ACT I

4. EXT. DIRT ROAD - DEEPENING TWILIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other. Xena speaks up.

XENA

Yes. And your name would be??

He gives them a slight bow.

JAKKOR

Jakkor, at your service, and in your debt. We will make camp and care for our wounded at the stream crossing up ahead. Would you join us? We would like to show our appreciation for your help.

Xena's brow arches as her eyes roll, and a look Gabrielle recognizes as trouble washes over the warrior's face. As she is about to respond, Gabrielle pokes her companion in the ribs.

GABRIELLE

(smiling)

That sounds like a good idea. Don't you think so, Xena?

Xena quirks an eyebrow in her direction.

XENA

Yes, I guess we could do that. First, we need to retrieve our gear. We'll join you later at your camp.

Without another word, she turns and walks away.

GABRIELLE

We have herbs and healing potions with our gear. I'll be happy to help you with your wounded when we return.

She catches up with Xena.

XENA

(muttering to herself)

Help, indeed!! They woulda been a sorry mess if we hadn't warned them and taken out most of the bandits...

GABRIELLE

Xena, I don't think he meant it that way. He was trying to be nice. We don't come across too many strangers who are pleasant. And there's nothing wrong with going to their camp. It might be a nice change from our usual rations....

(beat)

I mean, I don't know about you, but I'm getting pretty tired of rabbit and fish.

XENA

I guess it wouldn't hurt to be sociable. You're getting tired of the wild menu, are you? All right. Besides, I want to talk to that bandit leader.

CUT TO:

5. EXT. FOREST - NIGHT

Xena and Gabrielle return to the thicket beside the road where they had originally heard the voices calling out to one another. Their gear is stashed in a hollow log.

Gabrielle bends down and rolls what little clothing she has around the two scrolls Xena had gotten for her on their recent travels.

GABRIELLE

(grinning mischievously)

There's no hope we'll be able to recover our travel bag, is there?

XENA

(with a smirk)

Oh, there's always hope, Gabrielle... Question is, would you want it back?

GABRIELLE

Now that you mention it... not really. But you owe me.

XENA

Not a problem. Here... let me carry my things.

Xena reaches into the articles and removes a leather pouch.

XENA

(continued)

You really should learn to travel light, Gabrielle.

Gabrielle merely shakes her head as Xena turns and walks away, a sly smile touching the corners of her mouth.

They return to the campsite of the ambushers and check the edge of the now deserted brigand camp. No sign of horses or men is seen. Satisfied, they cut back to the road and proceed on to the stream crossing.

As they reach the stream, Xena suddenly stops.

XENA

You go on, Gabrielle. I'll join you at the camp in a little while.

Without further comment, she vanishes among the trees.

GABRIELLE

Xena!

Gabrielle sees smoke curling up from a campfire and continues on to the newly formed camp.

CUT TO:

6. EXT. CAMP - NIGHT

Jakkor sees Gabrielle and approaches her.

JAKKOR

(looking behind Gabrielle)

Welcome. Where's Xena?

GABRIELLE

She'll be here soon. Now, how can I help with the wounded?

JAKKOR

Only one man has a bad wound, a slash to his shoulder. We'll take him to a healer at the next village. Other than that, there are a few minor injuries....

Jakkor offers her a place to sit by the fire.

GABRIELLE

No, let me see him. That wound should be taken care of as soon as possible.

Gabrielle and Jakkor walk to one of the wagons.

GABRIELLE

You're from Gregor's Kingdom?

JAKKOR

Yes, we are on a trade mission to Elandia. It's our king's hope to make mutual trade and defense treaties. These are dangerous times.

GABRIELLE

(dryly)

So it would seem.

They reach the wagon. Jakkor pulls the flap back for Gabrielle.

JAKKOR

We tried to make him comfortable until we reach a healer.

Gabrielle peers intently at the wounded man.

GABRIELLE

The cut is deep. It needs to be cleaned and stitched shut. Do you have any wine?

JAKKOR

(surprised)

Uh...

(beat)

Oh. You need it to kill the pain.

GABRIELLE

(smiling gently)

No, but I can use it to clean out the wound. Let me get my silk thread and a needle.

Jakkor gives her a puzzled look

GABRIELLE

I've had quite a bit of experience with this sort of thing. Traveling with Xena teaches many things....

(beat)

I could use more light here.

JAKKOR

I would imagine. Jase! Bring a torch over here.

CUT TO:

7. EXT. CLEARING - NIGHT

Xena is standing in the middle of a clearing, glaring about the area.

XENA

(shouting)

ARES!! Come out in the open and stop skulking around like a third rate chicken thief. C'mon!!! I KNOW you're here!

In a puff of iridescent smoke the God of War appears. Smirking, he strides toward the warrior princess.

Ares smiles charmingly and leans back against the trunk of a tree. An apple appears in his hand, he takes a bite and proffers it to Xena.

ARES

Why Xena... you're looking well.

He allows his eyes to travel the body of Xena slowly, an appreciative look in his eyes.

ARES

(continued)

In fact, I would say, better than ever.

He looks into the icy blue eyes staring at him.

ARES

You know, this is getting tiresome. I just get a little action going, and you bust right in....

He stares at Xena, then his face softens.

ARES

(continued)

Of course, if we could work together, like old times, it could be a lot of fun!

XENA

Ares, that same old line is getting even more tedious than you can imagine. Just what are you doing here? Have things gotten so bad that you have to work with a bunch of thieves? Have you NO pride?

She glares at him for a heartbeat.

XENA

(continued)

I'm waiting....

Ares takes another bite of the apple before nonchalantly tossing it over his shoulder.

ARES

Okay... okay, things have been slow. Most of my worshipers have found new gods or other things to do. The war business is... in a slump. I found a band of warriors willing to follow me for glory and gold.

XENA

Is that what you call that ragged bunch of losers?

(beat)

Warriors??

ARES

Well, I have to work with what I can find. Had a nice little deal going here...

Ares raises his eyebrows and looks hopefully at Xena.

XENA

Oh, yeah, nice indeed. Slaughter a peaceful caravan from Gregor's kingdom, use the plunder to outfit your so-called warriors, and do what?

ARES

Where would be the fun if I told you everything???

Ares straightens up and scowls at the Warrior Princess.

ARES

You've caused a minor problem here, nothing more. And I have other things to do...

He vanishes in an iridescent cloud of smoke, leaving Xena alone in the clearing.

CUT TO:

8. EXT. CAMP - NIGHT

Several wagons are drawn in a close circle; a cozy fire burns in the middle. The sound of a stream can be heard nearby.

Gabrielle looks up, just in time to see Xena walking toward the camp. A tiny frown forms on the bard's face when she notices Xena's expression. The battle joy is gone, replaced by a brooding anger. She returns her attention to the final wrapping of a deep wound to another soldier without comment.

Jakkor walks toward Xena, motioning her to join the group around the fire.

XENA

You have the leader... where?

Jakkor alters his steps to lead behind the most distant wagon. There, under the watchful eye of a guard, the now awake bandit glowers at them both, and jerks at his bindings.

Xena crouches in front of the man and stares at him steadily for long moments, long enough for him to drop his eyes and look elsewhere.

XENA

Do you know who I am?

A meaningless snarl is the only reply.

XENA

(continued)

My name is Xena. Some have called me Destroyer of Nations. That's not really important. You have information, and I want it.

Another heave at the ropes and shackles is the response.

XENA

Your miserable life depends on how quickly you give me that information.

Xena waits several heartbeats for that statement to soak in.

XENA

Now, we can do this easy, you answer my questions, or...

(long pause)

... I can drag it out of you. You may survive, if you're lucky.

Defiance glares from the murky brown eyes of the bound prisoner.

JAKKOR

(glaring down at the thief)

My suggestion is to execute this centaur dung. He is of no value.

XENA

Oh, no, it's not that simple. He has a great deal of information we need. And we will have it.

Swift as a striking cobra, her hands dart out, connecting with pressure points on the bandit's neck. His breathing becomes labored as a trickle of blood runs from his nose. Eyes wide, he stares at Xena.

XENA

(continued)

I've cut off the flow of blood to your brain. You have thirty seconds to tell me what I want to know, or, you will die. Your choice...

She stands.

The struggle on the bandit's face is plain. Cords stand out on his neck as he fights to stay conscious. His chest heaves, desperately trying to get the air his brain is demanding. Defiance fades into fear and surrender.

BANDIT

(gasping)

Wh-what do you want?

XENA

I know this is only part of a larger plan. Who do you meet up with, where, and when?

Eyes darting from side to side, the bandit doesn't answer at first, until Xena nudges him with her boot. Sweat is beading his forehead.

BANDIT

(snarling)

I'm a dead man if I tell you....

XENA

You're a dead man if you don't! And it's not Ares you need to worry about! It's me!

The bandit's eyes widen at the mention of the god's name and he stares at Xena.

BANDIT

H...how do you...?

XENA

(stares at him coldly)

I know pretty much everything where Ares is concerned. What I want to know from you are the details. WHO!

BANDIT

Harl. A warlord named Harl is gathering troops. My men and I were told we could join... if we brought the goods from this caravan.

Again, the brown eyes dart from side to side, blood trickles onto his lips, he licks at them, panic in his voice he continues quickly.

BANDIT

(continued)

Harl is in the service of Ares, so it seemed a good chance...

Xena reaches out to release the pinch and finishes his sentence for him.

XENA

A chance to get in on some good looting and pillaging, I suppose.

(beat)

Where were you to meet this Harl?

At the hesitation of the bandit, Xena holds her hands ready to once again strike the pressure points. He licks his lips nervously.

BANDIT

D... don't do that again. We were to meet in two days at a small village north of here, place called Norania.

The bandit's head falls forward, expecting to die now.

Jakkor puts his hand on his sword, but Xena shakes her head.

XENA

No, turn him over to be judged properly. Where are you and your people going?

Relaxing, Jakkor strokes his beard thoughtfully.

JAKKOR

That would be the best, I suppose. We meet the king at Elandia tomorrow. He is with King Forathe, negotiating the treaties and agreements. It would be an excellent opportunity to make a joint statement about what happens to warlords such as this. And to mete out justice.

XENA

Sounds good to me. Your king... King Gregor?

JAKKOR

No. King Gregor and Queen Pandora have relinquished the throne to their son, King Gabriel. They have grown weary of the affairs of state. Their rule was peaceful and just for many years, but time has worn on them.

Xena turns to look at Jakkor.

XENA

King Gabriel? Your king is named Gabriel?

A slow smile crosses Xena's face.

XENA

(continued)

Jakkor, I'm going to ask you a favor. Please don't mention the name of your king around Gabrielle. She was never told, but your king was named in her honor. I think it would be a nice surprise for her to find out from the king himself.

A delighted smile crosses Jakkor's face.

JAKKOR

Ah!! I understand. Of course, as you wish. Would you join us now for supper? We have an excellent cook, and if my nose tells me true, the food is ready.

He gives a half-bow and sweeps out his arm to indicate the area around the fire. Xena, not used to the chivalry of a civilized soldier, shows her lop-sided grin and heads in the direction of the fire.

FADE OUT:

END ACT I

ACT II