Disclaimer & Notices
Copyright: Many of these characters do not belong to me, and we know which ones do not. I, however, own the plot and other certain characters.
Violence: There is violence in this story.
Subtext: Any subtext becomes main text here.

Summary: This dramatic epic opens up to Xena and Gabrielle's childhood when they are best friends with an growing friendship. One day, Gabrielle's hometown is attacked while Xena is visiting her. Xena tries desperately to protect Gabrielle but ultimately fails. Xena will not stop believing that Gabrielle is alive, and she hunts for her friend. Along Xena's journey, things become darker and lead her further from Gabrielle and the memories. Meanwhile, Gabrielle is taken into slavery but it isn't for some time before her luck comes back. She meets a very caring master, who sends her away to be schooled as a bard. Later, Gabrielle befriends a very unusual girl, and the girl claims to be an Amazon. It isn't long before Gabrielle discovers how real the Amazons are, and that she's fated to be more than just a slave.

Feedback: redhope@redhope.net
Homepage: http://www.redhope.net
List: http://tv.groups.yahoo.com/group/redhope/

Started: March 33, 2003
Ended: April 24, 2007
Series 9: Destiny of Mine – Story #1

To Find What was Mine
by Red Hope

Section One
Part 1: Gabrielle’s Second Year

The young girl stepped out of the back of the jail wagon. She made sure to keep her head low as she ducked down. Once she was out, she quickly turned around and helped her mother down.

“Thank you,” whispered Hecuba.

Gabrielle didn’t say anything but did give a sad smile to her mother. She then waited for her little sister and hefted her out of the wagon onto the ground.

“Let’s go, girls,” ordered the man.

“Yes, my lord.” Gabrielle followed the man through a small crowd of people. Far ahead, she could see a fence and on the other side was a huge crowd of people throwing their hands up here and there to place bids. She sighed then glanced down at her feet but looked back up as they neared the side of a stage.

“Wait here.”

The three girls squeezed in together as they watched their lord talk to another man that stood attention at the steps of the stage.

Gabrielle stared up at the stage where a young man stood in the centre. He was shackled at the wrists and was somewhat bruised yet he seemed in good health. Her eyes then wondered over to the crowd of people. One man had thrown his hand up and the auctioneer on the stage called out twenty dinars.

“Do you think we’ll be sold together?” whispered Lila; she glanced between her sister and mother.

“Maybe,” replied Gabrielle.

Lila suddenly had a fearful expression.

Hecuba gave a disapproving look to her eldest daughter. She switched her attention to Lila. “Don’t worry, honey. I’m sure we’ll stay together,” she promised.

Gabrielle sighed knowing that was most unlikely. Even she heard plenty of times of families being torn apart by slavery. She moved her eyes away from the auctioneer and to her little sister. She studied Lila, whom was too busy watching the auction to notice Gabrielle looking at her. Gabrielle mentally counted all of the bruises on her sister’s exposed body. She sighed deeply; there were thirteen, thirteen dark bruises. She also saw the remaining scar across her sister’s back from the few whip marks.

Gabrielle shivered at the reminder of the whip beatings at the start of the slavery training. She slowly looked up from Lila and looked at her mother’s back. She noted her mother’s attention was mainly on the auction. Her mother, like her and Lila, wore rather revealing clothes and all three of them had lost a large amount of weight.

As her forest eyes travelled up her mother’s body, she stopped and just stared at the tattoo on her mother’s right hip. It was a small yet distinct ‘S’ in black that simply stood for slave. She knew if they ever saw freedom one day, they would still wear this mark that would forever outcast them from society. The slave tattoo would be her constant reminder of the future ahead of her. And as she stared at her mother’s slave tattoo, she instinctively grazed her fingertips across her own exposed tattoo.

“Gabrielle,” hissed her slaver. He grabbed her by her forearm and jerked her closer.

The young bard suddenly fell out of her daze and looked to her master. “I’m sorry, my lord.”

The slaver growled and lightly slapped her across the cheek. “Pay attention, girl.” He then tugged her towards the steps. “You’re up first.”

Lila’s eyes widened and she grasped her mother’s hand tightly. “Mother?”

“Hush,” warned Hecuba.

Gabrielle gave one last look to her mother and sister then climbed the steps.

The auctioneer rushed over and grabbed Gabrielle’s wrist. “Who’s your master, girl?” he whispered as he led her to the front and centre of the stage.

“Hecht.”

“How long have you been a slave and how old are you?” The auctioneer stood there at the front of the stage with her.

“About thirteen months and I’m fourteen.”

The auctioneer nodded and suddenly whirled around to the crowd with a huge smile on his lips. “My friends, I have here a young one.” He held his hand out to Gabrielle. “She has been trained by no other than the infamous Hecht.” He walked behind Gabrielle and came to her other side. “Let’s begin the bidding at… thirty dinars.”

“Thirty here!” called one man.

“Ah thank you, sir.” The auctioneer walked away from the girl and went to the other side of the stage. “How about over here. Any of you gentlemen willing to give thirty five for her?” He directed to Gabrielle again. “She’s been fully trained by Hecht himself.”

“Thirty five!” bid an older man.

“Oh yes, Cornelio! Yes, sir!” The auctioneer gave a happy smile to the older man then focused back on the bidders. “Can any of you give me forty for this girl? Even the great Cornelio selects her.”

“Forty over here!” yelled a young man from the back.

“Excellent, young man!” hollered the auctioneer. “Wise to bid on her… especially for those late nights!”

Several of the men in the crowd all laughed together.

“What’s that mean, mother?” uttered Lila.

“Nothing, honey,” quietly replied Hecuba. She felt a great sense of dread fill her similar to the one on the day Potidaea was attacked.

“You two need to be quiet,” suddenly growled their master. His angry eyes especially rested on Lila since she always began the talking.

Lila lowered her eyes.

“Okay anybody want to give me sixty?” pressured the auctioneer. “Come on, you young men. You can’t pass up such a beautiful slave as this one.” He grinned while adding, “She is almost in her prime years.”

Several men in the crowd started laughing deeply at this.

“Sixty here!” yelled out a man that mainly looked like a warrior.

“Excellent!” called the auctioneer. He then crossed to the other side of the stage. “Anybody want to do sixty five?” He got no response. “How about sixty two? Come on!”

“A hundred dinars!” called out the same young man from the back.

The auctioneer gaped at the young man but quickly recovered. “One hundred dinars then!” He held his hands out to the slave and said, “Going once! Going twice!” He spun on his heels and now pointed at the young man. “Sold to the young man!” He then went to Gabrielle’s side and grabbed her by the arm. He quickly pushed her down the steps.

Gabrielle almost tripped on her own sandals as she was rushed down the steps. As soon as she was on the ground, Lila was pushed up the steps. She quickly caught Lila’s scared eyes and it made her heart drop.

Lila was dragged to the front of the centre stage and put on display for the crowd.

The auctioneer bent down and asked Lila the same questions she’d asked Gabrielle.

As the auctioneer started the bidding on Lila, the young man was paying for Gabrielle.

“Does she listen well?” asked the young man to Hecht.

Hecht nodded while folding his arms. “Yeah… and if you need to reinforce anything a few good whippings does the trick.”

The young man nodded but was grinning. “I’ll remember that.” He untied a bag of dinars from his side and handed it to the slaver. “That’s a hundred there.”

“Thank you,” replied Hecht. “Enjoy.” He gave a huge grin.

The young man quietly laughed then faced Gabrielle. “Follow me, girl.”

Gabrielle’s eyes flickered to her mother, and she took a step closer to her mother instead of her new master.

Hecht quickly stepped between the mother and daughter. He grabbed Gabrielle by her hair. “Listen to him, girl.” He jerked her head down.

Hecuba closed her eyes and bit her lip.

Hecht threw the slave towards the young man. “A real good whipping,” he reminded.

Gabrielle stumbled and fell down on her knees into the dirt. Her watery green eyes lifted up to her mother.

Hecuba did nothing, as she knew if she did it could cost Gabrielle dearly.

The young man raised an eyebrow as he stared down at his new slave. “Alright, girl. We’ll do this the hard way.” He reached behind and untied a collar with a leash. “Stand,” he roughly ordered.

The small bard stood up and felt the cool leather slip around her neck then tightened into place.

“Let’s go.” The new master jerked the leash and led her away.

The young slave looked back to her mother.

Hecuba kept her eyes locked with Gabrielle.

Gabrielle then lost sight of her mother from the people moving around. She then looked across to her sister still on the stage. She heard somebody bid fifty-one dinars for Lila then she was sold. She frantically looked through the crowd to find out who bought her sister but she could not find them.

Once Lila was off the stage, Hecuba was on it now up for sale.

The young bard sighed and didn’t look up to her mother. She instead switched her focus to her little sister being paid for by her new master. He was a middle-aged man, who once paid for her took her away from the auction area. After about twenty seconds, Gabrielle lost track of her sister, and she knew that was the last time she’d ever see Lila.

“Let’s hear twenty for her!” yelled the auctioneer. He had no real response for her.

Gabrielle’s new master glanced at her then back up to Hecuba. “Is she a good cook?” he whispered.

The small bard felt her stomach drop yet she knew it was a chance to keep her mother at least. “She’s wonderful.”

The young man narrowed his eyes and suddenly held up his hand. “I’ll give thirty for her!”

The auctioneer gleefully smiled at the man for bidding again. “Yes, sir!” He then turned his focus to the other bidders. “Will anybody give me thirty-two?” After about fifteen seconds of silence and started to call out, “Going once, going twice…. Sold! Thank you, sir.”

The young man nodded and tugged at Gabrielle’s leash. “Let’s get your mother.”

The small girl followed behind the man. Every step she took, her hope seemed to float away with her sister’s absence. Ever since the day after the raid of Potidaea, she’d grown angrier and angrier at this life she was given. Although when she looked up and her eyes met with her mother’s, she felt some scrap of happiness return.

Within a candlemark, Gabrielle and her mother were sitting in a wagon again but not a barred one like Hecht’s. This time it was an open one, which meant they could stretch out a little better. That in its self was a relief for them both.

Their master was in the front sitting on the passenger’s side. Another young man, presumably a slave, was actually guiding the horses.

Gabrielle, however, couldn’t keep her eyes off the young man that was possibly a slave. She couldn’t shake the feeling that she’d seen him a few times before yet she couldn’t place him.

“Once we’ve returned, I want you to show them to their quarters,” ordered the master.

The driver nodded and asked, “In the slave house, my lord?”

“Yessss, Perdicus.” The master raised an eyebrow in warning.

“Sorry, my lord.” Perdicus returned his attention to the horses.

The master half turned in his seat and looked to his two new slaves. “Get plenty of rest this evening, girls. Tomorrow you both will be busy.”

“Yes, my lord,” answered back Hecuba.

Gabrielle didn’t give an acknowledgement to her master, which only angered him.

“Girl, did you hear me?” hissed the master. He reached out and dug his nails into her arm.

Gabrielle gritted her teeth but now looked to him. “Yes of course, my lord.”

“That’s better.” The master gave a toothy grin then turned back into his seat.

After about a two more candlemarks of riding, the group arrived at the gates of a dirt road that ended at the front of a large stone house. As they passed through the gates, Gabrielle took note of the olive trees lining the road to the house. She then scanned the surrounding grounds of the house and knew it was in fact a combination of wine and olive groves.

Hecuba was first out of the wagon then the bard slid out next. Once everybody was off, except Perdicus, he ordered the horses to go to the stables behind the house.

“Wait here,” commanded the master, “He will return for you two.” Without another word, he walked towards the large home and went up a few steps and into the house.

Hecuba waited until he was out of earshot and quietly asked, “Are you okay, honey?”

“I’m fine,” brushed off Gabrielle. She didn’t look at her mother while she folded her arms against her chest.

Hecuba only felt her shoulders slump more now. Today was a day that second the raiding day; she’d now lost her youngest child.

Gabrielle suddenly realized Perdicus had returned from the stables.

“Follow me.” Perdicus guided them through the grounds and went to a small house that was offset from the master’s house. “The slaves stay in here.” He went up five steps and pushed open the door for them.

Hecuba went in first then her daughter followed.

Perdicus stood in the doorway while saying, “Its small but… it becomes home after awhile.”

Gabrielle quickly realized the house was about half the size of her home. It had four beds or rather two bunk beds then a small lounge area further back.

“By the way, I’m Perdicus.”

Hecuba turned around and finally smiled. “I’m Hecuba.” She lifted her right hand and rested it on Gabrielle’s shoulder. “This is my daughter, Gabrielle.”

Perdicus returned the smile and said, “Well… welcome to Michulus’s home.”

“Thank you.” Hecuba sadly smiled at the young man and stepped into the house more.

Gabrielle followed in and sat down on a bottom bed to the right.

“What we do for dinner?”

Perdicus considered Hecuba’s question then finally answered, “I doubt we’ll eat tonight.” He went into the tiny living room area and picked up a chair. He brought it into the living quarters and sat down. “We’ll probably eat tomorrow morning.”

“What are our jobs?” finally spoke up Gabrielle.

Perdicus sighed as he rested back into his chair. “I think you’ll be helping me some and helping to clean. Your mother will probably be the cook and helping the misses.”

“Is Michulus strict?”

Perdicus shrugged. “He likes his slaves sticking to the rules. As soon as they’re broken then we’ll be punished rather harshly.”

“Are there any other slaves on the grounds?”

“Actually there are two others.” The young man slightly turned in his chair and pointed off to his right. “Over there is a smaller slave house and they live there.” He turned back to the two women. “They’re both dark skinned ones too.”

“From Egypt?”

“I think so. They and I mainly take care of the groves and whatever maintenance needs to be done.”

Hecuba nodded a few times as she considered their new circumstances. “Michulus is well known for his winery?”

“Yeah actually.” Perdicus sighed and then added, “He’s also rather political too. His entire family is into politics.” He paused while thinking about something for a second but then leaned forward in his seat. “To tell the truth, have you two heard the latest rumours about the war against Rome?”

“Not really, no,” confessed Hecuba.

“Well there’s been a lot of talk about the states gathering together to strike against Rome. A lot of people fear that Rome will soon gain too much strength and start to conqueror… starting with Greece.”

“Gods really?” whispered Hecuba in surprise. “I’ve heard a lot of talk that Rome was growing more powerful but not that powerful.”

“Yes, well… they’re power is increasing. So a lot of people in Greece are demanding the states to unite and attack Rome before we’re attacked.”

“What’s this have to do with Michulus?” urged a frustrated bard.

“Michulus is one of the wealthy people pushing for the war against Rome.” He finally sat back into his chair again. “Only problem is, a lot of the common people think this war will only ruin Greece.”

“They’d rather join Rome,” simply stated Gabrielle.

“Yes they would. A lot of the technology Rome possesses we could benefit from learning.”

“But at the same time the wealthy don’t want the Greek economy to be slaves of Rome.” Gabrielle huffed and shook her head. “Well we conquered Rome during Alexander the Great’s days sssso what comes around goes around.”

“True,” agreed Perdicus. “Personally, I think Greece could benefit from it, even the economy.”

The small bard shrugged and muttered, “Greeks and dictators don’t mix.”

Perdicus sighed and decided a change of topic was in order. “So… where do you two originally come from?”

“We’re from Potidaea. It’s a town on the peninsula of-”

“Wait Potidaea?” Perdicus brightened up at the mention of the town. “Small town right? With the small fishery on the eastern side?”

“That’s the one,” agreed Hecuba.

“By the gods.” Perdicus laughed and whispered, “It’s a small known-world after all.”

“Why?” inquired Gabrielle. She knew she recognized him and now she had to figure it was from her own hometown.

“I’m from Potidaea.”

Hecuba’s eyes immediately widened. “Where in town did you live?”

“I was on the western side… away from the market.” He quietly laughed in surprised. “Where did you two live?”

“We had that small farm on the eastern side.”

“The one that was set away from the town, right?”

“That’s the one,” replied Hecuba.

“Now I remember,” cut in the small bard. “I’ve seen you in the market a few times… selling grains.”

Perdicus nodded a few times. “My family had a very small farm. We’d just moved there.” He lowered his eyes but continued speaking, “My folks were killed in a raid.” He looked back up. “The town was raided….” He fell short on his words. “You both must have been there?” His eyebrows knitted together.

“Yes,” answered Gabrielle, “that’s how we ended up being slaves.”

“Same thing happened with me… but it was kind of after the raid.” Perdicus gave out a long and deep sigh. “I wondered what’s happened with the town…?”

“Knowing Potidaea… they probably recovered.” Hecuba shook her head after about a minute of thinking. “The one reason why my husband and I settled there was because Potidaea was known for not having raids.”

“We moved there in hopes our farm would do well.” Perdicus just stared at the floor. “Especially with the small harbour growing there.”

The silence fell between the group as they all recalled that day in Potidaea that changed their lives dramatically.

Gabrielle suddenly pulled herself out of her thoughts and took a quick glance outside. It was now dark time, and she decided she was tired from today. Looking to her mother, she said, “I’m going to bed, I think.”

“Alright, honey.” Hecuba smiled at her daughter, leaned forward and kissed her on the cheek. “Top or bottom bed?”

“Top.” Gabrielle forced a warm smile and patted her mother’s leg. “Goodnight, mom.” She hopped off the bed and climbed up the side ladder into the bed above.

“Well….” Perdicus stood up and returned the chair into the living room area. “I think I’ll check to see if Michulus needs anything else.” He approached the door and pulled it open. “Goodnight.”

“Goodnight.” Hecuba watched him leave and decided to curl up in bed as well.

The small bard however lay on her back in the bed and stared up at the ceiling. She quickly glanced over at the few candles lit and hanging from the wall across the room but returned her attention to the ceiling. She lay there, thinking about where her little sister was now. She could still recall the scared expression Lila had as she stood on that stage on display.

Gabrielle had never realized just how little she could do until over a year ago. After they’d been taken by the two raiders in the field, they were kept in the army’s camp for several weeks. She shivered at the memories of just how dirty and disgusting those raiders were around them. Once the raiders had transported them into southern Greece, they were then sold to Hecht.

At first, she was confused as to why the raiders could sell them for money but then when Hecht explained her new life to her, she understood. She could still recall his words on the first day she’d become a slave.

“I have purchased you.” Hecht had locked his eyes with Gabrielle’s. “Do you know what the means, girl? That means you are my rightful property. I own you, posses you, and control you. I may do with you as I please.” He had paused and lowered his face closer to Gabrielle’s. “I can be nice to you if I want or I can beat you until your dead. I can feed you and clothe you or starve you and rip every pieces of clothing off your back. You have to listen to every word and call me your master, girl. You have no rights and no voice in any of this. Do you know what you are, girl?” He had lifted up a leather collar with a leash. “You….” He then slipped the collar around her neck. “are….” Now he buckled it and held up the leash. “a slave….” Suddenly he had jerked the leash with all his strength bringing Gabrielle’s face right into his own. “forever.”

The young bard shook her memory away and quickly turned to her right side, facing the wall now. She felt a chill ripple up and down her spine but as she tried to think about something else, she noticed a new sound. She went very still and concentrated on the muffled sound. Within a few seconds, she realized it was her mother crying below her.

The small bard climbed out of her bed quietly and curled into the bed with her mother.

Hecuba kept her back to her daughter but once she realized Gabrielle as in the bed, she turned around.

Gabrielle didn’t say anything nor did her mother, they simply held each other. After about a minute or so, Gabrielle also started crying. She too felt so much weight on her shoulders and an intense anger growing deep in her. In so many ways she was scared about what her future held and just how long her future would run. And even to this day, she still wondered what ever happened to her father. Now she would be constantly wondering where Lila was or if she was even still alive.

And what about Xena? Every night, she was plagued by thoughts about her best friend. She knew nothing of what happened to Xena. Her imagination played with her making her believe Xena was enslaved too. Or worse yet, she had continuous images of her girlfriend being hunted down and slaughtered by the raiders.

Either way, she’d felt her hope slow slip through her fingers as she learned the exact hardships of slavery. Every thought about freedom was squeezed out of her with each lashing she received from Hecht.

All she could do now was keep her head tucked under her mother’s chin as she cried the last few months away. Eventually though she found sleep through all her tears that night.

~*~*~*~

“Hey,” whispered Perdicus. He reached out and nudged Gabrielle’s back with his right hand. “Hey, wake up.”

Gabrielle slowly opened her eyes and quickly turned over. “What’s going on?” She then realized her mother was gone. “Where’s my mom?”

“It’s the late morning. Your mother finished making breakfast for everybody. You need to get up and start your chores.”

The small slave nodded her head and dragged herself out of bed.

“Come on, we’ll make a fast break for the kitchen.” Perdicus hurried out of the slave’s house and escorted her to the kitchen. He opened the back door to the kitchen and waited for Gabrielle to go in first.

Soon as she was inside, her mother greeted her.

“Morning, honey.” Hecuba quickly rushed her daughter to a small two-person table that was next to a pair of windows. “Sit down and eat.” She went to the counter and picked up a large plate of food.

Gabrielle slightly smiled at the sight of her mother’s cooking; it’d be a long time since she’d had any of it. Without a second thought, she dove right into it.

“How are things going?” asked Perdicus.

Hecuba gave a faint nod. “Not bad. I think everybody is fed.”

“Have you met the misses?”

“I did actually. She’s very nice.”

Perdicus smiled at that. “Yes she is.”

Hecuba chuckled but added, “I think I’m suppose to help her some after this.”

The young man nodded. He then realized that Gabrielle was already finished her breakfast. “She can eat fast and a lot,” he joked.

Gabrielle half glared at the boy.

Hecuba chuckled some and picked up the clean plate. “Yes, she’s always been a good eater.”

“Mother,” warned Gabrielle. She lifted a warning eyebrow at her mother.

Hecuba just huffed at that then went to clean the plate and fork. She glanced at Perdicus while she was cleaning the dishes. “What will Gabrielle be doing today?”

Perdicus sighed in response. “I’m not sure. I need to ask Michulus honestly. Actually I’ll do that now.” He crossed the kitchen and went out of the door that went into the main house. He decided that he’d go to Michulus’s office first. Once he was there, he tapped on the closed double doors.

“Come in.”

Perdicus creaked open one door and slipped into the office. “Sir, what would you like Gabrielle to do today?”

Michulus peered up from the scroll on his desk. He folded his hands in his lap and rested back into his seat. He remained quiet while he considered the question. “She needs a little… meat on those bones.” He pressed his lips together but suddenly focused on Perdicus again. “Have her muck the stalls. Show her what is expected.”

“Yes, my lord.” Perdicus bowed his head and started to step back.

“Also, Perdicus.”

The young slave stopped and lifted his head in question.

“Tell her to come to my office afterwards.” Michulus sat back up in his chair. “I’d like to see the work she’s done.”

“Yes of course, sir.” Perdicus stepped out of the office.

Michulus remained motionless as he listened to Perdicus’s footfall fade away down the hallway. He then went back to his work.

Perdicus entered the kitchen again and told Gabrielle her duty for now. Once they were outside, he headed for the stables.

“Are the stalls dirty?” inquired Gabrielle.

“Yeah, they’re pretty bad actually. We haven’t had the time to clean them.” Perdicus sighed and patted the girl’s back. “Sorry for your luck.”

The small bard grunted at his words. “Yeah,” she muttered.

“Sorry,” honestly apologized the young man. “I didn’t mean it like-”

“Its alright,” brushed off the small girl.

Perdicus took a brief look at the girl then saw the stables coming into view. He went inside first and took Gabrielle down to the very end. “Alright, you use these tools to haul everything out of the stalls. Once you get it into the middle aisle you brush it out of the stable.” He stopped for a moment then continued. “Now, there should be a wheel barrel not far and you can put it all in there. The stuff goes over to a huge pile over that way.” He pointed off to his right. “The manure is good for the olive trees and grapes, it gets reused.”

The bard nodded and reached up to pull off the pitchfork from the wall. She stared at it for several moments, many memories returning to her from just staring at it.

“Hey.” Perdicus now rested his right hand on her shoulder. “I know how you feel.”

Gabrielle felt her shoulder droop a little at the boy’s effort to reach out to her. “I’m sorry for being a little… tough.” She shook her head and then rested it against the pitchfork. “This isn’t easy.”

“I know… sometimes I can’t understand why this happened to me.” Perdicus closed his eyes for several seconds but gazed down at the bard again. “Its not a bad dream like I always wish it was.”

“Yeah,” sadly whispered Gabrielle.

“Well….” The boy trailed off but squeezed Gabrielle’s shoulder before releasing her. “I’m always here for a talk.”

Gabrielle felt a tiny smile tug at her lips. “Thanks.”

Perdicus gave a wink then left the stables but called out, “Happy cleaning.”

The small girl sighed; she dropped her head against the pitchfork again, and stared at the messy stalls. “Well… better get started.” She hefted the pitchfork into both hands and stepped into one stall.

Three candlemarks passed by and Gabrielle finally found herself shoving the mix of straw and manure out of the stables into the warm day. Once it was all outside, she started hunting around for the wheelbarrow that Perdicus had mentioned. She went around the side of the stables and saw Perdicus coming towards her.

“Hey,” greeted the bard.

“How’s it going?” asked Perdicus.

Gabrielle shrugged then answered, “Almost finished.”

“Good to hear.” The young man formed a warm smile.

Gabrielle couldn’t help but mirror it back.

“Oh afterwards, Michulus wants you to go to his office. When you go into the kitchen, go through that door and go to the other end of the haul. He’s down there.”

“For what though?”

Perdicus just shrugged.

The small girl shrugged as well but finally noticed the wheelbarrow off to her left next to the stable.

“Go on,” offered the young man.

Gabrielle chuckled and went to the wheelbarrow.

Perdicus watched for a moment but went back across the grounds to continue his work.

The young bard took about half of a candlemark to load up the wheelbarrow and carted it all to the manure pile. She made several trips back and forth but eventually won the smelly battle. She then took the tools back into the stable and put them back into their homes.

Gabrielle then decided to head to Michulus’s office so she made her way to the kitchen first. When she went inside, she didn’t find her mother so she shrugged it off. Although she did decide she felt pretty icky from cleaning those stalls so she took a minute to wash up. Once she dried herself off with a towel, she continued onto Michulus’s office.

Michulus looked up when he heard Gabrielle enter. “Did you knock?”

Gabrielle stopped halfway through the doorway. “No, my lord.”

Michulus narrowed his eyes at the girl. “Then step out and do so,” he slightly growled.

The slave hesitated but stepped out and closed the door. After a shaky breath, she rapped on the door then waited.

“You can come in now,” ordered the master.

The teenager sighed and pushed the door back open and went inside this time.

“Now then, how are the stalls?” inquired the lord.

“Better, sir.”

Michulus glanced at Gabrielle then looked back at his scroll. “I will inspect them later then.”

Gabrielle didn’t say anything, she just stood there in silence and waiting for some kind of order.

The master finally pulled away from his scroll after about three minutes. He lifted his attention to his slave. “Now, I’d like for you to stay in the house for the rest of the day. Help clean around the house… the misses could use the help.” He stood up from his chair and came around to the front of the desk. “You’ll mainly be in the house… taking care of it.” He folded his arms against his chest and leaned against the desk. “The misses is expecting a child soon so she cannot do much.”

“Yes, sir,” finally spoke up the bard.

“For now on, each day you can report to her. Understood?”

“Yes, my lord,” answered the slave. “Anything else?”

Suddenly a huge grin creased the master’s lips. “Actually yes.” He pushed off the desk and neared the small girl. “I also wanted to mention what your other position is here.”

Gabrielle swallowed the lump she now felt in her throat. “What is that, sir?”

Michulus reached up and placed his two fingertips under her chin and tilted her head back. He stared deep into wintry forest eyes. “You’ll be my mistress… in training,” he whispered.

The small bard felt every piece of her body prepared to run but she remained locked in her spot.

Michulus lowered his head a little more and pressed his lips against her forehead. “Go to the misses now.”

Gabrielle reached behind and scrambled for the doorknob. She easily found it and hastily turned around.

Michulus stood there watching the heavy breathing slave race out of his office. He stood there in front of the open door and studied the young girl. Once she was gone, he grasped the door’s handle and pulled it closed.

~*~*~*~

The summer season seemed to push on without many other incidents. Gabrielle and her mother had now been Michulus’s slave for two months. The labour wasn’t overly intensive except for certain times when they were called to go outside in the summer heat and help in the winery area. Overall, they seemed to prefer their new chains compared to the ones that Hecht had given them.

While the summer progressed so did Gabrielle and Perdicus’s relationship. Gabrielle had missed having a figure in her life that was strong, somebody to look up to and respect. Originally, she always looked up to Xena and idolized her talents but she’d lost her best friend. Perdicus was only a year older than Gabrielle but he knew his way around a little better than the bard. It was easy then for Gabrielle to admire him yet her growing attachment to him sometimes even scared her.

“So how was your day?” Perdicus picked up a dirty rag from next to the sink and started drying his now clean hands off.

Gabrielle carried the hot loaf of bread from the stone oven to the counter next to Perdicus. “Yeah it went well.” She slipped the wood tray onto the counter before her hands dropped it from the heat.

“Where’s your mother?”

“I think still helping the misses.” Gabrielle shrugged and reached past the young man to grab a serrated knife, which was hanging on the wall.

Perdicus nodded a few times then stood there watching the small girl carefully slice the warm bread. He finally placed the dirty rag back up on the counter.

“How were the groves?”

Perdicus shrugged and wondered over to the small table. He pulled out a chair and sat down.

The small bard gave him a curious look for not answering her question.

The young boy chuckled. He finally answered, “It wasn’t too bad.”

“Yeah… there was a cool breeze today.”

“Thank the gods for that.” Perdicus sighed dramatically and fell back into his chair then spread his legs out.

Gabrielle studied him for a moment after she finished cutting the bread but then looked over to the main kitchen door.

Hecuba entered the kitchen and saw the pair. She then noted Gabrielle had made the bread for tonight’s dinner. “Honey, that’s my job.”

The young teenager shrugged and stated, “I can help.”

The mother shook her head, neared her, and then pushed her off. “Go sit with Perdicus.”

Gabrielle shook her head despite her grin. She decided to go ahead and sit down for the first time today. A large sigh left her soon as she relaxed into the chair. “How was the misses today?”

“Maria was good,” replied Hecuba. “You didn’t see her?”

The bard shook her head. “I had a lot of cleaning and laundry to do. How about you?”

“I was helping the misses with her preparations for the baby.”

Perdicus huffed at that. “She’s been preparing for three months now. How long does it take?”

“A long time,” replied mother and daughter in unison.

The young man laughed at them and shook his head. “If you say so.”

Gabrielle suddenly stood up and announced she was going to check on her laundry.

“I’ll come with you,” offered Perdicus.

The young bard felt a warm smile tug at her lips. “Come on.”

Together the pair left the kitchen and went down the main hall then made a left about halfway down the hall. They entered into a small room considered the laundry room. Inside were a few large wood tubs for cleaning the clothes along with a few buckets to retrieve water. Then there was also a fairly big fireplace used for heating the water. At the opposite side of the room was a split door and Gabrielle currently had the upper part of the door wide open. Outside could be seen two laundry lines and both were full with clothes flapping in the breeze.

“Wait here,” spoke Gabrielle. She went to the door and there in front of it, she picked up a woven basket for the laundry. She pushed opened the door with her freehand and went to the second clothes line.

Perdicus stood there watching her but then moved to the now closed half door. He folded his arms on top of the door and leaned against the door. He remained there silently studying the young girl.

After the little bard had all of the dry laundry, she made her way back to the laundry room. When she’d turned around and found Perdicus just watching her, she couldn’t help but grin.

“What?” asked the young boy once she was close enough.

Gabrielle shyly laughed and replied, “Nothing.”

Perdicus revealed a silly grin but stood up and opened the door for his friend.

The teenager stepped around Perdicus and went directly to the folding table. She slid the basket onto the counter then moved down the counter a little. She took one piece of material at a time and folded it.

“Can I help?” offered Perdicus.

Gabrielle flashed a quick smile but returned to her folding. “Thank you but I’m okay.”

Perdicus shrugged and stated, “Suit yourself.” He took a few small steps back then leaned back against the cool wall.

“So….” Gabrielle placed the folded tunic off to the side then picked up another article out of the basket.

“So?” urged Perdicus.

“So have you ever thought about your future?”

“You mean as far as staying a slave?”

“Yeah.” The small bard hesitated in though but continued folding. “Do you think you’ll stay as one or not?”

Perdicus’s eyebrows knitted together as he really considered the question. “Sometimes, yeah.”

“Other times no?”

“Yeah, sometimes no.” The young man sighed as his features loosened up again. “I can’t help but hope that one day I’ll be free again.”

The young girl shook her head as an amusing smile came across her features.

“What?”

“Just because you have hope doesn’t mean you’ll be free again.” Gabrielle sighed then faintly shook her head. “Its just human nature to always hope.”

“That’s true,” agreed Perdicus. “But hey, I figure if you ever stop having hope… then you are truly enslaved.”

Gabrielle stopped halfway through folding the shirt and turned her head to Perdicus. “You know… that’s really true.”

“It is because having some hope is the start of your freedom.” Perdicus pushed off the wall and neared his friend. “Don’t you still have hope you’ll see freedom again?”

“I use to.” The bard folded the last tunic then put it into the pile of neatly folded clothes. “But not so much now.”

“Why not?”

Gabrielle felt a long sigh come and go as she placed the clean clothes into the basket. “Just because of so many things that have happened overtime.”

“From the raid?”

“The raid, losing family, being enslave… losing my best friend.”

Perdicus felt a lot of compassion rise up inside himself for Gabrielle. He then furrowed his eyebrows as he thought about what she just said to him. “Best friend?” he muttered.

“Yeah,” whispered Gabrielle.

“Wait… I remember one time seeing you in the market with this taller, older girl.”

The bard looked away from Perdicus and grabbed the basket. “That would have been her.” She jerked the heavy basket off the table.

“What was her name?”

Gabrielle licked her lips and took a moment to reply but finally replied, “I don’t want to talk about her, honestly.”

“I’m sorry,” whispered Perdicus. “I didn’t mean to start….” He trailed off, lost for words.

“Its okay,” offered the young girl. “It’s all over now.” She neared the door that went to the main hall.

“I know but I know it still hurts.” Perdicus came over to her as a sad smile took over. “I’m always here to help if I can.”

“Yeah I know you are.” Gabrielle gave her own smile but warmer.

The young man searched the cool forest eyes and then lowered his head a little.

The small bard felt her heart skip a beat and the basket become a little heavier than earlier.

Perdicus paused but lowered his head the rest of the way and pressed his lips into Gabrielle’s.

Gabrielle stiffened up when his touched hers and she tried to step back but the door wouldn’t let her. After a few seconds, she started to relax and faintly returned the kiss back to him.

Perdicus pulled back from the soft kiss, still smiling.

The young girl sheepishly smiled, quickly turned around, and left the room.

Perdicus’s smile went into a silly grin as he quickly followed after her.

Gabrielle tried relaxing but felt her body slightly shaking. She came to the main steps that went up to the bedrooms and she stopped. “I’m going upstairs to put this stuff away.”

“Alright… I’ll head back to the kitchen.” Perdicus gave a faint wave then continued to the kitchen.

Gabrielle stood there, momentarily but slowly climbed the steps. She went directly to the master bedroom and peered into the room. “Hello?” she called.

“Come in, Gabrielle,” answered the misses of the house. She was sitting in a rocking chair, facing an open window and slowly knitting something. “How has your day been?”

The slave girl quietly walked in and went to the misses’s dresser. “It's been rather busy, misses.” She lowered the basket onto the floor and slid open the bottom drawer.

“Gabrielle, you know you can call me Maria.” The expecting mother lowered her knitting onto her lap and peered across to the young girl.”

“Yes ma’am I know but the master prefers I do not.” Gabrielle didn’t turn her head to the misses as she continued carefully placing the clean clothes away.

“Gabrielle,” whispered Maria’s warm voice, “Gabrielle?”

The young bard stopped what she as doing and turned her head to the misses. “Yes ma’am?”

“Do you see Michulus in here?”

“No, ma’am.”

“Then it is okay to call me Maria.” The woman returned her attention to the open window and continued rocking. “What is your mother cooking tonight?”

“I’m not sure, honestly.” The teenager went back to slipping the clothes into the various drawers. “Are you and the lord eating together tonight?”

“I’m afraid not,” replied Maria. “He is too busy with some guests.”

The bard licked her lips and picked up the basket with a few clothes still in it. “May I ask who the guests are?” She crossed to the other side of the room, past Maria, and went to the dresser near the washroom.

“Some gentlemen from the state government.”

“Oh,” muttered the bard. She opened a few drawers of Michulus’s and put away his tunics. After she was finished, she went over to Maria’s side. “Is there anything you need?”

“I’m fine, thank you, Gabrielle.”

Gabrielle faintly nodded and started for the door with the basket in her right hand.

“Oh, Gabrielle?”

“Yes ma’am?” The bard stopped in the doorway and turned back.

“A little company would be nice.”

The slave girl sadly smiled and placed the basket next to the door but out of the way.

“Pull that chair up, dear.” Maria pointed to the chair that was next to the window.

The teenager walked over, picked it up, and placed it beside the misses.

After the small girl was settled in, Maria started rocking again. “Your mother told me you like to write…?”

Gabrielle just shrugged.

“You do not?” urged Maria.

The small bard let out a long sigh but replied, “I use to, yes.”

The misses didn’t respond and just rocked her chair while starting at the window. There was a few minutes of silence but she whispered, “Because of slavery?”

“Yes,” quietly replied the bard.

Maria pressed her lips together for a moment as she thought about the girl. “I can say I’ve been very lucky with my way of life.”

The teenager remained silent after Maria’s words.

“I can’t imagine anything less.” She paused while glancing at Gabrielle then softly adding, “It has to be life shattering.”

“It is,” quietly agreed the bard.

Maria chewed on the inside of her lower lip. She suddenly reached over and patted the girl’s hand. “Maybe it’ll get easier soon, Gabrielle.”

The teenager inwardly grunted at the remark.

The misses pulled her hand back. “Michulus is not the kindest of people… it can always catch up.”

“It’s a lot better here than with my previous owner.”

Maria sadly sighed and whispered, “Do not hold your breath on that.”

Gabrielle looked at her in question and worry.

The misses returned her attention to the window and whispered, “Go help your mother, dear.”

“Yes ma’am.” Gabrielle slowly stood up and returned the chair. She went to the doorway and picked up the basket. After she’d put the basket back into the laundry room, she made her way to the kitchen for dinner.

~*~*~*~

“Gentlemen, there is nothing to worry about,” reassured Michulus. He sat up in his chair, keeping his eyes locked with the three other men in the office. “The states can be… influenced to join again.”

“Michulus, with all due respect, the states have not joined in many years,” reminded one man, he was to Michulus’s far right. His name was Nautic, a very well known political man in the state government.

“Yes I know but they have done it before.” Michulus lifted his arms and rested them both on his desk.

“I doubt you’ll get much luck from some of the southern states,” cut in Solus.

Then the man in the middle, Salarius, added, “The Spartans will certainly agree.”

“Personally, I think all of the states will agree eventually.” Michulus studied the three men. “We must make them agree.”

“Michulus, as much as I respect you and your ideas, I do not think this will be agreed upon.” Nautic shook his head. “The people will never go for it. Even your father, Cornelio, could not do it and we all know how much influence he has among the governments.”

“Not to mention Cornelio is against the idea,” spoke up Salarius.

“Then what should we do, gentlemen?” urged Michulus. He narrowed his eyes and grasped the edge of the desk with his hands. “Let ourselves be conquered by Romans, whom only like to duplicate everything of ours. For gods’ sakes, they take our technology, our economy, our warfare, and now they want to take our lands, women, and children." He paused and then quietly added, “We’ll be Roman lap dogs. No better than these slaves.” He held his hand out to Perdicus over in the corner, whom was filling a water pitcher up with more water.

Perdicus felt his skin crawl at his master’s words but he kept his back to him. He pretended as if they were not even in the room.

Michulus lowered his hand back to the desk. “So are you three men or are you mice? Squeak up if you are.” He had a smug grin on his expression.

The three men exchanged looks then slowly looked back at Michulus, they all started to nod together.

Gabrielle kissed her mother on the cheek. “Goodnight, mom.”

“Goodnight, dear.” Hecuba smiled up at her daughter then rolled over onto her right side in her bed. She now faced the wall and closed her eyes.

The bard inwardly sighed, turned around, and went just outside of the slave house. Soon as she came out, she found Perdicus still sitting on the bottom step. After quietly closing the door, she sat down on the last step beside her friend. “How are you doing?”

Perdicus shrugged.

“What’s wrong?” quietly asked the girl.

The young man sighed and briefly glanced at his friend then back at the moonlit olive grove across the grounds. “I was in Michulus’s meeting for a moment to fill up the water pitcher.”

“And?”

“And… Michulus was talking about the rumoured war against Rome.”

“What were they saying?”

Perdicus shook his head then looked down at his feet. “Michulus was trying to convince these men to fight Rome. He was saying Greece would be Rome’s lap dog… as bad as a slave. He then pointed at me for an example.”

Gabrielle felt a deep sigh release from inside herself. “I’m sorry,” she whispered. She brought her right arm across the back of Perdicus’s shoulders and slightly hugged him.

“I guess I understand why you think sometimes you’ll never be free.” The young man felt his shoulders slump down. “Sometimes I’d rather just die than live this life.”

The bard chewed on her lower lip as she thought of something to say to comfort her friend. “Just keep hoping, Perdicus,” she whispered, “there’s always hope. You’ll be free again.”

Perdicus finally turned his head to Gabrielle and revealed a sad smile. “Thank you.”

“Just have some faith.” Gabrielle forced a warm smile.

Perdicus now looked to his right, away from Gabrielle, and stared at Michulus’s office window. He saw Michulus standing directly beside the window, facing the three men. “I’m not sure if I’m for or against this war.”

“I’m always against war,” stated Gabrielle. “It serves no purpose.”

“Sometimes it can,” countered Perdicus.

“People dying senselessly… that is never the answer.”

Perdicus returned his attention to his friend. “That’s true.”

Gabrielle softly smiled and reached over, taking his larger warm hand.

The young man felt a smile crease his lips. He leaned towards his friend and slowly pressed his lips against Gabrielle’s.

The bard’s body was already hot from the summer heat but it was intensified when Perdicus started kissing her.

As they young teenagers were kissing, Michulus happened to look out of his office window. He narrowed his eyes when he saw his two slaves kissing on the steps of the slave house.

“Michulus?” asked Nautic.

Michulus quickly turned his head back to the group of men. “I’m sorry. As I was saying….”

Perdicus gradually pulled back from the long and soft kiss. “Having you here has made it easier, Gabrielle.”

The bard faintly smiled and took a deep breath. “I know, Perdicus.” She squeezed Perdicus’s hand and asked, “Tired?”

“Yeah, actually.” Perdicus stood up and helped his friend up onto her feet. “Let’s get some rest.” He opened the door and led Gabrielle in by their locked hands.

Within a few minutes, the pair was in each of their beds and trying to sleep. For once, sleep didn’t seem to take as long as it use to for them.

~*~*~*~

The next morning, Gabrielle found herself back in the house cleaning the library room. It was a room that Michulus would retreat to when he’d had long days. Occasionally it was Gabrielle’s duty to clean it up and reshelve whatever books he’d taken out. Once everything was neater, she would then scrub the wood floor on her hands and knees starting in one corner until she reached the doors on the opposite side of the room.

As soon as the bard started to come close to the two huge double doors of the library, she heard her mother call down to her. She stopped and looked behind herself to her mother. “Yes, mom?”

Hecuba came closer to the library but remained down the hall a little ways. “Michulus wants you in his office.”

Gabrielle nodded. “Thanks, mom.”

“Welcome, dear.” Hecuba went back down the hallway and into the main hallway. She quietly went upstairs to the misses’s room.

The teenager continued scrubbing the floor until she reached the entrance. She finally stood up on her feet in the doorway with her bucket of dirty water in her right hand. “Looks better,” she muttered. Turning around, she went first to the laundry room to pour out the dirty water outside. After that, she headed for Michulus’s office since he asked for her. She could only imagine what it was about today.

Michulus peered up when he saw her come into the office. He looked back down at his half written scroll and continued with his sentence.

Gabrielle didn’t move nor did she look at him, she just simply stared at the wood floor.

The slave master lifted his quill and reached up a little more, placing the quill back into the ink jar. He then slowly stood up from his chair and came around the desk then sat on the corner. He remained there silent and waiting for the girl to look at him.

The teenager had her two hands intertwined together in front of herself. Suddenly, she felt her own grip growing stronger and her palms sweating. She slightly licked her own lips and forced herself to look up into her master’s direction. “I’m sorry, sir if I took too long.”

“No, that was fine.” Michulus right hand was resting on the desk; he drummed his fingers on it briefly. Slowly his eyes travelled over to the window across the room and he stared out at the olive grove. “I finally decided upon something last night, Gabrielle.”

The small bard felt her stomach twist.

Michulus’s dark eyes drifted back to the slave. “I’ve been meaning to teach you the rules of a mistress lately. Unfortunately, I’ve been rather busy with business.” He now lifted himself off the desk and neared the girl. “But of lately I’ve been… inspired to start the lessons of a mistress to you.” He stood directly in front of Gabrielle, staring down at her. “The first rule you must remember, Gabrielle, as a mistress you are solely mine… nobody else’s. Is that clear?”

The slaver girl didn’t say anything and after about a few seconds she faintly nodded her head.

“Goooood.” Michulus slyly smiled as he lifted his right hand and cupped her chin. “Don’t forget that, Gabrielle.” He lowered his head closer to hers. “Otherwise, it could cost you dearly,” he whispered, “or maybe… somebody else. Understood?”

“Yes… master,” uttered the tiny bard.

“Glad to hear it.” Michulus finished the distance and started what seemed like a soft kiss but quickly turned rougher than anything.

Gabrielle felt the urge to back off but knew the risks if she did such a thing.

Michulus finally pulled away once he sensed the small girl was urging for breath. He straightened up while grinning at his mistress. He lightly patted her cheek with his right hand then returned to his chair behind the desk. “Finish your work, girl.”