Certain specific Xena and Gabrielle characterizations contained in this story were originated in Chattel & Thrall by Dark Angel. For character and events background purposes, I suggest reading these stories, as well as another fine piece, Remuneration by Day. I drew inspiration from these stories, but will take my continuing stories in a different direction. All other characters named are mine.

My own making. Xena is the Lord Conqueror of Greece, but she is almost forty-five years old when she meets the slave, Gabrielle. Many of Xena's evil ways have been sedated, but not all. I call this Xena the "thinking woman's" Conqueror. She is a woman who wants to try to do the right thing, but doesn't always know how.