Black Blood Troy: Fall of a City

This programme contains some scenes of a sexual nature.

GRUNTING

SHE SCREAMS

SHE SCREAMS

SHE CONTINUES SCREAMING

Samira. Samira, quickly.

SHE PANTS It won't come. It won't come.

SHE SCREAMS

SHE SCREAMS

BABY CRIES IN DISTANCE

BABY CRIES

Look, Cassandra.

You have a baby brother.

SHRIEKS

SHE SCREAMS

Ya! Ya!

-Get them in there, Paris!

-Ya, ya!

Cantenaus, move them! Come on!

-We need a woman around here.

-THEY LAUGH

SHE GIGGLES

HE GROWLS SHE SHRIEKS

HEAVY BREATHING

-IN DISTANCE:

-Paris! Where are you?

He's calling.

-Paris!

-His horses can wait.

I've got a beast of my own to take care of.

Where've you been?

I was...checking the fences.

What happened?

Bloody wolves scared them! Let's round them up, huh?

Shit.

-Paris!

-Ya.

HORSE WHINNIES

DISTANT LAUGHTER

Paris. Son of Agelaus the herdsman.

Who wants to know?

You've been chosen to resolve a dispute.

Decide which of these three goddesses is the finest.

Goddesses?

Whoever you choose will receive the golden apple.

I herd cows.

How can I decide something like that?

Zeus, bringer of storms, selected you personally.

Why me?

It's just a game.

But maybe we have the wrong person.

No. We have the right person.

Take it.

As I thought.

No good will come of this.

Quiet, Hermes, you've said enough.

Hera.

Give me the apple, Paris...

..and I'll make you the most powerful man alive.

-Don't listen to her.

-Athena.

Choose me, Paris.

With me by your side,

you'll be the most admired man on earth.

You know me, of course...

..from your dreams.

Aphrodite.

Goddess of love.

Grant me the apple...

..and I'll give you the most beautiful woman in the world.

Who is she?

Hm! You'll know her when you see her.

Time to decide.

INDISTINCT WHISPERS

I choose you.

THUNDER ROLLS

WIND RISES

THEY SCREAM

-What have you done?

-Enough!

The mortal has spoken.

HE SCREAMS

COW MOOS

Wait! When do I meet my prize?

Why don't you marry her, huh?

You won't find better.

Ya!

Where are you?

Keep your distance.

Who are they?

Them?

None of your kind.

What are they doing?

Training. For the city games.

Nice horse.

Hey! What the hell are you doing?!

Hey!

Woohoo!

Whoo!

You may be lords in the city. But here I rule.

We're not lords, friend.

We're princes of Troy.

Priam's sons. And you're out of your depth.

No hard feelings. Just be more careful next time.

Take me to the games.

I'll bet my life I can beat any of you at any event.

I'll give you one chance to take that back.

CHATTER AND CHEERING

You're next.

My brother, Hector, will fight you for our family's honour.

Bow down or accept his challenge.

Are you mad?

LAUGHTER AND CHEERING

Take it.

CHEERS AND APPLAUSE

PARIS ROARS

HE SCREAMS

PARIS GAGS

Hector, stop!

Paris!

Get up.

SHE GASPS

A miracle has occurred.

This boy is Alexander.

Our son.

The gods have saved his life!

They've brought him back to us.

CHEERING

The blood ran black.

You can't do this. I beg you...

I prayed for his return every day for 20 years.

-We both did.

-My Lord, please listen...

We did listen to you.

-I won't suffer again like that, I won't.

-I know.

You're making a great mistake.

The gods do not forget.

KNOCKING

Your Majesties.

Leave us, Lithos. We'll discuss this further in the morning.

Let me look at you.

You must have a thousand questions.

I'm a shepherd.

I'm not good with words.

You're not a shepherd any more.

It's hard, I know. But you must understand

that Paris is not your name.

And although he has shown you great kindness...

..Agelaus is not your father.

Your name is Alexander, Prince of Troy.

You were taken by wolves from this window when you were three days old.

Agelaus found you on the mountain track where the wolves left you.

I found you wrapped in a parcel of cloth.

I named you Paris.

It's a miracle you survived.

I thought you were dead...

Agelaus, thank you.

The city owes you a great debt.

Now, please, say goodbye to my son.

Father.

Goodbye...Alexander.

Come here.

I've missed you so much.

-To your new family.

-CHEERING

Come here.

BABY CRIES IN DISTANCE

SHE GASPS

What have you given to calm her?

She refuses to drink anything. She hasn't been like this in years.

HYPERVENTILATING

Cassandra? I'm here.

-Mother...

-It's all right, Cassandra.

The new Prince... I see it in his eyes.

Black blood!

Shh.

Don't let him back. Don't let him back.

It's all right, my love.

It's all right.

There.

-Give her what she needs.

-Yes, my lady.

Shh.

Close the windows.

Please. Please!

-My baby, please, no!

-BABY'S CRIES ECHO

No! Please, my baby!

LAUGHTER AND CHATTER

HE GRUNTS

Come on, up you get!

Let me try one more time.

Come on, Cassandra.

Come on.

Our sister, Cassandra, why doesn't she come to meals?

Cassandra is unwell.

Can't I at least meet her?

You focus on your own behaviour and leave her to us.

My behaviour?

I'm sorry if I'm a disappointment to you all.

No. No, you're not.

But the party's over.

No more visits to the lower city. No more late nights.

It's time for work.

I thought princes didn't work.

HE CHUCKLES I thought that was the point.

Well, they don't herd cows, if that's what you mean.

-Maybe you should just send me back.

-No-one's sending you back.

And no-one's asking you to change who you are.

Pandarus.

-My lord?

-What's this?

Your first official engagement.

I have a friend across the waters.

-King Menelaus of Sparta.

-Father...

I want you to represent me.

Pandarus will go with you. Introduce yourself, pay tribute.

The rediscovered son.

Strengthen the ties between our two lands.

-How exactly do I do that?

-Well, you'll learn.

Prove yourself a prince, son.

Well then.

Better get dressed.

-He's not ready.

-Let me go with him.

No. He'll learn on his own.

If this is work...

..let me work.

Land ahead!

Your quarters are in the south of the palace

and afford the finest views of the region.

Tonight, the king will hold a banquet

in honour of Prince Alexander.

You should sleep now.

You need to be on form tonight.

My Lord.

We bring you...oil of iris,

frankincense, rose and musk,

spices from the east, cumin and...

-WHISPERS:

-Turmeric.

-..turmeric.

From Africa, boxes of ebony. Ostrich eggs.

All of Troy's traders pay tribute to King Menelaus.

They bring the world to Sparta.

Let us feast to celebrate the new Prince of Troy.

The Queen not joining us?

Helen's unwell tonight.

I'm sorry to hear that.

She will feast when she recovers.

So, your story is a strange one.

I should like to hear it from your mouth.

It was a miracle of the gods.

I was stolen from a palace... DOOR OPENS

I'm sorry. I'm late.

My darling, you are recovered.

Curiosity defeated my tiredness.

Sit. Save your strength.

I was just asking Prince Alexander here to recount his charming story.

-Are those your birds, my Lady?

-Yes.

My father always let them fly free in the house.

One of his little indulgences.

I interrupted you, my Lord.

-Er...

-Please.

HE CLEARS THROAT

I was stolen from the palace window as a baby by wolves.

This shepherd found me on the mountain,

and took me into his house.

Unaware of your true nature.

Yes.

He called me Paris.

He taught me to ride, and run cattle.

For 20 years, that was my life.

-WHISPERS:

-My Lady...

Then, a few weeks ago, I saw the Princes training on the plain.

-I challenged them.

-And you won?

Yes.

-Until you fought your brother, Hector.

-Yes.

He would have killed me.

But my father recognised me from a birth mark,

and I was spared.

Show me.

To think something so small could change so much.

How did you two get together?

No. No, it's fine.

It's a good story and he should know it.

My brother won Helen for me in competition.

He fought 100 lords for Sparta,

and the right to Helen's hand.

So you didn't win her yourself?

Be careful, Prince.

Your father wrote in his letters you had much to learn.

HE SLURPS

What else did he say?

I can't read, so I wouldn't know.

It's time for bed, I think.

The Queen must not over-strain herself and you...

..you must be tired after your long journey.

Everyone keeps telling me that I should be tired. But...

HE SCOFFS ..I'm not.

But the Queen is.

DISTANT MUSIC PLAYS

MUSIC AND LIGHT CHATTER

The Queen's women are beautiful.

They've been friends of my wife's since birth.

You're a lucky man.

You think so?

I miss my real home.

Have you been to Mycenae?

No.

You should. There we have real culture.

This place is a wilderness,

though I've done my best to tame it.

But look at her.

She's worth it all.

But we were saying...

Helen.

Bring our daughter to meet our guest.

Hermione.

Meet the Prince of Troy.

Beautiful, isn't she?

And with brains to match.

You may go now, Hermione.

No, wait.

Hermione will need a husband soon.

Dynastic marriages strengthen all parties involved.

They are like hands held fast across the water.

That's the reason your father sent you here, Prince.

Or didn't you know?

I'm honoured to be considered worthy of her.

-I didn't say you were.

-Oh!

Not yet.

Come, Hermione.

We should find time to discuss that other matter, Pandarus.

Whenever you wish, my Lord.

Did you know about this?

Why? Doesn't it please you?

Of course it does.

If it's my father's wish.

And yours.

It's business.

My husband wants a treaty with Troy.

My daughter is part of the deal.

Is Troy THAT important?

Troy controls the straits from Asia.

Everything passes through your city.

Tin from the east to make bronze.

Spices from India.

So everyone wants a piece.

Welcome to the world, Prince.

Why do you look at me like that?

Surprised I have a mind of my own?

Not surprised in the slightest.

How did you sleep?

Not so well.

In Troy, we've got the sea breeze,

cools the skin. Here...

..the heat's like a furnace.

And then I thought I heard music.

But maybe I was wrong.

Do you know the story of Actaeon?

No. Should I?

He spied on the bathing goddess Diana

and was turned into a stag for his pains.

Dogs chased him through the forest...

..and tore his flesh to pieces.

Maybe it was worth it.

They're staying longer.

Pandarus thinks that Menelaus will agree to the marriage

to his daughter.

I don't like him being away.

He's reckless.

Well, I was reckless at his age,

or I'd never have won you.

The gods have forgiven us, Hecuba.

Why can't you?

Odysseus of Ithaca sends his greatest tributes and affections,

along with the finest alabaster from Assyria,

lapis lazuli from Bactra, and jasper from Minoa.

All of Troy is grateful and pays tribute to the great King Odysseus.

King Agamemnon of Mycenae sends his respects

and, along with it, a chariot of gold.

King Agamemnon won the beauteous Helen

and the kingdom of Sparta for his brother.

He knows the true value of a gem.

May I walk with your daughter, my Lord?

It's only right we get to know each other.

Of course. Hermione.

Show the Prince the chamber of silks.

These were a gift from an Indian king.

He tried to buy my mother's hand, but...

..she turned him down.

Why?

She refused all offers until her father forced her to take a husband.

Didn't she want to marry?

Must we always talk about her?

What do you want to talk about?

I don't know.

I'm not sure what to say or do.

I'm not like my mother, I'm not skilled in these things.

I'm not good with men.

I don't know what to do.

It's all right.

It's all right.

Hermione. Your father wants to see you.

He asked me to come here.

He didn't ask you to make a fool of yourself.

I'll show the Prince the silks myself.

Stop playing games.

Games, my Lady?

It may suit my husband to do so.

It does not suit you.

Hermione's a girl. She's not ready for courtship.

I wasn't courting her.

I was comforting her.

That's not what it looked like.

Well, that's what it was.

-We should go back to the dinner.

-Not yet.

All those bloody dinners. They're stifling.

These silks were given to my father...

-TOGETHER:

-..by an Indian king.

You turned him down.

-I know.

-Then there's nothing more to say.

We should go.

Please don't look at me like that.

I'm your hostess and Queen of this palace.

And does that make you happy?

It's no concern of yours how I feel.

I'll bet this palace was once very different

when it was yours and your father's.

And you were different too.

What do you mean?

Your world here was wild.

Your civilised husband didn't want that.

It scared him. So he tamed it.

And he tamed you too.

I'm a woman. We don't get to select our fate.

What fate?!

A life of gritting your teeth through banquets?

Drugging yourself into oblivion?

I know what freedom is.

And this...this isn't it.

You're royal now.

Duty will be your master too.

No-one can master me.

Except maybe you.

Be careful what you say.

Caution never got me anywhere.

What gives you the right...?

The gods.

Please don't.

Are you happy?

Tell me yes and I'll go.

I'll marry your daughter, just as they all want.

KNOCKING

KNOCKING CONTINUES

Open up!

What is it?

My Lady, I come from Mycenae.

The King's father is dead.

Your father.

My brother's set sail for Crete.

I'm to join him there for the funeral.

-I'll come with you.

-No. We have a guest. You stay.

My Lord, if it's easier for us to leave, just say.

I'll not hear it. My father has been sick for some time.

His death was not unexpected.

But we must look to the future.

Celebrate new alliances.

You have spirit, Alexander. I admire that.

Please, stay.

Get to know Hermione.

Come, Helen.

Five days.

-HELEN:

-Grant his soul joy, give him peace.

Grant his soul joy, give him peace.

Grant his soul joy, give him peace.

-Grant his soul joy...

-HE EXHALES FORCEFULLY

Death be his welcome god.

Let him into your majesty.

Give him peace.

Death be his welcome god.

Let him into your majesty.

Give him peace.

Death be his welcome god.

Let him into your majesty.

Give him peace.

Death be his welcome god.

Let him into your majesty.

Give him peace.

Death be his welcome god.

Let him into your majesty.

Give him peace.

Brother.

Why do you stare at her chair?

Men are fools.

-My Lord!

-Pack the bags. We're leaving.

-His Highness asked...

-SHOUTS: I don't care what he asked!

THUNDER RUMBLES

A storm is coming. We must wait till morning.

No, we're leaving now!

-HORSE WHINNIES

-My Lord! My Lord!

We must wait till morning!

-Get these carts loaded! Quickly!

-Yes, sir.

Come on!

Get these loaded.

Get these loaded, come on.

HE SCREAMS

KNOCKING

Why didn't you leave?

I tried.

The gods didn't let me.

I tried to hide from you.

I locked my door.

I couldn't sleep.

Three days in darkness.

I've gone mad.

You've made me mad.

What?

I was thinking about your name.

Paris.

I like it.

It suits you better.

There's something I haven't told you.

When I was a shepherd...

..I was told by Aphrodite I'd meet the world's most beautiful woman...

..and that she'd be mine.

And you think that's me?

I'm sure of it.

You're a fool.

-SHOUTS IN DISTANCE:

-My Lord! My Lord!

Prince Alexander!

My Lord!

Your men are calling.

My Lord!

You should go.

I can't leave you.

They can't find you here. My husband will have you killed.

When will I see you again?

I don't know.

Maybe at your wedding to my daughter.

-That will never happen.

-Well then, never.

-Just go. Please.

-Come with me.

I can't.

Come now, before your husband gets back.

It's impossible. I'd be seen. People would know.

You say that you are a woman and that you have no choice in life.

But that's not true. You have a choice now.

I have a daughter.

I can't just walk away.

-She doesn't deserve that.

-And what about you?

What do you deserve?

Please, just...just go!

Are the horses ready?

Yes, and the weather's much improved.

Make peace, we're not done here.

You're leaving?

I'm afraid so.

When will you return?

My Lord, the Queen sends her apologies. She is feeling unwell.

She won't be down to say goodbye.

She is sending a gift for your mother, Queen Hecuba.

See that it's carefully loaded onto the ship.

My mother should be here to bid you farewell.

What does it matter?

Is that why you're leaving early?

Because of her?

She rejected you, didn't she?

Don't come back.

Let's get going!

Let's go!

King Priam seeks your blessing for this new child.

Oh, gods, be merciful.

Where is my wife?!

I'm not a possession, I'm a woman.

I think, I feel.

What if they come for her? Agamemnon needs no excuse for a fight.

We are running out of time.

Your wedding will bless the voyage to Troy.

This doesn't look like a marriage altar.

Last time there was a war here, I was your age.

I want your loyalty, Zeus, to Greece and to me.

This city bows to no-one.

We will bring the rage of the gods down on your Asiatic heads!