XENA - ANOTHER SEASON 5 - Episode 12

CALL TO ARMS

by Andreas Hloupy (andreas.hloupy@siemens.at)

Follow the whole TV-like series on http://members.tripod.com/XENA_Another_Season5/index.html

Xena: Warrior Princess, Gabrielle, Argo and all other characters who have appeared in the syndicated series Xena: Warrior Princess, together with the names, titles and backstory are the sole copyright property of MCA/Universal and Renaissance Pictures. No copyright infringement was intended in the writing of this fan fiction. All other characters, the story idea and the story itself are the sole property of the author. This story cannot be sold or used for profit in any way. Copies of this story may be made for private use only and must include all disclaimers and copyright notices.

NOTE: All works remain the © copyright of the original author. These may not be republished without the author's consent

INT. Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

The tavern is an old, wooden-build house. It is two stories high and the ground floor basically is one large room with a long counter running along one side. The place is filthy and scarcely lit. Maybe a dozen guests are scattered around the room, sitting alone or in groups at one of the many shabby tables.

The BARTENDER, as old and filthy as the whole tavern, stands behind the counter and looks rather bored, cleaning some mugs.

When the door to the outside swings open all eyes in the tavern turn to the opening where light and fresh air manage to penetrate the room.

First nothing happens, but after a few seconds a figure appears and slowly stumbles towards the counter. The man wears shabby trousers and worn boots, the faint remains of a metal armor jacket over a dirty brown shirt and a strange-looking pointed helmet. He is slightly shacking and seems unstable on his feet.

It is JOXER.

When he reaches the counter he leans against it.

Joxer shakes his head slowly.

Joxer stares at the bartender for a few moments, then he turns around, walking towards the still open door.

One of the other guests, a BLACKSMITH according to his clothes and size, has followed the exchange with the bartender.

Joxer stops and turns towards the table where the blacksmith is sitting with two friends. All three seem to have had a few over their thirst.

Joxer stares at the man who is obviously very amused over the whole situation. The rest of the tavern has in the meantime turned their attention to this exchange, too.

Joxer closes his eyes, his whole body slightly shaking.

Joxer opens his eyes again and looking straight past the table with the blacksmith into the dark and empty tavern space behind him - he starts to sing.

The song is missing any emotion. Joxer just presents the word, one after another.

Joxer stops – not as if he is overwhelmed by feelings or memories, but as if he actually doesn’t remember the words anymore.

He takes two coins out of a pouch and lays them on the table in front of him. Then he takes one of them and throws it into the direction of the counter.

Joxer’s eyes follow the coin, which falls into a pot on the floor next to the counter – a spit pot.

The whole tavern starts to laugh and loudly congratulate the blacksmith to the throw.

Joxer slowly walks towards the pot and goes down on one knee in front of it. He puts one hand into the pot, feels around for the coin and then pulls it out again.

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EXT. Street, Port of Argos – Day

It’s a busy street at the outskirt of the port of Argos, south of Corinth. Traveler and merchants crowd the road in both directions. Buildings – some wood, most of them stone but all of them pretty shabby – are lined up on both sides and their inhabitants add to the traffic.

XENA and GABRIELLE are amongst those on their way to leave the port.

Xena wears dark-blue leather trousers and knee high black leather boots. Over a hard black leather top she wears an open, armless coat made of large patches of dark-blue leather and light gray cotton parts, stitched together and padded. She carries a sword on the back, the Chakram at her belt and a large bag over her shoulder.

Gabrielle wears boots, a brown, shorter than knee-length skirt with extra, darker parts in front and on the back that reach down almost to the ground, a short rust-red top and brown leather straps around both lower arms. Her chobos, two wooden fighting sticks with leather gripping, are held together by a loop of rope and carried over the shoulder. She’s also carrying a bag, dragging it in her right hand.

They walk side-by-side, relaxed, talking intensely and mostly ignoring their surrounding.

Gabrielle stops and after another step so does Xena, turning around to face the bard.

The other travelers on the street pass to the left and right while they stand in the middle, talking.

Suddenly Xena hurls around, dropping her bag. Her right hand darts forward and grabs an arrow, targeted at the two women, right out of the air.

Both Xena and Gabrielle stare at the arrow for a moment and then, simultaneously, look into the direction where the arrow was coming from.

For a moment, a figure can be seen on a flat roof on top of one of the buildings next to the street. But the shadow quickly disappears by backing away from the edge of the roof.

Xena and Gabrielle both push forward to get through the crowd, but they don’t get through very quickly.

Suddenly Xena lets out one of her warcrys and forward flips over the heads of the people, landing next to the building. Another cry and she jumps upwards to reach the roof of the two-story house.

Gabrielle in the meantime continues to push through the crowd.

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INT. Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

Only a few minutes have passed in the tavern. The guests have returned to their own drinks and talks while the BARTENDER clears some tables.

JOXER stands at the counter, holding a mug with both hands. He leads it to his mouth to drink while his hands are shacking.

The door to the outside is still open – and now XENA and GABRIELLE enter. They are dressed as before and seem focused on a serious discussion.

They have almost reached the counter when they finally notice Joxer.

Both faces light up for a moment when they recognize him, but both looks change to worry and wonder when they see Joxer’s condition.

Joxer doesn’t react. After a few moments Xena grabs his shoulder and turns him around.

Joxer looks at them without any recognition in his eyes – and he stays silent.

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TITLE SEQUENCE

In a time of ancient gods ... warlords ... and kings ...

... a land in turmoil cried out for a hero!

She was XENA ...

... a mighty princess, forged in the heat of battle.

The power ...

The passion ...

The danger ...

Her courage will change the world!

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EXT. Outside the Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

It’s a side alley next to the tavern. The alley is only about four yards wide and empty except of a watering place for horses.

XENA and GABRIELLE are standing next to that and the warrior princess is just throwing JOXER into it.

He lands with a big splash in the water and struggles to get his head out of it again. Xena grabs his hair – he has lost the helmet during the fall – and pushes him below the water again.

After a few repetitions she lets go of him and he finally is able to sit up, gasping for breath.

Joxer looks up into the expecting faces of Gabrielle and Xena, standing left and right to him.

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other, over Joxer’s head, worried and a little confused.

Joxer looks down, into the water, thoughtful.

Joxer looks up for a short moment.

Xena and Gabrielle again look at each other, serious and troubled – but knowingly.

Joxer no longer seem to hear them.

Joxer slowly stands up and crawls out of the water place, now staring into the ground.

Joxer starts to stumble towards one end of the alley, but Gabrielle grabs his arm and stops him.

Joxer pulls his arm free and continues to walk away.

Gabrielle turns to Xena, which throws Gabrielle a reproachful look.

Xena and Gabrielle look at each other, both obviously sorry about the exchange. After a moment of excusing looks they both start to smile.

Xena and Gabrielle turn their heads towards the voice, not hasty but slowly, controlled - somehow knowingly.

On one end of the alley four thugs in shabby clothes and armed with clubs have appeared, slowly closing in on Xena and Gabrielle.

When Xena and Gabrielle turn around to the other side they find that two more thugs, equally bad dressed, are approaching from the other end of the alley.

Joxer, only a few yards away and now between Xena and Gabrielle and the four thugs, has stopped and leaned against the wall, staring at the armed men.

When the first one is passing him, the thug casually turns his head to Joxer and smiles. Than, without warning, he swings his club and hits Joxer on the head, sending him reeling to the side and landing unconscious on the ground.

Xena immediately jumps forward, letting out her war cry, and attacks - Gabrielle watches her for a moment, than she turns around to face the other two, taking her chobos from the shoulder.

Xena, no weapon drawn, lands right in front of the thug who had hit Joxer, and sends him back with a wide, sweeping kick. Immediately the next of the thugs attacks, wielding his club.

Xena easily blocks and dodges while giving the four men a hard time, sending each to the ground in turns.

Gabrielle, in the meantime, faces two opponents - and although they seemed unarmed at the time, before the fighting starts they both draw swords and attack simultaneously.

Gabrielle is able to block both attacks, but gets pushed backwards towards the water place. A quick look shows her that Xena is occupied. So she plants her feet and awaits the next attack.

The two thugs try to coordinate their efforts, but Gabrielle is able to dodge the next two attacks - ending up with the back to the wall. The two thugs press forward and raise their weapons for mighty blows. Gabrielle dives forward, making a role between the two men and ending up on one knee just behind them. Before they can react Gabrielle lashes out with both chobos to hit one of the thugs on the legs.

While one thug falls forward the other hurls around and tries to bring his sword down on Gabrielle, but she jumps up and runs forward, towards the other side of the alley. The standing attacker turns and follows her only to see her running up the wall and back-flipping over his head, landing behind him. Before he can turn again she hits him hard with her chobos on both shoulders, sending him to his knees and making him drop his weapon.

Then Gabrielle brings her fighting sticks up again to block an attack over her head, made by the second thug behind her, which has stood up again. Before he can attack again, Gabrielle hurls around and swings her chobos sideways towards his now exposed body. The hard, rip breaking hit downs the man right on the spot.

The second attacker, without sword, has now drawn a dagger and thrusts it forward - Gabrielle, still under control, just sidesteps the attack and turns halfway around. First she hits the hand holding the dagger with one chobo, next the other chobo is smashed right into the men's throat. Without a sound, just with a surprised look on his face, the man falls straight down, most likely dead before he touches the ground.

The other attacker has in the meantime scrambled to his feet and makes a thrusting attack against Gabrielle, right over the dead body of his comrade. Gabrielle barely directs the attack to the side with her leather-cover lower arm and follows up with another sweeping attack from the side. The man instinctively blocks it, shouting in pain when the two wooden sticks crash into his lower arm.

He stumbles forward and Gabrielle has time to look to Xena for a moment. The warrior princess has a firm handle on the four thugs, all of which seem heavily beat.

The turning swordsman draws Gabrielle's attention towards him once again when he raises his sword, mad and angry from pain and frustration.

Gabrielle crosses her chobos in front of her and when he brings down the sword in a wide, powerful angle she thrusts her sticks upwards, catching the sword over her head and redirecting it to the side. She combines the move with a kick from the side towards his head and the thug crashes into the sidewall, headfirst. He loses his sword and slowly slides down to the ground.

After a few relieved breaths Gabrielle looks over to Xena where her four opponents flee from the warrior princess right now. Xena turns to look at Gabrielle and both smile.

Their looks return towards serious very quickly when Gabrielle looks after the still unconscious Joxer and Xena pulls the surviving thug from the ground.

Xena quickly uses her pinch on the man.

Before he can answer an arrow hits him right in his back. With a surprised look on his face he slowly glides out of Xena's grip and falls to the ground.

The warrior princess has looked up when the arrow hit, but no bowman can be seen.

Xena turns around and walks up to Gabrielle, which is kneeing next to Joxer.

Gabrielle looks up to Xena, worried.

CUT TO:

INT. Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

XENA and GABRIELLE have occupied one corner of the tavern, having laid the still unconscious JOXER on a table, his head rested on Xena's backpack. The rest of the tavern is occupied with themselves.

Xena is checking Joxer's head wound while Gabrielle is standing at the window, looking out.

Gabrielle turns around and her eyes follow Xena's hands, bandaging Joxer's head.

Xena turns shortly to look at Gabrielle.

The BARTENDER approaches the two women.

Xena talks to him without looking up from her work but Gabrielle watches him closely.

Xena turns around and the bartender backs away a step, frightened.

The bartender bows and hurries away while Xena returns to her work.

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COMMERCIAL BREAK

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INT. Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

XENA and GABRIELLE are still in their reserved corner in the tavern, with all the other guests keeping at least two or three tables distance. JOXER is back on his feet, although his head is bandaged - unable to wear his helmet he carries it under his right arm. He stands near one of the windows, watching Xena and Gabrielle closely.

The two women obviously prepare for a fight, checking their clothing and armor, Xena looking after her sword and Chakram while Gabrielle repairs a few loose leather bands on her chobos. They look calm and focused.

Gabrielle and Xena both raise their heads in surprise.

Xena turns her attention back to her weapons. Gabrielle stares at Joxer for a little longer, than she returns to her chobos, too.

Joxer turns away from them and looks through the window. Then he raises his left hand up to his face, trying to keep her steady in front of his eyes - but the hand is shacking heavily. With his ill complexion, the dry mouth and the wide open, dark underlined eyes its clear that he suffers from alcohol withdrawal.

Xena, finished in her efforts, turns to Gabrielle and watches her work on the sticks. Feeling her look Gabrielle raises her head after a few moments and smiles.

Gabrielle stands up and takes one chobo in each hand, looking very ready for a fight.

Xena lays her right hand on the Chakram and finally returns the smile.

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EXT. Outside the Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

The area in front of the tavern is strangely empty … only a few people can be seen and they are all leaving the place right now. Between a heap of wooden-build houses and the tavern an empty, roughly circular area is left out. The ground is basically mud, fairly wet and deep.

Some inhabitants of the buildings are closing their doors and windows shut right about now - the guests in the tavern do it the other way around, opening up all windows and waiting behind them for the show.

A light breeze is moving through the air and the sky is dark, cloud-covered, even so it's far from sundown.

After a few very silent moments, XENA, GABRIELLE and JOXER leave the tavern.

Xena has left her coat behind and holds the Chakram in the right hand, carrying the sword still on her back.

Gabrielle follows her closely, holding one chobo in each hand, letting her arms hang down loosely on her side.

Joxer comes last, with a little distance. He is unarmed and has left the helmet in the tavern. His head is still bandaged.

Xena walks up almost to the middle of the place and than stops. Gabrielle walks up to her and takes a stand right next to her, on Xena's left side. Joxer stops a few steps behind them, looking around nervously.

Xena and Gabrielle seem calm, relaxed. When nothing happens for a few seconds they turn their heads towards each other - almost simultaneously. They look at each other - serious.

Gabrielle turns around to face Joxer, looking at him somehow sad. Xena in the meantime lets her eyes wander across the line of buildings.

Joxer and Gabrielle look at each other for a few moments, both searching something in the others eyes.

Gabrielle turns around and notices the reason for Xena's call. Armed men appear between a few buildings, approaching the field from three sides.

They are all wearing gray cotton pants and shirts, leather boots and some have a hardwood harness as armor. Many have helmets, other wear caps, but all are heavily armed, already carrying their swords, axes and hammers in their hands - some of the weapons are even two-handed.

The three groups of four mercenaries each don't seem to have a leader, but they still act very concentrated and in order. When they have crossed half the distance between the buildings and the middle of the area they stop.

Xena has made a step forward and is weighing the Chakram in her right hand. She turns her head to look at each of the three groups and than, with a quick but powerful movement, launches her throwing weapon towards the group to her left.

Before the Chakram can reach anything he is hit in midair by a throwing knife and brought slightly out of its original path. It misses the mercenaries and smashes square in one of the wooden building, getting stuck.

Xena hurls around to see, where the knife was coming from, but at first she seems to notice nothing. She looks quickly to Gabrielle - and the bard just silently points towards a point next to the tavern, almost behind them.

There, in the shadow of a small stable, a figure is standing, hidden inside a dark-green coat. She just puts her right arm back under the coat. The face is completely covered in darkness and not even the gender of the person can be determined.

Suddenly, as if receiving a secret signal, the mercenaries raise their weapons and storm forward simultaneously. All twelve warriors seem determined to attack.

Xena quickly turns over to Gabrielle and the two women exchange a quick look. Xena nods and then both of them start running towards one of the three groups of fighters. Xena pulls out her sword while Gabrielle raises one of her chobos over her head, holding the other one horizontally in front of her. Joxer is following them, less than enthusiastic.

Before Xena reaches the line of warriors, she summersaults forward, over their heads, and lands behind them. Suddenly these four mercenaries have Gabrielle in front of them and Xena in their back.

Gabrielle stops moments before the attacker reach her and looks straight at the one closest to her. When he swings his sword at her she pushes his weapon to the side with on of her fighting sticks and hits him hard in the side with the other. Still in a forward movement, he is thrown off his feet and rolls past Gabrielle.

Xena in the meantime has kicked one of the remaining three soldiers in the back, reeling him forward against a second mercenary, both tumbling to the ground. The forth attacker, wielding a big sledgehammer, has stopped and now swings the weapon in a wide, horizontal arc towards Gabrielle.

Unable to block such a powerful attack, Gabrielle makes a roll forward, dodging the attack. Xena jumps over the crouching Gabrielle to attack the two warriors she sent to the ground. Both are just scrambling to their feet when Xena reaches them, hitting the sword of one of them to the side, following up with a sidekick to his head, sending him back to the ground.

The second one has jumped up in the meantime and tries to thrust his sword into Xena's side. She redirects his weapon upwards with her own, gripping his lower arm with her free left hand. Then she hits the fighter with her right fist, holding her sword, across the face - twice. When the man stumbles back she lets go of his sword arm, kicks upwards and sends his weapon into the air. Then she thrusts her own sword forward, through the chest of the mercenary, killing him instantly. With her leg she pushes her sword free and then easily catches the other sword with her free hand.

Gabrielle, in the meantime, has blocked two hits by the warrior she encountered first while the fighter with the sledgehammer prepares another of his powerful, but very slow attacks. Joxer has reached the area of the fighting and looks around, unsure what to do.

Before Xena turns to face her second opponent again, she throws the sword she acquired to Joxer.

Joxer catches the sword clumsy and turns towards Gabrielle's opponents.

She has, in the meantime blocked another hit but is now facing the hammer-wielder, too. Again, she is only left with the option of retreat and she jumps backwards.

With Xena facing one and Gabrielle and Joxer facing two opponents and holding their ground, the other two groups of four mercenaries each have almost reached them.

Xena, seeing the urgency, jumps forward, letting down a hail of attacks against the other fighter. Able to block the first two, he falls back a step on the third, drops down to one knee on the fourth and loses his weapon on the fifth. Xena only hesitates for a moment then she thrusts her sword through the man's throat, pulling it out again immediately.

Joxer and Gabrielle, now side-by-side, have in the meantime fought of the attacks by their two opponents without reaching any advantage.

First Xena is reached by reinforcements - the four warriors next to her attack her quickly and wildly. The first one, carrying a large, two-handed axe, swings it against her legs. She jumps upwards, avoiding the attack. When the man takes his stance right in front of her, she kicks against the handle of the axe to push her upwards, so that his chest is left defenseless.

With a hard thrust she pushes her sword deep into his chest - and than let's go of the handle. Quickly she pulls the axe away from the dying, falling man and raises the weapon while hurling around.

With a powerful movement, throwing her whole body forward, she throws the heavy axe towards the two fighter facing Gabrielle and Joxer. The axe hits the swordfighter right in the chest, throwing him to the side and backwards, right into the path of the approaching third group.

Now, not waiting for her other three opponents to attack her from behind, Xena jumps into the air, flipping backwards over their heads and leaving their weapons nothing but air to hit. Without weapon but in good position she lands right behind them, smiling grimly.

Gabrielle and Joxer meanwhile face the big warrior with the sledgehammer, having gained a little more time with the reinforcement on their side delayed by the obstacle of the reeling corpse.

The fighter has changed to less powerful, but quicker attacks, holding the hammer close to the top and using it almost like a staff with one heavy end.

Gabrielle pushes Joxer to the side to take on the opponent on her own. She quickly lets down a hail of attacks with her chobos, directed against the whole body - but the mercenary is able to block most of them and strong enough to ignore the rest.

Joxer has stumbled to the side a few steps and is now watching Gabrielle fight. When he sees the last four fighters finally approaching he raises his sword, lets out a shout and storms forward, right into the midst of them.

When he reaches them he tries to attack the first one but his hit is easily deflected and the mercenary just pushes him to the side, not even attacking him properly.

Gabrielle in the meantime has continued her attack on the large fighter. She finally sidesteps one vertical attack by the mercenary, hitting one of his hands holding the big hammer with one of her chobos. He had to let go with this hand and the head of the hammer falls down to the ground. Gabrielle jumps forward, stepping on the hilt of the weapon and kicking against the face of her opponent. After that she lands on the other side.

Still not affected by her attacks, the man starts to smile and leans forward to get his second hand on the weapon again - to pick it up. Gabrielle goes down on one knee and lashes out with both chobos against the back of his knees. Out of balance he falls forward, ramming the hilt of the hammer into his stomach.

Now Gabrielle quickly stands up and jumps onto the back of the mercenary - with the added weight and momentum the man is thrust onto his own weapon. After Gabrielle has slid down back to the ground, he slowly falls sideways and now it can be seen that the handle of the hammer was pushed into him. He hits the ground silently, with a surprised look on his dead face.

Xena's opponents have in the meantime turned around and surrounded the unarmed warrior princess. For a few moments, neither side seems willing to do anything. Finally, the warrior at Xena's left side, armed with a one-handed axe and a shield, jumps forward and attacks.

Xena dodges the first attack, only to come into reach of the second warrior, armed with a sword. He thrusts forward and glances along Xena's back, leaving a bleeding wound. Xena quickly let herself fall to the ground and rolls to the side. The third warrior, carrying a sword, too, now jumps forward, hitting down hard on the prone woman.

Xena lets out one of her warcrys and jumps up, making a backward flip while kicking the third attacker in the face. She lands right to the side of the first fighter, while the second one is pressing forward for a frontal attack. Before the first mercenary can do anything, Xena has grabbed his left arm with the shield and pulled the shield in front of her to block the attack of the other fighter. While holding the shield and his left arm in front of her she hits him in the face with a right hook and grabs his other hand with the axe.

After a second hit, this time with the elbow into his face, the warrior lets go of the axe and shield and stumbles backwards. Now Xena faces the sword of the second warrior armed with an axe and a shield.

The last four mercenaries finally reached Gabrielle in the meantime. Joxer was pushed to the side by them without much trouble and scrambles to his feet a few steps away.

Not waiting for their attack, Gabrielle crouches down and rolls forward, lashing out left and right with her chobos. The first two warriors, each hit on the knees by the wooden sticks, are send to the ground, falling past the bard.

Gabrielle rises up again in front of the other two fighters, blocking their simultaneous first attacks with one chobo each. The two men quickly position themselves on opposite sides of Gabrielle, putting her in the worst possible position.

Both mercenaries, each armed with a sword, attack Gabrielle almost at the same time, going for different targets. Gabrielle can barely block the first two attacks and finally receives a cut on her left leg with the third one.

Meanwhile Joxer has attacked one of the two fighters that were grounded by Gabrielle and is now actually in a fight with him. While still clumsy, he can hold his ground, seemingly out of desperation.

The second fighter send to the ground by the bard is also standing again and seems ready to join the attack against Gabrielle.

Xena has meanwhile blocked a few attacks by her opponent. When another, vertical attack ends with the sword stuck in the shield she quickly swings down the axe against the hilt of the sword - and severs the hand from the right arm of her opponent, who cries out in pain and stumbles backwards.

Xena throws away the useless shield-sword construct and actually finds time to look over to Gabrielle. Seeing the third attacker approaching her friend she raises the axe and throws it quickly.

The weapon hits the mercenary in the left shoulder. The man breaks down on his knees and cries out. He drops his weapon and grabs for his shoulder were his arm is almost severed. After a few moments of agony he loses consciousness and drops to the ground.

Xena, now again unarmed, faces two opponents - the swordfighter she kicked and the warrior she took the weapons from who has drawn a dagger. And while Joxer still keeps one warrior busy Gabrielle tries to figure out a way to overcome her two enemies.

Still holding their positions on opposite side, Gabrielle's opponents try to coordinate their attacks - and have some success with it. But after a few more hits and another wound on her left shoulder, Gabrielle is finally able to move past one of the fighters, bringing him between her and the second one. Faced with only one attacker for a moment, she immediately uses the situation for a fierce attack.

She is able to push the sword of the man to the side and hit his sword arm with a crushing blow. The mercenary pulls back his arm and lets go of his weapon. Defenseless and stunned for a moment he stares at Gabrielle. The bard doesn't hesitate and swings both chobos against his head - hitting him hard on the side.

The mercenary is send flying to the side and hits the ground, unconscious. The second fighter, who wanted to move around his partner to get into Gabrielle's back again cries out angrily and storms forward.

In the meantime Xena has slowly walked backwards, looking at her last two opponents and their moves. They seem very couscous and advance carefully. Finally Xena, seemingly tired of that, changes her direction and jumps forward, surprising the other fighters. While the fighter with the sword raises his weapon for a slashing attack the second warrior thrusts forward his dagger.

Xena grabs the hand with the dagger and actually pulls towards her. When the other fighter brings down his sword against her, she turns sideways and pulls the first one between her and the sword. The weapon hits the man right in the back and cuts deep into his spine. Xena just steps to the side and allows the corpse to slide to the ground.

Gabrielle, faced with her last opponent, has blocked his first, wild attacks and counterattacked with her chobos. After she blocks another vertical slash by the mercenary she kicks upward and sends the weapon flying straight into the air. Before the man can react she turns sideways in one fluid motion and goes down on one knee. With that movement she hits the warrior with her chobos below his knees, pushing away his feet from under him. Unable to avoid it he falls forward, flat on the front.

Gabrielle completes her turn and rises up again, now standing right in front of the head of the prone fighter. She crosses her chobos and before her opponent can do anything, she buries them into the ground right across his neck, pinning his head and upper body to the ground.

Unable to move he tries to grab Gabrielle's weapons - and is hit in the back by the falling sword. The weapon buries itself deep into the man's body and his movements end.

Xena's last opponent, meanwhile, has stared at her for a few seconds - and than turns and runs away, as fast as he is able to in this deep ground.

Xena turns to see after Gabrielle and sees her just standing up. When their eyes meet both smile, looking exhausted but satisfied.

Suddenly Gabrielle hurls around, remembering Joxer. He has bravely kept up with his lone opponent, but now he has lost his sword and a kick sends him backwards, to the ground. The mercenary, maybe unaware of the situation, jumps forward, weapon raised - ready to kill Joxer on the spot.

Gabrielle runs and jumps before the mercenary can complete his last attack. She hits the warrior in the back and both fall to the ground, rolling to the side.

While the two are struggling Joxer jumps up and picks up his sword again. He turns and quickly moves towards the wrestling bodies. Meanwhile Xena is running towards the group, too.

Joxer raises the sword, hesitates for a moment - and then thrusts the weapon into the body of the mercenary. The warrior rolls around for a few moments and than lies still. Just before his movement stops Gabrielle lets out a painful shout, shudders for a moment and than lies still, too.

Xena freezes on the spot and Joxer stares down to the two bodies.

He drops to his knee, letting go of his weapon. He pushes the body of the mercenary to the side and takes Gabrielle's motionless face into his hands. He stares at her for a few long, silent seconds and than rises his head to the sky.

Xena is still standing a few yards away, staring at them.

Both stand frozen in their emotions for some moments. Finally, reacting to some motion from the edge of the battlefield, Xena turns her head.

From the small stable, where she has observed everything, the mysterious figure is slowly approaching the group. It's a woman, as old as Xena and with the same experience shining out of her brown eyes. A leather strap holds her long, red hair together while the rest of the body is still hidden behind the green coat.

Under the watchful eye of Xena she stops maybe halfway between the tavern and the group, looking mostly at Gabrielle's body.

Camilla finally looks at Xena.

Camilla turns back to look at Gabrielle, utterly surprised. The bard has suddenly moved, sitting up on the ground and grabbing the chobos that lie next to her. Joxer, behind her, has stood up and watches all this almost emotionless. Xena has started to smile.

Camilla, quickly seeing through the trick, looks back to Xena, angry.

Gabrielle has now stood up and looks at Camilla, also smiling, holding one chobo in each hand. Joxer has made a few steps forward, standing next to her.

Camilla has turned towards Gabrielle again.

All heads turn towards the war of god who has appeared only a few steps away from them.

Before Xena can turn, Camilla opens her coat and raises her right arm, holding a throwing knife.

She throws it right at Gabrielle. The bard reacts immediately, bringing up her chobos to block the weapon.

Joxer jumps forward and throws himself into the path of the weapon, getting hit on the left side and falling to the ground right in front of Gabrielle, bleeding heavily.

Gabrielle is shocked for a moment, than she drops her sticks and knees down next to Joxer, looking for his wound. Joxer, barely conscious, just stares at her.

Meanwhile Camilla has turned around, not waiting for the result of her action, and runs towards the tavern. Xena makes a step to follow her.

Xena stops and turns back to help Gabrielle with Joxer while Camilla is fleeing.

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COMMERCIAL BREAK

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EXT. Outside the Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

XENA is kneeing next to JOXER, taking care of the wound close to his left shoulder. GABRIELLE stands next to them, looking down.

ARES is still here, watching the group from a few steps away. Near the buildings surrounding the place people finally start to appear again. The area itself is still littered with dead and injured mercenaries, weapons and blood.

When Xena is finished bandaging Joxer she carefully places him on the ground and stands up, taking a look around. Now Gabrielle goes down on her knees and strokes Joxer's face, finally putting her hand on his healthy shoulder, pressing it a little. Joxer - weak but conscious - looks up into her face.

While Xena walks away, towards the place where her Chakram is sticking out of the wooden wall of a small building, Joxer tries to sit up and talk, pushed down again by Gabrielle.

Xena has meanwhile reached her Chakram and pulls it out with one quick movement. She looks for the blade and than puts it back on her belt. When she turns around, Ares is standing in front of her.

Ares nods towards Gabrielle and Joxer, which were joined by woman, standing next to them and talking quietly to Gabrielle.

Xena looks at him for a moment, thinking. When he turns and slowly walks away she hesitates for a moment and then follows him. They pass through an alley between two buildings and reach an open field.

Ares finally stops, standing in the middle of the field, and turns around. Xena walks up to him until they stand face to face.

Xena seems not surprised at all.

Xena turns away from Ares and slowly walks back the way they came. After a few steps she stops and turns her head back to Ares.

Xena nods quietly, turns around and continues her way back. Ares follows her with his eyes until she disappears between the buildings, then he just vanishes in a flash.

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EXT. Road – Day

It's a small, dirty road leading along a group of green and empty hills. A single HOODED MAN is walking along, wearing a wide, black robe with a large hood pulled over his head, obscuring his face. He walks slowly, but it seems by choice and not by age or exhaustion.

Suddenly a shout can be heard from one of the hills and a group of 6 riders appears only a short distance away. The traveler stops and raises his head slightly while the group of six approaches quickly. Behind them another horse appears, carrying two figures. It follows slowly and is still half the distance away when the first six surround the man - who just waits.

The six men that now jump down from their horses are well armed - all have a sword or axe in their hand and a good leather armor for protection. They act threatening and determined, pointing their weapons towards the lone traveler.

The voice of the stranger is deep and calm.

The armed bandit that had done the talking steps forward, pointing his sword at the hooded man's throat.

Before he can say anything more, the horse with the two riders has reached the circle around the traveler - CALLISTO and LEONA are the two figures on its back.

Callisto sits in front, dressed as usual in her tight black leather armor, carrying a sword at her side. She looks bored, almost angry. Behind her Leona, dressed in a short, black skirt and a gray top with knee high boots, wearing her long, black hair open, has her arms wrapped around Callisto's body, not looking very confident on the horses back.

Ignoring the man that points his sword at him, the hooded man walks past that man and stops in front of Callisto.

Callisto looks up, surprised for a moment. She stares at the hooded man, seemingly unsure what to do.

The armed bandit in the meantime has turned around, obviously very angry, and positioned himself behind the stranger, ready to thrust his sword into the travelers back. Before he can execute his plan, a dagger buries itself in his throat - thrown by Callisto.

Callisto looks around, letting her look pace the other five man of her band. Each one slowly backs away, turns around to his horse, gets into the saddle and rides away, back to the hill were they came from.

After a short while, only Callisto and Leona on the horse, the hooded man and the dead body are left behind.

She turns her head to look into Leona's somehow a little frightened face.

Callisto turns back, stops for a moment, thinking, than she turns around to face Leona again, giving her an almost caring look.

Callisto sits up straight again and leans forward, staring at the head of the hooded man, trying to penetrate the darkness that hides his face.

Callisto's face freezes - she stares straight at the hooded traveler without showing any emotion.

Callisto stares silently for a few seconds, than she sits up on her horse.

The hooded man nods and than slowly walks past Callisto, following the road again. Following him with her look for a short while, she finally turns her horse and follows him.

Leona shows a scared, confused and very worried look on her face.

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EXT. Outside the Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

The place in front of the tavern is still empty except for the remains of the battle, GABRIELLE and JOXER. People have appeared between the buildings, but no one dares to come closer so far.

Gabrielle is helping Joxer to sit up when XENA returns. When the warrior princess stops next to Gabrielle, the bard looks up to her, questioningly.

Both are silent for a few moments, staring at each other. Gabrielle is still holding Joxer who tries to not disturb the conversation, although he seems in pain.

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COMMERCIAL BREAK

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INT. Octavian's house, Rome – Day

It's Octavian's working room. For one of the members of the second triumphirate and thereby maybe the most powerful man in the known world, this is the place were he plans Roman politics - and Roman wars. An enormous desk is taking one side while the opposite wall is covered with shelves, holding thousands of scrolls.

OCTAVIAN himself is standing next to the desk, leaned over a spread out map of Greece. He wears a simple white tunica and seems concentrated, focused.

After a few moments a slave is leading MARC ANTONY into the room. The second member of the triumphirate seems relaxed, smiling constantly. He wears a white toga with a purple ribbon across the chest.

The slave bows deeply and leaves the room quickly while Marc Antony casually strolls towards the desk and looks over Octavian's shoulder.

Octavian talks without looking up from the map.

Mark Antony turns and slowly walks to the shelves on the other side, checking some of the scrolls seemingly interested.

Ark Antony slowly walks over to the door where he came in.

At the door Marc Antony stops for a moment.

Marc Antony thinks for a moment, than he nods and leaves the room. Octavian is still standing as he did when Marc Antony came in, leaning over the desk.

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EXT. Outside the Tavern, Port of Argos – Day

XENA and JOXER are standing in front of the tavern - the area around it has returned to its normal busyness, with dozens of people filling the streets again with their business and pleasure.

Xena has put on her coat again and her backpack stands right next to her on the ground. Joxer is standing in front of her, listening to her closely. His wounds are still bandaged and his face still misses any healthy look, but overall he looks better now - and seems concentrated.

Joxer nods. Xena looks seriously into Joxer's face, than she stretches out her right hand.

Joxer looks down on her hand for a moment, than, hesitantly, he takes it.

Xena gives him an encouraging smile.

Joxer turns and slowly walks away through the crowd.

After he is out of sight GABRIELLE comes out of the tavern, dragging her bag with her. She stops next to Xena, looking at her expectantly.

Gabrielle looks straight and very serious into Xena's eyes.

Without a replay Xena picks up her bag and walks away, followed slowly by Gabrielle. Both seem thoughtful and serious - even melancholic.

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