“The Crownless Heart” CHAPTER 2: “Echoes in the Dust”

A forgotten soul begins to stir. A stranger brings pieces of the past.

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Hello Everyone, welcome back

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Let’s Start

Quiet village of Windmere – sunrise, dusty fields, distant bells ringing from the capital.

Rael[ML](Present)

(sitting by the creek, tossing stones into the water) "They’re getting worse… the dreams."

Rael[ML](Present)

(He watches his reflection ripple in the water.)

Rael[ML](Present)

(Every night it’s the same. Fire. Screams. Her eyes.)

Rael[ML](Present)

(frowns) "Why do I even know her name?"

(A bell chimes in the distance.)

Rael[ML](Present)

( He looks up.)

RAEL’S MOTHER

(from the cottage porch) "Rael! The merchant caravan’s arriving early. Go help with the unloading."

Rael[ML](Present)

(standing up, brushing hay off his shirt) "Coming."

Rael[ML](Present)

(Another day. Another cart. But something feels... different today.)

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Village market square – lively, people setting up stalls. The smell of spices and fresh bread fills the air.

A line of merchant carts rolls into the square, draped in red fabric and golden emblems.

Rael[ML](Present)

(moving crates) "Haven’t seen this caravan before."

STRANGER

(tall man, dark cloak, stepping from the last cart) "You there. Boy."

Rael[ML](Present)

(turning) "Yes, sir?"

STRANGER

(eyes narrow) "What’s your name?"

Rael[ML](Present)

(suspicious) "Rael. Why?"

STRANGER

(after a pause) "You dream of a woman named Elira, don’t you?"

Rael[ML](Present)

(Rael freezes. Eyes wide. His hands go still.)

Rael[ML](Present)

(quiet) "...Who are you?"

STRANGER

(pulls out a small silver ring with the crest of a falcon) "I once served a prince who wore this. A prince who died… whispering that name."

Rael[ML](Present)

(staggering back slightly) "That ring... I've seen it. In my dream."

Rael[ML](Present)

(This can’t be real. I’ve never seen that man before. Never touched a castle. Yet it’s… familiar.)

STRANGER

(steps closer) "There are things inside you that don’t belong to this life. Forgotten pieces of another."

Rael[ML](Present)

(voice low) "You’re saying… I’m him?"

STRANGER

"I’m saying... you carry his soul. And hers is in danger again."

Rael[ML](Present)

(staring, heart racing) "Elira… where is she?"

Scene Shift: Capital City of Aurell – Palace gardens, twilight.

(Princess Elira walks alone among the roses. Lanterns glow softly. A black hawk circles above.)

Elira [FL](Present)

(touching the feather pendant around her neck) "Why do I feel like something’s... returning?"

Elira [FL](Present)

(A soft voice echoes in her memory: “She lives.”)

Elira [FL](Present)

(Why does my heart race like someone’s watching? Like I’m being… remembered?)

KING REGENTREGENT(FL father)

(approaching from the balcony) "Your engagement ceremony with General Tavrok is in three days. Smile more, Elira."

Elira [FL](Present)

(clenched jaw) "I will smile when my heart agrees."

KING REGENTREGENT(FL father)

(gruff) "He’s a war hero. Strong. Loyal. He’ll protect the crown. You’ll thank me later."

Elira [FL](Present)

(turning away) "I don’t want protection. I want choice."

Elira [FL](Present)

(And I feel like… I’ve already chosen once before.)

Scene Shift: Windmere village – nightfall.

(Rael paces in the barn, moonlight pouring through cracks in the wood.)

Rael[ML](Present)

"If what that stranger said is true… then she’s alive. And she needs me."

RAEL’S MOTHER

(calling from the cottage) "Rael? Are you awake?"

Rael[ML](Present)

(quietly) "I can’t stay here anymore."

Rael[ML](Present)

(This isn’t just a dream. It’s a call.)

Rael[ML](Present)

(He opens a small satchel, slips in the silver ring, and walks into the night.)

( Rael leaves the village, the capital city glowing in the distance… and a pair of hawk eyes watching from above.)

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