Strings

Leave me.

Hal, my son,

when you read this letter I shall be dead.

I leave you the throne of Hebalon.

You have not yet been to war

and been part of the evil

that has darkened our lives for centuries,

the ancient hatred between us and the Zeriths,

in which I myself played such a large part.

I cannot forgive myself.

I wish to die, Hal.

Do what I could not.

create peace and justice between ourselves and the Zeriths.

But beware of Nezo, my wicked brother,

and his treacherous henchman Ghrak.

As for your sister,

do not let her leave your side.

Guard her more closely than your life.

My son, it is time now that I cut my head-string

and end my life.

A life that has taken so much,

but given so little.

"My wicked brother..."

You get a mention too, Ghrak.

What an honour, Nezo.

This is our chance.

So you think that death will set you free, dear brother?

It won't be that easy.

Your miserable suicide will be our little secret.

So, what shall we tell your beloved son?

We'll tell him, that this night the Zeriths have murdered his father.

No, not just the Zeriths, but Sahro,

their brutal and much-feared leader.

You see, dear brother? You and I are bound together.

And you will be the one to rule Hebalon.

Not your spoilt, gilded, self-obsessed, arrogant and childish son.

Let us fetch the golden boy.

It's time for him to be off and avenge his father's death.

Hal Tara,

you pitiful wretch,

what is yours shall be mine.

Have I not waited long and patiently.

I have lived in your shadow like trash.

Like the dirt you tread on with gilded feet.

Hal!

Erito! What are you doing here?

You have to come with me...

It's your father.

My father? What has happened?

Jhinna.

Hal! The Zeriths have murdered our father.

Look. their mark.

Sahro?

They have cut him down, all of him.

Not one of his strings is left.

Father!

The Kharo is dead.

Close the gates, seal all exits.

Hebalon has asked for peace,

but Sahro and his fanatical horde of Zeriths

have sent us a clear message.

There will be no peace.

No one can feel safe now.

Tell the people to stay indoors!

Hebalon is at war!

Mother, I'm stuck! I can't get down!

Come on. That's it. This way.

Hal Tara, this is ridiculous!

Keep the mask on! You're Sahro!

Come on! This mask doesn't make me Sahro,

and it doesn't make you a mighty warrior.

Hal. Stop.

Listen to me!

What are you doing?

What are you doing?

If I had really been Sahro, you wouldn't just have lost your hand, there.

You'd have lost your head-string.

I almost had you.

This is serious business, Hal.

You're the Kharo's son, not a warrior.

I am a General.

Let my men take care of the Zeriths.

Stay here, Hal.

You're going to be the Kharo.

Dream on, Erito. You wooden head.

Hal, my son,

when you read this letter I shall be dead.

Father!

What is happened?

- Nothing. - But your hand?

Mind your own business.

Erito will take care of it.

Attention, you lot!

You're in luck, Sir, we've got pretty much everything in stock right now.

Hands, feet, good strong knees, sturdy thighs.

Stand still for the General!

We found this one up North of the Nordessa Forest.

Good climate up there, so he ain't got no rot on him.

What d'you need?

- A hand. - Who for?

- Hal Tara. - Oh well, take a look at this one, then.

Pure oak that is, last a lifetime.

Ready for painting, Haven't seen hands good as that in a long while.

I'll take it.

The whole world wounds with you, my children.

The unthinkable has happened,

and a great disaster has overtaken us.

Lie still, will you?

We have searched the entire city.

We fear Sahro slipped away before we closed the city gates.

Lie still, I tell you!

With all my love I suffer with you, my children.

I too am sick with grief at losing my beloved brother

but Hebalon awaits its new Kharo, Hal.

- No, no! - Just shut up!

No, no.

Off with it! Lie still, I tell you! There. Done.

No!

- Your hand's on its way, Sir. - Fine.

- Your new hand. - Excellent.

If anyone is to find Sahro, let it be me.

Let me offer my life to avenge my brother!

I'll have no one say you weren't man enough to avenge your father.

- Me? - Yes.

I am ready.

For what?

Erito, pack up our gear. We leave immediately.

What are you talking about?

Maybe a whole army can't find them, but we two can.

We'll travel in disguise. Find me some slave's clothing.

And a Hodu-painter.

- But it's tonight that father is to... - You're to be crowned Kharo, am I right?

Who is giving the orders here?

You cannot go and find the Zeriths just-like-that.

I'll find them.

And just how do you think they were able to enter a city like Hebalon undetected?

So far, so good.

But what about Erito?

We'll never get him on our side.

We won't only get him on our side, Nezo.

We'll get him to do our dirty work.

Father, come and watch!

Hal is being painted.

Why are you being painted, Hal?

Don't you want to be gold anymore?

It's so that the Zeriths can't recognise me.

Why mustn't the Zeriths recognise you?

Isn't it passed your bedtime?

Dad, Hal's scared of Sahro and the Zeriths.

I'm not scared.

Erito and Eike, isn't it passed your children's bedtime?

Yes, it is.

Mommy, I can't find my sleep-bird.

It's right here.

Maybe I should have chosen another piece of wood.

Something darker, smoother...

She's perfect, Erito.

She's done. I couldn't wish for a more wonderful child.

But her hands... Are her fingers too delicate?

Should I have...?

Don't worry yourself.

Leave her be.

Who will stand by you, Eike, when your time comes?

I have been through this before, my love.

Eike. Take good care of Xath and Daya!

You speak as though you will never come back again.

Promise me that you won't find any Zeriths.

I have to go. Orders are orders.

I wish you were staying here.

Mommy, where is it? I can't sleep if I don't have my bird.

It's right here.

The little fellow's bird.

Father,

Hebalon will not be at peace until the last Zerith has forfeited his strings.

When I step through the city gates tomorrow

no one shall enter or leave until I have found Sahro and avenged my father's murder.

While I'm gone, Nezo shall rule in my place.

Don't be afraid, Jhinna.

Remember what father always used to say

that Sideon guides our strings together.

When the gates have closed behind me, no one will enter Hebalon.

You are completely safe here.

- Hal, you mustn't go. - I have no choice. Jhinna.

Let go of my strings!

Don't leave me. It will be the death of me.

Let go of me, Jhinna!

Help me!

How can they live like that?

They are slaves, the army has taken their strings.

- But what about the children? - They are for breeding.

New slaves, new strings.

Let's make camp for the night.

- Erito. - Ghrak?

Some good advice for a silver-stringed Lord...

I have no need of your advice, old man.

You're getting it anyway. Don't return to Hebalon with Hal alive.

Are you threatening me?

No. I am delivering a message.

If Hal returns to Hebalon alive, you'll never see your family again.

I don't take my orders from you.