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THE ONCE AND FUTURE NERDBook II - MYTH MADE FLESH
Chapter 4"I've Been Working On The Whale-Road"
Part One by Rhiannon Angell andChristian T. Kelley-Madera
Part Two by Anya Gibian, Zach Glass,Shannon Harris and Christian T. Kelley-Madera
Part Three by Anya Gibian,Christian T. Kelley-Madera and Gregory M. Schulz
Part Four by Shannon Harris,Christian T. Kelley-Madera and Gregory M. Schulz
Created and Executive-Producedby
Zach Glass &Christian T. Kelley-Madera
Copyright © 2017
PINK Production Draft for 9-16-17+ YELLOW Production Revisions + GREEN day-of/edit fixes
PART FOUR:
EXT. RED REAVER (ABOVE DECK)25 25
Replay:
KLAUSThere's a blockade in front of the port!
RENWell, I'm afraid this changes things.
NARRATORYou’ll remember, when last we met, that the reverieaboard The Red Reaver was interrupted by the discoveryof an Elvish naval presence around Armstrungard.
RENWe can no longer smuggle you into Armstrungard. It’stoo dangerous.
REGANWhat? Fuck that, we had a deal.
RENThat was before. When I only half believed your royaltytale. My ass is done for if I set a foot on shore withthe Elves around.
REGANSo do I have to tell the whole underground that RedRen's word is worthless?
RENTest me and you’ll only be telling it to sharks. Or keep *your mouth shut long enough to listen and see beyond yournose for me to tell you what I am willing do for you.
Perhaps a beat.
REGANbegrudgingly( )
I’m listening.
RENI can get you past the breakers a good ways south of *the blockade. And you can still have a rowboat on the *house.
REGANYou know damn well we can't row our way past five *frigates.
61.
RENBest offer. Take it or leave it.
REGANCome on Ren. We’re cut from the same cloth. Let’s putour heads together rather than let the Elves win.
RENHa! Have you heard a word I said? If we get anywherenear the city, you trot off my ship, blend in. My crewand I get strung up on sight.
REGANI can’t believe what I’m hearing from the "fiercestpirate alive." How about this? We'll get back in somecrates and barrels, a few of your strongest men dump uson shore. I can take it from there.
RENYou deaf? Stupid? Or do you think I was born yesterday?Why should I risk my life and my crew’s lives for you? *I roll up to the shore with an Elf blockade and there'sno way they don't search this ship. And when they seeme...No. My whole life I've stayed at sea as much aspossible. My pa taught me that as a wee little thing--
REGAN--Least you had a pa - that you knew. Look, now’s notthe time for a round of “who've the gods fucked worse?”We can sit around a campfire some day and trade warstories--
REN--You delusional twat!beat( )
Pardon my lack of manners, Your Royal Majesty, Heir tothe High Throne. I should know better. Insultingroyalty might be a capital offense--
REGAN--I was raised FAR from any throne--
REN--And then you ran FROM one. Poor thing. It’s hard tohave choices in life, innit?
REGANYou callin’ me a coward?!getting her bearings / a little calmer( )
I tried to tell you that the Elves--
62.
RENReclaiming my time.
RENrecord alt( )
My time is money and I don'ttolerate theft.
RENNow I've given you your options.
NARRATORRegan and Ren were locked in a death stare.
ALFurgent, but distant, panned, and muffled( )
Hey Mum!
Footsteps trudge quickly towards us up somestairs. As they approach us...so does a cryingbaby.
ALFcloser now( )
You'll wanna see this.
NARRATOR *Alfie broke, or at least subdued, the tension as he *barged onto the deck with the crying baby, followedclosely by Arlene and Gwen.
Two more sets of footsteps run onto the deck.
REN *Wha-- *
ARLENE *--We can explain! *
GWEN--We can explain!
RENShh! Right, you said you had a baby before you dropped *it on me that you had an Elf.
ALFBut look at his eyes mum.beat( )
Might not've noticed myself if I hadn't gotten close.
NARRATORRed-Eye Ren studied the babe's eyes, just the slightestbit redder than would have normally been seen in thehuman realms.
RENWhich one of you two been dallying on the other side ofthe mountains?
63.
GWENstalling( )
Well, uh, he's--
REGAN--No. Tell her where he's from. The truth.
Beat.
GWENWe think its mother was an Orc. Found her half-dead,fleeing the battle at Freehold. Didn't know what elseto do but take him in and hope no one noticed.
RENpiecing it together/feeling them out( )
But the Elves did. Which doesn't help your...situation.
NARRATORRen peered at the baby again. Arlene, Gwen, and Reganheld their breaths as Ren stroked the baby's head and *cheek.
RENNice of you not to leave a little baby to die.to Arlene( )
May I hold him?
ARLENEtentative but trying not to show it( )
...Yes.
REN *Now. He and I are cut from the same cloth.
NARRATORAs she bounced him gently in her arms and paced backand forth, his crying subsided.
The baby gradually calms down under Ren's nextlines.
RENto baby( )
Oh, poor thing. Yes, I know. Life at sea can be rough,but you’re safe little one...
SHE CAN KEEP COOING AD LIB FOR A LITTLE WHILE.
64.
NARRATORArlene, Gwen, and Regan’s eyes bounced cautiously from oneanother to Ren and the baby. Ren then stopped her pacingand rocked the baby back and forth in her arms while shestood in place. By this time, he’d fallen asleep.
RENThere’s a cove - a treacherous one - that we could useas an entry point to dock at Armstrungard.piecing it together( )
But we’d still need the cover of darkness, and we don't *have the time to wait around for that.
REGANWhat if I could get you some fog? *
RENThe fuck? Get me some fog? *
REGANMy second. She can make fog. She’s a mage.
Beat.
RENSo you, the illegitimate scion of House Guernatal,brought a runaway Elf and a fugitive noblewoman with anOrc baby on my boat? And now a storm mage?
NARRATORRen attempted to cup the baby’s ears by pressing him toher body and placing a hand on the exposed ear.
RENsomewhat sotto voce( )
Who the fuck else you got with you, heh? The deadPrince Uther?
THE BABY CRIES.
RENThrow some cold water on your crew, there's work to do.
EXT. MOUNTAIN PASS – EARLY MORNING26 26
Snow whips around us.
ARDENHmph.
65.
NARRATORArden the so-called Annihilator was not happy. He hadbeen forced to give up pursuing the most direct path tothe thing he sought due to the weather. Not that hecouldn’t stand the snow, he had after all recently beenawoken from a block of ice. No, it seemed that theancient warrior refused to leave his new companionsalone and unprotected.
MAG UIDHIRI fear those men are not long for this world. A storm-ridden mountain is hardly a suitable place for them,much less you or I.
ARDENLeave no man behind.
MAG UIDHIRsighing( )
Alright. We should be coming up to the tunnel soon.Hopefully those two will do the sensible thing and staybe--
--SNAP of a trap catching Mag Uidhir's bonyankle
MAG UIDHIRAGHHHH!!!
NARRATORMag Uidhir had just set foot in a bear trap, snaringhim to the spot and causing quite a bit of damage tohis already decaying ankle.
MAG UIDHIRA feckin’ bear trap?!? What daft fool thought it’d be agood idea to leave one so close to--oh. Arden, we mayhave company soon.
ARDENWe are too few to be a company. Full company requiresmany more men.
MAG UIDHIRNo not a group of soldiers you golem! These traps wereset on this path for a reason which means whoever setthem is likely trying to catch people. You two! Don’tmove an inch! There might be more-
66.
A tree trunk shatters
NARRATORA tree beside the two men with them erupted as it wasstruck with a blast of magic. Jethro and Traft emergedfrom trees along the path, weapons drawn.
JETHROLay down your weapons. There’s nothing you can do andnowhere you can run.
ARDENHmph.
JETHROto Traft( )
This one doesn't seem to get it. Big guy though.back to Arden( )
Hey there big fella! I betcha don't take no for ananswer and get whatever you will to be yours. Care touse that power to help us? Might mean your friends hereget to stay breathing.
NARRATORArden looked at the robed mage with contempt. He drewhis warhammer, pointing it at Jethro.
ARDENPuny magic man. Prepare to die.
NARRATORArden took up a battle stance...
SNAP!
ARDENACK!
NARRATOR...which unfortunately caused him to step into anotherof the bear traps Traft and Jethro had set.
JETHROI told you, there is nowhere for you to--
ARDEN--AAUUUUUGGGGHHHHHHH!!!!
67.
A stake is ripped out of the ground asfootsteps plod towards us.
NARRATORArden, seemingly undeterred by the trap lodged in hisankle, yanked it out of the ground and charged Jethro.The old mage barely dodged the massive warrior,retreating to the trees. Arden glared at the foliage,unsure of where his robed foe had disappeared to,before turning to Traft, weapon raised.
ARDENTell me where your friend has gone.
TRAFTHe's not my friend.
ARDENYou fight with him.
TRAFTNot by choice.
ARDENAll men choose who they fight with.
NARRATORTraft stared at the hulking warrior in front of him. Aglint of recognition crossed his face before settinginto a look of determination.
TRAFTDamn right they do.
NARRATORWith blinding speed, Traft threw his miner's axetowards Arden.
Whoosh.
The giant’s eyes widened as the weapon whirred inchespast him...embedding itself in Jethro’s chest as he *tried to sneak up on the goliath.
Squish.
JETHROAaaaahhhhhhhhh!!!!
NARRATORJethro fell to his knees, as he shot a look of rage andsurprise at Traft. With a nod of respect towards said
(MORE)
68.
General, Arden turned to the humbled wizard, raisingNARRATOR (cont'd)
his hammer high and, as with most of his enemies...
ARDENRRAUUGHHHHHH!!!
Crunch.
NARRATOR...brought the hammer down upon Jethro’s head,shattering it with one strike. Though an astuteobserver might have noticed that Jethro's body wentlimp a moment before Arden's devastating blow.
ARDENHmph.
TRAFTDamn spooky son of a bitch had it coming a mile away.
Beat.
MAG UIDHIRArden, I’m glad you made a new friend and all but wouldyou mind getting me out of this blasted trap? These twoseem to be no help at all.
NARRATORThe two orcs stood awestruck, not at yet another showof Arden’s strength, but at Traft. Both ran to Traft’sfeet, kneeling and weeping to see him alive.
Footsteps scurry through snow.
TWO MEN LAUGH WITH JOY.
MAG UIDHIRWell. Not quite what I was expecting.
TRAFTsigh( )
Get up. I’m not your leader anymore.
NARRATORArden took in the scene before deciding to free bothMag Uidhir and himself from the bear traps.
Metal creaks and brittle bone crunches.
MAG UIDHIRThank you Arden.
Arden grunts exertively.
69.
Metal creaks again and flesh squishes.
MAG UIDHIRto Traft( )
I gather you're someone I ought to know.
TRAFTGather I could say the same. That old bastard we killedhad a cabin up the path a ways. I'm headed there anywayfor supplies, plenty to go around. Come in out of thecold a bit we can talk about how we got here.
INT. JETHRO’S CABIN – SHORTLY AFTER27 27
A fire crackles in the hearth.
NARRATORSo as these five warmed their fingers and toes by thelate Jethro's hearth, the two young Orcs regaled MagUidhir and Arden regarding the rise - and temporaryfall - of Comrade General Traft Sixhills, the forger ofclans and smasher of gates, born of an Easterner andraised by the Elves, who burned many Eastern forts.
ARDENDas ist ein gōd friend to motherland.
TRAFTNot nearly as glamorous as they make it sound, Ipromise. But yes, I've fought to free my people fromElven slavery. And I aim to keep doing so.
MAG UIDHIRWell in that we're kindred spirits.
TRAFTThe big fella...if I didn't know better I'd say hematched the description of Ar--
MAG UIDHIR--Arden the Annihilator.
TRAFTThe Annihilator's been dead for three thousand years.
MAG UIDHIRNot dead so much as imprisoned with magic. I, on theother hand, have been dead for three thousand years.
70.
NARRATORMag Uidhir lowered his hood to reveal the mummifieddeath mask that was presently his face. Traft could nothelp but be taken aback.
TRAFTHow?
MAG UIDHIRWhat do you know of the arcane arts?
NARRATORTraft's eyes flicked back in the direction of Jethro'scellar.
TRAFTWhole lot more than I used to, I'll tell you that.
MAG UIDHIRWell you should keep at your studies. Turns out anyidiot can get quite good. To answer your question, I'mhere because one such idiot so wanted to boff one ofhis schoolmates that he learned how to disturb the restthat should not end.
TRAFTRaise the dead you mean. Where is this idiot? I've gotsome questions I'd like to ask him.
MAG UIDHIRAck! Matron only knows. Left him on an ice floe afterthe Annihilator annihilated what was left of his body.
TRAFTlet down( )
I see.
MAG UIDHIRBelieve me. Your life is better for not having knownhim.beat( )
If you like, I can teach you most of what he knew. Andthe rest...well, best to leave it forgotten.
TRAFTI appreciate the offer, uh...
MAG UIDHIRAh yes. I was called Finn Mag Uidhir.
TRAFTI've read about you. You were a General in the *Rebellion of the Unnamed King.
71.
ARDENsharply( )
Queen.
TRAFTWhat's that?
MAG UIDHIRQueen Aerona Siobhan Mac Cumhaill was the name theElves erased from history.
ARDENGreat Queen. Greatest Queen!!
MAG UIDHIRAye she was an excellent Queen.whispers to Traft( )
Speak no ill of her. It's a badly-kept secret thatArden carried a bit of a torch.
ARDENdefensive( )
Did not! I fought for the SAFETY OF THE MOTHERLAND. *
MAG UIDHIRAnd yes. I did lead one of her armies.
TRAFTWell then. Kindred spirits indeed. Where y'all headedafter this?
MAG UIDHIRUnder the mountains.
TRAFTFixing to get back west?
MAG UIDHIRNot just yet. But we'd be happy to point you in theright direction.
TRAFTWhat're you going for then? If you don't mind my asking.
ARDENHero's arsenal.
MAG UIDHIREver heard of it? We're after Mac Connor's shieldfirst.
TRAFTYou gonna tell me that tall tale's true as well?
72.
MAG UIDHIRYoung man I've seen it wielded in battle. Iron can'tpierce it, and Elf-silver flies right around it.
TRAFTWell shit today's just a day for learning I suppose.Listen, General. I'm inclined to travel with you a waysif you wouldn't mind.
MAG UIDHIRNot at all.
TRAFTUnfortunately I oughta get going soon, weather bedamned. Some folks looking for me I'd rather not meet.
MAG UIDHIRThat's well enough. The snow's only like to get worsethe longer we wait.
TRAFTThere's some food in the cellar. But some of it...youwouldn't wanna eat. I'll gather what's good, then wecan get going.
NARRATORA few minutes later, Traft emerged from the cellar witha full pack.
A trap door slams shut.
TRAFTLet's go. I'm inclined to burn this place to the ground'fore we do though.
MAG UIDHIRAye and I'm sure you've ample reason. But better notto. Should the snows worsen quickly we'll be glad tohave shelter we can return to.
TRAFTdoesn't like it but...( )
Suppose that's wise. All right then.
NARRATORTraft gestured to his new companions that they mightleave first. Mag Uidhir bowed politely, and then obliged.
73.
Four sets of footsteps, one very very big,walk through a door.
NARRATORBut before Traft left, he stopped in front of Jethro’sportrait, and its uncannily lifelike eyes.
TRAFTThanks for the supplies. Maybe I’ll find what you werelooking for. Maybe not. Either way, good riddance.
NARRATORTraft turned and walked out the door, joining his newtravelling companions, unaware that the eyes he wasjust staring into followed him all the way.
EXT. REN'S ROWBOAT - MORNING28 28
NARRATORHaving worked out their differences for the moment Renand Regan saw to getting Regan's party where theyneeded to be.
REGANYou sure you can keep that thing from squawking?
GWENAye, Your Grace.
ARLENE[Quietly hums to the baby.]
REGANAnd you'll keep us hidden as long as we need it?
JENdistractedly( )
Yea yea, sure thing.more excitedly to Alf( )
So you dye the ropes at certain lengths and that tellsyou how far away the object is?
ALFOh ya. The key is being consistent with your throws.Results won't mean much if the measurement isinconsistent.
RENAlf! Quit showing off to your new friend and get to thebow. We'll need your fancy rope soon enough.
74.
NARRATOR *Ren looked over the Reaver one last time before nodding *to one of her crew mates to lower their boarding shipinto the water.
Pulleys lower the rowboat into the sea.
EXT. ON THE WATER - CONTINUOUS29 29
Throughout this next section the sound of thewaves lapping up against the boat will beconstant.
A soft plop sounds as the boat hits the water.
NARRATORThe boat effortlessly dropped into the water on thestarboard side, concealing it from the blockade. With a *nod from Regan, Jen raised her hand into the air.
Jen's magical pad slowly comes up.
NARRATORSlowly, a mist gathered around, hiding the skiff's *passengers and its light wake as the oars gently guided *them towards the shore.
For the rest of this section the sound ofoars lightly slapping the water.
NARRATORAfter a few moments, Ren gave a nod to Alf. The secondmate lifted a harpoon made of light wood and tippedwith a piece of pumice with a lead of colored rope.With a measured arm, Alf threw the harpoon in the waterat a shallow angle with barely a whisper of a splash.
75.
Whisper of a splash.
NARRATORAlf let the rope feed through his hands until hegrabbed the end. He waited for a moment, and thenpulled the harpoon, which had floated to the surface,back to the boat. This happened again and again, Alfleaning forward, listening for something.
Whisper of a splash...
Whisper of a splash a little further away...
Further away still...
NARRATORAnd then...
Soft muffled thud.
NARRATORAt the sound of the thud, Alf's hand snapped shut onthe rope. He noted the color, made a gesture to Ren atthe rudder, and drew the harpoon back in, only to throw *it once more.
Splash...thud.
Splash...thud.
The rowing stops.
The creaking of a ship slowly starts to comein.
NARRATORA shadow gradually formed into the shape of an Elven *ship. Brennen and Nia hurriedly pulled in their oars *as the ship loomed ever larger above them. The small *boat was turning to angle itself parallel to the greatcraft to travel in its opposite direction, but had toomuch momentum to avoid collision. Alf widened his *stance across the width of the boat and held out hisharpoon.
THE WHOLE GROUP BRIEFLY SUCKS IN THEIR BREATH.
Quiet group inhale of breath.
NARRATORAs the soft pumice hit the hull of the ship the greatpirate pushed off of it with his harpoon, causing therear of the boat to only graze the warship.
76.
Soft scrape of wood on wood.
NARRATORUnfortunately Elvish ears are finely attuned. Ren knewas much and with a flurry of sharp looks and brusquehand gestures managed to get the rowing crew back towork.
Restart soft paddling.
NARRATORThe group spent the silent, tense journey out fromunder the ship looking up at the dark form of the deckthat lay in the mist. Just as the boat got out fromunder the ship...
Two muffled footsteps walk above us.
NARRATOR...Two Elves approached the railing of their ship nearwhere the rowboat had been. *
ELF SAILOR 1muffled( )
Hwy pryyxyr ta?
ELF SAILOR 2muffled( )
Ygyth'yys, fala. Ag ta?
NARRATORThe thick mist provided the rowboat ample coverage from *where they stood.
Alf continues with small splashes.
BILLYSo did we-
ALLShhhh!
NARRATORBilly threw up his hands defensively, returning to hisoar.
Thud.
NARRATORAt the sound of his harpoon hitting an object, Alfraised a fist into the air. Ren motioned for the rowingto stop.
77.
Cut rowing noise. Slowly bring up sound ofwaves hitting a rocky shore.
NARRATORAlf sent one more hand signal to Ren who set the rudderin its last position.
Sound of the wooden boat hitting the shore.
NARRATORAs the boat ran aground parallel to the shoreline, Renand Alf reached out to catch well worn rocks in amotion used hundreds of times before.
Everyone speaks quietly for the rest ofthis scene.
RENWell, Thief Queen, this is where we part ways.
Nine sets of footsteps gingerly touch sand.
REGANAppreciate the ride, Ren.
RENCan you keep that fog going a little while longer, gal?
JENvery winded( )
Yeah. How long you need?
RENFifteen minutes?
ALFShould be enough to get back to the Reaver.
JENYou got it.
BILLYBabe you sure? You look pretty zonked.
JENI'll tough it out. Alf, you ever think about using acrossbow for your rope trick? Should be easier to keepconsistent than your arm.
ALFOh ya sure. Thought about it, tried it...never couldget the figures sorted.
78.
JENIt's a squared relationship. The energy stored in thebow is the draw distance times itself, times someconstant specific to the bow.
ALFTimes itself you say? Well now that changes things.Thanks for the tip, little miss.
REGANRen, think about my offer all right?beat( )
Admiral's good work if you can get it.
RENI still don't think you got a snowflake's chance inSummerhold at the High Throne. But if I'm wrong perhapsyou'll hear from me. Let's be on our way, Alfie. *
ALFYou all be well, now.
The rowboat casts off.
EXT. FIELD OUTSIDE FREEHOLD30 30
NARRATORMeanwhile, at the site of the unceremonious death ofthe great Bryce Riverfell, we find Ry’y lo-Th’yyt as we *left her: fuming over being outmaneuvered yet again andby an opponent who was worthy indeed. She had, however,moved on to a subsequent step in the grieving process,if you will: burying the dead. That is, she barkedorders at the men charged with disposing of theGeneral’s body in a nearby ditch.
Sounds of feet carrying a dead body, leavesrustle underneath.
RY’YQuickly!
Sounds of body being rolled and hitting theground
RY’YNow burn him. I’d have you piss on him first if therewere time.
79.
A coo and a flutter of wings.
NARRATORA messenger pigeon descended onto Ry’y’s shoulder. Itsmessage bore the seal of the faculty of the College of *Armstrungard. Ry’y withdrew a few steps from hercompany and began silently reading the eagerlyanticipated correspondence.
BA’A (V.O.)Greetings Lord Commander: In response to your query, Iam writing to confirm that I am well acquainted withthe clerical acolyte after whom you inquired. Nia is aformer pupil of mine, humbly born, to clergy inSeahold. She left my coveted tutelage for, as I’m told,a life of vagrancy.
Ba'a's V.O. trails off as Ry'y squishes thepaper against her chest.
BA’A (V.O.)I neglected to ask why sheis of interest. Do yourequire a recommendation onher behalf? Perhaps as aspiritual adviser to yourcompany. If so, I amafraid...
NARRATORRy’y beamed as she held Ba’alo-Kyyr’s letter to herchest like a note from adear friend or a lover withwhom she was eager toreunite.
RY’Yaloud, to herself( )
“Humbly born, to clergy in Seahold...”
EXT. SEAHOLD - DAY31 31
Sounds of coastal rural village.
NARRATORRy’y obviously did not bask in her reverie for toolong. Within moments, a messenger pigeon was dispatchedto Seahold. We turn our attention there now, just as anElvish officer believes she is finishing a conversationwith the town's humble clergy.
MAJOR ZYKA'ADI appreciate your time, Reverends.
MILDREDPlease, m'lord. Mildred and Ben. And you're verywelcome of course.
80.
MAJOR ZYKA'ADI'll take my leave of you now.
NARRATORThe humble priest and priestess bowed low, beforeturning and walking away.
Footsteps recede, but don't get too farbefore--
--A pigeon coos and flutters.
NARRATORWhen the pigeon arrived, and the Major saw its messagebore the personal seal of her Lord Commander, shehastily unfurled and read it.
Paper noises.
MAJOR ZYKA'ADurgent( )
Reverend Mildred? Reverend Ben?
Footsteps stop.
MILDREDpanned to where the foosteps ended( )
Yes, m'lord?
Footsteps walk back towards us.
MAJOR ZYKA'ADAm I right to understand you've a daughter named Nia,left here to study in Armstrungard?
NARRATORMildred and her husband shared a look of grave concern.
MILDREDYes. Why, what's happened?
MAJOR ZYKA'ADhamming it up( )
I'm afraid your daughter is grave, grave peril. I mustask you to come with me. Quickly as you please.
END OF CHAPTER.
81.
