CHAPTER 8 - REGRET
EXT. CLUSTER OF TREES THELBIAN COUNTRYSIDE - NIGHT
Some time passed as the class separated around three campfires. The storm had subsided, Toren, Aleria, Zavarious and a few others sat around. Casias approaches Toren as he rests his hand on his shoulder.
CASIAS
Toren… You mind watching the first half of the night?
TOREN
Me? Wouldn't somebody else be better suited for the job?
CASIAS
Trust me if there was, I would ask. Wake Zavarious up for the second half when you can.
As Casias is about to leave, Aleria stops him.
ALERIA
Sire a moment please… sit with us.
CASIAS
It's getting late. I don't want to be disturbing you.
ALERIA
You wouldn't, honestly, if you have any stories you want to share I'm sure we are open to hearing them.
CASIAS
Ok then…
Dusting off the log as Casias sits next to Toren.
CASIAS (CONT'D)
So what would you like to hear?
ALERIA
Hmm… What is it like at the endless library at Gawvia.
ZAVARIOUS
Any news on the war's effects on Thelbia?
TOREN
(whispering and muttering)
Not about the war…
Casias glances at Toren seeing his discomfort of the war being mentioned again.
CASIAS
Settle down, one at a time. I think it's only fair to let Toren ask about something he wants to know since he is only new.
TOREN
Can't think of anything…
CASIAS
Come on… anything, ask away.
TOREN
Well… one thing has been bugging me about Thelbia as a realm. Why does Bayden The Immortal seem not to care if there is or there isn't a Devine monarch in this realm.
CASIAS
Oh he cares… It's just, my theory suggests king Sorca hasn't found them yet, out there.
TOREN
Can't Lord Bayden just force them to the throne.
CASIAS
Not that simple Toren… He's just a man who decides what's best for the fate of each realm. He doesn't want to involve himself in the squabbles of politics.
TOREN
But why make him choose our leaders?
CASIAS
He can read people's future and the realms fate, he simply chooses the best characteristics and possible outcomes for our time line.
TOREN
How strong is he?
CASIAS
Lord Bayden… He is a unique individual… tales of his battles echo through history as mere myths now, nobody knows his full capability when it comes to Devine Macrame.
TOREN
Have you seen him fight?
CASIAS
No, but I've heard stories… from the Bard of Fire, Gathab.
TOREN
Gathab?
CASIAS
Yea… Raizias official bard. He had seen him kill a man once, when he was a sage. The sages follow a cult of their own and Lord Bayden hates the people who worship him as a god so anyone he catches bowing to him or worshiping him before his eyes will be annihilated.
TOREN
That's maddening…
CASIAS
It's getting late. Make sure to not sleep through the night. I'll see you all come early morning.
Casias gets up and walks off to his group.
CUT TO:
EXT. RIVER CLOSE BY, CLUSTER OF TREES - NIGHT - MOMENTS LATER
The fire flies hovered over the distant meadows of the countryside as the class all slept soundly. Toren watches from not too far at the river keeping an eye out over his companions as he trains.
Toren couldn't help the itch for some sword practice. It's been days since he swung his Thelbian blade. By this point his wounds were healed but deep scarring could be seen from his injuries.
Washing out his remaining blood stains, throwing out the old bandages by his sword, he picks it up by the rivers bank.
The rage he felt from time to time still boiled from the incident at the gates, he couldn't picture the men that killed his people. So much rage at the time almost blinded him from his memories.
His sword swung and retracted, closed and flung open again in succession as he was swinging around in almost a dance, up and under, fighting his shadows.
TOREN
I could've stopped them, I could've been faster, I could've let the anger carry me!
Torens dashes side to side swinging his sword and his eyes grow deeper in red, his pupils narrow.
TOREN
I couldn't push the feeling, of either my Thelbian speed nor my Raizian rage!
The curses of being a half breed weighed on him.
He swung his blade some more, skimming it off the water, and striking. He doubles back and closes his blade before swinging it over and up and slashing down as he snaps his blade back open before stopping just before Alerias forehead, slicing a hair or two from her bangs.
The wind from the force of his strike blew the water outward as she flinched back in shock.
ALERIA
AGH-!
She covers her mouth in shock and silence seeing Torens eyes. Falling back, turns glancing behind her to see if she woke anyone.
TOREN
(whispering)
ALERIA! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE! GO BACK TO BED!
Aleria stands up dusting off her back side from the gravel.
ALERIA
(whispering)
Sorry I couldn't sleep, you kept on making noise. I came to check up on you.
TOREN
(whispering)
Why do you care about my business, go back to bed!
ALERIA
(whispering)
You're not my father for crying out loud!
Aleria notices the scars on his body and the recent wounds.
ALERIA (CONT'D)
Are… Are you okay?
She approaches slowly, reaching for his wounds. Toren snaps back before folding his blade back up and throwing his it on the bank. He sits down at the bank rubbing his face in stress.
ALERIA
You look… tired… Is it the watch?
TOREN
Noooo! No it's not the- It's what happened at the gates, happening in Raizia… I feel like I need to be out there, fighting… With them.
Aleria sits next to Toren.
ALERIA
The war? Why? You are Thelbian are you not?
TOREN
It's complicated… I feel like I'm dragged out here against my will. My intent was to help the people get to Thelbia and I would go back, but instead I became some stupid apprentice.
ALERIA
You shouldn't feel that way, plenty of people would kill for the position you're in to be an apprentice. You got hand picked by Casias… That's a big deal. A very big deal.
TOREN
Well it sure doesn't feel that way.
ALERIA
Let me put it to you like this. After graduating from basic secondary education as a warlock, you get to take a test for being an apprentice. This year alone I believe there were about 12,000 students across the Thelbian realm alone.
TOREN
That much!?
ALERIA
And it gets narrowed down to the thirteen or so give or take we have in class right now. So literally a 0.001% chance of even being an apprentice let alone an official bard. You see what I'm getting at.
TOREN
I don't see it. The potential Casias sees in me.
ALERIA
He sees potential in all of us… But I feel he sees the most potential in you for whatever reason.
Aleria gets up and begins walking towards their camp fire.
ALERIA (CONT'D)
Oh, and Toren, don't hesitate to let me know when you need help with the material.
Toren stares at the moon's reflection as he contemplates his fate.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROYAL CASTLE COURTYARD - DAY
Grey clouds covered the skies as the morning dew dripped off the plants and brushed off of Romulus's ankles, slowly pacing through the edge of the courtyards pathway leading to the fountain in the centre. The tiles, cold, making his toes numb almost, feeling the slight wetness of the floor and cool air on his cheeks and nose.
At a distance his father is sipping his tea and enjoying his breakfast he approaches king Sorca with all the courage he could muster.
ROMULUS
Enough…
He freezes in hesitation.
ROMULUS (CONT'D)
Father… Y- You know the sadness you cause mother, by not taking this seriously…
KING SORCA
Hmm… Cerlincia… again… Why… she's upset, what… Have I done something to displease her?
ROMULUS
It's Amber… You need to help us find her, it's been DAYS! She thinks you've gone and done something to her.
KING SORCA
Her ceremony is not until… Later.
ROMULUS
Father, forgive my insolence, but it seems like you want Amber dead-
King Sorca strikes him across the face, falling back as Romulus looks at him in shock.
KING SORCA
You fool… A daughter of mine… missing… is m- missing.
He begins panting slightly as he wipes away the string of drool from his mouth.
KING SORCA (CONT'D)
She is… my- Offspring… daughter- She is my daughter. Are you mad? You think I haven't sent special forces, among the best of warlocks. All I've been worrying about is other matters, the people who I've sent should find her in due time!
ROMULUS
What is happening to you father… a few days ago you were normal but now…
KING SORCA
Speak of this again and I'll have you punished, you're in the presence of a king when we are in this castle, DO YOU HEAR ME!
ROMULUS
Yes… your grace.
CUT TO:
EXT. ROYAL CASTLE LAKE - DAY - MOMENTS LATER
Romulus stood staring at the lake with his palm rubbing his red cheek. He turned to look at the bench to still find the same book Amber was reading a few days ago. He picks it up, flipping through the book.
ROMULUS
Oh Amber… why would you be reading such an awful book…
Romulus catches a whiff in the air of strong drainage covering his nose in disgust.
ROMULUS (CONT'D)
What's that awful smell!
He looks at the forest behind him she ran off into all those days ago… there was a slight trail she would've followed which Romulus decided to pursue in the direction of the smell. As he followed the trail it led him to the gardens gate where he seen men bricking up the gate where it once used to be.
ROMULUS (CONT'D)
The old toilet… they are bricking it up? But why?
He walks up to the hard working men and the BRICKER, intrigued.
ROMULUS (CONT'D)
Hello there, what're you lot up to?
BRICKER
Ah… you're highness, a pleasure. Bricking up the old toilet, seems like it's quite a hazard, the gate's hinges are beginning to rust off. A few more renovations are needed throughout the castle.
ROMULUS
But why not use it as a shed for the gardener or create a new space for it.
BRICKER
Not too sure, Maybe due to the smell, the gardener already has his small cabin where he lives. Down the hill, plenty of space with that other shed at the side of it.
Romulus watches as it's being closed. As he walks down the hill through the pale gravel path he makes his way to the cabin finding the gardener, looking relaxed, reading the newspaper with his tea and biscuits to the side.
ROMULUS
Morning!
GARDENER
Ah… Your highness, how are you… keeping well are we?
ROMULUS
By chance you wouldn't know where the old gate leads to. The one were the brickers are bricking up would you?
GARDNER
Well, from what I can gather the old toilet leads to the drainage system. Which we are working on restoring as of late.
ROMULUS
So the old drainage system doesn't work?
GARDENER
Well from my knowledge half of it collapsed, as so we need to do a remodelling of the underground system. That's what the plumbers and brickers told me anyway.
ROMULUS
That explains the stench.
GARDENER
Why so curious your highness?
ROMULUS
A hunch… amber may or may not have fallen through that gate perhaps.
GARDENER
Maybe… But I'm one of the very few that carry the key to the gate. So I can't imagine how she'd get through.
ROMULUS
You'd be surprised, she is ever so curious at times.
Romulus turns and begins to walk back up the hill towards the garden.
ROMULUS (CONT'D)
By the way, is there no way to enter the drainage systems?
GARDENER
I'm unsure but surely if you ask your mother or somebody within your family that's been here the longest they may know.
ROMULUS
Right… thanks.
CUT TO:
EXT. INN'S BALCONY CITY CENTER OF SENTARIA - DAY
McDune watches the pedestrians walking by as they slowly navigate through the dense markets. Peasants haggling the prices of wares, food and fruits. Dogs barking and cats running after mice and beggars begging.
MCDUNE
Hmm… it's been days and he hasn't sent me a letter of the job confirmation… I'll need to head there tonight- AGH-
McDune looks at his old wrinkled hand as he sees it curling up and cramping. The veins bulge and move around pulsing its blood aggressively. The hands muscles spasm in pain as he falls on his knees.
MCDUNE (CONT'D)
AGHHHHH!!!!
He begins sweating as he tries to cope with the pain.
He turns and walks into his room and rummages through his bag and pulls out a belt. He ties his upper arm tight, cutting the circulation. Knocking over one of the candles the bedsheets catch on fire.
MCDUNE
AGH- Damn!
He frantically looks around, opens the drawers and finds a few pills tossing them back.
MCDUNE (CONT'D)
Damn- this pain it- AGH-
The hand clenched into a fist as his arm began to swell purple. He rummages through his bags as the fire begins to feed its way up the bed catching on the curtains smoking up the inside.
McDune pulls out a long syringe and jams it in his arm pressing it tightly.
MCDUNE (CONT'D)
AGH- damn this hand… sacrificed my old arm for this wrinkled piece of flesh- agh!
The arm relaxes completely as he breathes a sigh of relief but coughs violently as the smoke piles up in the room. He grabs his things and jumps out the balcony landing on a merchant wagon filled with cloth and robes landing on his old wrinkled arm funny, snapping it.
MCDUNE (CONT'D)
AGH!!!!!!!!
He looks at his arm as it dangles hopelessly between his wrist and elbow.
MERCHANT
Hey there! Are you okay?!
MCDUNE
Agh! Do- do I LOOK okay!?
McDune jumps off the wagon and begins to walk away from the building and disappearing into the crowd.
CUT TO:
INT. ROYAL CASTLE CATACOMBS - DARK
Amber squatting on the cobble stone bank as she is splashing and playing with the water. She contemplates looking at her reflection as she sighs in boredom.
AMBER
I want to go home, and my leg still hurts.
As Lavarian attempts to walk up to comfort her his shackles pull him back.
LAVARIAN
Heh… My chains have restricted me, come here Amber sweetie.
Amber turns and limps over to Lavarian as he is waiting for her.
LAVARIAN (CONT'D)
You're bored I see. Say what do you think of devising a plan to get you out of the catacombs.
AMBER
B- But what will happen to you and Miss Sheeba?!
LAVARIAN
Ah… We'll manage… Somehow.
AMBER
How will I even get out? This place is so big.
LAVARIAN
Myself and Sheeba came up with an excellent plan. Do you want to hear it? The man that feeds us will be here in a couple of days and the entrance from here is not far I've heard.
AMBER
Miss Sheeba… is that true!
SHEEBA
Yes darling it is, but you'll have to be brave okay.
AMBER
Why?
SHEEBA
Because your siblings will want you to help them and will kill you along the way most likely. There aren't just royals here too Amber. Some of the criminals that have been tried live down here also.
AMBER
Is it far, to find the outside I mean.
LAVARIAN
The man on the boat will guide you there.
AMBER
Okay…
Lavarian kneels down looking at her as he pats her head.
LAVARIAN
Please Amber, once you are free from here, try your best to get your daddy to come to his senses. A war-
SHEEBA
LAVARIAN! Leave the girl be!
LAVARIAN
R- Right… I'm sorry.
AMBER
Why, are you okay? Please tell me.
LAVARIAN
Don't worry yourself. Only an issue not worth concerning. You're young for now so we shouldn't place a huge burden on you.
AMBER
You guys seem very smart so I wont ask too many questions.
Amber walks up to Sheeba and sits beside her as she places her head on her lap.
AMBER
But please… I want to be a big girl and smart- so teach me everything. Will you teach me Miss Sheeba?
Sheeba looks at LAVARIAN with an unsure look. Lavarian sighs as he nods with a smile.
SHEEBA
Amber- Honey are you sure…
Amber turns and looks Sheeba in the eye.
AMBER
I'm tired of not being like the adults… I want to know what they know… please.
CUT TO:
EXT. THELBIAN GRASSLANDS COUNTRYSIDE - DAY
The afternoon set in with a calming warmth from the sun as Prolimus galloped with his platoon up the road following the phoenix's trail. It perched atop a cluster of trees where Casias and his class camped out for the night.
PROLIMUS
Hmm… Just like I anticipated.
He dismounts as he walks up to barely noticeable fire pits, where remnants of coal were scattered about. HISTOC one of the right hand men of Prolimus draped in red over his moonsteel armour possessing two tails approaches from behind.
HISTOC
Seems like they cleared it out pretty well.
PROLIMUS
Campers etiquette. However-
(crouching)
Seems as though they left last night, the ground still seems just the slightest bit warm from the fire.
He stands as he looks at the muddy track, joining the road and leads further up the country road.
HISTOC
Seems luck was on our side for the rain to fall pretty heavily yesterday.
PROLIMUS
New fresh tracks leading… westword.
Prolimus and the platoon mount their horses again before taking off cantering. Prolimus sticks his arm out as the phoenix lands on his arm.
PROLIMUS (CONT'D)
Say Histoc, wouldn't assume they may be heading to the nearest town?
HISTOC
This road dose lead to the town of Fathria, but I'm unable to see it how it would act as an educational venture for his pupils.
PROLIMUS
Well… speculation is meaningless in terms of his intentions with the class… we'll follow what we have for now. It seems he has a habit of misleading homing phoenixes to him. Ember here seems like she is having trouble following him.
HISTOC
Casias is a cautious one that's for sure.
END