their surprise, that the king is Cortese. His ingenious masquerade as a bandit has allowed him to collect the spoils of war, as well as huge taxes from his subjects, who think the money is being used in their defense against the raiders. Cortese informs Xena that his next step is to sacrifice her to his army, knowing that his demoralized troops desperately need a victory. But before Xena and Toris can be taken prisoner, the two make a spectacular escape and rejoin Gabrielle in the small village raided earlier by Cortese's men.
Xena tells Gabrielle that Cortese and the king are one and the same, and asks
