The Odyssey Of The Guardians (2) Dozen's of Goblins gather behind the 1st and 2nd Goblin.The Goblins are at a stand off.Their daggers and clubs are drawn! The hall is silent. The two Gnomes sit quietly, staring at the Goblins. A Goblin sniffs the air. GOBLINS What's that stench? Suddenly the Guardians burst into the hall! 1st GOBLIN KILL THEM! Alonna fires arrows, Vajiic El Hajiic fires blasts of magic!Goblins are sent flying back ward, Crashing to the floor! The Goblins numbers soon dwindle down to zero. Our four Guardains,and the two Gnomes,are the only ones remaining in the hall! Aradeus breaks the lock on the cage, with his sword. ARADEUS Elder Snowbark I presume? ELDER SNOWBARK Yes,I am. This is my apprentice.. thintwig. Thintwig bows. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Elder Snowbark. We are here to rescue you. Come. We must hurry. Suddenly.. an outburst of screaming Goblins are heard, Rushing towards the hall! VAJIIC There are Goblins coming! Many! ALONNA Elder Snowbark, Thintwig, Stay behind us! P.O.V.-The Guardians stand ready.Goblins flood into the hall! The Guardians fight off Goblins left and right!Suddenly a Gigantic forest walker enters the hall! Elder Snowbark and Thintwig scurry into a corner,and hide,as the Guardians fight off Goblins and the Gigantic forest walker! P.O.V.:The Forest Walker swipes and thrusts it's great fist's at the guardians,forcing them to evade. Kwal'Qu' Onnis blade severes the forest walker's hand. Arrows, magic,and Swordblows pelt the forest walkers hide. Suddenly,Aradeus channels energy,from his,Gloved hand,into the Blade,of his sword!He thrusts the hot Blade,into the Forestwalkers Abdomen! The great forest walker falls to the floor! Upon it's defeat,they spot four passageways adjoining the Hall! KWAL QU ONNIS Which way? Suddenly more screaming Goblins are heard approaching! VAJIIC This away! Come! ARADEUS Elder Snowbark! Thintwig! Come. Hurry! The Guardians and the two Gnomes scurry down the passage way. Dozen's of Goblins, armed with Daggers and clubs flood into the hall! 1st GOBLINS(SNIFFING) This away! This away! The Goblins rush down the passageway,as The Guardians hurry along the winding passage!Elder Snowbark falls behind! Aradeus gathers up Snowbark, and continues to run! Int-Forest-Night The four Heroes,along with Elder Snowbark,and his apprentice,exit the Catacombs,and re enter the Forest. KWAL' QU'ONNIS Come,let's get you two home. INT-TREE OF ELDERS-MORNING The Guardians stand before the Elders of the Gnomes council. Elder Snowbark sits on a plush pillow along with his fellow Elders. ELDER STEMBARK We the Elders of the Gnome council are grateful for the safe return of Elder Snowbark greenstem, and his apprentice.For this you have our gratitude. We are in your debt. The Guardians bow. Kwal Qu Onnis steps forwards. KWAL QU ONNIS Elder Snowbark. About why we are here... ELDER SNOWBARK Say no more. I know why you came..and what you seek. The Great seal rests in the East. Search for the Ancient Temple of Orolon, in the jungle lands of Zaulta. There you shall find what you seek. But...beware of the Seal,s Guardian. ARADEUS But Zaulta is over a thousand leagues away. ELDER STEMBARK As a token of our gratitude..we shall provide you with transportation. If you would all follow me. Elder Stembark and the Guardians proceed out of the Tree of Elders. Ext-TreeTops-Haldorath-Day Upon Great wood platforms, sit flocks of horse-size birds. Gnomes walk-to and-fro-tending to the flocks. A bearded Gnome approaches Elder Stembark and the Guardains. ELDER STEMBARK Wingmaster Lightstem. Glorious morning is it not? LIGHTSTEM Indeed. We have prepared the windriders that you requested. Follow me please. Lightstem leads them to four saddled and harnessed birds. LIGHTSTEM They are the finest of the flock. Elder Stembark turns toward the guardians. STEMBARK And they are yours to command. KWAL QU ONNIS We are honored. Thank you. STEMBARK May your jounrney be successful. May the forest spirits watch over you. A winded Godon Brownbark, rushes up to the guardians! GODON You're leaving? KWAL QU ONNIS Yes. I am afraid so. GODON I wish that i were a guardian,i wish that i could travel the world,and have all sorts, of adventures! KWAL'QU'ONNIS Do not hurry to seek adventure. Enjoy these times of peace and serenity.Enjoy the benefits of youth. Adventures shall come,they come when you least expect.Well..it's time we bid farewell. The Guardians mount their birds. STEMBARK Come Godon. Move away from the windriders. You have more chores to attend to. As Godon walks away from the Windriders,his foot becomes entangled in a loop of one of Windriders long tethers. The four birds take off.Godon waves farewell. Elder Stembark and Lightstem converse with their backs turned,as the Birds takeoff. Suddenly Godon is yanked off the platform. ELDER STEMBARK Where is Godon? Where has he ran off to now? LIGHTSTEM Today's youth. P.O.V-TreeTops speed by as a screaming Godon brownbark dangles up-side-down above the TreeTops. Vajiic looks below and see's Godon dangling by his ankle from his windrider! VAJIIC(SHOUTING) It appears that we have company. Vajiic levitates Godon up, and set's him in the saddle, behind him. GODON(PANTING) O-Thank you! Thank you! KWAL'QU'ONNIS Godon. I am sorry we cannnot turn around.We are pressed for time.We can drop you off in a neighboring city. Godon nods. Together, Godon and the guardians continue east. Flying admidst great white clouds. We see a super imposed map appear on the screen. A red dot appears over Haldorath. A line stems from the dot and races across the map. Tracing our heroes journey. The line stops on carabul. The map fades away. Our heroes fly towards a great sprawling middle eastern style city, Outstretched across the desert. KWAL'QU'ONNIS The Great City of Carabul. Long has it been since I laid eyes on it! Magnificent isn't it? Angle on Carabul- The sunrays beat down on the city. Causing the Golden rooftops to shimmer. P.O.V.-As the Guardian's fly over the city.The air is filled with sounds, from the city's streets. KWAL'QU'ONNIS(POINTING) There! The palace of the Sultan! We will set down there! Int-Courtyard-Sultan's Palace-Day The Guardians dismount their windriders. Twelve Turban- wearing palace guards armed, with swords and spears rush out of the palace, surrounding the guardians! Alonna goes for her sword hilt! KWAL'QU'ONNIS No Alonna. There is no need for swordplay here. Alonna hand leaves her hilt. 1st GUARD You and your beast trespass in the courtyard of the Sultan! No one may enter the courtyard,with out the Sultan's permission! Who are you?! As Kwal'Qu'Onnis explains to the guard, a man dressed in a long robe,and wearing a crown, strides down the palace steps, with two guards on each side. CROWNED MAN Well, well, well. Look at what the desert winds blew into my city. Kwal'Qu'Onnis! The most reckless man.. that I have ever known. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Yashiva! You old sandlover! YASHIVA(PLAYFULLY) That's "Sultan" Yashiva. The palace guards relax. Kwal'Qu'Onnis and Sultan Yashiva warmly embrace each other. VAJIIC They appear to know each other very well. ARADEUS Indeed. Very well. Angle on Kwal'Qu'Onnis and Sultan Yashiva. KWAL'QU'ONNIS How long has it been? SULTAN YASHIVA Too long, Old Friend, much has changed in Carabul, since you saw it last. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Yes I notice, and you out of all people.. a Sultan. The two share a laugh. SULTAN YASHIVA I see you have company! How rude of me! Out here in the noon sun is no place for such esteemed guest. All friends of Kwal Qu Onnis are friends of the Sultan! And welcomed guest in all of Carabul! Come!Come into my palace! There is food and wine! Sultan Yashiva and the guardians proceed up the Palace steps. ARADEUS Kwal'Qu'Onnis. I take it that you know this Sultan Yashiva very well? KWAL'QU'ONNIS Very well!He saved my life once.We fought together during the rift wars of Sirocco. ARADEUS You fought in the rift wars? KWAL'QU'ONNIS That was a long time ago.i was young and reckless. ARADEUS(PLAYFULLY) You? Reckless? Hard to imagine. The Guardians proceed into the palace. Ext-Desert-Day A man-size sand spider leaps out of the desert sands! Only to be met by a volley of arrows!We move away from the slain sand spider,only to see squads of Vothinian troops armed with crossbows walk pass.Their weapons trained on the sand,ready to fire at the slightest movement.Dozens of slain sandspiders lay behind them. Lord Caliban sits mounted on his horse, over seeing his troops. He lift's a small mirror out of his belt. A male Vothinian face appears in the mirror. VOTHINIAN(MALE) Lord Caliban. I am Seth. Commander of the Vothinian flagship,The Pythonicus, we are docked in the harbor of Arabul. We await your arrival. Lord Caliban, nods. SETH(BOWING) Commander Seth out. Seth fades out. Lord Caliban retreats his mirror,and gallops back to the Caravan. He brings his horse to a trot along side a heavily guarded carriage,being pulled by two elephant-like-creatures. A pale, grim faced Morrabus peers out of the carriage door. LORD CALIBAN Morrabus. We have cleared our path of sandspiders. And I have good news...one of our finest Warships, awaits us in Arabul! MORRABUS Excellent. All goes well. LORD CALIBAN Morrabus.. you look ill. MORRABUS Do not corncern yourself Caliban. Summoning Hordes of the undead,Exacts a heavy toll on my powers. I must replenish myself. I shall be..out of things for a little while.Caliban, Nothing must come between us and our objective. See that our trip goes unhindered. Lord Caliban nods. The Vothinian caravan continues through the desert. Int-Dining Hall-Sultan's Palace-Evening The Sultan and the guardians, sit around a great rectangular table, Laden with wines, fruits, and roasted game. SULTAN YASHIVA Go ahead. Eat! Drink! Drink your fill! The Guardains begin to eat. SULTAN YASHIVA So Kwal'Qu'Onnis. What brings you and your companions to my city? KWAL'QU'ONNIS Something was stolen from us.We are pursuing those responsible. SULTAN YASHIVA So... I take it, that this "thing" that was stolen, is of great importance, Yes? VAJIIC Very. The thing that was stolen was, the Crystal of Light. It was taken by a Sorcerer, who travels with Vothinians. SULTAN YASHIVA(ALARMED) Vothinians?! I may know this Sorcerer of which you speak! A day before you five arrived, A man dressed in black, along with a number of Vothinian troops passed through my city! They traveled east, towards Arabul. ARADEUS They have a day's lead ahead of us! We should leave now! SULTAN YASHIVA That would not be wise, young man. The "wise men" foretell of a approaching sandstorm. At times like these, the desert is not fit for man or beast. Let the storm pass. You can leave at dawn. Aradeus settles down. SULTAN YASHIVA Come friends! Let us enjoy the remainder of the evening! Sultan Yashiva claps loudly. The great golden doors of the hall swing open! A Harem of Belly Dancers enter the hall, along with flutist! Ext-Carabul-Night The Sandstorm blows across the city. Ext-Carabul-Day Sultan Yashiva along with six palace guards, and the guardians sit mounted on their horses,staring at the vast Desert outstretched before them. SULTAN YASHIVA I am sorry Kwal Qu Onnis. The birds that you and your companions arrived on, flew away during the night. KWAL'QU'ONNIS I see. SULTAN YASHIVA But these horses shall serve you well. They were bred from the finest of Carabul. You will find many days worth of provisions, in their saddle bags. Sultan Yashiva and Kwal Qu Onnis shake hands. KWAL QU ONNIS Thank you, Old friend. SULTAN YASHIVA I wish you and your companions well, upon your quest. Kwal Qu Onnis turns towards Godon. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Well..Godon.I guess that this is where we part. This is the closest neighboring city to Haldorath,that i am aware of. Kwal Qu Onnis pulls a small pouch from his belt and gives it to Godon. KWAL'QU'ONNIS There enough gold in there to buy you transportation back to Haldorath. Godon stares at the guardians. GODON I don't want to go home, yet. There's nothing there for me... except chores. I want to accompany you, on your quest. VAJIIC Godon, be aware, that this is no pleasure trip. We risk life and limb, and face many perils on this quest! Make your decision wisely, friend. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Vajiic is right. This may not be the best course of action. Choose wisely Godon. GODON I have made my decision. I am coming with you. Beside.. my skills may come in handy. ALONNA What skills might those be? GODON In Haldorath, I was a practitioner of the Larcenous Craft. ARADEUS So you are a theif. GODON Yes. And for being, I was duly punished by the Elders. Chores were given to me,as punishment. Now, I ask only to redeem myself,by using my skills,for a greater cause. Please,do not stop me. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Well. If there are no objections.welcome, you are now a Guardian. Godon smiles. Kwal Qu Onnis lifts Godon up, and sits him in the saddle in front of him. KWAL'QU'ONNIS So..if all are in agreement..let us resume our quest. The guardians take off, galloping across the desert. Sultan Yashiva sits mounted on his horse waving farewell. The Guardians ride across the desert for some length of time. Vajiic spots something sticking out of the sand ahead of them. Vajiic gallops ahead to get a closer look. The something is revealed to be an arrow. It's tip buried into a sand covered carcass of a sandspider. Vajiic pulls the arrow out. His companions ride up. VAJIIC This arrow is of Vothinian make. The Vothinians passed through here sometime ago.Judging from the condition of this slain beast. ARADEUS These beast's along with the sandstorm, must have slowed Morrabus progress. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Yes. Let's not tarry. We must hasten our pace. Maybe we can overtake them. Kwal'Qu'Onnis, along with his saddlemate Godon,take off at full gallop. Aradeus and Alonna does likewise. Vajiic throws the arrow down,leaps onto his horse, and takes off after his companions! The Guardians reach a steep incline of sand. They proceed up. P.O.V.-Once atop...the Guardians spot a Vothinian convoy speeding across the desert.Ancient ruins and a chasm bridge lay ahead. ARADEUS Morrabus. Kwal'Qu'Onnis stares through a looking stone,at the Vothinian convoy. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Morrabus is well guarded. There are fifty troops surrounding the carriage. We are a bit,out numbered. We need a diversion. ALONNA(POINTING) Who are they? Dozens of White robed figures on horses, gallop across the Desert,toward the flanks of the Vothinian convoy! . KWAL'QU'ONNIS Tigrisian sandraiders!Great! This is just the distraction that we needed. We shall have a better chance at retrieving the Crystal.Come. ARADEUS Wait. Who shall retrieve the crystal? GODON Please..Let me! KWAL'QU'ONNIS Are you sure you want to do this? GODON Positive. The Guardians gallop down the steep incline of sand towards the Vothinian convoy. The guardians P.O.V.-As they draw near the Vothinian convoy,the Tigrisian raiders engage the Vothinians! The raiders throw daggers,felling Vothinian troops from their mounts! They fall,and are trampled by the horses! In return the Vothinians fire their crossbows! Felling raiders! The carriage driver snaps the reins of the elephant-like-creatures! The creatures gallop faster! Int-Morrabus carriage-Day Morrabus is in a deep meditation. He holds the chest containing the Crystal of Light with both hands. Ext-Desert-Day The raiders catch sight of the Guardians coming up on their rear. The raiders throw daggers! Vajiic fires blasts of magic,while Alonna fires arrows!Raiders fall from their mounts,and tumble in the sand. The Guardians gallop into the midst of the raiders! All around them raiders and Vothinians fall, from dagger and arrow impacts! Lord Caliban gallops towards the Carriage shouting: LORD CALIBAN Protect the carriage! Protect the carriage! Two raiders bring their horses to a steady gallop beside the carriage! They dismount, and scale the sides of the carriage! One raider is struck by an arrow,and falls off! The other climbs onto the Roof of the Carriage!As he does so,a Vothinian dismounts,and climbs onto the roof of the carriage also! The two began to fight! Aradeus, Vajiic, and Alonna fight off raiders left and right! Kwal Qu Onnis brings his horse to a steady gallop besides the carriage! KWAL'QU'ONNIS(SHOUTING) Godon! Are you ready? Godon nods. Kwal'Qu'Onnis lifts Godon out of the saddle, and places Godon on side the carriage! Godon inches towards the door! Lord Caliban spots the Guardians in the midst of the fighting! CALIBAN(HISSING) Curse them!! Lord Caliban raises his crossbow..aims..directly at Aradeus. The arrow flies,makes contact,with a passing raider instead! Aradeus spots Caliban,and gallops towards him!Firing blasts of magic,from his gloved hand!The Magic blasts impacts Caliban's Breastplate, knocking him off of his horse! The Tigrisian raider is knocked off the top of the speeding carriage by the Vothinian. Godon climbs through the Window, of the Carriage door! Godon lands on the floor, light as a feather! Morrabus sit's in a deep meditation. The Crystal of Light chest rests in his lap. Godon backs away, fearful he might awake. Morrabus remains in meditation. Godon breathes a sigh of relief.He walks slowly towards Morrabus... one step... two step. Morrabus face twitches! Godon freeze's in his tracks! Morrabus remains in meditation. Godon continues towards him. Godon reaches for the chest. A bead of sweat rolls down the side of Godon's brow. His fingers reach around the sides of the chest. Morrabus closed eye lids twitch.. Godon stops. Godon resumes.He slowly pulls the chest out of Morrabus hands, then breathes a sigh of relief. Godon turns, and walks towards the door. Ext-Morrabus carriage-Day The carriage driver is struck and killed by a dagger. The elephant-like creatures veer off course, away from the bridge,and gallop towards the great chasm! The carriage wheels bounce over hard, uneven rocks! Int-Morrabus carriage-Day Godon braces against the wall, as the carriage vibrates violently! Morrabus awakens! MORRABUS(ANGRY) What is happening?! Where is Caliban?! Godon slowly looks back at Morrabus. Morrabus spots Godon..holding the chest! MORRABUS(ANGRILY) You dare steal from me?! Morrabus gets up! Staff in hand! Godon bolts for the door! The door flings open! Godon holds on to the swinging door! Godon's P.O.V. rocks and sand speed by beneath Godon suspended feet! Morrabus leans out of the carriage door.. MORRABUS(SHOUTING) Give me back the chest boy! Give it to me! Aradeus gallops up beside the carriage door,lifts Godon up by the back of his pants.Sets him in the saddle,and gallops away! GODON Told you I might come in handy! The Guardians veer away from the carriage,and gallop towards the chasm bridge! Morrabus shouts to four Vothinian horsemen! MORRABUS(SHOUTING) After them! After them fools! Bring me back the chest! The four horsemen take off after the Guardians! The Tigrisian raiders break off their attack, and retreat! The four Vothinian horsemen fire arrows at the guardians!Aradeus and Vajiic exchanges fire! Morrabus P.O.V.-He see's that the carriage has veered off course. Away from the bridge, towards the chasm! The elephant-like creatures gallop head first over the cliff,and into the great chasm! Taking Morrabus and the carriage along with them! By way of magic, Vajiic knocks the four horsemen out of their saddle! The Guardians gallop across the bridge. Aradeus turns, and pummels the mid-section of the bridge with energy pulses,blowing it out. Together, the four Guardians gallop into the sunset! Angle on the chasm. Morrabus flies out of the chasm, landing on the cliff!his staff in hand! Morrabus watches the guardians gallop out of sight! Fade Out: Fade In: Ext-Arabul-Night The Great middle-eastern city lays outstretched across the desert, beneath the star filled sky. The Guardians stride through the bustling traffic of Arabul. GODON Everything's so much different from Haldorath. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Pity we haven't the time to sightsee. The Guardians proceed towards the harbor. ARADEUS We must buy transportation across the sea of Caralon. KWAL'QU'ONNIS(NODDING) We should find some "worthy sea captains" in there. Angle on: A tavern. Etched in the sign above the door reads : Jewel of the East. The guardians proceed towards the tavern.. where they spot a Vothinian warship docked in the harbor. ARADEUS Do you think the Vothinians are aware of our presence here? KWAL'QU'ONNIS I am not certain Aradeus. Let us try to bring as little attention to ourselves,as possible. The Guardians dismount. Tether thier horses, and enter the "Jewel of the East". Int-Jewel of the East-Night The room is hazy from pipe smoke.The tables and barstools are filled with Dwarves,Men,and Tigrisians. The Guardians proceed towards the bar. The Bartender,fat,bald, tigrisian,with Bengal tiger stipes,polishes mugs. The Bartender spots Godon. BARTENDER(POINTING) Hey! No kids Allowed! GODON(AMAZED) Kid?! What kid?! I am no kid! KWAL'QU'ONNIS Godon. It may be best that you wait outside. We should not take very long. Godon stares up angrily at Kwal'Qu'Onnis. GODON(ANGRY) Fine! Godon hands the chest to Alonna, and storms out of the door! ALONNA(SYMPHATHETIC) Oh Godon... ARADEUS He will be fine. The bartender sets four mugs on the counter. BARTENDER What will it be? Kwal'Qu'Onnis glances at two drinking Tigrisians down the counter. KWAL'QU'ONNIS We'll have what their having. The bartender pours a foamy beverage into their mugs. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Say bartender. You know any good sea captains here, with a seaworthy vessel? BARTENDER I hear that he's a good captain. Bartender nods towards a man, sitting alone at a table,with a Broad sword at his side,and a dagger belt slung across his chest. BARTENDER I hear he's called Jacksillus. It's said that once... he fought off a band of tentacle men, single handly!I hear he has a fast ship also. KWAL'QU'ONNIS Interesting. Thank you. The guardians walk over to Jacksillus. KWAL'QU'ONNNIS Are you Jacksillus? JACKSILLUS Who wants to know? KWAL'QU'ONNIS My companions and I seek transport across the sea..to Zaulta. Is your ship seaworthy? JACKSILLUS Very.she's expensive. KWAL'QU'ONNIS How much? JACKSILLUS Well...Let's see. Ten thousand in gold. KWAL'QU'ONNIS We can pay Twelve Thousand in gold. Jacksillus bring his elbows to rest on the table. Revealing his face. Dark, mid-30s, beard, black hair. JACKSILLUS Twelve huh? Looks like you got yourself a ship. When do you, wish to leave? KWAL'QU'ONNIS
Copyright © 2006 Willie Travis Jr |