ACT THREE

FADE IN:

INT. INN - NIGHT

The mild commotion inside the inn quiets immediately as the door opens and Xena walks through, followed closely by Vanus.

SALLY

VANUS!!!

Breaking away from the small knot of humanity, Sally rushes to her son and engulfs him in a huge hug.  She kisses his increasingly flushed cheeks as he tries ineffectually to wriggle away.

SALLY

(cont’d)

Oh, thank the gods! Thank the

gods you're back.  Don't ever do that

again, do you hear me?  Never!

VANUS

Aw, Mom!

Smirking, Xena makes her way over to Gabrielle's table, leaning casually against it as she folds her arms over her chest.  Gabrielle smiles up at her.

GABRIELLE

That was quick.

Xena shrugs.

XENA

He didn't get very far.

GABRIELLE

Ah.  Learn anything?

XENA

Yup.  You?

GABRIELLE

Uh huh.

Their conversation is interrupted by Sally, who approaches with her completely embarrassed son in tow.

SALLY

The gods bless you for returning my

son to me, warrior.  I don't know

what I would have done if....

XENA

Glad to help.

The woman appears ready to continue gushing and Gabrielle, sensing Xena’s impending discomfort, rises from her place at the table.  She stretches and gives a patently fake yawn.

GABRIELLE

Would you look how late it's getting?

I don't know about the rest of you, but

I'm beat. I think we'll all be able to get

a better handle on this situation after

a good night's rest, don't you?

The group looks at one another, then at Gabrielle, appearing about to protest.  Xena narrows her eyes meaningfully.  Jaws snap closed as they all nod quickly.

OLD MAN

Yup.  Getting' real late, it is.

Gotta... um... gotta run.

MALUM

Past closing time for me,

that's for sure.  Don't know

what I was thinking.

SALLY

Oh my, would you look at the

time? My Vanus should have

been in bed hours ago!

Quickly, the small crowd disperses until only Xena and Gabrielle are left standing in the middle of the room.  Gabrielle grins up at Xena.

GABRIELLE

You're bad.

Xena leans down and steals a kiss.

XENA

Yeah, but you like

me that way.

GABRIELLE

Can't argue with that.

Night, Malum!

The 'keep peeks up over the bar, blushing as the two women make their way up the stairs and out of sight.

CUT TO:

INT. BEDROOM - NIGHT

Having washed and changed into their night clothes, Xena and Gabrielle are curled up on the narrow bed.  Xena's feet are hanging slightly off the end despite the fact that her legs are curled beneath Gabrielle's as they spoon together.

GABRIELLE

So, come to

any conclusions?

XENA

Not yet.  You?

Gabrielle scratches under her chin, then clasps Xena's hand and raises it to her lips.  She nuzzles it for a moment before pressing it against her upper chest and holding it there.

GABRIELLE

Not really.  The old guy is sticking to

the kidnapping story. Sally thinks the

mines are haunted. Malum says that

it's just loons mating or something, and

the rest of them are scared spitless.

XENA

Mm.

GABRIELLE

Do you think Kregus

really kidnapped them?

XENA

Doubtful.  From the little I've heard about

him, he's an idiot, but he's also lazy.  I

don’t think he'd go out of his way to set

up such an elaborate operation, assuming

he even had the brains to do it, when

he's just gonna get the gems anyway

by marrying off his son.

GABRIELLE

But you think we should check it

out anyway?  Just to be sure?

XENA

Couldn't hurt. It's only a quarter day's

ride from here, so we could be there

and back in enough time to check out

the mines if Kregus isn't involved.

GABRIELLE

What about Barakos?  That

guy sounds like a real jerk.

XENA

Yeah, but since all his wealth

comes from those mines, I

don't think he's behind this.

GABRIELLE

You think it has something to do

with the mines themselves?

XENA

Yeah.  Cave-ins, most likely.  Vanus said

they'd pretty much mined out most of it

and were having to dig further and further

back to get to the gems.  The shafts get

unstable when that happens, and

there's always a risk of poison.

GABRIELLE

Poison?  In the rock?

XENA

No. In the air....  You can't

see it, or smell it, but

one breath of it, and....

GABRIELLE

Wow. That sounds

really dangerous.

XENA

It can be.

GABRIELLE

Why do people do it, then?

Xena shrugs.

XENA

Greed, maybe.  For most

of them, though, it's the

only life they know.

GABRIELLE

Sobering thought.

XENA

Mm.

CUT TO:

EXT.  TOWN - DAWN

Xena and Gabrielle are mounted on Argo.  Malum, Sally and Vanus stand before them.

XENA

We'll be back

before midday.

She turns to look directly at Vanus.

XENA

(cont’d)

Don't go near those mines

until we get back, understand?

VANUS

Promise.

XENA

Good.

With a gentle nudge, Xena sets Argo off into a gallop, leaving the town and its people behind.

CUT TO:

EXT. OUTSKIRTS KREGUS' KINGDOM - DAY

The castle grounds look much like the town of Janus Hepta; barren and windswept.  The castle itself is in obvious disrepair with crumbling stonework scouring its edifice.

GABRIELLE

Wow. They weren't kidding

about him being dirt poor.

XENA

Doesn't look like it, no.

GABRIELLE

Why would Barakos want to marry

his daughter off to him?  What could

he possibly gain from this?

XENA

Kregus has a standing army.

Rumor is they're not half bad.

Barakos could use that.

GABRIELLE

I suppose....

XENA

C'mon. Let's go see

what he's up to.

CUT TO:

INT. CASTLE - DAY

It is surprisingly easy for Xena and Gabrielle to enter the castle.  Aside from a couple of suspicious looks, they slip right inside and come to stand in the middle of a crumbling, dirty rotunda.

No more than a moment passes when a tall, thin, pasty-faced man scurries over to them, hands fluttering.  He's dressed in robes that might have been fashionable in their day, but now they hang on him like yellowed rags.  The gaudy rings on his fingers are obvious fakes.

MAN

Oh, there you are!  Repair to the

kitchens at once and see if you can

redeem the absolute mess that last

cook made of my dinner.  Go!  Now!

Xena and Gabrielle exchange glances, then return their attention to the man, who is obviously the king.

Kregus pales and steps back, hands still fluttering.

KREGUS

You... you're not the

cooks I ordered!

XENA

What tipped ya off,

Sophocles?

KREGUS

Guards!  Guards!

Quickly!!

A young man, just as tall, thin, pasty-faced and badly dressed as his father, runs down the stairs, then stops abruptly as he sees the newcomers.

KREGUS' SON

Father what...?  Oh, my.

KREGUS

Kregor, quickly, fetch the guards!

These women are trying to kill me!!

XENA

If that was our aim, you'd be dead

already, so relax... your Highness.

We just want you to answer a few

questions.  Then we'll be on our way.

Kregus sticks his pointy nose in the air.

KREGUS

I do not answer questions

from commoners.

Xena slips her sword from its scabbard and lays it just under his chin.

XENA

There's one policy I

can see changing.

KREGUS

Guards!  Guards!!!

KREGOR

Father, I....

KREGUS

Get them, you imbecile!

XENA

Stay right where you are,

son.  This won't take long.

Xena looks at Kregus.

XENA

(cont’d)

I have just one question for ya, King.

Were you or any of your men down

by the mines in Janus Hepta recently?

The King's eyes widen and his mouth forms an O of disbelief.

KREGUS

The mines?  Why would I go

to such a foul, stinking pit?

XENA

Gems.  Lots of em.

Kregus laughs.

KREGUS

Why should I dirty my hands

when those gems will be mine

by right in three days?

Xena shoots a quick look to Gabrielle, who steps forward, smiling.

GABRIELLE

(conspiratorially)

Are you sure you didn't just take a

quick look around down there?  You

know, to see how things were going?

Kregus laughs again.

KREGUS

I could care less how things are run,

woman.  As long as I get my jewels,

I am perfectly content to let others

dirty themselves for them.  Besides,

even if I had wanted to look, which I

don't, that scamp Baragos keeps

those mines guarded more tightly

than his daughter's chastity belt.

Kregus shoots a look over his shoulder at his son, who flushes and stares down at his soft boots.

XENA

All right, then.

She sheaths her sword, taking him at his word.

GABRIELLE

Sorry to have bothered

you, your Highness.

They turn to go.

KREGUS

Wait!

Xena stops, and turns back, eyebrow raised.

KREGUS

(cont’d)

Baragos sent you here, didn't he?

That bastard is trying to come up with

an excuse to cancel the wedding!!

At this, Gabrielle also turns, and gives him a comforting smile.

GABRIELLE

Believe me, your Highness, King

Baragos is as excited about this

wedding as you are.  There has

been no thought about calling

it off, I can promise you.

Kregus looks at her, suspicion plain in his face.

XENA

(growling)

Gabrielle doesn't lie.

If possible, the king's face goes even whiter than it already is.  He holds up his hands in a warding off gesture.

KREGUS

All right. All right.

I believe you.

XENA

Good. Now, if that's all,

we're outta here.

CUT TO:

EXT.  KREGUS' KINGDOM - DAY

Xena and Gabrielle ride away from the kingdom, ignoring the suspicious looks thrown their way.

GABRIELLE

Well, that was a dead end.

XENA

Mm.

GABRIELLE

I guess it's just the

mines now, huh?

XENA

Yup.  And the faster

we get there....

GABRIELLE

The faster we can

get gone, I know.

XENA

Yah!

CUT TO:

EXT.  JANUS HEPTA - DAY

Opening her light carry sack, Xena stuffs several readied, unlit torches deep inside, then closes the buckles and straps.  She hefts it over one shoulder as she straightens.  She carries a shovel and pickaxe in one hand, and a small wicker cage housing a tiny songbird in the other.

Gabrielle looks curiously at this second item.

GABRIELLE

Music to mine by?

XENA

Animal to detect poison by.  I'm

gonna set the cage down inside

the mines and then wait.  If it's

still singing, we'll go in.  If not....

GABRIELLE

Oh, the poor thing.  Xena....

XENA

It's the only way to detect the

poison, Gabrielle.  It's either this

bird or us, and I think you know

which choice I'm not willing to make.

After a moment, Gabrielle sighs grumpily.

GABRIELLE

All right, I understand,

but that....

XENA

... doesn't mean you have to like it.

I know.  But like it or not, the only way

we're going down into those mines is

if our friend here says its safe.

Before Gabrielle can reply, the inn door bursts open and Vanus strides out, followed quickly by his wailing mother.

SALLY

Vanus!!  Please!!  You can't....

VANUS

I'm *going*, Mother, and

that's the end of it!

SALLY

But....

VANUS

No buts.  You're my mother, and I

love you, but I have to do this.

(beat)

Look.  These two women, strangers

to us, are willing to do what no one

in this town has the guts enough to

do.  Try to save our lives.  You might

not understand, Mother, but they

deserve more than to just be handed

off into danger without so much as a

thank you.  I'm going, and if you don't

like it, well, I'm sorry, but you won't stop

me.  Not this time, Mother.  Not this time.

GABRIELLE

You have a very brave son,

Ma'am.  You should be proud.

For a moment, Sally looks as if she's going to say something particularly unpleasant.  Instead, she stiffly turns on her heel and stalks away, back into the inn.

VANUS

Well, that went... pretty

well, don't you think?

Gabrielle chuckles as Xena rolls her eyes.

XENA

Daylight's wasting.

Let's get going.

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR