War of the Immortals (screenplay)

Hragans1

DRUSILLA: leader of Hragan forces sent to help in Hephaistian war against the immortal forces of the Dark King Haadi.  Very strong physically and mentally, shows little or no emotion besides distaste for people she does not like.  Keeps friends close and enemies at end of sharp, pointy sword, with which she is quite skilled.  Prefers to fight with one sword in each hand.   2

ERMINE:  Drusilla’s second in command and closest confidant.  A good leader as well, but she lacks Drusilla’s ambition and aggressive fighting technique, and is therefore glad to receive orders rather than give them during battle.  Has some skill with sword but prefers using 20ft whip, and with good reason.  Has been known to kill with one flick of wrist.  Daughter of Taniya, queen of Hragans3

ARMAND:  chief advisor to Drusilla and Taniya, older man with much experience in war.  Was a tutor to some of the best fighters, including the two he advises, when they were younger.  Excellent horseman who cares for all animals.  4

HERRICK:  guard to Ermine, receives orders from Queen Taniya.  Also has some sort of crush thing on Ermine, quick witted but terribly lacking in common sense.  Would forget to eat if not reminded, but can easily recall every battle ever faced by Hragan fighters.  5

IRYNA, ELGIVA, YVANA, ANIKA, ASTRID, ROSALBA, RYBA:  some of best Hragan fighters, all born into wealthy or at least middle-class families.  Equal skill with swords, whips, hand-to-hand, and bows, but each has preference for one over all others.  It is Hragan tradition that women, not men, are the best trained “SWAT team” fighters, in addition to an army that is mixed equally.  All are good horse riders and often ride horses into battle, though the horses do not always survive.  6

TANIYA:  queen of Hragal, land to far north of Hephaistia, north and west of King Haadi’s lands.  Proud but not conceded, has ruled her kingdom well for a total of 30 years, 10 of them by herself after the death of her husband King Anselm.  7

INGELA:  High-ranking guard and very close to Taniya.  Generally well-liked, often trains first year soldiers on basics of battle.  Practically raised in a tent and has little trouble living off the land.  Rather young for a full fledged guard, but no younger than Drusilla herself.  8

KRYSTKA:  Ermine’s trusted handmaiden9

ODEN:  Centurion10

MEDWIN:  Centurion in army and sort-of love interest of Drusilla.  Both know that a relationship would be unprofessional, so things never get out of hand.  Skilled with spear and sword, dislikes hand-to-hand, very tall but wiry11

TERTIA:  Hephaistian immigrant.  Theophania’s cousin, helps to keep Hragan/Hephaistian relations civil, if not mutually respectful12

THORA: Drusilla’s childhood friend 13

ROSALBA:  leader of legion in Medwin’s century.  Totally after him but he has an unreciprocated thing for Drusilla, so she’s got no chance whatsoever of getting him.  Still, it doesn’t hurt to try.14

INGELA:  High-ranking guard who is close to Taniya.  Well-liked by all, often trains first year soldiers on basics of battle.  Practically raised in a tent and has little trouble living off the land.  Rather young for a guard, but no younger than Drusilla herself, who is a bit of an anomaly.  15

AUBERON:  In charge of army training and maintenance of weapons.  Within two days of notice he can have entire 600,000 man army packed and ready to leave, with sharpened weapons and six months worth of supplies.  16

JUILIANNA:  Older (45 years or so)  Expert on war theory and battle tactics.  Known for wit and intellect, fiercely loyal to Drusilla, not too bad with spear and deadly with short knife (thrown).  Once fought Haadian mercenaries and knows some of the Haadian fight tactics.17

Hephaistians18

IPHIGENIA: princess of Hephaistia, an empire known for skilled metalworking.  Called “Iphi” by her mother, dowager princess, she has a hard time learning to trust the Hragans after years of hearing other members of the court call them savage, primitive, etc. etc.  Considered very beautiful by her own people but dresses simply and does not spend money on frivolous possessions.  Well-educated in “women’s studies” i.e. sewing, cooking, hostessing, running castle, but lacks basic education beyond some reading and her own language.  She is shocked to see that Hragan women not only fight in the army but can discuss literature and philosophy in several languages.  19

ALAXANDOR:  King of Hephaistia.  Though he is legally in control of the empire, his mother is controlling and often enforces her opinions through her son, who is rather powerless to do anything about it.  He is more open minded than she about other peoples (read:  Hragans)  and longs to see the end of war with Haadi once and for all.  Handsome and muscular, but far to occupied with ending suffering of the world to worry about starting a family, to the disappointment of all women in the kingdom excluding immediate family members.  20

THEOPHANIA:  Dowager princess (Iphigenia’s mother) of Hephaistia,  rather old-fashioned.  Iphigenia is obedient enough, but Theophania has frequent arguments with her son, King Alaxandor, who has only recently inherited the throne of Hephaistia. 21

KAIRA, ACACIA, SOFIA, ADARA:  women of Alaxandor’s court.  Though they are constantly vying for his attention and (unlikely) his marriage proposal, they manage to set aside petty differences to gossip.  Potent catalysts for dispersion of wealth22

MACCARIO:  guard and friend to Alaxandor.  Good with sword but better with spear, very appreciative of music and musical talent, though he has little of it himself.  Never learned war/battle theory but has good battle instincts.  23

ARSENIUS:  colonel in Hephaistian army24

REINA25

NERISSA26

VILLAGERS: #1, 2, 3, 4, 527

MESSENGER28

GATE GUARDS # 1, 229

SCENE 130

Alaxandor, Theophania, and Iphigenia are sitting in Great Hall discussing affairs of state when Arsenius, flanked by two lesser sentries, runs in.  He is obviously panicked and carries an armored glove belonging to one of King Haadi’s men.  Maccario jumps to protect Alaxandor until he sees who is coming.31

ARSENIUS:  Your majesties! (pauses to complete mandatory bow) I’ve news from the front.32

THEOPHANIA:  And how goes our attack?33

ARSENIUS:  It goes not, your highness.  Two more villages were attacked last week, homes were burned and sacked.  We’ve only just received word of it from a messenger who had stopped in one of the towns to catch a day’s rest before traveling on.  It was Haadi’s men; he brought this as proof (brandishes armored glove as though it were a weapon)34

THEOPHANIA:  Very well.  Send reinforcements to the front, at least two thousand of them, as well as supplies.  (Sighing and rubbing her temples)  Surely we will be able to push them back into their own lands.35

ARSENIUS:  With all due respect, highness, I fear I cannot do that.  We don’t have two thousand troops available to move out, and even if we did it would be the work of a week to pack supplies for them and for the others.  36

THEOPHANIA:  There are no troops to be found anywhere?37

ARSENIUS:  Our forces are spread too thinly along the eastern border as it is, highness.  I fear the only way to send troops eastward would be to remove some of the protective guard around our city and the palace.  I hesitate to put our great capital and your royal highness in such a position of danger.38

THEOPHANIA:  (whose interest is obviously waning, as is her patience for matters on the western border altogether)  Haadi’s forces have attacked only peasants so far?39

ARSENIUS:  That is correct, highness.40

THEOPHANIA:  I see (pauses to think.)  Leave the guard around the city and palace as it stands, but see if you can’t recruit soldiers from local provinces.  You are dismissed.41

ARSENIUS:  (hesitates, looking at Alaxandor)  Yes, highness (bows again and turns to leave)42

ALAXANDOR:  What about the villages that were attacked?  Are we to leave them to fend for themselves?43

THEOPHANIA:  I know it seems callous, but sending troops would only diminish our ranks all the more.  It is far better to allow the deaths of a few peasants than to involve skilled fighters in mere border skirmishes44

ALAXANDOR:  (losing patience)  So then, you leave your people to die.45

THEOPHANIA:  Son, do not question me on matters you are to young to fully understand.  By allowing Haadi to control borderlands, we can perhaps appease him and thus prevent attack on the cities and the palace itself.  46

ALAXANDOR:  AND WHAT OF THE PEOPLE, MOTHER?  They are to stand and be killed in order to protect the cities?  Haadi will kill the men and turn the women to slaves.  Is that what you want?47

THEOPHANIA:  Do not raise your voice with me.  Of course I do not want to see my people sold into slavery.  But sometimes, for the greater good, a few must suffer.  48

IPHIGENIA:  Don’t be mad at our mother, Alaxandor.  This war is not her fault, and she is powerless to stop it.  It is much more important that our cities are protected.  Without commerce and trade, we have nothing.  There is no way to overcome the opposing forces on the border.  It is simply not possible.  49

ALAXANDOR:  There is a way, she (nods in Theophania’s direction)  is just too stubborn to see it. (Stands and begins pacing in front of Theophania and Iphigenia, who are still seated.)  50

IPHIGENIA:  There isn’t any good way, is there mother?  51

THEOPHANIA:  No, daughter.  Your brother would put the fate of our country into the hands of barbarians, leave our success to the primitive tribes of the cold North.  Surely these peoples do not have the fighting prowess he attributes to them—52

ALAXANDOR:  THEY ARE NOT BARBARIANS!  They are educated people, though they may be different from us.  And they are skilled fighters, though they are smart enough not to attempt to claim lands which do not belong to them.  Our mother knows that if she ever she had wanted to, she could have sent for help from Queen Taniya.  She has always had the opportunity, just not the will.  (Looks with malice at Theophania, who is studying the pattern of the embroidery at the end of her sleeve)53

THEOPHANIA:  (still looking at sleeve)  Son, do not talk of such things.  Let us focus on something else more pleasant instead.  The weather has been quite nice recently.54

ALAXANDOR:  MOTHER! You cannot ignore this any longer.55

THEOPHANIA:  Did your tutors never teach you that when a battle is clearly going to the opposing forces, it is wisest to appease them in order to keep other lands?56

ALAXANDOR:  (slams hands on the armrests of her throne and screaming in her face)  I WILL NOT WATCH AS MY PEOPLE ARE SLAUGHTERED JUST BECAUSE YOU ARE TOO STUBBORN TO ASK FOR HELP!!!!!57

THEOPHANIA:  (rises from chair to face her son, they stand noses almost touching)  YOU WILL NOT TELL ME HOW TO LEAD MY COUNTRY!58

ALAXANDOR:  (quietly)  No mother, it is my country, and from now on I will run it solely as I see fit.  59

Alaxandor walks into an antechamber while simultaneously calling for quills, parchment, and a messenger willing to ride to the capital of the Hragan empire.  60

SCENE 261

(Optional) Alaxandor meets in his chambers with Maccario to discuss his decision to involve the Hragans.  Maccario agrees that Alaxandor has little choice, but he is nervous that the Hragans will not be able or willing to help because of a previously existing feud between royal families of the two empires (a feud nurtured more than a little by Theophania) 62

SCENE 363

Takes place at the Hragan palace (Viking in appearance) where Drusilla has been summoned to a meeting with Queen Taniya and Princess Ermine.  They have just received the message from Alaxandor asking for a meeting and perhaps assistance fighting Haadi.  Armand, Iryna, and Herrick are also present.  64

TANIYA:  Drusilla, what do you make of this? (Hands the message to her)65

DRUSILLA:  I think they are serious, if that is what you ask.66

ERMINE:  But would aiding the Hephaistians be a wise choice?  They are up against Haadi’s army, and we could lose many good fighters without gaining anything.67

DRUSILLA: That is true, majesty.  But we could just as easily overcome Haadian powers.  (Turns to address Taniya)  I believe that our forces are strong enough that, with the help of what is left of the Hephaistian army, we could defeat the Haadians.  It would mean a loss of life for us, true enough, but it might be worth it to rid ourselves of the Haadian threat while at the same time re-establishing a good political relationship with the Hephaistian public.  68

TANIYA:  And what are the possible ramifications of such actions?69

ARMAND:  (steps into view) Your Majesty, if I may. (nod from Taniya).  As of yet, we have not been attacked by the Haadian forces.  If we enter this war, I fear we might draw the wrath of the Dark King toward our own villages and towns.  The outlying provinces would be attacked first, and they are the least ready for such violence.  70

DRUSILLA:  (interrupts) But if we do not fight now then who is to say that later Haadi will not amass an even larger army and attack us?  It is much better to remove that threat now, before it has had time to grow too large.71

TANIYA:  Drusilla, I fear the Haadians have already grown to a larger number than any of us predicted when the King first came into power.  I would not put my subjects in the way of danger, but if some must face the Haadian forces, I would send my best fighters now rather than see the helpless slaughtered after the demise of the Hephaistian empire.  72

ARMAND:  You are right, majesty.  If we can indeed defeat the Haadians now, then it will much benefit the people of our country as well as the Hephaistians.  But if we cannot fight them back now, I worry about what is to come for us.73

TANIYA: (nods at Armand’s words, then turns to Drusilla) And you believe that your army can stand against such an enemy.74

DRUSILLA:  Your majesty, I have much faith in all of my soldiers.  With help from the Hephaistians, we should be strong enough to take on King Haadi’s forces.75

ERMINE:  I would first meet with the Hephaistian monarchy to learn the extent and nature of the attacks on the western border before we commit to an alliance.  76

TANIYA:  Yes, I agree that that would be the wisest choice.  Very well.  Drusilla, take a dozen or so soldiers to accompany you to the Hephaistian capitol.  Once there, asses the situation and if you find it to our benefit to fight, send word for your army to join you there.  Can you be ready to leave tomorrow?77

DRUSILLA:  Of course, your majesty.  I need only time to pack and leave word with my centurions of this meeting.78

TANIYA:  Then you and Ermine will ride out tomorrow on horses from the royal stable at first light, along with the soldiers you have picked to accompany you (turns to Armand)  Armand, you will go with them and help to advise once they have arrived at the Hephaistian court.79

Drusilla and Armand nod and leave to prepare, Ermine leaves to go to her own room as well, Taniya sits down in throne and squeezes the bridge of her nose, sighing, and looks worriedly at the door through which Drusilla just left.  80

SCENE 481

Ermine packs her bags for the journey to Hephaistia with help from her maid Krystka.  82

KRYSTKA:  How exciting, a trip to the Hephaistian capitol!  They have beautiful buildings made completely of white stone, with tall columns to hold the roofs up.  83

ERMINE:  Yes (sadly) It would be better, though, if the reason for my going was different.84

KRYSTKA:  Of course, my lady. I will pack you a few fine dresses as well as your fighting clothes85

ERMINE:  What for?  We will meet with the King, but I don’t anticipate any celebration, given the present condition of the empire.  86

KRYSTKA:  Women in Hephaistia are not afforded the same freedoms they are here, my lady.  87

ERMINE:  What do you mean?88

KRYSTKA:  I can only say what I remember.  I was very young when we visited, and you weren’t even born yet.  All I know is that women are not permitted to be outdoors after dark, or to serve in the royal army, or to do any number of things.  Women there do not attend school for more than five years, speak no language but their own, and learn only a bit of reading and some history.  They spend their days sewing, cleaning, and raising large families.  I’ve never met a Hephaistian woman who had less than three children.  89

ERMINE:  Why would the people consent to such rules?  Why don’t the women fight back?90

KRYSTKA:  They do not know any different, my lady.  They know only what little they are taught.  They do not even participate in state affairs.  91

ERMINE:  So what will they think of the Hragan army then, if their women do not even learn basic fighting?  92

KRYSTKA:  The way Hragan women are educated, the freedoms they are allowed, and especially the way your mother has ruled without a husband for so many years; these are all things that anger the Hephaistians.  93

ERMINE:  And their own queen oppresses them so without any reason?94

KRYSTKA:  Sometimes, tradition can be the strongest reason of all.  95

SCENE 596

Drusilla is also packing in her large canvas tent.  One of her centurions, Medwin, comes in to say goodbye, receive orders, and help her pack.  Outside, it is snowing hard and windy.  97

MEDWIN:  You sent for me, Drusilla?98

DRUSILLA:  Yes.  I had a meeting with the Queen and Princess Ermine.  We received a plea for help from King Alaxandor of Hephaistia.  99

MEDWIN:  What was decided?100

DRUSILLA:  I leave tomorrow for the Hephaistian capitol.  We are to assess the situation of the borderlands and at my decision the army is to follow us after we meet with the King.  You are to have weapons sharpened, bowstrings tightened, and supplies packed.  If I need you, there can be no delay in your departure.  It is a four day journey to where we are going, and if we are to battle then there will be no time for last-minute arrangements.  101

MEDWIN:  But the Hephaistians have long considered the Hragans to be barbarians.  Why now do they ask for our help?  Surely it is a trick, or a joke.102

DRUSILLA:  That is what I suspected as well.  But Alaxandor writes that his people are dying, and that he does not share his mother’s opinions of the Hragans.  I cannot ignore his plight. (she sits down and begins polishing a freshly sharpened sword.)  103

MEDWIN:  And the Hephaistian armies are not strong enough to fight back the Haadians, so they depend on us for assistance.  (angrily) They’ve missed their chance to take back control of their borders, and now they ask for the lives of Hragans to defend it!104

DRUSILLA:  The only reason Alaxandor hasn’t yet attacked is because his mother, Queen Theophania, continues to exert her power over him.  Their forces have been fighting the Haadians for a long time, and they no longer have the reserves and new recruits to build their army.  If we don’t help, King Haadi will invade Hephaistia and turn his sights on us.105

MEDWIN:  You cannot be this stupid, Drusilla! (frustrated) You have heard as well as I the rumors of brutality at the hands of Haadi’s army.  What if you are captured?  You are the leader of the Hragan forces, you can send someone in your stead.106

DRUSILLA:  I am the leader of our army, Medwin, and for that reason alone I am obligated to go.  If the situation were reversed, I would be grateful to any help that the Hephaistians could provide.  Why do you not approve of an alliance that would make both empires much stronger?107

MEDWIN:  What if such an eventual alliance comes at the price of your life?  Would such an alliance be worth that sacrifice?  108

DRUSILLA:  I am, first and foremost, a soldier.  Therefore, if by my death my nation will be saved, then I am willing to make such a sacrifice109

MEDWIN:  (still angrily)  And what if I am not willing to let you?!  What of those you will leave behind at your  passing?  Are we to enjoy the Hephaistian alliance by forgetting about you.110

DRUSILLA:  (stands facing him)  I am honored to have you as a friend, Medwin, but you cannot let that impair your judgment as an officer.  (sighs) I know you are worried, but there is no reason for concern just yet.  First, I must meet with Alaxandor and his advisors to determine if we will even involve ourselves in this war.  111

MEDWIN:  (now hurt by her reluctance to admit feelings for him.  Which of course she has)  Very well, Drusilla.  I will do as you have instructed. (Turns to leave)112

DRUSILLA:  (puts polished sword in scabbard and adds it to pile of weapons and clothes to be packed) Thank you, Medwin (quietly).113

SCENE 6114

Drusilla, Ermine, and Armand, as well as a few others including Herrick and Iryna, leave for Hephaistia early in the morning, on horses provided by Queen Taniya.  Medwin watches them leave from his tent.  Meanwhile, in Hephaistia, more problems appear.  Another village on the border is attacked by Haadi’s men, enraging Alaxandor even more.  He blames Theophania for allowing things to get so bad between the Haadians and the Hephaistians.   Iphigenia is torn between supporting her mother, who has always been the most powerful figure in her life, and supporting her brother, whose ideas make sense to her.  115

ALAXANDOR:  (reading parchment delivered to him by Maccario, who stands at attention)  Another village has been attacked (meaningful glance at Theophania) 116

IPHIGENIA:  How many were lost, brother?117

ALAXANDOR:  The exact number is unknown, but the writer of this letter suspects at least 500 men killed, and at least 600 women and children taken captives.  (Crunches paper in hand and bangs hand on the table)118

ARSENIUS:  Our soldiers are too spread out to be of any good.119

ALAXANDOR:  Is this what you wanted mother?  To appease King Haadi by allowing him to take our lands and our people at his will?  It was you who gave the order for the soldiers to spread themselves along the western border two years ago, you who just days ago ordered that guards stay to protect the palace from figures of your imagination, while the people who need protection are killed.120

THEOPHANIA:  The palace and royal family must be protected at all costs, son.  Surely you understand that (maliciously)121

ALAXANDOR:  No mother.  I don’t understand why you feel nothing for my countrymen whom you have put in danger for the sake of your own protection.  I do understand that if the guards from around the palace are not sent to fight on the western front, then within a year’s time they will be fighting Haadi’s forces here.  122

MESSENGER:  (to Alaxandor)  Sir, this just arrived from the Hragan queen (hands over a rolled parchment) 123

ALAXANDOR: (reading out loud)  It is my honor to send you a small group of my most talented warriors.  They will meet with you to discuss your proposal, and if they see it fit they will send for my entire army, which will then be at your disposal.  Sincerely, Queen Taniya of Hragal.  (turns to Theophania, who is clearly angry)  The Hragans are willing to help us, and I am willing to let them.124

THEOPHANIA:  It will be the downfall of our country.  As the Haadi’s men invade from the west, the Queen Taniya’s army will invade from the north.  125

ALAXANDOR:  126

SCENE 7127

Theophania and Iphigenia are in the throne room, Alaxandor is close by but busy.  He does not know that Theophania has given orders to the palace guards not to allow the Hragan delegates to enter.  However, Theophania and her guards have greatly underestimated the skill and cunning of Drusilla and her crew.  Upon finding out that they are not welcome, they instigate a medium-scale riot as a diversion and climb onto the roof of the palace.  From the roof, they easily drop into the great hall, which is at the time deserted, and from there they can walk in to the smaller, private throne room where the queen and princess are.  128

GATE GUARD #1:  I’m sorry, but you have been denied entrance to the palace129

DRUSILLA:  You don’t understand, we were asked here by King Alaxandor.  He expects us.130

GATE GUARD #2:  We’re acting on orders from the Queen.  If you have to meet with the King, you have to take it up with her first (laughs at own joke)131