| ACT II
6. EXT. AMPHIPOLIS – DAY - FLASHBACK
FADE IN.
It is late afternoon on a summer’s day. A large group of masked
horsemen rides into the village. The villagers flee in horror. One of the warriors chases
an old farmer, amused by the man’s terror.
WARRIOR
(calling to the others)
Take no prisoners! Kill them all!
Theron, a 16-year-old boy, runs into a barn.
CUT TO:
7. INT. BARN – DAY - FLASHBACK
The interior of the barn does not look like a regular barn. There
are no crops, no agricultural machinery. Weapons, mainly swords, are leaning against the
walls.
A group of young men and boys, between 14 and 20 years of age, are
huddled around a table. When Theron enters, they give way. 17-year-old
Xena is sitting at the table. In front of her are primitive, handmade maps. Her hair
is long and unattended and there is a strange flicker in her eye, but otherwise she looks
like an ordinary country girl.
THERON
They’re here.
Xena looks up, calmly.
XENA
Let’s go.
CUT TO:
8. EXT. AMPHIPOLIS – DAY - PRESENT
A group of horsemen rides into the village. People flee everywhere.
Vendors are torn between the need to protect their merchandise and fear for their
lives.
Xena flips and lands on one of the horses. She elbows the warrior in
the face, causing him to fall down. She draws her sword and rides toward a couple of
warriors. A few sword blows are exchanged and Xena rides on.
CUT TO:
Toris rushes to Leandra and the children. He tears a pole from one of the stalls. The stall collapses. He uses the poll as a staff. He fights a warrior off, while ordering Leandra, the children, and some villagers into the inn. He continues fighting, guarding the inn's entrance.
CUT TO:
Xena turns her horse around and goes at the warriors again. She
jerks the horse’s reins quite suddenly, flips down and lands directly in front of the
warriors. Their horses rear in surprise. One of the warriors charges at her. Xena rolls
beneath his horse, and, using the animal’s tail for balance, flips and lands on its
back. She slits the warrior’s throat with her sword. The other warrior rides away.
Xena chases after him.
CUT TO:
The few townspeople left outside are running around frantically. A
young woman trips over her long, white gown. Gabrielle dodges a warrior with a strike of
her sais and rushes to help the woman up.
Two warriors, now on foot, run toward Gabrielle. Gabrielle is ready
for them.
The young woman looks at her dress, which is now torn and dirty.
YOUNG WOMAN
It’s torn.
Gabrielle turns around.
GABRIELLE
Run! What are you waiting for?
The woman starts running in a zigzag.
Gabrielle turns around again just in time to strike at the warriors.
She fights them both. One of their swords scrapes her arm. She keeps fighting them. She
knocks one of the warriors down, and another appears at her back. She turns aside and
fights both warriors.
CUT TO:
Xena reappears on horseback. She jumps down and fights her enemies
face to face. She mortally stabs one warrior and knocks another unconscious.
From the corner of her eye she notices Toris’s moves and she
cannot help being impressed. When she notices an unexpected blow coming Toris’s way,
she throws her chakram and knocks Toris’s rival down.
The few warriors left standing run for their horses.
Gabrielle starts running after them.
XENA
Let them go!
Gabrielle turns around.
Xena is kneeling by the warrior she has knocked unconscious. He
moans and reaches for his bleeding forehead. Xena puts the pinch on him.
XENA
I’ve just cut the flow of blood to your brain. You’ll be
dead in 30 seconds unless you tell me who sent you.
WARRIOR
X... Xanthos.
XENA
Go on! Why did he send you?
WARRIOR
He wants an open path to the shore, for his business with
Persia.
Xena releases the pinch. The warrior passes out. Xena remains
crouched beside him, thinking.
CUT TO:
9. INT. INN – NIGHT - FLASHBACK
A big crowd of men sits around the tables at the inn. Half empty
goblets and dishes with bread, muffins and fruits are in front of them. Everyone is
talking at once. Cyrene is standing behind the counter, eyeing her customers and refilling
goblets. Xena and 15-year-old Lyceus are helping her.
Theristes, a tall, impressive man in his early 40’s, gets up.
The crowd quiets.
THERISTES
You all know me.
People growl in agreement, some say, ‘Yeah’ and
‘sure.’
THERISTES
You know I’ve fought three wars. You also know I wouldn’t
lie to you.
People nod, again say, ‘Yeah.’ One man’s voice is
heard over the rest.
MAN
Sure. We trust you.
THERISTES
So you must believe me when I tell you there’s no need to
panic. I know the likes of Cortese. There’s nothing for him in a village like ours.
He won’t come here.
Xena steps from behind the counter.
XENA
How can you be so sure?
The people eye her disfavorably. A very old man sitting close to
the counter puts a trembling hand on her shoulder, trying to make her sit down.
OLD MAN
Hush, little girl! Let the man speak!
Theristes goes on as if he hasn’t heard Xena, but he is clearly
annoyed.
THERISTES
He has nothing to gain by coming here: He’s rich on supplies.
He doesn’t take prisoners. Our village and the neighboring villages are small and
unimportant. His rivals have never tried to conquer these parts. Why should he?
XENA
What if he’s smarter than the rest? What if he’s after
something that nobody else has thought of?
THERISTES
(dismissively)
Like what?
XENA
Well, he’s already conquered Serres and Skopos, and rumor has
it he’s targeted Mirkinos too.
THERISTES
Get to the point, girl.
XENA
I say he’s after control of the Strymon.
Theristes bangs on the table with his empty goblet.
THERISTES
This is the biggest nonsense I’ve ever heard. What would a
warrior like Cortese want with a river? You don’t know what you’re talking
about.
Xena’s temper is aroused, but she makes a visible effort not to
show it.
XENA
Could be. But what if I’m right?
THERISTES
You’re wrong.
XENA
But what if I’m not? Are you willing to take that chance?
It is clear that Xena’s words have gotten through to some of
the people. They start talking to each other. An old man gestures toward Xena. The man he
is talking with nods.
Xena watches them, pleased, and uses the momentum to start talking
again. All the while Cyrene is eyeing her worriedly.
XENA
I think we should be prepared. If Theristes is right then no harm
is done. But if he’s wrong ... it’s our best shot.
Stentor, a solid man of about 50 gets up. People hiss each other.
STENTOR
But even if she’s right, even if Cortese does come this way ...
look at us: we’re farmers, not warriors. We have maybe two swords between us and no
fighting skills. Cortese is strong. His people are skilled.
(facing Xena)
What you’re suggesting is suicide.
XENA
So we should just give up? Let him conquer our village? Let him kill
us all?
STENTOR
If you’re right then we’re all dead anyway.
XENA
Not if I have anything to say about it. Besides, if we’re going
down, we might as well go down as heroes, not cowards.
The young men are clearly taken by her approach. They look at her,
nod and nudge each other. Some even make mock fighting moves. A worried Cyrene looks on as
the crowd becomes increasingly excited.
THERISTES
This is insane.
Nobody seems to heed to him.
THERISTES
You can’t listen to her. She knows nothing about war. For
Ares’s sake, she’s only a child.
Selantius, a burly 18-year-old gets up.
SELANTIUS
What does it matter how old she is, father? She’s right. If I
am going to die, I’d rather die a hero.
Other young men murmur excitingly, saying, ‘Yeah’ and
‘that’s right.’
Cyrene watches as Lyceus moves closer to Xena, eyeing her adoringly.
Silently, she steps out from behind the counter and walks out of the inn.
CUT TO:
10. EXT. OUTSIDE THE INN – NIGHT - FLASHBACK
Cyrene breathes deeply. She puts her hands on her hips and closes
her eyes.
The inn’s door opens and out comes Xena.
XENA
Mom, are you all right?
Cyrene turns to look at Xena, her eyes blazing.
CYRENE
No, I’m not all right. How can I be all right when my own
daughter is trying to convince everyone to go to war?
XENA
I thought you understood.
CYRENE
Understood what? That you want to play warrior? Xena, this is not
one of your games. This is a serious matter.
XENA
Is that what you think? That I’m just playing some kind of a
game? This is our village we’re talking about. We have to defend it.
CYRENE
At any cost?
XENA
Well, yeah. I’m surprised at you, Mom. You’re the one
who’s always taught me that home is the most important thing.
CYRENE
Life, Xena. Life is the most important thing. And if you think that
I’m just going to stand here and watch you throw it away, then you still have a lot
to learn.
Cyrene turns toward the inn. Xena calls after her.
XENA
I’m not a child, Mother. It’s my life. I can do whatever I
want with it.
Cyrene turns around sharply.
CYRENE
But it’s not only your life we’re talking about.
XENA
I’m not forcing anyone to join me. Whoever does must believe in
the cause.
CYRENE
You seem so unaware of the power of your words. People are listening
to you; young, impressionable people, like your brother. Your words can be their death
sentence.
XENA
Lyceus has a mind of his own.
CYRENE
But he thinks the world of you. He’ll do whatever you tell him
to do. If you told him not to ...
XENA
I'm not going to tell him anything. It’s up to him to
decide.
The inn’s door opens and out comes Lyceus.
LYCEUS
People are asking for you.
Xena glances back at Cyrene.
XENA
I’m coming.
Lyceus and Xena enter the inn. Cyrene remains outside, burying her
face in her hands.
CUT TO:
11. INT. INN – DAY - PRESENT
The inn’s door opens. Xena and Gabrielle enter. A lot of people
are huddled by the opposite wall, looking scared.
XENA
They’re gone.
People cheer.
XENA
For now.
People start whispering, looking concerned.
XENA
We must decide what we’re going to do.
Calamos, a plain looking man in his late 40’s steps forward.
CALAMOS
The village had been abandoned for years. We’re not even done
rebuilding it yet.
XENA
And?
CALAMOS
We have nothing: no weapons, no supplies to keep us going under a
siege.
XENA
I realize that.
CALAMOS
What do you plan to do?
XENA
I’m not sure yet. This warlord is new. But I will need access
to everything you’ve got.
The villagers talk among themselves. Calamos’s voice is heard
in the background while Xena and Gabrielle speak.
XENA
I’ll need your help.
GABRIELLE
Of course. What do you want me to do?
XENA
I need you to take some people and go to the river to dismantle the
bridges.
GABRIELLE
Is that all?
XENA
No. Then I need you to put some people on the lookout.
Gabrielle nods and hurries outside. Xena moves on to Leandra.
XENA
Leandra, I need you to go to everyone’s houses and collect all
the jars of oil you can find.
LEANDRA
Oil?
XENA
Yes. And have the men carry them all to Nikkos’s barn.
LEANDRA
Where is that?
XENA
Ask your... ask around. Everybody knows where it is.
Toris is standing right next to Leandra, but Xena passes him by
without acknowledging him and turns to Calamos, who is standing on his other side.
XENA
Calamos.
CALAMOS
Yes?
XENA
Who’s Amphipolis’s carpenter now?
CALAMOS
Hipomenes.
XENA
And the tanner?
CALAMOS
Megaros.
XENA
Tell them both to meet me here.
CALAMOS
I will.
Calamos goes out. Toris turns to Xena.
TORIS
Xena ...
XENA
Not now.
TORIS
I want to help. Tell me what to do.
XENA
(without looking at him)
Take the children to the woods and collect acorns.
Toris is clearly offended, but he immediately starts gathering the
children.
Xena steps out of the inn.
CUT TO:
12. INT. BARN – DAY - FLASHBACK
A few young men enter the barn carrying a table. The younger boys
carry a few stools. Xena shows them where to put them. Theron turns to Xena.
THERON
What now?
XENA
Go fetch Maphias!
Xena paces around the barn, thinking hard. She goes to the door and
peers outside, then comes back in and paces some more.
The door opens and in comes Maphias, 18 years old. He is visibly
nervous.
MAPHIAS
Theron said you wanted to see me.
XENA
Sit down!
Maphaias sits down. He looks at Xena adoringly.
Xena towers over him.
XENA
I suppose you’ve heard we’re going to fight Cortese.
MAPHIAS
That’s crazy. You can’t win.
XENA
Don’t you start, too.
MAPHIAS
I’m just concerned about you.
XENA
Don’t be!
MAPHIAS
How can I not be? This is suicide. Everybody says so.
XENA
It’s just like you to listen to everybody. I should have known.
Go!
MAPHIAS
What did you summon me for?
XENA
It doesn’t matter now. You’re obviously too much of a
coward to fight for your own home. Go, join Stentor and the other cowards, run for the
hills!
MAPHIAS
I’m sorry, Xena. I didn’t mean to upset you.
Xena leans forward.
XENA
You can’t afford to sit on the fence anymore, Maphias.
We’re at war. You have to pick sides.
A short silence.
MAPHIAS
I’ll do whatever you ask, but you know I’m no fighter.
XENA
(sneeringly)
Yeah, I know.
(somberly)
I want you to draw some maps of the area. And I want you to do it
today. Last I’ve heard, Cortese was heading for Mirkinos.
MAPHIAS
I’ll do that.
Silence. Xena turns away. Maphias is still sitting.
MAPHIAS
Xena?
Xena turns around sharply.
XENA
What?
MAPHIAS
What about that other thing? You know? That thing we were talking
about?
XENA
I don’t have time for that now. Now get to work!
Maphias gets up and leaves. Xena starts pacing again.
CUT TO:
13. EXT. AMPHIPOLIS – DAY - PRESENT
Villagers run all over the place, preparing for battle. Xena goes
around the village and shouts out orders.
XENA
You, come here!
A man in his 30’s runs to her.
MAN
Yes?
XENA
Go fetch some thin ropes and come back here.
The man runs. Xena taps on the shoulder of another man.
XENA
Maeon?
MAEON
Yeah?
XENA
When he returns, go to the woods and tie the ropes around the trees,
knee high.
MAEON
Will do.
The man starts walking. Xena calls after him.
XENA
And take some nets with you too.
MAEON
I will.
Leandra approaches Xena.
LEANDRA
I did what you said. We’ve got about three dozen jars. The men
are moving the last ones to the barn.
XENA
Good.
Leandra goes into the inn.
Calamos arrives with Hipomenes and Megaros.
XENA
I’m glad you’re here. What I need is quite simple. Which
one of you is the carpenter?
HIPOMENES
I am.
XENA
I need you to make a big sp ...
Leandra reappears, looking worried.
LEANDRA
Where are my children?
XENA
They’re not here?
LEANDRA
No.
XENA
Then they must be with your father. I sent him and the children to
gather acorns.
Leandra is still uneasy.
LEANDRA
Which way did they go?
As Xena points toward the woods, Toris appears, a big sack on his
back, accompanied by a big group of children.
Leandra rushes to Toris. Little Xena is right next to him, but
little Lyceus is nowhere around.
LEANDRA
Where’s Lyceus?
TORIS
I thought he was with you.
Leandra grabs little Xena by the shoulders.
LEANDRA
Xena, where’s Lyceus?
LITTLE XENA
I don’t know, Mommy. He was at the inn when we left.
Leandra turns around and looks at Xena frantically.
FADE OUT.
END ACT II
ACT
III
|
