Chapter 11: One for the Poets (Part 3 of 3) Transcript
OPENING
[Music: "Main Title" (triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: An Audio Play. Chapter Eleven: One for the Poets. Part Three of Three.
[Music: "Main Title" ends.]
SCENE ONE: TRUST
[Music: "Vermin" (frantic string music building to triumphant) starts.]
[SFX: Blades ringing, punching, spear swooshing, flesh rending, dead growling.]
JENQUO Stay behind me, Halfin. If you stay low while they hack into us, you might avoid harm.
IRIKLAS You know, most people in the world didn't trust us. Thank you, Myrtle.
MYRTLE Nor me, everyone fears the neighbourhood witch. Nobody seems to…to trust. Trust! OH! [Chanting Sanavran*] [Rats! Little ones! Be free! You need not fear him! You need not be afraid of the Warlock, I will be your friend, be free of him! Turn on him! Feast on him so my friends can escape! Please!]
[SFX: Rat feet running, squeaking.]
IRIKLAS Rats again?
IRIKLAS There's not enough!
MYRTLE [More chanting]*
[SFX: More squeaking.]
WARLOCK What!? You try to tempt my rats? It will never work. They serve me only!
MYRTLE Ha! They serve you because they fear you!
WARLOCK [Vermin! Kill them!]*
MYRTLE They hate you.
WARLOCK My friends, [she is full of lies!] How!? HOW!?
[SFX: Rats swarming.]
MYRTLE I only promised them the truth—their freedom.
WARLOCK VERMIN! OBEY ME!
[SFX: Little fangs biting into flesh, over and over.]
WARLOCK NO! AAAGH!
[SFX: Body thudding to ground, writhing on dirt, rats squeaking.]
WARLOCK (Screaming)
IRIKLAS …Yeugh!
[Music: "Vermin" ends.]
[SFX: Rat swarm fades out.]
SCENE TWO: THE END
[SFX: Underwater bubbling, ice cracking, water splashing.]
BRI (Gasping)
[Music: "More Ceremonious" - (foreboding percussive and choral music, with strings akin to "Gathland") starts.]
ULTOVÍN I am impressed.
BRI (Coughing)
ULTOVÍN You fight to live. I have reconsidered. I will have it both ways and spill your blood into the lake.
BRI I'm not a Magnir! (Coughing)
ULTOVÍN Perhaps. Villadius was never good at this game, and now, I take his last piece—
[SFX: Footsteps on ice.]
ULTOVÍN —His last fire, with a sharp, cold, vengeance!
[Music: "More Ceremonious" ends.]
[SFX: Cold whoosh.]
ULTOVÍN What?
[SFX: Another cold whoosh.]
BRI Can't conjure your ice?
ULTOVÍN What is happening!?
BRI You've missed a few pieces.
ULTOVÍN [Sanavran*]
[SFX: Ice walls roaring and shattering.]
ULTOVÍN The cages! Where is the sacrifice?
NURANG (Distant roar)
[SFX: Muffled dragon wing flapping, rocks falling.]
ULTOVÍN What was that?
[SFX: Sword drawn.]
[Music: “Nurang’s Theme” (majestic, menacing music) starts.]
TARÚK That was a dragon—taking your prisoners to freedom as the rest run for the hills.
BRI You've pledged the souls of the innocent to the Deep God. Those souls are gone now. You can't pay your debt now, so the Deep God took away your power.
[Music: “Nurang’s Theme” ends.]
MYRTLE Just like Sorseer Courant back in Bellar.
[SFX: Footfall on ice, spear swishing.]
JENQUO Ha! Your days of Sorseering are over.
[SFX: Dual daggers drawn, ringing.]
IRIKLAS Come on, let's get this over with.
[Music: "The Bridge" (tense choral action music) starts.]
ULTOVÍN Well played, Bri of Gathland. But when the Deep God does not get his dues…he will take it.
[SFX: Deep rumble beneath water.]
MYRTLE Uh, what is that?
IRIKLAS It sounds like—
TARÚK The Kraken.
[SFX: Ice beginning to crack.]
ULTOVÍN The Deep God's collector. This is the end. For all of us!
[SFX: Ice cracking.]
[SFX: Kraken roars, slimy writhing.]
MYRTLE Are those tentacles!?
TARÚK Come on!
JENQUO MOVE!
[SFX: Tentacles writhing.]
MYRTLE (Panting)
[SFX: Tentacles grabbing.]
MYRTLE OHH!
[SFX: Body thumping against ice.]
MYRTLE AAAH! HELP!
JENQUO Myrtle! I'm coming! (Grunts)
[SFX: Spear slicing through flesh, tentacle falling with a squish.]
MYRTLE (Panting) AAAAH!
[SFX: Kraken roaring, more tentacles whipping and pulling.]
JENQUO NO! NOOO!
[SFX: Tentacles squeezing.]
IRIKLAS (Grunting) Jenquo!
JENQUO Iriklas!
IRIKLAS Here, hold on to me!
JENQUO AAAH!
IRIKLAS I won't let you go! Just hold on!
[SFX: Kraken growls, tentacles squeezing.]
IRIKLAS (Straining) He's got me…
BRI It's got both of them!
IRIKLAS AAH! AAAH!
JENQUO Don't let go of me!
IRIKLAS AAAAAAH! (Scream trails off)
JENQUO AAAAAAH! (Scream trails off)
[SFX: Bodies splashing in water.]
MYRTLE AAH! AAH!
BRI MYRTLE!
MYRTLE AAAAAAH! (Scream trails off)
[SFX: Body splashing in water.]
BRI What do we do?
TARÚK You go. You have a destiny, girl. But I will run no more.
[SFX: Sword draws.]
TARÚK I'm coming! (Grunting)
[SFX: Sword whooshing and chopping.]
TARÚK (Grunting and roaring)
[SFX: Kraken growls, tentacles writhing and squeezing, sword clattering to ice.]
TARÚK (Roar trails off)
ULTOVÍN (Heavy breathing) Villadius! Don't help me! Leave me!
VILLADIUS I am not letting you go!
ULTOVÍN Save yourself! (Grunts)
[Music: "The Bridge" ends.]
[SFX: Tentacles whipping.]
BRI AAH! It's pulling me in! (Grunts)
[SFX: Fire ignites, flesh sizzling.]
[SFX: Kraken roaring, tentacles fleeing.]
BRI It nearly had me—it nearly—!
[SFX: Water splashing.]
MYRTLE (Panting and gurgling) Bri, you have to—
[SFX: Frantic wading in water.]
BRI No, no, no! AAH!
[SFX: Tentacles lashing.]
BRI (Groaning)
IRIKLAS (Gurgling) The face, go for—
[Music: "Judgement" (tragic choral music) starts.]
[SFX: Water splashing.]
TARÚK BRI!
BRI TARÚK!
[SFX: Kraken roaring.]
TARÚK I thought I would die alone. I wanted to die alone. Until I met—
[SFX: Water splashing.]
BRI AAAH!
[SFX: Running footsteps on gravel.]
BRI (Heavy breathing)
[SFX: Kraken noises grow distant.]
[Music: "Judgement" ends.]
VILLADIUS It’s too late! There is nothing that can be done for them now!
[Music: “Bri’s Fire” (uplifting, mystical music).]
BRI (Heavy breathing)
VILLADIUS Bri, come!
[SFX: Footsteps on gravel.]
VILLADIUS Bri, we both have to leave!
BRI Oh…!
[SFX: Running footsteps on gravel.]
BRI (Panting)
VILLADIUS BRI!
[SFX: Splashing in water.]
BRI You! Monster! Come and get me!
[SFX: Kraken growling.]
BRI Come and take me!
[SFX: Tentacles splashing.]
BRI (Panting) OOOH!
[Music: "Bri's Fire" ends.]
[SFX: Kraken roars, rumbling under the water as it closes over, bubbling.]
[Music: "Bri's Fire" starts.]
FINN (Voiceover) Your father killed his God.
DESMOND (Voiceover) I hope when you’re older, you'll look as kindly on me as you do now.
TARÚK (Voiceover) We call, when magic happens is when the Gods answer.
BRAND (Voiceover) What do you have to lose? Your future? As if you even had a past.
NURANG (Voiceover) If you are not careful with your fire, it will consume you.
GUARIN (Voiceover) This girl is a powerful weapon against the Deep God.
ORACLE (Voiceover) Not today, not tomorrow…but before, a girl will destroy.
[Music: "Bri’s Fire" ends.]
BRI (Muffled underwater) You…will unhand…my FRIENDS!
[SFX: Explosion underwater.]
BRI (Muffled underwater) RAAAAAAAAAAAH!
[SFX: Kraken screams, water roars in great wave, raining back down along with wet chunks.]
[SFX: Tentacle remains squishing.]
MYRTLE (Coughing and panting)
[SFX: Squishing footsteps in water, sizzling noise.]
MYRTLE Is the water so cold it's hot? Or did it just get really hot!?
TARÚK Hrrm? (Heavy breathing)
IRIKLAS (Coughing and gagging) What happened?
[SFX: Tentacle remains squishing.]
IRIKLAS Ugh, why does it smell like roasted fish?
[SFX: Sword drawn, slicing through tentacle chunks.]
JENQUO (Gasping for breath)
IRIKLAS Jenquo!
[SFX: Splashing footsteps in water.]
JENQUO She did it. The girl…where is—?
TARÚK NO! (Deep breath)
[SFX: Body diving in water.]
[Music: "The Coin" (plaintive, mournful music) starts.]
MYRTLE (Spluttering) Is she below!?
JENQUO I think so. She gave her life…
[SFX: Water splashing.]
TARÚK (Gasping for breath) I've got her!
JENQUO OH!
MYRTLE Oh, heavens!
[SFX: Wading footsteps in water.]
JENQUO Girl?
IRIKLAS (Choking up) N-no! Bri!
[SFX: Wet footsteps on gravel, dripping water, body laid on ground.]
MYRTLE Give her some air! Back up!
TARÚK (Choked up) Bri? Her wounds aren't visible. Her pulse—
[SFX: Footsteps on gravel.]
MYRTLE Tarúk, I’ve never tried this, but… (Whispering in ear) Press your lips to hers and give her breath, whilst pressing into her chest like a beating heart…
TARÚK (Deep breath, blowing out)
[SFX: Hands pumping on chest.]
IRIKLAS I think he’s trying to resuscitate her!
TARÚK Come on, Bri! (Deep breath, blowing out)
[SFX: Hands pumping on chest.]
MYRTLE No, no, no! She must have given too much of her power.
[SFX: Hands pumping on chest.]
TARÚK Bri…
IRIKLAS (Sobbing)
MYRTLE (Weeping)
[SFX: Coin clinking.]
TARÚK Your coin, the one you gave…I have failed you.
BRI (Gasps)
JENQUO BRI!
[SFX: Cloth rustling, coin clinking.]
BRI It's yours. I gave it to you. My protector…and friend.
TARÚK (Crying and laughing)
BRI (Laughing)
MYRTLE Oh…
JENQUO (Sighs)
[SFX: Wet footsteps on gravel.]
ULTOVÍN (Coughing) Zia… (Heavy breathing)
VILLADIUS It is good to see you alive, Ultovín.
[Music: "The Coin" ends.]
ULTOVÍN (Heavy breathing)
VILLADIUS But that may yet change—
[SFX: Sword drawn.]
VILLADIUS —When you face the King's justice.
SCENE THREE: A NEW DAY
[Music: "Wynhold" (majestic, hopeful music) starts.]
NARRATOR As the dark magic recedes, and the grey clouds break—
[SFX: Distant rooster crowing, footsteps on wood, distant bells.]
NARRATOR —The sun rises over the Kingdom of Wynhold on a new day. Our imprisoned hero awakens, riding with great speed back to Wynhold, where wait his fellow knights and his king to tell of his deeds.
[SFX: Staged horse hooves galloping, man imitating horse snorting.]
SIR ARDGHAL (ACTOR) King Ardrun, Sir Lumien, I have returned!
[SFX: Audience whoops and claps.]
[SFX: Footsteps on wooden stage, occasional audience chatter.]
KING ARDRUN (ACTOR) Sir Ardghal?
AUDIENCE MEMBER #1 YAAAAY!
KING ARDRUN (ACTOR) I thought you a prisoner of Morrigan! I am gladdened to see you breathing still.
SIR ARDGHAL (ACTOR) I escaped, my King. By the Grace of Rhuadu, I have completed my mission and live—
[SFX: Scattered clapping.]
AUDIENCE MEMBER #1 YAAS!
SIR ARDGHAL (ACTOR) —And yet I have brought shame to the Three Towers and to the oaths I gave. I was tempted by Morrigan, sire. I very nearly fell under her spell and broke my oath of chastity.
AUDIENCE MEMBER #2 YEAAAAAAH!
[SFX: Single solitary clap.]
KING ARDRUN (ACTOR) As long as you held true your virtue, young knight, you are still worthy of your mantle as Knight of Three Towers.
SIR ARDGHAL (ACTOR) Thank you, sire.
[SFX: Footsteps on wooden stage.]
SIR LUMIEN (ACTOR) Though, if you are alive, where is Morrigan?
[SFX: Staged thunder clap, audience gasps.]
MORRIGAN (ACTOR) (Wicked cackle)
[SFX: Audience boos.]
MORRIGAN (ACTOR) Ah, you may have bested me today, Ardrun and Knights of the Three Towers!
[SFX: Sword whooshes, footsteps on wooden stage.]
SIR LUMIEN (ACTOR) Morrigan, you foul friend!
NARRATOR Fiend.
SIR LUMIEN (ACTOR) FIEND!
[SFX: Hushed audience chatter.]
MORRIGAN (ACTOR) But I yet live, and the fires of my hatred have been rekindled! As certain as the sun shall set in the west, and the moon shall shine, I will see the Wynland Kingdom kneel before my power one day!
[SFX: Audience applause.]
[Music: *]
NARRATOR Everyone! Good people, please, applause for Josse Brighas as King Ardrun!
[SFX: Audience applause.]
NARRATOR Kenrick Comstock as Sir Lumien!
[SFX: Audience applause.]
NARRATOR George Hanan as Sir Ardghal!
[SFX: Audience applause.]
NARRATOR Liam Severin, Claude Hathway, and Melisende D'vere as Morrigan!
MELISENDE (Theatrical cackle)
[SFX: Audience applause.]
NARRATOR And that concludes our play!
[SFX: Hat jiggling.]
NARRATOR Now, come, your patronage is appreciated! It allows us to keep our play going!
[SFX: Coins jingling.]
AUDIENCE MEMBER #4 Marvelous play!
AUDIENCE MEMBER #5 Is Morrigan Ardrun's lost sister?
AUDIENCE MEMBER #6 What about the fae!?
NARRATOR I—uh— (Laughs) We will answer that mystery in our next show!
CIVILIAN #2 How did you produce those sound effects?
[SFX: Music fades.]
SCENE FOUR: SOMEWHAT OF AN EXPERT
VILLADIUS Those who were prisoners of the dark wizard Ultovín have been freed—
[SFX: Wooden door creaking open, light footsteps on tile.]
VILLADIUS —The ritual stopped, and with it, Sorseers and the Deep God shall never hold power of the land of Humans again, my King.
[SFX: Chair scraping out.]
RYBALD But the Master Sorseer Ultovín was appointed to this council, as Chief Magical Advisor.
WILLARD And thus the acts to stop him are acts against the King's will—
KING MASUN Continue, Lord Magnir.
VILLADIUS If you wish to hold accountable those who have stopped him, first consider this.
[SFX: Book thuds on table, pages rustling.]
KING MASUN What is this?
VILLADIUS Proof. This book belonged to Ultovín. It is filled with Incanter spells, including a recipe and ritual for forming the Grave Pestilence itself.
WILLARD Incanter texts? Those are outlawed.
VILLADIUS The Grave Pestilence was his own doing. He poisoned your son, your people. A great wildfire he could put out, and claim power and titles from you, as a reward for his arson.
[SFX: Chair creaking.]
KING MASUN This news is most grievous, Lord Magnir Villadius. Except—who now has the power to cure the Grave Pestilence that threatens to kill my son?
VILLADIUS That, my lords, is why I have brought our guest.
[SFX: Chair creaking.]
VILLADIUS Come forward, Myrtle.
MYRTLE Oh, um—okay. (Squeaking nervously)
[SFX: Light footsteps on tile.]
RYBALD (Aside) Is that a Halfin?
WILLARD (Aside) I assumed it was his servant.
[SFX: Leather creaking, paper rustling.]
MYRTLE (Straining) Oh, right, I’ve, uh—I've prepared some, uh, scrolls and books here, let me just, uh—oh dear lord—um, m-mind if I put these down? Oh, well, there's a table there, I'll just—
[SFX: Books thud, papers flutter.]
MYRTLE Hoo! Uh, right. Well, uh, my proposal, my King—
[SFX: Papers shuffling, glass breaks.]
MYRTLE Oh! (Nervous laugh) Oh, sorry!
[SFX: More paper shuffling.]
MYRTLE My name is Myrtle. Myrtle Dandyfoot of Clan Buri. Well, I-I travelled with the Magnir Bri, and I, um—
RYBALD I’m sorry, why are you here? You're addressing a king. His time is very important, and you haven't come in prepared!
[SFX: Chair creaking.]
KING MASUN Lord Rybald.
RYBALD Sire?
KING MASUN Shut up.
[SFX: Chair creaking.]
KING MASUN Go on, Halfin. Let us hear what you have to say.
MYRTLE Right…so, it is my belief, that having read—and being somewhat of an expert in, um…er, enchantments and Incantation—that using the instructions in these books meant to conjure the plague, I can conjure a way to reverse it.
KING MASUN It can be cured?
MYRTLE Oh, quite easily, sir! Oh—I mean your Grace. And after that, we can send riders to all neighbouring lands to show them.
KING MASUN What do you need?
MYRTLE (Splutters) Well, firstly, I—I will need many ingredients, from the city apothecary, and more from without. And, uh…oh, a space for my alchemy.
[SFX: Chair scraping out.]
KING MASUN If you succeed, you will have your heart's desire. Just name it.
MYRTLE Well, I don't need very much, just uh…just maybe…just a tiny bit of…access to your grand library?
KING MASUN Done. Lord Rybald, find her the space she needs to work.
RYBALD Me? Sire, I am not a mere—
KING MASUN That will be all, Sir Rybald. Good luck, Myrtle of House Buri.
MYRTLE Ooh ho ho! (Laughs) Thank you, my King!
[SFX: Books and papers rustling, light running footsteps on tile, fading out.]
MYRTLE Oh, ho, you won't regret this! (Giggling and panting)
[SFX: Wooden door creaking open and shut.]
[SFX: Chair scraping.]
KING MASUN She had better not blow up the Alchemist's guild.
VILLADIUS I cannot vouch for her abilities, my King. Only one other can.
KING MASUN The Magnir girl. Yes. Dark days are coming, Villadius. Word will spread fast that Ultovín rots in a cell, that the Deep God has no place in Wynhold. The Elvan Empire will be most furious, and the Dark Bride is not known for her forgiveness. I do hope you have a plan.
VILLADIUS I have a carefully organized plan. And for now, the girl will have no part of it. She will be kept here in secret, and at first dawn tomorrow, we must gather the people to the tower of Wynhold for an announcement.
KING MASUN And the Master Sorseer? You know him better than most…
VILLADIUS He— (Sighs) —will not speak to me. Only one other.
[Music: "The Deep God" (dark, majestic, gloomy choral music) starts.]
SCENE FIVE: THE CHOSEN ONE
[Music: "The Deep God" (dark, majestic, gloomy choral music) starts.]
[SFX: Chains clinking and echoing.]
ULTOVÍN (Sighs)
[SFX: Heavy door sliding open, guards grunting.]
[SFX: Fire ignites.]
ULTOVÍN (Gasps)
BRI Well, you wanted me. Here I am.
ULTOVÍN I was told, by an oracle of this land, that I would meet my end to a Magnir.
[SFX: Fire whooshes.]
BRI You want it now?
ULTOVÍN You must. For the Kingdom, for all that you hold dear, you must end me. I tried…to bring this land under the Deep God peacefully. But because of you and Villadius, death will come straight for all these lands. The Dark Bride is coming, and her way will be less peaceful than mine.
[Music: "The Deep God" ends.]
BRI Then we will deal with her, just like we dealt with you. Villadius has agreed to train me in the Magnir arts.
ULTOVÍN (Laughs) I am sure he took a lot of convincing from you.
BRI (Laughs) Yes, yes, he did.
ULTOVÍN …I hope Rhuadu is alive. I hope the Deep God has an equal again. I hope peace and balance are restored.
[SFX: Rats squeaking.]
ULTOVÍN I truly do. But I cannot be alive for it to happen. You must end me. Or countless lives will be lost.
BRI Why? Why should I listen?
ULTOVÍN Because it would be wise. To remove Villadius’s equal to tip the scales in your favour. The Deep God's Chosen One is coming, and when she faces Rhuadu's Chosen One, the fate of the world will be decided, and the magical imbalance resolved.
[SFX: Chains clinking.]
BRI If it's tipping the scale you're afraid of, then perhaps you should take your foot off of it. As I have done.
[SFX: Footsteps on stone, fire whooshing.]
[Music: "Rhuadu" (mystical choral music) starts.]
ULTOVÍN He will never treat you as an equal, and he will never tell you your fate as Chosen One.
[SFX: Fire whooshing.]
BRI Chosen One?
[Music: "Rhuadu" ends.]
[SFX: Heavy door sliding shut, guards grunting, metal creaking.]
VILLADIUS What did he say?
BRI He asked for me to kill him. And he called me…Chosen One? What do you know about that?
VILLADIUS Don't listen to him, it's nothing.
[SFX: Footsteps on stone.]
BRI No, he said something. I want to know what it means.
VILLADIUS You’d best leave the burden of knowledge to others, girl. The less of it you have, the happier you'll be. It is just—propaganda. Ramblings of Incanters whose minds had decayed with excessive herbs. Too easy to interpret. That's the simplicity of prophets for you. It could've already happened, it could—
[Music: "Rhuadu" starts.]
BRI It could be me. How else do I have these powers?
VILLADIUS No.
BRI It's not what I would've thought, or wanted…you know what? (Laughs) I'll take it. (Theatrical) I'm the Chosen One! I'm the Chosen One!
VILLADIUS You cut that out.
BRI (Even more theatrical) I'm the Chosen One!
VILLADIUS Quiet, girl! No, no, even if there was a Chosen One, it-it cannot be you, you're…
BRI What? A woman? A Human? A barmaid? This must be frustrating. Of all people, Magnirs, Elvans, high born lads, the Chieftan crowned a foreign commoner. A tavern wench. Someone who owes you nothing. That spooks you.
VILLADIUS There is no Chosen One. I would sooner believe that than believe in you.
[Music: "Rhuadu" ends.]
[SFX: Footsteps fade out.]
SCENE SIX: THE SPEECH
[SFX: Large crowd chatter.]
SCRIBE Gather all for the King's speech! Gather all for his Highness! Gather all for the King's speech! Gather all for his Highness!
NARRATOR The people of the fortress city Wynhold flock to the sound of the King's men, gathering before the opening gates to the high towers, guards and men along the perimeter, as the King and his councillors gather along the lowest balcony to speak. From the shadows of the Shy Badger Inn, Bri and her companions watch.
[SFX: Breeze blowing.]
KING MASUN People of the Wynland Kingdom, I gather you all today as I know that you are plagued with fear. Over this Dark Bride to the East, over Sorseers, over this Deep God that threatens our Kingdom. Remember, all, that we have allies …
[SFX: King Masun continues in background, crowd murmuring.]
BRI Tarúk!
IRIKLAS Oof, you look awful.
TARÚK For Orcs, more scars is always better.
JENQUO I think you look good.
TARÚK Thank you. I thank all of you. You have spared me a miserable fate, and I am in your debt.
JENQUO Or is the debt paid off?
MYRTLE Yeah, you've saved each of us once, at least?
TARÚK And I will have the opportunity to do it again.
MYRTLE Aww! Oh, look! I can see Villadius up there.
JENQUO Bri, why aren't you up there? With them? You are the last Magnir.
BRI Oh, he wants to keep me a secret.
IRIKLAS You? You're their greatest asset!
MYRTLE The last of the Magnir.
BRI He thinks I'm too…impulsive, dangerous, uncontrollable. And that I need to be kept out of the light.
TARÚK Too Gathish?
BRI Er, what?
TARÚK Dangerous, untamed, impulsive—these are the things they say about your kind.
[SFX: Ale pouring.]
BRI …Hand me that flagon.
[SFX: Tankard scrapes on table.]
BRI (Chugs)
JENQUO Achi-wo, look at her chug!
IRIKLAS Huh! Gathish, indeed!
BRI (Keeps chugging)
TARÚK (Laughs) That's our good woman!
BRI (Sighs) I'll be right back. Thank you. All of you, for coming all this way, for taking this journey with me.
TARÚK The journey does not end here, Bri.
[SFX: Footsteps on cobblestone, fading out.]
MYRTLE Oh, w-w-wait, what is she doing?
IRIKLAS And why did she thank us suddenly? You'd think she were about to do something—oh, zia.
KING MASUN (Foreground) Hope is not lost, for though we have defeated the Sorseer threat in this Kingdom—
[SFX: Crowd begins clamouring.]
KING MASUN —I ask silence!
[SFX: Crowd gets even more unruly.]
KING MASUN Though we have defeated the Sorseer Neradial—
CIVILIAN #1 Rhuadu is dead! We cannot hope to fight!
KING MASUN I ask silence!
CIVILIAN #2 What of the Dark Bride Neradial?
KING MASUN All is not lost, for we have the greatest army on this earth, and—
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
KING MASUN Who is that? Standing on the execution platform?
RYBALD Not the executioner.
VILLADIUS Zia dier, no…
CIVILIAN #3 …and just who are you?
CIVILIAN #4 Who are you!?
[Music: "Flame Bearer" (uplifting, mystical music) starts.]
BRI I am Bri of Gathland! I stopped Ultovín with the help of my friends. As we will no doubt stop the Dark Bride when she comes.
VILLADIUS BRI, NO!
[SFX: Fire ignites.]
[SFX: Crowd gasps.]
BRI I…am Rhuadu's Chosen One!
VILLADIUS Oh, girl…what have you done?
[SFX: Fire crackling.]
TARÚK Hail Bri!
JENQUO Hail Bri!
[SFX: Crowd cheers.]
MYRTLE Hail Bri! The Flame-Bearer!
JENQUO Oh, that's catchy!
MYRTLE It just came to me! (Laughs)
IRIKLAS (Laughing) Oh, Gods, so embarrassing.
[SFX: Crowd cheers fading.]
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
BRI Well, Villadius, what do you think of that?
VILLADIUS (Weary) You're going to be a very difficult Chosen One.
SCENE SEVEN: NOT GOING ANYWHERE
[Music: "Flame Bearer" ends.]
[SFX: Birdsong, footsteps on dirt.]
[SFX: Horse hooves approaching, whinny, footfall on dirt.]
BRI Tarúk?
TARÚK Bri!
BRI (Slight sigh) Tarúk…you’re not leaving, are you? Not like you did you family?
TARÚK …Force of habit, girl.
[SFX: Footsteps on dirt.]
TARÚK I’m no good at farewells.
[SFX: Horse snorts.]
TARÚK I did not want—
[SFX: More footsteps.]
BRI There’s no need! You’re not going anywhere.
TARÚK My purpose is fulfilled. The Dwarf and the Elvan are formidable friends. You are safe.
[SFX: Horse snorts.]
BRI I won't be forever. Everyone knows I'm the last Magnir now, possibly some Chosen One or something. Others like Ultovín might take umbridge with that. They'll be coming. I brought something.
[SFX: Footsteps on dirt, pack shuffling, sword drawing.]
BRI (Slight laugh, then grunting)
[SFX: Sword whooshing.]
[Music: "Bri’s Theme" (soft, plaintive music) starts.]
BRI It'll do, until I can forge my own. Will you teach me to fight? So that I can defend myself?
[SFX: Footsteps on dirt.]
BRI That—or I'll be having my coin back.
TARÚK Let me see.
[SFX: More footsteps, sword ringing, then whooshing.]
TARÚK A good blade.
BRI Well, then, are we going to stand here and talk? Or are we going to fight?
[SFX: Sword sheathes.]
TARÚK After a meal, perhaps.
[SFX: Footsteps fall in step.]
TARÚK I could go for some lamb.
BRI Ha, I've been meaning to try cooking something with my fire.
[SFX: Leaves rustling in wind.]
[Music: "Bri’s Theme" (soft, plaintive music) ends.]
TARÚK And burn a perfectly good meal?
[Music: "Watertight" by Zero She Flies starts.]
TARÚK I think not, girl.
BRI (Fading out) Why not? I think this power could make me into a fine cook…
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: "Watertight" continues.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame. Starring Bonnie Bogovich as Bri. Jacob Williamson as Calan. Corey Borchers as Tarúk. Abigail Turner as Myrtle. Stephen Cumberworth as Villadius. Ash Williams as Ultovín. Xathian as Iriklas. Gary Gibbs the Second as Jenquo. And Sarah Ruth Thomas as Nurang. Featuring the voices of Eric Umstod, John Doyle, Stephen Weatherford, Corey Catona, and Emmaline Tuck.
[Music: "Watertight" ends.]
[Music: "Main Title (Alternate)" (gentle harp intensifying into triumphant orchestral music) starts.]
NARRATOR This episode was written by Kurt Cañez and Nadi Reed Perez, with music by Adam Halpin with additional tracks by Stephen Cumberworth. Both can be found on Bandcamp. Sanavran speech by Megan Watson. Editing by Kurt Cañez and Sasha Blore. For the full cast list, see the description of this episode, or visit www.thecalloftheflame.com. This podcast was created and produced by Kurt Peterson. "Watertight" was written by Jamie Field, arranged by Jamie Field and Maria Marusca, and performed by Zero She Flies, courtesy of Jamie Field and Maria Melewska. We thank you all for listening to Book One of The Call of the Flame. Be sure to read the podcast description to find and follow our pages of media: Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. For updates on future endeavours, and for The Call of the Flame Book Two, the greatest way to support the show is to become a patron of ours on Patreon, where we will deliver future content in the interim for the world of Aburen. Special thank you to our patrons Catherine Lupke, Anton and kin, Julius S, Vincent King, Stacy Holbrook, Ryan Cushman, Joshua DiMaggio, John the Smith, Jon Winstead, Jolly, Ben Blair, and Sean M. This has been a Magnir Production. I am your narrator, George Hoctor.
[SFX: Waves lapping.]
NARRATOR We thank you all for listening.
[SFX: Sailors singing.]
AFTER CREDITS
[SFX: Sailors singing, waves lapping, rain pelting, rope creaking.]
[SFX: Singing grows muffled, lantern creaks, match lights.]
SAILOR We should be nearing the caves of Gnarles soon, "Master Sorseer".
[SFX: Chains clinking.]
SAILOR There, you can live out your sentence mining salt for his majesty.
ULTOVÍN You should jump overboard while you still have the chance.
[SFX: Beat, ship creaking.]
SAILOR Well, I was going to give you a bit of our rations, I don't think anyone will know if I just had it for m'self. (Food crunching) (Laughing)
[SFX: Leviathan rumbling under the waves.]
SAILOR (Mouth full) What in the Chieftan's heaven is that!?
[SFX: Lantern creaking, rumbling grows closer.]
[SFX: Crash against ship, glass breaking.]
[SFX: Muffled sailors screaming, wood snapping, tentacles whipping, thunder rumbling, choking noises, sword throw whipping in air and stabbing.]
SAILOR (Muffled) (Gasping) Who are you?
[SFX: Sword scraping, whooshing elaborately in air, then slicing.]
SAILOR (Gurgling)
[SFX: Elaborate armour clinking, footsteps on wood.]
[SFX: Leviathan breathing, rain pelting.]
NERADIAL Master Sorseer Ultovín.
[SFX: Sword whooshing, then sheathing.]
[Music: "Neradial" (tense strings building to eerie lullaby and back) starts.]
ULTOVÍN Neradial, my Queen. I fall to my knees in—
NERADIAL Spare me the flattery. I commanded your return to Hymerthral to put an end to your silly mission in Aburen. Why did you not come?
ULTOVÍN I thought to weaken the Human lands for you, my Queen. Make them tender for your conquest.
NERADIAL And in failing, you strengthened their resolve. And made a new enemy.
ULTOVÍN I committed high treason against you. I will—
NERADIAL We'll discuss your punishment later. On any other day, I would see your head on a pike, but your talents are needed in the homeland.
ULTOVÍN Very well. With my newfound knowledge, we will face the forces of Wynhold together.
NERADIAL We shall, but I was not talking about Wynhold. This…so-called Chosen One. Is it true she is but a maid?
ULTOVÍN Strange, is it not?
NERADIAL Not at all. I know all too well how the Gods favour poor little girls.
[Music: "Neradial" ends.]
[SFX: Thunder rumbling.]
[SFX: Leviathan roaring.]