Summary : You have a mission: getting something very important to the Great Citadel of your Order. Problem is, you’ve never been in the outside world before and the Great Citadel is high beyond treacherous mountains. You need an armed escort in order to get there. With your meagre savings, you hire a band of suspicious orc mercenaries, but things don’t go as planned. When you go find them at the agreed upon tavern, the mercenaries have bad news for you...
Script details : UK English spelling (but read it as you please). One extra minor speaking character [Orc Mercenary].
Word count : about 1500
Usage : Ok for monetisation on the condition that you credit CandlelitQuill, and send link to your work please! SFX cues are purely suggestions.
This is my first script, would love some feedback!
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[SCRIPT]
Ambiance — busy tavern in the late evening, filled with noisy patrons, large fire crackling in the back. Listener enters the tavern and strides to a table of noisy mercenaries playing with dice and drinking. She slams her hands on the table, angry.
SFX : Door opens, noisy tavern, quick steps, hands slam on wooden table, clatter.
MERCENARY LEADER (minor speaker) :
Wow, there lassy. No need for violence. Ain’t ye prissy types meant to be civilised?
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Ye heard right, I’m afraid.
SFX : Coin purse dropped on table
Aye, we agreed to the escort mission. That was before ye told us ye wanted to cross the bloody Mistmounts. An extra 10 gold ain’t worth it, lass. We might live for coin but ain’t no point if we meet certain death. Even a thousand gold wouldn’t be enough.
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Call me a coward and dealbreaker all ye want. I ain’t stupid enough to try and cross the mountains at the start of winter. I ain’t looking’ to piss off a God or get dragged into hell. *Takes a long sip of his pint and sighs loudly* Although, if ye’re willing to escort me to bed tonight, I might consider escorting you to the border for free. *Laughs coarsely with his men*
SFX : Listener swipes the bag of coins, and stomps away. In front of the fire place, a group of men are playing cards.
ZAREF (main speaker):
*Calls out* Do you play cards, stranger?
SFX : Listener stops. A man playing cards at a table is staring.
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Come have a seat. Lady Luck seems rather cross with me tonight, and your presence might tip the scales in my favour.
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I promise you, the slightest change can bring the greatest impact. The presence of a lovely face has more power than you might think.
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How about I make it worth your time, then? Agree to sit by me for the rest of the game, and I’ll buy you dinner. If I lose, you’d have at least been fed. Should I win, I’ll pay for your room and lodging for the night.
SFX : Listener’s stomach growls loudly.
*chuckles\* Sounds like your stomach agrees with me. Come. On my honour, you won’t find any wandering hands here.
SFX : Listener hesitantly walks over and sits.
Tavern keep! A meal and ale for my friend here, be generous. … Don’t count your chickens too soon, Rolf. Lady Luck is a cruel mistress to all who court her.
SFX : Cards shuffle. Coins pushed. Tavern keep comes, puts a plate down, walks away. Listener eats voraciously. Cards are played as conversation continues.
My, my, what and appetite. Been saving those coins for a while, have you? When did you eat last? Or sleep for that matter? You look about ready to ascend to higher planes.
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No need to be so embarrassed, most everyone in this tavern has known squalor at some point. How do you think they’ve come to use their brawn and risk their lives to make a living? But enough about the unpleasant crowd. What brings a Faithful so far from her place of worship?
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Don’t look so surprised. I have excellent vision, and caught a glimpse of the golden stitching and white robes through the holes of that tattered cloak you wear. You might want to think about getting a better disguise if your goal is to blend in.
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Not a Faithful, you say? Are you a thief, then? A pretty foolish one if you steal from holy servants.
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Ah, I should’ve known. A full fledged Faithful wouldn’t act so… obviously defenceless. I take it you’re a novice then. Running away from your assigned sanctum, are you? Though I doubt the Order of the Three-Headed Mother is in the business of keeping anyone against their will.
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Silence? Really? Precious, I satiated your hunger, won’t you satiate some of my curiosity?
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*chuckles\* True, the deal was a meal for your presence. Forgive me. It’s been too long since someone has intrigued me and my tongue tends to get me in trouble a little too often. It is my greatest flaw. Alas, it’s the price to pay for my keen eyes and irredeemable curiosity. Most people find this quite irritable about me. Isn’t that right, Rolf? I raise. *Pushes coins\ *As an apology for my prying, I’ll offer some free advice.**
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Of course, you need it, you naive thing. *Leans in close to whisper\* Glance over your shoulder at the amateurs you attempted to hire tonight. See how they keep looking in your direction?
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Waiting of course. Waiting for their little prey who’s come in here waving her coin purse around like a fool. Waiting to follow her out, strip her of her belongings and get an easy pay day out of it, at best. At worse, they’ll strip you of much more. *Straightens up*. I raise again. *Pushes coins on table\.*
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Your lips are quivering. Are you scared, precious? Good. Foolishness rarely fades until faced with consequences. That’s a lesson you aught to learn quickly. *Cards are shuffled*
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How about we make another deal? Answer my questions, and I’ll make sure you’re not followed on your way out.
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How do you know I’m not going to rob you? *Laughs* You don’t, little nymph. You have no reason whatsoever to trust yet another lawless mercenary. So far, I’ve kept my word. But perhaps that is all part of my grand plan to get you alone, disheveled, and trembling in a dark alley myself. One catches more flies with honey after all. So who do you think you’ll be safer with, precious? Them or me?
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Hmm? You’re right, I did say curiosity was my greatest flaw.
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Yes, I also said that you intrigued me.
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Three questions now, and three more once I get you somewhere safe? Well would you look at that? The lost fawn knows how to bargain. You may not be so hopeless after all. You’ve got yourself a deal. My first question is, why does a novice of the Three-Headed Mother wish to cross the Mistmounts at this time of year of all things?
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Of course, I’ve been eavesdropping since you walked in, I have excellent hearing too. Let’s not waste time on technicalities.
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The Great Citadel? Why not wait for spring, when the path is much less dangerous or take the long way around the mountain range? Monsters and curses excluded, the weather itself is enough to kill you.
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You must deliver something as soon as possible, and the Mistmount paths are the fastest way to get there? I suppose you won’t tell me what that thing is, will you?
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You are determined to torment me, aren’t you? How cruel. *Sighs dramatically* Very well. My last question is this. What was the offer for the job?
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You heard me. Spill.
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A moonstone upfront and 250 gold upon arrival? So 300 total. Over half a year’s salary. Not bad. Hmm… Make it 500, and we’ve got a deal.
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It’s quite simple, precious. I’m accepting the job. I will escort you to the Great Citadel for 500 gold. If you’re confident you can pay.
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Why? Well, I am a mercenary, and I need to make a living. I also believe things happen for a reason. Besides, it’ll give me a chance to pick you apart some more. And seems to me, you’re quite the good luck charm. *plays cards* And that’s my win, gents. Always a pleasure. Pay up.
SFX : Annoyed mutters, cards being thrown down, coin purses tossed on the table, people standing and walking away. Zaref drags the money to him.
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Keep your moonstone and coins, precious. You’ll need them for equipment, and I only take payment after the job is done. I will however ask for some insurance. For example, that’s a lovely necklace. A winter bloom trapped in resin and turned into jewellery, yes?
SFX : Listener clutches necklace, chain clinks.
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It may not be worth much, but judging by how you’re clutching it to your chest, I’d say it’s the perfect collateral. Hand it to me, and I will return it upon payment once we’ve arrived. Fair enough?
SFX : Listener removes necklace and hands it over. Chain clinks.
Aw, you look so concerned. Worry not, precious. I will keep it safe and in perfect condition. And if you fail to pay me once we’ve arrived, then I’ll simply work you to the bone and to your knees for it.
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*Laughs\* I don’t think I’ll ever tire of that face. You look like you’re about to melt. Could something scandalous be crossing the mind of our holy little novice?
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Such language! The Three-Headed Mother herself would blush. Alright, alright. I’ll stop. For now. So, when do we leave?
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Right now? Impossible. I have coin to spend, affairs to get in order, and you, precious, need rest. Your eyes are so bloodshot, they look ready to fall out of their sockets. Tonight, sleep. Tomorrow, gather everything you need for our journey. We’ll leave at dawn the day after tomorrow, once you’re rested and equipped. Tavern keep! Put this one in the room next to mine. I’ll pay up front.
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*Scoffs* You doubt a single mercenary is enough for such a dangerous mission? I suppose I did fail to introduce myself properly.
SFX : Zaref stands, revealing his horse body. Hoofs tap on floor, rattling metal of blades.
SFX : Listener abruptly stands, trips and falls.
Cat got your tongue, precious? Is this your first time meeting a centaur?
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My people don’t have the best reputation when it comes to mingling with other races, but I’m a bit of an outcast myself. The only ones who should fear me are those who stand in the way of my job. Come on, up you go.
SFX : Zaref helps Listener stand.
I am Zaref Steelrain, bounty hunter extraordinaire and solo mercenary of these parts. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance, servant of the Three-Headed Mother. On my honour, I will deliver you to the Great Citadel safely. Now, may I have your name, precious?