The Cage Of Elysis
Part Three
by L. Fox
Continued from Part Two
Chapter 11 Reconnaissance
The rising moon had not yet reached it's full luminance but Darinius and Iolaus did not care. Their long years of soldiering and living outdoors had made them experts at night movement. The additional light, however, would become helpful in discerning the lay of the land. They had not moved very far inland before they realized most of the area was swamp land. This would serve to severely impede their progress unless they could find some kind of road or levee.
With stealth achieved by years of practice, they made their way eastward. They operated about thirty paces apart and had agreed to use the old scout whistle if either found anything important. After about an hour of slogging through the marsh- slowly so as not to blunder into a sink hole - Darinius heard a low, three note whistle to his front left. He answered with a different three note whistle and began to work his way toward the direction the signal had came from.
"Look, a road," whispered Iolaus. "Do we risk taking it?"
"Got to," replied Darinius. "We'll never make any time in this slop. Take the left side and I will take the right. We ought to stagger ourselves by about twenty paces. You take the point. The moon is bright enough to cast shadows now so we need to watch that. Stay low, be careful, and don't get in too big of a hurry."
"Right."
As Iolaus began moving up the left side of the road, Darinius eased out onto a section of the road bathed in moonlight. He bent down to examine the road. It was about five good paces across and was constructed of a very good grade of crushed stone. Obviously someone had went to a lot of time and expense to build such a fine road through this swamp. He looked
up the road and saw that Iolaus has already disappeared into the gloom.
About a half hour later, Darinius again heard the signal from Iolaus. He was crouched down beside the road poking at something with a small stick when Darinius joined him.
"What do you make of that?" asked Iolaus.
"It's dung."
"I know it's dung," said Iolaus. "But from what? I mean, look at it. See how lumpy it is?"
Something white sticking out of the dung caught Darinius' eye and he bent over and picked up the still warm lump in his hand.
"Are you crazy?" asked Iolaus.
Darinius pulled apart the dung until he found what he was looking for.
"See that?" he asked, holding up the small sliver of white. "That's bone. Unless I miss my guess, this came from a minotaur."
"No way," said Iolaus. "Even a minotaur couldn't pass that. I mean they do have the body of a man, you know."
"Iolaus, legend has it there are two kinds of minotaurs. The kind we normally think of are the ones with the body of a man and the head a bull. But there is a species that has the body of a bull and the head of a man."
"So what does it mean?" asked Iolaus.
"Well my guess is where you find one kind, you find both," said Darinius.
"That's just great," said Iolaus through gritted teeth.
"Do you feel like going on a little farther?" grinned Darinius.
"Me? Oh yeah-sure."
"Move out then, same as before. Just be extra careful," said Darinius. "We don't want any surprises."
After an uneventful league and a half the road made a sharp turn to the right. By now the moon was starting to make it's slow descent in the clear night sky. They saw the terrain was beginning to make a slow, general slope upward. After a couple of hundred paces more they began to hear something else.
What is that roar?, wondered Iolaus. Water? After a reaching another a turn in the road he could now definitely make out the roar of rapids. If there's a road there must be a bridge, thought Iolaus. Moving very carefully, he crept around another turn in the road and there it was. And there was something else too. A huge, dark figure standing so still Iolaus thought it was some kind of grotesque tree. But he then noticed the top of the tree kept swiveling from side to side. That is a head! That thing is too small to be a giant so it must be a cyclops Iolaus crept back down the road toward Darinius as quickly as he dared. Darinius saw the way he was hurrying back and knew something was wrong.
"What is it," he asked.
Iolaus did not answer, he just gestured for them to continue their retreat down the road. After they had gone some distance they finally stopped.
"It's a cyclops," explained Iolaus.
"Are you sure," asked Darinius.
'Of course I'm sure," hissed Iolaus. "The darn thing was just standing there beside the road. I almost blundered right into it. For a minute there I thought it smelled me."
"Well, I think we have covered enough ground for one night," allowed Darinius. We can't risk having that thing giving some sort of alarm just yet. We might as well head back."
The moon was no more than a fist's width above the horizon when the two of them finally reached the coast. They followed the road all the way back out to the beach and began to hunt for the spot where they had landed. They would surely have missed it if Iolaus had not spotted the old broken jug Zepheus had cast out of his boat upon their landing.
By the time they returned to the others the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten. Xena was not pleased.
"A little reconnaissance huh?" she scowled. "You two could have been to Athens and back by now." She gently lifted Gabrielle's head off her lap and lowered it onto her shoulder bag. Gabrielle moaned a slight protest and resumed her slumber.
"If it wasn't for Hercules I would BE on my way to Athens right now," said Iolaus.
"What's he talking about?" demanded Xena, turning to Darinius. Those blue eyes had already forming that "I'm ready, whatever it is" look.
"Xena, we have got big trouble," replied Darinius, placing emphasis on the last two words. "We found strong evidence of minotaurs. And one more thing, there's a cyclops up there, too."
Xena was not worried about the cyclops, she had dealt with them before. Minotaurs...that was another thing. Damn you, Xena!, she raged, why didn't you force Gabrielle to stay behind. "It's going to be light soon," she said. "You guys ought to try to get some sleep. It looks to be a long day."
"I hope it is a long day," sighed Iolaus, lying down beside Autolycus.
"And how much rest did YOU get, Xena?" asked Darinius.
She saw he was genuinely concerned. "I got enough," she replied.
She had softened her voice only barely but Darinius caught it. He grinned and lay at the edge of the clearing.
Two hours later found the group preparing for the day's business.
"I must say," allowed Autolycus, the accommodations I've had the last few nights have certainly not been up to my usual standards." He was fighting a seemingly losing battle trying to get the sand out of his hair.
"Oh, and I suppose the cess pool was more to your tastes," teased Gabrielle.
"Not exactly, but at least it was safer," said Autolycus.
"Hah, some adventurer you are," snorted Gabrielle.
"Well," said Autolycus, striking his trademark pose and stroking his mustache with his index finger, "The King of Thieves lives by his wits and not by developing calluses on his back side."
"By your wits, eh?" retorted Gabrielle. Then it's a miracle you are still alive."
"Hey muscles, do you mind?" protested Autolycus. "Your friend is killing me here."
"Knock it off, you two," ordered Xena. She knew, however, it was merely playful banter between good friends. Just a way to take one's mind off the grim work ahead. She makes friends so easily, thought Xena. Once they get over the initial shock of her forthrightness, she just reeled them in like fish on a line. Even the cynical Autolycus.
"For crying out loud will somebody wake up the human fog horn here," pleaded Autolycus.
Iolaus had been in especially fine form. Xena walked over to where he was sleeping. Poor guy, she thought, he's worn out. I should have made Darinius let me go instead. Well, none of us are getting any younger. Her mind then wandered back to the hot tub she and Iolaus had shared and a deliciously wicked smile came over her. He's not over the hill just yet, she mused, as she nudged him with her foot. "C'mon Iolaus, time to get up."
Chapter 12 At the Bridge
Darinius woke with a throat as dry as the great desert to the south.
"Did anyone manage to find any water?" he asked.
"Yes," said Gabrielle, "I forgot to tell you, I brought some with us."
Gabrielle reached into the basket and produced two flasks with some kind of stopper in them. She handed one to Darinius.
"Here," she said, "have a pear and one of these. Sorry about the food but it was cheap and it won't spoil very quickly."
"Gabrielle, you can be my quartermaster any day," smiled Darinius.
"Well, times a wasting," said Autolycus, returning from his morning ritual.
Xena gave him a wry smile and said, "So it is."
They retraced the route Darinius and Iolaus had used to return to camp; walking straight down the beach to the road two leagues away. When they got to the road, Darinius stopped them.
"Okay we need to organize some sort of column" he said. We can't just go blundering down this road. Iolaus, all right for you to take the point?"
"Sure," Iolaus nodded.
"Don't set too fast of a pace," Xena reminded him, "We don't want to be worn out when we reach the bridge."
"Xena who gets the two spot, you or me?" asked Darinius.
"Me," answered Xena. "I want to be in front of Gabrielle, not behind her."
"Good enough. Gabrielle, you follow Xena. You next, Autolycus, and I'll take the back door," said Darinius.
The tense journey up the road proved to be uneventful; enabling Iolaus to set a consistent pace. Finally, they reached the series of sharp turns that signaled the close proximity of the river. They now moved much more slowly, each wrestling with his thoughts:
Iolaus: "How are we going to get past that thing?... I wish Herc was here... Of course if he WAS here, we wouldn't have to go up this road at all, now would we?...We'll do what we have to do."
Gabrielle: "What a great story this is going to make...My sister will never believe it...I'll call it 'The Rescue of Hercules'...I just hope I get to tell it to her...So comforting to have such powerful friends, especially Xena, of course...Hope she doesn't see how scared I am."
Xena: "I must discuss a plan of attack with Darinius...The only way we are going across that bridge is over the cyclops' dead body...The minotaurs, well, as the old saying goes we will cross THAT bridge...No matter how wild it gets, must not forget Gabrielle...It will be good to see Hercules again."
Autolycus: "Hercules is going to owe me big time for this...Maybe I can persuade him to rip off the doors to a couple of treasury buildings...Nah, I can just hear him, 'It's wrong to steal, Autolycus', ...Too bad...I hope these guys are in top form because we are going to need it."
Darinius: "Must talk to Xena about tactics...She's much more adept at this small unit stuff than I am...Need to swallow your pride, here and listen to her...No room for error at all...Wonder how many there are...I enjoy your company, Gabrielle, but I wish you weren't here."
Upon hearing the crashing thunder of the rapids, the little group realized that they had reached the real start of their mission. They slowly took the inside side of the last turn just before the bridge.
"There he is," said Iolaus.
"He's bigger than that other one I met," observed Gabrielle.
"Some get even bigger," said Xena.
"That's plenty big enough for me, thank you," said Autolycus.
Suddenly Gabrielle turned to Xena with that gleam in her eye that always spelled trouble as far as Xena was concerned.
"I have a idea," said Gabrielle.
"No."
"You haven't even heard it yet," protested Gabrielle.
"I don't have to, I know I won't like it," said Xena.
"C' mon, let me talk to him. Maybe I can get him to reveal what we are up against. You know, how many guards there are, where the cage is, that sort of thing," said Gabrielle.
"No, Gabrielle, I forbid it."
"You forbid it? You forbid it?" whispered Gabrielle hoarsely. "I thought I was an equal partner in all this. So maybe I can't handle a sword. There are other ways I can help and this is one of them.
Those flashing green eyes are something to behold, thought Darinius. That old joke about women being beautiful when they are angry certainly rings true for Gabrielle.
The anger in those eyes lasted but a moment and was replaced by hurt and sorrow. Scanning the whole group Gabrielle spoke, "I guess you guys just think I'm a pack animal, huh? You know, someone to carry the food."
Even before finishing she was sorry she had said it. The expressions on all their faces, even Autolycus, told her how they really felt. As for Xena...
"I - I'm sorry," sputtered Gabrielle. "I know you guys don't think of me that way. It's just that I want to do something to help.
Xena stepped in front of her Gabrielle, placed a hand on each of her arms and locked onto her with those remarkable blue eyes. I have really done it this time, thought Gabrielle. She then saw just a bare hint of a half smile on Xena's face.
"Don't get too close," said Xena.
"Huh?"
"Don't get too close. Give him some reason not to want to eat you right away. Try to find out how many human guards there are," said Xena.
"Human guards?" puzzled Gabrielle, "what other kind of guards are there?"
"Better tell her, Xena," said Darinius.
"Minotaurs, Gabrielle," said Xena.
"Holy Demeter! Oh, sorry," whispered Gabrielle.
"Gabrielle, try to find out as much as you can but don't ask any direct questions. He might get suspicious," said Darinius.
"Right, um - well, here I go," said Gabrielle.
Just before Gabrielle stepped out from the cover of the trees and into the middle of the road, Xena gave her arm an extra squeeze.
"Remember, we are right here," she reminded her.
"I know. See you soon. Better hold this," grinned Gabrielle, handing Xena her staff, " I might scare him."
"Be careful Gabrielle," said Iolaus.
Autolycus eased over to where Darinius was watching the girl making her way to the bridge. "That thing's not going to let her come back down here, you know," he whispered.
"Doesn't matter," said Darinius. "At the first indication of something going awry I am going to drop him."
Gabrielle was now within thirty paces of the bridge keeper.
"Darinius, nobody said anything about minotaurs," said Autolycus.
"That cess pool is starting to look pretty good to you right about now, isn't it?" grinned Darinius.
"Well, it did have it's charms now that I think about it," replied Autolycus.
Darinius eased up to where Xena stood intently gazing at Gabrielle.
"I still don't like this," she said, gritting her teeth.
"Me either, but we do need to know what we are facing," said Darinius.
"Ah, hello there."
"Who are you?" roared the cyclops. He WAS much bigger than the other one Gabrielle had seen.
"My name is Gabrielle and, ah, I'm kind of lost. Could you help me please?"
"Lost? You surely are lost. No one comes to this place."
Stupid girl, he thought. Well, the stupid ones taste just good as all the rest.
"Well, um, you see the mast on our ship broke and we had to land here to try to replace it," said Gabrielle. "I was sent out to try to find fresh water and, like I said, I got lost."
"Now that's just too bad," scowled the cyclops. His huge eye looked past the small morsel before him in greedy anticipation of more. "Tell me, how many more of you are there?"
He had not eaten a whole human in a long time and he was sooo hungry. What few deer he could trap and the scraps they brought him from the castle were never enough.
"Oh, about twenty," answered Gabrielle. That ought to get his attention, she thought. "Tell me, doesn't it get lonely here? I mean, it must be really hard on you not to have anyone to talk to." I know it would be for me because I really like to talk."
"I can see that."
Iolaus sidled up to where Xena and Darinius were bent down, watching. "You know, Xena, she really has changed," he said.
"How so?' she asked.
"Look at her. It took a lot of guts just to walk up to that thing like that. Some of you must have rubbed off on her."
"That's where you're wrong, Iolaus," said Xena. You are confusing confidence with courage. When you two first met she might not have had as much self assurance as she does now but she has always been very brave."
The monster returned it's gaze to Gabrielle. "I get enough company to suit me. More that enough."
"Really. I have not seen any signs of habitation around here. Where do they live?" asked Gabrielle innocently.
"In the castle beyond those hills."
"Hmmm. Do you think I could talk them into helping us?" There are only four or five sailors on our ship and I heard them say that if only they had about ten good men to help them they could put the mast up in no time at all. Do you think there are ten good men over there? We could pay them to help us. Here look. Gabrielle reached into her shoulder bag and produced some of the dinars Darinius had given her.
"How do I know they're real?" asked the cyclops.
"Here, see for yourself," said Gabrielle. She began to slowly approach the monster displaying the coins in her outstretched hand.
"What is she doing?" Xena whispered. It was plain to see she was alarmed.
"I don't know," replied Darinius. "I can't hear a thing for those rapids."
"She's too close," said Xena.
"Listen, this could get out of hand real fast," said Darinius. "Iolaus, if he tries to grab Gabrielle I want you to jump out in the middle of the road and do your best to distract him."
"Right."
"Xena, can you hit him from here with your chakram?" asked Darinius.
"Yes," she replied, "but I need to close the range some to do real damage to him."
"Okay, but if you charge him be sure to keep to the right side of the road," said Darinius. "I want a clear shot at HIS right side."
Xena nodded at his bow and asked, "You are not going to aim for his eye?"
"No, he might still be able to flail around and hurt Gabrielle" said Darinius. "I want him to drop straight down if at all possible."
"They look real enough." A cyclops did not normally have much use for money but maybe the humans in the castle would give him more food for them.
"Well, are there ten good men over there who can help us?" ask Gabrielle impatiently.
"Oh, there's twice that, little girl," said the monster. "I don't know if they will want to help you, though. "Aren't there any men sailing with you to help the sailors?"
"Well no, just women and children," said Gabrielle.
Sefticles, for that was the monster's name, could not believe his good fortune. Women and children! They were so much tastier than men. So much more tender.
"If they won't help us," persisted Gabrielle, " is there anyone else around who can?"
"There's others. There's others," said Sefticles. "But your dinars would not interest them. Those blasted minotaurs are not going to get their stinking hands on these prizes. Not if he cast his dice right, he thought.
"What's this world coming to when helpless women and children can't hire assistance?" wailed Gabrielle, wiping away a tear. Oh, Gabrielle, you are soooo good, she thought. "These 'others' you spoke of what are they, centaurs?"
"You got the 'taurs part right," smirked Sefticles.
This imbecile thinks he is being clever, thought Gabrielle. "Well if they won't take our money we have other -uh, assets."
"Assets?' What do you mean?" asked Sefticles.
Gabrielle hit him with her best seductive smile and said, "C' mon, you know."
"I see." If this stupid little harlot is not going to ask ME I'll have to bring it up myself, raged the monster silently. "Little one, I can help you if you lead the way," he offered.
"I told you I am lost," said Gabrielle. "And besides, I don't think you are strong enough to help us all by yourself."
"Why you insolent harlot, I am stronger than all of them combined," roared Sefticles.
Xena did not like this at all. It was clear the cyclops was becoming agitated.
Gabrielle, why do you always have to try to prove yourself to me?, she wondered. That's what this is really all about isn't it?
Darinius, too, felt the situation was becoming dangerous. He pulled the bow off his back and removed the arrows attached to it. He selected three with the biggest warhead and aligned them on the bowstring. I haven't used this in a while, he remembered. For Gabrielle's sake I hope the bowstring is still strong. I must remember to check it more often. He brought his bow, half drawn, to the ready position and waited.
Faced with the possibility of a long walk, Sefticles began to have second thoughts, there may not even be any others. Maybe the wench is lying. Or maybe - Hercules!
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to insult you," said Gabrielle smoothly. "It's just that I am really anxious to find help for my friends."
"YOU'RE NOT LOST!, screamed Sefticles. You have come to rescue Hercules! Where are the others? TELL ME!
"There isn't anyone else here. I told you I am lost," answered Gabrielle. She began to slowly back away.
"You lying little harlot," swore Sefticles. "You are trying to trick me! Well, you'll pay!" With surprising speed the monster lashed out at Gabrielle. Realizing the danger, she managed to elude enough of the blow to just be grazed by it. Still, it was enough to render her unconscious.
"And now, my tasty little morsel." Sefticles was already drooling in greedy anticipation as he picked Gabrielle up by the back of her neck, her legs dangling like limp rags under her.
"Hey, you fat bastard!" screamed Iolaus. "Why don't you pick on someone your own size!"
Brought out of his reverie by Iolaus' challenge, Sefticles lone eye began to register more movement than it could keep up with. To his right the little man who had screamed at him had picked up a large stick and was running toward him. To his left a powerfully built woman was also advancing quickly. Straight ahead still another man was stepping out of the treeline. Confused by the flurry of activity before him, Sefticles was indecisive about what to do.
The humans, however, were not. Seizing her chakram, Xena unleashed the destructive power of this unique weapon. As she finished her follow- through, Xena heard Darinius' arrows ripping past her on the way to their target. The chakram tore into the back of the monster's left hand, burrowing itself almost two thirds of the way in. As he released Gabrielle, the three arrows found their mark. Their pattern had ran true. One struck the monster in the kneecap and shattered it, another dug itself deep into his thigh, and the last one bored into his hip.
Roaring in agony, the cyclops collapsed. As Darinius had hoped, the arrows had the desired effect of forcing the monster to fall on his right side and expose his jugular vein.
While Xena rushed to her beloved, Darinius cast aside his bow, pulled his sword, and with a purposeful stride, advanced toward Sefticles. Drawing even with the monster, Darinius saw the sword was unnecessary. The cyclops had crashed his head into one of the bridge abutments while falling and was dead.
"Gabrielle. Gabrielle!" Xena had already gathered her up in her arms and was appalled at the results of Sefticles' blow to her head. The whole left side of Gabrielle's face was swelling and she was bleeding from her left ear. Autolycus tore off a piece of his shirt off and soaked it with the water from Gabrielle's bag.
"Here, Xena, use this," he offered.
By now Darinius and Iolaus had joined them.
"Is she going to be all right?" asked Iolaus. He had long felt that Gabrielle shared a part of his soul and the sight of this lovely young woman lying limp as a rag in Xena's arms was almost too much to bear.
"Her pulse and breathing are good," answered Xena, carefully wiping Gabrielle's face with the rag. "I'm worried about that ear, though."
For a few anxious moments the rest of them help their collective breaths while Xena worked to revive Gabrielle. "C' mon Gabrielle, you have been hurt worse than this." She gently slapped Gabrielle on the cheek. "C' mon wake up."
"Ohhhhhh." Slowly Gabrielle's eyes began to flutter and then open.
"Gabrielle, it's me, Xena. Talk to me.
Gabrielle could only see the misty outlines of those standing above her.
"My head. Oww. Can't see. Xena?"
"I'm right here, Gabrielle. You're going to be all right."
"Twenty guards. Don't know about- about..."
"Don't worry about that now," said Xena. She took the water flask from Autolycus and held it up to Gabrielle's lips. "Here, drink this."
Gabrielle managed to drink some water but then became choked and most of what she had swallowed came streaming back out of her nose.
"I can't see a thing," coughed Gabrielle. The left side of her face felt like a millstone was hanging from it. And that ringing in her ear! Gabrielle felt like her head was going to explode.
"It's going to take a little time for her to pull herself together," said Xena.
"Why don't Iolaus and I use the time to scout up ahead?" asked Darinius.
"NO!, Xena answered forcefully. "Enough of that. We either all go or nobody goes. We will find Hercules together." Darinius saw she really meant business.
"Okay," he said. "We'll all wait together." Darinius walked back down the road to fetch his bow. He knew Xena was not really angry at him. It was just that she had to vent her anger on something and she had chosen him. She jumped me because she knows I can take it, he thought. The others might not hold up so well against those raging blue eyes. Even now she is always thinking.
"Ohhh. Xena?"
"Yes?"
"A castle...a castle beyond those hills," moaned Gabrielle.
"Shhhh. Don't worry about that now. Just lie here and rest."
Gabrielle's left eye was now almost completely swollen shut. Xena was relieved to see her ear had, for the most part, stopped bleeding.
"Xena?"
"I'm here, Gabrielle."
"Xena, you know I don't ask much from you but I - I want you to do something for me... please?"
It was true, thought Xena. It was always I lead, she follows.
"Name it, Gabrielle."
"Don't fight with Darinius any more. He's a good man. He was just thinking of us."
"I know," said Xena.
Darinius had returned to the group in time to hear this exchange.
"I - I like him," continued Gabrielle. "He is so much like you."
Not since his beloved Lycidia had crossed over the river had anyone said that about him. Sure, he had received much praise and adulation for his exploits but is was as nothing compared to what this young woman with the battered face had spoken of from her heart. For the first time since learning of Lycidia's fate so long ago, Darinius felt the tears well up.
"It would be a tragedy if two people so noble and brave could not be friends," said Gabrielle.
"Don't worry, Gabrielle," soothed Xena. She fixed her gaze on Darinius and continued, "We are friends."
Darinius gave Xena a half smile and a barely perceptible nod to signal his assent.
"I'm so lucky to have such friends - all of you. I mean people who-"
"That's enough Gabrielle," said Xena gently. "Don' t talk anymore. Try to rest." Even in pain the girl loved to talk.
"Xena?'
"Yes?"
"Am I going to die?"
"No, Gabrielle, you are not going to die. You just feel like you are," replied Xena.
Darinius and Autolycus walked over to the edge of the bridge and began to look over the cyclops.
"He's certainly a big one," observed Autolycus.
"Bigger that most of his kind," agreed Darinius. They continued to stare at the huge form for some time before Darinius spoke again, "I believe they day will come when all these creatures will cease to exist. Centaurs, minotaurs, cyclops, dragons, all of them. Humans will eventually crowd them out."
"Well it won't be too soon for me," said Autolycus.
"I guess you are right," said Darinius. "Still, it will be sad in a way."
A half an hour later found Gabrielle sitting upright and somewhat returning to her old self. Supported by Xena's strong arm on one side and by Iolaus on the other she managed to stand although her legs were still a bit rubbery.
"Bend your head down, Gabrielle," said Xena. She placed the fingers of both hands on the back of Gabrielle's neck and began to probe for the proper spot. Upon finding it she gently but firmly applied the right amount of pressure. For a split second Gabrielle thought she WAS going to die. Soon, however, the pounding in her head eased considerably and the ringing in her ear stopped completely.
I can handle this, she thought.
"Better?" asked Xena.
"Yes, thank you," sighed Gabrielle loudly.
"Why did you wait until now to do- whatever it is you did?" asked Autolycus.
"I had to be sure she was coherent before I could do anything," said Xena. Gabrielle, I don't want to seem unfeeling, but..."
"I know, we have to go," Gabrielle cut her off. "I'm all right, really."
"Darinius, we're ready," announced Xena.
"Okay, let's move out the same as before except Autolycus, you walk with Gabrielle and keep an eye on her.
They formed up their column and started over the bridge. For what seemed to be very ancient construction the bridge was in remarkably good condition. The little group quickly crossed over the river and started up the long slope on the other side.
Their progression up the road was not unobserved.
"Senta, you have intruders."
"Most revered Hera, who would dare to desecrate ground which has been pledged to you?" asked Senta.
"It is the murdering harlot Xena and that blood thirsty slaughterer, Darinius."
"But why are they here?"
"They have come to take your love, Hercules, from you," hissed Hera.
"NO!" Never.
"They have already murdered Sefticles."
"By your most powerful name," vowed Senta, "I will punish these evil meddlers. Thaddeus! Thaddeus!"
The captain of her guards burst into her chamber.
"What is it, my princess?" he asked. "Are you in danger?"
"Yes, Thaddeus, I am. The island has been invaded. They are approaching on the west road. Already Sefticles is dead. Seek them out and destroy them," ordered Senta.
"At once."
"Mighty Hera, I will crush these vermin," said Senta.
"You should have sent the others as well," said Hera.
"Most feared one they are almost blind in daylight. It is better if they remain here and guard Hercules," said Senta.
"Very well, but be warned these murderers are very formidable."
"Thaddeus and his men will not fail me," Senta assured her.
Chapter 13 Contact
We have company. Xena's uncanny ability to sense danger had rung the alarm bell inside her head. She was about to warn the others when Iolaus suddenly stopped. He stared up the road for a moment and eased his way back to the others.
"There is some movement up there," he said. "It might mean trouble."
"Do you think it's our welcoming committee?" asked Darinius.
Xena nodded her confirmation.
"Then let's not disappoint them," said Iolaus.
Thaddeus and his men were now in sight and beginning to advance.
"Looks to be about twenty of them," noted Xena.
"Told ya," said Gabrielle.
With a professional's eye Darinius studied the oncoming men. "A bunch of clods," he allowed. "They don' t know anything about deployment and half of them don't even have the proper weapons. Those short swords are not made for fighting out in the open like this."
"Maybe they think they don't have to be so careful," said Autolycus, "After all, they do have us outnumbered."
Darinius caught Xena's eye and with a sly grin said, "I have been outnumbered all my life."
Xena arched her eyebrow in mock anger and replied, "If you ask me, I'd say we have THEM outnumbered."
The guards were now within fifty paces.
"Here, Iolaus, take my sword," said Darinius. "I'll 'requisition' one from one of those guys. Xena? What do you think?"
"We need to take down as many as possible before they close on us," she said. " How many arrows do you have left?"
"Four."
"See how bunched they are? I figure I can hit three or four with the chakram," allowed Xena. They are not going to do anything fancy. They are just going to mass up and charge us."
Darinius turned to Gabrielle and Autolycus and said, "Okay, you two stay back and take care of anyone who tries to flank us."
"Don't worry," said Gabrielle, "we'll take care of the bastards, won't we Autolycus?"
"Gabrielllle!" Gabrielle's swearing had startled Xena. "You hush that."
"Sorry." Hmph, thought Gabrielle, here we are about to fight twenty men and she is worried about my language.
"Here they come!"
In quick succession Darinius's four remaining arrows screamed through the air toward the guards. The men were so bunched together it was impossible for the missiles not to find a mark. Simultaneously, the deadly chakram struck home and downed three more. Darinius picked up a couple of smooth stones from the road and readied his sling.
"I told you this came in handy, Autolycus," he said.
"Iolaus, don't rush out to meet them," warned Xena. "We want to hit them three abreast."
Senta's men were now within ten paces as one, then two more of them fell - courtesy of Darinius's sling. The battle was now joined. In the blink of an eye Xena broke the neck of one man with a monstrous kick, ducked under another's sword slash, and nearly cut him in two with her own sword. Iolaus, meanwhile, took down two more with a rolling block and, before they could rise, were dispatched by Gabrielle and her staff. The odds were now seven to five.
The battle was as good as over. Darinius pulled out his knife, deftly dodged a sweeping slash at his knees, and planted it into his assailant's neck. He relieved the dead man of his sword and ran it through one of the two men battling Iolaus. In the meantime Xena had killed another two and was locked in on the next one.
Relieved of his double team, Iolaus quickly dispatched his man with a series of hard elbows to the stomach. Again, Autolycus had the bad luck of drawing the biggest of the bunch. This man, with arms the size of Autolycus' legs, had
him embraced in a huge bear hug. Try as he might to free himself, Autolycus could not manage it. Soon he was turning as purple as Xena's old battle cape.
Gabrielle's work with her staff had once again made her light-headed but she still managed to give Autolycus' antagonist a solid whack to the head before her knees buckled. This result of this was that the huge man loosened his grip just enough for Autolycus to separate himself and drive his knee into the man's groin. Autolycus then clamped his hands together in a double fist and hit him with everything he had. Like a huge tree the guard teetered briefly and fell crashing to the ground.
Autolycus’ eyes registered a myriad of scenes as they began to refocus. Xena was chasing the last man up the road, Iolaus was bent over Gabrielle, and Darinius was checking out the downed men.
Darinius knew he could not take the chance of letting one of these men sneak off and warn their master so he utilized a lesson he had learned in the Spartan army so long ago. No matter how adept a man was at holding his breath no one could remain motionless after receiving a solid kick to the groin. He did not have to test all of them as most were obviously dead. It
was a dirty job and he did not relish doing it but he had to be sure. All but three were dead.
"Iolaus, can you give me a hand?" asked Darinius.
"Sure."
"There are three of them still alive. Let's tie them to those trees over there so they can't get in our way anymore," said Darinius.
Here, thought Gabrielle, is the difference between my friends and all those marauding bastards who call themselves 'warriors'. Hercules, Xena, Darinius, always fought for good and only killed in the heat of battle. When it was over they once again became the examples of the heights humanity could attain. If we had lost here...well she had no illusions about that, either. None of us would have been left alive to be tied to trees that's for sure, she thought.
This brief, but very bloody, conflict had been a perfect illustration of the very different fighting styles of Xena, Iolaus, and Darinius. Iolaus tended to rely on his amazing quickness and agility to avoid blows and deliver vigorous counterattacks to his foes. Xena, on the other hand, was the ultimate warrior. She was not really that quick but she was capable of performing stunning, almost gravity- defying maneuvers. Her real assets were her incredible raw power, aggressiveness, intellect, and courage beyond description. But what really made her so memorable was flair with which she utilized these assets. She exhibited a certain style which, once seen, was forever burned into one's memory - if they lived. A breathtakingly beautiful warrior woman in the prime of her life; she was a vision to behold.
To best describe Darinius' abilities one needed only to ask the ultimate authority on warriors, Xena. She had fought many battles, large and small, and had seen many warriors but only two whom she considered her equal. One was Hercules, of course, and the other was the quiet, confident man from Mymalar. Darinius might have been Xena's equal but their fighting styles were not much alike. His methods and been learned in Sparta's bloody coastal wars and over time he had refined those methods to something close to technical perfection. Because his army had been so often out numbered, he had developed combat techniques that required less physical exertion than normal. As a result he was not stylish or creative in combat; only deadly efficient. Another difference between the two was Darinius, like Hercules, mainly had a "lets get if over with" attitude when it came to fighting while Xena clearly relished a good fight.
Xena was having more trouble catching Thaddeus that she had expected. I should have sent Iolaus, she thought. Running was the only chink in Xena's armor and it was but a small one. After all, it was not something she was called upon to do very often. While she did not have anything like a sprinter's speed she made up for it by being able to maintain a very good pace for a very long time.
Thaddeus was doing the best he could but he was steadily losing ground to the demon-woman. He had never seen anything like it! Twenty men defeated by this woman and her companions in less time than it took to tell about it. Now the woman's measured breathing and heavy foot steps were coming closer...closer. Suddenly, two powerful arms were around his legs and he crashed to the ground. He felt himself being hoisted up to a sitting position. The woman was now behind him and she had locked a forearm under his chin. It's not possible for a woman, ANYONE, to be this strong, he thought. Struggle as he might, he could not break free.
"No, no, no. You are not going anywhere," panted Xena. "I have had enough road work for today. Now, why don't you tell me what I want to know and maybe I'll let you live."
"You will get nothing from me, harpy," spat Thaddeus.
"That's too bad." Thaddeus felt the shock of his head being snapped back and what felt like a couple of fingers being pressed sharply into the junction of his neck and shoulders. Soon he could neither move nor breathe and blackness was enshrouding his vision.
"I've cut off the flow of blood to your brain, the she-devil told him. "You have less than a minute to tell me what I want to know. Otherwise I walk away and you die. So let's not beat around the bush, shall we? Where is Hercules?"
"In - in the dungeon at the castle," gasped Thaddeus.
"And where is this dungeon located?"
"By the - the south wall of the palace."
"How many minotaurs?" demanded Xena. Here Thaddeus hesitated. Xena locked her hands around his neck and tried again. "How many!"
"Twelve," he answered, finally.
"Any other surprises I should know about? Well?"
"No," he croaked.
The fingers once more were jabbed into his neck and he found himself able to fight for air now.
"Thanks," cooed the she-devil.
Thaddeus rolled back his eyes in time to catch sight of the oncoming fist.
Chapter 14 The Castle
The cage had performed it's job well. Hercules was indeed powerless just as Hera said he would be. This, however, was not quite the way Senta wanted it. After all, as long as he was in the cage his mind was unable to comprehend anything. What good was it, she thought, if she could not hold him close or feel his lips on hers. This way he was nothing more
than an exotic pet. I love him so much, she thought. I don't dare release him now but once the three moons are passed we will be together forever. Senta turned her gaze to the two minotaurs silently watching Hercules from their post in the corridor. Such filthy creatures!, thought Senta. She did not trust them despite the fact they were under orders from Hera to
obey her. Thaddeus and his men should be returning soon, she thought, I will have one of them watch Hercules for a while.
"There she is!", shouted Iolaus. "Xena!" Iolaus was greatly relieved to see her. The possibility of her being led into a trap had occurred to him. Now she strode back down the road to meet her comrades.
"I didn't think you would have to chase him THAT far," teased Darinius. "You must be getting slow in your old age."
"I didn't see you chasing him," retorted Xena. "And you are a fine one to be calling someone old."
"I prefer to call it 'maturity'," said Darinius airily.
"Did you find out anything, Xena?" asked Iolaus.
"Yes. Hercules is being held in a dungeon by the south wall of the palace." Xena paused before delivering the really bad news. "There are also twelve minotaurs roaming around in there."
"Uhh boy," groaned Darinius.
"Gabrielle, are you all right?" asked Xena.
"Yeah," replied Gabrielle. "But I am starting to know how a cyclops feels."
Poor Gabrielle was right. Not only was her left eye completely swollen shut but the whole left side of her face from the jaw to the temple as well.
"Just be thankful you were able to avoid the worst of it or...," Xena's voice trailed off.
"I know, I would be crossing the river Styx right about now. Right?"
"‘Fraid so," said Xena.
"So what do we do now?' asked Autolycus.
"Good question," said Darinius. "What do you think, Xena. It's going to be dark before long. Do we risk a night attack or do we wait until morning?"
"If we attack at night we will be at a clear disadvantage," said Xena. "They say minotaurs don't see very well in daylight but do very well at night. On the other hand, if we wait Senta is going to know something is wrong. There is no telling what she might do. She might even be crazy enough to harm Hercules in some way."
"Okay, what about you guys?" asked Darinius.
The idea of fighting minotaurs in the dark did not appeal to any of them.
"We will do whatever you and Xena want," said Gabrielle.
"What I want is to be fishing on a beach somewhere," grinned Darinius. "How about you, Xena?"
"Make mine a good hot bath," answered Xena.
"I hate to break up this little moment," said Autolycus, "but are we going to hit them tonight or not?"
"If we wait Senta might send a couple of those things out to look for us," said Xena. "We might be able to set up some sort of ambush."
"Can we risk letting Hercules staying in there another night?" asked Iolaus.
"That's what we are trying to decide, Iolaus," said Xena.
"Well I have had enough," said Iolaus. "You can stay here and 'decide' all you want. I am going to do something." He had not gone two steps before Xena caught him by the arm.
"Calm down," she said softly. "We are on your side, remember?
"Iolaus, we all want to help but we can't just go rushing in there," reminded Darinius.
"I knowww. It's just-"
"Iolaus we will get him out of there," said Gabrielle.
Xena planted herself squarely in front of Iolaus and put her hands on his shoulders. "I owe my life to Hercules," she said. "Iolaus, I swear to you on my brother's grave if we are not successful I will not be leave this island alive."
As far as Iolaus was concerned this was what amounted to an emotional outburst for the usually stoic Xena and he was somewhat embarrassed by it. Fortunately, his discomfort was interrupted by Gabrielle mumbling to herself.
"What did you say?" asked Xena.
"I was just thinking. If these things don't see very well in daylight why don't we take advantage of what time we have left today and get inside the castle? I mean - they won't be out on the battlements or anything; they will be inside, won't they? And, and if we get inside maybe we could sucker some of them into a trap out into the open and even the score a little."
Gabrielle caught herself. Stupid!, she thought, who are you to try to tell these great military minds their business? She reminded herself that Xena was almost infallible at overcoming obstacles like this. Gabrielle, you will be lucky if they don't chase you clear back to the beach, she thought.
For a long moment Xena and Darinius just stood there staring at her.
I got a bad feeling about this, thought Gabrielle. She then saw this "look" come over Xena's face. It was hard to read her but she seemed to be pleased.
Darinius' face was not so hard to read. The delight was very plain to see.
"Well, Xena, the wrong ones have been leading this little expedition," laughed Darinius. "I think she has got something."
"I told you she was something, didn't I?" she replied proudly.
"Well, what do you say, General Gabrielle? Shall we get to it?" asked Darinius.
This guy sure has a way about him, thought Gabrielle. "Lead the way, private," she laughed. It felt good to her to be making a tangible contribution. "Oh and, by the way, you don't have to salute if you don't want to."
Darinius bowed deeply from the waist and Xena could only shake her head in amusement.
"There it is."
There was no more than hour or so of daylight left when they reached the castle. Xena studied it with interest and noted it was not especially a big one. It had been designed more as a residence than as protection from invasion. She could see the gates were closed and assumed they were locked. They probably left one or two men behind to watch the gate, she thought.
"I think maybe we should try that northwest corner," suggested Xena. "There's a good chance only one or two men are manning the gate so our best bet is to go to the opposite corner."
"You read my mind," agreed Darinius.
The little band quickly worked its way down the slope of the hill and skimmed along the walls of the palace until they reached the northwest corner.
"Okay, Autolycus," said Darinius, "this is where you earn your keep. Think you can scale that wall?"
"No wall is too tough for the King of Thieves," assured Autolycus. "Stand back." Unfortunately for Autolycus the battlements had been shaped to form a sharp ridge on the top and there was no place for the grappling hook on Autolycus' one of a kind device to attach itself to. On the first attempt the hook came bouncing back down the wall as it fell to the ground.
"No wall is too tough, huh?" chided Xena.
"Well, ah, it's just a temporary setback," said Autolycus. But twice more he tried the hood and twice more he failed.
"Maybe we should just throw you over the wall," growled Xena.
"Uh, Autolycus?"
"Whaaaat?"
"Do you think you can put that thing through there?" asked Iolaus, pointing to a window in the watchtower.
"It's worth a try, I guess," answered Autolycus.
It took a couple of minutes for him to rewind the mechanism.
"It's going to be a long swim home for you if you don't hit that sill," warned Xena. She was becoming very impatient. We're wasting time, she thought.
"Thanks for the vote of confidence," said Autolycus.
Although he was sure Xena was only kidding- wasn't she?, he was nevertheless relieved when his hook shot squarely through the tower window. His anxiety was further eased by the solid feel of the hook setting itself in the ledge. Soon he was up the cord and through the window, making the cord more secure.
"Okay, Iolaus, you're next," said Darinius.
Iolaus quickly and neatly scurried up the cord to join Autolycus.
"Xena, I don't think I can make it up there," said Gabrielle.
"You don't have to, we will pull you up," assured Xena. "Go on Darinius, I will go last."
Darinius quickly hauled himself up the cord.
"Here, put this around you," said Xena, putting a loop in the cord. "How are you feeling?"
"I'm a little tired, but don't worry about me," said Gabrielle.
Xena made sure the loop around her was secure and added, "I want you to know I am proud of you. You really showed these guys what you are made of today."
"Thank you. Okay guys, I'm ready."
"Watch your head, now," warned Xena.
Gabrielle was quickly pulled up to join her friends and soon Xena was with them also.
Silently the made their way down the tower steps and toward the main gate, Iolaus, as usual, leading the way.
"There's only one that I can see," said Iolaus, peeking around the corner and eyeing the gate.
"Get his attention, Iolaus," said Xena. "It's not polite to arrive unannounced.
"Hey, stupid! Your mother wears army boots!" yelled Iolaus. He stuck his thumbs in his ears and wiggled his fingers.
"Who are you?" bellowed the guard. "Come back here! When I get my-", the guard rounded the corner where Iolaus had been and ran headlong into a straight right hand from Xena.
"Army boots?" laughed Darinius.
"It was all I could think of," shrugged Iolaus.
"Now that we are close," said Autolycus, what do we know about our 'friends' in there?"
"Big. Strong. Vicious," answered Xena.
"But also slow and stupid," reminded Darinius.
"And one more thing," added Iolaus, "they stink."
"It will be dark soon," said Xena. "Let's get to work."
Quickly they made their way to the south wall of the castle. Xena saw that the place where Hercules was being held must have been used for some kind of ceremonial, probably religious, purpose at one time. A solid slab of what looked like marble supported by four columns formed a kind of portico over the entrance. On top of the stoa were two rather large statues of griffins. The columns and the door facing were heavily engraved with symbols Xena had never seen before. The door opened into a hallway of at least twenty paces in length and faded into the darkness beyond the palace walls. To Xena the
place had obviously been one in which its users had wanted to easily restrict whom could enter.
"You know, those griffins don' t look very stable," observed Xena.
"You're thinking if they were to 'accidentally' fall someone could get hurt?" asked Darinius. "Like a minotaur maybe?"
"Oh, wouldn't that be just terrible," purred Xena.
Iolaus thought he could see what was next. "Do you want me to go in there and try to draw them out so that you can play 'mash the monster'?" he asked.
"That's what I was thinking except you are not going in there, I am," said Darinius.
"Why you?" asked Xena. "Iolaus is obviously a faster runner than you are."
"Because," said Darinius, "from here on there are no leaders and followers.
We just go in there. It's going to be a dog fight, plain and simple. No battle plans, no tricks, we just slug it out. Nobody is in charge now. No, I cannot ask Iolaus to do this. It is my turn."
"Then maybe I should be the one to go," suggested Xena.
"Nah, somebody has to get up on top of the stoa," said Darinius. "None of us but you can make the leap up there sooo..."
"Okay, okay, I get the message," said Xena dryly.
"One last order from me," said Darinius. "Autolycus, you and Gabrielle hide behind these front columns and stretch that cord from your grappling hook across the bottom of the doorway. Don't worry, our friends will be concentrating on me and not you. After I pass by pull the cord up just high enough to trip them. That will make it easier for Xena and Iolaus to hit them with the griffins. Iolaus, care to trade swords? I believe you still have mine."
Iolaus traded swords with him and asked, "Darinius, what's to keep all of them from following you out here?"
"Nothing," said Darinius. "Whether they all follow me or not is irrelevant. This still has to be done."
"But-"
"Iolaus, we can't fight a battle of attrition here. These things are too strong. Minotaurs can fight all day and all night and not get tired. We have to try to take some of them out not only quickly but with as little exertion as possible. Now, once we get in there, I am hoping Hercules can give us a hand but we have got to reach him first." He paused and looked at Xena, "You ready?"
"Yeah."
"Let's go then."
Without her usual war cry, Xena executed a leaping back flip and landed up on top of the portico. She immediately lay face down on the slab and reached one arm over the side. Locking Iolaus' arm with hers, she easily swung him up to join her on the slab.
The woman is amazing, thought Darinius. "Are you ready?" he asked Autolycus.
"Ready."
Darinius took a hard swallow and entered the hallway. He had not gone ten paces before the stench greeted him. It's even worse than I remember, he thought. Poor Hercules! Now it was to dark too continue much farther. Well, here I go, he thought.
"HERCULES! HERCULES, WHERE ARE YOU!"
Darinius immediately detected sounds of movement directly in front of him. There! No more than a few paces away and about level with his waist, Darinius could see two - no three pairs of red glowing embers boring in on him out of the darkness.
Get ready, he told himself. Then another pair of eyes appeared and with them, a roar loud enough to wake the dead. The eyes were now closing on him!
Darinius almost waited too long to make his escape. He felt the whoosh of a sword stroke not more than a hand's width away from his head. He ran down the hallway and out into the open with the monsters hot on his heels.
As soon as Darinius passed them, Autolycus and Gabrielle yanked up their cord and tripped up three of the minotaurs. The fourth one managed to elude the cord and continued straight for Darinius. The three minotaurs were no sooner on the ground when the two griffins came crashing down on them. And after the statues came Xena. With a savageness she rarely let Gabrielle see, Xena rammed her sword into each of the prostrate minotaurs bellies.
"Keep an eye on the door," she told Gabrielle, "and yell out if you see any more of them coming."
By now Darinius had turned to face his pursuer. This one did not wield a sword but a battle-ax. The monster swung his weapon in long sweeping arcs, aiming mainly at Darinius' legs. Darinius deftly eluded each of his foe's attacks and, using his sword with deadly efficiency, scored two solid hits on the monster's left arm. As the minotaur began to make his next sweep at Darinius his knees buckled and his weapon fell heavily to the ground.
Due to his intense concentration on the minotaur Darinius had not seen Iolaus close in from the right and ram his sword into its ribs.
"Are you all right?" asked Iolaus.
"Yeah, I'm okay. Thanks, Iolaus," said Darinius.
Iolaus was having trouble removing his sword from the monster's ribs. Finally, by planting his foot on the minotaur's back and pulling with all his might, he was able to remove it.
Xena, meanwhile, returned to Gabrielle and Autolycus after seeing that Iolaus was on his way to help Darinius.
"Stay close to me from now on, Gabrielle," she said.
"Xena?"
"Yes?"
"For a moment there - I mean, with the minotaurs, it was like you were someone I didn't know," said Gabrielle.
"I was," said Xena. "You caught a glimpse of the past, Gabrielle. I guess with so much at stake here I lost a little self control." Seeing the apprehension in Gabrielle's eyes she smiled, put a hand on her arm and added, "Don't worry about me, I'm all right. Really"
"I’ll be glad when this is over," said Gabrielle.
"So will I," smiled Xena. "So will I."
Chapter 15 Battle
"Hey guys, look what I found."
Autolycus had been searching for a place to relieve himself when he noticed a large box with a lid held on by leather straps. He looked inside and found a small bag of grain, a jar of some unknown liquid, and three torches.
"These torches will come in handy," said Iolaus.
"What's this stuff for?" asked Gabrielle.
"My guess it is some sort of religious offering," allowed Xena.
"Well, it's time," said Darinius.
Making their way to the entrance, Xena asked Gabrielle, "Have you got your flint?"
She reached into her bag, produced the flint, and quickly lit the torches.
"Here," said Xena, giving Gabrielle and Autolycus the torches. "Gabrielle if they get too close to you I want you to put this right between their eyes, understand?"
Gabrielle merely nodded.
Darinius gave his sword a quick inspection and said, "Friends, here is where we succeed or fail. Let's not fail."
They slowly entered the hallway. Xena, Iolaus, and Darinius led the way, walking three abreast down the corridor with Autolycus and Gabrielle following close behind.
"Ugh! That odor is awful," said Gabrielle.
The steps were now just ahead and Darinius stopped for a moment to listen for that scuffling noise he had heard before.
Nothing. Just the hiss of torches.
Carefully they descended the steps. Still nothing. The bottom of the steps ended in another hallway which ran perpendicular to theirs.
"There's more than room down here," said Xena.
"So which way do we go?" asked Darinius. "Left or right?"
"We go right," said Xena.
"Okay," agreed Darinius, "Autolycus, keep a sharp watch behind us to make sure we don't get any surprises."
This passageway was much longer than the one leading outside. The little band advanced down it for what seemed like an eternity. Finally, they saw a faint light filtering out of the left side of the corridor.
"It's got to be a room," said Iolaus.
"Get ready," said Xena.
Darinius carefully inched up to the door of the room and peeked inside. The light was coming from a small, barred window high up on the opposite wall. Although it was now completely dark outside, a full moon was beginning to peek over the battlements of the castle and cast its rays through the window.
The room was not very big and, as far as Darinius could tell, nearly empty. He took the torch from Gabrielle and eased into the doorway and stuck the torch into the room. A small table in one corner, some old rags in the center of the room, and what looked like a bigger pile of rags in the corner under the window were all he could see.
"Nothing here," he whispered, turning back.
"Wait! It moved!" whispered Gabrielle.
"What moved?" asked Xena.
"Over in that corner, whatever that is, it moved I tell you," said Gabrielle.
Holding her sword with both hands, Xena stepped toward the big pile of rags. She closed to within a couple of paces before she realized it was a man. His hands were manacled to the wall and a hood had been placed over his head. She knelt down and could hear him softly moaning.
"What is it. Xena?" asked Iolaus.
"A man."
"Is he - dead?" asked Gabrielle. She found it hard to believe anyone could survive here.
"No," replied Xena. "He is just unconscious."
Gabrielle's compassion over came her fear and she moved to join Xena. She was halfway there when Xena removed the man's hood.
"Ohhh nooo," groaned Xena.
"What is it?" asked Gabrielle.
The others moved in closer to see what had given Xena such a start. By now Gabrielle's line of vision was no longer blocked and she could see the man's face.
"Joxer! What in Tartarus is he doing here?" demanded Gabrielle.
"One can only guess," said Xena.
Gabrielle soaked Autolycus' old rag with water from her bag and placed it to Joxer's lips. Xena, however, decided on a more direct approach to revive him. She placed her thumbs on Joxer's eyelids and gently pushed them up.
Joxer awakened to see Xena and Gabrielle kneeling over him and was too stunned to believe what he was seeing. What a wonderful dream, he thought, my two favorite people in the whole world.
"Joxer, Joxer, snap out of it," Gabrielle whispered as she gently slapped his cheek.
Still, Joxer could not quite clear the fog in his head. "Xena. I knew you could not resist me forever," he said dreamily.
With a smile that revealed more amusement than annoyance, Xena reached over and gave Joxer a firm pinch on the nose. "Wake up, you moron," she said.
"Owww! Not the nose. It hurts enough already. Finally, reality came to Joxer. "Hey, it is you guys! Hiya Gabby. Ugh. What happened to you?"
"It's a long story," growled Gabrielle.
"You know this man?" asked Darinius.
"I am afraid we do," said Xena dryly. "Darinius, this is Joxer, Warrior Idiot."
"Yeah I...huh?...I sometimes help out these two when the going gets too tough for them," boasted Joxer.
"What ARE you doing here anyway?" asked Gabrielle.
"Well I was in Cataria minding my own business when these guys came running by me carrying this cage on long poles," said Joxer. "As they passed by me one of them tripped and dropped his pole. The cage tilted over and the cover came halfway off and I saw, you will never believe it, Hercules inside it."
"We can believe it," replied Gabrielle.
"Wellll, the mighty Joxer saw his duty at once and attacked these cretins. I would have taken them, too, if this one sneak had not gotten in a lucky punch," he said.
"Don't tell me, let me guess," said Xena. "He broke your nose, right?"
"Yeah. How did you know?"
"Just a hunch, I guess," said Xena.
"Well, anyway," continued Joxer, "the next thing I know I'm here. I have been working on an escape plan but I am sure glad to see you guys."
"Autolycus, can you get those off him?" asked Darinius.
"Hmmm, let me see, yeah- no problem," said Autolycus. He produced his tools and in less that a minute had Joxer free. "There you go," he said.
"Joxer, do you know where Hercules is?" asked Xena.
"I don't even know where I am," bleated Joxer.
"Can you stand?" asked Xena.
"I don't know. I think so." Joxer placed his hand on Gabrielle's shoulder and managed to rise. "Just give me a minute and I'll be okay."
"Looks like it's back the other way for us," said Iolaus.
Joxer picked up the sword Autolycus had laid down and asked, "Can I borrow this? I want to get even with those cowardly bastards."
"Tell you what," said Xena, "why don't you let Autolycus keep the sword and you carry the torch?"
Joxer sadly took the torch from Iolaus and unsteadily began for the door.
What is it about that guy that makes it impossible for me do dislike him, Xena asked herself. Yes, he is totally inept but he does mean well.
Iolaus crept to the door and sneaked a peek down the hall. "I don't see anything," he said.
"Let's move out," said Darinius.
"Joxer?'
"Yes, Xena?'
"Do me a favor?'
"Sure."
"Keep an eye on Gabrielle for me?" asked Xena.
"You got it," beamed Joxer.
"I don't - he..." Gabrielle was cut short by the little wink Xena gave her. Oh, so that's it, she thought. Typical Xena. Always rock hard on the exterior but ever compassionate to the lucky ones she counted as friends. And Joxer was a friend.
They began to retrace their route back down the corridor and stopped when they reached the steps once again.
"Wonder where they are," said Iolaus. "Do you think they could be setting a trap for us?"
"Probably," nodded Xena.
The group slowly made its way past the steps and on down the passageway. Xena, Iolaus, and Darinius led the way with the others behind. The torches were not as bright as before and the dim light made it impossible to see the very thin crack in the wall of the passageway which was the only clue to the presence of a hidden door. Xena and Autolycus, in fact, looked straight at it but passed on oblivious to it. They had proceeded about ten more paces when the grating of stone upon stone was heard behind them.
"Uh ohh," said Iolaus.
They no sooner turned to face the noise when a tremendous roar filled the corridor. It seemed to be all around them.
"Run!" exclaimed Xena.
With her sword in one hand and Gabrielle's hand in the other, Xena followed Iolaus, Autolycus, and Darinius down the corridor. Joxer, meanwhile, never knew he could run so fast. After about thirty paces the corridor made a sharp turn to the right. The warriors rounded the corner and ran straight into four more minotaurs.
"Don't stop!" yelled Darinius. "Just keep going!"
Holding his sword at arm's length and across his body, Darinius charged straight into the minotaurs. Iolaus and Autolycus hit them a split second behind. The momentum of the charging men was enough to knock down all four of the minotaurs.
The monsters had been standing in a doorway of a large room lit by torches. Xena and her companions were too occupied at first to notice the bluish glow emanating from the corner of the room.
"If we can keep them bottled up in the corridor," said Xena, "we might be able to hold them off."
"But for how long?" asked Autolycus.
Xena, Darinius, and Iolaus rushed to where the corridor opened into the room just in time to do battle with the minotaurs and prevent the minotaurs from entering. As Gabrielle turned to look for another exit she saw it.
"Xena! The cage. It's Hercules!" she shouted.
"Autolycus, open the cage," said Darinius.
Autolycus produced his tools, hurried to the cage, and began to the inspect the lock.
"Hercules, it's me," said Autolycus. Hercules did not reply. He merely sat there, staring. Well, this doesn't look too hard, thought Autolycus. Autolycus inserted his pick into the key hole and a gray fog began to cloud his eyes. In a matter of seconds he could not remember what he was doing there or even who he was.
"What's the matter with you?" demanded Gabrielle.
Autolycus did not reply. Like Hercules he simply stared. Instantly Gabrielle saw the meaning of it.
"By the gods, it's true. Xena! Remember the story about the cage?" asked Gabrielle.
"I'm a little busy here, Gabrielle," replied Xena. "I don't have time for stories." She, Darinius and Iolaus were now being pressed very hard by their enemy.
"The story," persisted Gabrielle, "said that any MAN who comes in contact with the cage becomes mindless."
"So?"
"Well it's true. Autolycus can't open the cage. He touched the cage and it zapped him."
"If a man can't do it then a woman will have to," said Darinius.
So far the minotaurs had been content to crudely hack away at the humans with their swords. They were very much restricted in their movements by being bottled up in the narrow corridor. Darinius knew it was only a matter of time, however, before they regrouped and charged the way he and his friends had done.
"I see what you are getting at," said Xena. "Gabrielle, you will have to open the cage."
"ME? protested Gabrielle. "I don't know anything about picking a lock."
"JUST DO IT! screamed Xena. "We can't hold on here much longer. Joxer, we need your help!"
"Coming, Xena." Despite being very frightened, Joxer felt somehow exhilarated by the scene unfolding around him. The Warrior Princess and her friends were calling on HIM for assistance! He took the sword from the still comatose Autolycus and rushed to the aid of his comrades.
Meanwhile, Gabrielle returned to the cage and timidly began to jiggle the pick in the lock. To her relief she found that the cage, indeed, did not affect women. Desperately she began to work the tools into the lock in every position she could think of but nothing happened.
"Autolycus! Autolycus, you have got to help me!" Gabrielle was screaming at him but his demeanor did not change. She felt the anger and frustration begin to rise up inside her. Did we come all this way only to fail now? she thought. NO!
"Autolycus, snap out of it," pleaded Gabrielle. That's it! she thought.
Gabrielle reached back as far as she could and came forward with looping round house right and caught Autolycus squarely in the jaw.
"Owwww! My hand." Gabrielle was sure it was broken. That was a stupid thing to do, she thought. The last thing we need is for me to become hysterical.
But she had finally gotten a reaction from Autolycus. Waking from his drunken stupor, he blinked his eyes several times and began to shake his head as if he was trying to clear out the cobwebs. Then his brain began to register the pain in his jaw. He turned to Gabrielle, "Thanks, I needed that...I think."
Suddenly the minotaurs retreated a few paces and began to seemingly communicate among themselves.
"I was afraid of this," said Darinius. "They are going to rush us."
"Quit jabbering, you two, and get that cage open!" yelled Xena.
"Right. Autolycus, you are going to have to tell me how to do it," said Gabrielle.
"Well, first you place this one in here..."
With a huge collective roar the minotaurs charged down the hallway.
"Stand back!" yelled Xena.
The four defenders waited until the last possible moment and stepped out of the way of the onrushing monsters. Caught up in their own momentum, they burst right past the defenders. Xena on one side and Darinius on the other both managed to ram a lethal thrust into the side of a minotaur as it ran past. The fight now degenerated into individual battles all over the room.
"Now holding the first one in place, just stick the other one in here and slowly twist it until you feel a click," continued Autolycus. He sized up the situation around him. We're goners, he pronounced to himself.
"I don' t feel any..." CLICK! Gabrielle felt the door loosen and she pulled it open with a fierce yank.
Go to Part Four of L. Fox's The Cage of Elysis
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