“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, knowing the defendant as good as I
do I anticipated that this step would become necessary. With your
permission I will take over the physical encouragement part and my
assistant, Chandala, will pose the questions. That is if there are
no objections from the defendant or defender." Xena just
nodded, leaving Ephiny no choice than to agree as
well.

“c1″> 

Once
again, Xena was led to the wooden structure. Eponin unfastened the
wrist cuffs and opened the tunic. The tall woman now was facing the
jury and the major part of the public; Xena’s arms now were
shackled to the steel bar in the middle. The young woman behind the
prosecutor’s table nervously fidgeted with a piece of
parchment while Theano took position behind Xena’s
back.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Are you ready, Theano?" The older woman
answered with a nod.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Traditionally the first question goes to the
defender." The Queen announced.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena of Amphipolis, did you murder Queen Cyane and
the members of her council?"

“c1″> 

Xena
didn’t answer, internally counting to ten and preparing for
what she knew would come. She closed her eyes in anticipation when
Theano’s right arm drew back. The bound woman’s upper
body jerked forwards with the impact and immediately was propelled
in the other direction because of the wrist restraints. It sounded
as if the skin had been sliced to the bones but all even the most
meticulous observer would have been able to detect was a small welt
adorning Xena’s right shoulder blade.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, may I reformulate the
question?" The woman nodded. "Xena, did you kill Queen
Melosa and the others?"

“c1″> 

This
time the ebony haired warrior didn’t hesitate to answer.
"Yes, I did."

“c1″> 

“c1″>Chandala continued the questioning. "You killed
them and that’s why you are responsible for their
deaths?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The jury still needs an answer to the initial
question, Xena. Did you commit murder when you killed them?"
The Queen insisted.

“c1″> 

No
answer, and shortly after the mark on her right side had a twin on
the left.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The question will be repeated for as long as
necessary. For your own sake, answer now. Don’t make this
harder than it already is." Ephiny pleaded.

“c1″> 

Once
again, the tip of the whip found its goal and this time Xena was
hard pressed to avoid an audible reaction. There now was a rapidly
swelling horizontal line at the small of her back but still not a
single drop of blood had been spilled. Three strokes later Xena
finally said.