The Endi Project

Episode 1

Scene 1

The morning of the Rashani festival Korakalee.

Opening shot is of the sunrise shining through the bed protal of a Rashani home in a Cherka tree.

BRYCE is standing in the entrance to the bed protal. He is half turned so that he is looking back inside the bed portal. His expression is thoughtful, warm. At this point it isn’t clear what he is looking at although judging by the sunlight on his face it looks as if he’s watching the sun rise through the opposite window.

As the camera swings around behind him and at first shows the window beyond, it seems as if that is what he’s looking at. But the camera view moves down (as if Bryce is looking down and here we see IARA sleeping in the bed portal.

The same light that warms his face falls on her making her look peaceful and content.

She moves in her sleep and turns so that she is facing him. The blankets covering her fall away and show that she is pregnant.

The camera switches back to BRYCE and his head tilts up as he smiles. He then turns and walks through the rest of his home, picking up his hunting gear as he does so.

As he exits into the morning sunlight he casts one more fond look into his home and then goes off into the forest.

Scene 2 (KINYADA and BRYCE)

BRYCE walks along one of the cherka tree branches. He looks relaxed and is casually scanning the forest around him.

Camera moves to an angle above BRYCE, something or someone is watching him and following him. We see Bryce pass below – the camera follows him.

Cut to BRYCE, still walking along. Suddenly he frowns, steps to one side, turning as :-

KINYADA lands where BRYCE was standing a moment earlier.

BRYCE: Is it me or are you getting slower these days?

KINYADA: (Rises and brushes off his hands) Hey, you have to admit it Bryce. I almost had you that time. (he raises his hand and brings it towards BRYCE, holding his thumb and forefinger about a centimetre apart) It took this much longer for you to react this time.

BRYCE: Ah ha…and I suppose it wouldn’t do you any good to let you know I might actually be going easy on you today and besides, (waves hand in front of his face) if you took a bath more than once a season you might actually get closer.

KINYADA: (turns and starts to climb up the trunk of the nearest cherka tree) I’ll have you know that the ladies find my musk quite alluring. (he disappears into the branches above)

BRYCE: (folds his arms and looks up into the branches where we hear rustling sounds. He has a wry smile on his face) They only find it alluring because their common sense got knocked out of them with that first whiff.

A backpack lands on the branch next to BRYCE and moments later KINYADA, carrying the rest of his hunting gear lands beside it.

KINYADA: Believe what you will. It works for me and it could work for you too.

BRYCE: (shakes his head and smiles. He walks to the Edge of the branch and looks down.

KINYADA joins him and also looks down. The two stand side by side.

BRYCE: It looks like everyone in the Tokiate is coming today.

The camera pans down and shows the branches and ground beneath Kinyada and Bryce. Here we see Rashani making their way towards Bryce’s village. The same direction from which Bryce has come.

KINYADA: mmhmmm and as if anyone would miss the Korakalee and a chance to enjoy themselves. But more importantly it’s Iara’s big day. (looks up and down at BRYCE) Her big day and the day you get kicked out for two months. (he smiles and it’s obvious he’s just jesting about all this).

BRYCE (says nothing, he’s still watching the arriving Rashani with a thoughtful smile on his face.

KINYADA: (SHRUGS) well you’re a lost cause then..

Bryce: (LOOKS UP AT Kinyada)) No, I think I’m pretty much found.

KINYADA: If you say so. Personally I think I think you’re crazy.

Scene 3 Kagaya and Iara

(bit showing Iara waking up?)

(a face…maybe obscured by mist at times talks- the camera is focused on the face and not much can be seen apart from that.)

Face: Again. The plague ravishing the Innomu has caused the usually warring factions to now actually agree on one issue.

(Scene changes to show Iara walking through the village on her way to meet Kagaya, she greets some of the villagers as she passes. As this is going on the voice of the head continues)

FACE: “efforts are being made for the forced registration of all Rashani. It would seem that this is to uncover the lineage of every member of that race.”

(the scene shifts TO Kagaya’s home…pulling back from the face and the room around it. It is now obvious that the face is some kind of projection/hologram. The head continues to speak.

FACE: This would seem to confirm the rumours that there are Endi – the apparent and somewhat elusive hope for the Innomu’s survival – somewhere on Rasha.

(the expression on the face’s feature becomes somewhat amused.)

FACE: While it seems the Innomu aren’t concerned about the cost of the mercenaries hired to locate these fabled Endi, it’s quite apparent that no-one seems to know exactly what an Endi is.

(scene changes back to IARA. She’s now reached KAGAYA’S place. As she is about to enter he stops and watches two villagers climb and hop nimbly down to the forest floor. A wistful, longing expression crosses her face as she raps lightly on the entrance to Kagaya’s home. The door is open and so she enters calling out as she goes in.)

IARA: Kagaya? (or Toki? I’m not sure on the formality or whatnot here)

(Inside Kagaya starts – she’s been so intent on the report that IARA’s words and seemingly sudden appearance are a surprise to her.)

KAGAYA: Oh! (maybe she places her hand on her chest as she turns to see who the newcomer is, relaxing maybe a bit more when she sees it’s IARA. Iara (maybe she lets out a breath with this word) I didn’t hear you come in. (she goes to Iara and the two women embrace. Behind her the report continues, re-iterating the bit about registration.

Iara looks past Kagaya and sees/hears the report. She frowns and looks back at Kagaya.

IARA: You shouldn’t worry so. They will never set foot here and besides our Tokiate, the Rahani…we have nothing to hide from anyone, especially these Innomu.”

KAGAYA: (has turned her head slightly to look back at the report. As such Iara doesn’t seen the slightly guilty expression (or worry) that crosses Kagaya’s face. She then looks fully at Iara.)

There may be nothing to hide but (she turns the hologram/report off and sits down). I fear this is more than that. If the Innomu get their way, if we are forced to register then it won’t stop there.

IARA: I know the Innomu don’t think much of us, we’re too simple for their tastes (the word ‘simple is said in a sarcastic tone of voice). But what would they have to gain from causing us strife?

KAGAYA: Listen to the reports Iara! The Innomu are slowly dying. They’re desperate for a cure, desperate for hope. If they come here they will tear our lives apart looking for their hope. What will start out as a search through our bloodlines will end in our blood being spilled!

IARA: (looks worried/concerned, she woke in an upbeat mood, looking forward to the festival that night. However even though she has heard Kagaya speak of such things before, perhaps until now she hasn’t fully appreciated The threat that the Innomu might pose to the Rashani. More importantly she is now realising that if the Innomu did come to Rasha then it will be her problem. She will be Toki and the Tokiate will be her responsibility. Maybe no words are spoken but perhaps it can be seen in the expression on her face, maybe she glances out of the window at the village beyond.

IARA: (speaking more quietly than before) It shouldn’t come to that. I hope it never comes to that, if they did come; what can we do?

KAGAYA: (sighs) I don’t know. If we stood up against them…it wouldn’t go well for us. Perhaps it would be best to wait them out…maybe follow the old Rashans example and vanish for a time. Wait for the Innomu to find what it is they’re looking for and leave.

IARA: Hiding? We could be doing that for the rest of our lives (sounds as if she doesn’t like that idea very much)

KAGAYA: At least we would still live.

IARA (is about to speak when there is a knock on the door. A voice is heard.

Voice: Toki?

KAGAYA: (Gets up) They’ve come earlier than I expected. (she looks at Iara) Maybe I do fear something that will never be but I would rather be prepared for the worst than be caught unawares by it. (she now moves towards the door) But, (her tone lightens – perhaps she is forcing herself to sound more upbeat) it is only a possible tomorrow and we shouldn’t let it sour today of all days.

(Kagaya opens the door, outside are a number of children, accompanied by an adult. (probably one of the elders of the tribe)

KAGAYA: (smiles at the kida) Welcome.

(not sure if there’s some kind of greeting but if there is then it would go here)

ADULT/ELDER: Here they are, as promised, (looks down at one of the kids (::note:: how old are the kids?) and affectionately ruffle his or her feathers (I guess this action depends on the age)) although I think some of them would have preferred to spend a little bit longer sleeping.

(kid squirms a bit, probably embarrassed, although by the reaction it’s clear that the teasing is good natured and not malicious.)

KAGAYA: And miss the festival? (chuckles) I don’t think anyone would want to sleep through Korakalee.

(there is a lot of shaking of heads from the kids – no none want to miss the festival)

(Kagaya invites the kids into her home. There is an open area with a lot of cushions on the floor. The elder takes his or her leave and Kagaya invites the kids to sit on the cushions. Once the kids are settled Kagaya sits before them, maybe on the floor. Iara goes to a side table (or cabinet) and picks up a small wooden box. She returns to the group as Kagaya begins.)

KAGAYA: Now, do you know why you were called here?

(the kids nod. – one bolder than the rest says

CHILD 1: Mm hmm. My mother said we were to learn more about the festival.

KAGAYA (nods) That’s right, so now let me tell you the tale of why we celebrate Korakalee.

(as Kagaya tells the story we see it as scenes…)

KAGAYA (voiceover) Long ago the six naga-Tokis - our mothers, came to this world. All were with child and only two months remained until they brought their children into the world.

(show the naga –tokis steeping out of a ship and looking out over Rasha.)

(change to next scene)

(voiceover)The old Rashans gave the naga tokis a home, they protected them and yet they also feared the children, their children. And so they fled

(show a naga toki sleeping – a shadow moves away from her, outside it meets up with other shadows and they go off together.)

(change to next scene)

(The child who answered before (or maybe another one) bursts out)

CHILD: They abandoned them? (some of the other kids give the child who has spoken disapproving looks, one says “shhh!”

KAGAYA: (smiles) No, it’s all right.

(the scene changes as Kagaya tells more of the story)

(show a naga toki stepping out of her front door and looking down and seeing the gift of fruit.)

KAGAYA: (voiceover) It is true that the naga-tokis never saw the old Rashans again but they had not been abandoned. Each morning, when the naga-tokis woke they would find gifts of fruit on their doorstep.

Scene fades back into Kagaya and the kids.”

CHILD: The old Rashans left them?

KAGAYA: (nods) and so, to honour and remember we do the same. Although for us, the fathers return when the child is born.

Now (she stands and Iara approaches her and gives her the box)(we see Iara motioning for the kids to stand. Kagaya opens the box and removes a bead) Take this and add it to you nalai. (maybe showing Kagaya’s own Nalai so the viewer knows what she’s talking about) Remember the tale I have told you as you enjoy the festival tonight. (show her and Iara passing the beads out to the kids. The kids saying thanks and even show them attatching the bead to their nalai)

KAGAYA: (as she is helping one of the kids) Also remember that one day the role of the naga-tokis or the old Rashans may be one you take one.

(as she speaks she looks up at Iara and smiles at the toki to be. The camera focuses on Iara as she looks up from helping one of the kids and smiles back at Kagaya as the scene fades out and ends.

Scene 4: Bryce and Kinyada

Setting: The village, sometime in the afternoon. It’s busier and more noisy than when Bryce and Kinyada left earlier that morning.

(Bryce and Kinyada come back into the village, heading back to some spot near where they are preparing food for the festival. There are bowls of fruit and in one corner some barrels or containers of some alcoholic drink. At one end there are tables and a clean area where meat is been prepared, ready to be stored or cooked that night. It’s to this corner that Bryce and Kinyada…both heavily ladened with their kills head towards.

Some Rashani greet them as they pass although it seems as is Bryce is getting the lion’s share of the attention. (we find out why later)

The two, in high spirits pass a table where an older Rashini male is packing some meat into cold storage (or whatever the Rashini use to keep meat from going off too quickly). He looks up as Bryce and Kinyada approach him.

OLDER MALE: (calls to them) Had a bit of luck on the hunt lads?

Scene 5. Bryce, Kagaya and Iara

Scene 6 The festival

Scene 7 Bryce and Kinyada’s farewell.

Bryce is walking through the forest at night. It is quiet, only Bryce’s footsteps and the sound of the night animals can be heard.

He then stops as Kinyada’s voice can be heard…a little bit in the distance calling. “Hey wait up.” We can’t see Kinyada as of yet.

BRYCE: (turns) This isn’t exactly supposed to be part of the rite you know.

(we now see Kinyada...maybe a little drunk)

KINYADA: Yup, the only ones who know where we are, eh, (holds up hands in a shrug) us. (looks around) and if I’d had a bit more to drink I probably wouldn’t know where I am either. (grins)

BRYCE: (smiles at his friend) Then I guess we’re lucky then. (Looks past Kinyada and then back to his friend) Although just to set the record straight. I’m not the one sneaking

Around. Still, if you’re coming.

(They go down close to the forest floor, coming to rest on one of the roots of the great cherka trees. Just below them is a pool of water (just like in the image Krista did).

BRYCE (puts his pack down and sits down beside it. Kinyada joins him.

KINYADA: It was quite the festival wasn’t it?

BRYCE: feels his ri’is stone tattoo ‘spike’) Hmn, yeah. Especially when you’re near the centre of it.

KINYADA: You know you were in the…

BRYCE: (shakes head) Nah, Iara was the centre of it.

KINYADA: (smiles and shrugs) I guess you’re right. She’s going to be busy once she’s toki. Still, you’ll be back in two months so you’ll be able to lend a hand.

BRYCE: (sighs and sits back against the tree) I know this is tradition but…

KINYADA: You’d like to be around Iara a bit more than you’re going to be for a while.

BRYCE: Exactly.

KINYADA: Well it’s not like you won’t ever see her again (pauses and considers) and that’s probably what this is all about anyway.

BRYCE: (lifts an eyebrow and looks at Kinyada quizzically.)

KINYADA: You know. Keeping you away from the things you do have so you can actually appreciate them for what they are and don’t lose sight of them when you get back (frowns) or something like that.

BRYCE: It’s probably close to the mark. Still, it’s two months and I already know what I have.

KINYADA: Ah, what’s two months compared to the rest of your life? Now lighten up! For once, stop thinking so much, it’s giving me a headache. (said in jest)

BRYCE: (relaxes a little) and the drink isn’t?

KINYADA: (holds a finger up) that’s for later. Speaking of which…

(the scene fades out – or the camera looks up into the night sky and we see dawn come into it and then full daylight. We then go back to Bryce and Kinyada who have been talking all night.

KINYADA: (stands up and yawns, scratching his head) I should get back. As comfortable as a hard wooden branch is, my own bed is calling me. (looks down at Bryce) I guess I’ll be seeing you then.

BRYCE: (still sitting , nods and smiles. He extends his hand and arm towards Kinyada) Two months then.

KINYADA: (takes the hand in some kind of handshake…maybe like a warriors handshake) yeah, if I don’t have to come and pull your tail (any other kind of word they’d use for ass/butt/arse?) out of trouble before then.

BRYCE: Riiiight ! (smiles) But could you, you know…if you’re in my village…

KINYADA: Hey, Iara could take better care of herself than we could ever do. She’s tough. (said in a lighthearted tone which becomes a little more serious as he continues) But, yeah….if I’m in your village I’ll check up on her.

BRYCE: Thanks.

KINYADA: No problem. Well I’ll be seeing you then. (he raises his hand and says ‘bye’. He turns and walks away, presumably in the direction of his own village. A short distance away he turns and looks back at Bryce.)

And don’t worry! It’ll all still be there when you get back.

(he turns and then is gone)

BRYCE: (leans back against the tree)

(to himself) Of course it is.

The camera pulls back and shows the peaceful scene around him as Bryce begins his meditiation.

It is on this scene that the camera fades to black and episode 1…

…Ends