“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, Queen Melosa, I do."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Do you of your own free will accept the authority
of the jury and will you abide with whatever we may decide on
you?"

“c1″> 

"I
do and I will, Queen Melosa."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"As a symbol of your submission you now will accept
ten strokes with a single tail whip. Do you wish to be restrained,
Xena?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"It won’t be necessary, thank you, Queen
Melosa."

“c1″> 

Eponin,
her face an expressionless mask, left the dais and led Xena to a
wooden structure on the right side of the central place about
twelve paces away. It stood about nine feet high and consisted of
two square posts with carefully smoothed surfaces. They stood about
five feet apart and were joined one to the other by three
horizontal steel bars, two feet apart each and descending from the
top.

“c1″> 

The
weapons’ master took a key from her waistband and
disconnected Xena’s cuffs. She opened the shoulder clasps
holding the slightly taller woman’s tunic. The material
slipped down to the waist exposing Xena’s scarred back to the
audience. Xena’s hands reached up and she wrapped her fingers
firmly around the middle one of the steel bars.

“c1″> 

The
other woman took a few steps backwards, uncoiled the whip, and did
her duty. Five strokes from the right and five from the left, not
touching and not criss-crossing each other. The whipping was
supposed to leave marks but not to break the skin. The tall warrior
never made the slightest sound and soon the ordeal was over. Xena
lowered her arms back to her sides; Eponin refastened the tunic and
once again hooked the cuffs together. They both returned to their
respective seats.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena of Amphipolis, according to Amazon law it is
your privilege to decide if the court sessions will be held here
where the whole nation will bear witness or if they shall be held
in the privacy of the council’s hut away from prying eyes. In
the past capital crimes usually were dealt with in private. Please
keep in mind that there is the very real possibility of a forced
interrogation."

“c1″> 

"I
don’t request privacy, Queen Melosa. My crimes had
consequences for the Nation as a whole, the court sessions also
should be held in front of the whole
Nation."

“c1″> 

Melosa
only nodded in acceptance. She hadn’t expected any other
decision though she wasn’t able to determine if Xena’s
words were based on feelings of guilt, pride, or honour. The major
part of the Amazons, however, was surprised and showed it with a
round of whispers and gasps. The Queen’s voice once again
resounded throughout the central square.