5. BEDROOM - EARLY MORNING

A cock crows. Xena's eyes flash open and she bolts upright. Gabrielle moans softly at the disturbance and turns on her side. Xena's eyes dart to the daylight filtering in through the window, a look of consternation on her face.

Gabrielle, wake up.

In a minute, Xena...

Xena gets out of bed and begins to dress. After she has her leathers on, she shakes the bard again.

No, Gabrielle. Now. Come on, wake up.

Rise and Shine. Now.

Gabrielle sits up. Leans on one elbow, her other hand running through her tangled hair, she looks up at the warrior now donning her boots.

Okay, okay. I'm coming. What's the rush, anyway?

I overslept.

Gabrielle looks over at her companion with an incredulous expression.

Did you just say, you overslept?

Ignoring Gabrielle's comment, Xena pulls the bard's spare skirt and halter from a bag, and tosses it to her. As Gabrielle dresses, Xena dons her armor.

Xena reaches under the pillow for the dagger and places it in her boot.

Help me with the rest of this gear.

Smells like your mother's got breakfast going...

Ummmmmmm... eggs... bacon... biscuits...

Well, the sooner we're packed the sooner you get to eat.

They both place their gear on the bed at the same time. Xena leans over and picks up a small purse - the talisman she made while Gabrielle slept - and hands it to her.

Here. I made this for you last night. Just a little something to say thanks for bringing me back.

Gabrielle takes it and smiles warmly up at the warrior.

Oh, Xena... You didn't have to do that...

But it's beautiful... thank you.

Yeah... well... just don't lose it. I don't make gifts that often, ya know?

Yes, I know. I'll always treasure it.

There's a knock on the door and a smiling Cyrene enters, carrying Gabrielle's clean clothes.

I thought I heard you two...

She notices they are dressed and their gear is packed. A look of disappointment washes over her face.

Leaving so soon?

I'm afraid so, Mother. We'd like to stay, but it's very important we get to Delphi as soon as possible.

I see... well... I hope you'll at least stay and have breakfast...

Yes, definitely!

Good...

I'll take these down for you and have Marcus prepare your horses.

Xena walks over to her mother and gives her a hug.

I'm really sorry we can't stay longer, Mother.

Cyrene smiles up at her daughter, and with her free hand, pats her daughter's cheek.

I know you are, Xena. Hopefully you'll come for a visit soon and stay for a while.

It's a promise...

CUT TO:

6. COUNTRYSIDE - MORNING

The sun begins to peek over the distant hills. Xena and Gabrielle pull back on the leather reins and bring their horses to a halt. They shift their positions slightly to get a better view of the picturesque scene of the port and the Aegean Sea below.

Smoke billows lazily skyward from the numerous inns, blacksmiths, and street vendors; twisting like tendrils until they are dissipated by the wind.

Small fishing boats row out to sea, their sails billow with the sea breeze, and larger ships farther out, drop their mainsails as the oarsman row the vessels into port.

Both women urge their steeds forward with a gentle kick to the horses' flanks.

CUT TO:

7. SEAPORT - MID MORNING

The sweet, refreshing scent of sea air becomes tainted with the pungent smells of drying kelp, dead fish, cured meats and various wastes. Gabrielle holds a hand to her nose as they ride their horses slowly through the town.

At the pier, they dismount and traverse slowly through the bustling wharf. Fishermen unload crates of crab, squid, octopus and fish; captains haggle prices with buyers or trade merchants; trade goods are being carried off ships and are being piled on the dock. It is all the warrior and bard can do to keep from bumping into wagons, people, and fishmongers.

Gulls cry raucously as they fly about overhead, dodging between masts, yardarms and the docks, scavenging for a fallen morsel of food.

I'll be right back.

She disappears into the crowd, heading toward a short, stocky, unshaven man.

A gull flies over Gabrielle, making a deposit on the toe of her right boot. As she wipes her boot against a post, the gull lands and waddles toward her.

If you've come to check out your handiwork...

The gull flies off as Xena returns.

There's a cargo ship at the end of the pier. It's taking livestock and food goods to Scyros and Andros. From there, it's onto Piraeus.

We'll be at sea for a few days...

Oh, that should smell wonderful... Just as good as around here...

Xena laughs and puts an arm around the bard's shoulders.

You'll live.

Yeah, but I'll stink...

CUT TO:

8. END OF PIER

The bleating of sheep grows louder as they approach a ship at the far end of the harbor. Crewmen, in assembly line fashion, are loading and unloading merchandise and livestock at both the starboard bow and stern, leaving the mid section free for embarking passengers.

Hold onto Argo. I'll go talk to the cargo master.

She approaches a tall, thin, mustached man. He closes his ledger just as she arrives. He jumps, startled at seeing her standing there, arms folded across her breast-plate.

Geeze, lady! You shouldn't sneak up on a guy like that. It could get you hurt, ya know what I mean?

I'll keep that in mind.

I need to book passage on this ship.

The man shakes his head emphatically and waves his hands in a no gesture.

Sorry, lady. No can do. We're booked solid. Not even enough room to store a pig.

Make room.

I can't. With the Olympics going on at Delphi, the ship is just too full...

There HAS to be room, if you get my gist!

Curious about the discussion going on between Xena and the cargo master, Gabrielle gives a tug on the reins.

Come on, Girls...

I... I get your... gist...

Is there a problem, Xena?

The man's eyes go wide as he realizes who he has been dealing with.

Xe... Xena! THE Xena!?

Why didn't you say so!? I can get you onboard for a mere 200 dinars each!

Two HUNDRED dinars EACH! Why, that's trail-way robbery! You could take a Greek army aboard for that! I could rent a KING for a day for that!

Come on, Xena! We can do better than this! Let's go!

Xena plays along. They start to walk away.

Hold on... maybe I was a little greedy... maybe we can negotiate or something...

Let me handle this...

He's all yours...

Gabrielle turns and walks back toward the man, Xena following a pace or two behind.

Seventy-five dinars each.

Have you lost your mind!? One hundred and seventy five each!

Eighty!

One fifty!

Eighty-five!

One twenty-five!

Ninety and not a dinar more!

The cargo master does not respond immediately. Gabrielle takes Xena by the elbow.

Okay... okay... one hundred and that's as low as I'm gonna go!

Gabrielle pretends to ponder the offer. Shakes her head and begins to turn away. He takes her by the wrist. Xena's eyes glare into him and he lets Gabrielle go.

Okay... okay... Ninety-five and that's my final offer!

I said ninety. And that's MY final offer!

Come on, Xena. We can do business elsewhere.

You drive a hard bargain. Okay! Ninety it is, then!

Gabrielle reaches into the saddlebag on her horse. She removes a small satchel of coins and turns to the cargo master. She counts out the dinars as she places them in his hand. When she's done, she and Xena walk to mid-ship and walk up the planking.

Where'd you get all that money?

Oh... your mother gave it to me before we left. A sort of thank you for the windfall she came into last night with all my stories.

CUT TO:

9. MONTAGE - SEVERAL DAYS/NIGHTS AT SEA

The days and nights passed uneventfully. Gabrielle spent the duration dividing up her time between writing in her scrolls, telling her tales, or hanging over the ship's side when the sea proved too much for her.

Xena tended the horses, kept an eye on Gabrielle, and assisted with minor repairs to sails when she found herself bored.

The nights were a repeat of the nights before with the herbal oil rubs, doses of the horrid tasting elixir, and watching over the sleeping bard.

CUT TO:

10. HARBOR - PIREAUS

Xena and Gabrielle have a difficult time leading their wobbly-legged horses down the sloping ramp.

On shore, they both sway a bit as they walk down the pier.

Having a problem keeping steady, Gabrielle?

You and Argo seem to be having some problems too, Xena...

The warrior cleared her throat and continued to walk on through the bustling dock, not turning around, so Gabrielle could see the silly grin on her face.

It wasn't long before they came to an inn, where they parted ways, the warrior to stable their horses, and Gabrielle to barter for a meal and room for the night. Gabrielle takes her saddlebags from her horse and heads toward the steps of the inn. Xena heads around back, where the stables are usually kept.

CUT TO:

11. INT. INN:

The inn is nearly empty. Only a few people sit at tables. They look bored, not to mention unhappy. A short squat, unshaven man, sits dozing behind the desk.

Gabrielle looks up and spots the price list just above the rack of key hooks. She shakes her head and drops her gear to the floor with a loud thud. The sudden noise catches the dozing innkeeper's attention. He nearly loses his balance and falls off his chair as he brings his legs down from the desktop and stands up. He opens the guest book and pushes a quill in her direction.

What can I do for ya?

Well, I need a room for the night, a hot meal and most definitely a bath. But I am not going to pay THOSE prices...

Well, THOSE are the prices.

Now look around you...

What do you see? Do you see lodgers? Paying customers? Do you see yourself making any dinars?

No. You see an empty lobby... and what appear to be several of your workers who probably haven't been paid in a long time.

Yeah? And your point is?

My point is if you lower your prices, you could make dinars hand over fist. After all, you're not that far from a busy seaport. You have merchants and travelers who need lodging after a long journey. Not all of them can afford those prices. They probably come in, take one look at your prices and turn right around and leave.

If they're that tired, then they'll pay for the convenience of stayin' at a place this close to the seaport.

Maybe... But looks to me like they're going to your competition... even if it is a little farther away. You could have a gold mine here...

A head pokes out from the kitchen area behind him. The woman is stocky with a robust cheery looking face.

Seeing her, Gabrielle smiles.

Why, you could make so much in dinars and still have enough left over to buy your wife fancy new clothes and take her on an exotic vacation.

On those words, the woman, wiping her hands on her apron, steps out from the kitchen and shoves her husband aside.

And just how much would you be willing to pay for a night's lodgings, Dearie?

Well, personally I think that 150 dinars is way too much for just one night... even if it does include a meal and bath...

I think more like 25 dinars would be good for one night.

Sorry but that's not enough. We have expenses too ya know, young lady... I think more along the lines of 125 dinars.

Well, I can understand that... but how much can your guest eat? I mean for 125 dinars they could buy a calf and eat for days...

But then again, you do have to pay the cook... you also provide a room and bath... I'll meet you halfway then. 63 dinars.

The woman opens the register and turns its parchment pages toward Gabrielle. She harrumphs at her husband as she tears down the price list and snaps her fingers to the help who had been watching with fascination.

CUT TO:

12. EXT. STABLE YARD

Xena, leading the horses, sees a young stable boy. He's pitching hay, with a pitchfork two sizes too big for him, into a pile nearly as high as he is tall.

You there.

The boy turns and looks at the warrior-like woman. He puts the pitchfork against the stable and runs over to her.

I need to board the horses for the night.

We've got room. Five dinars for both. More if they need to be shod...

Xena nods. The boy leads her into the stable. He sits and watches her as she removes first Argo's tack, then the other's. As she throws the first blanket, then the saddle over the crossbar, he hesitantly reaches out and touches the scabbard across her back.

Are you a warrior?

I was. Once.

Have you ever fought warlords?

Xena puts the saddlebag containing their cooking utensils over the crossbar and looks down at the boy.

A few.

How many? Did you do all the winning?

Too many to count and I won some, and lost more.

The Warrior Princess turns her attention to the horses. She secures their bridles to a hook and takes the saddlebag containing her gear and the oils Hesperia had given her, and places it just outside the stall. She bends down to check their legs and hooves.

When I get big enough, I'm going to fight warlords too.

Xena pauses in her examination of both horses' legs and hooves and looks up at the boy.

Don't rush to grow up. Being a warrior isn't all it's cut out to be. My brother died at a very young age fighting a warlord and we miss him. I'm sure your folks would miss you too.

The boy's face drops as Xena returns to checking out the horses.

I'm sorry about your brother...

Do they need the blacksmith?

Xena stands and pats Gabrielle's horse on its muscular croup.

Yes, they do.

I'll get my dad.

He scurries off.

Xena picks up the saddlebag and throws it over her shoulder. She rubs Argo's muzzle and heads for the door.

The young boy comes running back in and bumps into her.

He's on his way.

Thanks.

Did you ever get wounded? Did it hurt? Do you have scars?

Yes, I've got plenty of scars... and they hurt a LOT.

The father, a tall strapping man with a dark beard, enters the stable and saunters over to them.

Demitri, get back to your chores.

Yes, sir.

Bye.

Bye.

As his father takes a look at the horses, the boy hurries out the door.

Sorry if he was being a pest.

Not at all. He's a very bright little boy.

It'll be ten dinars to shod both horses.

Fine. We'll be leaving at first light.

They'll be ready.

The boy returns carrying hay that he drops in the trough. He smiles up at Xena and rushes back out.

Xena smiles and shakes her head as she heads out the door.

FADE OUT: