FADE IN:

18. EXT. BURNING VILLAGE - DAY

All around there is mayhem, as soldiers chase and slay villagers where they find them. A screaming woman runs from a thatch house, a soldier right behind her. He winds his sword in the air and knocks her to the ground. He runs right over her in pursuit of his next victim. Another soldier pullshis short sword from a man's body and wipes it in the grass. Few people are spared from the slaughter. A centurion rides out to a tribune watching from a hill above the village.

There are no Iceni in this village. If there were, they have fled.

Send a rider to Governor Paulinus and give him the report. Get back down there and move your men on.

The centurion storms down the hill to gather the cohort into their ranks. A lone cavalryman rides off up the road to report to the Governor. The company of legionnaires marches off leaving bodies strewn all over the village.

CUT TO:

19. INT. GOVERNOR'S FIELD TENT - DAY

Paulinus receives reports from centurions as they come from the surrounding countryside. Ethne stands glaring.

YOU SAID, Iceni Celts crawling like fleas on a dog. YOU SAID, spreading like oil on water. YOU SAW, they burned Londinium to the ground! WHERE ARE THEY!

Paulinus slams his fist on the desk then shakes it in the air at Ethne.

I don't care if Nero's priests conjured you from Hades itself. I haven't come to make war on innocent people. WHERE ARE THESE ENEMIES OF ROME!

Ethne flies at Paulinus nearly snapping his neck in her ferociousness. She bends him to his knees and looks into his eyes with burning hatred.

You fool! I wasn't conjured from Hades. I was released, from beyond the gates of Er!

Her face relaxes into a wry smile.

I squeezed the eyes out of the fool who brought me into this world. The host was right, it was fun and I'll do the same to you if you don't march north and do battle with the Celts.

She twists the Governor's neck, bringing searing pain to his eyes.

DISSOLVE TO:

20. INT. TEMPLE - SOUTHERN BRITANNIA - ONE YEAR AGO

A Roman diviner examines the entrails of an animal in a silver bowl and places them on a bench behind a huge stone altar. A tall, well dressed Roman inspects the contents of the offering bowl.

Shall we commence Procurator Decianus?

The man nods. A soldier drags a cloaked woman into the temple and lifts her onto the altar. The priest binds her to the stone with leather ties. The priest removes a dagger from his belt and slowly waves it above the woman.

O puella de tenebrae.
(O child of darkness.)

MATCH CUT TO:

21. INT. AFTERLIFE - PERPETUAL NIGHT

A shadow falls across a soul, walking an endless gauntlet of torment and pain in the Malebolge. The demons hold back their lashes as the shadow speaks.

O child of darkness. The hour of your triumph is near. You, who were once flesh, shall walk again through the Colossus Gates. Come! The winds of time have changed.

Smoke obscures the form of the soul as it rises cloaked in flames, and follows the shadow through the mist.

CUT TO:

22. INT. TEMPLE - DAY

The last thing the Briton sees is the dagger plunging down and the priest holding up a heart. Decianus leans in to see. The priest smiles and presents the offering to him. Between them a hand darts up and snatches the organ from the priest's grasp.

I'll be needing that.

The soul sits up and reaches out to grab the priest's head. Decianus watches in horror as the soul's legs swing over the edge of the altar to reveal its true form. The soul squeezes the priest until he gasps and falls to the ground.

My host was right, that was very satisfying. Who do I have the pleasure of thanking? You?

Decianus stumbles backward crashing into the bench. The silver bowl bangs to the floor and scatters the entrails over the temple floor. He falls to his knees trembling.

Deus patronus meus, pugare timorum!
(Jupiter my protector, cleanse my fear!)

Latin, Latin. Enough! Spare my ears the pain. Tell me are you an ambitious man?

Decianus looks up, confusion crosses his face.

Where in the known world wouldn't you find an ambitious Roman?

He cautiously eyes the woman standing before him. She is attractive, her hair red and flowing, her lips full. Her gaze is intense and he quickly averts his eyes. He stands up and brushes at the dust on his tunic.

I am Catus Decianus, Imperial Procurator of the Emperor's Britannia Territories. You are?

Your new best friend. You may call me, Ethne Inguba!

CUT TO:

23. FLASHBACK SEQUENCE - PAULINUS' MEMORIES

Boudicea's face sunk in humiliation as she leaves a garrison with her daughters. Decianus laughing as the door closes behind her.

Paulinus commanding the destruction of the Druid sanctuary on the Isle of Mona.

The sight of a vast battlefield littered with the bodies of 80,000 fallen Britons.

A circle of officers witnessing the sentencing of Poenius Postumus, for withholding his forces when Boudicea attacked Camulodinium.

BACK TO:

Ethne throws Paulinus to the floor and stands over him. Her eyes blazing hatred.

Catus found out, and now you know. There are no innocent people in this world, only victors and vanquished. They are all stained. EVERYONE! So never speak to me again of innocence or Iceni.

Procurator Decianus? Catus Decianus? He was the one who ordered an old woman tortured and her daughters humiliated? He released you? You conniving hag! You two started all this!

Ethne laughs and bends down getting right in Paulinus' face.

That little prick of pain is nothing compared to what you'll feel when you are crucified for mutiny! Take the Legion north and DESTROY MY ENEMIES!

Paulinus buries his face in the floor. Ethne kicks him in the thigh and walks out. He lay writhing in the pain of Ethne's anger. Rising slowly he calls out.

QUAESTOR! Recall the companies and prepare to march. Ethne has foreseen the Iceni stronghold. It is in the northwest. Go now!

Crazy witch, I should have killed you when I had the chance.

CUT TO:

24. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - EVENING

Xena sees that Gabrielle is near exhaustion. They all look tired. Xena rides up beside Enya.

Gabrielle needs to rest. She had a rough night and she hasn't got much left. The horses are tired too. We won't need long, just dinner and a nap.

Forgive me for our haste. Of course we can stop.

Enya raises her hand and they all come to a halt. The warriors dismount and stretch. Enya slides down off her saddle beside Xena and Gabrielle.

The warrior women tend their horses and prepare a makeshift camp. A warm fire is started, and they all sit down to rest.

Xena throws down her bedroll for Gabrielle and takes out some food. Enya watches as Xena gently lays her cloak over Gabrielle and tucks in the edges. Xena stands and turns to face Enya.

She'll be snoring in one, two.

Xena pauses holding her finger in mid air.

There, hear that?

Xena smiles and walks over to sit with the women at the fire.

You are a warrior, aren't you Xena? Long hours in a saddle passing for you in the blink of an eye. How long have you known Gabrielle?

Gabrielle and I have traveled together for many years now.

Xena smiles. Her eyes flash.

Those horses sure would make a trip to Ch'in seem easy.

We've been breeding these lines for many generations. Not just horses, cattle too. Where is Ch'in?

Xena stares at the flames, chewing a piece of dried meat. The women lean in and hang on Xena's words.

Ch'in is far to the east. As far east from Greece, where I'm from, as Hibernia is west. We've just returned from a land beyond the setting sun.

Xena looks to the sky and picks a star. She points to the horizon.

I'm not the storyteller though. If you want to hear stories, ask Gabrielle; she'll talk your ears off.

The women laugh and talk amongst themselves leaving Xena to her thoughts.

My mother knew that you were coming. Do you know what she is so afraid of?

Ethne, the woman Gabrielle spoke of, is very dangerous. She is very much like someone I once knew in Greece. In Britannia she defeated a powerful warrior Queen.

Xena turns and looks at Gabrielle sleeping peacefully. She returns her gaze to the fire and rubs her bare arms against a chill.

CUT TO:

25. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT

The legion marches on through the night. The soldiers of Rome hardened by many battles keep up a staggering pace. Paulinus reins his horse up to Ethne.

The legion must have rest or you won't have an army by morning.

Go ahead, let them rest! Weak men make weak soldiers anyway. They move again at dawn. We are near, very near.

The legion halts and the men collapse down where they can to rest.

CUT TO:

26. EXT. ENYA'S VILLAGE - DAWN

Campfires dot the sides of the valley. On a hill above the village, a large sentinel fire burns. The riders gallop through the outskirts of the village. People stand at the roadside and watch as the warriors go by. Queen Maeve paces outside in anticipation of the warriors' return.

The riders thunder through the village directly to the Queen's lodge.

Enya dismounts and hugs her mother. She turns to her warriors.

Go to your families and rest. You served your Queen well today.

Enya bows to them and they disperse into the village. She waves for a young boy to come over, and hands him the reins of her horse.

Please take Xena's and Gabrielle's as well.

The boy gathers the horses and walks them away. Queen Maeve steps forward to greet Xena and Gabrielle.

Queen Maeve, Queen of the Erin Celts, I introduce to you, Xena Warrior, Princess of Amphipolis and Gabrielle, Warrior Bard of Potidaea.

Xena and Gabrielle bow their heads.

You must be very tired after having come such along way. Please let us retire to my lodge. You can tell me about your journey there.

CUT TO:

27. INT. QUEEN'S LODGE - MORNING

The lodge is open and has an airy feel. The ceiling is thatch laid on rafters high over head. Smoke from torches and a single fire rises through a hole in the middle of the roof.

Tapestries hang to divide the lodge into separate sections. Queen Maeve motions for the three women to join her on the skin rugs around the fire.

Gabrielle notices that Xena is unusually at ease. She looks at Queen Maeve, searching her face for the answer.

Your eyes, I know you! You visited our ship in the storm. A bird! You looked right at me.

Yes my dear. You were quite ill at the time. I saw your hearts and knew you were coming to Ireland. That is how I knew where to send my daughter to look for you.

Mother, Xena thinks the great danger is from a witch named Ethne.

Xena is right. My sister has returned home.

Xena and Gabrielle just look at each other. The Queen's words surprising even to Enya.

How could she be your sister. We were told this woman is a witch.

My elder sister and I are as two sides of a coin Xena. Ethne is a demon. She left these lands many years ago, after our father banished her for wearing the hides of the black bull. Hunger for the unnatural filled her heart with evil. We thought she died many years ago. I became Queen of the Celts in her place when our mother died.

Why has she returned now?

Only Ethne knows the answer to that question Gabrielle. I fear we shall all know soon enough.

Queen Maeve stands and the women rise with her.

Enya please show our guests to their room, they must be very tired.

Take rest. I will summon you later to meet the Council of Elders.

Enya bows and leads Xena and Gabrielle across the lodge to a small room behind the tapestry walls.

CUT TO:

28. EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY

The Legion makes its way into the valley head that leads to the Queen's village. Paulinus and Ethne pause and let the column pass as they view the countryside. Modest mountains cradle a long narrow lake that extends to the northwest. Paulinus leaves Ethne and rides to his tribunes signaling the legion to halt.

The astrological advisor tells me that the Iceni are at the far end of this valley, a half days march from here. They're trapped against the sea.

Paulinus points to a spot on the valley floor.

I want the field camp and mess set up there, in the widest part of the valley. The legion will rest for the remainder of the day.

He raises his hand and points to the mountains on the far side of the valley.

Tribune Titus, take two centuries along the northern ridge. Cavalry and lancers are to remain with the legion. Ordinaries with torches will lead the march. At dawn tomorrow we attack. We are near the enemy gentlemen. We are near our victory.

The Tribunes salute their commander.

For the Emperor! For the glory of Rome.

Paulinus accepts the salute.

For the Emperor! To the glory of Rome.

The Tribunes fallout to attend their assignments.

CUT TO:

29. INT. QUEEN'S LODGE - DAY

The lodge bursts with warriors and people standing shoulder to shoulder who have gathered together to defend against the Roman invaders. Queen Maeve greets the Council of Elders as they arrive. Xena and Gabrielle standwith Enya, waiting for her mother to introduce them.

Enya if Xena and Gabrielle are ready to meet the council, there is much we need to plan for and the day is getting long.

Queen Maeve raises her hands to silence the people around her.

Council of Elders, Honored Chiefs of the Clans and all warriors gathered. These women from lands far from here have come to help us.

Queen Maeve motions for Xena and Gabrielle to step forward.

Xena Warrior Princess of Amphipolis and Gabrielle Warrior Bard of Potidaea join us to tell the council of the danger we now face.

Gabrielle stands and faces the members of Maeve's council.

Ethne has no regard for life. Her strength lies in carefully picking allies with weak minds. She corrupted the Roman governor of Britannia and used him to defeated Queen Boudicea of the Iceni.

Gabrielle looks to Xena.

The Roman legion is the best army in the world. Your problems will be twofold, their shields and their javelins.

Xena pauses to survey her audience.

In battle the infantry leads with volleys of javelins to disable shields or kill as many of the enemy as possible. They carry strong shields and use them like a plow in a wedge formation.

Xena lunges forward with an imaginary shield and sword to demonstrate. She's flushed and her warrior spirit is infectious. The clan chiefs stomp the floor. Queen Maeve raises her hands to silence the chieftains.

Cavalry is the strongest force on the battlefield. Your mounted riders must save their spears for use against the infantry. The best place for a spear is in a Roman. The next best is in a Roman shield.

Xena pauses as the Chiefs nod in agreement. She looks to Maeve.

To win this battle we have to out flank them and overpower their shields.

Your knowledge of tactics is invaluable Xena.

Queen Maeve gestures with an outstretched hand to her council.

My sister is the greater threat though. That she is in Ireland means she has come to challenge my right as Queen. She has no doubt promised the Romans many favors for their help. She'll wait for her opponent's weakest moment to be revealed then make her attack. And... I'm her quarry.

The people speak amongst themselves and worried looks appear on many faces.

Enya steps forward and faces her mother.

Mother, your warriors will not let you or the village, come to harm. We will make Knocknarea our stand hill and the Romans will wish they had never come to us.

The council members, chieftains and warriors all bow to Queen Maeve. Maeve returns the bow.

Warriors! In haste do not forget to honor the Mother before you do battle. May you all find comfort in her blessing on the battlefield. Live well and long my people.

Queen Maeve raises her eyes to the roof and entreats the Mother Protector.

ARIANRHOD!
(aree-AN-rod)

ARIANRHOD!

The crowd files out of the lodge and leaves Queen Maeve to finish preparations.

Gabrielle, would you go with Enya and help to ready our defenses. I need to speak with Xena alone.

Gabrielle gives a quick bow and follows Enya outside to the courtyard.

CUT TO:

30. EXT. QUEEN'S LODGE - DAY

Enya leads Gabrielle across the common, to the paddocks.

We'll ride to the top of Knocknarea and you'll see why the Romans are going to regret this fight.

CUT TO:

31. INT. QUEEN'S LODGE - DAY

The Queen motions for Xena to sit and they make themselves comfortable.

Xena, I alone must do battle with my sister. I'll meet her in realm of Aei. (AY-EE)
I entrust you to keep this lodge safe for as long as you can. Be surprised by nothing you see on the day.

I knew another shamaness who once had similar ambitions. Your lodge will be safe, don't worry.

They fall silent and contemplate the woman Ethne.

FADE OUT.