Directed by Harley Cokeliss
Written by Adam Armus, Nora Kay Foster, Josh Becker, & Jack Perez
Xena comes upon a peaceful town that is under attack by the evil Cycnus and his son Sphaerus.
Tropes
- Abridged for Children: In-universe. Xena tells the kids of a time she faced a giant, but at the request of Darius, she makes the story more family friendly (such as replacing stabbing the guy in the foot with tickling him with goose feathers).
- Agonizing Stomach Wound: Xena nearly dies from getting hit in the abdomen with an arrow and needs time to recover.
- Arrow Catch: Nastily subverted; Xena perfectly catches two arrows, but a third nails her in the abdomen and has to be gruesomely removed.
- Fake-Out Make-Out: To get a thug at the inn to leave her alone, Gabrielle says Sphaerus is her boyfriend, kisses him, and whispers to pretend they know each other.Sphaerus: Ah, no problem.
- Hope Spot: Darius thinks the arrow not passing through is good news. Xena says it's not and that it has to be pushed through.
- I Owe You My Life: Xena's reputation precedes her, and Tynus wants her out of here for it. Darius won't hear of it and tends to the woman that saved his son's life.
- Noodle Incident: Xena once faced a giant in a box canyon and nearly got stepped on.
- Properly Paranoid: Xena warns the community that Cycnus is not to be trusted.
- Shell-Shocked Veteran: Darius used to be a soldier. He joined the community because of the horrors he saw in combat and the personal tragedies he endured.
- The Speechless: The youngest child, Sarita, hasn't said anything since her mother died. It's only at the very end when Xena's leaving does she say anything.
- "Well Done, Son" Guy: Sphaerus is so desperate to earn his father's approval, putting up with all kinds of verbal abuse. Ultimately, Sphaerus breaks away.
