A Fire Burns Out
by Warhorse
Disclaimer: Xena, Gabrielle, and Argo are not mine. They belong to Universal.
Violence: There is a little but not too much
Other warnings: This story deals with animal abuse and it's effects. If you don't like this I suggest you stop reading right now.
Comments can be sent to sharperimage@juno.com.
The night air was crisp and cool, the campfire had long died out and all that was left was smoldering embers. The night animals had quieted and all that could be heard was the occasional cricket. Argo stood dozing by a tall tree not far from her owner. The tall warrior was in a deep and for once peaceful sleep. So she was unaware of the dark pair of eyes watching from the bushes. A small young girl was crouched behind the nearby bushes of the campsite, her trained eyes taking everything in. The time was coming for her to make her move she made one last survey of the area making sure she was the only one around. Her heart leaped to her throat when she realized that the blond girl was gone. She tried not to breathe or make a sound, and then she realized that the warrior had dropped her off at her village early that day. She quietly sighed and started making her way over to Argo. Argo's head shot up when the girl approached. Argo started prancing around until the girl rested her hand on Argo's neck, the mare quickly calmed down. The girl untied the reins from the tree and in one leap was sitting bare back on Argo. The mare shifted nervously and the girl patted the mare's neck to calm her down. Then the girl urged the mare forward and the two walked silently out of the forest. As soon as they were out of the clearing the girl urged Argo into a gallop and they raced over the field and leaped over a fallen log. Argo raced on further and further way from the unknowing warrior.
Xena awoke and felt very well rested for the first time in what seemed like forever. She got up and stretched the kinks out of her muscles and put on her armor and weapons. She picked up her bedroll and put it back in her saddlebag. She dug out a brush and went to give Argo a well-deserved groom. That's when Xena realized Argo was no longer tied to the tree. Xena gave a loud whistle and got no response. Xena ran down to the stream to look for Argo. No sign of her could be found. Xena went back up to camp to see if Argo was there, she found nothing. Xena sat on the ground and buried her head in her hands. "Think" she told herself and looked up. That is when she saw the footprint of a small child's leading to where Argo had been. She followed the track and then saw Argo's tracks lead out toward the road. Xena got to the road and the tracks didn't lead down it, they lead into the field. The tall grass gave away the path that Argo had taken. Xena ran along the path with a sense of urgency. She knew if she didn't find Argo soon it would be to late.
"Sarah get over hear and stop messing with that horse." A loud voice called.
"Coming Damiscus," a small voice answered.
"Did you get the horse?" Damiscus asked.
"Yes" Sarah, said in a small voice.
"Well where is she?!!"
"I was just brushing he...
"How many times do I have to tell you not to baby these animals. They will never do what you want if they learn that you are soft!" Damiscus yelled.
Sarah blushed and slowly turned and went back into the stables. She returned leading a very skittish Argo, who eyed Damiscus nervously. Damiscus approached Argo and smiled, as he looked her over.
"Oh yes, she will go for a lot of money," He said with a twinkle in his eyes. "Sarah take her to the round pen. I want to see what she can do."
Sarah led Argo to the large round pen unhooked the lead shank. Argo trotted around nervously. She stopped when Damiscus walked into the pen with a saddle and bridal. He threw the saddle on her back and put the bridle on harshly. Then he tried to mount the war-horse but Argo sidestepped away from him.
"Stand up there!!!!" Damiscus shouted as he jerked the reins. Argo stood still long enough for Damiscus to get on, but as soon as his butt hit the saddle Argo let out a huge buck that sent him flying. Damiscus got up and his face was red with anger.
"You no good piece of shit. I'll teach you to do that again" Damiscus got out his long leather whip, and sent it flying toward Argo. The end of the whip bit into her flesh with a loud crack. Argo screamed in pain and bolted forward. When she tried to stop the whip bit into her flesh again. Round and round she went until she got so exhausted, she tripped and fell to her knees. Damiscus walked over and jerked her up. Then he jumped on her back. When she tried to buck or rear the whip was laid into her side.
Damiscus rode her around the pen at a walk, trot, and canter, lying on the whip when Argo wouldn't go. Finally when he felt finished he dismounted and left a blood and sweat covered Argo standing in the middle of the pen, with the saddle and bridle still on.
Sarah went in to get Argo, but Damiscus stopped her "Leave her, she has to learn who is boss." With that he turned and walked way.
Sarah looked at Argo who stood with her head down and her sides heaving. She knew what would happen if she disobeyed Damiscus. So she turned and walked away from the horse.
Later that night Sarah went to get Argo. Who was still standing with her head down and dried sweat and blood all over. Her head shot up at the sound of the gate opening. Sarah came in and Argo's eyes got wide with terror. Sarah tried talking in a soothing voice, but Argo tried to run away. Sarah tried to approach the shivering mare, but every time she got close Argo would bolt. "Get out of there!" Damiscus yelled, "Are you trying to ruin all my work!"
Sarah put her head down and walked out of the pen. "I just wanted to get the saddle and bridle off" she whispered.
"I'll do it, go get dinner ready." Damiscus let himself into the pen and Argo started shaking. He came over and roughly took of the tack. He left Argo standing there in the pen with nothing. Argo stood bloodied and covered with dust and dried sweat, the fire in her eyes was gone along with all the trust she had for humans.
Xena ran down the overgrown path and up a hill overlooking a large valley. In the middle was a small house surrounded by corrals and a large pasture. A large barn was not far from the house. Horses were grazing in the pasture and smoke was rising from the chimney of the house. Xena slowly made her way down the hill and to the barn. She quietly opened the door and let her self in. She stood for a moment letting her eyes adjust to the dark. She looked down the rows of horses, but she didn't see the familiar head of Argo.
Xena slipped out the door and made her way to one of the near by pens. She looked in but no Argo. She turned around and caught sight of a familiar golden color in the round pen. Xena made her way silently over to the pen. She looked through the boards and what she saw made her cry out.
Her beautiful mare was standing covered in dried blood and sweat. Xena climbed over the fence and walked over to Argo, but Argo jerked back and charged at Xena. Xena watched as her beloved horse tried to run her down.
Argo screamed as she tried to run over this person standing there. "What the hell. What are you doing to my horse" Xena heard a man shout. Xena whirled around with a look of pure hatred in her eyes.
"What have you done to her?" Xena said between clenched teeth.
"None of your business. Now get out of there before I make you!"
"It is my business, that is my horse!"
"Damiscus please just give her back her horse," Sarah pleaded.
"You stay out of this!" Damiscus yelled as he pushed the young girl away. Damiscus jumped into the pen and Argo tried to get as far away from the man as she could. Xena saw the terror in Argo's eyes when Damiscus came in. He lunged toward Xena and she stepped out of the way. She turned and faced him. He got out his whip and sent it flying toward Xena. Xena caught the end and yanked hard, which sent Damiscus flying forward and right into Xena fist. He stumbled back with his hand on his nose. He lunged again at Xena and got a foot in the stomach. He doubled over and then Xena hit him in the back of the head with the whip sending him into unconsciousness. Xena dragged Damiscus out of the pen and Sarah ran up crying, "What have you done to him?"
"I taught him a lesson!" Xena turned and walked back to her beloved horse, which was trembling in fear. Xena softly talked to the mare and tried to get close. But Argo just screamed and tried to jump the fence. She got caught up in the fence and came crashing down on her side. Her leg was cut bad but she tried to run on three legs. She kept falling but got up and kept running. Xena looked on with tears sliding down her face. She couldn't let Argo go on like this. The scene was too painful and she turned her back to the terrified horse. Xena heard a thud and looked back as Argo fell once again. This time she didn't get up, it was like her spirit was so broken that she didn't care anymore.
To be continued...
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