“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena of Amphipolis, hear the jury’s verdict
on the first charge." Xena lowered he eyes to the ground.
"The jury found you not guilty of deliberately breaking the
peace treaty. Although we are not sure that the deaths of our
sisters as well as your soldiers could have been avoided had you
acted otherwise, we unanimously agreed that after the trial you
will do three seasons of personal service to the Nation. You will
be made a part of the village’s teaching staff, with all the
other duties for an Amazon warrior as taking part in guard duty and
other communal services. You will be directly accountable to the
weapons’ master. Do you of your own free will submit to this
sentence?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, Queen Melosa, I will." Xena made a move
to get back to her place next to Ephiny.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Stay where you are. We’re not finished
yet." Melosa straightened her shoulders. "The jury also
has agreed to drop the charge accusing you, Xena of Amphipolis, of
having carelessly endangered members of the Amazon nation. Not
being found guilty of the first charge entails that you also cannot
be found responsible of the second one. If there are any objections
you may voice your protest now."

“c1″> 

The
Queen’s eyes seemed to check on every single one of her
subjects daring them to speak up. "So be it. – Do the
prosecutors wish to proceed with the next
charge?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, venerable jury," Theano
replied, "we are well aware that it was agreed upon in advance
to treat the charges independently but as the first and second
charge were intertwined, so are the third and the fourth. Both are
dealing with capital crimes, we should treat them when we all are
well rested and alert. We ask the jury to postpone the session to
tomorrow instead of starting something that we won’t be able
to finish today. Are there any objections from the defending
party?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"No, the defence joins the prosecutor’s
request."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The jury also agrees. We will meet again tomorrow
morning one candlemark after sunrise."

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>-x-x-x-x-

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

Once
again, Xena was escorted to the detention hut. The manacles were
unhooked but she insisted on keeping them fastened around her
wrists. The trial didn’t at all go as she had anticipated;
thus far, defence and prosecution seemed equally determined to keep
her unharmed. Despite herself, she felt a great deal of relieve but
she also was deeply intrigued.