Lifeblood
TEASER
Mountains.
GABRIELLE (voice-over)
It was the birth of the Amazon nation and of their
legendary warrior Samsara, whose lust for blood
perverted their history, for eons. Then Xena brought
her daughter, Eve, to receive the Amazon Right of
Caste. This is the story of Eve's initiation, and of
the Amazon rebirth.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena and Gabrielle walk along with Argo and Gabrielle's horse. Xena holds Eve.
XENA
You know Gabrielle, you don't have to do this.
GABRIELLE
I wanna do it Xena. You gave Eve life. The least
I can do is make her an Amazon princess.
XENA
Hm-m.
GABRIELLE
Don't you want me to give her my Right of Caste?
XENA
I don't know. I used to think that I had to go through
life alone...that anything else was a sign of weakness.
So I traded my home and family for...violence,
blood...so much blood. I never want Eve to know
that life. Maybe if she becomes an Amazon she'll
always feel a part of something.
GABRIELLE
She will.
XENA
But your Right of Caste, that's a pretty precious gift.
GABRIELLE
Xena we're all family. I love her like my own daughter.
XENA
Well if that's the way you feel.
They keep walking.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cyane stands with Eris before several Amazon pyres.
ERIS
This deed cannot go unpunished.
CYANE
Once we've mourned our loss we will have our
evenge. We'll kill every last one of them.
Xena and Gabrielle enter the Amazon village (the horses are no longer with them).
CYANE
Xena, Gabrielle, we've been expecting you.
Xena walks right past Cyane and moves along the pyres. She sees Yakut on one of them.
XENA
Yakut.
Yakut's face is covered.
GABRIELLE
What's happened?
CYANE
Samite nomads from the northern steppes raided
the village. Yakut led our defense. We drove them
back, but at great cost.
Gabrielle sighs. The pyres are lit.
YAKUT (voice-over)
Xena. (pause) Xena.
Yakut's spirit rises from her body and throws a fireball at Xena.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Cyane the Utma is held to a stone and a knife rises over her.
CYANE THE UTMA
No-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-o!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Varanas camp. The Tretomlecs attack, lead by Samsara.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Tretomlecs fight the Varanas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." A Varanas holds the Utma dagger over his head.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena sways, her eyes half closed. Gabrielle grabs her shoulder.
GABRIELLE
Are you okay?
Xena looks at Yakut's pyre.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Xena and Gabrielle sit on some stairs, Xena holding Eve.
GABRIELLE
I can't believe this happened.
XENA
It shouldn't have. Gabrielle I saw Yakut's spirit.
She was trying to tell me something, trying to
warn me.
GABRIELLE
About what?
XENA
I don't know.
EXTRA
I'll be down there.
XENA
She wouldn't be back if there wasn't something wrong.
EXTRA
Here it is!
Cyane walks over to them.
CYANE
Xena, Gabrielle, we've prepared a yurt for you.
GABRIELLE
Thank you...
CYANE
Cyane.
GABRIELLE
Cyane.
XENA
Ah, you've taken the traditional name of the tribal leader.
CYANE
I accepted command out of necessity not desire.
GABRIELLE
I haven't seen Amarice.
CYANE
Many lives were lost during the battle.
GABRIELLE
Lost.
CYANE
She wanted you to have this.
Cyane hands Gabrielle a small sack.
CYANE
She added a bead for Eve.
Eve is playing with Gabrielle's sai. Gabrielle pulls out the necklace she had given to Amarice in "Them Bones, Them Bones."
GABRIELLE
How did she know?
CYANE
Yakut foresaw your arrival. She said you would
come to make Eve a part of our tribe, and that
we should welcome her. We're ready to begin
the ceremony.
XENA
Look, I don't know that this is any time-
GABRIELLE
Xena there's death all around us. Maybe bringing
a new life into the tribe would be good for us.
Eve drops the sai. She looks down at it and then looks up and laughs.
XENA
All right.
Xena moves to stand.
CYANE
I'm sorry Xena. Only Amazons may be present
at our Right 'a Caste ceremonies.
Xena sighs.
GABRIELLE
It's okay.
XENA
Very well.
Gabrielle takes Eve.
GABRIELLE
Don't be afraid, Eve. We're going to make you an
Amazon princess.
Gabrielle and Cyane move off.
CYANE
If you wish to give Eve your Right of Caste you
must, first take your rightful place as our queen.
GABRIELLE
The queen? You know I'm not staying.
CYANE
It's only for the ceremony. After that you can choose
someone to take your place.
Xena watches them go.
YAKUT (voice-over)
Xena, I need your help. Clothe yourself in the
robes of a shamaness then come to me.
Xena looks at a yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena enters a yurt, wearing an animal skin. She sees her headdress and chest piece on a rack. She moves over to them and touches the headdress. Yakut appears.
YAKUT
Xena.
Xena turns to see her.
XENA
Yakut, what are you doing here? Why haven't you
crossed over into the Land of the Dead?
YAKUT
When I left my mortal body, many things were
revealed to me. Each of us has a mission in life,
a role to fulfill. I didn't get the chance to complete mine.
XENA
And you can't cross over until you do.
YAKUT
Xena, the Amazons are in danger.
XENA
From what?
YAKUT
The key to the future lies in the past. I failed my
people. I have to fix it before it's too late.
XENA
What do you need me to do?
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle stands in a yurt, in the light of the moon. She is wearing an animal skin top and skirt. The Amazons stand in a circle around her.
CYANE (voice-over)
A queen is a chalice. Let us fill you with visions
of our history, fragments of a time before we were
Amazons, when cannibals slaughtered our men,
and warriors like the great Samsara called on the
Timur for a savior from the future. An Utma, the
first Cyane.
Several Amazons start to dance and sing. Eris holds Eve.
CYANE (voice-over)
Behold, the legendary Samsara.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Samsara and Karina fight several Varanas warriors.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h!
A Varanas warrior holds the Utma dagger (a dagger carved of bone with the head of an animal carved on the top) over the fallen Karina. Samsara runs at him.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Samsara hits his hand and takes the dagger. Karina takes him down and knocks him out. More Varanas warriors enter.
KARINA
Run! Run! Go!
Samsara runs and Karina fights the warriors.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Samsara runs by a river.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Timur chants near a river. Samsara enters and holds the Utma dagger in his face.
SAMSARA
Do it.
He takes the dagger.
TIMUR
Force of life, send us from the land beyond time
and death, the Utma, our savior, our greatest warrior.
Cyane the Utma appears, wearing jeans, a white shirt, a blue sweater and a backpack. Timur is startled. Cyane the Utma screams. A Varanas warrior enters.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Samsara fights him. Cyane the Utma moves to Timur.
CYANE THE UTMA
I am dreaming! No I'm the Twilight Zone!
More Varanas warriors enter along with Karina.
CYANE THE UTMA
I am dreaming!
She sobs. A Varanas warrior is knocked into the fire and Cyane the Utma screams. Samsara moves over to Cyane the Utma, who is screaming hysterically. Samsara hits her, knocking her out.
SAMSARA
This is our saviour?!
Samsara holds the knocked out Cyane the Utma.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is in the light of the moon.
CYANE (voice-over)
Her strange ways and clothes confused the tribe,
but her courage was real.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Horses run. The Tretomlecs run after them. Cyane the Utma is dressed in her blue sweater and an animal skin skirt.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h! Ah-h-h-h-h!
The Tretomlecs rope a white horse.
KARINA
Easy, easy! That's it! Good!
Cyane the Utma runs over and mounts the horse. The Tretomlecs stare at her in shock.
CYANE THE UTMA
Take it easy boy. I'm not gonna hurt you. Good
boy. Good boy. Attaboy. Whoa, whoa, who-o-o-o-a!
The horse rears and Cyane the Utma is thrown off. The Tretomlecs all bow, though Samsara is reluctant.
CYANE THE UTMA
What?
KARINA
You truly are the Utma.
CYANE THE UTMA
What did I do?
OLAN
You mounted a swift one. Nobody has ever dared
to do that!
CYANE THE UTMA
What just 'cause I rode a horse for a few seconds
you think I'm...wait. If you guys don't ride the swift
ones when you catch 'em, what do you do with them?
KARINA
We prepare them for the ceremonial dinner.
CYANE THE UTMA
You eat horses?! You're not supposed to eat horses!
Horses aren't food! I can't believe this!
KARINA
With your courage you have shown us that you
are worthy of our tribe. Whether you think you're
the Utma or not tonight you become a Tretomlec!
The Tretomlecs cheer.
EXTRA
Cyane!
The Tretomlecs cheer and Olan high fives Cyane the Utma.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is in the light of the moon.
CYANE (voice-over)
Tonight, your coronation continues a ritual passed
down to us through the ages.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Tretomlecs dance. Several dance in a circle around a stone in the middle of the cave, where the moon shines down on it.
CYANE (voice-over)
A ritual of music and movement, a celebration
of community and joy, for we are a family united
in sisterhood. We are the creators and our own
creations. The words and the music. Both singer
and song. Our traditions stretch back to the great
Gaea herself, mother of us all.
Cyane the Utma dances with modern moves and Olan copies her.
CYANE (voice-over)
A tradition of dance...of music.
Cyane the Utma is grabbed by two Tretomlec warriors and pulled onto the rock.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle falls to her knees.
CYANE (voice-over)
Of sacrifice.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." A dagger is held over Cyane the Utma.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle is kneeling.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The dagger is raised.
CYANE THE UTMA
No-o-o-o-o!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle's arm is cut twice.
CYANE (voice-over)
Of blood.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Karina cuts Cyane the Utma the same way Gabrielle just was. Cyane the Utma screams. She stands, holding her arm and the Tretomlecs cheer. Cyane the Utma looks up the moon overhead.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle touches her arm and raises her hand to see the blood on it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Red moon.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Cyane the Utma holds her hand in front of her face and sees the blood on it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle holds up her blood-covered hand, which is now washed over with red light from the moon. Gabrielle looks up at the moon.
END OF ACT ONE
ACT TWO
Red moon.
CYANE (voice-over)
Witness our legacy Gabrielle.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle looks up at the moon.
CYANE (voice-over)
Embrace the Amazon way.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Tretomlecs fight the Varanas in the Varanas village.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h!
Samsara and Karina fight the Varanas.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle looks up at the moon.
CYANE
As our foresisters honored the first Cyane, give
your spirit kiss to our new queen Gabrielle.
The Amazons kiss their hands, then hold out their arms and then kneel. Eris holds Eve and kneels. The red light over Gabrielle becomes blue once more.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Tretomlecs enter the cave where Cyane the Utma is. They give their spirit kiss and chant.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Gabrielle looks up at the moon. The chant from "Amazon High" can be heard in a voice-over.
CYANE
She will lead us in our quest, for vengeance.
GABRIELLE
Vengeance. Vengeance.
She breaks out of her trance and stands.
GABRIELLE
No. No don't you see? This battle is over. You've won.
CYANE
Our enemy dared to kill the greatest amongst
us. For that they must be punished.
GABRIELLE
Hasn't there been enough blood here already?
CYANE
We have an obligation to Yakut, the tribe.
GABRIELLE
We have an obligation here. Without new life our
tribe dies! Begin the right of caste ceremony.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Xena looks at an animal skin with writing on it.
XENA
I don't think we're gonna find what we're looking
for here.
YAKUT
Even as a spirit I, don't have the ability to break
the laws of time, to see into the past.
XENA
Then we'll have to bring the past to us.
YAKUT
The Utma dagger. But it was banished to the
netherworld long ago so it wouldn't fall into the
wrong hands.
XENA
But you can reach it through the spirit world.
YAKUT
Even if I can reach it I can't bring it into the physical realm.
XENA
But I can.
YAKUT
Xena, you don't realize how dangerous this is.
If--if you fail you could be pulled into the netherworld
with it.
XENA
No one said it would be easy. You should be able
to travel through the spirit world to the dagger. Try.
Yakut closes her eyes.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera moves fast over the land. Samsara's face is seen.
YAKUT (voice-over)
Samsara opposes me.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yakut's eyes are closed.
XENA
You can do it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The camera moves fast over the land. Samsara's face is seen.
YAKUT
Spirit be gone!
Samsara's face disappears and the camera continues to move fast over the land.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Yakut's eyes are closed.
YAKUT
I can see it.
XENA
Come on Yakut, will it.
YAKUT
I can see it.
Yakut holds out her hand.
XENA
You can do it. Stay with it.
The Utma dagger forms in her hand.
XENA
You did it.
Xena reaches out and holds the dagger. Lightning flashes in the yurt. Yakut's forehead is bleeding.
XENA
Ah-h-h! Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h! (whispering) Yakut.
Xena holds the Utma dagger.
YAKUT
You did it. The Utma dagger. Lift it Xena search
our past for the answer.
Xena holds up the dagger. Lightning flashes in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Several Tretomlecs are gathering around Cyane the Utma.
SAMSARA
Over that rise is the great river. On the other side
of the river is the tree that carries the hard red
fruit. We race there. The first one back, wins
the challenge.
KARINA
Cyane I think you should accept this, and show
us how the Utma runs.
CYANE THE UTMA
I suppose we could that but it's just, see, I don't
think, running is really a very heroic thing.
She turns and runs.
KARINA
(to Samsara) I think the race has begun.
Samsara sneers and runs. The Tretomlecs cheer and follow. Cyane the Utma runs, Samsara catching up. Cyane the Utma reaches a high trench, which over-looks a river. She stops running and backs up. Samsara keeps running. Cyane the Utma runs too and the two of them jump over the trench. Samsara makes it, but Cyane the Utma does not. She grabs the side of the trench. She loses her grip and screams as she falls into the river. Kor pulls her out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Kor brings Cyane the Utma into a cave.
CYANE THE UTMA
No! Put me down!
Kor puts her down and stares at her.
CYANE THE UTMA
Hi. You saved my life. Thanks.
KOR
Huh? Hm-m? Good body?
CYANE THE UTMA
Thanks.
She holds out her hand.
CYANE THE UTMA
Cyane.
Kor looks at her hand.
KOR
Hm-m. Hm-m. Hm-m.
He takes her hand and pulls her into his lap.
KOR
Kor.
CYANE THE UTMA
You know I think we're, moving way too fast here.
I appreciate your, saving my life but-
He kisses her.
CYANE
That doesn't mean I'm gonna, fall for any handsome
guy who happens to be a, great kisser.
She kisses him again. Samsara enters, yelling. She and Kor fight.
CYANE THE UTMA
What are you doing?!
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Samsara knocks Kor to the ground. She draws her dagger and holds it over him. Cyane the Utma kicks her. The Tretomlecs enter and Kor run out.
EXTRA
It's a Varanas!
Kor runs off.
KARINA
What happened Samsara?
SAMSARA
She sided with our enemy against me! The penalty
is death!
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
There's a flash and Xena opens her eyes.
XENA
(whispers) Yakut.
YAKUT
That moment of history was lost to us.
XENA
Samsara was blinded by hatred and blood lust.
I saw it in her eyes.
YAKUT
I've seen this before. Here. Even when my people
mourn they think of nothing but revenge.
XENA
I can talk to them.
Yakut looks at her hands.
YAKUT
But Xena, it's ingrained in our culture.
Yakut's hands are covered in blood.
YAKUT
Even when new sisters join the tribe, they're bathed
in blood.
XENA
Eve.
Xena runs out.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
A horse has words painted on it. Gabrielle holds Eve.
CYANE
You must declare your intentions before the tribe.
Cyane takes Eve and walks over to the horse with her.
GABRIELLE
Eve is my rightful heir. I give her my Right of Caste.
CYANE
Behold Eve. She'll forever after be called our sister,
in life, and in death.
A bowl is held under the horse's neck.
CYANE
Eve, we welcome you. By this blood, I initiate you
into the sisterhood of our tribe as a full Amazon princess.
An Amazon draws a dagger and holds it at the horse's throat. Gabrielle looks at the horse, who looks at her. Gabrielle sees blood on the dagger and on the bowl.
GABRIELLE
No.
Gabrielle stares at the horse.
END OF ACT TWO
ACT THREE
Gabrielle mouths, "No." The dagger is held at the horse's throat. Xena's chakram knocks it away. Xena catches her chakram. Gabrielle takes Eve.
CYANE
This is a sacred ceremony!
GABRIELLE
I'm so sorry. That's not how I was initiated.
XENA
I know. Listen, what you're doing here is wrong.
CYANE
This has been our way for generations. Who are
you to tell us any different? You're not even an Amazon.
XENA
It's wrong, and you don't have to take my word for it.
Xena holds up the Utma dagger.
CYANE
The sacred dagger of the Utma.
XENA
If you won't listen to me, listen to your ancestors.
Xena holds up the dagger.
XENA
Let Yakut reveal the truth Samsara hid!
The lightning flashes in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Cyane the Utma and Olan look out at some horses. The horses run off.
CYANE THE UTMA
What did I say?
Several Varanas warriors run at them, yelling.
OLAN
I think it was them!
Cyane the Utma and Olan run, followed by the Varanas. Cyane the Utma and Olan jump over two Varanas and roll down a hill. Cyane the Utma gets up and keeps running, but Olan has hurt herself. The Varanas capture her. Two Varanas run at Cyane the Utma and capture her as well. She is thrown down next to Olan.
ODA
Tretomlecs.
Oda chuckles. They are taken away.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons all have their eyes closed as the lightning flashes inside the yurt.
YAKUT (voice-over)
A prisoner, Cyane touched her enemy's heart.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." In the Varanas village, Oda puts a bone dagger in Kor's hands.
ODA
Bleed her!
Kor roars and holds the dagger at Cyane the Utma's throat. She screams then sobs.
CYANE THE UTMA
Oh-h-h-h-h-h, please don't. No.
Kor holds the dagger at her throat but makes no other move to kill her. Oda frowns.
ODA
Do it.
CYANE THE UTMA
Please...no.
Samsara yells and enters. The Tretomlecs fight the Varanas.
SAMSARA
This is for my father!
Samsara fights. Karina enters and fights.
KARINA
Death to all Varanas!
Samsara is knocked down by Oda. Karina yells and Oda looks at her. Samsara runs off. Kor and Cyane the Utma are kneeling before each other. Karina runs over and pulls Cyane the Utma to her feet. Kor and Cyane the Utma stare at each other. Karina runs back and grabs Cyane the Utma.
KARINA
Come on!
The Tretomlecs run.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons all have their eyes closed as the lightning flashes inside the yurt.
YAKUT (voice-over)
But Samsara's heart, was too hard.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Tretomlecs sit in a cave.
CYANE THE UTMA
Thank you Samsara.
SAMSARA
I don't want your thanks.
CYANE THE UTMA
Samsara if you hate me so much, why did you
save me?
SAMSARA
I didn't want the Varanas to get the satisfaction
of eating another Tretomlec.
Samsara leaves the cave and kneels outside.
KARINA
You must forgive Samsara, her bitterness. Memories
of her father's death cry still slice her soul.
CYANE THE UTMA
She was there?
KARINA
Yes. She didn't go with Teemor and the other
women. She liked being with the men, and she
begged her father to let her stay. When the Varanas
attacked at night, she hid under the fallen roof of
one of our yurts. She saw who killed him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Targa.
KARINA (voice-over)
It was Targa, the Varanas with the blood-red scar-
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." Cave.
KARINA
-on his cheek. She feels that she should have
done something to help.
CYANE THE UTMA
They outnumbered your tribe. There was nothing
she could do.
KARINA
Then she feels she should have died with her father.
Cyane the Utma looks at Samsara, understanding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The lightning flashes in the yurt and stops. Xena lowers the dagger. Eris enters.
ERIS
Cyane quick. The Samites. They're retreating
back to their homeland.
CYANE
Amazons it's time to avenge our fallen sisters.
Death to the Samites!
EXTRAS
Death!
GABRIELLE
I won't let this tribe go to war. Revenge is not justice!
CYANE
Don't you have any respect for the dead? We
would never abandon our sisters, even in death.
XENA
Don't your traditions include listening to your queen?
CYANE
This is an Amazon matter. Step aside.
Yakut appears amoung the Amazons, blood running from her forehead.
YAKUT (voice-over)
Stop them Xena, or the tribe and I are lost.
XENA
You're making a terrible mistake.
CYANE
The only mistake would be to ignore the debt we
owe Yakut and the others.
She draws dagger and holds it up at Xena.
CYANE
Nothing will stop us from fulfilling our duty.
The Amazons step up beside Cyane.
END OF ACT THREE
ACT FOUR
Cyane holds the dagger at Xena.
XENA
I understand why you think you have to do this.
Yakut and Amarice were my friends too.
GABRIELLE
Killing won't bring them back.
CYANE
You saw what the Utma dagger had to show us
Xena. Even when we try to live in peace our enemies
seek to destroy us.
XENA
You say you're doing this for Yakut, but if you spill
blood in her name you doom her to spend eternity
paying for your sins.
Yakut appears once more amoung the Amazons, her face covered in blood.
XENA
There's still time to save her. Yakut walks among
us still.
Yakut looks at Cyane and disappears.
XENA
Isn't that right Cyane?
CYANE
Yakut?
GABRIELLE
Cyane?
ERIS
I don't understand.
CYANE
She took an arrow that was meant for me. I was
angry. Her life was worth more than mine. Why
would she do something so foolish?
XENA
Because she loves you. She asks that you see
the truth, and be guided by it.
Xena holds up the Utma dagger.
XENA
Retrieve the lost wisdom of your past.
Lightning flashes in the yurt.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Varanas move along. Kor's hands are tied to a branch behind his head. Targa turns to look at Oda.
TARGA
Tretomlecs!
A group of Tretomlecs move along. The Varanas watch them. Targa growls and laughs.
ODA
Rah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
The Varanas run at the Tretomlecs. There's the sound of many hoofs. The Varanas stop. More Tretomlecs enter on horseback.
CYANE THE UTMA
Amazons! Who-o-o-o-o! Whoo-ho-o-o-o-o-o!
The Tretomlecs fight the Varanas. Cyane the Utma leads the mounted Tretomlecs. She is now dressed all in skins.
CYANE
Amazons rule! Amazons rule!
The mounted Tretomlecs join the battle. The Tretomlecs fight the Varanas.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
A Varanas knocks down a Tretomlec. Samsara throws her spear, killing him.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
The Tretomlecs fight the Varanas. Kor falls to his knees.
KOR
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Olan is surrounded. Cyane the Utma rides to her and knocks down the Varanas with her horse. Targa kills a Tretomlec and growls. Samsara sees him. She rides at him and he runs.
SAMSARA
Ah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h! Yah-h-h-h-h! Ya-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Samsara kills Targa. Oda moves towards Kor. Cyane the Utma sees him and urges her horse towards them.
CYANE THE UTMA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h!
Cyane the Utma jumps off of her horse and pulls down Oda, saving Kor. She moves to him and unties him. Oda stands. Samsara sees him and rides over.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h!
Oda raises his ax. Samsara rides by and kills him.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h!
Cyane the Utma turns to see Oda fall.
SAMSARA
Who-o-o-o-oa!
The battle is over. The remaining Varanas run off. The Tretomlecs check on their fallen comrades. Cyane the Utma cradles Kor in her arms.
SAMSARA
We've got them on the run. Let's keep going. We
can slaughter them like sheep now.
KARINA
No, we've beaten them. It'll be a long time, before
they're able to threaten anyone.
SAMSARA
But they're-
KARINA
I said no! It's over Samsara.
Samsara spits and rides off.
SAMSARA
Yah-h-h-h-h-h!
Cyane the Utma watches Samsara ride off.
CYANE THE UTMA
(to Kor) Go, lead your people. Show them a better way.
Kor and Cyane the Utma stand. Kor looks at her and then walks off.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The yurt. The lightning flashes stop and Xena lowers the dagger.
CYANE
How could we have strayed so far?
GABRIELLE
It doesn't matter now. Decide who you want to be,
right here, right now.
ERIS
We're not supposed to fight?
XENA
Only to save lives.
GABRIELLE
It's time for a new tradition.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons dance and sing. Xena, Gabrielle, Cyane and Eve watch from the platform.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Tretomlecs dance and sing. The dancing stops.
KARINA
Tretomlec women.
The singing stops.
KARINA
I propose a new mission for us. In honor, of our
lost fathers, sons, brothers and husbands, we
take no more men into our tribe but dedicate our
lives to helping others! I say we lay to rest with
our beloved men the name Tretomlec and embrace
the name given to us by the Utma. From this
moment on, we are the Amazons!
The Amazon cheer.
CYANE THE UTMA
Amazons rule!
The music starts up again and the Amazon dance and sing.
OLAN
Wow!
The Amazons dance and sing.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Amazons dance and sing. They stop and bow. A stone bowl filled with water is carried up to the platform.
GABRIELLE
Eve, I bestow upon you, my Right of Caste. Cherish it.
Xena holds Eve over the bowl. Cyane cups her hands in the water and then puts the water on Eve's head. Yakut's spirit floats in the air, no longer covered in blood.
YAKUT
Thank you Xena. You saved my people and me.
Yakut smiles at Xena and Xena at her. Yakut leaves. The dancing starts up again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
"Amazon High." The Amazon dance.
CYANE THE UTMA
Go, 'zons! (chuckles)
The Amazons dance.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Clouds over mountains.
GABRIELLE (voice-over)
And so the Amazon legacy to temper might with
mercy was restored, thanks to the innocence of
a child, and the wisdom of Xena.
END OF ACT FOUR
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Kate Elliot as Yakut
Shelley Edwards as Cyane
Morgan Reese Fairhead as Eris
Selma Blair as Cyane the Utma*
Danielle Cormack as Samsara*
Claudia Black as Karina*
Monica McSwain as Olan*
Karl Urban as Kor*
John Callen as Oba*
Hemi Rudolph as Targa*
Chris Baily as Timur*
*Amazon High cast
Teleplay by: R.J. Stewart, George Strayton and Tom Oneill
Story by: Rob Tapert and R.J. Stewart
Directed by: Michael Hurst (Amazon High)
and Paul Grinder (Xena: Warrior Princess)
Disclaimer: Warning: The Surgeon General cautions practicing Weird and Grotesque Amazon rituals may be hazardous to your health.
