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ACT ONE
FADE IN:
EXT. FOREST ROAD - AFTERNOON
Xena and Gabrielle are riding the horses of the slain men from the clan. Bonnach is carried on a pallet on the small wagon they had with them, along with the bodies of the dead clansmen.
Gabrielle seems very troubled. Xena watches her, concerned.
GABRIELLE Fergal, tell me about this competition.
FERGAL
Every couple of years, our great clan
XENA Who picks ‘em?
FERGAL It's a vote of the clan. Our history, our myths and legends. We pass those down from mouth to mouth through the generations, so picking one who will do that is a big responsibility.
GABRIELLE They're your teachers.
FERGAL Aye. Bonnach worked on the tale he was to do the whole season. It was a grand one. If he won, the other families would contract with us to have him go and teach. That's how the trade works.
They are approaching a large, timber walled blockade.
GABRIELLE What was his story about?
FERGAL The old ones. The ancient times of our folk. (pausing) Whatever story you tell, will have to touch the hearts of my people, Gabrielle. You don't know our traditions, so be sure you pick well of those you do.
Fergal rides forwards to the gates. Gabrielle gazes pensively after him.
CUT TO:
INT. CLAN STRONGHOLD - EVENING
The entire clan turns out to greet Fergal and his men. The clan chieftain, Lorcan rushes out when he sees the wagon.
LORCAN Fergal! What has happened?!
FERGAL Bastards attacked us on the road.
Clansmen gather around the wagon. The men murmur sympathies.
LORCAN Killian! Take a dozen men and ride the northern road! Mahon's out there, perhaps in danger!
A squad of the clansmen rush out, grabbing for their weapons and calling for horses.
LORCAN (Cont’d) A shame, Fergal. Bonnach's a bonny lad. Let my healers take him, and comfort him as best they will. A shame for ye, though.
Lorcan notices Xena and Gabrielle. He is surprised to see strangers.
FERGAL The winds move in strange ways, Lorcan. Two came to our aid, and helped chase the brigands off us. This is Xena, and this is Gabrielle, who saved Bonnach from surely perishing.
LORCAN Ah. (pausing) Then of course you're welcome here, friends.
FERGAL
Family. I've made them kin, Lorcan.
Lorcan visibly doesn't like this. Xena steps up behind Fergal.
XENA We're glad we could help.
Lorcan recovers.
LORCAN Of course! Of course! I'll have space set aside for you in Fergal's quarters. Welcome!
Fergal leads Xena and Gabrielle away from the gates. They pass through the crowded, busy stronghold as curious eyes watch them.
CUT TO:
INT. STRONGHOLD - CORRIDOR - NIGHT
The stronghold is lit with smoky torches. The hallways are narrow, and the floor is covered in straw that hasn't been changed in a bit too long.
One of Fergal's men approaches, with tartans that match the ones Fergal is wearing.
FERGAL Ah. My thanks, Brion.
Fergal hands the tartans to Xena and Gabrielle.
FERGAL (Cont’d) These will mark you as members of my family.
Fergal is called from across the corridor. He stops to speak to a short, bearded man who has hailed him. Gabrielle takes Xena's arm and pulls her to one side.
GABRIELLE We need to talk.
XENA
Yeah, this place is pretty nasty.
GABRIELLE That's not….
They hear a commotion from the gates. Fergal rushes off towards it, along with a number of other men.
XENA
Now what? Let's get these on.
Gabrielle sniffs at her tartan.
GABRIELLE It's wool.
XENA You're the expert.
Xena and Gabrielle don the blue and green colored tartans.
GABRIELLE Xena, listen.
The clamor at the gates gets louder.
XENA Hold on. Let's see what this is all about.
Xena starts towards the gates. After a moment, Gabrielle shakes her head and follows.
CUT TO:
INT. STRONGHOLD GATES - NIGHT
The gates are open. Torches flutter on either side of them. A large wagon has entered, surrounded by mounted men. On the wagon a man is standing. He is very tall, and very broad, and has a mane of wild, red hair. This is MAHON, a rival clan chief.
MAHON Fergal!!!
Fergal pushes through the crowd. Mahon leaps down off his wagon and they greet each other with bear hugs and hefty buffets.
MAHON (Cont’d)
They told me what happened.
Xena and Gabrielle ease their way through the crowd.
FERGAL Y're a good man, Mahon.
MAHON
And when they find who did it, my
Mahon's men lift their weapons and cheer. Fergal's men respond in kind.
MAHON (Cont’d)
Pity about your son, Ferge, m'lad. He's a good
FERGAL
It well may be. Lucky I was to find
Mahon reacts in surprise.
MAHON Did you now?
FERGAL I did.
Fergal motions Gabrielle forward, and when she joins him, he puts his arm around her.
FERGAL (Cont’d)
This is Gabrielle. It is she who carries
Gabrielle's face is a study in hidden anguish.
FERGAL (Cont’d) She and her friend there stepped in and helped us defeat the rotten brigands who attacked us. She saved Bonnach's life. She is family.
MAHON Ah. (beat)
And a bonny lass she is, as well. Tis a
Gabrielle returns his bow, very obviously uncomfortable.
GABRIELLE I really don't think….
Lorcan strides forward.
LORCAN
Mahon! It's good you are here.
Everyone starts moving towards the inner part of the stronghold. Gabrielle remains where she is, as the men and women walk past her, giving her a curious look. Xena joins her.
GABRIELLE Xena?
XENA Hm?
GABRIELLE I need to talk to you.
XENA All right. Maybe after….
GABRIELLE Now.
Xena takes one look at Gabrielle face, and looks around, spotting a small, square enclosure build against the wall. She takes Gabrielle's arm and leads her towards it.
CUT TO:
INT. STRONGHOLD TACK ROOM - NIGHT
It is dark inside the storage area. The torchlight barely penetrates. Xena and Gabrielle stand in the shadows, facing each other.
XENA Okay, what's up?
GABRIELLE You shouldn't have done that.
Xena frowns.
XENA
Done what? Said you'd take that
Gabrielle is angry. She takes a step towards Xena.
GABRIELLE
You come on, Xena. You had no
XENA (warily) You don't want to help them?
Gabrielle turns and paces towards the opening in the shed. She puts her hands on either side of the opening and looks out. Her body is tense, and she is breathing hard.
GABRIELLE I can't.
XENA What?
Xena crossed behind her. Gabrielle turns and faces Xena.
GABRIELLE I can't do it. Not anymore.
Xena is confused. She rubs her temples with one hand, trying to understand what Gabrielle's problem is.
XENA
Gabrielle, I've heard you tell ago. What am I missing here?
Gabrielle stares at Xena. Her attitude shifts from anger to sadness as she studies Xena's face.
GABRIELLE I can tell stories.
XENA Okay.
GABRIELLE But I can't create them anymore. The stories I tell, Xena... I’m just repeating old ones.
Xena is stunned.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) To do this.
Gabrielle turns and looks out at the stronghold, and its busy occupants.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) To touch these people, I can't just repeat some old tale I have stuck in my saddlebag. (pausing, turns) I have to be a bard. I have to give them a new dream that will touch their souls, and I don't have that in me anymore.
Xena walks over and puts her hands on Gabrielle's shoulders. She turns Gabrielle to face her.
XENA I don't believe that.
GABRIELLE How would you know?
Stung, Xena removes her hands and lets them drop.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) It's the price I paid for this.
Gabrielle removes her sai from her boot and holds it up. Her eyes fill with tears, but she keeps speaking.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) I haven't written anything new in a very long time, Xena. I lost that part of me. (taking a breath) I've lost those dreams.
XENA (softly) Gabrielle.
GABRIELLE Gods, I miss them.
Xena puts a hand on Gabrielle's shoulder, a little hesitantly. Gabrielle covers it with one of her own, accepting the silent apology.
GABRIELLE (Cont’d) So, I really hope you have a plan B this time, Xena. I really do.
FADE OUT.
END OF ACT ONE
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