I don't get it,
I've seen speeding arrows come right at you, and you just...
- you catch 'em before they hit you. - No... nobody can do that.
I mean, even when you don't see them coming, you do it.
- Now, I can't figure this out. - Stop trying.
- Huh ? - Stop trying to.
It's not something you can think your way through. It's your body that has to listen.
What if my body doesn't hear the arrows ?
Then they've got you.
- I did it ! - Yes, you did.
Now, get back !
Now, how did I do that ?
- I guess you don't need my help. - Not this time, but stay close.
Where'd you get this mask ?
Who sent you ?
That pinch to the neck cuts off the blood to your brain.
If I don't relieve you, you'll be dead in 30 seconds.
Now, who gave you the mask ?
His name... say it.
- Cortese. - Who's Cortese ?
Where is he ? Where ?
He's attacking the village... across that ridge.
Who is he, Xena ?
The men who attacked and razed my village to the ground
wore the mask of Cortese...
this mask.
I have never stopped looking for him.
So, he's the one who made you so...
you know... aggressive ?
It was fighting him that twisted me into what I became.
But now...
I have him.
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...
Take no prisoners ! Kill the men !
Kill them all !
Goodbye, woman !
This village is ours !
You won't get away from me, witch !
Leia ! Where are you ?
My dollie !
- Are you OK ? - Thank you ! Thank you !
Easy, girlie !
Retreat ! Everybody out !
Let's go and retreat !
We're too late, again !
- They're into the border woods ! - We'll never catch them !
What are you doing ? Go after them !
I'd love too, believe me.
But those woods mark the border I can't cross.
Nor do I even have enough men to keep our boundaries secure.
You fought well.
Let's go... hurry !
It's Cortese, all right. He's always one step ahead of us.
I know that woman.
Take me to Cortese. I can tell him everything he needs to know about her.
You ? Newcomers don't meet Cortese,
until they've earned the privilege.
You speak to me. I speak to Cortese.
Her name is Xena. She's a... a warrior from Amphipolis.
I'm sure Cortese will be grateful for the information.
- My lord, Cortese. - Malik, my friend...
there's no need for my right arm to kneel before me.
My lord... we had no time to gather the loot
before the king's soldiers arrived.
- Why not ? - A woman...
I've never seen anyone like her... with the fighting skill and strength of...
Xena... the Warrrior Princess, Xena...
my two assassins must have failed.
Get up !
You already know of her ?
I created her.
And I hit it ! Did you see that ?
Yeah... of course you did.
Even while you were explaining it,
my whole body was listening for that arrow.
I can still feel that warrior fever just coursing through my blood.
Do you think you could do it again ?
Yeah. I think so. I mean... most of the time.
Well, if you shot ten arrows at me, how many do you think I'd miss ?
Only one.
Uh, that could be a problem, huh ?
- What's he doing ? - I don't know.
I've got a bad feeling about this.
He's one of Cortese's raiders...
alone. Still, I don't like it.
Keep back.
All right, I'm close enough.
Then stop...
unless, of course...
you wanna kill your brother ?
I thought you said your brother was killed by Cortese.
No, that was my younger brother.
Gabrielle, this is my older brother, Toris.
- You're full of surprises. - Toris has some surprises of his own.
That's the mask of Cortese.
That's right.
It's the only way I can get close enough to Cortese...
to kill him.
It's just about ready.
Of course, it's missing my sister's 17 secret herbs and spices.
You know ? My sister and I used to argue.
Yeah, yeah... we would just go for hours without talking to each other.
Come on ! This is supposed to be touching.
I mean... a brother and sister who haven't seen each other for years
should have more to say to each other than just...
So, you're an assassin, now ?
- It's a start. - It's taken me years to find Cortese.
Now that his raiders are starting to trust me,
I'm almost close enough to kill him,
which is why I want you to stay out of this.
I can help you bring him to justice.
He'll find justice at the end of my sword.
Wing, thigh, breast ? Who wants what ?
He likes drumsticks.
Gabrielle, go and see if Argo needs to be fed, would you ?
Argo ? He can...
right... checking on Argo.
I want Cortese just as much as you do. But murder is not the answer.
I learned the hard way about justice since...
Learned the hard way ? Are you bragging ?
What I saw of you when I left our village, Xena,
- was not something to be proud of. - And what did you see ?
Someone had to step forward.
Cortese would have slaughtered us all if we hadn't fought.
If our people had followed me to the hills...
Cortese would've hunted us down like dogs !
I had to make a stand, and I wasn't the only one who believed that !
That's right. Our brother believed it.
Lyceus stood by you to the end. And it was his end... remember ?
I said 'fight' because it was our village.
Lyceus believed in that, and I would say it again.
Argo is... fed ?
Gabrielle, that mother whose baby you saved the other day...
Yeah.
Ask her to put you up for a few days.
- You know, guard the village. - Oh no.
No, no... that's your way of saying,
'It's too dangerous to be around me right now, Gabrielle.'
Well, have you ever considered
that there isn't a safe time to be around you ?
Now, that village doesn't need my help, but you might... and I'm going with you.
Now, if that's all, I'll just be practicing with my staff... end of discussion.
Sorry you had to witness that, Toris.
How close are you to Cortese ?
I'm new. I have to earn their trust.
My leader is his lieutenant... a butcher named Malik.
Then we'll start there. I need to look around Malik's campsite.
No, no, no, no, no, no, no... too dangerous.
You don't know what these monsters do to women.
No... I'm counting on it.
Well... look what I've captured, boys !
Cortese will be very pleased to see my gift to him.
This time, you have to take me to Cortese.
- I brought him the warrior. - 'Have to' ?
I don't have to do anything. This prize is mine.
And I will take the time that I need.
I'm the one who has to take her to Cortese.
There seems to be some confusion about who I am,
and who you aren't.
There are two types of men who question me...
The dead... and the dying !
Which one do you wanna be, boy ?
I'm not questioning anything.
I just think Cortese should hear how I managed...
He'll hear...
he'll hear whatever I tell him.
Now, go away.
The woman and I have to... talk...
before she meets our master.
Very well...
you're in control...
for now.
You keep walking, boy !
And if I ever see your face again, I'll hang it over the cooking fire !
Now, my dear...
let's not waste time with...
senseless pleas of mercy or, silly games.
Right to it, shall we ?
Have it your way.
Right to it... I like that.
It shouldn't take this long. Where is she ?
- She'll be here. - It's a stupid idea...
she's outnumbered and alone.
- How many warriors in that camp ? - 15, maybe 20.
She'll be here.
- What are you doing ? - I'm listening with my body.
See, Xena says that you have to listen for the attack before you see it.
She's just... she's amazing.
I mean... I've learned so much about inner strength just from watching her.
When we first met, I was this little girl from Poteidaia.
She's doing to you what she did to our village.
Excuse me ?
She turned our simple villagers into warriors
and got them killed. She's doing the same thing to you.
She hasn't changed. I can't believe we share blood.
If you hate here so much, then why are you worried about her now ?
What do you mean, worried ?
Are you all right ? You took so long ?
You see, now that's worry.
- Hey... how'd it go ? - It went fine.
By the luck of the gods, you could've destroyed everything I've worked on.
I still might.
Did you know that Malik uses messenger pigeons ?
Sure, he uses them to communicate with the other raiding parties.
Then, why do they carry the Royal crest ?
Malik must have a spy inside the king's household.
Well, if he does, he's reporting everything straight to Cortese.
No wonder they can't catch him. You know, the king should be told.
He doesn't just see anybody. And the castle's pretty well guarded.
I have my ways of getting in.
Oh, I know. It's... easier to get two in than three.
I'll just go... guard some villagers or something...
even if they're not in danger.
What's the problem ?
How did you get this far ? I had guards posted.
Oh, they're lying around somewhere.
I need to talk to the king, and I don't like formalities.
You were in that village earlier.
Tell me what you have to say to the king, and I'll see what I can do.
- I'm not that trusting. - Neither am I.
The bandit Cortese has a spy inside the castle !
Come.
Your weapons.
Wait here.
- It was dangerous speaking out like that. - It got us in here.
- And what if Aescalus had been the spy ? - But, Aescalus, isn't the spy.
The king is the spy.
Recognize me, Xena ? It's been a while.
Oh, come now.
You must have something to say... after all this time and effort...
just to see me.
Yes, Cortese...
You're dead !
That's just one of the surprises in this room.
Don't try it again !
So... what do you think of my little operation ?
It's very cunning.
You rule over a kingdom threatened by raiders,
and your people tolerate huge taxes,
because they think it goes to the war effort.
I become incredibly rich off the taxes...
not to mention the pure fun of being able to put my mask on,
go out and slaughter a few dissident farmers,
and come back to a warm bath. I'm glad you like it.
I said it was cunning, I didn't say I liked it.
- You murdering harpie ! - Careful !
You're talking to the legal regent of this land.
Cortese... now... he's a murdering harpie.
So, what's next ?
You haven't killed us, and you're not talking just to hear the sound of your own voice.
The people are getting tired of my army losing.
My army is getting tired of losing.
- Your army doesn't know who you are. - They're loyal to the king.
But, they need a victory.
And, they can't have Cortese, of course.
So, I'm gonna give 'em the next best thing...
his second... in-command...
the evil Warrior Princess, Xena.
Guards !
- Open the doors ! - Knock it down !
- I can't hold them ! - Then let them in.
- What ? - Open the door.
Let's go !
Halt !
- I think we can take 'em out. - No, we can't kill them.
They're the good guys, remember ?
- That window behind them. - How do we get to it ?
Remember this, Toris ?
Come and get it !
Let's go.
I want them for execution by morning !
What time ?
He wants them for execution by the morning.
Avoid the soldiers... they'll be looking, too. Move !
Let's try it again.
I'm glad you're all right.
Hey, Sera... this is my friend Xena who I told you about...
and her... her brother... Toris. This is my little friend and warlord, Leia.
Sera, I need to speak to your village elders.
Can you bring them back here ? It's very important.
I'll try.
What's going on, Xena ?
The good king and Cortese are one and the same.
Not happy news. What are you gonna do ?
We could've murdered him... but we didn't.
Murder... you can't just murder someone.
As if you know the difference between murder and justice !
How do you put up with that girl ?
Why ?
She knows more about wisdom and justice than you'll ever know.
At first, I thought she was just blindly following your lead...
and that you were gonna do the same thing to her that you did to our village...
use their fear to manipulate them... but that's not it !
She's brave because that's the way she is !
I was so sure that I had you figured out...
that I never bothered to figure myself out.
All these years, I've been trying to convince myself
that I knew what was best for our village.
Toris, we all made decisions based on what we thought was right.
We did what we had to do, because we cared about our friends.
No, no, no, no... you don't get it !
You stayed because you cared for us all !
I left because...
because I was...
- because you were afraid. - I was afraid I would die !
That was all I could think of !
I mean, I cared about you, and Lyceus, and Mother, but...
I was a coward.
Murdering Cortese will not ease that guilt.
You don't know that.
When I found out that you and the others had turned him back...
when I found out that Lyceus had died...
my life meant nothing anymore.
There was only one thing left to do... that was to take Cortese to the grave...
the grave that I should have had...
the grave that Lyceus has now.
I have to find Malik... and force him to take me to Cortese.
You listen to me...
I already lost one brother to that madman, and I'm not gonna lose another.
The elders are gathered. You better come quick.
Now, now... think for a minute.
When Cortese and his bandits were about to obliterate this village,
- who stopped them ? - The two of you did.
Two of us... yeah, well... right... but, mostly Xena...
her.
And we are truly grateful.
But still, she may not stay here.
The king and the raider, Cortese, are one and the same.
But, that's impossible. The king is at war with Cortese.
Now we hear that the army is searching for you,
as well as the raiders. You'll get this village destroyed !
We'll stay, and we'll help you fight...
whatever it takes, we're with you.
No, Gabrielle... he's right.
Cortese will only come here if he knows I'm here.
We only stand and fight when we have to.
And we appreciate it.
- Where's Toris ? - He's gone.
He said he had a debt to pay and that you'll understand.
- It's a trap. - I know.
- The wood is soaked with oil. - There she is !
One arrow, and your brother dies in a ball of fire.
Oh, yes... I know he's your brother.
You'd be surprised what a man will say when he's been tortured.
You're going to Cortese...
but first, there's something that I owe you.
Wait !
This is Cortese's pleasure...
and when he's done with you...
I'll spit on your burning carcass.
Well, it wasn't too difficult getting back into the castle.
But it sure is gonna be hard to figure out our escape with you not talking to me.
Why'd you have to follow me ? This is my time... I told you that.
Your time ? What's that supposed to mean ?
It means you should have stayed out of this !
Do you know how long I planned the moment
when Cortese and I face off ?
Things don't always work out the way you want.
What did it feel like... after you had beaten Cortese ?
Feel ? I didn't have time to feel anything.
Maybe, that was the problem.
I knew that he'd come back, so I decided to form an army for defense.
And then I figured to take the surrounding villages
for a buffer.
And then somewhere... I don't know where... I changed.
I didn't have time to feel anything.
And I promise you, Toris...
if you murder Cortese, you'll become what I was.
I've seen you kill, Xena. What's the difference ?
Maybe it's just a difference in my head,
but the pure evil of murder is that ist's premeditated.
It's not in the heat of battle.
And it's not for self-defense. You have been planning this for years.
When the guards come back, we've gotta move.
Is something funny ?
I'm sorry I got you into this mess, Xena...
but I'm glad you're with me.
The king has ordered your burning tomorrow.
I don't believe in such executions,
so if you can find me where I can find Cortese,
I'll try to make your death quick and painless.
Very well... go to the throne room.
You'll find him seated on the big, comfy chair.
Your king is Cortese.
You'll never get out of the castle alive !
Oh, no ?
Oh, we don't have any intention of leaving.
First, you're going to show me where the messenger pigeons are kept.
What is it ?
Your friends ! The king has them !
Why don't we just find Cortese ?
'Cause I wanna stir the pot a little.
Now, where is the king ?
I'd rather die.
That can be arranged. Now, where is he ?
My king practices at the archery range outside the west wall...
but you'll never get there.
We'd better split up. Can you handle this ?
I'll take care of him.
Now we both know... that you are protecting the king.
So tell me where he really is.
On your feet !
We're to attack the castle immediately in full strengh !
Go !
At last.
Cortese ! Where are you ?
The captain lied, and Xena knew it !
You are dead !
Where's Xena ?
Go get your men. Go !
- You deceived me ! - Fight now... talk later.
Cortese, order the raiders to drop their weapons.
Someone, kill her !
Take a good look at my chakram, Cortese.
It'll be the last thing you ever see, if you don't tell them now.
Wait !
Give your weapons to the soldiers.
Surrender !
I'm ordering you !
There's only one man with the power to make them do that !
No ! You betrayed us !
You knew he was lying, didn't you ? You wanted him to yourself.
You're so hungry for that blood you'll never wash off...
here he is.
Everything I hated about me, you're determined to make of yourself.
Go on... do it.
And then tell me how much better you feel about yourself.
Lyceus would have been proud.
I feel, ah... so free...
after so long.
In all the rush, I forgot to tell you something.
I missed you.
I guess you had other things on your mind.
The wrong things. Thanks for setting me straight.
- Oh, what now ? - It's time I came full circle.
I'm going back home... to see Mother.
That'll make her very happy.
Tell her I said...
just tell her you saw me.
- Maybe you could come with me. - No, not yet...
besides, Gabrielle and I are headed the other way.
I understand.
After so long, I should bring Mother some kind of gift.
You already are.