The Alliance -- Episode #316

EXTENDED SYNOPSIS:

Dar (Daniel Goddard), Tao (Jackson Raine) and Arina (Marjean Holden) rush to the rescue of Kodo who has been captured and carried away by a magnificent hooded falcon, Raptos. They trace the falcon and his terrified prey to a clearing in the woods where they meet the falcon's owner, Talia (Gigi Edgley). Dar pleads for the ferret's release, but Talia refuses, calling for her guards to take Dar and his friends back to the castle that she shares with her brother, Galen (Tim Campbell). Kodo is finally freed, much to the irritation of Talia, who mocks Dar's companionship with animals.

Galen learns that Dar is the BeastMaster and the son of King Eldar. It seems that Galen and Talia's father, King Astarte, was Eldar's closest friend. Their fathers also shared a pledge, symbolized by a forged warrior's cuff on Galen's wrist, which bears the rune of Eldar. Galen also has a scroll, said to be an agreement between their fathers, but which Galen has yet to decipher.

While Dar and Talia continue their bickering, Tao discovers the symbol on Galen's scroll that indicates the two are engaged to be married, signifying an alliance between the two houses to defeat Balcifer. Although Dar and Talia are horrified by the prospect, Dar wonders how he can ignore this message from his father. Secretly, Galen rejoices at the fulfillment of the prophecy. He knows Dar will not disobey his father's wishes. With Galen's army at his command, Dar will destroy Zad. Once Dar is King and Talia is his Queen, Galen will slay Dar and wear the Crown himself, thus fulfilling his duty to Balcifer.

Dar first wants to find his brother, presumed to be somewhere on the nearby volcanic mountain. Galen suggests that Talia accompany him, as she knows the land well. Dar sees this as an opportunity to find out if he can indeed honor his father's wishes. Despite the threat of the rumbling volcano, they push on, arguing all the way. Suddenly, ash and rock spew out of the crater, trapping Talia between a fissure and a rock wall. Dar manages to save her, and the near brush with death finally brings an uneasy truce between them. The truce turns into an easy companionship, and they begin to discuss their pending marriage.

Back at the castle, Arina makes a grim discovery about Galen. While sparring with one of his warriors, she dodges the advance of her opponent's spear, which jabs Galen instead. However, when the blade is retracted, there is no wound. Arina tells Tao about the incident, and Galen eavesdrops on their conversation. He realizes that Arina is on to him. That night, he arranges to have her killed in her bed. Arina overpowers her assailant, however, and to Galen's surprise, shows up at the breakfast table the next morning. In a rage, Arina threatens Galen with her dagger, but her fighting skills are useless against his powers. he has made a deadly pact with Balcifer, and has been immersed in the River of Invincibility.

Arina and Tao race off to find Dar and warn him that they've walked into a trap. Talia is horrified to learn the truth about her brother. In the ensuing altercation with Galen, Dar plunges his sword into Galen's chest, but Galen remains unscathed. Then Dar remembers the warrior's cuff forged onto Galen's wrist. He shatters the cuff with his sword, revealing Galen's bare wrist. Guessing that the waters of invincibility never touched the skin beneath the cuff, he presses the blade against Galen's wrist and blood trickles from the cut. At the same time, Talia suffers from an identical wound. It seems Galen's fate is destined to be shared by his sister. Talia begs Dar to go ahead and kill Galen, but Dar hesitates, giving Galen the opportunity to strike the sword from his hand. As he's about to plunge the sword into Dar, Talia grabs Dar's sword and strikes her brother in the wrist. Galen and Talia both fall. Dar holds Talia in his arms as she breathes two final requests into his ear, free her falcon, Raptos, and don't give up the fight against Balcifer.