EXT. THE CASTLE GARDENS - AFTERNOON Lucy, two beautiful retainers and two handsome bodyguards escort Dolph through the gardens. The gardens are magical in their construction. Flowers are arranged tastefully with colors so bright they'd make a rainbow jealous. Lucy and Dolph walk ahead of their entourage. LUCINDA These gardens are an expression of my own magic. Do you like them? DOLPH They're beautiful. You must have a green thumb. Lucy looks shocked and checks her thumb. LUCINDA I think not Sir Knight. I bathe everyday. DOLPH It's an expression. It means you are good with the green things. Plants, flowers... Lucinda giggles. LUCINDA I see. Lucinda gestures to the valley before them. LUCINDA Do you like our little valley? A picture perfect valley spreads beyond a low stone wall. The castle crowns a hill behind them. The gardens are terraced into that hill. A couple of miles from the base of the hill is a sleepy little village. DOLPH It's beautiful. What's the name of the village? LUCINDA That is Vertlyon. The people there and in several other villages around this countryside are all under the protection of my father. DOLPH Protection from Corwin? LUCINDA He is the only one that troubles us. All the other kings that neighbor us love my father. There is a scream from behind them. Dolph spins on instinct. Four flying creatures and a masked woman riding a small dragon have zoomed in over the trees. The masked woman is dressed in black leather. She sports a broadsword slung across her back. Two of the four foot flying creatures are harpies. The other two creatures are man-sized flying demons. They bear wicked looking rapiers. The demons engage the bodyguards while the harpies chase the servants about the garden. Dolph dives on Lucy. The dragons claws rake empty air. Dolph lays on top of Lucy. She smiles up at him. LUCINDA Really, Sir Knight, I don't think this is the time. Dolph frowns, looks around. There is an apple orchard ten yards away. DOLPH Take cover under those apple trees, quickly! Dolph springs to his feet. A demons runs a bodyguard through. It spies the unarmed Dolph. With a shrill scream and a flap of batlike wings, the demon springs through the air at Dolph. The Demon's blade slices empty air. Dolph ducks and plants a foot in the creatures stomach. It doubles over. Dolph slams it in the face. The creature flies backward in a spray of blood from a crushed nose. Dolph chases after the fallen dark angel. He snatches up the sword it has dropped. Dolph relieves the demon of its head. Dolph turns to face the other demon as it rushes him. He barely parries a blow to his head. The creature attacks with insane fury. Dolph throws the pommel of his sword into the demon's face. The creature staggers back. Dolph runs him through. A shadow passes over Dolph. He is slammed to the ground by dragon claws up side the head. He staggers to his knees. The lithe form of the masked woman is on him. She kicks him in the stomach. Dolph is thrown to his back. She jumps onto Dolph, buries her knees in his midsection. He gasps as she lays her sword across his throat. She stares at him through her mask for a second. The mask can't hide her piercing, yet seductive, eyes. Raven black hair emerges from the back of the mask to frame sweet promise. She speaks from full red lips with a sensuous alto voice. MASKED WOMAN So you are the kings new champion... My... you're a big one. Dolph attempts to regain his breath. MASKED WOMAN Did the king tell you what happened to his last champion? She runs a seductive finger about Dolph's face. MASKED WOMAN He sends you after my Corwin, doesn't he? I tell you this, warrior, I will defend Corwin to my last dying breath as will all the peoples of Valle de la Noir. Do you understand? Dolph replies with an intense stare. LUCINDA Get away from him, you faceless bitch! The masked woman jumps to her feet. She spins to find Lucy brandishing a dagger in each hand. The masked woman has left the point of her weapon on Dolph's throat. MASKED WOMAN It was you I came for, Lucy. Your sister misses you. LUCINDA She will be free soon as will we all! MASKED WOMAN With the aid of this one? She looks down at Dolph. MASKED WOMAN He's big, but not much of warrior. Shall I cut his throat? Lucy takes a deep breath of fear. The masked one smiles. She turns to Dolph. MASKED WOMAN Not today, Warrior. They'll merely summon another and he may not be as pretty as you. The masked woman springs away from Dolph and jumps to the back of her dragon. In seconds they are gone. Lucy runs to the fallen Dolph. LUCINDA My Sweet Knight are you all right? Are you hurt? DOLPH I'm fine... LUCINDA That... woman, Serena, is Corwin's consort. It was she who stole my sister. DOLPH They kidnapped your sister? LUCINDA (confused) She is no child, Good Knight, no kid, but a lady in the flower of her womanhood. DOLPH Why didn't your father tell me she was kid-, abducted? LUCINDA He was going to tell you. First he wanted to see if you would quest for him without the promise of a lady's dire need. If you said no, he would have told you of Drusilla's fate. DOLPH And if I said, yes? LUCINDA He still would have told you knowing you would quest that much harder to save the king's daughter. Dolph picks himself up. DOLPH He should have told me up front. Lucy starts crying forced tears. She buries her head in Dolph's chest. LUCINDA Please, Good Knight. Return my sister to me. I miss her so. Dolph hesitantly holds her. INT. THE KING'S HALL - NOON A few people mill about the King's hall. The King confers with Adomass and some advisors next to his throne. Dolph strides into the room. DOLPH If you had told me about your daughter up front I would have left already. The King smiles. KING MALVALLE Spoken like a true knight! ADOMASS Understand, Warrior, returning the King's daughter is secondary to killing Corwin. Dolph raises an eyebrow and turns to the King. DOLPH Is this true? The king sighs with the weight of the world. KING MALVALLE I must think of my people first, even before my own children. Drucilla knows this. ADOMASS Corwin will destroy us all when he can. We must destroy him first. Deep in thought Dolph stares at the King and Adomass. DOLPH I'll need some things. KING MALVALLE Draw up a list. If we can provide what you need it is yours. DOLPH There are some things I want to make. I'll need some time. ADOMASS You may have all the time you want as long as it does not exceed three days. DOLPH Why three days? ADOMASS Corwin is forging a magical construct of enormous power. It will be complete within a fortnight. DOLPH Then why can't I have two weeks? ADOMASS It will be able to move within the week. I do not believe you will want to face this monster. KING MALVALLE This creature's construction is what persuaded us to summon you. If it is finished it will turn the land and its people to waste. Adomass sweeps an open hand before him. Dust trails the motion of his hand. EXT. ROCKY CANYONS - LATE MORNING Augustus leads Dolph and six other warriors down a dirt trail. The canyon they are in is devoid of life. Fear hangs about the group like cobwebs. Dolph sits astride a huge stallion. His dress is a combination of twentieth century earth and the Dark Ages. Several weapons hang from the horse's saddle, including a wicked looking crossbow. A pistol crossbow is holstered at Dolph's hip. A great broadsword is strapped across his back. AUGUSTUS Here starts Corwin's lands, Warrior. We will take you to the end of this canyon, and then you must travel alone. DOLPH Afraid to go any further? Augustus snaps around and reaches for the hilt of his broadsword. AUGUSTUS I fear nothing Engineer! These are the King's orders. Dolph smiles at Augustus' back. He returns to scanning the trail ahead. Only Dolph notices the movement in the rocks above. EXT. A ROCKY PLAIN BEFORE THE CANYON - NOON A boulder strewn field stretches out before the small group. The ground seems blasted as if from a great war. AUGUSTUS This is as far as we go. Augustus hands Dolph a map. AUGUSTUS This is written in the blood of many good warriors. The Xes show where they were ambushed. WARRIOR 1 These hills are infested with Corwin's creatures. DOLPH What kind of creatures? Augustus smiles an evil smile. AUGUSTUS Think of your most vile nightmares and they are worse than that. WARRIOR 1 Corwin has an army of them. AUGUSTUS You have a head to take, Warrior. You'd best be about it. With a yell the knights put their spurs to their steeds and head back down the canyon. Dolph watches them go. Dolph looks at the map and then at the trail before him. DOLPH (sighs) This isn't what I got my PHD for. EXT. FURTHER ALONG THE ROCKY PLAIN - LATER Dolph picks his way through the boulders. Shadows flit from boulder to boulder. The horse is jittery and snorts with fear. Dolph reaches back and loosens his sword. Man and beast enter a clearing amid the rocks. The horse stops in the center of the clearing. It begins to paw the earth. Dolph draws his sword. Six creatures of varying shapes and sizes step from behind the boulders. One creature stands over seven feet tall and would be the definition of a troll. His only weapon is a large wooden club. Dolph's horse begins to scream and buck, pawing at the air. Dolph tries to calm the creature. Corwin's soldiers advance on him. Dolph snatches up the pistol crossbow and shoots the troll in the stomach. The troll looks down at the bolt in confusion. TROLL Ow. The creatures attack Dolph. They worry the horse with lances, clubs and swords. Dolph keeps them at bay with his broadsword. The troll pulls the bolt from his body. TROLL Ow. The troll studies the bolt and the hole in his stomach. He pokes at the hole. The troll shrugs. He tosses away the bolt. The troll picks up his club and slams Dolph's horse up side the head. The horse goes over with Dolph onto the rocky ground. Dolph's head slams into the ground. He begins to lose consciousness. Corwin's beasts titter as they surround him. VOICE Not much of warrior, is he? TROLL Ow. Blackness takes Dolph. INT. CORWIN'S THRONE ROOM - LATER CORWIN sits upon his throne talking to Serena. Corwin is of medium build, good looking and is as dark as Dolph is fair. He sports a short pony tail gathered behind his head. He is dressed entirely in black. Serena is still masked. Corwin's throne room is much smaller and spartan than King Malvalle's hall. Creatures of all description amuse themselves in this chamber. There is a BANG. The two massive wooden doors that protect this room are shoved open. Dolph is stripped to the waist. A large wooden yoke holds him. A creature that looks to be half penguin half man waddles into the room. In one flipper the penguin man holds a leash which is attached to a collar at Dolph's neck. Dolph is escorted roughly into the room. Corwin looks up with an evil smile. CORWIN (sarcastic) So the King's champion has finally come to visit us... You were right, Serena. He is a big one... Bring Dolph in, uh, Flipper. Corwin smirks and starts singing. CORWIN Flipper! Flipper! He's faster than lightning! Dah, dah, dah, dah, dah, dah! A smile breaks on the little penguin man's face and he starts to dance in a circle. Corwin rises to approach Dolph. CORWIN So, (sarcastic) Dolph... What kind of name is that anyway. Your parents marine biologists or something. DOLPH It's Norwegian. CORWIN A Viking! Hey, everybody, we got a Viking in our midst! The creatures applaud. Corwin leans close to confide in Dolph CORWIN They love the Nordic myths. I recite them around the fireplace. DOLPH I'm an engineer, not a Viking. CORWIN You look like a linebacker to me. Dolph gives Corwin a quizzical look. TROLL Ow. Corwin looks over at the troll who is pointing at the oozing hole in his stomach. The troll is a ghastly white from loss of blood. CORWIN Oh my God! What have you done to Baby Hewey! TROLL Ow. Corwin inspects the wound. CORWIN Hewey, how many times have I told you you've got to plug up the holes? Corwin waves a hand over the wound. With a light blue glow the wound disappears. Hewey smiles. HEWEY No ow! Hewey snatches up Corwin. He gives him a big bone crushing hug. Corwin tries to talk through a crushed chest. CORWIN Okay! Okay! Put me down! Put me down! Hewey gives Corwin a kiss on the forehead and then puts him down. Corwin staggers and then composes himself. He turns to Dolph. CORWIN This kind of shit really pisses me off! Typical. Shoot first, ask questions later. SERENA Typical man. DOLPH They attacked me I had no choice. Corwin turns to Hewey. CORWIN Is that true? Hewey responds with childlike innocence. HEWEY Uh-uh. Corwin turns back to Dolph. With one hand he grabs Dolph by the throat and lifts him up off of the ground. CORWIN You're just like Malvalle and his sick bunch of friends! Kill the big uglies! Waste 'em all! You big dumb shit! I ought to toss you out the window. SERENA Corwin, we need him. Corwin drops a gasping Dolph to his knees. He returns in a huff to sit on his throne. CORWIN You're pathetic! They sent you to kill me!? You should have stuck to engineering. DOLPH I didn't ask for this job! CORWIN But you took it anyway, didn't you! DOLPH You stole the King's daughter! Corwin dismisses this fact with the wave of a hand. CORWIN It's the only way I could keep King dickweed off my back! SERENA It's also the biggest mistake you've ever made. CORWIN Yes, I know, Sweets, you don't need to keep reminding me of that fact. DOLPH Damn right it was a mistake! Corwin laughs at Dolph. CORWIN Don't misunderstand, Dolph. It's not a mistake because of you. DOLPH Really? Then why's it such a big mistake? CORWIN Because she's a supreme bitch. SERENA She scares the harpies. CORWIN This lady can scare a dragon. SERENA Actually she has. Balrog won't go near her. DOLPH Is that why her sister wants her back so badly? SERENA Lucinda! The entire room breaks out into laughter. CORWIN That randy bitch probably wants her sister back because she still has her favorite earrings. Dolph frowns and struggles to his feet. DOLPH Nevertheless, I want her freed! Corwin stands again. He descends the stairs to get in Dolph's face. CORWIN You're a cocky bastard... You gonna kill me too? That's what Malvalle sent you here for, isn't it? DOLPH I just came for the girl. CORWIN That's not what I hear. You see I got this little experiment going and it's scaring the shit out of the King. Adomass tell you about it? DOLPH I just want the girl. Then I'll leave. Corwin walks among his creatures. He occasionally adjusts a uniform or shows some other subtle sign of affection. CORWIN Of course. We want you to take her back. She's driving us crazy. A creature with a wild mop of red hair starts bouncing around Dolph and screaming. MAD DOG Crazy! Crazy, crazy! Crazy. CORWIN Yo! Mad Dog! Chill! ... Mad dog skulks off, turns and addresses Corwin. MAD DOG Woof. CORWIN But first you must experience some of our hospitality. Hewey, take him to the dungeon and clean him up. Tonight we're gonna have a party in Dolph's honor! CREATURES A party! Party! Party! Party! Serena smiles as Corwin rejoins her on the throne. Dolph is led out of the room. INT. DUNGEON - LATER Hewey grabs Dolph by the throat. Two walking deformities take off Dolph's yolk. They manacle his hands to chains hanging from the ceiling. Hewey points to where Dolph's bolt hit him. HEWEY No ow. DOLPH I'm happy for you. Hewey pats Dolph on the head and walks away. A large bald man with one eye sets a long table in front of Dolph. Another creature lines it with all manner of wicked looking steel implements. Dolph grows uncomfortable. A steaming bucket of liquid is placed at Dolph's feet. Mad dog puts a tentative finger in the liquid and howls in pain. He wrings his hands together in maniacal evil. MAD DOG (evil) A bath, hee, hee, hee. A bath for you. Dolph grimaces as a metal brazier is placed on the table. A pot of bubbling white liquid is placed amongst the steel implements. Two benches are placed on either side of the table. Several creatures gather around the table and Dolph. SCHLOCK, the bald man with one eye, picks up a curved hook implement and fingers its point. SCHLOCK I am Schlock, and I will be cleaning you up. But first- Schlock smiles an evil smile. Dolph fills his chest in anticipation of having his flesh torn. The creatures about them titter in anticipation. SCHLOCK Fondue!!!!! A platter of vegetables and meats is thrown next to the cheese on the table. Schlock deftly spears a hunk of meat, dips it in cheese and offers it to Dolph. SCHLOCK Appetizer? Dolph is in shock having expected the worst. DEFORMITY #1 Come on. Schlock makes an excellent fondue. HEWEY Fondue! Hewey has several hunks of meat in his fingers and is attacking the cheese. SCHLOCK Hewey use a fork! Did you wash your hands!? Hewey looks hurt and holds out his cheesy hands. HEWEY Yes, see? SCHLOCK All right, but use a fork. Schlock holds the meat up to Dolph who shrugs and then takes it with his teeth. He returns Schlock's smile as he munches. SCHLOCK Well? DOLPH Excellent The creatures in the room attack the fondue in earnest. INT. DUNGEON - LATER The table and fondue have been taken away. A rack has been laid out with some clothes for Dolph. Schlock and Mad Dog are silently scrubbing Dolph down. Serena strolls into the room like a cat moving in for the kill. SERENA Let me finish here. Go get ready for the party. SCHLOCK Yes, Your Worship. He didn't have no fleas or nothin' SERENA That's very nice, Schlock, now run a long. Mad dog starts running around Serena's legs. Eventually he lays his head against her thigh. She scratches him behind the ears. SERENA You too, Mad Dog. Serena picks up a sponge from the bucket of clean water. She seductively washes away the soapy water from Dolph. SERENA They're such children, but devoted. DOLPH Why do you wear that mask? Serena stiffens then smiles. SERENA A gift from your mentor, Adomass. My face is no longer pleasing to look at. DOLPH He's not my mentor. He's not even a very good travel agent. SERENA I don't know what that is, but I do not believe that Adomass is good at anything... except evil. DOLPH If that's so, then why does Malvalle employ him? SERENA Because the king's heart is the same color as Adomass. They serve each other... This is not what I came here to talk to you about. Dolph grows uncomfortable as Serena cleans down around his loin cloth. DOLPH What are you here for? SERENA It is Corwin's intention to treat you as a guest. His only weakness is his kindness. DOLPH Where I come from that is not considered a weakness. SERENA Here it is. Drop your guard for a second and Malvalle will have your steaming heart in his fist. DOLPH Like I said, I'm only here for the girl. Dolph stiffens. SERENA (surprise) My! You really are a big one. Serena gets in Dolph's face. SERENA If you are rude and try to hurt Corwin... I'll remove this. Dolph stiffens further as Serena smiles. SERENA To start with. Serena lets go and tosses the sponge into the bucket. SERENA Until dinner then. Serena leaves Dolph hanging.
Click here for PART III of "The Beautiful People"