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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