Demetrius put both hands together. “General please just talks to her…explain to her why at least we locked up the captain. I mean we are coming across as a bunch of mindless barbarians.” He put a hand on his chest plate. “We did the same for the Amazons and the Centaurs and they’ve been a great help to us. I mean we couldn’t have even done any of scouting parties if it weren’t for them.” Apostolos stroked his beard as he looked up. “Fine…I’ll talk to this so called warrior woman when dawn comes.” Demetrius nodded respectfully. “Thank you general.” Apostolos shorted his eyes moving back to his map, he really wasn’t interested in this woman and he didn’t like the idea of even talking to her at all.

8

Xena turned as she caught sight of the nearest tavern which was called The Two Stags, its board had two black deer colliding. She stepped forward tying Argo’s reins to one of the wooden posts outside. She looked at Gabrielle, who turned slowly to face her. “I need to get you down.” She watched the younger woman closed her eyes painfully as she tried to get off the horse only to struggle because of the pain she was in. Xena eased up her hands helping her of the mare, who snorted loudly. She put her arm gently around the younger woman’s waist supporting her so she could stand. Gabrielle groaned feeling another stab of pain, the last two hours seemed like a horrible blur to her of agony and nauseous ness. She hadn’t been able to herself from finally throwing up when she had.

On top of that she couldn’t really make out what people were saying, no matter how hard she tried their voices seemed so distant. Her body ached and it hurt to even stand, maybe she’d lost two much blood or maybe the creature that had bitten her, had some disease which it had passed on. Ether way the pain didn’t help she felt Xena gently raise her head and kiss her lips. Every part of her ached to kiss her back but she could hardly move her body she felt the ground under her boots as she tried to walk. Each step felt like she had weight tied to her knees and she found herself gritting her teeth painfully. Xena pushed the door open to the tavern, seeing a number of people look up from their drinks. She ignored them moving towards the bar seeing the bar tender turn to face her. He eyed her for a long moment then looked at Gabrielle before breathing in deeply. “How can I help you both?”