ACT 1
FADE IN
Inside an Amazon Hut. Minera sits in a catatonic state. Her mother, Tasha, tries to spoon some broth past her daughter's lips, but to no avail. Sadly, closing her eyes to keep from crying, Tasha gets up and empties the bowl. When she looks up she sees Hedda standing at the door of their hut waiting to be invited in.
Tasha:
(with awkward formality) My Queen, how may I assist you?
Hedda:
(concerned) I'm here to see how Minera is doing. After what happened in Corinth, we're all very worried about her.
Tasha:
(dropping any formality) Oh Hedda, I'm frightened for her! She won't eat. She didn't sleep last night. She just sits and stares at nothing!
Hedda grabs Tasha up into a hug and lets her cry. When the older Amazon is all cried out, Hedda gently sits her in a chair and pulls out one for herself.
Hedda:
Dalen was her wife! They loved each other more than anything; and now she's consumed with grief. When I found my Aunts' bodies in the Great Hall on Olympus, you remember I brought Aunt Artemis' body here and we gave her an Amazon funeral.
Tasha:
(softly) I remember. Growing up, you were always so confident and driven. It was like you were never really a child. Oh, you laughed and played with the other girls, but you never let your play become unproductive. You were going to be a true Amazon warrior, and you didn't have time for food fights or splashing in the lake. (her nostalgia quickly turning to sadness) But that day, when you came to us with our Goddess' body, you looked so lost and helpless.
Hedda:
(cutting her off to keep from crying herself) Yes, well, once I left the village, I took Athena's body to the Parthenon and attended her funeral. Then I returned to Olympus and parked myself on old Zeus' thrown; for six days. To this day, I don't remember anything past the fire consuming Athena's body, but Aunt Dite says I refused to get up, to eat, to take a bath, or do anything else during that time. I just sat there, unmoving, much like Minera is right now. Aunt Dite finally cleaned me up and brought me back here. I underwent the purification ritual for another two days. I had to deal with the pain, and the ritual helped me to do that. I've spoken with the Shamaness. She'll start the ritual for Minera as soon as we bring her in, and Mara insisted on waiting outside incase we needed help carrying her to the hut.
Tasha:
The purification ritual? Isn't it too soon?
Hedda:
Tasha, I know you've never had much faith in mysticism, and as a mother you want hot food and a warm bed to be enough, but this pain runs deep. Please, we are her sisters. We will let no harm come to her. We only seek to make her spirit whole once more! Please!
Tasha stands defiantly, considering. After a moment, she slumps in exhaustion.
Tasha:
Fine, take her. I can't do anything for her anyway. No matter what I say, she just sits there…
Hedda turns her head towards the door.
Hedda:
(calling out) Mara, we need you after all.
MARA walks in, and Hedda nods towards the catatonic Minera.
Hedda:
Take her to the Shamaness' hut. We'll follow in a second.
Mara picks up Minera and carries her limp body out of the hut. Hedda turns back to Tasha.
Hedda:
You have to trust me. I will do every thing in my power to see that she is brought back to us. I promise.
Tasha and Hedda hug, then they follow Mara out of the hut.
CUT TO:
Outside Corinth. Arcetius' army and Todonius' militia are camped outside the city. Gabrielle, Eve, Todonius, and Hercules are huddled around the embers of this morning's cooking fire.
Eve:
These warlords don't seem to be on any special mission. They're mostly in it for the dinars. Perhaps if we ask for the release of some of the hostages, say the children, the sick, and the elderly, they'll be open. I know from experience that holding a captured territory is a lot harder than taking it, particularly when your own army is divided by faction, and the adults that they consider useful or valuable as slaves will be a lot less likely to try to escape or fight back once they know their children and grandparents are safe.
Gabrielle:
But that also means they'll have nothing to hold them back from fighting back. The warlords will know that.
Eve:
The warlords won't care; they're the ones with the swords. And do you really think the people of Corinth will fight back? From what I gathered from Todonius and the militiamen, the Christians didn't come into power as a conquering force or as the result of a coup. They brainwashed enough of the people to change the laws and make it illegal to oppose them. Then they started executing anyone who spoke out or disobeyed their new laws. If these people didn't fight back at any point in that whole process, it's unlikely they'll start now. At least we'll be guaranteed of getting some out safely before we have to attack.
Todonius:
It sounds good to me. They already know we're out here and don't plan on leaving.
Hercules:
Alright. I'll get a few men together and we'll see if they're willing to talk.
Suddenly Hercules stops talking, as do the others. Their long experience as warriors is telling them there is someone watching them from outside the camp.
Hercules:
Gabrielle, behind you.
Gabrielle nods, waiting, her sias already in hand. From the bush, a timid, feminine, disembodied VOICE emerges.
Voice:
I mean you no harm. I seek the one called Hercules.
Hercules looks at Gabrielle, Eve, and Todonius, who shrug, then back at the brush.
Hercules:
I am Hercules.
The Woman who killed the Christian soldier and stole his clothes outside Demeter's temple comes out from the bushes slowly, her hands raised in surrender. She is now dressed more femininely, but she looks exhausted.
Woman:
Sir, you must help us, and your Aunt Demeter! The Christians attacked the temple and took several priestess to be executed. (sorrowfully) Since it was to be done at sunrise, I can only assume they are on the other side by now. May their souls rest in Elysium. However, one of their order betrayed them to save herself and her child and told the Christians where Demeter and her daughter, Persephone were living. They are going to be killed! (pleading) You must come and save them!
Gabrielle:
How did you escape?
Woman:
(shamefully) I killed one of the soldiers and stole his clothing, then snuck away. I'm not a warrior; I'm just a widow and a novice in the service of Demeter. I couldn't have saved anyone by taking the Christians on myself, but I knew that if I found the hero, Hercules, he could save my goddess and her daughter. I will ofcourse help you in any way I can. I'll be your cook and seamstress and relieve whatever other burdens you may have so that you can concentrate on rescuing Demeter and Persephone.
Hercules face falls and he looks back on Corinth, torn. Making up his mind, he looks back at the Woman.
Hercules:
I'm sorry, but I can't leave. There are hundreds of people in Corinth who need my help desperately. The city is being torn apart by rival gangs of warlords. I can't abandon those people to save one family, no matter how much I may want to. Besides, Demeter and Persephone are Goddesses. I'm sure they'll be okay, and I promise, as soon as I'm finished here, I'll find them and help them find a more secure place to hide.
The woman is speechless at being denied.
Woman:
(in desperation) No! No! You have to help my Goddess! The Christians are smart; they'll catch them unawares! They'll kill them! Please! You must help!
Hercules steps back, sighing. He hates to turn down anyone in trouble, but he has to look at the greater good.
Hercules:
I'm sorry.
Todonius, who has watched along side Eve and Gabrielle, suddenly starts collecting his things.
Eve:
Where are you going? Hercules said we're staying.
Todonius:
(busily) No, Hercules said he's staying. I'm getting Hedda and we're going to warn Demeter and Persephone.
Hercules:
Todonius, I know you want to help them, but you can do more good here with us.
Todonius:
(single-mindedly, as he begins packing his saddlebag) Maybe so, but you didn't see Hedda when Aphrodite broke the news about what Xena did on Mt. Olympus. I'd rather die than watch her go through that again, and since I could never abandon her, I guess I'm off to see the Amazon Queen.
Finishing his packing, Todonius unties his horse, mounts, pulls the startled Woman up behind him, and rides off, not letting the others get a word in edgewise.
CUT TO:
The Amazons Village. Mid-morning. Hedda and Tasha sit by the water-pump waiting for word of Minera. They know it will be a long wait, so they have semi-camped out, and are silently watching the Shamaness' hut. To busy themselves, Hedda is constructing arrows, while Tasha is grating soap in preparation for this evening's laundry.
Suddenly Todonius rides into the village. Hedda smiles and stands up.
Hedda:
(teasingly) Hey Toddy, what's the rush? Lookin' for a date? (now seeing the woman behind him) Never mind, I see you already have one.
Todonius shakes off the momentary heartbreak Hedda's previous statement created, and grabs her by the arm, pulling her to face him and look at him.
Todonius:
Hedda, this woman was a novice at one of Demeter's temples that was burned to the ground last night. She said that one of the Priestess betrayed them and told the Christians were Demeter and Persephone were hiding out!
Hedda's eyes grow wide, and she turns red.
Hedda:
(ordering a young Amazon that had been filling a bucket at the water-pump) Darcia, go get my Bellona, pack her saddlebag with two days worth of road rations, and bring her to me immediately! Also, find Varia and tell her I need to see her at my hut ASAP! And go quickly, I have no time to loose!
Darcia:
Yes, Queen Hedda!
The girl dashes off with a fire lit under her, as Hedda, struck with a thought, looks down at Tasha.
Hedda:
Tasha… I have to…
Tasha:
(understandingly) Demeter and Persephone have always been good to our people. If they need your help, then you must go!
Hedda:
I'll make sure Varia understands you are exempt from your usual chores till Minera is back on her feet. She and the rest of the tribe…
Tasha:
We'll be fine, now go get what you need from your hut, and don't worry about me!
Hedda is so moved, she pulls Tasha into a big hug.
Hedda:
Thank you. I'll be back as soon as I can. I promise.
Hedda turns and walks towards the Queens' hut. When she gets there, she waits for Varia who arrives a moment later, winded from her run.
Varia:
Darcia said it was urgent. What's wrong?
Hedda:
Demeter and Persephone are in danger; The Christians have turned their attention on them. I have to leave immediately. I'm putting you in charge while I'm away. I don't see myself being gone more than a week, but you never know. Until I return, you carry my mantle.
Hedda hands Varia her mask, and Varia nods.
Varia:
Ofcourse. I'll do my best.
Hedda:
(packing as she speaks) Varia, I know Gabrielle has a special hold on you, so I'm not going make this vague. Unless the Christians return to Corinth amass, you are not to take our people into battle there. I want the same number of sisters when I return as when I leave. I know you want to help the people of Corinth as do I. If Gabrielle comes back asking for weapons, supplies, horses, even a portion of our winter stores, that is your call, but not one Amazon is to leave with her. I don't want our people dragged into anymore direct confrontations with anyone! Understand?
Varia:
I understand.
Hedda:
Good. Now, there is a novice from Demeter's temple waiting by the pump. Give her food and shelter till we get back. Also, while I'm gone, I want Tasha excused from chores… and as a personal favor I ask that you check in on her at least once a day. She needs us right now, and after all she did for us when we were kids…
Varia:
(smiling) Ofcourse. I'd never let Tasha down… or you.
Hedda hugs Varia briefly, then hauls her fully packed saddlebag off the table, clips her Chakram to her belt, and leaves the hut. Varia watches her go, then leaves herself with the mask in her arms.
CUT TO:
Montage of Hedda and Todonius Racing to Arcadia.
Hedda and Todonius ride their horses as hard as they can.
When night falls and they reach a village along the way, they stable the horses, purchase new ones, and ride those hard all through the night.
The next morning, as the sun rises, they finally reach a Town on the border of Arcadia. They trade the horses they rode in on, at a loss, for two fresh stallions, scarfing down a small breakfast while they wait for the HORSE DEALER to shoe the horses and switch the saddles. While they are eating, Todonius examines Hedda's immobile face in the sunlight.
Todonius:
(concerned, but with his mouth full) Heddie, how are you?
Hedda:
(abruptly) I'm fine. Why?
Todonius:
(not buying it) You are not fine! No one could be fine at a time like this! What's really going on?!
Hedda:
"At a time like this?", "What's really going on?" Come on Toddy, you sound like a bad actress in one of Apollo's little theatrical productions, you know the ones where no one wears any clothes, sometimes not even the audience? (rolling her eyes) Grant it, I like a swinging orgy as much as the next girl, but art my ass!
Todonius:
(sighing in frustration) Hedda… Never mind!
Hedda:
(with resignation) Look Toddy, I'm sorry. I know you're only asking because you care about me, but if I explain it all now, I'll loose it like I did when I read the scroll two nights ago, and I can't afford that. I have to focus, and so do you. Who knows how many Knights of the Faith we'll have to take on once we get to Demeter's cottage? Just know that I appreciate your concern for me, and as soon as this is all over and we've found Demeter and Persephone someplace safe, then I'll tell you everything.
Todonius:
Everything? Promise?
Hedda:
(batting her eyelashes coquettishly) So long as you keep my plate full and the ale a' flowin'…
Todonius chuckles just as the Horse Dealer leads the two new stallions out, saddled and newly shod. Handing the man a two dinars for a tip, Hedda and Todonius quickly mount and ride off again without another word.
CUT TO:
A Valley in Arcadia. Mid-afternoon. Hedda and Todonius race up the final hill, their horses side by side. As they near the hill's peak, they slow their horses down, finally coming to a stop at the top, so that they can look down into the valley. The single little cottage looks serene, and undisturbed.
Todonius:
(relieved) We made it in time.
Not so quick to judge, Hedda has spots several sets of hoof prints outside the front door, then notices that there is no smoke rising from the chimney at the very time dinner should be cooking. She gets knot in her stomach and a terrible sense of foreboding.
Hedda:
(trying to hide her anxiety) I wouldn't count on that just yet if I were you.
Hedda kicks the stallion to go and they descend into the valley as quickly as is safe.
As they approach the cottage, Hedda hops off her stallion and draws her sword. Todonius follows her lead. Silently Hedda motions for him to go around back. As he does so, Hedda cautiously enters the dark cottage. The signs of a family living here are evident, but there is no sign of them. Hedda moves around the building's main room. She notices that there are logs in the fireplace, but they are new and cold, as if the occupants had put them in the night before so that they could light a fire first thing in the morning, but had never done so. Frowning, Hedda continues to the tiny kitchen nook and notices the small wood stove is cold as well, and the kitchen is tidy. Hedda tests the pump and clear water flows.
Hedda:
(whispering to herself) The water is still clear, so you couldn't have left that long ago.
Todonius:
(O.S. and horrified) Hedda! Hedda! By the Gods, Hedda!!!
Racing out of the kitchen, Hedda runs towards the sound of Todonius' voice, and is brought up short as she enters the family bedroom.
On the bed, completely covered in her own blood, is the stiff, white, body of Demeter. Her dead eyes are wide with terror and her hands are still tightly grabbing her abdomen. While she's obviously been this way for several hours, there is no sign of decay.
Todonius:
(transfixed in horror) That anybody should die like this…
Hedda:
(whispering numbly) We don't need a sacred dagger. Love is the only weapon we need. (fighting tears of rage) It's a weapon the gods neither have nor understand, so they can't defend themselves against it!
Todonius:
(in despair) Oh, Hedda, you know Eli didn't mean for this…
Hedda shakes off her stupor and grabs Todonius by the arm, violently yanking him out of the room.
Hedda:
(fiercely determined) Persephone! She'd want us to find Persephone!
Any semblance of caution gone, Hedda storms around the cottage, searching room by room, pulling Todonius around behind her like a rag doll. When she doesn't find anything, she goes out the back door and starts searching the grounds.
Hedda:
She's not here! She either got away or they bound her powers somehow and took her back to wherever they've made their new base to make a public spectacle of her death! Either way, maybe we can save her!
Todonius:
(in pain) Hedda, please!
Hedda looks at Todonius and immediately lets him go. He falls to the ground, but quickly gets to his feet.
Hedda:
Toddy, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to…
Todonius:
It's okay! I'd rather you drag me around like that! It means you're still angry, that you're still with me, not…
Hedda:
(with a haunted, matter-of-factness) Not a soulless vegetable like the last time? Yes, well, you can only be destroyed so totally once in your life. If you survive that, there's always a cold, dead spot in your heart to retreat to when you find more of the people you love are butchered.
Todonius nods with resigned acceptance, but runs a still nervous hand through his hair.
Todonius:
(needing to change the subject) So where are we going now? If she had gotten away, wouldn't she have gone to Olympus and wouldn't your father have told you before you got here?
Hedda:
(shaking her head in bitter amusement) Toddy, never assume anything about my father; you'll live longer that way. (thinking) But you do have a point, if Persephone did escape, she would have gone to Olympus. (closing her eyes to concentrate) Daddy!
Ares appears and looks around for a second, before realizing where they are. Seeing the look on Hedda and Todonius' faces, he already knows what's coming.
Ares:
Demeter?
Hedda nods and points back towards the cottage. Ares sighs before disappearing for a moment, then reappears in the same spot, mildly shaken but otherwise unaffected.
Hedda:
(cutting anything he could say off) We can't find Persephone. We thought she might have run back to Olympus.
Ares:
I haven't seen her, and no one on Olympus has mentioned her lately.
Hedda:
They must have her then. Toddy, get the map we brought of Arcadia. We'll follow the hoof prints I spotted earlier as far as we can, then…
Hedda suddenly looks around and finds Todonius missing. Completely confused, she is about to speak again, when she hears rustling in the tall bushes that surround the cottage. Going on alert once more, she slowly approaches the movement, while Ares draws his sword and goes with her. Suddenly, Todonius emerges with a large, silk wrapped, bundle in his arms, startling Hedda and Ares.
Hedda:
(scolding) Toddy, don't do that! You know…
Todonius:
(firmly cutting her off) I found Persephone… and him!
Quickly drawing back the silk, we get our first view of THANITOS, a dirty and blood-soaked little boy of about four years old, who is clinging to Todonius like a lifeline.
Todonius:
(gently) He was curled up in the bushes, next to your Aunts' body. The Christians obviously did as good a number on the daughter as they did on the mother.
Hedda closes her eyes for a moment, then comes closer to Todonius and the child to get a better look. A horrible realization dawns on Hedda face, and she looks back at her father who appears to have come to the same conclusion.
Hedda:
(in a broken whisper) Thanie? Is that you?
At the sound of his name, Thanitos suddenly begins to wail, then tosses Todonius back with the strength only a god could possess, and scrambles to attach himself to Hedda. Carefully, she detaches him just enough to pick him up, and hold him as he wraps himself around her like a clinging vine and sobs into her shoulder, her own tears now mingling with his. Todonius comes to stand beside Hedda, supporting her, while Ares tentatively rubs his sobbing nephew's back in an attempt to comfort him.
FADE OUT:
END OF ACT 1
READ ACT 2