OK, it's time for a non-poetic challenge again.

What you have to do is provide the next part of the following story. You need only write one paragraph.

The catch is, the paragraph you start must begin with the next letter of the alphabet.

eg. I will start my paragraph with the letter "A". The next paragraph must start with the letter "B". The one after that, with the letter "C", etc.

Hang on, here we go!!

Although it had been a long day Xena knew that she couldn't rest. She had to keep trudging on through the slush. She had to find Gabrielle. Before it was too late. Her leg muscles were tightening up from walking for so long, but she knew that she needed to keep Argo fresh so she could ride when walking was no longer possible. Time was of the essence.

bitter words still echoed in her mind. if you won't help me Xena, then i'm going on alone. i thought you of all people would understand someone's past coming back to haunt them. but i guess i was wrong. Gabrielle had turned her horse back toward the swamps of Gdynia, and the port that lay beyond, and ridden away without another word.

[ July 27, 2002, 09:47 AM: Message edited by: crazy aunt z ]

Columns of smoke rose from beyond the swamp. Xena approached them slowly, leaving Argo in the grass. She was watching for Mandrake, the signs of him were all around.

[ July 27, 2002, 06:50 PM: Message edited by: Nanzar ]

Dang it, where was Mandrake hiding? Xena had no time for playing hide and seek with the evil magician. She had to defeat him and get back to Gdynia, or risk losing Gabrielle forever. Gdynia. This swamp reminded Xena of that day when Gabrielle had ridden away from her through that other swamp. The first time in many years that Xena could remember Gabrielle chosing a path so different to her's. She knew it was a path Gabrielle had to follow. Xena also knew that she had to keep heading in the opposite direction, to defeat Mandrake's plans for conquest, or all of Greece would be at his mercy.

every time she picked up Mandrake's trail, it led to a dead end. Xena sensed he was enjoying her frustration. he's toying with me. and i don't have time for this. not this time. rather than wasting any more precious time and energy chasing blind leads, Xena decided to stop playing the game by his rules. i gotta make him come to me...

Five riders approached Xena and Argo as they made their way to the stand of trees at the swamp's edge. The men seemed strangely familiar to Xena but she could not place them. You ride alone Xena. Where is the blonde bard? Xena reigned Argo to a halt. She may not have recognized his face. But his voice, his voice was one that she had sworn never to forget.

graced only by a sly smile, Xena's face showed no sign of recognition or the apprehension that tingled up her spine. this was an additional element she hadn't planned for. there was a chance she could make this work to her advantage, but it would take a clever strategy, perfect execution, and all the luck she could muster.

[ August 02, 2002, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: GOTACH-god of typographical error ]

**time out**

come on people!! where are all the fan-ficters??? this has great potential and i for one am getting into it. wake up & JOIN US!!!!!!!!!

now: *back to our regularly scheduled programming...*

here's what we have so far:

Although it had been a long day Xena knew that she couldn't rest. She had to keep trudging on through the slush. She had to find Gabrielle. Before it was too late. Her leg muscles were tightening up from walking for so long, but she knew that she needed to keep Argo fresh so she could ride when walking was no longer possible. Time was of the essence.

Bitter words still echoed in her mind. If you won't help me Xena, then I'm going on alone. I thought you of all people would understand someone's past coming back to haunt them. but I guess I was wrong. Gabrielle had turned her horse back toward the swamps of Gdynia, and the port that lay beyond, and ridden away without another word.

Columns of smoke rose from beyond the swamp. Xena approached them slowly, leaving Argo in the grass. She was watching for Mandrake, the signs of him were all around.

Dang it, where was Mandrake hiding? Xena had no time for playing hide and seek with the evil magician. She had to defeat him and get back to Gdynia, or risk losing Gabrielle forever. Gdynia. This swamp reminded Xena of that day when Gabrielle had ridden away from her through that other swamp. The first time in many years that Xena could remember Gabrielle chosing a path so different to her's. She knew it was a path Gabrielle had to follow. Xena also knew that she had to keep heading in the opposite direction, to defeat Mandrake's plans for conquest, or all of Greece would be at his mercy.

Every time she picked up Mandrake's trail, it led to a dead end. Xena sensed he was enjoying her frustration. He's toying with me. And I don't have time for this. not this time. Rather than wasting any more precious time and energy chasing blind leads, Xena decided to stop playing the game by his rules. I gotta make him come to me...

Five riders approached Xena and Argo as they made their way to the stand of trees at the swamp's edge. The men seemed strangely familiar to Xena but she could not place them. You ride alone Xena. Where is the blonde bard? Xena reined Argo to a halt. She may not have recognized his face. But his voice, his voice was one that she had sworn never to forget.

Graced only by a sly smile, Xena's face showed no sign of the recognition or the apprehension that tingled up her spine. This was an additional complication she hadn't planned for. There was a chance she could make this work to her advantage, but it would take a clever strategy, perfect execution, and all the luck she could muster.

[ August 02, 2002, 03:33 PM: Message edited by: GOTACH-god of typographical error ]

He broke from the men and dismounted near Argo. Xena extended her hand while mentally searching both he and his men. Odd that he could look so much like her. His eyes were her eyes. His hair was her hair. His smile was her smile. Suddenly Xena shivered remembering how she had been duped by Mandrake the last time she had seen Gabriel. Gabrielle. Focus or die trying she thought. Gabriel took her hand and pulled her into his arms. His cousin must not be far. Yet, Xena still hadn't answered him.

Instead, she chose to let them do all the talking. "We thought we might find you here," he said. He told her that a village was about to be raided by a ruthless warlord. He told her how they had tried to negotiate with the man, who in turn captured those sent to negotiate, and sold them into slavery. This warlord was no stranger to Xena. He had ridden with her in the past. And she would know how to defeat him. This would be yet another set back, especially considering she would have to go the opposite way she was headed. But Xena had that feeling. The same feeling she got when Ares would try to trick her into leading his army and changing her new ways.

Just then Gabrielle appeared to her in her minds eye. Perhaps the trip to Eli's tomb and his followers would be helpful with this situation. Not all things could be handled through physical conflict- this she had by now learned. Mandrake was becoming powerful, and his black magic seemed to hang in the mist.

knots were forming in the muscles along Xena's jaw. the situation was becoming more complicated by the minute. the slave-trading warlord threatening Gabriel's village was obviously one of Mandrake's distractions. but how could she be sure that Gabriel himself wasn't also one of his deceptions. there was only one way to be sure. Xena grabbed the strapping blonde warrior by the hair, bent back his head and kissed him roughly before releasing him with abackwards toss. Gabriel rotated his head and neck to make sure everything still functioned properly before grinning widely at Xena. "i see you still say hello the same way..."

Laughing, Xena knew that the brotherly kiss he had returned made him indeed Gabriel and not Mandrake in disguise. Mandrake. Had he already taken her into his spell? The vision of Gabrielle sending her to Eli while Gabriel's village was being threatened. Gdynia and Gabrielle seemed far removed from the moment. Now wasn't that just like Mandrake? Confusion. Chaos. The plan came together in her mind. Xena put her arm around Gabriel and they walked slowly toward Argo.

"My friend, that is indeed a clever plan," Gabriel said, laying his arm along Xena's shoulders. His touch felt comforting after so many lone nights riding through the long day's heat.
"We'd best be after your companion, before Mandrake grows wise to our intentions and tries to stop us." For the first time since setting out on this mission, Xena knew she was doing the right thing. Leaving Gabrielle had felt wrong, even though she had thought it the only course to take at the time. Now, with Gabriel by her side, and heading back towards her friend, Xena felt strength surging back through her aching bones. She knew that Mandrake would soon be following her, and that a surprise would be waiting for him, once he reached Gdynia.

neither spoke as the riders headed back to the swamps. by nightfall, they would be knee deep in Gdynia's mires. without warning, both horses stopped short. a small dark cloud appeared in the otherwise clear sky, directly over a nearby bush. a single bolt of lightning struck the shrub, setting it aflame. Gabriel sat, momentarily dumbstruck, but Xena recognized the signature entrance. the burning bush, a larger than average belladonna, was the same type of plant from which the evil magician derived his name--the type of plant that rendered poison. "Mandrake! show yourself!"

[ August 13, 2002, 12:46 AM: Message edited by: eaten by crabs ]

now here's what we have so far:

Although it had been a long day Xena knew that she couldn't rest. She had to keep trudging on through the slush. She had to find Gabrielle. Before it was too late. Her leg muscles were tightening up from walking for so long, but she knew that she needed to keep Argo fresh so she could ride when walking was no longer possible. Time was of the essence.

Bitter words still echoed in her mind. If you won't help me Xena, then I'm going on alone. I thought you of all people would understand someone's past coming back to haunt them. But I guess I was wrong. Gabrielle had turned her horse back toward the swamps of Gdynia, and the port that lay beyond, and ridden away without another word.

Columns of smoke rose from beyond the swamp. Xena approached them slowly, leaving Argo in the grass. She was watching for Mandrake, the signs of him were all around.

Dang it, where was Mandrake hiding? Xena had no time for playing hide and seek with the evil magician. She had to defeat him and get back to Gdynia, or risk losing Gabrielle forever. Gdynia. This swamp reminded Xena of that day when Gabrielle had ridden away from her through that other swamp. The first time in many years that Xena could remember Gabrielle chosing a path so different to her's. She knew it was a path Gabrielle had to follow. Xena also knew that she had to keep heading in the opposite direction, to defeat Mandrake's plans for conquest, or all of Greece would be at his mercy.

Every time she picked up Mandrake's trail, it led to a dead end. Xena sensed he was enjoying her frustration. He's toying with me. And I don't have time for this. Not this time. Rather than wasting any more precious time and energy chasing blind leads, Xena decided to stop playing the game by his rules. I gotta make him come to me...

Five riders approached Xena and Argo as they made their way to the stand of trees at the swamp's edge. The men seemed strangely familiar to Xena but she could not place them. "You ride alone Xena. Where is the blonde bard?" Xena reined Argo to a halt. She may not have recognized his face. But his voice, his voice was one that she had sworn never to forget.

Graced only by a sly smile, Xena's face showed no sign of the recognition or the apprehension that tingled up her spine. This was an additional complication she hadn't planned for. There was a chance she could make this work to her advantage, but it would take a clever strategy, perfect execution, and all the luck she could muster.

He broke from the men and dismounted near Argo. Xena extended her hand while mentally searching both he and his men. Odd that he could look so much like her. His eyes were her eyes. His hair was her hair. His smile was her smile. Suddenly Xena shivered remembering how she had been duped by Mandrake the last time she had seen Gabriel. Gabrielle. Focus or die trying she thought. Gabriel took her hand and pulled her into his arms. His cousin must not be far. Yet, Xena still hadn't answered him.

Instead, she chose to let them do all the talking. "We thought we might find you here," he said. He told her that a village was about to be raided by a ruthless warlord. He told her how they had tried to negotiate with the man, who in turn captured those sent to negotiate, and sold them into slavery. This warlord was no stranger to Xena. He had ridden with her in the past. And she would know how to defeat him. This would be yet another set back, especially considering she would have to go the opposite way she was headed. But Xena had that feeling. The same feeling she got when Ares would try to trick her into leading his army and changing her new ways.

Just then Gabrielle appeared to her in her minds eye. Perhaps the trip to Eli's tomb and his followers would be helpful with this situation. Not all things could be handled through physical conflict- this she had by now learned. Mandrake was becoming powerful, and his black magic seemed to hang in the mist.

Knots were forming in the muscles along Xena's jaw. The situation was becoming more complicated by the minute. The slave-trading warlord threatening Gabriel's village was obviously one of Mandrake's distractions. But how could she be sure that Gabriel himself wasn't also one of his deceptions. There was only one way to be sure. Xena grabbed the strapping blonde warrior by the hair, bent back his head and kissed him roughly before releasing him with abackwards toss. Gabriel rotated his head and neck to make sure everything still functioned properly before grinning widely at Xena. "I see you still say hello the same way..."

Laughing, Xena knew that the brotherly kiss he had returned made him indeed Gabriel and not Mandrake in disguise. Mandrake. Had he already taken her into his spell? The vision of Gabrielle sending her to Eli while Gabriel's village was being threatened. Gdynia and Gabrielle seemed far removed from the moment. Now wasn't that just like Mandrake? Confusion. Chaos. The plan came together in her mind. Xena put her arm around Gabriel and they walked slowly toward Argo.

"My friend, that is indeed a clever plan," Gabriel said, laying his arm along Xena's shoulders. His touch felt comforting after so many lone nights riding through the long day's heat. "We'd best be after your companion, before Mandrake grows wise to our intentions and tries to stop us." For the first time since setting out on this mission, Xena knew she was doing the right thing. Leaving Gabrielle had felt wrong, even though she had thought it the only course to take at the time. Now, with Gabriel by her side, and heading back towards her friend, Xena felt strength surging back through her aching bones. She knew that Mandrake would soon be following her, and that a surprise would be waiting for him, once he reached Gdynia.

Neither spoke as the riders headed back to the swamps. By nightfall, they would be knee deep in Gdynia's mires. Without warning, both horses stopped short. A small dark cloud appeared in the otherwise clear sky, directly over a nearby bush. A single bolt of lightning struck the shrub, setting it aflame. Gabriel sat, momentarily dumbstruck, but Xena recognized the signature entrance. The burning bush, a larger than average belladonna, was the same type of plant from which the evil magician derived his name--the type of plant that rendered poison. "Mandrake! Show yourself!"

[ August 13, 2002, 12:49 AM: Message edited by: eaten by crabs ]

On the way to meet with Eli's followers Gabrielle met an old woman. She was wise in the ways of Eli, yet she seemed to have something different about her. She sometimes swayed and spoke in an unknown tongue and when she revived she told Gabrielle many things.

"Purple smoke, I see," the woman croaked to Gabrielle. "Billowing. Clouding all."

Her voice rose to a screech.

"Danger! He is coming! All will be lost if he has his way."

The elderly woman collapsed again on the group at Gabrielle's feet, and could not be roused by any amount of effort.

Gabrielle knew that she must hurry to meet up with the Elites. They would know what to make of all of this.

Querying the Elites Gabrielle learned that the old woman indeed had visionary powers. Tulik recalled her having seen the purple smoke in another vision. He told of a time when black magic had consumed a village. He recalled an evil magician, known as Mandrake, had cast bones over the village and its people. Gabrielle closed her eyes. Xena, I need you. I needed you when we parted. Tulik took Gabrielle's hand. "Look the old woman is awake!"

released of her vision and roused by it's meaning, the old woman reached immediately for Gabrielle's hand. "you must go to her--she needs you. the Evil One will use her darkness against her. there is another of the light that rides with her, but the power of his goodness alone will not be enough to save her. there is only one thing that can rival Mandrake's dark magic--the power of love."

[ August 14, 2002, 09:53 AM: Message edited by: eaten by crabs ]

She knew that Xena had done it before, overcome the seduction of her darkness. Gabrielle knew it to be a fact--a habit. But she worried about the overwhelming odds of these ostensibly boundless dark powers in combination with the innate lure of her companions precariously measured lethal and ethical attributes. If Xena isn't reached on time...

...I'm not goint to think about that just yet-- "Who is this other child of the light? how long will he be able to help before i can get to her?"

[ August 15, 2002, 11:17 AM: Message edited by: U hold her down & I'll slap her ]

The evil magician was smiling a smile that no one could see. He enjoyed this. Toying with Xena. The grand warrior princess. What is she going to do throw her chakram at me? OOOOOOOOOOH, scary lady with her toy! "Hello Xena! How lovely to find you here."
"Show yourself you coward!" shouted Xena.
"Oh name calling, really Xena I expected more from you. I suppose next you'll be insulting my mother."
You could hear the smile in Mandrake's voice. He seemed to be casually walking around them. Xena tried to follow the voice but to no avail.
Suddenly, Mandrake appeared behind Gabriel.

Unless Gabriel and her reached Gydnia, Xena knew that Gabrielle and the Elites were doomed. They were almost at the outskirts of the city, and had relaxed due to its proximity. Dropping their guard had allowed Mandrake to take full use of the opportunity this afforded. Too late Xena had turned and shouted at Gabriel to be vigilant. Now she couldn't see him through the purple smoke which was billowing from somewhere behind him. An acrid stench filled her nostrils. Mandrake's dangerous scent of destruction.