REIGN OF BLOOD

REIGN OF BLOOD

FADE IN:

EXT. KORMOR CITY - AERIAL SHOT - NIGHT

Craggy mountains loom over a remote valley where a walled city sleeps. Kormor Kirak, built in the style of Dubrovnik and Nordlingen. Cobblestone streets lined with peaked roof buildings evoke old-world charm. A fairytale-like castle to rival Neuschwanstein dominates the city’s skyline.

EXT. THEATER OF EVERLASTING PEACE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Abandoned for the evening. Under construction and thirty percent complete. When it’s done, it’ll be three stories with in-the-round audience capacity for a few thousand. Wood is the material of choice.

A man in a rumpled uniform, brass buttons, epaulets enters the site with a crate of Molotov Cocktails.

His name is Feeney, thirties, hair mussed, panicked. Nobody is around to watch him light the wicks of the bottle bombs, and throw them one after another at the vulnerable structure.

Feeney watches wild-eyed as the flames spread. When it's clear the site will burn to ash, he moves away with purpose.

Through clockwork eyes, a hooded figure watches him run. With a faint hydraulic hiss and grind of gears, this Automatic Assassin of steampunk technology pursues Feeney.

INT. ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Feeney enters and SLAMS the DOOR, locks it with a crossbar.

He moves to a part of the room where the plans for the Theater are pinned to a bulletin board. Various folders and files suggest this is where the construction job is managed.

Feeney sets the board ablaze, watches the plans catch fire, then races to the back of the room and an official-looking desk, behind which a complex vault door is set into the wall.

At the desk, Feeney types madly on the keys of an arcane coding machine, generating a paper strip of encrypted text.

EXT. ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The Automatic Assassin arrives before the two-story building. A placard identifies the: ALBION CONSULATE. The seal of the Albion Empire features a magnificent Griffin wielding two swords as it stands guard above a euro-style capital city.

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With a metal hand, the Assassin tries the door, locked.

INT. ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - CONTINUOUS

Feeney glances at the RATTLING DOOR then hurries to finish his coded message when WHAM! The outer door is struck with enough inhuman force to bend the metal crossbar.

Feeney yanks the message from the machine and runs for a staircase to the upper floor as, WHAM! The crossbar snaps, and the outer door shatters inward.

As Feeney runs up the stairs, he sees the Automatic Assassin enter through the ruined door, raising a pneumatic crossbow. Feeney ducks as several bolts strike the wall and banister, one pierces his shoulder, but he keeps on running, desperate.

EXT. ROOF DECK - ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Feeney bursts from the access door and makes haste for a Pigeon Coop. He enters, quickly sealing the coded message in the chest capsule of a Homing Pigeon.

As Feeney exits the coop to release the bird, the Assassin clatters through the access door, deadly crossbow in hand.

Feeney turns his back, taking two arrows meant for the bird. As he crumples to his knees, Feeney releases the entire pigeon flock from the coop, tossing his bird up to join them.

We abandon Feeney to his fate and fly away with his Pigeon.

EXT. SKY - FLYING AWAY FROM KORMOR CITY - DAWN

The Homing Pigeon flaps, surrounded by the other birds, several arrows meant for it, find them instead. As those birds drop away, the flock rises above the walled city.

The construction site burns, illuminating nearby buildings and streets with a flickering glow. Peaked roof ridges cast jagged shadows that stretch toward that ominous castle.

The flock rises into a stormy sky, enveloped by dark clouds.

EXT. SKY - FLYING OVER ALBION EMPIRE - VARIOUS - DAY

A MONTAGE of the bird’s journey home. It begins as they wing through buffeting storm clouds. We HEAR a MAN’S VOICE --

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The birds emerge from the clouds, flying away from a mountain range that spans the horizon behind them. They soar above a busy caravan road, following it across a rocky wasteland.

The birds skim forest treetops before crossing a battlefield where massed armies engage in trench warfare.

The birds thread the broadside exchange of war zeppelins.

The birds fly over a village where young men and women say goodbye to their stoic elders and march off with the army.

The birds approach the capital city of the empire. It's ringed with armament factories, belching black smoke.

The final destination of the birds becomes clear, a cluster of imposing white marble buildings at the city center. We saw these emblazoned upon the Albion Seal. In the city’s central plaza looms a grand statue of that sword-wielding Griffin.

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EXT. GRAND STEPS - PARLIAMENT HOUSE - ALBION CAPITAL - DAY

Members of Parliament exit, men and women of diverse cultures and ages, dressed in uniforms that evoke Albion's martial ethos. Their mood is reserved as they drift down the steps in small groups toward Griffin Plaza. One last figure emerges --

BARRON WHITEHALLOW, sixties, is Albion's Foreign Minister. He's found a way to bring some flair to his uniform, adding a blood-red lining, a high collared vest, and a stylish cape. Barron exudes political charm, charisma, and kindness. As he descends the steps, his grim-faced colleagues accost him.

Barron reaches the bottom step. With the Griffin Statue as backdrop, he turns to look up the incline at his colleagues.

Barron turns his back on his colleagues and starts across the plaza. He coughs and brings a handkerchief to his mouth. When he pulls it away, the fabric is flecked with blood. He’s ill.

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Barron finds a Messenger Boy running up to him, hand outstretched to deliver a familiar message capsule.

Barron accepts, unlocking it with a signet ring, he withdraws the message. As his eyes scan the code, his mood darkens. He crumples the tape and returns it to the Boy.

The Messenger Boy does as he’s told. While Barron moves on toward his waiting carriage. PRELAP the SOUND of ADDING MACHINES. CLICKETY-CLACK-DING! CLICKETY-CLICKETY-CLACK-

INT. COUNTING FLOOR - COUNTING HOUSE - ALBION CAPITAL - DAY

- DING! A high-ceilinged room filled with Accountants. Uniformed civil servants at individual desks, tapping away at their comptometers with various levels of intensity.

One woman is very intense. Her hands move with expert speed across the keys. Stacks of receipts indicate her workload and output are unrivaled by her colleagues. Her name is --

OLIVIA FAREN, twenties, serious, hair tied back. Her lips move as she works, compulsively checking her sums. Having finished a calculation, she pens the result into her ledger.

After Olivia moves the receipt from one pile to another, she picks up a necklace on the desk and opens its locket --

INSERT - LOCKET

An illustration of Albion's Prince with the Princess of Terrassia. They are both young, beautiful, and happy.

BACK TO OLIVIA

Olivia seals the locket and returns to work, invigorated, but as she adds up the next receipt, she appears confused.

Now Olivia produces an object from her pocket, a hand-held mechanical calculator. A cylinder much like a pepper mill. Via its levers and switches, Olivia checks her sums.

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INT. CHIEF ACCOUNTANT'S OFFICE - COUNTING HOUSE - DAY

One level above Olivia and her colleagues, a large window allows their boss to look down upon them as they work.

LORD WOOSTER, sixties, manicured, eccentric, shady, rises from his elaborate desk to warmly greet the Foreign Minister.

They clasp hands as old friends do, then turn to regard the many display cases that ring the room. These are filled with indigenous artifacts gathered from across the empire.

Wooster retrieves a fragment of ancient pottery.

Barron moves to the window overlooking the Accountants.

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Barron watches Olivia rise from her chair and confront another Accountant. Barron can't hear what's said, but from the way Olivia's emphatically waving a receipt, she's angry.

Lord Wooster joins Barron, watching beside him as Olivia moves off to confront a second Accountant, relentless.

The men watch Olivia get into a shouting match with other Accountants. Shoving ensues as one of them tries to snatch the receipt from her hand. Olivia breaks free and runs, chased by the group, holding the receipt high. Barron laughs.

Olivia charges into the room, her pursuers wait at the door.

Lord Wooster trades a furtive look with Barron.

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Olivia hands over the receipt to Lord Wooster, trusting.

Olivia is shocked for a moment, glances at Barron in recognition, and then stands up straight, abashed.

Olivia’s taken aback. Lord Wooster couldn’t be happier.

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As Barron regards Olivia, her zeal fades to worry. She nervously clicks and spins her one-hand calculator. CUT TO:

EXT. COUNTING HOUSE - ALBION CAPITAL - DAY

Olivia exits, dressed for travel, locket around her neck, a Gladstone bag in each hand. She goes to Barron’s carriage, where the Coachman waits. Olivia sets down her bags, peers inside to find Barron coughing, pocketing a handkerchief.

Olivia hesitates, then takes a step back. She moves to recover her bags, but the Coachman’s already got them.

Olivia touches her locket reverently, then takes one last worried look back at the counting-house to see Lord Wooster and her colleagues visible in the windows. As Olivia climbs aboard the carriage, they let out a collective “Huzzah!”

INT. BARRON’S CARRIAGE - ON THE MOVE - DAY

Olivia gazes out the window, lips moving, absently manipulating her hand-held calculator. Barron observes.

Out the window, Olivia notices a cluster of army troops marshaling in preparation to board a military train.

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Olivia gets her defensive walls up.

To avoid his sympathetic look, Olivia averts her eyes. She changes a setting on her calculator and resumes her sums.

EXT. RIDING RING - CAVALRY STABLE - DAY

A war stallion dressed for battle. A CAVALRY COUNT, late teens, tall in the saddle, rigid and chesty in his uniform.

The Count is rudely addressing --

JACK WINBOW, thirties. Though he’s dressed as a stable-hand, Jack is much more. An athletic war veteran with unkempt hair and kind eyes. He holds a burning torch in hand and speaks to the Count with easy confidence.

Barron and Olivia arrive at ringside, watching as Jack moves to ignite a collection of gates, beams, and barrels designed to simulate the environment of a battlefield. Several mannequins are scattered about, holding wooden weapons.

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As the smoke and flames rise, Jack waves to a horn player and percussionist, who begin a cacophonous racket of distraction.

Olivia watches the Count spur his horse into a gallop toward the first obstacle. She’s rapt with admiration, anticipating a graceful leap, but the horse pulls up short, and the Count is pitched from the saddle, splashing down in the mud.

The embarrassed Count stalks over to his horse, takes the reigns with one hand, prepares to smack it on the nose with the other. But his arm is grabbed mid-swing by Jack Winbow.

The Count drops the reigns and takes a swing at Jack, who easily steps out of the way. The Count stumbles, further annoyed. He readies his riding crop to whack the horse.

As the Count raises his crop, Jack casually shoves the man backward, knocking him into the mud. The enraged Count watches Jack swing up into the saddle of the stallion.

Olivia and Barron watch Jack guide the stallion through the treacherous obstacles. Leaping through smoke. Darting around fire. Spin-kicking the mannequins. It’s a masterful display. The horn and drum duo accompany Jack’s run with heroic music.

Jack reigns up the stallion before the awestruck Count, stroking the panting horse on the neck as he offers --

Jack alights from the saddle, landing before the Count.

Jack’s steely gaze deflates the Count’s mud-soaked ego.

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INT. BARN - CAVALRY STABLE - DAY

Barron and Olivia approach Jack, shirtless, pitching hay into a feed bin for a hungry horse. As Jack turns his back, Olivia notices he’s gravely scarred. Parallel lines resemble the claw marks of an animal.

Jack moves to replace the pitchfork on a wall of tools.

Jack grins at Barron, then finally notices Olivia.

Jack smiles at her formality, offering his hand. Olivia is momentarily taken aback, then shakes his hand vigorously.

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Jack moves to the tool rack, where multiple edged weapons also hang. He takes down an elegantly curved Shamsir. A pouch of throwing daggers. A thick cane some three feet in length hinged at one end. It’s called a folding Spetum.

She startles as Jack flicks the Spetum and a menacing central blade unfurls while a pair of side prongs click into place just above the hilt. The imposing weapon is six feet in total. More spear than sword. Olivia is wide-eyed.

EXT. SKY - ALTITUDE - DAY

Blue sky. A blimp rises into the frame. As it flies toward us, we favor the lower-deck wardroom in the gondola’s nose. Through the observation glass, we see Barron, Jack, and Olivia inside, standing around a table, regarding a map.

INT. WARDROOM - BARRON’S BLIMP - FLYING - DAY

Olivia grips the table edge, struggling not to be airsick.

Olivia opens her mouth to answer, burps, mortified.

Barron resumes his briefing --

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Barron indicates a location on the map. The flags of Albion and Terrassia are visible on either side of a mountain range. In the center of which is the tiny territory of Kormor Kirak.

Jack sees Olivia trying to keep her balance.

Jack sways to demonstrate. Olivia copies awkwardly.

Barron and Jack are both taken aback by her vitriol.

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Olivia looks like she’s about to keel over. Jack gently takes her arm, walking her forward to the wide observation window.

With Olivia and Jack at the window, Barron regards the map where Kormor Kirak is marked with an illustrated castle.

INT. ATTIC LAB - TERRASSIAN CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The castle is visible out the window. A WHIRR and CLICK of GEARS. The Automatic Assassin lies on a table, limbs splattered with blood and bits of gore from a recent murder.

A thirty-something MAN in a blood-stained apron cleans the machine with oil and brush. One of the man’s own arms is a clockwork prosthetic. At the sound of a loud POUNDING on a downstairs DOOR, the man stops work and removes his apron.

EXT. TERRASSIAN CONSULATE - HIGH STREET - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The man with the clockwork arm exits his building, putting on a crisp military jacket. We notice a placard next to the door identifies the place as the: TERRASSIAN CONSULATE.

The man sees Red Suited Guards pounding on the doors of every building on the block, summoning the occupants outside. The man with the clockwork arm gazes toward the looming castle.

EXT. TORONY CASTLE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The spires of the castle reach toward the night sky. Light flickers in scattered windows. The glass is opaque. The royal residents within are intensely private. Most of them anyway.

A WOMAN on a horse gallops out of the castle gate, charging into town. She’s a blur in a broad hat and flowing dress.

EXT. TERRASSIAN COUNSEL - HIGH STREET - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The man with the clockwork arm and the other residents stand outside their buildings, lining the street, quiet and glum.

When the mysterious woman on the horse appears at one end of the street, they cheer and wave. After she races past, their faces fall, and silence returns. They re-enter their homes.

EXT. KERESKEDO MARKET - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The oldest building in the city. A hub for commercial trade. Like a Silk Road Caravanserai, Persian Bazaar, or Souk.

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ROZITO VALLIKOZO, thirties, stands out front, shifting nervously. As the market’s resident fixer, his garb is eclectic. A mix of foreign fabrics and colorful patterns.

At the sound of clattering hooves, Rozito forces a smile and turns to wave at the approaching rider. The woman reigns the horse and dismounts, giving us our first good look at her.

SZERET VERESZ, twenties, is a goth princess. Though her garb is dark and evokes menace, her mood is cheery and delightful. She hands over the reins to a Red Guard and strides toward the market entrance, ignoring Rozito, who bows submissively.

Rozito hurries to catch up with her.

Szeret laughs as she enters the market. Rozito sees the spooky Red Guard holding Szeret’s horse looking right at him.

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INT. MAIN AISLE - KERESKEDO MARKET - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Szeret and Rozito walk the aisle between various vendors.

Szeret moves on as if she hasn’t heard the question.

INT. DRESS MAKER - KERESKEDO MARKET - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Szeret and Rozito on a settee. They watch nervous young models parade before them wearing different formal outfits. Lots of ruffles and bustles. A matronly dressmaker orchestrates this from the side. Szeret is not impressed.

Szeret perks up at a Gawky Model in a leather bodysuit.

Szeret leaps up and starts removing her own dress. Rozito and the rest are aghast as she strips on down to garter and hose.

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The Gawky Model tries not to panic as Szeret approaches, snuggling up behind her. Szeret matches her arms and legs to the model’s, then places her head on the woman’s shoulder.

Szeret takes the hands of the bewildered model and leads her in a confident waltz around the room. Szeret dips the quivering young woman, holding her firm, face to face.

Szeret’s lips draw back in a teeth-baring smile.

The suit is so tight the woman can only manage a squeak in response. Szeret spins the pained model back onto her feet.

The bewildered model shakes her head, Szeret smiles, leads her toward the door, still barely dressed.

She’s gone. Rozito glares at the self-satisfied Dress Maker.

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EXT. OBSERVATION DECK - BARRON’S BLIMP - FLYING - DAWN

Atop the blimp’s gondola, under the massive gas bag. Olivia arrives from below decks. She moves toward the front, getting a glorious view of a distant mountain range on the horizon. She breathes it all in, savoring this new experience.

Olivia turns to find Jack Winbow dressed for training. His assorted weapons are available nearby.

Olivia returns her gaze forward, searching for any sign of this on the horizon. She hears CLATTERING BOOTS and turns to find Jack practicing fighting forms with his Shamsir blade.

Olivia is fascinated. She tracks his moves, lips counting.

Jack continues his workout as he answers.

Jack swings his blade through the air as he explains.

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Jack sobers up, finishing off his imaginary combat. Olivia can see on his face that he’s haunted by his past actions.

Jack tries to change the mood with a quick dance step.

Olivia moves off, leaving Jack to watch her go, curious.

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EXT. KORMOR CITY - DAY

TO ESTABLISH. The city, as viewed from outside its impenetrable walls. The single mountain road is choked with caravan traffic headed in both directions.

EXT. SOUTHERN GATE - KORMOR CITY - DAY

Olivia steps down from a carriage, stretching her arms. She regards the city’s towering walls and the massive gate ahead, where she sees Barron and Jack haggling with some Red Guards.

Olivia cranes her neck to look up at the castle. Torony Piros straddles the wall. Half is protected behind the walls of the city, while the other half hangs over a vertical cliff.

Olivia sees a tiny flash of reflected light in a high window.

INT. SZERET’S BEDROOM - TORONY PIROS - KORMOR CITY - DAY

TELESCOPE POV - OLIVIA

The distant face of Olivia looks up at us.

BACK TO SCENE

Szeret steps away from the telescope, naked and intrigued. Behind her, the Gawky Model sleeps naked in a lavish bed.

EXT. CARRIAGE - MOVING - SOUTHERN GATE - KORMOR CITY - DAY

The carriage enters the city, Olivia visible in the window.

INT. CARRIAGE - MOVING - QUEEN’S ROAD - KORMOR CITY - DAY

Olivia stares out the window, absorbing sights and sounds.

Barron sits nearby, coughing into a handkerchief. Jack notices blood on the hanky and offers a look of concern. Barron disregards his interest with a question.

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Barron nods grimly. Olivia hasn’t been paying attention --

Barron follows her gaze, taking in the symbols.

Barron and Olivia regard him.

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Olivia looks past Barron to see Jack nod: “Yes, there is.”

EXT. ROOFTOP - QUEEN’S ROAD - KORMOR CITY - DAY

As the carriage proceeds, something keeps pace with it above.

CREATURE POV - MOVING FAST

Across the rooftops. Keeping to the shadows. Leaping smoothly over the gaps between the buildings. Is it some kind of animal? Or is it that killer machine?

Not the latter. Because whatever we’ve been running with is now staring a few blocks ahead at the Automatic Assassin, who hides on another rooftop, preparing to ambush the carriage.

EXT. ROOFTOP - QUEEN’S ROAD - KORMOR CITY - DAY

As the Automatic Assassin tracks the approach of the carriage, it preps an explosive crossbow bolt. The arrow is oversized, its clear glass tip filled with flaming gel.

INT. CARRIAGE - STOPPED - CONSTRUCTION SITE - KORMOR CITY

Barron and the others look out the window at the charred ruins of the theater. Rebuilding it will take some time.

EXT. ROOFTOP - QUEENS’ ROAD - KORMOR CITY - DAY

The Automatic Assassin nocks the arrow and takes aim at the carriage below. But before they can fire, a shape tackles them from behind. The ARROW shoots skyward and EXPLODES.

INT. CARRIAGE - STOPPED - CONSTRUCTION SITE - KORMOR CITY

The door swings open, and Jack stands ready with his sword, scanning for danger. Olivia pokes her head out for a look. They see a fading ball of smoke and fire in the air above.

INT. CARRIAGE - STOPPED - QUEEN’S ROAD - KORMOR CITY

Barron reaches for Olivia and gently pulls her back inside.

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Olivia settles back into her seat, trying to remain calm. Barron taps the roof with his cane and shouts to the driver.

Jack swings back inside as the carriage gets underway.

EXT. ROOFTOP - QUEENS’ ROAD - KORMOR CITY - DAY

The Automatic Assassin squirms on its back, pinned by the furry paw of an unseen CREATURE. With a low GROWL, the beast uses another paw to decapitate the machine. Its head rolls to a stop, neck cables leaking fluid, eyes dimming to darkness.

INT. ATTIC LAB - TERRASSIAN EMBASSY - KORMOR CITY - DAY

The man with the clockwork arm regards the screen of a radar-like device. It features a painted blueprint of the city. In the area near the construction site, a tiny blip fades away.

The man responds with a sigh, then turns to look across his esoteric laboratory toward a rack of mechanical limbs and heads. Plenty of spares to make more Automatic Assassins.

INT. ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - DAY

Olivia and Jack follow Barron through the ruined door. The room has been ransacked. Everything is smashed and broken. Barron notes the charred remains of the construction plans.

Olivia recovers a shattered picture frame just like the one she has in her locket, of the Albion Prince and Terrassian Princess. Disgusted, she sets it upright on the desk.

Barron approaches the vault door in the wall at the back of the room. The surface is dented and burned from multiple attempts to get inside. The wall at its edges has been smashed away. But it appears the breaching efforts failed.

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Barron removes his signet ring and affixes it face-down in a port adjacent to the door’s lock. A TIMER begins to CLICK, prompting Barron to quickly spin a trio of combination dials.

A pneumatic KA-THUNK from the LOCK prompts Olivia and Jack to approach the vault door behind Barron. He steps aside so that Jack can take the handle of the heavy door and pull it open.

Olivia stares in abject horror at what’s inside. Her jaw drops, eyes going wide in fear, and her body shudders. Her lips begin to move as she starts counting something.

OLIVIA’S POV

The inside of the vault has been ransacked. Any items of value have been removed. The walls and floor are caked with dried blood. The source of which is Feeney. Dead.

The man’s naked body is suspended in a crude frame made of entwined branches. He’s covered with hundreds of tiny wounds. These injuries are patterns, the runes of a demonic language.

BACK TO SCENE

Olivia’s eyes flutter. She’s about to faint. Jack anticipated this and swoops up from behind, catching her in his arms. His move jolts Olivia back to lucidity. She straightens, angry.

Jack releases her. With a shaky hand, Olivia produces her calculator. Her fingers moving over it reflexively but unsure what to sum. Jack follows Barron into the befouled vault.

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Barron and Jack turn back to see Olivia trying to be brave, tears running down her cheeks, analog calculator in hand.

Olivia regards him, still shocked, she nods.

EXT. BASTION INN - KORMOR CITY - SUNSET

ESTABLISHING SHOT. A two-story hostel. The Barron’s signature carriage parked out front. Also, a steam-powered carriage.

INT. DINING HALL - BASTION INN - NIGHT

Olivia sits at a bar, on a stool, staring at an empty glass. Barron sits adjacent, looking over new theater blueprints.

EPPY FLINDER, thirties, mixes a cocktail in a pitcher. She’s a free spirit with an earthy aesthetic. Her ears are uniquely shaped, sleek with an elegant point. Eppy owns this place.

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Olivia watches Eppy fill her glass.

Eppy watches as Olivia warily sips the drink. It tastes good.

Olivia turns to scan the room, drink in hand. Locals occupy dining tables. An area for dancing in front of a platform. A singer and instrumental trio perform a traditional folk song.

Olivia sees the walls are decorated with weapons, rugs, relics, and paintings of fantastic beasts and monsters. Unicorns. Werewolves. Oversized bats. Elves. And more.

Olivia notes a Trompe Loeil illustrated ceiling that features unfamiliar constellations and a falling comet. She turns back and sets down her now empty glass, which Eppy refills.

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Eppy and Barron share a smile.

Olivia takes another drink, clearly enjoying it.

Olivia spots Jack playing cards at a table with a few other men. We recognize one of them by his clockwork arm. Olivia is more interested in his lapel pin, the flag of Terrassia.

Eppy and Barron watch Olivia chug the rest of her drink and start across the room toward the table, a little unsteady.

Barron returns to scrutinizing the plans for the theater.

Olivia arrives at the card table. Jack and the others react politely as she pulls up a chair.

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Olivia disregards the others. She’s fascinated by Koss.

Olivia is the only one shocked and offended by this.

Olivia pulls out her locket to check the image of the couple.

Devorlen can’t help but laugh at her naivete.

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Olivia glances at all the painted monsters on the walls. Rather than get embarrassed, she gets angry. Jack sees she’s about to toss his drink at Devorlen, pulls it from her reach.

Olivia sees her companions holding playing cards. There’s a small pot of money and trinkets at the center of the table.

Jack winks as he deals her in. Olivia intuits his wily intent and plays the part of an ingenue in over her head.

Olivia puts her locket on the table, sliding it into the pot. Devorlen is amused, anticipating what should be an easy win.

THE CENTER OF THE TABLE - LATER

Now piled high with money and trinkets.

BACK TO SCENE

Olivia and Devorlen Koss are the only players still holding cards. The others have folded and watch the showdown. Olivia lays out her cards for everyone to see.

Devorlen Koss flicks his clockwork fingers in disgust, shredding his cards. Jack, Rozito, and Mutt cheer for Olivia. Devorlen stands, straightening his coat in search of dignity.

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Olivia drags her winnings toward her, reclaiming her locket.

Devorlen takes his leave, heading toward Barron as he goes.

Eppy steps up behind Jack, puts her hands on his shoulders.

Olivia basks in the compliment, feeling close to Jack.

Eppy leans down behind Jack and whispers in his ear. Jack smiles at whatever wicked thing she’s just said to him.

Olivia is not amused as Jack gets up from the table and follows Eppy to the dance floor.

Olivia watches Jack and Eppy partake in some coordinated moves. A mix of Bluegrass Clogging and Irish Square Dancing. Fast. Fun. Complicated. Is Olivia jealous or just curious?

As Rozito talks, Olivia tracks the moves of Jack and Eppy. Her moving lips betray that she’s calculating their steps.

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Olivia pounds the rest of Jack’s drink takes Rozito’s hand, and pulls him onto the dance floor. He’s startled but game.

Jack and Eppy are happy to be joined by Olivia and Rozito. The two couples twirl and maneuver around each other.

At first, Olivia’s expression is serious as she counts her moves, executing what she’s memorized. Gradually she loosens up. Matching the others step for step. Smiling and laughing.

This is the first time we’ve ever seen her joyful. And it could even be the first time she’s ever been joyful. But it’s also definitely the first time she’s ever had alcohol. So --

Olivia’s smile fades. She bolts off the dance floor, sick.

EXT. ENTRY COURT - TORONY CASTLE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Red Guards at their posts. Torches light the grounds. The courtyard is filled with the parked carriages of visitors.

The RHYTHMIC PUFF of a STEAM POWERED VEHICLE heralds the arrival of Devorlen Koss and Barron Whitehallow. Riding together in the self-propelled carriage, they ease to a stop.

EXT. ENTRY PATH - TORONY CASTLE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

As they walk away from the vehicle toward the castle entrance, Barron has one of his signature coughing attacks.

With his clockwork arm, he offers Barron a handkerchief.

Barron finishes wiping his mouth, pockets the handkerchief.

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The affable enemies reach the entrance where a pair of Red Guards protect a double door. Devorlen flashes an invite to a uniformed Bouncer and receives an approving nod.

Barron pulls a gold medallion from his pocket. It features a dragon’s head with amber eyes. The pupils are drops of blood. The Bouncer tips his hat, and the Red Guards open the doors.

INT. BALLROOM - TORONY CASTLE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

A non-traditional masquerade. A debauched affair lit by candled sconces and chandeliers. The guests wear Gothically Victorian attire. Men and Women of all races and sizes. Their faces are hidden behind elaborate masks made from animal hides, scales, fur, bones, and other earthy materials. Weird.

A performance is underway above the crowd, men, and women executing elaborate aerial gymnastics via ropes and wires.

We recognize Szeret, the princess is entwined with that Gawky Model from the Dress Shop. Szeret sees Barron entering with Devorlen and leaves the model to swing alone.

Szeret drops twenty feet, landing easily behind Barron.

Barron is startled by her jump-scare --

35

A hush passes through the revelers. Szeret, Barron, and Koss react, looking toward an upper balcony and the entry of --

QUEEN KIRALINE VERESZ EROSZAKOS, forties, but eternal. Her clothes are layered with the ornamental bulk of couture. She moves as if weightless. Aglow with preternatural charisma and regal allure. Serene in her gaze as everyone takes a knee.

Kiraline basks in their submission, then gracefully motions for them to rise. As they do, the chatter and music resume.

Kiraline sees Barron in the crowd. Their eyes lock. Barron is transfixed by her beauty, lost in the moment. He blinks and --

-- suddenly, Kiraline is standing before him. Having crossed the room by magical means. Devorlen Koss is startled. Szeret rolls her eyes. Barron is almost overwhelmed by her presence.

36

Kiraline affectionately strokes Barron’s face with her hand.

INT. UPPER BALCONY - BALLROOM - TORONY CASTLE - CONTINUOUS

Barron is disoriented to find himself alone with the queen. The ballroom floor is below. Barron stifles a cough.

Barron tries not to waver as Kiraline moves close. Her lips find his in a gentle kiss. Once more, they are transported.

INT. QUEEN’S BEDCHAMBER - TORONY CASTLE - CONTINUOUS

Kiraline draws back from her kiss with Barron. He’s clearly flustered. Affected by her sensual attention.

As Kiraline regards him, she licks his blood from her lips.

37

Barron is startled as Kiraline goes full vampire. Her jaw unhinges, rows of serrated teeth on display, tongue snaking. She lunges toward him, but right before impact, we CUT TO:

INT. BALLROOM - TORONY CASTLE - CONTINUOUS

Barron staggers backward, barely staying on his feet as he abruptly finds himself amidst the creepy crowd of guests.

Kiraline is on that upper balcony, no longer a vampire, looking down on him with a mischievous smile. She puts her palm over her heart, teasing that their romance is not over.

Szeret stands with Devorlen Koss. They watch Barron clumsily gather his wits, look at them, and then head for the exit.

Koss moves after Barron. Szeret looks up at her mother.

38

INT. DUNGEON HALLWAY - TORONY CASTLE - NIGHT

Torches flicker as Szeret walks beside Kiraline.

Kiraline doesn’t like the sound of that.

The women arrive at a closed door.

39

Szeret opens the dungeon door to reveal a half dozen cowering people in chains. We recognize them from the party above.

With paranormal speed, Kiraline and Szeret enter the room, the DOOR SLAMS behind them, and then... the screaming begins.

INT. ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - DAY

Bloody water pools on the vault floor as a cleaning crew scrubs the walls. A cleaner wraps Feeney’s dead body in muslin, throws it over their shoulder, then carries it out.

Olivia sits at the desk near the vault’s entrance, going over construction facts and figures, trying not to look as the corpse goes past. But she can’t help herself, watching as its passage disrupts a meeting in progress.

Barron stands with Devorlen Koss in front of the bulletin board where Eppy pins up the new set of theater plans.

A pair of roughnecks make way for the corpse. The woman is called ZAFFIR. The man is NERO. They harangue Barron --

Jack chimes in from a perch on the staircase.

Nero regards Jack, sniffing the air.

40

Barron interjects --

They all turn to find Szeret standing in the doorway. Rozito is visible behind, and a royal carriage with Red Guards. Everyone in the Consulate takes a knee, except for Barron.

Szeret enters, motioning for everyone to rise. She doesn’t stop moving, having set her sights across the room on Olivia.

Nero and Zaffir like the sound of that.

Szeret ignores him. She reaches Olivia, who curtsies. But Szeret quickly takes both her hands and pulls her upright.

41

Szeret hasn’t let go of Olivia’s hands.

Olivia is surprised as Szeret spins her in a waltz twirl. Olivia awkwardly complies. But she’s grateful as Barron interrupts, deftly separating Olivia from Szeret’s grasp.

42

EXT. TRAILHEAD - HALLASET FIELDS - DAY

On the outskirts of the city. One side of the plateau is a sheer cliff, beyond which distant mountains are cloaked in fog. The ground is covered with a reed-like grass, head-high.

A network of trails weaves through the grass, connecting several raised plinths where the dead are deposited. In a tradition similar to that of Tibet, the bodies are left to decompose under the elements, or devoured by carrion birds.

The setting is made all the more eerie by drifting mist.

Rozito sits atop the parked royal carriage, watching as the others enter the trailhead in two groups. He calls out --

Rozito sees one of the Red Guards looking up at him.

EXT. WINDING TRAIL - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Szeret and Olivia walk, followed by two Red Guards

43

44

Olivia considers the truth in that she begins looking around the cemetery through new eyes. A bit freaked out. She reflexively pulls out her analog computer and gets clicking.

Olivia’s shock quickly becomes the enthusiasm to explain.

EXT. FUNERAL HUB - HALLASET FIELDS - DAY

Walking with Jack, Eppy plucks a stalk of Hallaset grass from beside the trail. Jack watches her smell its fragrant flower.

The trail leads them to a funeral hub, where they startle a pair of carrion birds eating a fresh corpse atop a raised plinth. The birds fly away, scattering body parts as they go.

45

Jack scrutinizes memorial stones with freshly painted wards.

Eppy takes no offense, returns to the trail. Jack follows.

46

INT. ALBION CONSULATE - KORMOR CITY - DAY

As the cleaning crew packs up, Barron and Devorlen Koss look over the schedule Olivia prepared for the construction job.

The last of the cleaners exit, leaving the two men alone. Koss prepares himself to reveal something we already know --

Barron considers this for a moment.

47

Barron and Devorlen regard the plans of the theater. They fail to notice that in these new plans, there is no roof.

EXT. TRAILHEAD - HALLASET FIELDS - DAY

Rozito hops down from the roof of the carriage. He regards the trailhead, scanning for any sign of his companions. Nothing. He motions for the carriage driver to join him --

As the driver steps beside him, Rozito produces a hidden blade and slits the man’s throat. The driver slackens, and Rozito eases him to the ground.

The pair of Red Guards hurry over for a look, only to receive Rozito’s blade in quick thrusts between their armor plates.

As they clatter to the ground, Rozito moves to the dead driver, slicing open the man’s shirt to reveal bare chest.

Rozito sheaths his blade pulls a pair of elegant scalpels and gets to work on the driver’s chest like it’s a canvas.

EXT. HALLASET FIELDS - DAY

Olivia is teaching Szeret how to use the calculator.

48

Olivia is startled as Szeret hugs her.

As the women discuss this, they don’t notice something horrifying -- body parts moving along the ground. Hands, arms, feet, heads, fingers, etc. Sliding and rolling across the trail. Drawn from one side to the other and beyond.

Olivia and Szeret are startled as Jack and Eppy arrive, both holding weapons, bravely following the moving body parts.

Olivia and Eppy run while Jack covers. Szeret is in no rush.

EXT. TRAILHEAD - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Rozito has covered the dead driver’s chest with bloody runes similar to those we saw on Feeney in the vault. But these wounds are the shape of a figure with a head, arms, and legs.

EXT. WINDING TRAIL - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Olivia and Eppy hurry down the trail toward a pair of Red Guards. Something barrels out of the grass and attacks the armored men. Olivia and Eppy scream in surprise to see --

The Necrotic Bulk, roughly the shape of a human. Made from the discarded parts of multiple corpses. The reanimated limbs writhe and entwine with each other into a sickening mass.

Olivia and Eppy watch as the Red Guards are dispatched. The women turn and run, almost crashing into Jack. For a moment, he raises his weapon to engage the beast -- then he runs too.

49

Szeret is surprised to find Olivia, Eppy, and Jack running her way. They motion for her to follow them. Szeret hesitates, then sees the Necrotic Bulk coming down the trail.

Szeret seems amused by it, then hurries after the others.

EXT. TRAILHEAD - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Rozito continues to carve up the dead driver’s chest. He’s interrupted by a Red Guard, flings a scalpel to kill him.

EXT. FUNERAL HUB - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Olivia, Eppy, and Jack enter the open area. Followed by Szeret. The Necrotic Bulk tromps through the grass at them.

As the creature attacks, the humans duck and dive around the raised plinth. Jack and Eppy slash at it with their blades.

Olivia thinks Szeret’s in danger and tackles the princess to the ground as a necrotic limb whips over their heads.

Olivia drags Szeret out of harm’s way. Then watches as Jack and Eppy fight the monster with their weapons. Olivia tracks their movements, her lips moving, doing her memorization. Then turns to Szeret, emphatic --

Olivia dashes toward Jack, taking one of his spare weapons and then joining the fight against the Necrotic Bulk. Jack and Eppy are surprised but glad to have her assistance.

Szeret watches the brave humans battle the hulking monster.

50

Jack moves to push Szeret toward the trail. She pushes him away with remarkable strength.

The humans are stunned as before their eyes, Szeret transforms into a leopard-like beast. Ripping out of her clothes. No longer a bipedal woman -- a quadrupedal leopard.

For a beat, the humans think they’ll have two monsters to fight. Then the Szeret-Leopard leaps onto the raised plinth.

Szeret-Leopard takes a quick look over the tall grass, and sees Rozito crouched over the body back at the carriage. With a raging growl, she charges off into the grass to get him.

Olivia shakes with shock as Jack and Eppy drag her in a fighting retreat to the trail, chased by the Necrotic Bulk.

EXT. TRAILHEAD - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Rozito is busy with his scalpels on the corpse. He doesn’t see the Szeret-Leopard charging out of the grass behind. The beast knocks him clear and moves in for the kill, snarling.

We expect Rozito to beg for his life. Instead, he flings his scalpels at the Szeret-Leopard. The creature dodges easily.

Rozito pulls his blade as the Szeret-Leopard attacks.

EXT. WINDING TRAIL - HALLASET FIELDS - CONTINUOUS

Oliva, Jack, and Eppy are running backward, fighting the bulk, when it spontaneously collapses, disassembling back into a pile of body parts, disgusting. Olivia throws-up.

EXT. TRAILHEAD - HALLASET FIELDS - DAY

Olivia, Jack, and Eppy exit the trail to regard the carriage. They can see the Szeret-Cat gobbling up Rozito. The beast looks back at them. Roars. Then gallops off toward town.

51

Olivia wouldn’t believe it unless she’d just seen it.

EXT. BASTION INN - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

ESTABLISHING. Barron’s carriage parked out front.

INT. DINING HALL - BASTION INN - NIGHT

Barron sits at a table, scrutinizing Rozito’s necromantic scalpels. Olivia, Jack, and Eppy sit with him, all drinking.

Barron has one of his coughing fits, uses a handkerchief, and rises from the table. The others watch him, concerned.

As Barron moves toward the stairs, Olivia follows.

52

Barron waits as Olivia struggles to speak honestly.

Barron regards her for a moment.

53

Barron starts up the stairs slowly, the strain triggers another cough. Olivia moves to help him ascend the stairs.

Olivia likes being appreciated and having clarity of purpose.

As they go, Jack unpacks his weapons at the abandoned table. The blades are stained with necrotic ichor. As he starts cleaning, he looks up to see Eppy at the bar, making tea.

Eppy fills two mugs. Jack pushes an empty chair with his foot. Drawing attention to its availability. Eppy smiles.

INT. OLIVIA’S ROOM - BASTION INN - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Olivia enters alone. Tired, she begins to undress. Checking her pocket for her little calculator. It’s gone. Szeret? Olivia steps to the window, looking out at the dark castle.

INT. SZERET'S CHAMBER - TORONY CASTLE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

Szeret sits in a bathtub, the water red with gore. She fiddles with the calculator. Fascinated. Then she remembers something and looks over to the empty bed. Someone’s missing.

Szeret looks across the room to see that too-tight bodysuit draped over a chair. Where has that Gawky Model gone?

Szeret returns to the calculator, mind on a new toy, Olivia.

54

INT. KIRALINE’S CHAMBER - TORONY CASTLE - KORMOR CITY - NIGHT

The Gawky Model, dead, naked in the trellis of a necromancer. A woman’s hand uses a knife to apply a rune to the corpse.

Kiraline admires her handiwork. The queen is up to no good.

INT. BARRON’S ROOM - BASTION INN - DAY

Barron lies in bed, coughing in his sleep. He startles awake to find Kiraline seated at his bedside. The necromantic portal is visible behind her, on the other side of the room. Barron struggles to process what he’s looking at --

Kiraline goes full vampire and attacks, as Barron recoils --

CUT TO BLACK.

-- END OF PILOT --

55

-- REIGN OF BLOOD: THE SERIES --
Jesse Alexander

Set in a Victorian-like age of empires, a brilliant but naïve young woman investigates murder and conspiracy in a remote city-state ruled by a Vampire Queen. The woman’s unlikely ally is the Queen’s daughter, a precocious Vampire Princess obsessed with the modern age. Mystery, mayhem, and romance ensue as they collaborate to save the world from paranormal threats. Shadow & Bone, The Witcher, Cursed, Vampire Diaries.

Olivia always believed in logic and the power of numbers, never in the supernatural. So her worldview is tested by her adventures in Kormor Kirak. Szeret becomes her paranormal guide and confidant. Over time, both will be transformed by their experiences and friendship.

After the events of the pilot, Olivia embraces her role as Barron Whitehallow’s aide-de-camp. With Finn and Eppy, they must complete the theater in time for the wedding and peace conference. But mysterious and deadly threats are constantly trying to sabotage their work.

The enemy appears to be a cult of Lich worshiping anarchists. Their attacks on the project must be investigated and foiled. While dark and mysterious places must be found and explored to reveal their network.

In time, Olivia discovers that Barron has been turned by the Vampire Queen and is her unwitting agent. In fact, Kiralyne is the true enemy. She plots to use the wedding to claim the souls of the rich and powerful. To end the reign of humanity and unleash a paranormal age.

The show has a procedural case of the week element as Olivia investigates threats and attacks. A serialized plot of the season as our heroes unravel the identity and plans of the meta-villain. And soap opera-style dramatic arcs between all of our characters.

Olivia and Szeret are the emotional heart of the series. How much can these women from different worlds really trust each other? When the final enemy is revealed, the battle for peace begins, and Olivia and Szeret must pick sides -- Will they choose friendship or blood?

Themes to explore: Companionship as Salvation. Change versus Tradition. Convention and Rebellion. Facing darkness. Hazards of judgment. Immortality. Lost love. Motherhood. Complications of Nationalism. Overcoming fear. Vanity as a downfall. Wisdom of experience. Youth and Beauty. Optimism versus Pessimism. Do the ends justify the means? The futility of war. And the power of love to overcome impossible odds.