“c1″> 

They
gently made love, exploring every pore of the other woman’s
body, licking every square inch of skin, enjoying the familiar
scent and taste of the other’s sex. Xena’s calm
confidence slowly filled the blond woman’s soul, sweeping
away her anxiousness about the outcome of the
trial.

“c1″> 

When
dawn was breaking, Gabrielle was wrapped securely around long
limbs, her head deeply snuggled in Xena’s chest. She was
sleeping soundly. Xena consciously took in the scent of blond hair
and finally fell asleep herself.

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>-x-x-x-x-

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

The great
horn sounded shortly before “c1″>midday, blue and green
eyes opened simultaneously, mirroring a strange mixture of fear,
anticipation and relieve. Xena just had settled Gabrielle in the
wheelchair when the door was opened. Eponin stepped in and once
again fastened the cuffs around Xena’s wrists. Her face was
set in a warrior’s mask belying the tension the rest of her
body showed. To Xena it was obvious that the weapons’ master
wasn’t at all happy about the jury’s
decision.

“c1″> 

Ten
candledrops later the women filling the central square got to their
feet while the jury stepped on the dais. They already were wearing
their ceremonial masks making it impossible to read their facial
expressions. The silence became oppressive when Queen Melosa slowly
rounded the jury’s table and stood in front of
it.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Xena of Amphipolis, hear the jury’s
verdict." Xena left Ephiny’s side and knelt in front of
the dais. "The jury found you not guilty of murder but there
also can be no doubt that you are responsible for the deaths of
Queen Cyane and the members of her council. However, this
responsibility does not concern Amazon law and justice. It’s
something you will have to live with."

“c1″> 

The
tall woman kept her eyes firmly on the ground while the familiar
feeling of guilt rushed through her veins, colouring her cheeks
despite her best intention to keep her emotions in
check.

“c1″> 

“c1″>"The jury found you guilty of sacrilegious
behaviour in three cases. You set out to kill on holy ground, so
there are no extenuating circumstances. A crime such as this was
unheard of until now. Neither the laws nor the history scrolls gave
any indication what kind of punishment would be adequate. I went to
the temple to pray for an answer but none was
forthcoming. 

“c1″> 

“c1″>"When I returned to the council’s hut I
remembered a story my grandmother once told me; a story about Queen
Penthesilea and how she accidentally killed the Priestess in front
of Artemis’ altar with a misplaced arrow. With Queen
Penthesilea being the mightiest warrior in Amazon history, later
generations considered the story incredible and improbable. So, it
never was entered in the history scrolls but it still lives in our
legends. Are you familiar with this particular story,
Xena?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, Queen Melosa, I am." Xena’s eyes
made contact with Melosa’s, the rest of the Queen’s
face still hidden behind the mask. The Queen nodded and the
kneeling woman continued to speak.

“c1″> 

"Queen
Penthesilea was said to be Artemis’ class=”c1″>Chosen. The remorse
and guilt she felt at the death of the Priestess who also had been
a childhood friend of hers began to slowly burn out her soul. She
was lost in grief and self-depreciation, and stopped paying
attention to what was going on in the Nation. It was a time of
danger and insecurities, and the council grew worried. They urged
the Queen to appoint a Regent who would take care of the day to day
business. Queen Penthesilea complied but she also decided that she
would do penance for the death of her friend and priestess. It is
said that she retreated in a sweating hut for three days and four
nights. She found that she had the choice of abandoning her sisters
and trying to redeem herself in the outer world or let her body pay
the price."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Considering that your sacrilege was threefold and
had been committed with premeditation the punishment Queen
Penthesilea imposed upon herself was modified but it will not
endanger your life. Do you accept the punishment the jury found
befitting your crime without exactly knowing what will happen to
you or do you prefer to be banished from Amazon territory for a
period of three times five years instead, after your servitude of
three seasons, that is?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Queen Melosa, venerable jury, I’m more than
honoured but I don’t deserve to have a choice like that.
Killing Queen Cyane and the council was one of the biggest mistakes
I ever made. I’m no Amazon and I’m not of noble birth.
I don’t deserve to be treated as such. However, from the
beginning, I was ready to pay the prize this jury would find
appropriate and I am weary of running from my responsibilities. I
trust the wisdom of the jury and will humbly submit to its
verdict." Xena had her eyes once again on the
ground.

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

class=”c1″>To be concluded in Chapter Nine: All My Sins and
Fears to Bear

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>