Not Too Far From Home, Scene 4
King Ulius, Prince Miika
The look on Undari’s face in the panel above is one of my favorite moments in Book 1. Think about it. Here’s a man who has likely beguiled his way through most of his life. So much so he was chosen to be a part of a clandestine mission hundreds of miles from… wait. I am getting ahead of myself.
Let’s just say, I love the “oh shit” look that Luke manages to pull off here. It’s perfect.
I always knew that I wanted TRoN to be a grim look at epic fantasy. But not so grim that it felt grim dark. Only certain storylines contain the heavy consequences of medieval warfare. This one being the prime example. This group has already had their fair share of violence and they aren’t quite done yet. All that said, I never wanted things to be grotesque or gratuitous. So I try to balance it out with an actual look at the people who are impacted. Namely a father and his two sons.
I imagine Miika and Udonis as me, split in two. Miika embodying the side of me that wants nothing to do with my father. Udonis being the personification of the side of me that wants to emulate him in each and every way. I think all sons who are lucky enough to know their dads have this dichotomy in them so I’m hopeful that when they stumble across this little story of mine they can recognize that.
Ennead has been my way of exploring what I know and love about the fantasy genre as well as grappling with some of more core beliefs on the page. When dealing with questions of legacy for example, most fantasy stories suck us in with notions of the “rightful heir” or the one “worthy of the throne.” While intriguing it is really the stories that take it a step further and ask what an endless pursuit of power does to a family unit. When all is said and done I hope folks view Ennead as the latter.
Plenty more on this in next week’s short and beyond!
Let’s take a look at this script, shall we?
PAGE 13 (4 Panels)
Scene 4 (/1/3 pages/)
*Panel 1*
ESTABLISHING SHOT (BIRD’S EYE OR HIGH ANGLE VIEW)
King Ulius, Princes Udonis and Miika ride at the front of the small group of men they rode into Theton with. The King’s 9 Bondsmen ride just behind them as they arrive back at camp. The camp is full, hundreds of camps with thousands of men. (No need to picture them, just for reference see # 15.5).
A RIDER, dressed in nothing but a Gambeson with a mail shirt over the top and a kettle hat helmet that looks too big for his head (ref # 16), races towards them from further down the road with news.
1 RIDER Your Grace! We stopped a man riding out of Theton!
2 RIDER Says his name is Ripon Undari. Says he has information about the brigands who were found in Theton.
*Panel 2*
Udonis signals for the train of men behind him to stop with a closed fist in the air. Ulius looks amused as he and the rider speak.
1 ULIUS On the *brigands?* What more did he have to say?
1 RIDER Nothing I’m afraid, Your Grace. Should I press him further?
*Panel 3*
Ulius, Udonis, and Miika exchange glances, Ulius wears a small smile, the two sons try not to convey their apprehension as they speak up in an attempt to make amends for letting this man get away. The rider waits patiently for instructions.
1 UDONIS Father, he’s likely the man who got away.
1 MIIKA Udonis is right. If we are to hear this man, we must take heed of his behavior.
1 ULIUS Your mother will be proud to hear just how fast your *political* instincts have outpaced those required for battle…
2 ULIUS Unfortunately, we may sooner have need for the latter.
*Panel 4*
Ulius urges his horse off the road towards his pavilion as he begins to speak. Udonis, Miika, and the rider, all remain still and watch the King.
1 ULIUS Have him fed, see to his horse, and tell him *nothing* of who we are. Understood?
1 RIDER Yes, Your Grace.
2 ULIUS Very well. Once I’m settled in my pavilion, I will send for him.
PAGE 14 (7 Panels)
Scene 4 (/2/3 pages/)
*Panel 1*
The rider arrives at the tent with Ripon Undari, who looks nervous. Ripon has changed his clothes as well. He no longer wears a hooded cloak, now he has on simple riding pants, with a waist length short sleeved gambeson that buttons in the front. Around his neck is a simple scarf (think infinity scarf) They wait just outside as Ulius, Udonis, and Miika are all around a map table underneath Ulius’ larger than life tent. Ulius gestures for the men to enter.
1 RIDER I have the man. May we enter?
1 ULIUS Please.
*Panel 2*
Ripon looks eager and nervous at the same time. Miika does not trust him and his face gives him away before he speaks. Ulius and Udonis are both calm as he enters. Ulius gestures towards the chairs in the middle of the tent.
1 RIPON I thank you for the meal, even more for agreeing to speak with me.
1 ULIUS No need to thank us.
*Panel 3*
Ulius recognizes Ripon’s nervousness. He tries to calm the situation and walks towards the chairs in the middle of the tent. Udonis and Miika make no attempt to follow, they remain at the table. The two brothers step closer together.
1 ULIUS I’m told you have a tale of brigands. I’d like to hear you tell it.
1 RIPON Of course. Of course. May I trouble you for some wine first?
*Panel 4*
Ripon’s request makes Miika furious, he leans over and whispers into his brother’s ear. Ripon sits Ulius raises a hand as he heads towards the other table under the tent. Udonis is still calmly observing, though his head is cocked as he listens to his brother.
1 MIIKA (whisper) Do we favor cup bearers?! We are not here to *serve* this man.
1 ULIUS We have plenty. Provincial or Domestic?
1 RIPON Either will do.
*Panel 5*
Miika’s little bit of patience is gone and his body language shows it. Miika puts his hand to his brother’s ear so he can continue to whisper.
1 MIIKA (whisper) This is *foolish*. Father should just call him out. So we can be done with this charade.
1 RIPON The raids began a full turn ago. They came at night.
2 RIPON At first just taking from barrels, stealing bails of hay, rummaging our grain store.
*Panel 6*
Ulius sits comfortably in his chair. He gives Ripon his cup of wine and raises his own. Miika stews with anger from the back of the tent.
1 RIPON After a few nights the men decided they would forcibly move into our homes… said they needed a place to stay.
2 RIPON They threatened us. We had little choice but to do as they wished. We had no *idea* what they intended…
*Panel 7*
Ripon continues, he’s over compensating for his lies with dramatic gesticulations. Ulius listens carefully, he leans in feigning interest and intrigue.
1 RIPON Luckily someone managed to send word to your Keep for help.
1 ULIUS Is that so?
2 RIPON Indeed. The messenger was found returning from Freemount.
PAGE 15 (7 Panels)
Scene 4 (/3/3 pages/)
*Panel 1*
Ulius stands up and looks down at Ripon, hand outstretched. Ripon sinks low into his seat.
1 ULIUS Thieves, pillagers, thugs all have the same *look*. That of desperation.
1 RIPON My Lord? I am no thief. I’m an- -
2 ULIUS Oh no. I know you’re not. You all were too well provisioned for that. And this change of clothes…
2 RIPON My Lord?
3 ULIUS They fit… *well*.
*Panel 2*
Ulius walks around behind Ripon’s chair. Udonis and Miika watch the king. Ripon looks afraid for his life. Ulius has an impatient look on his face.
1 ULIUS Where is the rest of your lot hiding?
1 RIPON My apologies… but I do not understand. I’d never seen these men before.
*Panel 3*
Ripon tries to plead with the King. Ulius places his hands on Ripon’s shoulders. He squeezes them tightly.
1 ULIUS So I am to believe a group of men *desperate* enough to rob and steal food had coin enough for weapons and armor?
2 ULIUS Who sent you?
1 RIPON My Lord… I wasn’t sent by anyone. Please.
*Panel 4*
Ulius grabs him tighter and leans in close to Ripon’s ears as he continues. Ripon looks terrified.
1 ULIUS You are *wasting my time.* Tell me what I want to know. Or I’ll *slaughter* you like the two you left behind.
1 RIPON Excuse me?
2 ULIUS Do you take me for a simple man Undari?
*Panel 5*
Ulius steps back to let Ripon think. Ripon stands up as he continues to plead his case.
1 RIPON I beg your pardon. But a Lord should know his subjects, if you weren’t held up in your Keep you would know who I am.
1 ULIUS So be it… you *fool.*
2 ULIUS I am *not* Lord Andion.
2 RIPON …
3 ULIUS He leads prayer from Theton once a turn… his vassals know that he’s a most *attendant* Liege.
3 ULIUS
*Panel 6*
Ulius stands towering over Ripon. Ripon fixes his clothing nervously.
::1 MIIKA:: Where are the rest of your men hiding? I’d assume to the west of here, on the main road leading out of the Ungoverned Lands?
1 RIPON Then *who*?
2 ULIUS I am the *King*. And you? You’re a mercenary, are you not?
2 RIPON …Yes.
3 RIPON The rest of us are… are… a half a days ride from here. Look for a fallen tree on the ma- -
*Panel 7*
Ulius walks back towards his table and calls for one of his Bondsmen, SIR GARRICK, who steps in from just outside the tent. Sir Garrick is a big man. Bigger than the king by a head. He’s well built, bald head with a strong face. He has a beard and no mustache. He wears his Bondsmen armor with his helm, visor on the helm is lifted. Ripon hears his fate and looks as if he’s seen a ghost.
1 ULIUS *Sir Garrick!*
1 GARRICK Your Grace?
2 ULIUS We have all we need from this man. See to it that he is bound and kept under close watch.
1 GARRICK What’s to be done with him?
3 ULIUS He’s to send a *special* message. Go now, all of you. At first light we ride until we find his friends…
If you haven’t read Book 1 then you don’t know what’s in store for Undari. Suffice it to say my Google searches for “historically accurate medieval torture” definitely landed me on a watch list or 2.
Next week I’ll be back with a short story that picks up right where we leave off. We’ll check in with Prince Miika and King Udonis as these men all clear out of the King’s pavilion. Miika will have some explaining to do when it comes to that outburst of his towards the end of the King’s interrogation.
JL
I get what your saying about the relationship to pur fathers. My father once said to me that your kids will be An Adult when they do the right thing even tho you as the father has suggested it.