Gwen, it can’t be.
ERICK
How quant, a family reunion. To think that I was under
the impression that it was you who was leading the enemy
army. What a joke, all this time and it was him, this boy.
GWEN
Father!
ESUIT joined ULAN and his men and they draw their swords. ERICKS men do also and UTHUR addresses them.
UTHUR
Easy now.
ERICK
Call your dogs off boy, we had a deal remember.
ULAN
I should kill you now.
UTHUR
Easy.
ERICK
Tell them, tell them we had a deal.
ULAN
What is this pig talking about?
ERICK
TELL THEM!
GWEN
Father, save me....
UTHUR
I promised him a fair fight.
ULAN
For what Uthur, for what?
ERICK
For your loyalty, tell him.
ULAN
Uthur?
UTHUR
It’s true, I said if he wins it will all be his, everything.
ULAN
I will never be his slave, I’d rather die first.
UTHUR
It won’t come to that, trust me.
ERICK
Confident. Now, do we still have a deal or are we
all going to die, including her and believe me, that
bitch will be the first.
ULAN
Uthur?
UTHUR
Put your swords away, trust me. Just once. Our deal
remains, whoever walks from this fight takes the land
our blood will seed.
ULAN
Sire. I always trust in you.
They put their swords away and make space.
ERICK removes his tunic and flexes his biceps before shaking his belly fat toward the boy.
ERICK
You think you can take me, boy?
UTHUR
You may have size but I have agility on my side; come on
big man, let’s do this.
They circle each other swords held out then ERICK cuts and thrusts to test his opponents swordsmanship. He thrusts forwards using his shoulder to push UTHUR across the sandy soil. ESUIT gasps as ERICK swipes down but UTHUR rolls out the way.
He stands and thrusts and cuts, his great sword glinting in the mid afternoon light, suddenly he is grabbed by ERICK who uses his forearm to strangle the boy. UTHUR stamps down upon the thugs foot and his stirrup cuts ERICKs shin. He throws the boy aside with a scream.
ERICK
That’s cheating.
UTHUR
So is trying to strangle me,
They meet again and their swords clash, a deep gash appears on UTHURs arm and this gives ERICK the confidence to thrust forwards pushing the boy to the ground, his sword flies through the air and lands by ESUITs feet.
ERICK
Now I have you.
He stands over the boy and raises his sword above his head ready to sweep it down into UTHUR. The boy looks up to see his sword, flung by ESUIT fly through the air and land in his grip, He thrusts up straight into ERICKs gut, pushing the sword in to the hilt.
The big man looks down and drops his sword with a look of amazement on his face, then like a great tree he falls across the dirt in a great dusty heap.
The Guard who was holding GWEN lets her go and she runs into the arms of her father, they embrace.
GWEN
I thought I’d never see you again.
ULAN
Oh, my darling daughter, how I have missed you.
GWEN
Is this young Uthur, my true love, back to save me?
UTHUR
A lot has happened since we last saw each other.
ESUIT examines the body language and sees the great attraction between both Uthur and Gwen. She squints and peers back towards the body of ERICK just in time to see him throwing a long bladed knife towards the group with his dying breath. She jumps in front of GWEN and protects her from the flying blade, It imbeds itself into ESUITs heart. She drops as UTHUR screams. He runs to her and clutches her in his arms.
Esuit, my dearest Esuit, why?
ESUIT
A warrior must die a warrior’s death.
UTHUR
But we had so little time together and I wanted to show you my land and its people.
ESUIT
If they are all as brave and noble as you I will be surprised.
UTHUR
You have been the best friend, the bravest fighter and the loyalist lover I have even known; I will miss you with every breath.
ESUIT
Be happy, my friend.
With that she dies and Uthur screams in grief. His voice echoes among the woods and hedgerows, the valleys and marshes and through every small hamlet of his nation.
SCENE 56 EXT DAY
A large crowd of people stand in front of a stage which has been assembled in a field near the fortress. Upon the stage UTHUR addresses the people backed by GWEN, MERLAIN ULAN and several others. Towards the rear of the crowd an old crow stands on tip toes trying to get a better view of what’s going on. She tugs on the sleeve of a tall man standing beside her.
OLD WOMAN
Excuse me, I can’t see very well and my hearing is poor. What’s going on?
TALL MAN
See the old man with the beard?
OLD WOMAN
Yes.
TALLMAN
He’s just introducing our new King.
OLD WOMAN
Oh...
MERLAIN
Now, to address you all,
the one and only rightful heir to this kingdom,
Uthur.
OLD WOMAN
What did he say?
TALL MAN
The new king, his name’s Arthur.
OLD WOMAN
Oh, very noble.
UTHUR
Friends, I bid you all welcome. By the blade of this sword which fate has given me.
Once a gift from the Lady across the Waters,
Esa Kali Akbar....
OLD WOMAN
What’s he saying?
TALL MAN
He said the sword came from a lady in a lake or something and he’s calling it Excalibur.
OLD WOMAN
Oh, how romantic..
UTHUR
...and the tool of this land’s liberation.
It will be a symbol of our freedom forevermore.
Now we have learned the secret of metal making from the dragoon
I will take the name Uthur Pendragon
and this place will forever be known Tintagil,
the place of tin.
OLD WOMAN
What was that/
TALL MAN
He said his name is Arthur Pendragon and he’s going to call his castle Tintagil or something.
OLD WOMAN
Oh, how wonderful.
UTHUR
My friend Ulan, who likes to use his lance a lot, will be my first minister beside my beautiful wife Gwen.
OLD WOMAN
What was that?
TALL MAN
He said the big guy is his first minister, Lancelot and that pretty lady is his wife Gwen.
OLD WOMAN
Oh, how lovely, it’s like a fairy story isn’t it?
UTHUR
Together we bring democracy and peace
to this Royal Throne of Kings.
This realm, this land; our Albion.
Where all shall prosper by his labours
And live free, happy and healthy lives.
Come, join me now, in a feast to celebrate our
New-found freedom and
we will march into our future
a free people.
A prosperous nation and
a happy family of men, women and their issue.
OLD WOMAN
What was that he said?
TALL MAN
They’re putting on a free spread,
Lots of booze and food for everyone.
You’d better go first, old girl;
come, I’ll look after you.
OLD WOMAN
Oh thank you, young man. I think I’m going to like this King...
THE END
© David William Kirby
The Dogbreaths Publishing 2014
[email protected]
All rights reserved2013
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Uther and the Secret of the Dragon Page 16