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"Dragonskin" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
This is an excerpt (first 20 pages) of a completed screenplay.
"Dragonskin" - screenplay by Derek Paterson.
FADE IN:
EXT. WELSH BOG - DAY
Two ancient armies come together in a deafening orgy of blood-
lust and screaming agony!
Welsh TRIBESMEN hurl themselves against the massed shields
of ROMAN SOLDIERS. The Roman shield wall holds against the
Welsh charge. Javelins and arrows shower the Welsh,
inflicting terrible casualties.
A trumpet BLARES and the Romans advance, killing everyone in
their path. The Welsh at the front are cut down by Roman
swords. Others die as Roman javelins and arrows rain down.
The tribesmen fall back. It's the beginning of a rout.
CAEDMOR, a boy of 15 with a distinctive streak in his hair,
sees the shield wall advancing on him. He panics, throws
away his bow and flees for his life. Tribesmen fall around
him, pierced by Roman arrows. Caedmor runs and leaps across
the bog like a gazelle, thinking of nothing except his own
safety.
Elsewhere on the battlefield a huge Welsh WARRIOR waves a
banner depicting a snarling dragon, and tries to rally the
fleeing tribesmen. He shouts at them, curses them, grabs
them -- demands they stand and fight. It's no good, the
battle's lost, nothing can stop the rout.
WHAP! An arrow hits the Warrior in the chest. WHAP! Another
one. He falls to his knees, dying. He looks up at the dragon
banner, fluttering in the wind. He holds it aloft, as high
as he can. Then he pitches forward onto his face, dead.
The banner falls into the bog and is trampled by fleeing
tribesmen who don't even notice it. And then it's trampled
by Roman sandals as the Legion advances.
FADE TO BLACK:
TITLE: "Roman-occupied Wales, 97 A.D."
FADE IN:
INT. WELSH HUT - DAY
Early morning. A cockerel CROWS the dawn.
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2.
Caedmor, older now, 20s and more rugged but still with that
distinctive streak in his hair, wakes out of a nightmare,
sweating and gasping. GWYN, beside him, wakes up.
GWYN
Your demons haunt you again?
CAEDMOR
Go back to sleep.
She does. Caedmor gets up and gets dressed. He opens the
hut door and is just about to exit when...
EXT. WELSH VILLAGE - DAY
Roman SOLDIERS enter the still-sleeping village and move
quickly from hut to hut, searching. SHOUTS and SCREAMS from
the villagers inside the huts as they're rudely awakened.
INT. WELSH HUT - DAY
Caedmor slams the door shut and heads for the back window.
Gwyn sits up in bed, puzzled.
EXT. WELSH VILLAGE - DAY
Roman Centurion AURELUS, 30s, and his Sergeant, PAULINUS, a
tough veteran, watch as soldiers drag villagers from their
huts.
The villagers, all ages, stand in a frightened circle in the
village "square," an open area between the huts.
Gwyn is dragged out of her hut and made to join the others.
She looks around, bewildered and afraid.
Aurelus steps forward. All eyes are on him.
AURELUS
The tracker, Caedmor. Where is he?
The villagers glance at each other. Many look at Gwyn, who
wishes the ground would open up and swallow her. Aurelus
sees the looks. He moves to stand in front of her.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
Where is Caedmor?
Gwyn stares at the ground. Aurelus lifts her chin and looks
into her eyes. Gwyn shakes with fear but doesn't talk.
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3.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
You know that name, don't you?
A ROMAN SOLDIER
catches a glimpse of Caedmor fleeing beyond the village
perimeter.
ROMAN SOLDIER
Halt!
Several soldiers give chase. Aurelus follows them.
Paulinus grins savagely at the frightened villagers.
EXT. RIVER BANK - DAY
Caedmor slides down the embankment and hides among tall reeds.
He ducks as Roman soldiers move along the river bank. He
snaps off a long reed and slips under water.
Aurelus directs his men up and down the river bank.
EXT. UNDER WATER - DAY
Caedmor breathes through the reed.
CAEDMOR'S POV: shadows move around on the river bank above.
They move away from the bank. Soon no Romans are visible.
Suddenly Caedmor chokes, unable to breath. He has no choice
but to kick for the surface.
EXT. RIVERSIDE - DAY
Caedmor erupts out of the river, coughing and choking.
Aurelus pinched the reed so he couldn't breathe!
Caedmor glares at laughing Roman soldiers who line the river
bank.
Aurelus grins as he holds his shortsword to Caedmor's throat.
AURELUS
And you must be the tracker.
EXT. WELSH VILLAGE - DAY
The Romans pull out, taking their wet prisoner with them.
Paulinus steps up to Aurelus. He holds a burning torch.
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4.
PAULINUS
Do you want the village burned, sir?
AURELUS
We've got what we came for.
PAULINUS
And the villagers, sir?
Aurelus looks back at the villagers. They're frightened,
expecting punishment from the merciless Romans.
Aurelus takes the burning torch from Paulinus, turns it over
and douses it on the ground. The villagers can't believe
it. Neither can Paulinus.
AURELUS
Lead the way, Sergeant.
Paulinus moves to the head of the Roman force and leads the
way. Aurelus turns his back on the villagers and exits after
his men.
EXT. ROMAN FORT - DAY
A square-walled fort surrounded by a deep ditch. Sentries
patrol the walls. Wooden huts offer protection against heavy
rain that reduces visibility to fifty paces.
INT. AURELUS' HUT - DAY
A fire burns in a stone grate, warming the hut. Aurelus
stands by a window, looking out. His aide OCTAVUS, 20s,
sits at a table writing on a parchment scroll.
AURELUS
Rain. Always rain. Why does it
rain so much, Octavus?
Octavus doesn't even look up from his writing.
OCTAVUS
To slow us down, sir. Otherwise
conquering this land would be all
too easy. The gods decided to
handicap us with weather.
AURELUS
I suspect there's more than a grain
of truth in your words. Britannia!
Never have I seen a country that has
so much water.
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5.
SENTRY (O.S.)
Patrol coming in!
AURELUS
He's here.
Aurelus grabs his helmet and puts it on. He wraps his cloak
about his shoulders and hurries out into the rain.
EXT. ROMAN FORT - DAY
Sentries open the gates and GENERAL ROMULUS, 60s, rides in.
He's followed by TEN Roman foot soldiers armed with spears
and shields. They're soaked to the skin, but still the
toughest fighters of the ancient world.
Octavus catches up with Aurelus. Octavus steps forward and
takes the horse's reins as Romulus dismounts. Aurelus slaps
his fist against his leather chest armor, the Roman salute.
AURELUS
Hail, Gaius Romulus! We're honored,
sir.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Don't be. Centurion or no, it's
fifty lashes for you unless you have
the tracker under lock and key, as I
ordered.
Romulus walks past Aurelus without waiting to hear his answer.
He climbs the steps and enters the hut. Octavus looks at
Aurelus, plainly worried.
AURELUS
The Iron General's in a fine mood
today. Get rid of the horse, see
these men are taken care of, then
join us.
Aurelus follows Romulus into the hut.
INT. AURELUS' HUT - DAY
Romulus warms his hands at the fire. He's taken off his
helmet and cloak. Aurelus enters.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Well?
AURELUS
Some wine, sir?
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6.
GENERAL ROMULUS
First, your report.
AURELUS
Very well, sir. Upon receiving your
message I led a patrol to the
tracker's village. The villagers
refused to reveal his whereabouts.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Then you've earned yourself fifty
lashes.
AURELUS
That would most certainly be the
case, sir, if we hadn't caught him
before he crossed the river.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Then you have him?
AURELUS
If I didn't, sir, I would already be
tied to the punishment post awaiting
your arrival.
A ghost of a smile plays over Romulus' lips.
Octavus enters and stands to attention. Romulus gestures
for him to relax.
GENERAL ROMULUS
This tracker. What's he like?
AURELUS
He seems little different from the
rest of the locals. Surly, resentful
and uncooperative.
GENERAL ROMULUS
You ordered your men to beat it out
of him, I hope?
AURELUS
On the contrary, General. Your
message was explicit. We haven't
harmed a single hair on his head.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Good. Then I'll see him now. I'll
need a translator.
AURELUS
All arranged, sir. Octavus, fetch
the slave girl.
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7.
Octavus salutes and exits.
GENERAL ROMULUS
I assume you burned his village and
put its inhabitants to the sword?
AURELUS
I considered doing so.
Romulus considers Aurelus for a moment.
GENERAL ROMULUS
My throat's dry. I will have that
wine after all.
Aurelus fetches a jug and pours a cup. Romulus drinks.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
Sicily?
AURELUS
From my family's own vineyard.
GENERAL ROMULUS
It's strange that your father sits
in the Senate but you're only a
centurion.
AURELUS
Yes, sir.
GENERAL ROMULUS
You've refused promotion twice.
What are you afraid of?
AURELUS
I'm where I want to be, sir.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Second Legion has earned more than
its share of battle honors. But
Brittania is a backwater populated
by savages, not worth a single drop
of Roman blood. A soldier with your
abilities would suit the Praetorian
well. You'd make a fine officer.
AURELUS
Wouldn't some consider that dangerous,
sir? The son of a Senator, an officer
in the Praetorian Guard?
GENERAL ROMULUS
Why didn't you kill the villagers?
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8.
AURELUS
I saw no reason to.
GENERAL ROMULUS
It would have taught others to fear
us.
AURELUS
The Cymrii already fear Rome. If
you want the village burned to the
ground, say the word. It will be
done before nightfall.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Do you feel these people have value?
AURELUS
If they didn't there would be little
point in our being here. What
interest does Rome have in empty
lands? It's the people who make the
land valuable, and unique.
GENERAL ROMULUS
I disagree. It's the resources that
matter. The Cymrii -- what does
Rome care about them? They're savages
who worship unclean gods.
AURELUS
We've educated savages before. Turned
them into good Romans.
Octavus enters with a Welsh girl, HYWEA, 20. Her beauty
makes Romulus look twice.
GENERAL ROMULUS
You said she's a slave girl?
AURELUS
Captured in a raid on a rebel village.
GENERAL ROMULUS
How did you know it was a rebel
village?
AURELUS
We didn't, until we found Roman armor
and weapons buried under one of the
huts. Serial markings indicated
they belonged to Ninth Legion.
GENERAL ROMULUS
And the villagers?
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9.
AURELUS
Crucified as per regulations.
GENERAL ROMULUS
But not this one.
AURELUS
She and a dozen others of pleasing
appearance became property of the
Legion.
GENERAL ROMULUS
How is it she speaks Latin?
AURELUS
(to Hywea)
Explain how you speak the tongue of
Rome.
HYWEA
My father was a Roman. Before he
died, we lived in one of your towns.
GENERAL ROMULUS
(to Aurelus)
Evidently she reverted to savagery
upon her father's death.
HYWEA
We were cast out. We had no choice
but to go back to our own people.
AURELUS
Be silent until you are spoken to.
HYWEA
It was harder for my mother than it
was for me. The Druids branded her
harlot for marrying a Roman.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Hold your tongue or you'll taste the
lash!
HYWEA
I've already tasted it. Do your
worst, Roman.
An awkward moment... then Romulus throws back his head and
laughs. Aurelus and Octavus exchange glances. Not the
reaction they expected from the Iron General.
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10.
GENERAL ROMULUS
(to Aurelus)
Let's go and see this tracker of
yours.
AURELUS
Sir, may I ask why...?
GENERAL ROMULUS
In good time, Centurion. Everything
in good time.
INT. PRISON HUT - DAY
Caedmor sits uncomfortably on the straw-covered floor. He's
chained to the wall. An empty bowl and jug lie nearby.
FOOTSTEPS clump outside the door... then the door opens and
Paulinus sticks his head in. He makes sure all is well before
he allows Romulus and Aurelus to enter. Hywea and Octavus
bring up the rear.
Caedmor studies his visitors. They study him.
Romulus speaks to Hywea in Latin, she translates for Caedmor.
HYWEA
The great Roman asks if you are the
tracker known as Caedmor.
CAEDMOR
How is it you are Cymrii, but you
speak the tongue of these invaders?
HYWEA
My father was a Roman. Answer, lest
the great Roman becomes angry.
CAEDMOR
Are you Roman, or are you a slave?
HYWEA
I am a slave, as are you.
CAEDMOR
I am no slave. I am a free man.
Hywea looks pointedly at his chains.
HYWEA
Is your name Caedmor, free man?
CAEDMOR
Perhaps.
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11.
GENERAL ROMULUS
(to Hywea)
What did he say?
HYWEA
He said yes, he is Caedmor.
Romulus delivers a vicious backhand slap that brings Hywea
to her knees.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Stand up.
Hywea stands up, puts her hand to her face. Doesn't look at
Romulus.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
You will translate everything he
says. If I suspect you are lying,
or holding anything back, I'll see
you burn slowly. Tell me you
understand.
HYWEA
I understand very well.
Caedmor doesn't know what the words mean but he understands,
too. Romulus speaks to Hywea, she translates for Caedmor.
HYWEA (CONT'D)
The great Roman knows you are a
tracker. But he asks, just how good
are you?
CAEDMOR
I know my business. Translate that
any way you like.
Hywea translates for Romulus. Romulus speaks to Hywea, she
translates for Caedmor.
HYWEA
The great Roman says...
CAEDMOR
Who is this "great" Roman?
HYWEA
He is General Gaius Romulus.
Romulus speaks to Hywea in Latin. His words shock her. She
takes a moment to recover, then translates for Caedmor.
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12.
HYWEA (CONT'D)
The great Roman says you will answer
questions, not ask them. It's said
you know where dragons can be found.
CAEDMOR
Who says I do? Whoever told him
this is a liar.
She translates for Romulus. Romulus glares at Caedmor, then
turns abruptly and exits.
Aurelus gives Caedmor an appraising look, then exits after
Romulus. Octavus goes with him, leaving Hywea alone with
Caedmor.
CAEDMOR (CONT'D)
What is your name?
HYWEA
Hywea.
CAEDMOR
Hywea. A lovely name. What do the
invaders want with me, Hywea?
HYWEA
I don't know. But I fear it has to
do with the dragons.
CAEDMOR
There are no dragons left, girl.
They are all gone.
Paulinus sticks his head through the door and beckons to
Hywea. She gives Caedmor a thoughtful look, and exits.
Paulinus slams the door shut.
Caedmor is left alone to ponder events.
INT. AURELUS' HUT - DAY
Romulus sits down and waves Aurelus into another chair.
Octavus stands nearby with Hywea.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Is there any more of that excellent
wine?
Aurelus gestures to Hywea. She pours a cup and presents it
to Romulus. He takes the wine but doesn't acknowledge her
presence.
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13.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
What do you think of the tracker?
AURELUS
He's lying. He knows where to find
dragons, all right. The question
is, will he take us to them?
GENERAL ROMULUS
Oh, he'll take us to them. If he
doesn't, he'll die horribly.
AURELUS
May I ask the reason, sir?
Aurelus watches Hywea. She lowers her gaze to the floor.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Reason?
AURELUS
I'm curious as to why you would wish
to obtain a dragon. They're so rare
that they're a thing of legend now,
unseen by any living Roman. But
they also have a ferocious reputation.
It's said that male dragons can carry
off grown men.
GENERAL ROMULUS
(to Octavus)
Leave us. Take the slave with you.
Octavus exits with Hywea.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
You're aware that our Emperor arrives
next month for his inspection of the
Outer Provinces?
AURELUS
Yes, sir. The entire Legion is
looking forward to the visit.
GENERAL ROMULUS
I intend to present him with a special
gift to mark the occasion.
Aurelus wants to ask, but has to wait.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
You knew my predecessor, didn't you?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.
AURELUS
Yes, sir, I had the privilege of
serving under General Flavius.
GENERAL ROMULUS
Flavius is a good soldier, but he
made the mistake of assuming these
Cymrii could be allowed to worship
their gods.
He holds up a hand, forestalling any argument.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
Yes, I know it is Roman policy to
permit conquered natives to retain
their religions. But that's a
dangerous policy when the local gods
are as warlike as those of the Cymrii.
Their Druids preach that death in
battle assures immortality. They
insist the stars in the heavens are
the souls of dead Cymrii warriors.
That kind of thinking is dangerous,
to us and to Rome.
AURELUS
You intend to move against the Druids,
sir?
GENERAL ROMULUS
That's always been my intention.
Which brings us to the dragon. The
Druid religion centers around this
beast. It's said that Cymrii kings
and princes wear armor fashioned
from the skins of dragons. It occurs
to me that seeing our divine Emperor
clad in such armor would strike a
blow against their faith and dispel
their myths. Thus they will already
be weakened when I order Second Legion
to seek out the Druids' secret lairs
and destroy them, once and for all.
Aurelus thinks this over.
AURELUS
I'll admit there's sense in what
you're saying, sir, but part of me
doubts whether Cymrii rebels will
lay down their spears and accept
Roman rule because of a piece of
skin, be it dragon or otherwise.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
15.
GENERAL ROMULUS
You have until tomorrow morning to
convince the tracker to find a dragon.
If necessary, round up hostages from
his village and torture them before
his eyes. If they are relatives or
friends of his, so much the better.
Romulus stands up and puts on his cloak. Aurelus fetches
Romulus his helmet.
GENERAL ROMULUS (CONT'D)
I'm returning to Caerleon now. I'll
meet you on the road tomorrow at
dawn with ten of your best. Don't
fail me, Centurion.
Aurelus salutes as Romulus exits.
EXT. ROMAN FORT - DAY
Romulus mounts his horse and heads for the gates. Sentries
open the gates. Romulus stops to talk to Paulinus. During
the conversation Paulinus glances at Aurelus' hut.
INT. AURELUS' HUT - DAY
Aurelus watches. Octavus joins him.
OCTAVUS
He's leaving?
AURELUS
We'll see him again soon enough. At
least I will.
EXT. ROMAN FORT - DAY
Paulinus salutes Romulus. Romulus and his escort exit the
fort. Sentries close and bar the gates. Paulinus stares at
the gates... then heads for one of the other huts.
INT. AURELUS' HUT - DAY
OCTAVUS
What was that all about?
AURELUS
The Iron General proposes we hunt
dragons.
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16.
OCTAVUS
Is he mad?
AURELUS
Such talk may earn you fifty lashes.
OCTAVUS
Dispensed no doubt by the strong arm
of Sergeant Paulinus.
AURELUS
Why don't you like Paulinus? Is it
because he was a gladiator before he
became a soldier?
OCTAVUS
I've nothing against gladiators.
AURELUS
Tell me.
OCTAVUS
The Cymrii slave girl's village.
AURELUS
What about it?
OCTAVUS
You don't know what happened?
EXT. HYWEA'S VILLAGE - NIGHT (FLASHBACK)
Roman SOLDIERS attack and kill all MALE VILLAGERS on sight.
WOMEN AND CHILDREN are herded into the village square. Hywea
is among them, with her MOTHER.
Soldiers pile wood in the middle of the village.
Hywea is separated from her mother and forced to join a group
of younger women. Her wrists are bound with rope. The
soldiers march the younger women out of the village. Hywea
looks back, frightened.
Paulinus thrusts a burning torch into the pile of wood. It
catches immediately, the wood becomes a roaring bonfire.
Paulinus orders the older women villagers thrown into the
blazing fire. Thank God the roaring flames hide their final
agonized moments.
Hywea's mother reaches toward Hywea before she's cast into
the fire and consumed by flame.
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17.
Hywea falls to her knees, weeping. A soldier pulls her to
her feet and pushes her after the other young women.
Paulinus laughs like a madman, framed by the fire.
BACK TO SCENE:
AURELUS
I didn't know.
OCTAVUS
No reason why you should. What's
one more village?
AURELUS
Can you bring yourself to tell
Paulinus to have ten Legionaries
ready to march an hour before dawn?
OCTAVUS
You're going somewhere?
AURELUS
That's up to the tracker. That's
why the Iron General wants him.
It's said he knows where the dragons
dwell.
OCTAVUS
And does he?
AURELUS
May the gods help us if he doesn't.
Aurelus claps Octavus on the shoulder.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
The privilege of command, Octavus!
Remember this moment when you next
consider applying for promotion.
Where's that slave girl? I'm going
to talk to our prisoner again.
INT. PRISON HUT - DAY
Caedmor looks up as Aurelus enters with Hywea.
Aurelus speaks, Hywea translates for Caedmor.
HYWEA
The Centurion says that if you swear
an oath on your honor not to try to
escape, he will have the chains struck
from your wrists.
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18.
CAEDMOR
What does a Roman know of honor?
HYWEA
It is unlikely you could escape
anyway. The Romans are too vigilant.
The choice is yours... continue to
wear the chains, or be free of them.
CAEDMOR
Tell him I give my oath. I will not
try to escape.
Hywea translates for Aurelus.
HYWEA
He gives his oath.
AURELUS
Do you trust him to keep it?
HYWEA
I cannot say.
Aurelus considers Caedmor...
...And Caedmor considers Aurelus.
DISSOLVE TO:
CLANG! A hammer strikes the chains from Caedmor's wrists.
Caedmor rubs his wrists. The BLACKSMITH takes his hammer
and exits.
AURELUS
What do you know of dragons?
Hywea turns to Caedmor to translate, but Aurelus stops her.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
Not him. You.
HYWEA
I know nothing of dragons, Centurion.
AURELUS
There are harsh penalties for defying
your Roman masters. I could have
you whipped, or put to death.
HYWEA
That is your right.
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19.
AURELUS
And you have no rights. You are a
slave, property of the Legion.
HYWEA
You need not remind me.
AURELUS
Do you wish to die in pain?
Hywea stares at the floor. Aurelus lifts her chin and looks
into her eyes.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
What's so important about these
dragons that you would give your
life to protect them?
HYWEA
You would never understand.
AURELUS
We Romans have our gods, too.
HYWEA
The dragons are not gods.
AURELUS
But they are sacred to you.
Hywea hesitates... then nods, yes.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
Tell him his village will suffer if
he does not obey.
Hywea stares at Aurelus... then translates for Caedmor.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
His family, his friends, will be
tortured... and then executed...
unless he does as I say.
Hywea translates while Aurelus watches Caedmor.
Caedmor bows his head and mumbles something.
Hywea stares at Caedmor. He looks up, sees her stare and
lowers his eyes.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
What did he say?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
20.
HYWEA
He said, "I will take you to where
the dragons dwell."
Aurelus nods, satisfied.
AURELUS
Bring him to my hut.
He turns and exits. Hywea continues to stare at Caedmor.
CAEDMOR
And what choice do I have, girl?
HYWEA
None. None at all. Come.
She exits.
EXT. PRISON HUT - DAY
Caedmor steps out of the hut. He shields his eyes from the
bright daylight. Hywea waits for him at the steps of Aurelus'
hut. Caedmor walks to join her.
ROMAN SENTRIES watch Caedmor.
PAULINUS watches too, from the barracks hut.
Caedmor and Hywea enter Aurelus' hut.
EXT. AURELUS' HUT - DAY
Octavus spreads a map on a table. Aurelus invites Caedmor
to step forward and examine it.
THE MAP
depicts several Roman forts and villages surrounded by
mountain peaks and rivers.
AURELUS
Ask him if he knows how to read a
Roman map.
Hywea translates for Caedmor.
HYWEA
The Centurion says--
Caedmor stabs a finger at one of the Roman forts.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
21.
AURELUS
So you know where we are. Good.
Show me where the dragons can be
found.
Hywea opens her mouth to translate but Caedmor shakes his
head. He understands perfectly well. He points to a group
of mountains some distance from the Roman fort. A wide strip
of green forest lies between the fort and the mountains.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
Now that he has shown me... ask him
why I still need him.
Hywea translates for Caedmor. He replies in Welsh. Hywea
translates for Aurelus.
HYWEA
There are no roads through the forest,
only secret ways known to the Cymrii.
And you will never find a path through
the mountains.
AURELUS
We Romans are good at finding roads.
And where there are none, we make
them.
HYWEA
These mountains are as old as the
world. They will watch you blunt
your tools, and they will slowly
laugh at your foolishness.
AURELUS
Fetch me a cup of wine.
Hywea pours a cup, offers it to Aurelus. He smashes it out
of her hand. It breaks on the floor.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
You are that cup. Beware, slave,
lest you anger me. Now clean it up.
Hywea kneels down and picks up the pieces. She HISSES as a
sharp edge cuts her hand. Caedmor kneels down beside her
and helps her. Octavus looks at Aurelus. Aurelus shrugs.
Caedmor and Hywea stand up.
AURELUS (CONT'D)
Take him to the slave hut. Bed him
if you wish but you both must be
ready to leave when dawn comes.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
22.
HYWEA
Both of us?
AURELUS
He's of no use to me without a
translator.
Hywea bows. Caedmor's unsure but he bows too when Hywea
pushes him down. Hywea retreats to the door, pulling him
after her. They exit.
OCTAVUS
That went easier than I expected.
AURELUS
I want you to follow us. Not so
close that they'll see you. But
close enough to catch them if they
take flight.
Octavus grins. Aurelus notices.
OCTAVUS
I feared I would be left behind.
Aurelus claps him on the shoulder.
AURELUS
You know better than that. Pick
four men and keep your eyes open for
Cymrii. They're not defeated yet.
end excerpt
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