Episode 11: The Antique Heart
ext. The Forest Path night
As before, the Knight of Pentacles sits atop his dark steed at the head of the path, weighing out a coin purse in his left hand. To his side, the Knight of Swords, her blazing sword still in hand. Downpath, Alice and the Pale Horse face them from the ground, the sniveling Page of Swords at their feet, still cradling his bleeding jaw.
The Knight of Pentacles tugs the purse spring, loosening it. He meticulously pours the gold pieces one at a time into the palm of his right hand, feeling the weight of each as it drops.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
Think nothing personal of this, Pale Horse. Our business is with the Fool. You simply chose a poor partner.
The Pale Horse shifts his weight to his back foot, bringing the poleax to bear toward the Knights.
PALE HORSE
(under his breath)
Alice, run-
Alice grabs the Pale Horse's hand. Surprised, his eyes meet hers- determination, certainty, defiance swirling into a surprisingly stalwart gaze.
ALICE
Never.
The Knight of Pentacles drops the gold coins from his right hand onto the ground.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
(whispers)
Pieces of Eight, Restrain.
The earthen path where the coins landed changes shape, sloshing into mud, the soft earth expanding with extraordinary speed until both the Pale Horse and Alice are caught in it, the earth wrapping around their feet, pulling them in up to their ankles. The mud then hardens into stony earth, restraining them.
The Knight of Swords trots up to the immobilized pair, her sword still perilously at her side. She dismounts and with her free arm pulls the wounded Page of Swords up from the ground.
KNIGHT OF SWORDS
(over her shoulder, to the Knight of Pentacles)
We had honorable terms. This is unbecoming of our station, Knight of Coins.
The Knight of Coins dismounts and leisurely strolls up the path to join the group. He eyes first Alice, but seems unimpressed. He passes over to the Pale Horse. The Knight’s gaze falls onto the poleax. With little effort he reaches an armored fist out, grips the poleax, and rips it away from the grasp of the Pale Horse.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
Honor is an antiquated concept when it comes to business. Our contract with the Sun is succinct. Take the Fool. Mop up any lingering inconveniences.
With this, the Knight of Pentacles swings the poleax- it is an ugly swing with ill form, but with decent force- and strikes the Pale Horse square in the chest- the thud of hammer against metal making a sickening sound. Alice lets how a yelp of sickened surprise as the Horse doubles over- unable to do anything but stand due to his restraints, a rattling cough of shattered innards his only recourse after the blow. He covers his mouth, stilling the violent cough, a smattering of blood left on his glove. Seeing his own blood is not without effect- for a moment, the Pale Horse’s gaze cannot turn from the strange sight of the black-red ichor- until Alice’s own smallish hand takes his glove, the ichor smearing across her palm and dripping down toward her scarred wrist.
ALICE
(a reflex)
I’m so sorry.
PALE HORSE
(spitting)
Idiot. Why are you apologizing.
It is worth noting, however, that the Pale Horse, for all his indignation, does not let her hand go. Or perhaps, more accurately- Alice wouldn’t let it go even if he tried to break the grasp.
The Knight of Pentacles, meanwhile, casts the poleax down to the ground. The Knight of Swords, still supporting the queasy Page of Swords, wears a look of concern, but dares not contradict the surly Knight of Coins. The Knight of Pentacles notes this gaze and sighs.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
A primitive weapon. Wielded by someone with no imagination or no resolve. Fun to swing, however, as antiquated as such blunt force may be.
The Knight turns back to the Horse and Alice, who still hold hands. Suddenly conscious of the gaze, Alice casts her gaze downwards while the Pale Horse groans quietly. The Knight of Pentacles cannot help but laugh at with a bit of incredulity at their expense.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
Love. Another antiquated concept.
ALICE AND THE PALE HORSE
WE AREN'T IN LOVE.
The Knight of Pentacles shares a look back with the Knight of Swords and the unfortunate Page of Swords, who simply shrug at the unusually robust protestation.
The Knight of Coins withdraws yet another coin purse, opening it meticulously. He holds the purse in his palm and extends his hand outward, the palm upward, the open purse set in it. His hand begins to glow with the copper brown aura of his Arcana energy.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
A word of advice, Alice the so-called-Fool- let go of this fallen card, or the flame that tortures him will consume you as well-
PALE HORSE
(taking a deep breath)
Alice-
The Knight’s coin purse begins to vibrate. Coins begin to lift from the purse itself, levitating in air- 1 coin, 2, until there are 6 coins that form a pattern in the air- a flame leaps between each of the coins forming a series of triangles- a sigil of Arcana energy.
KNIGHT OF PENTACLES
Pieces of Eight, Burn Eternal-
KNIGHT OF SWORDS AND PAGE OF SWORDS
(bows heads, turning away from the searing heat)
Pardono.
