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 beautif
ul 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
Uther and the Secret of the Dragon Page 14
