Dov’eri la notte prima della tempesta?
A cosa pensavi, quand’eri stesa sull’erba
e il cielo sembrava abbracciare i tuoi sogni?
Dov’eri la notte prima della tempesta?
Cosa scrivevi, quando il sole non entrava più dalla finestra della tua stanza, e gli esseri della notte adoravano la luna?
Dov’eri la notte prima della tempesta?
“Ero fuori e dentro la mia mente.
Cercavo riparo dalla mia vita e dal buio.
Non volevo invecchiare, la notte prima della tempesta…”
That night another storm was raging on Thebes, which made Gabrielle waking up suddenly. Scared, she jumped, lifting her back from the bed.
Not only the thunders had made her restless, but also what she was dreaming.
That woke also Xena up, who immediately worried for the girl.
“All ok, Gab?”
“Yes…I think so…”
Xena gently wrapped Gabrielle in the sheet, who reclined on the warrior’s breast.
“I’m scared…”
“Of what, Gabrielle?”
“That you could die…”
“Killing me is not so simple…” Xena reassured her, kissing her forehead and tightening her closer, and Gabrielle immediately replied to the warmth of that hug, as if she wanted to cling on it.
Xena could feel it.
“Why don’t we go away from here, Xena? And go back to Amphipolis…?”
“To stay home and spin the wool? It’s not the life I want…we want…otherwise you would have never followed me…”
“So you’re not repented to have kept me with you?”
“No, Gabrielle…”
“So why did you say that…?”
“I was furious for having lost my chakram…but I have never thought for real that it was your fault…I don’t think I could ever deprive myself of you…”
The two women looked at each other for a long time, then Xena caressed the girl’s face and started kissing her, but the kiss was immediately interrupted by a windblast, which made the window slamming.
Gabrielle got up to close it, but something outside woke her curiosity up, and waving her hand she called Xena.
Under the pouring rain, outside King Laius court walls, Neris and Iris were evidently confabulating.
The view was not so clear because of the plenty water and the strong wind, but from that little they could understand, Iris placed an object on Neris’ paw, finally the Sphinx caressed Iris’ head with her other paw, to then take off hardly, until she disappeared.
“It seems that the Sphinx and Iris are in confidence, Xena…”
“Yeah… most probably Iris didn’t tell us everything…”
**********
FLASHBACK: THE PREVIOUS NIGHT, AT KING LAIUS THERMAL BATHS
“You were Laius’ wife? Try to explain!”
“Xena please, let me go…it is not my intention to escape…yes I was the King’s wife, until he disclosed my secret…”
Xena let go.
“One year ago I gave birth to two twins…”
“So?”
“They were not the King’s sons, but Crisippo’s. When Laius found out, he gave the order to kill my children and I became his slave…the earrings I’m wearing are my mother’s. I don’t own anything valuable or noble anymore…”
Plentiful tears started falling on the face of what has remained of Thebes Queen. The woman, looking better, seemed older than her age and Xena could not avoid feeling empathy for her.
She placed her hand on the shoulder as a sign of support and her tone became sweeter, even though she was not hiding a suspicious look.
“Why spying on us?”
“I wanted to understand for what reason Laius convoked you…now…excuse me…would you cover yourself…?”
Iris lowered her glance and gave Xena a linen cloth. She was considerably embarrassed.
Xena wrapped the cloth around her, while Gabrielle could hardly give her attention to Iris, because she was fascinated by the warrior’s movements, who noticed that and smiled.
“Ehm…but what has the Sphinx to do in all of this?” Gabrielle asked with extreme curiosity.
“Neris is Thebes’ protector. Bringer of prosperity and justice. After the cruel death of Crisippo, she casted a curse on all of us with her impossible riddles…nobody could solve them until now…”
“The famous bloodline…”
Xena started giving herself answers.
END OF THE FLASHBACK
**********
Xena and Gabrielle looked at each other as if they were contemplating the same exact thought: Neris and Iris were clearly in confidence and were hiding something.
“What are we doing, Xena?”
“Tomorrow morning we are going to search for Neris and we will give her the solution to her riddle.
“Do you know it?”
“I don’t know. Maybe.”
“Could you please share with me your knowledge?” Gab was clearly annoyed.
“Not now. Let’s go back to sleep. An intense day is waiting for us”
“You never stop giving orders, right Xena…? Maybe even I know…”
“Gab…please…” Xena interrupted her.
Gabrielle lifted the sheet to place herself under it, uncovering Xena, who looked at her pitiful.
“Good night, Xena!” and she turned her back.
“When this will be over, I think I will go back to Potidaea for real!”
“Gabrielle…” Xena touched her shoulder, trying to turn her around, but the girl stayed firmly on her position, physically and morally.
She knew that if she were going to turn around, Xena’s glance would have melted her, giving her the victory. Xena was her strength, but even her worst weakness.
**********
In the early morning, Xena went to the stable were Argo was, feeding her with a juicy apple.
“Directly from the King’s court…you’re a lucky girl!” she smiled, caressing the horse’s muzzle with affection.
That moment of indulgence, however, was really short, because Ares appeared behind her.
“You’re in a good mood Xena, it seems you spent a good night…”
“What are you doing, now you spy on me?”
The God of War placed his hands on her hips and, moving his head towards her neck, he sensually smelled her skin.
“It is not necessary. The blondie’s scent on you is sickly…”
Xena moved away, nervous because of Ares’ manners and words.
“What do you want, still?”
“It seems you did not listen to my warning…I have tried to tell you politely…”
“You know I prefer the unkind way, Ares…” Xena’s challenging tone was switched on.
“Ok Xena, as you want…I also prefer violence…but…” Ares went closer to her, sensually caressing her chin.
“…I’d rather use it in a more pleasant way…
“When I will find out what binds you to Thebes, you are going to pleasantly taste my sword stuck in your breast…”
Ares smiled ironically, and disappeared.
**********
Gabrielle had watched the scene secretly.
When Ares disappeared, she decided to intervene, with Xena’s surprise when she saw her.
“You and Ares…incredible!”
“Gabrielle, you’re wandering…”
“Surely even my eyes are wandering, isn’t true, Xena? Since when it goes on with Ares?”
“It never started.”
Gabrielle placed her hand on her forehead.
“Why do I feel that I’m wasted with you?”
“Gabrielle, please…”
“Your relationship with Ares…sooner or later you have to explain it to me…I feel like I’m going crazy…”
Xena went closer tightening her and she tried to kiss her, but Gabrielle turned on the other side and lowered her eyes.
“Gabrielle, I…I lo-… Nothing.” And she stopped.
“You cannot even say it, Xena…you cannot say what you feel for me…”
“It’s not simple…”
“Yeah.”
Gabrielle wriggled out and went out of the stable.
She could feel that Xena loved her, but she also knew that it was not the right moment to discuss about it.
There were more important things to accomplish before.
**********
“Gabrielle, going to face the Sphinx is deceitful, it’s better if you stay here watching over Iris…”
“If you think she could escape, I really don’t think she will, Xena…”
Gabrielle seemed having a pretty clear idea on facts.
“…and I want to come with you, it doesn’t matter if it could or could not be dangerous!”
Bring me with you, Xena…
Those words recalled to the warrior’s mind the first time the two women have met.
Xena could not understand what Gabrielle found so special in her to the point of wanting to follow her anywhere, even to hell.
And she was sure that, if it was necessary, she would have followed her even there, with or without her consent.
“Fine, Gab. Let’s go”.
**********
“Run! Stay safe!”
A man with his bleeding forehead was running and screaming out loud, terrified: above him, the terrible Sphinx was gliding on Thebes’s main square, trying to grab the unfortunate citizens that could not escape.
Two women, about to enter Aphrodite’s temple, were petrified by terror exactly when the creature was about to swoop down on them, but the man, interposing between the women and the Sphinx could avoid the massacre, sacrificing himself.
This was not useful anyway, since Neris landed in front of them with the firm intention to kill them.
While she was exposing her claws, Xena’s battle cry could be heard from afar, and in a moment, almost without noticing, she had the warrior on her back, who was trying to tame her and annoy her with her sword, without exaggerating.
Neris tried many time to hurl the warrior to the ground, then, since she was not succeeding, she took off.
“Warrior, I don’t want to kill you, don’t force me to do it!”
“I could tell you the same, Neris!”
The Sphinx made real flight stunts, but Xena managed to stay well firm, until the creature didn’t swoop down on the ground, making her fall, and with a backlash threw her in the air.
Subsequently Neris, threatening, went closer to Xena with sinuous steps, who was unconscious on the ground; she lifted one of her big paws with sticking out claws, ready to sink, when suddenly she felt a strong pain on the left part of her rib cage.
Gabrielle has collected Xena’s sword, transfixing her in the best way she could.
“You…little girl…how did you dare?!?” the Sphinx turned her head towards her with an evil expression.
Gabrielle’s hands started shacking until she dropped the sword, while Neris pointed her claw on the girl’s neck, in the same point of the necklace, fitting it in and pulling it, trying to choke her, but the chain broke and the necklace flew away up high.
In that same moment, Aphrodite appeared.
“Ah, here it is!” she smiled.
The Goddess pointed her finger to the necklace, that transformed in the lost chakram and was about to fall on the warrior, still unconscious on the ground.
“Xenaaaaa” Gabrielle scream out loud as strong as she could to wake her up, and Xena, a little shocked by the general chaos and by the girl’s voice, quickly grabbed her chakram with her right hand and, without losing time, she threw it against Neris, wounding her lightly on one of her paws.
“Why didn’t you kill me, warrior?” Neris licked her wound.
“I know you’re not a threat for Thebes, and Gabrielle has the solution to your riddle!”
“I…what… Xena but…?” Gabrielle was surprised.
“Yes Gabrielle, you know the answer! Come on! Expose it!”
“Well, ahem…the bloodline…the trouble…King Laius! He’s the viper in Thebes’s bosom!”
Gabrielle was pleased of herself and the Sphinx looked at her surprised.
“Exactly girl, exactly…you solved the riddle…now bring the blasphemous here and Thebes will be free! King Laius must die!”
Xena nodded with her glance.
**********
“Has it been so easy, Xena?”
“Almost as the materialization of my chakram, I can say…” she smiled.
“Xena…I didn’t know about it…”
“Yes, sure…”
“No, I swear it Xena…I could never lie to you…”
Xena looked at Gabrielle in a suspicious way, while the girl sighed, as if she had to surrender for not being believed; then at some point the Goddess of Love appeared.
“Did you come back to give me additional problems?”
“No little girl, I’m here to say a couple of things to the warrior of your heart…”
“Well? What is it?”
“You should think a little more to the girl you walk around with, Xena!”
“I’m not following you, Aphrodite.”
“The chakram, silly! I have taken it…ehm…borrowed it, thinking that you, not having your weapon anymore, would have dedicated to Gabrielle…that has eyes only for you!”
Gabrielle suddenly became completely red. Tomatoes were pale, compared to her skin, and feeling observed by Xena she felt her hear beating faster.
“It was not necessary for you to unduly take my crakram Aphrodite…but I thank you for the thought…”
“You’re always so rude, Xena! Well, I have nothing else to do here! See you soon, girls!” she blinked her eyes to both and vanished.
Gabrielle was in evident embarrassment for Aphrodite’s words, ad tried to talk about something that could divert from what had just happened.
“What are you going to do with King Laius? Do you really want to deliver it to the Sphinx?”
“Not really.”
“So…?”
“So…no.”
“I see we’re back to old manners here…fine, I will not insist…” she placed a hand in front of her and she turned on the other direction.
“Gabrielle…”
Xena grabbed the girl’s wrist, and the two women found themselves one in front of the other.
The warrior caressed Gabrielle’s face, then with the glance of who was feeling strong emotions and awkwardness, she pronounced words that the youngest would not have forgotten.
“I think I love you, Gabrielle…I believe I had always known it…”
“Do you think or do you know…?”
“I know it…”
Gabrielle suddenly jumped in Xena’s arms, who replied to that sign of affection hugging her tight.
“I thought you were never going to say it, Xena…”
“I will always tell you Gab…or at least I will try…”
Gabrielle was conscious that she could not pretend more than that from Xena, and that what she had just confessed her was much, for a person like her.
Xena went closer, and the two women exchanged a long and sweet kiss, then the warrior started to get rid the scrap metal of her armor and she jumped in the bushes with Gabrielle, who found herself upon her, starting to unfasten the bodice.
“Xena…what do you want to do…? We could not be alone…”
Xena slid from her lips to kiss her neck, arriving to the breast slightly uncovered, while Gabrielle placed her hands among the thick black hair of the warrior, alternating caresses from her arms to her waist.
The sighs of the two women were deeper and deeper, Xena was undressing Gabrielle even more and the kisses on her skin were becoming more and more daring, but something interrupted them: it was Ares.
Suddenly Xena recognized the black leather boots among the thick grass, and immediately tried to cover Gabrielle.
“Damn it! You’re mad! As well as a voyeur!”
“I’m not here for this show, even if I must admit that you’re good, Xena…” he smiled ironically.
Xena tidied herself up, she got up with Gabrielle and covered the girl, placing herself in front of her.
“…but you’re good with the wrong person…” the God added.
“What do you want, Ares?”
“I’m only inviting you to go and accomplish your duty, instead of wasting your time in effusions. Ah, how you’ve changed, Xena! Once you were my merciless warrior…now…well, it’s enough to look at you…at both of you” he grinned ironically.
“Why all of this rush, Ares?”
“Rush of justice…”
“The God of War talking about justice makes me laugh…anyway I will take care of Laius. It’s a promise I made to Neris.”
“Excellent, Xena. Try to avoid…how to say…more distractions” Ares smiled sarcastically.
The warrior welcomed that smile as a challenge and in a moment, Gabrielle found herself tight to Xena’s lips, lost in a whirling as well as unexpected kiss.
The two women continued kissing with emphasis, as if they were eating up themselves, and it was just in that moment that Ares, mad of jealousy, threw a lightning in the middle of the sky and vanished, swearing.
The lightning stroke on the ground, leaving a deep-burnt line.
The two girls barely avoided it.
“Was it necessary to cause his rage, Xena? He could have killed us…”
“Necessary and primary…look at the quicksilver color of these ashes…”
“I didn’t think that the Gods’ lightning was so precious” she smiled.
“Neither do I, Gab…”
**********
Xena and Gabrielle, on Argo’s saddle, were going back to King Laius’ court.
“You had your chakram back, instead my stick is forever lost…”
“You have been good with the sword, but…I would never have said that…”
“Neris was going to kill you, I had to think quickly…I didn’t imagine you thought I was so poor, Xena!”
“Surely there are things about you that I didn’t consider before…I admit it…”
“Which ones?” Gabrielle was clearly curious.
“Other…things…”
Gabrielle understood what Xena was referring to, and caressed her arm lightly.
“Gab…” Xena turned around and kissed the girl gently, while Argo was running towards a dark and undefined destiny…
**********
“Take them!”
King Laius, seeing the two women arrive, gave order to his soldiers to capture them.
“Laius, tame your dogs! We are not here for…”
Xena could not finish speaking, since she was attacked suddenly, and Argo was scared and went wild, making both she and Gabrielle fall.
“Stay behind me, Gab!”
They were completely surrounded by the King’s guards, the biggest of them tried to jump on Xena, that in the attempt to protect Gabrielle ended up deeply wounded on her arm and stopped tenaciously by another soldier.
“Tie them up and imprison them immediately in the underground!”
“Let my horse in peace!” was the last thing Xena could say, before being hit on her head and pass out.
**********
King Laius’ cells were cold and humid. The musty smell was mixed to the stuffy one, making each attempt to breathe sickening. It was clear that the prison had not been used for many years. The only source of light and air was coming from a very small window, placed above the bench on which Xena was trying to rest; Gabrielle was sitting beside her and was medicating the wound in the best way she could.
“Da…damn, Gabrielle…”
“Try to stay still, Xena…the cut is very ugly…”
“I know it very well, what do you think?”
“Xena, please…let me take care of you…” Gabrielle’s sweet and reassuring tone calmed down the woman, in a clear state of suffering.
“I have no doubts that you can…I cannot see you, Gab…come closer…”
Gabrielle moved towards the slice of light gifted by the Moon and noticed, from the warrior’s feverish eyes, that she was feeling much worse than what she could imagine. The wound was surely infected.
“I will take you away from here, Xena. I promise you” and she caressed her face, feeling the sweat pouring on her fingers; touching her neck she realized not only that her heartbeat was accelerated, but the heat was not leaving any doubt on her feverish state.
“Thank you…love…”
Gabrielle was breathless. Xena never called her in that way. Surely the fever was making her delirious.
“Try to rest…”
Xena, even if her arm was wounded, took Gabrielle’s hand, then she squeezed and kissed it.
“I love you, Gabrielle…” the girl was feeling her heart beating faster and faster, but at the same time she was extremely sad, as if those words could be the last pronounced by her warrior.
“Me too, Xena…since the first days when I decided to follow you…I fell in love with you…”
“I know…”
Xena drifted in a tormented and deep sleep, while Gabrielle turned towards the glimmer of light.
**********
Gabrielle was walking nervously back and forth in the cell, trying to find a solution to go out from that gloomy place and save Xena, but she had no idea about how she could do it.
“Gab…Gabrielle…I…I’m cold…”
“For all Gods, Xena…”
Xena was clearly getting worse.
She tried to warm her, tightening the woman to herself, but she knew it was not going to help much.
“If only I could go out of here…oh Xena, how much I would want to have your strength and your spirit…” and while she was starting to cry, she could hear a whisper coming from outside.
Looking out, she could see the same scenario of the previous night: Iris and Neris together; this time however the clear sky and the silence all around made everything widely sharp.
Iris placed in Neris’ paws some toys and sweets, then she covered her head with a wrap and she stepped away from the Sphinx, that even this time took off until she disappeared far away.
Gabrielle had no doubts anymore on what Iris was doing, and she tried to call her, screaming as much as possible.
“Iris! Iris, please! Stop! Iris!”
The woman stopped right in front of the small cell window.
“What do you want? I cannot stay here!”
“Iris, you should help us! Xena is sick!”
“I…I can’t, Gabrielle…I’m sorry…”
“Xena could die! Please, help us…”
“I…I don’t…”
“If Xena dies, I am going to tell Laius about your secret…”
“My…? What? No, you can’t…you don’t know…”
“I know everything, Iris…I’m sorry to threaten you but the life of the woman I love is at risk…and even your heart is full of love…I know it…help me, Iris, and I will help you…”
“Tell me what you need, Gabrielle…”
**********
Iris came back to the cell window of the Royal Palace, stealthily bringing to Gabrielle all the needed to medicate Xena, and a candle to make as much light as possible.
“Ok, now give me the honey, I will try to bind the wound in the best way I can…”
“Hurry up, Gabrielle…oh, if Laius would discover me! He is going to kill me!
“He won’t, Iris…he’s not capable of…”
“What are you saying, Gabrielle?!?”
“Listen to me, Iris, you risked a lot coming here…and I thank you for that…please believe to what I’m telling you…trust me…”
The girl caressed Xena’s face, which was still showing signs of suffering; Iris, seeing that move, could not help but feeling tenderness.
“You must love her very much…”
“Xena is who I live for…I would do anything for her…”
“I understand you, I would do anything for my children…”
**********
The night passed in a very rowdy way for Xena, between fever and pain.
Gabrielle prayed the Gods that she could recover quickly, because seeing her suffering in that way was killing her, especially when she was delirious, the fear she could not make it was attacking her.
“Gabrielle…”
“Yes Xena, I’m here…”
Gabrielle grabbed Xena’s hand, then she caressed her face and noticed that she was still sweaty, while the voice tone was becoming weaker and weaker.
“Gabrielle, I…”
“Xena, please, you should not stress yourself…rest…”
Gabrielle was feeling a lump in her throat and as if she had a rock suffocating her breast. In that moment Xena was not the brave and strong warrior, but a woman who was physically weakened and struggling to survive.
Xena was a demigoddess to Gabrielle’s eyes, an unbreakable hero.
She was used to be always saved.
She was always accepting any decision the warrior could take, since she was wiser.
She was strongly rescued, even if she was only about to fall.
Now it was Xena who needed all of that, and Gabrielle, despite she was partly feeling inappropriate, maybe because she was too used to be always the girl to be rescued from troubles, wanted to give her all of that.
She took a deep breath. Then she changed the medication again.
**********
Gabrielle lied down next to Xena, she was very tired but she couldn’t nor wanted to fall asleep; a few moments later the warrior woke up.
“Gab…”
The girl, as soon as she felt pronouncing her name, tried to get up, but Xena stopped her.
“No, Gab…stay beside me…”
“Xena…how are you feeling…?”
“As if the whole Mount Olympus fell upon me…” she smiled.
“You cannot avoid making jokes even when you’re sick, Xena…”
The warrior tried to sit, but she couldn’t, so Gabrielle embraced her back with an arm and let the warrior lay down on her.
“Are you comfortable?”
“I’d like to be always so comfortable…”
Gabrielle felt embarrassed.
“Do I still make you nervous?”
“Yes, Xena…”
“Then you are going to feel even more now, for what I am about to tell you, Gabrielle…”
Xena suddenly became serious, and stared in Gabrielle’s eyes.
“I don’t know if I can make it through…”
“You have a tough skin, Xena…”
“Please, Gab…let me finish…”
A sad silence then accompanied the warrior’s words.
“I don’t know how this is going to end, Gab…this place is a grave and maybe it is amplifying my fears…if only I was feeling better…we would have gone away from here…”
“I know, Xena…sadly I…”
“You will be a great warrior, Gabrielle, with or without me…”
Gabrielle smiled sadly.
“With you, not without you…Xena…”
“I would have never imagined I was going to end my days here…in the prison of a King without backbone…”
“So you also understood…”
“Yes, Gab, the plan behind all of this could not have been made by Laius…he’s too naïve or too stupid…it was…it was Ares…”
Xena started to feel bad again, the rest seemed over.
Gabrielle tightened Xena.
“Don’t be sad, Gabrielle…you know…I…damn my arm is hurting so much…
“Xena, I will do anything to save you, please, don’t give up!”
“Gab, if we go away from here, I… want to stay with you…for all my life…”
Gabrielle was overwhelmed by a strong emotion, she wanted to be in her arms and tell her how much she loved her, but Xena’s conditions and the situation didn’t allow that.
“No…I must find a solution…we cannot stay here any longer!”
**********
Placing her hand on the cell walls, she could feel they were very wet. She started scratching them with her nails and she realized that the soil between a brick and the other was mixed to some musk, and that it didn’t seem difficult to remove it.
She tried to do the same thing with the ones below the small window, and she could notice that the mold was even softer.
She took Xena’s chakram and the removal was extremely simple.
“I’m lucky that Xena is not herself and she cannot see what I’m doing with her ring…I’m sure she would not approve it…” she thought, speaking aloud.
“But I’m doing it for you, Xena…I will not let you die here!! Well…it is surrendering…if only I had more strength…”
Gabrielle managed to weaken the most part of the bricks below, then she had an idea:
“Argo! But that horse is only reacting to Xena’s call…I will try it anyway! The stable is not very far, thank Gods…she should hear me…”
Gabrielle whistled several times, but Argo did not react.
“Stupid stubborn horse!”
“Don’t ever try to talk in this way to Argo, Gab…”
Xena heard her, and in a moment of clarity, with all the breath left in her lungs, called Argo, that did not take long to arrive.
“Argo! Kick here! Come on!”
Argo looked at Gabrielle, who was spurring her from the window, but she seemed she didn’t want to understand, while Xena was too exhausted to give her orders again.
“Fine! Now I will try to whistle like Xena!”
Gabrielle only managed to release squeaky sounds, that made the horse move away.
“Damn it! Ok…let’s try again…!” and this time Gabrielle managed to let Argo understand, she kicked on the wall, breaking the side excavated by the girl.
“Xena, Xena! We’re free! Xena, wake up!”
For all Gods! How can I get you up? Xena…please…help me…”
Gabrielle caressed her, then she kissed her forehead and noticed that she was not so warm anymore; then Xena seemed to wake up.
“Hold on to me, Xena…”
“You made it, Gab…I’m proud of you…” she smiled.
Xena managed to stand up on her feet, holding onto Gabrielle’s shoulders, while the girl was holding her firmly on her waist.
The warrior was too weak to walk, and the only way to hurry up was undoubtedly riding the horse, but Xena didn’t have enough strength to get on, so she decided to go first.
“Xena, hold on to me! Try to get on, I’ll hold you!”
“Gabrielle, I don’t know if it’s the case…”
“I’m stronger than you think, Xena!”
Gabrielle was firm, and the proud and determined glance of the girl inspired trust in the warrior.
With a hand, she was holding the bridles and with the other, she tried to lift Xena up with all her strength, for a couple of times she was slipping away, until she could get her on Argo’s saddle.
Xena tightened Gabrielle, as if she had never done in all her warlord’s life, while the girl was hoping to go away as far as they could from Laius’ reign and save her woman.
**********
They arrived to an inn, far enough from Thebes center; Gabrielle was tired, but not as much as Xena, who was exhausted.
“Xena, stay leaning on me.”
Entering the guesthouse, Gabrielle noticed a group of men sitting at a table, who were looking at them laughing.
Careless, she went to the innkeeper.
“We need a room. How much are you asking for one night?”
The innkeeper seemed of the same mood of his customers.
“It depends…what you need it for?” he smiled, amused.
“You know, it never happened to me to host two women, ahah.”
“There’s always a first time. Now, would you tell me the price?”
“For two women, weird like you…seven dinars!”
“You’re mad!”
“I repeat you, blondie, you’re weird and the prices increase for the ones like you…”
“The ones like…”
“Gabrielle, give him those dinars. I need to rest…”
“Ok, Xena…”
Gabrielle placed the dinars on the counter.
The innkeeper counted them and then looked at the two women with scorn.
“That way for the rooms. Try not to make too much noise, ahahahah.”
Gabrielle barely held back her rage.
**********
They entered in the room.
Gabrielle placed her saddlebag on a small seat, along with Xena’s armor, then they both sat on the bed.
“Luckily the room is clean and the bed seems to be comfortable…how are you feeling, Xena?”
“Better, even if…”
“Even if?”
“I’m starting to feel hungry, but I don’t want you to go among those men…”
“I’m going to take you something now!”
“No, wait Gab…maybe tomorrow we are going to search for an inn in…”
“Don’t ever think about it, Xena. You must regain strength. I’m not sure you’re ok, yet. Lay down and rest. I will be back soon.”
Gabrielle caressed Xena’s face, and she took her hand and kissed her, then the girl went out of the room.
**********
“Hey beauty, where did you leave your friend?”
One of the men in the inn, clearly drunk, had decided to bother Gabrielle, who however did not reply to the defiance.
“I’d like some bread and cheese, please” the girl made her request to the innkeeper, careless of the laughs in the background.
“All you want for twenty dinars!”
“I don’t own such an amount and I perfectly know that is not what I should pay you! Enough!”
“Hey girl, you’re the weirdo, so you must be satisfied or else stay without food ahahaha!”
Gabrielle lost her patience and grabbed the innkeeper for the scruff, he remained surprised.
“Stop it! Give me what I asked for, at the right price!”
“Hey guys, have you seen that? The chicken has her claws…”
The drunk man got up and, together with other two, surrounded Gabrielle, who hit the drunk one with her head, managing to sneak out.
Then she run towards one of the windows of the inn, took the stick that was used to keep it open, and she started to bustle.
She gave a sting on the stomach of one of them and on the head of the other. Then she stopped.
“Do you want some more?”
The men run away, out of the inn, at the speed of light.
“And what are you looking at?” Gabrielle talked to two women who were in a corner, afraid.
“Instead of passively accepting who wants to oppress you, maybe you should do something! And you, innkeeper, prepare what I have asked you!”
“Yyyy…yes im…immediately.” The innkeeper was clearly shocked by Gabrielle’s reaction and hurried to satisfy her request.
**********
Gabrielle went back in the room, put down the food and saw Xena playing with the chakram; then she turned towards her and smiled with her bright blue eyes.
“I saw you, you know?”
“What?
“I’ve seen how you fought against those bad guys. Sooner or later you will also be able to held my chakram, and not only using it as a rake…” she laughed lightly, self-satisfied.
“Oh Xena, forgive me, I…”
“Don’t apologize, Gab. You saved my life and I will always acknowledge you for that. You’re becoming a true warrior. I was not joking when I told you that one day you will be able to use my chakram…even if I would be probably dead when it is going to happen” this time, a veil of sadness could be caught in Xena’s smile.
“It’s never going to happen, now try to eat something…”
Gabrielle offered food to the warrior, she sat beside her and caressed her hand.
“You’re the most important person of my life, Xena…”
The warrior caressed her back, they looked into each other’s eyes, to exchange a sweet and tender kiss on the lips afterwards.
**********
It was dawning when Gabrielle was woken up by the noise of a light rain, that was slowly watering the leaves on the trees. Initially, still sleepy, she thought of being outside, instead she noticed that the window was lightly opened, as much as needed for her to hear that sweet sound of nature.
Next to her, Xena was sleeping peacefully.
It would have been unusual to see her like that, if the warrior was not wounded, since she was always the one getting up early and waking her up, so she tried to wake her caressing and kissing her face softly several times, until she opened her eyes.
“How are you?”
“Much better, Gab”
“Let me check your wound…”
Gabrielle delicately made sure of the wound state, then she changed the medicament.
“Finally it is not infected anymore…”
Xena got up quite confidently, and Gabrielle recognized her beloved warrior.
“Thank you…you have been so precious…even if now we should go. There are still several things to fix. Laius surely moved already, to hunt us…better, what do you tell me about Iris? When I was feeling bad I vaguely heard you talking about a secret…”
“Iris’ children are alive, Xena…”
**********
Xena and Gabrielle found themselves under Mount Ficione, exactly on the same road on which, some days before, the victims of the Sphinx were laying on the ground; now there were only burned sand and ashes.
Xena got off the horse: something caught her attention.
“It doesn’t seem to me that the Sphinxes spit flames like dragons” Xena was touching and pushing the sand with her hands, letting it slide down from her fingers.
“Look, Xena!”
Neris glided in front of the two women, while Laius was arriving from behind, escorted by his army, heavily armed.
“Xena, running away didn’t help you! You betrayed me and you will be very very punished! I knew I could not trust you for real! Your reputation will always precede you!” Laius was wearing an extremely heavy armor, and his voice was resounding inside the helmet, releasing a creaking sound.
“And you, Neris! You will never have me! Kill the Sphinx and the two traitors!”
Laius pointed his arm ordering to attack in the direction of Xena and Gabrielle, and almost fell on the ground because of the weight of his own armor, until a couple of soldiers didn’t support him.
After that, one of them stroke an arrow in the direction of the girl, but Xena stopped it skillfully with a hand, throwing it back on the King’s helmet, and it remained stuck.
“Laius, you’re ridiculous! Neris won’t kill you and you won’t kill her!”
“Look around, burnt sand and silver ashes! The dead bodies that were here until the other day are gone!”
“It is true, warrior” Neris added.
“This because among the Sphinx’s victims there were also soldiers…coming from one of Ares’ army!”
“Ares?” Laius was surprised.
Xena was not only determined, but also seemed to have something else for both parties, so she mounted on Argo’s saddle and waved to Gabrielle to reach her on the steed.
“Follow us! We are all going to meet in Thebes’s main square!”
**********
The two women were riding quickly towards Thebes, then Gabrielle, very curious, started to make questions.
“Would you tell me what Ares has to do with it?”
“Ares wanted to kill two birds with one stone…become the new city protector, kill Laius and proclaim his heir.”
“Yes, but…how?”
“With deception, Gab…the only way the God of War knows. Very soon everything will be clear for everybody”.
“Ah, I understand…your usual old mysteries…”
**********
Gabrielle was holding tight to Xena’s waist and noticed that the wounded shoulder had been touched by the arrow shot by Laius soldier.
“Xena, stop.”
“What?” Xena stopped Argo’s run, then got off the horse and made even Gabrielle getting off.
“Your shoulder is bleeding…”
“And you asked me to stop for this?”
“Yes…”
Gabrielle, under Xena’s eyes, started to lick her shoulder with the lips, then with her tongue she wiped the blood that had not coagulated yet.
The warrior felt surprise and excitement at the same time, watching the girl who seemed to want everything of her, and this time she did not let the desire of both fade because of the impendent mission. She pushed Gabrielle with strength against a tree inside a small forest, starting to kiss her, feeling the metallic taste of her own blood.
“Take off your armor, Xena…”
The warrior, very quickly and with ease, got rid of it, pushing this time her body against the girl’s body and sliding her hands on the girl’s hips, hugging her tight.
“Xena…we’re not far enough from…”
“I don’t care…” she kept kissing and touching her vehemently.
“You really feel better, Xen…” she closed her mouth with a hand.
“Don’t speak.”
Xena kissed Gabrielle’s neck with heat, who closed her eyes and smiled: her warrior was having her soul and body, careless about everything and everyone.
**********
“Here we are Sire, but the warriors have not reached us yet!” one of Laius’ soldiers was looking around to make sure of the two women’s arrival.
“A great sovereign should never have to wait!” The King was furious and Neris was looking at him with a scornful look, while she was licking her wing.
“I will order to cut them!”
“Stop it, Laius!” Xena and Gabrielle arrived before the planned time.
“What are you going to show us, Xena?” Neris asked politely.
“Exactly here, where Crisippo’s execution took place, there are the same ashes and sand that we have found under Mount Ficione!
“And what does it mean?” Laius was losing her balance again, because of the armor.
“That you did not execute Crisippo, but an impostor instead!”
“It is not true, Xena! He was Crisippo, I’m more than sure!”
“Have you seen him dead, Laius?”
“Now that I’m thinking about it…we have only collected his ashes from the stake…”
“Those ashes were not Crisippo’s…your wife didn’t cheat on you with him, so there won’t be another bloodshed!”
Moreover, exactly when Xena pronounced those fateful words, Ares appeared, the God of War, that stroke one of his lightning against her, but the warrior was much quicker, throwing the chakram against him; this weakened the electric discharge, that faded on the ground.
“Look! The same color of burnt sand! The same silver ashes produced by your lightning, Ares!” Xena took a handful of that sand and threw it on the God’s face.
“Congratulations, my warrior princess…but this doesn’t mean anything! Laius shall die! What are you waiting for, Neris?”
“Neris won’t kill Laius, since Crisippo was never executed, you introduced yourself to Iris in disguise and you raped her!”
“And for what reason should I have planned all of this? It’s ridiculous” he sneered.
“For useless reasons and to enslave Thebes city, and also to get rid of Neris” from below one of the Sphinx’s wings, Iris showed up.
FLASHBACK: MOUNT FICIONE, SOME MONTHS AGO
During a strong storm, Iris, soaked of water and mud, was running from the King’s soldiers, in the attempt of saving her children’s life.
Once arrived near Mount Ficione, she placed the newborns on the Sacred Stone: the Sphinx was in front of her.
“Please Neris, take my children, Laius wants to kill them!
“Iris, if your children are coming with me, you will not see them again…are you aware of that?”
“I don’t care…I prefer not to see them again, than to assist to their death under my eyes!”
“Fine…from today they will be sons of the Reign of Seth and Laius will die for having tried to kill some innocents!”
END OF THE FLASHBACK
“So you have not cheated on me, Iris?”
“I was already pregnant of our children when Crisippo, or at least the one I thought was him, one night took advantage of me……”
“And that man was Ares…” Gabrielle added.
“I could not tell you Laius, I was too ashamed…”
“It was not your fault, Iris” Gabrielle hugged the woman, who burst into tears.
Laius took the help of his soldiers to get rid of that boring and cumbersome armor, and run towards Iris.
“Forgive me, I could have never imagined all of this…”
Laius tried to hug her, but she moved away.
“So was it all Ares’ miserable plan? For what?” the Sphinx’s voice thundered through the entire main square.
“For a heir and some temples in his honor” sighed Gabrielle.
“God’s stuff” Laius continued.
“Or mad people, right Ares?” Xena did not hesitate to mock the God even more.
The Sphinx took the word:
“I am Neris, protector of this city, and I am not going to let a cruel and vain God make these human creatures, that I love so much, unhappy. You have earned yourself my wrath.”
Neris issued a sharp sound, similar to a hiss, but more disturbing.
“I have just called my sisters for gathering, now they are flying towards Mount Olympus. They are going to make you and all you stupid Gods pay for it!”
“Sisters? This is even more ridiculous.” Ares mocked at the Sphinx in a way that she did not accept at all, and when he tried to run away, Neris materialized an ice plate with a blow, making him slip, then she crushed his back with one of her paws, but Ares, who was immortal after all, managed to break free, disappearing in front of everyone.
“Stupid and miserable God! Run away is not going to help you!” Neris snorted, then she moved towards Iris with elegant and harmonious steps.
“Lady, you have suffered so much. You took care of your children with humbleness, even if distant, and I want to gift you something”
From afar, in a clear sky, two big Golden Eagles were coming: each of them was bringing a child with her. When they were gliding on the ground, Iris was astonished and Neris smiled.
“But they are not my children…”
“In the Reign of Seth the children grow fast and they become demigods. Thebes has now two Kings!”
“I am the only legitimate King of Thebes!” Laius intervened.
“You are not a fair man, Laius. The riddle has been solved anyway and you are free, but the Kingdom belongs to Iris and to her two children! Take or…die!”
Desolate, Laius lowered his head and accepted his destiny.
Iris run to embrace her children, between joy and tears.
**********
That night, in what was not Laius’ Kingdom anymore, Iris organized a party in honor of her sons and the two warriors.
“I only want to tell you that I don’t know how to thank you, but instead I know. So I asked to fill your saddlebags with food and golden dinars, and just know that here in Thebes you have a place of honor. You will always be the most welcome.”
“And we could not refuse such goodness” Xena added.
“We are so immensely happy that you and your sons have reunited.” Gabrielle was definitely more romantic of the warrior, in her reply.
“Please stay here for the night, the guestroom is still yours, with a small gift for both of you.”
Iris smiled and gave her farewell.
“You’re always so practical, right Xena?”
“I’d say we have widely deserved all of this!”
“What did the Queen gift us?”
“To find out, we should enter in our room…”
“Ah, right.”
**********
The two women entered in their room, and Gabrielle noticed as first thing that her stick was leaning on the window.
“I cannot believe it! I thought it was forever lost!”
“Are you going to use it again, Gab?”
“Why shouldn’t I?!?”
“You fought well against those guys at the inn, I think you could focus on another kind of weapon, from now on…”
“Your chakram?”
“Never! I don’t want you to think about using it to grow turnips, next time!!”
“Very, very funny, Xena!… Hey, look!”
They noticed that the room was very different than the one Laius had asked to prepare the first time; completely decorated with blue flowers and the sheets had the same exact color.
“Why all these flowers?!?” Xena was disappointed.
“They are iris flowers, and they symbolize faith and hope.”
“Hope killed men more than sword.”
“You’re always so devastating, Xena, why should hope kill?”
“Because it is illusory and ephemeral, like love.”
“Do you think that even my love for you is like that?”
Xena stayed silent. The straightforwardness of the girl and the word ‘love’ made her flinching, then she became a little gloomy and sat on the bed.
Gabrielle went closer in front of her, placing herself between her legs, and she placed her arms around Xena’s neck.
“In this way we have almost the same height…” the warrior joked a little and smiled.
“Xena, what do you think is happening on Mount Olympus with Neris’ sisters?”
“Do you really care…?”
“No…I was thinking instead that when we lay down our heights are coinciding even more…”
THE END
Quella notte su Tebe rumoreggiava un altro temporale che fece svegliare di soprassalto Gabrielle. Spaventata, di scatto sollevò la schiena dal letto.
Non erano stati solo i tuoni a renderla inquieta, ma anche il sogno che stava facendo.
Ciò destò anche Xena, che immediatamente si preoccupò per la ragazza.
“Tutto bene, Gab?”
“Sì…credo di sì…”
Xena avvolse dolcemente nel lenzuolo Gabrielle che si adagiò sul petto della guerriera.
“Ho paura…”
“Di che cosa, Gabrielle?”
“Che tu possa morire…”
“Non è così semplice uccidermi…” Xena la rassicurò baciandole la fronte e stringendola di più a sé, e Gabrielle rispose immediatamente al calore di quell’abbraccio come se vi si volesse aggrappare.
Xena lo percepì.
“Perché non ce ne andiamo da qui, Xena? E non torniamo ad Anfipoli…?”
“Per restare in casa a filare la lana? Non è la vita che voglio…che vogliamo…altrimenti non mi avresti mai seguita…”
“Quindi non sei pentita di avermi tenuta con te?”
“No, Gabrielle…”
“E allora perché lo avevi detto…?”
“Ero furiosa per aver perso il chakram…ma non ho mai realmente pensato fosse colpa tua…credo che non potrei mai privarmi di te…”
Le due donne si guardarono a lungo, poi Xena accarezzò il viso della ragazza e iniziò a baciarla, ma il bacio fu immediatamente interrotto da una ventata che fece sbattere la finestra.
Gabrielle si alzò per chiuderla ma qualcosa fuori destò la sua curiosità, e facendo cenno con la mano chiamò Xena a sé.
Sotto la pioggia scrosciante, fuori dalle mura della corte di Re Laio, Neris e Iris stavano evidentemente confabulando.
La visuale era poco nitida per colpa dell’abbondante acqua e del forte vento, ma da quel poco che si poteva capire, Iris mise un oggetto all’interno di una zampa di Neris, infine quest’ultima con l’altra zampa carezzò il capo di Iris per poi alzarsi in volo con enorme difficoltà fino a scomparire.
“Sembra che la Sfinge e Iris siano in confidenza, Xena…”
“Già… molto probabilmente Iris non ci ha raccontato tutto…”
**********
FLASHBACK: LA SERA PRIMA ALLE TERME DI RE LAIO
“Eri la moglie di Laio? Cerca di spiegarti!”
“Ti prego Xena, lasciami…non è mia intenzione darmi alla fuga…sì ero la moglie del Re, finché lui non ha scoperto il mio segreto…”
Xena mollò la presa.
“Un anno fa ho dato alla luce due gemelli…”
“Quindi?”
“Non erano i figli del Re, ma di Crisippo. Quando Laio lo ha scoperto diede ordine di uccidere i miei bambini ed io divenni la sua schiava…gli orecchini che indosso sono di mia madre. Non ho più nulla di valore o di nobile…”
Copiose lacrime iniziarono a scendere sul viso di ciò che era rimasto della Regina di Tebe. La donna, osservandola meglio, sembrava molto più vecchia della sua età e Xena non potè evitare di provare empatia per lei.
Le poggiò una mano sulla spalla in segno di conforto e il tono della voce si addolcì, pur non nascondendo un fare sospettoso.
“Ma perché spiarci?”
“Volevo capire per quale ragione Laio vi avesse convocate…ora…scusami…non vorresti coprirti…?”
Iris abbassò lo sguardo e porse a Xena un telo di lino. Era notevolmente in imbarazzo.
Xena avvolse il telo intorno a sé, mentre Gabrielle faticò a dare la sua totale attenzione ad Iris, poiché affascinata dai movimenti della guerriera, che se ne accorse e sorrise.
“Ehm…ma in tutto questo la Sfinge cosa c’entra?” domandò Gabrielle con estrema curiosità.
“Neris è la protettrice di Tebe. Portatrice di prosperità e giustizia. Dopo la cruenta morte di Crisippo, ella fece calare una maledizione su tutti noi con i suoi enigmi impossibili…nessuno fino ad ora è mai riuscito a risolverli…”
“La famosa linea di sangue…”
Xena iniziava a darsi delle risposte.
FINE DEL FLASHBACK
**********
Xena e Gabrielle si guardarono come se stessero contemplando la stesso identico pensiero: Neris e Iris erano chiaramente in confidenza e nascondevano qualcosa.
“Che cosa facciamo, Xena?”
“Domani mattina andremo a cercare Neris e le daremo la soluzione dell’enigma.
“Lo conosci?”
“Non lo so. Forse.”
“E non potresti condividere con me il tuo sapere?” Gab era evidentemente irritata.
“Non adesso. Torniamo a riposare. Ci aspetterà una giornata intensa”
“Non smetti mai di dare ordini, vero Xena…? Si dà il caso che forse anche io conosca…”
“Gab…ti prego…” Xena la interruppe.
Gabrielle sollevò il lenzuolo per mettersi sotto scoprendo Xena, che la guardò compatendola.
“Buonanotte, Xena!” e le girò la schiena
“Quando questa faccenda sarà risolta, credo tornerò davvero a Potidea!”
“Gabrielle…” Xena le toccò una spalla cercando di farla girare verso di sé, ma la ragazza rimase ferma e ben salda nella sua posizione fisica e morale.
Sapeva che qualora si fosse voltata, lo sguardo di Xena l’avrebbe fatta sciogliere dandogliela vinta. Xena era la sua forza, ma anche la sua enorme debolezza.
**********
Di buonora, Xena si recò nella stalla da Argo nutrendola con una succosa mela.
“Direttamente dalla corte del Re…sei una ragazza fortunata!” sorrise accarezzando il muso della cavalla con affetto.
Quel momento di indulgenza però, durò veramente poco, poiché dietro di lei apparì Ares.
“Sei di buon umore, Xena…hai trascorso una bella nottata a quanto pare…”
“Che fai, ora ti metti a spiare?”
Il Dio della Guerra posò le mani sui fianchi di lei, e spostando il capo verso il collo, sensualmente ne odorò la pelle.
“Non è necessario. Il profumo della biondina su di te è stucchevole…”
Xena si scansò, innervosita sia dai modi che dalle parole di Ares.
“Cosa vuoi ancora?”
“A quanto pare il mio avvertimento non l’hai ascoltato…ho cercato di usare le buone maniere…”
“Sai bene che preferisco le cattive, Ares…” il tono di sfida di Xena era sempre più acceso.
“D’accordo Xena, sia come vuoi tu…anche io prediligo la violenza…ma…” Ares si avvicinò ancora suadente a lei accarezzandole il mento.
“…preferirei usarla in modo più piacevole…
“Quando avrò scoperto cosa ti lega a Tebe, di piacevole assaggerai la mia spada conficcata nel tuo petto…”
Ares le sorrise sarcastico, e si dileguò.
**********
Gabrielle aveva assistito alla scena di nascosto.
Quando Ares scomparve, decise di intervenire con lo stupore di Xena nel vederla.
“Tu ed Ares…incredibile!”
“Gabrielle, stai vaneggiando…”
“Sicuramente anche i miei occhi vaneggiano, non è vero Xena? Da quanto va avanti con Ares?”
“Non è mai cominciata”
Gabrielle poggiò una mano sulla fronte.
“Perché ho la sensazione che mi sto buttando via con te?”
“Gabrielle, ti prego…”
“Questo tuo rapporto con Ares prima o poi dovrai spiegarmelo…mi sembra di impazzire…”
Xena si avvicinò e stringendola a sé tentò di baciarla, ma Gabrielle si voltò dalla parte opposta e abbassò lo sguardo.
“Gabrielle io…io ti… Niente.” e si interruppe.
“Non riesci nemmeno a dirlo, Xena…non riesci a dire cosa provi per me…”
“Non è semplice…”
“Già.”
Gabrielle si divincolò e uscì dalla stalla.
Sentiva che Xena la amava, ma sapeva anche che non era il momento per discutere.
C’erano cose più importanti da portare a termine prima.
**********
“Gabrielle, andare incontro alla Sfinge è insidioso, è meglio se resti qui a sorvegliare Iris…”
“Se credi possa dileguarsi, non credo proprio lo farà, Xena…”
Gabrielle sembrava avere un’idea piuttosto precisa sui fatti.
“…e poi voglio venire con te, non mi importa quanto possa essere o non essere pericoloso farlo!”
Portami con te, Xena…
Quelle parole richiamarono alla mente della guerriera il primo incontro tra le due donne.
Xena non riusciva a capire cosa Gabrielle ci trovasse di così speciale in lei da volerla seguire ovunque, forse persino agli inferi.
Ed era sicura che se fosse stato necessario l’avrebbe seguita anche lì, con o senza il suo consenso.
“Va bene, Gab. Andiamo”.
**********
“Scappate! Mettetevi in salvo!”
Un uomo con la fronte sanguinante stava correndo e urlando a squarciagola terrorizzato: sopra di lui la terribile Sfinge stava planando sulla piazza di Tebe cercando di afferrare i malcapitati che non erano riusciti a scappare.
Due donne, in procinto di entrare nel tempio di Afrodite, erano rimaste pietrificate dal terrore proprio mentre la creatura stava per piombare su di loro, ma l’uomo frapponendosi tra le fanciulle e la Sfinge riuscì ad evitarne il massacro, sacrificandosi.
Ciò non era comunque servito, poiché Neris atterrò davanti a loro con la ferma intenzione di ucciderle.
Proprio mentre aveva esposto gli artigli, in lontananza si sentì l’urlo di battaglia di Xena, e in un attimo senza quasi accorgersene si ritrovò la guerriera in groppa che cercava di domarla e con la spada di darle fastidio ma senza accanirsi.
Neris tentò più volte di scaraventare la guerriera a terra, poi, visto l’insuccesso spiccò il volo.
“Guerriera non voglio ucciderti, non costringermi a farlo!”
“Potrei dirti la stessa cosa, Neris!”
La Sfinge fece delle vere e proprie acrobazie di volo, ma Xena riuscì a restare ben salda, almeno fino a quando la creatura non ripiombò in picchiata sulla terraferma riuscendo a farla cadere, e con un colpo di coda lanciarla a mezz’aria.
Successivamente, Neris si avvicinò minacciosa con passi sinuosi verso Xena che era a terra incosciente, sollevò una delle sue enormi zampe da cui spuntavano gli artigli affilati pronta ad affondare, quando improvvisamente sentì un forte dolore alla sinistra del costato.
Gabrielle aveva raccolto la spada di Xena infilzando Neris meglio che poteva.
“Tu…ragazzina…come hai osato?!?” la Sfinge girò il capo verso di lei con un’espressione maligna.
Le mani di Gabrielle iniziarono a tremare fino a far cadere la spada, mentre Neris puntò il suo artiglio all’altezza del collo della ragazza in corrispondenza del ciondolo, incastrandolo e tirandolo cercando di strozzarla, ma la catenina si spezzò e il ciondolo ad esso attaccato schizzò via in alto.
In quello stesso istante apparve Afrodite.
“Ah, ecco dov’era finito!” sorrise
La Dea puntò il dito verso il ciondolo, che si trasformò nel chakram perduto che stava proprio per cadere addosso alla guerriera ancora a terra priva di sensi.
“Xenaaaaa” Gabrielle gridò a squarciagola più che poté per svegliarla, e Xena un po’ scossa dal caos generale e dalla voce della ragazza, rapidamente afferrò il chakram con la mano destra e senza perdere ulteriore tempo lo lanciò contro Neris ferendola lievemente ad una zampa.
“Perché non mi hai uccisa, guerriera?” Neris si leccò la ferita.
“So che non sei tu la minaccia per Tebe, e Gabrielle ha la soluzione dell’enigma!”
“Io…cosa… Xena ma…?” Gabrielle era stupita.
“Sì Gabrielle, tu conosci la risposta! Avanti! Esponila!”
“Beh, ecco…la linea di sangue…il guaio…Re Laio! E’ lui la serpe in seno di Tebe!”
Gabrielle era compiaciuta di se stessa e la Sfinge la guardò con stupore.
“Esatto fanciulla, esatto…hai risolto l’enigma…ora portatemi qui il blasfemo e Tebe sarà libera! Re Laio deve morire!”
Xena annuì con lo sguardo.
**********
“E’ stato così facile, Xena?”
“Quasi come la materializzazione del mio chakram, direi…” sorrise.
“Xena…io non ne sapevo nulla…”
“Sì, certo…”
“No, ti giuro Xena…non potrei mai mentirti…”
Xena guardò Gabrielle in modo sospettoso, mentre la ragazza sospirò come se si fosse arresa per non essere stata creduta; poi ad un tratto dal nulla fece la sua comparsa la Dea dell’amore.
“Sei tornata a darmi ulteriori problemi?”
“No fanciullina, sono qui per dire due parole alla guerriera del tuo cuore…”
“Beh? Che c’è?”
“C’è che dovresti pensare un po’ di più alla ragazzina che porti a spasso con te, Xena!”
“Non ti seguo, Afrodite”
“Il chakram, sciocca! Lo avevo preso…ehm…in prestito pensando che non avendo più la tua arma ti saresti dedicata a Gabrielle…che stravede per te!”
Gabrielle divenne d’un tratto completamente rossa. I pomodori a confronto con la sua pelle erano pallidi, e sentendosi osservata da Xena sentì il cuore battere più forte.
“Non era necessario che ti appropriassi indebitamente del mio chakram, Afrodite…ma ti ringrazio per il pensiero…”
“Sei sempre così scorbutica Xena! Beh, non mi resta molto altro da fare qui! A presto, fanciulle!” fece l’occhiolino ad entrambe e scomparì.
Gabrielle era in evidente imbarazzo per le parole di Afrodite, e cercò di abbozzare un discorso che deviasse da ciò che era appena successo.
“Cosa intendi fare con Re Laio? Lo vuoi davvero consegnare alla Sfinge?”
“In realtà, no”
“Quindi…?”
“Quindi…no…”
“Vedo che siamo tornate alle vecchie maniere…d’accordo non insisto…” mise una mano davanti a sé e poi si voltò dalla parte opposta di Xena.
“Gabrielle…”
Xena afferrò il polso della ragazza e le due donne si ritrovarono l’una di fronte all’altra.
La guerriera accarezzò il viso di Gabrielle, poi con lo sguardo di chi stava provando forti emozioni ed impaccio, pronunciò quelle parole che la giovane non avrebbe più dimenticato.
“Io credo di amarti, Gabrielle…credo di averlo sempre saputo…”
“Lo credi o lo sai…?”
“Lo so…”
Gabrielle d’impeto si buttò tra le braccia di Xena che rispose a quel gesto di affetto stringendola forte a sé.
“Pensavo non me lo avresti mai detto, Xena…”
“Te lo dirò sempre Gab…o almeno ci proverò…”
Gabrielle era cosciente di non poter pretendere di più da Xena, e che quello che le aveva appena confessato era davvero molto per una persona come lei.
Xena si avvicinò, e le due donne si scambiarono un lungo e dolce bacio, poi la guerriera iniziò a togliere di mezzo la ferraglia della sua armatura e si buttò tra la vegetazione insieme a Gabrielle, che ci si ritrovò sopra, cominciando a slacciarle il corpetto.
“Xena…cosa vuoi fare…? Potremmo non essere sole…”
Xena dalle labbra scivolò a baciarle il collo fino ad arrivare al petto leggermente scoperto, mentre Gabrielle insinuava le sue mani tra i folti capelli scuri delle guerriera alternando carezze dalle braccia alla vita di lei.
I sospiri delle due donne erano sempre più profondi, Xena stava spogliando Gabrielle ancora di più e ancora di più i baci sulla sua pelle diventarono sempre audaci, ma qualcosa le interruppe: si trattava di Ares.
D’un tratto Xena riconobbe tra la folta erba gli stivali di pelle nera, ed immediatamente cercò di coprire Gabrielle.
“Dannazione! Tu sei un folle! Oltre che un guardone!”
“Non sono qui per questo spettacolo, anche se ammetto che ci sai fare Xena…” sorrise sarcastico.
Xena si ricompose, si alzò in piedi insieme a Gabrielle e coprì la fanciulla posizionandosi davanti a lei.
“…ma ci sai fare con la persona sbagliata…” aggiunse il Dio.
“Che cosa vuoi, Ares?”
“Ti sto solo invitando ad andare a compiere il tuo dovere, anziché perdere il tuo tempo in effusioni. Ah come sei cambiata, Xena! Una volta eri la mia spietata guerriera…ora…Beh, basta guardarti e…guardarvi” ghignò in modo ironico.
“Come mai tutta questa fretta, Ares?”
“Fretta di giustizia…”
“Il Dio della guerra che parla di giustizia fa abbastanza ridere…comunque mi occuperò di Laio. E’ una promessa che ho fatto a Neris”
“Eccellente, Xena. Cerca di evitare…come dire…ulteriori distrazioni” sorrise sarcastico Ares.
La guerriera accolse quel sorriso come una sfida e in un istante Gabrielle si ritrovò salda alle labbra di Xena persa in un vorticoso quanto inaspettato bacio.
Le due donne continuarono a baciarsi con enfasi come se dovessero divorarsi a vicenda, e fu proprio in quel momento che Ares preso dalla gelosia lanciò un fulmine in mezzo al cielo e scomparì imprecando.
Il fulmine sì abbatté sul terreno lasciando un profondo solco bruciato.
Le due ragazze riuscirono a scansarlo per un pelo.
“Era necessario provocare la sua ira, Xena? Avrebbe potuto ucciderci…”
“Necessario e fondamentale…guarda il colore argento vivo di questa cenere…”
“Non pensavo che i fulmini degli dei fossero così preziosi” sorrise
“Nemmeno io, Gab…”
**********
Xena e Gabrielle in sella ad Argo stavano per ritornare alla corte di Re Laio.
“Tu hai ritrovato il chakram, invece il mio bastone è perduto per sempre…”
“Sei stata brava con la spada, però…non lo avrei mai detto…”
“Neris ti avrebbe uccisa, ho dovuto pensare in fretta…non immaginavo mi ritenessi così scarsa, Xena!”
“Sicuramente ci sono cose di te che non avevo considerato…lo ammetto…”
“Quali?” Gabrielle era evidentemente curiosa
“Altre…cose…”
Gabrielle aveva ben inteso a cosa si stesse riferendo Xena, e le accarezzò un braccio dolcemente.
“Gab…” Xena si girò e baciò la ragazza gentilemente, mentre Argo correva verso un destino oscuro e ancora non definito…
**********
“Prendetele!”
Re Laio vedendo arrivare le due donne, diede ordine ai suoi soldati di catturarle.
“Laio, tieni a bada i tuoi cani! Non siamo qui per…”
Xena non riuscì a finire di pronunciare la frase che venne attaccata all’improvviso, e Argo per la paura si imbizzarrì facendo cadere sia lei che Gabrielle.
“Stai dietro di me, Gab!”
Erano completamente circondate dalle guardie del Re, il più grande e grosso tra tutti tentò di lanciarsi su Xena, che nel tentativo di difendere Gabrielle rimase ferita profondamente ad un braccio e fermata tenacemente da un altro soldato.
“Legatele e imprigionatele immediatamente nei sotterranei!”
“Lasciate stare il mio cavallo!” fu l’ultima cosa che Xena riuscì a dire prima di essere colpita sul capo e svenire.
**********
Le segrete di Re Laio erano fredde e umide. L’odore di stantio si mischiava a quello di chiuso, rendendo nauseabondo qualsiasi tentativo di respirare. Era evidente che la prigione non veniva utilizzata da molti anni. L’unica fonte di luce e di aria proveniva da una minuscola finestra posta sopra la panca su cui stava cercando di riposare Xena; Gabrielle era seduta accanto a lei e le stava medicando la ferita come meglio poteva.
“Da…dannazione Gabrielle…”
“Cerca di stare ferma Xena…il taglio è molto brutto…”
“Lo so benissimo, cosa credi?”
“Xena ti prego…lascia che mi prenda cura di te…” il tono dolce e rassicurante di Gabrielle calmò la donna in evidente stato di sofferenza.
“Non ho alcun dubbio che tu ne sia capace…non ti vedo Gab…avvicinati…”
Gabrielle si spostò verso lo scorcio di luce donato dalla luna e si accorse dagli occhi febbricitanti della guerriera che stava più male di quanto immaginasse. La ferita era sicuramente infetta.
“Ti porterò fuori da qui, Xena. Te lo prometto” e le accarezzò il viso da cui sentì il sudore colare sulle sue dita; toccandole il collo si rese conto non solo che le palpitazioni erano accelerate, ma il calore non lasciava dubbi sul suo stato febbrile.
“Ti ringrazio…amore…”
Gabrielle rimase senza fiato. Xena non l’aveva mai chiamata così. Sicuramente la febbre la stava facendo delirare.
“Cerca di riposare…”
Xena anche se aveva il braccio ferito, prese la mano di Gabrielle, la strinse e la baciò.
“Ti amo, Gabrielle…” la ragazza aveva il cuore a mille ma allo stesso tempo era estremamente triste, come se quelle parole potessero essere le ultime pronunciate dalla sua guerriera.
“Anche io, Xena…dal primo giorno in cui ho deciso di seguirti…mi sono innamorata di te…”
“Lo so…”
Xena si abbandonò in un sonno agitato e profondo, mentre Gabrielle volse lo sguardo verso lo spiraglio di luce.
**********
Gabrielle stava camminando nervosamente avanti e indietro nella cella cercando di inventarsi una soluzione per uscire da quel posto lugubre e salvare Xena, ma non aveva la minima idea di come poterlo fare.
“Gab…Gabrielle…ho…ho freddo…”
“Per gli dei, Xena…”
Xena stava nettamente peggiorando.
Cercò di scaldarla tenendola stretta a sé, ma sapeva che non sarebbe servito a molto.
“Se solo potessi uscire di qui…oh Xena quanto vorrei avere la tua forza e il tuo spirito…” e mentre stava iniziando a piangere, da fuori sentì provenire un bisbiglio.
Affacciandosi rivide lo stesso scenario della notte precedente: Iris e Neris insieme; questa volta però il cielo limpido e il silenzio circostante rese tutto ampiamente nitido.
Iris mise tra le zampe di Neris dei balocchi e alcuni dolci, poi si coprì con uno scialle fin sopra la testa e si allontanò dalla Sfinge, che anche questa volta si alzò in volo fino a scomparire in lontananza.
Gabrielle non ebbe più alcun dubbio su cosa stesse facendo Iris, e tentò di chiamarla urlando il più possibile.
“Iris! Iris ti prego! Fermati! Iris!”
La donna si fermò proprio davanti alla piccola finestra della cella.
“Che cosa vuoi? Non posso trattenermi qui!”
“Iris devi aiutarci! Xena sta male!”
“Io…io non posso Gabrielle…mi dispiace…”
“Xena rischia di morire! Ti prego, aiutaci…”
“Io…io non…”
“Se Xena morirà, racconterò a Laio del tuo segreto…”
“Il mio…? Cosa? No, tu non puoi…tu non sai…”
“So tutto, Iris…mi dispiace doverti minacciare ma ne va della vita della donna che amo…e anche il tuo cuore è pieno di amore…io lo so…aiutami Iris, ed io aiuterò te…”
“Dimmi cosa ti serve Gabrielle…”
**********
Iris tornò davanti alla finestra delle segrete della Reggia, con fare furtivo portò a Gabrielle tutto l’occorrente per medicare Xena e una candela per fare più luce possibile.
“Ecco, ora passami il miele, cercherò di fasciare la ferita al meglio…”
“Fai in fretta Gabrielle…oh, se Laio dovesse scoprirmi! Mi ucciderà!
“Non lo farà, Iris…non ne è capace…”
“Ma cosa stai dicendo Gabrielle?!?”
“Ascoltami Iris, tu hai rischiato molto venendo qui…e ti ringrazio…ma credi a ciò che ti dico…fidati di me…”
La ragazza accarezzò il viso di Xena che mostrava ancora segni di sofferenza; Iris vedendo quel gesto non potè fare a meno di provare tenerezza.
“Devi amarla molto…”
“Xena è ciò per cui io vivo…farei qualunque cosa per lei…”
“Ti capisco, anche io farei di tutto per i miei bambini…”
**********
La notte per Xena trascorse in modo molto turbolento, tra febbre e dolore.
Gabrielle pregava gli dei che potesse riprendersi in fretta, perché vederla soffrire in quel modo la uccideva, soprattutto quando era in preda al delirio, la paura che potesse non farcela la assaliva.
“Gabrielle…”
“Sì Xena, sono qui…”
Gabrielle strinse la mano di Xena, poi le accarezzò il viso e si rese conto che era ancora in un bagno di sudore, mentre il tono della voce si faceva sempre più debole.
“Gabrielle, io…”
“Xena ti prego, devi cercare di fare meno sforzi possibili…riposa…”
Gabrielle sentiva un groppo alla gola e come un macigno che le soffocava il petto. In quel momento Xena non era più la guerriera impavida e forte, ma una donna indebolita fisicamente che stava lottando per sopravvivere.
Xena agli occhi di Gabrielle era una semidea, un’eroina indistruttibile.
Lei che era abituata ad essere sempre salvata.
Lei che accettava qualsiasi decisione prendesse perché più saggia.
Lei che se stava solo per cadere veniva rapidamente afferrata con forza.
Ora era Xena ad aver bisogno di tutto questo, e Gabrielle, nonostante si sentisse in parte inadeguata perché forse troppo abituata ad essere sempre la fanciulla da togliere dai guai, voleva darle tutto.
Fece un profondo respiro. Poi ricambiò nuovamente la medicazione.
**********
Gabrielle si stese accanto a Xena, era stanchissima ma non poteva né voleva prendere sonno; poco dopo la guerriera si destò.
“Gab…”
La ragazza appena sentì pronunciare il suo nome cercò di alzarsi, ma Xena la fermò.
“No, Gab…resta accanto a me…”
“Xena…come ti senti…?”
“Come se tutto il Monte Olimpo mi fosse cascato addosso…” sorrise
“Non riesci ad evitare di fare battute nemmeno quando stai male, Xena…”
La guerriera cercò di mettersi seduta, ma non ci riuscì, così Gabrielle le mise un braccio intorno alla schiena e la fece adagiare su di sé.
“Stai comoda?”
“Vorrei sempre stare così comoda…”
Gabrielle si sentì impacciata.
“Riesco ancora a farti sentire in imbarazzo?”
“Sì, Xena…”
“Allora adesso ti ci sentirai ancora di più per quello che sto per dirti, Gabrielle…”
Xena divenne improvvisamente seria, e guardò Gabrielle fissa negli occhi.
“Io non so se me la caverò…”
“Hai la pelle dura, Xena…”
“Ti prego, Gab…lasciami finire…”
Un triste silenzio accompagnò in seguito le parole della guerriera.
“Non so come andrà, Gab…questo posto è una tomba e forse sta amplificando le mie paure…se solo stessi meglio…saremmo già uscite da qui…”
“Lo so, Xena…purtroppo io…”
“Tu diventerai una grande guerriera, Gabrielle, con o senza di me…”
Gabrielle sorrise tristemente.
“Con te, ma non senza di te…Xena…”
“Mai avrei immaginato di finire i miei giorni qui…nelle segrete di un Re senza spina dorsale…”
“Quindi anche tu lo hai capito…”
“Sì, Gab, il disegno che c’è dietro non può averlo ordito Laio…è troppo ingenuo o troppo stupido…è stato…è stato Ares…”
Xena ricominciò a stare male, la tregua sembrava essere finita.
Gabrielle strinse a sé Xena.
“Non essere triste, Gabrielle…sai…io…dannazione il braccio mi fa così male…
“Xena, farò di tutto per salvarti, ti prego non arrenderti!”
“Gab, semmai fossimo uscite da qui, io… avrei voluto restare con te…per tutta la vita…”
Gabrielle fu travolta da un’emozione fortissima, avrebbe voluto stare tra le sue braccia e dirle quanto la amava, ma le condizioni di Xena e la situazione non lo consentivano.
“No…io devo trovare una soluzione…non possiamo più stare più qui!”
**********
Appoggiando una mano sulle mura della cella, si accorse che erano molto umide. Con le unghie iniziò a grattare e si rese conto che tra un mattone e l’altro la terra era amalgamata a del muschio e che non sembrava affatto difficile rimuoverlo.
Provò a fare la stessa cosa con quelli posti sotto alla piccola finestra, e si rese conto che la muffa era ancora più morbida.
Prese il chakram di Xena e la rimozione fu estremamente più facile.
“Per fortuna Xena non è in sé per vedere cosa sto combinando col suo cerchio…sono certa che avrebbe da ridire…” pensò ad alta voce.
“Ma lo sto facendo per te, Xena…non ti lascerò morire qui sotto!! Bene…sta cedendo…se solo avessi più forza…”
Gabrielle era riuscita ad indebolire gran parte dei mattoni sottostanti, poi ebbe un’idea:
“Argo! Ma quella cavalla risponde solo al richiamo di Xena…ci proverò comunque! La stalla per fortuna non è troppo lontana…dovrebbe sentirmi…”
Gabrielle fischiò più volte, ma Argo non rispose.
“Stupida cavalla cocciuta!”
“Non ti azzardare più a parlare così ad Argo, Gab…”
Xena l’aveva sentita, e in un momento di lucidità, con tutto il fiato rimasto nei polmoni, chiamò Argo che non tardò ad arrivare.
“Argo! Scalcia qui! Forza!”
Argo guardò Gabrielle che la stava incitando dalla finestra ma sembrava non voler capire, mentre Xena era troppo stremata per poterle dare ancora ordini.
“D’accordo! Ora proverò a fischiare come Xena!”
Gabrielle riuscì soltanto ad emettere dei suoni striduli che fecero allontanare la cavalla.
“Dannazione! D’accordo…riproviamo…!” e questa volte Gabrielle riuscì a farsi intendere da Argo che scalciò contro il muro disintegrando la parete scavata dalla fanciulla.
“Xena, Xena! Siamo libere! Xena svegliati!”
Per gli dei! Come faccio a tirarti su? Xena…per favore…aiutami anche tu…”
Gabrielle la accarezzò, poi le diede un bacio sulla fronte e si accorse che era decisamente tiepida; poi Xena sembrò destarsi.
“Appoggiati a me Xena…”
“Ce l’hai fatta, Gab…sono fiera di te…” sorrise.
Xena riuscì a stare in piedi reggendosi sulle spalle di Gabrielle, mentre la ragazza la teneva ben salda per la vita.
La guerriera era troppo debole per camminare, e l’unico modo per fare più in fretta era indubbiamente quello di andare a cavallo, ma Xena non aveva forze sufficienti per salirci, così decise di precederla.
“Xena, appoggiati a me! Cerca di sollevarti, ti tengo io!”
“Gabrielle io non so se sia il caso…”
“Sono più forte di quello che credi Xena!”
Gabrielle era risoluta, e lo sguardo fiero e deciso della fanciulla infuse fiducia nella guerriera.
Con una mano tenne strette le briglie e con l’altra cercò di tirare su con tutte le sue forze Xena, che per un paio di volte le scappò dalla presa, finché finalmente riuscì a farla salire in sella ad Argo.
Xena si strinse a Gabrielle come non aveva mai fatto in tutta la sua vita da condottiero, mentre la fanciulla sperava soltanto di allontanarsi il più possibile dal regno di Laio e mettere in salvo la sua donna.
**********
Arrivarono ad una locanda leggermente lontana dal punto centrale di Tebe; Gabrielle era stanca ma mai quando Xena che invece era stremata.
“Xena resta appoggiata a me”
Entrando nell’ostello, Gabrielle si accorse che un gruppo di uomini ad un tavolo le stavano osservando e ridendo.
Noncurante si diresse verso l’oste.
“Ci serve una stanza. Quanto vuoi per una notte?”
L’oste sembrava essere dello stesso umore dei clienti.
“Dipende…a che vi serve?” sorrise divertito.
“Sai, non mi è mai capitato di ospitare due donne ahah”
“C’è sempre una prima volta. Ora vuoi dirmi il prezzo?”
“Per due donne, e per giunta strane come voi…sette monete!”
“Ma tu sei pazzo!”
“Te lo ripeto biondina, siete strane e i prezzi salgono per quelle come voi…”
“Quelle come…”
“Gabrielle, dagli quelle monete. Ho bisogno di riposare…”
“Va bene Xena…”
Gabrielle posò le monete sul bancone.
L’oste le contò e poi guardò entrambe con disprezzo.
“Di là per le stanze. Cercate di non fare troppo rumore ahahahah”
Gabrielle trattenne a malapena la rabbia.
**********
Entrarono nella stanza.
Gabrielle appoggiò su una seggiola la bisaccia e l’armatura di Xena, poi entrambe si sedettero sul giaciglio.
“Per fortuna la camera è pulita e il letto sembra essere confortevole…come ti senti Xena?”
“Meglio, anche se…”
“Anche se?”
“Inizio ad avere appetito, ma non voglio tu vada in mezzo a quegli uomini…”
“Vado subito a prenderti qualcosa!”
“No, aspetta Gab…magari domani cercheremo una taverna e…”
“Non pensarci nemmeno Xena. Devi rimetterti in forze. Non sono ancora sicura tu stia bene. Stenditi e riposa. Io tornerò a breve.”
Gabrielle accarezzò il viso di Xena, e quest’ultima le prese la mano e la baciò, poi la ragazza uscì dalla stanza.
**********
“Hey bella fanciulla, dove hai lasciato la tua amica?”
Uno degli uomini della locanda evidentemente ubriaco aveva deciso di infastidire Gabrielle, che però non rispose alla provocazione.
“Vorrei del pane e del formaggio per favore” la ragazza fece la sua richiesta all’oste, noncurante delle risate di sottofondo.
“Tutto quello che vuoi per venti monete!”
“Non posseggo una simile somma e so bene che non è il prezzo che ti devo pagare! Ora basta!”
“Hey ragazzina, sei tu la strana, quindi dovrai accontentarti oppure restare senza cibo ahahaha!”
Gabrielle perse la pazienza e afferrò per la collottola il locandiere che rimase spiazzato.
“Smettila! Dammi quello che ti ho chiesto al giusto prezzo!”
“Hey ragazzi, avete visto? La gattina ha gli artigli…”
L’uomo ubriaco si alzò in piedi e insieme ad altri due circondarono Gabrielle, che però diede una testata a quello più brillo riuscendo a sgattaiolare dalla situazione.
Poi corse verso una delle finestre della locanda, prese il bastone che serviva per tenerla aperta e iniziò ad armeggiare.
Diede una stangata nello stomaco ad uno e sulla testa ad un altro. Poi si fermò.
“Volete prenderne delle altre?”
Gli uomini scapparono fuori dalla locanda a gambe levate.
“E voi cosa avete da guardare?” Gabrielle si rivolse a due donne che erano rimaste in un angolo impaurite.
“Invece di accettare passivamente chi vi vuole oppresse, forse dovreste agire! E tu, oste, prepara quello che ti ho chiesto!”
“Ssss…ì su…subito.” L’oste era rimasto evidentemente stupito dalla reazione di Gabrielle e si sbrigò ad accontentarla.
**********
Gabrielle rientrò nella stanza, appoggiò le vivande e vide Xena giocherellare con il chakram; poi si voltò verso di lei e con gli occhi azzurri brillanti sorrise.
“Ti ho vista, sai?”
“Scusa?
“Ho visto come hai combattuto contro quei brutti ceffi. Prima o poi sarai capace anche di impugnare il mio chakram, e non solo di usarlo come rastrello…” fece un risolino compiaciuto.
“Oh Xena, perdonami io…”
“Non scusarti, Gab. Mi hai salvato la vita e te ne sarò sempre riconoscente. Stai diventando una vera guerriera. Non scherzavo quando ti ho detto che un giorno saprai usare il chakram…anche se probabilmente sarò morta quando accadrà” questa volta nel sorriso di Xena si poteva cogliere un velo di tristezza.
“Non accadrà mai, ora cerca di mangiare qualcosa…”
Gabrielle offrì il cibo alla guerriera, si accomodò accanto a lei e le accarezzò una mano.
“Sei la persona più importante della mia vita, Xena…”
La guerriera la accarezzò a sua volta, si guardarono negli occhi per poi scambiarsi un dolce e tenero bacio sulle labbra.
**********
Era appena l’alba quando Gabrielle venne svegliata dal rumore di una pioggia leggera che lentamente bagnava le foglie degli alberi. Inizialmente, essendo ancora assonnata, pensò di trovarsi fuori, invece si accorse che la finestra era leggermente aperta il tanto che potesse farle sentire quel dolce suono della natura.
Accanto a lei Xena riposava beatamente.
Vederla così sarebbe stato piuttosto insolito se la guerriera non fosse stata ferita, poiché era sempre stata lei ad alzarsi presto e a svegliarla, così cercò di destarla accarezzandola e baciandola dolcemente più volte sul viso finché non aprì gli occhi.
“Come va’?”
“Molto meglio, Gab”
“Fammi controllare la ferita…”
Delicatamente Gabrielle si accertò dello stato della lesione, poi cambiò il medicamento.
“Finalmente non è più infetta…”
Xena si alzò in piedi piuttosto baldanzosa, e Gabrielle riconobbe la sua amata guerriera.
“Ti ringrazio…sei stata così preziosa…ora però dobbiamo andarcene. Ci sono ancora alcune cose da sistemare. Laio si sarà già mosso per darci la caccia…piuttosto, che mi dici di Iris? Quando stavo male ti ho sentita vagamente parlare di un segreto…”
“I figli di Iris sono vivi, Xena…”
**********
Xena e Gabrielle si ritrovarono ai piedi del Monte Ficione, esattamente sulla stessa strada in cui pochi giorni prima erano riversate a terra le vittime della Sfinge; al loro posto c’era solo sabbia bruciata e cenere.
Xena scese da cavallo: qualcosa destò la sua attenzione.
“Non mi risulta che le sfingi sputino fiamme come i draghi” Xena stava toccando e premendo la sabbia con le mani lasciandola scivolare dalle dita.
“Guarda, Xena!”
Davanti alle due donne planò Neris, mentre alle loro spalle stava arrivando Laio scortato dal suo esercito armato fino ai denti.
“Xena, scappare non ti è servito! Mi hai tradito e sarai punitissima! Sapevo che non mi sarei mai potuto fidare fino in fondo di te! La tua fama ti precederà sempre!” Laio indossava un’armatura estremamente pesante, e la sua voce rimbombava all’interno dell’elmo rilasciando un suono cigolante.
“E tu, Neris! Non mi avrai mai! Uccidete la Sfinge e le due traditrici!”
Laio puntò il braccio in segno di attacco nella direzione di Xena e Gabrielle, e quasi cadde a terra per il peso della sua stessa armatura, finché un paio di soldati non lo sorressero.
Poi uno di loro scoccò una freccia nella direzione della fanciulla, ma Xena la fermò abilmente con la mano, rilanciandola dritta sull’elmo del Re, restando conficcata.
“Laio, sei ridicolo! Neris non ti ucciderà e tu non ucciderai lei!”
“Guardatevi intorno, sabbia bruciata e cenere argentea! I cadaveri che si trovavano qui fino all’altro giorno sono scomparsi!”
“È vero, guerriera” aggiunse Neris.
“Questo perché tra le vittime della sfinge c’erano anche dei soldati…provenienti da uno degli eserciti di Ares!
“Ares?” Laio si stupì.
Xena non solo era risoluta, ma sembrava avere in serbo altro per entrambe le fazioni, poi rimontò in sella ad Argo e fece segno a Gabrielle di raggiungerla sul destriero.
“Seguiteci! Ci ritroveremo tutti alla piazza di Tebe!”
**********
Le due donne cavalcarono rapidamente verso Tebe, poi Gabrielle presa dalla curiosità iniziò a fare domande.
“Vorresti dirmi che cosa c’entra Ares?”
“Ares voleva prendere due piccioni con una fava…diventare il nuovo protettore della città, uccidere Laio e proclamare un suo erede”
“Sì, ma…come?”
“Con l’inganno, Gab…l’unico espediente che conosce il Dio della Guerra. A breve ogni cosa sarà chiara per tutti”.
“Ah, capisco…i tuoi soliti misteri…”
**********
Gabrielle si teneva ben stretta alla vita di Xena e si accorse che la spalla ferita era stata sfiorata dalla freccia del soldato di Laio.
“Xena, fermati”
“Che c‘è?” Xena frenò la corsa di Argo, poi scese da cavallo e fece scendere anche Gabrielle.
“La tua spalla sta sanguinando…”
“E mi hai fatta fermare per questo?”
“Sì…”
Gabrielle sotto gli occhi di Xena iniziò a lambirle la spalla con le labbra, poi con la lingua asciugò il sangue che ancora non si era coagulato.
La guerriera provò stupore ed eccitazione allo stesso tempo, guardando la ragazza che sembrava volere tutto di lei, e questa volta non lasciò che il desiderio di entrambe svanisse a causa dell’incombente missione, ma con forza spinse Gabrielle contro un albero all’interno di una piccola selva cominciando a baciarla, percependo il sapore metallico del suo stesso sangue.
“Togli l’armatura, Xena…”
La guerriera molto rapidamente e con disinvoltura se ne liberò, premendo questa volta il proprio corpo contro quello della ragazza e lasciando scivolare le mani sui suoi fianchi tenendola stretta.
“Xena…siamo abbastanza lontane da…”
“Non mi importa…” continuò a baciarla e toccarla con veemenza.
“Stai davvero meglio Xen…” le tappò la bocca con una mano.
“Non parlare”
Xena baciò con ardore il collo di Gabrielle, che chiuse gli occhi e sorrise: la sua guerriera stava possedendo la sua anima e il suo corpo, incurante di tutto e tutti.
**********
“Eccoci Sire, ma le guerriere non ci hanno ancora raggiunti!” uno dei soldati di Laio si guardò intorno per accertarsi dell’arrivo delle due donne.
“Un grande sovrano non dovrebbe mai attendere!” Il Re era furibondo e Neris lo stava osservando con uno sguardo sprezzante mentre si stava leccando un’ala.
“Te le farò tagliare!”
“Smettila, Laio!” Xena e Gabrielle erano arrivate prima del previsto.
“Che cosa devi mostrarci, Xena?” chiese Neris con gentilezza.
“Esattamente qui, dove era avvenuta l’esecuzione di Crisippo, vi è rimasta la stessa cenere e sabbia che abbiamo trovato anche ai piedi del Monte Ficione!
“E questo cosa dovrebbe significare?” Laio stava ancora perdendo l’equilibrio a causa dell’armatura.
“Che tu non hai giustiziato Crisippo, bensì un impostore!”
“Non è affatto vero, Xena! Era Crisippo, ne sono più che sicuro!”
“Tu lo hai visto morire, Laio?”
“In effetti ora che mi ci fai pensare…abbiamo solo raccolto le ceneri dal rogo…”
“Quelle ceneri non appartenevano a Crisippo…tua moglie non ti ha mai tradito con lui, quindi non ci saranno ulteriori spargimenti di sangue!”
E proprio mentre Xena pronunciò quelle fatidiche parole, fece la sua comparsa Ares, il Dio della guerra, che lanciò uno dei suoi fulmini proprio contro di lei, ma la guerriera fu molto più veloce scagliandogli contro il chakram, che fece perdere la potenza alla scarica elettrica affievolendosi sul terreno.
“Guardate! Lo stesso colore di terra bruciata! La stessa cenere argentina prodotta dai tuoi fulmini, Ares!” Xena prese una manciata di quella terra e la buttò in faccia al Dio.
“E brava la mia principessa guerriera…ma non vuol dire niente tutto questo! Laio deve morire! Cosa aspetti Neris?”
“Neris non deve uccidere Laio perché non è mai stato ucciso Crisippo, tu ti sei presentato ad Iris sotto mentite spoglie e l’hai violentata!”
“E per quale ragione avrei dovuto ordire tutto questo? E’ ridicolo” sghignazzò
“Per futili motivi e rendere schiava la città di Tebe, nonché liberarti di Neris” da sotto una delle ali della Sfinge apparve Iris.
FLASHBACK: MONTE FICIONE, ALCUNI MESI PRIMA
Durante un forte temporale, Iris tutta impregnata di acqua e fango stava scappando dai soldati del re, nel tentativo di salvare i suoi figli.
Una volta arrivata nei pressi del Monte Ficione, appoggiò i neonati sulla Sacra Pietra: davanti a lei la Sfinge.
“Ti prego Neris, prendi i miei bambini, Laio vuole ucciderli!
“Iris, se i tuoi figli verranno con me, tu non li rivedrai mai più…ne sei consapevole?”
“Non mi importa…preferisco non rivederli che assistere alla loro morte sotto ai miei occhi!”
“E sia…da oggi saranno figli del Regno di Seth e Laio morirà per aver cercato di uccidere degli innocenti!”
FINE DEL FLASHBACK
“Quindi non mi hai tradito, Iris?”
“Avevo già in grembo i nostri figli quando Crisippo, o almeno colui che credevo lo fosse, una notte si approfittò di me……”
“E quell’uomo era Ares…” aggiunse Gabrielle.
“Non potevo dirtelo Laio, mi vergognavo troppo…”
“Ma non è stata colpa tua, Iris” Gabrielle strinse tra le braccia la donna, che scoppiò a piangere.
Laio si fece aiutare dai soldati a rimuovere la noiosa quanto ingombrante armatura e corse verso Iris.
“Perdonami, io non avrei mai potuto immaginare tutto questo…”
Laio cercò di cingerla a sé ma lei si scostò.
“Quindi è stato tutto un misero piano di Ares? E per cosa?” la voce della sfinge tuonò per tutta la piazza.
“Per un erede e qualche tempio in suo onore” sospirò Gabrielle.
“Roba da dei” proseguì Laio.
“O da malati di mente, vero Ares?” Xena non esitò a deridere ancora di più il Dio.
La Sfinge prese la parola:
“Io sono Neris, protettrice di questa città, e non lascerò che un Dio crudele e vanesio possa rendere infelici queste creature umane che tanto amo. Ti sei guadagnato la mia ira.”
Neris emise un suono acuto simile ad un sibilo, ma più inquietante.
“Ho appena chiamato a raccolta le mie sorelle che si stanno dirigendo sull’ Olimpo. La faranno pagare a te e a tutti voi stupidi dei!”
“Sorelle? Questo è ancora più ridicolo” Ares schernì la Sfinge in un modo in cui lei non accettò certo di buon grado, e quando cercò di fuggire, Neris materializzò con un soffio una lastra di ghiaccio che lo fece scivolare, poi gli schiacciò la schiena con una zampa, ma Ares che dopotutto era immortale, riuscì a liberarsi scomparendo davanti a tutti.
“Stupido e misero Dio! Non ti servirà fuggire!” Neris sbuffò, poi si diresse con passo elegante e armonioso verso Iris.
“Donna, tu hai sofferto tanto. Ti sei occupata dei tuoi figli con umiltà seppur a distanza, ed io voglio farti un dono”
Da lontano, in un cielo terso, stavano arrivando due grandi Aquile Reali: ognuna di loro portava con sé un fanciullo. Quando planarono a terra, Iris rimase esterrefatta e Neris sorrise.
“Ma questi non sono i miei figli…”
“Nel Regno di Seth i pargoli crescono in fretta e diventano semidei. Tebe ora ha due Re!”
“Io solo sono il legittimo Re di Tebe!” Intervenne Laio.
“Tu non sei un uomo giusto, Laio. L’enigma è stato comunque risolto e sei libero, ma il regno spetta ad Iris e ai suoi due figli! Prendere o…morire!”
Desolato, Laio abbassò il capo e accettò il suo destino.
Iris corse ad abbracciare i suoi figli tra gioia e pianto.
**********
Quella sera, in quello che ormai non era più il regno di Laio, Iris organizzò un ricevimento in onore dei suoi figli e delle due guerriere.
“Vorrei dirvi che non so come ringraziarvi, ma la realtà è che invece lo so. Quindi ho fatto riempire le vostre bisacce di viveri e monete d’oro, e sappiate che qui a Tebe avete un posto d’onore. Sarete sempre le benvenute”
“E noi non potremmo rifiutare tanta generosità” aggiunse Xena.
“Siamo immensamente felici che tu e i tuoi figli vi siate ricongiunti.” Gabrielle fu decisamente più romantica della guerriera nella risposta.
“Vi prego di restare qui questa notte, la stanza degli ospiti è ancora a vostra disposizione, con un piccolo omaggio per entrambe.”
Iris sorrise e si congedò.
“Sei sempre molto pratica, vero Xena?”
“Direi che ci siamo ampiamente meritate tutto!”
“Di che cosa ci avrà mai omaggiato la Regina?”
Per scoprirlo dovremmo entrare nella nostra stanza…”
“Ah, giusto.”
**********
Le due donne entrarono nella loro camera, e per prima cosa Gabrielle si accorse che appoggiato alla finestra c’era il suo bastone.
“Non posso crederci! Pensavo di averlo perso per sempre!”
“Lo userai ancora, Gab?”
“Perché non dovrei?!?”
“Ti sei battuta bene con quei tizi alla locanda, penso tu possa puntare su un altro tipo di arma d’ora in poi…”
“Il tuo chakram?”
“Quello mai! Non vorrei che la prossima volta ti venisse in mente di utilizzarlo per coltivare rape!!”
“Molto, molto spiritosa, Xena!… Hey, guarda!”
Si resero conto che l’ambiente era molto diverso da quello che aveva fatto allestire Laio la prima volta; completamente decorato di fiori blu e le lenzuola erano dello stesso identico colore.
“Perché tutti questi fiori?!?” Xena era piuttosto contrariata.
“Sono giaggioli, e simboleggiano fede e speranza.”
“La speranza uccise gli uomini più della spada.”
“Sei sempre così devastante Xena, perché la speranza dovrebbe uccidere?”
“Perché è illusoria ed effimera, come l’amore.”
“Credi che anche il mio amore per te sia così?”
Xena rimase in silenzio. La schiettezza della ragazza e la parola amore le fecero avere un sussulto, poi divenne leggermente cupa e si sedette sul letto.
Gabrielle si avvicinò mettendosi davanti a lei tra le sue gambe, e le posò le braccia intorno al collo.
“Così siamo quasi alte uguali…” la guerriera fece un po’ di umorismo e sorrise.
“Xena, cosa credi stia succedendo sul Monte Olimpo con le sorelle di Neris?”
“Ti importa davvero…?”
“No…in realtà stavo pensando che quando ci stendiamo le nostre altezze coincidono ancora meglio…”
FINE
“So many times I woke up during the night, because I could not sleep anymore.
I was feeling as if my heart was about to explode in my chest, every time your arm was brushing against me, by accident.
And I was staying still. Motionless. Longing that casual gesture could have been frozen for eternity.
Then you changed position again and I returned feeling cold, praying that you could touch me again and I could feel newly alive.
I don’t remember the exact moment in which your eyes filled the emptiness of my existence.
Ah, the existence, Xena…before knowing you, that emptiness was not weighting so much…
To be clear…I felt it…but in the moment our eyes met, I understood that I could not live without you, and that if I lost you, that emptiness would have become a doom.”
“Gabrielle, what are you doing?” Xena woke up. The sound of a thunder particularly strong had disturbed her sleep.
“I’m writing about you…about us…”
The warrior reached the girl, who was sitting in front of the fireplace, and she sat down next to her.
“Can I read…?”
“Of course…”
Xena took the scroll and touched Gabrielle’s hand.
Even if years have passed, even if the two women had shared moments of intimacy, Gabrielle had never stopped feeling strong emotions for her.
She was watching Xena reading her writings, getting lost in the perfect profile of the woman she loved.
She caught her smile, then the warrior turned towards her and almost hesitating, she caressed her face.
“Lend me your pen…”
Xena started writing on Gabrielle’s scroll, who was watching in disbelief, in silence.
“…what you don’t know, my sweet bard, is that each time I was touching your skin during the night, I wanted to have you on me…
…and you had never known of all those nights in which your face was so close to mine, going crazy from the will of tasting your lips and feed myself with your soul…
…I have seen you suffering and fighting for my fault and you never left me…not even when violence and pain had stolen your innocence…
…I’m not good talking about love, but you taught me to love…your gentleness, your dedication and maybe too much admiration, made me feel stronger more and more each day, because I was sure about your love…”
“There you go. I finished. Now you can continue…”
Gabrielle took the scroll back and quickly read what Xena had written, then she placed it on the table, where she had placed the ink as well.
The two women looked at each other, both without speaking a word, it was as if they had told each other everything.
Gabrielle’s eyes became lightly red and filled with tears, that she was trying to hold back.
Xena didn’t say anything, she went closer to the girl’s face, tasting the vibrations that her heart’s turmoil made exploding through her irregular breath, while the fallen tears reached her lips, that Xena wiped with hers.
A delicate kiss that Gabrielle returned with the same lightness of the sea breeze, and the same sea was reflected in the warrior’s eyes, which from the depths of that oceanic color made her soaking in a summer dream.
The same summer that they spent together in a place called, from the locals, “the land of four seasons”, but they could never know the real name of that magic island.
The moment that Xena delicately tightened her, Gabrielle was inebriated by the fresh scent exhaled by her skin.
To the warrior’s breath, the mad palpitation of her heart combined, she could not do anything else than returning the hug, joining to the only reason of her existence.
“Are you going to write about this moment as well?”
“I will write…”
Gabrielle stopped. She clashed her elbow against the small bottle of ink, which was resting near the scroll, so she quickly stopped the fall, to avoid it completely pouring on the sheet.
“Blue ink?” Gabrielle jumped.
Xena was not with her. She was gone. Months earlier.
But their souls had made love.
“Xena, where are you…? This is not enough for me…I cannot live in this way…I can’t…without you I’m lost…”
THE END
“Tante volte mi sono svegliata durante la notte perché non riuscivo più a dormire.
Sentivo il cuore come in procinto di esplodermi dal petto ogni volta che il tuo braccio sfiorava per sbaglio il mio.
Ed io restavo ferma. Immobile. Desiderando che quel gesto casuale potesse cristallizzarsi in eterno.
Poi però cambiavi nuovamente posizione ed io ritornavo a sentire freddo, pregando che tu potessi nuovamente sfiorarmi ed io sentirmi ancora viva.
Non ricordo il momento esatto in cui i tuoi occhi colmarono il vuoto della mia esistenza.
Ah, l’esistenza, Xena…prima di conoscerti quel vuoto non pesava poi così tanto…
Sia chiaro…lo sentivo…ma nell’attimo in cui i nostri occhi si sono parlati, ho capito di non potere più vivere senza di te, e che se ti avessi persa quel vuoto sarebbe diventato una condanna.”
“Gabrielle, che stai facendo?” Xena si svegliò. Il rumore di un tuono particolarmente potente disturbò il suo sonno.
“Scrivo di te…di noi…”
La guerriera raggiunse la ragazza che era seduta davanti al caminetto e si accomodó accanto a lei.
“Posso leggere…?”
“Certo…”
Xena prese la pergamena e sfiorò la mano di Gabrielle.
Anche se erano trascorsi anni, anche se le due donne avevano condiviso momenti di intimità, Gabrielle non aveva mai smesso di provare forti emozioni per lei.
Osservava Xena leggere i suoi scritti perdendosi nel profilo perfetto della donna che amava.
Ne colse subito un sorriso, poi la guerriera si voltò verso di lei e quasi esitante le accarezzò il viso.
“Prestami la tua penna…”
Xena iniziò a scrivere sulla pergamena di Gabrielle, che con incredulità osservava in silenzio.
“…quello che non sai, mio dolce bardo, è che ogni volta che durante la notte ti sfioravo la pelle, desideravo averti addosso…
…e non hai mai saputo di tutte quelle notti che il tuo viso era così vicino al mio da impazzire dalla voglia di assaggiare le tue labbra e nutrirmi della tua anima…
…ti ho vista soffrire e combattere per colpa mia e non mi hai mai lasciata…nemmeno quando la violenza e il dolore hanno deturpato la tua innocenza…
…non sono brava a parlare d’amore, ma tu mi hai insegnato ad amare…la tua delicatezza, la tua dedizione e forse fin troppa ammirazione, mi hanno fatta sentire ogni giorno più forte perché certa del tuo amore…”
“Ecco. Ho terminato. Ora puoi continuare tu…”
Gabrielle riprese in mano la pergamena e lesse d’un fiato quello che aveva scritto Xena, poi la appoggiò sul tavolino dove aveva riposto anche l’inchiostro.
Le due donne si guardarono, ed entrambe senza dire una parola era come se si fossero dette ogni cosa.
Gli occhi di Gabrielle divennero leggermente rossi e si riempirono di lacrime che cercò di trattenere.
Xena non disse nulla, sì avvicinò al viso della ragazza assaporandone le vibrazioni che i turbamenti del suo cuore fecero esplodere attraverso i suoi respiri irregolari, mentre le lacrime ormai cadute lambirono le labbra che Xena asciugò con le sue.
Un bacio delicato che Gabrielle ricambiò con la stessa leggerezza della brezza marina, e quello stesso mare lo vide riflesso negli occhi della guerriera, che dal profondo di quel colore dell’oceano la fece immergere in un sogno lungo un’estate.
La stessa estate che trascorsero insieme in un luogo che gli abitanti del posto chiamavano “la terra delle quattro stagioni”, ma di cui non conobbero mai il reale nome di quell’isola magica.
Nel momento in cui Xena delicatamente la strinse a sé, Gabrielle fu inebriata dal profumo di fresco che emanava la sua pelle.
Al respiro della guerriera si unì la palpitazione impazzita del suo cuore, non potendo fare altro che ricambiare l’abbraccio congiungendosi all’unica ragione della sua esistenza.
“Scriverai anche di questo momento?”
“Scriverò…”
Gabrielle si interruppe. Con il gomito prese contro alla boccetta di inchiostro che aveva appoggiato vicino alla pergamena e si affrettò a frenarne la caduta per non farlo colare totalmente sul foglio.
“Inchiostro blu?” Gabrielle trasalì.
Xena non era insieme a lei. Se ne era andata. Mesi prima.
Ma le loro anime avevano fatto l’amore.
“Xena, dove sei…? Non può bastarmi tutto questo…non posso vivere così…non posso…senza di te io sono perduta…”
Xena and Gab speeded up on the horse’s saddle. The storm was raging hard, they had to go back and find a suitable solution to what they had just faced with great trouble.
“Quick, quick!” Xena spurred Argo.
The road was very bumpy, all of a sudden Argo reared up as if she saw something frightening; Xena kept her balance, while Gabrielle was unseated, fell on the ground and rolled to a slope that was headed inside a dense forest.
“XENAAAAaaaaaaaaa…“
“Gabrielle!” Xena tried keeping balance, then she jumped off the horse with one of her athletic moves and went desperately searching for her friend.
**********
“For all Gods…such a pain…” Gab found herself in a dense bush. The feeble sunrays behind the clouds, were barely penetrating the woods.
She touched her nape grimacing and tried to get up, when someone helped her from behind.
“You?!?” Gab was surprised, but not even so much after all.
**********
“Gabrielle! Gabrielle where are you! Answer me!”
Xena’s shouts were not hiding how much she was worried of losing her friend. The bushes were so dense, many times branches and brambles wounded her making her bleed; anyway Xena did not care, she was not even feeling pain.
While she was hitting branches with her sword, suddenly she stopped.
“Can’t believe it. You’re here…”
**********
“I can’t understand if I have visions, or if you are real…” Gab was very confused.
“Is this your way of thanking me for saving your life???” Aphrodite pointed to a cliff on her right.
“Well, ehm…yes…thank you…but what are you doing here?”
“I was wondering how things were going between you and Xena!”
“Very well, considering that we should kill a bloody Sphinx and Xena lost her chakram accusing me to have lost it…”
“Ah, no…you didn’t lose it, it is obvious!”
“Sorry?”
“I borrowed it…let’s say this…”
“What? Are you aware of the severity of what you have caused?”
“Hey, pretty! I have done that for you! I thought that without her weapon she would have dedicated more to her feelings instead of fighting everywhere!” she snorted.
“Does Xena seem the kind of person that could stop only for this reason? Anyway, stop it, make the chakram showing up and let’s end this!”
“Ehm…I don’t think this is possible…”
**********
“You’re incredible, Xena…you always feel my divine essence…what did I do to deserve such consideration?”
Ares was right behind her and caressed her hair persuasively, then he moved in front of her.
“I don’t feel it…I feel your stink. Unmistakable…” Xena smiled sarcastically.
Ares regained his composure, as always the warrior was insulting him, not even so veiled.
“However, Xena, I think killing the Sphinx is a very bad idea…she is here for a specific reason…”
“And for this specific reason you want to prevent me doing it, right?”
“Have fun, Xena…you should celebrate. Why undertaking a mission greater than you?”
“I won’t allow other Thebes’s citizens murders, Ares…”
“Oh, but the fearsome Sphinx doesn’t want to kill Thebes citizens, Xena…don’t be so naïve, my dear…”
It was clear that Ares was aware of so many more things than what King Laius had told her. Since she was already suspecting something, now, thanks to the God’s words, she was having a clearer picture of the situation: behind all this plan Ares was the puppeteer…but what was King Laius trying to hide?
“Tell me something more, Ares…what’s so interesting in Thebes that has made bothering the God of War…?” Xena was more and more ironic.
“Your anniversary? Maybe I want to give you something…”
“A gift? You?” she sneered.
“Sure…what better gift than your favorite God? Maybe an amazing army…! What do you think?” he caressed her face moving aside some strands of wet hair that were placed there.
“I say that you can keep this gift for you.”
“Xena…don’t think that I am not aware of your attachment to the little blondie…but remember that she has made your chakram disappear on purpose…” Ares laughed out loud.
“What? It’s not possible…what are you saying?”
“Without your chakram you fall beneath common mortals’ feet. You have no chance to defeat the Sphinx, and I repeat you to let her accomplish her task or you should fight against me…see you next time…Xena…!”
“Ares…! Ares!” the warrior invoked him uselessly.
The God of War disappeared, leaving Xena to her doubts and uncertainties, to her questions that needed quick answers.
However, upon all of this, the most important thing was finding Gabrielle.
**********
Gabrielle was unbelievably furious for Aphrodite’s silliness.
“You don’t know where it is? You took it!”
“Gabby, I really don’t know where it is…maybe I got distracted and…”
“Distracted…by what?”
“Well, I was in company of five young men and I think I got my head lost…you understand…no…? No…you can’t understand…” Aphrodite pitied Gabrielle for her lack of experience with love.
“You must find the chakram, Xena needs her weapon back!
“Ok, ok, I will do my best, but at least you should be grateful, no? Xena has noticed you!”
“Xena hasn’t noticed me…”
“Thought you were smarter, little girl! Anyway, sorry for the trouble! I will try to put remedy!” and disappeared.
Gabrielle was deeply thoughtful; the thing that Aphrodite made the chakram vanish and then lost it did not make her feel good.
She was feeling the real need of helping Xena, into deep she felt that all has happened was her fault.
**********
“Gabrielle! Where are you! Answer me!”
After the conversation with Ares, Xena was definitely furious with Gabrielle, but not finding her was making Xena feeling anxious, and the annoyance of not having her chakram with her was smaller and smaller.
“I’m here, Xena!”
“For all Gods, Gab…are you ok? She hugged her kissing the girl on her forehead, without noticing she stained her corsage with blood.
“Yes, luckily all ok, but you are wounded…come, there is a torrent very near…”
**********
The two women were sitting on the torrent’s edge and Gabrielle lovingly was taking care of Xena’s wounds; the warrior was appreciating those attentions much.
“Done!” Gab smiled.
“Thank you…” Xena smiled back, noticing some embarrassment in the girl, then she lifted her face up with her hand and Gabrielle thought seriously that Xena wanted to kiss her.
Yes, she was sure. This time she would have let her doing it; there was a moment of hesitation.
“Where’s my chakram?!?”
“Xena, do you still believe I took your ring?” Gabrielle was much irritated; half for Xena’s insistence and half because she was feeling disappointed for that missed kiss.
“Ares told me…”
“Ares always played with our weaknesses and minds, Xena!”
“Yes, you’re right…you’re right Gab…I just can’t understand…there is something missing…I think Ares has a precise role in this entire story…”
“And I think we can obtain many more answers at Kind Laius’ court!”
“What do you mean, Gab?”
“Leave it to me, Xena…after all, talking is still my accomplishment!” she smiled mischievously.
**********
The rain was pouring and the two girls were almost reaching Thebes’ main square.
“We’re almost there Gabrielle, as soon as we arrive at the castle nobody will take a warm bath away from us!”
Gabrielle was watching Xena with extreme admiration, attracted also by the rain, pouring down on the warrior’s body, making it even more embossed and seductive. Then her attention was immediately dissolved by what was around her: the square was completely empty, no citizen nearby.
“Xena, what…?”
Gabrielle couldn’t ask anything, because a colossal being was flying above their heads; subsequently, the famous Greek Sphinx in all her majesty was plaining on a column in front of them.
She was as terrifying as beautiful, disturbing and fascinating at the same time: she had a feline body, wonderful white feathers and hazelnut colored eyes.
Xena didn’t think twice, she unsheathed her sword with a hand and with the other protected Gabrielle.
“Calm down warrior, I don’t want to hurt you. My name is Neris” the Sphinx’s voice was comparable to a mature woman’s voice. Warm and seductive.
“I only desire what is rightfully mine”
“Try to be clearer!” replied Xena.
“The bloodline can be broken only by the one who created it, warrior”.
“What are you going to do in the meantime? Are you going to kill other poor people?” Gabrielle intervened.
“Young ladies, for no reason, nobody dies. I only took life, for the fault of the one this trouble created. The city carries a viper in her bosom, reus est. Deliver it to me, and Thebes will be free.”
Neris took off the column.
“Solve the treat or die”. The Sphinx spread her wings and flew away.
“What did she mean?”
“You’re the riddles’ expert…Gab”
**********
Xena and Gabrielle finally reached the castle, completely soaked and dirty of mud.
“Gabrielle, I don’t want you to say anything to King Laius”
“Why?”
“Because I have a plan”
“What plan, Xena?”
“Not now, Gab…”
As soon as they were in, one of the guards immediately welcomed them.
“Can you follow me? King Laius is waiting for you.”
Gabrielle immediately took word.
“We really need a warm bath, it was a very heavy day, as you might notice…then we will talk to the King. Can you do us this favor?”
The guard was not so convinced, but nodded.
“Naturally, the handmaids will escort you to the thermal baths…”
“In this way you will have all the time to explain me everything about your plan, Xena…” Gab was smiling pleased.
**********
The thermal springs were located in a hidden part of the castle, only accessible to the King and his most loyal ones.
Xena and Gabrielle were inside one of the rooms in which, besides a large bathtub filled with warm water and adorned with Lotus flowers and scented candles, there was also a kind of small refreshing waterfall behind their back.
“Such a pleasure…” Gabrielle was transported by the warmth of the water on her skin and by Xena, who was massaging her shoulders.
“…now it is even more pleasant…” she added, touching Xena’s hands that instinctively stopped.
“What is this…?
“Oh, just a necklace bought at the market before leaving for Thebes, Xena…”
“So cute…it seems my chakram…” sighed disillusioned.
Gabrielle could not tell her that she bought that object thinking of a gift for her, and that it was just a small thing for her anniversary, deciding to keep that for herself and then searching for something more appropriate later.
“Have you already thought of what to tell King Laius?”
“That we have met the Sphinx, without going into further details, Gabrielle.”
“So not a word about the riddle?”
“Least of all, Gab…”
“You don’t think he could help us?”
“King Laius? If everything is as I think, he will only be an obstacle” Xena continued her massage going from the shoulders to Gabrielle’s back, immersing her arms in the water ending on the girl’s hips.
Gabrielle felt shivers along all her body and a strange feeling in her stomach, that made her spontaneously closing her eyes.
She wanted to turn around and throw herself on Xena, and when she was about to, Xena sneaked out of the bathtub and flushed a handmaid out of the curtains, grabbing her by her fluent curly hair; then she held her wrists.
“Since when you were here spying on us?”
“I wasn’t…wasn’t…I wasn’t spying on you my lady” the handmaid was babbling, trying not to look at Xena’s naked body, and in the attempt she laid her eyes on Gabrielle.
“Cover up, Gab!”
“So? Xena insisted.
The handmaid did not reply, so Xena watched her carefully.
“You’re not at King Laius’ service, these are golden earrings…no handmaid could own them…tell me who you are!”
Xena tightened the girl’s wrists harder, so she gave up.
“My name is Iris…and I am, well, I was, King Laius’ wife…”
**********
In one of King Laius’ guestrooms, Xena and Gabrielle were preparing for the evening, with the help of some handmaids, since there would have been a bacchanal in honor of Laius.
The King has explicitly requested their presence, mostly for discussing about the latest events.
The corsage and skirt Gab was used to wear, as well as Xena’s leather clothes and armor, were temporarily substituted by two white and golden robes, long to the ankles; Gabrielle’s robe had a side slit that made her leg and thigh visible. Even their hairstyles were different than usual, more Gabrielle’s than Xena’s, since the warrior’s hair were completely loose, while her friend’s were partially tied up with some curls delicately falling along her face’s sides.
Xena was wearing a brass ring representing a feathered snake on her arm, that was highlighting her bicep, slightly muscled; Gabrielle was wearing the stròphion and the necklace bought at Corinth’s market under her dress, and also some rings borrowed from the King for the occasion.
“You’re so beautiful Gab…” Xena was tenderly watching Gabrielle, then she encircled her waist with an arm.
“Ready?”
“Yes…”
**********
The hall used for the party was huge: there were various tables with every gastronomic dish as far as the eye could see, some of King Laius’ guests were already sitting, some others were laying on comfortable couches, chatting and tasting fruit.
“Xena, why so many people…?”
“I guess the King organized a kind of great party in Roman’s style…”
“Sex, wine and transgression…? I don’t think it is for me…”
“We are not here for this, but we could not refuse the invitation…” Xena noticed a certain concern in Gabrielle, so she hugged her tighter, smiled and the girl felt protected.
At the same time, King Laius entered in the hall, escorted by his loyal guards.
His clothes were eccentric as always, even sparkling, his eyes with excessive make-up, but he seemed showing a certain concern, despite his appearance.
“Oh my beautiful guests, our clothes suits you so very much! Please take a seat, my very very welcome! They say tomorrow there will be someone’s anniversary…” the King winked jokingly at Xena, that pushed her elbow against Gabrielle’s.
“I didn’t say anything, Xena” she said softly, very upset.
The two girls sat one near the other: Xena on the table’s longest side and Gabrielle next to her, in the corner. King Laius sat at the head of the table and ordered the servants to bring some wine.
“Please, beautiful ladies! This is my vineyards’ nectar, please try it!
Gabrielle started sipping it, the wine should have been particularly strong but good, since the expression on her face was a mixture of huff and surprise, she never tried anything like that before; Xena on the contrary swallowed it without problems.
“So what news are there about your researches, my venerable Goddesses?” King Laius seemed very impatient of knowing what they had to report.
“Not much, Majesty. The Sphinx attacked us, threatened us to resolve the riddle she left, before letting us go” Xena was hermetic.
“Another riddle? Thebes is risking to be razed to the ground…do you know the answer? What would this very difficult riddle be?”
“What is that animal walking with four legs in the morning, with two at midday and with three in the evening?” Gabrielle sneaked in the discussion.
“For all Gods of highest Olympus! Do you know the answer?” King Laius did not hide a certain turmoil.
“Not yet, Majesty, but I think I’m very close to the solution…” Gabrielle added.
“Oh, so perfect!! I’m so very happy!! Such very good news for my very tired ears!”
Xena was puzzled about her friend’s intervention.
“What kind of riddle would it be?”
“You said we had to mislead Kind Laius, no?” Gabrielle smiled mischievously, certainly the wine was having its effect.
“Sure…” Xena replied hesitantly.
**********
Xena was eating bread with sesame with taste, while Gabrielle a small portion of roasted spicy pork with her bare hands, which only increased her thirst, making her drinking many cups of wine. The other diners started being very noisy while toasting in honor of God Dionysus, some were asking loudly to the King to start with the show.
“Let the dancers in, now!!”
From a corner of the huge hall, behind a large velvet bordeaux curtain, men and women, almost naked, made their entrance twirling, starting the show with very sensual moves; following some musicians accompanying the dancers with their instruments.
Xena was carefully watching the show, until a terpsichorean approached her inviting her to dance, and she accepted willingly, with Gabrielle’s astonishment that started turning into jealousy the moment she saw the young girl clinging to the warrior.
She tried not to give importance to that, until a sturdy man, surely one of the King’s guests, didn’t ask her to dance with him just in the moment the music was turning slow.
Only to make a spite to Xena, with the favor of the Gods’ nectar, she agreed.
The man, noticing that Gabrielle has lost her inhibitory brakes, tried to hug her and kiss her neck.
When the warrior noticed what was happening, she went as close as possible to Gabrielle and her dance partner.
“Would you allow an exchange?”
Xena left the young dancer in the man’s arms and took her friend by grabbing her waist, continuing with her the slow dance.
“What did you think to do?”
“Mmmh…nothing different than what you were doing, Xena…now would you please let me go…?”
“For you to return dancing with that guy? I don’t think so…”
“Why not…?” Gabrielle looked at Xena as never before. Then she stopped.
“My head is spinning, Xena…I think I drank too much…”
Xena made Gabrielle sitting down on one of the couches, then she took a strawberry, dipped it into honey and offered her.
“Eat. It will make the taste of alcohol going away and fill your stomach. You didn’t touch food.”
Gabrielle took Xena’s hand, looked in her eyes and brought the pulpy strawberry to her mouth. Xena looked back at her.
In the meantime, the party was going on and the guests were going beyond, starting to approach physically.
Gabrielle tried to look away, but things were not particularly good because soon she realized that Xena was looking at her in a different way than usual; she touched her arm naturally and Xena noticed that, placing her hand upon Gabrielle’s and intertwining them. The girl went closer to the warrior’s ear, whispering with provocative voice:
“Take me away from here…”
**********
Gabrielle, as soon as she was back in the guestroom, fell in a deep sleep. It was pretty obvious that her body was not able to tolerate wine.
Xena was disappointed.
She was watching the ceiling, couldn’t sleep, despite the fact that many times Gabrielle was sleeping next to her.
“But it was a simple pallet placed on the cold and bare ground…here we are on a bed…a very comfortable one…” she thought.
Gabrielle, interrupted by the incessant moves Xena was making on the bed, woke up, only to find herself sleepless and thoughtful: she could feel the warrior’s sighs and breath, her scent…and this was preventing her from finding the right position to fall asleep again.
“Gabrielle…are you asleep? Gabrielle…I know you’re awake…when you sleep, you snore…”
“I don’t snore!”
“I was right, you’re awake!” giggled.
“Let me rest!”
Xena placed her hand on Gabrielle’s back and caressed it.
“Tell me I am not the reason of your turmoil, Gabrielle…”
Gabrielle turned around, despite the dark and thanks to the moon rays entering from the window, she could see very well Xena’s eyes, and the same darkness gave her bravery.
“Yes, you’re right. It is about you. And I know this confession won’t do anything else than satisfying your ego”.
“Do you believe I’m so terrible…?”
“Should I spit on you all the beautiful words you told me in the last few days and also your regret of having me with you for these years?”
“Gab, I don’t wanna fight…”
“I do, Xena! You…you don’t understand…I have left my family…my sister…and no…I never cared about Perdicus…but I left my life behind to follow you because I was…because I am…in love with you.”
Xena tenderly caressed Gabrielle’s cheek, which was imperceptibly grazed by a tear that Xena wiped with her thumb, and Gabrielle instinctively caressed Xena’s hand with hers.
“You’re so sweet, Gabrielle…you’re not the young girl that I met in Potidaea…you are a woman…”
“I love…and I know you don’t…”
“No, it’s not like this, Gabrielle. Don’t say it.”
“What…?”
“I’m not good with words, Gab…but I cannot allow you to say what I feel about you…”
Gabrielle was waiting for a sequel, but Xena stopped.
“It’s so late, we should sleep” Xena returned supine watching the ceiling, as if it was the most interesting thing in that moment, all for not going on with that conversation, but Gab did not accept it.
“No Xena, you cannot say this and close the discussion! I won’t allow you!”
Gabrielle changed position, finding herself upon Xena. The ceiling was no longer visible. Xena had Gabrielle’s face just in front of her and her hair were lightly touching her shoulders.
Xena got up, took Gabrielle’s face between her hands and the two women intensely looked into each other’s eyes, then Xena lowered her glance to Gabrielle’s perfect lips, kissing them lightly with hers.
Gab at the first warrior’s touch opened her mouth instinctively and for Xena it was a clear invitation to take possession of it.
Gabrielle was pleasantly shaken by the way Xena was impulsively kissing her, her tongue seemed wanting to penetrate her to the core and she felt hers even more when the warrior ripped off her clothes and grabbed her breasts with ardor, to kiss them with dedication and love.
“Is this the way a warrior makes love?”
Gabrielle asked herself about that with her eyes completely closed.
“This is how Xena makes love…my Xena…”
The thought became a deep anxiety, when the warrior returned tasting her mouth and tightening her against herself.
In that moment she wanted to tell her that she had never been in intimacy with anyone before, even if she had let her understand that she made love to Perdicus in the past. For this reason, she could not feel like stopping her.
She relaxed herself still with her eyes closed: Xena was incredibly strong and her body was hot, she could barely move below her.
While she was kissing her and intertwining with her, her hand started going under clothes and Gabrielle instinctively for her lack of experience touched Xena’s arm, trying to stop her, feeling the veins of the warrior pulsing under her skin, but Xena untangled from that obstacle and suddenly found herself taking delight of the girl’s intimacy.
Gabrielle felt a strong shiver along her spine and a sharp pain between her legs that made her wincing, but Xena’s kisses managed to distract her from that sweet uneasiness, twisting her heart with emotions.
The girl tried to adjust herself to the warrior’s movements, she didn’t want to seem clumsy, but Xena was so intoxicated by her that couldn’t notice anything, until the moment of Gabrielle’s maximum pleasure, since slight grimaces of pain were mixed to panting and breathlessness.
Xena felt something among her fingers, something that was very different from Gabrielle’s pleasure only.
“You…you never…”
“Yes, because I want you and we would have never been here…if I told you that…” she stopped.
Xena was very sorry, so Gabrielle kissed her lips with extreme softness, sinking her hand in her beloved’s hair, that slowly and gently slide on her back: she could feel her tense muscles; that was driving her mad, so in the meantime she was proceeding along all her body until she reached her hips.
With a sensual move she tried to let Xena understand that was her turn now, so the princess found herself below Gabrielle and to the attention of her lips, that kissed each millimeter of her face, her neck and all of her war scars, ending by mistake on one that was still fresh.
“Forgive me, Xena…I…”
“It doesn’t matter Gabrielle… it doesn’t matter…” she whispered softly.
Gab continued kissing Xena, that let herself be carried away by that sweet passion never felt before, that brought her to a different pleasure when the girl’s hand made her way towards her and her fearful and inexperienced fingers became daring and aware, thanks to the love she felt.
“I love you Xena…love you to death…”
Those words made the warrior gasping, leaving her almost breathless, then with extreme tenderness she laid exhausted on Gabrielle’s breast, hugging and tightening her with the last strength left.
“Your heart is beating madly, Gabrielle…”
“You can’t understand how much I wanted this…how much I wanted to become yours…”
“And was it…how you had pictured that…?”
“You’re sweaty Xena…” she covered her with the bed sheet.
“Yes, it was so beautiful…” she added.
Xena returned her thoughtfulness with a very sweet kiss on her lips.
“This is the most beautiful gift you could have given me, Gabrielle…”The two women fell asleep tenderly in each other’s arms.
TO BE CONTINUED IN THE FOURTH AND FINAL EPISODE…
Xena e Gab sfrecciarono a gran velocità in sella alla cavalla. Il temporale si era fortemente scatenato, e dovevano assolutamente tornare indietro e trovare una soluzione plausibile a quello che avevano appena affrontato con estrema difficoltà.
“Veloce, veloce!” Incitò Xena ad Argo.
La strada era parecchio dissestata, e ad un certo punto Argo si impennò come se avesse visto qualcosa di spaventoso; Xena mantenne l’equilibrio, mentre Gabrielle venne disarcionata, cadde a terra e rotolò fino ad una pendenza che conduceva all’interno di una fitta boscaglia.
“XENAAAAaaaaaaaaa…“
“Gabrielle!” Xena cercò di mantenersi in equilibrio, poi balzò giù da cavallo con uno dei suoi atletici salti e si diresse alla disperata ricerca della sua amica.
**********
“Per gli déi…che dolore…” Gab si ritrovò tra una fitta vegetazione. I flebili raggi di sole dietro le nuvole, penetravano a stento tra gli alberi.
Con una smorfia si toccò la nuca e cercò di alzarsi, ma qualcuno da dietro la aiutò a sollevarsi.
“Tu?!?” Gab era sorpresa, ma nemmeno così tanto dopotutto.
**********
“Gabrielle! Gabrielle dove sei!Rispondimi!”
Le urla di Xena non nascondevano una certa preoccupazione di aver perso la propria amica. La boscaglia era così fitta che più volte rami e rovi la ferirono fino a farla sanguinare; ma di questo a Xena non importava nulla, tant’è che non provava nemmeno dolore.
Mentre con la spada scagliava colpi in mezzo ai rami, improvvisamente si fermò.
“Non posso crederci. Sei qui…”
**********
“Non capisco se ho le allucinazioni o sei davvero tu…” Gab era molto confusa.
“Questo è il ringraziamento per averti salvato la vita???” Afrodite indicò con la mano alla sua destra uno strapiombo.
“Beh, ehm…sì…ti ringrazio…ma che ci fai qui?”
“Mi stavo domandando come andassero le cose tra te e Xena!”
“Benissimo, se si considera che dobbiamo uccidere una Sfinge sanguinaria e Xena ha perso il suo chakram di cui ha accusato la sottoscritta di averglielo smarrito…”
“Ah, ma no…non lo hai smarrito tu, mi sembra evidente!”
“Scusa?”
“L’ho preso in prestito io…diciamo…”
“Come? Ma ti rendi conto della gravità e di cosa hai causato?”
“Hey, carina! L’ho fatto per te! Ho pensato che senza il suo cerchio si sarebbe dedicata di più ai sentimenti anziché combattere per ogni dove!” sbuffò.
“Xena ti sembra il tipo che possa essere fermata per così poco? Comunque basta, fai riapparire il chakram e facciamola finita!”
“Ehm…non credo sia possibile…”
**********
“Sei incredibile, Xena…riesci sempre a percepire la mia essenza divina…cos’ho fatto per meritarmi cotanta considerazione?”
Ares si trovava proprio dietro di lei e le accarezzò in modo suadente i capelli, poi si spostò di fronte.
“Non la percepisco…è il tuo tanfo. Inconfondibile…” sorrise sarcasticamente Xena.
Ares si ricompose, come al solito la guerriera non mancava di insultarlo, e nemmeno velatamente.
“Ad ogni modo, Xena, io credo sia una pessima idea uccidere la Sfinge…è qui per un motivo ben preciso…”
“E per questo motivo ben preciso vorresti impedirmi, di farlo, giusto?”
“Pensa a divertirti, Xena…devi festeggiare. Perché imbattersi in un’impresa più grande di te?”
“Non permetterò che altri cittadini di Tebe muoiano, Ares…”
“Oh, ma la temibile Sfinge non vuole uccidere i cittadini di Tebe, Xena…non essere ingenua mia cara…”
Era chiaro che Ares conoscesse molte più cose di quelle che le erano state riferire da Re Laio, e se già sospettava qualcosa, ora, grazie alle parole del Dio, ebbe un quadro più chiaro della situazione: dietro tutto questo piano Ares era il burattinaio…ma Re Laio cosa cercava di nascondere?
“Dimmi qualcosa di più, Ares…cosa c’è a Tebe di così interessante da aver fatto scomodare il Dio della guerra…?” Xena era sempre più ironica.
“Il tuo anniversario? Forse voglio farti un dono…”
“Un dono? Tu?” sghignazzò
“Certamente…quale dono migliore del tuo Dio preferito? E magari una bella armata…! Che ne dici?” le accarezzò il viso scostando alcune ciocche di capelli bagnati che le si erano posate sul viso.
“Dico che questo dono puoi tenertelo.”
“Xena…non credere che non abbia capito del tuo attaccamento per la biondina…ma ricorda che ha volutamente fatto sparire il tuo chakram…” Ares rise di gusto.
“Cosa? Ma non è possibile…cosa stai dicendo?”
“Senza il chakram tu cadi al di sotto dei piedi dei comuni mortali. Non hai alcuna speranza di sconfiggere la Sfinge, e ti ripeto di farle compiere il suo dovere o dovrai vedertela anche con me…alla prossima occasione…Xena…!”
“Ares…! Ares!” lo invocò inutilmente la guerriera.
Il Dio della guerra svanì nel nulla, lasciando Xena nei dubbi e nelle incertezze, nonché in domande che necessitavano di rapide risposte.
Ma in quel momento la cosa più importante era quella di ritrovare Gabrielle.
**********
Gabrielle era incredula e inviperita dalla superficialità di Afrodite.
“Come sarebbe che non sai dove sia finito? Lo hai preso tu!”
“Gabby, non so proprio dove sia…forse mi sarò distratta e…”
“Distratta…Da cosa?”
“Beh, ero in compagnia di cinque fusti e credo di essermi assentata con la mente…capisci…no…? No…non puoi capire…” Afrodite compatì Gabrielle per la sua inesperienza in amore.
“Devi ritrovare il chakram, Xena ha bisogno di riavere la sua arma!
“Va bene, va bene, farò il possibile, ma almeno potresti essermi grata, no? Xena si è accorta di te!”
“Xena non si è accorta di me…”
“Ti facevo più sveglia, fanciullina! Comunque scusami per il guaio! Cercherò di porvi rimedio!” e scomparì.
Gabrielle era profondamente pensierosa, il fatto che Afrodite avesse fatto scomparire il chakram e in seguito averlo perso, non la faceva stare bene.
Avvertiva sempre più forte l’esigenza di aiutare Xena, perché in fondo, quello che era successo sentiva fosse colpa sua.
**********
“Gabrielle! Dove sei! Rispondi!“
Dopo la conversazione con Ares, Xena era decisamente furiosa con Gabrielle, ma il fatto di non riuscire a trovarla la stava mettendo in ansia, e il fastidio che provava per non avere con sé il suo chakram era sempre minore.
“Sono qui, Xena!”
“Per gli déi, Gab…stai bene? e la strinse a sé baciandola sulla fronte, non accorgendosi di averle sporcato il corpetto con il suo sangue.
“Sì, tutto bene per fortuna, ma tu sei ferita…vieni, qui vicino c’è un torrente…”
**********
Le due donne erano sedute sul ciglio del torrente e Gabrielle si prese cura amorevolmente delle ferite di Xena; la guerriera sembrava apprezzare particolarmente quelle attenzioni.
“Ecco fatto!” Gab sorrise
“Ti ringrazio…” Xena ricambiò il sorriso notando in lei dell’imbarazzo, poi le sollevò il viso con la mano e Gabrielle pensò seriamente che Xena volesse baciarla.
Sì, ne era sicura. E questa volta l’avrebbe lasciata fare; ci fu un attimo di esitazione.
“Dov’è il mio chakram?!?”
“Xena, ancora credi che io abbia preso il tuo cerchio?” Gabrielle era al quanto irritata; un po’ per l’insistenza di Xena e un po’ perché si sentiva delusa da quel bacio mancato.
“Ares mi ha detto che…”
“Ares ha sempre giocato con le nostre debolezze e le nostre menti, Xena!”
“Sì, hai ragione…hai ragione Gab…è solo che non riesco a capire…c’è qualcosa che mi sfugge…penso che Ares abbia un ruolo ben preciso in questa storia…”
“Ed io credo che otterremo molte più risposte alla corte di Re Laio!”
“Che intendi dire, Gab?”
“Lascia fare a me, Xena…dopotutto parlare è ancora la mia dote per eccellenza!” sorrise maliziosa.
**********
La pioggia era sempre più fitta e le due ragazze si trovavano ormai nei pressi della piazza di Tebe.
“Ci siamo quasi Gabrielle, appena saremo al castello un bagno caldo non ce lo leva nessuno!”
Gabrielle guardava Xena con estrema ammirazione, attratta anche dalla pioggia che stava bagnando il corpo della guerriera rendendolo ancora più scolpito e seducente; ma la sua attenzione venne distolta subito da ciò che vide intorno a sé: la piazza della città era completamente vuota, nessun cittadino nei dintorni.
“Xena, ma cosa…?”
Gabrielle non fece in tempo a domandare nulla che in alto, sopra le loro teste, un essere colossale le sorvolò; successivamente, in picchiata davanti a loro si posò su una colonna la famosa Sfinge Greca in tutta la sua maestosità.
Era terrificante quanto bella, inquietante e affascinante allo stesso tempo: possedeva un corpo da felino, splendide piume bianche e occhi color nocciola.
Xena non ci pensò due volte, con una mano sguainò la spada e con l’altra tenne ferma Gabrielle per proteggerla.
“Calma guerriera, non voglio farvi del male. Il mio nome è Neris” la voce della Sfinge era paragonabile a quella di una donna matura. Calda e suadente.
“Desidero solo ciò che mi appartiene di diritto”
“Cerca di essere più chiara!” rispose Xena
“La linea di sangue può essere spezzata solo da chi l’ha creata, guerriera”.
“E nel frattempo cosa farai? Ucciderai altra povera gente?” si permise di intervenire anche Gabrielle.
“Giovane fanciulla, nessuno muore mai per nulla. Ho tolto la vita per colpa di chi ha creato questo guaio. La città porta in seno una vipera, consegnatemela e Tebe sarà libera.”
Neris si alzò in volo dalla colonna.
“Risolvete l’enigma o morirete”. la Sfinge distese le ali si allontanò.
“Che cosa avrà voluto dire?”
“Sei tu l’esperta in indovinelli…Gab”
**********
Xena e Gabrielle arrivarono finalmente al castello, completamente fradice e sporche di fango.
“Gabrielle, non voglio che tu dica nulla a Re Laio”
“Perché?”
“Perché ho un piano”
“E di cosa si tratta, Xena?”
“Non ora, Gab…”
Appena entrate, furono immediatamente accolte da una delle guardie.
“Volete seguirmi? Re Laio vi attende”
Gabrielle prese subito parola.
“Veramente avremmo bisogno di un bagno caldo, è stata una giornata piuttosto pesante da come puoi notare…poi parleremo con il Re. Puoi esaudirci?”
La guardia non era molto convinta, ma annuì.
“Naturalmente, le ancelle vi accompagneranno nei bagni termali…”
“Così avrai tutto il tempo di mettermi a conoscenza del tuo piano, Xena…” Gab sorrise compiaciuta.
**********
Le sorgenti termali erano situate in una parte nascosta del castello, accessibili solo al Re e ai più fedeli.
Xena e Gabrielle si trovavano all’interno di una delle stanze in cui, oltre ad una grande vasca di acqua tiepida adornata di fiori di loto e candele profumate, alle loro spalle sgorgava una specie di piccola cascata ristoratrice.
“Quanto è piacevole…” Gabrielle era estasiata dal tepore dell’acqua sulla sua pelle e Xena non mancò di farle dei massaggi alle spalle.
“…adesso è molto più piacevole…” aggiunse sfiorando le mani di Xena che istintivamente si fermarono.
“E questo cos’è…?
“Oh, solo un ciondolo che ho comprato al mercato prima di partire per Tebe, Xena…”
“Carino…somiglia al mio chakram…” sospirò disillusa.
Gabrielle non si sentì di dirle che aveva comprato quell’oggetto pensando di regalarglielo, e che le sembrava ben poca cosa per il suo anniversario, decidendo di tenerlo per sé e in seguito cercare qualcosa di più appropriato.
“Hai già pensato a cosa diremo a Re Laio?”
“Che abbiamo incontrato la Sfinge, senza entrare nei dettagli Gabrielle.”
“Quindi nessun riferimento all’enigma?”
“Men che meno a quello, Gab…”
“Non pensi che potrebbe aiutarci?”
“Re Laio? Se è come penso, sarebbe solo da ostacolo” Xena proseguì il massaggio dalle spalle alla schiena, immergendo le braccia nell’acqua finendo sui fianchi della ragazza.
Gabrielle sentì dei brividi per tutto il corpo e una strana sensazione allo stomaco che le fece spontaneamente chiudere gli occhi.
Aveva voglia di girarsi e buttarsi addosso a Xena, e proprio mentre stava per farlo, Xena sgattaiolò fuori dalla vasca, e da dietro a una tenda stanò un’ancella afferrandola per i fluenti capelli ricci; poi la tenne ferma per i polsi.
“Da quanto eri qui a spiarci?”
“Non…non…non vi stavo spiando mia signora” balbettò l’ancella che cercò di non guardare le nudità di Xena, e nel tentativo di non farlo i suoi occhi si posarono su Gabrielle.
“Copriti, Gab!”
“Allora? Incalzò Xena
La serva non rispose, così Xena la scrutò con più attenzione.
“Tu non sei al servizio di Re Laio, questi orecchini sono d’oro…nessuna domestica potrebbe permetterseli…dimmi chi sei!”
Xena strinse più forte i polsi della ragazza, che si arrese alla presa.
“Mi chiamo Iris…e sono, o meglio ero, la moglie di Re Laio…”
**********
In una delle stanze degli ospiti del Re, Xena e Gabrielle con l’aiuto di alcune ancelle, si stavano preparando per la serata in cui si sarebbe svolto un baccanale in onore di Laio.
Il monarca aveva espressamente richiesto la loro presenza anche e soprattutto per discutere degli ultimi avvenimenti.
Il corpetto e la gonna di Gab e il vestito di pelle e l’armatura di Xena, vennero momentaneamente sostituiti da due tuniche bianche e oro lunghe fino alle caviglie; quella di Gabrielle aveva una spacco laterale che faceva intravedere gamba e coscia; anche le acconciature diversificavano un po’ dal solito, più per Gabrielle che per Xena, in quanto i capelli della guerriera erano comodamente sciolti, mentre quelli dell’amica in parte raccolti con alcuni boccoli che le cadevano delicatamente da ambo i lati del viso.
Su un braccio Xena aveva un anello di ottone raffigurante un serpente piumato che metteva in rilievo il suo bicipite leggermente muscoloso; Gabrielle sotto al vestito indossava lo stròphion e la catenina comprati al mercato di Corinto, e qualche anello sempre omaggiato dal Re per l’occasione.
“Sei bellissima Gab…” Xena stava guardando Gabrielle teneramente, poi le cinse la vita con un braccio.
“Pronta?”
“Sì…”
**********
La sala dedita alla festa era davvero immensa: c’erano diverse tavole imbandite a perdita d’occhio di ogni bendidio gastronomico, e già alcuni degli ospiti del Re si erano già accomodati, altri erano distesi su comodi divani a chiacchierare e degustare frutta.
“Xena, come mai tutta questa gente…?”
“Credo che il Re abbia organizzato una sorta di festa in grande stile alla romana…”
“Sesso, vino e trasgressione…? Non credo di essere adatta…”
“Noi non siamo qui per questo, ma non potevamo rifiutare l’invito…” Xena notò una certa preoccupazione in Gabrielle, così la strinse di più a sé, le sorrise e la ragazza si sentì protetta.
Nello stesso istante fece l’ingresso Re Laio, scortato dalle sue fedeli guardie.
Il suo abbigliamento era come sempre eccentrico nonché sfavillante, e i suoi occhi eccessivamente truccati, ma nonostante l’apparenza sembrava destare una certa preoccupazione.
“Oh mie bellissime ospiti, i nostri abiti vi donano tantissimo! Prego sedetevi mie graditissime! Si dice in giro che domani sarà l’anniversario di qualcuno…” ammiccò con fare scherzoso il Re verso Xena che spinse il gomito verso quello di Gabrielle.
“Io non ho detto nulla Xena” disse a bassa voce molto contrariata.
Le due ragazze si accomodarono l’una vicina all’altra: Xena per la lunghezza della tavolata e Gabrielle di fianco a lei ma ad angolo. Re Laio invece si posizionò a capo della loro tavola e ordinò ai servi di portare del vino.
“Prego, bellissime! Questo è il nettare delle mie vigne, assaggiate!
Gabrielle iniziò a sorseggiare, e il vino doveva essere particolarmente forte ma buono, poiché l’espressione del suo volto fu un misto tra lo stizzito e la sorpresa di non avere mai provato nulla di simile; Xena al contrario mandò giù senza problemi.
“Dunque le ricerche che novità vi hanno portato mie venerandissime dee?” Re Laio sembrava molto frettoloso di conoscere il resoconto.
“A non molto, Maestà. La Sfinge ci ha attaccate, e minacciate di risolvere l’enigma che ci ha posto prima di lasciarci andare” Xena fu ermetica.
“Un altro enigma? Tebe rischia di essere rasa al suolo…e voi conoscete la risposta? E quale sarebbe questo enigma difficilissimo?”
“Chi è quell’animale che al mattino cammina a quattro zampe, a mezzogiorno su due ed a sera fa uso di tre?” si intrufolò nel discorso Gabrielle.
“Per tutti gli déi dell’altissimo Olimpo! E voi conoscete la risposta?” Re Laio non mascherò una certa agitazione.
“Non ancora, maestà, ma io credo di essere molto vicina alla soluzione…” aggiunse Gabrielle.
“Oh, perfettissimo!! Sono felicissimo!! Notizia lietissima per le mie orecchie stanchissime!”
Xena rimase perplessa dall’intervento dell’amica.
“Ma che razza di enigma sarebbe?”
“Hai detto che dovevamo depistare Laio, no?” Gabrielle sorrise maliziosa, sicuramente complice il vino.
“Certo…” rispose Xena esitante.
**********
Xena stava mangiando con gusto un pezzo di focaccia al sesamo, mentre Gabrielle con le nude mani una porzione scarsa di carne di maiale speziata che ne alimentò la sete, facendole bere numerosi calici di vino. Gli altri commensali iniziavano ad essere piuttosto rumorosi mentre brindavano in onore del Dio Dioniso, e alcuni a gran voce chiesero al Re di movimentare lo spettacolo.
“Fate entrare subitissimo danzatori e danzatrici!!”
Da un angolo dell’immensa sala, dietro ad un’enorme tendone di velluto color bordeaux, fecero il loro ingresso volteggiando uomini e donne poco vestiti, dando spettacolo con ballate molto sensuali; al seguito alcuni musicisti accompagnavano i danzatori con i loro strumenti.
Xena guardava con interesse lo spettacolo finché una tersicoréa non le si avvicinò invitandola a danzare, e lei accettò di buon grado, con lo stupore di Gabrielle che iniziò a mutare in gelosia nel momento in cui vide la giovane donna avvinghiarsi alla guerriera.
Cercò di non dare peso alla cosa, finché un aitante uomo, sicuramente uno degli ospiti del Re, non le chiese di ballare insieme a lui proprio nel momento in cui la musica si fece lenta.
Solo per fare dispetto a Xena, e con il favore del nettare degli déi, acconsentì.
L’uomo notando che Gabrielle non aveva alcun freno inibitorio, cercò di abbracciarla e baciarla sul collo.
Quando la guerriera si accorse di quello che stava succedendo, si avvicinò il più possibile a Gabrielle e al compagno di danza.
“Permetti uno scambio?”
Xena lasciò la giovane danzatrice tra le braccia dell’uomo e prese possesso della sua amica afferrandola per la vita proseguendo con lei il lento ballo.
“Cosa pensavi di fare?”
“Uhm…nulla di diverso da ciò che stavi facendo tu, Xena…ora vuoi lasciarmi andare…?”
“Per farti tornare a danzare con quel tipo? Non credo proprio…”
“E perché no…?” Alla domanda Gabrielle guardò Xena in un modo come mai prima di quell’istante. Poi si fermò.
“Mi gira la testa, Xena…credo di avere bevuto troppo…”
Xena fece accomodare Gabrielle su uno dei divani, poi prese una fragola che intinse nel miele e gliela offrì.
“Mangia. Ti farà andare via il sapore dell’alcool e riempirà lo stomaco. Non hai praticamente toccato cibo”
Gabrielle prese la mano di Xena, la guardò negli occhi e portò alla bocca la polposa fragola. Xena ricambiò lo sguardo.
Intanto la festa proseguiva e gli invitati stavano andando oltre iniziando ad approcciare fisicamente.
Gabrielle provò a buttare l’occhio altrove, ma non le andò particolarmente bene perché si rese conto che Xena la stava guardando in modo diverso dal solito; le venne naturale toccarle il braccio con il suo, Xena se ne accorse ricambiando posando la mano su quella di Gabrielle e incastrandola con la sua, poi la ragazza si avvicinò all’orecchio della guerriera sussurrando con voce provocante:
“Portami via da qui…”
**********
Gabrielle appena rientrò nella stanza degli ospiti crollò in un sonno pesante. Era piuttosto ovvio che il suo corpo non tollerava il vino.
Xena era rimasta piuttosto delusa.
Guardava il soffitto, non riusciva a prendere sonno, eppure tante volte era capitato che Gabrielle dormisse accanto a lei.
“Ma si trattava di un giaciglio posto sulla dura e fredda terra…qui siamo in un letto…e per giunta molto comodo…” pensò.
Gabrielle, interrotta dai continui movimenti nel letto di Xena, si svegliò, per poi ritrovarsi a sua volte insonne e pensierosa: riusciva a percepire i sospiri e i respiri della guerriera, il suo profumo…e questo le impediva di trovare la giusta posizione per riprendere sonno.
“Gabrielle…stai dormendo? Gabrielle…lo so che sei sveglia…quando dormi, russi…”
“Io non russo!”
“Quindi avevo ragione, sei sveglia!” ridacchiò
“Lasciami riposare!”
Xena posò una mano sulla schiena di Gabrielle e l’accarezzò.
“Dimmi che non sono io il motivo della tua agitazione, Gabrielle…”
Gabrielle si voltò, e nonostante il buio ma grazie ai raggi della luna che provenivano dalla finestra, poté vedere molto bene gli occhi di Xena, le stesse tenebre le diedero coraggio.
“Sì, è così. Sei tu. E so che questa confessione non farà altro che soddisfare il tuo ego”
“Mi credi così terribile…?”
“Devo risputarti addosso tutte le bellissime parole che mi hai detto in questi giorni e del tuo pentimento di avermi fatta restare insieme a te in questi anni?”
“Gab, io non voglio litigare…”
“Io invece sì, Xena! Tu…tu non capisci…io ho lasciato la mia famiglia…mia sorella…e no…di Perdicca non me ne è mai importato nulla…ma ho lasciato la mia vita per seguirti perché mi ero…perché sono…innamorata di te.”
Xena accarezzò teneramente la guancia di Gabrielle, che impercettibilmente era stata sfiorata da una lacrima che Xena asciugò con il pollice, e a Gabrielle venne istintivo accarezzare la mano di Xena con la sua.
“Sei così dolce, Gabrielle…non sei più la ragazzina che ho incontrato a Potidea…sei una donna…”
“Io ti a…e so che tu non…”
“No, non è così Gabrielle. Non dirlo.”
“Cosa…?”
“Io non sono brava con le parole, Gab…ma non posso permetterti di dire cosa provi io per te…”
Gabrielle restò in attesa di un seguito, ma Xena si bloccò.
“E’ tardissimo, dobbiamo dormire” Xena tornò supina a guarda il soffitto come se fosse la cosa più interessante in quel momento pur di non continuare la conversazione, ma Gab non ci stette.
“No Xena, non puoi dirmi così e chiudere il discorso! Non te lo posso permettere!”
Gabrielle cambiò posizione e si ritrovò sopra Xena. Il soffitto non era più visibile. Xena aveva il volto di Gabrielle proprio di fronte a lei e i suoi capelli sfioravano leggermente le sue spalle.
Xena si sollevò, prese il viso di Gabrielle tra le mani e le due donne si guardarono intensamente e reciprocamente negli occhi, poi Xena abbassò lo sguardo verso le labbra perfette di Gabrielle sfiorandole con le sue.
Gab solo al primo tocco della guerriera aprì la bocca come di riflesso e per Xena fu un chiaro invito ad impossessarsene.
Gabrielle rimase piacevolmente scossa dall’impeto di Xena con cui la stava baciando, la sua lingua sembrava volerla penetrare fin dentro l’anima e ancora di più si sentì completamente sua quando con fare animalesco le strappò le vesti e strinse con fervore i suoi seni tra le mani, per poi baciarli con dedizione e amore.
“E’ così che fa l’amore una guerriera?”
Con gli occhi completamente chiusi Gabrielle si interrogò su questo pensiero.
“E’così che fa l’amore Xena…la mia Xena…”
Il pensiero si tramutò in un profondo turbamento, quando la sua guerriera ritornò ad assaporare la sua bocca e a stringerla completamente a sé.
In quel momento avrebbe voluto dirle che non era mai stata in intimità con qualcuno, e anche se le aveva fatto intendere di avere consumato con Perdicca, non si sentiva di fermarla.
Rimase ancora con gli occhi chiusi e si lasciò andare: Xena era incredibilmente forte e il suo corpo bollente, a stento riusciva a muoversi sotto di lei.
Mentre continuava a baciarla e ad avvilupparsi a lei, una mano iniziò a insinuarsi sotto le sue vesti e Gabrielle istintivamente per la sua inesperienza le toccò il braccio cercando di fermarla sentendo le vene sporgenti di lei pulsare sotto la pelle, ma Xena si districò da quell’impedimento e in un momento si trovò a godere della sua intimità.
Gabrielle provò un forte brivido dietro la schiena e un dolore intenso tra le gambe che la fece sussultare, ma i baci di Xena riuscivano a distrarla da quel dolce malessere stravolgendole il cuore di emozioni.
La ragazza cercò di adattarsi ai movimenti della guerriera, non voleva apparirle goffa, ma Xena era così inebriata da lei che non si accorse di nulla se non nel momento di massimo piacere di Gabrielle, in cui ai suoi ansimi e al suo affanno erano mischiati lievi smorfie di dolore.
Xena sentì tra le sue dita qualcosa che era molto diverso dal solo piacere di Gabrielle.
“Tu…non avevi mai…”
“Sì, perché ti desidero e ora non saremmo qui…se ti avessi detto che…” si interruppe.
Xena aveva un’espressione molto dispiaciuta, così Gabrielle le baciò le labbra con estrema delicatezza affondando le mani nei capelli della sua amata, che scivolarono lentamente e dolcemente sulla schiena: poteva percepirne i muscoli tesi; questo la faceva impazzire e al contempo proseguire lungo tutto il corpo fino ad arrivare ai fianchi.
Con una movenza sensuale cercò di far capire a Xena che adesso era giunto il suo turno, e la principessa si ritrovò sotto di lei e all’attenzione delle sue labbra che lambirono ogni millimetro del suo viso, del suo collo e di tutte le cicatrici di guerra finendo per errore su una ancora fresca.
“Perdonami Xena…io…”
“Non importa Gabrielle… non importa…”sussurrò dolcemente.
Gab continuò a baciare Xena che si lasciò trasportare da quella dolce passione mai provata prima che la portò a provare un piacere diverso quando la mano della ragazza si fece strada verso di lei e le sue dita timorose e inesperte si fecero audaci e consapevoli grazie all’amore che provava.
“Ti amo Xena…ti amo da morire…”
Furono quelle parole a fare ansimare la guerriera che quasi rimase senza fiato, poi, con estrema tenerezza si adagiò esausta sul seno di Gabrielle abbracciandola e stringendola con le ultime forze rimaste dopo quel momento.
“Il tuo cuore batte fortissimo Gabrielle…”
“Tu non puoi capire quanto io abbia desiderato questo momento…quanto ho desiderato essere tua…”
“Ed è stato…come te lo immaginavi…?”
“Sei sudata Xena…” e la coprì con il lenzuolo.
“Sì, è stato bellissimo…” aggiunse.
Xena ricambiò la premura con un dolcissimo bacio sulle labbra.
“Questo è il più bel dono che mi potessi fare Gabrielle…”
Le due donne si addormentarono teneramente l’una nelle braccia dell’altra.
THE JOURNEY Chap. 1
“I think we can stay here, Gabrielle”
“The sunset on Corinth, what an amazing view! What a shame that we have to leave so soon…If only I was good at painting as well…”
“You would not be as good as writing…”
“Really?”
“Yes, I love your writings Gabrielle…” she said with a sweet inflection in her voice.
Xena loved what Gabrielle was used to write. She could not believe it. The surly warrior she was travelling along since a couple of years seemed to have rounded her edges a little.
“It’s the most suitable place to spend the night, so you can enjoy the view from the hill”
“Since when you’re so romantic, Xena?”
“Uhm? Since never. Was saying that for you…”
Gabrielle noticed a slight embarrassment in Xena’s tone, but decided not to go on; in a few days the warrior’s birthday was coming, and she still didn’t know what to gift her.
She, an action woman all sword, chakram and whip!
What could she offer her that would be so special?
Gabrielle’s thoughts were interrupted by Xena’s hand leaning on her shoulder; she turned on her right and Xena was silently smiling at her. Her eyes were bright blue, as the sea that they would have reached the next day, travelling to Thebes.
“Let’s go to sleep? Tomorrow we should be up early”
“Ok, Xena” and Gab rested her head on the warrior’s chest.
**********
Gabrielle was not able to fall asleep and she didn’t know why. It was as a white light ray was hitting her eyes.
She got up and saw Aphrodite in front of her, glancing and winking.
“You cannot sleep, right? But I’m here to help you sweetie!”
“Are you here to do a magic sleep spell?” Gab was joking friendly.
“No, silly! I’m here because I know what is in your heart! You don’t know what to gift Xena and tomorrow you two will surely be busy!”
“Yeah, sometimes I would like a less adventurous life with Xena”
“And tell her about your feelings, right?”
“Xena believes that I am too young for anything, leaving feelings apart…she does not consider me at all…”
“And we will make her waking up!”
Aphrodite released a little touch of magic and disappeared.
Gabrielle finally fell in a deep sleep.
**********
“Where is my chakram? Where is it?”
Dawn was rising, and Xena was shouting like a frenzied!
“Xena, what’s happening?”
“My chakram is gone! Yesterday evening I left it near your saddlebag and now it is not there!”
“There are no signs that someone could have been here, it is not possible that it was stolen Xena…”
Xena watched Gabrielle with a blaming expression.
“Don’t look at me like this, I didn’t take it, didn’t use it…”
“Of course not…you wouldn’t know what to do with it…but you move and speak, and get up…and walk at night…!”
“I’m sorry? You’re trying to say that during sleepwalking I could have taken your chakram and thrown it who knows where?!?”
“Precisely!”
“You are mad!”
Xena was much altered, and her anger made her punching one of the forest trees. Her knuckles started bleeding plentifully and Gabrielle went immediately searching for something to treat Xena’s wound.
“Leave it, it is not hurting. And I’m able to take care of myself anyway. You are only causing troubles”
“Sorry?”
“I shouldn’t have taken her with me…” Xena was speaking softly, but Gab could still hear her.
“You cannot think for real what you just said, Xena…”
Despite her bitter feelings, Xena did not hide her thoughts.
“This life is not for you, Gabrielle. I am not for you.”
“How can you even say such horrible things? You’re hurting me…” Gabrielle’s eyes were wet. Those words broke her heart.
“When we will arrive to Thebes we are going to think about it. Since I haven’t my chakram anymore it will be impossible to face the Greek Sphinx”
“But the legend narrates that it is needed to solve some enigma to defeat her”
“I cannot solve riddles, Gabrielle! And you have to go back to Potidaea!” Xena was determined.
“I won’t go anywhere, Xena!”
“You are going to do what I tell you, or…”
“Or what? I am not a little girl, Xena! You cannot control me!”
Gabrielle stood in front of Xena as if she was able to challenge her, not only with words but also physically.
“But I can decide who can and cannot be with me!” Xena pushed her with her shoulder, went to Argo and mounted on her back.
Gabrielle felt lost.
**********
Xena was ahead of Gabrielle as usual on Argo’s back and already a few hours have passed in total silence. The emotional distance of the two women could have been cut with a knife.
“Let’s stop for a break. Argo is tired.”
“Of course you don’t care about me, right Xena? If you have lost your chakram is my fault and I don’t deserve that you speak to me, right?”
“I didn’t lose my chakram!” underlined Xena pronouncing words with spite.
“Neither do I, Xena!”
There was a moment of total silence.
“Listen Gabrielle, let’s take a break. We are going to eat something and then we will continue our journey…ok?”
Gabrielle nodded, but she was deeply sad.
**********
Gabrielle cooked for both of them and served a bowl to Xena that looked at her embarrassed; she thanked her, then took her arm softly but firmly.
Gabrielle jumped.
“Forgive me Gabrielle…I didn’t want to be so harsh…”
Gabrielle didn’t reply, she sat near her but could not eat anything.
“Gabrielle, talk to me”
She took Gabrielle’s chin between her fingers, trying to turn her face towards her, but Gab lowered her eyes.
“Gabrielle, say something to me…”
When Gabrielle lifted her eyes saw Xena’s eyes, clearly sad and grieved: she could be as cruel as sweet, and Gab was not used to this side of the warrior.
Maybe Xena was right, maybe the right thing to do was to go back to Potidaea to her family, reunite to whom was her promised husband and leave that life behind.
Xena woke her up from those thoughts caressing her face, and from her movements and glance she seemed almost intended to kiss her, but Gabrielle snapped and spilled her bowl to the ground.
“For all Gods! I’m sorry Xena, I hope I did not stain you!”
“No Gabrielle…listen I…”
Gabrielle didn’t let her finish speaking, she got up and went to clean the bowl with her heart beating madly.
“My promised husband… Perdicus… I don’t love him and I don’t want him, but I cannot stay with Xena. I am a burden for her…some kind of trouble… she was very clear…”
Was it really possible that Xena was about kissing her? After all she said?
No. It was not.
And she never showed her this kind of behavior. Only a great affection surely more similar to the love between two sisters.
Xena didn’t press her; she could not understand if the girl refused her or maybe she didn’t understand her intentions clearly. On the other hand, she was aware that this reaction was justified, since she has threaten many times to bring her back to Potidaea.
“Gabrielle, come!”
Xena stretched her arm to help Gab mounting on her horse and remembered when time before, when they first met, the same thing happened.
She never mounted on a steed’s back before and she was afraid of heights, but Xena made her feeling safe.
She felt protected by that woman with whom she unconsciously fell in love at first sight years before.
That woman for whom she was convinced to leave everything and everyone, for living an existence maybe beyond her physical abilities.
Gabrielle mounted on Argo’s back and encircled her arms around Xena’s waist, which for a second made sure that the girl was embracing her tightly.
Thebes was ever closer.
RED BLOOD ROAD Chap. 2
Finally Xena and Gabrielle arrived at Corinth’s port, from where the galley headed to Thebes would have departed shortly.
“Wait for me here Gabrielle, I am going to deal with the captain. The price will be surely increased because of Argo”
Gab was distracted by some stands not very far from the dock, in particular she was attracted by the colorful manners of a merchant, selling fabrics and jewels.
“My beautiful lady, how can I satisfy your wishes? Look at this delicious cap, wonderful for an excursion to the sea” he said showing her a horrible yellow cylindrical hat.
“Really! You want to sell me that horrible thing for real?” Gabrielle giggled.
“No, of course not beautiful lady…surely your elegant eyes could not have missed this stròphion” *(cloth very similar to a bra, used in the Ancient Greece) the merchant insisted.
“Are you crazy? It’s red! Used by the etère” *(prostitutes in the Ancient Greece)
“Surely your promised husband will appreciate it, try it!”
“Well…I haven’t any promised husband…or better…I had but…”
“Gabrielle!!” Xena was looking for her and she seemed rather annoyed.
“Gabrielle!” called again.
“I’m here Xena!” she waived.
“Nothing that even a beautiful warrior like that one could not appreciate…” the merchant winked.
“Ok fine, give it to me!”
While she was paying, her eyes settled on a small chain with a particular necklace, catching her attention and making her immediately thinking about Xena.
“Can you give that to me, please? Hurry up!”
Gabrielle, who was always negotiating over the price of everything, this time had to move at the speed of light.
“Gabrielle! HURRY UP?!?” Xena screamed harder.
“Have a good day, dear lady”
Gabrielle hastily greeted the merchant with her hand neurotically, surely annoyed by Xena.
“Gabrielle, I told you to wait for me and you have gone around for stands with Argo instead! What have you bought?”
“Nothing…”
“Come on! Show me!”
“But I said I didn’t buy anything!”
Xena started tickling Gabrielle and putting her arms around her waist, until she finally managed to reveal one of her purchases: opening it she was visibly embarrassed.
“And what is this?”
“It’s mine!” replied Gab taking the cloth away from Xena.
“Hot stuff… not your kind.”
“It will be when I go back to Potidaea. To Perdicus”. With these words Gab tried to make Xena jealous.
“Didn’t you think he was stupid and boring?”
“And you? Can’t you wait to get rid of me?”
“Listen, we have no time for this discussion. We should get on board”.
Xena took Argo’s bridles and started to go.
Gabrielle was thoughtful, right behind her. “You’re so annoying Xena…annoying and lovely at the same time…”
**********
Finally the galley departed and they were travelling on the sea.
“Well well, Argo is settled. It was a real luck finding a galley large enough to take her on board. Are you ok Gab?…?
“No, Xena. You should know that I am suffering for seasickness”
“One more reason to stay on the mainland…” she smiles
“Ok Xena, understood! Don’t worry!”
Once we are in Thebes I will arrange to go back to Potidaea! Now please stop whining!”
“But…” Xena couldn’t finish speaking, Gabrielle walked away without saying a word anymore, leaving the warrior speechless.
**********
The night on the galley was very animated, since Xena could not sleep and Gabrielle was on the deck, throwing up the hell out of her; the continuous swinging of the ship didn’t help her to digest anything, not even water.
Xena, worried for her friend, decided to reach her upstairs and saw her leaning against an armrest of the deck, still, watching the moon reflected on the sea.
“How’s going?” Xena caressed Gabrielle’s back affectionately.
“Do you care?” Gab kept watching the moonlight, mirrored on the water.
It was a clear and fresh evening.
Gabrielle suddenly felt Xena on her side, resting her cloak on her, then she caressed her shoulders quickly, to make her feeling warm. Finally she hugged her lightly.
“I always care about you, Gab…”
These affectionate behaviors from Xena to Gabrielle were nothing new, but they were also very uncommon. She really needed that now, more than ever, so she relaxed. Without realizing, she hugged Xena and Xena reacted to that tender embrace.
“Let’s try to rest, Gab?”
“Ok, but first let me stay like this a little longer…”
**********
The galley was approaching Thebes; one of the sailors went searching for the two women to warn them, finding them both still asleep: Gabrielle was comfortably hugging Xena.
“Hey you two! Hey!” the sailor screamed.
“I’m sorry to bother you, but shortly we will dock at Thebes’s port!” reiterated the sailor ironically.
Gabrielle was sleeping heavily, the seasickness had shattered her.
Xena tried to wake her up. “Gabrielle…Gabrielle, wake up…” Xena’s tone was sweet and soft but firm; however, instead of waking up, Gabrielle hugged Xena tighter, who was taken by all that sweetness and went nearer the girl, kissing her lips lightly.
“Gab…” Gabrielle opened her eyes and unbelievably saw Xena very close to her…too close!
She got up suddenly.
“So…are we…arrived?”
“Yes” Xena replied seriously
“Good…good…let’s go?”
“Gab, listen…”
“Yes, I’m ready!”
Xena was speechless.
It was clear that Gabrielle was not feeling more than friendship for her, so she decided to focus totally on the mission for which King Laius had asked her help for.
**********
“Majesty, Xena, the Warrior Princess, is here!”
Xena was announced to King Laius.
The king was quite strange; he was wearing bright colors, his nails were long and polished and his make-up was like the one of an Egyptian Queen. Even his way of speaking was very unusual for a King.
“Oh very very perfect! Xena I’m so happy that you came! The situation is very very degenerated!” King Laius’s voice was almost girly but pleasant.
“Oh, who is the very young lady with you? She looks like a laundress!”
Gabrielle looked at him in shock.
“She is one dear friend of mine…anyway what were you saying Majesty…?”
“Oh, yes…well…you surely know that there is a very very annoying curse on Thebes after that I had…well…killed the very handsome Crisippo!”
“Since when is she here?” Xena asked doubtfully.
“Since at least two Moons…she killed many many good citizens, nobody can solve her riddles, they are too too very difficult”
“I don’t believe that the Greek Sphinx is here because of a murder, it seems strange to me.”
“There are no other reasons, Xena”
“Apparently…”
“Where is the Sphinx?” asked Gabrielle curiously
“You can find her on Mount Ficione most probably, but sometimes she stays in the middle of the city. Nobody is very very sure of where she is, with very precise precision!”
“Of course I am very glad to offer hospitality to you and your very short friend, for all the necessary time”
“Very short friend?!?”
“Gabrielle, leave it…fine Majesty, we accept your hospitality with pleasure. In the meantime I will try to learn more about all of this…” Xena greeted the King and left.
**********
The two girls on Argo’s saddle were heading towards Mount Ficione.
The day was pretty dark; it seemed as if a storm was about to explode.
“From where should we start?”
“I don’t know Gabrielle…if only I had my chakram…in the meantime let’s see if we are able to find signs of the Sphinx.”
“We can start asking around, King Laius did not seem to me so exhaustive!”
“He wasn’t because he has killed a man Gabrielle…a man who was his lover back then…”
“Ah, really?…”
“Yes, he was not even as handsome as he says…”
“Beauty is subjective, Xena!”
“In this case you would have something to say as well, Gab…!
“Umpf! I don’t think so! …for all Gods Xena! Look!”
Both stopped arguing, because in front of them there was a very disturbing and horrible scene: about ten dismembered corpses, some with internal organs coming out from their bodies, others with empty orbits.
The position of some bodies made them thinking that they have tried protecting themselves, others had evident signs of claws on their back and deep wounds on their flesh. Bright red blood was flowing out from the fresher bodies and was melting with the ground, on the path that was headed to the mountain.
“All of this is horrible, Xena…” Gabrielle’s tone was low and full of terror at the same time…
“Shhhh…look Gabrielle…”
The blood drops melted with the ground turned into many little black scorpions that started getting on the bodies and eating the decomposed flesh. Xena noticed that as soon as the arachnids were eating, they started growing in size, reaching the dimensions of an adult man; one of them went near Gabrielle threatening her with its sting. Xena managed to stop its progress only for a few seconds with her whip, because the insect cut it with one of its claws.
Xena was shocked and understood that she should be acting quickly.
“Hurry up Gabrielle, we should leave now!”
“But…why? Leave…?”
“Gabrielle, did you forget about my chakram? We must think of a plan to reach mount Ficione, without my most powerful weapon here we have no chance to fight and survive!”
Scorpions have become much more and bigger.
Xena took Gabrielle’s arm and they run away getting on Argo’s saddle; a moment later Gabrielle realized that her stick was lost, surely it must have fallen down when the scorpion was attacking her.
“Damn Xena! And now?”
“Now you’re without your stick and I’m without my Chakram. As soon as we get back to King Laius we are going to think about it!”
The situation have become considerably complicated.
Someone was watching them from a glade.
TO BE CONTINUED…
"Even in death, Gabrielle, I will never leave you."
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