"The Loves of Hercules" "Forward!" "Do not spare anyone!" "Help!" "Quickly!" "We must leave!" " Are you Megara?" " Yes, I am." "Who are you?" "If you want our money, our flocks..." "They can take everything we have!" "But spare the lives of these people!" " It's your life that interests us." " Mine'?" "Why?" "You have the misfortune of being the wife of Hercules." "By killing you, I destroy what he loves most in this world." "No!" "No!" "Assassin!" "Coward!" "Let me go!" "Have mercy!" "Hercules... will avenge my death..." "That is my hope, as well." "But his vengeance will fall on the person I wish to destroy." " Well?" " Your orders have been carried out." "I've executed all your commands." "Well done, Licos!" "I would like to be here tomorrow to witness the bitter torment of Hercules!" "His pain will be so great he will wish that he had been killed, himself." "Perhaps, but his wish will only follow his revenge." "When he finds out the truth, he will destroy us all." "How would he find out?" "He knows all who are his enemies." "And now it's you that he hates the most." "We can not turn back now." "Most certainly." " But there's still a solution." " What?" "Hercules will only be appeased... if he believes the killer of his wife is dead!" "Traitor!" "Now that it's done, how will we explain to the populous and Deianira?" "The people believe that we came here for just reasons..." "And will be proud to know their king fell like a hero in battle." "And Deianira thinks of me as a trusted adviser and devotee of her father... and will continue trusting me while Hercules... attempts to sate his thirst for revenge on the entire House of King Eurytus!" "Oracle, you who see the truth in the shifting sands, in the moving tides of the sea, in the flight of birds across the skies," "You, to whom the stars reveal their secrets" "And the fates disclose the mysteries we mortals see only in our admonishing dreams," "Tell me, have the gods been placated at last?" "If after endless trials I shall have peace?" "Hercules, I see the ocean in madness," "I see a raft being dragged along in the wake of a mighty vessel." "This vessel is the divine wrath of the gods you brought upon yourself by killing the sacred serpent of the Goddess Hera!" "Your whole life will be as this raft." "Swept by wind and wave, tossed by the tempest." "What new sufferings have I yet to bear?" "The mist returns." "All is obscured by a fog of blackness!" "Speak!" "I beg you!" "Tell me what will be my fate!" " Hercules!" "Hercules!" " Iolaus!" "What happened?" "Something... terrible!" " Who hurt you?" " We were attacked." "Our camp was burned to ashes!" "everyone's dead." "Everyone?" "Yes, even Megera." "Who was it?" "Speak!" "Who was it?" "King Eurytus!" "We will never know peace again." "Blood will demand blood til the end of the world" "And our vengeance will, in turn, breed vengeance." "Megara..." "I should never have left you alone, without my protection." "Forgive me." "Why?" "Why are the gods again persecuting me with their wrath?" "Killing everything that I love." " What will you do?" " I'm going to Ecalia." "What?" "Alone?" "Eurytas has a strong army!" "You'll never even get inside the city gates!" "No, I do not want war with Ecalia." "Eurytas is my only enemy!" "I will give him the opportunity to defend himself." "But if he is possessed of too much cowardice..." "I'll ask the people for the trial of Themis." " I 'll go with you!" " No." "Stay here." "Take care of Iolaus." "Hercules!" " Hercules is coming!" " He's coming to attack us!" "Inside the walls!" "Hercules has arrived!" "He came lo kill us all!" "Save yourselves!" " Close the gates!" " Quickly!" "Open the gates!" "I want to speak to your king!" "Do you hear me'?" "Open the gates!" "Fall back, fall back!" "Quiscly!" "Come on!" "Hercules has forced the city gates!" "There's nothing more to do." "If you wish, we are all ready to defend you to the last man!" "It would be a useless sacrifice." "Hercules came to Ecalia to kill my father." "I inherited his throne, and also his mistakes." "It my duty to meet Hercules alone." " And what will you do'?" " I told you, priest!" "I intend to entrust my life to his clemency." "The people will demand you face the ultimate challenge... the Trial of Themis, the goddess of Justice." "To save my people I will gladly face the supreme challenge." "I am ready." " Who are you?" " Deianira, daughter of Eurytus." "Where's your father?" "Why has he sent you?" "My father is dead." " Dead?" " Yes." "My father paid with his life for the death of your wife." "I've ordered my people not to fight." "If you want revenge, kill me, but spare my people." "They are innocent!" "Your people have nothing to fear." "And it will not be against an unarmed woman that I will fulfill my revenge!" "Even if you are the daughter of man I hated most in life." "Your generosity condemns me to something perhaps more cruel than death." " You mean the Trial of Themis?" " Yes." "The goddess of justice and retribution must be satisfied." "My people demand it." "Just take a look." "My people fear the wrath of the gods more than the anger of men." "Follow me." "I can not be the executioner the queen!" "This is nonsense!" "If you refuse... a soldier will be chosen by lots to perform the test." "If Deianira is not put to the trial Themis... the populous would no longer recognize her as their queen." "And she would be responsible for all future calamities... which befell the people of Ecalia." "My beloved lady, do not do this!" "It's absurd!" "You are innocent!" "The gods will help me." "I must pay so my father's guilt can be expiated." "We are ready." "Are you still willing to face the supreme lest?" "Yes I'm sure the Goddess Themis will guide the hand of Hercules." "Her life is in your hands." "It is impossible!" "Nobody has ever survived this test!" "Hercules has overcome challenges much more difficult than this." "Stay quiet." "Do you want another man to take your place?" "No!" "If the gods are just, I must succeed!" "Did you see that'?" "Hercules cannot possibly miss!" "Watch this!" "He's going to throw the second!" "I cannot look!" "I cannot!" " It's not over yet." " She fainted!" " It's horrible!" " Do not be afraid, we are near the end." "In a moment, your mistress will be saved, you'll see!" "Zeus, my father!" "Help me!" "How dare you?" "It looks like your plan is a failure." "We must gather immediately in the conference room." "Deianira... oh, my lady!" "Now that Hercules has saved the queen from an almost certain death... our whole perspective has changed." "Hercules has now become a greater threat." "No longer as an enemy, but now as a friend." "What do you mean?" "The heroes tend to be loyal and generous when they encounter... sensitive characters such as our queen." "Her gratitude could move her to much deeper sentiments." "Do you understand the risk?" "Deianira must remain faithful to her cousin!" "She was promised to Acheloo by her father before the gods." "And it is my sacred duty as High Priest to see to it that this vow is fulfilled." "None of us must interfere for the time being." "Acheloo should be sent for immediately!" "As her intended husband, he must be given every chance to defend his rights." "My lady, your new gold-braided gown is ready." "I thought that one would please Hercules." "Oh?" "Do you know the tastes of Hercules?" "I?" "No." "Elea told me!" " Elea?" " Yes." "Elea has ways of knowing many things about Hercules." "In fact, she said he has lost his heart." "Enough!" "Do not talk nonsense!" " Where is Elea?" " Outside, in the garden." "She's with Tamato, one of the two squires of Hercules." "The younger, course!" "Forgive me, my lady." "I was collecting flowers and..." "Do not lie, I know where you were." "I see!" "So you just had to tell." "You are a snake!" "What harm have I done'?" "ls it shameful to be in love?" " After all, he is a squire of Hercules..." " Quiet!" "You may all go now." "Elea, you stay." "Deianira, I have no idea what they may have told you... but I feel I may really be in love with that man." "I know by the look in your eyes that you speak the truth." "I wish you every happiness." "And you, mistress, have you found yours, as well?" "No." "You're free and you can give your affection to anyone." " If I were queen, I..." " If you were queen... your fate would be as mine." "You would also be bound to marry out of duty..." "Even if in your heart you loved another." "I have matters to attend to." "It is now obvious that Deianira has fallen in love with Hercules." "And I have every reason to believe she will fail to keep her vow." "When Acheloo arrives here he will eliminate... any connection between Deianira and Hercules, I'm certain." "How can you be certain?" "Acheloo is a hot tempered young man, impulsive and passionate." "He will not hesitate to challenge Hercules." "You're not expecting Acheloo to able to kill the son of Zeus, himself?" "No." "In all likelihood, the one to perish will be Acheloo." "Don't you agree?" "Ah." "I see." "So you are expecting Hercules to kill Acheloo." "I'm not only expecting it but his murder is something I count on!" "Deianira will hate the man who kills Acheloo." "It's she who will have him banished." "And our beloved queen will remain alone." "And through her, we can seize Ecalia!" "Come, Hercules!" "See!" "Is it not a wonder?" "This is my favorite place to stroll." "Yes, it's beautiful." "Very, very beautiful!" "That's funny!" "I come here everyday, but..." "Today everything looks more beautiful." "They say that we feel this way when we're close to someone... who's heart speaks to our own heart." "We will continue our walk." "Come, Hercules." "It's late." "We do not want the night to catch us by surprise." "Help!" "Will no one help me?" "Have mercy on me!" "He was murdered!" "Slain!" "Look!" "It's the Queen!" " What's happened here?" " Alcion!" " He stole my herd of bulls!" " And attacked my husband, look!" " Alcion?" "Who is he'?" " A monster." "For one whole year he's pillaged our villages and attacked our people." "And after each raid he hides himself in the most inaccessible places." "Many have tried to hunt him down but no one ever returned." "Yes, it's true!" "He is like a curse upon us!" "Raping our women, stealing our cattle... and slaying everyone he encounters!" "Return to your homes before it gets dark." "The monster could return!" "Look!" "The cattle are running away!" " We'll never be able to gel them now!" " Seek shelter, it may be the monster again!" "Hercules!" "Hercules!" "Do not cry, the danger is over." "How can I thank you?" "You risked your life for me." "And I would again a thousand times if your life were in danger." "Since I met you I felt you were always mine." "I love you, Deianira." " No... don't talk like that, please!" " But, why?" "Before finding you, nothing in this world gave peace to my heart." "But you managed to make me forget the pain..." "Revenge, hatred..." "I love you, Deianira!" "Oh, no..." "Go away!" "Wait." "There's something about you I can not understand." "You always run away from me." "As if you were afraid of me." "No, it's not that!" "Since the first day I wanted to tell you, but..." "Deianira!" "Deianira, you do not seem very happy to see me." "No... on the contrary!" "Some peasants just told me you were attacked by a bull. ls this true?" "Yes." "I was about to be attacked, and I'd have been killed if it hadn't been for..." "I'm Acheloo." "I appreciate you saving the life of my future wife." "Wife?" "So, then, that is why..." "I am displeased at your having kept our engagement from your friend." "Well, now you know!" "So, you're getting married to this man?" "Yes, we must get married." "It was the wish of my father." "Your father commited many errors in his life!" "Among them, the choice of your husband!" " How dare you insult me?" " Acheloo!" "Hercules, no!" "Please do not kill him!" "Release me!" " You're in luck!" " Acheloo!" "I understand." "Deianira, I am leaving Ecalia!" " Tamanto!" " Hercules!" "Come on!" "What?" "Quick!" "Saddle the horses immediately, we need to go!" "Hercules!" "Why?" "Until this morning, it seemed..." "I did not think we would be leaving so soon." "Neither did I. I see that you do not waste time." "Excuse me, Hercules." "I'll leave, but..." "But you found someone that interests you more than me." "No, no!" "I'll leave immediately with you!" "If you want to stay, I'll not try to stop you." "I'll see you after the wedding." "Oh, Deianira, I cannot bear to see you cry like this!" "Yes, you're right, weeping is futility!" "It's all useless!" "Tears are not a Queen's privilege." "I don't understand why you do this." "Hercules loves you and you drove him away." "I was promised to Acheloo and I can not go back." "Because of that, it's better if Hercules left Ecalia forever." "Deianira!" "Licos sent me!" "Something terrible has happened!" " What's happened?" " Prince Acheloo has been assassinated!" "Where?" "Who did this?" "No one knows, my lady." "He was found with a dagger in the back!" "I recognize it." "This dagger belongs to Hercules!" "Yes, I, too have seen it." "He carries it in his his belt." " So this is why he fled." " What are they saying?" "I can scarcely believe it, either." "But this dagger leaves no doubt as to the murderer." "Look carefully at the handle." "Two serpents intertwined, the symbol of the god Mercury." "No one but Hercules possessed a dagger like this." "It can not be!" "I will not believe it!" "Why not?" "He would have killed Acheloo today in the cabin... if you had not intervened." "So perhaps Hercules did have some motive to kill Acheloo." "What is it?" "Do you know the motive?" "Yes." "Perhaps." " So what do we do now, Hercules?" " For tonight, we'll stay here." " Tomorrow we will decide." " Very well." "Hercules!" "Tamanto, what is it?" "Hercules, Acheloo has been murdered!" "You rode all the way from the city to tell me that?" "Yes, because they've set a trap for you!" "They found your dagger thrust into his back!" "MY dagger?" "They all accuse you of having fled." "Everyone believes it!" "And by now even Deianira is convinced!" "Deianira..." "Iolaus, prepare the horses as quickly as you can!" "Hurry!" "We have gathered here today in sorrow... for the blow fate has dealt us and our beloved queen." "This crime should not remain without comeuppance!" "Already I can see the shadow of the sword of justice darkening the face of the assassin!" "Death." "In the space of a few short months we have lost our King... and he who was to take his place as prince in mysterious circumstances." "Oh, noble and valiant Acheloo... you have entered into the Realm of the Underworld... leaving the throne destined for you vacant... and the queen a widow before marriage." "I swear on your deathbed that our hearts will not be appeased..." "Until we have exacted just vengeance!" "Licos!" "What?" "Why are not you at the ceremony?" "I came back because of Hercules." "He's approaching the palace!" "What do we do?" "Nothing." "We will face the situation." "They'll suspect us!" "It'll be our end." "Hercules will not have mercy!" "Better leave town immediately." "Hide yourself!" "But where?" "Where?" "The river." "Beside the Gorge of Nymphs." "No one will find you there." "And what will you do'?" "You can not leave me!" "Do not be afraid, I will follow you." "Your presence here is sacrilege!" "How dare you commit such an outrage to the dead?" "Far be it for me to commit sacrilege!" "Acheloo, if you can hear me, I ask your testimony!" "I have come here for justification of the charges that you have made against me!" "It is not we who accuse you but your own dagger!" "It was found embedded in the body of Aqueloo." "How could anyone suspect me of this cowardly act?" "I have shown nothing but friendship to the people of Ecalia!" "Hercules is right, Deinira." "Our grief should not prevent us from listening to Hercules with an open mind." "We all know him as a fair and righteous man." "Listen to him." "Yes." "You are right." "I will hear Hercules." "Speak!" "You remember that I used my dagger to kill the charging bull?" "Distracted by Acheloo's arrival, I forgot to retrieve it." "True." "And if I had not intervened, you would have killed him then!" "Yes, but I did not kill him!" "At that moment, I thought only to abandon Ecalia." "There was no longer any reason to stay." "Someone obviously used my dagger to make me look guilty!" "But there were only two others, Acheloo and Filarete." "Yes, Filarete!" "If Filarete an honorable man, he will testify in my favor!" " Where's Filarete?" " Bring Filaret immediately!" "Filarete is gone." "I am responsible for his absence." " And where did he go'?" " To the Gorge of the Nymphs." "With a good horse we could overtake him easily." "I will find him." "I'll bring him here!" "I will throw him at your feet and he will confess the truth!" "Filarete!" "Filarete!" "Two men crossed the river to the Gorge of the Nymphs..." "On their way to the Cave of the Hydra." "Let us go see!" "Be careful of the edge." "You can see them from here." "The monster is hurt!" "Come, we must go and help them!" "Who are you?" "My name is Nemeea." "You're in the Land of the Amazons." "Tell me, what is your name?" " I am..." "Hercules." " Hercules?" "Leona!" " Where is Queen Hippolita'?" " In the Forest of Death." "Today is the Epiphany of Democrito." "Go." "You need to alert her immediately." "Spare me, please!" "Or kill me!" "But do not condemn me to this agony!" "Mercy!" "Mercy!" "Did he cry so when he was lying in your arms?" "Save me, Hippolita!" "By our love!" "Save me!" "In a few moments, there will be no more suffering." "Watch him!" "Watch him!" "He is almost transformed like all your other lovers!" "We found a wounded man." "He has killed Hydra!" " Do you know who he is?" " Yes." "It is Hercules, son of Zeus!" " Son of Zeus?" "Hurry!" " Yes!" "Hurry!" "Are you positive this man is Hercules?" "I have no doubt, my queen, since I've seen him battle and defeat the Hydra." " And he's still alive'?" " Yes, but he's lost a lot of blood." "Lacchesi!" "You must cure him, do you understand?" "I do not want him to die." "You know my potions are infallible..." "But when I've cured his battle wounds, he will not be thankful." "Not in the way that you want." "You want him saved for an end which is much more atrocious." "No man has ever been allowed lo leave our domain alive!" "Not even the son of Zeus can escape that law." "Lacchesi This man intrigues me!" "You will do as I say!" "Have you thought well on what you're doing?" "You can not treat Hercules as you would other men." "He is the son of Zeus!" "Are you saying the Queen Amazons is not worthy of the son of a god?" "Hercules will never surrender to your charms... because another woman has possession of his heart." "Let him see me." "He'll be no different from the others." "No, do not think that, Hippolita." "You will not succeed." "If you really want him to love you, you must take the appearance... of the woman he loves." " Not show my own face?" " There is no other way." "That's the most insulting price any woman could pay for love!" "Then give up this idea!" "Just cure him, Lacchesi!" "L'll make his awakening so sweet he'll believe that he is dreaming." "Hercules has played with your emotions, Deianira." "Everything leads us to believe that Hercules given up... the attempt to prove his innocence." "But what became of Filarete'?" "I do not understand why Hercules was looking for him?" "If Filarete were guilty..." "Hercules would have gone with him, as we said." "It is obvious that Hercules has played with your emotions." "He knows that if we cannot prove his guilt... you may continue to love him." "Impossible!" "I could never love the killer of Acheloo!" "That's enough!" "Do not torment her any longer." "I just wanted Deianira to remember... there's a duty to be fulfilled by her for the people of Ecalia." "You should have married Acheloo." "Now you need to choose another to sit beside you on the throne." "Deianira knows what her duty is." "You can go now." "We will talk about this later." "I am sorry they are making themselves guardians of your conscience." "I would like you to forget all that makes you unhappy." "Thank you, Licos." "Yet, the problem of who you will share the throne with must be faced soon." "You are a woman." "And the weight of government is too heavy for you to bear alone." "Yes, I know." "I feel I'm losing strength." "Have you faith in me'?" " I have." " Then put your hand in mine." "I have always been your trusted counselor." "Now let me be your trusted husband." " You?" " Yes." "I understand your astonishment." "Forgive my boldness." "I have long loved you in silence..." "And I'd have never opened my heart in other circumstances... because I had no chance." "Now, I just want to help you, and only..." "For that reason do I dare speak." "Unless you do not consider me... worthy." "No..." "I have always held you in great esteem." "There are so few people in whom I can trust." "But give me a little time to reflect." "Now I'd like to be alone, please." "I shall wait for your answer, Deianira." "We need to know at least where he is." "We've had no news Of Hercules for too long." "This is not the first time he has faced danger." "And he always returned." "Yes, but this time perhaps he might need us!" "I do not know why, but I feel that something must have happened to him." " You always think the worst." " The gods do not like Hercules!" "They enjoy seeing him face the greatest dangers!" "Tamanto, I feel that if you go, you won't be coming back." "This conversation again?" "At least promise me you'll be back soon!" "Yes, my dear, I promise." "What are you doing?" "I've never seen a woman so clingy!" " Come on!" " Do not worry!" "I'll be back soon!" "Take this." "Drink it." "With this potion, you will assume the likeness of Deianira precisely!" "Believe me, Hercules will be mesmerized by you." "All other men have wanted me just as I am." "Yes, but you can not risk being rejected by him!" "This is the only way to seduce him!" "Hercules loves a woman he can not have." "With this elixir, you'll be able to fulfill his dream." "You'll have the same eyes, the same mouth..." "The same body of that woman!" "Hercules will be yours for as long as you desire!" "I am grateful for your having cured me." "Now I must leave for Ecalia." "But first I would like to be received by Queen Hippolita... to thank her for her hospitality." "Hippolita desires to see you, as well." "What's the matter?" "Why do you say it in such a way?" "Once you lay eyes on her, you'll abandon all intention of leaving." "I cannot stay." "My honor is at stake!" "I'm anxious to know what has happened in Ecalia in my absence." "Hercules..." "You must be on your guard..." "Why this attitude?" "There is nothing to fear from anyone here." "Hercules!" "Hippolita desires to see you!" "Welcome news." "I will tell her that I must leave this very day." " Be careful!" " What of?" "A warning." "That is all." "That is all." " Look!" "Hercules goes to Hippolita." " His time has come." "Hippolita, I'm glad you called." "I wanted to..." "But you..." "You are not Hippolita..." "By this name I am known in my kingdom and beyond." "Is this really true?" "Hippolita?" "In the flesh, as true as you are Hercules." "The powerful, fearless destroyer of Hydra." "I hope you do not still suffer from your wounds." "There's a strange light in your eyes, Hercules." "What surprises you so that you cannot even thank me?" "I will do so when I'm sure that I'm not dreaming." " Incredible!" " What's incredible?" "Explain yourself, Hercules!" "The same voice, the same eyes..." " The same figure!" " No, you're not dreaming." "Do not go." "Accept my hospitality!" "Impossible..." "Impossible... incredible!" "Incredible, impossible!" "What is impossible?" "You keep repeating these useless words..." "And saying none that I want to hear." "Or did you imagine that I'd be more beautiful?" "Ahh." "So it seems." "You judge that my beauty doesn't equal my fame, confess." "You're disappointed." "No, I swear, that's not it!" "But I feel like I'm going mad!" "Like I am in a dream." "And now that you are close to me..." "Alive... in the flesh..." "Whoever you maybe, Hippolita or Deianira..." "You are the woman I want!" "Gaze at me!" "Caress me!" "Kiss me!" "My lips are yours!" "lam all yours!" "Look!" "It's Filarete 's chariot!" "Hercules has to be here!" "You're right, they should be here!" "Iolaus come here!" "It's dead!" "Only Hercules could kill a monster like this." "Look what I found!" "This cloak belongs to Hercules!" "If he were alive, he would not leave it here!" "Maybe he's hurt." "Come, we must find him!" "Iolaus!" "This belongs to Filarete?" "What could have happened?" "I just realized something!" "We must be in the realm of the Amazons!" "No man who enters here is ever seen again!" "What should we do?" "We must return to Ecalia!" "We need to inform Deianira!" "Come on!" "It's useless trying to pretend!" "I know well that many in Ecalia are conspiring against us!" "But I know what will tame them!" "The whip!" "Enough!" "Tell me the name of your cohorts and you will be freed!" "No!" "I will not speak!" "Those whom you call conspirators... are honest people who have suffered from your abuse and your injustice!" "We only want to be governed by our true and lawful Queen!" "Why not let me appeal to her for justice?" "I'm in command of Ecalia!" "Continue!" "If he does not speak, you know what must be done." " So, will you speak or not?" " No!" "Kill me if you will, but I'll never talk!" "Take this man away!" "Where are you going to take me?" "What are you going to do to me?" "For the last time: will you give us this information we want'?" "No!" "This reign of torture and murder must cease if you wish to stay in power." "When I finally succeed in marrying Deianira..." "You'll see that no one will dare oppose my authority." "However, it seems that the queen's not very willing to marry you." "She will accept." "I can be quite persuasive." "Don't you think the best way would be to win her heart?" "Her sentiments have ceased to interest me." "It's her throne that I want!" "Be careful, Licos!" "You've already killed her father." "And you arranged the murder of Acheloo, Filarete, Hercules." " Where will this thirst for blood take you?" " I've just told you!" "To the throne!" "Deianira's almost convinced of the guilt of Hercules." "Soon she'll come to me in desperation." "I was outside the door!" "I heard everything!" "But, do you realize the seriousness of your accusation?" "It's true, I swear!" "Licos is the killer of Acheloo and your own father!" "If this is true, I will avenge them!" "But you can't do it alone." "I beg you, let us go find Hercules!" "Your life is in danger!" "When Licos finds out you know all..." "Are you forgetting I am still Queen of Ecalia?" "Deianira!" "Licos want to see you." "Forgive me, Deianira." "I must speak to you alone." "You may go." "Please forgive my insistence!" "Your persistence is the fruit of your great love for me, is it not?" "It seems you are looking into my heart." "You think the time has come for us to marry." "Yes." "That is my desire." "Of course!" "As that's part of your plan." "What do you mean?" "What plan?" " The plan that cost the life of my father!" " Everyone knows your father died in battle!" "You traitor!" "I know that you killed him!" "And that it was you who killed Acheloo!" "What are you saying?" "The truth!" "You've gotten rid of all those who would prevent you... from gaining power, and now if you could marry me... your victory would be complete!" "This is absurd!" "How could such thoughts enter your head'?" "Because you said it yourself a moment ago to the high priest." " So you were listening?" " You don't even bother denying it!" "You will pay for your treason, Licos!" "Guards, put this man under arrest!" "Did you not hear my orders?" "From now on, the guards will obey only me." "Government is not a woman's domain." " I have tried to convince you of that." " But I am the queen!" "And queen you shall remain if you'll be my wife." "Better to die than to be your wife!" "This is a foolish move." "You compel me to act against my wishes." " What are you going to do?" " You will be taken to the dungeons." "And there you will remain until common sense regains control of your mind." "Take her away!" "Go, Elea!" "Take my advice and leave Ecalia before it's too late!" "Oh, but it pains me to abandon my queen in her time of need!" "You can do more good if you're free and far away!" "If you remain here, Licos will have you arrested, as well!" "But where could I possibly go?" "Take a horse and look for exiles in the forest of Tendaro!" "There you'll find refuge and people to help!" " And Deianira'?" " I'll look after her." "I am above suspicion." " There's not a moment to waste!" " Now, hurry!" "Hurry!" "Elea!" "Elea, where are you going?" "Finally I found you!" "Luckily I managed to stop you in time!" " You can no longer return to Ecalia!" " Why?" "What's happened?" "Licos has had Deianira thrown in the dungeon!" " I was forced to flee for my life!" " But why?" "I'm in danger because I discovered that Licos... ls the killer Of Acheloo and King Eurytus!" " What's that?" " Quickly, we must flee from here!" "If Licos overtakes us, he'll kill us all!" "Come with us!" "Do you think the Queen will spare Hercules?" "No chance." "Hercules will suffer the same fate as the others." "Tell me, has Hippolita already determined the day of his death?" "It will not be long." "Ne you "EVEN?" "Yes." "I feel that you have changed my destiny." "My whole life has completely transformed... since I've met you." "It seems the gods have smiled on me..." "At last." "Happiness knows no time." "It seems eternal..." "Even if it only lasts a moment." " What are you doing here?" " I beg of you, speak softly!" "If Hippolita should discover us here she would have me killed." " What are you saying?" " What I have to tell you will be hard to hear." "Until now, you have believed everything Hippolita has wished to tell you." "Through sorcery, she's taken possession of your heart, made you forget the woman you loved." "She made me forget the sadness of the past and gave me back the joy of living." "My fate was completely changed since I've been here." "Yet, if you knew the fate in store for you, you'd detest her with all your heart." "What do you mean?" "I will be the first and only Amazon lo ever reveal the secret of her people." "But I can not remain silent while you go to that horrible end!" "I must save you!" "But I don't understand." "Have you gone mad?" "Yes, perhaps it is madness to betray my queen." "But I do this only to keep you alive." "I will prove it!" "Follow Me." "Then you will understand." "Do you mean that these lifeless trunks were once living men?" "Yes, and more horrible still, they continue to live!" "Look!" "I break a twig and you see that blood flows!" "Listen and tremble!" " And Hippolita was going to do this to me?" " Yes." "This fate awaits all who have loved her..." "Once she grows tired of being loved by them." "How could I have been so blind..." "And become so easily a victim of her spell?" "But now, enough!" "I must leave for Ecalia immediately!" "Yes!" "Leave this place before it's too late!" "I will guide you to the edge of the forest." "There, you will find your horse." "Nemeea!" "Nemeea!" " I can not let him escape." " Hippolita!" "Have no fear." "She cannot harm me now." " Farewell!" " Quickly!" "You're almost out of danger." " I've been betrayed!" " What will you do?" "Hippolita, wait!" "You can not run among those trees!" "Nemeea." "Nemeea!" "Wait, Hippolita!" "No!" "Help!" "Now you will die!" " Hippolita!" " Help!" "You must die!" "I warned you." "This is the punishment of Zeus!" "' Help!" "' Die!" "Die!" "Stop!" "Why are you running away?" " Where are you going?" "Why don't you answer me?" " He can't speak." " They have torn out his tongue." " Do you want to suffer the same fate?" "Isn't your husband's suffering enough for you?" "Keep walking." "Hey, you." "Why are you running away from Ecalia'?" "What's happened?" "The city is a hell for us now that the blood-thirsty Licos commands." " Licos?" " Yes, he!" " And the queen... is she still alive?" " No one has seen her." "Her handmaiden, Elea, may have news of her." " And where can I find her?" " She has taken refuge in the Forest of Tindaro." "Elea was the last person who saw the Queen alive." "It was Licos who assassinated the king!" "He killed Acheloo and blamed you!" "And now he's locked Deianira in the dungeon to compel her to marry him!" "We sought you everywhere!" "We found your cloak in hydra's cave..." "Yes, and we were afraid you were dead!" "There is no time to lose!" "We must ride to Ecalia!" "We must save the Queen!" "Tamanto, if we return we won't have a chance!" "This is madness!" "What do you mean madness?" "We must have courage." "Listen to them!" "We are all returning together." "And that includes you!" "You'll see, someone will come to free you." "Do not deceive me." "Don't give me false hope." "I feel too weak to resist much longer." "No, Deianira, you must not despair!" "Last night I dreamed that Hercules had returned to Ecalia to free you!" "Assassin!" "Assassin!" "Coward!" "I curse you!" "Usurper!" " The day will come for vengeance!" " You will be punished!" "A curse upon you!" "The gods will strike you down!" "Oh, no, it's Licos!" " What does he want now?" " Courage!" "You must try to outwit him!" "You see, I have not forgotten you." "This is no place for you." "Again, the choice:" "Either remain here or return to the throne." "At my side me, course." "I would rather die!" "Get out!" "Do not be stubborn." "I'm offering you your freedom and the same happiness and serenity as before!" "Do not touch me, you disgust me!" "You will regret this!" "Licos!" "Hercules is alive!" "He's assembled an army and is marching on Ecalia." "Hercules?" "It's not possible!" "He has gathered all the exiles around him, all blind with their hatred for you!" "They will be exterminated before they even reach the walls of Eclia!" "Go give the order!" "The gods have heard my prayer." "This is your end, Licos!" "Do not be under illusions!" "Nobody, not even Hercules, can save you!" "Even if I should have to kill you with my own hands!" "I told you that Hercules was alive!" "Sound the alarm!" "Hurry, everyone!" "The gates must be closed!" "Hercules is coming!" " Rioting has broken out in the streets, sir." " The populous is all for Hercules!" "So much the worse for them!" "If they make it to the palace, exterminate them all!" "Stand ready at your posts!" "Prepare for battle!" "Hercules will never even reach the gates." "His men will be decimated." "When people find that Hercules is near... they may decide to join him." "Our soldiers are stronger than that rabble." "Many soldiers have thrown away their weapons and will not fight against their brothers." "Execute a few as an example." " The others will still not obey." " They'll obey me or die!" "It's the only way to control the uprising." "The city of Ecalia must be defended against Hercules at any cost." "Very well." "We come to save the Queen!" "To the palace!" "To the palace!" "Attention!" "Hercules has entered the city!" "Hercules is coming!" "Stand your ground, men." "Hercules has broken through our defenses." "He is already in the city!" "It's impossible to stop him!" "You must resist." "Redouble your efforts!" "I know how to stop Hercules!" "Lock all the doors!" "Follow me to the dungeon!" " Release me, you coward!" " No!" "You're coming with me!" " You'll never get away!" " Then you will die with me!" " Release me!" "No!" "No!" " Deianira!" "Help me!" "Release her, swine!" "Get away from me!" "Go the other way!" "Hercules is coming with his men!" "No!" "Let me go!" "Deianira?" "Deianira!" "Where is Deianira?" "Where's Licos?" " I do not know, I swear!" " Speak out!" " Where did they go?" " I don't know!" "I don't know!" "For the last time..." "Speak!" " He fled with Deianira." " Where did they go?" "Out that passage, to the river!" "Free the prisoners!" "Come with me, we must free the prisoners!" "We're too late!" "What happened to Deianira?" "Do not despair, Hercules will find her!" "Coward!" "You coward!" "Where are you taking me'?" "You know you can't escape from Hercules!" "We will see!" "No!" "No!" "Help!" "Help!" "Hercules!" "Let me go!" " Help me, Hercules!" " Keep quiet!" "Deianira!" "Come, hurry!" "Help!" "Help!" "Hercules!" "Oh, thank the gods, you saved me." "Please take me out of here!" "THE END"