“c1″> 

The
look of pure hatred Chandala had given her shortly before the
summer festival still burned in her soul but it had all but
vanished from the younger woman’s eyes by now. She spent the
remainder of the day speculating about possible reasons. When the
sun was about to set Xena also began to long for Gabrielle’s
comforting touch to keep the memories of ten years ago at bay but
before the end of the trial, there was no chance of this
happening.

“c1″> 

The
only window of her prison showed eastwards, and when the first
twilight of dawn was breaking Xena found herself lost in one of the
most breath-taking sunrises she ever had the chance to witness. The
few slightly red tinted clouds quickly dissolved and promised an
exceptionally sunny day. There also was a slight breeze that would
keep the temperature rather pleasing. A perfect day to take the
midday-meal beneath the apple tree. 'No, don’t go
there,' Xena scolded herself, 'this never will happen
again. You can’t afford to get lost in memories.' There
also was another voice telling her: 'Why not? Just trust
Theano, you dumb warrior.'

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>-x-x-x-x-

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

This
day’s court session began as yesterday’s had ended,
with the audience in expectant silence and Melosa wearing her
Queen’s mask, and she began without
preamble.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena of Amphipolis, you are accused of having
murdered the spiritual and military leaders of the Northern
Amazons. Do you plead guilty or not guilty?"

“c1″> 

"I
am personally responsible for the deaths of Queen Cyane and her
council, Queen Melosa."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Answer the Queen’s question,” Theano
growled, “guilty or not guilty?”

“c1″> 

"I
am responsible for their deaths and I am the only one
responsible."

“c1″> 

Theano
now was standing in front of Xena, and though the prosecutor had to
look up to meet the tall woman’s eyes, Xena began to squirm
under her gaze. "Answer the question, Xena. Did you murder
them?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"I’m responsible, that’s all there is
to say." With the last word, Xena’s eyes found her
manacled wrists and didn’t budge from
there.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, venerable jury, the defendants
reluctance to answer appropriately doesn’t leave us any
choice, prosecution requests a forced
interrogation."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena of Amphipolis, look at me. Answer my
question. Did you cold-bloodedly murder Queen Cyane and her
entourage?"

“c1″> 

"I
am respon…" The words died on Xena’s lips and her
gaze once again dropped to her hands.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The prosecutor’s request is granted. Are
there any volunteers to carry out the physical part?"
Murmuring and whispering spread through the rows of the audience
but no one spoke up.