Path of Vengeance
This transcript is dedicated to the memory of Kevin Smith.
You've seen our lands. You've seen our hunting
grounds. Our numbers grow bigger every day.
Will you join your tribe with ours?
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These are good lands, but my people are restless
and wish to return to our own homes.
GWYN-TEIR
This valley is the birthplace of the Amazons,
where Artemis created our people. This is home...for
all of us.
KANNE
We can't survive scattered to the winds any longer.
Everywhere, Amazons are persecuted. We have
united to protect ourselves.
MAWU-KA
And everything is decided by your council of tribal queens?
Not everything.
KANNE
We uphold Amazon law, but Varia leads our warriors.
She is our queen. She brought us together and
made us strong.
VARIA
And now it's time to use our strength. We've spotted
Roman troops combing through our forests.
GWYN-TEIR
Why would the Romans come here?
VARIA
Whatever their reason, I'm going to make sure
they don't leave.
Keep moving! She can't be far!
What are you doing here?
CAPTAIN
The emperor dispatched us to be your guard.
EVE
My guard. I'm bringing a message of peace. I
can't come to the Amazons with troops.
CAPTAIN
I have my orders. We're to accompany you.
EVE
This is insane. Tell the emperor that I must do
this alone. I can't-
They're surrounding us!
CAPTAIN
I thought they were a small tribe.
EVE
(to the Amazons) I'm a representative of Eli! And
of Rome! I am here for peace!
I don't think they care. (to soldiers) Fall back!
Stay together! Keep tight!
EXTRA
Attack!
(to Eve) Come on! I gotta get you outta here!
EVE
No, I'm here for a purpose! I'm not leaving!
Well, if it isn't Livia.
EVE
I'm Eve, the Messenger of Eli.
VARIA
Take her prisoner!
Whatever name it is you're going by now, you're
going to pay for the crimes you committed against
the Amazon sisterhood.
We've got to get word back to command. Go back
to the last village. Find an officer and tell him
what's happening. Go!
You shouldn't have come back, Livia!
EXTRA
How does it feel saviour of Rome!?
EXTRA
Not so tough now, huh, Livia?!
EXTRA
You'll pay for what you've done!
I'm sorry.
GABRIELLE
They won't take us, either. He says there's a
legion of Roman soldiers coming through.
XENA
All this movement, back towards Rome. I guess
this new emperor's really serious about waging
peace, huh?
GABRIELLE
Well, thanks to you.
XENA
Eve's the one who set him on the road to peace.
Let's try the next place.
GABRIELLE
Well, whoever it was, I'm just glad there's an end
to the fighting.
XENA
Yeah.
Amazons...hundreds.
XENA
No Amazon tribe is that big.
YOUNG SOLDIER
Well, I saw it. We didn't have a chance against
that many.
GABRIELLE
What were you doing on Amazon lands?
YOUNG SOLDIER
The emperor sent us to protect the Messenger of Eli.
XENA
The Messenger of Eli, what happened to her?
YOUNG SOLDIER
The Amazons took her prisoner. They were calling
her "Livia," and they seemed set on avenging
some wrong she'd done to them in her past. I
don't know what they're gonna do with her.
XENA
They're going to kill her.
END OF TEASER
ACT ONE
Keep moving.
EXTRA
Right there!
What do we do with these?
VARIA
Finish the battle.
CYANE
They've surrendered.
VARIA
Finish the battle or they'll just come back and kill
more of our sisters.
CYANE
My tribe doesn't kill the enemy once they've surrendered.
VARIA
Come.
Scum.
CYANE
There's no honour in this, Varia.
EVE
Varia, no! These men were sent to guard
me. They didn't come to fight. I came here in peace!
If you massacre these men, you will be no better
than I was.
VARIA
You dare compare me to you?
I'm defending Amazon land, and uniting my people.
You were raiding our village for slaves. Marga
sentenced you to death if you ever returned to Amazon
lands. We let you go last time. This time, you're
gonna face what you've done.
EVE
That's why I came.
Your clan's gonna protect the pass. No one is
to get through to our valley.
(to her clan) You heard her. Let's go.
Cyane's tribe. What are they doing this far south?
GABRIELLE
I don't know.
We're friends of your tribe. We want to talk.
CYANE
Varia, queen of the Amazon nation, has ordered
that no one is allowed to pass.
XENA
Well, we're coming through.
Xena, I know you wanna save Eve, but these are
our friends so let's keep it that way, all right? We
knew your queen - Cyane.
CYANE
That is my name, now. I was given the honour
of inheriting her name and rank.
GABRIELLE
This is Xena.
I'm Gabrielle.
It is a privilege to meet a fellow queen of such
reputation. The elders of my tribe tell many stories
of your deeds, but I can't go against Varia's orders.
She's our leader, now.
XENA
Cyane, those men were executed after surrender.
Your namesake would not have stood for that. Now,
we need to talk to Varia.
CYANE
The council is about to meet. You may have a
chance to speak to Varia. You can accompany
me. And you should know many of Varia's sisters
do not like the path that she's leading us on.
This woman was banished-
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-from our lands under threat of death. Now, she
returns with troops at her side, as she did years
ago - the infamous Bitch of Rome, Livia.
Her name is Eve.
These hands enslaved my sisters. Changing
her name does not change her crimes.
XENA
Your queen, Marga, already passed judgment
on those crimes.
VARIA
And decreed that she would be executed if she
ever returned to Amazon lands.
KANNE
This is an Amazon council Xena. You have no
prerogative to be heard here.
XENA
I'm not leaving here without her.
GABRIELLE
Now, wait...
GWYN-TEIR
We recognize your right to speak, Queen Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE
Xena is here with my permission. She has a right
to defend her daughter before the Amazon council.
KANNE
If she stays, she must abide by our law.
Continue, Varia.
VARIA
Six years ago, before Livia of Rome came to
our lands-
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-my tribe was strong. My sister and I were scouting.
EXTRA
Keep moving! Amazon village up ahead!
Search the village!
VARIA
Tura, come back! Let's go.
Romans! Romans are coming!
Hurry!
VARIA
Romans!
EXTRA
With me. This way.
Romans!
EXTRA
This way!
EXTRA
Quickly.
EXTRA
Hurry!
EXTRA
Come on!
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
Quickly! Quickly!
VARIA
Tura!
Check inside! I don't want anyone hiding. No! Watch
the faces. We've got to get the money back at auction.
I had the perfect chance. I could have rid the
world of Livia, but it was my first battle. I had never
killed before.
Yah-h-h-h-h-h-h-h-h!
No, Tura!
Ra-a-a-a-a-a-ah!
Aaaah!
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If I had killed Livia, I would still have my tribe and
my sister. I can't undo the past, but we can redeem
it with justice.
Varia tells the truth. I did those things.
KANNE
The accused has confessed to her crimes. Her
guilt is not in question. All that remains to be
decided is the form of punishment.
GWYN-TEIR
The law is clear - death or banishment.
VARIA
She was banished before and returned. This time,
she dies.
All in favour of the execution of Livia of Rome, also
known as Eve, stand and be counted.
ACT TWO
You're not doing this!
By Amazon law, Xena has a right to defend the accused!
VARIA
She confessed. What could her defense be?
XENA
You give me time, I'll present one.
CYANE
Gabrielle and Xena have done enough for the
Amazons to deserve this.
You have one hour to present your case.
(to Gabrielle) Did you notice that sword Varia had?
GABRIELLE
Eve had a sword like that...when she was Livia.
XENA
That's right. She got it from Ares.
Varia? Marga believed that one day you'd be a great
queen. She asked me to train you for that, but I
see I failed her.
VARIA
No, you haven't failed. I'm grateful for your training,
but I'm on my own now.
XENA
Is that right?
Anyone who's ever seen me use that move is
dead...except Ares. He's training you now, isn't
he? For what?
VARIA
He's helping me build the Amazon nation and
we're doing it, Xena.
XENA
He doesn't care about you or the Amazon nation!
VARIA
The Amazons are tired of being pushed around!
We're going to fight back, united and strong, with
the God of War as our ally.
XENA
You don't need him. Varia, it's within you to lead
the Amazons. You're the one.
They want to hear your defense.
No, Xena, you're wrong. I do need him.
All right Eve-
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-why did you raid Varia's tribe?
EVE
Slaves.
XENA
Slaves? But why would any commander lead a
regiment of men through swamp and forest and
then engage the fiercest warriors in the land in the
vain hope of making them slaves? What really happened?
(quietly to Eve) Eve, Ares is leading the Amazons
in a suicidal war against the Romans. You can
make them see how he operates. If you don't
care about yourself, at least care about them.
EVE
I committed these crimes, Mother. I must tell the truth.
XENA
Then tell the whole truth.
EVE
I was fighting two campaigns in the north. I was
taking provinces for Rome.
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So...where are we?
We hold these areas, here, here, and here. These
others will fall before the end of the day.
LIVIA
Hm-m-m, all right. Leave me.
What's wrong? Campaign not goin' to plan?
Exactly as I planned. I'm running out of territories
to capture. We'll wage so much war, we'll have
nothing but peace.
Ya haven't been there.
LIVIA
Amazon lands? There's nothing to be gained there.
ARES
Not all gains are shown on a map. I'm talking
about glory, the name, "Livia." What would the
world say if you were to conquer the fierce Amazons
just for...kicks?
LIVIA
Mm-hm-m.
ARES
Or even better, turned them into slaves? See, I
know this Persian warlord - Gurkhan? He has a
taste for the exotic.
LIVIA
Hm-m-m. It doesn't make sense. Even with a
surprise raid, I'd still lose men.
ARES
Trust me on this.
If you enslave the Amazons, you can watch the
name Livia spread all over the world.
So, Ares was behind the raid.
EVE
Yeah.
Ares wants a strong Amazon nation. He's helping
me to build it.
XENA
Ares helps no one but himself.
VARIA
I'll find out the truth...from him.
I'd consider Eve's verdict carefully, because you're
also choosing a path for your people.
KANNE
You've had your say, Xena. The Amazons will
decide now.
You wish to be heard, Gabrielle?
GABRIELLE
I wish to join the Amazon council in the deliberation.
MAWU-KA
As a queen, you have that right.
CYANE
We could use your wisdom.
Xena...I think I can make them understand what
Ares is like. Varia already has her doubts.
XENA
Still, Ares can be very persuasive. He's managed
to con them all so far.
Just be patient, Xena. Let me try this. There's
wisdom in the Amazon ways.
XENA
Like the time they painted you blue and made you
howl at the moon to consecrate your queeniness?
Look if you can't talk 'em 'round, I'm getting Eve
out of here the old-fashioned way.
Ares!
Whoa. Is that any way to request the company
of your patron god?
VARIA
You were behind the raid that killed my sisters.
Eve told us what happened.
ARES
And you believed her.
VARIA
Just tell me the truth.
ARES
Okay. Artemis was content to let your sisters
dwindle away in separate tribes. I saw it coming.
I tried to warn her.
VARIA
That doesn't explain the raid.
ARES
Well, I knew when word of the raid spread, it'd
bring the tribes together. You see, hate is a powerful
emotion, Varia. It unites people.
VARIA
That's no excuse for turning my sisters into slaves.
ARES
I knew Gurkhan would never take Amazons as
slaves. They're too spirited to fetch a dinar on the
auction block. So Livia took 'em to market, couldn't
make a profit. I mean what she did...
VARIA
What?
ARES
She threw them overboard. I mean, she tossed them
like spoiled cargo. They still had their shackles on.
VARIA
I wanted to build an army to bring them back home.
ARES
Well, you can never bring them back, but you can
stop this from ever happening again. Eve and
Rome were hand-in-hand in the slaughter, so
you know what you do? You lead your sisters
against the Romans, and you show them you
mean business.
You know that Ares was behind the raid. Why do
you condemn Eve?
CYANE
Ares may have put the idea in her head, but it
was Eve's hand on the sword.
KANNE
She admits her crimes. It is our duty to uphold
our laws. If your heart is truly with the Amazon
nation, you must know we speak the truth.
Amazon tradition states that the council must
speak with one voiced. We're growing impatient.
What is your vote, Sister?
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They're giving the verdict.
We have all made our votes. What have you decided?
Guilty.
ACT THREE
The verdict is guilty.
XENA
Eve.
Xena. Xena, I had no choice.
XENA
Oh-h-h-h-h.
GABRIELLE
I had to vote with them. If they had kicked me off
the council, they would have found Eve guilty anyway.
It's the only thing I could do to save her.
XENA
By condemning her to death?
GABRIELLE
No. Xena, this way, I have a voice.
XENA
Mm-m--m.
GABRIELLE
I can plead Eve's case when they go to sentence
her and I can try to wake up the Amazons to Ares' ways.
XENA
I just can't talk to you right now.
Xena!
Ares! Ares! Come out!
ARES (voice-over)
Xena...
Ares, why are you doing this to me?!
ARES (voice-over)
Xena. Tell me, Xena - have you heard the story
of the scorpion and the swan?
XENA
You haven't even got the guts to face me.
ARES (voice-over)
See, the scorpion needs to get across the river
and he asks the swan for a ride. And the swan
figures, "It's not much of a risk. The scorpion
wouldn't sting the creature who's carrying him
over the raging river."
XENA
My daughter's about to die because of you and
you're feeding me fairy tales?
ARES (voice-over)
Bear with me, it's worth the wait. So, about halfway
across, the scorpion stings the swan-
-and as they're both being swept to their death
the swan asks the scorpion, "I was helping you.
Why did you sting me?" And the scorpion answers...
XENA
"It's what I do."
ARES
Yeah. "It's what I do." See, I lost a lot of worshippers
when I became mortal and I need something
major on my scorecard.
XENA
Like the biggest war in centuries.
ARES
No - in history. Those crazy Amazons, the ruthless
Romans - both of them worshipping me for
success in battle, oh, what a blast. I'm the God
of War and that's what I do.
You're a son of a bitch. You think I'm gonna let
you kill my daughter.
ARES
She wasn't invited to the party. She got involved
of her own free will.
XENA
I may no longer be able to kill gods, Ares, but I'm
not gonna let this happen without a fight.
ARES
I believe you.
The council is finished.
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Now I decide the sentence.
As queen of the Amazon nation, in the name of
our god, Ares, I sentence Livia of Rome-
Wait.
CYANE
Varia is the queen, Gabrielle. She decides the sentence.
I use my rite to challenge.
You are not queen, Varia until you defeat me.
VARIA
You had a better chance of saving her with words, Gabrielle.
Gabrielle...look, I don't want you to do this. Let me
fight Varia.
GABRIELLE
Xena, it doesn't work that way. I challenged Varia.
It's my fight. Promise me that you won't interfere.
If I'm queen, I can pardon Eve and uphold the
Amazon law. You know it's the right thing to do.
Promise me.
All right.
Varia!
EXTRA
Show 'em what you've got, Varia!
EXTRA
Go, Varia!
Bring it on, Varia! Come on!
EXTRA
Come on, Gabrielle!
EXTRA
Get her!
EXTRA
Gabrielle can do it!
EXTRA
Come on, Varia!
Varia! It's not me you should be fighting! It's Ares!
Open your eyes, Varia. Ares is destroying you.
He's going to lead you to ruin.
VARIA
Actually, Gabrielle...
Ares taught me that and he taught me this.
Oh, Gabrielle.
ACT FOUR
No!
Tsk. Oh...Gabrielle.
Xena? Ugh. I'm sorry.
XENA
No, no, I'm sorry. Gabrielle, you did all that you
could to save Eve. Now I have to do what I have
to do.
GABRIELLE
Go. It's okay.
Ares...come out, I can smell you!
I'm just here to give a little moral support.
XENA
No, you're here to gloat. Now, that you got your
godhood back, you got everything you've always-
-wanted, haven't you?
Well, not exactly everything, but hey - "Que sera."
And come on! I'm not begrudging you what you
want. Go in and grab your kid. I won't get in the
way. In fact, I'm kind of looking forward to see you
take on a few dozen Amazons. Way-hay!
XENA
Yeah, that'd be a nice warm-up for the main event, huh?
ARES
Hey, can I help it if I've played this like the malevolent
genius I am? Remember what the scorpion said.
XENA
Ares, the scorpion drowned.
A-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-la-she-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-
e-e-e-e-e-yah!
I don't wanna fight you, Xena.
You got that right.
VARIA
I followed all the Amazon laws. I'm doing this
for my sisters.
MAWU-KA
You defy her you defy the whole Amazon nation.
XENA
She's not doing this for the Amazon nation. She's
doing it out of guilt. You couldn't bring yourself to
kill Livia when it really mattered and you've been
carrying that around ever since.
VARIA
You know what? I didn't kill my sisters. She did.
XENA
But you could have saved them. You couldn't bring
yourself to kill for them and now it's too late. You
blame yourself.
She-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-yah!
Ya-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-a-ah!
She-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-yah!
Varia, if you follow Ares now, you'll become worse
than Livia ever was. You'll become everything
you hate.
You don't believe me? You already have.
You want vengeance, Varia? You start with me.
This is the pain that awaits you if you follow Ares' path.
VARIA
Amazons.
Xena's our friend. We have to talk.
You had this planned all along.
You...are so good.
XENA
It's what I do.
ARES
And I wouldn't have it any other way.
This woman has pleaded guilty to her crimes.
Even she admits she can never do enough good
to erase the evil that she has done and yet, she's
willing to keep trying. As queen of the Amazon
nation, I hereby sentence Livia, killer of the Amazons,
to death...
So that Eve, the Messenger of Peace, may live.
You are free to go.
Thank you, Varia.
VARIA
You were ready to let me kill you just so that I
could see I was headed down the wrong path.
XENA
I knew the truth was inside you. You just needed
the chance to decide what was right.
Thank you.
They've forgiven you, Eve. Maybe you should think
about forgiving yourself.
EVE
Have you? Forgiven yourself, Mother?
XENA
Ah-h-h-h. Good point.
EVE
I know what I have to do. I've decided to go east,
to Chin and the land of Indus. Eli's message will
be heard.
XENA
Now?
EVE
Yeah.
XENA
You mean now?
Thank you, for saving my mother, for bringing her
such happiness. I'm forever in your debt.
GABRIELLE
Eve...
Gabrielle...
GABRIELLE
You don't owe me anything.
And thank you for giving me life so many times.
I love you.
XENA
(whispering) I love you, too.
Um-m, why don't we walk with you a ways?
GABRIELLE
Yeah.
EVE
No. I need to do this on my own. Good-bye.
Stay outta trouble.
STARRING
Lucy Lawless as Xena
Renee O'Connor as Gabrielle
GUEST CAST
Kevin Smith as Ares
Adrienne Wilkinson as Eve
Adrienne Wilkinson as Livia
Tsianina Joelson as Varia
Morgan Reese Fairhead as Cyane
Marise Wipani as Kanne
Kirstie O'Sullivan as Gwyn-Teir
Michelle Blanchard as Mawu-ka
Mia Koning as Tura
Craig Walsh-Wrightson as Captain
William Wallace as Young Soldier
Li-Ming Hu as Amazon
Jason Hill as Roman Captain
Written by: Joel Metzger
Directed by: Chris Martin-Jones
Disclaimer: The disclaimer for this episode was harmed during the making of this motion picture.
