Pimp: Hey buddy! You look fairly rich, how about a hundred darams for a night with one of my ladies? (Sable continues to the bar) Hey! I don’t think you heard me, this is a steal! What’s wrong, you to good to hear me, huh? You piece of shit, I wouldn’t let you lick the shit off my shoes!

The pimp should be laid out in layers of free-flowing shirts, displaying his scrawny chest. Rings adorn his fingers and there are at least three whores with him.

Sable : Bartender, send a girl over with a pitcher of ale and a plate of meat. (Sable sits at a side booth, not before removing the heavy black cloak from his shoulders and placing it next to him on the seat.) He is dressed mainly in black with a stylish blue shirt and silver clippings which would make him appear to be someone of import, but his face is clear expression that he is a rouge.

Whore 1: You are a strange one. Nice clothes but you look like a fighter. Why don’t you buy me a drink so we can get to know one another?

Sable: I’m not interested.

Whore 1: Oh you can tell me your brave stories, but in the end all I’ll want is you. Don’t you want me?

Sable: Pimp! Get your shit away from me!

Pimp: Get back here bitch, the fucker is cold fuck. Probably lost his pecker out in that cold snow. Took it out for a piss and it shattered in the wind I bet. Haha. The whores find this very amusing and all begin to laugh. One does not. Charlamein has been watching Sable in silence, inquisitively. Chesty, why don’t you try your Eastern exotic charms, hehe. Charlamein growls in response and turns her back to him. Don’t give me any of your shit. I dragged your worthless hide out of the sea and I can put it back if that’s what you want!

Charmein: approaches Sable slowly after deliberation. She says nothing but her eyes do the talking, "I do not like you".

Sable: looks at her with interest, hesitates before he responds, not to her. What did I say before pimp. Sell your "goods" somewhere else and you will get no more warnings.

Charlamein is considered exotic, but the pimp thinks she is more ugly. She has a ferocity that goes with her exotic tattooing along the length of her body. The chain around her neck is yanked just as her muscles begin to relax and she hits the ground hard.

Serving wench: Oseff! Get your animals out of my tavern or Carrue will cut you in half with that cleaver of his. Sets the food and drink on Sable’s table. Anythin’ else? Sable shakes his head and hands her some coins from the sack on his hip.

Patron : Sits down nest to Sable. Mind if I sit? You handled yourself well against Oseff, I had you pegged for a sucker. Where are you from stranger?

Sable: The Peaks.

Patron: The Peaks? Not much up there but the fighters guild. . . You’re one of them! Aren’t you?! You are going to try and win the next Lords challenge. You think you can do it? Caloe is going up for his third tournament, ya know. If he wins again he’ll be lord till the end.

Sable: I’ll win.

Patron: Yeah. You sound confidant of that. How do you know?

Sable: I was taught to win.

Begin flashback:

Sable: Notices the plate of food and the knife. Grabs the knife spinning and straight arms it at the bed sheet between the man’s hand and Charlamein’s neck. Begin fight scene, in this Sable will hold back to let the man humiliate himself. Sable will toss him slightly so he runs into a wall, side step punches so the man cuts his hand through the window. When he remembers the girl he will go for her but Sable will stop him dead with an ax kick to the head. Are you alright? Holding out hand.

Charlamein: silent but thankful. Takes his hand and stands up.

Pimp: What was that noise? What the . . . looking at Charlamein’s face you prick! Look what you did to her face! He begins to kick the down man. There now Charlamein, I told you I’d take care of you. Shows her out the door, turns back to Sable. Hey you sure you don’t want some tail. Half the night is over but I’m sure you could make use of it. Sable knocks the pimp out of his way and walks back to his own room.

Sable: Thank you again sir, for your hospitality.

Patron: Hey just win that tournament and we’ll call it even. Sable grins and walks out.

Sable: How much for Charlamein?

Pimp: I knew you’d change your mind. It’s a hundred for the night. You can get her from me later.

Sable: No, I mean how much to take her off your hands indefinitely?

Pimp: Forget it, she’s not for sale.

Sable: You said you picked her out of the sea, right?

Pimp: Yeah what of it?

Sable: There are no seas next to the Borderlands. So you must have brought her from another country. As soon as you crossed the border Charlamein was released of whatever contract you had with her. Charlamein smiles and fights out of the shocked pimps grasp. Charlamein crawled to Sable’s side and started working on her collar with fervor.

Pimp: You are not getting away with this! Girls, retrieve the bitch!

Sable: Be calm. I will remove the collar from your neck. Are you alright? He is speaking slowly and soothingly, uncertain to whether or not she understands what he is saying. She will struggle a little once he grasps the collar, fleeing a meter or two as the knife cuts through the collar. Well, your welcome. Wait for a response, when it doesn’t come, he picks up his things and starts to walk off.

Charlamein: Wait. The voice is rough and slow, obviously feline. I follow you.

Sable: Seeing her again, without the collar has done something to her. She seems more feline, eyes have changed color, hair like a cats camouflage, and her body seems stronger. That is not necessary. I’m glad you found your voice.

Charlamein: The collar had magic. Hid many things unpleasing to him. Indicating in the direction the pimp had been taken. I help you until debt is paid.

Sable: Eyeing her critically. Alright. She grabs the sack from him and walks off in the direction he’d been heading. He smiles and walks after her.

Cabinet 1: Reports have been coming in about energy spikes in the Peaks of Palomine. We sent a hundred men to deal with these potential dangers, but only three returned. They say that the temple was run by your past challengers and the fighting techniques of these new challengers is . . . impressive. The temple was burned down but they are uncertain as to how many actually died.

Cabinet2: We are concerned that they may be coming for you and if that is so then-

Caloe: -Yes, yes I’m sure you are very concerned for me. Without me you would be living in the wallows. But you are a fool if you believe they are still waiting in their temple. These challengers have most likely left for Calisto. You’ll have better luck searching the perimeter of the palace.

Cabinet 1: Well we are searching for these challengers and will be taking care of them as soon as possible.

Bane : You mean we will take care of these challengers. They must go through us before they may fight Caloe.

Cabinet2: By our readings of Palomine’s energy level there is a large concentration making it’s way from the East. It is not Tanke, we have his energy tracked in the North. The power registers at 150% above average men.

Caloe: Ha! That is of no concern to me.

Cabinet1: It may be. As far as we can tell this is his power level while relaxed. From what we know of other great fighters, power levels multiply during battle. This person may be more powerful than you yourself Caloe.

Caloe: Cabinet1 begins to seizure as Caloe lifts his hand. I have fought two tournaments and defeated all of these so called great fighters. I have lived three generations as Lord of Palomine and you dare to claim that I am weaker than one of these new challengers! Cabinet2 dies.

Cabinet 2: There is also the matter of your last challenger. You did not kill him . . .

Caloe: I remember, I was there. What of him? I broke him before he could flee.

Cabinet 2: It is said that his power has grown with his age. Though he can no longer fight in the tournament he protects the challengers.

Caloe: Tanke is no longer of consequence. He knows the rules of the tournament and cannot interfere.

Bane: Tanke will be searching for the best worriers to defeat you. It may be wise to have him followed.

Caloe: Yes, take care of it Bane.

Worrier: Reports are coming in that Caloe has protection in the coming tournament. They are mystical in nature but born to such things and it is believed they may be unaffected by tournament rules. We must find these creatures and discover their capabilities. I suggest we storm the palace before the tournament and slaughter these obscenities-

Religious: -You know the rules. Any preemptive attacks on either side will result in forfeit of the tournament for the transgressors. We must pray that the human spirit shall overcome all.

Worrier: You need not worry about our spirit, I have an army of men ready to tear Caloe limb from limb, but like Tanke here, I know what they’ll be facing (rubs scar visible on his arm) and that was hard enough without magic to deal with as well.

Religious: Mystic caste, surely you must know something of these creatures, are they bound by the laws or have the sway over them?

Mystic: Magic has never been permitted within the tournament, yet we have scryed these creatures and have seen they are born with the power. That doesn’t mean they came from Palomine but possibly another magical domain.

Religious: I hope that you (indicating worrier caste) have trained men well enough to deal with these demons. If they do carry magic our men may have no chance to defeat such an enemy.

Worrier: Actually, we have been working with a group of elite’s. We started their training within the Worrier caste and took the ones with the best potential to the Mystic caste in the Peaks. Their training was continued but now they were learning to harness an internal power, but . . .

Mystic: We’re unsure how this will be affected by tournament rules. The learned magic is not an external power so we believe the exception will be made.

Religious: What does that mean? What magic do they possess?

Mystic: Inherent within all Palomonians is a sort of spiritual power (Religious caste grins at the use of terms) , a magic that draws from no outside force but their own will. We think that is why Caloe brought his creatures from another dimension, their power must be of the same sort.

Religious: And their souls? Are they children of the earth, shining with a good light? We cannot afford another Caloe to ascend to the throne. He was also a Worrier with his beginnings in the Mystics.

Worrier: In that matter, I believe the only thing we can all do is pray. I was given some rather disturbing reports earlier.

Religious: What is it?

Worrier: The temple, where they were training, it was raided a little over a week ago. The destruction was total, however, we do believe that a few of them escaped. We can’t be certain who or how many but hopefully they will make it to the tournament.

Tanke: You can rest assured, there will be salvation.

Mystic: Have you scryed something, Tanke?

Tanke: The planet has told me of it’s discontent with Caloe. It is powerless to remove him, but it tells me that there is a power walking amongst us with a destiny to rule our world wisely.

Religious: Tanke, your words have already set my nerves at ease!

Tanke: Do not set them prematurely, the tournament must still be won. Closes eyes and smiles. I feel his power, he is close. Disappears.

Charlamein: Where are we going? Wiping away the snow and huddling into a ball. Sable is looking out to the storm, waiting.

Sable: I am heading for the tournament. We are near the forest edge, you should start heading back. Still not looking at her.

Charlamein: Thinking he may be right. Sable mistakes her silence for regret.

Sable: You may take one of the sacs of food. It should be enough to take you to Tallonwail; east of here.

Charlamein: No. I said I coming with you. If you are heading to tournament, then I shall go there too.

Sable: You can’t.

Charlamein: Why no?

Sable: They don’t allow spectators, only fighters. You will not be safe there.

Charlamein: You think I can’t fight.

Sable: I remember how you did back in Suttan. I think you are not good enough.

Charlamein: That was with collar, now is different. Sable looks at her, then back into the storm. I go where I want to go. Standing, Charlamein takes a defensive fighting position within the shelter. Sable turns back to her and watches her rip her whores clothes to suit her needs.

Sable: Don’t you understand? These are trained fighters. She begins to attack, Sable parries. You don’t need to fight to me. She attacks and he sidesteps again. You don’t want me to fight you. Fight scene begins. Charlamein will be the aggressor in the beginning, Sable will lead her on a game of follow the leader. They will end up in a large area open enough for Sable to fight to his full extent. It will end when Charlamein has Sable against a wall and performs an ax kick just to the right of his head and sticks it to the wall. Sable looks at her foot. Alright, you’ve put your foot down. Charlamein grins. Sable looks down, grins and walks away. Charlamein looks down, a look of shock comes over her face as she realized what part of her whores outfit was never present. She straightens herself and "sucks it in" walking after him.

Sable I hope you understand what you’re getting into. The tournament could be your death. She says nothing, only looks out, shivers. Here take my cloak. Sets it around her shoulders. There can be only one winner and Caloe has been training for centuries.

Charlamein: He was a good fighter?

Sable: Yes. He is getting nervous, though. Before I left the temple he had sent worriers to "evaluate" our abilities. We thought it would be good practice. Some of the challengers picked fights with them. They lost. Hurting, or rather, killing a challenger before the tournament was supposed to be illegal, but the worriers said they had no intention of fighting in the tournament. They attacked us in groups. Most of the challengers died. I don’t know what happened to the rest but I fought my way out. I swore that Caloe would not live to claim the throne for a third time. Sable inspects the food and slices off a piece for Charlamein and himself.

Charlamein: It would be good. No more Caloe. No more cold.

Sable: Yes. When if I face him, I will stare into his eyes before he dies and he will know the pain he has caused.

Charlamein: You must be brave. To go to tournament, I mean. So many things could happen. Pause. Will your family miss you? They must be worried. I am worried. Pause. Thank you for the cloak. It was getting cold. It is always cold, no? Is that why you go. Does the cold hurt you too. It would be nice if it were not so cold. If the snow would melt one day and the sun were shining down on Palomine. In Fralei, my home, it is cold like this too. My mother say that before it would rain more, but now it is only hail. It is hard and always it will hurt somebody. The hail is so cold, it is bigger than a fist. I had a sister before. We didn’t watch her one day. I forgot. The fish were food but the barrel freeze a lot. I need only a minutes. Gone . . . only . . . minutes. Tasha. . . , she crawl out, . . . Pause. She young. Momma find, very sad. There is blood, now. Tasha . . . she not buried right! Could not see . . . face! Except blood not leave! Momma very . . . very . . . I never see again. Pause. Thank you for the cloak.

Sable: He will pay. They eat in silence and eventually fall to sleep.

Sable: What is this? Sable had been stripped to his short sleeved shirt or tank-top, a pair of leather wrist gauntlets, and light pants.

Snow White: We were told to find you. You wear the brand of the Worrier Guild of Bansheen Temple. You are one of those who was trained to fight Caloe and his minions in the coming tournament.

Sable: Caloe sent you?

Snow White: grins. Why don’t you warm yourself by the fire first?

Sable: What do you want? You can not fight me, the rules forbid such things.

Snow White: I am not here to fight you. I’ve come to see how well you can deal with the creatures who’s powers can not be taken from them. The Snow White rises and paces off into the forest.

Sable: Who are you?

Snow White: I? I am Snow White. She leaves, Sable is suddenly surrounded by several fighters. Begin fight scene. He will do his best to fight them one at a time, he may run a great distance, in the direction he believes the cave is in. During the fight Sable will be flung into trees and the ground by powers from the fighters.

Tanke: Excellent. You have be trained well. The power within you is what will make the difference in the upcoming tournament. You will finish what I could not.

Sable: Tanke? He nods.

Charlamein: Who?

Sable: He was the last challenger to face off with Caloe, you lost but you did not die.

Tanke: No, not exactly. The Wisdoms of Palomine, saved me. They choose me to find and protect the challengers who will defeat Caloe. The planet itself is enraged over the rule of Caloe and would die before allowing him to settle the throne forever after this next tournament.

Charlamein: You will help us then?

Tanke: When I can. But you are only part of the answer to Palomine’s prayers.

Sable: What do you mean? You said I will defeat Caloe.

Tanke: Yes but you can not take the throne.

Charlamein: Why? Do you not wish to banish this horrible winter?

Tanke: Like no other. But Sable, if you do become lord it would be replacing one cold heart for another. I will find another, who will give Palomine peace. I will be watching over you. Good luck Sable. Tanke vanishes. During his speech Sable has become more angry with Tanke. The clothes Tanke has left by the tree at the edge of the forest begin to fade in the snow. Charlamein quickly rushes over to pull them from the snow, brushing them off. She hands them to Sable. He snatches them and walks off into Solace as soon as he is dressed.

Shade: Bristil? Bristil are you getting ready? Your father is to come home today and it would be good for his image if we all appeared to great him at the gates of the city.

Bristil: Yes mother.

Shade: Bristil? What’s the matter? You’ve been staring out that window all day. If your not careful I might believe you were one of the stone figurines on your sill. Bristil?

Bristil: Sorry mother, I was thinking. I had a dream last night.

Shade: Do you want to tell me about it?

Bristil: I’m not sure. It could mean nothing and I might worry for no reason.

Shade: sitting down lightly beside her son on the bed. Tell me. Dreams are windows of prophecy. Sometimes their meaning is easily decipherable other times they may be more complex than we can imagine. Fate has always been a resident of our dreams. What was your dream about?

Bristil: I see these eyes. I know them yet I’ve never seen them before. And a voice but I can’t make out what he is saying. It is very important, but to me, it is gibberish.

Shade: This should not keep you in your room all day long, forgetting your duties.

Bristil: I know but I’ve had this dream many times. It was only this time that I saw the second part.

Shade: Hmm. Give it time, you’ll realize the answer in time. She moves to the door. I’ll wait for you downstairs. Shade leaves, Bristil stares back out the window, in his hand he is rolling a stone figure of a little boy.

Shade: Won’t festival be wonderful this year?

Bristil: How could it? Caloe’s winter will still be as cold as ever.

Shade: But your father is promising us that a new challenger will win the tournament. It will be sunny again soon. They have been walking out the door and to the carriage. At least attempt to look happy to see your father.

Kattor: Worrier caste, we have worked hard to create within ourselves a perfection of skill and help the chosen amongst us. It is two days before the tournament, and as hard as you have worked in the past years, I need you now to give me more than ever. With our unstoppable force we shall protect our challengers and rejoice in three days time to the defeat of Lord Caloe. May his body be burnt for all time to repay us for his cold heart. Cheers from his people. Bristil has gotten bored and left the coach to wander around. The crowd does not disperse. Instead everyone follows Kattor into town with great hope for the future. Bristil loses himself in the crowd and eventually falls behind letting everyone flow by him. In the distance, a stable hands watches Bristil with some curiosity. He tries to reach Bristil, sometimes calling out his name but the crowd gets in the way; and he loses Bristil all together. The boy, Pemez, follows the direction he believes Bristil went, into an alley.

Pemez: Bristil? Are you down here? It’s Pemez. No answer. Pemez goes down further and is surprised by Bristil hiding behind something.

Bristil: Boo!!

Pemez: Aah! By Palomine, you scared me. What are you doing back here.

Bristil: Hiding from ceremony.

Pemez: Well, as your fathers’ hired friendly boy neighbor . . . (they both smile at this) . . . I think we should ride the slopes, huh?

Bristil: Yeah. They run off. Tanke comes out from behind a corner to watch them leave.

Tanke: I’ll see you at the bottom.

Bristil: It’s perfect, everyone has been waiting for the Hesath no one has ridden the hill yet.

Pemez: Don’t just stand there gawking. Put on your board and lets do it.

Chill: Shouldn’t you boys be at the procession? She is conservatively dressed in blue layered clothing.

Bristil: It’s Chill, one of Caloe’s monsters.

Chill: Oh now don’t hurt my feelings like that, I’m very sensitive. Icicles appear between her fingers and she throws them like hand spears.

Boys: Yeah! They are exhausted.

Chill: Well done boys, but now you are mine. More icicles appear between her fingers. There are three soldiers with her.

Tanke: Chill! Those boys are under my protection. I suggest you leave before they need it.

Chill: Tanke. You are a fossil. There is nothing you can do. But lets see if time was as good to you as it was to my Lord Caloe. She tosses the icicles at him. He spins and deflects them. Suddenly he is surrounded on all sides by the three soldiers. At the end of the fight, Chill smiles at Tanke, the victor, and vanishes within the snow.

Tanke: Come along boys. Your parents should be worried about you.

Tanke: Pemez. Wait for me in the Antiroom, I’m sure Kattor would like to speak to me. Tanke enters another room where Bristil’s family is waiting.

Kattor: Tanke . . . I don’t know how this happened but thank you for saving my son and his friend. The two men have a strained courtesy toward each other.

Tanke: I am why they attacked your Bristil and Pemez. I’ve been searching for the next successors to the throne. It would seem that Caloe has sent men to prevent this.

Kattor: What do you mean? My son is not trained well enough to fight Caloe or his monsters.

Tanke: That is true, but I’m not here for your son.

Kattor: Pemez? But he is just a boy.

Tanke: I didn’t say he would be fighting. Only he will be the next Lord.

Bristil: Pemez? Why him?

Tanke: Why him? I think we both know why, but I believe you mean why not your son.

Shade: Oh Tanke, watch your tongue. I don’t care who you are but I will not tolerate-

Bristil: No. It’s alright. You’re right. Why not me?

Tanke: I had to find the kindest of souls to repair the damage that has been done to the world. Pemez is perfect and would return life and prosperity to Palomine. You Bristil are good in your own way but everything within you is confused and tormented with questions. It would be chaos.

Kattor: Where is Pemez now?

Tanke: The Antiroom.

Kattor: I’ll talk to him now.

Tanke: No. Don’t think that I will allow you to pressure him in anyway. You may try to impress him into giving you greater status some other time. For now he and I must be left alone, there is much to discuss. Kattor turns away grumbling. Tanke leaves the family and returns to the Antiroom. Pemez scoots away from the door where he has been listening. How much did you hear? It is alright, I knew you were. What do you think?

Pemez: Are you sure I’m the right one? Pause.

Tanke: Smiles. I’m sure.

Charlamein: Thank you. She moves closer to Sable, for warmth.

Sable: unresponsive. We’ll rest for a little while but we must continue with only two days until the tournament.

Charlamein: Are you okay?

Sable: The cold doesn’t bother me.

Charlamein: No? Perhaps you’ve never felt warmth?

Sable: How could I?

Charlamein: Do you ever try?

Sable: considering what she is really saying. He reaches out to her and places his hand on her cheek.

Charlamein: You’re cold!

Sable: Yes. The training has made me stronger than the ice mountains I trained in.

Charlamein: She moves away from him. Grabs the clothing tightly around her and stands up. I’m ready now. Sable stands, picks up the bags, and walks. When this is over you should return to those mountains and see what lies beneath the ice.

Sable: Perhaps you will return with me?

Charlamein: I’d like that.

Bane: Caloe will not be happy about this.

Chill: Spare me. He was just a boy. What can he do? Club us with a branch? She laughs haughtily.

Snow White: You should be wise to listen to the sorcerers’ prophecies.

Chill: Prophecies? He foretold of a worrier with the power of Palomine. I’ve seen no such man. Even this Sable you met didn’t seem like much of a match for us.

Snow White: He may have been holding back so not to give too much of his powers away.

Chill: Or he may have been hanging on by a thread!

Snow White: None of this has explained how you let those boys get away with their lives.

Chill: Do not dare to . . .

Snow White: I dare nothing Chill, but your failure has put your life on the line.

Chill: Not before I have taken yours - Ahh! She lunges at Snow White, but frozen in space by Caloe’s power. Caloe enters the room followed by a hooded figure at all times.

Caloe: If you don’t mind, I’d like to get a report before anyone dies. Caloe stares at Chill until she looks away and returns to her station. Where is the child?

Chill: With Tanke. I could not capture them. Tanke is too powerful and the children . . .

Caloe: Stop whining!

Chill: If anyone failed here it was Snow White. She had Sable at her mercy and let him go.

Caloe: That is enough. Bane grabs her by the throat and holds her up against a wall. If you have an opinion on the situation, I suggest you keep it to yourself or I’ll have Bane drop you in the pit. She is released. Snow White, what did you learn?

Snow White: Sable does have magic that can fight off those from Black Space. His full potential is uncertain. The cold might have made it difficult for him to power up.

Caloe: Bane, I will need more information. Bane, continue to work with the Mystics until you learn all that Tanke knows.

Bane: Yes my Lord. He leaves.

Caloe: Snow White, perhaps Chill has a point. I want you to go find Sable and his companion and take care of them this time.

Snow White: Yes my Lord. She leaves.

Chill: And I Lord Caloe?

Caloe: You Chill, you are to be retrained. I do not put up with insolence, but I can not kill such a good worrier.

Chill: What?! To small dark figures come in from either side and carry her away without much problem. Nooo!

Caloe: Yes Lord Caloe, I will begin preparations for the tournament. The hooded man looks up and smiles, it is the true Caloe.

Tanke: There is not much time, Pemez. I must begin your training.

Pemez: What do you mean? You said that I wouldn’t be fighting.

Tanke: No that is Sable’s job. But you must be able to defeat Caloe if Sable cannot. You see, you are a child of Palomine. And because of that, you are also entrusted with a great measure of power. Now it is lying dormant within you because of your lack of understanding to harness it.

Pemez: A child of Palomine? How can that be?

Tanke: You know Palomine is a world of magic. It is also conscious of itself and what is happening, but only so far. Palomine is more like a child in certain respects. It responds to the will of it’s Lord because of the way they treat it. Palomine knows no better. During the second battle, Palomine was ready for a new Lord, but Caloe won and seemed likely to win again. Palomine was terrified of being enslaved to such a man for an eternity. So it created a great focus of power and surrounded it in flesh and blood so it may walk unnoticed into Caloe’s court and kill him.

Pemez: Am I truly that powerful?

Tanke: Not yet. You have the power within you but must be shown how to focus it. That is why Palomine saved my life, to save it’s own.

Pemez: How do we begin?

Tanke: Simply from within. Pemez follows Tanke’s lead and begins to meditate.

Charlamein: Is very cold here. How much more to palace?

Sable: We ought to reach it tomorrow morning.

Charlamein: Good. I hope they have a big fire and much food.

Sable: I wish I knew what kind of reception to expect from Caloe. I’d guess he must provide fair accommodations for each fighter. Palomine would see to that.

Charlamein: And a big bed. Sable looks at her a little shocked. Some things you become used to.

Sable: Hears a noise from outside. Motions Charlamein to silence and closes his eyes. Outside the tent we see Snow White prowling around. The wind is harsh but he hardly notices it. Inside Charlamein is confused by his actions and looks at him inquiringly. Snow White suddenly jerks as his hand feels like it is being burnt where it holds the knife. Sable hooks his foot around Snow White’s ankles when they come into sight and trips him. Quickly getting out of the tent. A small fight begins. Snow White’s special talent is disappearing and has a knack for hand techniques, especially locks into throws. Once Charlamein gets into the fight Snow White will be easier to handle until he performs another disappearing act and is gone. I’ll take first watch.

Charlamein: Sable, who are these people?

Sable: Spectators and merchants. They’ve come to show their support of the new fighters.

Charlamein: They are not your people?

Sable: I doubt it. There are few of my people left, but there are people from all over Palomine. Perhaps even from your country. Everyone is affected by the tournament.

Charlamein: Sable,look! She spots something familiar to her country.

Sable: Later. Now we must introduce ourselves. There will be time later today to look around if you want. They walk up into the main doors. Charlamein is given a small package wrapped in animal skin by an old woman. Sable notices this and smiles at Charlamein.

Charlamein: What is it? She begins to unwrap it.

Sable: Puts his hand over hers. Find out later. You can trust what the woman gave you.

Charlamein: You know her? Sable does not answer, he is at the "front desk".

Sable: Sable and Charlamein. He tells the man behind the desk but he is prevented from speaking by a man at his side.

Bane: Of course. We have been waiting to meet you, Sable. You are the last of the fighters. Follow me. Sable becomes very defensive.

Charlamein: Who is it?

Sable: Bane. They follow bane through a corridor that leads to large double doors that open for him. Charlamein swears in her own way as they enter a room filled with muscle-bound men and a few other female fighters. All of them talking and eating a great feast at each of the tables.

Bane: We have a place set for you at the front. I look forward to meeting you again. Bane walks off. They sit and begin to eat, Sable does not indulge too much but Charlamein can hardly hold herself back and rips a leg off of a roasted chicken. A gong sounds from somewhere and the double doors open again. Caloe2 enters followed closely by the true Caloe, still dressed in a long cloak, and a couple of thugs with Chill coming in last but taking up position in front and below the dias where Caloe stands. .

Caloe2: Welcome everyone. It is my pleasure to host my third tournament. As you know, this tournament will decide the next ruler for another generation, possibly for an eternity. The tournament is for keeps and your prescence here has already proven your bravery. Tomorrow at sunrise, you must prove your skill. To the next Lord of Palomine. He raises his glass in cheers, everyone does the same. And now, a small example of what you will be facing in the tournament.

Tanke: Fun, huh? You’ll be able to do that too.

Pemez: This will be great. Just wait until Bristil sees this. He can can’t he?

Tanke: That will be up to you.

Pemez: Won’t you be teaching me though?

Tanke: In a way, but I won’t be here. There is a great destiny before you; I just need to put you on that path. Come let’s get you into the palace. There are the same people but when they see Tanke they fall silent for a moment.

Person1: It’s Tanke! Caloe will fall tomorrow! Everyone cheers. Tanke smiles at them all, waving, and sets one hand on Pemez to show them he is special. As they continue to the doors people cheer and offer Tanke and Pemez glasses of wine and other odds and ends. Pemez takes a knife, ornately made, and sticks it in his belt. The man who gave it to him feels pride and smiles.

Tanke: To the man behind the desk. I bring Pemez before the tournament.

Deskman: Are you serious? He looks at Tanke a sees that he is. Putting down the name he doesn’t look up until they’ve gone. Tanke leads Pemez past the dining hall and to a room at the far end of the corridor.

Tanke: Stay here while I search for Sable and Charlamein. You should meet the two who will be fighting for you. He notices Pemez looking at the knife. You will not need the knife. It is not a part of who you are to kill. Let me see it. Pemez hands it to him and Tanke removes it from it’s sheath.

Pemez: What are you doing?

Tanke: I’m placing a spell upon the blade. It will protect you when you can not. Handing it back. Stay in the room. I’ll be back soon. As Tanke leaves Pemez notices a small package wrapped in animal skin. He opens it and finds arm gauntlets and admires them.

Bane: Tanke is here, I watched him come in and enter a child into the tournament.

Caloe: It must be the Palomine child. He must be dealt with quickly. Every closing moment to the tournament I see him becoming stronger. Tanke is teaching him to use Palomine’s power. He is still to weak but that may change. Sable gets close enough to listen.

Bane: I’ll deal with them personally.

Caloe: No. Send Snow White. She has already fought Sable and banished herself from the tournament. If she kills the child and Sable both, I may forgive her failure in Solace.

Bane: Yes Lord. What of Tanke and Sable’s companion?

Caloe: I wouldn’t worry about them. I have seen their deaths. There is no preventing it.

Bane: Yes Lord. Bane exits.

Caloe: How unfortunate for you Tanke. Hehe. Sable gets up to leave. Caloe hears him outside and smiles. Walking along the corridors Sable runs into a room he has not been in before.

Sable: I don’t remember this. Five or more soldiers dressed in black enter the room. Begin fight scene with weapons. Sable comes in contact with a sword from one of the attackers and strips him of it. His final move will come with a sidekick sending one attacker into the last and plunging the sword through them both and into the wall, holding them there.

Tanke: Well done! You would have been Lord if it weren’t for Pemez’s destiny.

Sable: So you found him.

Tanke: Yes.

Sable: Where is he?

Tanke: Here.

Sable: Here?! In the palace! Take me to him quickly! Caloe is planning to kill him before the tournament. They run off.

Charlamein: Who are you thief?! Where are the things from the skin?!

Pemez: Ahh! He swings around flailing his arms with the gauntlets still on them. They hit Charlamein, throwing her across the bed, landing with a thud.

Charlamein: You will pay for that, boy!

Pemez: No! I’m sorry. I’m not a thief. I just saw these lying on the bed. I’d’ve put’em back. Tanke told me to wait here.

Charlamein: Tanke?! A revelation occurs within her as she realizes who he must be. You are the child of Palomine.

Pemez: Relief crosses his face. Yes. My name is Pemez. You aren’t Sable.

Charlamein: No. I traveled here with him.

Snow White: To bad he isn’t here. There is no one to watch over the two of you.

Charlamein: You again?! Begin fight scene. Pemez tries to stay out of the way as much as possible. The fight is fairly evenly matched then Snow White disappears and Charlamein is attacked from random places.

Snow White: You can’t fight what you can’t see. Charlamein is hit again.

Charlamein: You don’t know what I was before now! I dealt with men in dark rougher than you! She listens to Snow Whites movements and lands a direct hit and keeps it going. Snow White loses strength and reappears. Charlamein lands a double front jump kick, sending Snow White flying out of the window.

Sable: Charlamein!

Pemez: It was Snow White.

Sable: What! He looks up and sees the window and blood along some of the furniture and walls.

Tanke: Stand back Sable. I’ll take care of Charlamein. Sable moves out of the way as Tanke kneels down beside her and places his hands above her. Her eyes open and she snaps up.

Charlamein: Snow White!

Sable: It’s alright. She’s gone. Are you okay? She nods after feeling her ribs. Sable looks at Tanke who is getting weaker. Tanke?

Tanke: It’s alright. I’ll be fine. He gets up with some difficulty, but looks like his superior self again.

Pemez: Here are your gauntlets back. I left everything else in the skin. Sorry I scared you.

Charlamein: Is okay. Nice to meet you.

Tanke: Oh forgive me. Sable, Charlamein, this is Pemez. You see Pemez, they will defeat Caloe and safeguard your passage to the Lords throne. Pemez feels uncomfortable about the introduction. Sable and Charlamein look dumbfounded and look at Pemez and Tanke in turn.

Sable: You want me to fight with this boy to make him the new Lord of Palomine?

Tanke: No, I want you to fight for him.

Sable: What makes you think that I’ll give it to him. What if I want it for myself!

Tanke: You cannot.

Sable: Oh? And who is going to stop me? You?

Tanke: No, I can’t enter the tournament. Caloe will stop you though.

Sable: What?

Tanke: You will lose to Caloe.

Sable: But you said I’d get that brat to the throne. How can I lose and win?

Tanke: You will defeat Caloe and then he will defeat you. You see he has great power within him and it will stop you before you get to close. Don’t overestimate your destiny here. This tournament has more at stake than your satisfaction. Unless a proper Lord is placed on the throne Palomine will be a world of chaos. Pause.

Sable: What of Charlamein? You said she’d be fighting for Pemez. I don’t even know if she wants to fight in the tournament.

Tanke: She will. She understands why she is fighting better than you, I think.

Sable: This still doesn’t seem right.

Tanke: It will all work out.

Charlamein: So where are you from, Pemez?

Pemez: I’ve been living with Bristil and his father Kattor for a while.

Charlamein: You don’t know where you’re from?

Pemez: What are these things?

Charlamein: She crosses over to the bed where he sits and looks at what he is holding. Incense burners and small charms. She picks up the new outfit she bought and carries it off to the bathroom.

Pemez: You pray to Palomine?

Charlamein: Sometimes but mostly I pray to Denbao.

Pemez: Who?

Charlamein: Denbao. Palomine is god of life and season but he is controlled by only one person, but Denbao is subject to none. She protects the creatures of Palomine. It is how we never freeze when Caloe is in a really bad mood. She also likes animals very much, very proud of her creations, so she created my people.

Pemez: Yes. Tell me what you are!

Charlamein: I was a member of the Fenal tribe until a bad man found me on a hunting trip and grabbed me. He was a bad man. Made me do bad things and I could not stop him. Pause. We are creatures like you and like the animals. Denbao loves us very much that she has entrusted us with a harmony with her animals. We respect her and her animals and kill only to eat. Sometimes we pray to Denbao in ritual and next day she stops the snow. She can only do it for so long then she must let it fall again.

Pemez: Are you here to fight for me? Why don’t you go back to your tribe? They must miss you very much.

Charlamein: No, once I learned of the tournament nothing could stop me. Denbao tries very hard to help us but if I can help stop Caloe then, I believe, Denbao would be very grateful.

Pemez: She is kind of like your mother than, huh?

Charlamein: My mother? Not exactly. I have a mother. Her name is Tessa.

Pemez: Oh, I thought you were like me. Palomine created me.

Charlamein: You must have been very lonely until you met Bristil.

Pemez: Yes. Sometimes I’m still lonely even with him there. I see his mother, Shade, and wonder what it must be like.

Charlamein: She steps out of the bathroom with her new uniform. What do you think?

Pemez: It’s nice.

Charlamein: I sometimes wonder what it would be like to have child. Perhaps when this is all over and my life is quiet again I’ll have a child.

Pemez: I think you’d have to talk to Sable about that one.

Charlamein: What?!

Pemez: I’m sorry I thought the two of you were. . . the way you looked at him.

Charlamein: No it’s not . . . oh, he is very frustrating sometimes. Tanke was right, Sable is very cold.

Pemez: It is not his fault. It’s the only way he knows how to be. It was probably the way he was taught to make him a good fighter.

Charlamein: You are a good boy, Pemez. If you had a mother, she would be proud of you. Pemez looks at her and tears start to roll down his cheeks.

Pemez: He hugs her around the waist tightly. Just let me hug you for a little while. I feel safe with you. Kind of like home. Charlamein is startled but settles into his embrace and hugs him back, smiling.

Tanke: Sable is suddenly in the forest on the edge of Solace. Do you believe you can beat Caloe?

Sable: It is what I have been training for.

Tanke: I too. You remember, I did not win. Your fight won’t be any different.

Sable: Oh?!

Tanke: Quite. I was renowned throughout Palomine for my fighting skills even before I challenged Caloe. You are nothing to him.

Sable: No. I will not fall as you did. My training . . .

Tanke: Was the same training I received.

Sable: I’m not like you. I will triumph when it becomes time. The scene changes in a blink. Sable now sits in a bedroom with Pemez. Pemez acts more bored and arrogant, lounging as he pleases and looks at Sable only when he has too. Sable is an annoying peasant to him.

Pemez: That’s fine by me. I can’t wait to claim the throne after you have won it for me.

Sable: I never said I’d give it to you.

Pemez: But you must. Tanke and I both know you are not fit to rule Palomine. You are simply the hired thug.

Sable: I started this quest without any of you. I will finish it on my own.

Pemez: Yes, and what will you do then. Become Lord? Didn’t you hear Tanke? You are just like Caloe, a cold hearted killer. I wouldn’t be surprised if you both had the same mother.

Sable: Sometimes it takes a killer to defeat a killer. That is what these Tournament are for. Getting killers to become Lords and Ladies of Palomine. Again the scene changes. Sable lies beside Charlamein in the tent out on the snow covered wasteland.

Charlamein: A killer is all you will ever be. I tried to reach out to you before, but all I found was a dagger covered in ice.

Sable: That doesn’t concern me.

Charlamein: Doesn’t it? Then why you care if Caloe is Lord or you, both worlds would be frozen in your shame.

Sable: There is no shame Charlamein, only bitterness. After the Tournament things will be different, but right now I must focus. Caloe can be the only one on my mind.

Charlamein: Then that is all you will ever have! Charlamein will kick Sable out of the tent and right into the hands of Snow White, Caloe in the background, she is holding a blade.

Snow White: Today you die! She plunges the blade.

Caloe: Charlamein of Fralei your opponent, Exzander of Middle Legions. Fight! Charlamein should display some very tight techniques including some grappling, locking, and staying as close to her opponent as possible. The man she is fighting is more flamboyant. Well done. Charlamein wins and meets up with Sable outside of the crowd.

Charlamein: Did you see?! Perhaps we will both be Challengers to Caloe!

Sable: I don’t think so.

Charlamein: Sable? He pushes past her and enters the ring.

Caloe: Aw, Sable, think you can win? Sable versus Natooth. Natooth is a very technical fighter and performs a few complex movements hoping to impress Sable. He fails. The fight begins and is over in a few moments after a few clean hits by Sable. He leaves the ring, everyone shocked, as if it were a waste of his time.

Charlamein: You are upset about something?

Sable: No! Sable leaves Charlamein behind. On two stools Pemez and Tanke are talking.

Tanke: Concentrate now Pemez. We must link our minds.

Pemez: I don’t know how.

Tanke: Close your eyes and see me in your mind. You must use the power Palomine has given to you and enter my mind.

Pemez: I . . . I don’t know. . . wait! I see something.

Charlamein: Hey guys. Pemez awakens, sweat on his brow. Tanke looks annoyed and glares at Charlamein. What?

Tanke: You have interrupted Pemez’s training.

Pemez: No, it’s okay. I saw Charlamein. Through your eyes.

Tanke: Did you? That is excellent, but you must still practice. It may become necessary later to establish a link.

Charlamein: A link?

Tanke: Pemez’s training will be made easier if our minds can touch.

Pemez: How goes the Tournament?

Charlamein: Good but I’m not sure about Sable. He is very angry.

Tanke: What’s wrong?

Charlamein: I don’t know. I woke up this morning and found him sitting in the snow staring in the east. The snow around him melted he was so angry.

Tanke: The snow melted? I think he is changing strengths. I was afraid it might happen. Caloe has been trying to get at Sable for a long time. Caloe knows Sable will not forget about the tournament, but he may be able to influence who Sable is fighting for. If it has begun, Sable will not listen to me. Charlamein try talking to him, he needs to be reminded why he is here. She leaves. Pemez we are going to have to hurry this lesson you may need Palomine’s powers sooner than I planned.

Charlamein: Sable? He says nothing. Are you upset with me? Did I do something wrong? It’s Tanke, isn’t it? You’re still upset that he is giving the throne to Pemez.

Sable: No. I used to be. Now . . . forget it.

Charlamein: You aren’t mad, are you? You’re sad.

Sable: I don’t like feeling like this.

Charlamein: Tell me, why?

Sable: It’s not something easy to say.

Charlamein: I can leave if you want.

Sable: No, please stay. For a long time, all my life, I’ve only had myself and my purpose. Nothing could phase me. I was trained too perfectly. Now, now I’m becoming weak. Caring for someone else. I don’t know what I should do. Charlamein, why did you come?

Charlamein: I wasn’t sure then. I had an idea. It was you, but I couldn’t be sure how it would turn out. I hated the pimp and all the things he made me do. You were the first person to do something for me. I know you don’t feel love, but I wanted to be with you. Maybe I could love for the both of us.

Sable: Charlamein, I do love you. The kiss and move to next scene where we watch false Caloe and his minions defeat others in battle.

Caloe: Soon Sable.

Tanke: Sable. You must come with me. Bane has challenged you.

Sable: Charlamein, you might want to get up. Cut to Tanke leading the two down a corridor where Bane and Chill are waiting. Bane, I was wondering when you would call.

Bane: I had to deal with some insects first.

Charlamein: What is she doing here?

Chill: I’m here to challenge you, dear. We thought you and Sable would like to die side by side. Both separate to their opponents.

Bane: Now Sable, lets see some legendary skill.

Sable: For the last moments of your life.

Chill: I’ll make a Fralei icicle of you in no time.

Charlamein: Time’s up. Fighting begins.

Chill: I hope you like the cold cause I’m gonna chill you to the bone.

Bane: It’s a wonder you are even fighting. To win the throne for a boy. Will you be his slave afterwards?

Sable: Ahh! Shut up!

Chill: You are a pathetic creature. Sable doesn’t love you, he doesn’t even like you. Charlamein growls and fights more aggressively.

Bane: by now Chill has been defeated and Sable is about to finish Bane. If you can’t stand up against this boy, how can you hope to stand up against Caloe?

Sable: The dramatic climax. The throne will be mine. Tanke leaves, pitying Sable.

Charlamein: Are you hurt?

Sable: I’m fine. Where’s Tanke?

Charlamein: I don’t know. What’s wrong? What did Bane say to you?

Sable: Leave me.

Charlamein: You can’t listen to him Sable. They are trying to divide us.

Sable: "We" have always been divided. I will not let this boy take my throne.

Charlamein: No Sable, you musn’t . . . Sable walks off leaving Charlamein alone . . . if you don’t change your mind, I will not help you.

Caloe2: Sable and Charlamein have defeated the last of your worriers.

Caloe: Arrgh! No, not all of my worriers. You will challenge Sable next.

Caloe2: What about Charlamein?

Caloe: What about her, she is nothing.

Caloe2: She has made it as far as Sable. Shouldn’t I take care of her first, just in case.

Caloe: Oh, Sable will deal with her.

Caloe2: Why?

Caloe: He wants the throne and to get it he will have to go through Charlamein. She wants to give it to Pemez.

Caloe2: Why would Sable fight Charlamein?

Caloe: It has been in his dreams. I have seen to it. Caloe walks off to a smaller room with strange artifacts. Isn’t that right Sable? Sable is seen walking down a corridor while flashes of his nightmare appear.

Tanke: Charlamein, you should get ready.

Charlamein: Have I been challenged?

Tanke: No but you may have fight even though.

Pemez: Do you think Sable will lose against Bane?

Tanke: No Sable will not fail. He will do as I have foreseen, clearing a path to the throne of Palomine, but there may be another problem.

Pemez: What is it?

Tanke: I believe Charlamein knows.

Charlamein: Yes.

Tanke: I understand that this is hard for you Charlamein. Just remember why you are doing this.

Charlamein: I know.

Pemez: Tanke, I think I’ve got that trick of yours down. Would you like to try now?

Tanke: No, it’s is not necessary. Rest for now. You will be Lord soon.

Pemez: Charlamein?

Charlamein: Not now Pemez. I must get ready. Walking off to the bathroom she will consider whether or not it is worth it to fight for Pemez. She is slightly disappointed to realize the answer is yes.

Caloe2: I’ve been anticipating our fight Sable. It has been a long time since someone as worthy as yourself has come around. It’s sad that after I’ve beaten you I will have to kill your friends.

Sable: You will not beat me, Caloe. I am more than your equal.

Caloe2: Oh, that’s right, I won’t beat you. Charlamein will, however.

Sable: What? Charlamein hangs her head. Well let’s go already Caloe.

Caloe2: Come on Sable give me all you’ve got.

Sable: You will not stop me from taking the throne.

Caloe2: Oh come now Sable, you don’t really stand much of a chance against me. Say goodbye to your friends.

Sable: Tasu blast! In this last scene give Sable a light to hold behind his body to give the impression of a fire ball and when he releases take scenes where a light shining in their faces grows very bright. Yeah! I am Lord of Palomine!

Tanke: Sable . . . you know the rules of the Tournament. The throne will go to whoever has survived the battles of each of his challengers.

Sable: And who is going to challenge me. You are too weak Tanke and Pemez has no idea how to fight. I have defeated all of my challengers.

Charlamein: Sable! I challenge you. She will be picked up by the camera over Sables shoulder where she has placed herself between Sable and the throne.

Sable: Charlamein? You don’t have to do this. I would make you my queen. We would rule Palomine together. Nothing will stand between us.

Charlamein: I want to believe you Sable, but I can’t let you be Lord. Please give it up. Sable’s anger grows.

Sable: Get out of my way Fralei!

Charlamein: No!

Charlamein: Please Sable, if you give in the fight we can leave this place, together.

Sable: Another day, I might have taken you up on that.

Charlamein: No Sable, stop.

Sable: Just give in Charlamein, and the pain will stop.

Charlamein: No!. . . She wins, he dies . . . I’m sorry Sable.

Caloe: Clapping. Well done my dear.

Pemez: Who is that?

Tanke: That is Caloe.

Charlamein: What?

Pemez: I thought Sable beat him already.

Tanke: No, Caloe is a sorcerer. The other Caloe was simply a look alike.

Charlamein: I can’t fight a sorcerer. I haven’t got the strength or the power.

Tanke: I know Charlamein. You won’t be competing with Caloe, Pemez will.

Pemez: I thought you said I wouldn’t be fighting.

Tanke: Not physically. The Lords of Palomine must earn their throne. Do not worry. The link we have been practicing, it is time to use it.

Pemez: I’m ready.

Charlamein: What are you doing?

Tanke: I’m going to begin the transfer. My time here serving Palomine is over. With my knowledge Pemez will be ready to use his power. It is done. You have already won.

Pemez: Don’t worry Charlamein, everything will be all right.

Caloe: Let’s see what Tanke has given you Pemez.

Pemez: I’ll give you an eyeful. Aa! Fighting scene.

Caloe: You are very good. Not good enough. What! His power level is increasing.

Pemez: I won’t let you destroy Palomine! Caloe falls. Give in, and it will all be over.

Caloe: Of course. They will grab hands and Pemez will feel a huge jolt of electricity. You are the same fool Tanke was.

Pemez: And you are the arrogant man you have always been.

Caloe: What was that?! He begins attacking again. Pemez looks half unconscious. I have won. Well Pemez, at least you lasted longer than Tanke.

Pemez: Please Palomine. Give me strength. For the creatures and plants, to end this winter, for all those who cannot protect themselves, give me strength for them.

Caloe: What! I feel an intense power building. Pemez?!

Pemez: Caloe, this is for two generations of misery. Pemez releases a very powerful energy ball.

Charlamein: Pemez, you did it. Pemez sits in the throne and the hall changes to fit his attitude. There are instant changes in the weather all around.

Pemez: Are you sure you won’t stay longer, Charlamein?

Charlamein: No, Lord Pemez, I should return home to my family.

Pemez: Please feel free to come back any time. The world owes you thanks.

Charlamein: Sable too. Final scene, Charlamein is looking at her first summer.