Nigel Harbrow

When a band of freedom fighters, following a shadowy figure known only as the Black Wolf, ambush and kill a group of armed men collecting taxes, Xerxes, the cold-blooded ruler of Argos, threatens the villagers with death unless they betray the identity of the rebel leader in their midst. A dozen courageous citizens step forward claiming to be the infamous Black Wolf, and Xerxes angrily orders his guards to arrest them all. Xena arrives a short time later, just in time to witness her old friend, Hermia, being abused by Xerxes’ guards when she begs to see her imprisoned daughter, Flora. After Xena teaches the guards some manners, Hermia tells her that Flora has fallen madly in love with one of the Black Wolves, and is now in prison for having taken up their cause to overthrow Xerxes. Xena vows to come up with a plan to rescue the young woman.