ACT 6
FADE IN
Int. The Corinthian Prison. Hedda, Callia, and Minera stand defiantly inside the cell. Again, Hedda approaches the cell door, tentatively reaches out her hand, and receives a mild shock as she touches the forcefield. Michael smirks in amusement, and signals eight burly guards who take up their positions surrounding the cell.
Michael:
(to the guards) Do not go near the bars, and NO ONE goes into that cell for any reason till I return. Understood?
The Eight Guards:
(simultaneously) Yes Sir.
Hedda takes a sword from one of the dead guards inside the cell and successfully sticks it thought the cell door, but when she tries again with her hand, she is shocked again. Michael shakes his head and lightly chuckles.
Michael:
Don't bother. The Olympian blood running through your veins triggers the field. It allowed you to enter, but once you did so you couldn't leave. Your Amazon friends and the traitor who helped you are welcome to go, but you, Hedda, are confined.
Callia:
We will never leave our sister with the likes of you! You MONSTER!!!
Hedda:
It's alright, Callia. Michael's not a monster; he's just a lackey. I've lived with gods all my life, so I know the difference. And as for his letting the three of you leave, I seriously doubt that. You might make it out of this cell, but his gorillas would cut you down before you could hit the street. As sad as it is, these eight are the best Michael has to offer, so his fear of me and my abilities is not completely unwarranted.
Michael laughs at Hedda's bravado.
Michael:
Come dawn, you will be crucified beside your little friends. Then none of my Lord's servants will ever have to fear you or your dying race again. (Michael turns to walk away, but then stops) But to prove to Callia that I am not the monster she thinks I am and in hopes of converting her heart to the One True God's will, I will have someone deliver you all a last meal.
Hedda:
None for me thanks; I wouldn't want to spoil my appetite for the Food of Hell. I'm eager to get my horns and wings and begin an eternity of KICKING YOUR ASS!!!
A brief look of worry crosses his eyes as Michael considers this possibility for a second, but he quickly shrugs his concerns and disappears. Once he's gone, Hedda turns back to her cellmates and pulls them over to the cot.
Callia:
What are we going to do now?
Hedda:
(firmly) We're not giving up.
Minera:
(patting Callia on the shoulder) Yeah, Kid, we're not dead yet.
Getting an idea, Hedda stands up and begins looking around the cell, examining every detail. After a few seconds, Minera stands up and moves to her side, as Hedda closely inspects the stone wall within the cell.
Minera:
Looking for something?
Hedda scratches the wall with her nail, rubbing the sand between her fingers and smelling it. She smiles broadly at her discovery, then turns her back to the guards and motions for Minera to follow suit.
Hedda:
(whispering) Yes, and I just found it, or at least part of it. Now I just have to locate the tree snake's head.
Hedda turns back around and continues her search.
Minera:
(confused) Ofcourse, a tree snake's head. Do we look like we're in a tree?!
Hedda puts her finger to her lips and drags Minera back to sit on the cot.
Hedda:
Look, I think I know how to disable the forcefield.
Callia:
But the angel said it was triggered by your father's blood in you. You can't empty your veins and live.
Hedda:
Correct, but Michael lied about what was keeping the field in place. The power to imprison gods and their offspring by blood is shaman magic and far older than Michael's two-bit god. I'm not going to explain the ritual in detail, but it requires shale, a special type of blessed iron, and the head of a tree snake, placed outside the cage, with its eyes positioned in a direct line of sight to the captured. Now I can't strip these walls of their shale or these window bars of their iron, but if I can turn the head of the tree snake around, so that it isn't facing the cell, the field will collapse, and we can take Michael's apes by surprise. I'm going to look around. You three stay here and… look like you're resolving yourself to your fate.
Callia:
(looking up at Hedda with utter trust) Right.
Hedda:
(whispering to Minera) Forget the God of Light. If I could bottle faith like that, I'd get myself some golden apples and be the ultra powerful god kicking everyone's butt.
Minera chuckles as Hedda begins strolling around the cage, her eyes darting everywhere. We see everything outside the cell form her POV, but no tree snake's head can be found.
Hedda:
(whispering to herself) It has got to be here. It has to be on a line of sight. Where would they hide it?
Callia sits between Francis and Minera, watching Hedda with such intensity that her neck cramps up. She closes her eyes for a moment, rubbing out the pain in her neck. When she reopens her eyes, she is staring into a pair of reptilian eyes and she startles.
Callia:
Hedda! (whispering) Over here.
Hedda goes to Callia, carefully keeping her back to the guards. Callia discretely points to the ceiling, and Hedda follows her gesture. Mounted upon the high ceiling is a bronze shield with a snake's head in the center. The head is also plated in bronze inside the shield, but the untouched eyes give away the fact that this was once a real, living snake.
Hedda:
(chuckling lightly) Clever. But not clever enough.
Hedda pulls out her throwing knives and aims at the shield. She throws two in rapid succession, both of which hit the shield and bounce right off.
Minera:
Incoming!
The four occupants of the cell follow the knives, jumping out of their way when they fall to the ground. The guards who have witnessed the knives' return trip laugh heartily.
Hedda:
Damn! I should have realized!
Callia:
What? Why didn't it work?
Hedda:
The shield is made of blessed metal too, in this case bronze. Only a divine weapon could bring it down.
Minera:
Didn't Artemis give you and Varia a pair of knives made of Hephestus' metal to commemorate your first hunt?
Hedda:
Yes, but that's a hunting knife. It's too small and dull to bring down that shield. It would just get stuck up there permanently.
The three Amazons think in silence, trying to figure out a way to bring down the shield. The camera pulls back, through the mirror, to return us to:
The Queens Hut, just before dawn. Gabrielle and Ares continue watching the mirror as the action within the cell in Corinth plays out. They too are lost in thought, when Ares eyes fall on Gabrielle's waist and the chakram at her hip. He reaches for it, and Gabrielle's trained reflexes stop his hand. She looks at him annoyed.
Ares:
(frustrated) How many times did Xena get out of some dimwit's contraption with the help of that thing? I can send it to Hedda. She knows how to use it.
Gabrielle considers this momentarily, before removing her hand, allowing Ares to take the chakram.
Gabrielle:
How are you going to get it to her?
Ares:
(smiling mischievously) Like this.
Ares throws the chakram straight at the mirror and it violently shatters the glass. Shards fall all around them, and Gabrielle quickly squats down to protect herself.
CUT TO:
Inside the cell in the Corinthian Prison. The chakram, seems to come out of nowhere and startles Francis and the Amazons when it bounces off the bars, but Hedda realizes what is happening and raises her hand, expertly catching the weapon.
Minera:
More shaman magic?
Hedda:
(staring awestruck at the chakram in her grasp) No. Not shaman magic.
With restored confidence, Hedda throws the chakram at the shield and it flips over as it comes crashing down on the bars that make up the cell's ceiling. The guards turn and gasp as Hedda leaps out of the cell, catching one guard in the face with her boot before she even lands. Callia and Minera are right behind her and the three Amazons kick butt. Francis just stares on sadly. After Hedda has killed the last guard, she nearly takes off, but at the last moment remembers Francis.
Hedda:
You coming, or are you just going to sit here?
Francis:
Are you going to kill more people?
Hedda:
Without a doubt, but I'll do that whether you come with us or not. The only real question is whether you will be joining the ranks of the dead when Michael returns.
Francis stands and leaves the cell.
Hedda:
(rolling her eyes) Good Little Sheep.
CUT TO:
Outside the prison in Corinth. The sun is beginning to rise and the streets are empty as Hedda, Callia, and Minera rush out of the prison door. Hedda motions for Francis to emerge, and he follows them as they cautiously make their way down the streets. They turn a corner, and are suddenly confronted by TWENTY FOUR SOLDIERS, Michael, and the Leader of the Knights of the Faith. Callia, Minera, and Francis gasp in fearful surprise, but Hedda smiles in anticipation.
Hedda:
Ah, nothing like a good bloodbath to start the day off right.
The Twenty Four Christians fight the three Amazons, but despite their greater numbers, they are no match for the three Amazons. Hedda does most of the killing and loves every minute of it. Francis hides behind an empty cart. The three Amazons soon cut the twenty four men down to five.
Hedda:
Callia! Minera! Take Francis with you and get back to the Village! I'll follow in a few minutes! I have to finish 'taking out' the trash!
Callia:
We can't just leave you here!
Hedda:
I said Go! NOW!!!
Callia, Minera, and Francis spark at the final order, scurry up the city's back wall, and disappear into trees. As Hedda finishes off another Christian man, the Leader of the Knights of the Faith gives his war cry and acrobatically leaps directly into her path.
Leader:
Nice moves.
Hedda:
I hope yours are better than your buddies, or I'm gonna be REALLY disappointed.
They match swords, and the Leader is able to hold his own against Hedda. She cuts the Leader superficially, but is unable to get in a killing blow.
Hedda:
You're a halfway decent fighter. You know, in my father's army you could be your own man, not that winged freak Michael's toady.
Leader:
I could also burn in hell. At least this way, when I die, I'm guaranteed an eternity in paradise.
Hedda:
I'm sure the Elijians thought they'd be getting that eternity in paradise as well. Now, well… You'd better hope I kill you before Michael and his god get bored with YOUR cult and switch sides once more.
Leader:
Our god would never betray his righteous servants.
Hedda gets another cut in on the Christian Leader and smiles wickedly before looking up at the rising sun.
Hedda:
Hate to spar and run but I have to get back to the village. As Aunt'Dite would say, toodles!
Hedda lets out her war cry as she leaps high into air, landing solidly on top of the city wall. She waves cheekily to the stunned Leader and disappears into the same trees from whence she came. Watching her go, the Leader growls in anger. Michael, who has been observing the battle in silence meets the Leader's eyes, then shrugs in disappointment and disappears.
CUT TO:
On the Road to Corinth. A group of twenty Amazons, lead by Varia, march onward with determination. Suddenly there is a rustling in the trees and all ready for an attack. Callia leaps down and lands in the middle of the road, grinning like an idiot. The Amazons roll their eyes, but embrace their returned sister.
Varia:
Callia, welcome back. Where are Hedda and Minera?
Callia:
Minera is a half-mile behind me with an Elijian we rescued from the prison. Last I saw Hedda, she was fighting one of the Knights of the Faith. She was winning, so I figure she'll be along shortly. You know Hedda.
Suddenly Hedda's war-cry rings through the trees and she lands beside Callia.
Hedda:
I resent that! No one knows me! I'm unpredictable! (playfully grabbing Callia by the collar) Go it?
Callia:
(in mock fear) Got it.
Callia and Hedda play-fight a bit. A
minute later, Minera and Francis emerge from the bushes.
Hedda:
Ah, Minera. Good timing. We were just about to return to the village, so Queen Gabrielle can hand me my ass.
All the Amazons laugh loudly as they turn around and head back to the Amazon Village.
CUT TO:
The Queens Hut in the Amazon Village. Gabrielle is red faced from screaming at Hedda who merely stands at attention, taking it.
Gabrielle:
(shouting) I can't believe you! I told you to be careful! What in Tartarus were you thinking?!
Hedda:
Better me than the best of the Amazon Nation. (tauntingly) Besides, after all these years, you should be used to being ditched when the going gets too tough.
Gabrielle:
(turning her back in an effort to control her temper) Hedda, you don't know anything about me.
Hedda:
(melodramatically) "You've got to take me with you; teach me everything you know. Xena, I'm not cut out for this village life. I was born to do so much more."
Gabrielle:
(spinning back around in surprise) How?
Hedda:
The Threads of the Fates. Growing up I watched all your adventures with Xena, so I know a lot more about you than you think. For instance, I know the first time Daddy saw you, you were trying to save Xena from an angry mob of villagers, even after Xena had ordered you to run away and leave her. How did you put it "Normal people like me take chances to save their best friends, too, you know"? It was very… inspiring.
Gabrielle:
That was an entirely different situation!
Hedda:
Yes, at that point in time you were a clumsy, naïve, peasant girl, which made your actions even more heroic. I had 26 years of warrior training to protect me when I entered Corinth to save my friends last night. I appreciate your concern for my well-being, Gabrielle, but my Amazon sisters were in danger. Callia is just a kid and Minera and I have been friends a long time. I couldn't let them be killed. I thought that you of all people would understand.
Gabrielle:
I understand your motivations, but as your Queen I expect you to obey me! If you can't follow orders, then…
Hedda:
(insulted) I know how to follow orders! You told me to be careful, and because I was Callia and Minera are safe and sound right now!
Gabrielle is about to reply when Hedda cuts her off.
Hedda:
Look, let's both be honest here. The real reason you're upset is that you want to keep me on a short leash, and I'm not cooperating! You think just because I'm Ares' daughter I must have some cruel and self-serving ulterior agenda! Well, I refuse to be judged for my father's crimes! Mortals have been trying to do that to me all my life and I'm not about to start accepting it now! I help people who can't help themselves because Athena taught me that that was the honorable thing to do, not because I owe anyone anything! I am not a sinner and I have done nothing to seek redemption for! Now, treat me like you would any other Amazon sister, Queen Gabrielle!
Gabrielle:
Fine, you want to be treated like everyone else, you've got cooking duty on top of your regular chores for the next week as punishment for your running off and making me send a rescue team out to look for you!
Hedda:
(nodding with acceptance) Alright, although I don't see why the entire tribe should be punished with my cooking, but alright. I guess Nyreen can find something for me to do, peel the turnips or pluck the chickens or something else I can't screw up.
Gabrielle:
(realizing her mistake) You're right. You're right. Between your mother and your father's lack of cooking ability, you'd probably give us all food poisoning and save the Christians the trouble of killing us off. (thinks) Laundry duty then, one week.
Hedda:
(smiling) Yes, my Queen.
Hedda exits the Queen's Hut to find an inquisitive Varia waiting outside.
Varia:
So?
Hedda:
I have laundry duty for a week, on top of patrol and morning drills.
Varia:
Figure it's an honest days work… and you did scare us all half to death. When the sun began to rise and there was no sign of you…
Hedda:
(sighs seriously) I'm sorry, Varia. I thought it would be a simple in and out operation. I didn't know Michael had learned the wisdom of the Shamaness. He used it to trap me, but thankfully I knew what he was up to.
Varia:
(heartfelt) I'm just glad you and our other sisters are back where you belong.
Hedda:
Yeah. (pauses for a moment before getting back to business) Look, I have to take that Elijian we picked up in Corinth to meet Eve, I promised him. Want to come with?
Varia:
What about your sentence?
Hedda:
Tasha doesn't start pre-soak for another hour. We'll be back in plenty of time to fluff and fold.
Varia:
(smiling brightly) Alright. Let's go.
The Amazon Glade. Todonius' militia and the men from Arcetius' army are camped out and going about daily chores. A fight breaks out between one of Arcetius' men and a militiaman and all the warriors cheer the combatants on. Eve and Hercules, who had been watering the horses, come running out and push their way to the center of the crowd.
Hercules:
(under his breath) I am really getting too old for this. (loudly) Alright, break it up! Break it up!
Hercules tries to separate the two men, but Arcetius' army won't be denied their sport and block his attempt at pulling their man off the militiaman who is getting pounded. Eve resolves herself to what she must do, gets a running start, and flips into the air, landing in the center of the action. She disarms and knocks several of the warriors unconscious, while Hercules pulls the beaten militiaman out of the fray.
Eve:
(in command) Now stop it, all of you! (menacingly) Or deal with me…
Hedda (OS):
Oh, ya better listen to her boys; you don't want to make the Messenger of Eli, once known as Livia: the Bitch of Rome, angry do you?
Hedda and Varia move to stand beside Eve. Hedda stares down Arcetius' men, none of whom dare meet her eyes.
Varia:
(smiling) Hey Toddy, didn't see ya there till now.
Todonius:
(nodding politely) It's good to see you again, Varia.
Hedda:
(authoritatively) That's better. Eve, Uncle Hercules hasn't fought with an army for many, many years, and he was never a warlord. You have to be the one to keep these ruffians in line or all Tartarus will break loose. We can't afford that. (pulling Eve aside) When I busted out of Corinth, I brought with me an Elijian that helped in our escape. He wants to meet you, (rolling her eyes) oh Great Prophesy Made Flesh. Francis?
Francis steps forwards and bows before Eve.
Eve:
(slightly bemused) You don't have to bow before me, Francis. I'm not a king. I'm…
Eve stops short in shock when Francis lifts his head and she sees his face for the first time. A second later she draws her new sword and holds it to Francis's throat.
Varia:
(confused) What are you doing?!
Eve:
This man is not an Elijian. He's a Christian… one of the very first to land in Greece.
Hedda and Varia each pull their swords and join them with Eve's at Francis' throat. Francis is frozen with fear.
FADE OUT
END OF ACT 6
READ ACT SEVEN