Hearts and Bones

Short on time today, so here's a bit more from my b-fantasy script RING OF THE SORCERESS:

Boris stands above him, triumphant.
But Silverthorn is looking past him, somewhere beyond.
SILVERTHORN (CONT'D)
(whispers)
Peryl....
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS (LAKE) -- CONTINUOUS
Peryl turns her head, as if hearing something in the wind.
Feature Peryl's POV, as she scans the branches blowing in the breeze, the grass rippling, the sun dancing on water.
Peryl turns around, and continues to follow the path.
Suddenly, a hand grasps her shoulder.
SHADOW
(grating)
You.
Peryl starts, and turns, eyes wide.
SHADOW (CONT'D)
You did this to me.
Peryl opens her mouth to speak, and cannot find words. Shadow shakes her.
SHADOW (CONT'D)
WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?!
PERYL
I--I brought you back to life.
SHADOW
This?
(beat)
This is life? I have no memory of who I was...my body aches with cold, but my mind is on fire. You did not return me as a man, but as a shadow.
PERYL
My...intention was to bring back a little girl's pet. But you lay in an unmarked grave nearby.
(beat, carefully)
How did you arrive there, shadow?
Shadow shakes his head.
SHADOW
I...know not. I remember...a cave, running with blood...a black castle, on a high cliff, backed with cold stars...something draws me there...
PERYL
A black castle? That sounds like Castle Ebon, where Queen Esme rules...but I fear you would not be welcome there, even under better circumstances. The queen is in mourning--
SHADOW
--and I am haunted by other visions...of the slaughter of innocents, helpless maidens and others...
Peryl looks significantly at his sword.
PERYL
That is waking nightmare. Those things have come to pass.
Shadow shakes his head.
SHADOW
I am guilty of stealing clothes from a farm wife's clothesline, and this sword from a smithy's scrap heap.
PERYL
Be that true or not, it seems we both want to end this suffering. Return with me to the abbey, and I will try to undo what has been done.
Shadow shakes his head.
SHADOW
No! My destiny lies elsewhere.
PERYL
Your destiny is the grave, shadow. You must be...unmade.
Shadow unsheathes his sword.
SHADOW
Do not force my hand.
The two stare at each other for a long moment. Suddenly, the reverie is broken by a SHOUT from out of frame.
BROKEFOOT (O.S.)
What's this?
Shadow and Peryl turn and face three ragged, dirty mercenaries in patched-together armor and rusting swords. Their leader, BROKEFOOT, is a hard-looking man bearing the scars of a hundred battles. He sports an evil, yellowed grin.
BROKEFOOT (CONT'D)
Boys, it looks like we've found the maiden-slayer. The villiage militia is offering gold for his head.
Shadow lowers his sword.
SHADOW
This is not as it seems.
BROKEFOOT
There can be no other way. We stopped you before your murdered another.
(he looks Peryl up and down)
Or mayhaps we got here too late. This one was already raped and dead.
The men all grin with broken teeth. Peryl shakes her head in horror as Brokefoot reaches for her.
BROKEFOOT (CONT'D)
(to his compatriots)
See to the maiden-killer, and I'll save you some.
Shadow pushes Peryl away.
SHADOW
RUN!!
Peryl takes off in a dead run as Shadow meets Brokefoot at sword-points. The two blades CLASH as the first of Brokefoot's companions, GREGOR, HOOTS and pursues Peryl. The second man, LEMUEL, ROARS and attacks Shadow as well. Suddenly, he is fighting off attacks from two sides.
Feature Peryl running through the woods.
Feature Gregor in hot pursuit.
Feature Shadow turning on Brokefoot, swords CLANGING, as Lemuel tries to flank him. As Shadow pushes his advantage on Brokefoot, he loses track of Lemuel.
Suddenly, Shadow is run through by Lemuel. Shadow, a look of shock on his face, stares down at the bloodied point jutting a foot from his chest.
Feature Peryl being overtaken by Gregor, and going down in a heap, the slavering mercenary crushing her under his weight. She SCREAMS and struggles as he rips at her clothes.
Lemuel pulls the sword free from Shadow, and he falls to his knees, gasping. Then he topples over into the dirt. The two mercenaries look on for a moment, then exchange glances.
BROKEFOOT
Let's catch up to Gregor. He can't have all the fun.
The two clasp shoulders and head off down the trail.
Behind them, Shadow raises up and glares, murder in his eyes.
Brokefoot and Lemuel stop, feeling his gaze beat down on the back of their necks. They both turn slowly.
Shadow reaches down and picks up his fallen blade. It sings in his hand.
Shadow YELLS and charges.
Lemuel, caught flat-footed, takes a blade to the torso and falls.
Brokefoot drops to his knees in supplication.
BROKEFOOT (CONT'D)
Please...NO!!
Shadow raises his sword and brings it down, reducing Brokefoot's scream to a GURGLE.
CUT TO:
EXT. WOODS -- MOMENTS LATER
Gregor is fighting to subdue Peryl. She begins another CHANT. Gregor backhands her.
GREGOR
Still your tongue, witch!
But suddenly, branches begin to whip down and crack Gregor about the face and neck. He begins to CRY OUT in protest. He leaps off of Peryl and staggers a few steps back, bleeding from whip marks. He gives Peryl a flinty leer.
GREGOR (CONT'D)
You want to feel the lash, do ya? You'll get the lash. I'll beat ya like a five-ducat harlot.
Gregor steps forward, and Peryl scrabbles back.
Gregor leans down. Suddenly, cold steel blooms from his chest, jutting from his ribs. He falls, choking, and Shadow stands revealed behind him.
Peryl sits up, and surveys the scene. Shadow steps up and offers her his hand. She ignores it and struggles to her feet.
SHADOW
Do you still not trust me, after what you've seen?
PERYL
You have slaked your bloodthirst with the lives of evil men...does that make it any less wicked?
Shadow looks stunned.
SHADOW
Then I will return with you to your abbey...as an escort to you only, to prove my intentions.
PERYL
We shall see.
Peryl nods, and abruptly walks away. After a moment, Shadow follows.


Give me a yell at johnoakdalton@hotmail.com.