Malory 2--part 3

A moment passes in silence as Faust gets up, groaning.

FAUST

Oww... what hit me...?

Sadira stands up, rubbing her neck. She turns to Malory with a frown.

SADIRA

I was going to ask the same thing. Who was that? What was he talking about?

Malory stands as well, looking thoughtful.

MALORY

I don't know...

SADIRA

You don't know??! Some creature sneaks into my home at night and nearly kills me because of you and you don't even know why? And what was that about a curse?!

Faust's eyes go wide with fear.

FAUST

Curse? What curse? Did I miss something when I was out?

SADIRA

That freak claimed we were all cursed, and that we would die if Malory didn't fulfill some contract by "walpurgis night," whatever that is.

Faust gasps and flies over to Malory in a panic, grabbing the front of his shirt.

FAUST

Then do it! I don't wanna die!

Malory rolls his eyes and pulls Faust off of him.

MALORY

Will you calm down?! Even if I knew what this contract was, or how to fulfill it we don't even know if he REALLY cursed us, or if he'll UN-curse us.

Sadira sighs and holds her head.

SADIRA

This is what I get for being nice to strangers. I get chased across the city by guards, I get my home broken into, and I end up CURSED!

Malory frowns.

MALORY

I'm sorry...

Sadira turns to him.

SADIRA

Sorry? Sorry doesn't fix this, does it?

MALORY

No, but I might know who can...

Malory goes to pick his sword up off the ground and he puts it back in its sheath.

MALORY

Come on, Faust, we have to go.

Sadira watches him, confused.

SADIRA

Go? You're just gonna leave, just like that?

MALORY

We have to. We have a long way to go.

Faust flies to Malory's shoulder, looking as confused as Sadira.

FAUST

Where're we going, Boss?

MALORY

That guy said my ancestors made this contract, and that I have to go to Bald Mountain to fulfill it. I don't know what it's all about, but my father might.

FAUST

Your dad...? (smiles) Yes! If anybody can get us out of this mess, he can!

Sadira steps forward, shaking her head.

SADIRA

Whoa, whoa, whoa. Wait a second, time out. How is your father supposed to help?

MALORY

My dad's a wizard. A pretty good one, too. He'll know more about curses, and hopefully he knows about this Bald Mountain, and what that guy meant when he said my ancestors vowed to honor some contract.

Sadira frowns and folds her arms.

SADIRA

Well you're not going anywhere without me.

Malory and Faust turn to her, surprised looks on their faces.

SADIRA

You can't expect me to just sit here and HOPE you and your dad figure a way out of this before I drop dead of some curse!

Malory shakes his head.

MALORY

Sorry, but we really don't need someone slowing us down.

Sadira scoffs.

SADIRA

EXCUSE me? Who saved who's sorry green butt earlier? You REALLY think I can't take care of myself? I'm coming and that's that.

FAUST

How are we even gonna get there? Your dad lives all the way in England, and who knows how soon this "walpurgis night" is.

MALORY

(sighs)

I know, I know. We'll just have to move quickly and hope for the best.

Faust looks worried but Sadira looks thoughtful. After a moment she smiles a bit to herself.

SADIRA

Actually... I think I know a better way...

We cut to Sadira, a short time later, tearing through her shelves, tossing scrolls and books aside as she looks for one in particular.

SADIRA

Where is it...? Where?

Malory and Faust watch her as she searches, both looking confused.

MALORY

What exactly are you looking for?

SADIRA

A book!

MALORY

Well that much is obvious...

Sadira pulls out a book, checks the cover and shakes her head before tossing it aside.

SADIRA

Its a book I got from the Marketplace about a month ago. The guy selling it said he stole it off some traveler in Syracuse, but he thought it was just a worthless old book. How wrong he was.

FAUST

What was it?

SADIRA

It was a book of spells by the wizard Astaroth. Can you believe it?

Malory looks impressed.

MALORY

THE Astaroth?

SADIRA

The one and only. And I think the book has a spell we could use... Aha!

Sadira finds an old, beaten up leather-bound book and smiles triumphantly. She opens it up and flips through the pages until she finds the spell she's looking for.

SADIRA

Here we are! "The Famous Traveling Spell." It can take us anywhere we want to go, including England.

Sadira turns to Malory and smiles proudly.

SADIRA

Still think I'll just slow you down?

Malory smiles.

MALORY

Okay, I'll admit I was wrong... But are you sure you know how to cast this spell?

Sadira's smile falters and she scratches her head nervously, looking to the side.

SADIRA

Um... pretty sure...

MALORY

(frowns)

What's "pretty sure" supposed to mean?

SADIRA

It means I know HOW to do it, I've read and reread the chapter and I've practiced the incantations, I just... haven't actually TRIED it yet... But there's a first time for everything and we can't afford to waste time worrying about it.

Malory is silent a moment but he nods.

MALORY

You're right. Okay, let's do it.

Faust nods.

FAUST

Just so long as it doesn't end up turning us inside-out or anything...

Sadira smiles.

SADIRA

Great. Now I just need something to use the spell on...

She looks on another shelf and smiles when she finds a gold ring.

FAUST

Ooh, nice ring.

SADIRA

Thanks. I, er... "found" it in the marketplace.

Sadira takes the ring and places it on the table. Malory and Faust take a few steps closer to watch, but they still keep their distance.

Sadira takes a deep breath and holds her hands over the ring, closing her eyes as if to concentrate.

SADIRA

"Hellebore... Henbane... Aconite. Glow-worm fire... Firefly Light!"

There is a gust of wind that comes from nowhere as Sadira casts the spell, and as she finishes the ring begins to glow with a pale light.

Malory and Faust watch, amazed, and Sadira smiles. She picks up the ring as the glow fades and places it on her finger on her left hand.

SADIRA

This ring can now take us anywhere we want to go in the blink of an eye.

FAUST

Ooohhh... Let's go to Italy!

Malory and Sadira both stare at Faust.

FAUST

...What? Oh! Right, right. We should get uncursed first, THEN go to Italy.

Malory rolls his eyes and turns to Sadira.

MALORY

So its ready to use?

Sadira nods.

SADIRA

It should be.

Sadira grabs an old leather bag and places two loaves of bread and the spell book into it. Now that the bag is full she puts the strap over her shoulder and turns to Malory and Faust.

SADIRA

Are we ready to go?

FAUST

You're POSITIVE we won't get turned inside-out or anything?

Sadira rolls her eyes.

SADIRA

Yes, Faust, I'm positive. Now you better hold on tight, boys, I don't wanna leave anyone behind.

Faust nods and flies over to Sadira's shoulder. Malory follows suit and holds onto her arm. Sadira grins.

SADIRA

And remember to keep your hands from wandering, Mal.

Malory rolls his eyes.

MALORY

(sarcastic)

Gee, I'll try.

Faust snickers a bit and Sadira smiles. She takes a deep breath and holds up her left hand, holding the ring with her right.

SADIRA

Here goes nothing... Ring, take us to Malory's father.

Sadira gives the ring a turn a quarter to the left and it begins to glow again. The glow creeps up her finger into her arm, spreading until all three of them are surrounded by a halo of light. The trio look nervous as the magic starts to work, especially Faust.

FAUST

Is it too late for me to stay behind?

But before Faust can even move the trio suddenly vanishes from Sadira's home.

We then cut to the three flying at a high speed through space, seeing whole cities and countries flying past in the blink of an eye.

Malory and Sadira look a bit nervous during the flight but they still watch in amazement as the world literally flies past them. But poor Faust on the other hand covers his eyes with one wing, shaking in fear.

The journey continues for a moment before the trio begins to shake a bit.

FAUST

Ack! What was that?!

MALORY

Sadira, is this normal?

SADIRA

Uh... I-I don't know...

They shake again, more violently this time.

MALORY

Sadira...?!

SADIRA

Something's wrong!

FAUST

(holds his wings together and shuts his eyes)

Now I lay me down to sleep...!

Cut to:

EXT. SOMEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY - DAY

We find ourselves in the countryside somewhere during a rainstorm, with nothing in sight but a dirt road and an old sign. There's a flash of light and Malory, Sadira and Faust appear out of thin air, falling a couple feet to the ground.

The trio groan as they disentangle themselves from each other and Faust gets up, checking himself all over.

FAUST

I'm alive... and I'm not inside-out! Hallelujah, it's a miracle!

Sadira and Malory groan as they try to get up, but they pause and blush when they realize Sadira has landed right on top of Malory.

SADIRA

U-uh... Are you okay?

Malory nods but winces a bit.

MALORY

Yeah... except your elbow is in my ribs...

SADIRA

Oh!

She quickly gets up and kneels beside Malory, allowing him to sit up.

SADIRA

Sorry...

MALORY

It's okay.

Malory looks up at the clouds as they all become drenched by the rain.

MALORY

I'd forgotten how bad the weather could be in England...

FAUST(O.S.)

Hey, Boss...?

Malory and Sadira turn towards Faust and they see him perched on a sign where he cranes his neck to read it. He looks up at them both and shakes his head.

FAUST

I don't think we're in England...

Malory and Sadira stand up and move closer to the sign, squinting to read it in the dim light.

SADIRA

I can't understand what it says...

Malory frowns.

MALORY

I think it's Danish...

He sighs and holds his head in his hands.

MALORY

The spell didn't take us to Dad, it took us to Denmark!

Sadira blinks at the sign holds her hand up, looking at the ring in confusion.

SADIRA

I don't understand what could have gone wrong. I said the incantation right, I had the right form, good concentration... maybe I didn't turn the ring far enough to the left...

FAUST

Well, at least it didn't turn us inside-out.

SADIRA AND MALORY

Quiet, Faust!

Faust frowns.

FAUST

Oh, sure. Turn on the bird...

Sadira sighs and shakes her head.

SADIRA

We can try it again. I don't know what went wrong, but it had to have been a fluke.

Malory shakes his head.

MALORY

We shouldn't risk it. Besides, England's not that far from Denmark... if we can get passage on a ship it should only take a few days.

Sadira nods but looks down, hugging herself. Malory turns to her, looking concerned.

MALORY

Are you okay...?

Sadira scoffs though she's trying not to shiver.

SADIRA

Yeah, I'm great. Except I messed up yet again. Here I was insisting I wouldn't slow anybody down but I end up dumping us in the middle of nowhere...

Malory looks at her sadly a moment. Sadira sighs and closes her eyes but is surprised when she feels Malory placing his cape around her shoulders. She turns to him and he smiles.

MALORY

It's colder here than you're used to. And stop worrying about the spell, nobody gets anything right the first time. Besides, like I said, England's not that far away. You saved us a lot of time.

Sadira stares at him a moment, pushing some wet hair out of her face before she finally manages a faint smile.

SADIRA

Are you always this understanding with people who screw up or what?

Malory smiles again.

MALORY

Like you said, I still owe you for saving my butt. I think a little patience and understanding is the least I can manage.

Sadira smiles a little more.

SADIRA

Thanks... Don't think I'm not still upset about you getting me into all this though.

MALORY

Fair enough.

He looks up at the sky as the rain beings to let up and the clouds begin to dissipate a little.

MALORY

At least the rain's letting up. We should try and get to the shore and hire a boat.

SADIRA

With what money?

Malory shrugs his shoulders.

MALORY

I've got that covered, don't worry about it. You coming?

Sadira nods and takes off Malory's cape, handing it back to him with a smile.

SADIRA

Just please, don't get us into any more trouble...

MALORY

(grins)

You have to promise the same thing. We're not in Agrabah anymore, you know.

The pair laughs a bit and Faust flies to Sadira's shoulder. Together they turn to walk down the dirt road.