ARIANNA: An Original Screenplay Read online

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

  Ar
ianna 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.

  RIVALEN (CONT'D): This can be yours.

  They can give you however much you want.

  Just tell them where she is.

  Elliott slowly looks at him, pausing a long moment.

  He finally nods.

  Rivalen draws back, picking the axe before nodding to the masked rider.

  Elliott is released.

  RIVALEN (CONT'D): So where is she?

  Elliott slowly gathers the coins.

  ELLIOTT: (beat) Above, in my room.

  Rivalen points to the second floor of the house.

  The remaining rider moves in.

  He turns back to Elliott as he slowly stands.

  RIVALEN: These people are true to their

  word my friend. (smiles) I should know.

  Elliott glances aside to check they're alone.

  Rivalen notices.

  Before he can react Elliott throws the coins in his face and tackles him to the ground, prying the axe from his hand.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - FRONT

  Kylan emerges from the corn field and approaches the house.

  He hears the commotion from around the far side of the house and stops.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - REAR SIDE

  Rivalen head butts Elliott, pushing him back.

  Elliott kicks him in the stomach and grabs the axe before he gets it. He swings the blade and strikes Rivalen in the face.

  KYLAN (O.S): Pa?

  Elliott turns and sees Kylan around the corner.

  He glances aside, eyes widening, and quickly raises a hand just as a arrow hits him from the side.

  Kylan freezes.

  The two riders return from the house, one lowering a small arrow gun, the other drawing his sword.

  Elliott falls to the ground, in pain.

  Kylan is unable to move, paralysed with fear.

  The riders move in, unaware of Kylan behind them.

  Elliott pulls the axe from Rivalen's face and raises it.

  The curved sword comes down, cutting off his hand.

  Elliott screams.

  Kylan looks away, unable to watch.

  One of the riders looks aside at Rivalen's body and moves off.

  MASKED RIDER: (subtitled) Finish him. I'll

  search the rest of the farm.

  Elliott tries to crawl away, clenching his teeth from the pain.

  He stops and risks a glance at Kylan. His eyes urging him to go but also bidding farewell.

  Kylan raises his hand, trembling.

  The remaining rider steps forward and raises his sword.

  Elliott closes his eyes.

  The sword comes down. Taking off his head.

  Kylan trips backs, tears running down his face.

  The rider sheathes his sword and follows the other to the barn and stable.

  Kylan back away, almost tripping.

  He finally turns and runs.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. ELLORAN WOODS - NIGHT

  Arianna sits by the stream, head still hooded.

  She slowly looks aside, a tear running down her cheek.

  She looks back at the stream and sees someone's reflection behind her.

  She jumps, startled, and spins around.

  White Beard stands alone.

  WHITE BEARD: Patience isn't always a

  virtue Naiyoo.

  He smiles, seemingly thirty years older than when we last saw him.

  WHITE BEARD (CONT'D): Or should I call

  you "Arianna"?

  Arianna draws back.

  White Beard nods behind her.

  WHITE BEARD (CONT'D): His armies will

  come for you. They know you are here.

  Arianna reads his lips.

  WHITE BEARD (CONT'D): I cannot hide

  you this time.

  He points to the sky.

  WHITE BEARD (CONT'D): Remember, his

  Eyes are watching for you.

  Arianna looks up. The trees providing thick cover.

  She looks back down and stops.

  White Beard is gone

  She looks around, nervous, and quickly grabs her sack off the ground.

  She pushes on into the woods but then stops again.

  Looking back over her shoulder.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. MEADOW - NIGHT

  Kylan staggers forward, broken and alone.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. FARM HOUSE - NIGHT

  The swing sways in the wind, all the windows dark.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  INT. ELLIOTT'S BEDROOM

  The bed is knocked over, the closet open.

  Alana's clothes and Kylan's poems scattered.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. WHEAT FIELD - NIGHT

  Kanthaka lies dead, eyes still open.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. MARKET - ELLORA TOWN CENTRE - NIGHT

  Bodies surround us. Mostly men but also children and the elderly.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. MAIN SQUARE - NIGHT

  The girls that were rounded are also dead, piled up on each other.

  The whole of Ellora a silent grave.

  DISSOLVE TO.

  EXT. FIELD - OUTSKIRTS OF ELLORA - NIGHT

  A masked figure walks alone, Xylock.

  He stops and kneels down, looking up at one of the Eyes in the night sky.

  The gold pyramid rotates, holding a fixed position.

  XYLOCK: (subtitled) Great Father, we thank

  you for our victory with gifts for the Chosen.

  He lowers his head and listens.

  XYLOCK (CONT'D): (beat) Forgive us. She

  was not found.

  The Eye rotates.

  Xylock slowly nods.

  XYLOCK (CONT'D): We will search every

  corner of this Realm. The Lost One shall be

  returned.

  He touches the sides of his head and raises his hands to the sky.

  XYLOCK (CONT'D): As was written so shall

  be.

  He bows forward and rests his hands on the ground.

  Behind him we see a small camp. Caged carriages holding the girls taken from Ellora.

  None of them speak, all still in shock.

  INT. CAGED CARRIAGE

  Sophie sits in the corner with a bruise on her cheek, staring off into thin air.

  CUT TO.

  EXT. ELLORAN WOODS - NIGHT

  Kylan staggers forward.

  He stops by the stream and drops to his knees.

  No one is there.

  He lowers his head and closes his eyes.