FADE IN

A bright sunny morning. We see the temple at the top of the hill. The camera pans down; the trees and bushes are still glistening with moisture from the storm, light twinkling off the water dripping off of the branches. The camera pans further down and we see Xena and Gabrielle, leading their horses beside them, on a road on the plain surrounded by shrubbery and sparse tress.

GABRIELLE:
     It will be good to see Antigone again. I can't believe that less than two years ago we saved her from execution, and now she's about to be crowned as the queen of Thebes.

XENA:
     I hope she's ready for it.

GABRIELLE:
     You mean, because she's so young?

XENA:
     I mean, because last time we saw her she was an angry little girl. (sighs) I'm sorry Creon died so soon after he made peace with her. He made his share of mistakes, but he was a good king.

GABRIELLE (smiles):
     I'm sure Antigone will be a good queen. (after a brief pause) I can't wait until we get to Thebes.

XENA (teasingly):
     Why? Because you're looking forward to seeing Antigone again or because Haimon is going to be there? Looking forward to spending some quality time with your boyfriend?

GABRIELLE (responds in the same playful tone):
     So what if I am? Why should you be having all the fun? (Suddenly, she grows pensive) Darion would have loved to see Haimon again... I bet he would have liked Antigone, too.

XENA (gives her a guarded look):
     Gabrielle...I'm sure Darion is happy where he is. He's got his sister back. And he's good friends with Klymene.

GABRIELLE:
     Yeah, I'm sure he is...it's just that I--I still miss him.

Xena stops, reaches over and gives Gabrielle's arm a comforting squeeze; Gabrielle squeezes her hand, looking as if she's about to tear up. Then she looks at Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Don't you?

Xena looks startled and doesn't quite know what to say. Her face reflects shifting emotions of tenderness, confusion, and dismay.

GABRIELLE (sighs):
     Look, I know it's better this way. Life on the road is no place for a child. And yet...sometimes I feel like--I've abandoned him.

XENA (puts her hand on Gabrielle's shoulder):
     You didn't abandon him. You gave him back to his sister... (for a moment her face clouds over and it looks like she's about to say something, then she shakes her head) It was the right thing to do.

They walk on in silence.

DISSOLVE TO

Xena and Gabrielle further along then road. Gabrielle points toward something.

GABRIELLE:
     Look at that! What do you think it is?

Xena looks ahead. The camera pans up to the hill with the temple at the top.

XENA:
     It looks like a temple...

GABRIELLE:
     Hey--maybe it's Ares' temple, the one he told us about last night.

XENA (thoughtfully):
     Maybe it is.

GABRIELLE:
     Hah...so maybe he didn't make it up after all. (off Xena's amused look) I mean--not all of it. But who knows--maybe there really is a medallion hidden in some secret chamber inside, huh?

XENA (amused):
     Oh, that's right...a medallion that will give you the strength of a hundred men, the fighting skills of Ares himself, and maybe even...what was it? Oh yes--the power to shape-shift.

GABRIELLE (chuckles):
     Come on, Xena. Seriously--do you think that maybe there was a bloody battle fought over this temple?

XENA (the tone of her voice suddenly serious and her face grim as she looks at something ahead of her):
     Maybe there was.

GABRIELLE (puzzled):
     Xena...?

She follows the direction of Xena's gaze and sees a dead body half-hidden by shrubbery at the bottom of the hill. Argo neighs in alarm.

XENA (pats Argo on the neck):
     Shh--it's okay. Let's go check it out.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle are at the foot of the hill, off their horses, examining the bodies of about a dozen soldiers.

GABRIELLE (looking at the soldiers' armor):
     Thebans...

XENA:
     They're all dead--have been dead for several hours.

GABRIELLE (shakes head):
     Who do you think could have done this? Argives again?

XENA (points to a soldier in a different kind of armor, wearing chain mail and crimson leather stripes on his shoulders):
     No, these aren't Argives. (thoughtfully) I'm not sure what kind of armor this is. Maybe they'll know in Thebes. (She stands up straight) Come on--let's get moving.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle riding at a slow trot through the woods.

GABRIELLE:
     Xena, do you think that maybe Thebes is at war?

XENA:
     Not that I know of. But you know how it is with wars. One moment you're at peace, and the next...

She suddenly falls silent and tenses up, as if listening to something. Gabrielle gives her a quizzical look. Xena whips her head to one side, listening intently; then, without hesitating another moment, she dismounts, leaps into the trees and pulls out two men who are hiding there. They fight their way out of Xena's loose grip and run off. Xena grins and runs after them, Gabrielle following on horseback.

Xena flips in the air and lands in front of them, blocking their path.

XENA (grins):
     Going so soon?

The men draw their swords.

SPY #1:
     You're not taking us alive!

XENA (shrugs):
     Dead is fine, too.

She draws her sword. Gabrielle dismounts and runs up to Xena, her sais firmly in hand. Xena laughs as the two men lunge forward; she briefly spars with one of them while downing the other with a powerful kick. While she continues to spar, the man she has kicked down rises and charges at Gabrielle, but she is ready for him, disarming him with her sais and then punching him out. In the meantime, with a fierce yell, Xena kicks the sword from the hand of the man she has been fighting. He draws a dagger and charges her again. She easily kicks him down onto his back and puts a foot down on his chest to keep him from moving. He looks terrified.

SPY #1:
     Please...don't kill me!

XENA (grins):
     I thought you didn't want to be taken alive? I guess you changed your mind. (she sheathes her sword) Well, here's a solution that should work for both of us. You tell me who sent you to follow us and I'll let you live.

SPY #1 (defiantly):
     I'm not telling you anything!

XENA:
     Suit yourself. (she kneels and jabs her fingers into the man's neck) I've just cut off the flow of blood to your brain--so if you do change your mind, you've got exactly thirty seconds to start talking.

The spy nods furiously, showing that he has surrendered, blood dripping from his nose. Xena takes the pinch off him. He grabs his throat, gasping for breath, then looks at Xena and Gabrielle.

XENA:
     I'm listening.

SPY #1 (hoarsely):
     I was sent by King Capaneus of Plateia to watch you and the blonde.

GABRIELLE (grumbles):
     These people could at least take the trouble to memorize my name...

XENA:
     Why?

SPY #1:
     Capaneus thinks you're here to help Thebes in the war.

Xena and Gabrielle exchange startled glances.

XENA:
     What war?

CUT TO

Inside a great temple of Ares. It is magnificently decorated in black and silver, with marble columns; there are candles sitting in human skulls mounted into the walls, light coming through the eye sockets like a jack-o'-lantern. The weaponry hanging from the walls and the carvings of human and animal skulls add to the eerie atmosphere. At the back of the temple stands a large, almost ceiling-tall, very life-like statue of the God of War carved out of black stone, with a fierce expression on his face, his sword raised. At the base of the statue, raised up on a platform a few feet above the floor, is a throne decorated with skulls and weaponry, with small stairs leading up to it.

In front of the throne stands a long altar, draped in black velvet, that stretches almost the entire width of the temple, laden with offerings to Ares. In the center of the altar is an empty space with a thick slab of granite.

The camera pans and then moves in to show Ares standing at the end of the altar surveying his gifts. His eyes glide over a dead chicken lying on the altar. He picks it up, drops it and shakes his head in disgust.

ARES (lifts his eyebrows):
     I really should send out a memo about sacrificing poultry.

He moves on and shrugs as he looks at a basket of ripe red apples. Then he picks up a ring with a sparkling black stone and holds it up, examining it curiously.

ARES (approvingly):
     I can think of a use for this.

Steps are heard and we see a priest in black and silver robes usher in Actaeon. Ares glances back at them; he is clearly invisible to them both. Actaeon approaches the statues and gets down on one knee. The priest leaves while Ares goes back to surveying his gifts, paying no attention to Actaeon (whose back is to him).

ACTAEON:
     Great Ares. Hear my prayers. Any day now, I am going to go to war against my own father. I didn't want this, but my efforts to avoid it were in vain. (pause) I ask that your presence and power be with Thebes as we go to war and that you grant Thebes, your greatest city, glory in your name.

As Actaeon speaks, Ares continues to survey his offerings; some daggers catch his attention and he picks one up, spinning it around.

ACTAEON (regretfully):
     It's hard for me to fight my father, but I know that this is right.

Ares twirls the dagger around, then notices that the handle is chipped with one of the stones missing and clucks his tongue in disapproval.

ARES:
     Mortals have no respect for craftsmanship.

With a wave of his hand, he melts the daggers into a pile of metal. This goes unnoticed by Actaeon, who continues to pray.

ACTAEON:
     My Lord Ares! I know many people believe that you'll back any side in a war or favor both opponents and pit them against each other for your power or even your amusement. My father believes that. (He shakes head) I do not. (Ares turns around and looks at Actaeon) I believe that you do care about right and wrong--I could never worship you if I didn't believe that.

ARES (raises an eyebrow wryly):
     You know, if you ever need a date, I know just the girl. If you don't mind short blondes.

ACTAEON (not hearing him):
     Thebes has always been loyal to you, my lord. I hope you will see the righteousness of our cause and reward our loyalty...

ARES (twirls a finger):
     Yadda, yadda, yadda...

ACTAEON:
     ...and grant us your favor. Especially if we have Xena fighting on our side.

The sarcastic expression fades from Ares' face and he gives Actaeon a very thoughtful look.

CUT TO

The path in the woods. The two spies Xena and Gabrielle had beaten before are lying on the ground, groaning.

MAN'S VOICE (off-camera):
     Are you all right?

SPY #2:
     We've been attacked...

Pull back a little to see both spies lying on the ground. A man's boot comes into view as he approaches the two spies. A hand reaches down, offering to help the two spies up but we still do not see a face. Spy #1 grabs onto the man's hand and he is pulled up. We now see two sets of boots standing. Spy #2 is still lying on the ground, rubbing his head. The man offers his hand to Spy #2 and just as Spy #2 begins to grip the man's outstretched hand, there is the sound of running footsteps off camera. The camera pans over to see several Theban soldiers running toward them.

THEBAN SOLDIER:
     In the name of Thebes, surrender!

We pan back to Spy #2 still lying on the ground as he is attacked by the soldiers. Spy #1 is also attacked and the man, whose face we still cannot see, is attacked as well. There is a tussle between the men.

CUT TO

Xena and Gabrielle are riding through the streets of Thebes. The entire place is decked in festive decor for the coronation. Streamers are stretched out between the buildings and there are bouquets of flowers tied to the houses' doors and windows. The camera pans over to men unloading barrels of wine and ale from a wagon, and some women unloading roses, fruit, and pastries from another wagon.

GABRIELLE:
     That's quite a celebration they're planning.

XENA:
     I wonder if they know they're about to have a war on their hands.

CUT TO

A lavishly decorated chamber in the Theban royal palace. A woman in a long gown of purple and gold, with a small golden crown on her head, stands by the window with her back to the camera.

A guard ushers in Xena and Gabrielle.

GUARD:
     Your Majesty...

The woman turns around. It's Antigone; she looks much more mature than she did in BURYING THE DEAD.

GUARD:
     ... Xena and Gabrielle are here.

GABRIELLE (smiles):
     Antigone.

ANTIGONE (to the guard):
     Thank you.

She dismisses the guard with a nod and he leaves. Smiling, Antigone walks up to Xena and Gabrielle. She and Gabrielle embrace.

ANTIGONE:
     It's good to see you.

GABRIELLE:
     Likewise. (smiles)

Antigone turns to Xena, looking slightly intimidated.

XENA:
     Hello, Antigone. (she holds out her hands and Antigone squeezes them) It looks like your coronation is going to be a big event.

ANTIGONE (looks from her to Gabrielle):
     I'm so glad you're here.

GABRIELLE (puts a hand on her shoulder):
     Antigone, we are so sorry about your uncle. He was a good king--and (hesitates for a moment) a good man.

ANTIGONE (sadly):
     Yes, he was. After the war was over, he did a lot of good for Thebes. He opened a new school for the children of the poor, and eased the duties on traveling merchants to increase our trade with other cities. We were able to make a treaty with Argos and we haven't had any trouble with them ever since.

GABRIELLE (hesitantly):
     And there was never any trouble between you and him over--what happened?

ANTIGONE:
     No, never. I know that Uncle never meant me harm--he was just trying to do what he thought was right. He believed in me--he even encouraged me to get involved in affairs of state, and attend the meetings of the council so that I would be prepared to assume my responsibilities as queen. After he fell ill, we grew closer than ever. (smiles wistfully) I still remember how happy he was at my wedding...he wept and told me that I looked just like my mother on her wedding day.

Xena and Gabrielle stare in shock at her.

XENA:
     Your wedding?

ANTIGONE (nods):
     Didn't you know? When my uncle found out he was ill, he arranged for me to marry.

GABRIELLE:
     Arranged...so it was an arranged marriage, then.

ANTIGONE:
     I agreed, for the sake of Thebes--to give the people faith in the future. They would be getting so young a queen, with so little experience; it would be good for them to know that I would not be making decisions alone, and that the royal line would have an heir. Besides, my marriage was supposed to unite two kingdoms that have often been at odds in the past. My husband, Actaeon, is son and heir to the king of Plateia.

GABRIELLE (gasps slightly):
     Plateia! But Antigone--

Before she can continue, the door opens and Actaeon walks in. He smiles at Antigone and then looks questioningly at Xena and Gabrielle.

ACTAEON:
     Antigone, are these--

ANTIGONE:
     Yes, it's them. Xena. Gabrielle. This is my husband, Actaeon.

Xena and Gabrielle nod at him.

ACTAEON:
     I'm so glad you two are here.

XENA:
     So your marriage was supposed to promote an alliance between Thebes and Plateia, huh? I hope you know it hasn't worked.

ANTIGONE:
     I know. We're still hoping to avoid war.

XENA (to Actaeon):
     I don't think your father feels the same way. He sent spies to follow Gabrielle and me on our way to Thebes.

Actaeon shakes his head in exasperation. Before he can speak, there is a knock on the door.

ACTAEON:
     Yes?

The door opens and the same guard comes in.

GUARD:
     My lord--my lady. Some soldiers were out patrolling the perimeter and caught three spies from Plateia.

ANTIGONE (firmly):
     Bring them in.

The guard nods and walks back out the door. Several soldiers come in with three men, their hands tied, black hoods over their heads. The men struggle against the soldiers' grips. While trying to restrain them, one of the soldiers bumps into a pedestal with a blue, white and gold decorative vase on it. It sways, nearly falling off the pedestal.

ACTAEON (agitated, snaps at the soldier):
     Watch it!

He reaches out and extends his hands, ready to catch the vase if it falls. The pedestal soon steadies and the vase straightens again. Actaeon is visibly relieved. Xena gives him a puzzled look and he looks back at her.

ACTAEON:
     It was a wedding gift from my--father. It's been in my family for generations.

The soldiers yank the hoods off of the spies, one after the other. Two of the men are the two spies Xena and Gabrielle took care of earlier.

GABRIELLE:
     These men were the two spies sent to follow us.

The soldiers take the hood off the last man. We see a close-up of his face.

It's Haimon.

GABRIELLE (gasps):
     Haimon! (turns to Antigone and Actaeon) This is no spy. He's our friend.

SOLDIER:
     We caught him with the spies, defending them!

ANTIGONE (to Haimon):
     What happened?

HAIMON:
     I was on my way to Thebes--I was supposed to meet Xena and Gabrielle here. I saw these two men lying on the ground, badly beaten. I thought they'd been attacked by thugs.

XENA (dryly):
     Thugs, huh? That was our handiwork.

ACTAEON (turns to the soldiers, who are still holding on to Haimon):
     Release him.

The soldiers untie Haimon's hands.

ANTIGONE (apologetic):
     I'm very sorry, Xena, Gabrielle. It was an honest mistake.

XENA (nods):
     I understand. War is war... (glances over at Actaeon) even when it hasn't started yet.

When Haimon is released, Gabrielle goes up to him. He has several cuts on his face and bruises on his arms. She raises her hand to his cheek to inspect his injuries. He catches her hand and kisses it; Gabrielle blushes visibly and, after a moment, pulls back her hand, smiling.

ACTAEON (to the soldiers, pointing at the spies):
     Take those two to the dungeon.

SOLDIER:
     Yes, sire. (pushes the two spies to the door, the other soldiers follow) Move it, you Plateian dogs!

The soldiers and spies leave and Antigone turns to Gabrielle, Xena and Haimon.

ANTIGONE:
     Again, I'm very sorry. If there's anything we can do to make up for this--

HAIMON (with a crooked smile):
     It's all right. I've been through worse.

GABRIELLE:
     It's good to see you again, Haimon.

ANTIGONE:
     You are free to stay as a guest in the palace for as long as you like. I'll take you to the guest quarters. This way.

Antigone heads out, Haimon following, Gabrielle by his side. When they are gone, Xena turns to Actaeon.

XENA:
     So, Actaeon, what's going on with this war?

ACTAEON (takes a breath):
     It's my father, Capaneus. He's trying to take control of a hill just outside of Thebes--on Theban land.

XENA:
     A hill? What's so special about the hill?

ACTAEON:
     It's called the Areopagus--the Hill of Ares. (A close-up on Xena's face as her eyes widen.) It's where the worship of the God of War began hundreds of years ago, shortly after Thebes was founded by Cadmus. It's where the first sacrifice to Ares was made and the first battle in Ares' name was fought. It's a sacred hill.

Xena listens uncomfortably, her face reflecting wariness and uncertainty.

XENA (under her breath):
     What is it with gods and sacred pieces of land, anyway?

ACTAEON:
     What?

XENA (speaks up):
     Has Ares instigated this war?

ACTAEON:
     No. (Xena looks relieved but still wary) My father thinks that he'll have Ares' favor if he gains control of the hill. You see, my father is one of those people who only worship the God of War because they see him as the most ruthless and power-hungry of all gods... (he walks over to the table and pours wine into a goblet, then turns to Xena) Wine?

XENA (tensely):
     No, thanks.

ACTAEON (takes a drink from the goblet):
     But I don't believe that myself. (Xena looks curiously at him) Ares may be war itself--but Xena, you and I know that war isn't just about bloodlust and power. It's about courage and strength, it's about fighting against oppressors--fighting in defense of your homeland and everything you care about... (He walks toward Xena, who listens to him intently) So, you see...I am fighting not only to save Thebes from my father but also to preserve the good name of Ares--so that generations to come see him as the god of honorable war--not the god of slaughter.

Xena is silent for a moment, her face unreadable. Finally she speaks.

XENA:
     So what kind of king is Capaneus?

ACTAEON (looks down):
     A tyrant--to his family and to his kingdom. His brutality and his devotion to the ways of war drove my mother away when I was just ten winters old--she could no longer stand to live with him. I wish I had gone with her... It wasn't easy growing up in my father's shadow. When he wanted me to marry Antigone, I finally saw my chance to get away from Plateia forever--start a new life. I never would have guessed that so soon after I left, I would be facing a war against my own father. He's become obsessed with this hill. Xena, he will stop at nothing to get what he wants--not even at going up against his own blood.

Close up of Xena's face, who listens intently.

CUT TO

In a bed chamber, Gabrielle is sitting on the bed with Haimon beside her. She has a bowl of water in her lap. She dips a sponge into the water, squeezes it and then dabs it on a small cut across Haimon's neck. He smiles a little.

HAIMON (chuckles):
     You know, it's funny.

GABRIELLE:
     What? (rubs the sponge over another cut on his face)

HAIMON:
     It seems that every time I meet with you, I get the stuffing beaten out of me by someone.

GABRIELLE (chuckles):
     I guess we just have a way of keeping things interesting.

Haimon reaches out and touches her hand. She sets the sponge down in the water and he rubs her fingers gently.

HAIMON:
     Or maybe...it's a message from the Fates.

GABRIELLE (joking):
     That we've got to stop meeting like this?

HAIMON:
     That we're meant to be together.

Gabrielle turns away uncomfortably.

GABRIELLE:
     The Fates must have funny ways of expressing themselves...

HAIMON:
     Speaking of beating the stuffing out of people--you and Xena did quite a job on those spies!

GABRIELLE (her back still turned to him, gets up and sets the bowl of water and the sponge on the table):
     All in a day's work. You know I try to avoid bloodshed...

HAIMON (facetiously):
     I'd hate to see what would happen if you didn't. (She whips around, looking stricken) I'm sorry--I didn't mean it that way. I'm sure you know what you're doing. (Her face softens and she smiles tentatively; Haimon changes the subject) You know, I've just come from Amazon lands.

GABRIELLE (looks up anxiously):
     Really? How's...Eve?

HAIMON:
     She's okay. (He pauses, looking at her expectantly.) Darion is fine too.

GABRIELLE (breathes a sigh of relief):
     Good.

Haimon hesitates a moment.

HAIMON:
     He misses you.

GABRIELLE (sadly):
     I know. I wish it didn't have to be like this. (she sighs) But Darion is where he belongs. He's with his sister now--his own family. For me to hang around wouldn't be fair to Lykia...or to him. It would just-- (looks away) --confuse things.

HAIMON (frowns):
     Confuse things? Gabrielle, after everything you've done for him--you're his family too.

Gabrielle looks away, then looks at Haimon with a tender, wistful smile.

GABRIELLE:
     His family...

CUT TO

Xena and Actaeon are talking.

XENA:
     Actaeon, you don't need Ares to make Thebes great--you can do just fine on your own. I don't want to get involved in a war just because two kings are trying to win the good graces of the God of War--or any god, for that matter. I've got better uses for my time--and my sword.

ACTAEON (dismayed):
     You're not going to help us then? Xena, we need you help!

XENA:
     I never said I wasn't going to help. I'm just trying to get you to see how stupid it is to go to war for the sake of some god or some sacred hill.

ACTAEON:
     I already told you, this war wasn't my--

XENA:
     I know, it was your father's. But, Actaeon, your devotion to Ares is just as blind as your father's...it's just different.

Xena turns around and walks toward the window.

ACTAEON (softly):
     So it's not true--what I've heard about you and Ares?

XENA (stops, the tension visible in her body):
     What you've--heard.

ACTAEON:
     That you helped him when he was mortal. That since then, you've had a (Xena whips around, glaring at him) special relationship. (She looks down while he continues) You know, Xena, maybe Ares used to be the way my father thinks he is, but not anymore. And if the soul of war can change--then there's hope for the rest of us, too. (Xena looks at him pensively) I know you must see the good in Ares. (pause) Well, so do I.

Xena walks back toward him.

XENA:
     Actaeon...those spies that were brought in today were not the only Plateians who've been prowling around Theban lands. (off his questioning look) The armor of your father's army--is it chain mail, with red leather stripes on the shoulders? (She sees the alarm in his face, and her face hardens as she knows she was right.) Last night, about a dozen Theban soldiers were killed at the base of the Areopagus. They must have been guarding the place. (close-up of Actaeon's horrified face as Xena continues) Gabrielle and I found them this morning--along with a couple of bodies of Plateian warriors.

ACTAEON (staggered):
     Then blood has been shed. This war cannot be avoided.

The camera pans around to the doorway where Antigone is standing, a shocked look on her face. She walks slowly into the room.

ANTIGONE (echoes him):
     Cannot be avoided...

ACTAEON:
     I'm afraid it's true. I'm sorry. (after a moment's pause) We have to dispatch more soldiers to guard the temple right away.

ANTIGONE (shakes her head):
     I kept hoping... (trails off and looks at Actaeon) What about your father?

ACTAEON:
     He's obviously determined to go through with this. There's nothing I can do.

Antigone comes toward him and stops, leaving some distance between them.

ANTIGONE:
     What I want to know is--what will you do. Are you prepared to fight him--perhaps to the death?

ACTAEON (regretfully):
     If I have to.

ANTIGONE (warily):
     Why? Thebes is not your city.

Actaeon walks up to her and takes her hands, covering them with his; she looks at him rather uncomfortably but doesn't pull away.

ACTAEON:
     It is now.

Antigone looks at him, her wary expression softening into a small smile. Pan over to Xena, who is looking on thoughtfully as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE