Forgiveness
The girl who answered the door left no doubt in Xena's mind that she had come to the right place. The girl looked up at them, it was clear she was nervous around these woman; a warrior and her sidekick. Both of the women where at least two feet taller then her.
Gabrielle was the first to talk, "Hi there. Is there any grown ups we can talk to?" The girl shock her head. Gabrielle continued, "I'm Gabrielle and this is Xena. Who might you be?"
The girl answered after a moment, "Meg."
Gabrielle smiled, "We are travelers. We have come hoping for some lodging for the night."
The girl continued to stare at them until a voice was heard from within by an older girl "Meg! What are you doing?" She appeared at the door, "Go finish up your chores." She hustled the girl away. Once Meg was gone the older girl started to speak, "I'm sorry she is so quiet but curious. I'm Carnation and I overheard you say you needed lodgings for a night?"
Xena finally spoke, "Yes and we'll gladly pay you for your troubles."
Carnation nodded, "No need you are most welcome to what we have. It isn't a lot but do come in." Once they were both inside they took a look around the place. There were some cracks in the walls and some places were in need of desperate repair but overall it seemed cozy. "This is a home for children run by Miss Sophie, you will meet her when she gets back from town."
Xena looked around besides Meg there were no children in sight, "Where are the others?"
Carnation looked sad, "Most of them died a short while ago by some fever. Meg and another boy were the only survivors."
"That's terrible!" Gabrielle exclaimed.
Carnation nodded, "5 in all were taken. Left Miss Sophie devastated."
Looking around the place and into Carnations eyes, she didn't believe the children had been taken through an illness. Something was going on here and she intended to find out what.
As Gabrielle and Xena ate their evening meal they were both aware of tiny eyes watching them from behind a barrel. Gabrielle knew because she was sitting where she could see the girl and Xena because she could hear the girl breathing. For the afternoon the two women had been resting in their for the night room. They both had been invited to eat so now they were eating a meal of fish and rolls. Gabrielle finally got tired of the girl watching them and said in her usual innocent voice, "You can come out now. We won't hurt you. Come sit and eat with us."
Although very timid Meg was persuaded by food. She stood up from where she hid and eyed them over again. The blond woman waved her over so she joined them, never taking her eyes off of Xena and Xena's weapons. A few silent moments followed as Meg took a seat on Gabrielle's side of the table. She finally had the courage to ask Xena, "Are you a warrior?" Xena nodded very aware of how Meg had been looking at her. Meg asked again in the same timid voice, "Who do you fight for?"
Xena answered in a calm voice afraid to scare the child, "People who need help. For the greater good."
The child gave a slight smile and asked Gabrielle, "What do you do?"
Gabrielle answered while she fixed the girl a roll and put fish into it, "I'm a bard. In fact, I just got out of the Athens Academy of the Performing Bards."
Meg smiled a bit more seeming to like Gabrielle after all, "Tell me a story please."
Gabrielle was more than happy at the chance of telling a story. She handed Meg the fish roll and began telling the story of how she and Xena met. Xena noticed how Meg scarfed down the roll like she hadn't had food in a while. For a little bit it seemed as though Meg seemed to let down her barriers while listening to this strangers story.
"Meg!" Upon hearing Miss Sophie scream her name all of the barriers and child interest instantly drew from her face and she became the stiff child the women had first met. She hoped out of her seat and flew towards the back door exiting. Miss Sophie's voice caught up with her outside, "You leave those women alone. They have no time for your nonsense." Miss Sophie gapped her arm. Meg fought back for Miss Sophie had a grip like a snake. Miss Sophie's hand dug into Megs arm until there was an even tighter grip on her arm. Miss Sophie looked up shocked to see her staring into the eyes of the Warrior Princess.
Xena's voice was now commanding, "Leave her be."
Miss Sophie let go of Meg and her appearance changed from a blood thirsty beat to a loving care giver, "Run along dear, go finish your chores." Meg ran away into the barn.
"What right have you to hurt a child? Especially one that is in your care."
"Hurt a child? You've mistaken I did not hurt her. Just keeping her on track." Miss Sophie gave her a slight smile, "Now if you'll excuse me I have work to do."
Xena watched the women leave as her eyes returned to the barn where Meg had gone. Debating for a moment if to follow her or not. She finally decided not to and went back inside to finish her evening meal.
Xena could not sleep, she kept thinking about the girl and how she was. She hadn't told Gabrielle why she was so interested in the girl. Nor would she unless it was absolutely necessary. Looking at the child Xena still could not believe she had found her so easily. And if she did so would the Gods. Xena had to get her out of there. Still she knew it was late and the girl was probably asleep.
Not wanting to wake Gabrielle who slept on the bed besides her Xena ventured into the kitchen. She saw Carnation sitting at the table with a drink in front of her. Xena walked over to her and Carnation jumped a bit, startled. "I didn't mean to startle you." Xena apologized.
"Its alright. Can I get you some tea?"
"Please." Xena said as she sat down. A few moments later Carnation returned with a mug and set it before the warrior princess. Xena nodded her thanks. They sat in silence for a few moments watching the fire burn in the fireplace then Xena asked, "How old are you?"
"13."
"I don't suppose you are Miss Sophie's child." Xena said taking a sip.
"Oh no miss. Miss Sophie's taken care of me since I was a little thing. And now to help out I help take care of the young ones."
Xena nodded then noticed a deep cut on the child's upper arm, "Where did you get that?"
Carnation instantly covered it with her free hand, "I…uh…got hit by a horse."
Xena had all of the information she needed now, "Those children…they weren't killed by an illness were they?"
Carnation looked away. This lie had gone far enough but still she had her reasons for lying. She could tell the warrior princess knew better. She sighed, "Miss Sophie….she means well but…she gets in these moods where she hears things that aren't there…." Suddenly she got defensive and stood up, "Just leave it alone." She said as she exited the room. This person came in and stuck her nose where it didn't belong. Carnation wanted help for herself and the others but a traveler wasn't going to solve anything.
Xena finished her drink and decided to go outside to investigate. Outside it was dark and cold. But none of this bothered Xena she loved the cold, she embraced it. Still she shivered a bit. Her ears picked up a sound in the barn. She was about to shrug it off as an animal but she heard a low cry. Xena ran towards the barn.
"I'll teach you to obey me!" Miss Sophie cried as the brought down the horses whip on her victim, Meg. Meg cried as the whip hit her across the back as the other times it had. Meg was tied with leather bound rope to a wooden pool in the middle of the barn. Meg's back was numb with the beatings she had received this evening. Her face was bruised with the slaps and the punches she had received when she dared to talk right now. "You rotten orphan! I take you in and this is how you repay me!" Miss Sophie's breath stunk of her intoxication as she brought the horsewhip down on Meg for the last time.
They both heard a cry as Xena appeared, imminently knocking Miss Sophie down to the ground. Miss Sophie cried up, "You bitch!" She screamed to Xena as Xena took her out with a punch to the face. She really wanted to give her the pinch but decided against it. Right now she had a girl to attend to. Xena turned around and faced the scared child. Xena could see blood seeping through Meg's plain grey one piece cloths. The child didn't wear any shoes. But now looked up at Xena terrified. Xena bent down to her level and started to look over her injuries. Before either one of them could say a word the child fell down to the ground, weak. Xena instantly untied her and scooped her up in her arms. She felt the child go limp in her arms.
Xena walked quickly to her and Gabrielle's room. Once inside she shouted, "Gabrielle!" Xena gently put Meg down on her bed, by now Meg had fainted from the pain.
Gabrielle rose slowly, "Xena, what's going on?" She noticed Meg on the bed and her cloths dirty and blood stained.
"Get me some blankets and water, hurry!" Xena said as she knelled by the bed. She saw the child's eyes open with fear in her eyes. Xena gave her a smile, "You're going to be alright." She assured the child as she smoothed back her black bangs softly.
Gabrielle soon returned with a dish of water and some sheets. Xena instantly tore the sheets and made rags to dip them into the water. She told Gabrielle, "We need to look at her back." Gently but forcefully Xena soon had Meg on her side then lifted up her shirt to see piles of blood. Xena shock her head as she took the rag and dipped it into the water, "This may sting a bit." She told the girl as she began to clean up the bloody mess. Gabrielle held Megs hand and soothed the girl while Xena worked. Suddenly she stooped, "Gabrielle look." She said as she was pointing to a deep long gash mark. Xena shock her head she couldn't believe anyone could do this to anyone else, especially a child. With that in mind she took out her sword and stuck it into the fire.
"What's going on?" Carnation asked as she came in. Seeing Megs wounds her eyes doubled in size.
Xena looked at her for a moment before answering, "Miss Sophie's mood swings." She then took her sword out of the fire. Sympathetically told Meg, "I need to put this into your wound so it will stop bleeding. It will hurt." Gabrielle tightly took a hold of Meg's hand as Xena put the burnt end of her sword into the deep wound. Meg screamed in pain as Xena moved the tip up and down making sure to get all of the wound. Once she was done she patted Meg on the side as if to say good job. Meg didn't feel her she had fainted from pain.
Xena told Carnation, "We need to get her out of here."
Carnation nodded, "Yes of course. There's a cave about two miles south of here. I go there to hide sometimes." Xena nodded her thanks. "I will bring the boy when it is morning. All of us leaving at once, that wouldn't be good."
Gabrielle agreed, "Be safe." Carnation smiled at them as she left to go back to her room. Xena already had picked up Meg and was ready to go. Gabrielle saw a determination in Xena's eyes that she had never seen before.
Gabrielle grabbed their bag and quickly followed after her friend.
Xena carried the unconscious child without saying a word. The girl had to weigh no more than 50 pounds and she was thin. Xena knew that was from starvation and she had to wonder how many times this girl had been put through this touchier.
It didn't take them long to reach the cave. Once they had Gabrielle put down a blanket on a dirt spot and Xena put down the unconscious child again without saying a word. Xena couldn't help but run her fingers through the child's bangs. As she did so she wiped a tear from her eyes.
The bard knew something was troubling Xena, her friend rarely cried and never like this, "Xena what's going on? You've been more quiet then usual since we got there."
Xena looked up at Gabrielle she knew she couldn't hide this forever from her best friend. She wasn't one to talk about her feelings but she knew Gabrielle would find out sooner or later. She smooth down the girls bangs affectionately again before telling her friend without looking up at her, "She's my daughter."