FADE IN

A stream. Ares is crouched next to it, pulling a cloth through the water, dabbing it on the gash on his arm and then slowly wrapping it around the wound. He winces slightly at the sting. Pandion walks up from behind.

PANDION:
     Need any help?

ARES:
     I've got it.

He ties the cloth around his arm, his movements jerky.

PANDION:
     Those men who were fighting Brygus' soldiers are followers of yours. They were coming to join us. The army has grown by three.

ARES (still not looking at Pandion):
     Good.

PANDION:
     The men are ready to move out whenever you are.

Ares nods, still not looking at Pandion.

PANDION (probing):
     Are you all right?

ARES (turns to Pandion, his eyes cold):
     I may be mortal but I don't do sensitive chats.

Ares stands up and walks away. Pandion looks after him.

CUT TO

Ares and his army ride into the village of loyalists. They enter the village and dismount. Pandion leads the way.

CUT TO

Inside a building. Pandion and Ares enter a room.

A man with black hair smiles as Pandion and Ares come in. Pandion smiles as well, embracing the man in a friendly hug.

PANDION:
     Spiro, my friend. It's good to see you.

SPIRO:
     I take it you've come for the weapons?

PANDION (nods):
     So Brygus hasn't found out we have them then, I take it. (Spiro shakes his head) That's good news.

SPIRO:
     They're in the cellar, locked away.

Spiro walks over to a drawer, opens it and pulls out a key that's hidden in the bottom under a board meant to hide it from view. He hands it to Pandion.

SPIRO:
     May they help you in this war.

PANDION:
     Oh, they will. (turns to Ares) Having the God of War on our side doesn't hurt, either.

Spiro looks at Ares surprised. Ares nods.

SPIRO (nods slightly):
     Great Ares. It's an honor.

Ares acknowledges him, then follows Pandion to the back where there is a door. He puts the key in the lock and turns it. The door unlatches and he pulls it open with a creek. There are stairs leading down into a dark cellar. Pandion grabs a lit torch and heads down with Ares.

CUT TO

Inside the cellar. Pandion holds up the torch and enters a small room. Ares looks ahead of them, seeing a stash of very nice and polished weapons and a few breastplates and leather armor.

ARES:
     Impressive. All this is from one temple?

PANDION:
     The one on the coast. We heard Brygus was in the area. My men and I were able to get there and remove them before he took the temple. Our weapons and armor are old and outdated. With these we'll have a better chance.

Pandion walks up to a shiny bronze breastplate and brown leather armor with bronze accents sitting against the pile of swords. The breastplate has a swirl design on each side engraved into the metal. He holds up the breastplate, examining it, and then turns around.

PANDION:
     This should be right for you--as a commander. (he holds it up toward Ares)

ARES (smirks):
     Not really my style.

PANDION:
     Not as a god--but as a mortal...better to come prepared, right?

Close up of Ares' face as he looks thoughtful.

CUT TO

Outside the village. There are men walking back and forth, carrying swords, shields and armor from the building and depositing them in the back of the wagon. Ares and Pandion walk out from another building off to the side, carrying a small bag of bread, fruit and a dead chicken.

A young boy stands next to Quirinus. Ares walks up and takes the reins. The boy looks back, wide-eyed.

YOUNG BOY:
     I watered and fed him, sir.

ARES (nods):
     Thanks, kid.

YOUNG BOY (eager):
     Is there anything else I can do for you, Lord Ares?

ARES (sighs):
     How about just "Ares"?

The young boy nods, staring at him open-mouthed. A man walks up and pulls the boy back from Ares.

MAN (grins):
     Sorry about that. (ruffles the boy's hair) He gets a little excited around the great and famous. If there is anything you need, just let us know.

Ares nods and the man leads the boy away. Ares turns to Pandion.

ARES:
     So, if I said "jump" they'd ask "how high."

PANDION (smiles):
     Pretty much.

Ares glances over at a few village girls, in their teens and twenties, watching him from afar.

ARES:
     Wonder if I could get used to this.

The girls notice his look and giggle, looking away.

ARES (continues):
     At least until I got tired of all the fawning.

Pandion chuckles.

PANDION:
     Still, must feel nice--a village full of people who still worship you.

MALE VOICE (off-camera, behind Ares):
     That's right. People who would not turn their backs on you even in exchange for protection from the goddess.

Ares turns to see a middle-aged man standing behind him.

ARES:
     Goddess?

MAN:
     Yes, the goddess Artemis.

Ares stands shocked.

ARES:
     Artemis...was here.

Behind Ares, Zarek comes walking up. He stops in his tracks.

MAN (shakes his head):
     No, but her emissaries came by this morning. Offering a chance to worship her and be granted her protection in return.

ARES:
     Protection from what?

MAN:
     The thugs and bandits that have been raiding villages in these parts. (nods toward Pandion) You should know all about that. (Pandion nods)

ZAREK (from behind them, scoffs with a bit of anger in his voice):
     I wouldn't trust anything that lying witch says.

MAN:
     We don't. And besides (looks at Ares), Ares is the only one who has our respect. (nods slowly) Even as a mortal.

ZAREK (concerned):
     Have these emissaries visited other villages?

MAN:
     I don't know. But...there's a village not far from here that began worshiping her about a month back. That's all I know.

He holds up his folded hands to Ares as a gesture of respect, and walks off.

ZAREK (looks toward Ares):
     Any village devoted to Artemis deserves to be destroyed.

Ares turns sharply toward him.

ARES:
     And what good would that do?

ZAREK:
     If they're blind enough to think Artemis will save them, they're a danger.

PANDION:
     You can't go around killing innocent people, Zarek, no matter what their faith.

ZAREK (getting angry):
     No follower of Artemis deserves to be called innocent!

ARES (losing patience):
     We don't have time for this.

Ares turns away and starts to walk.

ZAREK:
     You really have gone soft, haven't you?

Ares turns, staring him down.

ZAREK (continues):
     The God of War would have agreed it's better for everyone. She is the reason you lost your godhood, isn't she?

Ares looks down, the memory striking a chord.

ZAREK (continues):
     Doesn't that deserve payback?

Ares moves closer to him in a threatening manner.

ARES:
     This is my army now, and I say we're not attacking villages. Is that clear?

Zarek eyes him, then turns and walks off.

ARES (looks at Pandion):
     We've got everything we need. Let's go.

DISSOLVE TO

Ares riding out in front of the men, Nicos driving the wagon behind Ares. Pandion rides beside Ares and Zarek and a few other men are behind them. They ride out of the village.

CUT TO

A dark room with a few lit candles set into the stones. Weapons and shields hang on the walls.

Several of Brygus' men--the thugs that Ares had fought at the campsite and those he fought at his temple--are walking down the hall. Some look worse for wear--limping, cuts and bruises on their heads and their faces. The camera follows them as they come to a large wooden door. A big man stands in front of it. He crosses his arms.

THUG:
     We have some information for Brygus.

GUARD:
     You know the rules. No one gets in to see Brygus unless it's through me.

SOLDIER #1 (sighs):
     Then you tell him that Ares has returned.

SOLDIER #2:
     The way he fought... if I didn't know better, I would have thought he was still a god.

The guard stares at them, looking intrigued.

DISSOLVE TO

A darker room, where a throne sits and a large map extends the length of the back wall.

The guard walks in.

GUARD:
     Brygus.

Pan around to see a man standing near the throne, his back to the guard and his appearance shadowed by the dim light.

BRYGUS (deep and commanding voice):
     Yes?

GUARD:
     Some of your men have just reported seeing Ares in the area--apparently fighting with Actaeon's band of has-been worshipers.

BRYGUS:
     Ares. (chuckles) I wondered when he would get mixed up in all of this. Took him longer than I thought--but it's about time.

GUARD:
     He also knows about your plans to ally with the warlord Cletus in Oenoe.

BRYGUS:
     They have the scroll?

GUARD (nervously):
     I'm afraid they do, my lord.

Brygus is silent; pan to the guard, who gulps anxiously, and then back to Brygus.

BRYGUS:
     Looks like a change of plans.

GUARD:
     My lord?

BRYGUS:
     I'll explain it all in time. (he pours himself a glass of wine) First, bring Aneus here. (his voice grows lower and more menacing) It's time we sent Ares a message.

CUT TO

A medium sized camp. Tents are gathered around an old abandon wooden fortress in an open field. Many of the men wear black, silver and red armor as Pandion does, but there are also several warrior women in the mix. Most of the men look to be in their early to mid-20's--young and rather inexperienced looking when it comes to war.

Pandion, Ares and the others and the wagon driver come riding into view, along the edge of the camp toward the wooden fortress. As they pass by, some of the men and women look up to see Ares on horseback riding side-by-side with Pandion. They give Ares curious looks, whispering to each other as Ares and Pandion make their way to the fortress entrance.

CUT TO

The other warriors have dispersed amongst the rest of the army. In the background, the wagon has stopped and several men are helping to unload the stash of weapons.

CUT TO

Ares and Pandion are walking through the inner courtyard of the wooden fortress. It looks more like the interior of a training camp.

A few men are training along one wall, with swords and staffs. Among the group is one woman, in dark brown leather and long brown hair pulled back into a ponytail. She stands out among the other soldiers. She swings and dodges as they spar with her. She's agile in her movements, ducking under the blades and jumping over them. She kicks out her feet and sends one of the men to the ground.

She sees Pandion and Ares walking past. Ares watches her intently. She jumps out of the circle of men and walks up to them, sheathing her sword.

PANDION:
     Practicing, I see.

WARRIOR WOMAN:
     Every day. Keeps the skills sharp. (she glances at Ares) And who is this?

PANDION:
     He might just be the advantage that we've been looking for, Iona. Now, we have Ares himself on our side.

Iona looks at Ares.

IONA:
     The former God of War. (looking him up and down, cheeky grin) Not bad.

Iona walks on and Ares watches her go.

PANDION (grins at Ares):
     She's one of the best fighters we've got. Not that she'd measure up to Xena, but--

ARES (quietly, thoughtful):
     No one would.

Pandion chuckles.

CUT TO

Evening. Ares and Pandion are walking side by side through the camp. Ares surveys the army. There are many men preparing meals around fires, some are getting in a light workout of swordplay before dinner. Ares notices that some, while they spar, aren't graceful in their movements. Some look very inexperienced.

ARES (glancing at two men who look in their early 20's):
     These men haven't seen much war, have they?

PANDION:
     Some of them haven't seen any. (Off Ares' surprised look) I told you before that we've had a lot of setbacks in our war against Brygus. The worst of these was that we lost many experienced fighters. These men--they have plenty of zeal for the cause, but I'm not so sure they have the skill to fight for it.

ARES (with some bitterness):
     What cause? Fighting for a god who's not a god anymore?

PANDION (stops walking, looking at Ares):
     It's not immortality or fireballs that make people devoted. It's what you inspire in people, loyalty and devotion, courage and fire. The very essence of what you were will always be there. Maybe as a mortal you affect them more now than ever. You're not so unattainable and mysterious anymore. You've become one of us.

Pandion walks on, leaving Ares behind looking thoughtful and moved.

DISSOLVE TO

Inside the fortress, Ares is seated at a dinning table with the other generals, eating and drinking and having a good time.

DISSOLVE TO

Iona walks down the hallway in the fortress with Ares at her side. She stops at a door.

IONA:
     This is your room. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. (pause) It's good to have the God of War leading us in our fight.

Ares nods in response and Iona walks away. He opens the door and enters.

It's a small room but furnished nicely, with a sizable bed, a window and a table with a plate of fruit on it, and a mug of ale. Ares walks towards the table and takes a bite of an apple, then looks out the window, the camp below. It's dusk; soldiers are wandering around the camp, many of them gathering around large fires where they have their meals. The faint sounds of conversation can be heard.

Ares turns and looks toward the bed where the bronze armor lies. He walks over to it and picks up the breastplate.

CUT TO

Ares standing in front of a long tainted mirror wearing the suit of armor. He looks at himself approvingly then turns reflective.

ARES:
     Xena...what would you say if you saw me now...

CUT TO

Close-up on Xena, her hair wet, water dripping down her face. The camera pulls back to show Gabrielle sitting next to Xena at the edge of a stream, her legs crossed and Samuel propped up against her. She cups her hand into the water and pours the water over Samuel, giving him a bath. Close-up on Samuel giggling as water trickles down his skin. He splashes his chubby little hands into the water and splashes Gabrielle. She smiles, then glances at Xena.

GABRIELLE:
     Do you wonder where he is?

XENA:
     Who?

GABRIELLE (smiles):
     Who do you think? You said he's off helping his followers on some mission, huh? (Xena nods) Strange to think of people following him even now... (thinks) You know what's funny?

XENA:
     Hmm?

GABRIELLE:
     There used to be a time when I really wished he'd leave us alone. And now... now, when he's not around something doesn't feel right.

Xena looks thoughtful.

DARION (off-camera):
      I miss him, too.

Xena and Gabrielle turn to see Darion standing behind them, leaning on a large stick.

XENA:
     Darion. How's the scouting?

DARION:
     Good. Everything's clear. How was your swim?

XENA (smiles):
     Nice and relaxing.

Darion twirls the stick, with moves somewhat reminiscent of Gabrielle's moves with the staff.

GABRIELLE:
     You're getting good at that. (Then, to Samuel, looking down at him) Okay. I think we're done.

She picks up Samuel and stands up, walking over to a log where her pack lies. She dries him off with a cloth, then rummages through her pack.

XENA:
     Better get moving. We want to get to the village before nightfall if we're going to get supplies.

DISSOLVE TO

Xena and Gabrielle, with Darion riding Argo behind Xena and Samuel in the sling on Gabrielle's back, ride toward the village.

DISSOLVE TO

Xena, Gabrielle and Darion ride into the village. It looks deserted. Darion jumps down from the horse and Gabrielle follows him, carrying Samuel in the sling. Xena comes up behind them, looking cautious.

DARION:
     Where is everyone?

The faint beat of drums is heard in the distance. Xena looks over and sees smoke rising from behind some buildings.

XENA:
     Come on. (to Darion and Gabrielle) You two stay behind me. Could be trouble.

CUT TO

The village square. A large crowd is gathered in a circle around a firepit, billowing smoke rising from it. Several young girls, about sixteen years of age, are dancing around the fire wearing white dresses with green sashes. They dance with rhythm and purpose, throwing their heads back and forth, moving to the beat of the drum and a pan flute being played.

Xena and Gabrielle walk up to the back of the crowd. Darion sneaks his way through the mass of people toward the front, despite Gabrielle's attempt to stop him. He stands watching as the girls dance in front of the fire. Xena and Gabrielle watch from the back.

A woman in a long green robe with a white sash stands off to the side of the fire, holding a scroll.

WOMAN (commanding voice):
     Today we celebrate these girls as they prepare to enter womanhood.

The girls stop dancing and walk toward the woman. The woman holds out a wreath of branches and puts one on each girl's head.

Pan back to show Xena and Gabrielle watching with curiosity.

WOMAN (commanding voice):
     By the grace of the goddess we bestow upon them the duties, responsibilities, challenges and joys that will shape their lives in the years to come as they become wives and mothers themselves.

The people cheer and the music grows louder. Suddenly, a gust of wind whips through the square, and the dress on one of the girls catches fire. There are gasps of terror and the music stops. A middle-aged man and woman rush toward the girl. Terrified, the girl screams and runs, crashing into another girl--a child of about eight--whose clothes catch fire as well. The two girls are now running in opposite directions, screaming. Xena cartwheels after the first girl, grabs her and throws her into a trough full of water.

Pan to Darion, who jumps in the path of the eight-year-old girl, grabs her, throws her down and beats down the flames. A moment later her parents run up, muttering almost incoherent thanks.

GIRL (to Darion):
     Are you a hero?

Darion seems slightly at a loss for words, then nods.

DARION:
     I'd like to be. (looks back at Xena and Gabrielle, then at the girl) I travel with the best.

Pan to Xena and Gabrielle, who approach.

GABRIELLE (to Darion, with quiet pride):
     Good job.

MAN (the father of the girl Darion rescued):
     Thank you for your help. I'm Makis, the chief elder of this village. (points to the woman) My wife, Rena.

Xena and Gabrielle nod.

RENA:
     You helped our daughter Ilana, and this village. Our home is open if you'd like a place to stay, or if there's anything else you need... (noticing their tired appearance) some hot food, a bath?

GABRIELLE (nods):
     Thank you for your hospitality.

XENA:
     A home-cooked meal does sound nice.

The woman nods, smiling.

DISSOLVE TO

Night. Inside a small but cozy house. Xena, Gabrielle, and Darion are seated around a table (with Samuel in a basket next to Gabrielle), Makis and Ilana seated across from them. An older girl, about sixteen--she's one of the girls who participated in the ceremony from before--walks into the dining room, still wearing the wreath on her head. Makis smiles as she walks up and he gives her a kiss on the cheek.

MAKIS:
     So, Eleri--how does it feel to be a grown woman?

ELERI:
     Wonderful, Daddy.

GABRIELLE:
     So this was a coming of age ceremony?

ELERI (nods):
     It's a rite all girls must pass. It makes us prepared for our future and our place in this world. (curious) Didn't you ever have one?

GABRIELLE:
     No. (she glances at Xena who gives her a quizzical glance, then back at Eleri)

ELERI:
     Then how did you know when you were a grown-up?

GABRIELLE (slightly at a loss for words):
     I--guess I'd rather become a grown-up when I know I'm ready than when someone else says I am.

Eleri nods uncertainly, a little confused by Gabrielle's answer. She sits down at the table across from Gabrielle.

Rena walks into the room carrying a plate with a roasted bird and vegetables and sets it on the table.

MAKIS:
     That looks wonderful.

Rena smiles and sits down at the table.

Darion reaches out for a piece of meat but Makis and Rena look at him.

RENA (kind, but firm):
     We say grace before we eat.

Darion pulls his hand back and looks at Xena and Gabrielle, puzzled. Rena looks over at Eleri.

RENA:
     Eleri, will you?

ELERI:
     Yes, mother.

Eleri folds her hands in front of her face and looks down in prayer, closing her eyes. Rena, Makis and Ilana do the same. Xena, Gabrielle and Darion watch silently.

ELERI:
     We thank the goddess for this wonderful meal, and for the blessings she bestows on us. May we be reminded everyday of her gifts and treasure them. Praise Artemis.

Xena and Gabrielle glance at each other, shocked. Darion looks slightly nervous.

RENA, MAKIS AND ILANA (quietly, together):
     Praise Artemis.

Eleri, Rena, Makis and Ilana open their eyes.

RENA (smiles):
     Now, let's eat. (she sees the looks on Xena and Gabrielle's faces) Is something wrong?

XENA (unsure):
     No.

Gabrielle looks above the table and sees a small statue of a woman archer, her hand pulled back on the bow, ready to release an arrow into the sky. There are two burning candles on either side of her. In the background, we see Rena slicing off pieces of meat and putting them on the plates.

GABRIELLE:
     You worship Artemis?

MAKIS (matter-of-factly):
     Yes. She protects us and guides us. Why?

GABRIELLE:
     We-- (looks at Xena, then back at Rena) we just haven't met any worshipers of Artemis in...a long time. Are there others in this village who worship her, too?

The camera pulls in on Rena's face as she smiles a beatific smile.

RENA:
     Oh yes. Everyone.

Close-up on Xena's shocked face as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT TWO