Help on a mission

Once inside the room, Hermallia guarded the door while the other three women sat down either on a bed or a chair.

Tassa finally spoke up, "The family heirloom you retrieved for us....has a curse."

Xena raised an eyebrow at this. Gabrielle gasped. They waited for the youthful redhead to continue.

"The box contains evil mystical energy that would cause plagues and widespread disaster onto humankind. The Gods greatly value it."

Xena rolled her eyes at this. It figured that the Gods would value it. Another weapon to keep humankind down and oppressed.

"Say no more," Xena said swiftly. "We'll be willing to help you keep it away from the Gods."

Tassia smiled wanly. "There's more. We are on our way to dispose of this evil box, which if opened, would release much evil into the world. We are going to the base of Mt. Olympus. There is a cavern undearneath there, a pool of lava, than has been touched by the Gods. It is the only place on Earth that is hot enough to destroy this box without releasing its evil contents."

Xena nodded at this. Gabrielle frowned, but was listening attentively, her bard instincts taking over.

"So we are asking you to journey and travel with us as we try to destroy it. Are you willing to help us out?"