A Twist of Fate
EXT. VASSELHEIM - DAY
Sweeping shot of the city. Large, bustling. A tiered city with multiple districts. MARKETS, TEMPLES, CASTLES, and a PORT that runs through the center of it. Close in on the TEMPLE DISTRICT, to a small girl with pure white hair walking with her parents, the mother - a human woman with dark hair, the father - a large red dragonborn. A young but grown woman's voice narrates.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I was born in the city of Vasselheim, through the twisted fusion of human and draconic blood. My mother was a human enchantress, and my father was a leader in the city militia. Dragonborn like him are rare enough in these parts as it is, so I was...unique, to say the least.
CROSSFADE TO:
EXT. VASSELHEIM TEMPLE DISTRICT - DAY
SELIS is playing with other children, clearly the tallest. Her appearance is fully revealed now, showing her small HORNS and TAIL. Her skin is SCALED, but not to the same extent as her father's.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
By the time I was three years old, I was bigger than my eight-year old friends, and just as mature.
I looked mostly human. Had it not been for the sheen of translucent white scales covering most of my body, and the small horns and tail I used to be terribly embarrassed by, you probably couldn't have told the difference.
CROSSFADE TO:
INT. HOUSE - DAY
SELIS sits on a stool, her mother braiding her hair while her father speaks.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I always loved my parents and the stories they told me. Mom taught me about magic and mystery; Dad told me about his homeland in the Fey Wilds. He taught me about the sacred goddess Melora, and her teachings to respect all forms of nature.
Animals, plants, forests, meadows, and sea alike -- I was taught that if you protect nature, it will, in turn, protect you.
EXT. TEMPLE BRIDGE - EVENING
SELIS stands on a bridge overlooking the VASSELHEIM PORT, head resting on her crossed arms, which lay on the railing. She has a dreamy look in her eyes as she watches, longingly.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I always loved the sea. In my lone time, I would watch ships passing through the harbor. I always wanted to be a sailor, travelling the high seas with my parents. It was childish and unrealistic, but I wanted it all the same. The sea is freedom; the freedom to go anywhere and do anything.
CROSSFADE TO:
EXT. TEMPLE BRIDGE - MIDDAY
SELIS stands on the same bridge, though now she is slightly taller. Her features are more defined -- longer hair, bigger horns. She has a FLOWER in her braided hair and wears a NECKLACE with a PENDANT -- a SEASHELL with a BLUE SWIRL on it -- representing the Goddess MELORA. This was a gift from her father; he wears a matching one. She wears a knee-length icy blue DRESS.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
About two months prior to my fourth birthday, my dream came true, but not in the way I expected.
Below, a small vessel with splintered wood and a slightly torn MAST approaches the port.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I was watching the harbor like usual when I saw a suspicious ship I'd never seen before. I knew I wasn't supposed to leave the Temple District, but my curiosity got the better of me. Mom and Dad were both working, and I figured a quick look wouldn't hurt...
SELIS runs off, leaving the bridge behind, as she speaks the last words.
FADE OUT:
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I've since learned that a single choice can change your life and seal your fate forever.
EXT. VASSELHEIM PORT - DAY
FADE IN:
The port is less crowded than normal. A few merchants here and there, and no guards around. Crates and barrels are scattered, most marked with the symbol of the GOLDEN VEIL trading company. The suspicious ship approaches the dock. SELIS hides behind some barrels and watches as two men disembark the ship, rough, scary-looking. PIRATES. Both wield cutlasses. They approach one of the merchants and begin speaking.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
When I got to the port, I quickly hid behind some barrels as I saw the vessel approach. Two rough-looking men got off and started talking to a merchant. Before long they were arguing about prices and guilds and other stuff I didn't really understand at the time, so I decided to leave. But...
SELIS starts to crawl away, but one of the PIRATES catches sight of her. He rushes over and grabs her from behind. Within seconds he's holding her by the horn, cutlass pressed against her throat. SELIS is terrified, eyes wide and watering, silently pleading the merchant to help her.
PIRATE 1
Give us a fair trade, or the girl dies.
The MERCHANT is scared, both for SELIS and himself, so he silently complies. He bags up some supplies and hands them to PIRATE 2, who gives him a measly two gold pieces in return.
PIRATE 2
There's a good man.
They turn and start to leave, still holding SELIS.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I was about to breathe a sigh of relief, but he didn't let go, and instead started dragging me towards the ship.
MERCHANT
Hey, we had a deal!
PIRATE 1
I said we wouldn't kill her, I said nothin' 'bout givin' her back!
The PIRATES laugh as they board the ship; the MERCHANT sinks to his knees, helpless. The vessel leaves as quickly as it had come before anyone can stop it. SELIS' hands are bound, and she has a look of utter despair as the view of VASSELHEIM slowly disappears. SELIS eventually passes out due to a combination of shock and grief.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I watched and cried as everything I knew slipped further away from me, until everything went black.
FADE OUT:
INT. SHIP GALLOWS - DAY
SELIS is sitting in a prisoner's cell, knees against her chest. The sound of WATER and CREAKING is around her. The ship rocks slowly.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
The next thing I remember is waking up in the gallows of a ship, surrounded by the sound of crashing waves. Eventually, a bedraggled man walked down the stairs.
BARBOS comes down the stairs, his boots THUNK against the damp wood. SELIS, afraid, scurries to the back corner of the cell. The man approaches the cell, taking a RUSTED BRONZE KEY out of his coat. He unlocks the door and steps in. He drops his SABER and FLINTLOCK in the corner of the cell. He raises his hands as he approaches SELIS.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
What was probably only a few seconds felt like an eternity as he walked. My heart started beating faster, but I kept my breathing steady.
When BARBOS gets close, he removes his HAT.
BARBOS
Cap'n Barbos Stormquell. What's yer name, miss?
SELIS looks up at him with surprised eyes. Her voice is barely audible, but she answers.
SELIS (YOUNG)
...Selis.
BARBOS
Well, Selis, I came to tell ye a few things.
BARBOS takes a flask out of his coat and drinks from it, not seeming to notice the liquid that spills down into his beard.
BARBOS
We may take the odd prisoner, but we don't kidnap innocents on my ship, 'specially little girls. I've already dealt with the men who nabbed you.
SELIS (YOUNG)
So...what now?
BARBOS
(He sighs)...'nfortunately, we can't be goin' back ta Vasselheim, but I'll be honorin' the promises of me crew. You'll live, and so long as ye remain on this vessel, I'll do me damn best ta make sure ye stay that way.
He takes another swig from his flask. There is a pregnant pause.
BARBOS
So, ye've got two choices. Abandon ship at the next port and fend fer yerself, or...
He grins -- more mischievous than malicious.
BARBOS
Stick by us, and become a part o' th' Howling Dragon's crew.
At the mention of the word 'dragon', SELIS' eyes shoot open. MEMORIES of her father flash through her mind. She hugs her knees tighter; her lips tremble as she fingers the PENDANT still hanging from her neck.
BARBOS
I'll give ye time ta think on it, lass.
He turns to exit the cell, picking up his belongings.
BARBOS
I'll leave this open. Just come find me when yer ready to talk.
SELIS says nothing, but silently weeps into her dress.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
I didn't know what to say or do, so I just sat there and cried. I knew deep down the choice was obvious, but I didn't want to believe it at the time...
FADE OUT:
EXT. HOWLING DRAGON - EVENING
The ship's deck is mostly empty. A few of the crew members do odd jobs here and there, but many are below deck enjoying their meals. SELIS emerges from the gallows.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
By twilight, I had made peace with my situation. My parents may not have been with me, but a life at sea was where I belonged. So long as it was Melora's will, the ocean would protect me.
After some searching, SELIS finds the Captain's chamber. She KNOCKS.
BARBOS
Come in.
CUT TO:
INT. HOWLING DRAGON, CAPTAIN'S QUARTERS - EVENING
SELIS opens the door and enters. BARBOS doesn't move, but raises his eyes, a bit surprised.
BARBOS
Ah, ready to talk so soon, are ye lass?
SELIS (YOUNG)
I...want to join your crew.
He seems shocked at first, but a wide smile slowly spreads across his face.
BARBOS
Aye, a wise decision.
He gets up and walks over to her. He places his hand on her shoulder, gently.
BARBOS
Ye've got the blood of dragons in ye. Yer gonna do great things, Selis! Great things.
His smile fades, and his voice lowers.
BARBOS
I'm sorry 'bout what happened, truly. But stick by me side, an' I'll keep ye safe.
The hand on her shoulder moves to her back, and he lowers one knee, embracing her fully.
BARBOS
I promise.
SELIS stands motionless for a moment, surprised, unsure of how to react. But her emotions hit her again, and she buries her face in his coat. Her arms wrap around him, accepting his kindness.
SELIS (YOUNG)
Thank you.
Slowly zoom out of the Captain's Quarters, showing the whole ship and the ocean around it. The stars glitter in the sky.
SELIS (VOICE-OVER)
In that moment, I had no idea how much of a mentor Barbos would soon become to me. I looked up to him like my father. Like I said, my dream came true, just not in the way I expected. Funny how a tragedy can turn into something beautiful...
But the girl named Selis is gone. I am Captain Elisha Stormhowl, Queen of the Northern Seas, and this is my story.
FADE OUT: