Cradle of Hope
When an oracle predicts that a newborn child will one day occupy the throne of King Gregor, Ophelia, a young girl protects a helpless infant doomed by the prophecy that identifies him as a future threat to the King. She spirits the child away before the King’s advisor, Nemos, can find him. She places the child in a basket and sets him floating down a river. The child is later found by Xena and Gabrielle. On their way to find the baby’s parents, Xena saves a woman from a lynching and learns she is Pandora, granddaughter of the legendary woman and the present keeper of Pandora’s Box. Searching for the missing child, Nemos’ men confront Xena at a country inn, where they find her with Gabrielle and the baby. While she fights off the attackers, Nemos quickly snatches up Pandora’s Box and steals away. When a panicky Pandora explains that the Box will open automatically and release the Hope of Mankind if it is out of her hands for another day, Xena arranges for a meeting with Gregor and Nemos.
