With the looming threat of the Persian army now bearing down on all of Greece. Xena and Gabrielle spoke more with the soldier that had approached them so they could try to get a better sense of what they were up against.

GABRIELLE

So the Spartans were fighting at Marathon, alongside the Greeks? That's a first.

SOLDIER

Yes, but unfortunately, they were slaughtered. They fought as hard as they could, but they were so outnumbered, they never stood a chance.

XENA

This is bad. If we don't act fast, the Persians will swarm through this land like man-eating locusts. We'd better move.

Xena moved to where Gabrielle was still seated with her ankle bandaged and helped the young woman to stand.

SOLDIER

The scene was so horrific. I've never seen such an attack. There were so many arrows raining down on us, we couldn't see the sun.

XENA

Someone needs to warn the Athenians. If the city is caught unprepared, the people there won't stand a fighting chance.

As she spoke, The warrior draped Gabrielle's arm around her neck as she assisted the bard over to where Argo was waiting a few feet away and helped the bard onto the mare's back. Once the blonde was settled, Xena returned her focus to the soldier.

XENA

I never caught your name.

SOLDIER

Oh, it's Phiddipides.

XENA

Okay, Phiddipides, do you think you can make it to Athens on your own and tell them about Marathon?

PHIDDIPIDES

Yes.

XENA

Good.

Xena patted the man's shoulder.

XENA

Be sure to pace yourself. In this heat, a run like that could kill you. We'll do what we can to try and slow their march.

With that, the soldier nodded his understanding before wishing the two women good luck as he took off in a brisk jog toward Athens to warn the city's people of the impending threat.

GABRIELLE

Xena far be it from me questioning your abilities, but stopping an army ourselves just doesn't seem remotely possible with just two people. Even if one of them is you.

Ignoring Gabrielles's reasonable concern over what just the two of them were supposed to do against a whole army, Xena took Argo's reins and began moving to cut off the Persian army.

XENA

Keep your foot elevated.

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Moving down a path, Gabrielle sat riding Argo as the warrior walked, silently looking around at their surroundings as she thought of what it would take to stop the attacking army's advance. Meanwhile, the extended time that had passed with a lack of conversation, continued to nag at the bard for some time, until finally, she couldn't take sitting quietly with her thoughts any longer.

GABRIELLE

Okay, go on, say it. We'd move a lot faster if I hadn't tried that.

XENA

Tried what?

GABRIELLE

The flip? You warned me not to do it, but I didn't listen.

Only half focused on the conversation, Xena stopped, bringing Argo to a halt also, as she was suddenly struck with an idea.

XENA

I got it. The pass.

The topic they were just discussing, quickly forgotten, The younger woman questioned the warrior's sudden comment.

GABRIELLE

The pass?

XENA

The pass at Thermopylae, that's the answer.

The bard gave the dark-haired woman a slightly confused look.

GABRIELLE

Wait, what was the question?

Xena turned to look at the blonde woman.

XENA

The pass. It's the shortest route from Marathon. The Persians have no choice but to go through there, so that's the best place to stop them.

GABRIELLE

I'll say it again. Two people. Against a whole army?

XENA

No, an army against a landslide.

The warrior smirked as she continued.

XENA

A landslide that we're gonna cause, thereby sealing off, and stopping that army in their tracks.

GABRIELLE

Okay, that sounds like a pretty good plan.

Gabrielle paused for a moment as she looked down at her injured ankle, before bringing her eyes back to The warrior.

GABRIELLE

But look, Xena, I'm slowing you down. Why don't you go ahead? You can create the landslide while I wait here.

XENA

Not gonna happen. Persians send out scouts ahead of the bulk of their army. They'd find you.

Gabrielle sighed as she again cursed herself for trying to do that flip earlier.

GABRIELLE

Stupid ankle. If only I hadn't tried that.

XENA

Well, We'll be lucky if you twisting your ankle is the worst thing that happens today,

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GABRIELLE

Has it occurred to you that, well, maybe the landslide will just delay them?

Gabrielle spoke from her perch atop Argo as she and Xena continued toward where the warrior planned to cut off the invading army.

GABRIELLE

I mean, you do realize the Persians could just go around the mountain, and continue on to Athens that way?

The warrior glanced over her shoulder at the blonde.

XENA

Which is exactly where we want them.

GABRIELLE

Where?

XENA

Tripolis.

GABRIELLE

Why? What's in Tripolis?

Xena turned her eyes forward as they continued to move.

XENA

I used to keep a secret armory in the area. If we're lucky the weapons will still be there. Then we'll be ready for 'em.

GABRIELLE

We? As in you and me? Okay Xena you keep saying that as in just the two of us are gonna be able to face down a whole army. But as much as I've seen what you can do, I'm telling you Xena there's no way only two people can stop an army on their own.

The dark-haired woman smirked.

XENA

Well you, me, and the Tripolis militia.

The bard breathed a small sigh of relief as she finally learned that it wouldn't only be Xena and herself facing down such a devastatingly destructive and infamous fighting force.

GABRIELLE

Oh, that 'we.'

Suddenly there was a rustling sound that came from nearby, and Xena drew her sword. An armed soldier lept out of the bushes and came straight for the two women with his own blade raised and poised to kill.

SOLDIER

(Angry tone) Give up the horse, or the last thing you see will be your heart in my hand.

XENA

(Joking tone) Sorry, but I'm afraid someone else already beat you to it.

The warrior smirked as she shot a quick glance toward Gabrielle before she refocused on the man in front of her and her face went serious.

XENA

Now you've been following us for the last half an hour, and this is all you've come up with? Taking my horse?

Using his sword, the man motioned toward Gabrielle, who was still seated on Argo.

SOLDIER

(Threatening tone) Help her down, or I will!

XENA

All right, If that's how you want it to be.

In one quick motion, the warrior jumped and flipped over the soldier to land behind him as she swung her sword. The man quickly brought his own weapon up to block, only to find himself staggering back from the impact when his and the warrior's weapons clashed. The soldier swiftly recovered as he planted his boots firmly into the earth before lunging forward with an angry yell to drive his blade into the woman standing in front of him. With the sword coming straight for her, Xena watched as it drew closer until at the very last moment she brought her blade down against the soldier's, pushing the weapon down and away from her. Not stopping there, the woman brought up her boot and kicked the sword out of the soldier's hands before spinning around and landing a hard elbow strike to the man's face. A flow of crimson began to pour from the soldier's nose as he stumbled back only to catch a hard boot to his chest that laid him flat out on the ground as Xena stood over him. Her eyes glared at him as she pointed the tip of her sword toward him before she noticed something odd about him that had revealed a good portion of the man's identity.

XENA

He's a Spartan.

TO BE CONTINUED…