The Price
He's moving to your right!
GABRIELLE
I see him!
XENA
Let me take him! Let me take it!
GABRIELLE
No, no, no! This one's mine. He's mine!
Well fought, friend fish. Know that I don't do this
for pleasure, only to live.
XENA
Don't talk to your breakfast.
GABRIELLE
You'll go to a far, far better place. Isn't it beautiful?
XENA
Mm-hmm.
GABRIELLE
You think we're the first people here.
XENA
The fish certainly seem to think so. They're
practically jumping on shore.
I have a theory about fish.
XENA
Oh, the one where they're cold, wet, and slimy?
Yeah, I heard that.
GABRIELLE
No, that's not it. I think we all came from the ocean.
Fish are just people waiting for that magic moment
to reach out and touch --
The garrison...surrounded. Waiting for help.
The Horde!
Wha--what does, what does he mean by `the Horde?'
XENA
Go, get your things, hurry.
GABRIELLE
What--what --
XENA
Now! Don't argue with me!
Xena, can we help them?
XENA
No.
GABRIELLE
What is going on?
XENA
We're surrounded. That's the way they work.
Those men were Athenian infantry. They must've
been ambushed.
GABRIELLE
Surrounded by what?
Your sword!
XENA
My sword can't help us now. Run.
GABRIELLE
What?
XENA
Run! This way Gabrielle! Follow me!
Quick!
Xena! Xena!
XENA
The canoe! Get to the river!
Pull harder. Dig in!
Pull, Gabrielle.
Xena.
ACT ONE
The first time my army went west, my army ran
into the Horde. I had a scouting party out looking
for a pass through the mountains. They were
below us in a ravine when they attacked. I could
only watch helplessly as my men tried to hold
them back, but they kept coming. I can still remember
that howling of the Horde. The screaming of
my men. It took most of the day to get the rest of
my army into that ravine, but, by then, the Horde
was gone. My men, they were nothing but bones,
stripped of their flesh and--and tortured as they
were skinned.
GABRIELLE
What are they? They must want something.
XENA
Nobody knows. Fighting one or two would be
difficult enough. But...but, they hunt like a pack
of dogs...surrounding their prey until they attack.
We gotta get out of here.
GABRIELLE
What if we follow the river? It'll take us somewhere.
XENA
Yeah, somewhere, but we don't know where
they are. Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
What?
XENA
Things are gonna get worse, especially with
what I have to do to get us out of here.
Xena?
XENA
Shh.
Athena, have mercy on us!
GABRIELLE
We have to save them!
XENA
No! Be quiet!
EXTRA
Athena.
GABRIELLE
But they're crying for Athena! They want someone
to help them!
XENA
Well, it's not going to be us!
GABRIELLE
We have to try!
XENA
Those men are dead.
Xena! We have to save him! He's trying to escape!
XENA
Keep paddling.
All right! All right.
Here! Take my hand!
XENA
Grab hold of him, and hold on tight!
They're catching up!
XENA
I know!
GALIPAN
They'll catch us all! Let me go!
XENA
No! No, we've got you now! We're keeping you.
Now, we really got trouble. Up ahead.
Gabrielle, when we get close to shore, I want
you to jump.
GABRIELLE
I'm not leaving you!
XENA
I can't fight them if I'm worrying about you! Now
do what I say!
Let's go!
MERCER
Attack!
I've got him!
Get him!
GABRIELLE
He's hurt!
EXTRA
Hurry up! Get his arm!
GABRIELLE
Be careful with him! Wait!
XENA
Gabrielle, duck!
Keep together.
EXTRA
Watch for an ambush.
EXTRA
Flag 'em.
EXTRA
We've got injured!
EXTRA
Move the wagon. Quickly!
EXTRA
Get everyone in!
Man the battlements! Watch for attack!
GALIPAN
Mercer! Mercer! They have to be stopped! They
have to be...
Take him away. Put his body in the pit with the others.
EXTRA
Give him a hand!
MERCER
I said, man the walls! They could attack at any moment!
EXTRA
Who cares?! We're dead, anyway!
MERCER
You get to your post!
ATHENIAN #1
Yeah, what's the difference?! We're gonna die,
Mercer. Those things out there, they're gonna
kill us all.
MERCER
You get to your feet and get to the wall. Now!
GABRIELLE
What is going on? Are these men just so scared,
they won't listen to reason?
XENA
You can't reason with dead men, Gabrielle. And
these are as dead as those men on the river bank.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Kaltaka. Kaltaka. Kaltaka.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
How can we kill them, if we can't see them?
GABRIELLE
Who's Kaltaka?
GAREL
Probably their God of War. Even when they die,
they call for him. Kaltaka. Kaltaka! It drives you crazy!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena, you were right. These men have given up.
XENA
Mmm.
GABRIELLE
They don't care whether they live or die. Is that
what's gonna happen?
XENA
Not without taking some of the Horde with us.
If I'm gonna die, I'm gonna die as I am, a warrior
with a sword in my hand. (to Garel) You taking
a break, soldier?
GAREL
Yeah, from reality?
XENA
You think you can grab your sword and get placed
before they come over the wall.
GAREL
Lady, it just doesn't matter anymore. We're running
out of food, we're running out of men and we're
running out of time. Those things out there have
us. Today, tomorrow, what's the difference?
Now, take this sword, get back on that wall, and
do your job. 'Cause what they might do to you
is nothin' compared to what I'll do.
Who are you?
XENA
My name is Xena.
GAREL
Xena? Xena of Corinth. The Warrior Princess of
Kalmae. The one who defeated Callisto.
XENA
You've heard of me.
GAREL
What do you think we should do?
XENA
Well, first, keep your weapons where you can get
at them. And stand at the wall, not under it or
near it! Every fourth man, take a rest! The man
either side of him will cover for him! And if anything
moves between here and the trees...kill it!
GABRIELLE
But wait. What if it's a friend?
XENA
We don't have any friends, right now. Get used
to it. (to all) We're not gonna let these bastards
defeat the elite of the Athenian army, are we?!
EXTRAS
No!
GAREL
Tell us what to do, Xena!
XENA
Do?
We're gonna kill 'em all!
EXTRAS
Yeah!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
What in the world?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Where are the doctors?
WOUNDED ATHENIAN
Back in the burial pit. We lost them in the first attack.
GABRIELLE
You mean, there's no one?
WOUNDED ATHENIAN
No one but the Goddess of Mercy.
GABRIELLE
There is no Goddess of Mercy.
WOUNDED ATHENIAN
You got it.
GABRIELLE
Here we go, again. Okay. You. You, become a
nurse. You, you're a nurse. Now we have to separate
the walking wounded from the people who can't
move. Now I want this area cleaned of all the dirty
bandages. We'll boil them later. We need some
wood. Come on, let's get moving!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Get the arrows.
Set sharpened spikes along the walls. We'll hang
'em from the battlements.
MERCER
Amazing.
MENTICLES
What the Hades do you think you're doing?!
XENA
Taking command! Someone has to.
ATHENIAN #1
Isn't it great, commander? Xena's fighting with
us. We'll teach those barbarians a lesson, now.
MERCER
Xena.
XENA
Yeah, let's not make a big deal about it. I wanna
talk to you two...inside.
Mercer, she's giving orders to us.
MERCER
Yeah, she is.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't wanna talk out there, but the situation is
next to hopeless. You know that.
MERCER
We figure we got three days of supplies, two days
of arrows. If we're lucky, we can stretch the water
to six days.
XENA
The Horde will stay there until we come out
looking for food. We've got to wear them down.
If we can force their hand, they'll waste men trying
to get in.
MENTICLES
Out of the question!
XENA
You have maybe one more day before there
are mass desertions. The men are demoralized
and beaten. They need to do something, anything
to make them feel as though they have a chance!
And until reinforcements arrive, we need that.
MERCER
There are no reinforcements. General Galipan
sent out a force to try and break through.
XENA
The soldiers we found along the riverbank.
MERCER
Yeah.
XENA
Where is Galipan? I almost fought against him
in Corinth. I'd like to see him.
MENTICLES
You already did. You brought him in. He's dead.
That means you're in command. I'm not stupid.
I saw the men out there. Xena's the only chance
we've got.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Make sure the --
EXTRA
We need more men!
EXTRA
Make sure to keep down!
XENA
Make sure half those bodies go to the south
wall. If we're gonna fool them, we'll have to make
them think we have reinforcements.
Xena! Over here. Now, it took awhile, but I think
I have it all sorted.
XENA
Which ones are going to die?
GABRIELLE
Hopefully, none of them. Now, I have the serious
cases over here. The walking wounded have all
become nurses.
XENA
Ah, if they can do that, they can carry a weapon.
(to all) Those of you who can walk, report to
Mercer outside.
Wait a minute. Xena, I need these people. Someone
has to feed them. I need them to get water for
the men that --
XENA
Yeah, get a water bag for yourself, Gabrielle. But
no food and water for the seriously wounded,
only for the men who can fight.
GABRIELLE
But, these men will die without water.
XENA
It won't matter if we can't defend the compound.
GABRIELLE
You expect me to decide who lives and --
XENA
I want men outside, Gabrielle. You figure it
out. And let Menticles know when they die. We
need them out on the wall.
I can't. I can't.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eta!
Retreat!
It worked!
Everybody, down! Now!
No!
Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena!
Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena! Xena!
Xena! Xena!
ACT THREE
Kaltaka.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's nothing. Absolutely nothing. It's as if
they just left.
XENA
No. No, they're out there. We just gave them a
bloody nose. They won't be stupid enough to enter
the camp again.
MERCER
We can't stay like this forever.
XENA
No, we can't. We need reinforcements. Make your
rounds, and meet me back at the command hut.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Grab his legs.
GABRIELLE
Wait a minute.
EXTRA
Orders from Xena.
GABRIELLE
I don't care. As long as this man still breathes,
he's in my...care.
Take him to the wall.
You. Can you walk?
FATIGUED/GASHED ATHENIAN
Yes. It's just my arm.
XENA
Good, then you can hold a sword in the other.
Get to the wall.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I told you to ration the food to the men outside.
GABRIELLE
What is going on with you?
XENA
I'm trying to save our skins. Those things outside
will kill us all.
GABRIELLE
This is insane! You are letting these men die!
You axed that man in the back!
XENA
He was inside our battlements. He saw our
defenses! I couldn't risk it.
GABRIELLE
I can't believe this, Xena. You're scaring me.
XENA
This is war! What did you expect, glamour?! There
are no good choices, only lesser degrees of evil.
GABRIELLE
There is a choice, to stop fighting!
XENA
They aren't like us. There is nothing about them
that we can or should understand.
GABRIELLE
But, have you even tried?
XENA
I know them, there's nothing! You make sure
that those rations get to the men on the wall.
We made these the way you said. I don't know
what good they're gonna do. If they can't see,
we can't see.
XENA
Trying to get out of this valley without reinforcements
would be suicide. We're gonna do something
about that.
MERCER
You plan to swim down the river and climb the cliffs.
MENTICLES
Hold on. You can't leave. The men'd lose hope
if you disappeared.
XENA
He's right. As much as I hate to admit it, I have to
stay here. Mercer will go. Get ready.
Every man take one.
EXTRA
Here, take this.
Are you ready?
MERCER
Yeah, I'll be in the water in seconds.
XENA
No, go north through the forest. Don't head for
the river till you're out of the trees.
MERCER
It'll take too long.
XENA
It won't matter if you get yourself killed. Go north.
(to all) Ready?
EXTRA
We're ready!
Hold it still. Light it. Quickly!
XENA
Go!
Open the gate!
GAREL
You, help me with this!
Xena! Here they come!
Cease fire! Cease fire! Save your arrows!
EXTRA
Yeah! Yeah!
Wait! Where's Xena?!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Open the gates!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Xena!
Give me a hand! Take him to the hut.
(to Garel) It'll be dark, soon. Post double guards,
and make sure the torches stay lit.
Are you all right? You know, you go out of your
way to tell me this is war, and then you rescue
one of them. He's not even hurt badly.
XENA
Gabrielle, I didn't rescue him. We need information.
He's gonna give it to us, one way or another.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's make this simple. I know you don't understand
me, but I wanna make some things clear.
We are here.
Xena.
XENA
(points at map) We are here.
You...where?
MENTICLES
Look, the animal understands. But, he's not gonna
help us.
Let me try!
Gabrielle, go outside.
GABRIELLE
No.
By the gods, Xena!
MENTICLES
What have you done?
XENA
I've shut off the flow of blood to his brain. He'll
be dead in moments and he knows it. He can
feel his life draining away.
GABRIELLE
Don't do this. It's murder!
XENA
I've told you, Gabrielle, this is war! Go back
to the hospital!
GABRIELLE
So I can pick and choose who lives and who
dies?! So, I can be a murderer, too?!
Take him to the supply room. Chain him up.
MENTICLES
You mean, kill him.
XENA
I mean, chain him up.
Thank you.
XENA
Don't you ever question my authority or methods
in front of my troops. I told you I'd do whatever it
takes, and if that means killing him later, I'll do it.
GABRIELLE
Your troops? I don't understand.
XENA
We didn't ask for this. If they want a fight to the
death, they're gonna get it. What part of that didn't
you understand?
GABRIELLE
You! Who are you, Xena? What happened to
the Xena that I know?
XENA
That Xena can't help us now. If losing her is the
price for saving us all, I'll pay it. It's just a part of
me I didn't think I'd need anymore. Get back to work.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaltaka? Kaltaka. Kaltaka.
GABRIELLE
Kaltaka is water?
G'KUG
Kaltaka.
It's not a god. The dying men just want water.
It's such a mess. It's you, it's them, it's...it's Xena.
What's become of her? It's just not it's not human.
It's...quite a surprise, isn't it? Losing your humanity.
Yeah, well, you were right, Xena. If I'm gonna die,
I'm gonna die my way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaltaka.
You let her out?!
GAREL
Well, she said it was your order.
She sounded pretty convincing!
Get the smoke bombs. And tell all soldiers on
the wall to prepare for battle. Go!
Kaltaka. Kal --
They've got her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
ACT FOUR
Prepare to fire!
EXTRA
Yes, sir.
XENA
No, wait.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wait, they're retrieving their wounded.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
That's impossible. They must be trying to kill
our wounded.
XENA
No, no, they saw Gabrielle, and they must've
thought it was a truce. I want some unarmed
volunteers to come out with me and get them.
MENTICLES
That's suicide!
XENA
Do it. (to an archer) Come here. Keep an eye
on Gabrielle. If I give you the word, kill anything
near her.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle! Get down! What do you think you're
playing with?! Come on!
GABRIELLE
No!
Mercer! Mercer!
Gabrielle! Xena, you were right. I--I should've
gone north.
XENA
We've gotta get him inside. There's no telling
how long the truce will hold.
GABRIELLE
Looks like you've got your battle to the death.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena told me to report to you.
GABRIELLE
Aren't you needed on the wall?
ATHENIAN #2
She ordered me to help with the wounded. And
she wanted this food to get in here.
GABRIELLE
Put it over there. Start feeding these men. And,
uh, grab some rags and start boiling some water.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Menticles, cut him loose.
MENTICLES
Are you out of your mind?
XENA
Do it!
Give me his weapon.
Stand back.
What are you trying to prove?
That we have something in common. He doesn't
want to fight me. He wants to fight you, or
anyone else.
GAREL
Is it any wonder? I've seen you fight.
XENA
No, he's not afraid to die. It's because he thinks
that I'm in charge, and he's not worthy of my sword.
Watch.
Amazing.
"Yes, I understand." Take him to the gates, and
then release him.
It might not make sense to us, Menticles, but he
has a code. And understanding that, we might
just have a chance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kaltaka turned out to be the key. When you went
out there, they thought it was a truce to retrieve
the wounded. I let my fear and hatred blind me
to everything.
GABRIELLE
Sometimes the past can do that. Xena, if I had
been through what you've been through --
XENA
No. No. You understand hatred, but you have
never given into it. You don't know how much I
love...that. Here. Here.
Xena! Here he comes!
Maybe we can talk to them.
XENA
Peace and understanding don't happen overnight,
Gabrielle. This is the only communication we
both understand. A warrior's code of honour. If I
defeat their leader, I defeat their army. Gabrielle,
if this doesn't work, I want you to go to the river --
GABRIELLE
No. You do what you have to do, but, we'll walk
down that road together.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena! Watch out!
You knew?
XENA
I knew one of us had to die. (to Menticles) You
can send out a patrol, you won't find them.
MENTICLES
I don't want to find them. We move now. Thank you.
They'll be back. Maybe not this year, but some day.
GABRIELLE
Can anyone stop them?
XENA
Yeah. It won't be warriors. It'll be someone like
you. I just hope that wherever the Horde is from,
they have a Gabrielle.
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Paul Glover as Menticles
Charles Mesure as Mercer
Tamati Rice as Garel
Mark Perry as Galipan
Jason Hoyte as Athenian #1
Bob Johnson as Athenian #2
Brent Gilbert as Drowned Athenian
Phillip Jones as Wounded Athenian
Allen O'Halloran as Fatigued/Gashed Athenian
Justin Curry as G'Kug
Sam Williams as Hordemaster
Written by: Steven L. Sears
Directed by: Oley Sassone
Disclaimer: To show sympathy for the Horde, "kaltaka" was only served upon request during the production of this motion picture.
