The Path Not Taken

                                                                Original Air-Date October 2nd, 1995

One evening, Jana, the beautiful young princess of Boeotia, sits under the stars with her handsome fiance Agranon, the prince of Colonus. As they celebrate the fact that their impending marriage will end a bitter, centuries-old feud between their two nations, several masked men overpower Agranon and ride off with Jana. Xena learns of the kidnapping when Agranon approaches her in a seedy tavern where she and Gabrielle have stopped for a meal.

Impressed by the ease with which Xena fights her way past several lascivious drunks, Agranon pleads with her to find Jana. He names Mezentius, an arms dealer who will get rich selling weapons to both sides if war breaks out, as the probable kidnapper. Responding to the prince's obvious anguish, Xena agrees to help, though it means returning to the treacherous city of Trachis where she will be recognized by former colleagues from her dark past.

When Xena saunters into the pub in Trachis playing the role of the conquering hero, she immediately dispels "rumors" that she has given up fighting for profit. With much banter and backslapping, she receives a warm welcome from the assembled murderers and mercenaries including the handsome Marcus, a former lover and friend. Xena gets her first glimpse of the kidnapped princess when she convinces Marcus to take her to Mezentius to propose a business deal.

When she meets with the evil arms dealer, she tells him she knows he is fomenting war between Boeotia and Cronus, and offers him her army to prolong the conflict in exchange for weapons and half of his profit. She even convinces Mezentius to refrain from killing Jana, persuading him that the princess will be worth a hefty ransom. Meanwhile, Gabrielle persuades Agranon to go to Jana's father in an attempt to avert the coming war, but the two are quickly taken hostage when they approach Boeotia.

When Jana threatens suicide, Xena stages a dramatic rescue for Mezentius, using the opportunity to tell the princess that she has been sent by Agranon. She arranges a secret meeting with Jana at the castle's underground grotto that night. After avoiding discovery by Mezentius in the grotto, Xena whisks Jana off to the weapons warehouse, where she hides her in a box emptied of bows and arrows, which is destined for Jana's kingdom.

Just as Xena finishes nailing down the lid, Marcus appears and realizes what she is doing. Xena pleads with Marcus to leave his life of war behind, but he ultimately refuses and sounds the alarm. Xena battles the guards valiantly. But when Mezentius draws his bow to kill Jana, it is Marcus who leaps in front of her and takes the arrow meant for the princess. Through his heroic last act, Xena sadly realizes that she has indeed lost a true friend.



Cast

Lucy Lawless as Xena

Renée O'Connor as Gabrielle

Bobby Hosea as Marcus

Stephen Tozer as Mazentius

Nicola Cliff as Jana

Jimi Liversidge as Agranon

John O'Leary as Antonius

Iain Rea as Brisus

Crawford Thomson as Dictys

Peter Sa'ena-Brown as Soldier


Disclaimer

No Disclaimer


Quotes

"What we have here is a failure to communicate."
-- Gabrielle

Gabrielle: You see Xena, the way I look at it, life is an adventure to be explored. And, without adventure what's the point? Granted, with you sometimes it gets a little too adventurous, but that's what makes it interesting. Who was it that said "curiosity is the food of life and adventure is a meal?"
Xena: Sounds like something you might say.

Gabrielle: Did you ever notice that we never have a problem getting a table?
Xena: It's a mystery to me

"You do one thing, one good thing for no other reason than you know its right, that's the first step."
"I'm not that strong."
-- Xena and Marcus


Trivia

Lucy Lawless performed and wrote the dirge heard at Marcus' funeral (it is in Hassidic style).


Story Recommendation

Reunion of Souls by DS Bauden - 40 pages
Author Gina Barnes' best friend Rita talks her into a night out at the local bar. Gina does not want to go, but does to please her friend. While there, Gina notices a man looking at them, and is filled with apprehension. The forbodding is justified as shots are fired as they leave the bar, and what follows is a roller-coaster ride to find the culprit. Luckily, Detective Sara Kelly, assigned to the case, has a lead on the case and Gina's heart, as sparks fly in this short thriller.
http://xenafiction.net/scrolls/ds_bauden_ros.html