"THE PRINCESS & THE QUEEN" series -SCROLL VII: SACRAMENTS FOR SUBSTANTIATION

pt.6

Xena fought back the urge to rush over to where Lyceus stood and embrace him, knowing that this was nothing more than a vision of her brother that had been killed many years ago. Hearing that Xena had spoken his name a moment ago, Gabrielle looked at her.

GABRIELLE
Xena is that really Lyceus?

The spector smiled at Xena as she stood there unsure of what to say or do.

LYCEUS
What's wrong Xena, not happy to see me?

Finally Xena pushed down her shock and spoke.

XENA
I would be. If you were actually my brother.

LYCEUS
What makes you so sure that I'm not?

XENA
Because Lyceus has been dead for years.

The spector smiled as before either Xena or Gabrielle knew he had vanished and then was directly behind Xena.

LYCEUS
And who's fault is that, sister?

Xena didn't look back at him as she lowered her head in shame and regret.

XENA
Mine.

GABRIELLE
Xena don't say that.

LYCEUS
That's right it was.

Gabrielle turned around and scowled at the spector that had taken the form of Xena's brother.

GABRIELLE
Hey Lyceus chose to fight to save his home. Just like everyone else that day.

LYCEUS
Yes but I was Xena who rallied them. He, like many others might not have been killed that day if it weren't for her actions.

GABRIELLE
(Angry tone) And how many more people would have died if Xena hadn't taken a stand against that attack?

LYCEUS
So you say her actions that day were justified?

GABRIELLE
I think that they were.

"Lyceus" smiled.

LYCEUS
You may be right Gabrielle. But what about what happened afterwards?

The area around them suddenly changed as Gabrielle, Xena and the spector of Lyceus stood inside of a house watching as a new scene unfolded before them. This time it was Xena's mother Cyrene and a younger vision of Xena herself. It didn't take long before both Xena and Gabrielle knew just what they were watching.

CYRENE
(Crying) He's gone. No. My son is dead.

The younger vision of Xena looked down sadly as tears streamed down her face.

YOUNGER XENA
I'm sorry mother. I don't know what happened. I just wanted to protect the village.

Both the actual Xena and Gabrielle jumped slightly when they saw the spector of Cyrene storm over and slap the younger version of Xena hard across the face.

CYRENE
(Angry tone/ crying) He was your brother Xena! And because you couldn't just leave well enough alone, you got him and so many others from our village killed.