ACT 7

FADE IN

The Amazon Glade.  Francis begins to tremble at being held at sword point by the three very angry warrior women.

Francis:

     (stuttering in fear) Please, let me explain!

Hedda:

     No, let me explain…

Hedda decks Francis, then lands a high roundhouse kick on the other side of his face to bring him to his knees.  Francis rubs his jaw, as blood trickles readily from his lip.  Hedda then drags Francis to his feet by his collar. 

Hedda:

     You betray me, you die… painfully.

Hedda punches Francis again, this time sending him flat on his back.  She is about to continue beating Francis when Varia grabs her shoulder.

Varia:

     Wait!  We have to hear him out.  Amazons don't murder indiscriminately; we're better than them!

Eve smiles proudly at Varia, while Hedda fights an internal battle for self­-control.  She knows interrogating her captive is the smart thing to do, but her rage is considerable and not easily mastered.

Hedda:

     Fine.  Maybe he knows something useful, (smiling evilly at an already terrified Francis) and maybe he'll be just stupid enough to hold back.  Then we can torture it out of him.  So, what do you have to say, Francis?

Hedda grabs Francis' scalp and pulls back his head so that his glazed over eyes are level with hers.  He tries to speak, but all that comes out is a frightened gurgle.  Hedda laughs sinisterly as she looks around the encampment.

Hedda:

     Our little wolf is being uncooperative… Oh Goody.

Hedda begins to pull Francis to his feet by his hair and he screams in pain.  Hercules pushes Hedda back, forcing her to let go, but makes no other move against her.

Hercules:

     Hedda please.  The man is in shock and too frightened to tell us anything.  Give him some water.  Let him calm down.  Then we'll try again.

Hedda roughly runs her hands through her hair and growls in frustration.

Hedda:

      Okay, we'll take him to see Queen Gabrielle.  By rights, his fate should be her prerogative anyway.  I have my own work to do. (moving to Eve's side) Eve, you'll have to come with me and Varia to tell Gabrielle whatever you know.  Maybe your past experiences with this man can help us in the present.  (more commanding) Todonius, you are in charge of the men.  If they get out of line again, it's scorched Earth, got it?

Todonius:

(beaming with pride in Hedda) Yes Ma'am.

Hedda smiles back before she and Varia take Francis into custody and bind his hands behind his back.  They start to walk off with Eve beside them, when Hedda suddenly stops and turns toward Hercules.

Hedda:

You know, despite her many faults, Aunt Discord was right about one thing, you are a major party poop, Uncle Herc.

Hercules shakes his head, before turning to help Todonius keep the men in line, while Hedda, Varia, Eve, and Francis start back to the village.

CUT TO:

The path between the Amazon Village and the Amazon Glade.  Hedda, Varia, Eve, and the bound Francis, walk back to the village.  Eve and Varia converse while Hedda pulls the prisoner along behind them.

Eve:

     You did the right thing back there, Varia.  I'm proud of you, and I'm sure my mother, wherever she is now, is proud of you as well. 

Varia:

     Thanks, but I was merely saving that man for further interrogation.  He must be a good spy if he can get through Hedda's BS detector, and he can probably tell us a lot about the Christians and their plans.

Eve:

     But at least he's alive; he has choices.  If we can make him see what his people are doing is wrong, maybe he'll tell us what we need to know.  Gabrielle is good at helping people see what's in their hearts.

Hedda:

     (curiously) How do you know what's in his heart isn't a grand dream of seeing every Elijian cooking in the noonday sun? 

Eve:

     (sighing) It's just something I sense.  He's not evil; I'm sure of it.  Eight years ago, when we last met, I was new to leading an army and only commanded a single legion.  I was upwardly mobile, true, but far too green as yet to be called 'The Bitch of Rome'.  That man… Francis… fought my legion for his people, but he didn't kill me, even when he got the upper hand and had me pinned.  He just stopped fighting and ordered his tiny, rag-tag, army into retreat.  I tracked them for over a week until Ares showed up and warned me against becoming distracted from my ultimate goal.  He said that if this man was serious trouble, I would meet up with him again someday and that I should just put him on my list and refocus my energies on expanding the Rome's border and my own reputation for ruthlessness. (in shame) So that is what I did.

Hedda:

(mockingly) And you did so very, very well.  You should be proud.

Eve:

     (sincerely) You will never know how sorry am I am for all the deaths I caused when I was following your father's path.  If I could undo all that I did as Livia, I would, in a heartbeat.

Hedda:

     You know, you keep saying that but I've never seen you willing to pull the trigger.  You hide behind the word of Eli, and when that isn't enough, your mother's sword, and never have to risk your own life.  Now that Xena is dead and your god has disowned you, it will be interesting to see how you can manage to survive. 

Eve:

     Charitable of you to use the word 'how' instead of 'if'.

Hedda:

     (chuckling) No need for false modesty, Eve.  You're a Xena's daughter; you won't die till you're good and ready.  I'm merely curious as to what exactly you'd be willing to die for.

With these final words, Hedda roughly pushes Francis to walk faster, leaving Eve and Varia several paces behind them.  The four continue their trek to the Amazon village in silence as Eve is forced to consider Hedda's words.

CUT TO:

Corinth at mid-morning.  Michael oversees the removal of the last of the bodies Hedda, Callia, and Minera left in their retreat.  Getting a thought, he folds his arms across his chest and assumes a stance of superiority.

Michael:

     (calling out) Cupid, I require your presence.

Cupid appears and waits in silence for Michael to speak.

Michael:

I don't think you've been 100& truthful with me about something, Godling, and I believe you know what that something… or should I say, someone… is.

Cupid remains silent, but Michael's p*ssed off expression and cold, accusing, stare is unrelenting.  It is a game of chicken, and several moments go by as each waits for the other to fold.

Michael:

     Your 'cousin' broke into Corinth last night and rescued two of her Amazon friends and another prisoner.  I assume she has returned to her village with them.

Cupid:

     I can't tell.  As you know, ever since the different tribes united, the Amazons have been working charms to keep gods off their lands.  Ares really ruffled their feathers in his attempt to draw them into a war with Rome, so now no god can enter Amazon territory or even look in on them without being personally invited by one of their queens.

Michael:

     Yes, and none of the Shamans my people have captured can put a dent in those spells. 

Cupid:

     Amazon magic is very old. Some say it is a direct entreaty to Gaia herself.

Michael:

     (angrily) I am not interested in rumors; I want facts!  Now, unless you tell me what I want to know RIGHT NOW, I will order my men to find Aphrodite and have her chopped into eight pieces before the sun sets!  Do I make myself clear?!

Cupid:

     (terrified) No, please!  I'll tell you!  I have been holding back, but I'll tell you!  Just please don't hurt Mother! 

Michael nods in agreement, and Cupid gasps in relief before spitting out his next words.

Cupid:

Hedda's real mother was Xena, but a Xena from a different universe!  I don't know the whole story, but Zeus got mad at Ares for something and sent him to her world as a mortal!  He and that other Xena, who everybody there called 'The Conqueror', fell seriously in love, but when the Gabrielle of that other dimension fatally stabbed the Conqueror Xena, Zeus refused to let any god save her!  He was trying to teach Ares a lesson, or something; as I said, I don't know all the details!  Anyway, when the other Xena died and Ares got his godhood back, he took Hedda from her mother's dead body and implanted her in one of his priestesses, that Rodonia woman, who bore her just over eight months later!  That's all I know!  That's all I know!

Michael:

     (nearing rage) You sorry Sack, you lied to me!  You told me a simple priestess was Hedda's mother!!!

Cupid:

     (babbling in terror) I didn't lie to you!  You asked who BORE Hedda for Ares, and Rodonia really did give birth to her!  My mother and I were there!  I was wrong not to tell you everything, but I didn't lie to you!  I swear!!!

Michael:

     (to himself) No wonder she pulled off what she did this morning!  A daughter of Xena's loyal to those Olympian fools; this could ruin everything!  She could be…

A look of realization crosses Michael's face, followed by rage, but when he turns to take it out on Cupid he finds only empty air where the young god used to be.  The p*ssed off Archangel shoots a fireball at the same tree Hedda entered Corinth from last night, instantly setting it ablaze, then disappears in determination.

CUT TO:

The Amazon Village.  Gabrielle, now dressed in full Amazon Queen regalia, and followed by Eve, Hedda, and Varia, exits the Queen's hut.  She makes her way to a large pike where Francis is tied and guarded.

Gabrielle:

     This is the man?

Eve:

     (nodding) Yes, several years ago my legion fought his small army and tracked them for over a week when they retreated.  That was the last I saw of him till this morning when Hedda 'introduced' us, believing he was an Elijian who wanted to meet me.

Francis:

     I did want to meet you, Great Messenger. I wanted to see your transformation with my own eyes.

Hedda backhands Francis. 

Hedda:

     When we want to hear from you, Queen Gabrielle will address you directly.  Until then, keep your place, Scum!

Gabrielle lifts a hand to silence Hedda who obeys and steps back.

Gabrielle:

     (calmly) Why did you want to see Eve's transformation?

Francis:

     I had heard about the Messenger of Eli, that she had once been Livia of Rome, and at first I was certain that it had to be a mistake.  As Eve mentioned, I fought Livia and there was not an ounce of human compassion or love in her soul.

Eve:

     (flinching) No, there wasn't.

Francis:

     But I too had been an angry youth.

Hedda:

     You told me you were buddies with Eli as a kid.

Francis:

     I was, and then I saw Ares: God of War kill Eli.  I didn't completely understand it at the time, but that moment opened a floodgate for me.  My world became skewered.  I had believed in Eli, trusted him, and he had betrayed me by dying.  I was so angry with him that I swore I would never follow his path like my parents continued to do even after his death.  As soon as I was old enough, I joined the Roman army as a cook and traveled south, into Africa, with them. That's where I learned how to fight, by watching the soldiers.  Sometimes they'd even practice with me when they got drunk enough after a victory celebration.  After all, I was just a cook.  Anyway, the legion I was traveling with wound up in a city in Palestine called Caesarea.  There I met a man named Paul who preached to the people, all people, rich and poor, men and women.  He was soon thrown in prison by the Empire, but by that time I had come to realize that Eli hadn't lied to me.  Eli had had a grand vision and my Lord Jesus had seen even farther. Eli's legacy wasn't just to be killed by a god but to triumph over one in death, just as Christ had triumphed over death itself years earlier.  Nothing really could stand in the way of such a powerful force as these men served, and my heart was freed, filled to overflowing with love and light and I knew my way was indeed that of Eli and of Jesus Christ.

Gabrielle:

     (wistfully) The Way of Love.

Francis:

     Right, the Way of Love.  It is said in the scrolls that you coined that term with Eli, in India. For that I praise thee. 

Gabrielle:

     Thank you, but things were different then.  I was different then.  The intervening years seem like night and day, but I know now that the Way of Love was not for me.  My path is and forever shall be with Xena.

Hedda:

     (chuckling) Ofcourse, the Way of Love, that makes everything peachy.  Why don't we just release him right now?  (angrily) Come on!  Spirituality aside, he's a Christian spy!  He doesn't give a fig about love!  If he did, he wouldn't be working for a god that routinely employs genocide as a means of expanding his domain and rewarding his faithful!  Even my father knows more about love than the Christian god ever will, and my father was the god who stuck the sword through Eli's guts, remember? 

Gabrielle:

     Oh, I remember. (decisively) Regardless of what this man's intentions were, we can't let him go and risk his returning to Michael.  He will be retained, under guard, indefinitely.  Take him to the hut, but make sure he eats what we eat and is given adequate bedding for the night.  We are not savages, but he must stay here, at least until after the battle.  We'll more formally decide his fate then.

Hedda:

     I can work a few new charms around the hut to prevent Michael or his god from mounting a rescue and I suggest we add additional guards around the perimeter of our land, particularly near the main road.  If the Christians want him back badly enough to send a retrieval team, they'll have to bleed for it.  And then there'll be less work for us two days from now.

Francis:

     If they want me back, it is to execute me.  Three years ago, one of my Christian Brothers, Barnabas, decided to take a more militaristic approach to converting the pagans, which I later discovered was due to the Archangel Michael's influence.  I tried to remind them that our Lord had told us to love our enemies, not crucify or burn them alive, but Barnabas can be very influential when he speaks.  He and the third of my brethren who followed him now refer to themselves as the Knights of the Faith.  When the remainder of my people and I refused to join their crusade and kill non-believers, Michael declared us heretics.  If I am caught, they will burn me publicly, as they had intended to earlier today.

Hedda:

     Then he's safer in our prison.  We'll keep him there till after the battle and figure out a more permanent solution then.  Problem solved.

Gabrielle:

     (sighing softly) Yes, problem solved.  And you're right about the guards.  Varia, make the necessary arrangements for the night.

Varia:

     Right away.

Varia signals the two guards at the pike to take Francis to the prisoners' hut, then leaves to carry out Gabrielle's orders.  Eve follows the guards to make sure nothing happens to Francis.  Hedda also turns to leave, when Gabrielle stops her. 

Gabrielle:

     (exasperated) Just answer me this; why were you so cruel to that man?  Why can't you act with a bit more compassion?  If he was telling the truth, and the fact that he was scheduled to be executed this morning leads me to believe he might be, then he's as much a victim here as anyone! 

Hedda stops for a moment to consider her response. 

Hedda:

     There are things I can't tell you, family secrets Zeus decreed off limits to all mortals millennia ago.  To answer your question would mean explaining some of those things to you and I still respect and obey the laws of Olympus.

Gabrielle:

     (skeptically) If all mortals are 'supposedly' forbidden to know this great secret, how did you find out?  Or is knowing that forbidden as well?

Hedda:

     (smiling) When I was four months old, shortly after you, Xena, and Eve 'supposedly' died in that cart accident, Athena formally adopted me in front of Olympus and the Fates.  So, while I may have been born to a mortal, I have no powers that I know of, and I'm probably able to die as a mortal, legally I am the daughter of two full gods, thus entitled to this wisdom.  Don't you just love loopholes?

Gabrielle:

     Obviously not as much as you love using them to deflect questions you don't want to answer.

Hedda:

     (chuckling) Fair enough.  I still won't tell you anything forbidden, but I can tell you that whether Francis means the Amazon Nation harm or not, whether he is in league with Michael or not, he is still my enemy and so long as he continues to worship the same god as Michael, regardless of the form that worship takes, he will remain my enemy, and I don't show compassion to my enemies. 

Gabrielle:

     Perhaps if you did, you wouldn't have so many.

Hedda:

     I'm sure that theory works well when you have Xena to back you up, to kick butt when your enemies won't listen to reason, but now that the age of Xena has past it's back to business as usual.  My priority is to see that the Amazon Nation adjusts and survives for centuries to come regardless of what comes our way.  Now, I think that's an ideology we should both be able to fit behind, don't you?

Gabrielle:

     Yes, the Amazon Nation must be our first priority.

Hedda:

     Then we are in agreement once again.  Now, if you'll permit me, I think if I hurry, I can still help with rinsing and hanging the wash.

Gabrielle waves her assent to Hedda, who jogs off happily resolved.  However, Gabrielle remains filled with a sense of unease she can't seem to shake. Returning to the Queens hut, which is deserted, Gabrielle sits down at the table and bows her head in prayer.

Gabrielle:

     I don't know how to relate to her, Xena.  I really don't know what to do.  I miss you so much!

Unable to contain her grief, Gabrielle begins to cry.  A moment later, Eve walks in and opens her arms for Gabrielle.  Together they hug and cry.

Eve:

     (in tears) I miss her too, Gabrielle.  I miss her too.

CUT TO:

The Christian Church inside Corinth.  Michael stands in the background as a mass is conducted.  Seven new converts are being baptized and Michael smiles as the priest anoints the men and women.  Suddenly Michael gets a distracted look and he exits the building to find Cupid standing outside waiting.

Cupid:

     Sir, I overheard Ares telling my mother through her door that Hedda and the Amazons will move on Corinth in three days.  They plan to come over the walls while Ares' army and several local militias charge the main gate. 

Michael:

     (smiling) You may have just redeemed yourself, godling. 

Cupid:

     (anxiously) So our deal is still in place?

Michael:

     (sighing) Yes, for now, your wife, son, and mother are safe.  My Knights won't go near them.  You have my word.  Now leave me.  I have plans to make.

Cupid:

     (bowing) Yes sir.

Cupid disappears, relieved that he has saved his little family for now.  Michael smiles wickedly before disappearing as well.

CUT TO:

The Amazon Village.  The sun has just fully risen and the whole Village is in preparation for their upcoming attack on Corinth.  Hedda and Minera are drilling several of the younger warriors.  Hercules and Eve arrive and walk into the Queen's Hut.  Seeing them, Hedda taps Minera's arm to let her know she is leaving and follows them inside.

CUT TO:

Inside the Queen's Hut.  Eve and Hercules enter silently, as Gabrielle, Cyane, and Queen Eulice are questioning one of Ares Priestess with the God of War.  A moment later, Hedda also arrive.

Cyane:

     And you're sure they're headed for Corinth?

Priestess: 

Yes, I overheard one of the guards say so this morning in the market.  Thirty-four farm wagons, coming from several different cities and towns, will arrive at the gate tomorrow, but instead of food and farming equipment, each wagon carries sixteen armed men.  In addition, the nearly six hundred soldiers already stationed in or near the city are on high alert and preparing for battle. 

Ares:

     They know we're coming.

Gabrielle:

     But how?  No one in my tribe who had knowledge of our plan left the village, with the exception of Hedda, and she's too proud and vengeful to be beaten or bought out.

Hedda:

     (bemused) Thank you.

Eve:  

(moving closer to Gabrielle) And the men have all remained camped out in the glade.  They don't trust each other so they are always watching the others' movements. And none of them know about the plan anyway.  I've deliberately kept my orders vague. 

Hedda:

     Well, there has to be a leak somewhere or else how would Michael know when we plan to attack?

Gabrielle:

     Hedda, you mentioned yesterday that Michael now has knowledge of Shaman magic.  Could he have figured out a way to get past our charms and spy on us?

Hedda:

     Doubtful.  As you know, shamans are not all created equal.  Michael's spells are bones and rattles caliber. Amazon magic is far more advanced.  If he were using our magic, I'd still be in that cell right now, probably dead.

Ares:

     And from a godly perspective, your Shamaness' spells should have been airtight in blinding Michael and his god from all Amazon Lands.

Gabrielle:

     (frustrated) Only they weren't. 

Queen Eulice:

(ominously) We must have a traitor somewhere among us.

Hedda gets an odd look on her face, like she doesn't want to believe what she's thinking.

Gabrielle:

     What?  What do you know?

Hedda:

     (turning to Ares) Dad, did you tell anyone on Olympus our plans?

Ares:

     Only your Aunt Dite, or more precisely, only her bedroom door.  But what does that matter.  Michael and his god don't make deals.  He wants us all dead.  Everyone on Olympus knows that, especially Aphrodite.

Hedda:

     (sighing) Maybe, but I wouldn't put it past Apollo or one of his ilk to come up with some stupid, sure-to-fail, plan and sell us out. It's just Apollo's style. (angrily) If anyone on Olympus deserved to die it would be him!

Ares:

     (to Gabrielle, Eve, and Hercules) Hedda REALLY dislikes Apollo.

Hercules:

     Join the club.

Hedda:

     I'm president of that club.  But the 'Shining One's' lack of character is irrelevant right now.  (turning to Ares) What exactly did you tell Aunt Dite's door?

Ares:

     Only that we were going to teach those Christians a lesson at Corinth the day after tomorrow, and that with you and Gabrielle orchestrating the entire affaire, she was as safe as a temple. (thinking) Ofcourse, come to think of it, temples aren't really that safe anymore…

Gabrielle:

     It's the thought that counts.

Hedda:

     And that's all?  Did you mention your Priestesses or the Amazons that are going undercover in Corinth?

Ares:

     No.  You know your aunt; the details of our battle plan wouldn't have made any sense to her except to remind her that we're in the middle of a war for our lives.  That would've just frightened her more and she'd end up staying in her rooms forever!

Hedda:

     At least our decoys are still useful.  Otherwise, there's no way we'd make it through the gates without MAJOR Amazon casualties.  So, what we need now is a plan B.

FADE OUT

END OF ACT 7

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