The Unnamed Saga: The Four Thrones, Chapter Fifteen: Remembrances

Chapter Fifteen: Remembrances

Open on a black screen.

Show Elsea on her back, her hair matted with blood, her hands bound, gagged, with her cloak gathered around her and soiled with mud.  A fire can be heard crackling nearby.

Show Elsea from a distance, her back to a wet cavern wall, her breath in puffs of steam, with the fire burning in the fore.

Show Elsea close, struggling against her bindings, whimpering in failure.

Cut to black.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Open to Teen Elsea sitting at an ornate table.  She is wearing the Academy school robes and sitting across from an attendant bearing the Silvaran coat of arms—a fox.  The Silvaran Attendant is smiling at her as they sit in the Academy library.  Academy students are hard at work around them while he checks a list.

 

Silvaran Attendent: “And how are your studies going?”

 

Teen Elsea: “Well.”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “I am glad you think so.  The faculty seems quite impressed with your progress, but what else can we expect from a prodigy like you.”

 

Teen Elsea blushes and looks away.

Teen Elsea: “Thank you.”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “They say that you will graduate soon.  They’re even saying that you could return to the castle now and start your service.  You still wish to work for the King and Queen, don’t you?”

 

Teen Elsea: “Well, yes, but…”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “You’re thinking about your family, aren’t you?”

 

Teen Elsea nods.

 

Silvaran Attendant: “Have you been writing to them?”

 

Teen Elsea: “I had considered, but it would be wasted.  Neither ever learned to read.”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “I see.  That is unfortunate, but I assure you that they are well.  We’re keeping them warm and well-fed.  Oh and the people of your village send you their warm wishes.”

 

Teen Elsea: “That is most gracious.  Thank you, sir.”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “About visiting your family upon graduation, though, I’m afraid that our schedule may not allow for that.”

 

Teen Elsea: “With all due respect, why not?”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “Our schedule has been pushed up.  The queen is expecting again, and so we need the princess’ handmaiden on duty immediately.  We hardly have time to wait until your graduation, truth be told.”

 

Teen Elsea: “I see.”

 

The Silvaran Attendant smiles warmly.

 

Silvaran Attendant: “Don’t you worry too much.  I promise, your family is well-fed, well taken care of.  Now, we just need that same sort of care given to our young princess, and I do believe you’re just the person to do that.”

 

Teen Elsea: “Of course.  It will be my honor.”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “That’s good to hear.”

The Silvaran Attendant stands.

Elsea stands next, smoothing her robes as she rises.

They shake hands.

Silvaran Attendant: “And perhaps we can arrange a visit by your parents, if your father is feeling up to it.”

 

Teen Elsea smiles.

Teen Elsea: “Would that be okay?”

 

Silvaran Attendant: “I’ll see what the king says, but I don’t see why not.”

 

Show the Silvaran Attendant leaving.  Over his shoulder Teen Elsea can be seen clutching the chest of robes, smiling sadly at his back.

Cut to black.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Open on Elsea at rest in the cave.  She is bound and gagged.  Blood has dried across her forehead. 

Show Crane and Burgess standing around a small, smokeless fire at the cave mouth.

Elsea wriggles in an attempt to sit back up, revealing the side of her face where blood had run and crusted.

Burgess leaves Crane.

Burgess kneels down beside Elsea, who has come to a rest.

 

Burgess: "Sorry about the blood and all that."

 

Crane: "You must be stronger than you accounted for."

 

Burgess: "Or her skull is softer than most."

Burgess taps her head gently with his knuckle. Elsea winces

Burgess: "Mixture of both, I suspect."

 

Crane: "You must be surprised to see us alive."

 

Burgess: "And a tad anxious."

 

Crane: "We followed you through that old cavern."

 

Burgess: "Quite a mess you left."

 

Crane: "And we followed you to the village."

 

Burgess snorts with laughter.

Burgess: "Hamlet, more like."

 

Crane: "We waited for the prince and the princess."

 

Burgess: "Need both."

 

Crane: "And we need them alive."

 

Burgess: "Prefer them dead at this point."

 

Crane: "When we saw you, we hatched a plan.  You're only a handmaiden, but nobles are often protective of their property."

 

Burgess: "The rich stay rich by being greedy."

 

Crane: "So, I expect they will come for you."

 

Burgess looks back at Crane.

Burgess: "And soon, at that."

 

Crane: "We should prepare."

 

Burgess: "Yes, love."

Burgess looks at Elsea.

Burgess: "You stay still now."

 

Burgess and Crane kiss before parting.

Elsea lies shivering in the cave, struggling toward the fire.

Show Elsea inching toward the fire.

Show a close up of the fire.

Pull out to show Teen Elsea waiting in a large, richly decorated room within Silverthrone.  She is seated in a lush chair with a mug in her hand and is dressed for cold weather.  The drink steams.

The Silvaran Attendant enters with a smile, and Teen Elsea looks back at the door to see him.

 

Silvaran Attendant: "Come, come, let's be on our way."

Teen Elsea leaves her drink and follows the Silvaran Attendant out of the room.

Show them walking together through the halls of Silverthrone, Elsea walking a few steps behind the Silvaran Attendant.

Silvaran Attendant: "You'll be meeting her now."

 

Teen Elsea: "I see."

 

Silvaran Attendant: "She's a real peach.  You will love her.  I promise."

 

Teen Elsea: "O-Okay."

 

The Silvaran Attendant stops outside of a room and knocks on the door.

He waits a few seconds.

Silvaran Attendant: "Princess, are you dressed? I've brought a guest."

 

Child Zara, through the door: "Who is it?"

 

Silvaran Attendant: "Someone very special, I promise."

The Silvaran Attendant winks at Teen Elsea.

Silvaran Attendant: "May we enter?"

 

Child Zara, through the door: "Yes."

 

Show the interior of Child Zara’s room with the Silvaran Attendant entering, Teen Elsea on his heels.  The room has a large bed and an equally large wardrobe.  Child Zara sits at a table with stuffed animals wedged into chairs.  A tea set it set about the table, each animal having their own cup.  She watches the Silvaran Attendant and Teen Elsea.

Child Zara: "Is she my new guest?"

 

Silvaran Attendant: "Yes, princess.  Why not come over and say hello."

 

Child Zara gets out of her seat.

She struts over to them.

She curtsies.

Child Zara: "Hello, I am Zara Estein, first princess of Silvara.  A pleasure to meet you."

Child Zara looks at the Silvaran Attendant.

Child Zara: "Like that?"

 

Silvaran Attendant: "Absolutely!  That was perfect.  I can see your studies are paying off!"

 

Child Zara beams as she looks at Teen Elsea.

Child Zara: "What's your name?"

 

Silvaran Attendant: "This, princess, is Elsea.  She will be your handmaiden and personal attendant from this day forward.  Do you understand what that means?"

 

Child Zara: "No."

 

Silvaran Attendant: "It means she is going to watch out for you, keep you safe, no matter what happens."

 

Child Zara: "Oh."

 

Silvaran Attendant: "You two will get along famously.  I just know it.  I have a good sense for these kinds of things.  Now then, I must be off, your sister seems fit to be a handful, and she isn't even born yet."

 

The Silvaran Attendant rushes out, leaving Child Zara and Elsea standing alone.

Child Zara smiles at Elsea.

Child Zara: "Your hair is pretty."

 

Teen Elsea: "Th-Thank you."

 

Child Zara: "Want to play with me?"

 

Teen Elsea: "It would be my honor!"

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to the party in town, Zara holding the note while Glenn, Mary, and Zelos gather around her.  Zara has tears in her eyes while Glenn looks angry.  Mary seems distracted.

 

Mary: "Excuse my slow faculties, but did you just say that they've taken the Lady Elsea?"

 

Zara: "That’s what the note says.  It also says to follow the road back into the clearing to get her.”

 

Zelos takes the note from Elsea while Glenn and Mary exchange glances.  Zara begins to cry.

 

Glenn: "Trap."

 

Mary: "Obviously.  I say we gather our things and leave now before their return."

 

Glenn: "Agreed."

 

Zara: "What? Leave?  We aren't going to rescue her?"

 

Glenn: "No."

 

Zara: "But Elea is my handmaiden, my friend.  We have to go…”

 

Mary: "Painful as it may be to hear, Glenn speaks true, princess.  Elsea's duty, above all other things, is to protect you.  If you or the prince should be harmed in course of her rescue then she will have failed in that duty.  The local guard can handle a situation such as this.  We, on the other hand, should make an expedient exit so as not to endanger either of you.  The capital is not far off.  We must be prudent."

 

Zara looks at one of the guards who is picking his nose.

The guard shows it to a fellow guard.

The guard then starts chasing the other guard around with his booger.

Zara: "I am not leaving her behind."

 

Mary: "Princess, please listen to reason..."

 

Zara: "No, you listen to reason!  Elsea is not some mere servant, and her life is not forfeit to her duty.  We will rescue her and that is final."

 

Glenn: "No, it's not.  You're being childish.  We leave.  THAT is final."

 

Zara: "But..."

 

Glenn: "You and Zelos are priority.  Elsea would agree."

 

Mary: "Princess, please listen, the Lady Elsea is a top-tier magician.  Even I wouldn't be brave enough to confine her, not without the liberal use of alcohol first, at the very least.  I expect she'll be along in the matter of hours anyhow.  Maybre\\e even meet us to the capital."

 

Zara: "I don't..."

 

Mary: "Please, do the lady her honor and let us protect you."

 

Zara: "Fine, but upon my return I am sending the royal guard to sort this mess out."

 

Glenn: "Fair enough.  Now let's go.  Zelos!"

Show the party, Glenn looking about, Zara staring despondently at the ground, Mary peeking over her shoulder.

Glenn: "Zelos? Where's Zelos?"

 

Show the empty town around them.

 

Zara: "Last I saw he took the note from me..."

 

Glenn: "Oh, damn it!"

 

-The Four Throne-

 

Cut to Elsea struggling against her bindings on the cavern floor.  She has rolled onto her back and scuffed her head against a nearby stone, leaving a small bruise under her eye.

Elsea writhes to one side, grunting as her wrists chafe. She lets out a cry of frustration.

Show a shadow appear over her.

Elsea looks up, smiling around her gag.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Elsea and Teen Zara together in Zara’s bedroom.  The room has been decorated.  The stuff animals have been moved to Zara’s bed and are fewer in number.  A large vanity table has been moved in, as have a bookshelf heavy with books.  Teen Zara storms about her the room with a scowl.  Elsea sits quietly, watching her.

 

Teen Zara: "Oh, that boy is infuriating!  I don't know why mother and father are so taken with him!  Or Dawn, for that matter!"

 

Elsea: "Maybe they find him charming, m’lady."

 

Teen Zara: "Charming? Charming!  He's thoughtless.  That’s what he is.  Taking her out into the city like that."

 

Elsea: "With all due respect, the kingdom is quite safe, m’lady."

 

Teen Zara: "She's only a child!"

 

Elsea: "Some would say the same of you."

 

Teen Zara: "Some would say that of both of them.  There they were, free of supervision—and the candy!"

 

Elsea: "She enjoys sweets, m'lady."

 

Teen Zara: "Her stomach will ache."

 

Elsea: "He apologized."

 

Teen Zara: "He always does, and he never means it."

 

Elsea: "He bought you flowers, at least."

 

Teen Zara: "His father bought me flowers, and only because our parents insist on this courtship.  Honestly, the thought of such a marriage turns my stomach."

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Elsea lying on her back and smiling around her gag, tears in her eyes, a humanoid shadow cast over her.

Show Zelos standing over Elsea.

Zelos kneels down beside her and undoes her gag.

 

Elsea: "Zelos?"

 

Zelos: "Don't worry, we'll get you out of here."

 

Zelos helps Elsea up while tugging at her bindings.

 

Elsea: "Are the others with you?"

 

Zelos: "They're…catching up?"

 

Elsea: "Zara isn't with them, is she?"

 

Zelos: "I'm not really sure.  I kind of ran ahead."

 

Elsea: "Thank you."

 

Zelos: "You would do the same for me.  Ah!  Damn these knots!"

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Cut to Kratos in the forest outside of the Hamlet.  He is crouched low beside the road, listening as voices approach.

Show the empty road from the branches where he hides.

Show Zara leading Glenn and Mary down the road.

 

Zara: "And today will mark the first time I can actually thank Zelos for his ways."

 

Mary: "While you thank him, I think Glenn might just skin him."

 

Glenn: "Considering it."

 

Zara: "I don't see why you two are so scared.  You've beaten them before."

 

Mary: "Our worry is not for us, princess."

 

Show the party pass Kratos’ hiding spot.

Kratos appears from his hiding spot, staring down the road.

 

Kratos: "The Red Witch..."

 

Kratos strings his bow.

Cut to black.

 

-The Four Thrones-

 

Open to Elsea sitting in a grassy field.  In the distance, Silverthrone can be seen at the top of a hill.  Flowers surround her and the wind blows, stirring the grass and dandelion fluff.  The sun is high and the sky is clear, and Elsea is wearing black and staring wistfully into the distance.

Zara approaches Elsea from behind also wearing black, the wind fanning her skirt.

Zara rests her hand on Elsea’s shoulder.

 

Zara: "Are you sure that you wanted to leave?"

 

Elsea: "Yes."

 

Zara: "But, they're—were your family."

 

Elsea: "I didn't belong."

 

Zara sits beside Elsea.

Zara: "You left them when you were only a child."

 

Elsea nods while Zara watches her.

 

Zara: "You don't talk about it much."

 

Elsea: "Respectfully, there isn't much to say."

 

Zara: "Did you miss them?"

 

Elsea: "When I was young."

 

Zara: "Not anymore?"

 

Elsea: "No.  They're not my family now."

Zara cries beside Elsea, who now looks at her in surprise.

Elsea embraces Zara, who cries into her shoulder.

Elsea: "Oh, princess, why are you crying?"

 

Zara: "It's just so sad.  I'm sorry that my family ever took you away."

 

Elsea: "No, no, it is fine, princess.  This way I got a better life than I ever would have, and I gave them a better life, too."

 

Zara: "But..."

 

Elsea: "Now, shush."

Elsea dries Zara’s tears while Zara stares at her sadly.

Elsea: "My father was a miner and hurt his leg while I was still young.  My mother was always frail.  When I showed magical talent, your family was quick to take me to the Academy and offered to feed my family and keep them comfortable.  They could never do it on their own."

 

Zara: "But they're your family."

 

Elsea: "So are you, m’lady."

 

Zara smiles faintly.

Zara leans into Elsea’s shoulder while Elsea holds her.

Zara: "I love you, Elsea."

 

Elsea: "Thank you, m’lady."

 

Chapter End.