ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay (12 page)

The soldier standing over him removes his sword and turns away, leaving them both.

CUT TO.

EXT. MAIN SQUARE

Xylock climbs down from his horse and approaches the girls gathered in the main square.

All are in the late teens or early twenties, all on their knees.

He slowly studies their frightened faces and sees to another hooded girl. He lifts her head and checks the left side of her face.

MASKED SOLDIER (O.S): She is not

amongst these.

Xylock steps back and slowly looks across the town.

The screams and cries of the dying beginning to settle.

XYLOCK: Perhaps it is not here she is hiding.

A large girl is thrown into the crowd, crying hysterically.

CRYING GIRL: Why are you doing this?!

Why are you doing this to us??

The girl is slapped and kicked down.

Xylock looks at them again.

XYLOCK: Many of these are not worthy.

Take only the most desirable.

The soldiers move in and begin picking out the most attractive girls, shoving them to one side.

Sebille watches as their tops pulled down or ripped off. A soldier standing by a fire heating a small press.

The first of the chosen girls is pinned down against a table.

PINNED GIRL: No no, please!

She screams as a small symbol is burnt onto the back of her right shoulder.

Sebille is grabbed by the arm and raised to her feet.

SEBILLE: No...

She struggles as she's stripped down.

SEBILLE (CONT'D): NO!

She breaks away and runs.

Xylock, back on his horse, turns around and raises his arrow gun.

An arrow burst through Sebille's throat.

The girls scream as Sebille's body drops to the ground.

Xylock turns away.

SECOND RIDER: (approaching) There are

several farms in the outlying area, shall we

advance?

Xylock pauses in thought.

XYLOCK: A large party will be seen from

afar. She may flee again.

He turns to the second rider.

XYLOCK (CONT'D): Send scouts, have two

men follow each.

The rider bows and moves off.

Behind them another girl screams as she's branded.

XYLOCK (CONT'D): (to soldiers) Dispose

of the rest.

The soldiers move in with their swords.

CUT TO.

EXT. FOOTPATH - WHEAT FIELD

Kylan rides on, looking back over his shoulder.

EXT. WOODS

Arianna hides behind a large tree, hugging her knees as she nervously waits.

She slowly peeks out, head still hooded, then drops back into shadows, keeping herself hidden.

CUT TO.

EXT. FARM HOUSE - FAR SIDE - SUNSET

A block of wood is chopped in two. Elliott stands with an axe, wiping his brow.

He replaced the block and chops again.

A horse approaches.

Elliott glances aside.

ELLIOTT: About time.

A horse comes around the side of the house and slows to a stop.

ELLIOTT (CONT'D): I said take him for a

ride not take the day off.

MAN (O.S): Excuse me?

Elliott turns his head and sees black haired man climb down off the horse.

Elliott lowers his axe and turns around.

ELLIOTT: Sorry friend, I thought you were my son.

Rivalen smiles.

EXT. WHEAT FIELD - SUNSET

Kanthaka slows down, lightly neighing.

KYLAN: Come on come on, we're almost

home.

Kanthaka stops, legs weakening.

Kylan climbs down and sees an arrow through his side.

KYLAN (CONT'D): No...

He touches the arrow and pauses.

KYLAN (CONT'D): I'm sorry.

He pulls the arrow out.

Kanthaka cries out, legs folding.

KYLAN (CONT'D): I'm sorry I'm sorry.

He throws the arrow aside and quickly kneels in front of his horse, massaging his face.

KYLAN (CONT'D): Stay with me Kanthaka,

stay with me...

Kanthaka's breathes slow down.

Kylan shakes his head, tears forming.

KYLAN (CONT'D): No Kanthaka, no.

The horse slowly exhales and stops stills.

Kylan lowers his head, trembling.

He rests his forehead against Kanthaka's.

EXT. FARM HOUSE - FAR SIDE

Rivalen removes two flasks from his saddle.

RIVALEN: I'm sorry to intrude, I was just

passing by and wondered if you could spare

a little water for my journey.

Elliott nods to a barrel nearby.

ELLIOTT: No permission needed. Help

yourself.

RIVALEN: (smiles) I thank you my friend.

Elliott returns to the chopping slab.

Rivalen splashes his face, drinking a little.

ELLIOTT: Where you headed?

RIVALEN: West. Hopefully find some more

work.

ELLIOTT: Been working the season?

RIVALEN: (laughs) To the bone.

ELLIOTT: Who's land have you been on?

RIVALEN: The Temwoth plantation.

Elliott pauses, his back to Rivalen.

ELLIOTT: How is Cantor? Not seen him for

a while.

He continues chopping.

RIVALEN: He's well. (laughs) We shared a

good few drinks before I left.

He slowly turns and looks at the house.

ELLIOTT: (beat) What's your name friend?

RIVALEN: Rivalen.

Elliott looks back at him as he peeks in

through one of the windows. The kitchen

empty.

RIVALEN (CONT'D): (beat) Your wife

cooking you a fine meal this evening?

ELLIOTT: My wife passed many years ago.

RIVALEN: I'm sorry to hear that. Just you

and this boy of yours?

ELLIOTT: That's right.

RIVALEN: No daughters?

Elliott chops another piece of wood, gripping the axe tight.

ELLIOTT: Just me and my boy.

Rivalen glances aside.

He sees clothes drying on a line. A dress amongst them.

EXT. FOOTPATH - WHEAT FIELDS

Kylan trips and falls. He gets back up and continues to run, pushing himself.

He hears horses approach and looks back, panicking.

He quickly drops into the wheat field and ducks out of sight.

Two black horses pass by. The masked riders not spotting him.

EXT. FARM HOUSE - FAR SIDE

Rivalen looks up at the house, eyes on the top floor windows.

Elliott turns, resting the axe on his shoulder.

ELLIOTT: Quite unusual isn't it. Travelling

so late. Wouldn't it be wiser to leave in the

morning?

Rivalen smiles, returning to his horse.

RIVALEN: I have a friend in the next town.

It's not far.

He packs away the flasks and slowly reaches from a blade under the saddle.

The edge of the axe stops by the side of his neck.

Elliott stands behind him.

ELLIOTT: (beat) Where is the Temwoth girl?

Rivalen smiles, slowly raising his hands.

RIVALEN: I think you have me mistaken for

someone else my friend.

Elliott holds the axe to his throat as he turns.

ELLIOTT: Where is she?

Rivalen looks over Elliott's shoulder and smiles.

Elliott is struck against the side of the head with the butt of a sword.

RIVALEN: Wait!

The two masked riders lower their curved blades.

RIVALEN (CONT'D): The house, search the

house!

One of riders hurries in through the back door, the other locking Elliott's arms behind his back.

Rivalen leans forward.

RIVALEN (CONT'D): Where is she? The

pale haired girl with the markings, where is

she?

Elliott spits in his face.

EXT. ELLORAN WOODS - SUNSET

Arianna waits by the stream. She turns her head, unsure what to do.

EXT. CORN FIELD - SUNSET

Kylan wades through the corn, exhausted.

EXT. FARM HOUSE - FAR SIDE

The masked rider pins Elliott to the ground. Rivalen kneels down beside him and forces eye contact.

RIVALEN: Where are you hiding her?

ELLIOTT: I told you no girl lives here.

RIVALEN: (beat) These people will not harm

her. I promise you.

He reaches behind his belt and takes out a small satchel.

RIVALEN (CONT'D): You see this?

He empties gold coins in front of him.