INT. MUEIN SCHOOL  MASTER CHAMBER (LATER)

               With the knowledge that their own compound may now be under 
               remote surveillance, it was imperative to let all other 
               members of the Muein mystery school become aware of such 
               danger.  But it had to be done as surreptitiously as possible.  
               In this context, Master Ishraq requested Golda join her in 
               the Master Guides' chamber.

                                     GOLDA
                         You wished to see me, Master?

               Ishraq nestled close ... then whispered into her ear, cupping 
               with both hands.  Golda nodded ... then laughed.  (Ishraq 
               laughs).

               INT. MUEIN  GOLDA'S APARTMENT

               Moments later, Golda returned to her and Wimarc's chamber.  
               She made sure not to appear too concerned, or that her steps 
               were too hasty in getting there ... It was impossible to 
               know if a detached mind was watching.  (DOOR)  Once inside, 
               she sat on her meditation cushion and closed her eyes.

               EXT. SMALL VILLAGE  DAY

               (Horses walking).  It took no effort for Wimarc to catch 
               Golda's news about the temple.  It was disturbing.  
               Nevertheless, he remained steadfast that it wouldn't deter 
               his small group's objective of rescuing Rachel.

                                     WIMARC
                         It is a most serious condition indeed, 
                         but one that need not keep us from 
                         reaching Rachel successfully.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         How do you know that, Father?

                                     WIMARC
                         Because those whose camp we set afire 
                         did not see or hear us. Nor have 
                         they been able to track us since we 
                         crossed the river.

               Samantha reached across the chasm between him and her horse 
               and took hold of his arm.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         But what about them   and Mother?

               Aaron circled, blocking Wimarc from going farther.

                                     AARON
                         Master   Your wisdom and expertise 
                         would be better suited to protecting 
                         our home.

               Theia suddenly landed on Aaron's forearm.

                                     AARON
                         We are only a mountain pass away 
                         from my mother and she looks well 
                         enough to travel.  I can get her.

               He looked at Samantha, willing to grant her leave if she 
               wished to join her father back home to the Alps.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         A fresh look at the Western school 
                         may also tell us much about who they 
                         are and why they are attacking.

               It was clear, she was not going to let Aaron continue alone.  
               He was relieved she would be staying.

                                     WIMARC (TO SAMANTHA)
                         You do an old man proud.  But that 
                         pass through the Pyrenees ... you're 
                         looking at 4 to 6 six days.

                                     AARON
                         With hills no higher than that of 
                         our home.  Three days, at best.

               Wimarc knew they were right.  They still had their snow gear 
               packed and were more than capable of traversing the lesser 
               challenges of the approaching mountain range in comparison 
               to the heights of the Alps.  Wimarc locked arms with his 
               daughter, then touched his forehead to hers.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         We will send our thoughts only to 
                         you.

                                     WIMARC
                         My daughter  

               He pulled away, then glanced at Aaron.

                                     WIMARC
                         Tell your mother.

                                     AARON
                         She knows.

               Wimarc suddenly sat upright, regal, addressing them as honored 
               Muein brethren.

                                     WIMARC
                         Guardians.

                                     AARON/SAMANTHA
                         Master.

                                     AARON (TO THEIA)
                         Theia, you travel with him now.  Be 
                         the eyes ahead of him ... to keep 
                         him from being found.

               Wimarc spun the horse around and galloped away. Theia took 
               off, leading the path back.

               Samantha and Aaron nestled up to each other, holding hands. 
               Samantha leaned over and kissed him.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Now, let's go get your mother and 
                         see how we can help our people.

               (Sprinting away).

               EXT. AVIGNON PALACE

               In Avignon, the election of the new Pope was ready to begin.  
               The College of Cardinals had gathered just outside the Palace, 
               near where the Chamber of the Cardinals was situated, the 
               large inner sanctuary where the conclave would take place.  
               Twenty cardinals had collected, Pasquier among them.  (Walking 
               in).

               INT. AVIGNON PALACE  PASQUIER'S CHAMBER

               Cardinal DeBoulogne would normally have been present during 
               the conclave.  However, with Pasquier there, he had other 
               plans.  Claiming a bout of sudden ill health, he was excused 
               while two other Cardinal-Bishops remained.  Amazingly, his 
               health seemed to return as soon as the chamber's doors were 
               closed and locked ... to which he then found himself moving 
               rapidly through the palace corridors to end up finally at 
               Pasquier's private apartment.  He stealthily cracked the 
               door and took step within.  (Pause.  Breath.  Walk.  Drawers).  
               He looked through drawers.  Papers.  Then found Renier's 
               gift box.  (Open).  He was aghast at what he witnessed inside.

               (Door open).  DeBoulogne turned at the sound of the door ... 
               to see Pasquier!

                                     PASQUIER
                         I shall use those fingers to pluck 
                         out your eyes.

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         You are in conclave.  I locked you 
                         in personally.  You cannot be here.

                                     PASQUIER
                         I told you, I am everywhere.  And I 
                         control everything.

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         You cannot be God!

               Pasquier glanced at the fingers inside the box, then slowly 
               closed the lid.

                                     PASQUIER
                         Oh, yes. He favors me.

               In a flash, he advanced on DeBoulogne and grabbed the Cardinal-
               Bishop's left ear!  Pasquier closed his eyes to concentrate.  
               (DeBoulogne gasps)  DeBoulogne trembled to his knees ... 
               eyes bulging in terror ... Pasquier slowly went to the floor 
               with him, keeping a firm grip on the ear.

                                     PASQUIER
                         And through me, all souls in Europe 
                         shall bow.

               (DeBoulogne screams) Pasquier let go, then kicked him.  
               DeBoulogne cradled his head from the attack.

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         I speak of this to no one. I beg 
                         you.

                                     PASQUIER
                         I know you won't, for His ways   and 
                         thus mine   are mysterious.

               He nabbed DeBoulogne by the collar and hurled him against 
               the wall. Then opened the box and took out a particularly 
               nasty finger with a long nail.

                                     PASQUIER
                         Now about those eyes  

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         No! No!  I  I  

               Pasquier spied a puddle of urine pooling at the Cardinal-
               Bishop's feet.

                                     PASQUIER
                         You piss like a dog!

               Furious, he grabbed him by the collar and tossed him to the 
               floor.  (De Boulogne shrieks like a frightened child).  
               Pasquier grabbed him again ... and hurled him toward the 
               door.

                                     PASQUIER
                         You despise me utterly!

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         I plead for your mercy!  I beg ...

               Pasquier opened the door, jockeyed DeBoulogne into position, 
               then kicked him in the ass ... splaying him onto his belly 
               in the outer hall.

                                     PASQUIER
                         Flames will devour your soul, I 
                         promise you!

               DeBoulogne clamored to his feet and sprinted away as fast as 
               he could.

                                     PASQUIER
                         You can run, but You. Can't.  Hi-i-i-
                         de!

               INT. AVIGNON PALACE  CONCLAVE ROOM

               Meanwhile, the College of Cardinals sat around a gargantuan 
               table casting their ballots for the next Pope.  The door was 
               locked.  Pasquier could not have gotten out ... And he hadn't.  
               He was sitting there amongst all the others.  A sudden gleam 
               lit up his eyes as a peculiar thought crossed his mind.  He 
               hid a smirk.

               EXT. PYRENEES MOUNTAIN PASS - DAY

               The air was thin and crisp, biting at the skin as the horse s 
               hooves crunched over the frost-hardened earth leading into 
               the Pyrenees mountain pass. A light flurry of snow cascaded 
               down upon Aaron and Samantha as they rode along the narrow 
               path, winding through ancient pine trees whose branches were 
               heavy with frost.  For most people, this terrain would have 
               been inhospitable ... The mountains seemed to close in, their 
               towering slopes and craggy outcrops casting long shadows 
               over the trail, as though the peaks were silently watching, 
               unyielding and timeless.  Yet for the Muein Guardians, this 
               was a familiar environment ... and not the least bit 
               frightening.  They had resolved not to stop, but to wholly 
               pass through.

               EXT. CAMP

               Renier strutted through knights and squires, still holding 
               position at the camp below the Alps.  He stopped beside 
               Philippe who was looking at thick pelts.

                                     PHILIPPE
                         Just as you had ordered, my Lord.

                                     RENIER
                         Good.  Break camp.  I want them to 
                         think we've gone.  I'll take the 
                         brigade.

               Philippe nodded, then hurried into the heart of the grounds.

                                     PHILIPPE
                         Break it down! We are done here!

               Renier lifted a pelt and took a closer look ... Wondering if 
               it would be enough to still against the cold of the mountain 
               ascent.  Then he knelt and placed his hand in the dirt.  
               Within seconds of closing his eyes, he smiled ... Then pulled 
               the chopped Muein finger from his sleeve and gazed reverently 
               at it.

                                     RENIER
                         Who knew so much could be learned 
                         from a single finger?

               EXT. NUNNERY  DAY

               The nunnery was surrounded by high stone walls made of local 
               limestone.  It was not at all imposing; it clearly represented 
               a combination of austerity and security.  The barrier was 
               punctuated with small, narrow windows.  Many were arched.  
               Some contained fancy lattice work.

               When Aaron and Samantha rode in, they could see several small 
               gardens and an orchard of fruit trees just outside the main 
               building's back-end.

               The convent's entrance was a heavy wooden door, set within a 
               carved pediment that displayed symbolic vines and a large 
               cross.  When Aaron saw it, he felt all his muscles in his 
               abdomen tighten ... A chill rushed through him.  The echoes 
               of a tortured life now passed still reverberated throughout 
               his spirit.  He clenched his teeth to steady the turmoil, 
               then looked on with eyes afire.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         You all right?

               Aaron nodded, yet his body still screamed in defiance as 
               they drew nearer.  A couple of nuns noticed them, but reacted 
               without concern.

               Samantha kept a wary eye on Aaron as they dismounted and 
               tethered their horses.  He acted as if she weren't beside 
               him ... striding to the small porter's lodge just inside the 
               great wall.

               INT. NUNNERY  PORTER'S LODGE (CONTINUOUS)

               The lodge's walls were also made of stone, with virtually no 
               decorations on them.  A narrow, glassless window with iron 
               bars allowed a small amount of natural light, falling upon a 
               sparsely furnished space.  A Portress sat behind an unassuming 
               table, ready to receive any visitors.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Greetings ...

                                     PORTRESS
                         Peace be with you.  How may I assist 
                         you in the service of God and this 
                         holy house?

                                     AARON
                         We are here to retrieve my mother.  
                         She was brought in a few weeks ago.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Long hair, some gray, and ...

                                     PORTRESS
                         Please ... wait here in peace and 
                         prayer.  I will inform the Reverend 
                         Mother.

               Samantha took another look at Aaron ... Seeing how tense he 
               was.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         What bothers you so?

                                     AARON
                         I do not care for   This religion 
                         tortured and killed me last time.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         That was Elouan, not you.  And it 
                         wasn't this place.

                                     AARON
                         The whole hand hurts, even when one 
                         finger gets injured.

               Only another minute past, then the Abbess strode in, followed 
               by the Portress.

                                     ABBESS
                         Heaven be upon you both.  You wish 
                         to claim the lady?

                                     AARON
                         Yes, we are her children and --

                                     ABBESS
                         She still needs much recovery.  I 
                         would not recommend she leave right 
                         now.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         We are very grateful for your services 
                         to our mother, but we can care for 
                         her much better at our home than 
                         what you could do here.

                                     ABBESS
                         There is no greater care than the 
                         light of God, my child.

                                     AARON
                         Indeed. Does not the light of God 
                         shine beyond even these walls?

                                     ABBESS
                         Do you know how she arrived to us?  
                         She's --

                                     AARON
                         I'm sorry, but it is inappropriate 
                         to withhold a parent from seeing her 
                         children.  Would you deny your Christ 
                         the communion with his?

               The Abbess stared coolly, unable to rebut.  Then hurried 
               past him and out the front door.  The portress stole a quick 
               glance at Aaron, then retook her seat at the table and cast 
               her gaze low.

               Samantha nabbed Aaron and spun him around, so as to keep 
               their words hushed.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Your tongue has turned into quite 
                         the sword.

               Aaron glared at her.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         I didn't say it was a bad thing.

               They waited a few moments longer, then the Abbess returned, 
               along with three nuns and Rachel in tow.  Rachel hurried 
               into Aaron and Samantha's arms.

                                     AARON
                         Mother.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Blessed be your light that you're 
                         safe.

               All the nuns looked a bit surprised at the nature of 
               Samantha's comment.

                                     AARON
                         You are well to travel?

                                     RACHEL (NODDING)
                         And ready.

               Samantha and Rachel turned toward the Abbess and her 
               entourage.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Thank you.

                                     RACHEL
                         Thank you.

               Aaron and Samantha cradled Rachel as they walked her outside. 
               The nuns watched, somewhat stupefied, waiting for some kind 
               of payment for their services.

                                     ABBESS
                         Ungrateful youth.

               EXT. NUNNERY (CONTINUOUS)

               Aaron and Samantha escorted Rachel toward the horses.

                                     AARON
                         Still nothing about Matthew?

                                     RACHEL
                         There hasn't been a blending with 
                         anyone.

               She gave them a frustrated look.  The inability to make a 
               link with any brethren that could still be at the Western 
               school was not normal ...

                                     AARON
                         We know.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         We can tell you on the way.

                                     AARON
                         I am afraid ... we must return to 
                         the school.

               He helped Rachel onto the horse, then looked back to see the 
               Abbess and nuns had stepped out of the porter's lodge, 
               watching them.

                                     AARON
                         Are you ready for this?

                                     RACHEL
                         Yes.  I think I can guide you back.

               Aaron took to the saddle.  Rachel held tightly to him, then -- 
               with Samantha beside -- slowly rotated the horses around.  
               Aaron looked intently at the convent as he twirled ... Rachel 
               could feel the sudden tensing of his muscles.  She knew his 
               inner self was reacting to what had happened with Elouan 
               those many years ago.

                                     RACHEL
                         It is all right. You are all right.

               Aaron pushed the horse to trot out of the complex a bit 
               faster.

               EXT. WESTERN SCHOOL  ESTABLISHING

               Within a few hours, they were at the rocky outcrops of the 
               Muein Western School overlooking the Atlantic seaboard.  
               Rachel led them through a gorge of boulders, small shrub 
               trees, and then into a secluded cavern.

               When they dismounted, Aaron and Samantha were stunned.  All 
               around them laid pools of dried blood ... along with carcasses 
               of massacred horses.

                                     RACHEL
                         Everything was slaughtered.

               They found torch nubs.  Rachel struck a rock near a pool of 
               thick, dark goo ... its spark ignited the puddle.  They then 
               lit the torches and Rachel led them into a tunnel.

               INT. WESTERN SCHOOL  TUNNEL

               They encountered murdered Muein monks while enroute.  Also, 
               a few of the knights who had attacked them.

                                     RACHEL
                         They discovered our hidden entrances. 
                         Who knows how long they had been 
                         observing us and able to keep 
                         themselves from our awareness.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Wait.

               She knelt to see the bloody stump left on the monk's right 
               hand by the result of the finger being chopped away.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Look.

                                     RACHEL
                         Perhaps they took it as a token of 
                         their butchery.

               She hurried past, not wanting to look at it.

               INT. WESTERN SCHOOL  GRAND GALLERY

               The tunnel opened into a grand gallery, deep underground, 
               with a high vaulted ceiling.  Bodies laid everywhere -- 
               clearly a huge part of the battle took place here.  Most of 
               the deceased were Muein brethren.  Some ... had been burned.  
               It was only by the shape of their corpses that the charred 
               remains could be identified as a body.  Rachel, Aaron, and 
               Samantha covered their noses from the stench.  A tear marked 
               Rachel's cheek, but she remained strong; stoic.  Aaron put a 
               comforting hand on her shoulder.

                                     AARON
                         Mother.

               Rachel nodded appreciatively, then pulled away.

                                     RACHEL
                         I have to find Matthew.

               She hurried into another tunnel.

               EXT. MUEIN  VARIOUS

               Back at the temple in the Alps ... all around the complex, 
               various monks sat in deep meditation.

               INT. MUEIN  MASTER SANCTUARY

               In the sanctuary of the Master Guardians, Ordonio-indigo 
               nestled close with Master Ishraq-master.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         Our own barrier is now in place. You 
                         may speak freely.

                                     ORDONIO-INDIGO
                         Reports from the avis scouts say the 
                         bulk of the army is now moving west, 
                         having already left the forest and 
                         marching on open roadway. However, 
                         they still spy a small contingent 
                         hiding behind in the shadows and may 
                         have already begun ascending.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         They want us to think they have left.

                                     ORDONIO-INDIGO
                         A small band we can easily disarm. 
                         Which makes me believe they are here 
                         for something particular.

               INT. WESTERN SCHOOL  CLASSROOM

               Rachel had led Aaron and Samantha into a small underground 
               chamber ... What would have been an inner sanctuary classroom.  
               The walls ... were charred.  The bodies of children were 
               everywhere -- some within the protective arms of the fallen 
               adults.  Rachel wept over one of them.  Aaron and Samantha 
               knelt with her.

                                     RACHEL
                         Matthew.

               Indeed ... the corpse of the Muein master was holding a 
               deceased child to his chest.  Even one of his fingers had 
               been taken.

                                     RACHEL
                         Many of the children must have run 
                         here to get away.  This was one of 
                         their classrooms.

                                     AARON
                         Look   how he holds the child.

               Samantha gently unwrapped Matthew's arms and examined the 
               youth.  Something about this ... seemed unusual and 
               disturbing.  She immediately went about examining the other 
               children.  They all appeared to be within feet of the adults, 
               not scattered, as if running.

                                     AARON
                         What do you see?

                                     SAMANTHA
                         The attackers didn't kill these 
                         children.  They did.

               It was a stunning revelation.  The Muein adults had taken 
               the lives of all the children.  Rachel and Aaron suddenly 
               examined the youths.  Their minds, their spirits, simply 
               couldn't process the depth of this tragedy ... Why?  Why 
               were the children murdered?  Aaron stopped at the body of a 
               female Guardian, lying sprawled in her own blood ... a dagger 
               still in her hand.

                                     AARON
                         This magistrum took her own life 
                         here.  She's still holding the blade.

               They all looked quizzically at each other.  Again: Why?  A 
               sinister thought suddenly occurred to Aaron.

                                     AARON
                         Can you show us to the library?

               Rachel nodded.  She hesitated, taking one last look at 
               Matthew, then escorted them from the room.

               INT. WESTERN SCHOOL  LIBRARY CORRIDOR

               She led them through a tunnel.  Along the way, they found 
               several more burned monks.  The walls were also covered with 
               soot.

                                     RACHEL
                         This way.

               Within minutes, they stood before what would have been the 
               heavy colossal door of the library ... It had been rendered 
               into splintered debris from an intruding battering ram.  The 
               devastating device still sat just inside the mangled opening, 
               with charred Muein bodies all around the greater interior.

               INT. WESTERN SCHOOL  LIBRARY (CONTINUOUS)

               The whole of the library pod was blackened from soot and 
               smoke.  Very little remained of the books and manuscripts 
               chained to the ruined shelves, consumed by the former blaze.

               Samantha examined the battering ram while Aaron and Rachel 
               gawked at the devastation and massacred bodies.  Aaron 
               fingered the chains of the books consumed by the flames, 
               then noticed the torches were in the deceased monks' hands.

                                     AARON
                         (re: the bodies) These remains are 
                         of Guardians who came here to burn 
                         the books.

                                     RACHEL
                         Yes, I recognize this one.  He was 
                         the newly consecrated Guardian of 
                         the Knowledge.

               She looked at Aaron, knowing that the corpse would have been 
               him if he had joined her and Matthew earlier.  Meanwhile, 
               Samantha looked over one of the burned corpses.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         It's like this one walked right into 
                         the fire himself.

               (Rachel and Aaron join her around the charred body).

                                     AARON
                         He did. They all did. Everyone did 
                         what they had to do to protect the 
                         knowledge.

               They suddenly realized, the protection of such knowledge is 
               what drove them to also ... killing the youth  

                                     AARON
                         These attackers came for what we 
                         know, not for who we are.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         And they are heading for our home.

               EXT. ROADWAY

               Wimarc bounded across the hillside on his horse, guided by 
               Theia.

               INT. MUEIN  MASTER SANCTUARY

               Back at the Master Guide sanctuary, the seven Masters stood 
               huddled over a small table with a map.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         Even though it has been generations 
                         since these tunnels have been used, 
                         they will at least deliver us on the 
                         banks of the eastern slopes, where 
                         we know no band of mercenaries or 
                         armies await to capture us.

               The Master Guard approached and whispered into her ear.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         Please excuse me.

               She allowed the Guard to lead her to the threshold, where 
               Golda stood waiting.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         Spirit magistrum.  Laico here says 
                         you have received words.

               INT. MUEIN  MASTER SANCTUARY (LATER)

               Moments later, the Seven Masters had grown more tense.  The 
               information Golda had relayed was a telepathic communication 
               she had received from Samantha about the revelations from 
               the Western school ... about how the aggressors were looking 
               to steal the Muein's arcane knowledge -- to learn their 
               skills... but to what end?  Regardless, it was paramount to 
               keep such knowledge secret from those who weren't mature ... 
               who weren't really ready ... Even if it meant ... burning 
               it.

                                     GUNDLACH-RED ROBE
                         It would be a tragedy of unimaginable 
                         proportion. The texts must be 
                         preserved.

                                     MALE-YELLOW ROBE
                         If erased by flame, does that not 
                         put our Northern and Eastern schools 
                         at greater risk? They could be 
                         attacked next.

                                     FEMALE-GREEN ROBE
                         They might still be, whether our 
                         library be secreted or not.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         There is no doubt knowledge from the 
                         Western school is no longer available 
                         to us now because it has been consumed 
                         by fire. How great a wisdom lost, we 
                         cannot know; nor can we ascertain 
                         how long it would take to relearn 
                         such knowledge, though it exists in 
                         its entirety all around us.

                                     BLUE ROBE-FREYA
                         A hundred years?  A thousand?

                                     ORDONIO-INDIGO ROBE
                         Worth it, if kept from minds not 
                         properly seeded to receive it.

               (A beat).

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         Let us take the master copies of our 
                         texts so that they may be preserved 
                         and burn the rest. What is lost, 
                         then, will not be so great. May it 
                         also confuse our attackers into 
                         believing we have destroyed our 
                         knowledge as was done by our brethren 
                         in the West.

               The group hesitated, considering the proposal ... Then all 
               nodded in agreement.

                                     GUNDLACH-RED ROBE
                         We will post Guardians and protettores 
                         to give cover for the evacuation.

                                     MALE-ORANGE ROBE
                         More of us than them. We could stay 
                         and disarm them.

                                     ISHRAQ-MASTER
                         How many others have they told of 
                         our location?  Sadly, it is time to 
                         abandon the Alpine temples.

               (Grave music)