Episode 17
The Royal Couple Of Thieves
Created by John Schulian and Robert Tapert
Written by: Steven L. Sears
Directed by: John Cameron
Edited by: Jim Prior

Regular Cast
Lucy Lawless as Xena/Cherish
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle

Guest Cast:
Bruce Campbell as Autolycus/Lord Sinteres
Mark Raffety as Arkel
Grant Bridger as Sinteres
Crawford Thomson as Prognese
Arch Goodfellow as Kelton
Patrick Khutze as Belart
Ian Harrop as Magmar
David Telford as Malthus

Synopsis
The King of Thieves, Autolycus, is 'persuaded' by Xena and Gabrielle to help them recover the stolen Ark of the Covenant from Lord Malthus. To do this, Xena and Autolycus disguise themselves as potential buyers; Autolycus as Lord Sinteres and Xena as his 'concubine', Cherish. When Lord Malthus is murdered and the Ark is stolen, Arkel, Malthus' right-hand man, becomes suspicious of the pair. When Xena and Autolycus find the Ark hidden in their room, they must return it to where it was stolen from before they are accused of Malthus' murder. However, further problems arise when the real Lord Sinteres turns up, with Gabrielle as his prisoner. Xena must fight Sinteres and try to prevent Arkel from opening the Ark. Arkel fails to heed her warnings and opens the Ark. When he does so, he is struck down, enabling Xena, Gabrielle and Autolycus to return the Ark to its rightful owners.

Episode 18
The Prodigal
Written by: Chris Manheim
Directed by: John T. Kretchmer
Edited by: Robert Field

Regular Cast
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle

Guest Cast:
Willa O'Neill as Lila
Tim Thomerson as Meleager
Alan Palmer as Pharis
Steve Hall as Damon
Kelly Greene as Derq
Anton Bentley as Athol
Barry Te Hira as Head Highwayman
Wally Green as Elderly Driver
Ashley Stansfield as Sentry
Stephen Walker as Peasant
Margaret Conquest as Villager

Synopsis:
After a brush with death, a shaken Gabrielle decides to return home, unwilling to put Xena in danger through worrying about her friend. Once home, Gabrielle finds out that a ruthless warlord is terrorising villagers and her home is next on the list. The villagers have hired a mighty hero called Meleager but Gabrielle and her sister, Lila soon discover that he has a bit of a drink problem. It seems that it is up to Gabrielle to organise the villagers against the impending attack. When Meleager disappears from town, taking the villagers' money with him, Gabrielle and Lila fear the worst, but Meleager returns just in time to save the village. Gabrielle is reminded, once again, that she is not cut out for village life and she seeks out Xena so they can continue their adventures together once more.

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