But Gabrielle doesn’t need for the both of us to go in like raving lunatics. And since I’m the one with the needed "skill," she placed her hand on Xena’s shoulder, "I guess I get to be the raving lunatic."

Xena felt no pain as the darkness left her body, but Sophia felt as if someone hit her mind with a wagon and then rolled over it again for good measure. As her and Xena’s darkness came together, her mind filled with images of revenge and torture. Her body collapsed, and Xena caught her before she fell off her white steed.

"Sophia are you okay?" Sophia lifted her head and opened her eyes. Xena inhaled sharply. Sophia’s irises were enlarged, almost taking up the entire surface area of the eyes. And they were black, black as Greek fire and just as dangerous.

"I’m fine Xena. Let’s go."

 ********

Her body racked with pain. She tried to move, but couldn’t. Even without opening her eyes, she could tell that her hand and feet were bound and something was covering her. She laid there, silently praying to the gods, *Artemis, please protect the Amazons. Athena and Aphrodite please watch over my love. And Hades, please take me.*

 ********

Xena and Sophia crept up upon the camp. They stood downwind from the camp, and they could smell blood in the breeze. Xena slowly stood up and saw feet poking out from underneath a blanket. Sophia pulled her down.

"Any sign of Herodotus?"

"No, looks like he’s gone."

"Good. That means I don’t have to enter the camp. Get her out of here as fast as you can. I don’t need to see her." Sophia shut her eyes and lowered her head.

Xena walked into the camp and to the blanket. She held her breath as she gently lifted the blanket. Tears ran down her face as she saw the condition of her lover. Her face was shades of red, blue, and purple and her eyes were swollen shut. There was a large gash on her left temple that was still oozing out blood. Purple and blue bruises had from on her arms and thighs. And from the tautness of the rope, Xena knew Gabrielle would have rope burns around her wrists and ankles. She grabbed her breast dagger and gently cut the ropes. Gabrielle did not move. She tried to prepare herself for what she was about to see. She gently eased Gabrielle’s legs apart. The tears that silently ran down her face became a raging river. There was no doubt about what had happened.