I knew you'd come.
I told you I would.
I mean, I... I felt it.
I felt it before you came.
You're developing your powers, Muriella.
Our time together is paying off.
Stop.
You have to leave.
Is that your wish?
Each time we meet like this, I feel...
Weak. I feel drained.
Perhaps that is what love does to a woman.
What do you know of love?
I know that poets claim they would die for it.
- Would you die for it? - Perhaps.
In a poem.
What would my father say?
There are many things in this world your father doesn't know.
Let this be one of them.
Sacrilege. This is madness, Gallian. You go too far.
May the gods save us.
Keep pulling, Zeph.
Use your legs.
It doesn't want to come out.
It's those big ones that are always the toughest.
See? Things worthwhile don't come easy.
You missed.
I don't want to kill them...
As long as they don't eat the crops.
Brought the hog. Same deal as always?
Winter's corn for the pig?
Same deal. Deal never changes.
It's been a tough dry season, hasn't it?
- I've seen rougher. - King's recruiting.
Soldiers get taken care of really well.
I have this land. Isn't that enough?
You get older, you get tired of just surviving.
Wouldn't you like to test your courage?
I mean, where's the courage in just surviving?
Damn it, Farmer, would it kill you to just talk for a little while?
I mean, we're not animals.
People actually do converse with one another.
Norick, if I could talk these turnips out of the ground, I would.
When the rains come, this ground turns to clay.
Not even you could talk 'em out of the ground then.
That's what I love about your old man, Zeph.
He always knows how to set a mood.
- Show Norick where we stack his corn. - Okay.
Here you go, Zeph. Have a pig.
Guess you'll be staying for supper.
Well, since you asked.
Norick, it is so good to see you. You should come by more often.
Well, I figure Farmer saw enough of me when he was growing up.
Now that he's got a family of his own, maybe he needs a little bit of a break.
Norick thinks Father should quit farming and join the king's army.
Now hold on a second. I didn't say that exactly.
He says the king's soldiers make a lot of money.
Farmer, you're not seriously considering this, are you?
You're my family. I'm not going anywhere.
- That answer your question, Norick? - I was just talking.
- Just talking. - Well, everyone's got a talent.
Just talking seems to be yours.
Just ratting on his friends seems to be yours.
- Can I have some chicken, please? - Don't give it to him.
Give me the chicken.
Tell me something nice.
Tell me how you love me.
You know.
I only know what you tell me...
and you tell me nothing.
Look at these hands- Broken to feed us.
These hands speak louder than words.
What is the cost of telling me?
What more could you want?
What every woman wants...
A little passion.
A little passion?
Well, let me see what I can do.
- It's time to go. - Why can't you come with us?
I have all those fields to clear.
Remember... When men build lives from honest toil...
Courage never fails.
That's right.
I hate sleeping without you.
Be safe.
It's Stonebridge. Of course we'll be safe.
Why do people call Father Farmer?
Doesn't he have a name?
Your father believes that people become what they do.
Norick brought him to Stonebridge when he was just little.
So Norick is his father?
The whole town adopted him.
Different families took him at different times.
But Norick... He always kept a special eye out.
I'm glad he has a family now.
I'm glad it's us.
So am I.
General.
Report to your king.
Your Majesty, Krug...
Savage army. The Krug...
They-They fight with swords.
This is ridiculous. It's as if you were talking about armed dogs.
They fight like men.
They killed off our entire scouting party.
Had the general not ordered me to return with word, I should be dead as well.
This is some sort of sorcery.
Grandma! Grandma!
Zeph, is that you?
I've got you.
Finally! Into the oven with you.
I hate the oven.
It's dry, it's warm.
You don't want us to eat you raw, now, do you?
Why do you have to eat me?
Tonight, I promised your grandfather...
we're going to eat a dish he really loves.
- So, how were sales at the market? - It was good.
Of course, the men tried to take advantage of me because I'm a woman...
so I make them pay more... because I'm a woman.
When we were kids you were always in charge.
- Always the leader.
No, I just knew what I wanted, that's all.
Until she met your father.
Your father does not take orders very well from anybody.
- Where's Grandfather? - The bell tower.
- Shall we go? - We have to be careful.
The bell tower was made for times of war.
You don't want to pull the wrong rope and start a war, do you?
Hah!
What took you so long?
Hah! They don't scare easy.
This is crazy.
Krug are beasts. They don't have armor and weapons.
I need to use your horse, Norick.
- Where are you going? - Stonebridge.
- Solana and Zeph are there. - I'm coming with you.
Farmer didn't come?
No. My husband likes to leave the trade to me so that he can farm.
You did well for a husband.
He loves you very much.
Yes. Yes. I believe he does.
When the bride and groom kiss, ring the bell five times...
signaling their marriage for the village to hear.
Go. Go now. Take Zeph home now.
Take him! You can protect him, Father. Protect him.
- Are you ready, my lady? - Always ready.
Hold.
Giving up so soon?
Your progress is truly remarkable.
If only Ehb had more soldiers of your caliber.
Let me join your army and you shall.
I am not quite sure that the armies of Ehb...
are ready for women warriors.
Besides, what would your father say?
My father never lets me do anything I want.
Tarish!
Prepare your troops to ride.
Hordes of Krug are ransacking the land.
Oh, the sun is blistering my skin.
What is this nonsense you speak?
Just do as you're commanded.
I listen only to the king.
It might behoove you...
to learn a little respect.
Respect is earned.
You are mistaken. Respect is my birthright!
To the village, everyone!
- Where's Solana? - She's-She's sounding the bell.
Don't worry, Zeph. I'll find her.
- Father! - Bastian!
Take my sword.
- Get inside. And bolt the door. - Come quickly.
- Thank you, Father. - Go.
We'll look for her in the village.
Let's go, men! Come on.
Well done.
A man with spirit, huh?
Let 'em go.
You already killed me once today, and yet, here we are again.
Father!
Run, Son!
Look! They're retreating.
Zeph!
- They're going to higher ground! - Zeph!
I need a fourth marker for Solana.
Nobody saw Solana. Nobody knows.
We didn't find her body. She could have escaped.
He's right, Farmer.
Gallian! Where have you been? I've been looking for you.
I've been busy.
- Very busy. - We had an agreement.
I gave you access to my castle so that we might work together.
And I'm keeping my end.
I'm sure recent events demonstrate how very busy I've been.
Yes, indeed. You have managed to stir things up a bit.
Stir things up?
Tell me, Duke.
What do you know of a man they call Farmer?
People of Stonebridge.
The armies of Ehb sympathize with you.
This great tragedy will be avenged.
Where were the king's army when the Krug came killing?
Peasant, do not forget to whom you speak.
In your world, don't you bow before your king?
In my world, the king's army's expected to protect the kingdom.
Not just the castle.
What of those taken by the Krug?
- Krug taking prisoners? - Silence!
If these Krug have taken prisoners...
it is not yet clear what their purpose might be.
The king's army will require every man capable of combat.
- Who is with us? - What will happen?
The king has his armies and his walls.
Those taken by the Krug only have us.
- You dare defy your king's wishes? - I'm with you, Farmer.
- Guards! - Let them go.
That is not the way of Ehb.
- You took a risk turning your back on the king.
No more risk than you.
- I have no choice. She's my wife. - She's my sister.
All right, let's get to it.
Stay here. Go with the armies to Ehb.
You wanted the life of a soldier, didn't you?
Nah. I didn't like the uniforms.
- Do you have a horse? - A mare.
She's old, but still strong.
Old... but still strong.
You're in my way.
We have met before, have we not?
Tell me something nice.
Tell me how you love me.
You know.
- I'm Merick, the king's magus. - I've heard of you.
Children's stories about magic.
Your king needs you.
Yeah, well, my son needed me.
I failed him. Now my wife needs me, if she lives.
Does it occur to you, Farmer...
that there may be events of greater importance...
than the loves and losses of our particular lives?
No. Doesn't occur to me.
Try to stay alive, Farmer.
Your king needs you.
Far more than he understands.
How did you know about this bridge?
As a child I roamed around these parts.
It's how I spent my days.
- If we wind through the gorge we'll lose a day.
What are you thinking?
We can cross it.
Let's take the gear off the horses.
What, do you mean we're leaving 'em, just like that?
Are you afraid we're gonna hurt their feelings?
- Go home! Hah! - Hah!
- Get out of here.
Let's do it.
- All right, I'll go. - You're a brave old guy.
I just don't want you weakening the rope before I've had my turn.
- Come on! - All right, let's go. Come on.
You were more concerned about your horse.
My horse I like. It's you I'm not so sure about.
Well, wait till you get to know me better.
That saved us a lot of time.
Oh!
- Your majesty. - Get on your feet, soldier.
How many men on guard here?
I am on guard, my king.
You are on guard?
Duke Fallow, you're very, very naughty.
You make my bosoms tickle.
I'm gonna tell your mommy.
Where are you going?
My nephew amuses himself on the king's throne.
Do you feel it suits you?
You play while your king and his legions...
are off on a military campaign...
and your only job...
is the safety of this castle-
which is guarded by... no one!
Your Majesty...
was off investigating outlandish claims.
- Get him out of my sight. - No!
Go on, before I make you.
Unhand me. You are not fit to kiss my gown.
And you? You are not fit to tarnish your uncle's crown.
Ah, ah, ah, ah.
Unless the king specifically orders it...
you cannot touch me.
Imperial law...
is a toy...
I shall never tire of.
- Things are progressing according to plan.
I cannot wait any longer!
I cannot stand the suffering rule of that senile goat.
Make it happen.
You wish to accelerate things? Fine!
We shall accelerate.
Good.
Gallian.
Must you always appear suddenly from nowhere?
I don't.
I appear so suddenly from somewhere.
You assume too much entering my chambers unbidden.
I'm not welcome to the hospitality you've offered in the past?
You're not welcome to come and go as you please...
and then vanish without a word.
I'm not your harlot.
How could you think such a thing?
You know very well why I must appear so quietly.
I can't very well be pounding on milady's door, now, can I?
How do you come and go as you please...
when you're considered by my father to be an enemy of the king?
I have friends. I wield influence.
Why does my father despise you so?
He's not known for his hasty opinions.
Questions! I did not come here to be interrogated.
Your father hates me because I will not bow and scrape...
before the almighty king and his magus.
Because I will take from him what I please-
Even his daughter's virtue.
Be gone from my chambers.
Be gone from my life.
Are you banishing me as well?
And after all the work we've done.
Haven't I helped you discover your power, your vision?
- You've introduced me to parlor tricks and nightmares.
Be still.
Help! Please. Please.
My liege.
Again allow me to offer my deepest apologies...
for mistaking your orders.
A mistake?
- Is that what it was? - Yes.
May I sit, Your Majesty?
Boy!
I know. Go.
I know I have failed your trust on several occasions...
and perhaps I may be a disappointment to you...
and the entire kingdom, but I will change.
I will shed this youthful folly in this time of great battle...
and I will prove myself a worthy heir.
Eat.
You show a knack, my nephew...
for well-timed diplomacy.
I guess that's something.
May I offer a toast?
Possibly.
Drinking wine in the morning is not a good way...
to show... reform.
Indeed.
Yes, indeed.
Long live the king.
Yes.
The Krug last attacked Stonebridge, in the south.
Yes, and this harsh terrain...
will drive them north, around the marsh.
Then we should attack.
That is, if the Krug behave the way they're supposed to behave.
I don't like this, Farmer.
Nobody goes into Sedgwick Forest.
The forest passes between the mountains.
We'll come out at Slate Pass as the Krugs arrive.
There's more than brush and trees in Sedgwick Forest.
You don't just cut through it when you please.
You don't wanna be stuck here at night.
- We'll light torches. - Torches attract eyes.
- Let 'em look. - Farmer!
You know what people say. There are... things in Sedgwick Forest.
People say God watches over the innocent.
People say a lot of things that won't help us now, Norick.
Come on. We've got a lot of ground to cover.
I don't see any path.
- There is no path. - So how do we know where we're going?
Wait.
Whoa!
Oh!
You were right, Norick.
Is this part of the plan, Farmer?
- Let us down. - When I'm ready.
Get out of our forest. you have no business here.
We hate your weapons and your killing.
- We're passing through, that's all. - Then pass through...
and never come back.
We're, uh-We're lost.
Men. Not only useless, but helpless as well.
Your Majesty.
I beg of you news of my father.
- Your father has gone on an errand for his king.
Please-
What's happening? I worry that he's in grave danger.
The king's magus has many responsibilities.
What he does not need is a daughter...
who's troubling herself with the affairs of men.
My father thinks that keeping me locked in this castle will ease my mind.
He's wrong. I know the mood of this court.
It's never been more troubled.
Darkness threatens...
our empire.
Darkness that's spawned by magic.
Come on! Hey.
your father seeks reason...
- and remedy. - Your Majesty? Your Majesty?
- Your father- - Your Majesty!
Gallian! I feel like I'm dying.
Did you dine well with the king?
What have you done?
I thought you were in a hurry to accelerate things.
I suppose I may have tampered with the king's food.
You've poisoned me. You've killed me.
Don't be so melodramatic.
It's nothing that can't be fixed.
Please.
Please!
Let us hope you remember who has the real power here.
Yes.
I'd say I've saved your life.
Now what shall you do for me?
The king has been poisoned.
Can he be saved?
Perhaps, if it's not too late.
On my soul.
A word in private.
Fallow has fled the castle...
and he's taken two full legions with him.
Well, that tells us who poisoned the king.
Prepare to move to the north, where we shall meet our new allies.
The strength of our combined armies...
shall allow for generations of peace and tranquility.
I detect the hand of Gallian in this.
Why has Commander Tarish not briefed us for this mission?
Anyone else care to commit treason?
- How much of the army remains? - A third.
Well, I have seen the Krug massing.
Gallian is raising armies-
- vast armies. - How?
How is that possible, that a single man can cause so much devastation?
My own daughter betraying me to my sworn enemy.
Do you hate me that much?
I thought that I loved him.
He has tapped into our bloodline.
You have tilted the balance of magic in his favor.
Thanks to you, the kingdom may be lost.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry.
I'm sorry. I'm so sorry.
Why do you hate outsiders?
You hate each other. Why shouldn't we hate you too?
We stay in the forest to avoid your wars and your contests...
and your mindless enterprise.
And yet, here you are, shooting your arrows into our trees.
Harm is but a way of life for your people.
The fact that you don't realize it is what makes you so dangerous.
This is as far as I will take you.
Good luck.
Do we have a plan?
Are you awake?
Yes, I'm awake.
You'll find it's not so easy to kill a king.
We will attack.
But, Your Majesty, you have been poisoned.
- Perhaps you haven't your bearings. - I have my bearings, Commander.
And I have my wits.
The Krugs do not expect us to attack, so that's exactly what we will do.
Who poisoned me?
I believe it was your nephew, Duke Fallow.
Oh.
And there's worse.
He has abandoned the castle...
taken the guard and the 11th and 12th legions.
We will attack.
First light. Summon your troops.
How much time do I have?
Your life is coming to a close...
but there is time enough.
You sure about this, Norick?
Not at all.
She's here, Norick.
- I can feel it. - I think you're right.
Hey, hey! Easy.
Solana?
Solana!
Today...
we ride for our king.
And our king proudly fights...
In the name of Ehb!
Your Majesty.
Ride!
God blesses those who die for honor and truth!
I'm curious about you, Farmer.
I sense danger in you.
I can't read you.
I can read most men, like reading scrolls of flesh.
But you- you, I can't see past your scowl.
Why is that?
Who are you?
Some riddles aren't worth solving.
You are here.
I thought it a nightmare.
Where is Farmer?
Where is Zeph?
Bastian, where is Zeph? Is he with our parents?
Yes.
He's with them, but...
he didn't make it.
He... was killed with them the day you were taken.
I'm sorry.
My baby.
Did he die quickly?
Tell me.
Yes.
He died quickly.
Farmer will come.
He'll find you.
How do you know?
Because he must.
Because he needs you.
At the end of the day, you're all he really needs.
Don't die on me now, Farmer.
Much for you to do.
Not looking too good, are you?
Ah. There.
Try a bit of this.
- What's it like? - What is it?
That's medicine. Come on.
No!
It's good to be home.
I am not your harlot.
He has used you to destroy-
I know that poets claim-
He bends emotion for sport. Have you learned nothing?
Haven't I helped you discover your power, your vision?
My lady?
I am my father's undoing.
I've jeopardized everything.
But your father has nothing but love for you.
My girlish stupidity has damaged him.
Taking your life would damage him further.
Perhaps you're right.
I would like my father to be proud of me.
He already is.
He's proud of an idea of me.
Prepare to meet your new allies.
These are Krug.
Obedient, relentless and unquestioning.
What you see before you is a powerful army.
Take this man.
Put him in the king's tent.
See that my horse is well fed.
Hold.
So was this your urgent errand?
This is the farmer... from Stonebridge.
It is.
Now why does a disloyal dirt-lover from Stonebridge...
command such careful attention from the king's magus?
Because the king has...
a special interest in this... dirt-lover.
I know nothing of this interest.
Neither does the king.
I thought it was about time that you two were properly introduced.
We've met.
But the last time, he turned his back on me.
Turned to what needed doing.
I thought Your Majesty would be interested in this farmer.
He's been through a great deal since we met him in Stonebridge.
So has everyone else.
What makes him so special?
Because, Your Majesty...
he is your son.
Farmer has a friend- Norick.
Norick tended the queen's horses.
I recognized him when we were in Stonebridge.
After the massacre at Oxley Pass, this Norick...
found a boy about three years of age wandering in the battlefield.
There was only one boy at Oxley Pass.
What do you think of this tale, Farmer?
One old man thinks he recognizes another from 30 years ago.
That's how you determine who's king?
You are the king's son, and heir to the throne.
I have no father-
No parents.
I have no business here.
Are you telling me that that arrogant bastard is my son?
He spent the last 30 years...
living over a Stonebridge farm?
It would appear so.
You told me he was dead!
You said they were all dead!
What kind of joke...
do the gods play on me?
Sometimes the gods know what is best for us.
What the hell does that mean?
You remember the chaos we were in?
War everywhere. Surrounded by enemies.
If that child had been taken back to Castle Ehb...
how long would he have survived?
Growing up in Stonebridge...
he grew up strong...
and far away from the enemies...
who would have jumped at any opportunity...
to rid you of your son and heir.
Dear friend...
you better be right about him.
You better be sure.
The king needs every able man he can get for this battle.
- That's not my problem.
His kingdom is threatened. Your kingdom is threatened.
I don't know this king.
Solana's my family.
Norick and Bastian. They are my family.
And where will you live?
When the kingdom falls to Gallian...
what future will you be able to offer your wife?
Think about it.
Fallow, you have committed treason.
We offer no quarter here.
And anyone who follows under your command...
will likewise be considered as a defector.
We will spare no traitor.
Gentlemen...
Commander Tarish has poisoned the king...
and accuses me of treason.
Hah!
Your ambition has no limits, Tarish.
The Kingdom of Ehb is now subject to my rule.
We, as well, offer no quarters.
You will never be king, my nephew...
because you have no valor-
Not now, not ever.
The 11th and 12th legions are with you, Your Majesty.
You coward!
These Krug have no archers, but they also have no fear.
Now, they outnumber us, but we are men...
and we serve a noble kingdom.
They are beasts, with bloodlust. Nothing more.
So, have you come to do your duty?
I've decided to fight.
I'll be proud to have you fight by my side...
so that I might keep an eye on you.
Mid guard.
Commander.
Lead out.
Archers.