Elric Swords and Roses - Michael Moorcock [148]
151. Ext. Battlements. Morning.
The first shot is into the distance. Through the blizzard ride the massed human armies. Belphig and Iolinda ride forward after Iolinda has whispered something in Mazak’s ear. We pull back to see Urlik, Halag and Zayad marshaled here. Urlik is in a very bad way.
ZAYAD: “He keeps his word thus far …”
Belphig calls up to them. He has Stormbringer again.
BELPHIG: “Greetings. Queen Iolinda wishes it to be known that—”
Iolinda glares straight at Zayad.
IOLINDA: “That we fight on and will show you no mercy!”
Belphig tries to silence her.
BELPHIG: “You are overwrought, madam.”
BELPHIG (turns to the people on the battlements): “Madam—you force me to desperate lengths … I promised proof of my good faith. Queen Iolinda would prolong the fight, but I am a realist. Queen Iolinda would kill us all!”
Iolinda is plainly astonished by this. She has not been expecting anything like this from Belphig.
IOLINDA: “Treacherous Belphig—this is not what you said!”
Belphig smiles and begins to make passes around his face and body. His cloak spreads out and he seems to grow larger, growing within his cloak.
BELPHIG: “No, madam, but I needed you here—to show them …”
He begins to change …
152. Ext. Close-up. Iolinda. Day.
Iolinda gasps with terror at what she sees, for Belphig is changing into—
153. Ext. Belphig. Day.
—the Man Bird. He squawks with laughter and rises into the air. The Black Sword falls on the ice below him …
154. Ext. Battlements. Day.
Urlik and the others are horrified. We hear Iolinda scream. Urlik rallies his strength and leaps from the battlements …
155. Ext. Ice. Day.
… Urlik lands on the ice, sprawls, staggers, reaches for the Black Sword as …
156. Ext. Ice. Day.
… Belphig/Man Bird swoops on the terrified Iolinda, who lashes at it with her own sword. Man Bird grabs her in his talons and begins to drag her into the air. Urlik runs into the shot, bearing Stormbringer.
URLIK: “You’d kill her to prove your sincerity—you’ll die yourself, sorcerer!”
He strikes at Man Bird who turns, dropping Iolinda, who falls heavily to the ice. The Man Bird shrieks into the air.
157. Ext. Ice. Day.
Urlik drops to one knee beside the dying Iolinda. She is weeping, begging him for forgiveness with her eyes.
IOLINDA: “If I die, the men will—attack. I told them … Ah, my love, this is a terrible thing. Belphig has betrayed—us—all …”
Iolinda dies. In fury Urlik stands up, searching the sky for signs of Man Bird. Then his attention is distracted by a huge, fierce roar from the human army. They are beginning to advance. It is as Iolinda predicted. Tenderly gathering up her body, Urlik retreats to the fortress, his strength restored with Stormbringer at his belt.
158. Ext. Square. Day.
Urlik enters the gate of the fortress which is quickly closed behind him. He hands Iolinda’s body over to two Eldren soldiers. Zayad comes down the steps to embrace him. Urlik has now sheathed the Black Sword.
URLIK: “We can’t stop her men now. It will be battle to the death!”
He embraces Zayad and they mount the steps again.
159. Ext. Ice plain and fortress. Day.
The human army in all its ferocity hurls itself against the walls of the fortress. This scene is short, sharp and largely obscured—flame comes from the walls of the fortress as if in one huge wave. It rolls over the army. When the flame and smoke are gone—so has the army. The ice has been turned to water, lapping at the walls of the fortress. This noise is the most significant sound—it is in sudden contrast to the huge volume of noise a moment since. It carries over into the next scene …
160. Int. Tower room. Night.
… and becomes the noise of wind slapping in the rigging of the still-tethered airship. Halag, Zayad and Urlik are all grim, looking sadly down at the body of Iolinda.
URLIK: “All dead, save for Belphig and those left in Negrana.”
Halag turns away from the airship.
HALAG: “We must forget—rebuild—enjoy the love we have. Urlik, the Flame Cannon