FADE IN:
INT. CHAEDATON WEST PORTICO DUSK
A WHITE SILK SASH cascades to the tile floor.
The sash streams over the tile on a breath of wind. It catches on a HAND then drifts over the entire BLOODY BODY.
The sash lofts higher where it wraps around the butt of a nearly vertical ARROW. The arrow heaves and the sash is gone.
EXT. CHAEDATON WEST STAIRS DUSK
GENERAL ARNNA GRANA breaks the shaft a handspan above where the arrow enters his side and thumbs off the splinters. Grana kneels on the steps and falls forward onto the broken shaft. The bronze head erupts through the flesh of his back.
Grana removes the arrow and collapses. Grana appears to die.
Later TWO PILLAGERS dash up the steps to Grana. Grana’s blood stain is darker–drier.
FIRST PILLAGER
Are you certain this is the one?
SECOND PILLAGER
I saw him in the piazza yesterday with the other soldiers.
FIRST PILLAGER
That doesn’t make it him.
SECOND PILLAGER
Look at his boots and his braids. It’s him. Unstrap his helmet first.
GRANA
Hold.
Word count: 161