THE GOLDEN THRONE

Beginning of a screenplay for a Lord of the Rings/ Game of Thrones style epic fantasy.

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - NEAR THE BLOOD SEA - DAWN

A scarred, bearded warrior draws a sword, staring soullessly into the approaching MIST.  This is DRENGR BASTION.  His armor looks like it has seen many battles, more scarred and worn than it's owner.  A SIGIL crudely painted on his chest -- A WOLF.

Behind Drengr, an army of a hundred fellow WARRIORS bash their swords and axes into their shields.  A few wrap their hands in leather strips, while a few more adjust their helmets.

From somewhere across the field, shrouded in the thick mist, comes a distant but deafening BOOM.  A tremor moves the earth beneath their feet.  

A few warriors stare at the ground, a few starting the loose their nerve.  Drengr's eyes are the last to move from the fog, turning to his second-in-command, BARRISTAN.  

The two men stare at each other, a look of understanding.  Drengr turns to look at his army, giving them silent encouragement.  The army nods slightly in return.  

Through the mist, AN APPROACHING ARMY, and by the sound of it, they're on HORSEBACK.  Gradually, a faint RED GLOW becomes visible.  It grows closer and closer until --

A MASSIVE ARMY emerges through the mist, easily twice as large as Drengr's army and on horseback.  These warriors wear BLACK ARMOR with an otherworldly appearance, their horses JET BLACK with MENACING RED EYES.

Drengr's army adjust their footing, digging into the muddy ground.  They clutch their shields tightly, leaving little of their bodies exposed.  

Drengr raises his blade high over his head, then brings it down, pointing it towards the approaching army.

Without a word, Drengr charges, his army in tow, erupting in a PIERCING BATTLE CRY.  

ACROSS THE FIELD, the horses pick up their speed, charging for Drengr's army. 

Drengr drops to his knees.  SLASHES the underside of a horse, sending the rider to the ground.  He raises his blade, then SLICES through he rider's neck with little effort.  

Drengr turns just in time to see an ENEMY WARRIOR advancing on him.  He drops to the ground, sliding forward in the mud.  As he goes, he pivots the edge of his blade, cutting through the Warrior's knees.  The warrior CRUMBLES.  SCREAMING.

Drengr turns, BLOOD STAINS splattered across his face like a macabre mask.  He runs his hands over the blood, feeling it smearing beneath his fingers.  

Drengr CHARGES another warrior, releasing a MONSTROUS BATTLE CRY.  

The Warrior raises a BATTLE AXE, huge and double-bladed.  Drengr maneuvers before the warrior can react --

Drengr drops to his knees, parrying the axe.  He quickly changes the direction of of his blade, RUNNING IT THROUGH THE WARRIOR'S STOMACH.  

MORE BLOOD sprays Drengr's armor.  His face.  His hair.

The warrior COLLAPSES into a heap on the ground.  Drengr casually steps over him, heading towards two warrior's with their backs to him, who are attempting to rip one of Drengr's knights in half.

Without breaking a stride, Drengr sheaths his sword, then draws TWO DAGGERS.  He PLUNGES both blades through the narrow, exposed sections of the warrior's armor plates, DIGGING INTO THEIR SPINES.

Drengr's Knight nods a silent thank you, getting to his feet. 

BEHIND THE KNIGHT --

DRENGR SEES A WARRIOR APPROACHING THEM QUICKLY ON HORSEBACK.

Instinctively, Drengr pulls a third blade and throws it at the Rider.  The blade PIERCES the Rider's throat, sending him backwards off his horse.

EXT. BATTLEFIELD - NEAR THE BLOOD SEA - MORNING

The sun has risen, casting a warm glow on HUNDREDS OF BODIES scattered over the small field.  Few men are left, perhaps a half-dozen on each side.

Drengr is locked in FEROCIOUS BATTLE with THE SKULL KNIGHT, the leader of the opposing army.  He's MASSIVE, a good foot or two taller than Drengr and wears a MASK MADE FROM A SKULL, leaving only the bottom of his long beard exposed.

Drengr catches the Skull Knight's blade on the flat of his own, moving it towards the ground.  He quickly frees a hand and reaches for belt, where he GRABS A CROSSBOW.  

Drengr lifts the cross bow and FIRES A BOLT INTO THE SKULL KNIGHT'S ABDOMEN.  The Knight barely flinches, but SPITS A MOUTHFUL OF BLOOD through the gap in the front of his mask.

The Skull Knight grabs the cross bow from Drengr's hand and BASHES it across Drengr's face, knocking him off his feet.

Drengr LANDS HARD in the mud.  His sword SLIPS FROM HIS GRIP, tumbling down a small knoll.  

Drengr crawls on all fours, scrambling for his blade.

The Skull Knight GRABS Drengr by the ankle and PULLS.  Drengr  CLUTCHES the ground, digging into the mud as he is YANKED BACKWARDS towards the Knight.

The Knight rolls Drengr onto his back.  He steps a MASSIVE BOOT onto Drengr's chest, pinning him down.

Drengr struggles to catch his breath as the Knight lifts his blade over his head, then BRINGS IT DOWN FOR A STRIKE --