EXT. BISHOP'S LYNN - DAY - TWO WEEKS LATER
A young man runs through the streets of the large town, his
long hair bouncing behind him, shoving people out his path,
a loaded crossbow held in one hand.
NARRATOR O.S.
It becomes very simple at that
point.
The young man leaps over a small cart, turning sharply into
an alley.
NARRATOR O.S. CONT.
Everyone will be completely
distracted.
The young man runs down an empty street towards a high
rising cathedral, it's bells beginning to toll.
NARRATOR O.S. CONT.
You just have to get to the top of
that belltower.
The cathedral doors burst open, the outside light
illuminating the young man as he darts into the dark
structure.
NARRATOR O.S. CONT.
And no one has to get hurt.
Close up of the crossbow.
NARRATOR O.S.
Almost no one.
INT. CATHEDRAL - DAY - TWO WEEKS LATER
The ringing bells drown out all other sound in the small
landing at the top of the tower.
The young man emerges from the staircase at a brisk pace,
but suddenly stops, stunned.
YOUNG MAN
You.
INT. STUDY - DAY
GRIM MAN
- assure me you can go through with
this?
A grim man sits behind a large oak desk, crammed into the
small study amidst several bookcases. He address a skinny,
bedraggled looking man standing in front of the desk, the
lamp light dimly reflected in his cool brown eyes.
NIGHTJAR
Of course. It's not our normal
area of expertise, but I'm sure
we'll manage just fine.
GRIM MAN
If the bishop makes that speech
Alain...
NIGHTJAR
He won't.
Nightjar smiles quickly.
The grim man leans back.
GRIM MAN
All right.
INT. INN BACKROOM - NIGHT
Bam! A large goblet of wine, empty, is thrust into the
table, catching everyone's attention. The man possessing
the goblet, sharp eyes and red hair separating himself from
the rest of the rabble, stands at the far end of the table,
glaring.
GRACKLE
Alright...
OUTSIDE THE BACKROOM
The hallway is darkly lit. The young man is at the backroom
door, listening.
Hearing a soft thump behind him, he glances back.
Close up of a cane head, a small brass bird, a hawk, raised
in the air.
The young man's eyes grow wide.
Crack!
INT.COMMON ROOM - NIGHT
The young man' eyes slowly open, squinting into the dim
light from the fire place.
NIGHTJAR O.S.
What are you doing here.
The young man spins, turning around toward the voice.
Nightjar sits on one of the room's benches, leaning forward
on the hawk headed cane.
The young man quickly stands up, a hasty escape apparent on
his face.
A large hand shoves him back down.
The young man looks up at Grackle, looking down at him,
glaring.
NIGHTJAR
Getting out might be more difficult
than getting in.
Nightjar stands, leaning heavily on his cane.
NIGHTJAR CONT.
Now what's your name.
The boy looks down.
Nightjar raises his eyebrows at Grackle.
Grackle responds by roughly smacking the boy's head.
NIGHTJAR
What's your name.
The young man ignores hime.
Nightjar rolls his eyes in an exaspertaed guesture.
Grackle gives the boy another quick smack, which incices the
boy.
YOUNG MAN
What if I'm mute huh?
Nightjar just looks at him for a second, slightly shocked at
the young man's nerve.
The young man meets his gaze with challenge in his eyes.
Nightjar slowly smiles, chuckling a bit.
NIGHTJAR
What's your name?
YOUNG MAN
John Lark.
NIGHTJAR
Well, that wasn't as difficult as
you made it out to be.
Grackle smacks him again.
JOHN LARK
What was that for?
GRACKLE
I just don't like you.
NIGHTJAR
Reason enough. Now, John, what
brings you here.
JOHN LARK
I was told to come. I heard there
was money in it.
NIGHTJAR
Who told you this?
JOHN LARK
A little birdie.
Nightjar's eyes glint.
NIGHTJAR
How coy.
Nightjar begins to walk out, turning only for a second.
NIGHTJAR
Grackle, set him up with McKensie.
GRACKLE
What?
NIGHTJAR
You heard me.
Nightjar leaves the room.
John looks up at Grackle, smiling.
Grackle just glares.
INT. SMITHY - NIGHT
John works the billows, sweat running down into his eyes.
Nightjar enters, ducking slightly to get through the small
door frame.
Noticing him, John stops his work, mopping the sweat off his
face with his shirt.
NIGHTJAR
Why are you here?
JOHN LARK
Heron sent me.
NIGHTJAR
I figured that much. Why?
JOHN LARK
Grackle is one of the Bishop's men.
NIGHTJAR
That is why you have come here?
JOHN LARK
The information is valuable, is it
not?
NIGHTJAR
Not to one who already possesses
it.
John provides no retort.
NIGHTJAR
Does he really think I am so
incompetent?
JOHN LARK
If you already know this, why does
he remain here?
NIGHTJAR
Think. If I kill him, the Bishop
will just send another man. One
whom I will not know as such.
JOHN LARK
You really are as sly as they say.
I always wondered how you attained
such a prestigious name so quickly.
NIGHTJAR
Such a tone. One almost forgets
that your under half my age.
JOHN LARK
One almost forgets who I answer to.
Nightjar turns, beginning to walk out.
NIGHTJAR
Don't let the fires burn out now
Lark.
John glares at him through the smoke.
EXT. FOREST - DAY
A man leans forward, looking down the small path, the
sunlight shadowing his face.
Behind him comes Nightjar, leaning heavily on his cane.
NIGHTJAR
They shall be here any minute.
Ready yourself.
The man tightens his grip on the handle of a large axe.
A small carriage is seen coming down the path at a quick
clip.
The carriage comes closer.
Nightjar's eyes narrow.
The carriage is almost on top of them.
NIGHTJAR
Now.
The man swings the axe, cutting across a sturdy piece of
rope.
The rope snaps. A log crashes through the canopy, the
released rope trailing behind, crashing into the carriage as
it passes underneath.
Nightjar steps out onto the path.
From the other side, John steps out of the woods.
Glancing over, Nighthjar meets John's gaze.
The carriage driver crawls away from the wreckage.
Nightjar cracks him over the head with his cane. The
carriage driver remains still.
MAN 1 O.S.
He's not in here.
John glances over.
NIGHTJAR
Obviously. There was not one
additional footman.
JOHN LARK
This was a decoy.
NIGHTJAR
An excellent deduction John.
JOHN LARK
Someone alerted the Bishop to our
plans Nightjar.
John moves closer to Nightjar, whispering.
JOHN LARK
I thought you had an eye on him.
Now we have to execute an actual
assassination.
NIGHTJAR
(dejectedly)
Of course.
INT. SMITHY - NIGHT
John comes in the room, weary, but still alert.
NIGHTJAR O.S.
Where have -
John turns, a small dagger in his hand.
NIGHTJAR
- you been?
John just gapes.
NIGHTJAR
I've been sitting here quite
awhile.
John sheathes the dagger.
JOHN LARK
One of these days, your antics are
going to result in a quick death.
NIGHTJAR
Oh, I have no doubt.
JOHN LARK
Why are you here.
NIGHTJAR
You know why I'm here.
John raises an eyebrow.
NIGHTJAR
Oh, don't prance around.
John simply turns, going about his duties.
NIGHTJAR
(to himself)
Petty basterd.
(aloud)
Due to the difficulties with the
kidnapping of the Bishop, we will
have to make a more direct move.
JOHN LARK
So I surmised.
Nightjar glares at him.
NIGHTJAR
We will have to assasinate him on
the day of the speech.
JOHN LARK
So I surmised.
NIGHTJAR
I need someone that I may trust.
JOHN LARK
Ah. Really though? Would it not
be better to have someone you can
"keep an eye on" to do the job?
NIGHTJAR
Are you willing?
JOHN LARK
Of course, you neednt only to ask.
NIGHTJAR
Alright.
JOHN LARK
Do you have a plan?
NIGHTJAR
Yes.
FADE TO BLACK
NIGHTJAR
It is all very simple
EXT. BISHOP'S LYNN - DAY - PRESENT
A young man runs through the streets of the large town, his
long hair bouncing behind him, shoving people out his path,
a loaded crossbow held in one hand.
The young man leaps over a small cart, turning sharply into
an alley.
The young man runs down an empty street towards a high
rising cathedral, it's bells beginning to toll.
The cathedral doors burst open, the outside light
illuminating the young man as he darts into the dark
structure.
Close up of the crossbow.
INT. CATHEDRAL - DAY - TWO WEEKS LATER
The ringing bells drown out all other sound in the small
landing at the top of the tower.
The young man emerges from the staircase at a brisk pace,
but suddenly stops, stunned.
JOHN LARK
You.
NIGHTJAR
Oh yes.
JOHN LARK
What are you doing up here.
NIGHTJAR
Saving the Bishop.
JOHN LARK
What!?
John begins to raise his crossbow, but stops.
Looking back, he sees Grackle, holding a crossboy to his
back.
JOHN LARK
This does not make sense.
NIGHTJAR
Of course it does. You see, you
were right about Grackle being one
of the Bishop's men, what Heron did
not know, however, was that I am
also one of the Bishop's men.
JOHN LARK
Wh-wha-
NIGHTJAR
What? A Bishop has need of the
resources our organization
provides. But surely you do not
believe I would just let him die?
That would be half my income.
Losing the Bishop would mean many
more years before I could oficially
retire.
JOHN LARK
Heron- Heron will find out. I
don't think so.
Nightjar clears his throat.
NIGHTJAR
Unfortunately, the ambitious young
Lark was killed by the Bishop's men
before he could commence with the
assasination. I, unfortuantely was
already indisposed, taking care of
Grackle. Unfortuantely, he had
already alerted the Bishop of our
intentions.
John Lark is quiet, realizing his fate.
NIGHTJAR
Naturally, Grackle here will simply
dissapear. Spain maybe?
Nightjar looks at Grackle.
NIGHTJAR CONT.
The Bishop will leave Bishop's
Landing to prevent any future
attempts on his life. And the
world moves on.
JOHN LARK
Heron can spot lies.
NIGHTJAR
How will I be lying? The ambitious
young Lark was killed by the
Bishop's men before he could
commence with the assasination.
Sounds about right.
He nods at Grackle, and with a soft thump, the ambitious
young Lark falls to the ground, dead.
Nightjar looks out the window, listening to the begginings
of the Bishop's speech.
The bell begins to ring again.
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