Disclaimer & Notices
Copyright: I do not own the Xena concept and certain characters but the plot is all mine.
Violence: There is violence.
Subtext: Yes, this where subtext is maintext.
Summary: Set just after Xena and Gabrielle stop the Destroyer and Hope, they're headed to southern Greece to get away from everything that happened in Potidaea. But an overnight stay in a small village brings on news about a monster, which Xena promptly investigates while Gabrielle worries it may be the Destroyer again. Despite no evidence of it being the Destroyer, Gabrielle quickly discovers who the creature is and tries to help solve the creature's mystery.
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Started: January 27, 2009
Series 3: Putting the Puzzle Together – Story #27
The Warrior Gargoyle
by Red Hope
Chapter 9
Xena kept her mouth locked despite the overwhelming sensation. She was forced down onto her right knee, her left arm over her stomach, and her right hand balanced her body. She briefly sensed Gabrielle next to her, but she was fully engulfed by her transformation.
Gabrielle stayed near yet didn't come too close because it concerned Xena. She worriedly watched her partner shift into the black gargoyle just after they'd removed her weapons, armor, and boots. She suspected the transformation had to be quite painful this time because Xena was doing everything possible to not cry out and alert the Amazons. But once she heard the gargoyle's deep breath, she let out her own sigh of relief.
The gargoyle took one last sharp inhale then slowly stood up. She seemed exceptionally taller due to the yurt's low, sloping ceiling. She couldn't help peering up at the thatch ceiling that was a hand's length from her head.
The bard slightly grinned and teased, "Be sure to watch your head."
Xena now regarded her friend and revealed a toothy smile. "It pays to be vertically challenge huh?"
"Funny," Gabrielle muttered. She folded her arms.
Xena chuckled and carefully drew her wings around her body then hooked her wing talons under her throat. She noticed how this helped make her seem somewhat smaller without her wing span.
Gabrielle leaned her forehead against her staff and stared at her friend. "You want me to find Yakut?" She and Xena had made it back to the yurt just a few beats before sunset.
"No, she is probably eating with the rest of the Amazons." Xena suspected the shaman then would drop by for some session.
Gabrielle bowed her head slightly because she was biting back a yawn. She gave off a tired sigh then asked, "Well, we can try doing the normal until she gets here." At Xena's arched ridge, she grinned and chuckled. "You sharpen your sword then I can write."
The gargoyle narrowed her eyes some and approached her partner. "Then you can write?" She studied her friend. "You make it sound like I have to be sword sharpening so you can write."
Gabrielle scratched her nose and flopped her hand back to her side. "It helps me focus, yeah."
Xena had a soft grin at her friend's confession. "Alright." She knew that Gabrielle hadn't done any writing since they were reunited. Prior to that day, Xena knew Gabrielle hadn't written once they'd heard about Dahak and Hope's return. She easily suspected it'd been about a moon now.
The bard curiously watched her partner unpacked a rag and whetstone. She truly wondered if Xena could manage sharpening her sword while in her gargoyle form. But she took the silent offer by first setting aside her staff near the door then collecting her scroll satchel.
Gabrielle set her satchel on the round table, but she slotted her eyes at the open window. She crossed the yurt and picked up the mat that could cover the window. She didn't want prying eyes seeing Xena plus the cold was starting to overtake the fireplace's heat. Once she lashed down the mat then turned around the find the gargoyle seated on the floor.
Xena had her back propped against the foot of the bed, and she positioned her sword in her lap.
Gabrielle toyed with her bangs and grinned at her friend. She went back to the table and rooted around for her last current scroll.
The gargoyle manipulated the whetstone in her right hand until she felt it was comfortable enough. She made a few cautious attempts and became use to it. She paused after the sixth stroke once she found the bard seated beside her. She arched a her right ridge brow.
Gabrielle made sure not to sit on the gargoyle's soft wings that were pooled around the gargoyle. She then propped up her legs and caught Xena's glance. "What?"
"There is a perfectly comfortable chair over there," Xena responded.
The bard grinned and patted her friend's solid thigh. "You're so observant." She turned her attention to her unrolled scroll, lifted her quill, tilted her head, and softly hummed. She brought the quill's inky tip just near the parchment but held still for a beat then finally started scribing.
The gargoyle shook her head and went back to her sharpening. She and Gabrielle remained that way for a solid candlemark until there was a strong knock at the door. Xena had heard Yakut's footfall much sooner and started to get up before the knocking started. She sheathed her sword.
Gabrielle got to her feet quickly too. She was rolling her scroll up on her way to the door. "I got it." She set the scroll and quill down on the table then grabbed the doorhandle. She smiled at the shaman on the other side of the door. "Evening, Yakut."
Yakut warmly smiled back and slipped into the yurt after Gabrielle's welcome. She quickly tensed upon seeing the black creature, who easily filled the small yurt.
Gabrielle softly cleared her throat and broke the moment. "This is Xena's gargoyle form that happens from dusk 'til dawn."
"Impressive," Yakut murmured. She broke through her shock and approached her friend. "I wasn't sure what to expect."
"How many gargoyles have you met in your life?" Gabrielle teased. She folded her arms and flashed a grin at the shaman, who grinned back at her.
"My first and probably last." Yakut adjusted a strap that was over her right shoulder now that she stood a few paces from Xena. "Do you fly too?" She was taking in the wings, tail, and sharp talon hands and feet.
"Glide," Xena merely replied.
The shaman lifted her eyes to the gargoyle's sculpted features. She registered the heavy rumble in Xena's voice now. "You rely on the winds then," she quietly concluded and nodded. She folded her arms and became quite serious. "I was thinking we could cross into the Spiritual Realm tonight. Perhaps if you cross as a gargoyle rather than human then it's possible it's not a spell on you."
Xena folded her arms under her wings, which slightly parted and revealed some of her muscular stomach. "You are hypothesizing that if I am a gargoyle in the Spiritual Realm then it is who I am."
"Yes," the shaman gently replied. "It's not exact alchemy or a sure answer, but I think it'll narrow down what direction you may have to go."
"But there has to be some kind of spell or magic... something," Gabrielle debated. She neared the pair and explained, "Xena's attire or weapons just disappear when she changes... or they're absorbed. But it all comes back by dawn."
Yakut had a confused expression and took off her headdress. "I'm unsure of this type of... sorcery or work." She gave a low sigh.
"My dagger was not lost," Xena interjected.
Gabrielle furrowed her eyebrows, but she indeed recalled how Xena's dagger hadn't disappeared the other night after the fishing expedition. She then pointed a finger at her friend. "And you heal quickly too." She dropped her hand to her side. "Those scratches from the wolves weren't even there by dawn when you changed back to normal."
Yakut rubbed her brow with her freehand and sighed. "There's much here that I can't understand, Xena." She had a disappointed look. "Most of it is beyond my ability, I'm afraid."
Xena had a dim look, but she argued, "Anything we can find out will help."
The shaman nodded then swung off the skin from her right shoulder. "We should begin." But she turned to the bard, who asked a few things about the Spiritual Realm. She carefully explained it to Gabrielle before she and Xena carried out the ritual. But soon, she and Xena made preparations and uncorked the skin that contained elk blood in it. Like Xena, she sat cross legged in the middle of the yurt's floor, and she chanted with Xena.
Gabrielle sat in a chair and carefully watched the pair. She had yet to figure out what was in the skin, but she watched Yakut drink it first. Once her partner drank it, she realized it was blood, and the thought made her cover her mouth. She held her breath a few times and listened to the soft chants passed between the pair.
Finally, Yakut slowly toppled to the floor and rolled onto her back. Just beside her, the gargoyle did the same and her soft wings fanned out on the wood planks. Between them was the recorked blood skin that'd helped transcend them into the Spiritual Realm.
Yakut opened her eyes and faintly smiled at the Spiritual Realm's aura. She liked how different it felt rather than the Physical World. She focused on the midnight black creature that stood in front of her, and she lost her smile.
Xena also opened her eyes and gazed down at her form despite she already knew she was still a gargoyle. She wondered where this would lead her now that her gargoyle form was most likely not induced by a spell but was actually apart of her.
The shaman released a soft sigh but didn't comment on something that was so apparent. She instead scanned about the rocky, snowy terrain that surrounded them, and she suspected they were near the Amazon's Land of the Dead.
For the first time, Xena was in her gargoyle form in the daylight or what seemed to be daylight in the Spiritual Realm. She studied her skin, which was pure black like the nightsky without any moon or stars. She lifted her sharp blue eyes to Yakut.
"We should visit Cyane," Yakut softly suggested. "I know you two have..." She wasn't sure how to finish her words. "I prefer to pay my respects to her."
The gargoyle only nodded and took the young shaman's side on the walk to the Land of the Dead's gates. She studied the mountains that jutted up to the crisp blue sky. She considered what Cyane would say or do upon seeing her as a gargoyle rather than her normal self.
The shaman led the way through the Spiritual Realm that would take them to the gates. She kept running through her head how and why Xena was changing into this strange creature. She became slightly frustrated because she knew there was nothing else she could provide to Xena that would help.
Xena sensed the shaman's tension, and she offered, "I will figure this out, Yakut." She heard the shaman's hefty sigh.
"I wish I had a simple method or the knowledge to help you." Yakut pushed her headdress back up after it'd fallen forward some. "I can tell you wish to not change into a gargoyle." At Xena's held silence, she carefully suggested, "But perhaps there are benefits to this."
Still Xena stayed quiet despite Yakut's words reminded her of Gabrielle's earlier remark that changing into a gargoyle wasn't necessarily a curse. But she lost her thoughts upon seeing a familiar Amazon coming towards them. She didn't recognize the other two Amazons though.
The shaman followed the gargoyle's keen interest, and she came to a slow approach to the former Amazon Queen.
"Hello, Yakut," Cyane greeted. "I sensed that you'd arrived in the Spiritual Realm."
Xena suspiciously studied the dead Amazon Queen once she concluded that Yakut and Cyane had met previously. She suspected that Yakut had come to the Land of the Dead not long ago to give Cyane and the others the new word. She now focused on Cyane, who turned to her.
"Xena," the dead queen greeted. Her tone was curt but not hostile for once. "I sensed your spirit had arrived too."
Xena folded her thick arms and curiously regarded the dead queen. "You do not seem surprised." She noted Cyane's two companions though couldn't stop goggling at her.
Cyane now grinned at the tall, black gargoyle. "About your form?" She couldn't contain her small laugh and argued, "Xena, I've learned not to be surprised by you." She was amused by the fact Xena expected her to be caught off guard. "I also don't allow for expectations from you either, but I was still grateful for the new word into the Amazon Eternity that you gave Yakut."
Xena remained quiet and carefully watched the dead queen.
Cyane approached the changed warrior and slid her hands behind her back. She slowly circled around Xena and fully took in the warrior's new form. At Xena's side, she mentioned, "Gargoyles are even more impressive in real life than in the drawings and paintings." She now stood in front of the gargoyle.
Yakut grew wide eye and swiftly asked, "You know about gargoyles?"
The former queen returned to her earlier spot and looked from the gargoyle to the shaman. "From my childhood, yes... before I became an Amazon." Her eyes flickered back to Xena. "I'm not born Greek. I'm from the lands far to the north."
"The Norselands," Xena softly concluded. Her own memory recalled such far northern lands, and she shoved it all down.
"Yes." Cyane guessed that the Warrior Princess had once been there by Xena's expression. She crossed her arms and continued speaking about her past. "I was sixteen summers old when I came here to Greece... alone."
"Why did you leave?" Yakut tempted.
Xena was curious as well because she understood family culture in the Norselands. Norse family members were close and loyal to each other.
"I broke from my family," Cyane replied to the shaman. "In my family, you are born with a sword rather than a doll."
"Your family legacy are warriors," Yakut concluded.
Cyane softly sighed and merely replied, "No." She looked from Yakut to the gargoyle. "We are hunters." She searched Xena's bright blue eyes and softly added, "We are gargoyle hunters."
Xena clenched her jaw and held back her instinctive growl at Cyane's confession. She kept her arms folded in hopes she'd have some control over her natural instincts. But she was tense, and her eyes had a slight glow.
The shaman lowered her stare from Xena's profile to the dead queen. "But why did you break from your family?" She hoped her question would break the jittery stare between Cyane and Xena.
After a long beat, Cyane broke her eye contact with the gargoyle and turned to Yakut. "Because I called them spiteful butchers, and I became an outcast at an early age." She tilted her head and explained, "Eventually I found my way to Greece and helped start a new nation here in Thrace." She released a hefty breath then turned back to Xena. "It's hard to let go of hatred that's been breed in you since birth, but I wanted to stop the cycle."
Xena took a deep breath, which calmed much of her stress in her body. She detected that Cyane was no threat to her.
"What you know about gargoyles?" Yakut pursued. She saw a chance at finding out more for Xena's sake.
The dead queen shifted on her feet and glanced between the shaman and gargoyle. "I know some history thanks to my family legacy, but I can't be sure what's truth and what's lies."
"Anything will help," Xena finally spoke after a long time.
Cyane nodded then recalled her schooling on the winged creatures that her family hunted for generations. "They use to be a fairly prominent race similar to the centaurs. A very honor bound race like the centaurs too." She shifted her weight onto her right foot. "Gargoyles lived in clans that were spread out through the world but typically in human populated areas for safety reasons. Many generations ago, the humans and gargoyles had a good relationship that provided both races with safety."
Yakut had a confused look and a glance at Xena told her Xena was just as confused by Cyane's explanation.
"You don't know, do you?" Cyane murmured to the gargoyle. When Xena arched her eyebrow ridge, she gave a sad look and realized she'd have to go through all the details. "A long time ago," she started, "the gods toyed with humans like puppets." She heard the gargoyle's huff. "Not to say they still don't today, but back then it was much worse and tragic than now. The humans' woes were answered by the gargoyles, who had the ability to fight and hurt the immortal gods. The gods feared gargoyles because of this and sought to exterminate them. But the gargoyles and humans joined forces one day and traded oaths to protect the other race from the gods."
The shaman shook her head and asked, "If the gargoyles could fight the gods then why did they need protecting?"
Cyane recalled that minor detail that Yakut most likely didn't understand like Xena. "At dawn, a gargoyle turns to stone until sunset. They can be easily destroyed if found during the daylight candlemarks. It only took a god's single lightening bolt."
Yakut peered up at Xena once she recalled that Xena actually turned human during the day. She parted her lips but didn't speak because she didn't want to interrupt Cyane's story.
"For a few generations, this worked out rather nicely," Cyane continued. "But the gods became further frustrated and angry about the loyalty between the humans and gargoyles. So they devised a way to break the oath, but they knew the gargoyles would never betray the humans. However, the gods suspected that some humans would break the oath under the right... reward."
Xena slowly narrowed her eyes, and she easily guessed what Cyane would tell them.
"The gods announced to the humans that they would bestow gold or other rewards if they brought a gargoyle's stone head to them." Cyane lowered her gaze some and softly continued telling the ancient history between the humans and gargoyles. "Some humans stayed true to the oath but others weren't as honorable, and the clans started to dwindle. The gargoyles were unsure which humans to trust or not trust because they could turn at any time. Eventually the clans had to completely break from the humans so they could survive from becoming extinct."
"Did it ever stop?" the shaman softly questioned.
"No," Cyane whispered, "it still goes on today... if there are any gargoyles left." But she obviously discovered some survived as one stood before her. She then started thinking more about Xena's gargoyle form and how it was possible. She didn't know about it prior, and it didn't make sense. A contradiction swiftly came to mind, and she stated, "You don't change to stone. You didn't even know."
Yakut studied the gargoyle's hard profile, but she didn't speak on Xena's behalf.
"I started changing into a gargoyle only a few nights ago," Xena told the dead queen. "I had no idea before hand."
"We thought maybe it was some kind of spell," Yakut informed Cyane.
Cyane shook her head and softly said, "If it were true then you'd be human here in the Spiritual Realm." She still had a befuddled expression. "I suspect you're half human and half gargoyle, but how... I can't begin to tell you." She put her weight now onto her left foot. "I have never heard of a gargoyle turning human or vice-versa."
The shaman shook her head and muttered, "It's almost like crossbreeding between the races."
"That's impossible," Cyane cut in. "The... mechanics of such a feat are impossible. Also, a gargoyle would never take a human for a mate. At least, a clan would not allow any gargoyle to take a human as a mate. There would be many ramifications, more to the clan than the mixed couple."
"Do you know of any clans that still survive today?"
Cyane considered the gargoyle's question and dropped her crossed arms. "It's truly hard to say. In the Norselands, there's probably a few to none depending on what's changed since I left." She bit her lower lip and thought about what she knew from her family's research. "But I suspect in Britannia there is a fairly decent clan left. There have always been rumors about the Britanni clan's survival, and I believe it's why the Romans are so fascinated by Britannia."
"It sounds like your next trip," Yakut softly told the gargoyle.
Cyane nodded at the shaman's assessment. "You will find your answers there, Xena not here in Greece." She then seriously warned, "Don't trust the gods... any of them. The younger gods may not know who or what gargoyles are, but the older do and will tell. And be careful what humans you tell about your gargoyle form because word travels, very quickly."
The shaman was worried, but she looked up at the black gargoyle. "We should get back."
Xena faintly dipped her head then focused back on Cyane. "Thank you for your help."
Cyane stepped forward and held up her arm in peace offer. She relaxed when Xena took her arm in a good shake. "Good luck, Xena." She broke arms then spoke to Yakut. "I will see you again, Yakut."
"Yes," the shaman promised, "until then." Like Xena, she started fading away from the Spiritual Realm and returned to the Physical World. She released a soft groan and fluttered her eyes a few times against the candlelight.
Xena covered her face briefly but removed her hand and took in the bard's concerned features.
"Hey," Gabrielle murmured. She was knelt beside the large gargoyle, who still laid on the floor. She glanced over at Yakut.
Xena started sitting up and found, like Yakut, the elk blood was gone from her face. She spotted the skin corked up on the table.
"How'd it go?"
The gargoyle combed her hair back and softly replied, "It is not a spell."
Yakut had sat up too and straightened out her headdress. She and Xena took a beat to recover from the shift between the Spiritual Realm and the Physical World.
"How you feel?" Gabrielle checked.
"Almost back together," Xena mildly joked. She looked over at the quiet shaman.
"You were gone longer than I expected," the bard admitted. She caught Xena's nod but it was Yakut who explained what'd kept them.
"We visited with Cyane. She had knowledge about gargoyles." Yakut was starting to climb to her feet.
Gabrielle had several questions come to mind all at once, but she clamped down her jaw from letting them fly. She could tell the pair needed some recovery time. She rose up when Xena started getting up too. She remained at the gargoyle's side.
Yakut collected her elk blood skin then faced the partners. "You and Gabrielle need to discuss this, Xena. I will leave you to it." She started for the door.
Gabrielle quickly followed after the shaman. "You don't have to go, Yakut."
The shaman held the door's handle and half turned back to the bard. "It's for you two to discuss." But she reassuringly smiled the Amazon Queen. "I will see you both in the morning."
"Thank you, Yakut," the gargoyle called in her heavy voice.
"I wish I could do more," Yakut sadly argued. "I'll see you tomorrow." She then quietly left the pair.
Gabrielle turned on her boot heels and gently demanded, "So what happened? What did Cyane say?" She already knew about the legendary Amazon Queen, who was killed many moons ago by the Destroyer of Nations. Gabrielle neared her friend and her concern was apparent.
Xena took a seat on the floor with her partner. She told Gabrielle everything she'd learned from Cyane and what it could possibly mean, to her and to Gabrielle.
After the long discussion, Gabrielle bowed her head and stared at her crossed legs. Gradually her eyes trailed over the gargoyle's muscular leg only a hands length away. She almost touched Xena, but she caught herself and instead peered up at the gargoyle.
Xena waited to see what her partner thought about everything. She curled her hands into loose fists on her knees. She too sat cross legged and her soft wings were pooled around her like a silk cape. From behind, her tail rested on the wood planks and rarely moved because of the tension.
Gabrielle breathed deeply and finally stated, "So, we're going to Britannia then." She met Xena's concern features.
The gargoyle easily sensed that the bard wasn't keen on returning to the isle that seemed to bring about all the changes in their relationship. Xena didn't look forward to it and wanted the bard to remain in Greece.
"Gabrielle, I think-"
"Oh no," the bard cut off instantly. Gabrielle knew where Xena was headed with this conversation. "I'm going with you." She crossed her arms in a stubborn display. "I think we both know I can't just sit in Amphipolis or wherever and wait around for you. There's just no way." She noticed that Xena was merely worried, but she seriously reminded, "We don't have any idea what's going on with this transformation. You need the help... you need my help."
"This will be far more dangerous than normal."
Gabrielle shook her head and lowered her arms to her lap. "Xena, there's never a moment that it's not dangerous. I can handle myself."
"I am less concerned about the people in Britannia. I fear what the clan will do when they see you with me," the gargoyle confessed.
"They're probably not going to be too receptive huh?" Gabrielle lost her eye contact and stared at the wood space between her and Xena. "But there's no telling how they'll react to finding out you're a gargoyle who turns human by day." She peered up with hooded eyes, but she tilted her head at Xena's grin.
"If they find out," the gargoyle rumbled.
Gabrielle chuckled and shook her head. Yet, she thought more seriously about it. "They'll know something is up with you. I suspect gargoyles remain close and are pretty aware of other clans." She straightened out her back. "They're going to know something is different about you and that you're not apart of a clan. They'll know you're a black sheep." She then grimaced because Xena was indeed black. "Sorry... bad pun."
"I suppose you understand that though," Xena seriously reminded. She found curious green eyes on her. "Not fitting into the clan... family."
"Mmmm," the bard murmured. She then pointed a finger at her friend. "All the more reason I should go."
Xena chuckled at the bard's persistence. In reality, she knew Gabrielle would end up coming, and she'd have to plan carefully for it so Gabrielle wasn't hurt. "You must promise me that you will try to stay quiet around the clan. And you must follow my lead."
"So I don't accidentally say something they don't need to know?"
"Or make them angry... suspicious," Xena added. "We do not know what the culture is like or how a clan works."
Gabrielle nodded once then joked, "Okay so play dumb blond instead of irritating blond, got it." She slightly tensed at hearing the gargoyle's low growl. "What?" she checked.
"You know what," Xena replied. On occasions, she'd heard the irritating blond insult given by several individuals. She knew Gabrielle tried turning it into a joke, but Xena never liked it in the least. There were occasions Xena popped a few punches to people that made the joke behind Gabrielle's back.
The bard groused a beat because she was hoping to remove the seriousness from the conversation. However, she knew her blond joke never went over well with Xena. So, she instead switched topics and asked, "What about travel?"
Xena shifted gears too. "We will stay here another night or two."
"We can go tomorrow," the bard debated. "The sooner the better... I mean fall isn't getting any warmer, Xena especially further north." She then considered the easiest way to travel and mentioned, "The ports are like three days south from here... probably closer to four or five days."
The gargoyle's chest rumbled from her thoughtful hum, and she narrowed her eyes. "No."
Gabrielle mimicked her friend's arched eyebrow reaction. "Then what you suggest? We ride north to the Oceanus Britannicus then take a ship across to the isle?" She could tell her partner was leaning towards that idea, but she quickly reminded, "We have to travel through leagues of Roman infested lands, Xena."
The gargoyle tilted her head and debated, "Or sail leagues of Roman infested waters." Her tail shifted slightly behind her on the floor. "I prefer not to be trapped on the ship from here to Britannia. Besides, in my gargoyle form I will be especially cramped."
"It could prove... challenging," the bard softly agreed. She drummed her fingers once against her knee cap. "You're serious about trekking all the way through the Roman Empire?" After Xena's nod, she grumbled but gave in too. "How long you think it'll take us to get to the tip of Gallia?"
"I imagine a fortnight and half," Xena replied.
The bard goggled and sharply asked, "That's it? It has to take at least a moon, Xena."
"Not when we are flying," the gargoyle surprisingly informed.
Gabrielle opened and closed her mouth a few times, but she couldn't get it out. She instead leaned backwards until her hands propped up her body from behind. "Alright," she finally replied. She tried imagining flying every night for the next fortnight to get to Britannia. Then another thought came to mind, and she suspiciously eyed her partner. "You can't be considering gliding across the Oceanus Britannicus?" After a long silence, Gabrielle started shaking her head and earnestly fought, "No, no, no."
Xena watched her friend sit up again. "It will be the fastest way across to the isle."
"And probably the most dangerous," Gabrielle argued. She could tell her argument fell on deaf ears. She then hotly reminded, "Xena, you're mixing my biggest get sick quick ingredients. I'm not great about heights and extremely deep, churning water will be right below us."
"You do not trust me?" Xena checked.
The bard lost her fire at the question. "You know that's not it. I don't trust mother nature." She loosely folded her arms in her lap. "I don't trust my stomach."
"You cannot eat any nutbread before hand."
"So funny," Gabrielle muttered. She bowed her head and imagined flying across the channel to get to Britannia. Her stomach squirmed in reaction.
Xena leaned forward, stretched out her hand, and tipped the bard's head up. "You will be safe." She comforted the bard further with a small smile.
Gabrielle took the gargoyle's hand into hers and found her hand easily hid in Xena's palm now. She gave back the smile. "I know... at least I don't get airsick." She thought more about Xena's travel plans. "So, should we leave Argo here with the Amazons?"
Xena just moved her head in agreement.
"We'll have to pack lightly," Gabrielle continued planning aloud. "And probably stay in villages each night."
"Yes," the gargoyle conceded. "Unfortunately, you will have to sleep in a bed each night."
"Horrible," the grinning bard muttered. She then seriously offered, "I can do the bard thing for money." She felt pretty content that they had plans until they arrived in Britannia. After that point, she wasn't sure how she and Xena would find the clan. She decided they'd figure that out once they were in Britannia.
"You should get to bed," Xena suggested, "so you can catch up on your rest." She broke their physical contact and started standing.
Gabrielle narrowed her eyes at her friend once she was up on her feet. "What you plan to do?" She then easily figured it out by that twinkle behind Xena's blue eyes. She almost protested, but she stopped herself because she realized Xena probably needed it more than anything tonight. She edged closer to her friend. "Just... be careful, huh?"
Xena softened at the fact that her partner didn't argue with her about flying tonight. "I will, promise." She could tell though that her friend would still worry so she closed in and drew the bard into her body.
Gabrielle encircled her friend's waist, but she couldn't completely since Xena's body was larger. She hugged her friend and rested her face against the gargoyle's soft wings that covered Xena's warm chest. She pulled back after a moment and ordered, "Don't get into trouble either."
Xena chuckled deeply, which heavily rumbled through her chest. She had an affectionate smile and warm eyes. "I will try not to."
"Uuuh huh." Gabrielle patted her friend's hip then fully withdrew from the hug. "Go on."
The gargoyle briefly watched her partner head to the washroom, but she called, "Gabrielle?"
The bard stood in the open doorway, but she turned back some and curiously studied the gargoyle.
"Thank you," Xena merely said without any reason. She then quickly left the yurt and a curious bard.
Gabrielle sighed after the door closed then she went into the washroom. She didn't take long to get ready for bed, and she found such relief at curling up in the bed early tonight. She knew Xena was right that she needed the rest. She'd snuffed out most of the candles other than the few in the circular dish on the table. Her eye were heavy, but she wished that her friend was here in bed with her. But the bard managed to drift off soon enough.
Halfway through the night, Gabrielle woke up sharply from an upsetting nightmare that rehashed memories from moons ago. She wiped away her distraught emotions from her face and studied the empty space next to her. She frowned at the fact that Xena hadn't return yet, and she really wished Xena was beside her.
Gabrielle tried rolling over and going back to sleep, yet it was rather useless. She collected herself from the bed and started getting dressed in her skirt and top. Once she had her boots loosely tied, she left the yurt and entered the chilly night. She'd crossed her arms tightly against her body for extra warmth; she'd left her staff behind without care. She was surprised to pass two Amazons in the small village, but she suspected they were on regular patrol.
But it was fairly easy for Gabrielle to make her way out of the village because it wasn't protected by any walls. She briefly wondered if Otere had plans to build such protection. But out in the woods, she found enough silver light from the moon that helped her see through the trees. She was amazed by how green the grass was here compared to southern or western Greece. She admired the thin but tall white trees sparsely scattered about in the woods.
Gabrielle studied the ground around her but paused and gazed up at the nightsky, which was so beautiful tonight. She could understand why her partner wanted to be out. From the right corner of her eye, she vaguely spotted a dark object that circled past, and she turned with curiosity. Yet, it was already gone, and she could only see the crescent moon surrounded by stars. But after a beat there was a distinct noise behind her, several paces away that wasn't apart of the quiet forest.
Gabrielle slowly turned around and looked for what'd made the noise. There was nothing or else it hidden away in the darkness. She couldn't ignore her heart's pounding, and she nervously squeezed her ribs tighter. "Xena?" she called. Finally, her eyes focused on the slow rise of a dark creature by two birch trees.
"You are alone without your staff," Xena heavy voice carried through the darkness.
"You're so observant," Gabrielle chided. She breathed deeply in hopes it'd settle her heart. She lifted her chin some when the black gargoyle started approaching her.
Xena kept her wings open at her back and her tail danced behind her. "It is dangerous out here. There are still many of Alti's warriors roaming freely."
Gabrielle wasn't in the mood for a lecture so she teased, "Well I have mine now."
The gargoyle's hum heavily rolled in her chest, and she had a displeased expression. "It is unlike you to not take your staff."
The bard sighed because she really wasn't here for a lecture. She moved into Xena's space and dropped her arms down, but she pressed her palm flat against Xena's tone stomach. She was amazed by the exposed muscles Xena had as a gargoyle. She peered up at her concerned friend. "Lecture me later?"
Xena couldn't resist sliding her left arm behind the bard's back. "I worry less when you have your staff."
"I know," Gabrielle murmured, "I know." She dropped her temple against her partner's tone arm. She shut her eyes and leaned heavily into Xena.
The gargoyle became concerned by this and shifted so that she now held the bard in her arms. She peered down at Gabrielle and softly mentioned, "You should be sleeping."
"I was trying," Gabrielle rebuked.
"Bad dreams," Xena concluded and frowned.
"Yeah," the bard muttered and lifted her head off the gargoyle's arm. She sadly exhaled and placed her hand on Xena's leather clad hip. "I sometimes repeat what happened in Illusia... but it always ends badly."
Xena grumbled because she didn't like that Gabrielle was constantly re-experiencing certain events such as Xena killing Gabrielle in Illusia. Or their constant arguments in that eerie, dark hall among the columns.
"I just..." Gabrielle shook her head because she didn't want to guilt her friend. But her head was tipped back until she found worried, blue eyes on her.
"What?" Xena persisted.
Gabrielle became distraught because she wanted to be honest but not upset her partner either. She sighed and finally pushed herself to say it. "I just... want to wake up... to you being beside me." She shut her eyes out of guilt but quickly explained, "But I know you needed to clear your head tonight."
Xena bent forward, closer to Gabrielle and whispered, "I am sorry, Gabrielle."
The bard leaned her forehead against the gargoyle's cheek and murmured, "It's okay, really." She moved her arm around the gargoyle's waist. "You're here now."
Xena turned her head to the left until her brow met Gabrielle's in an intimate display. She then drew in her wings until her and Gabrielle were cloaked in them. She felt Gabrielle's left hand touch her cheek.
Gabrielle made a nervous attempt and moved her lips closer to Xena's. She heard the gargoyle's sharp inhale, but Gabrielle pressed her lips against black ones. Her hand slid behind Xena's head and tangled into the dark tresses. But Gabrielle quickly noticed that her partner wouldn't allow the kiss to deepen so she slowly broke away.
Xena raised her head some and worriedly studied the human.
Gabrielle had returned her hand to the gargoyle's jaw, and she traced her thumb across Xena's lips. "You don't have to be scared of this, Xena."
Xena seriously studied her partner's face and murmured, "I am... for you. Intimacy for gargoyles is different than it is between humans. I do not pretend that I know everything either."
"Alright," Gabrielle started, "then we just keep it simple right now." She brushed her thumb over the gargoyle's defined cheekbone. "I don't think kissing is too much. And the rest, we can just..." She shrugged but finished, "decide along the way."
That seemed to settle the gargoyle because her stilled tail now lazily moved in the air. Xena brought her head back down closer and murmured, "Alright." She captured the human's lips again and continued the light kiss.
But this time, Gabrielle tried pressing the gargoyle for more depth. She hoped by opening her mouth that Xena would follow suit, and she was rewarded after a beat. Gabrielle was surprised to find Xena's tongue came to an abrupt point unlike a human's was rounded. As the kiss continued, she realized Xena's tongue was warmer and a bit courser that briefly reminded her of a cat. She could also account for the larger size in proportion to Xena's body size.
What wasn't any less different was the style of the kiss as their tongues familiarly danced and brushed against each other. Xena gave a low rumble of pleasure that made Gabrielle weak in the knees. Gabrielle was almost sure that if Xena wanted to take Gabrielle tonight that she surely wouldn't object. Gabrielle found that each passing beat caused her to become more hungry and her rational thoughts were lost. She was losing control and hoped Xena had some left.
The gargoyle slowly snaked out her tongue from Gabrielle's warm mouth. She was extremely tense and clenched her sharp teeth. She gave a low growl as her body trembled from passion.
Gabrielle sensed what was wrong and gingerly touched her partner's cheek. "Hey... come on, Xena." Her voice was gentle and hoped it settled the tense gargoyle. She hadn't expected such a result from the gargoyle.
Xena lifted her head away from Gabrielle and inhaled the crisp night air. This seemed to help clear her head and give her control again. She finally looked down at the human tucked in her arms and wings.
The bard cleared her throat and weakly smiled. "Wanna try that again?" She received a middle glare, but she seriously asked, "What was that?" She touched her own brow. "I can be a... wanting woman at times but that was just..." She shook her head and dropped her hand to her friend's shoulder. "I don't know what that was, actually."
"I am not sure either," the gargoyle confessed. Her voice was extremely heavy compared to normal.
Gabrielle stiffened at the gargoyle's thunder like voice, and a heavy shiver ran down her spine then settled deep in her stomach. She could tell she was about to yank Xena's head back down for another kiss. So she hastily pushed away from Xena. "I need space... please."
Xena released her partner and allowed her to back away. She was worried as much as excited by the bard.
The bard was a few paces away, and she did a small circle while she breathed hard. "Wow," she murmured, stopped, and looked over at her partner. "What was that?" she repeated but more earnestly. She truly wanted an answer now.
"I am not sure," Xena whispered. She touched her brow ridge then lowered her hand.
Gabrielle could tell her friend truly wasn't sure. She carefully came closer but paused and decided, "Maybe we shouldn't... do that again until we find out more."
"Yes," Xena softly agreed. She could tell the human was leery, but she neared her anyway. "It has passed now."
Gabrielle took a deep breath and noticed it had indeed calmed down between them. She'd never experienced such an allure or want that was so strong. She knew she had better self control than that, but it just overwhelmed her. She was unstoppably drawn to Xena.
"Perhaps some cold air will help us both," the gargoyle tempted after a moment.
Gabrielle folded her arms and leaned her weight onto her right boot. "What you suggest?" She then caught the gargoyle's evil smile. "Oh no, I'll be flying with you for the next fortnight if not longer."
Xena wanted to take the human flying, and she teased, "It will help your wound heal faster."
The bard softly snorted and shot a dubious glare at her friend. "Right," she chided. But she didn't seem to have a choice because Xena scooped her up. She gave a low yelp now that she was snared in Xena's left arm.
"I think you like to fly with me," the gargoyle taunted. She carried the bard with her over to a nearby tree that was large enough.
Gabrielle settled into her partner's cradling hold because she was going along for the ride. "I like being close to you." At her confession, she was drawn in closer to her friend's warm, strong body.
"Hold on," Xena instructed. She dug her right hand's talons into the tree trunk. She lifted her right foot and clawed the tree too.
"Oh I am," the bard promised. She wrapped her arms around the gargoyle's neck. She stayed close while the gargoyle cradled her.
Xena gazed upwards while she climbed the large tree. She ducked past a few branches and made sure Gabrielle was okay. Once she was satisfied that she was high enough, she swung out onto a branch then completely picked up Gabrielle into both arms.
Gabrielle could see some of the nightsky through the nearly leafless branches. "Xena?" she softly asked. She adjusted her right arm across the back of Xena's shoulder.
"Hmmm?" The gargoyle gazed down at her partner.
"I do like flying," the bard admitted. She looked from the sky to her friend. "But only with you."
Xena smiled at this and leaned down until her brow touched Gabrielle's temple. She gave off a soft rumble when Gabrielle nuzzled her back. She softly warned, "Here we go." She lifted her head and focused on her task at hand.
Gabrielle couldn't resist a soft cry just as they launched into the night. She had her eyes shut but once everything went still and the breezes tickled her ears did she open her eyes. She tilted back gently and took in the beautiful stars. She didn't quite smile until she honed in on the silver moon that seemed so alive tonight.
The gargoyle concentrated on first checking the winds and gained altitude. She adjusted Gabrielle closer to her body for extra warmth. She didn't want her partner getting chilled so easily. Once she felt confident about her controlled gliding, she peered down at the awed human. Xena grinned at the bard's expression.
Gabrielle scanned the land below them and was dazzled by their altitude. She peered up at the gargoyle and softly smiled.
"Have you seen the Thracian Plains?" Xena inquired. At Gabrielle's negative response, she grinned and arched to the left with a simple tilt of her body. "Then you will see it now."
Gabrielle held tightly to her partner. She couldn't see that far ahead like Xena, but she eventually made out the Thracian Plains. She grew excited at this prospect and was thankful that Xena shared it with her. She concluded that this beat rolling back over in bed and falling asleep again. Gabrielle wildly grinned because she had lost count of all the perks to having a gargoyle for a best friend.