Original subtitles

Don't breathe.

Ahhh!

You move, you die.

Ahhh!

Not bad.

Now, impress me.

[ moaning ]

Ahhh!

Zad: Your reputation

As a hunter and marksman Is not just a legend.

Niqit: Your reputation As a generous king

Is known throughout the land.

Zad: Yes, yes -- You'll be handsomely paid

When you've done the job.

If you fail, I'll be wearing A necklace of teeth

Plucked, one by one, From your screaming mouth.

Niqit: By week's end, you'll be wearing The beast's skin.

Zad: No.

Bring it to xinca, alive.

Niqit: Alive?

This is the world's Most dangerous creature.

Zad: Not nearly as dangerous As the one who wants it.

Niqit: I did not mean to insult Your highness.

Zad's power is known And feared by all.

Zad: It's not for me.

It's for my sister.

Don't disappoint her.

[ roaring ]

[ roaring ]

[ roaring ]

[ roaring ]

Dar: Ow!

Tao: Dar, what's wrong?

Are you all right?

[ moaning ]

Dar: It's ruh.

[ tiger yelping ]

Niqit: No creature

Is safe from niqit, Not even the mighty ruh.

[ snarling ]

in an age when nature and magic ruled the world...

...There is an extraordinary legend --

the story of a warrior

who communicates with animals,

who fights sorcery and the unnatural.

his name is dar,

last of his tribe.

he is also called beastmaster.

Ruh was here.

When?

Yesterday, Maybe two days ago.

This is one Of his favourite hunting trails.

Hold on -- This pack's getting heavy.

I can't -- I have foxglove And horehound for healing.

I have various oils To stop any bleeding.

Splints, bandages.

Can we hold on one second?

If he's Still alive

He's badly Hurt, tao.

Dar, he's still alive.

Do you have any idea How to find him?

No.

All I felt was His pain,

His confusion.

Then nothing.

[ bird crying ]

We're running Out of time.

Tao: Any sign of ruh?

No.

[ twittering ]

His cub returned With a rope around his neck.

I know my king Will be pleased.

Well?

Niqit: No creature's safe From niqit.

Zad: Idiot -- I said "Alive".

Niqit: He is.

Feel -- he's warm.

Callista: Don't touch that beast.

Niqit: Who's that?

Zad: Poison fruit From the family tree.

Callista: Let me pass or I'll have Your guts on a platter.

Zad: Callista, my darling sister, Lovely as ever.

Callista: You look tired.

Are you putting on weight?

Zad: You brought friends.

Callista: My warrior acolytes.

Zad: Is it the third full moon In the year of shadows already?

Callista: Time flies when you're looting And pillaging.

And on this sacred occasion, You cannot deny me.

Zad: As long as you divine What I need to know.

Callista: I'm the only one who can.

[ giggling ]

[ roaring ]

Oh, don't you trust me?

I brought you a present.

Another trunkful Of scorpions?

I only fell For that once,

When I was 12.

Father's dagger.

Where did you Get it?

From his lifeless hands, After you murdered him.

Why live In the past?

The blade.

It's stronger now.

Sings with the promise of death.

Ahhh.

Xinca is making you soft.

Don't count On it.

The beastmaster's already found

The first Of his hidden family.

What's that To do with you?

Haven't you made a promise To balcifer?

I'll kill Them all!

Not until I tell you Where they are.

Show me the tiger.

[ tiger moaning ]

Callista: Ohh.

He's perfect.

[ purring ]

[ purring ]

He seems okay.

What happened?

They used him as bait.

It wasn't your fault.

[ purring ]

He chewed Through the rope and escaped.

[ purring ]

Hey, don't you worry.

Your father and I have been Through too much to let you be.

[ woman screaming ]

[ people laughing ]

[ screaming ]

[ roaring ]

[ screaming ]

Very pretty, good screams.

[ screaming ]

[ roaring ]

[ cheering ]

Tiger wins again.

Who would have guessed?

Tao: I remember that day.

I was sure I was going to die.

Dar: You almost did.

[ whip cracking ]

[ yelling ]

You want to prove you're My champion, here's your chance.

Get in there!

[ laughing ]

Whoa!

Release the tiger!

[ snarling ]

Tao: Really -- that's The first time you met?

Funny, I don't remember that.

You were long Gone by then.

Tao: This must be it.

Dar: It's ruh's blood.

It's this way.

Dartanus: Are you going To leave me here?

What are you doing here?

Give me a hand.

Where else should I be?

You could use Some help.

You could have helped ruh.

True -- This is not my destiny.

It's yours and ruh's.

Are you saying Ruh's supposed to die?

Sometimes sacrifices Need to be made.

Is this one of those times?

How many must die So I can find my destiny?

How many Will die without it?

Can't you ever give us A straight answer?

Not when the answer Is a circle.

It ends

Where it begins.

Zad's fighting In the mydlands where I met ruh.

The arena isn't There anymore.

Zad's in xinca, so is ruh.

[ voices whispering ]

Kelb: Is this for real Or is she putting on an act?

Zad: Does it have to be one Or the other?

She's been like this Since she was six.

Kelb: Someone like her

Bears Close scrutiny.

That's my family You're talking about.

Is that a yes?

Definitely yes -- Watch my sister closely.

She has great powers But she's not to be trusted.

When will I be victorious?

[ coughing ]

When am I going to defeat The beastmaster?

That's what I'm trying To divine,

If you'd just shut up.

[ coughing ]

Can you do it Before I choke to death?

Perhaps later,

When I can Concentrate.

Ahhh.

We have An arrangement.

We've had one for some time.

You scourge the land To prove your manhood.

I see you for what you are, A coward.

The augury.

I provide The tiger;

You tell me

The beastmaster's Secrets.

Is that all?

[ roaring ]

[ gasping ]

What are You doing?

I see, I see The beastmaster.

He approaches.

A spirit stalks him.

Protector or destroyer?

Which?

Which is it?

That's all.

What Do you mean?

What prophecy Is that?

I must rest now.

Whose spirit Is it?

Where's His family?

I don't know.

The tiger will tell me.

When I have torn the belly

From that noble beast, You will know

Where all dar's family hides.

One by one, I'll hunt them down And kill them.

Dar: No, we didn't.

Tao: Just because dartanus said Ruh's in xinca.

It's not about What he says.

It's about What I feel.

I know Ruh's here.

He never tells us the truth.

He points To it.

We must Find it out.

Where do we start?

[ squealing ]

Dar: Podo, kodo, find ruh.

After I bathe, We must purify the altar.

Everything must be ready.

Someone's coming.

I don't think we've been Properly introduced.

My name is kelb, Knight captain of xinca.

Servant to our king.

Our king, yes.

I'm certain You're a loyal servant.

He sent you

To keep An eye on me.

It's not exactly Hardship duty.

Hmm.

You know, kelb, I don't think My brother zad really

Appreciates What he has in you.

Valiant soldier, a leader.

A man of your stature Should be treated

With more respect.

King zad is a brave warrior And inspired commander.

He's a bully.

I should know -- I grew up with him.

Ultimately, your allegiance Should be to yourself.

Are you suggesting treason?

Such a harsh word.

I'm suggesting that to defeat The beastmaster

And destroy his family May take more cunning

Than any one man

May possess.

Sometimes a woman's touch Is required.

It would be a privilege To serve anyone

Who could destroy The beastmaster.

I think it's time For my bath.

Leave us.

Now then, kelb, tell me What brother dear's been up to,

And leave nothing out.

[ coughing ]

Make way For the king's knights.

Do you know Who I am? A piece Of dirt.

I used to be a gladiator.

I fought in king zad's arena!

Neither man nor beast Could stand against my sword.

Maybe In your dreams.

Ahhh!

You call yourselves knights?

Cowards and vermin Are all I see.

What's the matter?

No small dogs to hit today?

It's brave,

But it's not wise.

Zad's knights aren't known For their humour.

You're right.

I'm just A foolish

Old man,

Trying to relive memories

Of past glories In the arena.

I don't remember Any glory in zad's arena.

A fellow warrior.

Dar: Not exactly.

Do you remember, There was a tiger,

A magnificent Creature.

I remember.

They say zad's captured Another tiger.

Sounds like a trap.

Of course It is.

It won't be the first time Ruh and I have been

In a tough spot.

How do you feel About killing now?

I'm not going to hurt you.

[ snarling ]

Get the leader; I'll take the others.

Zad: I haven't got all day!

[ roaring ]

Kill them both.

Tao: That was the first time You and ruh were allies.

This is the gateway To the tunnels.

It's locked.

Now what?

Maybe you could use this.

The key to the gate?

If it isn't, I took a beating for nothing.

You started that fighting On purpose.

I thought the key Might come in handy.

Tao, shut it.

Dar, what if zad's waiting For you?

Zad isn't the one He has to fear.

[ squealing ]

Kodo, podo.

You followed ruh's scent?

Good work.

Show me.

Xinca's so civilized.

No murders, hardly Any debauchery to speak of.

You're not losing your touch, Are you, zad?

Zad: I'm a king -- I have my responsibilities.

It can't be fun and games All the time, idiot.

You bow to me.

The worst thing is, There's no gratitude.

Callista: It must be exhausting Ruling an empire.

Tax collecting, executions.

Zad: There's no end to it.

Callista: Why manage it All on your own?

Don't even think about it.

Why?

I could remain here.

You could go off With your army,

Conquer new lands, Vanquish new people.

[ chuckling ]

I rule this land already.

You never were good At sharing.

Well, well, well.

What?

You have a visitor.

[ squealing ]

[ snarling ]

Ruh.

I've been worried about you.

Your cub chewed through the rope And escaped.

We must get you out of here So tao can heal you.

Beastmaster.

[ snarling ]

How good of you To join the party.

[ laughing ]

Here we are again.

You, me, and the tiger.

Ahh, just like old times.

You cheated me Out of a kill

Once before.

[ tiger roaring ]

It won't happen again.

My, my, my.

It's true what they say.

Oh, I'm afraid The powder's wearing off.

Just in time For the games.

Dar: You've got me.

Set ruh free.

Zad: Why, of course.

Right after I give All my money to the poor.

Can't you see he's dying?

[ moaning ]

You should be more concerned With yourself.

I could kill you, Right now.

Not until the augury, You fool.

Not until the sun is At its zenith

And we enter The third lunar phase.

Then I don't care What you do with them.

Nothing can stop me now, Beastmaster, not even you.

Mother would be so proud.

Now, where was I?

Oh, yes.

This is much better Than I expected.

Tao: Come on, dar, where are you?

You won't find him out here.

Where is he?

In trouble.

It's like A maze.

It could take me a year To find him.

Dartanus: Don't underestimate the bonds Of true friendship.

You and dar Are already linked.

Your individual destinies Have become as one.

Why are you here?

It's not obvious?

I'm helping.

You could do Something useful,

Like kill king zad.

Dar's victory is not a gift I can give.

It's a prize he has to win.

But what if you--

Oh, great.

So it's true.

You have dar.

He's just a man.

And soon the rest

Of his animal family Will be mine.

King eldar's bloodline, Exterminated.

One by one

I shall hunt them down And rip

Their beating hearts From their chests.

And the evil one Shall reign supreme.

With me at his side, Of course.

King zad?

Yes.

I'm afraid balcifer Won't need

Both brother and sister.

One of us Will become expendable.

Does that trouble you, Captain kelb?

You hate him, admit it.

A soldier like you Should hate a tyrant like zad.

I'm the future of xinca.

Serve me; I'll protect you.

Long live The queen.

[ squealing ]

[ coughing ]

[ moaning ]

Ow!

[ moaning ]

[ moaning ]

Unnh!

You'll need these.

You stole The keys.

How did you-- Doesn't matter.

They've got dar.

We've got zad, Right where we want him.

Ruh's Half dead,

And dar's In chains.

Once ruh and dar Are in the arena,

Everything will be fine.

Why do they Have to fight?

There must be Another way.

I wish there was.

I don't Believe it.

You've got the keys.

Prove me wrong.

Watch me.

[ whispering ]

[ keys rattling ]

How did you find us?

The bonds of friendship.

Forget about it.

Ha, you had to be there.

Ahhh!

Dar, here, drink this.

This will help.

I've made a poultice.

This will clean the wound.

[ purring ]

You'll find some herbs Inside the bag.

See if ruh will chew Witch-hazel and myrrh.

[ licking and purring ]

What did he say?

He appreciates your help.

That's not what he said.

[ door opening ]

Knights -- you'd better go.

Can't leave You here. Leave the herbs.

Go.

[ podo and kodo squealing ]

What did you find?

I don't care What callista says.

She'll never hurt my family.

Don't you worry about that.

Go. [ snarling ]

I'm saving your life again.

Just like the first time We met.

[ roaring ]

If you don't kill them, I'll slaughter you all!

Argh!

[ snarling ]

[ snarling ]

What do you mean I couldn't Have escaped without you?

I saved you, remember?

Don't be like this -- I know you were there.

[ purring ]

And then you did what?

[ moaning ]

[ roaring ]

[ screaming ]

That's some imagination That you have.

Tao's herbs are giving you Illusions.

Think you're strong enough To make it out of the tunnels?

[ snarling ] [ choking ]

Leaving so soon?

I'm hurt.

You might as well Tear out my heart.

Don't tempt me.

I understand how you feel.

The tiger stays with me.

I thought you wanted us To fight together.

So touching -- They want to die, side by side.

[ purring ]

You're both going to die.

Ahh!

But not together.

Your blood will drench My arena.

And the tiger's blood Will be spilled

In the service Of the evil one.

A sacrifice!

A divination, an augury.

Ah, just imagine.

Within the hour, Ruh's heart,

Speared by your own staff.

Mmm.

And when his steaming entrails Lie on the altar of darkness,

All will become clear to me.

Each of your hidden family

Will be found And hunted down.

[ choking ]

The line of eldar

Will perish forever.

The lord of darkness Will triumph

And so will I.

Just set ruh free.

Zad: In case you haven't noticed,

You're in no position To make requests.

Now that your family Will be found,

I can finally Enjoy watching you die.

[ panting ]

Zad: This brings back memories, kelb.

Cries of the innocent As they plead for mercy.

Screams of the wounded As they're cut down.

It's hard Not to feel sentimental.

This time The beastmaster

Won't escape.

Yeah.

Rules are simple.

In fact,

There's only one.

Fight to the death.

Death, death!

Death!

[ blasting ]

They're playing my song.

[ horn blasting ]

Ahh.

Begin!

[ grunting ]

You still carry her scent.

Had to get Close to her.

Win her trust.

Unnh!

I hope your efforts paid off.

I'm to slit your throat While you sleep.

Hardly original.

I expected more flair From dear little sister.

I know you wouldn't betray me.

Never, sire.

I know that.

I just wish I could be certain Of your loyalty.

You know I would give my life For my king.

That's it.

Thank you.

Now I'm sure.

[ yelling ]

Ahhh!

[ grunting ]

[ yelling ]

Should have stayed away From my sister.

That woman is poison.

[ voices whispering ]

[ purring ]

The staff.

Balcifer, lord of darkness, Accept this offering

From your humble servant.

Is it your wish

That I shall use this blade To reveal the secrets

That lie within your power?

Ah, it is time.

[ grunting ]

Open the cage.

Stop him!

Ahhh! Argh!

[ snarling ]

[ snarling ]

[ snarling ]

Kill her or save dar.

[ snarling ]

Aghh!

Ahhh!

Get in there!

Aghh!

This calls For something special.

No!

I've waited too long for this.

He's mine -- ahhh!

I'll almost be sorry To see you go.

Dar!

[ clanging ]

[ grunting ]

[ clanging ]

Get him!

Go.

Go.

I came as fast as I could.

Ruh's safe -- dartanus?

He'll be fine.

[ clanging ]

Zad: Spirits, visions --

Hogwash!

The tiger escaped, Along with the beastmaster,

Who, thank balcifer, Is still alive.

And why?

You learned nothing About his quest.

Callista: You blame me for this.

Zad: You are psychic.

Callista: If this is anyone's fault,

It's yours For not trusting me.

Zad: Forget about ruling At my side.

Unless you're out of xinca Within one hour,

You can forget About everything,

Except maybe your head On a pike.

You and kelb Make a fine couple.

Argh!

[ squealing ]

[ purring ]

I guess this makes us even.

No -- it doesn't make it

Twice in a row You saved my life.

Admit that you're wrong.

Dartanus: Actually, you both are.

Would you like to know What happened in zad's arena?

If you don't kill them, I'll slaughter you all!

Argh -- if you want something Done right...

I'm your king.

Not mine.

Aghh!

[ yelling ]

It was you.

Tao: What were you doing In the mydlands?

Dartanus: Looking out for you.

I was there when those bonds Of friendship were formed.

I came here now to remind you Of their strength.

I swore to be there for you When you needed me.

I have been, I will be...

From now on.

So will this.

My father's sword.

The world's changing, dar.

You've seen it -- Evil grows stronger.

You're fighting For your life.

You must grow stronger, too.

You must defend yourself, Your friends,

The whole world.

That's what all this was about.

A lesson hard won.

A test you needed to pass.

You cannot hope to find Your true path without this.

This sword was forged For your father,

Its blade as pure and strong As the man who wields it.

It's yours now.

Closed captions produced by Alliance atlantis broadcasting