DISCLAIMER-- i do not own the inheritance cycle.
Scene 2
Characters
ELIANA
TAHLIAN
BÆLYTH
Setting
A small clearing within the woods, on the way to Yadethíhel, in the dead of night.
[After traveling nonstop for 2 days, Eliana is making camp while Tahlian hunts. A small fire burns. Eliana is muttering a spell in the ancient language under her breath to protect the clearing. She fails to notice the person in the shadows watching her]
ELIANA
[still muttering under her breath] Vara tel' seldarine nurta I' fea… [A twig snaps, and Eliana freezes, ending the spell too early, causing it to be ineffective. She surveys the land around her, and jerks her head to the side when a sudden motion catches her attention. An arrow is flying towards her face. She lurches to the side, rolls then jumps back up and rushes to where her sword lays and picks it up. She finally sees the man] Coward! Come out of the shadows and fight me like a true warrior!
BÆLYTH
A true warrior would have noticed me long before you did. You must be of Maidethon's army, for only his warriors have been trained so poorly as to fail to observe their surroundings.
[the soldier advances, bow slung over shoulder with sword drawn. Eliana bristles at the insults.]
ELIANA
[sneering] I despise Maidethon, and would rather die than serve in his army!
BÆLYTH
Then you shall soon have your wish!
[He charges toward Eliana raising a battle cry, which Eliana answers with her own. They fight for a while, neither one gaining the advantage, until Bælyth loses his footing, and falls backwards. Eliana seizes the opportunity to disarm him, and holds her sword at his throat.]
ELIANA
That was well fought, but alas, it wasn't well enough. Who are you, and who are you loyal to? And know that if you lie, I'll slit your throat.
BÆLYTH
Ah, but how will you know if I lie?
ELIANA
I have my ways.
BÆLYTH
Ah…yes…that's right….you're a mage. [he pauses] Oh well, what difference does it make? I am Bælyth Kaquéan, and I am loyal to the people. I serve under nobody, but I have made it my mission to kill Maidethon for the evils he has committed.
[Eliana gasps, and drops her sword.]
ELIANA
[whispering] You have changed Bælyth.
BÆLYTH
[confused] Do I know you?
ELIANA
[sadly] You did. I knew you when you were still Bælyth Kaéan; protector of the people and a dragonrider. But after your dragon was killed in battle, you just disappeared, and nobody heard from you again. I didn't realize you had changed your name to Kaquéan; drangonless rider.
BÆLYTH
Who are you?
ELIANA
I am Eliana. [Astonishment flashes across Bælyth's face. Eliana grins when she realizes he recognizes her] Come, surely you remember your old childhood friend.
BÆLYTH
[Bælyth laughs, and jumps up from the ground and hugs Eliana] Of course I remember you Lia. You've changed as well you know.
[The sound of someone running sounds to their left. Tahlian enters stage left with sword drawn]
TAHLIAN
Eliana, is everything alright? [Tahlian looks Bælyth up and down] I heard your battle cry.
ELIANA
It was all a misunderstanding, don't worry. You can put your sword away. Bælyth, you remember Tahlian.
[Both Tahlian and Bælyth glare at each other]
BÆLYTH
Lia, why are traveling with that prick? Couldn't you have found a better companion to travel with?
TAHLIAN
[casually, with a slight sneer on his face] Hey Bælyth, how's life without the pet?
[Bælyth's face becomes pained, and he draws his sword and charges at Tahlian, screaming]
BÆLYTH
YOU INSENSITIVE SNAKE! AMATHERLÍA WAS MORE THAN JUST A PET AND YOU KNOW IT! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW HORRIBLE IT IS TO LOSE SOMEONE THAT CLOSE TO YOU? IT WAS LIKE LOSING HALF OF MY SOUL!
[They trade a few blows, then Bælyth collapses, and curls up on the ground, sobbing into his arms. Eliana glares at Tahlian, then kneels beside him and touches his back, muttering a spell to soothe him]
ELIANA
Tanka hawar poika tuulo' 'kshapsae ama poldora.
[Bælyth calms, then eventually pulls himself up into a sitting position.]
BÆLYTH
Do you see what's become of me since the death of Amatherlía? I've been reduced to nothing. The only thing keeping me going is my determination to kill Maidethon for his evils.
ELIANA
[pleading] Then travel with us to Yadethíhel, then back to Elesmerana. We could really use your help Bælyth. [pauses] Plus…I miss talking to you.
BÆLYTH
[silent for a minute. Then he looks up a Eliana and smiles slightly] Sure Lia. [glares at Tahlian] Just keep that insensitive prick away from me.
TAHLIAN
[sneers] Like I want to be around you. Ha! [turns around and stomps back into the woods]
[curtain]
End Scene 2