Chapter 4 Comely's Quest (Screen Play)

EXT: Prince Comely walks along the banks of the Wharf District. Ships of all sizes are being built. There is a hum of activity in the boatyards he passes. He pauses before a sign that reads, Wright's Small boats and Nautical Hardware.

KINDRED: "Are you Samuel Wright?" he inquires?

WRIGHT: "The same, what brings you?" he eyes his customer, wondering if he is serious and has enough money for the wares.

Kindred: You come well recommended "I'm looking for a small boat."

WRIGHT: {Gives him the once-over. Our boats are top of the line, built to the most exacting of standards. They are robust and hale. We have rowboats, skiffs, and polled barges of all sizes and shapes. Our clients are men of means. The young man before him is plainly dressed yet does not have the cut of a fisher or riverman. He wonders if he is wasting his time. "There are plenty merchants along the quay with an inventory of second hand boats."

Kindred: I want something new, freshly built that is sturdy and well suited to a swift current and rock strewn rapids. Yet one that is light enough to portage.

Wright: Seems to know what he wants. "I've something in the back, its pricy but stout. My apprentice built it for his own and placed it with me on consignment."

He leads Kindred down into the yard and in the corner lays a large skiff. It has a plank covered bow and hatched compartment underneath. It is sixteen feet in length with a spacious girth.

Wright: she has a solid oak keel and is planked with mahogany. All the accoutrements go with it, and they fetch a tidy sum. Built for the open sea, but too small for most. A bit more than anyone wants to pay for a river craft. I can give you a good deal."

Kindred looks at the shiny brass locks, oars, small mast with a tidy sail stowed inside. He lifts it to check the weight.

Kindred: "I'll take it."

Wright: "You've not heard the price."

Kindred: "How dull of me... What are you asking?"

Wright: She's worth every bit of ten pounds...still.... he prepares to drop the price.

Kindred opens his purse and drops a King's Head coin, on the table. "You can keep the sail. Deliver it to the pier yonder and leave it tied to the landing."

Wright: My pleasure. Will wonders never cease?

Kindred stands on the landing. He's gathered supplies for the journey. His peasants garb disguise is not very convincing but nobody seems to notice or care... Except of the wright, who he left scratching his head.. He loads his new belongings into the boat and pushes off into the river. It's late afternoon and a breeze blows from the West.

This is the opportunity I've been waiting for. He thinks to himself. It's a job well suited to my talents and a task I intend to accomplish it.

He tests the oars and the boat responds. He dips them into the flow and the skiff surges forward. Two and a half days beyond lay the great falls which marked the border between his father's realm and the lands beyond. As he floats along he ponders how he might accomplish his task.

Hmmm, he thinks to himself, First I must decide what to do. That seems easy enough... Find the Magic Kingdom. Once I find it.... well that's another matter entirely. So, first things first. What do I know for sure? I know it's a Magical Realm, so if I see magical creatures, I must be near. I need to keep a particular eye out for dragons. Still, I'm baffled by this whole notion of magic, except for a few card tricks and some sleight of hand I learned from my brother. He showed me how to make a lady's scarf appear, as out of thin air by pulling it out from inside my sleeve... not that I'm interested in impressing some foolish young girl. I'm letting my mind wander. Drat! I need to get back on track. It must lie somewhere to the East or West of the river. Father said it was this side of the Great Falls...something about open plains and an enchanted forest. For now I need to get to the headwaters of the Great Falls, to begin my search, To start with I'll go East and if that doesn't pan out, try my luck on the Western side.

On the afternoon of the second day he puts to Backwater, the last town before reaching the falls. There he purchases some essentials. He'd been in a hurry to leave and could tell he was getting "Gamey" from rowing all day. In a dry goods store he buys some soap, changes of clothing, an extra pair of sandals and a waterproof pouch made of oil skin. In addition he purchases some rainy weather ponchos. At the butcher he buys some dried beef and at the baker a dozen loaves of bread. So provisioned he returns to his boat and waving to the sentry, sets off once more down the river.

That evening he rounds a bend and notes the terrain was changing. On the Eastern bank is a dark forest and on the Western side a grassy plateau. This must be the uninhabited No Man's land Father told me about. The current begins flowing faster and he heard the falls in the distance. Seeing a small beach the Prince puts ashore. It is bordered by a forest and a pathway ambled out from underneath the lofty branches of a stand of forbidding old trees. It is several hours before dawn when he pulls his rowboat well above the high water mark. Yawning, he settlesa down to get some sleep. I must awaken at the break of dawn to take full advantage of daylight. He awakes and makes camp beneath a large outcropping of rocks. The path leading into the forest is dark and uninviting. Across the river he sees a plain that seems to stretch on forever.

I think I'll start my search on the other side. He rows into the stream and notes the swift current. Straining he reaches the other bank. So, my quest begins.

After walking about an hour the plain descends into a valley and a new vista unfolds before him. He sees animals grazing and to his amazement great herds of wilde-beast. As he ambles along he hears hoofs and take refuge in a gully. A Unicorn and her foal pass right in front of him. He marveles at seeing the magical creatures for the first time. Ahhaw! I bet if I follow they'll lead me straight to the Magical Realm. He climbs from his hiding place and begins tracking their hoof prints. Can't be letting them get too far ahead. they seem to be heading back towards the river

He trails them cautiously and they same to follow the same track he took earlier. They reach the river above his boat and plunge into the waters. They are strong swimmers and in no time they reach the far bank. They emerge from the waters dripping wet. The foal stares at him for a long moment before following his mother into the dark forest. He jumps in his boat and rows to the small beach near his campsite. He pulls the craft high onto the bank.

The tracks of the Unicorn's are clearly evident and they lead into the forbidding archway of towering conifers. It is evening and the sun is about to set. Tomorrow I'll follow their tracks and see where the tail leads. If I'm not mistaken It should be Magical Kingdom. Satisfied that matters were proceeding well, Prince Comely returned to his campsite. He'd chosen it because it stood beneath an outcropping of rocks that gave some shelter and blocked the wind. He settles into a deep slumber that last until early morning. He is jerked suddenly awake by the sound of wolves.

Judging by their howls and excited barking they are close upon their quarry. He climbs atop the overhead rock and looks to the trail leading from the woods. Just as he does, he spies a young woman in a white dress fleeing for her life. She is tall with Red hair flowing behind. Her hands hold high the hem of her dress and long shapely legs stretch out in in a hasty sprint. Straight for the river she runs, a veritable blur of white, elbows pumping and her dress swishing this way and that. Not far behind comes the yipping and is yapping of the wolves as they broke from the forest. Upon reaching the bank she notes his boat and hardly misses a stride. Taking hold the bow, she leans in with her shoulder and began sliding it along the sand. As the stern floats she throws herself aboard just in the nick of time. The leading wolf, a huge beast, lunges and grabs the wooden prow, shaking it back and forth. The young girl, raises an oar and hefts it high, swinging it down atop his head. The wolf turns loose shrinking back in fear. Like and animal her face is contorted and her lips curl as she snarls back at them in defiance.

Prince Comely watches the whole thing unfold in wide eyed disbelief. What kind of woman is this? He exhales in a mixture of wonder and awe, watching as his boat drifts out into the stream. Then his heart clutches. OMG! He cries out in warning. "Row to the other bank, NOW!" his voice is fraught with despair.

She looks up, noting him atop the rock. She waves back and tries to shout something.

Having just narrowly escaped death she doesn't yet appreciate the gravity of her situation. "Row to the Other bank!" he cries again and gestures down the river.

She doesn't get the message. Instead she seats herself, takes the tiller and points the bow downstream. Comely jumps frantically up and down!

She looks back over her shoulder and gives him an uncomprehending look.

"That way! That Way! Row That Way!" he shouts pointing and gesturing to no avail. In an agony of helplessness he watches her drawn towards the falls.

Almost too late he realizes his own peril. The angry wolves, hearing his voice were now nearly upon him. Without further thought he jumps from the rock and makes a mad scramble for the river bank. Racing across the sand he takes three long strides and dives into the river. The pack followes, close at his heels... then sensing the danger halts abruptly and begins pacing and barking.

The current draws him into the fast waters and he swims with all his strength. Soon, he is carried into the rapids, buffeted by the rocks. The undertow sucks him down and releases its grip. Bobbing to the surface he is lifted by the torrent and tossed by the wild current. Ahead he sees his boat carried over the edge. Once more the undertow draws him under once more and he pops to the surface. His life passes before his very eyes.

"You show me and I'll show you, a distant voice cycles dreamily through his awareness. It's replaced by another pleading, Don't die on me Cumm-Ley, they'll make me king, On the verge of passing out he is suddenly free falling through the air. In slow motion the Prince began cartwheels and straightening at the last instant, he plunges into the deep waters. HIs feet hit bottom and push up, as he strains to hold his breath. At the last possible instant his head surfaces and lungs suck a huge gulp of water. ...And I almost found the Magic Kingdom he sighs, losing consciousness.

Strong hands pulled him roughly into the boat.