The Unnamed Saga: The Four Thrones, Chapter Eighteen: "Broken Borders"

Chapter Eighteen: Broken Borders

 

Open on Silverthrone Castle from above, a large estate filled with large, well-tended glades and gardens.  Ponds dot the landscape, connected by beautifully built and maintained bridges.  The area is a focused, artistic expression of function and aesthetic.

Show the front gate where two guards stand at watch, one at the ready, the other yawning.

A bird flies by.

Show the bird land on a nearby tree branch.

Silverthrone Guard1, who was yawning, points at the bird while Silerthrone Guard2 looks warily at it.

Silverhtrone Guard1: “Look! A bird!”

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "What in the world are you on about now?"

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "That bird is flying in.  Means winter is about over."

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "It doesn't mean anything.  It's probably just lost."

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "Why do you always do that?"

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "Do what?  I didn't do anything?"

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "Crush my dreams, man.  You're always crushing my dreams."

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "Oh, not this again.  I didn't crush anything."

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "I'm just saying, you're negative.  A real pessimist."

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "I'm not a pessimist.  I'm a realist."

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "That's what all the pessimists say."

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "You're an idiot."

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "I'm not an idiot, I'm an optimist."

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "Same thing."

 

Silverthrone Guard1: "I'm not going to engage you.  I would just like to ask you, in the future, to respect my dreams."

 

Silverthrone Guard2: "Fine, whatever, dream however much you like, but we've got at least a few more weeks until spring is here."

 

They go silent as a wind blows.  Silverthrone Guard1 shivers.

Silverthrone Guard1: "Just can't stand this damn cold."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Silverthrone Castle’s wall interior.  Castle guards walk in groups, eying the area and carrying with them spears and halberds.  Attendant in cloaks work busily to maintain the landscape.

Cut to a castle balcony and show Dawn seated upon a banister, her small, powerful legs having over the railing.  She wears a thick dress with a cloak over it and has her unstrung bow at rest on her lap.  She looks out toward the city.

Show the wall from her view, a thicket of trees pressed against it from both within and without and the city just beyond it, small ribbons of smoke drifting from their chimneys.

 

Cut to the Silverthrone Castle interior guest room where Mary is at rest on an enormous bed propped up by embroidered cushions.  She is wearing a silken Silvaran nightgown.  Bandages can be seen, tightly bound beneath the gown.

Mary stretches as Zelos appears in the open doorway.

 

Zelos: "You don't even rest when you're injured."

 

Mary: "I've said it many times before: I'll sleep when I'm dead.  You, on the other hand, should be sleeping much more than your busy schedule allows for."

 

Zelos: "I'm still trying to convince Glenn that we should go.  He's being difficult."

 

Mary: "That is a considerable understatement."

 

Zelos: "You still agree with him, though, don't you?"

 

Mary: "I think the best course is a cautious one.  These waters are tumultuous, to say the least, and might I take the time to commend you and your uncharacteristic patience."

 

Zelos: "The last time I charged in you..."

 

Mary: "Apology noted and accepted, pumpkin.  I'm just glad that you've learned to be more prudent."

 

Zelos: "For now. Patience really isn't my strong suit."

 

Mary: "It's not the strong suit of any Ferenn."

 

Mary slips from the bed while pulling a thin robe from the nightstand beside her.

 

Mary: "Come, let's conference with the Sir Glenn and the king and ponder our circumstances."

 

Zelos: "Yes, ma'am."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Silverthrone Castle inner court where King Estein is meeting with the Fionan Emissary with Glenn at the throne’s side.  King Estein is a brawny man with a neatly trimmed beard and his crown crooked on his head.  He is seated at the throne but leaned forward in conversation.  The throne has a crescent moon at its head with the image of a fox cut into its surface.  Glenn stands with his hands folded behind his back.  The Emissary has his hands open and is speaking sharply.

Emissary: "We ask only for what is our right!  Regicide comes with a heavy sentence."

 

King Estein: "And I am refusing your request.  Your accusations are made with no evidence."

 

Emissary: "You will pay in blood for your stubbornness."

 

King Estein stands from his throne.

King Estein: "I will not suffer any threats in my own halls!"

 

The Emissary reaches for a pouch at his side while Glenn grips his sword.

The Emissary stops.

Emissary: "So be it.  This is a waste of time."

 

The Emissary rushes out of the court, flanked by escorting Fionan soldiers in black plate.

Zelos and Mary enter as King Estein comes to rest in his throne.

 

Zelos: "Were those Fionan arms I saw?"

 

King Estein takes a calming breath.

King Estein: "Good morning, prince!  And I see the lady Mary has joined us."

 

Zelos: "Yeah."

Zelos goes to Glenn.

Zelos: "Glenn, did I just see Fionan soldiers?"

 

Glenn: "Yes.  They left."

 

Zelos: "I had noticed.  What I want to know is why were aren't going with them."

 

Glenn: "They wanted the princess' head."

 

Zelos: "Then we refuse and return home to argue the case ourselves."

 

King Estein: "Prince, please,..."

 

Zelos: "Listen, I appreciate everything that you're doing for us.  I appreciate it endlessly, but I don't belong here.  I have a nation, a family, and they need me.  Staying here will only make us look all the more guilty."

 

King Estein looks warily as Glenn while sighing.

King Estein: "Prince Zelos, they didn't come only for my daughter."

 

Zelos: "What?"

 

Glenn: "You've been implicated in the king's murder as well, remember."

 

Zelos: "But..."

 

Glenn: "By now that is the popular opinion in Fiona.  For now, we should avoid Fionan soil.."

 

Mary: "Obviously, another one of Metis' manipulations."

 

Zelos: "Mary, Metis would never..."

 

Glenn: "This is a conversation for later."

 

Glenn gives Mary share a quick glance.

Mary takes Zelos by the arm.

Mary: "Right then, come along with me if you would, pumpkin."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the exterior of a small inn on the outskirts of Silvara.  The Emissary can be seen through the windows looking out on the forest.  He is speaking with someone obscured by frost.

Show the inn’s interior, the Emissary a mug in hand, the forest shown through the windows beside him.

Emissary: "Say what you want about the Silvarans, but they do have fine wines.

The Emissary sets his mug down.

Emissary: "Now, back to the business at hand.  As it stands, there will be no peace between us.  They refuse to negotiate the return of the traitors, so we must take them by force.  It is unfortunate—the exact thing Prince Metis had meant to avoid, but it must be done, if for nothing else to bring closure to this matter.  Now then, we have a plan in motion, one in which your involvement is most integral.  Such matters have dire need for precision, and I can think of no one more precise than you, my lord."

 

Kratos, off-screen: "This is for the best, then."

Show Kratos sitting across from the Emissary.  His face is slightly darkened.  He looks tired, even a bit numb.  His beard is unkempt.  His eyes intense.

Kratos: "This way I can find Zelos and make him answer for his crimes myself."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the interior of the Black Castle war room.  Show the room from the top, with Metis bent over a map of the island of Albion.  Zion stands at his side.

Show Metis from the front, staring intently at the map.  Zion stands straight, his arms folded behind his back.

Show the map.  Markers are spread across the edge of the Silvaran borders.  Everything else is marked as Fionan territory.  Little figures are put in strategic points along Silvara’s border.  A large marker is placed at the center of the invasion force.

 

Metis: "It is an unfortunate turn of events, but this must have been Fiona's destiny."

 

Zion: "I agree entirely, my king."

 

Metis smiles.

Metis: "Not a king, not yet, Zion, though I do appreciate your commitment."

Metis stands straight.

Metis: "I knew from the start that peace would never be an option."

 

Zion: "The Silvarans bring it upon themselves."

 

Metis goes to and stares out at the ocean.  Snow can be seen falling outside.

Metis: "Soon, Zion, soon I will finish the work my forefather's started.  Soon, this island will be united as one land under one crown."

 

Zion: "And you will be the one sitting upon the throne when it happens, my lord."

 

Metis: "You forget Kratos and Eros in your flattery."

 

Zion: "No, I don't, sir.  Neither are so suited as you are for rule.  Respectfully."

 

Metis: "Thank you, but I honestly think either one would make a worthy lord in their own rights."

 

Zion: "With due respect, my lord, no.  It must be you."

 

Metis: "And why do you say that? Speak freely."

 

Zion: "Prince Kratos, while strong and brave, hasn't the resolve to do what must be done.  Peace has made him soft.  Until the death of his family, he doubted Zelos' treason, did he not?"

 

Metis: "Indeed, he did."

 

Zion: "And Prince Eros, while well-liked by the people, is little more than a child playing at manhood.  Besides, recent days have found him...My lord, he is unwell, wandering the halls, thin and pale, a ghost of his former self."

 

Metis: "Indeed.  Fear not for him, for I shall see to him soon enough."

 

Zion: "I trust you will, my lord.  You always have a plan in mind or action, and that is foremost the reason why I want you at the head of this united land."

 

Metis: "Well, thank you very much, Zion.  You have always been my most loyal subject, and should I take the throne, you will be rewarded accordingly for your service, of that I assure you."

 

Zion: "To be at your service is reward enough, my lord."

 

Metis laughs.

Metis: "Well, enough of that now.  Please, leave me to my thoughts, and close the door on the way out."

 

Zion bows.

Zion: "Certainly, my lord."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Silverthrone castle’s exterior gate by night.  Two guards stand at the entryway, each holding a pike.  Another guard walks the wall above them.  Moonlight covers the wall.  The guard on the wall walks with a torch lit.

A cloud drifts over the moon, leaving the area dark.

Show another part of the wall, a rope hanging from the wall.

Show Kratos atop the wall stringing his bow.

Kratos charges down the wall, toward the guard, and shoots the Silvaran guard in the throat.

Before the guard atop the wall falls, Kratos fires two more arrows into the guards waiting at the entry way.

Kratos stops with his back to a watchtower within the wall, breathing heavily.

Show the distant part of the wall where torch light can still be seen.

Kratos scoops up the still lit torch of the guard he felled.

Kratos hops over the wall with the torch in hand.

Show the front gate swing open, Kratos holding a clothed arrow in one hand and the torch in the other.

Show a burning arrow streaking into the night sky.

Show Silvara from above, a red magical burst lighting the sky.

Show a series of colorful magical bursts following.

Show birds taking flight from the forests as a low rumble fills the night.

Show the forest interior, wildlife running from a spreading sickly green light.

Show the green light catching on the far mountains.

Show the green light filling the Silvaran streets.

Show a shadowy figure rising from the wooded area just beyond Silvara, green light spilling from its form.

Show spinning fans.

Show the bottom of a ship hovering above the treeline.

Show a bird-like figurehead.

Reveal the airship, green light spilling from its interior and trailing after it, fans spinning as it lifts up, dirt, stone and branches falling in its wake.

End on the image of the airship drifting over Silvara, Silverthrone atop a hill in the distance.

Chapter End.

The Unnamed Saga: The Four Thrones, Chapter Seventeen: "Monsters in the Dark"

Chapter Seventeen: Monsters in the Dark

 

Open on a forest by midday.  The sky is grey and heavy with clouds.  The trees are black and spindly.  A thin layer of snow is gathered on the ground, and snow continues to fall gently.

Show the Silvaran carriage cutting a trail through the fresh snow.  Zelos and Glenn remain at the reins with Glenn leading the horses.  They have their hoods up and their cloaks pulled tight.

Show Zara, Elsea, and Mary in the back.  Zara and Elsea are snuggled on either side of Mary and have their cloaks and hoods drawn.  Mary wears only her dress, a bloody stain left where the arrow had hit her.  She has her hands out and holds a small, red flame in her palm.

Mary: "Didn't expect the snow, now did we?"

 

Elsea: "It did seem to come out of nowhere."

 

Glenn: "It'll cover our tracks."

 

Zelos looks back.

Show the horse’s hoofprints and the groves where the wheels have been in the snow.

Zelos: "It won't cover much unless it picks up.  Right now it's only making our tracks more distinct."

 

Zara: "We don't need to worry about any tracks."

 

Zelos leans over the back of the carriage seat to look down at Zara.

Zelos: "Oh? And why is that exactly?"

 

Zara points before the carriage.

Zara: "Because, we're home!"

Show the enormous, elaborately designed wall of Silverthrone in the distance.  Guard towers can be seen rising from pillars.  Banners hung over the edge show the emblem of the nation, a fox at rest within the cradle of a crescent moon.  The castle’s spires can be seen jutting over the walls.

Zara smiles at Elsea with tears in her eyes.

Zara: "Elsea, we're really home!"

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the Black Castle exterior by midday.  The sun is high and dark clouds are on the horizon.

Show the castle interior looking down an empty hall.

Show another empty hall, this time from the side.  Guards can be heard roaming the halls.

Show a lone guard sprinting down an empty hallway.

The guard comes to a stop doubled.

The guard vomits.

Show Kratos’ room interior where two ravaged bodies are on the floor.  A bloody smear surrounds them.  Limbs are scattered around them on the floor.  One is vaguely female, while the other was once a child.  They lie together, the female body draped ineffectually over the child’s.  Metis stands over the bodies rubbing his chin and staring down at them.  Black Guard surround flank him and surrounding the bodies.  Zion looks ill to Metis’ immediate left.

 

Zion: "Disgusting!"

 

Metis: "Very much so."

 

Zion: "Who would think to even do such a thing?"

 

Metis: "Rebels, I'd imagine.  People left by the traitor prince and his would-be bride.  They're killing potential heirs.  It's sad, really, that he still seems to think he has claim to the throne."

 

Zion: "No one in the nation would allow it, not after this.  What he has done...It's unforgivable."

 

Metis: "Yes, it is.  Zion, if you could, please ask the captain of the Black Guard to increase patrols.  There may be more of Zelos' loyalist left within the city, and we cannot allow a tragedy like this to be repeated."

 

Zion bows.

 

Zion: "Of course, my lord, I will go immediately."

 

Zion leaves, passing Eros on his way out.  Eros stands tight against the door, holding the doorframe for support while he stares wide-eyed at the corpses.  His eyes have bags under them, and he holds his robe tight around his body.

Show Metis’ shadow cast over Eros.

Show Metis put his left hand on Eros’ shoulder.

 

Metis: "You look unwell, brother."

 

Eros: "I..."

Eros looks to Metis now, grimacing.

Eros: "I am just unaccustomed to such gruesome sights."

 

Metis looks over his shoulder back at the corpses with Eros at his side.

 

Metis: "It truly is a tragedy.  Unfortunately, if we are not careful to settle these trifles soon, such tragedies are likely to be repeated."

Show Metis from the front, looking Eros in the face.

Metis: "Fear not, though.  We will settle this soon.  That, I promise you."

 

Eros stares blankly at Metis.

Eros: "Of course, brother.  I would be a fool to doubt you."

 

Metis: "I wouldn't say that.  Now, go, take care of yourself.  You needn't subject yourself to such things."

 

Eros: "Yes. I think that would be best."

 

Eros leaves Metis standing in the doorway.  Metis looks back over his shoulder at the bodies while the guards are at work gathering the limbs into a pile to be moved.

Metis leaves the room.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to an overhead shot of Silvara.

Show the market in greater detail, people sticking close together as they walk from building to building.

Show residences with clouds of black smoke drifting from their chimneys.

Show an empty carriage tended to by Silvaran soldiers at the Silver Throne’s front gate.

Cut to the Silverthrone wall interior, the party entering through the front gate, passing a thicket of bare trees as they walk.  Zara is leading the group with a big smile.  Mary and Elsea walk just behind her, with Zelos behind them, and Glenn in the rear.

 

Zara: "Ah!  Maybe I'm bias, but I can't help but feel that the Silvaran air smells so much sweeter."

 

Mary: "No, I am inclined to agree with you, princess.  Most like it is the flowers your people grow here.  Fionans are not wont to plant much greenery.  They prefer the smell of steel...and dogs.  It's a part of their culture, I fear."

 

Zara: "It's just great to be back home."

Zara looks over her shoulder at Elsea.

Zara: "Elsea, smile!  You should be happy to return."

 

Elsea: "I am happy, m’lady."

 

Zara: "Elsea, what's wrong."

 

Elsea: "I fear that our celebration may be a bit premature, princess.  Relations between Fiona and Silvara are still strained, all things considered."

 

Zara: "Oh, we'll have that sorted out in a matter of days. Won't we, Zelos?"

 

Zelos: "That is the plan."

 

Mary: "My, do I ever find the naive nature of yours hearts ever so endearing!"

 

Zelos: "Say what you want, now that Zara is safe, I can finally return home and set things right."

 

Show Zelos suddenly pinned to a nearby tree with an arrow in his cloak.  Glenn rushes toward him while Elsea, Mary, and Zara are yet to react.

Elsea begins conjuring a barrier while Glenn grips his blade.  The runes on Mary’s body glow while Zara ducks down. Zelos tugs at the arrow.

 

Glenn: "An assassin!"

Glenn is pinned in a similar manner just as Elsea’s barrier is raised.  Another arrow has broken across the barrier while Mary has her hand up.  Zara is kneeling and looking up with a frown upon her face.

 

Zara: "Wait!"

 

Glenn yanks the arrow from the tree.

Glenn: "These are Silvaran arrows."

 

Zara: "That's because they're being shot by Silvaran hands."

Zara steps outside of the barrier.

 

Elsea: "Princess!"

 

Zara: "Dawn, you stop that right now!"

 

Dawn, off-screen: "Aw! You're no fun, as always!"

 

Show Dawn bounding from a thicket of bare bushes, a heavy cloak obscuring her diminutive frame.  She is a stout girl with features similar to Zara’s, save broader shoulders and with lighter hair instead of auburn.  She has an impish smile as she unstrings her bow in her approach.

 

Zara: "If you knew what we have gone through to come home then you wouldn't find this little prank of yours nearly so funny."

 

Dawn: "Yeah, I have to admit, you all do seem a little high strung."

 

Dawn passes the party.  Glenn and Mary watch her curious, while Zara stands with her hands on her hips, glaring.  Elsea seems exasperated.  Zelos is trying ineffectually to pull the arrow free.

Dawn yanks the arrow free with one hand.  Zelos falls to the ground.

 

Zelos: "Thanks.  You're getting better.  Too bad you don't, you know, have anything real to shoot at."

 

Dawn: "Hey, nice eye patch.  Do the other pirates know that you're missing?"

 

Zelos: "No, but I'm surprised you could see it from all the way down there."

 

Dawn: "Oh, short jokes, real original."

 

Zelos shrugs as he stands.  Dawn is grinning.

Zelos: "I do what I can."

 

Dawn looks at all of them.

Dawn: "Well, you look like crap.  Come on, I'll get one of the maids to make us up some cocoa, and Z can tell me all about how horrible your journey home has been."

 

Zelos: "You mean she can whine all about it."

 

Zelos and Dawn laugh together as they walk off, leaving a pouting Zara behind them.  Elsea has her hand on Zara’s shoulder while Mary seems mystified.

 

Elsea: "Your sister seems well."

 

Zara: "That she does."

 

Mary: "And she seems quite fond of the prince."

 

Zara: "Yes.  I had forgotten how well those two get along with each other."

 

Mary: "Mayhap she should have been his intended bride, then."

 

Zara glares.

Zara: "Not funny!"

Zara storms off.

Elsea follows after

Mary and Glenn exchange glances.

 

Glenn: "It was a little funny."

Glenn walks off.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the Black Castle interior, Eros’ bedroom by night.  Show Eros in bed from above, looking pale and anxious, staring up at the ceiling wide-eyed.

 

Cut to an interior hallway of the Black Castle in the morning.  Show Eros in his robes standing beside an open door.

Show the room interior, Eros peeking in through the door.  It is Metis’ room, still dark in the early morning.

Eros crosses the room to Metis’ wardrobe.

Show the wardrobe interior, the hidden door open.

Show Eros at the stop of the long spiral staircase, staring down the staircase.

Show the staircase from above, from Eros’ view, the stairs disappearing into the darkness, a faint purple dot at the bottom.

Show Eros descending the stairs.

Show Eros stopping near the bottom, a dark purple light shining off-screen.

Show the altar, Metis standing at the altar’s edge and holding a purple flame in his palm.  Kratos’ wife and child are suspended in purple light above him, bound and gagged.

 

Metis: "I am truly sorry for this, my sister, but Fiona's survival necessitates extreme actions."

Metis places them at the center of the altar.

Metis: "There, an offering of two bodies to momentarily sate your endless hunger!"

 

The torches surrounding the altar dim.

Show Eros’ shock as he grips the staircase tightly and watches.

Show the torches dimming further, shadows forming around the platform in the form of jagged teeth.

Show Eros wince.

 

Metis: "What are you waiting for?! Feast!"

 

Show Kratos’ wife crawling to her knees while her child is at rest on his side.

Kratos’ wife falls over onto her child in an effort to protect him.

The screen goes black.  Kratos’ wife and child scream briefly before the sound of wet flesh can be heard.

Show a dark bead of shadows, darker even than the darkness around them.

Show Eros look away, holding the staircase tightly as tearing can be heard.

Silence.

Show Eros open his eyes.

Show Eros shudder.

Show Eros vomit.

Show Metis, torches lit around him, looking back over his shoulder just as Eros ducks.

 

Cut to Eros in bed, staring up at the ceiling, shaking.

Eros lights a candle beside his bed.

Chapter End.