The Bastard Executioner (2015) s01e02 Episode Script

Previously on The Bastard Executioner (screaming) BERBER: There are many things we do not know about our leader.
Even Petra knows little of his life before he came to the river.
Will you ever tell me what you see? ANGEL CHILD AND ANNORA: Your savior needs you to live the life of a different man.
MAN: Gawain Maddox! - The traveling punisher.
- Ah.
This is half my wage.
If you do not find this satisfactory, move on.
Time is a most aggressive foe, Milus.
I need to make my gains now.
We need to fortify our resources.
Steeper taxes and tariffs.
LADY LOVE: You will break them, Milus.
And we both know there's nothing more dangerous than a Welshman who has nothing to lose.
Tell me, Baroness.
How is it that someone of your privilege may come to know the plight of the common man? It is time.
TORAN: Brother Wilk.
- Ventris comes again.
- Already? JACOB: They'll take what little stock and harvest we have left.
We can't do this without you.
Yea.
Gather supplies.
We'll need to ride before midday.
PETRA: You're not a rebel, Wilkin.
- JONAS: Took us in darkness.
- (laughter) Deadly ghosts.
In familiar hoods.
There was another this time.
Saw a flash of his face.
PETRA: Ventris is sly and brutal.
It's only time and chance before you feel his blade.
- We've barely stock and food to live.
- You're the only stock I can't live without! Is there a mind for fairness in your swift purpose? Of course, my love.
Fair process for every man.
We can't do this alone anymore.
You saw the daffodil hides in the trees.
The Byth Encil rebels would welcome our skill.
VENTRIS: Where are your men?! They went to Glen Darby Birch.
- With their hoods? - Yea! With hoods! (Eva screaming) VENTRIS: Kill them all.
Burn it to the ground.
What are you? - (fire crackling) - _ (shouts) - (groans) - Careful, boy.
S-Sorry, Ma.
(groans) It's shit.
Hmm? Like the lot of you.
- Come here.
- I'm-I'm sorry.
- (baby crying) - Don't mother him.
He needs to feel the pain of his mistake.
JESSAMY: He feels it.
I won't tend it.
Please, enjoy the drink.
We have another bird.
I'll feed you in short.
- Don't put rule on me, whore! - (groans) No.
(crying) Crawl, you cur! JESSAMY: Please, Maddy.
GAWAIN: Show me the trench.
The village! Hyah! (shouts) (horse neighs) (Wilkin groans) (shuddering breaths) No.
(panting) No.
(crying) (crying) (panting) (crying softly) Dear child.
(panting) Oh (sobs) Sweet boy.
My Rhys.
This was Ventris.
His collector as proof! Savage noble! Damn your holy destiny.
(sobbing): Devil Christ.
Damn you.
(grunting) (panting) (grunts) JACOB: The sword.
Crest of Edward the First.
(grunts) CALO: Where does he ride? To meet the devil.
As are we.
Our families Will be avenged.
- (horse neighs) - Hup! (grunts) See to the dead.
This is my fight.
We've all earned this horror.
I've no plan but vengeance.
The only plan left.
Yea, then.
To Castle Ventris.
- (horse neighs) - Ha! (shouting) This is mine.
(shuddering breaths) My due.
My sorrow.
Forgive me.
(sizzling, quiet gasping) (panting, sobbing) Born with a heart That could ache more than beat The mind of a killer The soul of the meek Flock with no shepherd Is a vulnerable game I can live without a hearth Without love But I do need a name Father, do you burn If your hand is in fire? Does your head spin with rage When fooled by the liars? King of the kings Do you feel any pain? Do you feel any pain? _ The witch.
What brings you so far east, woman? The same thing that brings all of you.
We flee the darkness.
Did you witness the massacre? No.
But I will witness yours unless you alter your purpose.
There's nothing to alter.
We face what's ahead.
But you do not need to face it alone.
Your cynic he has ties to the way of victory.
You are all knots and coil.
(inhales) Pain of yesterday's fierce effort.
(sighs softly) So you found your bandits.
No.
But we met with the proof of their guilt.
And you've returned with that proof? (chuckles) Difficult to carry bone and slag.
(door opens) CORBETT: My lord.
A scout came through from midshire this morning.
Spotted seven men traveling east last night.
One with a sword bearing Longshanks' mark.
Our bandits on a mission, perhaps.
Taking their vengeance to my gate? Are they that mad with grief? Or soldiers willing to die in service of their sorrow.
I think it best we meet them in journey, away from anyone who may see this fool play as valiant.
Stay.
Protect the walls.
Prepare a full legion of foot soldiers.
I'll gut this warrior bandit.
Choke him cold with a snare of his own entrails.
A fine plan, my lord.
Are you waiting for a royal proclamation? Go with him, Reeve.
Yes, indeed.
Chamberlain.
My lady.
(horses neighing) Who are you, traveler? Gawain Maddox, milord.
I come up from the South.
Punisher by trade.
You have tools in possession? Yea'on.
Ride with us.
I may need your services.
My family.
Ride the main trail north.
It leads to Castle Ventris.
They can wait there.
Just follow on.
I'll be with you.
(horses sputtering) Do you remember me, Earl Constable? I'm the knight you sent to his death at the hands of the hoarding Scots.
Impossible.
You know this man, my lord? If you are indeed that knight, you're either a deserter or a ghost.
If not dead then, then dead now.
I live with the terror of your betrayal every day.
But I'll spare you that pain.
Death will quiet your mind.
They're all rebels, milord.
Time to go back to hell, Marcher Baron! (whistles) (horses neighing) Deus vult! (men shouting) (yells) Go, go, go! (screams) (neighs) (grunts) (screams) Not ghost, nor deserter.
Nor hood.
(yells) (yells) (yells) VENTRIS: London will hunt down the hooded bandits and crush your toy rebellion.
I've no rebellion.
Just a need to see you die.
(yells) How is he? Will he heal? Only blood runs, no other humors.
He will sleep.
BERBER: Ventris was right.
The king's army will come, hunt down the hooded thieves.
Yea.
No rock unturned until our shit holes are split on the cradle.
Mm.
Your, uh your dark friend is he, um in our pope's grace? A moor, converted in his homeland.
A good Catholic like us all.
Yea.
Bloody work is the Lord's.
TORAN: Indeed.
I need a name to offer my thanks.
Gruffudd.
You're the one they call "the wolf.
" I'm called many hard things.
Most by my wife.
Thank you for answering our plea, Gruffudd.
We serve each other, friend.
The baron's forged weapons will be a welcome change from our sticks and cobbled blades.
Ventris has lost nearly two legions.
His army is weakened.
We're not ready to storm walls.
Even with noble swords.
But word of this victory will spread and it will inspire.
Our numbers will grow.
I have no doubt.
Godspeed for your knight's return to sound body.
An unlikely ally in our fight.
Let him know there may come a time when I collect on this favor.
Toran, Moor! You crazy witch! To what end does this devilry serve? (grunting) The baron has returned? No.
But I have news of his need.
At Heaven's Eye, we saw the rebel symbols.
Lord Ventris sent me back to secure more troops.
Sent you back? Alone? Not to spare arms he may need.
I welcomed the risk of riding apart.
Gather what men we can spare.
With haste.
Shall I find the baroness? No.
You should find a bath.
You reek of shit.
And fear.
(sighs) (groans) You join the living.
Who did this? The healer.
She offered no reason.
(groans) Cut her binds.
Why did you cut and scar me? To save you.
Your only chance to live is to be supposed dead.
He gives you that gift.
Who are you, woman? Truly.
What's your interest in me? You have a fate that you must learn to hold.
One that will forever mark your place in time.
I am here to help tell that story.
My story is over.
No.
It is just begun.
The angel spoke the truth.
The angel? The bright child who came to you.
How I've never whispered a word of that to anyone.
I hear the same voices.
It's time to lay down this sword, Wilkin Brattle.
(angel child's voice): Your savior needs you to live the life of a different man.
Unhitch one of the horses, brother.
Then go join the others at the caves.
I think I'll finish the ride, friend.
A plan hatched by a witch what's to worry? We deliver the dead, tell the tale, and ride off.
Free men, no price on our head.
It's a sound devise.
Simple enough an executioner could carry it forth.
(chuckles) And what say of your purpose.
What name for you? Sneermonger? Well, my da, he wanted to call me Marshal.
But my ma thought it too destined to war.
Ma got the name, da got the destiny.
Yea, indeed.
And what of your father? You never tell of anything.
There's nothing to tell.
I don't have one.
(grunts) (children's choir singing Latin hymn) (choir continues singing Latin hymn) (choir continues) ISABEL: Pardon, Baroness.
(choir stops singing) Outsiders have come.
They bring sad news.
Bring him down.
My deepest condolences, Lady Love.
Let's bring you and the baron into the castle so you can mourn in peace.
Have the baron taken to the sacrament room.
Who are you? Gawain Maddox, milady.
Punisher by trade, from the southern land.
This is Marshal, a journey soldier he aids me in the capture of the accused.
Tell me of his death.
We met the baron at Heaven's Eye.
Called upon us to ride with him.
At the grass fields, they crossed a band of hooded thieves.
Took a fierce run.
Noblemen cut down the seven of them.
WILKIN: Before the baron could rally, rebels attacked.
Caught the ranks tired and out of formation.
Your husband fought gallantly, but the numbers were too steep.
I'm sorry.
Old men and boys.
WILKIN: Your mail-clad soldiers were too heavy to carry.
We can send troops there to collect the others.
LADY LOVE: And what brings an executioner to Ventrishire? Work, milady.
I travel, go where my services are needed.
RANDULF: He lies! This man is not the executioner.
He's one of the thieves.
As is that one.
You're the liar, sir.
I've traveled with Gawain for many years.
Dispatch a messenger to Glamorgan for proof.
There is no other face looks like this one.
WILKIN: We just came to deliver the dead.
Out of respect.
We'll leave if it upsets your court.
You'll stay and be quartered.
The remedy for this dispute is already here.
The wife and children of Maddox, sent here to wait for his return.
Come forward.
Tell us the truth.
Is this man indeed your husband? (fussing) (trembling breaths) (whispers): I'm sorry.
My love.
Good Maddy, thank God you've come back safe.
This is lunacy! She conspires with him! Such tragedy lands on my name this day.
My dearest friend, a life snuffed not in a fitting battle but by the ambush of painted dogs.
And my kin.
Caught between two tales.
I speak only truth, dear brother.
I have nothing to gain from such a lie.
These men are the bandits we pursued.
Did battle in the fields beyond the eye.
I myself and other honored knights heard you tell how you were dispatched before any such fray.
Yea.
- I did, but WILKIN: - You may have nothing to gain, but you've much to hide.
We saw this man at the fray.
He tucked tail and slithered away, letting his brothers fall to the curs.
That's why he lies.
'Cause we know the truth.
That's - I tell you, these are the CORBETT: - Enough! So, then, Reeve you are either a false accuser or you deserted your commander in battle! Both come with a punishment of death! (whispering): Please Milus brother do not do this.
Take him! Brother, we are blood.
Do not betray me.
Damn you! Damn your half-hatred! Damn y (grunts) (gasping) (Randulf yells) I'm gonna speak to the King! Curse you! I'll curse you from hell! (Randulf sobbing) My shame is only outdone by my sadness.
My deepest sympathies, Baroness.
I am in your service, whatever the need.
Thank you, Milus.
I will do haste with manor law and trial.
It is fitting that the man falsely accused be the one who is skilled to take his head.
Welcome to Castle Ventris, executioner.
Baroness.
The priest, he said I could come for evening prayer.
Please, sit.
I welcome the chapel's use.
Few spend time here but me.
Do you mind? Please.
I wouldn't think one of your trade would complicate things with prayer.
Perhaps it takes you in deeper.
May I ask how this happened? It was given to me by a healer.
A holy woman.
A reminder of my need for faith.
Your soldier gave the impression it distinguished you for some time.
Yet, the burn looks fresh.
I renew the vow when my faith wavers.
You're bleeding.
Yea.
An angry branch on last night's ride.
May I? WILKIN: In here, milady? LADY LOVE: No better one to heal you than Him.
The physicker should look at this.
(baby crying) I'll find the physicker.
No.
Stay.
Finish your devotion.
I'll have him find you.
Baroness? I sent an emissary to London and one to Erik's brother in Coventry.
I'm sure our king will offer comfort and guidance of how we proceed to govern.
We proceed by burying my husband.
Yes.
Of course.
Another thought, milady.
This executioner his arrival, although it brought sadness it could turn to good fortune.
How so? If we secure him and his soldier, we gain skilled men to hunt offenders and carry out the correction.
Sends a sound message.
Ventrishire will not suffer lawlessness.
That's well advised, dear Chamberlain.
Good.
I'll draft the letters that bind them.
I have news, Maddox.
The trial was swift, the guilt clear.
We will stage the execution in the village square midday tomorrow.
He's your blood.
There must be some due leniency, a brother's mercy? You rid me of a mistake influenced by familial guilt.
No kin, no worries.
But of course, you wouldn't understand that.
Being a family man.
And you're the final word of justice here? As well as chancellor and advisor.
You'll find that nothing passes through this shire without me touching it.
I'm afraid that's a lesson I'll have to miss.
I move on after tomorrow.
Ah, but that's my news.
You and your soldier will stay on.
Your position is now standing.
We're journeyman.
Travelers.
Now, you have a home.
I'm sure that will be a comfort to your wife and wee things.
(breathing loudly) Why are you doing this? Our buried truths bind us.
And your skills will serve me.
I need a man with the heart of a dragon.
(scratching) (soft gasp) ANNORA: Ludwig? (shallow breathing) We need to ready our faith.
(shakily): Ja, meine Liebe.
(breathing shakily) FATHER: Dominus noster Jesus Christus te absolvat Ego auctoritate ipsius te absolvo ab omni vinculo excommunicationis et interdicti - (boys singing chant in Latin) - in quantum possum - et tu indiges.
- (groaning) Ego te absolvo a peccatis tuis in nomine Patris, et Filii, et Spiritus Sancti.
Amen.
(Randulf groaning) (singing chant continues) Blades have been grinded, sir.
(groans softly) (groans softly) (singing chant continues) (whispering, laughing) (inhales deeply) (exhales deeply) (quietly): Help me.
(crowd murmuring) Always.
You'll need this, headsman.
Little Rand was full of shit.
(laughter) A stuffed clown.
(laughter) You best take another.
Yeah.
His ass will spout like a fountain.
(laughter) Who did you spring from? (laughter) (yelling) (thudding)