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.