FADE IN

The camera pulls in on Xena, Gabrielle, and Darion making their way down the countryside. Darion is riding behind Xena on Argo, while Gabrielle is riding alone. The camera pulls around to show a destroyed village at the bottom of a hill--the village the Renegades attacked in "The Outlaws."

DARION (looks down at the remnants of the village):
     What happened here?

GABRIELLE:
     It--it was attacked.

Darion looks away grimly, obviously remembering the day his own village was attacked.

Xena peers down into the distance, then brings Argo to a halt and holds out a hand to stop Gabrielle.

XENA (puzzled):
     There's somebody down there.

GABRIELLE:
     Impossible.There shouldn't be anybody there--it's just--

The camera zooms in to show three figures moving around the ruins. It's too far away to see who they are.

XENA:
     I'll go down there and check it out. (after a moment's pause, she turns to look at Darion, then glances at Gabrielle) Maybe you two should stay here.

DARION (sullenly):
     We'll go.

CUT TO

The remnants of the village. Xena, Gabrielle and Darion are walking down what used to be the main street, Xena and Gabrielle leading their horses. Darion looks around, obviously disturbed.

Pan to the remnants of a house, with most of the front wall still standing though charred, and a door hanging off the hinges.

XENA (pointing to the house):
     There!

There is movement in the doorway. The door swings open and out comes Lykia. She looks surprised; pan to the shocked faces of Xena, Gabrielle and Darion.

DARION:
     Lykia?

LYKIA:
     Darion! Hey...

She runs toward her brother and they hug and kiss each other.

LYKIA:
     Is it just me or did you get bigger since the last time I saw you?

She releases Darion and looks up at Xena and Gabrielle.

LYKIA (nods, a little distant):
     Um...hi.

XENA:
     Whatch'a doing here?

Before Lykia can answer, Caleb comes out of the wrecked house, followed by his sister Alissa.

LYKIA (gestures toward them):
     I was just here with them. We wanted to look around and see if there was anything we could do rebuild this place.

GABRIELLE (warmly):
     Caleb, Alissa! (She comes up to hug them) It's good to see you.

CALEB (hugs her back a little stiffly):
     Good to see you too, Gabrielle-- (nods to Xena) Xena. Hey, Darion.

DARION:
     Hey.

XENA:
     Rebuild... (she looks around and shakes her head bitterly) There's nothing but ruins here--you'd have to build the whole place from scratch. (She look at the house; then to Caleb, with an understanding, anguished look) This was your house.

Caleb nods uncomfortably.

GABRIELLE:
     Why aren't you back at the Amazon village?

Caleb and Alyssa look away uneasily.

LYKIA (fidgets):
     It's...complicated.

Xena and Gabrielle stare at her, obviously taken aback.

DISSOLVE TO

The Amazon hut. Scyliea is lying on the bed, holding her baby in her arms, wrapped in a blanket. She runs her finger over the baby's cheek and the baby gurgles. Scyliea smiles.

SCYLIEA:
     He's so beautiful...

Eve and Cyane stand still, looking at mother and child. Eve motions to Cyane that they leave the hut. Cyane nods, understanding.

EVE (gently):
     Scyliea, you need rest. We'll--see you later.

SCYLIEA (looks up):
     Eve...Cyane...thank you. (sighs) Even if you can't--do anything...your being here means a lot.

CYANE (at a loss for words):
     We'll--try.

Eve nods wordlessly and they start to walk out.

CUT TO

Outside the hut. Eve and Cyane come out. The camera pulls around to show Othila coming toward them.

OTHILA (formal):
     So. I am told Scyliea has given birth.

EVE:
     She has. She and the baby are-- (she pauses) fine.

Othila looks at her expectantly.

EVE (sighs):
     A boy.

OTHILA (looks at her steadily):
     My queen--you know the law. She has one week to leave Amazon lands with her child.

EVE (vehemently):
     I would like the council to reconvene and reopen this question.

OTHILA (shrugs):
     It's within your power to call the council, but I don't see what you hope to accomplish. The law is what it is.

Zoom in on Eve as she looks pensively at Othila.

CUT TO

Elsewhere in the Amazon village. A group of girls, ranging in age between about six and twelve, are gathered around a dark-haired Amazon. As the camera zooms in, we recognize her as Phania, the scarred Renegade Livia once threw overboard.

PHANIA (a hateful look on her face):
     ...and then, we were all marched out on the deck--in chains--and, one by one, the prisoners were thrown into the water. In chains. I heard them scream as they fell--and then I, too, was dragged to the edge of the deck--

The camera pans over the girls' faces in close-up. They listen raptly and fearfully.

PHANIA (continues, off-camera):
     She was standing there with a sword in her hand--and I heard her say, "Next!"

AMAZON GIRL #1 (a redhead of about eight; speaks up timidly):
     You mean--Queen Eve?

Pan back to Phania, a nasty sneer on her face. Behind her, we see Antiope walking by, glancing suspiciously in Phania's direction.

PHANIA:
     Back in those days, she called herself-- (spits out the word) Livia.

Behind her, Antiope comes closer.

AMAZON GIRL #2 (dark-hared and about 10 years old; firmly):
     I don't believe you!

PHANIA (laughs harshly):
     You poor, deceived children. Some day you'll find out--

Antiope comes up and grabs Phania shoulder, interrupting her. She whips around. The Amazon girls all back away, nervously.

ANTIOPE (angrily):
     What do you think you're doing?!

PHANIA (casually):
     Just telling the girls a story. My story.

ANTIOPE (looks at the frightened girls):
     Go on, girls.

AMAZON GIRL #1:
     But is that true what she said about Queen Eve?

PHANIA (jeering):
     Go on, tell them. (laughs scornfully) Tell them the truth.

ANTIOPE (to the girls):
     We'll talk about this later. Now go!

The girls walk away, turning to look nervously at Phania and Antiope and whispering among themselves.

ANTIOPE (to Phania):
     You know, whatever Eve may have done in the past--she took you into this tribe. She could have turned you over to Melodic and his men to be hanged like a common thug.

PHANIA (snarls):
     And I'm supposed to forget what she did, to me and to the other Amazons? Well, I would rather have died with Andromache--my true queen--than live under Queen Livia!

ANTIOPE:
     The entire time you've been here, you've done nothing but incite people against her. (forcefully) This has to stop.

PHANIA (chuckles):
     And what are you going to do about it, Antiope? Kill me like you killed your sister?

Antiope screams and tackles Phania. Phania dodges her attack, spins around and kicks Antiope hard in the stomach. Antiope gasps and doubles over; Phania punches her, shoving her to the ground. She's just about to slam her foot down on Antiope's back when Antiope rolls away, then leaps back up and goes on the attack again with a ferocious yell. She kicks Phania in the shin, making her stagger momentarily, then lands a couple of punches. Phania lands a punch in turn, then leaps, kicking out her legs and slamming her boots into Antiope's chest. Antiope staggers but manages to grab Phania's ankles and throw her down on the ground so that she lands on her back. Phania kicks hard at Antiope's ankle and she sprawls as well, falling face down.

Phania is the first to leap to her feet. Two Amazons are already running toward them, one of them carrying a staff. Phania tackles her, taking the woman by surprise, and manages to grab her staff from her, then down her with a kick, giving a fierce yell.

Antiope is starting to rise on her hands and knees. With another yell, Phania swings the staff and is about to bring it down on her head when a whooshing sound is heard. Phania whips around; the two Amazons turn toward the sound and Antiope looks up. The chakram hurtles toward them, slicing off the upper half of the staff Phania is holding. Phania gives a start, her face a grimace of rage.

Quick pan to Xena, who catches the chakram, grinning nastily at Phania.

XENA (hooking the chakram back on her belt):
     Problem?

The camera pulls back to show Gabrielle, Lykia and Darion standing behind her.

With a cry of rage, Phania charges Xena with the remaining portion of her staff.

XENA:
     You don't wanna do that.

Phania swings and tries to hit Xena; Xena grabs her arm and twists it, making her drop the staff. (Meanwhile, in the background, Antiope finally scrambles to her feet.) Phania cries out in pain and tries to kick Xena but Xena quickly subdues her, takes off her belt and ties her hands with it behind her back.

PHANIA:
     Let go of me!

XENA (stands up, leaving Phania tied up on the ground):
     You need a little time out.

Other Amazons start to come up. Eve makes her way past them and surveys the situation.

EVE (dryly, to Xena):
     Mother...welcome back.

XENA (sarcastic):
     Never a dull moment in this village.

DISSOLVE TO

Another street in the village. Xena and Gabrielle are walking with Eve and Cyane.

XENA:
     So Phania hasn't been too cooperative.

EVE (shaking her head):
     Ever since she's been here, she's been nothing but trouble.

CYANE:
     And it didn't take her long to find some of Morai's friends and Artemis' old groupies.

GABRIELLE:
     Then why not banish her?

EVE (guilty):
     I've ruined her life as it is. But listen...we have bigger problems.

XENA:
     What, the survivors from Lanis? (off Eve's surprised look) We met Caleb and Alyssa in the village--what's left of it. Apparently, they're not welcome to stay here much longer.

EVE (sighs):
     Yes--it's still the same issue as-- (glances at Gabrielle) with Darion. (pause) The council felt that we can no longer afford to feed children and old people who aren't part of the tribe. The girls can join the tribe if they want, but... (she shakes her head and trails off) That's not what I meant.

GABRIELLE:
     There's more?

EVE:
     One of the Amazons, Scyleia, got pregnant by a villager from Lanis. He was killed in Andromache's attack. Now, by law, she must be punished for being with a man without the tribe's knowledge or permission, outside of the mating season. The child was born today. And-- (she pauses)

GABRIELLE (understanding):
     It's a boy.

EVE (nods slowly):
     Which means that both mother and child have to be banished from the tribe forever.

GABRIELLE (shakes her head, appalled):
     No...

CYANE (to Xena and Gabrielle):
     Scyleia was from my tribe, an orphan that the late Queen Yakut took under her wing. No matter what anyone says--she's got the heart of a true Amazon. We've lost so many already; must we lose her, too?

EVE:
     The council convenes in two days. We're going to make one last attempt to change their minds, but... (shakes her head) If they don't--she'll have to leave with the baby in a week.

XENA (grimly):
     Like I said, never a dull moment in this village.

CUT TO

An Amazon hut. Scyleia is sitting up in her bed breastfeeding her baby. She stares at her baby, smiling every time he coos and gurgles during his feeding.

Light floods into the room and she looks up to see Gabrielle moving the flap of animal skin that is covering the doorway to the side. She walks into the hut.

GABRIELLE:
     Scyleia?

SCYLEIA (tentatively):
     Queen Gabrielle.

GABRIELLE:
     Can I talk to you?

SCYLEIA (indicating a stool):
     Sure.

GABRIELLE (sits down):
     How are you doing?

SCYLEIA:
     Okay. (looks down at the baby in her arms, smiles and looks back at Gabrielle) Isn't he precious?

GABRIELLE (smiles):
     He's beautiful.

SCYLEIA:
     I just wish...his father were here.

Gabrielle gets an uneasy and reflective look on her face. She looks away for a moment, then back at Scyleia, putting on a smile.

GABRIELLE:
     Have you thought of a name?

SCYLEIA:
     No. Part of me was praying that... (looks down) ...I wouldn't have a boy. It just makes everything more complicated...

Gabrielle sits down on the edge of the bed, looking directly at Scyleia.

GABRIELLE:
     Eve is doing everything in her power to help you. So is Cyane. We don't want you banished any more than you do. But Amazon law... (sighs) I've tried to change it before, for Darion. I failed. (Scyleia nods, understanding) It's not going to be easy.

SCYLEIA (sighs):
     I guess I deserve this.

GABRIELLE:
     No, you --

SCYLEIA:
     It was my choice to be with Miekos. I could have stayed away. But I fell in love with him and... (trails off)

Gabrielle looks down, putting a hand on her stomach.

GABRIELLE (quietly):
     I know. (she looks back at Scyleia) Look, no matter what happens, you have a beautiful, healthy child. Even if they banish you--they can't take that from you.

Gabrielle squeezes Scyleia's shoulder reassuringly and then stands up.

GABRIELLE:
     Try not to worry.

SCYLEIA (smiles wanly):
     Thank you, Gabrielle.

CUT TO

The Queen's Hut. Eve is sitting at a table with some scrolls piled on it. She is reading through one of them; obviously not finding anything useful, she throws it down on the table and drops her head in her hands, groaning in frustration.

Xena walks in.

XENA (trying to be lighthearted):
     Not going well, huh?

Eve looks up at Xena, a look of near hopelessness on her face.

EVE:
     I've been looking through these (gestures toward the scrolls) trying to find something that could help with Scyleia's situation. (she shakes her head) Nothing. Mother--maybe I'm just not cut out to be queen.

XENA:
     Eve--

EVE:
     I wasn't born or raised an Amazon. I don't have true knowledge of their ways. How can I guide them through these difficult times? How can I ask them to change their traditions when I was never a part of those traditions-- (her voice drops) when I'm responsible for so much damage to them in the past? (she lowers her head) I'll never be good enough.

Xena sits down next to her and looks at her sympathetically, putting an arm around her shoulders.

XENA:
     I understand how you feel, Eve. You know, Gabrielle often felt the same way--she wasn't born into the nation either. And yet she led the Amazons through some very hard times--and often guided them toward more peaceful--more compassionate ways. (pause) You are a good queen, Eve. You just have to believe it.

EVE:
     Thanks. (She sighs and hugs Xena back) I just wish my believing it could help Scyleia.

XENA (kisses her forehead):
     I know.

They sit in silence for a moment; then Eve rises to her feet

EVE (shakes her head):
     I feel so--frustrated. I think I'm going to take a walk by myself.

XENA (looks at her sympathetically):
     Sure.

Eve walks to the doorway, then pauses for a moment to grab a staff with an ornate bird's head standing by the wall, and leaves. Xena looks after her, concerned.

CUT TO

A long shot of the village, Eve walking through the street, staff in hand. It's late afternoon and the sun is already low.

CUT TO

A forest path. Dusk is starting to fall. A rider on a gray horse comes into view, seen from the back; he is a man of strong build, wearing a pleated leather vest, with light brown hair.

There is the sound of a woman's war-cry and the man stops, looking around. The sounds of fighting come from further down the path. The man pauses, then touches the horse's reins and moves on cautiously.

CUT TO

The man, still seen from the back, reaches the edge of a forest clearing. He cautiously parts the bushes and peeks to see what is going on.

Eve has the staff in her hand and is jumping and flipping, practicing her fighting moves. There is no one around; she is practicing with herself. Her moves are beautiful yet fierce; she seems to be letting out some pent-up energy and frustration as she swings her staff at the bushes and finally hits a tree, letting out a scream. She lowers the staff and sighs, closing her eyes.

Suddenly, Eve tenses slightly and stands up straight, then whips around, holding out the staff in a combat stance.

EVE:
     Who's there?

The branches part and the rider comes out into the clearing. It's Virgil.

Eve lowers her staff and stares at him, her face reflecting shock, a flash of joy, and many conflicted feelings.

VIRGIL:
     Hello, Eve.

He dismounts and walks toward Eve, stopping only a few paces from her. He smiles at her, his smile filled with tenderness and awe.

VIRGIL:
     That was amazing.

EVE :
     Virgil...what are you doing here?

VIRGIL:
     I came here to see you, Eve. I want to make this work.

Close-up on Eve's shocked face as we:

FADE OUT

END OF ACT ONE