What do you think of when you hear the word - Fear?
Muse: Xena
Fandom: Xena: Warrior Princess
Word count: 1325
Rating: PG-13
" What shall we do with captives, my lady? "
Xena looked at lieutenant Dagnine and ominously smiled.
" Kill them all. It will be our message to citizens of Corinth. "
Dagnine grinned and nodded to the soldiers.
" Do you heard the order, bastards?! Start to work! "
Xena smirked observing as her soldiers cut the throats to captives.
" Throw their bodies in the river. Inhabitants of Corinth take water from it. I think, they will appreciate my gift! "
Soldiers have started to throw corpses in water with rough jokes...
Xena looked back on Borias to see his reaction. Some time the leader of Scythians looked at water which was stained with blood of victims. Then, having noticed her sight, smiled.
" Xena, you are monster. "
He has told and she has not understood, whether there was expression of admiration or disgust.
" They have dared to stay on way of Destroyer of the Nations. Soon they will regret about it! "
Xena has taken out a sword and raised it above her head.
" It was our last warning! Yesterday they had chance to rescue their dirty city... if were more compliant. But today my conditions have changed. I'll destroy their city, I'll turn it into the ashes. As to its citizens... I will crucify them all!"
Her words have sunk in shouts of her army. They hits their swords in their armour, crying out her name.
"Xena!"
"Xena!"
"Destroyer of Nations!"
"Mighty Warrior Princess!"
"Lead us to Corinth, Xena!"
* * *
Xena has come in the tent trying to hold her back straightened. It was uneasy last days, because she was tormented with pains in the waist.
Having remained alone, Xena unbuttoned the thong of her helmet, pulled it down from the head and wiped the sweaty forehead.
Rustle behind has forced her to turn back sharply.
There is her slave girl Satrina stood on the threshold of the tent.
Xena sighed having relaxed.
" Bring my potion to me. "
She has told to girl.
The slave runs off to fulfill her order.
Xena waited, when her steps will abate outside and tried to untie thongs on the armour. She carried it all day long, and her body was sick, demanding rest. Xena pulled the thong, hating own weakness, this big stomach making her such clumsy. The fastener did not give in, and she began to be angry. The child inside her there and then reacted and started to kick.
Xena moaned, having touched her stomach.
The baby moved constantly last days, causing her a lot of inconveniences. Especially Xena was irritated with that fact, that she could not ride on horse now.
Xena and Borias have managed to hide her pregnancy during this campaign though last month became true torture for her.
She was afraid to show her weakness in front her men, therefore behaved more severely and aggressively with them, stopping any attempts of mutiny or a disagreement among the soldiers.
Siege of Corinth last too long and it enraged her. Xena knew, that should give birth in some days and an idea that this damned child can break her plans on capture of city caused in her fury...
She has heard steps at an entrance.
The slave girl has returned, holding in hands a clay cup with the potion.
There was tall figure of Borias behind of her.
He took cup away from Satrina and has told sharply:
" Leave us! "
The slave girl left, knowing quick-tempered habits of Lord Borias.
"You don't command in my tent, Borias ... not anymore."
Xena said, annoying with his occurrence here.
Borias silently approached to her and helped to untie belts on her armour. Xena felt his strong hands on her back and closed eyes for one instant. He started to mass her neck and shoulders, calming the pain in muscles. It was pleasant, but she has forbidden to herself to think of it. Recently their relations were rather intense. They oftenly argued, sometimes in presence of other officers and it very much irritated her. Xena narrowed eyes and asked:
"What's happened, Borias?"
He slowly stroked her shoulders and she felt heat of his breath on her skin.
"Xena, I want to talk to you about Corinth. I think, we could arrange negotiations with inhabitants and Centaurs... It would help us to win time... Our army could save up some power before fight... And you... could give birth to our child...If the men find out you are... "
"No!"
She hissed angrily, her eyes sparkled.
"The men don't know, and they don't need to know. The minute I start hiding in this tent I lose morale, discipline. For the same reason I cannot wait. We should attack them as soon as possible. I cannot encourage my army eternally. If we shall delay, we can lose war."
"Is it easier to lose our son?"
His expression was odd and there was chill in his voice.
"This baby is nothing compared to my empire. Borias, I have been working towards this for years. Athens is within my reach."
She smiled pensively, not looking on him. His hands have squeezed her shoulders.
"At what cost, Xena? Do we end there, or do we go on and on? Even with the wealth of Athens do we ..."
She recoiled from him, having pushed away his hand.
"And stop saying ‘we.' You're not in this for wealth or glory, Borias, not anymore."
She grinned gloomy.
" Alti has predicted, that I'll become the Destroyer of Nations, and my hour of triumph approaches. Soon I'll receive Ixion Stone, I'll have Fury of Centaurs and then nobody can stop me! Nobody!"
His face flinched from fury when she mentioned Amazon shamaness.
"So, is this your sacrifice to Alti?"
"No, it's just for shock value."
She laughed but then gasped silently, as baby kicked her again.
Borias has seen that she was bent from the pain and touches her, being disturbed.
"Xena?.."
"It's alright, he just wants out."
Xena straightened and made a deep breath, feeling that her forehead wet from sweat again. She hated this weak swollen body, hated this child who could spoil all her plans.
Borias stroked her stomach gently and whispered, having kissed her in the neck:
"Soon, soon I will see my son and I can name him."
She pushed him away again having grinned derisively.
"You speak as the weak woman, Borias. This child has made you the dribbling fool. But I am not going to be the fool. When my army will assault Corinth, I'll head them. And I'll destroy anyone who will stay on my way, no matter human or Centaur!"
Borias stepped from her and crossed hands on the chest.
" You can intimidate people, Xena, but Centaurs do not know fear. You should not underestimate them. We should cross their territory to win Corinth. Kaleipus is wise leader, I think, that I could agree with him if..."
Xena shaken the head and smirked, having recollected about the delicate order which she has given to lieutenant Dagnine.
"I do not need negotiations, Borias. As soon as the Ixion Stone will be in my hands, be sure, I'll teach them how to be afraid!"
She has burst out laughing.
Borias looked at her and Xena has seen as in his dark eyes has flown... fear? She was not sure... Borias was one only person who was not afraid of her. Even when she was in most violent fury. It irritated her, forced to scoff at him and to behave roughly at his presence. But now expression of his eyes has changed.
It seemed to her, that he was frightened. Xena dreamed of it so long, but now for some reason it did not please her.
Her smile has disappeared.
Borias looked down and quickly left her tent, having pushed the slave girl with shoulder...
Fandom: Xena: Warrior Princess
Word count: 1325
Rating: PG-13
" What shall we do with captives, my lady? "
Xena looked at lieutenant Dagnine and ominously smiled.
" Kill them all. It will be our message to citizens of Corinth. "
Dagnine grinned and nodded to the soldiers.
" Do you heard the order, bastards?! Start to work! "
Xena smirked observing as her soldiers cut the throats to captives.
" Throw their bodies in the river. Inhabitants of Corinth take water from it. I think, they will appreciate my gift! "
Soldiers have started to throw corpses in water with rough jokes...
Xena looked back on Borias to see his reaction. Some time the leader of Scythians looked at water which was stained with blood of victims. Then, having noticed her sight, smiled.
" Xena, you are monster. "
He has told and she has not understood, whether there was expression of admiration or disgust.
" They have dared to stay on way of Destroyer of the Nations. Soon they will regret about it! "
Xena has taken out a sword and raised it above her head.
" It was our last warning! Yesterday they had chance to rescue their dirty city... if were more compliant. But today my conditions have changed. I'll destroy their city, I'll turn it into the ashes. As to its citizens... I will crucify them all!"
Her words have sunk in shouts of her army. They hits their swords in their armour, crying out her name.
"Xena!"
"Xena!"
"Destroyer of Nations!"
"Mighty Warrior Princess!"
"Lead us to Corinth, Xena!"
* * *
Xena has come in the tent trying to hold her back straightened. It was uneasy last days, because she was tormented with pains in the waist.
Having remained alone, Xena unbuttoned the thong of her helmet, pulled it down from the head and wiped the sweaty forehead.
Rustle behind has forced her to turn back sharply.
There is her slave girl Satrina stood on the threshold of the tent.
Xena sighed having relaxed.
" Bring my potion to me. "
She has told to girl.
The slave runs off to fulfill her order.
Xena waited, when her steps will abate outside and tried to untie thongs on the armour. She carried it all day long, and her body was sick, demanding rest. Xena pulled the thong, hating own weakness, this big stomach making her such clumsy. The fastener did not give in, and she began to be angry. The child inside her there and then reacted and started to kick.
Xena moaned, having touched her stomach.
The baby moved constantly last days, causing her a lot of inconveniences. Especially Xena was irritated with that fact, that she could not ride on horse now.
Xena and Borias have managed to hide her pregnancy during this campaign though last month became true torture for her.
She was afraid to show her weakness in front her men, therefore behaved more severely and aggressively with them, stopping any attempts of mutiny or a disagreement among the soldiers.
Siege of Corinth last too long and it enraged her. Xena knew, that should give birth in some days and an idea that this damned child can break her plans on capture of city caused in her fury...
She has heard steps at an entrance.
The slave girl has returned, holding in hands a clay cup with the potion.
There was tall figure of Borias behind of her.
He took cup away from Satrina and has told sharply:
" Leave us! "
The slave girl left, knowing quick-tempered habits of Lord Borias.
"You don't command in my tent, Borias ... not anymore."
Xena said, annoying with his occurrence here.
Borias silently approached to her and helped to untie belts on her armour. Xena felt his strong hands on her back and closed eyes for one instant. He started to mass her neck and shoulders, calming the pain in muscles. It was pleasant, but she has forbidden to herself to think of it. Recently their relations were rather intense. They oftenly argued, sometimes in presence of other officers and it very much irritated her. Xena narrowed eyes and asked:
"What's happened, Borias?"
He slowly stroked her shoulders and she felt heat of his breath on her skin.
"Xena, I want to talk to you about Corinth. I think, we could arrange negotiations with inhabitants and Centaurs... It would help us to win time... Our army could save up some power before fight... And you... could give birth to our child...If the men find out you are... "
"No!"
She hissed angrily, her eyes sparkled.
"The men don't know, and they don't need to know. The minute I start hiding in this tent I lose morale, discipline. For the same reason I cannot wait. We should attack them as soon as possible. I cannot encourage my army eternally. If we shall delay, we can lose war."
"Is it easier to lose our son?"
His expression was odd and there was chill in his voice.
"This baby is nothing compared to my empire. Borias, I have been working towards this for years. Athens is within my reach."
She smiled pensively, not looking on him. His hands have squeezed her shoulders.
"At what cost, Xena? Do we end there, or do we go on and on? Even with the wealth of Athens do we ..."
She recoiled from him, having pushed away his hand.
"And stop saying ‘we.' You're not in this for wealth or glory, Borias, not anymore."
She grinned gloomy.
" Alti has predicted, that I'll become the Destroyer of Nations, and my hour of triumph approaches. Soon I'll receive Ixion Stone, I'll have Fury of Centaurs and then nobody can stop me! Nobody!"
His face flinched from fury when she mentioned Amazon shamaness.
"So, is this your sacrifice to Alti?"
"No, it's just for shock value."
She laughed but then gasped silently, as baby kicked her again.
Borias has seen that she was bent from the pain and touches her, being disturbed.
"Xena?.."
"It's alright, he just wants out."
Xena straightened and made a deep breath, feeling that her forehead wet from sweat again. She hated this weak swollen body, hated this child who could spoil all her plans.
Borias stroked her stomach gently and whispered, having kissed her in the neck:
"Soon, soon I will see my son and I can name him."
She pushed him away again having grinned derisively.
"You speak as the weak woman, Borias. This child has made you the dribbling fool. But I am not going to be the fool. When my army will assault Corinth, I'll head them. And I'll destroy anyone who will stay on my way, no matter human or Centaur!"
Borias stepped from her and crossed hands on the chest.
" You can intimidate people, Xena, but Centaurs do not know fear. You should not underestimate them. We should cross their territory to win Corinth. Kaleipus is wise leader, I think, that I could agree with him if..."
Xena shaken the head and smirked, having recollected about the delicate order which she has given to lieutenant Dagnine.
"I do not need negotiations, Borias. As soon as the Ixion Stone will be in my hands, be sure, I'll teach them how to be afraid!"
She has burst out laughing.
Borias looked at her and Xena has seen as in his dark eyes has flown... fear? She was not sure... Borias was one only person who was not afraid of her. Even when she was in most violent fury. It irritated her, forced to scoff at him and to behave roughly at his presence. But now expression of his eyes has changed.
It seemed to her, that he was frightened. Xena dreamed of it so long, but now for some reason it did not please her.
Her smile has disappeared.
Borias looked down and quickly left her tent, having pushed the slave girl with shoulder...