3
Meera say you brave van say my sister feed
//
The tension in the village square thickens as Van stands his ground. The villagers gasp—no one speaks to Queen Meera with such bluntness. Jiya holds her breath, her hand trembling against her side.

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## **SCENE START**

**EXT. VILLAGE SQUARE - CONTINUOUS**

**MEERA** pulls her hand back from Van’s chin, her eyes narrowing. A slow, cold amusement creeps into her expression. The guards shift, their hands tightening on their obsidian spears, waiting for the signal to strike him down for his insolence.

**MEERA**
Brave. Most men tremble until their knees hit the mud when I speak. You... you look me in the eye as if we are equals.

**VAN**
(Voice steady, eyes locked on hers)
I am not brave, Queen. I am just hungry for the truth. And my sister feeds me. 

He glances at **JIYA**, who is still kneeling, her face pale.

**VAN** (CONT'D)
She works the land. She provides the milk that gives me strength. Why should I fear a Queen who only takes, when I have a sister who gives everything?

The Lead Guard steps forward, the tip of his spear inches from Van’s throat.

**LEAD GUARD**
Mind your tongue, peasant! You speak to the Eternal Sovereign!

Meera raises a hand, silencing the guard instantly. She steps even closer to Van, the scent of rare Amazonian lilies clinging to her royal robes. She looks at Jiya, then back to Van’s defiant face.

**MEERA**
(Smirking)
So, Jiya "feeds" you? She nurtures the fire in your blood, keeping you docile in this little hut? 

She leans in, her voice a silk-wrapped blade.

**MEERA** (CONT'D)
But tell me, Van... what happens when the sister’s gift isn't enough? What happens when the hunger inside you grows larger than this village? Larger than her?

Van feels a sudden, sharp heat in his chest—the "Ancient Warrior" blood reacting to her proximity. It’s like a drum beating in his skull, demanding he reach out and take the crown from her head.

**VAN**
(Straining to keep his voice calm)
It will always be enough. I don’t need your gold or your palace.

**MEERA**
(Laughing softly)
We shall see. If your sister is your life, then I shall make sure she works twice as hard. 

She turns to her Lead Guard, her voice turning to ice.

**MEERA** (CONT'D)
Double the tax on this household. If they cannot pay in grain, they will pay in blood. Let’s see how well she feeds you when there is nothing left in the larder.

Meera turns and steps back into her palanquin. As the procession begins to move again, she looks through the silk curtains one last time, watching Van stand tall amidst the kneeling crowd.

**JIYA** pulls Van down, her voice a frantic whisper.

**JIYA**
Van, stop! You’re going to get us killed! Do you have any idea what you’ve done? She doesn't just want our money now... she wants to break you.

**VAN**
(Watching the palanquin disappear)
Let her try. My blood feels... awake, Jiya. For the first time, it feels awake.

**SCENE END**

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**Would you like to see Van and Jiya working the fields to meet the double tax, or should we skip to the palace where Meera prepares a "test" for Van’s ancient memory?**