Uthur and the Secret of the Dragon

UTHUR

And the secret of the

Dragon

by

David William Kirby

Uthur and the Secret of the Dragon

©Copyright David William Kirby 2013

The Dogbreaths Publishing

2013

The dogbreaths publishing

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each recipient. If you’re reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then please return to Smashwords,Scribd or Google Books and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

UTHUR

and the secret of the

Dragon

in memory of Phillip.P, a good friend. 6th July 2013

Scene one. Ext. Day

Albion 25.00BC late Neolithic

The sound of crows.

The scene unfolds around a series of round houses set into a hill on a promontory. High above them a round stone tower within a wooden fort provides a backdrop. A fortress set upon the stony hill, which falls down a steep incline to the sea. which crashes upon the last of Albion’s land.

All around the roundhouses are fires and people working. Some have skins in wooden frames and they are working the leather to make hides for clothing. Others are napping flints into arrow heads and axes. Children play as women cook animal remains over open fires, or boil herbs in clay pots. A young girl GWEN makes a necklace from seashells as her father, ULAN naps flint into a KNIFE.

UlAN

That’s very pretty, my child.

GWEN

I hope to wear it on my wedding day, if UTHUR remains true

and our two families are joined as arranged.

I am unsure if I want to bare his children and swear love to

no other; even if my oath brings peace to our land.

it’s a big commitment for someone of my age.

But if his word is true, if he can be trusted, my

Feelings may grow.

ULAN

You are both young, so there is time for love to blossom.

between you both. This union doesn’t only have to be the product of

adults and our wishful thinking; in time you will understand my words.

Anyway, I think we can trust Uthur and his family; and his commitment to you will be witnessed by the whole Royal Court.

Okay, UTHUR’s father may see

union with our clan through marriage as the last step our

people need towards a lasting peace. But, beside, I know UTHUR has

feelings for you. I’ve seen it in his eyes and the way he

acts when you and he are together.; I trust his

judgement too. You will not find a better mate in all Albion.

If we are to confine the clan battles of the past to history

only one family can lead us. Lead us out of the misery of warfare

and into a peaceful future. UTHUR’s father and I trust this union

will be the foundation for a great and prosperous nation.

It was foreseen, our clans will be joined.

GWEN

Why must we wait, surely if desire exists

in our hearts , why wait?

ULAN

Because you are both children, that is why. When your body

develops, develops enough to bear a child, the time for

union will come. Time will soon pass; you’ll see.

Before you know it you’ll take your place beside your

husband up there in the fortress. Till that time, help

your mother, make your wedding jewels; sing and be

happy. Time will soon slip by.

GWEN

So much can happen. Our tribes may be at peace at the

moment but there are stories of others who would come

to cause chaos in our green and pleasant land. I fear monsters

and sorcerers from across the seas.

Only the other day I heard of men

on horseback who attacked the village yonder, they had

the sun for heads and carried bolts of lightning in their

hands; lightening I tell you. Their magic killed all the people there...

ULAN

Hush now, (giggles) Take no heed of the wild and

fanciful tales of old women.

Unless I see these men for myself I will not believe it.

I too hear stories, on moonless nights when we gather

around the campfire; but they are stories, nothing more.

I don’t believe them and neither

should you.

GWEN

Hark Father; I hear the sound of horses approaching

.

Scene One (A) Int. Day Aroom in the Fortress

UTHUR and MERLAIN are together and the boy is watching his elder friend crush ice into an earthenware bowl.

UTHUR

What alchemy are you practicing today, I see you have whipped

cream in that small cup and added some seeds; but why?

MERLAIN

They’re not seeds boy, that is the pith of a vanilla pod. The aromatic aroma

combines with the cream delightfully when mixed and then I am going to cook the mix in cold fire; ice, you know

UTHUR

Cold fire, Ice. For what purpose? I do not understand what possible use this concoctions could have.

MERLAIN

It’s a cure for baldness my young man. No longer will vain men have to

spend their days worrying about this terrible blight; something neither I

Or your father have to concern ourselves with. Both blessed with

fine heads of hair; but other do not share our happiness and will surely pay a

good fee for the cure.

UTHUR

Baldness, you say? (He dips a finger into the freezing cream and tastes a little.

MERLAIN

I saw someone sucking ice one winter’s day and they remarked on the shocking sensation

in their heads. Brainfreeze. They said..

.

UTHUR

(Taking another dip into the cream and smiling)

It occurred to me that rather than freeze the whole head only the hair follicals

need treatment. Do you intend to freeze to the skull and not allow the hair to fall out. Ice is no good

As it is; ice has not have the right consistency to stick on the head...

MERLAIN

Stick on the head, you say? (picks up the frozen cream and follows his friend)

Yes, I added the vanilla to give it a wholesome smell. What’s that noise outside.

He goes to the window and looks out

It looks your father on horseback, it seems I am wanted and my cure must wait.

UTHUR

You won’t mind me taking this cure and testing it for you (He dips in his finger

Again and eats a huge dollop of the frozen cream)

MERLAIN

Go ahead my boy, give me some feedback on how it feels on your head.

Alas I must go to see what ails your father so...

SCENE ONE (B) EXZT DAY

GWEN and ULAN look down the path that leads from the village and see the KING, (UTHUR’s father) approaching with outriders carrying his flags and colours. The horsemen come to a standstill kicking dust into the air as the King addressed the men.

KING

Quick! You women and children, drop what you are

Doing, and take refuge in the tower. Make hast, evil approaches.

The women gather up the small children and rush up the hill towards the safety of the tower. ULAN shoos GWEN away and she too follows the women.

Men, gather your spears and shields. We must

form and defensive line here cross the path.

Set these logs on fire. Make it

blaze well for we need a wall to keep the approaching

demons back.

Quickly, we have little time.

ULAN

Who leads these evil ones Master, who are they?

KING

I’ve heard they serve a beast called Erick

the Boneless. They are not human I tell you; we must

work swiftly if we are to save the women and children.

The men erect a barricade of logs and faggots which they set fire. Then, setting up behind a wall of wooden shields they poke their spears through and a platoon of archers form another line of defence. They will provide a sky full of piercing death.

As they wait the unearthly sound comes from beyond the barricades. The clinking of metal upon metal and the stomping of armoured troops.

Suddenly the men see a group of helmeted men wearing bright bronze breastplates and carrying bright bronze swords. The sun reflects from their helmets, breastplates and swords into the eyes of the men behind the barricades making the oncoming troops shimmer in the distance.

The archers let of a volley of arrows which fill the sky with a black cloud. As it rains down on the oncoming troops the arrows appear to bounce off the troops armour. In previous battles the shields of their opponents were a wood base covered by tanned leather; which their arrows would easily penetrate. The shields they faced today are made of an entirely different element which smashed their arrowheads upon impact.

ULAN

What are these demons?

KING

Steady men; let these beasts run themselves upon the

tips of your spears.

The troops approach and with one swipe their bronze swords cut through the king’s men wooden spear poles. Someone tries to batter one of them with a stone axe only to lose his arm under the blade of the sword.

ULAN

The men are not human. We cannot win against them today,

Master save yourself and your son, go to the fortress

before it is too late.

KING

I am the King of this land and I’ll die defending

it. Where is my man, Merlain?

MERLAIN

Here master.

KING

Go to the fortress and find my son. Take him to the boat

and get away from here, keep him safe until we have the ability to defeat

these beasts.

Will you do that for me?

MERLAIN

I’d rather die here at your side Your Garce

KING

I have no intention of dyeing today and your loyalty is

not in question either,. Go, save my son in case the

beasts over-run us, get to the boat now my friend.

MERLAIN

If that’s your wish Sire, I shall go, but we will return,

when the boy is a man and able to take back

his seat beside his father.

KING

Go, quickly, I put my trust in your hands; do not

fail me.

MERLAIN

Your trust is safe master, you will see us return

And, when we do, we shall rise up and

destroy these beasts......

SCENE 2. EXT DAY

On board the boat, manned by ten of his father best seamen, UTHUR and MERLAIN look back across the choppy waters and up the staircase the led to the top of the hill, at smoke rising around the stone fortress, their previous home. The young boy, grips the old man’s hand tightly as he sees flames lick the top of the stone structure as they both wonder how long it will be before they see home again. MERLAIN turns the boy away and shouts at the crew.

MERLAIN

Set sail around Gaul into the Southern Sea.

There we will head to the east and find a way to

defeat these monsters. When we return we must be

triumphant or all today’s sorrow will be for nothing...

SCENE 2a EXT DAY

We see Ulan and Gwen looking at the bodies of slain men on a battlefield. The find the body of the KING and wrap it carefully in his flag.

As the sun sets over the tower the build a funeral pyre and set it ablaze, standing with women and wounded villagers as the body is consumed by fire.

SCENE 3 EXT DAY

The boat sails for days then through the Gibraltar straights and into the Med, onward until the Greek Islands rise up in the distance, eventually they pass a sailing boat and pull up beside it.

MERLAIN

Hello friend, tell me are these ports safe for

craft to moor?

FISHERMAN

We are an enlightened race, petty squabbles are a thing

of the past in these lands; you’ll be safe here providing

your manners are good and you have things to barter.

(He smiles a toothless grin)

MERLAIN

Thank you, good fishing to you.

(He turns and addresses the crew)

Let’s make for the port yonder and find our land legs

Perhaps we can stay for a while or get supplies

to travel further.

Sometime later MERLAIN and the boy are walking through a stone city in bright sunshine, there are stalls everywhere and sellers of fine fabrics and cloth, Others sell pots and earthenware urns while the smell of food cooking on small grills fill the air. They stop by a stall and examine small gold discs which MERLAIN picks up and examines.

What are these for?

STALLHOLDER

Hair... (She shakes her hair and Merlain sees the gold

discs have been folded around the girl’s dreadlocks,

they sparkle in the sunlight)

MERLAIN

They are very beautiful, like the delicate flower that

wears them. Tell me friend,

in my land we find this element in the rivers and

use it for barter. Is it so here?

STALLHOLDER

Yes Sire, it is greatly valued