FADE IN
Inside Ares Temple. While Eve and Hercules' shock amuses him slightly, he is still focused on his daughter and getting an explanation from her.
Ares:
(majorly p*ssed, but trying to sound calm) I saw you run down those 10 Christians on horseback near the road to Amphipolis. Gabrielle saw it too, so don't even bother lying! I TOLD you to stay in the temple! Two of those men were Knights! You could have been KILLED!
Hedda:
(defensively) Firstly, I'm 26 years old, and I can kill anyone I want with or without your blessing; you're my father not my god! And secondly the temple was burned to the ground. Had I stayed I would have wound up like Uncle Hercules was a few weeks ago, or worse! (becoming angry) Besides, those men killed Merconious! He saved my life at the cost of his own! How could I not avenge his murder?!
Ares:
(concerned) They killed Merconious; your former tutor, Merconious? Hedda…
Hedda:
(sadly) Yeah. He made it out the secret exit, but they found him in the woods behind the temple. He was surrendering to give me time to escape. They didn't care that he didn't put up a fight, they skewered him anyway…
Ares pulls Hedda into a protective hug and pats her hair consolingly.
Ares:
(proudly) At least you made them pay. That's my girl!
Hedda nods in agreement as she pulls away, but refuses to cry in front of her father. She wants his respect, not his pity for the poor, motherless, half mortal. Though he has never openly referred to her like that and has never treated her as anything but his perfect, unstoppable, Princess, she has seen it in his eyes many times, whenever he watches her and thinks she's not looking. She would do anything to never see him look at her with that pity again. Shaking off her malaise, she completely switches gears, painting a false smile on her face and stepping around her father to approach Eve and Hercules.
Hedda:
Uncle Hercules! Livia! It's so good to finally meet you both!
Eve:
It's Eve now.
Hedda:
(tauntingly) I know. Such a pity! We could have had so much fun together if you hadn't joined that self-righteous cult of yours. When I conquer this world, I'm going to need a strong Governor for the former Roman Empire, not to mention a sister soldier. Keep it in mind when the Christians slaughter your peace loving groupies out of existence.
Eve:
When I was Livia, I never would have served you. I would have killed you.
Hedda:
Or tried to. Think about it. From the day I was born, my father trained me like he trained my mother, even better perhaps, as I was meant to be both their heirs. While you were definitely a gifted warlord in your day, there is no way, particularly after a year of two as Rome's Empress and living the life of a sedentary politician, that you could have taken me on successfully.
Eve:
(turning to Ares) Wait a minute. Ares, all that time and talk about me becoming Rome's Empress, it was just a lie?
Ares:
By no means. I had every intention of making you Empress of Rome, consolidating power, eradicating dissenters to the gods, making Rome an engine of war again with you as her supreme ruler… at least until Hedda returned from her travels in the East. (smiling wickedly) You would have been… keeping the throne warm for her.
Hedda:
(in summation) And then I would have killed you and annexed Rome into MY Empire.
Eve:
Or tried to.
Hedda:
Sadly, we'll never know how things might have turned out. Anyway, enough with the history lesson. My Uncle Hercules is here too, you know? Uncle Hercules, let me welcome you. After all, we don't have to be the enemies that you and Daddy are, right?
Hercules:
(unsure of how to respond) No, we don't, Hedda, and it is good to meet you.
Eve:
So, now that everyone knows everybody else, what do we do now?
Ares:
(taking charge) We wait for Gabrielle. I've given her command of this operation, so she will be assigning you to whatever functions she feels you are best suited for. I will, of course, be advising her.
Hedda:
(winking) Oh, I bet you will, Daddy!
Hedda chuckles at her father's long suffering expression, while Hercules gives him a warning glare. Realizing that Hercules has taken Hedda's comment at face value, Ares holds up a hand to forestall a speech.
Ares:
Relax Little Brother. Gabrielle really isn't my type, and I am definitely out of her league. (purring suggestively) You can have her if you want her. (pausing for effect, then right back to business) Alright, Hedda, I want you to take Eve and Hercules to the armory. Help them pick out weapons, armor, travel gear, etcetera, etcetera.
Hedda:
I'd really rather help Queen Gabrielle with the Amazons. I haven't seen my sisters in over four years, and as Artemis' niece, they'd probably let me address the Council of Queens directly.
Eve:
(disbelievingly) You're an Amazon?
Hedda:
(proudly) Since I was seven years old.
Eve and Hercules look to Ares for confirmation. Ares looks back at them sheepishly before speaking.
Ares:
Yeah, yeah, yeah, she's an Amazon. I had to attend to a skirmish along the boarder with Persia, and Athena always gave me a hard time whenever I took Hedda to a battlefield. I asked Artemis to baby-sit for the weekend thinking that she'd just take Hedda hunting or teach her to howl at the moon or something. How was I supposed to know she was going to sneak off with my kid and have her initiated as one of her crazy warrior chicks?
Hedda:
(happily reminiscing) Daddy nearly skinned Aunt Artemis alive when he got home and I tried to ambush him from a tree outside his temple in Arcadia.
Ares:
It was classic Amazon technique, and it didn't take a oracle to figure out where you'd learned it. But as to your assisting Gabrielle, I'm going to have to say no. She'll have a better chance alone. They know you're my daughter and I recently started a little dust up between your Amazon Sisters and the Romans, so they aren't too big on me at the moment. Now go help Hercules and Eve in the armory and when you're through there you can take them into the courtyard and spar with Eve. No doubt she's a bit rusty after these last two years of preaching peace.
Hedda:
(scowling) Alright Daddy, anything for the cause, but later I want to know EXACTLY what you meant by 'a little dust up'! (turning her eyes to Eve) Come on, Sheep. Let's see if we can't at least make you look like wolves.
Eve and Hercules follow Hedda back down the corridor, and Ares watches them go, smiling broadly at his daughter. Hedda really is a chip off the old block, and thanks to her, he finally understands why mortals invest so much in their offspring and how much he'd missed out on having been saddled with Zeus and Hera for parents. After nodding once with paternal pride, Ares flashes away to see one of his generals and make preparations.
CUT TO:
In the Courtyard of Ares Temple outside Athens. Eve looks up, only to find Hedda landing straight on top of her. The next moment she's on her back and pinned to the ground, with Hedda looking down at her, smiling tauntingly.
Hedda:
Still think you could have killed me, Livia?
At the sound of her former name, Eve struggles in vain beneath Hedda who makes a point to keep her pinned.
Eve:
(totally p*ssed off) I told you, it's Eve now and get off me!
Hedda:
(mockingly) Ah, maybe I like it here. I'm half Olympian you know, and perhaps I swing both ways?
Hercules:
(rubbing his brow in annoyance) Hedda, regardless of how you 'swing', please get up off of Eve. She doesn't look very happy, and we're supposed to be working together right now.
Hedda:
Only for you, Uncle Herc. Only for you.
Hedda releases Eve and stands up, leaving Eve to pick herself up off the ground.
Hercules:
Thank you.
Hedda:
(earnestly) Actually, for someone who's been away from the battlefield for two years, you're still in very impressive shape, Eve. It must be Xena's good blood!
Eve:
(thinking it's a verbal trap) I had hoped never to return to the field of battle, and my mother was a lot of good things you'll never know about.
Hedda:
(smiling sadly) You'd be surprised, Eve; our mothers were VERY similar. The difference being that while you were kept from yours for 25 years, your mother eventually got to come back and be in your life. I never had the chance to know mine, except in shadows on Daddy's mirror and in the castoff threads of the Fates. (sadly whispered) She never even gave birth to me.
Hedda turns around and walks over to a sword mounted on the wall. Carefully removing it, she caresses the blade lovingly.
Eve:
If this is an attempt to gain my sympathy, you're doing a lousy job of it. Everyone's mother gives birth to them.
Hedda:
Just like everyone has a father, right? Don't pick a real fight with me, Eve. As I just demonstrated, I could kill you without even breaking a sweat. (her face turns dangerously dark) Or is that what you and Michael have planned, to goad me into killing you so that you can become a martyr like Eli? Then nobody will fault the slaughter of what's left of my people. After all, my Aunt Persephone has it coming to her, doesn't she, Messenger?
Now filled with long suppressed rage, Hedda threateningly brandishes the sword she had been caressing a moment ago. Again, Hercules knows he must intervene, and he is beginning to loose patients with both young women.
Hercules:
ENOUGH! Both of you, stop it! I'm sick of this petty bickering! (turning to Hedda) Hedda, Eve isn't responsible for Michael's actions. (turning to Eve) And Eve, the gods don't live by the same rules of reality that we do. It's quite possible that Hedda wasn't born of her mother. Now let's all just focus on the task at hand and try to behave like adults!
Hedda takes several deep breaths before looking up at Hercules again. With great effort, she bottles her rage and lowers her sword. Eve, who had also taken on a fighting stance forces herself to relax and shakes off the excess energy.
Hedda:
You're right Uncle Hercules. Daddy always says that anger clouds the mind and prevents focus.
Hedda returns her sword to its original place of honor, touching the metal again with reverence.
Eve:
And Eli told us that we must turn the other cheek and treat our enemies with love. I've let my pain and anger get in the way here, and I'm sorry for becoming harsh with you, Hedda. I'm truly sorry about your mother. She was probably a wonderful woman that would have loved you very, very much.
Hedda:
(sadly) At least I had my Dad's family, and they loved me. Well, all except for Aunt Discord and Uncle Apollo; what a couple of Asswipes! But the rest of my family cared for me and were always there whenever I needed them. (becoming more and more angry with each word) At least until your Xena murdered most of them just for trying to defend themselves and the world it took them millennia to build. Oh yeah, Eli's word really made a big difference; the Bitch of Rome continues to draw breath, while her victims go unavenged thanks to Eli's buddy the Warrior Princess, and everyone is so much more loving and peaceful! Why just ask any Christian!
Taking a few deep breaths, Hedda looks up at a tense Hercules and smiles sheepishly. She can't read minds, but she definitely sees the concern running through his head.
Hedda:
You don't have to worry Uncle Hercules; I'm not Callisto. I'm completely sane, and I know which side of the bread MY butter is on! I don't plan to kill Eve any time soon. (pausing) At least I was able to give Merconious justice today. That's something, I suppose.
Eve:
(preaching softly) What justice is there in wanton violence? So, you killed his killers. What happens when they come after you for that act?
Hedda:
(amused with Eve's attempt to convert her) They will come after me, regardless of that act. And to answer your question, I will kill them, and the ones that come after me for their deaths, and so on and so forth, until every single Christian is dead or I can no longer kill. You see; wanton violence, as you called it, is eternal. The viciousness of the human heart will never die, and so long as there is one person who holds to it, there will never be peace on Earth.
Eve:
(fervently) Hedda, peace is eternal as well.
Hedda:
Ofcourse it is. I never said it wasn't. 'Love and mercy are the most basic components of the human soul'. (in response to Eve's shocked expression) What, you think I never heard the word of Eli? As part of my education, I was required to read every one of the Elijian scrolls and sometimes even memorize entire passages from them. I'm not some ignorant cretin, Messenger of Eli. Daddy and Aunt Athena saw that I had the best tutors in EVERYTHING. We may have even had some of the same teachers. You studied with Telanicus, didn't you?
Eve:
(remembering) Yes, the year before I joined the Emperor's army. Telanicus was a good man. Augustus had even written him personally asking that he stay on. He declined, saying he had family issues and needed to take a job closer to home.
Hedda bursts out laughing. Eve looks at her questioningly.
Hedda:
I'll say. Daddy had an army raid his village and take his family hostage. Teaching me was the price of their freedom. (to Hercules who looks angry and appalled) Oh don't worry; they were treated like royalty in their captivity. Aunt Athena and I made sure of that. Like I said, My family just wanted the best for me, and they went about getting it by any means necessary. While I often disagreed with their methods, I couldn't help but love them for the effort on my behalf. What was it Eli said, 'Love the sinner…
Eve:
(finishing it and understanding somewhat) Hate the sin.
Before anyone can say anything else, a very young, redheaded priestess, named Camma, rushes into the courtyard, breathless and barely able to get her message out.
Camma:
Mistress! Mistress! The Warlord, Arcetius, is here! I assumed he had come to see your father, but he said he was here to see you! He went into your bedroom! I tried to stop him, but he just pushed his way through!
Hedda smirks and rolls her eyes.
Hedda:
Somebody had a victory…
Camma:
(oblivious to Hedda's good mood) Mistress, should I call the guards and have him removed?"
Hedda considers her response for a moment before smiling broadly.
Hedda:
No. No. I'll take care of him. Just keep my guests here happy till I return. Offer them something to eat and drink. These are V.I.P.'s. You know the drill.
Camma:
(confused and a bit frightened) But Mistress, what should I tell your father if he returns? Surely he will be terribly upset should he discover his unmarried daughter consorting with a man like Arcetius all alone in her bedroom!
At the scandalized look of fear on Camma's face, Hedda nearly doubles over with laughter, a few tears slipping free. Finally, after a few moments, she calms herself and puts a comforting hand on young Camma's shoulder.
Hedda:
(patiently, as if to a child) Camma, I know you've only been here for two months. I know you're young. And I know you came from a strict home. But my father and I don't inquire about each other's sex lives, at least not since I was sixteen. Just tell him I'm in my room with Arcetius. He'll figure the rest out; trust me.
Camma looks at Hedda speculatively, but caves under her steady gaze.
Camma:
Yes Mistress.
Camma bows to Hedda before rushing off to find the other priestesses to attend to the new V.I.P.'s. Hedda turns her attention back to Eve and Hercules.
Hedda:
Eve. Uncle Hercules. I have an important… consultation to attend to. Please continue to enjoy the hospitality of the temple as my honored guests.
Hedda runs her fingers though her long, jet-black, hair in order to give it a more passion swept appearance, then turns and strides seductively towards the courtyard's entrance. It is obvious what her 'consultation' really entails, and while Eve merely rolls her eyes, Hercules looks on thoughtfully.
Hercules:
(whispering to himself) The journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. (calling after Hedda) Hedda!
Hedda turns and looks somewhat impatiently at Hercules.
Hedda:
Yes, Uncle Hercules?
Hercules:
This Arcetius, do you love him?
Hedda:
(snorting with bemusement) I really don't see how my romantic prospects are any of your business Uncle Hercules, but no; I don't love him. Someday I hope to find the right guy, and Aunt Dite and Cupid, have promised to help me, but for now, Arcetius will do for a little fun.
Hercules:
Fun is good, but what about respect? Do you think Arcetius respects you when he just storms into your bedroom and expects you to come running to him? From what I've heard about him, he doesn't hold much respect for anyone or anything.
Hedda:
And what makes you think I respect him? What makes you think I'm looking for respect from him anyway? (straight forward) Arcetius desires me. He fears me, or at least my skill with a sword. And ofcourse, he worries about loosing my father's favor should he seriously offend me. But respect? I doubt he even knows the meaning of the word.
Hercules:
And you're okay with that?
Hedda:
Yes, quite. If I wasn't, he'd be dead. Are we done now? (wickedly) I have someplace to be and someone to be doing.
Hercules:
(deciding not to push any farther right now) Yeah, we're done.
Hedda leaves the courtyard as Hercules ponders his chances of redeeming her. Eve sees the look in his eyes and knows immediately what he's thinking. She has seen it before in her mother's eyes, in Gabrielle's, and since becoming Eli's messenger, even in her own reflection. Can this person be saved? Eve doesn't think so, but she can tell that Hercules is leaning in the other direction.
Eve:
She's some piece of work! No offense Hercules; I know she's your niece, but do you really think you can save her? She's Ares' daughter.
Hercules:
(slightly taken aback by Eve's attitude) And I'm Zeus' son. No Eve. The Olympians are like mortals in that respect. Their children are not merely their parents' vessels like with some gods. I've met several children of Ares who have grown up to be good and decent men and women. Hedda is capable of change. The question is how to make her want to.
Eve:
Well, one thing's for certain, she sure does love her 'Daddy'!
Hercules:
I know, and something is not right there. Ares doesn't give a damn about any of his kids. I can't figure out what makes Hedda different. I've considered that she might have powers that he wants to harness, but if she does, why doesn't she use them? She walks or runs everywhere, so she doesn't teleport like the gods. She doesn't materialize things for herself, but gets them the mortal way. And from watching the two of you spar, it's obvious she isn't nearly as strong as I am. So if she is so mortal, what is making Ares keep her around and play this loving father routine for her?
Eve:
Well, Ares did give up his godhood for Mother. Maybe he really does love his daughter in his own way.
Hercules:
(deep in thought) It's more likely that there's some variable that we're not seeing. I wish we knew who her mother was. And that sword Hedda is so attached to; I've seen it somewhere before. It's made of the metal of Hephestus. That much I'm certain of.
Eve moves to stand beside Hercules and she too inspects the sword on the wall. She agrees with Hercules. It is made of Hephestus' metal and is VERY familiar. Suddenly, she has a FLASHBACK to the final scene from the Xena episode 'Eve':
Eve, as Livia, begins fighting with Xena in Eli's temple in Ostia. Suddenly her mind focuses in on the two blades locked together.
When the truth hits her, Eve is shocked back to the present.
Eve:
In the name of Eli, I think this is Mother's sword! I mean, look at the design on the handle, the symmetry, the way it moves...
Eve quickly takes down the sword and begins to move through some basic battle stances to demonstrate. Hercules, just as astonished, looks at the weapon with new eyes.
Hercules:
(astonished) I think you're right; this does look like Xena's sword!
Gabrielle enters the courtyard unnoticed.
Gabrielle:
What about Xena's sword?
Eve and Hercules look at each other. How to begin? Finally, Eve rushes over to Gabrielle and gives her a small hug, hoping to distract her till they've had more time to figure all this out.
Eve:
Gabrielle, you're back! So, are the Amazons going to help us?
Gabrielle:
(knowing Eve is trying to put something off) Yes, but we can discuss that later. So, what were you two saying about Xena's sword?
Eve:
(cautiously) Gabrielle, what happened to Mother's sword when she…
Gabrielle:
(softly) Your mother knew she wasn't coming back from her last battle. She was taking on an entire army of Samurai warriors with a Japan weapon known as the katana, (taking her own katana out of the sheath on her back) like this one. I assume she buried her own sword with her armor.
Eve:
(angrily) Then why does Ares have it?
Gabrielle sees the sword in Eve's hands and a storm cloud passes over her face. She is FUMING!!!
Gabrielle:
(outraged) Ares! Ares come out here NOW!!!
Ares appears looking almost as p*ssed himself.
Ares:
(in Gabrielle's face) Listen good, Mortal! I may not be the force I once was, but I will not take that tone of voice from YOU!
Gabrielle:
(shouting back in his face) Don't threaten me, Ares! What is this?
Gabrielle rams the sword straight through Ares gut like she had seen Xena do several times when confronting the God of War.
Ares:
(sarcastically) It's called a sword. You seem to have figured out how to use one. I'm surprised Xena never taught you that it had a name.
Eve, seeing that Gabrielle has become so angry that she can no longer speak, takes over the interrogation.
Eve:
Cut the bull Ares, what are you doing with my mother's sword?!
Ares finally takes a good look at the sword sticking out of him, and realization crosses his face. Still, he's gonna try to get out of this with his pride intact.
Ares:
That is not your mother's sword!
Gabrielle:
(raging) I know Xena's sword, Ares, and that is it! So unless you had a duplicate made, you went to Japa and dug it up along with her armor! How could you? Of all the sick, underhanded things I knew you were capable of I…
The anger on Ares face turns to a genuine, blinding, rage and, before he can stop himself, he decks Gabrielle, cutting off her tirade. Once he returns to his senses, he realizes that he'll have to come clean with the whole truth or loose their support for sure.
Ares:
(numbly) I'm sorry Gabrielle. I didn't mean to do that. I would NEVER dishonor Xena the way you were describing. I'd turn myself over to the Knights of the Faith first. And I didn't have a duplicate of Xena's sword made either. That is Xena's sword; just not the Xena you knew. (becoming bitter) That sword belonged to a Xena that never existed in our world because Hercules interfered in her destiny!
Hercules:
(in realization) The Conqueror! That's her sword! And Hedda is her…
All the pieces of the puzzle have fallen into place and they form an even more grotesque picture than Hercules could have possibly imagined. Turning his head, he vomits from disgust and total shock. In all his years, he's never been so shocked and horrified! When his retching finally ceases, he wipes his mouth, but the cold, hard truth remains.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT 2
READ ACT THREE