wind that seemed to carry words between the trees. He listened more carefully, there were words on the wind. Morelin walked towards the sound and the words grew in their clarity. He stepped towards a clearing and gasped. Beneath the dusk moon, a woman sat, singing to the ground, as vibrant blood red flowers bloomed at her words. Morelin, like all the Ilma, could speak to plants and command them to grow. It was the only part of his power that had been bestowed by Gadrika when the gift of the Ilma had been forged, yet he used it little. Morelin was a warrior, he needed his powers to be a weapon.
He stood in the shadow of the trees, watching her as she worked.
From that moment the doom of Morelin was locked and the greatest tragedy of the Ilma’s youth was set in motion. He had heard rumours of Lucarnia and had seen her once as a child but in her womanhood, no story could convey her beauty. Her skin absorbed the red light of the moon and gave it back in greater beauty. Un-like Morelin, she had no red scales but instead lines like roots came down from her eyes and clung delicately all the way down her cheeks. She was slender like a flower in spring, but Morelin could feel the strength of the trees in her.
A wind rose around Morelin and seemed to flutter around Lucarnia. He watched as a smile crept onto her lips. She sang again and a beautiful red flower bloomed. Her gaze fell suddenly towards him, “Come out fair lord and bask in the light. Umoria will soon come across the glade and their light will mix. Come and see the flowers, you are upsetting the trees.”
Nervously Morelin stepped into the glade. He bowed slightly; his hand pressed against his forehead. She did the same, “Hail lord of the Ilma.” Her eyes went to the silver flower pin on his shoulder, “You are of the house of Mina?”
Morelin stared into her piercing green eyes that seemed so strange from the golden irises he was used to, “I am Morelin Diactra.” He said in a shaking voice, “From the town of Minagrin.”
“It is a pleasure.” She said as she turned back towards the flowers.
“You must be Lucarnia Bitaran, daughter of the wood king.”
She nodded and Morelin stepped closer to her and as he did, Umoria moved across the sky and gave its silver light to the clearing and it mingled, as she had said, with the light of Aradtoria.
“Tell me wood daughter, how did you know I was here?” He asked.
“You said it in the name you give me. We who live in the wood, hear the trees and many do not like the hearts of the Ilma, who chop them down for their machines of war.” She laughed like it was some joke, but Morelin hesitantly looked towards the trees, his power reaching out to silence the wind that blew through them. His eyes then went down to the flower, “This is livora.” He said, “That grows only on the lands where the kin of Drage have lived.”
She looked up at him, taking in the lines of his face, “It was sent over by my family who reside over the ocean. It does not like our soil so I must force it to grow.” She pulled a seed from the top of one of the flowers and placed it in Morelin’s hand, “Perhaps you could grow them in your garden my lord.”
Author: Jacob Andrew Bower
This universe is just one in a long line of failed universes. In those before, beings beyond our comprehension played with the fabric of reality and manipulated the lives of those they created. Learning from their creations love, jealousy and eventually a hate that sparked wars between them until they ripped the universe apart and the cycle started again.
In Besan Gretan, the realm that is, Gadrika, God of life, hearing the echoes of those before him, decided to give select mortals the powers to level the playing field so that this universe could reach its chosen path.
The Ilma, so majestic in form and spirit, were chosen custodians of the universe but greed comes often to those already with power. Dark events drove them from their righteous path and the Graul, the servant race, were gifted powers so that the Ilma did not become tyrants in their toppling of the Gods.
Empires were split at this decision and the Ilma, now spread far across the stars, battled for dominion over the universe. Peace came at a heavy price and in that ruin, the Ilma sort for a chance to turn themselves back to a proper path. They sort for a new power, one not foretold by the Gods and in their search, they found Humanity. A love for mankind came swiftly to the Ilma, who saw in humanity the true custodians of the universe. Through experiments they tried to merge their DNA with ours, to give the powers bestowed upon them to the people of Earth. Then they departed, to allow Humanity to thrive and waited for any sign of their success…
Walking as a child they found him
The secret knight of earth
Though the humans he called kin
Their skin they hid his birth
but he was of a greater kind
A power he had within
That only tragedy could find
in the mountains heart therein
And like a god he rose among the rest
and found the wicked heart
And they battled through a deadly test
that tore the stars apart.
A god fell from the sky
with the devil in his head
And the knight of earth saw him lie
with those of the Islands dead
Part of the poem, The Tragic knights of Earth- Author Unknown
Pilot Scene 11
Andrew walks in and shakes Kevin’s hand.
Kevin:
Take a seat.
Andrew sits down.
Kevin:
Glad to finally meet you.
Andrew:
Mark recommended you highly.
Kevin:
That’s because it’s not easy being his agent.
Andrew:
I know, I feel sorry for you.
Kevin:
I want to know what I did in a past life to deserve that. Now I don’t usually take on Actors but let’s be honest you aren’t going to be walking on many red carpets for a while.
Andrew:
I’m desperate to get my past behind me.
Kevin:
I have your press stops for during the shoot and post shoot.
Andrew takes a sheet and reads through it carefully, his eyes widening.
Andrew:
Am I sleeping at any point?
Kevin:
Mark’s a household name, I only need to stick him on a few news outlets and he can upset everybody. You though are now what we call a nobody, unless anyone remembers the beardless young kid on the soaps for a year. I need you on every television in the country. Mark isn’t acting, people will be seeing you and they need to see you. You think this press tour will be tough, you wait until near the release, then you will be wishing you played a sport instead of acting.
Andrew:
Guess I better stock up on coffee.
End Scene
Pilot scene 10
Daniel and Louise are working on the script.
Daniel:
You got that down.
Louise:
He got that scar from a Ukrainian woman when on detail.
Louise puts down her sheet of paper.
Louise:I mean come on, is that really necessary?
Daniel:
Mark wants it in the scene.
Louise:
Of course he does.
Pause in dialogue while Daniel writes something down.
Daniel:
The Choreographers are not going to like me doing their work for them.
David walks in.
David:
Just let them come up with their own thing, Mark won’t notice anyway.
Louise:
But he will notice the scar.
Daniel looks frustrated.
David:
A scar?
Daniel:
Its character development.
David:
For who?
Louise:
The Gym instructor.
David:
Really? He’s in what, like four scenes?
Daniel:
Six actually.
David:
Cut it.
Daniel:
But Mark says.
David:
Mark is a producer, I am the director. The line will only be cut by the editors, save them the job and cut it now.
Louise:
It would be my absolute pleasure.
Daniel:
How’s Peter?
David:
Anxious for us to get started, is Mark back yet?
Daniel:
No?
David:
Call me when he is. I want you both in my office to look at alternative scenes. I want you in as well Louise. If you can print off the pilot, we can make the changes.
Daniel shakes his head at her.
Daniel:
Actually, David can I have a word about that?
Daniel stands up and follows David out to the hall.
David:
You don’t want to write it?
Daniel:
I don’t
David:
We need an alternative scene. Peter has got studio heads after the rights to this pilot but they are worried that we keep making mistakes. I’m worried about that too and I won’t have this being another.
Daniel:
I get that but I can’t be the one to do it. I can’t mess with Mark’s legacy like that.David:
We need this scene. I might be all smiley Mr nice guy.
Daniel:
I swear none of us think that.
David:
Get it done
Daniel:
I will look at some ideas, see if we can draw something from one of his other books but we won’t use it unless it gets out to the public.
David:
Okay.
Daniel:
And we keep it away from Mark.
David:
I want to see a plan on my desk by the end of the day.
Suddenly the hallway door opens and Mark walks in.
Mark:
Hey guys.
David:
How was Sarah?
Mark:
Yeah brilliant, she’s got everything sorted and I ran into Andrew he’s looking in real great shape.
David:
That’s good.
There is an awkward silence as Mark looks around.
Mark:
Everything all okay?
David:
Everything is fine.
David turns towards Daniel.
David:
I will see you at the end of the day.
David walks off. Mark walks up to Daniel.
Mark:
What does he want to see you about?
Daniel:
Nothing, just something that came up while you were away. Nothing you need to worry about.
Mark:
Good.
He pokes his head through the door.
Mark:
Hey Louise.
Louise:
Mark.
Mark:
Aren’t you a little Ray of sunshine.
Louise gives him an evil smile.
Louise:
It comes from reading this poor excuse for a book.
Mark:
That poor excuse for a book is keeping you employed.
Louise:
And that’s why I cry myself to sleep every night cradling a bottle of wine.
Mark laughs and steps back out towards Daniel.
Mark:
I like her, she will go far in this business. How is the scene coming along?
Daniel:
Yeah, we are getting there. You want to take a look?
Mark:
Later I just need to go over this bar scene quickly. I will pop in when I’m finished.
Mark goes into his office, Daniel walks into his grabs some sheets from his desk and hands them to Louise.
Daniel:
Can you finish these off for me?
Louise:
What are you doing?
Daniel looks down.
Daniel:
Alternative scenes.
end scene
Pilot Scene 9
Elizabeth is at her desk writing when harper walks in.
Harper:
Someone just sent this through, said you would like to see it.
Elizabeth looks up at it and takes the document from Harper
Elizabeth:
Who was it?
Harper:
Some guy, said he used to work with you when you worked for that television company.
Elizabeth seems shocked
Elizabeth:
It wasn’t Mark was it?
Harper:
The writer? No some weird dude with glasses, said he worked on the social media team.
Elizabeth nods and begins reading the document.
Harper:
Wasn’t Mark your boyfriend?
Elizabeth:
He was.
Harper:
What happened?
Elizabeth:
Never date a genius.
Harper:
Why not?
Elizabeth’s eyes widen as she continues to read the paper.
Harper:
What is it?
Elizabeth:
Down stairs, are they covering the school?
Harper:
Yeah.
Elizabeth:
Any updates?
Harper:
He’s still there, they are trying to get demands to him. We have a source that believes they are going to storm the place.
Elizabeth:
Oh Mark.
She slowly places down the piece of paper.
Elizabeth:
We all told you not to do it.
Harper seems confused.
Harper:
What is it?
Elizabeth:
It’s the script for the pilot that is about to start shooting. The pilots written by Mark and it says that Incels deserve to die.
Harper:
A good time to be saying that. What are you going to do?
Elizabeth:
I’m going to write an article about it. Same old Mark Wilson taking out his personal vendetta on Incel’s. Sparking hatred and isolation for a group whose spend all their lives feeling hatred and isolation.
Harper:
He always seems so good on the TV. Is he really like that?
Elizabeth smiles sadly.
Elizabeth:
No but its what the media will want to hear.
end scene
That was the final word spoken. The twins launched from the earth and landed with a flurry of water and flame onto many waiting archers. A great wind rose up and Sirgrin lifted on his wingsuit and from above, he rained fire down upon the waiting Graul. Dusan found cover and from there he fired his metal tipped arrows into any Graul that fled from Sirgrin’s and the twin’s onslaught.
Suda stood back, still afraid to reveal himself, so it was Ogra who attacked the southern lord. A great many metal knives Ogra threw, all of them tossed aside and from the sky, the lord brought lightening that crashed into the ground with a tremendous bang. Ogra whipped his Lucrax forward, causing the Ilma lord to backtrack, hurling pieces of stone and water to deflect the spinning blade. More lightning strikes landed, causing Dusan and Loxa to take cover but Ogra ignored it all, constantly forcing back his enemy. There was another flash in the sky and a bolt of lightning charged towards Ogra, but he knew not who he faced. The Lucrax, made of a special metal, that channelled the power of the user, shot towards the heavens and the bolt of lightning soared into it. It glowed a violent red and with that increased power, Ogra drove it through the Ilma lord’s chest. His eyes dilated and a venomous curse fell from his lips as he collapsed at the feet of Ogra. The remainder of the Graul fell swiftly to their barrage and calm silence filled the near lifeless town.
Out 17/08/2021
Available for pre-order at the Kindle store.
With the release of the Sundering of the Two moons. The Escape from Humanity and Vengeance of the Gods have received a make-over. Check out the new covers below.
“I hate it.” Idris said as he walked in, pulling at his own red shirt. His red hair was combed backwards, held there by a band of leather.
“Behave.” Lavia said as she came in behind him. She now wore a gown of white, beautifully framing her body.
“Father.” Idris said, standing in front of Suda, hands on his hips, “Why do I have to wear this?”
A girl followed him in. She was also dressed in white, and she had a silver ribbon in her red hair. Alina, Suda’s oldest daughter, smiled at him. Finally, a toddler stumbled into the room. Belia was Suda’s youngest child, and she also pulled at the dress she was wearing.
Suda knelt in front of his son, “Now Idris.” His voice was stern, “Tonight we celebrate Gadrika and the food that he blessed us with. We must dress for such an occasion.” A smile appeared on Suda’s face, and he whispered, “And if you are good, I will let you stay up late to watch the fire dancers.”
A smile grew on Idris’s face, and he bounced on the balls of his feet.
Lavia coughed, “Have you forgotten Suda?”
“No I have not.” He replied as he stood and walked to his dresser. He pulled from it a small scabbard, which held a short metal knife. He turned, smiling at the young boy who watched the knife curiously, “Now Idris.” Suda knelt before his son, “Today you are six harvest festivals away from becoming a ward. For this reason, you shall receive your first blade, as I did at your age.” Idris smiled gleefully as Suda fastened the blade to the boy’s belt, “Look after it well. My father had it made for me.”
Idris nodded and charged out of the room, most likely to show his friends. Alina and Belia ran up to Suda expectantly.
“I have not forgotten you both.” He said and walking back to his dresser, he pulled out two bright red flowers. Kneeling beside them, he wove the stems into both of the girls silver bands, “These grow only in the soil around Amoradrage, or upon lands where the Drage family have lived. They are a gift from Livella, showing our connection to her. Wear them tonight and the vassal of light will bless this house.”
The two girls left, both standing taller, like grace personified.
Suda stood and kissed his wife upon her lips. From his desk he took up another cutting of livora and handed it to Lavia, “For the one who holds my heart.” He whispered.
She smiled and wove the flower into a loop at her breast. Together they left for the grand reception hall. Musicians played and Ilma from the merchant families danced, drank, and ate.
At their entrance there was silence and Suda stood, arm in arm with his wife and addressed the crowd, “Happy harvest to you all.” His voice echoed in the hall, “Bless Gadrika for the life that he has given to us. May the tapestry that he weaves continue to bring you all and the realm of Dragor prosperity. Today we shall celebrate the gift that Gadrika has given us and celebrate the gift of eachother. May the stars guide you all.”
A cheer went up in the hall and then the guests went back to their feasting and dancing. Suda stepped towards an old woman. Her hair was white, and her face wrinkled. She knelt by Alina and entertained the girl with a trick that made the fire the old woman produced, change colours. It was rare for a woman of the Ilma to be able to still use her power at that age. With every child of the Ilma born, the mother diminished, part of her own power going into the child. That was the reason twins were rare, or it was unusual for women to have more than three children. Lavia could barely produce a flame now but what she lost in power; motherhood gave back in beauty.
“Mother.” Suda smiled as he approached the old woman. Alina looked fondly at her father before running off to follow Idris. The old woman turned towards Suda.
“You look regal my son.” His mother said, her gaze fell downwards as she examined the sword at his belt.
“It suited father better.” He replied. His gaze swept across the party goers. He had spent many harvest festivals with his men, staying in inns where no one cared that he was the heir apparent to Dragor.
“Your father never liked the harvest festival.”
“He never liked celebrating.”
His mother gave a hearty laugh, “He was a pious man. He believed in celebrating the gods every day, but you are not cut from his cloth.”
Suda nodded as his mother left him in search of food. His father had not been a ward for any lord or learned much of fighting. Unlike all the other first born of the house of Dragor, his father had spent the years between his coming of age and his rise to lordship, studying in the church of Brinsita. Suda believed that was why, when need for battle came, that he had been wounded so badly.
Lavia came and kissed her husband before taking the children out to enjoy the festival. As he sat, Ordin and Loxa grabbed harps and began to sing for the hall. Their voices were sweet, and they sang songs of Gadrika, just as well as they sang songs of debauchery in small village taverns. As they sang, Sirgrin came and sat next to him, “My lord.” He whispered, “You should go to the square and be amongst your people.”
Suda’s heart warmed at the thought, but he shook his head, “My father never went out to the festival grounds.”
“Your father believed he must rule from inside these walls.” Sirgrin said, “But you are not your father, and you are well loved by the people. You can be a different lord than he.”
Others would not have spoken to him so, but Suda had helped raise Sirgrin and he trusted his counsel above most others.
Suda nodded and stood, his shirt feeling a bit lighter as he stepped out into the cool autumn air. Two Graul soldiers followed him, there red shirts shining, a black dragon embroided on their chests. People cheered at the sight of their lord and Suda walked through the streets, smiling at Graul and Ilma who danced and sang under the stars.
Categories
Pilot: Scene 8
Pilot Scene 8
Mark enters into the set warehouse and looks around. Smiles at a worker before walking towards Sarah.
Mark:
Sarah, the concept art just came through.
Sarah walks over and takes it from him.
Sarah:
This is perfect. I will hand it over to our design team and see what they can come up with.
What do you reckon?
Mark looks over to the bar and pulls out his notebook.
Mark:
Yeah its great. Do you mind if I go and have a look?
Sarah:
It’s your set.
Mark walks over to a bar set and starts making some notes in his notebook.
Adam:
Mr Wilson.
Mark turns around and smiles.
Mark:
Yeah?
Adam:
Can I get you anything?
Mark:
A coffee would be great thanks. Adam right?
Adam:
Yes sir.
Mark: Just a coffee, milk no sugar. Cheers.
Adam disappears and Mark continues to look at the set. Suddenly Sarah comes back.
Sarah:
Like it?
Mark walks around the set.
Mark:
Yeah its perfect. How many days are we shooting in here?
Sarah:
You are booked in for four days before we tear the space down for a bedroom.
Mark looks around again.
Mark:
I can make it two. If we put a camera here and here. *Add que* the focal point of the scene stays just in this area. We can get both shots in one hit.
Sarah:
Would make our life easier on the day.
Mark:
Speak to Josh, the camera man, he will get the rigs set up.
Mark looks over at another set being built. He swallows hard.
Mark:
Is that the school?
Sarah smiles.
Sarah:
Yeah, should have it finished in a couple of days.
Mark:
Great. He pauses. I’m just going to have a walk around.
Adam:
Mr Wilson, your coffee.
Mark takes the coffee and starts walking around. He suddenly Notices Andrew sat at a desk.
Mark:
Hey.
Andrew stands up and the two men hug.
Mark:
What are you doing down here?
Andrew:
They are just sorting me out with wardrobe.
Mark:
Already?
Andrew:
Well no one seems to be able to tell me when we are going to start shooting.
Mark:
We are getting there.
Andrew:
Really?
Mark:
Yeah the pilots almost ready just finalising the last bit now. Trust me once we start it will fly by these things take time. Apparently
Andrew:
I know Mark this isn’t my first Tv show.
Mark laughs.
Mark:
No but it is mine. Trust me if I knew it was going to be this much trouble I would have took the teaching job and never been a writer.
Andrew:
I don’t know kid. I think you have a talent for it. I haven’t had the chance yet to thank you for this.
Mark:
It’s fine man really.
Mark leans on a table
Andrew:
How’s David?
Mark:
Grouchy as ever, I don’t know why he took this job but he’s likely to give himself a heart attack.
Andrew:
Probably wanted to get out the house. How is his wife?
Mark:
Fine yeah. Mark suddenly notices the screen. Horses?Andrew:
I’m not gambling I swear.
Mark stands up.
Mark:
Come on Andrew. You promised me when I got you this job that you wasn’t going to be gambling anymore. I have enough problems I can’t have you doi-
Andrew:
Mark, I just stuck it on. I’m not gambling I swear.
Mark:
Good.
A little bit of tension.
Mark:
Listen. Fancy getting a drink down the oyster tonight? Get out and forget all the nonsense going around.
Andrew:
Yeah sounds good
Mark:
Half seven then
Mark drinks his coffee. Andrew looks at him.
Andrew:
This school thing?
Mark:
It’s not going to be an issue. Hey I’ve got to get back I’ve left Daniel writing a scene and if I don’t get back he may have gone off my notes but trust me a couple of weeks and we can start shooting. This is the way to the top my friend. I assure you.
Andrew:
I believe you.
Camera pans around Andrew as he stares at the screen fiddling with a coin in his pocket.
Categories
Pilot: Scene 7
Pilot Scene 7
Scene time: 1.12
David goes and meets Peter in a restaurant, he sits down with the studio head and the waitress comes over. Silent conversation as David orders.
Peter:
A salad is a bit light isn’t it.
David:
Mark usually grabs us all something greasy when he comes back from the studio. I’m looking forward to it.
Peter:
That stuff will kill you.
Peter stops as David looks down.
Peter:
I’m Sorry. How is Abby?
David:
She’s responding well to the treatment, the nights are still tough but I think she will get through it.
Peter nods.
Peter:
How are things going with the show?
David:
We are getting there slowly The last few pieces are fitting into place. Once we get the script finalised, we should be ready to start
Peter:
I’ve got studio heads chomping at the bit for this adaptation.
David looks up excitedly
Peter:
Not to mention the media hype that Mark’s working on the project.
David:
Anyone made us an offer yet?
Peter:
No. News keeps getting out about delays and casting troubles. People think we are dead in the water already.
David:
Daniel and Mark are putting together an amazing pilot and the books a best seller.
Peter shrugs
Peter:
A point we could get across if we had a media manager.
David:
No-one wants the role.
Peter:
Why?
David:
We keep making very public mistakes.
Peter:
Someone told me about a line in the book about children or something. Is it going to be an issue?
David:
Mark doesn’t think so
Peter:
What about everyone else?
David:
They think it’s going to be an issue. Only if it gets out though.
Peter:
Mark might be loved for his sharp wit and smile by teenage girls but the intellectuals hate him.
David:
That’s what you get for being a genius.
Peter:
It will get out and if It’s in the show it will re-surface in six months time.
David:
I know. But try telling that to a writer
Peter shrugs
Peter:
Send him to me, I will have a talk with him.
David:
You might be the only one who can get into him.
End Scene.
Knights of Earth Publications 