FADE IN:

2. EXT. SEAPORT TOWN - LATE AFTERNOON -

Xena and Gabrielle walk through the middle of a seemingly deserted town. Many of the shops and houses are rundown with crumbling stone walls. Several of the doors are broken and falling off the hinges, and the windows are boarded up. There is not a person to be seen anywhere.

Not exactly a bustling town?

No.

The two continue to explore the town, rounding the corner of the L-shaped marketplace. As they do, a giant Irish wolfhound appears out of nowhere, and jumps on Gabrielle. The momentum from his weight knocks her to the ground. The dog stands on top of her, licking her face.

Ack!

The dog is slobbering all over Gabrielle, and Xena can't help, but laugh at the situation.

Are you going to help me?

As Xena moves to grab the dog, a voice can be heard in the distance. Xena turns to see an old man trying to walk quickly towards them, cane in hand.

Domingo!

Domingo, you come here right now!

The dog gives Gabrielle one more slobbery kiss, and then trots off towards the old man. Xena offers her a hand, and helps pull Gabrielle to her feet.

You just have a way with animals, don't ya…

got some kind of animal attraction going there.

Funny Xena…very funny.

Oh, and I'd like to thank you for all of your help.

Anytime.

The old man approaches the two with Domingo walking at his side.

I'm so sorry.

We don't get many people around here. He was just excited to see someone.

Where is everyone?

A few started to leave after all the strange things started happening…

but most of 'em left after the ghost appeared.

Ghost?

The ghost of the King.

The old man uses his cane to point to a castle standing high upon a nearby mountain overlooking the village.

Used to live in that castle a long time ago…even before my time.

Domingo takes his right paw and begins to pull on the old man's pant leg.

Ruff!

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other with a confused expression as the old man lets out a laugh.

Of course, let's go get you some supper.

I swear this dog could eat twenty times a day.

At that moment Gabrielle's stomach makes a very loud rumbling sound to alert everyone that the dog isn't the only one who's hungry. A blush forms on Gabrielle's cheeks, embarrassed by the noise.

I know exactly what you mean.

Gabrielle rolls her eyes at Xena, trying to ignore the comment.

I see that you are hungry as well; why don't you join us for supper?

Domingo and I would love the company.

We'd be happy to.

I'm Gabrielle, and this is Xena.

Where are my manners? I'm Esteban…

and I believe you've already met Domingo.

Domingo walks up to Xena, putting out his left paw for her to shake. Xena leans down to shake it, and pats the pup on the head. He then walks over to Gabrielle, and she leans slightly to shake his paw, but instead Domingo starts licking her face.

Looks like he's found himself a new friend.

Gabrielle stands up, wiping the drool from her face, and gives him a look.

Domingo, we need to talk about these little baths of yours…

Domingo just sits down in front of her giving her sad puppy dog eyes.

Well…em…just don't let it happen too often.

The dog seems to understand, and stands up, walking next to Gabrielle's side.

Let's go get some food.

Come on, Doo.

Esteban starts walking down the street with Xena, Gabrielle, and Domingo in tow.

The eyes'll get you every time.

CUT TO:

3. INT. ESTEBAN'S HOUSE - EARLY EVENING

Esteban lives in a modest little house. The main room consists of both the kitchen and dining area. The kitchen portion of the room is on the left side, a fireplace with a cabinet to the right of it and a few pots and pans are all there are. On the other side of the room, is a small rectangular table surrounded by benches that makes up the dining section.

Well, dinner's ready to go…

if one of you wouldn't mind grabbing some extra bowls, we can eat.

Gabrielle quickly moves across the room to the fetch the bowls. Esteban and Xena sit down at the table across from one another. Gabrielle joins them a few moments later, sitting down next to Xena.

Domingo immediately hops up onto Gabrielle's lap, almost knocking her off the bench. He gives her a big sloppy kiss, and then begins eating the stew sitting in front of her.

Hey!

Esteban and Xena just laugh at the display, and the annoyed look on Gabrielle's face.

I get slobbered on, and lose my dinner.

I don't see what's so funny…

Gabrielle manages to push the dog on the bench next to her, as Esteban passes her another bowl of stew.

Esteban, you mentioned something about a ghost.

Ah yes, the old king.

He ruled over this land many years ago, back in the time of my great-great grandfather. The town was a lot different than it is now.

The stories were passed down to me, telling of how this place was a wealthy seaport, full of merchants with many townspeople.

So, what happened?

One day a warlord attacked, trying to take the city, and a great war ensued.

Most of the people died in the battles…it was a fierce war…

CUT TO:

4. FLASHBACK - AFTERNOON - SEAPORT TOWN

Smoke fills the air as many of the houses and stores are on fire, flames shooting through the windows and dancing on the roofs. Mothers are frantically trying to keep their children away from danger as chaos reigns free in the town, spears and arrows soaring through the air, the sound of swords clashing against each other as raiders attack. Many townspeople are without weapons as they try to fend off the invaders with anything that is available, from brooms and chains to throwing food.

There had been rumors that a warlord was in the area, and the king had talked with him, trying to maintain peace at all costs. An agreement was reached, but it was all a lie, as the warlord's army surprised the town with an attack the following day.

Amongst all the fighting, we zoom in on one battle in particular. One of the men from town is squared off against a very formidable raider. The man has only a broom to defend himself while the raider is dressed in black leather fitted with silver body armor and a sword clutched tightly in his right hand.

The raider launches his attack, swinging his sword down on the man who blocks this blow with the broom causing it to break in half.

The warrior tries to strike the man, but before he gets a chance to, his legs are taken out from beneath him as the man uses the broken broom to sweep out his feet. The attacker hits the ground, and the man quickly kicks the sword out of his hand, sending it flying a few feet away.

The man goes to knock the raider out with a punch to the head, but the raider easily rolls away from the strike. The raider delivers a kick to the man's midsection causing him to stumble backwards. While the man is trying to regain his balance, the raider springs to his feet and charges at him. The man is able to jump out of the way at the last second as the raider runs into a few nearby barrels, knocking them down. The man regroups, as the raider quickly turns around and resumes his assault. The man dodges and blocks the flurry of punches directed towards him, and manages to land a blow right to the raider's jaw, stunning him.

Another crisp blow to the face sends the thug stumbling backwards. He trips, smashing his back against a nearby house. The raider moves slowly towards the man, who delivers a powerful kick to his opponent's head, knocking him unconscious. The raider hits the ground with a thud.

The townspeople did their best to hold their own against the warlord's army. Luckily they were able to stop them just long enough for the king's army to arrive.

The man looks down at the raider for a second, and then quickly goes to collect the discarded sword. He sees a woman and her small son being harassed by another attacker and goes to their aid. The sound of horses can be heard in the distance, as the king's army charges from the castle.

CUT TO:

5. INT. ESTEBAN's HOUSE - EVENING -

The four of them have finished eating dinner, and there are now two lit candles sitting on the table to light the room. Domingo has his head lying on Gabrielle's lap as she strokes the top of his head, sending the dog into a contented slumber.

That was only the beginning of things. The war went on for a long time, many losses on both sides. It all finally ended when the warlord and some of his men were able to break into the castle. They murdered the king and his whole family.

The funny thing is the warlord didn't stick around too long after his victory. People believed the king's ghost chased him out, to protect the castle.

The town was never fully rebuilt, as you've seen. Most of the townspeople died fighting. My great grandfather was one of the few lucky ones left. As far back as I can remember, and according to my father, the town has been fairly quiet since the war, until recent years with the return of the ghost.

But why would the king try to scare his own people away?

Don't know…I guess he's mad about something.

What kind of things has the ghost done?

Things disappearing, all sorts of strange noises at night, food flying around, carts moving on their own…

It's managed to scare most of the people away, but there are still a few of us around.

How come you're still here?

It's going to take more than some ghost to scare Domingo and me away. My family has lived here for a long time, and I plan on keeping it that way.

We're definitely going to have to take a closer look at this castle.

Gabrielle just gives Xena a look, as if to say, 'Here we go again'.

It's getting late now. Why don't you two say here for the night, and head up to the castle tomorrow.

Thanks Esteban. Are you sure it won't be too much trouble?

It's never a problem to spend my time with such beautiful ladies.

Please make yourself at home.

Esteban rises from his bench, as he slowly walks towards a door at the back of the room. Halfway there he stops, and turns to look towards his sleeping pet.

Doo, come on! I think you've bothered Gabrielle enough for one day.

Domingo lifts his head to look at the old man, whining his displeasure at the request.

Domingo!

The dog slowly moves from his comfortable position and sulks as he walks towards his master. Esteban opens the door to the room, and the two disappear inside. Xena and Gabrielle also rise from the table, and begin setting up their bedrolls in front of the fireplace.

Think Esteban was a ladies man in his younger years?

No doubt about it.

Xena tosses an extra log on the fire as the two settle in for the night. An eerie howling noise is heard coming from outside, sending a shiver down Gabrielle's spine, as she moves closer to Xena.

What do you make of this ghost?

I'm not sure.

But whatever is causing this, we're going to find the answers in that castle.

The two of them are just starting to drift off to sleep, when the door violently slams open, and the distinct sound of chains rattling can be heard. Xena is immediately on her feet, sword in hand, with Gabrielle at her side ready for any attack. They make their way over to the door, and peek outside, but nothing is there, not a person in sight, living or dead. Xena closes the door again, making sure that it's securely locked.

Hmmm…I guess it was the wind.

Or the King? I did distinctively hear the sound of chains rattling.

Looks like things are going to get interesting.

Was there ever any doubt?

One of these days we are going to have a quiet vacation…just once.

Xena puts her arm around Gabrielle's shoulder as the two walk back towards their bed rolls.

CUT TO:

6. ESTEBAN'S HOUSE - LATE NIGHT -

Xena and Gabrielle are lying sound asleep in front of the low burning fire. From across the room, the door creaks open, and a shadow slowly creeps across the room moving closer and closer towards the two sleeping forms…

FADE OUT: