TEASER

FADE IN

Xena, Gabrielle and Eve are leading their horses through a forest, beside a fast-flowing river. It is overcast and looks like it could rain any minute.

GABRIELLE:
     I hope we get to Messene soon. (looks up at the sky) Those clouds don't look too friendly--I'd rather not get caught in a storm.

XENA:
     Nothing wrong with a little rain.

GABRIELLE (indicating her velvet top and skirt):
     Of course not, as long as there's a roof between it, and this outfit. It takes forever to dry.

XENA:
     You're the one who said leather doesn't match your complexion. Buuuut, if you rethink your position, you could do some shopping in Messene.

GABRIELLE (perks up):
     Shopping?

XENA:
     Messene is known for its tanners--best leather for miles around. (chuckles) And that's about all there is to see there.

The three of them continue on until they get to a bridge over the river. They cross it, leading their horses. There are a few holes and loose boards in the bridge, which they watch out for as they cross. On the other side, there is a man standing with his horse--which is tied to a tree--tending to its leg, trying to bandage it with a piece of cloth--but the horse is agitated, moving around and frustrating the man. He is grumbling under his breath.

Xena, Gabrielle and Eve see and walk toward him.

EVE:
     You need any help there?

The man lets go of his horse and turns around. It is Virgil. He smiles and embraces them warmly.

XENA:
     Virgil, it's good too see you again.

GABRIELLE (grins):
     We have got to stop meeting like this.

VIRGIL (laughs):
     Why? I quite like it. (motions over his shoulder at the road) I was just on my way to Messene to get some leather for a new saddle. (pats horse's flank) Evidently, he prefers the old one.

EVE (looking at the horse):
     What happened?

VIRGIL:
     Oh, he stepped on one of those loose boards on the bridge and went through. I don't think it's serious, but he won't let me close enough to bind it properly. (looks back at the horse) Stubborn fellow.

EVE (smiling):
     So we saw.

XENA:
     Want me to take a look?

VIRGIL:
     You know, I was hoping you'd say that.

Virgil hands Xena the bandage he has been holding throughout the conversation. Xena takes it, and examines the horse.

XENA:
     Hey, you're all right, aren't you? (she strokes him, calming him down) You just scraped your ankle here. You're gonna be all right. (kneels down and starts wrapping the cloth around the horse's front left leg) Just need to be careful for a few days, huh? (stands up) There you go--he'll be fine.

VIRGIL (smiles):
     Thanks. You know, you're annoyingly good at that.

XENA (deadpan):
     I have many skills.

GABRIELLE:
     And so modest, too.

VIRGIL:
     So, are you three also on the way to Messene?

XENA:
     Yep. We're planning on staying there for a few days, before the next catastrophe shows up.

VIRGIL:
     Sounds like a good idea. Mind if I join you for a while?

GABRIELLE:
     Not at all.

Several raindrops splash into the dust, more follow.

GABRIELLE:
     And I think we'd better hurry if we want to beat this storm.

EVE:
     I think it's beaten us already.

XENA:
     Come on, then.

They continue onward toward the village, Virgil's horse limping slightly, but not badly hurt.

CUT TO

A long shot of the four of them going through the gates of Messene. It's almost dark, and the rain is coming down harder.

CUT TO

A crowded, noisy tavern. There are a lot of people there, mostly trying to get out of the rain. A young, friendly-looking man, the innkeeper, approaches them.

GABRIELLE:
     Can we stay here tonight?

INNKEEPER:
     Of course. You're not from 'round these parts, are you?

XENA:
     No, just spending a few days here.

EVE (looks around):
     It's a nice place.

INNKEEPER:
     Well, it would be if it wasn't for all that. (jerks his head towards the entrance, where a bedraggled couple are making their way in) Drag all the mud in, they do. (sighs) It should clear up in a few hours, though--won't be this noisy for you all night.

XENA:
     Thank you.

INNKEEPER:
     Come with me. I'll find you some rooms.

They follow him through a doorway at the back of the inn.

CUT TO

It is night, no longer raining. Outside, a young woman is carrying a pail towards a well in the center of the village; she goes to dip it in. Suddenly, the pail drops from her hand and she springs back from the well, wide-eyed and speechless with horror.

A giant object--it is too dark out to tell what it is, only a shadow is seen--rises from the well. In the dim moonlight a brownish-yellow cloud appears in the air, surrounds the woman and then dissipates. The woman seems to grow weak and falls to the ground, unconscious. The object then retracts back into the well, all without a sound.

CUT TO

Xena, Gabrielle and Eve are asleep in their beds when suddenly, a shattering scream erupts from outside.

EVE:
     What was that?

XENA (sitting up):
     Our cue.

FADE OUT

END OF TEASER