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ACT II
9. INT. VARIA’S TENT - AFTERNOON
Gabrielle and Cora enter the tent. Varia is lying on her cot, face down. Her back is covered in bandages. Two Amazons are with her. One is obviously a medicine woman, the other a guard.
Gabrielle looks at her and winces.
CORA
Varia, Gabrielle seeks audience with you.
VARIA
(slowly sits up)
Leave us, Cora.
Cora nods and leaves looking at Gabrielle.
Gabrielle approaches, noticing that Varia’s face is bruised and badly cut. She takes a seat before the acting queen.
VARIA
(bitterly)
So now you arrive…
GABRIELLE
I am so sorry this is happening again. You and the others have every right to feel the way you do. But I want to make things right. I want to try and help.
VARIA
We were so many, now we are only a few. We were defeated! They let me live as a message to the others as to what was to come. Pain and torment!
(beat)
Look at me!
Gabrielle sees the tears begin to form behind eyes swollen from the beating she endured.
VARIA
(continued)
How can I lead them into battle when I can barely see?
GABRIELLE
Who did this to you?
VARIA
A strong, heavy man who is a very good warrior. Just about as good as Xena. He has weapons that I have never seen before. He uses them very well. Not to mention his fighting skills are way more advanced than ours. He’s quick, and quick to give a lot of pain and torture.
GABRIELLE
I’ll help lead this with you. But right now I think we need to find another Amazon to be your second-in-command the way Ephiny was my regent. Then, when something like this happens, someone can lead the Amazons.
VARIA
Two Queens? The Amazon Nation has always had one. This is a ridiculous plan!
GABRIELLE
(sighs)
It can be used as a battle tactic, to confuse the enemy. If they find out that they’ve killed the Amazon Queen, then they know they’ve won. But if there is another queen, they’ve only been fooled. You need someone who can be counted on to lead the nation when you’ve been hurt…like you are now...
(beat)
Or worse…killed…
(beat)
I can help train her. With the skills I’ve learned from Xena and my journeys to many lands, they will learn new techniques. The battle skills of the Amazons will be enhanced. Once she is trained, she can then help train the others.
VARIA
(nods her approval)
But, if this doesn’t work…
GABRIELLE
All I ask is for some time. Until we formulate a better plan.
(beat)
Who is the next in line for Queen?
VARIA
Andrea. And she can definitely use some training and skills. I want to be informed on her progress.
GABRIELLE
Yes, of course.
Gabrielle stands and takes hold of Varia’s hand. She squeezes it gently, letting her know that she will be there for her and for the Amazons, whether Varia wanted her to be or not.
CUT TO:
10. EXT. AMAZON CAMP - AFTERNOON
Gabrielle walks out of the tent and looks around. The camp is quiet. Several Amazon warriors sit huddled together, tending each other’s wounds. Others are in deep conversation stopping only long enough to cast cold glances in Gabrielle’s direction.
Cora approaches Gabrielle a few minutes later.
CORA
Dinar for your thoughts?
GABRIELLE
Where would I find Andrea?
CORA
(smiles)
That’s easy. Around this time she’s usually by the lake. Writing in her scrolls. She’s a dreamer that one.
Gabrielle smiles.
GABRIELLE
Never underestimate the power of a dreamer, Cora.
CUT TO:
11. EXT - LAKE - AFTERNOON
The two women step out of the foliage to find Andrea sitting on a boulder staring off into the distance, a far off look in her eyes. Her bare feet are ankle deep in the cool water and a parchment rests in her lap.
Gabrielle clears her throat and Andrea turns to the two women dreamily.
CORA
Andrea, meet your idol, Gabrielle. Gabrielle, this is Andrea.
Andrea gets up quickly, smiles and shakes hands with Gabrielle.
ANDREA
Wow, I’ve always wanted to meet you. I read some of the scrolls you left here. Ever since I read them, I write down everything about the Amazon Nation, its history, our tales, and my thoughts. Just like you.
GABRIELLE
(smiles)
It’s nice to meet you Andrea. I need to talk to you about something very important.
CORA
If you don’t mind I need to head back to camp.
Gabrielle and Andrea smile and they watch Cora leave. They both sit by the lake.
ANDREA
What is it that you wanted to talk with me about?
GABRIELLE
How would you feel about being a temporary Queen?
ANDREA
(wide eyed)
Oh no! What happened to Varia? I know I’m the next in line for being Queen. But I didn’t think it would be so soon. I’m not ready for this! Not ready at all!
Gabrielle looks at her calmly and places a hand on the young Amazon’s shoulder.
GABRIELLE
Take it easy, Varia is fine. We have a plan that might help save the Amazons.
ANDREA
(enthused)
What’s the plan?
Gabrielle with her arm wrapped around the young Amazon’s shoulders, leads her back to camp.
GABRIELLE
This is what we are going to do...
CUT TO:
12. EXT. AMAZON CAMP - LATE AFTERNOON
GABRIELLE
Well, this is part of the plan. Since Varia can’t lead the Amazons in her condition we need a stand in Queen.
ANDREA
(confused)
But what about you? Aren’t you our Queen if Varia can’t be?
GABRIELLE
Technically, yes. But I can’t always be here. Therefore, we're going to train you and some of our sisters, provide you with leadership and battle skills. Something that will help you lead with Varia. And this can be a good tactic to use to fool the enemy.
ANDREA
I think I understand. It’s like a King and his royal family, then the soldiers… right?
GABRIELLE
(smiles)
Now you’ve got the idea. One falls, but there is another to help lead.
(beat)
Can you fight?
ANDREA
(excitedly)
I can fight. I’ve trained with the others.
GABRIELLE
What is your weapon of choice? What are your best skills?
ANDREA
I prefer the staff. I was trained with that first.
GABRIELLE
So was I. Do you want to get started now?
ANDREA
Sure!
CUT TO:
13. INT. CYDONIA CASTLE - AFTERNOON
The King, a man in his sixties, sits on his throne sipping wine. Suddenly there’s a knock at the door.
KING
You may enter.
One of his trusted servants walks in and bows before him.
SERVANT
Your general wishes to see you, your majesty.
KING
Let him in.
The servant goes to the large door, opens it and motions the general to enter. The general enters and bows.
GENERAL
My men are growing restless; they want a surprise attack on the Amazons.
KING
They’ll have to wait. The next time we attack, I want them all dead.
The general nods and takes his leave. The servant enters hesitantly.
KING
What is it now, Iorgos?
IORGOS
Your son wants to speak with you, sire.
KING
Well tell him to come in.
The servant bows and leaves as the King’s son enters.
The Prince is a very young man, with boyish features, reminding the king of his second wife, both with the same blonde hair and blue eyes.
PRINCE
Father, I need to talk to you about this war against the Amazons.
KING
Nicholas, my son. We have discussed this before. You know why we are at war with them.
PRINCE NICHOLAS
Over land father. It seems unfair. They were here long before we came along to rule our kingdom.
KING
It’s never been just about land, my son.
PRINCE NICHOLAS
Then what, father? What could justify the death of so many innocent lives?
KING
Vengeance! Justice!
The young Prince is confused and approaches his father.
PRINCE NICHOLAS
Father? I… I don’t understand…
The King puts an arm around his young son’s shoulders.
KING
Long before you were born, I was married to another whom I loved dearly. She died during childbirth. Her gift to me was a son. My first born son… my only son... That is, until your mother presented me with you.
(beat)
He was murdered by an Amazon! Cut down in cold blood! I swore vengeance for my son’s death, as I would if anything happened to you!
PRINCE NICHOLAS
I sympathize with you father, but that was so long ago. Can’t we learn to forgive? Give them back their land, their peace. Your first son was probably killed for these very reasons! Taking away their land! It must stop somewhere, father!
KING
Enough! How can my own flesh and blood talk this way? You seem to care more about those Amazons then you do your own family!
PRINCE NICHOLAS
I care about everyone in our kingdom, father. I love our family dearly.
KING
Then act like it! No more of this rubbish!
PRINCE NICHOLAS
Father!
KING
Enough! Go about your studies. You have much to learn my son, so very much to learn.
The Prince watches as his father returns to his throne and takes up the goblet of wine. His father had changed since his mother died when he was a young boy.
Seeing that there was nothing else to be said, he turns to leave and shuts the doors behind him.
CUT TO:
14. EXT. AMAZON TERRITORY - LATE AFTERNOON
Gabrielle and Andrea are in an open field just outside the Amazon Village, several yards from the lake. Both women are holding staffs and are standing in battle stance.
Andrea looks at the staff in her hands. Then looks up at Gabrielle, who is gripping and twirling the staff in her hands.
ANDREA
Are you ready?
GABRIELLE
I haven’t used one of these in ages. I’m just trying to get a good feel for it.
(beat)
Well, ready to show me what you can do?
ANDREA
(nervously)
Ready.
She grins. And gets into a fighting stance.
Gabrielle makes the first move, their staffs meeting at the tips. Andrea makes a counter move, each feeling out the other. The sound of wood striking wood echoes through the clearing. Gabrielle steps up the pace, striking an overhead blow which Andrea blocks and then reverses her grip and sends a thrust toward Gabrielle’s leg which she counters. The two continue on, neither gaining an advantage until finally Gabrielle sees an opening. She pretends to stumble, then drops to one knee and sweeps her staff from right to left, just above the ground. She catches Andrea in the back of the left ankle and tugs sharply. Andrea loses her balance and falls.
Gabrielle helps Andrea up. Andrea brushes herself off and looks to Gabrielle wide eyed.
ANDREA
Wow, you really are a great warrior.
GABRIELLE
I wouldn’t call myself a great warrior.
The two women walk over to the lake and sit down. They look out over the water and watch the birds frolic on the sand.
ANDREA
I think I understand why you went with Xena and why you travel with her. It’s what I think I want to do one day. Travel, explore new lands, and meet new people.
(beat)
I was born into the Amazon tribe. It’s my blood. But, sometimes I think there’s just more to living than being in one village… seeing the same people day in and day out… I sometimes wish I had a companion to travel with.
GABRIELLE
Are you lonely here with the Amazons?
ANDREA
Well sometimes, and sometimes I feel like I just don’t fit in. I feel like an outsider sometimes. They call me a daydreamer and think I’m silly at times, which I probably am.
GABRIELLE
You’re too hard on yourself Andrea. You have yet to see what you can become. But one day you will be an Amazon Queen, and I have a feeling you’ll be a great leader. What makes you special is that you keep track of the Amazons by writing your scrolls. You keep alive the heritage of our people. And someday, someone will read those scrolls and know what became of our Amazon sisters.
ANDREA
Well, I certainly never thought of it that way. There is another thing I think about though.
Andrea glances at Gabrielle for a moment, picks up a stone and tosses it into the lake, where it skips across the surface before finally disappearing below the water.
ANDREA
(continued)
Gabrielle, have you ever wanted vengeance against anyone?
GABRIELLE
(nods)
Callisto.
ANDREA
I’ve heard stories about her. Why did you want vengeance?
GABRIELLE
She killed a very dear friend of mine. Someone I grew up with. Murdered him in cold blood, right before my eyes. I almost killed her but… well I couldn’t.
Andrea puts a comforting hand on Gabrielle’s shoulder.
ANDREA
I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to dredge up painful memories.
GABRIELLE
(smiles)
I’m okay. It was a lifetime ago.
(beat)
Well, shall we get back to some training?
ANDREA
Yes.
(beat)
I have heard that the man who calls himself Epicles has some unique weapons.
GABRIELLE
Then we’ll have to do our best to make more of our own, to defend ourselves.
CUT TO:
END ACT II
ACT III
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