ACT 4
FADE IN
The Clearing near the Road to the Amazon Village. The Figure stands over Hedda, knife in hand, ready to stab her. The Camera pans around so that we can see it is an EXCEPTIONALLY handsome young man. As the man raises his knife, Hedda's legs suddenly spring up like a striking snake, capturing the his head in a scissor hold, and using their momentum, flips the would be assassin onto his back, knocking the wind out of him. Coughing, he raises his hands in surrender, as the knife he had held just a moment ago is now poised at his throat. The rest of the camp, which came to life at the thud of the attacker hitting the ground, now stands over Hedda and her attacker turned victim trying to figure out what is going on.
Hedda:
What ya do'in, Toddy?
Todonius:
(sheepishly) I was trying to sneak up on you.
Gabrielle:
(now fully alert and back in charge) Hedda, don't kill him! He may be more useful to us alive!
Hedda:
Relax, Gabrielle, I'm not you; I'm not going to kill my best friend.
Gabrielle:
(ignoring Hedda's attempt to bait her) Best friend? Then why was he sneaking around in the bushes?!
Hedda:
People, meet Todonius. His father was one of Daddy's warlords, and he and I have been best friends since we were four years old. This is just how we greet each other. It means nothing. And don't worry, he's on our side.
Todonius:
(offended) What do you mean 'it means nothing'? You swore, when we were six years old, that if I could EVER sneak up on you with a weapon, you'd marry me!
Hedda:
And you've never successfully snuck up on me with a weapon, which should tell you something.
Todonius:
Yeah, it tells me I've got to try harder!
Todonius gives Hedda a wicked grin that would have sent 99% of all women everywhere into coronary arrest. Hedda merely rolls her eyes. Knowing exactly how to change the subject, she turns towards Hercules and smiles widely.
Hedda:
Toddy, I want you to finally meet my Uncle Hercules. Uncle Herc, Toddy is a major fan of yours, and you both have a lot in common.
Hercules:
Really?
Hedda:
Yeah. As Aunt Dite once pointed out you've both got that whole handsome, heroic, self-sacrificing thing going on.
Hercules:
(under his breath) Far be it from me to contradict Aphrodite. (to Todonius) Well, it's nice to meet you Todonius.
Todonius:
(somewhat starstruck) It's a real honor to meet you, Sir. I've heard so much about you. I'm sure most of it's untrue. Hedda's Dad has a skewered opinion of you, and he's not shy about voicing it publicly. But don't worry; Hedda thinks you're really great and so do I.
Hercules:
(good-naturedly) Relax, Todonius. Relax.
Suddenly, Todonius notices Gabrielle and Eve for the first time.
Todonius:
So, Heddi… who are these beautiful ladies?
Todonius' smiles at Gabrielle and Eve and the two smile and blush under his scrutiny. Todonius is as charming as he is sexy, and very few women are immune. However, he only has eyes for Hedda.
Hedda:
(succinctly) This is Queen Gabrielle and that's Eve.
Todonius:
(his eyes bulging in shock) Gabrielle and Eve? THE Gabrielle and Eve? And they're still breathing? You're not becoming an Elijian are you Heddi?
Hedda:
Heavens forbid! No. We need them for the time being to help fight off the Christians. (darkly, while looking straight at Gabby and Eve) Once they've fulfilled that purpose, all bets are off. (turning back to Todonius) So, Toddy, truthfully, why are you here? Did my father send you to keep an eye on me?
Todonius:
Not technically, no. He just stopped by yesterday to tell me about how we're finally taking action against those Christians. I got a small militia together from the men in my village, many of whom were made homeless when their own villages were taken over by those bastards. The 15 of them are just over the next hill, Commander. By the Gods it feels good to call you Commander again, Hedda! It's been too long!
Hedda:
(touched by Todonius' loyalty) Yes, it has, but it will have to be a little while longer, I'm afraid. My father has chosen Queen Gabrielle to lead this offensive. We're all officially under her command.
Todonius:
(confused) Again, and she still lives? Hedda, what is going on? You are the protégé of Athena, and the daughter of the God of War himself! If anyone has the right and the duty to lead this army, surely…
Hedda:
(cutting off his protests) I know who I am Toddy. That is exactly why I shouldn't be leading this army. It's too personal for me! That's why I didn't argue when Daddy put Queen Gabrielle in charge. (with finality) I understand and accept his reasoning.
Gabrielle:
Well then, as Commander, I say we get moving. We can eat our breakfast on the road. Let's pack up and move out!
Hedda:
Queen Gabrielle, may I suggest that Eve and the men keep a half-mile behind us when we get closer to Amazon lands. You and I can ride ahead once we merge onto the main road. That way, they will see us loyal Amazons, coming first and they won't overreact.
Gabrielle:
Hedda, Varia and the Council pardoned Eve…
Hedda:
I'm merely looking out for Eve's safety. It's your call, ofcourse, but from what I saw in the recovery efforts after Livia's raid, I doubt every Amazon is comfortable with that decision. If one of those who isn't is on guard in the trees, it would be easy enough to claim she made a mistake, while Eve bleeds to death along the roadside.
Eve:
It's alright, Gabrielle. I'll ride with Hercules and the men, if it will make Hedda feel more comfortable.
Hedda:
(rolling her eyes) Loads.
Gabrielle:
(defeated) Okay. When we get to the crossroads, Hercules, Eve, and Todonius will fall back with the other men.
Hedda:
You heard her, Toddy. Go get your men moving.
Perfunctorily saluting both Hedda and Gabrielle, Todonius hops up onto his horse and rides back to his militia, while the rest of the group continues down the road towards the Amazon Village.
CUT TO:
A lush hillside, mid-morning. The Archangel Michael stands and admires the beauty of nature. He is waiting for someone, but while he waits, he is not above taking in the beauty around him. All of a sudden we hear the sound of a god's arrival, and Michael smiles.
Michael:
Cupid, what took you so long? I am a busy Archangel, you know?
Cupid:
I'm sorry, Michael. As you know, my Mother isn't handling it all very well these days. I just wanted to spend some time with her, or at least outside her door. She won't even let me in.
Michael:
(uninterested) Yes, well you Olympians were always overemotional, weren't you? It's what ultimately lead to your downfall, Chronos, Zeus, Athena, the whole lot of you… and that of your children. So, tell me what you know about the half-breed, Hedda? What is her weakness?
Cupid gets a crestfallen expression but forces out the words. He is an informant now, a traitor, and a collaborator. He has no pride left.
Cupid:
Hedda… is 26 yrs old. She's Ares daughter, but like you said she's half mortal. She doesn't have any godlike powers, (hedging) which I guess you could call a weakness.
Michael:
That powerless half-mortal took out ten of my best men and a major supplier to my army yesterday! She openly stands in opposition to the reign of the God of Love! She's cunning and smart and every time my Knights try to eradicate her, she SOMEHOW always survives! She's as bad as that damn Xena!
Cupid gasps at the accuracy of Michael's deduction, and Michael stares quizzically at him.
Michael:
What? Did I hit on something, godling? Was she a student of Xena's, or a friend perhaps? Or maybe it's Gabrielle she's friends with. She does wear Amazon jewelry and she dresses like one of those misguided heathens! Is she one of Gabrielle's sisters?
Cupid turns his head and smirks in defiance.
Cupid:
Trust me Michael; Hedda is no friend of Xena or Gabrielle. She despises Xena for bringing the Twilight and playing games with her father's heart, and she hates Gabrielle almost as much for helping her.
Michael:
But she is an Amazon.
Cupid:
Yes.
Michael:
I find it hard to believe that the War God would have agreed to that, but you gods were always making odd deals with one another. (after a moment of silent contemplation) Where can I find the mortal whore that bore her?
Cupid gets a slightly amused look in his eye. He can answer truthfully but not really tell Michael what he wants to know, which somehow might give Hedda an edge. If anyone can save them, it would be Xena's daughter.
Cupid:
Somewhere in the wind, I assume. She was one of Ares' temple priestesses. Her name was Rodonia, I think. She died ten years ago. One of Ares' warlords raped her a year or two after Hedda's birth and she contracted syphilis. But Hedda never met her anyway. Ares took Hedda away the minute the cord was cut. The birth had been hard, and Ares didn't want one of his most loyal priestess to suffer more by getting too attached to his child.
Michael:
(snorting in near disbelief) And you Olympians wonder why the mortals turned against you.
Cupid:
(carefully defensive) Rodonia wasn't forced to have Hedda, and she always knew she would never watch her grow up! She volunteered and felt honored to be chosen to bear her God's most beloved child. To her it was an expression of love and fervent devotion!
Michael:
(shaking his head at mortal gullibility) Love and devotion for such an inferior god?
Cupid:
(bitterly) Are we done Michael? I need to go home and wash the slime off.
Michael:
(smiling) Just one more question, the one you tried to evade earlier. What are Hedda's weaknesses?
Cupid:
You'll have to be more specific.
Michael:
You know, the safety of your wife and your mother, and their painless, dignified, deaths once every other false god is gone, are still predicated on your being completely forthcoming with me…
Cupid:
(panicking) I have been! I just meant that like all mortals, she has many weakness and they are all layered and interconnected! You have to be more specific! I can't tell you what you want unless you're more specific!!!
Michael:
(disgusted by Cupid's pathetic outburst) Alright. (pausing for a moment to consider how to phrase his next question) What is Hedda's greatest fear?
Cupid:
(sighing) Becoming like the woman she hates more than anyone… Xena.
Michael considers this, and we can see the gears turning in his head as a strategy comes to him.
Michael:
Interesting. (offhandedly) Go tend to your mother.
Cupid swallows a wave of anger before disappearing. Michael also takes off, leaving the once pastoral hillside eerily empty and silent.
CUT TO:
The main road to the Amazon Village. It is early in the afternoon. Gabrielle and Hedda ride together in silence. They pass an Amazon no trespassing symbol in the trees, and each woman smiles to herself. Both have fond memories attached to the Amazon homeland and both are eager to see friends. However, both are unsure of the other and unwilling to make conversation. They turn a bend in the road and halt their horses as they come face to face with four beings, completely swathed in muted-colored robes which make it impossible to identify if they are even human. The only part of these beings that is visible are their eyes. Otherwise, they are just shapes of cloth.
Shape #1:
(in a subdued and clearly feminine voice) May the peace and mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you this day.
Dismounting her horse, Hedda sneers like a wolf about to dig into a fresh kill.
Hedda:
Actually, I believe it is you who should be asking your god for mercy, as I will show you none!
Gabrielle:
(warningly) Hedda!
Both Hedda and the four shapes ignore her and Hedda withdraws her sword from the sheath strapped to her back.
Shape #2:
(amused) Oh really, thou Daughter of the false-god, Ares?
While the words themselves were correct, the tone they were spoken in sounds way too cocky for a Christian woman. Realization dawns and Hedda's eyes bulge in surprise.
Hedda:
Varia?! Is that you under there?
Varia:
(playfully) Ah Sisters, the war-demon's child has figured it out!
Varia and the three other Amazons shed their robes. Hedda throws herself into Varia's arms and the two long parted friends embrace.
Hedda:
(laughing) War-Demon's child? Is that any way to speak to a sister Amazon consecrated by Artemis herself?
Varia:
(suddenly serious) You've been away a long time. Things have happened.
Hedda:
(mildly embarrassed) With my father, yeah, I know. For what it's worth, Daddy can be a real bastard when he thinks he can get away with it. It's what he does. It's how the Fates made him. (resolutely) I will always love him, but my loyalties are first with the Amazon Nation! I've killed scores of my father's followers, and will continue to do so till my last breath, if ever my Sisters are in danger!
Varia:
Nobody doubts your loyalty, Hedda. I guess I still feel a little stupid, that's all.
Hedda:
(comfortingly) Whatever Daddy did, it was his doing. He's thousands of years old. That anyone can unravel his lies after he's had all these millennia to perfect them is a miracle in itself. Concentrate on the fact that you beat him. That is a major accomplishment!
Varia:
(smiling) Well, I had help. Welcome back, Gabrielle!
Varia helps Gabrielle off of her horse and they clasp forearms briefly.
Gabrielle:
It's good to see you again, Varia. From your earlier performance, I assume the priestesses Ares sent us have arrived?
Varia:
Yes, they've been working with us all day. They are much nicer than you'd expect Ares' priestess's to be. (to Hedda) No offense.
Hedda:
None taken. Daddy's staff does have a reputation, but one thing my father excels at is picking his men, or in this case, his women. He knows who is right for what job, and he was VERY selective in picking the priestesses that would infiltrate the Christian stronghold.
An Unseen Amazon Scout in the Treetops:
Varia, an army of men approaches!
Gabrielle:
No, no, they're with us! They're part of the operation! They can camp in the glade. That's far enough from the village.
Varia:
The issue will have to be brought before the Council, but I don't see why any of them would object. Until then, I suggest they remain outside our lands, and two scouts will be sent to lead them to the glade, once it has been officially decided.
Hedda:
Only two? While Eve, Todonius, and my Uncle Hercules are among the men, more than half of them, until recently, were Arcetius' boys. The others are a militia Toddy brought with him. Although I generally trust Toddy's judgment, I have no idea about these new recruits. I'd suggest at least four scouts just to be safe.
Gabrielle:
Alright. (turning to the three other Amazons that Varia brought with her) You three meet up with the army and tell them to remain outside Amazon lands by my order. Then return to the village.
The Amazons nod and begin to walk off in the direction of the army. Gabrielle stops them.
Gabrielle:
You can take our horses for now. It'll be quicker.
The three Amazons nod again, then climb into the saddles and trot off back down the road.
Hedda:
(sharing a private joke) So, Varia, how're the piggies doing?!
Hedda and Varia both burst out laughing and linking arm and arm, the two stride down the short length of road to the Amazon village, while Gabrielle follows behind and watches them curiously.
CUT TO:
The Road to the Amazon Village. From the perspective of someone hiding in the bushes by the roadside, we see Todonius, Eve, Hercules, and the army of men listening to the Three Amazons Gabrielle sent back to them. While the sound is muted by distance, we see the Amazons nod in parting and climb back on their horses to return to their village as they were instructed. In the bushes, a hand goes up and shakes to signal someone in the trees.
CUT TO:
Further along the road to the Amazon Village. From the perspective of someone in the bushes along side the road, the Three Amazons ride along, unsuspecting. Suddenly, one is hit by a blow dart. As she sags in her saddle, unconscious, the other two jump off their horses and assume a battle stance. Another two blow darts come flying out. One hit its target, and another Amazon passes out at the feet of her sister. The remaining one rushes into the brush where the darts came from. She is brought up short by Eight Knights of the Faith and held at sword point. The Leader of the Knights smiles sinisterly. He motions to the bushes, and a moment later Four Plain-Clothed Men emerge, one of them holding the reigns of a powerful stallion.
Leader:
Take the horses and these two Amazons back to Corinth. (to the other Knights) You know what to do with this one.
The Leader of the Knights climbs up on his stallion and sets off. As we watch him go, we hear the sounds of punches and kicks connecting with flesh, and the strangled cry of the one still-conscious Amazon.
CUT TO:
The Amazon Village. As the sun begins to set, the village is alive with preparations for war. Amazons practice battle drills and the ones who are too young, too old, or too injured from previous battles, work fervently on constructing arrows and sharpening swords. Inside one of the huts, Gabrielle and the seven other Amazon Queens stand around a command table, a map of Corinth stretched out before them.
Queen Cyane:
As wide as the main gate is, we'll still be bottlenecked when we charge!
Gabrielle:
I thought about that, which is why it will be Ares' army that will be doing the charging. (moving toy-soldiers on the map to demonstrate as she explains) They're our diversion and, to be blunt, our cannon fodder. Most of our sisters, not already inside, will be scaling the back walls. Their job will be to take out the Christian's kill-zone before Ares' second wave attacks. By the time they make it through the gates the city will already be in pandemonium and Corinth's defense forces won't be able to hold formation. Then all we have to do is keep the Christians from retreating and let Ares' men finish the job.
Hedda enters the tent silently as Gabrielle finishes her description.
Hedda:
(under her breath) Wholesale slaughter, right up Dad's alley. (more formally) Queen Gabrielle, the guards you sent to Eve and the men should have returned over an hour ago. Request permission for Varia and myself to lead a search party.
Gabrielle turns and looks Hedda in the eyes, searching for some sign not to trust her. When she finds none, she nods decisively.
Gabrielle:
Permission granted… and be careful.
Hedda:
(seriously) I'm always careful.
Smiling confidently, Hedda salutes Gabrielle, then turns to leave. Gabrielle sighs.
Gabrielle:
(whispering to herself under her breath) You better be. Xena would never forgive me if I let anything happen to you.
The other Amazon Queens stare at Gabrielle.
Queen Eulice:
(confused) Why would Xena have been so concerned about Hedda? Did she know her?
Gabrielle:
(sadly) No. It's a long and EXTREMELY complicated story, but… (finally accepting it) in a nutshell, Hedda is also Xena's daughter.
The other Amazon Queens gasp in shock, and whisper amongst themselves.
CUT TO:
The Road to the Amazon Village. Varia moves through the brush along the side of the road, while another Two Amazons move through the trees above her. Hedda openly walks the road, tracking the horse's hoof prints. Near where they stop a streak of blood stains the ground as if someone had crawled along the ground while bleeding heavily. Hedda and Varia draw their weapons and follow the blood off the road and into a small clearing. They search the area.
An Amazon in the Treetops:
(panicked) Varia! Hedda! It's Dalen!
Varia and Hedda look up in the direction of the call and find the mutilated body of the one of the Amazons they are searching for strung up in a tree while the Amazon who had called to Varia tries to untangle the ropes that hold their dead sister to the tree.
Varia:
(disgusted) By the Gods, what kind of animal would do this?
Hedda:
(angry) Oh, I have a pretty good idea. (in command) Get her down! Get her down NOW!
Varia:
Callia and Minera are still missing; they might still be alive. We have to find them.
Hedda is looking around then takes a good look at the body as it is lowered from the tree. On the neck of the dead Amazon is carved the rune that represents Ares name.
Varia:
(insane with rage) Ares! I knew we couldn't trust him! I knew it! He killed Dalen and Callia and Minera so they couldn't hook up with Eve and the men, so that when they enter Amazon lands without permission…
Hedda:
(forcefully cutting Varia off) Think Varia! My father would never start a mere skirmish when he needs the good will of the participants to save his own hide! No, Callia and Minera are still alive. I'd bet anything on it. They're bait for the hook.
Varia:
So, the Christians are openly challenging the Amazon Nation?
Hedda:
Not really, although they want us to think that. The real challenge, however, is meant for me, as Ares' daughter and an Amazon. Killing a few Amazons would just be a bonus. Whoever is leading the Knights of the Faith is trying to lure me, and possibly my father as well, into a trap, most likely at Archangel Michael's orders. (dangerously) But since I can't take out an angel… as yet, I'll have to settle for the unlucky mortal who is commanding his forces.
Hedda stands up and stalks towards the main road. Varia, whose legs are shorter, has to jog to keep up.
Varia:
You're not going after them alone! That's exactly what they want!
Hedda:
No, it's not! What they want is for me to go back to the village and get Queen Gabrielle to mobilize a rescue party. They know we'd send our best fighters, with me included in that package, giving the Knights of the Faith the perfect opportunity to neutralize us and leave the Amazon Nation defenseless and unable to threaten their agenda. Then they can take their own sweet time in wiping us off the face of the Earth! Unfortunately for them, growing up amongst the gods I learned a few tricks that no other mortal has ever had the pleasure of knowing. I can get in and out of Corinth undetected and bring Callia and Minera back with me. You stay here and stall the Council, especially Queen Gabrielle. If she knows I went after the hostages, she'll give the Christians exactly what they want, or at the very least an Amazon Queen to add to their collection of hostages.
Varia:
You'll need back-up; take me with you!
Hedda:
You forget yourself, Varia. Queen Gabrielle stripped you of your right of caste. I still have mine. You'll obey my orders! Now take Dalen's body back to the village and buy me the few hours I need to save Callia and Minera. I'll be back by sunrise. I promise.
Hedda and Varia stare each other down as the Two Other Amazons watch. Hedda wins.
Varia:
Alright. I'll do as you say, but if you're not back by morning…
Hedda:
If I'm not back by morning, I'm not coming back, and neither are Callia and Minera.
Hedda stalks off deeper into the woods with determination. Varia looks on worriedly for a moment before turning to the Two Other Amazons.
Varia:
You heard our orders. Mara, you'll carry Dalen's body back to the village. Tolia and I will keep watch and follow in the trees. And let's be swift, my Sisters. Callia and Minera's lives might depend on it.
The Two Other Amazons nod, the larger one lifting the body, while the other one takes to the trees. Varia remains standing in the clearing for a moment.
Varia:
(under her breath) Hedda, I sure hope you know what you're doing.
Then, after giving herself a running start, Varia disappears into the treetops.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT 4
READ ACT FIVE