Tales from Earthsea (Gedo senki)

Studio Ghibli, Nippon Television Network, Dentsu, Hakuhodo DYMP, Walt Disney Japan, Mitsubishi and Tono Present

Only in silence the word, only in dark the light,

only in dying life:

Bright the hawk's flight on the empty sky.

The Creation of Éa

Ease the sail!

It's blowing too hard!

Curse it! A storm this time of year? Where's my Weatherworker?

What are you waiting for? Calm the waves before we sink!

What's wrong?

Captain... I can't remember them.

I can't remember the True Names of wind and waves.

What? Are you mad?

Captain!

There's something above the clouds!

Where?

What is that?

A dragon! What is it doing here?

There's another one!

Dragons fighting? That's impossible!

More than 2,000 sheep have taken the fever in Enlad alone.

Half of them have died.

Seven hundred cattle have been infected.

We've lost 50 head so far.

In fact, a baby on Taon has also come down with the fever.

Silence!

If we panic, what will become of the People?

Seal off the affected areas.

Send every healer in the kingdom to find a cure.

Send provisions to those who need them.

Wizard Root! Find out what's behind this.

Your Majesty.

And the drought in the provinces?

We sent Weatherworkers but the results were disappointing.

Soon it may be too late for the spring planting.

Why have these misfortunes befalleh us, Root?

I sense the Light dimming, Your Majesty.

The Light?

The Light of the Balance that sustains the world.

Your Majesty!

What now?

Terrible news!

Dragons have been sighted off the coast!

- Dragons? - Two, Majesty. One was killed.

Dragons here, in the East? Can this really be true?

Long ago, dragons and men were one.

But men who coveted possessions chose the land and the sea.

Dragons who wanted freedom, chose wind and fire.

Since then, dragons and men remained apart.

To hear that dragons have been seen, and were even fighting...

The twilight that threatens us is ever deepening.

Bring the captain to me. I would hear more of this.

Root, I want you there too.

Please... Your Majesty!

- We'll get in trouble! - I have to!

- What is it? - Have you seen Prince Arren?

He's been gone since last night.

Prince Arren? Gone?

That's enough.

His Majesty is occupied.

Surely you can see that.

Forgive me.

It's just... he seems so sad lately. We were worried.

That's absurd! Arren is 17, not a child.

Forgive this disturbance, Your Majesty.

Your people are more important.

- Very well, then. - Your Majesty.

I must tend to my correspondence.

We await your command, sire.

I'm imagining things.

Arren!

So you are my death...

Are you hurt?

Steady there, lad!

Is this what you seek?

This is dangerous country for travelers.

You were lucky this time. You must be hungry.

It's not much, but you're welcome to it.

What is your name, lad?

My name is Arren.

Arren, is it? It means sword, doesn't it?

So you hail from Enlad.

How did you know?

That blade was forged with magic.

I doubt you could unsheathe it.

What is it?

It's nothing.

Arren?

If you have nowhere to go, why not come with me?

I doubt our meeting here was an accident.

And I'd welcome a companion on the road.

Arren! Are you coming?

What should I call you?

Call me Sparrowhawk.

Another abandoned farm. Farmers leaving their land...

There's more to this than poor harvests.

Come, Arren. We'd better push on.

Lord Sparrowhawk?

Sparrowhawk will do. What is it?

Sparrowhawk?

Where are we heading?

First, we go to the next town. But after that...

...even I don't know.

- Getting tired? - No.

Come along. We're almost there.

There it is.

Hort Town.

Are they prisoners?

They are slaves.

Here, people are goods to buy and sell.

Trading in human lives!

Two guineas, gentlemen! Do I hear two guineas?

I have two guineas!

Three! Sold to the gentleman for three guineas!

No, sorry! Couldn't possibly find room!

Gauzes from Sow!! Silks from Lorbanery!

Furs and felts and woolens!

Is this a market day?

No. It's like this year round.

Silks and satins! Canvass and fleecefells!

What can I show you?

This is Lorbanery's finest silk!

Fine as a mayfly's wing!

I don't have a wife. I need a cloak for my friend.

Wizards! No girlfriend, eh?

- But I don't need a cloak. - You can't go about like that.

You should hide that thing on your belt.

What about this?

Fleece from Gont. Highest quality.

Four warp strings. This is Andradean work.

On Gont they use six or more.

You used to be a sorceress. Why are you selling fakes?

People don't believe in foolish tricks any more.

My goods are not what I claim.

But at least they're real...

...not mere lies and air like magic and sorcery!

Sparrowhawk!

Thank you!

What!

Unhand me!

Calm yourself, young master.

I have something for you. It's the door to bliss.

What is it?

Hazia, my lord. Ha-zi-a.

Take one. Leave sorrow and fear behind.

No more sorrow or fear...

You'll never be troubled with the pain of this world again.

You needn't pay me. It's my pleasure.

Arren.

What are you doing?

Is this your friend, my lord?

And what about you? Don't wizards have troubles too?

I'm sorry. I have no use for what you're selling.

Save us from the arrogance of sorcerers!

I suppose you've lost your powers too!

Hazia is not something to toy with, Arren. Look!

The hazia eater feels himself in paradise.

Then the spirit leaves the body and wanders aimlessly in darkness.

When it returns? More hazia. And finally, death.

What's the matter?

Feeling better?

The wind is fresh up here.

Something's wrong with this town.

Not only this town, lad.

Farmers' crops wither. Their sheep and cattle are falling sick.

Even people's minds have lost their way.

Is it some sort of pestilence?

No. A pestilence is how the Balance restores itself.

But this? I fear someone is trying to destroy the Balance.

There's only one creature in Earthsea capable of such evil.

Only one.

Well then. Shall we go back to the inn?

I'd like to rest e little longer.

Very well.

I'll be waiting. Keep your wits about you.

I Will.

Slave takers?

A witch, are you?

And an ugly one at that!

Won't fetch much with that face.

Just a few guineas. But we can still have a little fun.

Oww! My finger!

The witch has spirit!

I'm going to enjoy this.

Who's there?

Step forward and show yourself!

Well, well.

What are you doing here, boy?

Go ahead. Take him!

No herd feelings, boy. Just following the boss's orders.

I'll make it quick.

Or maybe you'd like to be a slave?

Beg for your life!

Changed your mind?

Life is nothing to me.

So you want a fight, eh?

Draw your sword!

All right. Now it's my turn.

Uh oh.

Hold on there son. You don't care about the girl?