Chapter 12: Balance (Part 1 of 3) Transcript
SCENE ONE: THIRTY YEARS AGO
[Music: ""*.]
[SFX: Heavy doors creaking open, crowd laughter and chatter.]
VILLADIUS Oh! It's you, you're late. Come on in, blue wizard Ultovín.
[SFX: Doors creaking shut.]
ULTOVÍN I've been busy, red wizard Villadius. And I brought friends.
VILLADIUS Please, come on in! Sir Lumien, Sir—oh. Er, h-how could we forget our...green wizardess?
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
MORRIGAN Morrigan will do. And you didn't extend an invitation.
VILLADIUS Think nothing of it, it's a big celebration.
MORRIGAN Hmm, right. Well, actually, I came to get into my laboratory.
ULTOVÍN Oh, come now, there will be time for alchemy later.
MORRIGAN I must make haste. The Vampyre plague may no longer be a threat, but many still suffer from its—
Partygoer #1 (Giggling) High Magnir! Up high!
[SFX: Bottle clinking through air, crowd gasping.]
VILLADIUS Ah, dier! (Battle cry)
[SFX: Flame bursting, glass shattering, crowd laughing and cheering, fire spreading.]
ULTOVÍN I've got it.
[SFX: Water whooshing, fire hisses as it goes out.]
MORRIGAN You two make quite the pair. Villadius starts the messes, and Ultovín cleans them up after.
VILLADIUS And who will clean your messes, Incanter?
[Music ends*]
[SFX: Crowd chattering and laughing, chair scraping on wooden floor.]
King ardrun Quiet! Quiet!
[SFX: Pounding on table, tankards clinking.]
Sir lumien The King demands SILENCE, damn it!
[SFX: Chair scraping in.]
SIR LUMIEN (Contrite) Pardon my language, Sire.
KING ARDRUN My friends, for nearly five years, our realms have not known sleep, for every sunfall spelt death and the terrors of the dark. But when the Living Dead—
MORRIGAN (Correcting under her breath) Vampyres.
KING ARDRUN —Threatened to tear our land apart, you rose to the challenge and fought!
[SFX: Chair scraping out.]
SIR LUMIEN WYNHOLD!
[SFX: Crowd cheering, whistling and drinking.]
KING ARDRUN Yes! May this be the first of many merry evenings safe from the Plague of Night. A toast!
[SFX: More chairs scraping out.]
KING ARDRUN A toast to the brave Knights and Magnir of the Three Towers!
[SFX: More cheering.]
KING ARDRUN A toast to the Elvan King Parahilius, his Queen Neradial, and his men!
[SFX: More cheering.]
KING ARDRUN And—and—we mustn't forget—to our magical advisors, one for each of the Gods—
[SFX: Drinks pouring.]
KING ARDRUN Villadius of Rhuadu, Ultovín of Koannus, and Morrigan of Duinna!
CROWD HAIL!
MORRIGAN Hail.
[SFX: Drinking, then one last cheer, whooping and slapping on tables.]
[SFX: Crowd resumes chatter.]
VILLADIUS Glad you made it out of your hut to join us in the celebration.
MORRIGAN I thought it wise to keep up the appearance of civility, knowing what may be at stake. Myself, for instance.
Ultovín And it smells as though you've bathed.
VILLADIUS Ultovín!
ULTOVÍN What? It was a compliment.
[Music ends*]
MORRIGAN Pray, do you not think it odd that the Elvan King himself came from across the sea to see us Human folk?
VILLADIUS The Human and Elvan races won the day together, and now we celebrate together. Think nothing of it.
ULTOVÍN Not everything in this world is a puzzle to be solved. Don't rob yourself of a good memory of this night.
MORRIGAN There must be more to this business.
[SFX: Chair scraping out, footsteps on wood.]
ULTOVÍN (Chewing) Morrigan! You have to try these, they're called “apple pies,” the Humans have—
VILLADIUS She's gone, Ultovín. Eat your pie.
ULTOVÍN (Gulps) Oh. More for us, then.
VILLADIUS It is quite good.
[Music ends*]
[SFX: Doors creaking open, footsteps on tile.]
Royal guard #1 Who are you!?
[SFX: Sword drawn.]
Royal guard #1 These are the King's—
[SFX: Magic drone.]
MORRIGAN (In Sanavran*) [Sleep]
[SFX: Armored body collapsing to floor.]
Royal guard #1 (Snoring)
[SFX: More footsteps, drawers scraping open, paper shuffling.]
MORRIGAN Come on, come on, prove I was right...
[SFX: Scroll unrolling.]
MORRIGAN Ah, here. (Reading, skimming) Royal decree: to prevent another Night's Plague, the crown of Wynhold shall hereby...
[Music starts*]
MORRIGAN ...Abolish the practice of Incantation, witchcraft, druidry, and all magicks of Duinna...signed King Ardrun!? (Gasps)
[SFX: Scroll rolling up, window creaking open.]
SCENE TWO: BEYOND WAVE AND WIND
[Music*]
[SFX: Waves rolling, cicadas singing.]
NARRATOR Beyond Wynhold, past the plains of Gathland, and through the fog of the sea, lies a place beyond wave and wind. A land forgotten by this world, forgotten by Human and Elvan, forgotten even by the Gods. Where the Nine Fae—the children of the Goddess Duinna—dwell.
[Music*]
[SFX: Fire crackling, cork popping, liquid pouring and hissing.]
FAE #1 Yes, blood of Giant, but what's missing? Er...
FAE #2 Spider legs!
FAE #1 Come now, we agreed it was MY Monster! No spiders.
[SFX: Vials clinking, ingredients rattling.]
FAE #1 Hmmm, what haven't we used...? Lobster pincers, yeeeeeesss. That will spread fear into the hearts of the King's men.
[SFX: Cork popping.]
FAE #1 But only two drops...
[SFX: Liquid swishing.]
FAE #1 Hold it steady, yes, nice and steady...steady now...
Fae #2 WILL YOU GIVE OVER! You're not making me any more calm with your nervous words! I've poured these thousands of times, I know what I'm—
[SFX: Glass breaks.]
FAE #1 OH! You broke my vial!
FAE #2 YOU broke my concentration!
FAE #1 I should never have trusted you and your slippery toad HANDS! (Growling)
FAE #2 (Growling)
[SFX: Struggling, glass breaking.]
FAE #1 Oh, how dare ye!
[SFX: More vials flying and breaking.]
FAE #1 (Shrieking)
FAE #2 (Shrieking)
[SFX: Footsteps on gravel.]
MORRIGAN Evening, sisters. As productive and cooperative as ever, I see.
Fae #3 (Sigh) Will you two get over yourselves?
FAE #1 (Grumbling)
FAE #2 (Grumbling)
[SFX: More footsteps.]
Fae #3 Morrigan? Here at last!
[SFX: Vials rattling.]
FAE #1 Aye, did you have fun on your little adventure with the mortals?
FAE #2 (Laughs) What's next? You gonna settle down with a strong man and have his babies?
[SFX: More footsteps.]
FAE #1 (Laughs) Oh, look at me, I'm a wee wifey, I grow my food and milk goats, or whatever my husband tells me. I'm not smart enough to think for m'self.
FAE #2 (Laughs)
[SFX: Scroll unrolling.]
Fae #3 You seem distraught.
MORRIGAN Why, it's because I am. I just about saved the mortal lands from destruction, and as thanks, they're forbidding our kind from practicing—at best. At worst, all Incanter kind will soon be extinct.
Fae #3 Oh, by the Goddess.
[SFX: Vials rattling.]
FAE #1 Pity. Well, now it's a matter of time before it begins. Without the Incanters to keep the balance—
FAE #2 It'll be war between Magnir and Sorseers, a magic war.
[Music starts*]
FAE #1 (Sing-song) The cycle will begin again.
FAE #2 It could be a great deal of fun to watch them tear the world apart.
MORRIGAN There won't be war between the powers. Not while I can do something about it.
FAE #1 Uuuuugh! You gonna meddle in the affairs of men again?
FAE #2 Because it went so well the first time. You made this new King, and then he fired you. (Laughs)
FAE #1 (Laughs)
[SFX: Footsteps on gravel.]
FAE #1 Well, good luck!
FAE #2 I can't wait to hear the legends twist you into the villain!
FAE #1 I hope to hear them sing it before the world ends. (Laughs) Morrigan the Vile.
FAE #2 Morrigan the Witch.
FAE #1 Morrigan the Enchantress.
FAE #2 Oooooh, that's good, that's good.
FAE #1 What do you say we try again? Start fresh on the Incantation. How about, eh...blood of lion?
FAE #2 Aye, but it needs a bit...more...legs?
[SFX: Smacking noise, vial breaking.]
FAE #1 I SAID NO SPIDERS!
[Music ends*]
[SFX: Footsteps on gravel, fire crackling.]
Fae #3 Morrigan, if it’s revenge you're planning, you'll be incurring more wrath on our magicked people.
MORRIGAN I wasted enough time in Wynhold treating the symptoms of poor leadership in a mad rush to keep up with them. No opportunity to try for an actual cure.
Fae #3 You’ve given them so much you’re losing yourself.
MORRIGAN I don’t need self, Moira. Not when I have purpose.
[SFX: Fire whooshing.]
MORRIGAN And those with purpose can bear any means.
Fae #3 So what now? You can't cure all ills of the realms of men. They're not long for this world at any rate if the Magnir and Sorseers go to war.
MORRIGAN Their war is inevitable; the outcome is not. Not if we take control of their power. If the cycle begins anew, so be it. But this time, we will be in control.
[SFX: Paper rustling.]
MORRIGAN We will steal the most powerful of the Gods' souls.
OPENING
[Music: ""* starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame: Book Two.
[Music: ""* ends.]
SCENE THREE: The dueling oak
[SFX: Birds chirping, stream trickling, wind blowing through the grass, horse trotting.]
NARRATOR Thirty years later...beyond the walls of Wynhold billow the green of a forest, alive with spring. The Dueling Oaks, where the greatest warriors of the Kingdom learned their craft. Waiting there by a plank across a stream sits a great hooded figure, a blade across his lap. Approaching on horseback comes the Fire Maiden...
[Music: “Bri Training” starts.]
[SFX: Horse snorts.]
NARRATOR ...Wearing leather armor beneath her green cloak.
[SFX: Footfall on grass, then footsteps.]
BRI (Yawning)
TARÚK You are late.
BRI (More yawning) Must we do this so early? Ah! You could've gotten me breakfast, at least.
[SFX: Swords drawn.]
TARÚK Ready?
BRI Yes.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK Remember what I taught you yesterday?
BRI Guard my legs?
TARÚK No. The other thing.
BRI Oh, yes...Every fight is my choice.
TARÚK And why would you choose to fight on a flimsy bridge over water?
Bri I...wouldn't? Ha...
TARÚK It forces your opponent to meet you on your terms, or you theirs. A common ground can be a weakness, or an advantage. You must use their compromise for your gain.
[SFX: Sword whooshing.]
TARÚK Come.
[SFX: Swords swinging and ringing together, footsteps shuffling on wood.]
TARÚK Be certain with your steps. Every hesitation, every twitch, reveals your intentions.
BRI Ah! Oh? Well, how's this? (Lightly huffing)
[SFX: Shuffling footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK Now you're just dancing.
BRI You should try it, be more spontaneous. You're like a statue. Down to your coloring! (Light laugh)
TARÚK I don't need to move, you always run out of patience and charge for me.
BRI No, I don't.
[SFX: Beat.]
BRI RAAAH!
[SFX: Running footsteps on wood.]
TARÚK Color me surprised.
BRI (Grunting)
[SFX: Swords clanging.]
TARÚK Readied block, very wise!
[SFX: Swords scraping, then ringing.]
TARÚK (Grunting)
BRI AH! (Grunting)
TARÚK More speed!
BRI All this leather just gets in my way!
TARÚK It is all that protects you.
[SFX: More swords whooshing and clanging.]
TARÚK (Grunting)
BRI Ah!
[SFX: Fist whooshing through air.]
TARÚK A good dodge! Now land a hit!
BRI (Mocking laugh) HAAAH!
TARÚK You're not working in the tavern anymore! Fight me!
[SFX: Swords clanging harder and faster.]
BRI RAAAH!
TARÚK Remember to defend yourself!
BRI RAAAH!
TARÚK If you were half as good at striking as you were serving beer—!
[SFX: More clanging.]
BRI (Grunting with each strike)
BRI HAAAH!
TARÚK (Grunting)
BRI AAAAH!
[SFX: Wood clattering, splashing in water.]
[Music ends]
BRI What was that?
TARÚK I used your strength against you.
[SFX: Wading footsteps through water.]
BRI (rises, spitting water) That hurt, by the way.
TARÚK Failure isn't supposed to feel good.
BRI Not that, the insults.
[SFX: Watery footsteps.]
TARÚK Thank you. I consulted with the Iriklas. He suggested you would respond better to negative reinforcement. Jenquo suggested I try positive reinforcement. So...good job...and do better.
BRI I thought pain and the shame of falling in a freezing stream was plenty.
TARÚK You showed progress. I actually had to exert effort this time. But when you're angry, you make yourself vulnerable.
BRI Oh yeah? Work on THIS! (Grunting)
[SFX: Splashing, wooden thumping.]
TARÚK Are you trying to shake the bridge to get me to fall?
[Music: "Iriklas and Jenquo" (playful, scheming music) starts.]
BRI (Grunts) No...yes...but you're too heavy.
[SFX: Munching.]
IRIKLAS (Coughs)
BRI Were...were you two watching in the shade the whole time?
IRIKLAS (Mouth full) Best seats. Shaded, too.
JENQUO Pass me another apple. (Crunching)
[Music: "Iriklas and Jenquo" ends.]
VILLADIUS (Sigh) Ah, there she is.
[SFX: More splashing, wooden thumping.]
BRI I could burn this bridge down if I like!
VILLADIUS Bri, what in the Hells are you doing!?
[Music: "Villadius’s Theme" (hopeful flute music) starts.]
[SFX: Hooves, light puffing from a horse.]
BRI Payback will have to wait for you, Tarúk.
[SFX: Wading footsteps through water.]
VILLADIUS I've been sitting in the Shrine of the Chieftan for two hours waiting to continue your lessons, and not only were you awake, but you were here, training with a sword?
[SFX: Footsteps on grass.]
BRI I'm supposed to prepare for great conflict ahead, aren't I?
[Music: "Villadius’s Theme" ends.]
VILLADIUS It is more important that you learn the ways of the Magnir, Bri. There will be thousands of swordsmen in the army of Wynhold, but only ONE Magnir—
BRI Only one Magnir, yes, got it.
VILLADIUS I've already sacrificed much of your training by cutting your history lessons and focusing on combat and rituals, but you can't even cast in both hands yet—
[SFX: Fire whooshing, one flame after another.]
BRI Figured it out last night.
VILLADIUS Oh, good. Very good. I've seen six-year-old Magnir master that ability.
[SFX: Flame extinguishes.]
BRI ...Well, how long did they practice?
VILLADIUS Never mind that, it is time we continued our lesson.
BRI I've been meaning to ask...You once said our connection with the spiritual plane is...stronger than most? Well, I've been having some odd dreams of late.
VILLADIUS No, no, no—keep it to yourself.
BRI Why?
[Music:]
VILLADIUS Sorry, it's...it's an Elvan superstition. We descend from the bloodline of the Gods, who themselves possessed blood of the Old God, which means we sometimes receive visions in our sleep. Future happenings, past revelations. If kept to ourselves, they may remain only dreams. But if they are spoken aloud, they become prophecy. And prophecy, one way or another, becomes truth.
BRI But I don't share blood with the Gods...right?
VILLADIUS No, of course not. Pardon me. Go on and tell me, if you wish—
[SFX: Horse hooves, frantic neighing.]
MYRTLE Steady now, Meli, steady! Um, [calm yourself, there's two of us here remember?]
[SFX: Horse snorting.]
[SFX: Footfall on grass.]
MYRTLE Hello! Good morning, did I miss the fight?
VILLADIUS Did all of you know about this?
[SFX: Footsteps on grass.]
TARÚK Myrtle, what brings you?
MYRTLE Well, I was in my tower—not my tower, it's the alchemists' tower, I'm just the only one who uses it, but you all know the three towers, one for Magnirs, and Sorseers, and Incanters? Anyhow, I hopped by the Magnir tower for a—
TARÚK Myrtle.
MYRTLE The High Enkindler just arrived, with his whole Council.
VILLADIUS The Council of Sparrowfall?
BRI Did you know they were coming? You're the Lord Magnir.
VILLADIUS *A* Lord Magnir from Hymerthral, which is now the enemy. Magnir culture in Wynhold is quite different, I've found. More draconian. And if they see me as an interloper...
BRI Then what'll they make of me?
VILLADIUS I suppose they're here to find out. But surely, they will approve of you, in spite of your...
BRI (Scoffs) What?
VILLADIUS Never mind, your focus must be in your magic. You are proof that Rhuadu's spirit lives on. And that, not combat, will be the key to defeating Neradial.
BRI How can you be sure?
VILLADIUS The Deep God has given her his power, but she is no warrior, only a figurehead. It's doubtful she has ever set foot on a battlefield in her life.
[Music ends]
[Music begins]
SCENE FOUR: il namrosa
[SFX: Sailors crying out, ropes creaking, waves crashing, footsteps on wood.]
NARRATOR Across the sea from Bri and her allies stands a different chosen one. A striking and regal figure in dark robes and silver armor, the tentacles of her Kraken mask banding around her head, forming a crown over her eerily blue eyes. She casts an icy gaze towards the sea and the shore of her enemies. Il Namrosa, the unimpregnable heart of the Ülgen Empire.
[SFX: Footsteps on wood.]
Balorus It's frightening, isn't it? Seeing war and its spoils for the first time. The cries and flames makes men into savages. Nothing like the ballads and stories.
NERADIAL You are one of the Banished Bretheren, yes?
BALORUS I'm their General now. Balorus is my name. At your service, Queen.
NERADIAL Your perception is limited, Balorus. You see only a city in flames. I see peace.
[SFX: More footsteps on wood.]
ELVAN #1 Queen Neradial.
NERADIAL I will go to shore. Await my command to attack.
BALORUS Yourself?
[SFX: Armored footsteps clinking on wood.]
ELVAN #1 Shall we prepare a boat, your—
[SFX: Shuffling on wood, splash in water.]
ELVAN #1 ...Highness!?
[SFX: Low creature moan under waves.]
BALORUS You heard your Queen, to arms.
[SFX: Sword drawing.]
ELVAN #1 (Calls out) To arms! Prepare for battle!
[SFX: More swords drawing.]
[SFX: Crowd chatter, gates drawing, ropes creaking.]
Ülgen #1 Commander, the Elvan fleet is approaching!
Ülgen captain To your places!
[SFX: Armored footsteps marching, fire crackling, weapons rattling.]
Ülgen captain War is a mere shred of an Elvan's existence, but this what you've prepared for your whole lives! No enemy has ever breached our gates, as it shall be for a thousand years.
[SFX: Sword drawing.]
Ülgen captain For honor eternal!
Ülgen TROOPS For honor eternal!
[SFX: Distant splashing, crowd screaming, Leviathan roar.]
Ülgen #1 What is THAT!?
Ülgen CAPTAIN That is the Dark Bride's steed, her beast of war. It killed our fleet, including two of my brothers...and their sons.
Ülgen #2 It—it has three heads!?
Ülgen CAPTAIN And yet none are the true head.
[SFX: Armored footfall.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN Neradial is wading into the city...alone.
NERADIAL (Echoing voiceover) I have come to treat, in the ruins of your great library.
[Music ends]
[SFX: Waves crashing.]
ELVAN #1 Did you hear that?
BALORUS We all heard it, idiot. Rhuadu's balls, she's mad. Even that beast of hers wouldn't be able to save her in time.
[SFX: Crowd chatter, gate rising, horse hooves, armored footfall.]
[SFX: Armored footsteps, swords drawing, echoes of water dripping.]
NARRATOR The Ülgen Captain and his men tread carefully over rubble and broken spines of fallen books. Once a fount of knowledge bearing witness to countries past, the Great Library now plays a part in whether or not its people have a future. Light gleams through the shattered remains of a glass dome ceiling, but the rest is darkness.
Ülgen CAPTAIN Elvan Queen Neradial?
ÜLGEN #2 Where is she?
NERADIAL (Echoing voiceover) I am here.
ÜLGEN #1 What was that?
ÜLGEN CAPTAIN She is using astral projection to hide her whereabouts.
NERADIAL (Voiceover) You are the one charged with defending this city?
[SFX: Footsteps on rubble.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN Yes. What are your terms, Queen? How do I, as protector of this city and its people, keep you and your monster as far away from it as possible?
NERADIAL (Voiceover) Lay down your arms and raise your gates. Your lands have known only chaos for the past twenty years.
[Music: "Neradial" (tense strings building to eerie organ lullaby and back) starts.]
NERADIAL Your Magnir are powerless. Your empire will be one of a number to fall as the age of Rhuadu crumbles. But I am here. And I will bring order again.Take my hand. There is a place for Ülgen in the new age—as a vassal of my empire...or a wasteland.
ÜLGEN #1 (Laughs)
ÜLGEN CAPTAIN You seem to underestimate the situation. There are five of us, and you are alone.
NERADIAL You would break our negotiations to test me in combat?
[Music starts]
ÜLGEN CAPTAIN Never have you faced a people like that of Ülgen. We are proud, enduring, and we do not surrender.
[SFX: Footsteps on rubble.]
ÜLGEN CAPTAIN This was once home to the Fire God himself. All the men atop our walls would sooner have glory and death.
[Music: "Neradial" ends.]
[SFX: Beat.]
NERADIAL They can have death.
[SFX: Soldiers gasping.]
[SFX: Twin swords whooshing and slicing, grunting, weapons clanging, death cries.]
Ülgen #1 (Bloody gurgling)
Ülgen #2 She is fast...
Ülgen CAPTAIN And yet, it will only take one good hit to end this war.
[SFX: Swords clanging.]
Ülgen #2 (Grunting)
Ülgen CAPTAIN No!
Ülgen #2 I'm sorry, Commander, I—tried.
[SFX: Sword whooshing.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN For Ülgen, for the Empire!
[SFX: Swords clanging.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN (Grunting)
[SFX: Flesh rending, blood spurting, body thudding to ground.]
[SFX: Blades sheath.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN (Cries out in pain)
[SFX: Armored footsteps.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN (Labored breathing) You've taken my brothers, their sons, my arm...can you not at least take my life!?
NERADIAL You will live to see what your choices wrought.
Ülgen CAPTAIN (Labored breathing) Then you will have it...I surrender. Il Namrosa is yours. Our Empire...is now yours.
[SFX: More armored footsteps.]
NERADIAL No—your wasteland is yours.
[Music starts]
NERADIAL General...it is time. [Sanavran]
[SFX: Waves crashing.]
BALORUS [Sanavran] Commence the attack.
ELVAN #1 Onward! Elvans, attack!
BALORUS (Laughing)
[SFX: Gates rising, crowd screaming, stone crashing, swords clanging.]
Ülgen CAPTAIN Did you not hear me? We surrender! We surrender!
NERADIAL You made your choice, captain. You chose the wasteland. Agurus—kill.
[SFX: Leviathan roaring, water splashing, swords ringing, crowd screaming, arrows flying.]
NARRATOR The great Leviathan rises from the green oceans before the Empire of Ülgen, spreading its webbed arms, its three heads rising and falling, emptying its walls of life for the armies of Elvans and mercenaries to lay siege unopposed. Soon, the City of Il Namrosa is no more, its people and legacy now a smaller part of the great Elvan Empire, under the Deep God, heralded by his Chosen One.
[Music ends]
[SFX: Leviathan roaring.]
[SFX: Stone walls crashing down.]
SCENE FIVE: THE HIGH ENKINDLER
[SFX: Candleflame flickering.]
[Music: "Rhuadu" (mystical choral music) starts.]
NARRATOR Souls fill the Shrine of Rhuadu, a silent temple sitting on a hill just outside the walls of Wynhold, occupied only with ancient tomes, statues, and echoes—until now.
King masun Fire Maiden...and friends.
BRI Your Highness?
JENQUO Always an honor to bask in your royal presence, your Grace. Right, Iriklas?
[SFX: Wine sloshing in goblet.]
IRIKLAS (Mouth full) ...Hm? Oh yes, great wine. Nice temple.
VILLADIUS Forgive me, my King, what is the purpose of the High Magnir's visit?
KING MASUN Neradial's conquest has already begun.
WILLARD Elvan ships have been spotted scouting the Wynland Kingdom and its allies.
BRI What of Gathland?
WILLARD Our sentries there have been unresponsive as of late. We’ve summoned Sir Brand back to the capitol, but have received no answer. He’s likely occupied with some of the unrest from the locals.
BRI Oh...oh, yes, probably, very occupied.
RYBALD Word travels that she already cut through the Ülgen fleet and her armies march through Il Namrosa.
VILLADIUS Why wasn't I informed? It is the Elvan people we are talking about here, my people.
IRIKLAS (Laughs) Forgive me, my brother in immortality, but our people haven't waged war in decades? I wouldn’t worry. (Sipping)
KING MASUN It's not just the armies of Hymerthral. Neradial has the Banished Bretheren backing her.
IRIKLAS (Chokes) Ooh, oh zia, oh, that will do it.
TARÚK Who are they?
IRIKLAS It’s a mercenary alliance. Humans, Elvans, Dwarves, peoples none of you have ever seen and you never want to see, trust me. They'll sack Wynhold for breakfast, Workingar for dinner, and Buri as a midnight snack.
WILLARD (Scoffs) All the great conquerors who bite off too much to swallow end up choking. Every last one.
VILLADIUS Not according to prophecy. And many think she is more than just a Queen, but a messiah—the Chosen One sent by the Deep God.
KING MASUN She has amassed the largest army this world has ever seen. That is why the High Enkindler has come.
BRI Doesn't Wynland have dozens of allies?
VILLADIUS The death of Rhuadu has left us divided, faithless. We need to rekindle our allyship. Rally forces behind our own Chosen One.
BRI That's me—right?
VILLADIUs It must be indisputable.
BRI Then let's get on with the disputing. I'm ready.
Fallow Don't be so certain, girl.
BRI Who're you?
IRIKLAS (Aside) Oh, no, father sent me to see one of these pampered red-robed peacocks after he caught me at Prince Cynthius' party.
JENQUO (Aside) Iriklas, do not make fun of the bald man's appearance.
KING MASUN Bri, this is Fallow, the High Enkindler, and his council.
FALLOW I've heard a great deal about you, and what makes you so special.
[SFX: Flame ignites.]
BRI (Gasps)
JENQUO Whoa, how did he—?
IRIKLAS I thought only Bri still had—
CLOSING CREDITS
[Music: "" ends.]
[Music: "End Credits" (rustic percussive music) starts.]
NARRATOR The Call of the Flame. Starring Bonnie Bogovich, Stephen Cumberworth, Jacob Williamson, Corey Borchers, Ash Williams, Zack “Xathian” Young, and Gary Gibbs the Second. For the full cast list and episode transcripts, please visit thecalloftheflame.com. For the video version of this episode, visit youtube.com/magnirproductions. 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. Sanavran speech by Megan Watson. Editing by Kurt Cañez and Sasha Blore. Read the podcast description and follow us on our pages of media. Send a bird bearing the hashtag COTF Podcast. Join our discord to meet our cast and crew. But for bonus audio, music, and updates on the upcoming Book Two, visit Patreon.com/thecalloftheflame. To ask us about sponsorship, send an electronic letter to thecalloftheflamepodcast@gmail.com. Gather around in two weeks for the next installment of our play. This has been a Magnir Productions. I am your narrator, George Hoctor. We thank you all for listening.