Chapter 1: The Barmaid of Gathland(Part 1 of 2) Transcript
PROLOGUE
[SFX: Dirt shovelling, footsteps in dirt, distant birdcall, wind blowing.]
[SFX: Hands brushing together.]
FINN Oh, that ought to do it. Your father was a storied man, and this is where it ends.
YOUNG BRI Are you going to carve his name, at least?
FINN Ahh, better not, girl. Some of those stories had unfinished business.
[SFX: Footsteps on grass.]
YOUNG BRI Where are you going?
FINN To get a drink. My work is done, your father is in the ground.
YOUNG BRI You're not going to say any words? A prayer?
FINN Bri, your father killed his God. He went to the mountain, and he slew him. Who are you going to pray to? Hm?
YOUNG BRI There's two more Gods.
FINN Then get on with it and say the words yourself, lass.
[SFX: More footsteps on grass, bottle uncorking.]
FINN (Gulping)
[Music: “Bri’s Theme” (soft, plaintive music) starts.]
[SFX: Wind blowing, birds singing.]
YOUNG BRI Duinna, guardian of these green hills, I ask you take my father's body to your realm, where free souls can roam on your fields forever. Koannus, Deep God, if my father comes to the gates of your watery halls, I pray you don't forbid him from your eternal rest. And…Rhuadu, Chieftain of Gods—if you are still listening—if my father is to join you, wherever the fire in our hearts burn bright without end, I ask you grant him forgiveness for what he did to you.
OPENING
[Music: “Bri’s Theme” ends.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter One: The Barmaid of Gathland.
SCENE ONE: THE DEEP GOD
[Music: “Main Title (Alternate)” (gentle harp intensifying into triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Not long after the Tribe of Gods shaped the world and enkindled the stars, the many races were led to name their lands. The plains of Human Wynland, the dunes of Dwarven Kanduk, the mountains of Orcan Workingar. And the three Gods, divided in judgement, bestow their unique elemental magic to the few that possess their qualities. With the swelling dark of sea below and the storm above, not far from the lights of the Enduring City, Hymerthral—
[SFX: Distant thunder.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) —There sways the noble sails of an Elvan ship.
[SFX: Rain pelting, waves rumbling.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Even under the sting of salt and the pelt of rain, they are a fair race to look upon, with skin the colour of young oak trees.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) But though the Admiral Belius of the Elvan fleet and his lieutenant hardly look a day over twenty—
[SFX: Sailors calling, thunder roaring.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) —They have waged Human lifetimes at war, and their speech is not so fair.
[Music: “Main Title” ends.]
[SFX: Thunder cracks.]
[SFX: Wood groaning, ropes creaking, sailor chatter.]
BELIUS Get these men in line. I will have no more chatter if it isn’t concerning this ship.
ALIR I shall, Lord Admiral, but…you have heard the rumours?
[SFX: Armoured footsteps on wood.]
BELIUS I waste no time with tales of this false queen and her connection with the Deep God.
ALIR It's not just a connection, Admiral. The survivors say she rides a leviathan to war, with three heads. They say the Deep God fills her lungs with air as she travels beneath the waves, for she is his Chosen One, his Dark Bride—
BELIUS It's propaganda, you fool, meant to scare you. Are you scared, my lieutenant?
ALIR Scared? No, my Admiral, but your men are. The Chieftan of Gods has died, and with him our Magnir have no power! But the Deep God lives, and with his magic on their side, any fleet will be—
BELIUS To our north is the Enduring City. And I will die before I see it taken! If any of these men so much as whisper “Dark Bride,” or “Deep God,” they are to be flogged, understood?
ALIR Yes, my Admiral.
[SFX: Battle horn sounding, sailor war cries.]
[Music: “The Elvans” (percussive action music) starts.]
SAILOR #1 I see them.
BELIUS To war!
SAILOR #2 To war!
[SFX: Swords drawing, armoured footsteps marching on wood, ropes creaking.]
SAILOR #1 Admiral, there is an approaching fog.
BELIUS Their sorseers must've casted it to conceal their approach.
ALIR We estimate two score ships approaching, my Lord.
[SFX: Arrows nock, bowstrings tighten.]
BELIUS Why have they dropped anchor? Why stop?
ALIR Perhaps they want us to meet them?
BELIUS They are the ones invading.
[Music: “The Elvans” ends.]
[SFX: Long, low oceanic moan, which turns into a growl.]
SAILOR #3 Did you hear that!?
ALIR Something below the water!
SAILOR #1 Is that a whale?
SAILOR #4 There is something in the water, beneath us.
SAILOR #2 It’s the Deep God!
ALIR Admiral? Orders!
[SFX: Growling intensifies.]
BELIUS Impossible—only a rumour!
ALIR It’s the Dark Bride!
[SFX: Beat of rainy silence.]
[SFX: Leviathan roars, splashing to the surface, sailors screaming, wood splintering, sound muffling underwater.]
[SFX: Leviathan growls, heads writhing, muffled screams turn into bkubbling and choking sounds.]
[SFX: Each Leviathan head roars once more, then watery silence.]
SCENE TWO: THE GATHISH INN
[Music: “End Credits” (rustic percussive music) starts.]
[SFX: Crickets chirping.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Across the Elvan sea—west of the Worcan peninsula—lay Human shores, in the green country of Gathland. There are many inns in this rustic Human land, and this one pales next to most.
[SFX: Tavern crowd murmur, crackling fireplace, tankards clinking.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Though it sufficed for the nearby farmers and merchants, who laugh and wash down the days’ work with a sip of good ale.
PATRON #1 (Burps)
[SFX: Rowdy crowd laughter.]
PATRON #1 Oh, let’s have another round!
PATRON #2 Another round! Yeah!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Aye, on my way.
[SFX: Ale pours.]
CALAN Bri.
BRI What now, Calan? I'm a bit busy.
CALAN That fellow in the back, he finished his meal some time ago, and he's just been staring.
BRI Hooded fellow?
CALAN Aye, didn't get a good look at his face.
PATRON #1 (Burps) Thank you, girl.
BRI I’ll talk to him.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Can I help you, sir?
TARÚK (Unusually deep voice) More than you have, yes.
[SFX: Coin clinks on table.]
TARÚK Will this be enough so that I can sleep in your stable? I will not disturb.
[SFX: Coin scraping on table, chair scuffing.]
BRI Aye, it'll do you for the night and for the lamb. Are you a traveller?
TARÚK Of sorts. I have travelled the wild for many days. I pray you pay me no mind.
[SFX: Chair scrapes out, footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK Thank you for the lamb, and for the room.
[SFX: Wooden door creaks open.]
BRI Well, hardly a room, but you're welcome.
[SFX: Wooden door creaks shut.]
TARÚK (Distant) Excuse me.
[SFX: Ale pouring, footsteps on wood.]
BRI Good evening to you, can I get you some—? Oh, you're, uh—
VILLADIUS Elvan, yes.
BRI Well, if you like Elvan food, all we have is bread and ale.
[SFX: More footsteps on wood.]
VILLADIUS I am sure that your food and drink are fine, but I am not hungry, and I did not come for that. Or the warmth, or the music. I have come to meet a young lady whom I have heard resides in this inn.
BRI Well, no Elvan girls came through here, I'm afraid. Might want to try the Eastwyn harbour—
VILLADIUS She is the child of Desmond the Slayer.
[SFX: Drink spills.]
PATRON #1 Oi! (Burping) Watch where you're going, Bri! Bloody girl stained my britches.
BRI Sorry.
PATRON #2 (Distant) Eh, your britches were already stained!
[Music: “End Credits” ends.]
PATRON #1 (Distant) Shut it!
VILLADIUS Barmaid, Gathish, red-brown hair, some red spots on her—
[SFX: Stomping footsteps on wood.]
BRI Okay, you found me. But why?
VILLADIUS My name is Villadius. I followed your father's path. From the peak of Mount Culainn where he faced Rhuadu, to the village of Luketen where he was hailed a hero—briefly. And the rest has led me here, where he was laid to rest fifteen years ago in a hill close by. Am I correct?
BRI Aye…well then, what of it, pointy ears?
[Music: “Coinin Sionnach” (cheerful, rustic flute music) starts.]
VILLADIUS Please, let us have a seat and talk of it.
[SFX: Chairs scraping and bumping.]
BRI I am only going along with this because I know you've travelled far. From across the sea, if I'm not mistaken—
VILLADIUS Hymerthral is my original home, my lady, and it is indeed far across the sea. But Wynhold north of here is my home now, and I have been there since well before you were born. So, it was neither a long nor short distance for me.
BRI Oh, well, in that case—
[SFX: Chair scrapes out again.]
VILLADIUS (Chuckling) But no, I actually did travel far, so please—sit. I will be brief.
[SFX: Chair scuffs in.]
VILLADIUS I've come on important business. Quite the controversial figure, your father, no? He killed Rhuadu, Chieftan of the Tribe of Gods. Whether the story of the slaying has any truth, the evidence is plain to see.
BRI (Sipping ale)
[SFX: Tankard clinking.]
VILLADIUS For we Magnir drew from Rhuadu for power, the power of fire. But from here to Hymerthral, all the way to the eastern lands, we Magnir have called upon Rhuadu's power, and he has not answered. We fear your father succeeded in killing the Chieftan of Gods.
BRI Aye. Dad made a lot of enemies of you magicked folk.
VILLADIUS Believe me, you are very wise to hide your family name.
BRI So you've come to curse my name instead of my father's, now that your kind has to use matches?
VILLADIUS The only power of value to me is knowledge, and today I seek yours.
BRI (Sipping ale)
[SFX: Tankard clinking.]
VILLADIUS How did your father manage to kill an elemental God?
BRI Ugh, anyone in this town can tell you the bloody story. I'm sick of it myself.
VILLADIUS I would rather hear it from you. You knew your father greater than anyone.
[SFX: Chair scrapes out again, more footsteps.]
BRI The bard can do it for you—
[SFX: Heavy thud on table, coins clinking.]
BRI Is that…gold?
VILLADIUS You may leave if you want. That bard looks like he could use the coin.
[SFX: More footsteps, one final shuffle into scraping chair.]
BRI The legend tells it as he does.
[SFX: Coins clink.]
BRI He came up the mountain with a blindfold so Rhuadu couldn’t blind him, and his weapon—
VILLADIUS A magic sword?
BRI Eh, pssh! That was made up by re-tellers. He had a spear.
VILLADIUS Did he have enchantments?
BRI Liquor, probably. Story changes so much I wonder if even he remembers it. He called out Rhuadu. He came. He fought him. He got a lot of burns—but Dad won.
VILLADIUS And you believed him?
BRI He said Rhuadu's skin is bright red, like hot iron. He laid a hand on father's chest. I saw the shape with me own eyes. A perfect hand. Never healed.
VILLADIUS Hmm. Very well. Can you read and write, girl?
BRI A little.
VILLADIUS If you happen to remember more, write to me at the Council Tower in Wynhold—
BRI Can’t you Magnirs send letters by burning them and scattering the ashes in the wind?
VILLADIUS (Sigh) Alas, we Magnir have lost all of our power—including farspeech.
BRI I was only joking.
VILLADIUS In poor taste. Do you also tease a blind man about his sight? I have to actually send letters now by horseback, or by birds…ugh, fickle beasts.
BRI (Wry) My heart goes out to you magicked folk.
VILLADIUS If you can't get a carrier, please, bring it yourself. I thank you, Bri of—
[Music: “Coinin Sionnach” ends.]
[SFX: Window blows open, wind howling inside.]
[SFX: Chair scraping and footsteps.]
BRI I'll get that window closed. You better be on your way, Elvan boy.
VILLADIUS Take care, young miss.
[SFX: Window clicking shut.]
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, fading out.]
CALAN Who was that?
BRI An Elvan Magnir.
[SFX: Tankards clinking, ale pouring.]
CALAN A Magnir? That explains the fancy red cloak. Did he threaten you?
[Music: “End Credits” starts.]
BRI Eh, he wanted to know more about father. I couldn't help him.
[Music: “End Credits” starts.]
CALAN Good thing. You can't trust Elvans. Those pointy eared imperials wanted to conquer us once.
BRI He seemed like a good fellow. But why did he have to bring up Dad? (Gulping ale)
CALAN Your dad was a hero, too, you know?
BRI (Sighs) Not all of us are descended from famous knights, Calan. He was a damn fool, who wanted glory, so he killed the most powerful God. The same one that kept the dragons peaceful. After everyone learnt what he caused, they called him Desmond the Arsonist, and that—that drove him to drink.
CALAN None of that matters now. You're free of your father’s burden.
BRI And his promises. Things could be better, too. I just wish I could…take his mark off my life.
PATRON #1 (Burps) Another round! Where’s that girl?
BRI I suppose that's why we drink.
PATRON #2 Come on, girl, we're thirsty!
[SFX: Chair scrapes out, footsteps on wood.]
BRI All right, I'll get you another.
[Music: “End Credits” ends.]
SCENE THREE: THE MASTER SORSEER
[Music: “The Master Sorseer” (dark, mystical music) starts.]
[SFX: Water splashing, thunder rolling, wood creaking.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Of all the powers that came and left this world, one that refuses to die is the power the Deep God—the power of death itself. Or “near death,” as the Dark Bride’s deadliest servant Ultovín has experienced at this hour, as he lies in a cask of water, in a dark and costly ritual. For he is a man whose pain of the past is relieved by his will to seize the future.
[SFX: Mystical drone.]
[SFX: Water splashes.]
ULTOVÍN (Gasps and coughs)
SORSEER #1 You must breathe now. Astral projection is dangerous, any longer and you would have drowned.
ULTOVÍN (Raspy voice) Dangerous, but necessary.
[SFX: Water splashing.]
SORSEER #1 Master Ultovín, did you find what you were seeking?
ULTOVÍN Yes. I saw Villadius. In Gathland.
SORSEER #1 Gathland…the Human farm country?
ULTOVÍN With a—a girl, a barmaid.
SORSEER #1 No girl in that whole continent holds any value worth projecting your soul to see.
ULTOVÍN Not if Villadius thinks she does. (Sighs) My old friend, is this a part of your game, or have you truly gotten desperate, Villadius?
[Music: “The Master Sorseer” ends.]
SCENE FOUR: THE HOODED MAN
BRI (Sighs) Good night.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, distant crickets.]
[Music: “Bri’s Theme” starts.]
PATRON #2 Goodnight, girl.
BRI Yes, good night, Nora. Good night, Odrun.
PATRON #1 (Burps) Good, er, good night.
CALAN I’ve got the stable to clean up. Good night, Bri.
BRI Eh, goodnight.
[SFX: Wooden door creaking shut.]
FINN (Chugging ale)
[SFX: Bottle clinking.]
FINN (Sigh) Aye, where’s that boy?
BRI Calan’s in the stable
FINN (Tipsy drawl) Come, girl, it’s time to give your wage.
BRI Busy day.
FINN Indeed. Worthy of about…
[SFX: Coins clinking on table.]
FINN …Four coppers.
BRI (Weary) All right.
FINN All right? No fuss this time?
[SFX: Coins scraping off wooden table.]
BRI No, no, it's very fair. Thank you, Finn.
[Music: “Bri’s Theme” ends.]
FINN You haven't pocketed anything for yourself, HAVE YOU!?
BRI No, no, I swear it!
[SFX: Wooden chair screeches.]
FINN Listen here, girl! After your father died, I took you in when I didn't have to, I pay you generously, allow you your own room!
BRI The pantry?
FINN Aye, of course. I need someone to watch the food at night. I built this damn place and now you return the favour by sweeping, brewing…
[SFX: Wooden chair scrapes.]
FINN …Serving and tending to all the patrons… (Gulping)
[SFX: Tankard clinks on table.]
FINN (Laughing) …Collecting fees, baking bread, going to the market, digging out the privy… (Laugh) …Cleaning the barf…
[SFX: Wooden chair squeaking, body thudding to floor.]
FINN (Snores)
BRI (Sighs)
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, match lighting, lantern creaking.]
FINN (Snoring in background)
[SFX: Wooden door creaks open.]
BRI Finn, is that you? Calan?
[SFX: More footsteps on wood.]
BRI Thought I bolted it properly.
[SFX: Wooden shutters close.]
BRI Who's there?
[SFX: Beat of silence.]
[SFX: Cloth whoosh, muffling sound, lantern creaking.]
BRI (Muffled scream)
[Music: “The Elvans” starts.]
[SFX: Footsteps shuffling across floor.]
ASSASSIN #1 Hush now, I’m not going to kill you, girl.
BRI (Muffled protest)
ASSASSIN #1 But you’re not going to wake anyone, do you know why? Because if you do, I’ll have to kill them.
BRI (Grunts with effort)
[SFX: Punching impact.]
ASSASSIN #1 (Groans)
[SFX: Wooden door thuds open, crickets grow louder.]
BRI (Panting)
[SFX: Running footsteps in grass.]
[SFX: Striking impact.]
BRI (Groans)
[SFX: Body crashing to ground.]
BRI (Coughs)
[SFX: Footsteps in grass.]
ASSASSIN #2 What? You didn't see me hiding, girl?
ASSASSIN #1 Well done, hiding in the bushes like that.
ASSASSIN #2 She’s not coming quietly, is she?
ASSASSIN #1 She isn’t. Gag her and—
[SFX: Heavy metal clink.]
[Music: “The Elvans” ends.]
BRI (Heavy breathing)
CALAN Stay away from her. Go back to your homeland.
BRI (Yelling) Calan! Run! Go back inside!
ASSASSIN #2 Or what? What are your intentions with that hammer, boy?
[Music: “The Elvans” starts.]
ASSASSIN #1 Are you going to build a fence to keep us away?
BRI Don’t do it, Calan.
[SFX: Footsteps in grass.]
CALAN Hey, do you want to find out?
ASSASSIN #2 Oh, yes.
[SFX: Swords draw.]
ASSASSIN #1 Oh, he very much would.
ASSASSIN #2 And here I thought we’d get through one night without drawing a little blood.
[SFX: Whoosh of arrows.]
ASSASSIN #2 (Gurgling)
ASSASSIN #1 Brother, are you—?
[SFX: More arrows flying.]
ASSASSIN #1 (Gurgling)
[SFX: Body thudding onto grass.]
[Music: “The Elvans” ends.]
[Music “Tarúk and the Bandits” (orchestral action music) starts.]
BRI What in the hells!?
CALAN Get down! Into the stable!
[SFX: Footsteps in grass.]
BRI Who shot those arrows? Those men, they're…
CALAN Stay back! He's coming…
BRI I know that man. The big, hooded man from the inn.
[Music: “Tarúk and the Bandits” ends.]
[SFX: More footsteps in grass.]
CALAN Wait, don't go! Come back! Be careful.
BRI Hello?
TARÚK These men will trouble you two no longer. You were brave stable, boy, but foolish. They were about to carve you living.
BRI Who are you?
TARÚK Just a weary traveller. Thank you again for the room and lamb.
BRI So it is you, the stranger from the—
[SFX: Cloth whoosh.]
BRI Ooh…I didn't know under that hood you were a—
TARÚK Orc? I've become good at hiding my face.
BRI Well, yes. I thought all of your kind was…ugly? No offense.
[SFX: Footsteps in grass.]
TARÚK None taken.
CALAN Who were these men?
TARÚK These were no men. They wear the tunics of Gathish men, but they smell Elvan.
[SFX: Cloth and leather rustling, bodies turned over on grass.]
TARÚK Yes, they have even sacrificed the points of their ears to pass as Human.
CALAN These Elvans, they're like the one you met with?
BRI The Magnir? I don’t know.
TARÚK Hmm. Well, good luck to you.
[SFX: More footsteps on grass.]
BRI I'm following him.
CALAN Bri!
TARÚK What do you want?
BRI After all of that, do you expect me to just go on with my life?
TARÚK What else can you do?
BRI Help me get to Wynhold.
[Music: “Bri’s Theme” starts.]
TARÚK Wynhold? You know they fight and slaughter my kind, correct?
BRI Yes, but neither me nor my friend have travelled. And if these—THINGS come back for us—
TARÚK You expect me to fight them off for you?
BRI Well…
TARÚK Well, indeed.
CALAN (Whispering) Come on, he wants nothing to do with us.
BRI (Whispering) Do you know how to survive in the wild? (Louder) What’s your name?
TARÚK Tarúk.
BRI Tarúk, where are you going, anyway?
TARÚK I am going nowhere.
BRI Well, can you go nowhere in the direction of Wynhold?
[SFX: Coin clinking.]
BRI I have a gold piece.
TARÚK Let me see.
[SFX: Footsteps pause, coin gently clinking.]
TARÚK Thank you.
[SFX: One set of footsteps resume.]
[Music: “Bri’s Theme” ends.]
BRI Did he accept?
CALAN I don’t think so. Did…he just steal it?
BRI I didn’t think he’d do that!
CALAN You gave it to him!
BRI Was I supposed to say no? He just killed two men!
[SFX: More footsteps.]
CALAN I’m getting it back.
BRI A moment ago you were hiding in the stable, now you want to pick a fight with HIM?
CALAN Well, now what are we to do? We have no coin, we have no—
TARÚK (Yelling in the distance) Are you going to stand around and argue, or are you going to pack your things and follow me?
BRI Well…that sounds like a yes.
CALAN I don’t know about this.
BRI You don’t have to come.
CALAN I know.
[Music: “Main Title” starts.]
CALAN I’ll get my things.
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: “Main Title” ends.]
[Music: “End Credits” starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Starring Bonnie Bogovich, Stephen Cumberworth, Jacob Williamson, Corey Borchers, Hayden Ashley, Xathian, and Gary Gibbs the Second. For the full cast list, please visit thecalloftheflame.com. This podcast was written and produced by Kurt Cañez. With music by Adam Halpin, with additional tracks by Stephen Cumberworth. Both can be found on Bandcamp. Additional audio editing by Sasha Blore. Read the podcast description and follow us on our pages of media. Send a bird bearing the hashtag COTF Podcast. Leave us a review on iTunes. Although the greatest way to support the show is to become a patron of ours on our Patreon page so that we may maintain our production. Five dollar and above listeners get exclusive content such as music tracks by Adam Halpin and extended episodes. Gather around in two weeks for the next installment of our play. To ask us about sponsorship, send us an electronic letter to thecalloftheflamepodcast@gmail.com. This has been a Magnir Production. I am your narrator, George Hoctor. We thank you all for listening.
[Music: “End Credits” ends.]