The Orcs of the Black Road

The blistering sun beat down on Nathxena's skin, which only made the sandy air of the Anauroch Desert worse. She wiped off the three beads of sweat that were slowly making their way down to her brow, closed one eye, and took her shot.

The bolt whistled through the air and directly into the nose of the orc mercenary towering over Sariel. The young half-elf gave a small wave of gratitude, before she began a swing into a brutish orc closing in on her. Nathxena, still reloading her crossbow, moved onto her next target - a javelin thrower hiding behind a rocky escarpment.

Taking a breath, she began to put pressure on the trigger, ready to claim another victim. As she took aim, she heard the sound of footsteps shuffling in the sand.

* * *

Nathxena was sitting in a booth seat at the Bronze Dragon as the morning sun made its way through the windows. It was much quieter during the morning, which made it excellent for her to get some alone time. She was reading a book on the history of Sembia, as a familiar half-elf made her way over to the booth, blocking the light from her book.

"You're blocking my reading light." Nathxena said with a smirk on her face, already aware of who it was based on her scent alone.

"Oh, sorry!.. Wait, what are you reading?" Sariel asked, genuinely apologetic and then concerned.

Nathxena slammed her book closed, making sure to close it with the back facing up to not give it away. After all, she knew the Sembian traditions were taboo, but was all too interested in finding out how similar some humans could be to her own kin. It gave her some wicked sense of sanity and made her feel a little bit more normal, knowning that its not just her own mother's kind that could be twisted and evil.

"Okay, if you're not going to tell me, then you can show me." Sariel said as she snatched the now closed book out from the half-drow's hands.

She was far too quick for Nathxena, and all she could do was quickly stutter out "I can explain!"

"Did Emmy give you this? You know its probabbly biased." Sariel said with a dissapointed look that Nathxena was all too familiar with.

"Well all of this is beside the point," she continued, "since I have a new contract for us!" She excitedly said as she turned around and pushed herself up onto the back of the booth's seat.

"Let me guess - you met someone at a tavern and he told you his entire life story while you looked at him like a doe-eyed deer?" Nathxena said with a sarcastic tone.

"No! Well, sort of." Sariel said back as they both let out small chuckles. "It's a merchant family in the city. They've lost a caravan out on the Black Road, and they want us to find it." She said now leaning over backwards into the booth, her head hanging upside down while she kicked her feet back and forth.

"I'm guessing I don't have a say in if I'm coming or not?" Nathxena said, already standing up.

"Nope! I've already packed us some gear." Sariel replied. sitting up and dropping back on the ground onto her feet.

* * *

The two women made their way out of the Bronze Dragon with their bags and other supplies on their backs. The smell of the Waterdhavian streets of the Southern Ward were strong in the wind. The wafting scent of horses intertwined with the ocean breeze made their way into Nathxena's nostrils. It was a smell she was trying to grow accustomed to after growing up within the damp and dim caves of the Underdark.

The carriage they were using to travel along the Trade Way south to Daggerford was waiting for them at the South Gate, so they made their way there. When they arrived at the gate, it was obvious to Nathxena which cart was theirs'. As she had guessed, Sariel had paid (though Nathxena suspected the payment wasn't with money) for transport that wasn't in best condition. The walled wagon had panels of wood loosley nailed on, and Nathxena was suprised to see a few spokes on the weels replaced with thick branches.

She gave Sariel a worried look which was greeted with a knowing smile. Sariel let the driver know they were there, and the two hopped into the back with the other passengers.

After a half day of travelling, Nathxena changed the subject from their adventures together, to slow reaslisation that this wasn't going to just be a day trip.

"Hey Sarry, how far away are we from Daggerford, exactly?" Nathxena said with a concerned tone.

"Hey driver, how many more days?" Sariel shouted out with Nathxena visibily shocked at her use of the word days.

"'Bout three more miss." The driver from the carriage said from the front, holding up three stubby fingers above the barrier between them.

Nathxena's dread sat in as she realised this wasn't going to be one of their quick adventures. She sat her self up in a comfier position using the scarf that she had pleaded with Sariel for earlier as a cushion.

"How long down the Black Road are we expecting this caravan to be?" Nathxena asked getting more and more worried that they may be in for a multiple tenday long journey.

"Well we don't know where exactly, but their last contact was in Parnast... so somewhere in the Anauroch." Sariel said with a smug smile, excited to spend time with her girlfriend outside of Wateerdeep.

"You picked this job on purpose, didn't you." Nathxena said smiling back, now clued in on her better half's plan.

"Perhaps" Sariel said, showing a set of teeth through her smile.

Nathxena, who was at least happy with the chance to get away from her norms with her love, leaned in and went for a kiss on the lips. She switched it to one on the neck once Sariel had her eyes closed. After pursing her lips on her neck, she lifted them off and whispered "I love you" in her ear before shifting back onto her scarf. She could tell just how flustered her partner was and how awkward it was to be as such in the company of strangers. Satisfied with getting even, Nathxena laid back against the wall of the carriage and closed her eyes for some rest.

* * *

After another three days, the duo arrived at Daggerford, a moderately sized settlement on the Delimbiyr River. Nathxena watched as carts of hay and grain made their way out of the settlement, being pulled tirelessly by working horses. As they entered the town proper, she noticed some denizens wearing blue hats and pushing blue wheelbarrows.

"What's with the people in blue?" Nathxena asked to the driver, who she had been asking questions to the whole trip.

"They're the Watermen's Guild. They bring fresh water for the town from upstream. The blues for their role. Y'know water... blue" He replied to the inquisitive half-drow.

Nathxena heard a voice directed at her. "Does that mean you deliver water?" the small child of a mother travelling on the carriage asked, genuinely curious.

An awkward silence ensued followed by communal laughter.

The passengers aboard the wagon departed as they reached their final destination at the Lady Luck Tavern. The ladies grabbed their bags, thanked their driver and entered the tavern. Walking in through its doors, the cheering and yelling of patrons filled Nathxena's ears. Looking around for what bard or dancer they could be cheering at, she was shocked to see the real reason for the revelry. In the centre of the two storied tavern was a large wooden pole in which would be contestants were lining up to climb. Each of them were being cheered on as they climbed and clambered their way to the top.

In her amazement, she hadn't noticed that Sariel had already gotten them a cup of red wine each.

"Here, this is for you. I think we need this after that trip." She said while smirking at Nathxena.

She took the cup and a sip and stretched all the miles travelled out of her, while taking in the vibrance and livelihood of the room around them. They made their way to one of the few tables with empty chairs with it. Sitting at the table was a plump dwarven man and his two gnome companions.

"Anyone sitting here?" Nathxena said to the trio.

The dwarf completely ignored the half-drow, standing up from his chair and barely changing the height at which his head was at previously.

"Helllllllooooo!" He loudly stated to Sariel, checking his breath and slicking back his hair in an over-exaggerated manner.

"I appreciate your lovely presence, my lady. Oskar Ingot, honest dwarf, knight of the Redeemers." He said with a false sense of confidence.

Nathxena was not shocked by the attention her better half was getting, just smiled, knowing how nervous the young dwarf was.

Sariel, aware of how easy it may now be to get free drinks smiled. "Lovely to meet you too, I'm Sariel."

Whilst the untrained eye couldn't tell how she had changed her manerisms, posture. and face, Nathxena could see the master at work instantly. She had pushed a hip to one side to show off her natural shape, she leant forward towards the dwarf who had an awfully perfect eye height and smiled at him warmly. She had even put the cherry on top by putting her hand out for a kiss.

Nathxena watched her in action with a mix of laughter and awe. On the other hand, the black widow's victim watched her with the most obvious of intents. His eyes were moths to a flame watching her every move. Nathxena could see his now narrowed eyes tracing up and down her partner's body, and it was begining to make her ever so slightly jealous. She was snapped out of this haze when one of the dwarf's gnome companions hopped on the seat of his chair and leaned over the back facing her.

"What's your name, darlin'?" The greying gnome with a raggedy beard, and a buzzed head said to her.

"Oh, uhh.." she stuttered, being caught off guard.

"Sariel, my love, when were you going to introduce me to your friends?" She said, trying her very best to hide the smile when the dwarves face turned red upon hearing the word 'love'.

Sariel made an annoyed glance at the half-drow with her azure blue eyes. "Oh, sorry, I must have forgotten. Oskar, this is my girlfriend Nathxena." She said gesturing to her.

"Girlfriend?" Oskar said still shocked.

"Yep, she's all mine." Nathxena, who had now made her way behind Sariel's chair, said as she slowly walked her fingers down her partners exposed arm.

"O-oh. I see." The dwarf sullenly said as he dropped his mug on the table and sulked off, his entourage following close behind. The gnome threw his own mug at the two ladies, covering them in mead, then slamming it on the table and storming off with his entourage.

The two girls burst out laughing at the event that had just happened, and to top things off the bar maid arrived to the table with the drinks that Oskar had ordered for them. Sariel cast prestidigitation on them to clean them off, while Nathxena tried to drink, still laughing and snorting.

"We'd better only have a few more drinks tonight." Nathxena said, now much more serious than before.

"You're right, we're leaving on a barge I booked us at sun up tommorrow." Sariel replied now offering her cup to be met by Nathxena's for a cheers.

* * *

The two ladies were being carried out by two half-orc mercenaries, still in their armour, fresh from the fight. Nathxena couldn't quite hear what Sariel was saying to the half-orc man that was carrying her over her shoulder, but she could only assume that it was along the same lines that she herself was saying to the half-orc woman's shoulders she was riding out of the tavern on. Nathxena couldn't remember the last time she had had this much to drink, and how many exactly it was. But to her who was counting anyway, and it looks like they were both about to get what they wanted.

These two half-orcs knew each other and Nathxena couldn't quite remember how they did, or when they started talking two her and her lover but well, they were going to help them organise a room or two at the Inn across the road. All that she could remember is that both of the half-orcs were eyeing down the ladies from after they ran into that dwarf.

"Sarrryyyy" Nathxena said, leaning back on the womans shoulder's she was on almost making her commandeered mount stuble as she did so.
"What was that silly dwarf's name?"

"Oskar Ingot! h-h-honest dwarf, knight of the Redgaurd... no wait... redemmmm... Redeemers! It was the Reeeeedeeeemeeeerrrsss!" Sariel eventually got out slurring every word.

The two eventually hopped off their carriers and organised two rooms for the four of them to use for the night. After they had dealt with the cashier, they both nodded to each other and faced to turn the back to the much taller half orcs.


"What about the change" One of them said.

"You'll have to come get it" Sariel said with a smirk on her face as she ran upstairs to their room with Nathxena closesly following behind.

The rumble of two half-orcs trying to clamber up the stairs made them both laugh.

"First one up gets to take mine off" Nathxena said as she began to untie her girlfriends underclothes at the top of the stairs.

The two half-orcs began immediately fighting and wrestling to struggle up the stairs, causing them to start crashing down back to the first floor. The male took a clean punch to the jaw and then threw one back. The two girls watched in shock and then laughter as the town guards had to pull them appart and then out of the establishment.

Sariel notioned Nathxena to their room and opened it with the key they had. The room was small but big enough for a modest double bed, a bedside table and standalone closet. Whilst not the best room she had stayed in, it beat the wagon they just rode in on. Sariel then chucked the key to her partner as she placed their bags on the floor infront of the closet. Nathxena turned around to lock the door behind them with a very audible click, which was then followed by a thud.

She spun around to make sure Sariel was okay and she was faced by the sight of her lover in nothing but her bottom under garments. The moonlight pierced through the circular window at the head of the bed directly onto her back. Nathxena could see the entire shape of her lovers body and couldn't focus on anything other than just how beautiful she was.

"Y'know technically-y..I was the first one up the stairs so that means I get to take yours off right?" Sariel said with an all to familiar smirk.

"Technically." Nathxena replied taking two steps towards her.

* * *

The golden rays of the sun made their way through the window as if they were an ancient incantation cast upon the world. Nathxena rolled over to watch her lover wake up as she had always done. She loved the way that the sun's golden warmth bathed Sariel's bare skin. As she opened her eyes and adjusted to the brightness of the day around them she noticed that Sariel wasn't there. Contoring her body to the other side of the bed she saw her lover frantically packing their bags.

"Good, you're awake! The sun is already up!" Sariel said between breaths.

"Why are you in such a rush, Sarry?" Nathxena said with a puzzled look on her face, as she stretched her arms and legs out wide with a groan.

"Our boat was leaving at exactly sun up, remember?!" Sariel replied while face first into bags of equipment, checking everything to make sure it was all in there.

"Shit, shit, shit." Nathxena proclaimed as she pranced into action to help Sariel pack.

The two women were quick and had showed a level of expertise from oversleeping several times before. They packed a total of five bags, each of them looking much messier than when they left WaterdeepVarious tools made clear bulges, misshaping the bags they were contained in.

"Is that everything?" Nathxena said, now out of breath like her partner.

"Well, you might at least want to put some smallclothes on." Sariel said, wearing a smile from cheek to cheek.

Nathxena looked down at herself, confirming Sariels statement, and began to rummage through her bag for clothes.

After getting dressed, the two of them burst through the doors of the Inn, throwing their key on the counter as they ran past. Nathxena scanned the area in front of them for the river, and like a hunting dog stopped and pointed to it once found. They both dashed as quickly as they could to the river and spoke to the riverboat conductor once they got to the staging point.

"Sorry ladies, last barge just left." A young human woman holding a clipboard said to the two half-elf travellers.

Nathxena bolted off along the bank of the river upstream, jumping over cleared tree stumps, rocks, and debris, with Sariel trailing behind.

"And just what are you expecting we do when we catch up?" Sariel asked struggling to get words out while they both ran as fast as they could carrying bags weighted with gear.

"Jump." Nathxena abruptly said, determined to make the barge.

Sariel caught up quickly, and the two ladies could see the barge on its way up river. The barge was a long wooden vessel with a shallow enclosed section, with small openings to let air flow in and out. It was making its way to be alongside an escarpment on the river bank ahead of them, and Nathxena knew they could both make it if they pushed a little harder. Nathxena, with all her might, ran faster than she had ever before and leaped from the top of the hill to the boat. She mistimed the jump in her rush, and landed on the aft edge of the vessel, catching herself on its wooden lip with her legs dangling in the water. As she looked up to pull herself up, Sariel peered over and reached out a hand to pull her up.

Dusting themselves off, they both smilled to one another as they realised they made it and were on track for their journey. A slender sea elf with deep veridian skin interlaced with earthen brown stripes approached them.

"Greetings! You two must be our last two passengers. My name is Himo, and I'm the owner of the Sturgeon." He said with a friendly wave and a wiry smile.

They were shown to where they would be sleeping for the rest of the journey, and where they could store their belongings. Their temporary domicile for the trip was a small cabin with twelve two leveled bunks. The cramped wooden room would be shared with twenty or so other travellers, but both girls were fine with that. Old fishing nets were hanging from the ceilings above and around the sets of bunk beds. Many of the other travellers had already started filling them with their own belongings, so they both did the same.

Nathxena began to untie her hair to help air it out after all the running. She hated it when it got wet, and even sweat annoyed her. She took the tie that she used to tie it and put it under her new pillow, along with a few pouches from her belts, as she wouldn't be needing them while relaxing. Thinking to herself, she had to admit that it was exciting having a few tendays away from the rest of the Arrowheads. She had really missed the adventuresshe and Sariel had gotten up to in their past and, was excited to make new memories. After these thoughts of adventure ran through her head she turned to face Sariel.

"Oh, what a a surprise, you're on top again." Sariel said sarcastically rolling her eyes as she noticed Nathxena looking at her.

"You don't usually complain... especially after a few glasses of wine." Nathxena teased her back.

Sariel jokingly scoffed as she hopped up onto Nathxena's bunk and hung down from her waist, her back against the bunks.

"Hey, would you mind finding out from Himo how long the trip is going to be to Parnast? I think I need a bit of a lie down after you made me sprint and jump onto this boat." asked Sariel.

Nathxena nodded and began walking up the small set of stairs in the room that lead to the deck.

"Wait, we both slept in. Don't blame me for the amount of drinks we both had last night!" She said halfway up the stairs, pointing her finger back jokingly.

"If we'd gone straight to sleep once we got to the room, we might have woken up in time." Sariel muttered just loud enough for Nathxena to hear

"I vividly remember your clothes on the floor first." She yelled out as she finished walking up the stairs.

Nathxena peered over the edge of the deck after she left the room. The barge was moving up the river at a steady pace, and Nathxena watched as the vessel made its way effortlessly through the running water like a warm knife through butter. She stretched her neck as she lifted her head, to help remedy some of last night's short sleep. While doing so, she spotted the green sea elf.

"Himo! Sorry to bother you, but how long will the trip to Parnast be?" She asked after walking up to Himo.

"Oh, uh... we aren't going to Parnast." He said with a confused voice.

"Wait, why not?" Nathxena said, concerned.

"Because it isn't connected to the river, or any river actually." He said to the now puzzled half-elf.

"The last stop is Loudwater, which is seventeen days away, and its a tenday's walk to Parnast." He said with an optimistic smile.

"Thanks Himo!" She said, embarrased at her lack of knowledge on the surface world.

Nathxena walked back down the stairs to the shared room.

"Seventeen days to Loudwater, and its a tenday's walk to Parnast from there." Nathxena stated to Sariel as if they hadn't even finished their conversation.

"Oh, thats a long time. I hope the girls back home will be fine." Sariel said in a slightly worried tone.

"Well if Emmy hasn't figured out that one of her books is missing." Nathxena said while walking over to her bunk and pulling out 'Sembia's Sordid History by Carolax Karoly' to add to her point. "They should be fine." She said, sitting on Sariel's bed below her own.

She was now face to face with Sariel, who was still in the same upside down position that she was before. Nathxena was somewhat worried that her blood would be getting to her head from hanging like that. Even upside down she couldn't help to notice how beautiful she was. Her auburn hair was pointed straight down like a horse hair paint brush, and as silly as this looked to her it didn't change a thing. Nathxena lifted a hand to Sariels cheek and held it ever so softly. It amazed her that someones skin could be so soft and warm.

"Hey, thanks for inviting me on this trip. I really needed it." She said, cracking a small smile. "After everything back in Menzoberranzan, I haven't had any quality time away with you like this. It feels like forever... It's as if you make me feel like a kid again, and not the bad times. The good times, like when I would play hide and seek behind mushrooms, or go exploring through the depths of the Underdark. I can't thank yo.." She said with a sincere and quiet voice before she was cut off by Sariel.

"Hey I know. I love you too" Sariel replied.

Nathxena began to sniffle a little. After a fierce mission alone dealing with the troubles of her own family, she had a lot of pent up emotions. She rarely opened up about the pain and tribulations of her own kin and Sariel was one of the few people she could trust.
Sariel moved her own hand to Nathxena's eye and wiped a couple of tears away that had began to form, to her partners dismay. She moved her hand to the back of the half-drow's neck and leant in for a kiss. Sariel was no novice to kissing and sometimes she was taken back by just how much emotion Nathxena could put into one. Every back and forth of pressure, every reset before pressing into each other again spoke more words than the half-drow let on.

"Sorry to get emotional like that. You know I don't enjoy it too much." Nathxena said, shying away from her own emotions.

"I know what will cheer you up." Sariel said, as she dropped onto her feet with the grace of a feline. "We can go swimming! There's a net on the side of the barge that people are relaxing in."

"You know I hate swimming" Nathxena said, looking up at her with sad eyes through her brow.

"Yes, but you love seeing me in the water... Besides, you're not really swimming, just relaxing in the water while the ship does all the work." Sariel replied with bubbly excitment in her voice in an attempt to cheer Nathxena up.

Nathxena nodded, then smiled and stood up. Sariel grabbed their swimwear as she gave Xena time to compose herself. She knew her well enough to know when she would need space and time.

"I'll meet you up there." Sariel said, giving her a wink as she made her way up to the deck.

* * *

Sariel and Nathxena were to the two last to get off the barge and waved at Himo. Standing on the pier, Nathxena realised how opportune of a time it would be to hold her partners hand. She gently placed her hand within Sariel's open palm, which caused her to instinctively move it then place it back once she realised what it was. Sariel locked her fingers between Nathxenas and gave her a loving smile.

"You should hold my hand more often." Sariel said, her smile audible.

"Maybe I should." Nathxena said smiling back.

The town of Loudwater was a medium sized town as far as Nathxena could tell. She could see a lush variety of greenery, including trees, shrubs and ground covers filling the sides of streets and surrounding the buildings. Large stone walls covered the town which were coated in vines. The canopies of forests and grottos peered from the edge of this wall, reminding her again of how beautiful and vibrant this town was.

Himo had reccomended them to stay at the Scarlet Shield, a roadhouse inn located south of the market, so they made their way straight there. As they approached, Nathxena noticed the warm amber light piercing through the windows of the inn into the black night around them. Sariel opened the red painted door with her elbow and forearm to counterbalance the bags she was carring, and immediately the smell of freshly baked bread wafted into their noses. The main entrance was decorated with homely intent. Red cotton lounge chairs and benches surrounded an incandescent fireplace, and on them were several patrons and adventurers chatting and enjoying each others company.

At the other side of the room was a cut out bench where an older human woman greeted them. Nathxena thought about how easy it was to hear every conversation, and how crisp the acoustics of the room were. It was much quieter than most inns and taverns and the whole building had a sense of respect and calmness.

"Are you two after a room?" The greying woman asked them.

"Yes we are. Can I add just how gorgeous this place is?" Sariel replied.

"Why thank you! But I'm afriad there is only one room left." She said shifting her tone to apolgetic.

"Oh, is there something wrong with it?" Nathxena said while looking away, still taking in the ambience of the room.

"No, it's just that there's only one bed." The innkeeper replied.

"Oh, don't worry! Thats how we first hooked up." Sariel said, non-chalant to the taboo of the conversation.

The innkeeper shot into a crimson fluster. "Oh, not a problem then. That will be six silver pieces." She replied.

Sariel reached into her coin purse and placed them into the slightly wrinked hand of the innkeeper. In return she was handed an intricate silver key with the number five etched into its bow. Sariel grasped the key tightly and gave the lady a small smile and a nod, then followed Nathxena up the stairs to their room. The room was decorated with handcrafted wooden furniture, as well as dried herbs and flowers. The smell reminded Nathxena of her time out in the Westwood with Valna, trailing a wyvern. The earthy smell of the wooden varnish and fresh lavendar hanging from a closet were powerful. Sariel dropped her bags and laid out on top of their bed like a starfish. She flailed her arms and legs back and forth mimicking making a snow angel.

"What are you doing?" Nathxena said, giggling as she sat on the bottom edge of the double bed, next to Sariel.

"Aaaah finaellie a dóuble bed." Sariel said, mimicking the accent of a mutual Athkatlan friend.

"You sound juuust like him." Nathxena said with a smile, laying her back on the soft bed with her feet still on the ground.

Nathxena looked to her right to Sariel as the all too energetic half-elf let out a puff finally relaxing. Sariel turned her head to face Nathxena with an all too familiar grin. Nathxena knew exactly what that grin meant - after all, she'd seen it too many times. There was a subtle difference between it and her other grins, all of them mischevious but with ther own slight differences.

"Don't you dare!" Nathxena said starting to laugh.

"Don't I dare what?" Sariel said back cheekily.

"I know what that face means." Nathxena replied starting to blush.

Sariel rolled to her left, on top of Nathxena, springing up on her knees and placing them at her girlfriends waist. She was far too quick for Nathxena and before she knew it her wrists were pinned against the bed. She could feel the weight of her lover on top of her wrists, directly on the bone. There was a sense of comfort in the discomfort.

"We'd better not oversleep again." Nathxena said as she was repeatedly kissed down the neck.

"Shhh." Sariel whispered.

* * *

Sariel woke up to the sound of clanking and rustling to their bedroom door. Someone was struggling to get in and wasn't being quiet about it either. Her instincts kicked in - after all, this wasn't the first time she had to defend herself against a would-be intruder. She gripped her dagger tightly and pressed her back against the wall alongside the door frame, ready for whatever was coming through that door. With a loud crash the door finally opened and Nathxena fell in, almost spilling the breakfast she had gotten for the two of them. Nathxena turned to face a stunned, half naked Sariel, ready to strike.

"What are you doing?" Nathxena asked.

"Oh, uh, nothing." Sariel said, now trying to hide the dagger behind the closet to her right. "You brought us food! You shouldn't have!" She continued loudly in a feined attempt to cover the sound of her dagger being dropped behind the closet, out of view.

"And I'm repaid by nearly being stabbed." She said, sarcastically, while putting the tray with the food on the bedside table. "I've got us bread, grapes, berries, and five different types of cheese." Nathxena said, pointing out each thing on the tray as she listed them off.

"Did you grab the cheese platter instead of a breakfast?" Sariel asked, head canted.

"You know I like dairy!" Nathxena pleaded back.

Sariel laughed with her and went on eating their food. The bread was okay, but the cheese was fantasic. Sariel thought about how much Nathxena must know how to pick the best possible cheeses. Xilrie, the chef at the Bronze Dragon, would have Xena select cheeses for dishes, but Sariel chuckled to herself as she remebered how often Nathxena would pretend to change her opinion on the best one so she could keep eating expensive cheese.

While going to pick up another bit of cheese, Sariel spotted a flyer on the tray below the plate.

"Xena, whats this? Sariel asked, holding the piece of parchment infront of the half-drow's face to get her to stop focusing on cheese.

"Mmm! Oh, that's a bounty that I saw on a board - downstairs. Yeah I thought we could - make fun of him while we - ate cheese." She said, stopping and starting each time she chewed on the piece of bread and cheese in her mouth.

The poster framed a remarkably detailed sketch of orc with long black dreadlocks flowing over his shoulders like thick knited strands. The figure bore two large tusks from his lower jaw where any other humanoid's cainine teeth would be. His left tooth was chipped slightly at the top and his right had been cracked almost in twain. His jaw was crowned with two braided strands feeding down just above his pectoral muscles. Sariel scanned the image more and noticed a scar and missing tissue around his left notstril. All of these features told their own story to her. She had studied many remorseless and savage men before and this was clearly one to her. Interested in just how much money he was going for she continued down past his chest and the frame.

'300 gold pieces for Orec the Stolen' it read in a hand-written font.

"Wanted for robbery and murder." Sariel said excitedly.

"What's he look like?" Nathxena said, snatching the page while scoffing down a cheese with a goey centre. "And... he's your type." Xena said cracking a goofy smile with a full mouth.

"Y'know I did some digging before I came to you for this quest. Apparently a few Orcs have been spotted along the Black Road. Reports are they're scoping out caravans for raids - quite possibly our caravan." Sariel said while looking over the poster to make a mental note of the figures features. "It says here we should speak to... Cayd Glitterhill in Parnast for more information. That's our first stop then!" She continued with excitement.

Sariel quickly grabbed a few berries off the tray before Nathxena could eat everything. She quickly scoffed them down and grabbed her partner by the hand.

"Let's get some rations and supplies then hit the road, we have a long trip to Parnast!" She said as she pulled Nathxena off the bed, nearly making her drop a slice of cheese.

* * *

Nathxena swatted a fly away from her face that had been orbiting her for a few minutes now. She was surprised that it could even keep up with the one horse shay that they had hired. The ladies' personal driver was a small gnome by the name of Zanros, a charasmatic larrikin who didn't miss a chance for a joke. He was more than happy to take them to Parnast on his trip to visit his daughter and mother in the town. It was a mildly tight fit, the three sitting abreast, but luckily the two half-elves were somewhat small themselves.

"So why is it that you travel so far for your work?" Sariel asked the balding Gnome.

"Well miss, I was hired by the Lords' Alliance to help rebuild the town of Uluvin after those giant attacks on the town, back in the Year of the Scarlet Witch, ole 1491." He said, pointing backwards on the road as if the town was directly behind them. "As luck had it, a band of adventurers saved the town from the giant attacks and pushed them back into the hills." He continued.

Nathxena looked over the gnome sitting between the two of them and raised an eyebrow in Sariel's direction, to ask if said adventurers were the Lord Ardentor, herself and, the baron of Nightstone. Sariel shook her head and shrugged her shoulders to let her know it wasn't. Both ladies had zoned out the gnome who couldn't keep his mouth shut. Nathxena thought the man had either not spoken to anyone in months or was just nervous with two ladies in his carriage. Either way, she was just happier they'd get to Parnast quicker than on foot.

"Woah there!" Zanros barked, as the horse drawing them begain to raise its forelegs in fright.

They came to a crushing halt, as along the road was a skulk of foxes gnawing its way through the wreck of a caravan. Zanros gestured for both ladies to dismount as he tried to calm the white mare down. Sariel and Nathxena decided to have a look at the burnt caravan resting its carcass on a dirt mound. As they approached, the distinct peircing call of the foxes echoed throughout the area, bouncing off nearby hills like an ampitheatre.

The scene infront of them depicted a robbery with rubble strewn along the charred grass, and the burnt corpses of two horses laying in their final resting spots. Nathxena stepped over bits of ash, burnt planks and wheel spokes, and bone, to stand over a charred body. Sariel in the mean time checked the body the carriage for any signs of life, missed treasure, but more importantly clues. Some time passed as Xena checked the corpse for signs of how long it had been there. Most of the burnt flesh had been picked at and maggots had made their way into the skull and bone marrow. While kneeling over the poor soul she noticed Sariel's boots in the ash next to her.

"Found anything?" She said, turinng her head to the right and straining her neck to look up at Sariel.

"No, nothing major, just some axe marks in the inside of the carriage and on some of the empty crates. I hope they put up a fight before they passed." Sariel said somberly. "How about you?" She returned the question.

"Just over a tenday old." She said back in a cold voice with very little inflection, as if the scene infront of them were mundane.

"I don't want to know how you know what a tenday's old charred body looks like." Sariel said, genuinely concerned about her lover, as this was not the first time Nathxena had been nonchalant about morbid topics.

"See the holes where the maggots have ha.." She replied before being cut off by Sariels finger on her lips.

Sariel lifted her finger and pointed at a post with a skull resting on it on the farside of the debris. They approached it, and Sariel took a closer look. She spotted something wrong with the skull's teeth and pointed them out to Nathxena.

"See the cracked canines?" She said with her finger just shy of touching one. "This is our guy." She continued, wiping the finger she used on her skirt.

"Wait, how could that be.. oh, you mean his handiwork, yeah I should have figured that out." Nathxena said awkwardly curling her lips together while looking at an unamused Sariel.

"We're on the right track then." Sariel said over the sound of a gnome calming his horse.

They both watched as Zanros pulled a cord that let down a ladder to the seat of the carriage to accomodate his height. He turned to them and gave them a thumbs up from his thin and short fingers. They both hopped up and onto the carriage sitting on either side of Zanros as he requested and they were off.

"Say, ladies, I've got a joke to cheer you up a little." He said with a smile.

Nathxena and Sariel looked at each other over him, as this was the sixteenth joke per their count.

"Okay... how do you tell if a Sembian can swim?" He asked them, looking left to right for an answer.

Just as Nathxena was about to reply to the joke Emmy had told them before to ruin the punchline she was cut off.

"Throw a coin in the river and see if he drowns." He said then bursting out into laughter at his own joke, where both ladies could only awkwardly laugh along with their new travelling companion.

* * *

The wheels on the carriage crackled and thumped as they made their way over ditches and mounds in the rough road heading into Parnast. Nathxena smiled at Sariel, joyous that they were spending quality time together. She felt the cool wind blow on her hair and face, which was a respite from the sweat of the rest of the day. Sariel began telling Nathxena about the town and its past with the Zhentarim and the Cult of The Dragon. She watched as Nathxena's eyes made their way down her body clearly not paying attention to the valuable information that was being shared.

"Hey, are you even paying attention?" Sariel said after stopping her debrief for a few seconds.

"Yeah uhh.. Zhents, Dragons, Tiamat, small town. Got it all." Nathxena said now looking up directly at Sariel's eyes.

"Whats on your mind?" Sariel replied

She felt a shake go through her whole body as Zanros didn't see a poor part of the gravel below them. Still trying to talk to her girlfriend and partner in crime about the issues in Parnast, she caught Xena's brown eyes look ever so slightly down. Another pot hole a second later and she did it again. Sariel thought for a second and realised quickly what was going on, as she felt a wave of force go through her body after another pothole was hit.

"ARE YOU...!?" Sariel yelled over the sound of the moving carriage before stopping herself shocked.

"Doing what?" Nathxena said darting her eyes down again, as she slid Zanros a silver piece without taking her eyes away.

"ARE YOU PAYING HIM TO DO THIS?!" She continued yelling.

Zanros looked up at Nathxena to his right and then back at Sariel on his left watching them both.

"Hey, this works on both of us don't forget." Nathxena said with a devlish grin.

They both chuckled loudly and Xena snorted. Zanros on the other hand felt a wave of relief wash over him.

"Well ladies, we're here!" Zanros announced, said ladies not even realising they were there already.

They both thanked Zanros for his help, and gave him a generous tip for his time on top of what they had paid him already. Nathxena stretched her back after a long and arduous trip from Loudwater. She grabbed their bags from behind their shared bench seat and waved goodbye to the gnome, as he rode away to what was certainly his house. Zanros was kind enough to drop them off at the Golden Tankard, the only inn in town. A gold painted sign swung back and forth, making an abrasive sound of metal on metal, screeching as it swung.

The ladies entered a corridor that reeked of musk and stale air. A tarnished sliver push bell sat on a bench on the other side of the hallway, the only thing on what Nathxena assumed to be the counter or innkeeper's desk. They decided to approach the counter and as they did, each greyish wooden floorboard beneath their feet creaked with each step. Nathxena layed a finger over the button on the bell to ring it but just before she could, a slender human man dressed in a blue tunic and grey pants walked out of a door along the hallway's walls.

"Ah, a customer! Welcome to the Golden Tankard. What can I help you with?" He said slowly and precisely.

"We would like a room for the night, if there is one free?" Nathxena asked looking around for room numbers on the three connecting doors in the room.

"We happen to have full vacancy tonight. Would you like our largest room?" He asked gesturing to the same door he just came out of.

"Yeah, that will do perfectly." Sariel said, clearly uneasy.

"That will be four silver pieces please." He said as Nathxena started counting money.

He watched as the coins were placed on the counter one by one. Once all four were there he looked up at the women with a slight smile. He stepped around from the counter with a key in hand. and opened the door he had entered through for them. A dimly lit set of stairs made their way up into darkness. The man pulled a candlestick and holder from a wall cutout in on the other side of the door and lit it. He held up the candle and signalled for them follow him up the set of stairs. Nathxena could see that the wood on a number of the stairs was rotting a black colour with bits of white striped within. The stairs sounded audibly hollow as they climbed them. which began to put both ladies on edge. Nathxena made sure her dagger was still attached to her waist to be used if need be.

The stairs lead to another corridor with a few rooms attached, Nathxena making a note of the numbers on each door. As they reached the end of the hallway the man stopped at door numbered '10'. He flicked through a ring of keys and selected one, inserted it into its hole, then proceedded to knock on the door before entering the room.

At least they valued privacy no matter what, Nathxena thought to herself.

"Here you are ladies, this is your key for the stay." He said with a smile as he removed key number ten from his keyring.

Sariel took the key and waved at him back as he left the room. Their room for the coming night was a room with wooden decor that matched the floor in colour, with a bay window on the side of the wall opposite the bed. Nathxena sat on the ledge of the window and let go of her bags to a thump.

"Did the wanted poster say whereabouts in Parnast we would meet our would be employer?" Nathxena asked.

Sariel pulled out the flyer she had stored in her bag. "Yes, the Glitterhill family home located on the south side of Parnast." She replied and rolled the flyer up again, being careful not to ruin in.

"Lets get out and have a talk with him the more information we can get on this guy the better. Nathxena said.

Sariel nodded and the two headed out of the raggedy inn.

The streets were still rather quiet but the sounds of chatter could be heard, now that the sun was higher up in the sky. The ladies made their way down a few dirt paths, by small cottage homes. A few residents could be seen hiding in their domiciles looking out their windows at the strangers roaming their town. The eventually approached a small single story round cottage with a thatched roof. Nathxena approached the stained wooden door and nocked. The sound of short steps became louder and louder until the door swung open. A halfling man with short blond hair and a full blond beard presented himself.

"Are you Cayd Glitterhill?" Nathxena asked, now looking down at the halfling.

"Yes, that would be me." He replied.

"Are you the one that posted the bounty?" She said, scanning the surrounding street for something.

"We haven't found him yet, but we'd like some information on our target." Sariel said, peering around Nathxena's shoulder.

"Aye, come in then." He said, opening the door for the two.

The cottage was decorated with the small furniture befitting of a halfling. Several pelts and hides hung from the walls in the circular room and a fireplace was at the center surrounded by chairs. Cayd gestured for them to take a seat in the circle, and he brought over a tea set for them to drink on. Nathxena sat down on one of the stools and had her knees nearly at her face from how short its legs were.

"So, I'll tell you everything I know." Cayd said offering each of them a cup of tea. "My wife, Pella, worked as a caravan guard. It's honest living and works quite well for us 'cause theres plenty of caravans coming through town." He said, pouring himself tea in a small silver cup.

"A mercenary group called the Lostmen have been operating throughout the Black Road. They never used to be criminals like they are now, but something happened and they have been since slaughtering entire caravan groups." He said, finishing his tea quickly.

"They're lead by Orec the Stolen, a ruthless bastard that leaves his mark everywhere he goes." He said somberly.

"We've seen one of his effigies." Nathxena replied.

"Aye, I hope the same hasn't happened to my Pella. She had left with a caravan heading into the Anauroch. After about a tenday, I hadn't seen her owl Fleabag, who she sends back with little messages for me to stop me being so lonely." Cayd replied, shaking slightly as he poured more tea for himself. "Please bring my wife home if you can. One way or another." He pleaded.

"We will, Cayd." Nathxena said to reassure him.

They got up and thanked the halfling for his hospitality, then left the small cottage.

"Hmm, a mercenary company gone rogue. That's a first for us." Sariel said.

"I hope we aren't in over our heads." Nathxena added.

While walking through the town, Sariel wondered aloud. "Why haven't the Zhents done anything about this? The Black Road is their pet project, and they don't like competition."

Nathxena could only shrug in reply.

The two girls made their way back to the inn for the night. They decided not to trust the cooking of the innkeeper and ate rations instead, as they were both put on edge by the ambience and state of the inn itself. Sariel lay in Nathxena's arms throughout the night. Xena loved feeling the comfort of Sariel's breath and warmth as they slept. While she was quite the fan of being the cuddler, she didn't mind being the cuddled when it was her turn.

The girls were woken up to the sound of clunking and the rustling of their brass door knob being fussed with. Nathxena, being as silent as possible, picked up the crossbow from under their bed, and Sariel her dagger from under the pillow. They both laid in bed to not make any sound while aiming, ready for anything to come through their door. A loud thunk echoed throughout their room followed by cursing from a man, right after their door started to creak open. Nathxena realised how unexperienced this would be assailant was because of the way he walked, not being able to conceal thesound of his footsteps which was something a rookie learnt. He eventually opened the door enough for him to step into their room. They couldn't make him out fully, but he was tall and hunched, and wore thick leather armour.

As he looked directly at them, blade drawn, Nathxena let loose a bolt directly into his chest, puting him on the ground immediately. A massive thud shot throughout the room and connecting hallway, as the hefty man slammed to the ground, groaning. Nathxena stood over the man in her smallclothes as Sariel did on the other side. She grabbed a healing potion from her bag and kneeled next to the person. Sariel lit a candle, revealing the assassin. He was a half-orc with dull yellow skin and small tusks.

"Tell me who sent you and I'll let you live, otherwise..." Nathxena said playing with the edge of her dagger on her finger.

The half-orc coughed up blood. "I think you know exactly who sent me," he said with a grin.

Nathxena began opening the potion, but was hit on the arm with a pellet of spit from the half-orc.

"Let me die, like Gruumsh would want." He said, disgusted at their attempt to save his life.

He breathed shallowly one last time, and his eyes rolled back into his head. Nathxena got up and locked the door to no avail, as the lock was now broken. She sighed and joined Sariel in getting dressed. They then searched his pockets for anything of use, any clues to the attack. Inside the left breast pocked of his leather coat was a sketch of both women searching through the wreck of the caravan they spotted before arriving at Parnast. Sariel showed Nathxena causing her to make a pouting expression.

"Well, it looks like we are no longer safe here. We'd best get our things and be on the way." Nathxena said, upset that they could no longer sleep.

Sariel nodded, and began packing up their things that were spread out across the room, while Nathxena looked for a way to fix the lock on the door. Trying a bit more Nathxena realised that her attempts were futile as the bolt had been completely dislodged.

"We've got to go." Sariel said, with her hand on Nathxena's shoulder.

The sound of their skittish steps matched Nathxena's heart rate, as they flew down the stairs. She knew they had to make it out of town fast, and knew that this would mean an unprepared trip into the desert.

* * *

The two women made their way through the Anauroch Desert in search for the caravan through sweltering heat and chilling night. Sand had made it into nearly every part of Nathxena's clothes, she could feel it pelt across her face and trickle its way down her neck into the folds of her clothes. They had changed into the clothes they had brought for this very occurance however it still could not hold the tide of the unrelenting sea of sand. The dread of travelling by foot had very well and truly taken its toll on them.

"Hey that looks like a good place to stop!" Yelled Nathxena over the gusts of heat and sand.

Nathxena turned around to see sariel covering her face with her elbow against the wind. Unsure of if she had been loud enough she began to make her way off the road and to her surprise Sariel followed suite either by habbit or acknowledgement.

Nathxena dropped and lay down in the shade of the hill she spotted. The sand was stopped in its tracks by the incline of sand and flat escarpment of exposed stone. The shade and cover provided the perfect spot of respite they needed. Nathxena stood up after catching a break seeing Sariel doing the same.

"You okay?" She asked.

"The sand, the heat, I hate it." Sariel replied visibly exhausted.

Nathxena leant in wiping the sand off of her partners forehead and gave it a kiss.

"I'll set out shelter up." She replied softly.

Nathxena searched through their bags for tools, rations, and their tent. All of them covered in sand, it was hard to tell it all apart. She smiled as she pulled out a large waterskin, holding it up for all the sand to fall off.

"Here Sariel." Nathxena said passing her lover the waterskin.

Sariel gulped down the water and let out a large gasp for air.

"Thanks" Sariel replied with water dribbling its way down her chin.

Nathxena smiled knowing that Sariel was unaware of the situation and began to upack their sleeping gear.

The night crept in and before they knew it they were using the warmth of their fire to keep the cold away. Nathxena played with Sariel's hair through the night to make sure she was sleeping well.

* * *

The ladies trudged their way though the desert sands until Nathxena shot out her arm across Sariels chest.

"Wait, look up ahead," She said over the wind.

There was a burning caravan in the distance, items strewn out across the dunes. Seven heavily clad figures were searching through the belongings. The two made their way closer trying not to be seen.

Having gotten closer now. They could see a six heavily armoured humanoids scouring their way through the internals of a caravan, similar to the one they had seen days before. One of the brutes had a thick black fur cloak adorning his wolf shapped helmet and shining plate armour. They watched as he reached down into the wreckage and grabbed a man by the neck and held him up.

A deep voice beckoned from the helmet of the largest one, but what he was saying couldn't be made out over the howling of the desert winds. What could be heard however is the splitting of the mans back over the platted knee of the figure like a felled tree.

Nathxena readied her crossbow and gave a nod to Sariel. These were either the orcs they were looking for or bandits that needed to be killed at the least. Sariel nodded back and made her way past rocks and hills closer to the wreckage.

Nathxena watched as her partner effortlessly snuck out of sight to and from cover until she reached the sandstone escarpment behind the caravan. Sariel made the first strike, throwing a knife into the eye slot on the visor of the first combatant with a scream then thud as they smashed into the sand. She followed through by slashing the knee of the second as she ran past.

Xena fired a bolt into the back of the now hamstrung bandit, which pierced through the plate to the sound of crashing metal as another target was dispatched. She quickly reloaded as another enemy rushed toward Sariel with a weighted maul swinging directly into her side. The ever-so-quick half-elf managed to just dodge it but fall backwards onto her back.

Seeing the increasing danger Nathxena fired another bolt into the open helmet of what she could now see was an orc. It landed directly into his nose with enough force to push him backwards killing him. She watched throw her empty crossbow as Sariel jumped to her feet giving a slight wave and rushing to swing at the next orc.

Xena's eyes darted to the top of the cliff as an orc snuck up on to the horizon with a javelin in hand. She let her breath out to steady her aim and slot a new bolt into its grove and tight string. A single bead of sweat made its way from her brow onto her nose as she began to put pressure on the trigger. Just as she was about to finish the pull the distinct sound of crushing sand came from behind her ear.

She rolled to her left as a longsword landed in the sand where she once lay. She immediately let lose a bolt into the left leather pauldron of the orc but he remained unphased as he dove towards her. He landed with his hands on her neck causing a shooting pain throughout her body. Through the intense pain she struggled to let her crossbow go and attempt to push the body weight of the orc off her. His eyes were deep as he stared her down, his hands getting tighter and slightly closer together. She could only watch his gritting teeth as she became weaker and weaker, helpless to her enemy.

* * *

Nathxena's eyelids parted to a bright light which quickly faded to a flame lit sandstone cavern. The all too familiar sound of water dropping from a cave ceiling was the first thing she heard. Attempting to gather her new surrounding she twisted her neck with a sharp pain down shooting from her skull down. Looking to her right she saw Sariel, bound and gagged still unconcious, beaten and bruised. Her hair was covered in dried blood and flies swarmed the open wounds along her shoulder. Xena flet the same gag and bindings across her own body as she struggled to shift any weight in her body.

Clanking metal and footsteps approached from her right while she struggled like prey in a trap. A face made its way into her view, surrounded in long black dreaded tendrils creating a veil from the torchlight that lit the cave. He kneeled closer to her and straighted up his back which pulled the hair out of his face. Two tusks protruded from the bottom of the orcs mouth and skin was missing from his left nostril. Orec smiled as he watched the helpless half-elf below him.

"Was about time you two caught up to us." Orec growled showing his cracked tooth as he parted his lips.
"Sappharzok my lord, would you like me to execute these two?" He said standing up, turning around and placing his hand on the pommel of his longsword.

"Thric, dronilnr astahi ekess ve." Hissed throughout the chamber, echoing off of its pale golden walls.

"Lae sia ith huvenic." Replied Orec.

Nathxena was picked up by two sets of claws along her arms and legs. She could feel their hardend scales and thick claws through her sheer outfit. They bobbed her as they carried her along their path. While moving she caught a glimpse of a now awake Sariel who looked at her wide eyed and clearly worried. The two of them were sat infront of an large, azure coloured dragon resting atop a mound of gold. The mound was made up of what could have only been thrity caravans full of treasure.

Sappharzok moved his head slowly toward the two half-elves with an uncanny grin.
"These two will be my pets. Perhaps even trophys for the time being." He said finishing with a laugh.

The kobolds surrounding the two began cackling and yapping creating a crowd of noise in the cave. It was almost deafening until it was quickly silenced by an even louder roar and cracking from the maw of the dragon.

"Watch over them and prepare them whatever left overs there are." He commanded the crowd to which they ushered away.

Sariel and Nathxena were taken through a passage that was only lit by a few candles, to a small hearth being worked by a darker kobold with an apron and a small white hat.

"SIT THEM OVER THERE." The tiny chef barked at the ladies carriers.

Two make shift chairs were dragged along the ground to the side of the room and the girls were forced onto them. Nathxena was worried that the chair that was far too small for her and tied together with some sort of twine or sinue would snap, and Sariel felt a few splinters lodge their way into the behind of her thighs.

"Maybe no pants does have its downside." She thought to herself.

"Welcome my guests!" The chef shouted with clearly no understanding of what an 'inside voice' is.
"Today I will be serving the finest of scraps for you." He said while scrapping the meat off of a bone with a knife.

He began mixing together whatever was in the large wooden bowl infornt of him with the same knife used previously. The mixture sounded wet as it slished and sloshed with each flimsied movement of the knife within. Just as Nathxena could have gotten a glimpse as to what exactly being prepared with the rushed and forceful movements of the knife the chef turned his back to them with bowl in hands. He grabbed a small bottle filled with a red powder on the bench behind him and began tapping the contents into the bowl.

Whilst maybe not skilled by any means, he defintely put in the effort to make a dish, which Xena found amusing. This amusement was cut short as he turned around and flipped the bowl upside down, ready to pour into two small wooden bowls below. Nothing happend for a few seconds until the sound of suction being released came from the bowl as a thick brown slop flopped into one of the bowls below. The sound reminded Sariel of some awfuly bad kissers she dealt with, far too wet, and far too sloppy.

The bowl now fully inverted was tapped on the inverted bottom as hit hang over the second bowl. The same sloppy mixture made its way into the second bowl with a thump as it hit the bowl below causing it to spin. The chef stopped the spin as he grabbed the bowl and slid both of them across the table toward them. Another kobold walked to them carrying two small two pronged forks, both of them bent and brashed. Nathxena thought for a second if kobolds even knew how to use forks and was abruptly interrupted by the smell of the dish infront of her.

The stentch burned her nostrils as it filled them up on its journey to her brain. It was if the dragon just down the corridor had burnt them herself. It was bitter and acidic and that only matched its brown colour. Sariel could only imagine it as some sort of dough as a bubble of trapped air made its way to the surface, showing a strip of flesh that had been removed from the bone before.

"You ladies must be hungry for food!" The chef said with a smile.
"Take the ropes off them and sock from their mouths." He commanded to the kobold that had brough them their forks.

As the rope was removed from Nathxena's wrists an instant relief gave in as she ran her inex finger and thumb around where the binds once were. With the gag out of her mouth she was one step closer to freedom, now she just needed to untie her feet.

"Well?... What are you waiting for eat or it will get cold!" The chef shouted while Xena distinctly remembered no heat ever being involved in the vile meals creation.

She looked to her right where Sariel was sat and she was meat with a grim look. They were far too weak to fight back and had nothing more than a fork and the clothes on their back. Xena moved her gaze down to the bowl in front of her and picked up her crude fork. She stabbed it into the mixture and was met with significant force, as she managed to pull some of it up on the fork. She looked at Sariel one last time before taking a bite, as Sariel had lifted the entire bowl up with her fork, with the contents in one whole piece.

Begrudgingly taking her first small bite the slop stuck to the roof of her mouth as she tried to swallow. There wasn't any flavour at all and it went down with some effort. All was okay until she took her first breath. The spice made its way through her whole lungs as if a fire had been set within them. She began coughing uncrontollably and Sariel followed, to which laugheter and barking filled the room from the Kobolds.

"Water." Sariel managed to get out while Nathxena was thinking that death might have been a better.

"Oh you want water?" One of the Kobolds said as he picked up a bucket and splashed it over the both of them.

More laughter errupted as Nathxena tried to lick even some of the drops of water off of her face to soothe her tongue. Sudded a large crackle of thunder shook the cavern causing everyone to go silent.

"Dragon is angry, time to put on a show." A Kobold yelled from another corridor on the other side of the room.

The Kobolds removed the binds from the ladies feet and ushered them into another room. This room was filled with different outfits and pieces of clothing. Trunks filled the back wall of the room all brandishing the name G.F. Theatre. One Kobold rushed to the left of the room and grabbed two outfits made of black and white material.

"Here put these on." He said with a hurried tone.

Sariel unwravelled the mess of the clothes and examined them.

"This is a maid outfit." She said confused.

"PUT IT ON NOW!" One of the kobolds barked.

Sariel and Nathxena stripped down to their smallclothes and put the costumes on. Xena needed some help adjusting her headpiece and Sariel gave her a smile.

"Got any plans to get us out of here?" Xena whispered to her lover who fixing the headpiece.

"I was hoping you had one." She replied back.
Sariel gave her a quick kiss before they turned around to their captors.

"Ewwwww" Shouted one Kobold whitnessing the kiss, "You humans are gross!" Said another, clearly not aware that they were only half human.

"Disgusting kissing ladies get out before dragon is mad." Barked one as they were pushed out through the lit corridoor back into the main chamber.

A pile of ash was sprayed out across the floor infront of the massive dragon looking at the two of them unammused. A small burnt jesters cap accompanied the ash, which was now clearly the large crack of thunder they heard before.

"The last one of my entertainers was insolent. Lets hope you aren't the same." The dragon said huffing small blue sparks out of his nostrils as he did.

Sariel had grabbed a small broom as they were pushed through the kitchen earlier and walked over the ashes. She began sweeping the ash up mindlessly.

"What a silly bastard, he should have been funnier." Sariel said in a silly accent as she was sweeping, to which the dragon chuckled.

Nathxena, confused and slightly scared began to join Sariel. Not having anything to sweep with she began using her hands to move the ash closer to Sariel. The dragon began laughing at them as they moved the ash around fruitlessly with nothing to scoop the mess up with.

The laughter soon faded as the girls were still doing the same act. Xena looked up at the dragon who was now visibily displeased. She quickly stood up off of her hands and knees and something took over her. Without thinking she bluttered out.

"My, what a large horde you have mister dragon." she said in a voice much higher in pitch than her own.

"Well yes it is quite large isn't it, little ant." The dragon replied.

"Well it looks like it could use some cleaning, don't you think?" She said waiting for the command.

"Yesss.... perhaps it could be shiner." He said smiling. "You, bring her a towel and some polish." He said pointing a wing at a small Kobold.

The Kobold ran the half-drow a cloth and a bottle of a black liquid, and Xena thanked him. She began skipping over to the horder and singing which made the dragon laugh. She began polishing some of the bigger pieces in the horde and the dragon was very ammused. While polishing he scanned the cave for her partner, who was nowhere to be seen. Hoping that there was a plan she began polishing away while humming.

"Say sir, where did you get this one?" She said holding up a golden crown and scrubbing the polish into it.

"Hmm, let me think." He replied, then pausing. "Hand it over so I can have a closer look." He said as he snaked his head closer to Xena, now face to face. He grabbed the crown with a hand that was so big it made the once regal headpiece look like a ring. The scream of a Kobold above interrupted any thought as it rapidly made its way down to the floor of the cave from above. A large splat echoed through the chamber as all heads shot to the ceiling.

As Xena looked up she saw Sariel holding a knife standing next to a freshly cut rope. This rope was supporting a sandstone pillar within the cave and it quickly tumbled. It crashed into another much larger pillar which made its way from the bottom of the cave to the top. Cracks started to appear all over the surface of the main pillar supporting the cave, and Xena knew it was time to leave.

Dashing as hard as she could she bolted towards the sunlight of the gaping cave enterance. The sight of hills of sand and blue sky filled her vision as waves of air and roaring gushed at her from behind. Large peices of sandstone began smashing around her causing her to dodge and duck between them. Sariel slid down a cut out ramp alongside her and shouted out to get her attention. As she caught up with Xena a powerful force of wind pushed them out and into the sand dunes and the cavern collapsed completely.

* * *

Flailing her arms to move all the sand off of her, Nathxena gasped a lung full of the stuff. She shook the sand out of her hair as Sariel patted her off.

"When did you sneak away?" Nathxena asked after catching her breath.

"After you... started to get carried... away." Sariel said, in between short rapid gasps.

"Here" Sariel said as she tossed Nathxena's bag next to her. "I managed to grab these before I left."

Nathxena smiled as she opened her bag containing all of her gear besides the rations.

"Where's the food?" Nathxena asked.

"Kobolds." Sariel replied with a wry smile.

The two immediately got changed into their armour and armed themselves again. Nathxena was doing up the straps on her wrist guards as she watched the surrounding horizon. On a hill in the distance she spotted something. A humanoid figure making its way towards them. She watched as it carried and helmet in its hands and then placed it on its head. The distinct shape of a wolf's head was the helmet it was wearing. Orec marched toward them, swinging his sword with his wrist and bashing it against his shield.

The once shining armour that Xena had seen before was now covered in sand shining only glimpses of the sun back at them. He rushed forward and Xena immediately readied a bolt in her crossbow, levelling it to his head. Sariel noticed and readied her daggers and moved to meet him in the sand. Xena let a bolt out and Orec flicked his shield up catching it with the wood on the centre, causing it to stick there. Unphased he ran to Sariel and met her blade with his. A clashing of steel rang throughout the sands as they battled.

Xena loaded and shot as quickly as she could, but couldn't manage to sufficiently pierce his plate armour. He was littered with bolts, some stuck in the armour and even more in the shield while still matching Sariel blow for blow. Orec kicked Sariel right in the stomach as she went for an attack, startling her. As she was staggered back he went for a finishing blow, to which Xena replied with a bolt into his sword arm. He grunted with pain, recoiling slightly, allowing Sariel to dodge the fumbled attack.

The brute of a man, dropped his shoulder into the small half-elf he was engaged with, causing her to go tumbling down the dune. He turned his attention to Nathxena, and she could see his eyes between the grate in his visor. Rushing toward her she let loose one last bolt and readied her sword. The bolt having slid off the shaping in his chestpiece only ripped through his fur lining. The rage behind his first swing against Nathxena nearly knocked the sword out of her hands as she parried.

She tumbled out of the way of the next attack and barely managed to block an overhand swing against her. The orc moved in a rythmic pattern, as if he was trained regimentally. Overhand, backhand, thrust, like she was a training dummy that he was only refining his skills against. With each swing Nathxena could feel herself getting weaker and weaker as he unrelentingly laid into her. Helpless she tried to block his attacks, trying to match the tempo of his movements as she was forced onto her back.

Sariel shouted as she jumped on to the back of the beast, getting an excellent grip on his pauldrons. She flipped her dagger and drove it into his neck, causing him to yell. Almost unphased, he elbowed the heroine on his back causing her to fall, and readied his sword to finish off the target on the ground. Orec cast a shadow on Xena as she got back onto her feet, ready to fight. Sariel ran again at the orc landing a perfect blow across his arm with her dagger drawing blood out of the impenetrable suit of armour. Xena angled her sword towards the orc and thrust with all her might as jumped behind him and kicked him onto it.

The splitting of armour and flesh was all they could hear as he fell onto his knees and Nathxena's blade. The orc's armour was covered in blood, and the fur was stained red. He rolled to the left and onto his back as he let go of his sword and shield. Lying on the sand he took his helmet off and coughed up dark red blood from his mouth. Looking up into the sun he took one last breath, as the sun beat down relentlessly on the three of them.

Sariel approached him and cut off one of his dreads which contained a few golden rings, as Nathxena sat on the ground exhausted. Her arms were aching and she was completely out of breath. Sariel approached her with the bounty proof in hand and gave her a hug. The hug immediatley lifted the pressure of the world off of her shoulders as through the pain she embraced her partner.

"Are you alright?" Sariel asked, concerned.

"Yeah... and you?" Xena replied.

Sariel nodded and sat down next to her.

* * *

As the two began walking through the desert to collect their bounty - and possibly make it back to shade, food, and water - they heard the sound of beating wings. Up in the sky was the shape of a dragon, its wings flapping effortlessly as it soared through the air. Xena went to grab her crossbow to face the dragon from earlier, still battered and bruised, but Sariel stopped her arm.

"Trust me." She said reaffirmingly, and Xena let go of the stock of her weapon.

The dragon circled and dove down to land next to them.

"There you are!" Zelifarn the young bronze dragon excitedly said.

With a sigh of relief, Xena turned to Sariel. "You planned this, didn't you?"

"I thought ahead." Sariel replied with a smile. "Ready for one more ride?"