A Crown of Laurel part 2 cont.

by Silk



"In fact...did you worship Ares for your own benefit or his, when you were...umm...a warlord?" Gabrielle asked quietly.

Xena's eyes narrowed a moment at the God of War's name and at the flood of dark memories that it evoked in her. "Mine, of course." She answered tensely.

"And did he want you for his own purposes? Or did he help you for your own purposes?" Gabrielle asked, watching her friend carefully.

"Both...well, no that's not true. I know better. His purposes followed mine at the time, but he gave me men and power for his own twisted reasons. Not mine." Xena frowned. He is the major reason why I don't trust the gods either.

"OK. So since we are on the subject, let's consider Poseidon's purpose, shall we?" The blond woman replied. "The gods tend not to bow to the wishes of mortals." Xena smiled ironically at the bard's words and nodded. "Instead, most of their plots tend to be against each other by pitting us mortals against each
other. True?" Gabrielle asked.

Xena considered a moment then nodded. "The Big Game."

"Yes. Poseidon said he was 'completing a small deal' . Anything he needs from the mortal world, for the most part is easy for him to demand or take, if he really wants it. So what could be so important that he would trade a favor for?"

"Not gold, jewels, or treasure. That's too easy. Hmm...something powerful...or which would give him more power? Or...something another god has that he wants?" Xena's eyes narrowed as she thought aloud.

"It could be anything, Xena. But that's not really the issue. My bet is that Poseidon couldn't get it himself, so someone else got it for him. Someone that could get it, when he couldn't. And that leaves only one answer." Gabrielle pointed out.

The warrior frowned. "Another god, of course."

"Yes. But which one? That I don't have any clue. Except..."

"Ares." Xena interrupted. Gabrielle just nodded in agreement. "He has been rather active against us this year. But I usually know when Ares is involved. It s just this feeling I get whenever he is around."

"I don't know Xena. But whomever it is, be it mortal or god, I don't think the next few days will be pleasant." Gabrielle shivered uneasily.

"Don't worry. We ll get through this." Xena put an arm around the bard and gave her a squeeze.

* * * * *

Marlius the jewelry merchant groaned loudly in pain, his head swimming as he tried to sit up. He rubbed his jaw carefully, very confused about what had happened.

The last thing he could clearly remember was his daughter, Alexis, coming to visit him early this morning. She hadn't felt well, so had begged out of the funeral for Captain Fenal.

Marlius had been concerned of course, hoping his daughter wasn't ill. She had assured him that it was probably just a reaction to the situation and that she just needed to rest. Then they had spent some time together, communicating on parchment.

The man tried to focus on what they had talked about, for he was proud of his daughter. She was quite learned and they enjoyed spending time with each other discussing a wide range of topics, but for some reason his memory was too clouded to remember.

He could remember leaving his cabin for the funeral, then the soulful dirge that the warrior had sung for the captain. After that things were just a blur for him, his mind only remembering a pair of eyes of blue hue, far too bright to be normal.

The door to his cabin opened quietly and he smiled as his daughter walked gracefully into the room.

As she walked closer to his bed, Marlius senses reeled with emotions of unease and danger. He looked up at his daughter but saw nothing out of the ordinary. She was wearing the veil, that she had taken to wearing several weeks ago when he had decided to move his household and his business. But still something felt not right to him.

"Father." The woman said aloud.

"Wha..." Marlius gaped in astonishment. His daughter had been unable to speak since an accident when she was a child.

"Ooo...you were a good boy, weren't you. But now you've lost your usefulness." A slim hand caressed his cheek for a moment.

"You know, I used to have a daddy. But he died. You don't make a good replacement." The hand suddenly became like iron, wrenching his head and body around so his back was to her. She held his chin to her stomach tightly, and no amount of struggling against the slim form would release him.

Marlius' mind screamed as his daughter drew a long bright dagger and drove it deep in and across his throat from ear to ear. Blood sprayed everywhere as the merchant was released to fall back onto his bed.

As he lay there, his vision darkening in his last moments, his murderous daughter bent closely and pulled aside her veil. What he saw was not his daughter but a monster in beautiful form, twisted by hate and bloodlust that was etched deep into her face, and with eyes a bright blue that wasn't natural.

"Goodnight, daddy." Cooed Callisto softly in Marlius ear as the darkness overtook him. "Tell Hades Callisto sent you."

 

* * * * *

The change could be felt thoughout the ship. Gabrielle, Xena and the crew gathered together on the deck sensing something was happening.

"I think we are about there. We seem to be slowing down." Xena observed, her eyes staring down at Poseidon's hand.

"Where?" Denarious asked with concern.

"I have no idea, I've seen no land in sight since port. We are far west of Greece, but I don't know how far." The warrior's impatience could be heard clearly. It was hard to do nothing, even though she knew there wasn't anything she could have done to help their situation. A pawn of the gods. Again. And they
wonder why I refuse to worship or respect them.

Xena turned to Gabrielle. "This is really frustrating."

"I know. I would have been more comfortable going over land myself. Or sitting in a nice tavern regaling the audience with stories of you." She winked. "Or..hey..even getting another bruise or two from staff practice with you." Her eyes twinkled with amusement as she got a chuckle out of her friend. "By the way..have I thanked you yet for keeping your side of the deal?"

"No." The warrior grinned. She had had a short talk with Denarious at the beginning of their journey. Xena had made it very clear that no unusual foods would be served to the bard while they sailed with them. Thankfully that hadn't been a hard chore for the man since he prided himself on his job, and seemed to have taken a fatherly liking to Gabrielle. "Keep your thanks until we are on dry land and you have a better knowledge of what you ate." Xena grinned. "Now quite trying to distract me..I'm brooding."

Gabrielle laughed and slapped her friend on the arm. "Just like a chicken." Then stumbled as the ship rocked violently underneath her. "Wha...."

"Everyone grab something solid and hang on!!" Yelled Xena as she held Gabrielle and herself tightly against the railing.

The Jade Dolphin was released from Poseidon s grasp and was set down roughly into the sea below. Water cascaded over the deck, drenching everyone, but it was over quickly. Xena helped Gabrielle to her feet, glancing over to make sure everyone was all right. Satisfied, she peered over the edge of the ship.

The huge watery hand had disappeared leaving them stranded in the sea. As she was looking, a small swirl of dancing lights appeared in the water, and Poseidon spoke.

"I've been ...informed that this is where I can leave you, Xena." The god sounded odd, as if upset about something.

"Damn you, Poseidon! Are you so petty that you'd let us die out here without a way to save ourselves?" Xena shouted.

"Giving up already Xena? That is quite unlike you." He chuckled deeply. "Besides, I doubt you're to be just left here to die. Good luck Xena. I hope we meet again." The voice faded and the unwilling passengers watched as the last visage of the sea god flickered away to nothingness.

"Arrrgghh!!" Xena screamed in frustration. She usually was a patient person, but not when it came to the gods.

"Shhh...Xena, calm down."

"I really, really dislike being a pawn of the gods, Gabrielle." The warrior fumed.

"You said we were stranded." Gabrielle tried to get her friend's mind off Poseidon and onto their situation again.

Xena nodded. "Nothing to replace the mast, or the sail anywhere on board. We might be able to cannibalize a bit and make a rudder, but it wouldn't do us any good without a sail. We are stuck with no way to leave, and no knowledge of where we are." The warrior frowned in thought. "We should start rationing food supplies and the water. Who knows how long it will be until we see land or a ship."

Denarious nodded. "Good idea. I'll take care of the rationing of course."

"Other than eating and sleeping, there is nothing to do. So we are going to have to keep ourselves entertained, other than Gabrielle's stories." She smiled at her friend. "We don't want you to lose your voice because you kept us from boredom. We'll have to think of other things to do also. Gabrielle I want
you to..."

"Ship!!" Cried a sailor pointing to the horizon over Xena's shoulder.

Xena and Gabrielle turned back to the sea shading their eyes from the sun to get a better look. Xena spotted it almost at once, but had to point so that the bard could see it.

The tiny spot of white sail was so far away on the horizon that it would take them several candlemarks to reach them.

"Too much of a coincidence?" Gabrielle asked.

"Yes. I don't like this. Not at all," replied Xena, as she turned back to the crew. "OK. We can't be sure whether it's friend or foe considering our situation. Either way, we will be outnumbered and on a ship that can't flee or maneuver. So we'll have to do the best we can. We have some time before they reach
us, which should be after sunset. Now here's what we can do..." She said, starting to lay out a plan. Let's just hope they are friends and not enemies, Xena silently thought. But I rather doubt it...it's just not my luck.

* * * * *

The moon was clear and bright on the night sea as the foreign ship finally made its way along side the Jade Dolphin. Xena stood next to the ships wheel fully armored, her sword loose in its sheath. The sleek ship was close enough that she could see the bright flashes of armor clad soldiers on the deck, but couldn't make out any details of who they might be. Both ships had put out all flame aboard to prevent the other side from getting an idea of numbers on board, plunging them into darkness. Xena had waited before she had put out theirs, then gave the order when the other ship doused its lights, knowing it wasn't the gesture of a friendly ship.

The woman quickly gazed out over the deck of the Jade Dolphin checking for the readiness of the crew. Denarious and the three remaining sailors were hidden behind several solid railings with crossbows and swords ready, just in case. Gabrielle was a few feet from her also, kneeling just behind a large barrel set up in front of the door that led down into the ship.

Xena knew if it came down to a fight, depending on how many were on the approaching sip, they would be hard pressed not to lose anyone. I could really use ten extra men right about now. Gabrielle had gone down earlier to speak with Marlius and Alexis, but she had come back saying the woman had been told to say from her father that they both would stay below, so that left just the six of them on deck. Stupid man. They would probably be more of a liability anyway. Xena growled silently. I would have gone down myself to get them up here, but Gabrielle insisted. Xena's attention shifted back as the fast ship came into shouting distance and a loud voice cried out to the Jade Dolphin.

"Prepare for boarding!"

Xena stood firm, knowing she was visible in the moonlight. "By whom?" She called back as grappling hooks flew out and pulled the ships firmly together.

"Board her." Came the voice again, this time to his men.

As they came into view the Xena got a good look and was momentarily shocked. Romans. Seeing she and the crew were outnumbered and that the soldiers hadn't drawn steel yet, she called out to her crew before someone drew blood.

"We don't want bloodshed, just safe passage to land for all of us if that's possible."

Denarious and the sailors reluctantly stood, but kept their weapons ready. Gabrielle stood and moved before the passageway door.

Roman legionnaires surrounded the crew and more continued to come aboard. This is not good. Let's hope I can talk our way out of this.

Xena walked calmly down the aft stairs to the main deck, her hands out showing no weapons.

"Who's your commander?" She asked the first soldier she came across.

"I am." Came the reply in Greek, as a Centurion came forward. His tone was harsh and flat. "Who is the captain of this vessel?"

"That would be Captain Fenal. But he isn't available at the moment. We ran into some...trouble and we had to bury him yesterday." Xena smiled.

The Roman nodded. "What ship is this and which port did you sail from?"

"The Jade Dolphin, a merchant ship recently out of Kynos. I'll be very willing to overlook your boarding our ship if you'd tow us to the nearest port." Xena reasoned. "We would really like to get on with our journey, but as you can see, we are stranded."

"I believe that can be arranged. I am Centurion Arian Maior. Since you seem to be speaking for the crew, may I have your name."

Xena felt a prickle of unease. "Drixia of Athens."

The roman officer nodded as if satisfied and turned to a squad of soldier that stood behind him. "Take her." He ordered stepping back and drawing his sword.

Xena spared a glance towards Gabrielle and was pleased to see her staff up and ready.

"Now!", she yelled, grinning hugely.

Denarious swung his sword and cleaved two rope lines that had been set precisely. Without the rope to hold it, two heavy crates fell overboard trailing taut lines that pulled nets made out of hammocks across the deck and through the soldiers. Entangled, eight soldiers were pulled after the crates and were dragged overboard and into the sea.

Another sailor purposely tripped a wire that ran down the length of the deck. Threaded through five crossbows that were hidden just under the railing, the wire pulled the triggers all at once. Bolts shot out, amazingly all hitting targets, one of them the Centurion. Denarious and the crew raised their crossbows and quickly dispatched the last four men, before their fallen companions hit the deck in agony.

It had all happened in a blink of an eye, then chaos broke out on the Roman ship, as they realized that this little merchant ship with only a handful of crew had killed or incapacitated seventeen in a split moment. As more were starting to come aboard, Xena took four running steps and hurled herself end over end, up and across to the Roman ship. She landed nimbly amongst a large group of soldiers, who just stood there a moment in shocked surprise.

"Permission to come aboard?" She quipped as she drew her sword. As the soldiers drew their own, she threw back an elbow into the man's face behind her and was satisfied to hear him groan and hit the deck. Then blocking two swords with hers, that were aimed at her head, she heaved them upwards, pivoted and slammed her left foot in one s stomach and the hilt of her sword in to the jaw of the other.

More legionnaires took their place and Xena laughed loudly with glee, swinging her sword in a tight figure eight around her body.

Gabrielle watched her companion in concern, but held her post. She watched as Denarious and the crew reloaded their crossbows and started shooting soldiers. The plan was for all of them to stay on the Jade Dolphin and out of Xena's way.

The bard complied reluctantly and watched the other ship closely. Suddenly a hand shot out from behind her and spun her around. Automatically she tried to thrust up with her staff to defend herself, but felt a harsh blow that caused her to drop her weapon. Bringing her eyes up to her assailant she stumbled back a moment in shock.

"Alexis?"

Alexis grabbed Gabrielle by the hair and dragged her close, putting a sharp dagger right under the bard's chin. Gabrielle squirmed a little, then stilled as the dagger pricked her flesh.

"OK. I get the picture. I'm not moving."

Alexis spun the woman back around wrapping her arm around her captive and pressing the dagger close.

"Call her." she leaned close to the bard s ear and whispered.

Gabrielle froze in horror at the familiar voice that haunted so many of her nightmares at night. "Oh, my god." she muttered in horror.

"No. That would be goddess, now wouldn't it?" Callisto giggled, then pressed the dagger tighter against the bard s throat. "Now...call her."

"Xena." The hoarse whisper barely left her throat.

"Don't make me kill you before I can really enjoy it." The goddess warned.

"Xena!" Gabrielle yelled.

Xena and the crew of the Jade Dolphin froze, instantly hearing the fear in the woman's voice. The warrior glanced over at where Gabrielle was standing and hissed in anger. Throwing her sword up into the night sky, she exploded into a frenzy of lethal activity. Thrusting her arms out, her fists connected solidly with two soldiers faces, then she started to spin. Faster and faster she went, knocking out any soldier she hit. Then with exact timing, she stopped and caught her sword with a quick flourish.

She spun back to Gabrielle, the warrior's space momentarily free of soldiers, though the deck was crawling with more. Seeing her friend in danger, she started to gather herself to leap back to the ship, when Gabrielle's assailant ripped off her veils.

"Callisto." Xena growled, her breath taken away by complete surprise.

"Hello Xena. Nice to see you again." The blond goddess' eyes gleamed like lanterns in the moonlit night. Xena took a step forward, but stopped when Callisto pressed the blade against her friend's jugular in warning.

Xena could feel the Romans gathering around her. "I assume this is all your doing?"

"Well, with a little help from 'Waterboy', yes. You wouldn't believe the trouble I had to go through to set all this up for you." Callisto rolled her eyes. "Now to business. Drop your weapons, Xena."

Looking over her shoulder Xena saw soldiers crowded behind her, some with crossbows ready and pointing right at her. She was confident that she could take care of the crossbolts and the soldiers but
that would mean sacrificing Gabrielle's life, and she knew Callisto wouldn't hesitate to take it if necessary. And Gabrielle's life was just not a bargaining chip Xena played with. Calmly, she threw down her sword and chakram.

"Oh...that's good. Now, kneel." Callisto ordered, grinning evily.

The warrior glared, but complied.

A soldier came up with lengths of chain and shackles, but Xena ignored his presence except to hold out her wrists in compliance.

"I'm surprised at you, Callisto. This is rather more trouble than you usually go to." She observed as the heavy chains were applied.

"Well, you know how it is. The plan did start out small, but it just grew and grew till it had a life of its own." Callisto cocked her head slightly and beamed a bright smile to Xena in triumph. "And you haven't seen the best part yet. In fact, Xena, you ve been so well behaved, that I think it's time for a present. Would you like a present, Xena?" The goddess pushed Gabrielle in front of her, till they were against
the railing, only a few feet of deck and water between them and Xena.

Gabrielle looked at her friend sadly. "I m sorry, Xena. She snuck up on me."

"It's not your fault, Gabrielle." Xena tried to reassure her.

"Hello, Xena." Came a voice from behind Xena. It's familiarity rocked through her, dragging up nightmares that had been deeply buried for years, and more dreadful recent ones. Xena turned and gazed up.

He stood there before her silently, letting her look at him and remember. Silver embossed greaves over fine leather boots. A white thigh length tunic with purple trim, covered by a heavily decorated steel breastplate, that shone in the moonlight. Over his shoulder flowed a deep red cloak that was gathered at the end draped over a muscular forearm. His sharp features, short brown hair and dark eyes, all of these shocked Xena to the core.

"Caesar." she whispered, not even hearing the shrill laughter of Callisto behind her. She gazed over his shoulder to another man almost as familiar to her. "Brutus."

"Ah..you remember. I see you have not forgotten me? What? No greetings?" Caesar leaned close, his eyes almost black in the night, threatening to consume her soul. "A shame. I thought you d be happy to see me." He chuckled. "No matter. Chain her to the mast."

Soldiers came forward and did his bidding, first divesting her of her armor and checking her for other weapons. One took the breast dagger from her laying it beside her other weapons.

Callisto brought Gabrielle aboard ship and tied her to the second mast, across from Xena, so that they both could see each other. The bard was confused and not a little bit frightened, but she refused to show it as much as possible, instead she kept her sight on Xena.

The goddess snapped her slim fingers and in a bright flash of light, was now attired in her usual leather armor and sword. Casually, she picked up Xena's weapons, caressing the chakram with a long slim finger. Then she walked over to the Roman Emperor and leaned against him familiarly.

"I'm hurt, Xena. I went through all this trouble and not one word of appreciation on how I brought two old friends together." She reached out and ran her hand alongside the woman's cheek. Xena just looked at the two of them impassively. "It took me a lot of work you know, to find out about your past. I didn't believe the story at first of course, it sounded so unlike you to trust someone to come back to you and join your army, after you had the audacity to ransom him." She threw back her head and cackled. "I really thought you were the type to send bits and pieces till the gold came, not offer to take him as your
partner."

"But then I heard the rest of the story, and it made so much sense about you. It was Caesar here who set you even more firmly on the path that brought you to Cirra, wasn't it? He crucified you and your men, broke your legs and left you for dead, ripping what trust you had right out from your heart." Callisto chuckled a moment then started to circle the mast and Xena. "That must have hurt you deeply. Almost as much as Draco stealing your army..hmm?"

"Oh, but you got back some of your pride, didn't you. I so wish I had been in Brittania with you." Callisto grinned at Gabrielle a moment. "And I heard you had some fun too, little bard. I really would have loved to have seen that self-righteous face of yours after you drove that knife into the priestess' gut. How did it feel to have her hot blood gush onto your hands, Gabrielle? Hmmm?" she purred into the bard's ear.
Gabrielle flinched at the raw memories that the goddess drew out unrelentingly.

Caesar looked to the Jade Dolphin and to its crew that had been captured, then back to his captive.

"I see you still have a bit of the pirate in you, Xena. A bit of a small crew though. But I must admit you did extremely well against my best men. But as you know, there is only one punishment I give out to pirates." He motioned to Brutus, who nodded, who crossed over to the other ship.

"No! They aren t pirates!" Xena yelled, knowing what he was planning to do.

"Really? Well, then the charge is the death of several of my men, and the attempted murder of several more. And since they aren't Roman citizens I don't have to bring them back to Rome for judgment. We can take care of it here. You and your friend I'll be bringing back to Rome to face other crimes."

"Xena?" Gabrielle finally spoke. Her fears weren't just for herself, but for her friend. Xena had long ago told her about her first meeting with Caesar and how he had betrayed her and her crew. Gabrielle knew the two hated each other with passion and Gabrielle herself didn't really care for the man, considering
he had crucified her and had ordered her legs broken.

Abruptly, her thoughts were silenced as a fist slammed into her stomach. A Roman soldier leaned close and snarled. "You have not been given permission to speak!"

Gabrielle hung from the mast, her stomach in immense agony as she gulped in huge breaths in shock. She could hear Xena straining against her chains, cursing, and Callisto's insane laughter in the background. Slowly the pain receded and she looked up to see Xena's eyes looking into her own with concern. The bard nodded that she was ok and saw the relief on her friend s face change to an expressionless mask of ice as she looked at her captors.

A low moan brought the bard's attention to the Jade Dolphin, and she gasped aloud in horror. Denarious and the three remaining sailors were raised high onto the deck, all hanging from stout crosses that had been cannibalized from the ship itself. While other soldiers made a long line and passed crate after crate of cargo, from the doomed ship, others made sure the four unfortunate men were securely tied.

"Well, this is fun, but I have some things to do." Callisto said, twirling Xena's chakram around a finger. She tossed Caesar the warrior s sword. "A souvenir. Don't worry, Xena, you'll be seeing me again soon enough. I'm sure Julius here has lots planned for you, and I intend to be there for the fun. But not your death, of course. At least he'd better not kill you, you know I've always wanted that pleasure for myself, but I'll be nice and share. He can have your little bard." She smiled, quite happy with herself, then disappeared in a show of light.

Xena looked into Denarious' eyes. The small man hung from a cross only a few feet from her, on the Jade Dolphin side. She saw helplessness, resignation, and pity in his eyes, for her and Gabrielle. This
man cares more for our fate than his own. Xena thought in amazement.

"Smooth sailing, Xena." He said to her simply, knowing the warrior had seen his emotions. Then he turned to Gabrielle. He would miss her and her stories. A tear went down the man's face when he saw her. She looked so lost and afraid for him, and very determined not to show fear to the Romans.

"I'd ask you to tell me a tale, Gabrielle, but I fear our friends here wouldn't like it."

Gabrielle smiled sadly, her eyes overflowing. She really had gotten to like the small cook in the few days they had sailed together. She cast a dark look at the soldier standing next to her, then spoke to Denarious, headless of whatever punishment she would receive.

"Instead of telling you an old one, I'll create one with you in it, and some day we'll get together in some port you're in and I'll bore you with it." She smiled.

Caesar watched the exchange and waved off the soldier that would have hit her again for talking. Rather brave, considering.
Then his attention shifted to Brutus, who had returned to his side.

"The cargo's loaded, Caesar."

The Emperor nodded. "Cut the lines and take us home." He turned to walk to his cabin, then paused beside Xena, making it seem as if he had momentarily forgotten about her.

"Let me make this clear, Xena. You are both now my personal property. Your friend's health is dependent solely on your good behavior. Any attempt, whatsoever, to escape will find your friend on a beach beside you, hanging from a cross again. And this time Xena..." He paused, leaning close to her face. "This time I'll break your legs myself, and hers as well, just to be sure it's done correctly." His eyes were dark as he reached out a hand and gripped the woman s chin, turning her face toward his. "Do I make myself clear?"

"Very." Xena nodded. "Now let me make myself clear to you. You hurt a single hair on her head and all of your legion's of soldiers combined won't be able to keep you alive," she snarled.

Brutus smashed his fist into the side of her face, but was rather surprised as her head snapped back towards him and smiled evilly at him. "I've been hit harder by a five year old. Perhaps if you worked out more?" Xena said.

Brutus made to hit her again, but stopped at Caesar's hand on his arm. "I've changed my mind. Chain her to an oar by herself. Keep her there till we make port. No contact with her friend either." The emperor ordered, then went below.

"Xena?" Gabrielle called in concern.

"Don't worry Gabrielle, I'm fine." Xena gave her friend a reassuring smile as she was dragged below to the oars.

Gabrielle slumped against the ropes as she watched the Jade Dolphin, and its human masts, drift away in the night.

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