Casiodorus Rex Quotes in Dragonslayer (1981)

[Casiodorus Rex's men have captured Galen, who had been looking for the amulet in the castle]

Casiodorus Rex: Stop! Don't... harm him. You, please. You know, I've always had the greatest admiration for the black arts, you chaps with your... mysterious spells. I didn't think it would be necessary. Vermithrax is an old dragon, and... that, I thought, was the beauty of my plan. Time, we waited out, and live to see the end of it. I WILL see the end of it.

[pulls the amulet from around his neck]

Tyrian: Sir, I beg you consider what you're doing. Give him that, he'll destroy everything you've built.

Casiodorus Rex: He shall have it. It... it's my daughter. Save her, I beg you!

Casiodorus Rex: Did you ever hear of King Gaiseric? Oh no, of course not, you weren't even born. He was my brother, a great King and a valiant man-at-arms. When he ascended the throne, the dragon was unbridled. No one knew where it might strike next. So, he brought forth his broadsword, assembled his best company of fighters and went out to do battle. He was never seen again. But his attack provoked the most terrible reprisals: whole villages incinerated, entire crops burnt, death, famine... horrible. How did you arrogate to yourself the role of 'savior'?

Galen: I was invited.

Casiodorus Rex: Not by me! I think you're nothing but a boy... an apprentice!

[rips the amulet from around Galen's neck]

Casiodorus Rex: Have you ever considered the consequences of failure?

Galen: WHAT failure? What are you saying, do you want the dragon back?

Casiodorus Rex: You came here and toyed with the monster! Who are YOU, to risk our people? Our villages?

Galen: But your children were dying!

Casiodorus Rex: Only a few, does that sound cruel? It is better that they should die that others might live. I created the lottery!

[General murmuring of agreement among the King's court]

Casiodorus Rex: Me! And from the moment it began, the dragon was tamed! The kingdom has prospered!

Galen: At what price? You can't make a shameful 'peace' with dragons. You must kill them as I have done.

Casiodorus Rex: Then the beast is dead?

Galen: Yes, it's dead.

Casiodorus Rex: We shall see.

Casiodorus Rex: [Elspeth is preparing to sacrifice herself to Vermithrax] ... You... Tyrian... surely you'll do something. If not for me... out of loyalty to the kingdom.

Tyrian: But that's just it, Your Majesty. My first loyalty is... loyalty to the kingdom.

Princess Elspeth: [Princess Elspeth visits Galen in her father's dungeon] ... Please don't think ill of us. Father is a wise and evenhanded man. He's...

[She notices a wound across Galen's temple]

Princess Elspeth: ... What happened to you?

Galen: [sullen] Nothing. Just some of your father's... evenhandedness.

Princess Elspeth: It... it's better for everyone this way. A king must protect his people.

Galen: Naturally. Just as he protects his daughter.

Princess Elspeth: What do you mean by that? Are you referring to the lottery?

Galen: You don't have to pretend, not to me, not down here. Everyone knows how this... choosing works. The families with money, royal connections... You've participated in a lie, and you know it.

Princess Elspeth: ...I have to go now.

[she seeks out her father, who is vainly trying to make gold out of lead with Galen's amulet]

Princess Elspeth: ... Father! Did you know that some families have paid bribes to stay out of the lottery?

Casiodorus Rex: [not even looking at her] Nonsense.

Princess Elspeth: ...Have you ever kept my name off the lottery list?

Casiodorus Rex: What are you suggesting?

Princess Elspeth: Am I not exposed to the same risk as every other man's daughter?

Horsrik: There's been a loose tongue here somewhere, Sire.

Casiodorus Rex: [to Elspeth] Who fills your head with such ideas?

Princess Elspeth: [like a robot] Answer my question.

Casiodorus Rex: Please... don't... think of such things, I beg you.

Princess Elspeth: Answer me.

Casiodorus Rex: The answer is no. I - I mean, yes. Yes. You are a participant in the choosing. We have seen to that, of course. How could we not? Yes. The answer is yes.

Princess Elspeth: You're lying to me.