“c1″> 

There
still was more anger than understanding in the forest green eyes.
"Do you remember the day we talked about redemption, one week
before we left the palace? You said, everyone should get the
opportunity to change their way of life and how important it is to
balance the scales of justice. This was my chance to do so. I have
a debt to the Amazon Nation, Gabrielle, and the slave collar is but
a part of it. Soon a trial will be held about all the things the
Amazons had to suffer because of me, and I intend you to witness
this trial. I want you to know what I really am. I want you to
decide for yourself if I’m really worthy of your
love."

“c1″> 

The
expression of the young woman’s eyes changed to gentleness.
"Until the trial starts I’ll be a slave to the Amazon
Queen but it has nothing to do with the kind of slavery you know. I
swear."

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Are you sure that there won’t be
any…?"

“c1″> 

“c1″>"Yes, love, I’m sure. Amazon laws and
traditions are very different from what you’ve experienced.
I’m what they call a 'slave held by guilt'.
I’ll do chores for the community as soon as you and my men
are better. I’m not allowed to wear or handle weapons but
that’s about it. The collar is merely more than a
symbol."

“c1″> 

END OF
FLASHBACK

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

x x x x
x x x x x x

“c7″> 

“c1″> 

The
light filtering through the windows indicated less than two
candlemarks to dawn, too late to go to sleep and too soon to alert
the guards by leaving the hut. There was some paper work to do,
there was always some paper work to do, but she really wasn’t
in the mood. So she once again allowed her mind to picture the
past.

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

x x x x
x x x x x x

“c1″> 

“c1″> 

“c1″>FLASHBACK:

“c7″> 

It took
the rest of the day to fill Gabrielle who was drifting in and out
of consciousness in to the details. She was all but comfortable
with Xena’s decision and more than frightened about the
possible outcome of the trial but she also knew that Xena was
convinced to do the right thing.

“c1″> 

At
sundown the funeral pyres for the eight Amazons and ten soldiers
were lit. Apart from the scouts and outposts and the hunting party
all the warriors and artists and crafts women were attending as
well as most of the children and as many of the wounded Xena and
Anara were comfortable with. The mourning ground near the
Artemis’ temple about a quarter of a candlemark walk east of
the village was almost crowded.