ArinFightsRoland

ext. courtyard, resistance stronghold - continuous

They step out into a cloistered stone courtyard, surrounded by an arcade. In the center, Roland is working with a small group of soldiers who are learning how to use swords.

Arin watches Roland fence with the other soldiers. He swings the sword around with great speed, practically knocking over a few of the slower Soldiers in the group.

LIA

This is where Roland trains the leaders of our ground team.

Arin

Swords? Isn't that a little archaic?

ROLAND

(having overheard)

Not when your best chance at victory is to sever your enemy's head, or stop his heart from beating altogether.

ARIN

Which those swords do look capable of, but that can't be easy.

roland

It's messy business, but since none of the Unity soldiers are trained in sword fighting, it provides us an element of surprise.

Roland smirks. He turns back to the group of soldiers.

Arin

I learned.

(beat)

Some . . . in my spare time.

roland

Of which I would imagine there was a great deal during your years in Command over a walled city.

The group of Soldiers chuckle under their breath.

Arin

I'd be happy to show you.

LIA

Don't be ridiculous, Arin.

Arin shoots Lia an accusing look.

LIA

Your muscles are still recovering.

ROLAND

Catch.

Roland tosses a sword to Arin. He catches the handle and the weight of the blade drops his shoulder.

ROLAND

But they obviously still work.

Roland motions Arin into the circle of Soldiers. He steps toward Roland, swinging the sword around a bit, getting comfortable with the feel.

Harris emerges from a doorway behind Lia.

Harris

Is he doing what I think he's doing?

LIA

He's a stubborn, impulsive fool.

Harris

Which one?

Arin and Roland face each other and stand ready to fight.

They circle each other. Roland fakes the first move. Arin jerks the sword up in front of him. Arin tries to fake a swing. Roland doesn't fall for it.

Arin tightens his grip on the handle, then takes the first two swings. Roland blocks them with little effort.

Roland takes two swings at Arin. He blocks them, showing some struggle to keep up with Roland's speed.

ROLAND

What made you want to learn?

Roland swings his sword. Arin blocks.

Arin

It was another skill to know. Even if a little impractical.

Arin swings his sword. Roland blocks without even taking his eyes of Arin's face.

ROLAND

It's far from impractical for my purposes.

Roland swings his sword. Arin struggles to block.

Arin

It can't possibly be an efficient weapon to use against someone who is bound to be stronger than you.

Arin takes another swing. Roland retaliates with more energy and strength.

ROLAND

The first time a Unity soldier came after me, I was ten years old. I had never used a gun in my life and the only weapon I had was this knife.

Roland gestures to the knife on his belt. Arin jabs his sword at Roland. He sidesteps the shot with grace.

ROLAND

So in a panic, I threw it at him.

Arin swings his sword again. Roland blocks then pushes toward Arin. He stumbles back.

ROLAND

It flew straight into his heart. It may have taken a while, but he died all the same.

Arin takes another swing. Roland fights back with full strength. Arin struggles to hold onto the sword.

ROLAND

A blade was certainly an efficient weapon that day.

Arin

Why in the hell would a Unity soldier come after at ten year old kid?

Roland swings his sword dangerously close to Arin's chest. Arin jumps back to avoid it and falls to the ground.

Roland brings his sword straight up to Arin's throat and stops just short of touching him.

ROLAND

Because, after he killed my father, the only thing standing between that soldier and the thirty parces of farm land he murdered him for, was me.

Arin and Roland stare at each with equally stony gazes from opposite ends of the sword. Roland pulls his sword back and extends his hand out to Arin. Arin accepts Roland's hand, stands up and brushes himself off.

ROLAND

I suggest you finish recovering before you continue your self-guided training.

Roland takes back the sword and turns to walk away.

Arin

I want to fight for the Resistance.

There is an audible reaction amongst the soldiers around them. Roland stops and turns around to face Arin.

ROLAND

You're saying you want to fight for an army you didn't even know existed a few weeks ago?

Lia steps in between them.

LIA

You can't possibly be serious.

Arin

(to Lia)

I am.

(Roland)

I'm no civilian and I'm certainly not a prisoner. I'm a solider. I didn't join the Unity to fight for the Unity. I wanted to build a better world, and it didn't take more than a few months living on this side of it to prove to me that I wasn't.

LIA

Arin, you have no idea what you are getting yourself into.

Arin

You're right. I don't. But I see no better way to find out.

Roland takes a thoughtful pause. He glances over at Harris. Lia looks at him, expectant, nervous.

roland

Finish your recovery. Then we can see what you're really willing to fight for.

Roland points with his sword back toward the courtyard door. Lia guides Arin across the courtyard. The eyes of all the other Soldiers follow him out.