CHAPTER 10 - WE MEET ONCE AGAIN
EXT. FRALON CITY OUTSKIRTS RAIZIA - NIGHT
The Raizian farmland on the outskirts of the capital was ravaged, with dead bodies, plumes of smoke, fire and dead bodies everywhere you look.
MERLIC THE SHATTERED KING, a 7-foot-tall armoured black knight possessing a single tail and a shattered crystal crown floating above him, emanating a dark weak light. He was covered in Selcian blood. Bodies upon bodies littered the floor forming a hill of corpses under him.
He was Darkmoon claud with black steel, head to toe with a scorpion-like stinger at the tip of his armoured tail, cupping Drake's venom. It dripped melting through the mound of Selcian faces off some of the dead bodies he was standing on.
Carrying a long black thelbian sword he pierced it through the hill of corpses Standing it up straight, glancing upward and seeing a phoenix gliding towards him.
His hair was dreadlocked and twisted until it reached the base of his neck. Black fire spilling out of the cracks of his armour he GRASPED the phoenix by the neck and snatched the letter from its burning talons as it let out a cry.
PHOENIX
CHAWWWW!!!!
Merlic tossed the phoenix upward as it flew off opening the piece of paper. He wore his helmet that covered his face entirely.
MERLIC
Another job…
A squad of armoured Raizians from the distance with bows atop horseback galloped through the field of dead people Towards Merlic.
RAIZIAN 2
Sir, I can’t believe we had to rely on THE MERLIC for such a job… The League of Realms will have an issue with this.
Raizian 1 dismounts off of the horse looking around smiling.
RAIZIAN 1
The power of the sword… if only we could wield a blade without angering the Great Ifrit Goddess of Anger.
MERLIC
My pay, 3,000 dead Selcians and in the city the Selcian senator is dead, like we agreed.
Raizian 1 throws a stack of solid gold Quotes to Merlic held together with string.
RAZIAN 1
Satisfied?!
MERLIC
Satisfied, a pleasure.
Merlic climbs down the pile of bodies and walks past the raizians.
MERLIC (CONT’D)
Don't piss me off or I’ll be collecting Raizian heads. Be on your guard.
Raizian lights his cigarette of green grass.
RAIZIAN 1
Even if we do, our warlocks will welcome you with open arms hahaha.
MERLIC
(grunts)
Hmmmmm…
Merlic walks off into the battle smoke gradually disappearing.
CUT TO:
EXT. MARKETS CASTLE OUTSKIRTS - DAY
The markets in the early morning were quiet. McDune woke up in an alley, stuffy-faced, his bed made of cardboard and scraps of cloth, looking into his empty pouch he realized Quotes were short. Gathering himself, rubbing his eyes, he got up and walked over to a barrel filled with water nearby, washing his face and putting his mask back on. Amber sat eeirly staring into nothing out the alleyway into the empty streets of the markets.
AMBER
Your face… does it not disgust you?
MCDUNE
You sound like him.
AMBER
Lord Bayden does not bother with you as you are his biggest mistake—the failed prophecy.
MCDUNE
Save your breath young one. Finish your visions before he finds you. Or me rather.
Amber gets up and begins walking out into the market's empty streets towards the castle.
MCDUNE
W- WAIT!
Amber ignores him and keeps walking. Her stomach growls, her lips are chapped and dry, the limp she showed from her walk was evident from the fall she had a week ago but not as pronounced and her hair began to matt itself together.
Her eyes were dry from not blinking and here skin plush red in some parts from the cold morning.
MCDUNE (CONT’D)
Where are you going?
AMBER
My abode. To find a place of solace. This body is weakening.
MCDUNE
Finding solace will not protect you. The king will cast you out.
Amber stops in her tracks. She touches her chest where her royal crest is located.
MCDUNE (CONT’D)
Royal kins are cruel to each other not just in the Thelbian Realm, it's a common thing that occurs.
AMBER
Queen Sheeba ordered solace.
McDune looks down clenching his fist. As he opens his fist he looks at his palm stained with old blood. His gauntlet was pale blue with a few spiked studs revolving around the base of the steel and mechanical in appearance.
CUT TO:
BEGIN FLASHBACK
EXT. FIELD OF RED SNOWDROPS - NIGHT
It was dark and cold but the full moon lit everything up in a splendid crimson hue. McDune could only see one thing before him, blood everywhere. A severed head on a pike is erected before him, a girl. Young, barely a lass yet beautiful with long golden hair and two long horns similar to McDunes mask. Dry tears scarred the girl's face.
END FLASHBACK
BACK TO - PRESENT:
MCDUNE
I don’t want to lose another-
AMBER
Daughter?
MCDUNE
H- How did you know?!
Amber turns and smiles at him with a wide smile. It looked so forced her teeth and gums were showing.
MCDUNE (CONT’D)
Devine knowledge…
SFX
BRRRRRRRRRRZZZZZZZZZZTSSSHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH—-
McDune suddenly turned and saw a rope of light in the distance stretching out from the sky reaching towards the ground. It snapped back almost, retracting itself back into the sky before disappearing into the cosmos it seemed.
MCDUNE
They’re here.
Amber grabs McDune by his cloak and looks up at him.
AMBER
Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.
Protect me.
McDune looks down at Amber unsure.
MCDUNE
FROM THEM!?!
McDune picks her up With the single good hand he had, cradling her at the side of his waist and runs off.
MCDUNE
If you want to be protected, by an old man like me who is unable to fight, If so get ready to potentially die.
He runs towards the castle up the cobblestone stairs
AMBER
If the interupt the visions i’ll froget my memories enitly and will become metally inept for the rest of my life. The process can’t be interrupted.
MCDUNE
Yea yea I know!
CUT TO:
EXT. MARKET OUTSKIRTS CASTLE OUTER WALLS - DAY
Bayden The Immortal, Mono and SARA both stood on the walls overlooking the small settlements not too far from the markets.
The castle stood lofty and firm on the hill as the early mornings breeze waved the flags. No sound could be heard except for the odd tud and flutter from the Thelbian flags that were erected proudly atop the six or seven of turrets.
Sara was nervous, hair of pure crystal and eyebrows and eyelashes frosted almost, all radiated with a purple hue. A cloak similar to Baydens draped her loosely and a headscarf hung off the back half of her head grasping a log book with a quilt.
SARA
The final years. It doesn‘t look too different than what I expected it to look.
BAYDEN
I feel her here… she's close. Let's go.
Bayden hops down the walls looking for Amber diligently around.
SARA
I'm nervous about this.
MONO
Don’t be sis, new members of the guild usually need Bayden's mentorship for a while.
BAYDEN (O.S)
SARA HURRY OR SHE WILL RUN.
Mono and Sara both jump down from the walls.
SARA
I’m intimidated.
MONO
First jobs are always a little scary y’know and the pay isn't bad either.
CUT TO:
INT. DORDALONTHs ROOM ROGUE GUILD INN - DAY
Dortalanth sat peacefully scratching on his parchment. High noon set in with the typical Thelbian summer like breeze gently brushing past his thin linen curtains from the balcony. It was quiet and peaceful and a teacup sat empty by his side with the specs of herbs at the bottom.
A mistress draped in white played the hursano, an instrument with strings similar to a harp, but enclosed in a huge seashell with the strings being made from enchanted spider silk from Rovapille a realm said to be so far west it reaches the borders of the forbidden east.
The music suddenly stopped and the mistress expressed a ghostly and frightened look, appearing as pale as bone. She caught Dordalonths attention.
DORDALNTH
Something the matter, Violin my dear?
VIOLIN
Mmmmm mm mmm mmmm mm mer mmmm mmm…
DORDALONTH
Violin out with it.
Dordalonth turned, and there he was, Merlic The Shattered King. Squatting on the balcony’s railings.
DORDALONTH
Ah Merlic you made it! And quite swiftly might I add.
MERLIC
The job…
DORDALONTH
(snapping his fingers)
Chop, chop dear don't stop now we have a guest, keep playing.
Dordalonth went over to his small wine collection opposite to his desk. He picked up one of the tiny barrels and undone the cork, pouring it in a vessel. He filled three glasses including for Violin.
DORDALONTH (CONT’D)
Let me tell you how glad I am to see you. How did you manage to get here so quickly, were you in town perchance-
MERLIC
The job…
DORDALONTH
And my phoenix poor thing arrived haunted.
MERLIC
The job…
DORDALONTH
But of course the job. Mono of the Time Guild is being requested to be killed-
MERLIC
(grunting)
Hmmmmm
DORDALONTH
Something the matter?
MERLIC
Have you posted it?
Dordalonth places a cup of wine next to Violin and hands a cup over to Merlic, not reaching for the cup as it is offered.
DORDALONTH
Are you going to continue to glare at me like a weirdo or grab the goblet?
Merlic grabs the goblet hesitantly before he gets down from the railings and walks in, hunching through the doorway, setting his sword and finding a seat.
DORDALONTH (CONT’D)
Goddess’s allmighty, we’ve been working together for years and you still treat me like some parria.
MERLIC
The job… one last time, you’re getting on my nerves.
DORDALONTH
Helmet or not care to taste the wine at least, well aged I assure you.
Merlic lifted his helmets visor slightly Showing his lips. Scarred and roughened from all his previous battles.
MERLIC
(tasting the wine)
W… Whitland… no…
Smacking his lips after closing his visor.
MERLIC (CONT’D)
From the shores of the Flaming Sea. East ward?
DORDALONTH
My, my what a surprise! I didn’t know you had a tase for such. Booty from the Gray Wars. The very brewery my great uncle slaved away in.
He sits at his desk spinning the chair and crossing his legs.
DORDALONTH (CONT’D)
Mono… and the time guild puts you off it seems.
MERLIC
It's not the guild, it's their master, Bayden.
DORDALONTH
Easy kill mind you-
MERLIC
They know devine macrame from beyond what is known. Out of all warlocks and sages they have grasped the aether better than anyone.
DORDALONTH
I don't see it as a problem. Mono is as much of a man as you, made of flesh, clearly you can drive your sword through him and be on your way.
MERLIC
What's the reward?
DORDALONTH
That's why I called. Your wife Liskilla-
MERLIC
What about her?
DORDALONTH
You think she can manage with Yourious’ technology.
MERLIC
His tech was destroyed years ago.
DORDALONTH
Well a man managed to find his blueprints and limbs. A beating heart also. Liskilla can breathe once again, and you can finally apologize to her.
MERLIC
And the gold?
DORDALONTH
Heaps of it. You can buy a whole bowl full of black cherries with more to spare for a few acres of fertile Raizian land.
MERLIC
Who's the man that advertised it?
DORDALONTH
You know that information is classified.
So… are you in.
MERLIC
I've looked for those limbs for so very long… Consider it done by this season's end.
DORDALONTH
I knew you were the man for the job… the brief of the job's details and conditions are set before you already.
MERLIC
Thanks… Dordalonth.
DORDALONTH
Dont mention it friend. You've saved my neck many times before.
Merlic finished the last sip of his wine, and dashed off silently and quickly, launching off the railings from the balcony.
CUT TO:
EXT. THELBIAN SAVANNAH - DAY
The wagon the sat in the back rumbled both Casias and Toren satting silently staring at each other. Toren more so seeming humiliated.
CASIAS
Toren, being a prisoner, is an expected trial for a bard they’ll release us soon after.
TOREN
I heard stories about Sorca. He doesn't take a liking to Raizians does he.
CASIAS
Well its jsut the Razio-Selcic wars. He is just looking after his nation.
TOREN
I didn't choose this Casias. To be born this way.
CASIAS
The trials of the first king were similar, you know.
TOREN
Which king? There are so many I'm beginning to lose interest in memorizing them all.
CASIAS
Our first devine monarch. Our race were starting to become conscious and civilised, becoming more Selcic so to speak.
TOREN
I heard all races share the same blood line and start off with the selcians.
CASIAS
Correct, and the first ever devine monarchs were indeed selcian. However our first Thelbian devine monarch was mixed.
TOREN
Inspiring as far as fairy tails go.
CASIAS
Call it what you wish… but he imbedded our borders to what they are today, a perfect border warding off invaders.
TOREN
Always wondered how convenient it is for Thelbia to be how it is, 15,000 years since your last conquering. The orcs found it impossible to grasp hold of so they simply protected and created an unbreakable treaty.
CASIAS
Right…
TOREN
And what of the Dark Razians?
CASIAS
They tried to but died from the mountains cold and falling off the cliffs. they cant sail or swim most of them since theyre naval force was so measly. They focused on land conquest atop horseback with bow and arrows.
TOREN
I always wanted to sail.
CASIAS
You wont need to.
Casias smiled at Toren cheerfully like he was plotting something.
TOREN
Okayy…? But if they did get in wouldn’t you guys be doomed since it's all flat throughout Thelbia.
CASIAS
You could say that but they haven't got in.
And the current Raizians never really had an interest in conquest.
Toren leans back looking forward through the cart's metal bars at the officers.
TOREN
HEY ARE WE THERE YET IT’S BEEN DAYS!!!
SOLDIER
SHUT YOUR MOUTH NO TALKING!!!
CASIAS
Toren, what did I say?
TOREN
It‘s hot and we haven't eaten in days and I'm feeling dizzy.
CASIAS
We are nearly there. Just a stretch away.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROYAL CASTLE BATHHOUSE - DAY
Cerlincia just finished her bath, drying her hair. Alone and no one around her gloomy face seemed evident with the bags under her eyes.
CAERLINCIA
I haven't slept in days… It’s been a while since I saw Romi.
King Sorca walks into the bath house wrapped in his silk robe.
SORCA
Have you finished my d… d… d… darli… darling.
CERLINCIA
Y- I meant no. I was just about to hop in.
SORCA
Then what are you waiting for… sheath that robe and hop in. I in… in… in… in… invi… invited the others to join.
Cerlincia reluctantly submits and paces back towards the bath waiting for Sorca to join.
She stretches her hand out and he grasping Sorcas and he braces his frail body submerging into the bath next to Cerlincia.
Cerlincia grabs the loofa in the steel bowl filled with soap and begins to lather his foxling hairy pelt.
SORCA
Which one are you again remind me.
CEERLINCIA
Cerlincia your grace, Daughter of the Strong.
SORCA
And your children… you birthed Romulus a… a… a… a… am… am I correct?
CERLINCIA
Yes your grace, and Amber and-
SORCA
Am… Amber, yes… the lost child. The special forces I sent out found nothing.
CERLINCIA
You sent out special forces?
SORCA
She is adorable isn't she. If she fails to bare a fifth tail she will make a fine concubine for some of the potential heirs.
Cerlincia smiles slightly than her face changes to a distraught look once again.
SORCA
Cerlincia dear… I sense you are always distraught… why?
CERLINCIA
Your grace… it's nothing… just lonesome is all.
SORCA
Th… they do say, its lonesome at the top.
The doors slide open and the other concubines manage to make their way in getting ready to bathe chatting away all giddy like. Cerlincia stands up leaving the loofah back in the bowl and disappears into the group of girls before Sorca turns to get a look at her face, Disappearing with her hair flowing behind her.
CUT TO:
EXT: ROYAL CASTLE GATE WAY - DAY
Romulus managed to make his way out the man hole as the ferryman helped him up.
ROMULUS
Are you not going to come?
FERRYMAN
I'm but a man that guides guests across the lake.
ROMULUS
Brother… I'll see to it they set you free.
FERRYMAN
Forget it brother… for we all have our fate that's written for us by the Goddess. She is who looks after the fate of men.
ROMULUS
Take care now.
FERRYMAN
Farewell crown prince.
Romulus pulls the man hole closed. The streets were at their most lively at this point. He was stared at by some passers by but Romulus didn't mind.
He looked around to see if he recognised anyone and turned his back to the crowd. He walked, pushing rhe gates open, closing it behind him and started to hike the flight of a shallow long stair leading to the castle entrance. Looking down as he walked up the stares he longed to look at the castle, but instead he seen what he least expected.
There they were. McDune grasping Amber close by his side, hugging her almost. She looked Romulus dead in the eye.
AMBER
My solace, my protection.
ROMULUS
A- AMBER?!
END
