Chapter 2: Remission
Gabrielle woke to something tickling her nose. She slowly opened her eyes to find Xena's arms wrapped around her and the gentle strands of black hair under her nose. She moved, expecting the searing pain from the night before. But though she was stiff, the excruciating pain was gone. Praising the Gods silently; she gently disengaged herself from Xena's arms, and climbed out of bed. She walked over to the pitcher on the table and poured herself a glass of water. Gabrielle drank deeply and slowly, enjoying the feel of the cool water against the dryness in her throat. She took a deep breath and then sat down in the chair. The bard's eye's looked down at the bandaged wound on her hand, and slowly removed the bandage. A tear ran down her cheek when she saw the cut wasn't red and swollen, and touching it hesitantly, she found it cool and minorly tender. Spying Xena's saddlebag on the chair across from her, she reached into it and withdrew what she would need to rewrap the wound. She gently sprinkled a mixture of herbs on the wound, and began to rewrap it in fresh linen. She looked up and saw Xena rising off the bed.
"How are you this morning?" Xena asked.
"I feel better than ever." Gabrielle grinned. Xena took the wrap back off and examined the hand. She felt Gabrielle's head and found no sign of fever. Even her healthy color had returned.
"Looks a lot better. No joint aches, not tired?" Xena looked her friend in the eyes.
"No, I really feel better." Gabrielle hugged Xena. "Thanks for the help last night, I'm sorry I had to bother you with all that."
"Gabrielle." Xena chastened her friend. She released her friend's hand and rewrapped it. There was a soft knock on the door, and then Mia entered.
"I thought you two could use some breakfast." She placed the tray of goodies on the table and turned to Gabrielle. "Nice to see you up and about. I take it you're feeling better?" Gabrielle nodded, as she dug into a sticky bun from the platter. Her stomach growled loudly. "I would say that's a resounding yes." Mia said laughing. Xena watched as Gabrielle polished off half the platter of fruit, sweet breads, cheese and meat. "So what are your plans today Gabrielle?"
"I plan on visiting Ha-San and working on some scrolls. Unless we are moving on?" Gabrielle looked expectantly at Xena.
"Not today, but maybe tomorrow." Gabrielle smiled gratefully at Xena.
"Well, I have to go back to work. Gabrielle, drop by the kitchens this afternoon and maybe I can see if I can rustle up something for you." Mia left chuckling softly.
Gabrielle rose from the table, dusted off the last of the crumbs from her night shirt. Then started dressing for another day. "Gabrielle, maybe you should stay here and rest for the day. Just in case." Xena said softly, still eating her breakfast but watching Gabrielle.
"Nonsense Xena, I'm fine. Even you think so, I can see it in your eyes." The bard pulled out a bag of dinars and shook them in front of Xena. "Anyway, I want to do some shopping."
Xena rolled her eyes, "Alright, but I'm going with you. Your going to take it easy! Understand?"
Her friend threw up her hands. "All right."
Xena dressed and soon they were off, moving among the many brightly covered stands among the marketplace. The normal traders and the new traders were mixing and exchanging information, children ran playful dodging in and around the people. Roman auxiliaries walked here and there. Not Rome's finest, but the hired citizens to keep the peace. Gabrielle picked up some spices, sniffing them carefully and checking their color for freshness. Then she spied a fry pan hanging from one of the nearby booths, and headed off to check it's price. Xena made herself conspicuously absent during that moment by heading toward a parchment vendor. She ran her eye over the table, looking for a specific paper. Spying it, she then looked for the vendor. He was just finishing with another customer. She waved him over and the bargaining was on.
"How much for eight pages?"
"The Warrior has a good eye. This is only the best parchment around, made from the finest tree's of Eygpt. It is used throughout the region for peace treaty's...."
Xena snorted, cutting off the vendor's words. "How much?"
"Five dinars a sheet, such low prices for parchment of this quality."
"Five Dinars?" Xena gasped, then chuckled. "I'll give ya 2"
"Warrior, such a low price? Why Kings put their seals on paper as this, Queens write the most endearing love letters. I couldn't let it go for less than four."
"Two and a half, and you throw in the leather scroll case there in the back."
"Three and a half, and I'll let ya have the scroll case for two dinars more." The tradesman's eye's gleamed as Xena seemed to falter.
"Too much, I'll just go down the way and check with the man around the corn.." She had started to walk away, when the seller shouted out. She turned, waiting for his final offer.
"All right, three dinars and the leather scroll case too." The seller sighed, as if it was going to break him letting merchandise go for that price.
"Agreed." The bargain was sealed with a handshake. Xena handed over the dinars after a price had been settled. Picking up the scroll case with parchment in hand, she went on to test some nearby wine seller's wares. She was just finishing her mug of wine, when Gabrielle's hand touched her shoulder. "What's that?" She asked.
"For you, thought you might enjoy placing some of your stories down on a better parchment." Xena handed over the scroll case and watched as Gabrielle opened it to find the parchment inside. Gabrielle stared wordlessly at the paper, then looked up with tears in her eyes.
"Thank you," came the choked response. "Here, thought you could use this." Xena took the package and opened it.
Xena looked up at Gabrielle. "You didn't have to, I could have taken care of them."
"Yes, but I worry about you. I thought you needed new ones, those have become badly worn."
Xena looked back down at the gauntlets. She took off the others, and pulled the new ones on. "They fit perfectly."
Gabrielle watched as she worked her arms in different directions, seeing if they slipped or hindered her. She silently thanked the Gods that Ha-Ku was such an expert leather tradesman. "Yes, and I can tell you it was quite difficult measuring your arms without you knowing." A figure brushed past just then, bumping hard into Gabrielle.
"Sorry," the figure mumbled as he quickly moved away. Gabrielle rose quickly, watching the figure.
"Anything wrong?" Xena watched where the stranger had disappeared.
"No, no. It's nothing. Come on, I promised Ha-San I would stop by her table." The sounds of Ha-San's peoples languages drifted over the marketplace, and Gabrielle soon found Ha-San's stand.
"You are better, No?" Ha-San glanced at Xena for reassurance. Xena nodded, and watched as Gabrielle set her eyes on a new purchase.
"Yes, much." Gabrielle fingered a deep blue material, it was heavy and durable from what she could see. It reminded her of something she saw long ago, but for the life of her she couldn't remember. The gentle sound of wind chimes resounded through the market and Gabrielle smiled.
"You like? Try, perhaps a new top to replace that green one?" Ha-San moved around the table, and started taking Gabrielle's measurements. A young child walked up to Gabrielle, and pulled on her skirt. Gabrielle knelt down and looked the child in the eyes.
"Yes, what can I do for you?"
"Are you the Great Bard, Gabrielle, from Potadeia?" Gabrielle smiled at the childs words.
"I'm Gabrielle of Potadeia." She watched Xena smirk and Ha-San chuckle.
"Is it true you are the Queen of the Amazon's?" Ha-San gasped.
Gabrielle was truly curious now. "Yes, I am Queen of the Amazon's. Why?"
The child pulled a parchment out from under his cloak. "When the hour sands run out, he will rejoice." Then the child ran off through the crowd.
Gabrielle watched him run off, then looked at the parchment. She slowly opened it.
"Gabrielle,
Gabrielle looked up to where the boy had disappeared. Her face set in serious thought. It took her a few minutes to realize that Xena had been speaking to her. "Huh? What did you say?"
"What's it say?" Xena repeated, stepping closer.
"Nothing. Just some childs rhyme." Gabrielle rose, then tucked the paper into her satchel hanging at her side. No use in worrying Xena now, we'll talk about it back at the Inn she thought. She looked at Ha-San. "Yes, I think I would like a new top. How much?" Ha-San and Gabrielle began their haggling. Xena soon discovered that Ha-San was a very adept trader, and that Gabrielle only got a good deal because Ha-San liked her. But she had to admit, Gabrielle had more then held her own. The sun was beginning to fall, as Xena and Gabrielle made their way back to the Inn. They would pick up the new top tomorrow before they left town.
"Now what did the parchment say?" Xena asked firmly.
The tone told Gabrielle there would be no getting out of telling. Gabrielle pulled it out and handed it to Xena. Xena examined it and then looked up. "Why didn't you tell me when the boy ran off?"
Gabrielle kept her gaze carefully on the Inn they were approaching. "He was only a child Xena. What could he have possibly told you?"
"For one, who paid him. What the person looked like." Xena grabbed Gabrielle by the shoulder, stopping her. "Gabrielle this is serious. Remember how sick you were, this could be the reason. We have to find out who sent this."
"Were, Xena. The keyword is were, there. I'm fine now. See!" She raised her hand. "No blood." She put Xena's hand to her head. "No fever, no chills, no cramps, no pain. I'm fine."
"Yeah, but.." Xena began again. Gabrielle cut her off.
"No, I'm fine. I'm not going anywhere ok? Well, except to get a bowl of that lamb stew from Mia's kitchen. It's a childs prank, Xena."
"No, this is no prank. Someone took the time to seek you out. They knew you were an Amazon Queen, they knew you were from Potadeia. They were in the Inn first that night when you performed, see the reference to the story you told. You never told that one before last night, did you?" Gabrielle shook her head.
"No. Ha-San gave that to me the other night. She said a storyteller of my level should have a few new ones from ancient lands." Gabrielle looked back toward the marketplace, lost in thought.
"Gabrielle, your going to have to be very careful. I don't want you out of my sight till we catch this person."
"Xena, don't you tink your being a little over protective. I mean.." She shut up when she saw Xena's face. "All right. Not out of your sight. We are still leaving tomorrow, right?"
"Yes, but I want to check a few things tonight. Come on." Gabrielle nodded and they proceeded to the Inn in silence. They ate their meal listening to the gossip and conversation. Xena's eyes swept through the patrons, looking for any sign of trouble. The bard's appetite was back to normal. Mia moved to the table and poured them each a cup of wine. Gabrielle started to decline, but Mia held up her hands. "No, on the house. You can use it Gabrielle" She walked away and tended to other patrons. The Inn was filled tonight as usual, all waiting for Gabrielle to start her storytelling. Mia came to the table again, this time she looked nervous.
"Xena, may I speak with you for a moment? Alone." Xena nodded.
"Gabrielle, why don't you start. I'll be back in a second. Okay?"
"Sure, but don't be too long. I have another new story tonight." Gabrielle watched Xena head off toward the kitchens with Mia, then she rose and headed for the stage. Taking her place, she began another night of stories.
"Xena, one of the girls that clean the rooms is showing the same symptoms as Gabrielle the other night. Please can you check her?" Mia mopped her face of the sweat from the kitchen, and turned her worried gaze on Xena again.
"Sure, but I don't want to leave Gabrielle alone.." Mia motioned the boy turning the spit over to her.
"Merric, I want you to go sit with Gabrielle for a while. Kinda be her protector. Think you can ya do that?" Merric's face split into a big grin and he nodded. "All right then, off with ya." Merric took off through the kitchen doors and joined Gabrielle at her table. Then Mia led Xena out the back of the Inn and to a house two doors down. Mia knocked firmly on the door.
"Jethom? It's Mia, please open up. I have the warrior with me." The door opened to show the face of a young boy. The same one that had delivered the note to Gabrielle in the marketplace earlier.
"Mia, Father's in the bedroom with Mother. She's sick bad." Tears ran down the boy's eyes, and Mia hugged him. They entered the house, heading for the bedroom.
"Methuse, this is Xena. She's gonna try and help your mother. OK?" He smiled and nodded his head. "Go and sit now. We need to check your mother." They entered the room, already finding Aaron there.
"Easy, Le Ann. Just a little more, that's it." Aaron finished giving the woman some type of pungent drink. Then moved off so her husband could rejoin her.
"Aaron?" He motioned for them to go into the other room. Once out in the main room, he spoke in a hushed voice.
"It's definitely the same thing as Gabrielle." Aaron shook his head. "But I don't know how she and Gabrielle could have the same thing. How is Gabrielle anyway?"
"Gabrielle's fine, now. It was a rough night, but she was better by morning and the scratches are healing over fine." Aaron turned to Mia.
"Mia, did she say she wasn't feeling well? Anything? Did she eat after Gabrielle, or drink something she might have touched?"
"No, you know me better than that Aaron. I feed all my workers well. She did however, clean Xena and Gabrielle's room. Other than being pricked.."
"Pricked? Pricked by what? Quickly Mia." Aaron's asked urgently.
"Well, I think at the time she said a thorn she found. She was sweeping the room and bent down to pick up the refuse when her hand bumped into it." Mia said, "Aaron, what's going on? What wrong with Mia?"
"She's been poisoned, with the same poison Gabrielle has in her blood stream. If Xena's right though, and Gabs showing no signs now of the poison, Le Ann should be fine by morning." Aaron looked back at the curtained doorway to Le Ann's bedroom. He scratched his chin thoughtfully.
"Aaron, I have some herbs that may help Le Ann weather the night and a special balm that should help the joints. I think she will be fine, but I'd really like to get back to Gabrielle." Aaron nodded and began to move back to Le Ann's room. Xena turned slightly, gathering Mia's full attention. "Mia could I speak to Methuse for a moment before I go?"
"Sure, but why Xena?" Mia asked, watching as Aaron ushered the young boy out of the room.
"He may be able to help me figure out some things. Please Mia, it's important." Mia nodded, and motioned the boy over.
"Methuse, this is Xena. She'd like to talk to you." The young boy's eyes were red from crying and his face stained in tears. Xena knelt down, reminding her self this young boy was not unlike her son.
"Methuse, the note you gave Gabrielle in the market. Who gave it to you?" Xena's softened features and gentle smile, eased the boy's fears.
"A man. Why, did I do something wrong?" He nervously glanced up at Mia looking very much like a frightened rabbit.
"No, no. Not at all. It's just that, this man may know how to help your mother and Gabrielle. He may have medicine that would cure their sickness. What did he tell you?" 'Carefully Xena, he's just a boy. Frightened, scared and innocent in this' Xena reminded herself.
"He said that he would pay me a whole dinar if I delivered it. He said he was a fan of Gabrielle's. He had a hard face. I didn't believe him at first, but he knew so much about her."
"What did he look like?" Xena probed patiently.
"He was like you, a warrior. But he moved with a funny limp. He had brownish blond hair, and sea grey eyes." Xena thoughts had turned inward, til she heard Methuse next words. "Xena, is my mother going to die?"
"I'm going to try to keep that from happening Methuse. You have my word on it. One more thing, if you see this man again, do you think you could point him out to me?" Methuse nodded.
"Good Man." She reached in her pocket and pulled out a dinar. "Here, you can use this I think." They'll be another one if you can point out the man to me or if you see him again. OK?" Methuse nodded and smiled, then hugged her suddenly.
"Thank You Xena" He whispered softly in her ear. "I won't let you down. I promise."
"Just be careful, and come and get me as soon as you see him again. Understand. He could be very dangerous." Methuse nodded, and then let her go.
"I'll stop in tomorrow Methuse, to check on your mother." Xena and Mia left Le Ann's home.
"Xena, you know who's doing this? Don't you?" Mia asked as they were getting ready to enter the kitchens of the Inn again.
"Yes, I think I know who's doing this and if I'm right. It's far from over." Xena moved across the kitchens, and stood in the door frame watching as Gabrielle performed a satirical prose, and sent the room into fits of laughter about a woman from Athens. Xena however, didn't smile. She scanned the room looking for anyone fitting Methuse's description.