GOLDMOON
There was a blinding flash of light. When Riverwind and I could see again, we were standing on the road outside of Solace. The staff glowed blue, then dimmed and faded until it is as you see it now. It was then we determined to go to Haven and ask the wise men at the temple about the staff.

TANIS
Riverwind, what do you remember of this broken city? Where was it?

RIVERWIND
(looks at Tanis for a moment)
Tanis Half-Elven. That is your name.

TANIS
Among humans, that is what I am called. My elvish name is long and difficult for humans to pronounce.

RIVERWIND
Why is it, that you are called half-elf and not half-man?

Tanis is obviously upset at the question, but restrains himself from making an angry response.

TANIS
According to humans, half an elf is but part of a whole being. Half a man is a cripple.

Riverwind thinks for a moment, and then nods, satisfied with the answer.

RIVERWIND
I wandered many long years. Often I had no idea where I was. I followed the sun and the moons and the stars. My last journey is like a dark dream.
(pauses, remembering)
It was a city once beautiful, with white buildings supported by tall columns of marble. But it is now as if some great hand had picked up the city and cast it down a mountainside. The city is now very old and very evil.

TANIS
Death on black wings.

RIVERWIND
It rose like a god from the darkness, its creatures worshiped it, shrieking and howling.
(shakes his head)
I can speak of it no more!

TANIS
(pushing the topic)
And out of the horror came a woman who gave you the staff?

RIVERWIND
She healed me. I was dying.

Before Tanis can ask anything more, Goldmoon touches his arm and points up ahead. Camera shot of Sturm and Caramon waving for Tanis to join them. Tanis, Riverwind and Goldmoon hurry ahead to meet them.

TANIS
What is it?

STURM
(dryly)
The scout returns.

Tas is running down the path, and he waves into the bushes.

TANIS
Into the brush!

Everyone goes into the bushes, except for Sturm who waits on the path. Tanis grabs his arm.

TANIS
Come on!

Sturm pulls away.

STURM
I will not hide in a ditch!

TANIS
(fighting to not get angry)
Sturm-

Tas arrives gasping for breath.

TAS
Clerics! A party of clerics. Eight.

STURM
I thought it was a battalion of goblin guards at the least. I believe we can handle a party of clerics.

TAS
(unsure and a little frightened)
I don't know. I've seen clerics from every part of Krynn and I've never seen any like these.

Tas looks behind him in fear.

TAS
(to Tanis)
Do you remember what Tika said about the strange men in Solace-hanging around with Hederick? How they were hooded and dressed in heavy robes? Well, that describes these clerics exactly! And, Tanis, they gave me an eerie feeling. They'll be in sight in a few moments.

Tanis and Sturm look at each other. Then Tanis looks to the path.

TANIS
Here they come.

Tanis, Sturm and Tas duck into the cover of the bushes. Camera shot, from far back, shows hooded clerics come around a corner in the path, moving slowly and dragging a handcart behind them.

TANIS
(whispering to Sturm)
Maybe you should talk to them, Sturm. We need information about the road ahead. But be careful, my friend.

STURM
(smiling)
I'll be careful. I have no intention of throwing my life away needlessly.

Sturm leaves the bushes and positions himself at the side of the path, leaning against an old wooden fence, as if he were resting.

In the bushes, Caramon, making loud clanking noises in his armor and weapons, approaches Tanis.

CARAMON
What is it?

TANIS
Hush. Clerics. A group of them coming down the road. Sturm's going to question them.

CARAMON
(not worried)
Clerics!

RAISTLIN
(who has overheard)
Clerics. I do not like this.

TANIS
What do you mean?

RAISTLIN
(as if speaking to a child)
Strange clerics. The staff has healing, clerical powers-such powers as have not been seen on Krynn since the Cataclysm! Caramon and I saw some of these cloaked and hooded men in Solace. Don't you find it odd, my friend, that these clerics and this staff turned up at the same time, in the same place, when neither has been seen before. Perhaps this staff is truly theirs-by right.

Tanis looks at Goldmoon. Goldmoon's face should look worried. It begins to rain a little, and water begins to drip through the branches of the trees.

FLINT
There, it's raining. It isn't enough that I have to squat in a bush like a toad, now I get soaked to the skin-

Tanis glares at Flint, quieting him.

On the path, the clerics approach Sturm. When they speak, it is with a hollow, lisping and inhuman voice.

LEAD CLERIC
Hail, Knight of Solamnia.

STURM
Greetings, brethren. I have traveled many miles this day and you are the first travelers I have passed. I have heard strange rumors, and I seek information about the road ahead. Where do you come from?

LEAD CLERIC
We come from the east originally. But today we travel from Haven. It is a chill, bitter day for journeying, knight, which is perhaps why you find the road empty. We ourselves would not undertake such a journey save we are driven by necessity. We did not pass you on the road, so you must be traveling from Solace, Sir Knight.

Sturm nods and the other clerics begin muttering amongst themselves.

LEAD CLERIC
I am curious to hear these rumors you speak of, knight.

STURM
There is talk of armies in the north. I am traveling that way, to my homeland of Solamnia. I would not want to run into a war to which I had not been invited.

LEAD CLERIC
We have not heard these rumors. So far as we know, the road to the north is clear.

STURM
Ah, that's what comes of listening to drunken companions. But what is this necessity you speak of that drives the brethren out into such foul weather?

LEAD CLERIC
We seek a staff. A blue crystal staff. We heard that it had been sighted in Solace. Do you know of it?

STURM
Yes. I heard of such a staff in Solace. I heard of the armies to the north from the same companions. Am I to believe these stories or not?

The clerics look at each other.

STURM
Tell me, why do you seek a blue crystal staff? Surely one of plain, sturdy wood would suit you reverend gentlemen better.

LEAD CLERIC
It is a sacred staff of healing. One of our brothers is sorely ill; he will die without the blessed touch of this holy relic.

STURM
(acting surprised)
Healing? A sacred staff of healing would be of great value. How did you come to misplace such a rare and wonderful object?

LEAD CLERIC
(snarling)
We did not misplace it! It was stolen from our holy order. We tracked the foul thief to a barbarian village in the Plains, then lost his trail. There are rumors of strange doings in Solace, however, and it is there we go.

The Lead Cleric gestures to the handcart.

LEAD CLERIC
This dismal journey is but little sacrifice for us compared to the pain and agony our brother endures.

STURM
I'm afraid I cannot help-

Goldmoon stands up in the bushes suddenly.

GOLDMOON
I can help you!

Riverwind gets up beside her.

TANIS
(whispering)
Goldmoon!

GOLDMOON
(looking at the clerics, but whispering to Tanis)
I must know!

The clerics all look at Goldmoon and nod their heads. Goldmoon and Riverwind step onto the path.

CARAMON
The Plainsmen are not leaving me behind in a ditch while they have all the fun!

Caramon gets up and leaves the bush as well.

TANIS
Has everyone gone mad?

Tanis grabs Tas before he goes onto the path as well.

TANIS
Flint, watch the kender. Raistlin-

RAISTLIN
No need to worry about me, Tanis. I have no intention of going out there.

TANIS
Right. Well, stay here.

Tanis gets up and goes to the edge of the path, off the road. Goldmoon is on the road, with Riverwind on one side of her, Sturm on the other, and Caramon in behind.

GOLDMOON
(to clerics, holding out the staff)
I am the bearer of the blue crystal staff. But we did not steal it; the staff was given to us.

LEAD CLERIC
(sneering)
So you say.

Lead Cleric reaches for the staff. Goldmoon pulls it back to her.

GOLDMOON
The staff was carried out of a place of great evil. I will do what I can to help your dying brother, but I will not relinquish this staff to you or to anyone else until I am firmly convinced of your rightful claim to it.

The clerics look at each other. The scene should now have a feeling of impending danger. Tanis, already holding his bow, puts an arrow into it quietly. The Lead Cleric folds his hands into his sleeves.

LEAD CLERIC
We will be grateful for whatever aid you can give our poor brother. And then I hope you and your companions will return with us to Haven. I promise you that you will be convinced that the staff has come into your possession wrongly.

CARAMON
We'll go where we've a mind to, brother.

The Lead Cleric motions for Goldmoon to follow him to the back of the cart. She does so, with Riverwind by her side. Sturm and Caramon stay where they are. The cleric lifts the cloth covering the back of the cart.

Camera angle should be on the inside of the cart, from Goldmoon's point of view. There is a creature in the cart with a reptilian face, DRACONIAN #1, snarling at her. It reaches for the staff and touches it. There is a visual effect of a blue flash, and Draconian #1 shrieks in pain, holding it's hand. Goldmoon screams and jumps backwards. Riverwind moves protectively in front of her. The Lead Cleric lifts a horn and blows into it.

TANIS
(getting up from his hiding spot)
Caramon! Sturm! It's a tra-

DRACONIAN #2 drops down on top of Tanis, pushing his face into the ground, and begins choking him. It chokes him for a few moments and then is hit from behind by Flint, holding a log. Draconian #2 goes down, and Tanis gets up. Raistlin also arrives and they look at the unconscious creature.

RAISTLIN
By all the gods. What is that?

Riverwind, sword drawn, is terrified of Draconian #1 in the cart. Goldmoon, behind him, is grabbed by the Lead Cleric. She kicks backwards and gets free, then hits him with the staff. The Lead Cleric goes down, and the staff is now glowing a bright blue. The other clerics remove their cloaks and it is revealed they are all Draconians. Goldmoon swings the staff around her, keeping them back.

GOLDMOON
Riverwind!

Riverwind snaps out of his terror. He sees Goldmoon backing away from the creatures. He grabs one from behind and throws it to the ground. Draconian #1 gets out of the cart and goes to attack Riverwind from behind. Sturm, behind it, stabs his sword into its back. Draconian #1 screams and falls to the ground, Sturm's sword still in it. There is a visual effect of Draconian #1 turning to stone. Sturm pulls on his sword but it is stuck in the now stone body of Draconian #1. DRACONIAN #3 attacks Sturm. Sturm, now weaponless, backs away.

STURM
Caramon!

Draconian #3 slashes at Sturm with an axe and hits Sturm on the head, cutting him.

Caramon is attacked by DRACONIAN #4 and DRACONIAN #5. Caramon has a shortsword in one hand and a dagger in the other. Draconian #4 lunges at Caramon, and Caramon stabs it with his sword. The creature backs up, but still keeps Caramon trapped between it and Draconian #5. Raistlin stands beside Caramon.

RAISTLIN
(voice over, in Caramon's mind)
I am here, my brother.

Caramon stabs at the creatures, keeping them back.

CARAMON
(aloud)
About time. What sort of foul clerics are these?

RAISTLIN
(voice over, in Caramon's mind)
Don't stab them! They'll turn to stone. They're not clerics. They are some sort of reptile man. That is the reason for the robes and hoods.

Raistlin throws a handful of sand into the air.

RAISTLIN
Ast tasark simiralan krynawi.

The sand falls on the draconians. The draconians waver for a moment, and then regain their senses.

RAISTLIN
(in awe)
Magic resistant!

Before the two draconians can advance again, Caramon drops his weapons and grabs their heads, bashing them together. The draconians fall to the ground and there is a visul effect of them turning to stone.

Draconian #6 and Draconian #7 advance on Caramon and Raistlin.

RAISTLIN
Stand behind me.

Caramon picks up his weapons and follows Raistlin's order. Raistlin stares down Draconian #6 and Draconian #7. Draconian #7 moves to the side. Draconian #6 springs forward, hoping to kill Raistlin. Raistlin raises his hands, thumbs together.

RAISTLIN
Kair tangus miopiar.

Draconian #6 is engulfed in flames.

Tanis swings his sword and hits Draconian #3 before it can kill Sturm. Draconian #3 goes down and turns to stone. Tanis drags Sturm to the bushes. Sturm has a nasty cut on his head and is losing lots of blood.

STURM
(mumbling and groggy)
My sword.

TANIS
We'll get it.

Tanis looks to the path and sees more Draconians coming. He turns to Tas and Flint.

TANIS
Stay here and guard Sturm.

Tanis goes to join the others in battle. Flint draws his battle axe and plants himself in a defensive posture.

FLINT
(to Tas)
Do something for Sturm. Make yourself useful for once.

Tas is wiping Sturm's head with a handkerchief.

TAS
I'm trying. But I can't get the bleeding stopped.

Wipes again.

TAS
(to Sturm)
There, can you see now?

STURM
My sword.

Tas looks and sees Sturm's sword sticking out of Draconian #1's back.

TAS
That's fantastic! Look, Flint! Sturm's sword-

FLINT
I know you fog-brained idiot kender!

DRACONIAN #8 advances on Flint and Tas.

TAS
(cheerfully to Sturm)
I'll just go get it. I won't be a moment.

Tas gets up as Draconian #8 is almost on top of him.

FLINT
(getting ready to fight Draconian #8)
No-

As Tas gets up, his staff hits Flint in the back of the knees, knocking Flint to the ground. Draconian #8 swings but misses Flint's head because Flint has been knocked to the ground. Tas looks at Flint lying on his back, oblivious to hitting Flint.

TAS
What are you doing, Flint?

Tas hits Draconian #8 in the stomach, and then swings and hits it on the head, knocking it to the ground.

TAS
(irritated)
There! Do I have to fight your battles for you?

Tas goes for Sturm's sword.

FLINT
(angry)
Fight! For me!

Flint gets up as DRACONIAN #9 tackles him to the ground.

Goldmoon and Riverwind are back to back, surrounded. Goldmoon is using her staff to fight off Draconians, and Riverwind is using a bow and arrow. Tanis attacks a Draconian from behind and kills it, providing an opening for Riverwind and Goldmoon to escape.

TANIS
Come on! This way!

Goldmoon and Riverwind escape from the Draconians surrounding them, and join Tanis. They get behind Tanis, and Tanis holds back the advancing Draconians with his sword. He throws Riverwind a dagger. Riverwind uses it to kill another Draconian. Goldmoon hits a Draconian with her staff, and there is a blue flash and it falls to the ground, dead. It turns to stone. Goldmoon and Riverwind jump into the forest. Tanis follows them. He sees Flint and Sturm, joined by Goldmoon and Riverwind.

TANIS
(to Goldmoon)
Help Sturm.
(to Flint)
Where are Caramon and Raistlin? And where's Tas? I told him to stay here-

FLINT
Blasted kender nearly got me killed! I hope they carry him off! I hope they use him for dog meat! I hope-

TANIS
(exasperated)
In the name of the gods!

Tanis leaves the forest and goes back onto the path. He sees Tas dragging Sturm's sword.

TANIS
How did you get that?

TAS
The creature turned to dust. Oh, Tanis, it was wonderful. I walked up and pulled on the sword and it wouldn't come out, so I pulled again and-

TANIS
Not now! Get back to the others!

Tanis shoves Tas towards the forest.

TANIS
Have you seen Caramon and Raistlin?

CARAMON
(off screen in a booming voice)
Here we are.

Caramon has his arm around Raistlin, who is coughing as they approach.

CARAMON
(cheerfully)
Have we destroyed them all?

TANIS
No we haven't. In fact, we've got to get away through the woods to the south.

Tanis helps Caramon with Raistlin and they arrive at the group. Sturm is on his feet, obviously weak, but standing.

TANIS
(to Goldmoon)
The staff healed him?

GOLDMOON
Not completely. Enough so that he can walk.

RAISTLIN
(wheezing)
It has…limits.

TANIS
Yes…well, we're heading south, into the woods.

CARAMON
That's Darken Wood-

TANIS
I know-you'd rather fight the living.

Tanis motions to the group who is beaten, dirty and tired.

TANIS
How do you feel about that now?

Caramon says nothing.

TANIS
More of those creatures are coming from both directions. We can't fight off another assault. But we won't enter Darken Wood if we don't have to. There's a game trail not far from here we can use to reach Prayer's Eye Peak. There we can see the road to the north, as well as all other directions.

The group nods in agreement and heads into the forest.