[Scene 1: Morning Market]
Lee Shang Hansu walked through the bustling market of Queen Eira's city. The morning sun cast long shadows on the cobblestone streets as vendors hawked their wares and villagers bartered for fresh produce. Lee, a nineteen-year-old orphan, had been experiencing strange visions for the past two months. He stopped for a moment, the vibrant market scene around him fading as a chilling dream took hold.
"Run, Lee, run! They are coming for you! You must run!" the voice of a man named Aikto echoed in his mind. Lee shook his head, trying to dispel the vision. He glanced around the market, taking in the familiar sights and sounds to ground himself back in reality. He worked for Lu Wang, the village cook, who had raised him since he was a child. Lu Wang's cookshop was his next destination, but the lingering sense of dread followed him.
[Scene 2: The Cookshop]
Lee arrived at Lu Wang's cookshop, greeted by the savory aroma of simmering broths and sizzling meats. Lu Wang, a man in his forties with a grizzled beard and a missing hand, looked up from his work.
"Hey, hurry up! You are late," Cook said.
"I am here, Wang," Lee said, slipping into the familiar routine of preparing ingredients and serving customers. Despite their difference in age, Lee and Lu Wang shared a close, almost familial bond. Lee served orders to various tables, his thoughts never straying far from the ominous dreams and the war on the horizon.
[Scene 3: The British Armada]
A flotilla of wooden ships, each bearing the Union Jack, cut through the waves of the open sea. On the lead ship, a man in a red hat and commander's uniform, William Blackwood, surveyed the horizon through a brass telescope. His steel hook leg glinted in the sunlight as he turned to face a sergeant approaching him.
"We will be there in the next 17 to 18 days," the sergeant said.
"Call Alita," William Blackwood said.
The sergeant hesitated. "The witch, sir?"
With a swift motion, Blackwood slapped the sergeant and drew his sword, pointing it menacingly at him. "Do not call her a witch," William Blackwood said.
A woman with flowing dark hair and a wooden staff adorned with a green stone approached. "It's alright, my lord. Forgive him, please," Alita said.
[Intro: William Blackwood and Alita]
William Blackwood: A brutal commander who has fought many wars. He has a steel hook in place of one leg and is muscular and commanding. He is leading his forces towards another battle.
Alita: A magician from a tribe of ancient magicians. She assists Blackwood in wars with her wooden staff that has a shiny green stone on top. Alita has evil powers and can transform soldiers into creatures.
[Scene 4: The Castle of Queen Eira]
The mighty castle of Queen Eira perched on a mountain peak, with dragons circling above, serving as both guardians and symbols of power. The castle connected to the city below by a long stone bridge. The land was known as the Kingdom of Eira, and its young queen possessed the gifts of healing and communing with the dead.
A horseman galloped towards the castle gates, urgency driving him forward. He was met by a gladiator at the gate.
"Why are you here?" the gladiator asked.
"I must meet Queen Eira," the horseman said.
"Why?"
"The kingdom of Alice is in danger. The Viking tribes and King Alice's enemy, Liang, are at our gates. They have ravaged our cities and are heading for the main city. We need Eira's help. Let me pass."
The gladiator scrutinized him for a moment before stepping aside. "You may enter," he said.
[Scene 5: The Throne Room]
Queen Eira, gifted with the powers of healing and communing with the dead, sat on her throne. She was only twenty-one, yet she ruled with a wisdom beyond her years. The soldier entered the throne room hurriedly.
"Your Majesty, the kingdom of Alice is under attack. We desperately need your help," the soldier said.
"Why should I help you?" Queen Eira replied.
"Liang will attack your kingdom next if you do not assist us," the soldier insisted.
"I have an army and dragons. They cannot defeat me," Queen Eira said.
"They have Viking tribes with them. You know they take pleasure in fighting and are especially skilled in slaying dragons," the soldier said.
"Hmmm. Very well. Wait outside the room. I will think about it and give you my answer before you leave," Queen Eira said.
"Thank you, Your Majesty," the soldier said, bowing before leaving the room.
[Scene 6: The Cookshop in the Afternoon]
It was late noon, and Lee and Lu Wang were in the kitchen washing dishes. The air was thick with the scent of spices and the sounds of clattering plates.
"Master Lu Wang, I heard that the neighboring kingdom is at war with the Vikings and Liang," Lee said.
"That is true. They are in grave danger. I hope Queen Eira will aid them in defending their kingdom," Cook said.
"If Queen Eira agrees to battle with Liang, do you think we could become soldiers?" Lee asked.
"We might, but I will not allow you to go. I will go, and you will look after the restaurant. You have a long life ahead of you. I am a forty-year-old man, and I have experience. I was a soldier in past battles. That is how I lost my hand," Cook said.
[Intro: Lu Wang] Lu Wang: A forty-year-old man who was once a soldier in the army of Queen Eira's father. He lost his hand in battle and now runs a cookshop in the village.