Prod. #VO206

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"Orphan of War"

Written by
Steven L. Sears

Directed by
Charles Siebert

Revised Pages: 5, 33, 33A, 37-38A, 4

Executive Producers
Sam Raimi & Robert Tapert

Renaissance Pictures SHOOTING DRAFT
100 Universal City Plaza May 03, 1996
Universal City, CA 91608 Rev. May 14, 1996 Pink
(818) 777-0088 Rev. May 20, 1996 Blue
Prod. #VO206

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"Orphan of War"

CAST LIST

XENA
GABRIELLE

SOLAN (SOLE-un)
KALEIPUS (ka-LIE-pus)
DAGNINE (DAG-nin)
SEE'ER
MEKLAN
DAYLON
WARRIOR

Referred to in Dialog:
BORIAS (bor-EYE-us)

Prod. #VO206

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"Orphan of War"

SET LIST

INTERIORS:
KALEIPUS' HUT
DAGNINE'S TENT
PIT
IXION CAVERNS - ENTRANCE
FIRST HALL
- THE TEMPLE
- N.D. TUNNEL

EXTERIORS:

WOODS
CENTAUR VILLAGE
WOODS NEAR CENTAUR VILLAGE
HILLSIDE
GRAVESITE
DAGNINE'S CAMP
NEAR ORGAN TREE
NEAR LAKE

Prod. #VO206

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"Orphan of War"

CHRONOLOGY

DAY 1 SCENES #1 - 2
SCENES #4 - 40
NIGHT (FLASHBACK) SCENE #3

XENA: WARRIOR PRINCESS
"Orphan Of War"
TEASER
FADE IN:
EXT. WOODS DAY CLOSE ON CENTAUR TOTEMS

Very much like the ones we saw in "Hooves and Harlots";
no-trespassing signs. Xena inspects them. Some are broken in two.
Others have arrows in them. In fact, the area looks like a
skirmish was fought here recently. Argo stands nearby. Gabrielle
leans on her staff.

XENA
Dagnine's army has already been here. It looks like the
Centaurs drove them off. But he won't give up.

GABRIELLE
The big question is what kind of a welcome you're going to
get. From the Centaurs, I mean.

XENA
I don't know. I fought them a long time ago. I can only
hope they'll believe I'm here to help.

GABRIELLE
Was Dagnine in your army back then?

XENA
Yes. He was...is a very capable leader, but even I wouldn't
turn my back to him.
(then)
We had the Centaurs surrounded. They fought bravely, but it
was just a matter of time.

GABRIELLE
Obviously you didn't kill them. What happened?

XENA
(beat)
We reached an agreement. I pulled my army out and promised
not to return.
(without looking back)
Gabrielle ... get your staff ready.

Gabrielle quietly looks around.

GABRIELLE
Centaurs?

XENA
No.

At that moment, two Warriors charge Xena from either side. She

spin-kicks
them to the ground as another comes up behind Gabrielle. Gabrielle

spins,
using her staff to do some quick dental work on the guy.

Two more attack Xena from the front with maces. She kicks the first
man in the stomach. As he bends over, she kicks his wrist, sending his
mace into the head of the second man. He stumbles back. The first man
stands upright. Xena grabs the head of his mace and pulls it as if she
wants to take it from him. He resists, pulling equally as hard back. He
grins as if he's got her.

XENA
You want it, you got it.

And she lets go. The mace flies into the man's face, knocking him for a
loop.

At that moment, another Warrior (MEKLAN) appears from the wood's
edge with a spear. He aims it at Xena...

XENA
Gabrielle! Down!

... and let's the spear fly. Gabrielle hits the ground. The two Warriors
on either side of Xena stand and charge her, their swords raised high.
Xena doesn't seem to see them, her eyes are focused on the spear flying
her way. Gabrielle sees them though...

GABRIELLE
Xena!

XENA
I see them ...

and Xena raises her sword and SPLITS THE SPEAR LENGTHWISE IN TWO. The two
halves fly to the left and right, impaling the two Warriors attacking her.
They fall to the ground as the other Warriors stand to continue the fight.
Suddenly, the SOUND of hooves is heard. The Warriors look around wildly.

MEKLAN
To the woods! Back to base!

And the Warriors start to run, as arrows fly through the air after them.
Xena and Gabrielle look over to see:

CENTAURS

A line of them, shooting at the retreating men. One of the Centaurs,
KALEIPUS, raises his hand. The arrows stop. Xena and Gabrielle walk to
the middle of the clearing. Kaleipus walks up to them. The other
Centaurs, however, keep their bows at the ready. Kaleipus is a majestic
Centaur, regal and noble . His eyepatch enhances his dignity. Next to him
stands another Centaur, DAYLON, who has his bow ready and aimed at Xena.

POV - FROM TREES
Someone is watching Xena ... moving about the branches ...

BACK TO SCENE

Xena steps closer to Kaleipus and holds out her sword. The bows are
raised, but she tosses the sword on the ground. Next, she throws her
chakram on the ground. Following her lead, Gabrielle tosses her staff
to the ground.

KALEIPUS
Xena, Destroyer of Nations. You promised you wouldn't return.

XENA
That Xena never will.
(then)
I'm sure you've figured it out. Dagnine's here for the Ixion
Stone.

KALEIPUS
And what are you here for? or
should I even guess?

XENA
I just want to stop Dagnine. I'm not here for anything.
Or... anyone.

GABRIELLE
Anyone?

At that moment, a SCREAM is heard as someone LEAPS FROM THE TREES straight at Xena's back. She twists quickly, catching the person in midflight and flipping him onto his back as he hits. The old sword he carries drops to the ground. Then, she freezes. The face of a nine-year-old boy looks up at her. And in his face, you can read hatred.

Xena backs away, a bit stunned. Gabrielle is trying to figure out what's going on here.

KALEIPUS
Solan!

SOLAN
I want to kill her, Uncle!

KALEIPUS
I will not have you thinking like
that!

SOLAN

She killed my father! She killed the great Borias!

KALEIPUS
Leave us! Now! We'll talk later.

Solan gets up sullenly and grabs the old sword. He glares at Xena ...

SOLAN
You've just met your greatest enemy.

Normally, this comment from a nine-year-old would be laughable. But Xena isn't laughing. She stares at him with a mixture of emotions. He turns and stomps off. Gabrielle looks to Xena.

GABRIELLE
Do you know him?

XENA
Borias was my second-in-command. He turned on me and joined the Centaurs. And that boy ...

Xena looks up to Kaleipus, who nods.

XENA
He's my son.

Gabrielle reacts, startled. Kaleipus looks defiant. Xena stares ahead, not seeing anything.

FADE OUT.
END OF TEASER

ACT ONE

FADE IN:

2 EXT. CENTAUR VILLAGE - DAY 2

A small village, a mixture of Centaur and human. There is obviously an urgency from the impending danger. Solan is with a small group of children (and, perhaps, one young Centaur) as they kick around a ball about the size of a soccer ball. The point of the game seems to be keeping the ball from the other players without using your hands. Solan is laughing, despite the last time we saw him. A couple of the kids get into a small push-shove over the ball. He picks it up and admonishes them. They stop the fight. He drops the ball on the ground and the game begins again.

XENA
sits near a fire, watching him.
CLOSER - ON XENA
as she goes into her thoughts. With the appropriate music slam, we:

SMASH INTERCUT:

3 EXT. WOODS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK) 3
A moody, misty part of the forest.
XENA'S EYES
tensing with a memory.
WOODS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
A figure moves from the brush. A Centaur...

XENA'S EYES

And, again, back to:

WOODS - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)

Kaleipus steps out from the brush. His hair is shorter and darker. He looks younger. Around his ribs he has a bandage. There is a bandage over his eye with blood dried on it. He carries a sword and a shield. He waits, ready.

Xena enters the area. Her outfit is different, still dark, but more evil. She wears a crimson cape. She is covered with dust and has a scrape on her arm.

A BEAT as they regard each other.
XENA
I have no weapons. I asked that you
leave yours.

KALEIPUS
No weapons? There is that "thing" that
took my eye ...

She removes her chakram and tosses it on the ground.
A BEAT, then he throws down his sword.

KALEIPUS
You won't get the Ixion Stone. All of
us are willing to die to keep you from
that power. And Borias ... the man who
betrayed Xena to become the greatest
friend of the Centaurs... he told us
everything. He may have died by your
orders, but he'll live forever in our legends.

XENA
(beat)
I'm willing to withdraw my army.

KALEIPUS
Xena, Destroyer of Nations, isn't known
to bargain.

Xena takes a BEAT, then turns and picks something up from
the ground. It's a wooden box. She walks toward Kaleipus
and holds it up. Kaleipus looks in and sees:

A BABY

wrapped in blankets.

BACK TO SCENE

He looks to her, waiting for an explanation.

XENA
Take this child.
(a long beat)
He's my son. And the son of Borias.
If he stays with me, the boy will be a
target for all who hate me. And he'll learn
things that a child should never know. He'll ...
he'll become like me.

Kaleipus takes the child from her hands. A BEAT, then:

KALEIPUS
The son of Borias will be raised as my
own.

With that, he grabs up his sword, turns and disappears into the woods. Xena watches him go.

CUT TO:
CLOSE - XENA'S EYES (REAL TIME)

GABRIELLE'S VOICE
Argo's being fed. And I want to talk
to you.

4 EXT. CENTAUR VILLAGE - DAY

Xena is shaken out of her thoughts by Gabrielle, who stands in front of her. Xena looks over to where Solan was. Hel's now gone, as are the other kids. She looks back to Gabrielle and notices an attitude.

XENA
I've told you everything.

GABRIELLE
Now you've told me everything.
Everything except ...
(at a loss)
Why? I mean ... why? Or how? How
could you walk out on your child?

XENA
You don't understand ...

She stands and starts to turn. But Gabrielle moves in front of her.

GABRIELLE
No. No, this is something I do
understand. I mean, I think any woman
would. And ... I just can't believe you
did it. He's your son, for Gaea's sake!

XENA
Gabrielle, I didn't come here for him.
I came to stop Dagnine.

GABRIELLE
Yes, but you are here now. And you're going to tell him, right? Right?

Xena takes a beat to control an anger that she can't quite justify
toward her friend.

XENA
Get out of my way.

She pushes past Gabrielle and heads toward Kaleipus' hut. Gabrielle can
only watch her go.

CLOSER - NEAR HUT

Xena is about to enter when she stops ... she looks around, as
if her "sense" is telling her she's being watched. Nothing looks
amiss, so she shrugs it off and enters the hut.
CUT TO:

5 EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY 5

Here we find DAGNINE, Meklan and THE SEE'ER.
Dagnine isn't what you would expect from a Warlord. He falls more into
the Richard the Third line as opposed to Richard the Lion Hearted. In
other words, he's quite scarred up and hunched over. Make no mistake,
though. His men don't trifle with him. Next to him is Meklan. And a few
feet away, is the See'er. He is a tall man, a Warrior, but he holds a
rigged contraption up to his eye. It's two pieces of clear polished gemstone
separated by a sliding rod; a primitive spyglass. He lowers it.

DAGNINE
I'm paying you for your incredible eyesight, See'er.
But even I know Xena's there.

Meklan rubs his jaw in agreement.

SEE'ER
Yes, Lord Dagnine. She's amazing ...
She can... "sense" me watching.

MEKLAN
From this distance?

DAGNINE
Of course. When I was in her army, she could do that. It's irritating. What is she saying?

SEE'ER
They were blocked by trees most of the time, so I
couldn't read her lips. But she's troubled by something.

DAGNINE
(smiling)

She knows I'm going to find the Ixion Stone. Keep watching.
I need to know her plans. I need something ...
anything to fight her with.

With that, he turns and leaves. The See'er raises the spyglass again.

CUT TO:

6 INT. KALEIPUS' HUT - DAY

Xena faces Kaleipus. The mood is tense. But, arguing about war tactics?
Not quite ...

KALEIPUS
How I raise my son is none of your business! You gave up that
right a long time ago!

XENA
I don't want him growing up to be a warrior. He shouldn't be
carrying a sword. Has he been trained to use it?

KALEIPUS
Don't be foolish. I don't want him to be a warrior, either.
But just as you gave him up to protect him, I have to
give him the freedom to choose his own
path. I thought that's what you wanted as well.

XENA
(beat)
It is.

Kaleipus moves to her, peering into her eyes.

KALEIPUS
Amazing ... I see so much change in your eyes. You aren't the woman I faced ten years ago. You aren't that warrior.
(then)
Let him go, Xena. He's got a family and a home here. He's not
your son anymore.

XENA
Are you telling me that for my good ...
or yours?

For his.
(then)
And mine. For the last nine years, Solan has been my son. I love him more than my very life. And the thought of
losing him... You can't possibly know what that feels like.

XENA
(biting)
And do you know what it's like to be a
mother without her son?

A BEAT, then Xena looks away.

XENA
We have to discuss Dagnine. He knows Borias never found the Stone. But he's figured something out. That's why he's back.

KALEIPUS
(beat)
No... not the woman I faced long ago.
(then)
Very well. Dagnine. Let me show you a
map of his forces as we know them.

And, as they turn to that, we:

CUT TO:

7 EXT. CENTAUR VILLAGE DAY 7
Xena exits the hut. Gabrielle walks up to her.

The moment is tense. Gabrielle tries to break it with a simple:

GABRIELLE

Hi.

Xena nods. Then:

XENA
Dagnine has staked out the southern end of the territory, near the cliffs. If he tries to take the village, he'll have to fight uphill. But it's the Stone he's after.

GABRIELLE
What, exactly, does this Stone do?

XENA
Ixion was the father of the Centaurs. When he had the choice of making them noble or wicked, he made them noble. Their evil was captured in a stone.

GABRIELLE
So, whoever has the Stone has the power of Ixion's wicked creation. I can see why the Centaurs wanted to stop you. And why Borias turned against you.

XENA
Borias was very wise. He found his way
long before I did.
(beat)
He was always suspicious of Ares. And I called him a fool for that. But I didn't kill him. I ordered him captured unharmed. And... I don't know what happened.

GABRIELLE
That's not what Solan thinks. And what's the deal with that sword? He carries it everywhere.

XENA
He wants to be a warrior. That bothers
me. But what can I say about it?

GABRIELLE
That depends on what else you tell him.

XENA
(difficult)
Gabrielle... most people think that giving birth ends when the baby takes it's first free breath, but that's not true. My son has grown every day inside of me, stronger and stronger. I can try to deny it, but I can't ever ignore it.
(then)
How can I claim something that I walked
away from so long ago?

GABRIELLE
I don't know what it's like to have a son. But I do know what it's like to have a mother. He should know that, too.
(then)
If you can't tell him, someone has to.

Xena spins on Gabrielle, angry. But Gabrielle doesn't back down.

XENA
Don't you even think of it, do you understand? It's none of your business. I'll handle it in my own way.

Xena turns and walks away.

8 EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY

The See'er lowers his spyglass, smiling. Dagnine walks up.

DAGNINE
What? What have you got for me?

SEE'ER
I may have your weapon. Would it
interest you to know Xena has a son?

Dagnine takes a shocked beat, then smiles.

DAGNINE
Immensely.

Off this, we:

CUT TO:

9 EXT. GRAVESITE - DAY 9

A small monument made of wood is the only marker for the tomb of Borias. Xena looks at it. A BEAT, then Xena senses ...

XENA
You can come down, Solan. I know
you're up there.

Solan drops down from the trees. He stands ready, his sword still in the sheath and his trusty ball under his arm.

SOLAN
Get away from my father and mother.

XENA
I came to pay my respects.
(then)
I didn't kill your father. I wish you
would believe that.

SOLAN
You killed him. And my mother was left
alone.

A BEAT, as Xena looks back to the marker and considers her next words carefully.

XENA
What do you know of your mother?

SOLAN
Why do you care?

XENA
(simply)
I care. What was she like?
Solan turns toward the tomb's marker.
SOLAN
My uncle says she was wonderful. She never thought bad things about anyone. Even you.

Xena turns to look at Solan. His thoughts are lost in a memory he's been denied. He stares at the marker as he continues.

SOLAN
He said she had a smile like a breeze on a warm day. And she could sing like Orpheus.
(beat)
I wish I could've heard her sing.

XENA
Did your uncle tell you that she didn't want you to be a warrior?

SOLAN
How'd you know that?

XENA
A woman like that ... without evil in her heart, wouldn't want her son to take up the sword.

SOLAN
My father fought you. If I can die for
something that noble ...

XENA
Don't confuse nobility with anger and
revenge. Your father wasn't like that.
(then)
He and I were very close, once. Did you know he could sing? we used to sing together ... In fact ...

He doesn't wait to hear the rest. He gives her a look, then scurries back up into the trees. She watches him go, then:

XENA
(softly)
I could sing for you.

Xena turns back to the tomb marker and sighs, letting the tension from her. She was so close to telling him...

Suddenly, a flash of light hits the marker ... then her eye.
She spins and scans the distance, focusing on:

XENA'S POV - ON HILLSIDE

where we see a quick flash of light.

10 EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY 10

The See'er lowers his spyglass, which reflects
the sun. He turns to the Warrior with him.

SEE'ER
She's spotted us!

And they scurry to get moving.

CUT TO:

11 EXT. HILLSIDE - DAY

The See'er and the Warrior are moving quickly on foot.

SEE'ER
Keep going! We have to get back to the
camp!

WARRIOR
But she's all the way across the
valley!

SEE'ER
Not Xena ... not with this much time to
get...

And Xena's YELL is heard, and she drops right in front of
them. A shocked BEAT, then the Warrior chooses the better
path of discretion ... he runs. The See'er pulls his sword
but, before he can do anything, Xena nails him with the
"Pinch." He drops to his knees, blood pouring from his
nose.

XENA
Just so you know, I've cut off the blood to
your brain. You'll be dead in thirty seconds
if you don't talk. What have you told Dagnine?

SEE'ER
Dagnine knows everything! He knows you're here
to stop him. And ... he knows about your son.

This hits Xena like a bolt. She releases the pinch and
the See'er drops to the ground. She runs to Argo, jumping
on her and riding off.

CUT TO:
12 EXT. WOODS - DAY 12
Gabrielle is walking along with her staff.
GABRIELLE
Solan ... ? Hello, Solan? Look, I know you're out here. I just
want to talk. To get to know you a bit.

A ball drops to the ground in front.of Gabrielle. A BEAT,
then Solan drops from the trees and picks it up.

SOLAN
Why?

GABRIELLE
Why? Well... just to be friends.

SOLAN
You're Xena's friend.

GABRIELLE
Yes, I am. She's your friend, too. I know that ...

SOLAN
(interrupting)
Where'd you get the staff?

GABRIELLE
From the Amazons. They use them to defend themselves.

SOLAN
I've got a sword to do that.

GABRIELLE
I learned a long time ago that holding a sword
makes you a target. Not with a staff. There
are no sharp ends to cut anyone. You threaten anybody.
You don't have to pretend you're a warrior.

SOLAN
I am a warrior!

And he tosses his ball at her. She hits it right back at
him. He catches it. He tosses it again, she hits it back
again . Then, she goes into a routine, spinning the staff
around into blocks and feints. Solan just stares as she
comes to a rest in a fighting position.

SOLAN
How'd you do that?

GABRIELLE
I did it without a sword. And without
being a warrior. Want me to teach you?

He nods his head, his eyes wide as he reaches for the staff.
Suddenly, Gabrielle's expression changes. She spins the staff
up and jabs it over his head into A WARRIOR. The man falls on
his back. Six more Warriors surround them, including Meklan.

GABRIELLE
Solan, run!

The men attack. Gabrielle is using the staff to defend them
as Solan tries to move away. At one point, he pulls his sword.

GABRIELLE
No! Run!

SOLAN
I can help!

GABRIELLE
Run!

And, in the second it takes to yell that, Gabrielle is hit
from behind with a sword butt. She drops to the ground,
unconscious. Solan is grabbed by the men. The Warrior over
Gabrielle raises his sword, but Meklan stops him.

MEKLAN
No! She can take the message back to
Xena that we have the boy.

And they head off, dragging Solan with them and leaving
Gabrielle on the ground.

FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE

ACT TWO

FADE IN:
12A EXT.'WOODS - DAY 12A

Xena rides through this area and brings Argo to a stop. She
leaps off and runs over to Gabrielle who is trying to get to
her feet.

XENA
Gabrielle, are you okay?

GABRIELLE
I'm okay. I'm sorry ... They got him.
They got Solan.

XENA
Go back to the village. Tell Kaleipus
to stay put. Dagnine will cut his
cavalry to pieces in these dense woods.
(then)
I'm going to get my son.

Xena leaps onto Argo and races off.

CUT TO:

14 EXT. DAGNINE'S CAMP - DAY - CLOSE ON SOLAN

He doesn't look too happy. As we PULL BACK, we see that he
is in a cage, about three feet square and high. The cage has
metal spikes sticking out from it at every intersection of bars.
There is a large lock on one side of the cage. Anyone trying
to get to him is going to get a puncture. He sits, mulling his
fate. Dagnine stands nearby with a smile on his face, holding
Borias' sword. Several other Warriors stand about on guard.
Dagnine takes a key from Meklan.

DAGNINE
Make sure these men stay alert. Xena will try anything to
get him back. I'll be in my tent.

He jams the Borias sword into the ground, just out of Solan's
reach. Then,he heads toward his tent. We can now see most
of the campsite, which includes a lot of digging equipment:
shovels; wheelbarrows; piles of dirt; etc. 14

15 INT. DAGNINE'S TENT - DAY 15

He enters and removes his armor. Without it, he is even
more misshapen. Suddenly, he spins, dagger in hand, to find
Xena sitting on his bed, looking at him calmly.

He takes a BEAT, then looks up to see a hole cut in
the roof of the tent. He then looks back to Xena, smiling.

DAGNINE
You are an amazing woman.

XENA
And you haven't changed a bit. Still
as ... charismatic as always.

DAGNINE
(laughs)
No, I've changed a little bit. See this?

He points to a scar on his arm. This is a truly
disgusting man.

DAGNINE
A near miss with the Athenian Army. And here...(lifts up shirt
to show scar)... got this from Thersites. I understand
you took care of him.

(Xena shrugs)

And I'm smarter. A lot smarter. I found your
fatal flaw, Xena. You were right in keeping him
secret. Giving him to the Centaurs was a stroke
of genius. But I know... and I possess.

XENA
You always were a bargaining man. I'm assuming
that's what you want to do, or you would have
called the guards by now.

DAGNINE
That, and the fact that you could kill me in two
steps. Oh, yes ... you'd lose your son, now, wouldn't you? Very well ... I want two things. One, is the Stone.

XENA
I don't have it. I don't know where it is.

DAGNINE
I do. It's in the Ixion Caverns, somewhere near these cliffs.
And it's just a matter of time before we find them. Until then,
stay out of my way. Leave this valley.

XENA
Not without my son.

DAGNINE
You're hardly in a position to bargain. You'll never get
through those men or into that cage alive. No, I'm in power
here, Xena. You're at my beck and call this time.

XENA
Very well. What was the other thing
you wanted?

He starts to unwind his belt, a long cloth that wraps several
times around his girth. He leans down to her close.

DAGNINE
Keeping in mind I've got your boy... Perhaps just a little...
warmth. A little... you know... human kindness.

She whispers in his ear.

XENA
If only you were human...

And she nails him in the solar plexus. He flies back, but
Xena grabs his belt, stopping him, pulling him forward again
and into her foot. He crashes to the ground. Xena is over
him, searching for ... the key! She grabs it up and looks
upward, toward the opening in the roof.

CUT TO:

16 EXT. DAGNINE'S CAMP - DAY 16

The men all stand careful vigil around the cage.
Meklan walks back and forth, exhorting his men to stay focused.
They are all scanning the woods, alert.

Solan looks scared, his eyes returning to his father's sword.
A small pebble drops through the top of the cage. Solan looks
up to see

XENA

in the branches above him. He reacts, but quickly clamps
his hands over his mouth. Xena takes out her whip and snaps
it around the top of the cage silently. She wraps the other
end around the branch and begins pulling. The cage lifts off
the ground. The Warriors are unaware, their attention is on
the surrounding woods.

Meklan continues to walk guard. Solan looks over at his
father's sword. As the cage slowly rises, he reaches out to
grab it, but it's just out of his reach. The cage continues
to rise slowly. Solan pushes against the side, getting the
cage to sway. Xena reacts. He is trying to get enough
movement to grab the sword. And he grabs it! And he pulls
the sword through the metal cage. Unfortunately, the blade
hits the metal bars with a dull, but clearly audible
CLANG
Meklan turns. His eyes widen as he sees the situation.

MEKLAN
It's Xena! The Warriors all turn and rush the cage.

Xena starts to swing the whip, moving the cage into a wider arc.

The Warriors seem to have forgotten about the SPIKES on the cage.
They react as they try to grab it but can't. (NOTE: No one gets skewered
on the spikes.) The cage is now spinning and swinging; no one can get a
grip on it.

MEKLAN
Archers!

A couple of men react, grabbing their bows and arming them.

XENA
Solan!

She drops the key down to him. He catches it and begins to unlock the
door. Xena ties off the whip and leaps, YELLING as she f I ies through
the air.

She lands on the Archers, knocking them to the ground. The other Warriors
step up to attack her. Meanwhile:

The whip is beginning to loosen on the cage. Solan sees it and works
harder on the cage. He looks up in time to see: Xena has run through the
crowd of Warriors; they give chase as she heads for the Cage. With a
line of them behind her, she suddenly grabs an overhanging limb, swings
herself up and over and catches the man behind her in the back, knocking
him to the ground and continuing her arc up and over, catching the next
man in line, and once more, catching the next man. Solan pauses,
impressed. Then, the door opens! He starts to crawl out, when the whip
lets go and the cage drops! It hits the ground hard, the whip landing on
the ground next to it. Solan is okay, but the ground begins to give way ...

Xena realizes! She flips from the tree and dives as ... The
ground breaks loose and the cage drops with Solan half out
of it; Xena dives to the edge of the hole and reaches down,
grabbing Solan's hand. The cage continues dropping into the
depths of the cavern, Xena still holding Solan. Meklan and
his men recover. Dagnine comes out of his tent, groggy, but
takes in the situation quickly.

DAGNINE
Now! We've got her!

Xena looks back as the men rush her. She looks down at Solan.

XENA
Solan... trust me.

His eyes are wide with fear, but he can only nod. With her
free hand, Xena grabs the whip, snaps it around the overhanging
branch, and DIVES INTO THE PIT.

Dagnine and his men rush up as the whip goes from slack to tight.

17 INT. PIT - DAY 17

Xena holds tight to Solan in one hand and the whip with the
other as it stops them. Solan still clutches his father's
sword. A BEAT, then the whip releases them and they drop.
Solan SCREAMS, as we:

FADE OUT.
END OF ACT TWO


ACT THREE

FADE IN:

18 INT. IXION CAVERNS ENTRANCE - DAY

Xena is still; Solan lies partially on top of her. The
Borias sword lies next to him.

1 EXT. DAGNINE'S CAMP - DAY 19

The warriors, including Dagnine, are looking down into the
pit. Dagnine is ecstatic.

DAGNINE
I've found the Ixion Cavens! You men,
get the gear. We're going down.

MEKLAN
What about Xena?

DAGNINE
If the fall didn't kill her, then I'll have that pleasure. Move!

And everyone does, as we:

CUT TO:

21A INT. IXION CAVERNS ENTRANCE DAY 21A*

Dagnine and his men drop down to discover... nothing. Xena
and Solan are gone.

DAGNINE
Spread out! Find them.

CUT TO:
22 INT. IXION CAVERNS - FIRST HALL - DAY 22

Xena and Solan enter this widened area of the tunnel. It is
large and spacious with lots of cryptic writing on the
walls.

SOLAN
Wait ... My arm hurts so bad ...

Xena stops and looks around. Picking up a stick from the
ground, she moves to Solan. He tenses ...

XENA
Solan, your arm's broken. I have to
deaden the pain while I do this.

She presses on a spot just under his arm. He relaxes.

SOLAN
It doesn't hurt.

XENA
I can't cut off the feeling for long. When I put it back,
it's going to hurt worse than before, okay?

She resets his arm with an audible CRACK. He reacts to the
noise, but doesn't cry out. She starts working on his splint.

SOLAN
Why did you come for me?

XENA
I thought you might need my help. You were very brave back
there. You didn't freeze.

SOLAN
I was too scared to freeze.

XENA
That's a good instinct. Most people react the other way.
(tentative)
Your father was very brave, you know.

SOLAN
He was a great warrior!

XENA
His bravery wasn't in being a warrior. It had to do with
knowing what was in his heart. He recognized what was right
and stood up for it.

SOLAN
Against you.

XENA
Yes, against me. It was that important to him. Even though
... he and I were friends. For a long time.

This bothers Solan.

SOLAN
I don't want to talk about my father anymore.
(a long beat, then; tentative)
Before he ... became good. Did he hurt a lot of people?

XENA
Yes, he did. But the Centaurs wouldn't be alive right now
if it weren't for Borias. Kaleipus ... your friends... they'd
all be gone.

SOLAN
You would have killed them.

XENA
(pause)
Yes, I would have killed them all. Thanks to Borias, I didn't
do it. For that, I owe him more than you'll ever know.

A moment as he reflects on this. Then, Xena ties off the splint.

XENA
This is the best I can do for right now. It's going to hurt
when I release the nerve. Be ready.

He nods and she releases the pressure. It does hurt. He
CRIES OUT in pain, and starts to sob, the suddenness of it
taking him. She instinctively grabs him and holds him close
as he starts to cry. He doesn't resist. She soothes him as
best she can. - Right now, all the bravado is gone. He's a
little boy who is hurt... and she's his mother. From this:

CUT TO:

23 EXT. CENTAUR VILLAGE - DAY 23

Kaleipus has his men assembled. He stares up at the sky.
Gabrielle stands there, looking hesitant.

GABRIELLE
You have to give her more time. Xena
will be back.

KALEIPUS
Dagnine has my son. I'm not waiting any longer.

GABRIELLE
But it isn't safe! Centaurs are no match for men in the woods.

KALEIPUS
We have men with us. We'll take our
chances. Still ...
(MORE)

KALEIPUS (cont'd)
(to his men)
Gabrielle is right. I'll ask for volunteers, but no one should
feel ashamed for not coming. Some have to stay to protect the
village.

DAYLON
I'm not staying here while Solan's in danger.

Several men and Centaurs voice the same sentiment. Soon, they
are all volunteering, eager to go to the rescue. Kaleipus looks
to Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE
Don't expect me to stay behind.

She grabs up her staff.

CUT TO:

24 INT. IXION CAVERNS - THE TEMPLE - DAY 24

Xena and Solan enter this ornate room. Roots have broken through
the walls at places, but this is impressive. Dust all over the
place, it's obvious this place hasn't been kept up in hundreds of
years. In the middle of the room is an altar with a shaft of
light shining on it from a hole in the ceiling.

XENA
This is it. The Ixion Temple. This is
where the Stone is kept.

SOLAN
But where?

XENA
On the altar.

They move up to it. The altar has nothing on it. Just plain
handprints in the dust.

SOLAN
It's gone.

XENA
Borias ... he did find the Stone!

SOLAN
He found it?

XENA
Yes. All the evil of Ixion's wicked Centaur is in that stone.
Whoever owns it can become that Centaur. Borias must have
hidden it to keep me ... or anyone else ... from finding it.

SOLAN
These handprints ...

He looks at her. She sadly nods. He reaches out and puts
his hand inside one of the prints on the altar. She watches
until he moves his hand away and turns. Xena takes
a BEAT, then shakes herself out of it.

XENA
I'll have to find a way out before
Dagnine'gets here.

SOLAN
You can take them on. What you did up
top was incredible.

XENA
I got us here, didn't I?

She gives him a smile. He returns it, then turns
away. She starts checking out the roots that are
here. Some of them are quite large. She starts
tapping on them.

XENA
We might need a little help, though ...

One gives a hollow sound. She pulls her sword and
SLASHES THROUGH THE ROOT. Inside, it's hollow.

XENA
Good. It's hollow. Here's where all those music
lessons pay off.
(off Solan's look)
I'm kidding.

Then, she puts her mouth to the root and blows
(I can't believe I wrote that ...

CUT TO:

25 EXT. WOODS - DAY 25

Kaleipus and his troops freeze. A sound reminiscent
of Swiss horns is heard throughout the valley.

KALEIPUS
What in Zeus' name is that?

GABRIELLE
If you don't know, it must be Xena! Come on!

And she starts leading them off.

CUT TO:

26 INT. IXION CAVERNS - N.D. TUNNEL - DAY 26

Dagnine and his men freeze, hearing the noise.

MEKLAN
What's that?

DAGNINE
I don't know ... but I bet I'm not going to like it. Faster!

They start to run down the tunnel.

26A INT. IXION CAVERNS - THE TEMPLE - 26A

A rope drops down through the hole in the ceiling. Xena and
Solan get up on the altar; she wraps her arm around him.
Gabrielle is looking down into the hole.

GABRIELLE
Okay, they have it! Pull!

26B EXT. NEAR ORGAN TREE - DAY 26B

Kaleipus has the rope. He pulls.

INTERCUT:

IXION CAVERNS - THE TEMPLE

As Xena and Solan are barely lifted off the altar... Dagnine
and his men enter the chamber! Dagnine throws a dagger,
cutting the rope and dropping them the short distance down
to the altar.

NEAR ORGAN TREE

Kaleipus stumbles.

GABRIELLE
Dagnine's down there! Bring it back! Hurry!

Men grab the rope as:

IXION CAVERNS - THE TEMPLE

Xena turns and engages Dagnine's men.

DAGNINE
Grab the boy!

Not likely, at least with Xena standing there. Three guys
head toward Solan. He pulls his father's sword, ready to
fight. Xena throws a sideways body block into the three,
knocking them to the ground. Flipping back to her feet,
she leaps over the heads of the Warriors and lands next to
Solan as the rope drops back down. Xena grabs Solan and the
rope.

XENA
Now!

As the three men dive for them, they are lifted quickly
toward the surface.

END INTERCUT:

30 EXT. NEAR ORGAN TREE 30

Xena reaches up and pulls herself and Solan out of the
hole. As Solan gets up, the sword fumbles from his grasp
and drops down the hole.

SOLAN
My sword!

It falls down to the bottom where:

INT. IXION CAVERNS - THE TEMPLE 31

The sword drops to the cavern floor, hitting handle first.
The handle breaks and, from inside, a ruby red stone falls
out. It seems to glow from a light within. Dagnine stares in amazement ..

DAGNINE
The Stone!

He grabs it up and looks up to see:

DAGNINE'S POV - ON XENA

looking down at him. He holds the Stone up at her.

DAGNINE
I have it, Xena! I have the Ixion stone!

And he grabs the sword, and disappears with his men.

EXT. NEAR ORGAN TREE DAY 32

Xena steps away from the hole and looks to Kaleipus. Reactions, then:

FADE OUT.

END OF ACT THREE

ACT FOUR

FADE IN:

33 EXT. CENTAUR VILLAGE - DAY 33

As they all return to the village. Men and Centaurs rush off.
Gabrielle takes Solan aside. Xena, Daylon and Kaleipus enter.

XENA
Set more guards. There's no tellingwhich way Dagnine will
attack from.

DAYLON
I'll get the archers ready.

XENA
No. Regular arrows won't penetrate the hide of Ixion's evil
Centaur. We need something stronger. With more power.

DAYLON
How much power?

XENA
A lot. Find a wagon. We can mount a crossbeam to it.

KALEIPUS
(nodding)
That might do it. What do we use for string?

XENA
Wet rope. It'll have to do. We have to hurry.

KALEIPUS
I'll take care of it.

Kaleipus and Daylon take off.

At that moment, Xena see Gabrielle collecting some strips of
cloth and wood. Xena takes a BEAT, then walks over to her.

XENA
How's Solan?

GABRIELLE
I guess he's okay. I'm going to resplint the arm. He won't
admit that it hurts. I guess he's got a lot of his mother
in him.

XENA
Gabrielle ...

GABRIELLE
Wait, Xena. before you say anything, let me go first. When
you jumped at me before... well, I deserved it. I'm not
saying I agree with you, but I used to pride myself on being
your friend. And a real friend would have seen you were
hurting. A real friend would have listened instead of talking. A real friend would have ...

Xena puts a finger against Gabrielle's lips, silencing her, then smiles.
Gabrielle tries to return it.

GABRIELLE
I'm sorry. And I'm here for you.

XENA
Thank you.

Gabrielle nods and heads off toward Solan. A BEAT, then Kaleipus walks
up to xena.

KALEIPUS
It just occurred to me that we have no chance if he doesn't attack. If
he decides to take the Stone and leave ...

XENA
Dagnine will be here. I know him and I know his ego. If for no other
reason, because I'm here. I didn't make things easy for him when he was
in my army.

KALEIPUS
Let's hope his hatred can blind him enough. (then)

Xena... About Solan ... If anything happens to me, it will make the
decision easier.

XENA
(flaring)

What do you mean by that?

KALEIPUS
No. Understand, please ... I mean that if I die today... I want you
to take care of Solan. No matter what you decide to tell him, I want
to know he'll be safe with you.

She looks into his eyes and shakes her head.

XENA
You should never have been my enemy.

KALEIPUS
This Xena never was my enemy.

They clasp arms.

CUT TO:

34 EXT. CENTAUR VILLAGE DAY - NEAR CAMPFIRE 34

With all the activity going on around them, Gabrielle sits
with Solan. She is wrapping the rag strips around the new
splint.

GABRIELLE
There you go. You'll be doing backflips in no time.

SOLAN
I could never do them before.

GABRIELLE
Then you're already ahead of the game.

Solan is watching Xena as she goes about her duties. Gabrielle
notices.

GABRIELLE
Xena's pretty incredible, isn't she?

SOLAN
Yeah. She sure knows a lot.

GABRIELLE
And she's a good person. She always does what's right. Even
when it hurts her. I forget that sometimes.

SOLAN
She's not like I heard.

GABRIELLE
This is the only Xena I've ever known. It's hard for me to
understand the hatred she gets when we travel ... from people
who don't know her the way I know her. I guess they're still
afraid of that other Xena. And they hate her because of who
she once was.

SOLAN
I'm not afraid of her anymore.

Gabrielle gives him a look. Then:

GABRIELLE
Do you still hate her?

SOLAN
No.

Gabrielle smiles and brushes his hair. off this:

CUT TO:

35 EXT. DAGNLNE'S CAMP - DAY

Establish.

36 1NT. DAGNINE'S TENT -DAY 36

There is a roaring fire (or, at least, roaring coals) in the
center. On the coals is a metal cup held by tongs. Nearby stands
Dagnine, Meklan and the See'er . Dagnine is holding the Stone
toward the light, trying to see through it.

DAGNINE
Everything ... all the strength and discipline of Ixion's
creations ... right here. With this, I'll sweep across this
world like a rampaging wind. I'll kill Xena ...
Hercules ... take Athens ...
(musing)
I've so much to do, I'll have to make a list.

He moves to the cup and drops the Stone into it. it
immediately sizzles and melts, forming a glowing liquid that
looks like molten rock.

SEE'ER
Wait, Sir ... if this doesn't work ...

DAGNINE
If this doesn't work ... one of you gets my tent and one of
you gets my horse.

With a smile, Dagnine takes a deep breath and GRABS THE CUP
WITH HIS BARE HANDS! Meklan and the See'er react as his flesh
sizzles. Dagnine barely reacts, his eyes focused on the
contents of the cup. He lifts it to his lips and pours it
down his throat, the sizzling increasing as the flesh of his
lips and throat are seared. Then, the cup emptied, Dagnine
SCREAMS and drops to the ground. Meklan and the See'et rush
to his aid. They look down at his form and their expressions
change ... something is happening ...

38 EXT.'CENTAUR VILLAGE DAY 38

Xena is standing next to the ballista, an oversized
crossbow. one man is still hammering the crossbeam into place.
Another is tying wet rope to the ends of the "bow". She
looks down the shaft of the machine, lining it up as she
speaks to Kaleipus and his Centaurs.

XENA
If I can get him between those huts, we'll have a chance of
hitting him. But we only get one shot at it.

DAYLON
I still think we can take care of him with our archers.

KALEIPUS
No, Xena knows what she's talking about. We could only slow
him down.

XENA
You might have to. The main thing is to get him here. But
we'll need time to get it ready.

GABRIELLE
What do you want me to do?

XENA /KALEIPUS
Protect Solan. /Protect Solan.

A BEAT as they look to each other.

GABRIELLE
Okay ... a consensus. We'll be behind the barricade.

She moves off. Xena and Kaleipus don't say anything, but a
smile passes between the two of them.

Suddenly, SCREAMS are heard in the distance.

XENA
It's starting ...

KALEIPUS
(to men)
Posts! Dagnine is here! From the east, move!

Centaurs and men are running to the eastern side of the
encampment. The two men hurry to finish the work on the ballista.

XENA
(to men)
We'll give you as much time as we can.

The men nod and continue, as Xena and Kaleipus rush off. The
others line up, bows at the ready, behind some overturned carts.

39 EXT. WOODS NEAR CENTAUR VILLAGE - DAY

A couple of Centaurs back into the area, fighting with swords
against something. That "thing" reveals itself. It's a
horrible bastardization of Dagnine; a Centaur, bigger than
all the ones we've seen, but horribly disfigured. Aside from
the twisted body Dagnine once had, this body is twisted by
its evil nature. There are horned protrusions along the back,
the hands are mutilated and scarred, with webbing between the
fingers. And, though barely recognizable, Dagnine's face now
has a bony ridge above his eyes and his teeth are jagged and
pointed.

He's using a sword to slowly drive back the Centaurs
fighting him.

SOLAN AND GABRIELLE

Behind the barricade.

SOLAN
That sword ... that's my father's sword!

He starts to move forward, but Gabrielle grabs him and
holds him back.

DAGNINE
He wounds the first Centaur and tosses him aside. Then he
grabs the other and holds his throat in a death grip.

At that moment:
XENA AND KALEIPUS
charge into the fray! Xena is on Kaleipus' back. As they
pass by Dagnine, she slashes at his arm. He releases the
Centaur and turns on them. Xena flips from Kaleipus' back
and lands on the other side of Dagnine. Kaleipus rushes up
and slashes at him. Daqnine deflects the attack with Borias'
sword.

DAGNINE
You can't stand up to me, Kaleipus! I am Ixion!

KALEIPUS
Tell him that when you see him in Tartarus.

Dagnine LAUGHS. He knocks Kaleipus' sword aside with his
giant hand and grabs him by the throat. Xena YELLS and
attacks. Dagnine kicks at her, all the time holding onto
Kaleipus. She has to dodge him, trying to get inside to
attack. Kaleipus looks to his men.

KALEIPUS
Daylon! Fire! Shoot your arrows!
THE CENTAURS
Daylon stands with the Centaurs. They are confused; they
don't know what to do. Solan looks to Daylon.

SOLAN
No! You can't!

Daylon can only stare.. then ...

DAYLON
Aim your weapons carefully!

The Centaurs aim ...

SOLAN
Don't kill my father!

Daylon freezes for a beat when:
XENA
dodges a kick and rolls UNDERNEATH DAGNINE. On her back,
she KICKS UPWARD as hard as she can. Which, as we can tell
from his reaction, is plenty hard. He releases Kaleipus,
who drops and heads back to the barricade, where Solan runs
to him and hugs him. Xena rolls to her feet.

XENA
Come on, Dagnine ... you want me, don't you? Remember the
way I used to treat you? Remember the beatings you used to
get at my orders?

DAGNLNE
You're trying to make me angry, Xena. I know your ways ...
I know how you outthink your opponents. It won't work on
me. You can't get me angry, because I've already won!

XENA
Then kill me.

He slashes at her, but she ducks and rolls to the side.

XENA
You can do better than that. Come on ...
She is leading him backwards ...

GABRIELLE AND SOLAN

SOLAN
What's she doing?

GABRIELLE
She's leading him.

BACK TO SCENE

Dagnine still has the smile of victory on his face.
DAGNINE
I think you're the one getting angry, Xena. Frustrated,
perhaps? That someone so beneath you would finally be
your master?
(then)
Want to know a secret?

He holds up the sword.

DAGNINE
This is Borias' sword. The last time I saw this sword ...
I was plunging it into Borias, back!

Xena reacts.

XENA
You killed Borias?

(CONTINUED)

He pursues.

DAGNINE
I killed him!

SOLAN
As we PUSH IN on his face, reacting to this knowledge.
BACK TO SCENE
Dagnine moves on Xena, swinging the sword at her. She
evades it again, drawing him nearer to the two huts.
Meanwhile:

NEAR BALLISTA

where we see the two men with the ballista. They are
both turning the wooden wheel that tightens the rope.
Behind them, we see Meklan, the See'er and two other
Warriors approach silently. The men finish the tightening
but, suddenly, the Warriors attack the men and quickly take
them out.

GABRIELLE

sees what's happening and runs to the ballista, her staff
swinging. She fights the two Warriors, but there is no way
she's going to get to the ballista in time.

DAGNINE AND XENA

He is finally in position.

MEKLAN

moves up behind Gabrielle, his sword raised. Just before
he can strike, arrows hit him in the chest and drop him.
Gabrielle looks over to see:

DAYLON AND THE CENTAURS

reloading their bows.

MORE WARRIORS

converge on the ballista. The See'er has released the
wheel and it slowly starts to turn, loosening the rope.

XENA

sees this and throws her chakram. It hits the See'er
in the chest. He falls over, dead, and his body jams
the wheel, stopping it. But there is no one near to cut
the rope.

Dagnine gra