As always: you can do with the script what you want, just credit me and let me know. If you prefer: Google Docs
(Royal dungeons, wounded and exhausted listener is sitting in the cell with other rebels. Sounds of multiple footsteps on a stone floor are slowly getting closer)
That's the one. Open the cell.
(The prison-guard opens the iron wicket and they all go inside. Knight pokes the rebel)
Hey, peasant! Are you alive?
Good. Can you open your eyes?
Do you recognise me?
Do you know who I am?
Do you remember what you have done earlier, on the battlefield?
(Surprised) What exactly? I think you know what I mean and I need some answers. Can you walk on your own?
(To guardians) Pick them up.
(Guardians pick up the struggling rebel)
(To guardians) Let them walk.
Just don't try anything.
(They walk together in silence for some time)
We're going somewhere more private, where we can talk without witnesses.
(They finally stop. The sound of a heavy wooden door opening.)
Get in.
(To guardians) That's all, get back to your work.
(Knight walks into the room and closes the door.)
These are my private quarters.
(Knight lays some fabric cover on an armchair.)
Sit here, just try not to stain everything with blood and dirt.
(Knight pour some liquid in a cup and give it to the rebel)
Here, drink it.
It's just a brew, it will make you feel a bit better.
(Knight sits in an armchair opposite to the rebel)
Let's go straight to the point: why did you save me? Back then, on the battlefield...
You perfectly know what I'm talking about. You saw that giant aiming his axe at my back and shielded me. I saw it with the corner of my eye. Why did you do that? We're enemies!
Don't take me for a fool! It was not by accident! You even looked back to check if I'm alright. We've made eye contact, that's why I remembered your face.
(Pissed off) Stop lying!
(Calm again and a little bit weary) I lost sight of you in the turmoil, but then I saw you amongst the prisoners. I tried to convince myself it wasn't what I saw, but... I just couldn't leave it. My mind was wandering around that scene on and on again, in slow motion. So I went to see the queen, and she, in all her generosity, let me keep you. Do you understand what I am saying?
You are officially my property. I can do what I want with you. And no matter what you are saying, I feel that I owe you a life. So speak the truth. (Gently and politely) Please. Why did you save me?
I don't deserve to die? Who are you to judge me like that?
(Vexed) How can you know what kind of person I am? You know nothing about me!
(Curious) What did you see?
It was just a simple gesture of kindness, it cost nothing. It means nothing!
(With less self-esteem) Maybe there was more, I don't remember. It doesn't prove anything...
(Vexed again) I'm no different than other knights of her royal highness!
You're wrong!
(A bit calmer) Listen, I'm not here to be a good or a bad person. I'm here to follow the queen's orders. My value is measured in loyalty and obedience. I am just the same as the rest of her army. Why did you fight with us, but save me?
(Almost screaming) I am exactly the same! You have no idea what you are talking about! You're just a stupid peasant, you know nothing!
(Trying to get back to composure) You are here because if you wouldn't risk your life for me, I would be dead by now. No matter how unreasonable the move was and what your motivation was. I couldn't just let them hang you with other rebels. I am thankful, even though you're just a simple peasant.
Yes, even though you're my enemy.
(A bit extinguished) That doesn't make me different!
Alright, please, tell me about other knights. Tell me how bad they are.
(With less and less confidence in the voice) He must have had a reason...
It was probably just a misunderstanding...
Maybe they deserved it?
Stop it... It's just a bunch of lies, it's all lies...
(Almost curious) Don't you dare speak like that about the queen... She is first after the Goddess and only the Goddess can judge her. Only the Goddess can question her decision and only she can punish her. The whole rest of us, nobility, knights, villagers, peasants, were here only to serve her. And if you don't understand it, maybe you don't deserve to live? Maybe you deserve to suffer under her reign?
That's just how the world is built! It has always been like that and it will always be. Why do you fight so stubbornly to change something that works perfectly?
Why do I even talk with you about it? You know nothing about the world. You just sit in your cottages, milk your cows, cultivate the fields, harvest... You have no idea how big the world is and how much more is going on! You think only about what's good for you. You're selfish and narrow-minded.
No, the discussion is over. You've said enough.
(Furious) I said: enough!
(Deep breaths, the knight tries to calm themselves)
If you really feel so oppressed, so harassed, I will give you a choice. You can go back to your companions and die with them on a scaffold, like an idiot. Or you can stay here and let me show you how wrong you are. Let me show you the world from a wider perspective. Maybe you will put this knowledge to good use, someday. But there will be rules. Do you want to hear them or do you want to get back to prison immediately?
(With relief) Good choice. First of all: in the eyes of the law you are now my property, which means I'm responsible for you. If your bad behaviour will cause me trouble, I won't hesitate to enforce obedience. But I believe you are reasonable and it won't be necessary. Do you understand?
Second: you are not allowed to leave my quarters. If someone catches you wandering around the castle, you'll be immediately escorted to prison and executed. Is that clear?
(Calmly) No, I don't see you as some kind of wild animal that needs to be tamed to become a lovely pet. You're still a human. Thinking, feeling, having needs. But the situation is... unusual. For everyone. So I ask you to behave reasonably and cautiously. I think we can get along, despite the class differences.
(Stands up, speaks calmly walking towards the door) I must go now, but I will send a maid and a medic to take care of you. You need to take a bath and put on new clothes. Medic will examine your wounds and tend them. Just be honest with him, don't play unbreakable. He's a good man and knows his work. Don't doubt his methods, no matter how strange they seem to you. Just let him do whatever he wants, don't be afraid. Alright?
(Knight opens the door)
Maid will bring you something to eat and prepare a place to sleep, you can have a rest after they're done. I will come back after sunset, we'll eat dinner together and decide what to do. Just don't do anything stupid until then. Stay here and wait for me. (Gently and soft) Please.
(Knight walks out and closes the door)