CHAPTER 6 - AND THEY TOOK OFF
INT. ROGUE GUILD, SENTARIA, SOUTHERN THELBIAN CAPITAL - NIGHT
McDune sat in the hallway alone, he covers his mask with his hand over the nose holes from the stench in the air. The joy from the people and music blast downstairs, annoying him slightly as he bounces his foot in impatience. The guild wasn't in the best condition visibly nor smelled the greatest, slight hints of vomit, urine and ale all with a heavy scent of musk trying to cover the scent so desperately.
LILORIA
McDune was it!
Liloria peaks out of the door far down the hallway, she beckons him and he walks towards her. Liloria stops him by putting her palm on his chest.
LILORIA (CONT'D)
Just so you know the boss is very interested in your job, so I wont mess this up by wasting his time if I were you.
She walks off down to her reception desk.
Dark, the stench of green grass so pungent he coughs from the smoke. Hordes of women and elves from all kins, some raizian woman and selcian women. A demon even, rare in this part of the world. All laid naked on the floor as he steps over the women making his way down the elaborately decorated room, chandeliers dangling from the ceiling and robes of purple silk on the floors as well as a number of priceless jewellery from the women thrown about.
McDune finally reaches the bed at the far side of the room. A slight light from a candle illuminates DORDALONTHS face. A tall half demon, half dark elf laying on his bed next to a BANSHEE. With red eyes and white hair, skin toned and extremely and remarkably handsome. A short tail dangling off the bed as he is tossing grapes in his mouth, with a short curved horn on the right of his forehead as well.
DORDALONTH
Yes darling I will, and won't let you go to anyone else.
The half dressed banshee on his bed sat as she brushed his long hair behind his long ear.
BANSHEE
And you promise to wed me and make me one of your wives yes.
DORDALONTH
Of course darling. A promise, I already sent your dowry to your family, now then, run along now, I've business to attend to.
He picks up his green grass smoke and puffs it in her face as she giggles and leaves picking up her robes from the floor. She looks at McDune on her way out as he stands patiently.
DORDALONTH
(sitting up)
Liloria explained to me your job, advertising it would be tricky.
MCDUNE
How so?
DORDALONTH
Picking a fight with the time guild… not wise. You do realise they are the most powerful guild to ever exist, they are the oldest guild and the first guild ever to be established since the start of time.
MCDUNE
Mono… I want him dead, that's all I ask, the rewards I will offer are priceless.
DORDALONTH
What can you possibly offer which is so valuable that would justify this job?
MCDUNE
Yourious's heart, its blue prints, his arm and its blue prints and a number of other prints. His notes such as how he managed to control his undead army and the knowledge to control other subjects. And a lot more.
DORDALONTH
Sure, lies upon lies-
McDune throws a sack that he was carrying at Dordalonth, he looks inside and he's shocked.
DORDALONTH
Y… You weren't joking, these were lost to the ages… Not to mention that- wait.
Picking up Youruses' heart, looking and examining it. Coggs and gears with bits of silver and mostly gold as the intricately engineered hart barely beats alive with a clink.
DORDALONTH
This… This is the legendary hart, legends have spoken about it, a mechanical beating machine that replaces a severed hart… How did you come across this? This has to be forged somehow since the 'Fall of Gawvia' a few decades ago. Most if not at least half of all Gawvic engineering was lost in the conflict. How can we know for certain this is his heart?
MCDUNE
Don't worry about it… I got my methods.
DORDALONTH
Well my wealth was acquired by keeping my mouth shut so I won't pry. I'll approve but don't expect the job to get completed anytime soon. I just need to get all this stuff verified first upon posting.
Dordalonth stands up as stepping over the women towards his desk. He turns a candle on by pulling fire and illuminating a document he is about to sign.
DORDALONTH (CONT'D)
When would you like to complete it?
MCDUNE
There isn't a time limit, but I would prefer it as soon as possible. He is hunting me after all.
DORDALONTH
A lot of strings that need to be pulled, I know of a few Deadlocks and Straylocks that will take the job. I'm going to have to push them to do it together, not an easy task mind you.
MCDUNE
If the job isn't completed by next year I'll find some more priceless artefacts to put as a reward to entice more people to complete it.
DORDALONTH
You are a terrible barterer, you do realise I can not post the job and take it all of this myself… and besides, not everyone is going to be interested in the artefacts, I need gold, lots of it, the more Quotes worth the better.
MCDUNE
Gold... I have quotes but gold... is hard to smuggle.
DORDALOTH
I'll handle the smuggling... not everyone is fond of currencies. Be it Gawvic Teeth, Quotes or any other currency gold and silver is best, I'm sure you know.
MCDUNE
I just need it done.
DORDALOTH
I'll see what I can do. I'll approve of the job, do you have something on you, an anchor that a phoenix can find you?
McDune hands over a lock of blond hair.
DORDALONTH
This can't be yours I'm assuming or-
MCDUNE
No…
DORDALONTH
So how will the phoenix find you if the job is executed, or confirm the jobs posting.
MCDUNE
Oh it will, it belongs to the mask I bare... thanks again.
McDune walks out the room leaving Dordalonth slightly puzzled.
CUT TO:
EXT. GUILD OF BARDS, STORIK CITY (NORTHERN CAPITAL) - NIGHT
Casias has the key elements drawn up in an interestingly placed diagram on the board and explaining to his students the theory of strings.
CASIAS
Building blocks… the essence of existence, life, death… time, light, darkness, water, air, fire AND earth. They are all as you know divided into subclasses. Lipe… can you state for me the four critical strings of the aether as well.
LIPE
Light, darkness, death and life, they are elements crucial for the building blocks of the aether which is the essence of creation and existence, as well as what we can pull. They are the most powerful of key strings to be born with.
CASIAS
Excellent. And that is hence why… we must learn to pull either of these first and master them as a bard before any other of the elements. When we head out for our expedition, I expect only these elements to be pulled. You're free to go now, it's getting late.
Everyone begins to pack, get up chatting to each other and begin to leave.
CASIAS (CONT'D)
Oh and class!!! Don't forget we will rise early tomorrow for our expedition. I'm assuming you all packed your supplies for the coming months. THE FIRST QUARTERLY BELL EVERYONE UNDERSTOOD!!!
EVERYONE
Yes Sire!
Toren gets his things as he looks around and he quickly paces out the class as Casias stares.
CUT TO:
COBBLESTONE ALLEYWAYS
As it's raining Toren quickly heads home taking a short cut he found earlier. Pacing down the alleyway Lipe is seen behind him following.
LIPE
HEY!!! YOU THERE… Toren was it, halt at once!
He's accompanied by a couple of individuals from the same class.
TOREN
What is it?
LIPE
What's your deal anyway, you don't look like a thelbian to me, how can a man like you be a bard of our realm!?
TOREN
Trust me, I'm just ever as curious as you.
Lipe paces closer to Toren
LIPE
Just know you don't belong here, not in our class I mean, in Thelbia as a whole. Disgusting, you don't look thelbian what race are you anyway, you don't even have a tail, what realm do you hail from?
TOREN
That's non of your concern.
LIPE
Expect us to have any reason for wanting to help you without any support, you are below the means clearly.
Toren turns his back at Lipe.
LIPE (CONT'D)
Hey i'm talking to you!
TOREN
The downpour is getting heavier, I need to head home before my notes get wet. I'll see you tomorrow on our expedition. Good night Lipe.
Toren dashes off into the cold wet night.
CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL CASTLE CATACOMBS - DARK
The only thing that can be made out in the distance is the slight wails and screams of the prisoners being tortured. The cries of freedom can be slightly heard in the distance.
Amber wakes up from her sleep in the lap of the Divine Queen of Thelbia, SHEEBA. Her silver hair was ragged and tangled but long. Her boney hands caress Amber's face.
SHEEBA
Oh Darling, you look so beautiful when you sleep, I didn't mean to wake you.
Amber gets up and looks at Sheeba staring and dazed before coming to her senses from the sleep.
AMBER
You didn't wake me up, I'm just really hungry.
She smiles and looks at Sheeba.
AMBER (CONT'D)
I thought you were a white thelbian for a second.
SHEEBA
They unfortunately are only myths darling. They appear only in our dreams.
AMBER
I never seen one in my dreams, I keep having nightmares though. A devil… I think.
LAVARIAN
Not a devil sweetie… a raizian.
Lavarians silver hair and silver tails glisten with the crowns light. As he scratches the time that passed since they been in the dungeons. A large wall of markings illuminated from him turning his attention towards her as crudely drawn pictures of events light up.
LAVARIAN (CONT'D)
The prophecy sweetie… A man with red hair and eyes will destroy this world bringing us the third change.
AMBER
What's a change?
LAVARIAN
The shattered lands of Mamseque was caused by a few changes. The first change, which freed the devils, spirits and angels from the hidden realm. The second when the two tribes rose to destroy this world but stopped by 'The Fallen Moon' crashing into the earth and 'The Third Change', a person of great rage will shift the balance of Mamseque once again.
AMBER
Mommy keeps having the same dreams as well… I don't want everyone to die.
LAVARIAN
Oh Amber… you are a grown woman, a big girl… things come and go all the time. It's up to you to protect your mother.
AMBER
But I'm only seven.
LAVARIAN
And I'm only nineteen, most people can't rule until they are thirty years old.
He drops the rock and walks over to Amber.
LAVARIAN (CONT'D)
I have to rule this realm at one point. The skeletons you see at our feet are the previous Devine monarchs that died in this catacomb. We will not face the same fate.
Some water is heard in the distance splashing about and soon a figure emerges from the darkness with half a face a torn ear and a single tail cloaked in black with a boat. The raft docks on the cobble stones.
Amber runs, hiding behind Sheeba.
He jumps off heaving the sack on his back and walks toward the three. They are silent as he drops the bag in front of Sheeba. He returns to his raft and heaves a massive vessel of water and places it in front of the queen. Turns to Lavarian walking past him and takes the bucket next him back to his raft. As he gets on he throws towards them a fresh bucket and pushes his raft away from the cobblestones platform and rows away as they watch.
AMBER
That guy was scary, who was he?
SHEEBA
The prisoner that feeds us. One of your step brothers most likely.
CUT TO:
INT. TORENS CHAMBER, INN, MAIN SQUARE - DAY
The rain lets up in the early morning, dripping off from the roof and running water of the streets can barely be made out. The hue from the morning sun can be felt on Torens face from the crack in the wooden window. The first quarterly bell RUNG heavily waking Toren SHOOTING up from his sleep. Twisting his head around frantically.
TOREN
Oh right… the expedition… I thought I slept in for it.
CUT TO:
EXT. STORIK CITY GATES - DAWN
Toren dressed in his typical Raizian attire, carrying his retractable blade with a small bag on his back, hikes up the steep hill leading to the southern gate of Storik City. Half the class seems to be ready to go, however Casias is still not there. Some horses, carts and a some luggage scattered about as the students wait in the cold wet morning.
TOREN
Still isn't here I take it… You guys go on expeditions often?
ALERIA a tall girl in her mid-early twenties waring glasses with long gold hair and ears with three tails. Distant for a moment then she snaps back into realisation looking at her notes then glancing at Toren.
ALERIA
Ah… sorry you were saying? I wasn't paying attention just looking over my poems…
TOREN
Never mind…
He hops on the wagons ledge sitting next to her.
TOREN (CONT'D)
If you don't mind me asking what are you reading?
ALERIA
One of the upcoming poems coming on the test.
TOREN
Great.
ALERIA
Sorry?
TOREN
I enrolled really late last second and now we are heading off on an expedition suddenly? Just intimidated by the subjects.
ALERIA
I wouldn't worry about it honestly, half the literature across different subjects cross reference to one another. You'll be fine.
TOREN
You know where we are headed?
ALERIA
Well… we are unsure, that's up to Sire to decide.
TOREN
Sire?
ALERIA
Yeah… Bard Casias.
TOREN
Why do people call Bard Casias 'Sire'?
ALERIA
It's just respect… nothing more… Being a bard is no easy feat, and in times of great calamity without Devine monarchs nor blood kings, bards take over… Speaking of… here is the rest of the pack.
Aleria points in the distance catching Torens attention.
ALERIA (CONT'D)
(chuckling)
Looks like they are late because Sire had to drag them out of bed.
She hops off the cart packing her books and scrolls into her bag.
ALERIA (CONT'D)
I'm Aleria Daughter of Florel nice to meet you.
Toren looks at her hand, as she is smiling trying to shake his hand. He slowly goes to shake it…
TOREN
(smiling)
Toren… son of…
ALERIA
Yeah… son of the lost… don't want to force you to bring the past up.
TOREN
It's a pleasure…
Casias and the rest of the class make it to the top as they are all get their equipment baggage loaded on the cart.
CASIAS
LAST ROLE CALL EVERYONE GATHER AROUND! Zavarious!
ZAVARIOUS
Here!
CASIAS
Zorf!
ZORF
Here!
CASIAS
Saffron!
SAFFRON!
Present!
CASIAS
Concoal!
CONCOAL
Here!
CASIAS
Reshtor!
RESHTOR
Present Sire!
CASIAS
Furner!
FURNER
Present!
CASIAS
Lipe!
LIPE
Present Sire!
CASIAS
Leptum!
LEPTUM
Here
CASIAS
Toren!
TOREN
Yeah!
CASIAS
Borgus!
BORGUS
Here!
CASIAS
Toneth!
TONETH
Here, Sire!
CASIAS
Aleria!
ALERIA
Present Sire!
CASIAS
And finally Profecias!
PROFECIAS
Here!
CASIAS
Okay perfect fourteen out of fourteen including myself.
Casias closes his book and begins To unwrap the horses from their binds and gets them ready for the journey.
CASIAS
Okay guys just going to go over a few quick things before we set off. You know the drill, but a run down anyway, we will be back to Storik City hopefully before the coming autumn… This journey is mainly to teach you about life as a bard. We will be splitting you guys up eventually into four groups and then finally all of you will disperse on your own and make your way back to Storik City with all the material memorized for next year's entrance exam. Is that clear!
EVRYONE
Yes! Clear!
Casias hops on the carriage, whipping the horse for it to take off.
ALERIA
Come on guys hop on we don't got all day.
Aleria hops on the second wagon and takes hold of the reigns but Lipe comes over grabbing the reigns softly.
LIPE
Say Aleria… have ever driven a wagon before?
ALERIA
I'm sorry?
LIPE
Sorry, I'm getting ahead of myself, just meaning that having my journey in the hands of a woman may put us, in… a predicament.
ALERIA
Lipe I'm sorry but Sire entrusted me to drive the wagon, I'm sure he wouldn't have a problem you sitting in his wagon or you taking the rains of course.
LIPE
Well- wouldn't want you-
Zavarious approaches, a brawny young man with two tails.
ZAVARIOUS
Is there a problem?
LIPE
None of your concern friend, just a friendly banter with Aleria. Isn't that right Aleria?
ALERIA
Well…
Toren sits on the wagon keeping his sword close to him as he watches the altercation between the students. The rest get on, looking awkwardly at each other.
ZAVARIOUS
Lipe… we can go ahead and catch up to the group first before we can decide then.
ALERIA
No no it's ok… i don't mind giving him the reigns, I can study on the way as we journey.
LIPE
I mean, I'm okay with sitting in the back. In fact you can journey on for the whole way if that works.
ALERIA
But I wont get any study done that way… We all take turns driving, no?
ZAVARIOUS
Its ok Aleria.
Zavarious offers his hand to her as she descends, she takes his hand and gets back down from the wagon and goes and sits beside Toren in the back. Looking at Lipe as he gets on the back of the wagon.
ZAVARIOUS (CONT'D)
(mumbles)
Pathetic
Zavarious looking at Lipe as he hops on the wagon. They take off as the gold rays begins to peak over the horizon.
END