INT. SAVAN PALACE BEDROOM - DAY.
Nia is thrown on the four-poster bed. The Savan guards shut the door and her handcuffs magically unlock. She rips the blindfold off and jumps to her feet, ready to fight. She's confused when she realizes that she is alone in a lovely master bedroom. She runs to the door and starts banging it.
NIA: I demand to see Tai!
SAVAN GUARD 3 (Offscreen): His majesty is busy. He will see you at dinner.
NIA: What? I am not having dinner with that tyrant!
SAVAN GUARD 3 (Offscreen): Then you will not eat.
Nia growls and runs to the window. She tries to break the glass but every time she bangs it, it glows - it is magically reinforced. She pulls at her hair then grabs the vanity table chair and throws it at the window but it still doesn't break. She sighs in frustrated resignation before taking in the semi-opulence of the room. It's gorgeous - it's suffocating her.
Nia is sitting at the vanity, crying. There is a brusque knock at the door before the same two burly guards enter. She immediately gets up, wipes the tears off of her face and puts on a tough face.
NIA: I demand to see Tai, now.
SAVAN GUARD 3: Calm down, puny girl.
NIA: You will address me as 'Your Majesty'.
SAVAN GUARD 4: Your title means nothing here. Put this on.
He throws a dress into her hands.
NIA: I will not - these are your colors!
SAVAN GUARD 3: You will be dining with the King, you insignificant harpy! Either put it on or starve.
SAVAN GUARD 4: I'm okay with either.
Nia drapes the dress on her form, reluctantly.
NIA: A little privacy, please?
INT. SAVAN DINING HALL - DAY
The guards escort Nia into the dining room and direct her to her seat. Tai stands behind his seat. She sits down before him - a small act of defiance. Tai shrugs and leisurely takes his seat.
TAI: Your majesty! I am so glad you decided to join me for dinner.
Nia does not respond but sits opposite Tai and waits for the cue to eat.
TAI: Ah, well, not everyone is a talker. Go ahead - dig in! That trip left me famished.
He eats vigorously. She does not; she stares him down. He is unbothered. He takes a small break from eating to really look at her.
TAI: You look just like a Savan Queen in that dress. Thank goodness we have clothes her to fit you.
She stares him down. Now Tai is slightly annoyed.
TAI: Do you think I'm trying to poison you? I assure you that I wouldn't dare.
She stares him down. An female attendant refills his cup.
TAI: Show our guest that her food is not poisoned?
Meti quickly shuffles to Nia. She takes two quick bites from Nias plate and swallows.
Meti also takes a small sip of the wine.
TAI: You see? I wouldnt poison you.
TAI: Marvelous! You will need your strength for What I have planned for you.
Nia snaps. She grabs her plate, tosses the contents at Meti and knocks bouth guards out. The other guards by the doors start towards her but Tai waves them off - this is fun for him.
Nia flings the metal plate at Tai like a Frisbee with intent to decapitate him. He easily dodges it with magic but it was a diversion. Once the plate is out of his field of view, she is kicking him in the face. This catches him off guard and knocks him to the ground. She takes advantage of this and grabs his sword and puts it to his throat. He levitates it out of her hand and tosses her like a rag doll into a wall. She crumples to the ground but shes not done. She grabs a tall lamp near her and prepares to use it like a Bo staff. They spare with Nia gaining the upper hand. Tai growls.
Tai levitates Nia back to her seat and places a body binding spell on her. She is now completely paralyzed from the neck down.
TAI: Tafari has trained you well but no amount of hand to hand combat can match magic. You've brought a stick to a knife fight, your highness.
NIA: I don't know exactly what you're trying to do here but if this is just some sick plan to force me to be your Queen so you can control Chikondi, it will never work.
TAI: You (Laughs) You thought I was going to (laughs) marry you?! Me? Kidnap you? (laughs) And bring you here for a wedding?
Nia is startled but tries to keep it off her face. She's trying to stare him down again.
TAI: Oh Nia. The plans I have for you are much more interesting.
Nia: I have no plans with you so let me go or kill me
TAI: I hope you enjoyed the years of control you had over others. You are in my Kingdom, my word is law.
Nia: I pity your subjects.
TAI: If you cared about anyone but yourself you wouldn't be in his predicament. Take her back to the room.
The guards levitate Nia out of the room.
