Kingslayer (2022) Movie Script

1
He's not the one we're
waiting for.
Fate is fickle.
Always best to hit them
in the back.
Old bugger musta come through
the goat path near the hill.
I was right. Shoulda watched
that as well.
Take only two men with you.
He's done it again.
He's done it again.
The stables?
I checked the stables,
and the aviary.
You caught them in the aviary?
I didn't understand why the
birds were being so noisy.
I'm rather glad that I checked
it out myself.
You know, if I had to guess...
The Kingswood.
He talked about the
wood with you?
Ah, I'll call out the guard.
Oh yeah, and what rumors will
surface when you find them?
I trust my men...
As do I, but not their
loose-tongued wives
and companions or that
braggart Fray.
That braggart Fray put down
sixteen brawls last night,
sixteen.
The whole country is
on the knife edge.
But you are actually right,
occasionally.
We cannot afford a scandal.
So what does the church suggest?
I'll go after him.
Meet me in the courtyard,
have Fray with you.
We'll make his gossip
work in our favor.
Interesting thought.
You're late.
I've been watching you
from the trees.
Can't I watch over you?
It's unladylike.
Like meeting you here,
now, alone,
or would you just call
that confidence?
Too much of which leads
to arrogance.
I didn't think this
would happen.
I'm advised heavily against it.
I shouldn't be here.
I had a friend borrow this for
me to get past my guards.
Made me think twice
about approaching you.
Let us not talk of court.
It bothers you?
It tires me.
Certainly don't want to
tire you with words.
Now who's being confident?
I didn't think this
would happen.
I shan't let you enjoy it.
You would deny your king?
Presumptuous.
Really? Two days away.
Exactly, right now,
you're nothing more
than that which I see,
a soldier.
Richard.
And you, Lea.
The two of us taking a stroll in
the woods, as friends.
Friends?
Ah, Chaplain Anselm, I shall
assemble the king's guard.
For what purpose?
Well I assume that the king
is going into the city
on business, that sort of thing.
And the council has
promulgated that the king
must be accompanied by a
guard whenever he goes out.
And has he gone out?
What?
It is two days away from
his coronation.
Business can wait.
He is in prayer.
All day?
Not to be disturbed.
So the council said that?
Too many people coming in
and out of the city.
We can't be too careful.
There's been a lot of fighting
over that crown.
The fighting's over.
It appears to me that you
are going out.
Oh, I am.
He does not need me to
hold his hand.
What do you think I do,
pray for him?
I'm his chaplain,
not his wet nurse.
Fray, isn't it?
I've heard a lot about you,
in confession.
It just occurred to me that if
you are going out
the king would probably
be with you,
so I was preparing to
take a guard.
Very good, but he does
not need one.
He is at prayer.
And will be all day?
Exactly. Tell his men
to get some rest.
The weeks ahead will be busy.
Yes, my lord.
I'm not a lord.
Oh, you misunderstand me, sir.
You are merely Anselm the
king's chaplain.
But I really am...
Oh, a lord.
Easily overlooked, I know.
Have a nice walk.
You heard that.
The king is preparing his
soul for the burden
he will carry till the
day he dies.
Two men on guard at the chapel.
No one is to go near the king.
No one must enter.
Understood, carry on.
I have you surrounded.
You should draw that
sword of yours.
You're in danger.
Scared to get that sword out?
Now I have you.
What makes you so sure?
It's the scent of rosewater,
I believe.
And, horse manure, hm.
I do not smell of manure.
Why didn't you draw that sword?
Only when I intend to Kill.
That's an ugly joke.
Ugly business.
What's it called?
A sword.
That's not funny.
A little funny.
All the best swords have names.
True.
Mine doesn't.
Perhaps I'll call it
Richard's Sword.
Well played.
You too.
I hope you can live with
the putdown.
Yep, that's what
they'll remember.
I shall bring him back
by the stables,
make it look like he was out
for a post-prayer walk.
If I'm not back by sunset.
If you're not back by sunset,
I shall come looking for you.
Always an adventure.
Go with God, stay safe.
Most of the markets have run
out of African spices,
but we've still got some left.
It's not as fine as you've had
from Jerusalem,
or your Spanish spices.
It depends on your taste really.
Cinnamon sticks from Arabia?
We've been here since sunrise.
He's here now, with a girl.
Kill them both.
You only paid for one.
I'm just a messenger,
nothing more.
Than don't negotiate as
more than that.
I'll do as I please.
Well, let us hope what
you please
matches what is expected of you.
Just a messenger.
Imagine if every day was
like this.
Terrible, you mean?
You're terrible.
I am terrible.
I snort when I laugh.
It's terribly unladylike.
I burp if I eat too quickly.
I despise mosquitoes.
Everyone hates mosquitoes.
No, I despise them.
It's truly mean the amount
I hate them.
And I'm a stable girl,
not born of this land.
Not born into a family
of standing.
Not allowed to love those
of standing.
Not fit for loving a king.
Not perfect.
Terrible.
You don't believe me?
I hear pretty words with
wonderful thoughts.
Believe me.
Are you proposing?
There is a lot that must
happen before.
Rules and rituals.
Coronations and ceremonies.
Traditions, legacies.
All to please others.
How can we change the future if
we can't forget the past?
Some traditions must
be observed,
some legacies preserved.
Why?
To please a kingdom and
many others.
Others, and what about you?
If I could marry you today,
I don't know if you'd say yes.
Is that your dagger I'm feeling?
Calm. Calm.
I don't mind if the deer watch.
Are you teasing me?
Lea?
Stay where you are.
I need to pull it out, clean it,
stop the bleeding.
Have you done that before?
I've seen it done many times.
That's a no.
Take me back to the castle.
I'll go to the apothecary.
And explain what?
A hunting accident.
That's coming out.
Is it bad?
Well?
The apothecary, good idea.
It'll take us maybe an
hour to get back
if we take the main paths.
If we get back.
I swear to you, we will.
That is an oath.
I meant alive.
As do I.
Spare some water, Priest?
Of course.
Leave some for my journey.
Where you headed?
The Kingswood.
Is it bad?
Too honest for your own good.
Let me catch my breath.
There may be more of them.
What makes you think that?
That's not a journey.
It's barely two miles.
And how far across does it run?
Twenty miles, I reckon.
Thirty, should you get lost.
I thought priests weren't
allowed to carry weapons.
Their blades were castle-forged.
They were hired men,
no chain mail.
Poor as peasants with
decent steel.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Can't carry blades.
Good Book doesn't say anything
about maces.
I would warn you to tread
carefully in those woods,
but seems to me like the
bandits should
tread carefully around you.
Are there bandits?
Oh, all sorts. This is England.
Keep an eye on those clouds.
The weather changes quicker
than the flicker
of a candle out here.
Breathe.
Breathe.
Okay?
Come on.
Who would hire them?
My father had many loyal to him.
But he's dead, and gave
you the throne.
The decision of one isn't always
appreciated by the many.
I shouldn't have suggested this.
If you hadn't, I would have.
Do you remember the
vineyard last summer?
You only remember that vineyard
because of the wine.
You made me forget
about the wine.
That would have been a first.
You looked beautiful.
And now?
More precious
than ever.
Come on.
If you wanted to kill someone...
Conserve your strength.
Talking helps me
forget the pain.
Then talk softly, Lea.
If you wanted to kill someone,
how many men would you hire?
To kill me?
Five, six.
Maybe more.
How many?
Use me as bait.
Got a better idea?
Help!
Takiris!
Help!
Takiris!
Takiris!
Who is Takiris?
My horse.
The bugger threw me off.
I hurt my shoulder on a branch.
Are you out here all alone?
Hunting party.
You sound foreign.
Musta been a regal party.
Harsh punishments for commoners
to hunt round here.
But you look common.
And you, charming,
as well as ugly.
Funny that.
Hunting parties, they tend to
make some noise.
Noise doesn't travel
far in a wood.
Neither do screams.
Well, we're going to have
fun with this one.
How many of you are there?
Enough.
Can't count? I'll add thick to
your list of qualities.
Not sure about stupid yet.
What's that supposed to mean?
If you're thinking of raping
an injured girl,
you're obviously thick.
I'm just wondering if you're
stupid enough to try it.
I like the brave ones.
They struggle more.
Frankie, come have the first
go with this one.
Frankie, come and
teach this bitch a lesson.
It's Frankie's turn, see?
Ooh hoo hoo hoo, hoo hoo.
You've done this before?
Oh, aye, aye.
I guess I'll add pathetic to
your list of qualities.
Come on, Frankie. Come on out.
Ooh, you're dirty.
You want this,
don't you, you slut?
Come on, Frankie.
Teach this bitch a lesson.
Frankie?
Lionel, where's Frankie?
Where is Frankie?
Shut up.
Is Lionel gonna teach
me a lesson too?
Shut up.
Harold, what's going on?
Come on, Frankie.
You're not very good at
this, are you?
Thomas.
Who sent you?
I'm not...
Move, and I'll cut your
balls off.
I do it to horses every day.
Yours will be much easier,
they're so small.
Your men are all dead.
No.
Tell us who sent you, and
we'll let you live, slut.
No, we're on the edge.
Classes us as peasant lookouts,
somewhat.
The real warriors will
be in the middle.
I mean no offense, by the way.
It's just, we're safe.
First time?
My second.
My dad supplies the crossbows
for the castle.
And the feathery bits on the
bolts? That's my handiwork.
Fletcher.
Yeah, the last one was
over by lunchtime.
Never even got to see anything.
Still, got paid, though.
You know, one of us tried to
run away last time.
Wouldn't recommend it.
Come on.
Where are you going?
Through there.
On what business?
Picking mushrooms.
Forest is closed.
Order of the king.
The king ordered the
forest closed?
Are you deaf?
This king of yours must be
a bit simple.
Treasonous comment that.
You better move on now.
First off, there is no king.
He's dead, and his son hasn't
taken the throne yet.
Secondly, if the new one
had given an order,
he wouldn't have the banner of
the old king hanging there.
Thirdly, he wouldn't have
employed king's guard
and given them a tunic
without a crest.
Finally, apart from the subject
of treason being a mistake,
you brought a spear to
a mace fight.
What?
We need
to come off the path.
Something's wrong.
God's legs.
What?
Richard?
It's festering.
Could be poison.
Could just be a dirty bolt.
How much time do we have?
Less time than we thought.
We need to clean it together.
I want to see the
world with you.
I gave you my oath.
Then we better get going.
Do you know a cure?
My chaplain might.
If it's hemlock,
there is no cure.
That's how they killed Socrates
in ancient Greece.
It's not hemlock.
But the smell.
I didn't say of hemlock.
But what if it is?
Then there isn't a moment
to waste.
No time to waste.
Calm.
That was foolish.
You could have let them
walk past.
Don't let your anger define
you, Richard.
You're better than that.
Who says that I do?
Let me set the pace.
I'll walk as quickly as I can.
Who do you think is behind this?
Europe is filled with more
animosity than kindness.
Scottish lords vying for
independence.
The French being, the French.
Tensions in the Middle East
with Jerusalem and
Constantinople.
My father's allies, anxious for
their own positions.
It's not any of them,
though, is it?
England has many enemies.
You have more.
And most of them,
you call friends.
You may be right.
We need to take the path.
Like animals in a trap.
The wolves who walked
into the lion's lair.
So I'm to be the lure again?
The lamb leading them
to slaughter?
You're a lamb?
I think not.
Don't get too close. I want to
have room to pounce.
Draw them in, but keep
my distance?
Like a hawk with a rabbit.
Such a romantic.
Such a woman.
Nice place to die.
Touch your sword, and I will
open your throat to the wind.
You friend went for a piss.
It was his last.
And you can die as quickly
and as quietly,
or you can help me.
Draw your sword and plant it
in the ground,
or draw it and die.
Now your dagger.
I don't have one.
They only gave us a sword.
Can't afford my own, search me.
The one in your boot.
I watched you sharpen it.
Satisfied?
Who are you hunting?
You agreed to help me in
return for your life.
Shall we end that
arrangement now?
We're hunting a rich prick
that another rich prick
wants dead.
Names?
Why would I care?
Chance to kill a rich
prick for money.
Your anger cannot hide
under a smile.
Neither can your fear.
Did you poison that bolt?
You lying goat.
Please, please.
What did you use?
Speak now or go to the grave
the coward you are.
Please.
He was telling the truth.
There's men down there
and to the west.
What noise are you to make
when you find your man?
The sound of the crow.
All who hear will echo it.
If done three times,
we come to nest.
How many of you are there?
How many have you killed?
How many are there?
How many?
He was the first?
Must be nineteen of us now then.
Eighteen, you're on my side.
We'll take the path, shall we?
Do I look foolish?
Slowly.
That's what Socrates did.
He moved around slowly.
After drinking the hemlock.
It's not hemlock.
But follow his example.
Keep going. I'm with you.
You were lucky to sneak-up
on me.
You think not?
Wind on your face.
Haven't bathed in days.
The only thing lucky was that
you had the high ground.
Unlucky of me not to
have faced you.
We're on the same side
now, though,
the side of the rich and noble.
Charming.
Easy to look at them like that
when you're hiding in
the shadows.
I came for justice.
You came because another put
coin in your pocket.
Not true.
Hard truth.
You want hard truths?
They call this the Kingswood.
Commoners can't hunt here,
can't live here
without paying taxes and
tribute.
Do something wrong,
you might lose a hand.
Or worse.
Even if you're starving,
you can't kill a deer here.
And what if everyone
hunted a deer?
There would be none left.
What then?
What if everyone cut down the
trees and lived here?
There'd be no forest.
Your argument is ridiculous.
That would never happen.
There's too many animals,
too many trees,
enough to go round.
You doubt the greed of man?
I see the greed of man.
Looks like some of
ours are coming.
Quiet.
Down.
Down.
Let's go.
Why is the devil at
a blacksmith's?
Probably to put new shoes
on his horse.
Exactly, even the devil's horse
would need new shoes.
Street sellers say
they're lucky.
The priests say they ward
off the devil.
Money for old trap, I say.
Well what have we got here?
Some water.
Please, kind sir, some water.
Sir?
Certainly knows who
she is addressing.
Barrios, some water
for our guest.
What's a lady like you doing
in these parts?
You've certainly seen
better days.
Are you scared?
Nothing to be scared of here.
Put your blades away.
Needs our assistance,
and our protection.
There.
Who are you here with, my lady?
I'm no lady.
I said don't get too close.
I needed some water.
Here.
We're almost out.
A few more bends,
and then we'll take
a shortcut across the plains.
Small hill. The castle will be
in sight after that.
I need a moment.
Of course.
Whose shield is this?
Speak or die?
That's Captain Houghton.
He were captain of the
town watch,
from Barnstaple, Devon.
Long way from home.
None of us were to know
each other.
The troubadour found
captains from all over.
Who hired you?
The captain. He hired us.
A man called Mastiff hired him.
That's all I know.
A rich man must have paid them.
Where are you from?
Howden, Yorkshire.
Yorkshire? Friendly and
stubborn, my mother told me.
Friendly when we want to be.
You're going to let me live?
I said that I would.
I gave an oath to kill you.
You are stubborn.
Let's consider it broken.
I don't think I can walk
on my own.
I'll walk with you.
Sh.
You leak more than a
sinking ship.
Be on with you.
That was my moment
to betray you.
You're a piece of work,
aren't you?
When you've heard some of the
confessions I have,
your learn betrayal hides in the
least obvious of places.
Always got an answer,
haven't you?
I've had a long time to think.
I suggest trying it yourself.
You might live a bit longer.
What good are thoughts
without action?
What good are actions
not thought through?
Why are you coming to find him
and not an armed guard?
He's late for prayer.
We better catch him soon.
You got somewhere to be?
I hope the others catch him.
I'm crap with a spear.
I'm all right with a crossbow,
but reloading them.
My father put his back
out trying
to reload them at the
county fair last year.
He was shooting at
the county fair?
Of course not. He was just
reloading for them.
They pay a silver each
when they win.
Why are you here then?
Wasn't meant to be.
My brother signed up,
but he fell sick.
Said no one would know each
other, paid well,
so I thought I'd take his place.
Great.
Are you a warrior then?
Blacksmith apprentice.
Been in three battles, though.
My mother said, the only way
that this world remembers
your name is if you do
something great.
Thought this might be it.
You thought wrong.
Your mother was right.
Hunting a man in a
forest, though,
is neither noble nor great.
Go home.
Choose now.
They're not professionals.
Some perhaps.
This is your brother's work,
isn't it?
Getting whoever he can fix
his grubby hands on
to do his dirty work.
John's always hated you.
You cast a big shadow.
Was that necessary?
He came here for death.
He found it.
Why do you follow your
rich prick?
He's headstrong, spoiled.
Selfish at times.
All the things you'd
love to hear.
All the things we all are
in our own ways.
But I follow him because he
does what he says.
That's easy. Anyone of
honor does that.
Is it easy?
Your father, did he always
do what he said?
They were bakers.
Less responsibility than some.
Less money.
Did they always do
what they said?
Father said he'd make us rich.
And?
I'm here.
William Marshal, nobleman,
fought against
Richard in the war.
When Richard won, he gave lands
to people like William.
Everyone who swapped at
the end, hoping to be
on the winning side,
he took lands away from.
Rewarded the honorable.
Punished the spineless.
Friend or foe, all dealt
with the same.
Your rich prick is King Richard?
You didn't think there
were a lot of you,
for one rich prick?
How do you feel now?
I hated his father. I'm sure
he's just as bad.
Why?
I hate all noble born.
How many do you know?
I wouldn't be friends with
the likes of them.
May he who is without sin
cast the first stone.
Think they'd be friends with me?
They already cast a stone.
Judge as you find.
Think before you act.
Think twice before you react.
That from your Good Book too?
No, that's mine.
Come on.
It's more of them.
Let me help.
I can.
I know you can fight
whilst you still breathe.
But I can't whilst I'm
worrying about you.
Did they really warn you
off of marrying me?
Everyone I mentioned it to.
You really did mention it
to people then?
I haven't seen
anyone in a while.
They're here.
We should have seen more.
Must have been less of us.
What are you...
Relax.
You can hear the rich long
before you see them.
All that coin.
The more jobs like this you do,
the more at ease you become.
Can always tell an
experienced soldier
by how relaxed they are.
You're not a soldier.
Hired hand, sell sword, soldier.
All the same.
But they're not, though.
A soldier's trained,
defends his country.
They fight for gold.
As do we.
There's talk of the
Crusade coming.
Might be heading
there after this.
That's where the real gold is.
Religion means money.
How else would they pay for
the cathedral in Paris?
They've been building for years.
What do you intend to
do with that?
I'm here to help you.
There's something over there.
You better not betray me, woman.
Hey, I saw something.
Get back!
Are you here for the
gold as well?
Is that all your life is worth
to you? Is it?
His answer was yes.
Any others with you?
I almost didn't come
looking myself.
I'm glad you did.
Rarely a good day, when it's
comforting to see a priest.
Anselm.
- Lea.
- My lady.
She's not a...
Crossbow bolt.
Just the one.
You're lucky. It didn't
hit the bone.
Gutter rats.
Is it bad?
No.
As bad a liar as him.
Poison?
Well it will either fade or...
Prove fatal.
It's impossible to tell.
Let's get you back
to the castle.
I have nothing with me
that will help her.
Friend of yours?
Maybe.
Leading us out. I believe there
were twenty sent to kill you.
No, I've killed that many.
Let me make this simple.
If she dies, you die.
How many more?
I don't know.
Lead us back to the castle.
And lose the knife.
Thank you.
It's my pleasure.
Pain comes and goes.
Can you feel your fingers?
Yes.
And your toes?
No.
Well, you're standing
well enough.
Very well, that's a good sign.
Put your weight on me,
as much as you need.
Lea.
More water.
The poultice seems to
be holding well,
stopping the blood, that's good.
The pain keeps growing.
So thirsty.
Do you know what
poison this was?
Slowly.
You were quite the
chatterbox earlier?
Who is she? Those
are servant's clothes.
His friend.
I need a moment.
She can't be noble born.
She worked in the stables,
next to his swordmaster.
Wasn't a surprise when he took
to riding after every lesson.
We were told our man
was out hunting.
Hunting.
Heard they call him a butcher.
Hunts for sport,
kills for pleasure.
He doesn't like hunting.
He likes birds.
Falcons, hawks.
He lets them hunt.
And those men?
Poke a spear at a lion,
don't be surprised if it rips
your throat out.
How are your legs feeling, Lea?
Painfully tired.
That's a good sign.
This is the quickest way?
Through this scrubland,
bit more forest,
past the lake,
then over the hill
and you're out of the Kingswood.
Be safer staying in the forest.
It will take longer.
Take that great path nearby.
Guessing that's how you got in.
Shortest it is.
She can lean on my
shoulder if he likes.
If the king needs help,
he'll ask for it.
He's not king yet.
Which horse did you
ride yesterday?
Druss.
Big old beast.
Fast and brave.
Exercise did him good.
Better than it's doing us now.
Walking arm in arm in the
company of others,
in the open, I like
this exercise.
You make bad
situations bearable.
That's a talent.
One of many.
Go after her.
I'm not leaving you.
Anselm!
Crown jewels polished.
How many more?
Those left will be the
best of them.
The others were likely to just
be on the lookout.
Ambush as a group.
The thought had crossed my mind.
Let's not make this
easy for them.
You've never liked me,
Chaplain Anselm, have you?
I must go.
Down the stairs, turn right.
All the way down the corridor,
it'll lead you back
to the stables.
Walk quickly. Not too
quickly, though.
Behave, my friends are gonna
run out of excuses
as to why I'm late.
Just tell them you're being
held to ransom.
Ransom me? Unbelievable,
but I am your captive.
Are you lost, child?
Child?
Excuse me.
I saw you on the ground, I...
I was praying.
Of course.
Your clothes are...
For riding, which is where
I've come from.
I'm sorry if they're not up
to your usual standard of guest.
You're a guest?
Why else would I be here using
the accoutrements of the castle?
That's a big word for
a foreigner.
Should I have used a
smaller one?
Probably.
Child.
Be nice.
If I wasn't being nice,
I would have called the guards
to escort you out.
But you're not going to?
No.
Lea.
You have me at a disadvantage.
I'm Chaplain Anselm.
Heard a lot about you.
And I you.
He trusts you.
We have that in common.
What makes you say that?
You're here.
I daresay we'll see more
of each other.
I hope so.
I don't.
Fare thee well.
Fare thee well.
Sorry.
It's fine. How's the pain?
It's fine.
Lea.
I can't feel my legs anymore.
I haven't for a while.
It's hemlock.
You can't be sure.
This quickly and like this,
I can be and I am.
I wish I was wrong.
What can we do?
There is no cure.
Even if we got you back,
all I can do is make you
comfortable.
Let's head to the lake
over there.
You always liked the swans.
They'll pay, don't you worry.
Calm.
I'll keep watch.
Fare thee well,
my lady.
Let's see the swans.
Swans only have one lover.
That's why I like them.
I know how much you love them.
That's why I like them.
They're so peaceful and
graceful.
Kiss me.
I can't.
Let me.
Don't.
Lie with me.
It's not living that matters.
But living rightly.
Socrates.
He took all the best lines.
I think this is a
convenient goodbye.
Never. I gave you my oath.
I heard a lot of oaths today.
That's what you should
call your sword.
Oathbreaker.
There will always be those
who challenge you.
Only those who fight for nothing
have no enemies.
Those who fight for truth,
honor, have the most.
Oathbreaker it is.
Socrates would be proud.
This was never to be.
Perhaps in a different world.
When we are both swans.
They're gathering.
How many?
At a guess, around twenty.
If you carry her all the way,
you'll be exhausted.
As you wish.
If they have crossbow bolts,
we'll be peppered
from a distance as soon
as they see us.
Not looking good, is it?
Richard, stop.
We'll be in range soon
if they do.
We were rushing bec...
There's no rush now.
My brother John, he did this.
You did this.
You did this. Where you walk,
danger follows.
If I could just...
What? Done what you want?
If everyone did what they want,
the world would be chaos.
It's doing what's right that
makes the difference.
Coming here was wrong,
and you know it.
I will not let you make the same
mistake for me.
I don't have to listen to this.
And I didn't have to come and
find you when I realized
you'd gone and done the one
thing you'd been told not to do.
See the woman I love?
Endanger the country.
You make choices thinking only
of yourself, what you want.
You are about to be king.
Every decision you make from
that point on will echo
through time, and still you
act like this.
If that bolt had hit you, your
brother would have gone
for the throne, your bastard
brother too.
The lords would revolt,
the country falls to civil war
with thousands dead,
and all because of getting
between a girl's legs!
You've gone too far.
As have you, my prince.
Now let's lay Lea down in the
shade, approach with caution,
and then come back and
bring her home.
I don't want to leave her.
And I don't want my death to be
another one of your mistakes.
At sunset, we'll have our
men looking for us.
I'm not standing here
waiting to be
turned into a pincushion.
If they dare to move first,
as one, we lose.
We either take them apart
in small groups,
or we choose the ground
and attack first.
The longer they have to
take a shot,
the more accurate they will be.
Say a prayer for the men in
there, Chaplain.
The devil is loose.
Over there. Aim!
Loose. Loose, quickly.
Here we go.
Who sent you?
I swore an oath.
So be it.
If one of them admits,
we need to keep them alive.
A big if.
I recognize this place.
The hill is up ahead.
It's near where I entered.
They'll be upon us soon enough,
but if we can make it
to that hill.
We'll have the high ground.
I'll take every advantage
we can get right now.
Bit of luck, the sun
might favor us.
Uphill, sun in their eyes.
Follow my lead.
That's everything I know.
We should go to the hill now.
Ambush them as they
try to leave.
Mastiff.
You said they were walking
in the open.
Took them long enough
to be spotted.
You're scared.
If you'd have seen them fight.
Fear leads to hesitation.
Hesitation is death.
We have forty men,
all closing in.
Crossbows first.
They've killed half that many.
I said the purse would
be split evenly,
which means more for you.
All about the money, aren't you?
Way I see it, blood is gold to
the right person.
But you're not here for the
gold, are you?
My brother is in chains.
King's dungeon.
He was caught hunting in the
Kingswood last winter.
Hunting a noble is justice
for your brother.
I think we're hunting higher
than a noble.
His lover was killed by one
of our crossbows.
Poisoned, hemlock.
Maybe a rival member of
court hired us.
No idea.
Everything goes through
a troubadour.
Troubadour pays me, I pay you.
Hemlock?
What happens if he doesn't pay?
We kill him. But he will.
Even if these escape,
one will suffice.
We'll deserve a bonus.
What happens if whoever hired
him doesn't pay?
The troubadour tells everyone
who hired him.
So what?
With the likes of lords
and ladies,
knowledge is more
important than money.
We should go to the hill now.
Ambush them as
they try to leave.
Getting closer.
The hill is a good idea.
So is asking for a bonus.
It's time.
Three crows.
They're coming for us.
We must hope they are not
at the hill's peak,
trust they're slow reloading,
and approach into the sun.
That's a lot of assumptions.
That's a lot of faith, Chaplain.
Faith in other men often leads
to disappointment.
Then let us keep faith
in ourselves.
Whilst there's a chance,
there's hope.
Who crowed three times?
I crowed because you lot were
crowing. Where are they?
Bloody troubadours couldn't
organize a prayer in a nunnery.
Never thought much of that
troubadour Blondel.
Blondel? Beauchamp's our man.
You're not supposed
to know that.
There they are, they're on the
hill, crossbows lead!
The sun may favor us yet.
The crossbows only get one shot.
Follow my lead. We have
the high ground.
Come on, lads.
They're up here, come on.
Get yourself up here!
There!
Charge!
Hold.
Now.
You don't need to die today.
Four on one, rich boy.
I'm no boy.
I am Prince Richard, soon to
be king of England.
Duke of Normandy,
Aquitaine and Gascony.
The Count of Anjou.
You have all committed
treason here today,
but you have my word, enough
blood has been spilled.
Tell me the name of
who sent you,
and you may all go home, alive.
Then who will pay us, you?
A life is a rich gift when I'm
looking at a dead man.
You're looking at a kingslayer.
And you lot look like you're
about to do something stupid.
Tell him who hired us.
I may be many things,
a sell sword is one.
But when I give my word,
it's stronger than oak.
Don't be a fool.
Tell him.
I ain't telling him, and I
ain't telling you.
Tell him who hired us. You're
not gonna get paid now.
You're right, and all I have
left is my honor.
Not for long. Make
him squeal, boys.
Stop!
What's that?
That's hemlock.
Rat poison.
You stupid bastard, Derick.
Tell him who sent us.
No one said to use hemlock.
Tell him who sent us.
You.
Poison is something I
would never use.
Who sent you?
I have a simple code.
My word is my bond.
I gave mine that I
would never say.
Then I shan't ask again.
Then let's see who's better
with a sword.
I know.
There's no dishonor
if she tells.
You fight well, sell sword,
but you won't beat
the two of us.
Well?
I know the name of the
troubadour.
And?
I want your word that you'll
free those who are
in your dungeons for breaking
the laws of the forest.
You're making demands
now as well?
Making a request.
We didn't know that we
were hunting you.
Didn't like your father,
but I don't know you.
All I can do is have faith
you're different.
You want a clean slate, those in
your jails deserve one too.
I'll give you the name either
way. I just have to ask.
She died, didn't she?
He did say not to use poison.
The troubadour was Beauchamp.
That's one of John's.
I am sorry for your loss.
If you are a man of your word,
I ask for it now.
Are there any more in
this forest?
If they're not here,
they're either dead
or running for their lives.
I give you my word.
And now I give you mine. Kneel.
Answer quickly and true.
Have you given an
oath to kill me?
I swore I'd kill one.
No more, no less, and
none by name.
For what it's worth,
I'm sorry I did.
Escort these two back
to the castle,
and you shall have a
job in my service
until the end of your days.
Betray me, and I shall kill you.
As you wish, sire.
What you have requested
shall come to pass.
Send William to me, and to
clear this mess up.
Eyes on John day and night.
Morning after the coronation,
bring him in.
We are summoned.
Anselm,
do you know the king's mind?
Oh, there was a family.
Mother, father,
she was their only child.
They were living in
abject poverty.
I will take care of them.
The public know little.
John will be ready for war.
It may even have been what he
was hoping to create.
And what do we do about John?
Jerusalem has fallen.
Pilgrims slaughtered.
John can wait.
If I was the king...
You would avenge.
I would have to.
Honor requires it.
We would have him
kill who he likes
but not love who he wants.
I let John escape to Dover.
He's heading to France
this morning.
We cannot risk civil war.
Jailer, I want the forest
prisoners released.
You two, go and supervise,
back there.
You, with me.
Sister.
Heavy, isn't it?
I sent for you, Beauchamp,
because my brother desires
that crown.
I believe he's hired
a mercenary.
I'm shocked to hear that,
my lord.
But, if I can be of service,
I will. You have my word.
I shall count on it.
This is the man. Can he
be trusted?
Evidently not.
That means he can.
William, you're late.
My apologies, sire.
I have been waiting for a
messenger pigeon, from Dover.
All is as your majesty
commanded.
Escort Beauchamp to
my brother John,
who is being held at Dover
on my orders.
John ran? I did not know that.
I've never enjoyed the
games of court.
You may say I wear my heart
on my sleeve,
for if you shall rise my anger,
you shall feel it.
Trespass against me,
and you shall see it.
Call me to action,
I shall reap my wrath
so terribly all should know it.
- I would do it...
- Enough!
You want me dead?
You want civil war?
Enough.
Your treachery shall be
evident for eternity
as a reminder of the man
that you chose to be.
Let it be recorded that my
brother John and his entourage,
including you, Beauchamp,
are banished.
Mercadier, is it done?
Buried by the lake,
as you asked.
How did you know I let him go?
You did what you thought
was right,
which is sometimes all
a man can do.
Wrong though it was.
Socrates would have
known that being
a leader is always lonely.
For your friends will live long
enough to disappoint you,
or short enough to leave
you longing.