EYE OF THE EAGLE
long time ago in the dark ages-
- kings and knights tought to detend the country's borders.
In those times, ravaged by deception and revenge-
- a friendship could be decisive in the struggle against evil torces.
Valdemar!
Here!
Show yourself!
You're not giving up then? - Come on!
That's the spirit, son.
Father, I want to be a warrior. - You will be too . One day.
Watch out for this!
You must know your opponent's next move.
Lord Albert. What brings you here? - Enemy knights south of the border.
I knew it. How far have they got?
Our border troops are under threat.
Call the men together. Get ready for marching.
Father, what's happening? Are we going to war?
Greetings, Your Majesty. - For the Bishop of Ravensburg.
Ravensburg? - It's the safest thing, Valdemar.
I don't want to go to Ravensburg. I want to go with you!
Valdemar, fighting isn't enough. You also have to use your head.
Remember, you'll be the king one day.
Your Majesty. We must go .
Valdemar, I promise you I'll be home as quickly as possible.
Father...
Who goes there?
Open up. The Bishop's expecting us.
Young Valdemar...
Dominus vobiscum,Your Highness.
It's not often royalty visits...
Are you Eskil? - Yes.
I am Bishop Eskil. The Pope's envoy.
Bishop of the Diocese of Ravensburg. - I have something for you.
Here! This is an order from the King. - Well, an order...
A command... So your father gives me orders?
The King gives you orders. And he expects you to obey them.
I see...
Come... we must not take any more of the Bishop's time.
Come here, you stupid animal!
Aske! Where on earth are you? - I've got it!
Come here.
Little gnome!
As a pupil here you must live in harmony with our brotherhood.
I'm not living in harmony with any one!
The rules are simple and straight forward.
Stop! Strength is in the hair. That's what my father says.
"Take care of young Valdemar's education..."
I, Bishop Eskil? Educated in Rome, Avignon and Paris...
...advisor to the Pope himself. Am I now to be a schoolteacher?
And who knows when the King will decide to return?
Yes. Who knows it he returns at all? - What do you mean?
When the cat's away, the mice will play.
The Ravensburg landlords are tired of the King's ceaseless wars.
Maybe the time is ripe...
...for a change of monarch.
How do you mean? Young Valdemar?
No... It was not him I was thinking of.
But as long as Valdemar is here at Ravensburg...
...it is I who decides.
Am I to live here?
Wait!
Let me out. Come back. Open the door!
My dear Valdemar. Here is your first syllabus.
Brother Grammaticus here will help you with your Latin transcript.
Here's pen and ink, Valdemar.
When will I get to fence? - First study, then play!
The King wishes you to study from dawn until late at night-
- so that you will be a wise king one day.
But my father promised me... - He is elsewhere! Meanwhile...
Allow me, Your Grace.
Enjoy yourselves.
For as it is written: "Only through hardwork can you reach the stars."
And make sure the boy doesn't disappear!
Whatever next? Food up in his chambers!
Even the King's son ought to dine downstairs, but no, says the Bishop.
Why haven't these cabbages been done yet? Where's he gone now?
Signe! Where's Aske? - I don't know.
Looking for me?
Who said you could eat those? - No body.
"No body"? Who's this nobody then? Get to work!
Are you out of your mind? - He's just crazy.
It's because of the King's son. - So what? Have you seen him?
It's not normal locking up your guests.
Brother Sune. I ask you to send for aparticular person.
Of course, Your Grace.
In all confidence...
Find the where abouts of the One-eyed.
The One-eyed?
Find him, but discretely.
With all respect, Your Grace. He is evil incarnate.
Evil shall drive out evil.
Tell him that this is a little advance.
But whatever happens he must not show himself here at the castle.
Damn!
There's nothing to see. - What bird is that?
Just follow your syllabus.
What bird is that? - Continue.
Brother Grammaticus?
We need to talk, Bishop. - Are you here?
The deal was that you weren't to show yourself here.
Do you need more? Come, come.
Keep your gold. - But the payment?
The King.
The King?
Yes!
You take power. I take the King.
You can have the King, but not till I'm the newking-
- and you've got all the landlords to support me.
Do I have your word? - Yes. But I give the orders.
Hey. What are you doing here? Stop him!
Damn kid!
Where is he? - He's here!
He must be here!
That way!
Now now!
You there! Who said you could touch the Bishop's apples?
Fingers off that basket. Stop!
Come here with the basket, thief!
Let go of me! - Look, what you've done!
Miserable thief. Apologize! - Never!
You're the! I didn't mean it.
What are you two doing here? Dirty peasants. Get going.
I'm sorry, Your Highness. - Get out of the way!
I'll get into trouble. Are you hurt?
I mean, is His Highness hurt?
You simple fool.
Let's get back before they find out. I know aback way. Come on!
Wait!
Your Highness. You have to go back. The Bishop will murder me.
That's your problem.
You're not allowed out here. - I can do just what I like.
Does the Bishop know about that? - Get out of here... thrall!
My name's Aske. I'm no thrall. - Get lost!
Didn't I tell you to get lost? - I wouldn't tread there.
But it's dangerous. It's the Black Bog!
One wrong step and you'll sink in.
No, I won't. - Yes you will.
It's full of bottomless holes. You'll sink down to hell.
What a lot of nonsense. - It's true. Watch!
This isn't dangerous.
But here...
You'd never get out of this.
I'm not afraid of anything. - Yes. You can go where you like.
You little squirt!
Come here, get down. Theymust not see us!
Let's get out of here.
We must get back. Do you know who they are?
Stand up, landlords. How long will we pay for the King's wars?
How long will we supply his army with weapons?
What do we get in return? Nothing!
Let's strike now and seize power!
Mikkelsen, what are we waiting for?
It's the One-eyed. He's deadly. - Shh... I can't hear them.
We'll hide our weapons. The King will be defenseless.
We'll be the strong ones.
Are there any doubters? - Of course not. Well, my lords?
Death to the King!
What do they think they're doing?
Oluf Ebbesen, are you in doubt? - No! My allegiance is to our King.
And I'm standing by that oath.
Now!
Over here!
Damn!
Where did they go? - They're hiding in there.
It's just two peasant lads... - Perhaps. But theyheard us.
We'll find them. They're in there.
Not for long!
What the devil?
Where are you off to? - Are you askingwhere I'm going?
You heard him.
I'm off to the herring market.
The cart's full of herrings then? - Well... not exactly.
I can't smell anyherring. - Hens!
It isn't hens, we're after.
I think it smells of, how shall I say it... peasant lads.
Do you think so? - Yes... don't we, Threefinger?
Come on, little peasant lads.
There's only damn cabbages. - Well, I don't sell herrings.
I sell cabbages.
If they'd called it acabbage market-
- it would have been abetter name.
Shut up! - Well, I'm just explaining.
I hate cabbages!
Enough!
What are you staring at? You bumpkin!
Easy!
Well, we managed that all right. - Look. I've cut myself.
Shouldn't we be getting home? - Are you crazy?
With the One-eyed roaming about? - Who is he?
He's evil itself. A deadly man!
He lives up north.
If the noblemen need a hireling they call on him.
It isn't really for kids to hear. Promise me, you won't listen.
Allright, then...
If you owe a nobleman money and can't pay, he sends the One-eyed.
And then you'd better sell everything you own.
Wife, children, hens, the lot. Or you'll be a head shorter.
Why has he got that big bird? - Shh!
Many years ago there was a terrible battle with frenzied fighting.
Suddenly one of his eyes was poked out.
He layin the mud searching for his eye...
The storm raged, and the eye lay there staring into the rain.
But suddenly...
...a huge eagle dived down, took the eye, and flew away.
What happened then?
The eagle ate it. - The eye?!
Yes. But then he captured the eagle-
- and stood staring into its face with his one eye.
Then the storm passed and something strange happened.
From that moment on he could see everything the eagle could see.
I've lost my cross!
Just a couple of peasant lads? What's this then?
Across...
Ago ld cross.
Find that boy!
Thanks for the ride. - That's all right.
The King will reward you. - Don't worry, he's only your king.
Take care now.
What now? - I must get to the border some how.
To the border? Why? - Iowant to find my father.
The border? That's a long way away. Hey, wait!
What will you do? How will you reach your father?
You'll need a helper. You don't know the way.
Do you? - Yes.
No, you don't.
Ifl ask the way, I won't sound like a spoilt prince.
Very well. You can be my squire. - Do you mean it?
Yes. If you do what I say. - All right.
And if there's any trouble, I'll knock their heads off.
Watch out, shorty.
Apologize, you! - Did you say something?
Yes. Apologize.
Let's just go . - No . He must apologize!
What's that? - No thing. Come on!
Apologize to my squire, or I'll knock your head off.
Squire? I suppose you're a knight, then?
Give the lad an apology.
You obviously don't know who you're addressing?
Do you!
Thanks.
After them! I'll murder him!
They ran down to the beach!
Who taught you to fight? - My father.
You're crazy. Apologize, and then..."bang"!
Aske!
Signe? What are you doing here? - What are you doing here?
If they find out you're with him... - I'm not with anyone!
All right. If you say so . Hello. I'm Signe.
You're good at fighting. - Do you think so?
Yes he is, and keep quiet about it.
You've cut yourself. Let me see.
It's nothing. - Forget you've seen us. Comeon!
It's nearly done.
Do you think she'll talk? - Who?
That kitchen girl. - Signe? She'd better not!
Do you know her well? - Why?
No reason.
If he's a hireling, who hired him? - I don't know, but we're safe here.
I must warn my father. We have to get to the border.
We'll find a wagon to morrow.
Brother. You know better than anyone, what this could mean.
We've looked everywhere. - He's disappeared.
Disappeared? He can't just disappear.
Find him!
Out! Get out!
And don't dare show yourselves until you've found him!
Get out! Cretins!
Why am I surrounded by such idiots? Is it to test me?
What are you doing here?
You were supposed do keep him locked up. Did you forget?
Where is he now? - He has seen us!
Pest and plague. If the boy warns the King, all hell will be let loose.
If we don't find him tomorrow, then we'll do things my way.
Where are you going?
Your father maybe the King, but in these caves Rolf rules.
Dead Rolf. He lives down here. He's been dead more than 100 years-
- but at night he comes alive.
If you don't feed him, he'll come out and eat you!
I'm getting tired of these tattered boots.
How did you end up in the kitchen at Ravensburg?
I just did... like my father.
Where is he now? - Both my parents are dead.
My mother's dead too . - Don't you miss your father?
I don't miss anyone. I can get by on my own.
If I hadn't met you, I'd have been preparing cabbages all daylong.
Aske...
Whenwe find my father you come with us... away from Ravensburg.
Can I really? - Of course. You're my squire.
It's adeal... but then you must give me a new pair of shoes.
The King? Damn it! Are you sure?
Andwar council and bodyguards. - Damn it!
Where is Valdemar? May that damn boy burn in hell!
The entire army is on its way.
We have to act, before they join up with the King.
To the One-eyed. Get going!
Tell the men to set up camp. - It has been done.
Is the fleet ready?
Yes. The ships are ready within 4 days.
Trust the Lord and you will be rewarded...
Has Valdemar been behaving? - The prince has worked very hard.
Has he been naughty? - How could His Majesty think that?
Of course he has been naughty!
Hurry up. - We tried but we couldn't stop them.
Welcome to Ravensburg.
Do you think it's night here? Can we have some light!
You heard the King!
Your Majesty has returned early.
Isn't my son here to welcome me?
If we had only known about His Majesty's arrival-
- Valdemar would naturally have been here.
What's that supposed to mean?
Your Majesty... Young Valdemar is outbotanizing.
Botanizing?
Valdemar is an industrious pupil. It's a great honour for me to...
I want to see the boy. Find him!
Brother Sune. Find the boy!
Botanizing?
Some one's coming. - What's happening?
The others will be here soon.
What is it? - I sawsomething.
Something's smoking!
That's strange...
Gert, look at this!
What's happening?
Is anyone there? - No .
There's food left. - Comeon!
Valdemar?
Are you there?
The entrance to the cave is over here.
We'll hide the king's weapons. Then he is detenseless.
The German knights with drew. The southern border is secured.
If they move into Estonia what will our counter move be then?
Well?
That we get to Estonia before them of course!
We have to secure the Baltic and our freedom to trade.
Our army needs the support of the whole country. Weapons and provisions.
Also from Ravensburg, dear Bishop. - Yes, naturally.
It's in here. The large boxes over there!
Only take the important things. The others can fetch the rest later.
They can carry the heavy stuff.
Tell the landlords I need my weapon deposits from hereabouts.
Well... - Anything wrong?
No...
No?
Maybe there is a problem. - Spit it out, Bishop Eskil.
The landlords claim they don't have any more of the King's weapons.
Who claims that? - Landlord Mikkelsen.
Impossible!
He's hiding something. Find out what is going on.
Shouldn't we wait for the army? - I won't be made a fool of.
Ride to Mikkelsgard with the men. - Yes, Your Majesty.
Let's go!
Only one sword per man.
Are you ready?
The soldiers have left. The King is still at Ravensburg.
Is father back?
Our warriors must be armed.
So we need all the weapons... now!
Lord Albert is on his way to Mikkelsgard.
The King's bodyguards are with him.
The Bishop has set atrap for them.
Mikkelsgard... They don't have a chance.
Exactly. We must hurry! - Get going.
Now the King will get a taste of his own weapons.
Lock the gate.
Mikkelsgard... They won't have a chance.
Death to the King!
Rolf rules these caves. He'sbeen dead over 100 years.
It you don't teed him, he'll come and eat you.
At night he comes alive...
Dear Lord. Can't you just get us back to the castle?
If anything has happened to Valdemar, it's my fault.
Why do you look like that? - Are you alive?
I thought I'd never see you again.
Where's Mikkelsgard? - Mikkelsgard... why?
Get out of bed! I want to speak to Mikkelsen.
Hand over the King's weapons now!
Lord Albert, it's a trap!
Valdemar? - It's a trap!
Undercover!
Get the wagon in position!
Block the gate!
Get going!
The King's son!
Valdemar! Let's go!
Stop him.
Valdemar!
You must get to safety.
Valdemar, keep going. - I must go back for Aske.
You must warn your father! - But Aske. He's coming with me.
There's no time. Your father's life is at stake.
If you give him this, he'll know. Tell him I'll manage.
Come on, Valdemar. Get going.
Get going.
Father...
Father!
There you are. Have you finished botanizing?
Lord Albert! - My little warrior. How are you?
It's the bishop. We were caught in an ambush. Look!
What's that?
Lord Albert. He fell into a trap. It's the Bishop...
Calm down, Valdemar. Where is Albert?
It's too late! - Correct, Valdemar.
It is too late.
Now the time of judgement has come.
In judicio Deus.
Move, you beast!
Do you remember the war? - Who are you?
The great battle. Do you remember?
The battle of Arkona
You forgot me. - Torsten...
You forgot me. - Torsten Vinge?
But I'll be the last thing you remember, before you die.
Y% u know him? What did you do to him?
He was one of my best soldiers, if not the best.
The One-eyed? - It was so long ago now...
What happened?
We were at war with the Wends. We fought for 3 days outside Arkona
We were ambushed on the beach. Torsten was struck down.
I thought he was dead. We left him there.
We had to . The ships couldn't wait anylonger.
Later I learned he wasn't dead.
The Wends found and tortured him.
He managed to get away, but he was never the same again.
He began to serve the forces of evil.
I let him down and now he can't be saved.
I left afriend in need.
I've also let you down. I should never have sent you to Ravensburg.
It doesn't matter. - I should have listened to you.
You should have been with me. It was all wrong.
If we get out of this alive, I swear we'll never be parted again.
Cheers for victory!
You, kitchen girl. More wine.
Aske? - What's happened?
Good question. Valdemar's been taken prisoner. He's in the tower.
What about the soldiers? - They're in the dungeons.
Bishop Eskil is to be the new king.
My good friend...
I'm not your good friend, Bishop. I'm your king.
My army will soon arrive here at Ravensburg.
Big words from a defeated man.
Listen, king...
I demand that you to pass the Crown over to me of your own free will.
Never!
The only thing you need is to give your seal to this document.
"I, Valdemar, King by the grace of God-
- here by hand over all of my kingdoms-
- to Eskil ofRavensburg."
"Hereafter to be known as Eskil the First."
You're a mad man, Eskil.
If you do not place your seal on this document-
- I have no alternative but to hang you.
Even if you hang me and all my men, you'll never be the king.
Are you all blind? This man can't run the country alone.
Nonsense. Everything will fall into place, when the document is sealed.
What has he promised you? Let me hear.
The regions will never back him. - Of course they will!
Will you be seduced by a cowardly bishop and his one-eyed hireling?
You don't frighten me, Torsten.
Get the boy!
Young Valdemar?
Don't touch my son!
The boy's sitting up here. He can say his last prayer.
But don't take too long, brother. - Pax vobiscum.
Sanctus Christus...
Just get it overwith.
Aske?
Brother Aske ready for battle.
I didn't mean to desert you.
We must get you out before they hang you.
They can't do that? - They've built a gallows for you.
There!
Some body's coming.
What shall we do?
Comeon. - The boy must say his last prayers.
Open up!
Prepare yourself to die, boy.
He can't do this. Little wretch!
What's happening? - Don't look down!
What are you doing? Stop, you fool!
Some one's pulling! - It wasn't me. Just carry on!
Comeon. Jump!
Jump, Valdemar! - I can't!
Did you get hold of him? - Here!
The King's cloak was all that was left.
Now the King will not believe us, until Valdemar is on the gallows.
And that's your fault. - Whose fault?
You should keep an eye on him. - Find him.
Yes, we will find him...
But I still get the King? - Yes!
Begging pardon, sir, will the King not soon begin to suspect?
Yes. And that would not be very good, would it?
Listen, we'll split up.
Valdemar, go up to your father. We'll free the soldiers.
Sh% uldn't I help Valdemar? - N%, you come with me, Signe.
Where is my father?
Upstairs with the Bishop. They will force him to seal a document.
One which makes the Bishop king.
Valdemar, you stop the bishop. We'll take the dungeons.
But the guards?
You'll think of something. - You must be crazy.
I'm sure, you come up with something. - Show us, what you can do.
Come on Signe. We must hurry.
So, King... Here comes our young friend.
The game is up, King.
Valdemar?
The battle is lost.
Enough Eskil. Go no further, or your soul will burn in hell!
If you do not set your seal on this document-
- before the sand runs through the hourglass-
- then your son will die. The choice is yours.
Who's that? - Take a look.
What do you want?
Bring you some soup from the cook. - Soup? We didn't ask for that.
It's nice and hot. - Let's just eat the stuff.
That's not like the cook.
Just leave it there.
Can you help me? It's heavy. - Put it down for heaven's sake!
You helpless kitchen girl.
What on earth?
Any one else for soup?
Is your honour really more precious to you than your son's life?
Accept that your time has run out.
Bring me that document and let Valdemar free.
That is wise of you, King.
Don't do it, father!
My dear Lords, now you will be apart of this kingdom of bliss.
For as it's written:
"The key to the abyss was given."
Spare me your bible quotations!
Yes. The words of God are wasted on your warm gering spirit.
But now I steer the fortunes of war. When the King has sealed the wax-
- he will hand over both the crown and army.
Now nothing can stop our victory.
The moment has come.
Lord, we ask you to accept this gift of offering.
Why is the King hesitating?
Just hang him!
And keep your bible quotes for purgatory, Eskil!
I knew it!
Valdemar? - Who is on the gallows then?
Surrender. We've surrounded you!
Wh%? Who are "we"? - Now, Aske!
Atack!
Fight them back!
What do you think I pay you for?!
You lousy peasants!
They're getting away. Cut off the exit!
Bring me a weapon. Get these chains off.
Bishop! Now the King is mine.
Come back!
Watch out, father! - Your Majesty. Watch out!
You will never forget me again, Your Majesty!
Valdemar! - The victory is not yet yours.
Let him go Eskil. - Stop... or I'll slit his throat!
Nobody move!
Get going!
Father!
Stop! Let the boy go!
The eagle...
Let the eagle loose...
The Bishop must be stopped.
Easy... easy now.
Lie still!
Valdemar!
Valdemar, where are you? - Aske!
It's the Black Bog!
You weren't going to disappear from your old friend Eskil now?
Let me go!
We two, Valdemar, We belong together.
Valdemar!
We can't just part like this.
Valdemar!
You understand that, Valdemar.
Leave me alone! - Ungrateful lout!
Now you can't get away.
Now we are tied together.
Are you ready, my boy?
Well done, Valdemar.
And you too, kitchen boy. - His name is Aske.
His name's Aske and he's my squire.
Thank you, Aske. It's good that Valdemar has a friend like you.
Let us get going.
Aske!
Wait!
Take good care of Valdemar now.
This is for you.
It'll protect you, just as it has protected me.
Shall we get going?
Take care now.
You bet. And if there's any trouble...
...we'll knock their heads off!
THE END