Traveling through the desert, Xena (Lucy Lawless) and Gabrielle (Renee O’Connor) struggle through a ferocious sandstorm. Spotting a battle in the distance, the two swoop in to aid three nomads, led by the fierce woman warrior Kahina (Alison Bruce), against attackers from another tribe. As they drive off the assailants, a suspicious Kahina berates Xena for having interfered in the fight. Upon hearing Gabrielle speak Xena’s name, Kahina and her cohorts draw their weapons, convinced that the women facing them are imposters. But Xena quickly proves her identity by disarming the nomads with her chakram and instantly wins their devotion. That night, at a feast in their honor, Kahina informs Xena and Gabrielle that they will lead her people’s battle against their archenemies, the Romans. Alone in their tent, Gabrielle asks Xena how to decide whether to kill or just hurt the enemy in battle. Xena explains that there’s no time to decide and that one has to rely on instinct. At dawn, Xena, Gabrielle, and Kahina travel to the camp of their rival, the nomad Tazere (Rawiri Paratene), to make peace so the two tribes can join forces against the Romans. When the trio approaches Tazere, his son Korah (Owen Black) confirms that Xena and Gabrielle were the valiant warriors he saw in battle the day before. Xena , Kahina, and Tazere plan their strategy while Korah drools over Gabrielle.
Xena and Gabrielle decide they need to check out the Roman town by themselves. Xena, disguised as a Roman wife, and Gabrielle, posing as her slave, approach Governor Dalius (John O’Leary). Xena claims her husband is from a very prominent family and is interested in finding out if the town would be a good place to invest his money. Dalius assures her that the town has excellent prospects and that the entire region will be under Roman control very quickly. Eager to impress her, he volunteers that three full-strength legions are being brought into the area to control the local tribes. After leaving the town, Xena and Gabrielle are overtaken by another blinding sandstorm, during which Gabrielle suddenly sees a figure headed towards Xena’s back with his arm raised. Instinctively, Gabrielle draws her sai and impales him before he can harm Xena. As he falls to the ground, Gabrielle is horrified to realize that she has accidentally killed Korah, who was holding nothing more than a scroll in his hand.
Xena reveals that the scroll Korah was carrying was a peace treaty between Kahina and Tazere. Xena sends a grief-stricken Gabrielle back to Kahina’s camp while she delivers Korah’s body to his father. When Tazere sees his slain son, he vows that someone will die for his death. For the time being, Xena lets him believe that the Romans are responsible. Back at Kahina’s camp, Xena arrives with the news that the Romans are about to attack. Just then, a group of Kahina’s and Tazere’s men drag in a Roman soldier, convinced he is Korah’s killer. But before they can execute him, Gabrielle confesses her guilt. When Gabrielle tries to explain to Tazere that her actions were a dreadful mistake, he is unmoved and calls her a murderer. Alone and grief-stricken, she has flashbacks of her life over the past years. She concludes her death will be best for everyone. The next day Xena, determined to save her friend, heads back to speak to Dalius. Meanwhile, Tazere’s men bury Gabrielle in a sand pit, leaving only her head exposed. The nomads are charging Gabrielle on horseback, swinging their mallets towards her head, just as the Romans approach with Xena. Chaos erupts and Xena rescues Gabrielle. Xena and Gabrielle meet up with the nomads and Gabrielle declares that she’s going to fight the Romans in Korah’s honor. Xena mobilizes the nomad forces and the battle begins. Gabrielle, seeing Tazere in jeopardy, leaps in to save his life. A sandstorm blows in and ultimately the nomads are victorious. That night, Gabrielle and Tazere make peace.
Guest Starring: Alison Bruce (Kahina), Rawiri Paratene (Tazere), Owen Black (Korah), John O'Leary (Dalius), Philip Spencer-Harris (Roman Captain), Gregor McLennan (Nomad #1), Graham Dolan (Nomad #2), Barry Te Hira (Nomad Lookout)
Starring: Lucy Lawless as Xena, Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
Written by Melissa Good
Directed by Chris Martin-Jones