All language subtitles for Die by the Sword - 2020.eng

- Get up, layabouts,
breakfast is ready.

- I'm up, the children
are getting dressed.

- 'Bout time, the field
isn't going to plow itself.

- Children, come on,
we've got a busy day.

- What are you looking at?

- I thought I saw an
animal but it was nothing.

Mother.

- Enjoy this time.

Your first kill's
always the sweetest.

- There'll be many
more by my hand.

- Spoken like a true
daughter of Alpin.

- Now a blooded warrior.

- She has earned her
place in our band.

- Giric, did you not
use any of your spells?

- My magic is only for battle.

- This test was hers.

- Now she's ours.

- All declare her worthy?

- Worthy, worthy.

- Mora, do you wish to
be a breath of the woods?

- Aye.

- To watch the hills,
to ward the forests,

to heed your chief, and
to honor your tribe?

- Aye.

- Blood on your blade,
blood on your hand,

blood on your tongue,
blood on your land.

Child of the wind and the trees,

you have proved yourself worthy.

Rise, now breath of the woods.

You have won your
place in the tribe.

- The tribe hails Mora.

- Mora, mora,
mora, mora, mora.

- Search the dwelling,
then burn it.

- Look for beasts.

- I see none.

- I want gold, and cattle.

- Better treasure
lies further south.

- I found mead.

- We drink to my daughter.

- Aye, we got food tonight.

* We learned the
taste of servitude *

* Beneath the Roman rule

* They gave us roads
and baths and peace *

* But treated us like fools

* The legion left us long
ago, retreated back to Rome *

* And now we must
defend our lives *

* Our freedom and our homes

* For the northern
storm is rising *

* An azure sea of war

* The Picts come down
to seize the lands *

* They could not take before

* Now our only protection is
what's left of an old wall *

* When kings rule and
die by the sword *

* They don't have far to fall

- Is that from Brother Antonius?

- Yes, he's distressed.

He says the Picts
breached the wall

and are moving south
into Britannia.

- Hadrian's wall was supposed
to keep them back forever.

- It fell to ruin without
Roman troops and engineers

to keep it in repair.

Now no one goes up there

unless they want their skulls
adorning a Pictish fort.

- We'll be destroyed.

The Picts hate us for
our allegiance to Rome.

- They are still far away.

But Alpin's hunger is
like that of a wolf.

He grows bolder every month.

Trade will suffer.

- Do you think he remembers you?

- Probably not.

- You know him?

- I think it's time
that we tell them.

- All right, I was once
a soldier in the legion.

- You were a soldier for Rome?

- Yes, the Empire sent
us to patrol the wall.

I heard so many strange
tales about the Picts

that I wanted to see one of
their villages for myself.

Going north of the wall was
strictly forbidden, of course,

so my friend Lucius and I.

- My eyes are upon you.

Look up here.

You fail.

- 'Tis my wood.

Where you are,
you should not be.

- Alpin.

- Match me in blade,

match me in skill, but
Alpin's wood chose Alpin.

Help these Romans back to
their high stone walls.

- Why didn't he kill you?

- If Alpin killed us, the
Romans would have had to attack.

To punish him.

My commander was furious
and Lucius was flogged.

Alpin's spear destroyed my
leg, splintered my bone.

- Husband, father of children.

- I barely survived.

- So you weren't in
the army anymore?

- No, a maimed man can still
do letters and numbers.

I was put in charge of the
correspondence and the accounts.

I had friends that sent me
books, I read all I could.

Then the legions were recalled.

I could not travel with them
but by then I was blessed

to have found a
fine local healer.

- And now you help
me with my work.

- Galen's medical texts
do have some knowledge

that the Druids
had not acquired.

- I can read his books.

- And I enjoy
teaching the children

their letters and numbers.

- Can you teach us to fight?

- The British have
not had to fight

in over three hundred years.

- I fear they will
have to learn.

Is there any more news?

- Yes, the chiefs have named
Vortigern to be High King.

- Hmm, a good choice.

He served with the legions,
and is an honorable man,

even if he does
follow the old ways.

- I pray he can
organize a defense.

- Can I go and fight with him?

- Ambrosius, you
are far too young.

- This land is no longer Roman.

We should start using
his British name, Emrys.

- Look, sir, I'm gonna
make hundreds of these

for our archers.

- I'm sure you will.

But will they fly straight?

- I don't know.

- What's the point?
Bring one, bring it here.

Excellent work, excellent work.

- Wonderful shot, my King.
- Well, thank you.

- Now draw.

Opposite color out.

Nock your arrow.

Pull, your feet, point them.

Point your feet.

Elbow up.

Point your feet.

Pull back, farther.

Don't fist-grip it.
- Fist-grip?

- My Prince.

- Do you require assistance?

I have some experience
with this form of killing.

- Yes, I need help,
and more help.

I'm an excellent shot,

but I don't know how
to tell these people

to break their horrible
shooting habits.

- I believe I can help.

- We are desperate.

We must have help and soon.

I need everyone who can swing
a sword to be able to do so.

Where's, where's that jester at?

- He's not feeling well.

- And what is his sickness?

- He's our bard.

In times of Rome,
bards never fought.

- If we fail, the Picts
have their own bards.

I have no need of any songs.

I need fighters.

I need him here, now.

- Yes, Father.

Uh, yes, my Lord.

- Wodan, Ruler of the Sky.

Frua, Daughter of the Sea.

I call now between the worlds.

Power of the runes, come to me.

Across the sea to victory.

- Why are you lying
here in the dark?

- Be gone, I want no
one disturbing me.

- Better me than my father.

Look at me, now.

You're useless in here.

- I am waiting for
inspiration for my next song.

- By pickling your brain?

- This is the poet's bed.

It is part of the ancient
Druidic tradition.

I lie in the dark where
it's warm and quiet

until the song
develops in my brain.

- So you plan on just lounging
around waiting for ideas?

- It is my sacred duty
as bard of the clan.

- And when was the last
time you wrote a song?

- Don't you understand?

I need my poet's bed.

I need to lie here away
from the years of Roman rule

so that my creative
consciousness can develop,

so that the song can
flow through the ether,

so the words can
grow in my mouth,

so the music can metastasize
into a song worthy to be heard

before the High King.

I'll be out when it's finished.

- He's not writing, he's not
fighting, he just rots in bed.

See, I can make a song
too, you sluggard.

- Dove, that was not a song.

- Well, it is more than what
you've written in a year.

Now, you see everyone who's
not working in the village

is learning how to
fight, except for you.

- Don't you see?

I don't want to
learn how to fight.

These years of Roman occupation

have destroyed my
creative consciousness.

And we tell these lies and
sing these songs about glory

and honor, and at the end
of the day we are killing

and maiming other people.

Many, most of our ancestors
died fighting the Romans,

and when it was over the Romans
won, and they brought peace.

- Are you a coward
or a fool, Taliesin?

We're free now.

You don't owe tribute to
some tyrant across the sea.

Our lands are not being
shackled by their roads,

and our forests are not being
decimated for their cities.

You know that my parents
were slaves to Rome,

and I would rather die
than serve another master.

- You are not of our blood,
yet you would fight with us?

- This is my land,
as it is yours.

- Very well.

Let me dunk myself in the river,

and then we'll go swing
swords for a few hours.

Then go rinse the very
nice wine out of my eye.

- Yes.

- I request permission
to train my own troops.

- Request granted, Sire.

- The bread should
be ready by now.

- Not yet, it takes a long
time for the oven to heat up.

- You should have
started the fire earlier.

- Earlier, I was
up before the dawn.

The wood was still wet.

- That's because
you didn't cover it

when it started
raining yesterday.

- But it was dark
and I couldn't see.

- The Queen's loaves
still aren't baked.

- Oh, that smells good.

- My King, my Queen, my Prince.

- My Queen, I must apologize.

Tavish couldn't start the
fire on time this morning,

and the bread is still not done.

- That's
all right, Enid.

I'm not that hungry yet.

Just send it to us later.

- Oh, thank you, my Queen.

You're lucky she's
such a kind lady.

- If I were lucky, I'd be
married to a kind lady.

- How many more swords?

- Five.
- We'll need more.

- Well, my apprentice
is sleeping

so he will have the
forge going all night.

- And how many there?
- Four.

- Four by morning?

- Yes, would you rather
I do axes or spears

as they are faster?

- Swords, we need swords.
- Yes, sir.

- My King, I know
you are desperate.

If you would but turn
to the true faith.

- True faith?

What is the true faith
doing for the Romans now?

Antonius, you have
your followers.

My family is not amongst them.

- The Romans destroyed
the power of your Druids.

- No, they attacked them,
but did not destroy them.

Myrddin and the Guineveres

are tending the
fires to the West.

Tend to your own flock.

Sevira.

Lord Fenius, we
need your counsel.

- My Lord King,
I have a response

from Lords Hengest and Horsa.

- And?
- They accept your offer.

- Why are you corresponding
with the Saxon chiefs?

- Because they are the best
fighters since the Romans.

- They are savages.

- The Romans once said

we were savages, too.
- Yes.

- The Saxons are like
us in so many ways.

- But how can you trust them?

- By creating an alliance
that benefits us both.

The Saxons are bringing
their families.

They're coming to settle down.

- They are going to help
us drive the Picts back

in exchange for good farmland.

And we have so many fields
that have lain fallow

since the Romans left.

- A king must plan ahead.

The Picts are getting
closer every day.

They're killing our
folk in the north.

And the people here
are not yet fighters.

- They are brave and strong.

- But not yet battle-tested.

Hengest and Horsa, they've
been fighting the Huns

all of their lives.

My scouts keep me informed.

Alpin's youngest daughter has
already killed more than you.

A king must look to the
best for all his people.

- A king must do this,
a king must do that.

- Yes, my Queen, the King must.

We cannot hold back the Picts.

Rome barely stands.

The power has shifted to
the east to some port city

on the Black Sea,
it is their capital.

Suppose all the Saxons
decided to invade as well?

We must have allies.

Sometimes the best choice

is the one that is
the least harmful.

- Send a message to the Saxons.

Have them come as
soon to as possible.

- I do not like this.

- Neither do I.

- Wife, would you rather our
people be slain by the Picts?

Prepare for their arrival,
we must welcome them.

- What am I doing?

- I do not like these Saxons.

- You do not care for any
of us whom you call Pagan.

- No, despite their
ignorance of the true God,

I find many of the people
here to be good folk.

But how can you
trust a hired sword?

- This is Lord
Fenius, our Lawkeeper,

who keeps the law that preserves
our land and our people.

- Lord Hengest, do you
swear to uphold the terms

of our to arrangement?

- People of Britain, I
will serve you in battle

and honor you in friendship.

- May our alliance bring
peace and prosperity.

- Peace and prosperity.

- Lord Hengest, Lord Horsa.

I hope your journey was good.

- Our journey's not yet done.

- But we are glad to be here.

Our sister Rowena,
our battle sorceress.

And my wife, Nelda.

- My Queen Sevira, my son
Categern, and my daughter Dove.

- This looks to
be a fertile land.

- We shall do well here.

- So where are those blue
demons you want us to slaughter?

- In the northern forests.

- Eldrida, Wulfric, Rand,
prepare the warriors.

We leave tomorrow.

- Dove shall show
you to your lodgings.

- We sharpen our swords tonight.

- Mine is already sharp.

- Come with me, please.

- Are you truly
Vortigern's daughter.

- By adoption.

My parents were brought here
as slaves to the Romans,

but they escaped.

It was a harsh journey,
and my mother was pregnant.

My father died defending
her from a wild boar.

When King Vortigern found them,

he was so impressed
by my Father's courage

that he took my mother in.

But she was weak from travel
and did not survive my birth.

But Vortigern took
me in as his own.

- Ah, you are very lucky.

- Yes, I am.

- You see, son, the new
alliance will be successful.

- Are we going with them
to attack the Picts?

- Of course we are, I
wanna see them fight.

Your mother will rule
while we're gone,

I'll leave some warriors
to guard the village.

- At last some combat.

- This is the cloth

they spend so many
hours weaving?

- Believe it or not,

that is what they
like to wear.

- How do I look?

- Trees are restless.

- We left no one
alive back there.

- Something's about
that should not be.

- The nearest village
is half a day away.

- No, it is much
closer than that.

- I hear nothing.

- I feel a disquiet.

Everyone gather in.
- Listen to him.

- Where are the others?

- Still searching the cottages.

- They'll find us.

Ceo, ceo, ceo,
ceo, ceo, ceo, ceo.

- My scouts see them, seen
them raiding in this forest.

- I see no sign of them.

- The Picts move through
a forest like rats

through a storehouse.

- How can we find them?

- I will find them.

All you have to do is kill them.

- You Brits haven't had
battle magic since the Romans

slaughtered your Druids.

- That is why we are
here to help them.

- Silence.

Ertha, Ertha, Ertha, Ertha,

Ertha, Ertha,
Ertha, Ertha, Ertha.

Ertha, Ertha, Ertha.

Feet on the ground,
where are they bound?

- Ceo, ceo, ceo, ceo,
ceo, ceo, ceo, ceo, ceo.

They have a sorcerer.

- It seems our first
battle will be at night.

- I've made songs about
night fights, but--

- Don't scare yourselves.

That's what they want.

- Wand-Wielder, Bond-Breaker,
Victory-Bringer.

- On your right.

Archer left.

- Stay up there.

- Out of the way, songbird.

You, come to Hengest.

- Wodan,
Thunar, Frua, Wodan,

Thunar, Frua, Wodan, Thunar,
Frua, Wodan, Thunar, Frua.

Wodan, Thunar, Frua, Wodan,
Thunar, Frua, Wodan, Thunar,

Frua, Wodan, Thunar, Frua,
Wodan, Thunar, Frua, Wodan,

Thunar, Frua, Wodan,
Thunar, Frua, Wodan, Thunar.

- Nawal, Nawal.

- Nawal, any
news of the battle?

- Vortigern and the
Saxons were victorious.

They chased the Picts
behind the wall.

- Oh, we're safe,
praise be to God.

- Nawal, what do you
know about these Saxons?

- They are one of
the Germanic tribes

ravaging the remains
of the Empire.

- Why?

- Disaster is everywhere.

Droughts in Asia, the
floods in the North.

People have been forced
to leave their lands.

- You're very far from home.

- Yes, and I'll not
be able to go back.

Nor acquire the exceptional
merchandise I used to sell.

But I do have some silk.

It is very rare, very special.

It will look so good
on you, my lady.

- Oh, it's very beautiful,
but it's far too costly.

- For the mother
of such fine sons,

I'll make a special price.

- Buy a bolt, Deirdre.

Enjoy life before it's gone.

- Okay.
- Thank you, sir.

- Thanks, thank you very much.

- Where are you going next?

- Back to Vortigern's
home village,

I think business will
be very good there.

- With all the turmoil
on the continent,

we may be better off
here than in Rome.

- I want to go to
school in Rome.

- There are many learned
monks in Ireland,

we shall send you there
when you're older.

- Monks are tedious.

I wanna fight the barbarians.

- I hope you never have to.

With all its corruption,
Rome gave us peace.

- Let us pray for Vortigern,
and his continued success.

* I live in a hovel
my cupboard is stark *

* I work in the fields
every day till its dark *

* The noblemen say it's
the price I must pay *

* For them and their
soldiers to kick me all day *

* When I was a boy my
da' said take the sword *

* You'll capture some lands,
and you'll be your own lord *

* They turned me away and
did not give a reason *

* I'm back in the fields for
the next planting season *

* I live in a hovel
my cupboard is stark *

* I work in the fields
every day till its dark *

* The noblemen say it's
the price I must pay *

* For them and their
soldiers to kick me all day *

* They go through our stores
and they eat all our food *

* They come to our fires
and they burn all our wood *

* I told him I do not
think this is a deal *

* My King says they'll not rob
us, there's none to steal *

* I live in a hovel
my cupboard is stark *

* I work in the fields
every day 'til its dark *

* The noblemen say it's
the price I must pay *

* For them and their
soldiers to kick me all day *

* If I were a soldier
I'd go see the world *

* Then I'd miss out on
these fine local girls *

* A young Celtic lass with
her hair shining red *

* Sends me to plow fields
when we're done in her bed *

* Now up in the castle the
soldiers are starving *

* While me and the boys take
a month off from farming *

* We'll sit in the circle
and drink all the beer *

* And let 'em stay mad 'cause
we're all pissed down here *

* I live in a hovel
my cupboard is stark *

* I work in the fields
every day 'til its dark *

* The noblemen say it's
the price I must pay *

* For them and their
soldiers to kick me all day *

- Well done, it's good.

- Songbird.

Hey, yah, songbird.

- You folks have a fine scop.

- It's what they call a bard.

They like you, great song.

- It is good to have
your songs again.

- And now, in honor of
this special occasion,

Rowena shall dance.

- I would not be so forward.

- Modesty does not
become you, sister.

- Well, perhaps.

- Well, this company will
appreciate your skills.

- She doesn't have to dance
if she doesn't want to.

- Oh, I think she does.

Songbird.

Music.

- Hey , Yah.

- That was not my song.

I don't know what I was playing.

- She did.

- Gather
round, gather round.

Your King has a proclamation.

- By the laws of our land,

I now dissolve my union with
my former Queen, Sevira.

- The cord is now broken,
the marriage is no more.

Lady Sevira is no
longer your Queen.

But she still retains her lands

and her status as
an honored warrior.

- I now choose Lady
Rowena as my wife.

- And I choose King
Vortigern as my husband.

- Ha-ha-ha-ha, hey.

Aah.

- You are now bound
by hand and heart,

joining the blood
of your peoples,

in the light of the sun
and the might of the earth.

- And now the Lady
Rowena is our Queen.

- Hail Queen
Rowena, ha-ha-ha-ha.

- Is that how you welcome her?

- Hail Queen Rowena.

- You did not ask

any of your gods
for their blessing.

- Did not know which ones
to ask, theirs or ours.

- It is much easier
when there is only one.

- There's far too much work in
this world for just one god.

- There would be far
less strife in this world

if all people would
worship the one true god.

Is marriage not a sacrament
among your people?

- It is a contract,
even when made for love.

And either party can
break it at either time.

Didn't even your own
Christian emperors divorce

good wives for more
advantageous alliances?

- I fear this alliance shall
not be advantageous for anyone.

- Well done, Rowena,
high Queen of Britain.

Ha-ha.

- At the expense of their Queen.

She's a wonderful lady
and a great warrior.

- Well, how else
could I be the Queen?

- Did you, did you need to be?

We have more rich lands than
we to ever had in Saxony.

And we finally live in peace.

Nelda, are you content here?

- Yes, I look forward
to raising our children

in this good land.

- Little brother, you may
be ready to settle down

and be a farmer, but I would
like a realm for myself.

There are many other
kingdoms on this island.

- And those other kingdoms
owe allegiance to Vortigern,

the King you swore
allegiance to.

- Ugh, I want to know more
about these other kingdoms.

- Here, this is a map
I borrowed from Fenius.

Look, these lovely
lands lie further south

where Vortigern has no kin.

So if you would like to
take some land there,

I will keep him distracted.

- You
shouldn't be looking

at such outlandish things.

- Aw, but they're so beautiful.

- These blue stones are lapis,
all the way from Persia.

- You know we can't
afford anything like that.

- I know we have no
coin to buy things.

But even a merchant who travels
around the world must eat.

- Ah, so a barter
for your bread, then?

- You'll never be hungry again.

But I'm sure our
royals can pay well.

- The trade
is still good here.

Look at our merchants.

- Very fine fabric.

- Brought from the far
east along the Silk Road.

- A perfect wedding present

that would please
your new Queen.

- Forgive me, my Queen,
this is very expensive.

I cannot just give it away.

- Ah, here, Rowena, we pay
our villagers a fair price

for their wares.

- My sister was only jesting.

We are not beggars.

- No, we are not.

Show me more of your village.

- You should take your
wares to another town.

- You may not want the Queen
to look at your necklace.

- There's a good strong
one for you there.

Our lands are fertile here,
and the people make it so.

- You are such a darling, I
shall be sorry to eat you.

- Ah.

- Such a good land
for the animals.

- The land is good
for the people.

Animals come second.

Close second.

Yeah, they're nice.

We're very proud of
our goats, over here.

- I'd like to see them.
- Right there they are.

These, these are my people.

Hengest, this one's got
a better beard than you.

Aye, and you get your shares.

- Ah, one for you.

- People are fickle,
animals are simple.

Look at this, you take care of
them, they don't betray you.

- Ah, so handsome.

Brothers, would you
like some goats?

- Goats, they are too small.

I would rather have
some nice fat cattle.

Since my sister's now Queen,

I wouldn't mind a little
kingdom of my own.

- Cattle, kingdom?

You're getting too greedy.

You've received
all the land grants

from our bargain, and more.

That will not.

Loggi's balls.

This king does not
rule his own people.

- Brother, please.

- Yet he dare refuse me?

- Their ways are
different than ours.

- I did not come
here to be a vassal.

You may serve him
but I will not.

Where is my warband?

Wulfric, Eldrida, Rand.

- You know I'm not kind of lord

who sends others do his battles.

Of late, my blade
has been too clean.

- Our battle with the
Picts was a success.

- But we are bored here.

- Are there other
places we can fight?

- Perhaps, my sister tells me
of some realms further south.

I could send a raiding party,

but it would be more
jolly to go ourselves.

- Is there plunder?

- Of course, plunder for
you, and a kingdom for me.

We leave tonight, tell no one.

- Vortigern, I served you well
as Queen, wife, and mother.

I will not stay here
while this witch occupies

what's rightfully mine.

- You are
still my champion.

You took an oath to
serve me in battle.

- Fenius says that
oath was void.

- Is that the law?

- You broke your
marriage bond with her,

she may break her
war bond with you.

She is a free woman, she
may leave if she chooses.

- I wish
you safe travels.

- Mother, please don't.

- Then
I will go with you.

- Categern.
- Let him leave.

- But you are their prince.

- I can have no
kingdom without honor.

Fenius, you are my witness.

I give up my inheritance.

Dove, you can have it.

- I don't want it.

- Rowena's clan will
be glad to take it.

- They've already taken it.

- Fenius, is there any recourse?

- They are within the law,
as is your decision to leave.

I mislike it as well.

Dove, I wish you would stay.

Vortigern may yet
come to his senses.

- I doubt it.

Farewell, my friends.

- She was as kind as Brigantia,

but could fight
like the Morrigan.

- No one
else must leave.

- We are sworn to her.

- To her,
but I am the Queen.

- Yes, you are.

- Then they must swear
a new oath of fealty to me.

- Warriors, to me.

Warriors, to me!

- Kneel before
your Queen, kneel.

Do you, the champions
of your tribe,

swear upon your honor to
be loyal to Queen Rowena,

to never do her harm,

and to always be loyal
to her in word and deed?

- Aye.
- Aye.

- Aye.
- So be it.

- I shall be
worthy of your fealty.

- Smithy, our Saxon
allies needs plows.

When you're done with that,

I have a special design
for my Lady's new crown.

- I've not made a
crown in quite a while.

- It's good you
can make ornaments

and tools now instead of swords.

- And I look forward to
wearing my new crown.

- What the bloody?

- Not my Queen.

- Here is the scroungy
trader who refused

to give my beloved sister a
present on her wedding day.

- My Lord, I regret
my foolishness.

I'll gladly offer her some silk.

Would she also
like some jewelry?

- She would like
much more than that.

So would I.

We'll have your entire cart.

- If you want to live,
I suggest you run, now.

- Whoever hits him first
gets a share of the content.

- My wife's gonna be very happy.

- You have no wife.

- I'll buy one.

- Who could have killed him?

These wounds are not
from Pictish weapons.

- Not even Picts
would have killed

an innocent merchant like this.

- Maybe there's a trail.

We can track them.

- Do what you do so well.

- Yes, my Lord.

- Then the babies,
Romulus and Remus,

were placed in a basket.

The basket floated
down the Tiber River

until it caught in the
roots of a fig-tree.

Then they were
discovered by a she-wolf.

- Did she eat them?

- No, she protected
them, nursed them,

and took care of them.

- The founders of Rome
were raised by a wolf.

- Hand me my sword, boys, hide.

- Alms, alms, for a poor widow?

- Do you know her?

- No, but she sounds desperate.

- Those who come for healing
usually ring the bell.

- I hear you are
Christian family,

and I have not
eaten in two days.

- We can spare some food.

- All right, be careful.

- Please, my lady.

- Oh, look, a crippled dog
who thinks he can bite.

- Hengest.

- My Lord, Queen, Prince.

- The ex-queen and
her useless son.

- You Saxons are supposed to
protect us, not attack us.

- I came for a kingdom.

- You can have mine.

- And I shall.

You and your mother can go

run and hide in the
hills like rabbits.

Come, you bastards, there's
land here for all of you.

- Let's go see if
there's anyone left alive.

- Boys, it's all
right, we're friends.

- Who were those men?

- Saxons, they're
worse than Picts.

- We'll take you with us.

It's too dangerous to stay.

I know the way.

I'm gonna go ahead.

You bring the boys
as soon as you can.

- Take my shield.

It should guard you well.

- Be safe, my son.

- It looks like both
of these paths go West.

- Are we lost?

- This way.

- Why that way?

- The horse lady showed me.

- There is no horse lady.

If there were, we'd
have seen hoof prints.

- And droppings,
you're making this up.

- I did not, and it's this way.

- Might
as well try it.

This is the last of the bread.

Don't worry, we'll have
better luck hunting tomorrow.

- I hope we took the right path.

- We followed the sunset,
we must be going west.

* Moon rise, changing size

* Waxing, waning
through the skies *

* Moon rise, spirit flies

* Every being lives and dies

* Moon rise, changing size

* Waxing, waning
through the skies *

* Moon rise, spirit flies

* Every being lives and dies

- Hail Guineveres,
noble priestesses,

we come from the East
to seek your refuge.

- We feel the
thickening shadows.

- Discord dividing the tribes.

- Honor stained
by blood and iron.

- Souls drained by evil charms.

- Lechery and madness.

- Treachery and sadness.

- There is healing
in the heather.

- Shade of forest,
touch of feather.

- A disappointed
son we will inspire.

- Two orphans we
will raise and rear.

- Two empty kettles
ready for filling.

- Are you Myrddin?

- That I am.

Enough of your chanting.

These people need meat and milk.

Come with me to the grove.

- This is the mound
of your ancestors.

- Our father was Roman.

- But your mother
was of our people,

and in this land the line is
carried through the female.

- We couldn't even bury her.

- The earth has absorbed her,
but she lives in your memories

and here we shall
invoke her spirit.

* Unsettled spirit,
we call you home *

* Across the land and
through the gloam *

* Back to the source,
back to the mound *

* To take your place
on the sacred ground *

- Isn't she in heaven?

- No, not yet, stand quietly.

- You cannot touch her.

- Listen, she has not much time.

- Here is she who labored to
bring you into this world.

Deirdre, behold your
gifts to the future.

They will be shielded
and raised here.

Speak, tell them
what they must know.

- A great darkness comes
from where the sun rises.

Friends will become foes,
but foes will become friends.

And the voices of our
ancestors clamor for justice,

and we will all
stand behind you.

There will be division
and restoration.

Be not afraid, for the
land will ever be with you.

- I heard that the Picts
are more animal than human.

- Is it true that
they eat the bodies

of those they have slain?

- Only when they
have nothing else.

The winters up there
are bitter cold,

and the Picts are a fierce,
proud, brave people.

But they are a people like us.

And our ancestors
used to collect

the heads of their enemies.

- But they paint
themselves with woad.

- The Picts have
learned its power.

It is a small yellow flower
that creates a blue dye,

and the Picts apply
it to their bodies.

That way it prevents a
wound from becoming corrupt.

Also, it lessens the pain,

so it gives the warrior
greater courage.

- So that's why they
don't wear armor.

- Aye, that's it.

- Could your magic
not stop the Romans?

- Do you know what magic is?

- Power.

- Yes, and all beings have it.

- Not everyone is a mage.

- Power has many forms and
often contends against itself.

Our power was in our
pride and our freedom.

The Roman was in
organization and in order.

They cut us up like
roasts for dinner.

- So steel is
stronger than magic?

- Even the most finely-crafted
sword is pathetic

in the hands of one who
does not know how to use it.

Uther, take this stick
and attack me with it.

- What did you do?

- I knew where to grab his arm
to make him drop his stick.

When you learn yourselves,
you learn your power,

and that becomes your magic.

- Someday I would like to
see the rest of the world.

- Young hearts are
always full of desire.

My place is here, holding
fast to the old ways

with the Guineveres.

- I've always heard them
called the Guineveres,

but what does it mean?

Is it a name?

- Guinevere is not a
name, it is a title,

it means the White Phantom.

There were once nine of them,

bold warrior priestesses
who defended this land.

Now there are only two.

They have not husbands, for
no man can possess them.

- So, if they are
White Phantoms,

why do they dress in black?

- Black is the color of
that which is unknown,

they bring to light
that what is hidden.

- And did they fight?

I've never even seen one
of them with a knife?

- They fought, same
as I, with magic.

The Druids could raise storms.

We sent hailstones the
size of men's heads

crashing down on the Romans.

Such was the power
in those days.

- What
happened to that power?

- Several centuries ago,
Rome sent an army against us.

We held back against
the first attack,

but Rome's supply of men and
arms seemed inexhaustible.

We could not prevail against
their power and discipline.

They thought they
had destroyed us.

We thought it better
to remain hidden.

Those who need us
can always find us.

- What about the Saxons?

- They do not know we exist,

and I no longer concern
myself with what goes on

outside my Grove.

- The bread is still not done?

- I can't get enough firewood
to heat the oven properly.

- The loaves look blemished.

- Did you see this week's
allotment of flour?

I had to pick mold out
to of it, and maggots.

- Uh, smells like a dead fish.

- Where is my bread?

- My Queen, it is not ready yet.

- Still not ready,
and it is almost dark?

- I am so sorry, my Queen.

- Yes, you are sorry, sorry,
and miserable, and useless.

These idlers must be flogged.

- My Queen, I've seen that
flour, it is unfit to eat.

I wouldn't even
feed it to a dog.

- I'll deal with them.

You two come with me.

Now scream loudly.

- They'll never trouble
you again, my Queen!

- Princess, what are you?

Very good, but what will
happen when she finds out?

- She'll be even angrier
that you've tricked her.

- We need to leave.

- And go where?

- West, to where
our true Queen is.

- That will be a hard journey.

- I will take you.

You've drawn the wrath
of the Saxon Queen,

and you're not safe here.

Hide in your cottage
until the moon rises,

and we'll head out tonight.

God does not want
me here anymore.

- My father has lost his honor,

and I will not serve his queen.

You two will need protection.

I'll gather the warriors,
and we'll go with you.

- And we'll let her bread burn.

- You're both useless.

You're nothing but
a drunk bedsprawler.

- I have not had a song
since the night she danced.

- And you, your
confounded loyalty

to a cold-blooded
witch is even worse.

- We've all taken an oath
to serve her as our Queen.

- We were forced to take that
oath, it doesn't even count.

- When I take an
oath, I stand by it.

We swore in front of Fenius.

I don't break my word.

- The Saxons have broken
all of their oaths.

Fenius would tell you that.

Roman rule, Saxon rule,
it's all the same.

This is the only thing
still worthy of my loyalty.

- Snivel then until your
tunic is soaked in snot.

We need to get Enid and Tavish
away before she kills them.

- She would not kill them.

- Would you stop her?

- He wouldn't stop her.

- That monk is the
only man in the village

who has any backbone.

- All right, you've
convinced me, Dove.

I'll go with you, and we
will get them to safety.

I'm sure there's
mead in the West.

- I hear you've
been teaching Emrys and Uther.

- They're of our people,
they must learn our ways.

- But they are Christian.

Like many here,

they still dwell in
the ancient dark ways.

I must lead them on
the path to the light.

- Every path has shadows.

Have you never
considered the darkness

that might be on your very own?

The boys will
worship as they will,

and you may teach them
in their Christer faith.

What a man does with his
beliefs is more important

than what he believes.

- I have much to teach them.

They must know more than
weapons and folklore.

Can you even read?

- The script of the
Greeks, the Romans,

and my people's as well.

But I have yet to learn
the scripts of the Saxons.

- I can only read the Latin.

But, but your people
have never recorded

any of their knowledge.

You pass on your
teachings orally.

Our words are sacred
and have power.

And it is part of our
ways to listen and observe

to determine if the
student is worthy.

By writing them down,

all a man needs is
knowledge of the letters.

That is why we do not pin
our words to parchment.

- We share our Lord's gospel
in writing as well as speech.

That way all may come to know
him and receive salvation.

Let me tell you more of him.

- My thanks, but if I so
desire, I will ask you.

The Romans brought gods, and
theirs were much like ours.

- But now Rome knows
the one true god,

and he is very
different from yours.

- The world is so
much larger than Rome.

And how can one god look
after so many peoples?

Yours is a god of the desert.

Ours is an island of
forests and marshes.

- Then please, tell me
more of your customs.

- We are one with the land,
As it feeds us, we feed it.

From the time of
a person's birth

to the time of their death,
they are one with all that is.

As our lives have cycles,
so do we follow the cycles

of the sun, rejoicing
when the land awakens

from the winter's frost
into the summer's bounty.

- So your land blossoms when
Our Lord rose from the dead.

- Our land was blossoming
long before your god was born.

- And your winter
celebration of the sun

is at the same time as the
birth of the son of God.

- But your son of god is no god.

The child of a god
and a human woman

is only a half-god, and
we have stories of these.

To be a true god, the mother
must be a goddess also.

- But Mary was but
the physical vessel.

The true mother of God
was the Holy Spirit,

Sophia, the divine wisdom.

- So do you have
one god or three?

- They are all three one.

- A triple deity.

Now that's the first thing
you said that makes any sense.

We have triple gods also,
gods of land, of sea, and sky,

just as the earth, sea
and sky form one world.

Come, let me show you
some of their shrines.

Categern, these folk

have come from Emrys
and Uther's village.

- Yours was one of the first
hit by the Saxon raids.

- I was the chief.

I owed my allegiance
only to Vortigern.

When the Saxons fell upon us,
I went to him seeking justice.

But he would not hear me.

- Father and Fenius would
always listen to every petition,

even from the
poorest of peasants.

- No one can appeal to him now.

The Queen turns everyone away.

- Fenius is lawkeeper
in name only.

- What has happened
to your village?

- Hengest has made himself king.

- He's turning our
people into slaves.

- But before the Saxon bitch
cast her spells on him,

Vortigern was the best of kings.

- You are his son, and the
son of our good Queen Sevira.

- And yet you rot here
growing vegetables.

- I tend to the land, and care
for those who seek refuge.

- We don't need refuge,
we need retribution.

- We must have a strong leader.

Someone honorable, someone who
can inspire a broken people.

- Inspiration's for the bards.

- Are you going to spend
the rest of your life

hiding with the Druids?

- We came here for you, a prince
by blood and by upbringing.

- I renounced my
claim to the throne.

- But you cannot
renounce who you are.

- Who else can rally the people?

They remember Vortigern
before he was bewitched.

You bear his legacy.

- And you know his village.

- Yes, there's a weak
point in the fortification

where a small force
could easily get through.

- Will you come with us then?

- No one else can
lead our fight.

- I understand that our
whole country suffers.

But how can I fight my father?

- You've not seen him in years.

He's changed.

- You left him when he
renounced your mother.

- True, but are your warriors
ready to fight Hengest?

- Yes, we are.

We would rather die by the sword

than endure another
day of Saxon rule.

- I will get my armor,
and I will come with you.

- Categern, wait.

You should talk to
your mother and sister.

And to Myrddin.

- They would tell me not
to go, and then the boys

would want to come too.

No, we must leave now.

If we are quiet,

we can slip into the
fortification unnoticed.

Taliesin, will you come?

- You'll need someone
to tell of your deeds.

- Warriors are approaching,
they will attack us tomorrow.

- What?

- They will not expect
us to be ready for them.

But you know my ear is
always upon the earth.

- Who would dare attack us here?

- Vortigern's son.

- The useless
ex-prince?

- He is leading a
group of fighters

from the lands that
you have taken.

Prepare our warriors.

They will not expect us
to be ready for them.

- Don't worry, sister.

We can take care of them.

What about Vortigern?

Will he fight his own son?

- He will have to.

- He better.

- Leave him to me.

- Are you sure you want
to be here, friend?

- This is wrong, you know.

- King, Prince on
the battlefield.

- Finish him, traitors.

- My own father.

On the battlefield
against his own son.

- Do everything but kill him.

- Saxon dog.

- Songbird,
you've betrayed us.

Not today, songbird.

Boy.

Kill him, kill him now.

- Oh, brother, I shall
see you in Valhalla.

- Stop, stop.
- Vortigern.

- Stop the battle!