Chapter 1: The Barmaid of Gathland (Part 2 of 2) Transcript
OPENING
[Music: “Main Title” (triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter One: The Barmaid of Gathland. Part Two of Two.
[Music: “Main Title” ends.]
SCENE ONE: SWORD LESSONS
[Music: “The Journey to Wynhold” (peaceful harp music) starts.]
[SFX: Rain pelting, footsteps squishing in mud.]
CALAN Shouldn't we follow the river? I hear it leads—
TARÚK No. The Deep God's power is strongest near water. We must stay clear of it.
BRI But it's already raining?
TARÚK Indeed, no need to enhance their strength further.
CALAN What are you doing so far from Workingar?
TARÚK Avoiding Workingar.
CALAN What tribe?
TARÚK Gungror…but that was long ago.
CALAN You're a proud folk. Proud and highly numbered. Did you leave by choice?
TARÚK Yes.
CALAN Is that what you plan to use the gold for? To take a ship somewhere far to avoid banishment? I heard Orc punishments are savage—
TARÚK (Angry grunt)
BRI (Low voice) Why are you enraging our guide?
CALAN Look at him. You're not curious what he's doing this far from home?
TARÚK Where are you from, stable boy?
CALAN Luketen.
TARÚK Luketen. Your family?
CALAN I—we have no name.
TARÚK No name? How do you not have a name?
CALAN No, my father was a Knight of the Burning Sword, I never got his family name—
TARÚK So, you are illegitimate? I hear it is dishonourable for a human.
CALAN That is none of your—!
TARÚK See? To have one's trust under question? You need not fear me, lad.
[Music: “The Journey to Wynhold” ends.]
[SFX: Footsteps pause.]
BRI What is it?
TARÚK They've heard us. Better to face them in the open.
CALAN What!?
BRI Face what?
[SFX: Footsteps in mud.]
TARÚK (Yelling) I’m right here.
[SFX: More footsteps approach.]
BANDIT #1 Good morning, my friend.
BANDIT #2 My friends and I are looking for tribute. These are our woods.
[SFX: Blades drawn.]
BANDIT #1 (Laughs) Anything you have.
BANDIT #3 Or rather, everything you have.
TARÚK Where is the fourth?
BANDIT #1 …You what?
TARÚK The fourth! I know you wouldn’t have the courage to face us three if you numbered the same or less. Young man—
[SFX: Sword drawn.]
TARÚK —I want you to watch this, if you hope to be as great a swordsman as your father.
BANDIT #3 Get him!
[Music: “Tarúk and the Bandits” (orchestral battle music) starts.]
BRI Oh, Gods!
TARÚK There’s the fourth! Behind you!
[SFX: Running footsteps splashing through mud.]
BANDIT #4 AARGH!
[SFX: Swords clashing, flesh rending.]
BANDIT #4 (Groans)
TARÚK Too much power in that swing, not enough speed—
[SFX: More running footsteps through mud.]
BANDIT #1 You will pay for that, you MONSTER!
[SFX: Swords clanging, mud splashing.]
BANDIT #1 (Grunting)
TARÚK His stance was very good, left foot in the front, right in the back.
BANDIT #1 WAIT! (Cries out)
[SFX: Sword slices.]
[SFX: Dagger flying, sword clanging as it deflects.]
TARÚK Better to stab your foe with your weapon than throw and forsake it.
BANDIT #2 (Bloody groan)
TARÚK Now it is a duel.
[SFX: Footsteps running through mud.]
BANDIT #3 I’ll make trophies out of those tusks, orc!
[SFX: Swords meet, again and again.]
BANDIT #3 (Grunting) What the—!?
TARÚK You must keep your sword close before you strike, which is why it is always wiser to wait on your enemy—
BANDIT #3 (Heavy breathing) HA!
[SFX: Heavy sword swing, clanging parry.]
TARÚK —And STRIKE!
[SFX: Flesh rends, splash as body falls into rain puddle.]
[Music: “Tarúk and the Bandits” ends.]
TARÚK That was your lesson for today, boy.
[SFX: Sword sheathe.]
CALAN Where did you learn to fight?
TARÚK Bauken hillsmen, Wynish Knights, other Orcs. There's no teacher like an adversary.
[SFX: Sword unsheathe, footsteps through mud.]
TARÚK It may not be a sword worthy of a knight, but it can protect you. But not as well as your feet—use them first.
[SFX: Bow string tightens, wooden clatter.]
TARÚK Seems they used this to hunt. Girl, do you know how to use a bow?
BRI Ha, no. No, I'm not that good.
TARÚK Not once?
BRI Father took me for a few hunts before he passed, and on days when I couldn’t get meat for the inn, I had to get it on my own.
TARÚK And now you are being hunted. I suggest for your own sake you think like a hunter.
[SFX: Rain fades.]
SCENE TWO: BRI’S LETTER
[SFX: Birdsong, grass rustling in wind, insects buzzing.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Far from Wynhold, the two young Gaths have followed Tarúk for five days and five nights as he guides them East. But soon, the woods of Gathland yield to the green meadows bordering the Wynland Kingdom.
[SFX: Footsteps on grass.]
[SFX: Paper rustling, pen scratching.]
CALAN Are you writing? Is that what you went to get from the Inn?
BRI Aye, just a paper and pen. They probably won't let us meet the Lord Magnir ourselves, so I'll give them this letter.
[SFX: More footsteps on grass.]
CALAN I didn't think you knew how to write. How long has he been scouting ahead?
BRI Not long. He’ll be back.
CALAN How do we know he's not preparing an ambush? You've heard of his kind, same as me.
BRI What kind of bandit arms his prisoners, Calan?
[SFX: More footsteps on grass.]
TARÚK We are not far from Wynhold. It is a day's walk at most.
BRI Are you leaving us?
TARÚK I cannot hide these overbearing tusks for long when we reach their outer villages. I bid you well, Bri, on your journey for answers. And you, Calan. Keep practicing.
BRI Thank you.
[SFX: Footsteps on grass, fading out.]
BRI Feeling safer yet?
CALAN We're almost there. What could possibly happen between now and then?
BRI You haven’t listened to enough of dad’s stories.
SCENE FOUR: THE RIVER
[SFX: Water running, footsteps on grass.]
BRI There! That must be the River Nymue. We're almost there!
CALAN We'll take the ferry across.
[SFX: Footfall on wood, ferryman’s pole clanking, water lapping.]
CALAN What's the matter?
BRI Um, we should find another way. Tarúk said to stay away from water.
CALAN What would you do? There's no other way for miles.
BRI Ugh. Fine.
[SFX: Wood clanking, water splashing.]
BRI Why are you smiling?
CALAN Because it’s just like the stories, you know? It’s like an adventure!
BRI Aye, just whoever told it left all the boring parts.
CALAN This is how I imagine them all, every little part. Rowing, sleeping, wind in our hair as we cross country, as we draw closer!
[SFX: Splashing pauses.]
BRI I think we should cut the rope and move up river…
CALAN What?
BRI I mean to say, we don't know if the Elvan men are waiting for us? But if they are, this is the most obvious way to Wynhold. And—look!
CALAN Three on the hill, is it them!?
BRI He’s masked…and hooded.
ULTOVÍN (In Sanavran*) Deep God, your loyal servant calls to you for he has paid with life. Lift these waters and cleanse our enemies. Let the water rise! Rise!
[SFX: Deep rumble, wind blowing, water roaring.]
CALAN Is that a spear he’s got?
BRI It’s a staff! He’s a Sorseer!
SORSEER #5 (In Sanavran) Rise! Rise!
SORSEER #6 (In Sanavran) Rise! Rise!
BRI I'll row us back! You take the rope!
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, rope creaking, water splashing.]
CALAN The river’s getting stronger! Hold on!
BRI The water, it's rising. I'm trying to row, but it's no use!
ULTOVÍN (Chanting intensifies)*
[SFX: Water roaring.]
BRI (Muffled) That tide will wash us away. Hold on to me!
[SFX: Sound muffled under rushing, bubbling water.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Though Bri holds her friend close, the will of the Master Sorseer and his followers is stronger. Waving his scorpion staff, chanting in Sanavran speech behind his lion mask, the water obeys his commands, sending powerful waves of the River Nymue, scattering the two young Gaths down the river, below the waves—weak and injured—where the Sorseers cast their nets.
SCENE FIVE: “BURN!”
[SFX: Wood creaks.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) Hooded, and with bound hands, Bri is taken into the custody of the Master Sorseer Ultovín aboard his ship, bound below deck to await her interrogation.
[SFX: Rope strains.]
BRI (Muffled straining) I know I'm in a boat, you don't have to keep this thing on me!
ULTOVÍN Take that bag off her.
[SFX: Cloth whoosh.]
{SFX: Match lights, lantern creaking.]
ULTOVÍN A little light as well. I will take it from here my guards.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, wooden door creaking open and shut.]
ULTOVÍN Young maid, my name is Ultovín.
BRI How did you cause that flood? Is Calan here, too?
ULTOVÍN My connection with my God is stronger than most, but combined with the strength of my two followers, it allowed me to command the river to rise and consume you and your young friend.
BRI Is he alive?
ULTOVÍN Maybe. If not, it was a necessary sacrifice. But you...You have my curiosity. Because not long ago, you had a visitor. The Lord Magnir of Wynhold.
BRI Lots of people come for a drink.
[SFX: Pacing footsteps on wood.]
ULTOVÍN But not Elvans. Not Magnir. And Villadius has never been one to drink. He came seeking—of all people—you. I know Villadius well. He would never visit some Gathish barmaid without desperation. And he is with desperation at this hour. He fears our new Queen.
BRI Neradial.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
ULTOVÍN You are going to tell me why Magnir Villadius came to you. What is my old friend up to these days?
BRI I don't know anything about your stupid war.
[Music: “The Master Sorseer” (dark, mystical music) starts.]
ULTOVÍN The war for Hymerthral is nearly over. It will only be a matter of time before the Elvan lands recognise Neradial, my queen, as the rightful heir to the Enduring city, to the empire. Villadius fails to acknowledge her wishes. You may not think you have knowledge to offer, but I will have it.
[SFX: More footsteps.]
ULTOVÍN You may have been wondering what is within this chest on the wall.
[SFX: Wooden lid creaking open.]
[SFX: Torture instruments ringing and clinking.]
ULTOVÍN The answer is every instrument of pain. Believe me, girl, I gain nothing from barbarism, but if grants me answers, then so be it—
[SFX: Metallic swish.]
BRI (Gasps)
[SFX: Wooden door creaking open.]
SORSEER #5 Lord Ultovín, you are needed above deck.
[Music: “The Master Sorseer” ends.]
ULTOVÍN Think on what I have said. I’ll be back in a moment.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, wooden door creaking shut.]
BRI (Straining) …The letter!
[SFX: Rope straining, paper rustling.]
BRI (Straining) It may not be magicked away, but it'll still burn and cause a fire if I can get it in…come on…come on, open…
[SFX: Tapping on glass, metal hinge squeaking, paper wafting.]
BRI Yes! Now a little further…burn…come on! Burn! Come on…burn…
[SFX: Wooden door creaks open.]
ULTOVÍN What is this? Are you—?
BRI Oh, Gods!
ULTOVÍN Are you trying to burn the letter in my lantern? I think not.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood, lantern clinking, metal hinge squeaking shut.]
ULTOVÍN What were you hoping to achieve? To start a conflagration in the ship? Or were you actually attempting Magnir farspeech? I don’t know which is more—
[SFX: Fire ignites.]
BRI (Gasp)
ULTOVÍN Your hand!
[SFX: Fire crackling.]
BRI Fire! I’m—
[SFX: Fire whooshing.]
BRI My hand is burning—!
ULTOVÍN You've cast a flame? Impossible.
BRI I—I didn't do this! Help me!
[SFX: Fire whooshing from hands waving in panic.]
ULTOVÍN She's free of her bonds! She's getting it everywhere!
SORSEER #2 Guards! Get some water!
BRI It won't get off!
BRI (Screaming)
ULTOVÍN (Coughing) Throw her from the ship! AT ONCE!
[SFX: Running footsteps on wood, wooden beams cracking and crashing down.]
SORSEER #5 It is too late! We must take the boat!
BRI Help!
SORSEER #5 (Fading out) Quickly! Before we are all burned alive!
BRI (Screaming)
[SFX: Fire roars.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) The Elvan kidnappers flee into their rowboat.
[SFX: Waves lapping, fire crackle fades out.]
NARRATOR (Voiceover) The less fortunate plunge themselves into the water as their vessel becomes an inferno in the night, though the apparent source—the girl Bri—remains trapped below deck.
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: “Main Title” starts.]
[Music: “Main Title” ends.]
[Music: “End Credits” (rustic percussive music) 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 instalment 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.]