TEASER

GABRIELLE: “How much further till we get to the temple?”
XENA: “Not too far, Sure you don’t want a ride?”
GABRIELLE: “No, I’m enjoying the walk.”
XENA: “You don’t have to come with me, you know? After all, it’s a family thing.”
GABRIELLE: “I think it’s wonderful, honoring your brother like this.”
XENA: “It’s something I do every year at this time.”
GABRIELLE: “You two must have been very close.”
XENA: “We were.”
GABRIELLE: “Maybe I will take that ride. I always wanted to have a brother.”
XENA: “Hah! That must have made your sister happy.”
GABRIELLE: “I mean, in addition to Lila.”
XENA: “By this flame, I call on the three Fates: The Maiden, the Mother and the Crone. Comfort my brother. Lyceus whose life you cut short this day eleven years ago. In his memory I ask it.”
GABRIELLE: “I wish I could have known your younger brother.”
XENA: “If I hadn’t insisted that we rally against Cortese, you might have.”
GABRIELLE: “Xena it’s not your fault. He chose to stand for something he believed in.”
XENA: “Yeah me. Gabrielle you don’t know what it’s like to take a life, let alone cause the death of someone you love. The gods grant you never do.”

Fight

WARRIOR: “I know you, You’re Xena!”
GABRIELLE: “Xena behind you! He’s just a boy.”
FATAS: “Xena”
MAIDEN: “you”
MOTHER: “know”
CRONE: “Us.”
XENA: “Everyone knows the three faces of Fate.”
MAIDEN: “But few glimpse them.”
MOTHER: “And fewer still incur our debt.”
CRONE: “You saved our temple. Name your reward. If it’s our to bestow, it’s yours.”
XENA: “Reward for what? For killing a boy barely out of his childhood? I don’t want a reward, I want that boy’s life back. By the gods, I wish I’d never followed the sword in the first place.”
CRONE: “So be it, all is restored.”
XENA: “You mean you can bring him back?”
MOTHER: “All is restored, until the first time you draw blood in anger.”
XENA: “What are you saying?”
MAIDEN: “Spill so much as a drop of blood in rage, and everything changes back.”
XENA: “But I’m a warrior. How can I obey that?”
CRONE: “As a warrior, you can’t.”
XENA: “Gabrielle?”
LYCEUS: “Xena! Hey where are you?”
XENA: “Lyceus? Lyceus? Lyceus! Oh!”
LYCEUS: “Hey sisters!”

 


ACT I

LYCEUS: “What are you grinning at? OK what is it, what’s wrong?”
XENA: “Wrong?”
LYCEUS: “Well, you keep staring at me. Is my face dirty or something?”
XENA: “No it’s perfect.”
LYCEUS: “Uh-huh. You sure you’re all right?”
XENA: “I’m not sure about anything anymore.”
LYCEUS: “You seem sort of, I don’t know, funny.”
XENA: “Look who’s talking the guy who still wears his Virillus token.”
LYCEUS: “Hey come on. Lots of guys still wear their tokens. Besides it’s good luck it saved my life remember?”
XENA: “How could I forget?”
LYCEUS: “Yeah, well I never will. If that arrow had a’ hit me instead of my token, I’d be a memory.”
XENA: “Instead, you’re a grown man.”
LYCEUS: “Look uh, I can handle things at the inn. Why don’t you go home maybe lie down, relax. Go home.”
XENA: “I have.”
SLAVE BOSS: “11. 12. 13. 14. 15. 16. 17. 18. 19. 20.”
MEZENTIYS: “Enough! Anymore and the slave’d pass out and they make much better examples to the rest when they’re writhing in pain. Don’t you agree?”
KRYKUS: “Absolutely, though I admit my Amazons rarely give me the pleasure of hearing them scream. Still given time, I’ll break them.”
MEZENTIYS: “Soon, the whole world will feel our boots on their necks.”
KRYKUS: “Or our whips on their backs if they resist us.”
MEZENTIYS: “Resist?! By the gods, I’d like to see any fool who tries.”
MAN: “Hello, Xena.”
XENA: “Good morning.”
WOMAN: “Hi.”
XENA: “Good morning.”
XENA: “One move and I break it.”
MAPHIAS: “OK I’m a statue. Bad day at the inn?”
XENA: “Maphias?”
MAPHIAS: “Of course who else? Unless you’ve got another suitor on the side.”
XENA: “Suitor? N, no I mean, I mean of course I don’t, I hope.”
MAPHIAS: “Well good. Then let me show you a few moves of my own. Something wrong?”
XENA: “What could be wrong?”
MAPHIAS: “You’re not gonna try and postpone the wedding again are you?”
XENA: “Why would I want to do that?”
MAPHIAS: “You tell me. First it was Cortese’s attack, then the town’s reconstruction. I’m warning you Xena. You keep putting me off like this and I’m liable to give up, in ten or fifteen years.”
XENA: “I’ll keep that in mind.”
MAPHIAS: “Do. After all it was the last thing we promised her, we ought to make good on it.”
XENA: “Promised who?”
XENA: “Mother.”
LYCEUS: “Xena? Maphias said you were here.”
XENA: “I just, just had to see, I guess I’m having trouble accepting it, you know?”
LYCEUS: “I know. It’s been nearly ten years now and I still feel responsible.”
XENA: “You?”
LYCEUS: “It broke her heart losing everything to Cortese but what else could I do? You were there we had to run.”
XENA: “Lyceus, it is not your fault, believe me. If it’s anybody’s fault it’s mine.”
LYCEUS: “Sure and what could you have done? Fought Cortese yourself? On second thought that might have been something to see. Listen, I’m just gonna wait outside.”
XENA: “Be there in a bit.”
LYCEUS: “All right.”
XENA: “Mother I never meant for this to happen. I just wanted that boy’s life back and now, I’ve got another chance at life too. So I’m gonna take it. The hardest thing is losing you and Gabrielle but it makes it easier just knowing that in this life I never shamed you and Gabrielle never left her family and I never led Lyceus to die in battle. And I know that’s what you would have wanted. It’s like Xena Warrior Princess never existed. But the world’s a better place without her.”
LYCEUS: “I don’t know, maybe it’s just a brother thing but he’s not herself today.”
MAPHIAS: “Yeah, I, sensed that myself.”
LYCEUS: “You two have a fight or something?”
MAPHIAS: “Trust me, if we’d had a fight, I’d have noticed, no, it’s something else.”
LYCEUS: “Like what?”
MAPHIAS: “Well I’m not sure. At first I thought it was cold feet. You know, about the wedding.”
LYCEUS: “Well given the groom, can you blame her?”
MAPHIAS: “Hey, whose side are you on? It’s odd though when I mentioned our promise to your mother, it was almost like she was hearing it for the first time.”
LYCEUS: “She’s been that way all day, sort of, foggy and dazed.”
MAPHIAS: “Maybe she’s coming down with something. Hey look if you’re really worried, I could talk to her see what’s going on.”
LYCEUS: “Would you? I mean it’s probably nothing but she’s all the family I’ve got.”
MAPHIAS: “Not all.”
LYCEUS: “Hey!”
MAPHIAS: “Thanks.”
WOMAN: “Please.”
SHOPOWNER: “Hold on, What do you think you’re doing?”
SLAVE BOSS: “We’re here to place an order, two wagonloads of food and hay to be delivered by midday tomorrow. That a problem?”
SHOPOWNER: “No but I’ll need some dinars as good faith.”
SLAVE BOSS: “You wanna see some good faith? Start praying, and if I spare you, that’s as good as it gets.”
XENA: “Oh, I’m sorry. I, I was just checking the price of this rug. Are you all right? I guess I don’t know my own strength. Can you ever forgive me?”
SLAVE BOSS: “Next time watch what you’re doing. You might hurt someone. Well don’t just stand there, bring in the slaves to fetch dinner!”
MAIDEN: “Quick thinking.”
XENA: “Thanks.”
MAIDEN: “Guess you’ll be doing quite a lot of that, unless you’re tired of the quiet life. If so you know the remedy.”
XENA: “I do but I’m through with fighting, and nothing’s going to change that.”
SLAVE BOSS: “Watch it slave girl. Move!”

 


ACT II

SLAVE BOSS: “Oh you clumsy fool! I’ll teach you.”
XENA: “Don’t touch her.”
SLAVE BOSS: “Out of my way unless you wanna join her.”
XENA: “I won’t let you beat her.”
SLAVE BOSS: “Won’t let me?”
MAPHIAS: “Wait! Stop! I can explain it’s all a misunderstanding, right darling? You see we’re getting married soon which means we’re in the market for a house slave, Isn’t that so Sweetheart? And she’s right this girl should be perfect but if I’ve told her once, I’ve told her a thousand times ask before you examine the goods. Isn’t that true my love?”
XENA: “Yes, that’s true. So, how much?”
SLAVE BOSS: “Forget it. Mezentius likes her too much to sell her at any price.”
XENA: “Mezentius.”
FIRSE SOLDIER: “Ready to go!”
SLAVE BOSS: “Right Load everyone into the wagons. Come on you worthless slave. Come on. Move!”
XENA: “Gabri”
XENA: “Let go they’re taking her away. What do you think you’re doing?!”
MAPHIAS: “Saving your neck! What’s gotten into you today? Lyceus is worried and so am I. That’s why I’m here.”
XENA: “Lyceus sent you?”
MAPHIAS: : “Good thing he did, too. What were you doing, interfering like that?”
XENA: “I wasn’t interfering! I was trying to save a fr, to save a girl from being beaten.”
MAPHIAS: “She was a slave. The way you were acting you’d think slavery was a crime.”
XENA: “It is.”
MAPHIAS: “Don’t give me that argument again. It’s very generous and noble but when are gonna learn that you’ve gotta go along to get along? That’s how the world works and you can’t change the world Xena. No matter what you think.”
MOTHER: “He’s wrong you know? One drop of blood and the world changes back to what it was.”
XENA: “No, no. This world might not be perfect but my world wasn’t perfect either and I won’t take my brother’s life, not again.”
MOTHER: “And your friend. What about her life?”
XENA: “I can change that. All I have to do is free her and Gabrielle will be fine.”
MOTHER: “You sound very sure but as you said things are different here. People too.”
XENA: “This is Gabrielle we’re talking about. How different can she be?”
MEZENTIYS: “It won’t work. They’ve gotta know we’re coming or they won’t be scared. Give me that bread.”
KRYKUS: “If the village knows we’re coming they’ll mount a defense.”
MEZENTIYS: “Yeah?”
KRYKUS: “That’s why we want to surprise them.”
MEZENTIYS: “Where’s the fun in that? Let them put up a defense, my men need the exercise.”
KRYKUS: “I wanna minimize casualties.”
MEZENTIYS: “Since when do you care about villagers?”
KRYKUS: “Since they became potential slaves fewer casualties, higher profits.”
MEZENTIYS: “Yeah well higher profits would be good. Especially when you’re dividing them by three. Right sweet thing?”
KRYKUS: “Yeah I know three’s a lot but by combining your muscle, my strategies and Caputius’ deadly arts, we’ll more than triple our take.”
MEZENTIYS: “The three of us will be a regular force of nature. Not so fast sweet thing more wine.”
GABRIELLE: “Yes, sir.”
KRYKUS: “Our first move is the most important. What’s the word from Amphipolis?”
MEZENTIYS: “Ripe for the picking, like some other things around here. Hey sweet thing. A guy by the name of Lyceus could give us trouble though. According to my spies he and his sister stood up to Cortese a few years back before they were forced into the hills.”
KRYKUS: “If they thought Cortese was bad, what’ll they think of us?”

They laugh

MAPHIAS: “Crazy! Your sister has totally lost her mind! Taking on a slave boss and not just any slave boss but one who works for Mezentius.”
LYCEUS: “To tell you the truth, I’m relieved.”
MAPHIAS: “Relieved? She could have been hurt or worse.”
LYCEUS: “Xena?”
MAPHIAS: “Oh that’s right. You two practice fighting and swordplay, while these guys are professionals. They hurt people for a living.”
LYCEUS: “We may not get paid to fight but I’d put us up against the best they’ve got.”
MAPHIAS: “Well then you’d lose and and for what? To stop someone you don’t even know from being legally punished?”
LYCEUS: “To stop someone, anyone from being abused legal or not.”
MAPHIAS: “Oh gods deliver me. You’re as bad as she is!”
LYCEUS: “What’s so bad about wanting to help someone?”
MAPHIAS: “Well nothing as long as you don’t get hurt in the process.”
LYCEUS: “So Xena didn’t get hurt.”
MAPHIAS: “Not yet.”
SHOPOWNER: “Sorry we’re closed you’ll have to come back tomorrow. Oh it’s you Xena. Forget something?”
XENA: “No no I, I just wanted to get some ah one of those.”
SHOPOWNER: “I’ll get you a fresh one.”
XENA: “So I guess you’ll be taking those supplies out to Mezentius tomorrow huh?”
SHOPOWNER: “It’s like dealing with Ares himself but a man’s gotta make a living, right?”
XENA: “Right. So your men will be leaving early?”
SHOPOWNER: “Gone by first light, back by dark. Why are you looking for a job?”
XENA: “No ha-ha. No just dinner.”
SHOPOWNER: “There you go. Is that all you need?”
XENA: “It’ll be fine. Thanks put it on the tab.”
XENA: “You should’ve seen him Lyceus. Petty son of a blood sucking Bacchae. That’s what all slavers are.”
LYCEUS: “You act like it’s news. Why do I think I wanted to stop Cortese? Not just to get the town back. Men like that can’t go unchallenged. Look what happened to the Amazons.”
XENA: “The Amazons? Yeah, I guess they’re a good example aren’t they?”
LYCEUS: “Sure no one challenged the warlord who started things with them and the Centaurs and now where are they? Dead mostly or enslaved by the same scum who tricked them. What was his name? Cretan. No Crouton.”
XENA: “Krykus.”
LYCEUS: “Yeah right, another charmer. Seems like everywhere you look these days, things are going from bad to worse and no one’s doing a thing to stop it, except you.”
XENA: “Me?”
LYCEUS: “Why going up against a slave boss like you did. Guess all that sparring finally paid off huh? Next thing you know you’ll be taking on Mezentius himself.”
XENA: “Don’t think I wouldn’t love it. No there’s gotta be
another way to go.”
LYCEUS: “It’s not your fault the world’s the way it is and with Mezentirus lording it safely in his castle, what can you do?”

Xena stows away in supply wagon

 


ACT III

SOLDIER: “You’re drunk!”
WAGON DRIVER: “So?”
SOLDIER: “You shouldn’t be allowed on the road! Move on!”
SOLDIER: “That’s it move. Shut up! Come on you slave!”
XENA: “Don’t worry it’s me. I was at the market yesterday remember?”
GABRIELLE: “Yeah I remember. You tried to buy me. What do you want?”
XENA: “To get you out of here. As soon as it’s clear we make our move but stick close, timing is everything.”
GABRIELLE: “You’re crazy. The only move I’m making is back to work.”
XENA: “No, wait.”
GABRIELLE: “Why? Do you even know what they do to runaway slaves? You ever seen it?”
XENA: “Oh, Gabrielle I’m so sorry.”
GABRIELLE: “How do you know my name? Who are you?”
XENA: “My name is Xena I just want to help you.”
GABRIELLE: “Right.”
XENA: “Gabrielle my brother Lyceus and I We can hide you until it’s safe.”
GABRIELLE: “Lyceus? The same Lyceus who stood against Cortese? Before he ran for the hills I mean.”
XENA: “How do you know about that?”
GABRIELLE: “I heard ‘em talking Mezentius and Krykus. They think I’m like an animal but I hear and I remember.”
XENA: “Myzentius and Krykus?”
GABRIELLE: “Yes”
XENA: “They’re sworn enemies.”
GABRIELLE: “So is Caputius. He’s gonna join ‘em too come tomorrow.”
XENA: “All three of them together. Gabrielle we must tell my brother what you know. If those three warlords combine, no one is safe.”
GABRIELLE: “I’m not going anywhere.”
XENA: “So you’re just gonna let these three kill and destroy and do nothing about it. I don’t buy that not from you.”
GABRIELLE: “You don’t even know me.”
XENA: “Maybe you don’t know yourself.”
MAPHIAS: “What do you mean she’s gone?”
LYCEUS: “Gone as in not here.”
MAPHIAS: “Since when?”
LYCEUS: I don’t know, since before I got up, though. I thought maybe the two of you, you know?”
MAPHIAS: “No I haven’t seen her since yesterday.”
LYCEUS: “Oh well maybe she went for a walk or a ride.”
MAPHIAS: “Oh yeah maybe.”
LYCEUS: “You don’t think she’s in some sort of trouble?”
MAPHIAS: “Let’s hope not.”
SLAVE BOSS: “You! What are you doing with this mead?”
GABRIELLE: “I’m taking it to the fire to mull.”
SLAVE BOSS: “I take my mead full strength. Bring me a cup!”
GIRL: “Yes sir.”
XENA: “Bar’s closed. Put out the fire! Here you go. Give me the broom! Get on the plank!”
GABRIELLE: “What?”
XENA: “Get ready to fly Gabrielle.”
GABRIELLE: “What are you doing?”
XENA: “Bye boys. I hate long flights. Welcome to freedom Gabrielle.”
XENA: “My mother was about your size, so this ought to fit.”
GABRIELLE: “It’s beautiful.”
XENA: “So was she. Guess I’ll leave you to change.”
GABRIELLE: “Why are you doing this? I know what you said about wanting to help me but if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that you can’t trust anyone. Now what about you? Guess you need another slave, huh?”
XENA: “No You’re right though. There is a reason I’m doing this. You remind me of my best friend.”
GABRIELLE: “I do?”
XENA: “When I look at you I see, the purest, the kindest person I’ve ever known. Someone who’s full of wonder and, and stories and would never give up on anything, or anyone.”
GABRIELLE: “Then you better look again. It’s not me.”
XENA: “Lyceus relax. I’m sure he’s fine.”
LYCEUS: “I don’t like it. Maphias should have been back by now.”
XENA: “Maybe he’s having trouble convincing the others.”
LYCEUS: “Well I have to admit the thought of three warlords banding together does sound pretty unbelievable.”
XENA: “I’m sure that’s what they’re counting on, the element of surprise.”
LYCEUS: “Yeah? Well they’re the ones who are gonna be surprised when we counter their attack with one of our own. What I’ve thought was Maphias and I will lead the attack through here, while you and the others arm yourselves and do what you can, here and here. What do you think?”
XENA: “Lyceus I can’t.”
LYCEUS: “Sure you can. Don’t underestimate yourself. You’re nearly as strong as I am and better with a sword. The fact is, if I didn’t need you to organize the others, I’d have you riding with me.”
XENA: “No I mean I,”
GABRIELLE: “Excuse me. Xena, am I interrupting?”
LYCEUS: “No, not at all. Please come in. Won’t you have a seat?”
GABRIELLE: “Thank you. It’s too good to be true.”
LYCEUS: “I know what you mean. It’s all right you’re safe here. It’s just Maphias. Did you bring the others?”
MAPHIAS: “It’s all right they just want the slave. I made a deal. We give her back; they leave us alone no problems.”
LYCEUS: “Leave her alone!”
SOLDIER: “Take ‘em all!”
MAPHIAS: “Hey what are you doing? We have a deal?”
SOLDIER: “Deal’s changed.”
MAPHIAS: “Why you lying piece,”
SECOND SOLDIER: “Come on!”
LYCEUS: “Xena! Here catch! What’s wrong with you?”
XENA: “Lyceus.”
LYCEUS: “Xena!”

 


ACT IV

XENA: “Try cutting against the grain.”
LYCEUS: “I’m surprised you care one way or the other, seeing how you sold us out.”
XENA: “Aren’t you confusing me with Maphias?”
LYCEUS: “At least Maphias thought he was protecting us. You just gave up. We could’ve taken those guys but you didn’t even try. Why not?”
XENA: “You wouldn’t believe me if I told you.”
LYCEUS: “Well, try me! ‘Cause right now, I don’t know what to believe. I thought we felt the same way about these monsters!”
XENA: “We do.”
LYCEUS: “Then why didn’t you fight?! I saw you Xena you wanted to! Why didn’t you pick up the sword?!”
XENA: “Because I, Because I was afraid.”
LYCEUS: “We’re all afraid to die Xena but for me some things are worth fighting for, you, our friends, Gabrielle. These men have gotta be stopped!”
XENA: “I know, and given time,”
LYCEUS: “Given time they’ll be unstoppable. Look maybe it’s a lost cause but I’d rather die fighting these bastards, then live with myself if I don’t.”
XENA: “Gabrielle? If it wasn’t for me none of this would have happened.”
GABRIELLE: “You’re right. If it wasn’t for you, I would never have known how it felt to be free again. I don’t know whether to thank you or to hate you.”
XENA: “Hate me?”
GABRIELLE: “At least before I’d forgotten what a real life was. You showed me all of that. You gave me hope. You made me think that maybe it wasn’t too late for me but now,”
XENA: “I’m sorry.”
GABRIELLE: “I reminded you of your friend.”
XENA: “No you are my friend.”
SOLDIER: “All right you three, look alive so as I can tell you from the others. Which one does Caputius want?”
MAPHIAS: “The boy.”
SOLDIER: “Think you can help me with the.”
XENA: “Maphias.”
MAPHIAS: “I made a big mistake last night but I figure better late than never. Right?”
XENA: “Right.”
LYCEUS: “Hey! You gonna keep us hanging around here all day?”
MAPHIAS: “I guess this means we’re postponing the wedding again?”
XENA: “Let’s get out of one fix before we jump into another.”
LYCEUS: “It’s about time you showed up.”
MAPHIAS: “Well it took me awhile to wake up but I have. OK here’s how things stand. All three warlords are meeting in the great hall. So if we hurry we can be gone and out of here before they even know we’re missing. Any questions?”
GABRIELLE: “Yeah Where’s Lyceus?”
MEZENTIYS: “All right you men. Stow it! I’m about to make a toast to the fiercest fighting force the world will ever see.”
LYCEUS: “Thanks for the tribute. Now I’ll earn it.”
MEZENTIYS: “We’ll see about that. Get him!”
LYCEUS: “Welcome to the party!”
KRYKUS: “What are you waiting for? Kill them!”

Fight

SOLDIER: “Right!,”
XENA: “Maphias Catch!”
XENA: “Where are your table manners?”
LYCEUS: “Get a sword!”
XENA: “No.”
LYCEUS: “Arm yourself!”
XENA: “I can’t.”
LYCEUS: “Don’t fight destiny!”
XENA: “Gabrielle!”
GABRIELLE: “Here’s your sweet thing.”
XENA: “Goodbye Lyceus.”
GABRIELLE: “Xena behind you!”
XENA: “Get up. You’ve got a second chance. Swear you won’t waste it by killing.”
BOY: “I swear it!”
XENA: “Get outta here!”
GABRIELLE: “He dropped something. It’a Virillus token. Huh! What’s this for?”
XENA: “Just for being you.”
GABRIELLE: “Uh-huh. Are you OK?”
XENA: “Mmm.”
GABRIELLE: “You don’t seem yourself.”
XENA: “No you’re wrong, I’m more myself than ever.”
GABRIELLE: “Hmm. Xena aren’t you gonna go back inside?”
XENA: “Do you think the Fates have our lives planned out?”
GABRIELLE: “If they do, I wish they’d tell us.”
XENA: “Me too.”


 

Fade To Black
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