ACT IV

FADE IN:

17. CARAVAN

Eve's eyes snap open and she flips herself up onto her feet. She wipes the blood from her mouth. Her brows are furrowed and for an instant, we can see a hint of her past reflected in her eyes.

The rebellious Elijians see the fire in her eyes and that makes them fight harder against the Romans. It spurs a few of the faithful start fighting back.

Gregor sees that Eve is standing and approaching Darius.

LIVIA'S AWAKE!!

Darius spins around, only to be met by a boot to his face.

Roman soldiers abandon the Elijans and rush at Eve. She blocks and fights back with a fury. It gives the Elijans pause.

Darren picks up a discarded sword and makes his way toward a recovering Darius. The Roman is completely unaware of his impending doom. The few soldiers who see what is happening are stunned and pause in their fight. The Elijans continue to fight, jarring the Roman soldiers back into battle.

Eve, turns to see Darren, sword in hand, about to raise the blade to end the life of his captor.

NO!

She does a helicopter kick which knocks all of her attackers away, and hurls her over to Darius and Darren. She catches the sword before it could find its target.

The Roman jumps away in surprise and tries to hit Eve, but she blocks with her shin. She lets Darren go assuming he'll stand back, but he, instead, rushes forward, ready to kill Darius. Eve catches him and tosses him into a group of Elijans, who hold him in check.

The Elijans, all except for a scattered few and the children, pick up whatever weapons they can - thick branches, discarded swords, and rocks. The Romans regroup and band together, all facing Eve and the Elijans.

Nice to see that you're back with us, Livia. Thank you for saving my life... I'll make sure to tell Caesar about it when I see him again.

I hope your trip is uneventful... we're staying here.

I can't allow that.

You don't have a choice.

Aren't you afraid of what will happen to you? The Giver of Eli's word straying from His Path? I'm sure He's got strong words of condemnation for you.

I still celebrate Him and His Word... but I've come to realize that it's easier to do that if you're alive.

Darius smirks.

You won't be for much longer, once Caesar figures out what to do with you.

Romans charge!

The soldiers charge, with Darius leading and a great melee ensues.

Rock and branches are hurled and slammed against Romans as they block and counter with their swords, fists, and daggers.

Darius rushes at Eve with his sword drawn.

Eve side-steps him, grabs his arm and bends it just before it could skewer the Elijan behind her, then twists his sword and his arm backwards, locking it and forcing him to his knees. He drops the sword and she bends close to whisper into his ear.

Tell them to back off.

No!

Yes!!

Back down! Back down!

The Romans back off, but the Elijians are getting into the battle. They follow the Romans as they leave.

Stop! Don't follow them.

The Elijians look at her, but listen. Barely. Eve pushes Darius onto his back and stands over him.

Go back to Rome and tell Caesar to leave the Elijans alone.

You know I can't do that, Livia.

Eve crouches.

My name is Eve... and I know you can forget about us... saving your own skin has always been more important than the Glory of Rome. I have a long memory, Darius.

Eve helps Darius his feet. He rubs his arm, a petulant, childish pout on his face.

Leave us be. You know what I'm capable of...

Darius turns away and at his lead, so do the other Romans.

Suddenly, Darius spins and throws his dagger at Eve's head. She catches it and throws it right back. It nicks Darius' neck then imbeds itself in a near-by tree. The Roman grasps his neck, but smiles.

You missed.

I don't miss...

Darius grows pale as realization dawns on him. Eve smirks. The Roman soldiers start to charge.

Stand down!

Darius! We can take them!

No... we can't... not without killing them. Caesar was implicit - he wants them alive.

We can't just let them go.

Darius looks at Gregor as if conveying a hidden meaning.

If you're so keen on going to Elysium, then by all means stay. The rest of you, regroup... We start back to Rome.

You're going to wish you had let your life end by letting me take you to Jerusalem...

Eve.

The soldiers and their supervising praetorians leave, picking up what they dared in the face of angry, advancing Elijians.

Soon, the area is clear of Romans. The faithful Elijians look at Eve with distrust as the rebellious ones congratulate her and each other.

You're a blasphemer, Eve... Unworthy to spread the word of Eli.

That isn't for you to decide. Right now, this is the best way for me to serve him, and you... But, thanks to the Romans, we're closer to our goal, the sanctuary isn't far from here... only a day or so further.

Let's get going...

Eve and the Elijans pick up a few of the things left by the Romans and start back on their path to the sanctuary.

DISSOLVE TO:

18. VALLEY PATH

Several hours have passed. Eve is alert and listening carefully for sounds that don't belong among the shuffling Elijan feet. She hears a shift above her and a bit of dirt trickles down the valley wall.

Down!

The Elijians drop before a volley of stones fly out above their heads, followed by a few yelling and running Romans. Soon the stones stop and the rest of the Roman soldiers descend on the Elijans. Eve flips up onto her feet and grabs a sword from one of the Elijians and starts to fight.

Get them out of here!

He nods and gets them away from the battle. Darius and Gregor ride up with nets and try to ensnare Eve.

If we cannot capture you all, we will take what we can get.

Eve catches the nets and with a hard yank, she pulls them down, off of the horses and traps them with their own weapons.

I never did understand how you came to be in a place of authority, Darius, with all of the poor decisions that you make.

I'm talented.

I bet.

The Elijians, through crude defense and desperation, are effective against the Romans, driving them away or knocking them out.

The soldiers leave Darius and Gregor to the mercies of the Elijians.

Gather up all weapons you can find and distribute them to those willing to fight.

We'll take them with us.

I don't see why we should bother... why not kill them now?

They have to face justice, not the vengeful blade of the wronged.

They, and we, will find no justice except from the sword.

You wouldn't be killing them to protect yourself... They are unarmed and bound. You would be murdering them. It's wrong.

Oh, you're one to talk...

I've learned my lesson... You must learn yours.

Let's go.

Eve and a couple of other Elijians help the Romans to their feet, but Eve is in control of their leash. They refuse to take a step.

Don't make me make you move.

She pointedly looks at one of the Roman horses roaming free.

I have no order to bring you in unscathed and your cage is gone. Move.

Darius and the praetorian start walking. They look at each other and start to run, but with a quick flick of Eve's wrist, the "leash" that she's holding tenses and they are flung backwards.

I'm in control... Don't try stupid things like that again or I'll let Darren do whatever he wants to you.

Darius and Gregor stand and, cowed, walk.

If we get out of this, I will see to it that you're stripped of your position and rights, Darius...

Who is going to believe you, Gregor?

Quiet.

They walk on in relative peace. Darren catches up with Eve.

What's come over you?

I had an epiphany while I was unconscious... We have to ease the burden on Eli by taking responsibility for ourselves and our own actions. When we do that, life will become easier because then He is free to pay attention to the small details.

Eve smiles at Darren.

I'm proud of you...

I nearly killed him...

But you didn't. It takes one of great strength to not dole out worse than one received... you did well.

You all did very well!!

Yes... You all did very well by disobeying your God. Very intelligent. I hope He doesn't decide to put a horrible disease on you...

And let's hope that Mars, not to mention Caesar, isn't too terribly disappointed in such a cowardly praetorian...

The faithful Elijians also catch up to Eve.

I don't know what to believe now... You've taken up the sword again, but we're free.

It is the Will of Eli. Some must fight for the many so they have a chance to thrive.

How much further until we reach the sanctuary?

Several days, perhaps longer. We'll leave Darius and Gregor with the magistrate in a nearby village.

They walk into the woods.

DISSOLVE TO:

19. SMALL VILLAGE - SUNSET

People are bustling about, selling and trading or going to the tavern where a lyre and soft singing can be heard.

The villagers buzz with excitement at the arrival of all the new people...especially when they see the bound Romans and the swords in Elijian hands.

What's the meaning of this?

Bring me your magistrate.

The villager runs to do as asked. The Romans look around in disgust.

Just kill us, Eve, and get it over with.

No.

You know that the Legion will come back for us...they will find this village and destroy it.

Perhaps... but not without a fight.

The villager comes back with their magistrate, a stern-looking young man, who is frowning.

Eve?

Yes... I am Eve. Take Darius and Gregor of Caesar's praetorian guard to your holding room. They're to be stripped of all insignia and all that can be attributed to Rome and dressed in normal clothes. Keep the insignia and armor far away from them.

A guard is to be kept every moment. Change the guard every few candle marks and when they come on shift, each guard is to check their bindings, any locks and all windows.

They're to be treated well and fed proper food. I will be back to check on them in a summer.

Eve, we don't have the resources... we can't fight.

You won't have to if they -

- are willing to stand guard and protect the village.

You'll be fine.

The magistrate looks at the motley assortment of Elijians with weapons, who are agreeing among themselves with her words.

Have you lost Eli, Eve?

No...I have found a way to serve Him that I can be happy with.

The magistrate nods.

I only hope this will work out.

It will...just have faith.

Eve walks up to Darius and takes his belt and sheathe out from under the netting...then puts it on herself and sheathes her weapon.

Don't fight them... I'm not gonna be here to stop them.

Perhaps you should take their armor...

No. I shouldn't take this sword, but I'll need it for my journey. I'm going to get a few provisions before I leave and that should be enough to keep me until I get to where I'm going.

Where is that?

To follow a vision to Judea.

The Romans are surprised.

Judea is a deathtrap for you Elijians... I hope they find you and make it last forever...

I know...that's why I have to go. I have to save Him.

I must send a message to my mothers... They need to be there to help Him as well.

He? Him? Who are you talking about?

Eli... He has come back.

A ripple of excitement moves through the crowd.

We should all go!

No... The road is too dangerous and the time too volatile. Some of you will be staying here... I want you to make sure the Romans get what they deserve. I will take the rest of you to the sanctuary...after that, I have to head off, alone. Like they said: it's the lion's den. I will be back, be sure of that.

With that, Eve and the magistrate head into the nearby market place - just a few stalls set up in between businesses, and start to make preparations for her departure.

CUT TO:

20. ANGLE ON DARIUS

Darius smirks at Gregor.

This is ending better than even Caesar could have hoped. She's walking to a worse death than what she would have gotten in the games...

A shadow passes over Darius' face as he laughs.

FADE TO BLACK:

THE END

Disclaimer: Eve learned that it was a good idea to listen to the voices inside her head.