Vaughan. Based on a screen play by John Spillane & Neil Healy. Adapted by Caoimhe Barry

Transcription

1 Vaughan Based on a screen play by John Spillane & Neil Healy Adapted by Caoimhe Barry A young Viking named Vaughan has spent his life in Limerick castle with his father the King and his brother learning the Viking ways. When he turns 14 he is taken on his first raid and although he doesn't know it at the time, it will change his life forever. On the other side of this feud there is a young celt named Brian who has grown up in the Dail Cais clan. Why do their paths keep crossing? Is it coincidence or is it for a reason? What surprises are in store for these young men? An exciting and thrilling story about love, battle and friendships.

2 Chapter 1 Vaughan - Page 1 of 6 Battle hardened Danes rowing in continuous rhythm up the River Shannon. Their faces expressionless, engraved by war and years at sea. The handles of their weapons peer out from under the covering of fox fur to deaden the sound. Moran stands at the prow of the longboat with his two sons one on either side of him. Vaughan, come up here boy. Now listen to me, this is your first raid. Hold your axe firm, do not soften the blow. A good Viking slays with the power of Thor in their swinging arm, stay close by me and learn, whispers King Moran to his 14 year old son Vaughan on the morning of his first raid. Father, I have grown up listening to sagas of your great battles and I have trained well. I will not let you or my heritage down this morning. I have longed for the day that I would go into battle at your side, replies Vaughan. Ivor his older brother who was standing at the other side of their father says, You should spend less time listening to sagas and more time edging your axe like a true Viking. The men at the oars snigger at this. Hold your tongues we're close now. Up oars now! Ivor, ensure the men are ready and your own axe is as sharp as Vaughan's, orders King Moran. They store the oars as Ivor throws off the fox blanket that covers the weapons and each man selects one in a rehearsed fashion. Each man poised and ready. The silence is absolute as the longboat makes for shore.

3 Vaughan - Page 2 of 6 Meanwhile; two soldiers play skipping stones to keep themselves awake just as dawn breaks on the foggy shores with their backs to the dying fire. Such skill. It's all in the hand and a flick of the wrist. A thing of great beauty no doubt, brags Donagh the younger of the two soldiers. Conor teases back I think that wrist of yours has too much time on its hands. What! Donagh exclaims. Conor replies You play with your stones too much. Baa! Piss off and take your shot, answers Donagh exasperated. Ha, ha, Let me show you how it's done. First, you must choose your weapon wisely, a nice flat surface, curved on one side. Not too heavy now and fits well in the hand, then stand with feet apart wait for the water to settle and throw, preaches Conor in a teasing tone. Donagh watches him throw the stone and watches it sink after two hops then replies, Ha, my grand mother could throw better than that. That's true, she was a great women for the stones from what I can remember, answers Conor. Donagh sighs and says was she really, I didn't know that. Noticing how upset Donagh looks Conor changes the subject go on you amadhan, take your shot. Right then here's how it's done, replies Donagh cheering up immediately. He takes his shot and watches it skip across the water into the fog then hears a dull thud followed by an eerie silence. What was that? asks Donagh as Conor makes his way up to the fire to warm his hands. He replies You must have hit an old stump! Agh!!. Donagh looks up to see his friend slump down on his knees with an arrow stuck in his shoulder. Donagh turns to a small boy

4 Vaughan - Page 3 of 6 slumped in half a sleep by the fire and screams run boy run, get to the village and raise the alarm. With that an arrow spears Donagh in the chest, the boy whose name is Jack turns to see the serpent's head on the longboat as arrows whiz past him. He gets up and runs to the trees to escape. Get him, he must be stopped before he gets to the village, shouts a viking called Brant. The Vikings jump out of the longboats wielding axes and swords giving chase. Jack runs as fast as he can through the thorny scrub and trees, falling twice before twisting his ankle. He gets straight back up and runs on with fresh scars covering his bare legs and face. Frightened beyond belief, he can hear them running behind him getting closer and closer. At last he reaches the village. Most people are still in their beds, just a few women throwing out pans of water and bringing in wood to start the fire and a couple children playing with a puppy. Jack runs into the village and shouts Vikings, Th...Th...The Vikings, The Vikings are here, get up! Defend yourselves. Just then, Vikings plunge into the camp slaying everyone they encounter and there is pandemonium throughout the encampment.

5 Chapter 2 Vaughan - Page 4 of 6 Moments later in the chieftain's house Bavine the Queen wakes up her two young sons shouting Mahon! Brian! we are being attacked, grab your things and get to the hills. Quickly now before they get here. Mahon grabs his sword and shield but Bavine shakes her head and says No Mahon, leave it to the others. But Mahon objects saying I'm going to stay here, I'm old enough to protect you, get up Brian, do as mother says. I can fight too, argues Brian defiantly. Brian! I know you are brave and strong but you are only a boy, my youngest" replies his mother, "your time for fighting will come soon enough but not today. Run to the hills and stay safe. Hurry now Brian,. Bavine gives Brian a hug and a kiss on the forehead as tears stream down his face. He then grabs his short sword, looks at her one last time and runs out through an opening at the back. He escapes up a hill and hides behind a big rock, watching everything going on in the camp. Back at the camp Darragh is shouting orders to me men, to me! Stand together, Con get the women and children out to the high ground and keep them there until I send word. Come on lads. We can't let these bastards get the upper hand. Don't be frightened they are just men like us. I'll show you how to bleed them. With that he wades in with a sword and spear slashing a Viking down with one blow. The six men with

6 Vaughan - Page 5 of 6 him take heart and join the fight but are greatly outnumbered and quickly the Vikings gain the upper hand. Brian sees the women and children running up the hill and goes to help. He looks back to see two Vikings entering the tent where his mother and Mahon are. Drawing his short sword he runs back down to help. Meanwhile Arvid and Ivor the two Vikings that went into the tent were quite enjoying themselves. Well now this day gets better and better, mocks Arvid. it's the Dail Cais whore queen. "Oh, oh I want that brooch. says Ivor. Still mocking, Arvid puts in they must want rid of you. Otherwise they would not have left this little worm as your protector. Take her. They hit Mahon hard and throw him to the ground unconscious and Ivor grabs the queen by the hair and drags her outside. Ivor then grabs the brooch and sneers saying I'll take that, as you will have no further use for it, there is someone here who would like to meet your acquaintance your majesty. While all this is going on Brian is hiding outside the tent, the first chance he gets he rushes at the two men who have the queen and tries to stick his sword into the side of one of them but