"She hasn't so far," shrugged the black haired warrior, her eyes roving over the metal in the chunky smith's hand, "I'll have some guards in there with you, though just in case." Taking the key to the cell from her belt, Malonda turned it in the lock and pulled back the heavy bolts at the top and bottom of the door. Signalling four of the guard detail to follow, she motioned Vallis to proceed her into the cell. They found Xena sitting up awaiting them.

After Gabrielle had left the previous evening, the Warrior Princess had spent a troubled, restless, night when all the memories, that had been clouded by Ares interference, had jumped, with sharp detail, into her vivid nightmares. Several times she had woken in a cold sweat, her raven bangs plastered to her forehead. After the fifth time, she had resolved not to sleep any more that night. She was, therefore, wide awake, and beginning to get restless, when she heard the door being unlocked.

She frowned slightly at the unexpected appearance of the smith, and more so when Malonda and her guards all entered the cell. The black mood induced by a poor night's rest was not making her feel very sociable. She wouldn't pick a fight, but that didn't mean she had to be friendly.

The Amazons, almost immediately, felt the dark shroud that Xena had enveloped herself with. The last watch had warned them that she had been having a restless night, but they'd only heard her thrashing and moaning on one occasion during their watch, so had figured that she'd worked her way through whatever was tormenting her. Obviously she hadn't, they now realised.

"I need to check these have been sized right," Vallis growled without preamble, holding out a strange set of restraints.

Xena eyed them appraisingly. The cuffs were shaped pretty much in the fashion of her bracers, not as long, but tapered to fit snug around the wrist and broaden further up the arm to a comfortable fit, they looked heavy and solid. The restraint between the cuffs was a six inch long, one inch diameter, bar of steel. She wasn't surprised that they'd come up with it after the ease with which she had snapped the shackles the previous day.

"Hold your wrists out," grumbled the smith who looked tired and red eyed from a long night's work over her forge.

Arching an eyebrow at the bluff middle aged woman who seemed almost disdainful of her much vaunted, savage, reputation, Xena had to swallow a grin that wanted to emerge and ruin her black mood. She held out her hands, instead, in fists clenched, palms turned up.

Vallis gave the warrior an amused quirk of her lips. She liked Xena under normal circumstances. The woman was a true warrior, an Amazon in every sense of the word, except her only known connection to their people was through Queen Gabrielle as her champion. However she had seen the miracles that the Warrior Princess had worked on their behalf, more than once, and felt it to be a pity that a brief spurt of mindless violence had brought them all to this pass now.

Giving her head an almost imperceptible shake, she locked the unusual manacles around the prisoner's wrists, checking to make sure that they weren't loose enough to wriggle out of, nor so tight that they would chafe, "Seems a pretty good fit," nodded the smith, taking pride in her work, "If she breaks out of those I haven't got anything stronger that could hold her." She told Malonda as she produced a key to unlock them.

"Don't worry about taking them off, Vallis," Malonda told her touching her arm lightly, "Everyone will feel better if she's under restraint and the court will be sitting again soon, so it'll save us having to put them back on her."

There was something in Malonda's tone that Xena took exception too and she stood in a smooth, menacing, movement that had all the guards tensing in readiness for a fight. Ignoring them, the Warrior Princess turned frosty eyes on the head scout and told her in a low frigid voice, "You got a problem with me?"

"The Amazons have a problem with you, Xena. I'm just doing my job," the warrior replied with a irritated snap in her tone.

"Don't push me, Malonda. I'm not in the mood," warned the raven haired woman, her words resonating ominously.

Malonda looked like she might try and make more of it, but Vallis intercepted her with a strong grip on the other Amazon's arm and pulled her towards the door, "Cut it out Malonda," she told the woman firmly, "what's gotten into you," she chided gruffly, as everyone exited the cell with the door clanging shut behind them.

Xena watched tensely until she was alone, before examining the manacles closely. They were sturdily made and well finished with all the rough edges smoothed to make them as comfortable as possible. Testing the strength of her fetters, she slowly flexed her muscles to see if she could make an impression on that solid bar of metal.

A wry grin edged onto her face as she recognised that these particular manacles were far beyond her strength to deal with, - Might even give Hercules a run for his money, - she mused. - Well Vallis is certainly a craftswoman. Maybe I'll get her to re-shoe Argo before leaving here ... if I'm not having to make a run for it! - she brooded.

Gabrielle had intended to wake at dawn so that she could fit in a visit to the gaol, before the court resumed session after the town broke it's fast. However, early rising had never been the bard's forte and, when her grudging eyes did crack open, she realised that not only wouldn't she have time to visit with Xena, she wasn't going to get a chance to eat before having to endure another day of the trial.

"Oh Zeus!" she swore, as she scrambled out of her bed and struggled into her ceremonial dress with growing agitation over the vast array of clasps and beads that seemed to have minds of their own. She was ready to make a bolt for the communal dining room to grab some bread and cheese, knowing that her stomach would perform a good imitation of Amazon war drums if she didn't, when a light tap at the door brought her up short, "Come in," she invited, trying to sound composed and regal.

Ephiny edged the door open and she carried a tray with her that gave off delightful aromas of fresh baked bread and sharp goats cheese, "Ready for breakfast?" asked the tired looking Regent with a grin.

"Eph, are you bored with being Regent?" demanded Gabrielle as she twitched the tray cloth aside to reveal a bowl of cereal and several pieces of fruit in addition to the bread and cheese.

Looking startled the curly haired woman answered, "No .. why?"

Her Queen grinned and returned, "Well you seem to be looking for a career in catering."

"Gabrie ..." Ephiny tried to interrupt.

"If you'd just woken me earlier we could have gone over to the dining room together," - And I could have taken some time to see Xena, - thought the bard as she continued, "But you really seem dedicated to becoming a waitress." She teased, trying to take her mind off the trial.

"You needed to sleep," objected the Regent testily, having spent all but two candlemarks of the night awake, supervising arrangements to ensure that the Warrior Princess didn't get out of control again .. as much for her safety as for the Amazons. "I thought you'd appreciate something to eat before the court sits again, but then again, perhaps that legendary appetite of yours is really a myth."

The bard's stomach chose that moment to rumble and caused both women to grin in response. Taking a chunk of bread and a wedge of the cheese, the young Queen studied her Regent, noted the irritability and saw the tense tiredness in her friend so asked, "Eph, did you get any sleep last night?"

"Some," she replied, "I had a lot to do."

"What?" inquired the bard flatly.

"The Elders instructed me to find a way to make sure that Xena doesn't disrupt proceedings like she did yesterday. I've spent the night overseeing those preparations." the Regent told her with a shrug.

"What preparations, Ephiny," demanded her Queen even though she had known it something was likely to be done.

"I've had Vallis make up some special shackles that even Xena shouldn't be able to break. Don't look at me like that, Gabrielle," she warned aware of the black scowl on the bard's face, "I was under instruction from the Council of Elders and I had no choice. Besides it's as much for Xena's good as anyone's. We've got a lot of twitchy sisters looking for the chance to get a crack at the Warrior Princess, and I don't want any accidents."

"So chain her up like some animal, so that if some hot head takes it upon them self to exact revenge she won't be able to defend herself!" roared the bard in a livid tone hating the thought of Xena shackled at the best of times.

"C'mon, Gabrielle! You know there will be plenty of guards to protect her," Ephiny tried to reassure her friend.

"Yeah! But who's gonna protect her from the guards?" the Queen wanted to know, aware that the comment was petulant and unfair.

The Regent's face went white upon hearing the insult to the Royal Guards. In a quiet angry voice she said, "The guards are loyal to the throne, your majesty, and would die before they allowed anyone to harm your champion while in their charge."

Gabrielle was pulled up short, as much by the formality of the words as by what the other woman had said. Taking a deep shuddering breath, the bard turned to her friend apologetically and said softly, "I'm sorry, Eph. This whole trial thing has got me on edge." - Oh Gods! - she thought, her eyes widening in realisation.

"The trial!" they blurted in unison, as they scrambled for the door, Gabrielle snagging another, still warm, bread roll as she hurried after the Regent.

They just managed to beat the entrance of the Elders, hurrying with undignified haste that made Gabrielle want to giggle at the image of the Queen and her Regent rushing around like adolescent schoolgirls. Flushed with amusement and embarrassment, she didn't at first notice that Xena was sitting with a face like a thunder cloud.

"Hey," the bard said sitting down next to her friend, "How're you doing?" Getting no reply, she looked more carefully at the raven haired warrior and noticed the tense lines of anger on her face, "Xena?" she questioned quietly. She glanced at the unusual manacles that imprisoned the Warrior Princess' wrists and sighed. "We knew that they'd have to come up with something to try and hold you," she said soothingly, forcing her own anger about the shackles into the back of her mind. "We discussed it last night and you were fine about it then." She didn't bother to add that she'd just had a row with Ephiny about the very same thing that had her friend seething.

Xena glared at her, "I don't mind these," she raised her hands a little to emphasise the fetters, "Well I do, but it's no more than I expected." she snarled, "What I object to is being staked out like some sacrificial goat!"

"What?" questioned the bard, not really understanding.

"Take a look under the table, Gabrielle," growled Xena angrily.

The honey blonde, young, woman leaned back in her seat and pursed her lips. Xena's ankles were trapped into a device that looked very much like the manacles she wore on her wrists; same tapered cuffs secured to an eighteen inch long, inch thick bar of metal that was in turn fixed firmly to the planking of the floor. It was pretty certain that while locked into that, her friend would not be able to leave the vicinity of her seat.

"Calm down Xena," the bard said soothingly. "The Elders don't want a repeat of you disrupting proceedings, that's all. After yesterday's little demonstration, we can hardly blame them, and you knew that they would do something to avoid a repeat performance."

The Warrior Princess glowered at her, but finally, grudgingly admitted, "I suppose so .. it's just that I don't like being helpless, you know that."

"Xena," Gabrielle told her seriously, "They could wrap your entire body in chains, stuff you in a sack and lock you in a cage and you still wouldn't be helpless."

That forced the shadow of a smile onto the warrior's lips, "Only you'd say something like that, my bard."

"Oh, no, no, no!" Gabrielle retorted, "Most of your hardened enemies say that!"

"Hmph!" snorted Xena, finally cajoled out of her bad mood, "I just wish I knew who dreamed up these little joys," she grumbled, although her heart was no longer in it.

"Erm ..." answered the bard unwillingly, "Actually I think it was Ephiny."

"Eph!" snapped Xena a little louder than she should, drawing the Regent's attention. She gave the blonde a cold look that had the Amazon running her fingers through her unruly mane in agitation, "Remind me to have a word with Ephiny about this sometime."

"Oh gods, Xena!" hissed Gabrielle as she lightly slapped her friend's arm, "She was ordered to find someway of restraining you by the Elders. She didn't have a choice and she's been up all night working out the best way to do it so that it's as unobtrusive as possible, so give her some slack here," she chided. Xena just looked at her stonily.

As the Elders settled into place, the court came to order and Amara addressed everyone, particularly directing her remarks to Gabrielle, Tarelle and of course, Xena, "After the scenes yesterday, I hope that everyone understands that we will not tolerate any more such antics .. from anyone," her grey eyes swept the hall to include the assembled Amazons.

Getting no disagreements, - Not that I expected any, - thought the Eldest grimly, - Not if they all know what's good for them, anyway. - Amara turned to Tarelle and asked, "Do you wish to continue with your examination of the Queen?"

The prosecutor stood and answered with a firm, though respectful, "Yes if it pleases the court."

"Just make sure that you don't get too enthusiastic in your questioning, Tarelle," warned Borayne, a dour Elder with a red thatch of hair that had been liberally sprinkled with the grey of age. She had the reputation of speaking rarely and only when she had a clear point to make. Tarelle, knew it was a warning that the Elders didn't intend to have their patience stretched.

At Amara's invitation, Gabrielle resumed her place on the witness stand and waited for Tarelle's first question which, as expected, resumed at the point where the proceedings had been disturbed by an angry Warrior Princess out to protect her best friend.

"My Queen," began the prosecutor with a vicious smirk, "I believe you were about to tell us what happened to you when you emerged from the purification hut." Gabrielle looked at her in silence, "Queen Gabrielle?" pressed Tarelle, although not forcefully, "What did you see when you came out of the purification hut?"

Reluctantly, Gabrielle responded, "I saw Xena surrounded by Amazons, with Ephiny on the ground before her."

"And what happened next?" continued Tarelle who noticed the grimace that flitted across the young Queen's face as she remembered.

"Xena went to throw the chakram towards me, but Ephiny disrupted her aim." she answered flatly.

"What happened then," persisted the red haired prosecutor who was enjoying seeing her Queen squirm as she incriminated her proud, deadly, champion.

"Ephiny shouted out for Joxer to run, but Xena caught up with us. Joxer tried to protect me, but was knocked down and then Xena used the whip to snag my feet." Gabrielle's voice was toneless and her eyes were on the Warrior Princess who's sapphire eyes seemed haunted by the freshly raw memories. The bard forced a quirk of her lips as encouragement for her friend.

"Please tell us of the events that followed," invited Tarelle, who'd seen the brief smile and had taken the chance for a quick look at Xena who seemed discomforted by what was being revealed, - Your turn soon, Warrior Princess, - she silently snarled.

"There isn't a lot I can tell," shrugged Gabrielle uncomfortably. "Xena dragged me behind a horse. I lost consciousness somewhere on the journey. I came to on a cliff. We struggled and I took us over that cliff, intending to kill us both."

There was a hushed gasp that traveled around the meeting hall as the Amazons registered what their Queen had said. None of them had known about the events on the cliff. They knew that the Queen and her champion had disappeared from there, but any fall from that height should have killed both of them.

Waiting for silence to return to the court, Tarelle thought furiously what she should say next. She didn't want to press matters here; Xena's attempt at dragging their Queen to death had pretty much been covered. The last thing she wanted was to get into the sticky mire of Gabrielle's attempting to kill the Warrior Princess. She decided that she'd covered everything necessary here. When the noise finally abated she said simply, "I have no further questions for this witness."

"My Queen?" invited Amara.

Gabrielle turned to the Elders saying, "Since I can hardly question myself," that drew some chuckles from the crowd, "I'd like to make a statement at this point, to clarify some of the things that happened that were the root cause of the deaths of our Amazon sisters, and what happened to me."

Elder Amara looked at the other Elders to gain the agreed consensus before replying, "Please make your statement, Queen Gabrielle."

The bard composed her thoughts carefully. She knew that this was going to hurt both her and Xena, and had to steel herself for the ordeal that she felt would be like thrusting her hand into a furnace, "Some months ago," she began, " Xena and I travelled to Britannia to help Queen Boadicea in her fight against Caesar and his Roman Legions. While we were there, I became interested in a religion that pretended to goodness, whilst really being the worship of ultimate evil ... Dahak."