Xena took the bags from his hand putting them down inside the room as she turned back to him. “Thanks.” He put both hands together. “Is there anything else you need?” Xena turned eyeing him. “I’ll need some clothes washing.” The thirteen year old nodded as he backed away. “Just bring them down when your ready, my mother will wash them.” Xena nodded to him as she closed the door behind him then locked it she moved over to where Gabrielle laying, she grabbed the medical bag of the floor putting it on the bed. She carefully turned the younger woman on to her side pulling the cloak off then threw it on to the floor as she eased her on to her back hearing her groan in pain, the bandages wrapped around her shoulder were now stained red.

She carefully un-wrapping them then threw them on to the floor she could deal with them later. She took hold of the water bowl, while pulling out more clean cloths from the bag. She eased out a small glass pot from the bag pulling of the lid looking at the light green powder inside. She poured some of the powder in to the water bowl watching as it bubbled and churned turning the water green. It was a Chinese remedy and a very strong one that would kill any infection. She picked up the bowl looking at the puncture wounds on the younger woman’s shoulder there were two sets one on the front above her top and another on her back, both had been made by the animal’s huge upper and lower jaw biting down.

She carefully untied the leather tie at the front of Gabrielle’s green halter top then carefully pulling down both the shoulders so she could see the wounds better. She gently turned the younger woman on to her side eyeing the wounds on her back they were all more than inch deep. She dipped the cloth in water then squeezed it out as she leaning over the wounds, she could see Gabrielle’s eyes slowly meetings hers. She breathed in painfully she knew this was going to hurt but it had to be done she pressed the soaking wet cloth against the open wounds. There was a short moment of silence, which was broken by Gabrielle’s sudden cry out in pain. She watched her lover’s body tensed painfully as she carried on rubbing in the healing ointment. She breathed in deeply as she pulled out the thick stitching thread and needle. She could hear Gabrielle mumbling incoherently though nothing her lover was saying was making any sense. She eased the cloth away looking at the now clean wounds.