Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [147]
A fresh gout of fire from the battlements draws her attention back. Three more siege engines burn.
145. Ext. Battlements. Day.
The Smoke Demons appear. Urlik orders the Flame Cannon turned on them. Slowly the Smoke Demons are beaten back and dissipate. Everywhere is noise—fire, smoke, conflict.
146. Ext. Outside fortress. Day.
Belphig appears, riding close to Iolinda, as she attempts to rally the army, who are backing away.
IOLINDA: “Attack! Sorcery is of no use to us! Let us fight like real warriors!”
BELPHIG: “If we charge, we are finished. We must employ politics once more, my queen!”
IOLINDA: “Cunning and treachery, you mean!”
Belphig finds this moralizing out of place, considering their position …
BELPHIG: “We must put terms to them. Offer compromises—we still have Stormbringer …”
IOLINDA: “With no Champion to use it!”
Belphig spurs forward, dragging out the Black Sword.
BELPHIG: “Come, madam—we go to parley with the traitor.”
He rides towards the fortress.
147. Ext. Battlements. Day.
A silence has descended on the scene. It is still snowing. Smoke drifts. Urlik, Halag and Zayad are on the battlements. Dismounted, below them, are Belphig and Iolinda …
URLIK: “Retreat now—and we’ll never use those weapons again. We have the means to destroy you all—and Negrana, too …”
Belphig answers smoothly. He displays the Black Sword.
BELPHIG: “You are dying, Urlik. Without Stormbringer your fate’s inevitable. Fight for us …”
URLIK: “You think everyone as corrupt as you. I’ll die—knowing that the Eldren shall live for ever …”
Belphig scowls … Zayad comes forward, speaking urgently to Urlik.
ZAYAD: “Don’t reject his bargain—I love you, Urlik—if I knew you lived, I could die happily …”
Urlik embraces her. Iolinda sees this and in fury and misery turns away, remounting—to Belphig’s dismay a human factor has come to spoil his scheme again.
IOLINDA: “Come, Belphig. We’ll fight on …”
Belphig, in some haste, follows after Iolinda.
BELPHIG: “Madam—think!”
She rides away. We fade on Belphig who reluctantly comes to a halt near the fortress, watching her go.
148. Int. Tower stairs. Evening.
Halag, Zayad and Urlik climb stairs of the tower. Halag murmurs to Zayad.
HALAG: “Are there other humans like this one—who can give up their lives for a principle …”
149. Int. Tower room. Evening.
Halag stares out of the window to where the airship is moored so that it is possible to step from the window into the gondola. Urlik is weak. Zayad tends him.
HALAG: “Iolinda will not parley now. She would rather she and her whole army perished …”
There comes a strange flapping noise from outside. It seems to go all around the tower. They stare at one another, bemused. The flapping grows louder, then stops. Halag strides to the door and is astonished to see Belphig, bland and self-composed, standing there.
BELPHIG: “Good evening, Prince Halag.” (Belphig bows to the others.) “Lord Urlik is ill. I can help …”
ZAYAD: “You’ve worked sufficient evil, this day. How …?”
Belphig ignores the question of how he got here.
BELPHIG: “Queen Iolinda is moved by jealousy now. She intends to prolong the fight. Now I accept that you have a considerable advantage over us and would discuss peace terms …”
ZAYAD: “But Iolinda will not make peace!”
Belphig dismisses this with a wave of his hand.
BELPHIG: “You have my word. She will not hinder us …”
URLIK: “Your word’s worthless!”
Zayad calms him. Belphig looks hurt. It’s obvious that Zayad will listen to anything if it means saving his life.
ZAYAD: “You’ll lift the spell from Stormbringer—from Urlik?”
Blandly, Belphig reassures her …
BELPHIG: “I think I can do it …”
Urlik rises from his bed, gasping.
URLIK: “He plans further treachery. Kill him—if he dies, the spell is over!”
Belphig looks put out by this. He raises an eyebrow.
BELPHIG: “I’ll give full proof of my sincerity in the morning. The battlements at dawn …?”
He moves back through the door. Halag follows him.
150. Int. Landing outside tower door. Night.
Halag looks out the door—and to his astonishment