This episode opens with scenery once again from the beautiful landscape of New Zealand, as Xena and Gabrielle are in the midst of combat. A strange warrior, Najara, appears on horseback and is told by her traveling men that more are being destroyed by a warrior over the hill. Najara gallops to the scene and immediately takes action, knocking Gabrielle to the ground and then Xena. Xena and Najara begin battling each other as Najara dismounts her horse. Gabrielle attempts to attack Najara from behind and fails in her attempt, as Najara leaps behind her and kicks her to the ground in front of Xena. Xena begins to attack Najara as Najara draws her sword to kill Gabrielle. Najara abruptly ceases fighting and appears frozen, as if hearing a voice, as a perplexed Xena and Gabrielle watch her actions. Najara seeks forgiveness of her actions as she discovers that Xena and Gabrielle are on a quest for good. Najara provides insight of Xena and Gabrielle and explains that the "JIN" have provided her with this knowledge. Najara describes the "JIN" as voices that guide her throughout her travels assisting her in fighting for the "light." Najara and her men prepare to ride off on their own quest as Najara halts in her tracks, hands raised to the sun. Najara turns and invites Xena and Gabrielle to assist in their mission, to fight for evil wherever they find it. The first mission, to stop Morot of Crete, a well known slave trader. Xena and Gabrielle accept the offer. Najara and Gabrielle share a quiet moment discussing the "JIN" as Gabrielle searches for answers, recognizing the peace that Najara seems to receive from the "JIN." As night falls, Najara and her men sing at the campfire while Xena and Gabrielle look on. Upon settling down for the night Najara speaks to Xena and Gabrielle about one of Najara's goals - to open a hospice. Meanwhile Xena questions the plan of attack. Najara sensing Xena's distrust of her, draws her sword and offers it to Xena, as well as command of her army. Xena accepts the leadership of Najara's army. As they approach the village, Xena takes a closer look, seeing the slave traders in a nearby barn, she gives the signal for the rest to follow suit. Xena and Najara, side by side, begin fiercely battling the slave traders, as Gabrielle and Najara's men attack from the outside. In an effort to protect Gabrielle from an oncoming arrow, Xena runs in front of Gabrielle, as Najara catches the arrow in mid flight. A shocked Xena and Gabrielle exchange knowing glances. Najara talks to remaining captives and offers their allegiance to the "light", as a curious Gabrielle watches. (Gabrielle searching for something to give her life meaning, appears to hang on Najara's every word as she follows her, watching her actions). Meanwhile, the vision that Alti revealed to Xena involving Gabrielle's death continues to haunt Xena. Najara approaches Xena, sensing her disturbance and discusses this vision with her. Najara states that her destiny can be changed because, "destiny is in our hearts, but it will take drastic measures to change an event you've foreseen in your soul's eye." Gabrielle arrives looking for Xena and Najara invites both to another mission to a nearby village controlled by Morot's slave traders. Xena alllows Gabrielle to make the decision and both journey onward with Najara. In the midst of traveling, Gabrielle and Najara spot swans and both move in for a closer look, as Xena decides to stay back with the army. Xena's protective mode kicks in, as she watches Najara and Gabrielle from a distance and sees a friendship developing between the two. Gabrielle and Najara discuss the hospice and Gabrielle admits to needing something in her life. Najara requests Gabrielle to make a full commitment to the "light." Xena enters the campsite that evening and informs Najara that she will take on Morot alone, leaving the others to take on the neighboring village. Najara agrees with the plan as Gabrielle discusses the plan with Xena. Gabrielle is informed to stay with Najara while Xena does this alone. Gabrielle reluctantly complies. Xena discusses the hospice idea with Najara and requests that she offer the position to Gabrielle and start the program in the next village. Xena confides in Najara, "of seeming to always cause Gabrielle pain." Xena feels that Najara can offer Gabrielle the meaning in her life that she is searching for. Xena, realizing Gabrielle's destiny with herself, seeks Najara to provide a place for Gabrielle, to keep her safe. Xena states, "you said it would take something drastic to change our destiny, maybe this is it." Najara accepts Xena's request as a tearful Xena gazes at a sleeping Gabrielle and whispers, "goodbye Gabrielle." In the village, Najara makes her announcement of the intended hospice, as an interested Gabrielle speaks up, "I want to be initiated into the way of the light." Meanwhile, as Morot awakens, he finds himself chained. Morot, mistaking Xena for Najara, tells her to go ahead and kill him, like all the others. Shedding some "light" to Xena. Xena leaves and confronts Najara in the village. Gabrielle is disturbed by the proclamation of Najara that she "liberates their souls," which in layman's terms, she plays judge, jury and executioner with no chance for a fair trial. Najara refuses for Gabrielle to leave with Xena stating that she is now her responsibility, she has turned to the light. Xena and Najara begin a fierce battle, as it appears that Xena has met her match in strength, courage and skills. (During this battle, two more visions from Alti become reality). As Xena appears to have defeated Najara she turns her back, letting her guard down. Najara ferociously runs at Xena and beats her unconcious with a staff. An astonished Gabrielle races to Xena's side, leaning over her badly bruised body as Najara attempts to end Xena's life. Gabrielle risks her life to save Xena and agrees to leave with Najara as long as Xena's life is spared. Najara agrees and leaves with Gabrielle. Xena, regaining conciousness assesses her condition. Realizes her "butt was whipped" and also realizes Najara's weakness, which they share in common - Gabrielle. Meanwhile Gabrielle tries to convince Najara to change her ways. Stating that, "you're so close to being this ultimate force to goodness, but that little bit makes you so wrong." Hearing one of her men scream, Najara goes to investigate, as Xena enters. Xena and Gabrielle develop a plan as Najara returns to find a maniacal Xena, ready to fight. Gabrielle has been tied up to make it look like once the rope burns that she will plummet down a deep ravine, however it has been altered to include a board that holds her weight. Najara's focus remains on Gabrielle as Xena defeats her. As Najara nears her death, Gabrielle pleads with Xena to spare her life, of which Xena complies stating to Najara, "looks like she saved both our lives today." Najara is handed over to the local authorities as last words are passed between Xena and Najara.By Jennifer
