EXT. VILLENEUVE LES AVIGNON  NIGHT  ESTABLISHING

               Aaron left Samantha behind in the derelict home while he 
               returned to Villeneuve Les Avignon.  The town of villas 
               overlooked the Rhone and Avignon proper, with its imposing 
               fort of St. Andre looming like a dark sentry over the village.

               EXT. VILLENEUVE LES AVIGNON  CONTINUOUS

               Lighted candles in closed glass lantern cases gave occasional 
               glow in the otherwise pitch blackness of the moonless, drizzly 
               night. Aaron dismounted at the edge of the city, tied the 
               horse, then kept to the edge of the narrow roads as he snaked 
               between buildings.

               EXT. VILLENEUVE LES AVIGNON - VILLA

               He came to a two-story stone structure, laid out with a trio 
               of windows atop and below, augmented by gables, with a patio 
               out back leading to a pool. Aaron sneaked around the pool, 
               approaching the patio doors leading inside.  He took hold of 
               the handle, paused to feel what might lay on the other side, 
               then delicately opened ...

               INT. VILLENEUVE LES AVIGNON - VILLA - LIBRARY

               A large fireplace and lit candles revealed two large 
               bookshelves set along one of the walls, the shelves only 
               three-quarters filled, with books.  The furnishings were of 
               the finest quality; fancy chairs, accented by imported rugs 
               and ornate tapestries.

               As he stepped further in, he saw the Muein chests stacked 
               near the bookshelves ... with one of the books left abandoned 
               on a plush chair.  He retrieved it ... Opened it ... then 
               considered the chests.

               He struggled with the thought of burning them.  So much 
               wisdom; so much history; the life of the Muein.

               He stood before the fire, holding the single volume.  But he 
               couldn't do it ... He couldn't throw it into the flames.

               He returned to the chair.  His mind raced, trying to find 
               some other way of saving the texts, rather than destroying 
               them.  He closed his eyes to meditate on it.

               Rachel's hand on his knee brought him back to the moment.

                                     RACHEL
                         You have to let them go.  You already 
                         carry the knowledge within you.

                                     AARON
                         It has been my responsibility to 
                         protect that knowledge for future 
                         generations.

                                     RACHEL
                         Here, in this place, it will be used 
                         for power and devastation.

                                     AARON
                         Is it not possible that they might 
                         see the error of their ways when the 
                         truths are revealed?

                                     RACHEL
                         Their minds blind their eyes so they 
                         will not see it. The only way to 
                         keep them from advancing their power 
                         is to burn all of them.  
                              (then)
                         Aaron, there still remains two other 
                         schools, North and South. All is not 
                         lost. They are merely symbols, 
                         describing the knowledge -- they are 
                         not the knowledge itself.  Let go of 
                         your attachment to them.

               Aaron paused, considering her logic ... but the thought of 
               burning the books was still too heavy within his soul.

                                     RACHEL
                         You know I cannot help in any physical 
                         fight.

                                     AARON
                         All of nature curves and waves, 
                         mother.  So it must be with this.

                                     RACHEL (BEAT)
                         No matter what happens ... know that 
                         I will always love you.

               She stared at him ... longing ... hoping ... then kissed his 
               temple and disappeared.  Aaron closed his eyes, falling deep 
               into meditation.

               INT. VILLENEUVE LES AVIGNON - VILLA - LIBRARY - MORNING

               When morning arrived, Aaron woke -- and using the vastness 
               of his inner awareness -- felt out the entirety of the home 
               from his position in the chair.  Then he heard voices outside 
               the room.  He quietly stood and hid alongside the door.  

               Then Pasquier entered, dressed in a night robe.  He failed 
               to see Aaron hiding near the door as stepped further in.  He 
               approached one of the candles left burning on its stand beside 
               the chair for reading.

                                     ANGELIN (TO HIMSELF)
                         Forgot to blow these out again.  You 
                         will eventually burn this place down, 
                         brother.

               He took note of the fire still burning in the hearth.  
               Mysterious.  It should have burned out ... Meaning, somebody 
               had continued to keep it burning overnight.  As he stared, 
               he failed to see Aaron coming up quietly behind him, reaching 
               for his ear.  

               Suddenly, Aaron spun around and caught the iron rod swinging 
               for his head!  It was the other Pasquier twin.  Aaron gut-
               kicked him, sending him sprawling backward onto the floor.

               (WHAM)!  Aaron suddenly fell, the original twin having struck 
               him with a candle stand.  Aaron rolled, then stood beside 
               the bookcase.  He felt the back of his head, noting the blood 
               oozing from his previous wound ... Nonetheless, he took a 
               defensive Muein posture.

               The Pasquier twins joined each other ... Side-by-side ... It 
               was uncanny.  They truly were identical ... Even their sneers 
               were the same.  One of them grabbed a poker from the hearth.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         However you found your way here  

                                     PASQUIER
                           we will take it from you.

                                     AARON
                         Do you not see that such wisdom only 
                         exists by virtue of the Infinite 
                         expressing itself in the multiplicity 
                         of all life?  One cannot be divided 
                         against itself.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         Society doesn't live by natural 
                         uniformity.

                                     PASQUIER
                         It must be imposed by God.

                                     AARON
                         Relationships cannot exist without 
                         an already-made uniformity. Each 
                         person exists as an awareness from 
                         the Infinite, outworking the wisdom 
                         piece-by-piece through a finite 
                         example, like grains of sand on a 
                         beach coming together to form the 
                         dune hills, fed by the sea and sky 
                         as one unified environment.

                                     PASQUIER
                         Utter horse shit.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         Where was that unity during the Great 
                         Mortality?

                                     PASQUIER
                         Yes, that killed our parents and 
                         sisters and our grandparents.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         God kept us alive, as He had always 
                         done when He gave us the ability to 
                         know each other in our thoughts   so 
                         that we may cleanse this earth of 
                         wicked sinners.

                                     AARON
                         You share your thoughts because twins --  
                         identical twins -- come from the 
                         same source inside the mother; you 
                         share the same mind.  It does not 
                         separate merely because your eyes 
                         show two distinct physical bodies. 
                         (beat) Time and Space do not exist 
                         behind the eyes in the realm of the 
                         spirit.

                                     PASQUIER
                         Perhaps so.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         And maybe that will be something we 
                         eventually teach those beneath us.

                                     PASQUIER
                         As we have our other brother.

               As if on cue, Renier rushed in, accompanied by Philippe and 
               Pierre.  (All three draw swords).  Philippe and Pierre were 
               stunned to see the identical cardinals ... clearly having no 
               idea of the ruse enacted by them.

                                     AARON
                         You are only hurting yourselves, 
                         eternally.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         If we are all one big happy family, 
                         how can it be so?

                                     AARON
                         Even a finger can turn black and 
                         decay while the rest of the body 
                         remains healthy.  You do not wish 
                         your spirit to be as a leper.

               (Pasquier screams)  One of the twins attacked, swiping a 
               poker!  Aaron managed to steal the weapon and used it to 
               simultaneously fight Renier and Pierre ... But the head injury 
               wasn't helping ...

                                     ANGELIN
                         Kill him! 

               The knights succeeded in striking him ... fortunately, the 
               hits were not life threatening.

               A cut here ... A slash there ... Philippe stood by ... 
               hesitating ... Not joining in.

               Aaron staked a burning log inside the fireplace with the 
               poker, then hurled the wood onto the carpet before the Muein 
               chests.  The rug instantly went up in flames.

                                     PASQUIER 
                         Kill the goddamn witch!

               Aaron somersaulted, landing alongside one of the chests.  He 
               kicked it over, depositing the books into the fire ... Then 
               engaged Renier, defending against the knight's sword with 
               the poker.  It wasn't easy.  In fact, Aaron felt he was in 
               combat with another Muein guardian.

                                     RENIER
                         I have learned to leap the moments.  
                         I am not so different from you now!

               Aaron leapt away, then stuck another log in the fireplace.  
               He hurled it ... hitting one of the twins as he was racing 
               to save a Muein chest.  The impact collapsed the cardinal 
               onto the container ... and caught his robe on fire!  (Pasquier 
               SHRIEKS)  He raced for the patio -- his back billowing with 
               flames ... He kicked the door open and jumped into the pool 
               (Splash!).

               Meanwhile, the fire around the chests had grown larger ...

                                     RENIER
                         I am going to get you like I did 
                         everyone in your temples   your wife 
                           and your friar friend.

               Aaron calmly advanced, refusing to be goaded ... keeping his 
               back toward the flames.

                                     AARON
                         You have not killed him, because you 
                         need use him against me.

               He suddenly twisted, barely missing a dagger.  The dart stuck 
               a book on the library behind him.  It suddenly gave him an 
               idea ... He leaped over the fire engulfing the chests and 
               landed atop the bookcases.  With a thrust of his legs, he 
               toppled the shelves ... crushing the Muein chests -- 
               committing them to an inevitable demise by the blaze.

               Then he grabbed the poker again and engaged Renier.    
               Unfortunately, Renier was a better warrior ... He knocked 
               the poker from Aaron's grasp ... But before he could chop an 
               appendage, Aaron managed to relieve him of the sword.  The 
               blade nearly stuck Pierre ... keeping him from joining in 
               the fight.

               Aaron and Renier dueled hand-to-hand instead.  But Renier 
               had learned ... he was anticipating Aaron's moves ... With 
               such advantage, he got his hands around Aaron's throat, 
               choking him, pushing him toward the flames of the burning 
               texts.

                                     RENIER
                         You can be sure your black friar 
                         friend will soon be joining you in 
                         Hell!

               All of a sudden, Philippe tackled him!  The take-down freed 
               Aaron from the hold ...

                                     PHILIPPE
                         No!  All this is wrong.

                                     RENIER
                         You betray   me?

                                     PHILIPPE
                         We are beings of light   not clay.

               He glanced at Aaron, the look telling Renier all he needed 
               to know ... That his right-hand man had been compromised by 
               a mind intrusion earlier from the Muein guardian.  He seethed.

                                     PIERRE
                         My lord!

               Pierre threw Renier his sword ... to which he instantly 
               impaled Philippe ...

               Pissed, Aaron jumped ... stretching his leg ... and kicking 
               Renier squarely in the chest ... Spilling him over furniture 
               ... His head hit an end-table, knocking him out cold as he 
               collided with the floor.  Pierre and the remaining twin turned-
               tail and raced out of the room.

               Aaron hurried to Philippe's side ... lowering him gently to 
               the floor ... blood spewing from the knight's mouth.

                                     AARON
                         You will be fine.  I promise you 
                         will survive.

                                     PHILIPPE
                         I have so much to repent.  My sins  

                                     AARON
                         Your spirit will work them through, 
                         in many lifetimes.

               (Philippe gargles his last breath and dies).

               Aaron laid him respectfully on the floor, then took off after 
               Pasquier and Pierre.

               EXT. VILLENEUVE LES AVIGNON - VARIOUS STREETS - DAY

               Outside, Pasquier and Pierre mounted horses and raced away.  
               A few people, just coming out of their apartments for the 
               day, gasped at seeing the cardinal still wearing his night 
               robe.

                                     SUPERNUMARY
                         Oh my ...

               Aaron hurried out of the villa and stopped in the middle of 
               the road.  With the raising of a hand and closing of his 
               eyes, an approaching priest on horseback found his equestrian 
               suddenly arrested, stopping at Aaron's open palm.

                                     CLERGYMAN
                         What are you - ? Out of the way!

               Aaron casually came up alongside and pulled him off the steed.

                                     AARON
                         God will forgive you for lending me 
                         your horse.

               With that, he took to the saddle and raced away.

                                     CLERGYMAN
                         Goddamn you!

               Aaron rode hard and fast.  He steered around other riders in 
               the way ... Jumped over obstacles ...

               Pasquier and Pierre saw him chasing.  They split at a fork 
               in the block.

               Aaron kept after Pasquier.

               The cardinal steered around citizens ... He jumped over an 
               unsuspecting peasant pushing a cart ... It startled the 
               merchant ... Then came Aaron -- also jumping over him.

               Pasquier turned a corner, passing another merchant who had a 
               series of crates stacked perilously high.  He knocked them 
               over as he rode passed.  (MERCHANT SCREAMS).

               Aaron jumped the obstacles ... his horse barely making it.  
               Pasquier noticed.  He sneered and pushed his horse harder to 
               break ahead.

               Pierre suddenly appeared behind Aaron, coming in from another 
               street.  He hurled a pair of daggers.

               Aaron moved at the last second, avoiding the hits.  The 
               daggers nailed buildings, crates   fortunately, not people.  
               Nonetheless, Pierre kept reaching for more from a satchel.

               Meanwhile, Pasquier turned down a busy street.  There were 
               people, horses, carts ... Several rushed to get out of the 
               way ... Pasquier tried staying alongside the perimeter, 
               avoiding the center of the mass.  (SCREAMS and SHOUTS at the 
               disruption).

                                     ANGELIN (BR3)
                         Move aside! Make way!

               At the same moment, Aaron was still dodging the daggers 
               whizzing past, the weapons missing him only by a hair's width 
               ... stapling posts or carts instead.  He rounded a corner.

               ... coming onto the same busy street that Pasquier was racing 
               through.  Like the cardinal, Aaron tracked along the 
               perimeter, barely missing bystanders and carts.

               His eyesight was starting to blur ... possibly from the injury 
               along the back of his neck.

               Pierre turned in ... continuing to throw his blades.  
               (SCREAMING).  Everyone cleared the roadway to keep from 
               getting impaled.  Their sudden abandonment was just what 
               Aaron needed ... He advanced rapidly after Pasquier ... 
               without a single obstacle in the way.

               Pasquier turned onto another street, heading for the bridge 
               crossing the Rhone to Avignon.

               Aaron pushed harder ... at last coming up beside him.  They 
               both wrestled to knock the other from their steeds.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         You demon!

               Aaron backed off, allowing him to get slightly ahead ... 
               Then he gathered his energy ... his courage ... and jumped 
               up onto the horse's back, managing to stand upright ... After 
               swift consideration, he leaped ... landing perfectly onto 
               Pasquier's horse ... directly behind the cardinal ... Grabbing 
               the clergyman by the ear.

                                     AARON
                         Where is my friend?

                                     ANGELIN 
                         Find him yourself!

               With that, Pasquier pushed Aaron back, then threw himself 
               off the horse!  He rolled on the ground, then got to his 
               feet and raced away.

               Aaron spun the horse around ... but was unable to chase, as 
               Pierre was nearly on top of him!

               He twisted the stallion, then galloped into another alley.

               Aaron stole a flagpole from a building as he rushed by.  
               Pierre did the same.

               Aaron stopped and faced him.  Pierre also halted.  Clearly 
               ... this was going to be a joust.

               Aaron hesitated ... His eyesight getting worse.

               They both charged.

               But with his awareness of non-linear time, Aaron shifted at 
               just the right moment ... bringing Pierre down, and jumping 
               off with him.

               He quickly took hold of Pierre's ear ... hurrying to make 
               the mind-to-mind contact.

                                     AARON
                         Show me where he is.

               With superior strength, Pierre pushed Aaron off ... He jumped 
               to his feet and yanked his sword ... Just as a trio of 
               cardinals turned in, enjoying themselves in conversation.  
               They froze when seeing the knight ...

               Pierre hurriedly mounted his horse and rode away.  Aaron 
               pushed through the cardinals, taking to his own stallion ... 
               (RIDES AWAY).

               EXT. AVIGNON - VARIOUS SHOTS

               He darted over the stone bridge into Avignon ... Coming into 
               the city ... sprinting off to his left and up a hill toward 
               a small chapel perched at the end of an outdoor park.  In no 
               time, he was rushing inside.

               INT. AVIGNON CHAPEL - CONTINUOUS

               He ran down the center aisle of pews, but saw nothing.  The 
               whole chapel appeared abandoned.  He looked around ... then 
               hurried down a staircase leading underground.  The pair of 
               guards outside a closed room were unprepared for his sudden 
               arrival.  (SMACK!  WHACK!)

               INT. AVIGNON CHAPEL - BASEMENT ROOM

               Aaron burst into the chamber to find James naked and strung 
               up toward the ceiling like Christ on the cross.  His wrists 
               and feet were tied with rope, bruised and damaged from the 
               attack putting him there.  Even worse: his head was covered 
               with blood from a true crown of thorns.

                                     AARON
                         James!

               The friar didn't acknowledge him ... nearly unconscious from 
               the injuries.  Aaron untied the rope holding the huge cross 
               up, then gently lowered him to the floor, laying him on his 
               back.

                                     AARON
                         James  

               He gingerly took hold of the crown of thorns ... and lightly 
               pulled it off.  The spikes pricked at the clergyman's scalp 
               ... drawing more blood over his skull.

                                     AARON
                         God wills I get you out of here.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                              (delirious)
                         I have seen the light, friend Aaron. 
                         I am redeemed.

               Aaron grabbed James's black cloak discarded on the floor, 
               then cradled him out of the room and up the stairs.

               INT. AVIGNON CHAPEL - CONTINUOUS

               They emerged onto the main floor.  Aaron sat him in a pew 
               and wrapped his cloak about him.  James fumbled with the 
               fabric ... but was grateful for the rescue.

                                     AARON
                         Did a cardinal come visit you?

               James shook his head in the negative.

                                     AARON
                         I fear it is he who has been 
                         assaulting your brothers.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         What cardinal?

                                     AARON
                         Not now.

               Ruined from the kidnapping, James didn't argue.  Aaron helped 
               him stand, then led him down the aisle   Just as visitors 
               entered.  The newcomers crossed themselves when seeing their 
               ravaged condition as they left.

               EXT. AVIGNON - FERRY SHORE

               After getting James back into his robe and steady again on 
               his feet, Aaron wrapped the friar's head with some fabric he 
               quickly procured from a market stall in town.  Then they 
               made their way to a ferry dock ... choosing to avoid crossing 
               the bridge, where knights might be waiting.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         With an appeal to the Holy Pontiff, 
                         he will expose him and put him to 
                         the gallows.

               He kissed his rosary beads, hoping to fend off his own need 
               for revenge.

                                     AARON
                         I fear it is more complicated than 
                         that.

                                     FRIAR JAMES 
                         You are probably right.

                                     AARON
                         They have this city in darkness.  We 
                         can trust no one.

               Aaron paid the ferryman and they both took seat on the boat.

               Within minutes, they were crossing the river.

               INT. ABANDONED HOMESTEAD

               Samantha was still asleep on the floor of the abandoned 
               homestead when a figure suddenly loomed over her.  She awoke 
               and was relieved to see it was Aaron, reaching to help her 
               to her feet.

                                     AARON
                         Easy now.  How are you?

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Better ... Now that I've rested.

               She spotted Friar James watching from a distance.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Friar ... I remember you.

               (James walking in)

                                     JAMES
                         Yes.  Quite the experience our Lord 
                         has given me with the company of you 
                         both.  I regret to see ... you are 
                         injured.

               Samantha suddenly took notice of her hands ... almost 
               forgetting them while having been asleep.  The realization 
               of her predicament seeped into her soul, filling her with a 
               dreadful poison.

               INT. VELLENEUVE LES AVIGNON - VILLA - ROOM

               At Pasquier's private villa, the twin who had taken a dive 
               into the pool to squelch the fire from his back was lying 
               face-down on a bed while his brother applied a topical cream 
               on the burns.  (A small shriek).

                                     ANGELIN 
                         Remain still or this will not get 
                         well applied.

                                     PASQUIER
                         God again sees to our salvation.  
                         But the library is gone.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         We already have the skills to do 
                         what we will.  For what's more, let 
                         He who is the King of Heaven divine 
                         within our spirits, as so far He has 
                         already done.

               The burned brother slowly lifted himself from the bed and 
               gingerly put on a robe.  

                                     PASQUIER
                         May they all burn ten times worse 
                         than myself.

                                     ANGELIN
                         Amen, brother.

               INT. VELLENEUVE LES AVIGNON - VILLA - LIBRARY

               They removed themselves from the room and returned to the 
               destruction of the library.  Renier stood before the pile of 
               ruined bookcases and burnt pages, the fire having finally 
               been doused by buckets of water.

                                     RENIER
                         Two other schools remain out there.

                                     PASQUIER
                         And they no doubt would be expecting 
                         us.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         If they haven't already gone deeper 
                         underground.

               One of the twins put a comforting hand on Renier's shoulder.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         We already know enough   to build a 
                         grand army  

                                     PASQUIER
                           and wield God's fist over all of 
                         Europe.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         First, we wipe out the English.

               The brothers sneered at each other, expressing their utter 
               disdain for the English.

               Meanwhile, Renier looked sadly upon the corpse of his former 
               right-hand man, Philippe.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         A shame, yes.

                                     PASQUIER
                         And your other lieutenant now knows 
                         the both of us.

                                     ANGELIN
                         He will have to be eliminated.

                                     RENIER
                         I have already had to kill one friend 
                         today; I shall not kill another.  
                         (beat) Fear can be a great motivator 
                         to forget.  He'll do as I demand.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         See that he does  

                                     PASQUIER
                           little brother.

               With that, Renier marched out of the room, leaving the 
               Pasquier twins to gaze in solemn acceptance of the library's 
               demise.

               EXT. ABANDONED HOMESTEAD - DAY

               By early afternoon, Samantha was feeling stronger ... the 
               suppressant finally beginning to wane from her system.  Aaron 
               led her from the dilapidated home, paying special attention 
               to her wrapped hands.

                                     AARON
                         How does it feel?

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Hurts   but I can travel.

               They met James, who was already atop his horse, ready for 
               departure.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         We need return eight horses for these 
                         two we have stolen.  At least at 
                         some point in the future.  The Bible 
                         isn't clear on "when."

               Aaron grinned at his remark, while simultaneously helping 
               Samantha onto their own stallion.  

                                     AARON
                         We need to stay hidden   a place off 
                         the beaten path.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         I might know of one.

                                     AARON
                         No monasteries.

               James nodded, then took the lead.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         We should be able to make it there 
                         before evening vespers.

               EXT. FOREST TRAVEL - VARIOUS SHOTS

               Their journey lasted the entirety of the day ... as James 
               guided them through dense forest ... across streams ... the 
               tall grasses of long abandoned fields ...

               EXT. ABANDONED MONASTERY

               ... finally ending at a small stone building with an attached 
               chapel, crammed into overgrown weeds and trees.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         It is a monastery but hasn't been in 
                         use since the Great Mortality.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         It will be fine.  Bless you.

               Aaron leapt down and helped Samantha.  Everyone paused, taking 
               in the sight of the deserted structure ... It wasn't as 
               ramshackle as the abandoned home, but clearly time had already 
               taken a great toll.  Nevertheless, they went inside.

               INT. ABANDONED MONASTERY - FOYER - CONTINUOUS

               Where they encountered a large, barren, dust-laden foyer.  A 
               massive hearth took up one of the walls, its interior filled 
               with droppings from animals that had at one time scavenged,  
               either from along the floor or hanging inside the chimney.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         There is a small village further 
                         north, where we can obtain supplies, 
                         perhaps even something to help aid 
                         with healing.  I will ride there at 
                         once.

               He returned outside.  Aaron quickly followed.

               EXT. ABANDONED MONASTERY - CONTINUOUS

               (Friar James mounts the horse).

                                     AARON
                         James ... We are indebted to you. 
                         Many thanks for bringing us here.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         I don't know if they intended to 
                         kill me, but for a moment there, I 
                         was not in this body. I was everywhere 
                         and yet nowhere, all at once.  But 
                         yet, I ... I also knew I was not 
                         alone.

                                     AARON
                         We believe ... we are never alone.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Traveling with you has given me more 
                         than I could ever have imagined.  I 
                         have truly touched the mystery of 
                         God.

               He tipped his head, then turned the horse away.  Aaron watched 
               him go, relieved that his friend was faring well after such 
               a horrible ordeal.  Samantha emerged from the entryway.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         He was very kind to me when they 
                         took us in.  I like him.

                                     AARON
                         Yes.  I like him, too.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         (Beat) It is time.

               INT. ABANDONED MONASTERY - MOMENTS LATER

               Moments later, they were back inside, having found the mess 
               hall.  Samantha sat at a table and held her appendages up 
               for Aaron.

                                     AARON
                         Are you sure?

               Samantha nodded.

                                     AARON
                         Which first?

               Samantha paused ... then motioned to her right arm ... the 
               one without the hand.  (Aaron, deep breath).  Aaron slowly 
               unwound the wrap.  The linen bandage, though stiff in places 
               from dried blood, came away with only slight resistance. 
               Beneath, the stump was clean and healing.  Though the skin 
               was still tender and showing signs of being cauterized by 
               flame, there was no sign of infection ... only the slow, 
               steady work of a body mending itself.

                                     AARON
                         The other?

               Samantha nodded, her eyes filling with tears.  With extreme 
               gentleness, he unbound the linen ... showing her last three 
               fingers ... her thumb and forefinger -- gone.  She slowly 
               curled the digits.  The shock of it all ... sent the tears 
               rolling down her cheeks.

                                     AARON
                         Sam   I am --

               (Samantha bellows).  Aaron held her as she quaked in agony.

                                     AARON
                         Sam  

                                     SAMANTHA
                         I can still feel them.  I can still 
                         feel the spirit of each of them.

               INT. ABANDONED MONASTERY 

               Later, after finding a well, Aaron did his best to clean the 
               bandages, then used them to wipe up Samantha's injuries.  
               She stared at her appendages ... dumbfounded ... her mind 
               unable to comprehend what her eyes were showing her.

               INT. ABANDONED MONASTERY - LATER

               When James returned, he and Aaron scrubbed away the debris 
               in the hearth and lit a fire.  They kept it blazing over the 
               course of a few days, while James also took it upon himself 
               to care for Samantha's hands.  His background at the monastery 
               infirmary made him more skilled than Aaron, to which the 
               Muein Guardian was extremely grateful.  James brought a sense 
               of hope, and his gentle nature made it easy for Samantha to 
               relax while he worked with keeping the appendages wrapped.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Some more time is needed for them to 
                         be better healed.

                                     SAMANTHA
                         Did you ever see anything like this 
                         when in your infirmary?

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Once, yes.  A villager was brought 
                         in, having been bitten on the foot 
                         by a snake.  The poison had advanced 
                         up the leg.  We had to remove at the 
                         knee.

               (Samantha hisses).

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         A couple brothers carved him a new 
                         leg from the wood of a tree that had 
                         fallen in the previous year's storms. 
                         He was even able to get a cobbler to 
                         cover the bottom like a shoe.

               He finished the wrap, then looked warmly into her eyes.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         It is said, a joyful heart is good 
                         medicine, but a crushed spirit dries 
                         up the bones.  The sufferings of 
                         this present time are not worth 
                         comparing with the glory that is to 
                         come.

                                     SAMANTHA (WHISPERING)
                         Thank you.

               James stood, then walked over to Aaron, who had been watching.  
               Aaron turned, allowing him to look at the wound on the back 
               of his head.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Some swelling is still present.  
                         A good reminder will no doubt form, 
                         but so long as you keep your hair  

               Aaron smiled, facing him.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         I would like to attend the chapel 
                         here.  I need pray   my respects.

                                     AARON
                         Absolutely.

               (With that, he wanders down a hall).

               INT. MONASTERY - CHAPEL - NIGHT

               Friar James knelt before a lit candle at the front of the 
               chapel interior, his hands clasped in prayer, rosary beads 
               laced between his fingers.  His eyes were closed, tight, his 
               knuckles practically white from clenching ... When he 
               finished, he stood, signed the cross over his chest, then 
               sat in a small pew ... Staring into space.

               Aaron entered.  He paused, as he felt a sudden chill run 
               through him ... remembering his torture as Elouan.  James 
               noticed him, then returned his gaze forward.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Is she sleeping in one of the cells?

               (Aaron approaches).

                                     AARON
                         Yes.  Peacefully.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Good ... good.

               Aaron sat beside him.  He could sense something unusual with 
               James ... As if he were trying to solve a puzzle that defied 
               conception.

                                     AARON
                         When they had you there ... You found 
                         yourself in the light of the great 
                         white sun, didn't you?

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         How do you know ... ?

                                     AARON
                         It is written in the history of our 
                         people.  Where Samantha and I come 
                         from ...

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         A place of great learning, I take 
                         it.

                                     AARON
                         Of special considerations, yes.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         I thought when we went to Heaven we 
                         got to spend forever with God.  An 
                         endless series of days, of joy, day-
                         in-and-day-out, basking in His glory. 
                         Eternity was much different.

                                     AARON
                         Yes.  Timelessness is very different 
                         from everlastingness.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         It seemed as if   I could touch any 
                         point in history.  No past.  No 
                         future. Just  

                                     AARON
                         All happening now.

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Yet, we look to the past for our 
                         Lord's salvation, and the future for 
                         His return.  In timelessness, the 
                         Lord would be present for a soul 
                         equally before baptism as He would 
                         be afterward.

                                     AARON
                         The pages of your book are already 
                         complete while held in your hand, 
                         yet you must examine each page, each 
                         word, in its own succession.  Is 
                         this not, then, the life of the spirit 
                         in an earthly journey?

                                     FRIAR JAMES
                         Did God, then, not already know Adam 
                         and Eve's fall?  If He did, why go 
                         through with it?  Why the need for 
                         Jesus's sacrifice?  He already knows 
                         our salvation or damnation.

                                     AARON
                         When you consider your book, in its 
                         completeness, though it might have 
                         been inspired by that which is 
                         infinite, it required a finite hand 
                         and equally finite mind to assign it 
                         to an awkward pattern of limiting 
                         symbols called writing, and also 
                         ends at a finite page.  It is no 
                         more the infinite than a painting of 
                         the sky being the true dome above 
                         our heads.  A painting can be a 
                         likeness, but it can never capture 
                         the true soul of its subject, 
                         therefore missing the true essence 
                         of its being.  It becomes even more 
                         perilous when trying to use finite 
                         symbols to explain that which is 
                         infinite -- trying to describe 
                         something rather indescribable. 
                         Perhaps in that moment, when you 
                         were in eternity, you discovered you 
                         were more than what you had believed 
                         yourself to be, and to which history, 
                         and a written book, may be too limited 
                         to grasp.

               With that, Aaron stood and left the chapel.  James paused, 
               then went to one of the walls and wiped away the dust 
               obscuring the face of baby Jesus sitting on Mary's lap.  He 
               stared, considering the repercussion of Aaron's words.

               INT. CHAPEL

               In a chapel of another sort, Pierre was kneeling at an alter 
               of the Virgin Mary, praying intently ... when Renier suddenly 
               knelt beside him.

                                     RENIER
                         Knew I would find you here.

               He put his hands together, as if he were about to pray.  It 
               was a only a gesture.

                                     RENIER
                         He broke away with the black friar.

                                     PIERRE
                         They are inhuman.  I do not understand 
                         why you seek them so.

                                     RENIER
                         You fear for my soul?

               (No response).

                                     RENIER
                         We take what God wills us to.  He 
                         needs His warriors now more than 
                         ever against such scourge.

                                     PIERRE
                         Amen.  Indeed.  Yes.

                                     RENIER
                         And at times, He requires us to move 
                         secretly ... mysteriously -- as is 
                         His own divine essence, on His behalf.

                                     PIERRE 
                         That is why there is two ... twins.

                                     RENIER
                         And why He has also gifted us with 
                         far-sight and far-hearing, among 
                         other things.

                                     PIERRE
                         You feel you are God's warrior angels.

                                     RENIER
                         It is no feeling.

               He stood, standing behind Pierre ... Then put a hand on his 
               lieutenant's shoulder and whispered into his ear.

                                     RENIER
                         You know it's true.

               He patted Pierre's shoulder, then strutted out ... leaving 
               Pierre flummoxed.

               EXT. AVIGNON - PALACE

               Elsewhere, at the Palace of the Pope, one of the Pasquier 
               twins stepped out of a carriage and quickly went inside, his 
               eyes alight with intention.

               INT. AVIGNON - PALACE - ENTRANCE HALL

               It wasn't long before De Boulogne quickly intercepted him, 
               looking fraught.

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         I seek an audience now.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         Without question.

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         You sent that priest to my room, to 
                         take advantage.  Then he tells our 
                         new Holy Father?

                                     ANGELIN 
                         I see you are still weak with the 
                         temptations of the flesh.

               He stopped, facing him ... Seeing De Boulogne pleading in 
               his gaze.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         I can speak to his Holiness on your 
                         behalf, if you can grant me his 
                         audience.

                                     DE BOULOGNE
                         The priest was a personal friend of 
                         his.  Why me?

                                     ANGELIN
                         Isn't it obvious?  Let me see his 
                         Holiness -- alone -- and I will take 
                         care of it.

               De Boulogne nodded.  Pasquier slowly reached ... and grasped 
               De Boulogne's ear.  The Cardinal Bishop trembled, fearing 
               what had happened previously would happen again ... The 
               intrusion ... the searing pain of a mind not his own tearing 
               into his soul.  Fortunately, it didn't come.

                                     ANGELIN 
                         Now, as I commanded before   Go and 
                         sin no more.

               He pulled away ... to which De Boulogne hurried off, leaving 
               Pasquier with a sadistic grin.