SEASON 1, EPISODE 2

Scene opens at Etherea, a large fantasy castle built into the side of the mountain. The place is used by enchanters, and also contains a few very valuable artifacts.

The camera moves down to two shadowy figures just outside the castle, hiding over the edge of a small hill.

JALKAR

There it is Grim. If we pull this off I’m about to become a very wealthy man.

GRIM

*affirmative grunt*

JALKAR

Hand me the schematics- come on hurry up.

Grim hands Jalkar some papers, who begins looking them over.

JALKAR

According to these schematics- Grim what is all this? I asked for schematics- I specifically asked for schematics of Etherea!

GRIM

*confused grunt*

JALKAR

How are we supposed to steal the stone when we don’t even know which tower it’s in?!

GRIM

*defensive grunt*

JALKAR

Alright you don’t have to shout! You’re going to get us caught before we’ve even started. We’ll just have to do what I do best: improvise.Stick behind me and don’t do anything stupid.

Cuts to Jalkar and Grim walking through the Etherea castle. People are walking about working and they try to act natural.

They pass by some weapons on display, and Grim notices an enchanted scythe.

He begins pointing towards it and grunting trying to get Jalkar’s attention.

GRIM

*a few grunts as you attempt to get Jalkar’s attention*

Jalkar turns around and scowls and continues walking. Grim hurries off.

Jalkar makes it to the end of the room, and turns around. He sees Grim purchasing the enchanted scythe. He shouts quietly to himself.

JALKAR

*quietly* Oh nowwhat are you doing?!

Grim walks up to Jalkar and joyously presents his new scythe.

GRIM

*happy grunt*

Jalkar responds again somewhat angrily, but still trying to keep his voice down.

JALKAR

*quietly* Grim, you don’t buy from the people you’re stealing from! Now let’s keep moving!

They arrive at the top of the castle and enter one of the side towers. A guard turns around as they enter, but Jalkar quickly and quietly kills him.

As he lets the body down quietly, he looks back up, and walks forward revealing the Enderdragon egg in the middle of the room.

JALKAR

*quietly and distracted* Watch the entrance eh Grim?

Grim covers the entrance as Jalkar approaches the egg, and he carefully picks it up.

A redstone click noise is heard.

Despite the problem, Jalkar keeps surprisingly calm for the first half of his next sentence as if he is almost laughing at his own failure to check for redstone, but then begins yelling at the end.

JALKAR

A pressure plate… it’s redstone wired… it’s- IT WAS WIRED, RUN!

Jalkar runs to the back of the room and slides down a chandelier, landing on a lower portion of the castle. Grim follows, and they continue running through the castle and the crowds of confused citizens.

Suddenly a small crowd of guards blocks their way.

Grim charges through past Jalkar and begins taking them out. Jalkar then heads off the road and begins hurrying down the mountain.

Cut to slightly later, Jalkar has made it fairly far around the side of the mountain, and stops to catch his breath.

JALKAR

*catching breath* We did it Grim… I’mgonna be rich- *grunt as you’re bumped*

His sentence is cut off as Grim comes tumbling into him from behind. Jalkar loses the egg which falls over the side of the small cliff.

The egg lands at the bottom and teleports away with a loud boom. A trail of energy can be seen pointing in the direction the egg went.

JALKAR

 Oh… Grim… YOU IDIOT!

GRIM

 *defensive grunt*

JALKAR

Now we have to find it againbefore someone else does!

GRIM

 *disappointed growl*

Jalkar sighs and takes a moment to collect himself.

JALKAR

 *sigh* The energy trail pointed north… towards Underwood.

GRIM

 *grunt*

JALKAR

You’re right, it isheading away from Etherea, so let’s get moving.

They move off towards Underwood.

Cuts to Sendaria. Many Ardoni are peacefully working. Music reflects the serene mood. Camera moves over a hill and on the other side two younger Ardoni are sparring with wooden swords.

Suddenly one knocks the other backwards into a small pond with a splash.

RIA

*worried* Oh! Are you alright Senn?

Senn struggles back up out of the water. A lily pad slides off his head.

SENN

Yeah… yeah I’m fine.

Ria reaches her hand down to help Senn out of the pond. After grabbing her hand, he yanks her and pulls her into the pond beside him.

RIA

*gasp*

SENN

Ha ha!

Senn climbs out of the pond. Ria gets back up in the pond looking angry but also smiling.

RIA

*friendly* That’s not fair…

SENN

Do you think the undead fight fair, or the Nether, or the many other dangers out in the world?

Ria climbs out of the pond.

RIA

And how are we going to get out there?

They engage a bit more. Senn holds his ground better now.

SENN

One day we will… somehow.

Music raises a bit. Cuts to a shot of horse feet galloping along. Camera shows a wide angle of an unidentifiable horse rider approaching the area. He rides up and stops on a low hill, looking down at Senn and Ria. His face is still not revealed.

Back to Senn and Ria.  More clashing. Suddenly Senn pulls back. Ria charges forward, sword raised high.

She stops suddenly as Senn stoops down passively, hands on his knees.

SENN

Ria Sendaris?

Ria is a bit shy, wondering what Senn is about to say next.

RIA

Yes…?

SENN

I made you something. It’s not the most beautiful weapon in Sendariabut…

Senn draws a long wooden pole with a thin iron blade at the end.

RIA

Senn, this isincredible, I love it!

Ria twirls the sword around getting a feel for its balance.

RIA

If father sees this he’s going to take it away.

SENN

Then I’ll make you another one.

Senn smiles, and Ria smiles back. She continues twirling it.

SENN

Wanna try it out?

RIA

Of course… but now I’m going to destroy you with a weapon like this.

Senn raises his sword defensively. Ria moves in to attack, but another sword blocks the attack. A familiar voice speaks to them.

THALLEOUS

Our strength comes not from the power of our weapons, but rather how we choose to wield what power we have been given.

Ria draws back, surprised.

RIA

Thalleous!?

Thalleous is interested in the weapon Ria’s holding.

THALLEOUS

Is this weapon your handiwork, Senn?

Thalleous reaches for it, and she hands it over obediently.

SENN

*surprised* Yes… yes it is. Your arrival is most welcomeKy’Thalleous… but unexpected all the same.

He bows to him lightly, and he turns to address them both.

THALLEOUS

It was unexpected events which have lead me here. It’s good to see you both. Is Ria still besting you?

Thalleous turns to Senn at this question. They respond at the same time.

SENN

No.

RIA

Yes.

Thalleous smiles. He hands the weapon back to Ria.

THALLEOUS

It is a fine blade, Senn.

Ria takes the blade back as Thalleous’ horse, Timber, approaches. Senn pets Timber, too humble to discuss the compliment further.

SENN

Thank you. Hello Timber.

Thalleous turns back to Ria, who holds the weapon, wondering what he’ll say next.

THALLEOUS

Your father would not approve of this training.

RIA

I know…

THALLEOUS

And he definitely wouldnot want you to have what I am about to give you. You cannot tell anyone about this.

They both hurry forward to him, excited.

SENN

What’d you bring us?

Thalleous reaches into his inventory, and in each hand pulls out a Song.

Both Senn and Ria look surprised as they see them.

RIA

*surprised* Songs?! For us?

THALLEOUS

In the old days it was common for Ardoni of your age to wield Songs.It is our unique ability to harness their power… to deny their usage is to deny the very thing that makes us Ardoni.

Thalleous hands them each their Song.

SENN

Will you teach us how to use them?

THALLEOUS

Patience, young ones.First I have some important business to take care of. Now remember, you cannot let Osivian know about-

Osivian’s voice is heard approaching.

OSIVIAN

Thalleous?! Is that you?

Thalleous turns towards Osivian. Senn and Ria hide their Songs.

THALLEOUS

*friendly* Osivian! Apologies for arriving uninvited.

OSIVIAN

*warm* Thalleous! Sendaria is your home,you are always welcome here.

Then Osivian turns towards Senn and Ria and drops his friendly demeanor.

OSIVIAN

But you two! I specifically told you to stay away from each other. Ria, you have too many responsibilities to go gallivanting off seeking danger!

RIA

I know, because “I’m one of few surviving female Ardoni.” You’ve told me before.

OSIVIAN

And Senn, I wish you would respect my wishes. I raised you as a member of this clan, even though by blood you are not.

Thalleous tries to help out.

THALLEOUS

Alright Osivian I think they’ve heard enough for today. I have matters of great urgency to discuss with you.

OSIVIAN

Then best we head indoors. You two, go back to your rooms and remain there until I summon you.

Osivian motions towards Senn and Ria, who give each other one final glance. Osivian and Thalleous walk off together.

Cut to Senn’s room. He climbs up onto his bed and waits for a moment, then pulls out his Song and holds the mysterious object.

A faint humming can be heard from the Song as the scene cuts to a shot of iron bars, a figure stands behind facing away from the camera.

The warden, Marcus, walks by and bangs on the bars. The figure turns around to face the camera, revealing Lucan.

Cut to the warden’s office. Lucan sits on one side of the chair, Marcus on the other leafing through a book. A cake is on the table.

While Marcus is sitting up straight and appears very uptight and official, Lucan is reclined in his chair and fidgeting around more so.

MARCUS

Alright Lucan, since you continue to show good behavior, and your crimes were… once againminor, we’re going to accelerate your release.

Lucan leans up in his chair, and begins reaching for the cake.

LUCAN

So that explains the cake! A celebration-

MARCUS

Don’t touch my cake.

Lucan stops, and waits for Marcus to continue.

MARCUS

There is one condition: you’re being assigned to mining duty near the Basalt Coast.

Lucan withdraws his hand, a bit worried now.

LUCAN

Mining duty? You sure that paper doesn’t read milling duty?

Marcus furrows his eyebrows.

LUCAN

Guess not. So mining duty huh? You mean… underground, where the undead are?

MARCUS

You’ll be protected by a guard like every other miner. There’s no need to worry, Lucan.

LUCAN

I’m feeling much safer here in jail actually. Say… what about road repair duty? Or home animal domestica-

Lucan reaches for the cake again. Marcus puts his hand on the cake to stop him as he cuts Lucan off mid-sentence.

MARCUS

This isn’t a request, it’s an assignment. You know how things are- mines running dry, resources gettin’ scarce. We’re being forcedto mine deeper into the dangers that lie below.

Lucan leans over the table and gets a bit close to Marcus’ personal space.

LUCAN

If you wanted to kill me we could have just gone with an execution.

Lucan leaves the room and Marcus returns to his book. He looks over to the edge of the table and only one slice of the cake is there.

Cut to outside, Lucan is carrying the rest of the cake and eating it as he steps outside.

He looks around the town of Riverstead, then begins heading to the Basalt Coast.

Cut back to Sendaria. Ria is sneaking out and makes it to a Song Shrine. She pulls out her Song that Thalleous gave her. She starts moving to place it in one of the slots when Senn’s voice startles her.

SENN

Ria, what are you doing?

Ria puts away her Song quickly.

RIA

What? Nothing. What are you doing here?

Senn quickly puts his Song away as well that he was holding.

SENN

Nothing.

They both smile.

RIA

Senn… Osivian is right about some things…

SENN

What do you mean?

RIA

I’m one of the few remaining female Ardoni… and you’re clanless. We’ll never be going on crazy adventures like the stories Thalleous tells.

Ria draws the spear that Senn made for her and tries to hand it to him.

RIA

Here, you’ll probably want this back.

SENN

It was meant for you, Ria. Keep it.

Senn pushes it back towards her. She looks up at him, then hugs him.

Cut to a bit later, Senn is walking back towards his room. He stops and turns as he sees a light still on in the main hall, and raises an eyebrow inquisitively.

Cut to inside the hall, Osivian and Thalleous are talking.

THALLEOUS

They were Voltaris, at least seven of them. I have reported this to the masters but they refuse to take action.

OSIVIAN

And why would they listen? You have spoken about the Voltaris and their return for the last hundred years. Without evidence, your words can only fall on deaf ears.

THALLEOUS

I understand, which is why I am not here to raise an army. *sigh* If I cannot convince you, all I can do is prepare.

Suddenly Osivian and Thalleous stop and look towards the doorway. Thalleous speaks a bit more quietly to Osivian.

THALLEOUS

Someone is listening.

Cuts to Senn outside, he hears this and begins slowly sneaking away. Thalleous’ teleportation Song can be heard faintly, then Senn bumps into Thalleous.

SENN

*surprised* Thalleous!

Osivian walks outside angrily.

OSIVIAN

Senn? This is the second time today you’ve disobeyed me.  How much did you overhear?

SENN

*defensive* Nothing, I was just passing by.

OSIVIAN

You were supposed to stay in your room. I believe a stricter punishment is in order.

Thalleous intervenes.

THALLEOUS

That will not be necessary, Osivian. I will take him with me on my journey, and discipline him myself.

Thalleous winks at Senn, who smiles slightly in return. Osivian waits a moment, then concedes.

OSIVIAN

Hmph. I expect an improvement in your attitude when you return, Senn.

Osivian motions to Thalleous.

OSIVIAN

Take him back to his room… and make sure he gets there this time.

Cuts to Thalleous walking Senn back to his place. Senn is excited.

SENN

I’m really going to travel with you? How far are we going? What should I bring?

Senn stops as he realizes something.

SENN

Ria would have wanted to come…

THALLEOUS

Perhaps another time. Now get some sleep, we have a long journey ahead of us. Ardonia is a large world, and full of surprises.

As he says this, scene fades to Underwood, early morning. Camera lowers down under the trees.

A pig is eating a patch of wild carrots as the camera rolls back to reveal a hunter preparing a bow to fire.

Just before the hunter fires, a wolf begins barking which scares the pig away.

The hunter lets down her bow and turns around, revealing Abbigail.

Cuts to Sam still barking, Abbigail walks up behind it.

ABBIGAIL

*friendly* What is it Sam? I hope it’s better than tomorrow’s breakfast, because you just-

Abbigail stops and her eyes widen. Camera slides back to reveal the Enderdragon egg in a small clearing, marred by endstone.

To be continued.