In preparation for the final push against the Queen, Ban Talovac, leader of the Rebellion, looks to bolster the morale of his troops and arranges for a grand feast…

INT. REBELLION HEADQUARTERS – MAP ROOM

Sunlight trickles through the lone window of the map room complimenting the torches and lanterns set up. Upon the circular table in the center of the room lies a map of Croatia, littered with colored clay figures and small cloth flags.

By the window, Ban Matko Talovac sits at a desk; a quill in one hand, an inkwell by the other, and a pile of reports before him. Two young pages in the livery of his house stand against the back wall of the map room.

Talovac squints as he writes in a crabbed hand with slow strokes. Worries line his face and dark bags have formed under his eyes.

As the player approaches, Ban Talovac looks up. His face brightens as he stands.

Ban Talovac
The main guest of honor! I was worried my courier hadn’t gotten through. Welcome, welcome!

Ban Talovac
I’m sure you’ve heard the news. Tonight, we feast.

Ban Talovac
And for all the assistance you’ve provided us, you will take a seat beside me in the feast hall.

Ban Talovac
(chuckling)
Now, there’s much to get done, so feel free to relax and explore. Talk to Stanis, my steward, when you’re ready to go to the feast.

As the player leaves, General Casimir approaches Ban Talovac

(Background dialogue)

General Casimir
My lord.

Ban Talovac
(cheer vanishes)
General. Any word?

General Casimir
None. The rescue party seems to have gone missing. Spies report your brother in good health however.

Ban Talovac
(heavily)
Very well.

General Casimir remains.

Ban Talovac
General?

General Casimir
Sire, I know this is not the time, but…Lord Bruno appears to be up to something.

Ban Talovac
(beat)
Clarify.

General Casimir
Lord David said he’s been sending an unusual number of dispatches – and nobody knows where.

General Casimir
He’s also been spotted talking to your masons. Supposedly he’s planning a renovation of his castle… but the men say he asked a lot about secret passages in this castle.

Ban Talovac
No games, Casimir. Out with it.

General Casimir
I think he’s betraying us. He’ll recall his forces and sneak an army through your ancestor’s hidden passages.

Ban Talovac
(long beat)
Preposterous.

General Casimir
Is it not plausible for him?

Ban Talovac
Casimir, I know you two don’t see eye to eye, but he is not trying to stab us in the back.

General Casimir
But sire, his actions are suspicious

Ban Talovac slumps into his chair, finger at his temple.

Ban Talovac
Keep watching him. Have David find those couriers and find out what he’s been asking the masons.

General Casimir
(stiffly)
As you command.

Ban Talovac
You think my orders insufficient?

General Casimir
I would not presume my lord.

Ban Talovac
You’ll have to be satisfied. Go.

As General Casimir leaves the room…

Ban Talovac
Casimir.

General Casimir turns.

Ban Talovac
Keep me appraised of Bruno’s movements.

General Casimir claps his fist to his shoulder in a salute before leaving.

(End background dialogue)

Later that day, the player approaches Stanis the Steward to trigger (and be moved to) the feast.

INT. REBELLION HEADQUARTERS – FEAST HALL

Normally barren, cold, and lifeless, the Feast Hall bustles with the activity of many servants, struggling to prepare the hall in time for the feast.

Maids scurry about, placing candles, dishes, and cutlery, while men move about, shifting tables and setting chairs.

Stanis stands in the center of the room directing the servants’ efforts. A short, chubby, balding man, his appearance perfectly fits the appearance of a bustling grocer, cheerful innkeeper, or honest merchant.

Stanis
No no no! You can’t set it crooked like that Marko, fix it! Nina, silly girl, those are for the soldiers! Go back to the kitchen and get the fine porcelain ones. The Ban will have my head if his guests eat off wooden boards. And you! Get to work!

Stanislav
Oh; sorry m’lord, I didn’t see you there. If you’re ready, I can show you to a room where you can prepare yourself; and when the hall is ready, I’ll have a page come fetch you for the feast.

OPTIONS:
Option 1: I’m ready.

Stanislav
Certainly m’lord. Come this way, if you please. (End Conversation, cont. to FADE OUT)

Option 2: I think I’ll look around a bit more. (End Conversation)

FADE OUT

FADE IN

INT. REBELLION HEADQUARTERS – FEAST HALL

The smoky haze and dim torchlight hides the rough craftsmanship of the wooden tables swarming with the assembled nobles of the Rebellion.

In all their drunken glory and gaudy finery, they eat, drink, and carouse. The humming of their chatter mixes with the clash of forks and knives and the slamming of cups, lending the Feast Hall a feeling of revelry, released after long suppression.

The long tables of the feast hall groan under the weight of half-consumed platters of meat and bread and pitchers of ale and wine. Upon the cold stone floors countless dogs roll, play, and fight over scraps.

In the wings of the hall, musicians strum their harps and sing their songs, struggling to be heard against the din of the feast. Jugglers roam the floor leaving laughter and gasps in their wake.

The Ban, seated at the center of the host’s table, dressed in a fine silk tunic and wearing a golden necklace, stands up and announces in a powerful voice that cuts through the festivities:

Ban Talovac
Your attention, my honored guests.

Ban Talovac
Now that we have assuaged the edge of our hunger, allow me to say a few words.

Ban Talovac
We have gathered here-

The massive double doors of the hall BURST open.

Lord Bruno strides through, armed and armored, wearing a thick gray wolf cloak, flanked by six knights in heavy plate armor. The hall falls completely silent but for the metallic CLANK of sabatons upon stone, stopping just before Talovac’s table.

Ban Talovac
Lord Bruno. What is the meaning of this?

Lord Bruno
Matko Talovac. By my right as a noble lord of Croatia, I hereby charge you with the murder of Maria Talovac and Stephan Talovac. Surrender your arms and come quietly.

Lord David, half drunk, stands abruptly.

Lord David
Bruno, what are you doing? You have neither proof nor power to do such a thing!

Ban Talovac
(muttering quietly)
So it has caught up to me at last…

Lord Bruno
I have both proof and power! Ban Talovac, no man is above the law. Come peacefully, and your innocence or guilt shall be discovered in a fair trial.

Lord David
In the middle of a war, Bruno? You’ll hand the queen victory upon a silver platter!

Lord Bruno
I’ll not serve under a kinslayer! So what’ll it be Talovac? Will you resist your arrest?

The hall bursts into shouts and mutters, as the confused nobles turn to each other.

Lord Tomislav stands and calls out, cutting through the commotion.

Lord Tomislav
Enough of this foolishness. Lord Talovac, say the word and I’ll have Bruno and his men in chains.

Ban Talovac shuts his eyes. His voice silences the hushed clamor.

Ban Talovac
I will go peacefully. I divest myself of all weapons and signs of office, to be held until the veracity of Bruno’s claims have been proven.

Ban Talovac draws his knife and stabs the jeweled point into the wood of the table, where it quivers from the force for several seconds. From his leather belt he draws a heavy gilded scepter carved with running pine martens, the symbol of his office, and places it upon the table.

Lord Bruno
Very good. Take him into custody, men.

Two armored knights step forward and bind Talovac’s wrists. The group leaves the feast hall.

End Excerpt