Raising hand to brow, Xena scours the streets. "Where does Dove live?"

"I'm not sure." LeeAnn glances at the magistrate building.

Her red-hair friend steps down a marble stairs carrying an armload of parchments.

LeeAnn steps before Xena. "Let me ask this friend."

Gabrielle follows a direct golden highlighted trail to Dove stopping on the steps. .

LeeAnn assuredly winks. "Excuse me, hun? We're looking for Dove, another scribe who works here. She has a dangerous bauble mistaken for a harmless trinket."

"You just missed her." Dove glances over LeeAnns shoulder.

Xena studies the private exchange.

Dove continues walking. "I saw Judge Iapetus holding a blue spherical thingy. His little girl's celebration is scheduled this afternoon."

Smiling, LeeAnn steps back. "That's it. Thank you, hun. Tell Dove, she's missed."

"Go in peace. It promises to be a lovely day." Dove nods, strolling toward a merchant's store for quick cover.

Suddenly, Xena flips forward. "YiYiYa!" She pulls Dove down to the dirt then catches a sniper's arrow. "ThunderCloud, hurry, the roof!"

Another arrow hits the dirt. Seeing the shadow of a stumbling warrior, ThunderCloud races down an alley. She leaps onto a gabble roof in swift pursuit. Though Xena knows the lone sniper makes no threat, she retains Dove on the ground with her foot on Dove's back.

Dove scoops legal scrolls rolling in the breeze. "We're in danger here."

"Easy, now." Xena snaps her fingers for Gabrielle to toss leather binds from her satchel. "At the moment, I'm not likely to kill you, Dove."

"This is necessary!" LeeAnn finger touches her short sword handle. "We only need the bauble."

"Iapetus has it! Now, lay off me."

Xena ties Doves' wrists. "What about my purse?"

Dove watches legal scrolls blow away. "I don't recall a purse."

"I've a cure for that." Xena pulls Dove off the ground then release her.

Sword clanks echo behind the magistrate's home. A fierce warrior kicks his horse dragging Thundercloud lassoed at the waist. A crimson cloud glows around the trail dust. As the dust settles, Xena runs forward. ThunderCloud and the riding sniper vanish.

"Like it or not." Xena jogs back to Dove. "We're part of the same team."

Dove tosses Xena, leather binds. "My pleasure, Princess. I'm 5 dinar per hour. 20 dinars up front."

Stepping closer, Xena squeezes her arm. "You're funeral will cost much less."

Dove gulps. "Of course, I'm ever so happy to offer my services to you for free, Xena."

"Wise choice."

"Choice, there's a good one."

A weird marooning puddle spreads across the street.

LeeAnn lunges forward. "Look out, the ground!" She knocks Xena and Dove aside, falling on the tainted grounds where they stood. "Remember me!" She sinks.

"LeeAnn!" Dove reaches for her friends hand yanked within the puddle.

Dragging Dove back, Xena avoids the maroon puddle whirling into a dark purple sand trap. "She's gone."

The puddle vanishes.

"She was my best mate!"

"My condolences." Xena pushes Dove to Gabrielle. "Move out. This place is too hot."

"North, Xena." Following a glowing line, Gabrielle jogs ahead. "Stay by me. I see our way with special powers."

"Powers?" Xena yanks Dove with one hand, palming Gabrielle forehead with her left. "Argos is south."

"I'm not crazy, Xena. The bauble is north."

Dove bumps Xena's shoulder. "Could be. Judge Iapetus has a place out in the country. He finds city live a bit toxic for his children."

"He's not alone." Xena notices an odd aura to Gabrielle. "Where did you get this power?"

As if summoned, Argo gallops free from the stables, saddled and riderless.

"Perager." Gabrielle points to a cloaked figure waiting alone up the northern street. "She helped me find you.

Xena pushes Dove to follow Gabrielle. "Sounds like another player for that sphere."

Dove cringes. "I don't this game."

"I didn't ask you."

As they leave the intersection, Xena peeks back. A crimson dust envelopes the area. The closer they walk to Perager the further the dust withdraws southward. Not knowing what to expect, Xena clutches her chakrum actively studying the strange cloaked figure, ahead. On Perager's left is a faint pale horse seemingly too old for riding. Xena sees the figure dote her head as Gabrielle marches forward.

Gabrielle stabs her staff in the ground. "Hello, again."

"Greetings, Gabrielle." Rolling her sleeves, Perager clenches small blue gaseous clouds in her light blue fingers. "Not all is lost for missing companions."

Xena pulls Gabrielle's shoulder to keep behind her. "Where are they?"

"Within the same sea prison, you left, Xena. It appears that they are joined Iolaus. Mycaia seeks Ares' favors. And, RedPrincess is not known for patience."

Stepping closer, Xena sees blue smoke floating over Gabrielle. "Where is Hercules?"

"Argos." Perager's hands magically create an oval window to the town of Argos.

In the window, Hercules greetsvillagers too scared to stop for hellos. A maroon puddle grows before him. Curious, Hercules crouches down.

Gabrielle screams. "No, Hercules, step back!"

Hercules quickly jumps back looking up for the source of his warning. "Where are you?"

Perager closes the image in her hands. "He is of no help to you, Gabrielle."

Gabrielle raises her staff. "I want him here or this ends right now. You want the bauble as much as anyone."

Xena watches Dove rubbing her wrists. "Perager, why do you want the bauble?"

Perager mounts her horse. "If the bauble is destroyed, Poseidon's wrath will torment Argos. If the bauble goes to Mycaia, she bargains it's power to suit her needs. Returning the bauble to RedPrincess will enslave your people forever."

"You didn't answer Xena's question." Dove blushes, passing Xena her bootknife.

"I owe her none." Perager vanishes.

A bluish gold trail shows a path Gabrielle steps to follow. "It's this way, Xena."

Xena stops Gabrielle. "It's my way. Okay?"

Gabrielle smiles. "What about Dove?"

"Leave me out of it." Dove turns around. She stops. A crimson cloud grows closer with a deep blood black carpet rolling closer. "Then again, we better run!"

A horseman war-cries. In his right-hand, a jagged javelin aims at Dove's chest. "Surrender the ottoman!"

Thinking fast, Xena launches her chakrum knocking the armor plated warrior off his horse. "Move on with Gabrielle." She pushes Dove to Argo, drawing her broadsword. "Get that bauble. I'll catch up!"

"Thanks." Rocking on her back, Dove rolls to her feet. "There may be more. Let me help you."

Gabrielle leaps, landing on Argo's saddle. "Come on, Dove. We haven't time to waste."

"I can handle it!" Charging the warrior, Xena ducks sparks as their weapons collide. "Ride on, Gabrielle!" She pulls the warrior over her body then parries for a opening. "Who are you?"

Cursing Argo riding north, the warrior rolls away eyeing the crimson dust. "I am Kram. RedPrincess orders your surrender."

"Nice to meet you, Kram." Xena withdraws from the crimson cloud contained within the boundaries of the southern streets. "You are no match for me."

Kram thrusts his sword watching Xena knocks it aside. "Surrender the ottoman, Xena!"

"I don't think so."

He charges then trips, watching Xena leaps overhead. "Trickery will not save you."

"It hasn't hurt so far." Cutting a slight notch in his vestment, Xena sees rope burns around the warrior's back. "Where's ThunderCloud?"

Kram charges again. "Die, Xena."

"YiYiYa!" She leaps aside then kicks his sword from his hand. "Pardon me." She raises her sword to his cheek. "What did you say?"

"I said die." He glances for his weapon too far for his reach. "Surrender or kill me."

Xena chuckles. "Not today. Where is ThunderCloud?"

Kram defiantly grins. "Break any bone, carve any flash. Kram son of Kram will not betray my queen!"

"It's going to be one of those days." Noting the crimson cloud pulsing, Xena quickly knocks Kram unconscious then tosses his body into the cloud. "You have honor, Kram. Pity your queen isn't worthy."