JUST ONE BITE

pt.18

Sitting on the bed, Xena and Gabrielle looked at the small box that Alexia had given them. The container itself didn't appear to be anything special. It was just a simple, wooden box that was small enough to fit in one hand.

XENA
Guess we should open it and see what's inside.

After removing the lid, Xena placed it on the table near the bed and looked inside. In the box were a few pieces of paper that were either rolled or folded up neatly. Xena and Gabrielle exchanged curious looks before Xena took the few items from the box and set the container on the stand as she layed the items in front of Gabrielle and herself. At random Gabrielle curiously picked up one of the pieces of paper and opened it.

XENA
What is it.

Gabrielle scanned the page for a few moments as she got the gist of what was written.

GABRIELLE
It looks like it's a bunch of notes on Bacchus.

XENA
Anything useful?

GABRIELLE
No, this is all stuff we already knew. What he was the god of, basic information about Bacchae, stuff like that.

Gabrielle rolled the paper back up and set it aside, as Xena picked up another paper and unfolded it.

XENA
A map.

GABRIELLE
Of where?

After making room Xena spread the map on the bed as she and Gabrielle looked it over.

XENA
I'm not sure. Maybe there's something else in the box that'll tell us what we're looking at.

Gabrielle picked up one of the remaining two pieces of paper. She opened it and glanced at it before putting it to the side for the moment, as it didn't seem to have anything to do with the map. Opening the last folded paper, Gabrielle saw various symbols and writing and determined that it must've been the map's key.

GABRIELLE
Got it.

Gabrielle layed out the smaller paper next to the map as Xena looked them both over. On the map there were several squares scattered in various locations. Some of which had X's over them. Xena looked at the map key as she deciphered what the various symbols ment.

GABRIELLE
What is all of this.

Xena studied the paper for another moment before she spoke.

XENA
Temple locations.

GABRIELLE
Temples? To Bacchus?

XENA
It doesn't say. But I don't see how temples dedicated to Bacchus would do any good, so I don't think that's who they're for.

Gabrielle grabbed another piece of paper.

GABRIELLE
Maybe this will tell us.

Gabrielle unfolded the paper and read it.

GABRIELLE
Interesting.

XENA
What does it say?

GABRIELLE
You're right Xena, these aren't locations for temples to Bacchus. They're for another god. Demeter.