XENA - ANOTHER SEASON 5 - Episode 9

MADNESS OF KING GEORG

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

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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

EXT. SMALL VILLAGE - DAY

A small village, only a few people can be seen ? children playing, farmers talking. The biggest building is the local inn, partly stone and two stories high. The only road is a dirty path leading through the center of the village, past the inn.

XENA, leading Argo, and GABRIELLE, walking next to her, enter the village along the path. Xena still wears the Roman armor, although it looks a little modified now. She has cut away a little on the side and edge for better mobility while adding boots and lower arm guards. She carries a sword on her back and her Chakram at her side. Gabrielle hasn?t changed either, wearing boots, a brown, knee-length skirt with parts in front and on the back that reach down to the ground, 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 left shoulder.

They stop in front of the inn.

Xena taps Argo on the side. While talking she secures the horse on a post before the inn and takes down the bags.

Xena throws one bag to Gabrielle.

Xena walks into the inn, followed by Gabrielle.

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INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY

A great hall, richly decorated, lit by metal braziers. A big throne dominates one side and large pillars run along the walls.

King GEORG is sitting on the throne, talking to a group of merchants. He is a young man, wearing his long, blond hair loose under his simple crown. He has no beard and friendly looking, bright blue eyes. He wears a rich blue robe and is flanked by two of his private guards in black armor, armed with large, two-handed swords.

CALES enters, walking proudly towards the throne and stops in front of the king, bowing slightly. The king gestures the merchants to hold their conversation, which they do immediately, backing away a few steps.

Cales is older than the king, maybe 40. He has short, brown hair, blue-gray eyes and a small beard on his chin. He wears simple brown leather armor and a used-looking sword at his side.

Georg seems to look for the right words for a moment.

Cales bows before the king, than he turns around and slowly walks away. King Georg leans back, smiling.

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INT. INN - DAY

Inside the inn the ground floor is one large room with stonewalls and a few wooden posts support the wooden ceiling. There are only a few windows, stairs lead upwards, a wooden counter separates the back of the room while the rest is filled with tables and benches.

XENA and GABRIELLE sit alone at a table, their weapons lying next to them. A few more guests are at other tables or at the counter. While Xena and Gabrielle are talking the INNKEEPER walks from guest to guest and whispers a few words to each of them. Everybody he had talked to leaves soon afterwards.

They eat silently for a few moments. Xena looks around and sees guests leaving. Her eyes follow the innkeeper, suspiciously, but the bard interrupts Xena?s concentration.

The inn is now empty except for the innkeeper, who is leaving at that moment. Before the door can close completely, it is pushed open again and CALES, followed by two soldiers, enters. The soldiers position themselves to the left and right of Cales. He musters and than addresses the warrior princess.

Xena takes a slow look around, then grabs her Chakram and turns her head to face Cales.

Gabrielle stands up and takes a step towards Cales.

Xena stands up too.

Cales waits for a few seconds, but neither Xena nor Gabrielle react.

Xena raises her Chakram and throws it. The weapon hits the wall and then the left warrior, knocking him down.

Before it can hit Cales next, he catches it. Xena eyes grow wide with surprise for a moment, but than she grabs her sword while Gabrielle makes herself ready for the possible fight, too. Cales looks at the Chakram briefly, and then he puts it away. The warrior to his right has in the meantime pulled his weapon.

Xena takes a quick look at Gabrielle. Cales watches her and than seems to have an idea.

Xena stares at Cales, at the same time listening to the sounds that could give away the setup Cales spoke of.

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EXT. SMALL VILLAGE - DAY

Soldiers are all around the inn. Some have bows while others prepare nets. Some villagers and the innkeeper are huddled together near the inn, guarded by soldiers with drawn swords.

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INT. INN - DAY

Xena takes a quick look at Gabrielle and then fixes Cales with her eyes.

Xena thinks hard, still staring at Cales. Then she turns and looks straight into Gabrielle?s eyes.

Xena gently strokes Gabrielle?s right cheek with her left hand. A quick smile flashes across Gabrielle?s face, then her look turns serious again.

Xena turns around and looks straight at Cales. She throws her sword to his feet and then just waits.

The Soldier nods, brings out some chains and advances towards Xena. Cales picks up Xena?s sword, looking at it and avoiding Xena?s gaze.

Xena is chained and led out of the inn. After she is through the door, Cales raises his head and throws a last look at Gabrielle. Then he turns and thoughtfully walks out.

After he is gone the innkeeper comes back in, looking scared.

Gabrielle walks towards the innkeeper, smiling.

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TITLE

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. THE VOID - DARKNESS

There is total darkness ? and total silence ? except for two voices.

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EXT. CITY GATES - DAY

Tharsia is a big city, surrounded by a high stonewall. A well build, stone tiled road leads through a big city gate, flanked by two towers. There is a lot of traffic, traders with mules, soldiers in groups, women carrying baskets, children playing and farmers coming home after a day's work.

CALES leads his own horse with a chained XENA sitting proudly on it and soldiers march in two rows behind them.

Cales stops right after they pass the gate when he sees four of King Georg?s private guards, black armor and two-handed swords on their back, coming towards him. SENAT, a young soldier, wearing the uniform of Cales? men, is a few steps in front of them. He has short black hair and smiles.

Senat stops next to Cales and leans towards him.

The four guards stop in front of them.

Cales doesn?t answer and looks unhappy while the private guards take Xena off the horse and drag her away. They handle her very roughly. Senat and Cales stand side by side now and watch Xena?s ordeal.

Cales mounts his horse and slowly follows the guards with Xena.

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INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY

King GEORG sits in his throne, flanked by two of his private guards. A third one, one of those who handled Xena, stands beside him and talks to him. CALES enters, stops in front of the king and bows slightly. He has Xena?s weapons in his hands. The guard stops talking and steps into the background.

Georg shows no interest in Cales story, gesturing the guard to come forward again and continue his report.

Georg seems to forget Cales, again listening to the guard. Cales looks down at Xena?s weapons, then towards the king again. Without another word he turns around and leaves, taking the weapons with him.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - NIGHT

The quarters consist basically of one room. A small balcony extends it on one side. A table and two benches stand in the middle of the room. Food, drink and a few scrolls are spread out on the table. A big bed with massive wooden posts, up into the ceiling, stands next to the balcony. An entire wall is covered with a big weapon collection, from swords to bows and axes. Xena?s sword and her Chakram have already found their place on the wall. The other side of the room has dozens of shelves, filled with everything imaginable.

CALES drops on his bed, without armor or weapons. It is quiet, only a distant whipping can be heard. No sound is heard from the victim, but we can hear every lash. Cales closes his eyes and quickly falls into a restless sleep.

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INT. INN - DAY (Dream - Flashback)

Xena turns around and looks straight at Cales. She throws her sword to his feet and then just waits.

The soldier nods, brings forward some chains and advances towards Xena. Cales picks up Xena?s sword, looking at it and avoiding Xena?s gaze.

Xena is chained and led out of the inn. After she is through the door, Cales raises his head and throws a last look at Gabrielle before he turns and storms out.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - NIGHT

CALES wakens, sweating. No sound can be heard. The whipping has stopped. He leaves his bed.

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INT. XENA'S CELL - NIGHT

The cell is a filthy rat hole and only a small opening lets in any light.

XENA sits on the ground, chained against the wall. Her back - turned halfway forward - looks badly beaten. Her eyes are closed. Someone approaches the cell.

Keys are turned and the cell door opens, CALES enters with a bag, still without weapons or armor. The door is closed behind him. Cales approaches Xena, sets down the bag and takes out a bowl, empties a bottle in it and puts some bandages into the bowl. Xena opens her eyes and looks at Cales.

Cales stops his task. He still does not look at Xena.

Xena closes her eyes and Cales finally looks at her.

Cales puts the bowl into one corner of the cell and knocks on the door.

The cell door opens and Cales leaves. After the cell door is closed again Xena opens her eyes and stares into the darkness.

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INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY

King GEORG sits in his Throne, anxiously waiting, again flanked by two of his private guards. CALES enters, stops in front of the king and bows slightly.

Georg doesn?t show any reaction.

Cales walks away but turns back again.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE - DAY

The place in front of the palace is the heart of the city, all kinds of people can be seen. The palace dominates one side of it, with its main entrance and a big balcony directly over it. Buildings surround the rest of the area. The one to the left of the palace has Cales' quarters on the second floor.

SENAT approaches CALES who has just left the palace. Cales still looks a little disturbed.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - Dusk

CALES enters. Gabrielle is tied to a bedpost, sitting on the edge of the bed. He walks towards her and she moves away as far as possible. Without touching her he drops onto the bed and closes his eyes. There are a few moments of total silence. Then there are whipping noises again. Gabrielle looks out of the open balcony. The palace, where the noises are from, is just across from it.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - NIGHT

Cales is rudely awakened.

GABRIELLE stares out of the balcony, it is dark now, tears rolling from her face. There is the sound of another hit by the whip, Gabrielle sobs and drops her head. CALES jumps out of the bed and grabs a bow and an arrow from among his weapons collection. He lights the front half of the arrow and steps to the window. He fires the arrow into the dark.

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EXT. CITY BARRACKS - NIGHT

The arrow hits a wooden building and fire spreads fast around the straw roof. Only seconds later alarm shouts are heard. Soldiers run around, people start to fight the fire and secure other buildings.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE - NIGHT

King GEORG, a bloody whip in his hands, and two of his personal guards appear at the entrance of the palace. He stops a passing soldier.

Georg turns around to go back into the palace. Angrily he throws away his whip.

One guard follows the king and the other one follows the soldier.

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INT. CALES QUArTERS - NIGHT

CALES stares into the night, then turns, throws the bow into a corner and looks at Gabrielle. He steps towards her and unties her. He gestures her towards the table, where there is food and wine. She complies slowly, without saying anything. While she sits down, drinking and eating a little, Cales drops on his bed again. After a few quite moments he addresses Gabrielle.

Gabrielle stays quiet for a moment, but then she starts to talk.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - Dawn

GABRIELLE, still sitting on the bench, sleeps with her head on the table. CALES drapes a blanket over her shoulders. He then takes a look out of the window.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE - Dawn

The area is prepared for Xena?s execution. A wooden stage was build and a wooden cross gets erected on top of it right now.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - Dawn

SENAT enters. Cales gestures him to keep his voice down.

Senat picks up Cales? bow and plays with it. Both voices get louder during the following conversation, forgetting about the sleeping Gabrielle.

Suddenly, Gabrielle jumps up in the back and runs towards Cales. It seemed she was awake all the time.

Cales grabs the advancing bard and holds her.

GABRIELLE tries to attack CALES, but he and Senat manage to overcome her and tie her again to the bedpost.

He looks back at Gabrielle.

Gabrielle starts to cry - angry. Senat and Cales leave the room and Gabrielle looks out of the window.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE - DAY

Guards have surrounded the stage in front of the palace. The wooden cross stands finished in the middle. One of Georg?s private guards prepares instruments for Xena?s torture on a small table next to it.

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INT. XENA'S CELL - DAY

XENA lies on the ground. Her back is badly bruised, covered by a dry cloth. Her arms and legs show welts too. She is still in chains. CALES enters and knees beside her. He takes a look beneath the cloth and takes on a worried look.

Cales stands up and goes into the corner where his bowl still stands. He picks up the bag next to it and takes out a little bottle.

Cales again knees down next to Xena and offers her the little bottle.

Xena stares silently at Cales.

Cales just nods.

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INT. THRONE ROOM ? DAY (FLASHBACK)

The Throne room looks a little different, LORES sits on the throne, flanked by two normal guards, the old warlord XENA sits in front of him, flanked by two warriors.

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INT. XENA CELL - DAY

CALES stares at Xena in disbelief.

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EXT. PALACE GARDEN ? DAY (FLASHBACK)

The palace can be seen in the background. The garden itself is laid out like a small labyrinth, with many paths and high bushes between them.

XENA practices with the Chakram. One throw goes amiss and she has to retrieve the weapon. She finds herself right behind a little grove where a young GEORG and his FRIEND are talking without noticing Xena.

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INT. XENA'S CELL - DAY

CALES walks up and down.

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INT. THRONE ROOM ? DAY (FLASHBACK)

LORES sits in his throne, flanked by MELAT and XENA. GEORG enters.

Guards drag in Georg?s friend. He looks severely beaten.

Melat steps forward and takes a position right next to the king.

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INT. XENA'S CELL - DAY

CALES stands next to the door.

Cales silently leaves the cell. Xena closes her eyes.

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INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY

King GEORG sits in his Throne, flanked by two of his private guards. CALES enters and stops in front of the king ? but doesn?t bow.

Georg seems to get caught in picture of the past, his look wander to the point where he was standing during the flashback.

Georg goes from very quiet to raging anger during the following speech, also standing up in the middle.

Cales stares in disbelieve at Georg.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS - DAY

CALES studies Xena?s weapons, thoughtful.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY (FLASHBACK)

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

CALES seems to search for traces of blood on Xena?s sword.

Cales continues to stare at the weapon.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY (Flashback)

LORES stands on the balcony, flanked by guards, his wife and some guests. The area in front of the palace is filled with people, we see YOUNG CALES on the shoulders of his father - he is maybe 5. Lores picks up a scroll.

He signs the scroll and picks up the next.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

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EXT. CITY BARRACKS ? NIGHT (Flashback)

Between a few wooden buildings there is an area for weapon training, with wooden and straw targets. It is raining heavily and the place is empty.

The only one there is a YOUNG CALES, around 12, practicing with a sword. He has problems even raising the weapon.

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EXT. CITY BARRACKS ? DAY (Flashback)

The sun is shining, a few guards practice in the background.

We see another YOUNG CALES, around 16, again practicing with a sword. He seems quite good and comfortable with the weapon. He finishes with throwing the sword two-handed into a wooden block. Then a horseshoe hits his leg, thrown by one of the guards. He falls down and all the guards have a good laugh. Young Cales picks up the horseshoe and weights it in his hands.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY (Flashback)

The area is filled with people, it's again market day.

A GIRL is stopped by a GUARD, grabbing her arm. He talks to her but nothing can be heard over the background noise. He hits her across the face and she drops to the ground. YOUNG CALES suddenly charges in and pushes the guard away. The guard pulls his sword and tries to hit him with the hilt. Cales avoids the hit, gets hold of the sword and with one fluid motion pries the sword out of the guard's hands and thrusts it into the man?s chest. Cales stands shocked over the dead body and the girl is running away while more guards appear.

King LORES stands on the balcony and watches everything from above.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? NIGHT

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EXT. ENTRANCE TO THE LABOR CAMP ? DAY (Flashback)

The entrance to the camp is a simple wooden gate, guarded by a few soldiers.

CALES and a group of prisoners walk towards the opening gate, chained together. In front of the gate, beside the path leading in, there is a tree with the GIRL hanging from it, dead.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? NIGHT

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INT. THRONE ROOM - DAY (Flashback)

King LORES sits on his Throne, flanked by two guards and a young GEORG, around 12 years old. CALES enters, stops in front of the king and bows slightly.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? NIGHT

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY (FLASHBACK)

A big crowd has gathered, it seems there is a market.

A body (MELAT) drops from the big palace balcony onto the area in front of the palace. CALES rushes through the crowd and knees down next to the prince. Melat is dead. While Cales holds him he finds something on his back. Turning him a big wound can be seen, maybe from a sword.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

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INT. KINGS BED CHAMBER - DAY (Flashback)

LORES lies in the bed, he looks very ill. Guards, healers and priests stand around, GEORG stands next to the bed, on the left side. CALES approaches from the right side and knees before the bed. LORES moves his right hand towards Cales who takes it.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

Suddenly drum sounds come from outside.

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INT. XENA'S CELL ? DAY

CALES checks Xena?s chains while guards stand ready to take her out. He pulls out the little bottle again and offers it silently to Xena. She just looks straight into his eyes.

Cales doesn?t answer but silently leads Xena out of the cell.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY

When they leave the palace XENA stops because of the light and shields her eyes for a moment. CALES steps towards her. Xena sees GABRIELLE over his shoulder, behind the balcony of Cales quarters.

Before she can answer Cales hands the chains to one of the guards and hurries away.

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EXT. PALACE BALCONY ? DAY

GEORG sits, flanked by two of his personal guards, overlooking the area of Xena?s execution. CALES steps towards the king. Georg doesn?t even bother to turn while talking.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY

Xena is getting tied to the wooden cross. The place is full of people, between them soldiers and SENAT on a horse.

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EXT. PALACE BALCONY ? DAY

Georg still doesn?t turn, watching Xena on the stage.

Georg talks more to himself now.

Cales is stunned. He stumbles away.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

CALES stumbles into the room and falls onto his bed. He is shaking. GABRIELLE, in the meantime, watches with growing horror at what is happening down on the stage. Gabrielle?s and Xena?s eyes seem locked onto each other. Tears roll down from both faces. Suddenly there is total silence.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY

The executioner takes up a two-handed hammer and steps towards Xena, raising it. She closes her eyes. With a terrible sound, her right arm is broken. Laughter comes from the royal balcony. The executioner raises the hammer again.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

It is silent. GABRIELLE still stares out of the window - but not crying anymore.

Suddenly someone cuts the ropes binding her to the bedpost. It?s CALES, using Xena?s Chakram and holding his own sword in the left hand.

He steps past the surprised Gabrielle onto the balcony ? and throws the Chakram.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY

Xena?s Chakram cuts through the executioner?s raised right arm, cuts through Xena?s left arm ties and ends up stuck in the cross.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

GABRIELLE jumps up and runs forward. CALES, in the meantime, takes another step, jumping onto the balcony?s rail. Cales and Gabrielle jump from the balcony almost simultaneously ? Cales straight down and Gabrielle forward, over the railing, diving towards the stage with Xena.

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EXT. IN FRONT OF THE PALACE ? DAY

CALES lands next to the stage on his feet and turns towards the palace. GABRIELLE lands on the stage, rolling forward and then jumping up, right in front of the executioner.

The man is standing there in shock, staring at his missing arm ? the hammer long dropped. Gabrielle pushes him to the side and he falls backwards off the stage.

Around the stage all hell already has broken loose. While SENAT tries to keep order, people are running in every direction, guards are wrestled down, fights break out.

XENA has taken the Chakram into her left hand and cuts loose her broken arm, obviously in pain. Then she frees her legs.

When a bowman targets Xena, Gabrielle grabs a sharp instrument from the table next to the cross and throws it ? hitting the archer in the shoulder. The man drops his bow, grabbing his shoulder in pain.

Gabrielle and Xena now stand face to face ? once more they look into each other?s eyes. A short smile appears on their serious faces. Gabrielle gently strokes Xena?s left cheek with her right hand.

Then, on some secret signal, they both turn towards the palace and jump forward, down from the stage.

In front of the palace CALES, in the meantime, has fought against some of Georg?s personal guards. He fights quickly and efficiently, in contrast to Xena?s more play-like fighting style. All members of the normal guard stand aside and show no sign of raising their weapons against him.

Xena and Gabrielle join the fight, one on either side of Cales, quickly turning the tide in their favor. Xena uses the Chakram and Gabrielle fights unarmed. The three press forward into the palace.

Senat has managed to gain control of most of the area with most of the soldiers following his orders. Senat leans down from his horse to one of them.

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INT. THRONE ROOM ? DAY

GEORG enters the room from behind the throne, escorted by his two personal guards. CALES, XENA and GABRIELLE enter from the other side.

The guards attack them immediately and Xena and Cales take them on ? Gabrielle still has no weapon.

Georg quietly sits down on his throne, resting his right hand on a sword.

Cales and Xena overcome the guards easily, killing them. Xena is visibly weakened and Gabrielle jumps forward to support her when she stumbles forward. Cales stands next to them and raises his sword, pointing it at Georg.

Georg jumps up and attacks Xena, who barely blocks his attack ? Xena and Gabrielle stumble backwards.

Cales moves forward, his sword still pointed at Cales. Now the weapon buries itself in Georg?s chest. The king breaks down, his face still showing hate and anger. Slowly he slips to the ground ? off the sword.

Cales stares down at the dead king and then at his bloody weapon. He slowly turns it around, pointing it at himself.

Behind him, Gabrielle can no longer support the now unconscious Xena and the warrior princess slips down to the ground, too.

Cales takes another look at his sword and the king, than he drops his weapon and helps Gabrielle pick up Xena.

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INT. CALES QUARTERS ? DAY

CALES enters his quarters, XENA in his arms. She is still unconscious and he lays her carefully on his bed. GABRIELLE, following them, is ecstatic but also worried.

Cales steps away and gets some bandages and a bowl. He starts to carefully clean Xena?s wounds. She awakes.

SENAT enters. He has a little wound on his forehead.

Gabrielle has sat down next to Xena on the bed and holds her left hand, at the same time carefully stroking her hair.

Gabrielle cannot hold back anymore ? she hugs Xena, who winces in pain. Cales stands next to the bed and looks at them, while continuing to talk to Senat.

Cales turns his attention to Xena again.

Xena avoids Cales look.

Cales moves away to the shelves while Gabrielle takes over cleaning Xena?s wounds.

Xena finally manages a smile.

Gabrielle gently strokes Xena?s cheek.