Disclaimer: The following story contains explicit sexual scenes involving two adult women who happen to be in love. There may also be adult language as well as some violent content. If these things bother you, then read no further.

 

What Price Redemption

Part 8

by Dr. Bob
jag1742@usl.edu

Chapter 8: Illyris

 

Ian raised the goblet to his lips and took a large sip. Closing his eyes, he held the liquid in his mouth while taking a deep breath through his nose, experiencing the full flavor. Finally, he swallowed, savoring the delicate fruity after-taste. "Now that, Jeremiah, is some mighty fine wine," he said with a nod to the man nearby.

The servant bowed and smiled. "Will there be anything else," he asked as he placed the crystal decanter on the table.

"No, I guess that's it," Parmax stated as he glanced at the others. "The meal was excellent, as usual."

The man bowed again before turning and heading back to the kitchen.

Ian looked around the large banquet hall which seemed much bigger since there were only the six of them present. They were using one end of one of the five long tables that filled the hall. A shorter one ran perpendicular to the other five. Two broad, high-backed chairs signified it as Keleian's table. Light was provided by four immense chandeliers suspended from the vaulted ceiling. A large painted map of Greece was hung on a wall over a wide hearth. The tall arched doors to the terrace had been left open, leaving a breathtaking view of the estate gardens outside, the half-moon reflecting off the placid surface of the fish pond.

He looked over as he heard Temanon and Cassandra giggling as they ran passed the archway to one of the side halls. Keleian's son and daughter, also giggling, weren't far behind. The children had been playing hide and seek since they'd arrived at the keep. Parmax had assured him that it was safe.

Keleian's immense keep sat on the outskirts of a small nameless town. As soon as they'd arrived, the numerous healers that had been gathered since the poison had taken effect began dispensing the medicine to the sick. The rest was dumped into the underground reservoir. The antidote had worked amazingly fast as evidenced by the speedy recovery of everyone who had taken ill, including Keleian and his family.

Jerrus took another glazed pastry from the large platter and took a bite, shrugging as his wife was quick to point out that it was his fifth one. He looked over at Ian. "I figured you'd be out celebrating with the others."

After everyone in the caravan had been treated to a hastily prepared, albeit sumptuous meal, all of the men had taken their pay into town for what Ian imagined would be a festive two-day long carousal. All except Panteras who'd stayed behind to speak with the Prince concerning what he knew of Tetramon's plans. Polybius and his men were the newest residents of Keleian's dungeon.

"Well, I much prefer the company of you fine people." Ian laughed aloud as he spotted the look on Saraya's face. "To be honest, I'm too tired. The only thing I'm looking forward to....is sleep, and lots of it." They'd all been offered rooms for the evening. The guards and mercenaries had been allowed use of the western barracks. Although, Ian doubted many would be making it back that night. They watched as Cassandra suddenly ran into the room and ducked down behind his chair.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"Shhh. I'm hiding," she whispered.

"Ohhhh. You're hiding. Well, then I guess I should be real..."

 

"Shhhhh," she said again, giving him a look.

Everyone glanced over as Temanon popped his head in from the hallway.

"Have any of you seen Cassandra?"

Ian was the first to speak. "Cassandra...Cassandra? Hmm...the name's familiar. Girl, blond hair, about....yay big," he said, holding his hand just above where the girl was hiding. He jerked slightly as she pinched him behind the knee. "Real attitude problem," he continued. "Yeah, she ran down the hallway in the other direction."

Temanon nodded and took off down the hall.

Cassandra hopped up and gave Ian a quick kiss on the cheek before running out of the banquet hall in the opposite direction.

Ian sighed and drained the last of the wine from his cup. "I don't know how I'm going to convince THAT one that it's time for bed."

"Why not let her play? She'll eventually wear herself out. She can sleep in the room with the other kids," Helaena offered, holding her youngest in her arms as he slept.

"You sure you don't mind?"

"It's no problem," she replied with a smile.

"Well, I won't argue with you. Thanks." He let out a soft groan as he rose. He looked over at Parmax who was chuckling. "What's so funny?"

"You're much too young to be making noises like that," he said with a smile.

"Don't tell me, tell my body. Well, good night everyone," he nodded and headed for the hallway.

"Ah, Ian. I'm so glad you're still here. A word if you will."

Ian closed his eyes and took a deep breath, recognizing Keleian's voice. He'd spoken to the man for only a minute and immediately come to the conclusion that he didn't like him. Something about him just made you want to....hit him. He turned with what resembled a smile and nodded at the Prince who, along with Panteras, had entered the hall from another archway. "You're looking much better than the last time I saw you, Prince Keleian."

"Why thank you. And enough with this Prince Keleian nonsense. `Your Highness' will do nicely."

"Yep," Ian thought. "Makes you want to hit him, really hard." He took another deep breath. "What was it you wished to speak of?" he asked aloud.

"In my council chambers, if you don't mind," he said with a sweep of his hand towards the hallway they'd entered from.

Ian noticed the strange smile on Panteras' face. "Very well, gentlemen. After you." He followed them a few steps but then stopped and walked back to the table, refilling his goblet. He smirked down at Parmax. "I may need this." He looked around curiously. "Did anyone see where Xena and Gabrielle went?"

 

***

 

"Oh, by the Gods....Xeeeeena," Gabrielle moaned softly as she pushed harder on the back of the woman's head which was currently nestled between her legs. She grabbed two handfuls of long raven hair as she neared release; Xena's lips, teeth, and tongue driving her onward.

Xena's eyes narrowed as she looked up at her younger lover, having heard the bard's telltale whimpers which signified her impending climax. Xena closed her mouth over Gabrielle's erect bud, rapidly flicking her tongue across the fleshy nob. As Gabrielle's head shot back into the large pillow, Xena let out a low chuckle. She lowered her mouth a bit, savoring the warm wetness trickling from the bard. She passed her tongue over the length of the woman's swollen folds.

Gabrielle shivered forcefully as she felt Xena lap at her sensitive vulva. Opening her watery eyes, she looked down at the warrior, smiling as she saw the loving expression on Xena's face. She leaned forward as the woman crawled up her sweat-soaked body. Breathing heavily, she gently placed a hand against Xena's cheek as she stared into the woman's azure eyes. Sitting up slowly, she brought her lips up to Xena's, closing her eyes as she made contact. She moaned softly as she delicately traced her tongue over Xena's bottom lip, tasting herself.

They continued to kiss for several minutes, stopping occasionally to catch a quick breath, the love each saw in the other's eyes causing their hearts to beat faster.

Xena rolled her head backwards as Gabrielle kissed her way over her chin, slowly moving downward. As she felt the bard suck lightly on the hollow at the base of her neck, she emitted a soft giggle. She arched her back slightly as she felt Gabrielle's hands on her breasts, shivering as the younger woman gently brushed her fingertips against her skin. As she looked down and spotted the look of desire on her lover's face, she bit her bottom lip, cocking her head slightly as Gabrielle suddenly gave her a mysterious grin.

Not taking her eyes from Xena's, Gabrielle brought her mouth down to a large areola, passing her tongue over the hard nipple at its center. As she watched Xena roll her head back once again, she grinned and bit down tenderly, taking great satisfaction in the excited squeal the warrior issued. Cupping the large mounds in her hands, she gently pressed them together as her mouth moved from one nipple to the other. As she flicked her tongue over the rose-colored protuberance, she felt the damp warmth between Xena's legs as it pressed against her stomach. Smiling, she lay back on the bed.

Xena grinned as Gabrielle held up her arms, obviously wanting her to move up and straddle her face. As a sudden inspiration came to mind, she shook her head slowly. She giggled as Gabrielle growled and started to slide down between her legs. Rising off the mattress, she smiled as she saw the frustrated look on the bard's face. "I think I know something you might like."

"I'd LIKE for you to come back on this bed," Gabrielle said in a low voice as she rolled over onto all fours, eyes narrowed.

"Have patience," Xena instructed as she walked over to the hearth where they had several large pots of water hanging over the low fire. Using one of the mitts, she picked up one and dumped the steaming contents into the large half-filled iron tub. After four more, she stirred the water around with her arm. "Just right," she thought. She refilled two of the pots and hung them back over the fire. Looking back over to Gabrielle, she grinned and beckoned her over with a finger.

Gabrielle bit her lip as she rose and crossed over to the older woman, wondering what Xena had in mind. Taking the warrior's offered hand, she allowed Xena to help her into the tub. She sighed as she settled into the warm water, feeling it embrace her body. She looked up as Xena let go of her hand. "Aren't you getting in?" she asked curiously as she watched the woman walk to the opposite side of the room.

"Not just yet," Xena called out teasingly as she picked up one of the deep, high-backed chairs near the window. Her smile grew wider as she turned back and saw the confused look on the bard's face. "Are you comfortable?" she asked as she placed the chair a couple of feet from the tub.

"I suppose. What are you up to?"

Xena didn't say anything as she sat down in the chair facing Gabrielle, the bard's head about level with her stomach. Hoping to play upon Gabrielle's voyeuristic nature, she slowly spread her legs as she looked down at the younger woman.

Gabrielle's eyes went wide as she realized what Xena was doing. She watched with rapt attention as the woman settled back into the chair and lowered a hand between her legs as the other arm cradled her breasts. She chewed on her bottom lip as Xena traced a few fingers over her large petal-like folds, plucking at them lightly. She managed to swallow with some difficulty as Xena then cupped a breast in each hand, rolling her very erect nipples between her fingers.

Xena found herself immensely enjoying the effect she was having upon the bard. Keeping her eyes locked with Gabrielle's, she leaned her head down and brought one of her breasts up to her mouth, closing her lips over the nipple. Somewhere along the line, she'd figured out that doing that excited Gabrielle, for some reason. Although she didn't understand the appeal herself, she realized hers was not to reason why, but to make her little bard happy. And if that meant sucking on her own breast, well.....she'd just have to suffer through it, she supposed. Leaning back into the chair again, she raised her right leg and draped it over the low armrest. Lowering both hands, she gently spread her labia apart.

Gabrielle leaned forward, resting her arms on the rim of the tub. She watched as Xena slowly rubbed a fingertip over her opening. As the woman held up the finger, the moist end glistening from the lanternlight, Gabrielle found herself inadvertently licking her lips. She let out a few soft whimpers, smiling as Xena straightened in the chair.

Xena held her breath as she lowered the finger closer to Gabrielle, the lustful expression on the bard's face causing her to become wetter. She let the breath out slowly as Gabrielle traced her tongue along the length of her finger before closing her lips around its tip. Xena shivered as Gabrielle sucked lightly, flicking her tongue across the end. Feeling the `itch' between her legs quickly becoming unbearable, Xena pulled back and returned her leg over the armrest. Eyes narrowing as she gazed back at her lover, she slid two fingers into herself. Pushing them back and forth, she grinned as Gabrielle motioned for her to get in the tub. Xena shook her head and giggled as she scooted down into the chair, spreading her legs wider and placing her feet on the rim of the tub. She closed her eyes as she moved her fingers faster, her breathing becoming quicker as well.

"XENA?" Gabrielle beckoned.

"Uh-uh," the woman panted with a slight smile, eyes still closed as she continued to masturbate. Her eyes suddenly popped open, however, as she felt both her and the chair sliding forward.

Gabrielle grunted as she pulled back on the armrests of the chair, sliding it up to the rim of the tub. As Xena started to straighten, she wrapped her arms under and around the woman's thighs, pulling her closer to her. "Move your hands," she instructed with a raised brow.

Xena obeyed and took in a quick breath as Gabrielle lowered her mouth in between her legs. As the bard's tongue slipped inside of her, she rolled her head to the side, sighing loudly. She jerked suddenly as Gabrielle began rubbing several fingers over her clitoris. Falling back helplessly into the chair, she moaned the bard's name softly as the younger woman's tongue continued to work into her. As she felt Gabrielle suck her swollen folds into her mouth, nibbling on them delicately, she gripped the armrests tightly, feeling herself nearing release.

Watching the rapid rise and fall of Xena's chest, Gabrielle also noticed the woman's knuckles whitening as she tightened her grip on the chair. Eyes narrowing, she licked her way up to Xena's large bud, finally closing her lips around it as she sucked forcefully.

"Ga...Gabrielle," Xena panted loudly. She suddenly straightened as she came, groaning through clenched teeth. She bucked her hips for several seconds as the orgasmic waves crashed over her. She collapsed back into the chair, sighing as Gabrielle passed her tongue in long slow swipes over her sensitive genitalia.

Gabrielle smiled affectionately up at Xena. Pulling back, she kissed her lightly on the inside if a knee. "Why don't you get in?" she asked softly.

Returning the warm smile, Xena leaned forward and took Gabrielle's offered hands. Rising slowly, she then settled into the warm water next to the bard. The tub was just big enough to fit the both of them comfortably. She closed her eyes and rolled her head backwards as Gabrielle began to wash her hair. Letting out a contented sigh, she resigned herself to letting the bard bathe her. As Gabrielle eventually reached her chest, Xena giggled lightly.

"What's so funny?" Gabrielle asked as she washed the skin with gentle but deliberate attention.

"I was just thinking that I must have the cleanest breasts in all of Greece."

"Clean enough to eat off of," Gabrielle replied with a giggle of her own as she tweaked a nipple.

"Okay, let me wash you," Xena replied. Smiling, she took the cloth from the younger woman and began feeling around for the soap, intentionally running her hand between Gabrielle's legs.

"What are you doing?" Gabrielle asked with an arched brow, biting her lip as Xena's fingers passed over her still-sensitive folds.

"Looking for the soap," Xena said semi-innocently.

"Well, I'll give you an hour to find it."

Xena smirked as she pulled out the soap and proceeded to wash off her lover. After she'd finished, she hopped out of the tub and dumped another of the pots. Easing back in, she settled next to the bard, smiling as Gabrielle rested her head on her shoulder.

"Xena, what are our plans?"

"What do you mean?" she asked, looking down at the younger woman.

Gabrielle sat up. "I mean, were we going to stay in Illyris for a while?"

"The medicine's delivered. We've been paid. We don't really have to stay."

"Why not? How often are we guests of royalty?"

"Don't you remember? You ARE royalty, my little amazon queen," she said with a grin as she leaned down and kissed Gabrielle delicately on the nose. "Why do you want to stay so much?"

"No particular reason," she said with a sigh.

"It wouldn't have anything to do with a blonde haired little girl?"

Gabrielle sighed again. "I like her, and Ian, and the others. Is that so bad?"

Xena kissed her on top of the head. "No, it's not so bad. But you knew we'd have to say goodbye eventually."

"I know," she admitted softly. "But I think you'll miss them as much as me."

"I will. Cassandra kinda grows on you," Xena said with a grin.

"And Ian."

"Yeah, I guess..." She paused as she deciphered Gabrielle's tone. "What's that supposed to mean?" she asked as she pulled back a bit.

"Well, I saw the way you were looking at him earlier today."

"What...way was I looking at him?" Xena asked carefully.

"It's okay, Xena. I'm not jealous," Gabrielle stated as she rubbed her fingers over the woman's arm.

"Oh you're not?" Xena asked with a smirk.

"Xena, he's attractive. It's perfectly understandable. After all, we're only human."

Xena leaned closer. "WE?"

Gabrielle only smiled innocently.

Xena shook her head slightly as she pulled the bard closer into an embrace, resting the woman's head against her chest. She took a deep breath as she stroked a hand lovingly through the bard's hair.

"Have you ever noticed his eyes?" Gabrielle asked.

Xena smirked again. "He's got eyes. No, I hadn't noticed."

"Very funny. So, you still haven't answered my first question."

"Which question?" Xena asked, honestly puzzled.

"Can we stay, for a few more days at least?"

"GABRIELLE," Xena said authoritatively.

"Pleeeeease? I'll make it worth your while," she added, trying to sound seductive.

"Oh really?"

"Mmm-hmm," Gabrielle said softly as she turned and kissed Xena on the neck.

"Well, go ahead," Xena said as she smiled and closed her eyes. "I'm listening."

Gabrielle giggled as she continued her artful persuasion.

 

***

 

Xena sighed as she walked down the hallway, trusting her sense of direction to lead her back to the banquet hall. She smirked and shook her head as she chided herself. "You let Gabrielle talk you into things too easily. `Xena, can we stay for a few days?', `Xena, I'm hungry. Why don't you go get us something to eat?', `Xena, would you kiss me here?" Well, THAT one she didn't mind so much. As she continued down the corridor, she noticed she could hear voices from up ahead. They were coming from a room on the right side of the hallway, a crack in the door allowing a small amount of light from inside to spill into the relatively dark hall. As she got closer, she recognized the two voices as belonging to Panteras and Keleian. Shrugging, she continued down the corridor a few steps but stopped suddenly as she heard Ian's voice. Allowing her curiosity to get the best of her, she tip-toed back to the door and listened.

 

"....and the moat wouldn't be as much of a problem if we could divert the water from the river," Keleian indicated, pointing to the large model of his brother's fortress on the knee-high table between them.

Ian studied the model, bending closer. Although at first apathetic, his interest in strategy and tactics had prompted him into evaluating Keleian's plans for sacking his brother's fortress. "I believe...I may have found a....blind spot on the southern wall."

"Where?" both men asked, leaning closer.

"Here." Ian pointed to an area near the base of one of the round towers. "It's not very big, but it's definitely a blind spot."

"I'll be damned," Panteras muttered under his breath.

"Look, I don't know what good it would do you. It's just something I noticed." He looked back at the Prince. "Are you really going to do this? Your plans sound feasible, but a LOT of Illyrians are going to die, on both sides, if you try taking this castle. Do you think it's worth it?" His brow furrowed as Keleian and Panteras smiled at each other.

Keleian looked back towards him. "This," he said, pointing to the model of the castle, "would not be my first choice. The problem isn't with the people. It's with one man, my brother." He walked over to a large table of decanters and carafes, pouring himself a drink. "I didn't realize how despicable my brother was until he tried this last stunt of his. Poisoning his own countrymen just to get me out of the way. I realize now that...he must be dealt with. I can't rely on, nor do I want, my father's involvement in this matter between Tetramon and I."

Ian nodded and allowed Keleian to refill his goblet as well.

Placing the decanter near the model, the Prince took a sip from his cup and looked back at Ian. "Have you ever heard the phrase....fighting fire with fire? Panteras here tells me that you are familiar with the use of certain poisons?" Keleian saw Ian's smirk and held up a hand. "Allow me to explain further. You said it yourself; a lot of people will die needlessly if I try taking his castle by force. One skillful person could get in, by making use of a....blind spot, for instance. If Tetramon were to...pass on, we could put an end to this internal strife once and for all."

"What's worse," Panteras asked, "one man dying, or a few hundred?"

"If you were to do this for me, you could name your own price. Enough money to buy a very nice home for you and your daughter. Maybe you'd like a position as advisor, with a very generous salary of course. No price would be too high. As much as I hate to admit it, the whole kingdom would be better off with my brother dead. There is ONE thing, however. I'd rather it be painless. Even after all Tetramon has done, I wouldn't want him to suffer. I assume you could accomplish something to that effect?"

"Well, your highness, I have numerous talents," Ian replied.

 

Scowling as she heard the three of them laughing, Xena headed back down the corridor towards her room.

 

***

 

Ian yawned for the third time since he'd left Keleian's council chambers. He headed towards the banquet hall, wanting to see if Cassandra had gone to bed yet. Walking inside, he spotted Patreon sitting with Saraya and Parmax. He also noticed that some of the guards had returned, obviously for some free food before heading back into town. He waved over at them as he joined Parmax and the others.

"You don't look so good," Patreon commented as he shook the man's hand.

"I'm just a little tired. Where are Jerrus and Helaena?" Ian asked as he poured some water into his goblet.

"They're putting the kids to bed," Saraya replied.

"So, what did Keleian want?"

Before Ian could reply, they looked over as Gabrielle and Xena emerged from the hallway with their things.

"You aren't leaving, are you?" Ian asked as they came up to the table.

"Apparently so," Gabrielle replied. She frowned as Xena gave her a warning look.

Xena glanced down at the people at the table, avoiding looking at Ian. "It was nice meeting you"

As they started to walk towards the entryway, Ian headed after them. "Hey, wait up. Listen, Keleian's holding a banquet tomorrow night. Food, music,...sounds like it'll be fun."

Xena's eyes narrowed slightly. "Why? Is the Prince expecting something to celebrate?"

Ian's brow furrowed slightly, thinking Xena seemed upset about something. "Well...yeah. The banquet's in honor of all of us, for getting the medicine to Illyris."

"We can't stay," Xena stated simply.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I wish Cassandra hadn't turned in. She'll be heartbroken that she missed you."

"I guess life's full of little disappointments," Xena said with a smirk.

"Well," Ian replied softly. "You two take care of yourselves."

Gabrielle watched as he turned and headed back to the tables, obviously hurt. She turned and looked up at Xena. "THAT was NOT called for," she said quietly. "NOW do you want to tell me what's bothering you?"

"No. Let's go."

Parmax watched as Ian, muttering to himself, dumped his water into one of the flowerpots and reached for the decanter of wine.

Everyone turned as a man suddenly ran into the banquet hall, collapsing onto the floor near the front table.

"Aroscles!?" Parmax shouted as he rose.

Ian and the others were right behind him. "Who is he?"

 

"He's the school teacher in town," Patreon replied as they got closer. Xena was already seeing to the wound on the man's arm. "Is he alright?"

Xena grabbed several of the cloth napkins from the nearby table, fashioning them into a bandage. "The cut isn't that bad. I think he's just exhausted."

"What happened Aroscles?" Parmax asked as he handed him a cup of water.

The man took the cup and nodded thanks, pausing briefly to catch his breath before taking a sip. "I had taken some of the town's children camping out near the ruins of the old mill. Some of Tetramon's soldiers attacked a few hours after dusk. They took the children and left me alive to give Prince Keleian a message."

"He's been sent for," Parmax assured him. "What was Tetramon's message?"

"That the children would be released as soon as his man Polybius is freed and Prince Keleian officially relinquishes all claim to the throne of Illyris."

"That bastard," Parmax muttered.

"You'll be fine. I've stopped the bleeding," Xena told the man. "Do you know where they took the children?"

"Yes. I snuck after them. They stopped at the fort near the Driosk river. I heard one of the soldiers say they'd be taking them to Tetramon's castle in the morning."

"We'll go after them," Xena said as she rose.

"I'll lead you there," Aroscles said as he started to rise as well, grunting slightly.

"No, you need to rest." She looked over at Patreon. "Can you show us how to get to this fort?" As the man nodded, she picked up her things and looked back over to Parmax. "Tell Keleian that we'll have the children back by morning." She glanced back to Gabrielle and Patreon. "Let's go."

Gabrielle looked over at Ian. "Xena, shouldn't we..."

"C'mon Gabrielle," Xena hollered back over her shoulder.

As they left, Ian walked back over to the table, pouring himself some wine. Sitting down in a chair, he stared into the dark amber liquid and took a deep breath.

After he'd helped Saraya ease Aroscles into a chair, Parmax came over and sat across from Ian. "Boy, I sure hope Xena and Gabrielle are gonna be okay." He looked at the man opposite him, staring silently into his cup. "Tetramon usually keeps two or three dozen soldiers garrisoned there. Maybe more, now. Might be rough for the two of them." He smirked as he still didn't get any reaction out of Ian. "You know, I bet they..."

 

"Parmax?" Ian asked, still staring into the goblet.

"Yeah?"

"Shut up," he replied, taking a sip of the wine.

 

***

 

Xena's eyes narrowed as she studied the medium sized fort sitting on the opposite bank of the small river which, according to Patreon, was the understood border between Keleian's and Tetramon's lands. A twenty foot high stone wall surrounded a collection of buildings inside. Sentries could be seen patrolling the catwalks atop the walls. The front gate stood open, guarded by four more sentries. "We'll have to figure out some way to sneak in. I doubt we could get through the main gate. Even if we could take out the sentries on the ground, the ones on the battlements would notice. There's no telling how many soldiers are in there.

"I could walk up and say that I have a message from Keleian. While they take me inside, you could try slipping in unseen," Gabrielle suggested.

Xena, imagining what could happen to Gabrielle in a fort full of soldiers, shook her head. "Absolutely not. It's too dangerous. We'll come up with some other way." Turning her head back for a moment, she smirked as she then looked over to the fort. "Well, what do YOU think?"

Gabrielle looked at Xena curiously, "What do you mean? I just gave...," she stopped and gasped as she watched a shadowy figure separate itself from the darkness behind them.

"It's me, Gabrielle," Ian said softly. Dressed in his nightsuit, he walked closer as he also gazed at the fort. "I think you're right. We need to avoid the front gate. Maybe we can get in through the back, over the wall."

Xena watched as he pulled his dark backpack off and began digging inside. "I don't remember asking for your help."

"That's fine," Ian replied as he pulled out two roughly T-shaped pieces of metal, sliding them together until they clicked in place. "I don't remember offering." He pulled out a bundle of black cloth and began wrapping it around the grappling hook.

Xena scowled as she turned and headed down the road.

Gabrielle hurried after her, grabbing her arm. "What's the matter with you? We CAN use his help. What aren't you telling me?" she asked suspiciously.

Xena gave her a stern look. "We don't have time for this."

"How long was he standing behind us?" Gabrielle whispered.

"A couple of minutes."

"Ten," Ian corrected her as he passed them on his way to the small bridge spanning the river.

Scowling again, Xena pulled Gabrielle along as they headed after him.

 

***

 

From the treeline about a hundred feet away from the fort, Gabrielle studied the back wall. Torches were set at each corner; another was halfway between them. She watched as a sentry slowly walked from one end to the other. "Well, any ideas?" she asked the other two.

"Yeah, you both stay out here. I'll go inside and find the children," Ian replied as he tied the end of a knotted rope to the now-padded grappling hook. "I'll signal you when I've found them."

Suddenly getting a suspicious feeling, Xena grabbed Ian by the arm and spun him around. "Were you hoping Tetramon was here? Is THAT the real reason you came?"

"Lower your voice," Ian hissed as he pulled his arm away.

"What are you talking about?" Gabrielle asked.

Xena sneered as she looked at the man. "Keleian hired Ian to assassinate Tetramon."

Ian pulled down the bottom half of his cowl as he stared at Xena incredulously. "Is THAT what this is about?"

"Yeah. I overheard your little conversation with Keleian and Panteras."

Ian took a deep breath as he shook his head and looked at the ground. "Well, I guess you didn't stick around long enough to overhear me tell him no."

Xena blinked in surprise. "You...refused?"

"Gee, you seem shocked," Ian said sarcastically.

"Well, I heard the three of you laughing," Xena commented as she watched him replace his cowl.

He looked back at her. "Xena, give me enough credit not to tell a prince to go fuck himself, which is exactly what I WANTED to tell him." After he picked up the grappling hook and coil of rope, he walked closer to the woman, staring her in the eye. "I don't kill for pleasure and I never, EVER, kill for money." Grunting, he turned and headed across the field, trusting the overcast skies to conceal his movement. He found himself wondering why it bothered him so much that Xena usually thought the worst of him. Reaching the wall, he crouched down and watched as she and Gabrielle made their way towards him.

As they drew closer, Xena watched Ian toss the grappling hook up over the wall. As it hit with a low thunk, she saw that the nearest sentry hadn't taken any notice. She placed a hand on Ian's shoulder. "We'll be right behind you."

After staring at her for a few seconds, Ian nodded and took hold of the rope, quickly climbing up to the parapet above. As he reached the top, he quickly scrambled over, crouching against the breastwork. He looked down and watched as Xena started to climb. He glanced over to his left and cursed quietly as he spotted the sentry returning, realizing that the man must've heard something, thankful that there weren't more torches along the wall.

Xena looked up as she heard Ian's fingers snap softly, spotting only his out-stretched hand. She paused as he motioned for her to stop.

 

Ian crouched back down against the stone wall, remembering one of the first lessons the monks had taught him concerning concealment. In relative darkness, the first thing one notices is movement. Second, shape. And lastly, color. Remaining absolutely still, Ian waited until the soldier had gotten even with him. As he kicked the man's legs out from under him, he reached up and clamped a hand over his mouth. Whipping off his helmet, he banged the sentry's head against the stone walkway.

Holding onto the rope, Xena cocked her head as she heard a slight scuffling sound from above. As she saw Ian lean over and motion for her to come up, she started to climb again. As she crawled over the top, she spotted Ian binding one of the sentries. Leaning back over the wall, she motioned to Gabrielle. As the bard drew nearer, she reached out and gave her a hand over the parapet.

As Gabrielle reassembled her staff, Ian pulled up the rope and nodded towards the unconscious sentry. "It won't be long before someone realizes he's not where he's supposed to be. We'll have to hurry."

Xena pointed over to a set of stairs not far away and signaled them to follow her.

As they reached the ground, they snuck over behind one of the buildings which appeared to be some kind of storehouse. Ian tapped Xena on the shoulder and leaned closer. "We need to find out where the children are being held. If you can do that, I'll go see about arranging a distraction."

"Okay. We'll meet back here."

As she watched him disappear into the shadows, Gabrielle leaned closer to Xena. "When he said a distraction, what do you think he meant?"

"I don't know, but I'm sure we'll know it when we see it. Right now, we need to find..." she stopped as she spotted a soldier heading to a small building in the corner of the fort. "Perfect," she thought to herself.

"Find what?" Gabrielle asked, growling softly as Xena motioned for her to follow.

Walking along the shadow of the wall, they made their way to the small rectangular building. As they reached it, Xena noticed a small back door.

Gabrielle leaned closer to Xena and whispered, "What is thi...," she cut her sentence off as Xena quietly opened the door and a strong whiff of air emanated from inside.

Xena looked back, grinning as she saw the face Gabrielle was making. Sneaking inside, she could hear the sound of someone humming. A pair of lanterns suspended from the ceiling provided a modicum of light. Crouching down low to the ground as she gazed under the stalls and spotted only one pair of legs. She pointed to the front door, motioning for Gabrielle to keep watch. As the woman nodded and crouched near the door, Xena crept over to the occupied stall. Pushing it open quickly, she smiled at the startled soldier. "Well, hello there." Quickly jabbing her fingers into his neck, she straightened and leaned against the frame of the stall, folding her arms. "I've just cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You'll be dead in thirty seconds unless I release you. Now, where are the children being held?"

The soldier's eyes bulged as the veins on his neck stood out. "They...they're in the dungeon," he spat out through clenched teeth.

"And the dungeon would be......?"

"In the next building over. The..tal..tallest one."

"Thanks. Sorry for the inconvenience," she said as she released the flow and then punched him in the face. Easing him back onto the seat, her head whipped up suddenly as she heard a commotion from outside.

"Uh...Xena? I think you should come look at this," Gabrielle said from the door, peeking through a small crack.

Xena hurried over as she then heard the sound of a loud bell being rung continuously. Pushing open the door a bit more, her eyes went wide as she spotted one of the shorter buildings going up in flames. From the number of horses running all over the place, she assumed it was the stables. "C'mon."

As they hurried back to the building where they were supposed to meat Ian, Xena smirked as she spotted the man leaning casually against the wall, watching the frantic soldiers. As she came closer, she tapped him on the shoulder. She pointed over at the building."You?" she asked, not having to whisper over the loud commotion going on.

Ian nodded as he glanced over at the mass of scrambling men. Half were trying to stop the horses from running back into the building while the other half were trying to organize a fire brigade. "I don't know about you, but they sure look distracted to me." He looked back at her. "Did you find out where the children are?"

"Yeah, in the dungeon. This way."

Ian turned and followed the two women to one of the buildings. As they walked in, he paused to make sure no one had seen them.

As soon as she had opened the door, Xena spotted the pair of soldiers putting on their boots near the far wall. Charging at them, she kicked one in the side as he clumsily attempted to draw his sword from its sheath on the nearby table. As he dropped to one knee, she punched him in the jaw, grinning as he slumped to the ground.

Gabrielle knocked the dagger from the second man's hand and then brought the staff low at her side. Whipping the end up, she caught the soldier under the chin, knocking him off his feet and onto his back. Continuing the motion, she brought the staff over and around her shoulder. Catching it again, she prepared to go into a lunge, but saw that it wasn't necessary as the man continued to lie motionless where he fell. Straightening, she turned and looked over at Ian, grinning as the man winked at her.

As Ian set the heavy plank in place, barring the door, Xena glanced around the room. A couple of tables and several chairs were arranged in no particular order. A low fire burned in a small chimney against one wall. Aside from the entrance, there were two other doorways on the first floor. A staircase led to a landing and a single door. She looked over at Ian and pointed to one of the doorways. "Check that way, we'll check the other one. And be careful, there might be more soldiers still inside."

Ian nodded and headed through the archway.

Xena and Gabrielle hurried through the other which led into a lighted hallway. After a few dozen feet, another stairway on their left led up to the second floor. Pressing on, they soon came to a heavy iron door at the end of the hallway. Looking through the barred slot into the spacious room, Xena spotted several children inside a large cage on the floor.

"Are they in there?" Gabrielle asked.

Xena pushed open the door, not really surprised that it wasn't locked. "Yeah. No guards, either. I guess they didn't figure a bunch of kids would pose much of an escape risk. Stay here. I'm going get Ian."

As she took off back up the hallway, Gabrielle looked into the dungeon. A long set of narrow steps led down to the stone floor far below. She could make out the children huddled together inside a large square cage.

Xena and Ian both walked into the room simultaneously.

"We found them," she said as she pointed back down the hallway.

"This one just leads to a kitchen," he commented as he walked over to her.

 

Xena tensed as she spotted movement out of the corner of her eye. "Move!" she hollered as she shoved Ian aside, a crossbow bolt whizzing between them.

As Ian spun away, he lowered a hand into a fold at his waist and produced a shaken which he quickly sent whizzing at the soldier in the doorway on the second floor. He cursed loudly as soon as it left his hand.

Xena watched as the spike embedded itself into the door frame a foot from the man who quickly ducked out of sight. She turned to Ian with a wry grin. "You missed."

"Hey, it happens. C'mon." He led her down the corridor, spotting Gabrielle at the far end. He frowned as they passed the other stairwell. As they reached the end, he looked down into the dungeon. "Let's hurry and get...," he stopped as they suddenly heard a loud banging from the entry room. "They're trying to bust through the door. I don't know how long that crossbeam will hold." He turned back to Xena. "We can't let them trap us on this end."

Xena nodded as she reached into her boot, pulling out her slender dirk. She handed it to Gabrielle. "Pick the lock and bring the children up here. We're gonna hold off the soldiers." As Gabrielle nodded and hurried down the stairs, Xena looked back to see Ian already heading back up the corridor. Taking off after him, her eyes went wide as she suddenly heard a loud crash from up ahead.

Ian drew his sword as he hurried forward. He suddenly stopped about ten feet from the doorway as several soldiers appeared, charging ahead from the room beyond. He started to set himself in the middle of the hallway, but moved over as Xena came up beside him. "I guess you didn't want me to have all the fun, huh?"

As she blocked a stroke from a sword, Xena gave a feral smile, kicking the sword's owner in the face. "Oh c'mon. Didn't your mother ever teach you to share?" she asked.

"Yeah," Ian replied as he disarmed one of the guards, kicking the man in the groin. "But like most everything else she told me," he paused as he ducked under the swipe of a blade, running a soldier through the thigh. "It just went in one ear and out the other," he replied as he pushed the man over into the path of another soldier. He realized the cramped quarters were definitely a benefit. The soldiers could only come at them a few at a time. Punching one of them, he pivoted and kicked another hard in the chest, sending him into several others. As he straightened, he spotted some of the soldiers running by in the room. Cursing silently, he slashed a soldier's extended knee. As the man fell to the ground, clutching his leg, Ian spared a glance at Xena. "Can you hold them?"

"Yeah. Why?" she asked. There was no answer however as Ian turned and ran back down the hallway. Not having the time to wonder where he was going, Xena spun her sword in an intricate pattern as she moved to the center of the corridor. "C'mon boys. I'm not shy," she taunted. Parrying a lunge, she kicked the soldier who'd made it in the head. Blocking the downward strokes of two swords, she punched one of the men in the face and kicked the other in the gut. As one fell and the other backed away, raising his hands to his shattered nose, Xena had time for a few deep breaths. She growled as more soldiers came in through the doorway. She realized that their sheer numbers were forcing her to slowly give ground. Seizing one of the men by his wrist as he attempted to stab her with a dagger, Xena brought the pommel of her sword down onto his head and then slashed another of the soldiers across the arm. She looked curiously towards the entry room and she saw one of the soldiers run passed the doorway, followed by another. Her expression of curiosity turned into a wide smile as Ian stepped into the hallway.

Sheathing his sword, Ian grabbed two of the nearest soldiers and slammed their heads together. As they both dropped to the ground, he kicked another man behind the knee. Pivoting, he brought the same foot up and connected with a soldier's head, knocking him sideways into the wall. As the first man turned back towards him, he brought the foot back down into his face. As the rest finally realized someone was behind them, Ian redrew his sword and set himself.

Taking advantage of the confusion, Xena gave a loud battle cry as she pressed forward into the soldiers. Within a minute, she and Ian were the only two standing in the hall. She followed him out as he walked back into the entry room.

"Give me a hand," he asked as he walked over to a large weapon rack. Together, they pushed it in front of the door, kicking aside the crossbeam the soldiers had broken. No sooner had they taken a step back, they heard more of the men banging against the door, trying to get in.

"Getting out of here should be a neat trick," Xena commented as they backed up slowly.

"I have an idea on that," Ian stated as he looked down the hallway leading to the dungeon. "What's taking Gabrielle so long?"

"I don't know. Go see and I'll keep watch here."

"You sure?" Ian asked as he watched the weapon rack rock slightly.

"Yeah. Hurry up," she said with a smirk.

 

***

Gabrielle continued to fight with the large lock, taking another deep breath as she heard a barely audible clink. Moving the dirk, she yanked on the lock to no effect, cursing loudly.

 

"My mother said that was a bad word," one of the boys from the back commented softly.

 

Gabrielle took another deep breath, closing her eyes as she rested her head against the iron bars. "It is. I shouldn't have said it." Looking back down at the lock, she decided to try the other keyhole again. "I just have to.."

 

As most of the children suddenly screamed, she dropped the knife and grabbed her staff, turning back towards the stairway. She breathed easy as she saw Ian hurrying down the steps. "It's okay. He's my friend," Gabrielle told the children, some of whom were crying again.

 

"Gabrielle, is there a problem?" he asked as he came closer.

 

"Yeah, it's this DA....darn lock."

 

"Let me have a look at it." He grunted and smirked as he stared down at the twin keyholes.

 

"I figured I could pick one, then the other, and then it would unlock."

 

Ian shook his head. "They don't work like that. Both sets of tumblers have to catch simultaneously for it to open."

 

"You want to try together?"

 

"No, these are very tricky. It would take too long." Shaking his head again, he dismissed the notion of cutting the lock off, doubting even HIS sword could do it. Studying the cage, he saw that it had no bottom; it just sat on the stone floor. He noticed a small length of thick rope hanging over the side. Looking up, he spotted a series of large pulleys in the ceiling leading to a large wheel set in a far wall. The remainder of the rope lay piled near the wheel on the floor.

 

"Well, what are we going to do?" Gabrielle asked. As she watched Ian crouch before the cage, gripping the bars, she looked at him skeptically. "You're not gonna try what I think you're gonna try, are you?"

 

Ian pulled down the bottom half of his cowl and looked at the children. "I want all of you to listen to me," he said softly. "I'm going to pick up this side of the cage. When I do, I want all of you to crawl out as fast as you can, okay?" As the children nodded, Ian closed his eyes and took a deep breath.

 

"You're never going to lift that thing," Gabrielle said with a smirk.

 

"Gabrielle, the body is capable of much more than one would think. The brain sends signals to the body when it attempts something the brain considers dangerous, causing the body to doubt itself, and thereby, fail. It's a protective mechanism. If you can stop those signals from reaching the body, the body will continue to function."

 

Gabrielle looked up towards the top of the stairs as she heard Xena's battle cry echoing through the building.

 

"Besides, we don't have many options," Ian answered. Opening his eyes, he reached down and grabbed one of the horizontal bars, overhand with his left and underhand with his right. Keeping his back straight, he pushed off with his legs which shook from the effort.

 

Gabrielle's eyes went wide as she watched him slowly lift the side of the immense cage. "Hurry up, c'mon," she beckoned to the children who rapidly scrambled out from underneath. After they were all out, she tapped Ian on the shoulder. "They're out."

 

"Watch your feet," he grunted. He let the cage drop back down with a loud metallic crash. He straightened slowly, bracing himself against the bars.

 

"Are you alright?" Gabrielle asked.

 

"Yeah," Ian lied as he replaced his cowl, knowing he'd pulled something in his back but that it couldn't be helped at the moment. "Let's get the children upstairs." He walked over and hurried up the steps. After seeing that it was clear, he signaled for her to start sending them up. He looked down the hallway, spotting Xena fighting more of the soldiers at the far end.

 

Gabrielle followed the last child through the door, turning as she heard Xena's yell once more. As they hurried down the corridor, She could see her fighting several of the soldiers at the end. She looked curiously at Ian as he suddenly stopped them near the staircase off to the right.

 

"Wait here." Ian ran up the stairs and looked around. Not seeing or hearing anyone, he hurried back down and went over to Gabrielle. Take them to the top of the stairs and wait for us."

 

"What about Xena?"

 

"I'll go get Xena," he said with a wink. "Hurry up." As he watched her herd the children up the steps, he turned and headed back up the corridor. "Xena!! We're leaving!!" he hollered.

 

"Be right there!" she shouted back over her shoulder as she crescent kicked one of the soldiers, spinning him like a top. Taking a few steps back, she smirked as the men kept pace with her. As one of the soldiers to each a side of her suddenly grasped their throats and fell to the ground, she blocked aside the sword of the man before her and ran him through. Turning, she ran down the hall to where Ian was waiting. "I said I was coming."

 

"Yeah, but like a typical woman you were taking forever," he said with a chuckle as he followed her up the stairs. Reaching the top, he slammed the trapdoor down and threw the latch.

 

"Well," Xena said looking around. "We're here. What's your plan?" She noticed that Gabrielle was doing a remarkably good job of keeping the dozen or so children calm and quiet.

 

"We need to find a window on THAT side of the building," he replied.

 

"What about the other door from the entry room?" Xena asked.

 

"I latched it and cut the handle off. They'll have to break it down. And it probably won't take them long," Ian answered as he led them down a hallway that ended in a wall. An ornate door stood on the left side. "There might be a window in here."

 

Gabrielle tried the knob. "It's locked. Why don't you pick it?"

 

Ian knelt near the door as he reached into his shirt for his picks, leaning closer to study the keyhole. He smirked as Xena's boot suddenly crashed into the door a few inches from his head, knocking it open. He turned and looked up at her.

 

Xena gave him an innocent shrug. "Ooops. I thought she said KICK it."

 

Ian growled as he rose, grabbing one of the oil lamps from a sconce in the wall. "I could've done that. I wanted to be able to lock the door behind us once we were inside." Looking around what was obviously a bedroom, he grinned as he spotted two large windows. "Okay, everybody in." Sticking his head back out into the hallway, his grin changed to a smirk as he heard a loud banging coming from the stairwell. Shutting the door, he grunted again as he looked down at the busted lock. Walking over to the nearby wall, he placed the lantern on a small table and then pushed a heavy wardrobe in front of the door, wincing as he straightened.

 

Gabrielle glanced around the lavishly furnished bedroom. A huge four-poster bed with a dark blue canopy sat against the far wall and a thick fur carpet covered most of the floor. "This room must be saved for somebody important," she speculated.

 

"Probably Tetramon or his advisors whenever they're visiting," Ian stated as he walked over to one of the windows. Opening the shutters, he spotted the catwalk on the outer wall, about twice the distance of what he'd thought it would be. "Damnit," he cursed under his breath. At least there were no sentries around. He could still hear the shouts of the men as they tried dealing with the fire, which judging by the orange light bathing the wall to either side of the building they were in, must still be burning strong. He turned and looked back at Xena as the woman came up beside him. "Ten or twelve feet," he said as he pulled down his cowl.

 

Xena nodded as she placed a hand on his shoulder. "It's still a good plan." She looked around the room, walking up to the tall bed. Gripping one of the thick posts, she grunted as she yanked back on it. "Give me a hand with the other ones," she told Ian.

 

After they'd removed the posts and the top frame, Xena lay out the pieces on the floor. Placing two of the posts end to end, overlapping a couple of feet, she did the same with the other two. Using the top frame, she broke off three pieces for cross braces.

 

Ian smiled as he looked down at the makeshift bridge. Reaching into his backpack, he pulled out his spare coil of rope. "I hope this'll be enough," he said as he handed it to her.

 

"It will," she replied as she began cutting the rope into arm length pieces. "Start looking for something to put on top." She turned back to Gabrielle, tossing her a few pieces of the rope. "Help me start lashing this thing together. It won't take long before they figure out we'll try heading out a window."

 

Ian walked back over, carrying the heavy oak doors he'd ripped off of the wardrobe. Putting them on the floor nearby, he knelt down and helped the other two lash the pieces in place.

 

"I wonder what Tetramon's gonna think when he finds all his furniture torn up?" Gabrielle asked with a giggle.

Ian laughed once. "Him and Keleian can BOTH go fu..."

Gabrielle cleared her throat loudly, nodding over towards the children, who were standing together quietly.

"Uhm...they can both go...fishing," Ian elaborated with a smile.

After they'd finished, Ian and Xena each picked up a side and carried it over to the window, waiting for Gabrielle to make sure the coast was clear. Sliding it across the sill, they managed to land the opposite end on the catwalk.

"Look at that," Ian said with a grin. "Two feet to spare."

"Wait. Now comes the fun part," Xena commented as she picked up one of the wardrobe doors and carried it back to the window. She placed it atop the bedposts and then climbed on top, walking out to the center of the bridge. Judging that it would hold, she turned back and asked Ian to hand her the other door. Placing it where the first left off, she saw that it just reached that catwalk. Going back inside, she looked at Gabrielle and Ian. "Gabrielle, you go across first. Then I'll go and stop halfway. Ian, you start sending the kids to me and I'll send them to Gabrielle. I'm afraid to let them cross all the way by themselves."

Gabrielle nodded and allowed Xena to help her onto the sill. Taking a deep breath and not looking down, she walked across to the other side, leaning her staff against the top of the wall.

Xena walked across and knelt down in the center, turning to Ian and motioning for him to start sending the children across.

Ian turned and crouched down in front of them. "Okay, you've all been brave so far and your parents will be very proud of you. We have one more hard part before we can get you back home. I'm going to take you one at a time and place you on that bridge outside. The most important thing is that you NOT look down. When you first get on the bridge, I want you to walk straight to Xena, keep your eyes on her. Then you're gonna walk to Gabrielle. And then, we're gonna get out of this stupid fort," he said with a comical face, causing a few of the children to giggle. He looked down at a young blond-haired boy, possibly about ten years old. "Okay, you look like the oldest one. You want to go first and show them how it's done?" As the boy stood up straight and nodded, Ian smiled and pat him on the head. "Atta boy. Up you go."

Xena watched as Ian placed the first one on the bridge. Holding out her hands, she motioned for him to walk over to her. Moving slowly, he kept his eyes locked on her the entire time. As he reached her, she helped him walk by and told him to walk to Gabrielle. After he'd reached the other side, Xena nodded for another.

They continued in that fashion, Gabrielle sitting them down on the catwalk as they reached the other side. As the second to last one reached Gabrielle, Ian turned for the little boy, only to find that he was no where to be seen. He walked over to the mysteriously moving curtain nearby. Pulling it aside, he smiled down at the boy. He had curly red hair and couldn't have been more than five. "Hey, you ready?" he asked softly.

The boy only shook his head and stared at his feet.

Ian knelt down next to him. "What's wrong?"

"I'm....scared," he replied softly, not taking his eyes from the floor.

"That's okay. I'll carry you across. Would that be okay?" He smirked as the boy shook his head. "Why not?"

"Because the others will tease me for being scared."

"You know what? I'm scared too," Ian whispered.

"Really?" the boy asked, finally looking up.

Ian nodded. "There's nothing wrong with being scared. You just can't let it take control over you. I think if we go across together, we'll be okay." The boy nodded and placed his arms around Ian's neck as he picked him up. Walking over to the window, he nodded at Xena. As she rose and walked to the catwalk, Ian quickly crossed the gap. He handed the boy to Gabrielle.

"Was he scared?" she asked softly.

"No. I was," Ian replied. He grinned as the boy turned and smiled at him. He looked back at Xena. "Any ideas on how we're going to get them down?"

Xena smiled as she spun him around, digging in his backpack. "The old fashioned way," she said as she pulled out the grappling hook and fastened it in place on the wall. "Gabrielle, you go first."

Tossing her staff to the ground below, Gabrielle grabbed the rope and eased herself over the side. Xena then proceeded to carry the children one at a time down the high wall.

Ian soon turned as he heard a commotion coming from the room. He looked down at the three children remaining with him. Crouching down, he shoved the end of the bridge off the catwalk, watching as it fell over to crash on the ground below. He looked back as Xena reappeared. "They're about to break into the room."

"Well hurry up and pass me another one," she replied.

Watching Xena crawl back down, Ian turned as he heard a loud crash from the building behind them. Reaching down, he picked up both children with his right arm, holding them tight. Leaning over, he saw that Xena was climbing the rope again. "No, let go of the rope," he said down to her.

"What are you doing?"

"Let go of the bloody rope!" he hollered. Holding the rope loosely in his hand, he hurried down the catwalk, allowing the slack to play out. Judging that he had enough, he looked down at both children. "Kids, don't try this at home." Gripping the rope tightly in his left hand, he jumped over the side. As the rope went taut, the three swung down to the ground not far from Xena and the others. Passing the little girl to Xena, he looked down at the boy with the red hair. "You okay?"

"Yeah, can we do that again?" he asked with a wide grin.

"Some other time," Ian replied with a chuckle as he put him down. Turning to the wall, he whipped up hard on the rope, catching the grappling hook as it sailed down to him. Coiling up the rope, he placed it inside his backpack.

Xena pointed to the trees nearby. "We're going to follow the trees until we can make it to the bridge. Everybody be as quiet as you can." Leading the way, she headed for the treeline with the rest in tow.

***

As they reached the other side, Xena and Gabrielle gathered the children closer. Looking back across the river, Xena saw that there were no signs of pursuit. She could still make out the orange glow from the fire. Whistling softly, she watched as Argo suddenly appeared from the trees nearby.

"Xena, where's Ian?" Gabrielle asked.

"I don't know. He was with us when we crossed the bridge." She looked down at the children, realizing there was no way Argo could carry all of them. She wished they'd thought to bring a cart or a ... She broke her train of thought as she heard the creak of wheels and hoofbeats coming from up the road. Drawing her sword, she motioned for Gabrielle to take the children into the trees. She quickly smiled, however, as Ian rode up in a small hay wagon, turning it back in the direction of Keleian's keep.

Pulling off his cowl and tucking it into his shirt, Ian hopped down and helped Xena pass the children up into the wagon. He smiled across at the woman. "And before you ask me where I stole it from, Parmax was nice enough to lend it to us."

Xena smiled back and then turned to Gabrielle. "Why don't you ride back with them. Make sure none of them fall out." As the bard started to climb up the side, Xena gave her a playful squeeze on her rear, grinning as Gabrielle gave her a cute stare.

Ian climbed up onto the wagon seat, looking over to Xena on Argo. "You wanna hang back a bit, make sure we're not being followed?"

"Sounds good. I'll catch up to you," she said with a nod.

Turning around, Ian whistled quietly as he whipped the reins, urging the large draft horse forward. He grinned as Gabrielle and the children began to sing softly.

Concluded - Part 9


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