When they were notified by Lucius that his gladiator had arrived, Caesar had signalled to the looming centurion at the side of the hall, who had moved quickly forward to unlock Xena's leash, and haul her, none to gently, from the chamber. Effecting a satisfied smirk, as she watched the warrior stagger and stumble, Ephiny had turned to Caesar, "That is undoubtedly the way to treat that savage. With all the trouble she has caused throughout the world, she deserves no less."

The blonde cringed inwardly at her own words, but it was necessary to assure the Roman that she and the Amazons were no friends of the Warrior Princess. She graciously took his offered, splinted, arm as he escorted her towards the doorway that Xena had been hustled out of. She could feel Hercules' presence as he stood and silently followed.

"You must tell me just why the Amazons hold such a grudge against her," he said smoothly, "I had heard that she was revered as a hero by most of the people in your land."

Ephiny snorted her apparent contempt. "Some while ago, she abducted and attempted to murder one of our Queens," replied Ephiny easily sticking to the bare truth knowing it likely that Caesar would have heard some vague rumours along those lines, "She was tried and condemned by the Amazon council, and I would have liked to have seen her endure the full rigours of that sentence." She forced a charming smile as her sharp ears picked up the sound of a muffled groan, "However, at least I will be able to report to the Council that the woman is suffering for her crimes and that she will never be able to rampage across our territory again."

"I'm glad to have been some small service to you in that respect then," declared Caesar with pseudo gallantry, raising her hand and kissing it softly, before he escorted her through the door and found Flaccus waiting for him, "Excuse me, for just a moment, Queen Ephiny," he said courteously, turning to observe the centurion and his slave.

Ephiny eyed Xena carefully. She was on her knees again, and the raven haired warrior's body seemed to be trembling with pain and fatigue. There was another budding bruise on her left cheek and fresh stripes across her arms. The Regent's heart went out to her friend as she fervently wished, - Xena ease off on the stubborn resistance, or we won't have anything left to rescue! - She listened carefully to what was being said.

"She knows to behave, my Lord," the craggy centurion affirmed, handing his superior the chain attached to the slave collar.

"Very well," acknowledged Caesar, "but I'll want you and the guards in close attendance with, I think, you and two others right behind her at all times, Flaccus."

The centurion allowed the whip to swing threatening in front of Xena's face, and Ephiny was almost certain that she saw a muscle twitch in her cheek, "We'll be right there, sir, and she knows what to expect if she so much as moves a finger unless told to do so."

The Regent hid the urge to flatten the soldier for the harsh, threatening tone he used, and watched as Caesar jerked on the chain forcing Xena to stagger upright onto her painful, cut, blistered, feet. Turning his back on his dangerous slave, the Roman offered his splinted wrist to Ephiny once more and asked, "Shall we proceed?"

Masking her reluctance to even touch the man, Ephiny returned her hand to his arm, and prayed to Artemis that Hercules wouldn't do anything to blow their cover. With the demi-god trailing along behind her right shoulder, and Xena shuffling along behind Caesar's left, they made their way through the maze of corridors and passages, with Ephiny doing her best to ignore the soldiers who followed in their wake.

When they reached the pit room, they were greeted by Malonda and the rest of her Amazon guard, Caesar having sent a slave to guide them down from the atrium. Ephiny excused herself from Caesar's company for a moment as she touched Hercules' arm and steered him over to her guards.

"Heston will be fighting shortly, Malonda. Have Eris and Yolanda take him down to the pit entrance." She dropped her voice so low that only the big man would hear her, "Don't make it look too easy, Herc. I want him drooling at the prospect of making a fortune from the backwoods, barbarian queen with more money than sense. If you beat this guy too quickly, he might decide it's not worth the risk." She looked up and saw his lips twitch in response.

The sound of voices drifting along the passageways drew her attention back to where Caesar stood. Xena was kneeling 'compliantly' at his feet, the centurion behind her grasping the wicked looking whip in case he was called upon to remind the 'slave' of her place and demeanor. Ten more soldiers were clustered close by, with two of them at the centurion's shoulder.

- They really take no chances with her, - noted the Regent grimly, - She can barely muster the energy to walk, yet they watch her as if she could break loose at any moment. - Returning to Caesar's side, she glanced at the splint on his arm, the fading bruises around his neck, and the scar across his right cheek, - I bet she was responsible for those, - she reflected, - If she was, it's no wonder they watch her so close. And Caesar must be braver than I thought if he still allows her to get that close to him .. even in those chains and with guards close by. -

Slowly the gallery began to fill with those revellers who were not too drunk to make the trip down to the pit to watch the fight. Small fortunes were wagered, easily covering Ephiny's stake and many others besides. However, the blonde Amazon's thoughts were definitely elsewhere, even though she pretended to closely study the Ethiopian who had at last entered the pit.

- Xena could easily kill Caesar from this range, - the Amazon concentrated on her chain of thought, - So after all he's done to her, why hasn't she? Why doesn't she? - She chewed that over for a few moments before berating herself, - Of course! She still thinks he has Gabrielle .. and I have no way of telling her that she's safe. - She almost let out a sigh of annoyance, but caught herself in time. - Once the fight is arranged we can let her know .. until then .... - she allowed the thought to go unfinished, not wishing to contemplate how much more harm her friend was likely to come to.

Turning to Caesar, she asked him, "If you don't mind me asking, just how did you manage to capture the bitch from Tartarus?" Offering up a silent prayer that Xena would understand the need to play out her role fully.

The Roman smiled, and launched into his carefully crafted plan, explaining just how he had meticulously worked out every minute detail, knowing just how difficult it would be.

Hercules was far from happy. - In fact, - he admitted to himself, - I want nothing more than to tear someone limb from limb. - He looked the tall, muscular, ebon skinned Ethiopian up and down in calculated appraisal .. and this was not the man that he wanted to inflict pain upon. Oh No! That man was standing above them with a smugly interested look upon his face!

He buried the scowl that he could feel trying to etch itself onto his features. Walking beside Xena on the way to this fight, he'd been close enough to touch her, to put his arms around her and comfort her and, because of the God's be damned situation, been unable to do so. - Just hang in there, Xena, - he told her mentally. - We'll get you out of here .. my oath on it! -

Knowing that what he did next would be a major factor in the successful operation of their plans, he carefully studied the man facing him. He'd heard Caesar tell Ephiny that this man had never been beaten in a pit fight, and looking at him, he could well believe it.

The Ethiopian stood with quiet confidence, there was no bluster or bravado about him. He knew his abilities and didn't need to employ self advertising, his reputation spoke for itself. Hercules noted that he showed none of the eager willingness that he'd seen in other fighters, either. He was here to do a job, and unless the demi-god missed his guess, he didn't take much delight in either it or his much vaunted prowess. Under other circumstances, Hercules might have enjoyed getting the chance to know this man.

The fighter's escorts left the pit and the tawney haired man heard Caesar order the combat to commence. However, playing true to his assumed disabilities, he waited for the other man to make the first move. He knew that the eyes of the eager crowds were upon him, but more especially, he could feel Xena's intense blue eyes watching him assiduously.

The tall ebony skinned man, came forward towards Herc, his eyes showing intelligence and his approach was cautious as he looked to feel out the strengths of his opponent. As he closed with the demi-god, he snapped out a straight right that jerked Hercules's head back and forced him to retreat a step.

- Ouch! - the tawny haired blue eyed 'concubine' acknowledged silently, - This one's going to be trouble. -

Raising his hands in defence, Hercules looked for an opening. He watched as the Ethiopian circled warily and shot out a tentative punch himself, just grazing his opponent's shoulders as the man dropped to the ground and kicked the demi-god's feet out from under him, bringing him crashing down.

Rolling on instinct, Herc avoided having the full weight of the man hit him as he threw himself at the spot just vacated by the hero. Allowing a smile to ease onto his face, Hercules got smoothly to his feet and waited for his opponent to stand. - Oh yeah! - he conceded, - this one is not going to be easy! -

Taking his time, the Ethiopian began to circle once more, his eyes never leaving Herc's as he judged his moves. He threw a right fist again, only to have it caught and held by the demi-god, who used some of his strength to pull his muscular challenger closer to meet his own right fist, causing the gladiator's head to jerk back in pain.

Hercules knew that his adversary had managed to roll with the blow, what surprised him, though, was just how quick and lithe he was as he allowed the momentum of the punch to spin him across the hero's chest so that his back was presented to him, and then he dropped suddenly to the ground allowing his whole body to go limp, completely unbalancing Herc, and catapulting him across the pit to slam into the wall below where Caesar, Xena and Ephiny watched.

"Well you man seems to be holding his own for the moment. Although crashing into that wall has got to have hurt him," Caesar commented amiably.

"Heston's tough. It'll take more than a wall to knock him out of the reckoning." responded Ephiny confidently.

"Tell me," the Roman asked, curiosity tangible in his tone, "Why didn't he attack when I ordered the fight to begin?"

"He's a deaf mute," answered the Regent candidly, it gives his opponents something of a small advantage, but he's always been able to compensate for that little disability."

"Ah .. I believe I head someone mention that fact." Glancing down to where Xena knelt, watching the bout between the wooden railings, Caesar questioned, "Has my 'pet'," he watched the Warrior Princess stiffen at the word, "met your man before?" He gently stroked the crusted silky hair that was in dire need of washing. - Let her know and get used to her master's touch! - he gloated.

The warrior jerked her head to the side, throwing off her hated enemy's hand, only to wince sharply as Flaccus' whip lashed across her arm, "Sit quiet you animal!" he snarled.

Trying to ignore what was happening Ephiny hastened to answer, "Heston wasn't in Themiscyra when that savage abducted our last Queen," - Nice sidestep there Eph! - she congratulated herself, - Let's see if we can get some information through to Xena that'll make her feel better. - "In fact we were very lucky to get her back into safe keeping," she put a little bit of an emphasis on the relevant words, hoping that Xena would pick up on it and recognise what she was trying to tell her.

"Damn lucky!" growled the warrior, "Your Harlot Queen ..." she drew a sharp breath as Flaccus cut the scourge across her bare arm, raising a fresh pattern weals on her battered flesh.

Ephiny tried not wince in sympathy turning instead to Caesar and remarking cuttingly, "It doesn't appear that your efforts in taming the bitch are having any great effect .. perhaps you should try other methods. I've heard that the savage thrives on her own pain, perhaps you should find another to inflict it on to keep her in line?"

Xena couldn't believe that Ephiny was preposing to Caesar that he use the bard against her in that fashion! - Maybe she want's the job of Queen for real and is here to see that neither Gabrielle or I ever return home. - came a mocking thought. Anger hardened in her eyes turning them frigid as she stared hostilely at the Regent, "That's typical of an Amazon .. use others for their dirty work," she snarled, lunging forward only to be pulled up short by the leash Caesar held. He yanked back hard causing the metal collar to bite viciously into her flesh, leaving her choking for breath as Flaccus once again disciplined her with his whip.

Ephiny was frantic trying to think of a way to get her message across so that Xena would understand and stop fighting her captivity long enough to allow them to arrange an escape, "I have heard that the bitch travels with a bard," she offered nonchalantly to Caesar while Xena struggled with against her Roman guards. "It would be a pity to waste such a valuable commodity as a bard merely as a tool to quell the savage. We Amazons hold bards in very high regard. In fact the Amazon bard in my retinue is considered to be the priceless jewel of the nation. However, we must use whatever materials come to hand when necessity drives us." She smiled seductively at Caesar, hoping that Xena understood the message she was trying to convey.

As Ephiny's words registered, the Warrior Princess slowly ceased her struggles and risked a brief questioning look at the Regent, praying that the friendship and compassion that she saw in the Amazon's eyes meant what she had desperately hoped for .. that Gabrielle and the others were free. Breathing heavily from pain and exhaustion, Xena could only hope that it was so.

"I believe you owe the Amazon Queen an apology, Xena," growled Caesar, privately amused to see the flaring animosity between the two women.

The warrior raised a pain filled glare for him, "Kiss my butt!" she ground out, preparing herself for another round of physical abuse. She needed to make Caesar believe that she and Ephiny hated each other .. it now seemed obvious what the Regent was attempting to establish within the Roman's mind.

Flaccus drew back his arm ready to inflict more punishment, when Ephiny broke in smoothly. "I shouldn't worry about that. An apology from a slave is worthless. It will be far more satisfying to me, for her to receive her punishment at the hands of my man, Heston," she told them, glancing back at the fight in the pit. "For that to happen she needs to heal and she's not going to do that while you keep beating her. I'm certain you ingenious Romans could find another way to discipline the animal." She smiled encouragingly at Caesar.

"I'm certain that Flaccus already has a method in mind," purred the Roman leader. "Ah," he said glancing back to the ongoing contest, "it appears that this might be nearing its close."

They turned their attention back to the fight.

Hercules rose from his prone position against the wall and, moving his head, felt the joints of his spine click back into place, - Whose idea was this anyway? - he growled to himself.

Not waiting for his opponent to fully recover, the Ethiopian moved in quickly, embracing Hercules in a crushing bear hug, trapping his arms, and pulling tighter as he settled his grip. The demi-god felt the vice like clinch as the pressure increased and knew that he had to do something to get out of it before real damage was done to him.

Throwing his head back he snapped it forward, butting the dark skinned gladiator just above the bridge of his nose. The hold relaxed momentarily, before tightening once again. Knowing he had to break the grip, Hercules repeated his head butt, this time a little lower, smashing his opponent's nose to a messy pulp.

With a strangled cry of pain, the Ethiopian released the demi-god, and staggered backwards clutching his shattered proboscis. Hercules stood gulping in deep breaths of much needed air, and clutching his own head that rang to a symphony of bells from the power behind the blow.

Aware that he didn't have time to lament over his own hurts, he pushed forward in attack, slamming a right fist into the black body before him and driving a left towards the gladiators jaw, only to find himself missing as the other man slipped his head out of the way.

Unable to stop the heavy forward momentum, Hercules found himself half turned as the Ethiopian wound an arm under the hero's extend left, pulling him in so that Herc had his back to the other man. A right arm snaked under the demi-god's right shoulder and the gladiator's hands locked firmly together behind the big man's neck, forcing his shoulder's up and neck down, straining the spine, and threatening to break it.

With the pain growing intense, the son of Zeus knew he had to act quickly. Stamping down hard on the gladiator's left instep, he felt the pressure ease enough to make a drop to his knees viable, flipping the Ethiopian over his head so that he landed flat on his back But the gladiator was quick enough to twist onto his stomach, which was what Hercules had been waiting for.

Moving with a speed that belied his bulk, Hercules pounced on the gladiator's back and forced his right arm into an agonising hammerlock, increasing the pressure until the man had to concede the fight or have his arm broken. When he saw the Ethiopian bang the ground with his free hand in submission, Hercules released him and stood to accept the cheers of approbation from the crowd, locking eyes with Xena and seeing the bright warmth of her congratulations there. - Damn! But I wish I could just ... - He left the thought unfinished knowing that now was neither the time nor the place.

"Well it looks as if you man is pretty skilled in a fight," Caesar purred. He'd been impressed with the way the Amazon concubine had fought off the challenge of the big gladiator, although he'd seen nothing that gave him any doubt about Xena's ability to handle him in a contest, "Maybe, if I can get my savage fit, we can have that match between them that you were interested in," he offered.

"If Heston can have a chance at beating that murdering bitch into seven kinds of pulp, then I'll happily delay my departure until after the match is made," grinned Ephiny, "So long as it doesn't take too long to arrange."

He grabbed a handful of Xena's hair and yanked her head back to look into her eyes, "Well .. my pet tends to heal fast, so as long as she behaves herself, we should be able to make that match at, say, full moon?"

"I'll look forward to it ..." grinned the Regent ferally, "I hope you have plenty of dinars, because I'll be wagering big on my man. He's never been defeated, and I'm going to delight in seeing him humble her."

Xena's icy eyes glared equally at both Caesar and Ephiny, "Well it's true that she needs humbling," agreed Caesar, "but you'll forgive me if I don't cheer your man on to success. Apart from the wager, I want to have the pleasure of breaking and humbling her myself."

Shaking his hand away, Xena forced herself to her feet only to be met by the restraining arms of Flaccus's guards. Caesar casually handed the leash over to the centurion and ordered, "Take her back to the palace and see that's she's suitably housed."

He turned his back on them as the Warrior Princess was partly dragged from the pit gallery and returned his full attention to Ephiny, "Well, my dear, we have the rest of the evening to become acquainted and I'm sure that you must have some fascinating stories that you can regale me with about your people and homeland."

- Oh boy! - Ephiny rolled mental eyes, - This guy is so full of himself .. even if he does have the looks and charm to back it up, his ego's so big there's no room in his life for anyone but himself. Sheesh! And I'm gonna have to seem like I enjoy his company. Xena you're gonna owe me big time for this! -

Nebula had found a quiet niche to wait in as the crowds began to disperse from the show. She guessed that she'd probably have to wait around for quite a while, but she'd made a promise to observe, and she had to admit that the legendary Warrior Princess really intrigued her.

She wished that she had thought to bring something with her to eat, - A flask of port would go down pretty well, right now, too, - she told herself.

Making herself as comfortable as possible, she wondered what delights Ephiny would get to partake in. - Although having the delight of Herc's semi-naked body to feast upon should be enough for any woman, - she mused idly. - He sure is easy on the eyes, but personally, I prefer my men shorter, blonder and with curlier hair, - she grinned at the thought of Iolaus. - Guess I'll just have to go up to the palace and visit with him when I deliver my report to Ephiny and the others. -

The streets were empty, and had been for a long time, except for the soldiers that stood guard around the Temple of Jupiter. Long candlemarks had passed in boring procession when Nebula saw soldiers emerging from the side of the building. She counted eleven and two of them were half supporting a woman that could only be Xena.

The pirate watched, intense and alert, as the legionary maniple formed up around the newcomers. Shaking her head, she watched as the captive was marched off. She had presumed that the soldiers were an elite guard for Caesar, not for a solitary female prisoner, - Gods! - she breathed, - that must be some woman. -

As they passed her position on the Clivus Capitolinus, Nebula held her breath as a pair of startling, very blue, eyes bored through the shadows directly into her own brown ones, - How in Hades name did she know I was here? - wondered the woman, knowing full well that none of the hundred and sixty strong guard had detected her. - I am really looking forward to getting the chance to meet her, - she grinned. - I want to see if she fights as good as they say. -

Like a silent shadow, she ghosted along in the wake of the marching soldiers as they moved down to where the road joined the Via Sacra. But instead of taking that street, they cut across the square housing The Well of the Comitia and then proceeded up the Clivus Argentarius to where Caesar's palace stood imposingly illuminated in Rome's night skies.

Waiting only to make sure that this was indeed the final destination for the woman she trailed, Nebula turned and was about to set off on the long walk for Pompey's abode, when she froze in place. Leaving from a side gate, she spotted a familiar seeming figure and decided that here was someone else she had better follow to see what they were up to.

Xena struggled to keep upright as she was marched away from the temple. Her wounds were a roaring agony, she was weak from hunger and thirst and maintained consciousness only through a supreme effort of will stiffened by a determination that her Roman captors would not see her beaten.

She had not been surprised when she noticed the tall dark skinned woman hidden in the deep shadows. She recognised her from the docks and, now that she knew that the Amazons were in Rome, she could accept that she had seen Eponin with the woman, which meant that she had to be classed as a friend. Locking eyes with the watcher she had detected the faint trace of admiration, and maybe challenge, in them.

Having been in Rome only recently, Xena recognised the route that she was being taken along. She was well aware of the layout of Caesar's palace too. The thought that they'd lock her into the dungeon that had held Verchinex, allowed her to plot possible escape plans. She knew that she'd still be under close guard but ...

That was where her thoughts had taken her to Gabrielle. - What was it that Ephiny had said? 'They were very lucky to get her back into safe keeping'? Have they managed to rescue Gabrielle? .. and the others? By the Gods, - she swore, - If they're free and safe, then Caesar better start counting his life in days! - She thought about the Regent's brief discourse on bards, - Jewel of the Nation, huh? - The only Amazon bard she was aware of who might rate that description was Gabrielle. - She has to be safe, doesn't she? - she questioned herself, - Or is Eph trying to tell me she will rescue her? - The puzzle made her head pound worse than it already was, but she was unable to push it aside .. it was crucial to everything!

If Flaccus had been able to see the savage gleam that sprang to light in the Warrior Princesses eyes as she mulled Ephiny's words over, he would have known that something had changed .. something had given her a resurrection of hope. However, he walked oblivious behind her just noting with satisfaction the exhaustion that was evident in her movement and the slump to her shoulders that she had carefully maintained.

When they reached the palace, she had been expecting to be taken down to Caesar's personal prison. However, it seemed that they had other plans for her lodging. She was hurried through the long parade of corridors and finally out into a torchlit drill yard. The guards obviously knew exactly where they were heading for as they marched to the centre of the high walled, gateless enclosure.

When they came to a stop, two soldiers bent down and struggled to raise a very heavy, barred trapdoor that opened up onto a seven foot square pit that hosted just a wooden bucket and a pair of blankets.

Flaccus unlocked the chain from her collar and gave her a none to gentle shove that sent her down into the eight foot deep hole. Even injured and shackled as she was, she landed in a cat like crouch on the packed earth floor, "This is your new home," the centurion snarled, 'Get used to it!"

She watched helplessly as the thick bars of the pit door were dropped into place with a heavy "THUD!!!" and secured by a bolt and two thick padlocks. Anger and despair gripped at her as she heard Flaccus post the six watchers close to the cell and a further twenty around the walls, all armed with pistol crossbows and drugged darts. There would be no escape for her for the foreseeable future.