The Unnamed Saga: Sisters and Song Script, Chapter Five: "Second Guesses"

Chapter Five:  Second Guesses

 

Open on Silverthrone castle at night, on a balcony.  A lantern was lit brightly enough to illuminate a single spire.  It was winter and a small amount of snow had collected on the balconies rails.  The night was dark and starless.

Show Teen Zara standing at the balcony’s edge.  She was wearing a nightdress and slippers, and she was leaning over the railing and staring out at the darkness.

Show the darkened forests outside of Silvara.

Show Zara again, but this time with her mother behind her.

Her mother approached and put a robe around Teen Zara.

 

Ester: “Zara, if you’re not careful you’ll catch a cold.

Teen Zara pulled the robe tight to her body.

She smiled at her mother.

She sniffled.

Teen Zara: “I know. I shouldn’t be out here, but I’m worried.”

 

Ester: “I know you are, sweetheart, and I understand completely. I used to worry, too, but you know, your father is the best hunter in the world.”

 

Queen Ester leaned onto the railing, too.

She smiled.

She ruffled Teen Zara’s hair.

Teen Zara pulled away with a start.

 

Teen Zara: “Mom!”

 

Queen Ester laughed.

Ester: “You know, you’ve always been like this.”

 

Teen Zara straightened her hair.

Teen Zara: “Like what?”

 

Ester: “You’ve always stood watch for your father whenever he takes one of his hunting trips.  You never went with him, not like Dawn does.  He tried taking you once, but you cried the entire time.”

 

Teen Zara: “I think I remember that.”

 

Queen Ester: “But, whenever he goes, you always light a torch and wait up on him.”

 

Teen Zara: “Like I said, I worry…”

 

Queen Ester: “Oh, don’t get upset.  I’m not saying it’s a bad thing.  Your father once told me that he can see this light, even in the farthest reaches of the Fox Wood.  When it gets late, and the forest tells him lies and leads him in the wrong direction, he can always see your light from your balcony, and so he always finds his way home.”

 

Teen Zara: “Dad said that?”

 

Queen Ester nodded.

Ester: “He, in fact, did.”

 

Teen Zara looked out at the forest.

Teen Zara: “I figured he’d say it was silly.”

 

Queen Ester hugged Zara.

Ester: “You care about your family, and you’re always watching out for them.  It’s not silly.  It’s sweet.”

They stood embraced for a moment.

Queen Ester smiled.

Ester: “And it seems it worked again.  Look.”

Queen Ester pointed.

Cut to a small hunting party coming in through the gate.  They dragged their kills with them.

Show Zara’s father and Dawn.  Both were dressed in thick fur coats and looked tired, but they were smiling.

Dawn waved.

Teen Zara smiled and waved back.

She looked back at her mother.

 

Teen Zara: “Come on, let’s meet them at the door!”

 

Cut to Zara sitting at the pier and staring out at the sea.  It is raining.  She has a blanket draped over her, and Elsea is standing beside her with an umbrella.  Zara is sleeping.

Show the distance.  The sun is setting.  The sea is calm.

Elsea kneels beside Zara.

She shakes her awake.

 

Elsea: “Princess, I beg your pardon, but we should head back.”

 

Zara snorts as she sits up.

Zara: “I’m…I’m waiting…”

She rubs sleep from her eyes.

She looks around.

Zara: “It’s night.”

 

Elsea: “It is.”

 

Zara stands.

Zara: “Another day wasted.”

 

Elsea: “I wouldn’t call it a waste.”

 

Zara: “That’s because you’re too nice.”

Zara looks at Elsea.

She holds her blanket open.

Zara: “You also look half frozen. Come in here with me.”

 

Elsea: “Thank you, but I’m fine, m’lady.”

 

Zara: “Elsea, consider this an order.”

 

Elsea: “If you insist.”

 

Elsea slips into the blanket as Zara wraps it around both of them.

They head back toward the mansion.

Zara: “Thank you for waiting with me.”

 

Elsea: “Thank you for sharing your blanket.”

 

Cut to the Anthem mansion interior halls.  The dark sky can be seen through the windows.  Glenn is walking down the hall.  He is holding a book that he is looking through.  Zara is running up behind him.  She has showered and changed since her return, and her hair is slightly curly.  She has a slice of bread hanging from her mouth.

 

Zara: “You!  Glenn! Wait!”

 

She stops at his side.

Glenn looks at her.

Glenn: “Princess?”

 

Zara: “You said that the ship was supposed to be here days ago, and you’ve been avoiding me since!”

 

Glenn: “No, I haven’t.  You’ve been at the harbor the entire time.”

 

Zara: “Well!  Listen, we need to speak with President Thaddeus, maybe ask him for another ship and a handful of soldiers.  We’ll go out ourselves and bring them back.”

 

Glenn: “We can’t.”

 

Zara: “Of course we can.  What, are you worried about the danger involved?  It couldn’t be any worse than traveling across Albion with bounty hunters at our heels.”

 

Glenn: “It’s not danger.  It’s the soldiers and ships.”

 

Zara: “What?  Anthem has long since been a friend of Silvara.  President Thaddeus was a personal friend of my father’s, and he worked tirelessly along with my kingdom to…”

 

Glenn: “That’s what got us here and the first ship.”

 

Zara: “And it will get us a second.  Listen, Glenn, I understand as a knight you are blind to the political complexities of this situation, but…”

 

Glenn: “Listen, we’re not welcome here, and one false step could get us kicked out or worse.”

 

Zara: “What do you mean we’re not welcome?”

 

Glenn: “Nowhere is safe for us.  The entire mainland is terrified of Fiona and Metis.  We need to be careful not to be a burden.”

 

Zara: “But, my sister…”

 

Glenn: “I know.”

Glenn looks away.

Glenn: “Just do your best.  We’re not abandoning them, we’re just not in a situation to help.”

Glenn looks at her.

Glenn: “Do you understand?”

 

Zara: “I do.”

Zara takes a bite of her bread.

Zara: “I don’t like it, though.”

 

Glenn: “Neither do I.”

 

Zara: “Sorry I was short with you.”

 

Glenn: “Don’t worry about it.”

 

Cut to the shattered streets of Silavara.

Show groups of Silavarans eating slop at tables.

Show Silavarans gathered around the slop pots.

Show some Fionan guards drinking boisterously.

Show Silavaran children kicking stones or running through the streets.

One Silvaran child bumps into a Fionan guard.  The guard curses.

Cut to Nick and Dawn walking the streets.

The child runs by Nick.

Nick grabs him and lifts him up.

 

Nick: “I’ll take that.”

Nick takes a satchel from a child.  It clinks with money.

 

Dawn: “Are you robbing him?”

 

Nick: “Oh, please.”

Nick looks at the child.

Nick: “Hey, this yours?”

The kid shakes his head.

Nick: “Picked it off of a guard, didn’t you?”

The kid shrugs.

Nick: “What I thought.  Now, get out of here.”

Nick sets the kid down.

He kicks him gently in the rear as the kid runs off.

He looks at Dawn.

Dawn stares back at him with her hands on her hips.

Nick: “You know what they say, no honor among thieves.”

 

Dawn: “Clearly.”

 

Nick: “But it’s that same lack of honor that’s letting me betray Fiona’s trust and getting you out of here.”

 

Dawn: “I guess, but still.”

Dawn snatches the satchel.

Dawn: “It just doesn’t seem right to let you keep this.”

 

Nick: “Reparations for war crimes committed?”

 

Dawn: “I just don’t think you deserve it.”

 

Nick: “Cold.”

 

They come to a stop outside of the resistance shack.

Dawn faces him.

Nick looks up at the sky.

 

Nick: “Looks like the rain has passed.”

 

Dawn: “Tomorrow will be a good day for an escape.”

 

Nick: “Your people ready?”

 

Dawn: “Those that will be coming.”

 

Nick: “That’s not everyone?”

 

Dawn: “Some people can’t leave their families.  Some can’t convince their families to come.”

 

Nick: “I see.  Don’t have a family of mine anymore, but I can respect that.”

 

Dawn: “May I ask what happened to them?”

 

Nick: “Didn’t you just ask?”

 

Dawn: “Just answer.”

 

Nick: “Not much to say, really.  I was an only child.  My parents were old and loved the theater, more than they loved each other, I think.  They died on stage, doing what they loved best.”

 

Dawn: “That’s nice.”

 

Nick: “Yeah, except the crowd demanded a refund.”

Nick laughs.

He waves.

Nick: “See you tomorrow, day break, don’t be late.”

 

Dawn: “I won’t.  Good night.”

Dawn enters the shake.

Show the Silver Guard sitting around a table.  Sir Thomas is at their head.  Diando is drinking with them.

 

Thomas: “I don’t like him.”

 

Diando: “No one does.”

 

Remi nods while pouring Diando some more to drink.

 

Dawn: “You don’t have to like him to trust him.”

 

Remi: “It would certainly help, though.”

 

Dawn: “Maybe, but he’s all we’ve got, and he’s offering us a way out.”

 

Thomas: “This is no way out.  We should stay and fight.”

 

Diando: “Or stay and die.  She’s right.  We need to go.”

 

Thomas: “By the gods, I’m surrounded by cowards.”

 

Remi: “I feel you’re mistaking our prudence for cowardice, Sir Thomas.”

 

Sir Thomas waves him off.

Dawn stares.

 

Dawn: “Well, we’re in high spirits today.”

 

Thomas: “I don’t like running.”

 

Dawn: “And I don’t like the captain of the royal guard sulking like a child.”

Dawn’s stomach growls.

She rubs her stomach.

Dawn: “Now, anyone else hungry?”

 

Diando: “We all ate.”

 

Dawn: “Oh, well, thanks for waiting.  Now, I have to eat alone.”

 

Remi: “Actually, Niva called on you while you were away finalizing the plan.”

 

Diando: “Finalizing the plan? Is that what we’re calling it these days?”

 

Dawn glares.

Sir Thomas turns on Diando.

 

Thomas: “Oh, would you shut up already?”

 

Diando: “You want to make me?”

 

Dawn: “Children, please.  Remi, what about Niva?”

 

Remi: “She said she would wait for you.”

 

Dawn: “Okay, I’ll go see her then.”

 

Thomas: “We’ll escort you there.”

 

Dawn: “No, you won’t.”

 

Thomas: “But…”

 

Dawn: “I’m a big girl, can walk and everything.  Ta-ta.”

Dawn slips out of the shack.

 

Cut to a nearby shelter in town.  It is little more than a leaning tent.  A hole in the center leaks collected rain water.  The sky is cloudy, but the sun is peeking through.  Birds have gathered around, as have people.

Show Niva sitting alone at one of the tables.  She is huddled for warmth in the shade.  An empty bowl sits in the center.

She looks from side-to-side.

She slouches a bit.

 

Dawn, off-screen: “There you are!”

Dawn approaches carrying a bowl.

She sits beside Niva, who perks up at her approach.

Niva untangles.

 

Niva: “I was worried you wouldn’t come…”

 

Dawn: “What? Why? I headed straight over once I heard.”

Dawn stirs her slop.

Dawn: “Girl’s got to eat.”

 

Niva giggles.

Niva: “I suppose so!”

 

Dawn: “So, they said you needed to talk to me?”

 

Niva: “Um, yes.”

 

Dawn: “Well, I’m here.”

 

Niva: “Well…”

 

She looks around.

 

Dawn: “Yes?”

 

Niva: “You have that plan to leave tomorrow.”

 

Dawn: “Yeah, and you’re coming with.”

 

Niva: “Yes, well, I was thinking, I—Are you sure?”

 

Dawn: “Sure?  Am I sure about what?”

 

Niva: “About me coming with you.”

 

Dawn: “Well, I’m pretty sure, as in I wouldn’t mind, but I think it’s more up to you than it is to me.”

 

Niva: “But, you’re…”

She looks around conspiratorially.

She leans forward and whispers.

Niva: “You’re the princess.”

 

Dawn: “Yes, yes I am.”

 

Niva: “I just don’t want to get in the way.”

 

Dawn: “Okay, that’s a fair concern, but it’s no reason to stay, you know.  I mean, what do you have here to stay for?”

 

Niva: “I know, but—If I left, I’d be uprooting everything.  I’d be giving everything up.”

 

Dawn: “Yeah but you’d find your sister.”

 

Niva: “We don’t even know…”

 

Dawn takes Niva’s hand.

They stare at each other.

Dawn: “I’ll find her.  I promise.”

 

Niva: “Are you sure?”

 

Dawn nods.

Niva folds her hands on her lap.  She stares at them.

She begins to cry.

 

Dawn: “Niva.”

 

Niva: “My sister did it.  She left.  She was fearless, and I…”

Niva balls her fists.

Niva: “I don’t know what’s going on out there, but I’m scared.  The world is so much bigger than this city, this island, and—She’s out there, struggling, fighting, even die…”

Niva looks up.  She is teary-eyed but resolute.

Niva: “I have to go.  I have to find her.  If there is any hope of finding her, it’s not here, it’s with you.”

 

Dawn smiles.

She puts an arm around Niva.

Dawn: “And we will find her.”

 

Niva smiles.

Niva: “I know, and I’ll work hard, pull my own weight.”

 

Dawn: “Of course you will.”

 

Niva takes a deep breath.

She stares ahead.

Niva: “Whatever it takes, she’s my sister.  She’s my only family.  She’s risking everything to fight for this nation, for you. For me. I’m done hiding, and I’m done missing her.”

 

Dawn: “Then I guess we should hurry and find her, huh?”

 

Niva smiles.

Niva: “I guess so!”

 

Cut to the resistance shack interior by night.

The door opens and Dawn steps in.

She takes off her cloak and hangs it by the door.

She turns and stops.

Show the Silver Guard staring at her, with Diando at their side.

 

Dawn: “Well, this isn’t spooky at all.  What’s with all the sour mugs, guys?”

 

Diando: “We want to talk to you.”

 

Dawn: “I noticed.”

 

Thomas: “About the girl.”

 

Dawn: “About Niva?”

Dawn scowls.

Dawn: “You sent a spy, didn’t you? I can’t believe this. I am not a child.”

 

Thomas: “You’re fifteen.”

 

Dawn: “I’m the princess!”

 

Thomas: “And that makes it our duty to protect you!”

 

Dawn: “So, you had me followed, and your loyal little hound came back to you with what, exactly?  You already knew I invited her along.”

 

Diando: “But she has second thoughts.”

 

Dawn: “Maybe. So?”

 

Diando: “So, this is a mistake, and a stupid one at that.”

 

Dawn: “Hey!”

 

Thomas: “What he means to say is that the girl is a liability.”

 

Diando: “A stupid one.”

 

Dawn: “She’s a citizen, just like everyone else who marches with us.”

 

Diando: “No, they’re also soldiers.”

 

Dawn: “So?”

 

Diando: “So, we aren’t bringing family with us.  We’re not bringing children or friends.  We’re bringing soldiers, because that’s what we need.  We can’t save the nation with good intentions.”

 

Dawn: “Maybe but you can’t rebuild it without them.”

 

Diando: “And here I remember you saying how you weren’t a child.”

 

Dawn: “I’ve already told her she can come.  Who am I to change my mind now?”

 

Diando: “A princess, remember?”

 

Dawn glares.

All of the guards look away.

Diando holds her gaze.

Dawn: “You’re right, I AM the princess, so let me make this perfectly clear.  She’s coming. We’re leaving.  You don’t like it, stay.  Niva is coming along.  You don’t like it? Leave.  But, and by the gods hold your damn tongue Diando, or I will cut it out, one chunk at a time, I AM the princess, and I am here right now to tell you: stop second guessing my every move, because I am DONE with it.  Do you understand me?”

 

Thomas: “Prin…”

 

Dawn: “It’s a yes or no question.”

 

She glares at them all.

 

Everyone: “Yes.”

 

Dawn: “Good.  Now, I am going to sleep.  I suggest you all do the same.  We have an early morning.”

 

Dawn leaves through the curtain.

Diando sighs.

He looks at Sir Thomas.

 

Diando: “Well, that went well.”

 

Remi looks at Diando bemusedly.