JUST ONE BITE

pt.23

It wasn't long until Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer arrived at the temple of Demeter after being led there by one of the temple's priestess' Ira. Gabrielle looked up at the large structure that sat on a hill overlooking the village they had come from.

GABRIELLE
Wow this temple is beautiful. Alot of the others we've seen aren't quite as eloquent as this one. Well except for maybe Aphrodite.

XENA
More like excessive and tacky.

Gabrielle nudged Xena for making the commitment about the goddess who she considered somewhat of a friend and got a quick look of indifference with a shrug in response. Not paying any attention to the brief exchange Ira pushed open the two large doors and turned to Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer.

IRA
Okay come inside, and we'll get started on summoning our goddess.

And with that the young priestess walked inside as the trio followed. Once inside they followed Ira into the main room of the temple a Joxer whistled, impressed by the lavishness of the building's interior, having not seen the inside of many temples for himself. Meanwhile, Gabrielle kept her appraisal of the building to herself, though she did find it fairly nice nonetheless. And as for Xena, she looked at their new surroundings completely unimpressed by the extent that some people would go to in order to appease the gods. For one, they were gods, so what use could they possibly have for worldly materials when they can just use their power to get whatever they could ever want. And second and honestly the biggest problem she had with offerings to the god's was the fact that the god's would accept the offerings often from those who gave without necessarily having the actual means to do so without sacrificing their own needs. And that did not sit right with Xena at all as she always felt that people didn't really need the god's for the most part anyway. Though the irony of the fact that she and Gabrielle were there seeking help from one of said god's that for the most part she didn't trust wasn't lost on Xena as she silently noted that fact to herself.

?
Oh, Ira. You're back. And I see you've brought guests.

The small group all looked towards a doorway as a few other women walked through a large curtain that hung there. Seeing that they were dressed the same as Ira, it was clear that they were her fellow priestess' of the temple.

IRA
Yes. They've been searching for our goddess for her help. Head priestess may I introduce Xena, Gabrielle and Joxer.

HEAD PRIESTESS
It's nice to meet you. Please, come and...

The older woman that was the head priestess stopped speaking and began looking at Xena and Gabrielle a bit more intensity before turning her attention but towards Ira with a scowl on her face.

HEAD PRIESTESS
Ira do you not see what these women are?

IRA
Yes head priestess. I'm very aware that they're Bacchae.

The head priestess became angrier at the younger woman.

HEAD PRIESTESS
(Angry tone) You knew and still brought them here? What in the name of the goddess would posses you to do something so incredibly irresponsible and dangerous. You know that Bacchus' followers have been hunting us since his death and yet you bring the enemy straight to us.

IRA
But they...

HEAD PRIESTESS
Whatever they might have told you they're most certainly lying. Now go to the back girl and wait for me. Once the others and myself are finished cleaning up your mess, you and I are going to have a very long talk about your irresponsible behavior and what the consequences of your actions should be.

IRA
But I...

HEAD PRIESTESS
(Stern tone) I said go.

The young woman lowered her head.

IRA
Yes head priestess.

GABRIELLE
Now wait a minute, Ira was just trying to help us. I understand that you're in hiding from those who still follow Bacchus, and we might be Bacchae but believe me we do not want anything to do with any of this. All we want is to find a way to return to normal.

The head priestess looked at Gabrielle as an even bigger scowl formed on her face.

HEAD PRIESTESS
You might have been able to fool my young protégé here with whatever sob story you told her, but you can't fool me. I won't let you or any of those other fanatics that worship Bacchus come to this temple and put any one here in harms way.

The woman stepped towards Gabrielle as she motioned towards the other priestess who in response drew daggers that were concealed beneath their robes.

HEAD PRIESTESS
Now if you truly are not our enemy, then you will leave right now and never return to this or any other of our goddess's temples.

GABRIELLE
We just want to contact Demeter. We think that she may be able to cure us. I promise we aren't here to hurt anyone. Please I don't know how much longer I can live like this. We don't wanna be Bacchae.

HEAD PRIESTESS
Say what you will, but it'll change nothing.

With that, the other priestess aside from Ira all began moving towards Gabrielle, Xena and Joxer. In response Xena quickly drew her sword and put herself in front of their group.

XENA
We aren't here for trouble. If you don't wanna help us, fine. We'll go and find another way. So just let us walk out of here peacefully and no one needs to get hurt.

HEAD PRIESTESS
You don't seriously expect us to just let you leave? You must think we're stupid. We let you go and then what? You come back later with your allies and destroy yet another temple as you slaughter more of us simply because we follow our goddess Demeter. I think not.

GABRIELLE
You don't have to do this. We really don't wanna hurt any of you.

HEAD PRIESTESS
You don't intimate us Bacchae. We may be priestess but we are not to be taken lightly.

Then without warning the head priestess swiftly drew a dagger from her robe and threw it right towards Gabrielle. The move was so fast Gabrielle didn't have time to react as it came flying at her only to be stopped barely inches from her face as Xena used her incredibly fast relexes to catch the weapon just before it hit its target. Gabrielle stepped back slightly as it registered what had just happened as Xena let go of the weapon and it dropped to the floor. She then scowled as she stepped forward.

XENA
We didn't come here to cause trouble but if you really want a fight, you've got it.

Unphased, the head priestess drew another dagger.

HEAD PRIESTESS
And I assure you Bacchae, this is a fight that we WILL win.

The the head priestess along with the other priestess except for Ira attacked as the temple quickly erupted into chaos with Xena, Gabrielle and even Joxer went on the defensive as they attempted to fend off the priestess' without injuring them and trying to think of a way they could convince these women that they weren't the enemy. Which was proving difficult as they were currently fighting against them. But as the violence continued an unknown was suddenly heard that brought the battle to an abrupt hault.

?
(Angry tone) What is the meaning of this?! Any violence within these walls will be severely punished. And to any who would cause harm to these or any others who reside in these temples will suffer a far worse fate.

TO BE CONTINUED...