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URLIK: “I witnessed sorcery today! If the Sea Stag was a real beast, what of the flying man? The Water Demons?”

Zayad speaks soberly, but, even as she begins, Belphig and Iolinda burst in. Iolinda has changed her clothes. She glances at Urlik, her look charged with intimate meaning. It’s obvious their relationship has deepened …

ZAYAD: “I suggest you look to—”

Belphig seems anxious to interrupt her.

BELPHIG: “Excellent! Princess Iolinda told me about the Eldren vixen. Fear not—I’ll protect you from her spells and summonings …” (Zayad laughs at Belphig. She is contemptuous of him. Belphig’s face grows stern. Iolinda looks bewilderedly from one to the other, her main interest is in Urlik and the impression made on him by Zayad.) “Be certain, madam—you’ll suffer the special fate reserved for all Eldren enchanters …”

ZAYAD: “Ah—human reasoning much more familiar to me!”

Iolinda glares at her.

IOLINDA: “Urlik—why did you come here to her?”

Urlik is taken aback by the implication. He’s anxious to reassure her.

URLIK: “I came to collect my things. She was telling me her people’s history …” (Iolinda’s features soften. It is evident that she regards Urlik as an innocent who has been deceived. Urlik moves to embrace Iolinda …) “… and I think she’ll be a useful counter in our war against the Eldren. Eh, Bishop Belphig?”

Belphig is reluctant to agree, but is thoughtful.

BELPHIG: “She could destroy us overnight. There’s a great risk in allowing her to live …”

IOLINDA: “Urlik wants us to spare the lives of all the Eldren left—if a bargain can be made …”

BELPHIG: “We indulge ourselves, my lady—the Eldren must all perish!”

Belphig makes a movement towards Zayad—almost as if he will strike her. Urlik moves between them, speaking quietly and angrily …

URLIK: “I protect her, Belphig—sorceress or no. Let the king decide her fate!”

Belphig is openly contemptuous of the king, but adjusts his expression when he realizes that he shocks Iolinda.

BELPHIG: “The king decide …” (He makes for the door.) “You’ll regret this flirtation with evil …”

Angrily, he reaches for the handle of the door.

IOLINDA: “Urlik says to show mercy is to show our power—the righteousness of our cause …”

BELPHIG: “One does not show mercy to a disease …”

Urlik and Iolinda are confused as Belphig storms off. Zayad goes to the window and looks out again, as if she hopes for rescue. Iolinda embraces Urlik. They kiss.

IOLINDA: “My father must make the decision—”

URLIK: “He’s drunk with hate …”

IOLINDA: “He suspects Belphig seeks the throne. He might agree—to spite Belphig …”

Iolinda kisses him again and then looks towards Zayad who is still staring out of the window at the fires.

IOLINDA: “It seems she waits for rescue …”

Iolinda gives Urlik a meaningful look. We fade on Zayad looking out over the ruins of her city …

80. Ext. Rooftops. Night.

We see the Man Bird again. It has landed, apparently, on the rooftops of the city and is making its way stealthily towards a tower. We pan towards a lighted window in the tower …

81. Ext. Tower window. Night.

… we see through the window and into the room where Meliadus, recovered but ill-tempered, is talking to Urlik, who pleads urgently with him.

URLIK: “The women and children must be spared—they’re much more use alive!”

Meliadus broods on this, looking sidelong at Urlik …

MELIADUS: “Iolinda agrees with you …?”

URLIK: “It’s sane logic …”

MELIADUS: “Belphig would hate it if I let them live. That fat priest does nothing unless it brings him advantage over me. Yes, I might spare them …”

Meliadus glances calculatingly at Urlik as he, Meliadus, moves towards the window, to the table with a jug of wine and a goblet on it. He looks up in horror at the window at the sound of flapping wings.

MELIADUS: “By the gods! More Eldren sorcery—”

82. Int. Tower room. Night.

Meliadus stumbles back as the Man Bird attacks him. He is powerless before its strength as it slashes and claws at him. Urlik flings himself on the creature but is swept aside by