Chapter 12: Balance (Part 2 of 3) Transcript
[This transcript is a Work in Progress.]
SFX: Fallow lights a flame in his hand.
BRI
(gasps)
JENQUO
Whoa, how did he--?
IRIKLAS
I thought only Bri still had--
SFX: Fallow puts out his hand.
FALLOW
An easy trick to reproduce. Sure,
it burns, but with the right glove
or fabric, you can hold flame in
your own hand for a long time.
BRI
Oh. Does this look like a trick to
you?
SFX: Bri lights both her hands.
VILLADIUS
BRI WAIT!
SFX: Bri hits a book with a fireball, pages fluttering in
flames in the air. Gasps erupt throughout the room.
BRI
Now then, how many of your
ex-Magnir could do that?
SFX: Stunned silence.
BRI
...What?
25.
VILLADIUS
Bri, that was the *original* tome
of Rhuadu you hit.
BRI
Oh shit! Wait wait ...
SFX: Bri attempts to gather the papers.
BRI
Um, uhhh...Look, see? It's not
completely destroyed? Good thing my
fire isn't that strong--STRONG YET!
Strong yet. After a few more
lessons I could probably incinerate
the whole book. Not that I would...
IRIKLAS
(facepalm)
I can't bear to watch.
JENQUO
I am going to hide.
FALLOW
You've given an...astute
demonstration of your abilities.
But there are many, myself
included, who believe that the
Magnir have not lost our power.
When we have proven ourselves
worthy, our fire will return. Yours
may be merely an Incanter scheme,
or deceit by the Dark Bride. So it
is the duty of my council to part
the lies from the truth. We will be
testing you, girl.
BRI
On what?
FALLOW
We will be asking the questions.
VILLADIUS
She is the Chosen One. I'm sure you
and your council will find it true.
BRI
And who decides the truth?
FALLOW
I do.
EXT. THE DOCKS
SFX: Footsteps and merchants chattering.
26.
IRIKLAS
Jenquo, what took you so long?
JENQUO
You said meet you in the alley.
There's a lot of alleys in this
city, man!
IRIKLAS
All right, what do you have for me?
JENQUO
Ah yes, let's see. I met a nice
foreman who's looking for strong
builders for the King's fleet, they
pay twelve coppers a day, and at
the docks you can unload crates for
a copper and a spoonful of--
IRIKLAS
No, no, no, Jenquo, that's HONEST
work! Look at where we ARE! We're
in the city of the King himself! Do
you know what happens to the most
ambitious liars and thieves in a
city like this, what they become?
JENQUO
Politicians?
IRIKLAS
Exactly! Raise your ambitions. Have
some integrity in your dishonest
work.
JENQUO
I don't know, Iriklas. I preferred
dishonest work at sea. The calming
waves and soothing winds really
took my mind off of pondering the
consequences of my actions.
IRIKLAS
Right, but we have to stick around
for Bri. Now let's find a decent
buyer of wares and--
SFX: Sound of rustling and cooing.
JENQUO
... What was that?
IRIKLAS
It's coming from those baskets ...
SFX: The two tiptoe closer to a basket and pull off its lid.
Baby screams.
27.
IRIKLAS
What in the fresh Hells is that?
JENQUO
Wh--? How can you say what is it?
It's a baby!
IRIKLAS
Oooh, right. Hm...is this where
babies are normally kept? Alone and
in baskets?
SFX: Jenquo gives no answer.
IRIKLAS
... What!? We Elvans don't have as
many babies as you other races, I
don't know if this is normal!
JENQUO
It is not. Its mother and father
are nowhere around.
IRIKLAS
What should we do?
JENQUO
Well...we are not leaving it here.
SFX: The baby starts crying.
IRIKLAS
Oh no, what's it doing?
JENQUO
Quick, find some milk!
IRIKLAS
Milk? You mean like the white
stuff? Kind of sweet? Comes from
bulls?
JENQUO
Cows, definitely cows.
IRIKLAS
Right, got it!
SFX: Iriklas runs off.
JENQUO
It's all right, it's all right, I
am here...Do not cry.
SFX: The baby groans. Wet sounds.
JENQUO
Oh, no. It smells as though you've
made an accident, little one.
28.
INT. THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SFX: Candles lighting.
NARRATOR
In the shrine, Bri sits before a
stone table. Magnir acolytes light
candles--with matches, heads
hanging low--for the very first
Trial of the Chosen in a
generation.
VILLADIUS
I have word Fallow and his council
are on their way now. Remember what
I've taught you in your lessons?
BRI
Yes, I remember. The first Magnir
council was convened in year 1,501
of--
VILLADIUS
That won't be a question.
BRI
--of the age of Hearthflame.
VILLADIUS
This is a test of your spirit,
girl. They'll be questioning your
past, your upbringing, your gift.
You must answer honestly. State
that you've been a completely
devout worshipper of Rhuadu since
childhood, never committed any of
the twelve vices--
BRI
Wait, you just said I had to be
honest.
VILLADIUS
I did.
BRI
Then which is it? Be honest or tell
them a lie? Father and I prayed to
all three Gods, like most Gathish.
VILLADIUS
Well, they can't know that. In
their eyes, it makes you a
promiscous devotee. The one true
God is the Chieftan. The others
are...lesser.
29.
BRI
Tell that to Myrtle and her cure
for the Grave Pestilence.
VILLADIUS
Bri. This is serious. We need them
to approve of you. Fallow is a
hard-lined man. We cannot rely on
the hope that their fear of
Neradial outweighs their devotion
to tradition. They'll be asking
difficult questions, intended to
trick you. Just...answer honestly,
but don't volunteer anything that
may cast you in a negative light,
and definitely, absolutely, do not
mention your father. Understand?
SFX: A beat.
FALLOW
(calling out)
Villadius.
SFX: Fallow arrives. Footsteps as he approaches.
BRI
(aside)
Heh, his robes make him look like
a...big red...like a big red ...
curtain? I wish Iriklas and Jenquo
were here.
VILLADIUS
I'm glad they are not. Hush now.
FALLOW
His shadow be on you, Villadius,
VILLADIUS
His shadow be on you, High
Enkindler.
SFX: The Enkindlers take their seats.
FALLOW
Let us begin. Have you all your
life been a devotee to Rhuadu and
his teachings?
BRI
Aye, me and my fa--
VILLADIUS
(fake cough)
BRI
Yes.
30.
FALLOW
How uncharacteristic of the Gaths,
who are known for fraternizing with
the unclean Gods and the Fae.
Savagery in the name of Koannus,
and witchcraft for Duinna.
BRI
Well, my mother was from Wynhold. I
guess we took after her.
FALLOW
A matriarch household?
VILLADIUS
(facepalms)
Dier.
FALLOW
That explains how you think
yourself worthy to be the chosen
one.
BRI
I beg your pardon?
VILLADIUS
Bri.
FALLOW
How did you come by this gift?
BRI
I was traveling to Wynhold to meet
Villadius. We met here...in the
same place the very first Council
convened, in the year 1,501 of the
Age of Hearthflame.
VILLADIUS
(sighs)
FALLOW
Why did he ask to see *you*?
BRI
He...He, um...
VILLADIUS
(fake coughs)
BRI
Are these questions for him, or me?
He summoned me, and I came. And
while I was on the road, I found I
could light my hand with Rhuadu's
flame, just so.
SFX: Bri ignites her fire.
31.
FALLOW
So it is.
VILLADIUS
(fake cough)
Good job.
(fake cough)
FALLOW
Has Rhuadu granted you any dreams?
BRI
Dreams...I've had some. I don't
know how divine they might be.
FALLOW
Tell us.
BRI
...I can't.
FALLOW
You can't, or you won't?
BRI
I won't. I...I've heard it's unwise
to speak of these things.
FALLOW
It would be wise to speak of them
now and not keep secrets from your
supposed order.
SFX: Beat. Bri doesn't budge.
FALLOW
Very well. How have you used your
flame since you recieved it?
VILLADIUS
(cough)
FALLOW
Villadius, if you are unwell,
please sit outside.
BRI
I used it to send letters through
the spirit realm, to fend off
Vampires that threatened my
friends, and fought with the
infamous Sorseer Courant--
SFX: More chattering amongst the Enkindlers. Disdainful.
VILLADIUS
Oh, no.
32.
BRI
(under breath)
Damn it all.
SFX: Murmurings stop.
FALLOW
We will call a recess.
BRI
What's wrong? Tell me.
FALLOW
A woman that wields the fire from
Rhuadu is to assist in the will of
her superior Magnir.
BRI
WHAT!?
VILLADIUS
Human Magnir are...traditionally,
all men, I'm afraid.
FALLOW
Women are sometimes known to
possess the power of Rhuadu, but
only in service to their Temple. In
the healing houses, their flame is
conditioned to cauterize wounds.
Never for battle. It is a mark
against their purity. Besides, they
lack the judgement required. We
shall continue on the morrow.
The council of Enkindlers convene.
BRI
(dumbstruck)
I can't believe this.
VILLADIUS
I tried to warn you--
BRI
Bollocks to that! I told them the
truth, just like you said!
VILLADIUS
Language, we're in a Shrine. Bri,
I'm not telling you how to respond.
You're not listening to my greater
point. You must tell them what they
want to hear. You're treading on
their ground, after all.
SFX: Bri storms off.
33.
VILLADIUS
Where are you off to now?
BRI
I need to get some air.
EXT. WYNHOLD
SFX: Bri sits by the creek once again enkindling her flame.
Footsteps shuffle toward her.
BRI
I don't need another talk, Taruk.
Let me alone for just a little--
ARLETH
Who's Taruk?
BRI
Oh. Um, hello? Who are you?
ARLETH
Sorry, I'm Arleth, or Arl if you
prefer. Just wanted to say, that
was a brilliant flame you conjured
in there.
BRI
Oh, thank you.
ARLETH
Do you not know how you came upon
it? This gift?
BRI
No. I'm no closer to answers than
whe I started.
ARLETH
You will find them, someday soon.
Gods will it.
SFX: Bri shakes her hand, putting it out.
BRI
Well, if they're the ones who made
me this way, it was no choice of my
own--or was it?
ARLETH
You must have done something to
deem you worthy. You are on the
path of destiny. All of us have a
part. Every meeting, everything we
learn, all of it determines who we
are, so we can each play our role
in the greater plan.
34.
BRI
...The greater plan? What, the
prophecy?
ARLETH
Yes. If the Magnir accept your
claim, then it is Rhuadu's will. If
not, then perhaps that is part of
his plan, too, whether you are
truly the chosen one or not.
Perhaps you are fated to fight for
it. Or...you may help another
attain their purpose. The outcome
is preordained by the Gods.
BRI
Preordained...
ARLETH
You must...*be*. And the rest will
follow. One day, the answer will
appear right before--
SFX: Bri takes a walk.
ARLETH
Girl?
EXT. THE DOCKS
SFX: Sounds of the dock. Something mid-sized is thrown in
the water (possibly a full diaper). The baby cries.
JENQUO
Shh! There, there, now your
accident is no more. Just stay calm
now, and quiet, ideally quiet.
SFX: Quick footsteps.
IRIKLAS
I'm here! I'm back. I wasn't sure
what it ate so I brought chicken
bones--for a nice soup maybe--
nuts--
JENQUO
It can choke on all of those
things.
37.
IRIKLAS
--Some fresh grass--
JENQUO
Does it look like a cow to you? You
have to go back and get something
soft.
IRIKLAS
Very well, it's just money is a
little tight, and finding dishonest
work is difficult.
JENQUO
We can't work dishonestly, we have
a child now!
IRIKLAS
Fine then! I'll work the docks from
dusk till dawn making less than a
quarter of what we'd make with one
of our classic smuggling jobs!
JENQUO
Oh, and I'm supposed to give up my
life and dreams to take care of
this child while you're away!?
IRIKLAS
That's it, I'm going to the pub!
SFX: Iriklas storms off around the corner. Only to quickly
walk back on it.
IRIKLAS
(yelling back)
Right after I get the baby some
food, I'm not a monster!
SFX: He disappears back around the corner.
INT. THE COUNCIL CHAMBERS
SFX: Bri takes her seat.
FALLOW
Dachrus tea, if you would be so
kind.
SERF
Yes, father.
SFX: The serf quietly exits.
FALLOW
We may now resume.
BRI
May I say something before we start
again? Or would that be a mark
against my purity or something or
other?
FALLOW
You may.
BRI
I know your game. You intend to
trap me in my words, get me to talk
about whether I'm worthy to carry
(MORE)
35.
BRI (cont'd)
your people's legacy. If I posess
the judgement, if I'm some wicked
harlot, or if my whole sex is even
worthy to carry this power, or
whatever. All of that is just a
means to dance around the fact that
you don't see me as your equal. So
let us just cut to the chase, end
this...*charade*, because you know
as well as I do that I'm your only
choice.
FALLOW
But you are not.
BRI
Yes, I am. Neradial is coming. I
will keep training, but I am ready
to--
FALLOW
You're not our only choice. There
is another who the council deemed
worthy as Rhuadu's Chosen One.
VILLADIUS
I--I--What do you mean, High
Enkindler?
FALLOW
Sir Arleth, come forth.
SFX: Armor clad footsteps.
ARLETH
Lord Magnir Villadius. Hello again,
Lady Bri. I am Sir Arleth, at your
service.
EXT. HYMERTHRAL
SFX: Crowds cheering, hollering, others crying out in rage
as Neradial and her troops march.
NARRATOR
The Eternal City, Hymerthral. A
place where time is measured not by
seasons, but by millenia, with
columns and spires older than the
Orc Clans, built before the first
Kings of man. Towering stone Kings
and Queens of old cast their
shadows over the immortals that
roam the streets beneath a great
road that extends all the way to
the Grand Palace. The new Queen
waves from her chariot to her
(MORE)
36.
NARRATOR (cont'd)
people, who attend her with a
chorus of excitement--and grave
anxiety--as she arrives in the
heart of her Empire.
SFX: Horses stopping. Her boots slinging metal plating
strike the pavement.
CHAMBERLAIN
Oohh, Queen Neradial.
NERADIAL
Senator, we have many things to
prepare.
CHAMBERLAIN
The senate is at your command, your
Excellency.
NERADIAL
Tell them to convene immediately.
CHAMBERLAIN
A ruler who takes action! A welcome
change of policy. If you would be
so kind, your Excellency, share
with me your agenda, so that I may
guide it to its apex?
NERADIAL
Judgement.
SFX: Footsteps in the palace of Hymerthral. The great doors
seal.