All right. This is the start of a script for a comic, as this topic thread suggests. I'm having trouble motivating myself to work on it, and I figured posting it here might help.
The Demon & The Prince
CASTLE COURTYARD
Two young men stand facing one another, swords in hand. The
first is JULEN: a young, white, rather effeminate looking
teenage boy whose cringing posture suggests he isn't the
very pleased with the current situation. The second is
DELROY: tall, black, and about the same age, and in a much
more confident in his deportment.
DELROY
Ready?
JULEN
Y-yes.
Delroy lunges forward. Julen barely parries Delroy's strike,
staggering backwards. Julen pulls further away to avoid the
second slash, but trips and falls backwards.
He lays on the ground, eyes closed and arms pulled up to
protect his face. The tip of Delroy's sword smacks him
gently in the center of the forehead, and Julen opens his
eyes.
DELROY
I love you Julen, but I have to say
that your performance was...not
very good.
Julen sits up, massaging his forehead. He is blushing in
embarrassment, and smiling sheepishly.
JULEN
That was rather terrible, wasn't
it?
DELROY
I dare not use such demeaning
language towards my honorable
prince.
But yes. It was.
JULEN
(As Delroy helps him to his
feet)
Oh, I'm sorry. I just-
DELROY
I know, I know. It's fine.
Julen's expression grows more serious.
JULEN
(Examining his sword,
discouraged)
I'll never manage to wield a weapon
with much skill...Any skill.
DELROY
That's probably true. I doubt any
amount of training will chance
that.
JULEN
Delroy-
Delroy puts his hands on Julen's shoulders.
DELROY
You're gentle and sweet and
harmless. You've always been this
way, and it's why I love you so
much.
Soldiery is not in your nature,
Julen. And you have no reason to be
ashamed of that.
Julen bows his head.
JULEN
I already know that...but...
Julen trails off, looking over Delroy's shoulder at a
perched crow.
DELROY
What is it?
Delroy turns and follows Julen's gaze.
JULEN
I'd swear that bird has been
watching us.
DELROY
(Amused)
Well, they are very clever animals.
Perhaps he is hoping for a treat.
Julen frowns at the crow, fiddling with his fingers. The
crow does appear to be watching them intently.
JULEN
It doesn't seem...strange to you?
DELROY
(Teasing)
Crows and ravens are the preferred
servants of demons, you know. They
are sent from the Black Valley to
spy and act as messengers.
JULEN
Is that true? Do you...Do you think
it could be one?
Delroy raps his knuckles on the center of Julen's forehead,
indicating where the sword had swatted him earlier.
DELROY
What has brought this on? Did I hit
you too hard before? You're being
very silly.
JULEN
(Pushing the hand away)
It struck me as unusual, that is
all. But-
BAKKAR
Julen.
King Bakkar walks into the courtyard. He's a tall,
intimidating man, with a stern expression.
Julen and Delroy immediately step away from one another,
bowing to their king.
JULEN
Father-
BAKKAR
If you're not going to use this
time for actual training, then come
with me.
Julen glances guiltily back at Delroy, and follows his
father towards the entrance to the castle.
The crow, still perched nearby, watching the pair until they
go inside. Once they are gone, it flies aware.