“c1″> 

“c1″>"The charges have been made known. We now will
begin to examine each of them thoroughly. Regarding the first
charge, the breaking of the peace treaty, does the defence plead
guilty or not guilty?"

“c1″> 

Before
Xena was on her feet to answer, Ephiny stood tall and said.
"Queen Melosa, venerable members of the jury, my client
insists on pleading guilty. In her best interest, I intend on
making use of the defender’s prerogative. Thus I overrule the
declaration of guilt and plead a case of partial responsibility by
neglect."

“c1″> 

“c1″>Xena’s eyes were shooting daggers at Ephiny but
she knew that there was nothing at all she could do against
it.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The prosecutor’s answer,
please."

“c1″> 

Now, it
was Theano’s turn. "The prosecutor accepts the
declaration of the defending lawyer at face value but we must
insist that the exact extent of responsibility has to be agreed
upon. My first question is for Xena of Amphipolis. When was your
attention first called upon the problems pertaining the Amazon
Nation, Xena?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"About two and a half moons ago." The tall
warrior answered.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"I’m sure the jury would appreciate more
details."

“c1″> 

For two
long heartbeats, Xena’s eyes locked with Theano’s. With
an almost imperceptible nod, she turned her attention to the jury
and began to relate the story of the Council’s meeting and
her decision to take a look at the situation herself. She also told
them that she found the frontier fort abandoned and that there were
no signs of Amazon interference. Tracks led her to the equally
abandoned encampment of a small army and further towards Amazon
country. Xena saw no need to also recall the battle she interfered
in but to her utter surprise, Theano’s assistant pointed it
out.

“c1″> 

It was
Ephiny’s turn to ask the next question. "Queen Melosa,
could you please give a short report on the time table of the
intrusions on our land, the danger they presented to the Nation as
well as to individual warriors, and could you please tell the jury
what you did to put an end to it."

“c1″> 

The Queen
answered that the first intrusion took place more than two seasons
ago. She told them that starting with the second incident she did
send a report and an official protest towards “EN-US” class=”c1″>Corinth but
that she never received an answer. She also made clear that guard
duty at the border never was without danger, and that none of the
intrusions had posed a real threat to the Nation or to the
village.