" I fear these woods are new to me." Allanon announced, the gruff to his voice ever present. He studied the rocky landscape ahead. The woods were dark. Light penetrating through the trees and touching earth was a sight not seen by the Druid.

Wil, anxious to get back to the search, his golden hair tucked behind both ears " Whatever we need to do to get Eretria back." Gripping tight the slack of his horses reins, out of frustation over the missing Rover. " She may be treachourous but she's still a good person, i think, and we cant complete this mission to Safe Hold without her. " He glanced over at Princess Amberle, who seemed to be lost in thought.

'How engaging that Rover was. Treacherous, absolutely.' Princess Amberle shifted upon her steed and continued her thoughts. ' But one of the most alluring beings I've met in these dark times. Apart from Wil. And the time at Pykon? Well...well I have been thinking about that more lately.'

"Princess Amberle." the elven royal jerked her head towards Wil, who was staring back at the young woman with an eyebrow raised. "Everything alright?"

"I'm fine, Wil. Ready to find Eretria and return to our mission." Wil nodded at the end of Amberle's sentence and gave a reassuring tug on his horses reigns.

The Druid looked back again at the two. " There is a presence here. I am not familiar with it." He paused for a moment, hesitant of the unseen. " And it is already watching us."

The half-elf felt uneasy. "What is it?"

"Trolls?" asked Amberle

"...No."

"Bacchae!" the inquisitive young bard exclaimed in more of a statement than question.

"Yes." Xena answered cooly. Standing on rocky earth, her attention focused on the dark woods in front of them. It was too quiet. "This is their territory."

"Do you think the stories they tell about the bacchae are true?" Gabrielle had a bit of wonder in her eye, as she stood next to the warrior woman.

"Some are. Some arent." After a moment, Xena began to lead the two women and her loyal horse, Argo, into the woods. "What have you heard?"

"Well, they say that a single bite from a bacchae can turn a young, innocent woman into a wild, souless creature and that they can take many forms. Like wolves. They track their prey relentlessly...until they corner them. Tearing them limb from limb." Gabrielle stopped, her expressive nature taking pause. "But if you ask me, I think the stories are exaggerated ."

Xena walked tall upon the rocky earth, leading her horse and examining the forest around them, her suspicions already met. " Stay close, Gabrielle. I can handle a bacchea but-"

"But what?"

"There's more to this than just a bacchae."