Attila Page #6

the West it would be on your head.

Do you begin to feel the weight?

(Sighs )

Well, Aetius?

Once before, when Attila threatened,

I took a journey to meet him.

- I propose to take another.

- To the Eastern Empire?

Yes.

I'll assess the situation

and deal with it personally.

Yes.

Good idea. Go immediately.

- A word, Majesty, about your sister.

- What about her?

It is rumored

that she's plotting against you.

What? With whom?

- With Eugenius, sire.

- Eugenius?

- Not Eugenius her chamberlain?

- The same, sire.

Honoria is conspiring against me...

with a butler?!

You are a goddess.

We'll avoid killing him

if possible.

He's a dolt, but he is my brother.

I've never known such passion.

Perhaps the fall festival

would be the best time to strike.

No, Latorius doesn't think so.

He says it's too soon.

You spoke of our plans to Latorius?

We need an officer

of the guard on our side.

My beautiful, stupid Eugenius.

We must keep everything secret

until we are ready to...

You should be leaving soon, Father.

The tide goes out at sunset.

- News?

- Yes. Honoria's coming with me.

She's been exiled to the East.

She might have been executed.

She'll probably wish she had been.

She's been given to Pulcheria.

- I almost feel sorry for her.

- So do I, almost.

If you see Attila,

remember me to him.

Placidia was right.

I should have had him killed here.

He was a guest in our home.

Yes, well, I have to see

how dangerous he's become.

Take care while I'm away.

I will.

- Did you meet with the ambassador?

- Briefly.

The longer I put him off,

the more gold he's willing to pay.

And yet, is that a gain

worthy of a great king?

I have long ears, sire,

the better to serve you,

and they've heard talk

among your generals.

Their loyalty is absolute,

yet they wonder.

We've conquered a hundred nations,

pressed the Eastern Empire

to Constantinople,

- yet do not move against the West.

- The time is not right.

- When will it be right, sire?

- When I say it is.

What other reason is given, Orestes?

Some say, sire, that you fear Aetius.

Forgive me, sire. A foolish rumor.

Who spreads this rumor?

- You, Great King.

- I?

Yes, by your refusal

to move against the West.

- You have courage, Orestes.

- (Sighs )

I would not serve you if I

did not dare to speak the truth.

I am ruler, not only of the Huns,

but of the hundred nations.

- Whose kings obey your commands.

- I need more than their obedience.

- I need their belief.

- In what, sire?

That's what I wait for.

The thing that will make them

not merely serve, but believe.

- A sign, like the war god's sword?

- A sign or a reason.

What Aetius used to call a pretext.

And when it comes, I will know,

and then I will move

against the Western Empire.

Yes, sire.

CONSTANTINOPLE:

CAPITAL OF THE EASTERN EMPIRE

Aetius, welcome to the East.

(Aetius ) Thank you, Majesty.

I have kept your arrival secret,

as you requested.

It suits my purpose. Thank you.

And Honoria, I have not seen you

since you were six years old.

It pains me

that you grew up to be a traitor.

Fortunately, my sister Pulcheria

has agreed to take you in.

Take me in to what?

Into a life dedicated to celibacy

and to the works of God.

- You must be joking.

- We shall see if I am joking.

- The devil's got in you.

- I'm not joining any ridiculous...

(Pulcheria ) But we'll get him out.

I can see we have

a lot of work ahead of us.

I had hoped you would bring troops,

Aetius.

Ever since Attila crushed our army,

we huddle, trembling,

behind our walls.

We have no troops to spare, Majesty.

- And money?

- Alas, we're short there, too.

Then why did you bother to come?

To devise a plan, sire.

But it will take time.

We don't have time.

The nobles sell their very furniture

to meet Attila's demands,

while refugees flood the city.

The rich give them work

to prevent riots.

As you can see, I do my share.

You spoke of a plan.

What do you mean exactly?

An empire built so quickly

will have weaknesses.

(Theodosius )

How will you discover them?

(Aetius )

I'll visit Attila's territory.

(Theodosius ) Rather vague.

I have something more specific.

Assassination.

Forgive me, Aetius.

I wanted you to see

his work first-hand.

This is Lygus,

adept at seeing without being seen,

skilful with weapons,

as you can see.

And best of all, he has no tongue.

So if he's caught,

he can't give me away.

Attila has spies as we do.

He'll hear of your plan and foil it.

Perhaps, perhaps not.

- You like the girl?

- A refugee?

Her family was slaughtered by

the Huns. Shall I send her to you?

Yes, if I may request

one alteration.

Please yourself. She is yours.

Your name?

Ilidico.

They tell me you have reason

to hate the Huns.

My father was village chieftain.

I saw him die, my mother as well.

Bones left...

for the vultures.

- But you managed to escape.

- To my sorrow.

Suppose I could arrange for you

to take revenge?

- How?

- By killing their king.

Attila himself? How is it possible?

My question first.

If it were possible, would you do it?

- Yes, I would do it.

- Even if it meant your own death?

I would enter hell rejoicing if

I could send Attila there before me.

We will assemble

in the courtyard in one hour.

Today we minister to the poor

in St Catherine's parish.

You hate this place as much as I do.

I can see it in your eyes.

What if I do?

I'm trapped here just as you are.

You're wrong.

Do you have friends on the outside?

I've written a note.

Have it delivered with this ring.

Take it and the ring

to prove the letter comes from me.

Have your friend deliver these

to the man I name

and you and I will be free forever.

- What man?

- Attila, King of the Huns.

We conquer cities, we rule the world,

and yet, we can't even build a bath.

There's a more pressing matter.

The Eastern emperor

has hired an assassin.

- I want a bath like in Rome.

- Majesty...

Our spies bring this rumor

every week.

This rumor has substance.

- There are so many foreigners.

- Including you.

Or have you forgotten?

I trust I've proved my loyalty, sire.

So you have.

Many times.

(Sighs )

Orestes, if it is my destiny to die,

I will die.

- If not, no assassin can harm me.

- Still, I ask you to be prudent.

And I ask you,

why is this bath not finished?

The marble has to be brought

a thousand leagues,

the pipes angled and the furnace...

Enough.

- You have three days.

- Three days? But sire.

Yes, Great King, of course,

three days.

- That's Attila?

- Yes.

Try to keep the hatred

out of your eyes when you meet him.

(Choking)

Your name is Lygus.

You were sent by Theodosius,

Emperor of the East.

Is that not so?

(Yells)

(Groans )

Orestes!

You were supposed to call

when he showed himself.

- (Attila ) There was no need.

- I'll have him crucified.

He's a brave man

and loyal to his master.

- Send him back safely.

- Sire...

- How much was he to be paid?

- 50lbs in gold.

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