It was three weeks after the death of El-Hajij and the near collapse that barely held the Araby kingdom together. Xena and Gabrielle returned to Greece where they met with Salmoneus, who was a little weary from the constant traveling and selling his wares on the open market.

"That was quite an adventure you and Gabrielle had, Xena." complemented Salmoneus. "I bumped into Joxer a few days ago but he didn't mention anything to me about Telim Tor...he said it was he and Autolycus who made the plan to escape El-Hajij's palace."

"I'm sure they did....." smirked Xena. "With the autumn season coming to a close and start of the of the winter season, where do you plan to spend it Salmoneus?"

"Oh, I dunno." smiled Salmoneus as he counted the many denars earned from a windfall of successful selling and marketing. "Someplace warm....maybe Alexandria. How about yourself?"

"I'm returning to Potadeia." answered Gabrielle. "I promised my family I would visit before the winter solstice hit their region, and maybe help them stock up on supplies for the winter."

"I'm with you, Salmoneus, I'm going someplace warm also." quietly smiled Xena. "Asia Minor sound good right about now."

"Really?" retorted Salmoneus. "That's strange."

"What do you mean?" asked Gabrielle.

"Well, you two seem as inseparable as Romulus and Remus. I couldn't have met two better friends who complement each other on your wondrous adventures...." laughed Salmoneus and he placed his money pouch on his belt. "I mean, Xena is always looking for a great military campaign to lead while Gabrielle keeps stumbling into the worst of predicaments. It just seems strange that you both are going you separate ways for a while."

"I do NOT stumble....." asserted Gabrielle.

"No, you simply fall gracefully into the arms of an awaiting captor." laughed Xena.

"ha-ha." tersely joked Gabrielle.

The three laughed and joked late into the night until Salmoneus could eat and drink no more. They departed the tavern and Xena and Gabrielle spent their last night together before going their separate ways for a few weeks.

"Xena...did what Salmoneus say really ring true?" asked Gabrielle. "Are you really out there looking for a great military campaign to lead?"

"I was....a long time ago." sternly answered Xena. "Now I'm just trying to get by and right wrongs when I can, a lesson I learned from you, Gabrielle."

"Thanks.....but do I really stumble into the arms of captors, or fall gracefully?" joked Gabrielle.

"Get to sleep, Gabrielle..." replied Xena as she rolled her eyes.

* * *

The next day the two said their goodbyes as Gabrielle mounted her horse and traveled the great road northward to Potadeia while Xena boarded a merchant ship headed for Asia Minor. Strong winds carried Xena to Asia Minor sooner than they expected, and was soon in the port cities of Cilicia.

Xena made her to way to a local tavern frequently traveled by the many merchants from around the world. Cilicia was the hub of trade with the Far and Middle East from caravan and ship. Xena sat quietly drinking a mug of ale and waiting for her meal until some drunken sailors from Cyprus had entered, and caught the raven-haired beauty before them.

"Well, what have we here?" smiled a sailor. "A pretty little Amazon in leather. I like it...."

"Don't even go there." sternly warned Xena as she placed her mug back on the table. "Just walk away and hit on someone else."

"Aw c'mon, pretty lady....we are all friends here...." replied another sailor as he put his hand on her thigh.

"But your hand....and odor, offends me. SHEEEEEEYA!" cried out Xena as she flipped the sailor on his back and delivered a flying kick to the other. Xena grabbed the clay mug and smashed it on the head of a third Cyprus sailor, knocking him out. The other sailors drew their cutlasses and swords, eager for a fight.

"One side, one side, let a guy through!" yelled out a burly, stocky warrior who barreled his way through the crowd, bashing and smashing the sailors until he finally reached Xena. "Oh, I'm sorry. Did I disturb something?"

"Unnnnnnnhhh....." groaned the sailors as they got up and staggered out of the tavern.

"Not at all." smiled Xena as she sat back down at her table. "Have a seat, and your name is...."

"Chang Fei, of the Cathay Empire." smiled the burly warrior. While shorter than Xena by a few inches, Chang Fei was unusually large and stocky and much heavier than she was, with a broad shouldered body frame with most of his strength in his chest. With a short beard and mustache on his face, it still didn't hide the glare he gave to others from his eyes.

"You speak very good western tongue for a man of the Far East." complemented Xena.

"Thanks. Comes with the territory." replied Chang Fei as he loosened his scalemail armor to allow him to down a couple mugs of ale unobstructed. "What's your name, anyhow?"

"Xena." she replied.

"Xena?" retorted Chang Fei as his eyes lit up and a smile came to his face. "The same Xena who killed the child tyrant in the outskirts of Mongolia Wu-Tan?"

"The same." answered Xena.

"Remarkable. Many warriors of Cathay dedicated their lives and mission in life to slaying that tyrant, and you beat them to it. Simple amazing." complemented Chang Fei as he downed another mug of ale.

"Thanks, but what brings the great Chang Fei to Asia Minor? Last I heard he was fighting Mongol raiders near Shokotan Castle." said Xena. "I remember hearing he slew over fifty Mongol warriors in that battle."

"I was....." joked Chang Fei. "Until you killed their leader Wu-Tan! Once word reached out of his death the rest lost heart and surrendered! Things have been so peaceful to earn some gold I've been escorting trade caravans from the city of Mei Wiu to port cities like this one here."

"But those are Imperial troops you're with..." pointed out Xena.

"As sharp and perceptive as the legends say." replied Chang Fei. "There have been rumblings throughout the land of Parthian raiders striking caravans at random intervals as a prelude to seizing the cities of Icatia and Silia. I can handle those scurvy dogs by myself, of course."

"Oh, of course." smiled Xena.

"Of course! Anyway, my brother in arms Liu Bei worries like a nursemaid and ordered me to take this retinue of Imperial troops as additional escort." grunted Chang Fei. "Well, looks like the caravan has finished what it needed to do here in Cilicia. We'll be leaving this city shortly so I must go....it was an honor meeting the great warrior who slew the tyrannical Wu-Tan."

Xena reciprocated with a firm handshake with Chang Fei. "And it was an equal honor meeting the high protector of Shokotan Castle. Liu Bei chooses his captains well; he will go far in life with wisdom like that."

Chang Fei smiled and left a few denars to pay for his drinks and waved goodbye as he mounted his horse and joined the head of the caravan as they headed east back to Cathay. Xena stopped at a few nearby shops to stock up on traveling rations, purchased a horse, and rode next to one of the townspeople selling maps.

"You there, tradesman!" yelled out Xena.

"Yes, m'lady?" stuttered the surprised map-maker.

Xena tossed him a small pouch of denars. "Which way to Icatia?"

* * *

Back in Greece Gabrielle continue travel the north road back to her birthplace Potadeia. Expecting busy caravans, traders, and travelers on the route the area was surprisingly quiet; there weren't even birds singing in the trees. The eerie quiet gave Gabrielle the creeps.

"Hmmm....there aren't even thieves running around here....this is strange...." muttered Gabrielle to herself. "By the gods...."

Gabrielle's eyes lit up in shock and horror as she observed the woods covered in what appeared to be webs with skeletal remains dangling from them. Cautiously and foolhardily, Gabrielle rode forward further down the road.

"Oh, gross...." winced Gabrielle in disgust. "What happened here?"

Suddenly, springing from the trees emerged a giant black and gray spider, roughly the size of a large pig. Hissing and assuming an attack stance, the spider opened its maw revealing its fangs.

"AAAAAH!" shrieked Gabrielle in horror as she caught a close glimpse of the creature. Spurring the horse to accelerate, Gabrielle quickly escaped past the giant spider and cleared the area where the webs surrounded the small patch of the forest.

"I think we lost him boy...." smiled Gabrielle to the horse.

Gabrielle continued down the road until suddenly the ground gave way to large pit trap. Frightened the horse bucked and leaped to the other side. Gabrielle, unaware, was bucked off the horse and fell into the pit, which became a slick tunnel that made her slide deeper and deeper underground until she found herself falling into a massive chasm!

"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHH!" screamed Gabrielle as she blacked out.

Moments later Gabrielle awoke but keep her eyes closed. "Am I dead? No, I'm alive.......but I can't move......" muttered Gabrielle to herself as she opened her eyes saw herself stuck to what appeared to a massive web.

Gabrielle winced. "I really do fall into the open arms of a captor when I'm alone......"

* * *

Meanwhile, Xena rode into the night to the southeast, at last reaching the city of Icatia, a small city that had already had the scars of battle. Parts of the battlements were damaged, while the symbol of Icatia, a blazing white sun on an orange field, waved high in the tower. Xena made her way into the city, instantly finding what appeared to be one of the Icatian lieutenants.

"I hear the Parthians are a little expansion hungry this time of year....." sternly asked Xena.

"....and you are?" replied one of the Icatian soldiers.

"Xena, the Warrior Princess...." answered the Icatian lieutenant. "I have heard stories of her when I was in Sicily....you were quite a thorn in the side of Caesar....."

"News travel fast...." smiled Xena. "I'm just here looking..."

"Looking for a just cause to fight for....." interrupted an Icatian commander who entered the group. "The tower sentries spotted you almost 800 yards away, what brings you to Icatia, though?"

"I fought the Parthians many months ago and are among the most brutal forces known. I'm here to put a stop to that...." asserted Xena.

"Come, we must talk." replied the Icatian Commander as he gestured toward the lieutenant to accompany them.

"I am Marcus Aurelius and he is Caius Scipio." spoke the Icatian commander.

"You're not from Asia Minor, are you? You're both Roman."

"As perceptive as ever..." commented Caius Scipio as he led them into one of the guard houses. "So, now that you know that he once served Caesar, will you draw steel on us?"

"What's important now is not what you did then, but what is at hand: the Parthians." answered Xena.

"You are as wise as you are perceptive....I like that." smiled Marcus Aurelius as he unrolled the map on the table. "At least you have enough sense to come to Icatia....Silia was already overrun a few nights ago. We've been receiving those lucky enough to escape and flee. My guess is the Parthians took every scrap of food and money and burned the city down...much like a swarm of locusts ravages crops."

"We've already beaten back the scouts....we can expect the main force by the end of the week." mentioned Caius Scipio. "The cities of Silia and Icatia are isolated....that is why the Parthians attack knowing that no aid can arrive in time....we are simply too far away from a major kingdom for an army to travel, providing that they were willing to give us aid in the first place....."

"Agreed, what is your plan to defeating them?" asked Xena.

"The phalanx has always been our strength." spoke Marcus Aurelius. "But the tight formations with spear and shield will not withstand the fast hit and run tactics of the Parthians and we do not possess enough speed with our own cavalry to match theirs."

"Anything is possible, Aurelius." smiled Xena. "It just needs a woman's touch....." she replied as she began revising their battle plan.

* * *

Meanwhile back in the winding labyrinth Gabrielle remained trapped in the massive web. Despite her best efforts she found herself even more entangled than before.

"Just great....." groaned Gabrielle. "Now I know how a fly feels.....at least the none those spiders are around....."

A hiss echoed the cavern and Gabrielle could see shadows moving in the distance of something approaching.

"Oh boy...." shrieked Gabrielle as she managed to slide a hand free with a cooking knife she kept to prepare food. Gabrielle began cutting the web strands, which was a slow process since she had to remove the excess webs that stuck to the knife after they were cut. Minutes late Gabrielle got to feet, delicately balancing herself on the web as the web's resident arrived.

What appeared through the cavern was a bizarre creature, the stuff of nightmares. Possessing the upper torso of a woman and the lower body of a large spider, the creature advanced toward the web.

"Aaaah!" nervously shrieked Gabrielle at the sight of the creature. "Arachne?"

"Not Arachne but Techida...the offspring of Arachne...you look good enough to eat....." smiled Techida as she opened her mouth revealing her unusually large fangs.

"It doesn't have to be this way, Techida...." reasoned Gabrielle. "We can be friends, you know!!!!"

"But of course." evilly replied Techida as she entered the web. "I am having you for dinner!!!!!"

"Oh boy...." worried Gabrielle to herself. "What would Xena do? Now I've got it!"

Gabrielle threw the cooking knife at Techida, which was deflected in mid flight by one of Techida's spider legs.

"That didn't work....." panicked Gabrielle. "Time for plan B......HEEEEEEEEEELP!"

* * *

In Icatia the final preparations were being made. People collected whatever food they could store and barricaded their homes for the potential siege and massacre that could occur. The Icatian army manned the battlements and took up arms, keeping a vigilant eye for the Parthians.

"Our scouts have found the main force of Parthians here." pointed Caius Scipio. "While the open terrain outside the city gives us the ability to use the phalanx as our first line of defense, it also enables them to strike freely with their cavalry."

"If the Parthians reach outside the city the cause is already lost." asserted Xena. "Our best chance is to stop them here, at the Polyphemus chasm. That area is narrow and you cannot move a large force through their as quickly as open terrain. Their column will be stretched thin."

"Yes." replied Marcus Aurelius. "A small force could potentially hold off a much larger force from there, but it would still be impossible to hold for long."

"Difficult yes, but not impossible." asserted Xena. "Nothing is impossible."

* * *

Back in the cavern Gabrielle found herself in a web cocoon from her neck down to the toes; only her head protruded out.

"Ah...that's much better...." smiled Techida. "I always like to dress my dinner guests in silk....."

"What....I'm like a sandwich or something to you????" sarcastically replied Gabrielle.

"Oooo, I like that." smiled Techida. "I always enjoy my food have a little spice and bite to it."

Gabrielle rolled her eyes. "This is the end......"

Just then another half-woman, half spider creature entered the cavern.

"Sister!" angrily replied the other. "So I see you're hoarding food from the own family!"

"Shut up, Wayana, this is my prey, therefore it is my kill!" angrily snarled Techida.

"A fat spider queen like you doesn't need to be snacking between meals!" retorted Wayana.

"Die for that remark, witch!" cursed Techida as she sprang from the web, engaging in fierce hand to hand combat against her sister Wayana.

While the two fought Gabrielle struggled and squirmed her way out of the cocoon. "I guess those escape artist techniques

Xena taught me paid off after all." she said to herself. "Ta-ta, ladies, I already have a date.....with the rest of my life!"

Gabrielle leaped from the web onto the cavern walkway, making a quick dash down the passageway while Techida and Wayana fought.

* * *

Back in Icatia Marcus Aurelius and Xena rode out with the advance force of 400 soldiers while Caius Scipio made final preparations for the reserve force of 100 to the defend the city in case they failed to hold the Polyphemus chasm.

"So how did one of Caesar's lackeys become a crusader for the humble city of Icatia?" asked Xena.

"I was wondering when you were going to ask that." replied Marcus Aurelius. "My loyalty is not to Caesar, but to Rome. We were once part of a Roman cohort assigned to garrison and occupy these lands."

"So I see." commented Xena. "That explains why most of your men wear Roman armor and sword."

"Yes." replied Marcus Aurelius. "It was about a year ago when we last heard from Rome...no messenger...not even an official to come and collect a tariff. It was then that we learned of the Parthians, and that Caesar had abandoned us for the greater conquest and his own personal destiny."

"You could have easily left, why did you stay?" asked Xena.

"My story is not different from the other legionnaires...." commented Marcus Aurelius. "Eventually I took a wife, a woman of these regions. Even if I were to return to Rome, myself and my family would be forever ostracized by the Roman society as an outcast. She is now pregnant with child, although I fear my future child will not see the light of day."

"Have a little faith." smiled Xena.

* * *

In the Parthian camp its general, Teliphemus, completed his plans only to be disturbed the entrance of one of his captains.

"Lord general Teliphemus...." spoke the Parthian captain. "Our scouts have spotted an advanced guard of about 400 men bearing Icatian banners and Roman armor....but more importantly they spotted Xena at the head of the column!"

"Xena!!!!" exclaimed Teliphemus happily. "Caesar would pay five king's ransoms for the head of his most hated enemy! By the gods, Caesar would pay ten if she brought in alive and in chains!!!! Cancel all previous orders and assemble the riders....we shall move in attack at once."

"As you wish, my lord." answered the Parthian captain..

* * *

On the field of battle Marcus Aurelius stood alongside his troops within the tight phalanx of long spears and heavy metal shields while Xena flanked to the side with the light cavalry. In the distance stood Teliphemus army of over 1200 strong infantry and cavalry.

"ATTAAAAACK!" cried out Teliphemus as the first wave of Parthian cavalry advanced.

"Stand firm and stand your ground!" cried out Marcus Aurelius. "Let fly the javelins!"

Javelineers began throwing and hurtling dozens of javelins into the air, striking down some of the Parthian rider but little effect on the overall attack as they continued pressing toward them.

"Spears!" ordered Marcus Aurelius. "Drive forward and advance!"

The Icatian phalanx broke its original mass formation and converged into the center, forming a spearheaded wedge that slowly advanced and met the Parthian cavalry head on. Spear struck down Parthian cavalry in the initial stages of the battle, until they began to overrun the phalanx by sheer mass and momentum of attack.

"ATTACK!" yelled out Xena. "ULULULULULU!" yelled out Xena as she led the cavalry and attacked from the flank, decimating the Parthians left and right.

"Second in the next wave." ordered Teliphemus.

Suddenly, another horde of Parthian cavalry advanced at an even greater speed, joining into the battle. Steel met steel, although the Icatian phalanx retained its foothold of the chasm.

"Send in the third wave." ordered Teliphemus.

"We cannot...." interrupted a Parthian captain. "The chasm is too narrow. Our own troops would smother each other from being compressed in there."

"Very well, then." paused Teliphemus. "Send in the archers."

"My lord?" questioned the Parthian captain. "Our troops are still down there."

Teliphemus's eyes lit up in rage from the impertinence of one of his captains. Angrily Teliphemus drew his sword and impaled him, killing him instantly. "So they are....SEND IN THE ARCHERS!!! FIRE!!!!"

Waves of arrows soared through the air striking down both Parthian and Icatian soldier. A stray arrow struck Xena in the lower stomach, piercing through her armor. Xena cried out in pain but continued to fight on.

"There....now the battlefield is a little bit thinner. Send in the third wave." ordered Teliphemus.

The third wave Parthian infantry and cavalry attacked, overwhelming the already weakened Icatian phalanx. The battle reached fever pitch as Xena was struck down from her horse. The Icatian cavalry virtually decimated, Xena was now cut off from the rest of the Icatian force.

Removing the arrow from her side and hastily bandaging the wound with a strip of cloth, Xena continuing fight on, striking down warrior after warrior with her sword and chakram. With only a dozen Icatian cavalry left, Xena continued making her bold stand.

"ULULULULU!" cried out Xena as she leaped on top of large rock and kicked a Parthian cavalryman in the face, knocking him off the horse. Xena leaped off the rock and impaled another Parthian, fighting with a demonic fury and bloodthirst that would not be slaked.

The Icatian phalanx was reduced to a mere few dozen surrounded by the Parthians. Overwhelmed and encircled, Marcus Aurelius and forces made their last bold stand at the Polyphemus chasm.

"Icatians!" cried out Teliphemus. "I, the great benevolent Teliphemus offer you a bargain.....surrender the warrior princess Xena to me and I will spare your lives and your city....what say you???!!!"

Marcus Aurelius looked in the distance and the saw the battle weary Xena and the remnants of his forces and friends among the wounded and the dying. "There is no Xena here, Parthian. Get you gone!"

"You impudence is foolishness!" yelled out Teliphemus. "Within a few moments you will all be dead."

Marcus Aurelius's last thoughts were of his wife and the child he will never hold, wondering if they will live to see the sun rise again. "But Icatia shall live....."

"So be it...fool...." muttered Teliphemus as he commenced the final assault on the Icatians. "Xena is here! I heard that shrilly battle cry of hers!!!! Bring her to me!!! Alive if possible.....dead.....just as good...."

Xena wiped the dust and blood from her mouth and grabbed the first horse she saw. Mounting it, Xena charged forward across the battlefield, striking down the enemies in her way that stood between her and Teliphemus.

Xena lunged from the horse. "SHEEEEEEEEYAAAA!" she cried out as she tackled Teliphemus off of his mount and onto the ground. "You want a piece of me...so be it....but the cost shall be your miserable life!!!!"

Xena attacked with her sword and Teliphemus retaliated. Both were skilled warriors, and each deflected each other sword strikes and blows.

"Forget Caesar and the money...." angrily cursed Teliphemus. "I shall make you my slave and rape you as I see fit like the filthy trollop you are!"

"HA! That's a small threat!" laughed Xena as she slit a small part of Teliphemis's trousers. "That's a REALLY small threat!"

"BAH!" scoffed Teliphemus as he attacked Xena again, only to be blocked by her and receiving a backhand punch to the face. Xena struck again, impaling Teliphemus with her sword deep into his chest.

"AAAAAAAAGGGGH!" screamed Teliphemus as he slumped to his knees dying.

Xena's eyes lit up in excitement as she pulled her sword free from his dying carcass. "Was it as good for you as it was for me?"

The battle had reached its conclusion and despite heavy losses the Parthians still outnumbered the remnants of the Icatian phalanx, now reduced to less than two dozen. Xena stood, weary and wounded alongside the battle-weary forces on top of the dead Teliphemus.

"You can make this easy or hard, Parthian! Make your choice!" angrily warned Xena.

The Parthians reformed their depleted army and mounted their horses. Battle weary and without its lead general, the Parthians quietly withdrew from the Polyphemus chasm.

Xena knelt beside the dead Marcus Aurelius. "If there were more like you in Rome, Aurelius, Rome would truly be a glorious empire for all to behold. Rest now and go to the Elysian Fields......"

* * *

On the outskirts of Potadeia Gabrielle received a warm and welcome reception from family and friends, eager to see the famous Gabrielle the Bard. Gabrielle talked through the night, telling them of famous tales and legends of valor.

"How was your journey here?" asked an on-looker. "I here along the north road there were giant spiders...is this true?"

"Ewwwwww......don't even go there....." winced Gabrielle.

* * *

Xena and the remnants of the Icatian army returned back to the city as victors, although none felt like celebrating but felt a great feeling of relief knowing that they have prevailed and survived. Marcus Aurelius was given a full funeral procession with all honor as his funeral pyre was lit by Xena. Several days later as the dead were burned and wounded treated Xena said her goodbyes to the people of Icatia and returned home.

* * *

Several weeks passed and winter became spring. Xena and Gabrielle reunited in Greece, and were glad to see each other.

"So, how was Asia Minor?" asked Gabrielle.

"Not bad. Had a chance to see some sights...." smiled Xena. "Didn't get into any trouble, did you?"

"Oh no....no....of course not......" stuttered Gabrielle. "You didn't get into any fights, did you?"

"Certainly not...." asserted Xena.

Gabrielle gave Xena a long , hard stare. "You're not a very good liar, Xena...."

Xena raised an eyebrow and gave Gabrielle a smirk. "Neither are you....."

Salmoneus then arrived and sat down in between them, dressed in richly ornate clothing from Egypt. "Hello ladies, what's happened in your lives while you were gone?"

Xena and Gabrielle both looked at Salmoneus. "If you only knew....." they said.

THE END

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