FADE IN:

EXT. OPEN MARKETPLACE- AFTERNOON

CAMERA IS LEVEL WITH THE GROUND

We see the wooden wheel of a farmer's cart as it bumps from a dirt road and onto cobblestone. Slowly the camera pulls up and away and we see a busy marketplace, into which the cart disappears. As the camera rises, so does the sound of people selling, buying and arguing over goods. Children weave in and out of the line of carts, causing the drivers to swear at them.

CUT TO:

The camera focuses on a cluster of fruit stands and various bakery tents, where SILA, a young girl wearing a pristine white starched apron and white shoes, pays for a loaf of bread with a few coins. She is already carrying bags filled with fruits, vegetables and a live chicken. She wipes her forehead with the back of her hand and tucks strands of her blond hair behind her ears. After putting the bread into a sack, Sila starts walking along the row of vendors. She stops to rest at a corner, where a lively group of musicians play. After dropping a copper coin into their cup, she continues, past the last vendor. The cobblestones turn into a dirt path. As she walks, large plumes of dust rise, turning her white shoes brown. Sila turns right onto another path. A two story stone mansion comes into view. It sits proudly between rows of trees, and amid bushes of roses. The maid stops in front of the metal gate, taking a key out of her pocket. When she manages to open it and get through with her groceries and the chicken, she turns and locks the gate. She walks toward the house, down a stone path that cuts through middle of a trimmed green lawn. Before she reaches the front door, Sila walks to the left side of the house.
She opens a side door that leads to a kitchen.

CUT TO:

INT. KITCHEN - AFTERNOON

Steam rises from the various pots on the stove. The COOK is whirling around, mincing carrots and stirring pots. Her cheeks are burning red, and her grey hair sticks to her sweaty forehead. After putting the bags on a counter and placing the chicken in one corner of the kitchen, Sila falls into a chair. She fans her red face with a hand. The cook looks up with an annoyed expression on her face.

COOK

Finally!


The cook puts her hand on her hip.

COOK (CONT'D)

When you hadn't come back with the chicken and vegetables I told myself: Poor Sila. She has to plant the vegetables. And the chicken? She probably had to wait for the chicken to hatch and grow, before she could purchase it.
Huffing, the Cook starts taking the vegetables out of the bags.

SILA

Cook! I nearly died out there! It's hot as hell. Another servant, KIRA, enters the kitchen from the side door. Kira's sleeves are rolled up and there are soap suds in her short brown hair.

KIRA

Miss Lena asked for cold water and two cups. I have to finish the laundry, so one of yous is gonna have to take it. Kira rushes off. Cook pours water into a decorated jug, then goes back to mincing and stirring.

COOK

Sila, take the water out to them, I have to finish the dinner. Standing slowly, Sila places the jug of water and two glasses on a tray, and walks out of the kitchen through a doorway leading into a hallway.

CUT TO:

INT. HALLWAY LEADING FROM KITCHEN

Sila holds the tray in both hands as she walks down the cool dark hallway. Pictures show in consequential order the important moments of a black haired girl's life. In one picture you see her as a curly haired baby with a rosy
face and huge green eyes. Another shows her turning five, and standing happily with a bearded man. Yet another depicts her proudly displaying pelts and a bow and arrow. The last is a painted portrait of a beautiful and serious
young woman. She stands rigidly with her hands placed neatly on her lap.
Sila reaches the end of the hallway where, through a large window we see a sunny courtyard decorated with flowers. Sila opens the door next to the window and steps out.

CUT TO:

EXT. LARGE COURTYARD - AFTERNOON

Sila stops in the doorway. She stands in the shade, watching two women fighting with wooden staffs. One of them is the black haired young woman from the pictures.

LENA, with her blonde braid whipping around her, looks like a
warrior. She is tall and attacks with the kind of confidence that comes from many years of practice.

ZARAH is short and more slender, and although she holds her own, she seems almost unsure of herself. Her black curls stick to her sweaty forehead, and her green eyes are scrunched in concentration, but she has a determined smile. She is a completely different person than the girl in the painting.
Zarah blocks a strike from Lena and then tries to knock Lena's feet out from under her with the staff. Lena steps on the staff and while holding it in place, hits Zarah behind the knees, knocking her to the ground. Zarah stands up slowly, rubbing her elbow.

ZARAH

Ow.


Lena sighs. Sila, who remains transfixed by the display, suddenly remembers why she was there, and timidly walks out into the sun.

SILA

Miss...Miss Lena I brought the water.


Lena takes one glass and drinks all the water, before placing it back on the tray. Zarah takes the other glass and smiles at Sila gratefully.

ZARAH

Thank you.


Lena waves her hand at Sila, who leaves. Zarah wipes the sweat off her brow. She squints up at Lena as she sits down under the small patch of shade offered by a pillar, and sips her water.

LENA

You have to be faster than that Zarah.


Lena looks down at Zarah with an annoyed expression on her face. Zarah blows her hair out of her face and looks at Lena in exasperation.

ZARAH

I don't see why I need to master this. I already know enough to defend myself.


Lena turns away and wipes her sweaty face with a rag, looking up at the blue sky.

LENA

The world is a dangerous place, and your father wants you to be prepared.


Zarah sips her water thoughtfully, before answering.

ZARAH

My father is a merchant. I'll be

selling fruit. I guess a strawberry

might attack me then?

LENA

It's not funny.



Lena throws her rag to the side and motions for Zarah to stand up.

LENA (CONT'D)

Let's go again. I want one good match before you go to your

lessons.


Zarah puts her glass on the ground and gets up grumbling. She

picks up her staff and assumes a fighting stance.

THE CAMERA PANS OUT AS THEY START TO FIGHT AGAIN.