YOU CAN NEVER GO HOME

 

The crowd applauded as Dantien twisted her opponent’s sword away with her own, hurling it into the ground in a whirl of dust. The man bowed. Dantien nodded her head. He retrieved his sword and walked back towards the main gate. Dantien started to follow him, but the linesman stepped in front of her.
“Sorry miss, my orders are to keep you here until the Commander says otherwise.”
“Tell the rat to come out here and fight me himself, and stop hiding behind these other men.” she snapped, flipping his hat off with her sword. “And make yourself useful by bringing me some water.”
The linesman trotted over to the main gate, and dipped the ladle into the bucket.
“Thank you, I’ll take that.” Gareth said, taking the ladle and drinking it down.
“That was for the lady, sir.” the linesman eyed him warily.
“She doesn’t need anything…except another round of action, don’t you think?”
“She’s had two rounds already sir, she must be hot.”
“Indeed. I think she’s just beginning to warm up.” he remarked casually. He turned to the next two men waiting behind the gate.
“Change of plan.” he pointed to them. “Instead of fighting each other, you’re to fight her.” he nodded his head back to Dantien. With his sword he pointed to the taller of the two. “You first.”
“But sir-” the tall man started, then backed away as Gareth swung his sword above his head.
“If you want to work for the King, then you need to obey orders.” he snarled. “Get in there.”

Gabrielle reached the crest of the low hill and looked down at the staged arena. Her ragged breath stopped as she saw Dantien barely escape a quick thrust of Gareth’s sword.
“She’s fighting Gareth already. Come on.” she panted to the girl, and started down the hill.
“That’s not Gareth, miss, he’s over by the gate.” the girl gasped out, pointing as she ran. Gabrielle changed course and headed for the blue and gold cape that stood out from the crowd.
The crowd thickened and she pushed her way through forcefully. “Let me through! I’ve a message from the King!” she plowed into bodies and shoved them aside. She reached the main gate only to have several guards step in front of her.
“No one but the fighters allowed in from here miss.” The largest of them spoke with a tone and indicated with his sword that he was quite serious. A quick assessment told her fighting that her way through would be impossible.
“I have to see Gareth. It’s urgent, a message from the King himself.” she waved the parchment.
“Mikor, go fetch Gareth.” the large man said, and Mikor turned and disappeared into the throng.
Waiting was an eternity, and she vainly hopped up and down, cursing her small stature.
“I’m looking out for you, miss.” the servant girl was doing the same. “I see…wait….oh, she’s got him good. He’s down……he’s bowing…..she’s still standing there…..oh my gosh miss, there goes another one at her.”
Gareth appeared behind the guards. She shoved them aside and grabbed him by the neck.
“You let her go. Now, Gareth.” her grip was tightening.
“Don’t be a sentimental fool, Gabrielle.” he choked. “My guards will kill you if you don’t remove your hand. And lest you’ve forgotten about Xena, let me remind you that you are outnumbered here.”
Gabrielle dropped her hand, and held up the scroll with the other.
“You have to let her go, Gareth. I have the orders.” she slapped the parchment into his hand. He unrolled it and glanced at it.
“Indeed. May I say, if you want to give orders and act like a Queen, go back to the Amazons.” he tore the scroll in half and Gabrielle lunged for him.
“Arrest her!” Gareth yelled, ducking and moving back. The guards descended quickly upon her, and she knew she wouldn’t win this fight. She held up her arms together. “Stop! I surrender.”
It was Gareth himself that shackled her hands.
“It seems you enjoy wearing these, Gabrielle- you’ve got them on again.”
“You’re a coward, Gareth. All this talk about fighting dirty, and look what you’ve done. It’s wrong.”
He waved his hand at her, dismissing her. “Take her away.” Two guards pulled her roughly backwards, and she was dragged from the crowd.


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