EXT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE – DAY
We see pairs of feet (HAMMERITE SOLDIERS) crossing the BRIDGE over the MOAT leading to the HAMMERITE TEMPLE, which is actually more like a fortress than a proper temple. It has TURRETS, ARROW LOOPS, MURDER HOLES and a PORTCULLIS. How the TEMPLE differs from a standard fortress is that instead of topping the walls with battlements, they support a gothic CATHEDRAL ROOF. All the same, HAMMERITE ARCHERS are stationed along the OUTER ROOF as well as throughout the TEMPLE.
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
The STREET is busy with the goings-on of the day. A TROOP of HAMMERITES can be seen marching down the street from the temple in the distance.
EXT. CITY ALLEY – DAY
GARRETT, dressed as a Hammerite soldier with an EYE PATCH covering his dead eye, watches the CITY STREET from an ALLEY. His HAMMERITE HAMMER leans against the building nearest him. TABITHA, dressed as a pagan and wearing a SCOLD'S BRIDLE, is tied at the wrists to COPPER PIPE protruding from a building one foot above her head. She is bruised livid from the previous beating. When GARRETT sees the TROOP he cuts TABITHA'S binds with a DAGGER and kicks her into the STREET.
EXT. CITY STREET – DAY
TABITHA tumbles into the bustling STREET. She looks back to GARRETT, wondering what his game is, then, horrified, sees the TROOP of HAMMERITES. She collects to her feet and attempts to escape, but GARRETT sends her sprawling with a hit to the shins from his HAMMER.
GARRETT
(to TROOP)
Brothers! Wily is the devil!
The nearest HAMMERITES jog forth to help secure TABITHA. They bind her wrists to the sides of the BRIDLE.
GARRETT
Thanks be to the Builder. Our company
didst uncover a heathen hovel nearest
Eastport though this taffer...
GARRETT kicks TABITHA.
GARRETT
...gave such a chase she might have fled
absolutely and by recommendation must be
jailed in the temple.
HAMMERITE LEADER
The Builder's justice covereth all. My
company shalt provide the escort.
GARRETT
Forgive, brother, for I entreat much.
Only lend one man and together we
shalt see the pagan to her prison.
HAMMERITE LEADER
Agreed. Brother Rowen.
ROWEN steps forward.
EXT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE – DAY
GARRETT and ROWEN lead TABITHA across the BRIDGE. The MOAT is green and sickly. The TEMPLE looms large into the sky.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE GATEHOUSE – DAY
GARRETT, ROWEN and TABITHA cross beneath the PORTCULLIS, into the GATEHOUSE. Inside the GATEHOUSE is spacious and ornate with red BANNERS and religious ICONOGRAPHY adorning the walls. BALCONIES overlook the expanse from the second floor. Despite the decorative gusto, MOULD and other decay abound in the nooks and crannies. As the trio passes through the GATEHOUSE TABITHA struggles. ROWEN kicks TABITHA and she stops struggling. Two HAMMERITE SOLDIERS are stationed on either side of the PORTCULLIS. After GARRETT passes, the SOLDIER TO THE LEFT reaches one hand behind and turns a GEAR embedded into the stone wall.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE BATHHOUSE – DAY
The BATHHOUSE is serene and empty save for KRILLAS quietly bathing in a steaming, narrow WOODEN TUB. Though the image is pleasant the BATHWATER is a foul colour. An AIDE waits patiently to the side with a FLAT LINEN TOWEL. MURUS enters hurriedly.
MURUS
Forgiveness, father. The fox hunteth.
KRILLAS
Clemency dear Murus. I thank the
Builder for thine vigilance. Alert
none else. Prepare the liturgy as is
custom.
MURUS
Father.
MURUS leaves. KRILLAS exits the WOODEN TUB and the AIDE covers him in the TOWEL.
EXT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE COURTYARD – DAY
The COURTYARD serves as training grounds for HAMMERITE SOLDIERS. Here they jog, toss WEIGHTS, wrestle, practice archery, and swing HAMMERS at STANDING PELLS. Most of the grass has been stamped away so the ground is mostly dirt.
GARRETT and ROWEN lead TABITHA across the COURTYARD. GARRETT examines the training HAMMERITES as he passes.
5 HAMMERITE SOLDIERS carrying 3 SOLDIERS with serious wounds rush past GARRETT, TABITHA and ROWEN. One of the wounded has blood gushing from a slice in his leg. As GARRETT watches, SPIDERMITES sprout from the wound and twist around the SOLDIER'S leg. ROWEN sees GARRETT'S stare.
ROWEN
Hold faith. Every hammer that falls
crushes the heathen.
GARRETT
Stone upon stone; foe upon foe...
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE SCULLERY – DAY
The SCULLERY is dusty and grimy. In the corner a SCULLERY MAID cleans LAUNDRY in a WASH BUCKET. The MAID is old and bent. Since she cannot straighten her back it is fixed permanently at a 90 degree angle. A STAIRWAY leading downwards lands in the back half of the SCULLERY. The STAIRWAY is wide enough for three to walk abreast. Because the floor is worn and uneven a murky PUDDLE has formed at the STAIRWAY landing.
GARRETT, ROWEN and TABITHA enter.
GARRETT
Brother, I must take leave for one of
the wounded is a compatriot. We reveled
as budding lads in Auldale.
ROWEN
The Builder's work awaits.
GARRETT
(leaving)
Press forth. I must see to him.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE KITCHEN – DAY
GARRETT hurriedly crosses the KITCHEN, which is almost a factory of meal production. The KITCHEN WORKERS are decrepit and misshapen. As GARRETT passes, one KITCHEN WORKER slices EARTHWORMS into a STEWPOT.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE CORRIDOR – DAY
GARRETT presses against the side of the CORRIDOR as a door flies open and a round, stern WOMAN carries a crying 5 YEAR-OLD GIRL past. GARRETT peeks through the open door, then moves on. Pan to the open door to reveal:
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE FACTORY – DAY
The FACTORY is long and unpleasant. Walls are barren except for twisted PIPES that snake throughout the room. The only real furniture, aside from the ample MACHINERY, are long, wooden TABLES where two dozen CHILD LABOURERS are fletching ARROWS, twining ROPE, binding SANDALS and forging other MUNITIONS. Several OVERSEERS are trying to lift a fallen metal SPINNING WHEEL, which has crushed a young GIRL'S leg. The GIRL shrieks in pain.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE BUTTERY – DAY
Enormous BARRELS lie lengthwise, stacked atop each other. One BARREL seeps ALE through its weathered CRACKS, dripping over the BARRELS below it. SHELVES holding WINE BOTTLES line the far wall. GARRETT enters then realizes he's alone so he removes his HAMMERITE UNIFORM, revealing his standard black, patchy garb underneath. GARRETT stuffs the UNIFORM and HAMMER amidst a PILE OF BROKEN WARE in the corner, then raises his signature black HOOD over his head.
Voices and footsteps on stone floor can be heard approaching. GARRETT silently steps into the PILE OF BROKEN WARE and crouches, becoming invisible. A trio of HAMMERITE SOLDIERS enters the BUTTERY followed by four mangy HOUNDS. As they walk the speaking HAMMERITE says:
LOUD HAMMERITE
...strung by the neck like a chicken.
Verily, she didst squirmeth no more.
Nor didst the tavern keeper believe
our tale upon returning, so we offereth
a kind sum for his peace, but the
ruddy taffer didst curse our mischief
in the Builder's name. Red! Red in
the face with spitting rage! We invoked
Cragscleft, but he found no calm until
we struck our hammers upon his bloated
crown at which point...
The HOUNDS and two of the SOLDIERS cross and exit the other side while one HAMMERITE turns to the wall right next to GARRETT, drops his BREECHES and urinates. GARRETT'S HAND sneaks into the crumpled BREECHES and silently withdraws a COIN PURSE. The LOUD HAMMERITE returns to the room.
LOUD HAMMERITE
Ho. I must ask three coppers of you.
URINATING HAMMERITE
Oi! Patience!
LOUD HAMMERITE
Have you the three?
URINATING HAMMERITE
In me breeches! As thou seest they
are distant!
LOUD HAMMERITE
Peace, brother. I trust your good
faith.
The LOUD HAMMERITE exits again. The URINATING HAMMERITE finishes and leaves after the others. After a bit GARRETT moves to examine the WINE BOTTLES on the wall. He lifts a BOTTLE off the TOP SHELF.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE SECRET PASSAGE – DAY
Extreme close on an OLD MAN'S eyes watching GARRETT from a secure, dark vantage point.
Extreme close on the OLD MAN'S hands, giving a taut ROPE a sudden jerk.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE BUTTERY – DAY
GARRETT freezes in panic as the SHELF shudders with a "click". Cautiously GARRETT swings the whole SHELF to the side, revealing a SECRET PASSAGE. Before entering the PASSAGE GARRETT feels the place where the BOTTLE rested. There's no mechanism; nothing to suggest lifting the BOTTLE would release the SHELF. GARRETT is worried. He definitely did not trigger the release himself.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE SECRET PASSAGE – DAY
Extreme close on OLD MAN'S eyes. Suddenly the head swishes out of frame.
INT. HAMMERITE TEMPLE BUTTERY – DAY
GARRETT gives up on finding a release switch. He pulls the CORK off the BOTTLE and takes a swig.
GARRETT
Luck of the devil.
GARRETT drops the BOTTLE. Wine gushes out of the BOTTLE as it rolls on the ground. GARRETT enters the SECRET PASSAGE, closing the SHELF behind him.
