Lashuka's Fear

FADE IN:

EXT. MEDIEVAL TOWNHOUSE - EVENING

A crowd of people are standing around a pyre built for two. A WOMAN (late 20s, blonde, petite) hangs her head in defeat while a MAN (early 30s, muscular, startling blue eyes) is starting defiantly into the eyes of VESK (30s, scar down his face, eye sewn closed, peppered hair, dressed in a black uniform) who grins disturbingly and lights they pyre.

Screaming fills the air.

INT. LASUKA'S BEDROOM - MORNING

LASHUKA's (early 20s, muscular, blonde, startling blue eyes) eyes fly open and the sound of screaming fades into the background.

EXT. DOCKS - DAY

A hooded figure is arguing with the CAPTAIN (20s, weathered) of the only ship in the harbor.

CAPTAIN: Fecraria in't exactly the best place to be sailing to this time o' year. Storms are brewin' and word o' da seas says dat rebellion is brewin' o'er der too.

He points over his shoulder, back to the horizon and the ominous clouds. Lashuka reaches out and takes the Captain's hand, lifts it and holds a large, jingling bag just over his palm.

LASUKA: Three times more than your usual rate, plus food and lodging for a week upon our arrival. All paid for by yours truly, in order for your men to rest before returning home. 

The Captain glances from the still jingling bag, to Lashuka's face, to the ominous clouds and back to the bag again. He shrugs and crosses his arms. Lashuka raises her head and looks toward the horizon before sighing.

LASUKA (CONT'D): Three times your normal rate, food and lodging for three weeks, and a weekend of unlimited... fun... for you and your men.

The Captain grins and greedily snatches the bag from Lashuka's hand. He turns and heads back to his ship, and upon his arrival, groans of dismay quickly turn into shouts of anticipation and joy, which are quickly drowned out by a clap of thunder. 

Lashuka sighs through her nose and leans her head back, her hood falling away to reveal her hair dyed black. Lashuka heads up the street towards a small, covered bench where SISTER KEREN (50s, gentle, garbed in nuns clothing) and YSOKI (15, blonde, startling blue eyes, petite) are sitting.

Sister Keren is knitting out of a small basket on her lap while Ysoki is meddling with a small wooden puzzle. Neither of them look up at Lashuka's approach.

SISTER KEREN: Hello, my dear.

Lashuka ignores her and turns to Ysoki.

LASUKA: How are you, dearest brother?

Ysoki's hands falter on his puzzle and he frowns before attacking the puzzle more fervently. Lashuka nods before reaching into her cloak.

LASUKA (CONT'D): I have something for you.

Lashuka removes a small wrapped parcel from inside her cloak and hands it Ysoki. He pauses and lays his puzzle on the bench next to him before gently taking the package from Lashuka.

Ysoki gently opens the package, making sure not to damage the wrapping, to reveal a small wooden box. He flips the latch on the box and retrieves seven, interlocking rings from inside. He looks from Lashuka to the rings and back again.

Smiling gently, Lashuka raises her hand, palm up.

LASUKA (CONT'D): May I?

Ysoki shrugs and lays the rings gently on Lashuka's open palm. Lashuka quickly and efficiently locks the rings together to form one, thick band, which she shows to Ysoki before unraveling them and handing the interlocking rings back to him.