First act
Enemy Soldier:
Hells,is he man or east?
he's but one,yet fights like a score!
gods have mercy that's the unbending blade of Hombury!
Olberic Eisenberg!
Olberic:
you know my name.And so to business. Who will e the next to die?
Enemy Soldier:
It's you who'll be dyin`,Look about you -- we have the numbers!
Enemy reinfocrements. on the left flank!
Knight of Hornbbury:
To Sir Olberic's side. men! The blackguards have had their way for long enough!
Charge!
Enemy Soldier:
Bah! It matters not We're done here
Sound the retreat! Withdraw to the rallying point!
(Enemhy Soldier run away)
Knight of Hornburg:
Sir Olberic. I feared we would be too late.
Olberic:
Nothing I couldn't handle. Can you hold this position?
Knight of Hornburg:
You make for His Majesty's camp .sir?
Olberic:
Just so .our foe attacked from both flanks, but we have no orders form the crown.This? ?concerns me.
Knight of Hornburg:
His Majesty is well guarded Sir..
Olberic:
Sir Erhardt is with him .I know this.
Knight of Hornburg:
There is no stronger knight in the realm.Other than yourself.of course, m'lord.
With Sir Erhardt at his side, surely His Majesty is in no danger..?
Olberic:
Perhaps not But we must be certain.
I would know how the battle unfolds Besides,word from the king always lifts the men's spirits.
Knight of Hornburg:
As you wish sir . We will hold this ground.
Olberic:
Be safe. And may the gods guide your blade.
Knight of Hornburg:
And yours. Sir Olberic.
Second acts
Olberic:
Heavens have mercy.
His Majesty's own guard ..slain, to the last man.
Who could have done such a thing?
Erhardt! Where is Erhardt?
King Alfred:
So it was .. you ..
Erhardt:
...
Olberic:
My liege!
Erhardt! What is the meaning of this?
What... What have you done?
Erhardt:
Have you not eyes? The king is dead, by my hand.
Olberic:
What madness.... What treachery is this?
Erhardt:
No madness here .But call it treachery. if you will.
Olberic:
I thought you a friend a brother!
Erhardt:
Brothers, indeed. How many times did we cross swords like this in the practice yards?
And how many times have I told you ? I see your every move, your every strike before it falls.
Olberic:
As I see yours!
Erhardt:
Ah,but you've not seem everyting. I saved one trick--for the day I knew would come!
(wake up at a house)
Olberic:
Always the same dream...
One must always be on his guard.even when he rests. Yes, a knight--
NO. I am no knight, Just a man with a sword, and nothing more...
Philip:
If you say so ,sir. But there's lots of men what carry swords that can't do half of what you do!
Oh, I almsot forgot,sir! The headman's lookin' for ya.
Says he wants a word, He didn't say about what.
Olberic：
Tell him iIm on my way.
Philip:
I'll go on ahead and let him know.sir. he'll be in the square--you know the one.
Olberic:
(How many years has it been since Hornburg fell? My liege lost ,my land in ruin I wandered aimlessly.)
(After a time.I came to this village. Here I earn my keep as a hired sword. hiding behind another man's name.)
(Defending the villagers from bandit raids.teaching young men how to handle a blade --not a glamorous life, but it puts food on my plate.)
(A man like me knows only the battlefield.Worth only as much as the blade at my side, and the arm that swings it.)
(When that blade fails to save my sworn liege,what does that make me?)
(For years I've asked myself that question.No answer still--at least, not one I like.)
One thing I do know is that I owe this village a debt A debt I intend to repay.
But that's enough brooding for one morning. The headman's waiting.
(walk out house)
Watchman:
berg.sir!
Dawn patrol.sir.Nothing to report!
Olberic:
Good to hear it.
Two of you today? usually only one man does the rounds.
Watchman:
Aye.sir.Headman thought it best. There's brigands in the hills of late.
Poor merchant gutted for his coinpurse just yesterday. Was a grisly sight,sir
Olberic:
These are dangerous times, One can never be too careful
I hear the headman is looking for me.
Watchman:
Ah.he mentioned that,sir .He should still e over in the square.
Now if you'll excuse us , sir...Morning patrol. resume rounds!
In Square
Village Headman:
Ah,Berg,There you are.
Philip's Monther:
Good morning to you ,sir
Olberic:
Morning to you both,Philip said you wanted to speak to me.
Village Headman:
Yes,yes. I'll get straight to the point We've had reports of bandits in the hills.
Olbberic:
I see you've doubled the patrols.
Village Headman:
Yes... I was also hoping to ask for your aid.
With Bandits lurking.the villagers daren't venture into the hills. We cannot check the traps. nor collect firewood.
It's quite the predicament. to say the least.
Olberic:
Leave it to me . where can? I find these thieves?
Village Headman:
As for the precise location of their den, I fear I cannot say. I sent some of the men out searching, but...
in the meantime.could you put the militia through their drills?Our men are keen,but they don't know a pommel from a pike if you get my meaning
Olberic:
Consider it done.
Philip's Monther:
Ah,sir?If 'twould not be a burden, might my Philip join in the training?
Olberic:
If he is willing, so am I.
Philip's Monther:
Oh, he's more than willing,sir.I assure you .Been pesterin' me for weeks to ask you!
Village Headman:
That's a brave lad!
The boy has pluck,and ambition.And he could find a worse man to look up to than Berg here.
Philip's Mother:
Ever since my husband died in the war, you know
It's just the boy's getting to that age , when he? needs a father..
Philip's Mother
Oh,no! I did not mean to say
Olberic:
Your boy is already a credit to the village.
It would be my honor to train him.
Philip's Mother:
You are? too kind ,sir.
Village headman:
it's settled,then,Train the lad well, and see that he does his mother proud.
Olberic:
I will.
Brigand attacking the village
Brigand:
Bah! These dirty peasants don't know their place.
Stick a blade in their backs 'fore the boss finds out swineherds slowed us down!
Watchman:
Do your worst, you brutes!
You'll not be getting past us!
Brigand:
Damn it all ! These swineherds know how to fight!
Olberic:
Good work. men. You did well to hold them off.
But I'll take over from here.
Brigand:
And who in the hells are you supposed to be?
He's a bleedin' fool if he thinks he can take us all.
So ye's got a fancy blade.eh? I know yer sort. hedge knight. I've cut down my share o' yer betters.
I'm tellin ' ye this one's trouble.
Olberic:
You both have? the right of it . I'm but a common hedge knight. with no name to speak of.
But if you've come looking for trouble you've found it.
Brigand:
Stow it? or I'll cut out yer tongue!
(Brigand lose)
Brigand:
ye can handle a blade, aye, But this ain't the end o' it.
When the boss hears 'bout this,yer a dead man. ye hear?
Olberic:
We'll see about that, won't we?
Philip's mother:
Oh, Berg,sir! They they took him from me!
My poor Philip.. He was trying to protect me.
but those? those animals!
Captain the Watch:
Forgive me ,sir... There were so many of them. adn---
Watchman:
It doesn't matter now! We have to save the lad!
We know where they are now. Holed up in a cave. deep in the mountains.
Then let's go! Gods only know what they'll do to him...
Olberic:
Wait..
Watchman:
But,sir! We have to do something! They might kill the boy!
Olberic:
If you leave now. who will protect the village when the thieves return？
No... you would be playing right into their hands.
Watchman:
Gods a'mercy. is there nothing we can do .sir?
Olberic:
I'll go after the boy.
Watchman:
Alone? But sir ,even you...!
Olberic:
You stay and guard the village, At least until you're sure they're not coming back.
Village headman:
You are the boy's -- our only hope.Can you do this,Berg?
Olberic:
Consider it done.
Philip's mother:
Please,sir! Bring him back safe!
Olberic:
You have my word.
(Brigand Den)
???:
Do tell me about this friend of yours. knows how to fight, does he?
Philip:
He sure does!
He's stronger than all of you put together! You won't stand a chance!
He's not a joke! Stop laughing!
Brigand:
Ye hear that. mates?? This hedge knight's the strongest blade in the realm!
If he thinks he can best all of us. he's more madman than knight!
This ain't a fairy tale,boy. Real knights don't piddle away their days in the company of swineherds.
If he's a knight from the stories. a damsel in distress might serve as better bait. Reckon we should go back for the mum?
Philip:
Stop it! You won't be laughing when Sir Berg is through with you!
Brigand:
Sir Berg! Now there's a frightenin' name! Look, me arm's all a'tremblin'!
???:
Shut up. all of you!
Gaston:
Reckon the boy's got more courage than the lot of you? an more wits. to boot.
So less yammerin', and mor sharpenin' your stabbers!
Brigand:
But boss. Ain't no way the hedge knight'll follow us here. 'Less he's mad an' all
Aye, it ain't like it's his own son or nothing, Why should he care?
Gaston:
Why, indeed? Things could get interesting though. If he does show.
Always had a soft spot for men with more courage than sense.
Like the boy here.Waht do you say .laddie? Care to join our little family? We're always looking for men with pluck.
Philip:
I'll never join you ! I'm going to be a brave warrior like Sir Berg!
Gaston:
You hear that.men? The boy says he's too good for? banditry!
Think you're the only one who feels that way.
boy? Let me tell you something.
Olberic:
Sorry I'm late . lad Got held up along the way.
(attack)
Gaston:
We fought alongside each other is all. Served together in a band of mercenaries.
He was already an old hand when I signed up. Helped me out. showed me the ropes.
Olbreic:
A sellsword? And where is he now?
Gaston:
Damned if I know . When our group disbanded.we went our separate ways.
After that. I drifted form one town to the hingnext Tried one trade. then another.But swinging a? blade's the only? thing that's ever come natural to me.
So here I am.Times are lean. and a man's got to make a living.
Olberic:
Anyone could use a sword arm like yours ,You could protect the people. instead of stealing from them.
Gaston:
Aye, I could. But honest work takes more wits than the gods saw fit to bless me with.
Never meant to do anyone no harm .. But life doesn't always give us a choice in the matter. does it?
Olberic:
Choice or no .you must answer for your crimes.
Gaston:
Aye. I know the score. But I've got my men to think about.too.
Easy now. men .The hedge knight has the right of it.
I've got more than enough blood on my hands.Live by the sword, and..
Well. you know how it goes. A man has to own up to what he's done.
Obleric:
Enough blood's been spilled here today.
Surrender. and I will see that you and your men are not harmed.
Gaston:
You do me a kindness. hedge knight. And so I'll do you one in return.
I told you I didn't know where Erhardt is . And I don't.
But I know someone who might.
Gustav's his name.Sir Gustav. Some call him the Black Knight or other such fussed-up nonsense.
Erhardt taught us both how to use the sword back in the mercenary band.
You should find him in Victors Hollow.
Olberic:
And this man will tell me where Erhardt is?
Gaston:
He might. Then again, he might not.
I saw your eyes. hedge knight. They were dead. like a fish.
But the moment you saw my blade.they came to life.
Olberic:
Dead? Have I truly been?
Heh. But what does a common thief know of men's souls?
