Dragonslayer Page #4

---

Horrible.

How did you arrogate

to yourself the role of saviour?

- I was invited.

- Not by me.

I think you're nothing

but a boy... an apprentice.

Have you considered

the consequences of failure?

What failure?

You want the dragon back?

You came here

and toyed with a monster!

Who are you

to risk our people, our villages?

- But your children were dying!

- Only a few.

It is better they die

that others might live.

I created the lottery - me -

and from the moment it began,

the dragon was tamed.

- The kingdom has prospered.

- At what price?

You can't make

a shameful peace with dragons.

- You must kill them as I have done.

- The beast is dead?

Yes, it's dead.

We shall see.

Caela... orrida... aperere.

Open up, I say! Caela orrida aperere!

Salve, magister juvenilis.

I studied Latin. Greek, too.

Me apellant Elspeth, filiam Regis.

Filiam Regis? You're his daughter.

Please don't think ill of us.

Father is a wise

and even-handed man. He's...

What happened to you?

Nothing. Just some

of the King's even-handedness.

It... It's better

for everyone this way.

A king must protect his people.

Naturally.

Just as he protects his daughter.

What do you mean by that?

- Are you referring to the lottery?

- You know about the lottery?

I have participated in every

choosing since I came of age.

The whole kingdom knows that.

You don't have to pretend.

Not to me. Not down here.

Everyone knows

how this... choosing works -

the families

with money, royal connections...

You've participated

in a lie. You know it.

- I have to go now.

- You know I'm right.

Vale. Dorme bene.

Horsrik, remove all but one bar.

We'll try it one at a time.

- I, Casiodorus Rex...

- Father...

do some families pay bribes

to stay out of the lottery?

Nonsense.

By the power of this amulet,

justly wielded by my hand

in accordance

with the laws of Urland,

now, lead, be thou gold.

I'm burnt!

Have you ever kept

my name off the lottery list?

What are you suggesting?

Am I not exposed to the same risk

as other men's daughters?

There's been a loose tongue

here somewhere, sire.

- Where did you get such ideas?

- Answer my question.

Please... Don't think

of such things, I beg you.

- Answer me.

- The answer is no.

I mean yes. You are a participant.

We have seen to that.

How could we not?

Yes...

The answer is yes.

- You are lying to me.

- Elspeth!

Stay calm.

Go on.

You little meddler!

Stop him!

Close the gate!

What are you waiting for, idiots?

Stop him!

Tyrian!

In here! So much for your magic.

So much for your sorcery.

Feel that? It's alive.

Listen to me. The moment of our fear

is the hour of our triumph.

This is a sign from God.

Rate this script:0.0 / 0 votes