Seven Days

by Matthew John Erwin matthewjerwin@yahoo.com

SPACE

A speck of dust floats past, just missing another. They loop back, and miss again, and again, until their remnant streaks are like twelve petals, and they collide. Stars spiral.

One star is orbited by planets, and one planet is hit by a comet making a moon, and by asteroids melting into pools, clouds, and rivers. Plants bloom. The words “ten and two thousand years before now” disappear into the clouds.

Below the northwestern Ice Mountain are the West River, West River Prairie, and easterly Ridge, flowing into the northwestern corner of the Lake. The Ridge Meadow slopes eastward into the Creek. And further east, below mountains above the Lake, are the Prairie, Dry Creek, and Great River. A river flows from the Lake’s eastern bank, and two its southern. (A map is on page 14.)

PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

Herding six mammoths in the Prairie towards the Creek are, with packs, THOMAS, 34, tall, in sleeves, out front with CARL, 22, smartly-tucked; JAKE, 18, is toward the mountain-side with a spear, alone, all-new everything; and BROCK, 32, is behind with ALLEN, 31, brothers, in pocketed vests; as nearer the Lake walk, most with packs, SAMUEL, 12, LORN, 8, KIP, 5, AARON, 4, MYKA, 30, JENYA, 29, KAYTL, 33, MAYA, 4, ANN, 2, AYLA, 8, SARA, 9, JULIA, 34, sleeveless, ERIK, 14, AUDRE, 24, in leather, holding BABY, and REA, 3, in a linen dress.

REASpeed up, Daddy, speed up.

BRYSlow down, daughter, slow down.

BRY, 33, large, in nettle suspenders, lifts her to his shoulders.

REAAn oak tree, Daddy. And an elm tree. There, a beech tree, purple. Those ones.

BRYYou know yellow flowers.

REA Mommy, these ones.

JULIAYellow lilies, sweetheart.

BRY See? Yellow.

REAI heard, Daddy, lilies. Raspberries! Mommy! Daddy! And strawberries!

MAYA Raspberries!

ANN And strawberries!

KAYTLWait for us, little ones, you know the rules.

The children run to the berries. No one is behind the lean, ARKEN, 32, and lean EVAN, 17, who approach Erik and Bry.

ARKEN A game of catch-em?

The four give their gear to Julia, Bry with a kiss.

JULIABe careful.

Arken, Evan, Erik, and Bry jog into the Prairie.

PRAIRIE – CATCH’EM - AFTERNOON

Jenya and Myka take Brock and Allen’s place behind the mammoths, and Brock and Allen approach the four.

BROCK(looks east to the mountains)

Did you see them? Two again, but they did not stay long.

ALLEN(with a rock)

A game of catch ‘em?

2

NEAR THE LAKE - AFTERNOON

JULIA(sees the playful six)

Grandmother was right.

AUDRE(sees Thomas with Carl ahead of the mammoths)

It seems you are lucky.

KAYTL(sees Carl)

It seems we both are, for today.

Aaron shows the children a five-inch dragonfly, and eats it.

JULIAAaron!?

PRAIRIE – MAMMOTHS - AFTERNOON

Thomas and Carl walk up on a saber-tooth tiger.

CARLWhat do we do?

THOMASKeep going, old girl.

PRAIRIE – CATCH ‘EM - AFTERNOON

Six fists are in a pile.

BRYStop.

Brock is with Bry, Arken with Erik, and Evan with Allen.

BROCKTime for youth to learn the value of age.

ALLENHere, age needs the start.

Allen tosses the rock to Brock; Bry grabs it and runs, chased by Evan and Erik; Arken and Allen chase Brock.

BRY (tosses)

One.

BROCK(catches)

One.

3

BROCK(throws)

Two.

BRY(catches)

Two.

BRY (throws)

Three.

BROCK(catches)

Three.

Arken and Allen tackle Brock as he hurls the rock. Erik pushes Bry and Evan; the rock drops, and Erik throws.

ARKEN (catches, tosses back)

Nice, let’s get back to the mammoths.

They play fast and well.

ARKENThree. Four. Five. Six.

ERIKThree. Four. Five. Six.

Evan intercepts.

ALLEN Two for the steal.

Evan throws long to Allen as Arken continues to the mammoths.

EVAN (O.S.)Three.

ALLEN (O.S.)Three.

ARKENJake, you are with Erik.

JAKE(tosses spear and pack to Arken, and sprints)

Thanks Arken.

ARKENHold onto that lead.

EVAN (O.S.)Four.

ALLEN (O.S.)Four.

Arken shares waves with Myka and Jenya, and jogs ahead.

JENYATen and two forever.

Myka knows. Ahead of the mammoths, the Creek forest is close.

4

ARKENHello there Carl, Thomas.

THOMAS Arken.

CARLHi Arken.

ARKENHow are your days passing?

THOMASBetter than theirs it seems.

(looks to the mammoths)

ARKENStill nervous? Any signs from the family ahead?

THOMASThey still cover their tracks. And from behind?

ARKENThey sent two again, gone now.

CARL You missed a tiger, Arken.

ARKENA tiger? I would have walked with you.

THOMASShe stopped to say hello is all, and walked a line between the Creek’s bend and the mountains. You are nervous too, I see?

ARKENWe are crossing the Creek, and the river soon. But my feelings have not changed.

THOMASNor have mine.

ARKENI’ll check the crossing.

THOMASWant another pair of eyes?

ARKENNo, thanks, not for now.

5

Arken tosses the spear to Thomas and jogs ahead.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING - LATE AFTERNOON

Arken stands near the Creek; Kip and Aaron run to him and climb; Lorn, with a lizard, approaches with Samuel, Ayla, Sara, Julia, Rea, Ann, Maya, Kaytl, and Audre with Baby; Thomas, Carl, Jenya, and Myka approach; and passing the mammoths, Bry, Brock, Evan, Allen, Erik, and Jake jog in.

ALLENLook at the bright side. At least you all learned something.

Thomas greets Kaytl, Lorn, and Samuel; Carl greets Audre and Baby; Brock greets Jenya, Kip, and Maya; Allen greets Myka, Aaron, and Ann; Bry greets Julia and Rea; Ayla and Sara give berries to Erik and Evan; and Jake is alone.

ARKENThe family ahead crossed here, and left us their tracks. Let’s study them and learn all we can. Where did they walk? How many are they? When did they cross? What do they carry?

All cross the Creek except Thomas and Arken.

KAYTLSamuel, where are you going?

THOMASAny signs from the Hermit?

ARKENTwo goat skulls a little ways up. I did not go further.

Kip and Aaron run to the Creek past Bry.

KIPThey went that way.

THOMASHow do you know?

AARONBecause they follow their toes.

THOMASGood.

6

ARKENNow can you tell us what they ate?

The boys turn back, shadowboxed by Bry crossing the Creek.

ARKENThey are eight men, two older boys, nine women, and ten children. They crossed late this morning, ate mammoth last night, and some of the men shaved.

BRYWhy have they slowed?

Evan and Erik approach the Creek.

ERIKWe counted ten and two men, and a bunch of girls.

EVANSeems they crossed a quarter day past.

ARKENAll right, then, go on, just remember what you see.

Evan and Erik run up the Creek.

ARKENThey do wear shoes like ours.

BRYAnd herd mammoths like we do, away from the mountain men.

Julia and Rea approach the Creek.

JULIAGo on, tell them what you learned.

REAThey walk like they want to be our friends.

THOMASMaybe it is time for a shave.

7

CREEK FOREST – IN A TREE – BEFORE SUNSET

Erik and Evan climb atop a tree. Evan sees the Ridge Meadow rise under the sun to the Pass separating the Ridge, which juts into the Lake, and the Ice Mountain. Just ahead, preparing for dinner and sleep near seven mammoths, are JARE’S FATHER, 50s, JARE’S BROTHER, 22, BLIND MAN, 60s, KYLE, 20s, KEITH, 20s, MEN 1, 2, 3, 30s to 40s, TEENS 1, 2, who is special, JARE’S MOTHER, 50s, seven women, 20s to 50s, JARE’S SISTER, 14, nine children, 4 to 12, and JARE, 17, alone, picking berries. She looks up. Evan slips.

ERIK(climbs)

What is it? Oh, I see. I think she is laughing at you.

EVANLet me back up.

ERIKAre you going to be okay this time?

CREEK FOREST - BEFORE SUNSET

Allen and Brock with spears approach Arken with three dead rabbits, as Bry approaches with a spear and two dead squirrels.

ALLENThis is why I like fishing.

BROCK No spear, Arken?

ARKENFunny rabbits thought I’d pet them.

BRY(finds clover in Arken’s vest)

Maybe it was the meal you offered.

Brock and Allen see a rabbit and chase her as she runs between; and they bump.

BROCKHow did he do that?

ARKENShe, and you two helped.

8

BRYI only wanted vegetables tonight anyway.

ALLENYeah, right.

CREEK FOREST – IN A TREE – SUNSET

Evan, atop the tree, waves to Jare turning to Jare’s Father.

ERIKReady?

EVANAlmost.

Evan sees a stone chimney, up the Creek, which flows between the Ice Mountain and the mountains eastward where three fires burn in the eastern prairie, far past the Dry Creek; south is the Lake and the bottom of the Creek; and westward, PIUS, 55, a traveler, walks down the Ridge, seeing Evan.

EVAN (CONT’D)A man is walking this way.

ERIKWe better go. Follow me.

Erik drops. Evan sees Jare and Jare’s Father walk to their family; Jare sneaks a look and waves, and Evan smiles, and sees the smoke from the eastern fires, and drops. Erik dismounts with a flip, Evan a flip and a twist.

JULIA(spots them)

Boys, you are not squirrels.

Nearby Allen crashes from a tree, on his feet now, somehow, six to eight pears in tow.

ALLENSee how I was careful?

Arken, Bry, and Brock approach and they walk.

BRY Well, how was the view?

ERIKBreathtaking, right Evan?

9

EVANA man is walking this way.

ARKENAnd the family ahead?

EVANThey are close.

ERIKEvan waved.

ARKENYou waved?

EVANSorry, Uncle.

ARKENDo not be sorry.

JULIAWhat did they do?

EVANWave back.

BROCKAnd the mountain men?

EVANThree fires, like yesterday. Still a full day’s run.

A rabbit runs to Evan and he lifts her.

BRYWe could use another.

Allen offers to take her, but Evan pets her and her eyes close; his hand is on her neck, behind her ears, around her chin.

EVAN (gives it to Allen)

Thank you.

ALLENThank you, hunter.

10

LOWER CREEK CROSSING – TWILIGHT

The seven return. Julia approaches Jenya, Myka, and Audre washing in the Creek near the children playing in it; Kaytl unpacks; Carl sets wood for two fires; Samuel watches Thomas spark fire; and Jake is alone.

ARKEN (to Thomas)

A man is walking this way.

JAKECan I come?

THOMASOf course, Jake, anyone else?

Bry, Brock, Allen, and Carl see Julia, Myka, Jenya, and Audre.

ALLENI think I’ll clean up a little.

BROCKRight, we’ll handle everything by the time you get back.

BRYRight.

CARL Right.

THOMASThe fires are yours, Samuel.

SAMUELThanks Dad.

Thomas kisses Kaytl and walks with Arken and Jake.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING – DUSK

All clean, Brock and Myka walk from the woods towards Samuel near two fires; Bry sits on one of the boulders set around as seats, and cuts a large deer hide with a bone knife; Jenya skins a rabbit; Allen and Carl cut vegetables; Julia spins yarn; Kaytl and Audre arrange hides for sleeping; Ayla holds Baby; and the children surround Evan and a sparrow.

ALLENLooking like a blanket.

BRYI’m feeling a jacket.

11

Allen raises a single finger. Brock and Myka approach.

BROCKWhat you got there? Jackets for the three boys?

Thomas, Arken, Jake, and Pius approach.

THOMASThis is Pius, everyone, from the other side of the lake.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING – GRACE – NIGHT

All rest on boulders or the ground in an oval around the fires. In the middle, Pius is next to Carl, Audre, and Jake, facing Evan, Kip, and Aaron.

MYKATonight we are grateful to have more than all we need: fire, food, water, friends, and family.

Julia seasons meat cooking in a clay bowl as others cook meat and vegetables with wooden skewers.

JULIAI remember your visit well, Pius, two ten years past. This must be your third trip around the lake?

PIUSMy fourth, actually, not counting the stories of my grandfather.

Kip and Aaron wrestle for a grasshopper.

KIPGive him back. He’s mine. C’mon!

Evan sees a mouse, encourages Kip to offer his hand, and the mouse runs up Kip’s hand onto his shoulder.

AARON(drops the grasshopper)

Okay, okay, I’m sorry, I’m sorry.

Evan encourages Kip to reach out to Aaron, and the mouse runs across Aaron past Maya and Ann.

PIUSI remember your family well, living on the Great River then.

12

THOMASUntil seven years past.

PIUSYes, I heard, the mountain men.

JULIAKilled our parents, and brother and sister.

AUDRE(with Carl and Baby)

They are back, wanting all the land between the rivers for themselves.

JAKEKilled my family one moon past. You are walking right to them. Are you not afraid?

PIUSIn my travels, I prefer not to be afraid.

EASTERN MOUNTAIN - NIGHT

Twenty mountain men, including DEVON, 32, SOLDIER 1, 28, OFFICERS 1 and 2, 20s, OFFICERS 5 and 6, 30s, MOUNTAIN MEN GENERAL, late 30s, and GENERAL’S SON, 16, prepare an assault.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING – A MAP - NIGHT

A wolf howls as the meal finishes; Pius watches Evan listen.

PIUSWhat will you do?

THOMAS We will cross the West River, and find a new home.

PIUSIt is wild there.

ARKENSo are we.

PIUSWell, come around, let me show your

(unfolds an embroidered map with the Lake in the center)

way. This is my village, here,

13

SARA (points to the villages in the mountains northeast of the Great River)

And the mountain families live here. Do you know them?

PIUSI do.

JULIAWhy are they coming, Pius?

PIUSSo often to answer why is to choose a side, but my side is this: it is farming all should want.

BRY Farming is not the way of our ancestors.

PIUSNo, but the future belongs to those who grow, and none grows more than

(points to the eastern river)this village here. And it speaks a language all its own.

JULIADoes not every voice?

PIUSYes, well, perhaps one of you will visit the Hermit with me tomorrow. Maybe he can answer the questions I could not.

Many look to Arken.

ARKENI would like that, thank you.

EASTERN MOUNTAIN FOREST - NIGHT

Soldier 1, Officers 1, 2, and Devon, with the sixteen others, sneak upon a fire and attack four young men and two women.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING - NIGHT

Near the mammoths, Arken stands to the Prairie. He shares a look with Evan, still sitting across from Pius.

15

Evan shares a look with Jake, who like the others, prepares for sleep. A squirrel runs to Evan.

PIUSTell me, Evan, do you speak to the animals like your grandfather?

The squirrel runs. Bry roars, scattering the children.

KIPAgain, Uncle, again!

JULIATime for sleep, little ones.

Evan stands; Pius stands; and Bry and Arken approach.

PIUSI see, well, perhaps some day you will tell me more.

Pius walks into the dark.

BRYGood night, Pius.

ARKENUntil tomorrow.

PIUSGood night, and thank you all for this evening.

Bry shadowboxes Evan and walks towards the mammoths.

BRY I guess we’ll hear about this girl another day?

ARKEN Wake me soon.

BRYSleep well.

ARKEN(taps Evan’s chest)

Breathtaking, huh?

EASTERN MOUNTAIN FOREST - NIGHT

Mountain men lord over the fire not their own. Soldier 1, near Devon, kills the last of the six.

16

GENERAL’S SONWhy do they kill the women, father?

GENERALKill a man and change the father of a child. Kill a woman and there will be no child.

The sounds of the night play and the stars shine.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING – DAWN

Mist from the morning Creek covers Arken and Evan asleep.

THOMASArken, time for your visit.

OUTSIDE HERMIT’S GARDEN – SUNRISE

Arken and Pius walk past goat skulls. HERMIT, well-aged, in a gardener’s wear, approaches from behind.

HERMITPius, you are back.

PIUSIt has been a long time, old friend. This is Arken, from the Great River.

Two rabbits run away from Arken to Hermit dropping carrots.

HERMITYes, welcome.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING – EARLY MORNING

All wake as Thomas and Kaytl crack duck eggs into the bowl over coals. Evan walks to the Ridge, watched by Jake.

HERMIT’S GARDEN - MORNING

Hermit, Pius, and Arken walk under apricot, apple, fig, and cherry trees in a garden of flowers, fruits, and vegetables, like a maze, teaming with piglets, chicks, and rabbit kits.

PIUS And your children?

17

HERMITFar and wide as always. When they could walk a day, they knew every child within two days walk; lakes, rivers, and mountains mattered not. They do not visit an old man often.

An old boar approaches.

THE RIDGE - MORNING

Evan walks up the forested Ridge, followed far behind by Jake.

Evan approaches a wolf and four pups, offering rabbit meat, and water cress.

EVANWhy are you alone?

The wolf turns; Evan turns; and Jare approaches.

HERMIT’S GARDEN – NEAR A FIRE PIT - MORNING

Near the Hermit’s stone home are five chairs and a fire pit with smoothed boulders around it, as if seats in a small amphitheater. Arken catches a chicken and tosses her.

ARKENA bird that can’t fly?

HERMITSome say only the fittest survive in this world, but it is the fat, slow, and dumb who live in my garden, is that not right, old friend?

The boar walks on.

THE RIDGE - MORNING

The wolf and pups watch.

JAREHi.

EVANHello.

18

EASTERN PRAIRIE - MORNING

Along the mountains, walk SCOUTS 1, 2, 20s, Officers 1, 2, twenty-five mountain men aged 17 to 34, SOLDIERS 2, 3, OFFICERS 3, 4, 30s, another twenty mountain men aged 17 to 34, Officers 5, 6, General, and General’s Son.

HERMIT’S ENTRY - NEAR A FIRE PIT - MORNING

Hermit, Arken, and Pius sit in the chairs.

HERMITThe mountain men are close, getting closer, why, I do not know.

ARKENTheir nature is to murder in the dark. If my power matched my will, I would kill them all.

HERMITDo not blame them all, Arken; most all fight wars others cause.

PIUSYes, often it is the weakest who must kill.

ARKENIt is the weakest who die.

HERMITUnless they enter the stories of our youth, and are given more power than us all.

THE RIDGE - MORNING

The wolf, pup, Evan, and Jare rest as Jare’s Sister runs up.

JARE’S SISTERJare, I’m sorry, but, he’s back.

JARELet’s go.

Evan watches Jare and Jare’s Sister jog down the Ridge, away from Jake.

19

OUTSIDE HERMIT’S GARDEN - MORNING

Arken, Hermit, and Pius stand near the goat skulls.

HERMITYours and the family ahead should be further than here by now.

ARKENWhy do the mountain men give you peace?

HERMITWhy would they not? I am one of them.

THE RIDGE - MORNING

JAKEAre you going to say something?

Evan walks on.

CREEK FOREST - MORNING

Arken walks along the Creek. He hears a sound and disappears up a tree, into another, and another, seeing Devon and Soldier 1 below; Arken’s hand is on a branch, near a caterpillar.

DEVONWhere’d he go?

ARKEN(drops on Devon’s shoulder)

Never again. And tell the others, never again.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING - MORNING

Thomas, Bry, Carl, Brock, and Allen, each cleanly shaven, eat pears near the family as Arken approaches.

THOMASWhat happened?

ARKENTwo mountain men followed me down the Creek. I hit one and sent them back. We should go.

20

ALLENEvan and Jake –

BROCK There they are.

Evan and Jake approach.

LOWER RIDGE MEADOW – JARE’S FAMILY - MORNING

Jare and Jare’s Sister run to Jare’s Father, Jare’s Mother, and Jare’s Brother near their family and the seven mammoths.

JAREJake is back, with them.

LOWER CREEK CROSSING - MORNING

All from Evan’s family walk past the six mammoths into the Ridge Meadow towards the Pass, except Evan, Jake, Bry, and Thomas, filling pine tar-coated packs in the Creek, and Arken shaving with a flint blade.

BRYYou boys sit here.

Evan and Jake sit on boulders. Bry wets Evan’s hair, trims above his eyes with bone sheers, and lathers and shaves Jake, as Thomas tightens Evan’s shoes and cleans one of Jake’s.

ARKEN(washes his face)

You have a story, boys. Do you not think we smell it?

LOWER RIDGE MEADOW - MORNING

Jare’s Father, Jare’s Brother, Blind Man, Kyle, Keith, Men 1, 2, 3, Teens 1, and 2 walk with spears down the Ridge Meadow.

LOWER RIDGE MEADOW - OUTSIDE THE LOWER CREEK - MORNING

Evan’s family is gathered near the six mammoths.

JAKEI scared a girl from the family ahead, and made her cry. I did not mean to, I swear it. I did not hurt her. It’s because of her family. They hated me, just like them, and them, everyone, ‘til you.

21

KAYTLHere, I have berries.

JULIA(with a basket for Arken)

And take this.

Thomas and Bry hand their packs to Brock and Allen. Bry drops his hide.

BRYThere will be another.

LOWER RIDGE MEADOW - LATE MORNING

Thomas, Bry, Jake, and Arken approach the men of Jare’s clan.

ARKEN(offers the basket)

I am Arken.

JARE’S BROTHER(drops the basket)

We are here for him.

ARKENThen tell us a story we believe more than his.

JARE’S BROTHERSays three of you to ten of us?

THOMASWe are sorry for whatever happened. The boy came to us a quarter moon past, said his family was killed by mountain men.

JARE’S FATHER He was raised by brothers and cousins who, if they are dead, likely earned it.

BRYHe is with us now and says he did no wrong.

JARE’S FATHERYet my daughter cries.

THOMASYou may take the justice of a father.

22

BRYAs if his own were watching.

ARKENFor what you know the boy has done, not his brothers or cousins.

JARE’S FATHERWhich throws?

(grabs Jake’s other arm)Stay away from my daughters. All I ask. Do you hear me?

JARE’S BROTHER(punches Jake’s arm; Jake falls)

The justice of a brother.

Jare appears, and slaps Jake.

JARE’S BROTHERAnd sister.

She disappears.

ARKEN(helps Jake stand)

Stand straight.

THOMASWe seek your friendship.

JARE’S FATHERNow is not the time.

ARKENThe mountain men are close, getting closer; the time has picked itself.

BRYWe are safer together than apart.

Jake runs to the mountains.

BRY Jake!

THOMAS You can find us always!

JARE’S FATHER(lifts the basket)

Thank you for this.

The men from Jare’s clan turn away.

23

LOWER RIDGE MEADOW - LATE MORNING

Jare’s family and the seven mammoths walk hundreds of yards ahead of Evan’s family and the six mammoths.

RIDGE MEADOW – IN A FIELD OF WILDFLOWERS – MIDDAY

Near the six mammoths walk Jenya, Myka with Baby, Audre, Sara, Ayla, Rea, Maya, Ann, and Kaytl who shares a wave with Jare’s Mother, stopped with Jare’s family about a hundred yards ahead, the seven mammoths near the mountains with Kyle and Keith.

KAYTL(stops)

Anyone hungry?

Behind, walk Evan, Arken, and Bry. A sparrow flies. Evan throws a pebble that she twirls around.

ARKENClose.

BRYA little harder next time.

She glides down and drops the pebble to Evan. Arken and Bry share a look. The three approach Thomas, Brock, Allen, Carl, Erik, Samuel, Lorn, Kip, and Aaron watching Julia throw a rock hitting a sunflower.

JULIAGood luck, boys.

Aaron holds Julia’s and Evan’s hand, and they walk towards Kaytl and the others.

BROCKWhere are you going, Evan?

EVANI know how this game ends.

BROCK(tosses him a rock)

How can you know that?

Evan hooks the rock nicking a petal.

BROCKNice shot.

24

Kip holds Evan’s other hand and the four walk on. The bouncing flower is hit, petals drop, and Thomas steps back.

SAMUELGood throw, Dad.

RIDGE MEADOW – IN A FIELD OF WILDFLOWERS - MIDDAY

Julia, Aaron, Evan, and Kip approach Maya, Ann, and Rea near Kaytl and the others. In Evan’s hands two roses appear which he gives to Maya and Ann. He looks behind Rea’s ears.

EVANWait, what’s this?

And finds a rose.

RIDGE MEADOW – NEAR A SUNFLOWER - MIDDAY

Erik throws a rock hitting the sunflower.

BRYTakes after his old man.

ARKENGood to know his old man can be replaced.

CARLThe pressure is on me now.

THOMASOnly your own.

RIDGE MEADOW – IN A FIELD OF WILDFLOWERS - MIDDAY

EVAN(looks to the flowers)

Do you hear them?

AARONThey want us to play!

The five children run to the wildflowers. Kip and Aaron wrestle near Rea, Maya, and Ann holding hands, circling.

JULIAYou think the flowers asked for that do you?

25

EVANIt’s not the flowers that worry me so much as their gardener.

Evan sees a path, loosely-lined with trees, lead towards the chimney at the Creek, as Julia sees the circling artistry of the flowers’ gardener.

RIDGE MEADOW – NEAR A SUNFLOWER - MIDDAY

Stepped back, Bry shoots a rock, curving to strike the tattered flower; another rock slices its stem and the flower falls.

ARKENAhh, too low.

BROCK(and Allen drop their rocks)

Every time.

RIDGE MEADOW – MIDDAY

KAYTLThe mammoths!

The six mammoths walk to the seven mammoths. Ahead,

JARE’S FATHER(to Jare’s Brother)

Help Kyle and Keith. They will never separate once together.

Back, Arken, Bry, Thomas, Brock, Allen, and Carl hurry ahead.

ARKEN(to Evan)

Aren’t you coming?

EVAN(to Erik and Samuel)

Let’s go.

The nine walk past Jare’s family.

THOMASExcuse us, sorry.

ALLENExcuse us.

26

BROCK Sorry.

JARE’S FATHERYou have been too close all day.

THOMASThe mammoths belong to each other, and with us.

JARE’S BROTHER (runs to Jare’s Father)

Kyle and Keith are dead.

JARE’S FATHERNo.

RIDGE MEADOW - AFTERNOON

Well below the thirteen mammoths, Evan’s family is gathered. Above the mammoths, Jare’s family, huddled, is joined by Jare’s Father and Jare’s Brother.

RIDGE MEADOW, TOWARDS PASS – LATE AFTERNOON TO SUNSET

Jare’s family, the mammoths, and Evan’s family walk apart.

RIDGE MEADOW – TWILIGHT

The families are stopped and ready for the night, not too far apart; Jare’s Brother walks below the mammoths to Thomas, Arken, and Bry.

JARE’S BROTHERPlease, sleep as close as you like.

BRYWe are sorry about your men.

THOMASAnd the killers?

JARE’S BROTHERWe tracked three to the mountains, but no further.

ARKENMountain men?

27

JARE’S BROTHERNo doubt. Funny thing is, today was the safest we have felt in many moons.

RIDGE MEADOW – DUSK

Jare’s family is around a fire singing softly. Below, Evan’s is around a fire.

EVANMay I check the mammoths?

ERIKI’ll go with him.

BRYQuickly, and stay close.

EVANWe have visitors.

Evan and Erik jog off. Arken, Thomas, and Bry get up to see STRAGGLERS 1, 2, males, 20s, and STRAGGLER 3, female, 20s, walking up.

STRAGGLER 1 Peace. We run from the mountain men.

BRYWhere are you from?

STRAGGLER 2Below the Dry Creek.

THOMASYou may stay with us if you want.

STRAGGLER 3No, thank you. We must keep going. Do you have water to spare?

Arken offers his.

STRAGGLER 2It is true, is it not? You are the last of the Great River clan?

28

RIDGE MEADOW – A VISIT TO JARE - DUSK

Evan and Erik, with the mammoths, watch Jare’s family. Jare appears.

JAREWhat are you doing here?

ERIKHe can’t stop thinking of you.

JAREGo, just, please, go.

She walks back to her family. Evan and Erik walk to theirs.

ERIKDon’t worry, next time I’ll say something better.

RIDGE MEADOW – NIGHT

Arken stands to the mountains as Evan and Erik return to the fire.

BROCKThere. Two more.

(stragglers, on their way to the Pass, wave)

And another two.(another two wave)

BRYHow about a story? Anyone?

EVANHow about that night?

JULIAAgain, sweetheart, on this day?

EVANIt changes every time.

RIDGE MEADOW - AND EAST OF THE GREAT RIVER – NIGHT

All but Arken huddle around the fire. Flashbacks interplay:

JULIAIt was seven years past, this same moon.

29

We were around a fire, with our parents, Helena, Herken, two beautiful little girls, and a handsome baby boy. You three were asleep in your tent.

Near the shore of the Lake, east of the Great River, around a fire, rest the younger Julia, Thomas, Jenya, Brock, Myka, Allen, Kaytl, Bry, Arken, the oldest male, GRANDFATHER, 60s, two male and four female GRANDPARENTS, 50s to 60s, HELENA, 23, HERKEN, 29, Sara, 2, Ayla, 1, and Lorn, 1. In a tent nearby, Samuel, 5, sleeps near Erik, 7, and Evan, 10, lying outside, facing the stars. Evan hears something.

JULIAOf course your father heard them first.

Herken jumps up, “Mountain men! Brock, Allen, get the raft! Everyone else, get the children!”

JULIAAnd he was gone, just like that, then our parents were.

Grandparents grab spears. Grandfather smothers the fire, keeps a lit log, and says, “Go kids. Follow Herken. Everyone else, this way.” Grandparents run one way; the others run the other.

Grandfather throws the log onto brush, is tossed a spear, and charges thirty mountain, yelling “to death” with the other grandparents, all overwhelmed, most speared.

LORNWhy did they do that?

SAMUELTheir love made them.

JULIAYes, so we could get to the rafts.

Mountain men approach the decoy fire in soft sand.

The younger Julia and Jenya with Lorn and Sara board a first raft that Brock, Allen, Myka, and Helena push through reed. Nearby, Herken helps Bry, Kaytl, and Ayla onto a canoe connected to a second raft.

SAMUELAll I remember is I was crying.

The younger Thomas and Arken run to Erik, Evan, and Samuel.

30

ARKEN(rests with the family)

Of course you were. We all were.

ERIK Even Uncle Herken?

ARKENI saw tears in his eyes that night.

THOMASI did too.

BRYWe all had them.

The younger Arken runs with Evan’s and Erik’s hands as Thomas carries Samuel. A mountain man yells “Over here!” Thomas flings Samuel to Arken and knocks the man out.

THOMASI was lost. All I knew was Herken’s voice, “This way, Thomas. On the raft, this way.”

Thomas runs to Evan, Erik, and Arken lifting Samuel to Herken on the canoe. Thomas boards, and Herken helps Thomas and Samuel onto the second raft with Bry, Kaytl, and Ayla. Mountain men descend. Herken pushes the second raft into the Lake, and helps Arken lift Erik and Evan onto the canoe.

ERIKHe told me, “Swim to your father.”

Erik dives to the second raft that Bry, Kaytl, and Thomas paddle by hand.

EVANHe told me, “Swim with Erik, and listen to your Uncle.”

(looks to Arken)

Evan dives.

JENYAYou three were so brave.

Arken gets on the canoe and pushes away with an oar.

ARKENHe told me, “I know what to do.”

Herken says, “Go,” and Arken gives the oar to Herken and dives towards the first raft in reeds. Mountain men charge.

31

BRYHe was right, he had magic in him that night.

JULIAAnd grace really.

Herken knocks mountain men with the oar, and flings it towards Bry’s raft. More mountain men throw rocks; Herken catches two, knocks swimmers, and pounds open the canoe bottom. Bry retrieves the oar as Erik and Evan board the second raft.

ALLENWe were too slow.

As the first raft escapes the reed, two mountain men pull Helena and Allen into the Lake. Allen calmly holds his flailing attacker as they fall to the Lake bottom; Allen rests, and the man drowns; and Allen rises to see Arken with Helena, limp, near a man face-down. They carry her to the first raft and all paddle as ten mountain men close in.

KAYTLI will always remember your father’s dive.

Herken runs past attackers off the rising edge of the sinking canoe and dives. Over some, he swims under others, and grabs the men nearest the first raft as Devon and others swarm him.

The first raft escapes, joining the second raft in the Lake. Herken is held under by mountain men alternating breaths at the surface, but Herken rises, “Live! For us all!”

EVANI can still hear him.

JULIASo can I.

MYKAI feel them with us, even now.

EVANWe were on the rafts for two days after that, everyone but me.

ARKENYou remember?

EVANThat morning Grandfather told me, “A wise man thinks like a fish.”

32

JULIASo you could not stop swimming?

EVANI could not get out of the water.

Far from shore, Evan floats between the rafts under stars.

Embers from the fire glow, the family around its rim, asleep, except Arken, standing to the mountains.

RIDGE MEADOW – DAWN

The sun lights the Ice Mountain peak as Bry, Arken, and Thomas look up to it and Jare’s Father approaches.

JARE’S FATHERThat is where we used to live. Will you walk with us today?

THOMASWe would like that.

JARE’S FATHERYou are going to the villages, to stay with your family?

THOMASWe are crossing the West River.

JARE’S FATHERI see, as are we. We should be further than here by now. I will tell you our story tonight though I fear it will not match your own.

RIDGE MEADOW TOWARDS THE PASS – MORNING

Jare’s family, Evan’s family, and the mammoths walk together.

RIDGE MEADOW - NEAR THE PASS – GIFTS - MORNING

Below the narrowing Pass, the families rest between the rocky Ridge and forested Ice Mountain. Jare’s Mother offers a bowl of berries to Julia who offers a bowl of nuts. The children of the families meet near Jare.

JULIAIt feels good to be with others.

33

JARE’S MOTHERYes, our children lead the way as they often do.

Evan is near a blueberry bush with Teen 2.

TEEN 2I am fast, you know.

EVANI know. So am I.

TEEN 2I know. You first.

Evan swipes his hands through the branches and turns his palms brimming with berries. Teen 2 slowly picks berries, from one branch, and another, and, his leg shaking the bush, he startles branches, and it shakes more. He shows a few berries in his hand to Evan, and drops them, underneath, to a cloth, brimming, with berries, that he shows to Evan.

TEEN 2I win.

The adults mingle, Jenya heard as the faces shown:

JENYAI am Jenya and this is my sister Myka. We are with Allen and Brock, who are brothers. Kaytl is their sister, who is with Thomas, Bry’s brother. Bry is with Julia, Arken’s sister. And they are Audre and Carl, our new friends. Two ten years past, some of our family left us, and are in the villages now, farming. But we are leaving the lake. We are crossing the river, to find a new home.

THE ICE MOUNTAIN - MORNING

Above the Pass, well up Ice Mountain, stand VILLAGE LEADER, 50s, JACK, 23, VILLAGERS 1, 2, 50s, and SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1, 24, with views from the West River to the Great River.

VILLAGE LEADER(sees the families below)

They are lucky to know each other.

34

JACKWill they fight the mountain men with us?

(sees the 65 mountain men far east)

VILLAGER 1We cannot ask the one.

VILLAGE LEADERAnd I cannot ask the other.

RIDGE MEADOW – TOWARDS THE PASS - MORNING

A hawk soars and birds fly from the Ridge and the forest.

JARE’S BROTHERMountain men?

EVANBoth sides.

ARKENEvan and I will walk the forest.

THOMASBry and I will walk the Ridge. Brock, you and Allen walk behind.

BRYTake Erik. Send him if you see something.

SAMUELCan I go with you, Dad?

Thomas and Kaytl share a look.

RIDGE MEADOW – TOWARDS THE PASS - NOON

The families and mammoths walk towards the Pass. Near the Ridge among boulders walk Thomas, Bry, and Samuel. Behind walk Brock, Allen, and Erik. Near the mountain forest walk Evan and Arken.

EVANUncle, how did my father know what to do?

ARKENCompared to whom?

35

They walk on, hear a crunch from the forest, then:

BRY (O.S.)Sammy! Where are you?

THOMAS (O.S.). . . Samuel!

ARKENGo, and Evan, remember this. Your father was better than me, and you are too.

Evan runs into the Meadow. Arken runs into the forest up a tree. A few branches up, he sees a mountain man stare at him one tree over. The man races up; Arken races faster. Near the top Arken looks to the Meadow, jumps to the mountain man’s tree, and looks again. Branches snap as the mountain man grabs Arken’s ankle and they fall. Arken hangs from a branch, the man holding on, and Arken swings to another branch, looks again, and drops them through leaves.

The man falls limp from the tree as Arken lands – facing a mountain man who throws two rocks that Arken catches and drops. They approach. The man swings at Arken who is on the man’s back, arms around his neck; the man falls to his knees, and onto Arken’s back, rocking, until the man’s neck snaps.

Bry and Evan run towards the forest as Arken runs out.

BRYThey killed Samuel. He was right behind us.

ARKENI saw it, and killed two in the forest.

The three run to Thomas and Kaytl near Lorn crying over Samuel’s body near Brock, Allen, Erik, Julia, Jare’s Brother, Jare’s Father, Men 1, 2, and Carl.

BRY(to Lorn)

Up you go. This way.

Arken sees Devon, his shoulder bandaged, Soldier 1, and two mountain men run towards the Creek. Arken launches a rock. Devon looks back. Arken sees, across the Meadow, the tree he was in, and scouts the tracks near Samuel.

ARKENThey were lying in the grass, there. Sammy saw them, here, and he was trapped, by his bravery.

(to Evan)Drop your pack.

36

THOMASI am going too.

JARE’S BROTHERWe have blood to avenge as well.

ARKENOnly Evan, please, we cannot slow.

BRY I do not like this.

THOMASThis is my fight.

ARKENThis is our fight. I know what to do.

RIDGE MEADOW, CREEK, AND PRAIRIE – AFTERNOON

The four mountain men run across the lower Creek crossing.

Arken and Evan sprint towards the upper Creek as Arken picks up a rock and another which he drops; Evan picks up a rock.

ARKENI did not bring you to help. I brought you to watch.

Evan gives the rock to Arken who drops another. They sprint to the Creek forest. They drink at the Creek.

ARKENNow is when we catch them.

They sprint along the Dry Creek; past a mammoth fossil.

TOP OF THE PASS - AFTERNOON

The families are atop the Pass. Bry, Brock, and Allen stand from freshly-planted daisies. The family hugs; Allen drums.

EASTERN PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

A dim beat heard, Evan and Arken, along the edge of the Dry Creek, see Devon and the three others walk in the Prairie.

EVANThey must be close to others, they are not afraid.

37

ARKEN(gives him two rocks)

The time is right. If you do not see me first, run.

Arken sneaks upon the four. Devon looks back and the four sprint; Arken gains. Devon and Soldier 1 turn towards the mountains; the third curves towards the Lake; and the fourth stops with a bone knife that Arken thrusts into him. Devon points the third man to Evan.

ARKENRun, Evan! Run!

The man runs at Evan; Arken chases.

ARKENRun, Evan!

Evan has a rock in each hand; the mountain man runs with two.

ARKENThrow it.

Evan drops a rock.

ARKENThrow!

Evan drops the other. The man throws a rock that Evan looks away, tackles Evan, hitting Evan’s ear. The man is tackled by Arken, who stands with a bloody dagger.

ARKEN(to Devon and Soldier 1)

Come to your deaths!

General, Officers 4, 5, and 6 approach Devon and Soldier 1. Arken touches Evan’s face.

EVANIt is nothing, Uncle, only blood from my ear.

ARKENLet’s go.

Arken and Evan jog towards the Creek.

SOLDIER 1He kills like a tiger chasing prey.

OFFICER 5Or like a bear protecting her cubs?

38

DEVONEither way he is an animal.

GENERALWhat animal can lay with a woman and father a child? He is no more animal than we are, and no less.

THE CREEK TO THE PASS – LATE AFTERNOON TO TWILIGHT

Arken and Evan wash in the Creek, run up the Meadow, up the Pass, and see a tiny, green speck flash atop the setting sun.

EVANEveryday it is beautiful.

Evan drops to the daisies, their petals drooped for the dark, as Arken faces the Creek and roars.

PASS TO WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NEAR AN OLD OAK TREE - DUSK

Under purple sky, Arken and Evan descend the Pass seeing Jare’s Family prepare for dinner; nearby Evan’s is doing the same. The five villagers share a wave with Village Leader and greet Evan’s family.

Arken and Evan return to their family and are hugged.

Julia tends to Arken’s wounds.

ARKENWe need a leader. I am just a killer.

JULIAWe are almost there.

ARKENAlmost where?

JULIAA new beginning.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - NEAR AN OLD OAK TREE - NIGHT

Jare’s Father approaches Evan’s family.

39

JARE’S FATHERPlease, join our fire. The last of our mammoth roasts in your honor, though we saved some ribs for you to trade with the villagers tomorrow.

ARKENTomorrow we must cross the river.

BRYWe’ve been invited by your uncle.

THOMASLet’s visit them.

JARE’S FATHERPlease, join us, I owe you a story.

NORTHERN VILLAGE ENTRANCE - NIGHT

The five villagers approach FARMER 1 and VILLAGER 3, males, 50s, and FARMER 2 and VILLAGE LEADER 2, females, 50s.

VILLAGE LEADEROur family will be here in one day, our enemies in three.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - NEAR AN OLD OAK TREE – A STORY - NIGHT

Evan’s and Jare’s families surround a fire.

JARE’S FATHEROur ancestors learned to live on the Ice Mountain with a family of elk. Most seasons we killed a buck or two, rarely a doe; the bone and antlers became our tools, the fur our warmth, the meat our strength. But this summer past, the villagers and the mountain men tasted the power that comes from height. Fighting turned to killing, and what they could not share with each other, they lost for us all. Before the autumn started, the elk were gone. The winter was long and cold, and our three oldest and two youngest just missed the first days of spring. We left the mountain to look for food, and were saved only by the mammoths.

40

Were Kyle and Keith angry, too young to know that good is not born when wrong meets wrong? Yes, and they made enemies for us all. But none here want more than peace.

EVANAnd Jake? What of his family?

JARE’S SISTERI love him. I do.

She walks away.

MOUNTAIN FOREST - NIGHT

Jake stands in a moonlit forest, hears a crack, runs, slows, stops, listens, hears a crunch, and runs up a tree, as Jare’s Father continues:

JARE’S FATHER (O.S.)Jake, his brothers, and cousins were cast from that place in the forest where few men have many women, and little need for growing boys. In the autumn past, Jake and the others crossed the West River, and stayed with us, not knowing our ways, nor how to learn them, and left before moon’s end. Hungry for food and women, I fear they gave the mountain men what threatens us all, a story to raise an army.

Jake climbs higher.

FOREST DWELLERYou cannot hide forever boy.

EASTERN PRAIRIE – LATE NIGHT

Scouts 1 and 2 jog past forty mountain men asleep or around fires – one with a goat roasting near tethered goats and a goat carcass – stopping at a fire with General, General’s Son, Officers 1 to 6, Soldier 1, and Devon.

SCOUT 1The two families are over the pass now, together, near the villages.

GENERALAnd our men?

41

SCOUT 2(looks to Devon)

Like he said, one pushed out of a tree, the other choked. We buried them.

GENERALFour men killed in one day.

SOLDIER 1By the same man.

OFFICER 1He is a murderer.

DEVON Let’s move. Keep the fires lit, as

(speaking to one man)is, and we’ll light them again tomorrow night, a slow day’s walk ahead.

Clouds hide the moon as mountain men march in the dark.

AN OLD OAK TREE TO NORTHERN VILLAGE ENTRANCE – EARLY MORNING

Leaving the families, Brock, Allen, and Bry carry salted, cut mammoth ribs; Arken carries small hides; Julia and Jenya carry baskets; Evan and Erik carry carved stones and bones; Ayla and Sara carry blouses and a sweater; and Carl and Audre carry all that is theirs, including Baby.

Village Leader exchanges baskets of fruit with Arken.

VILLAGE LEADERWelcome. You must be Arken and Evan. I am the brother of your father and grandfather.

NORTHERN VILLAGE - MORNING

A central path connects paths to fifteen wood and stone huts, a baking hut, fire pit, tannery, granary, and grindstone. Many of the fifty villagers, mostly aged 35 to 70 or 5 to 15, tend to gardens or sit at chairs with tables. All wave, their clothes, like the families’, finely-tailored. In the village center, eight villagers place items in four places as Evan’s family places its items.

MARYANNJulia, is that you?

42

JULIAMaryann, I have not seen you since

JULIAI had ten and three years.

MARYANN. . ten and three years.

Back,

VILLAGE LEADERWhen our families parted, two ten years past, we joined three families, here, at the river mouth, where men no less than animals most often retreat and advance. We made a promise then to stay, to build a village, and die here together, never to run again.

Ahead, Evan shares a smile with VILLAGE LADY, 60s, and finds in her family’s items a honey-filled bowl.

EVANBrock, honey.

BROCK(takes the honey)

Shh . . . . Don’t let her know you want it.

Bry gets permission to sit in a chair and sits. Back,

VILLAGER 2We built a bridge not long after.

VILLAGER 1 And learned the hard way that a bridge can be crossed both ways.

VILLAGER 3It is wild there.

ARKENYou do not ask us to stay?

VILLAGE LEADER(looks to the Pass)

A fight may come from the mountain men, but it will be ours, not yours.

Ahead,

43

BROCKHow about we trade this old bit of honey for half a rib?

VILLAGE LADYWhy yes, young man, we have a deal. And what will you trade for the bowl? How about this other rib here?

Arken and Village Leader walk together.

VILLAGE LEADERThis is the future I hoped for us all.

ARKENMy father did not fault you for leaving, and nor do I.

VILLAGE LEADERWe can use this day to catch up.

Evan looks at a clay plate, like a frisbee.

VILLAGE MANThat is a plate, for food, to eat.

Evan spins it easier than seems possible.

EVAN What can I offer?

VILLAGE MANIs it not already yours?

Evan tosses it to Erik who tosses it back.

ERIKSammy.

EVAN Sammy.

Allen and Brock approach for the plate which Arken, walking with Village Leader, takes.

ARKEN This way.

VILLAGE WHEAT FIELDS - MORNING

Village Leader, Arken, and the twelve pass a tool shed to join Farmer 1, with a plow, before acres of dirt rows and young wheat.

44

FARMER 1First we must plow the fields and sow the seeds. Follow me.

Allen finds the plow heavy. They walk to a wheat field, Arken and Village Leader behind.

VILLAGE LEADERTell me, Arken, what rules you follow.

ARKENYou mean for the children?

VILLAGE LEADERI mean for the men.

ARKENMen follow their own.

Farmer 1 stops.

FARMER 1Not many moons later, if we are lucky, we can use a scythe.

He slashes wheat, cords, and lifts a stock, and all walk on. Allen finds the scythe heavy.

Back,

VILLAGE LEADERIn a village, most are friends of friends, but as a village grows, friends of friends of friends, not much closer than strangers.

Farmer 1 flails and Farmer 2 rakes into a breeze.

FARMER 1This is called a flail, and that is a rake.

FARMER 2Luckily, the chaff floats and the kernels fall.

FARMER 1This way.

Back,

45

VILLAGE LEADERHere, we have no king to settle disputes. Those without a stake settle them. We call that balance the rule of law.

ARKENAnd if a man disagrees?

VILLAGE LEADERNo man is above the law.

ARKENSo the law is above man?

VILLAGE LEADERYes, and each has put it there.

Farmer 1 grinds kernels into flour at the grindstone.

FARMER 1This is called a grindstone.

ALLEN(to Ayla and Sara)

Can’t we grow trees with low-hanging fruit?

All smell baking from a hut.

FARMER 1Go on.

He hands a heavy sack of flour to Allen.

INT. BAKING HUT – NOON

They are under the hut with an hearth and a table with pots of flours and water.

VILLAGE LEADER 2(pulls flatbread from the hearth)

Water, flour, and fire, all there is to it.

All leave the hut with bread as eight young women with babies and toddlers including SOUTHERN VILLAGER 4, 24, with a basket, approach.

VILLAGER LEADER 2Oh, my grandchildren, and daughter, with her special bread, I see.

46

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 4 Hi, everyone. It’s just yeast, mother, though I do admit the boys are abusing their experiments today. They are anxious for their cousins.

JULIA(to Arken and Bry)

Go, meet them, and take Thomas.

Thomas and Jare’s Father approach from the fields.

A villager plays music. A fire roasts ribs. All eat bread. Bry is with Southern Villager 4.

BRYIt is no match for deer.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 4(gives him strawberries)

Try it with this.

BRYBetter.

FARMER 2(gives him honey)

And some of this.

BRYBetter again.

Jare’s Father is with Village Leader.

VILLAGE LEADERYour family could have shared the day with us. You know our law judges only individuals.

JARE’S FATHERYes, of one family by another.

Julia, Ayla, Sara, and Audre are with Village Leader 2.

VILLAGE LEADER 2What a beautiful boy. What is his name?

AUDREWe have not named him yet.

VILLAGER LEADER 2No, of course.

47

JULIAWhen will it end, Auntie?

VILLAGE LEADER 2As always, I am afraid, when all sides love each other.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – AFTERNOON

Past the wheat fields to the prairie, Jare’s Father walks before Julia, Ayla, Jenya with Baby, Audre, Sara, MaryAnn, and Southern Villager 4, who sing:

The river flows from the mountains high/ Water clear like the air/ Shaping rock into stone/ Carving prairies below/ Waves as blue as the moon

PATH TO THE SOUTHERN VILLAGE - AFTERNOON

Carl, Erik, Evan, Thomas, Bry, Arken, Brock, and Allen walk a well-worn path under trees.

ALLENWas it just me or was that place kind of boring?

BRYTell me we will never eat off plates.

Evan spins the plate to Thomas.

BROCKOr pray to the sun every six days.

THOMASThey count their days?

ERIKThey call it sunday.

THOMASAnd name them?

ARKENTheir grain lasts ten and eight years, Thomas.

CARLLonger maybe, if it’s dry enough.

48

THOMASIt is a whole new world.

BRY(offers bread to Thomas)

I have to admit, the garlic bread is not half-bad.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

Near the West River forest, Julia and the others approach the families singing:

Water flows through the roots of the trees/ Up through the veins of the birds/ Bending and breaking/ Pulling and pushing/ Giving form to all that gives fire

SOUTHERN VILLAGE - AFTERNOON

The eight walk past a small granary into a grassy center with many trees, where four teenagers try archery, surrounded by huts and tents. Across the center, Jack walks from the largest tent, a primitive bar.

JACKHello fellas, would you all like some beer?

BRYI think we would like some beer.

JACKThey call me Jack.

ERIKErik.

EVANEvan.

THOMASThomas.

CARLCarl.

BRYBry.

49

BROCKBrock.

ALLENAllen.

ARKENArken.

BROCKWhat’s beer?

Bry does not know.

JACKWater, wheat, and, well, our parents call it a potion, the traveler called it yeast, and we call it magic. Water, wheat, and magic, all there is to it.

Jack walks them to the bar; the teens join. THOR, 18, skinny, in a black t-shirt and bracelet, pours beer for Southern Villager 1; SOUTHERN VILLAGERS 2 and 3, 20s, play darts; two others play music. Jack gives mugs to Thomas who drinks with Arken, Bry, and Brock and to Allen who drinks with Carl, Evan, and Erik done first.

ERIKI think we need another.

JACKWell-done, young man. Thor!

INT. BAR - AFTERNOON

Allen plays with the musicians; Brock plays darts; Evan and Erik watch the teens play a game like checkers; and Carl, Thomas, and Arken sit at the bar.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 2(and Bry return to the hut)

Beer lets you piss away the day. And if you drink enough, you forget what happens. That’s when you know you had fun.

CARLDoes that not raise a question?

BRYYes, why are you not drinking more?

50

They all drink as the games and music play on.

THOMAS(finishes his mug)

Will you all forgive me if I take a (stands and Arken stands)

walk? Please stay, and remember, so you can tell me later.

ARKEN(sits as Thomas exits)

Does this village have rules?

JACKYou have been talking to my father.

CARLI’ve never seen people live so richly.

JACKBut at what cost?

ARKENTheir tools and knowledge are gifts.

JACKGifts? Like the sharp eyes, and flared noses, and beating hearts that nature gives us when we hunt and gather, and learn how nature works? No, their riches are man-made, from farming and building, and learning how to work nature. Now how does that story end?

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 2Farming gave us beer. I say we speed the story up. To drinking!

BRY AND OTHERSTo drinking!

Music plays, drinks pour, pieces move, a dart thrown.

CARLIt is in our nature to learn.

ARKENAnd eat.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 2And drink.

51

DART-THROWERSTo drinking!

JACKBut we become our tools, living as grinders and plowers, rakers and flailers. And if we change our world, and become lost, what tool will find us our way back?

BRYThis here tool is called a mug, my friends.

ALLTo drinking!

Bry looks for beer in the barrel, empty. He throws his mug at the board and the barrel to the field. The music stops.

BRYIt was my watch.

ARKENIt was my watch.

BROCKIt was ours.

EVANIt was mine.

Erik sees Thomas looking in.

ERIKIt was all our watch.

ALLEN(with incense)

Is now a good time for this?

THORIncense, from the Hermit’s Creek. Yes, follow me.

Thor leads Allen, Brock, Erik, Evan, Bry, Arken, Carl, Jack, Southern Villagers 1, and 2 into the woods and a round tent as the women’s song is heard:

The river flows to the lake below/ Rising to the sky above/ Clouds lighter than air/ Rain with black thunder/ Starting all over again

52

INT. TENT – LATE AFTERNOON

They rest around a pit with a gray rock that Thor hands Evan.

THORCan you hold this, man?

Thor lights the incense in a pot and places it over the pit.

EVANIt’s been shaped.

THORThat’s iron, friend. Get it hot enough, and it will bend.

EVANRock we can bend.

THORYou can imagine.

JACKAn unbreakable plow.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1 Shovels that dig through roots.

BRYAn axe that stays sharp.

ARKENA spear that won’t splinter.

THOROr a circle, brothers.

BROCKA circle?

THORLike the horizon, only smaller.

BROCKI think I should know what a circle is, but what’s the point?

THORA circle has no point.

BROCKRight.

53

THORLike the sun and the moon.

ERIKAnd tits. What?

BRYOr eyes.

ARKENOr flowers.

EVANOr plates.

(spins the plate on a rock, cracking in pieces)

Sorry.

ALLENI never did like it.

BROCKMe neither.

ALLENWe should get another though.

BROCKFor sure.

THOROr the rainbow.

BROCKA rainbow is half a circle at best.

THORI mean the colors.

BROCKThey’re in a line, it goes red, orange, yellow, green, blue.

ALLENThen purple.

THORAnd the purple needs the red.

BROCKColors are a circle.

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EVAN(returns the iron to Thor)

Maybe the light and dark bend them together.

THORLike reflections. We could use more circles around, as we wait for the grass to grow.

JACKWe are trying to find him a girl.

BROCKWhere is it from?

THORDeep, underground, the center is my guess; you see it was meant to spin.

JACKMy head is spinning.

ARKENIt is getting late.

All exit the tent before Bry, Evan, Allen, and Thor.

THORWant to see a thing with more power than iron?

SOUTHERN VILLAGE - GRASSY CENTER - AFTERNOON

Brock, Erik, and Carl walk with Southern Villagers 1 and 2 to a tent as Arken and Jack walk to Thomas.

THOMASWhy are the mountain men coming?

JACKIn the summer past, there was war on the Ice Mountain, and deaths to avenge on all sides. But I do not think it is the past that brings them, but the mountain itself. The view from its height is the power to see the future.

ARKENFew promises are made more often.

55

THOMASAnd few less often kept.

JACKI do know this from the mountain view. Our lake is the largest of many, and at night, fires burn around them all.

HERMIT'S GARDEN AND ENTRY - AFTERNOON

In Hermit’s garden, mountain men stand, rest, eat, and drink. Hermit, Pius, General, and Devon sit in four of the five chairs near the fire pit.

HERMITDoes the lake need more blood?

GENERALThe King’s orders are clear.

DEVONMy father wants our enemies on the other side of the river.

PIUSNo boundary better stops an attack.

HERMITOr retreat.

DEVONWhy do you care so much?

HERMITWhy would I not? I am one of them.

INT. TENT - AFTERNOON

Thor hands Bry paper, rings and symbols drawn on its sides.

THORIt’s called paper.

BRYStronger than iron?

THORWe can draw our words on it.

BRYWhy put words on paper?

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ALLENWe can remember what we learn.

EVANAnd share it with others.

THORLearning will grow by cubes not squares.

BRYI don’t get it.

EVANA story can be told without a story-teller.

ALLENA story that lives on its own.

THORAnd repeats itself, as often as the words are seen.

BRYThe best stories have many voices.

(Thor gives Bry the iron, paper, and a gold nugget, wrapped by another paper)

THORMelts easier than iron, and it shines. Keep them safe. We are not ready.

GRASSY CENTER - AFTERNOON

JACKWhat will you do?

THOMASThe river is too high to cross?

JACKYou did not know?

Bry, Allen, and Evan, and Brock, Carl, and Erik with plate approach.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – SUNSET

The eight walk past wheat fields to the West River Prairie.

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BRYSo a village is our future?

ARKENDo you not want to settle?

BRYIt would be nice to have a chair, with a hide, for comfort.

ERIKLike a tiger’s hide.

BROCKOr the hide of a cave bear.

BRY(to Evan)

We will find you one, on the other side of the river, I promise. Every man must know a cave bear. I was thinking a deer’s hide.

ALLENEating their meat is not honor enough, you want to sit on them?

ARKENI would put a wolf’s hide on my chair.

THOMASA mammoth’s hide for me.

CARLThe thickest, me too.

ALLENDuck feathers for me.

BROCKTo remind you to quack?

ALLENAnd I will sleep on feathers as well, with a lump of feathers for my head.

BROCKQuack, quack.

ALLENYou will all follow soon enough.

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BROCKHow about you, Evan?

EVANCan’t we just sit under the trees like we used to?

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – DUSK

They approach the families near the West River forest. Two mammoths butt tusks. Jare’s Father approaches.

JARE’S FATHERThe river is too high to cross.

ARKENI know.

JARE’S FATHERWe are making rope for a bridge, but it will take at least a day.

ARKENNo fires tonight.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NIGHT

The river and its insects are loud as the families ready for sleep. Arken and Jare’s Father walk into the prairie.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - NIGHT

Evan and Erik lie facing the stars.

ERIKAt first I was glad it was not me. Now I just miss him.

EVANMe too.

ERIKHe told me he liked Jare.

EVANHe did?

ERIKRight before everything got weird, when we were chasing the mammoths, he saw her.

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He was all, “I like her, I like her a lot.” We had a good laugh about it.

EVANI’m glad.

Jare approaches and Evan stands.

ERIKSay something this time.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - NIGHT

ARKENI do not believe we know each other enough to trust each other in war.

JARE’S FATHERI understand. Similar goal then, two ways.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - NIGHT

EVANHi.

JARE Hello.

JAREI am sorry.

EVANI am sorry. My power does not match my will.

JAREHow do you know?

ERIK(in the distance, whispers)

Go Evan.

They see him and he drops.

JARETomorrow?

EVANTomorrow.

TOP OF THE PASS - LATE NIGHT

Villager 1 and Farmer 1 walk to the top of the Pass.

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VILLAGER 1You see? We have another day.

Spears pierce them. Mountain men rise. General, General’s Son, Officers 5, and 6 see the villages below.

OFFICER 5The King knows this is not your way.

GENERALMy brother’s test of loyalty is great.

GENERAL’S SONWhy did he choose you to lead when the men follow his son?

They see Devon with Soldier 1 and Officers 1 to 4.

GENERALThat is another test.

OFFICER 6Of whom?

GENERALI do not know.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – LATE NIGHT

The families sleep as Arken stands to the prairie.

OUTSIDE VILLAGES – DAWN

Mountain men sneak upon and kill two villagers on guard.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – DAWN

The sun lights Arken watching birds fly from the villages.

NORTHERN VILLAGE - SUNRISE

Mountain men with daggers, clubs, and battle axes attack villagers asleep, or lying in wait but overwhelmed. A drum beats amid chases and fights.

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WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - EARLY MORNING

Smoke rises from the Northern Village, watched by Arken, as Evan, Erik, Bry, Brock, Allen, Thomas, and Carl approach.

ARKENI will go to the villages, and learn what I can.

BRYBe careful, Arken, keep hidden.

EVANMay I go with you?

THOMASI will walk the river, and look for a way to cross.

CARLMay I go?

BRYWe will need rocks, lots of rocks.

OUTSIDE SOUTHERN VILLAGE – MORNING

Arken and Evan walk behind trees outside the Southern Village, seeing fifteen mountain men encircle many women and children, Jack, Thor, Southern Villagers 1, 2, 3, and 4.

VILLAGE LEADER(runs from the north)

Run! Go, go, now! There are too many. Go!

Southern Villagers 1 and 3 sling rocks and escape with Southern Villager 2 and some women and children. Jack and Thor run to Village Leader, who sees Arken.

VILLAGE LEADERGo to your cousins. Go!

He pushes Jack and Thor towards Arken; seven mountain men run at him; rocks hit Jack and kill Village Leader; Arken holds Thor as Jack is surrounded.

THORJack! Father!

ARKENAnother day, another day.

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Five mountain men turn towards Arken, Evan, and Thor. Arken holds knives, and knives appear, disappear, and appear in Evan’s hands, and they stop. More mountain men run into the village, including General, General’s Son, and Devon.

GENERALLeave them, and take these.

The mountain men carry Village Leader and Jack away, leaving General and General’s Son facing Arken, Evan, and Thor.

WEST RIVER - MORNING

Thomas and Carl run to the wide, wild river turning to lake.

THOMASThis is not the way.

They run upriver.

SOUTHERN VILLAGE - MORNING

Mountain men guard villagers in the bar. A teen runs from three mountain men into the center, and two musicians with scythes are chased into the center by four mountain men.

GENERAL’S SONFather!

General casually disarms the musicians.

GENERALGo, find their tools.

General’s Son and the seven mountain men take the three villagers to the bar. Devon, Officer 1, and 2 approach General.

DEVONYou are going to let them watch us?

Arken, Evan, and Thor watch.

WEST RIVER – GLACIER - MORNING

Near the base of the Ice Mountain, where the river flows through an ice glacier many hundreds of feet high, Thomas and Carl run to two mammoths, RIVER MEN 1, 2, nine adults including the stragglers, and several children. Many weave rope. Across the river, a man waves.

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THOMASPeace.

RIVER PEOPLEPeace.

RIVER MAN 1I have been here half a moon and it is higher now than then.

CARLFight with us.

RIVER MAN 2Why should we?

CARLThey will come for you when they are done with us.

RIVER MAN 2Maybe, and maybe not.

CARLThis is your fight as much as ours.

RIVER MAN 1Then we wish you well.

OUTSIDE SOUTHERN VILLAGE - MORNING

The sparrow flies towards Officers 1, 2, Devon, and General. Officer 1 throws a rock that hits her and she flutters. Evan throws a rock that hits her and she falls.

General curves a rock near Arken’s feet. Arken picks it up and tosses it between General and Devon; Arken, Evan, and Thor are gone.

GENERALTomorrow.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NEAR THE WEST RIVER FOREST - NOON

Jare’s and Evan’s families, including Thomas and Carl, gather with fifteen escaped village women and children, and Southern Villagers 1, 2, and 3, as Arken, Evan, and Thor approach.

ARKENIs there a way?

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THOMASNot over the river, not without a rope.

ARKENThen today I will ready for war. They will be here tomorrow.

BRY How many are they?

Arken looks to nineteen men - Blind Man, Jare’s Father, Jare’s Men 1, 2, 3, Jare’s Brother, Teens 1, 2, Thomas, Bry, Brock, Allen, Carl, Evan, Erik, Southern Villagers 1, 2, 3, and Thor.

ARKENFive tens, maybe more.

BRYIs that all?

He throws a rock towards the villages.

JARE’S BROTHER(throws a rock)

They will need more than that.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1 (throws a rock)

Many more.

JARE’S FATHERWill you teach us how to fight with you?

ARKENEach must teach himself how to live and how to die.

THOMASMy father used to say that the neck . . .

EVANbetween our hearts and our minds . . .

THOMASwas most vulnerable to attack . . .

EVANthe skin is thin there . . .

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THOMASmaybe for our voices.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NEAR THE WEST RIVER FOREST - NOON

Thomas walks away with Kaytl as the men of the two families and villagers gather with their own, many looking to Arken.

BRYYou must lead us, Arken.

ALLENWe want to follow you.

ARKENWe are strongest when all lead.

BROCKIn theory, maybe.

EVANEveryone, follow me.

Evan jogs to the prairie followed by the men excepting Thomas and Blind Man. Jare’s Mother, Julia, Kaytl, and Jare watch.

JARE’S MOTHERIt is hard to believe they are not father and son.

JULIAWhen Evan’s father died, seven years past, he told his uncle, “I am yours now,” and has been ever since.

KAYTLUntil four days past that is.

They look to Jare.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – AFTERNOON

In the prairie’s center, Evan stops, and looks to Arken who jogs the men towards the Ice Mountain, and the old oak tree.

ARKENWe chase deer and they climb for goats. Stand and fight, and they are too many. Run and fight, and we are too fast.

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They jog towards the river forest.

ARKENRun the hills and valleys of this field. Smell its flowers. Before the day ends, make it yours.

They slow to walk.

BRYIf we fight for ourselves, we will die alone. If we fight for each other, we can live together.

Jare’s Brother and Southern Villager 1 clasp hands, and many women and children greet the men with food and drink.

Six mountain men watch from afar, outside the villages.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – CATCH - LATE AFTERNOON

All the men except Thomas and Blind Man play catch, many with leather folds – Evan with Erik, Jare’s Brother with Southern Villager 1. In the center, Bry and Arken toss line drives.

BRY(looks to Erik)

He has found his distance but not his power.

ARKENWhat about Julia?

BRYI will talk to her.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – SUNSET

Under pink clouds the women except Kaytl weave rope, sew leather and other armor, prepare fruits and vegetables, or help the children except Lorn organize rocks. Jare’s Father, Arken, and Blind Man gather the men except Thomas in the prairie.

ARKENWhose field is this?

BRYOur field!

ARKEN Whose field?

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ALL Our field!

ARKENIt is not enough to want to live. You must want to kill. Whose field?

ALLOur field!

The men walk to their families before Blind Man, Jare’s Father, Jare’s Brother, Arken, Evan, and Bry.

JARE’S FATHERIn our oldest stories, young men left the mountain, alone, to kill a mammoth, in honor of becoming a warrior.

BRY In our family, we kill together.

EVAN I will kill a mammoth. It is not hard to kill.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NEAR THE WEST RIVER FOREST - TWILIGHT

All except Kaytl, Thomas, and Lorn watch Erik sharpen a second spear he places on Evan’s back.

JULIAAre you not afraid?

ARKENHe could skin a mammoth before he had eight years.

BRYBut we have always been his heart during a kill.

Kaytl, Thomas, and Lorn approach.

THOMASNow we will see his own.

Evan walks to Blind Man, Jare’s Father, and Jare’s Brother who puts red dye under Evan’s eyes.

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EVANIs there one you would have me kill?

JARE’S FATHERThat is for you to answer and us to learn.

EVANThen I will kill the oldest male.

Blind Man touches Evan’s shoulder. Evan walks to the mammoths, to the largest, who kneels, and Evan climbs him. The mammoth carries Evan towards the river forest. Evan slides a spear into the mammoth’s thigh and the mammoth lies down. Evan massages his heel into the mammoth’s shoulder, and pierces it with the second spear, into the mammoth’s heart. The other mammoths approach, nudging the mammoth, softly trumpeting. Evan removes the spear and the mammoth slumps. Not having wiped his eyes or cheeks, Evan walks to Jare’s Father.

EVANHe is ready.

ARKENRaise that fire.

Fourteen mountain men watch from afar.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NEAR THE WEST RIVER FOREST - NIGHT

Mammoth leg roasts. Villagers play music. Southern Villagers 1 and 3 sling rocks in flaming cloth into the prairie, extending their view into the dark. Blind Man stands facing Evan and Jare, before their families.

BLIND MAN (touches Evan’s and Jare’s faces)

Your voices are your face to me. How will you settle disputes?

JENYA(whispers to Myka, Brock, and Allen)

That’ll be the day.

JAREWith love.

EVANAnd understanding.

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ALLEN(whispers to Jenya, Allen, and Brock)

And lots and lots of forgiveness.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - NEAR THE WEST RIVER FOREST - NIGHT

Arken stands to the prairie. Jare’s family and the villagers prepare for sleep as do Thomas, Kaytl, and Lorn, and Carl, Audre, and Baby. Bry and Erik carve stones near Rea and Julia weaving rope. Brock and Myka – lying next to Maya, Kip, Ayla, Aaron, Sara, and Ann – get up as Allen and Jenya approach. The children giggle.

KIPAgain?

They giggle again.

Jare and Evan lie together. The moon shadows both sides of the prairie.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – DAWN

REAMommy, Daddy, wake up, wake up! It’s a brand new day!

SOUTHERN VILLAGE - SUNRISE

The tents are burnt and broken. Stone clippings surround a smoldering fire. Mountain men with spears and weapons march to a drum.

WEST RIVER FOREST - MORNING

The women and children touch the hands of the twenty men - Thor, Southern Villagers 1, 2, 3, Arken, Erik, Evan, Carl, Thomas, Bry, Brock, Allen, Teens 1, 2, Jare’s Brother, Jare’s Men 1, 2, 3, Blind Man, and Jare’s Father - walking with spears and rocks.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – MORNING

The men from Evan’s family stand between the villagers and Jare’s family. Thomas walks behind.

BRYMy words failed me.

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ARKENAs did mine.

BROCKOurs too.

ERIKI only have a question.

EVANMe too.

ARKENWhat are you boys waiting for?

Through the wheat fields, fifty mountain men march to drums.

Evan and Erik rest on the ground with Thomas.

ERIKWhy does it hurt so much, Uncle?

THOMASIt is the love that hurts.

ERIKThe love?

THOMASThe muscle in our hearts, connecting not to bone or joint, but to the hearts of others. Nothing hurts so much when it tears.

EVANHow do we heal the tear?

THOMASI do not know. It is not my tear that pains me. It is Samuel’s.

Bry, Arken, Brock, Allen, and Carl see and hear the mountain men closer and turn back to see Erik, Thomas, and Evan.

BRYI think it’s working.

Back,

ERIKI can feel my muscle bleeding still, out my chest.

71

EVANAnd my back.

THOMASAnd my shoulders.

Mountain men approach closer and louder.

BROCK(turns to the three)

I wish it would work a bit faster.

Back,

ERIKAre we waiting for our other muscles to get stronger?

EVANSo they can stop the bleeding?

The mountain men stop about one hundred fifty yards away.

Arken’s vest is filled with bone daggers; Bry’s suspenders carry sharp stones; Brock’s and Allen’s vests show nothing.

ARKENToday is for Samuel.

BRYAnd his father.

THOMAS(approaches with Evan and Erik)

For us all.

General stops the drum and launches a rock across the prairie. Arken walks to it, and sees one butterfly on a stem, wings open, not moving. He stretches down, his eyes adjusting from long view to short, his right eye to his left, and takes the rock, seeing two butterflies, wings closed, touching, flying apart.

ARKENIf there are things in your body you want to get rid of, do it now, do it fast. Do not let them see.

He launches the rock near General and Devon, well-armed.

DEVONDo not disappoint my father, our King.

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GENERAL(lifts the rock)

The King is not here this day.

General throws the rock to the prairie’s center.

THOMASWe cannot win without you.

ARKENThey cannot win without him.

Rocks in hand, Arken and General walk into the prairie.

Ten yards from the center, they walk a quarter circle.

CARLWhat are they doing?

THOMASDrawing a boundary.

General and Arken walk three-quarters of a circle the other way, backs to the other’s men.

BROCKWhat now?

EVANAnother.

General and Arken drop their rocks, spiral inward, and sit.

GENERALWhy have you not crossed the river?

ARKENIt is too high to cross.

GENERALWill you cross it the first chance, and never return, for peace?

ARKENThey must choose for themselves.

GENERALRaise a spear if all agree.

They return to their sides. Arken is surrounded.

ARKENThey will give us peace if we cross the river and not return.

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CARLNo fighting?

JARE’S FATHERNo fighting.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1We can start again.

THOMASYou found a way.

Evan and Arken share a look; General sees Arken lift a spear.

GENERALThey will cross the river and not return. We are done here.

DEVONYou take his word?

General’s Son, Officers 5, and 6 back General.

GENERALRemember your place, nephew.

All others back Devon.

OFFICER 1 Have you forgotten seven years past or two ten years?

SOLDIER 1Or three days? Now is our time.

GENERALThe King chose me to lead.

DEVONThe King will be with us when this is done. Let’s finish this.

(mountain men cheer)For the dead. And for freedom!

Marching men and drums enter the prairie. Rocks land near Erik; he runs forward and launches a rock.

BRYErik!

The drum tears. Mountain men charge.

ARKENGo, help the others.

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ERIKBut I want to fight.

ARKENI know.

(Erik turns towards the river)I will take their heart, and then we run!

ALLENWhere is their heart?

ARKENDo not follow me. Lead yourselves.

Arken sprints into the prairie; all follow.

Devon runs behind the mountain men.

DEVON(to Officers 2, 3, and 4)

Go, to their women and children.

Arken sees the three officers veer to the mountain, looks back, and sees Evan veer.

ARKENRemember your father!

Mountain men throw rocks and kill Teen 1.

BRYThrow!

Many throw spears, Southern Villagers 1 and 3 sling rocks, and Bry throws a spear hitting a man.

DEVONKill!

Mountain men throw spears landing short of all, who have backed up, all but Arken running forward, catching a spear, knocking or dodging others, charging the front row, vaulting to the second, bones in hand, stabbing one man, and the one who had his back. Two more daggers appear as they surround him, which is to say many step back.

Arken’s side has caught up and fights break out down the line. After a few blows, many turn to see the dust and chaos in the center – Arken has stabbed five, make that six, mountain men layered around him.

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DEVON(behind Officer 1 and Soldier 1)

Fight!

ARKEN(is hit and falls)

Run! (rises as he is hit again)

Everybody run!

TOWARDS THE PASS - NOON

General, General’s Son, Officers 5, and 6 walk up the Ridge.

GENERAL’S SONWhat will Uncle think?

GENERALWe will know soon.

They look back to see the explosion of runners.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

Arken is swarmed by running men. Allen buckles the knee of a man near Arken as he and Brock run towards the Ice Mountain chased by four. Thor, Southern Villagers 1, 2, and 3 run towards the villages chased by six. Jare’s Brother runs towards the Ridge chased by three. Soldiers 2, 3, and another chase Carl towards the West River; Jare’s Man 1 and Teen 2 follow chased by four. Jare’s Men 2 and 3 run towards the Lake chased by three. Devon, Soldier 1, and Officer 1 follow. Arken spins, and sees five mountain men surround him, and Thomas spins at his back.

Nearby Jare’s Father has Blind Man’s back near four.

JARE’S FATHERFour altogether.

Blind Man floats a rock, listens, and spears a man’s arm.

BLIND MANThree now.

Nearby Bry faces three who throw rocks off him.

Arken tackles one of the five around him; two jump on him; Thomas jumps in, the seven in a pile.

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Bry pitches at the mouth of the farthest man, coughing, as Bry targets the other two who flee. Bry throws a rock at a man on Thomas, and helps Arken and Thomas beat the five. The three stand amidst twelve bodies near Blind Man, Jare’s Father, and the four mountain men.

WEST RIVER FOREST - AFTERNOON

Outside the river forest, Julia, Kaytl, and Erik see Teen 2 beaten and left. They run to him; Erik turns and slows.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - TOWARDS THE ICE MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON

Brock and Allen run towards the mountain chased by the four.

ALLENWhat do we do?

BROCKSeparate?

ALLENThen what?

BROCKMeet back?

ALLENOkay.

They loop in separate ways. Two mountain men follow each.

TOWARDS THE WEST RIVER FOREST - AFTERNOON

Carl chased by the three runs to the river forest up a tree.

BASE OF THE ICE MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON

Evan walks past trees upon Officers 2, 3, and 4. Two throw rocks but Evan is on a boulder up a tree landing near them.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

In the prairie’s center, the three mountain men remove Blind Man’s spear from the fourth near Blind Man and Jare’s Father.

BLIND MANThat way! Go!

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He points to four mountain men running towards Julia and Kaytl helping Teen 2 near Erik, who faces a mountain man.

BLIND MANGo!

Arken, Thomas, and Bry sprint to Julia, Kaytl, Teen 2, and Erik, stabbed in the side.

BRYHe’s mine!

As the four mountain men run towards Julia, Kaytl, and Teen 2, Audre runs from the forest throwing rocks; Arken and Thomas throw rocks; and the four flee; Bry smashes Erik’s attacker into a tree.

Arken, Thomas, and Audre approach Julia, Kaytl, and Teen 2.

KAYTLThree followed Carl that way.

AUDREBrock and Allen are on the far side.

Bry approaches carrying Erik.

ARKENMake him well. Another pass, we’ll meet you here.

Thomas and Arken run to the prairie; Audre runs to the forest. Blood bubbles from Erik’s side.

WEST RIVER FOREST - AFTERNOON

In the river forest, the children and many women sit in a circle. Kip walks outside touching each head.

KIPDuck. Duck. Duck. Duck.

Nearby, Jare’s Mother, Jenya, Myka, and other women stand weaving rope.

KIP (O.S.)Duck. Duck. Goose!

Jenya is startled.

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WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - TOWARDS THE ICE MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON

Brock and Allen loop back and punch one of each other’s chasers, and get punched by the other.

WEST RIVER FOREST - UP THE TREES - AFTERNOON

Audre climbs a tree near a tree where Carl escapes his three chasers; Soldier 3 climbs.

SOLDIER 2 Leave him.

SOLDIER 3I can reach him.

Audre throws a rock at Soldier 3’s hand. Carl climbs.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

As Arken and Thomas run to Brock and Allen exchanging punches with the four, two mountain men run past, chased by Southern Villagers 1, 3, and Thor.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 3These are ours.

Arken and Thomas reach Brock and Allen and the mountain men concede.

BROCKAnd stay down.

ALLENHow’s everyone?

BASE OF THE ICE MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON

The three officers, with knives, surround Evan, empty-handed.

WEST RIVER FOREST - AFTERNOON

Erik is surrounded by Julia, Kaytl, Bry, and Teen 2. Julia hands Kaytl a bloody, bone scalpel.

JULIAThread please.

(Kaytl lifts a threaded needle;

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Julia motions for another, with longer thread)

We are almost there.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

In the prairie’s center, six mountain men, the injured one bandaged, surround Jare’s Father, Blind Man, and Jare’s Brother.

SOLDIER 4All at once.

The six almost charge but Arken, Thomas, Brock, and Allen run up; four more mountain men approach; and ten face seven.

JARE’S FATHER(shares a look with a man)

Peace, forever!

The rows charge. Jare’s Brother is hurt and Jare’s Father is dead; two mountain men are hurt, and the other eight flee.

ARKENEvan, where is Evan?

BLIND MANGo, find him.

Arken lifts Jare’s Brother.

ARKENThis way.

BASE OF THE ICE MOUNTAIN - AFTERNOON

The wolf and tiger approach; the officers drop their weapons.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE - AFTERNOON

Thomas, Brock, Allen, and Arken, with Jare’s Brother, approach Bry, Julia, Kaytl, Erik, and Teen 2.

ARKENHow is he?

JULIAHe is going to be okay.

BRYEvan?

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ARKEN(to Thomas, Brock, and Allen)

Find Carl.

BASE OF THE ICE MOUNTAIN – AFTERNOON

The officers’ wrists are tied with their belts. Evan and the wolf run into the prairie towards the old oak.

WEST RIVER FOREST - AFTERNOON

Thomas, Brock, and Allen run into the forest and see Audre.

AUDRE Thank goodness. This way.

River Men 1 and 2 approach.

RIVER MAN 1We came to help.

The six run to Soldier 2 and the mountain man below Soldier 3 and Carl high in the tree. The three mountain men flee.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – THE OAK AND PRAIRIE CENTER - AFTERNOON

Bry and Arken sprint towards the mountain.

BRYThere.

They see Evan and the wolf run towards the old oak; two mountain men run at him; and in the prairie’s center, Blind Man, Southern Villagers 1, 2, and Thor face six.

ARKENGo.

Bry veers to the center.

The wolf barks at and chases away one man. Evan and the other run under the oak. Evan disappears. The man darts out of the canopy. Evan lands with the trunk between. They circle around and a rock hits the man’s back; Arken charges.

Bry roars into the prairie’s center and the six flee.

Under the oak, Arken is ready to kill.

EVANIt is over, Uncle.

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Arken yanks out the man’s shoulder. Evan helps him stand, replaces the shoulder, and the man runs towards twenty mountain men gathering outside the villages.

SOLDIER 1 Today was not our day.

DEVONThere will be another.

In the prairie center, the wolf licks Blind Man, and it is quiet again, but for the rush of the river.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – LATE AFTERNOON

Village Leader 2, MaryAnn, and other escaped villagers descend the mountain to gather with the families and villagers near the prairie’s center. Southern Villager 1 approaches Arken, Thomas, Kaytl, Lorn, Jare, and Evan.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1They have ten of ours and we have six of theirs.

Bry, Brock, and Allen are near six bloodied, beaten men.

EVANLet’s help them, walk home tomorrow.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – DUSK

A fire roasts mammoth. Many rest near Erik.

TEEN 2It was bad but they were good.

Julia and Kaytl share a smile. River Men 1 and 2 approach.

RIVER MAN 1 To victory!

Some cheer; Arken is near the six prisoners, clean and bound.

ARKENWe are trapped between a river we cannot cross and a mountain we cannot climb. They will be back, with their King, and more men.

BROCKWhat will we do?

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MYKAThe rope is not ready.

Straggler 3 and three river women approach with rope.

ARKENSleep well tonight. Tomorrow may be longer than today.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – DUSK

Bry, Jare’s Brother, Thor, Southern Villagers 1, 2, Teen 2, Jare’s Men 2, and 3 dig graves for Southern Villager 3, Jare’s Father, Jare’s Man 1, and Teen 1.

Audre, Carl, and Baby rest with Thomas, Kaytl, and Lorn.

CARLWe would like your blessing to name our baby.

THOMASYou do not need our blessing.

AUDREWe want to name him Samuel.

THOMASSamuel.

KAYTLSamuel.

LORNHi Samuel.

WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NIGHT

The fire burns and music plays near the families and villagers, weaving rope. Arken turns around, alone, in the prairie.

TOP OF THE PASS - NIGHT

War drums beat. Atop the Pass, over forty mountain men, early 30s to early 50s, torches blazing, back KING, 50s, tall and large as they are stronger and more organized than their thirty relatives who stand beaten behind with Devon. The drums do not fade and fires do not dim as a drizzle begins.

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WEST RIVER PRAIRIE – NEAR THE WEST RIVER FOREST - DAWN

Chirping birds wake Evan.

WEST RIVER – SUNRISE

Evan in sleeves, followed by Bry and Thomas, and Brock and Allen, and men from Jare’s clan and the villages, approach Jare, Julia, Kaytl, Jenya, Ayla, Sara, Myka, Audre, Jare’s Mother, Village Leader 2, MaryAnn, Farmer 2, and the women from Jare’s family, the river, and villages surround Arken pulling a rope tied to a tree.

ARKENIt’s ready.

He pulls the rope to his waist.

EVANI am the better swimmer.

ARKENI am still your uncle.

EVANI know what to do.

Arken attaches the rope to Evan’s ankle. Evan dives to the river bottom to an eddy behind a boulder, swims through a chute to another eddy, another, and another, as a rapid rushes him over rocks; he grasps a breath, the rope taut, down again, he swims to another eddy, another, and another, reaching shore.

He stands into endless trees. The sounds are different here. He looks downriver to see Arken stand on shore.

EVANThis is not our home.

ARKENI know.

They tie the rope and return across to all, including the children and men, wolf and pups near Jare. Scout 1 runs to Arken.

SCOUT 1The King wants to see you.

(returns towards the Pass)

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JULIA(hands them blankets)

What will you do?

ARKENI will return their men for ours; then I will end what needs ending.

EVANI am going too.

BRYSo am I.

THOMASAnd me.

BROCKAnd us.

THORUs too.

JARE’S BROTHERAnd us.

CARLDon’t forget me.

RIVER MAN 1Or us.

BLIND MANOr me, though I cannot walk with you.

JULIA(with Audre)

We are going too.

ARKENPromise me this, all of you: you go with your own will for your own reasons. Where I go this day I go alone.

Evan is touched by the wolf and kissed by Jare.

HERMIT'S GARDEN – AROUND THE FIRE PIT – MORNING

His back to his home’s entry, Hermit sits in one of the five chairs facing Pius sitting near the pit.

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King stands behind an empty chair facing Devon sitting next to an empty chair before the seventy mountain men and five women.

HERMITHear his story first.

KINGIf it is as I expect, we will kill him quick.

TOP OF THE PASS - MORNING

Arken, Thomas, the six prisoners, Bry, Julia, Audre, Carl, Jare's Brother, Jare’s Men 2, 3, Southern Villagers 1, 2, Thor, River Men 1, 2, Evan, Brock, and Allen jog towards the sun to the top of the Pass.

THOMASThey can see us now.

Thomas and Arken walk past the daisies, trampled.

ARKEN(pushes a prisoner)

Hurry up.

RIDGE MEADOW TO THE HERMIT’S GARDEN - MORNING

Scout 1 runs down the Meadow, into the forest, to the circle.

SCOUT 1He is coming, with all of them.

KINGGood.

RIDGE MEADOW – TOWARDS THE CREEK - MORNING

They walk in single file at first.

BRYIsn’t anyone going to say something?

JARE'S BROTHEREvan, my sister says you think our ancestors were animals.

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BROCKAnimals? You think we came from the animals?

EVANKind of, sometimes.

ALLENTo which are we closest?

BROCKThat’s easy. One look at me and you know it must be tigers. What?

JARE'S BROTHERI was thinking wolves. Their packs are like our own.

BRYOr maybe bears, they raise their cubs like we raise ours.

CARLMammoths seem to have a mind most like ours.

ALLEN Or birds, we do chatter like birds.

EVANI often think rabbits.

BROCKRabbits?

EVANOr maybe mice or squirrels. I thought you liked rabbits?

BROCKThey do have fun.

EVANThere is nothing to shame. All the animals seem related in some ways.

THOMASEven insects?

EVANDo you not feel your antennae?

ARKENEven fish?

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EVANEspecially fish, a long time past.

ALLEN(waves his arm)

That explains a lot.

TOWARDS HERMIT’S GARDEN - NOON

Arken ties the prisoners to a tree as Hermit approaches from behind.

HERMITArken, you are back. The King and his men are here and not for peace. I asked them to leave their weapons outside my home.

Hermit walks. Weapons drop. Arken, Thomas, Bry, Julia, Audre, Carl, Jare’s Men, villagers, and river men follow.

In the center behind them all, Evan faces the Meadow before Brock and Allen. Three sparrows fly, and scores of gnats swarm Evan’s face, as if in a tornado underwater, floating away. Two mammoths walk down the Meadow. The tiger crosses before them. And a rabbit runs ahead with the mouse. The prisoners see it all, as do Brock and Allen who touch Evan, and the three walk.

EVANJake.

JAKEYou understand now?

(they hug)Good, and thanks. Come on then. You can join too.

Forest Dweller joins.

HERMIT’S GARDEN – AROUND THE FIRE PIT – NOON

As Arken and the others approach, all are standing except Devon and King sitting. Arken moves the chair near the pit. Evan approaches, and the three officers he let live dip their heads.

KING He is the one?

Evan rests on the ground; Allen, Brock, and their side rest on boulders or the ground except Thomas and Arken;

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Hermit sits; Pius sits; on King’s look, his side rests except Officer 1 and Soldier 1. Hermit looks to Thomas.

THOMASWhat is it you want?

KINGWe want you gone, across the river, all of you.

THOMASIs that all?

KINGWe want him dead.

ARKENThen take me now.

Hermit stands.

THOMASIs that all?

ALLEN(whispers to Brock)

Isn’t that enough?

KINGWe could want another ten dead or just another.

BROCKThat’s a good point.

ALLENYes, well-played.

HERMITThe King will hear your story first, Arken.

PIUSHe will judge you fairly. If you are right in what you did, tell us.

ARKENIt is only power that rights a man.

HERMITPlease, let us sit. The mind is calmer when it has less to balance.

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Hermit sits and Arken, Thomas, Officer 1, and Soldier 1 rest on boulders.

PIUSGo on, Arken, tell us your story.

ARKENWhen would you have me start, Pius? Seven years past? Two ten years? No matter, it will end the same.

KINGWhy don’t you start five days past, when, not far from here, two men tried to get your attention to talk, to ask where you were going, and you broke one’s shoulder. Or better yet, start four days past, with the man you killed in a tree, on the day you killed again, again, and again.

ARKENFive days past, two men snuck up another, and should have expected no less than a bruised shoulder. And four days past, I was not the first to kill.

DEVONHe is a liar.

ARKENHe’s done.

Arken charges Devon, knocking the empty chair in the pit, but Evan is between. All stand. Thomas and Bry walk Arken back.

DEVONJust like his father and brother.

ARKENIf he speaks again, I will not wait.

Hermit sits.

KINGHe will not speak again.

(sits and all rest or sit)And you are Bry, are you not? Four days past, this man ran to the forest, after hearing you yell, is that not true?

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(Evan drops his eyes)My question is this. Had the young man died by the time you yelled?

BRYHis name was Samuel. He was a boy. And how would I know?

KINGYou do not know. Your man ran to the forest and killed two in the trees when he had no cause to believe your own was dead.

ARKENThere’s your lie.

JAKEWhat about six days past, when your own killed my cousins?

KINGWhat do you know of it?

JARE’S BROTHERWhat about five days past, when we were peacefully walking with our families, and your men killed Kyle and Keith?

KINGBring him out.

Among twelve village prisoners, including the teens and musicians, Jack is pushed; Hermit stands.

KINGGo on.

JACKMy father killed them. We killed them.

Jare’s Brother, Men 2, and 3 stand, and face Thor, Southern Villagers 1, and 2; Brock and Allen stand between; all stand.

KINGNow what do you have to say?

ARKENI would not change a thing.

JACKNor would I.

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SOLDIER 1 (yanks Jack to the ground)

Let’s kill them now.

BRYKill us all.

KING So be it.

Many draw weapons as Hermit walks to the fire pit.

EVAN (O.S.)It is a story of the past you want?

(his eyes to the Lake)To answer why we are here?

HERMIT(lifts the chair)

Yes, and tell it wisely, son. The stories of our past have a way of becoming the stories of our future.

Hermit, Pius, King, Devon, and Evan sit; all others rest.

EVANForgive me, please, for truth gets lost on its way through words.

The two mammoths approach behind Pius.

KINGWhat is this?

EVANThey are part of the story too.

KINGTrained mammoths cannot help you, boy.

The tiger walks through the mountain men between Devon and King, greets Hermit and Evan, and walks away.

PIUSLet’s hear him.

Clouds cover the sun.

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EVANOur story began in the balance of opposites, where light met dark, silence sound, land and sky, with death and birth, lungs, breath, and beating hearts growing into flowers and plants with fins and wings and legs knowing struggle and joy, filling the world as if its places chose joy though they chose only truth.

A hawk flies into a tree where a crow, squirrel, and lizard listen above the tiger.

KINGGet to your point, boy, my patience wears thin.

BRYIt’s a story. There is no point.

KINGWe do not have all day.

ALLENWe don’t have anywhere to go. You all have somewhere to be?

KINGJust finish it.

EVANAs our minds recall the past, they may forget the mystery and wonder far greater than imagination, grasp pride to escape fear, and ghost the stories of our future with trails untraveled, like the bones near the Dry Creek.

King is about to stand until a cave bear approaches Hermit.

DEVON(stands)

How does any of this save his life?

ARKEN(charges)

He’s done.

Evan blocks Arken, roars and trumpets heard; all stand; and Evan slices at Devon’s throat, bleeding.

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SOLDIER 1He killed Devon!

KINGKill them all!

They charge.

EVANLook again! Again and again! And learn, until you feel what you did not know.

Devon feels the blood not his own, holding a rabbit tail. He sits and all rest or sit.

EVANHere now my story ends, with pain and anger, needing courage to surrender to truth. The created became creators with only the power to lose.

The mammoths, bear, and tiger are gone. Evan rests near Allen as General, General’s Son, Officers 5, and 6 approach Pius and King, and rest.

KING(to Thomas)

What is it you want?

ALLENNot much really, just a little land to raise a family, lakefront, riverfront, in the mountains with a view, matters not.

BROCKRight, we just need some space for some fun, for the kids, if you know what I mean.

BRYNear friends and family of course.

OFFICER 1 And how much would be yours?

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1Only what we improve.

JARE’S BROTHERAnd no more than we need.

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SOLDIER 1And you will take the best fishing spots, the best swimming holes, and the best views.

CARLWe cannot live in water.

THOR Or look at views all our lives.

THOMASMore will be gained than lost if access is shared by all.

Blind Man approaches with the wolf, an elk herd behind.

BLIND MAN(walks to Hermit)

Please go on. We heard every word.

JARE’S BROTHERYou brought the elk, Grandfather.

BLIND MAN(greets Hermit and King)

They did not follow me.

Jare approaches. Blind Man greets Pius and sits.

RIVER MAN 1We want to live above the Dry Creek.

PIUSIt is an old line that one.

KINGYou want to live without borders?

ALLENWhy not give everyone their choice of mates?

OFFICER 1Until your woman chooses a man with a sharper mind.

SOLDIER 1Or actual muscle.

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ALLENI would wish him luck. And if yours choose a man with a sharper wit or stronger tongue?

OFFICER 1Not a worry.

PIUSYes, well, who will choose whether to welcome visitors or shun them?

THOMASWe have always offered retreat, Pius.

BRYAnd yours would be stronger with us than without.

PIUSBut how will you settle disputes?

OFFICER 1(stands)

The King settles them.

SOUTHERN VILLAGER 1(stands)

The law will settle them.

JARE’S BROTHER(stands)

Your law will not work here.

THOMAS(stands, and all stand)

Each settles their own disputes.

BRYWith help from family, friends, and neighbors.

HERMITMust they know now, old friend, how to settle disputes before they have one?

PIUSDo they not have one now?

DEVONNot me. Fear may have kept me from knowing the truth.

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ARKEN Nor me. Pride may have kept me from feeling it.

PIUSPeace between mountain and lake is one thing, east and west another.

GENERALNorth and south another still.

HERMITPeace is here now.

THOMASPeace for us all.

DEVONPeace we can learn.

BRYPeace we can love.

BLIND MANPeace we can teach.

JACK Peace we can grow.

ARKENPeace we can share.

KINGPeace.

EVANPeace.

And all share words of “peace” with all around and across the way, including the prisoners, joining their sides, becoming a circle, words of “peace” echoing through the trees.

FADE TO BLACK.

ALLEN (O.S.)There is one thing I do not understand.

FADE IN:

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PRAIRIE TOWARDS THE PASS – A FIELD OF WILDFLOWERS - AFTERNOON

Jake, Blind Man, Jare, Evan, Allen, Brock, Bry, Julia, Arken, Audre, Carl, Jare's Brother, Jare’s Men 2, 3, Southern Villagers 1, 2, Thor, Jack, the village prisoners, River Men 1, 2, and Forest Dweller walk up the Meadow, past the garden of wildflowers.

ALLENI get that we came from the plants, the animals, the water, the sun, the sky, and the stars, and all that, but what was first?

Many had not thought of that, but the question was for Evan.

EVANA fish has no answers or questions.

Evan jogs ahead as Bry slows to throw, and Arken sees a butterfly float near them all, including the families atop the Pass, above the Lake below mountains, far now.

SAMUEL (V.O.)Come on, you all, that’s easy. It was love.

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