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NEXT. THERMISKYRA VILLAGE - EVENING
The front of Antiope's hut. Gathered around are Antiope and
village leaders, of which one is Amrita.
Others are LIANNE the Priestess...
MAKIE an elder...
OLGIER another elder...
...and Mikaleta (who led the charge on the left flank) and
XNATEEN, a women about Amrita's age.
Wolf lies off to the side.
The rest of the village is busy gathering up the dead, both
friend and foe. They are wrapping the enemy dead and placing
them in a wagon.
MIKALETA
...who else but Ndoni and Satianne
would dare send warriors against
us?
XNATEEN
Their garments and weapons are not
of the Oiorpata tribe.
MIKALETA
Trickery of Satianne!
OGLIER
(Smoking a pipe)
I agree with Mikaleta. Satianne's
witchery and guile are renowned.
She would dress and arm her
warriors to deceive.
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MIKALETA
It is time to attack without mercy.
Satianne and Ndoni have chipped
away at us for the last two
seasons. If we do not end their
ability for assault now, we will
have few able bodied left to fight
with.
ANTIOPE
How many did we lose?
XNATEEN
We were fortunate this time. Only
two dead to nine of the enemy. But
we have many wounded, especially
the men that were protecting the
children.
MAKIE
It would seem that we are causing
more losses for them. It would be
foolish for them to continue. The
last few battles have been the
same. They have lost more warriors
then we ever have.
LIANNE
I would agree. And I'm sure that
Ndoni is advising LaQuia of that
fact as we speak here. It is
Satianne that will not abide by,
nor care about, the losses they
suffer.
Antiope has noticed Amrita's silence through this discussion.
ANTIOPE
And you, Amrita, what are your
thoughts on this?
AMRITA
(Choosing her words
carefully)
I know your desire for peace among
our tribes, Antiope. That desire
is widely known. I fear Satianne
might be using that somehow, for
another bit of her treachery.
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MIKALETA
How can that be? They continue to
attack us!
AMRITA
Yes, but with less and less success
each time. I think Satianne is
counting on Antiope offering, from
her heart, a peaceful settlement
before their tribe is destroyed.
And LaQuia being advised by Ndoni
of the high casualties, will most
certainly entertain the thought of
such a peace, but.....
ANTIOPE
What are your misgivings, Amrita?
AMRITA
Satianne! I cannot understand why
she is ruining these offerings of
peace by these blundering attacks.
I fear there is something else in
her mind.
The rest of the group, knowing the makeup of Satianne, nod in
agreement.
ANTIOPE
Nevertheless, we must make the
offer. I do not wish to kill off
all the Oiorpata.
AMRITA
(Reluctantly)
Nor do I.
Ad-Lib, grunts and reluctant agreement from the rest of the
group.
ANTIOPE
As is our custom, we will return
their dead. I will send a
messenger notifying them of this.
Amrita, you and Mikaleta and three
other peace warriors will accompany
the wagon. You will offer this plan
to LaQuia and her tribe.
Antiope gathers them closer to discuss the peace plan...
to be continued...
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