A Still Small Voice
Written By: Caina Q. Fuller
Teaser
Fade
In-Dusty Road, Day
It’s a day that’s as hot as hell itself as Eve and Virgil ride
down a dusty road under the mid-day sun.
They’ve been through a lot lately, and they’re still reeling from it
all. Especially Eve. Her face is tortured, more from the pain of
knowing her brother is trapped in Tartarus from trying to save her than from the
heat itself. Virgil is picking up on this, and reaches out for her in silent support.
Virgil
Eve? Do you want to talk
about it?
Eve
Not really Virgil. Thanks
but
nothing short of knowing
my brother is back where he
belongs is going to ease my pain.
Virgil
I wish there was something I
could say to ease your pain Eve.
Eve
I know you do Virgil. And I
appreciate it too. You
know,
I’ve been thinking a lot about
my experience in Rome with
Ledricles…
Virgil
And?
Eve
I’ve come to realize that Livia
and I are one and the same,
and there’s nothing I can do to
change that.
This revelation both
shocks and hurts Virgil. To him it
seems as if Eve is throwing away all Xena’s sacrifices, as well as the loss of
his father, away by making a statement like that.
Virgil
How could you say something
like that? After all your mother
has done to help you…I had to
lose my father before you were
turned around, and now you’re
saying that you haven’t changed?
Eve
Virgil, calm down. You’re misinterpreting
what I meant.
Virgil
Then help me to understand.
Eve
My entire life was spent as
Livia, and the good in my life
back then was far outweighed
by the bad Virgil. I
allowed my
innocence to be lost to hate.
I can’t pretend to be someone
completely different overnight.
I’m changing but its going to be a
life long process. I just…I just
feel that to deny the part of me
that is a warrior is to deny half
of my soul.
Virgil
Then why do you have so many
reservations about picking up
the sword again?
Eve
Because I’m afraid that once
I get a taste of that dark part of me
again I won’t be able to control
my taste for bloodshed.
Virgil
You’re afraid of reverting back
to Livia. I see what you mean. But
you’re forgetting something.
You
have an element in your favor
now that you didn’t have before.
Eve
What’s that?
Virgil
Friends who love you. With
our love, you can find your
true path because we’ll
be there every step of the way.
For the first time
since losing her brother to Persephone’s hate in the underworld, Eve has found
reason to smile.
Eve
Virgil, I don’t think you can begin
to imagine how much that means
to me.
As the two continue along the road, Eve begins to hear an almost
inaudible whisper. At first she thinks
it’s Virgil speaking to her quietly, but when she looks to him he is studying
the scenery around them and clearly not talking to her, but still…
Eve
Virgil? You say something?
Virgil
No.
Why?
Eve
Nothing really.
Int-Heaven
The archangel Raphael watches Eve and Virgil on the mirror-like
surface of a fountain. When he waves
his hand over it, the scene changes to that of an army raiding a village. As he watches this Rachel, Callisto’s
daughter, appears beside him.
Raphael
It has begun.
Rachel
I know. He’s given me the go
ahead to show her the truth.
Raphael
You don’t look certain about
what you are being sent to do.
Rachel
I’m certain this is the right thing,
but I’m just not sure in my abilities
to do this correctly.
Raphael
You’re going to be fine. I have
the utmost faith in you.
Rachel disappears and Raphael turns to see Eve and Virgil on the
road. He dissolves away, leaving the
room empty, a look of deep sadness filling his already somber eyes as he fades
away.
Ext-Road
Virgil and Eve are still riding when Virgil sees smoke rising into
the air from the village they are approaching.
He reaches out for her in horror at what he is seeing.
Virgil
Eve, look! It’s Leuctra!
Virgil takes off for the village, ready for a fight, but Eve isn’t
so sure about what she’s getting herself in to and hangs back. She is just about to follow after him
regardless of her doubts, when she hears the whispering again. This time it’s
louder and it fills her with uneasiness. What is it? Where is it coming from?
Suddenly Raphael appears on the road before her, blocking her path
and scaring Braveheart into rearing up and almost knocking her to the ground.
Raphael
(calming Braveheart)
Be still.
The horse
immediately calms beneath the wave of Raphael’s hand, but it isn’t that simple
for Eve, whose life seems to be steadily turning up side down.
Close Up on Eve-Fade Out.
End of
Teaser
Fade In
We resume where we left off in the Teaser, close on Eve’s
face. She remembers this particular
angel from her time in Heaven and gives him a small smile.
Eve
Raphael?
Raphael
You remember me. That’s
good. Then you know I am
not going to hurt you.
Eve
What’s the matter? Why have
You come here? Is it
Rachel?
Raphael
I’m here because you have doubts
about your mission as the Messenger.
I have come to answer them. You
also have doubts about riding into
battle. You’re afraid you
may be
forced to kill again, to save an
innocent life.
Eve is amazed that
he knows the deepest secrets of her heart, but she is also relieved to have
someone to share them with. She looks
next to tears as she nods her head in agreement.
Eve
Yes. You’re right, I do have
questions. And I have many fears.
What if I’m on the wrong path?
How can I reconcile being Eli’s
Messenger and carrying a sword
at the same time?
Raphael
I don’t have time to answer
all of your questions now Eve.
I’m just here to tell you to ride
into Leuctra and do all in
your power to save them.
Eve,
soon you will be shown the truth,
but until then, don’t restrain
your warrior heart.
Before Eve can ask
him to elucidate what he has said, Raphael is gone, leaving her staring at the
empty space he’d just left with bewilderment written all over her face. It
isn’t until she hears screams from the village and sees more smoke that she
snaps out of her trance and heads off for the village. The only problem now is
that Eve is more uncertain about her path as a warrior than ever, despite what
Raphael has said about not restraining her warrior heart.
Ext-Village
Virgil rides into the village and finds it being attacked by men
in black uniforms, all of whom have a strange red symbol sewn into their
tunics. It’s a likeness of the Destroyer from “A Family Affair” (Hope and Ares’
son), but Virgil doesn’t recognize it as being associated with Dahak.
Virgil pulls his father’s
sword and dismounts just as two warriors rush his way. On a hill in the distance we see a man
watching the events of the battle from his horse. Despite the distance (and the fact that his second in command
must have a spyglass to see), this warrior has no difficulty seeing every
detail of the fight below him. He is obviously more than a mere mortal.
Virgil looks around
the burning village for Eve but his companion is nowhere in sight. All around
him slave wagons are being loaded with women and children, and the men have
been rendered unconscious and placed on the ground with their hands manacled
behind their backs, which is unusual considering that during a warlords raid,
the men are usually slaughtered.
Virgil
Eve!
Where are you?
The warriors raiding the village become aware of Virgil’s presence
and watch as he attacks their fellow warriors, cutting them down before they
can harm the men, women and children of the village. Several of them surround Virgil, all of them large, muscle-bound
dunce types with more testosterone than brain cells to balance it out.
Warrior #1
You put on a good show, but
now it’s time for you to be a
good boy and drop your sword.
Virgil apparently isn’t responding quickly enough for Warrior 1’s
satisfaction.
Warrior #1
I said drop your sword!
Virgil
Drop yours and I might let
you live long enough to go to
jail.
At first the warriors are astounded that any simple villager would
dare defy them, but then anger and aggression quickly takes over and warrior #1
attacks.
Virgil takes him on and holds his own easily enough, and he’s even
beginning to get the upper hand in the fight when his buddies join in. Up on the hill, Cain watches with a sly grin
on his face.
Virgil is good, but not good enough to take on three burly
warriors at the same time (he’s no Eve after all), and the situation quickly
turns ugly for him when all three are attacking. Warrior #1 sees his chance to save his pride in some small
measure when he decks Virgil, sending him sprawling. He raises his sword to deliver the death blow, then brings it
down hard for the kill. Suddenly Eve’s sword is blocking him and saving Virgil
in the nick of time-close but no dice baby.
Eve
That’s not a good idea.
On the hill, Cain
watches this new player in his game with interest. She’s beautiful, yes, but
apparently she knows her way around a sword as he watches her disarm all three
of the warriors attacking Virgil.
Cain
Now who are you?
In the village
Virgil picks up his sword as the mayhem continues around them and the three
warriors stubbornly face her down.
Warrior #1
Whoever gets her first, gets
her.
Sounds like a plan
to them. The men are about to begin another attack, without their swords, when
the third warrior, silent until now, suddenly recognizes her.
Warrior #3
Hey, wait! I know you! You’re
Livia. Champion of Rome.
The men look at her
with new interest now. If they can give their lord Rome’s champion, there was a
good chance he would reward them with a personal slave, or better still, a few
bags of gold.
Warrior#1
Take her alive if you can. We’ll
split the booty.
Eve
Surrender and call off your men
or I’ll split your booty.
Warrior #1
Oh, funny. Get her!
The men attack again, but this time Eve sheathes her
sword to fight them hand to hand. She knows what Raphael has told her about doing
what she must to save the village of Leuctra, but she just can’t bring herself
to kill again. More and more warrior’s
attack Eve and Virgil, and though Virgil kills or wounds as necessary, Eve
refuses to, and it’s about to cost Virgil more than it is her. On a rooftop in the village, invisible to
all eyes, including Cain’s, stands Raphael.
He shakes his head at her refusal to draw her sword.
Raphael
I said do what
you must Eve.
During the fight, Warrior #1 charges her and she kicks
him in the gut, but it sends him flying back into a wagon full of hay that is
engulfed in a raging fire with predictable results. Warrior #1 begins to flail about, trying to put the fire out, but
in his panic he makes it worse by running for the exit of the village. The voice whispers around her again, louder
than it was before but still unintelligible.
Eve is so consumed with guilt as she watches the
warrior collapse on the ground to die in flames, she doesn’t see warrior #3
coming upon her, but Virgil does.
Virgil
Eve! Look out!
Eve looks around a
tad too late and Warrior#3 sucker punches her, knocking her to the ground. He begins to kick her and Virgil rushes over
to save her, but in the process the warrior tries run Virgil through. Fortunately for our intrepid (would-be)
hero, warrior #3’s aim is off and the blade goes through Virgil’s side, missing
his most important organs.
Eve
(horrified)
No! Virgil!
Eve jumps to her feet, sword drawn, as once again a
newly armed warrior #3 attacks. As this
happens, warrior #2 (non-speaking as of yet) mounts his horse and begins to
retreat. Eve quickly dispenses with the
warrior #3, then kneels at Virgil’s side.
Eve
Virgil. I’m so sorry.
Virgil
Save the village Eve. We can
talk about this later. Save
them.
Eve turns, this time to fight the approaching
warriors. Though it hurts her to her
soul, Eve does what she should have done the moment she stepped into the
battle, and begins cutting down soldier after soldier that attacks her until
the men realize what force they’re up against and they retreat.
Ext. Hill
Cain watches this new beauty, and senses something
different about her as she slaughter’s his men. She’s unlike any female warrior he’s ever witnessed fight, and
he’s fascinated by her. Still, she’s
stepped between him and his mission, and that he cannot allow.
Warrior #2 comes riding up the hill to his master, and
we can see in his eyes he knows he’s in serious trouble for retreating. He
doesn’t respect Cain--he fears him.
Warrior #2
My Lord.
Cain
There’d better be a damn
good
reason for you to run from
battle.
Warrior #2
There is my Lord. That woman-
her name is Eve. She was
once
the champion of Rome. She’s
Xena’s daughter.
The name Xena strikes a cord deep within Cain,
and we hear a low growl come from deep in his chest. He hates the Warrior
Princess, and with good reason, but we’ll get into that later.
Cain
Now she’s Eli’s Messenger of
peace. Is her familial ties
the
only reason you left?
The warrior’s face becomes a mask of fear and
uncertainty. How will he get out of this alive?
Warrior
What do you
mean?
Cain
I know you don’t have much
of
a brain but don’t play
stupid with
me boy. Why else did you leave?
Warrior #2
(head hung in
shame)
I was afraid my
lord.
Cain
I thought so. You know how I
feel about cowards.
Suddenly the warrior grabs his head and falls from his
horse, screaming in agony. He writhes on the ground, blood pouring from his
nose and ears until his very soul emerges from his mouth in the form of a
bright, misty light, and it flows into Cain.
As soon as Cain has ingested the mans soul, his eyes begin to glow and
he laughs evilly as he is invigorated from the power of the man’s life-force.
Cain
Julian.
Julian
Yes, my lord?
Cain
Retrieve the
rest of the deserters.
Julian
Of course my
lord. Right away.
Cain
And prepare a couple of
crosses
for our competition down
there.
It’s time for me to put an
end
to Xena’s line once and for
all.
Just as she tried to do to
my family.
Close on Cain’s face.
Fade out.
End of Act One.
******************************************************
A Still, Small Voice-Act Two
Fade In
Ext-Village of Leuctra
The village lays half in ruins from the fires started
by Cain’s men in the raid the previous day, but the villagers are safe--for now
any way. They go about the grueling and emotionally draining task of sifting
through the ruins, trying to salvage whatever they could of their lives from
the ashes.
Int-Physician’s hut
The doctor, an old salty fellow with a sharp mind and amazingly
steady hands, finishes patching Virgil’s wound up when Eve enters the room.
Physician
Nasty but nothing life-threatening.
don’t worry little lady. Your husband
is young and strong. He’ll
be good
as new in a month or so.
He pats Virgil on the head with a fatherly touch.
Physician
You’ll have a great story for the
grandkids one day and a great
to back it up.
(turns to Eve)
It shouldn’t affect his sex drive
too much either.
Ok, this is more information than Eve wants to hear.
Eve
Thanks Doctor, but he’s not
my husband.
The physician suddenly “understands” what she means and
laughs wickedly, slapping her on the shoulder and winking as he passes her.
Physician
Right, gotcha. Still, in a week
or so, he’ll be able to perform
in bed like always. Hope that’s a
good thing.
He leaves now, laughing at his joke as if it’s the
funniest thing said in the history of man kind, and leaves them staring after
him in embarrassment and disbelief.
Virgil
Thank God Eve. My sex drive
was spared. Feel like
makin’ love?
Eve
Virgil! Try and get some
rest
wise guy.
Virgil
Where are you going?
Eve
I’m gonna get some fresh
air, check on the wounded
that haven’t been treated
yet. That kind of thing.
Eve is trying to run from what happened earlier that day, but he’s
not going to let her get away from it that easily.
Virgil
Eve, wait. We need to talk
about what happened.
Eve
No, we don’t.
Virgil
Your indecision almost cost
me my life, so yeah we do.
Eve
Virgil, I feel just awful about
what happened to you-
Virgil interrupts her angrily, moving to sit up too
fast and hurting is freshly stitched wound.
He lies back down but still speaks his mind.
Virgil
Eve, I’m not fishing for
an apology. I want to know
why
you froze up in the middle of a
battle like that.
All right. If
Virgil wants to talk about it then she’s going to talk.
Eve
I froze up because I killed
a man Virgil. I shoved him
into a fire. He burned to death
for God’s sake!
Virgil
You didn’t have a choice Eve.
He was going to take you captive
and who knows what would
have happened to you then.
Even worse, you could have
been killed.
Eve
I’m starting to wonder if I
should keep this title of the
Messenger at all Virgil.
I’ve
tried but I just can’t reconcile
carrying a sword on my back
while I preach messages of
peace. I feel like a hypocrite
and I just can’t live my life like
this anymore!
Eve storms out of the healers hut, despite Virgil’s
pleas for her to wait.
Ext-Forest
Eve runs through the woods, hoping with everything in her heart
she can outrun her problems, even her life if she applied enough effort to it.
But of course that wasn’t possible, and she only succeeded in wearing herself
down, putting a stitch in her side from the effort of running.
Eventually she comes upon a hot spring.
Eve
A hot spring. Just what I need.
Time
elapse:
We focus on the surface of the pool as Eve rises from below the
surface. She breaks the surface, her
hair slicked back by the water and her skin steaming from the heat of the
spring. It has the desired calming
effect on her and in moments she’s relaxing in the deep water of the spring.
She hasn’t relaxed long however, before the voice returns. This
time when it whispers, she can hear-just barely-what it is saying.
Voice
Destiny…Don’t fear…
Eve
Hello?
Who’s there?
Raphael appears beside the pool, sitting on a large stone next to
the water.
Eve
I’ve forgotten some things about
Heaven, but if I recall they
do give
angels manners up there.
Raphael
You know I’m not tempted
by human flesh Eve. For an angel
that would be a sin.
Eve
(sarcastic)
Yes, and we know what happens
to you angels when you sin, don’t
we?
Raphael laugh’s at her attempted insult and crosses his
arms, leaning back against a tree.
Raphael
I saw what happened today Eve.
Eve
Yeah? Then why didn’t you do
something to save Virgil?
No
wait! Let me guess: It’s not
in your job description right?
That’s
a job for the guardian angel’s, not
an archangel.
He takes her abuse quietly, choosing to allow her to
work it out of her system, but he does have a thing or two to say back to her,
and perhaps giving in to the desire to smart off is a little sin he will have
to pay penance for later. But for now…
Raphael
And why do you think Virgil
is still alive Eve? Your
heroic
efforts and lightning fast reflexes?
Eve’s mouth drops open in shock. An angel of heaven just mouthed
off to her!
Eve
How rude! What kind of an
angel are you?
Raphael
I’m an honest angel, as all
angels are taught to be. I
always
tell the truth.
Eve
You mentioned truth earlier. Care
to stop beating around the bush
and enlighten me as to what the
truth is?
Raphael leans forward, trying to close the gap between
him and Eve, not just physically but mentally and emotionally as well. He wants
her to hear him, really hear him, before it’s too late for her.
Raphael
You’re unhappy Eve. Not
because of your warrior heart,
but because you’re trying to
walk the wrong path.
Eve tries to absorb this news but it just doesn’t click
with what she’s been told that her mission is.
Eve
But that doesn’t make any sense.
I was told that I am to be the
Messenger. The Messenger
of Eli.
How can a messenger of peace
possibly walk the Way of the Warrior?
Raphael
I’m not talking about the Way
of the Warrior Eve. I’m talking
about your perceptions of
who the Messenger really is.
Now she’s really confused and she can only stare at
him, baffled as her mind tries to work through what he is saying to her.
Eve
Are you saying I’m not supposed
to be the Messenger of Eli?
Raphael
That’s exactly what I’m saying.
Ext. Cain’s Camp
Julian puts the finishing touches on a cross then stands up, the
whole while the sound of men screaming in agony behind him. He turns to find Cain, wearing nothing but
his leather pants, slashing down one man after another. They were the soldiers who ran from Eve in
battle earlier that day. As each man
dies, Cain absorbs his soul.
The other men in Cain’s army, about a hundred in all, stand stiff
at attention, watching the slaughter in fear.
One of the men tries to run but Cain holds out his sword toward the
unfortunate soul, using his powers pull the man back through the air until he
slams into the sharp point of the sword, becoming impaled, and Cain eats his
soul.
When Cain has cut down the last one, he holds up his sword and
licks some of the blood off the blade--disgusting. This openly disturbs the men, and they can barely swallow over
the lumps of fear in their throats.
Cain
I will not tolerate cowardice!
You either kill in my name or die
at my hand, but you do not
run from a fight if you follow me!
And if any of you desert before I
complete my mission, I’ll hunt you
down and feed off your souls!
Understand me?
Men
(in unison)
Yes sir!
Cain
Dismissed.
The group breaks up to return to their normal routine
of training, but some of them come to collect the bodies of their fallen to be
burned. Cain doesn’t bother to dress as he passes Julian, who is watching him
approach, and mounts his steed.
Cain
I’ll return shortly Julian.
Look
over my flock, will you?
Julian
Of course my lord. May I
ask
where you’re going?
Cain
I’m going to go have a little
talk with our female
adversary.
Perhaps a more favorable
arrangement can be made with
her. Every king needs a
queen.
Wouldn’t you agree?
Julian
Absolutely.
Julian watches his master leave, his face full of pride
and admiration that he is second in command of one of the most powerful
warriors on earth.
Fade out.
End of Act Two.
********************************************************
A Still, Small Voice-Act Three
Fade In-Eve
Eve stares at Raphael in pure disbelief. How can this be? It
occurs to her this may not even be Raphael, but some evil spirit trying to
trick her off her path, and she looks him over with suspicion.
Raphael
I am who I claim to be Eve.
I’m not some evil spirit trying
to trick you off your path.
Eve ignores the fact that he has just read her mind.
Eve
I’m not supposed to be the
Messenger?
Raphael
I didn’t say that. I said
you’re
not supposed to be Eli’s
Messenger.
Eve’s mind is working a mile a minute now, as she tries
to figure out exactly who the Messenger will be.
Eve
I get it. Hope’s
child! He
or she will be the reincarnation
of Eli’s soul. They will be the
Messenger.
Raphael
I didn’t say that. Why are you
so quick to jump to
conclusions?
Eve
Why are you so vague
all the time? For once I
wish
you would just come right out
and say in plain Greek what you
mean.
Raphael
All right then. How’s this for plain?
Eli isn’t supposed to have a
Messenger because he isn’t the savior
of mankind like everyone believes
him to be. There is
another who will
come, and it is He who’s way you
are to prepare. Eve, Callisto was given
a mission in Heaven before she was
to return in your body.
She was to
bring the message of the Savior
of man. He too will come
from Heaven
to be reborn in a human body. And before
you can jump to another wrong
conclusion, no, I’m not talking about
Hope’s child.
Eve
Then who is it? How can I be
a messenger for someone I
don’t even know anything about?
Raphael
You will be shown the Way. Eve,
you were sent by the God of
Heaven, Eli’s God, to prepare the
way for the savior. Eli was just
to be the Hammer that brought
about the fall of the Olympian gods.
Now that he is being reborn on
earth, he will also have a mission
to prepare the way, but his mission
is separate from yours. Do you
understand now?
Eve
Not completely.
Raphael
You’re trying to follow a path
that you’re not meant to
walk.
You must travel the earth and
send word to the people that
there is hope for a brighter
tomorrow through the Messiah.
To accomplish your mission effectively
there is only one path you can
walk.
Eve
The Way of the Warrior.
Raphael
Yes.
The way of the Warrior.
Eve
But I don’t want to kill Raphael.
Raphael
If you did, you wouldn’t have
been chosen Eve. It is
this
temperance, this compassion you
have for human life now, that
makes you the perfect Messenger.
Before Eve’s eyes Raphael fades away, leaving her to
ponder what he has told her.
Another? Who could he
possibly be talking about? Without
answers to those questions, Eve knew in her heart she would no long continue on
her mission to be the Messenger.
Int. Palace-Heaven
Raphael reappears beside Rachel, who is watching Eve bathe.
Rachel
I miss her so much. I can
feel a connection with her
soul.
She may be in another’s body,
but that is still my mother Raphael.
I can’t bear to see her suffer.
Raphael
I know, but you have to remain
strong. For her Rachel, as much
for yourself. Are you
ready?
Rachel
Yes, but I don’t know when is
the best time.
Raphael
When it is time, you will know.
Ext. Forest
From the point of view of an unseen character we see Eve soaking
in the hot spring. This character
inches closer and closer to her until Eve looks up, sensing something near.
The character eases behind a tree where he temporarily loses sight
of Eve. There is a splash, and when he looks around again, the spring is
empty. The only evidence of Eve being
here are her clothes, which still lie on the ground near the spring.
Up in a tree we see Eve, naked, looking down on Cain who is
staring around him in confusion about where she could have gone.
Ext. Village-Evening
A pretty young woman named Aura tends to Virgil in his room. She has medium length blond hair and green
eyes, and a black shawl covers her shoulders.
Her hands move over Virgil’s wound gently, and it doesn’t take a genius
to see Virgil is seriously attracted to her (perhaps because of her physical
similarities to Gabrielle?). She also returns his attentions, for reasons of
her own.
Virgil
Thank you, for tending my wound.
Aura
It’s the least I can do. You and
Eve did work to save our
village.
They share another meaningful look, so long so that Aura looks
away, almost as if she feels sheepish.
Aura
I’ve put something in the
rinse that will dull the
pain.
It’ll also make you a little
drowsy and help you sleep
good tonight.
Virgil
I appreciate that Aura. Thank you.
She begins to gather her things, but Virgil touches her
hand, gently urging her to stay.
Virgil
Aura, I have a
request.
Close on her eyes, then
Cut
to:
Ext. Spring
Cain has now come into the clearing, looking around in
confusion. He’s never met an opponent
that could hide from his superior senses, and he is intrigued by her agility.
Cain
I’m not here to
hurt you.
Eve flips from the tree and stands before him in all
her glorious but natural beauty, and she is completely unashamed.
Eve
Didn’t your mother ever teach
you
its not nice to peak in at a
woman when
she’s taking a bath?
Cain
If you knew my mother, you
wouldn’t
ask that question.
Eve
Really? Well, I can only
imagine
what kind of woman she is.
Cain
No worse than
your mother ever was.
Eve
What do you know
about my mother?
Cain
Everyone knows the story of
the
Warrior Princess. Some call her
a saint, others call her a
sinner.
Eve
What do you call
her?
Cain
A saintly
sinner.
He’s easing up on her, and before Eve realizes it he’s
standing on top of her, though he makes no threatening moves against her, and
Eve makes a conscious decision not to back down from him. Not even one single
step.
Eve
Three questions: Who are you,
what do you want with these
villagers…and where do you
have
your army camped?
Cain
Questions, questions,
questions.
I can think of better things
a man
like me and a woman like you
can
be doing than talking.
Eve
I may not be ashamed of my
nudity, but I’m not that
easy.
back off.
Cain refuses to back off, and instead he takes another
step toward her until their bodies are almost touching. Remember, he wears
nothing but a pair of tight leather pants. No shirt, no shoes. It would be bare skin on bare skin if they
were to actually touch.
Cain
Who are you, and why are you
trying to stand in my way of
greatness?
Eve
You first.
Cain
My name is Cain, and I need
these
villagers to make me
powerful.
Eve
My name is Eve, and I’m here
to
fight for those who can’t
fight
for themselves against scum
like you.
Cain isn’t much for tolerating insults, and being
called scum is a little too much for him to handle, even from a woman he’s
attracted to. He takes a swing at Eve,
which she easily ducks, then she grabs her cloak and wraps it around her
body. She can fight comfortably now,
without being subconsciously worried about her nudity. Cain gives her all he’s got, but it’s just
not good enough. They are at a tie when
he hold’s his hands up for a truce, but then he does something strange.
He blows her a kiss, and his powers are one weapon for
which she has no defense. Her eyes roll
back in her head and she falls against him.
Time
elapse:
Eve and Cain are lying next to the water, kissing
passionately. His lips trail down her neck and…
Eve
More…I want more
of you.
Cain
Who are you? I want to know
who you really
are. Tell me.
Eve
Who I really
am…I am Livia.
Cain
Why do you call
yourself Eve?
Eve
It’s the new me. Part of my
new path
but…I’m not sure
I’m even
on the right path.
Cain
And why are you
here?
Eve
I’m here to save the village
from you and your men. You
and your men. You…
The more she talks about him, the more his spell seems
to wear off, so he kisses her again, breathing his power into her until her
eyes are glowing with his poison.
Cain
What do you want
now Livia?
We close in on Eve’s eyes, which are now shining with
his poisonous power, and we know he has taken over her. He is using her fears
about her path against her, since he knows that deep in her heart the only time
she was ever sure of her path in life was when she was Livia, champion of Rome.
If he can use that against her, he can control her.
Cain
Answer me. What do you want
now?
Eve
I want you. I want to kill.
Close up on Eve’s eyes.
Fade out.
End of Act three.
*****************************************************
A Still, Small Voice-Act Four
Fade in-Village-night
Eve enters Virgil’s room to find Aura sitting on the bed, next to
him. The two are looking into one
another’s eyes, and Eve’s own eyes flash with jealousy.
Int. Cain’s Tent
Cain can see everything Eve
is doing as he watches the village through her eyes on a mirror. Beside him Julian sits with a blank sheet of
papyrus, ready to draw a map of the traps the villagers are setting.
Cain
Get ready Julian. She’s about
to give us the entire village.
and she won’t even know
she’s doing it.
Int. Virgil’s room.
Eve
Who are you?
Virgil can immediately hear the jealousy in Eve’s
voice. What he doesn’t know is, Cain has altered his friend. Soon he will use her to take over the
village.
Aura
My name is Aura. I was
just tending to your…friend?
Her last words are more like a question
than a statement, for she isn’t sure exactly who Virgil is to this woman.
Eve
I’ll just bet you were.
Virgil
Eve!
Eve
Get out.
Virgil
Eve! What the hell is
the matter with you?
Aura
It’s alright. I’ve stayed too
long as it is. I’ll be going.
Don’t
worry Virgil. I’ll get that message
to your friend.
Virgil
Thanks Aura.
Aura passes by Eve, and Eve stares hatefully at her as
she passed, making the poor girl uncomfortable every step of the way. Once they are alone again, Virgil let’s her
have it.
Virgil
You didn’t answer my question.
I said what the hell was that all
about?
Eve
I didn’t like what I saw when I
came in here. It looked like
she was tending more than your
wound to me.
Eve goes to the mirror and pulls down her braid. Once
her hair is loose, she pulls it back up into the hairstyle she wore as Livia,
all the while talking with Virgil.
Virgil
So what if she was. My
personal
life is none of your
business.
Eve
And vice versa.
Virgil
You didn’t have to be so
rude to her. She’s a nice girl.
Eve
I’m nicer.
Virgil
Really? I wouldn’t know it
from
the way you’re acting. Why are you
fixing your hair like that?
Eve finishes her hair and comes to sit next to him, a
seductive grin on her face.
Eve
It gets my hair out of the
way so I can take care of
more…
important business. If you
know
what I mean.
Without warning she leans in, kissing Virgil
passionately. At first he’s shocked, then tempted, but then he pulls himself
together and finally pushes her away.
Virgil
This isn’t right Eve. We’re
not
going to go down this road.
Eve
Why not? You looked like you were
ready to drive down that
little country
bumpkin’s road. Besides.
My curves are
more exciting to navigate.
Come on
Virgil. I’m a very skilled
lover. I can
show you things that will
blow your
mind. Speaking of blow…
Eve moves in on him again but this time Virgil is ready
for her and he sits up, moving behind her so he can get to his feet and put
some distance between them.
Virgil
I don’t believe you! You storm
out of here and disappear all
day,
then come in here and try to
seduce
me! What the hell do you take me for?
Eve
I’d like to take you for a
wild
ride, if you’d wake up and
seize
the moment.
Virgil
Well it’s not going to
happen.
We’ve only just become
friends.
Sex would ruin our
friendship.
Eve
I don’t know if you’ve
realized
it by now or not Virgil, but
Livia
doesn’t take no for an
answer.
Virgil
Livia?
Eve
That’s right. Give me what I want.
Virgil
Or what?
Eve
Or I’ll kill
you.
Virgil turns to walk away from this increasingly
strange encounter, but Eve won’t hear of it.
She grabs him by the arm and pulls him around to face her, then attacks
him. When he hits her back, she falls to the bed, unconscious, even though he
didn’t hit her that hard.
Virgil
Eve?
He checks her vital signs. When he sees they’re stable,
he tucks her in and sits next to her, confused.
Virgil
What the hell is
going on?
Int. Cain’s tent
Cain turns to Julian
Cain
Take half my men and take
every villager in
Plataea. Bring
them back here, to my temple.
Julian
Understood my Lord. I’ll return
by tomorrow afternoon.
Cain
Good. By then I will have secured
Leuctra. Go.
Fade In.-Leuctra- Day
The next morning Eve awakens to find the villager’s,
along with Virgil, have been working all night and all morning to booby-trap
the town against Cain’s attack. She
exit’s the hut into the sun, and pulls aside a stranger.
Eve
What’s going on?
Female Villager
Virgil is helping us booby
trap
the town so when that strange
army attacks again we’ll be
ready
for them.
Eve finds Virgil, helping secure an arrow trap near the
city gate, and she goes to him.
Eve
Virgil?
Virgil
(his voice icy)
Yeah?
He doesn’t look too happy to see her, and rightfully
so, but instead of just using words Eve hugs him close and he allows the
embrace, stiffly.
Eve
I’m sorry Virgil. I don’t
know
what came over me last night.
Please forgive me.
Virgil
What did happen
last night Eve?
Eve
I don’t know.
I…I don’t know.
Virgil
Can you tell me
where you were?
Eve
I found a hot spring in the
forest,
and I met up with an angel.
He
told me that my mission
wasn’t to
be the Messenger of Eli. He
did
something to me Virgil, but I
don’t
know what.
Virgil
Did he hurt you?
Eve
I can’t remember. Look, the best
thing for me now is to work.
Can
you bring me up to speed on
what you’ve been doing?
Virgil
If you think that’s what you
need.
sure. Come on. I’ll show you
what
all we’ve done.
Ext. Cain’s Camp
Cain
Alright men. You’ve got the map
of their defenses. Let’s move
out!
Ext. Plataea
Cain’s men raid the village of Plataea, stuffing men,
women and children alike into wagons to be hauled back to the temple in
Leuctra. In one of the wagons we see a
woman with her face wrapped, and it looks like its Aura. The door is locked, sealing her in.
Ext. Village of Leuctra
Cain’s men have crested the hill to Leuctra, but this
time the village is ready for them, plus he’s only at half strength. Eve comes to stand beside Virgil, sword
ready.
Eve
Are you ready?
Virgil
Yep. You?
Eve
As I’ll ever be.
Friend.
He smiles at her, acknowledging his forgiveness, and
prepares to face down Cain and his army.
As Cain and his men charge, Virgil and Eve can hear them chanting a name
over and over again. When they’re
closer, they can make it out.
Virgil
What are they saying?
Eve
They’re saying Dahak, over
and
over again.
Virgil
But Dahak is dead. Why would
they… Everybody! Ready!
Cain and his men approach the gate fast but come up
short. One villager sets off a log trap which Cain and his men were ready for.
When the danger passes, they invade the village, using archers primarily to
take out the men who are standing at the defense.
Virgil
They know our plans! How
could
they know…You!
He turns on Eve and just as Cain rides in and
dismounts. The evil sorcerer/warrior
starts a battle with Virgil, as his men deftly avoid the traps set for them by
the villagers. Virgil is only able to
hold his own for so long before Cain gets the best of him. Once Virgil is disarmed and on the ground,
Eve comes to stand beside Cain to share a passionate kiss.
Eve
You should have
joined me Virgil.
Ext. Temple
Virgil and the villagers are led into the temple proper
where many of the captives from Plataea are already waiting. They have been chained to pins stuck deep
into the ground, and they cannot escape, regardless of how hard they try. Cain pulls Virgil up to him, and then shoves
him into Julian.
Cain
Prepare this one. He will be
the
crow jewel of my spectacle of
blood
today.
Julian leads Virgil away, kicking and screaming.
Cain
Now, my dear. I will sacrifice
these fools to myself, in the
name of my slain grandfather,
Dahak. When I do, I will feed
on the power their souls give
me,
and I will become the most
powerful god in Greece.
Ext. Road leading into temple
The last wagon from Plataea is being brought in. It is the wagon holding the mysterious woman
with Aura’s eyes.
Ext. Courtyard.
Eve watches as Cain takes his throne and his men take
up position around the chained villagers to kill them. Her eyes wander to the perfect blue sky
above, and that still, small voice that has been haunting her since the
beginning of the episode returns, whispering words of destiny to her.
Voice
Do not fear your
destiny.
Int. Heaven
Rachel stands over the pool in heaven, watching her
mother stare back at her from the earth, hearing her voice as she repeats over
and over “do not fear your destiny”.
Ext. Courtyard
Eve looks up at the sky, repeating the words over and
over. It is these words that are
breaking through the spell Cain has placed on her by using her fear of her
destiny against her.
Eve
Don’t fear my destiny? Who
am I? What is my destiny?
help me. Please help me.
Those are the only words Eve needed to speak from the
beginning. She needed to drop her pride and look past her fear to ask for
help. Now that she has, her daughter,
her guardian angel, can come forth and help her. Until that happens though, Cain can still control Eve’s actions.
Virgil is led out of the temple, stripped to nothing
but a loin cloth to be crucified in, and he’s laid on the cross.
Cain
Eve! Prove your loyalty to
me. Drive the nails in yourself.
Do it!
Obediently Eve goes to Virgil and picks up a nail and
hammer. A washer is laid across his
wrist, then she puts the nail on the small piece of wood and raises the
hammer. Virgil stares at her in fear.
Virgil
Eve, I know you have doubts
about your destiny but this
is
not it. I’m your friend. I know
you don’t want to hurt
me. Eve!
But Cain’s hold is still too strong on Eve, and she
raises the hammer, her eyes devoid of any feeling or mercy. No one notices the one peasant rising to her
feet in the background. It is the mystery woman. When she stands and unwraps
her head, we see it is Gabrielle, not Aura.
She hurls her Chakram at the hammer, breaking it before Eve can hammer
in the first nail.
Now all hell breaks loose. Gabrielle uses the Chakram to break the shackles on her feet,
then cuts the throat of the first guard rushing her. She then takes his sword and does an incredible flip to land
before Cain.
Cain
You! Your Gabrielle. My
Grandmother, the Betrayer!
You turned your back on my
Grandfather and mother. This is
better than getting to kill
Xena’s
daughter. I’ll make you pay for
all you’ve-
Gabrielle
Shut up and fight sunshine.
Grandma doesn’t have all day.
Cain attacks her but Gabrielle easily holds her own. In
the background Virgil fights his way free from his cross now that the guards
are distracted. Instead of trying to
take Eve on, who is only staring at the mayhem in confusion, he rushes off to
cut the chains of the villagers held captive.
Eve
Gabrielle!
Gabrielle kicks Cain in the jaw, sending him flying
backward and toppling over his gaudy throne, then flips down to face Eve.
Gabrielle
What are you
doing Eve?
Eve
Securing my
destiny.
Gabrielle
Your destiny is
secure. Lay down
your sword and come home with
me.
You need time to rest and-
Eve
Not a chance.
The two begin to fight, but Gabrielle is better and she
spins, kicking Eve in the chest and sending her flying back into the air. As she does this, a light appears in the sky
and Eve freezes in mid air. The fight
below is momentarily halted as everyone looks up at what is happening to
Eve. Cain breaks the silence first
however by charging Gabrielle.
As Cain flies impressively through the air, Gabrielle
hurls her Chakram and it cuts his throat.
He falls to the ground in a heap, grasping his throat in pure shock. He
had thought he was a better warrior than this.
Too powerful to be brought down by a mere mortal, but he was wrong. He’s dead by the time his head hits the
ground.
In the air Eve’s battle has only just begun. Rachel touches Eve’s chest, just above her
heart, and when she does, Eve sees several prophetic visions.
Rachel
Mother, don’t
fear your destiny.
*Vision #1-A woman on a road is stopped by an angel.
Angel
Don’t be afraid Mary. You have
found favor with God. You will
conceive and bring forth a
son, and
you will call his name
Jesus…
*Vision #2-Mary gives birth in a stables.
*Vision #3-A handsome, well-muscled young man-Jesus-
works in his fathers carpentry shop. An
older man, Joseph, calls to his son.
Joseph
Jesus!
Dinner!
*Vision #4-Jesus turns over a gambling table in a
rage in a temple.
*Vision #5-Jesus performs two miracles of healing.
*Vision #6-People speak up against Jesus.
*Vision #7-Jesus is captured in the garden of
Gethsemane.
*Vision #8-Jesus is beaten.
*Vision #9-Jesus pulls his cross up a hill while
being scorned by onlookers.
*Vision #10-The nails are hammered in.
*Vision #11-The sky turns dark as Jesus dies.
*Vision #12-Eve appears, walking on a cloud, holding
a dove in one hand
and a sword in the other.
Eve
Don’t be
afraid of your destiny.
Your Way is
the Way of the Warrior.
Fight for the
weak, and never
Be afraid of
your warrior heart.
Rachel appears next, a loving smile on her angelic
face.
Rachel
I love you
mother.
Eve
I love you
too Sweetness.
The visions end, Rachel fades away, and Eve falls back
down to Earth.
Close up on Eve.
Fade out.
End of Act four.
*********************************************
A Still, Small Voice-Tag
Fade In
Eve stands on a hill, looking down into the Mediterranean
ocean. Fishing boats laden with
fishermen go about their duties of catching fish, and villagers go about their
duties of everyday village life. As Eve
watches the people below her, she is filled to the brink with conflicting
emotions. Shame, for betraying Virgil,
anger at Cain for using her the way he did, sorrow at seeing her daughter for
only such a short time, but underneath it all she feels a sense of peace. She has finally come to terms with who she
is.
Virgil
Eve?
Virgil comes to stand next to her, and Gabrielle
remains mounted on her horse behind them.
Gabrielle
I’m heading off to settle
some business in Egypt. I
don’t know when I’ll be back.
Eve
I’ll tell Hope.
Gabrielle
I already have. How about you?
Are you going to be ok?
Eve
I think I will.
Gabrielle
I love you Evie.
Eve
I love you too Gabrielle.
They watch her trot off on Argo II, and then Virgil
stands behind Eve, wrapping her in a warm embrace.
Eve
I know who I am now. I know
who I’m supposed to prepare
the way for. It’s an enormous
load off my shoulders.
Virgil
I’ll bet. But you still don’t sound
sure of yourself.
Eve
I’m sure, it’s just I’m not thrilled
at the prospect of killing again.
Virgil
I’m know you’ll only kill when you
have no other choice. Eve.
Eve
Hmm?
Virgil
I believe in you.
She smiles and settles against him as they watch the
sun set over the ocean. They have an
amazing journey ahead of them. They
just don’t know it yet.
Fade out.
The end.
(Copyright Caina Q.
Fuller. 2001).