"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.18

It was quiet as Xena rode for a while after she and Gabrielle had yet another argument, and the two had gone off in opposite directions. She stewed for a bit in her anger and frustration with how things had been beteween Gabrielle and herself as of late. After a little time Xena came to a stream where she decided to stop and let Argo rest. She stood next to Argo and idly patted and talked to the mare as she tried to sort through things

XENA
You know I just don't know what to do anymore. No matter what I try Gabrielle just doesn't want to open up to me. I don't know what's been bothering her but there's obviously something going on. You don't have any ideas do you girl?

Argo snorted as Xena looked back towards where she had left Gabrielle.

XENA
Yeah I didn't think so.
(Sighing)  I wonder if I should go find her. Or would that just lead to yet another agreement. What a mess.

Meanwhile Gabrielle was still walking around where Xena had left her.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Xena just doesn't get it. How could she? Fighting, defending herself and others, It's always come so easy for her. But me. How many times has Xena had to save me? I couldn't even save our child. Instead I just got beaten to within an inch of my life and then stabbed. If Xena hadn't been there... I don't even wanna think about what would've happened to Aurora afterwards. What kind of mother can't defend their own child? And what kind of queen can't be there for her people when they need her most? That's why I've been trying so hard to become someone better.

Gabrielle stopped walking and drew her sai's from her boots to look at them.

GABRIELLE
(Angerly thinking to herself) But what good it that doing me? I couldn't even take down those wild dogs back there without Xena's help. Even after how hard I've tried nothings changed. Damn it!

In a fit of frustration Gabrielle took the sai's and hurled them into a nearby tree. She stood there for a few moments as she let the burst of anger pass.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) What am I supposed to do here? We can't keep going on like this. I love Xena more than anything, but maybe doing all of this was a mistake after all. But even if we weren't out here right now, would things between us be any different?

Gabrielle slowly walked up to the tree that had her weapons stuck in it's trunk.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) How did everything end up getting so complicated?

Gabrielle was about to retrieve her weapons when she heard the cry of a horse coming from somewhere behind her.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) I should've figured Xena wouldn't actually leave me out here.

Gabrielle was about to become even more agitated with Xena but then she heard the horse again. This time she noticed that something seemed off.

GABRIELLE
(Thinking to herself) Argo isn't typically that noisy. Unless something's wrong. Then again it might not even be her at all.

Again the sound echoed from the distance. This was enough for Gabrielle to make up her mind. Regardless of whether it actually turned out to be Argo or not, she had a gut feeling that something wasn't right and quickly headed towards the sounds to investigate. Gabrielle walked at a hastened pace as she could hear the cries she was following becoming louder,  indicating that she was heading in the right direction. It wasn't long until she spotted the source of the sounds. But unfortunately that wasn't the only thing Gabrielle found. Ducking behind a tree for a moment, Gabrielle assessed the situation that she had stumbled upon and was not happy at all with what she saw.

BANDIT
(Angry tone) You stupid animal, I said stay still!

A couple of other bandits attempted to control a frightened and injured horse that had gotten its leg caught in a spiked snare trap. The man Gabrielle heard speak tried to crouch down and pry the trap open. But the horse was so frightened and in pain that it didn't listen and tried to pull away when it's owner grabbed the trap and attempted to free the animal. The move resulted in the trap cutting the man's hand. He became angerd and stood up.

BANDIT
(Angry tone) Ah! Damn it! Fine you wanna act so afraid, I'll give you a real reason to be scared.

The man took a whip from his belt and mercilessly struck the horse's back end with it. The creature whinnied in obvious pain as it tried to escape from it's abuser. But due to it being caught in the trap, it was unable to away. When the bandit with the whip gave the horse an apparent repeated command to keep still and was disobeyed, he lashed the animal again and the cycle restarted. Gabrielle was disgusted with what she was witnessing and refused to allow the abuse to continue. So without a second thought she stepped out into the open to put a stop to it.

GABRIELLE
Hey what kind of coward beats a defenseless animal?!

Hearing Gabrielle's voice, the bandits turned around a saw her standing several feet away. Obviously not to happy with her intrusion into the situation.

BANDIT
(Irritated tone) And who in Ares name are you?

GABRIELLE
Someone who doesn't like seeing people like you  hurt those unable to defend themselves. Just like what you're doing to that horse.

BANDIT
(Irritated tone) Yeah well what "I" do with "my" property is none of your business. So I'd suggest you get lost before I decide to take my frustration out on you instead.

Gabrielle stood unintimidated by the bandit's threat as she held her sai's ready.

BANDIT
(Condescending tone) Oh aren't those some cute  little toys.

The bandit flashed a confident grin as he drew the sword from his side.

BANDIT
But if you insist on trying to fight me, I'll tell you what, I'll make you a deal. You some how actually beat me and I'll just walk away and you can do whatever you want with that good for nothing animal.

The man's smile grew far more sinister as he continued.

BANDIT
(Sinister tone) But if I win I get to slice it open and watch it bleed out for fun. Then do the same to you.

Gabrielle gripped her weapons tightly. This man was clearly sadistic but she knew it was too late to back out now. Even though Gabrielle hadn't had the chance to really practice with her sais just yet, she knew that she just needed to focus and learn from her mistakes of what happened with fighting the wild dogs. So with a stare of sheer determination directed at the bandit, Gabrielle stood ready for a fight.

GABRIELLE
Deal.

TO BE CONTINUED...