On The Road Again, Scene 1

Inahtuu Kinisc

Here we are in Book 2 and Inahtuu is “on the road again” to nowhere in particular. As we know, he was gifted a map before stepping foot in Dunport and that in conjunction with word from Geralt has him headed towards the Cunningham Estates. Inahtuu has only ever had one job: to hunt… other humans. This whole farmhand thing would be brand new to him. But that is what he wants. He wants to be someone new in the hopes that he can escape whatever it is he’s running from.

This issue opens up with a splash nightmare scene. We’ve got bloody bodies on a boat. A shadowy figure that looms large at its bow. A really close up shot of Inahtuu’s eye. It’s jarring. It’s confusing. And most importantly, it’s memorable. All of this is on purpose. I want you to know that Inahtuu is really not okay. And when someone is not okay mentally and they run from it… well it’s just a matter of time before they make some pretty drastic choices.

The farm he reaches here is one of many on the Cunningham lands. We can imagine that there are a least a dozen fields like this one lorded over by the Cunningham family. They’ve been an integral part of both the Empire and the Republic Kingdom so they have a lot of clout and are not often bothered by those in power… I digress.

We see that while Inahtuu is well traveled, he doesn’t know much about Athea. He needs Frib to explain what he means by “The 1st” because on the Islands of Kavana Athea is purposely not discussed much (more on that another time). This naïveté may just come back to bite him eventually.

Rather than spoil anything here I’m just going to go ahead and share the script for these 3 pages:

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*NOTES TO THE ART TEAM:*

We find Inahtuu asleep under a tree. This scene opens with a nightmare. Any panel with *(DS)* is a “dream sequence.”

### PAGE 1 (5 Panels)

Scene 1 (/1/3 pages/)

*Panel 1* *(DS)*

Inahtuu stands at the front of a large nordic looking longship. A tall, human shaped shadow stands behind him.

*Panel 2* *(DS)*

A look down at his feet reveals that the deck of the ship is full of dead and rotting bodies. He is standing on some. Bodies are all different types of people: European, Asian, African, Latin. Men, women, children. As many as you think you can reasonably depict.

*Panel 3* *(DS)*

He looks unsettled, almost sick, by what he’s seeing, but not surprised. More ashamed. The shadow’s arm now holds a blade, or wait, it *is* a blade. It’s standing closer… close enough to grab him… or worse.

*Panel 4* *(DS)*

Inahtuu can’t look away from the pile. He stares at it even as the shadow’s blade is in contact with his throat. The blade is made of pure shadow.

*Panel 5*

Inahtuu sits up in fear. He is now awake and clutching his ya’rosa tightly.

### PAGE 2 (4 Panels)

Scene 1 (/2/3 pages/)

*Panel 1*

Inahtuu makes his way out of the woods and heads back to the road. Mail is on, ya’rosa in hand, satchel over his shoulder.

*Panel 2*

Inahtuu comes across the farm Geralt mentioned to him back at the inn. FRIB stands on the other side of a stone wall, which is lined by small apple trees, collecting hay. Frib is wearing a straw hat, a lightweight tunic that is open half way down, exposing his chest. He’s to be modeled after Kickstarter Backer A.B. (See ref A.B.)

1 FRIB May I ‘elp you?

1 INAHTUU Yes, Geralt from Dunsport told me to find you, that you may have work for me.

*Panel 3*

Frib continues to work. Nearby, a few other farmhands of varying ages, half European looking, with a handful looking East Asian, also collect hay (See ref # .5). Two of these should modeled after Kickstarter Backers D.J. and L.F. (See ref D.J. and L.F).

In the background small cottages with thatch roofs are slightly visible on the opposite side of the field. A few pigs can be seen moving near the cottages.

1 FRIB *Geralt from Dunsport* sent you did ‘e?

2 FRIB If you’re lookin’ for work you’re on the wrong side a’ the wall…

*Panel 4*

Other farmhands (including those modeled after backers D.J. and L.F. if possible) are loading hay into to a wagon close to where Frib is working. The wagon is almost full. Inahtuu tosses his satchel over the stone wall, then hops after it. Frib ties rope around a bale of hay.

1 FRIB Name’s Frib. Geralt used to work this very farm, ’til his service was no longer needed ‘ere…

2 FRIB …that’s when ‘e moved south and opened up that inn a’ ‘is.

### PAGE 3 (4 Panels)

Scene 1 (/3/3 pages/)

*Panel 1*

Some time has obviously passed, Frib tosses a bale of hay to Inahtuu. Inahtuu catches it. Frib points to the wagon. Inahtuu isn’t wearing his mail, just his gambeson. His mail and his satchel are off to the side. Visible, laying next to the wall of a small shack.

1 FRIB Aye. What’s your name anyway?

1 INAHTUU Inahtuu. Pleasure to meet you Frib.

2 FRIB Inahtuu, aye? You’re from Kavana aren’t you?

2 INAHTUU I am.

*Panel 2*

Inahtuu throws is ya’rosa in the back of the wagon, leaving his bag behind, which is full of hay bales and hops in. Frib is in the climbing onto the front of the wagon preparing to steer the horses.

1 FRIB Ah, then the pleasure’s mine. Not often we get *islanders* ‘round these parts. Lord Cunningham’ll be pleased to meet you.

2 FRIB Luckily, we’re ‘eadin’ to the Lord’s keep right now.

*Panel 3*

As Frib beckons the horses forward, reigns in hand, he looks back over his shoulder at Inahtuu. Inahtuu settles in amongst the bales of hay, ya’rosa across his lap. He looks upward, as though he is deep in thought.

1 FRIB Lord has some *guests* comin’. Must ‘ave enough to feed all those damn horses. You know?

1 INAHTUU Looks like you’ve got plenty…

2 INAHTUU …this Lord, he good to you?

2 FRIB Its ‘cause ‘a ‘im I’m not in Lismark or Olisia trainin’ to die for the 1st.

3 INAHTUU The 1st?

*Panel 4*

CLOSE UP ON FRIB

Frib, looking forward again with reigns still in hand.

1 FRIB The 1st Ennead. Word is we’re off to war again… I’d be too if it weren’t for the Lord.

2 FRIB Divine bless the man.

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