Are you sure I was dying?
Xena, the gods know that I have
been tied to a cross before.
You helped me then.
What makes you think
this vision is different?
It was so real.
The way you looked...
The mountain in
the background...
It's true, or it could be.
Well, I'm not going to believe it.
It's almost dawn.
Come on.
Better get moving if we're gonna warn
the people of Actus about that army.
No sense in us both going.
Stay here.
Catch up on some rest.
I'll go to Actus.
No, you won't.
The thr*at of a battle does not mean
I'm going to end up like your vision.
Xena, you're expecting
Medusa behind every tree.
You can't look left...
You can't look right! You just...
All right.
We're not staying long.
Actus has its own army.
Once we warn them,
we're out of there.
That's fine.
This conversation is over, right?
Deal?
Gods forbid I'd ever bring
that subject up again.
The thr*at of battle isn't
bothering business, is it?
Chances are they don't know.
Did you see the city walls?
The battlements aren't manned.
They haven't even
got the scouts out.
We gotta find
the m*llitary commander.
Looks like he might know.
He looks important.
My name's Xena.
Who's in charge here?
I am.
My name is Oaklin.
I'm in charge of
the forces of Actus.
Or what's left of them.
What does that mean?
What happened?
Disease.
Half my men are
down with the scourge.
Then you better pray
for a speedy recovery.
There's a hostile army
outside your gates.
- They're pretty close now.
- That's impossible.
We would have heard.
You're about to.
Take cover!
It's already begun.
Come on.
Gabrielle?
Gabrielle!
Are you ok?
Stay here.
- Against the wall!
- Take cover. Come on.
Come on!
Move!
- Get down!
- Where's my little girl?
Where's my little girl?
Xena!
Come here. Come on.
Mommy!
Xena!
The Corinthians have
retreated inside their fortress
- along with the civilians.
- Excellent.
With the army
inside the city walls
we'll still have time
to search for the Ixion stone.
That's a waste of time, Xena.
Even if it did exist,
its power is not for us to hold.
Alti promised me that power.
With it, I become
the Destroyer of Nations.
You need more than
the promises of a witch.
If you forget that stone
my army can att*ck
the south wall immediately.
You'll waste your men on
a search for nothing.
Xena!
What about the prisoners?
Don't move!
- k*ll them?
- Well...
No!
We aren't at w*r
with the Centaurs.
A wise commander
would keep it that way.
I have my own plans, Borias.
We'll hold all the prisoners...
for now.
Are you all right?
I saw the past.
What?
I saw the past.
I was attacking Corinth like this.
And I had everyone trapped...
like us.
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...
Xena, they stopped
f*ring on us.
It was an opening volley
to force people
back into the city.
Now there are too
many of us in here
and not enough supplies.
Here.
It was a good tactic.
At least it was good
when I used it at Corinth.
What did you mean by that?
I went back there in my mind.
I saw it so perfectly...
There was me, Dagnine...
and Borias.
We'd taken a patrol
of men and Centaurs.
Borias wasn't happy with
that but it didn't matter.
He and I had split
the army by then.
Mine was much more
powerful than his.
The pain again?
Lean your head forward, my queen.
Don't call me your queen, Satrina.
I don't like it.
Yes, my...
Yes.
Leave us, Satrina.
You don't command
in my tent, Borias.
Not anymore.
You've moved the Corinthians
back behind their walls.
The way to Athens is clear.
I'm not...
I am not attacking Athens with
a potential enemy at my back.
Borias, it all happens here.
If only I had that stone...
There is no Ixion stone.
Alti was lying to you.
- Is it...?
- No.
No, it's just a kick.
His legs have your strength.
We should wait before assaulting
Corinth until after the birth.
If the men find out
you're with child...
The men don't know and
they don't need to know.
The minute I start hiding in this
tent I lose morale, discipline.
Is it easier to lose our son?
This baby is nothing
compared to my empire.
Borias, I've been working
towards this for years.
- Athens is within my grasp.
- At what cost, Xena?
Do we end there,
or do we go on and on?
Even with the wealth
of Athens, do we...
Stop saying "we"!
You're not in this for wealth
or glory, Borias, not anymore.
He loves you very much.
He reminds me of my
former master, Demayeus.
Well, I k*lled Demayeus
when I captured you.
Borias wouldn't be so easy.
This is true.
But Demayeus was
a great warrior at one time.
He assaulted the mighty
fortress on Rhodes.
He couldn't force the gates
or breach the walls,
but still he was intelligent.
And what?
Demayeus allowed some poison grain
to be captured by the defenders.
When they became too sick
to man the walls he att*cked,
but not against the gates.
His men tunneled
under the walls
and when they collapsed,
he took the fortress.
But I am using every piece
of digging equipment I have
to search for the Ixion stone.
Besides, it wouldn't work.
You would know better than myself.
Still...
poison grain.
There's an idea.
Call Dagnine.
Those were painful times.
I learned many hard lessons...
and I lost a lot.
Xena!
- General Oaklin is dead.
- I know.
Do you have any idea who
you're up against here?
No. But whoever he is,
he's got us boxed up.
We've locked down the gates
and all available soldiers have
been posted along the walls.
And I'm next in command,
but I don't have any
battle experience.
You're next in command and you
don't have any battle experience?
All right...
Take an inventory of all weaponry.
Get some civilians
detailed on fire dury.
How's the water supply?
There's a dam further upstream
controlling the flow.
If the enemy gets to it,
we won't last long.
Stop!
Stop!
Check the supplies.
Especially the grain.
This is poisoned.
That's why your men are sick.
- What? That's impossible!
- I did it myself at Corinth.
Whoever's out there
is watching your walls.
When your strength gets down
to half, the as*ault will begin.
In the meantime, put all the rest
of the grain in the storeroom.
- And post a guard on it.
- We have to have food.
Right now, I'm more
concerned about the water.
Assemble all the men you
can spare at the south wall.
I need some engineers and
the fastest horse you can find.
Gabrielle, looks like this hospital
could sure use your hand.
No, Xena, this hospital
is well protected.
It's in the center of the city.
It doesn't need me hiding in it.
I'll start the fire brigade.
- The dam's still intact.
- Good.
- Looks like they missed it.
- Yes.
You and you, come with me.
The rest of you, stay here.
What's she doing?
She's looking for an ambush.
She's trying to draw them out.
Here and here.
She's amazing.
Ok, let's move.
This one's ok... And this one.
I want you all to spread out.
Be on your mettle and keep
an eye on the sentry.
If we destroy the dam, they won't
be able to stop the water flow.
There'll be some flooding,
but we can deal with that.
This river flows
directly into Corinth?
Oh, yes.
It's their main source of water.
Your name is Jareyd,
and you report to Tyldus.
Am I correct?
No. My commander is Kaleipus.
We were on a peaceful patrol.
And armed to the teeth.
What's Kaleipus waiting for?
A formal declaration of w*r?
- Or should we just...?
- Xena!
I will not lead my army
into useless battles.
Relax, Borias.
I have no quarrel
with the Centaurs.
Kaleipus still might be
someone to deal with.
Go ahead.
You are free to go...
without your weapons.
But take a message
to your leader.
To prove his good will...
we need to meet to make a treaty.
I'll make sure Kaleipus
hears your message.
Come on, let's go.
You, however,
are soldiers of Corinth.
My enemies.
And you have a message
to deliver as well.
Is this your sacrifice to Alti?
No, it's just for shock value.
Get off the dam!
We've got cavalry coming quick!
Retreat back to Actus!
What happened?
I just got outsmarted
by my own tactics.
Here's your list of supplies.
The grain's been locked away.
The only water available
is what's left in the cisterns.
It's three days... tops.
Gabrielle, did you see
that mountain out there?
Yes.
It's part of your vision, right?
What if this is the place
where it happens?
It isn't.
Satrina, get me some water.
It's all right.
He just wants out.
Soon...
Soon I will see my son
and I can name him.
And you can take him from me.
What about "us"?
There is very little left
of us anymore, Xena.
The only reasonour two
armies haven't crossed blades
is because of common purpose.
And what would that be?
It's not Corinth.
You can't convince me of that.
No, there's only one reason
why you stayed.
You want to take
this away from me.
As any father would.
If my son stays here,
he'll become a target
for your enemies.
He'll see things a child
should not see and...
And he'll become like me.
Dagnine...
Was your meeting with
Kaleipus successful?
Oh, yes, quite successful.
Good.
A peace treaty with the Centaurs
brings us one step closer to victory.
Perhaps we should step outside.
What is this?
Come on, Borias...
It was your idea
to go after Kaleipus.
Under a banner of truce!
Yes, of course it was
a banner of truce.
You think they would have
met with me just because I'm...
pleasant?
- This is w*r, Xena!
- Well... Just a little one.
After all, how long do
you think the Centaurs
can last without you in command?
We'll never forget this.
The army of Tyldus is on its way.
We'll fight to the death!
Ya got that right.
Your death.
You're mad.
You've gone too far.
- My army...
- Your army is nothing.
This is nothing, not compared
to what was promised.
I am the Destroyer of Nations.
It has been foretold.
The Ixion stone is my path
to power and I will find it.
I will unlock its mysteries
and the prophecy of the great
shamaness Alti will be complete.
You've lost your edge, Borias.
You lost it ever since
you found out I...
was no longer yours.
Don't do this!
We lost our love.
Don't make me an enemy!
You became an enemy the moment
you thought there was love.
k*ll him.
Get in there!
Stop them!
Borias!
- Cavalry! Call in the horses!
- No!
You go after them and
they'll trap you.
Spread the word!
From this moment on we are
at w*r with the Centaurs!
And Borias is their ally!
We're going to need a lot of wood.
When I'm done here...
there'll be a line of crucified
bodies leading from Corinth
to the Caspian Sea.
And I will crucify them all.
Crucify them!
Crucify!
Gabrielle...
Gabrielle!
What is it?
I understand
what's going on now.
This battle is a reflection of one
that I almost won years ago.
Whoever it is out there,
they're using my own
tactics against me.
He knows me.
It's like he is me.
How do I defeat myself?
Xena...
Do you see what this
is doing to you?
It's just like I
was talking about.
I don't care.
I want you out of here.
How?
Tonight we'll create a diversion.
Pasicus can lead
a party of men and...
So ok. In order to save me,
you're willing to risk these men?
Their lives mean nothing to you?
All right, I will think
of something else.
No, you won't.
As long as you're concentrating on me,
you can't think about the problem.
I am thinking about the problem.
This guy out there...
He thinks like me, fights like me...
And he's winning just like
I should have long ago.
But you didn't!
Because I withdrew my army.
That is not going to happen here.
If I had won back then...
If this man wins now...
then my vision of your
death might come true.
I'm going onto the battlements.
I'm going to reinforce the men.
Gabrielle!
Gabrielle!
Xena, I don't believe
in your vision.
I can't afford to!
Now, either I prove you wrong,
and we go on from here
or I prove you right and we die.
But either way,
I will not continue like this.
Quiet!
You want the guards
on the wall to hear us?
What is that?
It's the flower from
the santra bush.
It'll take away the pain.
I can't be out during a battle.
Look, when your child is born,
I'll give you the kala root.
It'll bring you back.
You...
That's right, Xena.
It's me.
Satrina, your loyal servant.
Get out of the tunnel.
We'll collapse the
wall in the morning.
I'll deal with Xena.
She's in no condition to resist.
Why?
How?
"How" is easy.
I studied you, Xena.
All those years you thought
I was this poor, defenseless,
little sl*ve girl you
captured from Demayeus?
Truth is,
Demayeus was
my partner...
My lover, my mentor
before you came along.
That's how you knew
what I was going to do.
Oh, Xena...
The moment I realized you were
in command, I was ecstatic.
Of all the people I've studied,
you were the most complex,
the most brilliant of the minds
I've defeated this far.
You see, Xena, I never did have
that much in the way of muscle.
Never.
But I am a survivor.
And I have this incredible ability
to put myself into my enemy's head.
So... when I found myself
in your custody,
I realized this was my one chance
to learn from the best.
That's why I couldn't allow you
to see Borias that night.
Oh, yes.
The night your son was born...
you had just taken
the santra-flower potion...
and Borias' army att*cked.
Before Alti...
Before all this,
we had love, Xena.
Maybe we confused it
with power...
But it was there.
Is still there.
For the sake of our son...
and us...
I'm taking you away.
Satrina, don't.
I can give you your freedom.
But first, listen to me.
The Centaurs know everything...
about the Ixion stone and
Xena's plans.
They've agreed
to let me take Xena
and my son away from here.
I have to.
Yes, I understand.
He's your son.
I'll help you.
No, Borias.
I can't do that.
I can't let that happen.
Not while I've got
so much to learn from her.
You're a traitor.
My destiny is an empire,
and Xena's gonna
help me achieve it.
Not with you around!
You'd just spoil the whole thing.
So you have to die...
and maybe your son, too.
But we'll have to wait on that one.
Dagnine! It's Borias!
He's here to k*ll Xena!
Come on!
Push harder!
Come on!
Ventilate!
Come on, that's it.
Push, Xena!
Come on, just one more time!
That's it, Xena!
Borias!
It's your son, Xena.
Come on!
We have to go!
Come on, Xena!
My...
son.
We gotta hurry.
When I saw Borias' body...
I couldn't believe that
he could come back for me...
and that he was in love with me.
But you were focused
on the power Alti promised.
You shouldn't have left Corinth.
You could have taken it!
Like you're going to take Actus?
By collapsing the city walls
with this tunnel?
You and that story you kept telling
about Demayeus and Rhodes.
When I pull that rope over there,
this column will fall.
The next rope pulls this column,
and so on, and so on.
I think it's rather fitting that
you should be here to see it.
The poison grain was the key.
I tried to think
who knew my plans...
Who would know about
the poison grain?
There was me,
you and Dagnine.
And Dagnine's dead.
Want some kala root?
I had some before I came
which means your poison dart
did nothing.
Once I knew it was you,
the rest was easy.
You always did like
the tunnel idea.
- Xena!
- What's the matter?
Ya having trouble getting
inside my head right now?
Let me help you.
You k*lled Borias, the man who could
have changed everything for me
if only I had let him.
You k*lled the father of my child!
And if he had lived,
then maybe my son would...
Did you get inside my head now?
What am I thinking now, huh?
I won't taint Borias' memory
by k*lling you.
You're not worth it.
Wrong choice.
Guards!
You come any closer,
and she buys it!
You're completely
outnumbered, Xena.
You can't stop me!
Not if my army takes
this tunnel first!
They're tunneling in
from the other side.
Guards, get back up there!
Where's Satrina?
Xena!
Do you think she made it?
Probably.
Like she said,
she's a survivor.
Satrina's army
sure broke up quickly.
She promised them a destiny
she couldn't fulfill.
Funny think about destiny...
You can't ignore it...
Can't rely on it...
Alti promised you one, didn't she?
I was to become
the Destroyer of Nations.
It's funny how I used to look forward
to those promises of hers...
and every one of them ended in tragedy.
Maybe that's why I fear
this prophecy so much.
A prophecy?
Xena, no one said anything
about a prophecy.
Maybe it's a warning.
A sign...
A guide?
The truth is, you don't know.
Like Alti didn't know,
because she didn't know you.
Borias knew.
He showed me the hatred
I had for myself.
He showed me the love that
someone could have for a child.
Stop there, Xena!
You got my message...
I just wanna talk to you.
As you did before when
you tried to k*ll me?
It doesn't matter.
You won't get the Ixion stone.
Borias, the friend of the Centaurs,
has told us everything.
We found his body in your camp.
But his legend will live on
forever with our people.
Take this child.
He's my son.
The son of Borias.
If he stays with me, he'll become
a target for all those who hate me.
He'll learn things that a child
shouldn't know.
He'll become like me.
Please...
The son of Borias...
shall be raised as my own.