A cinematic dialogue scene set in a winter war camp.
01
Original scene written as a portfolio sample. It is not part of an existing game.
A cold winter night. Snow falls over a small camp hidden deep in the forest. A fire burns in the center while tired warriors gather around it. Two warriors leave the commander's tent in silence, disappointed by the decision they've just heard. Lumia watches them leave before stepping inside.
02
Wants to keep his people alive; won't risk anyone he doesn't have to.
Wants to be trusted with a real mission, not kept in the rear.
Follows orders, but sees what Thoremon won't say out loud.
03
(Without taking his eyes off the tent entrance)
Too young…
Commander.
I sent him home.
How could you...
(She stops herself)
I mean... the war isn't over, Commander. He could still be useful.
He's sixteen.
He's also one of my best… I mean our best archers.
He's sixteen.
(A brief silence)
What do you need?
We're running out of food. And medicine. Everyone is hungry. Every day we lose more warriors, and we barely have enough supplies to treat the wounded.
Go on.
The chief healer says the herbs we need only grow in the mountains beyond the camp.
And?
I think we should send a small group to collect them.
Who would lead this group?
I will.
(Thoremon looks at her without saying a word)
Qulley and Fin are our fastest runners. Iveen knows every path through the mountains. I'll take the three of them. We'll travel light, avoid the enemy patrols, gather the herbs, and return before sunset.
You sound very confident.
Because I am.
Confidence has buried many good warriors.
And fear has buried even more.
(Another silence)
Do you think leading four warriors into the mountains is the same as bringing all four of them back?
No. But I believe I can bring them home.
And if one of them doesn't return?
Then that will be my failure.
(Thoremon studies her for a long moment)
You're eager to prove yourself.
I'm eager to help.
Helping people starts with bringing them home.
(A long silence)
I'll send a team to gather food and medicine. Thank you for bringing me the report. Now return to your tent, young warrior.
But...
Enough. You're doing exactly what the boy did. You're letting your pride speak before your judgment. This is a battlefield, not a place to prove yourself. When I give an order, you follow it. I am your commander.
If you don't believe I can make the right decisions then why am I here? You're the one who brought me into this army. You're the one who gave me this chance. Now you're trying to take it away.
You're not going. You're not the right person for this mission.
(Raising her voice)
I am a real warrior!
(Interrupting)
And you're speaking to your commander. Watch your tone. That's an order. Dismissed.
But you said—
I said enough, warrior!
(A few warriors enter the tent. Thoremon gestures for them to leave. They quietly step back outside)
You don't trust me. You don't believe in me. When you brought me here, you told me I could become a real warrior. You told me the only way to earn that title was to fight beside the others. But what have you done? You keep sending me to the rear. Carry the wounded. Serve the food. Feed the animals. Keep the fire burning. Is that why I came here? No... This isn't because you don't trust me. It's because you don't think I can do it. You don't even see me. You think I can't fight because I'm a girl. But girls can be warriors too. Wasn't Deltina a warrior? Didn't she start just like I did? You trusted her. Why won't you trust me? Then answer me, father. What do I have to do to prove myself to you?
You're not ready, warrior.
I am ready!
(Silence)
(Calling outside)
Krogben! Gather a team. Send them to the mountains for the herbs, then continue north and bring back as much food as they can carry. Lumia is not part of this mission.
...
(She stares at him for a moment, then turns and leaves the tent without another word)
Yes, Commander.
(He hesitates)
Commander... Lumia would have been the strongest choice.
I know.
Then why...
Because some risks are not worth taking. Now gather the team.