Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [141]
The airships are returning from Paphanal!
101. Ext. Eldren army camp. Day.
The airships are being hauled back into the wagons. The gondolas contain the women and children who were trapped in Paphanal. Urlik sheathes his sword and approaches Halag. The rest ignore him.
URLIK: “I wasted my time trying to save them. This was your plan …”
HALAG: “We feared we’d be too late. Now we’ll return to our ships—they’re hidden in a creek back there. We retreat again, Sir Legend—like the cowardly demons we are …”
Halag welcomes the grateful women and children. It is Urlik who voices his fears first.
URLIK: “But where’s Zayad?”
An Eldren warrior, one of those who has steered an airship, approaches Halag.
ELDREN WARRIOR: “She was too well protected, Halag—”
Urlik reacts impulsively.
URLIK: “Send a message—my life for hers—otherwise she’s doomed …”
Halag responds at once to Urlik’s advice, ordering a messenger to Paphanal …
HALAG: “Ride at once—Urlik’s life for Zayad’s—go now!”
HALAG (turns to Urlik): “I’m grateful to you—you’re a strange human …”
URLIK: “You could take Paphanal—you’ve the strength!”
HALAG: “But not the will. We made a vow. We’ll retreat again—hoping you’ll leave us in peace …”
URLIK: “They are bent on your complete destruction …”
HALAG: “Then we’ll perish with honour …”
We fade on Halag’s sad, bitter face …
102. Ext. Eldren camp. Day.
The Eldren army, the wagons stowed, the women and children riding on top of them, begins to retreat. As it does so Jarak and the Eldren messenger come riding up at high speed. Jarak dismounts before the waiting Halag and Urlik.
JARAK: “Iolinda agrees—Zayad’ll have a horse and be free as soon as Urlik’s seen from Paphanal …”
Halag is satisfied. He turns to Urlik, who looks very gloomy.
HALAG: “Have I your word on it?”
URLIK: “You’ll have my word.”
Halag signs for Urlik’s horse to be led forward.
HALAG: “Then go, Sir Legend. If there’s to be no peace then our next meeting will doubtless be when you come to kill me …”
Urlik grips Halag’s arm and mounts up. Without looking back he spurs forward, Jarak behind him.
103. Ext. Close to city walls. Sunset.
Urlik and Jarak riding hell for leather towards the city. Urlik is puzzled.
URLIK: “They can see us now. Zayad’s not free. Why?”
Jarak says nothing, but looks miserable.
104. Ext. City plaza. Sunset.
Urlik rides rapidly into the plaza where Iolinda stands awaiting him. He flings himself from his horse and she runs forward to embrace him. He returns her embrace but looks around, demanding …
URLIK: “Where is Zayad?”
Belphig emerges from the Hall, smiling.
BELPHIG: “For once we’ve deceived the demons. We have you back—and we have Zayad, too. She’ll be tortured to extract her confession …”
Urlik is furious.
URLIK: “I gave my word to Halag that his sister would be freed!”
Iolinda tries to placate him.
IOLINDA: “She killed my father. We must be revenged …”
Urlik even more angry.
URLIK: “There’s no proof! The Eldren want peace. They could have wiped us out today, but didn’t …”
BELPHIG: “What if all this was so? Our people must still have an enemy. Would you have them turn on you, or me, or Queen Iolinda …?”
URLIK: “Your cynicism disgusts me. Release Zayad!”
IOLINDA: “She dies! You were summoned to serve us—now you speak for our foes!”
Urlik tries to speak rationally to her.
URLIK: “Belphig exploits your ancient terrors of demons and shape-changers … The Eldren are civilized, gentle …”
IOLINDA: “They killed my father!”
URLIK: “I do not believe they did!”
Iolinda begins to stride towards the Hall we saw in Shot 77. Evening is gathering in.
IOLINDA: “You saw the monster!”
Urlik makes to follow her into the Hall.
URLIK: “It could as easily have been sent by one of us!”
Iolinda storms into the Hall. Urlik is close behind. And behind him comes Belphig, shamming shock:
BELPHIG: “Treachery first—now he accuses us!”
Urlik enters the Hall.
105. Int. Hall. Twilight.
Iolinda has paced into the Hall which still bears the signs of last night’s orgy. Tied to a chair at the head of the littered table,