“c1″> 

When
she ended, there was a lot of murmuring among the audience and when
they finally fell silent Theano once again spoke
up.

“c1″> 

"I think
there now is only one question left. Xena, as the Conqueror of
Greece and Rome
did you ever receive one of Queen
Melosa’s letters of reports?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"No I didn’t. I didn’t pay enough
attention to what was happening in the confines of my realm. The
deaths of my men as well as the deaths of the Amazon warriors could
easily have been avoided if I had done my duty. That’s why I
am guilty, venerable members of the jury."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The jury will take your declaration in account,
Xena. Are there any more questions pertaining to this charge? No?
Good! Prosecutor, may we now hear your final
statement."

“c1″> 

“c1″>Chandala stood, trying to hide her nervousness by
clasping her hands behind her back. "The prosecutor agrees
with the plea of the defendant’s lawyer. To us there is no
doubt that Xena of Amphipolis cannot be held responsible for
everything going wrong in her jurisdiction. She may have been wrong
to trust her advisors but that’s a danger every ruler has to
live with. This jury only has to judge her personal responsibility,
nothing more and nothing less. We don’t agree with the
defendant’s self-evaluation and therefore join with the
defender’s request."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The jury now will retire to the council’s
hut to discuss the pleas and depositions just made. The great horn
will let you know as soon as we have come to a
decision."

“c1″> 

Xena
was escorted to the detention hut where Eponin once again unlocked
the manacles. "Thank you, Eponin."

“c1″> 

"I
only did what I had to do, Xena. There’s no need to thank
me."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, there is. You know as well as I do that
within the letter of the law you did the minimum. You could have
inflicted much more pain. These marks will be gone this time
tomorrow. – Please try and keep Gabrielle occupied while the
jury is debating."

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>-x-x-x-x-

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

Xena
was about to slip in a light meditation when the horn sounded about
two and a half candlemarks later. The jury members re-emerged from
the council’s hut and took their seats. When Queen Melosa
remained standing and put on her mask the audience also got to
their feet and fell in expectant silence. Melosa nodded and Xena
knelt in front of the dais.