CHAPTER 7 - THE HUNT BEGINS
EXT. WANDERERS GUILD, STORIK CITY - DAY
The wind whistled through the eerily empty city, sweeping the city's debris off the ground. Unusually way too quiet for the city, not a soul was to be seen. Rumblings and gallops could be felt and heard in the distance as a small platoon entered the city, all on horseback.
The windows of the houses were shut, businesses were closed except for the wanderers guild near the town square. A bulky PROLIMUS with slanted ears and only a single tail, with a huge thelbian retractable sword dangling off his waist. Full moon steel head to toe with a helmet tipped with a flaming phoenix's feather.
Galloping on his horse towards the guild, dismounting and entering, finding it completely deserted besides for Ilean.
PROLIMUS
(sniffing the air)
I smell him… he was here.
He crouches, touching the floor boards, rubbing his figures together and looking around.
PROLIMUS
Much has changed… it's… quieter since I was little, my home.
He slowly stands up and walks to the reception desk as Ilean is writing out a few forms.
PROLIMUS
Casias-
ILEAN
BARD, Casias… what would you wish to tell him… I'm all ears.
She stands and looks him in the eye slamming her quill on the desk.
PROLIMUS
Under the first law past down by his majesty 'Fursoc the Old; first blood king of the royal kin, Casias son of Jaqius is summoned to the royal thelbian castle at once by the authority of king Sorca to answer for his act against the state under section 32.
ILEAN
I'm-
BRAKE
Prolimus… it's been too long.
Brake is seen on the catwalk as he descends from the stairs, walking up to Prolimus.
BRAKE (CONT'D)
Ilean… it's ok, I got it from here… Promilus, why not send a messenger Phoenix over.
PROLIMUS
The message didn't seem to get a response from him, no matter how many times Poluk sent over his letters.
BRAKE
Treason is the only thing I'm assuming or is there more to it.
Prolimus stays silent.
BRAKE (CONT'D)
If you don't mind, please, don't disturb Lady Ilean's work.
PROLIMUS
Master Brake, assisting him, falls under the act of conspiring against the king. Therefore, I think it highly unwise to hide any clues to his whereabouts.
BRAKE
He is a Bard for crying out loud… He could be in the forbidden east for all we know. He doesn't seem to be in the city and the last time I knew of his whereabouts was the Inn he was staying at. That's all now I urge you to leave…
Prolimus stands and looks back at Ilean, seeming stubborn to move.
BRAKE (CONT'D)
Get OUT… of my guild AT ONCE!!! Or I'm sure you, out of all people, won't like to see me lose my temper, Prolimus.
Prolimus swiftly turns in annoyance storming out with his men.
CUT TO:
EXT. OUTSIDE CITY GATES - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
Horses grazing the grass on the bank of a stream and drinking water by the bridge at the entrance of the city. Prolimus is seen handling and preparing a phoenix, its eyes sealed shut from a hood. Feeding it meat to settle it down as he caresses the crest of its flaming feathers. One of the soldiers shuffled down the long, shallow sloped bank at the base of the bridge reaching Prolimus.
SOLDIER
Sir, all we could gather from the inn is that he took off on one of his academic expeditions somewhere southward most likely. He didn't have a destination in mind apparently.
PROLIMUS
That's so Bard-like… However… That wouldn't make any sense. We came from the main road northbound from our barracks's unless… Hmm… I expected as much, bards are known to go whatever direction they feel. and to make it worse he most likely deviated from the main road still leading south.
SOLDIER
What do we do sir… your orders.
PROLIMUS
His grace has sent me a lock of Casias' hair, this anchor should be fine hunting him down with the phoenix. Desperate times call for desperate measures I suppose. It's the only anchor of Casias his grace had of him. Ready the horses we don't have much time.
SOLDIER
Right!
CUT TO:
EXT. COUNTRYSIDE - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
Dark clouds start to roll in from the distance as the group journey south. The air becomes colder as rain seems close approaching. Toren staring at a distance as they started to catch up with Casias' wagon.
TOREN
Hey Aleria… What do Bards do anyway?
ALERIA
Well which type…
TOREN
What do you mean?
ALERIA
What type of bard? You mean an official bard or just a national bard.
TOREN
… is there a difference?
ALERIA
Well yeah. An official bard represents the country wandering the world and looking for forbidden or hidden knowledge. They study lost knowledge from the past and act as protectors for our realm, shielding it from outside threats. In fact it's illegal for an official bard to settle in a home, or become settled.
TOREN
And what of the other types?
ALERIA
Well… Those are the ones with a gold crowns on their head, the NATIONAL bards They study mostly lost lore and can be elected as an official bard if they choose to run, after an official bard has died. Most only can wander in their own realm protecting the realm itself from any inside threats.
TOREN
It doesn't make sense…
ALERIA
Toren… don't sweat it… what part are you confused about?
TOREN
The fact that Casias said bards were strong I've never seen one fight before.
ALERIA
Well ever since the start of the Raizio-Selcic wars in the east we had a long stretch of peace after the fall of Gawvia… especially in Thelbia so alot of the bards have dropped the fighting aspect of the barderial role.
TOREN
Aleria do you know how to fight?
ALERIA
Me? I barely can swing a sword… But… It's imperative I think for a bard to learn how to fight. Zavarious is an ex military combatant I'm sure he can teach you a few things.
Zavarious looks up to watch the both stare at him as he roles up his scrolls packing his things preparing for the rain.
ZAVARIOUS
Yes… the military, I signed up to fight, I dropped out because Casias was eager to get skilled warlocks and fighters as his apprentices… I wanted to become more learned anyways. Casias can attest to his own reasons also.
TOREN
What do you mean.
ZAVARIOUS
About ten years ago or so Selcia tried to force its way through Southern Thelb to flank Raizia from the north but we didn't let them through. They were extremely stubborn and by the time we couldn't hold them any longer they broke through our forces attacking us.
TOREN
Skirmish of the South… I think it was.
ZAVARIOUS
So you've heard.
ALERIA
Wait the one with Master Brake?
ZAVARIOUS
Yeah… Master Brake, which he was the national bard at the time, burned and killed 32,000 Selcian soldiers in one fell swoop.
TOREN
W… WHAT!?!?
ZAVARIOUS
Believe me, we were all shocked when we seen the sight of it… a sea of charred soldiers, the fields and lands turned black... if I wanted to achieve more power to protect my realm, I thought being a measly soldier wouldn't cut it, hence why I took Casias up on his offer after Brake forfeited his position.
ALERIA
Master Brake forefitting his position still took me by surprise.
ZAVARIOUS
He had no choice. He faced massive backlash over his destructive nature from the public. Brake is known to have anger issues and being sometimes spontaneous when it comes to bigger situations, hence why Casias took his spot.
The wagon comes to a jolting halt.
TOREN
What's going on why the sudden stop?
LIPE
Rain… no a…
Sniffing the air as he looks up and his ears twitch slightly.
LIPE (CONT'D)
A storm.
Casias walks up towards their wagon as Lipe hops off. Putting his hood up expecting the rain.
CASIAS
Lipe…
Casias looks at him and glances towards Aleria quickly before looking back at Lipe.
CASIAS (CONT'D)
A storm is brewing, head over to the cluster of trees quickly before our gear gets soaked.
CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL CASTLE CATACOMBS - DARK
Amber and Lavarian gather around as Sheeba began to pour out the food in bowls for them one by one.
SHEEBA
Plenty to go around Amber, don't be shy… its not the best up to the standards of a princess... but it'll do.
Amber staring at the warm bowl grabbing it shyly hesitating.
AMBER
How long have you guys been down here…
SHEEBA
Since we were fourteen or so… When Lord Bayden placed the crown on our heads, we were quickly hunted down.
LAVARIAN
Sheeba was living in the countryside By the grasslands, I was living in a town not too far from her. We didn't have a choice but to comply when we were caught.
AMBER
I'm sorry.
SHEEBA
For?
AMBER
For my family putting you here. THEY ARE MEAN!
SHEEBA
Hey… don't shout, they'll here you… the other prisoners.
AMBER
They are kinder then papa anyways…
SHEEBA
Be careful, although they are your kin some still hold a grudge for their siblings not helping them. They may seem kind. But the struggle for power is beyond your current comprehension.
LAVARIAN
Amber girl… Understand that you are a princess, people will plot and plan to overthrow, usurp, steal and pull any strings to get what they want… It's the game of power after all. Don't let them fool you.
SHEEBA
That's why it's important to read honey.
AMBER
I read lots and lots.
SHEEBA
Oh? What books have you read?
AMBER
The Tale of the Nine Planets… and this new one… The Art of… M- mur- murmurinng… or something… like that one. The fighting pictures inside are very pretty.
LAVARIAN
The Art of Murder… You shouldn't be reading that…
AMBER
But… I like it, the drawings are very pretty and it shows me what my mommy's gift dose…
LAVARIAN
Amber, Dear.. do you wish to kill people.
Amber tears up slightly with an obvious frown.
AMBER
I don't want to kill people…
LAVARIAN
Then don't read the book… It's not good for kids.
SHEEBA
What he meant to say Amber, is that if you want to use the gift your mother gave you, maybe you need to find the right book to help you use your gift.
LAVARIAN
What was your gift anyways?
AMBER
A sword… It was black… And it opens and closes, it has flower designs and is very pretty.
LAVARIAN
Hmm… dark moon steel, a retractable blade. Perhaps a sign from your mother.
AMBER
A sign?
He chuckles as he softly pinches Ambers cheek playfully.
LAVARIAN
You're adorable haha… don't mind me. I'm over thinking like I always do. Finish your food… before it gets cold.
CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL CASTLE CLASSROOM - DAY
Romulus was watching the rain from the outside as it got heavier and heavier. The trees and wind weren't forgiving. Some trees almost struggled to hold on to the ground just barely. The windows shaking aggressively as the cold whistle from the storm slowly crept through the classroom.
The TEACHER possessing two tails and metamorphosed slightly, fox-like in all appearances, her snout crunched up in a slight growl looking at Romulus who didn't seem to be paying attention.
TEACHER
ROMULUS!
Romulus SHOOTS up from shock.
ROMULUS
Y- yes miss.
TEACHER
Stand up straight! Read to me where we left off!
ROMULUS
Ummm… ugh… the Julic empire… its down fall-
TEACHER
NEXT- Next page Romulus…
ROMULUS
Of course.
(Flips page)
"Over it's 8500 year rule the nations collapse wasn't due to impart of-
TEACHER
We just passed it! The paragraph under!
ROMULUS
R… Right, "The now perished people known as the dark raizians over threw the Julic Empire in thanks due to its weakened state from corruption within the high Divine Monarchy. Over the many years of its reign, The Julic empire seized control of more than half of Mamseque, the current known world. Julia, being the fractures and remnants of the current seven realms and Alyptia, the Orcs had tight control at the time and was the only race to ever possess six Devine monarchs. The dark raizians were the first to rise a resistance to claim back their native lands, however, it didn't stop there. The dark raizians fell into the desires of their rage from the effects of war, slaughtering everybody in sight that were non raizian after claiming their lands, due to their awakened angered state and being almost impossible to snap them out of, East Julia quickly crumbled and became The Dark Raizian Kingdom. Which then dissolved itself after their hunted extinction 200 years after which became now Raizia."
The winds outside soon began to roar a lot more fiercely and the windows banged aggressively drawing the teachers attention.
TEACHER
Right class… I think that's enough for today, we'll cut it quite short. Please remember to finish reading the chapter!
EVERYONE
Yes Miss!
Romulus leaving the classroom walking down the long hallway towards the great hall through the main building of the castle. PassIng a number of rooms before he hears a slight sobbing behind one of the doors. His ears twitch and doubles back before he leans towards the door and recognises the weeping voice. He opens the door slowly, seeing his mother looking out the window.
CERLINCIA
(sobbing)
Oh Pautia, Avenjus, Waren, Koneth… Oh Koneth… and now Amber…
ROMULUS
Mother… again…
Cerlincia Takes out her handkerchief from her breast looking away, wipes her tears, before tucking it back in and turns her attention to Romulus.
CERLINCIA
Oh Romi… come here and sit on your mother's lap.
ROMULUS
Mother… I'm not five anymore…
CERLICIA
But you are my son. Come on.
Romulus hopes on her lap as he closes the door behind him. His ear rests on his mothers upper colar and she begins to hum and slowly but gently run her fingers through his scalp.
ROMULUS
Mother… day by day… you look… worse…
CERLINCIA
Oh Romi, my sweet little boy… Other than Amber there were others.
ROMULUS
Others?
CERLINCIA
Other siblings of yours under me… and now Amber is gone… you are the last to remain.
ROMULUS
This, mother, is lunacy… on fathers part.
CERLINCIA
He's getting older… this year he will be 132… He is beginning to show his age… and becoming an alpha. His back is getting more and more hunched, and he seems sometimes to forget how to join words properly as of recently.
ROMULUS
An alpha… when do you think… he will turn into a full fox.
CERLICIA
Who can say… but he is getting desperate Romi… You're so young and smart for your age.
She begins to sob and cry again.
CERLINCIA (CONT'D)
(Sobbing)
Please Romi…
Romulus feels her tears fall on his ears. Looking up at her, her eyes are red, cheeks and face puffy from sadness.
CERLINCIA
Become… My hero… help me… please… Romi, get Amber back…
END