Plot Synopsis:
In the kingdom of Minersa, those chosen as concubines to the king live five years in luxury before they must face death in the brutal gladiatorial arena.
When her beloved cousin Leta is selected in a rigged draw, small-town girl Renata see only one option: volunteer to be a gladiator. She will be in the arena protecting Leta when her five years are up. If she survives learning to fight.
Initially marginalized, Renata struggles to earn her fellow trainees' respect and master the rudiments of weaponry in time for their first arena melee. Even once accepted by the group, Ren must confront a sadistic and bigoted trainer, her complex relationship with Leta's fiancé and her overwhelming grief at a deep personal loss.
Will she be ready in time to save the girl for whom she gave up everything?
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Actual Excerpt:
EXT. LARHURST, MARKET SQUARE - LATER THAT MORNING
The three are walking through the market. RENATA is carrying the basket, now filled to the brim, and LERIUS and LETA each have a package or two.
WAILEN, a balding, chubby, and greasy middle-aged man struts down the steps of the town hall and past the trio. He is too full of self-importantce to glance their way.
LETA
I wonder what put him in such a good mood? He's normally rather dour.
LERIUS
(darkly)
Dour, or lusting after you.
RENATA
(identically darkly)
And him twice your age, with his wife only a year dead.
LETA
(Scolding)
You two worry too much. I'm sure he's actually quite nice, once you get past the... well...
(She peters out)
LERIUS
(Helpfully/triumphantly)
Vanity, narcissism and rudeness?
LETA
Lerius, really!
Renata, who has been off on another train of thought, now rejoins the conversation, cutting off whatever Leta would have said next.
RENATA
Maybe it's something to do with the draw. He is our local quotamaster, is he not?
Leta shivers and Lerius wraps his arm around her protectively. Renata observes this none too happily.
LETA
The draw is in only - what is it now - two months?
LERIUS
Three weeks.
Shock and sombre silence.
RENATA
But it's only two people who will be chosen - one girl, one boy - out of all of the childless young men and women in the whole sector. We'll be alright.
She reaches out and squeezes Leta's hand reassuringly.
Lerius holds Leta a little more tightly, and speaks to her as if they were alone.
LERIUS
In three weeks it will all be behind us-
LETA
For the seven years until the next draw-
LERIUS
I doubt you and I will be childless in seven years, even if we'll still be within the age range.
LETA
(Smiling up at him)
You're right Lerius, I shouldn't worry so much.
They kiss briefly.
LETA
(sighing)
It's just...
LERIUS
I know Leta darling, I know.
The three walk out of the marketplace together. Leta and Lerius holding hands, Renata half a step behind Leta, lost in thought.
RENATA (V.O.)
It's just that to be chosen means to be dragged away from your life - to have to serve the king for five years as a concubine or gladiator. It's just that few gladiators ever return home, and fewer concubines.
