Keep moving!
Nothing. No food or supplies.
This village is empty.
Empty?
Caesar doesn't want
to hear "empty".
His army needs food.
Pompey's soldiers came
and took everything.
We had no choice.
We don't even have enough
to feed ourselves.
They've been dealing with Pompey,
our enemy.
- The enemy of Caesar!
- No!
My husband serves
with Caesar's army.
- A Greek mercenary?
- Yes.
Your husband's a good soldier.
He knows the penalty
for dealing with the enemy.
Javelins!
Hold, centurions!
- Who are you?
- Flanigus.
Amanda.
Greek harp lights.
Legion of Darian.
Flanigus...
These people are
under my protection!
You're supposed to be at Corinth
with the other Greek mercenaries.
- Now, stand aside.
- I outrank you, centurion.
No Greek outranks me.
Now, stand aside.
We have a lesson to teach.
I will not allow you
to k*ll these people.
Javelins!
Stand down!
That is an order.
Stand down.
Ready?
Xena. Hello.
Flanigus. Thanks.
att*ck!
Women and children!
Get behind me! Quick!
Get back!
Back, men...
Back!
- Fall back!
- You heard him!
Daddy!
- Daddy!
- Aremus!
By the gods, we missed you.
So that's why you
fought so hard.
Thanks.
I understand Caesar and Pompey
have moved their armies here.
They've brought their filthy
civil w*r from Rome to Greece
- into our land.
- That's right.
And with respect to your
legendry abilities, Xena,...
there's nothing you can do
to stop this w*r from happening.
Stop it?
On the contrary...
I'm here to guarantee
that it happens.
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...
Did you make that? It's beautiful.
Good work.
Flanigus, we need to talk.
I haven't seen my
family in two years.
I was hoping to make enough
money in Caesar's army to...
buy a fishing pole...
move to the sea.
Well...
That's all over now.
So...
Let me get this straight...
You want Caesar and
Pompey to fight.
If their armies entrench
themselves here,
they'll be here for years.
And your people will be enslaved...
Forced to feed an army
of occupation.
No. I want them to waste
their forces so quickly
they have to take this all
the way back to Rome.
And what about my family?
These people?
Pompey already has the paths
through the cliffs guarded.
There's no way out for them.
We'll have to deal with that.
Why is it men always think
w*r is a simple solution?
Those are interesting words
coming from a soldier of Rome.
I know you don't like me.
Maybe it's the uniform, huh?
A Greek, going off to serve
in Caesar's legions...
I am not a traitor.
I would never k*ll a Greek
in Caesar's w*r.
Xena, you were right.
This valley is crisscrossed
with caverns.
I talked to a few
of the miners.
They're willing to
make up a map for you.
Good.
You know, if we're gonna pull this off
we need all the help we can get.
A long time ago I...
I promised my wife
that when I returned
I would never speak of w*r.
I didn't want my son
to know about it.
I wanted his life to be peaceful.
You've got your man.
You're right, it was the uniform.
Don't get rid of it.
It'll come in handy.
Go to all the surrounding villages.
Gather anybody
who's willing to fight
and tell them Xena
needs them here, now.
Come on!
Hurry!
I heard you're looking for
people to volunteer.
- What's your name?
- Temecula.
Temecula, this is w*r.
I've seen it.
You don't wanna jump into this.
I know...
and I'm afraid.
I've never sh*t anybody before.
Let's keep it that way, ok?
Look, this is my home.
My family's lived here
for generations.
This is all I've known.
We need someone to
send back signals.
Are you any good with that?
That'll do.
We'll have to stretch our
lines thin to match Pompey.
He's got more men than we do
and less ground to cover.
Stretch them.
Pompey's being cautious.
He knows my men are superior...
so he's content
to let a siege happen.
Have the countryside combed
for more supplies.
If a village is
within Pompey's reach...
burn it.
What of the small hill
next to the western line?
Ignore it.
It's worthless.
Too many trees to use
as either observation or a*tillery.
This time I have him...
if I have to destroy his army...
and this country,
piece by piece.
Not bad.
From a distance, Caesar won't know if
these belong to his army or Pompey's.
Xena... News.
How many legions
does Caesar have?
.
That means his entire
army's on the line.
I've managed to
recruit some miners.
Well, they're not soldiers,
but they're big...
and willing to fight.
We better get on with it then.
Everyone, gather 'round!
Most of you are already packed,
and the rest of you need to hurry.
It's time for you to go
beyond the mountains.
You'll be safe there
until this is all over.
I need to ask you
to do something.
You must destroy your village.
- Destroy the village?
- Burn it, raze it to the ground.
k*ll all the cattle
and poison the meat.
We must leave nothing
for the Romans to use....
This land must be
worthless to them.
I know this is not
an easy thing to do.
It's where you grew up.
It's your home.
Where you married,
where you raised your families...
But it is the only way.
You can rebuild when
you come back.
It is the only way.
Are you sure about this?
Yes.
How long before they notice?
They got spies all over
the place, not long.
Make way!
A message for Pompey!
Stand clear!
But that hill is useless!
Why would Caesar weaken his
line to send troops up there?
I don't know,
Lord Pompey Magnus.
They took the hill and
planted Caesar's banner.
That's all I saw.
Caesar doesn't make mistakes.
There must be a reason.
What troops do we
have near that hill?
The detachments
guarding the catapults
at the cliff pass
are the closest.
Send them up there.
If Caesar wants that hill...
I want that hill.
It worked.
Pompey has dispatched
the men from the cliff pass.
They're coming down
the south ridge.
Caesar should be here
at any moment.
Pull our men out.
Let's move out.
It's deserted.
No.
There they are...
Pompey's men.
For Imperial Rome!
For Caesar!
Xena...
We got the villagers
through the pass.
What now?
First we get these
catapults into hiding
and then we give Caesar and
Pompey exactly what they want.
That one spark, that one great,
glorious battle.
They just won't be
there to see it.
Diversion?
That hill was a diversion?
I'm sorry, Lord Pompey Magnus.
We tried to defend the catapults.
There were only
a handful of them.
And this woman...
- Woman...
- Tall woman...
She was incredible.
I barely got away.
Caesar didn't steal our a*tillery.
It was Xena.
Hurry!
We need more branches!
- Hand it up!
- Cover it all!
- Good, very good.
- Now, back in the forest.
This is the spot.
Pace it out.
We wanna make sure those catapults
are exactly on their marks.
All right.
Take that over to the right.
You've done this before?
A couple of times.
I've never been in a w*r.
I've only wondered
what it was like.
And I'd think of Flanigus
out there...
fighting...
sometimes the thoughts
were too much to bear.
I know what you mean.
I could tell that he...
that he hated it.
He wrote to me telling me
there was no glory...
No honor...
Just a monster
that needed to be fed.
And now I finally
have him back...
the monster's followed him home.
Is Flanigus gonna be ok?
Yeah.
He's with Xena.
It's just I've...
known him all my life.
He's like a father to me.
Somehow, the idea that
he's a soldier and he's...
he's k*lling people...
I wonder what that's like...
to k*ll someone.
It changes everything.
Everything.
Pull the fourteenth
back from that hill
and continue the excavations
towards the river.
- Caesar...
- I don't want an...
There's a problem.
Excuse us.
There are no problems
in front of my men, Brutus.
One advantage I have over
Pompey's numbers is morale.
I'd like to keep it that way.
Yes.
I apologize.
Now, tell me...
What have you discovered?
She's here, isn't she?
Yes, our spies report that Pompey
is making overtures to her.
Maybe offering an alliance.
Of course.
Fetch Agrilius to
my tent immediately.
Come on.
Prisoner for Caesar.
Come on.
Move it.
We made it this far.
Stay outta sight.
The regular soldiers won't bother you,
but avoid the officers.
We have an...
intangible element on
the field right now...
and there's no telling
what she might do.
Agrilius, take the fifteenth
to this valley out west.
I plan to use your men as a reserve.
No matter what happens on the line
you'll be able to sweep through
these woods and flank Pompey.
There's another part of my plan
that I'd like you
to put into action.
Something even Xena
won't expect.
Caesar...
We've caught a traitor.
He fits the description
of a Greek
who deserted from
the legion of Darian.
And you're bothering
me with this?
Execute him!
On your knees!
w*r's a bitch...
I'm sorry about that.
He was heading around the tent.
I figured it was better
he caught me than you.
I can take care of myself.
Thank you, though.
Did you find out what
you needed to know?
Only half of it.
That's what worries me.
Come on.
- Flanigus, what happened?
- I'm all right.
- Are you ok?
- It's a little blood, that's all.
- How'd it go?
- Mixed bag.
- Did we hear from Pompey?
- Yeah...
We told his messenger
just what you wanted.
- He'll be there.
- Excellent.
- Olivas, are the catapults ready?
- They're getting 'em ready now.
Good.
I'll go give the men a hand.
Gabrielle...
Come with me.
Look at that.
When I was listening to Caesar
I heard him mention
a reserve detachment.
When the battle starts
they'll be coming from the woods.
I think I know how I can stop them.
And still keep Caesar and Pompey
from taking control of their armies?
It won't be easy...
But there's something else...
Another part of Caesar's plan.
- What is it?
- I don't know.
I won't be here when
everything breaks loose.
Whatever Caesar appears to do,
it's always part of a design.
I'm afraid that Flanigus
won't see that.
But you know Caesar...
and you know how I think.
I can't give the command.
I cannot lead these men
to their deaths.
I'll tell Flanigus.
You're sure she got my message?
She was told to come alone.
But just in case,
I have two men in the woods who...
Go back to command.
Wait for me there.
- But, sir...
- Go.
Just a precaution.
There were only two guards.
I know. Otherwise, I woulda
had more helmets.
Xena, you don't know how pleased
I am to see you...
after what you did
to Caesar in Rome.
In Rome...
Incredible.
- I wasn't there after Caesar.
- Yes, I know...
Vercinix.
But still, without Crassus,
Caesar was weakened.
The people are still
behind him, but...
Well, they will soon see Pompey,
the Magnus, as their emperor.
I haven't decided whether to
invite you to the coronation.
You're a little...
hard to control.
I'm not here to try on party hats.
You wanna talk or not?
And they say all the good
women are taken...
Very well, let's talk.
Talk, talk, talk...
Is that all there is
to do around here?
Thank you, Xena.
You've managed to solve both
my problems in one stroke.
- Rome is mine.
- You made a deal with Caesar?
Oh, no. She's much too smart
for that, Pompey.
In fact, she's much
too smart for you.
And I don't care what
anyone else says, Caesar...
You're not so stupid, yourself.
That's what I admire
about you, Xena.
Even when you've lost
you just can't allow someone else
the satisfaction of knowing it.
Oh, I haven't lost.
I wanted you to come.
Now!
There it is!
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
Fire!
Reload!
It's almost daylight.
The att*ck begins at dawn.
I should boil some more
of these bandages.
It's over! The battle!
It's over!
- What?
- Caesar's pulling back.
- They're retreating.
- Thank the gods!
Wait...
It can't be.
It's a trap.
What do you mean?
We don't have to fight now.
Flanigus is already
bringing our men back.
No, this is the trap that
Xena was talking about.
We can't pull back!
Flanigus!
Gabrielle!
They're pulling back!
Caesar's legions are in retreat!
We've won.
Flanigus, listen to me!
Caesar will not retreat.
He's too arrogant.
If we don't finish what
Xena started, Caesar will win.
I am positive.
Ok, listen up!
Before she left, Xena told me
to listen to Gabrielle.
Xena wanted us to trust her!
You're in command.
Clever, Xena.
You've taken us both off the field.
My army can still fight.
That's the plan, isn't it, Xena?
- Why not just k*ll us both?
- All in good time...
But not here.
And not while you still
have armies in the field.
Take the w*r!
Counterattack!
All along the line!
Every legion is to
att*ck Caesar now!
Cancel those orders
and counterattack!
All along the line!
And give the order to Agrilius
to begin his att*ck.
It's started!
We gotta get outta here!
Temecula!
Temecula!
The signal! Now!
There's the signal!
Get ready to pull back!
When the catapults hit!
Fall back!
Disengage!
We can't let 'em fall back!
Come back!
Forward!
This battle's over, Xena.
Even if it's fought,
I've outsmarted you.
You mean your reserve troops?
I know about them.
And I'm goin' after 'em!
Pathetic!
And what about
your troops, Xena?
Right about now, the center of
my line's pulling back
like a retreat.
And when your troops follow,
like you told them...
- You'll trap them.
- I'll destroy them.
So, whatever your plan was...
Tell me it's going to work now.
We'll hit 'em fast and hard!
No prisoners!
For Caesar!
Gabrielle!
Gabrielle!
Now! Come on!
Gabrielle!
- Come on!
- Fire!
Gabrielle!
Look out!
No!
Flanigus...
This can't go on forever.
Listen...
The battle...
It's over.
What we do here
doesn't matter anymore.
Rome has won.
No.
By the gods...
Well...
Back to Rome...
Back to the drawing board.
It doesn't matter
where you go, Caesar.
I'll follow you.
Follow with what?
We lost, Pompey.
We were played...
and we lost.
This is just...
a minor setback, Xena.
You can't change my destiny.
Gabrielle...
I have the...
the men looking for the wounded.
I'm not really sure
how many there are, but...
Gabrielle, stop.
It took a little while for
the armies to start fighting,
but they did.
Everything...
Everything worked out
just like you said.
Almost everything.
Thank you.
Your husband gave
his life for peace...
so that your son could
live without fear.
When he asks me what
his daddy used to do...
I'm gonna tell him he was
a simple fisherman.
That's what he was to me.
I could have saved him.
How do I get over that?
I can't answer that question.
Maybe 'cause there's
nothing I can say
that can take away
that feeling you have.
You wanna know that what you did
was for all the right reasons...
but with that pain in your gut
and the weight on your shoulders
is the best you can come up with is
that it was a good day of fighting.
I've seen so many
changes in you...
Things I could never
have expected.
But as hard as the
changes have been,
you've gotta know that
it's for a reason.
All this is for a reason.
Otherwise, what's the point?
I was asking myself that same
question when I first met you.
I should talk to Temecula.
I should tell him that...
what he did was for the greater good,
and there is a reason for it.
It was a good day of fighting.