Cursed (2020) s01e03 Episode Script

1
[woman] Arthur! Your father!
He's been in a fight!
-Come quickly!
-What? What is it?
[man] Come with me!
It was a bitter blow.
A vicious attack.
[Arthur] Father?
[girl] Arthur, I'm sorry.
These rogues were pushing me this way,
and that way, and I said to them,
"Sirs, please, I don't want to dance."
And that was when your father stood up.
Sir Tor, my knight.
He was in his cups drunk,
but he stood up tall, and he says to them,
"If the lady does not wish to dance,
please unhand her."
With the "please" and the "unhand."
Then he drew his sword.
[labored breathing]
Arthur.
My son.
Why's it so bloody hard to think?
[labored breathing]
Never measure your courage
by the men you've killed.
I won't.
Sometimes a man needs courage
not to kill.
You'll make [panting]
a great knight one day, my son.
Bring back our honor.
[adventurous music plays]
Keep a wider stance,
or you'll lose your balance.
What do you know?
Look at his steel, idiot.
Are you headed for the tourney?
-Are you a knight?
-Perhaps.
-[boy 1] Whose house do you fight for?
-[chuckles] No one, yet.
Show us the steel.
Yeah, go on. Show us.
[horse snorts]
[mystical twinkling]
-Whoa!
-Wow!
[boy 2] That's brilliant.
-[laughter]
-[indistinct chattering]
[man 1] Who is he?
Must be here for the tournament.
[man 2] I don't know.
Never seen him before.
What banner is he carrying?
Tell him he's here.
[tense music plays]
[eerie ethereal music plays]
-[distant bell tolling]
-[hoofbeats approaching]
Who are you?
Where's my sword?
Where is my sword?
Your sword?
Are you a soldier?
No, I
I came with a sword.
I have to get it to somebody.
-Where am I?
-[nun] Yvoire Abbey.
You don't seem very smart.
-An abbey? I'm in an--
-You're safe now. Whatever your name is.
This is a godly place.
No demons allowed.
That's what Abbess Nora says.
I have a way of spying demons.
Do you know how?
No. How?
I just stare at them.
I stare at them
until I see through their faces
to their real faces.
[tense music plays]
[door opens]
Iris.
Child, does Abbess Nora know
you're out here?
No, Sister Igraine.
Well, it'll be our secret.
Saved you some mulberries in the kitchen.
Run along now, child.
We have many guests here today.
And they'll surely be needing
some food and drink.
Who is she?
[Igraine] No one important.
Run along now, child.
Before one of the guests
steal those mulberries.
[Nimue gasps]
You talk to no one unless I say.
Where is my sword?
How do I bloody know?
Arthur took it, I presume.
He what?
Now, I don't want to know
what you are to Arthur
or what trouble he's gotten you into,
but while you're here.
Wait. Where are you going?
You can't go out.
[Nimue grunts]
-[horse snorts]
-[indistinct yelling]
[ominous music plays]
[horse brays, snorts]
[indistinct whispering]
[Carden] Wait.
Brother Theo.
[breathes shakily]
Take him to the infirmary.
[paladin] Yes, Father.
[Carden] Drop the gates.
No one comes in or out.
[tense music plays]
-[door closes]
-Stay away. Don't you touch me.
-Are you a madwoman?
-I can be.
[Igraine] I'm trying to save your life,
you stupid idiot.
Where's Arthur? Where's he gone?
He's got my sword.
[woman] Igraine? Igraine?
Igraine. Where have you been?
There is chaos out there.
I'm sorry, I, uh
[woman] Who is this?
Who are you?
She, uh She arrived last night.
Last night?
You're filthy.
What is your name?
Alice, ma'am.
Are you Fey Kind, Alice?
No.
-No. I just I'm
-With child?
Uh, yes
ma'am. At least I think so, ma'am.
The Red Paladins will flay the skin
from your bones if they learn of this.
Another of your strays, I presume?
Um
Yes.
[sighs] See that she keeps her mouth shut
and stays out of trouble.
Now, we have a dying paladin
down the hall.
If he passes, they will surely blame us.
And no telling what the cost will be.
Make her presentable
and get to the infirmary.
At once.
Yes, Abbess Nora.
[indistinct chattering]
[woman] Go away, Merlin.
Rugen knows you're here
and does not want you.
He says you have some gall
showing your face
after what happened last time.
Tell His Majesty I bring gifts.
Show me.
That would spoil the surprise.
[bell tolling]
[paladins] Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners
to do for thy sake
-[Igraine] Oh my.
-[groans]
[breaths shakily]
-Almighty, righteous, and merciful
-[pained gasping]
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
The Wolf-Blood Witch done it to him.
The what?
Some Fey girl
came out of Dewdenn.
She made the roots
come up from the ground.
Strung up Odo like a puppet.
A Fey girl did this?
[paladin] It's inside of him.
Branches and things. It's not possible.
[gasping, groaning]
-[strangled breathing]
-[slithering]
There's something in his mouth.
Here. Hold him down.
[strained breathing]
[choking]
[ominous music plays]
[grunting]
[slithering]
[gasping breaths]
-[indistinct whispering]
-[breathes wheezily]
[rumbling]
-It attacks him still.
-Hold him, damn you!
Fetch more dressing.
[indistinct whispering]
[paladin groaning]
Alice.
More dressing, before he bleeds to death.
[Carden] and so let us rejoice,
dear brothers.
For the Sword of Power has been found.
[gasps]
[paladins] Praise the Lord.
[Nimue] I'll bring it to them.
Who are you?
Give me the jug,
or I'll bite your fingers off.
[footsteps recede rapidly]
[Carden] This Druid lie
is how the Fey have clung to power
for the past ten centuries.
[paladin] Thanks to Pendragon kings.
For as long as a Fey sword determines
who is worthy to wear the crown,
the Church
must bow in servitude.
And if it was found, then where is it?
A Fey witch escaped with it
during the scourge of Dewdenn.
Our own Brother Odo
confronted the demon in the woods.
And we all saw what was done to him.
We know Brother Odo was cut by the sword,
because around the wound was a burn
in the shape of a Fey symbol.
The mark of the Devil's Tooth.
[footsteps approaching]
-[indistinct whispering]
-[Carden] Ah Here he is.
Enter, my son.
Our Weeping Monk.
These are the lists
of the Fey Elders who are still alive.
Their villages are marked on the map.
With these maps, we can flush them out.
With this intelligence, we can end them.
And by the glory of God,
this land will be cleansed.
But what about Merlin?
He's still the head of the snake.
Take this to Merlin.
[Lenore] Run!
As long as he serves Uther Pendragon,
he's untouchable.
[Carden] Patience, my brothers.
Our mission is the extinction of the Fey.
Once we possess the Sword of Power,
it'll be a crippling blow to them.
Then, and only then,
the heavenly fires will come for Merlin.
-[tense music plays]
-[indistinct whispering]
[ominous music plays]
[indistinct whispering]
All right, we have to bleed him.
Bleed him? He
He's bled so much already.
Well, what do you suggest?
Because if he dies, they'll kill us.
Do you understand?
[paladin breathes weakly]
We need a poultice.
Yarrow and burdock to stop the bleeding.
[sighs] Look. Try the kitchens.
We need pepper and beeswax
to help ease the swelling and the pain.
-What?
-Those are Fey remedies.
How do you know they're Fey?
-We could burn for using those.
-Then I guess he'll die.
-Who taught you this?
-Just a friend.
[mournful music plays]
[slithering]
[Nimue grunting]
[Lenore] There is something you must do.
Take this to Merlin.
[door opens]
-What is that?
-I I didn't do anything. I just saw it.
Igraine, you must tell me
where Arthur's gone.
[slithering]
It's like the burn is inside of him.
A circle within circles.
Power drawn from the four elements.
-Water, earth, air, and fire.
-[Nimue] How do you know that?
[suspenseful music plays]
Watch him.
Do not leave him.
Where are you going?
[ominous music plays]
What is it?
The enemy is here.
How do you know?
The scent.
Fey Kind.
You sure?
Which one?
It's not clear.
Not yet.
[man] Whoa.
This one says he knows you, ma'am.
I'll stable your horse for you, sir.
-Arthur?
-[Arthur] Aunt Marion.
-What are you doing here?
-I seek an audience with Sir Ector.
Well, let's get you cleaned up, at least.
Get his horse. He rides with me.
Arthur, if you have come here
for money, I--
No, ma'am. Nothing like that.
I seek Sir Ector's sponsorship
for the tournament.
Arthur, it is admirable
to wish to rise above one's station,
but the truth is, it rarely happens.
I warn you,
my husband has not softened
in his old age.
[birds screeching]
[horse braying]
I rode all night.
Here.
I have not had cause
to open this in years.
When my son died,
I was as plump as a partridge.
Now he wears a death shroud,
and I wear this silk gown.
And we both waste away to nothing.
The day Charles rode off to battle,
Ector was so proud.
I'd never seen him smile like that.
He just kept whispering,
"Honor thy father."
And when they brought his body home to us,
Ector would not cry.
He just kept asking, "How did he die?
How did he die? Did he face the sword?"
You see
my son even had to die with honor.
To Ector, honor is everything.
To me, it is just a word.
Here.
No, it's all right.
I can wear something else.
It is of no use to anyone
lying in that box.
And perhaps the sight of it
will open Ector's heart a little.
Thank you.
Arthur,
be true
and all will be well.
[footsteps receding]
[strained breathing]
Bring back our honor.
I will, Father.
[father] My debts will follow you, boy.
I'm sorry.
You'll you'll look after your sister?
She won't leave my side.
[man] These are your father's debts, boy.
Do you understand? He owed money.
Now he's gone, the debts pass to you.
Uncle, I don't know how to pay.
Now, remember that feeling.
[Ector] Tears will get you nowhere, boy.
We've made arrangements
to take your sister off your hands.
And there my charity ends.
-[girl] Arthur!
-[nun] Don't struggle, child.
-Where are you taking me?
-The bosom of our Lord.
I want to stay!
Arthur! [screams]
[groans, strained breathing]
-[Nora] He lives?
-[gasps]
Glory to God for that.
-Where is Igraine?
-I don't know. She left.
Left for where?
She will be the death of us all
if he dies.
What is this?
Who put this Fey nonsense on him?
I suppose we both did, ma'am.
Dispose of that immediately.
If the Red Paladins
should learn of this
[tense music plays]
Abbess Nora.
[groans weakly]
[Carden] A word?
[Nora] Yes, Father Carden.
[Carden] Have any new girls
joined the abbey this past week?
Why do you ask?
When we scourge a Fey village,
we try our best to be thorough,
but some do slip through the net.
Yes.
We do not give sanctuary to Fey Kind here,
I assure you.
No, no, no, of course not.
No, not willingly.
But you'd be shocked
at how easily some can pass for human.
And the abbey is one of the few shelters
between Hawksbridge and Gramaire.
Yes, it is.
[tense music plays]
We've had no new arrivals recently
that I can recall.
[exhales shakily]
Very well.
Then gather all the sisters together,
and I'll question them one by one.
[Nora] All of them?
Best to be safe.
How fares our brother?
Alive yet.
See that it remains so.
[inhales sharply]
Sister Alice, find Igraine.
Now.
Yes, Abbess.
[ominous music plays]
[door closes]
[Uther] Hello, Mother.
You look well.
We've brought you
some warmed milk with honey.
[flies buzzing]
Have you nothing to say to us?
Honestly, that you maintain
this wounded performance
after what you did.
Or tried to do.
We hang men for lesser offenses.
I have no idea what you're talking about.
Merlin turned you against me.
Against your own mother.
Was it Merlin who killed our taster
with a fig tart?
That's ridiculous. I'd never hurt you.
You're not well.
Well, if I am mad, then you are the cause.
You and your conspiring with that devil.
May God spare you the pain
of a hateful child.
I have always told you the truth,
and you despised me for it.
Or perhaps it was the joy you took
in tearing us down.
And yet, here you are.
You always come back
when you want something.
[sighs]
Merlin has gone missing.
Oh, you poor dear.
What will you do with all that extra wine?
[chuckles]
You know, I will confess something, Uther.
I rather like this tower.
To you, it is a prison,
but for me, it is a perch.
And from a perch one can see many things.
Like enchanters casting rituals
in a lightning storm.
He's up to something.
One of your footmen was with him.
Put the irons to that man,
and I'm sure you'll get some answers.
Thank you, Mother.
Of course, Uther.
Your happiness is all I've ever desired.
-[horse brays]
-[bell tolls]
[horses snort]
[tense music plays]
[paladins chatter indistinctly]
[Igraine]
The markings on Brother Odo's chest.
It's the sign I've been waiting for.
[nun] I can't.
Stop this.
What if they find you?
-They'll burn you.
-They won't.
And what if they catch us?
-Do nothing while they're here.
-[Igraine] Shh. I won't.
[breathes shakily]
[ethereal music plays]
-What were you doing?
-Nothing.
-Abbess Nora wants you in the infirmary.
-How long were you there?
Long enough.
Well, you don't know
what I can do to spies.
I won't tell anyone.
Good.
Not because I'm afraid of you
but because you've done nothing wrong.
What's your real name, Alice?
Nimue.
[paladin] All sisters into the barn! Now!
By order of Father Carden!
Igraine!
[paladin] Drop what you're doing.
Everyone out to the barn!
[nuns exclaim fearfully]
See to Brother Odo, immediately.
-I'll explain to Father Carden.
-[paladin] Move along, sisters.
The both of you. Go.
-[Igraine] Yes, Abbess.
-[nuns scream]
-[paladin] Yeah, go!
-[nun gasps]
[ominous music plays]
[Nimue] I'll be right behind you.
-[paladin] I said stop what you're doing.
-[Igraine] Nimue, no!
-[paladin] Everyone, to the barn! Hurry!
-[nun whimpers]
[nun] Yes, sir.
[bell tolls]
[fire crackling]
[people screaming]
[breathing heavily]
-[paladin 1] What are you doing in here?
-[gasps]
I was just cleaning, brother.
Get to the barn.
Yes, brother.
-[paladin 2] Move, girl! Move along!
-[nun yelps]
-[paladin 3] Into the barn, girl.
-Right away, brother.
[Carden] Hurry now, Sisters.
[ominous music plays]
[tense music plays]
-[breathes heavily]
-[distant paladin yelling]
[mystical twinkling]
[epic music plays]
[door unlocks, opens]
You may rise, Arthur.
And if you've come for money,
the answer is no.
That's not why I've come, Uncle.
Address me as "Sir Ector."
At best,
we're distant cousins by marriage,
not blood relations.
I'm here because I'd like your sponsorship
-for the tournament.
-Well, the tournament
is for knights.
I have ten soldiers in this castle
worthier than you.
Worthier, perhaps,
but none of them can win.
I'll best every man
and bring glory to this house.
Glory.
Last I heard you were traveling
with a gang of thieves and cutthroats.
That's all behind me.
I swear.
All I want is a chance.
There's more that I can offer.
There's more that I can be.
I know it.
But I do want your respect.
Or at least the opportunity to earn it.
What say you, Sir Ector?
When you first walked in here,
for a moment, I thought you were Charles,
walking in from battle
to tell me you prevailed.
Not dead on a field of war.
I I shouldn't have worn this,
I'm sorry.
No, no matter.
It takes guts to do what you've done.
Coming here to ask for my sponsorship
without a pot to piss in.
Your father didn't provide for you.
You've come up the hard way.
I'll grant you that.
Not like those snot noses
out in the square.
Not a one of them
has ever tasted real battle.
-Do you have a horse?
-He's brilliant, quick on his feet.
[Ector] Hmm.
You could wear Charles's armor.
Lady Marion said
we were the exact same size.
You have a worthy weapon?
[mystical twinkling]
Where did you get this?
There was a girl in Hawksbridge.
Highborn. Treasures on her neck.
Obviously, from a great house.
Well, um
-you know Hawksbridge.
-Hmm.
She was set upon by rogues.
I heard her screams.
If I hadn't arrived when I did,
I don't want to think
what her fate might've been.
When it was all over,
she gave me this sword.
Must have been in her family
for centuries.
A sword won with honor.
[mystical twinkling]
With honor.
Yes.
I will confess it would be nice
to win this bloody tournament for once.
[chuckles]
[slurping] Mm.
Another.
-[whooshing]
-[gasps, groans]
Gods, woman, you certainly took your time.
[Widow] Mind your tone.
You forget yourself.
I don't like it when you drink.
What does the taste of wine do for you?
[Merlin gulps]
Um
I've lived too long.
Seen nations spark and thrive and fall.
Seen great art succumb
to the cruelty of time.
I've known love
and tasted its bitter tears
time and time again.
After a while,
you forget what wonder feels like.
But this?
This can almost taste like wonder
if I drink enough.
[Widow] That's sad.
[sighs]
Do you think your face
could show wonder to me again?
[Widow] You'll see my true face
one day, Merlin.
Oh, I welcome it.
[chuckles lightly]
-Have you brought what I asked for?
-[Widow] No.
What do you mean, "no"?
He knows I'm here. The dance has begun.
[Widow] You must not destroy the sword
with the Fey Fire.
We had an agreement.
I steal the fire. You give me the tools.
[Widow] It does not end well for you.
Neither does entering
the court of Rugen empty-handed.
[Widow] You don't understand.
I've had a vision.
Oh! What, you saw my future
in your scrying glass?
Do you think you can scare me off
with omens? Me?
I've lived a very long time, and
death and I are old friends.
[Widow] It is not your death I see,
but your suffering.
An agony beyond anything
you have ever known.
You will beg for the end,
but it will not come.
Pursue this course,
and you will know this unspeakable pain.
I'm so sorry.
[whooshing]
[indistinct chattering]
That's all right, Arthur,
let them take you in.
They don't know what to make of you yet.
And, by God,
you'll show them all tomorrow.
Whoa!
May I, milord?
[man] Ector.
[groans] One drink,
then you get your rest.
A good wine.
And send one to those weasels.
Yes, milord.
-What do you think you're doing?
-[Bors] Look 'ere.
It turns out, Arthur has got a rich uncle
in Gramaire after all.
You must be him.
Pleasure, sir.
-[Ector] Know these men, Arthur?
-We're old friends.
-Let's discuss this outside.
-[Bors] Outside?
It's nice and warm in 'ere.
State your business,
or I'll call my guard.
You told him where you got
that fancy sword from?
That does it.
Sit down, friend.
Unless you want them weasels over there
to learn the truth
about young Arthur 'ere.
[Bors] Now
you sponsor this boy?
Because he owes me a great deal of coin.
Isn't that right, Arthur?
About 300 silver.
One of them fine rings on your fingers
ought to cover it.
-Are you out of your bloody mind?
-[snickers]
Has he sang to you
of his knightly virtues?
Voice like an angel, this one.
And the women, well
their legs fly open at the sound of it.
-I'm done with you, Bors.
-Yeah, I'm not done with you!
I want that ring.
That was my father's ring.
Well, he's not gonna miss it, is he?
In fact, I'll have all them rings
off those fat fingers,
or I'll march over there to them weasels,
and I'll tell them how Arthur stole
that sword from a lowly Fey maid,
whose village has just burned
to the ground.
-Right? That what happened?
-That's not what happened.
Not only is he a thief
and a scoundrel, but a debtor.
He's probably had his way with her.
Fancy that, eh?
A Fey bastard?
In your noble bloodline?
Is one shred of this vileness true?
Did that highborn girl with the treasures
on her neck give you that sword?
Or did you steal it?
Answer me!
I, um
I stole it.
Your father was an embarrassment
and a fool,
but you're something worse.
A criminal, and a liar
without a shred of honor.
You and Tor can rot in hell together.
-Let's have the rest of them rings.
-You, you'll have what you deserve.
[suspenseful music plays]
[growls]
[groans]
[groans]
-Arthur, no!
-[barmaid] Guards! Come quickly!
[nuns whisper indistinctly]
[Carden] Is this everyone?
Yes, except for Igraine,
who is tending to Brother Odo.
[tense music plays]
[nun whimpers]
Is this truly necessary?
[whimpering continues]
We have found some in caravans,
they'd bitten off their own fingertips,
sawed off the wings from their ribs.
They will commit the most barbaric acts
to hide their nature,
but they can't hide from him.
[nun gasps]
Where's the new girl?
-Who?
-The new one. Alice.
Showed up last night with cuts all over.
[Carden] Last night?
You said there were no more girls.
Filthy,
like she'd been hiding in the woods.
[breathes shakily]
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Your poultice did infinitely more
than any prayers.
poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Beeswax and pepper.
Your friend was very clever.
-My friend?
-[Igraine] Who taught you the poultice?
What's her name?
Her name was Pym,
but she was no healer.
She was just perfect.
[paladins] Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
[weakly] She
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do
-[paladin, weakly] Her
-He's awake!
Your prayer is working, brothers!
Bow your heads!
Pray. Pray louder.
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
[strangled coughing]
Brothers! We need prayer!
[strained gasping]
Almighty, eternal,
righteous, and merciful,
give to us poor sinners to do for thy sake
all that we know of thy will.
[chokins]
Odo! Brother Odo!
Brother!
Sister Alice?
-righteous, and merciful
-[gasps]
give to us poor sinners to do
[gasps]
all that we know of thy will.
[Nora] Sister Alice?
[paladins]
eternal, righteous, and merciful,
-give to us poor sinners
-[ominous music plays]
[laughter]
[man] No more than he deserves.
[breathes heavily]
[panting]
Am I to be hanged?
[man] Burned, maybe.
Bless you for this gift, brother,
for we have found the Devil's Tooth.
[groans]
[both grunting]
-[Arthur] I need that sword!
-[paladin] Hold your tongue!
-[Nimue] Where are you taking me?
-[Igraine] Shh!
Look.
Where are we going?
You're the Wolf-Blood Witch.
And the sword Arthur stole
is Devil's Tooth, the Sword of Power.
Yes.
And I need to get it back.
I know where he's gone. Take this.
Follow the river for half a day
until you see a deep bend to the west
and a clearing on the right bank.
Go into the wood until you meet the road.
There you'll find a transport.
It'll take you to a town called Gramaire.
Arthur is there, in search of his uncle.
H How do you know?
Because I'm his sister.
We haven't really been introduced. I'm--
-Igraine
-No. Igraine was my grandmother's name.
It was a mix-up
when they first brought me here.
To friends,
I'm Morgana.
You're not alone, Nimue.
-When will I see you again?
-Soon. I'll find you.
Born in the dawn
To pass in the twilight.
Rugen grants you an audience.
Well, it's about bloody time.
Pray your offering pleases him.
[exhales sharply] Indeed.
[suspenseful music plays]
[hissing]
[hissing]
Take me to your king.
-[growling, snarling]
-[Merlin groans]
[eerie ethereal music]
[music ends]