

UTHUR

### And the secret of the

Dragon

### by

## David William Kirby

## Uthur and the Secret of the Dragon

## ©Copyright David William Kirby 2013

## The Dogbreaths Publishing

2013

### The dogbreaths publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords,Scribd or Google Books and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

UTHUR

and the secret of the

Dragon

in memory of Phillip.P, a good friend. 6th July 2013

Scene one. Ext. Day

Albion _25.00BC late Neolithic_

The sound of crows.

The scene unfolds around a series of round houses set into a hill on a promontory. High above them a round stone tower within a wooden fort provides a backdrop. A fortress set upon the stony hill, which falls down a steep incline to the sea. which crashes upon the last of Albion's land.

All around the roundhouses are fires and people working. Some have skins in wooden frames and they are working the leather to make hides for clothing. Others are napping flints into arrow heads and axes. Children play as women cook animal remains over open fires, or boil herbs in clay pots. A young girl GWEN makes a necklace from seashells as her father, ULAN naps flint into a KNIFE.

UlAN

That's very pretty, my child.

GWEN

I hope to wear it on my wedding day, if UTHUR remains true

and our two families are joined as arranged.

I am unsure if I want to bare his children and swear love to

no other; even if my oath brings peace to our land.

it's a big commitment for someone of my age.

But if his word is true, if he can be trusted, my

Feelings may grow.

ULAN

You are both young, so there is time for love to blossom.

between you both. This union doesn't only have to be the product of

adults and our wishful thinking; in time you will understand my words.

Anyway, I think we can trust Uthur and his family; and his commitment to you will be witnessed by the whole Royal Court.

Okay, UTHUR's father may see

union with our clan through marriage as the last step our

people need towards a lasting peace. But, beside, I know UTHUR has

feelings for you. I've seen it in his eyes and the way he

acts when you and he are together.; I trust his

judgement too. You will not find a better mate in all Albion.

If we are to confine the clan battles of the past to history

only one family can lead us. Lead us out of the misery of warfare

and into a peaceful future. UTHUR's father and I trust this union

will be the foundation for a great and prosperous nation.

It was foreseen, our clans will be joined.

GWEN

Why must we wait, surely if desire exists

in our hearts , why wait?

ULAN

Because you are both children, that is why. When your body

develops, develops enough to bear a child, the time for

union will come. Time will soon pass; you'll see.

Before you know it you'll take your place beside your

husband up there in the fortress. Till that time, help

your mother, make your wedding jewels; sing and be

happy. Time will soon slip by.

GWEN

So much can happen. Our tribes may be at peace at the

moment but there are stories of others who would come

to cause chaos in our green and pleasant land. I fear monsters

and sorcerers from across the seas.

Only the other day I heard of men

on horseback who attacked the village yonder, they had

the sun for heads and carried bolts of lightning in their

hands; lightening I tell you. Their magic killed all the people there...

ULAN

Hush now, (giggles) Take no heed of the wild and

fanciful tales of old women.

Unless I see these men for myself I will not believe it.

I too hear stories, on moonless nights when we gather

around the campfire; but they are stories, nothing more.

I don't believe them and neither

should you.

GWEN

Hark Father; I hear the sound of horses approaching

.

### Scene One (A) Int. Day Aroom in the Fortress

UTHUR and MERLAIN are together and the boy is watching his elder friend crush ice into an earthenware bowl.

UTHUR

What alchemy are you practicing today, I see you have whipped

cream in that small cup and added some seeds; but why?

MERLAIN

They're not seeds boy, that is the pith of a vanilla pod. The aromatic aroma

combines with the cream delightfully when mixed and then I am going to cook the mix in cold fire; ice, you know

UTHUR

Cold fire, Ice. For what purpose? I do not understand what possible use this concoctions could have.

MERLAIN

**It's** a cure for baldness my young man. No longer will vain men have to

spend their days worrying about this terrible blight; something neither I

Or your father have to concern ourselves with. Both blessed with

fine heads of hair; but other do not share our happiness and will surely pay a

good fee for the cure.

UTHUR

Baldness, you say? (He dips a finger into the freezing cream and tastes a little.

MERLAIN

I saw someone sucking ice one winter's day and they remarked on the shocking sensation

in their heads. Brainfreeze. They said..

.

UTHUR

(Taking another dip into the cream and smiling)

It occurred to me that rather than freeze the whole head only the hair follicals

need treatment. Do you intend to freeze to the skull and not allow the hair to fall out. Ice is no good

As it is; ice has not have the right consistency to stick on the head...

MERLAIN

Stick on the head, you say? (picks up the frozen cream and follows his friend)

Yes, I added the vanilla to give it a wholesome smell. What's that noise outside.

He goes to the window and looks out

It looks your father on horseback, it seems I am wanted and my cure must wait.

UTHUR

You won't mind me taking this cure and testing it for you (He dips in his finger

Again and eats a huge dollop of the frozen cream)

MERLAIN

Go ahead my boy, give me some feedback on how it feels on your head.

Alas I must go to see what ails your father so...

SCENE ONE (B) EXZT DAY

GWEN and ULAN look down the path that leads from the village and see the KING, (UTHUR's father) approaching with outriders carrying his flags and colours. The horsemen come to a standstill kicking dust into the air as the King addressed the men.

KING

Quick! You women and children, drop what you are

Doing, and take refuge in the tower. Make hast, evil approaches.

The women gather up the small children and rush up the hill towards the safety of the tower. ULAN shoos GWEN away and she too follows the women.

Men, gather your spears and shields. We must

form and defensive line here cross the path.

Set these logs on fire. Make it

blaze well for we need a wall to keep the approaching

demons back.

Quickly, we have little time.

ULAN

Who leads these evil ones Master, who are they?

KING

I've heard they serve a beast called Erick

the Boneless. They are not human I tell you; we must

work swiftly if we are to save the women and children.

The men erect a barricade of logs and faggots which they set fire. Then, setting up behind a wall of wooden shields they poke their spears through and a platoon of archers form another line of defence. They will provide a sky full of piercing death.

As they wait the unearthly sound comes from beyond the barricades. The clinking of metal upon metal and the stomping of armoured troops.

Suddenly the men see a group of helmeted men wearing bright bronze breastplates and carrying bright bronze swords. The sun reflects from their helmets, breastplates and swords into the eyes of the men behind the barricades making the oncoming troops shimmer in the distance.

The archers let of a volley of arrows which fill the sky with a black cloud. As it rains down on the oncoming troops the arrows appear to bounce off the troops armour. In previous battles the shields of their opponents were a wood base covered by tanned leather; which their arrows would easily penetrate. The shields they faced today are made of an entirely different element which smashed their arrowheads upon impact.

ULAN

What are these demons?

KING

Steady men; let these beasts run themselves upon the

tips of your spears.

The troops approach and with one swipe their bronze swords cut through the king's men wooden spear poles. Someone tries to batter one of them with a stone axe only to lose his arm under the blade of the sword.

ULAN

The men are not human. We cannot win against them today,

Master save yourself and your son, go to the fortress

before it is too late.

KING

I am the King of this land and I'll die defending  
it. Where is my man, Merlain?

MERLAIN

Here master.

KING

Go to the fortress and find my son. Take him to the boat

and get away from here, keep him safe until we have the ability to defeat

these beasts.

Will you do that for me?

MERLAIN

I'd rather die here at your side Your Garce

KING

I have no intention of dyeing today and your loyalty is

not in question either,. Go, save my son in case the

beasts over-run us, get to the boat now my friend.

MERLAIN

If that's your wish Sire, I shall go, but we will return,

when the boy is a man and able to take back

his seat beside his father.

KING

Go, quickly, I put my trust in your hands; do not

fail me.

MERLAIN

Your trust is safe master, you will see us return

And, when we do, we shall rise up and

destroy these beasts......

SCENE 2. EXT DAY

On board the boat, manned by ten of his father best seamen, UTHUR and MERLAIN look back across the choppy waters and up the staircase the led to the top of the hill, at smoke rising around the stone fortress, their previous home. The young boy, grips the old man's hand tightly as he sees flames lick the top of the stone structure as they both wonder how long it will be before they see home again. MERLAIN turns the boy away and shouts at the crew.

MERLAIN

Set sail around Gaul into the Southern Sea.

There we will head to the east and find a way to

defeat these monsters. When we return we must be

triumphant or all today's sorrow will be for nothing...

SCENE 2a EXT DAY

We see Ulan and Gwen looking at the bodies of slain men on a battlefield. The find the body of the KING and wrap it carefully in his flag.

As the sun sets over the tower the build a funeral pyre and set it ablaze, standing with women and wounded villagers as the body is consumed by fire.

SCENE 3 EXT DAY

The boat sails for days then through the Gibraltar straights and into the Med, onward until the Greek Islands rise up in the distance, eventually they pass a sailing boat and pull up beside it.

MERLAIN

Hello friend, tell me are these ports safe for

craft to moor?

FISHERMAN

We are an enlightened race, petty squabbles are a thing

of the past in these lands; you'll be safe here providing

your manners are good and you have things to barter.

(He smiles a toothless grin)

MERLAIN

Thank you, good fishing to you.

(He turns and addresses the crew)

Let's make for the port yonder and find our land legs

Perhaps we can stay for a while or get supplies

to travel further.

Sometime later MERLAIN and the boy are walking through a stone city in bright sunshine, there are stalls everywhere and sellers of fine fabrics and cloth, Others sell pots and earthenware urns while the smell of food cooking on small grills fill the air. They stop by a stall and examine small gold discs which MERLAIN picks up and examines.

What are these for?

STALLHOLDER

Hair... (She shakes her hair and Merlain sees the gold

discs have been folded around the girl's dreadlocks,

they sparkle in the sunlight)

MERLAIN

They are very beautiful, like the delicate flower that

wears them. Tell me friend,

in my land we find this element in the rivers and

use it for barter. Is it so here?

STALLHOLDER

Yes Sire, it is greatly valued in this land.

MERLAIN

We call this material alum, what do you called here?

STALLHOLDER

We call it Gold; some call it Alum too, but because it is the

colour of the sun, we also know it as Gold; like the golden rays of our father.

MERLAIN

Your father? (He looks up at the sun briefly and back to the girl.) It is your god, the sun; I see. And where does this material come from?

STALLHOLDER

They find it in the rivers too, they say the gods of

the mountain wash their hair in brooks high in

the clouds and the alum washes out to be carried

by the water down into local streams. There we collect

it as a dust and beat it into what you see. It also gets

mined out of the ground, in some places there are

deep seams of it, running through the rock. The people expend great

effort to collect this metal. That's why it's expensive

MERLAIN looks up and sees the boy wandering off through the crowds. He smiles at the stallholder and runs after the boy. Soon they find a small group of people in an open square being addressed by a man standing on a small Diaz. The boy is intrigued by what is going on.

MERLAIN

UTHUR, do not walk off like that; you had me worried.

UTHUR

Look at this, the man is asking the people if they

agree to a road being built yonder, the one there

dressed in the grey has just outlined reasons for not

building the road and this one is laying out reasons

for doing so. I find it interesting that decisions like this

should be discussed in public.

MERLAIN

This land must not have a king. Someone who decides these

things for the people. If this is how they make decisions

it must take years for anything to happen.

An elderly man from the crowd turns to hush the two.

MAN

Please keep your chatter down; I am frail and find it

hard to hear.

MERLAIN  
Tell me friend, what do you call these meetings?

MAN

You must be stranger to these parts if you have not

heard of our system of government.

MERLAIN

Oh, so this meeting is part of the land's government;

how so pray tell me; have you no king to decide things for you?

MAN

We call these meetings a Think! It's part of our land's

democratic process. We're having a 'Think' today

to decide over the building of a new road.

You can see the speaker yonder; he is putting an

argument for a proposition and the fellow in the

gray is putting the argument against it.

When the people have heard both sides

we take a vote and whoever gets the

greatest show of hands is the side we take.

MERLAIN

It sounds a lengthy and fruitless way of making a

decision; but again, isn't there a king who decides for his people locally?

MAN

It is neither lengthy nor fruitless. We have a king

but even he regards our current system of democracy far superior

than the systems of the other lands hereabouts.

They still argue and fight, make war and kill to decide

who does what and where. But we, we hear all

sides of an argument or proposal and the people decide. With this system we

have put an end to bloodshed and tyranny.

Now say it is fruitless.

The man looks towards the speaker and hushes the strangers.

Be quiet, they are going to ask for a show

of hands

With that most of the crowd hold a hand above their head, including the old man. Someone goes through the crowd and counts the show of hands before an adjudicating officer speaks.

OFFICER

With a count of three hundred to twenty the eyes have

it and the proposition is carried.

MERLAIN

Now the vote is cast and the argument carried who makes

sure the proposition is taken through. I may not know this

democracy you speak of, but I do know men, and if they

are against something, they will oppose it unto death.

MAN (Laughing)

Perhaps in your land friend, but not here. You see the

officer there who announced the outcome of the vote?

Well he represents the king, so once he says something

has been carried, it must become law.

No man here is greater than our king and no king is

greater than our system of law.

UTHUR

It sounds so sensible and right, I am amazed that we

have never seen a system of government like

this before in our land.

MERLAIN

True, but at home our king IS the law; given his divine right to rule by God. he can make laws,

He can break laws and decide how laws should be implemented. No one has the right to challenge him because he has been given the title of King by God. It's not a role for every man and many would prefer to have been born without that responsibility.

Still this system has served us well for hundreds of seasons...

UTHUR

But that doesn't mean it cannot be bettered; after all, we both know kings can become tyrants and madmen..

MERLAIN

True young friend. I'm old enough to remember the reign of Old King Ethel; he liked to burn his wives as soon as they'd given him a boy child. If they were unfortunate to give him a girl, both went into the fire. He ended up having five sons and each one was as mad as their father. The eldest, Rain, succeeded the throne and he was murdered by his younger brother Windrider. He had his other three brother's burned before they could challenge his right to rule and we suffered ten years of bloodshed under that mad bastards fist. It was only when he challenged the great houses of our land that someond stood up go get rid of him. Change is as inevitable as the rising

of the sun...

MAN

The history of your land seems bloody and lawless and our system of government stands well in comparison don't you think? Anyhow,you seem enlightened men, my friends; I am Memet

of Carthage; like you, I am a traveller far from home.

Come; let me buy you some food or drink.

They walk off together and after a few stalls MERLAIN sees something that catches his eye. He stops by the stall and picks up a shiny bronze dagger.

MERLAIN (addressing the stallholder)

What is this dagger made from? It looks exactly like the weapons carried by an army we fought recently; where did you get it?

STALLHOLDER

We call it a metal. It comes from across the sea of sand.

MEMET

Yes that's right, we call it a metal, well bronze in fact. I see you are interested; is it because you have not seen it before? This

material is Bronze. It's made of two distinct elements and

they are beaten together to bring this bright and hard

substance into being. A magical process...

MERLAIN

Metal? It is hard and sharp. Much more durable than our stone and antler tools. Where can I obtain these, what did you call them, elements?

I would like to find out more about this metal?

MEMET

The girl is right, you'd have to cross the sea of sand,

It's a long and dangerous journey. Even at the journey's

end you are not guaranteed success because the

elements themselves must be stolen from the

mouths of dragons.

UTHUR

Surely not? Dragons do not exist they are the stuff of lore and fairytale..

MEMET

Untrue friend. Come with my camel train tomorrow to the city of

Babylon, three days journey across the sand and

I will prove to you that dragons do exist.

MERLAIN

We couldn't impose ourselves on you hospitality like that,

although you are kind to offer.

MEMET

An imposition never, I need hands to work the

camels and the boy you guard looks fit and strong; I am always looking for someone to help water the beasts and beside, what else have you two planned. You'd both be well rewarded for your efforts

and I'd have a ready audience for my storytelling...

UTHUR

Say yes Merlain, please, if we are ever to go home we must learn all we can about this metal.

MERLAIN

For the boy's sake I say yes; but I'm not sure how helpful my old bones will be.

SCENE 4 EXT DUSK

We see a long camel train loaded with goods leaving the city. MEMET leads the first camel on foot followed by four brilliantly white horses. They seem to be perfectly trained and obey Memet's every word and command. MERLAIN and UTHUR share a small horse at the rear. Soon the dusty road disappears under a flowing sea of sand dunes as far at the eye can see. Later that day they make camp and the boy helps MEMET erect a simple tent and a pile of baggage which they tether the camels. MERLAIN makes a fire.

MEMET

It certainly gets cold during the darkness here,

No matter how hard Ra, beats us with his rays

during the day, at night his brother Set still

chills our bones to their core.

UTHUR

Who is Ra? I've never heard that name before.

MEMET

In the country of my birth we have many gods

but these two are the most important. Ra, the

Sun God brings us the harvest and life itself;

We call him the teacher of men, the good shepherd.

He teaches us to respect his light; for

Light; is the essence of all life.

If you are lucky you will see him walking on

the waves when the sun is low on the horizon.

Set is his evil brother, the bringer of darkness and all

evil. At night he steals away the life-giving sun-rays and

replaces them with death and terror. These two brothers, light and darkness,

fight continually but each dawn Ra wins the fight only, at

each dusk, to see Set try to beat him down again.

MERLAIN

So where does Ra go when Set is in charge? Does he

die?

MEMET

Some believe that, but I was told that each night Ra

sits aboard a golden boat which sails across the sky,

at dawn he disembarks to rise again.

UTHUR

We too have a story in our homeland about the sun and

Moon. It's said that night is the time for the mother moon to rise

from the underworld and look after her children, to bring her soothing moon-light into the darkness; while

the sun goes under the earth to sleep. She carried his lamp to protect all her sleeping children.

MERLAIN

When the mother goes down to the underworld,

to sleep, the revitalised sun wakes, stronger than before, to bring us a new day.

We don't consider them gods but we know the

power they hold over the life of men...

MEMET

You see, I could tell you were from an enlightened

race. I am rarely wrong when it comes to people and

I could see this in you from the first. The people across this see of sand worship the golden bull, Minos. They have

women running their temples, can you believe that,

women? They are very strange lot, you'll see...

Tell me Merlain, do you ride well, or race the horses?

MERLAIN

I can ride any beast but at my age I am too cautious

to race them really fast...

UTHUR

Where we come from I am considered the best horseman

in our land, tell him it's true Merlain.

MERLAIN

The boy rides without caution, that is true enough,

but weather this makes him a good horseman or not is

debateable, why do you ask Memet?

MEMET

The steed you shared today is a pure breed Arabic.

It runs like the wind and can beat any nag in Babylon.

Unfortunately I am too fat to do the beast justice and

I am looking for a rider to enter the races in that city.

The purse is big and I could share it with you both.

MERLAIN

What purse, food, drinks; what do they give the winners

of races in these parts.

MEMET

They give the only thing that has real value in this world,

Alum. And plenty of it. Gold is the only element that

shines brighter than bronze but unlike that hard and

sharp metal, Gold never dulls, never rusts and never sullies.

If you bury gold in a tar pit for twenty seasons it will

still shine like the sun when you are ready to collect it

. Not like bronze, bronze will go green with rot and to get that to shine again, you have

to polish it. Once the dragon has given it to man,

man must work hard to maintain its lustre.

MERLAIN

Alum, that sounds tempting; but it depends over what course these horses ride over;

my boy is good on the flat but not so if jumps are involved.

MEMET

Then we are winners before the race begins, I tell

you now; the track at Babylon is the flattest, course in the world; it encircles a great statue of Minos and, even though there is a curve, it feels almost straight. All a rider needs is a horse with the

wind in its heart and a rider with nerves of stone; what you say boy?

UTHUR

That's sound just the race for me.

MEMET

Good, than let's drink a toast to the God of Alum, to Ra and my he pour good tidings over our hopes

He hands theboy and his elderly guardian wooden cups and pours wine from a goat skin before pouring himself a drink and standing.

To the Queen of Arabia; may she bring us luck and

Fortune. Let her beat the other racers in Babylon and leave them standing with glum looks and sand in their eyes?

MERLAIN and UTHUR

To the queen...

MEMET

Tomorrow when we reach a suitable place I will

get the boy to ride a set distance and we will time him

with the sand clock . I will know after that if he is as good as

he thinks he is.

UTHUR

I won't let you down; horse riding is in my blood, you'll see, tell him Merlain.

MERLAIN

Youthful bluster, but this is the stuff from which dreams are made..

SCENE 5 EXT DAY

The camel train is packed and we see their tracks in the dunes going into the distance as they come to a water hole. The lead camel is led to drink and Memet prepares the horse, Queen Of Arabia, for its rider.

MEMET

UTHUR, you see that long dune in the distance?

UTHUR

The one which almost sits on the horizon, yes?

MEMET

Take my Queen and ride her like the wind till you reach

that dune, turn as fast as she will allow and return to

us. I will fill this goat skin with sand and see how

much leaks out before your return.

MERLAIN

How will that help?

MEMET

Help, no. It's just something I use to see how good

a rider is. My best ever rider could cover the same

rough distance before the skin half empties, so if

the boy is quicker I should see it still over half full...

MERLAIN

Very clever...

MEMET

We people of the sand are educated people, we

have spent our whole lives watching the stars. They have taught how to build great monuments, divide

huge numbers and have

a written language; we also know how to win races.

They both laugh as Memet unleashes a beautiful white horse. He leads it over to his new friends. The boy climbs upon the horse while Memet fills a goatskin with sand. He stitches closed one of the skin's corners; then once the boy nods that he is ready, Memet shouts.

Go Queen of Arabia, let's see your worth today.

As the horse takes off Memet lets go of a small hole which penetrates the skin and sand begins to leak from it. Both men watch the boy hunch down in a good racing position and the horse kick a sand-storm in their wake.

The boy knows how to handle a horse, look at his

posture, it's perfect.

MERLAIN

He was taught by his father; the boy has ridden

since he could talk..

MEMET

I can see, let's watch how he turns, a race is won on

the turns you know...

UTHUR digs his heels in as the dune approaches and pulls the horse's head about to turn, as he does this the boy whispers encouragement to his horse and feels the two combine into a single unit; rider and beast wholly engaged on the task. Memet grabs Merlain's arm and squeals with delight.

MEMET

The boy could do it, you know, look at his skill.

With skills like that and my horse under him we will be

able to take all the gold in Babylon.

The horse pulls up in a flurry of sand and Memet pinches the goatskin. As UTHUR dismounts and leads the horse to water Memet smiles broadly.

You certainly have the balls to win the Babylonian races boy;

the goatskin does not lie, if it is less than half full

you were good but not that good.

UTHUR

Well, don't keep me in suspense. Let me see

the skin; how did I do?.

The boy and Merlain join Memet as he slowly pulls open the top of the goat skin. Memet jumps for joy seeing only a small amount of sand has leaked from the skin and it is still over two thirds full.

MEMET

Look, less than a third had gone, that must be

the fastest I have ever seen the Queen run. I am

truly amazed. I knew you were good but never

in my wildest thoughts, that good; like I said,

the skin does not lie...

SCENE 5a INT DAY

Back in Albion, Gwen and Ulan are forced to kneel before Erick the Boneless, pledging their allegiance to him.

ERICK

I am now your king and master. You, Ulan, son of Alwin and previous hand of the king, will go and

work in the mines. It will give you time to contemplate the weakness and folly of the dead king; but I want this woman, your daughter to work here

in the castle. When I burned the mutilated body of your king last

night I was given his divine right to rule over this land. I want to look from my window during the day and see his sons working hard in the pits and at night I want to fuck his daughters in my bed. Did he die without issue; tell,me truthfully and you may live through your time in the mines; lie and I'll make sure you do not last a year. So did he leave any children I need to worry about?

Ulan

He was too young to have taken a bride and, as far as I know, there are no little bastards out there.

ERICK

Good, then my right to this realm is complete.

SCENE 6 EXT NIGHT

They are sitting again beside the raised tent and an open fire as a joint of meat spins over its licking flames. The old man is smoking a hubbly-bubbly pipe and offers Merlain a puff while UTHUR sleeps on a straw mattress nearby.

MEMET

Try this; it is the pollen from a plant that grows

in the mountains around my home city.

MERLAIN

It smells sweet, like the scent of a musk ox, what

do you call this.

MEMET

We call is hashish; the relish of assassins. Some use it instead of the wine to

Relax, others find it makes their lovemaking more indulgent, let's say. Of course, in the bad days past, tyrants gave it to their murderers to calm their nerves and steady their bows. I like to smoke it when I think, especially under

the night desert sky, look up, my friend, see the millions of stars wandering the heavens above us. No wonder we desert people have been inspired to create and learn; to wonder and be curious; for isn't curiosity the bedfellow of creativity?

Merlain takes adeep puff from the pipe and coughs and splutters loudly beforeattempting to smoke some more. He coughs and chokes again as Memet giggles quietly.Suddenly a smile crosses Merlain's face.

It's quite intoxicating don't you think?

MERLAIN

Yes, beautiful. I see what you mean about the stars,

they have never looked prettier; I feel like laughing...

MEMET

Then laugh why you don't...

They both burst into laughter....

Try some more....

Merlain puffs again and passes the pipe back.

MERLAIN

Now I am hungry, the meat smells so delicious, hmm;

I could eat all that joint...

They both laugh aloud again

Tell me Memet, my friend. This alum you say we

could win...

MEMET

The gold, yes what about it?

MERLAIN

Back in the market town we met a girl who was

selling thin slivers of this substance to decorate her hair.

Just thin foils, no thicker than a blade of grass.

Is this what the gold will look like when we win it?

MEMET

No, we will win a trunk of gold coins, as heavy as three

sheep. Those thin foils the girl was selling, you could

make a hundred of them from every coin.

MERLAIN

Coin?

MEMET

Gold is pressed and beaten into coins. Each coin must

weigh a specific weight but some, like the girl,

will beat the gold with a stone axe head until it is the

width you saw and then she will cut small

discs from it and sell or barter them. Like I said you could get at least a hundred

foils from one coin.

MERLAIN

How many coins weigh the same as two fully grown sheep? Will there be enough to purchase some of those metal knives, or swords made of the same element; bronze you called it?

MEMET

You'll be able to buy thousands of bronze swords with such wealth; or even a dragon to make them for you. With that wealth I would buy

several horses like my lovely queen over there.

Or build a great fortress for my family and staff it

with slaves from Nubia.

We will do very well if our boy runs as good as he did today.

MERLAIN

Then we will do well...

They both laugh again.

Memet takes a bronze dagger from a sheaf on his waistband and cuts some meat to eat. He passes the blade to Merlain who looks at it intently.

This is what we seek. The secret of this substance could free my people from the tyrant who misuses them, if we return home with its secrets we'd be able to free them and ensure we'd never be misused again.

MEMET

Nobel thoughts my friend; seeking to rescue friends or family who are under the control of tyrants is truly a noble thing. But the people who keep the dragons know they are very dangerous beasts;

they guard them well and bring the elements

from the dragon's heart in secret. They will barter

you bronze for gold but you will never take their

dragon, it is too valuable...

MERLAIN

We'll see, all men have their price and if alum is as

valuable as you say, I will have to make sure I

have enough to meet theirs.

Memet bursts into laughter...

MEMET

Men never have enough gold my friend.....

SCENE 7 EXT DAY

The camel train and horses travers the great sand sea until it approaches a high walled city in the distance. It seems like a mirage after so much sand, a n oasis of colour with trailing vine and ivy spilling over the uppermost parapets and flowering shrubs adding a burst of colour here and there. A central gate made from thick timbers and wooden pegs open to allow them entry and both Merlain and UTHUR are amazed by the height and beauty of the buildings. People are milling around decorated in fine gold jewellery and wearing thin cotton clothing, Merlain's thick woollen cloak looks bulky in comparison. UTHUR notices how beautiful the young women are and how perfect their teeth look; in fact all the inhabitants look well fed and healthy.

They approach a square which is dominated by a huge, mechanical bronze bull. It snorts steam from its nostrils and its giant horns poke the air as maidens lay offerings of flowers at its giant feet.

MERLAIN

My word, is this the great beast you mentioned?

MEMET

It is the god of these people, you see how it lives

and yet it is made from the same elements that made

my dagger. Their god has given it life and they lay

flowers at its feet to prevent it going mad and

destroying the city.

UTHUR

Amazing.

MEMET

See yonder in the hills there?

MERLAIN

What, those building carved into the rock

high in the mountain?

MEMET

That's where they keep the dragons, at night you

will see them breathing fire down the mountain, you'll see and you'll hear; but they will never allow you to approach it.

MERLAIN

What a truly wondrous place...

They continue through the city until they reach a huge one story house. Memet gets off his camel and beckons for Merlain and the boy to join him.

MEMET

This is the house of my good friend; we have an arrangement to store

the carpets I have brought from the coast here. Let's go

inside while his slaves unload the camels, I will

introduce you to him....

UTHUR is shocked to see black men come from the house and begin to unload the bails that are attached to each of the camels. Another man takes the Queen, Memet's horse, to a rear stable and they walk into the cool and airy house. The floor is covered with intricate mosaic and the walls decorated with bright frescos depicting beautiful men and women frolicking among the crops.

Adrius, my friend, please let me introduce my

companions; they are new to these parts and have

travelled far.

ADRIUS

Any friend of Memet is a friend of mine.

How go you friend?

He holds out his hand and Merlain looks confused. Memet nods to indicate that he should take the man's hand. Merlain does so and the three men smile.

MERLAIN

I go well, very well after seeing your great city.

ADRIUS

Babylon is considered a wonder of the world; later I'll get someone to show you its sights. I am

Adrius Seronius and who is this, your son?

MERLAIN

No, no, I am his mentor and protector. His father

has placed the youth in my hands for his betterment and safety.

ADRIUS

So, you are his Zeus, and he your Ganymede.

How very traditional; come brother in arms,

you and your cup bearer are welcome in

my house.

He leads them into a huge room with an open ceiling where a fountain blows a tower of cool water into the air. They recline upon soft cushions as women bring fruit and other things to eat upon wooden trays.

So Memet, have you brought some fine rugs

for me to sell for you. The last consignment sold

within days and my stall has been empty since yesterday.

MEMET

Rugs and something else, something wonderful.

ADRIUS

Come, you have sparked my curiosity now. What else

does your train carry for me?

MEMET

Not for you, my friend, oh the rugs and carpets are

there and many more than before. You see my helpers

enabled me to bring twenty more camels than last

all laden with the finest woollen rugs for your stall.

But I have also brought something else, some of my

horses including my best racer. Not only that but a rider too, one who is going to win us the

trunk of gold at this bull day races....

ADRIUS

Oh my friend, so I will get to meet one of your fine horses you have always spoken of; and to see it race too; your hopefulness fills my heart

with sunshine. You know the king's man always wins

the trunk of gold, if he didn't I don't think there would never be another race.

MEMET

What you mean to say is that his man has never been

Beaten; but there is always a first time, like death and taxes

change is inevitable.

ADRIUS

I will drink to your enthusiasm and raise my

glass in your favour.

He claps and the guests are each handed fine glass cups which UTHUR holds up to the light and peers through having never seen such beauty. The slave then fills it with blood red wine.

To Memet and his horse.

MEMET

To my Queen of Arabia and UTHUR, who

will be the greatest rider Babylon will ever know.

ADRIUS

Memet, your rider looks bored.

UTHUR

I'm okay; we've just had a long journey.

MEMET

The boy's fine; he's probably bored with the company of old men.

MERLAIN

He needs someone his own age to show him

around the city while we elders get to know each other...

ADRIUS

And the wine, eh?

They all laugh. Adrius claps

I will get one of the Nubians to take him

around the local market, someone his own age...

A tall black man enters the room and bows low.

Jesu, bring Esuit here....

MERLAIN

In our land slavery is seen as the preserve of tyrants. I do not wish to be rude but how can such enlightened people as yours still allow the practice?

ADRIUS

It is a custom which benefits both parties. In Nubia only the highest families are able to seek work in Babylon; they come here for the better pay and higher standards of health, education and leisure; things not available in their own country. While here they are able to send gold and other necessities back home. This helps their greater family and so the arrangement benefits us both. I shall call on Esuit to show the boy the city and you will see, she is here quite freely.

UTHUR

Seriously, I'm okay...

A beautiful young brown skinned girl enters the room and bows low.

ESUIT

You wanted me master?

ADRIUS

Girl, this is my guest UTHUR, he is new to this city.

ESUIT

Really sir {looking smugly at his thick woollen clothing and worn leather boots} I would never have guessed.

ADRIUS

Take him out and let him see the market, get some

food and charge it to my house. Would you be

favourable to this young UTHUR...?

UTHUR smiles and the girl returns a beautiful smile in return.

UTHUR

Yes sir, I would like that very much.

ADRIUS

Make sure you get him back before the moon

reaches its zenith, and don't get into trouble...

UTHUR looks towards Merlain and an awkward smirk crosses his face. Merlain smiles back and nods.

MERLAIN

You heard the man, don't get into trouble.

The girl sniggers as she reaches out and takes UTHUR's hand; together they leave the room and cross the atrium to the front entrance.

ESUIT

Excuse me, I do not want to sound rude but your cloak looks hot and heavy,

can I suggest you wear what is fashionable for

young men of your stature in Babylon, or is it improper for me to suggest such a thing?

UTHUR

I'm afraid this is all I have with me; they're not dirty; I know my clothes smell a little but we have been traveling for many days.

ESUIT

This the city is warm at night

So I think you may be more comfortable in a toga, let me

get one for you from the master's wardrobe.

She goes off and returns with a soft cotton shirt hemmed with golden thread.

Here, take your clothes off and I'll get a man to wash them for your return. Then you pull it over your head like so and

perhaps tie a belt here.

UTHUR

You want me to undress here, right here in the open?

ESUIT

Oh you are shy, how cute. There's a small room over there where you can change young man. What size is your foot?

UTHUR

My foot?

ESUIT

Don't worry, go there and change while I seek some comfortable slippers of sandals for you to wear. {she giggles}

UTHUR does and she instructs before admiring himself in the full length glass by the door. After a few minutes ESUIT returns holding a handsomely crafted pair of leather sandals.

UTHUR

These are excellent, are you sure the master will

not mind me wearing his clothes, especially something

so beautifully made.

ESUIT

He will be delighted sir.

UTHUR

Then I am ready for you to show me the city, if

It is half as beautiful as my companion I shall

have a very pleasant evening.

SCENE 8 EXT DUSK/NIGHT

UTHUR and ESUIT stroll through a busy market place, where stallholders sell fast food, silk and cotton clothing, shoes and sandals; past colourful public gardens and waterspouts. They see a magician in the town square creating thunder and lightning by waving a wand and watch in amazement as cracks of thunder roar and clouds of brightly coloured smoke explode with every gesture of his wand. After a few hours she takes him to a tall tower where the city unfurls beneath them, a gentle, twinkling candle and lamp lit vision of order, the scent of hanging gardens in their noses adds to the overall sense of wonder UTHUR feels. They sit among a backdrop of stars and examine each other.

UTHUR

How long have you been a slave?

ESUIT

I was sent from my village when I was a small child.

UTHUR

How terrible, don't you want to escape, to go back

and find your family?

ESUIT

I did once. Before I came to serve my present master

I was sent to another family, they were

cruel and wicked. The mistress beat me and the family

fed me just corn soup; I was so unhappy.

One day my present master found them

beating me in the street and challenged them.

He gave a bag of gold for me and since then I

have served him and his mistress.

They are very kind and treat me well, like one of

their children.

UTHUR

I am glad. What is your country of birth like, can

you remember it?

ESUIT

Tell me about yours first, we are both far from home

and I would like to hear how others live. How many

day's ride is your home?

UTHUR

It's many days horse-ride and then a week on a boat; so it's very far from here.

ESUIT

That is far, what is your land like?

UTHUR

It's cold in the winter and hot in the summer. We have

lots of rain but it makes the crops fertile and the cow's

fat with milk. It is the greenest island you will ever

see; so much greener than this sandy place, with thick fruit forests and clean and cool rivers; I

miss it very much. Now, tell me about yours.

ESUIT

My homeland is hot all through the year, we have rain

just for one season and the earth is red and dry. Our

crops fail regularly and our cows are thin; we used to

live on fish and roots from the dry earth.

I had never tasted bread until I came here, or cheese

or sweet cake. The people of this city have managed

to get their god to love them very much which is why our families send us here; they know that we will not starve even though we have to work hard.

They hear the sound of heavy carts rolling through the street beneath them being pulled by oxen. The two children look over the parapet and examine the scene.

UTHUR

What is in those carts, the oxen are straining to pull

Them, so it must be very heavy.

ESUIT

That is the green rock, they mine it just outside the

city and they are taking it to feed the dragon.

If they feed the green rock to him, he will allow them

to take the red element.

UTHUR

Alum, er, gold?

ESUIT

No, silly. The red element is different, have you

never seen it?

UTHUR

There is so much I have never seen here.

Tell me about the dragons? Do they really exist?

ESUIT

It's true, you will see it from here. When the beast eats

the green rock, it spits fire and gasps great sparks that light

up the whole night sky.

UTHUR

There is so much in this strange place that is new to me, can

we go see the dragon eat?

ESUIT

No, they protect him from the people but from here you

can see and hear him eating the green rock.

UTHUR

Will he eat all those cart loads, there is so much?

ESUIT

The last cart is the white rock, when they feed him

that the silver element mixes with the red. and the bronze you are so

interested in, is given by the dragon. They take the bronze and beat it when it is hot with big hammers; you can see

them doing that over at the forge;

I will take you there tomorrow.

Suddenly a fantastic roar echoes out from the mountain top and they both look up. From their vantage point they see great wafts of flame filled smoke and sparks emanating from the huts on the hill.

There, you see. The dragon is being fed.

SCENE 9 INT DAY

UTHUR and MERLAIN are eating some breakfast with MEMET and ADRIUS. A woman dressed in soft chiffon robes enters and sits beside ADRIUS she is SARAH, his wife.

SARAH

Please introduce me to your friends Memet.

MEMET

Sarah, this is Merlain from a land far in the West

and with him is his cupbearer, UTHUR; the boy

who will win the races for us this coming celebration day.

SARAH (taking a glass of water and drinking)

So you ride horses at home young UTHUR?

UTHUR

My father owns many horses and I have been a rider

since I was a small child.

SARAH

Has your father not travelled with you for a reason or

is it custom for your people to send their youth far

across the sea with a mentor when their boys reach adulthood?

ADRIUS

Sarah, you ask too many questions, leave the boy

alone, you see how uncomfortable you make him with

your inquisition.

MERLAIN

Let me answer, we have no secrets here among

friends. You see our land has been invaded by monsters.

Men, against whom arrows have no effect and who are

armed with swords made from bronze.

UTHUR's father has sent us away to find the secret

of this substance so that we may defeat them and

drive them from our land.

UTHUR

We may have to capture a dragon first...

ADRIUS

Ahh, dragons. Now there's a story...

MERLAIN

So it's true, it is just a story to keep inquisitive peasants

away.

Sarah and Adrius look at each other with sly smiles and just as he is about to answer Memet interrupts.

MEMET

Come friends, one quest at a time. Before you two

divert your attention towards capturing a dragon let's

win the races first. With a trunk of the King's gold

in your cart you could buy all the swords in Babylon;

there would be no need to search for a dragon to capture; let's drink to the gods of Minos and hope they bless us with victory.

MERLAIN

When I first hear that name I was sure I'd heard it

before, but in another land.

ADRIUS

Perhaps on the island of Rhodes, it is the home

of our god, the Minator; Minos the sacred Bull.

MERLAIN

Oh, hence the bronze bull in the market square. A truly

magical sight; I was amazed when we saw it toss its

head and breathe steam from its nostrils it was as if it lived. It is, of course, a convincing illusion that would, no doubt, have less intelligent mortals reeling in terror.

Do you know how it works?

SARAH

It is controlled by the will of the gods. We give it gifts

and it protects us.

UTHUR

All the way from Rhodes, it must be a powerful god to

be in two places at once.

SARAH

The Minator is everywhere. If you erect an idol

in its image he will breathe life into it

MEMET

Enough talk of gods and dragons, Adrius my friend

have you access still to that piece of land just outside

the city wall?

ADRIUS

Of course, we use it to grow our fruits for the wine you

are drinking. The vines are bare currently as we have

just stripped them of this years bounty.

MEMET

Good, so we have a place to prepare for the races.

I think we need to place a wager with the king.

SARAH

I've seen the horse he will enter in this season's race,  
it is a huge and powerful black stallion. It is very fast Memet,

you may lose your gold if you are not careful.

MEMET

Loose never, a horse is only as good as its rider

and we are blessed with one of the best I have ever seen.

ADRIUS

That white stallion you arrived with last night,

it looks sleek and healthy but is she fast.

MEMET

The Queen of Arabia will have the king's nag

chasing her rump on the day. That's if it can see the

queen's rump through the cloud of sand she will

throw up. UTHUR?

UTHUR

Yes Memet?

MEMET

Let's take her among Adrius' vines for a while as the

sun is still low on the horizon, then after her exercise,

if you do well, I will give you some gold to spend in

the city this afternoon; you can treat the girl to some food. Eh?

UTHUR

Take Esuit out again? I'd love too, er, she was very

good company last night?

SARAH

Last night, well, it didn't take long for you to be

captivated by our Nubian beauty.

MEMET

He's a boy, a full blooded young man. Let's try to

capture that heat within his balls to burn our hooves

into the racetrack.

UTHUR

Memet, please....

SCENE 10-EXT DAY

Later that day Esuit and UTHUR are in the town and she takes him to a stall which sells glassware. He examines the glasses and bowls enchanted by their beauty.

UTHUR

These are so beautiful, where do you get them from?

Stallholder.

We make them here, would you like to see?

UTHUR

Can we?

STALLHOLDER

Please, come this way...

She leads them into a wooden hut behind the market where they find a clay oven. It is being stoked by a man holding a long thin rod. He is putting charcoal in the bottom of the clay oven and a boy sits beside it with bellows.

GLASSMAKER

Hello young man, your lady...

STALLHOLDER

The boy wanted to see how we make the glass?

GLASSMAKER

Its easy making the glass, the boy there is blowing air  
into the oven to get the coals superhot, I have already

laid it with sand and broken glass.

UTHUR

Sand?

GLASSMAKER

That's right, when the coals are hot enough the sand

melts into a thick syrup, it's very hot so be careful as I

draw it out the oven. Then the magic begins.

He opens the oven door and places the thin rod into the oven. When he withdraws it a wad of molten glass is on the end which he begins to shape with a mat of damp reeds,.

UTHUR

That coal you are using, it looks like cinders from a  
fire that's burned already.

GLASSMAKER

( _As he manipulates the molten glass)_ Well spotted, we call it charcoal

because actual coal will smoke too much and doesn't

get to the right temperature. The coal is heated until

all that's left is the carbon, that's what we use, it's the

same process for forging metals.

UTHUR

You mean bronze and the like...

GLASSMAKER

That's right, stand back and watch...

He takes a deep breath and blows down the tube until the blob of glass becomes a balloon. Then he shapes it with the wet reeds and eventually cuts the end until he just has a glass rady7 made. This he knocks off the tube and leaves to cool down.

With different elements added to the sand we get coloured

glass, the systems always remains the same though,

heat the sand enough to melt its heart and then blow it out.

UTHUR

Amazing. You mentioned metals, how does this equate

with what comes from a dragon's gut?

GLASSMAKER

We use an oven, they use a dragon, and charcoal is

always needed to heat the basic element to draw out

what you need. Not just heat but air as well, hence

the bellows. Without them the fire would not burn

hot enough. If I was melting metals I'd draw them

from the oven the same way and then beat them with

hammers rather than blow them with a pole. Metals

are hard and can take the punishment whereas glass

is like a woman, you have to treat it with kindness

and respect but when you do, she looks beautiful...

He clicks off a small drinking glass that looks like it was created from fine crystal. The boy takes it and looks at the light through the sides of the glass.

That is for you...

UTHUR

I will remember this day for my whole life and when

I return home I shall instruct my people to make glass from sand.

ESUIT

So you will be a glassmaker after you have been a racer?

Very good, not all riders have long careers and it is

always useful to have another talent to fall back on..

GLASSMAKER

A racer, what horse racing?

UTHUR

That's right, I am riding in this season's great race.

A beautiful white stallion from Arabia; I'm told my

chances are very good.

GLASSMAKER

Even though you are going against Jaspar and he is riding

The King's horse. They have won every race for

the past five seasons. How confident are you of

beating them?

UTHUR

I am very confident, I have a good horse and I have

all the skills to take the prize; why, are you going to

place a wager?

GLASSMAKER

I was going to last time but as the king's horse always

wins there's not any point; but if you say you are

going to provide real competition to them I'd

wager on you. After all, the other riders appear to

let Jasper win to gain favour with the king.

UTHUR

I don't want favour, just the pot of gold, that will

enable me to get things done...

GLASSMAKER

Let me give you some advice boy. The race has just

one jump and it's at the end of every lap.

Once the wall is broken down they do not rebuild

it so stay back for the first two laps and let the

others crash against it. Once they have flattened

the wall some will be too injured to continue while

you will be able to use the damage to get

faster in the later laps.

UTHUR

That's good advice, but I was told there were no jumps

in the race...

GLASSMAKER

Strictly speaking you are right; because once the wall is

destroyed the race is on the flat. But during the first

two laps the wall poses quite a threat to those

who do not know.

UTHUR

Thank you friend; today you have taught me two great

lessons and I will remember them both.

GLASSMAKER

Good luck, I will see you on race day.

ESUIT and UTHUR head off and after walking for a while in silence she turns to him and whispers.

ESUIT

What 'things' do you want to do with the winnings,

if you have them after the race?

UTHUR

It's a long story...

ESUIT

Please tell me, I want to know, to understand

what drives you?

UTHUR

Okay, well.... Back in my land my father was a leader

of men. He organised them to work the land, raise

livestock and form a protective guard...

ESUIT

He was a king?

UTHUR

If that's how you see it, he was just father to

me. Anyway a great evil invaded our land and

Merlain took me away so we might learn the power

to take this evil on and, more importantly, how to defeat it. It was to that I

was referring.

ESUIT

You are a very brave man, young UTHUR. I......

Suddenly a loud roar echoes through the city and they both look up to the huts high on the hill...

UTHUR

The dragon is noisy today...

ESUIT

They must be feeding him again, up there in

the Tagil.

UTHUR

The what?

ESUIT

The Tagil, or we should say the Dragontagil, the

place of dragons. In the same way we just visited

Glasstagil, the place of glass...

UTHUR

You are such a good teacher; I wish you could come

with us when we go..

ESUIT

Go, but UTHUR, you have only just arrived, where would

you be thinking of going?

UTHUR

After the race we will go further into this land, I have

a dragon to catch...

ESUIT

Oh you and your dragon fixation, don't boys from your land have other things to grab their attention?

UTHUR

I am still young, In have time to become more varied in my interests; but for the time being, dragons are my soul interest..

ESUIT

How sad.

UTHUR

You want to say something else but

stopped. What were you going to say?

ESUIT

Nothing master Uthur, It was nothing...

SCENE 11 EXT DAY

It's the day of the race and a circuit has been laid out around the central square. The great bronze bull on the centre is snorting steam and his horns are rising and stabbing the midday air as the King arrives and is placed upon a huge golden Diaz set in front of the bull.

Behind him two Nubian slaves carry a chest of gold which is placed on the Diaz beside the king. He stands as the crowd roar their approval. In a side ally off the great square the riders are getting prepared including UTHUR, Merlain and Memet. UTHUR has not mounted his hose yet and is busy watching a procession of bald women dressed in long white robes as they carry offerings of flowers and corn around the square to the beating of drums. They approach the bull and lay the offerings at his feet.

UTHUR

Memet, who are these strange women?

MEMET

They are the keepers of the bull, they are the

Magi. It's to do with these people's religion.

All nonsense but we cannot hold their beliefs

against them; each to their own...

MERLAI|N

I would like to know how the bull is made to

dance like so, are they the people who service it.

MEMET

The Magi are very dangerous Merlain, they work

at night when the people sleep so that no one is

killed by their spells and witchcraft.

Please leave them alone if you know what's

good for you...

MERLAIN is intrigued by the leading Magi woman and as she lays her offering before the bull he notices her glance in his direction. Her green eyes alarm him and he looks away.

MERLAIN

What an interesting looking female, her eyes

are beautiful.

MEMET

She is their Ipsissimus. The woman

may be beautiful but her looks cover a well of

destruction; you must treat them with respect my

friend or suffer the consequences.

A sudden commotion behind them draws the trio's attention. They turn to see a large man dressed in black leather, holding a shiny bronze sword and attended by five helpers arrive. His black horse is big to hold the man but is weighed down by bronze medals which hand from the horses straps. Upon the rider's head is a laurel and corn crown made of beaten gold.

This is your opposition UTHUR, my boy, its Jasbar

the King's rider. See the crown he wears. It has been

won by him for the last three races.

MERLAIN

He's very fat for a fast rider.

MEMET

Don't let his size put you off, he is a skilled racer and

he uses his weight to bully the other riders.

UTHUR

Does the horse race with all that bronze weight?

MEMET

Each year more medals are added, now the man is

a fool to think his weight combined with the weight

of the medals will not hinder him.

You have a good chance to take that crown this

year, just don't let him frighten you.

MERLAIN

What is happening now?

MEMET

As the last winner he does a round of the track with

his stable men in attendance. After showing reverence

to the magi the rider must give up his crown and then

we must line up with him with the horses rear

against the wall there.

Memet indicates a high wall of brushwood logs which has been built at an angle to the king's Diaz. The watch Jasbar ride past them and into the square where the crowd roar their approval. With his men in attendance Jasbar does a full circuit of the track and then comes before the great bull and the magi. The leading priestess stands firm while her maidens prostrate themselves about her and Jasbar takes a sheaf of golden corn from his crown and tosses it in her direction. The priestess holds the sheaf aloft and the crowd roars before she turns and reverently places the golden corn at the bull's feet. The bull roars and snorts his steamy approval.

Jasbar then turns his steed and faces the king. He removes his crown, holds for the crowd to scream their voices for and then hands it to one of his attendants who place the crown on a red cushion. The attendant walks up the Diaz and presents the crown and cushion to the king; he smiles and instructs the attendant to place the crown and cushion upon the trunk of gold.

_MEMET  
_ Right UTHUR, you must mount the Queen, the race

is about to start.

UTHUR(As he mounts the white stallion)

I have been advised

to lay well in the rear for the first round so the others

destroy the wall. Or do you think I should I lead from the start?

MEMET

Let them go, when you are ready just whisper in the

queen's ear and she won't let you down.

Just be careful of Jasbar's whip; don't let him frighten you.

MERLAIN

Good luck boy....

A horn sounds and all the riders leave the side alley and enter the track to the screams of the crowd. They line their horses up against the wall and the King nods at the priestess. She lifts the golden corn sheaf and waits for the King's instructions.

The horses rear up with excitement and Jasbar uses the time to examine the other riders, his eyes fall upon UTHUR, dressed in his soft chiffon tunic and leather riding helmet. UTHUR throws his a wide smile as the Queen of Arabia rears up. At that moment the king nods and the Priestess drops the corn. The horses start to race.

UTHUR stays two or three riders behind the lead and watches as they race around the square, within moments the high thicket wall approaches and he sees the first three horses smash into it throwing thicket bushels and logs in every direction. The first horse is injured and throws its rider as UTHUR points the queen at a newly formed gap in the wall.

He hears another rider getting thrown from his horse as they jump the wall and races into second position behind Jasbar as they storm past the bull for the first time.

An Arab riding a two tone stallion is beating at the queen's heels and UTHUR looks around to see the rider's expression of mad excitement as the two come side by side. UTHUR looks up and sees the gap in the wall approaching again and points the queen through it as the Arab and two tone smash into a part of the wall which is still strong and both go spiralling over the earth track, a second horse and rider comes over the wall and collides with the prostrate horse throwing both into the air as the crowd roars.

UTHUR comes side by side with Jasbar who snarls at him and uses his long riding crop to beat out at UTHUR. His initial reaction is to slow and let Jasbar lead where he becomes out of reach.

MEMET

Don't let Jasbar bully you boy, beat him back....

They approach the wall again and Jasbar flies over it swiftly followed by UTHUR. As they pass the bull for a third times the boys whispers to the Queen to ride like the wind and pass the black steed before them.

They come side by side and Jasbar hits out with his riding crop again which UTHUR catches and both men pull it this way and that as the wall approaches. As both horses leap through the gaps UTHUR pulls Jasbar's crop and tosses it into the crowd, he leads as the bull is passed for the final time and the crowd get to their feet to scream him home. As he jumps the wall for a final time Memet screams with joy and hugs and embarrassed Merlain.

They run onto the track and hold the Queen's head as UTHUR dismounts proudly. Jasbar pulls up behind him and snarls as his attendants run to help him dismount.

_The king is amazed and happy about the young boy beating the favourite a_ **nd picks up the** _cushion with the crown upon it as the priestess crosses from where she has watched the race and joins him._

UTHUR dismounts and leads his horse to the Diaz as the crowd roar for him. The priestess hushes the crowd and picks up the golden crown from the cushion before bowing low before the king. She turns to face UTHUR..

AGNESS (The Priestess)

Tell me your name boy?

UTHUR

I am UTHUR of the island of Albion.

AGNESS

UTHUR of Albion, a stranger to this city and these shores;

today the Minator has blessed you with gold....

The crowd get to their feet and cheer loudly as the king stands beside Agnes and throws the favourite, Jasbar, a contemptuous look.

MERLAIN

(to Memet in the background)

They say fortune favours the young...

MEMET

He has done us both proud today.

AGNESS

Kneel before your King, UTHUR of Albion, so I may

crown you with his glory.

UTHUR kneels before the priestess and she places the golden crown of laurel and corn upon his thick mop of brown curly hair. He looks up at the beautiful, bald and richly dressed Magi as the crowd eagerly roars their approval again...

AGNESS smiles at him and steps aside as the King addresses the crowd.

KING Sin-Muballit MINOS

People of Babylon; this year my prize has been

won by a visitor to this city. Not just a visitor

but a young man whose youth hides his skill

at horsemanship. I know I am not alone when I say

this (the king gives Jasbar a condescending glance)

you boy have surprised me greatly.

And, we all love to be surprised.

The crowd roars and claps as Jasbar tries to smile but manages to snarl instead.

This being so, take this trunk of gold and glory

in your success. Today the city of Babylon is yours;

we welcome you and look forwards to seeing you

spend in excess, party in excess and spread your

good fortune around our great city...

The crowd roars again as Jasbar looks about him and sniffs

JASBAR

Enjoy your fortune today boy because tomorrow

you may have to pay for it with your blood

SCENE 12 INT NIGHT

UTHUR, MEMET, ADRIUS and MERLAIN are in a room drinking and eating, the trunk of gold is open on the floor and Memet keeps running his fingers through it.

MEMET

I will go to the coast and return with a hundred camels

next time. Adrius, my friend, you must ensure there is

room to store the goods I bring so we all turn the goods

into more gold. Merlain, you and the boy will be able to

buy your own camel train if you want but of course,

you're welcome to join us.

MERLAIN

Thank you my friend, but I and UTHUR will be leaving

Babylon in the morning.

UTHUR

What?

MEMET

Leaving, no, surely not?

MERLAIN

We are travellers, yes, but not without a goal. Our

mission has a purpose and that is to get what we need

to return and set our people free. If we grow fat and

comfortable here we may lose sight of our goal and

that will be doing a dis-service to all those who have

died in our absence.

MEMET

But the races, you will be expected to defend your

crown in the next race; who will ride the

Queen to victory for us?

UTHUR

I will.

MERLAIN

UTHUR, calm down.

UTHUR

No, I must speak. If we have to leave tomorrow

so be it but I will do everything in my power to

return before the next race.

ADRIUS

I think the boy's resolve is as strong as his grip

on the reigns.

MERLAIN

I hear you UTHUR and I will not stand in your

way if this is your true wish. Short term goals are

always necessary to give us focus in our day to day

lives; but our long term goal must never change.

UTHUR

I agree.

MEMET

So, you will have to buy a strong ox to carry your

share of the gold. It is a dangerous land out there

beyond the city walls. When I return to the coast

I will have to pay a small army to protect my investment

on the journey or I risk losing it all.

MERLAIN

I think we can trust Adrius to take care of our

share until we pass through this city again.

ADRIUS

It will be safe here if that's what you wish.

MERLAIN

You have been a good host to us Adrius; you

welcomed us into your home and fed and watered us.

In fact without your hospitality I doubt we'd

even have won this gold. I will take just enough to

keep us fed and leave the rest with you and Memet.

If you invest it and the investment makes more

my decision will be justified.

MEMET

Merlain, you are a very special person, I knew it

when we met outside Carthage. I swear on

The Queen of Arabia's life your gold will be

safe here until your return.

ADRIUS

Is there anything you want to take as security; something

valuable of mine which you can redeem for your

investment on your return?

MERLAIN

No my friend, the lighter we travel the safer we will be.

UTHUR

Hang on, there is one thing I'd like to take; as

you've offered.

ADRIUS

Anything.

UTHUR

I would like to take Esuit with us.

ADRIUS

Esuit; now that is a valuable piece of security.

Tell me, young UTHUR, is there a particular

reason why you want to take my wife's slave away with you?

UTHUR

I like her, she's my age and we get on well.

She knows the local language and this could be useful.

MERLAIN

I could learn the local language but I'm too old

to be a good companion to my young ward...

MEMET

And your breasts are not as firm as he would like...

ADRIUS

And your buttocks a little too tight.

They all laugh

_A_ DRIUS

I will have to speak to my wife about this but

I'm sure she will have enough help to fill the gap...

UTHUR

I am happy now....

SCENE 13. EXT DAY

The following day UTHUR, MERLAIN and ESUIT are riding away from the city on three camels, a donkey attached to UTHUR'S camel carries their tents and luggage. As they cross a high sand dune MERLAIN glances behind and gets one final glimpse of the city in the distance. They do not see the group of men following them secretly.

As the sun begins to sink below the horizon they come across a group of men working in an open cast mine. Men stand over them with whips urging them to work faster as they use bronze tools to dig out rock and load it into wooden carts. UTHUR gets down from his camel and picks up one of the chunks of rock and examines it closely.

UTHUR

Esuit, what do they call this place?

ESUIT

This is Grentagil; the place of Green rock.

UTHUR

You said this is what they feed to the dragon to get

it to give then one of the two elements that make

up bronze; it's a strange rock.

MERLAIN

It has a green tinge to it yet you said the dragon will give

out a red metal when it fests upon this.

ESUIT

The red element is called copper by some. It's strange I know.

The dragon eats a green rock and a red element

is produced by it; Dragons are strange creatures.

UTHUR

I know the other thing it needs to eat is the

charcoal the glassmaker employs but what about

the third rock, what colour is that?

ESUIT

They call that element Tin; it cannot be found on

these shores and we have men going to the far

corners of the known world to find it.

In the past it was taken from a mine between

the two rivers but that mine is now empty.

UTHUR

The dragon must consume so much to give up its treasure.

MERLAIN

Even if we capture one I don't see where we will

get its food in Albion; perhaps we should forget this notion.

UTHUR

Never. I know we have more trees in our land than

we would ever need should we capture several

dragons and turn it all into charcoal. I'm sure we

will find this rock there too if we search hard enough; it may have lain all around us but we did not recognize its usefulness.

ESUIT

It's true. Until they found a use for this rock no

one thought it had any value; now look at the

backs they break to get it out of the ground.

MERLAIN

Slavery is a barbarous condition to keep men.

I think that free men, men who are paid for their

labours, will work harder and be more loyal than

those kept in bondage.

ESUIT

You are an enlightened man Merlain. The

Babylonians may seem educated and hospitable

but they treat some people worse than pigs; especially people like the who they call criminals. Poor men who steal to feed their families; you see, even in a city as great as Babylon there are still poor people.

I think it stains their whole culture.

I was treated so badly before my Master Adrius

saved me but he and his wife are the exception.

Most Babylon's are cruel and wicked.

MERLAIN

If that is so then it is a stain well hidden from

visitors. Let us take out animals away from this

dusty place of misery before it gets too dark.

We must make camp and prepare a meal.

UTHUR

Yes, I am hungry.

ESUIT

I packed some good meat for us to eat tonight.

When we find a suitable place to camp I will

cook while you put out tent up.

MERLAIN

What a good team. This journey just gets better every day.

SCENE 14 NIGHT EXT

They sit beside the upright tent under a huge sky full of stars. The animals graze nearby as ESUIT ladles a thick soup into bowls for them to eat. She hand the bowls to her male companions and then sits between them.

UTHUR

This is very good.

MERLAIN

Very spicy, what is the flavour I taste, it is

marvellous?

ESUIT

We call it saffron, it is very expensive but I grew it

myself so the master will not miss it from his

kitchen. Mr Merlain, can I ask you something?

MERLAIN

Yes, anything if I can help.

ESUIT

Look above your head, can you see the four stars

that form a square in the sky?

MERLAIN

Yes.

Both he and UTHUR look up at the big dipper above them.

ESUIT

Do you see the three stars that come from the

eastern corner and lead out like a handle?

MERLAIN

Yes, I see it.

ESUIT

If you allow your gaze to follow along these

three stars you will see a further star twinkling

yonder almost on the horizon.

MERLAIN

Yes, I see it.

ESUIT

Well, beneath that star, a very high and dark dune

rises in the east there.

MERLAIN

Yes, what about it?

ESUIT

Since we left the city earlier today a group of men

have followed us. I believe they are on the top of

that dune now, watching us.

UTHUR

_(He begins to stand)_ What...

MERLAIN

Stay where you are, do not alert them to our

discovery; just act naturally.

UTHUR

Okay, Esuit, are you sure about this?

ESUIT

I thought I saw them earlier, at the mine, but

I was unsure. While you put the tent up and I

made the food I caught sight of them looking

cautiously over the top of the dune.

They are definitely following us.

MERLAIN

Robbers perhaps, thinking we are carrying a

trunk of gold.

ESUIT

If they intended to rob us I think they will strike

as soon as the sun goes down. We will know their

intentions soon

UTHUR

If they are not robbers, who then?

ESUIT

The King may have sent them to spy upon

you. He may have seemed happy when you won

his gold but I know those people, they did not want you

to take your winnings from the city.

They expected you to spend it all there so the gold stays

within his reach. If ever his treasury had a emergency

he would have come to take it back by force.

Now you have left the city I am sure he wants to

know where his gold has gone.

UTHUR

His gold, it's mine, I won it.

ESUIT

All elements are eternal UTHUR. We humans come

and go. You can be sure that when our bones are

stripped of flesh and are bleached by the sun this

gold will be as yellow and bright as the day you won it.

Therefore no man ever owns it; we just look after it

momentarily on behalf of the gods.

MERLAIN

It's true, who can own a rock or a strip of land.

Who can own the air we breathe or the water we

drink. Rain drops from the sky, flows down from the

hills and each drop becomes a stream and then a

river. We get thirsty and quench our thirst turning the

water into piss. The piss is filtered by the earth and

eventually flows back into the stream.

I agree Esuit. Humans can never lay ownership over what

is given by the gods.

They continue to eat and eventually the girl rises to collect the empty bowls. As she leans down to take UTHUR's, the girl secretly gives him a sling.

UTHUR tucks it under his tunic and then picks up three medium sized stones as MERLAIN stands and stretches; whispering under his breath...

UTHUR, in a moment make as if you are going

for a piss over yonder by the animals. I will step into

the tent and collect the sword Memet gave me.

ESUIT

I need the staff attached to my camel; is it in the tent?

MERLAIN

Do you mean the long piece of hardwood that was

tucked under your sleeping mat?

ESUIT

Yes, where is it?

MERLAIN

I have leant it against the tent, just there to the right

of the doorway.

ESUIT

Then we are ready for them.

MERLAIN

Surely if they are spies we will not have to fight them;

they should just follow our route and report back to

their master?

ESUIT

Perhaps, but as I said. Some of these people are cruel

and wicked. They may want to take your gold and say

they lost you in the sand. Listen, can you hear them

speaking?

MERLAIN

Pretending to be crickets; I hear them. If these fuckers want a fight, I'm ready to give them one.

UTHUR

If they come Esuit, please stay out of the way. Let me

and Merlain handle them.

ESUIT

Not if, when they come, we will all need to defend this

camp. If we are all destined to be murdered we all

have a responsibility to defend ourselves.

Suddenly they see a shadow approaching quickly and UTHUR stand, places a rock into his sling and starts to twirl it above his head. As Merlain enters the tent they see the shadow turn into the form of a masked man, illuminated by the firelight. UTHUR flicks the sling and the stone flies through the air hitting the man between his eyes. He falls as another comes from the darkness holding a long curved sword.

Merlain intercepts him and they start to fight as UTHUR loads another stone into the sling. He sees another attacker and flicks the spinning sling towards the man who ducks and throws himself at the boy. They both roll across the sand and he pins UTHUR down. A wicked smile crosses the robber's face as a blade flashes in his hand. Suddenly he is poleaxe and falls to one side. UTHUR looks up and sees ESUIT standing behind him armed with her staff.

Another attacker jumps from the darkness armed with a sword and Esuit uses her staff to defend them both. UTHUR stands and uses his sling to launch a rock at another man running from the shadows. The rock hits his head and he drops as Esuit turns this way and that using the staff so skilfully that UTHUR is amazed by her agility. She turns and upends her opponent before striking him on the head with its base.

Merlain eventually disarms his attacker who screams and runs off into the darkness. The three watch him go.

UTHUR

Where did you learn to fight like that, I've never seen

any woman be so deadly...

MERLAIN

And only using a staff...

ESUIT

My family are all great warriors; especially my father.

He taught me how to kill men as soon as I could walk.

In our land you may only have access to a piece of wood

to defend yourself so this is what we learn to use.

UTHUR

I am impressed.

MERLAIN

So am I. Anyway young people, I don't think we will

be seeing any more of these barbarians so you two go and

rest. I will sit by the fire for a while.

UTHUR

I am tired.

ESUIT

Me too...

MERLAIN

Then go; I will see you both tomorrow.

ESUIT

We should set off at sunrise, if we continue heading north

we will reach Medin by nightfall.

MERLAIN

Medin, is it another city?

ESUIT

No. It is the place where the Magi are inducted;

It is their spiritual home, a huge temple in the sand dunes.

I have heard it is very beautiful and quiet but also a place of many wonders.

If you are looking for a dragon to buy, Medin is the place you will find it

UTHUR

Have you ever been there?

ESUIT

No, but I have heard from those who have. I've heard that

it is the place they learn how to tame dragons so the people can work with them . But it's just gossip and romourl we will know when we get there.

MERLAIN

Then Medin it is, go sleep and tomorrow we will

Seek out this place of wonder.

SCENE 15 EXT DAY

The trio ride across the sands the following day dragging the mule in their rear as a dusk storm blows. After fighting the winds for most of the day they come over one final dune and in the distance they see a building made of green stone, shining like emerald in the sunlight, rising from the ground. In each corner thin, pointed towers point towards the heavens and small windows with coloured glass beam rainbows across the sand in front of it.

A huge double door is set into the facing wall which Merlain pounds upon with the base of his staff. Suddenly a small hatch opens and a thin faced, bald woman looks out at them.

WOMAN

Who calls upon the Magi?

MERLAIN

We do.

WOMAN

All donations to the Magi must be made through

your city administrator.

MERLAIN

We want shelter. Can you open these doors and let us in?

WOMAN

Only initiates and their guardians can enter here.

Esuit stepped forwards and pulled her hood from her face.

ESUIT

I am an initiate and these are my guardians.

The woman looked at Esuit suspiciously, but eventually the expression softens and she and smiles before withdrawing and closing the hatch. After the sound of several bolts being pulled back the double doors sung wide and the trio looked within at the scene unfolding.

An open courtyard is bathed in sunlight and around the edges women dressed in the long, cotton tunic with their heads and eyes cloaked by the customary white cowl hold sprigs of corn in their hands. In the centre of the court is a raised Diaz where a woman, The IPSISSAMUS dressed in a grey cowl and tunic stands. She looks up and calls out to the visitors,

IPSISSAMUS

Who is called to the life of the Magi?

As the woman speaks bolts of lightning radiate from her and the smell of sulphur rises in the air. ESUIT steps forwards and kneels

ESUIT

I am, Esuit of Nubia; daughter of the Warrior King

Lotta. I am called here.

IPSISSAMUS

Are these your guardians, Esuit of Nubia?

ESUIT

They are.

IPSISSAMUS

Are you free of bondage, serfdom and slavery?

MERLAIN

She is.

IPSISSAMUS

You may spend one night here with your daughter;

but after you will have to leave. Tomorrow at dawn you will say

goodbye to Esuit of Nubia; from then on she will

be known as Esuit of Sumeria, daughter of the Magi.

There is a final flash of blinding blue lightening and when their vision clears the IPSISSAMUS has gone and in her place is just a simple sprig of corn. The women around the edges lead away until just one is left, she steps toward the trio.

WOMAN

Esuit, friends, if you follow me I will show you to

your rooms for your final evening together.

They follow the woman and as they do MERLAIN notices behind the dais is a spinning drum over a small fire. Steam is being thrust from small spouts on the side of the drum and this provides the thrust to turn it. He sees two thin wires the lead from the drum to the Diaz and what looks like a trapdoor in the top.

They enter the building and are led through a long dark hall of green stone. The floor is tiled with large green tiles each decorated with sprigs of corn and wheat. UTHUR sees through the small glass windows women working in the open next to charcoal fires, some are blowing glass while others are beating copper into long thin wires.

MERLAIN sees a bull being constructed and under the bronze skin he sees wooden cogs and dials which appear to be controlled by a weight. They are led into a suite of rooms when a table is laden with fruit and bread.

Please feel free to sleep and eat, but just before dawn

I shall return and you two must leave her here.

MERLAIN

We understand.

The woman leaves and the three look around the suit of rooms.

ESUIT

I have no intention of staying here, you understand

that don't you?

MERLAIN

Of course, but getting entry is the first step in understanding

the nature of the magic these people possess.

UTHUR, did you see that contraption behind the dais?

UTHUR

I did, it looked as if the fire was heating water in

the cylinder and the steam was responsible for turning

it at great speed. What do you think it does?

MERLAIN

I want to find out before we leave. Did you also see

the bull being constructed. It appears all the movement

is created by means of cogs and wheels;

it's nothing but a very dramatic illusion.

I will lay gold on the fact that all we have seen

Here today are other illusions.

ESUIT

Then we must look around this temple and

find how they are created.

UTHUR

Do you think.

MERLAIN

What, come on boy, out with it?

UTHUR

The dragon, perhaps it's an illusion too? Esuit,

have you ever seen one?

ESUIT

I have not. But tell me, if they didn't exist how is rock

turned into metal. The dragon must be real.

SCENE 15 . BABYLON DAY

Jasbar is berating his assassins for allowing the trio to live. Only two survivors made their way back to the city and he is shouting at them in his rooms.

JASBAR

What is wrong with you people. An old man and

two children, one of them a girl and you

have your ears beaten.

ASSASSIN

But the girl was an expert warrior, sire..

JASBAR

Humbug, any man who is beaten by a woman; nay,

by a girl, is not worthy of the title. My father told

me that if ever I needed something done properly

I should do it myself and once again his words ring true.

Now get out of my sight before I have your

scrotums made into coin bags.

Useless, absolutely useless fools....

SCENE 16 INT NIGHT

Meanwhile back in Medin the trio are making plans...

MERLAIN

Esuit, check the doors will you; ensure we are not

locked in here...

ESUIT

The door is unlocked but I see a room at the end

of the outside hall full of women.

UTHUR

What are they doing?

ESUIT

I'm not sure, they seem to be making leather strips...

MERLAIN

There are many secrets to learn here. UTHUR, you and

Esuit go and seek out the dragon while I go and find

out how the priestess was cloaked in lightening earlier.

ESUIT

Be careful friend, these people are known to be dangerous.

The three go in two separate directions and UTHUR and Esuit come across a balcony overlooking the square they'd been greeted in earlier. They see women pouring hot water into the cylinder and then corking it tightly. Building a fire beneath the cylinder steam gradually rises from both of the opposite pointing spokes. In turn this steam pressure makes the cylinder spin. They see it turns a cog over which a long loop of leather is turned and the other end is rubbing against a copper tube equipped with thin copper wire attached to either end.

The faster the cylinder spins the more friction is caused as the leather loop rubs against the copper tube. Then a woman comes from the side and approaches the two others.

WOMAN 1

I have the chainmail tunic repaired do you want to test it?

WOMAN 2

You put it on and we'll ensure it doesn't spark internally

again; I wouldn't like it to malfunction again; is she okay?

WOMAN 1

Just a slight burn. Her vest slipped up under the gusset and

the charge made a small contact with the small of her back.

WOMAN 3

The status of Ipsissamus is a dangerous one; the powers we work with

can kill if they are not respected; as well we know...

WOMAN 2

That woman died because the rain was too heavy, I told her not

to use the machine in wet weather but she didn't listen.

Oh, no. She knew what was best and then what; burned

to a char; I told her and if the silly cow listened to me she would be alive today

WOMAN 1

Can you stop being disrespectful about our dead sister. You know

very well that a important person was here that day.

We need donations to do our work, to keep this

temple maintained and to feed the poor of this province.

He was expecting to see a display of our power and

if we had said it was off because of the weather; we'd

look like fools. She had to wear the chainmail;

rain or not. Bring it to me...

The thin copper wires seemed to be sparking a little as the spinning cylinder created a significant static charge to build up in the copper tube. WOMAN 2 holds up the chainmail tunic and WOMAN 1 pulls it on. After, WOMAN 3 attaches one of the copper wires to the bottom of the tunic and places one of the white cotton robes the other's wear over the top.

The women clear the Diaz and the second copper wire is attached to it. UTHUR and ESUIT see a thin copper ring encircles the Diaz they watch as the women step back.

WOMAN 3

Reach out with your left arm.

The woman on the Diaz does so and a blue flash of lightening streaks across the Diaz's and makes contact with the ring encircling the Diaz.

WOMAN 3

Now with your right.

The woman does as instructed and another flash hits the ring leaving just a smoking black graze in the copper.

Now above your head.

The woman on the Diaz raises both hands and a flash pulses from her palms before streaking upwards and onto a copper disc high above her head

Are you okay?

WOMAN 1

I am fine, no sparks broke through this time

WOMAN 3

Good, good, the repair seems to be holding. Stop the

engine and we'll put the tunic away for our next

visitors.

SCENE 17 INT NIGHT

MERLAIN meanwhile is on the other side of the temple watching three women constructing the internal weights and plies that control the working of the automatic bull. He see's smoke coming from a small hut in the grounds and lowers himself down through a nearby tree. Keeping to the shadows he creeps up to the hut and looks through a window. Inside two men and a boy are surrounding a hearth. The boy is pumping bellows and the men, dressed in long leather aprons, are checking a large pot in the centre of the hearth.

MAN 1

How does the colour look.

MAN 2

Good, just a few moments and the alloy will be

formed.

_MERLAIN sees behind the men a crate of red rock and a smaller crate of a white rock with strips through_ _it._

MAN 2

Get the mould ready, we're almost there.

The other man collects a drum filled with fine sand and places a clay tube in its centre before tapping the sand all around the drum to ensure the clay tube is held in place. He then gets a set of tongs with four handles and stands next to his friend by the furnace.

MAN 1

Keep pumping boy, we're nearly there.

Both men the take two handles of the tongs each and hover it over the furnace. Merlain is intrigued to see that they intend to take the white hot pot from the centre of the furnace.

Now, grab the Dragoon.

Upon this instruction both men grab the pot with their tongs and lift it from the furnace. The take it to the sand filled drum and pour the white hot liquid contents into the clay tube. The room fills with steams and the noise of spits and sparks fill the air.

MERLAIN

(Under his breath smiling) A dragoon, of course it is...

He sees the men lift the clay tube from the sand and lower it in a bucket of water filling the room with steam and noise as the clay bursts from around the metal core leaving a bronze sword waiting to be beaten and sharpened. One of the men bangs the sword with a hammer and laughs

MAN 2

You see, bronze alone is too soft but add just the

right amount of tin and it's as hard as rock.

Once sharpened this sword will cut any other with ease.

MAN 1

Load the dragoon with the same, three parts copper

and one part tin.

MERLAIN sneaks away and climbs the tree to go inside the temple again. As he sneaks through the darkened corridors on his way back to the guest room he stops to peer cautiously around a corner before hearing a voice. Turning he faces the PRIESTESS their IPSISSAMUS.

PRIESTESS/IPSISSAMUS

Can I help you?

MERLAIN

Oh, Madam. I am sorry but we were told not to leave

the confines of our room and yet I needed to use the,

well, you know?

PRIESTESS

The guard robe?

MERLAIN

Indeed, the guard robe. In our part of the world this

place has many names, and smells, but is seldom shared

with one of the farer sex.

PRIESTESS

The adept is still in your guest rooms?

MERLAIN

Indeed she is, with the boy. You see how greatly worried

I was about doing my business within earshot of her

tender senses. Adults of our age are less perturbed about

such things but the warrior princess has led a sheltered life

and such things can so easily cause offence.

PRIESTESS

You have no need to explain, we have similar beliefs in

our culture. Should a woman want some privacy she may

withdraw with her sisters or mother.

A young male is less likely to want such privacy but we

expect them to act in a modest fashion and thus private

rooms are put aside for use by both sexes; albeit alone.

MERLAIN

I am very pleased to hear that.

They arrive by a thick door which the woman pushes open. Merlain sees within a bench with a hole in its centre.

PRIESTESS.

You may take your leisure within. When finished your rooms

are at the end of the hall.

MERLAIN

Thank you. May I....

PRIESTESS

Yes?

MERLAIN

May I be so bold as to ask for an private audience with

you. If we are expected to leave our ward with you in the

morning I would like to use what evening there is finding

out more about your interesting culture. I couldn't ask for

better, or more beautiful teacher.

PRIESTESS

Sir, this is a holy order and intercourse between a man

and one of our Ladies is strictly forbidden.

MERLAIN

Who said anything about intercourse; I envisaged only

oral pastimes; although being a full bloodied man I could

be persuaded to...

PRIESTESS

Don't gallop before you can trot, Sir. I will wait here

until your bladder has been emptied and then we can

spend some time in the public rooms.

I feel I need to keep my eye upon you...

MERLAIN

And such a beautiful eye too....

SCENE 18 INT NIGHT

Meanwhile ESUIT and UTHUR are spying upon the women as they place the chain-mail tunic away in a locker. When they open the door the couple see inside a beautiful gold and silver sword which one of the women removes from the locker to polish

WOMAN 1

This needs to be polished every week to prevent

tarnishing. It must look it's best when we perform

for the next visit by investors.

To get their money we must put on the best show.

WOMAN 2

You'd never believe it was crafted by illiterate Indian peasants,

on the banks of the Ganges River.

WOMAN 1

Their skills were passed down through the generations

by word of mouth only. Since they have been able to

craft metals they have been making swords; although it's said

this sword was been beaten from a fallen star.

She was presented with this just before....

WOMAN 2

I miss Altia so much; she was the best IPSISSAMUS we

have ever had; it's a shame she died so horribly....

WOMAN 1

Still, the order moves on; change is inevitable. She

got this on her final pilgrimage to the mountain temples

of the East. It was a gift from Esa Khali Akbar.

The Goddess of the River.

UTHUR

Esa Khali Akbar; how romantic...

WOMAN 2

What was that?

WOMAN 1

What?

WOMAN 2

I thought I heard something or someone. A whisper

coming from over there, in those shrubs...

WOMAN 1

Wait here, place the sword away...

The woman cautiously creeps up to the bushes and suddenly pulls them to one side but finds nothing. ESUIT AND UTHUR are already creeping back to their rooms giggling.

SCENE 19 INT: NIGHT

MERLAIN comes from the Guardrobe and finds his host still waiting for him. She smiles and leads him down a long stone hall decorated and lit on either wall by huge bronze burners and stone gremlins whose intricate expressions follow them in the twilight. She opens a huge set of double doors at the end of the hall and leads him into a vast room fitted with plush sofas arranged around a blazing hearth. One of the bald adepts approach them both as the doors close behind them.

ADEPT

Mistress, we were not expecting you...

PRIESTESS.

Fetch a pitcher of wine for my guest and I;

are you hungry?

MERLAIN

I will admit to having eaten quite a while ago.

PRIESTESS

Return with some food for us, fruit and cheeses...

ADEPT

Yes Mistress...

PRIESTESS

Come sit with me...Here.

They both sit on one of the sofas while the Adept goes to fill her request. In the flashing light of the fire MERLAIN examines his hostess; her eyes catch the light and sparkle, the loose hood over her head seems to glow like a halo and he feels attracted to her...

MERLAIN

What shall I call you, Priestess is a little bit formal?

PRIESTESS

My name is Amber of Samaria; Ipsissamus of the

Temple of Medin. My Adepts call me Mistress in

respect of my Grade within the Order.

What shall I call you?

MERLAIN

My name is Merlain. An honest traveller.

How long have you been in

charge here, they seem very obedient.

PRIESTESS

They have to be respectful, it is part of our training.

Women who choose to leave the order do so with a

full education, able to read and write, fight and take

care of themselves.

They can then choose either to marry or stay alone and

run some mercantile business if they wish.

Or they can stay within the order and gradually work

their way up; one day anyone of them can become

Ipsissamus.

To answer your second question. Only a few months,

our last Ipsissamus was killed during one of our ceremonies.

We burned her mortal remains on the last full moon;

it was a beautiful ceremony and we were all moved greatly

by her loss and transition to the next level of existence.

MERLAIN

Next level?

PRIESTESS

We are taught that all life and death are merely journeys through

time; that our mortal bodies age and die but that spark

that makes us who we are, well we believe that never dies.

We are all immortal.

MERLAIN

What a beautiful thought; it's a shame it can't be proven.

PRIESTESS

Oh but it can, we see the cycles of death and rebirth

every day, in the rise

and setting of the sun, the birth and death of the moon.

The cycles of that moon and it's relation to the

coming and going seasons remind us.

Even the ebb and flow of the tides teaches that

life goes on. Now, tell me about the place you come

from; what is it called?

MERLAI N

We come from and the Island of Albion. A place blessed

with high cliffs and sandy coves around it's edges sitting

in the cool Northern waters.

It has fine, clean rivers filled with succulent fish and

other food.

It has forests of huge trees of every species and many

differing native wildlife; beautiful meadowland where

the earth if fertile and green.

Domesticated horses and sheep wander unmolested through

the wide open spaces.

Some parts of the island have magnificent lakes and

mountains where spring waters shoot from the earth to give

us nourishment and overhead a vast blue sky protects us

from the worst excesses of the sun.

PRIESTESS _,_

This island, Albion. How long and wide is it?

MERLAIN

Well, not that I've done it myself of course but they say

to ride a horse from our tiny corner to the other takes over

four full moons. Yet to cross the middle of the island is only

a two day ride.

It is certainly a beautiful place; a jewel set in a silver sea.

PRIESTESS

Yet you have chosen to leave it; how strange?

The girl returns and lays a tray of wine and food before her mistress. She bows and leaves again. The priestess fills to goblets with win and places a selection of food on a platter for her guest which she hands to him. They fingers touch lightly as he takes it and their eyes meet.

MERLAIN

With a heavy heart Amber; I'm afraid. You see our

beautiful little corner has been invaded by savages

armed with weapons we were unable to defend against.

My charge, young UTHUR, is the son of the King of our

land and so I was asked to take him away until a solution

to our predicament could be found.

AMBER

How sad; are you any closer to a solution?

MERLAIN

Do you know, we are. We were seeking a dragon to

catch but tonight I found out dragons are fictitious

and that we really should be seeking a pot called a

dragoon.

A dragoon and the secrets of metalworking.

AMBER

They propagate the story of dragons to hide the secrets of metal working; something that makes this land a great deal of money. But now you know the truth you may as well learn everything. So tell me, Merlain of Albion,

would you like to earn the secrets of metal?

MERLAIN

Yes Amber; it would be the greatest gift one country could to for another. With this knowledge we would be able to

free our people from the tyrant who currently torments them and teach the skills to coming generations so that we can defend ourselves in future.

AMBER

If you have gold I will trade a dragoon, we have many and our order always needs income to continue our work here and in the community of women around us, But, Merlain of Albion, if you want to learn how to work the metal

you will have to stay a while. It is not something you can learn in a few hours; I hope you are not in a rush?

MERLAIN

Well, we have to return to Babylon before the next

full moon; my ward is racing the following day and

I think the King would like a chance to win back

some of his gold.

AMBER

Do you mean to say that you beat Jasbar at last? That someone had the audacity to race properly and not hang back to allow the king's slow and arrogant jockey to win? I would have loved to have seen the expression on Jasbar's dumb face; I wager he cursed you that day.

MERLAIN

Not me, UTHUR. He took the laurel crown and

the trunk of gold with his riding skills.

AMBER

But you were not carrying a trunk last night; unless it

was a very small trunk and that would be odd; Jasbar normally ensures his winnings are presented in the biggest chest available. Filled to the top with gold of course; his face would have been red with rage when it was presented to someone else.

MERLAIN

We left our winnings back in Babylon with a trusted friend to look after;

but we have this to go on with.

He takes a purse from under his robe and pours gold coins onto the sofa.

Would this be a fair trade, a contribution if you like, to learn the secret of how to work metals?

To learn what we can in the short time we have?

AMBER

Of course, Merlain of Albion.

We will be happy to teach you all we know; very happy indeed

SCENE 20 INT: NIGHT

Merlain returns to the rooms and finds ESUIT and UTHUR sitting upon one of the beds fully dressed and eager to leave.

UTHUR

What's all this, you two look like you are ready to go.

ESUIT

We are but let us tell you what we saw before we leave...

MERLAIN

Calm down young people; I need to speak first.

Our plans have changed slightly.

ESUIT/UTHUR

What?

UTHUR

But how can they, we have to return to Memet in Babylon?

MERLAIN

Yes, but not before the next full moon. We still have two more weeks and then a few days to travel.

ESUIT

I can't stay here, they will want to shave my head and

enslave me once again;

I'd rather die than be mistreated so.

MERLAIN (Laughing)

Please, trust me, no one intends to shave your

pretty head and you will only stay here if you want to.

No one is here under duress all these women are volunteers.

UTHUR

So what plans have you made?

MERLAIN

The lady in charge, the Ipsissamus, has invited us

to stay and learn how to craft metal. I have said we will.

UTHUR

They have a dragon for us?

MERLAIN

Not exactly, but they have the next best thing...

SCENE 21 EXT DAY

ESUIT, UTHUR MERLAIN and AMBER are in the courtyard watching two woman practicing their own brand of martial arts. Using staffs like swords they try to disarm each other or trip the other up. Suddenly ESUIT can stand it no longer.

ESUIT

What's wrong with these women; don't they know how

to fight properly?

AMBER

They seem to be doing okay; our previous leader used

to teach them but since we lost her we have been muddling

through; I thought they were doing fine but if there is anything you can add feel free to intervene. Women need to be able to defend themselves in this and any country.

ESUIT

The tall one is leaving her left side unguarded; a real

opponent would see this instantly. The smaller one is

fast but she is clumsy. Look, there, I would have killed

her in that instant.

MERLAIN

If you think you can teach these women Esuit, show us all. Amber has given you her blessings.

AMBER

We do not usually allow new adepts to fight until they

have gained the trust of their sisters. We do not want anyone injured as these are training bouts but, if you believe you have the skills to train without actually injuring anyone, I will bow to your greater

knowledge. Why don't you give us a display of your skills.

ESUIT

Okay, I will.

She removes her cloak and steps into the square as the two woman stop. They look towards Amber with annoyance and see their leader expression informs them to humour the newcomer.

Have you an opponent who is worthy of my

experience?

AMBER

Call Astar; she is our best staff fighter.

One of the women leaves and returns shortly after with a huge, bald woman marked with deep scars across her face. ASTAR grimaces and grunts as a staff are thrown into her hands.

This should be interesting.

ESUIT readies herself as ASTAR looks towards AMBER waiting for the signal to begin. Upon a slight nod she launches herself at ESUIT and a fierce battle begins. ASTAR uses her immense size and weight of bully and intimidate ESUIT but she holds her ground. Then ESUIT is lifted by the woman's staff and launched through the air to roll across the dusty ground. ASTAR snarls and rushes over to deliver the knockout blow only to be tripped by ESUIT's weapon. She crashes to the floor in a cloud of dry dust.

ESUIT jumps to her feet and prepares to fight again.

AMBER

Your opponent is down, get her now, while you can.

ESUIT

I do not strike when an opponent is down. It is not honourable in a training bout.

_A_ _STAR stands and wipes blood from her mouth before snarling at Esuit again_

ASTAR

That will be your last mistake.

The two clash again and the staff weapons splinter under the force of their blows before ESUIT turns and uses the end of her staff to up end ASTAR'S feet and traps them in a sophisticated face down hold. ESUIT then places one foot across the free end of her staff and smiles at her audience while ASTAR pants, hollers and struggles in a wasted attempt to escape

UTHUR

Brilliant, well done.

AMBER

I thought you were bragging but I should have known,

you are far too confident to be lying. I am convinced

now that the grade of Adept would be wasted up you.

ESUIT

Really?

AMBER

Only the greenest recruits are inducted as adepts. If,

like you, someone has mastered

skills in a certain discipline our rules can be varied.

I think you should enter the order as a Adeptus Major.

This is three grades up from the Adept and just one

under the grade of Master; our teaching grade.

ESUIT

I am flattered but I am sorry, I have a confession to make...

AMBER

Really, a confession, how mysterious.

ESUIT

Yes, I'm afraid....

MERLAIN

What my dear friend wishes to say, ere...

AMBER

Yes?

MERLAIN

What my friend wishes to say is that after careful

discussion last night she has decided to return to

Babylon with us when we leave...

AMBER

No, really?

ESUIT

Only until after the race....

MERLAIN

Yes, she wishes to support young UTHUR in his

battle with Jasbar before committing her life

to the order here.

AMBER

Is this true Esuit?

ESUIT

It is; I don't think I could have settled down until

after the race....

UTHUR

And I needed her support with the horses. There

is no-one quite so qualified to handle my horses

as Esuit.

Without her I may lose and that would be a disaster.

AMBER

Then it is decided. When do you intend to leave?

MERLAIN

Babylon is three days ride or so we should go no

later than the next phase of the moon.

AMBER

I shall leave with you too. I have not seen

my sister, the Ipsissamus of Babylon, for many seasons now

and we have adepts in Babylon who would benefit

from my council. If this agrees with your plans

Merlain; I wouldn't like to be a hindrance to young Uthur.

MERLAIN

I couldn't imagine anything better for all of us....

SCENE 22 INT NIGHT

MERLAIN and AMBER are sitting in a long sparse room by a panoramic window overlooking the valley beyond. There is a wall of stars over the horizon and a soft breeze billows the long chiffon curtain which drapes half the window. She takes a drink from a blue glass and looks at Merlain from under her hood intently.

AMBER

I love this room, the view of the sky at night makes me feel

part of the cosmos; connected to the stars that veil

the heavens. It gives me the feeling that we are all

part of it somehow, that we are made of stardust.

MERLAIN

But are you happy?

AMBER

What a strange question?

MERLAIN

Isn't it a little sad, all these strong women shut away

in this building with only the stars for company.

Women, like men, need the comfort and intimacy of another. Not a sister or a mother but another human being in whom those intimate emotions can be shared and explored;

so, are you truly happy here?

AMBER

Merlain; do you want the diplomatic answer or the truth.

You see if I were a diplomat I would say we are an

ancient and mystical order of virgins working in this building to

teach how to manipulate magical forces for the

good of mankind.

MERLAIN

And the truth?

AMBER

That is not so romantic. You see, in this age, in this part

of the world; a woman's role is seldom a happy one.

She is born to be someone's servant daughter, or helpful sister

then we are married off for money, a dowry, and become a

servant wife and mother.

In the end we are cast aside as useless old widows with

no recourse upon our former husband's fortune.

This passes down to his eldest son and we then depend upon his kindness to eat. If he is cruel and greedy we are left

destitute and seek only a quick and painless death.

MERLAIN

Surely this is a woman's lot in any age and in any corner

of the world? A woman must carve out a life from their

service to their families to ensure they are looked after in elder life.

Many women's lives are blessed with a family, they receive the

gift of their children and the love and protection of their men folk.

Isn't this the natural way?

AMBER

Yes, But what if the daughter is abused by the father

who should be protecting her and beaten by her brothers and then

married off to another brute who uses her for vile pleasures,

who beats her for good measure and scars her mentally.

What if she is starved and shamed and forced to eat

from a cup of humiliation, just to survive;

is this the natural way of which you talk?

MERLAIN

Of course not? This would be an abomination in any place.

AMBER

Well here, in this place and during this age, many

woman have only that to look forwards to.

This temple was established to give girls and women

a place of refuge far from the rule of man; somewhere for them to

escape when they need to steal away.

We create a mystical legend of witchcraft and sorcery

to frighten the peasant local menfolk and those who seek their

missing household slaves; their sexually abused daughters and punch-bag wives;

into leaving us alone.

In this we have become so successful. Rich men travel

from the four corners of the earth to give

us gold; asking for our advice or the blessing of our powerful spells.

We use this to feed and clothe our sisters,

to teach newcomers to

read and write and other skills with which they

may make their own money should they ever choose

to leave here. The remainder is used to feed the

poor widows of this realm. Even the king believes we

are powerful witches able to foretell the future and

change bad luck into good fortune. It is a falsehood I am

proud to have maintained.

MERLAIN

What a wonderful person you are, I am shamed by my

gender and more so by my ignorance.

AMBER

Don't feel bad, We too dislike having to fraudulently

deceive those that pry here-about too heartily;

but while our legend is strong the order can continue

doing its work.

If our illusions are seen for what they are, cheap

tricks, we may as well throw ourselves from the top of the

nearest cliff-edge for all would be lost.

MERLAIN

What I saw on our first night here was spectacular,

I would never describe it as a cheap illusion. I was amazed.

How is it done?

AMBER

It is something our previous leader developed.

She saw that friction between two divergent materials

creates a small spark. The same sort of spark we have

all seen when flint and hard stone is smashed together.

Using a metal tube appears to allow the sparks to collect until it is ready to explode in a huge discharge of blue lightening.

Then we feed this explosive force down thin copper wires into a chain

mail tunic where the explosive spark can be discharged in the way

you saw.

It appears very dramatic but is quite easy to achieve; we have no real

understanding of the principles at work but it does the trick, it astounds and scares those who see the display;

and that is all that matters.

MERLAIN

What of the spinning cylinder with the steam funnels;

how does this help to achieve the discharge?

AMBER

Surely you have seen hot water in a pot with a lid

upon it. The steam pushes up the lid and makes it rattle?

MERLAIN

Yes?

AMBER

Well we build a fire under the pot and the steam is forced

out the funnels which protrude from the sides; this causes it to spin. It is attached to a long

leather belt and this in turn is wrapped around a copper cylinder.

The faster the cylinder spins the more friction created

and thus more sparks are collected in the tube.

MERLAIN

Fascinating. When we eventually return to Albion I intend

to use this illusion to frighten those who have subjugated

our land and forced our people into slavery. The more illusions I can use to frighten them the less I have to worry about our fighting skills.

AMBER

Yes, let them believe you have become a great wizard.

Most people are so superstitious they run when confronted

by something their eyes do not understand.

We have other illusions which may interest you.

MERLAIN

And you are willing to share your secrets with us, with me?

AMBER

I can see in your eyes the goodness lurking in your soul, Merlain of Albion; and you are on a worthwhile quest.

I would be happy to help you chase those bullies

from your land as I know this would benefit all the people

of Albion; not just you and your young ward.

MERLAIN

Thank you, how could I ever repay your kindness?

AMBER

There is one thing you could do for me.

MERLAIN

Anything.

She reaches out and touches his finger tips very softly and their eyes meet against the backdrop of stars. AMBER leans forwards and her hood covers her eyes for a second. Merlain sees only her pale white chin and rose red lips.

AMBER

Let me be a woman again; Merlain of Albion; if only for one night.

He sees a small tear roll down her pale white skin and collect as a glass bead upon her chin. This is all he needs to slowly push her hood back and face the sensitive and passionate woman cloaked beneath it. A short crop of dark hair frames her face and her blue eyes stair at his intently as their lips gently brush against one another.

SCENE 23 INT NIGHT

Meanwhile on the other side of the temple UTHUR and ESUIT are sitting watching the moon crawl across the sky.

UTHUR

I'm fascinated by your skin colour; in our land black people

are unknown. Of course, we know they exist because sailors and other travellers mention that they had seen them but

none have ever travelled through our country; none that I have seen at least.

ESUIT

So black people have been seen by your countrymen and they have spoken of us ?

UTHUR

I've heard stories from those who have travelled far.

They say there are lands where white people are

considered strange and unusual; that white faces

scare the children and horses.

ESUIT

It's true, but only because the sight of a white faces

normally means death or slavery.

That's why the children get scared and why my

father taught me to fight. He thought his daughters should know how tio defend themselves as readily as his sons.

UTHUR

When your skin is hot and wet it looks like the

finest jet from the cliffs of our coves.

Your teeth and eyes are so bright that

I was startled when you first held me in your gaze;

I knew that day that you were going to be either a

loyal friend or a deadly enemy; there is no indecision

in that gaze. It is full of pure determination.

ESUIT

Have you decided yet?

UTHUR

I decided the first night we looked over the city

together. Under that veil of blissful stars; I knew you

would be with me for the rest of my life. Not as a slave,

but as a loyal friend. Are all your people as dark skinned?

ESUIT

Yes, in my country we are all this black but I have seen others who look miore brown skinned. They are not from noble families, only dark skinned people are born highbrow and can rule over others. Tell me young Uthur, you are interested in my looks, would you like to see me naked?

UTHUR

That is up to you Esuit; I wouldn't deny my curiosity but I'd not force you to do anything you were not comfortable with..

She stands and lets her robe slip from her shoulders and onto the stone floor. UTHUR looks at her naked body and becomes bashful.

ESUIT

You are a funny boy Uthur of Albion. Don't be shy; in my village girls are married younger

then both of us. How do you find my body; does it excite

you?

UTHUR

You have no idea...

ESUIT

Give me your hand...

He does as she asks and Esuit takes his fingers on a journey across her chest and down to her crutch.

You may only be a boy but are you ready to become a man?

UTHUR

I am not ready for such things. Sorry, perhaps when my heart

is older, but not today.

She sighs and goes to bed alone.

SCENE 24 EXT DAY

Back in Albion the slaves are working under the whip digging rocks from an open cast mine. We find ULAN a little older discussing those guarding them.

ULAN

When the time is right we shall collect the swords we

have hidden and cut their throats. Have you noticed that

every night at dusk only two men guard us?

FEIN (another slave)

I have, that would be the best time to strike, and then we

should make for the forest where there are others who will join us.

We're not the only ones forced to crush these rocks all

day; we only need to make our move and show them the way.

ULAN

You're a good man Fein, when the time is right we will strike at these bastards throats and their blood will soak these rocks they force us to dig. Have you ever wondered what they do with this rock; everyday tons

are put into boats and sent off to lands over the seas,

what on earth are they doing with it?

FEIN

I've heard it's used to feed a dragon...

ULAN

Bhaaa, what nonsense..

FEIN

I know, I know. Dragons are a myth but seriously,

I have heard them talking of feeding dragons with this rock. We may not believe they exist but these people do.

ULAN

What, a fire breathing, winged monsters? It's rubbish, anyway if

dragons did exist and they ate this shit surely they'd fly over the

sea and come themselves for it. Not send these bastards to

get it for them.

FEIN

Perhaps they can't fly when their bellies full of rocks. It's only what I've heard..

ULAN

Crooked whispers and plain lies; they're saying it thinking they will frighten us; that's all. I don't know why they

value these rocks so readily but I bet it's

far more important than just food for a mythical creature.

One day we'll find out...

A guard sees them talking and cracks his whip.

GUARD

You two, stop gossiping or you'll both feel the heat of

this on your b ack.

He shakes his whip towards them. Both me start to work again as Ulan whispers to his friend.

ULAN

Soon, my friend...Soon.

SCENE 25 INT DAY

The sun rises over the temple of Medin and the women awake to do their daily chores. Merlain and Amber are in a large bed s a cool breeze blows the cotton fabric over the window against the rays of the sun.

MERLAIN

I wish we could lie like this forever.

AMBER

Unfortunately, the lives of women in this

land are bound by rules and darkness of men.

This intimacy would have me buried to my neck

and stoned to death if any should hear of before our relationship is atoned by law.

MERLAIN

Then no-one better hear.

He leans forwards and kisses her before lifting himself from the bed and dressing.

I know now that you were a maid before our meeting,

Why give yourself to me, a stranger to these parts and

not even someone of your own kin?

AMBER

Here in this temple, I swore an oath to keep my body

as a child for all my life. If my own people felt this

oath was taken without faith, they would surely have

another reason to stone me to death. When I saw you for

the first time I knew we were just passing ships in the

night and that I could explore that unknown land of passion and intimacy, for the first time

with you, without fear of retribution or death. I have used you Merlain; I'm afraid; I have used you to experience one night of passion. Can you forgive me?

MERLAIN

There is nothing to forgive, my love. If I was used like that more often I'd die a happy man.

AMBER

Tell me, you appear to be a man of experience and years, have

you no wife waiting beside a wicker fence for you on your return.

Is there no one grieving you, missing you, looking expectantly at the road yonder and hoping to see you returning?

MERLAIN

There was someone, once. We met at the beginning

of a beautifully hot spring. Her hair was bedecked

with fine petals and the scent of strawberry. She wore a fine

cotton shift, almost translucent in the bright summer sun.

We had a passionate romance among the long, dry

grasses of summer and shared each other's bodies for the first time in the

forest meadow beside the village brook.

Her sweet laughter sang in the tree tops with the song of

sparrows and other song birds. My blessed Marion,

I loved her so.

AMBER

Does Marion not miss you during your extended absence;

or did she break your heart like young lovers often do?

MERLAIN

As winter approached a foul and pernicious evil invaded

our pretty island; they called it a miasma, the smell of death itself. It initially struck in the East and then,

as news of its malevolence spread among the people of

our tribe, the first were struck down.

As the first crop of winter snow fell on our green and

pleasant land, as the long hot days of summer gave way to the grey skys and frost of winter Marion became ill. She slowly withered,

with the leafs on the bough and the fading flowers in the fields; my first true love faded too.

She lost her breath on the last day of the winter moon just

as the ice froze the rivers and the great lakes became

hard as rock my heart hardened to the world.

I collected what wood I could and laid her fair body

in a simple sheath upon the top of the pyre.

In the mid-winter equinox, at nightfall, her body was raised

up to the gods upon the sparks of that great fire;

all night I sat and watched it burn.

Each faggot of thicket creating such sparks and small

Beads of red that it appeared like a river of fire was lifting her spirit away. Fire-flies that lifted themselves from the blaze and

rose into the brooding night sky.

Eventually they became stars there, above my head;

now my Marion is but a constellation for me to ponder

in the cold months of winter.

Since that short and passionate period of life I have had not

the heart to follow romance; to think of love.

Not even the sweet scent of a woman in her pure state

aroused within me a single wish to roll in the hay;

not until I met you; that is.

AMBER

Then we have both fed only for the sake of our

physical selves. Let this be our secret?

MERLAIN

I promise.

AMBER

Good, let me dress I have something I wish to

show you.

SCENE 26 EXT DAY

We find UTHUR, ESUIT, AMBER and MERLAIN in a small green field behind the temple. A bald woman is arranging a small mound of black powder upon a rock and once this has been down she stands back and lights it with a long candle. The black powder flairs up into a cloud of thick black smoke.

ESUIT

Amazing, what is this substance that burns so

fiercely?

AMBER

We call it Dragon's breath, it's creation was taught

to us by a traveller from the far east. Watch what happens

when small flakes of the red metal are added to it.

The woman creates another small pile on the stone and then sprinkles a small amount of copper onto the black powder. She stands back and once again sets it ablaze with the long candle. It immediately flares up in a mass of green/red smoke.

MERLAIN

That is astounding, it's the same as the flash of green

smoke which hid your disappearance though the

trap door on our first night here.

I knew it was a good illusion and now I am even

more impressed; is there no end to your talents.

AMBER

I've only shown this to you all because I know

You will use the knowledge for good. Let me show what we have

discovered about this substance; something that might

prove useful to you when you return home and fight.

UTHUR

The day cannot come too soon. Any assistance you

can give will be taken with the thanks of all our

people back in our stricken land.

AMBER

Show them.

The woman placed some of the powder into a small clay pot and screwed on a tight lid. Protruding through the lid is a long piece of candle wick which the woman lights and steps back from with hast.

A sense of tension ripples through those assembled as the wick slowly burns down. Then a sudden explosion rocks them as the pot disintegrates with an almighty bang sending shards of clay-pottery in every direction. UTHUR and MERLAIN gasp, they step forwards and examine the crater left where the small pot had been; UTHUR looks up and sees a shard of pot stuck into a nearby tree as if banged there by a hammer.

MERLAIN

That is shocking; I've never seen or heard such

percussive force before. How is this possible?

UTHUR

Merlain, look here, this piece of pot has been forced into

this tree three inches deep.

AMBER

We're not sure how it works. I was told that

perhaps so much smoke is created that the pot

fills until it can contain the pressure no

longer, then bang. Well. you see the result .

MERLAIN

What is this powder; you must tell us where

you mine it.

AMBER

It's not mined; we make it from a recipe; like a cake.

UTHUR

Surely not?

ESUIT

This would make a fine weapon. Something that would fill our

enemies with fear and have them running for their lives.

UTHUR

Or cut them to shreds with the shards of pottery.

AMBER

We knew it was dangerous but never conceived

it as a weapon; just a party trick; nothing but

magic to astound guests and glean donations.

But now you mention it I can see the potential of

these pots on a battle field.

MERLAIN

I would pay a king's ransom for the recipe; if

you would entrust us with it.

AMBER

Merlain, we will show you how to make this

powder; if you can use it to get your

land and property back when you go home then its secret would be well used.

MERLAIN

Yes; thank you; but we are not leaving yet.

Especially when every day brings more revelations and marvels; I've learned more since arriving in Medin than at anytime in the last ten years.

AMBER

Then let us continue our work so you have all the knowledge you need before you leave for the races?

MERLAIN

I could not imagine anything better.

AMBER

Good; I will send a message to my sister Agnes in Babylon to

be expecting us.

SCENE 27 EXT DAY

THREE WEEKS LATER

The horses are saddled and ready to leave. AMBER and MERLAIN ride next to each other as ESUIT and UTHUR tether a mule to their horse. One of the Medin sisters brings the ceremonial sword from the temple and steps towards Amber.

WOMAN

Do you wish to carry the gift from the lady of the

lake with you.

AMBER

UTHUR, is there room on your mule for this

sword? It is very precious and I would hate to lose it.

MERLAIN

If it is so precious why take it to Babylon at all;

it would be safer to keep it here.

AMBER

I have promised it to my sister, Agnes,

the Ipsissamus of Babylon.

I feel my present company is well equipped

to protect both the sword and my person on

this journey. If you have doubts that this is so

Merlain, please say now. I wouldn't want to

burden you with this responsibility if you felt you

were not up to the challenge.

ESUIT

We will get you and the sword there safely.

AMBER

Merlain?

MERLAIN

My friend speaks the truth. If we cannot guarantee

your safety; no one could.

AMBER

That's all I needed to hear. Are we all ready?

UTHUR

_(climbing on his horse)_ I am ready.

ESUIT

I am ready.

MERLAIN

After you.

He smiles towards Amber and the four set off at a gallop with the mule stomping at the rear tethered to UTHUR's horse.

SCENE 28 EXT NIGHT

JASBAR is looking over a map in the middle of his camp site in the woods. He knows that the party has left Medin and are travelling through the forest he currently hides within. Looking over the map he sees that all the paths to Babylon cross at a point a little further ahead and smiles wickedly. He taps the map with his leather clad finger and speaks to his deputy, a thick set, bald killer caller Rarp.

JASBAR

This is the place we shall take them; here.

Far from prying eyes and so deep within the

forest their screams for mercy with fade upon

the wind.

Rarp, take ten men and cover the north side of

this path, I shall take the other ten and

cover the south.

RARP

I have a man ten miles ahead on the south path

looking for them; once they are spotted he will

ride to us so we can be prepared in advance.

JASBAR

What about the north path?

RARP

A man waits there also. As this is not the usual

route from Medin to Babylon I have told him to

come to us if he sees nothing for two days.

JASBAR

Good, when they enter our trap, spears and arrows

will cut them down from either side.

You must ensure they cannot run back by

closing the path behind them.

I will block their progress so they will have no

choice but suffer the indignity of death from

unseen assailants.

They will wither like dogs under a storm

of barbed death.

SCENE 29 EXT DUSK

The party are entering a small forested area on their journey and ESUIT rides alongside UTHUR behind MERLAIN and AMBER

ESUIT

He likes her.

UTHUR

Merlain is a friendly man; people are generally

drawn to him.

ESUIT

No, I mean he really _LIKES her._

UTHUR

What are you saying; that he wants to form a

romantic attachment with this woman; this priestess?

ESUIT smiles coyly and shakes her head slowly.

I've known Merlain all my life and I know that

He has had just one love.

Since that person died he has sworn an oath

of celibacy.

He would chase no woman; particularly one

who is committed to a temple;

you must be mistaken.

ESUIT

I may not know everything, but I know

when a man is interested in a woman and

when a woman is interested in a man.

UTHUR

What?

He looks at the couple riding ahead of them, they did look comfortable in each other's company and she did have the sort of expression he recognised from other women who were in the midst of a blazing romance. But, he thought, this was Merlain. His friend; UTHUR [put the thought to the back of his mind just as Merlain glanced behind.

MERLAIN

I think our two young wards are talking about us.

AMBER

Let them talk, as long as we give them no

reason to know; our secret will be safe.

I love this part of the country; now the sea

of sand is behind us and the shade from these

trees gives a little relief from the afternoon sun.

MERLAIN

We came a different way on our journey to Medin;

I don't remember travelling though a wooded region.

AMBER

You probably took the direct route, this way is

a little longer but so much prettier.

These sequoia trees are said to be over five

hundred summers old.

Sometimes, when the brushwood becomes thick

underfoot and the rain has held off for

some time the whole region catches fire.

I have seen each one of these trees so blackened

by fire, with every branch and leaf burnt to a crisp,

that you'd believe they'd fall and the sand would

envelope them.

Locking these great trees in a tomb of shifting yellow.

Yet the following season the buds return to the

branches and the old, blackened bark is shed.

Once again these great men recover from the trauma

of death and burst into life again.

It reminds us all that death is no end and that life returns.

MERLAIN

Is that what you believe, that life goes on after death?

AMBER

Of course, don't you?

MERLAIN

I am open to all arguments. It is comforting to think

that Marion has not left me but had instead become a

star above my head; guarding me.

Looking down and keeping me safe.

AMBER

One day even you will see the cycles of life

in the ebb and flow of the tides.

In the waxing and waning of the moon,

the coming and going of the seasons. Once your eyes and mind is open to the idea you'll understand that,

the year dies,

but it is born again in the spring;

that our spirits are the same.

We are born in the springtime of our youth,

we grow and become adults in the summer of life

and during the long walk to autumn

our bodies become frail and grow old.

In the winter we die but all is not lost.

Our souls leave the decaying shell that once

contained us and before the spring flowers grow in the fields our spirit finds another

body to inhabit.

OIt has to be this way so that over the ages we learn to be men and women,

kings and paupers, brown-eyed and blue.

Eventually, when our desire to be everything has

been quenched we move on...

MERLAIN

Move on, where?

AMBER

We believe that Minos, the great bull, lets us sit between

his great horns and he takes us up to the stars.

Whenever there is a crescent moon in the sky we

believe someone is riding the bull to become a star or

constellation of stars.

Perhaps your Marion was a fully developed spirit

who only needed to experience the passion of knowing

you before she was ready to leave this world and

move on to the realm above.

MERLAIN

I see why you lead these people; you really

have deep insight into life and death.

The more time I spend with you the more I find

out about myself. I am in awe of you Amber; you are a very special person..

ESUIT

Did you see that?

UTHUR

What, did I see ,what?

ESUIT

That bird there...

She looks up at sparrow flying above their heads, her senses become heightened and she hears the call of other sparrows on the wind, the distant baying of wolves and the faint sound of dogs in the valley beyond.

UTHUR

What Esuit, what did you see?

ESUIT

Quiet.

_Suddenly she gallops forwards and joins Merlain ahead of them, UTHUR gallops behind her but is slowed by the mule_ _._

I am not sure but I sense danger ahead.

MERLAIN

Are you sure, the way ahead looks quite enough.

AMBER

This forest is not known for robbers. Do you fear

Something ahead?

ESUIT

I'm not sure. Just be prepared. I am going to go

around and will meet you all yonder...

She gallops into the trees and is swiftly hidden by the dense growth. UTHUR, Merlain and Amber watch her go.

UTHUR

What is ahead there?

AMBER

This path joins another that comes from the south

from the sea of sand. The crossroads ahead combine

into the road to Babylon.

The forest becomes less dense after the crossroads

and eventually opens into a wide open plane;

I fear your friend worries for nothing.

MERLAIN

We'll see, we'll see; Esuit has very well developed senses.

They continue a little further, a little more cautiously, when Merlain sees a flock of birds emerge from the tree tops. He grips the hilt of his sword and looks around towards UTHUR just as a spear lands by the mule's hooves.

Quick, into the trees.

_He pulls his horse and the one that AMBER rides by the reigns and_ **into the thick growth of trees,** _Once there he dismounts and drags Amber from her horse pushing her down into the cover of a shallow ditch, UTHUR jumps from his horse and joins them as a cloud of arrows and spears come from the trees and lands around them._

Uthur pulls his bow from his shoulders and places an arrow on the cord. He sees movement across the path and shoots; a hooded man falls from the cover of the trees.

AMBER

UTHUR, can you grab that saddle bag from the mule?

UTHUR

I may be able to.

He reaches up and manages to pull the saddle bags from the mule before it trots off totally oblivious to the danger around it. UTHUR passes the bag to Amber and fires another arrow off towards the tree line. Once again a hooded man falls from the trees into the path.

More spears and arrows land about them as Amber opens the saddle bag and removes a round pot which has a wick protruding from the top. She smiles at Merlain.

AMBER

I like to be prepared; tell me, have you a flint.

MERLAIN

To light the wick?

AMBER

Of course; there is black powder in this wick so it

will catch with only the smallest spark from a flint.

UTHUR

Here.

_He throws them both a flint he had carried to light fires on the way, it is wrapped in a small dry amount of tinder-wool. Merlain strikes the flints together and a spark lights the tinder wool. Amber lights the wick and it starts to burn vigorously_ _._

AMBER

Wait until it is almost at the rim of the pot, wait, wait.

Now!

She tosses the clay pot towards the trees across the path and an almighty explosion blows three other masked men into the path; suddenly another comes from in front of them holding a broad sword. Merlain stands and the two begin to fight as the flint and tinder fly across the path. AMBER crawls towards it as another man comes from the trees and starts fighting with UTHUR..

AMBER grabs the flint and tinder and crawls back to her bag as the two men fight around her, she takes another clay pot out and lights the fuse just as four more men run from the trees and approach. She throws the pot and all four are tossed into the air. The man Merlain is fighting with is so shocked by the explosion he looks away and Merlain is able to cut his head from his shoulder.

MERLAIN

Pay attention laddie...

UTHUR

Behind you!

Merlain turns as another man armed with an axe is about to strike him across the head. Merlain uses his sword to block the blow. Amber looks through her bag for another clay pot and accidentally trips UTHUR up. He sprawls across the path and loses his sword in the process. His opponent smiles wickedly and lifts his sword above his head to strike Uthur down.

AMBER reaches into the bag and withdraws the ceremonial sword they were transporting. UTHUR glances towards her as the sun catches the blade and a flash of bright light beams into his opponent's eyes. Amber throws the sword towards UTHUR and he blocks the man's swooping downward sword blow.

Merlain's sword is cut in two by his opponent's axe and he backs into a thick tree. The man lifts his axe above his head as Amber screams. Then a trickle of blood comes from the corner of the man's mouth and he falls forewords. Merlain and Amber see a spear buried in the axe man's back and Esuit standing proudly behind him.

_UTHUR swoops with his sword and as it clashes with his opponent's sparks fill the air. The man looks and sees UTHUR's sword has cut a deep nick into the blade of his. He drops his useless sword and runs into the trees. Amber laughs and starts to clap loudly_ _._

AMBER

What heroes, I have never seen such bravery from

people; especially you young UTHUR.

That sword was almost made for you.

He joins her and Merlain as they step on the path watching as Esuit comes through the trees towards them.

UTHUR

It is a fine weapon; what is it made from;

not bronze surely?

AMBER

I was told a rock fell from heaven and it was

beaten into this blade.

No-one knows what metal it is, but its purity cannot

be doubted. It will cut through any other material

and rarely needs sharpening.

MERLAIN

A fine tool.( _He glances around)_ Esuit! I owe you my life.

She joins them having pulled her spear from the back of the axe-man.

AMBER

Yes, we all own you a debt. Without your fine senses

we may all would be dead by now.

ESUIT

The danger is not over; we must find our horses

And get out of this forest.

UTHUR

The horses won't be far.

AMBER

Surely the robbers have been seen off and

we can relax now.

UTHUR

Perhaps, let me call for our mares and make hast. I want us to get into the open plane yonder as soon as possible.

MERLAIN

Go, quickly boy.

AMBER

Relax, they won't bother us again.

She smiles and throws her arms around Merlain. He sighs and hugs her tightly.

_M_ ERLAIN

I suppose you are right...

He feels her tense up and then relaxes as her head sags upon his shoulder. Merlain lifts the palm of his right hand and sees it stained with blood An arrow is protruding from Amber's back over her heart.

NO!

Esuit and UTHUR turn, weapons in hand, seeing a hooded man on horseback in the distance. He lowers his bow as his horse rears up and he gallops into the distance; towards their destination; Babylon. After he rides out of the group's sight

Jasbar pulls off his hood and places the bow over his shoulder.

Back at the crossroads Merlain has pulled the arrow out and lowered Amber onto her back. He cradles her head upon her lap and brushes the hair from her eyes. Esuit and UTHUR stand back watching the scene in silence.

Don't worry my love; you are safe with me now.

AMBER

Take my hand, please.

Merlain takes the woman's hand and feels her grip it hard.

I knew from the first moment we met that I would

spend the rest of my life with you.

It has been shorter than expected but nevertheless;

still,a life full of passion and adventure.

We have crammed so much love in the short time

we've been together others would have to live a

thousand years to compare.

MERLAIN

True. Quite now, my lady. Save your strength.

AMBER

When you next see the crescent moon, imagine it is I,

riding to the stars, between the horns of Minos.

Say you will remember Merlain of Albion, say you will...

He feels her grip tighten.

MERLAIN

I will remember.

AMBER

I will be waiting there for you.

MERLAIN

I know, my dear, sweet lady.

AMBER

The next time you feel small drops of rain, on the wind in Albion,

in the midst of a winter's night.

They will be my tears mourning the short time

we had together...

MERLAIN

Hush now, my lady. Please.

AMBER

The thunder in the distance will be my heart beating

for you, the cool breeze, just the last of my breath against

your skin.

When you close your eyes on your loneliest nights

I will be there, waiting...

MERLAIN

I know; dearest lady...

AMBER

For you...

Then the last breath leaves her body and her eyes glaze over. A breeze ruffles the trees and small leaves fall around them..

MERLAIN

NO!

Esuit puts her arm around UTHUR as Merlain's voice echoes through the trees just as the sun sets.

SCENE 30 INT DAY

ADRIUS and MEMET are sitting in the garden of Adrius' villa when suddenly SARAH enters followed by MERLAIN, UTHUR and ESUIT

SARAH

Look, everyone, look who has returned...

MEMET

My Friends....

He stands and runs towards the two men throwing his arms wide he hugs them both.

It is good to see you both again. I was worried you would

miss the coming race.

ADRIUS

Yes, UTHUR, you have a victory lap owed to you.

MEMET

And another trunk of gold to win. What would I

have done if my lady of Arabia had no rider; these

terrors have stolen my sleep recently...

ADRIUS

Sarah, get wine. A celebration is in order.

SARAH

Yes, of course. Esuit, go to the kitchen and fetch

some wine goblets...

UTHUR

No, she remains here with me.

An awkward silence falls across the room as Adrius and his wife stare towards their former

servant.

ESUIT

Sorry, I will go.

UTHUR

No, stay here; did you give this woman to me or not?

MERLAIN

Excuse my young friend's bullishness but a lot has

happened since we last met.

SARAH

It has?

MERLAIN

Yes, to be honest, we owe our lives to this young girl.

ADRIUS

You do?

SARAH

How so Esuit; you must tell us about your adventure?

ESUIT

It was nothing.

MERLAIN

She is being particularly modest. Twice robbers tried

to kill us and twice she saved the day.

This girl has some very special skills; too many to be wasted in service..

SARAH

So you have raised her to the level of what,

A bodyguard, or perhaps a food taster?

She and her husband begin to giggle which causes Memet to lose his tense face and laugh along with them both.

MEMET

Yes, bodyguard, how funny.

UTHUR

We are being serious. We owe our lives to this girl,

not once, but twice; do not mock her.

He places his hand over the hilt of the ceremonial sword that is hung from his waist and steps between Adrius and Esuit.

Adrius notices the boy's tension and stops laughing.

Beside, did you not give her to me, as a gift?

ADRIUS

So we did, come and sit, the three of you. I can see you

are all tired. Sarah, get Tarion to go to the kitchen and bring

our wine. Now!

_Sarah sniffs and does as she is told calling the name of one of their male servants_ _._

And you are right, she was a, err, gift; a temporary arrangement which, if Esuit is accommodating to the arrangement can be made perminant. Of course you

are free to make her an equal if this is your desire.

So tell me, robbed twice, on the road between Babylon

and Medin?

I don't believe it, highway robbery is unheard of in

these parts.

There is little, if no, poverty and people are superstitious

to the point of stupidity.

They believe that all actions have an opposite reaction

But magnified threefold.

If you give love, it is returned threefold. The people

believe that robbing someone will lead to their own

victimisation; but robbed threefold.

It is unthinkable for the locals to counter such a thing.

MERLAIN

Then perhaps the robbers were not locals.

It's good that they have left us something that may

uncover their identity.

He pulls from his cloak a bronze arrow head still stained with Amber's blood. He had removed it from her body and the arrow's shaft after her death. Merlain placed it on a small table situated between Adrius and Memet.

The two men look over the bronze arrow head and pick it up to examine it closer.

ADRIUS

A fine weapon.

MEMET

Exceedingly sharp;

ADRIUS

The workmanship is perfect. This is an expensive

weapon and, unlike a spear, it is made for one shot;

so this was made for someone important; someone wealthy.

MEMET

A soldier would use a sharpened hardwood or flint

for their arrow-heads.

Dipped in poisons or puss to kill slowly;

they would make hundreds and overwhelm their

target with an avalanche of arrows..

ADRIUS

But this killer; he is like a snake. He creeps up on

his prey, silently, biding his time and watching patiently.

Then, when he cannot miss, this weapon is deployed

and strikes home killing instantly.

MERLAIN

Where would such a weapon be manufactured;

or is this impossible to say?

ADRIUS

There is only one city in this land where smiths

create weapons of such high standards.

MERLAIN

Where, where is this place?

ADRIUS

Here of course; Babylon.

MERLAIN

Here?

ADRIUS

Yes, and I think I could take you to a man who

would know who made this tool.

Where did you get it from?

UTHUR

He pulled it from the heart of

The Ipsissamus of Medin.

MERLAIN

Our would be robbers murdered her.

SARAH

(returning with a tray containing a tall co0ntainer filled with red wine and 5 glasses)

Murdered her; murdered, was she travelling with you both?

MERLAIN

She was returning to visit her friend; the sister who leads the Babylonian temple

SARAH

The Gods weep

at such news.

UTHUR

Yes, it's true; did you know her?

SARAH

What terrible news, of course we knew her

She grew here in Babylon and went to Medin as a teen. It seems like yesterday when we were celebrating her promotion to the role of Ipsissamus.

How tragic, has anyone told Agnes?

MERLAIN

We have told no-one about this evil act, you both are the first to know.

SARAH

Her body; what have you done with her body?

ESUIT

She is across the one of the mules we arrived with.

ADRIUS

Sarah, go quickly and get a man to move her into

the cool room. Ensure she is draped in a shroud

fitting her high status while we discuss how we should

inform Agnes and the others.

MERLAIN

So you see why it is important to find out who

made this arrow head.

Who is the man you mentioned?

ADRIUS

He is the King's own metal smith. His shop trains

all the metal workers in this city and he would

know who has the skills necessary to make such a

weapon.

We must go to his shop now.

UTHUR

Now?

ADRIUS

I understand you may be tired, it is a long journey

from Medin and you have all had a traumatic experience.

But if you are to avoid any suspicion that you three

were responsible for the Ipsissimus' death then

you must find out who really was.

MEMET

Oh, I can see my sleep being stolen again.

Any restful slumber will be forsaken.

Replaced with nights of worry and terror; what am I to do?

MERLAIN

Worry not, dear friend, before the sun rises tomorrow

we will know who should be blamed for this terrible

crime.

MEMET

I hope so, I truly do.

SCENE 31 INT NIGHT

MERLAIN, UTHUR, ESUIT and ADRIUS, have entered the darkened metal shop. A furnace of coals burns fiercely in one corner bathing the room in a flickering red and \yellow light. A small child sits beside a set of bellows which he works with his blackened feet. In the centre of the room, surrounded by hanging implements, tongues, hammers, grips and other heavy tools, stands a huge stone anvil.

UTHUR is the last to enter and he closes the door behind them. He looks at the dirty small boy working the bellows and then his attention is caught by a large black crow which sits upon a blackened perch; it crows loudly.

BLACKSMITH

Who is there?

Through a doorway next to where the boy sits a huge, giant of a man, dressed in a dirty, ripped woollen shirt and pants which are hidden behind a calf length leather apron deeply stained with coal dust and dirt, enters. His wild black hair hangs down to his shoulders and only a pair of intense green eyes can be seen through the mass of hair which makes his brows and bush-like beard.

Speak up, who comes to my workplace so late

I do not work after the sun has set?

He stops in his tracks upon recognizing Adrius and then surveys the three others who accompany him.

Adrius, what brings you to this part of the city.

Normally if you want to see me you call me to visit you at home.

ADRIUS

This isn't a _normal_ enquiry.

BLACKSMITH

Really; what can I do for you?

MERLAIN

This matter is of the gravest importance. Do you

swear to keep what goes on here to yourself;

to breath nor utter a single word of it beyond this room?

BLACKSMITH

Is this what you want, Adrius?

ADRIUS

It is!

BLACKSMITH

Then I swear.

UTHUR

What about the boy?

He nods towards the small boy sitting in silence watching the scene unfold about him. The blacksmith looks towards the boy and sniffs loudly before nodding towards the black empty space beyond the doorway through which the giant had entered. The boy scrambled up and disappeared into the darkness. The blacksmith turned to face his four visitors.

BLACKSMITH

We are alone now; so, what is the problem?

ADRIUS

We want to find out who made this!

Merlain opens his cloak and takes the arrow head from his belt. He places it down onto the anvil. The blacksmith squints before leaning forwards and examining the weapon carefully. He then lifts it up and holds it in the light, running his thick fingers against the barbed point and up and down the grip where the arrow shaft would be held.

MERLAIN

Tell us, can you identify this weapon's maker?

BLACKSMITH

I can.

UTHUR

How sure can you be?

BLACKSMITH

I know without a doubt.

ADRIUS

I knew you'd be able to help us.

MERLAIN

Tell us, who made this tool.

BLACKSMITH.

I did. I recognised my work at once. I'd know it

anywhere, this particular arrowhead was one of an

order placed quite recently.

It is part of that order; without a doubt.

ADRIUS

Who paid you for this order?

MERLAIN

We have to know, tell us; who?

The blacksmith sighed and wiped his brow. Taking the arrowhead in his palm he stepped back and sat upon a stool which rested beside the furnace before looking at the three men and Esuit hesitantly. The crow breaks the silence with its loud calls.

BLACKSMITH

Is this blood dried on the head.

Is it human blood?

ADRIUS

It is.

BLACKSMITH

Then I am in a very awkward position.

In this land murder is taken very seriously and if

it were known that I was involved in one my

business would suffer. I may even loose the

allegiance of the royal court.

It does depend though...

UTHUR

Depend, upon what?

BLACKSMITH

It depends upon the circumstances of the death.

In war murder is perfectly justified but as far as

I know this land has no war with any other just yet.

If one is being robbed you can claim justifiable

murder in the eyes of the law and most would agree

that it was a righteous act.

Any other time the legality of the act may require

further investigation.

Can I ask who was killed?

ADRIUS

You can ask but for the time being we cannot tell you.

BLACKSMITH

Why?

MERLAIN

The person's family has not yet been found and told

so we are delaying the news until we know who was

responsible for the deed; for the family's sake.

BLACKSMITH

I see...

UTHUR

Come man, who placed the order and paid you

for this arrowhead?

BLACKSMITH

I need to think; come back tomorrow and

I will tell you then.

ADRIUS

Tomorrow, what can change overnight that

you would have us come back?

MERLAIN

I fear we are being tricked here and the matter too serious for fucking around...

ESUIT

He is protecting the person.

UTHUR withdraws his sword and places it at the BLACKSMITH'S throat.

UTHUR

If you value your life you will tell us now.

BLACKSMITH

Go on, kill me. You may as well because once

you know who ordered this tool I will be dead

anyway.

So go on, slice my throat. I care not.

ADRIUS

Put your sword away young UTHUR. More violence will only complicate an already complicated situation.

You want to have some time to think?

BLACKSMITH

I must have time.

ADRIUS

Then we will return before the moon crosses the sky and rises again. One full day and no more.

We will expect to have the answer then.

Come, let us leave him to his thoughts.

The four leave the Blacksmith's forge and walk into the street outside. A short distance from the building ADRIUS turns and whispers to UTHUR.

Can we trust you to hide yourself out of sight?

UTHUR

Of course.

ADRIUS

Then keep an eye on the forge, see what the Smith

does in the coming moments.

If he leaves follow him and see who he speaks to.

We will return before the sun rises.

ESUIT

I will stay with you UTHUR.

UTHUR

I can manage; you go with Merlain.

MERLAIN

No, she is right. You will both need to stay to ensure

we get a clear picture of who this worm is protecting.

Adrius and I will go to see Agnes.

ADRIUS

We will come to this spot before the night is out.

Be alert friends and keep each other safe.

SCENE 32 INT NIGHT

In the Temple of Minos situated beside the great bull in the city centre the women are busy preparing for the coming races. They have to weave their cotton tunics and dye the woven cotton in the deep red boiled from small sea creatures. Others beat gold foil and roll it into wheat and corn sheaf's to carry during their procession round the race track.

The city temple's leader, AGNESS, is in her private quarters looking at the temple's accounts for the previous season. Suddenly her attention is drawn by the sound of the great gong at the temple's entrance being struck. Since the public rarely enter the temple and never usually at nightfall Agnes leaves her desk and goes to the window which overlooks the entrance. She sees two men about to bang the gong once more.

One of the temple adepts approaches the temple door and opens a hatch set in the thick oak. She sees the two men who look back at her glumly.

ADEPT

Why do you disturb the temple of Minos;

don't you at night our doors are usually locked and men are not welcome here at any hour unless by appointment?

ADRIUS

We know the temple is closed

but we have to see Agnes;

we have news she must be informed of.

ADEPT

Any delegation can come to the temple

during the daylight hours.

Agnes will see people then if she is not

involved in the worship of the deity;

her work within the temple is never ending and she needs to rest after nightfall.

MERLAIN

This news cannot wait until sunrise;

get your mistress and allow us to enter.

The adept huffs and shakes her head before closing the hatch and pulling open the bolt in the great door. She opens it slightly and the two men barge past her into the temple's hall.

ADEPT

You cannot just barge your way in here;

this is sacred ground, protected by the King.

ADRIUS

We must see Agnes now, tell her we are here.

ADEPT

I have said already, Men are only allowed

in the temple during the day and only by appointment. If you have any news

you think is important tell me and I will ensure she gets your message.

MERLAIN

And we have said already, our news cannot wait and must be delivered in person.

ADEPT

Please, step outside or I shall go and

call the King's guard.

ADRIUS

Are you deaf of something woman...

ADEPT

How dare you....

AGNESS

Stop this commotion.

Adept, who are these men?

ADEPT

They say they have news which cannot wait until dawn.

ADRIUS

We are sorry to disturbed the temple's work

but we have information of the highest importance

and felt you should be informed as soon as possible.

MERLAIN

If you would grant us private audience you will

understand why we could not wait.

AGNESS

Armed men are not welcome in this place

especially in the moon light.

ADRIUS

Then we will leave our arms

at the door; your grace, a few moments of your time, please..

The two men take off their sword belts and lay them in the temple's doorway. Adrius removes a dagger from his shirt and Merlain takes one from his boot. Thus disarmed the two men follow Agnes through the temple in silence as a Adept carrying a bright oil lamp lights their way. They follow her through a deep set wooden door into a brightly painted room overlooking the central garden. The adept light a set of oil lamps and then leaves the two men with her mistress who stands framed by the window overlooking the garden and examines her visitors.

AGNESS

Well, what news could not wait for morning?

ADRIUS

Would you like to sit; what we have to say

is rather shocking...

AGNESS

Can you introduce yourselves first;

I like to know with whom I am conversing;

especially if they come in the moonlight with shocking news.

ADRIUS

Yes, forgive me. I am Adrius Seronius, a merchant of this city.

MERLAIN

And I am Merlain of Albion; a visitor to these lands.

AGNESS

Merlain of Albion. I had been told that you would

be visiting; but with my sister.

The Ipsissimus of Medin wrote a short while ago

to say she would be travelling to this temple and

that you would be her guardian on the journey.

MERLAIN

She was correct when she relayed this news

although I have failed her.

We were set upon during the journey and your sister

was killed;

we did all we could to protect her but unfortunately

we were unsuccessful.

AGNESS

She is dead?

ADRIUS

We are so sorry.

AGNESS

I see. Where is my sister's body?

ADRIUS

We have laid her in my home for the time being.

What would you ask us do with her?

AGNESS

Your home is in the city you say?

ADRIUS

It is.

AGNESS

I will order my adept to go with you and she will

collect my sister's body.

How long has her life been gone?

MERLAIN

This is the second night since her death.

AGNESS

I see. Our traditions dictate that she must be

burned before the next full moon.

That is the night before the forthcoming race day so, we do not have

much time left.

I shall make the arrangements for her transition. Once all is prepared, when the sun goes down I will have her

carried into the great square before Minos

and set her between his horns.

Merlain; I will thank you for returning our sister to us.

MERLAIN

She was carrying some things which she wanted

to give to you, what shall I do with them?

AGNESS

You will give them to the adept who collects our sister.

They shall be burned.

Nothing of my sister will remain in this city after

the flames have done their work.

SCENE 33. EXT NIGHT

MERLAIN and ADRIUS are followed back to ADRIUS' house by the ADEPT who opened the temple door, she is dragging a sleigh to carry Amber's body away upon. As they go through the darkened streets Merlain whispers in |his friends ear.

MERLAIN

Did you notice anything strange in the

manner of the high priestess?

ADRIUS

I have given up trying to interpret these witches'

actions.

Everything they do is clouded with magic and enigma; women are difficult to read at the best of times but these women are much worse. We men have to take them as they are and blame Minos for any failings..

MERLAIN

But for someone who claims to love her sister.

I did not see much expression of grief when she

learned of what happened to Amber;

she didn't even ask how or why; it was as if she knew about the murder already.

Doesn't that strike you as strange?

ADRIUS

If we were talking of normal women then yes,

but these are a different breed.

They do not have the same emotions women

we know appear to have.

They give their life to the worship of Minos and he

takes their virtue and personality.

In view if this I'm not sure how you would

expect her to react.

MERLAIN

Perhaps you are right but my intuition seldom lets me down; I'm sure we will find out there is more to this story than simple robbery. Let us get the body moved

and then back to our friends,

I want to make sure they are all right.

SCENE 34 EXT NIGHT.

UTHUR and ESUIT quietly wait and watch the forge. Shortly after Merlain and Adrius leave they see the Blacksmith's boy run from the forge and dash through the streets. They slowly follow him. Keeping to the shadows and nocks and crannies they follow him down this street and up that ally. Eventually he approaches a large house which is protected by a large outer wall. Situated in the wall is a wooden door. After pulling on a bell pull the door is opened the boy enters. Soon he leaves and returns to the forge. Closely followed by Esuit and UTHUR.

They return just in time to meet up with Adrius and Merlain. The moon is about to set and the first rays of the sun streak from the horizon bathing the scene in a blood red dawning light.

MERLAIN

Have we missed anything?

UTHUR

The boy was sent on an errand, he visited a house  
on the far side of the city.

We saw him enter but not to whom he spoke.

The boy has just returned to the forge.

ADRIUS

Then so shall we, come.

The four go and enter the building.

SCENE 35 INT NIGHT

The forge is darker as the furnace has burned down low and just gives a small orange glow in one corner of the room. The crow calls loudly and as UTHUR closes the door behind them the shadow of the blacksmith fills the door on the far side of the room.

BLACKSMITH

So, you have returned.

ADRIUS

As we said we would.. Have you decided what  
you are going to do?

BLACKSMITH

I have.....

Just then a group of hooded men with swords step from the shadows and surround the four. They disarm UTHUR, Merlain Esuit and Adrius quickly before one steps forwards. He pulls back his hood and they see he is one of the King's guard.

ADRIUS

What is the meaning of this?

GUARD

Quiet, you will have a chance to plead your

mitigation later, at your trial.

MERLAIN

Trial what do you mean by that, we have done

nothing wrong.

GUARD

Silence.

ADRIUS

If you are to take us at least let us know what we

are accused of doing.

GUARD

You are all under arrest, for the murder of

The Ipsissamus of Medin, guard, and take them away.

UTHUR slips his hand over the hilt of his sword before stopping when a knife is held to his throat.

BLACKSMITH

Go on, boy, give me the excuse to cut your

treasonous throat.

SCENE 36 INT NIGHT

UTHUR, MERLAIN, ESUIT and ADRIUS are in a basement cell with only a barred window giving some light. It overlooks the street level of the great square. They sit in silence when a sound attracts their attention. Looking up to the window they see MEMET peering in.

MEMET

What are you doing to my nerves, just two moons before

the race and here you are confined for murder; Murder no less...

ADRIUS

Thank Minos that you have found us.

MEMET

We only know because guards came to the house and searched.

Now, I have not much time because this area is patrolled regularly.

What were they looking for?

UTHUR

Probably this.

_He_ _pulls from his clothing the arrowhead they had shown the smith earlier._

Memet, take this and find out who it was made for.

This will lead us to the real killer; but be careful who

you show it too.

MERLAIN

Go and see Agnes, she may be of some help.

ADRIUS

Tell Sarah to speak to the King, he must know there is

a conspiracy at work here and that we have nothing to

do with it.

MEMET

It may be difficult to see Agnes they are, as we speak, building

the pyre for her sister. These women are a private breed at most

times but when they are mourning; well, it may be harder then

you think.

MERLAIN

Try, she knows everything that happens in this city and when

we spoke to her before she seemed friendly to our cause.

MEMET

I will try. But whatever happens you must be freed

before the race in two moons. I will make it happen

even if I have to pay the sisters to cast a spell; that's if

you don't mind me breaking into your gold...

UTHUR

Spread as much gold around as you need, just find

the owner of this arrowhead.

SCENE 37 INT NIGHT

MEMET goes from the windows to the great statue of Minos which is being decorated by the Magi for their sister's burning on the following evening. They are streaming in and out of the temple carrying sweet smelling cedar wood and sandalwood for the pyre. Others are decorating the bull stature in ribbons and bronze charms. He manages to slip past them and into the temple.

Memet knows Agnes has rooms on the second floor and slips up the stairs towards them. Just as he approaches the doors to her private apartment a sister challenges him.

SISTER

What are you doing in the temple after nightfall,

don't you know this is blasphemy.

MEMET

Sorry my blessed sister but I have to see Agnes,

it is a matter of life of death.

SISTER

This would be impossible in times of joy and happiness,

but now. As we prepare the cold body of our great

Ipsisimus for her journey to the stars;

now, it is wicked for you to even ask.

Let alone sneak into this holy place like

a thief; get out at once.

MEMET

Not until I speak to Agnes, I come regarding the death

of your great sister and shall not be thrown out until

she has heard me.

The door to Agnes' room opens and Agnes stands in the doorway wearing a floor length white robe, her face covered by a thin red chiffon veil.

AGNESS

What is this intolerable noise.

SISTER

I caught this man creeping through the temple Sister;

I was just showing him the door.

MEMET

I will not leave until we have spoken; I have come directly

from Adrius and Merlain with whom you spoke earlier;

they are in great danger and want you to help them.

AGNESS

I am unsure what, if anything, I can do. But come,

tell me your news.

SISTER

But...

AGNESS

Please wait here sister, to show the gentleman out,

once we have spoken.

SISTER

I understand.

She leads Memet into her private quarters and turns to face him once the door has been closed.

AGNESS

Well?

MEMET

They have been arrested for the murder of your sister;

a wholly unfounded and deceitful lie.

I know they were very close to her and that she trusted

them enough as to place her care in their hands on the

journey from Medin. It can only be some trickery at work

that sees them as we speak prisoners below the

Palace square.

AGNESS

You believe their arrest has been conceived to throw suspicion

from the real culprit?

MEMET

Lady, I can and do, most heartily...

AGNESS

What do you think I can do to clear these muddy waters;

I have a sister to care for and so my time is limited but I

will say this. Your friends seemed sincere when

I spake to them earlier; her passing aggrieved

them as much as I and this would surely not be

the case if they had killed her.

MEMET

True. They were in the process of finding the owner

of this object when the tide turned against them and

they still believe this will bring truth to light.

Once its original owner has been located.

He opens a rag and takes the arrowhead to show her. Agnes looks at the object and shudders.

I am sorry Lady to show you the object that was

embedded in your sister's heart.

Do you recognise it?

AGNESS

It is an arrowhead, a bronze arrowhead of particularly

fine proportion.

MEMET

It is, have you seen anything similar in this city prior

to tonight?

AGNESS

I need to ask you to come back here tomorrow when

the sun is high, let me think about what has happened

and pray to Minos for guidance.

Will you be able to return, not too late in the day as

I will be busy later.

MEMET

Midday you say?

AGNESS

Yes, come alone. I feel sure I will be able to help you then.

MEMET

I won't be able to leave this object with you, you understand?

AGNESS

Take it, I have seen all I need to see. Goodbye. Till tomorrow.

MEMET

Till midday, tomorrow.

SCENE 38. EXT NIGHT

We see scenes of the funeral pyre and burning of the Ipsissamus of Medin interspersed with scenes of the uprising of slaves back in Albion.

Crowds of people are standing around the edges of the great square looking towards a tall funeral pyre built in front of the bronze bull. It is a still and silent night and only the King, set upon his Diaz with its garlands and tapestries, moves to start the ceremony. He raises a hand and all the horn players arranged high upon the city walls, begin to play a long and harmonious drone.

This is the signal for the temple doors to open, flooding the space before the bull in light, and Agnes to step into the square leading her group of temple adepts. She is dressed in a long white billowing dress of chiffon, a thin white veil over which she wears her crown of golden laurel. In her right hand Agnes carries a flaming torch. Behind her, emerging side by side, are her followers, each dressed in similar gowns and veils but without her crown and they too carry flaming torches.

As the droning horns fill the air she leads them from the temple and the people stand on tip toes as the body of Amber emerges carried on a wooden bench painted gold. She is dressed in a pure white gown and her hooded face is crowned by a knot of fresh flowers. Between her fingers they see a sheaf of golden wheat. The four corners of the bench are held aloft by followers of the temple and together they march towards the funeral pyre. Behind them come more women holding flaming torches and when they reach the pyre the horns stop playing.

In Albion a guard at the gates of the slave encampment relaxes as he watches a comet in the black star filled sky above his head. He does not hear the sound of someone creeping up stealthily behind and only groans a little as his throat is cut. The guard's body falls to the dirt and his murderer pulls the body into a nearby bush.

The man is joined by another and together they use their bronze daggers (stolen of bartered from their corrupt guards) to hack through the ropes that tie the gates closed.

A drum beats a slow monotonous beat as Amber's body is laid on top of the pyre and her gown draped over the sides. The women of the temple form a circle around the pyre holding they flaming torches in front of their veiled faces while Agnes circles the pyre three times before approaching the bronze bull.

AGNESS

Oh Great Minos, our Father and Creator of all things.

Our teacher and bringer of light in the darkness;

take pity upon your suffering sisters this evening.

For we have lost a friend, a dearly loved Mother,

Daughter and Sister to us all.

We give her body to you now so that you may take

her to your sanctuary, rise her spirit to the

stars upon your great horns and show her the peace

and beauty of your love.

With this fire we give her mortal remains to you

as a sacrifice and hope that you will look down

from your realm and bring destruction upon those

responsible for taking her from us so early in this;

her divine life.

The people trembled as these words brought forth a great snorting and groaning from the bull's nostrils and its head rises up and down thrusting its horns angrily into the air. Agnes then turns and throws her torch onto the pyre. As it strikes the top of the structure all the others throw theirs creating a great fire in their mists.

In Albion the gates are pulled aside and a large group of men emerge carrying stolen bronze swords. A party of guards encounter them and they start fighting while others behind them take torches and burn the slave encampment. As the flames burn brightly the slaves overcome their guards and run for the forest and the cover of darkness leaving a pile of dead bodies and the burnt out encampment behind them.

In Babylon the King steps from his Diaz and approaches the flaming pyre. The circle of veiled women sweeps aside and allows him to enter. He takes his golden crown and throws it into the flames before turning and returning to the palace. Each of his subjects then approach the pyre and toss flowers into the flames and bow before the adepts and Agnes who stand before the bull in silence as their sister is consumed by flames. When Amber's body is lost in a fierce sea of flame one of the women throws her belongings onto the pyre; it is at that point that Agnes sees someone in the crowd.

She looks about her to ensure that she is not being observed before stepping up to the dark figure who stands in silence watching the scene unfolds around him. He sees her approach and lifts his face towards her.

AGNESS

We need to talk about something of great importance;

be at my quarters within the temple and midday tomorrow.

She did not need to say another word and slipped back into the shadows before rejoining her sisters in front of the bull as the pyre burned intensely. Agnes looked above the flames and as small sparks left from the top of the blazing inferno she saw them lifted into the heavens by the heat. There, within the belt of Orion, she saw a comet flying and knew that it was an omen for things that were to follow.

_SC_ ENE 39 INT DAY

The following day Memet is let into Agnes' apartments on the second floor of the temple. As the door closes behind him Agnes emerges and holds her index finger to her lips and she walks towards him dressed in a clean white chiffon dress. He sees that she looks tired and a little stressed but understands that she wants him to remain silent.

She leads him across the room and places him in an alcove behind a thick curtain near the window as a tap came from the door.

AGNESS

(Whispering) Do not say a word.

She turned to the door.

Come.

MEMET hears the door open and someone step into the room. The sound of footfalls alerted him that someone had crossed the room towards her as the door closed. He then heard the sound of a man's voice.

You wanted to see me?

AGNESS

Yes; I was surprised to see you there last night.

MAN

Were you?

AGNESS

Yes, considering...

A thick silence befell the room and Memet could almost feel the rising tension from behind the curtain.

MAN

Considering what?

AGNESS.

Let's not be coy, I know that it was guilt that brought

you there. Perhaps you were waiting for the spirit of

my sister to rise up and forgive you for your actions.

Only the living can forgive, you will have wait until

you join her to hear her voice announcing your

rehabilitation; in this life forgiveness can only be

earned through penance. Are you ready to repent?

MAN

A pennant you say; should I kneel before the bull and weep?

AGNESS

You should know that the spirits talk to me and

I know that which you think is hidden. I Know....

MAN

Then you will know that what I did was done for love.

If I have anything to regret it is that I allowed the person

I wanted to spend my life with to get away.

I saw you working here, in this city waiting for a time

when you could rise up and take your place at the head

of this order of maids.

Knowing that while she lived you would be condemned

to spend your life here, second best to the role you were

destined to play.

That of Ipsissamus of the Order.

A role that would allow you to take a partner if

you wished. Then I would, perhaps, have my opportunity

to have you once more.

AGNESS

This is your motive for taking the life of my sister?

You did this for me; for us?

MAN

Of course.

AGNESS

I loved someone once. Many seasons ago when I was

in the first flush of youth.

He was a tall and handsome young man, well spoken

with the cool confidence of the educated and a certain

wild side that made him enigmatic and attractive.

I watched him grow. Our two families were close and as we

both matured into young adults I found myself wallowing

in his clear blue eyes, laying in my bed dreaming for his

flushed red lips and hoping one day that our fingers

would entwine and we'd find love together.

MAN

It sounds familiar. What happened to your love?

AGNESS

It turned out to be a dream. For as I got closer to that boy,

that man, I saw beyond his good looks and confident manner.

That behind these shallow signs a mind lurked that was

full of wickedness and terror.

I saw a beautiful youth become a cruel and wicked man,

whose thoughts were full of hatred and bile even his colourful

clothing and smart language could not cover his evilness for long.

Eventually everyone would become aware of his conceit and

hard-heart. Seeing the brute he had become.

Before that happened I took myself away from the world.

I hid myself away in this order to ensure that never again

would my senses be blinded by the love of a man.

MAN

Do I know this person, your thwarted lover?

AGNESS

You should do; it was you Jasbar.

JASBAR

What, and you never thought to tell me how you felt?

AGNESS

I was thoughtful enough to see how you developed

before throwing myself to your feet and swearing undying

love; now I know that I was right to walk away and

bring myself here.

JASBAR

But imagine what else you will have once you become leader

of this band of witches; with me at your side we will have

the power to take on anyone.

AGNESS

What makes you so conceited that, even after acknowledging

the murder of my beautiful sister, you'd still believe that

I would want to spend my life in your shadow?

JASBAR

Come now, she was a witch and as such deserved to die.

You did not see her in the mist of the fight invoking

daemons to rise from the tips of her fingers.

They then exploded in tiny sharp fragments and tore

my men into ribbons; killing them all.

I saw it all, she had to die before anyone else was killed

with her demonic spells.

AGNESS

So you were the leader of an ambush; it gets worse.  
How many of your men lay in wait to set upon my sister?

JASBAR

It wasn't like that; we were waiting for the old man and the

boy; it was they who we wanted. She just presented an

easy target.

Suddenly the curtain pulled to one side and MEMET stood pointing his sword at JASBAR.

MEMET

You will die for your crimes.

JASBAR

Oh Agnes, you should have said you had guests.....

MEMET

I heard it all, now Jasbar I shall go to the king and tell him

what I heard. He no doubt will order your arrest and free

my companions.

JASBAR

You wish. I have known the king since he was a small

boy and his father before that.

What makes you think he will take the word of some

greasy, little Arab against that of his longest friend?

AGNESS

I will make sure he does.

JASBAR

Oh dear little Agnes, what plans I had for you. I guess

you will have to do as you wish; even though I know he

won't believe you. What proof do you have beside the

word and of this greasy interloper?

AGNESS

We have the arrow that you used to pierce my sister's heart.

An arrow forged in this city, at your request.

JASBAR

I know of this so called arrowhead; one of thousands made

every season. Let the man who can prove it be

very sure of his words because I shall hold him

to account if he is not believed.

MEMET

You think you are so clever, don't you? Come let us go

to the king and see what his judgement decides.

SCENE 40 INT DAY

At the palace the king is surrounded by his court, he stands in the middle of a group of men trying to get his attention and interest in their individual plans and ideas. He looks bored and quite relieved when a group of guards approach. The courtier's step aside as the leading guard addresses the king.

GUARD

Your royal highness, there is a party who wish to speak

privately to you?

KING

I am very busy today what with Lord James' plans to build

a house, the matter of a falling bridge, erm...

CHANCELLOR

..Don't forget the funding of the widows....

KING

Yes, the widows and whatnot, now what does this party

want and how long will it take?

GUARD

It is Agnes, the high priestess of the temple and with

her Jasbar, your royal subject.

KING

Agnes, to see me. Well show her in....

GUARD

She has asked for a private audience sir...

KING

Nonsense, show her in at once....

The guards go and return moments later being followed by Agnes. In her wake walk MEMET and JASBAR, all three bow low as the king sits upon his throne.

KING

Agnes, how very nice to see you again, the very sad

occasion of our last meeting was only made bearable

by your presence. I trust the temple is getting back to its

former self now that your sister has been risen up to Minos.

AGNESS

It is about my sister that I trouble you today, Sir...

KING

Trouble, never. Now what can I do for you....Speak up.

AGNESS

At this very moment you have four friends of this land

in the palace cells; condemned to die.

KING

Really, if they are friends why are they condemned

to die. We do not usually kill friends, do we?

CHANCELLOR

Perhaps in the time of your father, Sir. But not recently.

KING

There you are, I thought not...

AGNESS

They are condemned to die for the savage murder of

my sister, Amber, the Ipsissamus of Medin.

KING

Really, and you consider them friends still?

AGNESS

I do, Sir.

KING

And why would that be?

AGNESS

Because they were not responsible for my sister's

brutal slaying.

They are the victims of a devious plot and the real

murderer is free amongst us...

KING

Really, the victims of a plot, you say.

AGNESS

I do.

KING

And the real murderer is free amongst us?

AGNESS

He is.

KING

Come now, we do not usually make such mistakes,

do we?

CHANCELLOR

Perhaps in your father's time, my lord....

KING

There you are, so what makes you think a mistake

has happened in this instance?

AGENSS

The real murderer has confessed his sin to my sir.

KING

Really?

AGNESS

Yes, sir.

KING

Confessed, to you?

AGNESS

Yes Sir, today...

JASBAR

So this woman claims, but I have a different version

of events, sir...

MEMET

Don't listen to this vagabond; he is a liar, sir...

KING

Excuse me, do I know this person?

AGNESS

He is my witness, Sir. He overheard the confession

of the murderer of my sister The Ipsisssamus of Medin.

JASBAR

That is a downright lie.

MEMET

It is not a lie, I heard, with my own ears....

KING

How very confusing. Tell me Sister, what is this man

confessing to?

AGNESS

Not he, Sire. He is here to bear witness against

Jasbar.

For it is he who murdered my dear Sister.

JASBAR

LIES!

MEMET

No, it is the truth. I heard him confess no less

than a few moments before we came here...

KING

Confess?

MEMET

Yes Sir.

KING

To the murder of your sister?

MEMET

Indeed.

KING

Well, this is very serious, err,

what do we do in such cases?

CHANCELLOR

If I may interject your Royal Highness...

KING

Please do.

CHANCELLOR

Your father would ask both parties to explain

themselves and then seek further evidence if

the case is still unclear.

KING

Then that is what I shall do, err, have you further evidence

that my loyal subject Jasbar is responsible for the

murder of our dear sister; beside the word of this, err,

visitor to my realm?

AGNESS

We do.

KING

Ah!

A stifled groan filled the room as those present pushed forwards to hear better what was being said.

MEMET

(Taking the arrowhead from his pocket and presenting it to the King)

Here Sir, the very tool of murder, taken from the heart

of the victim following her demise. It was made in this

city by the very smith who provides Jasbar with his arrows.

KING

Is this true?

JASBAR

It may look like the kind of arrowhead I use but surely

there are thousands of these in the city; anyone could

have used it to murder the girl.

KING

True...

AGNESS

But today this man confessed that he had killed the

lady so that I may take her place.

Saying that he did it for me, for us, so we may run the

order together in some corruption of the role.

JASBAR

Lies, all lies. This woman considers herself above all

others if she thinks that men, or a man, me for instance;

would kill for her hand.

The suggestion is ridiculous.

AGNESS

I have no reason to lie. The people in your cells have no

relation to me and I am motivated only by a sense of justice

towards my dearly departed sister.

KING

And what of you, what are you prepared to come before

me and swear against this man.

MEMET

I do it because one of those accused is my rider. I am the

owner of the Arabian colt who won last month's race.

Jasbar lost his crown that day and it is surely this

that motivates him against my friend.

KING

Then it is decided. We shall let Minos judge them both in

battle. I decree that both Jasbar and your rider will meet

tomorrow on the track. Instead of gold they will race for

their freedom and whoever wins will walk free.

The looser will die a murderer's death; have you any doubts

about such a contest?

MEMET

None Sir, not only is my rider more skilled but he has the

winds of justice blowing behind him.

I would wager my entire fortune on a favourable outcome.

KING

And you Jasbar?

JASBAR

Well...I will race and I will win. This man is a fool if he thinks

this, this boy can beat me again.

The last time we met I was too confident. I did not try hard

enough; tomorrow I will have Minos pushing me.

The outcome is a foregone conclusion.

KING

Then Minos will decide. But Arab, know this. If the boy

looses I will have title over his life and over that of the

horse. You agree to this.

MEMET

Without doubt; let Minos decide.

SCENE 41 EXT DAY

The crowds are thick around the race track as the king waves from his Diaz. The women surround the bronze bull holding flaming torches as trumpets sound. Suddenly a hush falls across the crowd and the women lower their torches as AGNESS steps onto the track carrying red velvet cushion. She walks steadily towards the Diaz and kneels before the king.

A deep drone sweeps across the scene as JASBAR enters upon his black horse no longer adorned in heavy bronze medals. He does a circuit an comes to a halt in front of the king. Then another drone announces the arrival of UTHUR, wearing his golden crown of laurel. The crowd cheer as he too does a circuit before pulling up beside JASBAR.

He takes off the laurel crown and places it upon the velvet cushion which AGNESS passes to the king's valet. The king stands and addresses the crowd.

KING

People, today these riders race not for glory, not for gold.

Not even the love of you, our wonderful population.

Today they race for their freedom.

In the crowd, by the track's entrance MEMET turns to ADRIUS and snarls.

MEMET

All this hot air, let them race, look at my dear Arabia,

she is raring to get on with it.

ADRIUS

Patience, my friend. It will be the time soon.

KING

Minos the bull will spur his hero home. For whoever

wins the laurel crown will walk from this place a free man,

the looser will suffer a murder's death. Are you both ready.

Both riders nod as the king is handed a white cloth. They line up in front of the bull and the horns sound. The king raises the cloth and as the horns stop, silence erupts.

The cloth drops and the race begins.

With s snort and puff both horses burst into motion as the crowd start to scream. The dry earth turns to a cloud of dust as eight hoofs stamp into it. Approaching the first bend UTHUR turns to see JASBAR snarling like a mad banshee as his free hand thrashes his steed's rump.

Approaching the start line UTHUR is just in the lead as both horses dig into the soil for grip as they thunder around the bend, past the great bronze statue of Minos and onto the straight. Out of the corner of his eye UTHUR sees four of JASBAR's minions standing on either side of the track. JASBAR throws him a wicked snarl as the black horse slips by in a haze of dry dust. Before he could react ATHUR sees two of the minions holding a long thin cord which crosses the track and is held on the other side by two others.

The Arabic horse jumps the cord but it's back hoof catches the cord making it stumble a little. This was all JASBAR needed to push himself forwards until a whole horses length separated them.

UTHUR

Come on girl, you can do it.

UTHUR whispers to his horse as they approach the start line once again. Both horses stamped around the bend in another cloud of dry dust. UTHUR looks at JASBAR's rear and digs his heels in to urge his ride onward/

The men on either side of the track ready themselves again as both rider approach, waiting for JASBAR to pass they pull the cord hard trying to trip UTHUR again. The white Arabic jumps the cord with no difficulty and UTHUR manages to grab the cord and pull all four of the men into a sprawling heap across the track. The cord catches the inner wall and hangs limply as the four men run back into the crowd.

They approach the start line again as the crowd stands in raptures, excited but the drama unfolding before them. MEMET screams from the side as the two ride past in a cloud of dust, as they thunder down the straight again JASBAR turns to see how far UTHUR is behind him.

He laughs manically seeing a horses length between them both and only turns back to see the stray cord in his way at the last moment. His horse tries to jump but its rear hoof catches the cord and both JASBAR and the black horse go sprawling across the track.

UTHUR cannot believe his luck as he thunders by and is galloping alone toward the finish line. AGNESS jumps for joy as she sees the dust settle and out of it UTHUR and the white Arabic horse burst through the line. The crowd roar their approval as UTHUR comes to a halt next to the Diaz. He dismounts as AGNESS runs to greet him.

They both look behind to see JASBAR leading his injured horse to the finish line surrounded by the KING's men at spear point..

The king stands and approaches AGNESS and UTHUR followed by the valet carrying the red cushion upon which sits the gold crown of laurel.

KING

Minos has spoken.

The crowd erupt with applause as the King picks up the crown and places it upon UTHURs head. MEMET, ADRIUS and ESUIT run from the crowd and join UTHUR

Young UTHUR, you have won your freedom.

He turns to look at JASBAR and shakes his head.

Take this murderer away.

SCENE 42 INT DAY

UTHUR, MERLAIN ADRIUS AND ESUIT are standing by ADRIUS villa. The horses are being loaded with goods and they are preparing to leave.

ADRIUS

Have a good journey my friends. UTHUR, Merlain,

it was a pleasure meeting you both.

MERLAIN

The pleasure was ours, thank you for your help; there will

always be a place for you at our table,

UTHUR

I will take good care of ESUIT for you' thank you

for gifting her to us.

ADRIUS

I'm sure she can take care of herself. Look After him,

ESUIT

I will. Thank you for my freedom.

ADRIUS

You have earned it.

Just then AGNESS comes from the villa and approaches MERLAIN. Sarah steps to Adrius side and grips his hand.

AGNESS

Take this, please Merlain, whenever you see it in the  
future think of me and my dear sister, she would

have wanted you to have this.

She hands over a long parcel wrapped in paper and string.

MERLAIN

I will think of you and your sisters each time I see

the moon shine brightly in a summer sky.

The scent of you will forever be waiting in a woodland

glade.

This gift will be cherished forever.

SCENE 43 EXT NIGHT

Under a desert sky the four, UTHUR, ESUIT, MELAIN and MEMET are camped around a small fire, the horses resting behind them.

MEMET

So many stars, It's as if the heavens go on forever.

ESUIT

Look, a shooting star, quickly, make a wish. It's said a

shooting star will always make a wish come true.

UTHUR

What did you wish for?

ESUIT

I don't know, I suppose that my mother is happy,

where ever she is. Yes, that's what I wish. What about you?

UTHUR

This land seems so happy, there is no poverty here,

no starving children. Everyone seems like they are

industrious and live well through their efforts.

I wish it was so in our land.

MERLAIN

These people are enjoying the fruits of peace. When

there is peace people can get on and enjoy life;

war causes everyone to suffer.

UTHUR

But why are our people suffering, why?

MEMET

It seems to me that the army that has invaded your land

are there for something, Something they cannot get in

their own land, something which they did not want to

pay for.

Perhaps your land has something they covert

UTHUR

When I get home I will purge them from the island,

drive them into the sea. Then I will find out what they

wanted to steal from us and sell it to them.

Then our people will live like these people do.

In comfort, without want,. I will see to it.

MERLAIN

The young always want to change things for the better.

It is just the greed of bitter old men who take those

dreams and squander them.

MEMET

The young are a tide that come to wash the old away. Some

do it with a word others do it with a sword.

Swords are all that some bitter old men understand.

UTHUR

When we left our home we were using stone tools,

stone arrow head and blunt rocks for hammers.

Seeing the technology in this land has shown me just

how backward we are compared to the rest of the world.

If we want to change, this technology, must come to our

land and I intend to take it there.

The reason we were forced into slavery was because our

enemies had metal swords and against them our tools

turned to dust. I want to go back and show my people

how to make metal, swords and knives,

chisels and hammers, pots and pans.

I want us to come into the modern age,

I want to bring civilisation home.

MERLAIN

We have much work to do if that's the case.

ESUIT

You will have to find fit men willing to train and learn

how to fight. You will have to seek out those who are

willing to trust their lives to you, to follow you into the

pit of battle and slay your oppressors.

Do these people exist in your land or have they withered

into the night.

UTHUR

We are a strong race, we were let down by our technology,

nothing more .

But I'm sure that as I speak, some will be hiding away in

the forest and hills, waiting for the call to arms.

Not all have been made slaves, As you are my judge,

they await the dawn when the sun will rise in our enemy's

eyes and blood will soak the land.

They are waiting for a leader to follow.

ESUIT

Are you this leader they await, or are you just

a bag of hot air?

UTHUR

Mock me if you want, but I am being serious.

I am ready to go back and find my army,

I am ready to train them and make them the soldiers we

need to free the land, are you with me.

ESUIT

Of course, wherever you go, whatever it takes.

UTHUR

Merlain, what about you?

MERLAIN

You do not even have to ask my young friend.

MEMET

Good luck to you, I cannot join you unfortunately

because I have a business here to run and my animals

are dependent upon me making it a success.

UTHUR

You don't have to explain my dearest friend.

It is partly due to you that we have found what we

need to defeat those who chase us away in the first place.

One day I will invite you over to my table and let you

see what your efforts have achieved.

MEMET

I will look forwards to that day. Let's drink to the

future. Ah, another shooting star, it's an omen of good.

The gods are behind you young man; see that, they

are blessing you with their lights.

UTHUR looks across at MERLAIN and sees him holding the parcel AGNESS gave him earlier that day.

UTHUR

What is that? I saw her hand it to you back in the city

and wondered what it was.

He watches as MERLAIN unwraps the parcel. Suddenly the light from the fire catches shiny metal.

It's Amber's sword, I thought they were supposed to

burn all her belongings.

MEMET

That glorious piece of the smith's art would not have

burnt, tarnished perhaps, but never burnt.

It is a magnificent weapon, why did she give it to you?

MERLAIN

Esa Kali Akbar, the woman of the water.

I believe she gave it to UTHUR.

UTHUR

To me, but why?

MERLAIN

Why anyone would be given a sword; to smite thy

enemies of course. Come, take it from me.

UTHUR

Are you sure?

MERLAIN

If you are to lead our people from slavery you will

need to have something they would want to follow.

With this in your hands they will know,

without any doubt, that you will win victory for them.

It is not just a sword, it is a symbol of your power,

take it and be proud. Fate has delivered this to you,

use it well.

He takes the sword and examines it closely. Before Holding it above his head.

UTHUR

This sword is the warrant I have sought to lead my people,

when they see it in my hand they will know that I have

come to set them free.

That the gods have ordained this.

I swear, under this desert sky, that I shall take this blade

back to my troubled land an use it to lead my people

from slavery.

That this edge of steel with cut through the necks of my

enemies and make them quell at my feet.

ESUIT

Get you.

MEMET

Leave the boy alone, he's taking on a brave role,

to do this thing you need to, at first, talk yourself

into it; eh UTHUR.?

MERLAIN

This boy was born to take the role of leader of his

people. They are waiting for him to return and help

them rise up; if he needs to practice some rhetoric to do

this effectively then so be it.

You carry on UTHUR, they are not mocking you, they

are supporting you.

UTHUR

It's too late now, I've lost the thread I was following.

Never mind, on the day I guess it will all come to me.

ESUIT

So who are they?

MERLAIN

Who?

ESUIT

These men who have taken your land, who are they,

what do they want?

MERLAIN

All I know is that they come from Middle Europe,

the Black Forest.

Eric The Boneless leads them, a foul, gross giant of a

man.

So bloated by his gluttony that he has to be carried

upon a sleigh.

As to what he wants.

What does any pig want?

He wants more!

UTHUR

He wants it all. Well I am ready now to give it to him,

right through the heart.

SCENE 44 EXT NIGHT

Back in Albion armoured soldiers guard heavy carts full of oar. Slaves pull the carts through a thickly wooded glade and are whipped whenever they slow. Suddenly expertly aimed slings shoot heavy stones through the air and these knock the front horsemen from their steeds. A volley of arrows follow and the soldiers fall. The slaves pick up heavy pieces of oar and attack the fallen soldiers. They are joined by men who come from the trees armed with stone tools to slaughter the fallen horsemen taking their swords and armour.

ULAN

Bring this one with us.

SCENE 45 INT NIGHT

Deep within the forest the captured soldier is strung to a frame and beaten. A crowd of men and women watch in the light of torches, their faces dirty are tense with anger as the man is questioned by one of ULAN's men.

WORT

Tell us, why are you making us dig this rock for you;

what value has it?

MAN

I've said. It is dragon feed.

WORT

Rubbish, I swear you will die tonight unless you start

telling us the truth, what value has this rock.

Why is it worth more than our blood, Tell me!

ULAN

These weapons you use against us, how are they made?

MAN

The dragon....

WORT

Lies!

_He smashes the man in the face_ _._

MAN

It's true, the dragon draws the swords from this stone.

The rock goes in and swords come out, I lie not...

ULAN

I say this, if any man can draw a sword from this,

a pile of dusty stone; surely he would be a

king amongst us.

Three strangers who have stood in silence at the back of the tent pull back their hoods and step forwards.

UTHUR

I am such a man.

The assembled pull swords on the three who form a defensive triangle taking their own swords out in response, ULAN sees he who spoke is armed with the most elaborate weapon ever seen steps forward to look closer.

ULAN

What, who speaks there?

MERLAIN

It is young UTHUR, he has returned to lead you.

ULAN steps towards the young man and looks into his eyes, his face stony and tense. He then looks towards MERLAIN and shakes his head before breaking into a smile.

ULAN

UTHUR, it is you. I was told you were dead but no,

my eyes do not deceive, here you are, grown into a

strapping young man with Merlain beside you.

By the Gods; I am amazed.

Look everyone, it's the old King's young son, returned

a man. Bring out the mead; this is a time to celebrate

after our years of torment.

SCENE 45 EXT NIGHT

After a period of celebration ULAN takes UTHUR to one side and asks him to walk for a moment.

ULAN

How did you find our encampment?

UTHUR

You forget I used to play in these trees as a child.

My father always said this is where I should hide

should anything happen to him; we've spent a few

nights looking for fires in the trees, it wasn't too hard.

ULAN

What you said earlier, about drawing swords from the stone,

is it true. Have you a dragon in your bag?

Can you draw a sword from stone?

UTHUR

It's not magic my friend. Merlain and I have learnt so

much since we have been away.

I have discovered that these invaders are here to take

this stone, oar they call it, and steal it from us.

For it is the essence of their power.

Something they have not in their land and rather than

barter for it they have used their superior knowledge to

enslave us and steal it away.

I never saw it before, Ulan, when I was a child. But since

we have returned I see it everywhere.

This whole peninsular is rich with elements scarce in

other parts.

This dry grey rock they mine is the very substance of

Bronze, my friend.

ULAN

Bronze?

UTHUR

You are familiar with the gold that we find from time

to time in the rivers.

It's a valuable element which

people covert and use for barter.

ULAN

Yes, but it's useless for tools or weapons.

UTHUR

Well gold comes from the rocks high in the nearby

mountains and it is washed downstream whenever there

is a storm.

It is a soft metal.

Bronze is a similar, but made from two such metal

elements,

Tin and copper.

I have so much to show you and our people.

With this knowledge we shall rise up against those

that enslave us. We will free our land and lead our people

out of poverty.

The key to this power is knowledge; my friend.

I have seen, only a few miles from here, a copper pit

with enough raw element to last a thousand years.

Next to it was the biggest tin mine I have ever seen,

as we speak Erick forces our people to dig these elements

from the earth. Then, using his superior knowledge, he

combines them into bronze.

Bronze is what their swords are beaten from,

it is hard and sharp and can forged into many other things,

armour and shields

and so much else.

It is whole new technology Ulan, and with it we can force

these bastards back into the sea.

ULAN

But we have captured Erick's men and tortured them.

They have spoken, as you, that the swords are drawn from

stone, but also that dragons help them.

I have seen a shed in their camp with fire and sparks

and noise so frightening that I feared to approach it.

It's said there they keep a dragon there; is this true?

UTHUR

It's true ( _he giggles)_ I too have brought a dragon back

with me, would you like to see it?

ULAN

You lie?

UTHUR

All will be clear to you eventually my dear Ulan.

Before you meet the dragon we need to make charcoal.

ULAN

Charcoal?

UTHUR

Get your men to gather wood. The dragon will need food.

SCENE 46 EXT DAY

We see a montage of UTHUR directing the forest people to build a sealed charcoal fire, then when the coal is ready, smashing the oars and making them ready. Then they slaughter goats and make bellows from the skins.

UTHUR

Now you will see our dragon.

He pulls a asbestos pot from a bag and holds it up for ULAN and his men to see. They watch as he places it in the centre of the charcoal and puts oar inside before putting a lid on top.

Pump the bellows men, the coals need to get plenty of air.

The bellows are pumped by two strong men and the flames seep around the pot.

ULAN

What is that in the pot?

MERLAIN

A critical amount of tin to copper rock.

20 percent tin to copper, this is crucial if you

want a good, hard edge.

ESUIT

Use my sword as a mould. Here.

She hands her sword to Merlain who takes a tray of damp fine sand and presses the blade of her sword into it leaving a deep thin trough.

UTHUR

Keep pumping the air into the fire men, we want

to get to the heat of the sun into the dragoon.

MAN

This is hard work.

MERLAIN

Once you see the result of your labours you will

be happy with the effort.

ULAN

To think, this whole land is nothing but vast pits

of these two stones; no wonder we have been invaded.

UTHUR

Don't worry friend. This knowledge is going to propel

our land into the future. We will become the

most important and wealthy of all lands.

Once we rid ourselves of Erick and his men we will

sell this rock across the seas where copper is plentiful

but tin is rare and make our fortune. Come boys, it's nearly glowing white hot.

Merlain takes a set of tongues and lifts the lid of the pot.

MERLAIN

It's ready, stand back.

He uses the tongues to lift the pot carefully from the fire and starts to pour the molten metal into the mould. The assembled gasp at the beauty of it.

ULAN

So that's how you draw a sword from a stone,

it's miraculous.

MERLAIN

No, not a miracle, just science my friend.

Nothing but science.

We see another montage of the sword being beaten, sharpened and polished before a hilt is tapped home and a pommel attached. UTHUR presents it to ULAN.

UTHUR

Here, a token of our friendship.

ULAN drops to one knee and bows his head. UTHUR taps the sword on the man's shoulders and announces.

UTHUR

Arise, knight. Take this weapon and use it well.

ULAN

Thank you, my King. I dedicate myself to you in the

fight to come.

With this weapon I will defend the realm, the people

and your court.

UTHUR

Thank you, friend. Well, fill the dragoon to its brim,

we have work to do.

MERLAIN

Esuit?

ESUIT

Yes?

MERLAIN

Get them to melt some tin for me,

I need to make something....

SCENE 47 EXT DAY

UTHUR watches from an open tent as ESUIT shows a group of men how to use their weapons. She takes each one through a group of exercises and ends up disarming them all. After a while she wipes the sweat from her brown and joins UTHUR.

ESUIT

It's impossible, these men are useless.

UTHUR

Give them time, any new technology takes time to

master and at least they're enthusiastic.

ESUIT

Soon Erick will hear we are forming an army to meet

him in battle, time will run out and I

don't think we will be ready.

She sits beside him and takes a drink from a flagon of water.

Why did you not say, when we first met, that you were

the rightful king of this land?

UTHUR

It didn't seem that important; what is a king if his

land is taken anyway. I needed to ready myself \and

in time, return as we have, with the skills necessary

to combat my enemy.

So anyway?

ESUIT

Anyway? What!

UTHUR

Now you know we both have Royal Blood in

our veins;

do you think

we'd make a good marriage?

ESUIT

Is that a proposal?

UTHUR

Of all the women I have ever met, only you

have ever excited me. I will need someone at

my side when I take my throne back and I couldn't

imagine anyone else I'd rather have.

ESUIT

Merlain told me you were betrothed so someone else,

that a love match was made when you were a child.

What of her?

UTHUR

She must be dead. You are speaking of Ulan's daughter.

If she was a live she would be with him now.

As she is not I must assume she was killed in the years

I have been gone.

ESUIT

Why don't you ask him; assumptions are never a good

substitute for the truth.

UTHUR

Right now, I only have eyes for one. What was arranged

when I was a child is gone, history.

All that matters is now,

and right now I want you.

She takes him into the tent and closes the flap. UTHUR sits on a bed made from cushions and smiles as she removes her armour. When she stands naked he calls her towards him.

You have to most beautiful body a man could wish for,

Let me take you in my arms and feel you

become a woman; my woman.

ESUIT

I have always been your woman.

They kiss and roll under the blankets.

SCENE 48 INT DAY

Meanwhile in the protected confines of the fortress, where Erick has made his headquarters a Woman is brought and forced to kneel before him

ERICK

I have heard a story about you.

GWEN

This land has many stories.

ERICK

This story is very interesting. It is about two powerful

families who feud over their own separate kingdoms.

One day, the heads of these families come together under

a flag of truce and decide to put their differences to one side.

They arrange a wedding between the daughter of one

and the son of the other. |

A love match that would unite both kingdoms into one

great realm; I hear even a flag was devised that consisted

of both king's symbols and that, on the day the two are

joined, the flag would be raised to represent the coming

together of both houses. What do you know of this?

GWEN

A fanciful story, probably told to children

like other fairy stories.

ERICK

I have also heard that you were part of this intended

love match; that you, yes you, are the daughter of one

of this Islands great families.

The heir to a throne; how you say to that?

GWEN

Look at me, do I look like I come from a great family,

my hair is unkempt, my clothes torn.

Surely if this was true I'd look like a princess,

not a beggar?

ERICK

I:m not sure.

He claps and a soldier steps forwards.

Take this wench and wash her. Tell my ladies to dress

her in silk with ribbons in her hair as if she is a princess.

Then bring her back. I will make my mind up then.

She is dragged away by the guard and when she is gone Erick addresses his court.

These revolutionaries in the forest cannot be caught or

killed with swords.

I've been trying to get rid of them for too long and still

they raid my mines and kill my men.

So, I know their leader is this man, Ulan and I believe this

is his daughter. So if swords will not bring him before me

to kneel; perhaps marriage will.

Anyway, if she shares my bed and we have a child,

that child will have a legitimate right to rule this land;

under my direction of course.

Then who cares about those rebels in the woods,

they can stay there if they want; forever

SCENE 49 EXT DAY

We find a small clearing in the trees decorated with flowers, UTHUR stands before MERLAIN dressed in his Druid costume ESUIT is lead through a small congregation dressed in flowers and a silk veil by ULAN. He places her hand in UTHUR's and a marriage ceremony begins.

In the fortress before a flaming alter ERICK is seated. GWEN is led through a small congregation of armed men and forced to kneel before ERICK. A soothsayer throws dry bones across the altar before taking a string of beads and looping them around GWEN's wrist. The he ties the other and around ERICKs and raises a knife above his head. The soothsayer takes a small bird and slits it's throat making the blood drip across the beads and the makes a mark in blood on GWENs forehead. The ARMED men cheer and ERICK drags his bride towards a bed behind the altar. GWEN screams as she is forced to lay down and a curtain is pulled across, only her screams indicate what is happening beyond.

I

SCENE 50 EXT DAY

UTHUR rides a white horse and addresses a large crowd of people from a nearby town. He is surrounded by his men now dressed in armour and carrying bronze swords. A flag flutters in the wind carrying his new crest: a tuft of feathers overlaid by a silver sword

UTHUR

I CALL ALL MEN OF THESE PARTS TO JOIN MY ARMY,

THERE IS A VILE CREATURE YONDER

WHO SEEKS NOTHING MORE THAN TO ENSLAVE US ALL

AND TAKE THIS REALMS RICHES AS HIS OWN.

TOO LONG HAVE OUR CHILDREN GONE HUNGRY

WHILE HIS FAT BELLY SWELLED,

TOO LONG HAVE OUR WOMEN SLEPT ALONE

WITH ONLY A BLOODED MEMORY OF LOVED ONES

TO GET THEM THROUGH THE LONG NIGHT.

I MAY ONLY HAVE THE BODY OF A YOUNG MAN

BUT I HAVE THE HEART OF A KING

AND A KING OF ALBION AT THAT.

I HAVE SWORN AN OATH THAT I WILL NOT REST

UNTIL THIS SO CALLED DUKE OF CORNWELL

IS DRIVEN INTO THE SEA.

I HAVE BEEN ADVISED BY SOME TO NOT RISK

MY LIFE IN PUSUIT OF JUSTICE

BUT TO LET OTHERS SHED THEIR BLOOD IN MY NAME,

TO BE FEARFUL AND HIDE.

I SAY THIS, LET TYRANTS HIDE,

I AM NOT HERE FOR SPORT OR RECREATION.  
I COME TO DO BATTLE AND WILL FIGHT OR DIE

FOR THE SAKE OF THIS COUNTRY AND MY PEOPLE.

I CANNOT PROMISE YOU GOLD OR PAY

BUT IF YOU WOULD COME AND JOIN MY ARMY

I PROMISE YOU THIS.

WHEN THE TYRANT SEES OUR DETERMINATION

AND SELF RIGHTGIOUNESS

HE WILL TURN HIS HEAD TOWARDS THE SEA

AND WISH HE HAD NEVER DARED RILE UP OUR BLOOD.

THEN WILL YOU COME FIGHT FOR

THIS KINGDOM,

FOR FREEDOM AND JUSTICE

AND FOR THE RIGHT TO LIVE AS FREE MEN

IN A PROSPEROUS LAND OF PLENTY. IF SO

LAY DOWN YOUR FARM TOOLS,

COME JOIN ME AND THESE MEN,

MY TRUSTED KNIGHTS;

FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR WIFES,

YOUR CHILDREN AND

THE SAKE OF YOUR COUNTRY.

TOGETHER WE SHALL MAKE A GREAT VICTORY

OVER OUR ENEMIES AND

ON THE WORD OF A KING,

YOUR VALOUR AND BRAVERY WILL BE

REWARDED FOURFOLD.

WILL YOU COME, RISE UP AND FIGHT

CROWD

Yes

UTHUR

THEN GATHER BEHIND MY FLAG AND

LET US GO YONDER TO THE NEXT TOWN.

OUR JOURNEY STARTS HERE TODAY

BUT IN THE MORROW IT WILL END

WITH OUR ENEMIES BLOOD SOAKING

OUR FIELDS,

WE SHALL MAKE A CROP OF HIS MEN

AND USE OUR HOES AND SHEARES TO

CUT THEIR HEADS LIKE THE EARS OF

CORN; ARE YOU READY FOR THE FIGHT?

THEN FOLLOW ME.

SCENE 51 INT NIGHT

ERICK is seated in a huge hall lit by torches. His table is overflowing with meats and wines. Beside him sits GWEN looking bored and unhappy. The drunken Duke begins a song but soon hushes when a guard whispers in his ear. He sits up and snarls.

ERICK

Have you all heard this, have you?

GWEN

Shut up, you're drunk.

ERIC K

How dare you speak to me like that; I could have

your head cut off and placed upon a spike;

HOW WOULD YOU LIKE THAT?

GWEN

Do it if that's what you want, I couldn't be any

more unhappy. Keeping me here as your prisoner,

taking me to your foul bed.

Perhaps if you didn't drink so much you may

have been able to consummate our marriage.

At least I have that to be thankful for.

ERICK

Shut up, SHUT UP, Bitch. We'll you might be

glad to hear that your father has joined up with

some prince or another.

I'm told that they are being advised by a great wizard

and even now as we speak their army draws near.

Let them come, my sword needs blood to keep it sharp

and what better blood then that of a prince.

GWEN

What prince? Tell me, who do you speak of?

ERIC K

So, that got your attention. Who cares what prince;

anyone who dares confront my army has only death

to look forwards too; hear that, DEATH"

GWEN

Hopefully it's your death.

ERICK

Shut your mouth BITCH, you're lucky I don't...

GWEN

Stop threatening me, Just do it, if that's what you want,

Here,

She throws a sharp knife toward him

Take this blade and slit my throat, nothing could be

worse than having to sit here every night listening to

you eat and talk and drink and all those other things

you make so disgusting.

You call yourself a man, well go on, slit my throat

and be done with it/

ERICK

In time, BITCH, in time. First you will see ULAN's

head on my platter and feel the beating heart of my

child in your womb.

GWEN

If I carried a child of yours I'd slit my own throat.

ERICK

SHUT YOUR MOUTH BITCH. Guards, I am tired

of this wench, take her to my bed and have her warm it

for me.

NOW, before I get angry.

GWEN

Hear that, I'd slit my own throat rather than carry

any child of yours.

SCENE 52 EXT DUSK

UTHUR, ULAN, MERLAIN and ESUIT are meeting in a tent as the sun sets.

UTHUR

This is it, ERICKs army awaits in the yonder valley

and the time for battle has come. Are we ready?

ESUIT

I don't understand why you want the attack to start at

nightfall, surely it would be better to confront them at dawn.

MERLAIN

We are dealing with superstitious peasants. They may

be armed but they remain peasants under their armour.

I have been brewing a plan that will terrify them and

hopefully most of them will turn and run before a

single arrow is shot.

ULAN

Is that the contraption I have seen you building, the silver

drum with the funnels that make it spin? I wondered what

it was, when the steam comes from those funnels that thing

turns so fast my eyes get dizzy. What is its purpose?

MERLAIN

You'll see, tonight you'll see.

ULAN

Well all I need is my sword, lance and horse. With these

three things I feel invincible,

ESUIT

I've seen you on that horse, you are very good and

you like to use that lance a lot.

UTHUR

That's what I will call you from now on my friend.

ULAN

What, Sir Invincible?

UTHUR

No, not Sir Invincible, but Sir Lancelot.

ULAN

Oh, very funny.

MERLAIN

Let's put our jest aside, we have a fight to start.

UTHUR

And to win; you, my friend, shall set the scene.

MERLAN

I will need my engine under a small fire close to the

enemies camp, the copper leads I have fashioned are

only five hundred metres long and that's the furthest

I can be from my engine.

ULAN

And what pray is an engine?

UTHUR

More science. But those Germanic barbarians will think

lightening has fallen from the sky. They will run for the sea...

ESUIT

Let's hope so...

UTHUR

Esuit? Why you are dressed for battle, I thought....

ESUIT

You thought I'd stay back with the women and children,

huddle in terror while the you and the men, men I have

trained; go and die! You have known me long enough

to know that I will lead from the front, by your side.

UTHUR

But I will spend the whole time looking out for you,

I would not be able to concentrate on the deed at

hand knowing that somewhere in the fray you may

need my hand.

ESUIT

I can look after myself; just worry about your

own skin husband.

MERLAIN

She's right, you know she is.

The others leave the two alone and ESUIT steps to her husband and passes him his sword.

ESUIT

Brothers in arms?

UTHUR

Brothers in arms.

SCENE 53 NIGHT, ERICKS CAMP

The so called Duke of Cornwall has left his wooden fort and gathered his men in a clearing near to where his spies have told him UTHUR's army awaits. He is being attended to by his servants when a strange droning sound fills the night air. Suddenly a guard calls out to him.

GUARD

Master, come, see this.

ERICK

What is that infernal noise?

GUARD

Quickly master. An apparition in the trees.

ERICK follows the guard and together with a group of his soldiers they look towards a small hill where the noise is coming from. Suddenly bright lights illuminate the hill top and the men gasp at its beauty.

ERICK

What is this?

They see a shrouded figure dressed in long white robes and a deep hood appear in the lights. The figure points down towards ERICK and a voice booms out across the land.

MERLAIN

I call here those who serve the devil named Erick; let

you hear these words and know the truth.

GUARD

It's the sorcerer Merlin, I've heard He's very powerful.

ERICK

Rubbish.

MERLAIN

The gods of this place have sworn to protect

the rightful heir to this land. Land you now invade.

I am here to give just one warning to those of you

who are righteous and of blessed virtue.

Turn away from the devil and go back home,

only death awaits tonight;

to greet the vein, the greedy and the weak.

Go, go now and save yourself.

ERICK

You men, quickly. Go up that hill and kill that man.

GUARD

Who, us?

ERICK

Stop shaking and go, you there

( _he points at a group of four others)_

....go with this man and help him.

The five grab their swords and start to climb the hill. On the other side, UTHUR and a couple of others hold shiny tin mirrors behind the engine as it spins casting the light from the flickering fire up the hill and illuminating MERLAIN. A long leather strap is being turned against a copper tube and wires lead from this up towards the illuminated figure.

UTHUR

What's happening?

MERLAIN (in a whisper)

Quiet, they're coming.

The five swords men approach and as ERICKs army looks on from the valley below the first points his sword towards Merlain. The old man gestures towards the swordsman and the hidden copper wire secreted under his long sleeve lets out a burst of static electricity that fires across the hill and contacts the man's bronze sword. He screams and the sword goes flying into the darkness. The man drops, stunned by the charge.

ERICKs men gasp in horror seeing the second swordsman approach, his weapon held tightly in front. |Again MERLAIN gestures and a bolt of blue static electricity shoots from his fingers and into the man's sword, this time the man sparks and shakes and begins to scream before throwing his sword and running from the hill

ERICK

_What is this sorcery_ _?_

Another swordsman approaches and he too is shocked into throwing his sword before turning and running away. The two others turn in terror and follow him.

ERICK

What are you doing, don't run. Go back.

The terrified men run past him and away through the camp, closely followed by many more.

Come back you cowards.

MERLAIN

The gods of this land are angry, go or only death

awaits.

ERICK

Yes, your death.

Suddenly a hail of arrows fall on ERICKs camp and many others fall fatally injured.

ERICK calls to another guard.

Quick, bring my armour, the fight is on.

As these words leave his lips an arrow strikes the guard and he falls dead.

Bahhh.

ERICK goes and dresses himself before calling for a horse. As one is led to him he hears the sound of thunder coming from the trees.

What now.

They look towards the sound and suddenly a hundred men on horseback appear from the trees riding through the crowd and slicing down anyone who moves. Hundreds of ERICKS men scream and run away. ULAN, w ho is leading the horsemen throws his lance at ERICK and it pierces the ground near his feet. Attached to the lance is UTHURS crest.

As ERICKs men armour up the see a thick line of armed me coming towards them from either end of their encampment. The men carry long shields adorned with UTHUR's crest and between each shield a long a long barbed lance protrudes which spear ERICKs men as they try to form their fighting units.

ERICK can see his men falling like blossom from a spring tree and as he peers through the darkness notices Uthur, resplendent in gold coloured armour, plumbed helmet and raised sword directing the battle from the hill Merlain had announced the fight from.

Who is this warrior king? This isn't the stone age

savage I have come to expect in this land, who IS HE!

ERIC K rides among his men and screams

A thousand gold coins to the man who brings

me that warrior's head.

Hearing this a group of men mount their horses and break away, they approach the hill towards UTHUR who stands his ground, As they approach the crest they see a line of archers which a second line behind and yet a third line behind them. As the horsemen approach

UTHUR breaks through a gap in his men and the lower line of archers fire, as they start to set their bows the second row fire and as they reset the third row fire by which time the first row fire aging and the pattern is repeated causing an impenetrable wall or arrows to cut the riders down. The archers then move forwards and begin firing down onto ERICKs camp.

\as his line of men gets thinner and thinner and UTHURs men start to trample the bodies of the dead underfoot ERICK sees the battle lost

Back to the fort men, fall back to the fort.

A trumpet sounds and ERIC KS men start to retreat

The rest of ERICKs men follow his horse through the night towards the fort. They are cut down on the way by UTHURs horsemen and eventually the fort's doors are closed against a hail of arrows,

GUARD

Master, we have lost the supplies and water. If it is

a siege they want we will only last for a week.

ERICK

That's not what I want to hear, get the walls protected

and tell my generals to come to my quarters.

SCENE 54 INT NIGHT

UTHURs camp,

UTHUR

The plan went exactly to the letter.

ULAN

Now we have this rat where we want him it only

remains to put part two of our plan into action.

SCENE 55 EXT DAY

As the sun rises across the sea and waves crash over the rocks below the wooden fort ERICKs remaining men look over the parapet nervously. Beside a crow singing loudly above their heads the scene is eerily quiet. They do not see ESUIT and another of UTHURs men stealthily climbing the rocks from the shore towards the rear of the fort.

They carry bags of small bronze balls filled with black powder and a flint to light their fuses. Once just under the forts external wall they hunker down and use the ferns and bushes to hide until the time was right.

ERICKs men see a dust cloud rising up in the distance and strain their eyes to make out a heavy cart being pulled by eight oxen On the cart stands MERLAIN and behind him a large wooden box. When the cart is close enough for those in the fort to hear MERLAIN shout the cart grinds to a halt.

One of ERICKs men uses a long bow to fire an arrow towards the cart but it falls short MERLAIN had previously worked out the geometry between the fort and the distance and where the cart stopped. MERLAIN un-tethered the cart and the oxen strolled away in the direction from which they came.

MERLAIN

You there, with the bow. Tell your fat master to stop

quivering from fear and come to speak to me.

The archer looks behind and ERICK pushes him to one side.

ERICK

I live in fear of no man, sorcerer. What do you want?

MERLAIN

I have been sent by the true and only King of this

realm with a message.

ERICK

Oh yes?

MERLAIN

He offers you your life under the condition you leave

this realm before the end of this day.

ERICK

He does, does he?

MERLAIN

Yes, and to make this offer business-like

he will allow you to take this with you.

MERLAIN opens the top of the box and ERICK sees it is filled to the top with gold coins.

This gold will enable you to go back to your land a

victor, rich enough to build your own castle and live

the rest of your life at ease with the world.

ERICK

The mines of this land earn gold every day of the week.

MERLAIN

True, but to accumulate this much gold how many

backs have to be broken under the whip; how many

lives enslaved? Here is the offer, what you say?

ERICK

Look here sorcerer. I am comfortable where I am,

I have food and water and could stay here in

this place for many months without

venturing outside these walls.

I shall have to think about this for a while.

I will give you my answer tomorrow.

MERLAIN

Tomorrow the offer will be gone; it's today or death.

ERICK

Death? You can't touch me here. Not even your magic

can scale these walls; go and tell your master that

I will give him an answer tomorrow.

MERLAIN

You are wrong.

He reaches down and pulls a horn from beneath his cloak.

I have already told you; the true and rightful king

of this realm is protected by the spirits of the land.

They are powerful devils and you are not safe anywhere

from their touch; not even behind these walls.

ERICK

Lies! I don't believe in your magic and I don't believe in you.

MERLAIN

I only have to blow this horn to bring thunder from the

clouds and the finger of death will strike your men;

wherever they hide.

ERICK

LIES!

ARCHER

Don't provoke him master. You have seen how

powerful he is.

ERICK

Bahh! Lies, all lies.

MERLAIN places the horn to his lips and a long low note echoes through the hills. ESUIT upon hearing this ignites one of the grenade fuses and throws it high above the walls and it explodes with a thundering bang level with one of the guard towers. The men in the tower fall dead with deep wounds caused by the grenade's shrapnel.

ARCHER

Look sire, they have been struck dead by the spirits.

ERICK

How does he do that?

MERLAIN

Shall I kill more of your men or will you take this

generous offer?

He places the horn to his lips again and blows another long low note. ESUIT again throws a grenade and it explodes beside another tower killing those men inside.

ERICK

Stop!

MERLAIN

Is your answer yes?

ERICK

I have another offer sorcerer.

MERLAIN

I am not here to negotiate, what are you going

to do,

leave or die here like insects in a trap?

ERICK

Tell your master that I will leave, with his gold, but with

a condition of my own.

MERLAIN

Oh, what you say?

ERICK

Tell him to come fight me, like a man. With any weapon

he chooses and in any nearby place.

Whoever lives will be

the rightful ruler of this land and the owner of that crate

of gold; what you say to that?

MERLAIN

Why should he fight you when I could kill you all without

even moving from this place?

ERICK

A cowards choice; no, tell him to come and fight me

like a man. Or do the spirits of this place not go that far to

protect him?

A horse approaches and Uthur stops beside his friend before removing his bronze helmet.

Is this your master, this thin boy. Is this the so called

rightful King we have all heard about?

UTHUR

You can laugh, but I have heard your challenge and

come to meet it, here, now. Come down and fight me

if that is your wish. I shall be happy to sever your head

this day.

MERLAIN

Uthur, there's no need for this. We have him already.

UTHUR

Quiet friend. I can take him.

He looks up to where ERICK stands

I have my weapon, this sword is all I need .

He takes the sword AMBER had given them and holds it up in the sunlight.

ERICK smirks and leaves the top of the wall. In a few moments the gates of the fort are opened and he steps into the sunlit area between the fort and the cart.

ERICK

Call your sorcerer dog off; this fight is between you

and I boy.

MERLAIN

Uthur, please.

UTHUR

It's okay, I have to do this. For the sake of my people, my

land and for the sake of my father.

He turns to face ERICK and dismounts throwing his helmet to MERLAIN.

I have waited a long time for this moment.

ERICK

So Have I.

The sound of horses alerts them and both look back to see ULAN coming upon them. He stops his horse by MERLAIN and looks towards UTHUR

ULAN

Shall I kill him now?

UTHUR

Stop where you are. I am going to do this myself.

Suddenly a scream rings out and they all look towards the fort to see Gwen being held by a guard.

GWEN

Father, help me.

ULAN

Gwen, it can't be.

ERICK

How quant, a family reunion. To think that I was under

the impression that it was you who was leading the enemy

army. What a joke, all this time and it was him, this boy.

GWEN

Father!

ESUIT joined ULAN and his men and they draw their swords. ERICKS men do also and UTHUR addresses them.

UTHUR

Easy now.

ERICK

Call your dogs off boy, we had a deal remember.

ULAN

I should kill you now.

UTHUR

Easy.

ERICK

Tell them, tell them we had a deal.

ULAN

What is this pig talking about?

ERICK

TELL THEM!

GWEN

Father, save me....

UTHUR

I promised him a fair fight.

ULAN

For what Uthur, for what?

ERICK

For your loyalty, tell him.

ULAN

Uthur?

UTHUR

It's true, I said if he wins it will all be his, everything.

ULAN

I will never be his slave, I'd rather die first.

UTHUR

It won't come to that, trust me.

ERICK

Confident. Now, do we still have a deal or are we

all going to die, including her and believe me, that

bitch will be the first.

ULAN

Uthur?

UTHUR

Put your swords away, trust me. Just once. Our deal

remains, whoever walks from this fight takes the land

our blood will seed.

ULAN

Sire. I always trust in you.

They put their swords away and make space.

ERICK removes his tunic and flexes his biceps before shaking his belly fat toward the boy.

ERICK

You think you can take me, boy?

UTHUR

You may have size but I have agility on my side; come on

big man, let's do this.

They circle each other swords held out then ERICK cuts and thrusts to test his opponents swordsmanship. He thrusts forwards using his shoulder to push UTHUR across the sandy soil. ESUIT gasps as ERICK swipes down but UTHUR rolls out the way.

He stands and thrusts and cuts, his great sword glinting in the mid afternoon light, suddenly he is grabbed by ERICK who uses his forearm to strangle the boy. UTHUR stamps down upon the thugs foot and his stirrup cuts ERICKs shin. He throws the boy aside with a scream.

ERICK

That's cheating.

UTHUR

So is trying to strangle me,

They meet again and their swords clash, a deep gash appears on UTHURs arm and this gives ERICK the confidence to thrust forwards pushing the boy to the ground, his sword flies through the air and lands by ESUITs feet.

ERICK

Now I have you.

He stands over the boy and raises his sword above his head ready to sweep it down into UTHUR. The boy looks up to see his sword, flung by ESUIT fly through the air and land in his grip, He thrusts up straight into ERICKs gut, pushing the sword in to the hilt.

The big man looks down and drops his sword with a look of amazement on his face, then like a great tree he falls across the dirt in a great dusty heap.

The Guard who was holding GWEN lets her go and she runs into the arms of her father, they embrace.

GWEN

I thought I'd never see you again.

ULAN

Oh, my darling daughter, how I have missed you.

GWEN

Is this young Uthur, my true love, back to save me?

UTHUR

A lot has happened since we last saw each other.

ESUIT examines the body language and sees the great attraction between both Uthur and Gwen. She squints and peers back towards the body of ERICK just in time to see him throwing a long bladed knife towards the group with his dying breath. She jumps in front of GWEN and protects her from the flying blade, It imbeds itself into ESUITs heart. She drops as UTHUR screams. He runs to her and clutches her in his arms.

Esuit, my dearest Esuit, why?

ESUIT

A warrior must die a warrior's death.

UTHUR

But we had so little time together and I wanted to show you my land and its people.

ESUIT

If they are all as brave and noble as you I will be surprised.

UTHUR

You have been the best friend, the bravest fighter and the loyalist lover I have even known; I will miss you with every breath.

ESUIT

Be happy, my friend.

With that she dies and Uthur screams in grief. His voice echoes among the woods and hedgerows, the valleys and marshes and through every small hamlet of his nation.

SCENE 56 EXT DAY

A large crowd of people stand in front of a stage which has been assembled in a field near the fortress. Upon the stage UTHUR addresses the people backed by GWEN, MERLAIN ULAN and several others. Towards the rear of the crowd an old crow stands on tip toes trying to get a better view of what's going on. She tugs on the sleeve of a tall man standing beside her.

OLD WOMAN

Excuse me, I can't see very well and my hearing is poor. What's going on?

TALL MAN

See the old man with the beard?

OLD WOMAN

Yes.

TALLMAN

He's just introducing our new King.

OLD WOMAN

Oh...

MERLAIN

Now, to address you all,

the one and only rightful heir to this kingdom,

Uthur.

OLD WOMAN

What did he say?

TALL MAN

The new king, his name's Arthur.

OLD WOMAN

Oh, very noble.

UTHUR

Friends, I bid you all welcome. By the blade of this sword which fate has given me.

Once a gift from the Lady across the Waters,

Esa Kali Akbar....

OLD WOMAN

What's he saying?

TALL MAN

He said the sword came from a lady in a lake or something and he's calling it Excalibur.

OLD WOMAN

Oh, how romantic..

UTHUR

...and the tool of this land's liberation.

It will be a symbol of our freedom forevermore.

Now we have learned the secret of metal making from the dragoon

I will take the name Uthur Pendragon

and this place will forever be known Tintagil,

the place of tin.

OLD WOMAN

What was that/

TALL MAN

He said his name is Arthur Pendragon and he's going to call his castle Tintagil or something.

OLD WOMAN

Oh, how wonderful.

UTHUR

My friend Ulan, who likes to use his lance a lot, will be my first minister beside my beautiful wife Gwen.

OLD WOMAN

What was that?

TALL MAN

He said the big guy is his first minister, Lancelot and that pretty lady is his wife Gwen.

OLD WOMAN

Oh, how lovely, it's like a fairy story isn't it?

UTHUR

Together we bring democracy and peace

to this Royal Throne of Kings.

This realm, this land; our Albion.

Where all shall prosper by his labours

And live free, happy and healthy lives.

Come, join me now, in a feast to celebrate our

New-found freedom and

we will march into our future

a free people.

A prosperous nation and

a happy family of men, women and their issue.

OLD WOMAN

What was that he said?

TALL MAN

They're putting on a free spread,

Lots of booze and food for everyone.

You'd better go first, old girl;

come, I'll look after you.

OLD WOMAN

Oh thank you, young man. I think I'm going to like this King...

THE END

© David William Kirby

The Dogbreaths Publishing 2014

dwkglynrde5@yahoo.co.uk

All rights reserved2013

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