The Flame and the Arrow Page #3

Since my castle's been burned

and my land confiscated...

...and the law seems powerless

to protect my person or possessions...

...then by all the saints, I'm outside

the protection of the law myself.

Outlaw. So you may have me.

You'd undoubtedly be a decorative thing

to have around.

But our number's limited.

We're more in need of men

than amusement.

So I'm afraid we'll just have to forgo

the luxury of your company.

I'm afraid this puts you in the

embarrassing position of keeping me out.

Now, you wouldn't want to spoil

your pretty clothes.

Why don't you go peacefully

like a nice boy?

I could best you at the lance.

You could probably

master me with the bow.

I suggest, therefore,

a man-to-man encounter, barehanded.

Marchese, you're gonna get dirty.

Piccolo.

Very good. Very good. Adroit.

Now having taken

each other's measure, we shall see.

I leave it up to the outlaws.

Is it worth the trouble to keep him out?

And there's just one thing

you should know.

-I have the last word.

-Haven't tried for the third fall.

-Until we do.

-Until we do, you have the last word.

Of course, understand one thing :

You take me and you take my minstrel.

I insist on music with my meals.

A couplet to convince your lady

your lies are harmless.

A rhyme to flatter yourself

on your birthday.

A ballad to exaggerate your manhood

for the sake of your friends.

A melancholy song to make yourself

think you're a man of deep thoughts.

I'm a useful fellow to have

when you're moody...

...and I don't eat

more than twice my share.

Besides your wish,

since I can't sing to please myself...

...but only songs to suit the Hawk,

my music's as good as outlaw...

...and wherever my music goes,

I follow.

And now may I ask

when you villains eat?

Your new home, marchese.

A tomb of the ancient gods.

The roof leaks.

The glory of Olympus reduced

to a shelter for outlaws.

I think the ancient gods

lived a little like outlaws themselves.

That's right,

so why shouldn't we live like gods?

Besides,

it's the safest place we know.

Two more mouths to feed, Luigi.

Our good chef, baker

and major-domo, Luigi.

-The Marchese Alessandro of Granezia.

-Call me Lui.

You may just call me marchese.

-And his troubadour.

-I'm delighted to meet you.

-You have a name?

-Just call me Apollo.

Apollo, meet Hercules.

Make yourselves comfortable

and settle down.

Someone's sprung the tinker's trap.

It worked.

Papa Pietro.

Let's try that again.

-What's the news, Papa Pietro?

-That's a tricky trap you rigged.

-What about the boy?

-Oh, is my wife mad.

She's mad at the pigeons, at the boy,

at the duke, at the taxes, mad at me.

But you?

Oh, she'll never speak to you again.

What's the news about the boy?

I found out

about the people working at the castle.

First, there's Tonio.

You remember, ate the live toad?

-He works in the kitchen.

-Kitchen's no good for us.

Well, then there's Beatrice,

the one with the hairy mole.

Of course, there's Angela.

The redheaded Angela?

She works as maid

to the Hawk's niece.

Angela, the redhead, eh?

-Angela.

-The reason I told Papa I'd do this...

...was to have a chance to tell you

what I think of you.

-You get more beautiful.

-You think you're worth it?

-Where's the boy?

-In the great hall.

Weeks on end I don't see you,

but when you need me...

...here you are asking me

to risk my neck for you.

-Do you think you're worth it?

-It's a fine neck.

Well, maybe you are.

Smiling, smiling, always smiling.

Lift your feet, you little monster.

One and two, we're nearly through.

And now you bow, you little beast.

I congratulate you, Francesca.

You've made a fine courtier

out of him.

It's hard to believe

he's really Dardo's son.

As to that, you'll have to consult

Francesca, I'm afraid.

Now, Ulrich.

If I had an arrow,

I'd show you whether I was Dardo's son.

-Rudi.

-Dardo.

If anyone moves, I'll put this apple

in your mouth for the fancy pig you are.

This is quite foolish.

None of you will leave the castle alive.

I don't like to interfere

with mother love...

...but I'm taking the boy

where he belongs.

No, Dardo. You mustn't be selfish.

The boy's better off here.

Growing up a Hessian?

Do you want him to grow up like you?

Poor, dirty, a peasant to be spat on?

What can you give him?

What did you ever give me?

The boy is the only thing

you ever gave me...

...and I won't let you take that.

Piccolo.

No. No.

Take the boy.

Piccolo, the chandelier.

Meet you at the rope.

We must stay together, milady.

May I offer you my protection?

Allow me to escort you

to your chamber.

These corridors are very dark.

Most terrifying, milady.

I feel as if we were walking

through the heart of a deep forest.

Judging by the boy,

I'm sure no one is safe alone...

...while that mountain beast

is in the castle.

Who's there?

-What is it?

-Why nothing at all, milady.

The wind caressed the candle

too passionately, I'm afraid.

As I was saying, I hope

the mountain brute didn't frighten you.

-A wild animal is always frightening.

-But fascinating, milady.

-Who are you?

-Only your protector, milady.

-Milady is perfectly safe as long--

-Get out.

But I-- I don't quite understand.

I said get out.

I know, milady, but I....

I see. Of course, the Hawk's niece,

the Lady Anne of Hesse.

-I can understand you coming for your--

-Why didn't I think of this before?

What exactly are you thinking?

-A shame that pleasant conversation end.

-What are you going to do?

-I don't like to take a lady by force--

-No!

But I'm afraid we'll take you

as hostage for the boy.

No.

It's a fine boy you've got there.

We missed the boy, but we got this.

Aside from the face,

she looks just like my cousin Rosa.

I guess they're human.

You know, I never saw a real princess

right in the flesh.

Excuse me, princess.

-Duchess, not princess.

-Who can tell the difference?

-Dukes and princes.

-Open your mouth.

It isn't true.

They don't have pearls for teeth

like it says.

Milady.

This is an unexpected pleasure,

marchese.

In spite of certain family differences,

I defend the good name of chivalry...

...even here in this heathen temple

among outcasts.

Dardo. I must insist that we accord

our lovely guest...

...the respect due her position.

She'll get

what the Hawk's niece deserves.

Go pick her up, marchese.

But, of course, with the respect

due a lady in her position.

Tomorrow, Piccolo will have the honor

of taking our message to the castle.

By night, I'll have my boy back

and you'll be sleeping in your own bed.

In the meantime, the marchese trusts

you'll be comfortable with us.

-What are you doing now?

-I'm drying my leg.

And quite a leg it is too.

Just keep the chain tight

so I'll know where you are.

Yes, it's quite a leg for a princess,

countess, or duchess or whatever it is.

Tell me,

where'd you learn to ride like that?

Not at court. You learn to ride like that

in the mountains.

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