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EXT. THE CASTLE GUARD'S FORTRESS - NIGHT

A battle is raging. JAMES (30) quickly disarms an opposing knight and forces the man to the ground.

JAMES

Traitor! Who is leading this rebellion?

No response.

JAMES

Answer me, or—

James' sister, ANNE (32), sinks her sword into the knight's chest, killing him instantly.

ANNE

We have to get out of here.

JAMES

Then run. I won't stop you.

James goes to rejoin the battle. Anne grabs his shoulder and turns him back to face her.

ANNE

Don't let pride kill you.

JAMES

A knight leaves a battle when he is victorious or dead. I am one of the king's men.

James roughly wrenches his shoulder from Anne's grasp.

JAMES

You're what you've always been.

James turns away from her again. Anne lets out a yell and swings her sword at him. Her cry allows him just enough warning to parry.

JAMES

Have you lost your mind?

ANNE

Have you?

Another slash of her sword. She's trying to block James' path back to the battle.

ANNE

I stole to keep you alive, starved so you could eat. You've forgotten what it takes to survive. You child.

Anne disarms James. James lunges at her with his whole body, knocking her sword away as well. They tumble to the ground, punching and rolling and pulling hair like children.

JAMES

You fight like a dirty thief!

ANNE

So do you, little brother!

Anne dives for her sword. She manages to pin James, her knee on his chest and her sword at his throat.

JAMES

Go on. Kill me.

No response. Anne looks tortured.

JAMES

Now, Anne!

Anne pulls her sword away from James' throat. James lets out a sigh of relief.

JAMES

I knew you wouldn't-—

Anne slams the hilt of her sword into James' temple, knocking him out cold. As soon as he's unconscious, she scrambles to check that his heart is still beating, that he's breathing. She collapses in relief when she is sure he's alive. A sob wracks her body before she grits her teeth, stands, and starts hauling James toward the stables.