"My name is Petras. This is my wife, Losam. And our son,
Asa."

"You're welcome to stay as long as you'd like.
We've been camped here for a good long while now. The
water's clean, plenty of firewood,  and the hunting and
fishing are good." Smiling at Asa, Xena continued, "And
there's nothing like a refreshing swim during the heat of the
day." Shyly, the boy smiled back at her.

"You offer is most generous, but we really must be moving
on. We don't know how to thank you for your kindness and
consideration," Petras said.

"Think nothing of it. But if you're sure you have to be
leaving, at least take the rest of the fish, for later." And
once again Xena took the uneaten fish she had set next to
Gabrielle.

As the small family disappeared down the path leading away from
the camp, Xena wondered why they had no provisions — blankets,
food, or extra clothing.  It was as if they had left in a
hurry from — wherever, not stopping to take anything with
them.

"None of my business," Xena thought to herself as she
watered and groomed the horses.

Xena was debating with herself whether to try once again to talk
Gabrielle into leaving when she heard the sounds of bows twanging
and then screams coming from the direction Petras and his family
had gone.  Jumping bareback on Argo, Xena galloped down the
path, sword in hand.

It didn't take  long to arrive on the scene of a dozen
men, half of them armed with bows and arrows, and half with swords
standing over the bodies of Petras, Losam and Asa.  Arrows
were sticking out of the two adults, and one man had just run his
sword into the child and was about to strike another blow.

Argo stopped suddenly, allowing Xena to catapult over her head
into the middle of them. The first to die was the one who had
stabbed the boy. With her sword flashing, Xena sent more to their
deaths. Several of the archers ran away then turned to fire
their arrows at Xena. Her Chakram made short work of them as they
tried.  It wasn't long before the ones who were able, ran
off, leaving the wounded to fend for themselves.

Seeing the fight was over, Xena immediately turned to Asa. There
was no need to check on Petras and Losam. It was obvious from the
number of arrows in them there was nothing she could do for
them. The boy was still breathing, but badly wounded. Rather
than try to mount Argo with him in her arms, and have him bouncing
around, Xena decided to carry him back to camp on
foot.  As Xena cleared the woods and the campsite came
into view she began to call to Gabrielle to get bandages from
Argo's saddlebags.