Dragon Slayer Page #14

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KING:

Then the beast is dead?

GALEN:

Yes, of course. Dead.

KING:

We shall see.

CUT TO:

DUNGEON:

Two guards thrust Galen into a narrow cell and slam the barred

door shut. The young sorcerer waits until they're safely out

of sight, then takes out his amulet. He ponders it for a

doubtful moment. Suddenly a gloved hand darts in and whips

it off his neck and out through the bars.

TYRIAN:

Thank you.

He makes an ironic salute and leaves. Galen sits down heavily

and stares at the stone walls.

CORRIDOR:

Unseen by Galen, a figure clad in silk and lace skitters

down a murky dungeon hallway and peers around a corner.

Stealing a look at Galen is the Princess Elspeth, a fey beauty

in her early twenties. After a moment, spooked by some

imagined noise, she flits away.

CUT TO:

DRAGON COUNTRY - DAY

Dark clouds slide across a pale sun, throwing the ruined

land below into shadow. Soon fat droplets of rain are

splattering on the rocks above the dragon's lair. With each

tiny splash there is a sizzle and a puff of steam. These

rocks are hot!

CUT TO:

DUNGEON:

Outside the barred window, a steady rain is falling. Inside,

Galen uses a chunk of limestone to inscribe a pentagram on

the floor of his cell. He marks runic signs on the window

sill and lintel. Then, positioning himself in the center of

the mystic symbol, he raises his hands and spreads his

fingers.

GALEN:

(authoritative)

Cubiculum gravis aperat!

There's a long moment when nothing happens. A very long

moment. Finally, a thoroughly frustrated Galen leaps to the

window and rattles the bars.

GALEN:

Open up, dammit! Fenestra gravis

aperat! Asser gravis aperat!

Divinitus!

VOICE:

Salve, magistrum iuvenilum.

Startled, Galen whirls around to find Elspeth standing outside

his cell. She hands some food and blankets through the bars.

ELSPETH:

I've studied Latin. Greek, too. Me

appelo Elspeth, filia regis.

Galen looks her over. He's never seen anyone so angelic.

GALEN:

How do you do.

ELSPETH:

Please don't think ill of us. My

father is a wonderful man, a wise

man. The lottery was his idea.

GALEN:

I see.

ELSPETH:

You don't understand. From the moment

it began, the dragon was tame. The

kingdom prospered.

GALEN:

And only a few had to be sacrificed.

ELSPETH:

Yes, that's true. Isn't it better

that a few should die that many might

live?

GALEN:

Depends on who does the dying.

ELSPETH:

Oh, but we all take our chances. My

father is a just man. My name is

entered on the lists, along with

every other young --

GALEN:

Virgin?

ELSPETH:

Maiden.

GALEN:

If you say so.

ELSPETH:

What do you mean?

GALEN:

(sighs)

Nothing.

ELSPETH:

I've participated in every drawing

since I came of age.

GALEN:

Maybe.

ELSPETH:

It's true. You don't believe me. You

think I'm lying. Well I'm not.

GALEN:

I'm sorry. I heard a rumor. Families

with money, that sort of thing.

ELSPETH:

Don't listen to rumors. They're lies.

I have to go now.

GALEN:

Wait -- how long do I have to stay

in here?

ELSPETH:

Until we know. Not long. Goodbye.

Vale. Dormi bene.

She slips away down the corridor.

LIBRARY:

King Casiodorus and Tyrian are huddled over a table piled

high with manuscripts and papers. Tyrian clears a spot and

sets out a stack of lead bars.

KING:

That's enough. Let's not be greedy

here.

The King picks up Galen's amulet, and holds it over the bars

in his clenched fist.

KING:

Now then:
I, Casiodorus Rex do hereby

command thou base metal to change

thy essence and become gold.

There is a rustle of skirts and Elspeth appears behind him.

ELSPETH:

Father?

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