Chapter 4 - Battles II

Blood.

That's all he could taste and it sickened him. He wanted to spit it out, but something held him back. Yes, that was it: pain. Incredible, deep, searing pain. Any movement brought fresh waves over his entire body. The simple act of opening his eyes was excrutiating, but he forced himself to. After a few failed attempts, his eyes fluttered open. He looked around and found himself in a cell, lying on the cold and damp floor. He wanted to get up, but couldn't.

By the gods, he thought, I'm in the underworld. But where's Hades, or Persephone?

His mouth was dry and the only thing that didn't hurt to move was his tongue. Swallowing, however, was another matter.

A rustle was heard at the door to the left of him, the turn of the lock and someone entered. The person set something down on the ground and knelt down to him. He felt his forehead, checked his body with not so gentle hands and finally ripped open his vest and shirt.

"Uhh," he grunted. "Another one t'fix." He pulled the bowl over to him, dipped a rag in and out several times, then dotted the open chest trying to absorb some of the blood.

Every moment that the rag touched his skin, every touch by the man brought pain. He wanted to cry out, but found that impossible. He looked at the man, hoping his eyes would say how much of a torment the man's acts were.

"Eh?" the man looked into his eyes. "Nothin's gonna help with th'pain, boy. Jus' relax."

Yeah, relax. Easy to say...

"You've had quite a blow 'ere." He continued sopping up the drying blood. "Gonna 'ave t'take out th'dagger." He put his hand on the chest, gripped the dagger and pulled.

"Aaaahhhhh!" the man screamed. His body convulsed spontaneously, sweat pouring off him. He lay panting on the cold ground, his eyes wild with pain. He began to shiver.

The man lifted the dagger and eyed it with a smile. "Used th'good one on ya." He wiped off the blood and hid it within the folds of his cloak, then turned his attention to the freshly bleeding wound in the wounded man's chest. He jabbed some clothes into it and pressed firmly down. The man could hardly breathe and he could taste new blood in his mouth. He began to choke.

"Ah no ya don't," the "healer" said. "Ain't dying on me. Hestocles'll 'ave me skin for that." He pulled the man up, hit his back a number of times, managing to clear the passage. "Wound'll heal," he said letting the man fall. The left side of his lip went up maliciously. "Course, you're probably not gonna live to see it." He brought out a long piece of clothe and wrapped it around the man's chest, tightly. He staggered up when he finished and dropped a bag near the man's head. "Food. Master want's ya full when he sees ya." He chuckled, rapped the door and left.

Gods above, hel... he stopped.

"Joxer! Help me..." Jonus had called to him from the wall.

He remembered what had happened. He had run into Jonus and tried to help her when a mysterious figure appeared. The next thing Joxer knew, he felt searing heat in his chest, then nothingness. He gulped, ignoring the pain. Jonus was here, he knew that, and needed his help. He struggled to get to his elbows, but fell back in frustration. He couldn't do anything. He closed his eyes. I'm sorry, Jonus. I'm so sorry...

Whack!

The sting that followed was not nearly as bad this third time, but Jonus still winced. Her head limped forward and she tried to hide the tears of pain and anger from her captor.

A rough hand grabbed her hair and pulled her head up. "You are going to tell me what I want to know...one way or another." He released her with a jerk, then walked away, his back to her. "Now, let's try this again. What is so special about that arrow?"

Jonus swore she saw his eyes glow red. She remained silent.

His eyes narrowed and Jonus felt fear. Very real fear. He took a step closer. "This would be easier for you if you simply co-ooperated." He rolled his tongue around in his mouth. "I could make it worth your while." His face softened somewhat. "I have much wealth that someone like you could enjoy." He stroked her swollen cheek. "Tell me," he whispered into her ear. "Tell me and all of this will go away."

Jonus closed her eyes and a tear fell down her cheek. Artemis, please I need you.

Whack!

Jonus felt blood this time. She saw the glint of gold on his hand and figured the backhand she just received caused the blood to run.

He cupped his chin in her hand. "One way or another, Jonus," he cursed, "one way or another." He let her head drop. "Take her down. Maybe a cold cell will change your mind."

Jonus felt herself being lifted down from her chained perched and dragged down many flights of stairs. She could smell the decay and moisture emanating from the dungeon, but she was too tired and weak to care. She let the guards fling her body into the cell, cackling as they did so. She heard the door slam shut and could feel the slime on the floor. But nothing mattered to her. She had failed and she deserved whatever punishment she received.

When Jonus finally opened her eyes, she could have sworn she'd seen Joxer. She blinked, not believing, then realised that he was indeed there. She crawled over to him, her head aching and her ankle throbbing. She knew it was broken from the fall off the wall, but now, that was the last of her worries.

"Joxer?" She gently shook him. "Joxer? Can you hear me?"

A low groan emerged from the mass. Jonus ignored her own pain and brought Joxer up onto her lap. She looked around for something to wipe away the sweat from his face, but found nothing. "Easy, Joxer. It's gonna be okay."

She looked at his face and was horrified. It was pale, even in the darkened cell she could see that. He was bathed in sweat and his shirt was covered in blood. She reached down and felt a wad of clothe.

"Ahhh!" Joxer yelled.

"Oh, sorry. I'm sorry, Joxer. I didn't mean to hurt you." She caressed his face. "Shhh. I'm sorry," she whispered.

"Jo..." he tried.

"Shh. Just lay still." She looked around the cell for something to put underneath him, but the place was bare. Wait! On the other side there appeared to be a cot of some kind. "I'm gonna take you to that bed over there." She pointed in the general direction. "Can you walk at all?"

No response. He must have passed out, Jonus thought. That might be for his own good. She carefully lifted his head, got onto her knees, then feet, and hauled Joxer's upper body up. She looked down at his shirt hoping to not see any fresh blood emerging. None seemed to come. She dragged him over to the cot, not letting her limping jar his body any more than necessary and heaved him up. She was grateful he didn't have his armour or he would have been that much heavier. She tugged his legs up.

"Oww," Joxer moaned.

"Sorry!" Jonus apologised. She felt his face. "But I had to get you off that floor." She swallowed hard. Joxer was in bad shape and this dungeon cell was not going to improve his condition. "I've got to get you out," she said quietly. She hobbled away and scanned the room. The only entrance was the prison door and it was guarded by two very large men. A small opening let in pitiful amounts of light and was too small to climb through. Even without a broken ankle, it's still too high to reach. She felt the walls, looking for loose stones or anything that may help in their escape. Nothing.

Jonus kicked at something. She knelt down and picked up the pouch the healer left behind. She opened it, smelled inside then ambled her way to Joxer. She reached in and pulled out some dried meat. "Joxer? You awake?"

"Mmm," was the sleepy reply.

"Joxer, I've got food for you." She smelled it again and tasted a tiny piece. "I think it's okay to eat. You've got to eat something." She held the food out for him. "Please try."

Joxer managed to open his eyes. "Jonus?" he said weakly, his voice hoarse and pained. "What are you..."

"Eat." She pushed the food into his mouth.

Pain consumed him as he tried chewing the food. His ribs ached and his chest still burned, but he chewed anyway. Jonus was with him and even though they were in considerable danger, that thought comforted him. He knew that she was still alive.

A small band of Amazons lay low on the south ridge.

"This is it?" Gabrielle asked.

"Yes," Ruth replied. "Hestocles's castle. It's heavily guarded." She pointed along the top of the structure and the many guards there.

"But not completely secured," Xena added.

"Take another look, Xena," Ruth said, "there's no way in or out except through the gate."

Xena glared at Ruth. "Nothing is secure." She slid back and down the ridge, hidden from view. The others joined her.

"Just how do you plan on getting in there then?" Solari asked.

"Like Ruth said, through the front door."

"Uh, Xena," Gabrielle said. "What do you mean by that? What are you planning?" She saw the cunning look in her friend's eye. "Xena..."

She gave a wry grin. "Remember Cleopatra's castle?"

Realisation slowly spread across Gabrielle's face. "Yeah, sure! Diversionary tactic number 41?"

"Right. Let's go."

"Wait!" Ruth held her arm out stopping the warrior princess and the queen. "What's the plan?"

Xena shrugged. "I dunno. You'll come up with something."

"This isn't a game, Xena," Solari growled. "My friend is in there and Artemis only knows what's happened to her."

Xena's eyes narrowed. "And my friend's in there, too."

"Okay, now, this isn't the time to get defensive," Gabrielle stepped in. "Solari, why don't you and I make the diversion and Ruth and Xena will sneak in."

Solari glared at Xena, but relented. Gabrielle was right. "Okay. So what are we going to do?"

"I have an idea," Gabrielle said. Everyone listened.

"Look, I'm telling you for the last time that this isn't the castle of Hestocles," Gabrielle said in a mock voice. "No way. Uh-uh."

"And I'm telling you that it is," Solari rebutted. "Hey, why don't we ask these guards?" She stepped up to the three men standing guard. "Hi, guys." No response. "You who? Over here, boys." She waved a hand. "I don't think they're going to help us."

"Sure they will," Gabrielle replied. "They always want to help women like us." She lifted her skrt and showed more leg. She saw one guard catch her attention and then a second.

"Oh," Solari said in an innocent voice. She too lifted her short skirt even higher. "So, boys, you going to answer our question?"

The third guard stepped forward and wetted his lips. "I'll answer any question you ask, so long as I get me a piece a that."

"No, I saw her first!" the second guard protested.

"Please, please! There's plenty to go around."

With the guards far enough from the gate, Xena and Ruth snuck up behind. Xena pulled her sword and butted it into the back of the first guard's head. Ruth kicked the back of the third guard's knees out and he fell, allowing her to kick him in the back. Before the first guard could react, Xena tapped him on the shoulder, he turned and found her fist in his face. He crumpled to the ground.

"Come on," Xena instructed.

The quartet silently climbed over the gate door and landed in the main courtyard. "Which way?" Xena asked Ruth.

"I'm not sure. I've never been here before."

"Then how do you know that this is the place?" Gabrielle inquired.

"Because I could feel him here."

Gabrielle raised an eyebrow.

"Ruth has an ability to sense other people like her," Solari answered the unspoken question.

"Never mind that," Xena hissed. "Let's just find them. Gabrielle. Solari. You two head west. We'll check the east side."

"Right," Gabrielle nodded.

Xena noticed that there was no one around. That worried her, but she was grateful that she didn't have to deal with more guards or hapless victims.

"So, the mighty Xena has come to me," Hestocles said outloud. "My prize must be worth more than I thought."

"Do you wish me to stop them, my lord?" a servant asked.

"No. Let her come to me." He stood and went to the golden arrow sitting on a pillow in his throne room. He caressed the object. "I want to deal with her myself." He faced his servant. "As for the others with her, they are of no consequence. Ruth has no power over me and the other two are not strong enough to defeat me." He waved his hand, the servant bowed and left. "Jonus, my dear, you are going to tell me one way or another the power of this arrow."

Jonus had no idea how long she and Joxer had been in the cell. She guessed no more than a day, but wasn't sure. She looked over at Joxer, who was now sleeping. I am so sorry this happened to you, Joxer. I wish I could have changed it. She had looked at his wounds and knew that he needed help and soon. The dagger wound could kill him by infection alone if he didn't get out of this filthy place. She brushed back his hair. He didn't feel hot, which relieved Jonus, but that could change anytime. She leaned her back against the cot, trying to get comfortable. Her ankle still throbbed. She touched her cheek and winced at the small cut on it. She closed her eyes hoping sleep would make her feel better.

"Ohhh," Joxer groaned. He gingerly touched his head and shut his eyes. That hurt. But, he noticed, it didn't hurt nearly as much as the first time he awoke. How long ago had that been? A lifetime it felt like. He dropped his hand over the side of the cot and felt something. Hair? He cautiously turned his head to look down. Jonus?! What in Tartarus is she doing here?

"Jonus," he whispered hoarsely. "Jonus."

"Huh? What?" She shook her head. She twisted around and saw Joxer awake. "Joxer? How are you feeling? Are you okay?" She knelt next to him, touching his face and hair.

He closed his eyes and let her touch envelope him. He missed that so much the last five months and now, even in his condition, it still felt good. He wanted to hold her hand, to hold her, but the pain inside was too great. "Jonus," he sighed.

"Joxer, can you hear me?"

"Mmm-hmm."

"Okay, listen. I've got to get you out of here. This place is dangerous to you right now." She looked down at him and only saw a dreamy expression on his face. "Joxer! Are you listening to me?"

"Huh? Ah, yeah." He blinked several times to clear his head. "Ow."

Jonus's face softened. "Oh, Joxer, I'm sorry. It's just that we need to get out. I don't have much patience right now."

Joxer finally opened his eyes so he saw clearly and he didn't like what he saw. Jonus's face was purple and blue and a cut was slashed just below her right eye. He reached up to touch it, to try to make it disappear, but the attempt only brought torture to him.

"Lie still." She laid a hand on him. "You're hurt. Do you remember what happened?"

"You fell...black man...lion, wolf..."

"Yes, that's right. We've been taken by an evil man. We're in his dungeon." She looked around. "And I don't know how we're going to get out."

No sooner had the words escaped her lips when she heard a disturbance outside the door. She rose, grimacing at the stiffness in her body and hopped over to the door. "Solari!" Her eyes went wide. "How did you...?"

"Never mind," she whispered back. "Stand back. We're coming in." A turn of the lock and the door opened. Gabrielle and Solari rushed in. "Thank the gods you're alright," Solari exclaimed.

"It's not me you have to worry about." She pointed towards Joxer. "He's hurt, badly."

Gabrielle was already at Joxer's side. "Hey, Joxer. It's Gabrielle. How are you feeling?"

"Like I got into a fight with Xena," he wheezed out.

Gabrielle half grinned. "We're getting you out." She lifted Joxer's body up and put her arm around him. "Solari, help me."

"Can't. Jonus has a bum ankle." She already held Jonus up.

Jonus shook her head. "I can make it without you. Help Gabrielle and Joxer."

"But..."

"No but's. Help them."

Solari looked at her friend. "Here. You can use this." She slid a bow from her back.

Jonus was amazed. "My bow!"

"Thought you might need it." She went to Joxer.

Jonus held the instrument in her hand, then planted it on the stone floor. It held her weight. It should have. Hepheastus used the strongest metal anywhere. She looked back at her friends and was satisfied to know that Gabrielle and Solari were able to carry Joxer draped around them. "How do we get out of here?"

"Just turn right," Gabrielle instructed, heaving Joxer up the stairs. "I'll tell you from there."

Onto Chapter five

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