Like a River Page One

34. Int. Homings Manor - Afternoon

Camera shot of Stace sitting on a bed in a now unused room.

A female servant is helping with her shoulder. The bloody arrow lies on a cloth beside her, having been removed. Her shirt is off and she's in her modest bra, her shoulder wound is now being sewed closed.

Elias walks in through the open door, having been told of her current state.

Elias
I was told you've come here. What happened?

Stace looks up at him.

Stace
I was shot with an arrow.

Elias
(Concern)
Why? Who did it?

Stace
A soldier at the castle as I tried to flee. That prince, Haden Holstein... In my bag-

She looks over at her purse, lying on a nearby table.

Stace
In my bag, there's a sheathed bloody dagger. I found it in the guest room he's been staying in. I think he used it to kill the royal advisor.

Elias
What? The royal advisor is dead? I knew about the king, but he is too?

Stace
Yeah. He was stabbed and his throat was cut. And I think that the prince did it. And... If he did that, he could've poisoned the king too.

Elias
(Contemplation)
A conspiracy...? Allow me to see this dagger. I know a bit about weaponry.

Stace points at her purse again.

Stace
It's over there if you want to look at it.

Elias walks over to the table and looks inside the purse, finding the neatly decorated dagger. Unsheathing it and seeing the bloodied state it's in, he recognized the craftsmanship.

Elias
Avantasian steel. A metal that can be refined to the finest of edges. That prince, he's from where this steel is made, correct? The Kingdom of Avantasia, am I right about that?

Stace
I-I think.

Elias
Then this is undoubtedly his. And he left evidence of his wrongdoing. What a novice.

He puts the dagger back in its sheath and places it back in her purse.

Elias
(Curious)
Tell me. Why was I the one you chose to come to with this information?

Stace
Because... I don't have anyone else I feel I could trust. My family's dead, and River's always with Haden. Plus, I don't know how deep his deceitful roots have spread in the castle and beyond. It's untelling who he's paid off to be on his side.

Elias looks over at her.

Elias
And what makes you think I'm not one of those who's been paid off? You've only known me for a couple of days. What makes you trust me?

Stace
I can tell. I can tell you're not the type to give in like that. You've shown me that since our first meeting when you weren't into your father's ideals.

Elias smirks as he hears her say this.

Elias
(Inquisitive)
How do you want me to help? Besides having my servants care for your wound.

Stace
I want your help to bring the wannabe king crashing down.

Elias
Oh, I can help with that. I'm trained in sword combat. And I know of a hidden passage intended to be used by the royal family to flee the castle if something goes down.

Stace
A secret passage? First I've heard of it.

Elias
(Explanatory)
Of course. It wouldn't be secret if everyone knew. But my father knew and wrote it down in his notes thanks to his close relationship with the former royal family. He intended to use it in an assassination of the king that didn't happen.

The servant finishes handling her wound, but she's still very sore.

Servant Lady
Allow me to fetch you a new shirt. And some shoes by the looks of it.

She chuckles as she walks away from the two.

Stace
Once she gets back, we can set out.

Elias
No, only I will.

Stace
(Shock)
Huh? But I want to help too.

Elias
You're undoubtedly still in pain. And I don't want it to get worse. You need time to rest, and you can stay here to do so. You've already done enough by coming here.

Stace
(Reluctant)
F-Fine. If you say so. But be careful. I had a sword from when I fled the castle, but I had to drop it as it slowed me down.

Elias
(Laugh)
Don't gotta worry on that front, I have a sword left behind by my father that I can use.

Elias walks to the door, turning back to Stace before exiting.

Elias
And I promise; I will bring this false king to his knees.

He leaves the room and walks up the stairs and into a room on the other side of them, towards the front of the house. In this room is a study, with a wall hanger where the sword he mentioned lies.

He walks to the nicely decorated sword and unsheathes it briefly.

Elias
To think, this sword could've been used to kill the king. And now It's going to kill that very same king's murderer. Funny how things turn out.

He puts it back in its sheath and straps said sheath at his waist.

Amelia
So, is it true? You're going alone?

He turns to see Amelia is in the doorway.

Elias
(Confident)
Yes. But don't fret over me. I'll come back in one piece.

He smirks at Amelia.

Amelia
But sir! It's my responsibility to look after you! Your father's last wish was for me to do that.

Elias
Amelia, you've taken care of me since I was a child. But I am grown now. I no longer need a babysitter.

Amelia
But...!

Elias
(Impatient)
I know you care for me, but let me do this. It could be the only way to clear my name. Father has left me a horrible reputation.

Amelia thinks for a moment, glancing off.

Amelia
(Reluctant)
O-Okay. But promise you'll come back in one piece. Please...

Elias walks over to her and places his hand on her shoulder.

Elias
I assure you. It'll take more than a few scrapes to keep me down.

He smiles.

Camera cuts as it's on his confident expression in a facial closeup.