
“Don’t you be wagging that one at me, you dirty rug!”
“Dirty rug, is it? Wasn’t what you said at the inn, now wasit?” The man put his hands on his hips. “Turn your nose up at the army now,will you? Hades to you, Hina.”
“Hades right back to you, Machus.. you beggarly hanger on!Going to steal the droppings, don’t think we all don’t’ know it!” The womansnapped right back, a low mutter rising behind her. “The army? You’re no morethe army than that little..”
Gabrielle took a deep breath, and opened her mouth. “HEY!”She bellowed.
When the echoes faded, she was standing on one side of thepile of supplies in a pool of silence, as everyone’s eyes turned on her andthey realized who it was in their midst.
The relaxed, if chaotic atmosphere vanished, replaced byuneasy fear, and Gabrielle absorbed that for a moment before she squared her shoulders back and forcedherself to take a step forward. “Okay, now look.” She said. “We really don’thave time to fight about this. We’re going to leave soon, and this has to beready.”
The woman glanced at her, then looked away. “As you say,your grace.” She muttered.
“Aye.” The man agreed, staring at his feet.
Gabrielle studied them. “You’re just saying that.” She said,in an almost conversational tone. “You’re not really listening to me, are you?”
No one answered, they merely stood in sullen silence, nowattracting attention from the rest of the kitchen.
“You know people are going to depend on this stuff, whenwe’re all out there, so it has to be right.” Gabrielle felt a curious flashbackto hearing her mother’s voice, ordering the larder echoing somewhere in herfading memories. “So I think the first thing to do is fix it up so that it’snot going to fall apart if it gets knocked around. Like he was saying.” Theblond woman stepped over the scattered packets and dropped ot one knee, sortingamong them. “If we take this here..”
“Here, what’s going o..” The ring of silent watchers edgedaside to allow Stanislaus past them. “Why… uh..”
Gabrielle looked up. “Gabrielle.” She enunciated her namepolitely. “Xena’s put me in chargeof making sure her back’s covered. I think that means making sure she’s got allthe stuff she needs, don’t you?”
“Ah..”
Stanislaus appeared at a loss. “My lady, can I escort you tothe royal chambers.. I think it’s time for tea.” He glanced at the kitchenstaff. “These good people have work to do.”
Gabrielle stared at him. Then she turned and looked at theboxes.
Should she let this go? Let ‘these good people’ go on withtheir scatterlot packaging of things that they just might need out there?
Now the tables were turned. Stanislaus’s nostrils flared,and he glanced around again, this time more furtively. “Your grace?” He loweredhis voice. “Help you?”
“Sure.” Gabrielle started stacking the boxes. “Look, allthis stuff is different. It doesn’t make sense to put the grain next to theskewers, does it? You never use those with grain.” She looked up when there wasno answer, to find Stanislaus gone, and the ring of kitchen workers staring ather a little gape jawed. “Well, do you?”
Machus, to give him credit, recovered first. “Ah.. well,yes, m’lady.” He cleared his throat. “I mean.. no, m’lady, no.. we wouldn’t andthat’s what I was saying, you see?”
Gabrielle smiled at him. “I think we need to fix this.” Shegot up, holding a packet of folded straw mats. “So I tell you what.. why don’tyou and I work together to get things straightened out, okay?” She turned andregarded the rest of the workers. “Do we have more stuff?”
The uneasy distrust was almost a scent in the room.
Then again. She lifted her chin and surveyed them, wonderingwhich of them had been on Bregos side, and which had been on… A faint smiletugged at her lips. Which had been on their side. Hers and Xena’s. “Okay.” She let the package rest against her hip. “We can do thisthe easy way, or we can do this the hard way, and I’ll go get Xena.”
It was like throwing ice cubes at them. She could see thejerk in their bodies as she spoke the queen’s name, hearing in her own tone acasual familiarity she knew jarred them. “I’d rather not do that. She’s busy rightnow.” She added. “So let’s just get started here, so when she comes check onwhat I’m up to, she’ll see how much progress we made. Okay?”
From ice cubes to hot pokers. There was more fear of Xena here than malice against her,and Gabrielle knew for the moment that she was safe. Two of the women at last stirred into motion, edginggingerly over to join her and kneeling in the scattering of boxes, keepingtheir eyes averted as they started sorting them.
“What’s that over there?” Gabrielle pointed to a storagearea, half hidden behind stacks of crates. She half turned, but stopped when she caught the furtiveglances being exchanged. “Behind those boxes?”
“Tis nothing.” One of the smaller women muttered.
Gabrielle put her hands against the wooden stack and bracedher feet, shoving against the heavy boxes with sudden, sure strength.
“M’lady!” The drover hustled over. “Please, let me!”
The crates moved just enough for her to stick her head inthe hidden area, which was full to bursting with packets, jugs, boxes, andprovisions, obviously tucked out of sight. She pulled back and looked at theworkers, all of whom stared at the floor and refused to look back at her.
The drover let his hands drop, then he met Gabrielle’s eyeand faintly, almost fatalistically, shrugged.
Holding back, huh? Gabrielle knew Xena would be furious ifshe knew, but she’d been a little, hungry kid standing in her parents small hutwatching them give up everything to rough, bawdy raiders and she felt a briefunderstanding fill her.
Only a brief one. “Well, guess we’ve got lots to pack,huh?” She remarked cheerfully.“Xena’s going to really like this.” She dusted her hands off and regarded herunwilling audience. “How about we get started?”
Machus rubbed the side of his nose, then he gave a smallshrug in the direction of the rest of them. “Best do as the lady says,friends.” He said, briefly, as he started to rearrange the boxes.
The women watched in sullen silence, then shook their headsand gathered around him, pushing things here and there with angry gestures.
Deliberately, Gabrielle stepped over the stack of wrappedbaskets and walked further into the larders, doing her best to ignore thestares at her back as she studied the provisions lining the walls.
What did you take out to war? She reached out and touched atwine wrapped jug, and tried to imagine being around one of thosecampfires. “How much of this do wehave?” She turned and looked at the nearest woman in question.
“That be oil, m’lady.” The woman answered stiffly. “Not herMajesty’s wine.”
Gabrielle cocked her head to one side. “I know that.” Shereplied. “How much do we have?”
The woman hesitated, pressing her lips together. She finallygave Gabrielle a brief nod of her head. “Twelve more like that’un.”
Twelve? Gabrielle studied the jug of olive oil with a frown.“Okay, take those boxes over there.” She directed, pointing to a set of crates.“And fill them with straw.”
“M’lady?” The woman sounded incredulous. “We don’t besending good oil with the likes of..”
Gabrielle turned and stared at her.
The woman predictably fell silent, realizing what she’dalmost said.
Machus somewhat clumsily got up and moved between her andthe now visibly bristling Gabrielle. “Now, your Grace, pay her no mind.
The crowd parted, suddenly, and a slim form pushed through.“Senna wants the flour, what’s all this… oh.” Celeste halted, spotting Gabrielle. “What are you doinghere?”
Pale green eyes, in a strangely more mature face framed byshortened hair swept the room. “Representing the Queen’s interests,apparently.” Gabrielle replied. “It seems not everyone’s willing to obey herrequests.”
A tense silence fell, and her words echoed softly in a spaceno longer quite so safe for anyone.
**
“Your Majesty.”
Xena looked up from her notes. “C”mon in.” She greeted Jonaswith relative cordiality. “Got thestuff?”
Jonas crossed the room quickly, a small wrapped bundle inhis hands. “I do, Mistress.” He reassured her. “I just need to attach it, if Imay.”
Xena held her hand out. “Gimme.”
He laid the packet on the table and backed a step, puttinghis hands behind his back as she laid her quill down and unwrapped the bundle,removing two long strips of mail and laying them out.
“Hm.” The queen leaned on her elbows and studied the mail.It was another example of neat interlace, the edges lined with double rings ina heavy, dull gray metal. “Nice.”She gestured towards the small room to one side. “Get half of it in, then youcan do the rest with it on me.”
Releasing his held breath, Jonas carefully took the twostrips. “Very good, Majesty.” He murmured. “I’ll be quick about it.”
“Good idea.” The queen went back to her writing. “With myreputation you never know when a fit of cycling might take me and then wherewould you be?”
“Mistress?”
Xena looked up at him, one dark, finely arched eyebrowlifting sharply. He got the message and retreated to her workroom, disappearingbehind the door as a knock came at her outer one. She put down the quill she’d just picked up and lifted hersword instead, removing it from it’s sheath with a whisper of steel onleather.
The knock came again. The queen twirled the sword andstalked to the opening, yanking the door open and preparing to plunge her bladeinto whatever was making the annoying sound.
Her hand got as far as her side, and she halted. “Damn it.”She exhaled in frustration. “Stanislaus, you’re almost killable.”
The senschal had shrunk back, his eyes huge. “Mistress!” Heblurted in dismay. “I only come to warn you! Please! What have I done!”
Xena turned and headed back to the desk, shaking her head.“What?” She picked up a sharpeningstone as she reached her stool and dropped onto it, laying her blade againstthe rough surface and drawing it across with a nape prickling scrape.
Hesitantly, Stanislaus entered, staying prudently near thedoor. “Majesty, you must dosomething, I beg of you. Your hard working slaves in the kitchens are trying toget things organized the way you need them, and..”
“My what?” Xenagave him an amused look. “What have you been drinking? Most of those bastardsdown there haven’t even pushed a broom in a moon.”
“Majesty, it’s your .. “ Stanislaus hesitated. “I am sureshe means only the best, she’s such a sweet child, but really.. to be arrangingthe supplies! Majesty! It will bea disaster?”
Xena paused in the middle of a sharpening stroke and lookedat him. “What in Hades are you babbling about?”
“Lady Gabrielle.” The man said. “Surely your Majesty knows what I speak of.. perhaps it wasa small jest? Sending her there to make an amusing joke?”
The queen put her sword down. “Hold it.” She held up a hand.“Are you telling me Gabrielle’s down in the storeroom with the goats andchickens?”
Stanislaus looked relieved. “Of course.” He said. “But yourMajesty did not know? Perhaps you are not pleased?”
Xena leaned back and wrapped her hands around her knee.“You’re telling me that my sexy love slave is downstairs telling everyone whatI want packed?” She sounded incredulous. “My short, blond bedwarmer?” She held her hand out more or less thelevel of Gabrielle’s head.
“Yes, Majesty.” The seneshal folded his hands, lookingpleased with himself. “I am certain you well know the consequences.. with thearmy leaving so soon.”
Well, well. Xena allowed that she was, in fact, surprised. She hadn’t expected thelittle muskrat to take the initiative and go meddle in the middens but then, itwas the things Gabrielle did that she didn’t expect that were more fun than theexpected ones. “Damn straight Ido.” She answered, briskly.
Stanislaus smiled.
“Means I probably won’t have to eat gods be damned oatcakesacross half the realm.” Xena brushed her hands off and sheathed her sword.“Tell those idiots if they don’t do everything she tells em, I’m gonna drag thelot of them behind my horse on the way out. Got me?”
Stanislaus sighed. “Mistress.”
The queen chuckled softly, as he left. “Bet she packs lotsof honey.”
**
Gabrielle stopped at the top of the kitchen stairs to theold tower and sat down, leaning her shoulder against the cool stone as sheflexed her tired fingers and exhaled. “Boy.”
Her voice echoed softly off the corridor, and she slid herboots down one more step, grimacing a little at the discomfort from the newleather.
Over her shoulder, the high, arched window set up in thewall was admitting a late afternoon light and she felt a bone deep tirednessfrom a long day’s work she hadn’t experienced for many a month now.
Only the empty upper hall returned her voice to her and shewas quietly glad of a moment of peace after the day of labor, allowing herselfa additional moment of satisfaction as she reviewed her progress.
A good day. Gabrielle tipped her head back and looked up at the arched stoneceiling, watching the gathering shadows darken the lines of it as the sun beganit’s descent behind the walls.
To her left, she heard a soft creak as the door to the outerwalk opened, allowing a flood of golden light inside.
Danger?
A gust of wind blew against her back, fluttering the fabricaround her body and chilling her skin a trifle. She could hear the faintest scrape of leather against stoneand she cocked her ears to listen as footsteps came up behind her.
Rhythmic footsteps, with a perceptible swagger.
“What.” A low, musical voice rumbled over her. “Have youbeen up to, my little muskrat?” Xena reached the wall and leaned against it,casually crossing her ankles as she gazed down at her lover. “Hm?”
Gabrielle tipped her head back and looked up at the queen’stowering form, letting the sight fill her senses and feeling a squeeze ofhappiness around her heart. “I’ve been downstairs.” She admitted, glancing downat her dirt smudged tunic. “Did I get in trouble?”
Xena laughed suddenly, a light sound of actual amusement thathad been coming more and more naturally to her of late and she sat down next toGabrielle on the steps and rested her elbows on her knees. “You?” She eyed hercompanion. “My little innocent sweet bit of charm?”
Gabrielle’s face scrunched into an embarrassed grimace. “I’mnot.”
“You’re not what? Innocent, sweet or charming?” The queeninquired. “Muskrat, trust me you are.” She reached over and gently smoothed thehair off Gabrielle’s face. “No, you’re not in trouble. You caused trouble. Youknow how much I love that.”
The blond woman’s smile returned. “They were just all sodisorganized about everything. I wanted to make it right for you.”
Xena understood that feeling, in a vague way.
Gabrielle looked up at her, a little startled. “What?”
“Their stash. The stuff they were holding back?” The queenwatched her face intently. “Did you find it?” She knew the answer by thewidening of those open, green eyes, and the faint motion in her jaw as itdropped slightly, but she waited, curious what her lover would answer.
“You knew?”
Ah. Wasn’t what she’d expected her to say. “Sure.” Xenasaid. “You don’t really think a bunch of ignorant peasants are smarter than Iam, do ya?” She studied Gabrielle’s dirt smudged, disheveled figure. “C’monnow.”
Gabrielle was very confused. She had expected Xena to beupset, angry over the downstairs people hiding things away from her andinstead, she just seemed sort of amused by it. “You’re not mad?”
The queen gave a half shrug. “I know I’m pushing hard to getout of her.” She said. “Natural they’d try to save a few things back, I would.”
“You would?”
“Sure.”
Gabrielle goggled at her.
“Don’t worry.” Xena patted her cheek. “You’d get ashare.” She started laughing atthe dumbfounded expression on the blond woman’s face. “Ah, you’re right.” Shewent to stand up. “Lemme go kill a few dozen of em. We’ve got time before dinner.C’mon.” She started down the steps, humming under her breath.
“Buh.. buh.. bu.. w.. Xena!” Gabrielle found her tongue trying to get outside her mouthand hastily drew it back in. “Ge..bu.. no, wait!” She scrambled to her feet andbolted after the taller woman, thumping down the steps hastily and catching upwith the queen just as she got to the bottom. “Wh.. wait! No.. uh.. Xena, um..just hang on there a minute..”
Xena paused at the door to the kitchens and peered around ather. “What?” She asked. “Wanna help?”
“No.. no, Xena, listen. I wasn’t.. I didn’t mean you shoulddo anything to anyone I was just..” Gabrielle gently grasped her arm, havinglearned fast, strong motions made the queen twitch. “I thought you would beangry, and I was surprised you weren’t. Please don’t hurt anyone.”
Xena half turned and looked down at her. “You really think Iwas going to?” Her voice rose in surprise. “C’mon Gabrielle. I was kidding.Lighten up.” She patted her bedmate on the side and pushed the door open withone boot. “Thought you knew me better by now.”
Gabrielle followed her inside, her guts churning with atremendous mix of emotions. It wasvery hard to know when Xena was kidding, as a matter of fact because the truthof it was, Xena did things horrific things, with the same offhand black humorthat she made jokes with and while she wished she did know the queen’s heart aswell as Xena seemed to think she should..
She didn’t.
“Your majesty!” Machus straightened from tying a finalbundle, his entire body covered in grime. He dropped to his knees, as the restof the kitchen staff hastily joined him, ladles going flying and pots fallingto floor as everyone scrambled to acknowledge Xena’s presence.
Xena paused in the center of the now cleared loading space,turning her head one way, and then the other to sweep the room with a cool,blue stare. The big doorsleading to the courtyard were half open, and the scent of horses was driftingthrough, two stacks of boxes near the portal the last to obviously be loaded.
The shelves around her were empty. She could rememberstopping by here a few days ago and seeing them laden with stores, boxesstacked against the walls and bales lining the passageways. Now, the flagstoneswere clean, and the larders stood bare and empty.
She would leave behind scarce provisions. Xena acknowledgedthat to herself, as she looked around and saw the silent, resentful accusationin the faces before her, who could not fend on their own, and depended on herfor everything they had.
Oh well. They’d have to manage.
Without comment, the queen walked to the doors and pushedthe huge panels open with a casual shove, walking out into the late afternoonlight to find six wagons lined up before the kitchens, all packed tightly withboxes, bales and parcels.
The loads were already lashed for travel, and on the woodensides of the wagons was writing, lines in a studied, careful script the queenwell recognized.
She turned around and put her hand son her hips, regardingGabrielle who had followed her quietly from the kitchen. “You do that?” Sheindicated the wagons with a thumb.
Gabrielle diffidently clasped her hands behind her back.“Well.” She cleared her throat modestly. “I told them how to put things.” Shesaid. “And what things, and helped them but..”
Xena strolled around the wagons and peered inside them,thoroughly enjoying the send of order and logic she could sense in the layingout of the loads. How incrediblyunexpected. “Where’d you learn to do that, muskrat?” She asked casually,leaning an elbow on the edge of a sturdy wheel.
Gabrielle walked forward and put her hands on the edge ofthe wagon buckboard, her expression surprisingly pensive. “I used to have toput in the harvest, at home.” She admitted. “Store everything for winter, youknow, and take care of the sheepskins, and all that.”
“You?”
The blond woman nodded. “It was just me and Lila and Mamaand Da.” She said. “I was the oldest.”
Xena turned and looked at the markings. “That you too?”
Gabrielle pulled a rolled parchment from her belt and camearound to where Xena was standing. “I marked down what was in which of thewagons.” She explained. “See here? So we don’t have to waste time when we stopand have to get stuff.”
“Uh huh.” The queen grunted. “Interesting.”
Gabrielle looked at her with something close toapprehension. “I know putting up one little cot’s harvest isn’t anything likerunning an army, but..”
“Know something?”
Gabrielle paused and folded the parchment up. “No, what?”
Xena put her hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder and looked herright in the eye. “Every time Iscratch your surface, you come up gold. That’s a damned amazing thing.” Shesaid. “I’ve got soldiers coming out my ass, some of them good, some bad, butyou’re worth more than all of them together to me for what you did here.”
Wow! Gabrielle felt her eyes popping wide open at the veryunexpected praise. “I’m..” She stammered. “I’m glad you liked it.”
“I’m sure you did.” The queen pulled her closer and gave hera kiss on the head. “But you’re going to keep on doing it, because I’m gonnatell everyone you’re the master of the camp in this damned army.” She put herarm around Gabrielle’s shoulder as they headed back towards the kitchen. “Andthat’s really going to piss everyone off.”
“Oh.”
“Except me.”
“Oh. Well, I guess that’s all right then.” Gabrielle knewshe probably had just gotten herself into more trouble than she’d everintended. “I hope I do okay.”
Xena could see the kitchen staff watching them as theyentered, still with that deep resentment in their eyes and she knew without adoubt taking Gabrielle with her was the best idea she’d had yet. “Better getplanting.” She told them, with a dour look back. “Or it’s gonna be a longspring chewing the grass out there.”
“Your Majesty.” Machus was still on his knees, holding his cap against his body. “Tistrue it’s only a sevenday’s provisions we’ve left here.”
“And?”
“Tis hard, Majesty.” The man replied bravely.
“No it’s not.” Xena answered, sweeping her gaze around theroom. “Going out with an army, fighting and dying and watching men’s headssplit is hard. That’s all to bring land and riches back so you all can sit hereand eat your fill of what I provide you.”
A quiet stillness settled over the room. Even Gabrielle wasmotionless, pressed against Xena’s side.
“Better hope I come back.” The queen added, widening hereyes mockingly, before she guided Gabrielle to the steps and disappeared upthem, slamming the door and sending echoes all through the tower behind her.
**
Gabrielle curled her aching hands around her cup of tea andsipped it, glad of a few moments to gather herself before she had to get intoher newly finished gown and get ready for the banquet.
She was very tired. They had a long dinner before thembefore she could rest, but she wouldn’t trade Xena’s praise of her work foranything.
Thinking about it now made her smile again, and she took along swallow of tea, pulling her robe around her a little and moving a bitcloser to the fire to ward off the chill from getting out of her warm bath,savoring the moment all the more since she knew how few of them she
Master of the camp. Gabrielle covered her eyes and couldn’tquite stifle a giggle. Xena had said it had to be master of the camp, becausemistress of the camp would give everyone the absolute wrong idea but for thesake of the gods…
Ah well. She really didn’t want to be called anyone’sMistress.
So.. why did everyone call Xena that?
Or did she like it because it was a bad thing?
That seemed like something Xena would like, to be calledsomething that was bad, or naughty because she thought Xena liked everyone tothink that’s how she really was. Gabrielle knew she had a mischevious streak, but there was something inher that understood there was something in Xena that was good and honest andtrue no matter what she said otherwise.
It was the part of her that would walk up behind Gabrielleand lay her hands on her shoulders and kiss the top of her head, just for noreason.
It was the part of her that made sure Gabrielle hadeverything she needed, and more, and never stinted on giving her clothes, andparchment, and all the pretty things scattered about her little room.
It was the part of her that loved and cherished Gabrielle ina way she’d never known before in all her life, not from family, not fromanyone.
Xena the Merciless. Most of the time. Gabrielleturned her head a little as she heard the queen stirring in the next chamber,the impatient motions so typical of her apparent in the drop of a cloak on thedressing table and the slight hiss of annoyance as the footsteps approached herdoorway.
After a brief pause, the queen’s dark head poked itself intoher chamber, faintly disheveled hair partly obscuring one pale eye. “Hey. Whatare you doing?”
Gabrielle swung her head around to look and see if her limbshad started to do something odd without her knowledge. Then she returned hergaze to Xena’s face. “Having some tea. Do you want some? I have water on here.”
Xena entered and came over to her small hearth, droppinginto the armchair next to her with a sullen grunt. “No I don’t want any gods bedamned tea.” She growled. “I want to be out of here.”
“Well.” Gabrielle got up and went to the fire, taking a cup and setting some tealeaves in it, then pouring the heated water over it. “We are leaving tomorrow,right?”
“Yes. “ Xena paused. “What are you doing?” She asked,peevishly. “Didn’t I tell you I didn’t want any damn tea?”
Gabrielle drizzled a good stickful of honey into the cup andstirred it, then she turned and came over to where Xena was sitting, handingher the cup and perching on the chair arm, reaching up to smooth the queen’shair back out of her eyes. “You seem like you’re in a bad mood.”
“I am in a bad mood. Nice catch.” Xena sipped from the cupanyway, as she felt her body reacting to her lover’s touch. “So don’t try tosuck up to me. I’m not falling for it.”
Gabrielle laid the backs of her fingers against Xena’scheek, which was cool and the skin seemed a bit roughened. “I love you.” Shesaid, unexpectedly. “I was just thinking about that when you came in.”
Blue eyes glowered at her. “I’m in a bad mood, and I’mtrying to stay that way. Stop sabotaging me.” She watched the skin on eitherside of the blond woman’s mouth tense and her eyes warm and gave it all up as astupid lost cause. “See? That’s the problem.”
“What’s the problem?”
Xena relaxed, letting her head rest against Gabrielle’sside. “I can’t be mean when you’re around.” She said. “You make me feel toogood.”
“That’s bad?”
“That’s bad for someone who has to be a bastard and lead anarmy, yeah.” The queen sighed.“Some idiot said something to me on the way up here and I’d gotten a reallygood piss off going and the minute I walked in here and looked at you it wasforget it.”
Gabrielle wasn’t sure what was called for at this point. Anapology? “I’m sorry.” She ventured. “I don’t do it on purpose.”
“Sure you do.” But Xena’s tone was more resigned than angry.“But I want you to promise not to be so damn nice to me in front of thearmy. Those men have to understandI’m mean and ruthless.”
Gabrielle suspected there was a lot to being part of an armyshe was going to learn starting tomorrow that she had no clue about today.“Um.. okay.” She said. “But..isn’t it more like you shouldn’t be nice to me if you’re supposed to be allmean and ruthless?”
Xena didn’t answer, her eyes seemingly fixed onto the lowflames in the fireplace. After a long silence, she tipped her head back andlooked up at Gabrielle, with a quiet, open honesty that made the smaller womanhold her breath. “You’re right.” She said. “I should.”
Gabrielle felt a sense of deep fear inside her, thestuttering insecurity that made her guts clench. “O..okay.” She stammered,harsh images flashing in her minds eye. “Okay.” She added, in a softer tone.“If it’s what you have to do.”
The queen examined the expressive face just above hers,seeing the humor and gentle affection vanish, replaced by apprehension and afurtive terror that made her understand just how well Gabrielle understood thather future rested squarely in Xena’s hands.
Not just life, but this fragile happiness of theirs dangledover them. Xena sighed gently.“Tell me, Gabrielle. Is that why you’re doing all this extra stuff? So I don’tmaybe get the idea to lock you in the closet and leave you to rot while I’m outthere raping and murdering the country side?”
Gabrielle’s jaw muscles tightened, and she went verystill. Xena’s sharp eyes werewatching her and she felt caught in a vise of a sudden. The accusation wasuncomfortably close to the truth and she felt so sick to her stomach she wasafraid she’d spew uncontrollably if she so much as opened her mouth.
“Is it?” Xena prodded her, the queen’s intense gaze almostunbearable.
After a moment, Gabrielle nodded slowly, with out sayinganything.
Xena pursed her lips, then she exhaled, shaking her head insilence for a very long period of time, as the fire crackled softly in theheart. Finally she glanced back upat Gabrielle, who was merely sitting there, gazing at the floor.
Instead of answering, Gabrielle just nodded again in numbacceptance.
“Do you know whyyou’re an idiot?”
Gabrielle shook her head after a brief pause.
Xena got up and paced across the floor, reaching the hearthand turning to look back. Gabrielle’s haunted eyes met hers and she could see the echo suddenly ofthe scrap of a slave kid she’d almost had shot in front of her instead of thewarm, sunny companion she’d come to depend on.
Gabrielle hadn’t cared then. She’d stood up to Xena andtalked back to her because she expected death, or worse, and she hadn’t seenanything better coming in her life.
Xena remembered that feeling, remembered drinking enough todrown it out during those long nights across the years when she’d felt her ownlife losing it’s meaning.
Did she understand Gabrielle’s fear?
So.
“You’re an idiot because you don’t apparently realize I’dcut my own heart out if I left you.” Xena turned and left the room, slamming the door between their chambersshut behind her.
Gabrielle slowly lowered herself to the ground and satthere, her face buried in her hands.
**
Stanislaus stood there, a stunned expression on his face.“Cancel the banquet, Majesty?” He repeated. “Is that, my pardon, what you saidto me?”
“Cancel it.” Xena continued writing on a piece of parchment. “The army leavestomorrow. I don’t have the time, the patience, or the energy to entertain abunch of useless dogsbodies who do nothing but whine and bray like donkeys atme.”
The seneschal’s jaw snapped shut, then opened again. “Verywell, Majesty.” He murmured. “As you will.” He bowed, and backed towards the door.“As you will.”
Xena waited for the door to close, and slowly her writingtrailed off, leaving her staring at her parchment before she closed her eyesand lifted a hand to rest her head on it.
The closed doorto the smaller room to her right beat against her in silent accusation andafter an aching moment, she tossed the quill from her against the opposite walland got up, heading with determined steps towards where Stanislaus had soexpediently disappeared.
But after a few steps she found herself going to the doorbetween her and Gabrielle instead, the pain in her chest rising almost to chokeher.
She laid her hands on the door, surprised to see themshaking, then muttering a soft oath under her breath as she pushed the panelopen and walked back inside, stopping at the quiet darkness within.
Now, it was her turn to be afraid, and she was. Her eyesscanned the inside, her heart pounding so hard in her chest she couldn’t hear asound around her. The low daybedwas empty, and the so were the chairs before the fire.
She opened her mouth, her throat dry, to call outGabrielle’s name when she spotted the small, curled figure in the corner, nearthe far wall and she exhaled, her breath trickling out from between her lips.
Hesitantly, she walked over, hearing the soft, stifled sobsas she reached the spot and dropped to her knees, unable to stop herself fromreaching out and before she knew it she was sitting on the floor gatheringGabrielle up in her arms and pulling her onto her lap.
Was she crying? Xena was startled to find that she was, andgrateful that instead of resisting the touch Gabrielle simply curled up intoit, burrowing into her embrace with a desperate, soft sound that should havebeen profoundly terrifying.
Xena didn’t care.
Whatever she’d become now, it wasn’t what she had been andshe no longer knew where she was going and why she wanted to get there.
Nothing made sense.
Nothing.
**
Return to AUSXIP's The Bard's Corner