CHARIOTS OF WAR

.....The second epsidoe of the first season opens in a busy marketplace while Xena and Gabrielle enters a busy, seedy tavern. Gabrielle appears to be trying to console Xena with the adage there is someone for everyone. However, Xena considers that a weakness for someone in her line of work. Xena decides to scout for a good place to ford the river and leaves Gabrielle behind for her quick return.

.....Meanwhile Darius and his children are helping to build their village. When they are attacked by Warlord Cycnus' son, Sphaerus and his men; Xena hears the ruckus and comes to the aid of the village. With her yell and high jump from Argo, she lands in the middle of the fighting; battling the ruffians.

.....Several men lay on the ground and some are running away. Xena mounts Argo then notices a small boy in the way of a falling building. In a heroic ride, she saves the boy and returns him to his father. Sphaerus orders his archers to shoot. Xena catches one arrow in each hand; however, the third arrow pierces her side.

.....Unknowing of Xena's fate, Gabrielle waits patiently in a small tavern. While Gabrielle waits, Xena is under the caring eye of Darius who helps tend her wound. Of course, the village elder knowing Xena's reputation asks Darius to make her leave. Darius will not ask her to leave because she saved his son. Besides it appears he is starting to like her very much.

.....Gabrielle being alone in a tavern was an invitation for the drunks to hit on her; one in particular. Gabrielle spots Sphaerus entering the tavern and tells the drunk he is her boyfriend. To prove it, she rushes over to him, sits on his lap and gives him a big kiss. When she explains why she did that, Sphaerus seemed understanding and they talk. Sphaerus appears to be impressed with Gabrielle and her words. That is until she mentioned her friend. Remembering the warrior woman they fell in battle, he rushes out.

.....Warlord Cycnus is not impressed with his son's weakness but orders him to go to a meeting with the villagers and kill them all. Darius' village is a peaceful village and does not believe in fighting. While preparing to go to the meeting, Darius offers Xena a dress since he did not feel her warrior outfit would be appropriate for a peace meeting. Although the dress gives Xena a longing to settle down with a family, she remains on her guard. She knows too well what the Warlord Cycnus is like. During the meeting Xena notices the trap and once again battles the ruffians for the safety of the village. While Xena fights, she urges the villagers to flee. Going against his father's wishes, Sphaerus lets them flee and refuses to kill them.

.....Although Darius refuses to defend his home, Xena knows what she has to do and prepares to leave. Darius knows it is futile to argue with her. After Xena leaves she meets up with Gabrielle. She urges Gabrielle to go to the village for safety but Gabrielle will not leave Xena's side. Meanwhile, Cycnus has discovered the warrior woman was Xena and incites his son's anger by telling him that Xena had killed his brother. Together they head for the village to finish the job of killing the villagers and to kill Xena.

.....As luck would have it, Xena hears the chariots approaching and sends Gabrielle ahead on Argo as a decoy while she prepares to capture one of the chariots. Having confiscated one of the chariots, Xena takes a short cut to get in front of Cycnus and Sphaerus to rescue Gabrielle from the horse ride. Side by side the chariots fly down the road with Xena and Cycnus battling with swords. Gabrielle was surprised to see that her possible tree in the forest was the warlord's son.

.....Xena finally managed to cut the horses loose from the other chariot. However, Xena and Gabrielle didn't get very far when their chariot hit a stone in the road and overturned. Xena battled Cycnus while Sphaerus was supposed to kill Gabrielle but Gabrielle's words brought too much truth to his mind and he refused to kill her. Instead he faced his father stating he would not fight anymore. Just as Cycnus is about to kill his son, Darius arrives with Xena's chakram and she saves Sphaerus. Once again Xena and Cycnus battle but Xena is victorious.

.....Now the leader, Sphaerus makes peace with the villagers. Xena says her goodbyes; even though it was very difficult. Darius assured her there would always be a home for her if she wanted. As usual Xena and Gabrielle meander off into the sunset.

By Gins