Uther and the Secret of the Dragon
romantic attachment with this woman; this priestess?
ESUIT smiles coyly and shakes her head slowly.
I’ve known Merlain all my life and I know that
he had just one love.
Since that person died he has sworn an oath
of celibacy.
He would chase no woman; particularly one
who is committed to a temple;
you must be mistaken.
ESUIT
I may not know everything, but I know
when a man is interested in a woman and
when a woman is interested in a man.
UTHUR
What?
He looks at the couple riding ahead of them, they did look comfortable in each other’s company and she did have the sort of expression he recognised from other women who were in the midst of a blazing romance. But, he thought, this was Merlain. His friend; UTHUR [put the thought to the back of his mind just as Merlain glanced behind.
MERLAIN
I think our two young wards are talking about us.
AMBER
Let them talk, as long as we give them no
reason to know; our secret will be safe.
I love this part of the country; now the sea
of sand is behind us and the shade from these
trees gives a little relief from the afternoon sun.
MERLAIN
We came a different way on our journey to Medin;
I don’t remember travelling though a wooded region.
AMBER
You probably took the direct route, this way is
a little longer but so much prettier.
These sequoia trees are said to be over five
hundred summers old.
Sometimes, when the brushwood becomes thick
underfoot and the rain has held off for
some time the whole region catches fire.
I have seen each one of these trees so blackened
by fire, with every branch and leaf burnt to a crisp,
that you’d believe they’d fall and the sand would
envelope this land.
Locking it in a tomb of shifting yellow.
Yet the following season the buds return to the
branches and the old, blackened bark is shed.
Once again these great men recover from the trauma
of death and burst into life again.
It reminds us all that death is no end and that life returns.
MERLAIN
Is that what you believe, that life goes on after death?
AMBER
Of course, don’t you?
MERLAIN
I am open to all arguments. It was comforting to think
that Marion had not left me but had instead become a
star above my head; guarding me.
Looking down and keeping me safe.
AMBER
One day even you will see the cycles of life
in the ebb and flow of the tides.
In the waxing and waning of the moon,
the coming and going of the seasons. You’ll understand that,
the year dies during the short winter equinox,
but it is born again in the spring;
that our spirits are the same.
We are born in the springtime of our youth,
we grow and become adults in the summer of life
and during the long walk to autumn
our bodies become frail and grow old.
In the winter we die but all is not lost.
Our souls leave the decaying shell that once
contained us and before the spring finds another
body to inhabit.
Over the ages we learn to be men and women,
kings and paupers, brown-eyed and blue.
Eventually, when our desire to be everything has
been quenched we move on...
MERLAIN
Move on, where?
AMBER
We believe that Minos, the great bull, lets us sit between
his great horns and he takes us up to the stars.
Whenever there is a crescent moon in the sky we
believe someone is riding the bull to become a star or
constellation of stars.
Perhaps your Marion was a fully developed spirit
who only needed to experience the passion of knowing
you before she was ready to leave this world and
move on to the realm above.
MERLAIN
I see why you lead these people; you really
have deep insight into life and death.
The more time I spend with you the more I find
out about myself. I am in awe; you are a very special person..
ESUIT
Did you see that?
UTHUR
What, did I see ,what?
ESUIT
That bird there...
She looks up at sparrow flying above their heads, her senses become heightened and she hears the call of other sparrows on the wind, the distant baying of wolves and the faint sound of dogs in the valley beyond.
UTHUR
What Esuit, what did you see?
ESUIT
Quiet.
Suddenly she gallops forwards and joins Merlain ahead of them, UTHUR gallops behind her but is slowed by the mule.
I am not sure but I sense danger ahead.
MERLAIN
Are you sure, the way looks quite enough.
AMBER
This forest is not known for robbers. Why do you fear
something?
ESUIT
I’m not sure. Just be prepared. I am going to go
around and will meet you all yonder...
She gallops into the trees and is swiftly hidden by the dense growth. UTHUR, Merlain and Amber watch her go.
UTHUR
What is ahead there?
AMBER
This path joins another that comes from the south
and the sea of sand. The crossroads ahead combine
into the road to Babylon.
The forest becomes less dense after the crossroads
and eventually opens into a wide open plane;
I fear your friend worries for nothing.
MERLAIN
We’ll see, we’ll see.
They continue a little further, a little more cautiously, when Merlain sees a flock of birds emerge from the tree tops. He grips the hilt of his sword and looks around towards UTHUR just as a spear lands by the mule’s hooves.
Quick, into the trees.
He pulls his horse and the one that AMBER rides by the reigns and into the thick growth of trees, Once there he dismounts and drags Amber from her horse pushing her down into the cover of a shallow ditch, UTHUR jumps from his horse and joins them as a cloud of arrows and spears come from the trees and lands around them.
Uthur pulls his bow from his shoulders and places an arrow on the cord. He sees movement across the path and shoots; a hooded man falls from the cover of the trees.
AMBER
UTHUR, can you grab that saddle bag from the mule?
UTHUR
I may be able to.
He reaches up and manages to pull the saddle bags from the mule before it trots off totally oblivious to the danger around it. UTHUR passes the bag to Amber and fires another arrow off towards the tree line. Once again a hooded man falls from the trees into the path.
More spears and arrows land about them as Amber opens the saddle bag and removes a round pot which has a wick protruding from the top. She smiles at Merlain.
AMBER
I like to be prepared; tell me, have you a flint.
MERLAIN
To light the wick?
AMBER
Of course; there is black powder in this wick so it
will catch with only the smallest spark from a flint.
UTHUR
&nb
sp; Here.
He throws them both a flint he had carried to light fires on the way, it is wrapped in a small dry amount of tinder-wool. Merlain strikes the flints together and a spark lights the tinder wool. Amber lights the wick and it starts to burn vigorously.
AMBER
Wait until it is almost at the rim of the pot, wait, wait.
Now!
She tosses the clay pot towards the trees across the path and an almighty explosion blows three other masked men into the path; suddenly another comes from in front of them holding a broad sword. Merlain stands and the two begin to fight as the flint and tinder fly across the path. AMBER crawls towards it as another man comes from the trees and starts fighting with UTHUR..
AMBER grabs the flint and tinder and crawls back to her bag as the two men fight around her, she takes another clay pot out and lights the fuse just as four more men run from the trees and approach. She throws the pot and all four are tossed into the air. The man Merlain is fighting with is so shocked by the explosion he looks away and Merlain is able to cut his head from his shoulder.
MERLAIN
Pay attention laddie...
UTHUR
Behind you!
Merlain turns as another man armed with an axe is about to strike him across the head. Merlain uses his sword to block the blow. Amber looks through her bag for another clay pot and accidentally trips UTHUR up. He sprawls across the path and loses his sword in the process. His opponent smiles wickedly and lifts his sword above his head to strike Uthur down.
AMBER reaches into the bag and withdraws the ceremonial sword they were transporting. UTHUR glances towards her as the sun catches the blade and a flash of bright light beams into his opponent’s eyes. Amber throws the sword towards UTHUR and he blocks the man’s swooping downward sword blow.
Merlain’s sword is cut in two by his opponent’s axe and he backs into a thick tree. The man lifts his axe above his head as Amber screams. Then a trickle of blood comes from the corner of the man’s mouth and he falls forewords. Merlain and Amber see a spear buried in the axe man’s back and Esuit standing proudly behind him.
UTHUR swoops with his sword and as it clashes with his opponent’s sparks fill the air. The man looks and sees UTHUR’s sword has cut a deep nick into the blade of his. He drops his useless sword and runs into the trees. Amber laughs and starts to clap loudly.
AMBER
What heroes, I have never seen such bravery from a
person so young UTHUR.
That sword was almost made for you.
He joins her and Merlain as they step on the path watching as Esuit comes through the trees towards them.
UTHUR
It is a fine weapon; what is it made from;
not bronze surely?
AMBER
I was told a rock fell from heaven and it was
beaten into this blade.
No-one knows what metal it is, but its purity cannot
be doubted. It will cut through any other material
and rarely needs sharpening.
MERLAIN
A fine tool.(He glances around) Esuit! I owe you my life.
She joins them having pulled her spear from the back of the axe-man.
AMBER
Yes, we all own you a debt. Without your fine senses
we may all would be dead by now.
ESUIT
The danger is not over; we must find our horses
and out of this forest.
UTHUR
The horses won’t be far.
AMBER
Surely the robbers have been seen off and
we can relax now.
UTHUR
Perhaps, let me call for our mares and make hast.
MERLAIN
Go, quickly boy.
AMBER
Relax, they won’t bother us again.
She smiles and throws her arms around Merlain. He sighs and hugs her tightly.
MERLAIN
I suppose you are right...
He feels her tense up and then relaxes as her head sags upon his shoulder. Merlain lifts the palm of his right hand and sees it stained with blood An arrow is protruding from Amber’s back over her heart.
NO!
Esuit and UTHUR turn, weapons in hand, seeing a hooded man on horseback in the distance. He lowers his bow as his horse rears up and he gallops into the distance; towards their destination; Babylon. After he rides out of the group’s sight
Jasbar pulls off his hood and places the bow over his shoulder.
Back at the crossroads Merlain has pulled the arrow out and lowered Amber onto her back. He cradles her head upon her lap and brushes the hair from her eyes. Esuit and UTHUR stand back watching the scene in silence.
Don’t worry my love; you are safe with me now.
AMBER
Take my hand, please.
Merlain takes the woman’s hand and feels her grip it hard.
I knew from the first moment we met that I would
spend the rest of my life with you.
It has been shorter than expected but nevertheless;
still,a life full of passion and adventure.
We have crammed so much love in the short time
we’ve been together others would have to live a
thousand years to compare.
MERLAIN
True. Quite now, my lady. Save your strength.
AMBER
When you next see the crescent moon, imagine it is I,
riding to the stars, between the horns of Minos.
Say you will remember...
He feels her grip tighten.
MERLAIN
I will remember.
AMBER
I will be waiting there for you...
MERLAIN
I know, my dear, sweet lady.
AMBER
If you feel small drops of rain, on the wind in Albion,
in the midst of a bleak winter’s night.
They will be my tears mourning the short time
we had together...
MERLAIN
Hush now, my lady. Please.
AMBER
The thunder in the distance will be my heart beating
for you, the cool breeze, just the last of my breath against
your skin.
When you close your eyes on your loneliest nights
I will be there, waiting...
MERLAIN
I know; dearest lady...
AMBER
For you...
Then the last breath leaves her body and her eyes glaze over. A breeze ruffles the trees and small leaves fall around them..
MERLAIN
NO!
Esuit puts her arm around UTHUR as Merlain’s voice echoes through the trees just as the sun sets.
SCENE 30 INT DAY
ADRIUS and MEMET are sitting in the garden of Adrius’ villa when suddenly SARAH enters followed by MERLAIN, UTHUR and ESUIT
SARAH
Look, everyone, look who has returned...
MEMET
My Friends....
He stands and runs towards the two men throwing his arms wide he hugs them both.
It is good to see you both again. I was worried you would
miss the coming race.
ADRIUS
Yes, UTHUR, you have a victory lap owed to you.
MEMET
And another trunk of gold to win. What would I
have done if the lady of Arabia had no rider; these
terrors have stolen my sleep recently...
ADRIUS
Sarah, get wine. A celebration is in order.
SARAH
Yes, of course. Esuit, go to the kitchen and fetch
some wine goblets...
UTHUR
No, she remains here with me.
An awkward silence falls across the room as Adrius and his wife stare towards their former
slave.
ESUIT
>
Sorry, I will go.
UTHUR
No, stay here.
MERLAIN
Excuse my young friend’s bullishness but a lot has
happened since we last met.
SARAH
It has?
MERLAIN
Yes, to be honest, we owe our lives to this young girl.
ADRIUS
You do?
SARAH
How so Esuit; tell us about your adventure?
ESUIT
It was nothing.
MERLAIN
She is being particularly modest. Twice robbers tried
to kill us and twice she saved the day.
This girl has some very special skills; too many for
just a servant and skills wasted on a slave.
SARAH
So you have raised her to the level of what,
A bodyguard, perhaps?
She and her husband begin to giggle which causes Memet to lose his tense face and laugh along with them both.
MEMET
Yes, bodyguard, how funny.
UTHUR
We are being serious. We owe our lives to this girl,
not once, but twice; do not mock her.
He places his hand over the hilt of the ceremonial sword that is hung from his waist and steps between Adrius and Esuit.
Adrius notices the boy’s tension and stops laughing.
Beside, did you not give her to me, as a gift?
ADRIUS
So we did, come and sit, the three of you. I can see you
are all tired. Sarah, you go to the kitchen and bring
our wine. Now!
Sarah sniffs and does as she is told.
And you are right, she was a, err, gift. Of course you
are free to make her an equal if this is your desire.
So tell me, robbed twice, on the road between Babylon