Castlewarming Chapters 441-450.
by Hercules Forum Collective
Chapter 441
by Lyrical
Gildon had just patched the last warrior in a line of many, and was
replenishing his supplies when he thought he heard someone calling his
name.
Looking around, he didn't see anyone approaching him and everyone seemed
intent on what they were doing. Gildon shook his head and chalked it up to
a long day.
"Gildon, it's Lyrical." said a voice that seemed to be coming from inside
his head.
"It's alright, I have the power to read and send thoughts. Yes it is me,
and no, you are not crazy." laughed Lyrical. "Just make sure you appear to
be doing something within your normal everyday routine. Don't alter
anything and what ever you do, don't just stand still listening."
"How do I talk to you? Do I just think something and you will know?" asked
Gildon.
"That is exactly how it works. However, it won't last long if you just sort
of stand there and look like you're in a daze." Lyrical said.
Gildon realized that he was doing just that, and instantly started sorting
out herbs.
"I don't understand how your doing this, but I shall accept it. What is it
you need from me? How can I help?" He asked.
Lyrical told him about the plan to end the battle and have the warlords
brought to justice. She explained while they could handle most of the
obstacles outside the camp, they could really use a secret rebel force
within the camp.
"I want you to rally as many people as you can that feel the same way you
do and have them prepare to fight. We won't start anything until everyone
is in place." said Lyrical.
"I will do as you ask, but how will we know when it is time to act?" asked
Gildon.
"There will be a signal, and I will try and send you a message in the same
manner we are using now." said Lyrical. "Thank you Gildon. And I promise
you this, you and your family will be free when all of this is over."
"I will wait for your signal." said Gildon. "Thank you Lyrical, for being
so brave and helping people you don't even know."
"Gildon, you don't have to thank me. You will earn this freedom by the time
we're through. Go and gather your rebels." With that, Lyrical ended her
conversation with Gildon.
"One down and two to go." thought Lyrical. "But first, I think I just might
try and locate Strife. I want to see if I can find out how much time we
really have."
Lyrical's mind went searching for Strife. It didn't take long to locate
him. He was bragging as usual, to the only person that mattered to Strife,
himself.
"I have Hercules where I want him, and the battle is all but won. Plus, I
have my little Amazon." Strife said with glee. "And if she gives me any
problems, I will tell her about her precious RainCloud and how I am slowly
poisoning her." With that last remark Strife all but sang with evil joy.
Lyrical was stunned. "By the gods if he has hurt RainCloud, he will live to
regret it."
Lyrical then tried to contact RainCloud. It took several minutes, but
Lyrical finally connected with her. At first she could barely hear
RainCloud her voice was so weak. Then, suddenly, it became stronger.
"RainCloud, listen to me," cried Lyrical. "Strife is trying to poison you.
What did you take?"
"Alex gave me some Mandrake to help me sleep, but it is having a much
stronger effect on me." said RainCloud.
She then told Lyrical about not being able to move her arms and legs, and
how just breathing had become a great effort.
Lyrical asked, " Was the Mandrake checked for any foreign substances?"
" I think I heard Alex tell Hercules, that he tried it and it appeared to
be normal." answered RainCloud." It had a stronger taste then I remembered,
but I didn't think anything of it because it had been so long since I had
used it."
"RainCloud, tell me how you take this herb." said Lyrical, " Do you just
eat it or mix it with something, or what."
"You mix it in water. " said RainCloud. Lyrical's mind went to work on how
Strife could be doing this. Then it hit her.
Ares launched his body toward his opponent, fists first. He made contact
with his intended target this time, knocking them both to the ground. They
were both back on their feet in a flash. Although Warf was quick to
recover, Ares was faster. He punched Wharf in the mouth, splitting his lip
slightly and knocking him to the ground.
Wharf was growing tired of Ares' arrogance and was in no mood for his
nonsense. He got to his feet in a flash that earned some admiration from
his opponent and returned the blow with even more power. This sent Ares
flying across the clearing.
He landed against a tree with a crash leaving him momentarily stunned. He
shook his head to clear it, wondering how the Angel could fight with the
fierceness of a warrior or God. Where had he learned it? Ares sat on the
ground momentarily, more puzzled at Wharf's actions than angry now.
Wharf went over and helped Ares to his feet, wiping the blood off his mouth
with his hand. They glared at each other as they stood face to face. "You
got some blood in the corner of your mouth." Wharf observed.
Ares wiped the blood off with the back of his hand as Wharf had done just
moments before. "You're pretty vicious for someone who's supposed to be
non-violent." Ares rubbed the area of his jaw that Wharf's fist had
connected with only moments ago.
Wharf snorted in disgust. "What'd you expect, that I'd stand here and let
you pound on me? I don't think so Ares! You're gonna get as good as you
give!" His voice softened again as the throb in his own jaw started to
subside. "Are you ready to talk now?"
Ares sat down on the rock they'd previously occupied. He crossed his arms
in front of him, taking on his normal arrogant air. "So, talk. Convince me
that I shouldn't do what I want to."
Not trusting the cocky God, Wharf chose to sit on a rock a few feet from
Ares. He would already have much to answer for when his fiancée and Destiny
got a good look at the bruise he was sure was forming on his jaw. "Look
Ares, you don't really want the Supreme Being mad at you again, do you?
Wasn't the last time enough? He's already angry at what's going on, it's
messing up the harmony of the whole world, and he doesn't like it one bit.
You're not the one who's messing things up this time, but as angry as he
is, if you go rushing in, changing the destiny of things that others were
supposed to be doing, you may just end up in a worse predicament than the
last time. So, do us both a favor and stick to the original plan, ok?"
Wharf hoped that the Supreme one would not be too upset with his little
white lie, but he also knew that if he didn't stop Ares from interfering
with the mortals, Destiny would have his hide. Wharf had never failed in
his job as a Guardian, and he wasn't about to start just because he'd been
reassigned to the stubborn God of War!
Wharf had no idea if the Supreme one was upset with the way things were
going, but he knew Destiny was, and if he ever hoped to spend some time
with his fiancée, he knew he'd better convince Ares to stay out of trouble.
He held his breath as he waited for Ares' response
Ares took in all that Wharf had told him. His look changed from one of
sarcasm to thoughtfulness. "Ok, so I'm not supposed to interfere with
Aquillea and the others who I can't find, but why can't I go kick Strife's
butt?"
Wharf breathed a sigh of relief inside. Although his face did not change,
he was certainly relieved that one hurdle was out of the way. "Well, it's
like this Ares. If you go kicking Strife's butt, Lyrical won't need to
carry out her plan, and her destiny will be changed." Wharf smiled
suddenly as he continued. "Now this *doesn't * mean that you *can't * kick
him around some after this war is over. While you're at it, do me a
favor, give him one for me too, will you?" At this Ares raised his
eyebrows. Wharf continued "Hey, if he hadn't played a part in all this, I
could be spending more time with my fiancée, just like you could be
spending more time with Angel."
Ares smiled suddenly. "So, you've got a woman? I thought you Angels were
devoted to your duties?"
"Hey man, just because I gotta watch over you doesn't mean I can't have a
life too you know. Besides, the number of Guardians is dwindling again,
thanks in part to you. They need some of us to produce some kids to replace
the ones who've either died or have left the Guardian realm."
"Wait a minute, thanks to me? What'd I do? I didn't kill any Angels!" Ares'
indignation was almost laughable, and if he weren't trying to calm Ares
down, Wharf would have laughed.
"I didn't say you'd killed any Angels! But, thanks to some of your
actions, some of the Guardians got frustrated and are no longer Guardians.
Hey, do you really think if you'd killed any of us that you'd still be
alive?"
"Oh." Ares supposed this could be true. After all, every time he switched
Guardians, he never did see them again. But, he wondered just how much of
Wharf's story was true. But then again, weren't Angels supposed to tell the
truth? "Hey, you said that some of the Guardians left. Do you really have a
choice? I mean, can you leave if you want to? Where do you go?" Ares wasn't
sure why he wanted to know this, but this knowledge could be useful.
The number of Bacchai still standing had dwindled to a scarce few greenie
saw as she looked around the demolished lair of Bacchus. Though, it seemed
the stench of his vile life blood was everywhere. It permeated the thick
smoke filled air. The torches along the damp walls still burned brightly,
lighting up the garish scene.
Greensleeves held a hand to her nose as she turned to Joxer who stood
protectively beside her. During the wild melee that had occurred earlier
they had become separated. Somehow, he had found her once again. "Joxer,
it's almost day break," Greenie pointed out as she looked up at the light
coming through the hole in the top of the rocky cavern. The faint pink rays
of first light were washing themselves across the starry sky. "Bacchus must
be slain before this night is through or our sisters will be lost forever."
Joxer ran a worried hand through his dark hair and sighed. "I know,
greenie, but what can we do? It has to be a Bacchai who kills him and we're
certainly not that!"
Greensleeves quietly agreed and then stooped to pick up a couple of
strangely fashioned wooden stakes that were lying discarded on the gritty
cavern floor. Each one of them had a jeweled tip that glowed with a soft
blue fire. She tossed one to Joxer. "Here, love, you might need this."
Joxer smiled his thanks as greenie tucked the extra stake into her belt.
"Now, let's try to assess our situation."
She looked around the cavern to see how their friends were doing. Eeyoraus
and Bei stood close together fighting off a couple of aggressive Bacchai,
while Quilla fought Bacchai by herself in another corner. Shait had somehow
disappeared; she was nowhere to be seen. Auto and Gabby were fighting two
matched silver coated wolves, while Maddie moved out of a dark corner, her
staff in hand. It looked like she had just won a small battle. Her eyes
glowed with an inner strength. She moved towards Bacchus' throne, where he
sat nonchalantly, a wicked grin on his strong face. Why did he appear so
confident? Greenie asked herself. It would seem he had lost the battle, yet
he was calmly quiet.
Suddenly, in one fluid movement, he rose from his throne. Clasping his
thickly muscled arms behind him, he stood proudly, the light from the still
shining Bacchai moon streaming down on him from the cavern opening.
Greensleeves held her breath as his deep voice echoed throughout the
cavern. "Oh, daughter of Bacchus, hear my cry. Come to me and fight for
your father!"
A blinding flash of silver light exploded in the center of the cavern,
revealing the creature that had come to do the Olympian's bidding. Half
wolf, half Bacchai, the beast was huge, standing at least two men tall. The
shaggy wolf's head fell back and a howl to wake the dead in Tartarus
vibrated along the cavern walls. As the thickly muscled human body took a
step forward, the ground beneath the small group of Bacchai slayers
trembled.
Greensleeves moved closer to Joxer and placed her hand on his strong arm.
She shivered as she looked at what appeared to be their doom. Fervently,
she began to pray for it would take a miracle to save them now. A miracle
or perhaps a God?
Wharf shrugged his shoulders, how could he explain things he really didn't
fully understand himself without confusing Ares? "Sometimes, it is
determined that an Angel isn't, well, fit shall we say, to be a Guardian.
Those Angels are usually moved into a kind of helper status. Or, they
become messengers. Or, sometimes an Angel is for one reason or another
given a choice to live as a mortal. I don't know what happens to the rest.
That is not for me to know, or determine."
"So, some mortals may also be Angels? How would you know?" Ares looked very
thoughtful suddenly. He thought that perhaps these Angels could one day be
put to good use, that is if he could tell who they were.
"Forget it Ares. You couldn't tell them from mortals or Demi-Gods if you
tried. Not unless they told you who they were. Most who are returned to
earth to live as mortals are stripped of their powers. The only ability
they have left to them is to be able to sense who is immortal and who is
not." Wharf gave Ares a don't-even-try-it-look and continued. "They are of
no use to you, so just forget them, ok? Besides, even if you could tell
them apart, and even if they did still retain some powers, you'd be
messing with more trouble than even Angel could get you out of."
Ares grinned suddenly. "Well, it was worth a try. Ok Wharf, I'll play this
your way, I won't interfere in the mortal's 'destiny', but, it seems we do have some time before I have to help Lyrical with this plan of hers,
so tell me more about yourself."
"Yes, Archon, it's all right. It's only me." Ioannes soothed the horse who
was trying to turn his head to see who was behind him in the stable. Archon
was the palomino that Ioannes had purchased for himself after he returned
from India. He loved riding Archon anywhere. The horse was actually taller
than any other horse Ioannes had ever ridden. But Archon was gentle with a
lot of strength that you couldn't see on the outside. Only when riding him
could Ioannes feel the strength and stamina that the horse had by breeding
and training.
Ioannes had come down off of the walls for a short break. He decided to
check on Archon and Zeza, the Amazon horse that Shambala had ridden. They
were being kept in a rather large stable that rented out space to horse
owners. Most of the Amazons' had been brought into this building or the
immediate area when they got to Antianos.
Both Zeza and Archon had been taken care of, but Ioannes felt better for
checking on them.
He went to city hall to report to the Antiosan hunter who had been left in
charge of any decisions of defense by Kendaa. Kylos had been nervous to be
left in charge but the feeling had been that there was no serious threat of
the warlords' getting inside Antianos. That didn't mean someone couldn't
get in at all. There were plenty of hunters, men and women, who could shoot
a bow from the city walls to stop anyone from coming up the walls. There
were extra hunters on the gates-public and not so public-and at the city
water supply.
Ioannes expected to be sent back up to the city walls which was fine with
him. He was thinking how he would like to spend a long time in a private
bath in the public bathhouse when this was over. He went up the steps of
the council building when he came face to face with his brother Ithacas.
Ithacas clapped his hand on his big brothers' shoulder, smiling. "I was
wondering how I was going to find you. Kylos said you had come off of the
walls but should be back by now."
"How-what-- how long have you been here?" Ioannes finally got his question
out. "How's the army doing?"
"I came with the King and an escort about an hour ago. So far, the battle
is going well for us. We have pushed the warlords into their camps and have
them surrounded. Casualties have been light so far." Ithacas said this with
a serious, calm face.
"Uh-huh," Ioannes studied his brother's face as much as he could in the
torchlight in front of the council chamber. Ithacas should have shown more
satisfaction in his answer. " But?" Ioannes asked him.
Ithacas pulled him a little further down the stairs. "I think you should
know something," he said to Ioannes. He told him what he had heard in the
council chamber between the King, Xena and Kendaa.
"I'm not usually told things on this level," the scout told his brother.
"But tonight I came along as an escort for Iphicles and several top
officers as they came to Antianos. They were going to confer with Xena,
Herc, the Amazon leader since the army has closed in on Stygnos and
Maloran.
The Warrior Princess and another scout, Patrocles, met us on the way and
rode back here."
I was actually outside the meeting but I heard a plan the two women
commanders want to try and the King has agreed." Briefly, he told Ioannes
what he had heard.
"You may be told about them going to talk with the warlords' before they
go." Ithacas finished.
"This strategy could work very well, if it is as Ares says," he assured his
brother.
Ioannes thought for a moment about Ares' role in this.
"Ithacas, I'm pretty sure Ares is telling the truth here. It would fit in
with some other things I've seen him do in the past day or two."
"Yes? Well, my brother, the trader who stands on his head and expert on the
GoW. You'll have to fill me in on that later," Ithacas grinned at him
curiously. He then looked up at the sky. "Dawn is not far away. I have to
go. I will find you when this is over."
They said farewell the way they always had wishing to see each other again
safely.
Posted on May 18 1999, 01:39 PM
Chapter 447
by Shambalayogi
As Ioannes entered the council building to find Kylos, the Warrior Princess
found him.
"Ah, there you are. I want to talk to you for a moment, Ioannes Malinkor."
Xena said this very politely and carefully, not at all like he thought she
would talk at a time like this.
"Where could I find your lady friend, Shambala? Did I say her name right?
It's a mouthful. I really need to ask her something?"
"Yes, that's her name. She was supposed to be on the front walls facing the
battlefield the last I heard. I have not talked to her for a few hours
now," Ioannes answered her wondering what she needed her for. He hoped Xena
didn't want to take her into the warlords' camp in this plan they had. In
any case, it would be hard to refuse Xena much. She radiated a presence you
felt from several feet away. He had to look up to talk to her she was so
tall. As soon as he spoke to Kylos, he would find Shamba.
"I just need to ask her about something. Thanks." Xena gave him a sweet
smile and strode rapidly out of the building.
Xena found Shamba just where Ioannes had said she was. Standing on the
wall, looking at the action below. She had used up some arrows shooting to
keep men off the walls. Mostly she shot them in the upper legs. They
weren't badly wounded that way but such wounds would keep them out of the
battle.
Xena startled her when she came up beside her. Xena needed to get what
she'd come for and get back to the council chamber. She decided to come
right to the point. She gave Shamba the same sweet smile she'd given
Ioannes.
"Excuse me, Shambala. I think you have something that would be a lot of
help to us in the next part of the battle plan."
"Certainly, what could that be?" Shamba asked.
"Don't you have that staff with the red light that Arkie, the woman from
the future gave you?" Xena asked. She was pretty sure Shamba and not one of
the others had this small staff.
"Yes," Shamba took it from a pocket. "I couldn't think of a good way to use
it from up here."'
She handed it to Xena. "It would be more useful closer in to an enemy."
Xena's sweet smile became larger as Shamba showed her how to use the metal
object.
"Yes," Xena said satisfied with her hunch. "This might turn out to be just
what I need."
"Of course, that has to be it." Lyrical thought. "RainCloud, is Stripe
still there?"
"Yes she is," she said, " Do you know how Strife did it?"
"I have a really strong hunch but I am going to need Stripe to help me
out." said Lyrical. " I just want to plant an idea in her head, not contact
her directly. The fewer people that know I can do this, the less likely
Strife is to find out."
"What ever you do please hurry, I feel like I am slipping back into a sleep
I may never wake up from." pleaded RainCloud.
"Ok, here goes." Lyrical started to whisper softly to Stripe. Just barely
making a sound. The idea was, to have Stripe think this was her thought and not Lyrical's.
"Tell, Alex to check the water. Tell Alex to check the water," Lyrical
chanted in Stripes mind. Very soon Stripe closed her eyes, shook her head
slightly, as if to clear it., then her eyes opened wide.
"Alex, when you checked the Mandrake, did you also check the water?" Stripe
asked.
"No, it never occurred to me to check the water." said Alex. " I'll do that
right now."
"What do you expect him to find in the water?" asked Hercules.
"I'm not sure, " said Stripe, " The thought just suddenly popped in my head
that there might be something in the water."
"Well, you are absolutely right," exclaimed Alex, " There is a poison in
this water and I think I know where I can find an herb to counter it."
Alex looked over at RainCloud, reluctant to leave her at this critical
time, but also knowing if he didn't find the herb she would soon die.
"Go and find the herb," said Stripe, " I'll stay with her, don't worry."
Hercules had an idea. He swiftly left the lean-to with out a word and
walked to where the water supply was kept. After tasting it, he knew that
it to had been poisoned.
"This may be the means to get the others to surrender." Hercules thought, "
If I can convince them that Strife may have or is about to poison the
entire water supply they may agree to go with me to the warlords camp."
Hercules went back to the lean-to just as Alex was setting out to collect
the herb.
"Be careful," said Hercules, " I just checked the water supply and it too
has been poisoned. I'm going back to warn the others. Who knows how much of
the water has been poisoned."
"Who do you think is behind this?" asked Stripe, " The warlords?"
"I'm sure it's the warlords" said Hercules, " But I think they have some
help from the ever popular Strife."
"Now this is all starting to make sense," said Stripe, " All the strange
things going on. People on edge and snapping at each other."
"Trying to stick a sword in them," said Alex. "It's alright, Stripe, I
would have done the same thing if I had been in your place."
"You go and find that herb," said Stripe, " The sooner you leave, the
faster you can get back. And you, Hercules, thanks for helping out. Now get
back and warn the others. I'll have someone test the stream."
After saying hasty good-byes, Alex hurried off to the woods, Stripe went
back in with RainCloud, and Hercules hurried off towards town.
A miracle or perhaps a God? Greenie shivered again as she braced herself
for the battle ahead. It would seem they were on their own.
The Bacchai Beast slowly moved forward as the brave group of amazons
circled it, ready to fight. Bei launched herself into the belly of the
beast, bending it double with the force of her blow. As the creature
stumbled forward Eeyoraus slammed the shaggy wolf's head downward as she
struck it with clasped hands. But this only seemed to infuriate the wild
soul of the animal halfling. It straightened to its full height and growled
deep in its throat. With one mighty swipe, it knocked Bei backwards,
slamming her into the rocky cavern wall where she slowly slid to the
ground.
Maddie ran forward, her bone staff held out in front of her. A mighty
Amazon war cry broke through the stillness of the night as she struck the
beast dead center with her staff. Amazingly, nothing happened. The beast
took hold of the staff and slowly pulled it out. As if she were nothing but
a pesky insect the beast flung Maddie and the staff away from it. Maddie
caught her fall in mid air and floated to the ground, her Bacchai traits
serving her well now. With sadness in her eyes she looked at Auto. This
appeared to be the end for all of them. Her one true love who had risked
his life more than once to save her and her sister friends were going to
perish in this Gods forsaken Tartarus hole. Why had all the Gods forgotten
them?
Greensleeves watched her brave sisters fighting this minion of Bacchus and
her heart cried out at the injustice of it all. After everything they had
been through it seemed this was the end. She turned to Joxer and placed her
hand along his cheek. "I want you to know, my love, I have truly enjoyed
every moment of being with you. Without you my life would have been so
empty. Thank you," she whispered softly. Tears came to her eyes, almost
blinding her so that the face of the man who loved her more than life
itself was almost lost to her. Roughly, she brushed them away. Now was not
the time for tears. If she was to die she would die as an Amazon, in
battle, fighting all the way.
With determination, she turned to face the beast, but as she did so her
hand brushed across the blue tipped stake still tucked in her belt. A
golden flash of light sparked in front of her and a woman materialized
through the haze of sparkles. She was tall and very athletically built. Her
golden brown hair was long and flowed freely down her slender back, except
for the thin gold band that circled her forehead. Her outfit resembled that
of the leathers of the Amazons, yet it seemed to glow with a golden sheen.
Across her back a quiver of arrows was strapped, the matching bow casually
slung across one shoulder. She looked at greensleeves and her golden eyes
seemed to glow with the quest of the hunt. Without a doubt greensleeves
knew this was Artemis, goddess of the Amazons. She had heard too many tales
of this goddess' glory around the campfires of the Amazons not to know what
she looked like.
"Greensleeves, you must do as I say or everything will be lost. Take the
Kaloron tipped stakes I left for you to find and use them to kill the
Bacchai Beast. You must act quickly or it will be too late."
Greensleeves almost stuttered over her words at the sight of this powerful
goddess standing before her in all her glory. Why she had chosen her as the
tool to end this greenie didn't know. But Artemis was right; there was no
time to waste. She must do as she was commanded. "Yes, Artemis, I
understand. And thank you. You'll never know how grateful we are."
Artemis smiled and as she began to disappear she replied, "Oh, I know and
one day I will be back to collect on that favor." Then she was gone in a
streak of light.
Oh, my, greenie thought as she turned to Joxer, that didn't sound too
promising. Well, no matter, she would be glad to help this goddess in any
way she chose.
"Joxer, honey, give me that stake I gave you earlier," she requested
softly. He complied with no questions. Sometimes it was better that way.
"Okay, now, step back. I do believe this Bacchai explosion is going to be a
doosie."
With a lusty Amazon war cry, greensleeves rushed the beast, who had turned
on Quilla. Somehow sensing Quilla's injured state the beast was prepared to
take advantage of that fact. Greensleeves planned to stop that battle
strategy in its tracks. Leaping through the air and executing a backward
flip, she flung herself at the center of the animal. With unerring accuracy
she plunged the two stakes into the heart of Bacchus' monstrosity.
Instantly, it exploded into a thousand particles of silver dust. Greenie
fell to the floor. A satisfied smile crossed her dust smeared face as she
brushed herself off and got up. "Now, that's what I call Bacchai slaying."
"*Definitely*," Maddie replied and floated back to stand next to her
sisters. "So, who do we have left to slay? Hmmmm. Let's see." She turned to
face Bacchus who still stood before his throne, a look of amazement on his
face at the destruction of his creation. "I do believe it's you, Bacchus."
She twirled her bone quarter staff in her hands as she moved towards him.
"Care to play?
With the punishment her body and mind had endured for the past two days,
Aquillea's toughest opponent was fast becoming herself. She hadn't planned
on confronting the three Bacchai assassins alone but, when she looked
around the chamber for help, a new and terrible opponent had appeared. It
would no doubt require a team effort to dispatch the fierce, towering
wolf-woman the Olympian had summoned to protect him. The dark Amazon turned
back to the trio of Bacchus' elite knowing she was on her own.
Each Bacchai had the strength of ten mortal men, Aquillea no longer had the
strength of one. She would have to separate the attackers to stand any
chance against them. Meeting their blood-thirsty eyes unflinchingly, the
Amazon again reached for her dagger and let it fly. The weapon caught one
irritated Bacchai in the shoulder and she paused to remove the blade. Her
sisters continued their single-minded advance.
Pushing off of an overturned chair, Aquillea leapt into the air. She caught
hold of an overhead lighting fixture with her left hand, swung over the
Bacchai pair, and planted her boots firmly into the chest of the lagging
woman. The Bacchai went sailing and came down hard, the dark Amazon landing
beside her. As the evil twins did an about-face, Aquillea lifted a chair
over the stunned Bacchai lying prone on the floor. Then she jumped up onto
the seat of the chair, driving one of its legs through the bloodsucker's
heart.
Without pausing, Aquillea cartwheeled over the back of the chair, driving
back a second assailant with her feet as she executed the move. Before the
nearer threat was in striking distance, the Amazon shot her bone stake
swiftly at the glowing eyed menace. The weapon clattered to the stone below
amidst a pile of dust. The last remaining Bacchai hesitated to stare at the
two mounds of ash that had been her sisters. When her eyes again rested on
Aquillea, their burning golden light had intensified.
"All the more for me,: she said with a fiendish grin.
That said, the Bacchai launched herself at her Amazon prey. Aquillea waited
until the last moment, then attempted to dodge her attacker, but was only
partially successful. The flying woman reached sideways and managed to grab
the human with one hand sending the pair spinning. They both careened into
the wall with such bone jarring force it left the injured Amazon reeling in
pain and struggling to catch her breath.
The Bacchai, needing no time to recover, instantly had her victim by the
shoulders and pounded her against the wall several times to sufficiently
daze the human. Then, in anger at the loss of her sisters she backhanded
the weakening woman and kneed her in the midsection. Aquillea not having
the strength to escape, knew she had to distract her attacker somehow. She
turned her head and chomped down on a restraining arm. The act startled the
Bacchai who had never been on the receiving end of a bite before and her
grip loosened just enough for the Amazon to break free.
As Aquillea slipped out of the Bacchai's grasp, she reached for her spare
stake only to find it gone. It had been lost during the thick of the
fighting. The dark Amazon scanned the area desperately for a suitable
weapon but saw none. With a silent prayer she picked up a sturdy chair,
holding it tightly by the leg. The Bacchai swung her arm out and shattered
the chair which seemed almost to explode at the impact. But Aquillea, still
holding on to the splintered leg, smiled triumphantly. "Thanks for lending
a hand. I couldn't have done it without ya," she said, then dispatched the
last of the Bacchai with the makeshift wooden stake.
