The Witch King's Sword, Episode 2

When last we left VALENTINE and CHLOE ISIS, an old wizard named HOOK sent them to Wicked City, to recover an enchanted coat to protect Chloe from the magic ice freezing the Tree of Life. Unbeknown to Chloe and Valentine, MARSHALL TEPPINS and his Glithval warrior priests were also seeking the coat...

EXTERNAL: TRIANGLE MTS. MORNING
Close-up: CHLOE ISIS , face overexposed in morning Sun. Her nose wrinkles and her eyes flutter, face twisting into a mask of disgust.

CHLOE ISIS

What are you doing?

Zoom out, reveal her rolled in a blanket, further out to a wide shot revealing VALENTINE over a camp fire.

VALENTINE

Cooking.

CHLOE ISIS gets up, inspects frying pan.

CHLOE ISIS

What’s that?

VALENTINE

Sausage. It was patties, but they kind of fell apart in the bag, so now it’s more of a sloppy joe sausage.

CHLOE ISIS

Sausage?

VALENTINE

Sausage.

CHLOE ISIS

Real sausage?

VALENTINE

From a pig.

CHLOE ISIS

Gross!

VALENTINE

Where do you think it comes from?

CHLOE ISIS

I don’t eat meat.

VALENTINE

You have to eat meat.

CHLOE ISIS

(points)
That used to be an animal.

VALENTINE

Yeah. A pig.

CHLOE ISIS

But it used to be alive. It used to be a living, breathing, thing. It used to walk around and sniff other pigs.

VALENTINE

Its only crime was being delicious.

CHLOE ISIS

I’m not eating any. That’s awful.

VALENTINE

Suit yourself. (Takes pan off fire.) What are you going to eat?

CHLOE ISIS

I’ve got trail mix.

VALENTINE

Won’t go far on trail mix.

CHLOE ISIS

(Looking East)
I’ve never seen the Sun that low on that side of the world.

VALENTINE

It's almost seven. I figured we should get an early start.

CHLOE ISIS

Seven in the morning? Jeez, what are you worried about, it’s only ten miles to Wicked City. We’ll be home by dinner.

VALENTINE

Have you ever walked ten miles? We’ll be lucky to get there before midnight.

CHLOE ISIS

A person walks about four miles an hour.

VALENTINE

Over flat ground in a straight line. We’re going through forest and underbrush. We’ll be walking all day.

Montage of events matching NARRATOR’s monologue.

NARRATOR

It wasn’t long before Valentine got Chloe up and moving and on down the highway that zig-zagged through the mountains. At the edge of the Valley, the road continued North along the edge of the Black Forest, Triangle’s only protection against the trolls on the other side. The woods were so thick and overgrown that even the oafish trolls couldn’t force their way through quiet enough to avoid being heard miles away.

VALENTINE

How are we ever going to climb through that?

NARRATOR

An army of trolls was one thing, but Chloe Isis and Valentine were considerably smaller. They managed to find all number of nook and cranny to slide through between bush and boulder. The trees were so ancient and at ease that Valentine and Chloe could only occasionally see the sky, filtered through leaf, branch, and knotty twig. When the valley raised up the slope of the next mountain, and then down into another valley, they were able to find a break in the coverage at a stump pressed up against a boulder.

VALENTINE and CHLOE ISIS approach a stump. It is tipped on its side, roots splayed out in all direction like fingers. When they reach it, we see it is several feet taller than them, and they must use the branches as a ladder to climb it. On top, they steady themselves against the Ice-Age boulder and look over the valley. From here, we can see the river crossing not far off. Across the river is a yellow plain dotted with homesteads.

CHLOE ISIS

There must be a town past all that. I hope we can get there soon for lunch

VALENTINE

You want lunch already?

CHLOE ISIS

We’ve been walking all day!

VALENTINE

It’s still morning. If there's a town, we won't see it for a while

NARRATOR

Chloe ate handfuls of trail mix. The trees on the east slope of the mountain were gnarled and veiny, the oldest they’d seen so far. The leaves were a thick, malicious green with deep brown bark split to reveal yellow marrow within. These were trees that had fought hard to stay alive in the blistering wind that surged across the plains full force into the Triangles. The air was heavy and wet with rain trapped for years. This side was steep and allowed little foothold but for discarded branches, roots, and the few stones exposed through the bed of slimy yellow leaves.

VALENTINE

I don’t look forward to coming back up this way.

NARRATOR

They reached the bottom and dusted themselves off.

VALENTINE

That river can't be far.

CHLOE ISIS

It’s probably going to be dark soon.

VALENTINE

It’s not even noon.

NARRATOR

They pushed on over the mud and rocks of the floodplain. These trees were young, none more than a century. Their translucent, yellow leaves scattered across the ground, but not in any bed thick enough to keep Valentine and Chloe from sinking ankle deep in the mud with each step. It wasn’t long before they reached the river, swollen with winter melt and too fast to cross.

VALENTINE

We need to find a bridge.

CHLOE ISIS

You don't think you can swim that? I don’t know about you, but I’m burning up. It’s not that far. We could hold our clothes over our heads.

NARRATOR

Valentine gave it some thought.

VALENTINE

Come on, there’s got to be a road somewhere, or maybe a house with a boat.

NARRATOR

They went north along the river bank, which was even ground with hard-packed mud. The spring floods had not yet started.

CHLOE ISIS

This would be a good place to cross. Look at the rocks, it’s probably barely over our heads.

VALENTINE

And barely more than freezing. Our hearts would stop as soon as we got in the water.

CHLOE ISIS

You worry too much. I don’t think I like that about you.

VALENTINE

I can live with it.

NARRATOR

In late afternoon, when everything was yellow on the other side, they came to a bridge, twisted nails poking from the few remaining desiccated planks that once could support heavy carriage or train.

CHLOE ISIS

You want to cross that?

VALENTINE

You’ve got a better idea? And don’t say swimming.

CHLOE ISIS

We might as well. We'll be swimming when the bridge collapses under us. I’m sorry you’re afraid of a little cold, Rubin.

VALENTINE

Jump right in. I’ll meet you on the other side.

VALENTINE starts to climb up a concrete pylon.

CHLOE ISIS

How am I supposed to get up there if you go first? I can’t reach those boards. Come back here!

VALENTINE drops down and lifts CHLOE ISIS by the waist. She reaches...

Reaches...

... And catches hold, dramatically pulling herself up. VALENTINE nimbly follows.

VALENTINE

Look, we can go to that knoll over there. We can probably see a little farther down the road.

CHLOE ISIS

What’s he gonna know?

VALENTINE

Huh?

CHLOE ISIS

What’s that gnoll gonna know about what’s down the road?

VALENTINE

Let’s just go.

Montage matching NARRATOR’s monologue

NARRATOR

The Sun’s red rays dried their sweat to a scratchy salt film. As Chloe and Valentine approached the knoll with two tall pine trees in the center, they saw it was haloed with broken and leaning gravestones and what remained of steps.

CHLOE ISIS

It’s a graveyard!

VALENTINE

Let’s check it out!

NARRATOR

It was ancient, the stones were stark and dry with letters and dates worn almost to nothing.

CHLOE ISIS

It’s too bad nobody picks them up.

VALENTINE

I think we’re the first to see this place in a long time.

NARRATOR

They searched between the rows for a readable date, crawling on the short, wiry grass that poked through the acidic soil.

VALENTINE

The Sun is almost gone.

CHLOE ISIS

It goes down fast in the shadow of the mountains.

VALENTINE

We should stay here tonight.

CHLOE ISIS

In the graveyard?

VALENTINE

It’s as good as any. We can set up set shelter in the trees.

CHLOE ISIS

I’m almost out of trail mix.

VALENTINE

I saved some muffins and potatoes. We’ve got enough for breakfast. After that, I hope we can get to Wicked City pretty quickly. Look, there’s a stream down there we can clean up in.

CHLOE ISIS

I’m dying for a shower.

VALENTINE

We’ll have a fresh start in the morning. We can get into Wicked City and be on our way home before we even know it.

CHLOE ISIS

You’re making the fire.

FADE TO BLACK

FADE IN...
INTERNAL: HOOK’S APARTMENT
HOOK is sitting at the table. TREMONT is looking out the window with his arms crossed.

HOOK

Still nothing?

TREMONT

I thought I told you to pipe down.

HOOK

So you still don’t want to tell me what that coat does?

TREMONT

What did you tell the girl?

HOOK

She was carrying on about some ice that is growing on the Tree of Life. I told her it would protect her.

TREMONT

And that’s what it does.

HOOK

Am I magic, or just lucky.

TREMONT

I wouldn’t go with lucky.

HOOK

You’re such a party pooper.

TREMONT

I’m stuck playing babysitter to a grown up street urchin. How do you expect me to feel?

HOOK

Coat’s got to be worth it. Bandyboo paid enough for it.

TREMONT

Bandyboo?

HOOK

Big guy. Real soft spoken.

TREMONT

You said he was a troll.

HOOK

I did business with the troll. I only met the real Bandyboo once.

TREMONT

Keep talking.

HOOK

I think I asked you first. What about the coat?

TREMONT draws his sword half out.

HOOK

Give it a rest. I’ve yet to even see the other half of your sword. The troll did all his dealings. The two of them lived down in Wicked City and rarely dealt with humans.

TREMONT

And he’s calling himself Bandyboo?

HOOK

That mean something to you?

TREMONT

Get your traveling clothes on.

HOOK

Are you kidding? It’s almost midnight.

TREMONT snaps his finger and HOOK’s table collapses on him, covering Hook with drink and debris.

HOOK

That's my table!

TREMONT

Would you rather walk, or be dragged behind me? Move!

FADE TO WHITE.

DAHOOTY (OFF-SCREEN)

Trolls!

FADE IN...
EXTERNAL: ANCIENT CEMETERY, MORNING

VALENTINE sits up.

DAHOOTY (OS)

Trolls!

CHLOE ISIS

(Rubbing eyes)
Who's yelling?

DAHOOTY (OS)

Wake up! Wake up! Trolls!

VALENTINE stands, looks around.

VALENTINE

I don’t see anyone.

DAHOOTY (OS)

Trolls!

CHLOE ISIS

Up there!

CHLOE ISIS points up. An Ibis is flapping above them. He is DAHOOTY. His wingspan is massive, and he has a long, bent neck and a saber-shaped beak. DAHOOTY lands between CHLOE ISIS and VALENTINE.

VALENTINE

It's a bird!

CHLOE ISIS

An Ibis!

DAHOOTY

You move, trolls come this way.

CHLOE ISIS

Who are you?

DAHOOTY

Me Dahooty. You deaf, girl? Trolls come to eat your guts if you not running now.

VALENTINE

I don’t see any trolls.

DAHOOTY

South, through those trees. They spot your fire last night. Take long way around to ambush you. I follow all night. Dahooty good friend!

VALENTINE

(Peering through the trees)
There are no trolls.

CHLOE ISIS

There!

CHLOE ISIS points west, toward the river, where two riders can be seen galloping across the plain toward the cemetery.

VALENTINE

Those aren’t trolls.

DAHOOTY

Whatever they are, we better not meeting them, now go go go!

VALENTINE stares suspiciously at DAHOOTY a few seconds.

VALENTINE

You’re awfully insistent on getting us moving.

DAHOOTY

You clearly not understand immense danger this side of river.

CHLOE ISIS

It’s two knights.

VALENTINE

What makes them so dangerous?

DAHOOTY

They monsters. Killers. Let’s go!

VALENTINE

First you say trolls, now you say knights. Who should we be afraid of?

DAHOOTY

Knights! Trolls! Anything! Everything! Let’s go!

VALENTINE

I think we should stay right here. What do you think, Chloe?

CHLOE ISIS

Sounds good to me. Maybe they could give us a ride.

VALENTINE

We’re going to stay.

DAHOOTY

Fine. Stay. Take chances. Something you should know though.

VALENTINE

What’s that?

DAHOOTY

Dahooty serious about troll.

Underbrush explodes and a bloated, pink monster bursts from the trees, bellowing, with a battle axe raised over its head. TROLL chops at VALENTINE, who dodges left. CHLOE ISIS gets on its right and kicks Troll in the shin. TROLL turns on Chloe and tries to chop her sideways. DAHOOTY circles about, cawing and crying. VALENTINE picks up a large branch and clubs Troll over the head, knocking it into a clutch of gravestones, smashing them under its weight.

VALENTINE

Chloe! Come on! Let’s go!

CHLOE ISIS tries to dart past, but TROLL grabs her ankle and pulls her to the ground. VALENTINE jumps on Troll’s back and pummels TROLL's shoulders and head with his fists. TROLL releases Chloe and gets up with VALENTINE still on its back. VALENTINE kicks at Troll’s back and legs. TROLL slaps and claws at VALENTINE.

DAHOOTY

Run! Run!

CHLOE ISIS picks up a piece of broken headstone and hurls it at Troll, striking Troll in the chest. TROLL bellows and lunges for Chloe. CHLOE ISIS dodges and picks up another rock, backing up and taking aim, throwing rock and picking up another in quick succession.

VALENTINE

Hey! Watch out for me!

CHLOE ISIS throws another rock that smashes Troll in the face, knocking Troll to his knees. TROLL roars and spits out a mouthful of broken teeth. TROLL tries lunging at CHLOE ISIS from a kneeling position, but VALENTINE continues to pound Troll’s head.

DAHOOTY

Glithvals! They Glithvals! Run!

TROLL reaches back and grabs hold of VALENTINE’s arm, pulling Valentine over Troll’s head, and tossing Valentine effortlessly down the hill, where VALENTINE rolls until he is stopped by a pair of headstones.

TROLL tries loping back the way it came, but CHLOE ISIS throws another rock, striking Troll in the top of it’s head. TROLL’s eyes go wide and it falls face first into the grass. VALENTINE gets up and inspects himself.

CHLOE ISIS

I killed the troll!

DAHOOTY

(Landing)
You killed the troll.

VALENTINE

He’s not dead. Look, he’s still breathing.

DAHOOTY

Those knights Glithvals. No friends of ours. Come on, we go!

CHLOE ISIS

Glithvals? Do you think they’re chasing us?

DAHOOTY

Why would Glithvals chase you?

VALENTINE

They wouldn’t.

DAHOOTY

You don’t talk to Dahooty now? Dahooty save your life.

CHLOE ISIS

Maybe they want the coat.

DAHOOTY

What coat?

VALENTINE

Why would they?

DAHOOTY

They coming this way. Surely they saw battle. They hand out a beating!

CHLOE ISIS

Let’s get out of here before that troll wakes up. Come on, grab our stuff!

DAHOOTY

Collect everything. Quick!

CHLOE ISIS

What can you carry?

DAHOOTY

Dahooty is just a weak little bird. Tiny little legs and thin wings. Only good for accessories... maybe money pouch?

VALENTINE

Don’t give him anything. For all we know, he came with the troll.

DAHOOTY

That absurd! Dahooty not come with trolls.

VALENTINE collects their blankets and belongings with CHLOE ISIS’s help.

DAHOOTY

They almost here!

VALENTINE

I’m ready! Go! Go!

They run down the east slope of the hill along a path through the brush made by the troll. By the time they reach bottom, they can hear gruff voices of the Glithvals above them. They run out of the trees onto the plain with DAHOOTY flying over head.

VALENTINE

Did they see us?

DAHOOTY

They are still on the hill. Dahooty can’t see what they’re doing.

CHLOE ISIS

Where are we going?

VALENTINE

They’re on horse, they’ll catch us in no time.

DAHOOTY

A road crosses the stream, not far ahead. It leads into a town to the south. We’ll be safe there, the Glithvals won’t give chase.

NARRATOR

They ran and ran with Dahooty flying above, keeping an eye on the knoll, but the Glithvals never gave chase. By noon, the hill was out of sight, and Chloe and Valentine were winded.

CHLOE ISIS stops, doubling over and panting.

CHLOE ISIS

I can’t go any more. We’ve got to stop.

VALENTINE

They must have not seen us.

DAHOOTY

Glithvals see everything! Go! Go!

CHLOE ISIS and VALENTINE

No!

DAHOOTY

So unsafe.

VALENTINE

Look! Smoke, from a chimney! The town isn’t far.

CHLOE ISIS

We can finally eat.

VALENTINE

That will be great, I’m starving.

CHLOE ISIS

Do we have any food left? I’m all out of trail mix.

VALENTINE

Everything is raw, we can’t eat without a fire, and there’s nothing to burn.

CHLOE ISIS

I haven’t eaten all day.

VALENTINE

And neither have I. That town can’t be far. Fifteen minutes, half an hour, no more. Dahooty?

DAHOOTY

Oh sure, Dahooty sees it close.

NARRATOR

They reached the road not far after with a narrow wooden bridge meant for no more than getting a man and occasional horse or cow across the gurgling stream. It was much smaller, but much more sturdy than the last bridge they’d crossed. There was nothing left on the plain to build but the rock these people could tear from the earth. Nonetheless, they'd erected a quaint little town with dirt roads and stone-front buildings. Valentine and Chloe knew they'd found a place they could finally rest.

With DAHOOTY circling overhead, VALENTINE and CHLOE ISIS walk into town.

FADE TO BLACK