AVATAR: EMPIRE OF ICE
BOOK 2: TRADE
CHAPTER 13: MADE IN GAOLING
We fade in on the drawing of a penis, carved into the wall of the Kamakoi outpost.
The camera slowly zooms out and reveals that the walls are now covered in obscene carvings of violence and sex.
Then the camera keeps zooming out until we see the two buddy cops from chapter 1.13, Riko and Kanato, scoping out the place.
Riko
Hmm… Whole lot of dirty pictures on the wall. Did the Princess carve them while you were tied up?
We cut to Nuat, the teenage soldier from 2.10, standing across the room.
Nuat
No. I carved them. What do you think?
Riko gulps. Then we cut to Kanato.
Kanato
(Takes off his sunglasses) I find them highly disturbing.
Riko
I think you might be traumatized, kid.
Nuat shrugs.
Riko
So, anyway. When she had your squad leader tied up, what did she ask him?
Nuat
She wanted to know where her parents were. That's all she cared about.
Riko takes out a scroll and writes this down.
Riko
I see, I see…
We cut to the three of them standing outside, next to the outpost. Beside them is a small wooden grave.
Nuat
This is where we buried Amatsu.
We cut to the ground. Amatsu's foot is sticking out.
Kanato
(Shaking his head) That just ain't right…
Riko
We'll have him dug out and given a proper funeral.
Nuat
Ok, but what are you gonna do about the bitch that killed him?
Riko
(Holding his scroll) She said she was headed to Aikira, right? (Nuat nods, Riko says it slowly while writing it down) Ai… Ki… Ra…
We cut to the scroll being stuffed in the pouch of a messenger hawk. Then Riko unstraps the hawk and it flies off into the sky.
Kanato
Hey, Riko. I can't help but notice that that hawk is heading east.
Riko turns to Kanato.
Riko
The Capitol can wait. Our friend Zamuto paid extra for this.
We cut to the ceiling of the palace war room. The mural of a great ancient battle. Then the camera pans down to Batua, who is gazing up at it.
Batua
(To nobody in particular) We should rearrange the garden. Grow some pineberries…
Tahno is in the background, discussing something with the other cadets.
An airbender walks into the room with a sealed scroll. Batua looks up at the Airbender, then he watches as Tahno walks over and grabs the scroll. Tahno then walks over to the table and sits down next to Batua.
Tahno holds up the scroll, and we see a close up of the serpent seal.
Tahno
It's from Kamui.
We cut to the elders, sitting across the table.
Ahlaq
Well?
Tahno cuts the seal and unravels the note, before Batua grabs it to examine.
Batua
Let me see that. (Reading) 'My dearest nephew. Congratulations. You win.'
Batua looks up from the note, smirking and nodding his head, then he continues.
Batua
'I am ready to call this whole thing off, but only on one condition. You must…'
Batua stops reading out loud, his smile vanishes.
Tahno
What does it say?
Batua
Nothing…
Tahno raises his eyebrow, then he grabs the note back.
Tahno
'You must defeat me in a game of Pai Sho.' (Starts grinning) Huh?
Batua takes the note and crumples it up, rolling his eyes.
Batua
He thinks he is so funny.
The elders look amongst themselves.
Kataia
Well? Can you do it?
Batua
Wha?
Kataia
Can you defeat Kamui in Pai Sho? It might spare us some bloodshed.
Batua, red faced, stands up and starts pacing.
Batua
Look… Some people… Cheat at Pai Sho. And my uncle is one of them.
The elders murmur amongst themselves. Then we cut to Tahno, looking confused.
Tahno
Are you serious? (Tahno grabs the crumpled up note and uncrumples it) These terms obviously aren't real. He just wants to humiliate you.
Batua
Well, yeah. I know that…
Tahno
So you know if you play him you'll end up with an icicle in your scrotum.
Batua
I'm obviously not going to go play Pai Sho with him, are you insane? Even though I probably could win if he wasn't such a cheater.
Tahno
(Smirk) C'mon.
We cut back to the airbender in the doorway.
Airbender
There's another problem, your majesty.
Batua
Uhuh?
Airbender
We are about to run out of food within the palace. And all of our usual shipments are coming in through the west side docks.
Tahno
Kamui's territory.
Batua
So, what are we supposed to do? Starve? I don't think so. We're gonna have to take the docks back.
The elders look at each other in thought.
Batua
…Right?
Kataia
Frankly, I don't know if that's possible.
Ahlaq
She's right, Batua. Your uncle has a highly defensible position.
Kataia
It would be suicidal.
Batua
(Groans) You people are my advisors. Advise me!
Takai
That's what we're trying to do!
As Batua and the elders argue, Tahno walks up to the large window that overlooks the plaza.
Tahno
(Interrupting) All shipments are handled by the Imperial shipping master. Captain Utuwak. Did you know that?
Batua shakes his head. Tahno then turns around to look at Batua.
Tahno
I was his steward.
We cut to the Kamakoi outpost. The sun is shining through the clouds as Captain Kuan's ship approaches.
We cut to the ship being tied to the dock, then the door opens and Kyana runs out, vomiting into the sea.
Kuan
What happened to your sea legs, Empress?
Kyana grunts in response.
Moments later, Kuan, Kyana and a Kamakoi soldier, Akim, walk towards the outpost.
Kuan
You'll be staying here with our friend Akim, as well as a junior soldier named Nuat.
Kyana
Only two soldiers?
Kuan
Don't worry, they'll keep you safe. Right, Akim?
Akim
Yes, Captain!
Kyana flashes an uneasy smile at Akim as they step into the outpost. They find Nuat, sleeping in one of the chairs.
Captain Kuan takes Kyana's hands and looks into her eyes.
Kuan
Good luck, Empress.
Kyana
(Grabbing her stomach) I don't feel so good.
Then she runs outside of the outpost and heaves again.
We cut to the soup pot above the fire. The soup is bubbling, and the various vegetables are bobbing up and down in the broth.
Kyana, Nuat and Akim sit silently at the table and eat their soup. Kyana looks around at all the carvings on the wall. This worries her. Then she looks at Akim and Nuat.
Akim is staring at Kyana with a big smile. The camera pans over to Nuat as he shovels soup into his annoyed face.
Kyana looks down, then she looks over at a decorative rug on the floor.
Kyana
That's a very nice rug. (Clears her throat) Do you know where it's from?
Nuat shrugs. Kyana nods and eats some more soup.
Kyana
Maybe Gaoling?
Nuat slams his spoon on the table.
Nuat
Lady, do I look like I ca-
Akim smacks Nuat upside the head, then laughs as he spoons more soup into Nuat's mouth.
Akim
So sorry, your majesty!
Kyana
Oh, that's alright… (Looks down awkwardly)
We cut to a large wooden crate with a stencil of a dead bird on it.
Tahno
Get in.
We cut to Batua, eyeing the crate with suspicion. The two are in a supply room adjacent to the kitchen.
Batua
Why do I have to be the one to get in?
Tahno
Because everyone knows your face, and nobody knows mine.
Batua
Seems a little uncomfortable…
Tahno
No… You're gonna love it in there. (Thumbs up)
We cut to Batua lowering himself into the crate. Tahno closes the lid and then rolls the crate out of the room.
Tahno rolls Batua through one of the secret tunnels of the palace.
Batua
(From inside the crate) I've had a lot of luck with jewels. Captain Sook, Remember Captain Sook? His eyes basically popped out of his head when he saw the loot I was offering up.
Tahno
Jewels? No. That's not going to work.
Batua
How do you know?
Tahno
This man does not care about shiny pebbles, trust me.
Batua
So how are you going to bribe him?
We cut to Tahno exiting through a side door of the palace, near the canals.
Tahno
I have an idea.
Batua
And what is this so-called idea?
Tahno
I just have to sweet talk him. Shh. You're bird bones.
As Tahno walks down the plaza, he passes by two soldiers, a man and a woman. Tahno waves to them and continues to roll the crate.
W Soldier
Hey! Do I know you?
Tahno
(Shrugs) I'm just disposing of some bird carcasses! Good old bird bones!
The WS raises her eyebrow, then turns back to the MS
MS
Anyway, like I was saying, you can use seaweed as protection, but it doesn't always work so well. It doesn't catch everythi-
WS
(To Tahno) Wait a second, I do know you.
Tahno stops and pauses, before turning around. WS then stands up and walks over to Tahno.
WS
(Whispering) This guy is so weird. Save me.
Tahno
Huh?
WS
(Points at MS) We were assigned to the plaza, he starts following me around talking about ancient remedies for trench foot. I don't even know him.
Tahno blinks, staring at the woman. Then he clears his throat.
Tahno
…I'm very busy. Disposing of these... Bird bones.
WS looks down at the stencil on the crate. Then she looks back up at Tahno.
WS
You're kinda cute. You want to do something later?
Tahno
Nope.
Tahno turns around and continues to roll the crate across the plaza. The WS sighs and walks back to position. The MS follows her.
MS
Anyway, as I was saying-
We cut to Tahno reaching the canal. He looks around to see if the coast is clear.
Tahno
Alright, Batua. Here's what I'm gonna do.
Tahno opens the top of the crate. He tilts the crate over so Batua falls out into the canal.
Splash!
Batua surfaces, angrily spitting water out of his mouth.
Batua
Seriously?
Tahno
It's good. Swim north. I'll meet you at the bridge. (Thumbs up)
Batua sarcastically gives Tahno a thumbs up, then he starts swimming down the canal. Tahno grins, shaking his head, before he starts walking in the same direction, humming a tune.
We cut to Kyana in the outpost. She is upstairs in one of the chambers. As she makes her bed, she can hear Nuat and Akim arguing downstairs.
Nuat
This is carp farts!
Akim
What are you talking about?
Nuat
This situation!
Akim
This is your duty as a Kamakoi soldier.
Nuat
My duty is to chop the heads off our enemies, not talk to some royal idiot about rugs. What am I, an innkeeper?
Akim
Just cheer up, ok? It's not so bad.
Kyana sighs as she straightens out the corner of the sheet.
Nuat
Maybe I'll pay her a little visit tonight, while she's sleeping.
Kyana's eyebrow raises.
Akim
Don't joke about that.
Nuat
What? The Emperor's been dead for five months. She's probably begging for some company.
Kyana looks revolted, then she hears a knock at the front door.
Nuat
What now?
Kyana looks out the window to try to see who is at the door, but she isn't at the right angle.
Akim
Maybe a local?
Nuat
Maybe another idiot.
Kyana hears Akim walk over to the door and open it, then he screams.
Akim
My eyes!
Nuat
Are you crazy, old man?!
Akim
What did you do to my eyes?! I can't see!
Kyana clutches the sheet in fear as she hears the commotion downstairs. Kicks and punches are being thrown. Furniture is falling over. Pottery is breaking.
Nuat
Who are you?!
Akim
You'll never get her! I may be blind, but I can still stop you!
A few more blows are heard, before Nuat and Akim go silent. Kyana is hyperventilating, holding onto the sheet. The camera slowly zooms in on her for a moment. Then she hears the intruder walk towards the door, lugging something. Kyana stands up and looks out the window.
Kyana watches as the door opens and Nuat and Sakanu are shoved out. The two are wrapped up tight in the decorative rug which was previously on the floor.
Then Kyana sees a foot kick the bundled up soldiers. They end up rolling down the hill and out of sight.
Kyana's eyes widen in fear, and she remains huddled up by the window until a familiar voice calls out.
Man
I know someone else is up there.
Kyana curses under her breath, then sighs and looks down.
We cut to the stairway. Kyana slowly walks down the stairs, her hands raised in the air.
Kyana
Look, I'm not a soldier, I'm just a-
Kyana then blinks and takes a step back, lowering her hands.
Kyana
Jang?
We cut to Jang, standing across the room, who looks equally shocked.
Jang
Empr- …Kyana?
Beat. Long shot of both.
We cut to moments later. Jang is rummaging through the cabinets as Kyana stares at him from a distance. Her hands are fidgeting.
Kyana
What did you- How did you- Where did you- What are you doing?
Jang
(Rummaging) I'm hungry.
Kyana
There's nothing in there. The boys were going into town tomorrow morning.
Jang
…Drats.
Jang closes the cabinet and slowly turns to look back at Kyana. She looks back.
Jang
You are a strange face to see.
Kyana
You as well…
Beat. The two study each other for a moment.
Kyana
(Accusatory) Why are you here, Jang? Why did you do that to my men?
No response. Kyana looks more indignant.
Kyana
Well?
Jang looks down, shaking his head.
Jang
My partner abandoned me. My lifelong plans have slipped through my fingers. And now… (Looks up at Kyana) All I do is inflict pain and suffering on those who have the misfortune to cross my path.
Kyana
I see…
Kyana continues to stare at Jang.
Kyana
What you did, back then in the Capitol. The way I hear it, you were against an army and somehow you still managed to escape. My old steward. All those years, I had no idea what you could do. (Embarrassed) I feel like a fool…
Jang smiles at this, reminiscing.
Jang
Don't beat yourself up. I was a good actor.
Kyana
Yes. (Eyes narrow) You were.
Jang
In another life… Maybe I would have been the one on stage in 'The Temple of Mystery'. Remember that?
Kyana
Playing who?
Jang
Prince Gawang.
Kyana
I don't see that… Maybe the butler.
Jang smirks and takes a seat across from Kyana.
Jang
Yeah, maybe…
Kyana
Tell me something. Did you know my son was an earthbender?
Jang
(Laughs) No. No, I did not. In fact, it basically ruined everything.
Kyana
So it wasn't your plan to install an earthbending Emperor?
Jang
Kyana, that doesn't work. There was plan A and plan B. I was working with plan B, which wasn't ideal, but neither was plan A.
Kyana shrugs, waiting for an explanation.
Jang takes a piece of scroll and a pen, dipping it in ink before drawing a diagram for Kyana.
Jang
Plan A: Kato is born a waterbender. He has immediate respect, confidence. But he is less open to influence. More arrogant. Plan B: Kato is born a nonbender. He faces adversity, and is therefore more open to influence. However, this negatively affects his confidence and his legitimacy as a leader.
Kyana
And plan C?
Jang turns to Kyana with a resigned expression.
Jang
Plan B wasn't ideal. But Kato… He made it his own. (Kyana nods) Your son was a fearless administrator. And I know he would have made it to the top. And I would have helped him get there.
Kyana
But… To what end? (Flashes Jang a look)
Jang
(Like it's obvious) To free my people. And all others under the boot of the Kamakoi.
We cut to Kyana. The camera slowly zooms in on her expression of realization.
Kyana
Of course…
Jang stands up and looks down at Kyana.
Jang
Unfortunately, there was no plan C.
Jang turns away, Kyana stands up and follows him.
Kyana
Why did Kato abandon you? You're practically his second father. You even call him your partner. Please, tell me he's still alive, somehow.
Jang takes a while to respond, facing away from Kyana. Then he turns towards her with a strange expression.
Jang
When I said partner, I wasn't talking about Kato.
We cut to Nuat and Akim, stuck in a crevice at the bottom of the hillside. As the two struggle to escape, Kanato notices a tag sticking out of the rug near his face.
Akim
Well, what do you know? 'Made in Gaoling'. The Empress has a good eye!
Nuat glares at Akim with annoyance, then he struggles with the rug.
Nuat
(Screaming) Please, somebody help me!
We cut to the colorful coral earrings, lying on a table amongst many other pieces of jewelry.
Then we pan across a fancy Capitol home before we land on General Ato and his wife Nikua eating food at the table. Nikua is very pregnant.
Ato goes for a piece of sashimi with his chopsticks, but Nikua intervenes and grabs it with her hands, shoving it in her mouth.
Ato
(Sarcastic) Enjoy!
Nikua
(Mouth full) My love. We need to talk about our plan. (Chews, swallows) We have less than a month.
Ato
I know, I know.
Nikua
The more I think about it, the more I realize I was right all along.
Ato
About what? (Grabs a piece of sashimi)
Nikua
We never should have left Kiyuga. It was perfect! A nice, stable, imperial job. Our little apartment with the patio. (Sighs) Why do we feel the need to mess with perfection? Is it some innate, human characteristic? Or a more personal sort of curse…
We cut to Ato, who shrugs, chewing.
Ato
Maybe you're right. (Swallows) But I got the call. You don't ignore the call.
We can hear some screaming in the distance.
Nikua
You can do whatever you want. (Takes some more sashimi off of Ato's plate)
Ato
My love. That's just your humors talking.
Nikua
All I'm saying is… You're a general now. I'm sure you can find a way off of this koi-forsaken island before the baby arrives.
Ato looks down, nodding his head in agreement. We cut to a wide shot of the fancy room. Nikua steals more sashimi from Ato's plate.
Nikua
Who do you have to talk to?
We cut to a large wooden shed in the capital, and we hear the sounds of dozens of hawks ruffling and making their hawk sounds.
Batua and Tahno sneak around the plaza koi pond and end up behind the hawk dispatch. Batua's clothes are dripping wet.
Tahno turns to Batua and gives him a hand signal. Batua looks back, confused.
Tahno
(Whispering) Remember your hand signals?
Batua
(Shaking his head) Nope.
Tahno
Batua, this was year one at the academy. Nevermind. Just stay here. Back me up if I need it.
Batua
Ok.
Batua watches as Tahno heads towards the front door of the Hawk Dispatch.
We cut to the inside, a large mess. Utuwak, a middle aged, but very large man presides over the hawks. He sticks a message in one of their pouches and sends it flying off.
Tahno
(As he does it) Knock knock.
Utuwak
(Turns around) My word! Tahno? Is that you, my boy?
Tahno
The one and only.
Utuwak
What are you doing here? I thought you would be embroiled in this palace dust up. Seems quite the commotion…
Tahno
Are you kidding me? I've got the whole place locked down.
Utuwak
(Smiling proudly) I heard you were leading the vanguard. I always knew you had it in you. Discipline, talent, and a little bit of blood. That's you, my boy.
Tahno
Aw… Thanks, Captain. That means a lot to me.
Utuwak smiles and tends to a hawk.
Tahno
I feel like I've come so far. Remember back in the day when I was just running your errands?
Utuwak
Of course.
Tahno
And those nights when you made me stand outside your door?
Utuwak's eyes widen slightly, and he looks down for a moment, before looking back at Tahno.
Utuwak
(Laughs) Yes, but you're a soldier now and oh boy, how time just gets away from you! And that's how it goes…
Tahno looks at Utuwak for a moment.
Tahno
(Smiles) You know I know. What you were doing behind that door.
We cut to Utuwak, who slowly turns and stares wide eyed at Tahno.
Tahno
You sick, sick man. Just wait until everyone finds out you were sleeping with-
Utuwak
Shh! (Angrily grabs Tahno's collar) Are you trying to get yourself killed?
Tahno
Hey, I'm not the one they're gonna hang when I tell Kamui what you've done.
Utuwak lets go of Tahno and grabs his head, muttering.
Utuwak
No. No.
Tahno
Yep! Unless…
Utuwak
Unless?
Tahno
You do something for me. Then I can forget all about your disgusting little earth kink.
Utuwak
…That's all it would take? A favor?
Tahno nods. Utuwak looks down and sighs, taking a step away from Tahno.
Utuwak
You're gonna learn something one day, my boy. It's that we all make mistakes. (Looks up) You just made yours.
Utuwak produces an ice dagger and goes for Tahno's throat. Tahno evades the attack and then conks Utuwak in the side of the head with a water blast. Utuwak goes into the wall.
Tahno steps towards Utuwak, who quickly slashes across Tahno's chest with a water whip. Tahno redirects the water whip and tries to wrap it around Utuwak's neck, but Utuwak takes back control.
Utuwak knocks his head into Tahno's head, who goes reeling back, then he smacks Tahno to the floor with a wave of water. Tahno coughs the water up as he hits the floor, then he narrowly avoids being smashed in the face by an ice block.
Utuwak and Tahno struggle with the sharp pieces of the shattered ice block, going back and forth, before Utuwak ditches the bending and grabs Tahno by the neck.
Tahno ends up in a choke hold.
Utuwak
No one is ever going to know what I did behind that door.
As Utuwak is choking the life out of Tahno, Tahno looks towards the door. Utuwak looks as well, and then we hear the whizzing sound of 3 ice daggers.
One of the daggers rips a hole in Utuwak's cape. The other one slashes him across the arm, and the third flies by Utuwak's neck, cutting it open.
Utuwak lets go of Tahno, grabbing his neck wound. Blood is pouring through his fingers and onto the floor.
Utuwak
Ack! Batua?!
We pan over to Tahno, who catches his breath, then stands back up, before looking across the room at Batua. Batua ice shackles Utuwak's hands together, but the man is still flailing around, spraying blood all over the hawks.
Tahno
Hold him still!
Batua struggles to maintain his grip on Utuwak, while Tahno grabs a piece of metal and sticks it in the furnace. Then Tahno takes the piece of metal and aims for Utuwak's neck.
Utuwak screams in pain and we see some of the hawks leave of their own volition, flying through the night sky.
We cut back to Batua and Tahno holding Utuwak down as they loom over him.
Utuwak
(Coughs) Maybe I should be grateful, my old steward saved my life… (He glances at Batua) Traitor.
Batua
Actually, opposite!
Tahno bends down to eye level with Utuwak.
Tahno
Batua is the rightful emperor, and the docks belong to him now. All food and supply shipments go through the east wing. Understand?
Utuwak
And I suppose if I don't do this, you'll tell the whole world my secret.
We cut to Batua, who looks away, remembering things.
Tahno
Or I could just come back and kill you.
Utuwak pauses, then he chuckles.
Utuwak
My boy… You are a special kind of evil. You know what happens to guys like you?
Tahno
Nope.
Batua and Tahno walk out of the hawk dispatch and into the dense ferns surrounding the koi pond.
They make their way through the ferns for a long while, in awkward silence.
Tahno
(Shrugs) That went alright.
Batua
(Nods) Yeah. (Concerned) …How did you do that?
Tahno
Hmm?
Batua
Wasn't he, like, your mentor? (Tahno nods) You turned on him like it was nothing. I don't know. I don't know if I would be able to do that…
Tahno scoffs at Batua.
Tahno
The man was a degenerate criminal. It was easy.
Batua
(Beat) Ok, if you say so…
Tahno
Yep.
They continue walking through the ferns and Tahno begins to quietly whistle the tune from earlier.
Batua
You know, I remembered something while we were in there.
Tahno looks at Batua.
Batua
A couple of months ago I caught my uncle doing the same thing. Sleeping with an earth… lady…
Tahno blinks, processing this information.
Tahno
What? Kamui?
Batua nods. Then he shrugs, whistling the song that Tahno was just whistling. Tahno is now deep in thought.
Batua
You got that stuck in my head.
We cut to Kyana and Jang, walking down the hillside next to the outpost.
Jang
This is preposterous.
Kyana
No, it's not. We're going to find Nuat and Akim and you're going to untie them from that rug.
Jang
And what do you think will happen next?
Kyana
It doesn't matter. If we don't help them, they will die.
Jang turns to look at Kyana.
Jang
My Empress, I've killed many of your people.
Kyana looks back.
Kyana
Do you feel regret?
Jang
(Shakes his head) Do you?
Kyana
I never killed anyone.
Jang
(Laughs) Good. Very good.
Kyana
(Crosses her arms) I know what you're insinuating. For me to feel guilty, it would mean I made some sort of choice at any point in my life, which I didn't. I didn't make this world. I live in it just like you.
The two walk in silence for a moment.
Jang
Everyone makes choices.
Kyana
Yes. Time for you to make a good choice and help me find those boys.
Jang grumbles under his breath.
Jang
Fine, Empress. Let's go save your little buddies.
The two continue to walk down the hillside, the moon shining above them.
Jang
So you never told me. Why are you here? Chaos at the Capitol?
Kyana
Everything was running smoothly… Till they started calling for my head. (Jang raises his eyebrow) 'The False Empress'. They were convinced I must have had relations with an earthbender. Which is a natural conclusion…
Jang nods, agreeing with this.
Kyana
So I stabbed Kamui.
Jang practically hops in surprise.
Jang
Wow, I did not think the Empress had it in her! Well done.
Kyana shrugs proudly.
Jang
You know how many times I wanted to stab that vile man? But I had to keep my cover.
Beat. Kyana looks over in discomfort.
Kyana
Jang, you can't just say these things to me.
Jang
Why not?
Kyana
Because… I don't want to hear it, okay? I don't want to hear it from the man who played Catch-The-Ice-Hoop with my infant son. Imagine if you had different intentions, you just slit his throat while no one was looking. You had plenty of opportunity.
Jang
Silly me, I used that opportunity to teach him instead.
Kyana
Not the point. You lied to us, to me, for fifteen years. You broke the rules.
Jang
There are no rules in war. You fight however you can, even if you have to get dirty. Your people know this.
Kyana
(Sigh) There is always room for a clean fight.
Jang
Says the woman who stabbed her brother in law.
At this moment, the two happen upon the decorative rug at the bottom of the hill. Nuat and Akim have escaped.
Kyana
What? Where did they go?
We cut to a wide shot of the two at the bottom of the hill. We hear the insects chirping.
Beat. We see nothing.
Then a spark. The light from a candle expands and illuminates the small washroom aboard The Lion Turtle.
Ta and Lao are standing inside the washroom, cramped together.
Lao
(Observing the situation) This is familiar.
Ta
(Nods) I need to ask you about something.
Lao
Go on.
Ta
You know Aikira is only a stone's throw away. And it's going to be dangerous. Very, very dangerous.
Lao
This also sounds familiar.
Ta
I need your advice. Do I get rid of Oni, Ayana, and Teepo?
Lao
…Get rid of?
Ta
(Rolls her eyes) Drop them off. Somewhere safe. (Sighs) They've already been through so much and I don't want to be responsible for their death…
Lao nods, then she looks down in thought.
Lao
Well, you should ask them. But I know what they're going to say. Especially Teepo.
Ta smirks at that last part, then quietly chuckles, before she looks at Lao.
Beat. The camera slowly zooms in on the two of them.
Ta
…What about you? I'm sure you want to get off of this crazy ride by now…
Lao
If you think that's going to happen, then you don't know me at all.
Ta looks up at Lao with a wobbly smile, tears forming in her eyes. Then she grabs her for a hug.
Ta
(Almost whispering) I don't deserve this…
Lao rubs Ta's back and sighs. Then she catches a glimpse of herself in the mirror.
Lao as she was at the Capitol stares back at her, smiling and orderly. Then we match cut to Lao now. She is disheveled, with a grim expression on her face.
Lao
We've been at sea a long time.
We cut to Teepo, sporting a giant fake mustache. He is standing on the deck of the ship. We pan across Ayana and Oni, who are also in disguises.
Ta
Team, this is going to be our most dangerous mission yet. The gates of Aikira will be swarming with soldiers, and we'll never make it past an inspection.
Ayana
So, how are we going to do this?
Ta
There's one possible way. To the side of the eastern gate is a secondary passage into the city. A service entry.
We cut to one of the large barrels aboard the ship.
Ta
We still have those lacquer berries. If we can convince the guards that we've come to repair the ships, we might just be allowed entrance.
Oni
And then?
We cut back to the group. Ta shakes her head.
Ta
I don't know. I don't know what to expect once we're in there. But I have to see it with my own eyes.
The camera pans across Oni, Ayana and Teepo as they consider this.
Ta
My friends. Do the smart thing and get off of this ship before it's too late.
Teepo
What?
Ayana
What are you talking about?
Ta
Admiral Tarakano runs Aikira now. If we get caught… It's… You don't want to risk that. Not for me. I can drop you off on Kiyuga before we get there.
Ayana
Ta, that is never going to happen.
Oni
Yeah, are you crazy? I've wanted to see Aikira my whole life. And you're not gonna stop me.
Ta looks at Ayana and Oni with appreciation, then she looks at Teepo, who awkwardly smiles back.
Ta exhales, unsure, then she nods.
Ta
Well, okay then. Let's do this.
We cut to Ta, crammed inside of a dark closet somewhere in the ship.
Then we cut to Oni, Ayana and Teepo inside of the cabin, watching as the water starts to become littered with small glaciers.
Oni wipes some sweat off of his forehead. He looks down at his clammy, shaking hands. Then he looks at Ayana.
Oni
Remember stagefright?
Ayana
It is stagefright. Everything is a stage. And we're all in a play.
Oni
Yeah?
Ayana
It's a play about a princess.
Oni
Hmm…
Teepo
Don't say that.
Ayana and Oni look at Teepo.
Teepo
You're making me more nervous…
Ayana
Don't worry, Teepo. This play has a happy ending. The Princess is reunited with her family. And to thank us, they throw a big feast with those fire flakes you like so much.
Teepo smiles.
Oni
I just hope we survive the third act.
Oni is looking at the first watchtower approach in the distance.
Oni
That's the part with all the action.
Oni, Ayana and Ta brace themselves as the watchtower grows closer and closer. But as it draws nearer, they notice that it's oddly silent.
The Lion Turtle pushes forward through the water, and the watchtower slowly reveals itself to the crew as completely empty. Only an ea-gull perched atop the spire.
The ea-gull spots them and decides to fly away.
Ayana, Teepo, and Oni look amongst themselves with a mix of confusion and relief, and an eerie bit of music kicks in.
Teepo
…Where is everyone?
We hear the rush of the ocean. We cut to the faces of Kamakoi soldiers, hooting and hollering. As we pan across them, we see two other ships, chock full of soldiers.
A foreboding bit of music builds up as we continue to pan along the ship until we reach the front. Admiral Tarakano stands on the bough, surveying the sea before him.
The foreboding music reaches its crescendo as we cut to a close up of Tarakano.
He has a big evil smile on his big evil face.
(Post credits scene)
We cut to Jang sitting in the outpost, waiting. Then we slowly pan to the front door.
Moments later, Kyana steps in, lugging the decorative rug. She lets the rug fall and unravel onto the floor, then she turns to Jang.
Kyana
You could have helped.
Jang
You could have chosen a better rug.
Kyana
(Confused) I think it's nice.
Kyana sits down next to Jang.
Jang
Did you see the tag? It's from Gaoling.
Kyana
I knew it.
Jang
Well, I don't like it. I have some unpleasant memories of Gaoling...
Kyana
Oh…
Jang
Also, I think you have bad taste.
Kyana gasps and looks at Jang.
Jang
I always thought so. But I never told you.
Kyana frowns and looks away, tapping her foot.
Kyana
Well, I don't know how to respond to that. (Beat) Except to say that you are an elderly murderous spy who shouldn't even be trusted to have a sense of taste.
Beat.
Jang
(Shrugs) But I always liked you.
Kyana
(Looks over in disbelief) Why?
Jang
I don't know.
Kyana
Hmm. …What about Atakui?
Jang
I thought he was a drunk, but overall better than his father. (Looks at Kyana) You remember his father.
Kyana rolls her eyes.
Kyana
I'd rather not.
Jang
(Narrowing his eyes) And then there's Kamui…
Kyana nods.
Jang
You may have stabbed him, but… This war truly ends when I kill that man. Me. Nobody else.
We cut to a wide shot. The two stare at each other with mixed emotions. Kyana caves first.
Kyana
Let's talk about something else.
We stay on the wide shot, stewing. Then Jang looks over at Kyana.
Jang
I learned something recently.
We cut to Kyana, who raises her eyebrow. Then we cut to Jang, bearing a strange expression.
Jang
I have a daughter.
TO BE CONTINUED…
