Chapter Eleven

Someone On The Inside

Despite Gabrielle’s impatience, Xena talked her into waiting until just before dawn before the two of them would sneak into Poteidaia to get a good look at what the situation was.

A makeshift cage was built out of saplings and poles from the stalls and booths. It had been placed in the open area between the marketplace and the tavern. And since there was no one tending the tavern to stop them, Callisto’s men often sneaked in for a goblet of ale or wine. Consequently, it was easy to slip by the sentries, who were dozing while they were on guard duty.

After assessing the situation, Xena convinced Gabrielle to join the prisoners inside the cage. Xena wanted someone on the inside to prepare them. It was easy enough to take some of the weapons — knives and short swords, from the sleeping guards.

And it was easy to get Gabrielle inside the cage. It was then her responsibility to get the few weapons to those who would best be able to use them when the time came. She first awakened Herodotus, Hecuba and Lila to let them know she was there. But it was hard to get Herodotus’ cooperation. It took both Hecuba and Lila to convince him that Xena could distract Callisto and her men, and that she could make sure they would be able to escape from the cage.

One by one, they passed out the weapons to the few they knew they could count on. Gabrielle was uncertain if Perdicus should be let in on the plan, but Lila reminded Gabrielle that at one time Perdicus was a fine warrior, and the time spent as a prisoner had allowed him to sober up, and he was angry and more than ready to fight to protect his village. But Gabrielle wasn’t ready to face him, so she had Herodotus go to him with one of the swords.

While this was going on, Xena had slipped back out of town to wait until she thought Gabrielle and the rest of them were ready. Then riding hard and fast, Xena battled her way back to the temporary prison where Callisto was waiting, with a handful of archers.