Among Friends

The following is a bit of alternative fiction based on certain characters from the Xenaverse. It is not meant to infringe on anyone else's rights. If you don't agree or disapprove, please go read something else.

Two very tall, very grouchy looking and intimidating women hovered over Seragi. His face already sported a bruise over one eye. That one was his fault. He was fully prepared to blame the Amazons for most things, but even he had to acknowledge that he should have been watching where he was going. The bruise ached and that added to his discomfort. He was kneeling on hard cold stone ground. It was more of cellar than a prison. There weren't any bars, but there was only one exit, which was carefully guarded by a woman with a no nonsense expression.

They'd relied on leather ties to bind him. The knots had been wet down and the leather shrunk tight. The knots were impossible to untie. He would have to be cut free or break his bindings with brute strength. The good news was that they'd left his arms and legs a bit of "blooding" room. The bad news was he wasn't strong enough to break the bonds that kept him still, though he did try. All that did was give him achy muscles. It didn't look like he'd be untied anytime soon either and, unfortunately for him, his bladder was beginning to protest.

Sore knees, uncomfortable body, bruises and a bladder he was fighting with did not help his situation. Especially when the blonde began speaking as if she were carrying on a conversation that had been held out of his earshot, until now.. "Oh, come on Xena, just a little break, for what he tried to do to Eudora." He tried to think hard. Did he know anyone named Eudora? No. No. He didn't know anyone they would. . . .oh shit. .the amazon. . .he blanched in memory. His backside still had the scars, though the Goddess had healed him completely.

The strong looking Amazon smiled ferally at the menacing presence to his right, then tapped his thigh with a booted foot. "I could start small. Maybe with his toes, then move it on up. He'd still be able to talk." The woman with hair the color of raven's feathers smiled companionably, indulgently at the blonde.

"Let's wait on that and try my method first. It's quicker." She sounded much too decisive for Seragi.

The blonde looked in surprise at the warrior, "The one the Queen asked you not to kill him with?" The priest's son felt an emotion clench at his chest. It was pure unadulterated fear. No one else may value his life, but he did. Immensely.

"Oh, she always tells me that," Xena dismissed. She glanced his way and smirked, "She always forgives me too." Seragi felt his skin go cold. His sense of smell heightened for some reason and he was very aware of a coppery stench. His vision narrowed and he found himself staring at a piece of straw which seemed to flicker with life, but it was just the wind which flowed from beneath the door. Then the dark woman leaned near Arete and whispered, "I won't tell if you won't"

The blonde looked thoughtful, then smiled widely. "Okay." She nodded enthusiastically and stepped away, giving the warrior in the dark leathers and armor room. "But if that doesn't work, it's my turn." There was a crackle as knuckles prepped to do him damage. Either way, he was going to be hurt. He quivered.

"Arete," Xena grinned, "he won't feel it if he's dead."

The blonde blinked, then grinned somewhat dumbly, "Oh, that's no problem for me Xena, I just like breaking things." She grimaced at him meaningfully. Things had just gone from bad to worse. Not only would he be dead, but his body would be desicrated. He felt a horror that he'd never known before creep upon him.

Xena had to fight back the laugh.

Xena turned towards Seragi and the smile disappeared, only to be replaced by an intense piercing stare. Hands moved so quick he never even saw them, but he felt. ..oh gods. . .the constriction was horrible. He could barely breathe. He knew he was going to die. She was killing him!!!

He barely heard the words, "Now little man, if you don't tell me what I want, then I'm going to let you breathe your last right here. There's no one to stop me, but you. You gonna sing, or you gonna die. Which is it?"

His vision clouded over. His body was numbing, though he could feel a trickle of blood pour down his nose. The choice was an easy one to make. He had, after all, taken no vow. "I'll talk," he grunted, "I'll talk."

He didn't feel the punches, but his body took over and he gasped an inhalation. He thought, for a moment that he'd been dreaming. Until he felt his body lifted and he opened his eyes again. "So," the mouth moved, exposing pearl white teeth to his gaze. He felt very threatened, "Talk."

He told them Everything he knew.

Xena's expression grew grimmer and grimmer with each word he spoke. Then, the expression changed moving into an unreadable neutral that vaguely reminded him of the statues he'd seen on his one visit to Athens. When he was done, he was out of breath and hankering, begging for relief from his bladder. It had been the oddest thing, he'd needed to go earlier, but that feeling had passed. Then, of a sudden, he ached with it. He'd talked that long.

Xena gave the blonde a nod, then stalked out. "Well," said the Amazon, "You've been a good boy." She pulled the knife, then bent behind him. He heard the snap of the leathers being released. He was pulled up and gasped out in pain as prickly numbness filled his legs. Then, to his everlasting gratitude, she led him to where he might relieve himself.

-----------------------------------------

It was in a way, good to know that it was a known enemy causing their grief. "I always knew that.. .someday, she would free herself. I'd just hoped," the Queen paused. Her fingertip brushed against the scroll that she'd finished writing a few moments ago. The ink was dry. "I'd hoped that it would be longer." There was that ancient fear again, the memory of being chased by a God with a bent for vengeance. Callisto, at the time, hadn't seemed as bad. The worst part was the nagging worry that maybe. . just maybe. . Velaska had been right, because at the moment, the bard didn't feel much like a queen at all. It was an overwhelming combination. Hazel eyes gone huge with despair looked into Xena's calm blue.

Xena crouched besides the bard's wooden chair. She rested a hand lightly on her mate's thigh. "I know," she affirmed, "I know, love." She gathered her love into her arms and held the Queen tight, "It'll be alright, Gabrielle." Long fingers stroked soft hair. Gabrielle wrapped her arms around tight and there was an almost silent sob that shook through the bard's shoulders, "It'll be alright."

---

37 | 38 | 40

---

Xenite Temple | Fan Fiction Site | Home Page

These pages were last updated: March 17, 1998

İMarch 1998