Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [134]
Meliadus, mollified by recent events, speaks more levelly than usual.
MELIADUS: “She speaks truth, Sir Hero. That was Eldren work.”
Urlik refuses to be convinced, he turns and looks out to sea, towards Paphanal.
55. Ext. City. Day.
The beautiful city of Paphanal. It is much closer now. We pan back to see …
56. Ext. Sea. Day.
The fleet of humanity is bearing down on Paphanal. The flagship is battered but still able to sail.
57. Ext. Deck of the ship. Day.
Urlik is on the bridge, talking to the men and officers who have gathered below. Iolinda is with him, but looks upset. Jarak, on the deck below, listens to Urlik while he continues to oversee the running of the ship.
URLIK: “We should parley with the Eldren. Give them a chance to make peace.”
One of the officers replies from below. He is Mazak.
MAZAK: “Wipe out the dogs, Lord Urlik. One alive will destroy us!”
A number of the other officers, however, seem to be coming over to Urlik’s point of view. Jarak, in the meantime, orders a seaman aloft, murmuring to him:
JARAK: “Get aloft. Warn us if they do attack …”
The seaman begins to climb the mast.
URLIK: “Unless we give them a chance we are no better than they are!”
58. Ext. Bridge. Day.
Urlik attempts to persuade the men who debate amongst themselves.
URLIK: “I’m your War Leader—but I’ll not waste any lives—theirs or ours!”
Meliadus emerges onto the bridge and speaks in a low voice, close to Urlik, who only now becomes aware of him.
MELIADUS: “What’s this, Sir Hero? More treachery?”
URLIK: “I speak logic!”
Even Meliadus is half-convinced. He fingers his jaw.
MELIADUS: “We’re unused to logic nowadays—but perhaps a brief attempt at parleying …”
There is a cry from the rigging and they all look up.
59. Ext. Crow’s nest of flagship. Day.
The lookout who Jarak has just sent up the mast is in the crow’s nest. He is pointing into the sky.
LOOKOUT: “Eldren sorcery! We are attacked!”
60. Ext. Sky. Day.
We pan up, apparently from the pointing finger of the lookout, into the clear blue sky. And now we see a flapping winged creature coming closer and closer. It is the Man Bird—a flying monster, part man, part eagle, with huge talons. It begins to drop towards the fleet.
61. Ext. Fleet. Day.
The Man Bird comes dropping down on the fleet. It snatches the screaming lookout from his perch and drops him into the sea. It screeches in a peculiar kind of laughter and then begins to climb again.
62. Ext. Deck of ship. Day.
At Jarak’s orders, several archers shoot long arrows into the sky.
63. Ext. Sky above ship. Day.
The Man Bird laughs again as the arrows whizz around it, most of them falling short. It cackles and points towards Paphanal. We pan towards the sea—and see strange lights flickering, apparently under the water, fairly close to Paphanal’s harbour.
64. Ext. Bridge of ship. Day.
Urlik, Jarak, Meliadus and Iolinda crowd to the rail, looking towards Paphanal. The city is in the distance. The bright colours begin to swirl just above the waterline.
URLIK: “What was it pointing at?”
MELIADUS: “They call for supernatural aid. Are you still uncertain of the Eldren power?”
Urlik shakes his head, speaking to Jarak.
URLIK: “The catapults—more fire!”
Urlik looks back at the scene.
65. Ext. Sea. Day.
Now, as Urlik and Company watch, the bright coloured swirls of light begin to form themselves into several shapes, apparently standing between the fleet and Paphanal. These shapes are huge, glowing, greens, blacks, browns, blues, with glaring red eyes—fishy, jellylike monsters.
66. Ext. Deck. Day.
Belphig emerges on deck, pointing towards these Water Demons. He is triumphant, impressive in his authority.
BELPHIG: “Ignore those phantoms. They have yet to take material shape. You’ll destroy them—if you destroy the source. Destroy Paphanal!”
Jarak awaits no further instructions. He yells to his men to begin the attack. He signals to the other ships to begin their attack.
JARAK: “Fire! Fire! Send fire! Loose the catapults!”
67. Ext. Sea. Fleet. City. Day.
A terrible rain of fire now begins to pour