Clovis

Scene 1: The Divided FranksEXT. FRANKISH BATTLEFIELD - DAYThe year is 466 AD. A chaoticbattlefield sprawls across thelandscape. Roughly clad Frankishwarriors, their faces streaked with dirtand blood, clash with crude weapons -axes, swords, spears. The air is thickwith the smell of sweat, blood, andsmoke. A young boy, around ten yearsold, watches from a slight rise, hiseyes wide and observant. This is CLOVIS, future King of the Franks. His father, CHILDRIC, King of the Salian Franks, fights amongst them, his armor battered, his movements slow with age.CLOVISHe grips a small, crudely fashionedwooden sword.CHILDRIC(weary)They will never unite, my son. Never.CLOVISBut why, Father? Why do they fight?CHILDRIC(gruffly)For land. For power. For glory. Foolish things, all of them.Childeric wipes blood from his brow, hisgaze sweeping across the brutal scene.He sighs, a deep sound of despair.CHILDRICOne day, you will learn that uniting them willrequire more than a strong sword.Clovis looks intently at his father, aflicker of ambition in his young eyes.He tightens his grip on his woodensword.CLOVISI will unite them, Father. I will.A particularly brutal clash eruptsnearby. Childeric is pushed back, almostfalling. Clovis flinches but remainsrooted to his spot, observing the chaoswith a grim determination.CHILDRIC(coughing)Perhaps... perhaps you will.FADE OUT.