Dragon Slayer Page #16

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Galen is trapped. Just as Tyrian reaches for the horse's

reins, the animal rears up, rolling its eyes. At that moment

the floor heaves and cracks in a new series of shocks. The

men at arms go down like ten pins. Tyrian reels back, dodging

stone blocks loosened from the ceiling. As the shaking

continues, a weakened section of wall gives way. Galen sees

daylight! Without even waiting for the quake to cease, he

prods the horse across the room and through the wall to

freedom.

CUT TO:

DRAGON COUNTRY - DAY

The unnerved citizens of Swanscombe gather on the promontory

overlooking Galen's landslide. Every few seconds there is a

new shudder and more rocks pour down the long slope. Valerian

stands trembling with her father. Presently Brother Jacopus

elbows his way forward.

BROTHER JACOPUS:

Listen to me, my brethren. The moment

of our fear is the moment of our

triumph. This is a sign from God.

Follow me, and our faith will send

this creature straight to hell.

Holding a cross before him, he starts up the slope. No one

follows. They haven't been Christians all that long. One or

two near Valerian get down on their knees and pray silently.

Greil looks things over.

GREIL:

You call yourselves Christians?

He strides after the monk. But he's the only one.

NEAR THE LAIR:

The determined monk has arrived at the epicenter. His sandals

are smoking on the hot gravel. Sweat shines on his face and

neck.

BROTHER JACOPUS:

The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not

want. Thou makest me to lie down in

green pastures. Thy rod and staff

they comfort me...

Greil toils up the slope a hundred yards back. He's crossing

himself, but he's carrying a sickle.

VERMITHRAX:

There is a thunderous noise. Part of the mountain is tossed

into the air. Up from the depths comes a huge shining wing.

Then a neck uncoils and a head appears. It tips down toward

the tiny human.

BROTHER JACOPUS:

(firm)

...for Thine is the kingdom and the

power and the glory forever -- amen.

At the base of the slope the villagers scatter. Greil wavers.

BROTHER JACOPUS:

Unclean beast, get thee down! Be

thou consumed by the fires that made

you!

The dragon's head sways back and forth, then belches out a

waterfall of flame. It engulfs Jacopus and sends him to a

better world, if there is one.

CUT TO:

HILL ROAD - NIGHT

Horse and rider race across a night landscape under brooding

clouds. Up ahead, the sky glows with an angry red light. At

the crest of a hill Galen reins in and looks down across a

long valley. There, miles away, is the village of Swanscombe.

Many buildings are ablaze. As he watches in horror, fires

spring up in the fields and trees. Intermittently he can see

the silhouette of the dragon as it spreads destruction.

Finally the creature swoops up and away. Galen stares skyward,

losing sight of it in the clouds. For a moment, silence.

Then, with a thunderous rush of air that almost blows him

from the saddle, the dragon reappears and hurtles a few feet

over his head! It is gone in an instant.

CUT TO:

VILLAGE - NIGHT

Half the buildings in the town are on fire. Desperate

villagers dash here and there, herding children and animals

to safety, trying to save their household goods. Galen walks

woodenly into the confusion, leading his horse, taking in

the scope of the disaster. He comes upon a line of men who

have formed a bucket brigade. He attempts to join up. As

soon as he is recognized, he is shouldered roughly aside.

MAN:

Get away, you little bastard. We've

had enough help from you.

Galen staggers back, reaching for his horse. The animal shies

and trots off. A middle-aged woman appears in front of him,

her face contorted with rage. She swings a flaming broom and

catches him on the back of the head. Galen reels away.

WOMAN:

This is your doing!

Galen looks up and sees a couple of burlies moving his way

with boards in their hands.

BURLIES:

Get him! He's back!

Before they can get too close, Galen runs down an alley and

bumps smack into a glassy-eyed, haunted man. It is Greil.

GALEN:

Greil -- help!

GREIL:

May the Lord forgive you for what

you have done.

He pushes past. Galen ducks behind a smoldering building.

VALERIAN'S HOUSE

The roof has burned off, but at least the walls are standing.

Valerian is wrestling charred timbers out of the center of

the room. She is covered with soot. There is a hammering on

the door and Galen barges in. He slams the door behind him

and puts his back against it.

GALEN:

It's me. Are you hurt?

VALERIAN:

Where have you been? Doesn't matter --

listen:
Quick! Make it rain. That'll

put the fire out.

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