Firstworld is an animated fantasy adventure series following periods of war, peace, and unrest across eight kingdoms, each ruled by a different race of fantasy creatures and beings.
In this episode, S1E13, "The House of Scorn," Matris, newly-crowned Archmage of Highwing, and her little sister Valaris, ready themselves for an audience with Artemus of Illreign, a Witch formerly loyal to the crown who has betrayed his queen and ruler, Andora.
ACT TWO
FADE IN:
EXT./EST. COMMONWEALTH OF HIGHWING - MORNING
The sky is grey. The rain continues to come down in sheets, and the Southend is choppy, tossing the many frigates that attempt to make port. The wind buffets their sails terribly.
CUT TO:
EXT. HOUSES OF HEALING - MORNING
MATRIS and VALARIS wait patiently beneath a large parasol. They stand on the marble steps of an impressive, circular building with large pillars and ivy-wrested walls, their hair and cloaks thrashing about in the near-hurricane-force wind.
MATRIS
I told you. You needn’t be here for this.
VALARIS
What? And miss an opportunity to meet the dashing Witch who stole your heart?
MATRIS
The dashing Witch who stole my -- You’ve gone daft, little sister!
VALARIS
What was that? I couldn’t hear you over the pitter-patter of your beating heart.
MATRIS
Oh, you’re absolutely incorrigible!
VALARIS
A hard-won reputation, thank you kindly.
MATRIS
All hell is set to break loose at Skyhook and without a Fighting Mages Council to call on, my list of allies grows thin. My need has as much to do with love as it does with... I don’t know. Something.
VALARIS
Well put.
MATRIS
Why are you not in class?
VALARIS
I’m taking a mental wellness day.
MATRIS
You need one.
VALARIS
Go on, then. Mock me.
MATRIS
Count on it.
VALARIS
I have a sixth sense for these things.
MATRIS
Well, let me know when it starts working.
VALARIS
Honestly, Matris! When you dueled Serena, he could have helped her, but he didn’t. And when Andora had all but won, he saved you. And when it looked as if Lillian’s victory was assured, he told you how to defeat her. Now if that is not love, I’m burning all my tawdry romance novels!
MATRIS
You don’t know what you’re talk -- What tawdry romance novels?
VALARIS
Oh, look! Here he comes now!
Valaris points to the clouds where two ARMORED, WHITE DRAGONS helmed by PALACE SENTRIES escort a now-familiar, pitch-black, bat-winged Nightmare stallion through Highwing’s airspace. They land at the foot of the hospital’s steps, the wings of all three beasts beating hard against the wind and rain.
ARTEMUS, wearing a violet cloak with its hood low over his eyes, steps down from his steed. He looks out of place here, unwelcome in a city as much unlike Illreign as this one is.
The palace sentries dismount and keep their lances at the ready. A Witch in Highwing presents a grave security concern, and they are taking no chances, especially with this one.
MATRIS
It’s all right, gentlemen. Let him pass.
At her word, the sentries stand at ease. Valaris crosses her arms and scowls as Artemus approaches them.
VALARIS
(sotto)
Doesn’t look like much to me.
MATRIS
Good thing this is not a beauty pageant.
But when Artemus reaches the sisters and takes down his hood to fix his piercing amber gaze on Matris, the rain running down the razor stubble of his square, chiseled jaw as it wets his tussled, shoulder-length, blonde locks, Valaris swoons.
VALARIS
I would like my last remark stricken.
MATRIS
Is there really no place you should be?
VALARIS
No.
Artemus offers them a smile that could melt ice in winter.
ARTEMUS
Archmage.
MATRIS
Thanks to Andora. You’re late, Artemus.
ARTEMUS
Please forgive my tardiness. Absconding Illreign proved... challenging.
Valaris elbows Matris with all the subtlety of a cannonball.
MATRIS
Artemus, this is my sister, Valaris. Valaris, this is Artemus, a man four times your age.
Artemus takes Valaris’ hand to kiss it...
ARTEMUS
A pleasure, milady.
VALARIS
You bet it is.
MATRIS
Come. Those of us who do not want pneumonia should get in out of the rain.
Matris dismisses the sentries with a wave and leads Artemus and Valaris up the steps into--
INT. HOUSES OF HEALING - CONTINUOUS
--where everyone from ROBED HEALERS to the JANITOR stop dead in their tracks to gawk at the handsome Witch. It is deathly quiet here, the most peaceful place in the whole of Highwing. As they walk, Valaris stands between them at all times.
ARTEMUS
You look well, Matris. The raiment of the Fighting Mages suits you.
MATRIS
There are no Fighting Mages, Artemus. Not anymore. There is only me.
VALARIS
And me.
MATRIS
And her. Though she’s more of a mascot.
VALARIS
Oi!
Matris takes them through a passageway into--
INT. STAIRWELL - CONTINUOUS
--where they pass a few APOTHECARIES, who all stop and stare.
ARTEMUS
Has there been any word on Andora?
VALARIS
Ah! The proverbial other woman, broached.
Matris casually inserts herself between Artemus and Valaris.
ARTEMUS
My concern is only for her safety.
MATRIS
Only?
ARTEMUS
Yes, Matris. Why do you--
MATRIS
You never told me why you saved my life that night in Crimsonwind.
ARTEMUS
Do you not know?
MATRIS
It cannot be for the reasons I suspect.
ARTEMUS
I was not always a Witch, Matris. Once, I was very much like you.
VALARIS
Cynical?
Matris gives her a glare, but Valaris looks away to the wall.
ARTEMUS
Constrained.
MATRIS
But no longer?
ARTEMUS
Only by different chains.
MATRIS
Does that make them easier to bide?
ARTEMUS
In truth, I can not say.
They arrive on a landing at the top of the stairs where they pause before a large, sealed set of double doors. Valaris’ eyes switch back and forth between the two of them.
MATRIS
Then what can you say, Artemus?
ARTEMUS
That being in your presence again...
MATRIS & VALARIS
(together)
Yes?
ARTEMUS
Nothing.
MATRIS
Speak. Being in my presence, what?
ARTEMUS
(beat; sighs)
Reminds me of my duty, of my oath. And the strength it will require to keep it.
Artemus looks away. Both Matris and Valaris are disappointed.
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