CHAPTER 8
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"SALLY'S STAND"
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Sally's hooves hit the dirt road leading to the fortress. The afternoon sun catches on her mane as she trots down the dusty dirt lane.
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Metro holds the reins loosely, Rose sitting behind him, with both hands resting lightly at his sides.
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The guard on the wall leans forward.
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Guard 1:
"... Is that Metro?"
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Guard 2:
"Hey — yeah! And he's brought his girlfriend!"
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Laughter whistles. The heavy gate cracks open with a groan.
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Metro swings off Sally in one smooth motion-he turns back, lifting Rose by the waist, setting her down gently.
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Her feet touches the ground like she's stepping into another world. He pats Sally's neck, letting her wander freely toward the water trough. Mathias spots them immediately. Closing in.
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Mathias: (jaw tightened)
"Hey, you could be in deep if the old man ever finds out you were gone..."
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A few farmhands pretend to sort leaves but listen. The main hall is lit and tall around them.
Mathias keeps his arms crossed, expression firm.
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Metro:
"That's my fault, I should have told someone before I left."
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Lutheran cuts in slapping Metro's shoulder and walks past smiling.
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Lutheran:
"Hey, your back! We've been looking for ya."
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Mathias leans in slightly, voice low, but sharp enough for Rose to hear.
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Mathias:
"Well... if you don't want a noose around your neck, you best stay near the crop."
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The room goes quiet for a moment.
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Rose's eyes flick to Metro — searching, worried.
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Metro doesn't flinch. He just exhales, once, slow, controlled. His voice cuts through the tension like a blade.
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Metro:(shouts)
"PAUL!"
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Mathias flinches.
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"What are you doing here man!?"
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Heads turn.
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Paul steps out from behind a stack of crates near a wall, arms crossed, beard a little messier than usual, eyes already locked on Metro with a mix of irritation and affection only he can pull off.
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He scratches his beard.
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Paul:
"I was... trying to eat breakfast. Then a little bird came, making your problems, my problems."
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A couple of soldiers grin, cheesing.
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Rose tries not to smile, then she glows, radiantly.
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Paul steps forward, boots heavy on the stone floor.
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"Ana sent a letter from the fortress last night, I found it. So here I am."
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He gestures with both hands open by his hips —
unenthused, unimpressed, absolutely done with everyone's nonsense.
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Metro laughs softly, then moves without thinking.
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He wraps his arms around Paul in a tight, grateful hug.
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Paul freezes.
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Looks down at Metro like he's holding a wild animal.
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Slowly... Reluctantly... his hands lift and settle on Metro's back.
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His shoulders drop, head lowered, eyes softening.
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The soldiers stare — not mocking, not joking —
just watching something real.
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A beat of silence.
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Then —
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Lutheran: (Lutheran shouts across the hall)
"Alright lads, back to work!"
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The spell breaks.
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Workers scatter.
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Soldiers groan and move.
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The main hall returns to its regular motion.
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But Metro and Paul stay there for one more second —Metro steps back from the hug, clearing his throat, trying to act like he didn't just melt into Paul's chest in front of half the fortress.
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He turns to Rose.
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Metro:
"Paul... — this is Rose."
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Rose gives a small respectful nod, but has a glowing grin. Eyes shining very brightly.
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Paul nods back with a gentle reassurance.
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Before anyone can speak, a man in overalls and a wide straw hat approaches.
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A skinny man, broad shoulders, dirt stained hands. Sun-burned neck.
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One of the lead farmhands — the kind that's been working the land before Metro arrived.
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He tips his hat.
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Strawhat:
"Metro. Paul. Miss Rose."
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He shifts a bundle of rope on his shoulder.
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"Ana's told us she'll be back with Blake in the morning. She says she'll be ready to help you use that green emerald... We're all excited to see it in action.. Get that magicalness to blossom proper like."
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Straw hat's eyes gleam, with a longing dream.
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Metro and Rose exchange a look — anticipation, nerves.
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The farmhand continues, pride creeping into his voice.
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"And thanks to Paul here, we've got 40 acres, layered Native Rain style. Water hits the top section of the field first, funnels downward across the rows of trees, left to right... perfect motion.
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Every plant eats."
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Rose eyes widen — impressed — still radiant.
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Paul shrugs like it was nothing.
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Paul:
"Old tricks, still work."
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Another figure approaches: a woman carrying a woven basket, wearing an apron dusted with flour.
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Strawhat's wife.
Warm eyes. Strong posture. The kind of woman who can feed an army.
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Strawhat's wife: (old English accent)
"Lunch is ready for you and your friends. Set up on top of the cafeteria. Thought you all might be hungry."
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She gestures at the hall, soldiers talking, stirring.
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Metro nods gratefully.
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Rose smiles softly.
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Paul's expression is unreadable. Not cold. Not warm. Just watching. Measuring. Protective.
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The three of them climb the wooden stairs to the cafeteria's second floor/ a separate dining section.
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From above the cafeteria looks wider, somewhat calmer. A few soldiers eating, a few farm hands resting, the midday lull settling over the fortress. Not crowded, not loud. Just a working place catching its breath.
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Metro and Rose sit first. Close together, but not touching. Paul takes the opposite side, facing them directly. The position of someone who wants to see everything.
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The wooden table is simple, warm flatbreads, sliced smoked fish, boiled potatoes with herbs, a bowl of fresh greens, a small crock of butter, and a jug of water, amongst wooden cups.
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Nothing fancy. Filling, made by people who work with their hands.
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Paul doesn't touch the food yet. His jaw works once. Then he speaks — blunt, unfiltered.
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Paul:
"Alright, I'll say it straight."
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Metro looks up.
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Paul's voice stays low, but there's steel in it.
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"I don't like you here, and I damn sure don't like Ana and Blake coming back and forth to stay for good."
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Metro tenses, still watching Paul.
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"There's soldiers down there that would sell their own mother for a coin."
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He leans forward slightly, face stern.
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"You two need to be out of this place,
Sooner than later."
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Metro swallows.
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Rose's smile fades completely.
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"As soon as I finish that drying rack in the barn that Ana asked for... I'm headed back. And you —."
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(He points two fingers at Metro)
"You need to start thinking about how to disconnect from all of this...
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(Paul looks around unimpressed)
... whatever this evil is.
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(Stares at Metro)
" Before it eats you alive! Before it takes something you can't get back."
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Metro's breath catches. He doesn't argue. He can't.
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Rose shifts, her expression tighter now —
(something her mother said) echoes in her mind.
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She speaks quietly. Through the intensity.
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Rose: (weighted words)
"My mother, she said the same things, she thinks Metro is being naive, that the danger is inevitable."—Paul cuts her off.
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Paul:
"IT IS!”
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The words land like a hammer mallet.
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Metro finally tries to speak — voice low —
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Metro: (unsure of himself)
"Look, nothing bad has happened yet. I'm sure if we give it time, it could play out ok... right?"
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It's weak. Even he hears it.
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Paul's head snaps up.
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Paul: (Aggressive now)
"I wouldn't trust one word comin' out of that rat's mouth!"
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Metro freezes. His head drops.
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BOW!
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Paul smashes his fist on the table, eyes sharp, voice cutting over the balcony.
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Paul:
"Don't you go believin' a damn thing that man says!"
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SMASH! (He smacks table open palm strike) —
"ARE YOU LISTENING TO ME!?"
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The words hit like hammer blows.
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Metro looks up slowly — like a man being drilled with a truth he already knows but can't admit.
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His eyes show it.
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Rose watches him. Tightened worry.
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"You think time is gonna' fix this? Time is gonna' let that evil sink into your bones. Time is how they get you."
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Metro's throat works. He can't find a reply.
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Paul sits back down, still staring at Metro like he's trying to force the truth into him by force alone.
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His words are still hanging in the air like smoke.
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He looks down, tears a piece of bread, and eats slowly — eyes fixed on the distance, not Metro, not Rose.
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Trying to calm the burning fire inside himself.
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- FRONT GATE - CASTLE FORTRESS -
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Curtis thunders up the dirt road, his white eye patch flashing in the sun.
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Lilly sits tall in the saddle — hair wild, face set, a one woman army riding straight at the fortress.
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She pulls Curtis to a hard stop a ways from the gate.
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Dust settles around her, a gathered haze of sandy dirty clouds.
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Two guards lean over the battlements.
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Guard 1:
"Hey look! It's the cook!" — THERE
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Guard 2: "ALRIGHT! Miss Chef is back!"
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Guard 1: Open the gate!
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Guard 2:
"Yes chef!"
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The gate groans open.
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Lilly doesn't move, she sits mounted, staring them down like she's about to declare war.
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Sally trots over from the courtyard, ears perked, delighted to see Curtis.
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The two horses greet each other instantly — bumping noses, tails flickering, little excited hops.
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Lilly ignores it.
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She steps off Curtis with a stiff, furious grace.
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— scene continues —
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A red cardinal watches the front gate perched in a distant tree.
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Lilly stands like a storm.
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Rose bursts out of the main hall, sprinting across the dirt path. She slams into her mother's arms. Lilly holds her tight.
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Metro jogs toward them from the castle entrance --Slowly, cautious like, trying to read the situation.
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Metro: (waves)
"Hey... how's it going?"
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Lilly snaps towards him, like a whip, from the outside entrance —
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Lilly:
"HOW DARE YOU! steal my daughter away from me! You — Kidnapper!"
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She grabs Rose's arm.
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Rose:
"Mom!"
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Lilly: (trying to pull Curtis)
"Mount Curtis! We're leaving!"
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Curtis is busy flirting with Sally, circling her, nuzzling her neck, completely ignoring Lilly's commands.
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"CURTIS! Curtis! We are LEAVING!"
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Metro and Rose stand there stunned, like dead weight, witnessing Lilly tug and pull on Curtis, a losing battle.
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— Then the fortress erupts —
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All seventy soldiers pour out into the courtyard, boots pounding, voices rising.
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Paul watches from the cafeteria balcony, eyes wide, expressionless.
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Guard 1:
"Hey! That's the lady who brought the spices!"
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Guard 2:
"Alright! We're eating tonight!"
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Guard 3:
"YEAH! Mom's back! On three mates! Chip Chip —"
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Infantry:
"AAAAAYYY!"
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Hands shoot in the air.
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The courtyard becomes a celebration.
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Rose looks overwhelmed, distraught, confused.
Lilly looks utterly bewildered — like she's stepped in a fever dream. Metro's smile starts to creep in softly.
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The crowd parts, Lutheran approaches — tall and broad, the chosen infantry leader — the men clear out like he's royalty. He stops, arms crossed, curious, but amused.
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Lutheran stands in front of Lilly, looking down at her small furious frame. Mathias stands behind him.
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Lutheran: (Looks around, everywhere but Lilly)
"There she is lads!"
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"Master Chef goddess in the flesh!"
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The soldiers roar.
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Lilly is red in the face, still furious, she tries to snapback.
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Lilly:
"You've got another thing comin' if you think! —"
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She doesn't finish.
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Lutheran and Mathias scoop her up in one swift, practiced motion, hoisting her onto their shoulders like she's the champion of the entire kingdom.
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Lutheran:
"ANOTHER ONE! FOR YOUR HIGHNESS!
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Mathias:
"CHIP CHIP,"
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Everyone:
"AAAYYY!"
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Straw and gold hay fly into the air like confetti. The courtyard becomes a festival. Lilly kicks, face burning, hair wild.
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Lilly:
"DROP ME THIS INSTANT! PUT ME DOWN! RIGHT NOW!"
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She twists looking back over her shoulder — desperate — eyes darting for help.
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Metro, Rose, ...Curtis?
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Anyone.
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But the soldiers are too proud, too loud, too joyful.
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Random Soldier: (back of the crowd)
"We'll starve if you leave us!"
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The courtyard howls, a mix of laughter and agreeance.
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Paul watches from above, shaking his head slowly — like he's witnessing divine comedy
The soldiers march proudly with Lilly on their shoulders. Mathias and his men sing in unison, like she's the queen.
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Lutheran and Mathias drop Lilly in the main hall.
The soldiers scatter as Mathias barks.
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Mathias:
"Back to your post."
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The main Hall empties.
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Lilly spins on Rose, fury shaking in her voice.
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Lilly:
"I'm not staying. I don't care how nice these men present themselves to be, we're getting out of here.”
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She grabs Rose's wrists, tugging, turning away.
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Rose pulls back.
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Rose:
"Mom... no..."
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Lilly turns back, stopped in her tracks, her face falls — defeated — she releases Rose —
then turns that boiling hatred towards Metro.
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Just then —
Paul steps in from the side corridor, wiping his hands on a rag, expression flat, like a stone.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡO1fjSHWgSY
He delivers.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡvMS4rnCdVg
Paul:
"Forgive them."
They've all taken blows to the head...
some recently."
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Paul steps forward slightly, announcing his presence.
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I'm sorry for their behavior, the lifting, the yelling, for the hay, you deserve better than that, you deserve a proper welcome —Not whatever that was."
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Paul lifts her hand towards his face.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡErHzNcHvbo
"My name is Paul...
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡSt1BAxOeuK
"...it's a pleasure to meet you."
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His lips close in on the back of her hand, but his mouth never connects
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(head bowed slightly)
"And you are?"
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Lilly looks confused, flustered, simmering down. She gently takes her hand back, looking away towards the ground, trying to fix her hair, and looks back to Rose, with sort of a desperate look.
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Lilly: (Looking at Paul with interest, but reluctance)
"I'm Lilly, ugh, Rose's mother.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCINJvogPk3
"C'mon, Rose, let's go home."
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡCzGQGDsoja
Rose stands her ground.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡHLdH98agCb
Rose:
"Mom, I told you, I'm staying...at least for a little while..."
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Lilly looks longingly, and fearfully at Rose.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡzmlXZassv7
Everyone notices her love for her child.
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Metro steps forward gently, palms open.
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Metro: (gazes longingly at Lilly)
"I don't want anyone to be upset... we should head upstairs, to my room, it's private, and we can all talk there, away from everyone, if that's ok with you..."
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Lilly looks at him — upset, then blank, expression wiped clean as she tries to hold herself together.
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Metro:(nods)
"Let's go."
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Metro turns and leads the way up the cafeteria stairs. He glances back at Lilly, then Rose. Some follow unwillingly, the tension shifts, an uneasy procession toward the upper hallway. The air feels tight — like the next words spoken upstairs might change everything. The chamber door closes.
The moment the wooden door creaks shut and clicks. Lilly's breath breaks. She tries to speak, voice sharp with fear and anger —
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Lilly:
"I can't lose her. Not to this place. Not to any of this —"
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Her voice snaps. Her knees buckle. She collapses down to the floor, hitting the stone floor, her whole body folding in on itself.
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A raw, helpless sob escapes her.
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Rose drops instantly, wrapping her arms around her mother from behind, holding her tight as Lilly cries into her shoulder.
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Lilly's voice trembles (barely audible)
"I... I just want my daughter safe..."
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Her fingers clutch Rose, voice trembling, like she's terrified to let go. Metro stands frozen, unsure, guilt and worry tighten him. Paul watches, jaw set, waiting for the right moment.
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Metro kneels down slowly, giving her space, voice low and steady.
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Metro: (whispers)
" Lilly."
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(Slightly higher tone) "I do care deeply for your daughter, more than I know how to say."
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Lilly doesn't look up — she can't —Metro continues, honest and exposed.
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"I'm with a notorious leader.
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I'm stuck here at this fortress for now, and I can't leave just yet.
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(looks down)
I don't have that freedom."
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"But I'm hoping…
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(head up toward Lilly's)
things will turn out,
maybe I could be released."
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡUkrlddwXnv
(looks Rose, then Lilly)
"I won't keep anyone here against their will.
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Not ever.
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I just want everyone safe."
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The room goes still. Lilly continues to cry softly, unable to lift her head. Rose holds her tighter.
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Then looks at her mother, voice soft, but steady.
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Rose:
"He's ok mom, I can feel it."
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Lilly sobs soften even more, but she still can't look up. Paul kneels down beside them — slowly, gently, grounding the room.
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He speaks gently, but with that unmistakable Paul bluntness.
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Paul:
"She's grown, ma'am.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡL2gAiLDFDY
You raised her right."
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Lilly's breath steadies just a little.
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He adds.
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Paul: (tired, half smiled)
"You can't go dragging her home like a sack of potatoes anymore."
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Rose lets out a tiny laugh through her tears. Metro's lip twitches. Paul places his hand on her back gently — reassuring her, catching her gaze faithfully.
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡOool2VSFBY
Paul:
"She's not lost. She's chosen."
6Please respect copyright.ＰＥＮＡＮＡ5KRtm4nckL
Lilly inhales, looks up at Paul, eyes red, exhaling, face wet, breath calming. She takes her time to look at all three of them. For the first time since she stormed the castle… She isn't fighting. She's surrounded. She's held.
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She's heard.
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— Scene fades —
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— FRONT ENTRANCE FORTRESS —
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– LATE AFTERNOON —
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The courtyard is calm, blue birds are heard chirping, flying through the green skies.
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Paul and Lilly step out into the cool air, walking side by side toward the wheat and hay fields swaying under the late light.
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Lilly keeps her arms folded, eyes low, voice still shaky.
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Lilly:
"Do you think it's safe here?"
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Paul doesn't sugar coat it. He never does.
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Paul:
"No. It's not safe."
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They walk a few more steps.
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"They're safer with us than alone. That's the only thing I know for sure."
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Lilly exhales, long and trembling.
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Paul glances at her, then adds:
"I'm thinking of a way out. For all of us. Haven't figured it out yet."
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—He glances at her, then offers a dry weary truth.
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"You know, Metro looked like he was about to pass out when you stormed him. I've never seen him that scared before."
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Lilly: (turns, satisfied)
"... Good."
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Paul smirks.
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Lilly:
"They're crazy if they think I'm cooking again, for all those men, like before."
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Paul shakes his head.
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Paul: (soft smile)
"You should see what they cook when you're not here.
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(A long beat)
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Actually, no...
You shouldn't."
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Lilly laughs — a real one this time — short, tired but genuine.
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The wind blows the wheat around them. Lilly's hair flows dramatically with it. Her brownish grey streaks glowing magically in the field.
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Lilly:
"Paul, how did you end up here? With them?"
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They walk a few more steps before Paul exhales, long, and tired.
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He doesn't look at her when he speaks.
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Paul:
"I've known Metro for a long time now. Ana took him in when he was a young, he calls her Ani... she's watched over him ever since he was a toddler. I know him because of her. Metro, Blake and I trade often.
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They're like sons to me.
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His face tightens.
"I hate that they're wrapped up in this mess...
... with Theron, and the military."
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He glances toward the distant castle walls, eyes narrowing in disgust. Vision directly on the king's banner...
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and then Add to home screen.