ACT II

FADE IN:

11. INT. TAVERN - NOON

Three empty bowls sit in front of the warrior princess. Five empty bowls are stacked in front of a now replete Gabrielle. The remains of a rather large apple tart rest between them.

Xena, you can have the last piece. I really can't eat another bite.

Those are words I never thought to hear from your lips!

Very funny Xena!

It was good, wasn't it?

Gabrielle, how can you ask me that?

Good point, you did have three bowls of stew, two loaves of bread and two helpings of apple tart. Plus three ales.

The warrior princess smiles as she reaches for the last piece of tart.

You're sure you don't want this?

No, you go right ahead.

Okay. Guess now I know why you eat so much. Barding sure does work up an appetite!

Yep, it sure does. So, what happened after you and Borias went off after the mare?

Before Xena can answer, the tavern maid comes over. She surveys the carnage with a raised brow, shaking her head.

Something the matter?

Good thing not all of our customers have your appetites. The master would go broke in a week!

I can see how a big, strapping warrior like you can eat so much, but the little one! Have you been starving her?

Xena looks insulted as Gabrielle bursts out laughing.

No, she doesn't starve me! I just really liked your stew.

Glad to hear that. Can I get you anything else?

Yeah, recommend a place to take a nap! I don't think I can move!

I'll have another ale.

Gabrielle looks over at her.

I'm obviously a bad influence on you.

Hey, all this talking has made me thirsty.

Now, where was I? Oh yes, we were following the mare's call.

FADE OUT:

FADE IN:

12.EXT - WINTERY PLAIN - LATE AFTERNOON

Driving snow pelts the two riders as they struggle through drifts.

Xena, we must find a place to shelter soon. The horses can't go on much longer.

I know, but the mare keeps calling. She must know something we don't.

Xena, it's a dumb animal.

It's more than that.

Borias starts to argue when they hear the mare call again, quite close. Urging their horses forward, they see a small hill up ahead, almost obscured by the driving snow.

Standing in a seven foot high opening is the mare. She whickers softly. The foal lifts its head and whickers back.

Urging their horses forward, Borias and Xena enter the opening.

CUT TO:

13. INT. CAVE - LATE AFTERNOON

Xena and Borias see a small cave about 10' wide and 30' deep. At the back of the cave, a narrow tunnel about the width of a horse goes into the hillside.

Borias dismounts and goes over to help lift the little horse down. As he reaches for the foal, it starts to struggle.

Easy, little one. We just want to get you down.

Yah, you'll feel better with all four feet on the ground.

He gently lifts the foal down and it staggers over to her mother. The mare carefully inspects her baby.

So, you still think she's a dumb animal? She led us right to what is probably the only shelter for miles.

Ahh, so she knew about the cave. Doesn't make her smarter than any other horse.

Come on. Let's get the horses rubbed down.

Xena and Borias unsaddle the horses. Taking rags out of their saddlebags, they proceed to wipe the lather from their steeds.

After rubbing down the horses, they arrange their gear. Piled to one side are the wolf pelts, as far away from the horses as they can get them. The smell makes them uneasy.

Outside the storm rages, growing in intensity. Fortunately, the wind is not blowing into the cave.

The baby horse goes to its mother and proceeds to suckle. Finally it has its fill and walks away.

The mare goes over to one of the bags and starts to nuzzle it.

Xena, hearing the noise, looks up.

Hey! Get away from there.

The mare looks at her then continues to bite at the saddlebag.

I said, Get away from there!

The horse continues to ignore her, finally getting the bag open. Out tumbles a sack that the mare rips open with her teeth.

Several apples and carrots come spilling out. The mare grabs an apple and proceeds to munch on it.

Xena stumps over and grabs up the rest of the apples and the carrots.

Did you have to make such a mess?

The horse snorts and continues eating.

Now Xena, you have to admit, she's earned a reward for finding this cave.

Yeah, I guess you're right.

Okay girl, you've earned a treat.

The mare, having finished the apple, looks at Xena and in one quick dart of her head, snatches another apple from Xena. She munches contentedly.

Xena, maybe you're right, the horse does understand what you say.

Borias looks around.

Say, where's the little foal?

Xena scans the cave and doesn't see the foal anywhere. She hobbles to the back of the cave and peers down the tunnel.

She must have gone this way.

Borias, get a torch going.

Borias goes over to the saddlebags and pulls out a crude torch made of a short, stout branch wrapped at one end with dried hay soaked with lamp oil. Opening his pouch, he strikes flint to steel. A spark leaps up and ignites the torch.

Holding it up high, he walks over to Xena and enters the tunnel mouth.

Stay back and let me go first.

All right but hurry. The foal could fall into a pit or something.

CUT TO:

14. INT. TUNNEL

Borias and Xena move through a narrow passage that extends for about 30 feet, sloping slightly downward.

The tunnel turns after 30 feet and bears to the right. Continuing on for another 50 feet, the tunnel abruptly ends in a huge cavern.

CUT TO:

15. INT. CAVERN

To one side, about 10 feet from the tunnel mouth, is a small pool of water. The little foal is there, drinking thirstily from the water.

Ahh, there you are! What do you mean wandering off like that?

Neeeeeey

Xena, I think she just told you she was thirsty.

Now who is thinking they understand what we say?

Torchlight flickers over gleaming stone walls. From what they can see, there are huge stalactites hanging from the ceiling about 20 feet above them. They hear the drip of water from somewhere in the cavern.

Only part of the cavern is visible in the torchlight but the echo of their voices lets them know it is huge compared to the front cave.

Abruptly Xena stumbles forward.

Hey! What's the big idea?

A whicker is heard from the mare who pushes past Xena and Borias and goes over to her foal. Assuring herself the foal is fine, the mare dips her neck and drinks daintily from the pool.

Ah my love, let that be a lesson to you. Never stand between a mother and her child!

Very funny Borias.

Now, hand me the torch. I want to take a look at this cavern.

Silently the warrior passes over the torch to Xena.

Moving carefully, she walks the perimeter of the cavern, inspecting several openings and disappearing into one or two. After about an hour, she has gone around the entire cavern.

Finally completing her inspection, she returns to Borias who has made himself comfortable on a smooth rock.

Well? What did you find?

Borias, this would make a great secret camp! There's an exit in the back, several small chambers and plenty of fresh air. That pool would give us enough water. If we had to hide from our enemies or stash weapons and supplies, we couldn't find a better spot. It's very defensible.

Yah Xena, I think you're right.

The mare and her foal have patiently stood and waited for the humans to finish their conversation. Now they move over to the tunnel opening and enter it.

Guess the horses aren't interested. Come on, let's get back to the other cave.

Yes, and I'll see if I can find anything to build a fire. It's getting really cold.

Well, if you get too cold, you can cuddle up in your smelly wolf pelts.

Actually, I was thinking of cuddling up with some thing else.

Yeah, well keeping thinking! I think I prefer the smell of horse!

CUT TO:

16. INT. CAVE - EARLY EVENING

Xena and Borias emerge from the tunnel. Their two horses are huddled together, blankets draped over them. The little foal is standing next to them. The mare is nowhere to be seen.

Now where did she go?

Xena, calm down. Maybe she went to relieve herself. She's smart enough.

As they stand there, a whinny is heard from outside. The mare ducks her head into the cave and then backs out, calling to them. Puzzled, Borias and Xena go outside.

CUT TO:

17. EXT. WINTERY PLAIN - EARLY EVENING.

The wind is still howling and the snow coming down hard. The mare is barely visible 10 feet away. She turns and looks at them then heads off to her right. The two follow for a short distance. The mare paws at a snow-covered mound. Borias clears away some snow and finds a fallen tree.

Well, what do you know, firewood!

I told you she was smart.

Quickly the two gather as much dead wood as they can carry and head back through the blizzard, following the mare.

Gasping, they enter the cave and pile the wood in a corner. Borias trudges out and brings back several more loads. Finally, with the help of the mare, he brings back a part of the trunk.

Meanwhile, Xena has gathered some rocks for a fire ring. Shaking off the snow, she has managed to get some of the drier pieces of wood lit.

She has also rummaged through their stores and found some grain for the horses.

Borias, take this pot and get us some water from the pool. We have dried meat and vegetables for soup.

Okay but you better let me make the soup. The last time you made it...

He makes a face.

Fine, I don't like to cook anyway.

Yeah and I don't like to eat what you cook.

I had a stomach ache for a week!

What did you say?

Nothing, my love, just wondering how long this storm was going to last.

Borias hastens to get the water as Xena sets up a tripod for the pot.

FADE OUT:

END ACT II

ACT III