Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [144]
HALAG: “But not invulnerable—when the human army comes …”
We fade as Zayad’s hand replaces the empty beaker on Halag’s tray.
115. Int. Tower room. Night.
Urlik has recovered a little. Zayad still nurses him, though she’s changed her costume, so we know some time’s passed. It’s plain that Urlik and Zayad have fallen in love.
ZAYAD: “You feel stronger now?”
URLIK: “A little. That potion—was I feverish—you said I’d live for ever?”
ZAYAD: “If you survive Belphig’s sorcery. All the Eldren are immortal—which is probably why we prize life so highly …”
She speaks sadly. Urlik sits upright, still weak. He touches his temple with his fingertips.
URLIK: “The sword calls me—draining me, even as strength returns …”
ZAYAD: “You should go back. They need you—just as you need Stormbringer. Keep your oath …”
Urlik is grateful for her selflessness.
URLIK: “It was falsely extracted. Belphig is insane … If he were killed, this curse would go …”
Zayad turns away.
ZAYAD: “You think they’ll attack us here, then?”
URLIK: “He’ll play on Iolinda’s jealousy—yes—he’ll come.”
Zayad whirls, flinging herself beside Urlik. He takes her in his arms. With the air of two who take what happiness they can while they can, they embrace.
116. Ext. Battlements of fortress. Day.
Urlik is still weak but he walks with Zayad and Halag along the battlements of the fortress, looking out over the endless ice plain. It is a grey day with heavy cloud in the sky. Halag looks up.
HALAG: “Snow comes soon. It will make a natural defense …”
Urlik leans heavily against the battlements. His breath steams from his lips, as if his life drifts away before their eyes. Zayad is anxious. She tries to steady him.
ZAYAD: “We must go inside …”
Urlik staggers. She supports him. Zayad and Halag exchange sad, significant glances. Then Urlik seems to sense something. He is baffled, glances around him, glances up. He has sensed the presence of the Man Bird.
117. Ext. Fortress. Sky. Day.
We move up from the battlements into the grey sky. And now we see, hovering like a great hawk over the fortress, the Man Bird. With a flap of its wings it moves into a cloud and disappears. We move down again to the battlements and …
118. Ext. Battlements. Day.
… down to where Urlik, Halag and Zayad are all staring up in trepidation. They have all seen the Man Bird.
URLIK: “That’s the creature that killed Meliadus. Belphig said you created it … Maybe it serves neither humans nor Eldren …”
We move back into the sky and …
119. Ext. Fortress. Sky. Day.
… we see the shadow of the Man Bird in the clouds. We hear a faint, laughing screech, which echoes over into the following shot …
120. Ext. Ice plain. Evening.
… it begins to snow. We move down again and this time we see a blizzard. Slowly, through the driving, powdery snow, emerges the marching, menacing human army, all swathed in dark fur and iron, led by Belphig and Iolinda. Mazak is also there. Iolinda and Belphig also wear fur and iron—armour …
121. Ext. Battlements. Morning.
The blizzard continues, swirling around the battlements of the fortress. Eldren warriors are wrapped in their cloaks, clutching their weapons, peering down in silence at …
122. Ext. Ice plain outside fortress. Morning.
… the camp of the human army. The humans are laying siege to the fortress. There are siege engines, tents, guttering fires and torches. Smoke drifts and mingles with the blizzard still falling. The dark, menacing figures of the human warriors come and go. Suddenly, out of the general confusion of this scene, come two bulky riders, making for the fortress …
123. Ext. Battlements. Morning.
… the riders rein their horses under the battlements. Halag comes into close-up, peering down at them. The riders look up and are revealed as Belphig and Iolinda. Belphig calls …
BELPHIG: “Demons—release our Champion from his enchantment!”
Belphig brandishes Stormbringer by the blade. The thing moans and flickers. Iolinda speaks …
IOLINDA: “Without Stormbringer he will die!”
Halag is amused by this casuistry.
HALAG: “You