A man, Peracles, dies in Athens. Before he dies, he sends his servant to find Xena, the only one he claims can help them stop Sparta from destroying Athens once and for all.
Xena and Gabrielle are planning on heading to Potidaea to spend some time with Gabrielle's family and relax for a bit. The servant sent by Peracles shows up and informs Xena of what is going on in Athens and how she must help.
She, Gabrielle and Eve head to Athens where they find it in a state of great despair, gripped in the middle of the outbreak of the plague. Xena and Gabrielle find Virgil there, who has lost Meg to the plague only recently and is now dealing with his younger brother and sister, Kara and Theon, who have the plague as well.
Eve choose to help him with them, despite the awkwardness there is between them due to the fact that she had killed Virgil's father, and Xena goes to the palace to find out from Cleon, leader of the Athena forces, what is going on and how to stop it.
She and Gabrielle find out that Sparta and Athens have been at war and have been losing. Xena agrees to take command of the army and Gabrielle finds out that Potidaea has been infected with the plague. She and Xena part, Gabrielle racing off to pray that her family is safe.
Eve and Virgil spend time together as she works on a tonic that will help Kara and Theon get through the fever. She prays to Eli to help them as well and Virgil is surprised by her tenderness in this situation.
Meanwhile, Xena speaks with Cleon about the plan to attack the army, coming in on them from several sides and closing in. When he leaves, Ares appears and compliments her on her uncanny ability to lead armies. Ares says he wants to help her but she dosen't believe him--claiming that he helps no one but himself. He says that he is doing it because his temples will be destroyed if Athens takes control.
Later, in the battle, Xena fights fearlessly with Cleon. Cleon is killed by the leader of the Spartan army and Xena is wounded, ending up being saved briefly by Ares.
The war is won and Xena comes out victorious. She finds that what Ares said about his temples being the reason for him helping in the battle was all a lie. Kara and Theon are doing better and Eve expects they will be fine, Virgil thanking her for what she did. She apologizes to Virgil for what she had done to his father, and then they part, Xena, Gabrielle and Eve heading to Potidaea where Gabrielle is with Lila and Sarah, fine and well.
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