Plot summary
Autolycus steals a jeweled sword with a partner who looks like Joxer, then is horrified when the man kills the sword's owner. The real Joxer explains that the killer must be his twin brother Jett, a professional assassin. With Xena away, Gabrielle decides that they must discover the intended target themselves.
The trail leads to Cleopatra, who is visiting Greece to hire an army and reclaim her throne. Autolycus enters her chambers while Gabrielle and Joxer get inside the castle through the dungeon. Cleopatra's security chief Pontius appears helpful when warned of the plot, but he is actually the person who hired Jett.
Confusion between the twins allows the scheme to advance. Joxer locks Gabrielle up to keep her safe and confronts his brother. Jett orders Autolycus to persuade Cleopatra to dismiss her guards, creating an opening for the assassination. Autolycus realizes the danger in time and tries to keep them present.
Gabrielle escapes, but seeking Pontius' help only exposes her and Autolycus to his men. Xena returns and divides the rescue between them: Gabrielle will find Joxer, Autolycus will find Jett, and she will protect Cleopatra.
The confrontation brings both twins into the queen's room. Xena fights the conspirators while Gabrielle and Autolycus handle the guards. When Pontius threatens Joxer, Jett kills his own employer with the stolen sword, choosing his brother's life over the contract.
Cleopatra survives. Xena arranges for Jett to face trial where execution is forbidden, so he will be imprisoned rather than killed. He and Joxer part with their family bond intact, although Joxer's attempt to become more imposing quickly gives way to his familiar clumsiness.
Credits
Adapted from Legendary Journeys Wiki contributors, The King of Assassins. Complete episode narrative, rewritten and condensed for clarity; causal developments and the episode's ending retained. Illustrations, dialogue quotations and non-story metadata omitted.