The next morning after she was satisfied the work was going as she wanted it, she told them that she wanted to see the fortifications of Athinius for herself.

“But they have traps set everywhere, once you get close to the village you’ll never know which step is safe and which one isn’t.”

“Then I won’t stay on the ground. I’ll travel like the Amazons do, through the treetops. I should be back before dusk.”

And without another word, Gabrielle headed off in the direction of the enemy village.

~~~~~~~~~~

“Xena, we have just gotten word that those murderous pigs of Anasis have just recently brought in some kind of mercenary to aid them in their war against us.”

“Any idea who it is?”

“No. My scout was unable to get too close. He just heard some of the workers talking as they were setting traps. It was someone they never heard of.”

“Interesting. Maybe I should look into this. I’ll be back before sunset.”

“Do you want some of us to go with you?”

“No. I can travel faster and quieter alone. Just keep everyone working on the fortifications and making more arrows.”

Xena swiftly disappeared into the dense forest, carefully threading her way past the pits and precisely placed ropes designed to release the heavy logs with their deadly spikes.

Gabrielle was about halfway into the forest when she decided it was time to take to the trees. And using a rope with  a hook on one end, she threw it over an overhead limb and quickly climb up into the lower canopy.

As she traveled closer to Athinius, she began to notice the subtle differences in the leaf cover on the ground, indicating the location of the pits. A deer had fallen into one and she could see the signs of its struggle to get out before it died. And from her view from above she easily made out the ropes and logs. Then she saw something moving furtively. No, not something but someone. Whoever it was knew how to move through the forest, staying just off the path, making it difficult for Gabrielle to see clearly.  After watching for a while, Gabrielle decided just where to drop from the trees to maximize the surprise. If she couldn't take him prisoner, he would have to die.

Xena easily moved through the underbrush, senses alert in case spies from Anasis were in the area.

Then she stopped. There was something there, somewhere. Xena let her ears and nose scrutinize the surrounding area. Slowly and quietly, she drew her sword from its scabbard.

Gabrielle watched as her intended prey stopped next to the very tree she was looking down from, still unable to make him out. She tied the rope onto a limb then silently descended to the ground on the other side of the tree.

Xena raised her sword, ready to fend off … something, whatever it was that she knew was there.

Without warning, Gabrielle stepped out from behind the tree, her sais ready to strike.

And unexpectedly, blue eyes were staring into green.

T B C